Summer Travel Tips From Samantha Brown

June might be almost over, but there is still plenty of summer fun to be had! Here are three festivals coming up before the end of the month that deserve to be on your travel radar. The Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge Outrigger Canoe Race and FestivalIf you happen to be in the New York City area Saturday, June 22nd, stop by Pier 26 at Hudson River Park in Tribeca for a unique chance to experience Hawaiian culture in the Big Apple. Catch a glimpse of the Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge, a 15-mile outrigger canoe race around the southern tips of Manhattan and Brooklyn and around New York Harbor. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. from Pier 26 and features teams from all over the world, including one made of Hawaiian Airlines employees (pictured). You can view the race from any of the stations along the route—Pier 62, Pier 66, Pier 26, and Pier 1 in Brooklyn—and enjoy performances by Hawaiian and Polynesian musicians, dancers, and storytellers at Pier 26 in Hudson River Park. The festival takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can learn how to make your own Hawaiian lei, take a hula lesson, or if you're over the age of 14, try a 90-minute paddling lesson (from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) courtesy of New York Outrigger—all free of charge. The International Festival of Arts & IdeasAlthough this festival has been going on since June 15th, it's still worth mentioning since it runs through June 29th. The 15-day long International Festival of Arts & Ideas takes place in New Haven, Connecticut, and attracts more than 100,000 art lovers from around the world each year. The best part: 80 percent of the events are free and open to the public. Come for 14 lectures and stimulating conversations about things like Shakespeare plays and foodie trends, see cross-cultural dance and music showcases, and catch free family-friendly musical performances during the week and on weekend afternoons. Walking tours, bike tours, and a number of dance, acting, puppetry, and photography master classes and workshops are also available free of charge. The Jersey Shore Wine FestivalAs you may have heard—perhaps from a little birdie at Budget Travel—the Jersey Shore is open for business this summer. Come celebrate New Jersey's best wineries with the two-day Jersey Shore Wine Festival on the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk June 29th and 30th, in front of the Tropicana. You'll get great views of the Atlantic and the chance to sample more than 200 wines while listening to live music along the Boardwalk. Tickets can be purchased online—$15 per person before the Festival, and $20 per person at the gate including a complimentary souvenir wine glass—and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, so if nothing else, drink wine all weekend, you know, for the kids!

On Wednesday, June 19th, you can attend culinary workshops and see live musical performances from your favorite local and international artists thanks to Renaissance Hotels' second annual Global Day of Discovery, a one-day-only event that spans five continents and 35 countries. All events are hosted at one of Renaissance Hotels' 155 properties around the world and are open to the public, not just to hotel guests—visit their website to find an event near you and follow along on Twitter with #RDiscovery. Highlights include performances by country music sensation Montgomery Gentry at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and Juliet Simms, the season two runner-up from The Voice at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, culinary specialties by Executive Chef Capili and Food Writer Nevin Martell at the Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington D.C., and special front-of-the-line access for guests at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. Several hotels will feature musical performances by local musicians—like the Delta Pines Blues Band at the Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel and Rhyme N Rhythm at the Renaissance Las Vegas—and showcases by some of Cee-Lo Green's protegés including That Girl V at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. The Renaissance New York Hotel 57 will feature a night of stargazing with the Amateur Astonomers Association of New York, special starry night themed cocktails, and music by DJ Danny Estrella, while the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel will be running a pet adoption station and offering pet-themed food and drinks (Scooby Snacks anyone?) in their event co-sponsored by the North Shore Animal League, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue center. The Global Day of Discovery aims to inspire travelers to explore the destinations around them when they visit a new place. Go for a walk in a new neighborhood, stop to admire a beautiful piece of artwork, have a chat wtih the local resident serving your dinner. In this video, celebrities like Tracy Morgan, Patricia Arquette, Leslie David Barker from The Office, Josh Radnor from How I Met Your Mother, and Kevin McHale from Glee, among others, advocate doing just that. Discovering the little quirks and local flavors about the place you're visiting will make for a much more authentic travel experience and an unforgettable trip. What are some of the hidden gems you've discovered by just wandering around town? Tell us about it below!

As heavy spring rains caused major European rivers like the Elbe and the Danube to overflow their banks, serious flooding has hit parts of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. With more than 20 deaths and extensive damage to structures, the floods also caused the cancellation of several river cruises, including cruises from Budapest, Hungary, and those that call on the popular German port Passau. While European vacation plans aren't on the top of anyone's list of concerns at a time like this, we've found that the question of travel insurance often arises in the wake of natural disasters. It's a good time to remind readers of Budget Travel's recommendations where insurance is concerned. In general, Budget Travel does not recommend travel insurance. The cost of rebooking a flight will be less than an insurance premium, and hotels and rental car agencies rarely have strict cancellation policies. However, if you've booked a package tour or cruise, travel insurance may be a good idea. Familiarize yourself with the company's cancellation policy so you know what your risks are. In the case of Viking River Cruises, for instance, cancellations in the 29 days preceding your cruise will result in your losing your entire cruise fee. But the company offers a Travel Protection Plan that costs approximately 10 percent of the cruise fee (a Travel Protection Plan for a $3,000 cruise will run you $299) and protects you from sudden emergencies or medical problems, including pre-existing conditions. That being said, it's important to remember that many travel companies will respond to natural disasters and other major disruptive events with courteous and thoughtful waiving of re-booking or cancellation policies. But as we've noted here before, we can't guarantee that your cruise line or tour operator will follow suit! TALK TO US! Tell us about your experiences with travel insurance—including any last-minute cancellations or natural disasters that have rocked your travel plans—and we may quote you in an upcoming Budget Travel story!