Budget Travel's Blog

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

Archive: May 2009
may 29

Paris attractions: Learn to cook with Alain Ducasse

Alain Ducasse, the famous chef, has just opened a school for non-professional cooks in Paris.
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10 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
may 28

Airport security: A new ruling on shoes

In the bin or out of the bin—that is the question.
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128 by JD Rinne Airport Check-in, Questions and Opinions, Safety and Security
may 28

As of June 1, pack that passport!

Starting Monday, you need a passport or other qualifying document to enter or re-enter the U.S. from Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and other foreign countries.
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1 by Sean O'Neill
may 28

Tel Aviv's birthday party is coming to New York City

On Sunday, June 21, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., an artificial beachfront will be featured at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park for the Tel Aviv Beach Party to celebrate the Israeli city's 100th year.
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9 by Budget Travel Israel, Tel Aviv, New York City
may 28

A helpful new guide to summer vacation planning

Cheapflights debuts a checklist for planning an affordable summer vacation.
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1 by Budget Travel Airlines, Helpful Websites
may 27

Deal alert: Top hotels offer discounts, bonuses, and free nights

Marriott, Best Western, and InterContinental are among the big hotel companies rolling out the discounts to entice travelers to stay at their properties this summer.
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1 by Brad Tuttle Hotels
may 27

Sales: $9 to Florida, $99 to the Caribbean

JetAmerica, an upstart airline modeled after Europe's Ryanair, is selling tickets to the Florida for $9 apiece.
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14 by Brad Tuttle Airfares & Flying
may 27

Expedia dumps its airfare booking, change, and cancel fees

Expedia makes its air-booking fee elimination permanent and nixes its cancel/change fees on air, hotel, car, cruise
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4 by Sean O'Neill Airfares & Flying
may 27

This weekend: The fish will fly on Catalina Island

Off the coast of Southern California, the island plays host to flying fish, and a festival, every summer.
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1 by JD Rinne California
may 26

3 bold new summer thrills for '09

Opening this summer: the world's highest glass-foot ledge, the world's fastest roller coaster, and the world's longest zipline.
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4 by Budget Travel Chicago
may 26

Worth reading: Travel along the Buddhist Circuit

Some of our favorite items from around the Web this week.
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1 by JD Rinne
may 22

Whose Disney World is it?

Several readers give the impression that they'd be happier with the Happiest Place on Earth if there were fewer kids.
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55 by Brad Tuttle Disney, Florida, Questions and Opinions
may 21

Have weird fun in NYC this weekend

Roosevelt Island is hosting a wacky improv "mission" called MP3 Experiment Six.
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0 by Thomas Berger New York City
may 21

New York City: The stylish Ace Hotel opens, with rates from $99

The new Ace Hotel in mid-town has a lounge and library with plaid chairs and cow-skin rugs, and bunk bed rooms starting at $99, which include a concert roadie case turned refrigerator.
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3 by Budget Travel New York City, Hotels
may 20

Virgin America adds Wi-Fi fleetwide--for a cost

Installed on all Virgin America planes, the Gogo Wi-Fi service costs $13 during daytime flights over three hours, $10 with daytime flights under three hours, and $8 for hand-held devices.
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21 by Budget Travel Airlines
may 20

Alaska cruises: Here's a booking tip

We used Kayak's cruise search tool and spotted a small trend. Alaska cruises haven't been this cheap in years.
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3 by JD Rinne Cruises, Alaska
may 20

New York City: Free bikes for downtown visitors

For free, you can get a loaner bicycle in downtown New York City and tool around for two-and-a-half hours. It's a refreshing way to see the city via a summer cycle ride.
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11 by Budget Travel New York City, Eco-Green
may 20

Tell us about your travel emergencies

We're putting together a story that's all about travel emergencies. Share one of your own stories, and it may be published in Budget Travel!
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28 by Brad Tuttle Trip Coach, Questions and Opinions
may 20

This weekend: Get a little culture at the Spoleto Festival

The 17-day Charleston, S.C., event is chock-full of cutting-edge, fine arts performances, starting this Friday.
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0 by JD Rinne Art + Culture, South Carolina, Charleston
may 19

Your airline knows where your luggage is...but isn't telling

A company aims to help airlines like Delta and Southwest send you a text-message as soon as it's obvious that your luggage will be delayed.
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6 by Sean O'Neill Airlines
may 18

Worth reading: AirTran's Wi-Fi promise, Ryanair's new fee, and more

Our favorite links from around the Web this week.
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1 by JD Rinne Airlines
may 18

Ban "whole-body" TSA scanners?

Today, the Electronic Privacy Information Center began a campaign to lobby Homeland Security to suspend mandatory use of "whole-body image scanning" machines. But most fliers don't seem to mind the devices.
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8 by Sean O'Neill Safety and Security
may 18

Happy birthday, Alaska!

