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Taking the kids: To Reykjavik, Iceland
They won’t win any parents of the year contest.
The famous puffins of Iceland fly away and leave their little chicks to fend for themselves when they are just six weeks old, explains Mariana Veloso, a marine biologist with a master’s degree, who is our guide on a 90-minute Elding Puffin Watching tour to ...Read more
Celebrity Travel: Go away with Diana Panton
On her latest album “soft winds and roses,” two-time Juno winner Diana Panton offers her interpretation of classic songs like the Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere,” Elton John’s “Your Song” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Showcasing her beautiful, evocative vocals, the artist said her Scottish father’s record ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Turkey has plenty to explore beyond Istanbul
Turkey is changing fast. And it's modernizing fast. For a recent vacation, I hit the road in Turkey, with romantic memories (from my backpacker days) of horse-drawn carriages and villages with economies powered by hay, dung, and ducks. While that rustic old world is tougher to find, the deep traditions and warm hospitality of the region are as ...Read more
Travel Troubleshooter: All-Inclusive Hotel Accidentally Overcharges Guest By $2,500
The Miraval Berkshires, an all-inclusive resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, overcharges Dalia Hamzeh by $2,500. Now it is refusing to answer her emails. How can she get her money back?
Q: I booked a weekend trip for early September last year to the Miraval Berkshires, an all-inclusive resort in Lenox, Massachusetts. It was my best friend's ...Read more
Taking the Kids: The presidential election is a great teaching moment
If only it were that easy.
The 15th Amendment to the U.S Constitution reads,“ The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It ...Read more
Celebrity Travel: Go away with Devin Kawaoka
From playing a doctor on “Chicago Med” to starring opposite Harrison Ford and Michael Urie in the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” Devin Kawaoka is in his element bringing diverse characters to life. He’s particularly fond of Charlie, the fictional character he portrays in “Shrinking.” “Charlie is the kindest, most level-headed, ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Finding medieval charm in Germany’s Erfurt
Long ago I gave up looking for an untouristy, half-timbered medieval German town, but a few years back, I stumbled upon it in the sleepy town of Erfurt.
The capital of the German region of Thuringia, Erfurt has history swinging from its eaves. It's most notable as the place where Martin Luther studied and became a monk, and (by translating the ...Read more
Travel Troubleshooter: A Flight Confirmation From Frontier Airlines Never Arrives
When Frontier Airlines fails to send Marcus Mann a confirmation for his airline ticket, he tries to find out what went wrong. After losing $583, he's not getting any closer to the truth.
Q: I booked a roundtrip flight from Dallas to Denver on Frontier Airlines recently. Frontier charged my wife's credit card $583 on the same day. I never...Read more
Taking the Kids: Jackson Hole, the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Can art protect wildlife? Actually, it has, we learned at the unique National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Thomas Moran’s paintings of mountains, canyons and geysers helped convince Congress to establish Yellowstone as America’s first national park in 1872. Jackson Hole is the ...Read more
Celebrity Travel: Go away with Sung J. Woo
For Sung J. Woo (“Everything Asian,” “Love Love,” “Skin Deep”), favorite locations often make appearances in his books. His upcoming novel “Lines” – which deftly weaves a story of love, loss and forgotten possibilities – is set in suburban New Jersey, downtown Manhattan, Waimea (Hawaii), Portland and Breitenbush (Oregon). “...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Châteaux day trips from Paris are a royal treat
I always feel like a king when I get to explore the splendid châteaux near Paris. A highlight of one memorable trip was climbing under centuries-old exposed timbers through the attic of Vaux-le-Vicomte before popping out on the rooftop to a view of the spectacular garden.
There are several sumptuous palaces studding the region around Paris. ...Read more
Travel Troubleshooter: I Have Proof I Didn't Damage My Rental, So Why Do I Have To Pay?
Stacey Wall has proof that she didn't damage her rental car, so why does Enterprise want to charge her anyway?
Q: I need your help resolving a car rental damage claim. I recently rented a car from Enterprise in Phoenix. The rental car had a small dent in one of the doors. I took a photo of it to document the damage.
When I returned the ...Read more
Taking the Kids: Leaf Peeping 21st-Century-Style
Ready to get out of the car? Leaf peeping through the windshield is so 20 th c entury, not to mention boring. Why not zipline above the fall foliage, bike amid the changing leaves, see the foliage from a train – or a vineyard, perhaps, time- traveling back in history.
These days, there are more active ways to enjoy changing leaves. The ...Read more
Celebrity Travel: Go away with Chiara Aurelia
For Chiara Aurelia (“Luckiest Girl Alive,” “Cruel Summer”), getting to travel is a major perk of her job. “I was recently filming a project that had to take an unexpected hiatus, which provided me with the perfect opportunity to take the European summer adventure I've always dreamed of,” said the New York-based actress. “Within a ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Reflecting on ruin at Vesuvius and Pompeii
The ancient city of Pompeii – famously ruined in AD 79 when mighty Mount Vesuvius blew its top – is one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions. Few visitors know that you can easily visit the summit of the towering volcano. And those who do enjoy a commanding view.
You can get to Vesuvius with a train/bus/hike journey. You start by ...Read more
Taking the Kids: An affordable fall getaway
Time to get away? You can — even on a limited budget. You can easily plan an (affordable) fall getaway where you get outdoors biking or hiking, seeing wildlife amid the fall colors or alternatively, exploring a new city or heading to the beach during shoulder season. Get some input from the kids on what they would like to do. Revel in your ...Read more
Celebrity Travel: Go away with Iain Matthews
With a career spanning some 60 years and more than 50 albums, Iain Matthews is a veteran of touring and recording. Now based out of Horst aan de Maas in the Netherlands, the former frontman for the folk rock band, Fairport Convention, said he is looking forward to hitting the road to promote his Oct. 25 solo album, “How Much is Enough?” (...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Český Krumlov: The Czech Republic's fairy-tale town
Nearly four hours south of Prague, this fairy-tale town of 13,000 is buried in the hills of the southern Czech Republic, an area much appreciated for its pastoral countryside. With its delightfully cobbled Old Town, rare Baroque theater, and colorful castle, Český Krumlov feels lost in a time warp.
The town has long attracted visitors. Tucked...Read more
Taking the Kids: Celebrating Halloween for more than a month
Hope you have your witch’s hat and broomstick ready!
These days, whether you want to experience spooky rides, haunted houses or stay in a haunted hotel, Halloween events in many places have already started.
Just be mindful not to insist kids do anything they’re not ready for. That certainly includes homeandleisure/travel/takingthekids/s-3428135">Read more
Celebrity Travel: Go away with Radhika Vekaria
Born in the United Kingdom to Indian parents from East Africa, multi-instrumentalist Radhika Vekaria now resides in the United States – Los Angeles to be exact. Her multicultural upbringing speaking several languages at home is evident on her latest album, “Warriors of Light,” which offers dreamy vocals in English, Tamil, Sanskrit and ...Read more