The safest and most efficient way to pay for items while traveling overseas is to use a credit card. Amex is widely accepted but not as much as the Visa and MasterCard. By the way, forget about Traveler's Checks.  In countries like Norway, Iceland, and Denmark, it seems as if credit cards are the preferred method of payment and on some of these trips, we never even touch cash.  In places, especially southern Italy, cash is king. But there are 5 things to remember when using a credit card overseas.  Check my blog post for my tips on using credit cards overseas.

Let's face it.  Flying is miserable these days.  Coach class seats are tight to start with and no one wants to get stuck in the dreaded middle seat.  So, why not just upgrade to a premium class like first, business or premium economy?  Well that can be expensive.  For example, I priced a R/T flight between JFK and Madrid in October.  The coach class fare is a bargain $483 departing on October 30 and returning November 6.  But upgrading to business class is a whopping $2676. Premium economy is more than double the price at about $968.  But there are ways to get a better seat without spending so much money.

Generally speaking, hotels in Europe are rated by "stars", from zero to 5 stars.  People often ask what the difference is between a 3 or 4 star hotel or even a 2 or a 5 star hotel.  Does selecting a 2 star hotel over a 3 star hotel guarantee a better hotel.  Or will a 1-star hotel be not as good as a 2 star hotel.  The Traveling Professor answers your questions in today's blog post.

Let's face it, there have been incidents that are cause for concern for travelers.  The US State Department recently issued a travel advisory for Europe.  Should you be concerned?  The Traveling Professor's answer to this question is "of course you should be concerned".  But as a colleague of mine recently said, "Over the past 10 years I have lost too many friends to cancer, but none were lost while traveling".  So, in today's blog post, The Traveling Professor gives tips for a safe trip.

Yogi Berra famously said, "Nobody Goes There Anymore, It's Too Crowded".  We can apply the same statement to travel. There are some places we regularly travel to, but NEVER go during certain seasons.  In today's blog post, The Traveling Professor explains the places to stay away from at certain times and better alternatives for travelers who do want to go away and actually enjoy their vacation without the pressing crowds.

If you read my blog posts on a regular basis, you know I am a big fan of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. When I signed up for and paid my $450 fee, I immediately got $300 back on my first travel purchase.  Once I spent $4,000 on the card, I received 100,000 bonus points which I immediately used to purchase over $1,300 in travel (which by the way, I received frequent flyer miles on the airline tickets I purchased with my points) with those points.  On top of it, I now enjoy lounge access for me and my travel companions with my Priority Pass. I've used it in Dublin, Puerto Maldonado (Peru), Lima, Naples, and Lisbon.  But wait!  There are more reasons to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.   I'll explain in today's The Traveling Professor blog post.

Flying overseas today can be a brutal experience.  Packed planes, small seats, uncomfortable seats, noisy flyers, time changes, chaos at the airport, etc.  Add to it that most flights from North American to Europe are overnight flights just adds to the stress.  I've taken hundreds of trips overseas in the last few years.  On my small group tours to Europe, thousands of my travel clients have flown overseas.  Get my best tips for beating jet lag on your next tour to Europe.

Being a frequent flyer and a member of American Airlines AAdvantage program, I have accumulated millions of miles since I became a member in 1984.  I have accumulated these miles mostly through purchases on credit cards and through flights themselves.  I would use these miles to get "free" flights or upgrades. Is it worth it to accumulate and redeem miles anymore?  Please read my blog post and see what The Traveling Professor has to say.

For me, the only part of traveling I don't like is getting through the airport.  It can be a real hassle dealing with the long security lines.  And if I'm running on the late side, it an be stressful too.  I fly about 75,000 to 100,000 air miles a year all over the United States and Europe and through trial and error, I have learned quite a bit on how to get through airport security lines quickly.

Everyone takes photos while on a tour.  Most of them are frankly, lousy.  Even a good photographer will go through hundreds, even thousands of shots before they find that one photo they love. In my travel blog post I will go over some of the same pointers I give when I teach my travel writing classes to my students.  It will take just about a minute or two to read my tips on how to take good travel photos and I guarantee you will bring home better souvenirs of your next trip.