Practical Travel — Sarahlynn Pablo, Writer

Foodie Frauded: Nationally Touring Crab and Craft Beer Festival Scammed Us Out of $400

Chicago has a thriving foodie scene and numerous festivals have popped up to meet the feverish demand for fun culinary events: annual stand-bys like the Green City Market Chef's BBQ and Baconfest (a multi-city franchise here, in DC and San Francisco) and many more. Tickets can range from a $5 entrance fee to much more expensive, all-inclusive packages. With new festivals popping up all the time, how can an culinary enthusiast tell the scams from the (many) legit festivals? Here's one Chicago couple's story.

Funniest Travel Advice on India, a Facebook Chat

Snippet of a Facebook chat with my friend, Ravi, who stays real with the travel advice about India.

Can't Travel Without: a Small Notebook and Pen

You can always find a good notebook, that's true enough... but are you brave enough to actually write in it?

No one will tell you to take the bus in Paris (but why you should)

Taking the bus forces stumbling around a city, this breathing organism that one is simultaneously outside of as a visitor and yet temporarily a part of. You find things you weren't looking for.

Onward Ticket Required: You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.

Asia, Places to Explore, Practical TravelSarahlynn PabloJanuary 10, 2013balikbayan, Manila, onward ticket, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Tourism, tourist visas, travel, US citizen, visa, visit

DIY Google Maps and the Type-A Traveler

Hello, type-A (overzealous planners) travelers, welcome to your fantasy.

Practical TravelSarahlynn PabloJanuary 9, 2013Colosseum, DIY, Do it yourself, Google, Google Map, Google Maps, hack, iPhone, planning, smartphone, travel

How to do a Layover in Seven Steps

Layovers can be kind of like the travel version of the amuse bouche, just a little taste of something good to whet your appetite, arouse your interest and wonder what lovely ingredients and methods could have elicited such a good reaction.

Still haven't requested that absentee ballot? You can still vote.

Two weeks and one day to the US Election Day, November 6. Monday night in the U.S. of A. is the third and final Presidential debate between President Barack Obama and opponent former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney... But have you requested your absentee ballot?

Go See: Amsterdam by Bicycle, Canals, Windmills and Beer

One of the first things you’ll notice is thousands of bicycles propped and locked up along the canals’ guard rails. Practically everyone in Amsterdam gets around by bike. So in the words of popular kids in high schools everywhere: everyone is doing it, and YES, you should, too.

What You Need to Know About Vélib, Paris' public bike share

Vélib, Paris’s public bike sharing program, for residents and tourists, would have everyone believe a few things. With a striped shirt and baguette in tow, I will bike on Velib all around Paris for a mere 1€70. I'll pedal past the Louvre and along the Seine on my Vélib, with unicorns and rainbows and puppies... RIGHT?

Can I Bring Tulip Bulbs from Holland Home to the United States?

There's two things that grow in Holland that interest most tourists: Tulips and Marijuana. You can find them both in Amsterdam's Bloemenmarkt floating on the Singel canal.

Buyers Beware: Unreliable Third-Party Airfare Resellers on Kayak.com

Watch out for stale third-party travel reseller website airfare prices on Kayak.com.

How Do I Vote in the US Presidential Election if I Am Traveling Overseas on Election Day?

On November 6, 2012, the United States will elect its 45th President. If you're a registered voter who will not be present to vote in your district on Election Day, how do you vote?