Name: Budget Travel LLC
Price range: $

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Speculation on crop circles, what went on in Roswell that night in 1964, and where Jimmy Hoffa and Amelia Earhart vanished to still occupy the collective mind all these decades later. Arguably one of the greatest mysteries of our present moment is what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the airliner that fell disappeared on March 8, 2014 and is believed to be in the Indian Ocean. Terrorism? Technical malfunction? 
Those questions dogged Christine Negroni, a longtime aviation reporter for media outlets ranging from ABC News and The New York Times to Air &amp; Space magazine. She covered the disappearance of MH 370 for ABC News. She weaves the findings of her intense inquiry and study together in the “The Crash Detectives: Investigating the World’s Most Mysterious Air Disasters,” which was released by Penguin in September. 
Part of what makes the book such a thrilling read is that it broaches technical engineering factors, but not too technically; she takes you into the quick-thinking minds of pilots and investigators, but not in a cheap-thrills way; she details high-profile disasters, but not in a sensational way; she takes a probing look at conspiracy theories and gives them rational consideration without, for lack of a better term, coming across as paranoid.
We caught up with Negroni to talk about air travel, investigative reporting, government agencies, conspiracy theories, and what it’s like to experience oxygen deprivation. 
BUDGET TRAVEL: One of the things that makes this such a gripping read is that in addition to giving us the nitty gritty details of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 incident, you essentially chronicle a whole evolution of aviation engineering and progress. Was that your intention?
CHRISTINE NEGRONI: I thought the book would be focused on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, but as I wrote it, various avenues would lead to other things. MH370 inspired larger questions, it raised all these conspiracy theories but in some cases, there are legitimate alternative theories. That was eye-opening for me. And I’ve been an aviation safety writer for 20 years.
BT: Can you tell me an example of something that was particularly eye-opening that you learned?
CN: I think it was about the National Transportation Safety Board, for one. They’re the geeks who show up and solve the mystery when US airlines or aircraft are involved in a disaster. The more I looked at other crashes, the more I realized the NTSB investigators were subject to the same political and economic pressure as other bureaucrats and investigators in other countries. They’re not always the heroes They might misconstrue the facts. That’s surprising and disappointing. It felt like, “Christine, smell the coffee! Why should the NTSB be different from any other agency?”
BT: In this day and age, emotions can run pretty high when it comes to air travel. People who’ve never feared flying might be worried about getting on a plane given all the threats. And the stress around all the rigamarole of checking in and going though security doesn’t help. When people hear about a book on airline crashes, it might unnerve them, but “The Crash Detectives” has plenty of positive takeaway. Can you explain the beneficial takeaway of the book?
CN: The point is you can learn from each accident and if you don’t learn, why do it? A disaster is really a lesson, we can learn from, that’s why investigate in the first place. What near-accidents show us, like with Sully Sullenberger and the "Miracle on the Hudson flight," is that people can save the day, they can do what machines cannot do. They can do something novel and be innovative. Sully is just one of many who’ve done this sometimes in dramatic ways, and sometimes in subtle ways that even they may not even know. The end of the book is sort of a testament to how, by learning from mistakes, we can excel and not just in aviation, but in the way we perform in all sorts of ways.
BT: You say that MH370 and the Miracle on the Hudson flight are yin and yang. What do you mean by that?
CN: In MH370 and the “Miracle on Hudson,” the accidents are the opposite, In MH370—if my scenario is correct, and the crew did in fact suffer hypoxia, they were unable to make intelligent decisions--there was no human controlling the plane that could fly. On the other hand, Sully had a plane that couldn't fly, so this was a case of humans stepping in and using their intellect to save the day. 
BT: One of the interesting things to me about covering aviation versus another hard news realm, like technology or politics or the economy, is that it’s a huge industry, but each and every individual flight can physically affect each person differently, and in some cases that’s what accounts for an accident. You’ve made an effort to do really immersive research. Can you talk about some of your experiences?
CN: I went to flight school with Lufthansa pilot cadets. I did flight training at a private air school in New Zealand and I went through flight attendant training with Emirates in Dubai. I did hypoxia training with the pilot cadets from EVA, the airline of Taiwan. We did altitude training at 25,000 feet to familiarize ourselves with the symptoms of hypoxia, oxygen starvation. Hypoxia is sometimes called the "happy death" Because it makes you feel drunk and very happy, silly, stupid, a feeling of well-being. 
BT: When I board a plane, it feels like I’m putting all my trust in the hands of the captain. A lot of people board an airplane and feel really helpless
CN: Every time there's an accident there's so much misinformation on television. It’s a joke, if it were not a disaster, it would be laughable. Pilots and lawyers do a lot of this. Pilots may know how to fly a plane, but they don’t know safety necessarily. It is also important that passengers recognize their own role in safety. There are very common sense things travelers can do. The most super-powered executive will get on a plane and surrenders. Maybe the airlines encourage it will all the rules, but it’s like for most passengers, their free will has been beaten out of them. If something unexpected happens, the dynamic is that everyone gets passive, they’re not sure what to do or how to act. But you’ve got to own your own safety, you’ve got to be able to respond if something happens. Passengers should start by listening to what the flight attendants tell you to do. Count the number of seats there are to the closest exit, and don’t leave things on the floor so that the person next to you will trip if they have to get out in an emergency.
BT: Despite all the horrific details of the headline-making disasters, it’s still pretty incredible to think about the many thousands of flights that take off and land around the planet every day. It never ceases to amaze me that we can travel halfway around planet Earth in 14 or 16 hours.
CN: The fact is that there's more risk riding a bicycle in New York City than flying to New Zealand. There are 100,000 flights a day worldwide. Flying is amazing. I wish people would look out the window and see how gorgeous it is out there. They can see shooting stars sometimes and the moon. The other day I took picture of a sunset from a plane, it was so beautiful, I almost cried. People climb mountains to see that kind of sunset. But we get on a plane and look at our devices or movies or whatever. I wish everyone would enjoy that special gift that is flying.

