Buying The Perfect Luggage For Your Trip

The first step to choosing appropriate luggage is to determine your needs. Figure out what you’ll be carrying and how long you typically travel for (from one to three days, from three to five days, or a week or longer). In your checked luggage, will you be packing several business suits that can easily get wrinkled or more casual attire? Knowing this will help you determine the size, design, and number of bags you should purchase to meet your unique needs.

TIP: Many pieces of luggage from high-end companies, such as Tumi (www.tumi.com) or Orvis (www.orvis.com), have seperate compartments designed to hold suits and other clothing that you want to remain wrinkle-free.

The luggage you ultimately select should be easy to transport. After all, you’ll need to navigate your way through busy airports, down long hotel hallways, and in and out of cars or taxis. Doing this with poorly designed luggage can put added stress on your back, neck, and arms. Plus, you don’t want your luggage to fall apart mid-trip.

Soft-sided luggage with durable wheels is ideal for most travelers. This type of luggage tends to weigh less, which is important, since all major airlines now have strict weight restrictions for checked luggage. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds are each subject to a surcharge of $25, $50, $100, or more, depending on the airline.

Passengers are also limited to checking only one or two bags (depending on the airline). Each additional bag is subject to a fee of $50, $100, or more. It’s important that the luggage you choose be able to hold everything you’ll need to have with you, yet meet your airline’s requirements.

The construction of a bag is as important as its design. Ideally, you want luggage designed to take a beating, yet remain strong. You’ll pay a bit extra for bags with strong and padded handles, durable wheels that glide smoothly, well-sewn seams, heavy-duty zippers, and that are made from extra-strong material - such as ballistic nylon or napa leather. But over the long-term, these bags will last much longer and keep their contents safer.

When evaluating luggage, consider the interior design of each bag. Does the luggage have enough pockets and compartments to accommodate your needs? Will it allow you to keep your toiletries separate (in case of spillage)? Also, is the bag comfortable to carry or pull? Are the handles durable, padded, and located in the best possible places?

By visiting a specialty luggage store or high-end department store, you’ll be able to see top-quality, name-brand luggage from a variety of manufacturers. Remember, when it comes to the price of the bag, make sure you’re paying for top-quality construction, not just for a designer name.

Each popular luggage manufacturer typically offers several product lines with different looks, color-schemes, designs, and levels of construction quality. If you take only one trip per year, you may be able to purchase less expensive and lower quality luggage. However, if you travel often, you should invest in durable luggage that will last.

TIP: If you’re buying luggage with wheels, make sure the wheels are well-made, spin smoothly, are quiet when they roll, and don’t wobble. Remember, when the bag is full, you’ll be pulling or carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, focus on the construction of the bag’s handles and zippers, as well as the material used for the bag’s overall construction.

The last factors to consider are the look of the bags and the color scheme, as well as how the various bags in the set interconnect for easy transport. Just because the manufacturer offers a set of luggage with five or six bags in different sizes and styles, this doesn’t mean you need all these bags. Pick and choose the bag styles that best meet your needs. Many larger bags on wheels have hooks that allow you to easily attach smaller bags.

As soon as you’ve purchased your luggage, make sure you fill out and securely attach luggage tags with, at least, your full name and phone number. (Listing your address and cell phone number are optional.) It’s also important to place your contact information inside each checked bag. This will make it easier to recover your belongings if the bag gets lost in transit or the luggage tag falls off.

When shopping for luggage, check out luggage sets by several manufacturers. Be sure to ask about the luggage’s warranty and determine the process for getting bags repaired. Some luggage companies charge a minimum of $100 per bag (plus shipping), even for a basic repair.

Remember, many bags from different manufacturers look very similar but have a very different construction quality and overall value.

Princess Cruise To Alaska..A Truly Breathtaking Experience!

In mid-August, I had the opportunity to travel with Princess Cruise Lines (800-774-6237) to Alaska. It was a truly memorable 12-day journey, four of which were spent touring on land and visiting several of Princess' lodges, while the remainder of the trip took place aboard the luxurious Coral Princess ship.

If you're looking to experience a one-in-a-lifetime experience, book an Alaska cruise aboard Princess Cruise Lines! It's that simple. What will really make your journey memorable, however, are the hundreds of different (optional) land excursions you can participate in when the ship stops at the various ports-of-call. From dog sled rides and ATV tours, to taking a helicopter tour and landing on a glacier, you can experience one exciting activity after the next....Or, when visiting the various ports-of-call, you can shop for unique souvenirs and duty-free merchandise.

