Travel plan idea blog

How could soccer players be such ridiculously bad travelers?

What does it mean to be a good traveler? This is perhaps not unlike the question about what it means to be well-traveled we asked a long time ago.

I meant to blog about this in 2006. I'm going to link to an old article in a bit but first I want you to guess where Djibril Cisse, a soccer player on the French national team is talking about:

"There was nothing to do there," confessed striker Djibril Cisse. "We hung out inside the hotel just waiting for the next day, for the next match. Going downtown was out of question."

Here's a little hint. When I took a friend of mine from New York here in 2006 he said that they should call this city the one that never sleeps. He said New York City doesn't deserve the nickname because in this other city at 5:00 AM the bars and clubs are still open and people are still out drinking. To be fair by 6:00 or 7:00 some of those people are passed out on the sidewalk (or sometimes even the street):

So the answer. The French team was bored in Seoul during the 2002 World Cup. Keep in mind that Seoul is a city of 13 million people or so I'm told.

Who do you blame when you're bored in Seoul?

To make things worse, Seoul was not the place they would have chosen to stay.

Their luxurious five-star hotel on a hill from where you could see the Han River swiftly became a kind of bunker....They stayed by themselves and started to get bored.

I bring this up because I don't understand how you could commit such a huge travel folly. How do you travel somewhere for the first time and then turn your hotel room into a bunker and cry about boredom? How do you not by a guidebook or hire a tour guide (I hear those European soccer players have the money)? How do you not find something to do?

6 reasons to visit Costa Rica

Here are a few tips/ comments / experiences from a friend who knows a few things about Costa Rica (he's been there several times):

1. If you haven't driven around in Costa Rica yet - I would recommend that you learn the lay of the land first - once you see how the main roads work and the driving style of the country - which is very agressive - you will probably feel more comfortable driving.

2. Here's the two best guide books imho - Costa Rica for Dummies and the Lonely Planet Guide to Costa Rica.

3. Nicoya Peninsula is great - We've stayed at Playa Samara and Montezuma now and enjoyed both for different reasons - However I will tell you - we are strange and don't like to go where the crowds are - hence we stay away from some of the more popular locations

We rented a car and drove out to Montezuma (and Mal Pais, St. Teresa, & Cobano) I thought Montezuma felt a bit more touristy/college town than Tambor or Mal Pais, but I liked them all.

We did the Cloud Forest on the 26th before heading (by ferry) to the Nicoya Penninsula. Monkeys, iguanas, geckos, every kind of bird imaginable, coati, and some so-so scuba diving. A great trip. Costa Rica was beautiful, and the people were quite nice.

If you ever go to the Southern Nicoya, in Tambor there is a little Italian place (the sign just says pizza and italian kitchen or something) that is really great.

3. We drove through the area where Jurassic Park was filmed two years ago - It's on the Central Carribbean side of Costa Rica - it was awesome - miles and miles of Tropical rainforest wilderness.

4. Montezuma is a real kids hang out - but where we were it was about a km East of the village - on the beach - that's where the wildlife preserve begins and runs all the way to Tambor - we rode horses through it - a real treat.

5. The best spot we were at was the Tabacon Resort under the Arenal Volcano (which is still erupting) we hung out in the lava-heated hot springs there - in the middle of a spectacular rainforest with volcanic views and massages and great food. Avocado salad made right at the table and the ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice) just amazing - that's a great meal.

6. But it is a trek from San Jose to Arenal because you have to go over and around the mountain chain in the area - the Poa Volcano is more of a straight run up hill - and if you go to Poa and have a chance you can visit the Doka Coffee Plantation there - despite what the other coffe tours say - that's where the best coffee can be had - their Organic Roast is amazing - we are set on trying to work out a deal to distribute their organic coffee.

Would you travel for Running of the Bulls or Cheese Rolling?

I know I'm not the most exciting person in the world but I really don't get why people do dangerous stuff. I'm not even sure if I'd enjoy watching things like...

Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling.

Or Pamplona's Running of the Bulls:

Did you notice the picture at 3:24? That's funny on YouTube but in person? I don't think I need to see it happen.

It's not that I just like sitting around. I like action - just not the kind where I end up hurt. And I certainly do things that "normal" people don't get.

For example this weekend I'm hopping a car with 3 friends, driving about 2.5 hours to a campsite in New Jersey, and doing some live action roleplaying. We hit each other with swords but they are made of foam so no one gets hurt. The campsites (and I've never been to the one for this weekend but here's a campsite in PA where the same game - called a larp - is played) usually have some woods, some cabins, some tents, and a place to eat.

And you and your friends get to spend a weekend beating up on other people with foam swords:

I'm actually in that video, which was taken at the campsite in PA I linked to above.

Anyway, what kind of "action" or "adventure" do you look for on vacation (if any)?

Grand Canyon tour ideas

I just received a nice compliment and an email from Louise:

I love the variety of issue you get into on your blog. I have a question for you - my husband and I would like to visit the Grand Canyon this fall. We live in Michigan, so we prefer to fly somewhere and then rent a car or connect with a tour - do you have any ideas?

I have some research on the Grand Canyon somewhere. I read that most tourists go to either the south or north but for some reason I wanted to go to the other side. I'll hvae to look for my notes to figure out if it was north or south. Also, I remember reading about different kinds of tours: you can ride a mule down, raft for a few days, take a bus that stops at a few scenic overlooks, etc.

I'll ask Louise to talk about what kind of tour would be best but if anyone has some ideas, please share.

Edit: Louise told me this...

My husband is handicapped and cannot do a lot of walking, so we were thinking of a tour that would take us on a driving tour around the sights of the park. Is that feasible? Should we fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix? Should we rent a car and drive to the park and then stay there a few nights? Recommendations of places to stay would be helpful, too.

