Archive for January, 2007

Travel Agents: A Good Way To Book Your Vacation

Remember when you were a kid and you came upon that big, gray hornet’s nest? Ever poke it? Well, a recent Tripso column elicited a similar response. It was called “How not to book your vacation,” and it infuriated travel professionals from all over the country, who resented Joel Widzer’s implication that booking travel with a travel agent is a mistake. We invited the agency community to respond, and they did. This week’s column was penned by a 15-year veteran of the industry, John Felker, of Baton Rouge, La., …

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

Several months ago, I was in a casino in a city with which I am very familiar. I was so comfortable, I almost felt like I owned the place. Yes, my guard was down, and if it weren’t for the hangover I was nursing, I would have been out $500. I decided to play a little blackjack and went to the bank ATM to withdraw some money. After keying in my PIN number and the amount of my withdrawal, a little old lady (everyone’s grandmother) asked me to read a…

Latching onto Locals

Meeting the locals and having a cultural experience with your kids when traveling throughout the U.S.A. or overseas can be the difference between a good trip and a great one. Those type of specials moments do not need to be left up to serendipity. So, we have prepared a “How to Guide” for opening up the doors of friendship, adventure and cultural understanding. Part of the fun and enjoyment of traveling in a foreign country is making new friends with the locals and learning firsthand about their culture and customs.…