Rental Car Companies Are Going Green In A Hurry

The national rental car agencies are true believers in the fuel changes that are on the horizon. They are investing vast sums of money to change over their fleet of cars to include flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles. If you’ve been thinking about switching to a hybrid the next time you purchase a vehicle, this is a great way to take one for a long test drive. Here’s a glimpse at what you’ll find at each of the major car rental agencies:

Hertz: Known as “The Green Collection”, Hertz has over 268,000 vehicles that average 28 mpg or better, which represents 64% of its total fleet. Additionally, 43% of its fleet achieves 34 mpg or better. They seem to be stocking up on the Toyota Prius, which number over 3,400 vehicles at the moment, and they rent hybrid vehicles throughout the European market as well.  Read more

Skipping Hut to Hut in the White Mountains National Forest

Don’t I wish! Clint and I just returned from an adventurous 3 day hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, superbly guided by folks at the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). If you’ve ever thought of going on a scenic hike in the mountains, read on…. this is a tale of ‘girl challenges mountain and the mountain nearly won’!

What was I thinking?!! A perky jaunt over well trodden trails to peaks revealing breathtaking vistas….. just the thing to challenge our aging frames? My aim was to get us out of our “comfort zone”, meet some like minded people, and enjoy the summer mountain air. Let me say, Heidi I’m not – I totally misjudged my capacity for up hill hiking. Our comfort zone was stretched beyond all recognition and my short little legs quivered like licorice sticks by the time we arrived at our hut on the second day. Clint’s previously broken leg actually stood up really well – I was wishing I had some of that titanium riveted in mine on a few occasions (not really). Read more

Fly Free to the Caribbean with Sandals – But Book Fast!

It’s not often that a offer as good as this one comes along – Sandals Resorts are offering to fly you for free to one their Caribbean Resorts and give you up 30% off their standard room rates as well. Wow, forget the staycation and all the airline bad news, Sandals will fly you away for a tropical vacation for free!

Here’s the deal: Book a stay of three nights or more before July 31, 2008, and Sandals offers an air credit of up to $550 per person. The dates of travel must be between July 18 and December 20th and some blackout dates apply (Thanksgiving is my guess). Vacationers who book a stay of six nights or more will receive a 30% discount off of regular rack rates which start as low as $198 per person per night for an all-inclusive stay. Travelers who select one of the top-category suites receive an additional two nights for free as well. And if you can’t get away for an entire week, don’t fret, guests staying between 3 to 5 nights are eligible to receive the air credit plus up to 25% off regular rates. The promotion is available at all 23 resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas.

So if you’ve been dreaming of a second honeymoon, check out Sandals Fly Free Promotion and jet away to one of their lavish Caribbean resorts for free – what could be better?!

The Mt. Washington Hotel – A Beautiful Place With A Bad Attitude

For many years I have delighted in the view of the Mount Washington Hotel tucked between dramatic notches in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It’s a sight that quite literally takes your breath away. I had been following news of the redevelopment of this grand historic hotel and have had it on my “someday” list for a while. Last week Clint and I were driving through the notches and decided to treat ourselves to an expensive lunch with a view at the hotel, and scout it out as a possible spot to spend Christmas vacation this year.

The day was crystal clear, the hotel appeared shining and welcoming on the distant hillside. We were brought to an abrupt halt however as we turned into the long and winding drive. As we slowed at a newly constructed guard house, an attendant inquired if we had reservations at the hotel. After explaining that we were coming to dine at the hotel, he informed us that we could not proceed any further. He needed to collect a $10 fee to leave our car in the car park at the base of the driveway and wait for a shuttle up to the hotel.

After seeing our astonished expressions, he explained, “The hotel management feels the facilities of the hotel should be for the guests who are paying $300 a night”. Oh, I see… in other words, you interlopers need not approach!!! He was a bit chagrined and confided that much of the hotel staff did not like the new policy very much either. May I say with vigor that we chose NOT to dine at the exclusionary Mt. Washington Hotel!

Allow me to clarify – it’s not the $10, but the message being sent “we don’t want you here”. Clint and I have stayed in (and visited) premier properties throughout the world and never encountered such a blatantly unwelcoming company policy. So, you will not get my business today, when your new golf course or spa opens, at Christmas, when I’m booking a business conference, or at any other time. I got your message loud and clear. I choose to frequent hotels that are actually in the business of greeting potential and present customers with grace, enthusiasm and hospitality.

PS – I checked out their ratings in TripAdvisor and wasn’t a bit surprised to see that many folks caution about the staff’s arrogant attitudes.