Travel plan: Road trip along California's Pacific Coast

We all know that California's economy right now is in the tanker so, to help stimulate "The Golden State", a good old fashion road trip might be in order. The California coast is perfect for a driving tour full spectacular scenery and great attractions along the way. I'd recommend staying at least a day at each destination point. Although we all love our cars, the point is to get out and see the sites...right?

Day 1. San Francisco

San Francisco is the perfect place to start. It's easy to get to for anyone who happens to live on the west coast and is a perfect spot to fly in to and grab a rental car. The city is best known for its steep streets and panoramic views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay and the surrounding mountains.

If this is your first time in the City make sure you head down to the Fisherman's Wharf where there's sure to be something for everyone. Head over to Pier 39, a festival marketplace with more than 110 stores, 12 Bay view restaurants and loads of outdoor stuff like the Aquarium of the Bay, bike rentals, street performers and even a new Carousel with famous miniature San Fran landmarks. If fun and laughter don't suite your fancy you can always hop on an Alcatraz Cruise from Pier 33 that will take you to Alcatraz Island. In case you don't already know, Alcatraz used to be the home of some of America's most notorious criminals like Al "Scarface" Capone and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud.

This city has a great Asian influence and being right on the water, sushi in this city is to die for. Take yourself out for dinner in Japantown or J-Town as the locals like to call it, to Kiss Sea Food Japanese Restaurant (1700 Laguna St.) The restaurant is a little small so be prepared to wait in line or make sure to head there early.

After a fun filled day you are going to need to rest up at one of the best hotels in San Fancisco. The Clift is a great spot located in the heart of the city's Union Square district and is inspired by old-world hotel elegance. This is also the perfect spot to park your car and check out some great Jazz and Blues clubs. Or do some early morning shopping before you hit the road.

Day 2: Santa Cruz and Carmel by the Sea

Highway 1 (CA-1) is the road you're going to want to get on to get out of San Francisco and make your way south. A string of state beaches hug the coast and as this isn't a point A to B journey, if you ever feel like hoping off the trail, these beaches are easily accessible off the highway.

If you love to surf, or want to learn, about 2 hours out of San Francisco you will hit Santa Cruz. This has got to be one of the best surf spots along the coast. Make sure to stop by Cowells which is right next to Santa Cruz Pier. Although crowded like any popular surf spot it's a great place to learn. You can even rent a board from the beach and hit some slow rollers.

If you're up to it in the evening, continue south along the coast for about an hour till you get to Carmel by the Sea, just past Monterey. They have L'Auberge Carmel. This is a great spot for dinner as local farmers deliver fresh produce daily at their award winning restaurant. They also feature an underground wine cellar which is even better now that your driving is done for the day!

Day 3: San Luis Obispo

Once you're back on the CA-1 it will be a good 4-5 hour drive passing the high cliffs of the mountains and secluded beaches tucked in tiny coves till you hit the fabulous San Luis Obispo. This is Wine Country! Park the car at one of the many local hotels or B & B's and head out for a wine tasting adventure. It's said that this area may remind you of Tuscany! Shadow Canyon Cellars and Hospice du Rhone are just a few local tastings to enjoy. The local food in the area is also heavenly.

Day 4+5: Los Angeles

Get ready for a nice 6 hour cruise into the big city of LA. With so many things to see and do here you may even want to extend your trip by an extra day to fit it all in. LA is composed of many interconnected communities and thankfully the city and area has constructed a very efficient road system so getting around should be generally easy.

A few places to defiantly check out are along the Pacific shore. Santa Monica is great to stroll on the beach or participate in the festivities going on at the pier. Venice beach is a good hot spot if you want some beach deals or rollerblade near the water. If you love local art, Laguna Beach is also a great place to visit as there are always events going on.

If you are the Hollywood type then head on over there for sure. Check out the boulevard, go to Burbank for a show or check out Universal Studios to see how the movies are made. Give yourself some time to be spontaneous because there's a lot to see and do here.

Some of Los Angeles' best hotels to stay at are either The Huntley Hotel if you are in the Santa Monica area or the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in West Hollywood. Both places are great depending on which area of the city you decide to spend your time in.

Day 6: San Diego

The last leg of your journey is going to be about a 6 hour drive to get to the wonderful city of San Diego. If you are an animal lover like I am you should defiantly consider checking out the world famous San Diego Zoo. With every animal you can think of living there you don't want to forget your camera.

If you need to have a lazy day to recover from your driving, San Diego has an abundance of beaches to choose from and spend your day. Mission Beach is a great one to go to for a nice stroll. It has a boardwalk that runs between the houses and the sand. If you're feeling adventurous you can also check out the country's most popular clothing optional beach called Blacks.

Museums are in abundance in this city and there are 30 of them for you to choose from. Some of my favorites include the Timken Museum of Art and the Air & Space Museum.

The perfect end to the perfect road trip wouldn't be complete without staying in one of San Diego's luxury hotels. If you are looking to stay somewhere in the heart of the city, Se San Diego is a great place, especially if you are looking for something with genuine West Coast style. If you are looking for a place with a great pool overlooking the city, the Ivy Hotel on F Street will satisfy you.

This ravel plan was written by the folks over at the Kiwi Collection of luxury hotels.

How much money does it cost to travel and stay in the UK for a week?

Reader submitted question:

How much money does it cost to travel and stay in the UK for a week? I have been thinking about this for a while and was hoping you might be able to shed some light on the subject. Any help would be appreciated.
yours truly,
John

Well John, I might be able to help you some since I did spend a week in London (for New Year's 2009). But I definitely can't help you when it comes to traveling to London as I have no idea where you're traveling from. Flying from New York is probably cheaper than any other city in North America but that could be untrue depending on regional sales.

