Making Adjustments As Air Travel Returns To Normal By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Getting used to traveling again as the COVID-19 pandemic fades in America and air travel returns to normal took a bit of adjustment. I was flying from San Diego to Franklin, TN – a quaint city south of Nashville where all the big-time country music stars live – the … [Read more...]
Travel blogs from people, places, events and destinations around the world. It's PubClub's personal and unique look at travel!
Travel Is Booming Again In America – My Flights Were All Full & Airports Were Crowded
Travelers Are Packing More Than Suitcases; They Are Packing Airports And Planes, Too By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Ahh, those familiar phrases of airline travel are back again. "This is a full flight so please board in the order that is on your boarding pass." "This is a full flight so please quickly take your seats." "The overhead bin … [Read more...]
Why It’s Time To Pull Off The Masks When Traveling In America Right Now
Vaccinated Travelers Deserve To Travel Without Wearing A Mask And The Others, Well, The Heck With Them By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Nightlife Blogger By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger After traveling nearly across the country – San Diego to Nashville and back – in early June, I have come to a couple of conclusions. One, people are traveling … [Read more...]
Why Do Bad Travel Public Relations People Still Have Jobs?
Trying To Reason With Those Who Lack Basic PR Skills By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger If there's one thing that I find a constant head-scratcher, it's why bad travel public relations people still have jobs. It is because they have it so cushy, with clients and companies that every travel writer and blogger craves – food & drink clients, … [Read more...]
Are Adults Too Old To Stay In A Hostel? Not In My Travel World
It's Mind Over Age To Choose One Instead Of A Hotel By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When I was in Surfer's Paradise, Australia a friend told me that – as long as I was in the neighborhood, so to speak – that I should check out Byron Bay. And that friend further recommended that I stay in a place called Nomads. Nomads is not a five-start hotel … [Read more...]
Are The Days Of Free Meals On FAM Trips Over For Travel Bloggers?
Restaurants Not So Eager To Host Media In Post-Pandemic Recovery By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger One of the biggest perks of being a travel blogger is all the free stuff we get from tourism boards and local businesses. A favorite perk, however, might be going away in the post-pandemic world. Restaurants are not so quick anymore to host meals by … [Read more...]
I Got Vaccinated And Feel Great (And Powerful)
One Down One To Go And Looking Forward To Travel, Festivals & Nightlife By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I got vaccinated and I feel great! But that's not all – I also feel powerful. Powerful in that I can – finally – walk through a crowd without burying my face in my mask and holding down my head until I get past everyone. Powerful in that I … [Read more...]
Anxious To Travel, I Will Instead Be Traveling Around Here In San Diego
A 'Staycation' In One Of The World's Top Tourist Destinations By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I want to travel. Get on a plane and go somewhere. See different sights, eat in new (to me) restaurants, drink in different bars – or outside of them if it's outdoor only – than my familiar eating and watering holes. But instead of boarding a plane, … [Read more...]
Now That I’m Used To Wearing A Mask The CDC Recommends Double Masking
Preventing The Spread Of COVID-19 Just Got A Little Tougher By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It took almost a year, but I have finally gotten kind of used to wearing a mask. And I'm proud of it, too. I don't like it, never have liked it, but I have adapted to the COVID-19 situation and no longer dread putting a cover over my mouth and nose. … [Read more...]
As A Travel Blogger, I Miss All The PR Tourism PR Events & FAM Trips
These Cool Perks Have Disappeared Due To COVID-19 By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger As a travel blogger, one thing I really miss about travel – besides the traveling itself – in the COVID-19 era, is not generally mentioned by bloggers. But it's a huge part of being a travel blogger and one of the great perks of the job. And that is all the … [Read more...]
How The Capitol Siege Will Affect Americans Traveling Abroad
American Travelers To Experience Scrutiny From Foreigners Published 01/06/2010. Capitol siege, travel, travel blog, Americans traveling abroad By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Editor It was an embarrassing moment for America, criticized by leaders across the world, and as a result it will have a negative affect on Americans traveling abroad this spring, … [Read more...]
Hospitality Workers Should Also Be Among First To Receive The Vaccine
Bar & Restaurant, Hotel And Travel Industry Employees Deserve 'Essential' Status By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger As the COVID-19 vaccines start to make their way to the public, those on the front lines are – as should be the case – first in line to get the shot. But there are others who, along with the military, first responders and senior … [Read more...]
