Category Archives: Tips/Advice
Travel Tech: A Holiday Gift Guide for the Family Traveler
DECEMBER 5, 2013 – 2:00 PM – 0 COMMENTS
1. Filip Watch, $199.99/$10 month, myfilip.com
If your holiday travels include busy amusement parks or chaotic holiday celebrations, you could save yourself some serious worry with the new Filip Watch for kids. This one-touch solution to separation anxiety is a wearable parent-to-child cell phone—a smart watch. If scared or unable to find you in a sea of parade-watchers, your kids can also hit a button and the watch will automatically text you their location, record ambient sound, and dial your cell. If you don’t pick up, it will go down the line calling up to five trusted contacts. This allows the child to talk to you without having to be responsible for holding onto a walkie-talkie or phone (which would have to be put aside every time they climb on a ride). You can even set up a distance perimeter and know within seconds if your toddler has wandered or mastered the hotel doorknob.
2. Liquid Image Ski and Snorkel Masks, price varies, liquidimageco.com
One if by land, the other if by sea—whether your holiday plans are tropical or quaintly alpine in nature, you can record your brood and all the sea turtles and octopi, or wicked ski bumps and big air jumps, with these Liquid Image Ski or Snorkel Masks that shoot both stills and video. Great audio and a tiny camera between the eyes directing the shot wherever you naturally look make it foolproof for the wearer. Although high-end models are available for serious divers and mountaineers to capture the family fun, impressive models in a modest price range make this a great gift for the teen shredder or first time snorkeler.
3. Kindle Fire HDX, $379.00, Amazon.com
For some serious kid-minded entertainment, the new Kindle Fire HDX will light up their faces and warm their little tech-loving hearts. Lightweight, 3x faster processing and the optional Origami Case“giftwrap” that folds into a stand (and can even be personalized with a favorite family-travel shot) makes this a wow factor gift. With the ability to download movies (plane and train wi-fi usually don’t support streaming), and a battery “book mode” for 17 hours of reading (11 otherwise)—this 0.31″ tablet makes trips with kids fly by. The Freetime control, which lets you tailor the time and which apps or mode (books or games) each child can enjoy per day, nixes any ideas about ignoring the sights for sites upon arrival.
4. Power Monkey eXtreme, $199.50, magellans.com
After packing light with little more than an adapter for a seven-hour wifi/outlet laden coach trip, only to have the outlet malfunction and an accident turn it into nine hours of… fun… I learned my lesson. The aptly-named Power Monkey eXtreme holds serious power for recharging your t(w)een’s tablet and teen’s phone (at the same time). Bonus for families hitting the great outdoors, sailing, or beach camping: the included solar panels recharge the unit—great if you’re heading somewhere off the beaten path where you don’t trust the electricity (international plugs included).
5. Travelon Waterproof Portfolio for Tablet, travelonbags.com
Sure, with the Travelon Waterproof Portfolio for Tablet, you can take your tech to the pool (it floats) and the beach without salt and sand concerns. And no worries in the humidity of the Amazon. (It’s airtight.) But a well-traveled parent knows a simple bout of turbulence can be just as deadly to a pricy tablet as an Act of God. (Why don’t all airlines have lids for their cups?) Zip your Kindle, iPad, or Nook into this puppy and let the kids go wild without fear of scratches, gummed-up screens, juicebox splashes, or drool destroying your tablet.
6. Smart PJ’s, $29.99, smartpjs.com
If your bags are already hovering at the weight limit and the kids are begging to bring their favorite bedtime storybooks, tech to the rescue. Smart PJ’s are comfy, cute dotted jammies in blue, green, or pink, with a free app that loads a different bedtime story onto your device depending on which set of dots you scan.
7. Lytro Light Field Camera, price varies, lytro.com
Getting t(w)eens enthused about a family trip might be harder to accomplish than making the “nice” list. One surefire way is to give in to their need to connect (with the rest of the online world at least) without disconnecting from your family travel experiences by letting them share their perspective while on the road. The Lytro Light Field Camera understands just how quickly your perspective might change. By recording the entire light field, rather than a static two-dimensional shot, it lets photogs create and share living pictures that can be endlessly refocused by the individual viewer after they are taken. (No more woes over Niall being in the shadows while Harry steals all the focus!) This newest mode of digital storytelling will have all their friends talking. Or at least texting
Taking the Kids — how much family travel has changed
The kids are everywhere.
They’re chasing lizards in the glorious tropical gardens, building sandcastles with resort-provided sand toys, paddle-boarding, kayaking, fishing, playing beach volleyball and basketball and doing cannonballs into the pool. They’re even getting lessons from the bartender in whipping up mocktails.
“The banana smoothies are the best!” an 8 year old named Brady told me.
