OnTravel - Travel Information and Tips

Leon Logothetis On Traveling America With No Money

Paul — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:49:22 +0000

Leon Logothetis has written a compelling book Amazing Adventures of a Nobody. As he describes his journeys that he chronicles in the book to Paul it becomes clear that he is a traveler bent on connecting with people in the most basic and kind ways. He depends on the kindness of strangers for the success of his journey and while sometimes disappointed many times he meets people who not only exemplify the best of humanity but who reveal an amazing side of the our society. He is also speaking both Jan 28 and 29 at the Los Angeles Times travel show. The Times travel show is a yearly not-to-be-missed event for anyone who enjoys travel. It’s a great way to learn about new destinations and search for bargains.

Wireless printing with Epson’s NX Stylus printers

James — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:11:58 +0000

The new Epson NX430 All in one wireless printer is a surprising addition to your home photo studio. With the ability to print, scan and copy, it could be a very good tool for making quick vacation prints. Also, making your own vacation books with Keepsy, and choosing your airline seat mate via Facebook? James joins Paul with the details.

Be A Part Of History With The Cherokee Nation

Paul — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:42:17 +0000

Paul chats with Molly Jarvis about the reenactment of an historic visit from the Cherokee Nation to the court of George III in 1762 when three Cherokee Leaders visited the king in London. You can join in this commemoration if you act quickly by February 1. Check out CherokeeTourismOK.

Finding Snow And Affordable Skiing In The West

Paul — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:35:08 +0000

LA Times columnist Chris Erskine joins Paul once again to talk travel in the West. He discusses popular and not so popular ski resorts in the West. Erskine also gives a preview of the LA Times Travel Show on January 28 and 29th where LA Times photographers, writers and editors will share tips and experiences. It’s a chance to talk with real experts from around the world.

Walking To New Zealand Aboard An Air New Zealand Flight

Paul — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:23:09 +0000

Ever wonder what it would be like to work as a flight attendant on a long haul flight? Paul finds out as he interviews the flight crew of an Air New Zealand Los Angeles to Auckland non stop flight. He finds an amazing group of Kiwis who are dedicated to their jobs and who love flying. Paul talks with crew in business class and economy and learns just why Air New Zealand has earned a reputation as one of the world’s great airlines.

Conversation With Tripadvisor’s Steve Kaufer

Paul — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:12:55 +0000

Steve Kaufer the creator and CEO of Tripadvisor , joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the success of taking the world’s largest travel site public. Steve talks about the beginnings and the challenges along the way. He also discusses how Tripadvisor has revolutionized the travel experience for millions and how transparency in the process of choosing hotels, through informed crowd sourcing, has evolved. He also talks about how the Tripadvisor family of companies has grown and helped change other components of the travel experience from cruising to choosing the best seats on a plane.

The Future Of Travel With Peter Yesawich

Paul — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:16:58 +0000

Peter C. Yesawich, Vice Chairman, MMGY Global chats with Paul and Elizabeth about travel trends and his presentation at the Los Angeles Times Travel Show on January 27. For many years, Peter’s team has compiled the Portrait of American Travelers, a long-running and highly respected yearly report and forecast on where travel trends are taking us. He discusses with Paul and Elizabeth some of the surprising results and what these trends may mean for travel ahead.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Will Make London Sparkle

Paul — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:38:30 +0000

Lady Penelope Cobham, who is chair of the VisitEngland Board of Directors chats with Paul about the plans for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this June. There’ll be some splendid royal ceremonies including a huge spectacle of water craft on the Thames. Lady Cobham also speaks of some of the events around the UK this summer and of course the Summer Olympics in London. The UK remains an affordable destination even with the international events during this year.

LA Times’ Christopher Reynolds On London Olympics And Times Travel Show

Paul — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:16:51 +0000

Los Angeles Times, travel writer, Christopher Reynolds chats with Paul about events surrounding the London Olympics including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June. Paul and Chris also talk about the opportunities to learn more about travel and photography from the award-winning journalists at the Los Angeles Times Travel Show, later this month.

American Queen And The Romance Of Riverboating

Paul — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Paul and Elizabeth chat with Jeff Krida about restoring the American Queen and once again sailing the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in the tradition of Mark Twain. The American Queen is an authentic paddlewheel steamboat that enters service this summer. This is a way to discover America and the tradition of riverboating but in comfort and luxury.

