North America
Posted July 6, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Located on the Northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete attracts adventure and water enthusiasts to its natural playground of crashing surf and rainforests. If you're a novice, there are plenty of ways to get your feet wet, either by cascading down waterfalls or riding the waves on a boogie board. And you don't have to be a thrill seeker to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the town, where you're welcome to watch the waves crash as you feast on fresh seafood.
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Iguana Mama Canyoning and Cascading: Whether you're 16 or 60, take a hike and go cascading down the 27 waterfalls of Rio Damajagua. Here, you will discover a world filled with limestone pools, and the rainforest's flora and fauna. You'll climb and scamper your way up to the 27th waterfall, then jump, slide, or cascade down into the crystal clear pools waiting below. Tours run Tuesdays and Saturdays; cost $79; and include transportation, equipment, drinks, and fruit.
Stay
Villa Taina: Rise and shine to the sounds of the ocean right outside your window at Villa Taina. After a swing by the breakfast buffet, you can take a spin on a kayak or boogie board, or even try your hand at windsurfing for free. Devoted to living harmoniously with nature, the resort has incorporated the art of Feng Shui in the decorating and planning of the building. The all-inclusive resort is only steps from town, making it the ideal location for exploring Cabarete. Rooms start at $85.
Eat
Natura Restaurant: Sit outside under a palapa as you dine on fresh and flavorful seafood dishes, such as pistachio-crusted tuna or shrimp sautéed in a rum sauce. While you wait for dinner, watch as the Swiss chef prepares the daily specials in the open kitchen. Seafood may be this beachside restaurant's main draw, but you can also find vegetarian and Dominican specialties. Entrees start at RD$420 (about $11.66 U.S.; check with XE.com for current exchange rates and use currency abbreviation"DOP" to search).
To search for flights and compare prices to Puerta Plata, which is home to Cabarete’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Iguana Mama)
Posted June 25, 2009 by Nicki Krawczyk
Fifty years ago, the United States got fed up with a little country known as Cuba and instituted a travel ban. Now, our government has loosened the travel restriction on Cuba for Cuban Americans who want to visit their families. The next question is, of course, how’s about a little Cuba for the rest of us?
A relatively new website has sprung up called OpenCuba.org which purports to be “Connecting Americans and Cubans Through the Freedom to Travel.” Interestingly, though, you won’t find an “About Us” link to tell you more about this organization. Instead, you’ll find a posting at the very beginning of the blog section about how this is basically an initiative on behalf of Orbitz to open up travel to Cuba. Which is cool, I guess, for them to do some outreach work…but if it works, it should also certainly boost travel bookings to Cuba. Hmm…conveeeenient.
Anyway, a point this site brings up is that “Today, Americans are free to travel anywhere in the world except Cuba.” Which is true. There are some places you might not want to visit like, say, Siberia in deep winter or, really, anywhere that’s infested with locusts. But you’re free to. The Cuba travel ban was created as kind of a human embargo (we don’t like you, we withhold our big American travel bucks) but embargos don’t tend to have a great track record:
“We don’t like how you rule! We will stop sending food and aid to your people! Oh, part of why we don’t like how you rule is because you’re not very good to your people in the first place. Darn. Good point.”
Now, in a pretty-much-post-Fidel Cuba, the political climate has mellowed some, and an influx of good old American travel bucks might have a positive effect on government behavior. Not having a direct line to El Jefe’s office (or, now, El Hermano of El Jefe), I don’t know for sure. However, I’m guessing—and apparently Orbitz is, too—that there would be plenty of Americans who’d be more than happy to schedule a few weekend getaways to Havana and drop a bundle on Cuban cigars.
Readers, what do you think? Are you interested in putting Cuba on your “Must Visit” list?
(Photo: worldonaplate.org)
Posted June 22, 2009 by Jamie Moore
Don't want to encounter a Gustav, Hanna, or Ike on your Caribbean getaway? Then head to Aruba, a tropical paradise that sits safely below the hurricane belt. Among this happy little island's white beaches, dramatic rock formations, and wind-sculpted divi-divi trees, you can easily find fun and affordable experiences. Start with an adventurous island tour, find flea market deals, or sip down a Pink Iguana colada with a classic Caribbean meal.
