Tag Archives: travel tips

aerial photo of Cancun from an airplane

How to Find the Best Seat on the Plane

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The travel problem: How to choose the best possible seat on your flight.

 

The solution: SeatGuru.com. It’s not new, but it’s tried and true.

Yes, you can see the basic layout of an airplane on an airline’s own site. But when choosing your seat, it’s important to know more than just the location within the plane (though identifying the middle seat is key, of course). That’s why I click over to SeatGuru before making my seat selection every time I fly.

Type in the airline, date, and flight number (or departure location and destination if you don’t have your flight number handy), and SeatGuru provides a detailed map of the plane. Roll over individual seats to see specific details about each one: If it has limited recline, reduced seat width, or is right next to the bathroom, SeatGuru will warn you. A more general overview of the aircraft is also provided, including such things as inflight amenities and food options.

SeatGuru can even help you choose a better aircraft in the first place—one with roomier seats and better in-seat entertainment—thanks to its comparison charts. After you’ve used SeatGuru to suss out the best aircraft and comfiest seat, though, don’t forget that there are three additional steps to ensure you end up in the best seat possible.

As for the mobile app, it comes in handy when you’re at the airport and you suddenly find yourself assigned to a new aircraft (either because your flight is cancelled or your airline switches the aircraft being used) and you need to quickly check out your new seat assignment so you know whether to ask to be moved.

Full disclosure, SeatGuru is part of the ever-growing TripAdvisor family, and I’m TripAdvisor’s Travel Advocate. But I’ve been using the site since long before it was bought by TripAdvisor in 2007. It’s one of those indispensable digital tools that gives travelers valuable information and helps us make better travel choices. Now, if only it could tell us which side of the plane to sit on for the best views out the window!

 

See more sites and apps in Wendy’s Digital Toolkit:

How to Reserve Airline Tickets for Up to Three Weeks

How to Find the Best Flight for Your Money

How to Find the Best Way to Get from One Place to Another

 

View of Manhattan from airplane window.

How to Reserve Airline Tickets for Up to Three Weeks

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The travel problem: You see airline tickets for a great price, but you haven’t really nailed down your trip plans yet. Will those dates work for everyone? Does the hotel you want even have rooms available? Most important, will the fare go up if you wait till tomorrow? By law, U.S. airlines have to give you a full refund within 24 hours of booking if you change your mind, but 24 hours isn’t always enough time to figure it all out.

The tool that solves it: Options Away, a website and app that lets you lock in an airfare and reserve it for up to three weeks. Launched by Robert and Heidi Brown—who both have backgrounds in the finance industry—Options Away operates the way stock options do: You give a little bit of money up front for the right to purchase the airfare you want later.

Search the site for flights just as you would anywhere else; when you find the one you like, you’ll see a few different hold “options” you can purchase—3 days, 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days. (There’s also a $4 24-hour option, but since the Department of Transportation requires U.S. airlines to allow customers to cancel or change their tickets within 24 hours for a full refund, you don’t need Options Away for that.) The fee for the option is separate from the cost of the airfare and usually ranges from $9 for three days to about $45 for three weeks, though it can be as high as $80 depending on route, price of the flight, and length of time before departure. Purchase the option you want for the flight you like, and then come back before your time limit expires to buy the flight at that same cost. If you decide you don’t want the flight, just let your option expire; you’ll lose the option fee, but that may be less painful than losing the whole fare or paying a flight-change fee.

Some airlines offer similar services—United has FareLock, for instance—but at Options Away you can search and compare fares and schedules from multiple airlines at a time. You can even search for flights for other people—no traveler information is required at the time of purchase and options are transferrable. What’s more, during your option period, whether it’s one week or three, Options Away will continue to look for lower fares and will alert you to any new possibilities when you sign back into your account. (If you prefer the new fare and want to book it right away, there is no change fee; however, if you want to lock in the newly suggested fare, you must purchase a new option and let the old one expire.)

For now you can purchase options on domestic flights only, but cofounder Heidi Brown says that international flights are planned soon (and rental car options are available now too). “We have the ability to add airport pairs whenever we feel we are staffed to do so,” Brown said via email, but adds, “We insist on ‘Zappos-like’ customer service and feel that we must only grow at a pace that allows us to offer this.”

Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Japan

How to Choose the Right Camera for your Travel Photography

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Ansel Adams had it easy. When he was photographing the American West there were few choices of cameras for travel photography, and most of those choices were big, heavy, and expensive and took the knowledge of a pro to use. For photographers today, there are lots of options, and choosing a camera for travel can be a daunting task. While price is always a consideration, the two most important criteria when selecting a camera for travel photography are image quality and physical size. Today’s digital cameras come in four size categories: pocket, enthusiast, mirrorless and DSLR. We’re going to look at each category—and recommend good cameras in each—so you can figure out which to take on your next trip.

 

Pocket Cameras

Pocket cameras are the smallest and least expense. They come with very few features, and usually their image quality and performance is mediocre. It’s very hard to recommend pocket cameras these days as most of the cameras in smartphones will equal or surpass them in image quality and performance. Plus, smartphones will have larger screens and allow you to easily share your images via email, text or on a social network like Instagram or Facebook.

 

Enthusiast Cameras

For the photo enthusiast who wants better pictures than smartphones are capable of snapping, but still wants a camera that will fit into a pocket, there’s a category known as enthusiast or advanced point-and-shoot cameras. These have two main features that put them above smartphones and pocket cameras: larger imaging sensors and “very fast” lenses (meaning they’re able to allow a lot of light to come in the camera, which translates into better pictures, especially in low light).

