Author: Christopher Elliott, Special to USA TODAY

Knowing who owns the hotel, minding the mandatory fees, and knowing where to book can save you a lot of holiday hassles.

In some ways, travel has never been safer, more affordable or more accessible. On the other hand, it’s costly, fraught with hassles, and maddening.

You have to balance the adult need to eat something healthy with junk-food impulses of your offspring.

When you think of road trip games, “I Spy” or the “License Plate Game” come to mind. But sometimes your fellow passenger wants to pick a fight.

Travelers who want to get to their destinations faster need to take risks, says Rob Katz, the CEO of Vail Resorts.