Frommer's Travel Show

Today was the last Frommer’s Travel Show on WABC. It is going on hiatus. But you will still be able to hear podcasts from Jason and Pauline at www.frommers.com/podcast. The topic for today’s show was where will you go once the pandemic is over. Jason plans to go to Borabadur and Pauline hopes to go to Berlin. Listeners called in with their choices.

We love New York City! That was the theme of today's show. Pauline, the author of Frommer's EasyGuide to New York City, discussed why she felt the city was not "over" and would always be great. And a number of callers rang up to tell about their favorite activities and sights in the five boroughs.

Shopping was today's topic, great stores and shopping experiences around the world.  Pauline and jason also discussed fall foliage in new england and what skiing will look like come winter.

Sweet treats around the United States and the world was the topic for today’s show. Jason, Pauline and the listeners talked about the best desserts and candies they’ve had on their travels.

Nightlife around the world was the topic for today’s broadcast, with Pauline, Jason and the listeners discussing after dark fun in Cartagena, Dublin, Paris, Acapulco, Las Vegas, Stockholm and a number of destinations.

Would you go on vacation if you knew that you could only stay on the resort you chose, and not visit the rest of the area too? That was the question Jason and Pauline tackled today, as it’s one of the proposals Hawaii is making to try and keep the virus contained. In addition, Pauline interview Josh Gates, host of Destination Unknown on the Discovery Channel.

Pauline broadcast from Traverse City, Michigan today highlighting the socially-distanced, safe fun one can have in beautiful Northern Michigan.

The bad parts of travel that we don’t miss—and hope will go away post-pandemic!—were the topic of discussion for this weeks show. Jason, Pauline and a number of listeners discussed the ways they hope travel will change in the near future. The show also dealt with cruising, the difficult job flight attendants have right now, and travel credit cards

On this week’s show, the question of the day was: if you could move anywhere in the world to live for a year, where would you go? That led to some lively discussion around livable places around the planet. Pauline and Jason also discussed Disney World’s reopening, recent problems for Airbnb and the legalities of requiring masks on planes

Today Las Vegas took center stage. Pauline and Jason talked about the recent travel news from that city, about their own experiences in Las Vegas, and with listeners who told their Vegas stories. They also discussed great, relaxing getaway destinations in the Northeast.

Train travel was the topic of the day on this week’s Frommer’s Travel Show. Pauline and Jason discussed the fact that an internal memo from Amtrak was published by Reuters, showing that Amtrak is planning to cut a third of its long haul daily trains, a move that will leave over 400 stations without daily service. We also heard from listeners about the favorite rail trips they’d ever taken, and Jason and Pauline also covered the decision of the cruise industry to extend the “pause” until September 15, and Cambodia’s wacky new entry regulations.

Today’s show covered US National Park vacations as well as other topics. Pauline and Jason discussed the fact their favorite parks; the fact that it may be easier this year than usual to get room at a National Park Lodge; and the Great American Outdoors Act, which is up for a vote in congress and will support the parks and create thousands of jobs. Also discussed: long-distance Amtrak travel, which airline has the worst record for pandemic refunds; and the fact that many countries aren’t currently accepting American travelers.

Alaska and Hawaii were the focus of today’s show, though Pauline and Jason also discussed what safety protocols may be like on cruise ships from now on, which direction airfares are likely to go and the opening this week of Las Vegas to visitors.

Beaches were the main topic on today’s Frommer’s Travel Show, with Jason Cochran and Pauline Frommer talking about different beach protocols around the world; top beaches to visit; and what the Caribbean islands are hoping to do to restart tourism. They also discussed the sanitizing efforts of both the major airlines and vacation rental companies; what the prognosis is for visiting Tokyo and Hong Kong in the near future; and the re-opening of Orlando and Las Vegas.

Today’s Travel Show dealt with a controversial news story: It was revealed this week that though major US airlines had announced that passengers would have to wear masks in order to fly, they then told crew not to enforce those rules. Pauline Frommer and Jason Cochran fielded a number of calls on this topic, and also discussed border reopenings in Europe, how to get refunds from travel companies and more.

Cruising was front and center on today’s Frommer Travel Show. Pauline Frommer and Jason Cochran discussed the news that Carnival has announced that it will resume sailing on August 1, and also discussed the plight of the 80,000 crew members of ships around the world who have been living in exile on the high seas for over 70 days at this point. A number of listeners called in to share their own experience and talk about when they’d feel safe cruising again.

On the cover of Frommers.com this week is an article about how road trips will be changing in the near future. So the show was devoted to road trips: best ones you’ve ever taken, and what they may be like in the near future. Jason Cochran and Pauline Frommer also fielded questions about travel to Hawaii, Toronto, and what air travel may be like in the near future (including the likely increase in airfares).

On today’s Travel Show, Pauline Frommer and Jason Cochran discussed some of the top animal-oriented travel experiences they’ve had in the past, from going on safari to swimming with whale sharks. They also fielded a lot of questions about refunds for travel, road trips and Antarctic cruises. The pair also gave a very brief overview of some of the fascinating travel articles one can read on Frommers.com right now

The topic of today’s show was what will travel look like in the near future, Pauline and Jason took calls about the possible near future and virtual travel experiences.

This week’s show was food focused. Jason and Pauline asked the listeners: if you could order in from a great restaurant you visited on past travels, where would you order in from. This started a stream of travel memories about great street foods, specialty foods in South Africa and Portugal and more. The extension of the cruise ban to July 19th was also discussed, as was the latest on getting refunds on travel purchases.