Talk about kid vacation heaven — Caribbean style. “They really cater to the kids here at Curtain Bluff observes Dr. Tania Spenlinhauer, here in Antigua from Maine with her husband and three kids, including Brady, for her sister’s wedding at the resort. That the small (just 72 rooms) all-inclusive resort offered so much for the six young grandchildren was a big factor in why the family opted to gather here, they said.
“We could even give the older kids some independence because we knew they’d be safe,” said the bride’s mom, Peg Spenlinhauer.
Another mom confides that her son who has Asperberger syndrome is having the vacation of his life, trying things he’s never done like snorkeling. “He is completely relaxed,” she said. “There is no comparison to a regular hotel.”
I can’t help but flash back 30 years when my husband and I honeymooned here. He had found the place in a book, charmed by the story of how the late owner Howard Hulford decided to build a hotel on this peninsula after spotting the land — surrounded by reef — and seeing the two beaches — one tranquil, one with crashing waves.
Seeing all the kids — and their parents and grandparents — having so much fun here recently made me realize that Curtain Bluff is emblematic of how much family travel has changed in the last three decades — and how the travel industry has changed as a result.
On our honeymoon, we sat on the windswept surf beach outside our room — every room faces the ocean — drinking champagne left over from our wedding, watching the crashing waves and talking about the kids we would have and, just as important, the adventures we would share with them. And that, of course, is the sea change resorts like Curtain Bluff have had to face.
“When I was a kid, my parents left us and they went away. This generation takes our kids,” said Steven Rosenbaum, here with his family from Connecticut.
Grandparents too. Alida and Rod McRae have been coming here for 30 years, mostly with another couple and only occasionally with one son or another when they were nearly grown. This summer, they’re returning with all three sons and their families — five grandchildren ranging in age from six to 16.
Kids were not a big part of Hulford’s equation when Curtain Bluff opened in 1962. Wine was (the resort boasts the biggest wine cellar in the Caribbean), so was food. The resort has long been known for its cuisine. Kids were only here during the holidays and sometimes, spring break; some months they weren’t permitted at all. There certainly wasn’t a playground or a kids’ club. The resort wasn’t open in the summer when most families vacation.
Today, you can vacation through July and it’s a bargain, with rates as much as 40 percent lower than winter and free-night deals on certain category rooms. (For more summer vacation ideas in the Caribbean and elsewhere, check out our new Summer Fun section.)
The best part is that parents are guaranteed a break too — maybe a massage at the spa or a soak in the hot tub on the bluff overlooking the sea — because there are some organized kids’ activities and the watchful staff keeps an eye on those old enough to wander on their own. Tired kids old enough to be in their room on their own can even order room service for dinner at no extra charge while parents linger over theirs.
The all-inclusive nature of the resort means the family can enjoy any activity — even scuba diving and deep sea fishing — and eat as much as they like without any sticker shock, which McRae says he’s faced at other resorts when it comes time to pay the bill. (All-inclusive rates for two start at just $625 a night; with kids and teens sharing the room it’s $155 a night). That’s certainly not cheap — this is an upscale resort — but it’s a good value when you realize it doesn’t cost anything extra, even if you go fishing every morning and snorkeling every afternoon; even if the boys order three portions of French toast at breakfast or a double portion of lobster salad at lunch; no matter how many tropical cocktails you drink or how many smoothies the kids order. (And those add up fast!)
The young general manager, Chris Eastmond, himself the father of a 5 year old, says he wants to preserve “the magic dust” that has made so many guests return to Curtain Bluff year after year, while meeting the needs of today’s guests — whatever their age.
They’re ramping up organized kids’ activities (think learning to fish and sailing instruction) and special early kids’ dinners when a lot of children are in house. There are even plans to partner with a local school so visiting kids can learn what it is like to grow up on a Caribbean island. Already on weekends, when local kids come to the resort to learn to play tennis, they meet the guests at lunch. (The most promising tennis players are awarded scholarships to a tennis camp in Maine through Curtain Bluff’s guest-supported Old Road Fund.)
“We want to incorporate what’s new with the soul that is here,” Eastmond said.
That soul is a long-term staff that hugs each guest when they arrive and when they leave. Hulford’s widow, Chelle, still lives on the property and is a constant presence, chatting up the guests and their kids.
“We’ll keep coming back as long as we’re able,” vows Alida McRae.
Us too.
Eileen Ogintz is a syndicated columnist and writes about family travel on her Taking the Kids blog, and is the author of the new series of Kid’s Guide to NYC, Orlando and the just released Washington, DC from Globe Pequot Press.
10 travel tips for getting an upgrade
By Travel + Leisure
There are simple things you can do to increase your chances of getting an upgrade on your next flight, hotel stay or even when you rent a car.
