Five For The Fourth!

For those of you celebrating Independence Day this weekend, here are five ways across the United States that you can enjoy the holiday!

US Museums Go Science Fiction

The summer attractions at these museums are truly "out of this world!"

Not To Toot Our Own Horn...

...but we were happy to be spotlighted on CBS News yesterday in a feature about products and services for plus-size people!

Art Museums (Not So) Off The Beaten Path

Do you consider yourself an art aficionado but find you appreciate the craftmanship more than the large crowds at the more renowned destinations? Then you may find this list of lesser-known art destinations to be useful.

The "Fresh Face" of Boston

Boston, the hub of the New England region, holds an iconic status in American history. Nevertheless, the city has strived to offer new attractions to locals and tourists alike. Here is a glimpse at the "new" Boston.

Life's A Beach!

Planning to go on a beach vacation soon? Although you may think you've packed everything you need, here are some useful products that you may not have thought about.

Decisions, Decisions...

When deciding to plan a vacation, especially if one has not traveled in a while, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the choices out there. As much as the internet can help, it can also complicate matters with even more information. Here are some ideas to consider when planning your vacation.


What kinds of activities would you like to partake in? Or would you prefer to go somewhere and do “nothing at all”?

Is there a particular location that interests you? What excites you the most about that location?

Do you want to do be in a familiar atmosphere? Or would you prefer to try something a little (or a lot) outside your normal comfort zone?

Would you prefer to go the tried-and-true tourist route? Or does blending in with the locals sound appealing?

Are you interested in viewing natural scenery? Or do man-made structures inspire you?

Are there multiple ways to arrive to your destination? Sometimes, as they say, the journey is half the fun. At other times, getting the party started is of the utmost urgency.

Knowing the answers to these questions will not only help you streamline the decision process for yourself but also make it easier for your travel agent to focus on finding the vacation experience that you seek.

Traveling Solo

Traveling solo can be a freeing experience. Still, some people can become concerned about connecting with others in both good and not-so-good times. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your solo experience.

Size-Friendly Las Vegas

Las Vegas! Sin City! The self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World! Size-friendly? Why yes, it can be if you do a bit of advance planning. Shameless plug: Abundant Travel is certified as a Las Vegas Destination Specialist by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.


Of course when most people think of Las Vegas, they think of the multitude of casinos that line Las Vegas Boulevard aka The Strip. As most of these structures are indeed rather substantial, it helps to be aware of one’s endurance level. Having access to a car is helpful – assuming there is a designated driver in your party – and most Strip hotels offer free valet parking. (A $2-5 tip upon departure is always appreciated.) Many plus-size visitors find it beneficial to rent an electric scooter. All of the hotels on the Strip meet accessibility guidelines with their rooms, restaurants, shows and other attractions. At several crosswalk points, elevator access is provided. For transportation from the airport and between hotels, one can also ask a porter to arrange for an accessible taxi van featuring a ramp to roll up into the back of the vehicle.

The creation of grand hotel entrances set back far from the street can make for a considerable journey by all pedestrians, particularly guests who might want to leave their temporary home. Some exceptions whose properties open up directly on the street include the Paris, the Flamingo, and the Cosmopolitan.

It may be tempting to try to visit all of the casinos; however, for general sightseeing purposes, some may be more interesting than others. If one wanted a sample of the “best” that Vegas had to offer, I would suggest the aforementioned Paris as well as the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. As it turns out, all three of these hotels are on or near the same intersection of Flamingo Road and the Strip. I might visit these hotels in the order listed, especially if walking, in order to help gauge one’s endurance. Paris is the smallest of the three hotels. For day two, I would consider visiting both the Venetian and again the Cosmopolitan. Certainly this isn’t an exhaustive list as each  Strip casino hotel has its own unique draw. But for purposes of popping in and out of properties, it may be worth it to make sure that there are specific attractions that you want to see at a particular hotel.

Of course, while touring the properties is a lot of fun, many people find that their host hotel provides more than enough amenities for them to stay put. Some examples would include Mandalay Bay, the Venetian and the Wynn.

A considerable contrast to the Strip can be found a few miles north in the Fremont Street area of downtown Las Vegas. With casinos that are smaller and packed closer together, it’s easier to randomly visit any and all of them. Most of the hotels there fit are located under the overhead canopy where the famous Fremont Street Experience light show takes place nightly. In general, one’s dollars will go further up here. That said, there are two potential drawbacks for some visitors. For one, non-smokers may be concerned with the relative lack of investment in air filtration systems by downtown casinos. Also, the headliners and extravagant productions found further south on the Strip are mostly replaced by cover band entertainment under the canopy as well as a burgeoning nightlife on East Fremont Street that is mildly trendy yet laid-back and inclusive. The Golden Nugget as well as the Cabana Suites at the El Cortez are two hotels where indulging in luxury is possible.

Dozens of Reasons To Visit New Orleans

Here are a few - okay, more than a few - reasons to visit the Big Easy. While the culinary suggestions may not be surprising, some ideas are a bit less obvious.

Riding The Rails: Is It For You?

Traveling by train can be a good compromise between the increasing complexities of air travel and the physical toll of driving. While there are certainly advantages, there are also considerations to take into account when deciding on train travel.


Unlike airports, Amtrak train stations have less security procedures. It is not necessary to go through metal detectors to endure searches of one’s property or of oneself. In many cases, all one needs to do is line up at the time of boarding. Amtrak is also more lenient with the amount of luggage that can be stored for no additional fee.

For those who may need assistance with boarding the train as well as stowing one’s belongings, Amtrak staff is available to help. Advance notice may be beneficial in some cases.

Compared to the average airline coach seating width of 15-19 inches, Amtrak coach seating is more generous starting at about 20 inches. Upgraded seats are as wide as 23 inches. Purchasing an additional seat or sharing a third seat may still be beneficial.

For those traveling overnight – or many nights – a sleeping car room can be advantageous for its privacy. Showers are also available in most rooms. Note that as sleeping car rooms often consist of bunk beds, passengers who would be sharing space may want to assess the viability of such an arrangement. There are accessible bedrooms as well for those who utilize wheelchairs but they should be reserved well in advance.

Train travel can often save time that you would have otherwise spent on the highway. With as much ground as Amtrak covers, however, the train service is most frequent along the coasts and east of the Mississippi. On the other hand, some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery can be found along the routes in the heartland. Not unlike an airline’s connecting flights, a train itinerary may sometimes travel an indirect route as well. For example, a trip from Philadelphia to Memphis would require a change of trains in Chicago.

Overall, traveling on Amtrak can be a memorable experience, especially if planned in advance. Canada’s VIA Rail system is even more highly regarded. And in many other countries, particularly in Europe, train travel is more popular and efficient than flying or driving.

In Search Of The Best Pie Shops?

Everybody likes pie, right? (I happen to be partial to Boston Cream Pie, myself.) Well, here's an article about the best new pie shops in America.

America's "Best" Cities For Summer Travel

This list of the "best" cities to visit this summer includes more than a few that spend the winter in hibernation.

An Electronic Music Cruise

I have to admit that, as a fan of electronic dance music, this cruise concept interests me a lot. What do you think?

In Celebration Of Summer!

Here is a sample of  America's best summer's best festivals. They are all surely worth the trip!