JetBlue Launches Service to Barbados

Despite the tough economy, great travel deals can be found by anyone who taps the Internet in search of money-saving offers, travel packages or other promotions.

For example, JetBlue is launching non-stop service between New York's JFK Airport and Barbados on October 1, 2009. As a special promotion, the airline is offering a $99.00 one-way airfare. Travel must be booked by June 17th, and take place between October 1st and November 14th, 2009. Additional conditions and restrictions apply. Call (800) JET-BLUE for details. To learn more about Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org.

Meanwhile, for golfers, The Boca Raton Resort and Boca Raton Beach Club, both of which are part of Hilton's luxurious Waldorf Astoria Collection of resort hotels, is offering a $100 golf or spa credit when a guest redeems their Hilton HHonors points in order to stay at one of these two resorts between now and December 31, 2009. For details, call (800) HONORS.

EuroPride ’09 Kicks Off In Zurich, Switzerland

Between May 2^nd and June 7, 2009, thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered tourists and activists flocked to Zurich, Switzerland for EuroPride ’09 – the largest festival for gays and lesbians in Europe.

All of the gay pride events held throughout the past month collimated with a massive and festive Gay Pride Parade, which attracted upwards of 50,000 people on June 6^th. Winding down the streets of Zurich, dozens of organizations and corporations took part in this event. The parade featured colorful floats and thousands of individual participants (some of whom truly dressed up for the occasion).

Corine Mauch, the Mayor of the City of Zurich, kicked off the parade, however, representatives from countries throughout all of Europe took part. Zurich tourism is quick to point out that as Switzerland’s largest city, it is home to a well-established and diverse gay community that goes well beyond the typical gay bars and clubs found in many most cities throughout the world.

According to Zurich Tourism, “Zurich’s residents have a very liberal attitude towards gays and lesbians.” What was both surprising and refreshing about this year's EuroPride was the total lack of protestors, as well as the overall sense of acceptance and safety one felt throughout the city during these events. 

Regardless of your sexual preference, throughout the year, Zurich is a wonderful vacation destination for anyone looking to visit a beautiful European city that has a rich history, diverse culture and an abundance of activities suitable for the entire family. From museums and art galleries, to world class shopping and dining, Zurich offers something for everyone.

Americans looking to visit Zurich can take any of several major airlines, including Swiss Air International, which offers affordable nonstop flights from several U.S. cities, such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles, to Zurich.

Once in Zurich, acquiring a SwissPass offers tourists unlimited use of the city’s ultra-modern and convenient transportation system (including buses and trains), so no rental car is needed. The SwissPass also includes unlimited entry into many of the city’s more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries, as well as admission to many popular tourist attractions and historical landmarks.

As the city that’s located in the heart of Europe and the center of Switzerland, Zurich is continuously ranked as one of the most desirable places to live in the world. After spending just a few days here, it’s very easy to see why. In addition to being a beautiful city, the people here are extremely friendly and welcoming to all visitors.

Once in Switzerland, however, don’t just limit your visit to Zurich. Using the country’s train system, traveling throughout the country as a tourist is extremely inexpensive and easy, plus top-notch hotel accommodations can be found throughout the country.

Out of all of the European countries I’ve had the pleasure to visit, Switzerland is definitely my favorite for a multitude of reasons, including the multitude of activities and attractions it has to offer, the wonderful restaurants, the abundance of shopping opportunities, and the friendliness of the population. Americans truly feel safe and welcome here.

For more information about traveling to or vacationing in Zurich, Switzerland, visit www.zuerich.com. Additional information about EuroPride ’09 can be found at www.europride09’eu.

The following is a sampling of photos from EuroPride '09...

All images (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. 

All rights reserved. Please visit www.JasonRichPhotography.

Wonderful Vacation Opportunities Await in Clearwater, Florida

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to spend a few days exploring Clearwater, Florida, and was pleasantly surprised by all that this city has to offer - whether you're looking for a luxury vacation, or a more affordable getaway to a breathtakingly beautiful beachfront community.

First and foremost, Clearwater offers absolutely exquisite and pristine white sandy beaches. In fact, you'll find more than 28 miles of lovely beaches in Clearwater, which allow for all sorts of water-based recreation (not to mention sunbathing). 

The city is located within a two hour drive from Orlando, and is easy to reach from Sarasota, Tampa and St. Petersburg. The nearby major airport is the Tampa International Airport, although the smaller St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is a bit closer.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to stay at the luxurious Sandpearl Resort & Spa (877-726-3111 / www.sandpearl.com), which is located right on the beach. This resort property is as nice as any Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons Resort. It offers spacious, nicely decorated and extremely comfortable rooms and suites (many overlooking the ocean), plus fine-dining restaurants, a full-service day spa, a lovely swimming pool, and plenty of beachfront activities for kids, teens and adults alike.

An alternative (and less costly) alternative to the Sandpearl Resort & Spa is the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, which is also located on the beach, near Pier 60.

The main reason to visit Clearwater is to experience the award-winning beaches, which have been called some of the most beautiful in the United States. The Caladesi Island State Park offers boat-only access to a wonderful nature reserve and beach area, although there are plenty of public beaches located within a short walk from many of the hotels and resorts in the area.

Clearwater Beach is one of the most popular in the area. Lifeguards are on duty during the day, plus you'll find a wide range of activities available - including jet ski and boat rentals, as well as parasailing. This beach is also home to Pier 60, a boardwalk attraction which offers ongoing special events.

As for nearby attractions, Clearwater offers something for everyone. In addition to the beaches, you'll find nearby theatres, museums, theme parks and family-friendly attractions. Within a short drive, there's Bush Gardens Tampa Bay (888-800-5447), for example, but within Clearwater itself, there's the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (727-441-1790), an attraction which I can't recommend highly enough.

