Podcasts about smarter traveler

The number of road side rest stops is decreasing and Las Vegas is building a new airport, tips on how to minimize the effects of jet lag in our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark has spent the past ten days on three islands, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. He shares some tips on places to go and things to see. How is the recovery going in Maui and what the heck is a white pineapple and why are visitors to Kauai so crazy about it?

In the Travel News, Delta Airlines is returning to Havana, Cuba, starting in April, with flights from Miami; and the REAL ID mandate has been delayed once again. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we have five ways for you to spot an Airbnb scam. Travel Insurance. Should you buy it or pass? There are many companies offering protection, how do you pick the best? We have an expert from World Nomads to offer some advice. Hertz has become infamously known for arresting people who they think haven't returned their rental cars. Except sometimes they go after the wrong person, perhaps someone who rented a car in the first place. The latest on the ongoing circus at Hertz. When you are traveling, it's important to know and recognize local cultural traditions and customs as a visitor. We have some examples to help get you in tune with the concept.

Listen Now On the Sunday, December 11th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Delta Airlines is returning to Havana, Cuba, starting in April, with flights from Miami; and the REAL ID mandate has been delayed once again. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we have five ways for you to spot an Airbnb scam. Travel Insurance. Should you buy it or pass? There are many companies offering protection, how do you pick the...

Listen Now On the Sunday, October 30th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Holland America rewards a service dog for 700 days of cruising and Virgin America has decided to reward those siting in the middle seat with some great rewards. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark talks about the president addressing junk travel fees this past week. Mark says it's great that the president recognizes that travel suppliers are goosing travelers...

Listen Now On the Sunday, October 9th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, a Southwest pilot decided to go naked in the cockpit—with a female co-pilot; and Marriott faces a lawsuit over lying to its guests. A local Amtrak traveler got a “roomette” accommodation for an overnight trip, and shared what you should bring along for your comfort. It's part of our Smarter Traveler segment. Comedian Steve Treviño will be appearing at...

In the Travel News, a Southwest pilot decided to go naked in the cockpit—with a female co-pilot; and Marriott faces a lawsuit over lying to its guests. A local Amtrak traveler got a “roomette” accommodation for an overnight trip, and shared what you should bring along for your comfort. It's part of our Smarter Traveler segment. Comedian Steve Treviño will be appearing at The Punch Line Comedy Club soon. Known as “America's Husband” because of his comedy style, he joins us for a few laughs and to promote his upcoming appearances in Sacramento. Sacramento has been ranked as one of the top Foodie Cities in the country. Find out who joins us on that list. Plus, we tell you about travel trends among Centennials.

Listen Now On the Sunday, September 18th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, a tourism destination rises to the occasion to help immigrants, water restrictions are getting tighter at the Grand Canyon, and the three major cruise lines have a staggering $73 billion dollars in debt – with increasingly high interest payments. In our Smarter Traveler segment, one final warning about buying your holiday air tickets now, along with some tips on...

Listen Now On the Sunday, August 21st edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, the Bar Harbor, Maine Town Council has decided to limit cruise ship calls in the tiny community, and an AirTag in a piece of luggage leads to the discovery of some major theft from passenger luggage. Have you noticed traditional customer service is disappearing? The travel industry is no exception. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about some...

Listen Now On the Sunday, August 14th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, some cruise lines are having to cancel cruises because of a shortage of staff, the DOT's plan to make airlines give you refunds turns out to be full of holes and Burning Man is back in the Nevada desert later this month. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Real ID is coming to an airport near you next May. Now...

Listen Now On the Sunday, July 3rd edition of The Travel Guys…  Highlights from The Travel News – It appears Delta Airlines DID offer passengers almost $10,000 to give up their seats on a flight from Grand Rapids to Minneapolis Friday evening; and Holland America is eliminating the proof of vaccination requirement for a limited number of upcoming cruises. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark again reminds those traveling this summer to choose non-stop flights...

Listen Now On the Sunday, June 26th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Europe is adding a small visitors fee in 2023, there's an update on Yellowstone and we share info on an upcoming new Broadway musical about the life of Neil Diamond. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we take you on an imaginary shopping trip for airline tickets. Are the ultra-low fare carriers like Spirit and Frontier really cheaper, or does...