"The Crash Detectives" Are Travel's Unsung Heroes

Inspiration

From around the Web
Indiana Jones! The first <a href="http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/02/14/the-indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull-trailer-is-here/" target="_blank">movie trailer for the next Indiana Jones movie has hit the Web</a>. The movie's out May 22. Destinations visited in the film include "<a href="http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/14/105511/708/travel/Indiana+Jones+IV+Trailer+Travel" target="_blank">Yale, Hilo (Hawaii), the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico, and Roswell</a>."
US Airways: <a href="http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2008/02/14/no-more-mileage-minimums-for-short-usairways-flights-and-a-new-fee/" target="_blank">New rules for redeeming frequent-flier miles, via View From the Wing</a>.
Merger Forecasts: US News has put together a <a href="http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/your-money/2008/02/11/where-airline-mergers-would-hurt-travelers-most.html" target="_blank">handy chart of the cities that may be hurt the most by anticipated airline mergers</a>. Meanwhile, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/BusinessTravel/story?id=4278717">Rick Seaney, the whipsmart CEO of FareCompare, has begun a business travel column for ABCNews.com</a>. First topic: <a href="http://rickseaney.com/2008/02/13/abc-news-to-rick-welcome-aboard-share-your-cheap-flight-know-how/">The potential effects of the predicted airline mergers</a>.
Chicago: Oprah's opened a 5,500-square-foot store filled with paraphernalia for living the Oprah life. <a href="http://boardingarea.com/blogs/pointswizard/2008/02/11/oprah-store-opens-in-chicago-2/" target="_blank">The Oprah Store</a>. 

South Korea: Goodbye to the Namdaemun Gate in Seoul, South Korea, which was <a href="http://blog.iloho.com/older/2008/2/13/south_korea_loses_national_treasure/" target="_blank">burnt down on Monday</a>.
Moscow: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/feb/13/moscow.hotels?gusrc=rss&amp;feed=travel">5 great budget hotels in Russia's capital</a>, as picked by London's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/feb/13/moscow.hotels?gusrc=rss&amp;feed=travel" target="_blank">Guardian</a>.
Thailand: Popular holiday island Koh Samui will be al the more accessible as Thai Airways launches flights to Samui <a href="http://feeds.b5media.com/~r/b5media/LetsVisitAsia/~3/234164395/">starting February 15</a>.
Pet travel: <a href="http://www.airlinecreditcards.com/travelhacker/how-to-travel-with-pets-the-ultimate-guide/">Here's a roundup of tips</a>.