Unlike most aquariums that are open to the public, like SeaWorld, for example, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is primarily a research-based, non-profit facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured marine life. This attraction is relatively small and non-commercial. What people of all ages will experience here is a heartwarming and educational look at marine wildlife.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to perhaps the world's most famous dolphin, named Winter, who lost his tail after it got caught in a trap. Since being rescued, the aquarium has nursed Winter back to full health and with the help of some of the world's leading experts in prosthetics (including people from Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics), Winter has been fitted with a state-of-the-art artificial limb to replace his tail.

The research being done in conjunction with Winter's artificial tail has directly led to some major advancements in prosthetic limbs for children and injured war veterans. In short, this dolphin has directly touched and improved the lives of many people, and his story is told in a very touching way to visitors of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. In fact, guests get a chance to see Winter up-close as part of the "hands-on" opportunities this very unique aquarium offers.

Even if you don't plan to stay in Clearwater, but you happen to be visiting Tampa or even Orlando, a day trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium (especially if you're traveling with kids or teens, or someone with a disability) is highly recommended.

Other activities available in the Clearwater area include fishing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and golf. What was pleasantly surprising was that the majority of these activities are offered at very affordable rates. For example, if you'd like to rent an inexpensive sail boat, visit the Clearwater Community Sailing Center (727-517-7776) for boat rentals and sailing instruction.

As for land-based activities, located within Clearwater (or in nearby Tampa or St. Petersburg) are hundreds of wonderful restaurants, shops, museums and galleries. In St. Petersburg, for example, I had the chance to visit the Salvador Dali Museum (727-823-3767), and truly enjoyed my experience. 

If you're traveling with kids, the two-hour Pirate Cruise (727-446-2587) offers a fun-filled, high-seas adventure. Okay, maybe not high-seas, but you will enjoy a cruise along the Clearwater coastline in a large pirate ship staffed by pirates who play games with the kids and entertain the passengers.

Clearwater is a wonderful, beautiful and laid back place to visit during a vacation. However, it also provides an ideal setting for a beachfront destination wedding or a romantic honeymoon.

For more information about Clearwater, point your web browser to www.visitclearwaterflorida.com and/or www.myclearwater.com. You can also call the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce at (888) 425-3279.

The following are some photos from my memorable and enjoyable trip to Clearwater...

All images (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved. To see additional images, visit www.JasonRichPhotography.com.

Passport Reminder

Starting June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. Passport to travel aboard - including to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. 

This new rules apply whether you're driving, flying or taking a cruise. A driver's license and birth certificate is no longer acceptable when traveling abroad.

I wrote an article about the new passport regulations for the New York Daily News, so be sure to check it out before your next trip. Click Here to read the article. 

You can also visit The U.S. Department of State's website by clicking here. If you need to obtain a new passport or renew an old passport, be sure to allow between four and six weeks for processing. Otherwise, you'll have to pay hefty rush charges to obtain a passport in a timely manner.

Traveling By Air with Your Dog?

I recently wrote an informative feature article for GoNomad.com about traveling with your dog by air. Please check it out by clicking here.

“Discount Airlines” Rule the Skies

Even when using online-based travel services, like Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com or Kayak.com, to book airline tickets with the major airlines at significant discounts, passengers still need to pay up when it comes to all of those extras – checking luggage, food, drinks, and booking fees, for example. These fees easily add $50.00 to $100.00 to the cost of a roundtrip ticket.

As a frequent flier, I’ve begun to seriously wonder why the major airlines aren’t following in the footsteps of JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America, AirTran, and the other “discount” airlines when it comes to offering extremely low airfares, few or no extra fees, and a friendly attitude amongst its flight attendants, ticket counter representatives and customer service personnel.

Many of these discount airlines also still offer free snacks and drinks, plus they’re not charging to check one or two pieces of luggage. They’re also a lot more flexible when it comes to cancelling or changing flights and don’t charge outrageous penalties of $100.00 or more, like the major airlines. (Pay attention United, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, etc.!)

If you’re looking for truly low airfares with far fewer restrictions and lower (or no) extra fees, but still want comfort and convenience on the airplane, seriously consider booking your future flights on one of the “discount” airlines, like JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America or AirTran.

Many of these airlines don’t offer their flights through the popular online travel services, so you’ll need to visit each of these airlines’ respective websites directly to compare fares, find flights and make online reservations. In fact, it’s often cheaper to book your airfare online than it is to call these airlines directly on the phone.

When visiting each airline’s website, sign up for their free email mailing list, and you’ll automatically be notified of online sales and special promotions that’ll allow you to save even more money on airfares or complete travel packages.

Simply by shopping around online and visiting the websites of the discount airlines directly, you often don’t have to worry about seven, 14 or 21-day advance purchases, or the traditional need to stay over on a Saturday night to get the lowest airfares.

This afternoon (Monday), I booked a non-stop flight on JetBlue for my mother - from Boston to Oakland, CA, departing tomorrow (Tuesday afternoon), and found a one-way airfare of just $99.00 (plus tax). Other airlines were charging $400.00 or more for a similar one-way, last-minute ticket. That brings me to the point that unlike the major airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, AirTran and Virgin America, for example, allow you to easily and cost-effectively book one way flights.

These airlines typically have fleets of new airplanes that offer comfortable seats featuring private TVs with a selection of cable TV channels (just bring your own headset to avoid a $1.00 or $2.00 charge). Some also now offer Wi-Fi Internet access on the flights (for a low fee). Check with each airline directly to see what in-flight services and amenities are offered.

Oh, and if you’re traveling with a pet, JetBlue is one of the first airlines to offer a really well thought out pet travel program, called JetPaws (www.jetblue.com/jetpaws). And, if you’re a student or senior citizen, be sure to inquire about special discounts offered by these airlines.

