Fodor's Travel Wire

Reconfirm hours and admission

2009-11-07T03:10:21-05:00

No matter how much you trust your guidebook, or how recently you've checked an attraction's Web page, call the day of your visit to make sure the place is open. Some museums open or close late or early at a...

Don't pack your itinerary to the gills

2009-11-06T17:07:11-05:00

Don't over-schedule. Think back to your last vacation—did you overextend yourself or visit so many attractions that you ended up not liking some of them? Resist succumbing to the fear that you may never return and so must see everything...

Know when to book your flights to Hawaii

2009-11-04T10:28:48-05:00

Fodor's member ofadonaldson raised a good question last week in our Air Travel forum: "How far in advance do I need to book my flights to Hawaii?". Several travelers piped up with tips and recommendations including suze who recommended signing up for the airlines' newsletters so you don't miss a fare sale.

Congratulations to Our Ireland Photo Contest Winners!

2009-11-04T09:44:15-05:00

It's true—many of the photo entries we received for our Show Us Your Ireland photo contest left us green with envy. We want to head for the hills of Gleninchaquin Park with packs on our backs, conquer a fear of heights and rope bridges on the Antrim Coast, and cruise the Dingle Coast—among other great experiences. You have shown us that it can all be done!

South Carolina Fall Getaway

2009-11-04T09:26:09-05:00

With the temperature beginning to dip in the North, your thoughts may turn to that summer vacation you never quite got around to. Fear not: there's still time to nab a last bit of warm weather. Head to South Carolina where temperatures linger in the 70s through November, the crowds thin out, and hotel prices drop. I recently took a trip to Myrtle Beach and Charleston to scout out two types of trips: a long weekend with the kids, and a romantic getaway to reconnect with your partner before the holiday season.

11 European Museums You Should See In Your Lifetime

2009-11-03T11:59:18-05:00

If you've never been to these museums, you're missing out. From ancient books in Ireland to modern architecture in Spain, here are Europe's essential museums.

Rate Your Experience Sweepstakes

2009-11-02T16:51:25-05:00

In the November issue of Travel & Leisure, Fodors.com was highlighted as a valuable web resource for travelers looking for both "member comments along with editorial reviews of restaurants and hotels". We've encouraged members to send us their feedback and recommendations since the site's start back in 1996. One way to share your experience is to post a review of an establishment found in one of our 569 online destination guides. Your feedback helps us as we evaluate what should stay and what should go in each new edition. Fellow travelers benefit from your sharing of your experience as well; it's always nice to have a second, third, or fourth opinion from a like-minded traveler.

Why Package Tours are Your Best Bet for Family Vacations

2009-11-02T12:09:16-05:00

Think about your last family vacation. Did you argue over driving directions? Quibble over where to eat? Spend too much time figuring out your day's itinerary and not enough time actually taking in the sights? If you answered yes to any of these questions—and your family isn't comprised of die-hard do-it-yourselfers—you might consider a packaged tour for your next trip. Here's why.

Don't Rule Out Guided Tours

2009-11-02T02:00:00-05:00

These are perfect for busy people and/or for themed trips or trips to places where making arrangements is difficult (particularly when you don’t speak the language). You travel along with a group—large or small—stay in prebooked hotels, eat with your fellow travelers, and follow a schedule. Your guide takes you to places that you might never discover on your own, perhaps enabling you to see more than you would otherwise.

Cable car riding in San Francisco made easy

2009-11-01T09:39:06-05:00

Two of the three cable car lines begin and end their runs at Powell and Market streets, a couple of blocks south of Union Square. These two lines are the most scenic, and both pass near Fisherman's Wharf, so they're...

Be careful opening your toiletries

2009-10-31T10:10:15-05:00

Ever open a bottle of hair gel or shaving cream after a flight only to have contents shoot our all over you and the bathroom? Changes in air pressure during flight can cause all kinds of things to become unsettled....

Visiting Boston? Sign up for the Park Rangers' programs

2009-10-29T09:32:23-05:00

Take a cue from locals and sign up for one of Boston's Park Rangers' programs. Top picks include a visit to the city stables to meet the Mounties and their horses, regularly scheduled readings of Robert McCloskey's Make Way for...

Organize your cash ahead of time, Monopoly-style

2009-10-28T17:19:46-05:00

"The one thing I do when I get bank notes, I fold them in half so I can easily see the denominations and put the same denominations together. That way I don't have to flash a wad of cash about...

America's Strangest Hotels: 10 Weird and Wacky Places to Stay

2009-10-28T15:06:51-05:00

Have you ever wanted to spend the night inside a giant wooden beagle or a lofty treehouse? Well here's your chance.

Antarctic Explorer Robert Swan on Walking to the South Pole

2009-10-28T13:53:14-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Robert Swan, the first person to have walked to both the North and South Poles, about his travels to Antarctica and and his organization, 2041, which seeks to preserve the most desolate place on earth. From his first inspirational experiences on the ice to his don't-leave-home-without yellow backpack, here are are the things that keep this professional traveler going.