1. Choose your frequent-flier program carefully
When picking an airline frequent-flier program, it can pay to choose an airline that isn’t headquartered in your city (there will be fewer elite passengers to compete with for an upgrade).
2. Check in later
Check in to your hotel late in the day; they’re more likely to give you an upgrade if it looks like a better room will otherwise sit empty.
3. Stay at a new hotel
Staff are more likely to want to woo new guests and spread good word of mouth. You could also think about staying at a large hotel — large hotels with tons of rooms offer a better chance of getting you upgraded.
4. Take advantage of online resources
Priceline.com has a service called Hotel Freebies that shows a range of perks that hotels are offering, including free upgrades.
5. Give a reason
It helps if you give a hotel a reason to upgrade you. You can tell them that you’re there for a special occasion. Also, make sure they know if you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty club.
6. Inquire about partnerships
Let the hotel know if you have any memberships such as AAA or AARP. And, ask if they have other partnerships — they may have some affiliations you might not expect that could work in your favor. Occasionally, hotels partner with airlines in ways that benefit you, too.
7. Just ask
Surprisingly, sometimes you just have to ask, especially with car rentals. They often have more economy rental reservations than they have vehicles and are eager to hand out upgrades.
8. Write a note
Before you arrive, write a note to the hotel’s manager letting the hotel know how excited you are about your upcoming stay — and why it’s important to you. Sharing your enthusiasm about the property via your Twitter and Facebook accounts could help too.
9. Be nice
It doesn’t hurt to be nice when flying. Upgrades can be discretionary, so get the gate agent or flight attendant on your side.
10. Track award seats
If you are looking to cash in miles for an upgrade, ExpertFlyer’s Flight Alert service will track a given flight for you and let you know when an award seat becomes available. The site’s Seat Alert service tracks flights to let you know when better seats become available in your category — an aisle, window or even a premium seat.
Don’t get scammed: Be smart when using online travel tools
Karina Martinez-Carter , Travel + Leisure
When travel agents handled most planning, it was clear where to turn if something didn’t go as promised. “You could go back to someone and say, I had a bad trip and you steered me wrong,” said Christopher Elliott, consumer advocate and journalist.
These days, we take the independent route, organizing nearly every aspect of a trip across an Internet connection. But putting a vacation together piecemeal leaves accountability blurred when users are the victims of scams. And with each website used or travel start-up launched comes another potential access point for scammers.
“Social media is just another channel through which scammers can make their bogus pitches, like free Southwest tickets, with the added benefit, to the scammer, of greater trust,” said Stephen Cobb, security evangelist for ESET, citing a fake Southwest promotion that has appeared on Facebook as an example. With just a few clicks, people can follow, like, and share scams, pushing them out into their online circles in seconds— before having time to realize the offers are false.
A recent case in point: the appearance of a few fake Instagram accounts that managed to integrate the names of major airlines like American and JetBlue and offered free plane tickets to anyone who followed them. Even savvy travelers can find themselves swayed by such temptations. “People lose their minds when it comes to travel,” Elliott said. “They think they can get airline tickets for two cents or the free cruise.”
Misleading Pinterest surveys, unauthorized online ticket sellers, fraudulent owner accounts that offer vacation homes for rent, and fake plane ticket reservations sent over email are also among the latest techniques used by con artists. While the presentation of these travel scams continues to evolve, crafty phishers are still after the same things, said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. “The outcome the scammers are trying to achieve is to take money from you or collect personal information about you they can use in some way.”
Such scams can affect travelers and tourism industry professionals alike. Elliott, Kaiser, and Cobb suggest online users research thoroughly and act slowly, especially when prompted to plug in personal information, including when connecting a site with your Facebook account.
Keep in mind that these online offers, however alluring in the moment, can end up costing far more than what they would have saved. As the old saying goes, if it is too good to be true, it probably is — especially when it comes to free travel.
Planes, trains and automobiles: how to survive a big trip
- Kate Armstrong
- Lonely Planet Author
You’re exhausted, disoriented and in need of exercise. Your throat is dry. You smell like a gymnasium changing room and you oscillate between feeling bloated and starving. You’re even a touch on the low side. Welcome to the after-effects of the big trip.
Be it on a plane, train or automobile, big trips can be great fun. But they can also take their toll. As an Australian, I am well versed in long distance travel. When I was young I was dragged off regularly on 10-hour interstate car trips to visit relatives.
These tedious ‘retro-era trips’ were way before the days of iPods, iPhones and state-of-the-art entertainment. Instead, we counted telegraph poles and played ‘eye-spy’ and alphabet games. (Ten hours of eye-spy straight can turn you off games for life, let me tell you; ‘Are we there yet?’ was forbidden.)
