Christina Talcott makes short work of a last-minute long weekend in Chicago, squeezing in a visit to the Art Institute's new Modern Wing, a matinee at the Goodman Theater, a concert by the Grant Park Orchestra, great food and more.

The musings started on a Monday, dreamy thoughts about escaping to Cape May, N.J., to spend the weekend in a beach house spritzed by ocean spray. By Wednesday, the idle fantasy had morphed into a fast-action plan. By Friday night, I was settled into a Victorian cottage, my sandy flip-flops parked...

Scott Vogel explores his love-hate relationship with cruises through a last-minute tour of Canada's New Brunswick and Nova Scotia -- and brings along a copy of "The Sinking of the Titanic" for some ironic reading.

Shave ice is a local specialty found throughout the islands, but Matsumoto stands out for being the oldest continuously run operation on Oahu, going back more than half a century.

Michael Jackson fans who won't stop till they get enough of the musician are returning to his early years, when Jackson was just a Little Prince of Pop living and performing in Gary, Ind.

The week's best travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea and air.

During our online chat (most Mondays at 2 p.m.), you ask and we answer your travel questions -- mostly. Here's one we couldn't get to last week.

Fly from BWI Marshall to the Boston area for $49 each way

As the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen gears up for its 50th anniversary next year, Danish architect Arne Jacobsen's touches at the hotel are getting renewed appreciation as a turning point in mid-20th-century-modern design.

A trip to Australia doesn't guarantee kangaroo and koala sightings. The continent's iconic wildlife can be elusive unless you head to the zoo, venture into the outback or, better yet, visit Kangaroo Island.

Finding last-minute flight and hotel deals can be tricky, but with some flexibility, creativity and maybe even a bit of gambling, you can find what you need.

Find out what to see, where to stay and what to eat in Chicago.

With a little research and a lot of flexibility, it's easy to scare up a cruise bargain these days. But there are plenty of potential pitfalls. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Details on Canada cruises.

Before the recession, many travelers booked rental properties months in advance. Not anymore. Here are some tips on reserving a vacation abode on short notice.

Find out where to go and what to see in Cape May, N.J.

For seven years, racehorses have found rest and relaxation at Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm, a 92-acre "retirement home" for thoroughbred champions near Lexington, Ky. Now, Old Friends Bed & Breakfast welcomes the horses' human fans to visit.