Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gadlinks for Friday 11.27.2009]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/gadlinks-for-friday-11-27-2009/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/gadlinks-for-friday-11-27-2009/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/gadlinks-for-friday-11-27-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It's Black Friday! I hope you all survived the mall madness. We can look forward to more Christmas lights and even more shopping deals through the weekend and then Cyber Monday! It will be an exciting few days for sure. Here are a few exciting travel reads from across the web, too.

'Til Monday, have a great weekend. Don't spend too much money!

More Gadlinks here.


Gadlinks for Friday 11.27.2009 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albuquerquebernal heightsgadlinksgiftsglen canyonGlenCanyonholiday travelreflectionsan franciscotravel postersvintageFri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More travel deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/more-travel-deals-for-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/more-travel-deals-for-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/more-travel-deals-for-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

The folks over at the LA Times have rounded up a few more great travel deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And what better way to recoup from this most hellish of shopping weekends than by looking forward to a discounted vacation?

Shell's Vacation Hospitality's Black Friday Sale runs today with discounts of up to 50% off at 26 of its resorts located in Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas, Wisconsin, California, Mexico and Canada. Sample deals include a $79 per night room in Napa Valley, $84 per night on the Big Island of Hawaii, and $64 per night in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There are some blackout dates around the holidays and the rooms must be prepaid and are nonrefundable.

Gap Adventures' sale runs from Black Friday to Cyber Monday and offers 20% savings on selected tours. 12 days in Laos can be had for $999 per person, 8 days in Thailand is just $479, and 20 days in India is only $1099. Over 25 tours are discounted, and include locations in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Prices don't include airfare and are only valid on select departures in December, January, April and May.

Sonesta, a resort company that operates two properties on St. Maarten, is also offering 50% off for bookings made through Monday. The discount is valid for stays from December 18 to March 31. Stays over Christmas and New Year's require a 5-night minimum, but at just $138 (down from the usual $275), the total price is much more affordable.

More travel deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AsiaBlack FridayBlackFridaycaliforniacyber mondayCyberMondaydealdealsdiscountdiscountsGap AdventuresGapAdventureshawaiihotelhotelsIndiaLaoslos angeles timesLosAngelesTimesMexiconapanapa valleyNapaValleyresortresortssalesalesst. maartenSt.MaartentexasthailandFri, 27 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Southwest and Virgin celebrate Thanksgiving with sales]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/southwest-celebrates-thanksgiving-with-a-sale/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/southwest-celebrates-thanksgiving-with-a-sale/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/southwest-celebrates-thanksgiving-with-a-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Here are two more things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving - Southwest Airlines and Virgin America. Both carriers have announced Thanksgiving sales to celebrate the holiday.

Sample one-way fares in Southwest's seven-day sale include: Austin to Houston for $59, Baltimore to Chicago for $97, Chicago to Las Vegas for $148, Denver to Milwaukee for $96, Fort Lauderdale to Long Island for $103, LA to Oakland for $59, Orlando to Nashville for $94, and Portland to Spokane for $58.

Fares start at $47 (and go up to about $159) each way plus tax. The tickets must be purchased by November 30 and are good for travel through February 9. A 14-day advance purchase is required, travel is valid every day except Fridays and Sundays, and there are a few blackout dates.

Tickets for Virgin's sale must be purchased by December 2 and are valid for travel December 3 to 17. One-way fares range from $59 to $249 and include LA to Seattle for $79, LA to New York for $169, and Las Vegas to New York for $249.

Southwest and Virgin celebrate Thanksgiving with sales originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheapfarefare saleFareSaleflightflightssalesouthwestsouthwest airlinesSouthwestAirlinesthanksgivingticketticketsFri, 27 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Book a stay at Hawaii's Kona Village and get an $800 flight credit]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/book-a-stay-at-hawaiis-kona-village-and-get-an-800-flight-cred/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/book-a-stay-at-hawaiis-kona-village-and-get-an-800-flight-cred/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/book-a-stay-at-hawaiis-kona-village-and-get-an-800-flight-cred/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Last week, while on Hawaii, I had the chance to wander over to Kona Village Resort and stroll through the grounds. I was pretty impressed by what I saw. While the resort is located right next to the Four Seasons, the feel (while still luxury) is totally different.

