Going places got easier, thanks to Mr. Plath

The Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Banff, Alberta, traverses miles of rugged beauty. (Rocky Mountaineer)

As Thanksgiving approaches, one may wonder what the traveler has to be thankful for these days. Airfares are up and so is the price of gas. Planes are usually crowded and often late. Airport security, while necessary, sometimes leaves a person tired and tense before the trip has even begun.

But travelers do have a lot to be grateful for. Changes and innovations, especially those that have come about during the last quarter century or so, have added both to the pleasure and affordability of travel. Just look at a few of them:

Rolling luggage. Moans and groans beyond counting and back injuries along with them have been averted because in 1987 a Northwest Airlines pilot named Robert Plath thought to put wheels on luggage and build in a retractable handle. Before that, the emphasis in the word "luggage" was definitely on the "lug."

A more convenient Europe. Many travelers there visit more than one country, and those on an escorted tour may visit several. The European Community, which took its modern form in 1992, has made going from one nation to another nearly as easy as going from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, with little or no wait at most borders. Likewise, the euro has done away with the need to carry fistfuls of different currencies and struggling to figure their value against the dollar. Now if the dollar could only rise against the euro . . .

The Internet. It began to really take off in the 1980s, and since then has enabled us to become not only a researcher but also, if we want, our own travel agent. A seemingly infinite number of websites tell us where to go, what it will cost, and where to get an even better deal. More conventional travelers who prefer to book face to face with a travel agent also benefit because the Net is a tool for the agent as well.

Cellphones. Anyone stuck in an airport on a snowy day in the old days will recall waiting in line behind dozens of people, sometimes for an hour or more, for a turn at a germy pay phone. Nowadays, getting a message home or calling to rebook is as fast as whipping out your cell and pressing a speed-dial digit. Many online agencies and airlines will call or text your cell if a flight has changed.

The democratization of cruises. There was a time when cruises were an elite way to travel, geared to the newlywed and nearly dead, as the old saw had it, and to those whose wallets were overflowing with bills. Today nearly everyone is welcome aboard, with a ship and a price for every taste. Carnival cruises, for instance, can begin at under $200 and attract fun-seeking young people and families, among others. For those who seek serenity, and can afford it, there are top-of-the-line ships like Crystal's and Seabourn's where the service and amenities are splendid indeed. In between are many ships with so many shows and activities - even rock-climbing and ice-skating - that it is impossible to be bored.

A chance to see the world. Who would have thought even a half-century ago that anyone who could save up a few thousand dollars could go almost anywhere, at any age. Companies such as Overseas Adventure Travel, Vantage, Grand Circle Travel, Austin-Lehman Adventures, and many more will take you safely to Australia, Africa, Antarctica, or almost anywhere else your dreams direct you.

Airports and airplanes. That's right. Despite their discomforts, we can be thankful for the admirable safety record of airplanes. We can also be grateful for smoke-free flights and the convenience of e-tickets. At the airports, self-service check-in kiosks cut down on the wait, and even shops and eating spots have improved greatly over the years. So relax and give thanks for the wonder and joy of travel.

Winter train ride

A route passing glacial mountains, icy lakes, and snow-filled valleys is part of the attraction of the Rocky Mountaineer winter train, which travels from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Banff, Alberta, Dec. 20 and 27, and the opposite way Dec. 22 and 29. Rates for the two-day trip begin at about $600. On other selected winter vacations, a One Child Travels Free offer applies to GoldLeaf Service deluxe bookings and allows a child age 2-11 to go free when accompanying, and sharing a room with, two full paying adults. Visit winterrailvacations.com or call 877-460-3200.

Connecting friends

Grand European Tours has launched GET Connected, a free service for groups of six or more planning a trip together. The service allows everyone in your group to talk at the same time directly with the company's group coordinator on a conference call to plan and book a trip. The company also offers a free land tour for the 10th passenger if nine paying passengers are booked. If you gather a group of 15 paying passengers, the 16th passenger will earn a free land tour plus airfare (except for air taxes). More freebies are available for even larger groups. Visit getours.com and click on GET Together or call 800-552-5545.

China for $1,699

In a trip open to anyone, the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire is sponsoring a trip to China March 14-22 for $1,699 a person. Highlights include transportation to and from John F. Kennedy Airport, round-trip airfare from JFK, hotel stays, three meals daily, English-speaking tour guides, admissions, and airport taxes. Highlights include visits to attractions in Beijing, the Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Suzhou, and a lake cruise. Call 603-772-2411 or for more information, visit exeterarea.org.

Relax with the Renoirs

To mark the arrival of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's "Renoir Landscapes 1865-1883" exhibit, Loews Philadelphia Hotel has an overnight package titled, naturally enough, Renoir Landscapes. It features a night's accommodations and two VIP tickets to view the more than 60 works by the French Impressionist. Available through Jan. 6, the package costs $229 per room, per night. The VIP tickets are undated and untimed so that hotel guests can visit at their leisure. Philadelphia is the only US stop for the exhibit. Visit loewshotels.com or call 800-23-LOEWS (235-6397).

This is no con - honestly

Hostelworld.com lists its five top places to lock up a deal in a prison-turned-hostel: Stockholm; Christchurch, New Zealand; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Ottawa; and Edinburgh. Rates are $20-$32, and Hostelworld says some of the accommodations are quite plush.

Hurricane protection

TNT, the Boston-based charter travel company, is offering a free replacement vacation package to anyone whose original trip has been substantially interrupted by a hurricane, even for one day. TNT has a variety of trips, some beginning at under $1,000. For details, visit tntvacations.com or call 888-GO-TNT-GO (468-6846).

Spa discount

To celebrate the opening of its spa, the White Elephant hotel on Nantucket is offering guests a $100 credit this month for treatments booked at the time of room reservation. Visit whiteelephanthotel.com or call 800-445-6574. When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.