By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Today's topic is ice. Or lack thereof when traveling to Europe. This is one thing Americans need to know about traveling in Europe. You don't get ice in your drinks or at least certainly not to the extend you do at home. In America, ice is a common commodity. It comes in big bins at restaurants, bars and hotels and is in … [Read more...]
Sustainability In Travel And Tourism Is Ultimately Up To The Tourists
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger One of the hottest topics in the corporate world these days is sustainability. Pretty much every company and festival or event has a sustainability initiative and they are letting people know about it by posting on their website, in souvenir programs and in PR materials. Even auto racing is into the act. Sustainability in … [Read more...]
First-Time Cruise Questions And Hesitations From A Single Traveler
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I have often thought about expanding my travel experiences by taking a cruise. Yet whenever I start to seriously consider it, I pause like a guy in a bar hesitating when approaching a beautiful girl. I don't, by the way; I always charge in once I start because a girl can sense hesitation even if she doesn’t see it and she wants a … [Read more...]
Simple Budget Travel Hacks That Will Save You A Lot Of Money
This article is not AI-generated content By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger As a frequent traveler, I have budget travel hacks that help me save a lot of money when traveling and can help you do the same. I always have 3-4 simple tips and now you have them, too. One of them is getting to places. Forr short distances, I prefer to take a train … [Read more...]
5 Things That Make Road Trips Memorable
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Saw an interesting question on the travel Twitter chat #RoadTripChat. It was "what makes road trips memorable?" I replied that several things make road trips memorable and then thought "hey that would make for a great blog post." There were many factors to consider but here I have the five biggest things that make road trips … [Read more...]
If You Have Two Days To Visit Franklin TN Here’s A Great Things To Do Itinerary
Food & Drink, Live Music, E-Biking, A Civil War Battlefield And One Awesome Winery By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Do you have two days to visit Franklin TN, a quaint city south of Nashville? If so, then there's enough to do to keep you happy and to encourage you to go back again. This is a great things-to-do itinerary that involves food, … [Read more...]
Hotels Near Franklin/Nashville TN Cool Springs Hilton Review
A Business & Pleasure Place To Stay Next To Nissan's USA Headquarters By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger When your business or pleasure travel takes you to the Nashville-area city of Franklin, TN, you can both conduct business and have pleasure at the Cool Springs Hilton. It is particularly convenient if your business has you in town for … [Read more...]
Getting Used To Traveling Again After The COVID-19 Pandemic
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 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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
PubClub.com Visits Two Harbors, Catalina Island’s Hidden Paradise
Camping & Top Things To Do In Two Harbors By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It is 26 miles across the sea and Catalina Island is waiting for me. That lyric from a cute 50s song from the Four Preps is about Santa Catalina, an island off the Los Angeles coast that is "a tropical heaven out in the ocean" to borrow another lyric from that … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Walking Across The Gatlinburg SkyBridge Is Not As Scary At It Looks
Longest Suspension Bridge In North America Is A Pleasant, Fun & Unique Stroll In The Smokies By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger From the ground – and particularly from a distance – the Gatlinburg SkyBridge in Gatlinburg, TN, looks like something you would want to take a deep breath and even consider leaving a note to your next of kin just in case … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Ready Or Not It’s St. Patrick’s Day Party Time In The USA
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Nightlife 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 songs (even tho they barely know some of the words) and yelling … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Traveling By Train In Switzerland Is A Real Thrill
Scenic Landscapes & Swiss Wine By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Peering out at the scenery, I became lost in time. Rolling past me at a steady pace was a blue lake, glistening in the late-morning sun, looking like a series of moving paintings through windows big enough to cover a wall in some houses where I live. I was on a train run by … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger’s Daily Blog: Sunny & Beach Volleyball In Hermosa Beach
An LA Day In May – Life's A Beach By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger After several days of what we in Los Angeles call "Gray May," today I woke up to sunshine. The sky is blue and while I'm sure some clouds will roll in, it's always nice to be greeted by gorgeous morning. I also was welcomed to the new day by the familiar sound of thump-thump of … [Read more...]
Lifestyle Travel Blog: The San Francisco Treat(ment)
Travel Blogger Learns What's Happing This Summer In The Bay Area At This Press Event By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I rolled up to the Loews Hotel valet in Hollywood and as I got out of the car the attendant asked my name and said "welcome to the Loews, Mr. Wilkerson. I'll be your personal valet tonite." I then went inside to the concierge's … [Read more...]
A Frustrating Day At The Beach
Travel Blogger Teased But Not Pleased With Cold, Winter Conditions By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger "Life's A Beach." "No Bad Days At The Beach." These popular slogans paint a picture of being in bikinis or board shorts, of funnin' and sunning, frolicking in the water in a warm and inviting location. And yes, a beach can be all that and … [Read more...]
