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Kate Appleton
Kate Appleton In this photo…After a winding, heart-pounding drive, I relished the moment—and the otherworldly views—at Halealaka, a 10,023-foot-high volcano on Maui.

From my last trip, I brought back…A carved wooden box with an inlaid gold elephant from Bali
My favorite cup of coffee is…A cappuccino from Bar Brunellesco in Florence
My most-prized passport stamp is…Argentina; my first time in Latin America and my first travel assignment
Kate's Posts
March 3, 2011, 11:11 AM
March brings an explosion of pink and white cherry blossoms. To celebrate this annual rite, we've assembled your best shots, from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to a palace courtyard in Seoul.
February 10, 2011, 9:58 AM
A dizzying number of masterpieces are on view in Florence's historic center, so it's high time the city got its own discounted museum card. But was it worth the wait? We do the math.
February 4, 2011, 5:26 PM
It's been one of the stormiest winters in recent memory—and we're not through yet. To beat the winter blues, we've selected your 25 most blissful, stunning photos of the season.
January 14, 2011, 3:45 PM
From the Italian town of Vernazza to the beaches of California, here are 28 picturesque reasons to plan your next trip to the coast.
January 3, 2011, 4:10 PM
Instead of dreamy destination shots, this time we're embracing the funny side of travel. These 27 images range from retro neon lettering in Utah to a Mumbai warning to curb honking addiction.
December 14, 2010, 6:21 PM
To help plug budget gaps and fund restoration work, tourists will be saddled with a new nightly hotel tax starting on January 1.
November 23, 2010, 3:50 PM
Book these hotel, cruise, and air/hotel deals now through Monday—no waiting in line necessary!
November 22, 2010, 5:34 PM
As of December 19, the new service will cut the journey by 60 percent while only raising the ticket price about $16.
November 16, 2010, 5:57 PM
Nothing inspires a beach escape quite like a dreamy photo. These 25 sun-drenched images show off the appeal of destinations like Cozumel, Vieques, and even Cuba.
November 12, 2010, 2:56 PM
The chic, affordable hotel brand is finally coming to New York and wants to make a big impression, starting with keyless check-in.
October 28, 2010, 2:04 PM
Get the scoop on kid-friendly museums, tours, and art workshops, plus how teens can have fun and hang out like Florentines.
October 20, 2010, 10:05 AM
Cities around the globe are pushing architecture to new heights and feats of design. You'll be dazzled by these 18 reader photos.
October 18, 2010, 4:47 PM
Travelers now can enter the underground level where wild animals and gladiators once waited before facing off.
September 29, 2010, 3:51 PM
I'm eager to respond to readers' questions—starting with where to go for gelato, classic Tuscan dishes, and cooking classes.
September 21, 2010, 1:58 PM
We just had to share this video clip of enthusiastic locals at a victory parade in Saugatuck, Mich.
September 21, 2010, 11:06 AM
It's prime time for leaf peeping! Get inspired to plot your own fall getaway by these 19 vivid shots.
September 16, 2010, 4:59 PM
In another small step for space tourism, Boeing has joined the race to develop flights from Florida to the International Space Station.
August 27, 2010, 2:54 PM
I'm leaving soon, so now's your chance to ask!
August 26, 2010, 6:35 PM
Have two economists pinpointed the elusive booking sweet spot?
August 20, 2010, 2:33 PM
The selling point: more space, a quiet night's sleep, and Manhattan views from $139 a night.
August 18, 2010, 3:53 PM
The 35-year-old mayor of Florence has reopened a longstanding debate over who owns the world's most famous statue.
July 30, 2010, 3:49 PM
Your beautiful photos demonstrate that bridges are as much about form as function.
July 23, 2010, 3:12 PM
The writer of our new Turkey Menu Decoder dishes on Istanbul's restaurant scene, how to eat in a local's home, and whether to tip.
July 2, 2010, 3:50 PM
Baseball and fireworks by the beach, Broadway and opera in the park, and fine dining for less.
June 25, 2010, 1:55 PM
There's a lot of political talk about Main Street. But what are these streets really like and how much do they have in common?
June 10, 2010, 6:33 PM
American tourists may soon start paying a price for Europe's imbalanced budgets.
June 9, 2010, 5:00 PM
Your compelling, natural portraits of locals around the globe.
June 9, 2010, 2:54 PM
Later this summer, visitors will have the first-ever chance to explore the depths where gladiators and lions once waited before combat.
May 21, 2010, 5:10 PM
Travel to the Caribbean without getting on a plane thanks to expanding service out of Charleston's drive-up port.
May 16, 2010, 8:00 PM
Spain doesn't always get the coverage it deserves, but these 18 fantastic photos do it justice.
April 30, 2010, 4:04 PM
Our top five picks for this month.
April 23, 2010, 4:29 PM
Kudos to the readers who rose to the challenge of capturing iconic landmarks in fresh ways.
April 19, 2010, 6:16 PM
American, Delta, United, US Airways, and JetBlue have vowed not to follow Spirit's controversial lead.
April 16, 2010, 3:08 PM
Visitors will save some euros at museums and archaeological sites through April 25.
April 2, 2010, 4:16 PM
Our top five picks for this month.
March 31, 2010, 2:44 PM
Co-founder Lorcan Otway leads preview tours that draw on his connection to the building: his father bought it from a gangster.
March 24, 2010, 12:52 PM
Red Bull Arena has just 25,000 seats and easy access to public transportation.
March 15, 2010, 5:48 PM
Unsuspecting travelers are getting hit with $250 traffic tickets months later.
March 5, 2010, 3:46 PM
We received more than 850 submissions—more proof of Mexico's ongoing appeal and affordability.
February 25, 2010, 6:21 PM
Opening soon in the U.S., "Mid-August Lunch" adds nuance to the stereotypes that Italians love their food and their mamas.
February 17, 2010, 5:29 PM
See the wild costumes, impromptu parades, and bead-hungry crowds that keep the good times rolling in NOLA.
February 12, 2010, 2:39 PM
Photos of a rare snowfall today in Rome.
February 8, 2010, 5:16 PM
This Friday brings Vancouver's turn in the spotlight, but back in August 2008, all eyes were on Beijing, whose cutting-edge stadiums are now looking lonely.
January 25, 2010, 6:06 PM
A small innovation that will be a big relief for overburdened parents.
January 22, 2010, 2:24 PM
Thanks to all the readers who submitted photos of reflections along with thoughtful, fascinating captions. You blew us away!
January 15, 2010, 5:56 PM
The European Capital of Culture for 2010 has big plans, including new museums and exhibits, theater and music festivals, and late-night hours at restaurants in Beyoglu.
December 21, 2009, 6:09 PM
Tips and resources for making the most of your visit, even if it's a last-minute one.
December 16, 2009, 5:06 PM
See photos of Manhattan in full-blown holiday mode.
December 11, 2009, 1:29 PM
These photos remind us that the most memorable travel experiences often revolve around food. Dig in!
November 24, 2009, 4:17 PM
Extreme Language Exchange pairs up native English and Italian speakers.
November 19, 2009, 12:09 PM
A major FAA computer glitch has been resolved, but it will likely take hours to process the backlog of delayed flights.
November 13, 2009, 11:49 AM
A new exhibit sheds light on Italy's design reputation, plus the raved-about MAXXI museum opens for a two-day preview.
November 11, 2009, 2:58 PM
Gondolas will escort a coffin through Venice's famed canals this Saturday in a symbolic funeral organized to highlight the disastrously shrinking population.
November 11, 2009, 12:44 PM
See the illuminated Temple of Luxor, the twinkling lights of San Francisco's Bay Bridge, late-night diners in Rome, and more.
November 6, 2009, 4:02 PM
The city's holiday season is already getting in motion: The Pond at Bryant Park and 125 surrounding holiday shops opened today.
October 23, 2009, 3:44 PM
Former petty criminals have been stationed around Naples to steer tourists clear of danger. But will the successful pilot program get the necessary funding to continue?
October 16, 2009, 12:45 PM
Your stunning shots of rainbows from travels through Hawaii, Europe, Brazil, the Caribbean, even the Serengeti.
October 15, 2009, 5:17 PM
Good news! The crowded area around the Duomo and the Baptistry is becoming the exclusive turf of pedestrians.
October 9, 2009, 1:26 PM
Launched today, the Cent-sational Promotion honors a newly minted quarter featuring the USVI.
October 7, 2009, 2:04 PM
Check out images of a dramatic waterfall on Kauai, a sunrise over Haleakala on Maui, surfers on Oahu's famed North Shore, and carved weather-beaten statues on the Big Island.
October 2, 2009, 12:18 PM
Moscow and St. Petersburg are about to join the ranks of major cities linked by high-speed rail service. Will Siemens sell its cutting-edge trains to the U.S. next?