Extra, extra: Travel news roundup

<h3>TOP TIPS</h3>
1. "Traveling with a large family or a group of friends? Bring along walkie-talkies (such as Motorola's Talkabouts) to keep everyone connected without cell phone roaming charges." —Sherry Brooks, Westlake Village, Calif.
2. "You're almost always charged extra for soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails at meals. But if you stick to juice, you can drink for free (on most ships)." —Kathy Pagliei, Swarthmore, Pa. (of Accessible Journeys)
3. "On every cruise we've taken, my wife tapes a balloon to our cabin door. That way, our stateroom stands out in the long hallway." —Eli Rose, Tampa, Fla.
4. "Many major cruise lines provide free passage to guests qualified to lecture on board. Call the line's entertainment office to see if you have the necessary skills." —Uvonne McCarty, Sparks, Nev.
5. "Nearly every cruise line will toss in one free cabin if you travel in a group of 15 or more." —Carolyn Spencer Brown, Pennington, N.J. (of CruiseCritic.com)
6. "If you book while you're aboard, some lines offer a discount of $175 and up on the deposit for future trips. More good news: You can usually get a refund on your deposit if you decide to cancel later." —Jeff Pugel, New York, N.Y.
7. "Before booking, check deck plans online to confirm your cabin isn't beneath a well-traveled area. Many ships have a lido deck buffet, where diners eat poolside. When they drag around chairs, it can make quite the ruckus in rooms right below." —N.W. Pope, Scottsdale, Ariz.
8. "When cruising with our two toddlers, we book a single cabin with twin beds. Pushing them together allows us to sleep sideways, with one parent at the bottom as a guardrail. This only works if you aren't tall!" —Jimmy Kung, Brooklyn, N.Y.
9. "To avoid the check-out bottleneck, ask for a printout of your bill the day before disembarking. If there are any discrepancies, you can resolve them early and totally relax on your last day at sea." —Jack Sigano, Nutley, N.J.
<h3>BOOKING TIPS</h3>
10. "Spring for last-minute deals. For those with a flexible schedule, it's hard to beat short-lead, online sales. Check out consolidators and discount sites as well as the lines' own e-mail offers." —Susan Murphy, Loa, Utah
11. "Make a bid online. Websites that auction cruises have some of the best bargains out there. At <a href="http://www.skyauction.com/" target="_blank">skyauction.com</a>, you can search by line, destination, and date." —Jennifer Dickey, Toronto, Canada
12. "Be an early bird. If you're planning a trip on a popular route (like the Mediterranean in the summer), you won't find many last-minute discounts. The early-bird deals—six to nine months out, generally—tend to have the lowest rates." —Editors' Advice
13. "Hire an agent. Even if you normally book trips on your own, a cruise is a wise moment to call in the experts. Each line employs specialists who can offer discounted fares and provide advice on cabin configurations and buffet selections. Also, agents with membership in a group like Virtuoso can sweeten deals with onboard credits, including everything from free meals at the specialty restaurants to spa credits." —Editor's Advice
14. "Prices often fluctuate based on kids' availability. Spring break, for example, is a popular (and pricey) time of year, but the last week in August, when most children return to school, is a bargain." —Michele Captain, Tampa, Fla.
15. "Sign up for frequent-cruiser programs (similar to frequent-flier programs). On our last cruise, we received chocolate-dipped strawberries in our room just for being members!" —Steve Maglich, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
16. "On the last day, you're supposed to leave by 9 a.m.—no exceptions. I've knocked on people's doors at 11 a.m. and found them still in the cabin because they overslept! Cabins don't have alarm clocks, so make sure you pack one. You don't want to find yourself rushing to gather your things. Once in a while, people forget their jewelry, credit cards, or watches in the safe."—Marta Ortiz Castro, Cruise Housekeeping Staff, Panama
17. "Find out if your cruise line offers benefits for signing up for its credit card. With Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, you earn points that you can redeem when booking cruises, resort nights, and flights." —Paula Prindle, Orient, Ohio
18. "Don't miss the boat! I like to fly into the port city a day or two before the cruise begins, especially in winter, to make sure that flight delays and cancellations don't wreak havoc." —Anne Schweisguth, Swiftwater, Pa.
19. "Comparison shop. Cruise lines try to make things easy by packaging airfare and pre-embarkation hotel stays. But you'll generally get better rates if you do your own research and arrange your flights and rooms. At the very least, it's a good idea to comparison shop online." —Editors' Advice
<h3>MONEY-SAVING TIPS</h3>
20. "Go with the flow. Sometimes you can use the spa's shower and steam rooms even if you don't get a treatment. After I work out, I forgo the tiny cabin shower for the far more spacious spa experience." —April Icsman, Medina, Ohio
21. "Skip the spa on sea days. I've been on many cruises on various lines, and one thing they all have in common is that they offer spa discounts when the ship is in port." —Rhonda Grabov, Philadelphia, Pa.
22. "Book your own excursions. You can usually get the best deal on a day trip if you arrange it directly with a tour operator rather than through the cruise line." —Cindy Rucker, Cary, N.C.
23. "BYO wine. Carnival allows you to bring one bottle per person per cruise, so choose well. We recently carried on our favorite bottle of wine, which cost $110 at our local shop. We paid a $10 corkage fee in the restaurant and ultimately saved $180 since they had the same bottle listed for $300." —Cheri Flores, Fort Worth, Tex.
24. "A rum and Coke made with house rum is the cheapest alcoholic drink we serve ($4.75). The daily drink specials will cost you $6, and something like a piña colada will set you back $6.75."—Steve Martin, Cruise Bartender, Jamaica
<h3>TIME-SAVING TIPS</h3>
25. "Pack for every port. Before I leave home, I make labeled packets for each port. They contain excursion-specific items: maps, sunscreen, insect repellent, disposable cameras, confirmations...even shampoo to use after swimming." —Deborah Plumb, St. Petersburg, Fla.
