travel

Expansive views atop DAOU Mountain add to the enjoyment of the great wines. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

A plethora of pinot and plenty of pooches in Paso Robles

Getaway offers fine wine, dining and an encounter with dogs

 

There are no guarantees for those who want to get their airline ticket money back for a trip canceled due to the pandemic.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>

Ins and outs of air travel refunds during COVID-19

Nearly all carriers are offering vouchers rather than cash

  • Dec 3, 2020

 

Beautiful views of Lake Alisal can be enjoyed from Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort’s trail rides. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The allure of Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in Santa Ynez Valley

Enjoy the ultimate in a social distancing escape in Solvang

 

Vehicle traffic is expected to peak Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

More people expected to drive than fly for the holiday this year due to pandemic concerns

Thanksgiving traffic to peak Wednesday afternoon

Vehicle traffic is expected to peak Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
A ride on Pedego electric bikes offered up great views of Los Olivos’ rolling vineyards. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Leaving urban sprawl behind in Santa Ynez Valley’s Los Olivos

Small-town charm, great food and wine marry for match made in heaven

A ride on Pedego electric bikes offered up great views of Los Olivos’ rolling vineyards. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Rerun put her digging skills to good use while hiking White Sands National Park in New Mexico. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Road trip with Rerun comes to tail end in New Mexico desert

Pandemic-era U.S. tour with a four-legged passenger concludes in dunes

Rerun put her digging skills to good use while hiking White Sands National Park in New Mexico. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Rerun breaks to chew on a branch during a morning hike in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Rerun road trip stops in Trinidad, Santa Fe and Austin

Here’s part four of a pandemic-era series chronicling a U.S. tour with a four-legged passenger

Rerun breaks to chew on a branch during a morning hike in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Rerun enjoys a respite at the University of Colorado Boulder campus. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Road tripping with Rerun – Part Three

A pandemic-era series chronicling a U.S. tour with a four-legged passenger

Rerun enjoys a respite at the University of Colorado Boulder campus. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Rerun’s traveling “condo” installed by Volvo in the rear of the 2021 XC90 SUV was roomy and comfortable for both driver and furry passenger. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Road tripping with Rerun – Part Two

A pandemic-era series chronicling a U.S. tour with a four-legged passenger

Rerun’s traveling “condo” installed by Volvo in the rear of the 2021 XC90 SUV was roomy and comfortable for both driver and furry passenger. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
My incredibly smooth ride, the 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design, had room for everything. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Road tripping with Rerun – Part I

A pandemic-era series chronicling a U.S. tour with a four-legged passenger

My incredibly smooth ride, the 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design, had room for everything. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Some hotels may choose to stay closed until tourist demand rises high enough to sustain the cost of operations. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

San Francisco hotels prepare to reopen Monday

Will travelers return to The City?

Some hotels may choose to stay closed until tourist demand rises high enough to sustain the cost of operations. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara has a walking trail situated alongside the bluffs. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

A pooch’s Pacific paradise

Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is fine for canines and their humans

Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara has a walking trail situated alongside the bluffs. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Hurtigruten is among the first lines to see a coronavirus outbreak after resuming cruises in July. (Ole Martin Wold/NTB Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

The bruising season for cruising

Drastic changes needed before passengers can safely return to the sea

Hurtigruten is among the first lines to see a coronavirus outbreak after resuming cruises in July. (Ole Martin Wold/NTB Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
The casino-less lobby of the Vdara Hotel & Spa is welcoming. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Casino-less Las Vegas

There’s more to Sin City than gambling

The casino-less lobby of the Vdara Hotel & Spa is welcoming. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Massachusetts, the 10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1 stop on America’s Summer Road Trip, tells the story of a woman who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. (Courtesy Henry S. Rutkowski)

‘America’s Summer Road Trip’ showcases notable historic sites

Free online journey takes U.S. history lovers to 12 places of interest

The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Massachusetts, the 10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1 stop on America’s Summer Road Trip, tells the story of a woman who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. (Courtesy Henry S. Rutkowski)
Traveling overseas isn’t necessarily safe for several reasons, including a lack of enforcing distancing on flights and in terminals. (Courtesy photo)

Have passport, but should you travel?

Access to reliable health care not guaranteed overseas

Traveling overseas isn’t necessarily safe for several reasons, including a lack of enforcing distancing on flights and in terminals. (Courtesy photo)
The dependable Vinny Von Van, supplied by ModVans, is hooked up at Bear Lake Venture RV Park, Utah. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The Great American Road Trip — Part Three

The third of a three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

The dependable Vinny Von Van, supplied by ModVans, is hooked up at Bear Lake Venture RV Park, Utah. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Hoodoos and canyons populate Fairyland Trail Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The Great American Road Trip – Part Two

A three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

Hoodoos and canyons populate Fairyland Trail Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
A short and scenic hike leads to the base of Horsetail Falls from Highway 50. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Sierra Nevada outings beat blues of vicious virus

Hikes offer chance to stretch legs without rubbing elbows

A short and scenic hike leads to the base of Horsetail Falls from Highway 50. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)
On American Airlines flight 512 LAX-JFK on June 20, every seat was occupied despite the airlines’ assertions that middle seats would go unsold, and the crew did not enforce mask wearing during boarding or flight. (Courtesy photo)

Flying in the COVID-19 era

Airlines are having a difficult time adapting to the new world of travel

On American Airlines flight 512 LAX-JFK on June 20, every seat was occupied despite the airlines’ assertions that middle seats would go unsold, and the crew did not enforce mask wearing during boarding or flight. (Courtesy photo)