Travel And Tour

TripAdvisor's 10 most incredible places in the Dominican Republic

2015-11-03T06:30:00.001-08:00

Travel trends come and go but sitting on white sandy beaches, staring at sparkling turquoise seas and drinking rum cocktails in the shade of a coconut tree just doesn't get old.

And it's something the Dominican Republic excels at.

Don't take our word for it.

There are nearly 600,000 reviews on TripAdvisor of Dominican Republic attractions, restaurants and other sites.

Here are 10 of the best places their users think you should check out -- with tips on what to do when you get there.

27 Charcos de Damajagua

Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata

There's not just one, but 27 spectacular waterfalls to enjoy at Damajagua, around 30 minutes' drive from Puerto Plata.

"You have to hike up one side of the mountain so you can jump into the waterfalls on the other side," explains Steffanie R from Dallas.

Leaping off a cliff outside your comfort zone?

The "friendly and helpful" guides offer "options for everyone."

"Make sure you have a waterproof camera" and are "ready to hike," says Carl J.

Bavaro Beach

Punta Cana, La Altagracia

Traveler floyd1976 from New Jersey thinks Punta Cana's Bavaro is "by far the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic," with "pure white sand" and "crystal blue water as warm as a bath."

Other travelers love the "huge palm trees."

W333Jul from Scotland says it's "a great resort for a winter break" thanks to "plenty of sun" and "loads of watersports."

Bavaro is a "Gorgeous beach! So relaxing and beautiful water," says Sue B from Florida.

Macao Beach

Punta Cana, La Altagracia

Punta Cana's Macao Beach is a locals' favorite with a "laid back ambiance" and "great waves," according to Mexican reviewer Flower XV.

Rory m was "blown away" by Macao Beach's "crystal-clear sea and golden sands."

Hart789 from Georgetown agrees, but warns: "Be careful of the high tide and extremely strong rip current!"

Vwats4231 notes there are a lot of beach vendors "offering island delicacies, interesting animal pictures, beverages and sunglasses" although many users, like Bob K from Canada, find them "a little relentless."

Isla Saona

Punta Cana, La Altagracia

Saona ticks all the paradise island boxes: white sandy beaches and teal-blue sea; palm trees, coconuts and starfish.

This government-protected nature reserve sees hundreds of visitors arriving each day and for many TripAdvisor users, the "music, dancing and rum" of the Catamaran trip is half the fun.

Kaki from Canada warns other tourists not to remove starfish from the sea for photo opportunities.

Starfish can "survive only 10 seconds out of the water" and, with the sea being so clear, "we don't need to remove them at all."

Playa Bonita

Las Terrenas, Samana

Samana province is celebrated for its green fertile mountains and pristine white sands.

Playa Bonita, near las Terrenas, has "beautiful virgin beaches with magnificent views!! Could walk and walk and not see anyone!" says DVTLO from NYC.

There's "plenty of space to relax under the palm trees" says Joan L from Maryland, while R L from North Carolina enjoyed the "small little huts along the beach to purchase fresh cocktails."

Aside from paddle boarding and kayaking, you can go horseback riding along the beach ($20 an hour, says Fernando R) and, with a grassy strip running right alongside the sand, you can even sunbathe on the green and avoid the hassle of shaking off sand.

Playa Bonita is an "amazing place for relaxation" says MR F from Puerto Rico.

Punta Cana, La Altagracia

The startling blue waters of Hoyo Azul lagoon -- otherwise known as "the Blue Hole" -- took many TripAdvisor users' breath away.

Brian S has "never seen water so pretty."

Matthew C from West Virginia tells you to expect it be "cold, but exhilarating!"

"Our skin was totally soft after, with the calcium carbonate salts," declares Canada's luv2cruise535.

The lagoon is reached by a hike through Scape Park.

"The tour guide was very helpful and pointed out all different kinds of plants and wildlife," says Cameron 88 from California.

Other activities on offer include horseback riding and zip-lining.

Catedral Primada de America

Santo Domingo

The first stone in this cathedral -- the oldest still in use in the Americas -- was set in 1514 by Christopher Columbus's son Diego.

"It is amazing what the Spaniards accomplished in the 1500s," says Rick S.

"An absolutely beautiful building. The skilled masons and craftsmen did an amazing job."

"This church combines elements of both Gothic and Baroque," says Maria B.

"There is also an excellent art collection containing retablos, paintings, old woodwork, furniture, sculptures and tombstone."

Rlynnprince from Arizona reminds fellow visitors to dress respectfully: "We were asked to wear a pashmina around our waists in order to have our legs covered."

Paradise Island and the Mangroves

Punta Rucia, Puerto Plata

When you hop on a day excursion to Paradise Island, says Adi2011 from England, the party begins "the moment you set foot on the boat."

Snorkeling is the main attraction here.

"The display of marine life below the surface is mindblowing," says Adi2011.

Suzanne K from Arizona was wowed by the "beautiful, colorful fish that eat right out of your hands."

England's BedfordshireJon took it easy, resting on floats in the Caribbean Sea and "enjoying a drink from the floating bar."

The trip back often involves a speedboat trip around the mangroves.

"Recommended 100%!" says Sharon S.

554dianel from Canada sums up Paradise Island as "corals, colorful fish, white sand."

source: http://goo.gl/C7pHN3

The 9 best water park hotels for your next holiday

2013-10-01T06:44:00.002-07:00

SEE PHOTOS: The team from Trivago have put together some of the best hotels with fabulous water park facilities from around the world for your next fun-focused holiday

Hotel water parks have grown in popularity in recent years, allowing guests to enjoy all the thrills and amusement of a water park without leaving the comfort and security of their hotel and accomodation comparison website www.trivago.sg has selected nine hotels from around the world boasting the best water slides onsite.

Ideal for children and adults alike, these water slides boast picturesque views over beaches and oceans and even through aquariums full of sharks, rays and other marine life. From Bali to Hawaii, speed down a reconstructed Mayan temple or enjoy twists and turns through tropical landscaped gardens.
ATLANTIS, THE PALM, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Atlantis, The Palm is a sprawling 110-acre five-star resort located on Dubai’s artificial island of Palm Jumeirah. Since opening in 2008, this unique hotel has captured the world’s imagination with its scale and ingenuity, boasting underwater suites, helicopter tours, pristine white beaches, over 20 world-class restaurants and unique marine habitats in the Lost Chambers Aquarium. The incorporated 42-acre Aquaventure Waterpark is renowned as the Middle East and Europe’s best water park. Its most celebrated feature is the Ziggurat-shaped Tower of Neptune, where those brave enough can fall over 9 stories in one second before speeding through a tube surrounded by sharks, rays and other marine life.
Atlantis, The Palm, is located at Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah PO Box 211, Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/jumeirah/atlantis-the-palm

HARD ROCK BALI, Kuta, Bali

Hard Rock Bali is Asia’s first Hard Rock hotel, appropriately located in the heart of Bali’s entertainment and shopping district on the shores of the picturesque Kuta beach. The 418 tribute rooms and suites are fit for a rock star, adorned with guitars, posters and other memorabilia celebrating everything rock and roll from the 50s to late 90s. The hotel boasts the largest free-form swimming pool in Bali, complete with a unique Sand Island, 22 poolside cabanas, a stage for outdoor performances and ample sunbathing space. Families will love the complex of new water slides, which are enough to keep the most active of kids occupied.
Hard Rock Bali is located at Jalan Pantai, Banjar Pande Mas, Kuta, Bali, 80361, Indonesia. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/kuta/hard-rock-bali

ERSAN RESORT & SPA, Bodrum, Turkey

Ersan Resort & Spa is a five-star complex located in a secluded cove just four kilometres from the popular Turkish tourist resort of Bodrum. This all-inclusive hotel boasts no less than ten bars and restaurants, offering a range of Turkish, Italian and Mexican cuisine. Onsite are 395 guest rooms with private balconies, three swimming pools and a private Blue Flag beach equipped with a wooden sunbathing platform. Water-lovers can choose between nine different water slides, including two bowl slides and one half pipe slide. Guests can catch glimpses of the azure Aegean ocean and green pine-covered hills whilst sliding.
Ersan Resort & Spa is located at PK 3357, Icmeler, Bodrum, 48400 Turkey. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/bodrum/ersan-resort

ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT, Florida, USA

Orlando is home to some of the world’s most popular water parks, including Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, Aquatica and Wet ‘n Wild. The Orlando World Center Marriott is a leading resort dedicated to families and businessmen alike, boasting ten restaurants and lounges, an 18-hole championship golf course, a rejuvenating Spa and over 40,000 square metres of meeting and event space. The iconic pool complex has been newly renovated to include poolside dining and an expanded pool deck and lawn surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The new slide tower features two 60-metre winding water slides and one exhilarating 27-metre high-speed slide.
Orlando World Center Marriott is located at 8701 World Center Drive, 32821 Orlando, USA. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/orlando/marriott-orlando-world-center

THE REEF ATLANTIS, Paradise Island City, Bahamas

Run by the same corporation as Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis Paradise Island is a mind-boggling complex of over 3,400 guest rooms and suites, an impressive 40 restaurants, bars and lounges and numerous entertainment options, including an onsite casino, nightclub, live music venue, theatre and comedy club. The resort boasts an impressive five different hotel buildings, including one of the most expensive hotel suites in the world and newest addition The Reef Atlantis, offering luxurious residential-style studios. The astounding 141-acre Aquaventure water park consists of 11 swimming pools and the iconic Mayan temple water slide feature, where guests can race each other on the Challenger Slide.
The Reef Atlantis is located at One Casino Drive 33324 Paradise Island City, Bahamas. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/paradise-island/the-reef-atlantis

FODELE BEACH & WATER PARK HOLIDAY RESORT, Crete, Greece

Fodele Beach & Water Park Holiday Resort boasts a unique beachside location in the quaint and picturesque village of Fodele, on the popular Greek island of Crete. This all-inclusive resort contains 412 spacious rooms and suites, uniquely decorated in a Mediterranean style and featuring either garden or ocean views. Each of the three restaurants offer alfresco dining on their adjoining terraces and a selection of inspired Greek, French and Italian cuisine. The water park is set against a picturesque backdrop of the blue Crete Sea and boasts a variety of slides for adults and children alike.
Fodele Beach & Water Park Holiday Resort is located at Fodele, Malevizi, 71500 Greece. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/fodele/fodele-beach