I Flew Home For The Holidays And Here’s What Happened
Answering Your Questions About Safe Travel With The COVID-19 Rules & Restrictions By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Published Dec. 18 When I mentioned to a few friends that I was flying to spend the holidays with my family, a friend who wanted to do the same started peppering me with questions. Do you think it will be safe? Are you worried … [Read more...]
I Would Go On A Free Trial Cruise – Would You?
5 Reasons I Would Volunteer For A Cruise By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger There was one line in a story about the CDC requiring cruise lines to go on trial voyages before they are allowed to sail again in this COVID-19 era that really got my attention. It stated that passengers would be required to be on board to complete the process. In other … [Read more...]
Give The Airlines The Stimulus Bailout But With These Stipulations
Getting Rid Of Those Annoying Extra Fees Should Be A Part Of Any Deal, Says Mr. Sorehead By Mr. Sorehead, PubClub.com Blogger Okay, Mr. President and Congress, go ahead and give the airlines their stimulus bailout. They are really in need of help as people are not getting on planes in big numbers due to all the COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions. About the … [Read more...]
Two Harbors Catalina Island Adventures & Relaxation – A Traveler’s Diary
An Island Escape Where One Of The Things To Do Is To Do Nothing Creating The 'Two Harbors Dilemma' By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Have you ever been to a place where there's a lot to do, but sometimes you want to do nothing? A spot where the mental temptation to take advantage of all the activities before you clashes with the "no hurries, no … [Read more...]
I Haven’t Posted A Travel Blog Lately Because, Well, I Haven’t Done Any Traveling
Destinations In 'Pandemic Protected' Mode Make Staying At Home A Better Option. For Now By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I am sitting here at my tiki bar desk – yes, my desk is a tiki bar – thinking that it's long past time to do a blog post about traveling. Normally this is easy for me because I am full of stories, but I could not think of … [Read more...]
Have This Tropical Island Resort All To Yourself – For Only $14,000 A Night
'Blue Lagoon' On Fiji Available For A Resort Buyout By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The "Blue Lagoon" in Fiji, featured in the movie of the same name, can be yours all to yourself. For a price, of course. One of the trends happening now in travel – among the rich, anyway – is something called a resort buyout. And Yasawa Island Resort & Spa on … [Read more...]
Sailing In San Diego Aboard Sail USA 11’s America’s Cup Boat – A First-Hand Experience
Spending A Great Day On The Bay And You Can Do It, Too By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub Lifestyle Blogger If I were to tell you that I spent an afternoon on an America's Cup boat sailing around San Diego Bay, you may think that's a nice perk of being a blogger. And while that's what helped get me on board IL Moro, ITA-16, it's not anything special about me or my … [Read more...]
My 10 Favorite Beaches In The World From The PubClub Travel Blogger
Sizzlin' Sand Scenes, Prime Party Spots And Great Bars By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I got the idea for this song while listening to Radio TropRock on the computer when a song came on by a musician named Jeff Dayton titled "My Favorite Beach." And that got me to thinking about MY favorite beaches. So I have put together my list, below. It is … [Read more...]
America Gets Back To Business With Reopening Of Bars, Restaurants, Hotels & Activities
America is open again, with bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, salons, and other entertainment-oriented businesses back, well, in business. The COVID-19 shutdown caused the country to stop to a halt like a speeding car that suddenly ran up on a red light. The state of New Jersey for example, that is known for its legal gambling, was ordered on March 16th by Gov. Phil Murphy … [Read more...]
PubClub.com Virtual Destination Of The Week: Key West, Florida
Sunsets, Bars & Explaining Keys Disease By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Travel is a lot about dreaming – dreaming about going to a destination, about returning to a favorite place, about fantasizing about being at a place. And while we can't go anywhere right now, PubClub.com is providing a look at the fun elements of spots around the world, … [Read more...]
10 Best Social Distancing Travel Destinations In The USA
Top Secluded Travel Spots For the CoVID-19 Era Traveler By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger One of these days, we're going to be getting back on airplanes, going on road trips and heading to travel destinations. Yet we're still going to have to keep our social distance. Well, in case you have forgotten, there are places where we used to love to … [Read more...]
PubClub.com Virtual Destination Of The Week: The City Of New Orleans
The Big Easy Is Big On Fun & Entertainment By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Just because we are on lockdown and can't travel anyplace does not mean we cannot dream about traveling to places. With that in mind we present the PubClub.com Virtual Destination of the Week: the city of New Orleans. NOLA is called the Big Easy because there's … [Read more...]