After recently flying with several of these “discount” airlines, I’ve become a fan, and I’m confident you will too! Plus, your bank account will appreciate it. One thing to consider before booking a flight that has one or more stops is the length of the layover. 

On a recent flight from Boston to San Francisco on JetBlue, I had a three hour layover in Long Beach, CA, which really extended my travel day. Obviously, book a direct flight whenever possible. If you do have a layover, one that lasts between 60 to 90 minutes is ideal. Any shorter, and you run the risk of missing your connecting flight, and any longer means waiting around in an airport. Happy travels!

Exciting Things To See and Do In San Mateo & Palo Alto, CA

I just had the opportunity to spend a few days exploring San Mateo and Palo Alto, California (just outside of San Francisco), and I had a wonderful time. This region is loaded with fun and exciting things to see and do, not to mention, a ton of really great restaurants, shopping opportunities, and countless outdoor recreational activities (including golf, biking, hiking, kayaking, surfing, whale watching and sport fishing).

So, if you happen to be visiting the San Francisco area for business or pleasure, consider taking a short detour to San Mateo and Palo Alto (located less than an hour from the San Francisco Airport). 

San Mateo County is located on a 60-mile peninsula immediately south of San Francisco, and is bordered on the east by the world-famous San Francisco Bay. To learn more about this region, visit www.VisitSanMateoCounty.com, or call the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau at (650) 348-7600 or (800) 288-4748.

One of my first stops was a visit to Thomas Fogerty Winery & Vineyards (650-851-6777). This winery and vineyard offers a variety of ongoing events that are open to the public, including tours and wine tastings. Founded in 1981 by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, this winery and vineyard produces a handful of award-winning wines.

While tasting the wines is a treat onto itself, exploring the vineyards is a memorable experience because the mountainous landscape is simply breathtaking. If you're looking for a unique and stunningly beautiful setting to host a private event, such as a wedding, party, corporate event or any type of social gathering, Thomas Fogerty Winery & Vineyards is set up to handle groups of almost any size. 

Even if you're not a big wine aficionado, chances are you'll enjoy a visit to this winery and vineyard, which is located about 2,000 feet above sea level in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Photographs from my trip to San Mateo. (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Located about 55 miles south of San Francisco, along the Pacific Ocean, is the Ano Nuevo State Nature Reserve. It's easy to spend a few hours (or even an entire day) exploring this park, which is home to hundreds of wild elephant seals, sea lions and other marine mammals living along the shoreline. 

Visitors can view the elephant seals from just a few yards away, so you'll get an up-close look at these amazing creatures, yet visitors are kept far enough away from them so they remain undisturbed in their natural habitat. Park rangers are on-hand to answer questions. Oh, and be sure to bring a camera.

The Ano Nuevo State Nature Reserve is a lovely and beautiful place to explore. Be prepared to do some walking (however, much of the park is handicap accessible). If you want to see wild elephant seals, sea lions and other marine animals up-close, a visit to this park is far more memorable and exciting than a visit to any zoo or marine life theme park.

If seeing flowers, exotic plants and breathtaking landscaping is of interest, plan on spending at least a few hours on a walking tour of Filoli Center. Here, you'll find a gorgeous, 36,000 square foot mansion which is open for tours, plus more than 16-acres of incredible landscaping in the form of gardens. Visitors are free to explore the incredible and colorful gardens, plus take part in a wide range of activities, lectures and classes which regularly take place here. Visit the Filoli Center's website for a listing of special events.

The estate was built by William Bower Bourne II (who earned his great wealth as an owner of gold mines in California.) While the mansion is an impressive site, the gardens are truly spectacular, as you'll find literally thousands of flowers, trees and exotic plants on display here throughout the year. And, as the seasons change, so does the landscaping.

While this region features hundreds of wonderful casual and fine-dining restaurants, two which deserve a special mention are Cameron's Restaurant & Pub in Half Moon Bay (on Highway 1, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco) and MacArthur Park Restaurant (located in Palo Alto).

Cameron's Restaurant & Pub is modeled after an authentic English pub and is extremely unique. The food and drinks are top-notch, but it's the decor and atmosphere of this casual dining and drinking establishment that truly set it apart. Drop by for a drink or enjoy a full meal. In addition to traditional British menu items, Cameron's is known for its burgers.

For a much more elegant dining experience that is sure to be delightful, make a reservation for dinner at MacArthur Park Restaurant.  The restaurant is housed in a fully-restored historical landmark building designed by Julia Morgan (circa 1918). 

MacArthur Park Restaurant is home to award-winning chef Faz Poursohi, who has partnered with restauranteur Chuck Frank to create a menu that's chock full of mouth-watering specialties. 

In terms of accommodations, if you're looking for a full-service and upscale business-friendly hotel, the Sofitel San Francisco Bay (located in Redwood City, between downtown San Francisco and San Jose) offers the perfect place to stay. A free shuttle is available to/from the San Francisco Airport. The guest rooms and suites are clean, spacious, comfortable and offer a wide range of amenities that are ideal for business travelers.

Another business-friendly hotel that's located just minutes from the San Francisco Airport is the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, which is rated as an AAA Four-Diamond property. Offering luxurious guest rooms and suites, plus meeting rooms and conference facilities, this large hotel features extremely comfortable and modern rooms, with all of the services and amenities a business traveler could ask for.

Here's Just Some of What's New and Exciting In Orlando

Okay, so I just spent a few days in Orlando working on a new travel guide for Thomas Cook, and I had the opportunity to revisit all of the major theme parks, as well as a handful of lesser known and independent attractions in the Orlando area. 

First off, if you're traveling with a family, for about the same price as a standard, three-star hotel room (one room with two beds, some basic furniture, one bathroom and a television), you could stay in a large, multi-bedroom condo located just minutes away from Disney World, Universal Orlando and/or Seaworld. 

