Six Places You Never Thought You Could Afford
by Kate Hamman, SmarterTravel.com Staff - April 20, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Australia
Tahiti
Israel
Bangkok
Ireland
Alaska
Despite the economy, it is still possible to find deals to even the most far-flung destinations. And thanks to new flight routes, the strong U.S. dollar, and unbelievable travel sales, six of these exotic locations have just become a lot more affordable.
The following deals are listed without taxes and fees, unless otherwise noted. While the most affordable departure city has been listed, others are available at varying prices.
Australia
These days you can explore the outback without denting your piggy bank. In fact, with several airlines offering flight sales, it's just as cheap to fly to Australia as it is to Europe. Plus, the exchange rate is even better than the euro once you land. For instance, a pint of beer will cost $7 in the U.K., but only $3 in Australia.
With the launch of Australia's new international airline V Australia, flights between Los Angeles and Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane start at $530 round-trip through December 15; other airlines have started to offer competitive prices as well.
Qantas has two different ways to save. The airline offers flights starting at just $530 round-trip from Los Angeles to Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne for travel between August 2 and September 28 or between October 25 and December 6. You must book by April 21. If you're planning on traipsing about the country, the AirPass may be more your speed. The pass starts at $999, and includes round-trip airfare from the U.S., plus three domestic flights in Australia. Prices are based on seasonality and travel zones. You must book by April 30. Both sales have already been extended, so keep an eye out to see if this trend continues.
Not to be outdone, United has also offered an Australia sale, with flights starting at $778 round-trip traveling from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Sydney or Melbourne before September 21. No booking date has been released.
Qantas Vacations also makes it easy to save once you land by offering one-week walkabouts in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane starting at $699 for six-night's lodging, airport transfers, and some tours.
To help plan your trip after you land, visit Tourism Australia's website.
Some may see Tahiti as an unattainable paradise, only to be visited in one's dreams, but it's time to wake up and smell the savings. The pristine white beaches and crystal clear waters are within your reach, as several new sales have put Tahiti and the surrounding islands back on the budget-savvy map.
Air Tahiti Nui is offering two deals that will appeal to leisure and family travelers. The first is a Tahiti Quick Getaway sale on flights, which lists fares starting at $989 round-trip departing from Los Angeles to Papeete before May 31 or between November 1 and December 10. You must book by May 15. Flights in May typically cost about $1,300, so this is a considerable savings overall.
Next, you can take your little ones to the islands for free. The family vacation package starts at $3,396 per family, and includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles for two adults and two kids, five nights' stay at a resort, fuel surcharges, airport transfers, daily breakfast, and free meals for kids. The deal is available only on certain dates during the summer. In comparison, a trip for a family of four to Orlando in July, with round-trip tickets from Los Angeles and fivenights' hotel would cost about $2,012 without tickets to theme parks (about $902 extra for the entire family) or meals.
For further tips on how to save, what to do, and where to stay, visit Tahiti's tourism website
If you thought you could never afford a trip to the Holy Land, think again. It's now possible to wander among ancient structures, hike along the Dead Sea, sleep in a Bedouin tent, or dive in the Bay of Eilat (the northernmost point in the world for coral reefs), without going broke.
Israel's international airline, El Al is offering spring flights starting at $803 from New York City to Tel Aviv for departures before June 19 and summer flights starting at $1,199 from New York City to Tel Aviv for travel between June 20 and August 19.
If you'd prefer to skip the headache of planning your own trip, you can book a nine-day guided tour through Friendly Planet starting at $2,199, which includes airfare, accommodations, some meals, all transfers and in-country transportation, a professional tour guide, fuel surcharges, and entrance fees. The tour begins in Tel Aviv and stops in Caesarea, Tiberias, Megiddo, Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, Masada, and Jerusalem. Book by May 27 for extra savings. When you consider airfare alone will cost you close to half of this price, especially after you factor in taxes and fees, you are more than likely spending less than $200 per night.
For further information when planning your trip, visit the Israel Ministry of Tourism's website.
Bangkok has been on the radar as one of the more affordable Asian destinations, and the prices just continue to drop. Not only can you tour the Thai capital for less, but with an exchange rate heavily favoring the U.S. dollar, you can also eat and shop on the cheap as well. Now is the time to enjoy the tranquility of Bangkok as you find peace with how little you're spending.
United is offering a flight and hotel special starting at $989 from West Coast cities for travel between August 17 and October 25. The deal includes round-trip airfare, three-night hotel stay, and fuel surcharges. You must book by May 31. An individual round-trip flight in June from San Francisco will cost about $1,006, so this sale is well worth it.
Go-today.com has a similar offer with the Bangkok at its Best vacation package, which starts at $1,069 per person and includes round-trip airfare, five nights' hotel stay, daily breakfast, and fuel surcharges. Travel, however, is only valid from April 22 through May 28 (other varying prices are available for different dates), and you must book by May 7.
If you want to see the city and the surrounding areas, the real deal is with Gate1 Travel, where you can book a 12 Day Affordable Thailand package starting at $1,439 per person. The offer includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles; fuel surcharges; 10 nights' first-class accommodations in Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai; entrance fees; tours; daily breakfast and one dinner; all transfers; motor coach transportation; and an English-speaking tour manager.
For further information on what to do or see, visit Thailand's tourism website
You may not initially equate Ireland with expensive travel, but summer flights across the Pond have cost a pretty farthing in previous years. This year, however, you can find low fares that will have you dancing a jig in no time. Not to mention that the euro is the lowest it has been in ages, meaning automatic savings when converting currencies.
Aer Lingus has summer flights starting at $488 per person round-trip from New York City. This sale expires on April 20, but Aer Lingus has extended or offered similar sales recently, so keep an eye out for future deals with this airline. Look for sales through different carriers, such as American Airlines.
Go-today.com is making it even more affordable to see the Emerald Isle when you book their Fly and Drive vacation package by April 29. The package starts at $389 per person for travel from April 30 through May 15 and includes round-trip airfare from New York City to Dublin , a seven-day car rental, plus local tax and airfare surcharges, and unlimited mileage. You'll have to book hotels separately, but you can always save a bit extra by staying in a B&B. Most cost less than a hotel, offer a glimpse into the local culture, and come with a full breakfast.
Here are our editors' top picks for ways to save in Ireland after you land.
With so few months of warm and sunny weather, it's not surprising that Alaska becomes a prime spot for tourists during the summer. Typically, however, the rise in visitors also means a rise in prices, but this year as the state celebrates the 50th anniversary of its statehood, you can find a slew of deals to make your visit worthwhile.
For instance, you can save more than 60 percent on an Alaskan cruise, such as Norwegian's seven-night Alaska and Sawyer Glacier cruise starting at $349 per person for an interior room during the summer months. The cruise departs from Vancouver, with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. This is only one of the many options of cruises that will allow you to see the natural beauty of the Klondike state from the comfort of a floating vessel. Holland America is also honoring the state's 50th by offering 50 percent off of cruises and cruise tours, such as the 12-day Discovery Cruise and Denali Adventure cruise tour, which starts at $1,229 per person for travel in July and August.
Other specials and discounts, including 50 percent off second-night stays at resorts and hotels, free train rides for those turning 50 this year, and discounts on hotel rates, can be found on the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau 50 Anniversary page. You can also discover what events are taking place and 50 different ways to explore the state while making your plans.