Rooms here are hale - thatched roof bungalows in various forms. In keeping with the barefoot, carefree style of the resort, the rooms don't have tvs, radios, or even telephones. What they do offer is total seclusion, privacy and romance, as each bungalow has access to a beautiful black sand beach and its own hammock. Hotel staff communicates with guests via notes, and a coconut is used as a "do not disturb" symbol.

It's the perfect spot for honeymooners to escape and relax, but they are also plenty of activities offered, like snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding, whale watching, surfing and SCUBA diving. Rates for the hale start at $410 per night for two people, including breakfast and selected water sports.

Right now, Garden, Superior, or Deluxe rooms, which run about $700-$900 per night, qualify for a special fare deal. Book five nights in the room and receive $800 in flight credits. The room rate includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. The fare credit is applied to the cost of the room.

Dive packages, romance packages, and family packages (book one hale and the second is 50% off) are also currently available.

Continue reading Book a stay at Hawaii's Kona Village and get an $800 flight credit

Book a stay at Hawaii's Kona Village and get an $800 flight credit originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachbeach resortBeachResortbig islandBigIslanddiscountdiscountsfarehawaiihoneymoonhoneymoonershoneymoonshotelhotelskonakona villageKonaVillageluxuryluxury resortLuxuryResortpackageresortresortsromanceromanticTue, 24 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Keep up on Thanksgiving airport traffic with Travelocity's Task Force]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/keep-up-on-thanksgiving-airport-traffic-with-travelocitys-task/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/keep-up-on-thanksgiving-airport-traffic-with-travelocitys-task/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/keep-up-on-thanksgiving-airport-traffic-with-travelocitys-task/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nobody is looking forward to venturing into battle tomorrow. Wednesday is the year's biggest travel day, a congested, high stress day when airports are packed, tempers are high and any small hiccup can make an entire airport turn upside down.

We all have to get home somehow though, and the harsh reality facing many of us is that the airport needs to be handled (my flight to London leaves from O'hare at 5PM).

Luckily, Travelocity already has street teams organized to help us manage the battle. This year, while they continue to quarterback part of the effort from their affable Window Seat Blog they're also mobilizing the Twitter army to keep an eye on specific airports across the country. Each specific feed will dispatch updates from airport including delays, parking, security lines and general mayhem that's going on around the terminal. It's a great way to glean some insight into what to expect when you arrive -- or watch the disaster from the comfort of your own home.

Each feed can be found on the Thanksgiving Task Force subpage. Tune in now and get your fighting pants ready for Wednesday -- it's going to be a big weekend.

Keep up on Thanksgiving airport traffic with Travelocity's Task Force originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thanksgivingthanksgiving travelThanksgivingTraveltravel-dealstravelocityTue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kid-friendly cruises: A resource to find them]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/23/kid-friendly-cruises-where-to-find-them/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/23/kid-friendly-cruises-where-to-find-them/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/23/kid-friendly-cruises-where-to-find-them/#commentsFiled under: , ,

One of the best features of the MSC cruise I took with my 17 year-old-daughter and 7-year-old son this summer from Venice to a Greece was the kid's club. It wasn't that I wanted a place to dump my son--we took him on every shore excursion, but when we were on the ship, it gave him a chance to play with other kids and use up energy. He has a lot of energy.

For anyone taking a cruise with a child--or a teen for that matter, look to see what the options are for his or her age group. Also, make sure that before you get your mind set on a particular cruise that your child is age appropriate for that cruise.

Look at the shore excursion options if you're interested in those to see what age a child has to be in order to go. Some trips have age requirements due to safety factors. If excursions are mostly for adult passengers, maybe you ought to reconsider your choice.

There's a handy press release guide at CruiseCompete.com that highlights cruise line offerings for the younger crowd--even infants. When planning a cruise vacation with a child this can be a handy place to start. As you read through each listing, you'll notice specifics like what ages are programs geared towards and what services are offered for babies. Some cruises don't have any specific programs for kids, while others are a kid's paradise.

Checking out options is a great way to visualize a cruise in the first place. That's what happened to me. I imagined my son on the cruise and then we had to go.

