Pioneer Valley escapes, a newly refreshed Queen Elizabeth, and a digital luggage tracker
Rates from $374 per night, double occupancy, for summer travel through October. 413-256-8200, www.innonboltwood.com
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Be among the first to board Cunard's newly-refreshed Queen Elizabeth, homeporting in Seattle for the first time for voyages to Alaska.
Cunard
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THERE:
HAIL TO THE QUEEN
Be among the first to board Cunard's newly refreshed Queen Elizabeth, homeporting in Seattle for the first time for voyages to Alaska. (June to September, 2025 and 2026 only.) The seven- to 11-night Alaska voyages visit many of the region's memorable ports, including Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria, British Columbia, while soaking in the pristine scenery of Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, and the Inside Passage. Bringing Cunard's luxury services to the region, the ship boasts revitalized signature spaces, elevated Princess and Queens Grills, expansive suites, and added amenities such as butler service and more. Inaugural Alaska guests will be the first to enjoy the new Pavilion Wellness Café, and the Harper's Bazaar Wellness at Sea program featuring three packages of wellness treatments, nutritious smoothies, masterclasses, and a selection of ELEMIS products. Cunard continues its partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, offering a speaker series with experts sharing insights into the region. Guests can also enjoy a 'Locals Onboard' speaker series, featuring 11 Alaskan speakers, master Tlingit dance group, a Denali expeditionist, and local historians, artists, and photographers. Queen Elizabeth will be heading to Miami in October to start sailings to the Caribbean for fall and winter.
Rates from $1,109 per person for a balcony stateroom, based on double occupancy. 800-728-6273,
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Knog's Scout Travel is a digital luggage tag, tracker, and alarm in one.
Scout
EVERYWHERE:
DIGITAL LUGGAGE TRACKER
As airlines start limiting carry-on luggage, and checking bags becomes more common, you can protect your belongings and your peace of mind with Knog's Scout Travel, a digital luggage tag, tracker, and alarm in one. This innovative device stores your contact information digitally, accessible via a QR code, allowing you to monitor your belongings 24/7 by using the Apple 'Find My' app. What contact information you share is up to you, and can be updated in real-time via the Knog app. That information is helpful when someone scans the QR code and sees your details. If that occurs, you'll be alerted that your tag has been scanned and their message will be emailed to you; for example, 'Your bag at Boston Logan Airport, carousel six.' To deter someone taking your luggage in a busy café or hotel lobby, the 85db motion-sensitive alarm will trigger with movement of its accelerometer while also setting off an audible alarm on your iPhone when in Bluetooth range. You can also set Trusted Locations, where you can leave an item without receiving a notification. Unlike GPS-based trackers, Scout Travel's compatibility with Apple's 'Find My' app means that after purchase, there are no ongoing subscription fees. Compatible with iOS only.
$65, https://us.knog.com/products/scout-travel
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Whether it's an Alaskan cruise, European adventure, or -- for many -- staying close to home and hitting the road for a beach weekend, the travel association found prices have dropped compared to the same time last year for both flights and hotel stays. Domestic roundtrip flights are down 6% from last year, AAA said, averaging $720 per ticket. While European cities make up most of AAA's top international destinations, Vancouver takes the No. 1 spot this season, falling in line with AAA's projection earlier this year for a strong Alaska cruise season. The agency said hotel rates are 11% lower compared to last Labor Day, with car rental costs down 3%. For those driving to their destination or trying to plan when to head to the airport to beat traffic, the best times to drive are before lunchtime, according to transportation data from analytics company INRIX. Check out the full breakdown below with the worst times to travel by car over the holiday weekend with Saturday predicted to be the busiest. Thursday, Aug. 28: Before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29: Before 12 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30: Hit the road before 6 a.m., with the busiest hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31: Head out before 11 a.m. and avoid the peak times of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1: Leave before 12 p.m., and wait out the roads from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. With gas prices holding relatively low this summer, matching the 2021 average, AAA reported that steady crude oil prices means you can fill your tank for less this Labor Day. Labor Day travel tips and deals Last year over Labor Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration screened upward of 17 million people, so for anyone taking to the skies -- or eyeing a last-minute flight -- check out these helpful expert tips for all things airport travel and tickets. First and foremost, Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, told ABC News that people should avoid travel on Friday because "it's expected to be the busiest and most expensive day to travel. For fewer crowds and better prices, consider flying on Tuesday, Sept. 2." "Holidays like Labor Day often create hectic airport experiences, and that increased demand typically means higher prices. Travelers who shop around and compare will still find good deals, even