So you can go to Kayak.com or something to get get an idea of flight costs. Regarding a place to stay, I spent about 90 or 100 GBP a night I think staying in Central London at an illegal Korean B&B. I never did get around to telling that story but there was some drama involved. We did hear about cheaper (legal) B&Bs as well. A friend of mine stayed in a flat in Swiss Cottage for about 45 GBP a night - he had longer subway journeys and stuff but London is big and even though I was downtown in Victoria Station I still pretty much took the subway everywhere.

Since he had his own flat he was able to save money by cooking. Eating out in London is pretty expensive.

O2 Arena question.
My 6th day in London (check out the part about Wabamama for an idea of an "inexpensive" lunch).
Free attractions in London (museums are often free and this lists a few other things)

If anyone has more advice please share.

And John, if you're not staying in London, let us know what your plans are!

Back to the travel agent discussion

I was supposed to call my travel agency today but I forgot. The reason I'm supposed to call is that I haven't gotten all the papers and things I expect to get before my cruise on August 14th.

My sister tried calling the travel agent, my travel agent Lynn at Royal International. Apparently Lynn no longer works there but no one told us she was gone (until my sister called up and asked for her).

Now I'm sure being a travel agent is tough these days. Commissions are down and fewer people are traveling. More people are traveling cheap and booking online. It must be tough to be a travel agent.

That's why if I worked at Royal International, I would be contacting Lynn's customers in an effort to make them my customers. It would also be good for the agency itself and management should have made sure they followed up with Lynn's customers. I really don't like not knowing when my papers will arrive and who I have to talk to in order to get them. I have to consider finding a new travel agency or just booking online (which I sometimes do anyway). I mean one of the benefits of using a travel agent is not going through the trouble I currently have trying to get my papers and stuff.

Of course, there's always the possibility that they just don't want my business. They normally deal with VIPs and luxury travel. I think the only reason Lynn ended up being my travel agent is because she reads and comments (or used to comment) on this blog.

Just arrived in New York & some questions / comments on female solo travel

It was a long flight but not a bad one. I was flying alone for the first time in a while. Don't tell my wife, but without her (or anyone else) leaning on me and stealing my pillows and blankets I think the flight was easier alone.

I feel myself getting tired and will be heading to bed soon - I just hope I don't wake up in a few hours wide awake - that's been my problem after other long-haul flights.

But before bed, I'd like to write something here so that I don't wake up to update the blog in a few hours...

This is an interesting discussion on women traveling alone. It started off talking about Croatia but if you read the comments, around #5 I think someone opens up the discussion and says a woman traveling alone can go anywhere she wants. The commenter says she traveled around the Middle East by herself.

Another interesting theme in the comments is that men can not answer the question "Is a certain country safe for women?"

I'm a man but I think I could give pretty good advice on how a woman traveling solo in South Korea can stay safe. Would a woman be better off getting advice from a woman who visited Korea once, or a travel blogger like me who has lived in Korea since 2001?

Obviously, I think men, at least some men, can answer the question. However in my example above I suppose your best bet would be to get as much reliable information as you can. So while a woman shouldn't disregard my advice just because I'm male, she would also be wise to seek out other travel experiences, especially from women who have traveled around Korea alone.

If you care to comment on any of these themes, feel free. Can women travel safely anywhere in the world? Are there certain places you would recommend to solo female travelers? Is a man's advice worth anything when it comes to solo female safety questions?

Dog friendly beaches

I mentioned taking Eagle, the former Korean stray we brought over to my parents in New York, on vacation a while back. This press release seemed pretty interesting as it named the most dog-friendly beaches in America:

PETSIDE.COM NAMES THE TOP 10 DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES
Cape San Blas in Port St. Joe, FL Tops the List!

New York, NY (July 20, 2009) - Petside.com, the popular online destination for pet owners and pet enthusiasts, has released its list of the Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches, each selected for its outstanding features and promise of fun for dogs and their owners alike: http://www.petside.com/wellness/top_10_dog-friendly_beaches.php

"At Petside, we know that a day at the beach is even better when you can bring your four-legged companion, so we looked far and wide to identify America's friendliest dog beaches," said Joshua Fried, Director, Petside.com. "This year's list includes some spectacular spots from Florida to Oregon and many locations in between."

Cape San Blas (Port St. Joe, Florida) aces with its year-round, leash-free policies and plethora of dog-friendly activities. A sailing program welcomes dogs aboard and the many pet-friendly restaurants nearby are sure to please patrons of both the two and four-legged variety.

In addition to the playful waterfront at Cape San Blas, the following spots rank as the best places for pups to feel the sand beneath their paws:

2. Quiet Waters Park (Annapolis, Maryland) reserves a fenced-off area as a special beach just for your pooch. Moreover, the beach sponsors the annual "Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash" costume parade for dogs and their owners.

3. Block Island (Rhode Island) is a small dog-friendly island open year-round. The beach has a relaxed leash policy, and bans all motor vehicles, making it a safe haven for your furry friend to roam around.

4. Cannon Beach (Cannon Beach, Oregon) is a four mile stretch of beach along the Pacific conveniently located near a town filled with dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and shops. Dogs must stay on-leash, but the view is worth it.

5. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg, Florida) has the unique "Paw Playground," consisting of fenced-in areas for both big dogs and small dogs. The park provides dog showers, a dog beach and fresh drinking water.

Vegas hotels for a traveler who is under 21?

