Cancun Travel: Reserving the Best Spot on the Beach

I just scored the travel deal of a lifetime.

As the voice behind Cheapflights’s Twitter account (@Cheapflightscom), I monitor travel deals daily and I can say this without hesitation: with the state of the economy, travel today is cheaper than ever. Armed with this information, I scored myself a few incredible deals over the past few months, including an abnormally cheap stay at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino, an extension of The Venetian Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Then swine flu arrived. Travelers went into a panic and travel to Mexico all but slowed to a stop.

Though the initial panic has calmed down, Mexico hotels are still feeling the pain, and as a result, many have dramatically slashed their rates in an effort to attract travelers. I knew I had to take advantage of this before prices climbed back up again – and before hurricane season started in late August.

I searched around found a package I couldn't pass up: round-trip flights to Cancun from Boston on US Airways and four nights at the 4-star Intercontinental Presidente. The grand total: $433 per person for two people. 

Airlines Consider Fees for Larger Passengers

As more airlines try to boost revenue without increasing the price of an airline ticket, additional fees for flyers continue to surface.

We already pay to check our bags, now comes word that some airlines are adding fees to those flyers who don't check in their bags online. Ryanair, famous for some of the most outrageous fees, is promoting the concept of fee-based in-flight lavatory use and asking flyers to carry their own luggage to the cargo hold. In recent months, we've witnessed airlines add fees from everything to unaccompanied minors to unaccompanied pets, and the fees keep coming, only now they're getting personal.

Airlines are debating asking larger, overeweight passengers to pay extra for another seat when flying.

Father's Day Travel Tips: Baseball, Blackjack and Bonding

Father’s Day is less than a week away, but that doesn’t mean booking a great Father’s Day trip is out of the question. Here are a few ideas:

Hit a home run with dad and visit a beloved national ballpark like Fenway Park in Boston or Wrigley Field in Chicago. We found flights to Boston from around $175 RT (with taxes), if you return on Monday. Weekend flights to Chicago start at $275 RT.

Can’t get tickets to a game? Try the next best thing for baseball fans. Book a cheap flight to Louisville and treat Dad to some baseball history at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. We did a quick search and found Louisville flights for the weekend starting at $265 .

iPhone, Therefore iKnow: Must-have iPhone Travel Apps

As a frequent traveler, I consider myself pretty well-versed in all things airlines, hotels and agencies. I know who, what, where, and when to call in just about any situation. If you need a good travel deal, you can be sure I’ll find one for you.  

But like most things in life, things happen. And if they happen when you’re traveling on vacation, or even out of the country, it’s important to know what to do and where to go.

- Do you know your rights if you are arrested during a protest in Tangier?
- Do you know who to call if your passport or wallet is stolen while traveling through South America?
- What are you going to do if you missed the last bus on your tour group, and you’re stranded in a ghost town in Mexico?
- How will you get from Amsterdam to Brussels on a pre-paid train ticket for a train that left three hours ago?
- When nature calls, where is the nearest bathroom?

These are real questions from real travelers in real situations. Thankfully, we live in a digital age where technology is endless and evolving.

Just last month I upgraded and today I am the proud owner of an iPhone 3G. Before the iPhone, I had a basic cell phone that went with me around the world. It worked fine when I needed to make calls, but if I needed to find a restaurant, order something in Spanish, or find the closest subway stop in New York City, I was lost. Now, I have a computer at my fingertips, which makes traveling easier.

For those iPhone travelers, or those who are considering joining the tribe, I’ve listed out a few of my must-have travel apps that will make your travels a little simpler from anywhere in the world.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Most Noted Mexican Cuisine in the U.S.

Ah, Cinco de Mayo - the day to celebrate the history of Mexico’s defeat of the French army by arming yourself with a burrito in one hand and a margarita in the other. With the Swine Flu looming ominously over Mexico’s shores, you’re better off rocking festivities on the home front this year.