Listen Now On the Sunday, June 12th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, the requirement to test within 24 hours of returning to the US is making the travel industry ecstatic, with the expectation of increasing international travel in short order. Disney is launching a new cruise ship. Chris Elliott wrote a piece on words to beware of when shopping for a vacation rental, which was the subject of our Smarter Traveler...

Listen Now On the Sunday, June 5th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Broadway and Canada extend their mask requirements, and the cruise industry is leaving some ships at less than capacity. The reason: A shortage of crew. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss the strategy of “taking the longest flight first,” and why that might be to your advantage. The summer travel season unofficially kicked off with Memorial Day weekend....

Listen Now On the Sunday, May 28th, Memorial Day edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, a 29-year old Sacramento woman is sentenced to 15 months in jail after punching a Southwest flight attendant; and travel to Cuba is back on the table in a big way. Insurance for Vacation Rentals – whether you are a renter or a landlord, should you be protecting yourself? It's the subject of our Smarter Traveler segment....

Listen Now On the Sunday, May 15th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, the small national hotel chain Kimpton, has added dog walking services for guests nationwide. Southwest Airlines is either the best or the worst in the sky, depending on which survey you listen to. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about the importance of “timing” during the busy summer travel season. Airports, hotels, attractions, and especially restaurants are going...

Listen Now On the Sunday, April 24th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, we update the mask and vaccination requirements. Believe it or not, they are coming back in some destinations, including a couple of places close to home. Airbnb is changing their COVID-friendly refund policy. We update you in our Smarter Traveler segment; and Mark offers a reminder about the importance of flexibility if you are traveling this summer. We introduce...

Listen Now On the Sunday, April 24th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, United says the FAA is causing huge delays in Newark by ignoring flight limits, and if you are going to Venice, Italy this summer, it's going to cost you a little extra. We make you a Smarter Traveler by sharing information from our friends at Wallet Hub. Which US airline was the best overall last year? Which is the...

Listen Now On the Sunday, March 20th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, spring breakers are headed to Florida in record numbers as leisure travel rebounds to pre-COVID levels. Business travel, however, continues to lag. This is a problem for hotels in particular, because business travelers pay higher rates, and spend more in the hotel on food and beverage than leisure travelers. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talked about the importance...

Listen Now On the Sunday, February 27th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, TSA adds its first international destination – The Bahamas – to the Pre-Check Program, a Sesame Street Theme Park is opening in San Diego, and an alarming number of Hertz renters are having the police show up at their door. In our Smarter Traveler block, we discuss tipping at home vs. tipping abroad. How is it different? Travel Writer...

Listen Now On the Sunday, January 23rd edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Crystal Cruises cancels sailings as bankruptcy appears near. Cruising right now is a gamble. A gamble that you won't end up in a “COVID Jail.” In our Smarter Traveler segment, we share a horror story or two. Getting COVID on board a ship might be a travel experience you'd want to skip. Surprise fees are appearing on restaurant checks....

In the Travel News, Disney, Broadway and Hawaii are among those stepping up their vaccination requirements; and we offer a warning to travelers about “pop-up” COVID testing centers. Clayton Whitehead joins us for our Smarter Traveler segment. Clayton took a group to the theater in San Francisco last week to see the critically acclaimed The Band's Visit. We'll get his observations on what it was like to be back in the theater, and we'll discuss the sudden surge in prices for hotels and airfares and what it means for travelers. Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott is traveling the planet with his sons. He joins us from the Middle East, to talk international COVID conditions and gives us a few projections on travel in the coming months. Tourism Cares is the philanthropic arm of the tourism industry. The organization creates clean up and improvement projects all over the planet. Learn more about what they do and the project planned for Lake Tahoe in late spring.

Listen Now On the Sunday, January 16th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Disney, Broadway and Hawaii are among those stepping up their vaccination requirements; and we offer a warning to travelers about “pop-up” COVID testing centers. Clayton Whitehead joins us for our Smarter Traveler segment. Clayton took a group to the theater in San Francisco last week to see the critically acclaimed The Band's Visit. We'll get his observations on what...

Listen Now On the Sunday, January 2nd edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, despite COVID the roads and the skies are crowded over the holidays; and the national parks have released their list of free admission days for 2022. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about common security steps you can take to keep you and your identity safe while on the road. Nevada is not only close, it's full of...