Here's a reader submitted question on vegas hotel for someone who is not yet 21:

What hotels can I reserve in Las Vegas if I'm not 21? I am trying to figure out what is important. I was hoping you might be able to give me some insight. Any help appreciated. Thank you for your help.
Warmest Regards,
Peter

This old entry may be of some help - it doesn't specifically deal with the under 21 part but it talks about where young people like to party in Vegas.

Anyone ever thought of becoming a travel counselor and getting paid to write travel plans?

I was reading this article in which Arthur Frommer recommends using a travel counselor to help you plan an itinerary.

Thinking up travel plans is pretty much the reason i started this blog so why am I not a travel counselor? I bet most of the people reading this blog also like coming up with travel itineraries so I'm wondering if anyone else has ever thought about the travel counselor gig.

Based on this article, the money seems pretty bad at $27,000 a year. I'm in education but even I make more than that. I don't think I would do it as a full-time job but I could see it working as a part-time job depending on how much work goes into each itinerary and how much money you get per itinerary.

Also, that article makes it sound like travel counselors work for agents with whom they share the fruits of their labors. I could consider that but I don't like paying commissions.

One weird thing is this:

The Internet will never replace the expertise and personal relationship travelers have with their travel agents.

Up until that point they were talking about being a travel counselor - not a travel agent. But at the very end they switch - it seems like just a mistake.

Airline just for pets and a bit more

I have only a couple of things for you today. Today, I spent 12 hours listening to 350 speeches, evaluating them, and writing feedback for the speakers. I'm pretty beat.

Maybe it is a good warm up for my flight next week - 14 hours from Seoul to New York in economy class. I'll actually be writing about that ordeal for another blog. That blog belongs to this cheap airline tickets site. They are going to review my blog and I am going to review their site (one day when I'm not so exhausted) and I am going to write a guest entry on their blog. It should be fun.

Also, speaking of flying, how many of you have heard about PetAir? (link is to a Yahoo news video). I think it would be better if owners and pets got to fly together but the people they interviewed seem happy with the service.

Anyone have a Manhattan Club Timeshare?

Reader submitted question: My mom bought into the Manhattan Club three years ago. She has been in not so great health in the last couple years so I've been trying to
help her out with anything I can.

Anyways, she asked me to call the Manhattan Club last week to try to book a room under our timeshare for a weekend in September. So I call and basically get laughed at, that we have to book our rooms NINE months in advance to get any type of room.

How is this possible? NINE MONTHS IN ADVANCE? We don't know what we're
doing 2 weeks from now, nevermind nine months in advance. We also have a Hilton Club timeshare in Manhattan and we can get a room there the night before we are going. It's friggin great.

But with Manhattan Club, we get 2 weeks during the year that can be used day by day, or week by week, whatever you choose. We wind up having to convert our weeks to RCI points and use them at other places. In three years, we've only been able to stay there once. It's ridiculous.

When my mom bought it, they told her she would only have to give a months notice during peak season (summer, christmas) and 2-3 weeks during off peak. Now it has suddenly turned into 9 months. I just talked to one of my friends whose dad has the same timeshare, he said he has this same problem, hasn't been able to get a room in 3 years. He's had it for 10 years. He called them last week to book a room 9 months in advance to the day, and he STILL couldn't get it. They said they were booked for the weekend he wanted already.

They must have way oversold the place. Anyone else have a timeshare there and have this exact same problem?

My answer: I don't have one, but I think it's pretty common in the "time share world"
to make those plans pretty far out in advance. Usually people have the same week every year and its locked up like that.

As you already know, however, the timeshares at the Manhattan Club are not locked in the same week every year. However you may want to consider choosing a time to go every year anyway so that you can make reservations 12 months in advance. If you're unable to do that it sounds like you're stuck with exchanging for RCI points because selling a timeshare is pretty tricky and you'll usually lose a good chunk of money.

The booming "togethering" trend and vacation renatls

I clicked on this email by accident - I have a few articles and things saved up in my gmail for you guys - but this one was pretty interesting (I even learned a new word, togethering) so here it is:

For your Travel Plan Idea blog readers planning a leisure trip this summer, along with more than half of American households, the booming "togethering" trend gains added momentum as families and friends begin making collective plans to vacation in an affordable yet rewarding manner. In line with the growth of this concept, more and more travelers are choosing vacation rentals for true value combined with spacious comfort all under one roof, rather than hassling with costly reservations for multiple hotel rooms.

Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford "togethering" travelers a relaxing accommodations lifestyle, with bonus space, amenities and guest services. Encouraging travelers nationwide to "Discover Vacation Homes" this summer is the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), whose professional members are not only making trips more affordable through seasonal specials, but by offering a variety of resources, tips and tools for finding a vacation rental online at http://www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com.

Following are examples of various specials offered to summer travelers, for a limited time, by established members of the VRMA. Feel free to contact me anytime if I can offer any additional information or assistance!

COSTA RICA

Guanacaste:

Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo (http://www.vacationrentalsoftamarindo.com)
- Summer Recession Reward: Combine special vacation condo rental values with recently slashed airfares to Costa Rica. Guests' vacation week here is only $175 -$245 (USD) per person, added to the best airfare they can find to Liberia (LIR) or San Jose (SJO). Prices are based on occupancies of four or more people in rental condominiums.

HAWAII

Island of Kauai:

Great Vacation Retreats (http://greatvacationretreats.com)
- 25 percent off all one, two and three bedroom condo rentals in Kauai.

NORTHEAST

New Hampshire's Lakes Region:

Preferred Vacation Rentals (http://www.preferredrentals.com)
- Reduced rates on approximately 50 vacation rental properties.

