Meals are a big part of a vacation budget, but with a little planning and discipline, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Here are a few suggestions to help you eat well without breaking the bank: Avoid the mini-bar. No matter how hungry you are for a late night snack, there’s nothing worth the price in the mini-bar. Many hotels have in-room coffee makers and complimentary coffee. Enjoy a cup while you’re getting ready in the morning, and eliminate the money spent at a coffee shop. If you have a coffee maker, but the coffee packet isn’t complimentary, pick up a bag of coffee and filters at a nearby supermarket. Scads cheaper! Buy snacks at the supermarket and take them with you throughout the day. It’s much cheaper to pick up some fresh fruit, a bag of chips, […]
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Editorial: When are these fees going to end?
As I’ve written many times before, and most recently at the announcement that an airline would charge for a checked bag, the basic economics of flying vs. the price of a ticket are seriously out of whack! Although the cost of doing business has risen substantially, the cost of flying has not. In fact, even without taking into consideration the present day value of a dollar, it seems like in many cases, the fares have dropped. As costs of airline travel rose, the airlines first went to its vendors and negotiated better contracts. Then it went to its employees for concessions and tighter work rules. When there was no more left to cut, it created new “fees” so that it could still advertise low, slash and burn fare sales. BUT – and here’s a big BUT! The airlines, with only […]
Read MoreBack to Basics: Check Your Hotel Bill
The morning of checking out of your hotel can be a hectic time, getting dressed and ready to leave and making sure all of your things are packed. If you’re traveling with kids the list of things that you are responsible for is even longer! Some of the stuff cannot be done till the last minute, but one thing that can take a weight off if to review your hotel bill the night before your departure. Many hotels have a video check out option, allowing you to review your charges on the television. In the privacy of your room you can go line by line through the charges to make sure that there are no surprises. If your hotel doesn’t offer a video option, stop by the front desk the evening before and request a print out. They’ll be happy […]
Read MoreView Classic Corvettes at the National Corvette Museum
Begin, or renew, your love of the Corvette at the National Corvette Museum, as you gaze longingly at these classic sports cars that are an important piece of Americana and automobile history. Introduced in 1953, the Corvette became a favorite, and eventually a classic, and the museum attracts enthusiasts from all over the world. Exhibits and displays change, but you can count on seeing: introductory film about the history of the Corvette, a look at retro displays outlining how the car became a classic, technical information relating to design and performance, racing, and a gift shop. You’ll be seeing lots and lots of cars! The National Corvette Museum is located at 350 Corvette Drive, in Bowling Green, Kentucky (map it), and is open daily , 8 am – 5 pm (except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New […]
Read MoreBack to Basics: Stand Right, Walk Left
There is etiquette to be considered on escalators and moving sidewalks. It’s really very simple — STAND RIGHT — WALK LEFT! What does this mean? If you are going to remain stationary while riding the escalator or the people-mover (moving sidewalk), stand single file on the right side, allowing people who are walking to pass you by on the left side. It’s just like driving – slow moving (or non-moving) people stay to the right and out of the way of faster moving traffic. Do not congregate as a group and block the walkway from those trying to get by you. This is a mode of transportation, not a coffee klatch, so either keep moving or keep out of the way of those people who are. All together now, STAND RIGHT — WALK LEFT! Photo credit: SXC ____________________________________________
Read MoreGondola Rides on Lake Merritt
While it may not be the Grand Canal in Venice, you can experience an authentic Venetian Gondola ride on Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. Operating year round, Gondola Servizio offers private tours (meaning you are not thrown together with strangers) on a reservation only basis. Come as a couple for a romantic sunset rid, or put together a party of up to six for a more festive occasion. Available cruise packages include: Marco Polo: 30 minute tour, $45 for two people, additional guests $10 per person. Casanova: 55 minute tour, $75 for two people, additional guests $10 per person. Promessi Sposi: A photographers delight, and a popular choice for special occasions. Gondola Servizio will work with your photographer to create a photo-worthy event. This is a popular package for engagement and wedding photos, and family portraits. $225 for two people, […]
Read MoreBishop Museum Explain the History & Culture of Hawaii
Honolulu’s Bishop Museum offers the natural and cultural history of Hawaii’s indigenous people. Founded in 1889 by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir to Kamehameha I, you’ll find artifacts and exhibits representative of all the Pacific Islands. A couple of my favorite highlights are the Science on a Sphere exhibit and the Science Adventure Center. Science on a Sphere is a 68 inch, 200 pound fiberglass sphere suspended from the ceiling. It serves as a sort of 3-D movie, displaying full color, satellite and animated images. You can watch a hurricane forming, a dust storm, violent solar storms, or any number of phenomenon occurring on our planet or in space. The Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center is focused on helping visitors understand the environment of the islands. You’ll find exhibits and research on such diverse topics as volcanology, […]
Read MoreSihanoukville Express, Bus Ride from Hell
Today I have a guest post from fellow blogger Ken Dunlop from The Vancouver Traveler. Ken spent several months traveling around Southeast Asia, and he graciously offered to share a bit of his trip with you. This is one of what I am sure is many anecdotes about getting around in Southeast Asia. So, you find yourself in Sihanouk Ville in Cambodia, and you are desperate to get into Thailand. Not wanting to travel the four hours to Phnom Penh in order to fly, the lady at the Internet Café presented a great plan, “Mr Ken, take the bus…it is good ride and only 8 hours.” Yup, you have it I took the bus. The day began at 07:00 for the tuk tuks ride to the bus depot, for the 07:50 bus departure. The bus is one of those huge […]
Read MoreBack to Basics: Mastering the Reservation Phone Line
I’ve written about this previously, but it’s basic information that can’t be repeated too many times. I know that most people do their research and booking online, but there are times when you are going to have to call a reservation center. It can be annoying to be put on hold, and repeatedly hear how many callers are ahead of your or how long your expected wait time is, and even further annoying to finally get a person who you can’t understand. I hope these tips will help reduce your frustration factor, and get you the information and service that you really need. Call at non-peak times. This means avoiding calls during standard business hours, if at all possible. Late nights (generally considered after 8 pm) are usually good are usually light in terms of wait time. News stories can […]
Read MoreBack to Basics: Remember Your Hotel Room Number
The days of having a metal key with your hotel room number engraved into it are long gone. Keys these days aren’t even keys. They are flimsy pieces of plastic, about the size of a credit card), and instead of having a room number on it, it has a pretty photo of your hotel along with operating instructions about how to insert it into an electronic reader on your room door. The plastic key usually comes tucked into a small envelope, or a larger folder, with the room number written on it. But the larger envelope or folder is often too large to tuck into a pocket or purse, and so we leave the room with only the plastic key. And when it’s time to return to our room, we have to trust our sometimes faulty memory about what the […]
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