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De Palm Tours: For off-road island sightseeing, your best bet is De Palm's bumpy half-day tour in a 4X4 Range Rover. Guides artfully blend historic commentary with unique experiences. Along the way you get to go snorkeling, explore an old fort and lighthouse, swim in a natural pool, feed ostriches, relax on beaches, and see the island's distinctive caves. Tours run $52 per person and admission for kids under 12 is 50 percent less.
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Iguana Joe's: Admittedly, this festive Caribbean restaurant is a bit of a tourist trap. But if you can get past the fact that it's located in a mall and sells t-shirts with its iguana logo, then you're in for a casual and fun lunch stop. Grab a seat on the outside deck, an excellent place to people watch above a busy downtown street. Try the island-caught mahi-mahi, coconut-rum-battered shrimp, or the traditional Aruban Keshi Jena (cheese filled with chicken, vegetables and spices)for less than $20 each. Sandwiches cost under $10, and a half-liter of the potent Pink Iguana colada goes for $7.50.
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Tourists Go Flea Market: What would a Caribbean vacation be without a little haggling? Sure, there are plenty of swanky shops with the latest fashions, but you'll have much more fun at the flea market on L.G. Smith Boulevard. This huge market across from Container Harbour promises bargains on locally made crafts, artwork, clothing, and, of course, souvenirs. The smoky aroma of traditional island barbecue fills the air. Don't leave without a quick bite.
To search for flights and compare prices to Aruba, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockPhoto/zinchik)
Posted June 15, 2009 by Katie Blais
I have wanted to go to Prince Edward Island since I was 10 and read Anne of Green Gables. I wanted to go live on a farm with Miranda, wear braids, and attend a one-room school house with Gilbert. Prince Edward Island seemed like a quaint little fairy tale isle. Taking a peek at what is happening on the island this summer inspires me to pack my bags and book a trip to PEI today!
First off, starting June 18 and going through September 26 there is The Charlottetown Festival, a three month event filled with theater productions (even an Anne of Green Gables musical number), live music, and other art related fun! The week of August 13 to 22 is Old Home Week where you can check out livestock shows, concerts, and this year the 50th anniversary of the Gold and Saucer Harness race, which is a big deal on PEI. Summer is also the time to check out the white sand beaches of Cavendish Beach and the amazing golf courses throughout the island.
Beaches, concerts, quaint seaside villages? Channel your inner Anne Shirley and head up for a memorable summer vacation!
(Photo: Virtual Tourist.com)
Posted June 11, 2009 by Kate Hamman
The word "Jamaica" conjures images of sandy beaches, tropical drinks, and a hammock with your name on it. Now you can truly get away from it all by traveling to the southeast corner of the island, where you'll find Treasure Beach, with its waterfall adventure, secluded cottages, and fresh seafood.
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YS Falls: Hop aboard a tractor-drawn jitney, where you'll encounter thoroughbred horses en route to YS Falls. Once you arrive at the 120-foot, seven-tiered waterfalls, you're welcome to swim about in the cool water of the pools. A lifeguard is on hand, and you can change privately at the falls. Admission costs $14, and includes the ride. Try to get there early as the falls are a hot spot for tour buses later in the day.
Stay
Jake's Resort in Treasure Beach: Jake's 38 cottages incorporate natural elements of the sea, sky, and garden, while providing the utmost in privacy. Stay in one of the ocean view rooms, and you may have a deck that juts out over the water. The boutique resort offers several reasons to hang out on the grounds, including a games room, an on-site massage therapist, and a Jamaica-influenced restaurant. Rooms are a steal at $95 per night for a garden-view during the off-season, and $115 per night during the high season.
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Little Ochie: Just east of Treasure Beach on Alligator Pond, you'll find Little Ochie, where you dine on thatched-roofed boats on stilts. While you hover above the sand, you can watch fisherman haul in their day's catch from the ocean just steps away. Everything is made-to-order, and you can choose to have your seafood steamed, fried, or just dry. Prices depend on the weight of the item you choose.
