If you’re the kind of person who thinks there’s no better way to spend a beautiful day than by challenging yourself on a mountain trail, these 10 day hikes will be right up your alley. They take in some of America’s most impressive scenery—and they’re all doable without spending the night on the trail. Image Gallery View as one page Mount Rogers, Virginia Rating: Easy. Conquer the Rhododendron Trail and you'll get bragging points for having climbed Virginia's highest peak (Mount Rogers). You might even see a wild pony on the way, too. The loop is just 1.5 miles round-trip, and if you visit in June then the trail's namesake flowers will be in full bloom. Mount Rogers, Virginia Rating: Easy. Conquer the Rhododendron Trail and you'll get bragging points for having climbed Virginia's highest peak (Mount Rogers). You might even see a wild pony on the way, too. The loop is just 1.5 miles round-trip, and if you visit in June then the … [Read more...] about 10 Great American Day Hikes
Americans
The Vast Majority of Americans Don’t Know Their Air Travel Rights
A new survey of over 2,000 people across the U.S. found that a whopping 92 percent of Americans don’t know what their air travel rights are when they take to the sky, and this lack of understanding costs travelers $6 billion in unclaimed compensation every year. The study was conducted by AirHelp, a company that helps air passengers secure compensation for delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights. Related:This Website Can Get You Money for Flight Delays or Cancellations The study also finds that 75 percent of U.S. air travelers feel uninformed by the airlines, and 77 percent of air passengers who have suffered a disrupted flight don’t file a claim in the US. AirHelp pins the blame on poor communication of air travel rights from the airlines. “What this shows is that the implementation of air passenger rights regulation EC 261, a 14-year-old law that also covers U.S. citizens traveling to and from Europe, is not widespread enough,” the … [Read more...] about The Vast Majority of Americans Don’t Know Their Air Travel Rights
State Department Bans Americans from Traveling to North Korea
Increasing concerns over the risk of being arrested and detained in North Korea have led the U.S. Department of State to restrict Americans from traveling there. The ban is expected to go into effect on September 1. North Korea Travel Ban The announcement came after an American traveler died earlier this summer, days after being released from incarceration in North Korea. Arrested during a tour in January 2016 for trying to steal a poster, university student Otto Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labor; he died days after being returned to the U.S. in a coma in June. Tour companies operating in North Korea had been weighing restrictions on Americans since Warmbier’s death. Young Pioneer Tours, the outfit Warmbier traveled with, stated it would not accept Americans any longer. Uri Tours was in the process of reviewing its policy on Americans, tour manager Elliott Davies said, when the new ban was announced. The restriction is unfortunate, said Brian … [Read more...] about State Department Bans Americans from Traveling to North Korea
Arrogant American Cops
The Police States of America. I was walking down High Street in Columbus, Ohio with my friend Jeff, a tall, lanky young man with pale skin, a light, scraggly beard and three year’s growth of long, tangled dreadlocks. I was railing against the American police state as we went, when we passed a dense line gathered outside of the Newport Concert Hall. The sidewalk was blocked, and with no traffic in the immediate vicinity I stepped 6 inches into the street and walked around the crowd before returning to the sidewalk. A moment later, a police cruiser pulled up beside me and the passenger side window rolled down. “Hey! Come over here!” I heard a voice from inside the cruiser. “Yeah?” I asked, looking into the vehicle and seeing a young cop with blonde hair, cold grey eyes and an arrogant smirk across his face. “You need to talk to me, man?” “Yeah, I need to talk to you,” he said, spitting out the final word with surprising contempt. … [Read more...] about Arrogant American Cops
Sunset Beach at American Village
The island of Okinawa reminds me a lot of my country, the Philippines. It feels like home to me because of the exotic tropical ambiance of this island. I like Sunset Beach near American Village. Couples spend a romantic afternoon along the beach after they shop at American Village and wait for the marvelous sunset to happen. It is indeed a perfect romantic date place. American influence is undoubtedly strong here in American Village. The US military base is just around the corner. It's no wonder why the shops and restaurants are so Westernized. … [Read more...] about Sunset Beach at American Village
5 Ugly American Stereotypes You Can Learn From