Sensor size is really important in camera choice because it affects image quality: The larger the sensor, the better the image quality. To put this in perspective, the smallest sensors that are found in pocket cameras and smartphones are less than a 1/4 inch when measured diagonally. In enthusiast and advanced point-and-shoot cameras, the image sensors range in size from a 1/2 inch to an inch; while in mirrorless and DSLRs the image sensors range in size from 1 and 1/4 inches to 1 and 3/4 inches.

Enthusiast cameras offer fully automatic shooting as well as semi-manual and fully manual settings so that the photographer can customize how their pictures will look. Many of these cameras also offer “scene modes” that allow a photographer to tell the camera what type of picture they are taking (i.e. portrait, landscape, sports, close up, etc.) so the camera will optimize the settings for best results.

The other feature that sets the best enthusiast cameras apart is a viewfinder, either built-in or as an optional external add-on. In bright sunlight, it can be challenging to shoot pictures using the screen on the back of the camera. Sunglasses, especially polarized ones, will also make it tough to see the display. But a viewfinder will remedy this problem, making it much easier to compose your photos.

Expect to pay between $400 and $900 for a good enthusiast camera and don’t forget to buy extra batteries and memory cards. As of this writing, here are the best enthusiast or advanced point-and-shoot cameras:

Read our reviews: The Best Enthusiast Cameras for Travel Photography

 

 

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless is the newest category of digital cameras. In fact, the category is so new there’s still a debate about what to call it: Since DSLRs are really the only ones with mirrors in them, technically all cameras except DSLRs are mirrorless. However, the mirrorless cameras we’re going to look at all have the ability to allow the photographer to change lenses, setting them apart from the enthusiast cameras.

With sensors much larger than the enthusiast class of cameras, mirrorless models offer outstanding image quality, speedy performance, and both automatic and manual control. Sizewise, mirrorless cameras fit in between enthusiast cameras and DSLRs; they won’t fit in your pocket but, they also won’t feel like an albatross dangling from your neck.

This category of cameras is quickly becoming the travel camera of choice for professional photographers when they’re on vacation. Pros are used to lugging equipment for paid assignments and the last thing they want to do while on vacation is lug gear. Yet with mirrorless cameras, you can get most of the performance and image quality of a DSLR in a much smaller, lighter and less expensive package.

Mirrorless cameras come both with and without viewfinders. Some of the models that don’t have built-in viewfinders offer them as an accessory. As with the enthusiast cameras, it’s best to get one with a viewfinder. Also, you’ll probably want a small camera bag and a few accessories such as a protective filter for the lens, extra batteries, memory cards and a lens cleaning cloth.

You can purchase mirrorless cameras as a kit with a lens or as body-only and select a lens. Most of the lenses packaged as kits with mirrorless cameras are pretty good. However, many of the manufacturers do offer upgraded lenses. To get these, you’ll either buy the camera body-only and then the lens separately (which will cost you a little more than buying the kit), or you can buy the kit first and then upgrade the lens later. If you are planning to upgrade your lens, be aware that the kit lens has very little value if you try to sell it, and you probably won’t ever use it again after upgrading. So if you’re thinking about getting a better lens, it’s really best to buy the camera body-only and the better lens separately—it will be cheaper in the long run.

Mirrorless cameras are the future of photography. Expect to pay between $400 and $1,700 for a mirrorless camera with lens. As of this writing, here are the best mirrorless cameras:

Read our reviews: The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography

 

 

DSLRs

This is the most advanced category of digital cameras—these are the ones the pros use. There’s no question they produce the best image quality, have the fastest operational speed and the most features. They’re also the largest, heaviest and most expensive of all the camera types. It’s strongly advised that before you buy a DSLR for travel photography you go to a store and feel the size and weight of it. Many travelers who buy DSLRs end up leaving them at home or in their hotel rooms, as they don’t enjoy carrying such a heavy camera around all day.

DSLR stands for digital single lens reflex, which in non-tech speak means the camera is digital, has one lens (that can be changed) and has a mirror inside the camera that flips out of the way when the photo is being taken. The biggest advantage of these cameras are the viewfinders, which offer what-you-see-is-what-you-get viewing without the lag of an electronic viewfinder (go to a camera store and look through both an optical viewfinder and an electronic one to see the difference). DSLRs focus and shoot much faster than other classes of cameras (although mirrorless is quickly catching up). They also offer the most extensive system of lenses, flashes and other accessories.

Pricing for DSLRs starts around $500 with a kit lens; however, even though you can buy a DSLR for less than the price of some of the other cameras mentioned in this article, it’s not recommended that you do so. To keep price points low, camera manufacturers build their low-end cameras and lenses with plastic instead of metal and minimize external controls in favor of menu-driven operation which isn’t always desirable. Here are the current best mid-range to high-end DSLRs:

Read our reviews: The Best DSLR Cameras for Travel Photography

 

 

—by Josh Laronge for wendyperrin.com

Josh Laronge is a professional photographer, photo educator and avid traveler. He’s photographed on all seven continents and his photos are published in a wide range of periodicals.

