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 from lower to higher categories, resulting in an increase in the average number of points required for a free night. Starwood is the latest to announce a flurry of category increases, scheduled to take effect March 4. By my count, there are about 235 changes. Of those, just 14 are downgrades; the rest are hotels being bumped to a higher category. A recent Starwood news release puts the number of hotels operating under the Starwood banner at “approximately 890.” That means that almost 25 percent of the hotels participating in the Preferred Guest program will charge more points for award stays. If Starwood were to increase 25 percent of its award prices every year … well, we’ll leave that distressing scenario to the imaginations of members of the Starwood program. Award bookings made before the March 4 cutover date can be made at the current levels. So if you’re planning an award stay at an affected property, there’s still time to lock in the lower rate.

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 wanted to see more. After a few days of hanging around the hotel overrun with tourists, I befriended a tall, handsome, lanky hotel worker. I found out, after shooting hoops with him, that he had earned an engineering degree in Russia. Yet, he was handing out towels to tourists for a few bucks a month. Something was not right with this picture. One day, after insanely shooting hoops in 90 degree weather, I asked him to take me to Havana. He told me he could not. I naively teased him to take me. He looked around and politely refused. That left an impression on me. Most of the people who visit Cuba could care a rat's bum about the plight of its people. They were there, as far as they were concerned, to buy cigars, enjoy the breathtaking beaches, party, and, if they were lucky, meet someone for an amourous encounter. Besides, it wasn’t their place to pass judgment. Who could blame them? One day, I rented and hopped on a motorped and headed for a nearby town. I had grown tired of the fabricated environment around me. It’s hard to meet Cubans in Cuba. It’s tough since they are forbidden to fraternize in any way – like walk on beaches - with tourists. This struck me as plain wrong. The chain on my bike got jammed along the way. No sooner than I had a chance to assess the problem a young kid jumped out of nowhere and fixed it. Just as quickly he was gone and standing off on the side of the road. page 1 | 2

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 inflation figures released last month showed that domestic air fares had fallen nearly 5% since it entered the market. An Australian aviation analyst said a price war leading to volume growth could be a winner for all the domestic airlines, including Qantas New Zealand. Hamilton-Manns said the "midweek mini-fares" would be available from Tuesday for travel on selected flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and perhaps Thursdays. There could be some days where a flight's capacity was already sold out, and the "mini- fare" would not be available. "(But) we hope as many people buy them as possible … there's a significant level of availability of these fares." The airline's fare types ranged from the "Blue Saver" from as low as $59 a seat, to flexible business tickets priced up to $240. The Christchurch-based airline already flies on routes between the Garden City, Wellington and Auckland and is likely to announce new regional routes before March 31. Figures from Wellington Airport showed that domestic passenger numbers grew by nearly 30% in January 2008 while Christchurch Airport reported that passenger volumes for December rose by 11%. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's executive chairman, Peter Harbison said despite higher fuel prices the low-price high- volume model had worked well in most markets. Pacific Blue would thrive from volume growth, given that much of its earnings were made from inflight sales, including food and drinks and tie-ins to hotels and rental car firms, he said. "Increasingly, Pacific Blue is going after the associated expenditures, so (they) can start mopping up a bit of cash from other sources as well," Harbison said. The airline was likely cutting into rivals' profits, he added. "It's a small market. Pacific Blue is stimulating some growth, but there's obviously a bit of diversion as well."

