Travel - chicagotribune.com

'Million Miler' sues United over perk reduction

By Gregory Karp — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:05:00 GMT

A Chicago frequent flier is suing United Airlines for taking away some of his lifetime perks as a so-called Million Miler, someone who has flown 1 million miles with the airline.

Agency: Ancient burial mounds looted, driven over

Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:57:00 GMT

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Ancient American Indian burial mounds in southern Illinois have been damaged and possibly looted, prompting the state's historical agency to call for the public's help in identifying the culprits.

Seattle's secret is out: Lake Chelan, Washington

By Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

If you live in Seattle or Spokane, Lake Chelan is your summer go-to spot. Best of all, few Californians know of it. But that's about to change.

CHELAN, Wash. — Just say the words "summer at the lake" in certain company, and you'll get a wistful smile, possibly followed by stories about fishing contests, belly-flops, mosquito bites, campfire songs, sexual awakening, lingering regret, family feuds, winterizing expenses and the prospect that the mortgage interest tax deductions for second homes might someday be disallowed.

A taste of India's street food

By Peter Mandel, Special to the Los Angeles Times — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A visitor and his guide in Delhi ignore the tourist's taboo against street food to snack on dosa, uttapam and KFC's Zing Kong Box. It's all quite delectable.

DELHI, INDIA — Delhi, India, is closed today.

Refloat of Italy's Concordia wreck to be biggest ever

Catherine Hornby — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:30:00 GMT

ROME (Reuters) - Salvage crews will employ huge cranes and air tanks to refloat the half-submerged Costa Concordia cruise liner in the largest ever operation of its kind, according to a plan unveiled on Friday.

Business trips abroad could endanger your data

Mitch Lipka — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:55:06 GMT

(Reuters) - Sonia Bovio, tired but unable to sleep after her long journey from Phoenix to London last week, settled into her hotel room and was fiddling around on her laptop. One inadvertent click later, a file downloaded and she realized she had made a big mistake.

United, Continental pilots cleared to call a strike vote

By Gregory Karp — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:38:00 GMT

Leaders of the United Airlines and Continental Airlines pilot unions received authority Thursday to call for a strike vote if the groups are released from mediated negotiations with the airline.

More Americans plan to travel this summer, surveys say

By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

But many travelers will hold the line on spending for items such as hotel stays and entertainment because of high fuel costs and rising airfares.

Americans plan to travel in slightly higher numbers this summer, according to surveys, starting with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Should Europe's latest 'crisis' deter you?

By Ed Perkins, Tribune Media Services — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:55:08 GMT

I'm writing this column in Europe, where the headlines are full of "crisis" talk about a possible economic "collapse." The talk has escalated lately after last week's elections in which both French and Greek voters seemed to be saying "enough, already" to Europe's merchants of austerity. And the results in Greece, especially, really do increase the odds that it will have to pull out -- or be thrown out -- of the euro currency zone. Some economists and politicians seem to have no clue as to what will happen in that case, others expound their dire predictions, and hardly anybody is optimistic. But from a tourist's standpoint, I see no reason to avoid most of Europe this summer, although I might be a little wary of Greece.

Exhibits explore the art and science of sex

By Terri Colby, Special to Tribune Newspapers — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:48:00 GMT

Kinsey research institute offers tours

Museums are a mainstay for travelers worldwide. But you don't have to head to the big cities for museums that have one-of-a-kind artifacts or works by the likes of Rembrandt, Matisse and Picasso.

Think beach: 4 great options from coast to coast to coast, with one in between

By Jay Jones, Special to Tribune Newspapers — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:41:00 GMT

For many people, only a couple of ingredients are needed for the perfect summer vacation: soft, warm sand and refreshing cool water. The combination can be found across America, from small ponds to sprawling oceans. This summer, destinations from coast to coast will serve up shore-side fun to families seeking a relaxing break.