Pigeon Forge And The Great Smokies

Paul — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:39:11 +0000

Tom Adkinson chats with Paul and Elizabeth about Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains, down home cooking, and Dollywood, a theme park with a difference. Tom also sheds light on why the largest museum of Titanic artifacts is located in Pigeon Forge. Oh yes, we also talk about chicken fried steak and other down home treats.

Ten Great At USA Today

Paul — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:04:34 +0000

Larry Bleiberg chats with Paul and Elizabeth about his role as contributor to the Ten Great Places feature in USA Today on Fridays. Larry also is an expert in traveling the South and especially to historical sites from the Civil Rights Movement. Check out his website at Civil Rights Travel.

Speedy Boarding Procedures At American Airlines

Paul — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:54:03 +0000

American Airlines Vice President of Airport Services tells Paul and Elizabeth how American created a boarding process that not only speeds up things, but has also resulted in more space for carryon luggage. They also talk about American’s efforts to provide priority seating opportunities and the airline’s policy for boarding uniformed service personnel first.

Skiing In The West — LA Times Travel Show

Paul — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:40:05 +0000

Los Angeles Times columnist Chris Erskine talks with Paul about great skiing in the West. Chris discusses some lesser known resorts that offer less crowded slopes. They also talk about the upcoming Los Angeles Times Travel Show where you can access a wealth of travel information and find tips on photography with prize winning photographers and talk travel with real experts.

Denny Capps Talks Dinosaur Footprints In Denali National Park

Paul — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:11:28 +0000

Imagine participating in one of the major dinosaur finds anywhere. Turns out that in a remote part of the giant wilderness area that is Denali National Park in Alaska, there are one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur tracks and prints ever found. So many in fact that scientists are able to learn more about the creatures than ever ever before. Paul and Elizabeth chat with Denny Capps the park geologist and ranger who find the parks geology one of its most fascinating aspects. He talks about how he got interested in geology, being a ranger and also what draws him to Denali’s wilderness.

Editing your vacation videos with Adobe Premiere Elements 10

James — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:14:33 +0000

Adobe has come out with some great new features in Premiere Elements 10 that promise to make editing those vacation videos really easy. A push of a button easy. Tech Lord James DeRuvo gives us the details.

Hapag Lloyd, One Of The Best Cruise Lines In The World

Paul — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:21:58 +0000

No other ship has received more accolades than the Europa, flagship of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet. It’s been awarded 5 stars plus from Douglas Ward’s Berlitz Guide to Cruising from the beginning. Now the company, whose history goes back to the 19th century is adding another ship, the Europa 2 to the fleet. Paul and Elizabeth chat with Sebastian Ahrens, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd, to discuss the world of cruising and the new ship. They also talk about expedition voyages the other ships in the fleet will make including voyages to Antartica and The Northwest Passage. These are ships that truly sail the world.

Johnny Jet On Getting The Best Hotel Deals

Paul — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:01:20 +0000

John E. DiScala (a.k.a. Johnny Jet) travels around 150,000 miles and visits over 20 countries each year. He and his website JohnnyJet.com have been featured over in more places than you can count. It’s has been named “one of the top best money-saving web sites for travel” by Budget Travel Magazine, while the L.A. Times calls it “one of the top 10 essential travel resources on the internet.” Here he returns to Traveling to chat with Paul and Elizabeth about the benefits of hotel loyalty programs like HiltonHonors.

Rail Europe Provides A Wealth Of Travel Opportunites

Paul — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:07:46 +0000

Jim Prchlik joins Paul and Elizabeth to talk about the RailEurope website and how it can make travel planning easier. They also talk about Swiss Rail and the way it makes traveling in Switzerland not only a bargain but incredibly easy. Imagine reaching every destination in the country by public transit and trains. They also talk about some favorite rail journeys in Switzerland.

Traveling tablets

James — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Is the Toshiba Thrive a good choice for tech savvy travelers? Maybe not. While the Toshiba Thrive has great, cinematic wide screen display and some decent hardware, the Android operating system still isn’t ready for prime time. Tech Lord James DeRuvo gives us his review.

