Budget Travel's Blog

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

Archive: August 2009
aug 31

Viking River Cruises responds to our readers' suggestions

Budget Travel gets results! Joost Ouendag, the VP Product Marketing at Viking River Cruises, responsed to reader's suggestion last Friday for new routes.
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5 by Sean O'Neill Cruises, Questions and Opinions
aug 31

Should "fuel" surcharges be renamed "profit" surcharges?

Are "fuel surcharges" still justified when fuel prices have dropped by half?
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12 by Sean O'Neill Airfares & Flying, Questions and Opinions
aug 31

Disney buys Marvel: Let the theme park wars begin!

But Universal's Islands of Adventures heavily features Marvel characters. Are we about to see a theme park war explode in Orlando?
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73 by Anthony Falcone Amusement and Theme Parks, Disney, Florida, Orlando
aug 31

Hawaii deals for its 50th anniversary

Contests promote Hawaii travel.
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4 by Danielle Lipp Hawaii, Questions and Opinions
aug 30

Switzerland's trendiest neighborhood

Zürich's red-light Kreis 4 district has been transformed into the city's style hub.
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0 by Budget Travel Europe, Switzerland, Zürich
aug 28

Traxo: Plan your trips with a little help from your friends

The website is part trip-organizer, part social media meet-up maker.
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3 by JD Rinne Helpful Websites
aug 28

A reader proposes smart new routes for river cruises

Loyal reader Clarence Moore wrote in to us in response to our recent blog posts on new river cruises, pointing out where new ones are needed.
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12 by Sean O'Neill Cruises, Europe, Questions and Opinions
aug 28

8 travel tips we learned on Twitter this week

Some of the info that most surprised me while reading and Twittering this week
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4 by Sean O'Neill Airlines, Innovations
aug 28

Where to eat and sleep in London?

Share your favorite London restaurants and hotels by posting a comment!
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89 by Budget Travel United Kingdom, London
aug 28

Dining on the Bosporus? Preposterous!

Recently a crop of laid-back and worldly spots has opened in Istanbul—all with glittering views and down-to-earth prices.
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0 by Budget Travel Food + Drink, Europe, Turkey, Istanbul
aug 28

Madrid: A neighborhood makeover

The once-dodgy backstreets of TriBall in Madrid are now a hotspot for design.
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0 by Budget Travel Europe, Spain, Madrid
aug 27

Get your stuff out of the airline seatback pocket pronto!

The airline seatback pocket may not be spacious, but it has at least traditionally been a place to stash your magazine or water bottle while you snooze. Not anymore.
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172 by Brad Tuttle Airlines
aug 27

NYC: A pop-up shop for well designed, travel-themed products

Areaware Design To Go has some cute and funky travel-related products and souvenirs.
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0 by JD Rinne Shopping, New York City
aug 27

Spas on sale!

Spa Week means you only pay a flat $50 fee for ordinarily expensive spa treatments nationwide.
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1 by Alison Rohrs Spas and Pampering
aug 27

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a...powerbocker?

Step aside, pogo stick, your punk cousin has just arrived.
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4 by A. Christine Maxfield Czech Republic
aug 26

Better than Ha Long Bay, Vietnam?

In nearby Cuc Phuong National Park, you can see very rare gibbons not found elsewhere and hike in solitude in the jungle, according to a spokesman for Lonely Planet.
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4 by Sean O'Neill Rivers and Lakes, Vietnam
aug 26

Video: How to rent a hybrid

Booking a hybrid rental car can be a big hassle. To boost your chance of scoring one of these green rides, follow Budget Travel's advice in four easy steps.
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11 by Sean O'Neill Rental Cars
aug 26

Better than the Inca Trail?

The Apolobamba Trek vs. The Inca Trail.
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2 by Budget Travel Peru
aug 26

Half off of flights this fall and winter

Using a special discount booking code this week, you can fly north or south at 50 percent off on Direct Air this autumn and winter.
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0 by Brad Tuttle Airfares & Flying, Airlines
aug 25

France: A Michelin chef goes budget

Known for his nearly $300-per-person prix fixe dinners, chef Paul Bocuse has staked his Michelin-starred reputation on Ouest Express, a fast-food joint in Lyon's Vaise neighborhood.
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2 by Budget Travel Food + Drink, Europe, France, Lyon
aug 25

Paris price check: Does the $80 hotel still exist?

