Recent Travel Blog Posts

Eating at Sea

by Michele Cheplic

Poor Paula Deen. Actually, rich Paula Deen. The celebrity chef was already rolling in dough, but with her recent announcement that she's become a paid spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, and its diabetes drug, Victoza, Deen's bank account is getting fatter every day.

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Eating Better on Vacation

by Michele Cheplic

27 Jan 2012 08:02 AM

A few years ago a report on adult obesity noted that an increasing number of business travelers were packing on the pounds because of the poor dietary choices they made while on the road.

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Spring Getaway at Sea

by Michele Cheplic

26 Jan 2012 11:50 PM

Watching video of the doomed Costa Concordia after the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy doesn't exactly make one want to rush out and book a spring cruise. The maritime disaster has resulted in 16 confirmed deaths. In addition, 16 other crew members and passengers are still missing.

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Where to Embrace Your Inner Dragon

by Michele Cheplic

26 Jan 2012 05:48 AM

It's Day Four of Chinese New Year and I still keep writing 4709 on all of my checks. Oh, I kill me. Four down, 11 to go. Lunar New Year 4710 celebrations get bigger and better as the days progress.

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Heat Up Winter Travel

by Michele Cheplic

25 Jan 2012 02:02 PM

This winter's wild weather has even the most seasoned meteorologists shaking their heads. Imagine what it's doing to travel agents. According to industry experts, winter travel inquiries have nearly doubled in the last two weeks.

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The True Price of Flying

by Michele Cheplic

21 Jan 2012 05:42 PM

I am constantly on the look out for cheap flights to Hawaii. Last year, I thought I had struck gold when I happened upon a roundtrip, non-stop fare from Chicago to Honolulu for a mere $500. Turns out the actual retail price after taxes and mandatory fees was a not-so wonderful $665.

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Where to Rock Chinese New Year

by Michele Cheplic

15 Jan 2012 06:08 PM

I snapped this photo a couple of years ago as my daughter got up close and personal with a dancing lion at a Chinese New Year parade that snaked its way through Hilo, Hawaii.

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TSA Making a Fortune from Forgetful Travelers

by Michele Cheplic

14 Jan 2012 04:11 PM

Have you ever found yourself running back to an airport security checkpoint because you forgot a personal item? Apparently, not very many airline passengers bother to return for the spare change they are forced to deposit into bowls at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

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Mom-Friendly Airline Takes Flight

by Michele Cheplic

05 Jan 2012 01:40 PM

"Friendly" and "airline;" you don't really see those two in the same sentence these days. In fact, I can't remember the last time I saw "friendly" and "airline" in the same paragraph.

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Holiday Travel Lessons

by Michele Cheplic

31 Dec 2011 12:52 PM

I've flown nearly 250,000 miles in my 30 plus years on Earth, many with an infant, toddler, preschooler or elementary-aged child in tow. In that time I've had far more challenging moments than pleasurable ones, but I am still alive, so I suppose I should be grateful for that.

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