All-Star Vacation Homes (800-659-2579) offers a collection of multi-bedroom condos, complete with living room, full-size kitchen, laundry facilities, multiple bathrooms, a dining area, and in many cases a private patio and swimming pool. These condos are clean, extremely spacious, comfortable, and ideal for families or extended families that want affordable, but highly functional accommodations. 

I have stayed with All-Star Vacation Homes twice now (at two different properties located in the Orlando area), and my stays have been top-notch. I highly recommend this as a viable alternative to a traditional hotel.

Another option which I've written about here is a stay at one of the Marriott Vacation Clubs in the Orlando area. These are timeshare resort properties, however, non-owners can book nights at these resorts for about the same price as a standard three-star hotel. With several different timeshare properties in the Orlando area (with several that are literally walking distance to Seaworld), you can enjoy spacious, clean and affordable accommodations and full resort amenities. It's a perfect option for families.

During this most recent trip to Orlando, I spent time visiting some of the smaller area attractions, like Gatorland and SkyVenture, and I want to recommend both of these attractions!

Gatorland is a perfect place for families to spend a half-day. It's a family-owned attraction that's been around for decades, but they've recently expanded and remodeled. This attraction offers a wonderful opportunity to get up-close with alligators. You'll experience many different exhibits, plus a handful of fun-filled and entertaining shows. Gatorland is affordable, less commercial than the major theme parks, but offers a very enjoyable experience, especially for kids and teens.

Admission to Gatorland is just $22.99 per adult and $14.99 per child, but the food and souvenirs are very affordable, plus the parking is free. The attraction is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. For details, call 800-393-JAWS or visit www.Gatorland.com.

For teenagers and adults, SkyVenture offers indoor skydiving that's thrilling, but not scary. The one-hour experience includes all of the training and equipment you'll need. No experience is necessary. This includes about three minutes actually "flying" within the indoor skydiving tunnel. 

While you'll have the sensation of actually skydiving, when you're placed within the massive wind tunnel, you're never more than a few feet off of the ground, plus, you're always in the tunnel with a professional skydiver/instructor. This is an incredible experience that should not be missed while you're in Orlando. Plan on the entire experience lasting about an hour.

The "Intro To Flying" package is priced at $44.95 per person. It provides a wonderful introduction to the world of "body flight" and includes two to three minutes of actually flying on a 125mph column of air. Group packages and different solo flight packages are available. Call 800-SKY-FUN-1 or visit the SkyVenture website for details - www.skyventureorlando.com.

Meanwhile, if you'll be visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to check out the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you're a singer, consider auditioning in the morning. Or, if you're just a fan of the show, you can experience the interactive attraction as an audience member. It really is the closest thing possible to being at an actual American Idol live show in Hollywood. 

The entire "experience" lasts about 45 minutes, but you'll need to arrive at the theatre at least 20 to 30 minutes prior to the posted show time. Don't worry, you'll be entertained by video performance clips from past American Idol seasons.

Disney and the American Idol producers put a lot of money and effort into creating this extremely impressive attraction. It's well worth experiencing...and when you're done, head over to The Brown Derby restaurant and taste their awesome cobb salad.

Over at Universal Orlando, within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, the new ride/attraction based upon The Simpsons should not be missed. It's probably the best and most impressive ride/attraction within this park, whether or not you're a fan of the animated series. They're also hard at work building a new roller coaster that'll take guests around this theme park at lightening speed. The Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket coaster should be opening later this year. 

In between Universal Studios Florida and the Islands of Adventure theme parks is the new Blue Man Group show, which is presented once or twice each evening. If you're not familiar with Blue Man Group, it's hard to explain this upbeat musical show. Basically, the performers are covered in blue paint and wear black outfits, as they perform music using very unusual instruments. The show can be a bit loud at times, and it's very unusual, albeit very entertaining.

While it won't be open until 2010, within Island of Adventure, the new Harry Potter attraction is under construction and that looks like it'll be extremely impressive. So, if you're planning your Orlando trip for 2010, be sure to leave time to check out that attraction.

Over at SeaWorld in Orlando, the Believe show in Shamu Stadium (see photo above) continues to be the park's main attraction. It's a heartwarming and spectacular show featuring killer whales and their trainers. However, in time for Memorial Day, this park is opening a new roller coaster, called Manta that looks like it'll quickly become a favorite ride amongst thrill seekers.

Manta is inspired by the underwater flight of manta sea creatures. Riders will get strapped into this coaster and fly face-down in a horizontal position underneath the belly of the coaster. You'll experience flight at 60 mph through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track.

For adults, teens and kids alike, Orlando's theme parks always offer new and exciting attractions, and a seemingly endless supply of ways to experience a memorable and fun-filled vacation. The trick is to pace yourself and plan ahead to insure you have the opportunity to see and do everything on your agenda.

While all of the theme parks are offering money-saving admission tickets and package deals, some of which include accommodations and/or meals, if you're looking to save money on many of Orlando's smaller attractions, be sure to pick up an Go Orlando Card, which for a pre-determined number of days (one, two, three, five or seven), offers unlimited discounted admission to over a dozen popular museums and attractions. 

The Go Orlando Card offers a discount of up to 35 percent off of standard admission prices. Call 866-628-9036 or visit the Go Orlando Card website for details.

Visiting Dallas? Be Sure To Explore Plano, Texas As Well!

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit Plano, Texas, which is located about 20 minutes north of Dallas (about 30 minutes from the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport). There's convenient light rail train service between Dallas and Plano, called the DART Rail, which offers a nice alternative to driving between these cities.

If you're going to be visiting Dallas anytime soon, instead of staying in the city, consider staying in Plano, where you'll find many upscale shopping opportunities, a handful of tourist attractions (including Southfork Ranch, as seen in the TV series Dallas), and many extremely good restaurants. This is an upscale and extremely beautiful suburban community that welcomes its visitors with open arms and friendly hospitality.