Why we stay

By Josh Noel — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:40:00 GMT

Sometime around mid-January, after Christmas cheer and New Year’s novelty have faded, we wonder why we stay in this place to wrestle with the cold and wind and snow and chill that run to the tips of our fingers and toes.

Making the most of family vacations

By Myscha Theriault, McClatchy-Tribune News Service — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:49:00 GMT

After handling the logistical hurdles of flying with children, perfecting your family packing system and searching out the best bargains available, the main objective is to start having fun once you get where you're going. From transportation to activity access, these tips represent some of my favorite ways to maximize family vacation getaways.

10 best iconic modern house tours in North America

By George Hobica, Airfarewatchdog.com (MCT) — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:48:00 GMT

Anyone with a pile of money can build a big pile of a house, and back in the day, that's what you did. (See, for instance, "Downton Abbey.") But during the 20th century, a group of architects staged a controversial revolt. Why, they asked, couldn't less be as impressive as more?

Eager tourists pay for the chance to experience life behind bars

By Ellen Creager, Detroit Free Press (MCT) — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:42:00 GMT

There's new glamour in the slammer.

Amid criticism, TSA finds weapons in walker and stuffed animals

By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:41:00 GMT

The federal agency uncovered the items in the same week that it was on the defensive during congressional hearings over charges that it has wasted money by storing hundreds of pieces of screening equipment in warehouses in Texas.

It was a tough week for the Transportation Security Administration, but on at least one issue the federal agency may have scored a small victory.

Scam watch: Amazon emails, foreign travel, commodities fraud

By Stuart Pfeifer — Sun, 13 May 2012 12:55:00 GMT

Here is a roundup of alleged cons, frauds and schemes to watch out for.

Travel agents remain vital source for cruise sales

By Arlene Satchell , Sun Sentinel — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:58:21 GMT

Even from home-based operations, travel agents are key industry advocates

Four months after the Costa Concordia tragedy, travel agents say they're seeing more demand for their expertise as travelers return for guidance on cruise purchases.

Vegas sign a tourist attraction in its own right

By John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The iconic 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada' greeting, which has been around since 1959, has become a full-flush symbol of this gambling mecca, with droves of tourists arriving as if on a pilgrimage.

The iconic 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada' greeting, which has been around since 1959, has become a full-flush symbol of this gambling mecca, with droves of tourists arriving as if on a pilgrimage.

Elderly steamboat keeps rich history afloat

By Jay Jones, Special to Tribune Newspapers — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:43:00 GMT

Nobody's exactly sure when the engine in the belly of the Belle of Louisville was built. The best guess is around 1890. What is known for certain is that it was solidly built, because it was already well-used when it was transferred into the belly of the Belle during its construction in 1914. That means that, at age 98, the paddle-wheeler is roughly 25 years younger than the steam engine that powers it up and down the Ohio River.

48 hours in Warsaw

Karolina Slowikowska — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:55:00 GMT

Got 48 hours to spare this summer in Warsaw, the capital of Poland for more than 400 years? Reuters correspondents with local knowledge help visitors get the most out of a 48-hour visit.

Universal to build Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Japan

By Jason Garcia , Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:20:06 GMT

The parent company of Universal Orlando is trying to squeeze as much magic as it can out of Harry Potter's wand.

From Berlin to Tahiti, readers share bus stories

By Carol Pucci, The Seattle Times (MCT) — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:04:00 GMT

Count on well-traveled readers to come up with some good tales about seeing the world from the window of a bus.

After the Olympics, explore England's North Country

By Anne Z. Cooke, McClatchy-Tribune News Service — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:47:00 GMT

HEXHAM, England — A bone-chilling rain swept over the moors on the October day we hiked to the top of the ruins of Hadrian's Wall, a few miles south of the Scottish border.

Mountaineers to return to Disneyland's Matterhorn when ride reopens

By Mary Forgione — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:10:00 GMT

I'm such a sucker for anything having to do with mountains -- hiking up them, watching climbers ascend them, snapping pictures of them -- that even phony peaks give me a thrill.