Next Trip For This Travel Blogger: Central California Coast & Hearst Castle
On The Road To The Highway One Discovery Route Destinations By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It is time to pack the bags again for another trip for this travel blogger. This time I'm not going to the airport but rather jumping in the car and driving up the California coast. I'm headed out from PubClub.com World Headquarters in Hermosa Beach … [Read more...]
What Every Travel Blogger Needs To Know About Free Press Trips
Tips & Rules For Media Events & FAM Trips By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger As a travel blogger, I get a lot of invitations from PR people to attend events, tastings at restaurants and even full-on trips where pretty much everything is comped. The latter involves going to a destination and touring things the PR agency or tourism board wants … [Read more...]
Conquering (Well Sort Of) The LA Metro System From Hermosa To DTLA
A Good Walk Spoiled After A Pleasant Journey With No Traffic By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger For a few flashing moments, I thought I could have been in Europe. I was riding in a train through a big city, sitting comfortably in a seat and pulling into a gleaming station. But I was not in a European city. I was in Los Angeles, a place where I have … [Read more...]
Cool Places To See And Top Things To Do In Knoxville, Tennessee
UT & The Volunteer Navy, Concord Park & Great Cheese Awaits Visitors To K-Town By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger & Knoxville native I saw a question posted on Quora inquiring about places a tourist should visit in Knoxville, TN, and figured as a native of this fine city it was my moral if not professional obligation as a travel blogger to … [Read more...]
Which Is Better: Being A Sports Writer Or A Travel Blogger?
Covering Athletes & Coaches Vs. Being Wined & Dined On FAM Trips in Places Like Switzerland By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Blogger I was doing a Twitter chat on travel when I happened to mention on it that I was once a sportswriter. "That must have been exciting," someone quickly responded to my post. "Well, yes and no," I replied, and then I started … [Read more...]
An American Diner Provides A True Taste Of Southern Roots
Traveling Home To A Traditional Part Of East Tennessee By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger No matter where we travel, where we go or what we experience, we should never lose our roots. Sometimes, it's necessary to get back in touch with your heritage, even in a small way, to keep alive the history than can be buried deep within your soul. And that's just … [Read more...]
Destination Lancaster The Travel Blogger’s Next Road Trip
Los Angeles Area Mojave Desert Town Has Unique Attractions By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClb.com Travel Blogger It wasn't quite like getting invited to Switzerland or Carmel, but when a press invitation came my way to visit Lancaster, CA, I took interest in it. Lancaster isn't exactly what comes to mind when you think of California Dreamin' for it has no beach, ocean or … [Read more...]
My Top 10 Travel Pet Peeves From The Travel Blogger
Surly Airline Employees, Hotel Resort Fees And Other Annoying Things About Traveling By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger I'm a happy, easy-going traveler. Most of the time. There are times, tho, when certain factors make me perk up and bring out the Leo in me. Which is why I have a list of these Top 10 travel pet peeves. 1.) Hotel Resort Fees … [Read more...]
Where Bloggers Dare: Riding The Swiss Alps Glacier Aerial Cable Car
12,000 Feet In The Sky And Don't Look Down! By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger One of the thrills of a visit to Zermatt, Switzerland, is going to visit its glacier, which is not the Matterhorn but the Little Matterhorn. It's not just that you can ski year-round here or that you can actually go inside the glacier and be treated to fantastic ice … [Read more...]
Switzerland Travel Blog: Hiking To A Restaurant In The Swiss Alps
A Great Meal In The Middle Of A Meadow By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger The day was lovely. Not the kind of stunning lovely day one might expect to find in late summer in Switzerland – clouds kept us from seeing the famous reflection of the Matterhorn shining in a pond, the image which has graced a thousand postcards – but lovely none-the-less. We were … [Read more...]
European Travel Blog: Those Confusing Shower Heads In Europe
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com's Travel Blogger I'm a pretty good traveler. Actually, I'm a very good traveler. I'm easy going, handle changes well, rarely complain and enjoy being places different from home. Especially Europe. But no matter how many times I go to Europe, I am always confounded by one thing: those confusing shower heads in Europe. What Is A European … [Read more...]
Edelweiss Air Las Vegas To Zurich Nonstop Flight Review
It's No Gamble With This Service In She Skies Switzerland, Switzerland wine, wine, wine lover, travel, wineries, wine tasting wine tours Domaine du Daley winery Switzerland The Swiss sure know how to travel in style. Their trains are awesome and so, too, are their planes. I've taken Swiss Air to Switzerland before and recently was aboard its sister airline, Edelweiss … [Read more...]
London Travel Blog: An American’s First Impressions
Trying To Find An Authentic English Pubs Black Cabs & Hot Tea By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Blogger I didn't take this as a negative, but immediately upon arriving in London for my first visit to the city, I was greeted by an airport alert. I couldn't get past the security area and my friend who was there to meet me could not even get into the airport. The … [Read more...]