A handful of large corporations have their headquarters in Plano, so you'll find a wide range of hotel options suitable for either business or leisure travelers throughout the area. For example, the Marriott Dallas/Plano at Legacy Town Center is a full-service, upscale Marriott hotel which nicely combines all of the business amenities you could want, with all of the comforts of a leisure hotel. This Marriott is located on the outskirts of Legacy Town Center, which offers unique shopping and dining opportunities - all within walking distance.

If you'll be visiting Dallas or the Plano area for business, seriously consider bringing along your spouse and kids, and staying at the Marriott Dallas/Plano at Legacy Town Center for the weekend. The 404 rooms and 40 suites are large, extremely comfortable and offer plenty of amenities.

If you're looking for affordable, but more trendy accommodations than a traditional (albeit very nice) Marriott, be sure to check out the aloft Hotel or the NYLO Hotel, both located in Plano. The aloft Hotels (operated by W Hotels) are similar to Courtyard Marriott properties in terms of price, but this new chain offers a trendy atmosphere with ultra-modern decor. The NYLO also offers a trendy atmosphere. Both hotels are ideal for business travelers (they offer free Internet, long distance calling, a free business center, and other amenities), but are also child (family) and dog-friendly.

Okay, so now you're probably asking, what's there to do in Plano, Texas? Well, the dining options are extremely impressive. Forget those chain restaurants you'll find everywhere else. In addition to the chains, Plano has a large selection of independent restaurants that are truly top-notch. No matter what type of food you're looking for, including traditional Texas BBQ or an upscale steak house, you'll find it here. 

For casual, Texas-style dining, I recommend Love and War in Texas. For much more upscale dining (with a strong Texas influence) make a reservation at Jasper's. One fine-dining restaurant, bar and nightclub which I was extremely impressed with was Loft 610. Here, you'll find award-winning, gourmet dining and a full-service and very popular bar. At around 10pm, there's a DJ, and the restaurant transforms into a sophisticated but upbeat club/lounge.

As for shopping, Plano has several unique shopping areas, like The Shops at Legacy, which are mainly independent boutiques (as opposed to traditional chain stores). There are also several other upscale malls that offer major department stores, designer boutiques, plus traditional mall stores.

Aside from shopping, Plano offers a wide range of activities and attractions, such as upscale day spas, golf, a wide range of other sports-related options, plus museums, galleries, theaters and other cultural activities. The Amphitheater At Oak Point Park, for example, hosts a wide range of concerts in a beautiful, 1,000 seat, outdoor venue.

The Plano area is also home to Southfork Ranch, made famous by the TV series Dallas. The daily tours take you through the ranch and allow you to see props, photos, video clips and memorabilia from the TV series.

One of the events which Plano is most famous for is the annual Plano Balloon Festival, which takes place every September. The city has become known as the "Hot Air Balloon Capitol of Texas," because the event attracts more than 75,000 people and more than 100 hot air balloons every year.

So, if you happen to be in the Dallas area, be sure to visit Plano, Texas. You'll have fun, have plenty to do, and have a chance to enjoy the incredibly friendly hospitality that Texas is known for.

W Hotels Offers A New (Inexpensive) Alternative To Courtyard Marriotts

For many business and leisure travelers, Courtyard Marriott hotels have become known for offering excellent quality, clean and affordable accommodations in low-rise hotels that are typically found in suburban areas.

Meanwhile, in major cities, W Hotels have become known as ultra-trendy, high-end "boutique" hotels that offer ultra-modern decor, but for a price. What if these two concepts were combined? Well, they have been -- very successfully!

The folks at W Hotels are now attempting to compete head-on with Courtyard Marriott with the introduction of "aloft" Hotels. These new properties combine the affordability of a Courtyard Marriott with the boutique feel, ultra-modern decor and trendy atmosphere of the W Hotels. aloft Hotels, however, are found primarily in suburban locations.

There are currently 21 alof Hotels open throughout the U.S., including the one I visited in Plano, Texas. By the end of 2009, more than 70 aloft Hotels will be open. Compared to W Hotels, these are scaled-down and much more affordable accommodations designed to tap into all five of a guests senses. For example, the hotels have a signature scent which you'll smell in all public areas. There are also specialized music playlists that can be heard, while your eyes and sense of touch will experience the custom-designed, multi-textured furniture and decor.

aloft Hotels are all about attitude and will appeal to young business professionals and anyone who is stylish and trendy. The chain truly represents a new type of boutique lifestyle hotel. In addition to offering very affordable guest rooms (starting at $89.00 per night in Plano, Texas, for example), free WiFi Internet access is offered throughout each hotel.

If you're traveling with kids, there's the unique "Camp aloft" program, which features special kid-oriented bedding, games and activities within the guest room. If you're traveling with your dog, the "Arf" program offered at the aloft Hotels welcomes your canine friends and provides a bog bed, treats and other amenities - all at no extra charge.

Other great services and amenities you'll find at aloft Hotels include optional, totally automated check-in kiosks (if you don't want to deal with the friendly front desk staff), as well as a trendy lobby bar, lobby games (including a pool table), a "grab and go" snack shop (offering breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, etc.), a nicely equipped workout facility and a swimming pool.

Within the guest rooms, you'll find ultra-modern, somewhat minimalist decor in a well-lit room that contains a 42-inch LCD TV, Bliss spa amenities, an oversize shower, and plenty of electrical outlets to plug in all of your favorite gadgets.

The concept behind the aloft Hotels is in a word brilliant! I'm currently spending the week exploring Plano, Texas, and in future entries will include full details about other great hotels, plus descriptions of fun things to see and do in this area - for business travelers and vacationers alike. However, no matter where you're traveling, if you're looking for a totally new experience when it comes to affordable hotel accommodations, check out one of the new aloft Hotels properties. 