To search for flights and compare prices to Montego Bay, which is home to the South Coast’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Island Outpost)
Posted June 5, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Welcoming visitors like a breath of fresh wine-scented air, Niagara-on-the-Lake sits among rolling vineyards just a few miles from the neon lights and kitschy entertainment of Niagara Falls. This English-influenced town—with nods to British royalty on street and hotel names—is maturing into a proper getaway for wine, theater, and food. Come experience the finer things in life.
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Peller Estates: Peller Estates turns its tasting room into a classroom, and helps everyone become a valedictorian when it comes to wine. If you've ever wondered whether to serve a Cabernet or a Chardonnay, or which glass to serve which wine in, then the interactive Wine Experiences may be the answer. Classes covering subjects from entertaining to food pairings start at $15 CAD (about $13.50 U.S. dollars; see XE.com for current exchange rates). Tours of the wine-making facilities cost $10 CAD.
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Shaw Café & Wine Bar: Bacchus would feel right at home in this European-style cafe in the heart of the town center. Guests are encouraged to sample regional wines from the extensive menu, while grabbing a gourmet bite to eat. Be sure to say hello to playwright George Bernard Shaw, the cafe's namesake, whose statue welcomes visitors on the patio out front. If the meal prices seem a bit too steep, then take in the Old-World ambiance with just a dessert—such as the Toblerone Cheesecake for $7.95 CAD—and a glass of wine.
Stay
Britaly Bed and Breakfast: Finding a place to curl up after a day of wine tasting may sound simple, but very few places exude the homey atmosphere, and price, of this three-bedroom B&B. Hosts Graham Hall, Aldo Petronelli, and Rufus the Lab treat guests like royalty. Visitors are instantly drawn to the impressive back garden, where they can relax by the pond. The cozy bedrooms, decorated to capture the spirit of England, Canada, and Italy, come en suite or with a private bathroom just steps away. Prices start at $110 CAD during high season, and include a homemade breakfast fit for a king. Note that weekend stays require a two-night minimum.
To search for flights and compare prices to Buffalo, which is home to Niagara-on-the-Lake’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar)
Posted April 24, 2009 by Katie Blais
I recently got an iPhone and it's quickly become another appendage. I use it for everything: email, texting, facebook, light saber fights with coworkers and my roommate—you know, real important stuff! But when it comes to travel the iPhone can be a huge help with tons of applications to help out at the airport and beyond!
There are a bunch of applications out there that can help you check the status of your flight, maneuver your way through airports, even find another flight if you happen to miss yours.
Also, once you get to your destination, you can use tons of apps to find your way around. For 10 bucks you can download the newest Zagat Guide and babelingo helps you with those common phrases like "donde esta el baño por favor?"
Plus, you will feel less like a tourist and more like a super-savvy tech person having all this info contained in your iPhone instead of lugging around maps and guidebooks all over the place.
Even if your “traveling” is just around the city, there is even an application to find taxi services around you. You can get reviews and even see which cab companies take credit cards, a good thing for people like me who never carry cash.
Get the skinny on a bunch more cool iPhone travel apps at Seat Guru!
Posted April 23, 2009 by Nicki Krawczyk
Score one for the proponents of transparency: Despite the FAA’s best efforts, the rate of incidents of airplanes striking birds will be made public.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood apparently rejected the FAA’s proposal that all bird strike data be kept secret, saying (by way of Transportation Department spokesperson Jill Zuckman) that the public has a right to this information.
The FAA, meanwhile, has been protesting for weeks that posting the information would discourage voluntary reporting and could embarrass or unfairly penalize airports with higher rates. Luckily for the FAA, I’ve got a solution! First, replace that “voluntary” in your reporting strategy with “mandatory”. Other types of airplane accidents must be automatically reported, why not this one? Plus, the government is very good at making "reporting things" mandatory. In fact, having just sent off a lovely check to the IRS on the 15th, I can confirm that they are very good at that.
