Results tagged “Plan My Trip” from Intelligent Travel Blog

Thanks to all those of you who offered up suggestions for my Labor Day trip down to Charleston, South Carolina. Here are some of the highlights from my visit:

Cruising through Charleston with the dog in the front seat. That's me in the mirror, taking the picture.

There is perhaps no better way to see Charleston then from the seat of a maroon 1974 Buick LeSabre convertible. That's how I got my first glimpse of the city, thanks to my friend Abby, whose fine ride was passed down to her by her grandmother (and, thanks to the new engine she installed a few years ago, will probably outlive us all). I didn't have big plans for my Labor Day weekend, but I did manage to take some of your tips and, more importantly, relax. Because things move slower in the South, and there wouldn't really be any other way to do it.

Ok gang, it's time again for another round of Plan My Trip. I'm doing the drive down to Charleston, South Carolina this weekend to see family, and it's my first time visiting the fine city.

Now, I have to admit I've been briefed by Andrew Nelson, our contributing writer, who wrote the Insider's Charleston piece for the magazine a few years ago. And I've got some great suggestions thanks to the help of reader Currie, who submitted her I Heart My City entry for the city. (She also gave one of my favorite responses to our "What celebrity would your city be?" question: "It'd be Andie MacDowell, well-mannered and sophisticated, as well as Southern and sultry.")

But I'm positive there's more. Tell me, as I have a long drive ahead of me, and plenty of time to get excited.

Read More: Readers tell the editors where to go in past Plan My Trip! entries.

Photo: Bob Sacha for National Geographic Traveler

In just a few weeks I'm heading off to Victoria, B.C. for a much-needed weekend of R&R. It's been over 10 years since I've been to Vancouver Island, and well over 15 since I've toured the elegant Butchart Gardens and ever-popular Royal British Columbia Museum. With hardly 36 hours in the city, I want to know from you--what are the must-dos? The quirky, off-the-beaten-path attractions? Do I take tea at the Empress, or do you know of a better place to dine like the Queen? Leave your suggestions for great restaurants, local attractions, drives, and sites in the comments below, and stay tuned to find out what I did on my trip!

Read More: Readers tell the editors where to go in past Plan My Trip! entries.

Photo: cleverdame107 via Flickr

The allure of discount airfare, coupled with a reunion with high school friends, means I'm heading out this weekend on a jaunt to Puerto Rico, and I'm of course ready and willing to hear your tips. I'm looking forward to visiting the UNESCO site of Old San Juan, but am sure that you have suggestions for great restaurants, beaches, drives, and sites. I'm taking suggestions, and tour guides are always welcome. As always, I'm looking forward to hearing your advice!

Read More: Readers tell the editors where to go in past Plan My Trip! entries.

Photo: Jose Kevo via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool

Friend of IT Ally Burguieres is taking a road trip in Ireland this week, just as the country gears up for St. Patrick's Day. She's got a car, and wants to know where to go.

In Traveler's October issue, John Rosenthal asked the question, "Do You Really Want to Drive?" about the risks of driving abroad. Since his article was in the Smart Traveler section, I had to hope that one could answer "Yes" to the question and still be smart.  Rosenthal presented some pretty sobering statistics. Yet Ireland's a small island, and there's nothing better than a car for getting to all the out-of-the way nooks and crannies.

Tomorrow, I'll pick up my friend from the airport and we'll get into our rental car: a small stick shift that neither of us will know how to drive well. We've got ten days of the open road ahead of us, and nothing but sheep-traffic-jams and tea breaks to slow us down. The whole island is up for grabs: the North, the South, and the coastlines. Do we really have to see the Blarney Stone? Is there a castle that's hidden behind a farm somewhere near County Wexford? Do you know of a pub that's perfect for two fine ladies on vacation?

What suggestions do you have for Ally? What are the must-see places and little-known spaces of Ireland? Where should she go to see the best St. Patrick's Day celebrations? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo: h_roach via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool

The tanking international economy has led to a tourism downturn throughout the world, with the notable exception of Kenya, where safari operators are reporting brisk bookings following the November election of Barack Obama, whose father hailed from the town of Kogelo in the western part of the country.

"We've seen a 12 percent increase since November over the same period last year and our Web traffic is up 17 percent," says Dennis Pinto of Micato Safaris. "Given the prevailing economic conditions, we can only attribute this to the Obama factor." The Kenya Tourist Board also reports large increases in recent arrivals numbers.