Lots of travel news over the past week, from the potential merger of a couple of heavy weight airlines to the pay-to-pee, from the continued discussion of airline bag fees to the crash in western Russia, it’s been a helluva week for the industry.

On a happy personal note, I booked tickets for my June trip to Rome.  The countdown now begins!

Here are a few of the interesting, fun, and quirky articles that I found this week.  Give them a read:

The Mindful Tourist reviews the book The Geography of Bliss, and the search for happy places around the world.  Where do you think you’d find your happy place?

That’s it for this week.  May the coming one be full of safe and adventurous travels!

Photo credit: personal collection

This past week of travel had me in and out of a variety of warm weather destinations, including Maui, San Jose (California) and Palm Springs, before returning home to chilly Seattle.  My travel pet peeve for the week is hotels that promote their property as having free wi-fi, but then it doesn’t work.  If you’re free wi-fi keeps signing me off every 10 minutes, you need to get some issue resolved!

Here’s what I’ve enjoyed reading this week – when I did have internet access:

• BootsnAll has a list of ways for a non-resort person to enjoy a resort stay.  As someone who enjoys both resort stays and independent travel, this is a good reminder that you occasionally have to experience something outside your comfort zone to have a well-rounded travel view.
• Travel Savvy Mom has 4 questions to ask yourself before booking a stay at an all-inclusive resort.  If you have reasonable expectations, these can be great family options.
• PlanetEye Traveler – South Florida tempts me to stay at the Angler’s Boutique Resort in Miami Beach.  Beautiful and convenient, it’s worth a look see.
• The Great American Travel Dream has a great list of things that Europeans do right.  The one that I enjoy the most is that table turn times at restaurants barely exists.  Enjoying a leisurely meal is important!
• Sharing Travel Experiences discovers that there’s plenty of things to do is Los Angeles that aren’t Hollywood related.  The Watts Tower was new to me, too.
• Suite 101 Luxury Travel tempts me with some of the world’s most marvelous travel toiletry kits.  These aren’t for the budget-minded traveler, but they pack a serious WOW factor.
• Brilliant Tips explores the many ups and downs of non-revenue travel.  It’s a life of standby travel, but for the patient and adventurous, it’s a great way to see the world.
• The Wall Street Journal explores the mistakes that are made in airline fares, and wonders why it’s a do-over when the airline makes a mistake, but a costly error when it’s the passenger’s error.  I wonder why that is, and when we’ll do something about it?!
• Luxuo profiles the beautiful Versace Mansion in Miami.  It’s now a 10-room hotel, priced to appeal to the rich and famous.
• Consumer Travel introduces us to Chicago’s Elysian Hotel and its no tipping policy.  The hotel claims it pays its employees well enough that they will provide superior service without having to rely on tips to make ends meet.  What do you think of the idea?  Would you pay a little more per night to avoid having to deal with tips?
• PlanetEye Traveler – St. Petersburg tells us that Ryanair is getting the world closer to Russia, with twice a week flights between Dusseldorf, Germany and  Lappeenranta, Finland.  Lappeenranta is only 15 miles from the border of Russia, and 3 hours to St. Petersburg.  The world is getting smaller.
• Intelligent Travel shares a volunteer travel opportunity that gives you a chance to work with pandas in China.  It’s a 14-day tour of China that includes a number of days panda sitting some of the last of these creatures remaining in the world.  It’s a great chance to see the world and do something meaningful, too.
• Hotel Marketing tolls the death knell of the 4-color travel brochure.  A recent study confirms that more travelers rely on reviews from strangers, search results, and word of mouth from family and colleagues than from travel brochures, media reviews, advertising and advice from travel agents.  Yep, it’s what we travel bloggers have been saying for quite some time.

I hope you enjoy these great travel posts – and hey, have a great week of travel!

Photo credit: personal collection

Business and pleasure travelers have have some travel concerns and preparations in common, and one of those is having to worry about what’s happening at home while we’re on the road.

If you have family or friends staying in your home while you’re traveling, it reduces a lot of concerns.  But if your home will remain empty, make sure that you aren’t sending a signal to potential burglars to come on in and help themselves.

Here are ten tips to help keep the burglars away while you are:

