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Six Simple Tricks for Winter Packing
by Kate Sitarz, SmarterTravel.com Staff
For many travelers, winter means finding a way to pack bulky clothes, puffy jackets, and all the necessary cold-weather accessories into a bag. Instead of stomping on your luggage, follow these basic tips for hassle-free packing.
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Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Winter 2009/2010
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
While many winter travelers head to the beach or to popular ski resorts, savvy tourists can take advantage of fewer crowds and off-peak deals for fabulous vacations.
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Travel Right After the Holidays for a Great Deal
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
If you have any flexibility in your schedule, you'll want to consider planning a trip immediately after the holidays to take advantage of low travel periods and great bargains. The weeks after Thanksgiving and New Year's are especially affordable.
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America's Worst Airports for Delays: How to Cope
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Knowing what your activity options are at the nation's most delay-prone airports can turn a frustrating wait into bona fide leisure time. Almost.
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Best Ways to Avoid Baggage Fees: A Holiday Travel Primer
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
As the holidays approach, there's no better time to re-acquaint yourself with what fees are in effect, especially if you're planning on traveling with gifts and extra winter gear.
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Top Five Bargain Destinations for Winter 2009/2010
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Whether winter calls for sun or snow in your book, the deals are out there to put a vacation on your horizon. Destinations fighting the recession funk are offering plenty of winter deals.
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Ten Smart Ways to Simplify Security
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Waiting in line at the airport can be a frustrating experience, but with these 10 simple tips, you'll be on your way in no time (unless your flight is delayed, that is).
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Cruises Go All-Out During the Holidays
by Dan Askin, Cruise Critic Associate Editor, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's means special food, decorations, and festivities on cruises. No matter what you're celebrating, cruise lines will make it memorable. Read on to find what each ship offers.
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Early Birds Will Get the Best Family Vacation Deals Next Year
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Not sure if a vacation is within your budget for next year? A host of possibilities are available on the cheap, and you may be pleasantly surprised with what's affordable in early 2010.
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Five Bright Spots for Travelers in 2009
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Sure, there were enough new fees and delayed planes to fill a book this year. But the squeeze brought on by the recession yielded some traveler-friendly trends, too.
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Reader Horror Stories: Hair-Raising Tales From the Road
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Readers share their tales of lost mothers, stolen wheelchairs, and a mysterious in-flight "burnt Frito" smell.
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Top Five Baby-Friendly Cruise Lines
by Christine Koubek, Cruise Critic Contributor
Look no further for all you need to know about cruising with your wee-ones. From what to bring to what kid-friendly amenities to expect from each cruise line, this guide will have your family ditching the land and sailing the seas in no time.
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How to Save on Airfare Even After You've Booked
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Booking doesn't necessarily mean you're done shopping. There are a handful of little-known tricks that give you a chance to save money even after you've purchased a ticket.
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Stay Healthy on Airplanes This Winter
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
With the cold and flu season upon us, the question on most travelers' minds is how to avoid a vacation-spoiling illness. Here are a few tips to help you avoid catching a bug.
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Top Five Travel Horror Stories of 2009
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
What's scarier, a bloodthirsty ghoul or an overnight tarmac delay? (Hint: The tarmac delay.) Read on to discover the year's most terrifying stories from the travel industry, and then submit your own!
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Avoid Cruise Travel Scams to Save Time, Money, and Hassle
by Melissa Baldwin Paloti, Cruise Critic, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Follow these steps to ensure you have a smooth cruise from beginning to end. You'll feel confident your money is in good hands - and you can relax on your trip, knowing you paid a fair price.
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Car Rental Booking Test Yields Surprising Results
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Our series comparing online travel agencies with direct travel suppliers continues this month with a focus on rental cars. The results may be a real eye opener: Where you book is less important than previously thought.
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Unique Vacation Rentals Under $100 a Night
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Bored of beige rugs and hotel rooms that look the same no matter where you are in the world? Maybe it's time to consider unique and affordable vacation rentals.
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Comparison Shopping Still Critical When Booking a Hotel
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Does one travel company offer better prices on hotel rooms than all the others? Are you better off booking with an online travel agency or directly with the hotel itself? Read on for the surprising results of our recent price-comparison tests.
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Best Small Cruise Ships
by Dan Askin, Cruise Critic Associate Editor, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Beyond offering a cozier atmosphere, these ships' size creates a whole different experience, onboard and onshore.
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Eight Ways to Save on Holiday Travel
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. It's already time to start thinking about holiday travel. Senior Editor Christine Sarkis weighs in with eight expert ways to make your tricky travel decisions a bit easier this year.
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Readers' Best Carry-On Packing Tips
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
With checked-bag fees sprouting up across airlines, it really does pay to pack smart. Readers share their carry-on packing tips.
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Take a Fall Foliage Road Trip on the Cheap
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
With the leaves putting on their own (free) show, why not hit the road? Read on to discover tried-and-true tips for putting together your own fall foliage getaway.
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Best Enrichment Cruises
by Erica Silverstein, Cruise Critic
If the idea of going back to class while cruising appeals, check out these top picks for onboard enrichment.
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Top Five Bargain Destinations for Fall 2009
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Bargains aren't going into hibernation this fall, and neither should you. Find great deals on tropical jaunts, fall foliage adventures, and European outings.
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What Cruise Ship Butlers Will Do for You
by Dan Askin, Cruise Critic Associate Editor, SmarterTravel.com Staff
What is it, exactly, that makes that single word so magical? "Butler." The word alone conjures notions of pampering, swanky accommodations, and service fit for royalty.
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Consumers Win With Booking Fee Elimination
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
With online travel agencies eliminating booking fees, how do their fares compare to the airlines' offerings? The results of our comparison tests may surprise you.
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Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Fall 2009
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
When the temperature cools down, the savings heat up in off-season destinations. Whether you're looking for something far-flung or close to home, autumn brings savings to popular spots.
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At Your Service: Online Cruise Reservations
by Dan Askin, Cruise Critic Associate Editor, SmarterTravel.com Staff
As cruise lines expand options for online reservations, cruise travelers can spend less time queuing up onboard and more time enjoying their vacations.
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Orlando Reader Experts Share Their Secrets
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Planning on visiting the theme parks? We asked readers to share their Orlando travel-planning strategies, and culled the best tips from the bunch to help you plan your next trip.
