Chasing Blackbeard and beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina
The Outer Banks began attracting vacationers in the 1830s, when families of wealthy North Carolina planters found refuge there from the summer heat . They were followed by sportsmen drawn by the outstanding fishing and hunting that Native Americans had discovered centuries earlier.
Slashed discount contracts — the hidden fare increases of airline mergers
Most travelers are used to the fact that when airlines merge and competition goes down, airfares go up, especially in hub cities. But one significant potential fare increase often goes unnoticed with the mergers — the elimination or reduction of many consolidator and...
FAA is back in business — construction and tax collections to resume. Will airfares go up?
I never thought the day would come when I would be happy to see tax collections return. But, today is that day. After rumors that I reported on three days ago of the possibility of a deal on the stalled FAA extension, the extension passed.
Will Congress pass the FAA extension while "on recess"?
Stranger things have happened. It appears that since the House and Senate have not totally closed down, in an effort to thwart any recess appointments by President Obama, there may be a way to get the FAA reauthorization bill back on track through various parliamentary maneuvers.
When it comes to collecting taxes the IRS is quick, but slow giving them back
When it comes to giving back taxes, the IRS doesn’t have a clue, or at least it wants to appear that way. In the case of the FAA air transportation excise tax and the domestic segment fees, the IRS has not come up with a method to refund taxes. My latest communication with them confirmed that.
Will the Senate capitulate to the House on the FAA extension? Wait, nevermind
Rumors are flying around Washington, DC, that Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee Chairman Rockefeller will capitulate to Chairman Mica of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and pass the extension that the House passed two weeks ago. That will put around 75,000 (depending on who is counting) back to work and allow the government to start collecting FAA aviation taxes again.
It's August first – not too soon to think about mileage runs
The reason to think about mileage runs now, is because, after mid-August, when kids go back to school, they are comparatively easy. Plus, fall fares tend to be comparatively cheap as opposed to fares in December, for anyone trying to squeeze in mileage runs after about the 15th.
Ned's top 7 cruise packing tips
Cruise ship packing has a lot to do with what clothes you’ll need for the cruise and your excursions off the ship, but there are many other issues which significantly affect what you pack and how you pack it. Ned Levi examines many of the issues which affects packing for cruises and offers his top 7 cruise packing tips.
Weekend what we're reading: Decline of weddings in Vegas, jousting in Italy, vacation time in Europe
This weekend we look at the slowdown of weddings in Vegas, jousting in Sulmona in the Abruzzo in Italy and, finally, the amount of vacation that Europeans take each year.
Big Mac world economics — not a bad way to see where currency rates are out of whack
For years, I have used the price of a Big Mac at McDonald’s as my benchmark for well-adjusted currency rates. I have always thought that if the price of a Big Mac was the same in the U.S. and in a foreign country that the exchange rates were more or less OK. If It cost more, there was probably a bad exchange and if it cost less, I’d be planning another trip.