GREAT WOLF LODGE, Niagara Falls, Canada

Great Wolf Resorts are the world’s largest chain of indoor water parks and hotels, with 11 resorts throughout the USA and Canada offering water slides, speciality restaurants, arcades and spas. Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls is no exception, boasting over 9000 square metres of eight slides, a lazy river, whirlpool hot spas and an indoor wave pool. Guests can choose between tube slides, a water roller coaster big enough for all the family, a bowl slide and two slides descending from the tree house. The hotel offers a variety of spacious and comfortable themed suites, some come complete with fireplaces and private hot tubs.
Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls is located at 3950 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 7M8 Canada. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/niagara-falls/great-wolf-lodge

HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE, Honolulu, Hawaii

Hilton Hawaiian Village is the only resort destination on the popular Waikiki beach, recently voted the second best beach in America for its wide stretches of white sands and turquoise waters. This 22-acre resort features 22 acres of lush tropical gardens, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, priceless artwork, firework displays and cultural activities such as lei-making and ukulele lessons. Swimmers are spoilt for choice with the unique Duke Kahanamoku saltwater lagoon or one of the hotel’s five pools, including an exquisite fourth four mosaic-tiled infinity pool. The Paradise Pool boasts waterfalls, hot tubs, lava rock formations and four water slides, including the longest slide in Waikiki.
Hilton Hawaiian Village is located at 2005 Kalia Road, 96815 Honolulu, USA. For more information, go to www.trivago.sg/honolulu/hilton-hawaiian-village-waikiki-beach-resort

RAMADA RESORT AQUAWORLD BUDAPEST, Hungary

Ramada Resort Budapest incorporates Aquaworld, one of Europe’s largest and grandest indoor water theme parks based on a replica of Cambodia’s iconic Angkor Wat temple. The 73-metre wide glass dome encloses 11 water slides reaching a total length of almost one kilometre. The tropical atmosphere, suspension bridges and palm trees will make visitors feel like they have been transported to another world. Elsewhere in the resort, the four-star hotel consists of 309 guest rooms and apartments, an Oriental-themed wellness-fitness centre and a choice of elegant buffet and a la carte restaurants and al fresco terraces.
resource:http://www.herworldplus.com/lifestyle/travel/9-best-water-park-hotels-your-next-holiday

Negombo completes the Sri Lankan experience

2013-03-21T02:32:00.002-07:00

Negombo completes the Sri Lankan experience (Photos: Anwesha Mittra)

The cobalt blue of the sea in the travel magazine I held matched exactly with that of the one below us as our flight edged over the vast Indian Ocean past a meandering coastline stretching like a long white ribbon, towards the tropical paradise of Sri Lanka.

After bobbing in and out of large puffs of clouds we finally touched down at Bandaranaike International Airport, eager to begin our 'honeymoon', eager to get an eyeful of the sea. Sri Lanka, it was decided a month prior to our wedding for its idyllic beaches and bias for good food, and my bias for the sun and sand. As we made our way to the exit gate post a swift customs clearance, I made another attempt to gather my thoughts on the impending holiday and my new husband, who looked more at ease now than I was scanning the placards every visitor held.

Mr Razi our chauffeur-cum-guide was quick to spot us and apologised for not getting the placard ready on time, blaming our flight's over-punctuality. Soon we were making good time down palm-lined lanes away from the bustling streets towards the seaside fishermen town of Negombo (approx. 7 kilometers from the airport), lowly preferred by the touristy type. Your guidebook will tell you that it was the erstwhile trading port for the Portuguese and Dutch with an old Dutch fort gate and prison dating back to the 17th century, but for its status as the 'Rome of Sri Lanka' with a beautiful church tossed around every bend, and inside every cranny. With the sea not yet in sight, it was still wonderful driving around Nogombo's old world by-lanes dotted with quaint tiled houses painted pristine white complete with their little porches, driveways and gardens overflowing with pink bougainvillea creepers. Breaking through my train of thoughts was my partner's voice surveying property prices in Sri Lanka with Mr Razi, who came across as extremely-knowing in the brief time we spent together. Driving over a wooden bridge straddling an emerald lagoon and past bake and gem shops, we arrived at our hotel of stay for the next two days, Club Dolphin.

An abode of Sri Lankan hospitality, I was struck by the ethnic wooden architecture of the resort. A very atmospheric foyer built in gazebo style with a lounge area interspersed withlotus ponds and mini fountains, it was a visual treat all the way to our cottage tucked away at a far end of the property overlooking a sparkling blue pool and further overlooking a grey-blue sea. To my relief, it was an uninterrupted view all the way from the room to the sea. By the time we got to our little sit-out balcony sipping coffee, the light outside was slowly fading, the palms swaying merrily in the breeze, and the activity in the pool area gaining steam. Next moment, I was rigging my camera to get the best of a breathtakingSri Lankan sunset. There was romance in every moment of the indolent twilight hours, and a quiet rhythm in the crashing of the waves on the darkening sands. Sitting on a fallen log of coconut palm feeling the wind in our faces and a roaring sea before us, we let a few hours slip in quiet contemplation.

Unlike our fellow vacationers, we were unexpectedly early to leave the bed and race down the beach to an inviting sea, fresh and white in the morning sun. The garden and pool lights glowing from the previous night lend the scenery a monochromatic blue tinge, and I found myself clicking away without really training my lens. We soaked up everything about the brilliant sunrise including the way the ebbing waves left puncture holes on the virgin sand for the baby crabs to crawl out and catch their breath. Post a quick shower, we were back in the dining room for breakfast. And like every meal at the resort, this too was a large one complete with a selection of fresh fruit juices and cup desserts.

Day two was about taking in the local sights and sounds of Negombo, to be fair, from Mr Razi's perspective. A proud Sri Lankan, he showed us around his school, the local fish market, the estuary where the fishing catamarans were moored, churches with stained glass windows, the old Dutch prison still in use, sprawling gardens, quaint craft shops, coffee houses and what have you. While travelling in the island country, one all but notices its narrow roads that are mostly two-way, and wonders how the locals manage a pleasant disposition, let one another pass, never litter and follow traffic rules to the 'T'. We spent the evening sauntering down the beach, watching the sun sink into the sea and collecting seashells until moonrise. We could tell it was full moon without actually looking into the sky as the sea was drawing closer bringing in walls of noisy water. A small drink at the sea-facing bar and we were ready to retire for the day with the sound of the waves in our ears.

Next morning we tucked into an early breakfast, breaking our ritual of first heading to the beach, in preparation for a 5-hour-long drive to the hill station of Kandy. During our drive to Kandy we realised just how lush Sri Lanka was with the emerald fields and coconut groves spilling onto the road from either side. En route Mr Razi took us over for a cup of tea to his house, excited for us to meet his family and see the little house he painstakingly built. A truly gracious host Mr Razi and his family, the water too tasted unusually sweet over there.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was our next stopover where we'd get to see elephants with their herds in their natural habitat going through their daily routine. After an obscene entrance fee of one thousand Sri Lankan Rupees, we get into the abode of elephants where they stood mucking around or gobbling cartons of fruits. It cost to so much as stroke an elephant's ear, far less trailing them to the river bank across the road and watching them take a bath with their young ones.

In Kandy, we decided to give the iconic 'Temple of Tooth Relic' a miss and watch a cultural show instead. That too didn't live up to my expectations as both the provincial dances and the fire acrobatics lacked the spirit Sri Lanka is known for. Strolling down the streets we could see glimpses from the colonial era in the architecture of the buildings and the wrought iron street lamps. We were halting for the night at Tree of Life, an eco-resort in the middle of dense wilderness with views of hills, rivers and splendid flowers every side you turned. On arriving, a lovely candlelight dinner was awaiting us at the restaurant facing the pool where live musicians crooned the classics to a gang of merry diners.

We had very little time next morning to explore the ecology of Kandy and regretted for not being on time for the bird watching trek. Nonetheless, we set out on our own trek up and down the jungle slopes, into the marigold garden, over the 'honeymoon bridge' where lovers fastened locks with their names on it, around the rundown children's park and the water lily pond. Soon, we were headed to Colombo for a spot of shopping. Turned out we splurged on everything from handicrafts, souvenirs, bags, clothes, footwear to brownies and cupcakes, ostensibly making several rounds of the currency exchange counter.

Resource:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/Negombo-completes-the-Sri-Lankan-experience/articleshow/12730890.cms

What's the Deal? The week's best travel bargains around the globe

2013-03-06T21:20:00.002-08:00

LAND
Ski Salt Lake is offering hotel discounts of up to 30 percent off and free-night deals at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude resorts in Utah. For example, Snowbird has a Ski Free and Stay 5th Night Free offer through April 2: Pay for four nights and stay the fifth night free, plus get two free lift tickets for each night's stay (normally $74 for each ticket). With the deal, a Feb. 18-23 stay at the Cliff Lodge, with lift tickets for two people, would cost $1,813 (normally $2,809), including all taxes - a 35 percent savings (Snowbird reservations: 800-354-6092). Book by March 15. Info: 801-534-4900.

The Caribbean island of Barbados has discounts on hotel stays, attractions, shopping and dining. With the Take Me to Barbados package, get a fifth hotel night free (two nights free on a seven-night stay), free breakfast daily, free room and board for children younger than 16 at participating hotels (up to two kids per family) and a coupon book valued at $150. For example, at the Time Out resort in St. Lawrence Gap, the nightly rate is $110, including all taxes, for a savings of either $110 for a five-night stay or $220 for a seven-night stay. Book through a travel agent by March 25; travel April 25-Dec. 15. Info: 800-221-9831.

New York City's tourism office has several winter deals, including two-for-one tickets for select Broadway and off-Broadway shows (through Feb. 10 and 13, respectively) and third-night-free offers at participating luxury hotels (through March 7). For example, an orchestra ticket to "Avenue Q" at New World Stages costs $45.50 with the On the House promotion (normally $89.50, two-ticket minimum, Saturday nights excluded). And three nights at the Carlyle Hotel, normally $1,844, go for $1,229, including all fees and taxes - a savings of $615.

