What’s worse, a commemorative mug or a lousy T-shirt? San Francisco Chronicle Travel Editor Spud Hilton explains what makes a crappy souvenir as well as the two most annoying types of travelers at the airport.

How clean is your cruise ship? Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of CruiseCritic.com, reports that the Norwegian Epic and a number of other cruise ships barely squeaked by in recent sanitation tests.

Miami Herald Business Editor Jane Wooldridge explains why oil prices aren’t the only reason airfares are rising.

And this week, Peter is off to Minneapolis-St. Paul to explore the Twin Cities’ culinary scene, a National Park running through the heart of the city, the ever-changing Mall of America, and to bring you the latest travel news you can use.

Join him on Saturday, May 14, 2011, as he broadcasts from The Marquette Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Featured guests include:

Jane Wooldridge, travel journalist and Business Editor of the Miami Herald, talking about her new book, 100 Best Affordable Vacations to Enrich Your Life, and why oil prices aren’t the only reason airfares are rising;

Brenda Langton, award-winning chef and restaurateur of the Spoonriver Restaurant, explaining what makes the Twin Cities a culinary delight and the fresh local food she can obtain;

Catharine Hamm, Los Angeles Times Travel Editor, discussing the latest travel news plus the role of user-generated content in the travel process;

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of CruiseCritic.com, reporting on an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants on luxury cruise ships as well as how the Norwegian Epic and other big cruise ships barely squeaked by in recent cruise ship sanitation tests;

David Wiggins, supervisory park ranger with the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, describing the National Park that runs through the heart of the Twin Cities and the ambitious new Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures Program;

Andy Masich, CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center, discussing the ins and outs of the Pennsylvania Civil War Road Show;

Maureen Bausch of the Mall of America highlighting the draws of America’s largest and most popular mall;

Spud Hilton, Travel Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, describing new bans on Bluetooth headsets, what makes a crappy souvenir and what exactly “gate lice” is;

Anne Banas, executive editor for SmarterTravel, explaining how to choose among the glut of group-buying sites and other ways to save on travel;

Beth Pinkney, Executive Director of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, giving us a glimpse of the carnival as well as tips on exploring the city and surviving its winters;

Tom Courtney, author of Walkabout Northern California: Hiking Inn to Inn, encouraging listeners to get out of their cars and into nature with great hiking experiences;

Darsie Alexander, chief curator at the Walker Art Center, giving insight into the local art scene and some can’t-miss spots for culture.

As always, Peter will be taking your calls and answering your travel problems on the air! Call in with your travel questions at 1-888-88-PETER (1-888-887-3837) or email peter@petergreenberg.com. (Write “ASK PETER” in the subject line.) 

For more on Peter’s broadcast location, check out the Web site of The Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota.