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Sean O'Neill
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Michelle Baran
Michelle Baran In this photo, I was…On the ferry from Manhattan to the summertime recreational playground Governor's Island.

I won't leave home without…Tissues and floral-scented wet wipes! Together these items can basically create makeshift sink/shower/bathroom amenities, and an all-around germ, stain, spill, cleaning and medical kit
My most-prized passport stamp…A China visa for a trip right before the 2008 Beijing Olympics when security was heightened following problems in Tibet and in anticipation of the games. Four trips to the Chinese consulate later…
The sexiest accent in the world is…Italian. Always, Italian. Okay, maybe French too. And British is up there
Michelle's Posts
April 20, 2012, 3:48 PM
A recent survey reported that 51 percent of smartphone owners are using their devices to access travel content, and nearly one in five use their devices to book travel.
April 20, 2012, 1:25 PM
A government plan to prohibit foreigners from buying marijuana in the Netherlands could put a damper on tourists' high.
April 13, 2012, 12:46 PM
It's just like a cruise, except that you're flying from one destination to the next on a turbo-prop plane that seats between 30 and 70 passengers.
April 10, 2012, 4:51 PM
Two years after Spirit Airlines started charging for carry-on bags, low-cost carrier Allegiant Air follows suit.
April 6, 2012, 2:53 PM
Customers are still experiencing long wait times weeks after United Airlines started to convert its reservation system.
April 5, 2012, 4:34 PM
When Direct Air filed for bankruptcy last month it left its customers scrambling for millions of dollars in refunds.
March 30, 2012, 5:10 PM
Heading to New Orleans for the NCAA Final Four men's basketball championships? A list of places to say, sights to see, and food to eat while in the Big Easy.
March 30, 2012, 3:15 PM
With airfares continuing to inch up, should you book now or wait for last-minute deals?
March 16, 2012, 4:06 PM
As Japan marked the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the island nation, the country's tourism officials report that travelers are starting to trickle back.
March 16, 2012, 1:10 PM
A recent New York Times article makes us ponder how difficult it is to make mile-high meals tasty.
March 9, 2012, 5:56 PM
The one-week recess is not always a call to all high schoolers and college students to head to Miami or Vegas to party.
March 9, 2012, 4:51 PM
The vacation home rental market is booming, but what protections do renters have in the face of potentially inconsistent properties?
March 2, 2012, 4:34 PM
The U.S. Department of State updated its Mexico travel warning, highlighting destinations throughout the country for which it does not have a travel advisory or travel warning in place.
March 2, 2012, 3:49 PM
Flight capacity from the East Coast to Hawaii is getting a major boost from new non-stop flights from New York and Washington, D.C.
March 2, 2012, 1:51 PM
Wherever devastation strikes, tourists often want to see the aftermath for themselves. So will they flock to the island of Giglio to see the still-submerged Costa Concordia?
February 23, 2012, 5:20 PM
Weddings, reunions, graduations, new babies, business trips. Are you taking fewer leisure vacations because of the time and money you devote to obligation travel?
February 17, 2012, 6:07 PM
With rising fuel costs and airfares, what is your mental cap for how much you'll pay to hop the pod this summer?
February 17, 2012, 2:13 PM
When searching for a hotel on Kayak, you can now filter the hotel listings by their TripAdvisor ratings.
February 10, 2012, 2:59 PM
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced a rule that would allow the Global Entry program to expand to more international airports.
February 7, 2012, 4:24 PM
Environmental inspection teams analyze the coastlines impacted by the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
February 3, 2012, 12:45 PM
More than 120,000 additional room nights at more than 200 hotels are now available to be booked by travelers still planning on hopping the pond for the Olympic Games this summer.
February 2, 2012, 10:10 AM
In an attempt to calm wary cruisers, cruise lines provide insight into their captain training requirements and other safety measures.
January 27, 2012, 3:55 PM
According to a recent study, the U.S. ranks among the most vacation deprived nations in the world.
January 25, 2012, 6:34 PM
It may have been a slow start to the ski season, but things are starting to look up for avid skiers and snowboarders.
January 20, 2012, 5:20 PM
President Barack Obama unveiled a plan to ease visa restrictions as part of a larger effort to increase the number of foreign visitors to the U.S.
January 19, 2012, 3:23 PM
As the Muslim Brotherhood gained considerable ground in Egypt's parliamentary elections, questions remain about how the group's Islamist stance will impact the country's allure as a tourist destination.