SOUTHEAST

Florida Panhandle's "Forgotten Coastline:"

Pristine Properties Vacation Rentals (http://www.visitfloridabeaches.com)
- FREE Family Fun Pass: Provides complimentary admissions/fares to an 18-hole round of golf, a deep sea fishing excursion, horseback riding on the beach and unlimited DVD rentals for each nights' stay.

Orlando and Central Florida:

All Star Vacation Homes (http://www.AllStarVacationHomes.com)
- With a seven-night stay, choose from two FREE hot air balloon rides ($350 value), a FREE car rental or $100 gas or grocery gift card.
- Special Walt Disney World and Orlando attractions ticket discounts.

Global Resort Homes (http://GlobalResortHomes.com)
- When staying in the Disney-area Cypress Pointe community, pay for five nights and stay two free (applies during low, mid and high seasons, excludes July 1 through August 15 and holidays), OR pay for six nights and stay one night free from July 1 through August 15.
- When staying in the centrally located Vista Cay community, reserve a Venture two-bedroom condo rental for $99 per night or receive 25 percent off during mid to low season, 20 percent off during high season and 15 percent off during holidays (minimum stay of four nights).
- Guests who choose the Oakwater community receive a $79 per night rate for two-bedroom rentals, $99 per night for three-bedroom rentals (applies during low season only), 20 percent off during mid season and 15 percent off during high season and summer holidays.

Imagine Vacation Homes (http://www.ImagineVacationHomes.com)
- Guests traveling to Walt Disney World on their birthday for its "Celebration Vacation" promotion will receive free Disney park tickets for each accompanying immediate family member when staying for five nights or more.

Fort Myers Beach:

Lahaina Island Accommodations (http://www.beachfloridarentals.com)
- $149 per night for a two bedroom, two bathroom beachfront condo. Includes 10 percent off a boat rental, $20 off of dinner for two at participating restaurants and FREE DVD rentals throughout guests' entire stay.

Tennessee Smoky Mountains:

Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg (http://mountainchalets.com)
- Quality Time package: $996 for five days, four nights in a cozy family cabin. Includes "Mommy & Me" visit to the spa for a manicure, "Father & Son" Hummer excursion, family dinner at the Cherokee Grill, FREE tickets to Dixie Stampede and all day NASCAR Speedpark wristbands.
- Relaxing Weekend with the Girls package: $723 for three nights in a three-bedroom cabin. Includes a Swedish massage for three, Yoga class for three and an assorted sandwich tray.
- Business Trip for the Boys: $655 for three nights in a three or four bedroom cabin. Includes an 18-hole golf foursome, including cart, and four horseback riding tickets (April through October).

Western North Carolina:

Cashiers Resort Rentals (http://www.cashiersresortrentals.com)
- 10 percent off of most weeklong bookings during summer months.

Carolina Mornings (http://www.carolinamornings.com)
- FREE Mountain Discovery Pass: Receive FREE amenities every day of your stay ($130 value per day). Complimentary activities include golf, whitewater rafting and historic boat and trolley tours.
- Special packages that help guests save on popular local attractions (i.e. Biltmore Estate), events (i.e. Flower Carper), restaurants (i.e. Corner Kitchen and Zambra's), and more.

North Carolina Coastline:

Corolla Classic Vacations (http://www.corollaclassicvacations.com)
- Corolla Classic Vacations Experience card: Provides special offers/discounts exclusive to guests from 18 local businesses.

Emerald Isle Realty (http://emeraldislerealty.com)
- 10 to 20 percent off select vacation rental homes, condos and cottages through Labor Day.

Outer Beaches Realty (http://www.outerbeaches.com)
- Sizzling Summer Specials: Up to 50 percent off remaining summer weeks.
- Guests receive "OBR Bucks" in $25 denominations for up to $100 in spending money while on vacation, redeemable at over 25 local merchants for items ranging from gas, groceries, souvenirs, dining to kite boarding lessons.
- 2010 Vacation Layaway: Customers are rewarded for booking their 2010 vacation rental home early with incredible savings combined with an E-Z vacation payment plan. Guests who book a 2010 vacation between now and this November will receive a ten percent discount off this season's regular rates and will have up to 12 months to pay, interest free. Under the Layaway Vacation program, guests' 2010 rental rates and total vacation cost will be guaranteed, and they can start making payments now.

South Carolina Coastline:

Daufuskie Island Rentals (http://www.daufuskievacation.com)
- 40 percent off posted summer rates.

Hilton Head Rentals & Golf (http://www.hiltonheadvacation.com)
- 30 percent off one to seven bedroom vacation rentals, including pet-friendly properties, during remaining summer weeks.

DeBordieu Rentals (http://www.debordieurentals.com)
- 20 percent off the original price on 30 select homes, which are identified with a "$" sign beside their names online.
- FREE unlimited use of Healthpoint, a local fitness and spa facility.
- Play the Tournament Players Club in Myrtle Beach at a price of only $75 a round, a significant savings over the standard cost of $185.

Surfside Realty Company (http://www.surfsiderealty.com)
- Book six nights in select properties and get your seventh night FREE, plus four FREE tickets to Ride With the Dolphins or to spend the day at Wild Water & Wheels Water Park. Pet-friendly homes available.

Virginia's Shenandoah Valley:

Allstar Lodging (http://www.allstarlodging.com)
- Through September 21, 2009, reserve two nights in select rentals at the regular price and receive the third night FREE (mid-week or weekend stays).
- A diverse array of additional summer specials is available when reserving specific properties as listed online.

WESTERN U.S.

Colorado Rocky Mountains:

Key to the Rockies Lodging Company (http://www.keytotherockies.com)
- Reserve three nights and get the fourth night FREE for select studio, condo and vacation home rentals (valid through October 31, 2009).