America’s Historic Triangle Celebrates Four Centuries Of Christmas History

Paul — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:49:46 +0000

This triangle encompasses Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown and Busch Gardens a short drive from Washinton DC. Bob Harris with the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance tells Paul and Elizabeth about how to celebrate the holidays beginning back in the early 17th century. It’s a great family vacation as well as a place to build lasting memories. In one day you can watch a Yule log ceremony in a setting from the 18th century and ride a really thrilling roller coaster from the 21st. There are some really great deals on during the holidays.

Toronto Holiday Celebrations

Paul — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:18:42 +0000

One of the great places in Canada to celebrate Christmas and the holidays has ato be Toronto. Paul and Elizabeth chat with Vanessa Somarribe and Mathew Rosenblatt about holiday celebrations like Torontoland and places like the atmospheric Distillery District Market. There are holiday experiences all over the city and to find out more check out the city’s website.

Jennifer Raffaeli Maintains The Alaskan Tradition Of Mushing

Paul — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:57:18 +0000

Jennifer Raffaeli is one of those women who have jobs that not only inspire us but who do work that we find totally fascinating. In this episode of Traveling, Paul and Elizabeth chat with her about running the sled dog program and kennels in Denali National Park. As the ranger in charge of the program her dogs aren’t the kind that race but rather they are bred to be freight dogs who perform the vital functions of pulling the sleds on ranger patrols and also supplying wilderness outposts during winters where the temperature can hover around 40 below. Denali is a wilderness park with some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and while most visitors arrive in summer, some do come in the winter to enjoy winter wilderness camping. But be prepared and know what your are doing.

Buckwheat Donahue A True Alaskan Treasure From Skagway

Paul — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:54:29 +0000

Buckwheat Donahue, or just plain “Buckwheat”, is a self-proclaimed ‘bon vivant’ who has been gallivanting and enjoying life across Alaska and the Yukon Territory for over 25 years. When he’s not cavorting about, you can find him performing the poetry of Robert service and telling stories about the north for the National Park Service. He also entertains school kids of all ages throughout the western United States, Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Here he chats with Paul and Elizabeth about the town of Skagway, Alaska and why it requires more than just a day-long visit on a cruise to truly experience the town. Buckwheat is currently employed by the Municipality of Skagway as the town’s Tourism Director.

From October 1st 2005 through August 24th, 2006 He walked from Miami, Florida to Whitehorse in Canada’s, Yukon Territory. He also rode a bike through Saskatchewan. A distance close to 5,400 miles. Once he got near Whitehorse in the Yukon he switched gears and paddled the length of the Yukon River down to the Bering Sea and the walked from outside Council, Ak. to Nome, Alaska. Another 2,200 miles. The trip took ten months, 24 days, and 3 & ½ hours. But, who’s counting? You can find out more about Buckwheat and his epic journey at www.buckwheat.info.

And we should warn you. Buckwheat does have an odd habit. After an encounter with Buckwheat expect these encouraging words. “Take care and keep on howling!” Why howling? “Because it’s good for you. Try it, you’ll find it invigorating and healthful.” Owoooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!!

Christopher Reynolds Explores Southern California Close Up

Paul — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:48:40 +0000

Born and raised in California, Chris Reynolds has spent two decades writing about travel, the outdoors, arts and culture for the Los Angeles Times. He’s traveled the world but since 2011 began, he’s been investigating Los Angeles and Orange counties for a series of detailed and opinionated Southern California Close-ups. Whether you live in Pasadena or Peoria or Paris, these tips are designed to make you a happy and savvy Southern California explorer. Paul and Elizabeth chat with Reynolds about the series which won a Gold Award for excellence this year from the SATW Lowell Thomas Foundation.

Cheval Residences Serviced Apartments In London

Paul — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:36:20 +0000

Cheval Residences is one of the leaders in providing exclusive apartments within Central London to experienced travelers. And when you take into account the high cost of hotels in London, finding a serviced apartment rental for say a week or more becomes very affordable. Whether you prefer The Royal Borough of Kensington, fashionable Knightsbridge, vibrant Chelsea or the unique atmosphere of the City these are apartments worth a visit.