Wondering how prices may have changed since 2002, I selected three hotels Budget Travel reviewed back then and checked prices for now. The difference is rather shocking.
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9 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, Paris, Hotels
aug 24

Worth reading: Kansas City's gas-station barbecue and more

Some of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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1 by JD Rinne Missouri, Kansas City
aug 24

A neighborhood makeover in Denmark

Part of the meatpacking district in the Vesterbro neighborhood of Hvide Kødby in Copenhagen has come alive with galleries, boutiques, and bars.
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9 by Budget Travel Europe, Denmark, Copenhagen
aug 24

Want cheaper train tickets in Europe? Learn a little French

We found you can save up to 40 percent off the cost of intercity train tickets in Europe by booking on European websites. The catch? You'll need to know a little French.
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19 by Meg Zimbeck Train Travel, Europe, France, Paris
aug 24

4 new ships set sail across Europe

Spotlighting four new ships setting sail across Europe.
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3 by Alison Rohrs Cruises, Europe
aug 21

Finding Labor Day travel deals

We've found some great deals for Labor Day weekend travel.
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7 by Thomas Berger Hotels
aug 21

Arty space invaders in Hungary

Clever entrepreneurs in Budapest are getting temporary leases and turning abandoned old buildings into romkocsmas, or ruin bars.
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1 by Budget Travel Food + Drink, Europe, Hungary, Budapest
aug 21

Ask Trip Coach: All-inclusive resorts

The all-inclusive can be the ultimate no-hassle vacation. But even if there are no hassles, travelers may have plenty of questions. Trip Coach is here to help.
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40 by Brad Tuttle Trip Coach, Questions and Opinions
aug 21

Paris: City of electric cars?

Paris is moving forward with a car sharing program called Autolib'.
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4 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris, Rental Cars
aug 20

Skiing in Virginia? In the summer?

Starting on August 29, Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va., will give skiers and snowboarders the freedom to ride in the great outdoors year-round.
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15 by Brad Tuttle Adventure, Skiing, Virginia
aug 20

What are your family travel lifesavers?

With a 9-month old, packing has now become a multi-day event. What are the products and tricks you keep in your back pocket?
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24 by Nina Willdorf Questions and Opinions, Family Travel
aug 19

Video: She said Yes! At 35,000 feet in the air

When Jay took his girlfriend Jill on their first vacation together as a couple, Jill was in for a surprise…
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0 by Sean O'Neill Pop Culture and Travel, Airlines
aug 19

Where to eat and sleep in Rome?

We've added brand-new pages on Rome and need your help to build them.
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45 by Budget Travel Italy, Rome
aug 19

Rome: A night at the museum

Late-night hours at the Vatican, Capitoline Museums, and others during weekends in September and October.
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7 by Kate Appleton Museums, Italy, Rome
aug 19

This weekend: Vermont's first ever cheesemakers festival

Visit Vermont's artisan creameries, wineries, and breweries during an open studio day on Saturday.
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1 by JD Rinne Vermont
aug 19

Bose debuts QuietComfort 15 noise-canceling headphones

Bose puts on sale tomorrow (Thursday) its new QuietComfort 15 noise-canceling headphones, which aim to be the "gold standard" of such devices. The price is $300.
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3 by Sean O'Neill Travel Gear
aug 19

Fare sale to NYC, starting at $138 RT from Miami

Only available until Friday, special fares let you fly between NYC and L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Miami.
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2 by Sean O'Neill New York City, Airfares & Flying
aug 19

Discover India in Paris

Look beyond picture postcard Paris and visit the "Little India" neighborhood northeast of Gare du Nord train station, home to hundreds of Indian and Sri Lankan businesses.
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1 by Meg Zimbeck India, Europe, France, Paris
aug 18

Eiffel Tower: Wait not, want not

A new online reservation system will allow you to skip the wait and soar right up to the 906-foot-high observation deck.
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16 by JD Rinne Europe, France, Paris
aug 18

A chic new tour de France

The classic Citroën 2CV—designed in part to transport up to two farmers and 100 pounds of potatoes—is the engine powering a new self-guided driving tour of northern France.
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3 by Budget Travel Europe, France
aug 17

Worth reading: A foodie rebirth for San Fran's Ferry Building

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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0 by JD Rinne California, San Francisco, Travel Video
aug 17

A whole new kind of art hotel

Wouldn't it be cool if you could carry your lodging around with you like a snail or a hermit crab (and get a mean workout in the process)?
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5 by Valerie Rains Pop Culture and Travel, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, Eco-Green
aug 14

The best value in European river cruising keeps getting better

Avalon is the fastest-growing river cruise company in the world, having just added yet another ship.
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19 by Budget Travel Cruises, Noord-Holland
aug 14

New nonstop flights

Forget connecting flights and long layovers: Mainstream and low-fare airlines alike have introduced dozens of new nonstops—like these tempting routes.
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2 by Budget Travel Europe, Airfares & Flying, Airlines
aug 13

Samsung DualView TL220 lets you look twice

Samsung's new 12.2-megapixel "smart" camera has two LCDs: a 3-inch touch-screen on the back and a 1.5-inch front display.
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17 by Amy Chen Innovations, Travel Photography
aug 13