Ritz-Carlton Initiates Voluntourism Program For Upscale Travelers

I guess you could call this ‘doing good while doing well’. The Ritz-Carlton chain has introduced imaginative volunteer programs in all of its 70 properties worldwide. Leading the way with volunteer programs in the hotel industry and taking voluntourism to a new level is the Ritz Carlton goal. Their “Give Back Getaways” offer hotel guests an opportunity to participate in half-day volunteer programs that have been researched by their employees to bring aid and assistance in local communities.

Guests pay from $50 to $100 to participate in the “Give Back” programs with all profits going to the partner organizations. Each program is unique and tailored to the community the hotel is located in. Projects have included building a library for children of migrant workers in Beijing, saving sea turtles in Cancun, mapping endangered blue iguanas in Grand Cayman, and building homes with Habitat for Humanity. You’ll find projects identified as Hunger and Poverty Relief, Environmental Conservation, and Well-Being of Disadvantaged Children.

Have a look at all their upcoming Give Back Getaway opportunities around the world, and take advantage of this terrific program the next time you’ll be staying at a Ritz property.

New York City Spouts Four New Waterfalls – Don’t Miss Them This Summer

Another grand public arts project has been commissioned in New York City this summer. The city is proudly spouting four monumental, man-made waterfalls designed by artist Olafur Eliasson. Soaring as tall as the Statue of Liberty in some cases, and dramatically lit at night, you’ll want to view them from land and sea.

According to NYCVisit.com, “The project, commissioned by the Public Art Fund and presented in collaboration with the City, will be on display from June 26 through October 13, 2008. It features four 90- to 120-foot-tall waterfalls installed along the East River: one at Pier 35 in Manhattan, north of the Manhattan Bridge; one on the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; one between Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn adjacent to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade; and one on the north shore of Governors Island. The Waterfalls will flow daily from 7am to 10pm (and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 10pm) and be lit after sunset.”

The folks at New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) has put together a terrific NY Waterfalls vacation getaway (from $275 per person!) that includes 2 nights in a mid-town hotel, Waterfalls cruise, free admission to the Empire State Building Observatory or a Rockefeller Center Guided Tour, Free entry to the Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, VIP invitation to the CBS morning show, and lots more. Check their website for all the details and costs.

So this summer you don’t need to travel off to the ends of the earth to find dramatic flowing waterfalls, just hop on over to New York City!

Not Enough Excitement In Your Life? – Go Chase A Tornado!

OK, so I’m reading a travel industry article about a tour company offering Storm Chasing Adventure Tours for “ordinary people looking for an adrenaline rush” – and I’m thinking… ARE YOUR KIDDING ME – these people have GOT to be out of their minds! I’m freaked out just watching these huge destructive storms on TV, who would want to get close to them on purpose?!!

Well apparently I’m way out of touch with the growing number of weather enthusiasts who love nothing more than seeing (and hearing) a giant storm coming straight at them. Armed with the latest weather technology including Doppler radar on wheels in some cases, these tour companies promise to bring you (and network TV reporters) right up close to developing storms. Read more

No More Hotel Mistakes – Take A Video Tour Before You Go

One of the hardest decisions when traveling to a new city is to decide which hotel will be the best choice. Sure, you can read reviews by other travelers on TripAdvisor.com, but there’s no substitution for seeing a property with your own eyes.

We’ve found a great site TVtrip.com where you can tour hotels by video prior to making a reservation. TVtrip hosts high quality videos of properties in major cities throughout the world.

The next time you’re headed to New York, London, or Amsterdam, (or any major city around the world) and are stressing over the dozens hotel choices presented by your favorite booking site, click on over to TV Trip and take a scenic stroll through your properties of choice before deciding where to stay. This is a fab site for gathering pre-trip hotel info – and we all know, you can never have too much information on a new destination!!

Amelia Island Promotion Refunds Your Luggage Fees

High gas prices and draconian fees levied by the airlines have travelers in the doldrums. Luckily resort destinations are getting imaginative to attract vacationers to their shores. We’ve found an offer by hotels on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida which will refund your airline luggage fees up to $80 through the end of September.

If you’ve never visited Amelia Island before, you’re missing a very special place. Located just off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, Amelia Island has largely escaped the mass building boom of the past twenty years. Their shores are still blissfully free of the endless high rise resorts and condos complexes that stand toe to toe on most of Florida’s coastline. In fact a vacation on this lovely barrier island takes you back in time to a graceful Victorian seaport village that shrimp boats still call home. The historic town of Fernandina is a 50 block picturesque village dotted with Victorian Inns, colorful boutiques and eclectic eateries. If miles of powdery beach dunes are more to your liking, you’ll find the natural beauty of the coastal beaches breathtaking. Upscale resorts with award-winning spas and golf courses await.

Find all the information you’ll need to plan a spectacular visit to Amelia Island at the Tourist Bureau’s website. I know you’ll find Amelia to be a dazzling temptress!