January 13, 2012, 3:31 PM
One of the largest bus operators in the U.S. filed for Chapter 11 this month, so what does that mean for the future of bus travel in this country?
January 11, 2012, 6:03 PM
The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il last month may have actually helped the reclusive country’s allure as a travel destination.
December 23, 2011, 4:54 PM
Mexico's tourism authorities are hoping the year leading up to Dec. 21, 2012 will mark the start of a new era for Mexico.
December 19, 2011, 6:11 PM
The Transportation Security Administration has several reminders for travelers bringing their holiday gifts onto a flight.
December 16, 2011, 2:04 PM
Charter aircraft that once shuttled travelers to fun-and-sun destinations are being replaced with scheduled flights.
December 16, 2011, 12:23 PM
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is rolling out a new service whereby passengers will be able to use Facebook or LinkedIn as social seating tools.
December 9, 2011, 2:58 PM
With the historic Flamingo Las Vegas undergoing a major renovation, do legacy landmarks stand a chance against their much younger competitors?
December 9, 2011, 11:26 AM
The controversial destination is probably known more for its years of dictatorial rule than for its serene landscapes and golden pagodas.
December 2, 2011, 6:49 PM
On Jan. 24, the U.S. Department of Transportation is putting into effect a new rule whereby all taxes and fees will have to be included in the advertised airfare.
December 1, 2011, 5:26 PM
The parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle filed for voluntary Chapter 11 this week, signaling a possible merger with US Airways.
November 18, 2011, 9:55 AM
There are currently 17 hotels in Long Island City, and five more properties are on the way in the emerging Queens waterfront nabe.
November 17, 2011, 5:26 PM
Earlier this month, a new name, logo and campaign to market the United States to visitors the world over was unveiled as Brand USA, "America's first-ever global consumer brand."
November 11, 2011, 2:51 PM
Did the Thanksgiving travel season creep up on you? Well, you're not alone, according to Hotwire.com. But you need to act fast to avoid sky-high prices.
November 9, 2011, 6:26 PM
It's World Responsible Tourism Day. What are you doing to minimize your tourism footprint?
October 29, 2011, 9:55 AM
Have you ever been on a plane next to someone who seems a little wobbly? The consequences for being intoxicated on a flight can be pretty severe.
October 27, 2011, 9:04 PM
Do you look forward to reuniting with friends and family, despite the travel hassles? Or is it tempting to forgo the family feuds across the turkey and trimmings and just get away?
October 21, 2011, 6:35 PM
The National Park Foundation tells us when and where to go for colorful foliage displays.
October 19, 2011, 7:46 PM
Some of the worst flooding in decades has gripped Thailand and Cambodia, and raised concerns about travel to the region.
October 14, 2011, 2:23 PM
Whether your local airport is a modest domestic terminal or a large international hub, tell us about its efficiencies and inefficiencies, and the hidden gem shops and eateries we should know about.
October 13, 2011, 6:13 PM
Ongoing political violence and demonstrations in Egypt are making it hard for the country's tourism industry to rebound — and yet tourists are trickling back.
October 10, 2011, 5:03 PM
The classic tour is in the midst of a bit of an identity crisis.
October 5, 2011, 3:02 PM
New Yorkers are being encouraged to visit Seoul, and Seoul's city dwellers to come to New York as part of a new joint marketing agreement that includes a limited time airfare deal.
September 30, 2011, 3:43 PM
Whether you want to attend the London 2012 Olympic Games or not, Britain wants you to know there are plenty of reasons for everyone to hop the pond next year.
September 28, 2011, 5:32 PM
What happens when your travel company happens to have the same name as one of the world's largest clothing retailers? You change it.
September 22, 2011, 4:05 PM
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is teaming up with James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to create theme park attractions based on the blockbuster film Avatar.
September 9, 2011, 2:10 PM
A world in which we can pass through airport security without having to untie and retie our laces may not be far off, according to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
September 2, 2011, 3:23 PM
This year, at least eight cities in Italy have added a hotel tax of between $1.40 and $7 per person, per night.
September 1, 2011, 5:00 PM
Adventures by Disney has eliminated its lower-priced Gateway Collection for 2012.
August 29, 2011, 2:21 PM
Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been stranded due to Tropical Storm Irene creating a passenger backlog just before the busy Labor Day weekend.
