Our weekly travel planning guide provides destination ideas, practical tips, and timely travel news. Plus, stay up-to-date on our newest blog posts, travel videos, and podcast episodes.
Share
✈️ Flight Cuts, Road Trip Costs & Hawaii Travel News
Published 17 days ago • 6 min read
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 21, 2026
Happy last day of summer. We hope you enjoyed some travel and exploration during summer 2026. Now it's time to turn our attention to fall experiences.
We enjoyed our Sunday by taking in the first hockey game of the season in Anaheim with four of our grandchildren. If you've followed us, you know we love hockey and took advantage of the first preseason game for the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.
The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you when you purchase using one of these Amazon links. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.
Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
☀️ Travel Tip of the Week: Start Planning Spring Break 2027 Now!
Dreaming of sun, sand, and a little springtime escape? Now is a great time to start planning your Spring Break 2027 getaway, especially if flexibility matters.
Popular beach destinations, family-friendly resorts, and all-inclusive properties can fill up quickly during peak school vacation weeks.
Start by checking your school district’s spring break dates
Compare prices for departures a few days before or after the busiest travel dates
Look for resorts offering refundable rates or flexible cancellation policies, and compare the total cost of your stay, including resort fees, meals, and activities.
Set airfare alerts now, explore alternative destinations
Keep an eye out for vacation packages.
The earlier you start planning, the more choices you'll have—and the better your chances of finding a getaway that fits your budget!
Travelers could face fewer flight options and higher airfares as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines reduce their schedules in response to soaring jet fuel prices. Airfares are already running 20% to 25% higher than last year, and airlines are now targeting less-profitable routes to control costs.
United is cutting some December flights and may make additional reductions in early 2027, while Southwest has already halved its planned capacity growth. Despite strong travel demand and healthy bookings, rising fuel expenses are squeezing airline profits. For travelers, the changes could mean fewer nonstop options, reduced flight frequencies, and continued pressure on ticket prices heading into 2027.
Planning your next road trip? The cost of getting there may be higher than you realize. AAA's latest Your Driving Costs study estimates that owning and operating a new vehicle now averages $12,863 annually, or nearly $1,072 per month.
While electric vehicles offer charging costs roughly 66% to 70% lower than gasoline expenses, higher depreciation and financing costs can outweigh those savings. Hybrids emerged as a lower-cost alternative to gas-powered vehicles across the four categories compared, including SUVs and pickup trucks.
Depreciation remains the largest ownership expense, averaging $4,422 annually. For travelers who frequently hit the open road, AAA's findings highlight the importance of considering total vehicle costs, not just what you spend at the pump. Drivers can explore personalized estimates using AAA's Your Driving Costs calculator.
Kauaʻi is making progress toward reopening following Hurricane Lowell, with electricity restored to much of the island and some hotels beginning to welcome guests again.
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is encouraging visitors to travel responsibly, avoid restricted or heavily damaged areas, and follow local safety instructions. Travelers with upcoming reservations should contact their hotels and tour operators directly to confirm availability and services. Koʻa Kea Resort in Poʻipū began welcoming guests on September 16, while the Sheraton Kauaʻi Coconut Beach Resort remains closed and is waiving cancellation fees through September 25.
Visitors can support the island's recovery by patronizing operating restaurants, shops, and attractions while showing patience and respect for local communities.
Singapore Airlines has claimed the title of World’s Best Airline at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, moving ahead of last year’s winner, Qatar Airways, which finished second.
Cathay Pacific, ANA All Nippon Airways, and Turkish Airlines rounded out the top five, while no U.S. carrier made the top 20. Singapore Airlines also earned awards for Best Economy Class and Economy Class Onboard Catering. Other notable winners included Qatar Airways for Best Business Class and Onboard Wi-Fi, Cathay Pacific for Best Cabin Crew, and AirAsia for Best Low-Cost Airline.
For travelers comparing airlines, the awards offer a useful look at carriers recognized for everything from affordable flights and cabin comfort to premium service and family-friendly experiences.