San Diego, California:

Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals (http://www.beachfrontonly.com)
- Five percent off online bookings.
- 10 to 15 percent off any last minute bookings (3 weeks or sooner).
- Two-night minimum stays with no restrictions.

Northern California:

Irish Beach Rental Agency (http://www.irishbeach.com)
- Receive every fifth night FREE (for stays through August, excluding holidays).

Central Oregon:

Discover Sunriver Vacation Rentals (http://www.discoversunriver.com)
- Layaway your vacation with a $99 deposit; Guests can make monthly payments, interest-free with no service charges.
- Tennis vacation packages in partnership with Steve Vaughn's Wild West Tennis Camps that include lessons, court usage, meals, and more.
- Family getaway packages, including High Desert Museum admission, full breakfast for four, FREE swimming, FREE tennis, FREE fitness center access and two FREE Flowrider sessions. Three night, four day packages start at $179 per person inclusive.

Oregon's Mount Hood:

Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals (http://www.mthoodrentals.com)

- Book a new reservation in a Featured Vacation Rental for stays through September 6, 2009, and:
- Stay two nights and the third night is half price (arrival must be less than 21 days in advance of booking date).
- Stay three nights and the fourth night is half price (arrival must be less than 45 days in advance of booking date).
- Stay four nights and the fifth night is half price.
- Stay five to seven nights, the sixth night is half price and the seventh night is FREE.

Question / rant about Delta Airlines ticketing and frequent flyer miles

Hey all,

I was interning in Bombay until I came down with pneumonia...to make a long story short I had to cancel my and my mother's plane tickets with Delta.

We managed to get ourselves on a flight on the 19th...however I would really prefer to fly earlier and so does my mom.

We asked the local Delta office if we could be put onto a flight next week..wed, thurs, or even friday. However they told us the flights were "full" and that we would be put on the waitlists. We've called every day to see if we've been moved on but no luck.

I just recently checked Delta online however, and there are plenty of business class seats available- from what I understand the problem is that we currently have Coach "m class" tickets, which we used our miles to upgrade to business class...but since there are no coach seats available on the earlier flights, they can't put us on those flights.

This makes no sense to me..as customers we are willing to pay a change fee, and we are not bumping anyone off of their seats- simply taking an empty business class seat where we wouldve sat any way.

Does anyone have experience with Delta and their ticketing services? Is there some way to get around this- maybe by cancelling our tickets and getting credit, then buying new one way flights? Is there a better number than just the general world-wide number to call?

I realize there may be no other way, I'm just feeling pretty frustrated right now. Was wondering if anyone has experience with Delta or could explain why they have such annoying ticketing rules.

Thanks

Answer:

The issue with mileage upgrades is that they are based off a coach class fare, then ticket into business class after. In order to change a flight in which you are redeeming a reward upgrade, you first need to have availability in the coach fare class you originally purchased, M in this case, and availability in the business class upgrade bucket.

If there are no upgrade seats available in business class, there is no way to do a mileage upgrade into the cabin, even if seats are still available for sale.

Delta will argue that you have only purchased a coach class fare, and as such can only rebook you into coach on another flight. From there, you may start the upgrade process (or waitlist) again, but you cannot make a parallel move in flights without starting essentially from scratch. The good news is that you are due back any mileage or fees you paid to secure the upgrade in the first place, minus a redeposit fee in some cases. However, if you are already paying a change fee on your ticket, I would refuse to pay any further mileage redeposit fees, and they will likely comply.

FYI, Delta is dropping its nonstops from the US to BOM as of October 21. They'll keep the one-stop via AMS that is a legacy of Northwest, though.

Shore excursions in Bermuda - and suggestions?

So it's time to choose shore excursions for my August cruise from Boston to Bermuda. It's an NCL cruise and we will be in King's Wharf for 3 days. I am fine with NCL shore excursions or just doing things more on my own.

One thing I am really curious about is something I heard about swimming with dolphins. I'm not really interested, but my wife is. However she only wants to swim with dolphins in very shallow water because...

My wife can't swim and panics in water so all snorkeling and scuba is out. Actually, feel free to make suggestions and I might just leave my wife on the ship or on the beach one day...

Marketing travel in a bad economy: travel as necessity

Here's an article on Arizona and their efforts to get tourists to spend money.

new figures that show consumer savings in May were up 1.4 percent over the same period a year earlier. More to the point, that savings rate reached a 15-year high.

But in an industry dependent on people having disposable income, that's not a good thing.

"It's the new 'normal,'" Johnson said. And that, she said, means having to find new ways to get would-be travelers to spend more and save a little bit less.

"We have to position travel as a necessity," she said. That means stressing the importance of the physical and psychological benefits of travel.

I can't say I'm surprised that we have state government agencies encouraging people not to save money. I still don't like it though. People need to save money.

Sure we also need to travel. I certainly agree that traveling is healthy. But why not try to help travelers spend less? Why do we have to spend our marketing dollars on getting people not to save?

Who are the worst tourists in the world?

Interesting article here on a flawed survey from Expedia. They found that French tourists are the worst in the world, although apparently the mpst-likely-to-complain Americans gave them some competition.

Apparently this is big news in France where they have been the worst tourists for a few years in a row.

They only asked hptel workers so only a small part of the service industry got to respond to the survey. Had they talked to bar tenders pr whoever I wonder hhow different the results would be.

Japanese tourists are the best in case you were wondering...

Since I currently have only intermittent internet access, this guest post from Jill came at an excellent time. Plus it sounds like a great way to have a memorable vacation and some good stories to tell about meaningful travel.