SEA
Maple Leaf Adventures, a Canada-based cruise company, is offering half off the cost for the ninth and 10th passengers on its charter cruises for small groups. The nature-focused schooner trips, timed for spring break and summer holidays, feature hands-on sailing, whale-watching, glaciers, rain forest hikes and coastal town visits. Trips range from six to nine days and from $2,183 to $4,570 per person, not including fees and taxes. For example, on the six-day British Columbia's Gulf Islands round trip from Victoria, B.C., a group of up to eight people can charter the ship for $17,464, or $2,183 per person; up to two additional passengers then pay $1,100 each. Add $374 per person in taxes ($244 each for the two additional passengers). Cost includes all food and drinks, admissions and guides, but not air to and from Victoria. Info: 888-599-5323.

Windstar Cruises is offering up to $1,000 per couple in on-board credit for select European sailings. For example, on the May 7 one-week voyage of the Wind Spirit from Rome to Athens, get $600 credit per couple when you book a cabin at $2,299 per person double. Add $85 per person in fees and taxes. Book by Feb. 28. Info: 800-258-7245.

AIR

American Airlines has sale fares for winter and spring travel to Brussels, London, Paris, Rome and many other European cities, with one-way fares starting at $199, not including taxes. Sample round-trip fares, including all taxes: New York JFK to London Heathrow, $587; Reagan National to London Heathrow, $626. Book by Feb. 10; travel through April 17. Other airlines are matching. Info: 800-433-7300.

PACKAGE

Sceptre Tours has a six-night Explore Scotland in Spring package for $948 per person double, including all taxes. The cost includes round-trip air from BWI (flying into Edinburgh and returning from Glasgow), six nights' hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and a standard manual rental car. Book by Feb. 4; travel by March 31. Booked separately, air would run about $650 per person, hotel $500 and rental car $85. Info: 800-221-0924.

2013's best Oscar-inspired destinations

2013-03-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

Can't get enough of Les Mis or Lincoln? Then these are Oscar-inspired travel stops that you must visit

Philadelphia, Washington DC and Paris are expected to reap the benefits of playing supporting roles to some of this year’s Oscar-nominated films, as they welcome tourists whose visits are inspired by their favorite movie.
In advance of the biggest televised red carpet event of the year on Sunday, Hotels.com picked the trio of cities as the season’s best “destination-centric” movie sites.
The online reservations site predicts interest in Philadelphia, the setting for Silver Linings Playbook, Lincoln's Washington DC, and Paris for Les Misérables, will experience a spike in interest.

The 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables makes Paris an even hotter movie-centric destination

Visit Philly, for example, has created a Silver Linings Playbook itinerary that includes a buffet lunch at Ballroom at the Ben, where Bradley Cooper (Patrick) and Jennifer Lawrence’s (Tiffany) characters perform in the dance competition, and a performance by the Philadenco dance troupe, which appears on a poster in Tiffany’s dance studio.
While Paris has never had problems attracting tourists, Les Misérables is poised to spark even higher interest in the City of Light, says Hotels.com.
It’s the same prediction from LateRooms.com, which reported last month a 366 per cent spike in hotel bookings for the town of Montreuil-Sur-Mer in northern France, where part of Victor Hugo’s story unfolds.
And given the Oscar buzz of Lincoln, interest in the US capital is also expected to rise particularly with visits to historical sites and exhibits such as The Smithsonian Institute’s Civil War 150 expo, or Civil War battlefields 65 km outside the city in Manassas, Virginia and Frederick, Maryland.
Similarly, the release of the latest James Bond installment, Skyfall, last year coincided with an increase in searches for Istanbul and Shanghai – both key filming locations for the movie – by 114 per cent and 59 per cent respectively, says Hotels.com.
The Oscars air February 24.
resource:http://www.herworldplus.com/travel/updates/2013s-best-oscar-inspired-destinations

What's the biggest pet peeve among air travellers?

2013-03-06T05:22:00.004-08:00

Uncomfortable seats and limited legroom are the top complaints when it comes to air travel

Uncomfortable seats and sky-high airline fees are among the top complaints among air travel passengers, according to the results of a consumer survey.
In TripAdvisor’s annual air travel poll, in addition to limited legroom and exorbitant ticket prices, 2,000 respondents in the US also named unpredictable flight delays, long security lines and “other passengers” -- notably loud, crying children -- the top five pet peeves about air travel.
The survey also found that more US passengers will be flying the global skies this year, with 67 percent of respondents indicating they plan to take an international flight this year, compared to 56 percent in 2012.
The same is true of domestic fights, with 91 percent of respondents saying they plan to board a flight within the US -- up from 86 percent last year.
Having to pay extra fees for checked baggage, carry-on bags, seat selection, printed boarding passes and in-flight amenities were also identified as among the top five most annoying airline fees.
And when it came down to choosing between airlines, a quarter of respondents said they would choose the one that offered Wi-Fi, while 37 percent said they consider their iPad or tablet a carry-on essential, up five percent from 2012.
resource:http://www.herworldplus.com/travel/updates/whats-biggest-pet-peeve-among-air-travellers

Bali holiday cheaper than camping in some national parks

2013-01-04T23:19:00.002-08:00

IT'S cheaper for families to holiday at a resort in Bali over summer than to camp at the beach.

Soaring fees are pricing the traditional beach camping holiday out of the reach of ordinary families and one NSW National Park is charging a group of family campers nearly $6000 for a two-week stay in January.
The Booderee National Park at Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast is charging $81 per night for a family of two parents and two children at group camp sites.
A change in the way site fees are charged has seen the price almost double in the past 12 months.
Privately-owned campsites at popular holiday spot Bateman's Bay are charging $86 per night for powered tent sites.
Scott Minniece and his Melbourne family are paying $90 a night for a powered caravan site with an en suite toilet at the Bateman's Bay Big 4 Beach Resort holiday park.
"It's rather expensive when you're away two or three weeks and it adds up as a family holiday," he said.
The family has holidayed at the park five or six times and says fees have increased around $10 a year.
"Its cheaper than the $110 we pay for the Big 4 caravan parks in Melbourne and we love the direct access to the beach, there is beautiful grass, a road for the kids to ride their bikes on and it feels safe and secure," he said.
The park also offers a tennis court, games room, mini golf and a jumping castle, he said.
While it costs just $21.80 per family per night to camp in national parks in Queensland, some private holiday parks on the Sunshine Coast are charging up to $83 a night for an unpowered site.
In Apollo Bay in Victoria, it can cost $70 for a powered private camp site, and Mount Buffalo National Park charges a $49 per night camping fee.
The most affordable place to camp is South Australia, where fees range from around $13-$16 per night in the state's national parks and private campsites cost up to $46 per night.
News Limited compared the $81-$85 per night camping fees with accommodation elsewhere and found seven hotels in Bali that were cheaper.
While this did not include the cost of an air fare, the Bali accommodation included an en suite toilet, a swimming pool, restaurants and other ammenities.
At national parks, campers must bring their own tents, beds, sleeping bags and cooking equipment and share showers and toilets.
Scott Suridge, who manages the Booderee National Park, said a 10 per cent fee rise of $1 per adult to $11 per night in 2012 was the first fee rise for campers in six years and compared to the 15.9 per cent rise in inflation.
He said an increase in the site fees for group campgrounds to $49 per site per night was the real reason why Booderee was now one of the most expensive places to camp on the South Coast.
"This is a place where you can camp a hundred metres from white sandy beaches in a natural bush setting but still have access to the same kind of amenities you would find in a caravan park," he said.
"Each of the new sites is still much bigger than an average large site in other parts of the park and we think their size, relative isolation and ambience still represent very good value for money."
SUMMER COST OF CAMPING (Booderee National Park)
Site fee: $49 per night
Adult (x2): $22 per night
Kids (x2): $10 per night
Total: $81 per night
Two-week stay: $1134
For five families: $5670

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/bali-holiday-cheaper-than-camping-in-some-national-parks/story-e6frfq7r-1226547793998#ixzz2H5DxCrJZ

