Travel Blog 
News Stories by Doug Stallings
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No-Nonsense Traveler: Seeking Travel Help Online
The first time I went to Europe was for a trip to Spain with my parents when I was in junior high school. We flew on TWA and connected through Eero Saarinen's beautiful terminal at JFK. We didn't buy a guidebook, and I had no idea what I wanted to see once I arrived in Seville. You see, the reason we took this trip as our first overseas vacation wasn't so much a great love of Spain but because my dad's cousin was teaching for a year at a naval base on the Andalusian coast. Such was the way of my family, when most vacations had some kind of familial attachment connected to them. Since this was in the days long before the Internet, I can't help but think that we could have improved our trip immeasurably by asking some well-formed questions on the right message board in advance of our vacation. While message boards are no substitute for a professionally researched travel guide, they are an excellent resource for the kind of traveler who is unlikely (or unwilling) to buy a guidebook. The trick...
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No-Nonsense Traveler: Timing Your Trip for Cheaper Travel
There are ways to save money traveling without having to make the big compromises. You don't have to stay in hotels with shared baths, or eat all your dinners as in-room picnics, or travel to Moscow in the depth of winter. One of the simplest ways to save money is to avoid traveling during the high season. I know that's easier said than done when you have kids and the only time available to you is during school holidays. But even then, if you choose your destination wisely, you can still travel without breaking the bank.... Talk to Doug: When do you plan your trips so that the prices are lowest, the crowds are the thinnest, and the weather the best?...
Loving the Shoulder Season There's a reason the low season is the cheapest time to travel: the weather is usually at its worst and some places will be closed. Anyone who has weathered a hurricane in the Caribbean or trudged through the snowy streets of Toronto knows this inherently. But that doesn't mean you have to accept the highest prices or... -
No-Nonsense Traveler: On Iconic Experiences vs. Serendipity
One of the most important things we've been trying to emphasize in our guidebooks for the past several years is the idea that travel is an experience rather than just a list of sights, hotels, and restaurants. And it surprises me how often people forget that simple fact when they travel. I have known people who actually travel with a list in hand, speeding from one sight to the next, so they can check off the top attractions and move on to the next place. Touring at breakneck speed, the most authentic experience they are likely to have is eating a wurst or an order of fish and chips.... Join the discussion: When you travel are you looking for that big, iconic experience, or is it the little thing that makes your trip?...
Iconic Experiences Make Your Trip Memorable I will always remember the first time I walked up the steps in the Louvre and saw the statue of Nike (the "Winged Victory of Samothrace"). I will always remember standing at the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza and walking down to... -
No-Nonsense Traveler's 5 Simple Rules of Complaining
Travel is always fraught with risk. The question is how you deal with setbacks. Here, our No-Nonsense Traveler shares the five simple rules he used to overcome a recent ticket booking nightmare.
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The No-Nonsense Traveler: Hotel Trap
Fodor's very own No-Nonsense Traveler reveals the first secret to being a satisfied traveler, and why the hotel star-rating system has nothing to do with it.
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Introducing the No-Nonsense Traveler
Editor Doug Stallings, expert traveler and world-class cheapskate, begins a new column to provide frugal travelers with concrete help planning their trips: "Before you listen to any of my travel advice, before you even read a sentence further, there's one thing you need to know about me that will inform virtually everything I say: I'm cheap."
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NYC Hotels to Beware Of
Editor Doug Stallings shares a video about illegal hotels in NYC: "I've told many posters in our forums that virtually all short-term apartment rentals are illegal, and this story that recently ran on Fox 5 News explains why. It's useful listening. Regrettably, there are a lot of scams out there in NYC, and you need to be aware of them to have a safe trip to the city." Video after the jump.
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Carry-on Bag Buyer's Guide: Avoid the New Airline Luggage Fees
With some airlines now charging a $15 fee for your first checked bag, a good carry-on can save you money as well as hassle. Use our carry-on bag buyer's guide to avoid the new airline fees. Talk Travel: Do you love your carry-on? When considering a carry-on bag, think about three major things. First, look at the size; you want a bag that weights 8 lbs or less empty (otherwise it's going to be very heavy once it's packed, and every pound makes a difference); also, bags that expand may be small enough to carry-on initially but may grow too large once expanded. Second, consider the quality of constructions; zippers are the most likely part of your luggage to fail, followed by the wheels, so make sure they are good. Third, you must consider how much you are willing to pay; if you travel only one or two times a year, then it's not worth investing a large amount in a carry-on bag, and you can buy one at any discount store for about $30. But if you travel a lot and want a bag that will be with
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Just Back From Prague
Fodor's editor Doug Stallings recently spent a week in Prague, learning first-hand why this small and compact city is one of Europe's most popular destinations. Why Prague? Many parts of the Old Town look just as they did in the Middle Ages. The hotel I stayed in was built in the 1400s. I went to church concerts, ate good food, walked the cobblestone streets, saw the sights, and drank lots of cheap Czech beer. What was your best find? Two things actually. The first was Jaroslav "Jay" Pesta, a private tour guide I found through his Web site (www.prague-walks.com). He guided me all over town on my first full day in Prague. The second thing was Art Decoratif (Michalska 19, Staré Mesto), a store that sells jewelry and decorative art (though not originals) designed by Prague native Alfons Mucha. What was your favorite part of the trip? A boat ride on the Vltava River. We went on a small, restored, 19th-century canal boat, which was much more fun than a 50-seater. It's not a long tour,
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