Recent content from Simon Peter Groebner
Inspired by Dolly Parton, they celebrate Christmas in the Smoky Mountains
The singer's Dollywood theme park and the eastern Tennessee mountains are a great place to spend the holidays.
How I earned Delta status for the first time in 2024, without really trying
My journey to Silver Medallion and 5,000 MQDs was a combination of credit card spending, special promotions and — oh, yeah — flights.
With nonstop flights coming to Copenhagen from MSP, here are some of our favorite Danish attractions
Don't miss Tivoli Gardens, Christiania, Mons Klint and biking the Danish capital.
These eight Minnesota excursions combine leaf peeping and outdoor fun
Cruise, paddle, bike, hike or climb your way into the kaleidoscope of fall.
Delta will fly nonstop from MSP to Rome in 2025
The new route is part of the airline's "record" trans-Atlantic expansion, with a big emphasis on Italy.
The new direct flights to Ireland are dreamy – but here's why you should skip Dublin
For a summer excursion, trade time in the Republic of Ireland's expensive capital for its wild, authentic west coast.
A first look at Hotel Ivy's multimillion-dollar renovation in Minneapolis
The boutique hotel's revamp draws on its history to make a new bet on downtown.
As Delta tries to restore 'normalcy,' here's how customers can get refunds, reimbursements
The airline expects Thursday to be close to normal, but customers stranded during the past week can still get help.
Travel Troubleshooter: My Apple Vacations voucher doesn't work! Can I get a refund?
A travel adviser offered a $200 resort credit at a hotel in the Turks and Caicos. Why doesn't it work, and who is responsible?
Want to go paddling or tubing on a river this holiday weekend? Check the water levels
Many kayaking, canoeing and tubing outfitters are shut down because of flooding, but a few spots remain open for business.
America's new tallest waterslide is in Wisconsin Dells. Here's what it's like to ride it.
The new Rise of Icarus in Wisconsin Dells towers at 145 feet. Here's how it compares with other tall slides in the Dells, the world and Minnesota.
A ride down the tallest waterslide in America
Trying not to scream on the 145-foot-tall Rise of Icarus at Mt. Olympus in Wisconsin Dells.
The great Chicago debate: Should you go by plane, train or automobile?
The best way from the Twin Cities to the Windy City depends on factors like time, cost, convenience and environmental impact.
Minnesota Waterfall Awards: 12 of the best falls across the state
From Gooseberry to Niagara Cave to Devil's Kettle, our favorite waterfalls in Minnesota are satisfying climaxes to the journey.
![The American Queen in port at La Crosse, Wis. ] Photo by KERRI WESTENBERG/Star Tribune](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PSGWHJEDDXXRV4ID7SU65U7NNA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Cruise line buys up the Mississippi River ships from defunct American Queen Voyages
American Cruise Lines successfully bid for the classic paddlewheeler American Queen and three other riverboats.
Airfare alert: Minneapolis to Dublin in May, from $476
Aer Lingus' return to MSP heralds lower fares, but Delta is currently lowest.
A classic Mississippi River cruise line has abruptly shut down
American Queen Voyages' iconic paddlewheel ships will no longer dock in Minnesota.
How to spend the day (but not the night) at high-buck resorts and hotels from Maui to Miami
For a mini-"White Lotus" experience, Dayuse and ResortPass let you book glamorous hotels and resorts by the day.
After Lutsen, what is the state of classic lodges in Minnesota?
These old-time lodges are steeped in history for Minnesota travelers.
Should you cancel your Delta SkyMiles Amex card? A breakdown of the new benefits and fees
Annual fees are soaring on the SkyMiles American Express cards, but all-new travel benefits could help you make up for it, and then some.
Why the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 won't impact the majority of travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul
The plane type involved in a mid-air blowout last week is infrequently seen at MSP airport.
A complete, opinionated guide to Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles changes for 2024
The tweaks to Delta's loyalty program, rolled out and partly retracted in 2023, are now in effect.
How to save $44 per ticket on Sun Country by buying at the airport
Step 1: Go to the airport. Step 2: Save $44 by not paying the airline's newish "passenger interface fee."
Buenos Aires is incredibly cheap for tourists right now — but will it last?
Taylor Swift and a special "tourist dollar" made one of the loveliest and safest cities in South America very appealing.
Changes to Delta's SkyMiles all but eliminate status-seeking for regular travelers
Medallion status was never easy to attain for mere mortals. Now it's off the table entirely.
For this year's fall-color viewing, go to southern Minnesota instead of north
Southern Minnesota's longer fall season is less crowded, as well.
Delta drops its planned nonstop flights from Minneapolis to Maui
Tourism officials still want people to return; customers with rebooked flights should be eligible for refunds.
A family resort in Wisconsin Dells is getting the highest waterslide in the U.S.
Mt. Olympus theme park in the Dells is planning the ambitious, 145-foot Rise of Icarus next summer.
Which Mississippi River cruise ship is right for you?
Three cruise lines offer their own takes on classic riverboat voyages between Minnesota and New Orleans.
Lutsen Mountains' gondola and alpine slide to reopen Thursday after devastating fire
The resort's Skyline Chalet on top of Moose Mountain — reached via the gondola, with outdoor decks and a soaring 180-degree view of Lake Superior — will be open for picnicking, with food and beverage service expected to return next week when internet access is restored.
Delta's new nonstop flights from MSP to Maui are surprisingly cheap right now
Want to catch one of Delta Air Lines' just-announced nonstop winter flights to the lush Hawaiian island of Maui? Book it now.
9 warm-weather escapes that you can fly to from Minneapolis right now
Exit Minnesota for Vegas, Cabo or Orlando.
Delta launches 15% off award travel for its credit card holders — but there might be a catch
We break down the three SkyMiles American Express cards included in the new "TakeOff 15" benefit.