PubClub.com’s Virtual Destination Of The Week: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
#StayHome Travel Dreams Can Be Found In This Pacific Paradise By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Just because we're stuck #athome and can't travel doesn't mean we can't dream of travel while we are stuck at home. So to brighten your day I am presenting PubClub.com's virtual destination of the week, the Pacific paradise of Waikiki Beach, … [Read more...]
Why The Travel Industry Will Still Suffer After The COVID-19 Pandemic Passes
Back To The Workplace And Lack Of Money Will Keep Would-Be Travelers At Home By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The travel industry can't wait for people to start traveling again, but when the COVID-19 pandemic is over and people are cleared to get outside again, it hardly means things will immediately get back to normal. In fact, in the wake of the … [Read more...]
We’re Stuck At Home But Can Still Dream About Traveling – The Travel Blogger
COVID-19 Pandemic Opens The Door To Creative Thinking By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger We have basically been ordered to stay in our homes or apartments and even if we wanted to go somewhere, no place is open, all due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But rather than shutting doors, we can use this time to open new doors to travel and … [Read more...]
Running Around – But Not From – The Coronavirus Outbreak Pandemic
It Was Quiet, Almost Eerily Quiet By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I went for a run today. That's a typical activity for me but this was a bit different than usual. It was the first full day of pretty much the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak COVID-19 pandemic. And it was a different feeling than any other day. On the one hand, … [Read more...]
An American’s Story Of Flying Back To The U.S. & The COVID 19 Airport Screening Process
Airport Screening & Coronavirus Effects On A Now-Struggling Musician By Evyn Charles, Special To PubClub.com My name is Evyn Charles. I make the bulk of my living as live musical performer (singer-guitarist); a small portion of my income is from songwriter-composer work. I traveled from my home in Los Angeles to my native France on February 23 and landed at … [Read more...]
With Coronavirus Crisis Now Is The Time To Find Cheap Travel Deals
Incredible Airline Fares, 25% Off Hotels Among Deep Discounts By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Flights from Los Angeles to Denver as cheap as $200. During the peak of ski season! Flights from the West Coast to Hawaii as cheap as $250. Feeling like visiting Paris? It's only $278 on American from JFK. A flight from that airport to Miami is just $58 on … [Read more...]
How To Take Great Travel Photos From Behind A Glass Window
This Simple Photography Tip Will Eliminate The Glare In Your Pictures By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Don't you just hate it. You're in a scenic area but are behind a glass wall or window and can't get a good picture because of the glare. You're trying to take a photo while in a car, on a train or from a glass-enclosed observation post such as one at … [Read more...]
A Jimmy Buffett ‘No Plane On Sunday’ Experience During An Amtrak Train Travel Trip
Unexpected Delay And A Caribbean Attitude By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA – There’s a song by Jimmy Buffett called “No Plane On Sunday” in which he gets stuck in the Caribbean because the plane he was to fly out on was broken and nobody was getting off the island. “No plane on Sunday,” the lyrics go, “maybe one come on … [Read more...]
Watch Out For Cleaning Fees & Other Charges When Booking Airbnb & VRBO
Short-Term Rentals Have Their Equivalent Of Hotel Resort Fees By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The price looks unbelievable. Hard to believe. And while the price may be right, it might not be right on by the time you book it. Like hotel resort fees, people posting places for rent on Airbnb and VRBO have a dirty little secret of their own. They … [Read more...]
Tips On How To Tip At Restaurants & Bars When Traveling In America
The Do's And Don'ts And The Unwritten Rules Of Tipping By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When my friend from Oz was visiting me in California, she was confused about how, where and how much to tip when we went out to eat and drink. Which was quite often, I must say. She was about as confused as I was trying to figure out the coins when I went to … [Read more...]
L.A. To Vegas High-Speed Train A Great Plan But Has This Major Weakness
Virgin Trains USA Providing Non-Stop Service From, Well, Victorville By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Imagine sitting in a comfortable chair with plenty of personal space, a bottle of champagne in front of you (or a beer or in my case, a rum drink), relaxed and doing cheers with your friends and others around you while speeding to Las … [Read more...]
A Warning About Traveling On Delta Air Lines – And Other Airlines, Too
Traveling By Plane Should Not Be This Frustrating By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Pardon me for venting here, but I am fresh off a pair of Delta flights that had me so frustrated I momentarily lost my temper and tossed my suddenly-useless boarding pass onto a gate agent's keyboard. And that was restraining myself. A late flight had caused me … [Read more...]
