Bermuda – Still Fabulous After 400 Years!

It seems incredible to me that the gleaming island of Bermuda is celebrating it’s 400th anniversary this year.  This beautiful island was first settled in 1609 by the survivors of a shipwrecked English vessel, The Sea Venture.  Bermuda was the very first English colony and is the second oldest parliamentary democracy in the world.  All I can say is ‘the years have been kind to Bermuda’ – she is as sparkling and beguiling as ever.

Visitors to Bermuda in 2009 will see the introduction of several new and redesigned resorts as well as gala celebrations all through the year.  In case you haven’t considered the pleasures of Bermuda in some time, here’s a refresher about the charms that have captivated visitors for hundreds of years.  Bermuda has 21 miles of glorious landscape including quaint harbors, pink sand beaches and dozens of mid-size luxury resorts and inns.  Bermuda is one of the world’s top golf destinations with 9 championship courses – more courses per square mile than any other destination.  200 square miles of coral reefs will delight divers, who will find more wreck sites to explore than anywhere else on earth.  Shopping and dining have always been a top priority in Bermuda, and you’ll appreciate that Bermuda’s currency is on par with the US dollar.  Located just a two hour flight from major east coast cities, Bermuda makes a perfect long weekend escape destination. Read more

Free Sightseeing Tours in Europe’s Favorite Cities

Sandeman’s New Europe offers a new concept in sightseeing – free walking tours in Europe’s major tourism cities – London, Paris, Munich, Amsterdam, Madrid, etc.  Their philosophy is that great tours should be offered to everyone and you should pay what you can afford – voila, tip based touring.  You can bet the guides are informed, entertaining and attentive, as their compensation is based on your generosity.

The 3 hour walking tours depart several times daily from a central location and advance reservations are not required.  The entertaining guides begin with a brief explanation (pitch) that they are compensated by tips and would appreciate yours at the end of the tour (although none is required).  There will also be suggestions that you might enjoy other  tours offered by the company (at very reasonable prices) and perhaps you’d like to join them for their evening pub crawl – always a big hit with solo travelers.  The tours visit the prime tourist sites around the city as well as introducing interesting local history and folklore.  Sandemans publishes free maps and city guides as well – you can find these in most hostel hotels around the city.  Most participants have a wonderful time and are pleased to leave a tip of about 5 Euros – a bargain by anyone’s travel budgeting!  Click on over to Sandemans New Europe website for all the information, meeting places, and tour descriptions.

10 Most Scenic Rail Trips In Europe

RailEurope has just published a terrific online guide of the 10 most awe inspiring train journeys throughout Europe.  The guide includes lovely pictures (of course) along with not-to-be-missed highlights along the train routes, travel times and fares.  Tickets for all the journeys can be purchased on the RailEurope site.

STOP with the fees already – It’s A Study in Absurdity!

Sorry, I need to vent – Two events have me shaking my head this morning.
#1) an appearance of Sir Richard Branson on Fox News to celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s 25 years of flying – AND, (are you paying attention US airlines?), 25 years of PROFITABILITY!
#2) the news that United Airlines and US Airways will now charge passengers an extra $5 fee if they do not pay their $15 baggage fee in advance online.  In other words, if you show up at the airport with a piece of luggage and actually expect to check both your body and your bag in….. it’s going to cost you more.  Who dreams this stuff up???  And by the way Delta will be charging travelers to Europe $50 for that second bag!

Back to Sir Richard – when asked if he could explain how Virgin Atlantic (Virgin Blue & Virgin America) manage to be continually successful in a era when most other airlines (US airlines in particular) are running huge losses, he smiled and said, ‘if you treat people right, give them a good flying experience and do all the small things very well – you will have loyal customers and a successful company’.  (paraphrased)

Brilliant!  Meanwhile our airlines beat us over the head with ridiculous fees, grumpy staff, and policies that simply fly in the face of common sense.  I’m sorry to say, they remind me of our legislators!!!