Frontier Airlines is giving travelers more flexibility with a new Cancel for Any Reason benefit, powered by Hopper Technology Solutions.
Available as an add-on during booking through Frontier’s website and mobile app, the service offers different levels of refundability, including an option to cancel up to 24 hours before departure and receive a full refund.
The new benefit is part of Frontier’s broader efforts to improve the passenger experience in 2026, alongside discounted GoWild unlimited flight passes and plans to introduce first-class seating. For budget-conscious travelers, the added flexibility could make it easier to lock in low fares without worrying as much about changing plans.
Why Visit? Nevada City, CA is a well-preserved Gold Rush town known for its historic downtown, eclectic shops, and vibrant arts scene, all set against the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills. The town offers visitors a mix of unique cultural experiences, stunning natural scenery—including the nearby rivers and trails—and annual festivities that bring its storybook charm to life.
Top Things To Do:
Explore Historic Downtown & Nevada Theatre: Wander Broad Street to admire Victorian architecture, quirky boutiques, and catch a show at California’s oldest theatre, the Nevada Theatre.
South Yuba River State Park: Hike picturesque trails, enjoy river views, and experience some of the region’s most beautiful natural landscapes about 25 minutes from town.
Victorian Christmas: Immerse yourself in this magical December festival with carolers, artisans, and old-fashioned holiday cheer in the heart of downtown.
Travel Tip: The best time to visit Nevada City is late spring through early fall for outdoor recreation, or December for the enchanting Victorian Christmas festival. Downtown parking often relies on coin-operated meters, so it's helpful to carry quarters. Walk as much as possible to soak up the town’s historic charm and avoid parking hassles.
Plan Your Visit: Check out our blog post on Nevada City Victorian Christmas for more ideas and tips for planning your trip.
We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on March 2027, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:
Miami Open — Miami Gardens, Florida - The premier tennis tournament at Hard Rock Stadium offers two weeks of elite competition, international crowds, entertainment, and a South Florida getaway.miamiopen
Spring NASCAR Weekend— Avondale, Arizona - This major NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway offers a high-energy weekend of stock-car racing and one of the best sports experiences in the American Southwest. Straight Talk Wireless 500 — Avondale, Arizona - This major NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway offers a high-energy weekend of stock-car racing and one of the best sports experiences in the American Southwest.
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival — Kawazu, Japan - With blossoms often extending beyond the festival period. The Izu Peninsula town is famous for its early-blooming cherry trees, allowing visitors to experience a major Japanese blossom event before the season reaches Tokyo and Kyoto. (February 6 - March 7, 2027)
Happy travels, and we hope to see you at The Places Where We Go.
P.S. We'd appreciate it if you could share the newsletter with your friends who are also passionate about travel. Let's spread the word and inspire others to explore the world with us! - New subscriptions are free and easy with this link
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing October 5, 2026 Happy National Do Something Nice Day - dedicated to making the world a little brighter, one kind act at a time. Yesterday, we attended the Anaheim Ducks home opener. Seeing players arrive on the Orange Carpet is a special annual event. It's been a few years since we've been able to schedule this event, so we're glad this year's opening game was on a Sunday. Latest ArticlesHow Rising Fuel Prices Impact Travel Costs: From RVs to...
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 28, 2026 Happy National Read a Child a Book You Like Day from the USA. It feels like this is nearly every day in our home. On this day, we're encouraged to share our favorite books with children and foster a love of reading and learning. Of course, we're partial to Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. We recommend it for your library if you don't have it yet. Yesterday, we attended a soft opening of the Simi Valley Brewing Company....
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 14, 2026 Happy National Virginia Day from the USA - celebrating the Commonwealth’s rich history, cultural heritage, scenic diversity, and lasting contributions to the United States. The occasion recognizes Virginia as one of the original 13 colonies and the 10th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. This past week, we commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11. We were reminded not only of the lives lost and families forever changed,...
