I’ve toured a city by car, bus, train, moped, bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, and on foot.  Each mode of touring offers different options and varying perspectives on a city.
Travelers in San Francisco and San Diego now have an additional choice on how to see the city — a GoCar.  The GoCar is a talking 3-wheeled vehicle that gives directions and tour commentary as you see the sights of the city.  And it speaks five different languages.
You can follow a standardized tour, deviate where you’d like, or just go off exploring on your own.  The GPS tour system is available at no …read more

In the March 2007 edition of Fast Company magazine, blogging pal Mark Ashley of Upgrade Travel Better wrote a great article about the changing rental car industry.
Mark observes:
Online check-in and on-site kiosks have quickly revolutionized the way we get through airports and hotels.  Renting a car, however, has remained a stubbornly retro experience.
What can be done to make renting a car more user-friendly?
How about check in kiosks, just like you’d check in for your flight? 
I figure if the airlines can make sure you don’t present a risk to fly, that there’s a way to check to make sure you have a …read more

Here are this week’s money saving travel tips:
 

When booking a hotel room or car rental, always ask the agent:  Are there any specials or group rates that would save me money?  Is that the best rate you can offer me?  Sometimes you may qualify for a group or special rate that you have forgotten to ask about.
Pack a collapsible travel bag in your checked luggage for use on your return flight.  If you plan on doing any shopping, you don’t want your bag to become so heavy that you face overweight luggage fees.  Packing a second bag gives you the …read more

We’re only half way through the Labor Day weekend, so there is still time to get out of the house and enjoy it.
The clock is running down on time for a couple of events, so if you’re trying to decide what to do, move these to the top of the list:
The National Museum of American History in Washington DC closes for a major renovation project on September 5th, which leaves you only two days to check out its exhibits.  Get some ideas on why you should go here.  If you absolutely can’t make it to the museum before it closes, a …read more

Here are this week’s money saving travel tips:

If you’ll be renting a car for more than two days, but less than a week, you should still compare the daily rate vs. the weekly rate.  Sometimes you’ll find a cheaper weekly rate, and you can just return the car early at no additional charge.
It’s very easy to go a little crazy with vacation shopping.  Set your shopping budget before leaving home, and stick to it.  This is particularly importation if your destination is known for a special item that you will want to purchase (perhaps emeralds in Columbia, leather goods in Italy).  …read more