November 20, 2009
US aviation in shambles
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said the country's aviation system is "in shambles". This after a circuit board failure caused delays and cancelled flights all over America. "If we don't deliver the resources, manpower, and technology the FAA it needs to upgrade the system, these technical glitches that cause cascading delays and chaos across the country are going to become a very regular occurrence."
No doubt that something needs to be done. A while back I mentioned one plan the FAA had to stop taxing airline tickets and instead tax fuel and impose fees on commercial and private jets. I'm not an expert bu that sounded good to me as I asked Why should my economy class ticket help pay for the air traffic control helping some rich person's private jet take off?
And one way or the other we do need to fund an FAA overhaul because the air traffic control system does need work.
No way to get to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics without getting ripped off?
Very interesting article here about the tickets being sold in North America (and other places) for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Apparently they all get sold by one man, Sead Dizdarevic. As a result he gets to name his own price and make sure that tickets bring in extra profit when they are sold as part of a package:
"It not only has a direct impact on the price of tickets, it has a direct impact on availability," said Houston attorney Jim Moriarty. Dizdarevic's pricey travel packages, he said, turn the Olympics into "a playground for the rich and powerful."Now I don't expect Olympic tickets to be cheap, but this seems contrary to the Olympic spirit if you ask me. Is giving one guy a monopoly and letting him gouge everyone who wants to go to the Olympics going to help?
"to build a peaceful and better world in the Olympic Spirit which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play - Olympic Spirit strives to inspire and motivate the youth of the world to be the best they can be through educational and entertaining interactive challenges. Olympic Spirit seeks to instill and develop the values and ideals of Olympism in those who visit and to promote tolerance and understanding in these increasingly troubled time in which we live, to make our world a more peaceful place."Most people don't seem to think so and while I've only read this one article it doesn't seem like the Olympic spirit to me either. I agree with this guy:
"In effect, CoSport and Jet Set have a monopoly on legally valid tickets," says Moriarty, the Houston lawyer, who researched Olympic ticketing after getting scammed by another agency for Beijing tickets. "And what they seek to do is screw the consumers by bundling housing and tickets together to get more than what the housing is worth, and what the tickets are worth, because without them, you don't go."In response, Dizdarevic said he's only doing Olympic business the way it has always been done. The system that gives him total control of Olympic travel for the U.S., he argues, was designed by Olympic leaders, not him. He sees himself simply as one of many "exclusive" service providers for the Olympics.
November 17, 2009
New Year travel deals in Switzerland, Wyoming, Utah, & Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Cap Maison is offering festive Christmas and New Year's Eve prix fixe menus at Cliff at Cap, the resort's signature restaurant featuring breathtaking panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. Both available at $135, the Christmas and New Year's Eve menus feature an elegant 8-course French West-Indian meal with classic staple dishes including braised short rib of beef and slow-roasted turkey with herb and onion stuffing, while giving a St. Lucian twist with its rich pudding dessert topped with island rum anglaise. Holiday rates (from December 20, 2009 to January 2, 2010) start at $565 in a Gardenview Room. Rates are based on double occupancy, per room per night and include full breakfast. www.capmaison.com
East Winds Inn is offering guests who stay a minimum of seven nights, a free stay on Christmas Day on an all-inclusive basis (7 nights for the price of 6). This is valid for all new bookings and for arrivals at the hotel between December 19 and 24, 2009. Nestled between Castries and Rodney Bay on the northwest side of Saint Lucia, East Winds is an all-inclusive resort located on the waterfront of LaBrelotte Bay, one of the most pristine, golden sand beaches on the island. The resort recently debuted a new Open-Air 3,000 square foot Yoga and Fitness Pavilion this winter. All-inclusive rates are based per room, per night and start at $950 in a Superior Double (from December 21, 2009 to January 3, 2010), and include all meals, wine, bottomless flutes of champagne and beach activities. www.eastwinds.com