Mexico's popularity with travellers on the rise

2013-01-03T23:36:00.002-08:00

The sun may have set on the Mayan calendar but Mexico's popularity is on the rise.
According to 2012 third-quarter results, travel to Mexico on Expedia group sites worldwide grew more than 20% compared to 2011, with Cancun being the country's top destination. Popular with both Expedia and Hotels.com consumers, the majority of international visitors come from the United States, Canada and Brazil.
While travellers are initially lured by the area's pristine beaches and water activities, the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau says more are exploring the region's culture and gastronomy, and venturing to nearby islands -- Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Contoy, Cozumel. The CVB says other factors such as easy access -- more than 500 flights per day arrive at Cancun International Airport -- and new all-inclusive hotels such as the adults only Secrets The Vine and Hard Rock Cancun also boosted interest in 2012.
MAKE FAMILY MEMORIES IN CUBA
Sunwing says new family rooms and family junior suites at five Memories Resorts in Cuba will make it easier for larger families to plan holidays.
The new rooms have two double beds and one twin bed (to accommodate two adults and up to three children), garden or ocean view, balcony or terrace, air conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, in-room safe and a mini-bar. In addition, each resort has activities for all ages, including kids clubs, playgrounds, kids pools and daily entertainment.
Sunwing is offering introductory pricing for family accommodations at Memories Resorts in Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco and Varadero. Prices for seven-day packages start from $495 plus taxes of $290 per person for a Family Junior Suite at Memories Paraiso Beach Resort in Cayo Santa Maria for Toronto departures on Jan. 11, 13 and 16; from $695 plus taxes of $289 per person for a Family Junior Suite at Memories Flamenco Beach Resort in Cayo Coco for Halifax departures on Jan. 28; from $795 plus taxes of $286 per person for a Family Junior Suite at Memories Azul Beach Resort in Cayo Santa Maria for Regina departures on Jan 3; and from $1,155 plus taxes of $286 per person for a Family Room at Memories Varadero Beach Resort in Varadero for Vancouver departures on Jan 11, 13, and 14.
All packages include Sunwing Airlines' "Champagne Service," with a hot lunch or dinner with wine and inflight entertainment. For $40 more per flight segment, travellers can upgrade to Elite Plus service, which offers seat selection, separate check-in at most airports, advance boarding, 30-kg baggage allowance, and seats with extra legroom. To book, see sunwing.ca or visit your travel agent.
JAZZED ABOUT JAMAICA
Superstars Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Michael Bolton will be among the headliners singing the blues during the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival Jan. 24-26.
The 17th-annual festival, which will be held in Trelawny parish on the island's ruggedly beautiful north coast, spans a range of musical genres, such as jazz, R&B, blues, Latin, reggae and soca.
"The Jamaica Jazz & Blues festival has become a staple on the island's entertainment calendar," said John Lynch, Jamaica's tourism director. "Visitors to the festival are always treated to a star-studded lineup."
For festival details, see jamaicajazzandblues.com. For travel information, go to the Jamaica Tourist Board website, visitjamaica.com.
GO FOR THE SNOW
For seven days each February, the Sapporo Snow Festival transforms Japan's fourth-largest city into a winter dreamland as hundreds of sparkling snow statues and ice sculptures line Odori Park and other festival venues.
In it's 64-year history, the event has become one of Japan's largest winter attractions, and expanded to include an international snow-sculpture contest, snow and ice slides, a huge snow maze and regional foods. This year's event will be held Feb. 5-11, and is expected to draw up to 2-million people. See snowfes.com and click on "English" for details. Travel information is available from the Japan National Tourism Organization's Canadian office.
CRUISING WITH A THEME
Adventure travellers with a passion for marine biology or photography, or families with children, will find a theme cruise catering to their interest this winter. Un-Cruise Adventures has designed themes for 10 of its small-ship sailings in the Hawaiian Islands and Mexico's Sea of Cortes.
Photography and marine biology cruises include an expert guest host on board for the week. Presentations will be held and guests can interact with the host during the cruise and on guided excursions. One-on-one time will be set aside for questions and hands-on photography advice.
Kids in Nature departures cater to families travelling with kids 12 and younger. The expedition team gears programs to a variety of ages. Hiking excursions, kayaking trips, skiff explorations and snorkelling all provide hands-on learning in a fun environment. Active explorations in nature and wildlife sightings engage all ages.
For dates and details on Un-Cruise Adventures, contact 1-888-862-8881 or your travel agent.
A HEALTHY HIGH
Known for its health-focused vacations, The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia is taking fitness to new heights with its Tree House studio for exercise classes and elegant events.
Built on a hillside beside the resort's wellness centre, the glass-enclosed Tree House towers 8 metres off the ground and provides views of lush gardens and the Caribbean Sea. The new studio is equipped with the latest fitness gear, including 25 LiveStrong-brand spinning bikes and a hi-tech sound system. An open air rooftop "Zen Deck" serves as a scenic yoga studio, archery range and setting for candlelit receptions.
For information about vacations at the five-star, 155-room all-inclusive resort, contact thebodyholiday.com or 1-800-544-2883.
MARDI GRAS, FLORIDA STYLE
A family friendly festival in Panama City, Fla., makes it possible to combine Mardi Gras celebrations with a seaside vacation. A local organization -- the Krewe of Dominique Youx -- bring Bourboun Street style festivities to Panama City Beach's Pier Park for two days of fabulous floats, masked performers, colourful costumes, a parade and street party, Cajun food and fireworks. Events run Feb. 8-9. See visitpanamacitybeach.com.

Isolated Bhutan a land of myth and mystery

2013-01-03T23:33:00.000-08:00

Whoever coined the term "Getting there is half the fun" must have been a passenger on Drukair Flight 401 from Kathmandu to Paro.
The flight takes barely an hour but the scenery will stay with me the rest of my life. The word "scenery" is a gross understatement, really -- looking to the north from my left-side window seat, a vast panorama unfolds a few hundred metres below. By the time we land in Bhutan, we've seen five of the six highest peaks on Earth, including the tallest of them all, Mount Everest.
With such formidable obstacles blocking the route to its only international airport, it's no wonder the Kingdom of Bhutan has remained one of the most isolated and mysterious nations on the map. Landlocked, high in the Himalayas, the Land of the Thunder Dragon has been cut off from the outside world for most of its history, only opening its doors to visitors in the 1970s.
Dress code
Exiting Paro's tiny but immaculate airport, I am greeted by Leela Darlami, my guide during my weeklong stay in the kingdom. Both she and our driver, Belden, are decked out in traditional garb -- in her case, a purple blouse made of silk and a woven, ankle-length skirt called a kira. Belden wears a gho, a heavy, woven robe that hangs just below his knees.

Bhutan's dress code and other aspects of its culture are governed by the Driglam Namzha, a series of rules covering clothing, art, architecture and behaviour in formal settings. It's why I can't take photos or wear short sleeves inside Paro's Rinpung Dzong or why the dzong itself -- a massive fortress dating back to the 17th century -- had to be built without the use of nails or architectural plans.
The preservation and promotion of cultural values is one of the main pillars of "gross national happiness," a concept introduced in the 1970s by Bhutan's fourth king. Under GNH, all national policies must pass a review that encompasses such areas as the environment, sustainable development and general principles of good governance.
It all sounds wonderful, as long as you're a member of the Buddhist Drukpa majority. Ethnic Nepali Hindus, about 100,000 of whom were forced out of the country in the late 1980s and early 1990s, might regard "gross national happiness" as a piece of doublespeak worthy of Orwell.
But such worldly considerations are soon forgotten on my second day in Bhutan, as Leela and I embark on the arduous hike to Taktsang Monastery, high above the Paro valley. There's a chill in the air, but I'm soon sweating as we wind through dense stands of pine and rhododendron, climbing to an elevation of 3,120 metres, almost a full kilometre above the valley floor.

A monk collects donations beside a prayer wheel at Chimi Lhakhang - also known as the Temple of the Divine Madman - near Punakha, Bhutan, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. The temple was built in 1499 in honour of Buddhist saint Drukpa Kunley, who was known for his bizarre behaviour and unconventional teachings. (STEPHEN RIPLEY/QMI Agency)

After 90 minutes of hiking we finally get a close-up view of one of the world's great architectural wonders -- the Tiger's Nest, perched impossibly on the face of a sheer cliff. Prayer flags snap in the wind as we climb the final steep, stone steps up to the monastery.
Although built in 1692, Taktsang has held a place in local lore for more than 1,000 years. In the 8th century, Padmasambhava -- the guru who introduced Buddhism to the Himalayas -- was said to have flown on the back of a flying tigress to the caves at Taktsang, where he spent more than three years deep in meditation.
The next day, we travel east to Punakha, Bhutan's former capital city. The highway is in excellent condition and traffic is light, a stark contrast from the crumbling chaos of the roads in nearby Nepal, where I've just spent two weeks.
As we drive along the banks of the crystal-clear Paro Chhu river, we pass scores of farmhouses with splashes of red on their tin roofs -- freshly harvested chili peppers laid out to dry in the sun. The fiery peppers are a staple of the local diet, often mixed with yak cheese in the national dish, ema datshi.
A food writer once famously described Bhutanese cuisine as the worst in the world. I wouldn't go that far, but after a couple of samples of ema datshi, I'm quite happy to stick with rice, veggies and chicken for most of my meals, even though they're often lukewarm and flavourless.
Sensory overload
After a nourishing but forgettable lunch, Leela takes me to Punakha Dzong, at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. Built in 1638, the fortress is the second-oldest and second-largest in Bhutan, but quite possibly the most spectacular.
Behind its massive, rammed-earth walls, the dzong conceals three separate courtyards, the first of which contains a sprawling bodhi tree, the type of fig tree under which Buddha was said to have achieved enlightenment almost 2,500 years ago. Farther along, past a chorten, another courtyard and a six-storey central tower, we enter a temple at the far end of the third courtyard.
Inside the temple, it's sensory overload, as almost every square centimetre of space, including the ceiling, has been painted or carved. Monks chant and incense fills the air as Leela explains a series of murals depicting the life of Buddha. There's so much going on, it's almost impossible to know where to look.
The following day, the entire nation marks one of the events depicted in the murals -- Buddha's return to Earth after attaining nirvana. It's called Lhabab Duchen, and it's a time for visiting temples, making offerings and coming together in celebration.
We encounter one such celebration at a small village south of Punakha. In the hills above the dwellings, local youths are engaged in a spirited game of khuru, or darts. Teams of five or six young men take turns throwing wicked-looking darts at a tiny target some 30 metres away, singing and dancing each time they win a round. The potential for lethal injury seems high.
Our final stop in Bhutan is the capital, Thimphu, where we visit more dzongs, temples and Buddhist landmarks. More interesting to me, however, is a nature preserve on the western edge of the city, the home to a small herd of Bhutan's national animal.
The legend of the takin dates back to the 15th century, the time of Buddhist lama Drukpa Kunley, who was known as the Divine Madman for his bawdy sense of humour and offbeat teaching methods. According to the story, some villagers asked him to perform a trick, but he first demanded to be served a meal of a whole cow and a whole goat. Upon finishing his meal, he reassembled some of the bones, attaching the goat's skull to the cow's body, then reanimating the bizarre-looking creature.
The origin of the takin, much like the spurious concept of "gross national happiness," is one of the many myths visitors are asked to swallow when visiting Bhutan. But up here, in the rarefied air of this isloated Himalayan kingdom, it's remarkably easy to suspend one's sense of disbelief.

resource:http://www.canoe.ca/Travel/Asia/Central/2012/12/31/20462091.html

How to Take a Cheap Vacation

2012-06-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

I can't think of many people that don't like traveling. Most of the people that I run across are planning vacations, enjoying their down time, and exploring the world. That's how I am. I love exploring new places and getting around to different places.

What I don't like is paying for the experience. Regardless of where you travel, vacations are going to be a huge financial commitment. No matter what you do, you're almost always going to spend more than you originally plan.

There's really no such thing as a cheap vacation but, there's nothing wrong with taking steps to reduce the price. Here are some of the things that you can do to get the most inexpensive vacation possible.

Be Flexible With Your Dates

There's a huge benefit to being flexible with your dates. If you're looking at getting an airline ticket, then the prices are going to fluctuate depending on the season. However, if you're just looking at a hotel it can benefit you as well. If you're flexible with your days you'll be more open to different discounts that hotels might offer. They might offer a discount for certain days, or give lower unpublished rates. Either way, it creates more opportunities to save money.

Plan Something Close

The farther you travel, the more expensive your vacation becomes. If you plan a weekend getaway a couple of hours from where you live, then you'll end up paying a lot less than what you would have paid otherwise. Look for something a couple of hours away that you've either enjoyed in the past, or never done before.

Avoid Heavily Visited Areas

Heavily visited areas usually cost more. When you're planning your trip you should try to find something that people don't usually do. Look for something that's going to be fun for your family, yet cheap at the same time,

Get Creative

Think about the things that your family enjoys that you've never really tried before. Maybe you've never gone horseback riding, or hiking, or windsurfing. Look for something fun that you can plan a vacation around.