Choose your adventure in Belize: Islands and ruins, caves and cuisine
We sampled a bit of everything for a week in Belize: waterfalls and snorkeling, caving and Coppolas.
A trip to coastal Maine brings to mind Lake Superior's North Shore — to an extent
The state also offers New England charm, a national park and mysterious islands.
A look inside the new Viking Mississippi cruise ship
The new luxury river cruiser puts the emphasis on leisure, socializing and American music.
![The Viking Ocantis of Vikings Cruises sails under the Aerial Lift Bridge on Lake Superior Monday, July 25, 2022 at Canal Park in Duluth, Minn. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/N6FNGIJEWPCB7433RF3RDSDKUA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
What it's like to take a luxury Great Lakes adventure cruise
With its new ship Octantis and expeditions among the Great Lakes, Viking aims to get cruising down to a science.
Iceland's geothermal lagoons are a key tourist attraction: Here are 5 of the best
Plan your Iceland road trip around these hot-spring pools and baths.
Spain's Canary Islands were an adventurous choice for one couple's 'babymoon'
For expectant parents, a babymoon is a chance to reflect on the even bigger adventure ahead.
4 of the best river paddling trips in southeast Minnesota
For unspoiled nature and quiet river towns, take these kayak trips down the Cannon, Zumbro and Root rivers (plus a bonus trip in Wisconsin).
A cruise will take you from Duluth to Antarctica in 2023
The "Longitudinal World Cruise" will cover eight countries in 71 days. The price tag? Starting at $49,995.
Condor Airlines returns to Minneapolis-St. Paul with budget flights to Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt is the fifth European city to get restored nonstop service from MSP.
Without SkyMiles, is Delta's Basic Economy still worth it? It's Econ 101
Delta Basic Economy tickets no longer earn frequent-flier miles. Do we care?
Costa Rican resort hard to get to, even harder to leave
Hidden on the Pacific coast, Nosara is a sprawling outdoor paradise for surfers, yogis and expatriates.
Check in, ski out: We tried out lodging options at 3 top Minnesota ski resorts
In search of a cozy ski-lodge experience at Giants Ridge, Spirit Mountain and Lutsen.
What it was like to visit Iceland in 2021, from lava flow to the Arctic Coast Way
Iceland was a hot destination once again in 2021, thanks to the vaccine and the volcano.
The Dakota dozen: 12 must-see destinations in North Dakota and South Dakota
Twelve essential, must-do destinations in the Dakotas, from North to South.
A nostalgic return to South Dakota's Black Hills focuses on two famous names
On a nostalgic return to South Dakota's Black Hills, two iconic names stand out: Crazy Horse and Custer.
Can't find a rental car? What it's like to rent from a car-sharing service
An experiment with car-sharing in Chicago amid the carpocalypse of 2021.
North Coast: The 12 best Midwestern beaches to visit this summer
Don't let the coastal elites tell you that the Midwest has no beaches.
Celebrate a return to travel with these 7 essential U.S. vacation destinations
While travel to many overseas destinations remains restricted, domestic travel is hot.
Florida's wild 'quarantine' island is an escape from Fort Myers' crowds
Away from Fort Myers' crowds, escape to a wild side of southwest Florida.
Road trip to Colorado, where scenery is abundant, but COVID was not
A 1,000-mile road trip to a luxe yurt provides an escape from the pandemic.
Fat biking in the polar vortex in northern Minnesota's Cuyuna area
At Cuyuna Country in Crosby, Minn., subzero weather leads to the best winter biking ever.
Superior's divine isles: Exploring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
The Apostles are among the last truly remote places in the Midwest, precisely because they are so hard to reach.
Airlines are reducing the seat recline – here's why Minnesotans might be OK with it
Delta Air Lines is reducing the seat recline in some of its planes. Many travelers won't miss it.
Portugal's wild Azores isles are geothermal wonders — and relatively close to the U.S.
A childhood fascination finally yields to discovery on the North Atlantic's unpredictable Azores islands.
Azores: The wild islands of Portugal
A fantastic respite with a temperate climate and an old Mediterranean feel, a recreational hotbed with friendly bilingual people and precious little commercialism — all of it closer to America than any other European turf.
Traveling to Thunder Bay, Ontario, in winter
Even during a polar vortex, it's possible to discover the Ontario city's charms.
In the depths of winter, Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a sleeping giant
Even during a polar vortex, it's possible to discover the Ontario city's charms.
Low-cost airlines are growing fast at MSP: Do the savings fly?
Budget carriers have changed the way we fly by lowering prices — and expectations. We explore whether the cost savings add up to real value.
Minnesota's best bike trail takes riders on a tour of the Iron Range
The unpredictable Mesabi Trail carries cyclists 135 miles from the Mississippi River to the Boundary Waters.
Biking the Mesabi Trail
The Mesabi Trail in northern Minnesota thrusts bicyclists into the stark visuals of the Iron Range.
Come sail away at this fun northern Minnesota resort on Lake Vermilion
Sailing is just one unique amenity at Pehrson Lodge, a Lake Vermilion resort with a summer-camp vibe.
On the trail of the Jacobites in Scotland
Two "outlanders" discover Scotland's story of resistance, past and present.
On the trail of the Jacobites in Scotland
Two "outlanders" discover Scotland's story of resistance, past and present.
There's a big backup for the Global Entry trusted-traveler program at MSP
Membership includes TSA PreCheck.
Fall day trip: A bike ride between two Minnesota icons
The highlight so far of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail may be the 7 or 8 paved miles between two iconic Minnesota destinations: Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Going with the flow in Nicaragua
A retreat in under-discovered Nicaragua leads to surfing and history, beaches and volcanoes.
