Our camera's wide-angle lens gives imaginary curved and distorted perspective of the usually busy boardwalk that juts out over the beach and Pacific Ocean. Families enjoy strolls, games, fun rides, food and souvenir shops.

USNews & World Report had a recent article about how to cut airfare costs, suggesting you wear your luggage. We’ve been practicing and preaching that for a long time!

By not checking your bags, you can save from $25 to $100 per flight. Now, as baggage fees continue to rise, some airlines also charge for carry-ons. To avoid the costs, the most convenient way these days is to travel with a backpack, plus a jacket that has many roomy inside and outside pockets. Added to your boarding outfit can be cargo pants, also with at least two large pockets.

Wearing it all may make you look like a D-Day paratrooper or the Incredible Bulk, but it saves money. It also allows you to move around hands-free until boarding. Then, you can slide the backpack under the seat. Additionally, take along a large, empty plastic bag, so that after landing, you can put some big stuff into it to make your taxi, bus or car ride more comfortable. 

Another benefit is that you’ll no longer be forced to wait tense minutes at the luggage pick-up carousel after your flight, hoping your bag isn’t lost. More important is knowing nothing valuable has mysteriously disappeared from checked bags during the journey.

Maybe the old slogan of travel light should be revised to travel heavy, as long as you can wear it.

Q: We’ve been to Las Vegas many times over the years, and are always eager to return. In previous visits, we loved strolling the Strip and Fremont Street. We also enjoy exploring inside various resorts, as  well as viewing the outdoor celebrations and general wandering.

However, the years are slowing us down, and we’ll need help getting around on our next trip. Vegas hotels have long hallways and we want to window-shop in big retail areas, such as the ones in Caesars and the Venetian. Can we rent something small and light like electric scooters on our next visit?

BL, Milwaukee WI

A: Las Vegas has scads of scooter rental companies, with prices that range from $15 to $50 a day. One example is yellowscooters.com. It offers free delivery and pick-up to your hotel. Two lightweight electric models, Pack’N’Ride 3 Scooter and V10 Portable HD Scooter, are advertised starting at $40 for a single day. However, they get much cheaper per day if you rent for additional days.

The entire city is scooter friendly, so you’ll find sidewalks, ramps, hotel elevators, shops, theaters and restaurants cooperating to accommodate your needs. Incidentally, similar scooter and wheelchair rental agencies exist in Disney Parks, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington and other senior-friendly destinations. Happy scootering!

The world-renowned travel expert, PBS TV star and fellow senior offers common-sense advice on visiting foreign nations. Simply put, we should heed the lyrics of the vintage Aretha Franklin song and include respect in our traveling behavior.

We’ve personally heeded his advice for years, and found our travels more economical and pleasant. One absolute is to prepare before we depart. As Rick suggests, once we’ve chosen a foreign destination, we use internet research extensively to learn about local customs, government, history, religions, monetary values, transportation and at least some basics of the language.

Now, with the continuing sophistication of electronic devices, we install apps with upgraded information into our hand-held digital SmartPhones. One of the most useful is to have the country’s map on our Global Positioning System, so we can instantly check where we’re located at all times, load up on current info and to plan our next moves. 

Most important, following Rick’s teachings, we try to reach beyond tourist mentality and actually get to know the people. We search out the authentic cafes, following the old advice: dine where local families eat. We avoid the Ugly American image of flashy clothing, loud demanding orders and superior attitude, and actually talk with people. Try it and your travels will be that much more enjoyable.

For current info and promotions by Rick, go to www.ricksteves.com