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Travel Advice

Travel Advice

Archive

Food is a huge part of why I travel, but dropping into a strange place and seeking out its best meals can be a crapshoot. Do you have any apps, tips or tricks to help a hungry traveler?

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I like to celebrate post-trail with a few high-quality adult beverages. Where would you recommend for an avid hiker who’s also a beer nut, a wine lover, and a liquor snob?

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There’s been a lot of talk lately about who should foot the bill for backcountry rescues. I’m usually pretty careful, but accidents happen, and I don’t want to get stuck with the tab. Should I purchase rescue insurance for my next way-out-there trip?

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I’m headed to Hawaii, but lying on the beach is not my thing. What hikes would you recommend?

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I’m well-versed in bear safety techniques, but I have no idea how to handle a cougar encounter on the trail. Help!

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I’m new to Tornado Alley, and I’m nervous about getting caught outdoors during a twister this summer. How much warning will I have that a storm is on the way?

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With the spring skiing season winding down, I'm starting to go into withdrawal. I'd like to get a few more turns in, but I don't want to go down to South America. What are my options?

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I’m planning a vacation to Montreal, and while I’ve heard lots about its urban charms, I don’t know much about its wilderness access. Where can I play outside within a couple hours of the city?

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I’m headed across the pond to Great Britain, and I’d like to do some hiking while I’m there. What are my best best for logging some trail time?

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I’ve done some climbing and mountaineering in the Lower 48, and I’ve been thinking about attempting Denali. What kind of prior experience do I need to tackle The High One?

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I'm planning on heading up north this summer to do some hiking in Alaska and the Yukon. Where should I go?

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I’m not a cruiser or a yachtie, but I love getting a good look at the land from the water when I travel. Can you recommend some memorable–and affordable–public ferry rides in North America?

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My friends and I are always careful to be bear-safe when we camp in bear country. We store our food in bear barrels, and we don’t leave our dirty dishes and open food containers sitting around. But we’ve been known to linger around the fire for a beer or three. Should we be worried about attracting hungry animals with our brews?

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The sinkhole that swallowed a Florida man while he slept in March has me imagining the ground opening up beneath me while I hike or camp. Am I watching too much cable news, or are sinkholes a real danger?

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I don't eat out a lot, but when I do, I like to order local. What are your recommendations for farm-to-table dining?

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I want to hike part of the Appalachian Trail with my 16-year-old son this summer. We plan to go for a week. What are the best stretches for a trip like this?

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When I travel, I like to bring my shoes with me and sneak in a run during my free time. What U.S. cities have the best, most convenient trails for visitors?

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I saw the video of that awful hot-air balloon crash in Egypt. I’m going on a trip to Switzerland soon and am thinking of taking a hot-air balloon ride while I’m there. How safe are they?

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I often buy flight and baggage insurance when I get plane tickets. Am I doing the right thing?

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I’m going backpacking through South America in a few months. I expect to get kind of grubby, and won't have regular access to showers. What’s the best way to stay clean and not stink without taking a bath every couple of days?

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I want to take a trip to somewhere in Central America where I can see the rainforest and spend some time on the beach. Should I go with Costa Rica or Honduras?

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How do I get cheap airline upgrades from economy class?

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I'm going to be visiting some old college friends in the great state of Colorado in the coming weeks and am looking for something I know everyone will enjoy doing. Help?

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Now that the weather’s starting to warm up, I’m planning to start training for a marathon this year. My goal is to qualify for Boston. Which races would give me the best chance for doing it?

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Where can I find a cheap private island?

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My college roommates and I are planning a last-minute spring break ski trip, but we don’t know where to go yet. Which resort has the après ski scene for the college or post-college crowd? It has to be somewhere in North America, preferably out West.

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Maybe you can answer this age-old question for me: How do you wash your clothes when you’re traveling?

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I travel to China twice a year for work, but never escape the sprawling cities. I’d like to extend my stay next time, and go hiking, or snorkeling, or mountain climbing—something outdoorsy. Where should I go?

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I want to climb one of the Seven Summits and have narrowed the list to Aconcagua or Kilimanjaro. I’m in excellent shape and an experienced hiker, but not a mountaineer. Which one would you recommend?

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Whenever I buy plane tickets, I also try to buy carbon offsets. I see it as my way of canceling out my environmental impact. Am I making a difference? Are they worth the money?

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A celebrated backpack maker gets into the travel game

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I’m in my early 20s, and am a lifelong skier here in the East. How do I become a ski patroller?

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Yes I know plane travel is extremely safe, but still, I’m not a fan of flying. Lately I’ve been reading about the Dreamliner 787 and its problems. The whole situation makes me nervous. When it’s back up and running, will you be willing to fly on the Dreamliner without fear?

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I'm a pretty sustainably minded person and for my next vacation, I want to go to a low-impact resort that's not too insanely far from home. What are the best eco-lodges in North America?

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I’ve always wanted to watch the Northern Lights over the night sky. Where’s the best place to go see them?

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I want some sun, sand, and drinks with umbrellas in them this winter. What are the most overrated and underrated Caribbean destinations?

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I always struggle with how much to tip people in other countries. I’m headed on a big trekking trip to Nepal in a couple of months. What is your tipping advice for overseas travelers?

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I go to Puerto Rico occasionally, can’t help but notice the huge stray dog problem. Many of the dogs are so friendly and pretty darn cute. How can I adopt one from there and bring it home?

