Budget Travel's Blog

The latest travel news, vacation tips & advice, travel apps, and more

Archive: June 2008
jun 30

Gear: For summer, a new family-friendly backpack

The latest backpack from Briggs & Riley Travelware hits stores this week and is tailored to families on the go.
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4 by Amy Chen Luggage, Travel Gear, Family Travel
jun 30

Midwest Airlines planning cuts to ward off bankruptcy

The highly rated domestic carrier based out of Milwaukee, Wis., and Kansas City, Mo. is dramatically reducing its number of planes and laying off pilots.
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6 by John Rambow Airlines
jun 30

What are travel agents good for?

The number of travel agents in the U.S. is down 30 percent since 2000. But there are still times when an agent can be your greatest trip-planning asset.
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39 by John Rambow Questions and Opinions
jun 30

Delta announces fuel surcharge for Award Tickets

Even a free ticket on Delta is going to cost you money starting on August 15.
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1 by Anthony Falcone Airlines, Frequent Flier Miles
jun 25

Continental charging travelers to fly standby

Continental has just implemented a little-publicized $50 stand-by fee to help the airline offset rising fuel costs.
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31 by Justin Bergman Airlines
jun 25

Affordable Europe: Go east!

Despite all the bad news about the economy and air travel, a trip to Europe is still possible with some creative planning. Tip #1: Consider cities like Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, and Zagreb.
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7 by John Rambow Europe
jun 25

This Weekend: Montreal Jazz Festival kicks off

Montreal's huge jazz festival is this weekend—3,000 musicians will perform.
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3 by JD Rinne Canada, Montréal
jun 24

United prepares to eliminate nearly 1,000 pilot jobs

As airlines reveal specifics about cutback plans for the next couple years, more and more employees are starting to feel their effects.
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0 by John Rambow Airlines
jun 23

To save on fuel, airlines go slow

Like many American drivers, airlines have to scrimp and save where they can. They've been retiring less fuel-efficient jets and even cleaning planes more often.
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1 by John Rambow Airlines, Eco-Green
jun 23

George Carlin takes on the absurdity of airline safety announcements

In honor of comedian George Carlin, who recently passed away, here's a look back at his take on airline safety announcements. "In the unlikely event…. "
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1 by John Rambow Pop Culture and Travel
jun 23

Dubai: What a desert safari is like

A report from a desert safari that involves a jeep drive through enormous mounds of sand (called "dune-bashing"), a camel ride, henna tattoos, and belly dancing.
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27 by Summar Ghias Dubai
jun 23

Homewood Suites: Going the Extra Mile

Yet another good reason to sign up for loyalty programs, even if you're not planning on using the company more than once.
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0 by Erik Torkells Hotels
jun 20

Travelers helping each other find lost cameras

So far, a website called I Found Your Camera has reunited 8 lost cameras with their rightful owners.
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45 by John Rambow Helpful Websites, Travel Photography
jun 20

Affordable Europe: 4 travel mistakes to avoid in England

Visiting Stonehenge, carrying luggage on the Tube, and other tips from a London commuter.
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52 by Budget Travel Europe, United Kingdom, London
jun 20

Affordable Europe: An easier way to find good hostels

The website europeanhostels.com has been updated with better tools for seeking out hostels. Find out what makes the site great.
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3 by JD Rinne Europe, Helpful Websites, Hotels
jun 19

Is the great American road trip in danger?

Reflecting on the great American rite of passage, the road trip, and how it's faring in an era of rising gas prices and other changes to the landscape.
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51 by John Rambow Pop Culture and Travel, Questions and Opinions
jun 19

Affordable Europe: In Italy, bargain lodging

Forget Craigslist and Venere for apartments in Italy. Look instead at Cross-Pollinate.com, convents (yes, convents!), and farm vacations. Our Rome guest blogger has the lowdown.
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10 by Budget Travel Europe, Italy, Hotels
jun 19

Affordable Europe: In Paris, secret spots for visitors

The back of famous Sacre Coeur cathedral bears all the Montmartre charm of the front, but is less cacophonous and touristy. Here are Parisian sweet spots, picked by a local.
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9 by Budget Travel Europe, France, Paris
jun 18

This Weekend: A new park in Washington State

Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, about a 90-minute drive from Seattle, will open this Saturday.
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2 by JD Rinne State Parks
jun 18

Wi-Fi in airplanes: Coming this summer?

This summer, Southwest, American, Alaska, JetBlue, and Lufthansa all plan on testing WiFi services that will allow laptop- and Blackberry-toting passengers to stay plugged in.
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5 by John Rambow Airlines, Innovations
jun 18

Affordable Europe: Scenic train routes

Unlike air travel, a train trip across Europe is a fascinating experience in itself, not mere transportation. Here are routes worth doing for the scenery alone, but which won’t break the bank.
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7 by Budget Travel Train Travel, Europe, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom
jun 17

Sports fans: ESPN.com's MLB stadium guide

ESPN.com offers a handy feature: a complete stadium guide for all 30 Major League baseball teams.
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0 by Anthony Falcone Helpful Websites
jun 17

Will Olympics 2008 be the gold mine dreamed of?

