Credit Card Safety When Traveling

When traveling as a couple, split the credit cards between you, with each person carrying a different card.  This way if one person has their wallet stolen, the other person will still have an uncompromised card to  use.  It’s also a good idea to list your credit card numbers and the customer service phone numbers in a seperate place where you can access them in an emergency.  I usually send myself an email with an attached word document that contains the important information.  I also take the extra precaution to scrambe the credit card numbers for security.  I just reverse the first 2 or last 2 numbers of the card as an extra precuation.

Take An Enchanting Christmas Dinner Tour of Charleston, SC

Last night Clint and I had a glorious evening, traveling by horse-drawn carriage between three of Charleston’s most elegant inns on a festive Christmas Progressive Dinner.  Dressed in our holiday finery, we were trotted from luxury inn to luxury inn, sampling  culinary delights at every stop.  What a magical way to get in a holiday state of mind!

For over 20 years the Charming Inns of Charleston have offered this wonderful holiday tradition during the month of December.  Three lovely inns present a four-course meal punctuated by brief but lively carriage rides between venues.

The evening began with hors d’oeuvres and spiced rum apple cider (yum) and eggnog at the Kings Couryard Inn.  After meeting our fellow diners and chatting by the fireside, we were off to the AAA Four Diamond Circa 1886 Restaurant which is set inside the historic carriage house of the magnificent Wentworth Mansion.  Diners had the choice of roasted trout or braised beef as the main course.  The dining room was elegant and service impeccable.

For me the best was left to last.  Another clippity clop journey brought us to the gaily lit John Rutledge House Inn, whose elaborate exterior is adorned with intricate ironwork banisters and balconies.  Here guests were greeted with a tempting array of fruit filled layered cakes, cheese cakes, petifours, a double chocolate yule log, and don’t forget the christmas cookies!  Read more

Bright, But Chilly Christmas-time in Charleston, SC

I’m on the road headed south and am making a four day stop in Charleston to enjoy the city at  Christmas time.  AND IT”S FREEZING!!!!  I had daydreams of sun sparkled balmy days, but no such luck, the winds are brisk and biting.  So we’re bundling up and stepping out to walk the storied streets of this pre-revolutionary seaport city.  It already reminds me of Boston with narrow winding roads through the city center bordered with stately red brick buildings.  More later about the charms of Charleston!

Reduce Your Company’s Business Travel Expenses

American Express Business has a FREE offer for you and your company.  Their consulting group will provide a free analysis of your company’s T&E costs.  Their program analyzes online booking, useage of nonrefundable tickets and company policy complience.  Amex says it has helped save North American clients over $1billion in 2007.  Contact Amex by January 6th if you’d like to participate at www.businesstravelconnexion.com.

Find Your Inner-Self on a Surfboard!

We’ve found a terrific and unique Costa Rican adventure designed especially for women that combines the peacefulness of yoga with the exhilaration of surfing in a gorgeous beachfront setting.  Dive into the waves, dive into the rainforest, dive into luxurious villas , dive into your inner rhythms, and emerge with a new outlook on life.

Pura Vida Adventures has crafted an empowering week long yoga/surf retreat that celebrates “pure life”.  They promise you’ll “surf by day, lounge in beach front hammocks in the afternoon, and relax poolside by night”  all in the natural landscape of the Costa Rican jungle bordered by  white sandy beaches.  Women are empowered to try new things, find balance through yoga and surfing and best of all make lasting friendships.  Costing a bit more than $2,000 per person, Pura Vida provides luxury accommodations at the Hotel Tropico Latino, daily surf and yoga instruction, beachside message and delicious local culinary cuisine.  So for a dose of wellness and a dash of heart pumping wave riding, take a Pura Vida Adventure!

5 Great Gifts For Travelers

The electronic gadgets we travel with just keep getting more sophisticated and plentiful.  Here are some tech savvy gifts all travelers will love.

1. New TSA screening rules for computers allow newly designed computer bags to go through security without taking the computer out of the bag.  Every traveler who hauls along their trusty computer will love getting one of these new bags.  Have a look at the selection at EBags.com
2. Passports, licenses, and many credit cards now contain radio frequency identification chips containing all our sensitive and private information.  It’s time for everyone to invest in a RFID blocking wallet to prevent hackers and techno thieves from grabbing our identification with scanners as they pass us by.  Here’s a selection from Magellans. Read more

The Frequent Flyer Tool We’ve All Been Waiting For!

Let me introduce you to YAPTA.com, a travel search engine site with a pocket full of new tricks to offer.  The one that has the potential to WOW the marketplace is a search tool to find available frequent flyer seats among several airlines with just one search.  So far participating airline frequent flyer programs are Alaska Air, US Airways, Delta, Continental and United. Read more

Remember Your Parking Space or Hotel Room Number

Whether you’re bouncing city to city on business staying in a different hotel room every night, or scrambling around town on endless errand runs, here’s a tip to help you find your way back to your car or hotel room.  Before strolling away, whip out your cell phone and take a quick picture of the door and/or parking row.  If you don’t need the picture to find your way, just delete it the next day.  OR, if your phone isn’t camera equipped, just send yourself a text message with the important location details.  Better than breadcrumbs!!

Heads Up Boston – Virgin America Has Arrived!

The long anticipated arrival of spunky new low cost carrier Virgin America is finally on the way.  Nonstop flights between Boston and LAX and SFO will begin operations on February 12, 2009.  Tickets are on sale now for just $149 each way (see site for full details).  Virgin America also flies between New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas, San Diego and Seattle.  But it’s not all about the low fares!  Virgin is securing it’s reputation as the airline of choice with out-of-the-box amenities such as mood lighting, leather seats, 9 inch back of seat TVs, power outlets and in seat ordering of tasty food!

We read a great tip from the good folks over at Travelzoo, “Wear an article of red clothing on board and the airline will treat you to 1 free alcoholic beverage!”  Hope that’s true, I’ll be wearing a red jacket for sure.  For more information about Virgin America and to book tickets, visit them at VirginAmerica.com

Record Venice Floods Halt Tourism

Poor wet, cold, soggy Venice!!! “Anyone thinking of coming should think again”, exclaimed Venice Mayor, Massimo Cacciari, last week after devastating flood waters streamed into the city.  Water rose to over 5 feet above sea level, the highest point in more than 20 years, submerging homes, shops, historic monuments are precious artwork alike.  An ill timed national transit strike only compounded an already challenging situation.  Many shopkeepers and restaurant owners living outside the city couldn’t reach their establishments to remove goods to higher ground and upper shelves.  Everyone was encouraged to stay inside and send a text message if they needed help.  Hotels were obliged to turn off all gas and electricity as the waters seeped in, returning Venice to the soft glow of candle lit interiors of centuries past.  Very romantic perhaps, but definitely a challenge to proprietors.  ‘Anyone got a can of sterno to brew up some coffee?!!’  Read more