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You've Got to See This

By Eilene Zimmerman
You've Got to See This

There’s a gigantic, don’t-miss hole in the ground in Arizona, according to a 2002 poll. When the 1,300 members of the Society of American Travel Writers were asked to name their top must-see spot in the world, the pick was the Grand Canyon.

The list includes four natural wonders, six cities and four manmade marvels.

A visit to ancestral land also made the following list:
 

1. Grand Canyon
2. Great Pyramids of Egypt
3. New York City
4. Paris, France
5. Great Wall of China
6. Venice, Italy
7. London, England
8. India’s Taj Mahal
9. Machu Picchu, Peru
10. Land of your family’s ancestors
11. Washington, D.C.
12. The Canadian Rocky Mountains
13. Jerusalem
14. Galápagos Islands
15. Hawaiian Islands

Airline Food-To-Go

Airline food has long been the butt of travelers’ jokes. But these days, even those “mystery meals” have pulled a disappearing act on major airlines. Some airlines are experimenting with charging for meals. Feel lucky if you’re doled out a bistro bag for a coast-to-coast flight.

That’s where Diane Biggwither and Debra Stanton come in. Last year, their Ala Carte (921 Sixth Avenue; 619-544-1661) began selling a Traveling Meal. Call 24 hours prior to your flight, and they’ll have your lunch bagged and ready. Bonus: The meals come with a sheet of suggested airplane exercises.

The foodstuffs are healthy, gourmet options beyond the offerings in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Traveling Meal selections include meat loaf, baked ham sandwiches, a slice of quiche or a quartered Cornish game hen. Each comes with French Brie, water crackers and fruit. At $25 each, Traveling Meals don’t cost peanuts, but they do taste better.

 It’s in the Bag

Seasoned travelers and once-a-year vacationers know the drill. Spend days deliberating what to pack. Strategically organize what clothes are coming with you. Eventually, come to the realization it’s not all going to fit.

Sigh.

What does fit had better be loaded into the right bags. Whether you’re jetting off to Denver for a weeklong business trip or taking a weekend pleasure jaunt to San Francisco, high-quality baggage is a must. If you’re currently without a quality carry-on, what should you shop for?

“Strong wheels,” says Jon Nordmark, president and CEO of eBags.com, the Internet’s largest seller of bags and accessories. “Look for skateboard-like wheels that are housed inside the bag’s base. Wheels mounted on the outside tend to break off.”

Next, consider fabric. The more frequently you travel, the more abuse your bag will take. “A leisure traveler could make do with polyester, whereas a business traveler should go for ballistic nylon,” says Nordmark.

His picks: for leisure travelers, Skyway and Optima ($50-$70); for business travelers, TravelPro, Briggs & Riley—“They’re built like tanks,” he says—or the Silhouette series by Samsonite. Prices range from $150 to $300.

No matter what your travel purpose, look for high-denier fabrics, thick zippers, strong wheels and multiple pockets. Don’t worry about locks; new regulations allow airport security to search even checked luggage.

“Don’t be afraid to spend a little more for good quality,” advises Nordmark. “You’re carrying an extra 30 pounds with you when you travel—you want a bag that can support the whole load.”

—Christina Orlovsky