Plan With a Coupon Book

Coupon books can be great vacation planners. Why? Because they give you different ideas for fun activities, and a lower price at the same time. You can also try using a website like Groupon to get even better deals. Groupon is a great website for finding fun things to do because so many companies use it to announce discounts.

Follow the Tips in the "Money Saving Travel Guide"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7135828

Discover Europe's secret hot spots

2012-06-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

Sergio Padura

The Matarranya region in Southern Aragon is Spain's answer to Tuscany, striped with vineyards and rivers, and dotted with olive groves and tree-lined peaks.

Americans can’t get enough of Paris, as becomes painfully clear each summer, when it swarms with tourists. Relief waits a train ride away in Île de Noirmoutier: You’ll be greeted by the scent of mimosa and the sight of bobbing yachts and families picnicking on the beach.

Slideshow: See the secret hot spots

Thankfully, Europe is still full of under-the-radar gems like this French retreat. And we can’t resist spreading the word about the latest emerging hot spots, from Eastern Europe’s hippest art scene to a sleepy district of lakes and castles.

The continent is so varied that even with 17 countries sharing the euro currency, it can barely keep from splintering into thousands of microcultures. While this complicates the financial markets, it has an upside for travelers: continued opportunities for discovery. You’ll never walk into a beach bar in Bergen, Holland, and one on the Aegean Islands and have the same experience.

So while the hunt is always on for the next Tuscany, you’ll find that Spain’s answer — the little-touristed northeast Matarranya region — has its own distinctive accent. Its patchwork of vineyards, rivers and olive groves lies at the confluence of the ancient Aragon, Valencia and Catalonia kingdoms. The feeling is still a bit regal, especially at the Hotel Torre del Visco, a surprisingly affordable 15th-century palace in Fuentespalda (population: 368).

Farther afield, in Estonia, there’s a secret island of juniper forests, fishing villages and small farms that was the last stronghold of Estonian pagans until the 13th century. Looking for a windmill? You’ll get your photo-op with the country’s last working wooden version here.

For more of a scene, look to the Netherlands and a beach town that’s recently made waves. Like the Hamptons, but with clogs, Bergen is becoming a second-home haven for newly monied Germans and Dutch who prefer bike rides and outdoor cafés to power lunches.

It takes extra effort, sure, to reach these European spots, but the reward comes with that sense of being let in on a fantastic secret — and the opportunity to experience a place rooted in local tradition before it’s really discovered and altered.

And if you just can’t forget Paris, consider you’ll probably get to transit through one such glittering European hub along the way.

resource:http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/21/12342178-europes-secret-hot-spots?lite

How to Budget for a Backpacking Holiday Around the World

2012-06-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

So your thinking of doing your yearlong round the world flight and leave the 9 to 5 life behind are you? Well that is great, there are lots of people how think of going and never make it. Thinking and worrying about what could go wrong, and the what if's in life that paralyze them in to doing nothing, like a deer in the head lights. I personally thing you should be worrying my about missing out on your chance, your opportunity, your dream; a lot more than the unlikely worst case scenarios that could happen if you ever went. But that's me. Your here now reading this which I hope it will help give you that information, the help and advice that you need to move forward in to booking the fight and just saying; "What the hell this will be great!" But who am I? What do I know? I'm just some guy at the other end of the world why should you listen to me? You have a point.

I am just a guy, there is nothing special about me but the places I have been, the things I have done, and the people I have met sure are. At 24 I left my home town of Hull in the UK to go find out what there is in the world. I'm 30 now and in them years I have been to over 30 different countries worked about 2 and a half years of it to keep me funded. I've been home to the UK a few times but never for long. At 24 I thought I couldn't do it but I did it anyway. What was there to lose? There are always jobs if you really want one. But if you're going to work to live and not live to work who cares, go and find life not the job that supports your weekend but the life that's supports your happiness.. If all goes wrong you can go back to your old career, back home, and back to the 9 to 5, and be a more interesting person, with some great stories, and a renewed loved for life. So where to start?

Have you picked where you would like to go? There are many option and not just round the world flights. They're many companies out there offering around the world flights and multi stop flight but also I would look into the normal charter and schedule flights on engines like Kayak.com and SkyScanner.net where the compare the cheapest flights. If you wanted to spend a year in South America, or Asia then this is the best way, you could easy spend a year in both if you have the budget, South East Asia being a lot cheaper. So have a look and get an idea of the cost of flights and when you want to go. I personally go where I have never been before. There is a great place on TripAdvisor.com where you can get inspiration.

Next there are the things you're going to need. How much of this stuff do you need to buy? How much are you going to spend? You could spend as little as $200 on this stuff and as much as $2000 and upwards. Check out the cost for your insurance too. For backpackers insurance check out comparethemarket.com and other comparison sites as well. Now you know about how much the flight is, how long and where you want to go. You can work out how much money you going to need what you need to make your dream come true. You could be going to multiple countries in multiple months. How do you find the cost of each country? Ask Google, the lonely planet books give you a daily budget for each place too. Now add to the totals you have the insurance, flights, any big trips (e.g. Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu... ), and add the cost of any new gear you will be needed to take with you. Now you have a cost for your holiday. Too easy I'll give an example of a typical round the world trip from the UK.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7016273

Expedia reports more travelers dream Dominican this year

2012-06-02T01:58:00.001-07:00

Expedia.com data shows the Dominican Republic is increasingly popular while remaining a good deal, shares deals and tips for planning the perfect Dominican Republic getaway.

Expedia.com has found that the Dominican Republic is an increasingly popular destination for US travel, up 30%, making it the 2nd most popular destination for Americans to travel in Latin America and the Caribbean.

As the largest and most diverse Caribbean destination, the Dominican Republic is an easy trip from Miami, New York City, Atlanta and even some European destinations. Known for its warm and hospitable people, the Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich culture.

In additional to identifying the best deals, activities and tips for travelers planning a vacation to the Dominican Republic, Miriam Hernandez, head of the Dominic Republic market for Expedia.com, shared that, "The Dominican Republic has never been more popular for US travelers, especially those from the east coast, but surprisingly, room night costs have remained mostly flat, making it one of the best deals for getting to the beach this summer." A recent survey known as the Expedia Flip Flop report shows that beach travel is the number one type of trip most Americans prefer.

Dominican Republic travel trends at a glance

Travelers on Expedia usually book their trips to the Dominican Republic 52 days in advance and come from these top 5 feeder cities: New York,Miami,Boston,Philadelphia, Chicago
Close to 70% of those booking trips to the Dominican Republic book a package on Expedia.com which saves them an average of roughly $200 per booking. In addition, 72% book all-inclusive lodging.
The percentage of bookings for just two adults and no kids: 66%. The percentage of bookings with kids: 14%.
Punta Cana is very popular with more than 50% of bookings while Santo Domingo, the capital, draws roughly 13% of the bookings.
Hotel occupancy levels vary by season in Punta Cana:
January through March feature 90% – 95% occupancy.
April through June feature an 80% occupancy in April and 70% from May through June.
From July through August the average occupancy is 75% and should be stronger this year.
September through December features a 60% – 75% occupancy with a peak over the December holiday season.

Where to stay in the Dominican Republic
For travelers looking for a romantic all-inclusive getaway, the Sanctuary Cap Cana, Zoetry Agua Punta Cana and Majestic Elegance Punta Cana all offer fantastic all-inclusive and romantic options. For families, the Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe and Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana Luxury all offer affordable and family friendly all-inclusive options. For travelers interested in trying their luck at a casino they should visit the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana featuring the largest gaming area in the country.

What to do in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has many of the most magnificent golf courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. From the mountains to the beaches, the golf courses there are uniquely designed and distinct. Sports champions and golf enthusiasts alike cannot resist playing the island's challenging courses.

The Dominican Republic also features some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Families, couples and friends can enjoy the fine beach lifestyle in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, La Romana, Samana, Montecristi and Puerto Plata.
Read more:http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/49679--Expedia-reports-more-travelers-dream-Dominican-this-year

Tourism in the UK contributes more to GDP than automotive manufacturing

2012-06-02T01:50:00.002-07:00

The Travel & Tourism industry in the UK is nearly five times the size of automotive manufacturing and supports almost as many jobs as the financial sector.

This is according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) sponsored by American Express.
The research, undertaken by Oxford Economics, shows that the sector’s direct contribution to the UK GDP is £35 million which is almost five times the GDP of automotive manufacturing and larger than chemical manufacturing and the mining sector.

Travel & Tourism’s total contribution to GDP in the UK was £101 billion in 2011, or 6.7% of total GDP. This compares 2.3% for automotive manufacturing, 1.9% for mining and 4.1% for chemicals.With 2.3 million direct, indirect and induced sustained jobs in the UK, Travel & Tourism directly supports nearly as many jobs as the financial service sector in the UK.

The new research also showed that Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP is faster than most other sectors in the UK. It will grow by 4.1% over the next ten years, a faster growth rate than the total economy and all other industries presented in this study.It also highlights that Travel & Tourism is a significant source of exports for revenue for the UK. In 2011, visitor exports totaled £25 billion which was 13.2% of all service exports and 5.1% of all exports including goods and services.

The study compared the effect of Travel & Tourism spending on GDP and the wider economy.Every £640,000 (US$1 million) of Travel & Tourism spending:

• Generates £830,000 (US$1.3 million) in GDP which is roughly the same impact as the financial services and communications sector
• Generates £76,000 (US$119,000) of gross value added in the real estate sector and the wholesale and retail sector gains £86,000 (US$135,000)
• Supports 18 jobs, compared to 13 jobs in the financial sector, 12 jobs in the communications sector and 11 jobs in automotive manufacturing.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC said: “These numbers are extremely significant. For over 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has spearheaded global and regional analysis of the economic impact of Travel & Tourism. WTTC has now taken this research one step further and assessed the role Travel & Tourism plays in the economy of the UK in comparison to other economic sectors and also how this looks like on a regional level.
The results are extraordinary. Within our industry we have always known that Travel & Tourism is a vast contributor to economic growth and job creation. These figures bear out just how significant our industry is for the UK.