Surprisingly, I’m still a sucker for drawn-out journeys – from two-day chicken-bus rides in Bolivia to three-day train legs across the USA and regular flights between Australia and Europe.
In truth, I’ve never perfected the art of long distance travel. But I’ve collected a few good tips along the way.
General travel
- Drink plenty of water, and pack some dried fruit and healthy snacks – not junk food. (Okay, so this sounds obvious, but thinking about it and doing it are two different things!)
- Always carry a roll of toilet paper.
Automobile travel
- Break every hour.
- Don’t be too over-enthusiastic. If it’s getting dark, or you’re tired, call it a day or night.
- Don’t hog the wheel – share the driving.
Train travel
- Walk around every hour.
- Chat to your neighbours – the Indian train trips are among the world’s most challenging, but enjoyable, trips.
- Carry a sarong and an eye mask – handy for extra warmth and to block out light if you want to sleep.
- Know the status of meals – stock up on supplies (China) or poke your head out the window and buy from the hawkers (India).
Plane travel
- Plan your seating. The website seatguru.com helps you find the best seats. Grab a window seat (if you prefer to snooze) or an aisle (if you like to move around). Get to the airport early to arrange if pre-booking isn’t available.
- Take an extra pillow – one you’re happy to dispose of at the end. It beats the thin bits of foam normally provided, and it’s handy to support your lower back or neck. A toothbrush and toothpaste are handy, too.
- Don’t fight the urge to sleep – and don’t try and stay awake to watch the end of a movie.
- Avoid alcohol. Yes, it’s the fun bit – especially if it’s free – but it can make you feel terrible.
- Avoid sleeping tablets. You need to be moving (think blood clots).
- Change into loose fitting – but socially acceptable – attire. My flight attendant friend swears by his ‘comfortable clothing’ (ahem, a Telly tubby-style jumpsuit).
Author disclaimer: this only scratches the surface of tips for long distance travel.
More on jetlag
Jetlag is the least fun part of flying. Changing directions (especially west to east) and time zones are believed to de-synchronise your Circadian rhythms, otherwise known as your body clock. Sadly, few cures exist although some swear by taking melatonin: in tablet form, this hormone is said to help adjust your sleep-wake cycle.
Don’t stress about jetlag; your body will eventually adjust. But it’s worth factoring a day or two of recovery time into your trip.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/travel-tips-and-articles/77367?affil=twit#ixzz1zxOWTk6u
Detroit vs. Philadelphia: Underdogs duke it out
Editor’s note: This story is the last in a series of “city smackdowns” pitting metropolitan rivals against each other and letting you decide which one’s best. Previous smackdowns featured Los Angeles vs. New York, Portland, Oregon, vs. Seattle and political convention cities Charlotte, North Carolina, vs. Tampa, Florida.
(CNN) — In a battle of underdogs Detroit and Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love came out on top.
Philadelphia clearly won the popular vote in our unscientific poll, with 57% of the vote, compared with 43% for Detroit. Philly also won on Facebook with more than 1,750 “recommends,” compared with more than 1,575 for the Motor City.
“How can this even be close?” asks iReporter and PhiladelphianPeter DeCarlo. “Philly beats Detroit on so many levels, just to name a few: food, education, sports, location.” His Philly suggestions include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Schuylkill River Trail, people-watching inRittenhouse Square and sales-tax-free clothes shopping on Walnut and Chestnut streets.
“Detroit is more than crime and urban decay,” writes iReporterBarbara Smitter, who lives just outside the Michigan city. “It is art and philanthropy and enterprise and community. I have made it a personal mission to get out of my comfy suburban existence and see more of what makes this city so great.”
Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s fans find plenty to celebrate beyond the Liberty Bell and running the “Rocky” steps up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Her hometown takes the cake when it comes to food, according to iReporter Katie Eisele, a suburban Washingtonian who was raised in the Philadelphia suburbs and regularly visits her family there.
“If you’re looking for a fancy, sit-down restaurant, any of the Stephen Starr restaurants are fantastic (like El Vez or Buddakan),” Eisele writes. “My parents also love Moshulu because it is on a beautiful ship right on the waterfront at Penn’s Landing. Also, Bistro Romano in Society Hill is a romantic and quaint Italian restaurant, great for a date night out. But if you’re looking for more of a grab-and-go type of meal … Sarcone’s Deli, Dalessandro’s or Reading Terminal Market are great.”
Speaking of Reading Terminal Market, that’s where you must go “if you’re looking to try a lot of different types of food at once,” writes iReporter Bob Malin, a lifelong resident. “From the fresh fish brought in the early a.m., to the Amish making lean cuts of any of your favorite meats, to Bassett’s famous ice cream and a number of candy shops, it’s your one-stop-shop for all things edible.”