The Alaska Tourism Board has also released statewide specials, including discounts on packages and tours (two-for-one Princess Rail tickets in May and June), hotels, transportation, and activities. Plus, you will also find a plethora of anniversary deals here as well.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ten Good Things About Recession Travel
With reports about layoffs, reduced air service, and travelers' tight budgets, there's no shortage of bad travel news in the current economy. But intrepid travelers are discovering ways that travel is easier, cheaper, and better right now. So amid the doom and gloom, we're hot on the trail of 10 silver linings in travel:
1. Deals Galore
With fewer people traveling, airlines, hotels, and other travel providers are desperate. That means sales, deals, discounts, and added perks. From slashed fares on usually expensive international flights (in recent weeks we've seen way-discounted fares to New Zealand, China, Ireland, and many other destinations). Hotels are discounting rates and offering fourth or fifth nights free. Tour companies and destinations are adding free airfare.
2. More Free Stuff
Hotels, resorts, tour and package providers, and other travel companies are throwing in perks and freebies to sweeten the deal. For example, Los Cabos is offering visitors $400 to cover airfare. Keep your eyes peeled for resort credits; free or discounted meals; complimentary spa treatments; rebates upon check-out to apply to airfare; free nights; upgrades; or other perks when you book.
3.More Frequent Flyer Award Availability to Europe
Now is the time to do more with your miles, at least in one situation. SmarterTravel's Tim Winship recently polled frequent flyers and discovered that passengers are having an easier time now booking award travel to Europe than they did a year ago. Plus, United has discounted award prices for Europe flights. And, many airlines, including American, Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways, are offering elite-mile bonuses.
4. Faster Airport Security Checkpoints
Fewer passengers traveling mean less crowded airports, and that leads to shorter lines at security checkpoints. So you can reduce the time you spend shuffling through the line in your socks, holding your pants up because you've taken off your belt and trying to keep track of your jacket while you fumble with your laptop. Another recession travel silver lining? Less pocket change may well reduce those pesky second trips through the metal detector. Just kidding. Sort of.
5. Higher Chance of the Empty Middle Seat
Fewer people are flying, which gives you a better chance of scoring an aisle or window seat with an open middle seat. On a recent cross-country flight, my row-mate and I divided the prime real estate of the empty middle seat between us: he took the legroom and I used the seat. Not quite first-class, but still pretty good.
The drop in passengers also reduces the odds of finding yourself in the DMS (dreaded middle seat); and if you do, it increases the possibility of switching to an open aisle or window seat once onboard.
6. Better On-Time Performance
If you've flown recently, there's a good chance your plane was on time. SmarterTravel's Carl Unger recently blogged about the improvement in airline on-time numbers in February, a result of the reduced number of flights and more airlines making the effort to stay on schedule. Airlines posted an 80 percent on-time rate for the month, though delays continued to plague Newark and LaGuardia.
7. Faster Luggage Return
Passengers may have to pay a fee to check bags on most airlines, but they may not have to suffer the additional inconvenience of endless wait times at the baggage carousel. Fewer passengers and the fees that are inspiring more people to pack light mean fewer checked bags. And that has taken the edge off wait times at the baggage carousel. It also stands to reason that with less baggage per flight, there are fewer bags that look alike, and so a reduced chance that someone will accidentally take your bag, leaving you with no choice but to wear snow boots in Hawaii.
8. Favorable Exchange Rates
The global downturn has had a broad effect on currencies around the world. After years of a weak dollar cramping overseas spending, Americans are seeing much more favorable exchange rates in many countries. You can now get more euros, British pounds, Icelandic kronas, or Mexican pesos for every dollar. Not only do better exchange rates drive down the overall cost of a vacation, but they allow travelers to splurge a bit without breaking the bank. Whether that means staying in a slightly nicer hotel or visiting an extra attraction or two, the strong exchange rate offers travelers more vacation for every buck.
9. Easier No-Reservation Dining
On a tropical getaway, making a dinner reservation can be anathema to the laid-back, take-it-as-it-comes pace of vacation. Overseas, the prospect of making a phone call in a foreign language can be daunting. However, in places hit hard by a drop in visitors, you're more likely to score walk-in seats or dramatically reduce the time you wait at restaurants. During a recent six-night stay in Maui, a SmarterTravel reader reported he was able to eat daily lunch and dinner at restaurants around the island and only had to wait for a table once. He says, "We even ate dinner out on Valentine's Day at a nice restaurant and there was no wait."
As always, if you're trying to get a table without a reservation at a popular restaurant, it's still a good idea to show up at off-peak times, say 5:00 or 8:30 for dinner instead of 6:30.
10. Shorter Lines in Popular Destinations
Las Vegas visitor numbers dropped for the 16th month in a row. Travel to Hawaii fell 12 percent in January, and Britain is reporting a similar drop. Fewer travelers in popular destinations are rough on hotels and local merchants, but there is a bright side. Visitors who do make the trip may find shorter lines at museums, attractions, taxi stands, and the other places you'd normally squander precious vacation time. For instance, a SmarterTravel reader recently reported "no massive lines for cabs and open spots at tables" in Las Vegas. The trend may not last through summer, but it's an appealing benefit for now.
Bonus: Better Onboard Selection
If you've ever boarded a plane hungry, you know the disappointment of having your food purchase all picked out, only to find that by the time the flight attendant pushes the cart your way, there are no more turkey-bacon-avocado sandwiches and you're left buying the dry cracker snack box. And while it's true that an emptier flight won't be as well-stocked in the first place, I've never had to settle for second (or third) choice on an uncrowded plane. And you might even be able to score another soda or an extra baggie of pretzels.
1. Deals Galore
With fewer people traveling, airlines, hotels, and other travel providers are desperate. That means sales, deals, discounts, and added perks. From slashed fares on usually expensive international flights (in recent weeks we've seen way-discounted fares to New Zealand, China, Ireland, and many other destinations). Hotels are discounting rates and offering fourth or fifth nights free. Tour companies and destinations are adding free airfare.
2. More Free Stuff
Hotels, resorts, tour and package providers, and other travel companies are throwing in perks and freebies to sweeten the deal. For example, Los Cabos is offering visitors $400 to cover airfare. Keep your eyes peeled for resort credits; free or discounted meals; complimentary spa treatments; rebates upon check-out to apply to airfare; free nights; upgrades; or other perks when you book.
3.More Frequent Flyer Award Availability to Europe
Now is the time to do more with your miles, at least in one situation. SmarterTravel's Tim Winship recently polled frequent flyers and discovered that passengers are having an easier time now booking award travel to Europe than they did a year ago. Plus, United has discounted award prices for Europe flights. And, many airlines, including American, Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways, are offering elite-mile bonuses.
4. Faster Airport Security Checkpoints
Fewer passengers traveling mean less crowded airports, and that leads to shorter lines at security checkpoints. So you can reduce the time you spend shuffling through the line in your socks, holding your pants up because you've taken off your belt and trying to keep track of your jacket while you fumble with your laptop. Another recession travel silver lining? Less pocket change may well reduce those pesky second trips through the metal detector. Just kidding. Sort of.
5. Higher Chance of the Empty Middle Seat
Fewer people are flying, which gives you a better chance of scoring an aisle or window seat with an open middle seat. On a recent cross-country flight, my row-mate and I divided the prime real estate of the empty middle seat between us: he took the legroom and I used the seat. Not quite first-class, but still pretty good.
The drop in passengers also reduces the odds of finding yourself in the DMS (dreaded middle seat); and if you do, it increases the possibility of switching to an open aisle or window seat once onboard.
