Tag Archives: travel tips

Money Saving Travel Tips for Cash Strapped Flyers

By now you know that a single flight could easily put a major dent in your family’s budget. From rising airfares to insane luggage fees to the “brilliant” idea of charging passengers for everything from water to pillows and blankets, airlines are not ruling out any means to milk flyers for everything they are worth. If you are planning to fly in the near future now is the time to devise ways you can get from point A to point B without going broke. Here are some tips: WEIGH YOUR BAGS BEFORE HEADING TO THE AIRPORT The ol’ human scale … Continue reading →

Real Life Travel Tales: Putting the Brakes on Summer Escapes

We’ve all been there before: We’re running late for work, school or a doctor’s appointment and we try to make up for lost time by putting the pedal to the metal. Typically, that excuse doesn’t fly when pleading your case to the police officer that just clocked you exceeding the speed limit. So what happens if Smokey clocks you going nearly 110 mph and then catches up with you again during another travel related incident? A couple from Maine will tell you that it doesn’t make for a good day. According to police in Bangor, Maine, officers pulled over a … Continue reading →

Protecting Yourself from Dirty Hotel Rooms

By now I’m sure you are aware that neatly folded towels and wrinkle-free bedspreads don’t equate to a germ-free hotel room. In previous blogs I have discussed the studies that prove hotel staff typically don’t have the same standards of cleanliness that most of us have for our own homes. I even shared a study, which showed that a virus can live on objects like faucet handles and ice buckets for at least a day (not exactly what you want greeting you when you wheel your suitcase and kids into a $200 per night suite). With summer vacation season in … Continue reading →

Ways to Save While in Hawaii

As I mentioned in a previous blog finding travel deals to Hawaii is a challenge. But it’s not nearly as difficult as finding bargains while you are in the Aloha State, which is why the following deals are so noteworthy. From now through the end of the year (December 31, 2008) you can take advantage of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa’s new Golf & Spa Escape Package. The luxurious beachfront resort sits in the heart of Waikiki (on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu) and is within walking distance of first-rate shops, restaurants, and other popular Honolulu attractions. … Continue reading →

Summer Travel Tips: Pack Your Patience and Some Common Sense

Summer might be halfway over, but millions of Americans have yet to embark on their annual family vacations. For those of you who are planning to take to the skies during the last weeks of summer be warned–packed planes, tighter security, horrific luggage restrictions and frustrated fellow flyers await you. Still, if your situation is like mine there is no other option besides flying to visit family and friends abroad. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the most of flying during the peak summer season. By planning ahead and using common sense you can avoid travel hassles whether you … Continue reading →

Try These Gas Saving Tips

Are high gas prices driving you crazy? In Spring Lake, Michigan the record number of illegal drive offs drove one gas station attendant to take matters into her own hands. The 21-year-old Michigan woman told police that she thought she’d be able to stop a fuel thief by jumping into his car, but her plan didn’t exactly work out the way she planned. The feisty gas station clerk says she had seen the same motorist leave the Spring Lake gas station twice last week without paying. The third time he attempted to gas and go she reportedly wrote down his … Continue reading →

How Do You NOT Know When Your Child has Gone Missing at an Airport?

A real life version of the big screen hit “Home Alone” took place in Canada on Monday and despite hearing the story multiple times I still don’t see how a 23-month-old boy could be “inadvertently” left behind in a gigantic airport. So here’s the deal: According to The Vancouver Sun, a family immigrating to Canada from the Philippines claims the mix-up occurred during a last minute scramble to a catch their plane. Jun Parreno, the boy’s father, told the paper he, his wife and the tot’s two grandparents were desperately trying to make their connecting flight from Vancouver to Winnipeg … Continue reading →

Hotels Going the Extra Mile

Personally, I don’t ever have a problem falling asleep-—no matter what time zone I am in. However, some travelers (especially those who have no hint of narcolepsy) struggle with falling asleep especially when they are in foreign lands. Hoteliers are well aware of this problem and some are now coming to the aid of their guests by offering unique sleep services. Take for example Hyatt’s new Andaz Liverpool Street location in London. For the next two weeks the lodging will host the world’s first “Hotel Reader in Residence.” Need a bedtime story to lull you to sleep? Writer Damian Barr … Continue reading →

What to Know Before You Go—San Francisco Part 2

Now that you know that the home of the Golden Gate Bridge is not made of Rice-a-Roni and that you should never utter the words “Frisco” or “San Fran” in the presence of locals let’s review some other helpful tips that will ensure your next visit to San Francisco is a pleasant one. No Smoking. If haven’t kicked the bad habit before you visit the Bay area you are going to have a hard time keeping your cancer sticks lit. Finding a legal place to light up a cigarette in San Francisco is next to impossible. Smoking is banned in … Continue reading →

Got Kids? Even More Ways to Save Money on the Road

Does your family enjoy spending time on the water? Or do they prefer hiking, mountain biking or touring historic sites? Perhaps a better question is can you afford indulging in your family’s favorite activities given the state of our current economy? If you take advantage of the following deals being offered by lodgings across the country the answer might just be a resounding “YES.” The following travel deals could help preserve your family’s summer vacation. Take a look: ARIZONA Lake Powell Resort, located on the border of Arizona and Utah and within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is offering … Continue reading →