Mark checks in from Gettysburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he has 30 travelers in tow on a Christmas Mystery Tour. In the Travel News, United Airlines set an aviation record this week, using 100% sustainable aviation fuel to fly a scheduled flight. The fuel emits 75% less carbon dioxide. Adele is setting up residence in Las Vegas, weekends through April, and Sacramento may be getting a new airline, Airbahn. For the second week in a row, our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on contracts between travelers and travel companies. If you don't take the time to read them, don't cry later. Joe Brancatelli from JoeSentMe.com, one of Mark's favorite paid travel sites, has a take on the settlement between Pennsylvania and Marriott Hotel on the resort fee issue. As usual, Joe's opinion is a bit different from everyone else's. Tom talks to the folks from Imaginarium 360, the Christmas Lights Show at Cal Expo. Sounds like a cool place to visit during the holidays.

Listen Now On the Sunday, November 14th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Canadian and Mexican travelers pour across the borders, Amtrak gets good news from the new Infrastructure Bill and our own Sacramento Airport has a top ten on time record! In our Smarter Traveler segment, we give you five holiday travel tips. You can thank us later! Chris Elliott, noted author and consumer advocate, joins us to discuss the 80...

Listen Now On the Sunday, November 7th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, travel is on the rebound, but there is still a serious shortage of staff in many places. Those shortages are likely to impact holiday travel. China has started a national parks system. Their beloved pandas are high on the initial protected list. Our show is live from the island of Kauai this week. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark...

In the Travel News, the DOT is investigating a number of airlines who didn't provide refunds in a timely manner, or misled travelers into thinking they couldn't get a refund for their ticket. Southwest announces no booze on their planes until at least next year, and we talk about the last term changes brought to travel by the events of September 11, 2001. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we remind you of some of the resources available to help you prepare for your next COVID-era trip. Canada opened its borders to US travelers a month ago. Road Reporter Chris Galloway has been in Canada with a group of travelers for the last week, and will repeat with another group next week. He checks in to tell us about getting into Canada, and just as importantly, getting back into the states. Gwen Duncan has an update on cruising. What are cruisers buying and when are they going out of the oceans and rivers of the world again? What are the restrictions cruisers need to know about?

Listen Now On the Sunday, July 18th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, it's looking more and more like the Canadian border will open before the end of summer. Amtrak is investing some of our tax dollars in some new train sets and the Eiffel Tower joins the reopened attractions list in Europe. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we renew the discussion about smoking charges in rental cars and hotel rooms. Mark...

In the Travel News, The mayor of Maui, Hawaii asks the airlines to cut the number of seats on flights to his home island. Too many tourists, the mayor says. Canada updates its travel policy, but it doesn't help Americans; and Hilton becomes the first major chain to eliminate daily housekeeping at most of its hotels. In our Smarter Traveler segment, with summer flight delays and cancellations on the increase, we give you some tips on things you can do BEFORE you travel to help lower the possibility of getting stuck somewhere on the road, and if you are stuck, our tips might make it a little less painful. We solicited Travel Tips from our listeners. The best ones will be posted next week. Mark did a special goodbye to John Ascuaga, the owner and operator of the Nugget Hotel/Casino in Sparks, Nevada, for over 50 years. Mark shared a tribute from Nevada's governor and a personal story about John. A fine farewell to one of the nicest people you could ever meet. The Travel Guys would like to wish a Happy 75th Anniversary to President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter!

Listen Now On the Sunday, July 11th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, The mayor of Maui, Hawaii asks the airlines to cut the number of seats on flights to his home island. Too many tourists, the mayor says. Canada updates its travel policy, but it doesn't help Americans; and Hilton becomes the first major chain to eliminate daily housekeeping at most of its hotels. In our Smarter Traveler segment, with summer flight...

In the Travel News, Southwest will add flights to Palm Springs and Kona this fall and we have the latest episodes of “people behaving badly on planes.” In our Smarter Traveler segment, Hawaii's governor has spelled out when the testing and quarantines might be relaxed; cruise ships are getting back in the ocean – with one already reporting positive COVID passengers on board; and the CDC has changed the regulation on vaccinated travelers on SOME forms of public transportation…but don't throw away the mask quite yet. Chris Elliott, America's foremost travel consumer advocate, joins us to talk about vacation rentals. Seems owners of vacation home are getting quite creative on the fees they are adding to rentals. Chris updates us on what to look out for. Hint: The bottom line may NOT be the bottom line. Mark went to Oregon with a group of 30 travelers last week, on the heels of a trip to Nevada. How are the two states different? How are rising numbers of travelers impacting the system at airports, restaurants and the like? Mark has some observations.