1. Let neighbors know that you will be away.  Neighbors are generally the first to notice what could be suspicious behavior, and this is one time that a nosy neighbor will be welcome.  (If you live in an apartment or other managed building, advise the property manager and doormen.  They can help prevent any unauthorized access to your unit.)  Ask neighbors for help in picking up those annoying unsolicited flyers left on doorsteps.
2. Try to get a friend or family member to stop by on an erratic schedule to check on the house.  An occasional car in the drive way, changing of light patterns, etc., can help make the house look occupied.  This is also an additional help in picking up unsolicited flyers.
3. Make sure that you don’t have a key “hidden” by the door.  Under the mat, above the door frame, or in the flower pots are not clever hiding places.  Give a key to anyone who needs to have it.
4. Have a car parked in the driveway, in front on the house, or in your assigned parking place if at all possible.  It will help to make it look like someone is home.
5. Stop the newspaper and mail service.  You don’t need this piling up.  Stopping the mail can be done online, and stopping newspaper service varies according the location.
6. Keep up regularly scheduled appointment such as gardening, lawn care, and housekeeping services.  An untended lawn or garden can signal an absent owner.  Keep as many consistencies to your normal scheduled as possible.  Ask workers to help pick up unsolicited flyers left on your doorstep.
7. Set indoor lights on automatic timers, preferably with a random schedule.  Vary the specific lights and times that they will come on.
8. Turn off the phone ringer, and turn down the volume on the answering machine.  This is especially important in an apartment building, where a constantly ringing phone can signal an empty apartment.
9. Do not leave an answering machine or voice mail message saying that your are traveling or gone.  Don’t leave an out-of-office message on your office phone, unless required to do so by your employer.  Don’t let the “I’m on vacation” message get out to anyone who doesn’t need to have it.  You control the information.
10. Make sure you have appropriate insurance.  No one wants to think about being the victim of a burglary, but being prepared in still an important option.

How about you?  Do you have other things that you do so it looks like you’re home — even when you’re not?

Photo credit: SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by kent washington insurance.  The opinions contained herein are my own.

My weekly round up of travel posts is now at its new home, here at Traveling with MJ.  You may be used to reading it at Flyaway Cafe, but bookmark it here now, and come back often.

Here’s some great travel reads to start out or conclude you week (however you like to think about it):

• 

  A beach is a beautiful thing

  Gadling has a review of the Power Mat recharging system.  I’d been hearing ads all over the place for this baby, so nice to have a review.  Still not sure about it, though.

• LA Times Travel reminds up to tip the hotel maid.  In a perfect world, service workers would be paid a living wage, but till then, TIP.
• My Bella Vita offers suggestions on how to beat back the Italy vacation blues.  She left off my personal remedy – start planning a return trip.
• My Melange talks about the considerations for buying a carry on bag.  As someone who’s been through more than a few sets of luggage wheels, I agree with how important those are!
• SoSauce helps us celebrate fall foliage, and has some great photography.
• WIBlog shares some bizarre concept restaurants.  I sort of like Felony Franks.  But hey, here’s a concept, how about great food that is reasonably priced!
• Nerds Eye View battles the Las Vegas transit system, and wins.  We agree, though, that as much as we’d like to use the monorail, it’s just insanely priced.
• LUXUO tempts me with the ultimate shopping experience, buying gold at Harrods.  I’m not talking jewelry here, but real gold bars.  Hmmm, something to think about when I’m in London next month.
• AAA Travel Views tempts me to visit Philadelphia with a review of Monk’s Belgian Cafe & Beer Emporium.  I confess to being a bit of a beer snob, so this place could be right up my alley.
• Eyeflare has a nice piece on Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.  Can’t go wrong with a zoo on your vacation.
• A Travelers Library gives us a list of spooky reading.  Always a fun read this time of year.
• Intelligent Traveler reminds me of an exhibit that I seem to be missing as it travels across the country, the Terra Cotta Warriors from China.
• Frill Seeker Diary, a blog just recently coming onto my radar scope, talks about the next new hot travel spots.  Apparently Brussels is the next Seattle.
• Consumer Travel reminds us how important it is to be nice, and adds several other suggestions for how to negotiate the result that we want and need.
• Travel Wonders of the World is another blog that I’ve recently started reading, and I loved the post about rocks and rhinos in Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe.
• Budget Travel gives an expert’s opinion on the best iPhone apps for travel.  And you know how I love my iPhone apps!
• The Carey Adventures has a great photo from night diving with the manta rays off the Kona coast.  Peter and I had a chance for coffee and conversation before he headed off to the islands.  Enjoy the sun, my friend!

There’s a lot of good traveling reading there, and I hope you enjoy it.  Please take a minute to leave a comment on these great posts, and be sure to let them know that MJ sent you!

Till next week, safe travels!

Photo credit:  personal collection

About ten minutes east of downtown Denver are 23 acres of gardens and plants that will make you feel like your much further away from the concrete of the city.  The Denver Botanic Gardens (1005 York Street, Denver) contain 45 gardens and over 32,000 plants.  (I discovered the York Street gardens while on a shopping expedition; they are very near the Cherry Creek Mall.)

The gardens represent a wide range of gardening styles and plant collections, covering diverse parts of the world.  It’s an interesting blend or culture with flora and fauna.  And, because this is the mile high city, there’s some focus on high altitude climate and how that can impact a garden.

While it’s hard to believe that a botanical garden can be even “greener," Denver seems to have done it with the city’s first green roof.  It’s a real-life example of how green roofs can be used for individual building owners, and for larger communities, in creating an eco-friendly urban environment.  Green roofs provide habitat for a variety of creatures, and help reduce pollution and decrease noise.  They’re economically friendly too, as green roofs help reduce heating and cooling costs as well as help extend the life of the roof.

The Denver Botanic Gardens are open year round.  Summer hours are Saturday – Tuesday, 9 am – 8 pm; Wednesday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.  The rest of the year the gardens are open 9 am – 5 pm daily.

