Average airfare Today: $552
Average airfare One Year Ago: $474
This, according to FareCompare.com, for tickets purchased three days before a trip from New York to 50 top US cities.
Most of that, I presume, can be attributed to rising gas prices…
NASSAU, The Bahamas, May 22 /PRNewswire/ — Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon recently wed at a surprise ceremony on the picture-perfect island of Eleuthera, adding to the growing list of stars that have planned their perfect day in The Bahamas. With ideal weather year round, breathtaking beaches, lavish hotels and amenities, not to mention privacy, this tropical paradise has long been a favorite locale for celebrities to walk down the aisle in style.
Always the trend setter, supermodel Cindy Crawford said “I do” to hubby Rande Gerber in May 1998 at the swanky Ocean Club on Paradise Island. Since then, A-list couples have continued to flock to the 700 Islands Of The Bahamas including current NFL commentator Deion Sanders who was married on Nassau Paradise Island, Richard De Niro, son of Oscar winning actor Robert De Niro, who also said his vows on Nassau Paradise Island and Solange Knowles, younger sister of pop icon Beyonce, who wed on Grand Bahama Island. Also married in The Bahamas was Google co-founder Sergey Brin to bio-tech specialist Anne Wojcicki. The sweethearts said their nuptials in May of 2007 on Musha Cay Island on a private property owned by magician David Copperfield.
You don’t have to be rich and famous to get married in The Bahamas. Whether planning a large wedding with hundreds of guests or an intimate ceremony with just close friends and family in attendance, The Bahamas can fit the needs of all personalities, themes, and budgets. With endless hotel and resort options, restaurant choices and activities for the young and young at heart, this chic destination makes planning a wedding effortless. What’s more, possibly the most distinct feature of The Bahamas is the ability for newlyweds to cut the cake on one island and then leave their guests behind to escape to their honeymoon on yet another secluded island in The Bahamas!
Life in The Islands Of The Bahamas is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful, from the carefree Out Islands to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. With world-class diving and fishing, gorgeous turquoise water and miles of picture perfect beaches, the 700 islands of The Bahamas offer visitors the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. To plan your own destination wedding in The Bahamas visit www.weddings.bahamas.com for all of your wedding planning needs. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com . To experience The Bahamas at home, visit www.EShopBahamas.com .
Woodbury, CT. (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 — Memorial Day is a great time for a daytrip or weekend road trip to kick off the start of summer. Here are seven must-pack items to keep your cool and your cash when the roads heat up.
1. Pack snacks. If you’re munching on healthy food like apples, carrots, hard-boiled egg whites, or popcorn, you’re going to be more alert than if you stop for junk food at a gas station mini mart. If you know you will crave sweet or salty snacks, buy them at a warehouse store or supermarket ahead of time where the prices are lower. Remember bottled water, soft drinks and a cooler or ice chest to keep them cold.
2. Pack boredom busters. If you hit traffic or are on a long car trip with friends or children with short attention spans, expecting them to spend hours with nothing to do is a recipe for stress. Instead, bring along a variety of activities, like books, non-staining markers, a cd player or mp3 player, a portable dvd player and portable games (low-tech car games or video games). If you have an iPod Touch or similar device, you can download movies ahead of time. Headphones are a must. Some companies make adapters that allow you to use two sets of headphones with one device. Also, be sure to have a supply of batteries on hand if you pack electronics and a car charger if you have one.
3. Pack extra clothes. You never know when that super-sized soft drink is going to end up in your lap. It’s also a good idea to have an extra sweater or sweatshirt, shorts, t-shirts and jeans to adjust to temperature changes.
4. Pack your mobile phone. Remember the car charger, too. In addition to being able to make phone calls, most mobile phones today come with free games preloaded, so be ready to share if you start hearing “I’m bored!” Many mobile phone providers offer plans for unlimited calls, text messages and internet access, so your iPhone, BlackBerry, or most any mobile phone can let you keep in touch with friends and surf mobile websites. One new service made for mobile phones, Pilot.mobi, provides free driving directions and maps in the United States and internationally, plus a listing of hotels and restaurants along the way. You can access it on the web by mobile phone without downloading any additional software.