Indianapolis Isn’t Your Mother’s Town Anymore

Paul — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:58:37 +0000

Perhaps no city in America has met the challenges of the changing urban landscape more than Indianapolis. There is a vibrant downtown, among the best museums in America, including the largest Children’s Museum in the world and some great new hotels. Of coure there are the sports facilities that rank among the world best both in professional and amateur sports. It’s not an accident the Hoosier Hysteria revolves around high school basketball. And some say that the Indianapolis 500 is the largest one-day sporting event in the world. Paul and Elizabeth chat about what makes Indy great and also some of the best things to see and do in the city.

Eddie Aikau Restaurant And Surf Museum

Paul — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:37:44 +0000

Perhaps the most famous big wave surfer ever, Eddie Aikau was a legend in Hawaii. He perished at sea trying to save shipmates on a great sailing canoe, but his legend lives on whenever the giant waves arrive on the North Shore of Hawaii. Today his brother keeps the memory alive in the Eddie Aikau Restaurant and Surf Museum on Hawai’i Island. Paul and Elizabeth chat with Soloman Aikau about the new restaurant and about the legend of Eddie Aikau.

The Lancaster London Hotel Is A Honey Of A Hotel

Paul — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:40:38 +0000

We couldn’t resist mentioning the honey. You see the Lancaster London Hotel is adjacent to the Lancaster Gate tube station on the Central Line and has sweeping views out over Hyde Park. It’s a great hotel by any standard but when it comes to bee-keeping the Lancaster London is home to a thriving colony of bees. They get their nectar from the flowers of Hyde Park and the many gardens nearby and while the hotel does use the honey in the kitchens the greater purpose in keeping bees on the roof is to help preserve the British honeybee. Paul chats with the resident bee keeper. For Elizabeth bees aren’t the only reason for staying at the hotel. It’s only a short walk from Hyde Park Stables.

Image by Richard Twilton.

Sherry Laskin On Traveling The World’s Rivers

Paul — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:04:48 +0000

Sherry Laskin, the world traveler who travels without flying, chats with Paul about the joys of river cruising and how the river boats are changing and getting more elaborate and luxurious. And yes, Sherry managed to get to Europe without a trans-atlantic flight. Check out her blog at CruiseMaven.

London’s Cadogan Hotel Is The City’s Second Oldest

Paul — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:52:04 +0000

The Cadogan Hotel near Sloane Square and Knightsbridge in London is the second oldest hotel in London and still considered among the best in the city. It’s close to shopping and in a very interesting area of the London. Lauren Trinder joins Paul and Elizabeth to talk about the Cadogan and some of the famous and infamous who have been guests.

Santa Barbara Biltmore One Of America’s Iconic Hotels

Paul — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:41:08 +0000

General Manager Karen Earp has helped make the Four Season’s Santa Barbara Biltmore Resort into one of the world’s best. She brings a global perspective from her work in other luxury hotels around the world and in this conversation she chats with Paul and Elizabeth about what makes a great hotel and what guests should expect from hotels at the top. She reveals some of the behind the scenes details that go into creating the perfect guest experience.

Visiting Taiwan With Trust Lin

Paul — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:21:39 +0000

Paul and Elizabeth chat with Trust Lin of the Taiwan Tourism organization about visiting Taiwan. They talk about the Lunar New Year and fireworks, Taiwanese food and dining, and the scenery of places like Taroko Gorge. Taiwan is an often overlooked destination but visitors re discovering world class spas and and country that is fairly easy to get around with high speed rail and good roads. EVA Air has flights to Taiwan from major world gateways.

Jim Markel Makes The Best Luggage In The World

Paul — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:37:43 +0000

Red Oxx luggage is amazing. Simply the best we have found, its made in Montana and guaranteed for life it’s our choice for luggage and we have traveled with it for years. For us it is light, the perfect size for carryons and best of all easy to pack. There aren’t a lot of frills just quality and strength. Jim Markel, a former Marine rigger believe in quality and in doing business with a purpose. He has contributed to local economies in Central America and is a traveler who seeks out the best in wild places around the world. His website details some amazing adventures. Here he chats with Paul and Elizabeth about some of his adventures and his philosophy of travel.

Dave Scott Connectivity

Paul — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:02:15 +0000

Dave Scott, one of the principals of 3WayStreet. Travels a lot. Here he talks with Paul and Elizabeth about recent trips to South Korea, Canada, China and the United States and the difficulties of staying connected and working with computers on the road.