when demand is high," she continued. Experts from Expedia Group, which includes the online travel agency platform Expedia, as well as and Vrbo, said all three sites have offers available for travelers in search of a good last-minute deal. Travelers can use the Expedia Flight Deal feature to see last-minute flights -- departing from their home airport to anywhere -- that are at least 20% lower than the typical price. For short term rental stays, Vrbo recently launched "last minute booking" feature to filter and find rentals timed to the holiday weekend. The average airline ticket price is around $260 for Labor Day weekend, according to Expedia historical data. Popular travel destinations for Labor Day 2025 Booking data from AAA shows that Seattle, Orlando, and New York are the three most popular cities over Labor Day weekend. According to Expedia data, the most popular domestic destinations include Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, Orlando, and Miami. Additionally, college football season is ramping up, with many schools opening their season over Labor Day weekend, sending fans flocking to those cities for game-day getaways. Expedia found increased booking interest in State College, Pennsylvania (+360%); Tallahassee, Florida (+230%); Columbus, Ohio (+90%); and Atlanta, Georgia (+70%). When it comes to mid-sized cities, both Oklahoma City and Greenville, South Carolina, are seeing a spike on Expedia platforms for their affordability and walkable downtown areas. Looking for a family-friendly escape? Midwest and countryside retreats including in Sandusky, Ohio; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; and Allegan County, Michigan, have all seen an uptick in interest among groups with children. Some international hotspots are also trending. According to Expedia, travelers are increasingly heading abroad to sunny destinations like Nadi, Fiji (+150%), and Taormina, Sicily (+65%). Closer-to-home destinations like San José del Cabo, Mexico City (+55%) and St. Lucia (+45%) are also trending up. Expert tips for easier Labor Day travel For the best booking experience, keep the tips below in mind. Activate price alerts Activating price alerts -- whether with Skyscanner, Google Flights or another platform -- can be a game-changer for getting a great deal. In some cases, if you've already booked a ticket, the notification could help you rebook or get a refund for the fare difference from the airline, depending on the ticket type and policy. Travel opposite of the crowd, compare domestic and international flights With most Americans inclined to stay in the states for these holiday weekends, Lindsay said "you may also find cheaper flights to Europe compared to popular domestic destinations." "When domestic travel demand is high, like it is during Labor Day weekend in the U.S., international destinations may be a better deal," Lindsay said. "When you search for flights on Skyscanner, you can filter flights by price, duration, number of layovers and more. Plus, get detailed information on baggage policies, amenities and user reviews for informed choices." Be flexible with location or opt for alternative destinations Flexibility with your travel destination is key, as it lets you capitalize on discounts and explore unique, crowd-free experiences. You can use Skyscanner's "Search Everywhere" feature, Lindsay said, to find lesser-known gems and savings. For example, instead of Paris, try Lyon or Marseille for an affordable taste of French culture. Opt for Eindhoven or Rotterdam in the Netherlands instead of Amsterdam, or explore Fukuoka or Sapporo in Japan instead of Tokyo. Mix and match flights "Round-trip flights aren't always the cheapest. Sometimes you save more by booking two one-way tickets, allowing you to mix and match airlines," Lindsay said. "Search for both round-trip and one-way itineraries to see which flights price out the best." Consider nearby airports Much like being flexible with a destination, check out options for flying into or out of nearby airports to find a better deal and potentially save on airfare. "It offers travelers more flexibility and the opportunity to explore different airport options, especially if you live in an area with multiple airports nearby or are flying to a destination with more than one option," Lindsay said. "For example, if you want to fly to Miami, you can choose that airport or fly into Ft. Lauderdale, which is just 26 miles north. And if you're heading to Manhattan, there are three New York City area airports." New Avis option to save time, skip the counter Just in time for the holiday weekend, Avis announced a new premium service that allows customers to skip the shuttle and rental counter and get concierge service to a luxury vehicle instead. For those using the new option, travelers will receive a welcome message through the Avis app and be greeted by a personal concierge who will take them to their rental vehicle. The return is equally frictionless, allowing Avis First customers to pull up to departures, hand off the keys, and head straight to their gate. The new class of rental is rolling out at select airports -- Denver, Honolulu, and Palm Beach -- as well as major cities including Manhattan, Hoboken, Jersey City, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Labor Day marks start of shoulder season, savings in paradise The period between peak summer and winter holiday travel seasons is typically slower for tourism both domestic and abroad. According to Vrbo, Hawaii is the top shoulder season destination of 2025. September and October bring lower airfare, fewer tourists and crowds, and a significant drop in the price of rentals, according to Vrbo, with the average daily rates for vacation rentals 30% lower compared to December. This story was originally published on August 13, 2025.