5. Pack emergency and automotive supplies. Hopefully you’ll never need a first aid kit, jumper cables or road flares on your car trip, but it’s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. A tire gauge can tell you if your tires are properly inflated, which can prevent blowouts and increase fuel efficiency. Extra fuses can be handy if a headlamp or dashboard light goes out. If you haven’t already, it might be a good time to join an emergency road service like AAA (Triple A).
6. Pack travelers’ checks or a debit gift card. Traveler’s checks have been a trusted friend of travelers for years, but salespeople don’t always know how to redeem them. Even better, you can purchase prepaid gift cards from credit card companies like Visa, MasterCard and American Express at drugstores and mass market retailers. If you lose them, it is a lot less stressful than having to replace your primary credit card.
7. Pack it in for the night. Technically, this isn’t packing, but it’s a good idea to get some sleep at a hotel if you have an extended drive ahead of you. Tired drivers are stressed drivers, and falling asleep at the wheel can endanger yourself and other people, so avoid driving through the night it if you can. You can find hotels with pilot.mobi (see item 4) on your mobile phone in case you need to make an unexpected stop.
Have fun and enjoy your Memorial Day road trip.
About Pilot.mobi:
Industry leading travel portal Pilot.mobi is a product of Creative, LLC. Founded in 2007 to meet the needs of today’s on the go consumer, Creative, LLC is a provider of mobile internet travel information and provides maps and driving directions for the United States, Australia and most of Europe to any web enabled mobile phone. The US version of Pilot.mobi includes location information for hotels and restaurants in any state. Creative, LLC is headquartered in Woodbury, CT. For more information visit http://www.pilot.mobi.
MONTREAL, May 16 /PRNewswire/ - It’s hard to imagine a destination more family-friendly than the Caribbean, or an accommodation more suited to family holidays than villas. Put them together and you have the perfect conditions, ready to keep everyone from Grandma and Grandpa on down to the littlest tots happy and busy.
Though, on the whole, the Caribbean is perfect for families, some beach destinations shine brighter than others in terms of the services and activities they have to offer. The trick is to know your group and its needs, wants and what you won’t compromise on (like direct flights, for example). No matter what your make-up, the Caribbean has destinations and villas for you.
Luxury Retreats, www.luxuryretreats.com, a specialist in luxury villa rentals throughout the Caribbean, has experience pointing families in the right direction.
“The majority of the guests we work with are traveling in a group of at least 4 to 5 family members, and that usually includes a wide range of ages and personalities,” said Ben Tuff, Luxury Retreats’ Director of Marketing. “It might seem like an impossible task to find something that everyone will like, but that’s the beauty of the Caribbean - there really is something for everyone.”
For families with kids of all ages, Tuff recommends islands like St. Thomas or Grand Cayman, a crowd-pleaser with plenty of activities for the little ones but also the restaurants and nightlife that the teens and adults might crave. If staffing is a factor, families should look towards St. Lucia, Jamaica or Barbados - all islands where a cook and maid usually come standard with a villa rental.
“Having someone to cook you dinner while you’re hanging out by the pool is an amazing feeling,” said Tuff. “And family vacations are even more special when you are all experiencing something new together.”
Togetherness being the key component of family holidays, villas easily trump hotels and resorts, where spreading out in multiple rooms down a hallway among hundreds of other travelers.
For more information on all our family destinations, visit our website through the following: www.luxuryretreats.com
DEARBORN, Mich., May 15 /PRNewswire/ — An estimated 1.3 million Michiganians will travel during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, launching the start of the 2008 summer travel season, says AAA Michigan. According to a national survey conducted for AAA by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), record fuel prices and challenging economic times will alter travel plans for some Americans.
