The Travel Guys

Telemed and travel? Gwen Duncan joins to update us on cruises.

Mark and Tom update us on Covid Proticols in Hawaii.. or lack of; Lots in the Travel News, and an insight into the TSA today with officials.

Updated travel news, and Mark reports directly from Hawaii!

Tons of Travel News and special guests Suzie with the Wreath Project and Charlie with Traveler's Guide join the show!

Mark and Tom dive into the mailbag, do you think it's okay to ask for someone to wear a mask on the plane?

In the Travel News, United says the FAA is causing huge delays in Newark by ignoring flight limits, and if you are going to Venice, Italy this summer, it’s going to cost you a little extra…

Cruises, and interviews with Hearst Castle and Gwen!

– Last week, we talked to our friend and consumer advocate Chris Elliott about a variety of travel topics. This week, we introduce you to Chris’s sons, Aren and Iden. They have started a podcast as they travel with their dad all over the planet.

Alaska, Yellowstone, Ukraine

Hosted by Mark Hoffmann and Tom Romano. The show airs EVERY Sunday, from 3-4pm on KFBK AM 1530 and Newstalk 93.1 FM in Sacramento, CA.

TSA has new punishment for people who cannot behave in the skies; we remind you to check the expiration date on travel vouchers, we talk about the 7 weirdest wonders list in Nevada.

This week on the Travel News, TSA has added it's first international destination, running from HERTZ is getting people arrested, smarter traveler segment touches on tipping out of the country, and we hear from Ed Perkins!

Battle of the Hawaii Experts Mega cruise ship, federal mask mandate expiring, theaters opening full force in San Fransisco, what actually happens when you leave your cell phone on during take off?

This week on the Travel News! Mark and Tom speak with Mark's travel nurse from his knee surgery; about how conditions and travel has been since the Pandemic started, and throughout all the restrictions.

In the Travel News, Delta asks for government help in creating the “do not fly” list, and we tell you about a new baggage policy that could cost the overpacked traveler serious extra cash…those stories and more next in the news

We hear about Mark’s Ladeda Florida trip; talk about restaurant surcharges; Gwen Duncan from Cordially Yours Travel joins today’s show!

Mark and Tom talk surcharges, Barcelona, and all your updated travel news.

In the Travel News, Disney, Broadway and Hawaii are among those stepping up their vaccination requirements; and we offer a warning to travelers about “pop-up” COVID testing centers. Clayton Whitehead joins us for our Smarter Traveler segment. Clayton took a group to the theater in San Francisco last week to see the critically acclaimed The Band’s Visit. We’ll get his observations on what it was like to be back in the theater, and we’ll discuss the sudden surge in prices for hotels and airfares and what it means for travelers. Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott is traveling the planet with his sons. He joins us from the Middle East, to talk international COVID conditions and gives us a few projections on travel in the coming months. Tourism Cares is the philanthropic arm of the tourism industry. The organization creates clean up and improvement projects all over the planet. Learn more about what they do and the project planned for Lake Tahoe in late spring.

In the Travel News, the CDC announced on Wednesday that every single ship sailing in US waters, 92 in total, had passengers with COVID on board; the Sex and the City tour is back in The Big Apple, and partying Canadians are stuck in Mexico after their charter airline refuses to fly them home…details next in the news…

Travel News and Nevada Tourism

In the Travel News, COVID has caused the shutdown of the famous Rockettes Show at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The show normally runs until just after New Year’s. The CDC is reporting they are handing out free COVID tests at three major airports (Chicago O’Hare, Miami and Minneapolis). Our Smarter Traveler segment features tips to make your holiday travel a little easier. Things like asking TSA personnel which security line is shorter at major airports, and packing a fold up extra bag in your suitcase to bring home gifts. There are 20 in all and you can find the list here. We’ll take you on a journey to the original Santa’s Village(s). That name is used all over the country now, but at one time, there were only three such places. Finally, Tom and Mark share some personal holiday memories to wrap up the show. Merry Christmas to all Travel Guys listeners and their families and friends. Thank you for making our little show a small part of your lives on occasion. And remember, all of us who love to wander are not lost…

