Interesting Travel Articles For the Day

Time to shine those reading glasses and get ready for some more quality travel articles.


The first article, featured in the New York Times, discusses the increasing Americanization of the famous  Champs-Élysées in Paris.  A mecca of fashion and upscale shopping, the article points to the increasing number of fast food restaurants and traditionally American stores that are populating each side of the street.  Many Parisians are distancing themselves from the area altogether, as its touristy nature of the street feels far removed from authentic French culture and fashion.

Champs-Élysées at night

The second article, from CNN Travel, is a list of tips on staying healthy while traveling abroad.  Many tourists have a large fear of getting sick while abroad, and this article spells out ways to minimize the frustration and confusion that comes with an illness while traveling.  My top tip to take from this is know your own health insurance and its benefits (along with limitations).  The last thing you want is to be stuck with a massive bill that comes from an evacuation back to the United States.

A close friend of mine was actually hurt in Poland while studying abroad, and his experience getting medical attention and transport back to the U.S. was harrowing, to say the least.  Make sure to pay attention to this article if you are going somewhere with less than a first-rate reputation for urgent medical care.

New York Times: The Champs-Élysées, a Mall of America

CNN Travel: Five Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling Abroad

Until tomorrow, everyone!

-Charm City Traveler

Interesting Travel Articles For The Day

Here are some more great travel articles to start your day along with your morning cup of coffee.

The first article discusses American Airlines and their new technology integration.  With newly granted FAA approval, the hope is for pilots to replace their thick flight manuals with brand-new iPads.  Though pilots were first granted approval to use iPads in the cockpit in 2011, this news tidbit shows that American is serious about rolling them out for both pilots and flight attendants alike by the end of 2013.  The hope is to reduce paper (and believe me, pilot's logs and manuals have plenty to spare) and provide pilots/passengers with the most updated weather and airport information.   

Breathtaking View in St. Lucia

The second article, from U.S. News Travel, is a great slide show peeking at the ten best hotel rooms with spectacular views from around the world.  The article does a great job of mixing in hotels from each continent (save Antarctica and South America).  I also enjoy the fact that the vast majority of the hotels don't belong to any loyalty program.  That makes the list seem a bit more unattainable.  Trust me, I would love to redeem points and stay at the Shangri-La Paris, but the fact that I can't makes the property that much more desirable.  Does that even make sense?  I suppose the old adage of you want what you can't have applies here.

The Next Web: American Pilots Get Full FAA Approval for iPads in Cockpits

U.S. News Travel: Hotel Rooms With The Best Views

Photo courtesy of Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Just thought I would throw a few travel morsels your way to get the day started.  Happy reading, everyone!  Until tomorrow!

-Charm City Traveler

More Great Travel Articles

A few more travel articles for you to peruse today.  The first is from Chris Elliot, noted travel blogger and consumer advocate.  I don't always agree with Chris (for instance, he has gone on record saying that airline/hotel loyalty programs are bad propositions for consumers), but he does put some pretty good content out there.  The article, titled the 5 Things You Should Never Say to a TSA Screener, is more tongue-in-cheek than anything else.  Basically, Chris's point is that TSA Agents shouldn't be berated when things go south (such as when you are selected for additional screening measures) otherwise your situation will probably get much worse in a hurry.

The second article, from Conde Nast, offers some very helpful advice.  The article explains how to deal with airlines when you absolutely have to be somewhere due to a death in the family, critical connecting flight, or poor weather on the horizon.  I can't agree with the article's author, Brett Snyder, enough.  Take his tip "Don't Waste Time" to the bank.  During a particularly bad blizzard in Baltimore three years ago, I observed people huffing and puffing at airline customer service agents who were powerless to help them.  They should instead have been on the phone with the carrier or furiously researching alternate flights.  Screaming at the nearest person wearing a uniform is just wasted breath.

The final article I chose more for the pictures and the inspiration.  From CNN Travel, they highlight ten of the best airport lounges in the world.  Many lounges around the U.S. are basic in nature, featuring slightly more comfortable seating than the terminal along with some light snacks.  However, there are truly some that stand-out, including the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in JFK.  I'm looking forward to trying some of these out on future international trips, including the Concorde Room in London-Heathrow and the Qatar Airways spa room in Doha.  To access most of these lounges, you usually have to be traveling on an international first or business class ticket.  Luckily, they don't distinguish if you are using miles!  If I do get to try any of these lounges out, you can be certain I will review it for the site.

That's a Fancy Way to Relax Before Taking Off

Happy reading, everyone!  Until tomorrow!

• Chris Elliot: 5 Things You Should Never Say to a TSA Screener

• Conde Nast Traveler: How to Navigate Airline Customer Service in Difficult Situations

• CNN Travel: 10 of the World's Top Airport Lounges

-Charm City Traveler

Interesting Travel Articles For The Day

Three articles came across my feed today that I found pretty interesting.

The first, featured in the New York Time travel section, is a list of commonly asked questions by all of us when traveling.  Does the recirculated air really make us sick? (Probably not)  Are cocktails more potent at higher altitudes? (You betcha)

I found this to be a quick but enjoyable read that touched on some of the things that we constantly discuss when traveling yet never really answer.  I know you might get funny looks applying sunscreen on a plane, but at least the article addresses a valid concern of some travelers.  Sadly, the age old question about cell phones being turned off isn't really answered at all.  The issue is left open for interpretation and the "better safe than sorry" mentality.

The New York Times also published an article on travelers' age-old battle with jet lag.  Obviously with the advent of commercial travel, we have only been crossing time zones for roughly 100 years.  Our bodies haven't yet evolved and adapted to the stresses that jet lag causes.  The author references some great (avoid alcohol) and also off the wall (wear sunglasses the entire flight) methods to beating the jet lag monster.  Some of these tips come from the NASA "fatigue management team."  Who knew they even existed??

The third article is much more playful and even a bit philosophical in nature.  Appearing on CNN Travel, this feature talks about the different types of personalities that tend to opt for either aisle or window seats.  Aisle seat occupants are more focused on work and relish the ability to leave the seat quickly if need be.  Window seat enthusiasts tend to be more romantic and artistic (take this for what it's worth).  They love that million-dollar view that is exclusively theirs.

My issue is that in the beginning of my flying "career," I was a die-hard window seat supporter.  These days?  I tend to mix it up and try out the aisle on longer hauls.  What does this mean?  Am I having an existential crisis?

Let me know what you think.  Drop a comment and let me know which type of person you are: aisle or window.  Until tomorrow everyone!

• New York Times Travel: Frequent Airline Questions

• New York Times: A Battle Plan for Jet Lag

• CNN Travel: Are You a Window Flier or Aisle Seater?

-Charm City Traveler