You’ll also find the best sports fans in the world, according to Malin. “For a seat with a great view of the game, Citizens Bank Park is a great time,” he writes. “Or go to the Linc (Lincoln Financial Field) to see ‘The Birds’ take on the NFC East. And the Flyers and Sixers are always a good time. … (H)ockey is a game that Philadelphians can relate to, working hard to succeed.”
Philly also has world-class art, including “the soon to be relocatedBarnes (Foundation), which houses an unbelievable previously private collection of 19th-century impressionist art, the largest mural arts project in the country, and an incredible number of events throughout the summer,” suggests commenter Beth Schade of Philadelphia.
Coming soon: “The Welcome America festival happens every year for the Fourth of July and is a massive free outdoor concert,” Schade writes. “Local favorite the Roots always show up. They are also known as Jimmy Fallon’s house band. There are (also) free pop-up shows all over town all summer, featuring lots of local favorites.”
One of iReporter Eisele’s favorite things to do is hike in Fairmount Park, but she doesn’t stop there. “While there you can take a stroll along Boathouse Row and see early-morning rowers along the Schuylkill River,” she writes. “Visitors can also visit South Street and see the trash mural walls or see a concert at the Theatre of Living Arts. And if you have kids, the Please Touch Museum or theFranklin Institute are great places to keep them (and you) entertained.”
Detroit
The Motor City is probably most famous for being home to the Motown sound and the top three American automakers. And visitors can still explore the Motown era at the Motown Historical Museum or visit the Henry Ford Museum in the suburbs. However, our Detroit iReporters suggested going beyond the easy mark to explore the soul of the city and its suburbs.
Take a stroll through Hart Plaza with its many sculptures to see the city’s heart, suggests iReporter Smitter. “A short ride away and you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of Eastern Market and once again be bathed in the culture of this city,” she writes.
“A jaunt around the corner and you reach the Heidelberg Project,” a 26-year-old open air art project on the city’s East Side that uses everyday, discarded objects. “Take a bike ride on a Saturday around Belle Isle. And speaking of urban decay, just check out the Packard plant. It has become a haven of street art.”
John McGraw, an iReporter who visits Detroit several times per month for work, said he loves the spirit of the Motor City as well as its food, sports and culture. “The spirit of Detroit is tough; the city has been through a lot over the years, but there is a feel of determination in the air.”
His recommendations: “I really love Greektown and … if you like Mexican food you should try Mexicantown; it’s a little off the beaten path but well worth it. You can always hit a ballgame at Comerica Park, Ford Field or see the Red Wings at Joe Louis,” he writes. “I also like the Eastern Market, or head over to Slows for some (barbecue).”
In suburban Detroit, iReporter Cherl Addington adores “being nestled against Lake St. Clair, the penultimate playground tucked in between the Detroit River and Lake Huron. … It’s like it’s our own, smaller, personal backyard lake with Belle Isle tucked in at its tip. Belle Isle’s designer, Frederick Law Olmsted, considered it his crowning achievement. … To sit at the northern end of Belle Isle and look out at Lake St. Clair is to experience one of the most beautiful places on earth.”
Don’t judge a city by its hardest times, suggest our Detroit iReporters.
“When I moved to this area from the little city, I had all of the same misconceptions that you hear about,” Smitter writes. “Just give it a chance, and you’ll find that the city has so much more to offer than crime and fear.”
Cool travel gifts for dads and grads
New college students typically live in small spaces with a limited number of belongings. And man bags? They can hold only so much. This makes compact, business and adventure travel gifts perfect for the dads and grads on your gift list. Here are some of my top choices for Father’s Day and graduation gift giving.
Functionality: Any gift item that allows seamless navigation between day-to-day activities and travel is worth its weight in gold. My personal top picks include hanging toiletry bags, wrinkle-resistant business clothing and a well-stocked rolling backpack. Messenger bags are also a popular unisex gift item, and they come in a variety of designs suitable for living life on the road without too much aggravation. Access to a portable power supply is always an issue. If you’re not sure which devices your gift recipient owns, opting for a universal charger is a great way to play it safe. One company that makes these is called myCharge. Their power packs range from $50 to $100 and charge everything from cellphones to iPads and electronic readers.
Entertainment: Whether Dad is enjoying the perks of an executive lounge or stuck in the cheap seats by his departure gate, long layovers can be a drag. College students may also have long bus rides home for holidays. Tablet devices like the Kindle Fire provide a way to surf the Web, watch movies on the fly and download a new book in seconds. We paid roughly $200 for ours, and it has been my husband’s go-to entertainment item since the day it arrived. For music fans without travel access to Wi-Fi, a set of ear buds allows enjoyment of a personal play list from your Android or iPhone. The House of Marley offers several designs, each with an array of ear tips to allow individual users to customize a comfortable fit. Prices start as low as $30, and color schemes are varied enough to be hip with a wide age range.
