Latest news with #SallyFrench
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Here's how to save money on your summer vacation, despite rising prices
You could save money on your summer vacation this year despite inflation concerns. Here's how. There's good news and bad news for the nearly 50% of Americans who say they're planning on taking a trip this summer despite inflation concerns, a recent analysis finds. First, the good news: While some expenses are up, there are a number of ways to save on your vacation. To start, look at flight costs. As a result of economic uncertainty, bookings are down slightly compared with one year ago, according to an analysis from NerdWallet. As a result, travelers can find deals on airfares, which are down roughly 8% compared with the same period one year earlier. Hotel room rates are also down, falling 2.4% over the past year. Rental car costs are down by just over 2%, according to the analysis, which looks at data from travel categories, such as airfares an lodging, tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Consumer Price Index. Travel costs overall are down 2% compared with Memorial Day weekend a year ago, NerdWallet's Travel Price Index shows. The relief comes as overall prices rose 2.3% through April 2025, according to the latest data from BLS. Americans who plan to travel are prepared to spend $300 more this summer compared with last summer, the analysis found. "A lot of people are still taking those big international trips this year that they booked many, many months ago," NerdWallet's lead travel writer Sally French told CBS News. But while airfares are down, ride-share fares are up, as is the cost of entertainment. Overall, the cost of vacation-related activities is 3.4% higher this year from a year ago, while the cost of eating at restaurants has risen nearly 4%, according to NerdWallet's analysis. "There are a lot of unanticipated expenses that cost more and these are the things that can really add up," French said. "There are the Lyft and Uber rides, there are the parking expenses, there are the tips." Here are some ways to save on your summer trip. Be flexible about when you travel, and where you go, to score deals on airfare. Set a budget for dining out to avoid overspending. Skip fancy restaurants, and try a deli for a memorable meal instead. Use credit card points and redeem airline rewards to cut down on travel costs.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Church fights New Jersey town over plans to seize property and turn it into park
A Christian church is fighting a New Jersey town for attempting to seize their property, alongside other land, and turn it into a waterfront park. Christ Episcopal Church is fighting plans from Toms River, NJ officials to seize their church property, alongside three other town marinas, as part of the township's plans to revitalize the downtown community. Bishop Sally French, in a letter to parishioners, told churchgoers that on April 30, about a day before a scheduled town meeting, officials were alerted by a concerned community member that the church's property had been "added to a proposal for an eminent domain ordinance." The church, which has been a part of the community for 160 years, says the action comes amid trying to build a homeless shelter on their property. "As a Christian leader and a resident of New Jersey, I am troubled by the township's move to block the faithful ministry of Christ Church and their care for those in need, and I am saddened that the mayor and township council are prioritizing pickleball courts over responding to hunger and homelessness," Bishop Sally French said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "I ask that Toms River lift the burden these proceedings have placed on our parish and diocese, and I pray that we can move forward in serving our neighbors." Psaki Bombs: Msnbc's Newest Primetime Program Sheds 53% Of Viewers From Key Demo In Second Episode Republican Mayor Rodrick told Fox News Digital he feels the plan is in the best interest of the constituents because children do not have a playground in the immediate area. The town ordinance allows officials to enter into negotiations to secure the areas or acquire them by eminent domain should the church not want to sell the property. Read On The Fox News App "We have about 20,000 residents, 5,000 households within a stone's throw of the Episcopal church," he said. "The property is very large, it's a 10-acre parcel and has a tremendous amount of parking and the parking, we would never be allowed to make that much parking on a property that size anymore. It would be very difficult... so it would be great for the kids in the local area and the families in that area to have a park that they can walk to with their kids and a playground. We're also interested in doing a skate park there." Rodrick argued that the project, which he believes would benefit both residents and businesses, is part of a larger plan to "redevelop downtown" and make it more of a "destination" for residents. The agenda would "enhance business downtown" by bringing more customers to the area. He also spoke to Fox News Digital about how he is proud of his budget as mayor, explaining they were "DOGE before DOGE was cool" as they cut the budget from $146 million to $135 million. The Episcopalian church has a different take on the matter, with the bishop offering her full support to the community church. "The people of Christ Episcopal Church have my support and gratitude for their Gospel ministry of feeding the hungry and providing shelter to unhoused people," she said. "Jesus tells us to care for the poor and vulnerable as we would care for him, and the people of Christ Church are putting that commandment into action." Should the town acquire the property, Rodrick says the church would have time to purchase another property or may choose to consolidate churches according to the church leader's digression, pointing to there possibly being a silver lining to consolidation for the church due to the high value of the property compared to liabilities. "Nationwide, the Episcopal church is in steep decline. I think they lost 40,000 members last year. A lot of these Protestant churches have seen big decreases in membership. They still have a lot of these legacy costs and pensions for their pastors that they need to make payments on and it costs a lot of money. So, if you have 75 people put $10 in, and you bring in $3,000 a month, do you know what it must cost to heat a 20,000-square-foot church? So, they could probably benefit from some consolidation and many of the smaller Protestant denominations are doing that." The church is standing alongside "approximately 150 church members, community members, clergy" and others in their fight against the ordinance, according to the website. "Christ Church Toms River is a vital resource in the community," Mother Lisa Hoffman, rector of Christ Church in Toms River, told Fox News Digital. "Our outreach includes nearly 20 12-step meetings per week. While the members of Christ Church are disappointed with this situation, we are determined to protect our Gospel ministry." As for next steps, the council has already voted four to three and "anticipates" it will pass for a second time four to three, according to the article source: Church fights New Jersey town over plans to seize property and turn it into park
USA Today
29-04-2025
- USA Today
New rules, bigger crowds and soaring temps: How to survive your 2025 European vacation
New rules, bigger crowds and soaring temps: How to survive your 2025 European vacation Show Caption Hide Caption How to prepare for a long-haul flight to Europe: Top tips Looking for to explore Europe? These essential tips can make for a smooth flight across the pond. Americans traveling to the UK now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Passports must have at least six months validity remaining for entry into many European countries. European travel is expected to remain popular this summer, potentially increasing crowds. Travelers should prepare for hot weather and consider booking activities during cooler times of day. According to the European Travel Commission, 37% of U.S. travelers plan to take a European vacation in 2025. I'm one of them, heading off on a Mediterranean cruise this summer with family friends to celebrate our teens' high school graduations. It's been a minute since I've been to Europe, and there's obviously a lot going on in the world these days. So, I reached out to some experts to find out what American families need to know if they're going to Europe this summer. 1. There's a new entry requirement for the United Kingdom All American travelers now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. It's not hard to do: You fill out an online form and pay a £16 (about $21.43) fee. But you have to do it in advance of arrival. 'It does take about three days for the application to get processed,' says Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. 'So that is what matters the most about it.' The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), originally set to launch in 2025, has now been delayed until 2026. So, while you don't have to worry about it this year, Americans traveling to Europe starting in the last quarter of 2026 will need to apply for an ETIAS authorization before travel. 2. Your passport can't be close to its expiration date This isn't anything new. But it's something that continues to trip up travelers. 'Please check the expiration dates on your passports,' says Melanie Fish, travel expert for Expedia Group. 'There are several countries that just will not even let you enter if your passport is within six months of expiring. Every single year I know someone who gets to the airport and is turned away because their passport is still valid, but it's going to expire in a couple of months and they can't get on the plane.' Many European countries adhere to this policy. BEST OF EUROPE: 11 best places to go in Europe for a family vacation 3. Summer will still bring the crowds Because people tend to book international trips well in advance, any economic concerns that have developed recently among American travelers probably won't have a big impact on summer travel to Europe. 'We are still generally seeing a lot of demand,' says French. 'In 2024, we saw tourism in the EU exceed the 2023 record by about 2%. It's this ongoing amount of growth, and we generally expect that to still be the case.' A decrease in travel to the U.S. by international visitors in response to recent moves by the Trump Administration could also lead to increased crowds in Europe. 