Thanks to Anthony Melchiorri of Hotel Impossible Photo courtesy of Pacific6 LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA — Long Beach’s long-closed landmark hotel on Ocean Blvd, will undergo a $150 million renovation. Built in 1926, and originally one of Conrad Hilton’s original hotels, The Breakers served as a go-to destination in the early 20th century. Set for completion in 2023, the 15-story hotel will include 185 guest rooms and suites, the town’s only rooftop terrace with 360-degree seaside views, a jazz club and whiskey bar, a new pool on the third-floor terrace, and Long Beach’s only luxury hotel ..read more

TRAVEL ADVICE Airlines are using consumers as cash-generating guinea pigs to help them figure out where flights actually need to go Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash Like false-flag operations in naval history, airlines across the globe are hoisting an abundance of flights onto their schedules that are intentionally misleading. They don’t know where we want to go This part is understandable. Determining the tolerance level of the traveling public is a roll of the dice, based in part on where travelers can go. Theme parks are just now announcing their opening dates. Cruise l ..read more

Loosening restrictions does not mean camping will be a free-for-all in the woods Photo by Greg Ortega on Unsplash It’s always good to have a plan B when you set out on a camping trip, but that’s an even better idea when you are traveling in times of uncertainty. Let’s be clear. This virus isn’t going poof. There’s no whew moment where we all return to whatever it is we were doing before it arrived. Let’s also be clear that travel is a wreck, with one exception: camping. Can you? Will you? How do you? Where do you? These are the questions you need answers to, like yesterday ..read more

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD Will it be enough to make you want to stay in someone else’s home during a pandemic? Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The top vacation rental company talked up its new cleaning program for hosts in the media last week. I saw no fewer than three different interpretations of Airbnb’s press releases on various news programs. The initiative is yet not live this weekend on the hosting site in the “Resource Center” but here’s what I know so far. Cleaning is still not at the top of the company’s list of priorities I mean that literally. The resources page has ti ..read more

Campers got game. Use their superpowers to make your own travels safer and more interesting. Photo by Arisa Chattasa on UnsplashAct as if there are snakes and bears in the woods — even if you aren’t going to the woods Keep the image of vipers hiding under rocks and grizzlies lurking around every corner at the forefront of your thoughts on your near-future travels. Park rangers describe being “bear aware” as learning to keep your distance from bears you encounter on roads and trails while keeping your campsite almost sterile to avoid attracting them. Here’s what that includes when you ..read more

And consider moving this SoCal island to the top of your post-coronavirus travel plans The iconic Avalon Habor on Santa Catalina Island, California. Photo by Gary Crow The minute you step off the ferry onto this island you know this is not the Southern California you left behind on the mainland. The sights and sounds, the feel of the narrow hilly streets and charming buildings are distinctly European. I know you aren’t stepping off of ANY ferry into a vacation destination right now But it doesn’t hurt to dream a little, right? The chamber of commerce on Catalina Island is workin ..read more

If you are planning a cruise, here’s what you need to know Photo by Gary Crow Cruise Lines International Association(CLIA) member cruise lines, which include all of the mainstream cruise lines that operate both in the US and around the world, have announced that passenger safety will remain at the forefront of their protocols during the outbreak. Key points that may affect your cruise Crew movements from Mainland China have been halted That means that your risk of exposure from a crew member is lower, as no crew members may board the ship directly from China, regardless of ..read more

Learning how to snorkel is more than learning how to breathe through a tube See that rocky shore? That’s where the fish are. Getting to them with bare feet will be agony. Photo by author. I am both a scuba diver and snorkeler, so I spend a lot of time in and around the water in various settings. And I have seen snorkelers do some stupid stuff that causes themselves pain, and often causes harm to the very environment they are trying to enjoy. Learning how to snorkel involves learning a little etiquette and common sense that can result in not only a better experience for the average sn ..read more

Your body hums with excitement. Your brain awakens to new sights, new smells, a world of different textures Photo by Jérémie Crémer on Unsplash I am an addict. Travel is my high. I gave up fighting it a long time ago, but I rarely share how it makes me feel. I know I am not alone. If you or someone in your life is afflicted you will recognize these symptoms. Or maybe you are an enabler, not really able to understand the addiction, so here it is. This your brain on a journey. The Disconnect The travel day finally arrives. You are locked and loaded. No matter what the purpose of your t ..read more

There are some wonderful and warm places to camp year-round if you are so inclined. With winter’s chill (and snow!) in the air, you may be considering packing up your camping gear, if you haven’t already. But wait. You do know there are places for year-round camping, right? You can still pack a tent, tow a trailer, or fly in and rent at a good number of locations in the U.S. Obviously, that inclement weather can creep into any of these campgrounds, even Hawaii’s Big Island, so plan accordingly. Are You Sure You Have to Put Away Your Camping Gear? was originally published in #TravelTruth on Med ..read more