“Many residents will travel more economically — looking for the best travel bargain for their dollars this upcoming holiday weekend,” said Claire Lockley, vice president of Travel for The Auto Club Group (ACG), including AAA Michigan. To cope with rising gas prices, this summer many families will drive shorter distances, spend fewer nights away from home, and spend less on hotels, restaurants, souvenirs and shopping.
As of May 14, the statewide average for self-serve, regular gasoline was $3.891 — 60.7 cents more per gallon than a year ago.
According to the 2008 edition of AAA’s Annual Vacation Costs Survey, the recommended travel budget for two adults traveling together in Michigan is $211.19 per day for lodging and meals — $33 less than the national average of $244 per day.
Travelers will find air fares up slightly this year: AAA’s Leisure Travel Index shows flights over the holiday weekend averaging 8 percent higher this year than last year. Car rental rates are expected to increase more dramatically — up 45 percent from last year, with renters paying an average of $44.70, almost $14 more than last year. Hotel rates for Three-Diamond properties will be down about 7 percent nationwide, with travelers spending an average of $161.85 per night.
For Michigan residents planning a summer vacation, the 10 most popular driving destinations, based on requests to AAA Auto Travel counselors, are:
1) Niagara Falls ON
2) Myrtle Beach SC
3) Chicago IL
4) Branson MO
5) Williamsburg VA
6) Washington DC
7) Cedar Point OH
Orlando FL
9) Hilton Head Island SC
10) Virginia Beach VA
AAA’s national survey contacted 2,000 U.S. residents, supplemented by an additional 6,500 Americans surveyed from the top 10 states — including Michigan — of travel origin in the U.S. Respondents provided these insights into Memorial Day travel:
— The greatest number of Memorial Day auto travelers will originate in
the West with 7.6 million travelers, followed by the Southeast with 6.8
million; Midwest, 6.7 million; Northeast, 5.8 million; and Great Lakes,
4.8 million.
— The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers
with 1.37 million, followed by the Midwest with 1.18 million;
Southeast, 870,000; Northeast, 545,000; and Great Lakes, 384,000.
The 78-hour Memorial Day weekend officially begins: 6 p.m., Friday, May 23 and ends 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 26. During Memorial Day weekend in 2007, 12 people were killed in 10 fatal crashes in Michigan, a decrease from the 18 killed in 17 fatal crashes in 2006. Four of last year’s victims were belted. Alcohol was a factor in four of the fatal crashes.
This year, Michigan law enforcement agencies will focus extra attention on unbuckled motorists to make this the safest Memorial Day on record. The Auto Club advises motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time to navigate construction areas on the state’s highways.
For traffic and detour information, motorists can call 1-800-411-4823. Or, before leaving, check the AAA Michigan Web site, www.aaatraffic.com , for updated traffic information.
NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire/ — The Flatotel is welcoming visiting families from London to Los Angeles this summer with great rates, spacious accommodations and action packed activities for kids at every age. The modern, midtown Manhattan luxury property is making it easy to plan an affordable getaway in one of the world’s most exciting destinations.
Families who book by June 30th can enjoy a spacious stay in one of the Flatotel’s newly refurbished deluxe one-bedroom suites; featuring a pull-out couch; fully equipped eat-in kitchen and one-and-a-half baths from $385 and up per night. The suite accommodates up to two adults and two children. Reservations and rates subject to availability and apply to travel beginning at the end of June, and through July and August.
The Flatotel has discovered how to make an adult environment work for kids and embraces family members with its cozy atmosphere and more personalized services. Upon arrival, families receive a list of kid-friendly stores close by such as American Girl Place, Build-A-Bear Workshop, FAO Schwarz, and the NBA Store, among others; along with shopping discounts and vouchers to Top of the Rock, Museum of Modern Art, and a tour of NBC Studios.
If its culture they want to explore, families can also take advantage of the legendary cultural attractions and landmarks that are steps away from the Flatotel’s front door: Rockefeller Center, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, and Central Park.