In the Travel News, Disneyland is ramping up the return of special shows and attractions; and Delta Airlines takes away miles earning from Basic Economy tickets. If you are traveling internationally, do your homework on COVID tests, otherwise they could end up costing you more than your airfare. Our Smarter Traveler update features tips on connecting flights, including beware of “minimum connecting times,” weather in your connecting city, any issues in that “in between” airport and the danger of “hacker” fares involving more than one airline in the same direction. This is our annual Christmas Gifts for Our Listeners Show, and we ask for your best travel tip to share with our audience. Winners receive their choice of a variety of prizes.

Mark checks in from Gettysburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he has 30 travelers in tow on a Christmas Mystery Tour. In the Travel News, United Airlines set an aviation record this week, using 100% sustainable aviation fuel to fly a scheduled flight. The fuel emits 75% less carbon dioxide. Adele is setting up residence in Las Vegas, weekends through April, and Sacramento may be getting a new airline, Airbahn. For the second week in a row, our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on contracts between travelers and travel companies. If you don’t take the time to read them, don’t cry later. Joe Brancatelli from JoeSentMe.com, one of Mark’s favorite paid travel sites, has a take on the settlement between Pennsylvania and Marriott Hotel on the resort fee issue. As usual, Joe’s opinion is a bit different from everyone else’s. Tom talks to the folks from Imaginarium 360, the Christmas Lights Show at Cal Expo. Sounds like a cool place to visit during the holidays.

In the Travel News, Hawaii and New Zealand are among destinations peeling back layers of COVID restrictions this week. The only questions is, will the discovery of the new variant stop everything in its “travel tracks?” Our Smarter Traveler segment reminds you to take a look at the contract. Did you know that if you are going on a cruise, the captain doesn’t really have to follow the printed itinerary and the cruise doesn’t owe you a thing if he or she doesn’t stop in the designated ports of call? We’ll make you a smarter cruiser in only ten minutes! Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel joins us to talk about her specialty, cruises, and to give us a peek inside what customers of her travel agency are asking about these days. What does Gwen see as the hot products for next year?

In the Travel News, cruise ships are not yet back in Hawaii, and they won’t be until at least March of next year. Austria has shut down for three weeks, and Germany may follow any day. Plus, three more countries are now on the “don’t go” list. Marriott Hotels has made a small concession in one of the resort fee cases filed against them, in order to get the case dropped. Is Marriott acting in good faith, or is this a bait and switch? Last year, we offered a cooking show in November. It was so well received, we are bringing it back this year. Penny Sylvia from Good Eats, Happy Life joins us to cook two Thanksgiving side dishes on the radio. Plus, you can get a discount on her online classes, just because you are a Travel Guys listener.

In the Travel News, a lawsuit reveals just how much Marriott is making on “resort/destination” fees. Hint: It’s in the tens of millions annually. American Airlines is the latest melt down, canceling over a thousand flights this weekend alone; and passport wait times are starting to get shorter. Theater in Sacramento has been on hiatus due to COVID issues, but now it’s back. Hamilton had a successful run, and An Officer and A Gentleman premiers next week. Richard Lewis of Broadway Sacramento joins us to talk about his new digs, how Hamilton went and what’s on tap. As our city becomes more noticed in the culinary world, lots of great new things are happening around Sacramento, including our city making Wallet Hub’s list of Foodie Cities at number SIX. How did that happen? It’s all very scientific.

In the Travel News, hotel occupancy in the US hits a post-COVID high over Columbus Day weekend, and the White House says the vaccine mandate won’t get in the way of holiday travel. Hotel taxes are climbing in Hawaii, Lyft finally shares a report on sexual assaults. Maybe we should have seen these numbers earlier. Our Smarter Traveler segment takes a look at on board airline etiquette. Perhaps we could agree to treat EACH OTHER in a more upbeat fashion when we fly. Mark and Tom have some suggestions. Tipping is sort of a personal thing. There are lots of different opinions. We have a “Tipping Test” to let you know if you are up-to-date on tipping customs in the United States. In the second half of the show, we invite you to call and take the test on line. Along the way, let’s share “pet airline peeves….like the swinging backpack.”