26. "Avoid a midnight lock-out. Once you're aboard, have the gift shop make a hole in your plastic room-key card (where it won't interfere with the magnetic strip), and wear it on a lanyard around your neck. You won't have to waste time waiting in line for a new card if you lose it." —Sallie Clinard, Las Vegas, Nev.
27. "Baby-proof your cabin. Companies such as Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean are making things easier for families. A sampling of their most useful services: pureeing fruit for custom baby food, and lending toys or Pack 'n Plays, which can double as cribs." —Editors' Advice 
<h3>TIPS FOR CONQUERING SEASICKNESS</h3>
28. "Apples. When I told a fellow passenger that I was feeling seasick, she suggested I eat a green apple. It was like magic! Now I bring some along whenever I sail." —Angie Evans, Bremerton, Wash.
29. "Ginger. Candied ginger is such a good remedy that some ships offer it with after-dinner mints. We always pack a supply in a plastic bag." —Weyman Lew, San Francisco, Calif.
30. "Oranges. If you're feeling nauseous, peel an orange, hold the rind to your nose, and inhale. A waiter taught me this aboard a ship, and I was soon able to eat again." —Rita McGuigan, Monroe, N.C.
31. "Acupressure. I keep Sea-Bands (bracelets that apply pressure to the inside of the wrist) in my purse at all times. They take up such little space and are surprisingly effective." —Lisa Lowe Stauffer, Roswell, Ga.
<h3>DINING TIPS</h3>
32. "Have breakfast in bed. The night before an early-morning excursion, order room service. You won't get stuck in a long buffet line and risk missing your departure." —Mirvet Sidhom, Quebec, Canada
33. "Dine in, eat better. In destinations not known for their food, I'll arrange for room service to arrive in my cabin as I reboard the ship from any outings. I end up saving money and avoiding a potentially bad meal in port." —Deanna Chappell, Downingtown, Pa.
34. "Snag a top table. Forgot to request that coveted table for two? You'd be surprised how easy it is to nab it. Just show up at the dining room before service starts on the first night, and be especially nice to the maître d'." —Christopher Wershoven, Brooklyn, N.Y.
35. "Score prime reservations. Some cruise lines—such as Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean—have started allowing guests to secure table assignments when they book their cabins. In fact, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean even permit you to make the request online, and Carnival lets repeat customers ask for their favorite servers." —Editors' Advice 
36. "If you feel seasick, try these three tricks: Stay midship and as close to the waterline as possible (that area doesn't rock as much as the front); lie down where you can see the horizon (this places your head in a fixed position); and eat pineapple. Why the last one? It tastes the same going up as it does going down."—Eilif Dahl, Cruise Doctor, Norway
37. "Reward good service. I bring thank-you cards. If a staff member is particularly helpful, I leave behind a card. Being positive encourages good service in the days to come." —Jen Keivel, Beavercreek, Ohio
<h3>TECH TIPS</h3>
38. "Go farther ashore. In Ketchikan, Alaska, I grabbed a seat at an Internet café right next to the ship only to find out that another place a few blocks farther away was half the price." —Tina Arnoldi, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
39. "Outsmart onboard Internet. To limit my use of onboard Internet—anywhere from 35¢ to $1 per minute—I type e-mails to friends and family on my laptop in advance. When I'm ready to send them, I log on and simply paste in the completed text."  —Jon Faulkner, Chula Vista, Calif.
40. "Roam on your terms. Before boarding, check with your cell provider to learn about the roaming charges you'll be responsible for. Your plan may already include calls and e-mails throughout the U.S., Caribbean, and even farther afield. We were delighted to find that our flat-rate plan worked on several Caribbean islands—for no extra fee." —Jana Riess, Winchester, Ky.
41. "Access your e-mail at the library. During a recent Alaska cruise, we found a city library with free Internet service for up to 30 minutes!" —Gail G. Jenkins, Kuna, Idaho
<h3>FUN WAYS TO DECK OUT YOUR CABIN </h3>
42. "Tension rod. Staterooms are notoriously short on closet space. A tension rod provides just the trick for hanging extra clothes, and it takes up very little room in your suitcase." —Lisa Palumbo, West Orange, N.J.
43. "Shoe organizers. I hang these on the bathroom door to prevent clutter in a tiny cabin. The compartments are perfect for stashing toiletries, documents, keys, and, of course, shoes." —Jane Tague, Westerville, Ohio
44. "Portable radio. You would be amazed at the stations you can tune in to from your balcony, especially in Caribbean ports. Reggae, salsa, merengue...what comes on is always a surprise, and the news and commercials can be entertaining, too." —Tom Roche, Tucker, Ga.
45. "Fragrance beads. A safe alternative to candles or incense, these pack neatly in a sealed container. Once you open the lid, the fragrance wafts through the whole room." —Julie Nyhus, Eugene, Ore.
46. "Sticky notes. I'm probably known as the Post-it lady on most ships. I leave notes on the cabin mirror asking the steward for more ice, tissues, towels—everything. It works!" —Eleanor L. Benedict, Herndon, Va.
47. "Light sticks. I used to pack a night-light but couldn't always find a convenient outlet. Now I hook a plastic light stick over the bathroom doorknob, where it provides a gentle glow through the night." —Carol Attar, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.
48. "Gift bags. Before my trip, I put together a bag of regional specialties from my hometown. Once I'm aboard, I give the present to our attendant, who is usually delighted and rewards us with great service." —Nyal R. Cammack, Las Cruces, N.M.
49. "Tabletop mirror. If you'd rather sit to apply makeup and style your hair, as I do, you'll find this a good use of suitcase space." —Joanie Martin, Fox Island, Wash.
50. "Power strip. Many cabins have only one outlet, which is hardly enough if you plan to charge your laptop, cell phone, and iPod—and to blow-dry your hair." —Jay Van Vechten, Boca Raton, Fla.

