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Is Mexico Safe?

In the first of a series of articles on travel to Mexico, a Fodor's editor—with the help of a few Fodor's writers and readers—weighs in on current safety south of the border.... (More)

12 Tips for Safely Carrying Money in Europe

If you lose your credit card, cash, or passport on your trip to Europe, you're not without options—but it goes without saying that your trip will go much smoother if you can hang onto these trip essentials.... Travelers in our forums recently shared their tips for keeping money and other necessities safe while traveling abroad. For example, some minimize pickpocketing risk by investing in an inconspicuous day pack, or splitting cash and credit cards with a travel partner.... Below are some other useful strategies. Does one in particular work for you? Add your own method in the comments section below.... From the Forums: "Suggestions for how to most safely carry money in Europe?" Tip #1: Don't carry your wallet in your back pocket "Resistant at first to the idea of keeping his wallet in his front pocket, my husband is now sold on the idea after several instances where he detected his back pocket being checked out by a stray hand, (we were in crowded areas)." -- brioche... Tip #2: Divide and conquer "I put my 1-2 day's need of cash in my wallet. If there's extra cash I have, I split it up into... (More)

Interview: Ken Burns Shares His National Park Experiences

Fodor's recently spoke with Ken Burns about the new National Parks documentary. Here, he shares his most treasured hiking experience, his pick for must-see park, and more.... (More)

How to Rent a Car Cheaply

I rented a lot of cars this summer, so this topic has been on my mind for the past few months, and I'd like to share a few of the things I've learned as well as some time-worn tips that should be helpful if you want to your costs down.... (More)

Building an Italy Itinerary: Tips for First-Timers

Are you in the planning stages of your first trip to Italy? It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the plethora of choices you face just creating the basic outline of your itinerary. Will you fly in and out of the same city, or opt for an open-jaw ticket? Is it sacrilege to skip the big 3 cities—Rome, Venice, Florence? Should you rent a car or rely on trains to get around? ...These are all commonly asked questions in our Forums. Many travelers even post their work-in-progress itineraries to be critiqued by other travelers. Below is one such itinerary for a first-time trip, designed for maximum impact. It will definitely keep you moving! Think of this as a rough draft to be revised according to your own interests and time constraints. We've also included tips and related forum links to help guide you.... Day 1: Venice Arrive in Venice's Marco Polo Airport (there are some direct flights from the United States), take the boat across the lagoon to Venice, check into your hotel, then get out and get lost in the back canals for a couple of hours before dinner. If you enjoy fish, you should indulge... (More)

What to Pack for a Fall Trip to Europe:
12 Dos and Don'ts

Judging by current conversations in our forums, many of our members are heading to Europe this fall and they've already started obsessing over the right combination of clothes, shoes, and travel necessities. Others don't stress at all; they have their own foolproof packing systems and are generous enough to dispense packing advice. Packing is personal, but you may find some of the general dos and dont's below useful as you determine just how much (and what) to bring along on your trip.... The most repeated piece of advice in our Forums? Pack lightly and use only a carry-on. Know what to leave out. Think you could never survive an 8-day trip with only a carry-on? Here are a few of the ways our members make it work.... Do pack items that can be easily washed "All my included pieces are hand-washable/dry flat or hang, many are quick dry & none require ironing! All can be mixed & matched for day or evening dressed up with snazzy earrings." -- 2010... Do remember that no one there knows who you are "I finally figured out years ago that no one knows us and it's not important to load my suitcase with... (More)

Saving Time at Walt Disney World: 5 Fastpass Tips

If there's any justice in the world, the genius who created FASTPASS is relaxing somewhere on his yacht. Because FASTPASS helps Walt Disney World theme-park guests drastically cut down on the amount of time spent waiting in line. Which means more rides, and fewer tantrums.... (More)

Luxury for Less: 5 Tips for Planning Spa Vacations on a Budget

If you're like most people, you probably consider spa vacations a luxury. In this economy, you may have even taken that monthly mani/pedi out of your budget. But is it really wise to skip the spa when you're busier, more sleep deprived, and more stressed out than ever? Here are some ways you can make visiting a spa less of a luxury and more of an essential.... (More)

5 Ways to Navigate Walt Disney's World's Parades, Fireworks, and Evening Shows

The good news: Orlando's Walt Disney World offers gi-normous parades, fireworks, and other evening spectacles so you can end your theme-park day with a bang. The bad news: Everybody knows the shows are fabulous, so virtually every guest in the park converges at one place and one time to watch them. The result is major crowds and hassles . . . unless, of course, you know a few insider tips.... (More)

Planning a Trip to Disney: 12 Common Questions

The magical world of Disney can be an overwhelmingly complex place. Meal plans? Park hopper passes? On-site resorts? Luckily, our members know a thing or two about making the most of a visit to the Mouse. Here are some of the questions that crop up most often, paired with answers from our community.... (More)

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