September 23, 2009, 3:55 PM
See Stonehenge at dawn, sheep grazing on the Isle of Skye, light streaming through London’s Tate Modern, and many more evocative scenes.
September 18, 2009, 5:36 PM
Three new kiosks with touch screens let travelers punch in an itinerary and purchase the appropriate offset on the spot.
August 19, 2009, 2:09 PM
Late-night hours at the Vatican, Capitoline Museums, and others during weekends in September and October.
August 7, 2009, 12:59 PM
The annual summer exodus from Rome is underway, but this time, city officials are hard at work to lure tourists.
August 5, 2009, 3:27 PM
Holiday Inn is in the middle of a worldwide relaunch—that means making over more than 3,200 hotels and 419,000-plus rooms.
July 30, 2009, 3:27 PM
The Turks are notorious smokers. How will they adjust to a nationwide ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, and coffeehouses?
July 29, 2009, 4:08 PM
Among the selections, you'll see a frozen-in-time village in the Loire Valley, lavender fields in Provence, and scenes of Paris.
July 22, 2009, 4:59 PM
Reports are streaming in from the century's longest total solar eclipse, which unfolded over more than six minutes on Wednesday. When will the next one strike?
July 17, 2009, 4:44 PM
We sent photoblogger Jessica Stewart out to capture Rome's growing street scene: stencils, chalk drawings, graffiti, even break-dancing.
July 17, 2009, 11:34 AM
Stopping at the local bar for an espresso comes naturally to Romans. But this quick ritual can be intimidating for visitors. Watch our video for tips on caffeinating properly.
July 15, 2009, 5:57 PM
It's no secret that Prohibition-style cocktail lounges have been spreading across the U.S. Even the Museum of the City of New York has caught on to the trend.
July 7, 2009, 2:41 PM
It's increasingly tough to redeem miles, but I didn't appreciate how far they've been devalued until the July 4th weekend—when I lost my seat and was nearly bumped from my Delta flight.
July 6, 2009, 2:39 PM
We pored over hundreds of your Italy submissions to pick these 20 outstanding shots.
July 1, 2009, 3:49 PM
We asked, and you came through with spectacular photos from U.S. national parks.
July 1, 2009, 3:19 PM
It's not so easy to open a sleek hotel now that room occupancy's down. The MAve hopes to lure guests with $169 rooms, including Wi-Fi and breakfast.
June 30, 2009, 12:37 PM
Toned employees of Air New Zealand shed their clothes in favor of body-painted uniforms for a safety video sure to catch passengers' attention.
June 30, 2009, 9:50 AM
The sooner you can take off, the more you'll save during Intrepid Travel's one-day sale, June 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
June 19, 2009, 5:35 PM
Spend a summer night touring the illuminated Colosseum.
June 9, 2009, 4:04 PM
Browsing for authentic Italian goods just got easier thanks to a revamped bilingual website.
June 4, 2009, 4:57 PM
Mark your calendars: 147 national parks are waiving admission fees. Which ones are on your to-visit list?
June 1, 2009, 5:51 PM
The airline will allow small pets onboard as of June 17. It's the latest good news for globetrotting cats and dogs.
May 6, 2009, 2:18 PM
This Sunday, the Vatican Museums will donate admission fees to the roughly 65,000 families left homeless.
May 5, 2009, 9:51 AM
A slim new guide makes the case that eating organic, locally-sourced food isn't just trendy, but affordable and easy, too.
April 27, 2009, 5:35 PM
Channel your inner Indiana Jones at the interactive Museo Archeologico Virtuale, whose multimedia installations bring Pompeii and Herculaneum back to life.
April 15, 2009, 4:36 PM
After receiving hundreds of complaints annually, United Airlines has introduced new requirements for the obese.
April 6, 2009, 5:42 PM
Yankees and Mets fans have something new to trade words over—who's got the better stadium? Let the trash talk begin…
April 3, 2009, 1:20 PM
I'm eager to respond to the comments you posted before I left—starting with food.
March 13, 2009, 5:55 PM
I'm off to Rome in a week. Anything you'd like to know? Ask now!
February 27, 2009, 6:24 PM
This year's European Capital of Culture has even gotten creative with its accommodations.
February 25, 2009, 12:32 PM
We thought we had a thing for zoo babies, but here's a blog brilliant and shameless enough to devote itself entirely to that beat.