6. Better On-Time Performance
If you've flown recently, there's a good chance your plane was on time. SmarterTravel's Carl Unger recently blogged about the improvement in airline on-time numbers in February, a result of the reduced number of flights and more airlines making the effort to stay on schedule. Airlines posted an 80 percent on-time rate for the month, though delays continued to plague Newark and LaGuardia.
7. Faster Luggage Return
Passengers may have to pay a fee to check bags on most airlines, but they may not have to suffer the additional inconvenience of endless wait times at the baggage carousel. Fewer passengers and the fees that are inspiring more people to pack light mean fewer checked bags. And that has taken the edge off wait times at the baggage carousel. It also stands to reason that with less baggage per flight, there are fewer bags that look alike, and so a reduced chance that someone will accidentally take your bag, leaving you with no choice but to wear snow boots in Hawaii.
8. Favorable Exchange Rates
The global downturn has had a broad effect on currencies around the world. After years of a weak dollar cramping overseas spending, Americans are seeing much more favorable exchange rates in many countries. You can now get more euros, British pounds, Icelandic kronas, or Mexican pesos for every dollar. Not only do better exchange rates drive down the overall cost of a vacation, but they allow travelers to splurge a bit without breaking the bank. Whether that means staying in a slightly nicer hotel or visiting an extra attraction or two, the strong exchange rate offers travelers more vacation for every buck.
9. Easier No-Reservation Dining
On a tropical getaway, making a dinner reservation can be anathema to the laid-back, take-it-as-it-comes pace of vacation. Overseas, the prospect of making a phone call in a foreign language can be daunting. However, in places hit hard by a drop in visitors, you're more likely to score walk-in seats or dramatically reduce the time you wait at restaurants. During a recent six-night stay in Maui, a SmarterTravel reader reported he was able to eat daily lunch and dinner at restaurants around the island and only had to wait for a table once. He says, "We even ate dinner out on Valentine's Day at a nice restaurant and there was no wait."
As always, if you're trying to get a table without a reservation at a popular restaurant, it's still a good idea to show up at off-peak times, say 5:00 or 8:30 for dinner instead of 6:30.
10. Shorter Lines in Popular Destinations
Las Vegas visitor numbers dropped for the 16th month in a row. Travel to Hawaii fell 12 percent in January, and Britain is reporting a similar drop. Fewer travelers in popular destinations are rough on hotels and local merchants, but there is a bright side. Visitors who do make the trip may find shorter lines at museums, attractions, taxi stands, and the other places you'd normally squander precious vacation time. For instance, a SmarterTravel reader recently reported "no massive lines for cabs and open spots at tables" in Las Vegas. The trend may not last through summer, but it's an appealing benefit for now.
Bonus: Better Onboard Selection
If you've ever boarded a plane hungry, you know the disappointment of having your food purchase all picked out, only to find that by the time the flight attendant pushes the cart your way, there are no more turkey-bacon-avocado sandwiches and you're left buying the dry cracker snack box. And while it's true that an emptier flight won't be as well-stocked in the first place, I've never had to settle for second (or third) choice on an uncrowded plane. And you might even be able to score another soda or an extra baggie of pretzels.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
7 Dream Islands (You haven't heard of yet)
Escape to one of these, and you're guaranteed to get there before anyone you know
Wales
Skomer Island
The secret is out about Skomer — among birds, anyway. Nearly half a million puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and razorbills build nests in the lichen-covered cliffs of the 721-acre nature reserve off mainland Wales. The birds far outnumber the dozen or so humans on Skomer, just a 15-minute ferry ride from the town of Martin's Haven. Crisscrossed with hiking trails, the island is protected by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. A maximum of 250 people may visit per day, but there's only room for 15 overnight guests in a converted barn where scientists conduct most of their research. If you visit between May and July, when the majority of birds are nesting, you'll hear the eerie serenade of the rare Manx shearwater; there are more than 200,000 of them on Skomer. "They have this really wacky call, like a crazy chicken crossed with a pigeon," says Jo Milborrow, the island's wildlife warden. "The legend is that they're the souls of sailors." — Amy Laughinghouse
Nicaragua
Corn Islands
Even the pirates of the Caribbean took a vacation from plundering, and to this day, their hideaway has remained a fairly hidden treasure. Forty miles off mainland Nicaragua, the Corn Islands are still populated by the descendants of buccaneers. On Great Corn Island — one-hour La Costeña flights depart daily from Managua — the only attractions are sand and sea, including a reef that surrounds a 400-year-old Spanish galleon. "If you get bored here, then you don't know how to unwind," says Jeff Johnson, an expat from Washington, D.C. "Not doing anything is the point." Great Corn is a metropolis compared with the 1.4-square-mile Little Corn Island. The $6 ferry from Great Corn drops you off near the two best places to stay: Hotel Los Delfines and Casa Iguana, which relies on solar power because of spotty electricity. Despite the wonky infrastructure, Little Corn has pockets of sophistication: Paola Carminiani serves up a taste of her Italian homeland with three-course dinners at Farm, Peace & Love. Just bring a flashlight so you can find your way back through the jungle. — Paul Katz
Greece
Kíthira Island
Mythical characters dwell everywhere on Kíthira, just eight miles off the tip of the Peloponnesian peninsula. Here's the pool where Aphrodite bathed. Over there, you can see the cave where Helen and Paris are believed to have sought refuge. Except for the six weeks starting in mid-July, Kíthira is a sleepy place with compact medieval villages that are home to ancient grain mills, Byzantine chapels, and cheerful wooden beehives that are painted yellow, blue, or white. (Kíthira's thyme-scented honey is so coveted that the annual production sells out within weeks.) Lodging on the island consists of small hotels and inns. In the whitewashed capital of Chora, the 12-room Hotel Margarita faces the sea. An even better base for exploring is one of the villages in the center, such as Mitata, where a beekeeper has opened Aplinori, an inn where guests can learn how to make honey and cheese. One-hour Olympic Airlines flights to Kíthira depart daily from Athens. — Ann Banks
Australia
Rottnest Island
The name Rottnest is unsuitable for such a beautiful place — after all, the island has more than 60 white-sand beaches. Blame Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh, who discovered the island in 1696, mistook the marsupial quokkas for rats, and named the place "rat's nest." After a 70-year stretch as a penal colony, the island, 12 miles off mainland Australia, has become a popular day trip from Perth. The best way to tour the salt lakes in the interior is to rent a bicycle through Rottnest Bike Hire. The reefs around the island are great for snorkeling; Oceanic Cruises leads excursions to shipwrecks off Kingston Reef. Most visitors come just for the day, but there are lodgings—cabins and bungalows (shown here) managed by the island authority. Before heading back to catch the ferry, stop for some Victoria Bitter beer and a platter of fish, scallops, and oysters at the Rottnest Tearooms Bar & Café. — Justin Bergman
French Polynesia
Fakarava Island
The island's single road wasn't paved until 2003, in anticipation of a visit by then-French president Jacques Chirac (he never arrived, nor did he give a reason why). But that certainly helped put Fakarava on the map — unlike its more populated neighbors Bora-Bora and Tahiti, Fakarava is home to about 500 residents. In the center of Rotoava village is the Relais Marama, the one pension in town with oceanfront bungalows. For divers and snorkelers, the northern Garuae Pass and the southern Tumakohua Pass have pristine coral reefs that are accessible through outfitter Te Ava Nui. You'll have to travel for a full day to get to and from Tumakohua — the pass is only reachable by boat — but it's worth the trip. The nearby village of Tetamanu has a church built entirely out of coral, as well as several black-pearl farms that give free tours. A pension on the outskirts of Rotoava, Pearl Guest House Havaiki, will even allow you to snorkel to its oyster farm with the owner and keep any pearls you find. One-hour flights to Fakarava depart from Papeete, Tahiti, once daily. — Lynwood Lord
Indonesia
Sumba Island
