New Open Skies Agreement Changes Everything – Maybe Even Prices!

This week a new Open Skies Agreement between airlines of the United States and Europe goes into effect. So what, you say….why should I care? Well I believe this will change the entire face of global travel in the coming years.

The new agreement (which was 6 years in the making) allows airlines to fly non-stop between any city in Europe and any city in the United States for the first time. Until now flight routes had to be negotiated individually between governments on a city by city basis – and each country was restricted from originating flights outside their own country. The new rules lift these restrictions and create an open marketplace. So for instance, Air France can now fly from London to New York without having to land in France. Does this mean prices will go down? – too soon to tell – but increased competition among airlines is never a bad thing.

London opened a new larger Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport this week to sell new gate rights to US airlines. In fact, Continental, Delta and US Airways will all be flying new routes into London Heathrow this summer. Read more

Become an American Idol at Disney World

Beginning in late 2008, all you closet American Idol wannabes can get your big break at Disney World in Florida. Ever the cutting edge purveyor of entertainment, Disney World is hard at work developing a “Disney Hollywood Studios” theme park. The main attraction will be the opportunity to strut your stuff in an American Idol like setting. Performers will audition in a “live” video kiosk in full view of a panel of screeners. Those who pass the screening test will advance to the next phase where a Disney producer will cast them in a theme park show.

On to the glitz and glitter! Backstage preparations will include working with a vocal coach before heading for a makeover with hair and make-up artists. Guest performers who earn the highest scores will be invited to perform at the end of day Grand Finale show. And here’s where it gets REALLY exciting! The winners of the Grand Finale show will earn a “Go To The Head Of The Line Pass” for a real American Idol audition. Disney Idols will have the opportunity to audition at an American Idol screening with a guaranteed reservation – no waiting in the VERY long lines. And who knows that may just lead to a real Idol discovery. Better start those vocal lessons right away!!!

Check the Disney World site for all the official details: Disney World.com, where dreams really do come true.

A Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb for Scardy Cats

The idea of doing a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb is compelling – an adventure of a lifetime. Can’t you just picture yourself perched at the apex, arms stretched above your head waiving in triumph, with dramatic bay views extending out before you in all directions. The only elements I don’t care to think about is the windblown, clinking climb to the top, tethered to my fellow climbers, all pushing our apprehension and fears deep down inside in anticipating of the exhilarating climax. I won’t even think about the tales told to me by friends Dwin and John about looking straight down to the sea as they were required to switch over from one narrow ladder to another.

Thankfully a new climb experience has been added to the Sydney Harbour Bridge tour choice. You can now do a 200 step climb inside one of the anchor Pylons. No, it’s not quite as exhilarating or as high as the peak of the bridge itself, but it offers amazing views of Sydney Harbour, while being protected from the weather. It also provides the opportunity to bring along your camera for taking your own quintessential Sydney Opera House photo. No possessions are allowed on the open bridge climb, and all photos are taken (and sold to you) by the tour staff. On the Pylon Tour, you can snap all the photos you like. The Pylon climb also offers an opportunity for folks who must keep medication on hand, which would not be allowed on the open climb. So choose for yourself, daring open bridge climb or solid pylon ascent. Here are the websites to take a look at each adventure: Pylon Lookout or Harbour Bridge Climb

All Upper Class Airline Seats Are Not Created Equal

We’ve found a terrific site for comparing airline’s upper class seats, so you can see in advance exactly what kind of luxury or torture you’re buying in into. FlatSeat.com will help you be a smart, and comfortable, flier.

What is it that would entice you to pay three times (or more) as much for an airline ticket or pledge a bundle of frequent flier miles? Sure the food choices are better in first or business class, but for most people it’s the promise of a seat that is actually comfortable for a long flight and has enough space so you won’t be jabbing elbows with your seat mate. And for overnight flights, the prospect of being able to actually lie flat and get a few hours of solid sleep seems almost too good to be true. Well you know the saying, if it’s seems too good to be true….. better check what that seat actually looks like before throwing all that money in the pot!!! Read more

Holland Tourism Guides

I think most people in the USA are just a bit confused about what county calls Amsterdam it’s capital city. Is it Holland or The Netherlands? And why are the citizens there call the Dutch? Three different names, one wonderful region. For the record, Holland represents two of the 12 provinces of The Netherlands. The city of Amsterdam draws travelers from throughout Europe as it’s central location makes a perfect base for easy, high speed train access to Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Italy to name a few. But before venturing off, have a look at the tourism sites of The Netherlands and enjoy this land of wooden shoes, tulips and windmills.

