Q: We’re going camping at the Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone National Park and I would like to bike with my 6-year-old son. How can I find the bike trails? Will the trails be rugged? What kind of tires should I put on his bike?A: I contacted Yellowstone and they said that there is a biking trail relatively close to the Fishing Bridge Campground called the Natural Bridge Trail. It starts near the Bridge Bay Marina. It’s recommended that you use mountain bike tires on this trail.In addition, it’s important to note that there are no bicycle trails adjacent to park roads, and riding on the main roadway is not considered safe for a child. Bicycles are not allowed on any park hiking trails or in off-road backcountry areas,either.Bicycle riders on public roadways in Yellowstone must obey the same rules and regulations that apply to motorized vehicles. Bikes must also have a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the rear during periods of low visibility.

I just read on the great travel blog Jaunted that Scandinavia’s SAS Airlines may try to save on fuel costs by trying gliding landings. Obviously a major airline isn’t going to shut the engines down without running the concept through the normal series of tests, but they may be on to something. SAS has already found that by flying slower–and increasing flight times by a measly few minutes–they save both fuel costs and CO2 emmissions. Maybe Sully–the pilot who successfully landed the plane in the Hudson River–has a future training SAS pilots.

Travelzoo just keeps the hits coming.

The online aggregator of Internet deals continues to feature specials for the Twin Cities — this week declaring Hawaii as its destination of the week.

The Travelzoo site, at http://www.travelzoo.com/destinations/hawaii, features links and all sorts of information on getting to the islands, but that’s not really what caught my eye.

What caught my eye was their Top 20 deal of the week: Roundtrip airfares to Honolulu from Minneapolis for $366, via Orbitz.

Granted, that’s still a chunk of change (and Orbitz isn’t always necessarily my first choice for travel deals), but it’s rare to see an airfare to the islands in that ballpark.

(Keep in mind, of course, that fare is only to Honolulu. If you want to island hop once you’re out there, there will be additional airfare expense).

And, of course, there is some fine print. Taxes and fees of about $70 are not included in the final price, and the airfare is available only over select travel dates, Sept. 6-Nov. 18.

That’s not the only deal for the Twin Cities.

United Airlines this week is also featuring some last-minute airfare to a number of cities including Springfield, Ill. ($150), Greenville, SC ($246) and Ottwa, Ontario ($350).

That info can be found here:

http://travel.united.com/ube/efares/us/eFares.do

And U.S. Airways is offering deals to Mazatlan for $292.

Details of that deal can be found here:

http://www.usairways.com/awa/faresale/eSaverIntl.aspx?c=00437_txt_link

The best deal this week, by far, though, comes from local Sun Country.

The hometown airline is offering some remarkable fares out of Minneapolis to major destinations.

One-way flights to Dallas, New York, Phenix and Tampa are going for just $59. The deal? Purchase by Friday.

Details on that sale can be found here:

http://www.suncountry.com/programs/fareSale.shtml?adver=faresale-20090811&type=email&camp=promotion&version=body-text-booknow

If you’re looking to just stick close to home, by the way, Travelzoo is also touting discounts on the new ‘Bodies’ exhibit at the Mall of America: Two tickets for $22.

Details on that promotion can be found here:

http://entertainment.travelzoo.com/entertainment/630754?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email_top20

This Sunday is the second running of Il Palio, the horse race that takes place every July and August in Siena, Italy. The tradition dates back to the Medieval times and involves jockeys riding bareback around a track that winds through the city’s main piazza. A few riders usually lose their mounts, which clearly is part of the attraction for the crowds who throng to this gorgeous city. See for yourself in this video.

Q: I am taking my 10 and 12-year old sons to Los Angeles at the end of August. I wanted to take them to Universal Studios Hollywood, but the tickets are $69 each. What’s more, I’ve been told at this time of year we need to get Front of the Line passes because it’s so crowded. Those tickets costs $129 each. Can you suggest a less expensive way to experience behind-the-scenes Hollywood?A: There’s no doubt that Universal Studios is pricey. That’s because in addition to the studio tour, the ticket price also includes general admission to their amusement park. Because your kids can go on rides at home, I’d suggest the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour. Kids ages 8 and older are welcome and it costs $45 per person for a tour that lasts just over 2 hours. Then I’d head over to Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood to check out the  footprints of movie stars dating back to the 1920s. It doesn’t cost a penny, unless you want to have your photo taken with one of the characters–Mickey Mouse, Darth Vader–trolling the area for tips.Â

The news that a plane flying from Rio to Texas experienced such bad turbulence–in clear weather, no less–that 26 people were injured, was not an upper for those of us who are nervous fliers. I say us, because even though I’m a travel writer, I get panicky during mid-air turbulence. Sure, I’ve read that a plane can basically lose a wing and still land safely. I know that I’m safer flying above the Atlantic than driving down Lake Street. And I can even appreciate that the Rio to Texas flight is actually a positive story–no one died; the plane remained intact despite its impromptu roller coaster ride. But those facts mean almost nothing to me when a plane starts rocking.

How about you? Does flying make you nervous? If you’ve overcome a fear of flying, how did you do it?