It’s Holiday Travel Time – Here Is Why I Say Bah Humbug
Of Airports, Airlines And Why Isn't Anyone Smiling? By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I love being home for the holidays with my family. The problem, tho, is getting there. You see, I live in Southern California and my family is in Tennessee. And that means boarding flights and, well, holiday travel. That's the part where I say "bah humbug." Oh, … [Read more...]
Airlines Should Give Passengers One Free Drink For Every Half Hour They Are Late
Complementary Cocktails Are Good Compensation For Being Delayed By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Delayed flights. Sitting in airports, on the floor or in a chair at the gate, waiting, waiting and waiting for your flight to board. Missing appointments, meetings or just spending time at the destination. It's the bane of travelers around the … [Read more...]
Why You Need To Arrive 2 Hours Early To Fly Out Of The San Jose Airport
Travel Blogger Has These Complaints About SJC By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I was never much for the San Jose airport back when it was a tiny, insufficient place, and after going through the newer, more modern version in December of 2019, I can say I still don't like it. My flight was on Southwest, in Terminal B, and I can tell you that in … [Read more...]
I Took Amtrak From San Diego To Salinas For 13 Hours And Here’s What Happened
Coast Starlight Proves Train Travel Can Be A Good Experience By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I had a sudden need to get from San Diego to Salinas, CA (Monterey County) and really did not want to drive. I especially did not want to have to deal with last-minute flight fares when suddenly the light bulb went off over my head: "hey, there's a train … [Read more...]
Things I Learned About Train Travel After A Long Trip On Amtrak’s Coast Starlight
Five Important Things To Know About Riding On The Rails By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger While others were driving or flying, I was riding the gentle beat of the rhythm of the rails on Thanksgiving weekend. I had to get from San Diego to Salinas, CA, and instead of making what would have been an eight-plus hour drive or buy an expensive plane … [Read more...]
FlixBus Leaves Riders Stranded For 3 Hours Going From San Diego To L.A.
Leave The Driving To Me With This Kind Of Bad Customer Service By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Seasoned sailors know that when you go out own the ocean, you load up on water, snacks and other survival provisions because you never know when you may get stuck out there. I did not realize one has to do the same thing when riding … [Read more...]
Airline Employee Questions Why Anyone Would Fly Southwest To Hawaii
What Passengers Should Know Before Taking SWA To Land Of Aloha, He Says By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Flights for $99. Packed planes. Increased revenue from a rush of passengers. It seems as if Southwest Airlines' decision to fly to Hawaii was a good one for the airline and travelers. But an employee from another airline that has regular … [Read more...]
5 American Cities With Great Public Transportation
How To Get Around European Style While In Traveling In The USA By Kevin Wilkerson PubClub.com Travel Blogger Whenever I travel anywhere outside of the USA, I marvel at the public transportation system in other cities and countries. We simply don't have that in much of America because America is a suburban car culture country. Therefore, Americans are not used … [Read more...]
It’s Another Sunny Day In San Diego
Routine Weather Is A Part Of The Southern California Lifestyle By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It is yet another sunny day in San Diego. Almost every day one wakes up to the same thing here: the sun blasting through a window, a temperature somewhere in the low 70s. Pull the shades? What, are you crazy!? I like having that sun coming in to wake me … [Read more...]
Don’t Let Los Angeles Earthquakes Cancel Your Summer Vacation Plans
You're More Likely To See A Celebrity Than Experience An Earthquake In L.A. By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Yes, there's whole lotta shaking going on in the Los Angeles area these days – heck, even Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach had a little tremor – but this is no reason for tourists to cancel their summer vacation plans to visit La La Land. In … [Read more...]
Delta’s Crappy Terminal 3 At LAX Is Like A Third-World Airport
Los Angeles Deserves Better And So Do Its Passengers By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When I went to Delta's Terminal 3 to catch a flight, I was appalled. This cramped terminal reminded me of something I would find at a third-world airport. There were people sitting on the floor because there were not enough seats; it looked as if there was a huge … [Read more...]
Why I Am Not In Love With The Minneapolis Airport (MSP)
Unconnected While Making An Airline Connection By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I had not been to the Minneapolis airport (MSP) for several years, and hope not to have to go there again anytime soon. It was a layover destination, meaning I had to get from one terminal to another. Immediately, I disliked the place. The gate spilled out into an … [Read more...]