'When people are thinking of alternative places to spend their holiday that are not the U.S., perhaps Western Europe goes higher up on the list,' says Sarah Kopit, editor-in-chief of travel industry news and market research company Skift. If you're trying to check off some bucket-list sights, expect crowds. But you can balance that by taking detours throughout your trip to less popular spots. 'Tourist attractions are called tourist attractions because they attract tourists, and they attract tourists because they're amazing,' says Fish. 'We want to go to Paris and see the sights. But then maybe we want to spend a couple of days in Champagne country and take a detour to towns outside the city.' Over-tourism fees could continue popping up to try to counteract crowds, but the collection and enforcement of these fees can sometimes be confusing. 'The Internet is your friend here,' says Fish. 'None of these over-tourism fees are prohibitive to taking a trip to Europe, but they are fees you need to be aware of. For that reason, I would do a little bit of studying before I go, because I don't want someone telling me there's a fee that's not real. I want to know what's actually required of me.' 4. It's likely going to be hot The last few summers in Europe have been scorchers, and this summer will likely bring more of the same. 'There's no reason to think that 2025 won't be hotter than 2024,' says Kopit. 'And Europe, unlike other countries that have been dealing with extreme heat for quite some time, doesn't have a lot of its infrastructure set up with air-conditioning that some other places, including the U.S., do.' So if AC is a must, check that any hotels you book have it. And be smart about planning your sightseeing. 'Book tickets in advance for those things you know you're going to want to see, and book them for first thing in the morning or later in the evening to skip the heat,' says Fish. 'And don't overpack your day. If you don't build in frequent gelato breaks during your days wandering around Florence, you're doing it wrong.' SKIP THE LINES: Europe without the crowds? Travelers say these are the best crowd-free spots 5. A "Plan B" might be more important than ever We've been bombarded with news every day lately here in the U.S., and many of those headlines are already having or could have impacts on international travel. 'Being informed, more than ever before, is very important right now,' says Tania Swasbrook, co-founder of luxury travel firm Vgari Lifestyle, a Virtuoso Agency. 'Be active, not passive. Be active in researching information. Be active in protecting yourself and your family, not just being 'Off we go.'' She recommends having backup plans for everything from your flights to your daily travel itinerary. 'Download as many apps as you can,' she says. 'Have the airline app of the airline you're traveling on, not just the one you booked it on. You could have booked on American, but British Airways is operating the flight. You have to be in the know — or have a travel advisor.' 6. If you're a considerate traveler, you should still get a warm welcome Folks living outside the U.S. may have opinions about recent doings by the Trump Administration. But that's not expected to translate to how Europeans view American travelers at this point. 'I can say with confidence that my friends overseas are not confusing American tourists with anything they're reading in the news about the American government,' says Fish. 'It's always true that locals are excited to welcome visitors who are respectful and curious.' The usual words of wisdom about international travel still apply today. 'Be respectful of other people's cultures,' says Kopit. 'Know where you're going and what the norms are, and be respectful when you're a guest in someone else's country.' What Americans need to know before visiting Europe this summer originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
New rules, bigger crowds and soaring temps: How to survive your 2025 European vacation
According to the European Travel Commission, 37% of U.S. travelers plan to take a European vacation in 2025. I'm one of them, heading off on a Mediterranean cruise this summer with family friends to celebrate our teens' high school graduations. It's been a minute since I've been to Europe, and there's obviously a lot going on in the world these days. So, I reached out to some experts to find out what American families need to know if they're going to Europe this summer. All American travelers now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. It's not hard to do: You fill out an online form and pay a £16 (about $21.43) fee. But you have to do it in advance of arrival. 'It does take about three days for the application to get processed,' says Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. 'So that is what matters the most about it.' The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), originally set to launch in 2025, has now been delayed until 2026. So, while you don't have to worry about it this year, Americans traveling to Europe starting in the last quarter of 2026 will need to apply for an ETIAS authorization before travel. This isn't anything new. But it's something that continues to trip up travelers. 