Myscha Theriault/McClatchy-Tribune News Service
The greenest transport from A to B
By Lori Robertson
A 2008 report put motorcoach at the top of the list for greenest travel options, for both solo travellers and groups. (Mike Groll/Associated Press)
Choosing the greenest form of transport is like solving a complicated mathematics problem: the number of passengers, the type of fuel, the length of trip and the time of travel are all variables in the equation of calculating a traveller’s carbon footprint.
But there are a few simple rules that can help when trying to decide on the mode of transportation with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions.
Take the bus
Coach travel has increased in recent years with several low-cost carriers hitting the US market. The good news, besides cheap prices? Bus travel is a great choice for low carbon emissions per passenger, whether you’re making a three-hour jaunt from Washington, DC, to Philadelphia, or a 1,000-mile slog halfway across the country. A 2008 peer-reviewedanalysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists put motorcoach at the top of the list for greenest travel options, for both solo travellers and groups. According to the report, “a couple boarding a motorcoach will cut their carbon [footprint] nearly in half, compared with driving even a hybrid car. And if they take the motorcoach rather than flying, they will cut their emissions by 55 to 75%, depending on the distance they travel.” The free wi-fi usually on offer is nice, too. The only time the bus doesn’t win? On a local commute when a subway or train line is an option. City buses, which don’t take the most direct route, have “a lot of stop and go”, said Laura Draucker, sustainability manager at the World Resources Institute (WRI), an environmental think tank.
Hit the train station
Trains are another low-emission option, especially if you’re travelling by electricity-operated trains like those running up and down Amtrak’s northeast corridor or high-speed trains around the world, such as France’s TGV. For trips of 500 miles or less for one or two travellers, train was one of the top options on the Union of Concerned Scientists report (see the handy Vacation Traveler Carbon Guide). Trains continue to be better than planes when you take into account taking a subway to and from the train station, rather than hailing a cab at the airport. “Think about your whole trip in a holistic way,” Draucker advised.
Board a jet plane
Road-weary travellers rejoice: the plane beats the train for long trips. “If it’s more than 500 miles, likely in the US, you wouldn’t take the train anyway,” said Draucker, who adds that in Europe the long-haul train-versus-plane dilemma is “probably a wash”, since the trains in Europe are so reliable. A first-class airline ticket, however, doubles your carbon footprint, since the seats take up twice the space as the smaller chairs in economy.
Nonstop flights also save emissions. Those takeoffs and landings – and taxiing around the runways – pump out a lot of carbon. Draucker said that a layover in Dallas on a Washington, DC, to San Francisco route adds 10% more emissions. Even the route of a flight makes a big difference. A Charlottesville, Virginia, to New York City flight produces fewer than 200 pounds of CO2 emissions, but stopping in Washington, DC, along that same route bumps that up to more than 200 pounds . Flying through Atlanta instead (a common hub for connections along the US East Coast) causes emissions to skyrocket to about 600 pounds . (See our report on Greenopia’s rating of eco-friendly airlines for more on how carriers stack up on the environmental front.)
Load up the car
That traditional summer family road trip isn’t a bad choice at all. In fact, a typical car or even a typical SUV is a better carbon choice for four passengers than the train or plane, whether you’re stuck in the car for 100 miles, 500 miles or – pack some DVDs for the kids – 1,000 miles or more. Avoiding congestion helps, too – just as a plane sitting on a runway eats up fuel, so do cars stuck in traffic. And, of course, a hybrid or fuel-efficient car emits less carbon dioxide than an SUV. But solo travellers are better off leaving the car at home: even flying economy solo beats driving, whether it’s a short or long trip.
Draucker said that “ideally, what we want to see is more transformative changes” – such as airlines using biofuels and high-speed rails being built with better infrastructure. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, for instance, found that factoring in infrastructure constructionplus vehicle and fuel production increased total emissions for various modes of transportation, particularly train. But in the meantime, both business travellers and vacationers need to get from point A to point B. “We realize every little bit helps,” Draucker said.
Lori Robertson writes the Ethical Traveller column for BBC Travel. You can send ethical dilemmas to bbcethicaltravel@gmail.com.
