Tag: Boston Globe
Should you take a villa vacation?
Whether it’s at the city or beach, a villa vacation has many appeals over conventional hotels and resorts.
London Layover: An Oasis of Serenity at Sofitel London Heathrow
For travelers facing early morning departures, late evening arrivals, or long layovers, the Sofitel London Heathrow, located right at the airport, is the perfect place to relax and de-stress. Rooms can be booked for overnight stays or for day stays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Alternatively, weary travelers can while away a few hours…
Chef’s Tables: On Cruise Ships, Dining is Theater and Chefs are the Stars
As long buffet lines give way to more individualized dining experiences in smaller, specialty restaurants on ships, a growing number of cruise lines are adding chef’s tables as one more appetizing option. The term “chef’s table” suggests exclusivity — the ingredients, menu, setting, and intimacy of small group dining — as well as the expectation of doting attention from the chef and servers.
Whiz through TSA airport security – Do you qualify for TSA Pre✓™?
Determine whether you qualify for the TSA Pre✓™ prescreening initiative operating at certain checkpoints at 16 airports and slated for expansion to 35. Eligible US citizens flying domestically on American Airlines, Delta, United, and Alaska Airlines and current members of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs (including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS)…
Online travel trends: Continually changing and getting better
New sites are cropping up all the time and old ones are redefining themselves. Here are some trends suggesting where online travel is headed: Going mobile “The ecosystem has changed for travel,” says Chris Brown, vice president for products at orbitz.com. Similar to the massive shift that occurred when consumers first went online more than…
How to plan your next trip online
Being your own online travel agent, while empowering, can also be daunting. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number and dizzying array of websites. According to phocuswright.com, an industry analyst site, about one-third of travelers consistently book their trips online, and 76 percent use one or more websites to choose a destination. Where…
All-Inclusives are coming of age
The design and decor of the Secrets Marquis Los Cabos exude high-end luxury. A dramatic open-air reception lobby, with an arc-shaped roof, frames an expansive view of the Sea of Cortez. Each of the 235 ocean-view suites and casitas has a balcony overlooking three infinity pools and the sandy beach. In addition to a 15,000-square-foot…
Cruising size matters: Finding the perfect fit
Anchored off the coast of Rovinj, Croatia, on the 208-passenger Seabourn Spirit, my husband and I were eating a leisurely lunch in the open-air Veranda Café. Cool Adriatic Sea breezes tempered the blazing sun, and with only a few other couples seated at tables that were nicely spaced from ours, we felt as if we…
Penélope’s kitchen: A lesson in the history and culture of Peru
We are sitting in the dining room of a spacious, sunlit, modern apartment located only a few hundred steps from a high cliff overlooking the Pacific. Gazing through the floor-to-ceiling windows at palm trees and waves meeting the shore, it would be easy to mistake Barranco, a middle-class district in the southern part of Lima,…
8 ways to snag a first-class fare upgrade
When it comes to first class, there are few bargains to be found, but here are ways to lessen the pain if you are a mere mortal but want to fly like royalty: Loyalty has its rewards. If you are able to rack up mileage on the same airline, achieving elite status will entitle you…
Airline fare classes: Everything you need to know
Even before they board their flights, people are acutely aware of the haves and have-nots of air travel. On a recent long-haul domestic airline flight (after waiting for platinum, silver, gold, and bronze to board), I sat down in my assigned middle seat in a row directly behind first class. My view was neither window…
Solo cruising: A refreshing alternative to singles cruising
Boarding a cruise ship may feel like stepping onto Noah’s Ark in the sense that most passengers arrive two by two. While married couples make up only slightly more than 50 percent of the general population, according to a recent survey by Cruise Line International Association, some 80 percent of cruisers travel with spouses. Approximately…
17 ways to save when renting a car
Planning a vacation or business trip is often a hassle, even for seasoned travelers. Many put off car rental decisions until the last minute or decide to take their chances when they arrive. Yet, planning ahead can save you money. Here are 17 cost-saving suggestions: Scour the Internet for deals. According to industry experts, the…
Traveling with multiple cameras, we try not to miss any what-once-were Kodak moments. My husband and travel companion, Jerry, took most of the photos on the site using a 
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