In the Travel News, vaccinated international travelers will soon be welcome in the US, an international airline (SAS) is ditching the mask requirement for some flights, and Captain Kirk soars into space. Our Smarter Traveler segment talks about United Airlines extension of many travel credits/vouchers, and an update on the Southwest meltdown from last week. Ed Perkins, travel journalist and advocate for travelers, talks to us about the fight against resort fees. Turns out Ed was the first to write about the evils of the fees when they first reared their heads three decades go. Reporter Clayton Whitehead attended the new show Dear San Francisco: A Love Story, at the Club Fugazi in San Francisco last week. This new show replaces the long-running Beach Blanket Babylon.

In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines had another meltdown this weekend, with flight cancellations numbering well over 1,000. Depending on who you speak to, it was either due to bad weather in Florida, a shortage of staff and crew, or the alignment of the moon. Canada is telling travelers you must be fully vaccinated. This is for international AND domestic travelers, arriving by flight, train or cruise ship. Many more countries are announcing reopening post-COVID, including Australia, Viet Nam, India and a number of others. Entry requirements vary. Our Smarter Traveler segment addresses airline vouchers. Many travelers have them because of COVID cancellations, and they have been around a long time. What’s the one thing you don’t want to do with airline vouchers? Try to resell them. We invite listener call-ins, to discuss travel questions of the day. Have you resumed traveling? Do you dine comfortably in crowded restaurants, are you a “to go” tipper? Are you tired of hotels blaming the lack of services on COVID, or are you willing to be understanding a bit longer?

In the Travel News, United lays off far fewer non-vaccinated employees than first projected, and reentering the US from an overseas country is going to be a bit more difficult. Our Smarter Traveler segment sends a red flag for car rentals over the holidays (reserve NOW), and new software is limiting fuel burning time on the runway. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra annually provides one of the most dazzling Christmas shows seen anywhere. Al Pitrelli joins Tom to tell us about this year’s show. We’ve talked about how the airlines have taken so much taxpayer money while not following refund rules on tickets. The day of reckoning is coming. Chris Elliott joins us to talk about the Department of Transportation crackdown.

Delta Airlines says it makes no sense to ban flyers from one airline unless they are banned from all airlines. Makes perfect sense to us. Plus, knowing getting thrown off a plane for not obeying a flight attendant or refusing to wear a mask could make it so you couldn’t fly anywhere ever might be a bit of a deterrent to some. Maybe. Speaking of airlines, American Airlines made some serious changes to its Contract of Carriage, which is basically the agreement between you and American when you buy a ticket. The airline has chosen to remove language which previous protected the consumer. If you fly American, we strongly recommend you read the article above. Mark visited Missouri and Iowa on a recent scouting trip for a future Sports Leisure Vacations Baseball Tour. He has some observations on COVID protocols (in case you are traveling there soon), and Tom inquires of Mark what a scouting trip is and why it would be important for a tour operator to personally visit destinations BEFORE his travelers arrive. The Pumpkin Patch Express is one of the many specialty trains offered by the Fox River Train folks. It’s a great way to entertain the family without going far from home. The Fulton Avenue CruiseFest is annually one of the biggest local events in the area. This year, the Batmobile will be on hand. Steve LaRosa, our local CruiseFest expert, joins us to tell you all about it.

In the Travel News, the DOT is investigating a number of airlines who didn’t provide refunds in a timely manner, or misled travelers into thinking they couldn’t get a refund for their ticket. Southwest announces no booze on their planes until at least next year, and we talk about the last term changes brought to travel by the events of September 11, 2001. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we remind you of some of the resources available to help you prepare for your next COVID-era trip. Canada opened its borders to US travelers a month ago. Road Reporter Chris Galloway has been in Canada with a group of travelers for the last week, and will repeat with another group next week. He checks in to tell us about getting into Canada, and just as importantly, getting back into the states. Gwen Duncan has an update on cruising. What are cruisers buying and when are they going out of the oceans and rivers of the world again? What are the restrictions cruisers need to know about?

