Travel and food go together like sun and sand. In fact, dining on regional specialties is fast becoming the heart and soul of a vacation. On vacation, travelers can sample delicious local dishes that are normally not prepared at home, and they needn't even venture abroad for these memorable culinary experiences.

Retirees are turning to voluntourism as a way to get around tight travel budgets and give back to the community at the same time.

In the wake of airfare increases and rising gas prices, many Americans are seeking creative ways to fulfill their urge to travel. By choosing destinations that are close to home and accessible on one tank of gas, travelers can easily track their expenses while enjoying the travel experience.

Planning a family vacation can be difficult. Finding the right condo or home to rent can be time consuming in itself, let alone getting all the groceries and supplies you need after you arrive. If your vacation is more work than relaxation, it's time to look at alternatives.

What's the best way to truly share your travel excursions with family? Take them with you! In fact, intergenerational travel (grandparents taking their children and grandchildren on trips) has increased in recent years.

Traveling with pets in the car presents special challenges that, fortunately, can be met with a bit of forethought and careful preparation of both the vehicle and pet.

We all look forward to vacations -- time to recharge our batteries and spend care-free days and nights with family and friends. But visions of vacations may change this year with a recession looming, rising gas prices and food and housing at a premium. Many Americans are on tight budgets that are affecting their travel plans.