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I’m headed to the Swiss Alps for a ski vacation in a month. There’s one question that’s been nagging at me. What do I do if I lose my passport overseas?

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I’m going to Hawaii for work, and need travel bags that are business-appropriate but rugged enough to let me explore the island by foot when I get there. Any suggestions?

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What are the best strategies for finding decent airfare?

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I just read about how two climbers died on Aconcagua from altitude sickness. I have plans to go to Everest Base Camp this year. Altitude sickness isn’t a concern there, is it?

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It seems like every week I read about some scary shark sighting or attack. I love swimming in the ocean and take a tropical beach vacation every couple of years. How much should I worry about a shark attack?

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This may sound silly, but I plan trips to mountain towns around the brews that flow from their taps. What would you say are the East’s best craft and microbrews that come from mountain towns?

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Camping cure-all. Photo: Katie Arnold Happy new year! The exclamation point feels a little forced this morning as I saddle up to my computer with a mix of dread and anticipation. Something tells me I’m not the only one. For 10 days, the whole country has…

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Settle a bet between me and a buddy. He said there are a couple of pretty good places to ski in the South. I say there’s no such thing as good skiing in the South. Who’s right?

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As an environmentally conscious person, should I feel guilty about flying on commercial planes? How can I minimize my impact?

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I’m headed to Colorado this winter for a backcountry ski trip. I heard marijuana was recently legalized there, but I’m not sure of the details or when it goes into effect. So my question is, when I go to Colorado, can I buy pot?

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I’ve been to Key West and it’s great, but I’m looking for an undiscovered island alternative in Florida. What are my options?

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What travel books should I put on my holiday gift shopping list?

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Greg Melville shares his tips for saving money on the slopes

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I’m about to take a three-month trip through Asia to “find myself.” My parents want me to get medical insurance, but I don't think it's worth the money. What’s your take on medical insurance for travelers?

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Where are your favorite places to cross-country ski in the Northeast?

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My husband and I are going to Florida this winter for a two-week trip. We want to take Tico, our Golden Retriever, with us. What’s the best way to fly with a dog?

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I’m a backpacker and gearhead who's moving to Charlottesville, Virginia. What are the best outfitters for me in the Southeast?

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year to hit the beach. The weather is fantastic, crowds nonexistent, and—most importantly—the low-season prices are cheap. These seaside escapes combine great fall conditions with easy access to adventure, whether you like to fish, hike, bike, or paddle.  St. George Island State…

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What’s your thought on the new law allowing you to carry firearms in national parks? I bring a handgun when I backpack in Yellowstone, but my girlfriend thinks it’s pointless.

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I’m headed to Vegas for a long weekend with some buddies, but we don’t want to spend all of our time at the casinos and we don’t play golf. Where can we go for outdoor adventure?

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I live in Dallas, which is a hub for American Airlines. American often has the cheapest flights, but I'm a little nervous to book reservations with them, given all the bad press they've gotten lately. Should I be?

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I’ve always wanted to go to Cuba, and I’ve heard the government has eased travel restrictions. How do I do it legally?

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I’m a mountain biker, hiker, and trail runner. Every time I travel, it seems like I’ve got to pack two huge suitcases to fit all of my gear. My shoes alone take up a crazy amount of space. Any advice on how I can travel lighter?

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We’ve all got that buddy—the one who executes an epic ski or raft mission every year. Reader Keith Pearen is one of those guys. For the past 10 years, the 32-year-old Boulder, Colorado, aerospace engineer has been organizing trips for groups of up to 20 friends. Here’s the formula he applies.

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I live in the Midwest and want to get to another part of America for some epic road biking. I’ve ridden in the Colorado Rockies a bit. Where else would you recommend?

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Which major city has the best camping?

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As an avid hiker, I often stay in huts. I’m kind of freaked out about the recent outbreak of the hantavirus at Yosemite. How much should I really worry, and what can I do to avoid it?

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I’m planning a getaway weekend to Asheville, North Carolina, sometime in the next couple of months. What should I do while I’m there?

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I’m staying at a cabin outside of Lake Placid, New York, for a short vacation. What should I do in the Adirondacks while I’m there?

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I’m saving up for my dream trip to Machu Picchu. What tips would you give to a first-time visitor?

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I started taking fly-fishing lessons earlier this year, and I’m already starting to get the bug—so to speak—for the sport. What are your favorite fly-fishing rivers in the Northeast?

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I’m planning a cross-country road trip this fall. Any suggestions for good driving music?

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I’ve always dreamed of climbing Mont Blanc, but I'm rethinking it after the recent incidents there. I’m not a mountaineer, but I’m an avid hiker who’s in great shape. How doable is it for me, and what’s the best route?

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I want to get in shape for the fall marathon season. What are the best adult running camps in the U.S.?

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I’d like to head up north for some outdoor fun. What are the best Canadian mountain towns for active, adventurous travelers?

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I'm headed to San Francisco to visit my buddies, and I want to do some mountain biking while I'm there. What are the must-ride trails in the Bay Area?

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Where in Colorado can I learn to stand-up paddleboard in whitewater?

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I’m going backpacking through Europe and Southeast Asia later this summer, and I have a question for you. When you hit a big city, do you fly by the seat of your pants or do you make a plan for what you’re going to see and do?

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I travel a lot for work, mostly to major American cities, and don’t get as much opportunity to get outdoors as I’d like. What are some of the best urban parks for outdoor exercise?

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I plan to go backpacking on a beach this summer in the Pacific Northwest. Do you have any recommendations?

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