In the Travel News, Maui has joined Oahu in creating a program which insures travelers who enter restaurants, and other indoor venues, have proof of vaccination, either through a unique program on your phone or by presenting a vaccination card. The Queen Mary, which has been enjoying retirement in Long Beach for the past 50 or so years, may be done as a tourist attraction. Plus, United Airlines has made a major concession on ticket credits. The price of a cruise is often way more than what you paid before you boarded. The cruise lines have set up a gauntlet of ways to extract money from you. We’ll talk about some of them and perhaps you can make your own plan to cut the cruise lines profits next time you sail. Mark says the travel industry has experienced an upswing in “I thought things would be better so I booked, but now I want to cancel at the last minute and not be charged anything” calls. He has some strong words for travelers who aren’t big on taking responsibility for their decisions. In our final segment, we put on our entertainment hats as Tom interviews MARC D’ANTONIO who is featured in the DISCOVERY+ show, “SHOCK DOCS – ALIEN INVASION: HUDSON VALLEY” (which began streaming on Monday, August 16th).

In the Travel News, the Canadian and Mexican borders remain closed. But wait, it’s only the BORDER that’s closed, you can still get into Mexico and Canada by air. What the heck? And you’ll be masking up on planes and trains until January of next year. If you have to pre-test for COVID before traveling, there are a few really important things you should know. Also, here is an age-old simple credit card rip-off at some tourist hotels, known as the “pizza scam.” We explain what it is, how it works and how you can avoid it. Road Reporter Clayton Whitehead was recently traveling in Upper Michigan and also visited Mackinac Island. He has a report on how people in rural areas are reacting to the new COVID up tick, and talks about Mackinac, one of his favorite destinations. Clayton closes with a tribute to a traveling friend. Finally, we have an update on the rental car situation. Is it getting better, worse? Is it time to plan your trip around price/availability of a rental car?

In the Travel News, San Francisco has become the first major city to require vaccinations at many indoor venues, including restaurants. Seems as though New Orleans might be next. Mark reports on a new railroad in the Rockies, a ride which takes you to the edge of the Utah National Parks. Mark was in the Chicagoland area last week, around O’Hare Airport, attending a conference. He has reviews on a variety of restaurants, a hotel chain’s fall from grace and a thank you to the local police department. Bottom line: some information you can use the next time you are overnighting near O’Hare Airport in Chicago. Killresortfees.com is a web site dedicated to educating you about how you can help in the fight against those troublesome fees. We have a guest to help us understand if there’s any chance we might see the end of resort and other similar fees in our lifetimes. Finally, Mark and Tom close with some observations about traveling currently. What are some of the do’s and don’t for vaccinated travelers today.

In the Travel News, if you want to attend theater in San Francisco or on Broadway this fall, you are going to have to wear a mask and be vaccinated or tested to get into the theater, at least until November. Two people headed into Canada found that having false documents will set you back a healthy chuck of cash and American and United follow Delta by saying to their frequent flyers: your benefits are preserved for another year. Our Smarter Traveler segment gets away from nuts and bolts and looks at the problem several airlines are having with keeping their schedules. Southwest and American have had some problems, Spirit has had BIG ISSUES. Mark explains what’s going on and why this shouldn’t be happening. Hint: The taxpayers have been suckered. Hilton is cutting back on housekeeping, unless you are at a Ritz Carlton or higher. We ask you how you feel about that. Will it impact which hotel you choose to stay in? We take your phone calls in our third segment and one listener will be a big winner. Family travel is full of challenges. COVID brings some extra issues. We talk to a family traveler and get his tips on how to get your gang from here to there.

