On the Sunday, March 10th, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, on Friday, the
In The Travel News, on Friday, the
European Union announced that travelers from the United States will need a new type of visa to visit the European Schengen Area. A European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS visa will be required of U.S. travelers trying to enter Europe effective January 1, 2021. The exact cost of the visa is not known at this time.
The European Schengen Area is made up of 26 countries, but this new visa will only apply to 22 of those countries, which includes popular tourist regions in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Those Americans who wish to travel to the United Kingdom will not need to apply for the visa. Chris Elliott of Elliott.org, has released his site's annual Customer Service Awards. When a website which promotes consumer advocacy tells you who is best in customer service, it might be worth taking a look at the list. * The Green Book won the Oscar or Best Picture, but what is the real story of The Green Book and why was it so important to a huge segment of the population while traveling? The Green Book was the guide which told people of color where they were welcome, and just as important, where they needed to be on alert. We interviewed Candacy Taylor and got the real story on this piece of American History. 150 years ago this summer, the first permanent settlement of Japanese in the United States occurred in Placerville. Now, it's time or the community to celebrate that historic event. In early June, the Wakamatsu Festival will be held, and it's something cultural travelers will enjoy, and it's just up the road.
On the Sunday, March 3rd, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, Mark has a cute story about a grandmother who posed for a picture on a small iceberg....which was grand, until...grandma floated away! She was rescued by the Iceland version of the Coast Guard. Or maybe you heard the one about the man who threw coins in the engine of a Lucky Airlines plane for good luck. It didn't turn out to be very lucky for him. And then there's the reminder of what happens if you don't get back to your cruise ship on time. It leaves without you! Clayton Whitehead, one of our Road Reporters, was a guest in January before he departed with a group on a cruise in Australia and New Zealand. It was a long flight and a long cruise. We asked Clayton for his tips on that kind of grueling travel BEFORE he left. Now that he has safely returned, we want to know how his tips worked (and didn't work). A brand new commercial airport is opening north of Seattle Monday. It's Paine Field, home of Boeing. Twenty four flights a day, operated by Alaska and United, will serve the airport, just north of Seattle near Everett. Las Vegas is constantly adding new things to do as it pivots away from just being a gambling Mecca. The Cannabition Cannabis Museum is the latest.
On the Sunday, February 24th, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Princess is upgrading the wi-fi on their ships and New Jersey is creating the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail, based on the stops in one of his episodes.
In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark has a rant about the weird designs in new hotel rooms. What were they thinking? Plus, his ideas on how to solve airline overbooking and a comment on traveling when you are sick.
Guests in the second half of the show include the writer of a book on the Coca-Cola Trail, a compilation of Coke landmarks around he country; and a San Francisco-based travel writer you had to rely on Uber and Lyft to get around for two months. Let’s hear how his experiment went.
On the Sunday, February 17th, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… Steve LaRosa is in for Tom Romano and joins Mark in the studio.
In the Travel News, United Airlines is offering TV for free. That's on the 211 aircraft which have the in seat back screens. Previously there was a charge, but now you can watch the screens or on your own device for free. Southwest Airlines has declared a "operational emergency." It appears a combination of having to pull aircraft out of service for FAA mandated repairs and a "sick out" by technicians who have been negotiating a new contract for SIX years has left the airline short of planes. The U.S. has issued travel warnings for Turkey and Haiti.
In the Smarter Traveler segment, Mark reminds travelers the Marriott Rewards program officially becomes Bonvoy the first week of March. There is a new VERY high point redemption level for top properties. If you are planning to use your Marriott points for something this year, booking it now might mean you burn fewer points. A reminder that the cancellation time for a hotel is local time could make a difference, particularly on overseas lodging.
Steve LaRosa has a version of his popular segment, What's Goin' On, in and around Sacramento. Gordon Lightfoot, the French Film Festival and Jack Gallagher headline the list (see links below).
Finally, we go to San Francisco to talk with the authors of a new book, 100 Things to Do in San Francisco Before You Die. The guys have picked out a number of items from the list to share with you. A link to the book is below.