The aloft Hotel in Plano, Texas, for example, features a total of 136 guest rooms, including 87 rooms equipped with one king-size bed and 49 guest rooms with two queen-size beds. This hotel is located just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas (about 30 minutes from the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport). If you're headed to Dallas, but want to stay outside of the city, seriously consider the Plano, Texas area.

For more information about aloft Hotels, call (877) GO-ALOFT or visit www.alofthotels.com on the web.

Dream Vacation For Yoga Enthusiasts

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Arizona and exploring the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas with Jeff Slade, the President and owner of Detours, an extremely professional tour company that offers individual and group tours throughout Arizona. My trip was extremely memorable, so I highly recommend hiring Detours if you too will be visiting the Arizona area and want to get the most out of your travels. Slade and his team are professional, extremely friendly, knowledgeable and very well organized.

Recently, Detours announced several special-interest tours - one for wine enthusiasts, and another for yoga enthusiasts. Based on where these tours will take participants, I can assure you that the folks at Detours will provide an extremely memorable, entertaining, informative and affordable vacation experience.

According to Detours, its new Yoga Elements Tour, "connects yoga enthusiasts with some of the most unique destinations in the American southwest." Each tour will include no more than eight travelers who will be accompanied by a yoga instructor (Kundalini practitioner Lauren Crawley) and a tour guide.

The five day excursion departs from Phoenix/Scottsdale. Each location where participants will be participating in a yoga session has been hand-picked because it offers breathtaking scenery, seclusion, and the perfect environment to relax and embrace nature. Tour stops include Sedona’s red rock formations, the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River and Lake Powell. Detours boasts, "The Elements Yoga Tour includes two Kundalini sessions per day in settings that engage the senses." You'll be transported in a luxury and nicely equipped van or SUV (see the above photo).

Complete tour descriptions can be seen at www.DetoursAz.com. For additional information, call (866) 438-6877 or email info@Detoursaz.com

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day In Ireland

Tourism Ireland is working with a variety of travel partners, including Aer Lingus, to make travel to Ireland from New York City, Boston or Chicago extremely affordable this spring. For example, if you travel between April 1st and June 15th, one-way airfare from NYC or Boston is as low as $169.00 per person (excluding taxes and fees).

To view a map of which airlines (including Aer Lingus, US Airways, American Airlines and Delta) travel non-stop from various U.S. destinations to specific Ireland destinations, including Dublin, Belfast and Shannon, click here.

Throughout the summer, complete travel packages, including airfare and resort accommodations, are also available for as little as $799.00 per person. Tourism Ireland is also promoting a 10-day escorted tour for $1,398. Check out the Tourism Ireland website (www.DiscoverIreland.com) for details.

About a year ago, I visited Ireland and stayed at several different Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts (800-333-3333) in and around Dublin and Cavan and found the accommodations to be top notch, affordable and extremely comfortable. These resorts offered a wide range of on-property services and amenities. 

For example, at the Radisson SAS Farnham Estate Hotel [Phone: +353 (0) 49 4377700] in Cavan, the Farnham Estate Health Spa is one of the nicest, most luxurious and best-equipped spas I've ever experienced. It truly is the perfect place to go to be pampered for a day, weekend or an entire week.

The Radisson SAS Farnham Estate Hotel is located about a two-hour drive from Dublin, in the beautiful countryside of Cavan. The resort offers 158 guest rooms and suites, the spa, golf, pools, and a very luxurious heritage that is captured in the architecture, furnishings, stunning landscaping, and throughout every other aspect of your stay. 

Whether you're Irish and looking to revisit your heritage, or you're just looking for a fun, unique, affordable and memorable vacation destination, consider a trip to Ireland this spring - you won't be disappointed! 

Watch Out For Hidden Airline Fees Before Booking Your Next Ticket

Whether you book your next airline ticket directly with an airline, or use one of the popular travel-related services, like Hotwire.com, Travelocity.com or Kayak.com, before booking that often non-refundable ticket, determine what extra fees you'll be responsible for and calculate them into your travel budget to avoid unwanted surprises.

To determine what's included with your coach, business or first class airline ticket, contact your airline directly, or visit its website.

Some of the most common airline-related fees that many travelers forget to consider include:

* Baggage Check Fees - Most airlines allow one (1) free checked bag and then charge up to $25.00 for each additional bag. Some airlines, however, now charge $15.00 or $25.00 for each bag that's checked (including the first bag). Carry-ons continue to be free.

* Overweight Bag Fees - If your checked suitcase weights more than 50 pounds, you'll be hit with an "overweight" baggage fee of $50.00 or $75.00, depending on the airline. The airlines will actually add this fee if your bag weighs in at 51 or 52 pounds, so pack accordingly.

* Telephone Booking Fees - A fee up to $20.00 per ticket will be charged for calling an airline's toll-free phone number to book your ticket(s).

* Preferred Seating Fee - A few airlines have begin charging for a few inches of extra legroom, as well as window or isle seats in the coach cabin. 

* Pillows, Blankets and Entertainment Charges - Want to take a nap, stay warm or watch a movie during your flight? Some airlines now charge $5.00 or more for each of these added amenities. My recommendation: Load up your Apple iPod, iTouch, iPhone or laptop computer with a handful of TV show episodes or movies you download from iTunes, and then watch what you want during the flight.

* Snacks, Drinks and Meals - What used to be offered free of charge during a flight now comes with a fee. Most airlines still offer free non-alcoholic drinks, but almost all now charge for snacks and meals. If you want edible and affordable food during your flight, your best bet is to bring your own.

* In-Flight Internet Service - A few airlines have begin offering in-flight Internet access via Wi-Fi. If you want to access the Web using your laptop computer or wireless PDA device, it'll cost you up to $15.00 per flight.