2012 is an important year for the UK’s tourism industry. The Golden Jubilee and Olympics are a prime opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism product and capacity to host major events. However, government support after 2012 will be equally important to ensure that the industry can build on the legacy of these events, and continue to create jobs and growth around the UK. Air passenger duty and high rates of VAT on hotel stays are making tourism in the UK uncompetitive, and costing the economy jobs and GDP. Now is the time for the government to sit up and take notice of the industry and its potential.”

Bill Glenn, President Global Corporate Payments and Business Travel, American Express said: "With each release of regional data from the latest WTTC research, we continue to see the value that travel can bring to GDP, job creation and other economic factors. We are pleased to sponsor this research and provide the industry with another valuable asset to use to promote the benefits of travel."

At WTTC’s Global Summit in Tokyo in April, WTTC’s research revealed that Travel & Tourism’s direct contribution to world GDP US$2 trillion or 2.8% is more than double the GDP of automotive manufacturing and one-third larger than the global chemicals industry. Travel & Tourism generates roughly the same GDP as the global education and communications sectors, and about half that of the global banking and financial services industry.

read more: http://travelandtourworld.com/news/newsTour.asp?newsID=12086

Malaysia International Tourism Exchange (MITE) 2012

2012-05-31T09:43:00.001-07:00

The largest tourism exchange event in Malaysia, MITE 2012 is not only inviting the domestic and foreign travel agencies and tourism companies like one would usually find in a common tourism fair. Advocating the extensive growth of the tourism industry by a more proactive approach, MITE 2012 has also secured the participation of ministries, foreign missions in Malaysia, members of the media, trade members and tour operators both from Malaysia and abroad to support the effort.

MITE 2012 will also be filled with non-stop fun-packed activities such as international performances and showcases, seminars, games and competitions. Meanwhile, the event will also share and exchange international cultural habits and practices, festivities plus mouthwatering food showcase which will definitely make MITE 2012 an inspiring and exciting experience.

Read more:http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/events/details/malaysia-international-tourism-exchange-mite-2012/

Abu Dhabi launches consumer focused online offering

2012-05-31T09:25:00.002-07:00

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has launched an upgraded version of its official destination website, supported by a wide array of social media channels.

Conceived with travellers’ needs in mind, the refreshed website is designed as a one-stop-shop for tourists who want to explore the emirate, giving them easy access to interact, in any of eight languages, with extensive, dynamic information on Abu Dhabi’s attractions and experiences, culture and heritage, and events and recreation activities.

The new content and functionalities are available Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.

The website’s new hotel search option, which aggregates live deals and room availability from over 50 booking engines, allows visitors to find real-time information prior to their decision to book.

This innovative approach to hotel and restaurant data is also designed to benefit hotels which should expect higher online sales, due to traffic coming to the booking engines via the destination website’s new search facility.

The site provides the filters and the search, and leaves the consumer to decide who they want to actually book their stay with.

Hotels make the rooms available online, with their preferred booking sites.

The new consumer-orientated website also acts as a base for the launch of the destination’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Google +, and Pinterest), inviting travellers to become active contributors to the destination, to post, comment, get inspired and share their experience.

During June, visitors to the can enter an Abu Dhabi 360⁰ competition when they subscribe to the website’s planned e-newsletter.

By joining the registered users’ club, visitors can stay in touch with all that is new in Abu Dhabi, find out more about what to see and do, where to stay and eat and get the chance to win a holiday of a lifetime.

Read More : http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/abu-dhabi-launches-consumer-focused-online-offering/

How To Select Cheap Domestic Flights

2012-05-29T04:29:00.003-07:00

If you are caught up with some work in a nearby place, you need to get to the place in a jiffy. You may be thinking of hiring a vehicle and hitting the road or highway. However, if your work is too important, driving on the road can be troublesome. You may be facing a traffic jam on the highway and you may be unable to reach the place on time. The same would also apply to a trip to a nearby destination. Domestic flights are the best option. However, they are also expensive as well. So, here is a quick guide to aid you in booking cheap domestic flights.

Thanks to the Internet, there are a number of websites where you can find cheap domestic airfares. These are mostly websites which are sponsored by travel agencies and companies. These offer special discounts and offers on the flights to a nearby or domestic location. You need to check these special discount websites where one can find discounts for domestic flights and book their reservations. In fact, these flights will help you to reach your destination in the shortest time possible. So, the Internet is the best option for those, who wish to travel cheaply and comfortably.

There are times when you have to shell out an extra amount if you book your flights a bit too late. The airlines will charge you a lot if you book your seats when most of the seats have already been booked. So, do take care to book your flights at early. Remember that the early bird catches the worm. So, you can get the most comfortable seats without paying anything extra. Also, when you do so, make sure to do all the booking on the Internet. This is because you can save money on your calling charges as well.

Many people choose to hire an agent who will help them to book a good flight for a domestic trip. However, this is not always advisable. This is because an agent charges a commission for his services and assistance. So, find out good deals on your own instead of hiring an agent. Also, some airlines charge a lot for domestic flights if the luggage is too much. So, do not carry or check in too much luggage in the flight. Also, try to know more about the taxes on the flights as well. Choose a flight which does not have much taxes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7074725

How Cars for Hire Work in New Zealand

2012-05-10T06:21:00.002-07:00

New Zealand is truly worth anyone's directory of locations to go to. Lonely Planet posted the country in the 2010 top ten travel destinations. It has everything from picturesque views, cutting-edge facilities, and fantastic locales. It is also an amazing country to drive around, in the event you were pondering if it is fine to get a New Zealand car hire.

The advantages of your own automobile

Approximately 2.4 million travelers visited New Zealand in 2009. As it sells itself to be the place of "clean and green" adventure, the numbers can get higher. Anyone that has gone to a well known tourist destination is aware of exactly how difficult it truly is to get around a place for the duration of its peak season.

One of the locations to check out in New Zealand is Queenstown. Viewed as the adventure center of New Zealand, Queenstown boasts adventure tourism, skiing, jet boating, white water rafting, and other adventure sports. When the sun has set, Queenstown's lively nightlife draws the eye of visitors.

There are other places of note in New Zealand like the Bay of Islands, Waitomo Caves, and Milford Sound. These kinds of locations supply various attractions, from adventure trips to archaeological discovery.

Furthermore, the cinematic success of the Lord of the Rings movie has prompted many fans, both of the film as well as the novels, to see the exact places where recording occurred on New Zealand. While the standing procedure is to restore the locales to their status just before recording, a number of areas like Hobbiton near the town of Matamata remain.

Millions check out these locations every year. One of the best ways to visit them is via your personal NZ car hire, as it offers you the freedom to visit to places you want, when you wish to.

Points you should not forget

There are a number of things to keep in mind when you need to acquire a New Zealand car hire. The very first is you, or somebody in your party, must have a current and valid driver's licence for the vehicle used. In New Zealand, this is based on the type of vehicle you intend to use and its particular weight.

In New Zealand, you will be driving on the left of the road, so modify properly. Seatbelts are compulsory for automobiles and vans. The country additionally imposes stringent liquor restrictions: 0.08% for drivers past 20 years of age and none at all for drivers under 20. It's also wise to be careful at intersections. Failure to give way at these areas has become the principal factors behind loss of life and personal injury in New Zealand.

Even though New Zealand isn't a tough region, you need to still pay attention to the weather whenever you navigate around. As an example, winter snowfall can close the mountain passes of South Island. Vacationers may want to monitor the weather situation in an event like that so you can make amends for the bad weather, such as installing snow chains onto your vehicle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7029290

What’s the Deal? This week’s best travel bargains around the globe.

2011-11-15T04:48:00.000-08:00

Land

l Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is offering a discounted rate targeted at Washington area residents for stays through Feb. 29. Rate starts at $139 a night, plus $21 tax, a savings of at least $107. Two-night minimum stay required. The deal also includes two cocktails and one appetizer (valued at about $35) at the hotel’s Square 1682 restaurant. Blackout dates include Nov. 18-19, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2. Book by Dec. 31 at 888-725-1778, www.hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com. Request promo code WASHDC.

l With Marriott’s Stay Here, Fly There promotion, spend at least two nights at one of nearly 30 participating resorts and receive a companion airline ticket voucher for a future flight, plus a $100 resort credit. Deal is valid at properties in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. Resort credit is good for golf, spa and dining services. Rates vary. For example, at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa in Colorado, a midweek December stay starts at about $408 for two nights, including taxes. Book by Dec. 31; stay through Jan. 31. Use promo code P91. Info: 800-721-6996, www.marriott.com.

l Budget is offering u p to 35 percent off car rentals with its Pay Now feature, which requires travelers to pay at the time of the reservation. For example, in early December, a one-day economy rental from Los Angeles airport costs $31 with the prepay option vs. $50 at the counter (add about $18 in taxes). Savings in other categories range from $6 (convertible) to $38 (intermediate SUV). Available at most Budget locations in the United States and Canada. No change fee. Book online at www.budget.com.

Sea

l Book and pay for a Galapagos cruise-tour with General Tours World Traveler by Nov. 23 and receive a $1,400 per-couple discount. Deal applies to five itineraries; prices vary by trip and date. For example, after the discount, a Journey to the Galapagos tour starts at $3,199 per person double, including taxes, on select departures through March 2013. Rate includes three nights at the Swissotel in Quito, Ecuador; round-trip airfare between Quito and the Galapagos; and a four-night cruise aboard the Galapagos Explorer II. Info: 800-221-2216,

Air

l American Airlines is offering sale fares to Europe. For example, a round-trip connecting flight from Reagan National to Paris starts at $697, including $141 taxes; other airlines are matching. For London, the cheapest fares are available Monday-Wednesday; for other cities, sale fares apply to Sunday-Thursday flights. Depart by April 1 and return by June 15. Blackout dates are Dec. 17-24. Seven-day advance purchase required. Book by Nov. or pay an additional $25 by calling 800-433-7300.