In the Travel News, Canada will open to US visitors on August 9th, but the US won’t open to Canadians (and perhaps people returning from Canada) until August 21st at the earliest. Is it just us, or is something wrong with the way the dates (don’t) line up? Delta has promised its frequent flyers their status will be preserved into 2022 and a report says the price of an Uber ride has gone up 9% in just the last 18 months. Our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on bogus smoking and other “after you’ve left” charges at hotels and how to avoid them. Hint: One piece of advice involves debit cards. Steve LaRosa is back after a long absence with a new version of What’s Goin’ On (Around Sacramento). Steve has a couple of outdoor ideas and a reminder that the Cruise Fest is coming back to Fulton Avenue soon. Mark has a Just One Man’s Opinion commentary about those who have chosen not to be vaccinated, and what it’s doing to the travel and hospitality industry. The guys wrap up with a discussion about how to avoid weather related summer travel delays

In the Travel News: COVID and travel are making a comeback at the same time. Can tourism prevail? Or are we destined to go back into hiding? We have a breakdown. Southwest Airlines offers an apology for a string of incidents which have left many people short of their destination in the past few weeks, and an airport piano player in Atlanta is the subject of a feel-good story. Our Smarter Traveler segment features a Letter to the Editor from Christopher Elliott’s web site, gently suggesting why it’s important to get the vaccination for COVID. Hilton Hotels is ending daily housekeeping at most brands. Do you care? Is it a plus or a minus not getting your room cleaned daily? The move is sure to save hotels a chunk of money. Wonder if that will trickle down to consumers. Lots of fun things to do in Mendocino County this summer and fall. We have a guest with a rundown of events, just in case you might want to check one or two out

In the Travel News, The mayor of Maui, Hawaii asks the airlines to cut the number of seats on flights to his home island. Too many tourists, the mayor says. Canada updates its travel policy, but it doesn’t help Americans; and Hilton becomes the first major chain to eliminate daily housekeeping at most of its hotels. In our Smarter Traveler segment, with summer flight delays and cancellations on the increase, we give you some tips on things you can do BEFORE you travel to help lower the possibility of getting stuck somewhere on the road, and if you are stuck, our tips might make it a little less painful. We solicited Travel Tips from our listeners. The best ones will be posted next week. Mark did a special goodbye to John Ascuaga, the owner and operator of the Nugget Hotel/Casino in Sparks, Nevada, for over 50 years. Mark shared a tribute from Nevada’s governor and a personal story about John. A fine farewell to one of the nicest people you could ever meet. The Travel Guys would like to wish a Happy 75th Anniversary to President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter!

In the Travel News, Southwest and American are short staffed and it’s starting to show on the front line, Hawaii is dropping the quarantine for vaccinated travelers and if you were a fan of the TV show Friends, we have a cruise to tell you about, where you can relive those TV memories. Joe Brancatelli, author of the Joe Sent Me web site, is ranting about airlines again. Justifiably so, as fares go up, vouchers expire and the airlines continue to drink at the public trough. Mark explains Joe’s concerns, including a new COVID surcharge that didn’t stick. Chris Elliott joins us to explain why the much anticipated post-COVID travel bargains didn’t materialize, and reminds people the cost of not behaving yourself in the sky could be a lot more than you bargained for. If you are considering a visit to Disneyland anytime soon, you won’t want to miss our special segment on Disney’s two California theme parks. Tips on what to visit, and how to maneuver post-COVID

In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines had a week of computer glitches and delays throughout their system, and since they aren’t really saying why it happened, no one knows if the coming week will bring a repeat. National Parks are reporting long lines to get in, so make sure you know if you need a day pass, camping permit or whatever, because you don’t want to be turned away. One of the “volunteer” cruises had a COVID infection, but they continued on without major problems. The governor of Florida wins a victory over the CDC. Cruise lines cannot require vaccinations. Is this a good thing? Our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on those who travel with life-saving medications and those needing wheelchair assistance at airports. The world’s longest border has been closed for over a year and will remain that way until at least July 20th. Clayton Whitehead has an update on when we might be able to go to Canada. To round out the show, we take you to a preview of the Mother Lode Fair in Tuolumne County over the holiday weekend. Did you know there are lots of great hiking trails in that region? You will after you listen to the podcast!