It’s Time For The U.S. To End These Silly Travel Restrictions To Cuba
Trump's Cutting Off Of Cruise Ships Hurts Americans As Much As Cubans By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Get over it, America. It's time put an to end all the travel restrictions to Cuba. President Trump has trumped Obama's attempts to open up travel to Cuba by banning cruise ships from visiting the island nation. This will cut off American money … [Read more...]
How Travel Misadventures Can Enhance Your Traveling Experience
Turning Your Lemons Into, Well, Champagne! By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger PubClubette Ashley checked her Google maps, turned to me and said: "we're headed the wrong way. Again!" Instead of becoming frustrated or yelling at each other, we laughed. We know. Traveling can sometimes be as much about misadventures as it is about adventures. We … [Read more...]
Ashley & Kev’s Travel Misadventures – San Francisco
Misdirections, A Cable Car Blunder, Denied A Signature Cocktail And In Napa Valley With No Wine By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger We were continually headed in the wrong direction, walked up a 40% grade street instead of taking a cable car and somehow wound up in downtown Napa and didn't drink any wine. This is the story of the misadventures of … [Read more...]
A Memorial Memorial Day Of Traveling And Misadventures
A Wrong Train, Another Delayed Flight And Two Flat Tires By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel .Blogger I did not spend this Memorial Day hanging out at the beach, at a backyard BBQ, at a wild Las Vegas pool party or whopping it up at big-time festival. Instead, I spent a lot of it traveling – too much of it traveling, as it turned out, in fact. After three … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Question: Do You Unpack Your Suitcase At Hotels?
Getting Settled In A Hotel Room By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger You arrive at your destination, check in and excitedly head to your room. What's the first thing you do after opening the door? If you're like, you toss your bag on on the bed and head out to explore the destination. Others, tho, open their suitcase and start putting things in the … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Road Trip: Spending Memorial Day Weekend In San Francisco
Three Days In The City By The Bay By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger This Memorial Day Weekend, I will be taking the (hopefully) friendly skies of United up the California coast to spend three days in the City by the Bay, golden moments to come in the shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge. I will be in San Francisco for a travel blogger's press trip … [Read more...]
Elimination Of Visit Florida Could Affect Tourism Boards Across The USA
Travel Promotion Agencies Under Scrutiny By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Tourism boards across the USA are wise to keep a keen eye on what happens in Florida as the state legislature is on the verge of eliminating the Sunshine State's tourism board, Visit Florida. And you can bet they are, too. If Visit Florida's funding is cut off – with little … [Read more...]
Things Aren’t So Sunny For Visit Florida In The Sunshine State
Tourism Board Facing Elimination By Legislature By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Florida has a lot of attractions and attractive places, and apparently the state legislature figures that is enough to attract tourists. Unless the senate and house reverse course and provide $50 million in funding then Visit Florida, the state's tourism board, will … [Read more...]
Travel Blog: Is Global Warning Really Going To Cause Waikiki Beach To Disappear?
Paradise May Be Swallowed By The Pacific By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger If you don't know where you're going when the volcano blows, then what the heck are you doing to do when the ocean overwhelms Waikiki Beach? While exploding volcanos are a natural part of Hawaii, its most famous location and tourist attraction being swallowed whole by the … [Read more...]
How The Notre Dame Cathedral Fire Could Be A Blessing
Tragedy Is Bringing The World Together Through Outpouring Of Emotions & $1 Million In Donations By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The outpouring of emotions were stronger than the blaze that tore through the Notre Dame Cathedral. As I saw the photos and read the reports and outpouring of emotions, I realized something good was happening from … [Read more...]
Notre Dame Cathedral Fire Makes For A Sad Day For Tourists
Paris Landmark 'Saved From Total Destruction' By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger All over social media the message was the same: sad and devastated. As the Notre Dame Cathedral fire raged at this Paris landmark, people let their their feelings known about its potential loss. Fortunately, a Paris fire official told the media it has been "saved from … [Read more...]
What WOW Air And AAF Collapses Have In Common
Airline & ProFootball League Leave Passengers/Players Stranded After Folding By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Sports And Travel Blogger No warning. People left stranded. No support from the executives and complete chaos. I wasn't sure if I was reading a story on the collapse of WOW Air or the end of the Alliance of American Football, the short-lived (eight … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget To Pack For Your Feet When You Travel
An Expert Provides These Top 5 Foot Care Tips For Travelers We've all been there and experienced this scenario. It's a hot day, you've dragged yourself through the massive hallways of the museums, visited the top attractions and now you're hauling yourself down some long, never-ending boulevard. And your feet are killing you. You are thinking – no, dreaming – … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: March Madness Is America’s Party
Bracket Busters And Buzzer Beaters Can Be A Real Experience For Travelers To USA By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger If you're not from the States and are traveling in America the last two weeks of March, you may curious as to what is going on here. Chances are you will be be seeing men in business suits screaming like kids at the various TVs while … [Read more...]