Legend has it that Sumba's first inhabitants descended a ladder from heaven, but as soon as their feet hit the ground, they started battling. The natives' reputation convinced European traders to avoid the island in southern Indonesia, leaving it relatively undeveloped for centuries. The warrior culture lives on in the annual Pasola ritual war festival held each February and March, in which horsemen from various tribes joust using spears. For more mellow activities, the island's southern coast has great surfing — 12-foot swells are not uncommon — and a community-minded (although expensive) resort called Nihiwatu. The hotel has day trips to nearby villages, where you can chew betel nut with the locals, buy colorful ikat cloth, and volunteer at a clinic funded by the resort. The more affordable Sumba Nautil Resort is down the coast. One-hour Transnusa Air Service flights to Sumba depart from Bali. — Susan Crandell
Peru
Amantaní Island
Few places have a welcoming committee quite like the one on Amantaní, an island in Lake Titicaca: Aymara Indian women wearing embroidered black tunics line the dock and wave to visitors as they disembark from the ferry arriving from the city of Puno. After living in relative isolation for centuries, residents on the island began to allow overnight stays about 10 years ago. There are no cars or roads, and quinoa and barley are grown by hand — as they have been for centuries — on hillside terraces. Stone hiking paths lead to the island's two highest peaks, Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Earth). During the Fiesta de la Santa Tierra each January, the residents form dual processions from temples built atop Pachamama and Pachatata to the main village, also called Amantaní, where everyone dances late into the night. Tour operator Edgar Adventures will arrange farmstays with several families that take turns hosting visitors. "The Aymara live simply on what they produce," says guide Fredy Manrique. "It made me realize that you can be happy with very little — that you don't necessarily need to have big houses and cars." — Justin Bergman
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
See photos of these islands at BudgetTravel.com
Wales
Skomer Island
The secret is out about Skomer — among birds, anyway. Nearly half a million puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and razorbills build nests in the lichen-covered cliffs of the 721-acre nature reserve off mainland Wales. The birds far outnumber the dozen or so humans on Skomer, just a 15-minute ferry ride from the town of Martin's Haven. Crisscrossed with hiking trails, the island is protected by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. A maximum of 250 people may visit per day, but there's only room for 15 overnight guests in a converted barn where scientists conduct most of their research. If you visit between May and July, when the majority of birds are nesting, you'll hear the eerie serenade of the rare Manx shearwater; there are more than 200,000 of them on Skomer. "They have this really wacky call, like a crazy chicken crossed with a pigeon," says Jo Milborrow, the island's wildlife warden. "The legend is that they're the souls of sailors." — Amy Laughinghouse
Nicaragua
Corn Islands
Even the pirates of the Caribbean took a vacation from plundering, and to this day, their hideaway has remained a fairly hidden treasure. Forty miles off mainland Nicaragua, the Corn Islands are still populated by the descendants of buccaneers. On Great Corn Island — one-hour La Costeña flights depart daily from Managua — the only attractions are sand and sea, including a reef that surrounds a 400-year-old Spanish galleon. "If you get bored here, then you don't know how to unwind," says Jeff Johnson, an expat from Washington, D.C. "Not doing anything is the point." Great Corn is a metropolis compared with the 1.4-square-mile Little Corn Island. The $6 ferry from Great Corn drops you off near the two best places to stay: Hotel Los Delfines and Casa Iguana, which relies on solar power because of spotty electricity. Despite the wonky infrastructure, Little Corn has pockets of sophistication: Paola Carminiani serves up a taste of her Italian homeland with three-course dinners at Farm, Peace & Love. Just bring a flashlight so you can find your way back through the jungle. — Paul Katz
Greece
Kíthira Island
Mythical characters dwell everywhere on Kíthira, just eight miles off the tip of the Peloponnesian peninsula. Here's the pool where Aphrodite bathed. Over there, you can see the cave where Helen and Paris are believed to have sought refuge. Except for the six weeks starting in mid-July, Kíthira is a sleepy place with compact medieval villages that are home to ancient grain mills, Byzantine chapels, and cheerful wooden beehives that are painted yellow, blue, or white. (Kíthira's thyme-scented honey is so coveted that the annual production sells out within weeks.) Lodging on the island consists of small hotels and inns. In the whitewashed capital of Chora, the 12-room Hotel Margarita faces the sea. An even better base for exploring is one of the villages in the center, such as Mitata, where a beekeeper has opened Aplinori, an inn where guests can learn how to make honey and cheese. One-hour Olympic Airlines flights to Kíthira depart daily from Athens. — Ann Banks
Australia
Rottnest Island
The name Rottnest is unsuitable for such a beautiful place — after all, the island has more than 60 white-sand beaches. Blame Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh, who discovered the island in 1696, mistook the marsupial quokkas for rats, and named the place "rat's nest." After a 70-year stretch as a penal colony, the island, 12 miles off mainland Australia, has become a popular day trip from Perth. The best way to tour the salt lakes in the interior is to rent a bicycle through Rottnest Bike Hire. The reefs around the island are great for snorkeling; Oceanic Cruises leads excursions to shipwrecks off Kingston Reef. Most visitors come just for the day, but there are lodgings—cabins and bungalows (shown here) managed by the island authority. Before heading back to catch the ferry, stop for some Victoria Bitter beer and a platter of fish, scallops, and oysters at the Rottnest Tearooms Bar & Café. — Justin Bergman
French Polynesia
Fakarava Island
The island's single road wasn't paved until 2003, in anticipation of a visit by then-French president Jacques Chirac (he never arrived, nor did he give a reason why). But that certainly helped put Fakarava on the map — unlike its more populated neighbors Bora-Bora and Tahiti, Fakarava is home to about 500 residents. In the center of Rotoava village is the Relais Marama, the one pension in town with oceanfront bungalows. For divers and snorkelers, the northern Garuae Pass and the southern Tumakohua Pass have pristine coral reefs that are accessible through outfitter Te Ava Nui. You'll have to travel for a full day to get to and from Tumakohua — the pass is only reachable by boat — but it's worth the trip. The nearby village of Tetamanu has a church built entirely out of coral, as well as several black-pearl farms that give free tours. A pension on the outskirts of Rotoava, Pearl Guest House Havaiki, will even allow you to snorkel to its oyster farm with the owner and keep any pearls you find. One-hour flights to Fakarava depart from Papeete, Tahiti, once daily. — Lynwood Lord
Indonesia
Sumba Island
Legend has it that Sumba's first inhabitants descended a ladder from heaven, but as soon as their feet hit the ground, they started battling. The natives' reputation convinced European traders to avoid the island in southern Indonesia, leaving it relatively undeveloped for centuries. The warrior culture lives on in the annual Pasola ritual war festival held each February and March, in which horsemen from various tribes joust using spears. For more mellow activities, the island's southern coast has great surfing — 12-foot swells are not uncommon — and a community-minded (although expensive) resort called Nihiwatu. The hotel has day trips to nearby villages, where you can chew betel nut with the locals, buy colorful ikat cloth, and volunteer at a clinic funded by the resort. The more affordable Sumba Nautil Resort is down the coast. One-hour Transnusa Air Service flights to Sumba depart from Bali. — Susan Crandell
Peru
Amantaní Island
Few places have a welcoming committee quite like the one on Amantaní, an island in Lake Titicaca: Aymara Indian women wearing embroidered black tunics line the dock and wave to visitors as they disembark from the ferry arriving from the city of Puno. After living in relative isolation for centuries, residents on the island began to allow overnight stays about 10 years ago. There are no cars or roads, and quinoa and barley are grown by hand — as they have been for centuries — on hillside terraces. Stone hiking paths lead to the island's two highest peaks, Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Earth). During the Fiesta de la Santa Tierra each January, the residents form dual processions from temples built atop Pachamama and Pachatata to the main village, also called Amantaní, where everyone dances late into the night. Tour operator Edgar Adventures will arrange farmstays with several families that take turns hosting visitors. "The Aymara live simply on what they produce," says guide Fredy Manrique. "It made me realize that you can be happy with very little — that you don't necessarily need to have big houses and cars." — Justin Bergman
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
See photos of these islands at BudgetTravel.com
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Discount travel under $500
With soaring oil prices driving up prices for airline tickets and gas, is it really possible to take a great vacation for less than $500?