The car rental promotion that actually costs you double

Quiz time: When is a $20 daily car rental rate promotion a rip-off? Answer: When you could just as easily be paying $10 a day.
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10 by Brad Tuttle Rental Cars
aug 13

Where we're clicking: wherescool.com

Like a hipper, budget-minded version of Yelp, Where's Cool is a network of in-the-know friends who will point you to surprising spots in just about any city.
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9 by Budget Travel Helpful Websites
aug 12

JetBlue offers an all-you-can-fly pass

For $599 including most taxes and fees, hop any of JetBlue's routes from 57 cities and more than 600 daily flights.
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16 by Sean O'Neill Airlines, Airport Check-in
aug 12

Should rental cars have video screens for the kids?

In hindsight, perhaps we shouldn't have praised the idea of putting TV screens in rental cars. What do you think?
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39 by Sean O'Neill Questions and Opinions
aug 11

This weekend: Show your ice cream love in Austin, Texas

The third annual Austin Ice Cream Festival is happening this Saturday. Here's the full scoop.
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0 by JD Rinne Texas, Austin
aug 11

New technology: "Warm Cookie Radar"

Click on the Warm Cookie Radar link, and a map pops up with little pulsating cookie icons at all the locations where cookies have just been baked in three major U.S. cities.
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0 by Beth Collins Food + Drink, California, San Francisco, Illinois, Chicago, Washington, Seattle
aug 10

Worth reading: New paddling adventures for kayakers

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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0 by JD Rinne
aug 10

What's your dream trip?

Share your dreams with us! You may just find the perfect Budget Travel itinerary in an upcoming issue.
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150 by Tom Foster Questions and Opinions
aug 07

Where to eat and sleep in New York City?

We're adding brand-new pages on New York City and need your help to build them.
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54 by Budget Travel New York City
aug 07

Thanks for all of your Ask Trip Coach questions about holiday travel

We'll offer tons of honest advice and specific answers in an upcoming issue of the magazine. And here are some quick tips right now.
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0 by Brad Tuttle
aug 07

Rome: August discounts for visitors under 30

The annual summer exodus from Rome is underway, but this time, city officials are hard at work to lure tourists.
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0 by Kate Appleton Italy, Rome
aug 07

Paris: 3 fun summer art shows

During the hot month of August, the Paris art scene sheds pretension almost as fast as the French shed excess clothing. Here are some shows to check out.
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0 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris
aug 06

Sunscreen alert: One product you shouldn't buy

To survive summer's backyard barbecues and camping trips, you're probably slathering up with sunscreen and bug spray. But here's a quick tip: Don't use a product that combines the two.
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8 by JD Rinne Health and Hygiene
aug 06

Paris: 4 outdoor spots for drinks

Our ex-pat blogger in Paris found four leafy spots where you can sip some wine, beer, or coffee and take in the scene.
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2 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris
aug 05

Memphis: A new Holiday Inn shows off the brand's new look

Holiday Inn is in the middle of a worldwide relaunch—that means making over more than 3,200 hotels and 419,000-plus rooms.
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34 by Kate Appleton Tennessee, Memphis, Hotels
aug 05

NYC: Hertz boosts its fleet of pay-by-the-hour car rentals

About 500 cars are now available for rent by the hour. A $50 annual membership fee enables you to rent cars by the hour or day. Rates start at $10 an hour and vary by type of vehicle.
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0 by Sean O'Neill New York City, Rental Cars
aug 05

Megabus puts more seats on sale for $1 each way

Megabus is selling an additional 50,000 fares for the low, low price of $1 each way.
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1 by Sean O'Neill Local and Public Transportation
aug 05

4 family vacation deals worth noting

Families looking to get away can take advantage of four kid-friendly programs and promotions in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and elsewhere.
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7 by Amy Chen Family Travel
aug 05

This Weekend: See baseball played the original way

Go back in time with the national pastime this weekend in a re-creation of how the sport was first played.
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7 by Danielle Lipp Pop Culture and Travel, Michigan
aug 04

Why even your carry-on bag might not be safe

Every airline traveler should know that it's unwise to put valuables or fragile items inside a checked bag. What I saw last week at LaGuardia Airport will make you think twice about putting such items in your carry-on too.
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28 by Brad Tuttle
aug 04

Paris cuts its sales tax, but are bistros cutting prices?

The city of Paris cut its sales tax, but bistros aren't always passing along the savings.
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1 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
aug 03

Worth reading: German tourists love their poolside chairs

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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0 by JD Rinne
aug 03

NYC: Subway experts share their sightseeing tips

After visiting an estimated 200 stops throughout the city, the Wegeners shared some tips about the Big Apple's underbelly—as well as great places for dining and sightseeing above ground.
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3 by Alison Rohrs Train Travel, New York City, Innovations