 

Read our full guide to the best cameras for travel photography:

Best Enthusiast Cameras for Travel Photography

Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography

Best DSLR Cameras for Travel Photography

Canon EOS 6D camera

Best DSLR Cameras for Travel Photography

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DSLRs are the most advanced category of digital cameras—these are the ones the pros use. There’s no question they produce the best image quality, have the fastest operational speed and the most features. They’re also the largest, heaviest and most expensive of all the camera types. Purchase a camera at least a month before your trip so you have time to practice with it and get comfortable with lugging around. Not sure the DSLR is the type of camera for you? Read our full guide on how to choose the right camera for your travel photography.

Pentax K-5 IIs ($699 body-only) Pentax started making cameras in 1952 and has produced some of the most iconic, well-regarded film cameras and lenses. The K-5 IIs carries the Pentax tradition into the digital age. In the K-5 IIs, Pentax leaves out an anti-aliasing filter, which is commonly found in most DSLRs to smooth edges by softening them. Without this filter, the K-5 IIs delivers sharper pictures with crisp, clean details. The K-5 IIs is also a very user-friendly camera with intuitive menus and controls. The body is built of magnesium and stainless steel for ruggedness in the field; it’s also weather-sealed and can operate in temperatures from 14 to 104 degrees. There’s an extensive cadre of lenses, flashes and accessories available for the camera. At a $700 price point for the body and an excellent lens for $600, there’s no better value in a DSLR.

Canon EOS 6D ($1,699 body-only) The Canon EOS 6D features a Full Frame sensor—the largest sensor size currently available in DSLRs—giving it great image quality and the ability to shoot pictures in very low light. Full Frame DSLRs are the higher-end of the category, and the 6D is considered an entry-level Full Frame camera (while at the same time it’s considered a mid-level DSLR). To keep the price lower, the 6D sacrifices a little on performance and build quality by using polycarbonate instead of metal in some places, but it still offers excellent image quality. Nevertheless, the creative photographer will find the 6D has all the tools to make great images and that the polycarbonate does help cut down the weight. The camera also shoots Hollywood-level HD video, has built-in Wi-Fi, and has built-in GPS that will let you plot your photos on a digital map.

Nikon D810 ($3,299 body-only) At a cost of more than $3,000 the Nikon D800 is pricey. However, you’re paying for the best image quality currently available in a DSLR and a solid, well-built camera packed with features. The D800 has every bell and whistle, including extremely accurate autofocus with face detection, precise metering for perfect exposures and broadcast-quality video. It also offers professional features such as an extra durable shutter, two memory card slots, and hi-speed recording and transfer of files. The D810 is compatible with Nikon’s huge selection of lenses and with the brand’s intelligent flash system, which enables you to take great photos using multiple flashes (a tricky thing to do).

For further in-depth information on the cameras mentioned in this article check out www.dpreview.com.  

—by Josh Laronge for wendyperrin.com Josh Laronge is a professional photographer, photo educator and avid traveler. He’s photographed on all seven continents and his photos are published in a wide range of periodicals.

Read our full guide to the best cameras for travel photography:

How to Choose the Right Camera for Travel Photography

Best Enthusiast Cameras for Travel Photography

Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography

Fujifilm X-T1 mirrorless camera

Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography

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Mirrorless cameras are quickly becoming the travel cameras of choice for professional photographers when they’re on vacation—they’re lighter than DSLRs but deliver similar performance and image quality. Here, we review the top mirrorless models for travel photographers available now. For reviews of advance point-and-shoots and DSLRs, read our full guide on how to choose the right camera for your travel photography.

Olympus PEN E-PM2 ($399 w/ two kit lenses) Olympus, together with Panasonic, started the mirrorless camera segment. Their goal was to achieve DSLR image quality in a small package, and with the PEN series of cameras, Olympus succeeded. The E-PM2 is the smallest and least expensive of all the PEN cameras but, thanks to performance and image quality comparable to the more expensive and larger models, it’s a terrific value. In the two-lens kit mentioned here, you get wide-angle to mid-telephoto covered in two compact lenses. When you’re ready to add to your camera system you’ll have plenty of choice: More than 65 different lenses work with the E-PM2. These lenses will fit any Olympus or Panasonic mirrorless camera, so if you decide to upgrade the body in the future, you can use all the lenses you’ve amassed. To keep the E-PM2 compact, Olympus left off the viewfinder, but there is an accessory viewfinder available. Despite its small size, the E-PM2 is packed with features. The camera has 23 scene modes that help you take great photos of everything you could imagine, from fireworks to children to panoramas. There’s an HDMI port that lets you connect the camera to your television so you can show your pictures to your friends and family. The camera kit also includes a flash for taking pictures in low-light situations.

Sony Alpha a6000 ($798 w/ kit lens) The a6000 is intuitive to use while delivering excellent image quality. It is blazingly fast to focus and shoot, has an extensive set of features for all levels of photographers, and its Wi-Fi ability ensures connectivity. The a6000 also includes an excellent video mode with lots of options for the filmmaker. Since this camera is part of the Sony Alpha system, you’ll be able to find many lens and accessories available from Sony and other manufacturers.

