Posted: July 8th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Old Tony's Bar, Redondo Beach Pier, California
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, south of San Francisco
Barefoot Bar, Duke's, Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Sand Bar, Naples, Florida
Tamboo Tavern, Rincon, Puerto Rico
The Wayfarer, Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Rusty Nail, Cape May, New Jersey
Tom's Burned Down Café, Madeline Island, Lake Superior, Wisconsin
The Beachcomber, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Beach Tree Bar, Big Island, Hawaii
Posted: March 24th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Leave nothing but footprints.
Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
When you leave the room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices.
Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace your towels if you leave them hanging up neatly; if you’re not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.
To keep track of which towel belongs to which family member, pack a handful of safety pins and small colored beads. Attach a pin and bead to each towel, using a designated color for each family member. Remove the pins before checkout.
Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel’s toiletries, take them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.
Know your hotel’s recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn’t recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there.
Give your hotel feedback. Express your appreciation for any eco-friendly programs it currently offers — or if it doesn’t, encourage the management to go green in the future.
For shorter trips, take the train instead of flying — especially in Europe or other regions where train service is fast and frequent.
When renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you. Decline any “free upgrades”(which will cost you more in gas).
Rent a hybrid car.
Whenever possible, use public transportation instead of a taxis or rental cars. Better yet, walk or bike.
Purchase electronic-tickets for airline travel whenever possible. Less waste. If paper tickets are lost, they may cost $75-100 to have replaced.
Enjoy walking tours. Walk where sensible.
Carry a dry cleaning or grocery bag with you in which to carry dirty laundry home.
Instead of leaving bathroom lights (and fans) on all night, it’s wise to pack night lights for hotel stays.
If the hotel provides complimentary newspapers, pass yours on to someone else, or leave it in the lobby for another reader. Ask the hotel to see that it’s recycled.
Be sure to turn off exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, jacuzzi or tennis court lights when you’re through.
When offered individual packages of condiments, take only what you’ll use.
Take only the brochures or maps necessary. Return others to the brochure stand.
Don’t buy endangered species products such as tortoise shell, ivory, animal skins or feathers. Don’t purchase star fish or turtle-shell related souvenirs or any creature that may have been put to death for the sake of a gift shop sale. These animals may have been killed specifically for tourist trade. Sea shells are questionable. The U. S. Customs office offers a list of items which cannot be imported or brought into the country.
Take only photographs. Do not take “souvenirs” from natural areas, historical areas or hotels.
Take photos with a digital camera. Disposable cameras are very wasteful and expensive.
Posted: March 9th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Imagine being able to navigate an unfamiliar city like a local. Well now you can with Fodor’s iPhone City Guide apps. Each City Guide features a complete and up-to-date roundup of the best things to do and see, including:
* Fodor’s recommendations and reviews for restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife, and attractions
* Easy-to-navigate listings with multiple sort and search options
* Fodor’s Choice feature to quickly find the top spots
* Interactive maps plus Search Nearby capability
* Offline maps let you navigate without expensive data roaming charges
* Bookmarking and Field Notes features to record your favorites and memorable moments
Check it out at www.fodors.com
Posted: March 9th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
FIJI
Image from www.fijime.com
Located 1,242 miles from New Zealand, Fiji is a great spot to explore a soft coral reef while you scuba dive in the South Pacific Ocean. This tropical paradise has white sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees, pristine oceans and waterways and a range of things to do and see.
JAMAICA
Image from www.jamaica.com
Jamaica has white sandy beaches, amazing diving and is also great for families. Top destinations include Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, or travel to the capital city, Kingston.
MALDIVES
Image from www.visitmaldives.com
Take a relaxing swim and enjoy the beautiful blue sky during a visit to Maldives. Take in the mixed cultures, go the adventure route with scuba diving, or enjoy a romantic honeymoon…it’s got it all.
Posted: February 16th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: NEW Travel Accessory Products | No Comments »
Noise reduction headphones ensure you enjoy your music even more while traveling, at work or at home. The Plane Quiet Platinum Featuring New Solitude Technology is a full around-ear active noise canceling headphone. It’s combined high fidelity sound, active noise reduction, and low price make it an unbeatable value. The Plane Quiet Platinum is also one of the lightest active noise canceling headphones available.
Check them out at www.goinginstyle.com
Plane Quiet Noise Reduction Head Phones
Posted: February 16th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: TSA Guidelines | No Comments »
TSA began deploying state-of-the-art advanced imaging technology in 2007. This technology can detect a wide range of threats to transportation security in a matter of seconds to protect passengers and crews. Imaging technology is an integral part of TSA’s effort to continually look for new technologies that help ensure travel remains safe and secure by staying ahead of evolving threats.
TSA uses two types of imaging technology, millimeter wave and backscatter. Currently, there are 486 imaging technology units at 78 airports.
In March 2010, TSA began deploying 450 advanced imaging technology units, which were purchased with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.
Advanced imaging technology screening is safe for all passengers, and the technology meets national health and safety standards. Learn more about the safety of AIT here.
TSA has implemented strict measures to protect passenger privacy, which is ensured through the anonymity of the image. Additionally, advanced imaging technology screening is optional to all passengers. Learn more about the privacy measures TSA has taken here.
Information found on TSA website. For more details check out their site: www.tsa.gov
Posted: December 17th, 2010 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
SFGate’s travel advisor, Chris McGinnis, offers insights on 2011 travel trends
1-RISING PRICES. Business travel prices will continue to rise, but not enough to dampen renewed demand.
2-AIRFARE. Fares will continue to rise sharply, especially for flights between cities where only one or two legacy carriers operate. From the Bay Area, all you have to do is follow the route maps of Virgin America, Southwest and JetBlue to know where the deals are (or aren’t). Also, prepare for more fuel surcharges if oil hits $100 per barrel– it’s currently about $89 and rising.
3-TRAVEL DEALS. In terms of travel deals, there will be a wider gap between peak season and off-season prices. Those with flexibility to travel outside the peak travel dates will continue to find good deals and more short-term “flash” type sales. Those who must travel during peak periods will face sticker shock.
4-HOTEL RATES. Due to continued overcapacity, hotel rates should remain about the same or slightly up, on average, over the next year. Hotel rates in New York City will rise, but a steady supply of new hotels opening there should keep rate inflation to acceptable levels, especially among mid-tier properties.
5-FREE WI-FI. More upscale hotel chains will join their midscale counterparts to offer free in-room Wi-Fi. We’ll also see hoteliers pay more attention to bandwidth issues on their existing systems. What good is free Wi-Fi if it doesn’t work? In-flight Wi-Fi prices could moderate as Southwest’s $5 flat fee for inflight Wi-Fi expands to more flights.
6-LONGER STAYS. Hotel chains will offer more loyalty program promotions designed to get travelers to increase the duration of their stays. (Such as “buy two nights, get the third free.”)
7-DRIVING VS. FLYING. Due to recent changes in security screening, the airport hassle factor could return, and more frequent travelers will consider driving instead of flying. The “five hour rule” might change to the “six hour rule.”
8-MOBILE DEVICES. We’ll see more focus on business travelers’ smart phones, which will soon be used to open hotel room doors and will be accepted as payment instead of credit cards. There will be more promotions designed to encourage the use of mobile devices to book and manage travel reservations.
9-IN-FLIGHT PHONING. In-flight phone calling, now available on several non-U.S. airlines will become more prevalent and might even be considered by a domestic carrier. High per-call rates and peer pressure should keep abuse in check– remember those pricey GTE Airfones that no one ever used because they were too expensive? I expect the same with in-flight cell phone use.
10-MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS. More of us will attend large annual trade shows and conventions this year as pent up demand is released. Many companies banned non-essential travel over the last two years and business travelers are eager to get out of the office and re-establish face-to-face contact with customers and colleagues. However, I think small and medium-sized meetings will face more competition from virtual alternatives.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cmcginnis/detail?entry_id=79265#ixzz18OOTqFtp
Posted: December 8th, 2010 | Author: admin | Filed under: TSA Guidelines | 1 Comment »
What triggers a pat-down?
Pat-downs are used to resolve alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and AIT units. Pat-downs are also used when a person opts out of AIT screening in order to detect potentially dangerous and prohibited items. Because pat-downs are specifically used to resolve alarms and prevent dangerous items from going on a plane, the vast majority of passengers will not receive a pat-down at the checkpoint.
What can I do to prevent an alarm at the security checkpoint?
The majority of pat-downs occur when a passenger alarms either the metal detector or the AIT unit. To reduce this circumstance, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your pockets before you go through screening. Also, when traveling, avoid wearing clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.
What do I do during a pat-down?
All passengers have important rights during a pat-down. You have the right to request the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the right to have the pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice. All pat-downs are only conducted by same-gender officers. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the pat-down. If you have a medical device, please inform the officer.
Will children receive pat-downs?
Transportation Security Officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. If required, a child may receive a modified pat-down. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have taken all items out of their pockets as they go through the security checkpoint.
Information found on TSA website. For more details check out their site: www.tsa.gov
Posted: December 1st, 2010 | Author: admin | Filed under: NEW Travel Accessory Products | 1 Comment »
European Travel Instant Hot Water Heater
European portable hot water heater with grounded Europe plug allows you to enjoy your favorite beverage while traveling overseas. The kettle has a unique wrap around plug and cord storage as well as an automatic off and dry boil safety cut-out.
Posted: November 19th, 2010 | Author: admin | Filed under: TSA Guidelines | 2 Comments »
TSA: Prohibited Sharp Items
Box Cutters: Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
Ice Axes/Ice Picks: Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
Knives – except for plastic or round bladed butter knives: Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
Meat Cleavers: Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
Razor-Type Blades – such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades (disposable razors and their cartridges are permitted): Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
Sabers: Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
Scissors – metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches: Carry-on: Yes Checked: Yes
Swords – cutting or thrusting weapons, including fencing foils: Carry-on: No Checked: Yes
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.