Ladera is offering a Christmas and New Year's Eve Program this year, complete with a classic Christmas Dinner at the acclaimed Dasheene Restaurant, evening entertainment performances including local carolers and live bands, the option to attend Christmas Day Mass at Fond St. Jacques Catholic Church, a cocktail reception with General Manager Waddy Francis, and festive libations and meals at one of the Caribbean's best restaurants. There's also a New Year's Eve Gala Dinner available at $135 per person where revelers can enjoy a live band, dancers, party favors and celebratory midnight countdown to ring in the New Year. Reservations are required in advance for the New Years Eve Gala. Dress code is smart casual. Holiday winter rates begin at $680 in a Petit Piton Suite with a plunge pool (from December 21, 2009 to January 4, 2010). Rates include breakfast, afternoon tea, and full use of resort facilities including warm volcanic mineral water bath, gym, beach shuttles, snorkeling equipment and WiFi access throughout the resort. www.ladera.com
Virgin Gorda
Aquamare offers the setting for the perfect family beach holiday vacation. Now is the time to think about the holidays in 2010, since the 2009 holiday season is already booked due to high demand. From the clear, calm, shallow waters that are made for young swimmers to its safe and sandy beach just steps that's perfect for sand castles, the three villas that overlook the Sir Francis Drake Channel offer comfort, adventure and luxury. With 8,000 square feet of private living space, five guest rooms, including three Master Suites each with its own expansive marble bath area, the villas are purposely built for large, multi-generational gatherings and comfortably sleep up to 12 guests. www.villaaquamare.com
Switzerland
Lake Geneva Region of Switzerland, located on the shore of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland, will feature their annual Christmas Markets in Montreux and Lausanne from November 25 to December 24, 2009. Both cities will be transformed into an enchanting holiday fair with over 100 richly decorated stands resembling small chalets. In addition to the wide selection of holiday crafts and gifts, the Markets feature classic Swiss cuisine, including roasted chestnuts and light white wines from the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage site. www.montreux-vevey.com
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Hotel Terra, Jackson Hole's AAA Four-Diamond LEED Certified hotel, is offering a Ski & Stay Free Special for the holiday season. Available at only $99 per person, per night, the offer provides a complimentary lift ticket and a stay at Hotel Terra. There is a four night minimum stay. Full, non-refundable pre-payment is required. Hotel Terra opened in February 2008, landing a spot on Condé Nast Traveler's "Hot List" and Travel + Leisure's "It List" shortly thereafter. The hotel was also named one of the Top Ten Eco-Hotels by TripAdvisor's customer reviews. Located slope side to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, just a mile from Grand Teton National Park and just an hour from Yellowstone, Hotel Terra is ideally situated to bring something new to the luxury mountain lodge category. Holiday winter rates start at $289 at double occupancy, depending on dates. www.hotelterrajacksonhole.com
Teton Mountain Lodge, Jackson Hole's AAA Four-Diamond hotel located at the entrance to Grand Teton National Park, is offering a Ski & Stay Free Special for the holiday season. Available at only $99 per person, per night, the offer provides a complimentary lift ticket and a stay at Teton Mountain Lodge. Couples or families can capture the true spirit of the festive holidays with the luxury lodge, located only steps from legendary Jackson Hole skiing. There is a four night minimum stay. Full, non-refundable pre-payment is required. Holiday winter rates start at $289 at double occupancy, depending on dates. www.tetonlodge.com
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City will host the 16th Annual New Year's EVE celebration from December 29 to 31, 2009. Presented by the Downtown Alliance and hosted in venues throughout downtown Salt Lake City, tens of thousands of visitors and locals will gather for EVE, an indoor/outdoor urban extravaganza, complete with live entertainment and performing arts, winter sports, activities for kids and families and a festive midnight fireworks show. Over half of Utah's out-of-state visitors opt for staying in Salt Lake, and with good reason. Located just 30 minutes from SLC International Airport with over 750 daily flights from most major domestic gateways, the downtown area provides guests with the best of all worlds. Using Salt Lake as their "base camp," visitors are less than an hour drive from 11 of Utah's 14 world-class ski resorts. www.eveslc.com
November 16, 2009
Buying and selling airline miles?