By the way – there are way too many airline fees for anyone to keep track of.  Here’s a wonderful chart by USA Today that spells out all the absurdity.

Single Supplements Waived or Discounted for 2009 Tours

Solo travelers rejoice, two well respected tour companies are waiving or greatly reducing their single supplements for selected tours in 2009.  Single supplements are the fees levied on solo travelers when only one person is occupying a hotel room instead of two.

Tauck Tours is reducing or eliminating single supplements on 106 tour departures.  The average single supplement reduction is 70%, which translates to savings well over $1,000 for solo travelers.  See their press release for all the details.

Grand Circle Travel and sister company Overseas Adventure Travel are also reducing and eliminating single supplement fees.  You’ll find a listing of trips and departure dates that are offering significant reductions the GCT website, and a similar listing on the OAT Travel website.

Let’s hope more companies will follow suit.

Best African Safari Destinations – 5 Top Game Reserves

Many people dream of traveling to Africa to experience a world far different from what we know in our day to day lives. But the continent is a huge place, and thinking of where to start on your journey can be a daunting task. If seeing big game on safari is a lifelong dream of yours, here are a few game reserves throughout the continent to consider traveling to:

Located on the border of South Africa and Botswana, the Madikwe Game Reserve is a great place to see not only Africa’s “big five” (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo) but to also catch a glimpse of endangered species like the wild dog and cheetah. There are plenty of places to stay during your visit to Madikwe including the luxurious Madikwe Hills, which will assist you on all of your safari trips. Read more

Spice Up Your NY Trip With Fun Sightseeing Tour of Famous TV & Movie Locations

If you’ve already done the typical tourist sightseeing in New York City, add some zip to your next visit by touring along with the fun loving folks at On Location Tours. Their 3 1/2 hour bus sightseeing tours visit famous television and movie locals around New York City with stops at nostalgic settings from Sex In The City, Gossip Girl, Ugly Betty, The Devil Wears Prada, Seinfeld, The Sopranos, Spider-Man and others.  You just know there are some great bakeries and bars involved here folks!

Visitors can take tours dedicated to their favorite show or movie, or perhaps concentrate on sites on the water, or in Central Park.  The tours are led by aspiring actors and actresses who entertain with behind-the-scenes stories and industry gossip.  The tours run daily at 11:00 am and are $36 per person.  It’s advised that you reserve in advance, as many of the tours sell out.  On Location Tours will also put together private group touring for girl’s getaways, bachelorette parties, etc.

Visit ScreenTours.com to purchase tickets – just click on the tour of your choice.  AND now for the great news!!!  On Location Tours will give a 15% ticket discount to all of our readers.  When purchasing your tickets, enter the promo code: WICKEDGOOD to recieve your discount!

Top Summer Deals From Major Hotel Chains

All the major hotel brands are shouting “Let’s Made A Deal” to get travelers in the door.  I have never seen so many promotional offers in one season – so many in fact, it’s difficult to keep track.  So here for your convenience, is a run down of discount offers by major hotel brands:

Starwood Resorts – Live A Little More This Summer
This is the best promotion in my estimation – easy to understand and great price reductions.  Guests who stay one night receive a best rate guarantee.  Stay two nights and save 50% off the second night.  Stay three nights and the third night free!  This promotion is good at all participating properties at LeMeridien, Four Points, Sheraton, Westin, W, St. Regis hotels (and more), through September 5, 2009.

Four Seasons Resort, Maui- Travel Together Vacation Offer
For each room or suite booked (partial ocean view cat and above) you will receive 50% off the standard rate for an additional room – so bring the kids!  Offered May 1-December 17, 2009.  There are also package promotions offering a 5th night free, or packages with resort credits of $500 and up.  Click the link above for all the offers.

