I used to be a big fan of buying tickets on travel websites such as Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com but lately, I found that it is often cheaper to buy them directly through the airlines's websites. Have we come a full circle?

I picked a random date--a long weekend Sept.13-17 from New York to San Francisco--to see what rates would come back.

A sample of a few direct flights:

• United: $303 on Expedia, $298 on United.com
• Continental: $357 on Expedia, $352 on Continental.com
• Delta: $303 on Expedia, $358 on Delta.com
• Alaska: $343 on Expedia, $498 on Alaskaair.com (hello!)

OK, so it's a mixed bag. I have to say though that I have yet to find a flight that is cheaper on Expedia or Travelocity than it is on Continental.com. Their website is really good, I think. It is comforting to know that airlines are starting to understand how to use the Internet to their--and our--advantage.

I now use kayak.com to see the best rates and then book directly on the airlines' sites. Plus, I get extra miles for booking online. Expedia, be worried!

Travel stereotypes always make good writing topics. On one hand, we hate stereotyping because we are told that "cultured people don't use stereotypes". On the other hand, there is no question that observations become stereotypes because they are based on accurate reality. And isn't travel supposed to be about observing reality?

I came across a funny piece, entitled "The Worst Tourists in the World" by Rolf Potts talking about the British obsession with stereotypes of national character, roughly outlined below:

1. Americans: Ignorant. Loud. Oblivious to surroundings. Insincere.
   
2. French: Rude. Bigoted. A trifle out of touch with reality.
   
3. Germans: Humorless. Rule-obsessed. Unfriendly. Stubborn.
   
4. Israelis: Rude. Cheap. Arrogant. Cliquish.
   
5. Canadians: Exactly like Americans, but more soft-spoken, more polite, less ignorant, and twenty times more boring.

Well, there you have it. Of course, you are all different!

I think stereotypes are actually really helpful, if used wisely. For example, if every American/French/German...could look above and try to NOT be all those things, the world would be a better place. Although, arguably, not as funny.