When US to Cuba flights were allowed again last year, airlines had hopes of big biz. However, it hasn’t happened and there have been some schedule cutbacks. One reason is the continuing bothersome U.S. State Department restrictions.

Many seasoned travelers have been asking for years why continue any kind of restrictions against Cuba. Is it because it’s still Castro’s Communist isle? There are no restrictions on visiting China, Vietnam or Russia, all still super Commie.

It’s no surprise to seasoned senior wanderers, but a recent Travelers United poll reports that 80% of travelers wanted hotels and resorts to list absolutely all charges on final totals and advertised honestly up front.

The sad fact is that we’re living in an age of advanced bait and switch, and too many travel ads are about as honest as your friendly used car salesman’s pitch. It all started a century or so ago with carnival barkers and newspaper ads for miracle medical cures. Then came the crooked auto pitches.

Find yourself with a day or more in an unfamiliar city for the first time? It could be New York, Rome, Paris, Beijing or Timbuktu. Sign up for a free walking tour. Find ideas and info about it on Google by clicking in free walking tour with city name.

The pleasant hike will give you opportunities to learn about city history, local transportation, economy, current features, shopping, security and upcoming events. Often the one-hour or more tour is totally without charge, although you’ll be expected to tip the guide when it’s over.

As the internet gets more sophisticated, economy-minded senior wanderers can find info by just Googling the words travel sharing. The deals are happening all the time now all over the world.

Such interesting sites as Tripit, TrackMyTour, Airbnb and others allow you save many bucks on your travel plans. And just because you save money doesn’t mean you get less value for it.

Cut cruise costs in half by signing up to share a cabin. After all, when out to sea you actually spend just eight hours or less each day in the cabin. The other 16 hours are for enjoyable swimming, sunning, dining and interesting shore tours.

When in exotic resort cities like Miami, Malibu, Rio, Cannes and Acapulco, you don’t have to pay $500 a night to bunk at a snooty, crowded oceanside hotel. Instead you can loll in a shared private luxury villa by the beach for less than half the price.