Ask Gadling – Travel Advice from an Expert

by Annie Scott on

Gadling is pleased to announce a new column that helps us give you more of the information you need: Ask Gadling – Travel Advice from an Expert.

You can submit questions to ask [at] gadling [dot] com — from “What should I pack if I’m visiting my mother in law?” to “Where should I take my disabled niece for a vacation?” Feel free to use a kitschy name like “Stranded in Des Moines,” or we can make one up for you.

The only kind of questions we don’t want are travel booking questions. We are not a travel agency, we can’t arrange your trip for you and we aren’t the Google of flight times. “What are the best places for scuba diving in Mexico?” is okay, “How can I go scuba diving in Mexico for $1,000 if I’m from Banff?” is not.

I’ll be heading up this column, and soliciting the advice of the appropriate experts on the team and elsewhere when necessary. Expect to see answers every Wednesday at noon.

So, are you ready? ask [at] gadling [dot] com — We’ve got your back.

Minnesota tourism agency told not to laugh in tourists’ faces

by Annie Scott on

It’s probably the same with every tourism agency. People don’t understand the locale and call with strange requests. Recently, an article appeared in Minnesota’s Star Tribune directing savvier travelers to laugh at the craziest ones in a list compiled by Explore Minnesota Tourism‘s Chuck Lennon, Explore Minnesota Tourism’s Quirkiest Queries of 2009.

Chuck Lennon, who handles media relations, asked counselors from the call-in lines and 11 travel information centers to send him their oddest requests. The responses included:

  • “Where are the Indians? We want to go see them.”
  • “Is there such a thing as an easy fishing lake? Something without having to hunt and work real hard?”
  • “I’m coming in July and I want snowmobile rental information.”
  • “Does one need a travel permit or visa to visit Minnesota?”
  • “A traveler asking to see a bridge in Minnesota with arches was shown various photos, none of which seemed right to her. She finally identified a picture of the St. Louis Gateway Arch as the right attraction, and was given directions to Missouri.”

According to Lennon, the counselors are trained with the following advice: “Don’t laugh in their faces. Calm yourself and just deal with it.”
[via Star Tribune]

Lost in Rome? Look for a “tourist angel”

by Katie Hammel on

Naples may have a team of ex-cons out on the streets helping lost tourists, but Rome will soon have a fleet of angels – “tourist angels”. According to the online Italy Magazine, Rome is currently recruiting a fleet of 60 guides who will zoom around the city on “electric chariots” (souped-up Segways, perhaps?) looking for confused visitors to help out with information and directions.

Rome’s deputy mayor and tourism chief said that the tourism ambassadors will begin work in November and will be wearing red jerseys to be easily recognized. He said the aim of the project is to provide visitors with easier access to tourism services. “This way tourists won’t have to go to information offices. They’ll be reached wherever they are,” he said.

Of course, that may not be entirely accurate. Rome is a pretty big city, with thousands of tourists flooding its streets every day. With only 60 tourist angels on the team (and not all of them working at once I’m sure), they really can’t be everywhere at all times. I imagine they’ll spread out among the major tourist areas, where they’ll be approached by people in need rather than having to seek them out. Still, it’s a helpful service and I’m sure that many lost souls will appreciate the help of their guardian tourist angel.

Flight tracking for your iPhone or iPod Touch

by Brenda Yun on

If you’re a frequent flier and an iPhone or iPod Touch user, then you’re in luck. The latest version of Appropos Mobile‘s FlightTrack application will likely save you a lot of time and spare you of some travel woes and headaches.

For just a few bucks, you can get up-to-the-minute flight arrival and departure information through the easy to use FlightTrack application. No longer will you have to check the internet or call the airline to make sure a flight is delayed or cancelled. The user-friendly application will give you the most accurate information for you, the busy traveler. You can even check your own flight status and altitude in the air!

As an added bonus, FlightTrack Pro teamed up with TripIt, the online trip planner, to serve as your very own personal assistant. Once you plug in your travel details, the application will automatically keep up with and inform you of your latest and upcoming whereabouts.

The FlightTrack application has consistently ranked among Apple’s top travel applications, so there’s something to be said about user satisfaction. To find out more about FlightTrack or to download the application, visit this site.

Government lists of “do not travel to” places

by Abha Malpani on

This is what shows up when you open the Australian government’s federal travel website, Smart Traveler:

The website also warns travelers that if they choose to travel to a list of over 55 countries, they must do so only with a high-level of caution.

It’s great that the government shares information with their people, ensuring their safety when they travel abroad. But is it effective?

In theory, you can read the newspaper and know what’s happening around the world, which would eliminate the need for this website. However, the document — prepared by ‘assessments from Australian missions overseas, threat assessments from spy agencies’ — promises information about countries you wouldn’t normally have access to.

The US State Department website has a similar category in their travel section. However, it’s more subtle than the Australian one as it only lists updated travel warnings to about 30 countries.

My question is: how seriously do you take such websites? Do they influence your decision on where to travel?

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