* Traveling with Your Small Dog - Some airlines welcome small dogs as travel companions, but they'll need to stay in their carrier and kept under your seat. The fee to travel with your small dog in the airline's cabin will be between $50.00 and $100.00 each way. Separate fees apply if you'll be traveling with a larger dog that needs to be "checked" in the plane's cargo hold (which is NOT something I recommend for the dog's safety and well-being).

Once you add up some or all of these fees, expect to pay an extra $25.00 to $100.00 per person (each way) before and during your next flight. Keep in mind, not all airlines accept credit cards during a flight, so bring cash to purchase in-flight snacks and services.

When choosing which airline to fly with, if there's a chance you'll need to cancel or change your flight(s) once they've been booked and paid for, pay careful attention to the airline's cancellation, change and rebooking fees and policies. The majority of the major airlines charge a $150.00 change fee, plus the fare difference between your old ticket and the cost of the new flight.

These days, there are some incredible airfare bargains to be found, especially if you use the web to book your travel. However, don't forget to calculate in all of the extra fees and charges you may be responsible for.

Hyatt Better Caters to Business Travelers, While Marriott Offers Families A New Hotel Alternative

Business travelers will soon find their stays at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts more comfortable. In fact, when business travelers reserve the new Hyatt Business Plan accommodations at any of more than 190 participating hotels and resorts worldwide, they can expect a variety of new amenities included with their stay, such as:

* A full breakfast for one guest each day
* Free high-speed Internet access for one computer
* Bottle of water (replenished daily)
* Daily newspaper
* One pressed shirt or blouse (per room, per day, during business hours)
* Unlimited local, toll-free and long distance calls to the U.S. and Canada

In addition, between now and April 30, 2009, Hyatt Gold Passport members who stay eight nights will earn 20,000 bonus points redeemable for free nights at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts around the world.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts have always been a popular choice amongst frequent business travelers, but these new amenities and incentives will help make each stay more comfortable, affordable and productive.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call (800) 233-1234 or visit www.hyattbusinessplan.com.

Hyatt isn't the only hotel and resort chain taking steps to cater to a specific audience. For families traveling with kids and teens, for example, Marriott Vacation Club has begun making its timeshare vacation properties available for nightly or weekly stays to non-owners.

For about the price of a standard (typically small) three-star hotel room at or near any popular vacation destination, guests at any Marriott Vacation Club timeshare property will enjoy very spacious, two or three bedroom accommodations, a full kitchen, living room and multiple bathrooms. Most also offer in-room laundry facilities, plus access to all of the resort's services and amenities - swimming pools, tennis courts, spa, restaurants, golf, gym, etc.

I recently stayed at a Marriott Vacation Club property in Orlando for a week and found it to be extremely comfortable. The two bedroom accommodations were clean, modern, spacious, well-decorated and the location was very convenient to Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and International Drive. In fact, the property was located about a 1/4 mile from SeaWorld. 

In addition to the accommodations being top-notch, the resort also has a wide range of on-property activities, including a fully supervised activities program for kids and teens. All this is now available to non-owners, typically at very affordable rates (compared to a typical hotel).

Instead of staying in a small hotel room, any family should consider staying at a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare property (even if they're not an owner). In addition to offering affordable nightly or weekly rates, you'll have plenty of extra space and more privacy. For a family, just having two bathrooms and multiple televisions can relieve some stress. Plus, you can save money by utilizing the full kitchen to prepare breakfasts and lunches (instead of dining out). With the in-room laundry facilities, you can also pack less, which means you can travel with less luggage.

For additional information about booking nightly or weekly accommodations at any of the more than 49 Marriott Vacation Club properties, visit http://www.marriott.com or call (800) 845-5279. While you'll probably be invited to participate in a timeshare sales pitch as a nightly or weekly guest, you are not obligated to attend.

Cancer Survivors Can Enjoy A Free Weekend In Stowe, Vermont

Between May 1st and 3rd, 2009, the 9th Annual Stowe Weekend of Hope will take place in Stowe, Vermont. It's being dubbed as a "celebration of life and learning for survivors of all cancers and those who love them." 

Registration to participate begins on February 29, 2009. For first-time attendees to this get-away weekend event, Stowe hotels is donating complimentary guest rooms, plus is offering discounted guest rooms for returning guests.

Throughout the weekend, free workshops and seminars will be offered, which are designed to be both educational and inspirational. The event's keynote speaker this year will be Joanna Bull, founder of Gilda's Club Worldwide.

According to the Stowe Weekend of Hope organization, "This unique event addresses the complex challenges and needs of people with cancer at any stage in their disease. Cancer presents families with many challenges – physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial."

Last year, the event attracted more than 300 cancer survivors and their families. To learn more or to register, visit www.storehope.org

or call (888) 247-8693.

Puntacana Resort & Club's Tortuga Bay in the Dominican Republic Offers The Ultimate Caribbean Getaway

If you're looking for an up-scale, ultra-luxurious, extremely beautiful, modern, well-equipped and easy-to-reach Caribbean resort getaway, check out Puntacana Resort & Club's Tortuga Bay (888-442-2262) in the Dominican Republic.

Designed by Oscar de la Renta, this resort offers a stunning oceanfront setting, plus all of the amenities and activities you could ask for - from multiple golf courses, to horseback riding, water sports, boating, a spa, a well-equipped fitness center, tennis courts, and eight fine-dining restaurants.

Tortuga Bay is an ultra-exclusive resort within the larger Puntacana Resort. It includes only 15 one, two, three or four bedroom villas (just steps from the beach) which offer privacy, security and five-star luxury, plus plenty of modern amenities.

Located in the Dominican Republic, Puntacana Resort & Club's Tortuga Bay is situated on 15,000 acres of private land located less than 10 minutes from the world's only privately-owned international airport.

