What To Know If You're Traveling This Month

I’m just back from a remarkably smooth trip on an unusual itinerary. I flew from Chicago to Rome on United, cruised the Mediterranean to Lisbon on Norwegian Cruise Line, and flew United across the pond for a conference in Philadelphia. I checked a bag and it miraculously traveled with me every step of the way.

Instead of taking a connecting flight and landing in Philadelphia, I booked a flight from Lisbon to Newark and took an hourlong Amtrak ride. I wanted to fly United where I’d have a shot at upgrading my premium economy ticket.

I got the upgrade and slept most of the flight, and EWR was remarkably pleasant considering it’s my arch nemesis of airports. I got a cold brew and a breakfast sandwich once I landed and made my way to the train. It was so much better than running through a random airport and hoping I didn’t miss my connection.

Pro tip: Always bring pasta and wine home from Italy

If you’re traveling over the next couple of weeks, you may be in for more of an adventure. It’s Labor Day in the United States, the unofficial last holiday weekend of summer. A hurricane just hit Florida, and the United Kingdom is getting back on track after a technical glitch brought air traffic to a halt.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The TSA is expecting to screen more than 2.7 million people today.

• United Airlines flight attendants have been picketing at airports including SFO, EWR, and Denver International Airport. American Airlines flight attendants have been picketing at O’Hare, DFW and in Phoenix.

• A super typhoon triggered hundreds of flight cancellations in Hong Kong.

• French air traffic controllers are scheduled to begin striking on September 15. Paris Metro workers may begin striking as early as September 8.

• In Italy, baggage handlers plan to strike on September 8 and September 29 and air traffic controllers plan to strike on September 16.

Think you’re going to outsmart striking workers by taking a train? Think again.

• UK rail workers are scheduled to strike on September 2, and landslides have shut down rail and road links between Italy, France, and Austria. TGV and Trenitalia service is out through at least Wednesday.

• Italian rail workers are striking today after five workers were hit by a train and killed while doing track maintenance on a line connecting Milan and Turin.

Me? I’ll be at the beach in Chicago and back in your inbox a week from Sunday!

Be safe and patient out there, friends!

I absolutely love the feeling of being in Rio, Lisbon, and San Francisco all at once with these Portuguese views.

I’ve occasionally written about architecture for several years, and I loved writing my first two pieces or Architectural Digest. You can check out my picks for The 9 Best Hotels in Las Vegas for Design-Savvy Travelers and the 13 Best Hotels in Chicago for Architecture Aficionados now.

And if you’re planning a trip to Egypt right now, check out my piece on what to wear when traveling in Egypt.

Azamara, one of my favorite cruise lines, is offering free nights and a $600 onboard credit for cruises booked by September 6. Among the deals that caught my eye? A 20-night Antarctic voyage for just under $2,500 per person.

Save at least 15% on a last-minute hotel booking with booking.com.

Just crossing the Gibralter Strait with a smile on my face as a geography nerd does