travelwriter

I’ve always been a big fan of The Amazing Race reality show.  In my world travelling experiences, I find much of the show to be true to life.

You can either travel and enjoy everything that happens to you by simply taking in the scenery, being relaxed, adaptable and going with the flow or you can fight, maintain negativity, and abhor every new experience that comes your way.  Those are the people that we come to hate on the show.

This year promises to be a great season (lucky 13!) with visits to 8 countries around the world including exotics like Brazil and Cambodia.  It’s a whirlwind 23 day tour covering 30,000 miles and it would be awesome!

Having just won Emmy number six for being televisions best reality show, obviously I’m not the only fan.  Once upon a time the show almost had a melt down when season 8 produced the Amazing Race ‘Family’ show which everyone outright hated.  They travelled solely within North America and somehow it just lost its pizzazz.

If you’d like to meet the cast, click here!

Travel and Leisure Magazine has announced it top 10 worldwide hotels priced at $250 or less.  Not that I could afford to stay at any one of these myself but maybe you can!  And some of them are even close to home for residents of Canada and the USA, especially in the Northwest.

1. Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Onzain, France (also ranked #1 in Europe Hotels and #9 in Small Hotels)

2. Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, Dixville Notch, New Hampshire

3. Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver, Canada

4. Inn at the Market, Seattle, WA

5. Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Bangkok, Thailand

6. Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Mexico

7. Hotel Vintage Plaza, Portland, Oregon

8. Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt

9. Richmond Hill Inn, Asheville, North Carolina

10. JW Marriott, Bangkok, Thailand           

So tell me, how many of these hotels have you stayed at?  In my case, I’d have to go for cities on this one, that way I could count 4, maybe 5. Take care,

Connie

In 1935, the famed novelist Ernest Hemingway was given a six-toed cat whom he named Snowball.  Since Hemingway’s death in 1961, the cats have continued to live at his home and have multiplied throughout the years to an estimated 50 cats that still roam the home’s grounds today.

There has been a five year battle between the federal government and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida.  The government wants the cats gone and the museum wants them to stay as part of Hemingway’s legacy, so to speak.

The US Department of Agriculture was set to fine each cat $200 per day when an announcement was made last Thursday that a settlement had been reached between the two parties.  After $250,000 in legal fees, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum stated the cats would be allowed to stay without any adverse repercussions.

Although not all the cats have six toes, they have become somewhat of a tourist attraction in themselves and are well-known throughout the Key West neighborhood.

As Northwest flight 552 was set to depart from Denver to Minneapolis, MN, a passenger announced he had explosives in his luggage that was already onboard the aircraft.

The aircraft was immediately towed away from the airport terminal where officials made the arrest.  There were no injuries to the 140 passengers and crew members onboard and no explosives were found onboard.

The aircraft returned to the terminal where passengers underwent another security screening before travel continued.  Only one day earlier passengers on another Northwest flight departing Detroit were forced to evacuate their aircraft for the same threatening reason.The FBI was called in to follow up with the matter.

Here’s the link to a video that a friend passed along to me.  I’d like to know what you think.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced today that London tube trains will be equipped with air conditioning starting in 2010.London’s Underground network, which is almost 150 years old, will have the new cool trains operating on about 40% of the network starting with the oldest areas of the subway system.

Mr. Johnson announced that “London is the coolest city on the planet and now we’re getting the coolest trains too.”  Residents of London can view a mock-up of the new trains Euston Square Gardens from September 27 until October 2.

                                                According to a press release, the new trains are part of the Transport for London’s (Tfl) Investment programme.  The Transport for London Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said “the new air-conditioned trains will be common to all the Underground’s sub-surface lines and will help us deliver a better service to passengers, with improved accessibility, more space and enhanced security.” 

Only a few days ago the Government of Canada passed a new law designed to provide consumer protection for air travellers.

Bill C-11 clearly defines the role of an airline in regards to air travel: “your airline ticket is a contract.  When an airline does not provide the services you paid for, the law requires them to keep you informed, treat you fairly and offer a solution or a refund.”

Amongst the reassurances given to passengers by the implementation of this new law are clearly defined passenger rights.  Here are some examples:

• Passengers have a right to retrieve their luggage quickly.
• Passengers have a right to punctuality.  If a flight is delayed and the delay between the scheduled departure of the flight and the actual departure of the flight exceeds 4 hours, the airline will provide the passenger with a meal voucher.  If a flight is delayed by more than 8 hours and involves an overnight stay, the airline will pay for the hotel and airport transfers for passengers who did not start their travel at that airport.
• Passengers also have a right to take the flight they paid for.  If the plane is over-booked or cancelled, the airline must find the passenger a seat on another flight operated by that airline or buy the passenger a seat on another carrier or refund the unused portion of the passenger’s ticket.

What do you think – will this help to give airline passengers in Canada better peace of mind?

                                                The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today that two pilots working for Go airlines in Hawaii have been suspended for the “wreckless and careless operation of an aircraft.”

The flight continued to fly over 15 miles past Hilo and when contact was finally made with the pilots, they were instructed to turn around and return to Hilo for landing.  Contact was made at 44 minutes into the supposed 45 minute flight.

The flight was carrying 40 passengers plus crew members and there were no reported injuries.  The FAA reported that the two pilots have since been fired by Go and was not able confirm if they were now flying for another carrier. 

Travel & Leisure magazine has just announced the Top 10 Large Ship Cruise Lines in the World.  While some of these may be more expensive than others, you can be guaranteed a wonderful vacation no matter which cruise line you choose. 

And remember, cruising is the best vacation value for your money today!  It’s like an all-inclusive floating hotel.  You unpack once but get to enjoy several different destinations during your trip.  The great service, endless food, upbeat entertainment is all included in the price of your cruise.

Questions? Just let me know – I’m an Accredited Cruise Counsellor with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and a former certified travel consultant for 14 years.  I’d love to answer any questions you may have!

And now for the drum roll, please.  The Top 10 Large Ship Cruise Lines in the World are:

1. Crystal Cruises

2. Regent Seven Sea Cruises

3. Disney Cruise Line

4. Oceania Cruises

5. Cunard Line

6. Celebrity Cruises

7. Holland America Line

8. Princess Cruises

9. Royal Caribbean International

10. Norwegian Cruise Lines

Once again, it is my sincere wish that all of us are able to experience each and every one of these cruise lines in our lifetimes. 

Take care,

Connie

Travel & Leisure magazine has just announced the Top 10 Islands in the World.  These are amazing destinations for different reasons.  Some islands have species than are unique to that island and are found nowhere else in the world.  Other islands offer spectacular scenery – above and below the ocean – and others offer lessons in history.

The Top 10 Islands in the World are:

     1. Galapagos Islands

     2. Bali, Indonesia

     3. Maui, Hawaii

     4. Kauai, Hawaii

     5. Tasmania

     6. Easter Island, Chile                                                  

     7. Hawaii

     8. Santorini, Greece

     9. Great Barrier Reef Islands

     10.Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

It is my sincere wish that all of us are able to experience each and every one of these islands in our lifetimes. 

Take care,

Connie