February 6, 2009, 3:11 PM
Airlines have announced at least 20 sales since December 30, and some fares are down more than 50 percent from last winter.
January 30, 2009, 3:26 PM
If President Obama sticks to his word, it’s likely that travel restrictions to Cuba will be eased. We highlight some expert analysis and travel tips for the Caribbean island.
January 20, 2009, 3:24 PM
Rome’s deputy mayor believes 2009 will be "the year of the Colosseum." The city plans to host mock gladiator fights and is revamping several ancient sites.
January 16, 2009, 4:19 PM
It’s taken sculptor David Adickes six years to carve the giant busts destined for the new Presidential Park and Gardens at WaterLights, just south of Houston.
December 17, 2008, 10:28 AM
In her first novel, Janice Y.K. Lee keenly describes the expat social whirl and everyday flavor of Hong Kong, shifting between 1952 and the tumultuous Japanese invasion in late 1941.
December 12, 2008, 4:48 PM
Rescue teams set out on rafts and Romans prepared for the swollen Tiber River to overflow after days of severe weather throughout Italy.
November 19, 2008, 10:30 AM
Actress and dancer Leslie Caron wants more Americans in Burgundy. She's cut rates at her riverside inn to €99.
November 3, 2008, 5:43 PM
A weekend storm blanketed eastern California with 18 inches and kicked off ski season early.
October 31, 2008, 9:40 AM
The booking agency shares data on which flight routes are yielding the most refund checks through its Price Assurance program.
October 24, 2008, 12:42 PM
Get to know a few families in Caracas, Jakarta, Mumbai, and Nairobi through engrossing photos and audio clips.
October 7, 2008, 2:05 PM
The euro is $1.37, the Canadian dollar is back at 91 cents, and Mexico is looking cheaper than ever.
September 30, 2008, 5:21 PM
The 2008 rankings, from Portland, Ore., down to Mesa, Ariz., plus sustainability gets trendy.
September 25, 2008, 2:30 PM
Some online resources can help you live like a local--and avoid trouble at the grocery store!
September 18, 2008, 10:54 AM
A new London walking tour helps efforts to clean up the Thames.
August 11, 2008, 5:18 PM
Specialty retailer Flight 001 is taking an extra 30 percent off sale items already marked down 30 to 75 percent.
July 16, 2008, 9:33 AM
After lengthy negotiations, travel guru Rick Steves received the go-ahead to take a film crew to Iran for a 10-day shoot. He hopes the forthcoming TV show will give Americans a window into Iranian culture.
July 2, 2008, 4:01 PM
The car rental company just introduced a self-service express check-in program at major airport locations that promises faster service—or else a $50 credit.
June 13, 2008, 3:46 PM
If you book a flight on Orbitz and another customer subsequently books the same class seat on the same flight for a lower fare, Orbitz will reimburse you for the difference up to $250.
June 10, 2008, 3:21 PM
After more than a year of hyping its new lifestyle brand, Starwood unveiled the 136-room Aloft Montreal Airport in early June, with several properties to follow in 2008 and 2009.
June 5, 2008, 10:02 AM
Guests at the moderately priced InterCityHotels, often located right by airports and train stations, get to ride local public transportation for free.
May 30, 2008, 2:08 PM
Old Mission Point Lighthouse opens to the public this June for the first time in its 138-year history and launches a volunteer lighthouse keeper program.
May 7, 2008, 10:01 AM
In Florence’s crowded historic center, it can feel like there are as many Americans as locals—and tourism board and province officials want it to stay that way. They're launching a new promotion just for U.S. travelers.
April 11, 2008, 3:18 PM
Is it time for travelers to pay higher fares so that airlines can invest in their fleets and improve quality of service?
March 28, 2008, 11:55 AM
Ciclismo Classico has introduced its own sort of stimulus plan: €200 in spending money.
February 26, 2008, 4:54 PM
In a historic and controversial first, the Philharmonic became the first major Western institution to perform in North Korea.
February 25, 2008, 11:26 AM
Many of our favorite travel-inspiring films were big winners in the 2008 Oscars.
February 15, 2008, 2:01 PM
The South African vocalists have earned a global following—and racked up Grammy awards—since the 1960s.
February 8, 2008, 11:42 AM
Myanmar is taking baby steps to promote tourism, after ruthlessly squashing protests led by Buddhist monks back in September.