August 25, 2011, 5:25 PM
Although summer is the traditional high season for travel, prices are generally softer, crowds are generally fewer, and weather is generally milder in the fall.
August 19, 2011, 2:06 PM
Canadian tour operator Bestway Tours & Safaris has introduced a program to bring travelers to the war-torn country just as President Obama announced plans to get troops out of it.
August 17, 2011, 4:26 PM
Between the debt ceiling debate, stocks tumbling, economic analysts warning of a possible double-dip recession, and consumer confidence taking a hit, how is all this negative economic news impacting your vacation plans?
August 12, 2011, 3:15 PM
A preview of the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan one month before it opens to the public for the 10-year anniversary.
August 9, 2011, 8:11 PM
As riots in London and in other cities in the U.K. continued, VisitBritain assured that the country is still welcoming tourists and that the violence and looting is far from any major tourist sites.
August 5, 2011, 12:33 PM
Separating fact from fiction about a city that evokes a complex web of positive impressions (soaring ballerinas at the Bolshoi, anyone?), and negative ones (brutish oligarchs with flashy cars, maybe?).
August 3, 2011, 2:43 PM
The Treasury Department clarifies its Cuba travel regulations — and guess what, it might not be all that easy to go after all.
July 22, 2011, 2:36 AM
The French government recognizes that if it is going to get American tourists to stay longer and spend more money when visiting, the country needs to rebrand itself.
July 15, 2011, 10:00 AM
The tragic sinking of a Russian riverboat this week brings to question the safety standards of river cruise ships on Russia's Volga River.
July 14, 2011, 3:37 PM
Angelinos have been fretting about this weekend's 405 closure for weeks, but on the upside, numerous hotels, eateries and entertainment venues across the city have "Carmageddon" deals and discounts.
July 8, 2011, 2:37 PM
Events across the country pay tribute to France's Independence Day.
July 7, 2011, 4:07 PM
The International Olympic Committee's decision will shine a perhaps much-needed spotlight on the Asian nation.
July 1, 2011, 2:12 PM
A recent survey of frequent travelers shows that the majority of frequent travelers would enroll in the TSA's trusted traveler program.
June 30, 2011, 3:24 PM
The first storm of the season has landed in Mexico, so it's official, hurricane season is here, and travelers heading to hurricane-prone destinations should opt for travel insurance.
June 24, 2011, 12:47 PM
The Puerto Vallarta tourism board cites a security study after Princess cancels three calls at its port.
June 21, 2011, 4:56 PM
Despite everything we know about the sun's risks (skin cancer, wrinkles, sun spots), are you still planning on tanning this summer?
June 17, 2011, 11:03 AM
Airbus' futuristic cabin concept includes a renewal and relaxation area, virtual gaming options and seats that can adjust to passengers’ body shape.
June 16, 2011, 10:04 AM
The Surfrider Foundation tells us about some lesser-known surf spots around the country for everyone from the novice to the experienced rider.
June 10, 2011, 3:00 PM
It's been three months since the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan, and as the country looks to rebuild there are several things that travelers can do to help.
June 8, 2011, 3:30 PM
The current E. coli outbreak in Germany is a sobering reminder of how important it is for travelers to arm themselves with reliable (and relevant) health information
June 2, 2011, 4:45 PM
The DOT is cracking down on bus safety, but after another fatal crash this week, riders might be wondering just how safe buses really are.
June 1, 2011, 4:57 PM
Andre Balazs’ Standard hotel in Manhattan is launching a summer seaplane service to the Hamptons, and is offering passengers the option to play its "Flight Board" game for a shot at seats as low as $30.
May 27, 2011, 2:16 PM
What items do travelers often forget when they're heading on vacation?
May 24, 2011, 4:13 PM
European authorities this week are assuring that a new Icelandic volcano ash cloud will not wreak the same degree of havoc on travelers.
May 20, 2011, 6:28 AM
What are our biggest sources of tension while trying to get away from it all?
May 18, 2011, 4:34 AM
River cruise companies are making it easier to visit Southeast Asia from one of the region's best vantage points.
May 13, 2011, 5:40 PM
A recent New York Times article about the Air France Flight 447 crash brings to light information that could help or hinder nervous fliers.
May 12, 2011, 2:50 PM
As a rain-bloated Mississippi River threatens to spill into more towns along its banks, water levels on Europe’s Rhine River have dropped to 18-month lows, potentially impacting river cruise itineraries there.