Today’s travel show was devoted to the question: what has travel taught you? To kick off the discussion, special guest Arthur Frommer called in to the show, and shared some of the life lessons he has acquired over the years. Jason and Pauline also fielded questions from several travelers who have summer travels planned and are wondering if they’ll be able to go.

The topic of today’s show was books that allow readers to virtually travel. The conversation roamed from the works of Bill Bryson to Cheryl Strayed, Anton Chekhov, and Rory Stewart. A number of listeners called in to share their favorite travel book. Jason also recounted the story of his recent, difficult trip from London to Los Angeles. This led to a listener calling in to share a more positive experience of being quarantined, and then returned home, by Silversea Cruises. Pauline also discussed a visit she made, a month ago, to the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC

Today’s show was a lovely trip down memory lane, with listeners calling in to share the movies they felt transported viewers to other parts of the world. Pauline and Jason also fielded questions about cancelling cruises and top tour companies to Vietnam.

Seth Kugel, former Frugal Traveler for the New York Times and author of the book “Rediscovering Travel” was a special guest co-host with Pauline Frommer this week. They discussed current cancellation policies for all types of travel providers (cruise ships, airlines, hotels, home rental companies), as well as the most memorable people they---and a number of listeners---had ever met on the road.

On today's Frommer's Travel Show, Pauline is away in Washington DC giving a speech so Jason is joined by special guest host Reid Bramblett.  Jason and Reid try to answer your questions regarding the COVID19 virus and your travel plans.

Would you want to spend your retirement on a cruise ship? Jason and Pauline started today’s show by talking about around the world cruises, who takes them and if they are a good idea for seniors. This morphed into a discussion of cruising in general: safety issues, costs, unexpected fees and more. Also discussed: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, daytrips from Rome,  the NY Times Travel Show and the effect of the Corona Virus on travel.

It was quite a busy travel show today! Jason and Pauline started by talking about the best strategies for booking spring break travel, as well as why the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas should be particularly cost-effective places to go this year. This was followed by a flood of listener calls and emails, asking about travel to Chile, Montana, Pisa, Disney World, Thailand and Vietnam. Pauline also discussed her upcoming appearance next weekend at the New York Times Travel Show. Finally, Pauline and Jason invite everyone to go to www.frommers.com/bestplaces2020 to vote for the 20th best destination of 2020. Finalists are Sonoma County, the Finger Lakes, Eilat (Israel), Porto (Portugal), and Charleston. Voting closes midnight Sunday.

Pauline and Jason began today’s show by discussing the finalists for the 20th slot in Frommer's Best Places to Go in 2020 contest. Those five are: Sonoma County, the Finger Lakes region, Porto, Charleston and Eilat (Israel).  (Make sure to log in to Frommers.com/bestplaces2020 to cast your vote). Several callers called in to discuss their favorites from the list, and Jason and Pauline also discussed best day trips from London; what to see and do in  Turks and Caicos; ethical elephant camps in Thailand; and the current mess currency company Travelex finds itself in. 

On this week's show, Jason discussed his recent sailing aboard the Norwegian Encore. Pauline and Jason also welcomed some guests. First was Jeanne Cooper, the author of Frommer's Hawaii, who discussed new developments in the Aloha State. Next up was Bill McGee of Consumer Reports to discuss the fight to get rid of the airline policy of separating families who don't pay more to choose seats together. Finally, Scott Mayerowitz of The Points Guy discussed best and worst airports in the United States.

This weekend's show was an old home week, so to speak, with several Frommer's authors coming on to discuss the newest developments in the destinations they cover. These included Anna Brooke talking about Paris; Meredith Pratt, the author of Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, DC; and Diana Schwam on New Orleans. Pauline and Jason also discussed Frommer's recently released Best Places to Go in 2020 list (see it at www.frommers.com/bestplaces2020)

Jason and Pauline introduced some of the Best Places to Go in 2020 on this show, talking about Cambodia, The Poles, and Indiana. You can see the complete list at www.frommers.com/bestplaces2020. At that site you can also nominate a 20th destination. They also took calls about Baltic cruises, travel to American Samoa, White Island (New Zealand), and Sydney. 

Today on the Frommer's Travel Show, Jason Cochran and Pauline Frommer discussed the best gifts for travelers, based on the article they have up on Frommers.com. They also discussed Pauline's recent flight, which required an emergency landing. Jason talked about his visit, this week, to the newest attraction at Galaxy's Edge, the new Star Wars World (Jason explained why its the best ride he's ever tried). And with callers, they talked about taking teenagers to Paris, discounts on Amtrak, issues with Sandals Resort in Jamaica and what you need to know about hacked airfares. 

Pauline Frommer and Jason Cochran discuss his new book: Here Lies America: Buried Agendas & Family Secrets at the Tourist Sites Where Bad History Went Down. During the course of their discussion, they talked about travel to Gettysburg, , the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and Grant's Tomb. The duo also gave advice on Aruba, Australia, New Zealand and road trips between New York City and Florida.

Pauline broadcasts from the Domincan Republic.  Join her as she discusses safety concerns about traveling to the Island and where you can find the best travel deals.  

On this week’s show, Pauline and Jason discuss the happiest places on earth. Pauline is broadcasting from Minneapolis, so she reviewed the food and museum scene there. Expedia’s new policy on resort fees, JetBlue’s new basic economy fares, which companies are best for Vietnam, and other topics were also included.