Home Travel Blog Practical Travel Tips

Travel Blog » RSS Feed

Practical Travel Tips

6 Tips for Traveling with Surly Teens

Who doesn't occasionally fantasize about being whisked away to a far-flung destination on someone else's dime?... A teen, that's who. ... Fodor's member grucci recently asked fellow travelers in our Forums for tips about making a large family trip to Italy more appealing for a 16-year-old teen girl who's reluctant to go. As expected, members' responses varied widely; some argued that teens shouldn't be catered to, while others offered up suggestions and compromises that worked for their own families.... (More)

How to Childproof a Hotel Room

Staying in a hotel is part of the family vacation fun. However, just like at home, it's important to prepare your surroundings for the safety of the little vacation-goers. Here are a few tips for childproofing your next hotel room.... (More)

Rate Your Experience Sweepstakes

In the November issue of Travel & Leisure, Fodors.com was highlighted as a valuable web resource for travelers looking for both "member comments along with editorial reviews of restaurants and hotels". We've encouraged members to send us their feedback and recommendations since the site's start back in 1996. One way to share your experience is to post a review of an establishment found in one of our 569 online destination guides. Your feedback helps us as we evaluate what should stay and what should go in each new edition. Fellow travelers benefit from your sharing of your experience as well; it's always nice to have a second, third, or fourth opinion from a like-minded traveler.... (More)

Why Package Tours are Your Best Bet for Family Vacations

Think about your last family vacation. Did you argue over driving directions? Quibble over where to eat? Spend too much time figuring out your day's itinerary and not enough time actually taking in the sights?... If you answered yes to any of these questions—and your family isn't comprised of die-hard do-it-yourselfers—you might consider a packaged tour for your next trip. Here's why.... (More)

Running While You Travel: 3 Easy Tips for Making It Happen

We've all explored new places on foot, but are you the type of traveler that likes to see sights on the run? If so you wouldn't be alone. Thousands of runners from all over the world will be descending on New York this weekend for the New York City Marathon, a race that is close to 42,000 runners strong. Here are three different ways for you to get off the boring hotel treadmill and get outside.... (More)

8 Budget Tips for a NYC Holiday Trip

Despite the holiday season being one of the most expensive times to visit New York City, many travelers still come eager to see the city all lit up. Taking part in many of the festivities can be surprisingly affordable (and even free) if you plan accordingly.... Are you trying to wing a last minute trip? Check out our online New York City guide for our favorite affordable picks and look to travelers in our Forums for help planning your trip. This recent topic is also a particularly good starting point.
- New York City online guide
- View the 25 most recent Forum topics tagged New York

... 8 Budget Tips for a NYC Holiday Trip Have a great tip? Add it below... 1. Hit the ice While Rockefeller Center's rink may be more on more tourists' radars due to its proximity to the center's famous looming tree, you'll save time and money if you head to Bryant Park's The Pond. Skating is free; skate rentals are $12. The Pond opens November 6th and you can make reservation online in advance---but not quite yet....Other Rinks... Rockefeller Center - Opens November. 6th; admission $9.50-$19 (price goes up on Nov. 20th)... (More)

When Does It Pay to Buy Travel Insurance?

I have seen travel insurance described as everything from a Ponzi scheme to an essential travel tool. It seems that people who don't like travel insurance are often those who find out that their insurance doesn't cover them for the problem that they face. Conversely, those that swear by the policies are often the ones who have been reimbursed by their insurer. My mother's friend is in the latter camp. She fractured her hip during a bad fall on the last night of her Alaska cruise, and several weeks and 1 operation later she had to be taken back home in a wheelchair. Her travel insurance covered everything all the costs that Medicare didn't, including her first-class plane ticket.... I'm squarely behind the idea of travel insurance. Not everyone agrees with me, but I think on the whole there are many more positive stories than negative ones about how travel insurance has come in to save someone from financial ruin. But for the doubters, especially those who don't regularly buy insurance, here are some things to think about next time you consider whether or not to buy a policy.... Has travel insurance... (More)

4 Exercises for Staying Loose, Limber, and Comfortable on Your Next Flight

Upgrade your next flight from cramped to comfy by taking a few minutes to complete these small exercises.... (More)

How to Be the Perfect Cruise Passenger

Most passengers want to have a satisfying vacation—to explore new places, relax, spend time with family and friends, and have some carefree fun. Unfortunately, some people can get carried away with the carefree part and forget to pack the good manners practiced every day at home...... Adhere to the dress code. The ship's daily program will indicate the appropriate attire for every evening of the cruise, generally beginning at 6 pm. It's inconsiderate to ignore the guidelines and do as you please.... Do not hog the lounge chairs. Every morning an invisible cadre of passengers piles towels and personal belongings on chaise lounges by the pool to save them for later. This is extremely selfish behavior. ... Do not save seats. Do save a seat for your spouse or traveling companion, but do not try to save entire rows of seats in the show lounge or complete tables in the casual dining area. ... Control your children. For their safety—and the safety of others—children shouldn't be allowed to roam freely around the ship, run around the swimming pool, splash water on other passengers, cavort... (More)

5 Photography Tips for Capturing Color This Fall

The leaves are turning. Now is the season to grab your camera and capture those rich reds, yellows, and oranges we've come to associate with autumn. Yet while fall brings with it some fiery colors that light up any landscape, not all seasons and places around the world are as convenient for the aspiring travel photographer.... (More)

FOLLOW US

Copyright © 2009 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.