When booking your cruise, Princess Cruise Lines will provide you with brochures describing all of your land excursion opportunities. This information is also available online at the Princess Cruise Lines website. It's best to book these excursions as far in advance as possible, as the most popular tours and activities book up quickly. Trust me, you don't want to be shut out.

Keep in mind, some of the land excursions that involve flight (such as helicopter tours or "flight seeing" aboard a small aircraft) could get cancelled due to bad weather, so have a back-up plan in-place. If one tour gets cancelled, you might be able to join a different tour later in the day, or work with the Tour Desk attendant aboard the ship to book a similar adventure during a stop at another port-of-call. 

Keep in mind, the optional land excursions are not included in the price of the cruise itself, so plan your travel budget accordingly. Most of the optional tours cost under $100.00 per person, however, some of the more extravagant land excursions, like the helicopter tours, can cost upwards of $400.00 per person, but are well worth it. Whatever you do, don't forget to bring a camera! As you'll see from the slideshow below, the views are spectacular. 

Almost everything aboard the ship itself is included, except for spa treatments, items from the gift shops, gambling in the onboard casino, portraits taken by the ship's photographer, and drinks (soda, alcohol, etc.).

Even if you don't consider yourself to be an overly active or adventurous person, there are plenty of exciting and breathtaking activities (both on land and at sea) that you can participate in, regardless of your age or physical abilities. While aboard the ship itself, you can be as relaxed or active as you wish. For example, you can pamper yourself at the spa, play bingo or experience the fun shows presented each evening. (If you only have time to see one show during your cruise, don't miss Dance!) Of course, you can tempt your taste buds in any of the ship's dining rooms, where an amazing selection of mouthwatering and all-you-can-eat meals await.

The seven-day cruise aboard the Coral Princess kicks off in Whittier, and includes stops at Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and ends in Vancouver. Alternate itineraries are available. 

To plan and book your cruise, you can work directly with Princess Cruise Lines, a local travel agent, or make your reservations through one of the online travel services. (When traveling, you will need a valid U.S. Passport, so plan accordingly!)

The Coral Princess carries more than 1,970 passengers and has Alaska sailings in May, June, July, August and September 2009. Princess Cruise Lines offers seven, 10 and 14-day cruises,  which can be combined with three to eight-night land tours (which include land travel aboard Princess-owned railcars) and accommodations at the various Princess lodges.

A trip to Alaska aboard a Princess ship is ideal for families, honeymooners, couples celebrating an anniversary, and even single travelers. If you'll be traveling with kids or teens, aboard the ship there are a wide range of activities that cater just to them. For adults, there's also a potpourri of activities available - both day and night. 

Several different cabin configurations are available to accommodate travelers with varying needs, but if you can afford it, be sure to upgrade to a cabin with a balcony. You'll really enjoy the views of glaciers and snow covered mountains, plus the sunrises and sunsets. 

Below is a small sampling of photos from my mid-August trip. While I've cruised numerous times to and around the Caribbean with other cruise lines, this was my first trip to Alaska, and I must say the experience was both memorable and extremely enjoyable. I can't recommend this trip highly enough!

  

Choosing The Perfect Wine

(This excerpt was taken from The Business Traveler Guide to Washington D.C. from Entrepreneur Press.)

One challenge many business travelers face is choosing an appropriate wine selection to go nicely with entrees or desserts being ordered. Not only do you want to impress the people you're dining with (such as important clients), but you want to order quality wine that's within your budget.

Andy Myers is the sommelier at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington D.C. In addition to managing the hotel's massive wine collection, one of his responsibilities is to help guests dining at the hotel's restaurants choose the best wine to accompany their meals.

"Ideally, the restaurant has a sommelier. If they do, then ask for that person, give them a basic budget for the evening, a feeling for how much your guests are likely to drink, and a rough idea of what kind of wines you like--fruity, earthy, full-bodied, light, etc. That'll solve most of your problems as a good sommelier likes to have a clear, basic profile of the table, budget and drinking habits. Using this information, we love it when you trust us to make the experience great," said Myers.