American Airlines Military

Paul — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:58:38 +0000

For years American Airlines and its employees have worked with veteran’s groups to provide philanthropic services for military personnel. Captain Steve Blankenship, Managing Director – Veterans Initiatives at America Airlines chats with Paul about recent initiatives the program has undertaken. A recent effort was a joint effort with Ride 2 Recovery, an organization which took a group of injured veterans to France to ride on part of the course of the Tour de France. In part two Paul is joined by Mike McNaughton, VP of Veterans Affairs for Ride 2 Recovery.

Southmoreland On The Plaza – An Urban Inn In Kansas City

Paul — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:33:46 +0000

Mark and Nancy Reichle ‘s Southmoreland On The Plaza – An Urban Inn is one of the great places to stay in Kansas City and one where food is very important. And when you think of barbecue and Kansas City well you just might get a heavenly barbecue surprise for breakfast on some mornings. It’s one of the reasons that make the inn so popular. And for Christmas the lights on the nearby Country Club Plaza make it one of the must holiday destinations in the midwest. Nancy shares some of her favorite tips for making entertaining and travel simpler.

Crai Tracks Bears In Bella Coola

Paul — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:47:01 +0000

Correspondent Crai Bower reports on a recent bear watching trip to Bella Coola, British Columbia. He discusses the pros and cons of watching bears in the wild and some of the best places to do it. It’s filled with adrenalin and excitement as Crai tracks bears, including the rare spirit bear.

Sherry Laskin Travels The World And Doesn’t Fly

Paul — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:36:54 +0000

Cruise Maven, Sharry Laskin chats about how to travel without taking a single flight. It takes planning and time but it is possible to travel without every flying to your destination. Sherry shares some interesting strategies with Paul as she discusses recent trips.

Dale Leatherman On Horses And Traveling

Paul — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:15:22 +0000

Dale Leatherman, president of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the editor of Discover Horses.com chats with Paul and Elizabeth about great places to see equestrian events in the United States. From international competitions to visits to horse farms equestrian tourism in growing.

Lights, Camera, Travel With Celebrities

Paul — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:51:23 +0000

Ever wonder how celebrities travel and what they think about traveling? This new book from Andrew McCarthy and Don George lets you into the world of celebrity in a way few books can. As an actor and director as well as accomplished travel journalist Andrew was able to open doors to Alec Baldwin, Brook Shields and others. Don George who is one of the most respected travel editors today got access to literary figures and others who tell very authentic stories of their travels. This is not the stuff of press releases and carefully filtered images. Paul and Elizabeth chat with Andrew and Don about the book and how it came to be. Check out all the great books from Lonely Planet.

Disney’s Aulani Hawaiian Resort

Paul — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:00:14 +0000

If you’re expecting rides, shows and attractions from Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, you may be in for a disappointment. But it still provides for a memorable family Hawaiian holiday.

Ziplock bags make TSA check-in faster and easier

Elizabeth — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:30:59 +0000

Elizabeth offers a great travel tip on how a few Ziplock bags can make your check-in at the airport a lot easier.

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner delivered

Paul — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:26:09 +0000

Designed and tested completely by computer, Boeing has delivered it’s first 787 Dreamliner to ANA.

Traveling with Rail Europe

Elizabeth — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:21:44 +0000

Elizabeth offers some great tips on traveling Europe by rail.

Disney Fantasy set for maiden voyage

James — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:17:58 +0000

Designed to celebrate the golden age of cruising from the 1930s, the Disney Fantasy is set for it’s maiden voyage.

Alternatives to Traveling with Liquids

James — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:00:39 +0000

The TSA isn’t a fans of gels or liquids. And there are some alternatives to dealing with the hassle. Here are a few of Elizabeth’s favorites …

Hotel Rates Follow the Airlines’ Lead

Paul — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:00:11 +0000

Hotels are taking a page from the Airlines by charging hidden fees and high WiFi charges. Here’s what to look for before you sign the register.

Canada Via Rail

James — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:57 +0000

Canada’s CANRAIL pass with ViaRail is a great way to see one of the world’s largest countries by train. Check out the details in Elizabeth’s report.

Surfing Securely at Internet Cafes

Paul — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:02 +0000

Nothing ruins a holiday more than identity theft thanks to an unsecured WiFi connection. Check out these details on how to surf securely.