February 1, 2008, 10:15 AM
Five Gables Inn & Spa in St. Michaels, one of many charming towns by the Chesapeake Bay, is offering a special package for readers through Mar. 31.
January 23, 2008, 4:20 PM
Russian literature got its start in St. Petersburg, and Elaine Blair's new pocket-size book, Literary St. Petersburg, pays tribute to 15 writers.
January 18, 2008, 1:59 PM
We've been keeping an eye on Kenya ever since the disputed reelection of President Mwai Kibaki on December 27 set off periodic outbreaks of violence.
January 16, 2008, 5:40 PM
Bagfuls of brightly colored plastic balls were unleashed from the top of Rome’s Spanish Steps earlier today in a stunt.
December 28, 2007, 1:31 PM
The Texan city is kicking the habit for New Year's, with a stricter smoking ban.
December 28, 2007, 12:06 PM
Text messaging is the newest way for those on the go to share and receive real-time information about everything from flight delays to tortuous check-in lines.
November 30, 2007, 2:49 PM
A free holiday light show dubbed Kaleidoscope returns to the beautifully restored main concourse of Grand Central Terminal on Saturday, December 1.
November 21, 2007, 3:04 PM
TSA officials at airport checkpoints have confiscated millions of items annually; chain saws, fuzzy handcuffs, nunchucks among the craziest.
November 21, 2007, 1:11 PM
In a whirlwind of a trip, a few videographers captured quite a funny little clip—enjoy it here.
November 16, 2007, 12:49 PM
It's one of the busiest flight times of the year—can the government ease the congestion?
November 9, 2007, 4:58 PM
Earlier this week, the city welcomed the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA).
October 30, 2007, 12:37 PM
Bryant Park's grand opening of The Pond has plenty of spandex and sparkles to commemorate it.
October 24, 2007, 4:15 PM
Halloween brings out the weird in all of us—especially locals in Manitou, Colorado.
October 22, 2007, 2:24 PM
Celebrate the Year of the Rat (luckier than you'd think) in China this year.
October 16, 2007, 11:10 AM
The author makes it easy to find the places she vividly describes in her travel memoir.
October 1, 2007, 11:01 AM
It's the latest in an increasingly crowded field of aspirational, list-like guidebooks.
September 4, 2007, 5:34 PM
It's a brave new world, one where you can access real-time updates on what to do at the airport.
August 29, 2007, 3:37 PM
The Venetian is moving east, to a former Portuguese colony that already rakes in more money than its Vegas counterpart.
August 23, 2007, 10:39 AM
It's not too late to squeeze in a summer getaway.
August 13, 2007, 5:15 PM
It's the web agency's 72-hour sale.
August 10, 2007, 11:56 AM
Avoid unpleasant surprises with TV Trip's growing collection of unbiased hotel videos.
August 3, 2007, 5:18 PM
One tempting reason is that you'll have a good chance of witnessing the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights.
August 2, 2007, 5:28 PM
An airfare sale for 20 Italian cities, a pilot shortage, and plans to test in-flight WiFi.
July 31, 2007, 3:54 PM
We're always on the lookout for tour operators whose packages meet our Real Deal standards, and Go Ahead Tours is one of the latest to show up on our radar.
July 30, 2007, 10:54 AM
Editor Erik Torkells just called from the airport with a few choice words to share about his departure experience.
July 18, 2007, 10:36 AM
As part of the Passport to Adventure program, kids aged five to 12 can pick up a passport-like journal at any store and use it to record their excursions.
July 17, 2007, 6:34 PM
Where in the world can you use the euro? We've got answers.
July 11, 2007, 11:03 AM
Summer brings scorching heat to Sin City—consider that the predicted high is 110 degrees this weekend—and a slowdown in business conferences, all of which is good news for bargain hunters.
July 6, 2007, 10:58 AM
You can use those vacation photos for more than a dusty album—this website will show you how.
June 20, 2007, 4:07 PM
Now, you can see more than 50,000 pieces pf toy memorabila, all thanks to one devoted collector.
June 4, 2007, 11:10 AM
The latest great deals in Girlfriend Getaways.
May 18, 2007, 10:45 AM
Learn about the Arirang Festival's Mass Games, a tightly synchronized performance reenacting the country's history.
May 7, 2007, 2:48 PM
More than 20 million people have already voted in the new Seven Wonders of the World international campaign.
April 16, 2007, 2:10 PM
Here's a spotlight on babies born recently at top U.S. zoos.
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