Recently, the outspoken president of the Philippines has been making fiery news headlines. This old scribe respectfully suggests that he change the tune of his rants. Instead of dissing other world leaders, he should sing the praises of his nation. It seems no tourists today realize that The Philippine Islands are among the most beautiful travel destinations in the world.

When your travel4seniors.com editor was there the first time, it was brutally devastated in World War II. I was a crewman on a Navy troopship, and we put 2,800 Army guys ashore on Leyte Island in October 1944, to free the Philippines from the brutal Japanese occupation.

Guest Editor Paul J., Dallas TX: I recently spent the weekend with my son at one of the ritziest hotels in Los Angeles. Not on a busy street or prime commercial area of Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, the hotel is easy to miss. So hidden, my son almost drove by Stone Canyon, the small, winding road from Sunset Blvd.

The Hotel Bel-Air is in one of the upscale residential neighborhoods in the country. The hotel's swimming pool, with its oval shape and surrounding oval-shaped fence, is a tribute to the former oval-shaped horse corral, which once occupied the same space.

Q: Our travel agent said it would cost another $50 a night if we booked a cabin with a private balcony. The cruise is 14 days, requiring another $700. Is it worth the extra cost? Jeanne L., Birmingham AL

A: Looking out at the ocean by day and by moonlight is great from your own private balcony. And watching  the full panorama of arrivals and departures in harbors are wonderful cruise experiences. If airfare and your two-week cruise already costs $4,000 or more, consider spending the extra bucks. Think of the selfies and lasting memories!

If you want to save money, here’s an idea. Try for a balcony cabin without the extra charge. When booking, and depending on the season, ask your travel agent if you can be bumped up to a balcony cabin free as part of a special promotion.

You climb aboard, find your economy seat, then try to stash a bag in the overhead. Too late. All filled up. You attempt to tuck it under your seat, but the guy next to you already has all the space filled with several of his bloated carry-ons.

To help ease the stashing problems on future flights, United Continental now limits passengers in lowest cost seats to one carry-on and one under-seat each. Further restrictions on larger bags will not allow them in the overhead bins, and require them to be checked before flights.