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 spots, Easkey, in County Sligo. "There are some really challenging breaks for really experienced surfers, but there are also really great beaches for learning how to surf." The damp, cold weather is another challenge for surfers. Even in summer, water temperatures in Ireland don’t average much more than 60 degrees in July and August; in winter they are more like 50. "Ireland, like many surfing destinations around the globe should have some special pre-planning," said Alan Atkins, vice president of the International Surfing Association. He adds that April-May and September to November are the better seasons for surf, but if you’re planning on visiting in the cold months of the year, make sure you have a full winter wetsuit — boots, gloves and hood. He recommends researching conditions at an Internet site like GlobalSurfers.com. The sport certainly doesn’t spring to mind when most people envision Ireland; the country is more likely equated with whitewashed stone walls, grazing sheep and lively pubs. Britton, Ireland’s three-time national champion and current British Pro Tour champ, said she often gets funny looks when she turns up at international competitions with an Irish accent. "When I travel, people still find it quite unusual to find that there’s a big surf scene in Ireland," she said. But for those aware of secret global surfing hotspots, more than a few can be found in Ireland, almost all of them along the western coast. Bundoran, in County Donegal, lies in the island’s rugged northwest and is the de facto epicenter of Ireland’s surf scene. The town boasts a celebrated beach culture, offering multiple surf schools, yearly festivals anchored by surfing and establishments with names that seem transplanted from Bondi Beach or California — such as Turfnsurf Lodge. Bundoran has hosted European Surfing Championships and the Quiksilver World Masters in 2001, and those high-profile events spurred Irish surfing’s popularity not only with international surfers but with Irish people eager to learn, insiders say. "We’ve gone from having only a handful of surf shops to about 30 or 40," said Zoe Lally, development officer for the Irish Surfing Association. "Every car you see now has a surfboard on the roof. Back when I started surfing you would’ve known all the surfers in the country." Tourism officials said no comprehensive statistics have been compiled to track the increase in revenue or visitors brought by surfing — but the sport has sparked the transformation of numerous seaside spots, from small or quiet villages to resort towns bustling with surf boards and athletes. Bundoran may have prompted the trend, but other sites are hugely popular with Irish and international surfers alike. Strandhill, in County Sligo; Achill, in County Mayo, and Tramore, in County Waterford, all draw locals, foreign travelers and "weekend warriors" to the waves — and each spot is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with tourist towns, cozy pubs and ancient ruins all within comfortable driving distance. Easkey, in County Sligo, harbors a desolate beauty and decidedly tougher waves, but Rossnowlagh Beach, in County Donegal and close to Bundoran, is a tamer teaching locale and was Britton’s personal training ground. And finally, County Clare hosts a number of key surf spots, namely Lahinch — which is a revered name among Irish surfers and offers lessons, shops and rentals, just a stone’s throw from Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher and renowned Lahinch Golf Club. Organizers chose County Clare as the locale last year for a new three-day surf and music festival — Cois Fharraige, translating to ‘Beside the Sea’ in Irish — with the surfing competition scheduled for Spanish Point Beach. But the weather, ironically, was too calm and sunny, and the competition was postponed. The climate in Ireland is the only drawback to its surfing scene, as visitors never know what they might get. It’s rare that they’ll be faced with endless sunshine and stillness — such as the conditions plaguing Cois Fharraige — but it’s not uncommon for surfers to suffer wind, rain and cold. While the diehard Irish can be found in the waves on the toughest of days in the dead of winter — and the roughest of days in summer — those extremes can be somewhat troublesome for visitors. "We get the full brunt of that north Atlantic swell — a load of cyclones passing by us," Britton said. "It’s just so unpredictable. It challenges you, the ocean in Ireland and the climate and the weather." Aguerre said Ireland would "probably remain an obscure surfing destination" based on its weather. But that unpredictability, with sunshine one day (or hour) and rainstorms the next, gives even the most dedicated surfers an excuse to enjoy the best of Ireland’s other offerings — a pint in the local pub, a traditional music session or a bit of banter with the locals. There’s no better feeling than retiring to a coastal bar and watching the waves break while gearing up for another day — but the lure of the ocean often prompts visitors to refrain from excesses they might otherwise enjoy in Ireland, Britton said. Surfers often "head out for one or two, but usually if the surf’s going to be good the next day, people seem to be focused," she said.Source: rss.cnn.com

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 than they did in the previous year. To combat this spike in airfare prices, many students are hitting the open road or staying closer to home. However students decide to cut back on costs, most will be relieved to know that beer prices haven’t incurred any new surcharges.

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, 1,000 miles for the round-trip. So when the new policy takes effect on May 1, a Dividend Miles member will earn 63 percent fewer miles. Let’s put the change into award terms. Under the current policy, it would take 25 round-trip flights to earn the 25,000 miles required for a free domestic coach ticket. After the policy change, it will take 68 round-trips to earn the same award. US Airways isn’t the only option for shuttle service between La Guardia and Boston. Delta operates shuttle flights on the same route. And Delta offers 500 frequent flyer miles each way. Assuming Delta maintains its 500-mile minimum policy, it will enjoy a significant frequent flyer advantage after US Airways’ policy change. Similar considerations apply to flights between Los Angeles and Phoenix, US Airways’ principal hub. The flight distance is 370 miles one-way, 740 round-trip. Under US Airways’ new policy, it will take 34 round-trips to earn the 25,000 miles required for a free ticket. Compare that to the number of round-trips required by Southwest, one of US Airways’ primary competitors on the route. Members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program earn a free ticket after just eight round-trips. Even before the change, Southwest had the better frequent flyer proposition. After the change, the competitive gap will be wider still. Not all US Airways customers will bother to make the above calculations. But those that do will find US Airways on the losing side of the comparison. And many will shift their business to one of US Airways’ competitors. Stockholders were apparently among those who did the math. On the day US Airways announced the change, the airline’s stock lost 8.4 percent of its value. Note: The distances used above are between the origin and destination cities and may be slightly different from those used for the calculation of frequent flyer miles.

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 de la Fillolie family speaks fluent English. Just breathing the peaceful air of this small estate and vineyard can motivate you to give up city life and devote yourself to the vines. But don’t. This is the job of the de la Fillolies, and a job they do very well with a great deal of pleasure and excitement. Rather than drag high-heeled guests into the vineyard, Arnaud instead invites them into the cellar where he has set up a screening room to condense a year’s worth of winery activities into an eight-minute film. In the film we see workers picking, Arnaud punching down the cap (cake-y top of wine and grape skins as it macerates) and finally, Florence holding up a glass of the finished wine and speaking about its properties. Throughout the video, Arnaud entertains English-speaking guests by deliberately and hilariously mistranslating what is being said. Despite this, I am led to understand the blend of their wine is 80 percent Merlot, 15 percent Cabernet Franc, and five percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The soil is sand and clay, and they pick the grapes by hand - five days for Merlot and one day for Cabernet Sauvignon. Maceration is two to four days, after which they use an old-fashioned basket press. Wine is aged in oak, and produced and fired under Arnaud’s personal supervision. Finally I taste the 2001 Chateau Laniote. It is a ruby color, medium intensity, with a very subtle floral aroma of violet and lilac, red fruit, and dry on the palate with a wonderfully light balance. It is a delightful viewing and tasting experience.

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: Those up for a big challenge can try climbing Charleston Peak (11,918 feet), the highest mountain in southern Nevada. The summit can be reached via two different steep but nontechnical routes requiring an eight- to 10-hour round-trip trek. This area charges no entrance fee and is about 33 miles from town. Have a great travel tip you’d like to share? Send your insider travel strategies to editor@smartertravel.com.