An interesting idea for globe-trotters — National Geographic and Cellular Abroad have introduced a new pay-as-you-go mobile phone that works in more than 200 countries.

For $179, customers get a Samsung B2100 Xplorer handset, two always-active phone numbers (one U.S.-based, one United Kingdom-based) and a global SIM card with $29 of outgoing call credit. More compelling: There’s...

Beginning this month, citizens who apply for a first-time passport and intend to use a certified birth certificate as their primary evidence of U.S. citizenship must be sure the document lists the full names of the applicant's parent(s). Birth certificates missing this information are no longer acceptable as evidence of citizenship. Those who don't have a birth certificate that meets these standards...

Will you sleep soundly on your next flight, knowing that the air-traffic controller charged with your safety might be doing the same?

Four air-traffic controllers were accused of nodding off on the job in three separate incidents, according to the FAA. What's to blame? Fatigue, apparently.

The controllers are forced to work staggered shifts, but I'm pretty darned tired, too, with two...

"Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is off and running at Discovery Times Square, where recently the less-than-notable King Tut exhibit held residence. The difference, though, is that no one seems disappointed with this one. But at $25 for adults and $19.50 for kids 4 to 12 (plus a $1 facility fee and sales tax), you might find yourself working like a house elf to pay for a family outing.

But...

National Parks Week starts April 16, and that means free admission for everyone through April 24, plus special offers and deals at various National Parks around the country. So if you're headed to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, etc., you'll save a few bucks.

Here on Long Island, there will be free admission to such sites as Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, as well...

With gas prices skyrocketing, airlines floundering and raising fares, there's one transportation system that's batting a thousand: Amtrak just celebrated its best March on record. Ever.

About  2.6 million passengers traveled on Amtrak last month. That's 137,000 more than the same month last year, making this March the 17th straight month of increasing ridership. That puts the company...

The travel-booking site has settled its dispute with American Airlines and has resumed selling the carrier's tickets on Expedia.com and Hotwire.com. The airline's flight listings were removed from both sites three months ago amid a disagreement over commissions. American has not yet resolved a similar dispute with Orbitz.com....

I got such great feedback about last week's Free in NYC post, it's going to be a weekly feature. So, ever the intrepid scourer of deals, I found some great freebies this week.

Live performances

The Black Eyed Peas. Yes THE Black Eyed Peas. Free. The April 18 show at Terminal 5 is part of MTV's World Stage and Volkswagen's 21st Century Beetle promotion, during which the automaker...

Disney just announced its mega-ship Magic will make 20 sailings from New York City in 2012.

Beginning May 25 next year, cruisers can choose from eight-night sailings to the Bahamas (from $1,240 a person) and five-night sailings up the coast of New England (from $715 a person).

In another first, the ship will make three two-night weekend cruises to nowhere June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10...

When I traveled to Miami from NY for spring break back in 1985, I paid $98 each way for a rountrip fare on NY Air (remember them?)  I remember because it was a lot for me to pay on my meager part-time, college-student salary, and it was the first airfare I ever purchased myself.

So, it's amazing to me that more than 25 years later, with all the talk about rising fuel prices and inflation,...