Ready Or Not It’s St. Patrick’s Day Party Time In The USA
Parades & Green Beer To Fill Up America's Weekend By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The scene to be green is set, and America is rolling out the green carpet for this big event. March 16-17 is St. Patrick's Day weekend, a Saturday and Sunday that will have much of the country drinking colored beer, wearing colored glasses, singing Irish folk … [Read more...]
A Warm And Sunny Sunday In Southern California – Finally!
LA Weather Finally Returns To Normal By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Rain was forecast. Again. When will it end!? But then I woke up on a Sunday morning – it was barely morning, because the previous day I was on a pub crawl but it was morning none-the-less – and much to my pleasant surprise water was not coming down from the sky. Instead, … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: 5 Reasons I Love St. Patrick’s Day
A Day To Be Irish And Say Erin Go Brah! By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It's not because my name is Kevin, tho that helps. Were it O'Brien, then I might be over the top. As it is, I love St. Patrick's Day and here's five reasons why it's one of my favorite times of the year. 1.) The Atmosphere Depending on where your are, there might be … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: 3 Lesser-Known St. Patrick’s Day Destinations You Need To See To Believe
Pittsburgh, St. Louis & Savannah, GA Great Places To Visit St. Paddy's Day By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The group checked out of their hotel in Savannah, Ga., the day after St. Patrick's Day. They were a bit blurry-eyed and some were still staggering from the day before, but they had enough wits about them to do something really smart: … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Why It’s Mardi Gras 365 Days A Year In New Orleans
Why The Big Easy Is A Year-Round Party By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans and even tho I'm not there for it, in a kind of strange, New Orleans way, I was just there for it. The time was early September and the Zydeo music was coming out of beads shops in the French Quarter, Bourbon Street was packed with people – … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: New Orleans Weather For 2019 Mardi Gras Parades
Rain & Thunderstorms Followed By Cold Temperatures On Fat Tuesday By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger New Orleans is wild for its series of Mardi Gras parades. And in 2019, it's wild and wet. Rain and thunderstorms will pound the pavement as much as people's feet, beats and floats. Through the weekend at least, on Friday, Saturday and … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Finally A Nice Day In Southern California. But Wait!
The Weather Has Been So Bad I'm Writing About Seeing The Sun In L.A. By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Am I really writing this – a headline with the words "a nice day in Southern California!?" Yeah, what else is new? There's traffic on an LA freeway? There was an awards show in Hollywood? The Lakers lost again? Yet things are so bizarre with … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: LA Hosts Pre-Oscars Party & Gift Lounge Event In Beverly HIlls
Experiencing The Academy Awards Red Carpet Treatment In La La Land By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When most people think of Los Angeles, they think of Hollywood, movies, TV shows and celebrities. In reality when you live here or visit here, your experiences with such things are rare if at all or – as is the case with celebrities – chance … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Where Are You Drinking Margaritas For National Margarita Day?