All Flatotel suites boast modern amenities that ensure comfort and convenience including custom beds with goose down duvets and Egyptian cotton sheets; Internet access; a Sony Wega flat screen TV featuring DIRECTTV and premium cable; CD player and other features. Among the other attractive amenities on property are concierge service, a business center and complimentary use of the Flatotel’s Sky Gym Fitness Center and access to The Athletic & Swim Club and Olympic-size swimming pool.
Flatotel’s onsite eatery, MODA and MODA Lounge, offers guests an inventive menu featuring Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. In addition to 24-hour room service, MODA serves breakfast, lunch, and light fare during Happy Hour and evening hours. Jazz is featured weekly during Happy Hour and at Sunday brunch.
With a bold name and concept that originates from the English word “flat” for apartment and “hotel” for flexible length of stay, the Flatotel is a four-star rated, stylish alternative to a big midtown hotel. To inquire about the special family summer rates, or for additional travel information, please contact (800) 352-8683, or book directly on www.flatotel.com.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 8, 2008 — With the Euro valued at over 1.5 US dollars, a European vacation this year means literally throwing some of your money away. “Right now, the dollar is so pitiful, travelers planning to cross the pond could end up wasting the equivalent of an entire vacation,” says Giampiero Ambrosi of VirtualTourst.com. To ease the pain of the economy and still have a great time, we’ve compiled a list of the Top Ten Places to Avoid the Euro, based on advice from members of VirtualTourist.com.
Right now, the dollar is so pitiful, travelers planning to cross the pond could end up wasting the equivalent of an entire vacation
Istanbul, Turkey: Not only is it beautiful, affordable, and loaded with things to do, it’s the only city in the world that exists on two continents; Europe and Asia.
Johannesburg, South Africa: Mysterious, complicated, and full of dichotomies, Johannesburg, or ‘Jo-Burg’ as the locals call it, is not only one of the most intriguing places on earth, but at the moment, one of the most affordable.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Often referred to as ‘The Paris of South America,’ this has definitely become the hottest go-to place for those who usually go to Paris in the summer.
Acapulco, Mexico: Jack and Jackie honeymooned here and so did Bill and Hillary. If you’re looking for a truly old-school beach vacation, this is your place.
Pondicherry, India: Once under French rule, the city retains its flavor with clean, elegant lines and a serene atmosphere. Luckily, it also promises all the excitement and bustle visitors to India crave.
New Orleans, Louisiana: Although not yet entirely whole, jazz can be heard on the streets again, beads are back around everyone’s necks, and the food is as spicy as ever.
Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam: Between the stunning landscapes, friendly people, and endless things to do, most visitors find it not only one of the most interesting places to visit, but the most surprising.
Scottsdale, Arizona: With the W Hotel up and running and a new shopping development complete, Scottsdale is hot in more ways then one.
Macau: Known as ‘The Las Vegas of the Orient,’ this gambling Mecca repeatedly comes up as one of Asia’s most exhilarating destinations.
Tikal National Park, Guatemala: This ancient Mayan civilization, which took researchers 13 years to fully excavate, looks like something out of a science fiction novel and is still very much a work in progress.
About VirtualTourist.com
VirtualTourist.com is one of the largest online travel communities in the world and a premier resource for travelers seeking an insider perspective on travel information, from Las Vegas hotels to New York City restaurants. At www.virtualtourist.com, real people share real advice on places they’ve traveled as well as their hometowns; they research and plan trips, and they interact with other avid travelers via travel forums and email; over six million travelers use the site monthly. VirtualTourist boasts more than 1.6 million travel reviews and 3 million photos on more than 58,000 destinations worldwide. Unbiased, user-generated content on Hotels, Attractions, Local Customs, Tourist Traps and much more is posted entirely by VirtualTourist’s more than 1,000,000 registered members from over 220 countries and territories, and the site’s Trip Planner feature allows users to create custom print-and-go travel guides. Among VirtualTourist’s awards and accolades: ‘Sites that Changed Our World,’ The Guardian; ‘Favorite Website,’ Newsweek; ‘35 Best Travel Sites,’ Travel Leisure.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 29, 2008 — New York’s best ships and itineraries for 2008/09 were named by the editorial staff of Cruising From New York, a web site devoted to passenger shipping from the three ports, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ.