From Jill:

I just wanted to tell you about an opportunity for a volunteer vacation opportunity in Belize. I thought you might be interested in putting it on your travel blog. A friend had told me about this amazing woman, Madi Collins, who runs a cat and dog rescue organization in Caye Caulker, which is a barrier island off the coast of Belize City.

When we cruised last week, Sophia and I took advantage of our port stop in Belize City to go over and see her. She is singlehandedly caring for 67 cats and 4 dogs. She spends hours each day, feeding, caring for and cleaning up after the animals, and funds most of the operation from her life savings. She rattles off the names of each and every cat, and can tell you their history, likes and dislikes as easily as most people do their children. I couldn't do that with 67 cats! She is a native of Caye Caulker and returned there after retiring.

On the island, residents don't really care about cats as we do, and believe it is acceptable to control the cat population by taking kittens out to sea or to the end of the pier, putting them in a bag and throwing them in the water. Most residents believe that cats are dirty and malicious, and on several occasions have broken into her compound and released their dogs to kill the cats. The health dept also controls the dog and cat population by periodically putting out arsenic-laced meat. That's a horrible, horrible way for any creature to die. Last year, a young child was accidentally poisoned and had to be airlifted to the mainland for treatment.

Madi is not just focused on caring for individual animals, she is vigorously campaigning to change attitudes and policies. She brings in teams of vets to conduct trap-neuter-return operations on the island. She offers a monthly clinic with FREE spaying/neutering, deworming, heartworm treatments and other vet services. Most residents oppose spaying and neutering pets, especially males. Madi is trying to educate the island residents about responsible pet ownership and trying to change attitudes about cats. She repeatedly offers to the local officials to conduct humane euthanasia in their annual roundups instead of poisoning animals. What impressed me so much was her focus on education and effective, humane animal population controls. Without those, her efforts and money would be just a finger in the dam about to burst.

Anyway, I said this would be about a vacation opportunity. She has a first-floor little studio apartment that she will rent to volunteers VERY cheaply. All she asks is one hour of volunteer time daily while you stay. She also has a little camping bungalow (no electricity or running water, I believe, but you have access to toilets and showers in the main building) that she will let volunteers stay in for free. A lot of students come for a week and stay in the bungalow. The apartment used to be her personal home, so while it is small it has all the comforts you would expect.

Belize is well known for its beautiful snorkeling and diving. I believe Caye Caulker has been featured on the Travel Channel too. It's a beautiful, rustic little island that is about 8 blocks wide and a couple of miles long. If anyone is interested in a volunteer vacation in beautiful Caye Caulker, they can visit her website at http://www.pawanimalsanctuarybelize.com.

Eyewitness to the Disney monorail accident

Here's an eyewitness account of the Disney monorail accident:

I'm actually at Disney now with the kids and can see the monorails out my hotel terrace at the Contemporary. So strange to see it - there and no other monorails running. Horrible for the driver and sucks that my kids loved to watch the monorails driving thru the hotel. That of course is an afterthought though. They're saying the kid was 21 and was part of a college program, due to graduate Stetson College next may.

Transportation from the Contemporary is chaos without the monorail. They have some buses which they contracted to help but it's like a triage so no one really has a plan. Monorail yellow is just sitting in the Contemporary.

Cemetery tourism in India

I went through a goth-like phase in my late teens / early twenties and visited a few cemeteries. And some are considered tourist attractions by the mainstream, like a couple I've mentioned on this blog:

Rome: excavations under St. Peter's Basilica

The Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Vienna

Paris: Pere LeChaise cemetery

I think the Vienna one is the only one I wrote myself and I don't even remember writing it so maybe not. Anyway, I mention these old articles because of this new one on India promoting cemetery tourism. They don't seem to have the celebrity thing to attract tourists so they are going for the genealogical traveler:

According to the Bacsa website, there are some 2 million Europeans buried on the Indian subcontinent alone. "Cemetery tourism is becoming more popular in India. With more information online, people are finding they have ancestors buried in India and want to see their graves," said Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones, chowkidar editor and honorary secretary of Bacsa, recently to a website.

Football coaches in Iraq: travel experience

Here's a travel experience reserved for celebrities visiting troops in Iraq. It includes flying into Baghdad on a plane with no lights, getting escorted into war zones, staying in Saddam Hussein's former palaces, and heat:

"It's unbelievable," he said. "We were in a chopper that had its windows open. We got in the helicopter where the hot air poured in on you and it felt like it was 140 degrees. It was hot. Because of the sandstorms we've had some sand cover, so the sun is not always beating right down on us."

Mysteries Of The Wilderness Triangle

From Juneau to Yakutat, north to the mountains of Barrow, and back to Anchorage, this vast expanse of landscape includes tundra, fijords, majestic mountains, and 6 million acres of Denali National Park and Preserve. Through the years, countless people, planes, and ships have been lost and remain unaccounted for within the Wilderness Triangle. This distant and unfamiliar territory was the site of the largest search and rescue mission ever attempted in the U.S. Some people had little knowledge of this area until the History Channel first aired "Alaska's Bermuda Triangle" on June 26, 2001.

The ill-fated flight left Anchorage for Juneau on October 16, 1972 carrying prominent political leaders, Congressman Nick Begich, his aide Russell Brown, and House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. Although Don Jonz was an experienced pilot, weather conditions were poor, and the persistent fog and drizzle made flying difficult. Somewhere near the Chugach Mountains, the small Cessna and all onboard seemed to vanish into thin air.

A massive air search was launched, with the U.S. Coast Guard, 40 military aircraft from Elmendorf AFB, and over 20 civilian planes joining in the effort. Hampered by dense fog and extreme cold, the search covered the entire wilderness area including the shorelines of Icy Strait and Glacier Bay. Even though the super spy plane, SR-71 Blackbird, was also sent to photograph the area and aid in finding the missing, neither passengers nor plane could be found after an intensive 39-day search.