May 6, 2011, 3:48 PM
Just as gas prices are threatening to soar this summer, the country's rail network has seized the opportunity to tout the advantages of traveling by train.
May 2, 2011, 2:57 PM
In the wake of news that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on Sunday, the U.S. State Department urged U.S. citizens traveling abroad to be more alert.
April 29, 2011, 12:30 PM
Are higher gas prices or stagnating home sales playing into where you want to go this summer and how you’re going to get there?
April 26, 2011, 3:08 PM
The Travel Channel has joined forces with hotel review and booking site Oyster.com.
April 22, 2011, 4:53 PM
Urban sightseeing by bike, long popular in cycle-friendly cities in Europe, is starting to gain traction stateside.
April 20, 2011, 1:40 PM
New Orleans welcomed more than eight million visitors last year for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.
April 15, 2011, 11:35 AM
Despite the ongoing negative press about Mexico, the destination continues to attract millions. How is that?
April 14, 2011, 3:10 PM
IStopOver.com has a new tool that allows vacation renters to submit specific requests &mdash Kosher pantry anyone? &mdash and have property owners bid on their business.
April 12, 2011, 5:37 PM
As city, county and state governments look for more ways to boost their revenues, they’re relying on higher travel taxes, and travelers are starting to notice.
April 8, 2011, 10:34 AM
Should a vacation be about totally indulging in all your desires or totally depriving yourself of them?
April 6, 2011, 2:54 PM
The U.S. State Department has softened the wording of its Egypt travel warning, and consequently more travel companies are returning to the destination.
April 2, 2011, 12:45 PM
Making calls with your cell phone while traveling abroad can be a hefty investment. But some alternatives to roaming fees are coming on the market.
April 1, 2011, 1:54 PM
How much thought goes into airline movie selections? More than you might think, it turns out.
March 30, 2011, 8:22 PM
The economics of it make sense, but it just seems like adding insult to injury when companies charge single supplements.
March 24, 2011, 4:30 PM
There has been no shortage of fodder recently fueling the argument of whether travelers would be better served by trains or planes.
March 17, 2011, 2:26 PM
Crises and government-issued travel alerts go hand in hand. But what do these alerts mean and how seriously should travelers take them?
March 11, 2011, 3:06 PM
An 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan on Friday triggered a massive tsunami, which was threatening to hit Hawaii, and numerous regions around the Pacific Ocean, including the U.S. West Coast.
March 10, 2011, 3:34 PM
A lot has been made about whether the popular spring break destination of Mexico is safe for college-aged partiers amid ongoing reports of drug-related violence south of the border.
March 5, 2011, 3:10 PM
Just when you thought you had put bed bugs out of your mind, they show up again, in the most unlikely of places, most recently having made an appearance on a British Airways flight.
March 1, 2011, 7:15 PM
Here's how to secure a permit to hike the popular Inca Trail to Peru's ancient site of Machu Picchu.
February 23, 2011, 5:37 PM
If you’re gearing up for a trip to New Zealand, reports about a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s second largest city of Christchurch on Tuesday may have you concerned about whether now is the best time to go.
February 23, 2011, 11:10 AM
Tour operators and vacation packagers are worried that increasing airfares, spurred by improving demand and surging fuel costs, will give travelers a sticker shock that will make them think twice about that vacation to Italy, Hawaii, or farther afield.
February 17, 2011, 11:46 PM
A new Facebook contest that launched this week called Unite the Invite, might be a way to spice up your daily Facebook trollings and potentially win you a trip to Britain in the process.
February 14, 2011, 12:35 PM
While the star's airing of her talk show Down Under last month was certainly expected to be a boon to Aussie tourism, not even Oprah could counter the fallout from flooding and a massive cyclone that devastated parts of Queensland, and tourism to the country.
February 9, 2011, 4:23 PM
It may be the year of the rabbit, but what few may realize is that 2011 is also gearing to be the year of river cruising.
February 7, 2011, 5:38 PM
It’s always a pleasant surprise when the hotel products are to one’s liking — the products are always the grand finale, the last hurdle for total approval of a hotel room.
February 2, 2011, 3:45 PM
Escalating political tensions, suicide bombings, flooding... It’s times like these that make people think twice about the value of travel insurance. We decided to find out just how much insurance can help in these situations.
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