Travel & Tours


Amy Hoover, Travel and Tours Focal is not new to BLN, having served previously as the BMA Executive Board Treasurer. For more information about Amy Hoover: click here. If you sponsor or know of any travel and tours events, please e-mail Amy.

      
Articles – Good To Know:

  1. Some Airlines don’t show up on Airfare Shopping Sites (like Kayak, Hipmunk, Google Flights): LA Times Travel
  2. Only two companies command 93% of the online hotel booking market: See the KOMO News story
  3. After researching hotels on a consolidation site, you get the best deals/guarantees by joining a hotel’s discount club and booking directly at the hotel website- See Frommers Tips

Other Resources:

  1. Traveling Solo – articles, resources, tours See Solo Traveler World article
  2. Great travel resource for women looking for group travel, solo travel, articles or other relevant info. Read JourneyWoman Article
  3. Free Classes @ Rick Steve’s Edmonds, Wa location; many classes offered on locations in Europe; Languages, Voluntourism See Rick’s Europe website
  4. Up to date, thorough travel information on many destinations: (click the links to connect)
    1. CNN Travel
    2. Fodors
    3. Frommers
    4. Travel and Leisure
  5. All big cities offer “free” (pay what you want) or low cost walking tours, 2 to 4 hours, that are a great way to see and learn about a city. Here are a few resources: (click the links to connect)
    1. Free Walking Tour Listing
    2. Discover Walks
    3. Context Travel
    4. newEUROPE Tours
    5. London Walks
    6. Free walking tours in Barcelona
  6. Travel Blogs aimed at retirees, with great first hand experience and advice: (click the links to connect)
    1. Retired and Traveling
    2. Travel Past 50
    3. The Traveling Boomer
    4. My Itchy Travel Feet

Reputable Guided Tours / Travel Companies: (click the links to connect)

  1. Costco Travel – great rates on rental cars and package vacations Costco Travel
  2. National Geographic Expeditions – expensive, but high quality National Geographic Expeditions
  3. Rick Steve’s – Europe mid-price travel Rick Steve’s Travel
  4. Austin Adventures – small groups, mid-price, many options Austin Adventures
  5. Intrepid Travel -small groups, budget, great for Africa and Asia Intrepid Travel
  6. Ideas for exploring the U.S./North America:
    1. River cruises and more – American Cruise Lines River Cruises
    2. Nat’l Parks Adventure – REI National Park Trips
    3. Rail Vacations – Vacations by Rail