The Last Frontier turns 50 this year, and the deals are everywhere.
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0 by Budget Travel National Parks, Alaska
may 15

Paris: 7 high-fashion stores you won't find on the Champs-Elysées

The Rue Charlot in the upper Marais district (not far from the city's most famous sights) is home to some great boutiques. Our Paris-based blogger, Meg Zimbeck, gives a rundown.
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8 by Meg Zimbeck Shopping, Europe, France, Paris
may 15

Beyond the Louvre: 6 Paris art shows worth seeing now

Enthusiastic ex-pat bloggers are covering just about everything that's worth seeing in the art scene. Find out their picks for spring and summer shows in the French capital.
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1 by Meg Zimbeck Museums, Europe, France, Paris
may 15

Great Paris 'hoods: Around the rue de Belleville

The eastern Parisian neighborhood around the rue de Belleville has garnered attention as a foodie mecca. Our ex-pat blogger gives us a first-hand report on whether the district is worth a stop on your next trip.
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5 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris
may 14

Baggage fees: Still annoying, but easier to figure out

Kayak.com is making it easier to find out the grand total you'd pay for a flight with a checked bag or two. Select the number of bags you're planning on checking, and updated flight prices with baggage charges included appear.
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3 by Brad Tuttle Airfares & Flying, Helpful Websites
may 14

Paris bistro buzz: Frenchie

Get a taste of one of the most buzzed about restaurant debuts in this capital city: Frenchie.
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2 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
may 14

Redeeming your miles just got easier

American Airlines' now lets you cash in your miles for one-way tickets, lowering the bar you need to put your miles to use. It's the first major airline to change its frequent flier program in this way.
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8 by Brad Tuttle Airlines, Frequent Flier Miles
may 13

Rome: Take an Angels & Demons themed walking tour

The movie, opening this weekend, has inspired tours to important sites in the ancient city.
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2 by JD Rinne Pop Culture and Travel, Walking Tours, Italy, Rome
may 12

This weekend: Nantucket's refurbished Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

Fresh off a $3 million reno, the museum houses more than 5,000 objects relating to the island's maritime history.
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1 by JD Rinne Massachusetts, Nantucket
may 12

Fly to Ireland for $249, with a weeklong car rental included

This travel package with air and extras bundled together is cheaper than booking the flight by itself. Valid for travel in late autumn, includes a flight to Dublin and a week-long car rental starting at $249 per person.
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5 by Brad Tuttle Ireland, Dublin
may 12

Video: Memorial Day vacations on a budget

Editor-in-chief Nina Willdorf was on NBC's The Today Show, sharing suggestions on affordable weekend deals. In case you missed it, here's the clip.
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0 by Budget Travel Pop Culture and Travel
may 11

What worries you when you travel?

We're putting together a story that's all about travel emergencies—how to avoid them, but also how to be best prepared in case something unfortunate happens. Please post your questions.
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46 by Brad Tuttle Trip Coach, Questions and Opinions
may 11

Worth reading: The Smithsonian's star turn and more

Our favorite links from around the blogosphere this week.
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0 by Budget Travel
may 08

Four unexpected hotel deals

Would you hula-hoop for a discount? Prepay your hotel reservation with a Mastercard to get a $50 pre-paid credit card? Stay two nights to get a third free stay? Then click here.
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0 by Amy Chen Hotels
may 07

5 steps for finding cheap fares for Memorial Day weekend

We help a reader book a cross-country ticket on short notice during one of the most popular holiday weekends for travel. The tips might help you, too!
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8 by Sean O'Neill Airfares & Flying
may 06

The Vatican stays open to help Abruzzo earthquake victims

This Sunday, the Vatican Museums will donate admission fees to the roughly 65,000 families left homeless.
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0 by Kate Appleton Italy, Rome
may 06

Worth reading: Destination weddings in Mexico are jilted at the altar

Our favorite links from around the web this week.
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1 by JD Rinne Mexico and Central America
may 06

Vancouver 2010: Answers to your questions about attending the Winter Olympics

More than 15 readers sent us questions about visiting Vancouver, B.C., during the Winter Games. So we dug up the answers: on tickets, accommodations, and transportation.
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12 by Budget Travel Canada, Vancouver, Hotels
may 05

This weekend: Fly high in Branson, Mo., with a new airport and air show

The $155-million airport will officially open Monday, with AirTran and Sun Country as inaugural airlines.
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5 by JD Rinne Missouri, Airfares & Flying
may 05

Cheap shopping in Paris--isn't it bromantic?

A guide to worthwhile sales of antique furniture, charming old posters, and obscure collectables. Even if you're not in the mood to shop, these (mostly) outdoor sales offer a peek at Parisian life.
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3 by Meg Zimbeck Shopping, Europe, Paris
may 05

Clean Plates NYC: 5 healthy, tasty meals under $25

A slim new guide makes the case that eating organic, locally-sourced food isn't just trendy, but affordable and easy, too.
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1 by Kate Appleton Food + Drink, New York City, Health and Hygiene
may 04

It's like Expedia...only for bus travel

Busjunction.com, which launched this week, makes it easy and fast to find the bus line and fare that most suits your budget, schedule, and itinerary.
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1 by Budget Travel Helpful Websites, Local and Public Transportation
may 01

Trip calculators: Because planning is half the fun

A new tool from TripAdvisor will help you decide if a hotel or a rental will be the most cost-effective lodging option for you. And a tool from TravelMuse provides destination inspiration.
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3 by JD Rinne South Carolina, Charleston, Hotels
may 01

Affordable Paris: Two new "designer hostels" for $40 a night

Two new "boutique" hostels have opened in Paris. Trying to shed the granola image of yesteryear, both promise free Internet, clean bathrooms, and dorm beds in stylish rooms starting at $30 per night.
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14 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris, Hotels
may 01

Philly: Galileo's telescope makes its exclusive U.S. appearance

At Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, you'll find on display scientific artifacts that changed history. Plus, a nifty touring exhibit on the biology of race.
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1 by Budget Travel Museums, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia