Remember the travel nightmare I experienced trying to get from Wisconsin to Hawaii for my beloved grandmother’s funeral? I’ll never forget it. Also, I was never compensated by American Airlines for it. Cough. Cough. Ahem! However, I could still win for losing, and so could you. Thanks to a contest being sponsored by MedjetAssist, you could win a major prize if you have what the company deems “the most engaging and harrowing travel tale.” The more horrific, the better your chances of claiming the grand prize: A free five-night vacation for two at Lost Iguana Resort and Spa in the … Continue reading →

If you are short on cash, but still want to reward a barista or sandwich maker while you are on vacation, a high-tech solution may be coming your way. The DipJar is the answer to cash-less travelers looking to give a little extra to a service worker who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. According to the New York Post, a growing number of businesses are placing the credit card scanners that look like tip jars on counters so customers can place their gratuities on plastic if they don’t have cash to cough up. The Post says … Continue reading →

Someone once told me that the only people you’ll find in New York during the summer are tourists. I don’t think he was joking. While the dog days of summer may drive the locals to the Hamptons and away from the concrete jungle, the season also ushers in a slew of visitors looking to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building. Ditto for the “City of Brotherly Love,” where tens of thousands of tourists flock to see Ben Franklin and the Liberty Bell. Whereas the famous landmarks are worth touring, … Continue reading →

According to AAA, May is the month when most families finalize their summer travel plans. It is also the time of year when most summer camps and other activities for kids close registration, so parents know exactly what their calendars look like until the new school year starts. With the economy still in disarray, many clans may be hesitant to book trips outside of their particular region. Flying is no picnic when you have young children and the cost of multiple flights can really add up. The same goes for long road trips that involve frequent hotel stays and even … Continue reading →

I used to spend summers in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. No joke. Each year my family would leave the sunny shores of Hilo, Hawaii, and fly 5000 miles to Newark, New Jersey, to visit my parental grandparents, 44 aunts and uncles, 60 plus cousins, and the rest of my dad’s humongous family. During week two of our annual trips we’d load up the clan and head down to the shore. It’s where I visited my first water park (Rainbow Rapids) and witnessed my first ever seaweed-entangled hypodermic needle floating in the white wash near Point Pleasant Beach. Ah, the memories. … Continue reading →

Just because the temperatures are falling doesn’t mean you have to turn into a hermit. Couch potatoes, who like to bake in front of the television on chilly autumn days, don’t know what they are missing outside. The change in seasons has prompted a slew of exciting travel options, including: THE VOODOO EXPERIENCE If you love alternative music, then you’ll want to hit the road and head to New Orleans from October 30-November 1. That’s where you’ll find the Voodoo Experience music festival. For three days you can jam to the tunes of a diverse lineup that includes Eminem, Kiss, … Continue reading →