In the Travel News, Southwest will add flights to Palm Springs and Kona this fall and we have the latest episodes of “people behaving badly on planes.” In our Smarter Traveler segment, Hawaii’s governor has spelled out when the testing and quarantines might be relaxed; cruise ships are getting back in the ocean – with one already reporting positive COVID passengers on board; and the CDC has changed the regulation on vaccinated travelers on SOME forms of public transportation…but don’t throw away the mask quite yet. Chris Elliott, America’s foremost travel consumer advocate, joins us to talk about vacation rentals. Seems owners of vacation home are getting quite creative on the fees they are adding to rentals. Chris updates us on what to look out for. Hint: The bottom line may NOT be the bottom line. Mark went to Oregon with a group of 30 travelers last week, on the heels of a trip to Nevada. How are the two states different? How are rising numbers of travelers impacting the system at airports, restaurants and the like? Mark has some observations.

In the Travel News, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has an interesting Catch-22 on his hands. The cruise lines can’t sail from Florida, even on test cruises, until they reach 95% vaccination for passengers and 98% for crew. But DeSantis has declared no one will have to give out their vaccination status in Florida. So how do the cruise lines meet those thresholds? Mediation has broken down, cruise lines are furious. United Airlines is giving flight attendants three days off if they get vaccinated. Interestingly enough, flight attendants are not required to be vaccinated. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we are joined by Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel to talk about the cruise situation. Gwen loves to cruise and sells many of them. She presents Gov. DeSantis’ reasons for his position. Mark still thinks there will be a compromise which allows both sides to claim victory. Gwen says she would love to go on a cruise, but she wants to know the people she is sailing with are safe/vaccinated. Both concede there is a small number of people who cannot be vaccinated for various reasons. Beach Blanket Babylon ran for over 3 decades at the Club Fugazi in San Francisco. Now, a new show is set to open in the theater this fall. It will have a circus theme. We have an advance look at this new entertainment extravaganza. The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach is back in business this summer. The unique cultural arts event featuring “living pictures” runs for two months in the summer. Our special guest tells you more about the festival and its accompanying art show.

In the Travel News, cruise ships are getting approval to begin the process of sailing again, and a Sacramento flyer will never board a Southwest plane again after attacking a flight attendant. Vaccine passports are becoming a reality in many international countries. Want to travel? You may need one, like it or not. We’ll give you an update in our Smarter Traveler segment. Plus, Airbnb is getting a LOT of pushback on the number of fees owners are adding to rentals. What do they plan to do about it? Ed Perkins is a travel writer and journalist who has been reporting on travel for nearly half a century. He regularly fills us in with his wisdom on travel issues. We’ll ask him about those pesky vaccine passports, about when reduced hotel service might come back and get his input on the restart of the cruise industry. Cruise ships are really in the news. Our own expert, Gwen Duncan, stops in to tell us where the deals are and what you need to know to get them. Hints: sign up for updates from cruise lines and get a good travel advisor.

Mark is live from Oracle Park in San Francisco, Tom is in studio in Sacramento. In the Travel News, Spain says if you’ve been vaccinated, welcome; as we predicted last week, at least half of the Alaska cruise season has been salvaged, and the Canadian and Mexican borders remain closed for another month – but there’s a glimmer of hope. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we tell you which hotel chains have dropped mask requirements and/or enforcement, and which ones still want you protecting yourself and other guests. Mark relates being a part of a freak snow storm in Virginia City this week and how you need to be prepared for unusual weather when you are traveling. In a recent interview, Chris Elliott’s advocacy firm got an “F” from the Better Business Bureau. Chris has the story and it’s a good one. (replay) Tom had the chance to talk with Jesse Colin Young, a rocker from not so long ago, in an Entertainment Guys feature. (replay)

In the Travel News, Hawaii is expecting a big summer with lots of visitors – but vaccine/testing requirements remain in place for most. USTOA, one of the country’s largest tour operator groups, says despite limited cruising, Alaska is the most inquired about/booked destination for the summer, with Arizona, Florida, Wyoming and Utah close behind, as travelers continue to prefer beaches and wide open spaces in the US. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark talks about how he got caught in the exact car rental trap he warned listeners about last week; we explain The Jones Act, which is keeping cruise ships from going to Alaska this year; and more countries, and perhaps soon Hawaii, add themselves to the “you must be vaccinated to come here” list. We invite you to call and share your favorite travel memory with mom. Tauck Tours, America’s oldest and thought by many to be the finest tour company in the country, gives us an update on their summer and fall seasons. Their products include river cruises, land tours and family-themed vacations.

