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	<title>Consumer Traveler &#187; Columns</title>
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	<description>The last honest travel site</description>
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		<title>With kids, research and a creativity can dramatically improve vacations</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/with-kids-research-and-a-creativity-can-dramatically-improve-vacations/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/with-kids-research-and-a-creativity-can-dramatically-improve-vacations/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ned Levi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family vacations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ground Hog Festival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heinz National Wildlife Refuge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hidden History Hunt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independence National Historic Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interaction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[participation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peanut Butter and Jams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philadelphia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philadelphia Zoo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Please Touch Museum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Second Bank of the US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Cafe Live]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45413</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finding great places and events for children during family vacations to prevent child boredom help children have a great time when away with their parents, requires research and effort for parents. Ned Levi has some suggestions on finding them, what kind might be considered, and how to evaluate them.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/with-kids-research-and-a-creativity-can-dramatically-improve-vacations/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Vacation rental phishing scams catch more travelers</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/vacation-rental-phishing-scams-catch-more-travelers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/vacation-rental-phishing-scams-catch-more-travelers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christopher Elliott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phishing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vacation rental]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45307</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shauna Kattler thought she’d found the ideal rental home in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for her Christmas vacation: a two-bedroom penthouse condominium with a hot tub and an impossibly perfect view of the Caribbean. And she was getting it for the impossibly low peak-season rate of $450 a night through HomeAway.com, a popular vacation rental Web site. “Impossibly” being the operative word.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/vacation-rental-phishing-scams-catch-more-travelers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tips to be prepared in case of a cruise ship emergency</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/tips-to-be-prepared-in-case-of-a-cruise-ship-emergency/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/tips-to-be-prepared-in-case-of-a-cruise-ship-emergency/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ned Levi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alcohol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cloud service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costa Concordia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costa Cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise ship safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[disabled passengers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dry bag]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elevator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emergency kit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flashlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Google Docs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[language]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lifevest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medic Alert Foundation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[muster drill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[muster station]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[passport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safety record]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smart Traveler Enrollment Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teenagers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel agent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US State Department]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wallet]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week Ned Levi looked at the maritime regulations which are in force for cruise ships and recommended changes, in light of the Costa Concordia tragedy. This week Ned offers safety tips for cruisers, so they are prepared in case an emergency occurs to help them ensure their safety, along with family, and friends traveling with them.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/tips-to-be-prepared-in-case-of-a-cruise-ship-emergency/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Honesty is the best advertising policy — today, airlines take the first steps</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/honesty-is-the-best-airline-advertising-policy/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/honesty-is-the-best-airline-advertising-policy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:30:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charlie Leocha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DOT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[passenger protections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US Department of Transportation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45228</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We’ve all seen that “great deal” airline ad, only to discover that with surcharges, taxes and fees, the great deal is not-so-great. Starting today, when airline consumers see an advertised price of  $500 that will be the price they pay.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/honesty-is-the-best-airline-advertising-policy/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Costa Concordia sinking leaves other cruise ship passengers alarmed — and out of luck</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/costa-concordia-sinking-leaves-other-cruise-ship-passengers-alarmed-and-out-of-luck/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/costa-concordia-sinking-leaves-other-cruise-ship-passengers-alarmed-and-out-of-luck/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christopher Elliott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costa Cociere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costa Concordia]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45168</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“I’m 82, and I couldn’t have made it off the ship without help,” she says. Reading about the Concordia crew’s alleged unpreparedness for disaster has made her nervous about her February cruise to the Bahamas on the Carnival Magic. Can she cancel her trip now that she is fearful?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/costa-concordia-sinking-leaves-other-cruise-ship-passengers-alarmed-and-out-of-luck/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Life safety cruise ship regulation reform is essential</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/life-safety-cruise-ship-regulation-reform-is-essential/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/life-safety-cruise-ship-regulation-reform-is-essential/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:54:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ned Levi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costa Concordia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costa Cruise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IMO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International Maritime Organization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life vest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lifeboats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[liferafts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[listing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[muster drill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[muster station]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SOLAS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45136</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the death toll mounts, the Costa Concordia tragedy horrifies us more and more, especially since it has become apparent the ship never should have hit the rock which tore a 300 foot hole in its hull, and that more timely and decisive action by the captain and crew of the ship might have prevented [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/life-safety-cruise-ship-regulation-reform-is-essential/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>30</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Riding in the Head End of the ‘Builder’</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/riding-in-the-head-end-of-the-builder/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/riding-in-the-head-end-of-the-builder/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:31:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jim Loomis</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amtrak]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Empire Builder]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45108</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I submitted a request to ride in an Amtrak locomotive, but that is such a rarely-approved privilege I had little hope it would ever actually happen. Imagine my delight when I was told arrangements had been made for me to ride in the “head end” of Amtrak’s daily Empire Builder during a Chicago-to-Seattle trip.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/riding-in-the-head-end-of-the-builder/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Navigating the bewildering new world of car rentals</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/navigating-the-bewildering-new-world-of-car-rentals/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/navigating-the-bewildering-new-world-of-car-rentals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:21:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christopher Elliott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electric vehicle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prius]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rental cars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toyota]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=45065</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you confused by the growing number of the car rental industry’s latest additions to their fleets, which include everything from electric vehicles to microcars?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/navigating-the-bewildering-new-world-of-car-rentals/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Taking a Martin Luther King historical journey</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/taking-a-martin-luther-king-historical-journey/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/taking-a-martin-luther-king-historical-journey/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:11:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ned Levi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlanta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[civil rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights Memorial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coretta Scott King]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ebenezer Baptist Church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[historic sites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[martin luther king]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Martin Luther King Day of Service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Martin Luther King Sr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maya Lin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Montgomery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nonviolent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosa Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Southern Poverty Law Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPLC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=44989</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On this Martin Luther King Day, US national holiday, Ned Levi discusses his travels to Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery Alabama, to see some of the historic locations important in the life of Dr. King, while he was attending and covering the Southern Poverty Law Center's 40th Anniversary Celebration last year.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/taking-a-martin-luther-king-historical-journey/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Google&#8217;s little flight search problem</title>
		<link>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/googles-little-flight-search-problem/</link>
		<comments>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/googles-little-flight-search-problem/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christopher Elliott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airfares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[competition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flight search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Google]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=44866</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It isn’t difficult to imagine Google controlling most online travel purchases in the not-too-distant future. And until recently, I didn’t have an issue with that; after all, if Google can offer cheaper tickets or better flight options by cutting out the middleman, who cares?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/googles-little-flight-search-problem/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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