Visit Holland
Holland.com

Major Cities
Amsterdam
Delft
The Hague
Rotterdam

Personally Picked, Welcoming Accommodations

Nothing against mainstream hotel chains, but the more I travel, the more I seek out memorable accommodations that have distinctive personalities and offer the opportunity to interact with the local community and/or other travelers. Alastair Sawday, one of Britain’s prominent travel writers has a wonderful website that is perfect for finding hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns and self catering apartments that have all been personally visited and have been designated as ‘Special Places’ because of their inviting ambiance and welcoming owners. (Like the hotel in Greece shown above.) In his website Sawdays.co.uk, Alastair Sawaday tempts us to travel at a slower pace and stay in lodgings with aged dignity. He has created a series of ‘Special Places to Stay Guides’ for 18 prominent locations throughout Europe.

I particularly like the feature entitled ‘Inspire Me’. Clicking this tab will open the door to Adventure Sports, Cookery, Wine, Creative or Language Classes, as well as vacations for Fishing, Skiing, or to enhance your Mind, Body and Spirit. You’ll be tempted to browse through the selections of ivy covered stucco villas from Britain to Turkey. Just glancing through this site makes my fingers itch to start packing – I bet it does the same for you!

Meet a Seahorse Up Close and Personal in Hawaii

A visit to Hawaii promises exciting exposure to new flora and fauna both on the land and in the waters. On the big island of Hawaii visitors often trek north to spend the day at historic Parker Ranch to see the famed Paniolo Cowboys of Hawaii. But that’s not the only ranch to corral horses on the big island. The folks at Ocean Rider Ranch in Kailua-Kona breed and raise delicate seahorses at their organic aqua farm.

As one of the most illusive marine ornamental fish, the seahorse is facing extinction throughout the world. Although I’ve been an avid snorkeler around the globe for years, I haven’t once seen a seahorse in the wild. The closest we come these days is the ice sculpture at a buffet table! It’s the intention of Ocean Rider Ranch to save seahorses from extinction by offering farm raised species to home aquarium hobbyists and public aquariums, so wild seahorses will be left on the reef to revitalize their species. Read more

How To Get a Gate Pass at the Airport

The days are long over when you could walk to the departure gate with your loved one to wave goodbye as they boarded the plane.  There are circumstances however when it is vital to accompany a family member to the gate and see them safely on board the aircraft.  Here are the steps necessary to obtain a “gate pass”.

Who will be considered for a gate pass?

• A parent with a child flying alone – known as unaccompanied minor (under 18)
• A companion for a passenger that has a disability (perhaps to push a wheelchair, etc)
• A companion for a passenger with with special needs (can’t understand signs and/or instructions or perhaps needs a sign language interpreter)
• A companion for a passenger who is elderly and may become confused or disoriented
• Family members of Military service personnel who are reporting for duty or arriving home from active duty

How To Obtain a Gate Pass

1. Since every airline and airport may have slightly different rules, it is always best to phone the airline first to obtain any special instructions.
2. As a general rule, gate passes are issued at the airline ticket/check-in counter.
3. You will need the passenger’s name and flight number, and a government issued photo ID (driver’s license).
4. If you are escorting a departing Military service member, they should have their military orders available as well as government photo IDs for everyone over the age of 18.
5. You may wish to enlist the assistance of one of the airline greeters (usually dressed in an airline blazer and standing near the entrance of the ticket counter lines). They are there to help direct folks to the proper counter and should be able to point you to the exact location to obtain the gate pass.
6. When you reach the counter personnel, explain that you wish to obtain a Gate Pass and explain the circumstances.

And finally be sure to allow plenty of time before flight departure and/or arrival as check-in and security lines can sometimes be daunting.

6 Reasons Quebec City is a Great Deal This Summer

Visiting the old world charm of Quebec City is always a treat, but this year it gets even better. This grand walled city has proudly graced the banks of the St. Lawrence River for four centuries – Yes, that’s 400 years since Samuel de Champlain established the first permanent French settlement in North America. In 2008 Quebec City celebrates its 400th birthday and has planned crowd pleasing events all summer long. Here are just a few reasons to make this the year you plan a vacation to Quebec:

1 – Your dollar goes further in Canada. The slide of the US Dollar against the Euro means many of us will forgo a trip to Europe this year. But I’m happy to say the Canadian Dollar and the US Dollar remain about equal in value, making a visit to Quebec to indulge in it’s European ambiance, sidewalk cafes, narrow cobbled streets, and top notch cultural venues, an exceptional value. Read more

Where The Heck Is Cameroon?

I was thinking somewhere in Southeast Asia, but alas I was very wrong, it’s located on the arch of the western gulf on the African continent. So how’s your knowledge of world geography? We’ve found a fun and addicting way to put your world knowledge and reflexes to the test. Play the Traveler IQ Challenge at TravelPod.com. This is a fast paced quiz game that asks you to pin point well known countries, cities and famous sites around the world. Each level becomes more difficult, and the clock is always ticking. I thought it was great fun, and I surprised myself by getting to level 7 before biting the dust. Play this game and tune up your own knowledge of famous world locations. Have fun!

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