If the restaurant you're dining at doesn't have a sommelier, Myers stated, "Assume that most people put away about half a bottle of wine during dinner. This will help when figuring out how much to order. Next, as you'll never please everyone at the table, go for wines that work with lots of flavors. I recommend Sauvignon Blancs, Dry Rieslings and Chenin Blancs for whites and Pinot Noirs and Rhone Varietals (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre) for reds."

Diners at upscale restaurants should know that even if a sommelier is not available, most restaurants train their wait staff on how to assist guests in choosing appropriate wines. "Review the wine list to gather some ideas and then ask your server or manager what they think," added Meyers.

It's important to understand that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing wines. "Very basically speaking, with beef, go with big, chewy, tannic Cabernets. Go to California if you like fruit, and to Bordeaux if you want really dry. When ordering chicken, go with whatever wine you want, such as a white Burgundy, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, or Oregon Pinot Noir. Everything goes with chicken, as it has a little flavor of its own to get in the way. Pairing wine with fish and seafood dishes is a bit tougher. For white wines, go with quirky Italian wines, such as Vermentino, Vernaccia, Falanghina or Orvieto," explained Myers.

Since you might not want to admit to the people you're dining with that you know little about wine, Myers recommends pulling your server or the restaurant's sommelier aside to have an open and honest conversation about your wine needs, taste and budget. "Ask for their help and utilize their recommendations to ensure the best dining experience possible."

The Equinox In Vermont Offers Unique Activities For Vacationers

So, I just returned from three days as a guest at The Equinox resort in Manchester Village, Vermont (800-362-4747 / 802-362-7873 / www.equinoxresort.com). While the leaves haven't started changing colors yet, the area was still stunningly beautiful. The resort itself was luxurious and showcased a rich history (it was established in 1769).

As you'd expect from a top-rated resort, The Equinox offers several upscale dining rooms, a full-service spa and tennis courts, plus a golf course that avid golfers travel from around the country to experience. For people who enjoy hiking, the resort is also surrounded by an assortment of trails.

What really sets this resort apart, however, are the unique activities that are offered. For example, affiliated with the resort is The British School of Falconry, which is the world's first school dedicated to this unusual sport. Here, you can experience the rare opportunity to handle and interact with hawks. One-hour introductory lessons ($89.00 per person) are available, as are hawk walks ($149.00 per person), and hawk hunting expeditions ($299.00 per person). There's also a three full-day course and various other packages available to introduce participants to this sport in a very hands-on way.

The Equinox is also home to The Archery School at the Equinox and has teamed up with Orvis (www.orvis.com) to offer a fly fishing instruction and excursions.

For people looking for a bit more action-oriented fun, The Equinox offers the Land Rover Experience driving school (802-362-0687), which provides the opportunity to take a fully-equipped Land Rover on an off-road expedition, complete with instruction by a licensed and certified instructor. The off-road driving takes place on a custom-designed, 80-acre course which provides for a variety of terrain challenges. Price: $225 per vehicle, per hour. For advanced off-road drivers, a full-day program is offered.

If you're looking to experience a luxurious and memorable trip to Vermont, plus experience a handful of activities not available elsewhere, a visit to The Equinox is well worth it. While the resort welcomes kids, this is more an upscale resort catering to adults. Manchester Village, Vermont is located about 189 miles from Boston and 204 miles from New York City. 

Top Business-Friendly Hotels In New York City

Business travelers have very different needs than vacationers, honeymooners and other leisure travelers. Most people traveling for work want accommodations that offer comfort and luxury, as well as convenient amenities and services that will help them be more productive, get a good night sleep, and have a successful trip.

High-speed Internet access, a large in-room desk and work area, multiple electrical outlets located near the desk, duel line telephones, an in-room fax machine, 24-room service, and access to an executive lounge are among the amenities most in demand by business travelers. Other popular services among business travelers include a 24-hour concierge, an in-house business center, valet parking and a fitness center.

The key to a successful business trip is ample preparation. To help make a business traveler’s travel planning easier, Entrepreneur Press has launched a new series of city-specific, pocket-sized travel guides that offer everything from tips for saving money when book airfares, to detailed reviews of top business-friendly hotels, restaurants and attractions in major cities frequented by business travelers, including New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC and Orlando. Each edition is sold separately.


The recently published New York City edition of Entrepreneur Magazine’s The Business Traveler ($17.95) offers all of the information and resources business travelers need to plan and experience a successful work-related trip to Manhattan. Featured in the travel guide are detailed descriptions and reviews of the top 25 business-friendly hotels in the city, which include (in alphabetical order):

Four Seasons New York
Address: 57 East 57th Street, New York, NY
Reservations phone number: (800) 819-5053
Main phone number: (212) 758-5700
Web site: www.fourseasons.com/newyorkfs

Hilton New York
Address: 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
Reservations phone number: (800) 445-8667
Main phone number: (212) 586-7000
Web site: www.newyork.Hilton.com

London NYC
Address: 151 West 54th Street, New York, NY
Reservations phone number: (877) 597-9696
Main phone number: (212) 307-5000
Web site: www.thelondonnyc.com

The Peninsula New York
Address: 700 5th Avenue, New York, NY
Reservations phone number: (866) 382-8388
Main phone number: (212) 956-2888
Web site: www.peninsula.com

The Regency – A Loews Hotel
Address: 540 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Reservations phone number: (800) 233-2356
Main phone number: (212) 759-4100
Web site: www.loewshotels.com

Unlike other major U.S. cities, virtually all of the hotels in Manhattan are expensive, yet the guestrooms are relatively small in size. Despite this, hotels within The Big Apple enjoy at least an 86 percent occupancy rate year round, so it’s important to make your reservations well in advance to insure you get the accommodations you want and need at an affordable price.

Business travelers should plan on spending at least $250.00 per night for a standard guestroom at a three-star hotel. At a luxury hotel, a standard guestroom will cost at least $400.00 to $700.00 per night. Unfortunately, the accommodations offered at many hotels rated lower than three-stars are sub-standard and not suitable for business travelers.

In addition to standard guestroom charges, be prepared to spend an extra $50.00 per night for parking, $19.95 per night for Internet access, plus any charges for incidentals (such as telephone calls, faxes, room-service, pay-per-view movies, or items taken from the guestroom’s mini bar). Experiencing a business trip in New York isn’t cheap, yet the city continues to be one of the most frequented destinations in the world amongst business travelers.

One way to save money on hotel accommodations is to make your reservations through a popular online travel-related websites, such as Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com or Kayak.com. While you could save up to 40 percent off regular rates, reservations made through these services must be pre-paid and are typically not cancelable or changeable. Hotels.com recently changed its policy and now allows for reservations to be changed or cancelled, but certain restrictions apply.

As you’re making your travel plans, keep in mind that most New York City hotels strictly adhere to a 3pm check-in time on the day of your arrival, and an 11:00am check out time on your day of departure. If you’ll need to check-in early or check out late, contact the hotel’s front desk in advance. Also, because Manhattan can be a noisy city (due to traffic and ongoing construction), consider requesting a room on a higher-level floor.

To save additional money, consider choosing a hotel that is situated close to where you’ll be conducting the majority of your business. If you’ll be attending an event at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (located at 655 West 34th Street), for example, any hotel located in the Times Square, Downtown or Central Park area offers easy access to the convention center via taxi. Around these areas, you’ll also find countless restaurants and attractions, so the need for costly taxi trips will be kept to a minimum. If you’ll be conducting your business in the Wall Street area, there are plenty of business-friendly hotels nearby.

For more information about business-friendly hotels in New York City, as well as reviews of top restaurants, shows, attractions and business-related services, pick up a copy of Entrepreneur Magazine’s The Business Traveler Guide to New York City. Reading the guide prior to your departure could easily save you hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars on your next business trip. The travel guide is currently available from bookstores nationwide, as well as from Amazon.com, BN.com and EntrepreneurPress.com.

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO

Looking for the perfect weekend getaway from the West Coast? I can't recommend The Broadmoor (866-696-3961) highly enough! This resort is easily as luxurious as any Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons, for example, but offers a more laid back and friendly atmosphere. Everyone on the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.

I had a chance to spend a few days here in September, and I can't wait to go back! It's one of the nicest resorts I've been to anywhere in the world. (For me, this is saying a lot, but it's true!)

Located in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO, this resort brings new meaning to the term "five-star luxury." It combines a rich history with timeless charm, and all of the modern amenities and services you could ask for. It's no wonder why U.S. Presidents, celebrities, foreign dignitaries and business leaders from around the world all enjoy spending time here.