In the Travel News, reopening continues at museums, hotels and attractions, especially theme parks. Southwest has announced new service to two Pacific Northwest cities, Eugene, Oregon, and Bellingham, Washington. While you would have to connect to those destinations (no non-stops from Sacramento), it’s important to note that Bellingham is very close to the Canadian border (when it reopens) and is also the jumping off spot for the Alaska Ferry. California could be headed for a big fire season this year. Recently, a tour operator friend of Mark’s, Shebby Lee, had to flee her home in the Black Hills on a moment’s notice. Her experience might help you prepare for a similar occurrence in your neighborhood. Shebby also offers one heck of a Lewis and Clark tour you might want to participate in this year or in the future. Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel joins Mark to debate the return of cruise ships to the high seas. Gwen says the ships have done a lot to improve traveler safety on board against Covid. Mark says he’s not sure you can trust cruise lines, who haven’t always proven to be the best environmental partners, among other sins, and how can a cruise possibly be safe during Covid? 50 years ago, a vocal duo named Brewer and Shipley wrote and sang a controversial song, ‘One Toke Over the Line.’ It was about smoking too much funny tobacco. The song was WAYYY before it’s time. Next week, April 20 (4-20) comes to calendars. 4-20 is a longtime part of marijuana culture. Tom sits down with one of the duo and gets the story behind the song. It really is a great interview. Especially the part about the song being played on the Lawrence Welk Show.

In the Travel News, Carnival Cruise Lines threatens to move operations off shore if they aren’t allowed to sail from US ports, many national parks will be tied or appointment entry only this summer and we tell you about a new airline taking to the sky, headquartered in Burbank. Baby’s Away is the place to get travel supplies to help you go the distance with mini-travelers. Now you know all about them! Chris Elliott is not only the Travel Writer for USA Today and Forbes Magazine, he runs Elliott.org, a great consumer action web site, and is a regular guest on our show. Chris talks about his change in travel advisories for some groups, gives a great lesson on solving consumer issues and tells the story about how Elliott Advocacy got an “F” from the Better Business Bureau.

In the Travel News, the CDC has a host of new guidelines for travel, starting with domestic trips and including guidance for the cruise lines. American Airlines says you can travel to Italy without a quarantine and several airlines have weighed in on the laws which appear to restrict the ability to vote in Georgia and other states. Mark headed to Seattle for business and a little baseball this week. He shares some updates and observations on airports and the behavior of travelers in our Smarter Traveler segment. Ever since the days of the Comstock, women have played a major role in the running of Virginia City. That’s still happening today. Meet the ladies of Virginia City and learn about what makes it an incredibly unique place to visit, very close to home. For 25 years, David Watts Barton was the music reviewer for the Sacramento Bee. His second career is as an author and he has a fascinating book on Japan, Japan: From Anime to Zen. We’ll talk with him about it.

In the Travel News, New York City launches an effort to vaccinate all the workers in the theater district, the former president’s hotels get dumped by a major booking group and a Southwest pilot has a rant on an open mic that probably won’t end well for him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about stadiums, theaters, spring and summer festivals, cruise ships, restaurants, even crowded hotel elevators. They are all part of the travel comeback picture, but how do the pieces fit together, and more importantly, how do you travel with the current conditions? Travel to Hawaii has been a confusing proposition the last few months, to say the least. But COVID infections are down and even Kauai is joining the party. Our friend Will Lydgate, the Kauai chocolate farmer, gives us an update. More people are traveling now than a month ago. Are there any changes about how we get through security? Any special COVID rules to know about? Sid Thrift from TSA is on hand to give us the scoop.