50 Top Tips From the World's Smartest Cruisers

NOW
Trains, High-Speed and Otherwise Rail advocates are hoping stimulus money brings the country up to speed with the super-fast, high-tech train systems used overseas. (For a by-the-numbers comparison, read <a href="http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051101287.html" target="_blank">The Fastest Trains on the Track</a>.) Federal funds may be used for rail improvements and expansions in the <a href="http://www.createprogram.org/" target="_blank">Chicago</a> area, for a new subway line along 2nd Avenue in <a href="http://www.mta.info/capconstr/sas/" target="_blank">Manhattan</a>, and for a <a href="http://www.sehsr.org" target="_blank">Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor</a> from Charlotte to Washington, D.C., among other projects. The plan to build <a href="http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/" target="_blank">California</a>'s ambitious 800-mile-long high-speed line is already in motion: It will connect San Diego to Sacramento, via Los Angeles and San Francisco, with trains traveling up to 220 miles per hour. By 2030, the line is expected to carry 117 million passengers annually—and to carry them more quickly and cheaply than cars or planes.
NextGen Air Traffic Control Gridlock in the sky and at airports is only expected to worsen if the Federal Aviation Administration's outmoded air traffic control system isn't improved. The good news is that the FAA has a planned fix—NextGen, a system enhancement that incorporates satellite-based technology and innovations in communications and weather forecasting. The improvements should not only help increase efficiency, but also prevent accidents and reduce planes' fuel consumption, emissions, and noise. Initial steps are being taken this year (<a href="http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/nextgen" target="_blank">faa.gov/about/initiatives/nextgen</a>).
Airport Upgrades Nationwide, airports are feeling the stimulus bill's impact, with runways being built or repaired and new roads being built around airports in Baltimore, Tampa, Pittsburgh, and Manchester, N.H., to name a few. At Dulles, D.C.'s biggest airport, a new <a href="http://www.dullesmetro.com" target="_blank">23-mile rail line</a> is being built with the help of federal money. When completed (in 2013, if it's on schedule), it'll connect Northern Virginia and the airport to downtown D.C. via a Metro line.
Hudson World Bridge It's not remotely "shovel-ready," but here's hoping. More than a means of crossing the Hudson River, the proposed bridge would be a destination—the marquee attraction on a revamped waterfront, and a symbol of New York City regaining its edge. In architect Eytan Kaufman's vision, the bridge would extend roughly above the Lincoln Tunnel, connecting New Jersey to midtown Manhattan. Above the roadway, the mile-long, 250-foot-wide bridge would have two dramatic features: the 500,000-square-foot Green Park, and, hanging above it, the capsule-shaped Cloud, a 1-million-square-foot exhibition space that would host galleries, trade shows, and events. Who wouldn't want to attend a party in a cloud (<a href="http://www.hudsonworldbridge.com" target="_blank">hudsonworldbridge.com</a>).
THEN
Roswell Museum and Art Center, New Mexico An adobe museum built by the Works Progress Administration is now known as Founders' Gallery, just one branch of an expanded arts center with works by Georgia O'Keeffe and other Southwestern artists. This is the famed "UFO Capital of the World," and much of the interest focuses on visitors of another kind—the third kind. Festivities peak around the Fourth of July in Roswell, where extraterrestrials are as American as apple pie. The UFO Festival takes over that weekend, and the series of events in the museum's adjoining planetarium includes laser shows and talks with titles like "The ETs: Where Are They?" Kids, adults, and even pets face off in the annual Alien Costume Contest, held July 3 this year (575/624-6744, <a href="http://www.roswellmuseum.org" target="_blank">roswellmuseum.org</a>, free). 
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina In 1935, President Roosevelt visited the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crew building Skyline Drive, the scenic road that runs through Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. Roosevelt was so pleased he authorized the construction of another mountain-topping road: the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah to North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are more than 200 scenic overlooks and parking areas, and 100 hiking trails spur off of the road, including the Appalachian Trail. Building the Blue Ridge was slow going, especially because crews worked carefully to blend the roadway into its natural surroundings. By design, there are no white lines on the sides of the road, which helps to retain the rural feel (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/blri/" target="_blank">nps.gov/blri/</a>).
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado Mother Nature gave this spot 15 miles west of Denver a head start at being the perfect concert setting. A pair of 300-foot-high red sandstone monoliths provide not only ideal acoustics but a dramatic, one-of-a-kind backdrop to boot. Installing seating and a stage, workers built a legendary venue that's hosted everyone from The Beatles to U2. The eclectic lineup for summer 2009 includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Flight of the Conchords, and an '80s extravaganza featuring REO Speedwagon and Styx. Tip: Bring a seat cushion to avoid a sore backside in the bleachers (720/865-2494, <a href="http://www.redrocksonline.com" target="_blank">redrocksonline.com</a>). 
Timberline Lodge, Oregon The 70-room Timberline Lodge sits 6,000 feet above sea level—which sounds high until you realize it's only midway up the slope of 11,245-foot Mount Hood. Thanks to this elevation, the mountain resort has North America's longest ski season, attracting snowboarders all summer long with terrain parks and half-pipes. Many visitors make the hour drive from Portland to take in the views here—especially from the lodge's Ram's Head Bar, where huge panoramic windows look out onto the iconic, snow-covered peak. If you feel vaguely creeped out when approaching the lodge, there's reason: The exterior shows up in the terrifying Stanley Kubrick film The Shining, based on the Stephen King novel (800/547-1406, <a href="http://www.timberlinelodge.com" target="_blank">timberlinelodge.com</a>, doubles with bunk beds from $115). 
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Depression-era workers carved out more than 28,000 miles of trails in state and national parks. Grand Canyon projects alone put over a 1,000 CCC enrollees to work. Among the paths they either built from scratch or improved in and around the Grand Canyon are the Clear Creek, Ribbon Falls, Upper Ribbon Falls, Kaibab, Bright Angel, and Colorado River trails. Today, parks advocates and groups such as the <a href="http://www.railstotrails.org/newsandpubs/news/press/pressreleases/20090217_DC_Stimulus.html" target="_blank">Rails- to- Trails Conservancy</a> are hoping stimulus money will fund another round of improvements to trails and recreation areas and create as many as 50,000 jobs (928/638-7888, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grca" target="_blank">nps.gov/grca</a>).
Bethpage State Park Golf Course, New York In mid-June, the <a href="http://www.usopen.com/" target="_blank">U.S. Open</a> returns to Bethpage's Black Course, one of five public courses constructed as WPA projects at this state park. Since the Black Course hosted the 2002 U.S. Open, getting to play on the ultra-challenging course is akin to scoring Bruce Springsteen tickets; die-hard duffers camp in line overnight for first-come, first-served tee times. (Select tee times can also be reserved over the phone a few days in advance, but that's hit or miss.) Golfers pay $100 weekdays, $120 weekends for the privilege of playing, though New York State residents get a half-price discount. Those with a high handicap might want to play 18 holes at one of the other courses, which start at $36 (516/249-0707, <a href="http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/golf" target="_blank">nysparks.state.ny.us/golf</a>).

