If you've been dreaming of a little fun in the sun, but you're nervous about the oil spill's path, we've got the perfect solution. Today, Travelocity announced its Gulf Beach Guarantee. If you travel by September 10, 2010 and stay at one of the more than 180 participating hotels, you can receive a refund for any/all unused nights if the government closes a beach within 20 miles of your resort.

Check it out! www.travelocity.com/gulfguarantee

As you can see from this interactive map, the oil spill has only impacted very specific areas at this time. (You can use your cursor to "grab" the map and move it around. Plus, you can zoom in and out.)

If you haven't had time to follow the latest from the world of travel--never fear! This Week in Travel is here to give you a heads up on the biggest stories, the strangest news items, and latest updates on the world of travel.

All I want to know is when do I get to go to Cuba?  Three cheers for the Obama administration for setting the stage for possible civilian travel to Cuba in the coming years.  We're not there yet, well not unless you're a descendant with relatives in Cuba but hopefully the announcement this week on easing restrictions to Cuba will put American travelers on the path to visiting the historic country.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a warning for American tourists planning to head south of the border, particularly college kids who are anxious to kick back for spring break.  Unfortunately, due to the escalating violence in Mexico, U.S. tourists traveling there need to be aware and take extra precautions.

The on-going conflict between the Mexican drug cartels and the Mexican government has devolved rapidly into drug-related violence and deaths on the streets and along the U.S. - Mexico border.

Beating Santa to the punch, Mother Nature is ensuring a white Christmas across much of the Northeast and Midwest today, making travel a bit dicey just in time for the big holiday weekend. According to CNN, Milwaukee’s airport is shut down and ice is causing delays at O’Hare and at New York-area airports. This is causing a ripple effect across the country, with flights from non-snowy areas--particularly those traveling to impacted areas--being delayed due to the storms.

To learn about particular airline and hotel policies, please visit Travelocity’s Customer Care page.

Are you in or traveling to an area impacted by the storm? If so, let us know about your experience in the comments section.

We’re in the heart (or should I say, eye?) of hurricane season right now, and every other week it seems the National Weather Service issues a new alert. So far this year we’ve seen Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and, currently, Edouard (we hope you’re okay Louisiana and Texas!). Officially, the hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 1, which is a long time if you plan on just hunkering down at home until it’s done. My advice? You can keep on traveling to regions prone to hurricanes as long as you use common sense. Keep in mind that the vast majority of people who travel to these regions during this timeframe see nary a hurricane. In fact, in most places right now, the weather is pretty darn lovely.

But if you are traveling toward the storm, here are some recommendations:

Photo courtesy of Samantha Berg.

Travelers with plans to visit Texas and Mexico may have their plans interrupted by Hurricane Dolly, a Category 1 hurricane.

Air travelers should contact their carrier for information on flight changes and cancellations. Airlines may issue flexible policies for customers who wish to reschedule their trips. American Airlines, Continental, and Delta have all issued flexible-travel policies.

Click here for a list of airline phone numbers.

Travelocity customers should refer to the FAQ page for more information and contact information for our Customer Care representatives.

With Memorial Day past and June just around the corner, many people tend to look at summer as being in full swing. However, June 1st also denotes the start of another season: hurricane season. I can’t claim to let hurricanes factor into my travel plans or decision-making. In fact, I’ve been subjected to a fair few, though never to the kind of havoc-wreaking type of Katrina or Andrew. However, my time spent on Nantucket, 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, has allowed me bear witness to blackouts, minor floods, uprooted tress, and devastated houses.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Red Mezz

A winter storm expected to hit the Northeast over the weekend will likely cause flight disruptions throughout the region, according to reports issued Friday. Several states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont are likely to get hit.

Passengers with plans to travel to, from, or through destinations impacted by the storm are advised to check the status of their flight before leaving their home and to prepare for delays at the airport. Dress comfortably, bring a fully charged cell phone, and have access to the phone number of an airport hotel should you experience overnight delays. As always, Travelocity customers should visit the Customer Care page for information on receiving assitance with their travel plans.

Airlines have begun issuing waivers for customers who wish to postpone thier travel. See below for a list of airlines that have instituted flexible travel policies. Visit your carrier's web site for details and restrictions.
United Airlines
US Airways

Have you heard about the latest reduction in Frequent Flier miles at USAirways? That's today's news. Yesterday's news was the fact that so many carriers were shortening the timeframe for using your miles. Note to self: Fly a lot or lose all those precious points I've been working hard to accrue!

The business people say the airlines are doing this because airlines miles are bad for their books. But c'mon. What's a flier to do in order to keep their miles in this day and age?