Kid-friendly cruises: A resource to find them originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cruise shipsCruiseShipsentertainment for childrenEntertainmentForChildrenfamily travelFamilyTravelkids clubKidsClubMSC cruise lineMscCruiseLinetraveling with babiestraveling with childrenTravelingWithBabiesTravelingWithChildrenMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Five new travel ideas from Intrepid: get off the beaten path!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/five-new-travel-ideas-from-intrepid-get-off-the-beaten-path/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/five-new-travel-ideas-from-intrepid-get-off-the-beaten-path/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/five-new-travel-ideas-from-intrepid-get-off-the-beaten-path/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

After a year of "travel slumps," "staycations" and other cringeworthy words and conditions, let's plan to get out on the road next year. Hey, economists are saying that the recession's already over, and the job market's recovery can't be too far behind. So, there's your motive. Opportunity? That's your vacation time; you probably have enough. All that's left to pull the perfect trip together are the means ... which Intrepid Travel is happy to provide.

Intrepid Travel has big news for next year, from green travel to exciting excursions in Iceland and North Africa. So, if you're looking for some ideas for 2010, check out the five below. Intrepid's definitely making it interesting.

1. Travel green: carbon offset
Intrepid Travel is moving more than 500 of its trips to "Carbon Offset" next year. In 2009, the company played around with the idea on 38 excursions, after having announced in December 2006 that it wanted to be carbon neutral by the end of 2010. With next year's offering, Intrepid is certainly making progress.

2. Timor-Leste: tops for adventure
Spend 15 days in Dili and its markets, trekking out to Mt. Ramelau and wandering the Suai-area rainforest. Timor-Leste hasn't been swamped with tourists yet, redefining "off the beaten path." If you're looking for the sort of experience where Intrepid excels, this is it.

Gallery: Reykjavik up close

Iceland's Blue LagoonIcelandic public art displayReykjavik has a graffiti problemOf course, someone's always watchingThe oldest house in Reykjavik



Continue reading Five new travel ideas from Intrepid: get off the beaten path!

Five new travel ideas from Intrepid: get off the beaten path! originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bargainsBargainTravelcairocarboncarbon neutralcarbon neutral travelcarbon offset programscarbon offsetsCarbonNeutralCarbonNeutralTravelCarbonOffsetProgramsCarbonOffsetscasablancaenvironmentenvironmentalEnvironmentallyFriendlygreengreen travelGreenTraveljohannesburgnorth africaNorthAfricatravel bargainstravel dealtravel dealsTravelBargainsTravelDealTravelDealsFri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter to win a Washington State New Moon package]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/enter-to-win-a-washington-state-new-moon-package/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/enter-to-win-a-washington-state-new-moon-package/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/enter-to-win-a-washington-state-new-moon-package/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New Moon comes out in theaters tomorrow, and to capitalize on the excitement, Washington State is offering a New Moon themed package to one lucky winner as part of its "Experience More" giveaway. Each month from November to April, one grand prize and one mini-prize will be awarded.

The grand prize for November is two nights at the Quileute Oceanside Resort, located near La Push Beach (featured in the Twilight books), in a luxury oceanfront cabin with a Jacuzzi tub and fireplace. The package continues with one night at the Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles, two Twilight Tour tickets, and a complimentary fire permit and bundle of wood for a fire on First Beach.

A second prize includes a night at the Red Lion in Port Angeles and a kayak excursion on the Olympic Peninsula. Other prizes offered over the next few months include adventures in Leavenworth, Seattle, and Yakima Valley's wine country.

To enter, just fill out the online form by April 18, 2010. Entrants must be 18 years old and residents of the US or Canada.

Enter to win a Washington State New Moon package originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freegiveawayLeavenworth WashingtonLeavenworthWashingtonNew MoonNewMoonOlympic PeninsulaOlympicPeninsulapacific northwestPacificNorthwestprizePuget SoundPugetSoundseattletwilightwashingtonyakimaThu, 19 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to effectively complain about your trip via Twitter]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/how-to-effectively-complain-about-your-trip-via-twitter/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/how-to-effectively-complain-about-your-trip-via-twitter/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/how-to-effectively-complain-about-your-trip-via-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now that airlines have all jumped onto the social media bandwagon, we constantly hear about miracle stories of lone customers being helped out by a Twitter plea for help. Deep from the soul of the faceless empire, airlines and hotels have been reaching out and virtually hugging stranded travelers, breathing life into the ether and ushering the free radicals back out into their corrected itineraries. It feels great to be loved, doesn't it?

