Feeling well enough to cruise? It may not be up to you

To take or not to take travel insurance. That’s a subject that’s beyond the scope of one post, and often an individual decision. One of my clients who takes very expensive trips informed me years ago that he “self-insures,” figuring, if he...

Cinco de Mayo jalapeno eating contests sweep America

Cinco de Mayo is mistakenly considered Mexico’s Independence Day. May 5th is not even a holiday in Mexico. It commemorates the anniversary of the victory of Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The partying is far more...

What are the odds of my plane crashing?

This year, while many summer vacationers will stay close to home, some will be flying to distant locations. In the last few months, I’ve met more people with a fear of flying than I can count. They all point to US Airways Flight 1549, “Sully’s Miracle,”...

It’s a sick, sick world out there

It’s a pandemic, because there are like, 898 cases worldwide, right? (WHO calculation of worldwide confirmed H1N1 cases as of 5/3/09). Pardon me for yawning at the latest headlines screaming panic over the dreaded H1N1 flu strain, which prior to its modifier...

Luxury on a Hawaiian budget vacation: 7 tips

For many travelers, Hawaii is the ultimate dream destination. Only about five hours from the U.S. mainland, the islands are beautiful, easy to navigate, and there’s no passport required. In addition, Hawaii hotels have great specials during the current...