Welcome to Travel News Articles, a great source of travel news and ideas for stress-free travel. There are three parts to this website.

1. The travel directory on the left has many interesting websites for you to check out. Website owners, why not advertise your site here.

2. The buttons above take you to a variety of travel articles written by people who have "been there done that".

3. The news feed at the bottom of this page features the latest travel news from around the world.

Preparing to Travel

The world has changed a lot in the past century. Thanks to the invention of airplanes and high-speed trains, today's world is wide open to travel. In a day's time, we can travel to the other side of the world without using our entire life's savings. We also have a number of options open to us to help us plan our travels, and choosing wisely can help save time and money.

1. travel Agents

Many people have the misconception that using a travel agent entails paying a fee. Nonsense. In actuality, most travel agents receive commissions from the vendors (airlines, hotels, tour agencies); they are the ones paying the fee, not you. A travel agent has access to deals that often are not available anywhere else. He or she can help take the headache out of planning, allowing you to sit back and relax while the logistics are plotted out. Another bonus is that travel agents often include travel insurance in their packages, to ensure that you are getting what you paid for.

2. Internet

With the widespread use of the world wide web, travel prices have gone down considerably. Using travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity, buyers can find lower rates than ever before for airfares, hotels, and package deals. The downside? Truly finding the best travel deals often requires a lot of time and patience as you compare rates with other sites and with direct booking. Another downfall is that you can't always find availability at these lower rates, but it is nice to plan right at home.

3. Guidebooks

Tried and true, travel guidebooks are a traveler's best friend. Seasoned travel writers research and compile guidebooks based on their own experiences, and who better to give advice than someone who's been there, done that? Depending on your preferred level of luxury, you are sure to find a guidebook to meet your needs. Best of all, travel guidebooks are often available at your local library-for free!

4. Booking Direct

Sometimes travel companies will offer special deals to customers who book directly. This is especially true with tour and cruise companies who advertise travel deals to repeat customers. You can often find rates as low as half-price (or lower) if you book at the last minute. If you have the flexibility and the determination, this may be the way to go.

5. Travel marketing blog

There is much useful information available to those marketing a travel website at etravel.success a blog providing information on travel website marketing.

LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

Next Stop: An Oasis Off London?s Beaten Path
East London feels light years away from central London, and is totally self-sufficient, thanks to a host of enticing restaurants, shops, markets and hotels.

Practical Traveler: When Renting Cars Abroad, It?s Renter Beware
Several kinds of insurance can come into play and it behooves travelers to seek information on driving rules and road conditions in the countries they plan to visit.

Next Stop: Hot Water Below Brings Pleasures Above in Germany
The discovery of an underground hot spring has turned Spreewald into a spa destination.

Heads Up: Signature Blends at Tokyo Bars
Japanese whiskey has come a long way, but enthusiasts have to search to find specialist bars offering domestic drams.

As Life Spins On, the Midway Beckons
State fairs still rumble to life each year, celebrating half-forgotten American traditions and deep-fried everything.

36 Hours in Sonoma County
Low-key Sonoma County combines a freethinking tradition with upscale shops, galleries and Old World restaurants.

Choice Tables: Denver Chefs Head for the Garden
An increasing number of hometown chefs are celebrating Colorado?s farmers, ranchers, cheese makers and foragers.

Check In, Check Out: Hotel Review: The Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyo
Perched above Tokyo Station, this hotel tries hard to recreate a resortlike feel, high above the city?s chaos.

Bites: Restaurant Review: Dining Room at the Dean Street Townhouse
Once breakfast is out of the way, it is always lunchtime and always dinnertime ? and sometimes teatime as well.

Photo of the Week
A visitor looks the "Stanley Kubrick, Fotografo 1945-1950" exhibition at the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, in Venice, Italy.

U.S. to Add Fee for Travelers From Visa-Waiver Countries
Starting on Sept. 8, the ESTA registration process, which allows visitors from 36 countries to skip a full visa, will require a $14 fee.

Q&A: Anniversary Dinner in Vienna
"We would like some suggestions for dining in a very Viennese style, but not at a luxurious price, on Dec. 31."

The Worst Way to See San Antonio
I made the most ill-timed, bone-headed, rookie-error-filled, first-time visit to San Antonio in tourism history. And even then, I had a good time.

Into Cajun Country: From Po'boys to the Pink Panther
The Frugal Traveler leaves Mexico behind for swamp tours, jazz clubs and Southern cooking in Louisiana and Mississippi.

A Message to America's Youth
My trip has been made immeasurably more enjoyable, and measurably cheaper, because I'm multilingual.

Paddleboarding in Hawaii: Who Cares About Surf
Paddleboarding while upright means venturing far and wide without having to hunt for waves.

The Falcon: A Jazz Haven in a Hudson Valley Hamlet
Away from Manhattan?s urban frenzy, one man?s hospitality has created an intimate stage for top-tier musicians.

Breaking Ground: Sound-View Homes in North Carolina?s Waterfront
A waterfront second-home community in Merry Hill, N.C.

From Frozen Vines In Ontario, a Sweet Specialty: Ice Wine
The Niagara Peninsula in Ontario is ground zero for ice wine, whose grapes are ready for harvesting in the middle of winter.