Travel Projects Get a Tax-Funded Boost

Albuquerque, N.M.: The Weird Weird West How old does an area have to be to merit the name "Old Town"? In the case of Albuquerque's downtown, the answer is just over three centuries. Founded in 1706, Old Town has accumulated enough crime and punishment to qualify as a major hub of the supernatural in a state that already attracts some truly inexplicable activity. (Why did the aliens land at Roswell, anyway?) Every night here is fright night if you take the Ghost Tour of Old Town. At 8 p.m., after Old Town Plaza has grown eerily quiet, lantern-carrying "certified paranormal investigators" lead tour parties through dark alleys, quiet trails, and cemeteries, retelling tales of railroad-era murders and Civil War battles. Residents claim that they've seen apparitions and heard disembodied voices.
Tours of Old Town, 505/246-8687, <a href="http://www.toursofoldtown.com" target="_blank">toursofoldtown.com</a>, $20, $18 students and seniors, $10 children 6-12 (suitable for children 6 and older), ticket windows open 15 minutes before tour time.
Baltimore: A Cure for Midnights Dreary Baltimore likes to spotlight its local celebrity, Edgar Allan Poe, 19th-century America's most morbid literary figure. (For instance, the city named its football team the Ravens in homage to Poe's famous poem.) You'll find the best perspective on the author of the "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Premature Burial" at the Baltimore Poe House and Museum, which stands on the site where the author worked during the early 1830s. But if you prefer atmospherics to exhibitions, check out the Westminster Burying Grounds and Catacombs—where Poe found eternal relief from his feverish imagination. It's open year-round from 8 a.m. to dusk. Both sites become Gracelands of gloom on the weekends before and after Halloween. Special event tours are conducted by trained Baltimore historians, including one that takes brave enthusiasts deep into the cemetery's catacombs in search of some excellently Gothic heebie-jeebies.
Baltimore Poe House and Museum, 203 North Amity St., Baltimore, 410/396-7932, <a href="http://www.eapoe.org" target="_blank">eapoe.org</a>, reservations required, operates 12-3:30 p.m. Wed. through Sat. from April through November, $4, free for children 12 and younger, suitable for children 6 and older.
Westminster Burying Grounds and Catacombs, 519 W Fayette St., West Baltimore, 410/706-2072, <a href="http://www.westminsterhall.org" target="_blank">westminsterhall.org</a>, gravesite open during daylight for free, tours by reservation only on the first and third Friday and Saturday of each month, April through November, $5, $4 children 12 and under, suitable for mature children.
Chicago: America's Most Haunted The paranormal is all fine and good, but sometimes you want Halloween horror that's as solid as a cement loafer. In Chicago, the publisher and tour organizer Weird Chicago does a bang-up job of providing exactly that, telling stories about the red-light district, pinstripe-suited gangsters, and Virgin Mary sightings. Of note is a tour based on the popular book The Devil in the White City. The tour focuses on H.H. Holmes, long considered the first nationally known serial killer. Holmes trapped and murdered dozens of guests at his hotel. You'll see the grounds of his torture chamber, nicknamed Murder Castle, that has since been destroyed and replaced with a post office. This tour covers a lot of territory, using a bus for portions of the trip.
Weird Chicago Tours, 888/446-7859, <a href="http://www.weirdchicago.com" target="_blank">weirdchicago.com</a>, reservations required, $30, $20 children 12 and under, call for latest schedule, most tours not recommended for children under 10.
L.A.: Boulevards of Broken Dreams In a comic twist on the cliché that nobody walks in L.A., Hollywood's Tragical History "walking tour" of famous Hollywood crimes scene is done by van. Tour leader Scott Michaels conducts his three-hour trips in a Tomb Buggy that holds up to 13 passengers. The tour covers the sordid history of the murderous Menendez brothers, the serial killer Charles Manson, and other notorious characters. Michaels also spotlights the exteriors used in some of cinema's spookiest classics, such as Halloween, Dead Again, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Along the way, Michaels touches on Hollywood's horror-film industry, including a drive-by of the former haunts of Bela Lugosi, who famously played Count Dracula.
