The Archive
Travel Intelligence
DECEMBER 2, 2021: FIVE-STAR PRICES, UNKNOWN STANDARDS
I know five-star hotel standards when I experience them. But we're not getting them even at five-star places. Written by Susan Breslow.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021: THE BUZZ ON FRENCH BEE
French Bee Premium class to Paris is mostly comfortable and quite cheap. But there are trade-offs, too. Written by Meena Thiruvengadam.
FEBRUARY 4, 2021: BRUSSELS BLUES AND 11 MONTHS OF LOCKDOWN
Like cities all across Europe, Brussels is in the midst of a seemingly endless lockdown. Guess what? It's not much fun. It's like someone pushed a giant pause button on our lives and drained the color out of our days. Written by Deborah Bernstein.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020: SAVE AMTRAK AND SAVE AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION
The problems that plague Amtrak reflect the limited imagination, lack of transparency and short-sighted policies that make our entire American transportation system dysfunctional. Written by Rick Harnish.
AUGUST 2, 2020: CUDDLES, CHRISTMAS, CONNECTICUT AND CASABLANCA
Favorite holiday movie? Christmas in Connecticut, a frothy romp where everyone's running a game. Favorite movie: Casablanca, where Rick went for the water and was misinformed. Connecting thread? C.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, who played headwaiter Carl in one and kitchen king Felix in the other. He gets some of the best lines in both movies. Written by Fred Abatemarco.
JULY 16, 2020: PARADISE FOR PIGEONS IN HAWAII
This would normally be the time of year to burn some points and miles to bring the family to Hawaii. But we are nowhere near normal this summer and there are only pigeons in paradise. Written by Julia Ogilvie.
JULY 2, 2020: HONKY-TONK LIVES MATTER IN TEXAS
Within days of our arrival from Austin, everything in Fort Worth closed and we locked down inside our home. It wasn't quite what we'd had in mind. This hasn't been what anyone had in mind, of course, but we do things differently here in Texas. Written by Helen Anders.
MAY 28, 2020: FLYING IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS
On Sunday, when I flew for the first time since the pandemic grounded us, everything was the same. Yet everything was very different. Amazing how strange a cross-country roundtrip can feel. Written by Roy Berger.
MAY 21, 2020: MY FIRST GLOVE AFFAIR
Lovers come and lovers go. Life moves on. But your first new baseball glove? The one you oiled and pampered and cherished? It's with you forever and ever. Written by Fred Abatemarco.
MAY 7, 2020: TAKE THE CASH, LEAVE THE MILES
I've had it with airline miles. I've dumped my airline credit cards for cashback cards. If I can do it, so can you. You'll be better for it--and I'm offering my own records to prove it. Written by Fred Abatemarco.
APRIL 26, 2020: TANGLED UP IN DYLAN
Skipping a study session leads to a life-long fascination with Bob Dylan. A legal scholar and frequent traveler explains his devotion to Dylan's music and his impact on American society. Written by Michael L. Perlin.
APRIL 9, 2020: VEGAS IN THE TIME OF VIRUS
We're deserted in the desert. That's not the way Vegas was built. But like the rest of the country, things on the four-mile-long Las Vegas Strip are quiet. The hotels and casinos are closed. The tourists and gamblers are gone. Written by Roy Berger.
APRIL 5, 2020: BAD TIMES, BETTER COCKTAILS
In times such as these, women and men may be inclined to take strong drink. But if you are bored with your usual Scotch and soda, gin and tonic or vodka Martini, try one of these cocktails on for size. You probably have the ingredients in your liquor cabinet. Written by Joan Lang.
APRIL 2, 2020: THE FRIENDLY SKIES OF PHANTOM FLYERS
Cherry blossoms were in bloom, the sun was shining and Thursday, March 12, was a glorious day in Washington. Nine days later, I was home in Hawaii. In between the two? Nothing. Deserted streets, shuttered restaurants, closed museums and monuments--and empty aircraft and airports. Written by Julia Ogilvie.
MARCH 12, 2020: THE FIRST (AND LAST) TIME I SAW PARIS
I've just returned from Paris and this last visit reminded me of the first trip 47 years ago when a lifelong friend made it happen. My life and his have changed remarkably but Paris, somehow, seems the same. Written by Fred Abatemarco.
FEBRUARY 6, 2020: HOTELS SUDDENLY SUCK AT HOUSEKEEPING
Want your hotel room cleaned every day? More and more, hotels are trying to convince us that we don't. Here's how to tell them no and get what you want when you want it. Written by Helen Anders.
OCTOBER 17, 2019: WHY LAS VEGAS? WHY NOT VEGAS?
Why have I retired to Summerlin near Las Vegas? Why not? Las Vegas has everything--sports, dining, entertainment--and the weather is mostly great. Written by Roy Berger.
JUNE 27, 2019: HOW TO BE ONE OF THE 'BOYS OF SUMMER' NEXT WINTER
Ever wanted to be a major league ballplayer? It's not too late. Age doesn't matter. All it takes is desire, a sense of humor--and a good amount of disposable income. Written by Roy Berger.
APRIL 18, 2019: THE 'HOME' FIRES THAT KEEP BURNING
I watched the television in Washington on Monday feeling the same pit in my stomach as I had during 9/11 when I lived in Paris. I felt horrible, devastated being away from "home." Then it was America. Now it was Paris. Notre Dame has been grievously wounded, but Notre-Dame de Paris will be restored. The grandchildren of the French, like my grandchildren and theirs, will see it. Written by Karen Fawcett.
OCTOBER 25, 2018: WHAT'S IN A NAME OR TWO? 'ATLANTA AIRPORT' KNOWS
Who are the pols whose names are a part of Atlanta's Airport? They turned a dusty little airfield into the nation's busiest airport. Written by Bob Ingle.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018: ARE YOU GAMBLING ON TRAVEL-MEDICAL COVERAGE?
One in 30 overseas trips ends with medical problems. That's a higher risk than for lost bags or cancelled flights. Are you covered? Written by Roy Berger.