Beijing has been facing several tragic obstacles to hosting the Olympics. Our guest-blogger reviews what the world's leading newspapers are reporting about China's plans.
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2 by John Rambow China, Beijing
jun 17

Helpful websites to plan your India trip

Our guest-blogger has lived in India for much of the past two years. Here are his tips on the most helpful websites to use for planning a trip there.
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18 by John Rambow India, Helpful Websites
jun 16

Get used to those $15 fees

It's getting costlier to check bags today. Here are some ways to handle the changes.
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6 by John Rambow Airlines, Airport Check-in, Luggage
jun 16

Mexico: This summer, a sales tax rebate for visitors

Starting in time for summer travel, Mexico is enabling tourists to receive refunds of the 15 percent VAT (value added tax) on goods. Find out the rules.
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4 by Amy Chen Mexico and Central America
jun 13

Orbitz to automatically refund customers if airfare drops

If you book a flight on Orbitz and another customer subsequently books the same class seat on the same flight for a lower fare, Orbitz will reimburse you for the difference up to $250.
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18 by Kate Appleton Airfares & Flying, Helpful Websites, Innovations
jun 13

Affordable Europe: Appetizers in Rome

Up and down the peninsula, aperitivi hour usually begins after 6 pm. Try local drinks, such as prosecco, spritz (Aperol or Campari and wine), and, of course, wine.
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3 by Budget Travel Food + Drink, Wine, Europe, Italy, Rome
jun 13

Affordable Europe: Italian parks worth visiting

Perhaps one of the most lovely, traditional, and affordable Italian daytime activities is, literally, a walk in the park. Our Rome-based blogger lists her favorites.
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2 by Budget Travel State Parks, Europe, Italy
jun 13

Affordable Europe: Paris sales that are truly sales

In Paris, a sale is really an event. Regulated by the government, city-wide sales offer considerable savings. The next one runs June 25 until August 2.
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1 by Budget Travel Shopping, Europe, France, Paris
jun 12

American Airlines responds to critics of $15 bag fee

American's vice-president for Airport Services Planning spoke with me yesterday about the checked bag fee and other changes at American. I asked him questions that readers have raised.
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254 by Sean O'Neill Airlines, Airport Check-in, Questions and Opinions
jun 12

United to charge $15 to check *any* bag

Starting July 1, United will slap passengers with a $15 fee on domestic flights for the first checked bag. Chaos is likely to reign on the first days of the policy. Get the lowdown.
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29 by Sean O'Neill Airlines, Airport Check-in
jun 12

This Weekend: Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance

On Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, organizers of a national patriotic event ask that you put down your hot dog, take off your hat, and say the pledge of allegiance.
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0 by JD Rinne Maryland, Baltimore
jun 12

Airplane etiquette: Is cell phone use out of control?

Leaving New York City, the passenger next to me spent a good 20 minutes threatening her boyfriend. Stop the cell phone madness!
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19 by Beth Collins Questions and Opinions
jun 11

How low can they go?

On a new website, travel agents bid on your all-inclusive resort business.
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1 by Erik Torkells Helpful Websites, Hotels
jun 10

Et tu, Bill Marriott?

The chairman and CEO of Marriott admits that he doesn't write all of his blog posts.
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4 by Erik Torkells Questions and Opinions
jun 10

Where's your family headed?

Be it a tried-and-true destination or something new, what are your family's travel plans this summer?
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51 by Budget Travel Questions and Opinions, Family Travel
jun 10

Hotels: First Aloft opens in Montreal

After more than a year of hyping its new lifestyle brand, Starwood unveiled the 136-room Aloft Montreal Airport in early June, with several properties to follow in 2008 and 2009.
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4 by Kate Appleton Canada, Montréal, Hotels
jun 10

Reminder: World Expo 2008 opens this week in Spain

Zaragoza, Spain, will host this year’s World Expo, which starts this Saturday and ends on September 14. Even Bob Dylan is in on the action.
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0 by Steve Merrill Spain, Zaragoza, Eco-Green
jun 10

June 14-17 LimoLiner as Amtrak alternative

Here's a first-person review of LimoLiner, a bus for the bourgeoise on the New York City to Boston line. The trip includes meals, a "bus attendant," broadband WiFi, and comfy service.
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16 by Sean O'Neill Local and Public Transportation
jun 10

Sending our best to Wisconsin Dells

Intense rains have led to a dam break.
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3 by Erik Torkells Wisconsin
jun 10

A bug in Hertz's system?

