You see Chinese tourists everywhere, Broadway, Hollywood, San Francisco, the Las Vegas Strip and many other tourist locations. According to The New York Times, the Chinese government is now officially warning its ocean-hopping citizens about dangers of traveling in the USA.

In addition to smoggy air, the report says gun violence kills as many people in America as car accidents. Also, muggings, robberies and burglaries happen frequently, and often to foreign visitors. The Chinese government warnings give advice about personal safety and ways to get police help. Now, about safety for American tourists in China….

Airlines keep coming up with new names for seating, and they all relate to how they’re priced. Now, along with economy, there is basic economy. Considering economy is being squashed into a tiny middle seat with a 300-pound passenger on either side, basic economy must be even tighter. 

Actually, those cheapest passengers will be the last to board with no seat choice. They’ll have to stash carry-ons under them. One of the most unexpected is that if your bags are too big to fit, you’ll have to check them and pay another $25 to $50 to fly. Also, don’t be fooled by the budget airline ad that says you fly from hometown to destination for $99.99. With taxes and other add-ons, you’ll actually pay $159.99 plus plus.

When travels take you to the Los Angeles area, be sure to add this historic destination to your itinerary. Book a lunch or dinner at the hotel’s famed Polo Lounge, along with a stroll around the beautiful grounds and pool.

Opened 1912, the pink-painted palace is on Sunset Boulevard, and at first the typical nightly room rate was $25, a bit high for the time. Today, rates  start at $700 and up, way up. If scandal is your thing, consider some famous shack ups by famous stars. Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned six times in one of the hotel’s bungalows.

Bogart and Sinatra’s Rat Pack often gathered at the bar. Katharine Hepburn dipped into the pool after tennis without bothering to change to a swim suit. And the Beatles came to the hotel after a gig for a midnight swim in the pool. If you want to do the same, be sure to bring your camera or smartphone to record the historic visit.

Remember comedian Rodney Dangerfield’s lament? It happened to your travel4seniors.com editor last year. A bunch of pre-teen guitarists surrounded me in a Barcelona park, and I paused to enjoy the song. Then one of them did the disrespectfully dirty deed, expertly removing my wallet from a back pocket.

They then wandered off, and it was about ten minutes later when I realized what had happened. Of course, I had ignored my own advice I’ve expressed for years. Simply keep your wallet in a buttoned or zipped front or side pocket. For women with handbags, carry them zipped, strapped and secure under a shoulder.