Bon Voyage: Bus trips pose problems, from mountains to molehills

Planning a bus trip or tour through an exotic mountain area? Greece? Colombia? Trinity County?

No other mode of travel provides me the range of experience — from horrid to luxurious — as the bus. Bus trips through mountain regions can test physical and mental fortitude.

Here's what I've learned about safe mountain bus trips, and how I learned it. ...

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http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jan/22/bon-voyage-bus-trips-pose-problems-from-to/

Bon Voyage: Ahoy, mateys, climb aboard a pirate festival

Be ye a lady or gentleman o' fortune wantin' to ensure yer place in Fiddler's Green?

In other words, do you want to be a pirate — the fictionalized romantic sort who doesn't kill or hurt anyone, steal anything or hang from a yardarm?

You're not alone. Pirate organizations and social clubs have gained in popularity in recent years throughout the United States and Europe. They host re-enactments, historical lectures, cruises, costumed affairs and plain ol' salty singalongs. ...

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http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jan/15/bon-voyage-ahoy-mateys-climb-aboard-a-pirate/

Bon Voyage: Paint your bag and find it easily

I marvel how travelers with standard black suitcases find their bags at baggage claim areas. Baggage conveyors at large airports look like roiling rivers of black suitcases, the occasional blue or red bag diving and resurfacing downstream like scaup.

When I do spot my bag I have to grab it before it dives again or swims behind the other anglers standing around the bank. It's not polite to crowd other fishermen. ...

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http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jan/08/bon-voyage-paint-your-bag-and-find-it-easily/

Bon Voyage: Let is snow -- please!

Dry conditions and unusually warm temperatures made for a pleasant December. But some skiers and snowboarders were chomping at the bit, disappointed snow didn't pile up on the mountains early this year. If you're one of them, here are some things you can do while you wait for the perfect snowstorm. ...

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http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jan/01/bon-voyage-let-is-now----please/

Bon Voyage: Hum ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ packing tips

Air travel at Christmas has a bad reputation, with good reason. Airports are crowded. People carry too much luggage stuffed with presents. Flights are overbooked. Grumpy passengers leave their holiday spirit at home.

Packing carefully can help make holiday travel, and your stay, easier. Delays happen regularly at the holidays, so it’s possible you won’t have access to laundry services or a drugstore. ...

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http://www.redding.com/news/2011/dec/26/BonVoyage122511/