Listen Now On the Sunday, June 13th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, Southwest will add flights to Palm Springs and Kona this fall and we have the latest episodes of “people behaving badly on planes.” In our Smarter Traveler segment, Hawaii's governor has spelled out when the testing and quarantines might be relaxed; cruise ships are getting back in the ocean – with one already reporting positive COVID passengers on board;...

In the Travel News, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has an interesting Catch-22 on his hands. The cruise lines can't sail from Florida, even on test cruises, until they reach 95% vaccination for passengers and 98% for crew. But DeSantis has declared no one will have to give out their vaccination status in Florida. So how do the cruise lines meet those thresholds? Mediation has broken down, cruise lines are furious. United Airlines is giving flight attendants three days off if they get vaccinated. Interestingly enough, flight attendants are not required to be vaccinated. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we are joined by Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel to talk about the cruise situation. Gwen loves to cruise and sells many of them. She presents Gov. DeSantis' reasons for his position. Mark still thinks there will be a compromise which allows both sides to claim victory. Gwen says she would love to go on a cruise, but she wants to know the people she is sailing with are safe/vaccinated. Both concede there is a small number of people who cannot be vaccinated for various reasons. Beach Blanket Babylon ran for over 3 decades at the Club Fugazi in San Francisco. Now, a new show is set to open in the theater this fall. It will have a circus theme. We have an advance look at this new entertainment extravaganza. The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach is back in business this summer. The unique cultural arts event featuring “living pictures” runs for two months in the summer. Our special guest tells you more about the festival and its accompanying art show.

In the Travel News, cruise ships are getting approval to begin the process of sailing again, and a Sacramento flyer will never board a Southwest plane again after attacking a flight attendant. Vaccine passports are becoming a reality in many international countries. Want to travel? You may need one, like it or not. We'll give you an update in our Smarter Traveler segment. Plus, Airbnb is getting a LOT of pushback on the number of fees owners are adding to rentals. What do they plan to do about it? Ed Perkins is a travel writer and journalist who has been reporting on travel for nearly half a century. He regularly fills us in with his wisdom on travel issues. We'll ask him about those pesky vaccine passports, about when reduced hotel service might come back and get his input on the restart of the cruise industry. Cruise ships are really in the news. Our own expert, Gwen Duncan, stops in to tell us where the deals are and what you need to know to get them. Hints: sign up for updates from cruise lines and get a good travel advisor.

Mark is live from Oracle Park in San Francisco, Tom is in studio in Sacramento. In the Travel News, Spain says if you’ve been vaccinated, welcome; as we predicted last week, at least half of the Alaska cruise season has been salvaged, and the Canadian and Mexican borders remain closed for another month – but there’s a glimmer of hope. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we tell you which hotel chains have dropped mask requirements and/or enforcement, and which ones still want you protecting yourself and other guests. Mark relates being a part of a freak snow storm in Virginia City this week and how you need to be prepared for unusual weather when you are traveling. In a recent interview, Chris Elliott’s advocacy firm got an “F” from the Better Business Bureau. Chris has the story and it’s a good one. (replay) Tom had the chance to talk with Jesse Colin Young, a rocker from not so long ago, in an Entertainment Guys feature. (replay)

In the Travel News, Hawaii is expecting a big summer with lots of visitors – but vaccine/testing requirements remain in place for most. USTOA, one of the country’s largest tour operator groups, says despite limited cruising, Alaska is the most inquired about/booked destination for the summer, with Arizona, Florida, Wyoming and Utah close behind, as travelers continue to prefer beaches and wide open spaces in the US. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark talks about how he got caught in the exact car rental trap he warned listeners about last week; we explain The Jones Act, which is keeping cruise ships from going to Alaska this year; and more countries, and perhaps soon Hawaii, add themselves to the “you must be vaccinated to come here” list. We invite you to call and share your favorite travel memory with mom. Tauck Tours, America’s oldest and thought by many to be the finest tour company in the country, gives us an update on their summer and fall seasons. Their products include river cruises, land tours and family-themed vacations.

