Sherman's Travel

Bogotá is abuzz with development. New direct flights have made access to this bustling Colombian capital easier, cheaper, and more comfortable than ever before. New hotels are popping up across the city at breakneck speed (like the much-anticipated W Hotel, set to debut next year) – including two of our favorite additions, personally vetted during my trip there last week, including the smart-splurge B.O.G. Hotel and great-value Royal Sonesta Bogotá. And if you’re looking for firsthand tips on what to do and see once you touch down, our very own Jim Sherman reported about some on-the-ground tips from his recent trip. Read more

You may think of St. Mark’s Place in New York City as seedy and for college students exclusively. But, after emerging from the #6 subway station at Astor Place, turn your back on the looming Starbucks and K-Mart, stroll east past the tilted black cube sculpture, and walk two more blocks until 3rd Avenue. You’ll run right into the area that is brimming with niche stores and amazing eateries. If you’re traveling with kids and would rather tackle this funky strip with some guidance, the recommendations that follow should come in handy. Read more

There’s something so romantically American about a riverboat cruise. Perhaps it’s because they remind us of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Show Boat, Riverboat, and other great stories. But riverboats aren’t just for the Mississippi. The American Queen Steamboat Company, which runs a successful franchise on the Mississippi, recently announced they’ll be expanding their service to Oregon and Washington! Read more

Travel to dozens of U.S. cities and Caribbean destinations this summer with JetBlue’s two-day summer sale. With fares* as low as $46, you can unwind on the beach with direct flights to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, Aruba and Bermuda, Montego Bay and St. Croix. Or, visit major domestic cities like New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and so many more. These low fares can only be booked directly through JetBlue, and are not available on other sites. Read more

Think New York City has a lock on the most expensive hotels in America, or glitzy South Beach? Think again. The highest hotel rates in the U.S. are actually in Hawaii, according to a report from Skift.com. So far in 2013, guests have spent an average of $233 per night for a hotel room in Hawaii – that’s an increase of $27 over the previous year! With airfare costs on the rise, this can make for a spendy island getaway. But not all Hawaii hotels cost a fortune. Here are some money-saving tips so you can enjoy the luau (or the whale watch, or six hours of lazying in the sun with a view of Diamond Head in the distance) without worrying about how you’ll pay for it: Read more

Though it may not seem (or feel like it from the weather), we’re already into a new quarter for 2013, which means it’s time to refresh our quarterly app guides! Last week, I started by updating our iPhone guide. Now, I’ll tackle the ever-growing Android platform. If you’re looking to use your phone as a crutch during your summer vacation planning, you’ll want to make sure the programs below are installed. Read more

Despite a lengthy winter, Ohio is finally diving headfirst into spring. And with that begins conference season in Columbus. One of America’s most varied and vibrant cities is also one of the most welcoming, which means you shouldn’t spend all of your time tucked within a concourse. In an effort to get you outside the boardroom and into the heart of Cowtown (yes, that is one of it’s nicknames), we’re offering up two restaurants, two attractions, and one bar that you can hit with just a few extra hours between meetings. Read more

In Chun’an County, Zhejiang, China, you’ll come across one of the most beautiful man-made reservoirs in the world. Thousand Island Lake (Quiando Lake in Chinese) is one of the best scenic attractions in the county. Quiando gets its name from the 1,078 islands that exist across the lake. Read more

TV host and professional foodie Anthony Bourdain, whose show Parts Unknown takes him all over the globe, has some pretty specific feelings about food and travel. I spoke to him this week about his favorite (and not-so-favorite) experiences while he’s on the road. Here’s a sampling: Read more

The last time I was in London, I was a sophomore in college; the food scene was known to be less-than-stellar and my budget was non-existent. This time around, thing were looking up. While I’m no Rockefeller, I had a little change in my pocket and the food in this city has become some of Europe’s finest. I dove in head first, and here are four of my favorites: Read more