Travel

function redirect(urlPrefix) { window.location(urlPrefix + “http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/starwood-will-increase-price-of-free-nights.html?id=2518242″); } function printAnchor(urlPrefix) { document.write(”"); } mboxCreate(’st_bookmarks_horizontal’); How do you devalue a travel loyalty program? The airlines have added fees and reduced award availability. And while they’ve generally avoided increasing the prices for the most popular award—a domestic coach ticket, still widely offered for 25,000 miles—prices for other awards have been steadily increasing. The hotel programs have taken a slightly different approach: category creep. Category creep is the tendency of the programs to reclassify hotels over time into ever-higher categories, requiring more and more points for a free room night. Such award-price inflation causes the value of hotel points to deteriorate. There are the occasional downgrades as well, but most of the changes are
(Read the full post about ‘Starwood will increase price of free nights’…)

As the news of Fidel Castro stepping aside poured in, it reminded me of a trip I took to Cuba 13 years ago. It was going to be all sun and games as far as I was concerned. But Cuba turned out to be a little more than that. Too often we hear about academic and political perspectives that at times could be intellectually polarizing. Rather than attempt to offer yet another intellectual opinion, I would like to share my personal experience with Cuba. What may happen post-Castro remains very much up in the air, and can be considered another time in some other article. I visited Cuba in 1995. It’s not until one stops and thinks does one realize they are in a communist country — a country filled with beautiful beaches and genuinely engaging people. However, I could not stop but observe that behind the infectious smiles there was sorrow. Most people stopped at the smiles and didn’t bother to think beyond this. Naturally, they concluded all is grand in Cuba. Not me. I
(Read the full post about ‘Fidel Castro Steps Aside’…)

When the Sir Richard Branson-backed airline entered the domestic market in mid- November it boasted $39 introductory fares – which were quickly snapped up. The new year-round "mini- fares" were aimed to stimulate "impulse" short-stay leisure travellers, the airline said yesterday. They include a $49 one-way Christchurch-Wellington fare, a $59 Auckland- Wellington fare and a $69 Christchurch-Auckland fare. Pacific Blue commercial general manager Adrian Hamilton-Manns said using 180-seat planes, rather than 120-seat aircraft used by rivals, would further stimulate competitive pressures. "I'm sure our competitors will match our prices but they won't match the number of seats that we have available … it's a volume equation." Rival Air New Zealand yesterday refused to say whether it would match the lower fares. Air NZ has already said it will cut some fares up to 27 per cent on nearly 40 regional routes from February 23. Pacific Blue said
(Read the full post about ‘New midweek fare discounts’…)

Larry (the merchant seaman) and I! 1pm PST - At the airport on company wifi again =) I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I had seriously morbid thoughts JUST before leaving for this trip! For the first time in my years of travel, I left a friend my parents’ # and made them promise to take care of some things if anything happens to me.But I’m at the airport and God sent me another angel in the form of a super cool Filipino merchant seaman who lives in Granada Hills and is almost retired! We laughed and talked so comfortably the last 3 hours have literally FLOWN by. Since he’s a quarterman he’s been all over the world and seen great things. He has a few daughters my age and so I received all sorts of fatherly advice. We had CPK at terminal 5 together and then went to the duty free shop for him to get cigarettes and in the area with all the perfume and cologne advertisements. Hello hubby! =) (I wish..) . 2 of the most gorgeous men greeted me from their respective ads - Sawyer
(Read the full post about ‘Zocalo on a typical Monday’…)

EASKEY, Ireland (AP) — It is not unusual for motorists on Ireland’s western coast to feel as if they’ve driven straight into a painting, bordered on one side by picture-perfect waves and on the other by fusing shades of green. But that surreal spell is often broken by unexpected splotches of color, as drivers find blurs of blue, yellow or white whizzing by — atop cars carrying another common but somewhat anachronistic sight: surf boards. Ireland may not be known for a beach bum culture or limitless sunshine, but its breathtaking coasts and world-class waves have made the island a star in the world of surfing and windsurfing. Pros from all over the globe travel to Ireland to take on its challenging swells, and the country has hosted more than its share of championships. "Ireland’s ideal for it, because we have so much coastline," said Easkey Britton, 21, a County Donegal native and surfing champion — who also happens to be named for one of Ireland’s premier surfing
(Read the full post about ‘Catch a wave with Ireland’s surf scene’…)