In the Travel News, the CDC has a host of new guidelines for travel, starting with domestic trips and including guidance for the cruise lines. American Airlines says you can travel to Italy without a quarantine and several airlines have weighed in on the laws which appear to restrict the ability to vote in Georgia and other states. Mark headed to Seattle for business and a little baseball this week. He shares some updates and observations on airports and the behavior of travelers in our Smarter Traveler segment. Ever since the days of the Comstock, women have played a major role in the running of Virginia City. That’s still happening today. Meet the ladies of Virginia City and learn about what makes it an incredibly unique place to visit, very close to home. For 25 years, David Watts Barton was the music reviewer for the Sacramento Bee. His second career is as an author and he has a fascinating book on Japan, Japan: From Anime to Zen. We’ll talk with him about it.

In the Travel News, New York City launches an effort to vaccinate all the workers in the theater district, the former president’s hotels get dumped by a major booking group and a Southwest pilot has a rant on an open mic that probably won’t end well for him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about stadiums, theaters, spring and summer festivals, cruise ships, restaurants, even crowded hotel elevators. They are all part of the travel comeback picture, but how do the pieces fit together, and more importantly, how do you travel with the current conditions? Travel to Hawaii has been a confusing proposition the last few months, to say the least. But COVID infections are down and even Kauai is joining the party. Our friend Will Lydgate, the Kauai chocolate farmer, gives us an update. More people are traveling now than a month ago. Are there any changes about how we get through security? Any special COVID rules to know about? Sid Thrift from TSA is on hand to give us the scoop.

Listen Now On the Sunday, March 28th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, New York City launches an effort to vaccinate all the workers in the theater district, the former president’s hotels get dumped by a major booking group and a Southwest pilot has a rant on an open mic that probably won’t end well for him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about stadiums, theaters, spring and summer festivals, cruise...

In the Travel News, Amtrak is putting Covid relief funds to good use, restoring daily services on many long distance trains, including the California Zephyr. American Airlines tells 15,000 employees to forget the furlough notices, and air travel has had a significant bump in the past 7-10 days. But, hotels are still in big trouble. Now it’s the Fairmont San Jose, the centerpiece hotel downtown, which has shuttered its doors after losing $38 million in the past year. Travelers United has put forth a pretty solid idea regarding airline passenger rights. Post them at the airport. Very few travelers know the simple rules which protect them. So why not make those rights extremely public? Because it isn’t in the best interest of one group….the airlines. More discussion in our Smarter Traveler segment. For nearly more than 7 decades, 3 generations of the Perillo family have taken people on vacation. Italy is their specialty, but they now offer other destinations. Steve Perillo, owner of the 3rd generation family company, joins us to talk overseas travel. Finally, we have the story of the man who spent years in jail because Hertz Car Rental wouldn’t turn over the documents which proved his innocence. We have the full story.

Today, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, not too surprising that formal complaints against the airlines jumped by over 500% last year, considering the refund vs voucher fiasco; and tourism destinations around our state hope for limited spring openings…details next in the news… A few weeks ago, it looked like the cruise season in Alaska might be doomed, but now lots of people are trying to avoid a shutdown. An update on work north and south of the border in our Smarter Traveler segment. Chris Elliott used to have a weekly column in the Travel Section of the Sacramento Bee. The travel section is no more, so Chris joins us on a regular basis. Today he talks about those air credits you got last year. The ones that could be expiring soon. Tom and Mark close the show today with a very quick dip into our TravelGuysRadio.com mailbag. Mark answers questions on summer overseas travel, making reservations for an ocean-going cruise and bringing food on airplanes…

Listen Now On the Sunday, February 28th edition of The Travel Guys…  In the Travel News, formal complaints to airlines jumped by over 500% last year. Not surprising, considering all the fuss over refunds and vouchers. California tourism destinations are hoping for spring openings, at least on a limited basis. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how both Americans and Canadians are trying to make sure the closing of Canadian ports to cruise...

The Port of Seattle says the Alaska cruise season is postponed indefinitely; Disney says the same for their theme parks, and a survey tells us when you might be ready to travel once the “all clear” signal is given. If you are a resident of California and you buy a travel package from a vendor, you are protected by the California Seller of Travel Law. What is it, why is it important and how does it protect you? Learn more in our Smarter Traveler segment. With the Corona virus knocking travel down for a ten count, we have live reports from both sides of the country. Colman O'Reilly joins us from New York City. Colman is a first responder and a tour guide in The Big Apple, and shares his take from those two perspectives. Carol Pucci is former writer and Travel Wise columnist at the Seattle Times. She tells us about life right now in Seattle. Finally, Gwen Duncan, our local Travel Advisor, updates us on the life and times of her profession, in light of a global pandemic.