Absolutely. All it takes is a little extra planning and a dash of ingenuity.
For some clever ideas, we checked in with travel guru Nancy Dunnan, editor of Travel Smart Newsletter, one of many sources, including package deal aggregators SideStep.com and Travelzoo.com, that offer helpful leads on discount travel.
1. Fly or drive? Compare which is cheaper by using the American Automobile Association’s calculator. At press time, we found, for example, that driving roundtrip from Denver to Memphis costs $193.82 in a 2007 Toyota Corolla, using 57 gallons. American Airlines prices the same roundtrip route for just one person at $199. (Prices quoted here are subject to change.)
2. Relax and retreat. Reduce stress on a retreat. Your local church, synagogue or YMCA may sponsor its own retreat by renting out a summer camp in the off season. Most have hiking trails, nature walks, swimming and sometime tennis. Rooms are basic but clean. One option: Located in the Berkshires western Massachusetts, the nonprofit of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health offers a mind-boggling array of classes and packages in a rustic setting with trails. Prices start at $152 a night for dormitory berths; courses and meals are included.
3. Exchange your home. Pay no lodging fees by trading your home for someone else’s. For best results, plan well in advance and be cautious.
Green Theme International costs about $50 a year and focuses on sports and activities. Home Exchange offers listings in more than one hundred countries for a fee of $99.95 a year. Save more by using airline miles to get there.
4. Play Farmer John. You can do so all around the country, but Pennsylvania has the most options: twenty-five working farms that invite guests to learn about farming and share in doing chores. Great for kids. All-inclusive costs vary but can be as low as $85 a night for a family of four. (888-856-6622, pafarmstay.com)
5. Go to Vegas, baby! Wyndham Resorts regularly offers ultra-low deals to twenty-seven locations. The trade-off is sitting through a two-hour timeshare pitch, usually on Saturday morning. (Be sure to leave your checkbook and credit cards at home, so you’re not tempted to buy, and blow your budget.)
Jennifer Dempsey, of Salida, Colo., has gone to Las Vegas three times with Wyndham. She finds the cost, as low as $75 for two nights in a hotel, worth it, despite the pitch. “It’s crazy not to do it,” she says. The resort company throws in free show tickets and a couple free buffet meals. Once they even sent Dempsey a $100 gas card.
Once you’re there, Vegas is full of bargains, including show tickets, which Dempsey has picked up free off the street. A non-gambler, Dempsey says she’s spent three nights in Vegas for less than $200 total. (wyndhamtrips.com)
6. Check out Chautauqua Institution. This historic retreat on picturesque Chautauqua Lake is located on 750 acres in southwestern New York. During the summer, it offers nine weeks of programs, including current events, religion, politics, science and literature. Spend $14 to $140 on an open-enrollment class or buy a one-week gate pass for $325. Call 1-716-357-6250 to sign up for a class (ciweb.org).
7. Try a B&B. Not only do bed and breakfasts cost less, they also include breakfast and, often, afternoon tea and cookies or evening wine and cheese. Throughout the summer, some members of BedandBreakfast.com offer free gas (or discounts) via their Tanks A Lot program. For example, through October 18, if you arrive at the historic Pilgrim’s Inn on Deer Island, Maine, in a hybrid vehicle, you’ll receive up to $40 off your bill. The group has seven thousand B&Bs in more than forty states, Canada and the Caribbean.
8. Summer on the slopes. When the snow melts, so do ski resort rates. Most resorts offer great summer programs along with low prices, including book, film and music festivals; summer camps for kids; and outdoor sports.
9. Spend just one day. Local public libraries, museums and historic societies often run day bus trips to interesting places. Dunnan recently took a New York Public Library trip to author Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount, in Massachusetts. The outing included a paper bag breakfast, lunch, a lecture, and sherry and cheese on the ride back. “You felt you’d been on vacation,” Dunnan says. Typical costs range from $40 to $150.
10. Ride the rails. Amtrak offers hotel packages for more than twenty-five U.S. and Canadian cities, as well as Niagara Falls, Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon (free admission to the park may be included). Amtrak’s “Philadelphia Vacation,” for example, includes two nights at the Comfort Inn Historic District and admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, with roundtrip rail. At press time, prices started at $309 per person from Washington, D.C., $251 from New York City and $235 from Pittsburgh. (800-268-7252, amtrakvacations.com)
11. Play tourist at home. You don’t have to travel to get a vacation. Rates drop when cities empty out on weekends and business travelers head home. Some city hotels offer special packages that may include amenities such as free breakfast, parking or passes to museums and famous sites. Local museums may have a free day, in which no admission is charged. Check your newspaper or with your travel agent.
12. Gather a group. Hotels regularly give discounts when you book five to ten rooms at a time. Plan a reunion with family or friends, and ask the hotel for a free community room with breakfast.
13. Visit a pal. Visit your friend who’s been asking you to forever. With free lodging and home-cooked meals, you’ll have enough left over in your trip budget for a thoughtful thank you gift.
14. Roll on a coaster. Buying theme park tickets online is often cheaper than buying at the gate. And during the summer, many parks stay open late on certain days, lowering rates for evening visits. For example, after 4 p.m. on select days, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., charges $24.99 per adult instead of $49.99. Look for other discounts and see if season passes are cheaper.
15. Enjoy the great outdoors. The National Park Service has information on all national parks, as well as details about inexpensive camping or in-park lodging reservations and educational programs, at nps.gov. In July’s second issue of Discover EDGE you can read about how to get a great deal at a national or state park.
16. Save a bundle by booking together. Instead of booking separately, save money by booking a package that includes airfare and hotel, and maybe a rental car, too. Check the vacation division of the major airlines flying to your destination, or ask your travel agent. United Airlines (unitedvacations.com or 1-888-328-6877) regularly has excellent package deals, such as free Universal Theme Park tickets, special rates at the Universal Orlando Resort and other goodies.
Absolutely. All it takes is a little extra planning and a dash of ingenuity.
For some clever ideas, we checked in with travel guru Nancy Dunnan, editor of Travel Smart Newsletter, one of many sources, including package deal aggregators SideStep.com and Travelzoo.com, that offer helpful leads on discount travel.