And to say that airports might be embarrassed or even have travel numbers affected by a high rate of bird strikes is sheer speculation. In general, people have to fly out of the airport nearest to them. Unless there’s some kind of Alfred Hitchcock situation going on, no one’s going drive 50 miles to a different airport with a lower bird strike rate.
Is there a slim chance that would-be air travelers might instead start looking for rental car deals instead of flying? I suppose. But, there’s an equally likely chance that making this information public, if it is, in fact, particularly shocking, might just provide an impetus to figure out a solution to the problem.
(Photo: www.owlnet.rice.edu)
Posted April 10, 2009 by Katie Blais
In a former job I traveled a lot. Sadly, it was a start-up company with a next-to-nothing travel budget, so my lavish accommodations consisted of an air mattress on the floor of my brother’s studio apartment in Brooklyn. Many companies though, with much loftier cash flows than my previous employer, are feeling the effects of the AIG fallout. Which means closer attention to the company-sanctioned high-roller lifestyles many higher-ups are accustomed to, and an easy target is travel budgets and expenses.
With millions of Americans losing their jobs and the economy in the toilet, it is just a tad annoying to hear about big-wigs taking private jets or getting thousand-dollar spa treatments during their last “company retreat” Seeing the backlash AIG has suffered, many other companies are erring on the side of caution and cutting back on travel budgets before they too are publicly scorned—sad news for said big-wigs and even sadder news for the travel industry. U.S companies are canceling up to $1 billion worth of corporate travel during 2009 and hotels are feeling the crunch. In Las Vegas, a hot spot for conventions and corporate events, bookings are way down. During February alone hotels in L.A. lost events that could have filled 95,000 hotel rooms, and there are only so many celebs seeking refuge in the Chateau Marmont, you know?
Even when companies do hold events, their budgets have shrunk, which means, fewer open bars, less gourmet food and less money for the service industry—which in the past few years has been on overdrive adding amenities to attract the lucrative business traveler, building spas, hot restaurants, and bars at their properties.
Extravagant lifestyles are slowly becoming a thing of the past across the board, so don’t be surprised if you see more suits on your next cheap flight.
Here’s hoping CEOs have brothers in Brooklyn with air mattresses!
(Photo: tantur.com)
Posted March 19, 2009 by Nicki Krawczyk
If you’ve been anxiously following the one-sided feud between the Mayor of Las Vegas and President Obama, a conclusion has been reached: Nobody’s upset anymore.
As you’ll recall, Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and other Nevada officials were rather upset over a comment President Obama made, specifically: "You can't get corporate jets, you can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer's dime." Goodman et al felt that the President was discouraging all people from traveling to Las Vegas. And, if all travel was subsidized by the taxpayers, Goodman would have a point.
As it stands, of course, the President (by way of White House press secretary Robert Gibbs) clarified that he is not, in fact, against people traveling but, rather, against corporations getting billions from the government and then spending those billions on crazy company trips to reward irresponsible executives. (I’m paraphrasing.)
More interestingly, if somewhat predictably, the President also encouraged people to travel because a strong tourist industry is important to a strong economy. He’s right, of course; tourism is a good way to help infuse an economy with cash. And, with the government behind the theory, there could be a great give-and-take among tourists, tax collectors, cities, and travel companies. For example, what if the government gave a tax break to Americans who purchased an intra-U.S. flight and stayed in their destination city for three or more days? People would be more willing to take trips and destination cities, hotels, and airlines would prosper.
Discount travel from travel providers is already a great incentive, of course, but many people still aren’t taking to the open road. Perhaps if the government offered a direct stimulus in the deduction/rebate vein, people would be more inclined to travel. I’m also willing to bet that if people began to travel more within the United States, they would naturally travel more outside of it, too. And if there’s one thing Iceland needs right now, it’s a big old infusion of foreign cash.
The exact path out of the current economic turmoil isn’t clear, though it is clear that lawmakers are going to need many and varied stimuli and solutions. Could a taxpayer domestic travel deduction be one of them? Well, call or email your representatives and perhaps it could.
(Photo: rockandreview.com)
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