Direct flights to Punta Cana are offered by several major airlines from a handful of east coast cities. From New York's JFK Airport, for example, the direct flight takes under four hours. (It's as easy as flying from New York to Florida or Puerto Rico, for example.) Guests of Toruga Bay are literally met at their airplane's door upon landing and escorted to their villa in under 20 minutes.

Toruga Bay is a perfect honeymoon destination or a wonderful place for adults to go for a romantic and fun-filled getaway. It's also a great vacation destination for serious golfers, as well as ideal for families traveling with kids and teens. A wide range of family-friendly activities, services and amenities are offered on-property. The secluded white sandy beaches create a beautiful, tropical setting which is nicely combined with immaculate landscaping and surrounded by several pristine (and award-winning) golf courses.

I just returned from a trip to Toruga Bay and can't recommend this resort highly enough. Having toured throughout the entire Caribbean multiple times over the past few years, I can honestly say that this resort offers the most luxurious, modern and comfortable accommodations I have encountered anywhere in the Caribbean. The friendly and efficient service is unparalleled.

While Tortuga Bay offers the ultimate in upscale resort accommodations, the 355-room Puntacana Hotel offers more affordable accommodations located on the same 23-square-mile property.

Yes, the Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country with its own currency, but you'll find most everyone at the Puntacana Resort & Club speaks fluent English and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted. High-speed Internet access, satellite television, cell phone reception and traditional phone services are readily available throughout the resort. So, if you must check your email, you can do it wirelessly from your villa, the beach, the swimming pools or the golf courses.

Tortuga Bay offers something for everyone, although your vacation experience won't be cheap. If you're looking for an extremely affordable, over-crowded, no-frills, all-inclusive resort, seek out other accommodation options within the Dominican Republic or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Tortuga Bay is designed to offer only the best-of-the-best to vacationers able and willing to pay for the experience.

The following are photos from my trip...

Track Your Flights, Learn About Delays, and Discover Gate Numbers Quickly Using Your Apple iPhone

As a frequent flier, I often encounter flight delays and gate changes on the days I fly (or when I need to pick up someone at the airport). I also need to know baggage claim information when I land.

Well, to keep track of last-minute travel problems, you can call the airline directly and deal with an automated system. Or, you can visit the airline's website if you have access to the Internet. You can also check the Arrival and Departure monitors located within airports.

Another much more convenient option for Apple iPhone users is to utilize the Flight Tracker application from SplashData. This $2.99 program is available from the App Store on iTunes, and makes tracking flights in real-time quick and easy - from just about anywhere. In fact, the flight data this program utilizes is often more current than the Arrival and Departure monitors at airports.

If you know your airline and flight number(s), you can access flight information in seconds from your iPhone. If you don't know your flight number(s), you can look them up with a few extra screen touches. After you enter your flight info the first time, Flight Tracker remembers the data, so you can obtain updates in seconds. The program can access data about virtually all of the major airlines. While an airplane is still in the air, detailed maps are available to show flight progress graphically.

As a frequent flyer, the $2.99 Flight Tracker program is a "must have" application on your iPhone when you're on-the-go.

Give The Gift of A Vacation or Experience

Looking for a gift for someone who has everything? Need a memorable wedding or anniversary gift? Well, I recently came across a company, called Smart&Co (888) 846-7269, which allows people to purchase pre-packaged vacations and experiences. Available at retailers, like Borders bookstores, these gifts are glorified gift certificates for weekend getaways, spa treatments, hotel stays and adventures.

For a flat-fee, the gift giver can choose what type of vacation getaway or experience they'd like to offer as a gift. There are more than 125 options to choose from, ranging from a choice of 105 adventure activities (like ice tunnel bobsledding, ATV driving adventures or paragliding), to spa treatments and one-night stays at a bed-and-breakfast. Prices range from $69.00 to $369.00, depending on the experience. The Smartbox "gift certificates" can be redeemed across the Northeast and California and come packaged in a nice presentation gift box.

This is a unique and fun twist on a gift certificate that allows the gift receiver to choose from a wide range of vacation experiences or activities, based on the type of Smartbox gift you (the gift giver) present. Categories include Adventure, Serenity and Adrenaline. Additional information is available from the company's website - www.smartbox.com/us.

As a reminder, almost of all the major airlines, as well as resort and hotel chains, also offer their own gift certificates and/or gift cards which can make a wonderful gift for a traveler.

Be Identified When You're Unable To Do So Yourself: Check Out "RoadID"

For anyone who engages in potentially dangerous activities or who travels overseas, RoadID (800-345-6336 / www.RoadID.com) has created an inexpensive identification bracelet that will allow emergency medical people (hospitals, doctors, etc.) to obtain your identity and any information about your medical history, even if you're unconscious and unable to share this data yourself.

The RoadID bracelet ($19.95) can be engraved with your full name, address and contact information for one or two of your emergency contacts, or quickly direct emergency medical personnel to the RoadID company's website so they can access vital details about your medical history (which you provide) - information that could potentially save your life. This Emergency Response Profile (ERP) is created by you and is available online or by telephone. Your ERP can communicate to first responders your name, address, emergency contacts, health insurance, medical information, and more.

The RoadID bracelet is available in multiple colors and can comfortably be worn by travelers to help make it easier for someone to identify you and make contact with your loved ones (or your own doctors) should an emergency arise. According to the company, "In the event of an accident, if you can't speak for yourself, your Road ID will. It's available in five different styles. It's not just a piece of gear - it's peace of mind."

RoadID bracelets can be ordered online from www.RoadID.com. This new twist on traditional ID bracelets makes for a potentially useful accessory for overseas travelers, and for under $20.00, it's something I'd strongly recommend (in addition to purchasing travel insurance when traveling overseas for business or pleasure.)