What a powerful tool this Twitter is. A few well written comments to ten thousand listeners can spread vitriol quite quickly, so even if a customer's ire is misplaced it's important for companies to respond. And once they reach out, those 10,000 ears hear the praise. Southwest, for example, reached out directly when a traveler posted a comment complaining about the check-in procedure at the airport. Though they couldn't disperse the queue, their attention turned a negative situation on its side, comforting the traveler and ultimately winning credibility.

Before you run off criticizing every facet of your trip to @AAirwaves and @MarriottIntl though, think about your approach. While Twitter is a great tool for delivering a concise message to corporate America, if you want results you're going to need to frame yourself correctly. Here's how:

Continue reading How to effectively complain about your trip via Twitter

How to effectively complain about your trip via Twitter originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mediatwitterThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hawaiian airlines offers free flights to the mainland]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/hawaiian-airlines-offers-free-flights-to-the-mainland/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/hawaiian-airlines-offers-free-flights-to-the-mainland/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/hawaiian-airlines-offers-free-flights-to-the-mainland/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hawaii seems like a beautiful place to live - great coffee, awesome surf conditions, nearly perfect weather at all times. But, hundreds of miles out in the Pacific, I imagine it starts to feel a bit isolated, especially with the high cost of flights from the islands back to the mainland US. But for those Hawaiian islanders looking to get away to the rest of the US for a while, Hawaiian airlines, has a pretty great deal.

For every inter-island round trip flight you book on Hawaiian Airlines, you'll get a discount on your flight from Hawaii to other destinations in the US. The discount starts at 10% (for one round trip flight) and goes all the way up to 100% (yep, a free flight!) after you've taken 10 round trip flights around the islands.

Inter-island flights began racking up points towards the discounts on August 3 and will continue through December 31, 2009. The discount can be applied towards flights booked for now through June 15, 2010.

The discount applies to flights to select cities in California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

Hawaiian airlines offers free flights to the mainland originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget travelbudget-travelBudgetTravelcaliforniacheapdealdealsdiscountdiscountsflightflightsfree flightsFreeFlightshawaiihawaiianhawaiian airlineshawaiian islandsHawaiianAirlinesHawaiianIslandsislandIslandersislandsmainlandnevadaoregonwashingtonTue, 17 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter to win Sosauce's "Decorate Our New Digs" postcard contest!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/enter-to-win-sosauces-decorate-our-new-digs-postcard-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/enter-to-win-sosauces-decorate-our-new-digs-postcard-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/enter-to-win-sosauces-decorate-our-new-digs-postcard-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sosauce, a self-proclaimed "travel geek blog," is looking for the most unique, engaging, and breathtaking postcards that celebrate the saucy side of travel. If you have a favorite travel photo, turn it into a postcard and help them decorate their boring white walls and turn the office into a travel haven. The contest involves mailing a postcard that features your favorite photo. Sosauce will show it off - not only in the office - but all over the web too. Special prizes are waiting for the most unique, engaging, and breathtaking photos of people, architecture,and landscapes.

Anyone can enter! You can submit a postcard for any, or all, of the following categories:
  • People such as locals, workers, natives, portraits
  • Architecture such as historic buildings, monuments, museums
  • Landscapes such as scenery, mountains, nature, the outdoors
The winning prizes for each postcard category include all of this:
  • $50 gift certificate to a restaurant of YOUR CHOICE
  • $20 gift certificate to the Sosauce Store or a FREE Premium Account
  • Editorial bio-pic in the New Faces of Sosauce blog series
  • Online promotional campaign c/o Sosauce
  • YOU as the Featured Photographer of the Day on Sosauce
Each photo will be judged by the Sosauce team in New York City according to best combination of photo composition and creative sense of place. All you have to do is hop on over to Sosauce for to enter. The steps are a little involved, but you get a few cool freebies for going the extra mile.