Admission is $10.50 for adults; $7.50 for seniors (65+) and military; $6 for youth (4-15) and students; and FREE for children 3 and under.

There are also three satellite locations, each offering a distinct experience:

• Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
• Mount Goliath
• Centennial Gardens

While it’s tempting to think of the gardens as a summer destination, each seasons brings a new experience.  So go back often!  It will be a new experience every time.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaii Islands, and is the fourth largest of the islands, and is about a 100 miles from Oahu.

Often referred to as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is one of the wettest spot in the world, with an annual rainfall of 460 inches. 

I’m most familiar with the town of Lihue, on the southeast coast of Kauai.   Most visitors, however, may be more familiar with Waimea, once the capital of the island, and the first place in Hawaii visited by Captain James Cook. 

While there’s still beaches and sand, the lushness of Kauai lends itself to lots of other outdoor activities.

To learn more about Kauai, and all the other Hawaiian Islands, head over to The Hawaii Traveler, and read what Jody has to say about one of the top vacation spots in the United States.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Head to Las Vegas with all the “cool kids” of blogging for the 2008 BlogWorld & New Media Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 20th-21st.  An exclusive “Executive & Entrepreneur” conference will be held the day before on September 19th.

Now in its second year, the only industry-wide trade show, conference, and media event promotes blogging and new media with its seminars, panel discussions, keynotes, and exhibitor booths.  Not only that, it’s a heck of a lot of fun!

If you are already a blogger, vlogger, or podcaster, or maybe you just want to know more about them all, this conference is sure to give you a chance to learn, network, and party with some of the stars of the blogosphere.

BWE conference pricing starts at $75 for exhibits only, $300 for full access, and $750 for the Executive & Entrepreneur conference.  If you want to go, register by August 22nd when the prices go up. 

The conference will be held in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas.  The convention center is conveniently located on the monorail system, providing easy access to and from major strip hotels.

One more reason to go to BlogWorld Expo – I’ll be there.  If you’re going, be sure to leave a comment so that we can meet up!

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When we travel we often forget that things are not always as they are back “home.”  Here’s one difference that international visitors may find when they visit the United States:

Unlike many countries, the United States has no national sales tax that is comparable to the GST (goods and services tax) or the VAT (value added tax) that is found in many other countries.  Instead, each state, county and/or municipality sets their own tax rate.

This means that what you pay in tax in one location may be different from what you’d pay in another location.

Additionally, in some locations certain goods are tax exempt, most typically food, and some things are taxed at different rates.

Prices quoted on a sales tag or by sales personnel do not include tax, so be sure to take that additional charge into consideration when evaluating a purchase price.

Confused?  Just ask what the sales tax is.  We don’t try to keep track of what it is from one place to another, and not knowing isn’t a big deal.

One way that you may avoid paying sales tax is to have your purchase shipped out of state.  Since a shipping charge will likely apply, you need to make sure that any savings outweighs the additional cost.  If you’re making a rather large purchase, ask your sales clerk about this option and decide if it’s the way to go.

And if you’re visiting Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon, you’re really in luck.  Those states have no state sales tax at all.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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No, it’s not Venice.  It’s the Gondola ride at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Okay, it’s a little touristy, and it’s definitely NOT Venice, but it’s still a bit of romantic fun away from the flashing lights and noise of the casinos.  You need to take a break from the fast paced action some time, and this isn’t a bad choice.

The gondolas have been fashioned after authentic Venetian ones, each seating four, and operate rides both indoors and out.  If your party doesn’t fill the gondola, you’ll likely be paired up with others.

The indoor gondolas float their way through the Grand Canal Shoppes, beneath bridges, shops, and cafes that have been created to give the feel of Venice.  The ride lasts about 15 minutes.

The outdoor gondolas offer a more “authentic” feel (since you really are outdoors), but are a few minutes shorter.  On a nice day I’d choose outdoors.

Same day reservations can be made in person, starting at 9 am for the indoor ride, and 10 am for the outdoor ride.  The gondolas operate Sunday – Thursday 10 am – 11 pm, and weekends till midnight.

The ride costs $16 per person.  A private two person gondola ride can be arranged, and is often used for special celebrations.

The Venetian Hotel is located at 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard (map it).

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Today’s matchbook of Bateaux Parisiens comes from Jon at Travel Photo Daily.  He said that he just came across it, but that is was at least five or more years old.  It brought back lots of great memories of my trip to Paris last fall, so a very big THANKS for the contribution.

Bateaux Parisiens is a cruise company that conducts sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Seine, along with operating a river-boat shuttle called Batobus.

I opted for an evening sightseeing cruise, and for an hour we cruised the Seine while the hostess pointed out a number of attractions.  The commentary was pleasant and informative, and not filled with the typical puns and drivel that you so often get on tours.

Schedules vary, but details and information can easily be found in the city.  At the time I was there the sightseeing cruise operated every half hour until 10 pm, and cost €11.  It was easy to walk up and get a seat.  Reservations required, however, for lunch and dinner cruises.

Thanks for the contribution, Jon. 

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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