Celebrating The Frozen (Or On The Rocks) Concoction By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger A beach? A bar? Both!? National Margarita Day is Feb. 22, and where are you spending it this day? Normally, I don't fall victim to all those "National So-And-So" Days created for social media hashtags and by marketers of companies just to push products like … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: My Rule For Window Vs. Aisle Seat When Flying Coach
Solving This Travelers' Airplane Dilemma By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It is the great airplane debate, one that people have debated for years with no clear-cut consensus as a conclusion. It is the window-vs-aisle seat dilemma for airline passengers flying coach. And since I have flown in coach for the vast majority of of my airline trips, I … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: WWII Sailor In Famous Photo Has Died But Lives On In These Statues
Sarasota & San Diego 'Embrace' The Iconic Image & V-J Day Moment By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger George Mendosa admitted he had a bit to drink and he saw a pretty woman. So he went up and planted one on her. His spontaneous moment wound up lasting for years, tho, as it became an iconic moment in American history. That is because famed … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Why Travelers Need To Check The Weather Before Visiting California
Californians Experiencing Winter Weather Like, Well, Everyone Else By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Rain. Rain that just won't go away and keeps coming back here. Snow-stopping streets. Hail – during a nationally-televised PGA Tour golf tournament at a location known for its seaside beauty. Winds so strong it moved piles of sand off beaches and … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Riding A Bike On The 17-Mile-Drive To The Lone Cypress Tree
A Perfect Day In Gorgeous Monterey Bay in Northern California By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It was another beautiful day, the type of day where you just want to be outside. And I was, for I had arranged to rent a bicycle from Blazing Saddles in Monterey, CA, and meet some local friends to ride and pedal our way on the 17-mile drive with the … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Well, So Much For That LA-to-San Francisco Bullet Train
California's 'Train To Nowhere' By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When California voters passed the proposition to fund a bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco, my first reaction was this: "that's really dumb. We already have a bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco. "It's called Southwest Airlines!" Southwest flies between the … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: It’s Only February And I’m Itching For A Trip
Bitten By The Travel Bug Already In 2019 By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I'm jealous. Some of my friends, including PubClub Travel Tales writer Eric Stone, are on a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands. They are cruising around, island hopping from great beach bar to beach bar with warm weather and deep-blue seas all around them. I have … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: President’s Day LA Road Trip To Mammoth Mountain
History & Landmarks Along California's Highway 14 and Hwy 395 By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger One of my favorite annual road trips was, for many years, the drive from Los Angeles to Mammoth Mountain on President's Day Weekend. It wasn't so much the journey that was such a joy – it took six hours and was always at night in the dark – but the … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: California’s Scenic US Highway 1 Subject To Winter Road Closures
Storms Could Cause Pacific Coast Highway To Shut Down Between Hearst Castle & Carmel By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Despite being recently re-opened between Hearst Castle and Carmel, scenic Pacific Coast Highway – the legendary Highway 1 along the California coastline – may still be shut down from time to time this winter. If Caltrans … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Californians Will Bitch About The Weather (Even When It’s Nice)
Spoiled Locals Complain And For Good Reason By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger A beautiful weekend day, sunny and in the mid-60s in February, and someone posts this on Facebook: "Waking up to the rain? Complete BS! So over this!" Okay, so it rained early in the morning. I heard it and did not get out of bed. By the time I walked outside, it was … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Will You Live Up To Your 2019 Traveling Goals?
Dreams & Destinations Don't Always Result In Trips By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It's the first of the year and you've got all these grandiose plans and ambitious ideas about a lot of things you're going to do and, for those of you who are like me, a lot of that includes travel. "This year," you say, "I'm going to that place all my friends … [Read more...]
The Travel Blogger: Now It’s FREEZING In L.A.; This Is Some Winter Weather
Canadian Vortex Sends Snow To Napa & Freezing Temperatures To Southern California By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I walked outside the other morning and it was so cold, I had to look around me make sure I was not at a ski resort. I did not know what the temperature was but I saw a story on the news that it was supposed to be below freezing in … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Does California Really Have The Most Instagram Worthy Locations?
Disneyland Is Not Just The Happiest Place On Earth It's The Most Hashtagged Place In America, Says Playpicks By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger There is little question that California is one of the most scenic places on earth – the dramatic coastline of Big Sur, the wide beaches of Southern California, the deserts and even mountains – make it a place … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Why La La Land Should Not Be Your Top February Vacation Spot
Rain Won't Go Away In Los Angeles This Winter By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger If you're looking for a warm weather and sunny place to travel to this February, don't come here to Los Angeles. In an unusual weather pattern, we are being washed away by unprecedented rain. Literally. As I write this, a large part of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu is … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Get Me Back On A Sailboat In The Virgin Islands
BVIs, Beach Bars, Rum & Tropical Music Are Always Calling Me By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger We raised the sails in Tortola And dropped a hook in Jost Van Dyke Killed our pain at the Soggy Dollar, Foxy's and the Paradise... – Eric Stone, "Sunsail" I was going through some photos of previous PubClub trips when I ran across pictures of me on a … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: San Francisco Should Not Charge For Driving On Lombard Street