Instructions after the break.

Continue reading Enter to win Sosauce's "Decorate Our New Digs" postcard contest!

Enter to win Sosauce's "Decorate Our New Digs" postcard contest! originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogcontestphotopostcardsosaucetravel blogTue, 17 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Score deals to site of 2010 Olympics now]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/score-deals-to-site-of-2010-olympics-now/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/score-deals-to-site-of-2010-olympics-now/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/score-deals-to-site-of-2010-olympics-now/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As excitement for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver builds, most people who haven't planned ahead are looking for last minute accommodations for the event and finding rates to be quite pricey. During the Games, costs will be as high as the demand, but it seems that in the weeks leading up the event, there are plenty of deals to be had.

Right now though December 17, Whistler-Blackcomb, the official Alpine Skiing venue for the Games, is offering the third night free at many of its best resorts and hotels. The average nightly rate with the promotion works out to just $66 (CAD) for many properties in Whistler Village. Package deals that include two nights of lodging and two days of lift tickets start at $103 per person per night through December 21.

Travelzoo has put together a comprehensive list of the other discounts available in the area and the deals don't stop at accommodations and skiing. Flights, shuttles, and activities like snowmobiling are also on sale.

The games run February 12-28, and chances are they'll be even more discounts announced between now and then. So if you've got your heart set on a winter wonderland vacation in Vancouver but don't have a fortune to spend, plan your visit just before the Olympics to take advantage of these great deals.

Score deals to site of 2010 Olympics now originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadadealdealsdiscountdiscountshotelresortresortsski resortski resortsskiingSkiResortSkiResortsvancouverVancouver BCvancouver2010VancouverBcwhistlerwhistler blackcombWhistlerBlackcombTue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goin' straight to the Wild, Wild West]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/goin-straight-to-the-wild-wild-west/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/goin-straight-to-the-wild-wild-west/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/goin-straight-to-the-wild-wild-west/#commentsFiled under: ,

Scenery to soothe the soulCertain kinds of scenery soothe the soul, and for some, whether they're a cowboy or cowgirl at heart, or they just like to ride horses, or they long for that wide-open imagery so unique to America, watching old westerns over and over again doesn't really scratch the itch.

One company that specializes in touring cowboy-worthy destinations is Wild West Vacations & Travel. They lead tours through Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and offer recreational and educational activities like trail rides, cookouts, gold panning, museums, state and national park tours and even candlelight caving.

They have four specific combo tours, specified as "get-aways" or "family vacations" (so couples looking for a rustic romantic western excursion don't have to worry about screaming kids getting up in their business), which range from $2,895 to $3,575 and include 8-10 nights of well-chosen accommodations and a smattering of the exciting activities above, plus a bunch more.

For those of you who are more "choose your own adventure," they can also arrange stays and amenities for you in South Dakota's Black Hills, Montana's glacier region, or Wyoming for Yellowstone or a Deluxe Dinosaur Dig Getaway.

Visit the website for more information.

Goin' straight to the Wild, Wild West originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>montanasouth dakotaSouthDakotaWild Westwild-westWildWestwyomingMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kids fly free to Vail this winter]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/14/kids-fly-free-to-vail-this-winter/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/14/kids-fly-free-to-vail-this-winter/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/14/kids-fly-free-to-vail-this-winter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Skiing is not a cheap hobby. For those who don't live close to the slopes, just getting to their favorite ski resort can cost hundreds of dollars, especially for families. But those going to Vail may find it a little more affordable. . . well at least for the flights.

American Airlines, which operates several nonstop routes to Eagle Airport (30 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek), is offering free flights for kids traveling with adults this winter. Each paid adult can bring one child for free on flights departing Sunday through Wednesday and returning Monday through Friday, from December 1 to 17 and January 3 to February 10. Within the selected date ranges, there are no blackout dates.

The offer is good on connecting flights to Eagle Airport as well. Kids also ski free on the day of arrival and get free transport to Vail or Beaver Creek from the airport.