function redirect(urlPrefix) { window.location(urlPrefix + “http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/spring-breakers-look-for-ways-to-save-cash.html?id=2517287″); } function printAnchor(urlPrefix) { document.write(”"); } mboxCreate(’st_bookmarks_horizontal’); For many college students, spring break is the one time of the year when a vacation is worth every penny. However, the recent rises in airfare and hotel prices have many students readjusting their plans. The slowing economy isn’t going to stop kids from being kids and enjoying a week of freedom, but many are looking to find ways around spending the extra cash. Travel agents state that students are trying to save by booking all-inclusive packages, staying at less extravagant places, and going for fewer days. According to a Travelocity analysis, international flights during the spring break season cost about 5 percent more than last year, and domestic flights in peak spring break weeks cost about 18 percent more
(Read the full post about ‘Spring breakers look for ways to save cash’…)

function redirect(urlPrefix) { window.location(urlPrefix + “http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/us-airways-new-policy-by-the-numbers.html?id=2514304″); } function printAnchor(urlPrefix) { document.write(”"); } mboxCreate(’st_bookmarks_horizontal’); As mentioned in my earlier coverage of US Airways’ plan to eliminate the 500-mile minimum awarded for short flights, some of the carrier’s customers will be disproportionately affected by the new rule. Specifically, those who frequently fly on shorter routes stand to lose a significant number of frequent flyer miles over the course of a year. Following are examples of two representative short-haul routes and the calculations that will be made by travelers who are among US Airways’ most profitable customers. The distance between New York’s La Guardia and Boston’s Logan airports is about 184 miles; a round-trip flight would be 368 actual miles. Under the current policy, 500 miles are awarded for each segment,
(Read the full post about ‘US Airways’ new policy, by the numbers’…)

Quick! What does Saint Emilion mean to you? In your mind, does it represent the healing saint of the same name? Does it signify a quaint, ancient, walled village in Bordeaux? Or, for you wine lovers, does it represent chateaux offering quality, collectible wines? Visiting vineyards in Saint Emilion is a special treat. Many are small and family-run. On my visit, I had the good fortune to have as my hosts the Laniote family. They have been making wine in St. Emilion for eight generations. While I can describe the high energy, passion for winemaking, and good humor of owners Arnaud and Florence de la Fillolie in words, drop by their web site for a fun, colorful peak at their approach to wine and family life. If you have ever fantasized about what it might be like to leave the big city and move with your young children to a chateau in Saint Emilion, you will enjoy your visit with the Laniotes. The winery is open to the public (see their web site for hours and reservation policy)m and the
(Read the full post about ‘Visiting Chateau Laniote in Saint Emilion’…)

I had this great theory before I left Canada to avoid jet lag.  I simply would take the last flight out of Vancouver to Asia and then stop over in Hong Kong for a few days.  For once I think my plan worked out.  My flight left so late at night it was really early the next day.  I left Vancouver at 3am and arrived then next day at 7am.  I managed to sleep most of the flight so when I landed in Hong Kong I was ready to hit the road flying.Of course that meant figuring a very large new airport and going through all the immigration procedures, finding my luggage and then the counter for my bus that would take me to my hotel in Kowloon.  I was surprised, maybe even shocked, to be already at the bus counter in less then 1 hour from landing.   After buying my bus ticket I was officially branded a tourist as the desk clerk quickly slapped a bright orange sticker and my chest and told me to “sit down and do not move until we call you.”.  In no
(Read the full post about ‘Death Railway and Elephants’…)

function printAnchor(urlPrefix) { document.write(”"); } mboxCreate(’st_bookmarks_horizontal’); Believe it or not, just outside Sin City’s glittering casinos and sprawling subdivisions is some of the Southwest’s prettiest and most accessible red-rock country. Hikers, climbers, or those in need of fresh air will find relief from slot machines, stretch limos, and Elvis impersonators in these three nearby wilderness areas: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: A mere half-hour from the Strip, this red-and-white sandstone playground offers more than 30 miles of hiking trails, 2,000 climbing routes, and a 13-mile scenic drive. There is a $5 entrance fee per car. Valley of Fire State Park: The Martian landscape of the Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, provides a dramatic setting for camping, picnicking, and short hikes. The park, located 55 miles from Vegas, charges a per-vehicle fee of $6 for day use and $14 for camping. Mount Charleston Wilderness Area:
(Read the full post about ‘Three wilderness retreats minutes from the Las Vegas Strip’…)