Package

l Book two discounted round-trip tickets on British Airways to select destinations in Europe and receive two free hotel nights. Deal applies to London; Paris; Rome; Madrid; Barcelona; Budapest; Prague; Amsterdam; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Manchester, England. For example, fly nonstop from Dulles International to London and spend two nights at the Royal National Hotel for $662 per person double, including taxes and continental breakfasts. Priced separately, round-trip airfare on other airlines starts at $676, and the hotel rate for two nights with breakfast is $319 — a savings of $347 per couple. Single travelers receive one free night. Travel dates and restrictions vary by hotel and destination. Book by Nov. 15 at www.ba.com, or pay $25 more by calling 877-428-2228.

l Vision Airlines, the new low-fare airline that recently started service between BWI Marshall and Grand Bahama Island, is offering $1 one-way fares, plus taxes, in conjunction with a three-night package for two. Prices vary per resort. For example, January packages with round-trip air and three nights at the Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina in Freeport start at $427 per person double, including taxes. Book by Dec. 11; travel by March 4. Blackout dates include Dec. 29-31 and Feb. 16-20. By comparison, air alone starts at $289. Info: 877-FLY-A-JET (359-2538),

Deals on trips to the Caribbean and elsewhere

2011-10-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

The week’s best travel bargains around the world !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LAND

●Windjammer Landing Beach Resort on the island of St. Lucia is offering discounts of 25 percent on stays through Dec. 20. Room rate starts at $120 a night plus $22 taxes, a savings of $40. The 60-acre, 247-room resort, built into a hillside facing the sea, offers several swimming pools, tennis courts, spa and fitness center. Info: 877-522-0722, www.windjammer-landing.com.

●The 346-room Renaissance Dupont Circle in the District is offering a “Relatively Close” special this holiday season of $99 a night (plus $14 taxes). The promo reflects a $50-per-night savings and applies to stays Nov. 20-27 and Dec. 22-26. Guests must book Thanksgiving or Christmas night to qualify. A 14-day advance purchase is required, and the deal is nonrefundable. Info: 888-803-1298, www.renaissancedupontcircle.com. Request promo code HOL.

SEA

●Take a four-night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami aboard the 1,950-passenger Celebrity Millennium starting at $279 per person double (plus $78 taxes). The guarantee rate (Celebrity chooses the specific stateroom) applies to an inside cabin on the Nov. 10 sailing, with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. Brochure rate started at $349. Info: 800-647-2251, www.celebritycruises.com.

●Disney Cruise Line has discounted fares for veranda staterooms on two week-long Caribbean sailings aboard the Disney Magic. Price is now $999 per person double plus $73 taxes (a savings of about $930) for the Nov. 26 Western Caribbean itinerary (visits Key West, Fla; Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Disney’s Castaway Cay) and the Dec. 3 Eastern Caribbean cruise (visits St. Maarten, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Castaway Cay).

AIR

●American is offering introductory fares on its new nonstop service between New York’s JFK and Antigua. The round-trip fare starts at $376, including taxes of $76; fare on other airlines starts at $612. Lowest fares apply to Monday and Thursday flights between Nov. 17 and Feb. 13; other days have slightly higher fares, and some dates are sold out. Blackout dates include departures Dec. 15-24 and 26-30 and returns Dec. 26-31 and Jan. 1-8. A two-night minimum stay is required.

●Air France has sale fares to Europe. For example, fly round trip from Washington Dulles to Istanbul for about $634, including taxes. Depart Oct. 23 through Dec. 14. Restrictions include a minimum Sunday-night stay and a maximum one-month stay. A seven-day advance purchase is required. A surcharge of $30 each way is incurred for Friday and Saturday departures and Friday-through-Sunday returns. Some dates are sold out. Other airlines are matching.

PACKAGE
●Insight Cuba is offering free round-trip air from Miami to Havana, valued at about $500, on select tours departing by Dec. 31. Several itineraries are offered, including four departures of the seven-night Havana & Colonial Trinidad tour, starting at $2,995 per person double; eight departures of the seven-night Havana & Scenic Pinar del Rio tour, starting at $2,495; two departures of the eight-night Cuban Music & Art Experience, starting at $3,395; and one departure of the seven-night Bay of Pigs (Havana and Playa Giron) tour, starting at $2,745. Trips include in-country escort, four- and five-star hotels, all meals, ground transport, domestic flights in Cuba (where required), entry fees, local guides, travel insurance and a U.S. Treasury Department license and letter of authorization.

Travelers turn back to travel agents

2011-10-15T04:35:00.000-07:00

On New Year’s Day, James Vaughn gave his travel agent a tough assignment: Book a 10-day trip to India. Departure date: Jan. 13.

It took David Rubin of DavidTravel in Corona Del Mar, Calif., just 48 hours to book flights and hotel rooms and hire tour guides. He even called the manager of a sold-out hotel and finagled a room out of him.

But the work didn’t end once Vaughn and his husband boarded their flight from Los Angeles to Delhi. When their flight from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal was canceled, Rubin came to the rescue. “They would have been on the phone for the next several hours trying to sort out what to do,” he said.

Instead, they went sightseeing while Rubin’s local contacts did the sorting. By the time the couple returned to their hotel, their bags had been packed and loaded into a car, and a driver whisked them off to Agra.

The irony, Vaughn said, is that Rubin had initially tried to get them to drive to Agra rather than fly, but they hadn’t taken his advice. “Ultimately, he was right,” said Vaughn, a public-affairs consultant. “Seeing a camel going through a toll booth on a highway is not something you get to see while you’re flying.”

For years, it looked as though the travel agent had gone the way of the milkman. As online booking sites such as Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity and others soared in popularity, travel agents became the butt of jokes. A scene from a “30 Rock” episode this season said it all. Desperate at the prospect of losing her writing job, Liz Lemon is invited to live in a subway tunnel with people whose occupations have become irrelevant: an American auto worker, a rock band saxophonist, the CEO of Friendster — and a travel agent.

But the travel agent has been given a reprieve. That’s because many vacations have become as hard to plan as the name of last year’s traveler-stranding Icelandic volcano was to pronounce. Natural disasters cause flight cancellations. Revolutions put tourist destinations off-limits. Airlines and rental car agencies confound with ever-increasing fees. And the Internet spews so much information that it manages to hurt consumers as much as it helps them.

Travelers are starting to need vacations from planning their vacations.

“Not only are customers confused and frustrated by new airline fees and events, but they are bombarded by social media,” said John Clifford, president of the luxury travel consultancy InternationalTravelManagement.com. “Everyone is trying to tell you where you should stay, where you should eat, what you should do.”

A study by Forrester Research found that the number of leisure travelers who enjoyed using the Web to plan and book their vacations dropped from 53 percent in 2007 to 47 percent in 2010. And in an American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) survey, 44 percent of agents said that they had more clients in 2010 than they’d had the previous year, with the strongest rebound in rail and hotel reservations.

Travelers “don’t have hours to spend on research to compare multiple flights, multiple cruises, multiple packages,” said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst at Forrester Research. “It’s not unlike doing your taxes. Depending on who you are, what your priorities are, there are some people who will choose to do it themselves or to use a professional.”

resource : http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/travelers-turn-back-to-travel-agents/2011/04/25/AFZcLM8F_story.html

The Navigator: Want a refund? Read the policy.

2011-05-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

It looked like a lost cause.

Betty van Iersel had prepaid $3,900 for an all-inclusive seven-day French canal tour on the barge Luciole. But two weeks after she’d wired the money to the cruise line, a financial emergency forced her to cancel.

The Luciole’s owners refused to return her money, citing their refund policy. Her travel agency, Annapolis-based Special Places Travel, which specializes in European barge tours, told her that she could only get her money back if her cabin was resold. And that seemed like a remote possibility.

“I can’t afford to lose this money,” van Iersel wrote to me. “Do I have any options?”

An increasing number of cases that cross my desk look like van Iersel’s: Because of a policy or rule — not always clearly disclosed — a favorable resolution looks improbable. Though each case is different, they all tend to have one thing in common: They could have been completely avoided with a few simple preventive steps.

Take the case of Veda Robinson and Jackie Smartt, who contacted me recently after missing their Carnival cruise. The reason? Smartt hadn’t brought the right form of ID for her international trip. Then, because of a misunderstanding, both women were denied boarding, even though Robinson had the correct paperwork and wanted to take the cruise.

“Carnival will not reimburse me for being denied boarding, even though I had documentation, because they recently advised me that the personnel at the pier asked me, ‘Do you want to board?’ and documented on my incident report, that I said ‘no,’ ” she says. She denies that she declined to board the ship.

Carnival offered her, but not Smartt, a do-over cruise. After I blogged about the case, Robinson’s travel agency secured her a full refund.

But there’s a valuable takeaway for the rest of us here. Don’t wait until you’re home to ask a travel company to make something right. Had Robinson made her case more forcefully at the port, she might have been able to get on the ship. Unfortunately, Smartt would have been allowed on board only if she had remembered her passport or passport card. Double-checking for your passport before you leave? That’s always good advice, of course.

Or consider the case of Ana de Pascht, who recently had a flat tire on her way to the Albany airport. Her US Airways ticket, like most tickets today, was nonrefundable, nontransferable and non-changeable unless she paid a hefty fee.

“I called US Airways and asked what could be done,” she said. “I was told that I had to buy a new ticket and also pay a change fee of $150 — a total of $273 — if I wished to travel on the next flight out. I did question the agent about any other ways to avoid paying all that money and was told that was my only option.”

No, I’m not going to suggest that de Pascht should have checked the air pressure in her tires before heading out, although in hindsight, that might not have been a terrible idea. It helps, though to have some passing familiarity with airline policies. Turns out that there’s a “flat tire” rule, and airlines are known to cut their passengers some slack if they can’t make it to the airport through no fault of their own. (Seems fair, given that we’re pretty understanding when their planes break down.) I thought the rule had been phased out, but I’m told it’s still unofficial policy at some airlines, including US Airways. Had de Pascht politely invoked that rule with the reservations agent or the agent’s supervisor, she might have been able to rebook her flight at no charge.

A US Airways supervisor at the airport conceded that the $273 fee to fly the same day seemed unfair, but he couldn’t initiate a refund. Only the refunds department is allowed to do that. Eventually, de Pascht’s story reached the ears of the Transportation Department, which referred the case back to the airline. As a “courtesy,” US Airways agreed to refund the $150 change fee.

And what about van Iersel? Standard travel insurance wouldn’t have addressed her troubles, although a slightly more expensive “cancel for any reason” policy may have allowed her to recover part of her ticket. Nor did using a travel agent protect her from the Luciole’s restrictive refund policy. But it gave her an advocate in dealing with the cruise company.

She might have avoided her problem by carefully reviewing the cruise line’s policies and paying by credit card. Many cruise lines offer either a full or partial refund as long as you cancel with enough advance notice.