Dearly Departed Tours, 800/979-3370, <a href="http://www.dearlydepartedtours.com" target="_blank">dearlydepartedtours.com</a>, $35, trips depart Wed.-Sat. at 1 p.m. with an additional 9:30 a.m. tour on Saturdays (advance purchase recommended due to limited capacity), not intended for children.
New Orleans: The Big Creepy Thanks to Anne Rice (Interview With the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat), New Orleans is second only to Transylvania in bloodsucking lore. And you can get a great overview of the town by taking the New Orleans Vampire Tour, which embarks nightly at 8:30 from the Gothic St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. The nearly two-hour tour explores the French Quarter stalking ground of vampires, both fictional and (allegedly) real. Along the route are sites that Rice has written about and exterior locations from the Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt film version of Interview. Note: The tour is B.Y.O. Garlic.
New Orleans Vampire Tour, 888/644-6787, <a href="http://www.neworleansghosttour.com" target="_blank">neworleansghosttour.com</a>, $20, $17 students and seniors, $10 children under 12 (suitable for children), reservations required.
New York City: Start Spreading the Boos Take a Ghosts of the City—as opposed to a Sex and the City—tour, in which the Big Apple's darker history is recounted. One tour departs from a Blimpie sandwich shop (at 38 Park Row), where guides launch into sepia-toned tales of such famous characters as the pirate Captain Kidd, Algonquin Indians, and P. T. Barnum's circus freaks. On other tours, you'll stroll through the neighborhoods of Greenwich Village and the East Village, passing sites where the ghosts of Harry Houdini and Washington Irving are rumored to lurk. Be sure to ask about the dilapidated St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery, where the 17th-century Dutch settler Peter Stuyvesant is interred—and where his spirit may still roam.
Ghosts of New York, 888/699-2550, <a href="http://www.ghostsofny.com" target="_blank">ghostsofny.com</a>, $20, reservations recommended, online price $15, online price for children 12 and under $10 but only suitable for mature children.
Salem, Mass.: Witchcraft Central If you hang, burn, stone, and crush enough witches and warlocks to death, as the authorities of Salem, Mass., did in the late 1600s, you're going to stir up a mess of hostile supernatural activity. Get an overview of this hamlet's spookiest spots by taking the Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour. Guides dressed in colonial garb escort you around the landmark Joshua Ward House (built on the very site where many of the accused were tried, convicted, and rushed to their deaths) and the Howard Street Burial Ground, among other sights. From April through October, the tour departs every evening at 8 p.m., but you may want to arrive earlier in the day to visit the Witch Dungeon Museum, where reenactments of the trials are held every half hour. In fact, the whole town gets in on the act: Even its police patrol cars are branded with the logo of a witch flying on a broom.
Salem Historical Tours, 978/745-0666, <a href="http://www.salemhistoricaltours.com/html/hauntedfootsteps" target="_blank">salemhistoricaltours.com</a>, $14, $10 military, $8 children 6–14 (suitable for children 6 and older), advance reservations recommended.
Witch Dungeon Museum, 16 Lynde St., 978/741-3570, <a href="http://www.witchdungeon.com" target="_blank">witchdungeon.com</a>, open daily April–November, $8, $7 seniors, $6 children 4–13.
Seattle: Smells Like Mean Spirits When you think of Seattle, you probably think of rain, grunge, and Tom Hanks being sleepless—not ghouls and phantoms. But the city has its share, as the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries can prove. Exhibits include a display of four plaster casts of Bigfoot's footprints and the story of a 1910 avalanche that claimed nearly 100 lives on a now-defunct rail line. From the museum, you can take a 90-minute tour of the Capitol Hill neighborhood's most haunted attractions, such as the Harvard Exit Theater, where uneasy spirits have been sighted. Guides also share stories about the behavior of the city's most famous ghosts, including that of Brandon Lee, the seemingly hexed son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. (Brandon was accidentally killed while making the Goth classic The Crow in 1994.)
Seattle Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway E., 206/328-6499, <a href="http://www.seattlechatclub.org" target="_blank">seattlechatclub.org</a>, admission $2, reservations recommended, tours depart at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. every Saturday night, suggested donation for tour $5, $3 for children 8–16.