1. Fly or drive? Compare which is cheaper by using the American Automobile Association’s calculator. At press time, we found, for example, that driving roundtrip from Denver to Memphis costs $193.82 in a 2007 Toyota Corolla, using 57 gallons. American Airlines prices the same roundtrip route for just one person at $199. (Prices quoted here are subject to change.)
2. Relax and retreat. Reduce stress on a retreat. Your local church, synagogue or YMCA may sponsor its own retreat by renting out a summer camp in the off season. Most have hiking trails, nature walks, swimming and sometime tennis. Rooms are basic but clean. One option: Located in the Berkshires western Massachusetts, the nonprofit of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health offers a mind-boggling array of classes and packages in a rustic setting with trails. Prices start at $152 a night for dormitory berths; courses and meals are included.
3. Exchange your home. Pay no lodging fees by trading your home for someone else’s. For best results, plan well in advance and be cautious.
Green Theme International costs about $50 a year and focuses on sports and activities. Home Exchange offers listings in more than one hundred countries for a fee of $99.95 a year. Save more by using airline miles to get there.
4. Play Farmer John. You can do so all around the country, but Pennsylvania has the most options: twenty-five working farms that invite guests to learn about farming and share in doing chores. Great for kids. All-inclusive costs vary but can be as low as $85 a night for a family of four. (888-856-6622, pafarmstay.com)
5. Go to Vegas, baby! Wyndham Resorts regularly offers ultra-low deals to twenty-seven locations. The trade-off is sitting through a two-hour timeshare pitch, usually on Saturday morning. (Be sure to leave your checkbook and credit cards at home, so you’re not tempted to buy, and blow your budget.)
Jennifer Dempsey, of Salida, Colo., has gone to Las Vegas three times with Wyndham. She finds the cost, as low as $75 for two nights in a hotel, worth it, despite the pitch. “It’s crazy not to do it,” she says. The resort company throws in free show tickets and a couple free buffet meals. Once they even sent Dempsey a $100 gas card.
Once you’re there, Vegas is full of bargains, including show tickets, which Dempsey has picked up free off the street. A non-gambler, Dempsey says she’s spent three nights in Vegas for less than $200 total. (wyndhamtrips.com)
6. Check out Chautauqua Institution. This historic retreat on picturesque Chautauqua Lake is located on 750 acres in southwestern New York. During the summer, it offers nine weeks of programs, including current events, religion, politics, science and literature. Spend $14 to $140 on an open-enrollment class or buy a one-week gate pass for $325. Call 1-716-357-6250 to sign up for a class (ciweb.org).
7. Try a B&B. Not only do bed and breakfasts cost less, they also include breakfast and, often, afternoon tea and cookies or evening wine and cheese. Throughout the summer, some members of BedandBreakfast.com offer free gas (or discounts) via their Tanks A Lot program. For example, through October 18, if you arrive at the historic Pilgrim’s Inn on Deer Island, Maine, in a hybrid vehicle, you’ll receive up to $40 off your bill. The group has seven thousand B&Bs in more than forty states, Canada and the Caribbean.
8. Summer on the slopes. When the snow melts, so do ski resort rates. Most resorts offer great summer programs along with low prices, including book, film and music festivals; summer camps for kids; and outdoor sports.
9. Spend just one day. Local public libraries, museums and historic societies often run day bus trips to interesting places. Dunnan recently took a New York Public Library trip to author Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount, in Massachusetts. The outing included a paper bag breakfast, lunch, a lecture, and sherry and cheese on the ride back. “You felt you’d been on vacation,” Dunnan says. Typical costs range from $40 to $150.
10. Ride the rails. Amtrak offers hotel packages for more than twenty-five U.S. and Canadian cities, as well as Niagara Falls, Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon (free admission to the park may be included). Amtrak’s “Philadelphia Vacation,” for example, includes two nights at the Comfort Inn Historic District and admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, with roundtrip rail. At press time, prices started at $309 per person from Washington, D.C., $251 from New York City and $235 from Pittsburgh. (800-268-7252, amtrakvacations.com)
11. Play tourist at home. You don’t have to travel to get a vacation. Rates drop when cities empty out on weekends and business travelers head home. Some city hotels offer special packages that may include amenities such as free breakfast, parking or passes to museums and famous sites. Local museums may have a free day, in which no admission is charged. Check your newspaper or with your travel agent.
12. Gather a group. Hotels regularly give discounts when you book five to ten rooms at a time. Plan a reunion with family or friends, and ask the hotel for a free community room with breakfast.
13. Visit a pal. Visit your friend who’s been asking you to forever. With free lodging and home-cooked meals, you’ll have enough left over in your trip budget for a thoughtful thank you gift.
14. Roll on a coaster. Buying theme park tickets online is often cheaper than buying at the gate. And during the summer, many parks stay open late on certain days, lowering rates for evening visits. For example, after 4 p.m. on select days, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., charges $24.99 per adult instead of $49.99. Look for other discounts and see if season passes are cheaper.
15. Enjoy the great outdoors. The National Park Service has information on all national parks, as well as details about inexpensive camping or in-park lodging reservations and educational programs, at nps.gov. In July’s second issue of Discover EDGE you can read about how to get a great deal at a national or state park.
16. Save a bundle by booking together. Instead of booking separately, save money by booking a package that includes airfare and hotel, and maybe a rental car, too. Check the vacation division of the major airlines flying to your destination, or ask your travel agent. United Airlines (unitedvacations.com or 1-888-328-6877) regularly has excellent package deals, such as free Universal Theme Park tickets, special rates at the Universal Orlando Resort and other goodies.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
10 U.S. Places to See Before You Die
10 U.S. Places to See Before You Die
By Andrew Harper
Many people have a list of places they'd like to visit before they move on to the next world; here are a few American suggestions of my own.
For conversation's sake, I have avoided the obvious targets, but a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge or a trip up the Empire State Building is still definitely worth it.
Though we are lucky to live in a beautiful country, I have mostly focused on smaller, manmade sites, simply because a catalog of pretty American places could stretch on forever.
This list is admittedly subjective, but comes from 30 years of professional wandering. Some places are more well-known than others, but all share a sense of tranquility and wonder.
And since I review small boutique hotels for a living, I have included nearby recommended places to stay. Happy travels!
1. San Francisco de Asis Church, Ranchos de Taos, N.M.
Famously painted by Georgia O'Keefe and described by her as "one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards," this handsome adobe mission a few miles outside of Taos Pueblo yokes together a staggering five centuries of North American history.Harper hotel: Casa de las Chimeneas, Taos.
2. Whaling Museum, Nantucket, Mass.
At its whaling peak during the first half of the 19th century, the small island of Nantucket had 88 ships scattered across the oceans. The Whaling Museum is wonderfully evocative of this era (plenty of scrimshaw and rusty harpoons), and out-of-season Nantucket Town, with its Greek Revival mansions and cobblestone streets, is equally enchanting.Harper hotel: The Wauwinet.
3. Battery District, Charleston, S.C.
The historic Battery District of Charleston, South Carolina, home to dozens of stately antebellum mansions, is one of the prettiest U.S. neighborhoods I've ever explored. Follow the promenade along the shores of the Charleston peninsula; Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, sits broodingly across the Cooper River.Harper hotel: Planters Inn.