We’ve dug up cities that boast the most noted Mexican cuisine, and figured out fun ways to spend the night in each.

San Diego: Surf’s up in this SoCal city, so head to the beach and celebrate in the sun. While not quite south of the border, San Diego’s shoreline attitude takes the cake for chilling out with a bit of spice. Part of the Brigante Family Restaurant group, Miguel’s calls itself  “a fiesta in a box,” and offers award-winning recipes and a never-ending party atmosphere. A patio on the marina is perfect for sunset drinks, and Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour lasts out there from 3-6 p.m. Food and drink specials, mariachis, and corralejo girls make this place a must-see.

Breathe Easy: Stress-Free Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Things happen. People get sick, economies simmer, and sometimes, rain ruins a beach day. But passing gloom is just that – passing – and should never hinder your desire to travel.

In light of the recent swine flu epidemic, the following information will help you plan for travel to countries that require certain health vaccinations, and what to do if you get ill during your trip. We spoke with experts in the health, travel, and the airline industry to get their tips for safe travel.

Here is a quick breakdown on how to prepare for your trip to some of the world’s most popular destinations:

He Said: Laid Off? Sit Tight and Save Up

I’m the first to speak up when it comes to discussing the therapeutic qualities of travel. There are numerous benefits to taking flight and leaving behind your troubles for a short time. Who wouldn’t want to experience different cultures, spend quality time with loved ones and get away from phones, email, bills, etc for a while. As I said in a previous post, there is no substitute for experiences gained through travel during normal times.

However, with all due respect to my esteemed colleague Melanie Nayer, these are not normal times.

Americans have been thrust into one of the worst economic climates in recent history, if not since the 1930s. Billions of dollars in stock market value have been lost. Millions of jobs have vanished. Many of the country’s biggest corporations have gone to the government seeking financial help.

She Said: Laid Off? Take Time Out to Travel

It's grim out there. The economy is sinking deeper into a recession and jobs are being eliminated by the thousands. Just today, the Department of Labor announced the U.S. lost 663,000 jobs in March and unemployment rose to 8.5 percent. According to the stats on MSNBC, since the recession began, "the economy has lost a net total of 5.1 million jobs." Bad news, indeed.

So you lost your job. What now? This question has been a hot topic of debate around the Cheapflights.com water cooler. We're in the business of inspiring people to travel, but can you justify advocating that people travel if they've just been laid off?

In a word, yes. My colleague Carl Schwartz disagrees with me wholeheartedly. He says you can't advocate for people to travel when their income has just been taken away. I agree, to an extent. I'm not suggesting anyone take a luxury vacation around the world. But if you have the finances, studies show that a quick getaway can ease stress and help you rejuvenate, and think about your career strategy, before you reenter the job market.

Hear me out...

How Social Will Travel Go? In-room, In-flight Chat Tools Keep Travelers Connected

Forget online profiles and speed dating. If you really want to connect with people, head to the hotel lobby, your airplane seat, or a trendy restaurant.

Social networking is making its way into the travel space, and it's not just for the kids anymore. What started as a cool way for kids to connect is now a savvy business tool aimed at attracting new clientele.

Virgin America made headlines when it launched its in-flight chat program in August 2007, and now hotels and restaurants are getting into the social groove and offering customers a unique way to converse with others.

Mexico Travel: The Good, the Bad and the Reality

The world is a scary place… especially when you don't have all the facts and you let scary news reports dictate your decisions.

I know firsthand how true this is. Thanks to horror stories and reports that told only of death and decrepit conditions, I had no desire to visit certain parts of the world. In fact, Central and South America were last on my list of "must see" places. Now that I’ve spent enough time in the travel industry to know you could find a reason to stay away from every place on Earth, places like Panama, Nicaragua and Ecuador are near the top of my travel "wish list."

And Cuba? Don’t even get me started on traveling to Cuba... (as soon as I'm done writing this post I'm going to pen my letter to President Obama asking for an update on when we can board flights to Cuba).