Kids fly free to Vail this winter originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American airlineamerican airlinesAmericanAirlineAmericanAirlinesbeaver creekbeaver-creekBeaverCreekchildchildrencoloradofreekidsskiingvailvail coloradoVail ResortsVailColoradoVailResortsSat, 14 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Friday the 13th: a lucky day for booking a hotel reservation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/friday-the-13th-lucky-day-for-booking-a-hotel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/friday-the-13th-lucky-day-for-booking-a-hotel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/friday-the-13th-lucky-day-for-booking-a-hotel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Superstitious or not, if you're thinking about booking a hotel, you might want to wait until Friday the 13th to book.

(Is that like intentionally waiting for a black cat to cross your path?)

What can we say? That's the day that Hotels.com is discounting a lot of its properties by 50% in a Friday the 13th Sale.

Pick from about 200 properties, including locations in Mexico, Argentina, and the Caribbean. The Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago is going for $89/night (instead of $199), and so is the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco (instead of $170).

The sale is valid when you book a reservation on Friday, November 13th, and complete your stay by November 27th.

Friday the 13th: a lucky day for booking a hotel reservation originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50 off50OffargentinacaribbeanFriday the 13thFridayThe13thHotels.commexicoWed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The newest edition of Moon Belize is a gem]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/the-newest-edition-of-moon-belize-is-a-gem/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/the-newest-edition-of-moon-belize-is-a-gem/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/the-newest-edition-of-moon-belize-is-a-gem/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The first things that come to mind when I think of Belize: Mayan ruins, world-class diving, bird-watching, and hiking through nature. Sounds like a vacation in paradise, if you ask me - and I'm from Hawaii. Joshua Berman, a travel expert to both Nicaragua and Belize, recently revised the 8th edition of Moon Belize, and the result is a comprehensive, informative guide for any kind of traveler.

Seeing the best of Belize is a piece of cake, but what makes Moon Belize such a rich resource is Berman's behind-the-scenes knowledge of the country. The 24-page front section of the book offers fantastic itinerary ideas - my favorites being "The Mundo Maya" (scattered across the inland part of the country are over thirty Mayan ruins), Belize's "Best Dive Sites" (live-aboard to your heart's content, or visit one of the country's many atolls, reefs, and cays), and two off-the-beaten-path nature guides.

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The newest edition of Moon Belize is a gem originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belizebookbook reviewBookReviewguidebookjoshua bermanJoshuaBermanmoonmoon belizemoon handbooksMoonHandbookstravel guideTravelGuideWed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tahitian truck treats: the finest fare in town]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/tahitian-truck-treats-the-finest-fare-in-town/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/tahitian-truck-treats-the-finest-fare-in-town/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/tahitian-truck-treats-the-finest-fare-in-town/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Long before "fusion" pulled its hit and run on the foodie fashion world, Tahiti was mixing foreign flavors into her own pot and getting goose bumps all over. Their verdict: Chinese plus French plus Polynesian equals a little bit weird and a whole lot of yummy.

Thankfully, this cross-cultural cuisine isn't catering to the Condé Nast crowd since the very best Tahitian eats are served from the side of a truck. Come eventide in Papeete, "Les Roulottes" roll on down to the harbor and park themselves in several neat little rows on La Place Vaiete. Collapsible, stackable plastic tables and stools quickly turns every white, open-sided van into a late-night café that smells like grilled meat and melted sugar.

The mood is convivial, decadent, blithe. Hundreds and hundreds of people gather without anyone feeling crowded-packs of friends, families with young children, a few unassuming tourists-everyone chows down together in peace in the shadow of six-story private yachts. In a city with London prices, a full meal costs a lowly 1,500 Polynesian Francs-about $20 US.

Order what you will, but to be absolutely local, go with the giant plastic plates of steak frites. Parisian by birth, the Tahitian version comes as a cooked-to-order piece of beef the size of a laptop, heaped on top of pile of hot blonde fries. The giant glob of herbed garlic butter is an essential condiment, as is the bowl of spicy sweet hot barbecue sauce. Dig in after shouts of Tamaa Maitai ("Bon Appetit") and then come back the following night to try the same with bona fide Roquefort sauce.

