Fodor's Travel Wire

Congratulations to Our Second Group of Sweeps Winners!

2009-11-20T13:23:28-05:00

Congratulations go out to Fodor's members Tellurian, Kay2, and masylvan— they are the second group of winners of our month-long Rate Your Experience sweepstakes. They each posted a review in one of our destination guides last week; and as winners they will be receiving the following:

Find San Francisco's Tamale Lady

2009-11-20T07:11:37-05:00

It's impossible to pin down her location, but if you're out and about in the Mission on an evening, keep an eye peeled for this San Francisco legend. Her tamales are terrific.

6 Tips for Traveling with Surly Teens

2009-11-19T10:55:43-05:00

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.

Australia Photo Contest Winners Slideshow

2009-11-19T08:16:54-05:00

Congratulations to all of the winners of our recent Australia photo contest, including David Menkes whose photo of an underwater scene taken on the Great Barrier Reef took top honors.View the full slideshow of winning shots

Take to the trees on a canopy tour

2009-11-19T03:08:16-05:00

Canopy tours are action-packed rides, where, fastened to a zip line high off the ground, you fly from tree to tree. Blue sky above, ribbons of river below, and in between: a forest of tree tops and a healthy shot of adrenaline.

England's Lake District: See the sunrise at Castlerigg

2009-11-18T04:04:31-05:00

The stone circle at the Lake District's Castlerigg, in a natural hollow ringed by peaks, is a rare reminder of the region's ancient history. Blencathra and other mountains provide an awesome backdrop for the 38 stones. Sunrise here is magical.Browse our online Lake District guide for more recommendations

San Francisco for Sugar Fiends: 18 Essential Bakeries, Ice Cream Shops, and More

2009-11-17T14:57:31-05:00

San Francisco's endless hills can be daunting, especially across several days of sightseeing. How to stay energized in this challenging touristic landscape? Sugar, of course! And coffee! Here our our favorite pit stops all over the city.

New Orleans: Eat a Hubig Pie

2009-11-17T03:01:10-05:00

One New Orleans culinary delight that is almost unknown outside the city are the fried fruit turnovers made by Hubig's Pies on Dauphine Street in the Marigny. Simon Hubig founded the bakery in Fort Worth, Texas, and the New Orleans plant was just one of the chain.

Doing Disney Right: Plan out your meals

2009-11-16T15:51:32-05:00

Make dining reservations before you leave home, especially for character dining experiences.If you don't, you might find yourself eating a hamburger (again) or leaving Walt Disney World for dinner.

Opt for Europe's Shoulder Season

2009-11-15T08:28:27-05:00

Think about visiting Europe off-season (typically winter for much of Europe) or the shoulder season (early spring, late fall). The timing fits the bill for travelers looking to save cash and avoid the peak tourist crushes. Slashed hotel rates and...

Nervous flier tip: Educate yourself

2009-11-14T08:24:07-05:00

"There are several very good websites that can help with your fear of flying. I actually took a course called SOAR, which can be found at www.fearofflying.com. The course made a world of difference for me and I recommend it,...

Nervous flier tip: Make eye contact with the crew

2009-11-13T11:12:31-05:00

"Xanax helps, but the MOST helpful advice I've received was to make eye contact and say hello firmly to the crew members (and pilot/co-pilot if possible). Making eye contact with someone who is responsible for your safety somehow conveys confidence...

This Week's "Rate Your Experience" Winners

2009-11-13T10:19:23-05:00

Congratulations go out to Fodor's members rufkd, janschwartz, and opaldog— they are the first winners of our month-long Rate Your Experience sweepstakes. They each posted a review in one of our destination guides last week; and as winners they will be receiving the following...

Explore Louisville's River Walk

2009-11-12T18:10:30-05:00

To explore Louisville's river heritage, set aside some time to walk the 6.9-mile River Walk, which stretches west from Waterfront Park to Chickasaw Park. In some spots the paved pathway is right down by the water, and in others it...

7 Legendary Historic Hotels in London and Paris

2009-11-12T08:05:00-05:00

There are a handful of hotels in London and Paris that have obtained landmark status in the minds of locals and travelers alike. Considered timeless classics, these hotels enjoy outsized reputations and are known for their over-the-top service, regal decorative flourishes, aura of exclusivity, and their priced-for-a-prince rack rates. If you're checking in, chances are you're prepared to not quibble over cost; you're there for the experience of it all. Have you slept in any of the hotels mentioned below? Tell us about your stay—would you do it again? What other hotels would you nominate for this list? We've also included ideas for experiencing a sliver of these old dames' magic without acquiring a room key and trivia to keep in mind if you're just walking through.