This was a time of political upheaval and controversy, as a few months before, in June of 1972, the FBI had become closely involved with the ongoing investigation of Watergate. Coincidentally or not, the missing plane and its passengers did arouse suspicion, as hints of conspiracy and cover-up rapidly surfaced. Other well-known figures also played a part in this venture including former president Bill Clinton, who took Boggs to the airport and later appointed his wife as ambassador to the Vatican. To add to the mystery, several interesting facts emerged about the events surrounding Hale Boggs, who was an active participant in the legislation of Alaska's Native Claim Settlement. He had earlier requested the resignation of J. Edgar Hoover, the powerful and controversial head of the FBI, comparing his strategies to those of the Soviet Union. Boggs had also served on the Warren Commission to investigate the Kennedy assassination, which further stirred up the media worldwide, while rumors and speculation of questionable dealings circulated throughout the Internet.

During this time, an unknown informant called in an aircraft sighting near Yakutat Bay and a report of at least two passengers being still alive. A telex released by the Coast Guard documented the report, and the FBI evidently pursued the tip, but nothing ever came of it. Verification and credibility of this person were eventually dismissed as unreliable. According to an article that appeared in the Feb-Mar 2009 issue of Vertical Magazine on the history of Search and Rescue Satellite - Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT), one positive result did arise from this high profile, yet unsuccessful search. The new law passed by Congress required all aircraft to use an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) we know as the "black box." This ELT activates upon impact and transmits on a specific radio band, bypassing the frequent military alerts that previously interfered with emergency transmissions. By 1979, an agreement to coordinate satellite tracking was reached by the U.S., Canada, France, and the former Soviet Union. Today, there are over 39 countries participating in SARSAT.

As so often happens with many unexplained disappearances, intriguing legends of mysterious people and strange places often appear. The Tingit Indians of Alaska believe in Kushtaka, meaning "land otter man," a mythical creature with amazing powers and one who is able to change its shape at will. Many believe the Kushtaka is a friendly sort of spirit who changes shape to a familiar form that will be easily recognized by travelers lost in the wilderness. With the help of the Kushtaka, these people then manage to survive or are even happily transformed into other Kushtaka. Some Tingit Indians see the Kushtaka as evil, however, seeking the very young as their prey, a legend that mothers may have used to keep their small children from wandering too far. According to the legend, sailors are frequently lost at sea when tempted by the Kushtaka, reminiscent of the Sirens in Greek mythology. Unsuspecting travelers are lured to their death by mournful sounds of babies crying or women screaming in the wilderness. Similar to the legend of the dragon who lures his victims to the bottom of the Devil's Sea, the Kushtaka may simply carry the missing away to some mysterious domain.

Although this area is nowhere near the Bermuda or the Dragon triangles, there are similarities in the disappearances and reports of the missing. Many have been thoroughly investigated, but some have never been explained. This rugged wilderness has an appeal of its own for people who relish seclusion, the pleasure of camping, or the excitement of hunting in the great outdoors. Exploring the Wilderness Triangle can be challenging and often dangerous, as many drown in lakes of cold water where bodies do not rise to the surface, or are lost across the frozen land and in the massive glacier rifts. Hikers, mountain climbers, residents, and tourists must cope with the huge population of bears and the extreme weather conditions that prevail in the Wilderness Triangle. It is not surprising, therefore, that over 2800 cases of missing people were reported in just one year. Considering that Alaska is not densely populated, this number is much higher in comparison with other states.

Curious travelers, amateur detectives, and avid adventurists are captivated by stories of the missing and the unsolved. Should you choose to visit the Wilderness Triangle and explore some of its mysteries, perhaps you'll come upon the Kushtaka somewhere along the way.

Sharon L. Slayton

Fees for minors flying unaccompanied

When we talked about flight attendants a while back we also talked about unaccompanied minors. Here's an article about just that. The author thinks the fees for flying unaccompanied are unreasonable.

I'm not so sure. If the child gets supervision then someone has to pay. The flight attendants might not do anything extra in the air, but if the groundstaff has to get the kid on and off the plane...

Do you agree with these survey results?

Interesting results from a tripadvisor survey. I really don't understand how they have New York as both the friendliest and least friendly. I guess they screwed up. I could see it being the most expensive though.

Favorite City: New York City, San Francisco, Chicago & Boston
Least Favorite City: Detroit, Los Angeles, Atlanta
Most Underrated: Portland, Oregon
Most Overrated: Las Vegas
Most Economical: Las Vegas
Most Expensive: New York City
Cleanest: Portland, Oregon
Dirtiest: Detroit
Sexiest: Miami
Most Boring: Cleveland
Healthiest: Seattle
Least Healthy: Detroit
Friendliest and Most Helpful: New York City
Least Friendly and Helpful: New York City
Best Free Attractions: Washington D.C.
Most Romantic: Honolulu
Nicest Sounding Accent : Atlanta
Most Annoying Accent: Boston

Cancelled trip and what I'm missing

Some of you may remember that I was planning a busy August that included a trip to Costa Rica. My wife cancelled the trip to Costa Rica because she feared swine flu. Makes no sense to me but that sometimes happens with emotions. She wanted to cancel our cruise as well but since we had already paid...

Anyway, I was supposed to stay at the new Beacon Escazu:

I suppose I'm looking for a little sympathy now. If you take a look at some more pictures of the hotel I think you'll see why I'm kind of bummed about missing the trip.

My wife did say that I could go anywhere in America or Canada instead. Somehow these countries don't scare her. I'll be going alone. Now I'm trying to meet up with a couple of old friends from high school but that may be tricky.