The Department of Transportation is asking for your input as they create new rules for Emotional Support Animals on airplanes, United Airlines says window shades up for take-off and landing, and we tell you about a Canadian hotel chain with free midday getaway rates on Valentine's Day. The Corona Virus is on the minds of many travelers. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark and guest co-host Gwen Duncan, herself a Travel Advisor, talk about cancellation realities and strategies for situations just like this one. The second half of our show features our annual Super Bowl Sunday Travel Quiz. Call in and answer a few questions and win yourself some free food from Chili's.

In the Travel News, Delta employees say their new Lands End uniforms are making them sick, a study of facial recognition sends up some alarms (Asian and African American travelers are misidentified far more often) and the organizers of Burning Man are suing the government for jacking up their permit prices for the annual event in the desert. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we address the issue, “Can you get a refund for your ticket if your airline goes out of business? What if your flight is canceled? Does the airline HAVE to give you your money back, or can they give you a voucher for a future flight?” The answers are yes, if your airline is out of business; and yes again, you can insist on cash if your flight is canceled. Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel, Clayton Whitehead of Sports Leisure Vacations, and Ed Perkins, longtime travel journalist; all join us for Travel Roundtable. Our topics are how travel changed in the last decade, and what changes might be awaiting us in the next ten years. Uber and Lyft and selfies and Instagram and Facebook all came of age with travelers in the last decade. Plus, discounted long distance airlines came and went, we now pay for our chosen seats on planes and a whole lot more.

A lawsuit with a former concessionaire has been settled, allowing the National Park Service to call the Ahwahnee Hotel by its actual name again, you've probably heard the story about the early closing of Daffodil Hill this spring, pointing out how social media is exasperating the “over-tourism” problem…. To make you a Smarter Traveler, we have Travel Advisor Gwen Duncan on hand to talk about hotels. What to do if your reservation is lost, or more importantly, how to make sure it isn't lost before arrival. And what if you don't like your room? Most of us who travel use wi-fi in hotels, but we have a guest who says that's really a bad idea. Robert McGarvey talks about why you want to avoid hotel wi-fi, and what some of the alternatives are. We dig into our mailbag and answer some of your travel questions. Topics include REAL ID, saving seats on Southwest, the parking problems at Sacramento International and a reminder about what to do if your flight is delayed late into the evening, or early morning.

The battle against Marriott Hotels, and the way they have charged their resort fees for years, has stepped up this week. The District of Columbia A.G. is seeking a court order to require Marriott to change the way they price their product immediately. Be a Smarter Traveler by knowing Ten Great Pieces of Hotel/Resort Etiquette. Gwen Duncan, of Cordially Yours Travel, joins us to talk about Travel Mishaps you can avoid before and during your travel, including what to do if you lose your passport when traveling. Hamilton is the most popular musical in history. It is currently playing is San Francisco on an open-ended run, extending into 2020. We talk with Ruben Carbajal, one of the principal cast members about what it's like to take the stage 8 times a week in this incredible show. Ruben also traveled with the San Francisco company recently to Puerto Rico, for some very special Hamilton performances.

United has become the latest airline to blow up its award ticket chart. Airbnb is under fire after a vacationing family found a live streaming camera in a Cork, Ireland home. A young South Carolina woman was found murdered after waiting for a ride share. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how to be safe when ride sharing. Matthew Felix wrote a book called Porcelain Travels, focusing on adventures involving porcelain…use your imagination. Rob Palmer claims to be the world's first travel blogger. He made a living at it long before many of the current bloggers were born.

A cruise ship has installed a roller coaster and a U.S. hotel is using robots to deliver room service, would female travelers like to see “women's only” sections on flights? In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark shares the list, which features his personal pet-peeve, Mark has spent much of the week on a steamboat on the Mississippi River. Reporter Clayton Whitehead joins him to talk about the cruise and some of its destinations in Mississippi, We also talk with the ship's “Riverlorian,” the steamboat version of a floating historian, and Mark gives his review of the American Queen.

Sacramento International Airport has a new Director of Airports, The FBI has announced they have found a pair of Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, Hawaiian Airlines has announced the longest domestic flight route in the U.S., Gwen Duncan joins our Smarter Traveler segment to talk about travel waivers, Preview Day a new catalog rolling out over 30 new adventures in the U.S. and around the world, Glamping have some of the basic conveniences of home, and annually Sacramento bestows the Elly Awards.