Great NYC Happy Hour Spots with $2 Brews
Blind Tiger Ale House It’s not so much the discounted prices ($1 off all drafts and well drinks), as it is the sheer length of Blind Tiger’s happy hour, which runs from noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. That means you can practically get started on your cheap cocktail immediately upon downing your morning coffee. • 518 Hudson St., at 10th St, 212-675-3848; blindtigeralehouse.com
Boxcar Lounge This tiny bar specializes in creative cocktails made with champagne and sake — along with well drinks and draft beers these house specialties are just $5 each until 10 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). • 168 Avenue B, between 10th and 11th Sts., 212-473-2830
Fiddlesticks Fiddlesticks has numerous nooks where you can grab a table and read a book without being interrupted — except when one of the great-looking bartenders pulls you a pint. Happy Hour lasts until 10 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and $3 will get you any drink you desire (expect martinis and shots). • 56 Greenwich Ave., between Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212-436-0516
Landmark Tavern With three-for-two buybacks, “Single-Malt Mondays” offer the best opportunity for cash-strapped connoisseurs to sample the Tavern’s 70 fine scotches. Regular happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and features 10 cent buffalo wings and buy-one-get-one on all drinks. • 626 Eleventh Ave., at 46th St., 212-757-8595
La Linea Soulful, dive-y lounge for the romantically sleazy, with $2 discounts on all drinks 3 p.m. till 9 p.m., seven days a week. The currently running summer special includes $3 margaritas and $4 apple martinis during those same hours. • 15 First Ave., between 1st and 2nd Sts., 212-777-1571
Magnetic Field At this welcome addition to the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill bar scene, tap beers and well drinks are $3 for several hours, Mondays through Wednesdays. Tuesday is happy hour all day —all day —and on Sundays the bar gives a BK shout-out with all Brooklyn beers $1 off. • 97 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, 718-834-0069; magneticbrooklyn.com
Mars 2112 Once you get over the sight of mute aliens in rubber-and-spandex costumes, the fake red-rock terrain of Mars 2112 can be silly fun. And gimmicky theme bars are much more appealing when they offer drinks and appetizers for half off from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, with a DJ adding to the vibe several nights as well. • 1633 Broadway, at 51st St., 212-582-2112; mars2112.com
Parkside Lounge This once-sordid dive has gotten a second wind, with raucous parties and $3 beer and well drinks daily from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. • 317 E. Houston St., at Attorney St., 212-673-6270; parksidelounge.com
The Slide This gay bar next to Marion’s Continental (same owners) takes happy hour to the next level with 60 minutes of open bar nightly. Happy hour officially runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., during which time beers are $2 and well drinks $3. But from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the cash register shuts down entirely and patrons drink for free. • 356 Bowery, at 4th St., 212-475-7621
Thirsty Scholar, Sometimes you do wanna go where everybody knows your name. Or if not everyone, at least the bartender. And if not your name, at least your drink. Happy Hour runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week — beers are $3-$4, martinis are $5, and cosmos and frozen drinks are a mere $4. • 155 Second Ave., between 9th and 10th Sts., 212-777-6514
Welcome to the Johnsons Seventies throwback with recession-ready drink deals: On Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 1 till 9 p.m. pay only $2 for Buds and well drinks. Free snacks, too — of the Doritos variety. • 123 Rivington St., between Essex and Nrofolk Sts., 212-420-9911 always cheap
Rudy’s Bar All drinks here are cheap, but the best deal — if you’ve got strong tastebuds — is Rudy’s Red, the house’s own somewhat swill-ish brew served in plastic “buckets” for $7.75. Bonus: Free hot dogs! • 627 Ninth Ave., at 44th St., 212-974-9169; rudysbarandgrill.com
Corner Bistro $2 mugs of McSorley’s and some of the best burgers in town ensure that there’s always a line at this West Village classic. • 331 W. 4th St., at Jane St., 212-242-9502
Holiday Cocktail Lounge W. H. Auden once lived next door, and Trotsky across the street. Both knew a little something about the low life, and so does the clientele of this East Village landmark. All drinks run from $2.75 to a mere $4. In fact, we voted it New York’s best bar if you’re unemployed! • 75 St. Marks Pl., between First and Second Aves., 212-777-9637
International Bar Whether you’re drinking whiskey on the rocks or beer in a can, you’ll get change back from a $5 at this friendly dive known for its great jukebox. • 120 1/2 First Ave., between 7th and 8th Sts., 212-777-9244
Jeremy’s Ale House Starting at 8am, an unlikely mix of construction workers, fishmongers coming off their shifts, and Wall Street suits down 32-ounce Styrofoam cups of Bud ($1.75) at this one-of-a-kind waterfront dive. • 254 Front St., between Peck Slip and Dover St., 212-964-3537
O’Connor’s The biggest change this place has seen in the past twenty years came in 2000, when drink prices went up by 50 cents (leaving most still under $3). • 39 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, 718-783-9721
Mug’s Ale House Archetypal old-school tavern with $2-pint specials for both waterfront workers and starving artists. • 125 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, 718-486-8232
Gowanus Yacht Club Most Smith Street hangouts charge Manhattan prices. Not so this outdoor-only glorified hot dog stand, where the Carroll Gardens hipoisie enjoys $2 PBRs. • 323 Smith St., Brooklyn, 718-249-1321
The Village Idiot Long before Coyote Ugly was a bar or a movie, there were girls dancing on the the bar at the Village Idiot, and owner Tom arm-wrestled besotted customers for drinks. Beers are $1.25-$3, beer pitchers are $5.50, mixed drinks are $3.25, and shots are $3. Good luck! • 355 West 14th St., at Ninth Ave., 212-989-7334
Heavenly Hawaii: Dos and don’ts
by Michele Bigley, Special to CNN
When visiting Hawaii, focus on one or two islands and split your time between the sunny southern and western areas and the more tropical northern and eastern shores.