Ritz-Carlton Resorts – Reconnect Packages
Love their slogan, “When you travel less, your vacation needs to do more”.  Participating Ritz-Carlton Resorts are offering packages that include accommodation, daily breakfast and a generous resort credit.  Resort credit amounts vary by property – we found resort credits from $50 in Las Vegas, $75 in Naples, FL, $100 in St. Thomas and Half Moon Bay, CA, and $130-180 in Kapalua Maui.

InterContinental Hotels Group – Biggest Free Nights
Guests should register at www.getafreenight.com to earn a free night for every two nights stayed at a Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crown Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge or Candlewood Suites between May 4 & August 15th.  Here’s good news – the hotel nights do not have to be consecutive to earn the free night credit.  The free nights can be used between July 3 and December 26, 2009

Hyatt Hotels – Random Acts of Generosity Program
Hyatt is planning to surprise guests with random acts of generosity this summer – so put on your brightest smile when staying at a Hyatt property this summer!  It’s possible your bar tab will be picked up, you’ll be offered a free message or your family may be treated to a complimentary breakfast.  Gold Passport members who stay at participating properties between August 1st and January 31, 2010 will recieve a $150 dining credit and 5,000 bonus points.  Gold Passport members need to mention code DEL5K when they make their reservations.  There is also a Classic Family Vacation promotion that includes 50% off a second room, free breakfast and resort discounts.

Radisson Resorts – Friday is Freeday
Now this is a straight forward great deal.  From May 15 – September 15, 2009 guests who stay two or more consecutive nights (Thursday-Saturday) will recive the Friday night stay free of charge.

Sonesta Collection – Summer AAA Promotion – Kids Eat Free
Guest registering with their AAA card this summer will receive significant discounts.  AAA members receive a 20% discount off standard room rates as well as complimentary kids meals for travelers under the age of 12 (from the kids menu).

Like all promotional offers, there are surely specific terms and conditions to pay attention to, so please click through to investigate the promotion of your choice in further detail.

Engo – A New Best Friend For Your Summer Feet

When the weather turns warm we all love to peal away our frumpy socks and slip our bare toes into shoes and sandals.  This of course leads predictably to a few irritating blisters as our feet toughen up for the season.  I’ve just been testing a new ‘blister prevention patch’ sent to me by Engo, and I have to say they are terrific – a new must have item for your Rx kit.

The patches are made of a super thin (slippery) material with an extra strong adhesive backing.  Unlike bandaids, these patches stay where you put them and don’t rub off.  Just peal away the protective cover and stick the patch right to your shoe, sandal, sneaker, or whatever’s rubbing you the wrong way.  The slick patch eliminates friction and the danger of a blister is gone!  Here’s a link to find Engo patches near you (Eastern Mountain Sports for one), or visit their website GoEngo.com where shipping is free.

Family Adventures ‘Into The Wild’ With The Appalachian Mountain Club

Embrace nature, whirl into the wild; find joy being among the tress, streams and wildflowers!  This summer put yourself in the capable hands of Appalachian Mountain Club to recharge your spirit and put a smile on every family member’s face. I’ve just returned from my second hiking experience with the AMC in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and my endorphins are popping.  What a fabulous experience!!

Last week I joined a group of travel writers for a stay at the impressive Highland Center Lodge at Crawford Notch and did a (not too strenuous) one day hike to Zealand Falls.  The sprawling lodge which opened in 2003, recently won the New England Travel Writers Network award for the Best Green Resort in New England.  Anyone who enjoys getting out of their own backyard will love this Eco friendly resort – the energy and enthusiasm of the AMC staff is simply inspirational.   Here are some of the amenities you’ll find at the Highland Center:

• All-inclusive lodging (with private or shared baths, larger family rooms with private facilities)
• Family style restaurant where you’ll be be treated to freshly made breakfast and dinner.  The Highland Lodge executive chef cooks up delicious offerings and an international crew cheerfully serves the tables. Read more

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