Tag: Mark Hoffmann

On the Sunday, December 27th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we discuss how the border to Mexico is closed, but if you fly ABOVE the border, it's a different story....an interesting story for sure. How thousands of Americans are vacationing in Mexico. Favorite guest Ed Perkins is on board to discuss how and when he sees travel coming together. Ed's been writing about travel a long time, so his opinions might be of high value just because of his experience. When are Smart Travelers thinking about returning to the road? It just depends on your personal feelings. The back half of the program includes a special farewell to a fellow traveler, and a few behind-the-scenes stories with the show's only hosts in its ten-year run, Tom Romano and Mark Hoffmann.

This Sunday, October 22nd, on the Travel Guys... Mark is in studio, Tom is on the road, checking in from Orlando, where he's spent time at Disney World and he has an update list of things to make you a smarter Disney visitor on your next trip. In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines has an incredible offer for residents of California only. It is perhaps the most generous offer by an airline in quite some time. We take you to the town of Long Beach. Not the city of Long Beach, California; but indeed the town of Long Beach, Washington. A little known destination off a spur of Highway 101 in the corner of southwest Washington, it's actually easier to get there from Portland. It's known as the kite capital of the world and has one of the best small town bakeries on the planet. Mark asks the question, "What is your seat-picking strategy on Southwest Airlines?" Listening are invited to call in and share their ideas and methods of seat selection. The best idea, as judged by the Travel Guys crew, will win $50 in gift cards from See's Candies.

This Sunday, on the June 25th edition of The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, Mark is reporting a significant change in the cancellation policies for many Marriott branded hotels.  It was done quietly, without a public announcement.  Many properties are now collecting a cancellation fee if you don't cancel at least 48 hours prior to arrival. The old rule was generally 24 hours, up from 6pm day of arrival just in recent years.  Beware, the hotels are coming after your wallet. Also in the news, Uber is about to allow you to tip your ride-sharing driver (Lyft riders have always been able to add a tip).  There are other policy changes affecting Uber riders and Mark has a report. Guests include a representative from the Rosie The Riveter Trust in Richmond.  They are planning to try and break a world's record in August.  Learn more about it here.  We also have US Travel to report on Americans and their vacation time.  In 2016, we took a little more of what was coming to us.  Finally, we wrap up with a man who wrote a book on road rage and give you some ideas on how to avoid those who spread it (Who are they?) Highlights New Marriott Cancellation Rules Uber adds tipping option Rosie The Riveter Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park Road Rage Justified: 50 Rules Every Driver Should Follow Stopping road rage: Eastside author looks to educate people, one driver at a time

This Sunday, May 14, on The Travel Guys... The Sacramento Music Festival is arguably the largest event of the year in our city. Born from the Dixieland Jazz Jubilee, it has morphed into a musical event for fans of all ages. More than just jazz, there's everything from Rock and Roll to the Blues to Country and even tunes with a Latin beat. We'll tell you how you can be a "Smarter Event-goer" at the festival, with tips on venues and pricing and the "Friday night secret." Tom asks Mark how a tour company like Sports Leisure Vacations deals with airline issues, delays, bad weather and the like when he's out on the road with a group of travelers. His answers will absolutely contain information to make you a smarter traveler when you are out, even if you are traveling alone. Mark dips into the mailbag for a second consecutive week to answer your travel questions. If you have a question about travel, a particular destination, airlines, anything in the travel world, drop The Travel guys a note using the form on this page. Mark answers as many as he can personally by email and some questions are answered live on the show.