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The National Christmas Tree and White House at night, in Washington, DC. Dreamstime/TCA

Taking the Kids: Seeing some holiday lights

Travel / Taking The Kids /

Are your bored kids driving you nuts? You’re certainly not alone. Whether it’s Thanksgiving weekend or the weeks leading up to the December holidays, keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge at home or while visiting relatives.

And a lot of us will be trying to corral the kids with relatives this holiday season, according to a new ...Read more

Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Brace yourselves! Thanksgiving air travel expected to hit 15-year high. Here's how to survive

Travel / Travel Tips /

LOS ANGELES — Make sure to pack some patience in your carry-on.

This Thanksgiving holiday travel period is expected to be the busiest in 15 years, federal officials said, as Americans brush off the recent government shutdown that snarled air travel across the country.

All told, more than 360,000 flights will take to the skies this week ...Read more

Paul Winter’s latest album,

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Paul Winter

Travel / Celebrity Travel /

Six-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Paul Winter is back with his latest album, “Horn of Plenty.” “It is the literal meaning of cornucopia, the traditional Thanksgiving symbol of abundance,” the musician said. “I have always referred to my soprano sax as a horn, and I’ve aspired to produce a voice on saxophone that is similar to...Read more

Greek tavernas are often humble at first glance. But after a few laughs and a few drinks, you realize how rich they are in heritage, character, and charm. (Rick Steves, Rick Steves’ Europe)

Rick Steves’ Europe: The sips and sounds of a Greek taverna

Travel / Rick Steves' Europe /

Whenever I'm in Greece, I don't let a sun go down without enjoying a nice glass of ouzo. It's funny, because I don't even like the taste of that licorice-flavored firewater when I’m back home in the United States. But you can't experience Greek culture without really tasting it – from olives at breakfast to ouzo after dark.

You don't drink ...Read more

Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Flying for Thanksgiving? Airlines say travel is back to normal after delays and cancellations earlier this month

Travel / Travel Tips /

Travelers heading to O’Hare International and Midway airports this week can rest assured that a government shutdown-related national air traffic meltdown has been averted, airlines said.

Passengers can expect things to be mostly back to normal after a rocky period this fall, airlines said. Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation ...Read more

Aer Lingus Withholds A Full Refund After A Flight Cancellation

Travel / Travel Troubleshooter /

After Aer Lingus cancels James Jones' flight from Paris to Philadelphia, he requests a full refund. The airline shorts him by $744, and then it stops responding to his emails. What can he do to get the money back?

Q: My wife and I were scheduled to fly from Paris to Philadelphia. Aer Lingus canceled the flight due to "operational issues" and ...Read more

Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS

Record travel expected during Thanksgiving week, and most are going to drive

Travel / Travel Tips /

More Americans than ever are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period, and the lion’s share of the nearly 82 million people making a getaway will be going by car.

AAA predicts that 73 million people will drive to their destination, and that number could rise if those who originally opted to fly switch to driving after the ...Read more

Thanksgiving family travel. Dreamstime/TCA

Taking the Kids: How to take the family stress out of Thanksgiving

Travel / Taking The Kids /

I wish you a stress-free Thanksgiving. You are probably thinking that’s impossible, whether you are traveling, hosting or being a guest.

Believe me, I’ve been there – the oven that conked out Thanksgiving morning; the relative who stormed out in a huff mid-dinner; the complaints about sitting at the kids’ table; the inappropriate ...Read more

Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times/TNS

Pack your bags: REI brings back travel experiences for its members

Travel / Travel Tips /

REI Co-op is returning to its roots of offering experiences by introducing a new benefit to its members Wednesday: trips planned through a tour operator to domestic and global travel destinations.

The Issaquah-based outdoor retailer has partnered with Intrepid Travel, which refers to itself as the world's largest adventure travel company," to ...Read more

K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS

Here's what to expect at airports for Thanksgiving travel

Travel / Travel Tips /

The fallout from a week of sharp flight reductions nationwide has eased considerably, just in time for what is expected to be record air travel for Southern Californians flying for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

While the vast majority of travelers will be driving to their destinations, airports and planes will still be crowded given the ...Read more

“Ghosts” actor Richie Moriarty said filming in Montreal is cold, but a lot of fun. ( Nick Rasmussen)

