 The Coronavirus. It’s everywhere - literally and figuratively. It’s continuing to show up in more places worldwide. It’s on our televisions. It’s in our newspapers, on the radio and podcasts. It’s discussed at the office water cooler. The virus has now been detected in 56 different countries, and as the worldwide numbers continue to rise, the media continues to keep us in a mild panic with 24-hour coverage. Now, I am somewhat apprehensive writing about this particular subject and how it pertains to you and your travel plans. I, like most of you, am certainly concerned and somewhat fearful of the unknown. Like any virus of this kind, this too shall pass over time, but at what cost? My heart aches for anyone who has been directly impacted physically, emotionally or financially by this virus. That being said, we all have to continue living our day-to-day lives and for many of us, that includes traveling. Whether it’s for business or leisure, many of us continue to travel during this time of uncertainty concerning the virus. Hopefully, this article will provide some much-needed clarity and help you feel a little more at ease about any upcoming travel.
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 Ahhh, Spring. One of my favorite seasons. Now, you may be saying, Erik, what are you talking about, it’s still the dead of winter! Well, to you I say, “correct.” HOWEVER! One of my favorite things about spring being just around the corner is the return of Major League Baseball! Which brings us to the real reason I'm mentioning spring… MLB SPRING TRAINING!! Pitchers and Catchers have all reported, and teams are in full swing (pun intended), gearing up for the first season of the new decade. What better way for a baseball fan to enjoy his or her spring than to travel to spring training to soak up a little sun and enjoy America’s Pastime.
Estimating the cost of a vacation can be daunting especially if you’re looking for cheap places to travel. Embarking on a vacation on a budget can be stressful, difficult to plan and budget properly, and lead to more frustration than excitement. You worked hard to plan this vacation, and the planning should be a fun first step to a fun adventure to someplace new. So let’s all just cool our jets, breathe, and get ready to be realistic with our expectations (and our wallet)
 The commercial airline industry (or as I like to call it, the world's collective punching bag) is not an easy business to be in especially when it comes to flight delays. According to most recent data, over 44,000 flights are handled by the FAA domestically each day. With over 16.1 million flights handled by them yearly. That’s a lot of take off and landings. Many of these flights are delayed or in some cases canceled altogether, for a number of reasons. Flight cancellations and airport delays are rare in the big scheme of things. Here are a few of the major factors that cause flight delays or cancellations. They are presented in no particular order.
 Since the early days of recreational travel, travel agents who worked in a travel agency have been helping the public plan and book amazing vacations worldwide. They were Disney travel agents, Marriott travel agents and others. In the “good old days,” your travel agent or travel consultant was a trusted ally in your circle who most-likely worked in a tour agency - much like your family attorney, doctor or accountant. Your travel agent sent you a card on holidays and your birthday, and always kept you alert to new specials and emerging destinations to visit. They would throw get togethers and invite you to view slides from one of their client’s recent vacations. In short, they were your personal inspirational motivator of exploration. (I like the sound of that!)
 A noisy or faulty HVAC system, loud neighbors, tiny beds, a smelly room - so many things can ruin a hotel stay. This is your vacation and if you’re like me, you can’t afford to get it wrong! We’ve looked into the most common issues hotel guests have experienced and compiled a list of their most frequent complaints. Here are some suggestions on how to avoid falling headfirst into these hotel room pitfalls.
 On Friday, January 31, 2020, Holland America Line formally introduced the newest member of it’s esteemed Culinary Council. A collective of celebrity chefs, the Council oversees all dining on board Holland America Line ships. I was fortunate enough to attend a great evening hosted by Holland America Line at a fellow Seattle-based company’s flagship NYC location, Nordstrom on 57th Street. The event was amazing and here’s why...
 Are you considering a cruise for the first time? Maybe you’ve sailed before and want to experience a new ship or different ports of call? Either way, this is just the place to start. Your old pal Erik the Travel Guy has got you covered. Here we go...after you hit the "Read More" button!
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AuthorI am on a mission to get you traveling more often. As the host of the Emmy award- winning, nationally syndicated television television for PBS and the Create channel, "Beyond Your Backyard," I travel (on average) 25 weeks per year. I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet cool people, experience new places, eat delicious food and work with the best production crew in the world. Hopefully, through this blog, you will join me on my travels and be reminded just how exciting it is to be alive! Categories
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MEET ERIK THE TRAVEL GUY
Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy is an EMMY award-winning television personality who speaks directly to consumers who can't afford to "get their vacations wrong". He is the host and managing editor of the internationally syndicated television series "Beyond Your Backyard" for public broadcasting stations (PBS) and other networks/VOD platforms. Erik The Travel Guy is also host of the new podcast, Erik The Travel Guy - The Podcast. He leads an incredibly talented team of industry pros and is the editorial driving force of his platform. While the travel industry directly supports millions of families worldwide, Erik believes travel makes the world a better place. Through exploration and discovery, he has learned that travel brings cultures together and he eagerly shares that spirit with his viewers. Read Erik's Full Bio.
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