smarter traveler Page 72

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.

On the Sunday, December 20th edition of The Travel Guys… It's our special Christmas show, and if you are a kid of any age, you'll enjoy our trip to the North Pole! View more images of the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Wreath Project: In the Travel News, Bar Harbor, Maine says if Key West can limit the number of cruise ships and how many passengers can descend on their special destination, so can we. Hawaii cuts quarantine time to 10 days and Disney says the 4th day is free. Our Smarter Traveler segment tells you how you can get free Covid testing by appointment at the airport, even if you are not an outbound passenger. And, Sacramento is a top Christmas destination according to Wallet Hub. We'll find out why. In the second half of the program, we make a visit to The North Pole. We talk to Jed, the man in charge at Reindeer Headquarters. We speak to an original elf, and Mrs. Claus tells us some things about Santa you might not know. Finally, we talk to the big guy himself. The Travel Guys go to the North Pole! Jingle Bells Candy

On the Sunday, December 13th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the new defense bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives this week contains a signature item from Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, which was placed inside the bill. The defense spending bill could still be vetoed by President Trump. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Matsui in April of 2017. It would mandate a doctor on every cruise ship, and video cameras in public areas. Our Smarter Traveler segment featured two items. There is a new web site matching people who want one-way car rentals. Those can be expensive, but this is a way of reducing the cost. So far, it's only in Canada, but it's coming to the US soon. What do you do when you sit down on the airplane on your holiday trip and your seat mate isn't wearing a mask or isn't wearing it properly? What's the etiquette/protocol in that situation? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has taken their annual holiday show online this year. Tom has an update on how you can get virtual tickets to this year's show. Is it ethical to sell travel during the pandemic? We asked Chris Elliott and he answered us. Then we asked Gwen Duncan, The Travel Guys Travel Advisor, about that issue and others weighing on her and her staff.

On the Sunday, December 6th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, we shared an update on emotional support animals on airplanes. Perhaps the tiniest bit of sanity is returning to the issue. Airbnb is about to go public, perhaps at a higher price than recently anticipated. Mark shared his thoughts on the stock. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn't see the northern boarder open anytime in the next 2-3 months due to the high number of Covid cases across the United States. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talked about "travel bubbles" being created by countries and resorts. How are they working? We also update "dining bubbles," the latest thing in outdoor dining. Clayton Whitehead joins us to talk about family travel during the upcoming holidays. He relates a personal story I'm certain many of us can relate to. Consumer advocate Chris Elliott is on hand in the final segment to talk about the major airlines. We gave them $19 billion in bailout funds and they are back for more. Chris suggests we look at what we got for the first $19 billion, and updates us on wordsmithing by the airlines in Washington, DC, and what it might mean to consumers. T’was a month before Christmas T’was a month before Christmas, And all through the town,People wore masks,That covered their frown. The frown had begunWay back in the Spring,When a global pandemicChanged everything. They called it corona,But unlike the beer,It didn’t bring good times,It didn’t bring cheer. Contagious and deadly,This virus spread fast,Like a wildfire that startsWhen fueled by gas. Airplanes were grounded,Travel was banned.Borders were closedAcross air, sea and land. As the world entered lockdownTo flatten the curve,The economy halted,And folks lost their nerve. From March to JulyWe rode the first wave,People stayed home,They tried to behave. When summer emergedThe lockdown was lifted.But away from caution,Many folks drifted. Now it’s NovemberAnd cases are spiking,Wave two has arrived,Much to our disliking. Frontline workers,Doctors and nurses,Try to save people,From riding in hearses. This virus is awful,This COVID-19.There isn’t a cure.Too early for vaccine. It’s true that this yearHas had sadness a plenty,We’ll never forgetThe year 2020. And just ‘round the corner -The holiday season,But why be merry?Is there even one reason?To decorate the houseAnd put up the tree,When no one will see it,No-one but me. But outside my windowThe snow gently falls,And I think to myself,Let’s deck the halls!So, I gather the ribbon,The garland and bows,As I play those old carols,My happiness grows. Christmas isn’t cancelledAnd neither is hope. If we lean on each other,I know we can cope.