During the peak season you can expect to pay top-dollar to stay at The Broadmoor, but during the off-season, there are some amazing deals to be had. The resort's award-winning golf courses are open year-round (weather permitting). You can also enjoy the world-class day spa, tennis, swimming (in the indoor or outdoor pools), and dine at any of several fine-dining restaurants - each offering a unique and extensive wine list. There are also countless other activities to partake in right on the property, plus many local attractions that are well worth visiting nearby.

This is a great family-friendly resort (which is pet-friendly). Special kid-oriented activity programs are available. There's also a movie theater on site that provides nightly entertainment. However, The Broadmoor is also the ideal place to hold a business meeting or corporate retreat. The resort has been around since 1918, but has been completely renovated. The landscaping throughout the property, for example, creates a comfortable and visually stunning environment, but it's the extremely comfortable and luxurious guestrooms, plus the superior service, that make one's stay here both comfortable and memorable.

During your stay, be sure to visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (719-633-9925 / www.cmzoo.org), which is located less than five minutes from the resort. Here, you'll find a variety of amazing exhibits, including the African Rift Valley exhibit, which is extremely unique because guests can hand-feed the giraffes.



Another visually amazing, all-natural attraction is the Garden of the Gods. Here you'll find breathtaking rock formations. Throughout the Colorado Springs area, there are many great places to hike and enjoy the outdoors. Once you arrive at the resort, ground transportation can be coordinated, so there's no need for a rental car.

The Broadmoor features 700 guestrooms and suites, 15 on-site restaurants, 185,000-square-feet of flexible meeting and event space, tennis courts, a day spa, and three golf courses - all situated on 3,000 lush acres of land. The resort is located close to the Colorado Springs airport (offering non-stop flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix, for example).

To learn more about this unique and beautiful resort, point your web browser to: http://www.broadmoor.com.

Niagara Falls: The Perfect Weekend Get-Away

Anyone who lives in the Northeast, such as in Boston, Connecticut or New York City, for example, can easily enjoy an inexpensive, yet memorable weekend getaway by visiting the New York side of Niagara Falls (located about a 30 minute drive from the Buffalo airport). Direct flights to Buffalo, which take just over one hour, are available from all of the NYC area airports, as well as from Boston. If you shop around, you’ll easily find low fares, starting under $200.00 (round trip).

The New York side of Niagara Falls offers one of the most spectacular natural attractions on the east coast – the falls themselves. The falls can be viewed from a variety of different but equally breathtaking perspectives and can take anywhere from an hour to almost an entire day to truly experience.

The famous Maid of the Mist boat tour ($12.50 per adult), for example, takes you to the bottom of the falls for a breathtaking view. Plan on getting wet. Waterproof ponchos are provided, however. A more panoramic view from the top of the falls is available from several observation decks within Niagara Falls State Park, including from Prospect Point, Goat Island, Luna Island, and the Three Sisters Islands (all of which are walking distance from each other).

I recommend purchasing the money-saving “Passport to the Falls” ticket ($28.00 per adult), which includes admission to Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, the Niagara Legends movie, the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, use of the Scenic Trolley, and admission to the Aquarium of Niagara.

In addition to visiting the falls themselves, it’s easy to fill a two or three day weekend gambling at the local casinos, enjoying the many fine-dining and mid-priced restaurants in the area, visiting the day spas, exploring the nearby wineries, and visiting the many other local attractions and historical sites that cater to people of all ages.

Ideally, you’ll want to fly into the Buffalo airport, rent a car, stay at a hotel near the falls, and then have the freedom to explore the area without having to pay for costly taxis. Without a rental car, you can sign up for a wide range of bus tours.

While there are a variety of inexpensive and mid-priced hotels located within walking distance to the falls themselves (on the New York side), such as the Crowne Plaza, you might opt to stay at the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel (877-873-6322 / www.senecsaniagaracasino.com), if you can book a room there. It’s often sold out.

The hotel/casino currently offers 486 guestrooms, 86 corner suites and 22 one-bedroom suites, plus plenty of gaming that rivals casinos in Atlantic City. Within the Seneca Casino, for example, you’ll find more than 4,000 slot machines, plus plenty of table games ranging from poker to roulette. For dinner, The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse, is an excellent choice for expertly prepared steak and seafood dishes.