4. Madison Valley, Montana
Montana's Madison Valley, which runs between the Madison and Gallatin ranges down to West Yellowstone, is magnificent Lewis and Clark territory. This is unspoiled land, vast and uncompromising — everything you hope Big Sky Country will look like.Harper hotel: The Lodge at Sun Ranch.
5. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Housed in a charming Venetian-style palazzo, this gem of a gallery displays works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Whistler and Sargent. It's small enough to tour in an hour or so, and you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the sunny, flower-filled courtyard. And if your name happens to be Isabella, you get in free.Harper hotel: XV Beacon.
6. The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York City
If you had to choose only one restaurant in New York City to visit, this would be the one. The city's prettiest dining room was designed by architects Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, and astutely hasn't been touched since its introduction in 1959. The Pool Room is a study in muted sophistication, despite some of the outsized egos at the tables.Harper hotel: The Lowell.
7. The Rothko Chapel, Houston
This small, non-denominational chapel located just off the Menil gallery in Houston's Museum District seems unassuming at first, but spend some time surrounded by the 14 mysterious paintings by Mark Rothko, and it may start sinking into your skin.Harper hotel: St. Regis.
8. The Huntington Gardens, San Marino, Calif.
Huntington did quite well in railroads, and he's left us with a wonderful afternoon escape just outside of Los Angeles. After admiring some of the spoils of his industry — a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare folio, Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" — venture out into the superb botanical gardens, home to dozens of unique environments: an almost eerily authentic Japanese garden, a lily pond straight out of a Monet painting, and an entrancing collection of cacti.Harper hotel: Hotel Bel-Air.
9. Robie House (Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago
The Robie House, the world's first modern home, was designed in 1908 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and still seems startlingly contemporary 100 years later; with its broad horizontal lines and sleek art-glass windows, it looks like a modernist yacht. Wright himself showed up to protest the planned demolition of the house (it was to be replaced by a seminary dormitory) at the ripe old age of 90. Harper hotel: Four Seasons.
10. The Oregon Coast
Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast swerves through 360 miles of jagged cliffs, rocky outcrops, sweeping dunes and temperate rain forests. The coastline lacks deep harbors, so there are no large cities here — just old logging towns, fishing villages and the occasional artist colony. And the entire coast is public land, which makes for excellent picnic opportunities in rugged and remote spaces.Harper hotel: The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach
By Andrew Harper
Many people have a list of places they'd like to visit before they move on to the next world; here are a few American suggestions of my own.
For conversation's sake, I have avoided the obvious targets, but a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge or a trip up the Empire State Building is still definitely worth it.
Though we are lucky to live in a beautiful country, I have mostly focused on smaller, manmade sites, simply because a catalog of pretty American places could stretch on forever.
This list is admittedly subjective, but comes from 30 years of professional wandering. Some places are more well-known than others, but all share a sense of tranquility and wonder.
And since I review small boutique hotels for a living, I have included nearby recommended places to stay. Happy travels!
1. San Francisco de Asis Church, Ranchos de Taos, N.M.
Famously painted by Georgia O'Keefe and described by her as "one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards," this handsome adobe mission a few miles outside of Taos Pueblo yokes together a staggering five centuries of North American history.Harper hotel: Casa de las Chimeneas, Taos.
2. Whaling Museum, Nantucket, Mass.
At its whaling peak during the first half of the 19th century, the small island of Nantucket had 88 ships scattered across the oceans. The Whaling Museum is wonderfully evocative of this era (plenty of scrimshaw and rusty harpoons), and out-of-season Nantucket Town, with its Greek Revival mansions and cobblestone streets, is equally enchanting.Harper hotel: The Wauwinet.
3. Battery District, Charleston, S.C.
The historic Battery District of Charleston, South Carolina, home to dozens of stately antebellum mansions, is one of the prettiest U.S. neighborhoods I've ever explored. Follow the promenade along the shores of the Charleston peninsula; Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, sits broodingly across the Cooper River.Harper hotel: Planters Inn.
4. Madison Valley, Montana
Montana's Madison Valley, which runs between the Madison and Gallatin ranges down to West Yellowstone, is magnificent Lewis and Clark territory. This is unspoiled land, vast and uncompromising — everything you hope Big Sky Country will look like.Harper hotel: The Lodge at Sun Ranch.
5. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Housed in a charming Venetian-style palazzo, this gem of a gallery displays works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Whistler and Sargent. It's small enough to tour in an hour or so, and you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the sunny, flower-filled courtyard. And if your name happens to be Isabella, you get in free.Harper hotel: XV Beacon.
6. The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York City
If you had to choose only one restaurant in New York City to visit, this would be the one. The city's prettiest dining room was designed by architects Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, and astutely hasn't been touched since its introduction in 1959. The Pool Room is a study in muted sophistication, despite some of the outsized egos at the tables.Harper hotel: The Lowell.
7. The Rothko Chapel, Houston
This small, non-denominational chapel located just off the Menil gallery in Houston's Museum District seems unassuming at first, but spend some time surrounded by the 14 mysterious paintings by Mark Rothko, and it may start sinking into your skin.Harper hotel: St. Regis.
8. The Huntington Gardens, San Marino, Calif.
Huntington did quite well in railroads, and he's left us with a wonderful afternoon escape just outside of Los Angeles. After admiring some of the spoils of his industry — a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare folio, Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" — venture out into the superb botanical gardens, home to dozens of unique environments: an almost eerily authentic Japanese garden, a lily pond straight out of a Monet painting, and an entrancing collection of cacti.Harper hotel: Hotel Bel-Air.
9. Robie House (Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago
The Robie House, the world's first modern home, was designed in 1908 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and still seems startlingly contemporary 100 years later; with its broad horizontal lines and sleek art-glass windows, it looks like a modernist yacht. Wright himself showed up to protest the planned demolition of the house (it was to be replaced by a seminary dormitory) at the ripe old age of 90. Harper hotel: Four Seasons.
10. The Oregon Coast
Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast swerves through 360 miles of jagged cliffs, rocky outcrops, sweeping dunes and temperate rain forests. The coastline lacks deep harbors, so there are no large cities here — just old logging towns, fishing villages and the occasional artist colony. And the entire coast is public land, which makes for excellent picnic opportunities in rugged and remote spaces.Harper hotel: The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach
Friday, August 15, 2008
How to choose a great tour guide
How to Choose a Great Tour Guide
by Lucy Lazarony
The right tour guide can make any location come to life.
Whether you’re a Civil War buff, a food lover eating your way around New York City or a nature lover eager to explore the natural wonders of a national park, a good tour guide can deepen and enrich the experience.
“It makes all the difference in the world,” says Bob Whitley, president of the United States Tour Operators Association, “because of their knowledge and because of their care in handling you and in making sure everything is right.”
But how can you find a tour guide who will enhance your next vacation or weekend getaway?
The first step is taking some time to really think about your goals for the trip. Ask yourself these questions:
Why are you traveling? Are you mainly looking to relax and maybe see a few sights? Or you do want a more intensive type of trip that will take you deep into a particular culture or location?
Do you want every second of your vacation devoted to the tour? Or just an afternoon or morning?
Are you traveling alone? Depending on whether you’re traveling with friends or family, children, or aging relatives, different tours might appeal to different people. What kind of tour would everyone in your group enjoy?
Will a larger, more general tour do, or would you prefer a smaller, special-interest tour? A custom tour, designed specifically for your family, help you get more for your money.
The second step is research. A little bit of research can ensure that your vacation and tour goes off without a hitch.