According to Anne Campbell, editor of Cruising From New York, “Today every major cruise line has several ships that home port in New York for extended seasons of voyages ranging from a one-day party cruise to a 100-plus-day circumnavigation of the globe.”
Today every major cruise line has several ships that home port in New York for extended seasons of voyages ranging from a one-day party cruise to a 100-plus-day circumnavigation of the globe.
Over one million people sailed from New York’s three ports in 2007 and that number is expected to increase in 2008. Since 9/11, the number of ships and passengers has increased to the point that additional berthing facilities were opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey.
BEST CRUISE LINES AND SHIPS
New York’s Biggest Star: Queen Mary 2. Ballroom dancing to a live orchestra, high tea perfectly served, scholarly guest lecturers, a dog kennel and the ultimate in creature comforts keep the British maritime heritage alive and well.
Best Ship for Families: Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas. A big kid pleaser due to her rock climbing wall, roller blading, ice-skating and private teen club, Explorer of the Seas is hugely popular with cruisers of all ages.
Biggest Bang For The Buck: Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships boast large cabins, the best entertainment and exceptionally good food.
Best Onboard Dining Program: Princess Cruises’ ships. Princess offers the choice of single open seating dining or traditional two seating dining plus a Lido Restaurant that serves great food 24 hours per day.
Best New York Itineraries: Princess Cruises’ Caribbean, Europe and Canada/New England cruises from Brooklyn.
Best Ships For Laid-back Cruisers: Norwegian Cruise Line’s vessels. NCL’s popular “Freestyle Cruising” program means you may dine when and with whom you please in numerous restaurants. And, formal attire isn’t required.
BEST ITINERARIES OF 2008/09
Caribbean: (Princess) Caribbean Princess sails on nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages round-trip from Brooklyn to Bermuda, Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas
Bermuda: (Royal Caribbean & NCL) RCI’s Explorer of the Seas sails on six-day Bermuda cruises from Cape Liberty and Norwegian Cruise Line’ Norwegian Dawn makes seven-day Bermuda voyages from Manhattan
Canada/New England: (Princess) Sea Princess’ ten-night cruises between Brooklyn and Quebec City calling in Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown
Europe: Six-night transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2
Short Cruise: Aug. 29, 2008 three-night cruise to nowhere aboard Holland America’s brand new Eurodam sailing from Manhattan.
Best Long Cruise: Sea Princess’ 14-day Iceland & Greenland voyage from Southampton, UK to Brooklyn departing Aug. 30, 2008. Ports of call: Bergen, Norway; Shetland Islands, Scotland; Faroe Islands, Denmark; Iceland; Nanortalik, Greenland; St. Johns, Nova Scotia.
MIAMI, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Carnival Cruise Lines — a relative newcomer in European cruising, entering the market just three years ago — is well represented in the recently published Fodor’s Complete Guide to European Cruises, garnering nine “Best of Cruising” designations, more than double the number of any other cruise line.
Fodor’s Complete Guide to European Cruises is an annual publication providing comprehensive overviews of all major cruise lines operating within the region, along with travel tips, detailed port-of-call information and other helpful content aimed at experienced and first-time cruisers alike.
Carnival’s nine “Best of Cruising” awards include:
— Best Regular Dining Room Cuisine
— Best Specialty Restaurants
— Best Cruise Line For Families
— Best Regular Cabins
— Best Beds
— Best Entertainment At Sea
— Best Sports and Fitness Centers
— Best Shops on Board
— Best Fun & Funky Activities
According to Carnival’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s nine awards reflect many of the signature elements of a “Fun Ship” cruise — outstanding dining, spacious and comfortable accommodations, modern spa and children’s facilities, and fun- filled activities for guests of all ages, all of which add up to memorable vacations.