I didn't know this was a legal battle until reading this article but apparently airlines prohibit buying and selling frequent flyer miles in their terms and conditions. For example, Alaska Airlines just sued (and won) Brad Carey, who runs Carey Travel Inc. The judge says carey can no onger sell Alaska Airlines miles.
Carey asks valid questions. Are flyers led to believe they own their miles? If you own them why can't you sell them? Why is Alaska Airlines allowed to say that Points International's points.com is allowed to sell their miles but not anyone else?
Related: Using Delta miles and Using miles.
In the mood for a long travel story (bucket trip in Australia)?
This link will take you to a 77 day Australian travel experience. Basically a family with a 13-year-old took a pick-up track and a camper trailer all around Australia but that's about all the summary I care to give since the full 77 day summary would take me forever... A good vacation experience though - enjoy reading it.
November 14, 2009
Excerpts from a bunch of press releases
A while ago we mentioned car shows on this blog. I've never been to a boat show but it could be cool to check out all the yachts and stuff: Miami, Fla. - November 2009 - The 69th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami cruises into town February 11-15, 2010, where new and experienced boaters from throughout the world can gather in one place to view, board and buy the best the boating industry has to offer. With special deals on everything from sportfishers, sailboats and mega-yachts to engines and the newest electronics, the 2010 Miami International Boat Show is the ideal place to shop, save and enhance every boating experience.
If you're not looking for warm weather this winter, Vermont has something going on:The 2009 10th Annual Holiday Open House Tour is taking place in Manchester, Vermont on Saturday, December 5 and 12, from 1 - 5 p.m. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Vermont-New Hampshire Komen Race for the Cure (www.vtnhcure.org). Breast cancer survivors will be at most locations to greet guests and thank them for their participation.
Tickets are $15 and you go to:
Dorset Inn: Gingerbread and Christmas cookie decorating to take home and apple cider
Equinox Hotel: Fine chocolate and wine pairings
Inn at Manchester: Piano music (sing along) with baked goodies galore
Silas Griffith Inn: Home-made pierogi with coffee, tea and beverages
Silver Service Inn: Hot appetizers with punch
Three Mountain Inn: Holiday cookies and treats, hot cider, holiday music and coupons from Jamaica shops and galleries
Wiley Inn: Live take-home design Christmas arrangement and centerpiece, wine, cheese, music
Inn at Ormsby Hill: Award-winning Vermont Cheese Tasting (and purchase) with Consider Bardwell Farm, Maple Brook Farm, Taylor Farm and
Woodcock Farm. Signed copies of The Vermont Cheese Book by Ellen Ecker Ogden.
You can also head out west to get some skiing in: November 12, 2009, Salt Lake City, UT - According to the just-released Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index of the 50 states, Utah ranked number one as the happiest state in the Union. When you combine this with Salt Lake City's ranking as the "Fittest City in America" by Men's Fitness magazine in February 2009, you've got two great reasons to discover why the fittest and healthiest people in the U.S. live in the Beehive State.
This winter, visitors will be smiling on the slopes thanks to Salt Lake's Olympic legacy Gold Medal Podium Package, which allows skiers and snowboarders to explore all of Salt Lake's fit and happy environs, as well as re-live Salt Lake's spectacular 2002 Winter Olympic spirit during this year of the XXI Winter Olympiad. The deal is simple: book a four-day, four-night vacation by December 15, 2009, that includes the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass and lodging at any of 22 participating properties in greater Salt Lake and the adjacent mountain resorts and the 4th day of skiing/riding and your 4th night of lodging are absolutely FREE.
If you're looking to take a cruise, NCL has 7 day cruises on their new Epic starting at $949 (Caribbean).
If it's a gift idea you're after, maybe this one will interest you: Yak Pak makes an assortment of sleeves to keep your laptop from taking a beating this holiday season. Laptop sleeves made from high density, impact resistant EVA foam come in both a 15.6" and 10.2" size. Also registering in at 10.2" is a sleek, neoprene netbook case to cushion any holiday mishaps. And of course, all of these coverings come in an array of eye-catching patterns that Yak Pak is so known for.