“It really pays to do some research in advance, have some plans in advance,” says Jennifer Paull, a senior editor at Fodor’s Travel.
A good place to start is the visitors’ bureau, tourist office or local chamber of commerce for the place you’ll be traveling. They can point you to local tour companies and the tour companies will connect you with a guide.
“You can do it in advance on the Web. It’s so easy,” says Ted Bravos, co-founder of the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco.
Several major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., have their own professional tour guide associations. These associations may lead you to just the guide you’re looking for.
You can search for professional tour guide associations in the U.S. and around the world by visiting the online.
Refer to guidebooks such as Fodor’s, Frommer’s and Lonely Planet for recommendations of local tour companies. The travel guide companies also host forums on their Web sites where you can consult other travelers about their travel and tour experiences. You may be able to get some great advice from a fellow traveler just back from the kind of trip that you’re planning.
Another way to find the perfect tour for your upcoming vacation may be to simply search the Web.
As impressive as a tour company’s Web site may be, it’s just a starting point. You’ll need to do some additional research to make sure the company is solid. Is the company endorsed by the local tourist office or a particular guidebook? If the company is based in the U.S., what’s its record with the Better Business Bureau?
“Has it been recommended by a publication that you trust?” Paul asks. “You’re looking for a third-party objective assessment. What you’re trying to do is filter out self-promotion.”
Once you find a tour company that you like, here are some specific questions to ask before signing up for a tour.
How long has the tour company been in business? Find out what are its credentials. If it’s a member of a tour guide association, has the association received any complaints?
What are the credentials of the individual tour guide who will be leading your trip? You may not need someone with a doctorate, but you might want someone who leads dozens of tours each year, and has a reputation for keeping it informative, fast-moving and fun.
What specific sights and activities will be included in the tour? Make sure you find out how much time is spent on each activity. Ask about free time and how everyone will meet up with the tour guide later in the day.
What is the cost of the tour? Ask if the cost is per person or per group. Does the cost include meals and transportation? Does the cost include admission to a park, museum or historical site? Tour guides expect to be tipped, so be sure to ask what is the tipping policy before signing on.
What is the size of the tour group? Will you be traveling with a group of five or six other people or two dozen? Ask what is the minimum number of people required to book a private tour.
What is the refund policy? If you wind up not traveling for any reason, find out how much notice you have to give to get your cash back.
After finding out all these details, it’s up to you to weigh the cost against the experience level of the tour guide and the kind of trip you’re seeking.
by Lucy Lazarony
The right tour guide can make any location come to life.
Whether you’re a Civil War buff, a food lover eating your way around New York City or a nature lover eager to explore the natural wonders of a national park, a good tour guide can deepen and enrich the experience.
“It makes all the difference in the world,” says Bob Whitley, president of the United States Tour Operators Association, “because of their knowledge and because of their care in handling you and in making sure everything is right.”
But how can you find a tour guide who will enhance your next vacation or weekend getaway?
The first step is taking some time to really think about your goals for the trip. Ask yourself these questions:
Why are you traveling? Are you mainly looking to relax and maybe see a few sights? Or you do want a more intensive type of trip that will take you deep into a particular culture or location?
Do you want every second of your vacation devoted to the tour? Or just an afternoon or morning?
Are you traveling alone? Depending on whether you’re traveling with friends or family, children, or aging relatives, different tours might appeal to different people. What kind of tour would everyone in your group enjoy?
Will a larger, more general tour do, or would you prefer a smaller, special-interest tour? A custom tour, designed specifically for your family, help you get more for your money.
The second step is research. A little bit of research can ensure that your vacation and tour goes off without a hitch.
“It really pays to do some research in advance, have some plans in advance,” says Jennifer Paull, a senior editor at Fodor’s Travel.
A good place to start is the visitors’ bureau, tourist office or local chamber of commerce for the place you’ll be traveling. They can point you to local tour companies and the tour companies will connect you with a guide.
“You can do it in advance on the Web. It’s so easy,” says Ted Bravos, co-founder of the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco.
Several major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., have their own professional tour guide associations. These associations may lead you to just the guide you’re looking for.
You can search for professional tour guide associations in the U.S. and around the world by visiting the online.
Refer to guidebooks such as Fodor’s, Frommer’s and Lonely Planet for recommendations of local tour companies. The travel guide companies also host forums on their Web sites where you can consult other travelers about their travel and tour experiences. You may be able to get some great advice from a fellow traveler just back from the kind of trip that you’re planning.
Another way to find the perfect tour for your upcoming vacation may be to simply search the Web.
As impressive as a tour company’s Web site may be, it’s just a starting point. You’ll need to do some additional research to make sure the company is solid. Is the company endorsed by the local tourist office or a particular guidebook? If the company is based in the U.S., what’s its record with the Better Business Bureau?
“Has it been recommended by a publication that you trust?” Paul asks. “You’re looking for a third-party objective assessment. What you’re trying to do is filter out self-promotion.”
Once you find a tour company that you like, here are some specific questions to ask before signing up for a tour.
How long has the tour company been in business? Find out what are its credentials. If it’s a member of a tour guide association, has the association received any complaints?
What are the credentials of the individual tour guide who will be leading your trip? You may not need someone with a doctorate, but you might want someone who leads dozens of tours each year, and has a reputation for keeping it informative, fast-moving and fun.
What specific sights and activities will be included in the tour? Make sure you find out how much time is spent on each activity. Ask about free time and how everyone will meet up with the tour guide later in the day.
What is the cost of the tour? Ask if the cost is per person or per group. Does the cost include meals and transportation? Does the cost include admission to a park, museum or historical site? Tour guides expect to be tipped, so be sure to ask what is the tipping policy before signing on.
What is the size of the tour group? Will you be traveling with a group of five or six other people or two dozen? Ask what is the minimum number of people required to book a private tour.
What is the refund policy? If you wind up not traveling for any reason, find out how much notice you have to give to get your cash back.
After finding out all these details, it’s up to you to weigh the cost against the experience level of the tour guide and the kind of trip you’re seeking.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Ride a Jamaican Bobsled
This sounds like a fun place to visit: Ocho Rios, Jamaica is the home of a major new tourist attraction. Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain celebrated its grand opening last month and is predicted to draw at least 100,000 visitors each year.
The multimillion-dollar, eco-friendly attraction features a ride through the tropical forest in custom-designed bobsleds inspired by the famous Jamaican Olympic bobsled teams of the '80s and '90s. Passengers on the 3,280-foot, gravity-driven ride travel on winding, stainless steel rails through Jamaica's lush rainforest, controlling their descent with individual handbrakes. The bobsled track was designed and laid so as not to disturb the natural landscape.
Other highlights include a state-of-the-art chairlift ride that takes visitors above the treetops to the 700-foot peak of Mystic Mountain, a zip-line canopy tour and the Jamaican Railway Station & Mystic Pavilion. The Jamaican Railway Station is a replica of an early 20th-century Jamaican railway station, and features a lookout tower with spectacular views of Jamaica's north coast, a bar and restaurant, retail outlets, and a photo shop. The Mystic Pavilion is home to an island culture and heritage center.
Rainforest Bobsled at Mystic Mountain promises to be a high-demand shore excursion for travelers visiting Jamaica. Carnival Corp. was a partner in developing the project, and several cruise lines (including Carnival, Princess, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean) have signed contracts to offer excursions here for the 2008/2009 season during their port calls in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Port Antonio.
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