(CNN) — Looking to get to Hawaii without blowing your son’s college fund? Want to experience the islands but not sure when to go?
Here’s how to avoid costly and exhausting mistakes during your Hawaiian vacation.
DON’T travel to Hawaii during school holidays. Tourists crowd Hawaii’s stunning beaches in summer and winter. During school holidays, flight and hotel rates are off the charts — between Christmas and New Years, condos and vacation rentals can run three times as much as rates in early December
DO visit Hawaii in the off-season. Hands down the best values on visiting Hawaii can be found in May and October. With prices reasonably low and the weather at its peak — not too hot, not too rainy — take advantage of the perks of off-season travel to jet off to the islands. Current spring and fall flight deals from the West Coast are half of July rates. Additionally, hotels and condos generally slash their prices off-season, rewarding visitors with oceanfront accommodations that typically sell out in peak months.
DON’T blow your whole budget on a luxury resort. While staying in a luxurious Hawaiian resort where birds flutter through the open-air lobby and fresh papaya is served at the swim-up bar is nice, it is likely to cost between $400-$600 a night in high season. Instead, fork over the cash for a lomilomi massage and gourmet seafood dinner, and make your own poolside Mai Tai at a rental condo.
DO consider staying in a condo. Repeat visitors know to rent a condo. Kitchens, ample square footage, washing machines and privacy afford travelers a more authentic (and often less costly) vacation experience. It’s common for numerous companies to manage individual units in the same complex, meaning one property may be decked out by a globetrotting interior decorator, while another may be awash in wicker. Be sure to see photos of the particular condo you’re interested in and get specifics on the number and configuration of beds.
DON’T try to see everything. While each island has its own personality, it is too expensive (and exhausting) to island-hop the entire archipelago on one vacation. Inter-island flights generally run between $70-$140 each way and most travel to Oahu, so if you want to get from Kauai to the Big Island, you might have to stop in Honolulu and basically pay the equivalent of two inter-island flights each way.
DO stick to one or two islands. Each region on each island has its own flavor. The north and east sides of the islands are more tropical, while the south and west regions offer sunnier skies and a more arid landscape. Instead of island hopping, break your trip up by staying in a plush hotel within walking distance of a sunny south shore beach and then cozy up in a rental house near the more tropical (read: rainy) north shore. If you want to island-hop on the cheap, Maui offers ferry service to Lanai and Molokai.
DON’T fall for the luau. Most luaus are overpriced and far from the real thing (usually family events on a beach for a first birthday). While they seem like an authentic experience, you can actually piece together the highlights of a luau yourself. Grab a picnic of poke, lomi lomi, fresh pineapple, and poi from a local market. In the evenings at most malls on Kauai and Maui, and at sunset at Waikiki Beach, you can watch free hula shows featuring some of Hawaii’s best dancers.
DO splurge on an adventure. Whether you fancy diving deep into the sea, soaring over waterfalls on a helicopter tour, or a kayak trip along the Na Pali Coast, treat yourself to at least one adventure. Be sure to book early in your trip in case of bad weather.
And lastly, DO NOT forget to relax on the beach. No need to be on a boat, or a horse, or a helicopter, or a zip line the whole time. Save time to enjoy Hawaii’s world-class beaches. From the shore, you can walk right out into the sea and snorkel with sea turtles, angelfish and monk seals basically for free. As the sun descends over the Pacific, unwind under a coconut palm and watch the sky burst with color as surfers ride the last sunlit waves onto the white sand.
Michele Bigley is the author of “Great Destinations, Kauai” (Countryman Press) and the upcoming “Backroads and Byways of Hawaii” (Countryman Press).
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/27/travel/hawaii-travel-tips/index.html?hpt=tr_c1
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