“Considering that Carnival has been sailing in Europe for just three years, it is indeed an honor to be named ‘Best of Cruising’ by Fodor’s in so many different categories,” Rodriguez said. “We pride ourselves on providing our guests with fun, high quality vacations — regardless of where our ‘Fun Ships’ are sailing — and this recognition is a wonderful validation of our efforts,” he added.
“By providing the ‘Best of Cruising’ to readers, Fodor’s identifies the cruise lines and ships that offer the highest quality in features sought by today’s passengers. I’m pleased that Carnival Cruise Lines has consistently met and exceeded our expectations in nine ‘Best of Cruising’ categories,” said Linda Coffman, who, along with veteran travel journalists Ralph Grizzle and Lindsay Bennett, serve as editors of Fodor’s “Best of Cruising” section.
Carnival’s entry into Europe began in 2005 with a series of cruises aboard Carnival Liberty and, over the past three years, the line has tripled its number of voyages within the region.
This year, Carnival will deploy two ships in Europe for the first time, including its newest and largest ship, the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, which will launch the line’s first-ever 12-day Northern Europe program. Joining the Carnival Splendor will be the Carnival Freedom, which will operate Carnival’s popular Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey cruises. Carnival will deploy two ships to Europe in 2009, as well.
In addition to European cruises, Carnival operates three- to 18-day voyages to destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, New England, the Panama Canal, Bermuda and South America aboard its 22-vessel fleet.
For additional information and reservations on the “Fun Ship” vacation experience, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com .
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwire - April 25, 2008) - As we approach May with its double header of public holidays at the beginning and end of the month it seems that most holidaymakers would prefer to have our bank holidays more evenly spread throughout the year. This was one of the findings of a survey about spring holidays among more than five hundred British travellers conducted by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community.
Seventy-four percent of respondents said that they would prefer public holidays to be more evenly spread throughout the year. Nevertheless, it seems that the spring breaks are a popular time for many us to getaway with 46 percent saying that they are planning a vacation during the May holidays, a slight increase on last year. Of these, 24 percent of travellers will be taking a long weekend break, 18 percent a week or longer and 10 percent a day tour. Forty five percent of respondents said they avoided travel on a public holiday.
Asked what they liked most about spring holiday travel, forty-five percent of the British travellers said that taking a break in May is a welcome relief after the long winter. Eighteen percent said it was because it is less crowded and 15 percent indicated that the prices were more reasonable than summer.
While 18 percent of the respondents said that they planned to holiday in the UK this May, slightly more (19 percent) were going abroad, despite the current drop in the value of the British pound against the euro. Convenience and less stress was the main attraction of holidaying in the UK for 24 percent of travellers while 23 percent appreciated the opportunity to learn more about their home country. Asked what they liked least about holidaying in the UK, half of all respondents cited the unreliability of the weather and less sunshine than abroad. Fifteen percent said the food, drink and hotels were cheaper abroad and the accommodation was better.
According to survey’s respondents the most popular parts of the country to visit this May are the North of England, followed by Wales, South of England and Scotland. The most popular countries to visit abroad are France followed by Spain.
More than 50 percent of travellers expect to be spending between two and six hours on their journey to and from their May holiday destination. It looks like the Brits could be enjoying a mixed range of activities this spring. Seeing a cultural attraction is the most popular for 16 percent of TripAdvisor British members while, 15 percent will be taking a city tour, 13 percent going to the beach and 12 percent visiting national parks or gardens. Eleven percent said they will be taking a cycling or walking holiday. Most (27 percent) will be staying at a hotel, while seven percent will be imposing themselves on friends or relatives.
It seems that little will deter British travellers from taking a break this May. Seventy-eight percent of TripAdvisor British members said increases in fuel prices will not affect plans, neither will the airport delays of 2007 for 91 percent, or concerns about the environment for 88 percent.
For more info http://www.tripadvisor.com
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