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Richie Moriarty

Travel / Celebrity Travel /

Playing a ghost has worked out well for actor and comic Richie Moriarty, who portrays Pete Martino on the CBS series “Ghosts.” He spends half the year filming in Quebec, and the other half at home in New Jersey. “We film mostly in studio in Montreal on our beautiful set, but it’s really fun to be able to film on location occasionally,”...Read more

Ghent’s St. Bavo’s Cathedral houses the pearl of Flemish painting – the gigantic Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, which is perhaps the most stolen painting in existence. (Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves’ Europe)

Rick Steves’ Europe: A walk through Ghent

Travel / Rick Steves' Europe /

Once one of Belgium's medieval powerhouses, Ghent today is home to one of Belgium’s biggest universities and a vibrant student population. While it has plenty of pretty canals and gables, it also enjoys a certain amount of urban grittiness, with a welcome splash of creative hipster funkiness.

Ghent is very walkable, and I enjoy strolling ...Read more

Travel Troubleshooter: Airbnb Bans Model Customer For Life But Won't Detail Why

Travel / Travel Troubleshooter /

Q: I've been an Airbnb user for nearly a decade with over 40 stays and positive reviews. Recently, Airbnb abruptly removed my account, citing a vague "possible violation" of its Terms of Service.

I appealed, but the company doubled down, banning me for life without an explanation. I'm baffled. What could I have done to warrant this? All I want ...Read more

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images AsiaPac/TNS

Thailand says tariff talks to continue after Trump-Anutin call

Travel / Travel News /

Thailand said tariff talks with the U.S. will continue following a phone call between their leaders, despite Washington’s earlier move to halt negotiations pending Thai compliance over a peace declaration with Cambodia.

The U.S. informed Bangkok of the temporary suspension, but that changed after President Donald Trump and Prime Minister ...Read more

AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

China warns citizens to avoid traveling to Japan amid Taiwan row

Travel / Travel Tips /

China urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near term, escalating a conflict over comments from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting potential intervention in the event of a military conflict over Taiwan.

The measure, the first significant retaliation taken by Beijing in the row, was sparked by Takaichi’s remarks last ...Read more

Black Friday. Dreamstime/TCA

Taking the Kids: Get ready for Black Friday deals

Travel / Taking The Kids /

Are you ready? I’m not talking about Thanksgiving or navigating the inevitable family drama (more about that in next week’s column!)

I’m talking about being ready to snare one of the excellent Black Friday-Travel Tuesday travel deals, prime time for scoring major deals on hotels and all-inclusive resorts, according to Expedia travel ...Read more

'Excessive and even exorbitant': Chicago Public Schools watchdog urges district to reform travel spending policies

Travel / Travel Tips /

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools Office of the Inspector General is urging district officials to reform travel policies amid “questionable, excessive and even exorbitant” spending on overnight trips, according to a report released Wednesday.

CPS travel expenditures, including airfare and lodging, more than doubled between fiscal year 2019...Read more

For actress and wellness entrepreneur Zina Wilde, Greece can’t be beat. (Kenneth Dolan)

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Zina Wilde

Travel / Celebrity Travel /

Actress, producer and wellness entrepreneur Zina Wilde is used to traveling the world. Born in London and raised in Thessaloniki [Greece], she currently splits her time between homes in New York and Los Angeles. Wilde said that one of the things she has learned over the years is to go with the flow. “Plan things, but not too many,” Wilde ...Read more

Poland’s last king built huge, idyllic Łazienki Park as a summer residence and place for his citizens to relax – and today, Poles still come here to do just that. (Addie Mannan, Rick Steves’ Europe)

Rick Steves’ Europe: Warsaw is a resilient spirit carved by a harsh history

Travel / Rick Steves' Europe /

Every November 11, local Poles gather in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Warsaw’s Piłsudski Square to honor Poland’s Independence Day. The ceremony itself is filled with somber commemorations and highly-structured military salutes – reminders of the country’s harsh history, and enduring spirit of resilience. Poland’s ...Read more

Travel Troubleshooter: Guests Are Charged $385 For Keypad That Was Damaged From Rain

Travel / Travel Troubleshooter /

A couple faces a $385 charge after an Airbnb keypad fails during a rainstorm. The locksmith blames the weather, but Airbnb sides with the host. When the weather wreaks havoc, should guests foot the bill?

Q: My partner and I booked an Airbnb near Joshua Tree National Park, California, for my birthday. On the second day, heavy rain caused the ...Read more

 

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