Continue reading Tahitian truck treats: the finest fare in town

Tahitian truck treats: the finest fare in town originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbudget-travelfoodislandpolynesiastreet voodStreetVoodtahititruck foodTruckFoodWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tourism experts say discounts, economic upturn will make 2010 a good year]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/tourism-experts-say-discounts-economic-upturn-will-make-2010-a/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/tourism-experts-say-discounts-economic-upturn-will-make-2010-a/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/tourism-experts-say-discounts-economic-upturn-will-make-2010-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's no secret that 2009 has been a rough year for the travel industry. With everyone tightening their belts, discretionary expenses like holidays are often the first thing to go. But industry leaders meeting in London for the World Travel Market say 2010 is looking better.

Cautious optimism about the economy is one cause for this brighter outlook, but travel companies know positive indicators such as increased productivity and exports don't necessarily translate to more money being spent on travel. What will also help is the shift to more budget travel options. Tour operators have been choosing budget airlines and more modest hotels in order to offer lower prices, and some budget companies have actually seen an increase in business. This trend will continue into 2010, experts say, which is good news for people who want to get away from it all without spending it all. An increased emphasis on budget travel will keep people moving and hopefully encourage them to choose more luxurious options once we get into another prosperous period.

The travel industry is certainly looking for a silver lining around the tsunami that hit it this year. A report released at the World Travel Market estimates there will be an 8% drop in global travel bookings this year, as well as a 14% drop in airline passengers and a 16% drop in hotel bookings.

With figures like that, 2009 will be an easy act to follow.

Tourism experts say discounts, economic upturn will make 2010 a good year originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economic crisisEconomicCrisiseconomicseconomytourism industryTourismIndustryworld travel marketWorldTravelMarketWed, 11 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/08/a-review-of-cheapflights-coms-travelnomics-calling-on-cuba-g/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/08/a-review-of-cheapflights-coms-travelnomics-calling-on-cuba-g/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/08/a-review-of-cheapflights-coms-travelnomics-calling-on-cuba-g/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Change is upon Cuba, and American travelers are especially eager to capitalize on the end of the travel embargo. In anticipation of the easing of travel restrictions to Cuba, Cheapflights.com recently put together "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba," a helpful PDF guide on traveling to Cuba. The guide provides travelers with a glimpse of life and travel in Cuba, travel accounts from writers familiar with the country, and a list of airlines that are or will fly to Cuba.

Having traveled to Cuba myself, I think this handy guide is an accurate reflection of what it's like to travel there. It provides interested travelers with a good overview of the country's sights, sounds, and smells, which helped remind me of what made Cuba such a unique place -- lost in time and unbelievably beautiful. Keith Jenkins of Velvet Escape and Cuba travel expert Christopher Baker further describe the country's real richness and warmth.

Continue reading A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide

A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheapflightscheapflights.comcubacubalibreembargotravelnomicsSun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Drive a rental car to Florida for $1]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/06/drive-a-rental-car-to-florida-for-1/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/06/drive-a-rental-car-to-florida-for-1/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/06/drive-a-rental-car-to-florida-for-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I agree with Mike Barish's recent post. Road trips do rock. I love grabbing some friends, jumping in the car, and blasting great music as we cruise down the highway or along back roads. If you love a good road trip.....and you happen to live in Texas or on the east coast......and you want to drive one-way to Florida.....and you just happen to plan on going before November 15, well then Thrifty Car Rental has a deal for you.

The car rental company is offering the rock-bottom-rate of $1 per day for renters willing to pick up the car at Houston Hobby, Houston International, Corpus Christi, Boston, Burlington, or Providence airports and drive it to one of nine airports in Florida before November 15.

Odds are that not many people will be able to take advantage of this offer, except perhaps some of the snowbirds, like my grandmother, who head south every winter. But if the circumstances are right for you, it is an awesome deal.

There are some additional restrictions though (yes even more than those above!). Availability is limited and you must make the transfer within seven days. Drive fast, grandma!

Continue reading Drive a rental car to Florida for $1

Drive a rental car to Florida for $1 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportbostonburlingtoncheapcorpus christiCorpusChristidealdiscountdriveeast coastEastCoastfloridahoustonprovidencerentalrental carrental carsRentalCarRentalCarsrentalsroad tripRoadTripsnowbirdsnowbirdstexasthriftyFri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST