I'm looking at getting a subscription to keep some frequent flyer miles active. Is "Budget Travel" any good?

Keith

Budget Travel, no question. I just can't stand the view of some travel magazines that I am going to spend $200.00 plus a night for every trip. I find them pretty but not that useful. With a husband and two kids in tow, I want a magazine that is really useful. Husband and I do trips without the kids, too and never want to spend unncessesary money. We have had fabulous trips on a budget. So, now I'll get off my soapbox. Maybe when the kids are grown, we will splurge a little more.

Dear Chowder Lover,

I am surprised that some of the magazines I subscribed to and didn't open after reading one or two issues are beloved by others.

One solution seems to be to subscribe to the three or four magazines that appeal most and decide for yourself which one is "best" for your needs.

All magazines are hungry for subscribers. Check web sites and call 800 number begging for discounts. Also, many magazines have a guarantee; if you don't like what you read, you can cancel your subscrition without paying anything.

Another approach: Go to the library and examine past editions of travel magazines to decide if one is worth your money.

One problem with travel magazines is that they are ever in the search of something new to write about that has to be written up as fun and interesting, even if it isn't.

Islands is my favorite, but, then again, traveling to islands is my favorite kind of travel.

No substance??? C'mon, did you never read their articles?

I prefer regional magazines rather than national/international travel oriented magazines. For example, I think Sunset's Pacific NW edition gives great travel advice for the NW. For Philadelphia or Chicago, I buy the city magazines.
For travel in "romantic" Europe (Alsace, Burgundy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, etc.), I swear by Cote Est, a French magazine. Their Cote Sud also gives great info on the south of France.
I do wish someone would resurrect European Travel & Life. I still have several issues stored away; would love to see that magazine return.

Pappy, I'm with you, islands (esp. tropical) are my favorite place to vacation. Wow, bookhall, thanks so much for that EBay tip. I ordered a one year subsciption to Islands Magazine for $4.75. At that price, I haven't risked too much. How are they able to do that?

And I'm with you, Maggi. Islands has no substance? What is the saying... a picture is worth a thousand words? Give me the substance of Islands any day! The research I can do elsewhere.

I have subscribed to Conde Nast for the last 3-4 years...ready for something new so thanks to this thread I just ordered a subscription to National Geographic Traveler...Merry Christmas to me! :-d

The Italian travel magazine "DOVE" is incredible. If you're traveling in Europe pick it up. You will automatically want to go to their places of interest. Oh, one other thing, as with Cote Est (French), which I also subscribe too and do agree is great, you need to be able to read Italian. Ciao