I went to check in for a flight recently and located my confirmation number on my calendar. Then I hit a snag: I didn’t remember which airline I was on. But my days of searching for flight confirmations are over.

I recently discovered the wonderful world of TripIt, an app that functions as my own personal travel assistant. It keeps my reservations for flights, hotels, airbnbs and hotels in one place. It also sends me check-in reminders and travel alerts.

Try the free version, but if you travel a lot, you’ll want the added benefits of the pro version.

– Jan Schroder, Girl on the Go

As summer winds down, anticipation for New England’s beautiful autumn foliage rises. Here are a few great places to explore to fulfill your leaf peeping desires this fall:

Manchester, Vermont: With a white steeple church, antique shops and country inns, Manchester is a picturesque New England town.

North Conway, New Hampshire: A great place to be active among the trees — hiking, biking and rock climbing are popular around the White Mountains.

Bar Harbor, Maine: What better way to see the changing of the seasons than at a national park? Acadia National Park will provide all the leaves you’re looking for.

– Beth Koeller, Goodwin Group PR

Don’t let the end of summer slip away! With Boston’s easy access to all the New England states in a matter of a couple hours, consider taking a road trip to these weekend destinations:

1. Cape Cod: Explore the Upper Cape or ride Falmouth’s awesome bike paths.

2. Maine: Relax at a bed and breakfast such as Brewster House.

3. Burlington, Vermont: Check out the lake views and visit plenty of farms.

4. Block Island: Explore the island and walk the Mohegan Bluffs stairs.

5. North Conway, NH: There’s plenty of hiking trails and outdoor activities for the whole family.

– Amanda Santucci, The Boston 100

Continuing to boast about my recent vacation, I wanted to explain the beaches I visited in Israel. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and you could too!

• Tel Aviv Beach: Located behind the hotels, this is a lively spot where everyone is out playing games and sports. The water was refreshing – but that changes come August.

• Caesarea Beach: Located in front of an ancient Roman Aqueduct, this beach has beautiful views and bright blue water.

• The Dead Sea: It’s not your typical beach, so it makes the list because there’s no other place you can float at the lowest point on Earth!

— Josh Sarnowitz, The Boston 100

Odds are you’ll be road-tripping somewhere this summer with family or friends, and you’ll need activities to pass the time. Whether it’s a traffic-laden journey to Cape Cod, a ride down the coast or out west, there’s only so much station-surfing and social posting a carload can handle.

Consider:

• Trivia — sites like Random Trivia Generator can supply hours of competitive fun.

• Podcasts — with so many topics to pick from, research before you ride. Can’t decide? Check The Podcast Chart and let the binge-listening begin!

Scavenger hunts and tried-and-true car games also work – Happy trails!

— Margrette Mondillo, Goodwin Group PR

I recently returned from a 12-day vacation in Israel, and it was amazing. Although I’d visited in the past, I got to experience new tours and sites I missed the first time.

One of the most interesting tours I’ve ever been on was the three-religion tour in Jerusalem. Many people don’t realize that the three major religions – Islam, Judaism and Christianity – all have their own significant ties to the holy sites of Jerusalem.

Our guide, a history buff and archaeologist, brought us to locations that boasted ancient history and gave unparalleled detail of the significance for each religion.

– Josh Sarnowitz, The Boston 100

A few weeks ago, I would have laughed at the idea of only bringing a carry-on for an international trip.

After I got caught in the British Airways IT crash in London and lived out of a small carry-on bag for over a week, I have learned that’s the best advice. It won’t get lost and, size-wise, it’s convenient for traveling around Europe or other countries.

If you must check a bag, here are my tips: bring a rolling carry-on, pack 4-5 interchangeable neutral pieces, shoes, makeup and your essentials: i.e. medicine and contact solution.

– Amanda Santucci, The Skinny Spice

In 2004, the International Air Transport Association began pushing airlines to issue electronic tickets. Prior to that, most passengers received their tickets through the mail from a travel agent or from an airline ticket office.

Soon we may not even need electronic tickets or scans on our smartphones. Delta is testing a pilot program at Reagan National Airport for SkyMiles members to use their fingerprints to check bags and board their flight.

JetBlue is testing facial recognition technology that uses images verified through the US Customs and Border Protection database to allow passengers to board flights from Boston to Aruba.

– Jan Schroder, Girl on the Go

STAY: The 404 Hotel located in the Gulch is the ultimate boutique option. You’re in for an exclusive adventure at this five-room property with a modern European-inspired restaurant.

PLAY: The Escape Game’s top-rated and fan favorite location is Nashville. Grab friends to solve clues and mysteries for an escape adventure.

EAT: Breakfast lovers, rejoice. Biscuit Love is the perfect brunch location with meals everyone will enjoy.

BONUS: For the Music City experience, visit The Bluebird Cafe. The listening room and venue has seen major names like Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks, and was featured in ABC’s Nashville.

– Maeghen Carter, The Arkansas 100

A popular place for families to catch parades is on St. Charles Avenue near Napoleon. Viewing ladders are lined up like wooden soldiers, providing the perfect vantage for catching coveted spears, plush and beads. From princesses to cowboys, kids in costumes capture the spirit of Mardi Gras — as well as the throws.

Neighborhood establishments, such as New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood, welcome parade goers, offering beignets to burgers, as well as a place to rest weary feet and gather nourishment through the last Carnival parade. This popular spot has become a Mardi Gras tradition for New Orleanians young and old.

– Betsie Gambel, Gambel Communications

Have an encounter with a Na’vi shaman at the end of the Na’vi River Journey where guests will travel down a sacred river in a bioluminescent rainforest. That is one of the expeditions slated to open this summer as part of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, inspired by James Cameron’s movie “Avatar.”

Take to the skies by riding a banshee over the world of Pandora with the Avatar Flight of Passage excursion. The new expansion will also include the restaurant Satu’li Canteen and the store Windtraders, selling Na’vi cultural items that include toys and science kits.

– Jan Schroder, @GirlontheGoJan