A company staffer says that if you drive fewer than 100 miles, the company's computers automatically charge you for gas.
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3 by Erik Torkells Rental Cars
jun 09

iPhone tips and tricks for budget travelers

Apple is making its iPhones more affordable to budget travelers. Here are tips on how to use this cell phone on the road without getting slapped with enormous charges.
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34 by Sean O'Neill Innovations, Travel Gear
jun 09

Harlem: Alexander Hamilton's house is moved...again

This weekend, Alexander Hamilton’s historic home was set on wheels and moved to a new location. We offer first-hand tips on what else there is to see in Harlem.
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4 by Sean O'Neill New York City
jun 09

Madrid: Goya and Renaissance portraiture in the spotlight

Two of the summer's most buzzed about art shows are at the Prado in Madrid, including "Goya in Times of War."
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0 by Sara Morrow Museums, Spain, Madrid
jun 09

Alert: Amtrak cancellations between NYC and Boston

Between June 14 and 17, Amtrak will cancel much of its Regional Service and all of its Acela Express service between Boston, New Haven, and New York City.
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1 by Sean O'Neill Train Travel
jun 06

Machu Picchu: A German robbed it first!

It turns out that a German entrepreneur who owned a sawmill in the region discovered the ruins 40 years earlier, and ransacked the site, reselling artifacts to European museums on the sly.
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2 by Laura MacNeil Landmarks and Monuments, Peru
jun 06

Priceline rainproofs its vacation packages

Priceline is offering a full refund of its 3- to 8-day vacation packages if it rains at least a half an inch a day on the majority of your vacation days.
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0 by Sean O'Neill Innovations
jun 05

Father's Day is coming...

From our new book: an amusing story from a flight attendant.
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0 by Erik Torkells Pop Culture and Travel
jun 05

Affordable Europe: Don't forget the ferries

A well-traveled Briton shows you how to use ferries to save on a night's lodging during multi-city trips, or to add a more scenic "Day Four" excursion to your visit to a major European city.
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6 by Budget Travel Cruises, Europe, Greece, Ireland, Dublin, Noord-Holland, Amsterdam, United Kingdom, London
jun 05

Affordable Europe: Italy by bus, train, and tram

Advice on what you should avoid (subways in Rome), what you should prepare for (a lack of air conditioning), and what are the most scenic routes (such as cable cars and water taxis).
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16 by Budget Travel Train Travel, Europe, Italy, Rome, Venice, Local and Public Transportation
jun 05

Affordable Europe: German hotels with an unusual perk

Guests at the moderately priced InterCityHotels, often located right by airports and train stations, get to ride local public transportation for free.
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5 by Kate Appleton Europe, Germany, Hotels
jun 04

This Weekend: Museum re-opening in San Francisco

On Sunday, officials in San Francisco cut the ribbon on the Contemporary Jewish Museum, which will present recent Jewish life through contemporary art, film, and music--not merely artifacts.
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1 by JD Rinne Museums, California, San Francisco
jun 04

Pedal, blog, pedal...across the nation

A guy is bicycling his way across the country, and is blogging about it. Surprisingly, the blog is interesting even for non-cyclists.
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1 by Beth Collins Adventure
jun 03

Survey: Hoteliers pick the world's best tourists

Who are the nicest, cleanest, most generous tourists around? And how do Americans compare with other nationalities? Find out with the Expedia poll of hotel owners and managers.
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77 by Sean O'Neill Pop Culture and Travel
jun 03

Paris: A new skyscraper to rival the Eiffel Tower

Paris is buzzing about the decision to build the Signal Tower, a skyscraper resembling four stacked cubes, in the central La Defense district.
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3 by Sean O'Neill France, Paris, Innovations
jun 03

Chicago: Tips from the Chicagoist

Margaret Lyons, editor-in-chief of city info site Chicagoist, answered your questions about the Windy City. Check out her tips for the best spas, pizza shops, nightlife spots, and other attractions.
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2 by Budget Travel Illinois, Chicago
jun 03

Hotels: 8 things you probably didn't know

A new book from A.K. Sandoval-Strausz's Hotel: An American History, is full of fun tidbits. Here are eight facts that surprised us.
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2 by Budget Travel Pop Culture and Travel, Hotels
jun 03

Affordable Europe: In Paris, free museum nights

Planning a trip to France this summer? Take advantage of a free-admission program to more than a dozen national museums.
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4 by Naomi Lindt Museums, France, Paris
jun 03

Santa Fe: Shoppers, mark your calendars

This July in Santa Fe, you'll find the world's largest international folk art market. Sample Cameroonian meat pies, listen to Japanese Taiko drummers, and watch Chinese dragon dancers.
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5 by Laura MacNeil Art + Culture, Shopping, New Mexico, Santa Fe
jun 02

A Monday morning treat

To brighten up your day: a funny story from A Stingray Bit My Nipple!
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0 by Erik Torkells Pop Culture and Travel