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✈️Travel Costs Climb, TSA Expands Gate Access & More
Published 24 days ago • 6 min read
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, but also of how profoundly that day transformed travel.
In the aftermath of the attacks, aviation security was fundamentally reimagined: the TSA was created, cockpit doors were reinforced, checked baggage screening became mandatory, airport checkpoints grew far more rigorous, and restrictions on what travelers could carry aboard aircraft became part of everyday flying.
Security planning also expanded well beyond airports, influencing cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, and destinations worldwide. For an entire generation of younger travelers, arriving early, showing identification, passing through security screening, and navigating carry-on restrictions have simply always been part of the journey.
Twenty-five years later, September 11 remains a defining moment in travel history—one that permanently changed how we move through the world and how the travel industry thinks about safety.
On a more upbeat note, we attended Water For Elephants (the musical) at the Pantages Theater. Sometimes getting away can be a night out in or near your hometown.
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Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
Airfares Are Soaring—But Fall Flight Deals Are Still Out There
Airfares remain painfully high in 2026, with July prices nearly 26% above last year and fall fares trending slightly higher than summer.
Still, travelers willing to stay flexible with dates, destinations, and departure airports can find savings. Airports including Denver, New Orleans, and Orlando have produced some of the strongest domestic deals, while Boston, New York JFK, and Newark have stood out for international bargains.
Traveling later in October or during the first week of November, flying on lower-cost days such as Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday, and comparing cash fares with points and miles can also help. Destinations showing softer fall pricing include Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Scandinavia, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, Florida, Phoenix, and the Pacific Northwest.
Road trippers may want to budget a little more for fuel as the national average for regular gasoline rose 13 cents in one week to $4.27 per gallon. Rising crude oil prices, fueled in part by volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, have pushed oil back above the $100-per-barrel range for the first time since July. The increase is especially notable because gas prices typically decline at this time of year as demand eases. Meanwhile, the national average cost of public EV charging remained unchanged at 42 cents per kilowatt-hour.
A new TSA program is giving some non-ticketed visitors access to the secure side of the airport.
Gateside by TSA PreCheck is being tested at 13 U.S. airports, including Los Angeles, Dallas Fort Worth, Las Vegas, San Diego, Detroit, and Salt Lake City. Eligible TSA PreCheck travelers and qualifying members of programs such as Global Entry can apply online one to three days before their visit for a free pass, then use a PreCheck checkpoint to enter the terminal.
The program could be especially useful for families seeing someone off, helping nervous or older travelers reach their gate, welcoming arriving passengers, or visiting friends and relatives during a layover. Visitors still undergo normal security screening, and advance approval is required.
Travelers are paying substantially more to fly, with U.S. airfares in August up 23.4 percent from the same month last year and 2.7 percent from July, according to new federal inflation data. Hotel prices also contributed to rising travel costs. Elevated jet fuel prices have pushed airlines to raise fares and adjust capacity, but demand remains strong, with carriers reporting healthy booking trends heading into September. For travelers planning fall getaways, the numbers suggest airfare could remain a significant pressure point in trip budgets.
Travelers planning a trip to Kauaʻi are being encouraged to adjust their itineraries as the island recovers from Hurricane Lowell. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is asking visitors to postpone Kauaʻi travel or consider another Hawaiian island rather than canceling their Hawaiʻi vacation altogether, giving crews time to restore power, clear roads, and repair damaged infrastructure.
Travelers with near-term reservations should contact airlines, hotels, and other travel providers directly to discuss rebooking or refund options. The message for travelers is clear: Hawaiʻi remains open to visitors, but giving Kauaʻi some recovery time can help affected communities focus on rebuilding.
European travelers are set to gain stronger protections under newly agreed updates to EU air passenger rights. The changes include the right to bring one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, onboard without an extra charge, while airlines will also have to show fares that include carry-on luggage more clearly during booking. The rules also aim to simplify compensation claims after delays and cancellations and strengthen protections for passengers with disabilities, reduced mobility, and other specific needs. Travelers should note that the hand luggage provisions apply primarily to EU airlines, so baggage policies may still vary when flying with non-EU carriers.
Why Visit? Krakow, Poland, is an incredible base for day trips because of its rich history, cultural diversity, and strategic location in Central Europe. The city itself has a vibrant atmosphere and stunning architecture, and its proximity to attractions makes it an ideal starting point for exploring southern Poland and beyond.
Top Things To Do:
Auschwitz-Birkenau: This emotionally profound site is a must-visit to understand the tragic history of World War II and the Holocaust. Wieliczka Salt Mine: This astonishing subterranean world, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features intricate salt carvings and stunning underground chambers.
Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains: Known as Poland's winter capital, Zakopane offers breathtaking mountain landscapes and a taste of unique Highlander culture.
Travel Tip: The best time to visit Krakow is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) or fall (September to October), when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller. Public transportation is efficient and affordable, with trams and buses providing easy access around the city.
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:
SXSW Conference & Festivals — Austin, Texas - Austin becomes an international meeting place for music, film, technology, culture, and creative industries, with concerts, screenings, panels, and pop-up events throughout the city. (March 15–21, 2027)
BNP Paribas Open — Indian Wells, California- Often called the “fifth major” of tennis, this prestigious tournament brings the world’s top men’s and women’s players to the Coachella Valley. (February 28–March 14, 2027)
Dubai World Cup Night — Dubai, United Arab Emirates - March 27, 2027. Held at Meydan Racecourse, this glamorous international horse-racing event features elite thoroughbreds, major prize money, fashion, hospitality, and one of the world’s most spectacular racing venues. (March 27, 2027)
Cherry Blossom Season — Tokyo, Kyoto, and southern Japan - Late March 2027, with exact bloom dates weather-dependent. Travelers can follow the sakura season through parks, temples, gardens, and riverside neighborhoods, with Tokyo’s first blossoms typically appearing near the end of March.
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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 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. Latest ArticlesBodie State...