Spooky Walking Tours

Trip Coach: October 9, 2007

Trip Coach: April 10, 2007

<h2>A spirit-lifting adventure in Kentucky and Tennessee</h2><ul><li>Take a Historic walking village tour with a local guide at a Shaker village followed by a farm to table lunch.</li><li>Pay a visit to some of Nashville’s most photogenic and colourful murals with a stop along the way for Mimosa and Donut tasting.</li><li>Earn your place in the Country Music Hall of Fame as you take part in a recording session with a professional sound engineer at the iconic Studio B in Nashville.</li><li>Discover a kitschy world of Southern glitz and glamour at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley and his final resting place.</li><li>Get to know the real New Orleans during a walking tour that celebrates the city’s jazz music heritage, stopping off at some lively venues along the way.</li><li>It doesn’t get much better than Southern food – learn how to cook a classic New Orleans crawfish boil for a true taste of Louisiana.</li><li>Join a local Black-owned business for a tour of the Whitney Plantation, where you’ll get a sobering glimpse at what life was like for those enslaved on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
Read <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/intrepid-coupon-terms-and-conditions" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a>

Intrepid

Best of the South: Louisville to New Orleans

<h2>A thrilling escape to the Sunshine State</h2><ul><li>Get a behind the scenes look at Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood during an in-depth tour, uncovering the area’s rich Cuban history, art, architecture and cuisine.</li><li>Discover Miami’s fantastic collection of colorful and glamorous Art Deco buildings and visit the trendy Wynwood neighborhood to admire its display of street art murals.</li><li>Zip through the wildlife rich landscapes of the Florida Everglades on an exhilarating airboat tour, looking out for alligators and unique flora and fauna.</li><li>Take a trip to paradise and travel to the Florida Keys, stopping off at the beautifully tropical Key Largo for a kayaking adventure over its crystal-clear waters.</li><li>Walk through years of history during guided explorations of Key West, from its successful industrial endeavors to its reputation as a getaway for many of the USA’s important figures.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
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Miami to the Florida Keys

Roswell is a city in northern Fulton County, Georgia, United States. At the official 2010 census, the city had a population of 88,346. The 2019 estimated population was 94,763, making Roswell the state's eighth-largest city. A close suburb of Atlanta, Roswell has an affluent historic district.

waterfall in North Georgia

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<title>Budget Travel | Roswell</title>

Roswell

Alpharetta is a city located in northern Fulton County, Georgia, United States and is a part of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, Alpharetta's population was 57,551. The estimated population in 2019 was 67,213.

Alpharetta

Dunwoody is a city located in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. As a northern suburb of Atlanta, Dunwoody was incorporated as a city on December 1, 2008 but its area establishment dates back to the early 1830s. As of 2019, the city has a population of 49,356, up from 46,267 in the 2010 Census.

Dunwoody

Sandy Springs is a city in northern Fulton County, Georgia and an inner ring suburb of Atlanta. The city’s population was 93,853 at the 2010 census, and estimated at 109,452 in 2019. It is Georgia's seventh-largest city (after Athens) and the site of several corporate headquarters, including UPS, Newell Brands, Inspire Brands, Cox Communications, and Mercedes-Benz USA's corporate offices.

Sandy Springs

Johns Creek is a city in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 76,728. The city is a northeastern suburb of Atlanta.

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