DC the Most 'Walkable' City

Some ways to get more out of your miles

(NEWSER) - You sat in plenty of stuffy cabins to earn those frequent-flier miles: make sure you get a good trip out of them. Travel and Leisure runs down the best ways to earn miles and use them efficiently.

1. Stick with one airline: The more you commit to a single airline, the better you'll be treated and the more miles you'll accumulate.
2. Eat more, drive more: Rental car companies such as Hertz double the miles of some airline customers, and participating restaurants also offer such benefits.
3. Ditch the mouse for the receiver: Booking a ticket by calling an airline agent can help you use your miles more efficiently than online booking.

Delicious food means you don't have to leave the hotel

(NEWSER) - With this sort of room service, why leave the hotel at all? Forbes lists eight hotels that are stand-outs for room service offerings:

1. Four Seasons Washington, DC: Gourmet in-room dinner for two served by personal butler.
2. Ritz-Carlton Chicago: Get whatever you want, whenever you want from the kitchen—prepared to your specs.

Don't fly away yet! That packaged deal may be too good to be true.

(NEWSER) - Before you pack your bags, check out Foreign Policy's list of the five most overhyped tourist locales:

1. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: Famous beach and diving locale actually tacky and overcrowded.
2. Ibiza, Spain: Hippy haven and hedonistic paradise turned into dirty and pricey hole.

Where to avoid the people and the noise and find serenity

(NEWSER) - Even for die-hard swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers, sometimes a day at the beach is anything but, thanks to way, way too many people. The good news is that there are still undiscovered beaches out there. Travel + Leisure went scouting for such secret beaches. Here are its best finds:

• Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico: This artist colony is way cooler in both temperature and temperament than the Margaritaville of Cabo San Lucas, an hour to the south. Pacific breezes stir up rough and tumbling waves that have made this kicked-back community a surfer’s haven.

...along with sneakers and shirts you can borrow to work out in

(NEWSER) - With precious little room in their carry-ons, many travelers are willing to leave their sneakers at home and skip their workouts while traveling—but are they also willing to wear communal sneakers and sports bras? The Westin thinks so, and it's launched a free "gear-lending" program that does just that in each of its 174 hotels. Female guests can now borrow New Balance-brand Capri pants, sports bras, shirts, socks, and sneakers, delivered directly to their room; men will get a shirt, shorts, socks, and shoes. More»