Another alternative is to stay about 15 to 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, in nearby historic Lewiston. Here, you’ll find several lovely hotels and BandBs, such as the brand new Barton Hill Hotel and Spa (800-718-1812 / www.bartonhillhotel.com), which is a four-star, waterfront hotel. On the site of this hotel is where the United States launched its invasion of Canada in 1812. The hotel offers all of the services and amenities you’d expect from a four-star property, including a world-class day spa. Boat rentals, fishing trips and tours can be scheduled, plus the hotel is walking distance from the downtown area of Lewiston, which offers a wonderful selection of restaurants, bars and lovely shops, plus several historical sites.

In terms of other activities, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda, New York (716-693-1885 / www.carrouselmuseum.org), is well worth visiting for an hour or so, especially if you’re traveling with kids. If you enjoy visiting wineries and tasting various locally produced wines, there are a handful of places you can visit in the area.

You can easily spend a full day exploring the 10 wineries along what’s referred to as the Niagara Wine Trail. The Winery at Marjim Manor (716-778-7001) is a particularly entertaining stop along the trail. Here you can try more than 20 different wines and be entertained by Margo Sue Bittner, the proprietor, who tells stories about local ghosts while describing her winery’s offerings.

Many people also enjoy visiting this region to explore its historical aspects. In this area, the Underground Railroad was extremely active back on the 1800s, and places like Murphy Orchards, which remains in full operation today, provides a unique and extremely interesting perspective of this era in American history. I’d also recommend the Lockport Cave Tour and Underground Boat Ride, located along the Eire Canal in nearby Lockport, New York (716-438-0174 / www.lockportcave.com).

While Niagara Falls is famous for attracting honeymooners, this region is an ideal place to visit any time of the year for a two or three day getaway weekend, even if you’re not celebrating a special occasion. With a bit of planning, you can plan an itinerary that will be truly memorable.

Of course, you can take a short side-trip across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada and explore the many casinos, hotels and attractions there. American citizens will need a U.S. Passport to cross into Canada. Walking across the bridge takes about 20 minutes. From the bridge, you can take amazing panoramic photos of Niagara Falls. By car, the trip to Canada can take longer if there’s a lot of traffic crossing the boarder.

For more information about the New York side of Niagara Falls, check out the following links:

* Barton Hill Hotel and Spa - www.bartonhillhotel.com
* Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum - www.carrouselmuseum.org
* Lockport Cave Tour and Underground Boat Ride - www.lockportcave.com
* Niagara Falls State Park – www.niagarafallssstatepark.com
* Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation – www.Niagara-USA.com
* Niagara Wine Trail – www.NiagaraWineTrail.org
* Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel - www.senecsaniagaracasino.com

Welcome!!!

Greetings! I'm Jason Rich - the bestselling author of more than 35 books, including a series of travel guides published by Entrepreneur Press, called Entrepreneur Magazine's Business Traveler. This is a new series of city-specific, pocket-sized travel guides targeted to business travelers and convention goers.

The New York, Las Vegas and Washington, DC editions are now available from bookstores and airport shops nationwide. Watch for the release of the Los Angeles, Orlando and Chicago guides in late-2007. Additional guides will be released in 2008.

I also write regularly published travel-related articles for the New York Daily News newspaper. To read a sampling of these articles, point your browser to http://www.jasonrich.com/DailyNews.htm.

This new blog will focus on my travels and offer money saving tips and travel planning strategies designed to help you save time and money, while planning the very best trip possible, whether it's for business or pleasure. In recent weeks, I have traveled to Peru, Granada and Colorado Springs. Shortly, I will be posting details about these amazing trips and offer my advice on where to go and what to see when visiting these destinations.

Over the next few weeks, I'm also headed to Niagra Falls, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas and Orlando, so watch for travel tips to these destinations as well. In the meantime, if you want to see photos from my travels, please visit www.JasonRichPhotography.com. As always, you can learn more about my books by visiting www.JasonRich.com.

Have a travel-related question? Don't hesitate to email me at jason@jasonrich.com.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back here regularly for new travel-related information and advice.

-- Jason

P.S. The above photo was taken in Granada at the famous Concord Waterfall. I'm here in Grenada for a few days, which is one of the nicest places in the entire Caribbean! It's well worth visiting. More on this trip will be posted shortly.