It’s been a dreary weekend here in L.A. (at least by the beach), which feels fitting since it’s a day to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Speaking of the weather, I’m so glad I didn’t make my annual trek to Connecticut to see all my high school friends and family because it’s been so rainy and cold there. My sister told me they canceled the hometown parade yesterday, which is a huge bummer since this weekend was always the highlight of the year and the unofficial kickoff to summer. As you can see in the photo above, when the weather is great, it’s a beautiful place to be and spending Memorial Day weekend in Connecticut with my family is one of my favorite things to do. Maybe next year!
12 Tips and Hacks for Memorial Day Weekend Travel
Airports and highways are expected to be packed today as millions head home or squeeze in one last day of travel. If you’re on the move, patience will be your best travel companion. I’m sharing my top tips for navigating holiday travel from when to hit the road and how to avoid the worst airport headaches. Here’s what you need to know.
😔 Escorting a Fallen Soldier Home on Delta Air Lines
Twice a year — on Memorial Day and Veterans Day — I share the story of having a fallen soldier on my Delta flight from Atlanta (I also had one on an American Airlines flight from Honolulu). It was an incredibly somber experience, but one I’ll never forget. If it weren’t for our nation’s brave soldiers, we wouldn’t live the lives we do today and I always remember that freedom is not free.
There’s an extended travel news section toward the bottom that you can jump to — unless you want to read about what I was up to this week.
🎤 Speaking at IPW
If you’re wondering why I’m sending this newsletter a day late — and why I didn’t send a midweek newsletter either — it’s because I was speaking at two different conferences. Last Sunday, I flew to Florida to speak on a panel at the annual IPW conference, the largest international travel trade show in the United States, organized by the U.S. Travel Association. The topic was “How to Bring the World Back to the USA.” The United States was the only major country in the world to record a decline in visitors in 2025, down 5.5%.
🏐 My Florida Highlights
Visit Fort Lauderdale was this year’s host (last year, it was Choose Chicago). Their opening party delivered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a few attendees who were paying attention.
When I walked onto the beach, I did a double-take after spotting Phil Dalhausser, Adam Roberts, Jeff Samuels and Marty Lorenz playing a game of 2-on-2 volleyball. These professional volleyball players appeared to be competing in a real tournament match, complete with an official referee. At first, my mind couldn’t comprehend what was happening, but it turned out they had been hired not only to play in front of the 5,000+ attendees, but also to invite spectators to join after the match.
Since almost everyone else was busy at the food and drink stations, they asked the two people watching if we wanted to jump in for some 3-on-3. Of course I said yes and ended up playing for 45 minutes. These guys couldn’t have been cooler and we even discovered we have mutual friends. 📸: Kim Tate
🎂 Dinner with My Sister
The following night, after a full day of meetings, I was planning to work, but it was my sister Carol’s birthday, so she drove down from Delray Beach and we had a fun dinner at Earl’s Restaurant on Las Olas.
BTW: You can check out my sister’s artwork — it’s featured in many South Florida hotels, including The Breakers and the PBI Delta Airport Hotel.
🛜 AA Wifi
I then flew back to L.A. from Miami so I could take an American Airlines nonstop and receive my elite benefits. On my flight out, I mentioned that the WiFi was down, but I also shared some incorrect information by saying they charged $25 for two hours. They do charge that amount if you don’t sign up for American Airlines’ frequent flyer program or log into your account. Otherwise, the WiFi is free (when it’s working).
🗣️ Speaking at a Conference in Hollywood, CA
The next day, I went to a studio in Hollywood to speak at a roundtable for Greater Together LA. It’s a UK government initiative that brings together tourism and industry leaders from across the UK and the USA.
My kids had a half-day of school on Friday and a parent-student event that I didn’t want to miss. By then, it was too late to send a newsletter since so many people had already left for the holiday weekend. Oh, and I did run into a friend — Chicago media legend Bob Sirott!
BTW: Did I mention that when I arrived home from Florida at 8pm, my wife told me our dryer wasn’t heating? So I spent a couple of hours taking it apart, vacuuming out all the sand and dust and replacing the thermal fuse. I couldn’t have done it without the help of ChatGPT (I uploaded photos of the label and described the problem).
The Must-Have Summer Travel Gadget
Although it’s not hot in L.A. or on the East Coast yet, it will be soon and there’s already record heat in London. If you’re planning to travel somewhere warm this summer, a portable fan (handheld or neck) is a must-have. The handheld version is compact, lightweight and easy to toss in your bag while you’re out exploring for the day. These fans were a real lifesaver last year (photo above) and we won’t be traveling anywhere hot without them again. The neck fan is bulkier and might look a bit silly, but it feels great to wear so it comes down to personal preference. We travel with both. If you’re only going to get one, I’d recommend the handheld since it also doubles as a backup phone charger and includes a handy flashlight. It comes in six different colors. Buy here.
What’s the Most Memorable Lodging You’ve Ever Stayed In?
I recently asked my Facebook followers: What’s the most memorable lodging you’ve ever stayed in? The responses came pouring in, with more than 50 comments featuring everything from jungle lodges and overwater bungalows to floating hostels and breakfasts with giraffes. It was a great reminder of how much where you stay can shape a trip and create lifelong memories. Here are some of their answers, along with mine — and I’d love for you to leave a comment on the post and share yours too.
See How Pickpockets Operate in Europe (5 Real Videos)
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make in Europe is assuming pickpockets are easy to spot. In reality, they often look like ordinary tourists, students or even well-dressed couples. And as these videos from Italy show, thefts can happen in just seconds — especially on crowded trains, metros and tram platforms when people are distracted with luggage, phones or boarding doors. Here’s what you need to know.