Fujifilm X-T1 ($1699 w/ kit lens) When it comes to image quality, the Fujifilm X-T1 is the leader of the pack. Back in the old days of film shooting, Fujifilm was known for its vibrant, accurate colors. In the X-T1, Fujifilm carries on this tradition, digitally producing images with incredible detail and depth straight from the camera. The model’s features are high quality too. The viewfinder is bright and a joy to look through. The camera is weather-sealed to protect it from dust and light water splashes. The external controls are intuitive to use, as all the necessary settings are at the photographer’s finger tips. And the X-T1’s body design is cool and retro, making it feel and look like an old film camera. The Fujifilm lenses available for this model are excellent, and are arguably the best autofocus lenses made for any mirrorless camera. Fujifilm lenses are substantially less expensive than the equivalents in other brands, and the kit lens that comes with the camera is, hands down, the best kit lens available.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 ($1698 body-only) Panasonic’s GH4 takes great still photos but where it really shines is in the video department. The GH4 is able to shoot in 4K, which is the next generation of video and twice the resolution of the beautiful HDTV you’re used to watching. All the lenses in the Olympus/Panasonic system are compatible with this camera, including lenses dedicated for video with silent motorized operation. While shooting video, you can push the shutter release and capture a full-resolution still image without interrupting the video. The camera is built with a robust magnesium chassis, weather sealed, and has a silent mode that’s perfect for shooting performances without creating distracting noise.   For further in-depth information on the cameras mentioned in this article check out www.dpreview.com.  —by Josh Laronge for wendyperrin.com  Josh Laronge is a professional photographer, photo educator and avid traveler. He’s photographed on all seven continents and his photos are published in a wide range of periodicals.

Read our full guide to the best cameras for travel photography: How to Choose the Right Camera for Travel Photography Best Enthusiast Cameras for Travel Photography Best DSLR Cameras for Travel Photography

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III digital camera

Best Enthusiast Cameras for Travel Photography

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Enthusiast, or advanced point-and-shoot, cameras are for budding photographers who have outgrown their smartphones but aren’t quite ready to take on something as big as a DSLR. Enthusiast cameras still fit in a pocket, but they’re packed with larger imaging sensors and more light-sensitive lenses, improving image quality and their ability to take better pics in low light. Here, we’re reviewing the top models available now (but if you’re looking a more advanced camera, don’t miss our reviews of mirrorless and DSLRs in our full guide on how to choose the right camera for your travel photography).

 

Canon PowerShot S120 ($449)
Canon’s S cameras have long been professional photographers’ choice for a compact camera to carry when they want to leave their pro gear behind. The reason for this popularity is simple: The S120 offers good image quality in a very small package. The S120 focuses and shoots quickly and has a vibrant screen with touch-screen controls, making the camera very easy to operate. An optional waterproof housing is available; it allows full control in harsh environments and works underwater to 130 feet.

Olympus Stylus XZ-2 ($599)
The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 is slightly larger and more robust than the Canon PowerShot S120 yet still pocketable. It’s a very ergonomic camera and is a joy to hold and use. The lens on the XZ-2 is razor sharp and the quality of the images straight-out-of-the-camera are exceptional. There is an optional electronic viewfinder available for the camera, as well as a waterproof underwater housing.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III ($799)
While this Sony is the priciest of the three pocketable cameras here, its large one-inch sensor and built-in viewfinder make it arguably the best value. The lens on the RX100 III is very fast and sharp and offers a nice zoom range from wide-angle to short telephoto. The camera also features built-in Wi-Fi, which makes transferring photos easy and even lets you control the camera from your smartphone using a free Sony app.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 ($899)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 would typically be categorized in a class of cameras known as superzooms or bridge cameras. Superzoom cameras tend to cram in a ton of features but sacrifice image quality in the process (that’s the reason they’re not covered in this article). The FZ1000 is different, it features the same excellent one-inch sensor found in the Sony RX100 III but with a Leica designed lens that goes from wide-angle to super-telephoto. The camera is much bigger than the other enthusiast cameras featured here, approaching the size of larger mirrorless cameras. What you get for the extra size is versatility and performance. This is a great choice for going on safari or for any trip where you’ll be wanting to shoot sports or wildlife. In competent hands, the FZ1000 will give you results that near what a $10,000, 15-pound DSLR would offer.

For further in-depth information on the cameras mentioned in this article check out www.dpreview.com.

 

—by Josh Laronge for wendyperrin.com

Josh Laronge is a professional photographer, photo educator and avid traveler. He’s photographed on all seven continents and his photos are published in a wide range of periodicals.

 

 

Read our full guide to the best cameras for travel photography:

How to Choose the Right Camera for Travel Photography

Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography

Best DSLR Cameras for Travel Photography

Costa Rica white faced capuchin monkey

Best Activities for Children in Costa Rica

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Question:

Wendy,

My siblings and I are considering a family vacation to Costa Rica during spring break next April. There may be 8 to 12 children, ranging in age from 6 to 18, and we’d probably go for 7 to 8 nights.

There seems to be so much to do in Costa Rica. Do you have any suggestions that won’t break the bank for this animal- and nature-loving group?

—Priscilla O.

 

Answer:

Costa Rica is a popular destination for families, packed as it is with outdoor adventures that work for a variety of ages. Sadly, I haven’t made it there with my own kids yet. So, to get an answer for you, I turned to the Costa Rica experts from my WOW List, who have plenty of advice for large family groups. A first and foremost tip for this family in particular, but that will ring true for many travelers: Go to fewer places and spend more time in each place. Travel within Costa Rica is expensive—unless you take public transportation, which most Americans find too challenging. Furthermore, packing up and moving is a hassle. Twelve kids and, say, 6 to 8 adults: That’s 18 to 20 chances to leave something important in the last place you stayed. Also, the longer you stay in one place, the more you can get to know the locals.