A Better Solution To $10 Fee On This Popular Tourist Attraction By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I really enjoy visiting San Francisco but this new proposal ticks me off: county transportation officials are considering charging people to drive on Lombard Street. San Francisco County Transportation Authority officials are considering charging as … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: A Different Kind Of Super Bowl Sunday
No Redondo Beach 10K Or Beer Garden But It's Still A Fun Party Day By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger For year, I have had a routine on Super Bowl Sundays. First, I would wake up early (there has to be a special occasion for me to do this, by the way), put on my running shoes and head to King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach, CA. There, I would … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: USS Arizona Memorial Still Closed; Reopening Update
Popular Pearl Harbor Tourist Attraction To Resume In March By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The USS Arizona Memorial, one of the top tourism sites on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, has been closed since last May but may be reopening soon to visitors. According to the National Park Service, which runs the historic memorial, it could re-open in … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Super Bowls Need To Be Held In Warm Weather Destinations
Fans Deserve Sunshine & Palm Trees, Not Frigid Temperatures By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Atlanta. Minneapolis. New Jersey. Detroit. Brrr, Detroit! These are all recent host cities of the Super Bowl. Heck, build a stadium in International Falls, Minn., where – as I write this blog post it's minus-13 degrees and that does not … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Volunteers Needed For California’s 2019 Poppy Season
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Seeks Workers By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger With all the rain Southern California has had to start 2019, this is setting up to be a banner year for wildflowers, and it may be the best in years for people to visit the California poppy fields. But it you want to be a part of it, then become a … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Scratching My Head To Find A Fun & Cheap Destination
It's Getting Harder And Harder To Find Budget Travel Locations By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger A friend of mine is looking to get away for a few days and asked me for some recommendations the other evening. He was interested in a casual place where he could hang out, have a few drinks with some lively people and not spend a lot of money. In other … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Where To Go To Escape The East & Midwest Freezing Weather
Key West Has USA's Best Weather This Week By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Writer If you're in the Upper Midwest and East Coast of the USA in the middle of winter – where the week I'm posting this it's supposed to drop to minus-20 in Chicago, minus-30 in Minneapolis and minus-35 Detroit – and are checking airline schedules on where to go to get out of that … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Chicago & Midwest US To Get Blasted By Cold Weather
Detroit To Reach Minus-30 With Minneapolis At Minus-35 Degrees By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger If you're traveling to Chicago the week of the end of January/first of February, don't pack your swimsuit. In fact, pack everything thick and heavy you own, for an arctic blast is hitting the Upper Midwest section of the United States that will plunge … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: TSA Agents The Heroes During Government Shutdown
Possibly Disaster For Travelers Avoided With Temporary Resolution By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It is not very often that I feel like saluting a TSA agent. I appreciate it when the smile at me instead of yelling things like "GET OUT YOUR I.D. EMPTY YOUR POCKETS, REMOVE YOUR LAPTOPS" and so forth when I'm going through airport … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Los Angeles Finally Returns To Normal California Weather
Winter Rain Storms Give Way To Warmth And Sunshine By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger If you're planning a winter trip to Los Angeles and Southern California, then you will be glad to know that – for the time being, at least – we are back to our normal weather pattern. After 10 days of rain, the sun is out again and the temperature is warm. It's in … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: What To Do & Where To Get Photos When It Snows In Paris
Instagrammable Scenes Are All Over The City Of Lights By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It snowed in Paris. While that may seem like a fluke, it's really not that unusual. In fact, when it happens fun things happen in the City of Lights. The Eiffel Tower, while closed during these times, looks like a winter wonderland. Being there is a true … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: With 24 Hours & The 500, Daytona Beach Races Into 2019
Sports Car Racing & NASCAR Beat The Beach These Two Weekends By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger While most cities ease into a New Year, Daytona Beach, FL, goes into it full throttle. This small beach town in the northeast part of the Sunshine State hosts two major motorsports events within a few weeks the end of January and the beginning of … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Filmmakers Parking It In Park City For Sundance Film Festival 2019
It's Movies, Music & A Party By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Normally during the winter, Park City, Utah, is full of people blasting down white-power slopes on skis and snowboards. But for one week week of January each year, the chair lifts and ski runs are nearly empty (so if you want no lift lines, it's a great time to go there). Instead … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Don’t Cry New Orleans, The Mardi Gras Parades Start Soon
Saints Fans Will Recover In Time To Party By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Sure, New Orleans. Losing the chance to play in Super Bowl VIII on a blown non call by an official stinks. I know how much you love your Saints. Heck, I was in the Superdome to start the season to experience it for myself. But a reason to celebrate is just around the … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: How Californians Watched The Lunar Eclipse 2019
Is There Any More Wine!? By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger In many places in North and South America, the lunar eclipse was a big deal. People gathered to watch, the combination of the only time this and next year when the Earth, moon and sun lined up and this one came with a bonus: it was the year's first supermoon. The full eclipse lasted an hour … [Read more...]