Article on things to do in Disney: lots of searching
Disney World isn't that high on my list but lots of people tell my wife she has to see it so we will go one day most likely. This article talks about some things to do while there including searching for paintbrushes to get a fastpass and searching for Mickey Mouse silhouettes. I'm not sure if those sound like fun but I would think that having dinner with an 'imaganeer' would be. The even mention the marathon someone asked about recently.
November 13, 2009
Who says there's no such thing as a stupid question?
Have you ever asked - or been asked - a stupid question when traveling? I worked for a major airline for many years and have fond memories of some of the questions that I was asked, by otherwise seemingly intelligent people. One day I will try to publish them all in a book; meanwhile, here are some of the things I remember. I often spoke to people who weren't sure if they wanted to fly or drive to Hawaii for their vacation and several others who were surprised to learn that New Mexico was actually part of the United States.
But one of my favorites was a passenger who was flying to some obscure and exotic destination, where he needed to have a visa as well as a passport. I told him this and after a long pause, came the reply: "I don't have a Visa. Can I take my MasterCard instead?"
And then there is the classic story about a woman calling the airline to ask about the size of container needed when transporting a dog by air; I did not speak to this person, but the story is purportedly true. The reservations agent told the lady that the dog's container should have enough room for the dog to lie down in, turn around in a full circle and move its head and tail. Replies the passenger: "Oh, dear! I am leaving tomorrow - I don't think I can train him to do that by then!"
This UK newspaper site has a list of stupid questions asked by visitors to the UK and other countries. It's in the form of a slideshow, so you have to keep clicking to see the next picture, but some of my favorites are:
"Why did they build Windsor Castle (which of course, is centuries old) on the flight path to Heathrow airport"
"Why did they build so many ruined castles and abbeys in England"
"Do you know of any undiscovered ruins"
...and from a visitor at the Grand Canyon: "Was this man-made?"
There are quite a lot of other sites out there that list stupid questions, including this one that includes the question: "If it rains, will the fireworks be held inside?"
Lonely Planet also has a travel forum where you can post stupid question and answers. Does anyone have any stupider (or is it more stupid) questions than these..? Please share!
Guest entry by Mancunian
Is Las Vegas the next Paris?
Apparently Las Vegas is going through some changes that should be good for the city and for tourists as it becomes more pedestrian friendly:
CityCenter represents the beginning of a trend toward more destinations within a destination: "Las Vegas is going to evolve into something like Paris [the one in France, not the one up the street] where you spend one day in one arrondissement and go to another the next day."Never been to wither but something tells me Vegas will only be like Paris in the sense that it will have various pedestrian friendly zones.
Here, they say that CityCenter in Vegas will open (in parts) this December but I don't like the idea of visiting something before it's finished - seems like I'm not getting full value.
Who here plans on going?
November 11, 2009
Travel deals for the Caribbean and New Hampshire
Yesterday I asked if 2010 would have lots of travel bargains for us. If you're set on going to the Caribbean, the best deals may have passed according to this article. They recommend booking now since "flights to the Caribbean are still tight, making it difficult to find a seat and bargains, especially on popular travel dates."
Also related to Caribbean vacations we have this article that compares all inclusive resorts with cruise vacations (which I did a while back as well). They conclude that the resort is a better value and a better experience. They like not hearing sales pitches for bingo and art auctions. I can see that. And they like eating barefoot in the sand. Sounds good. I was planning on Oasis of the Seas (the new biggest cruise ship) but now that I think about it, Sirenis Punta Cana or another all inclusive might be better.
I'm not set on the Caribbean so what travel bargains are out there now? One I thought was fun was this one, where you become a fan of New Hampshire on Facebook and get half off a hotel. Every month it's a bit different from what I understand but this month we have: "Escape to Lake Winnipesaukee in November and enjoy 50% off deluxe lake view accommodations at The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls premiere lodging facility, Church Landing." Pretty cool.