Here are suggested activities for large family groups:

 

Costa Rica kids getting ready for white water rafting

Courtesy Costa Rica Expeditions

Whitewater rafting

Costa Rica is a narrow country just 10 degrees north of the equator, with a spine of mountains down the middle. This makes for world-class rivers for all ages and levels of difficulty, with dramatic tropical scenery and warm water. Rafting in general is a wonderful activity for kids. You learn teamwork, and how to overcome obstacles and challenges, yet there is very little danger. Costa Rica’s ideal conditions make it even better.

 

Looking for monkeys in the rainforest

Monkeys are hard enough to find in the forest that everyone will be excited when you see your first ones. There are four species of monkeys in Costa Rica: howler, spider, squirrel, and white-faced capuchin. Visitors who want to see monkeys and are willing to keep looking almost always see at least one species, though few visitors see all four. No matter how many species you see, learn about them all. What are the differences in their personalities, their families, their diets?

 

Surfing

Advances in surfboard design have made learning to surf much easier and safer than it used to be. Costa Rica has ideal waves for learning and good instructors all along the Pacific Coast. My favorite surf spots for kids are Nosara and Playa Grande. Another reason that Costa Rica is a great place to learn to surf is, as with rafting, warm water. There is something about friendly water that makes learning swift water sports a lot more pleasant.

 

Watching turtles nesting on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park

Visitors can actually stand a few feet from a 300-pound Green Sea Turtle while she lays 80 to 100 eggs, covers up her nest, perhaps digs a false nest to throw off predators, and, finally, after more than an hour, returns to the sea. No one ever forgets the experience. The season is June through October. During the peak months of July and August you have about an 85% chance of observing such nesting.

 

Helping local kids learn English

For children on vacation, nothing is as potentially valuable for them as consciously contributing to the places they visit. We have a program at Tortuga Lodge called the Word Adventure, in which guests help local kids learn English.

 

Zip-lining

Almost without fail, parents who are planning a family vacation want to include a zip line in their itinerary. There are a few things to keep in mind:

  • When determining which children can go, it’s more about weight than age. We use the guideline of minimum 70lbs but that is not always right, because the harness has to fit properly on the child. So if the harness doesn’t fit, they can’t do the zip line.
  • When kids are small and light, even when the harness fits properly, they usually will have to go in tandem with a guide. Parents often insist that they want to be the ones to zip with their child, but that’s not a good idea; their child is much safer with a guide.
  • As with any adventure sport, it’s a good idea to check a company’s safety record or their recommendations beforehand. (Neither is easy to do). Of the hundreds of zip lines available in Costa Rica, we only work with a handful. They were approved because they were built correctly and they are operated to safety standards by their guides.

 

Have a travel question for Wendy? Send it to her here.

 

 

Forbidden City Beijing China Red Door

Beijing Airport Layovers: The Best Way to Spend Them

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An airport layover doesn’t have to mean that you’re stuck in the airport. In this series, local experts in the world’s most popular hub cities recommend sightseeing itineraries for every time frame.

 

The great thing about an airport layover in China is that the country now offers 72-hour, visa-free layovers so that you can get out of the airport and into a few major cities for short sightseeing stints. Since Beijing is where many travelers to Asia first touch down, we talked to Context Travel’s Beijing experts to find out how to make the most of a PEK airport layover, no matter how short it is. Turns out that even just a few hours can give you the chance to check out Beijing’s art scene, food offerings, or historic attractions.

 

The Basics

How to exit the airport: Beijing immigration has a lane set aside for 72-hour, visa-free stopovers. When you arrive at immigration, be sure to have the boarding pass from your first flight and an onward plane ticket to (or airline confirmation for) a third destination—not the place from which you just came.

Taxi: Beijing traffic is notoriously terrible, but gridlock isn’t too bad outside of rush hour (7:30–9am, 5–7pm), especially coming in from the airport. Expect to queue for a cab for 15 to 20 minutes; the ride to the city center can take 40 to 50 minutes. Expect to pay around ¥70–¥80 (approximately US$11–$13) outside of rush hour; during rush-hour, the ride can take up to 80 minutes and cost up to ¥150 or so (about US$25). For your return to the airport, if you’re staying overnight and in a quiet area, have your hotel call a cab ahead of time.

Train: The Airport Express runs from Beijing Capital Airport to downtown Dongzhimen station in about 20 to30 minutes. You can find a train schedule here. Tickets are ¥25 each, and you’ll need to hang on to them to swipe out of the station. If you have an overnight layover and your hotel is walking distance from Dongzhimen or from a line 2 or 13 metro station, this is a quick and inexpensive way to get downtown. If you have heavy baggage, suffer from claustrophobia, or are not staying near Dongzhimen or metro lines 2 and 13, you’d do better to take a cab—even in rush hour. If you take the train to Dongzhimen during rush hour, you are unlikely to be able to find a cab once you exit the station.

Private tour: Context Travel has introduced a Beijing layover package. The five-hour package includes a scholar-led walking tour of both the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and lunch at a local restaurant with one of Context’s docents—all Beijing residents and experts in their academic fields. The price includes round-trip airport transfers, but you’ll still need five hours plus travel time to and from the airport. If your inbound flight is delayed, Context will do its best to adjust your tour schedule accordingly. Contact Context through Wendy’s WOW List to ensure VIP treatment and get the best possible experience.

What to do with your luggage: Stow your luggage either by checking it through with your airline company or leaving it at the Left Luggage service between T1 to T2 (¥20-¥50 per bag/day depending on the size).

