This Just In: Budget Travel's Blog

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Steve Merrill
Steve Merrill In this photo, I was…In the Andes in Ecuador, 2005. I was probably about halfway through a really long hike around some volcanic craters. I'm carrying my special dog-scaring stick—you run into wild dogs in Ecuador, but raising the stick and screaming gibberish always scares them off.

My most-prized passport stamp is…India, because my sister was married there
The sexiest accent in the world is…Swedish/Scandinavian—but maybe it's not the accent…
My favorite travel-inspiring book is…Typee by Herman Melville
Steve's Posts
May 5, 2008, 2:29 PM
Virgin America has big plans for its in-flight instant messaging service. But a recent test drive suggests passengers aren’t ready for it.
April 21, 2008, 1:34 PM
A World Exposition in Zaragoza, Spain—scheduled to take place from June 14-Sept. 14, 2008—will focus on water and sustainability.
February 24, 2008, 7:19 PM
New York City’s storied Plaza Hotel, which was under construction for two years, is scheduled to reopen as a ‘condo-hotel’ on March 1, 2008.
January 27, 2008, 2:40 PM
News, and then more news, of the amazing, indestructible kitten that (accidentally) flew in stowed luggage from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas has thoroughly touched and exasperated us all.
January 17, 2008, 1:54 PM
James Buchanan was the first president to spend time at the residence, but I guess even the folks at the august National Trust for Historic Preservation, who oversaw the renovation, knew enough to lead with the star attraction.
December 30, 2007, 2:05 PM
Paris, France will go smoke-free in all public spaces, including cafés and restaurants, starting January 2, 2008.
December 21, 2007, 1:12 PM
Trip Advisor continues to place greater trust in the hands of its users—could this be the way travel is moving?
December 6, 2007, 12:02 PM
The New York Times ran an article yesterday about explosive growth in solo travel.
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