Fair or not, American travelers are sometimes given a bad rap abroad. The ugly American stereotype paints us as insensitive, loud, and unfashionable—even if most of us aren’t! Instead of getting mad about it, why not take it as travel advice? Here’s what you can learn from the ugly American stereotype. Ugly American Stereotype #1: Lack of Fashion Sense Related: 11 Travel Clothes That Feel Like Pajamas (But Look First Class) Ugly American Stereotype #2: Talking Too Loudly It’s human nature to speak more loudly when you feel like you’re not being understood. Unfortunately, if you don’t share a common language with the person you’re talking to, no amount of volume increase will help the other person make sense of what you’re saying. If you’re having trouble learning basic phrases in a foreign language, or you tend to panic and forget what you’ve learned when trying it out on an actual person, try carrying around one of these … [Read more...] about 5 Ugly American Stereotypes You Can Learn From
American to Enhance Main Cabin Extra, Further Dividing Cabin Experiences
While not public yet, American Airlines apparently intends to make some small but meaningful enhancements to its Main Cabin Extra class of economy seats. The Forward Cabin, the airline will add complimentary beer, wine, and spirits to the fare class, along with dedicated overhead bin space. Currently, Main Cabin Extra offers extra legroom, early boarding, and an otherwise standard economy class experience. And while the addition of free alcoholic beverages is nice to have, the dedicated overhead bin space is the real eye-catcher here. Related: What Is Basic Economy? An Airline-by-Airline Guide More specifically, American apparently intends to put placards on the overhead bins to indicate they are reserved for Main Cabin Extra passengers. However—and this is an important however—flight attendants are not responsible for monitoring that overhead space. So, American is really just placing labels on overhead bins and relying on passengers to play along. The move reflects … [Read more...] about American to Enhance Main Cabin Extra, Further Dividing Cabin Experiences
American Will Launch New York-Chicago Shuttle Service in April
Among the 52 new 2018 nonstop flights announced today by American is a new shuttle service between New York’s LaGuardia and Chicago’s O’Hare airports. Related:Should Airlines Get Rid of Reclining Seats? This One Is Beginning on April 4, American will launch new hourly flights between the two airports. Among the service’s features: free beer and wine, dedicated gates close to security, and an extended cut-off time for checking in. (American already flies frequently between the two airports, so the shuttle is to an extent just a rescheduling and rebranding of existing service.) American will be competing head-to-head with Delta’s New York-Chicago shuttle service. New routes on the list for 2018 include flights to Budapest, Czech Republic, Hungary, Prague, and Reykjavik, Iceland. More from SmarterTravel: 2017 Was the Safest-Ever Year to Fly New Disney Policy Puts Security Over Privacy Wallet Watch: The Latest Nasty Fee for Basic Economy Fares After 20 years … [Read more...] about American Will Launch New York-Chicago Shuttle Service in April
American Offers Bonus Miles for New Zealand Flights
When is a bonus generous enough to affect the choice of airline, or the timing of a trip? American’s new mileage offer for New Zealand flights is likely to leave you mulling over that question. Offer Details Between August 15 and October 31, American AAdvantage members can earn up to 30,000 bonus miles for American flights between Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand, as follows: Eligible economy-class fare types: Y, H, K, M, L, W, V, G, Q, N, O, and S. Eligible business-class fare types: J, R, D, and I. The bonus may be earned a maximum of two times, for two qualifying roundtrip flights. Registration is required, using promotion code AKL16. Deal or No Deal Late-August roundtrip flights to New Zealand currently price out at $1,428 for coach, and between $7,000 and $8,000 for business class. Flight distance is around 6,500 miles each way, so 13,000 miles roundtrip. In context of either the airfare or the flight miles, the bonuses are decidedly modest—the economy-class … [Read more...] about American Offers Bonus Miles for New Zealand Flights
10 Great American Destinations for Summer
This two-state park in Tennessee and North Carolina is America's most visited national park—and for good reason. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has such diverse flora and fauna that it is designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage site. There are more than 500,000 acres to explore here—what are you waiting for? This two-state park in Tennessee and North Carolina is America's most visited national park—and for good reason. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has such diverse flora and fauna that it is designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage site. There are more than 500,000 acres to explore here—what are you waiting for? Nothing says America like the Statue of Liberty. This iconic symbol of freedom and democracy sits on Liberty Island, just a short ferry ride from Manhattan. Lady Liberty recently reopened to the public, and now visitors can climb the 377 steps up to the crown for amazing views … [Read more...] about 10 Great American Destinations for Summer