 

If You Have a 6-Hour Layover

Save time and a headache by taking a cab to the 798 Art Zone. This pedestrian-only complex of former military factories-turned-galleries is only a 20-minute drive from the airport (about ¥25–¥30). For the return leg, be sure to leave yourself 20 extra minutes to flag down a cab on the main road outside the entrance to 798. Peruse the dozens of art studios and galleries, making sure to stop at Long March Space (4 Jiuxianqiao Lu; +86-10-5978-9768) and at Ullens Center (UCCA) (4 Jiuxianqiao Lu; +86-10-5780-0200) for its exhibitions and fantastic gift shop. Browse the books and grab a bite at Timezone 8 (4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, directly across from UCCA), tuck into vegetarian Chinese dishes at the delightful Buddha’s Bite (798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu 2 Jinxiangqiao Lu; 86-10-5762-6193), or kick back with a glass of wine in the courtyard of boutique hotel Grace Beijing (798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 706 Houjie; +86-10-6436-1818).

 

If You Have an 8-Hour Layover

Start off at the Temple of Heaven, which dates back to 1420. Surrounded by an enormous park, this is a good place to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Particularly in the early morning, Temple of Heaven Park is a hive of activity, and you’ll see locals exercising and practicing tai chi. In the afternoons, you’ll find more locals dancing, singing, playing chess, and flying kites. From the Temple of Heaven, it’s an hour’s walk north to the Forbidden City (the subway takes almost as long; a cab will take 15 minutes). Spend an hour or so in the Forbidden City—more and you’re likely to fall asleep on one of the benches—and then get a bite to eat before heading back to the airport. The restaurants within walking distance of the Forbidden City are upscale; there’s continental cuisine at Capital M (3/F No. 2 Qianmen Street, Pedestrian Area; +86-10-6702-2727)—whose terrace view includes the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square—and at Brian McKenna @ The Courtyard (95 Donghuamen Daji; +86-10-6526-8883), where McKenna dabbles in molecular gastronomy. If you have enough time and energy, walk 30 minutes along high street Wangfujing to Peking Duck purveyor Da Dong (5/F, 88 Jinbaojie). It’d be a shame to pass through China without eating its national dish, and this could be your only chance.

 

If You Have a 9-Hour Layover or More

After the Forbidden City, head to Gulou (literally, the drum tower) and meander through Beijing’s hutongs. These ancient narrow alleyways, between courtyard houses, have been heavily gentrified over the last few years, saving them from certain destruction. Though they remain charmingly local, the hutongs are now dotted with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bars, and even a boutique hotel—The Orchid (65 Baochao Hutong; +86-10-8404-4818). Go for dumplings at Mr. Shi’s(74 Baochao Hutong; +86-010-8405-0399), a craft beer at Great Leap Brewing (6 Doujiao Hutong; +86-10-5717-1399), and then retire to Zigzag (52 Wudaoying Hutong; +86-10-8404-0020) for a much-needed foot massage.

 

If You Don’t Have Time to Leave The Airport

Take advantage of the facilities at one of the nearby airport hotels. The Hilton (Terminal 3, 1 Sanjing Road; +86-10-6458-8888) can be reached on foot. It has a spa, indoor pool, gym, and Chinese and Western restaurants—significantly better than the few options you’ll find inside the airport. The restaurants are open to the public, and if you make an appointment at the spa you’ll have access to the pool and gym too. Depending on availability, the Hilton also offers day packages that allow you to check into a room between flights. A less expensive alternative, though one that requires catching a shuttle, is the Ibis (No. 2 Tianzhu ; +86-10-6456-7799), which has rooms for around $30; it doesn’t offer day packages, but early check-in and late check-out are possible. The Ibis has few entertaining amenities, but there’s free Wi-Fi in the lobby and hourly airport shuttles (the roads right around the airport are traffic-heavy and not ideal for pedestrians).

 

More Layover Solutions:

Amsterdam Airport Layovers: How to Make the Most of Them

Barcelona Airport Layovers: How to Make the Most of Them

Great Paris Hotels for an Airport Layover at Charles de Gaulle

London Heathrow Layover: Great Hotels for a Stopover at LHR

Madrid Airport Layovers: How to Make the Most of Them

Tokyo Airport Layovers: The Best Way to Spend Them

 

Be a smarter traveler: Use Wendy’s WOW List to plan your next trip. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

The Larder at Tavern restaurant in LAX

Best Ways to Spend Your Connection in 10 U.S. Airports

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As the storm season approaches and we brace ourselves for the flight delays and cancellations due to occur, we have a choice: We can either grumble about the time we waste stuck in airports, or we can turn them into new destinations to explore. You’d be surprised how many boring U.S. hubs have spas, museums, pools, legendary local restaurants, even golf. So the next time you’re connecting in an airport you hate to connect in, make the most of it with these suggestions:

 

Atlanta airport ATL Mini Suite

Minute Suites at ATL offer five private, noise-neutralized rooms where you can nap for $34/hour.  Photo Courtesy Minute Suites

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

See: A 31-foot-long Yangchuanosaurus dinosaur skeleton stands in the central atrium, a few steps from the security station. It’s on loan from the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

Eat: One Flew South serves much-buzzed-about “Southernational” cuisine, from shrimp and grits to pulled duck sandwiches to kamikaze rolls (Concourse E). If you’re craving fast comfort food, though, try The Varsity, an outpost of the famed local institution dating from 1928 and serving chili cheese dogs and Frosted Oranges (Terminal F).