'Please check the expiration dates on your passports,' says Melanie Fish, travel expert for Expedia Group. 'There are several countries that just will not even let you enter if your passport is within six months of expiring. Every single year I know someone who gets to the airport and is turned away because their passport is still valid, but it's going to expire in a couple of months and they can't get on the plane.' Many European countries adhere to this policy. BEST OF EUROPE: 11 best places to go in Europe for a family vacation Because people tend to book international trips well in advance, any economic concerns that have developed recently among American travelers probably won't have a big impact on summer travel to Europe. 'We are still generally seeing a lot of demand,' says French. 'In 2024, we saw tourism in the EU exceed the 2023 record by about 2%. It's this ongoing amount of growth, and we generally expect that to still be the case.' A decrease in travel to the U.S. by international visitors in response to recent moves by the Trump Administration could also lead to increased crowds in Europe. 'When people are thinking of alternative places to spend their holiday that are not the U.S., perhaps Western Europe goes higher up on the list,' says Sarah Kopit, editor-in-chief of travel industry news and market research company Skift. If you're trying to check off some bucket-list sights, expect crowds. But you can balance that by taking detours throughout your trip to less popular spots. 'Tourist attractions are called tourist attractions because they attract tourists, and they attract tourists because they're amazing,' says Fish. 'We want to go to Paris and see the sights. But then maybe we want to spend a couple of days in Champagne country and take a detour to towns outside the city.' Over-tourism fees could continue popping up to try to counteract crowds, but the collection and enforcement of these fees can sometimes be confusing. 'The Internet is your friend here,' says Fish. 'None of these over-tourism fees are prohibitive to taking a trip to Europe, but they are fees you need to be aware of. For that reason, I would do a little bit of studying before I go, because I don't want someone telling me there's a fee that's not real. I want to know what's actually required of me.' The last few summers in Europe have been scorchers, and this summer will likely bring more of the same. 'There's no reason to think that 2025 won't be hotter than 2024,' says Kopit. 'And Europe, unlike other countries that have been dealing with extreme heat for quite some time, doesn't have a lot of its infrastructure set up with air-conditioning that some other places, including the U.S., do.' So if AC is a must, check that any hotels you book have it. And be smart about planning your sightseeing. 'Book tickets in advance for those things you know you're going to want to see, and book them for first thing in the morning or later in the evening to skip the heat,' says Fish. 'And don't overpack your day. If you don't build in frequent gelato breaks during your days wandering around Florence, you're doing it wrong.' SKIP THE LINES: Europe without the crowds? Travelers say these are the best crowd-free spots We've been bombarded with news every day lately here in the U.S., and many of those headlines are already having or could have impacts on international travel. 'Being informed, more than ever before, is very important right now,' says Tania Swasbrook, co-founder of luxury travel firm Vgari Lifestyle, a Virtuoso Agency. 'Be active, not passive. Be active in researching information. Be active in protecting yourself and your family, not just being 'Off we go.'' She recommends having backup plans for everything from your flights to your daily travel itinerary. 'Download as many apps as you can,' she says. 'Have the airline app of the airline you're traveling on, not just the one you booked it on. You could have booked on American, but British Airways is operating the flight. You have to be in the know — or have a travel advisor.' Folks living outside the U.S. may have opinions about recent doings by the Trump Administration. But that's not expected to translate to how Europeans view American travelers at this point. 'I can say with confidence that my friends overseas are not confusing American tourists with anything they're reading in the news about the American government,' says Fish. 'It's always true that locals are excited to welcome visitors who are respectful and curious.' The usual words of wisdom about international travel still apply today. 'Be respectful of other people's cultures,' says Kopit. 'Know where you're going and what the norms are, and be respectful when you're a guest in someone else's country.' What Americans need to know before visiting Europe this summer originally appeared on 12 best all-inclusive resorts for families in 2025 101 fresh family vacation ideas for the best trip ever (2025 update) 15 best guided tour companies for global adventures in 2025 7 kid-friendly European river cruises to consider in 2025 This European beach destination looks and feels like the Mediterranean, but it's way more affordable The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 6 things Americans should know before taking off to Europe this summer
