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⛽ Record Gas Prices, a New LA Museum & Travel News You Can Use
Published 10 days ago • 8 min read
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. This place is still working out some kinks, but it's nice to have a brewery in town with a fun atmosphere to share drinks with friends.
Tomorrow, we'll be planning details for our upcoming Seattle trip in November.
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Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
☀️ Travel Tip of the Week: Essential Tips to Avoid Hidden Rental Car Fees and Get the Best Deal
Renting a car doesn't have to be expensive or stressful if you know a few insider tricks. A little planning can help travelers find better rates, avoid surprise charges, and make their next road trip more affordable. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind before booking:
Time your booking: Reserve your rental car one to four weeks before your trip, when rates are often most competitive.
Choose a smaller vehicle: Economy cars can save you 29%–35% compared to larger rental vehicles.
Skip the airport pickup: Renting from an off-airport location could save you as much as 21%.
Compare vehicle types: Electric vehicles may reduce fuel expenses, but rental rates average 28% more than gas-powered cars, while hybrids cost about 11% more.
Check your insurance coverage: Your personal auto insurance or credit card may already provide rental car protection, helping you avoid purchasing unnecessary coverage.
Avoid costly extras: Review charges for additional drivers, toll transponders, GPS devices, cleaning, and other optional services.
Choose the right fuel policy: A full-to-full agreement is usually the most economical option. Fill up before returning the vehicle to avoid inflated refueling charges.
· Use membership benefits: AAA, AARP, credit card perks, and rental company loyalty programs may unlock discounts and waived fees.
· Document the car's condition: Take photos of the interior and exterior at pickup and drop-off to protect yourself against questionable damage or cleaning charges.
· Watch your return time: Returning a vehicle late, even by a couple of hours, could trigger an additional day's rental charge.
Keep checking prices: Book a reservation with free cancellation, monitor rental rates, and rebook if a better deal becomes available.
The bottom line: Compare the total rental cost rather than just the advertised daily rate. A few minutes spent reviewing the rental agreement and shopping around could save you money and help keep your vacation running smoothly.
Fall typically brings relief at the gas pump, but travelers are seeing the opposite this year. According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline has climbed nearly five cents in a week to $4.48 per gallon, marking the highest level ever recorded for this time of year.
Continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz and elevated crude oil prices are keeping fuel costs high. September's average is currently tracking at $4.30 per gallon, surpassing the previous September record of $3.83 set in 2023. For travelers planning autumn road trips, higher fuel expenses could mean adjusting travel budgets. Meanwhile, EV drivers are seeing some stability, with public charging costs holding steady at an average of 42 cents per kilowatt-hour.
MUSEUMS: George Lucas Opens Futuristic Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles
A new cultural attraction has landed in Los Angeles! The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, officially opened September 22, 2026, in Exposition Park.
Housed in a striking, spaceship-like building designed by architect Ma Yansong, the 300,000-square-foot museum celebrates storytelling through centuries of art, illustration, photography, and film. Its collection includes more than 40,000 works, with highlights ranging from Norman Rockwell illustrations to beloved movie characters such as Princess Leia, Indiana Jones, R2-D2, and C-3PO. Visitors can explore immersive galleries, enjoy continuous film screenings, and dine at the rooftop Skywalker Grill overlooking Los Angeles.
Surrounding the museum is a beautifully landscaped 13-acre campus featuring gardens, walking paths, and shaded gathering spaces that are free to explore without a museum ticket. For travelers visiting Southern California, this imaginative new destination offers something for art lovers, movie buffs, and Star Wars fans alike.
More than 1.12 million checked bags were lost, delayed, damaged, or stolen on U.S. airlines during the first six months of 2026, according to new Department of Transportation data.
American Airlines recorded the highest baggage mishandling rate at 0.73 bags per 100 checked, followed by Envoy Air at 0.72 and United Airlines at 0.66.
At the other end of the spectrum, Allegiant Air reported the lowest rate at just 0.12 bags per 100.
Overall, U.S. carriers mishandled approximately half a bag per 100 checked, a slight improvement over the same period in 2025. With first-bag fees now averaging around $45 on many domestic and short-haul international flights, travelers may want to take extra precautions.
Placing an Apple AirTag or similar tracking device inside checked luggage can provide added peace of mind, especially as more airlines allow passengers to share tracking information when bags go missing.
Travelers are increasingly looking beyond major tourist hotspots to discover the countryside, coastal towns, historic sites, and hidden gems surrounding popular destinations.
According to a September survey by tour operator The Tour Guy, 85.4% of surveyed travelers who visited Europe in the past year included day trips in their travels, while the company's day trip bookings have jumped 110.7% year-over-year in 2026.
Nearly 65% of respondents cited curiosity about landscapes beyond city limits as a primary motivation. Popular excursions include Sintra from Lisbon, Tuscany's villages from Rome, and Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris.
Travelers are also seeking more immersive experiences, such as exploring Pompeii alongside an archaeologist and volcanologist or enjoying dedicated winery tours in Chianti. The growing trend suggests that travelers aren't necessarily abandoning famous destinations; they're finding new ways to experience them while expanding their adventures beyond the city.
Low water levels are creating challenges for travelers cruising Europe's Rhine and Danube rivers, with conditions on the Rhine becoming particularly concerning.
As of September 21, water levels at Kaub, a critical navigation point along the Rhine, had dropped to approximately 17 centimeters—below the previous 2018 low-water benchmark of 25 centimeters—with further declines forecast.
Conditions along the Danube remain mixed, with modest improvements near Budapest and parts of Austria, while dangerously low levels persist near Pfelling in Germany. Cruise operators, including Viking and AmaWaterways, have been adjusting itineraries through ship swaps, shortened sailing segments, and bus transfers when necessary.
Travelers with upcoming European river cruises should monitor communications from their cruise lines and remain flexible, as water conditions can change rapidly and itinerary adjustments may occur close to departure.
Why Visit? London is a city where centuries of history blend seamlessly with modern innovation, offering iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and vibrant cultural experiences. From royal palaces and lush parks to West End theaters and lively markets, the city is rich in things to see and do.
Top Things To Do:
The Tower of London – A historic fortress where you can see the Crown Jewels and walk through 1,000 years of royal history.
The British Museum – One of the world’s greatest museums, featuring treasures like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
The London Eye – A giant observation wheel on the South Bank that provides breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Travel Tip: The best time to visit London is in late spring (May–June) or early fall (September–October), when the weather is mild and crowds are smaller than in peak summer. Use an Oyster card or contactless payment for quick and affordable travel on the Tube and buses. Don’t forget that Londoners stand on the right when using escalators in the Underground—it’s an unwritten rule that keeps the city moving smoothly.
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:
NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament — Various U.S. cities - “March Madness” transforms college basketball into a nationwide sporting spectacle, with early-round games and regional tournaments hosted in multiple destinations. (March 16–28, 2027)
Ultra Music Festival — Miami, Florida - One of the world’s best-known electronic dance music festivals brings major DJs, immersive stage production, and thousands of visitors to Bayfront Park. (March 26–28, 2027)
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival — Kawazu, Japan - Blossoms often extend 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.
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