Shower: The Club at ATL provides showers, TVs, Wi-Fi, work stations, food, and drinks for $35 for a day pass (Terminal F).

Sleep: Minute Suites offer five private, noise-neutralized rooms where you can nap for $34/hour (Concourse B, near Gate B16).

 

 

Chicago airport's O'Hare Hilton Hotel

Chicago’s O’Hare Hilton sells day passes to its health club for $20.  Photo Courtesy O’Hare Hilton

Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

Exercise: The O’Hare Hilton sells day passes to its health club (with an indoor pool reopening August 15) for $20 (Terminal 1).

Relax: Three Terminal Getaway Spa locations offer a menu of massages, from 10 to 90 minutes long (Terminal 3, near Gate H1; Terminal 1, near Gate B12; H/K Corridor, near the American Airlines Admirals Club).

Eat: There are three outposts of local celebrity chef Rick Bayless’s Tortas Frontera, where you can order up hand-crafted tortas and fresh guacamole made from top-quality ingredients from nearby farms (Terminal 1, near Gate B11; Terminal 3, near Gate K4; Terminal 5, near Gate M12).

Play: Kids on the Fly is a huge children’s-museum-slash-playground where parents can accomplish their pre-flight mission: exhausting their offspring (Terminal 2).

 

 

DFW Airport's Junior Flyers Club

DFW has three Junior Flyers Clubs, where toddlers can burn off energy climbing on mini cars and planes.  Photo Courtesy DFW International Airport

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)

Drink: Grab a Fig Fizz or an Isaac’s Apple in Grand Hyatt DFW’s Grand Met Lounge cocktail bar, home also to the airport’s only sushi bar.

See: Founders’ Plaza has telescopes and an Observation Area where you can watch aircraft take off and land.

Play: Run your toddlers in one of three Junior Flyers Club playgrounds (the largest is in Terminal B at Gate 12).

Relax: The Centurion Lounge offers showers, food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a family room to American Express cardholders for $50/day and to AmEx Platinum cardholders for free (Concourse D opposite Gate D17).

Golf (yes, golf): The Bear Creek Golf Club is adjacent to the airport, just a five-minute cab ride away. Tee times are open to the public; you can even book online.

 

 

Denver International Airport pedestrian bridge

At Denver International Airport, you can stand on a pedestrian bridge and watch planes pass right underneath.  Photo Courtesy Denver International Airport

Denver International (DEN)

Eat: Denver chef Justin Cucci’s popular field-to-fork restaurant Root Down has an outpost at DIA (C Gates). Don’t have that kind of time? Grab handmade potato chips at Randy Petersen’s favorite DIA hangout, Lefty’s (B Gates, Near Gate B48).

Marvel: The pedestrian bridge that connects the terminal with the concourse passes right over the tops of planes as they taxi. Look down and be awed by the giant flying machines.

Detoxify: Choose from a range of massages and treatments, starting at just 15 minutes long, at XpresSpa (Concourse C, Center Core).

 

Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas McCarran Airport

American Express cardholders can grab food, Wi-Fi, or even a shower at the Centurion Lounge at LAS.  Photo Courtesy Centurion Lounge

Las Vegas McCarran (LAS)

See: The Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum depicts a slice of aviation history (Level 2, above baggage claim).

Relax: The Centurion Lounge offers showers, food, drink, Wi-Fi, and a family room to American Express cardholders for $50/day and to AmEx Platinum cardholders for free (Concourse D, opposite Gate D1). No AmEx card? Buy a day pass to The Club at LAS for $35 (Terminal 1, D Gates; Terminal 3, across from Gate E2).

Relax some more: There are two XpresSpas here, offering manicures, pedicures, waxing, foot, neck, and back massages—the works (Terminal 1, near Gate D32, and Terminal 3).

 

 

The Larder at Tavern at LAX

The Larder at Tavern at LAX

Los Angeles International (LAX)

Gorge: Tom Bradley International Terminal now includes outposts of Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio’s ink.sack; James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin’s Larder at Tavern; a Petrossian in case you’re craving caviar, blinis, or any of 20 types of vodka; and an Umami Burger that’s even open for breakfast.

Learn: Traveling with kids or model-aircraft nuts? The Flight Path Learning Center is a museum devoted to the history of aviation in SoCal (LAX Imperial Terminal; open Tues-Sat from 10-3; admission free).

Chill: There’s an XpresSpa in Terminal 5 as well as in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (between gates 154-156).

 

 

Miami Airport Training Dog Casey

Soothe pre-flight jitters by spending time with Casey, Miami airport’s therapy dog.  Photo Courtesy Miami International Airport

Miami International (MIA)

Drink: Grab a mojito with a panoramic view at Top of the Port, the rooftop bar and restaurant at the Miami International Airport Hotel (Terminal E).

Eat: Versailles, the Little Havana landmark that calls itself “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant,” has outposts in Terminal D.

Shop: It’s worth a stroll to the colorful Romero Britto concept store in Terminal D.

Snuggle: Casey, the therapy dog, is a trained golden retriever who wanders the airport delivering stress relief and smiles.

Golf: A 10-minute cab ride away, the Trump National Doral Miami’s golf course has tee times open to the public.