Also, I would never recommend paying with anything but a credit card. While a small percentage of legitimate travel companies accept only wire transfers as payment, many more questionable operators insist on having the money in hand, because they know they’ll be able to keep it even if you have a problem.

I have no reason to believe that the Luciole’s operators fall into that category. But nothing could compel me to wire anyone $3,900, unless maybe they were holding one of my children hostage.

I had a lengthy conversation with van Iersel’s travel agent, who reiterated the Luciole’s policy. I got the impression that a refund was all but out of the question, because her cruise was only a few weeks away. But a few days later, I heard from both the passenger and her agent. The cabin had been sold and a refund was being processed.

“I am off the hook,” van Iersel told me.

I love a happy ending.

Going Our Way: An East Coast vacation for a military family

2011-05-17T05:24:00.000-07:00

Who: Rob and Andrea Cornfeld of Kensington and their children, Samantha, Kate and Megan

Where: An all-inclusive resort or condo on the East Coast

Why: A little R&R before their summer move and Rob’s upcoming deployment

When: 10 days in June

Budget: $2,000-$3,000

“We are interested in water activities — a beach would be great, providing the water isn’t too rough. Our children enjoy playing outside; my wife and I enjoy eating at dives and exploring new places.”

Rob and Andrea Cornfeld need a break. With a summer move looming and Rob’s anticipated Army deployment within the year, the Kensington couple and their girls — Samantha, 5; Kate, 3; and Megan, 1 — want to take a fun family trip before the craziness kicks in. They’d prefer an all-inclusive resort on the East Coast, ideally with water activities, and they’d like to keep the total cost under $3,000.

This effectively eliminates most schmancy all-inclusives, even if we lop a couple of days off the trip. For example, Florida’s Club Med Sandpiper (sandpiper
bay.clubmed.us) is a great family destination, with swimming, sports, age-specific “clubs” for the kids, entertainment and gourmet dining. But the tab for seven nights in mid-June, including round-trip air for five from Washington, comes to a whopping $5,231. Similarly, a week at Vermont’s well-regarded Tyler Place (www.tylerplace.com), a lakeside playground with boating, biking, fishing, crafts, three squares a day and an energetic contingent of children’s helpers, costs $4,781 for a two-bedroom unit. And that doesn’t even include transportation.

Clearly, we have to get creative here. Military rates are an obvious option: Check such organizations as the Armed Forces Vacation Club (www.afvclub.com) and Military.com (www.
military.com) for deals and discounts. But to show you what else is out there — and to inspire other families with limited vacation funds — here are two appealing plans that come in well under your budget.

A condo on the bay

You’ll have to get your own meals and plan your own activities, but you can save a bundle by forgoing beach resorts and renting a vacation home directly from the owner. We checked the online clearinghouse Vacation Rentals by Owner (www.vrbo.com) and found many affordable options in the Virginia Beach area. With its proximity to Washington, abundance of family-friendly attractions and great natural beauty, it’s a good choice for D.C. families.

Sample offering: “Charming Condo with Access to Wide Chesapeake Bay Beach,” featuring two bedrooms and 1.5 baths. No rough waves to worry about here: The recently redecorated home fronts the wide, sandy beaches of the Chesapeake Bay. The area is a secret that’s well-hidden from most tourists, according to the owner, and the gentle surf is great for kids. In-season rates (June 11-Aug. 12) are $1,475 per week.

In this part of the world, boredom is not an option. When you tire of swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating and biking, check out the lighthouse tours at Cape Henry; the cute Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, located in the last remaining Virginia Beach Boardwalk cottage; the interactive Virginia Beach Aquarium; and the Nauticus maritime museum and Battleship Wisconsin in nearby Norfolk. Info: Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-822-3224, www.visitvirginiabeach.com.

Estimated cost: Seven nights’ lodging, $1,475; food, $600; gas, $80.

Total: $2,155, leaving $845 for attractions and incidentals.

A lakeside lodge

Purity Spring Resort in East Madison, N.H. (800-373-3754, www.purityspring.com), can hold its own against any big-name New England resort, with its gorgeous mountain setting and clear, spring-fed lake. Just one difference from those other places: It’s affordable.

The venerable resort — it just celebrated its 100th birthday — meets your water criterion easily, with four sandy beaches as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Summer packages include meals, lodging and more than 90 hours of recreational programming a week: canoe trips, hiking, water-skiing and wakeboarding, nature walks in the Audubon sanctuary, mountain biking, crafts, sports and more. Cookouts, scavenger hunts and kids’ talent shows add to the fun. Day care for the little ones is free, five nights a week.

The summer program doesn’t officially start till June 24, when a seven-night stay in a two-room suite at the inn starts at $1,511 for a family of five, including daily breakfast. (Prices vary slightly depending on the age of the kids.) Lunch and dinner for the family are an additional $567. Total: $2,078.

If you’d rather visit earlier in the month, there’ll still be plenty to do — swimming, hiking, biking, boating — and you’ll save more than $500. Rates are $996 for the week, or $1,563 with meals.

Estimated cost for an early-June stay: Seven nights’ lodging, $996; food, $567; gas, $200.

Total: $1,763, leaving $1,237 for attractions and incidentals.

The ever-changing scene of hotel room amenities

2011-03-24T02:20:00.000-07:00

My hands were as dry as parchment when I checked into Washington’s Donovan House hotel on a bitterly cold day last winter. Eager for some moisturizer, I went straight to the bathroom, where I discovered that — egad! — there was no moisturizer to be found. Nor was there any shower gel for bathing, just plain old skin-drying soap. I was perplexed. Where were my favorite toiletries?
For a while there, you could count on your average hotel room to be almost as well-stocked as a Wal-Mart. Walk into the bathroom and you’d find shampoo, conditioner, lotion, mouthwash, a shower cap and not one but two bars of soap, in case you didn’t want to lather your body with the same suds that oozed over your hands. Lost a button on your blouse? Mending kit right this way. Want to buff your shoes? Grab the shoe mitt.

But the recession put the brakes on such bountiful in-room accouterments. Suddenly, shampoo was in, conditioner was out — kind of like a restaurant placing a salt shaker on a table without its pepper twin. The Frankenstein of bathroom toiletries — the bath gel and shampoo combo — appeared in many showers. And forget about needle and thread and shoe mitts. If you needed a shoeshine, you had to pay for one.

Now, though, the hotel business is reviving as people start to travel again. But the never-ending competition for guests is fiercer than ever, because travelers are being pickier than ever.

The upshot? The latest war of the amenities.

By offering new and varied extras in their rooms, hotels “think they will have differentiation,” said Glenn Haussman, editor-in-chief of industry magazine Hotel Interactive. “But other brands pick up on them, and the leads gained are lost quickly.”

Let’s get one thing out of the way: In any economy, luxury hotels offer more amenities, budget hotels fewer. But some things are universal.

“I remember in 1967, we had a major decision to make in the Sheraton: Should we make it mandatory for all our hotels to have color TVs?” recalled Joseph A. McInerney, president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. “It shows you how far we’ve come.”

McInerney can offer a ticktock of the milestones: After color TV came the TV-plus-remote, then the clock radio. In the 1960s, shampoo became a must. Lotions, mouthwash and more followed. The 1970s saw the introduction of sewing kits, shoe mitts and shoe horns. In the early 1990s, coffeemakers appeared in the room. At the end of the century, irons and ironing boards became de rigueur.

McInerney can’t remember who came up with which idea (why a sewing kit and not earplugs?), but they had their reasons. “Hotels don’t just wake up one morning and say, ‘Gee, I’m going to do this because the consumer wants it.’ The hotel industry does research,” he said. “We’re always looking to get an edge on our competitors.”

Here’s a look at the latest stage in the evolution of hotel rooms and the treats they dangle before us.

Getting fancy, and frugal

Hotel guests are like celebrities: They love their swag. And not just any swag, but brand-name swag.

Which is why the Marriotts and Hyatts of the world have stopped tagging their toiletries with their own names in favor of L’Occitane, Molton Brown and other spa lines. Even midrange and boutique hotels have gotten into the act. Guests can get blissful with Bliss products at Starwood’s Aloft hotels and others. Bath and Body Works work their magic at the newly renovated Holiday Inns. Morgans Hotel Group boasts Apothia products.

“People have more trust in a product that they may be somewhat familiar with,” said Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Hospitality, which owns several hotels. “When you put your logo on the bottle, they don’t know what the product is.”

Not that there’s always an unlimited supply of these aromatic delights.

“In the early ’90s, the bathroom was full of stuff,” said Lara Weiss, global director for sales for K Hotels, a marketing company representing independently owned hotels worldwide. “You almost had too much of it. Travelers just put it in their purse. It was an expense.”

Some boutique hotels, such as the Affinia Liaison Capitol Hill, now put their shampoo and conditioner in dispensers attached to the shower wall. “It clearly presents cost savings in a hotel and also leads to a reduction in the amount of waste,” said Jeff Gurtman, vice president of strategy for Dana Communications in Hopewell, N.J., a marketing agency for several global hotel chains.

Also, don’t always expect a bathtub. The powers-that-be have ruled that travelers, especially business travelers, don’t have time for a soak in the bubbles. At the Tryp by Wyndham brand’s first hotel in New York, set to open this summer, three-quarters of the rooms will have only showers with European-style hand-held shower heads.

While fancier bath products have made their way into the hotel room, shower caps, sewing kits, mouthwash, shoe mitts, shoehorns and other “nonessential” items are making an inglorious exit (a nod to you klepto guests). But here’s a secret: They haven’t left the building. If you call the front desk or housekeeping and ask nicely, someone will probably make a special delivery to your room.

JetBlue partners with Virgin Atlantic to provide flights on both airlines on a single ticket

2011-03-24T02:13:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK — JetBlue said Tuesday it has formed a partnership with Virgin Atlantic that will allow customers to fly on both airlines with a single ticket.
Travelers on JetBlue will be able to connect through Boston, New York, Washington to catch flights to London Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic. JetBlue customers connecting in Orlando will be able to fly to London’s Gatwick airport, Manchester, England and Glasgow, Scotland.

Passengers can purchase the JetBlue-Virgin Atlantic flights beginning this week.

JetBlue already has similar partnerships with Dubai’s Emirates Airlines, Irish carrier Aer Lingus, South African Airways and American Airlines. These partnerships allow airlines to expand their available destinations without adding costs. They also feed more passengers into their respective networks.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.