 

 

Metropolitan Museum of Art Store at Newark Airport

Find elegant last-minute gifts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store in Newark Airport.  Photo Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Newark Liberty (EWR)

Ride: When my kids were smaller I could entertain them for hours simply riding the AirTrain from terminal to terminal. At sunset on clear nights the ride yields colorful views of the tarmac and the Manhattan skyline; keep your camera ready.

Dine: The outposts of two legendary Manhattan eateries, Gallagher’s steak house and the Grand Central Oyster Bar, may lack the ambience of their flagships but serve great grub nonetheless (Terminal C).

Shop: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store is the go-to boutique for elegant yet affordable gifts (Terminal C).

 

 

Yoga Room at San Francisco International Airport

SFO’s Yoga Room, the first ever in an airport, lets you get in a good stretch before you board your flight.  Photo Courtesy San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International (SFO):

See: There are serious art exhibitions throughout, as well as an Aviation Museum in the International Terminal dedicated to preserving the history of commercial flight.

Meditate: Make the world’s first Yoga Room in an airport your zen zone (Terminal 2).

Play: There’s a scavenger-hunt-style self-guided tour for children of all ages. It takes only half an hour, and you even get a prize at the end (Terminal 2). For younger ones, there are three Kids’ Spots for unleashing pent-up energy (Terminal 3, Boarding Area E near Gates 60 and 62; Terminal 3, Boarding Area F near Gate 87A).

Eat: My own kids can’t pass through SFO without steering me toward their favorite airport eatery, Fung Lum, for noodles, dim sum, and won ton soup (Terminals 1 and 3 food courts and International Terminal food court).

 

 

Max & Erma restaurant's Garbage Burger

You won’t go hungry during your flight if you fill up on Max & Erma’s Garbage Burger, topped with smoked bacon, cheddar, Swiss, American, mozzarella, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, guacamole, and marinara.  Photo Courtesy Max & Erma’s

Washington Dulles (IAD):

 Shop: The Smithsonian Store is like a mini-trip to the various collections that comprise the Smithsonian, including the National Zoo (Terminal B, Gate B37).

Eat: Max & Erma’s serves up an outrageous selection of gourmet burgers, including the “garbage burger that started it all.” There’s even an All-You-Can-Eat Sundae Bar (B Concourse).

Marvel: Just south of the airport sits a massive and thrilling branch of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, where you can easily spend a day ogling everything from vintage aircraft to the Enola Gay to the space shuttle. You can reach the museum in about ten minutes either by cab or by the new direct bus service from the airport which starts July 26 (bus fare $1.75 each way). Forget that ice cream sundae and just go!

 

What’s your favorite U.S. airport find? Share it with us!

 

Be a smarter traveler: Follow Wendy Perrin on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know. 

Maia Luxury Resort, Anse Louis Beach, Seychelles

Secrets to a Better Hotel Stay

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When TripAdvisor published its list of the ten hotels in the world with the best service, and I noticed that most of them are reasonably priced, I wrote How to Get Five-Star Service Without Paying Five-Star Prices and asked my friends on Facebook (frequent travelers, of course) this question: How do you get better service at hotels? When a problem crops up, how do you get it fixed, pronto?  I thought I’d share their strategies, as well as my own:

* “Tip the bellboy who delivers your bags to your room generously, and the rest of the hotel staff will hear about it in no time at all. That first tip with a big smile is the key.”  — Joe Yudin, WOW List Trusted Travel Expert for Israel

* “Make sure you speak to a person who can resolve the issue, and that varies from property to property.” — Sandy Ferguson,WOW List Trusted Travel Expert for Southeast Asia

* “Call the front desk, or the executive concierge (if you are on an executive floor), and explain the problem in a calm, respectful way. If that does not generate prompt attention, ask to speak with the hotel duty manager.” — Toby Saltzman, travelterrific

* “First rule: You get more bees with sugar than with vinegar. Keep your cool. Second rule: Be prepared to state what will make you happy. Know what you want in any negotiation.” — Charles Wolfe, Hurley Travel Experts

 

And here are my own tried-and-true tips:

* Book through a travel agent or destination specialist who has a close relationship with the hotel and sends it a lot of business. A travel agent who is tight with the hotel’s general manager and sits on the hotel company’s travel agent advisory board, for example, gets priority treatment (and extra perks) for his/her guests.  Should a problem arise, the hotel’s manager will likely rush to rectify it (for fear that the hotel could lose the travel firm’s business); if the problem doesn’t get rectified, the travel agent can intervene on your behalf.  (If you’re in need of the right travel specialist for a trip you have in mind and you’d like a recommendation, you may ask me here.

* Get a name to email. Look up the hotel on TripAdvisor, note the name of the manager or other employee who is replying to the negative reviews, grab his or her email address off TripAdvisor or from the front desk, and send him or her an email. Say that you’re at the hotel and are apprising him of your complaint so that he has a chance to rectify it before you get home and write your review.

* Take to Twitter.  Tweeting directly to the hotel—like this—can be the fastest way to get a problem solved, as hotels want to nip consumer complaints in the bud before bad publicity goes viral. Particularly helpful are @HyattConcierge, @Marriott, @SheratonHotels, @WaldorfAstoria, and @WHotels.

* Post photos to Instagram.  Some hotels—Four Seasons properties, for instance—monitor geo-tagged Instagram posts. If they note a guest is unhappy, they’ll take action to resolve the problem.

Rosewood Mayakoba resort butler

When you have a butler (like this one at Rosewood Mayakoba), it’s easy to get problems fixed. But what about when you don’t?

What are your strategies for getting better hotel service? Please share them below.