travelwriter

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Last week marked the beginning of the 40^th annual world-renowned New Orleans Jazz Festival . 

Wynton Marsalis opened Weekend One of the festival while this weekend’s acts will include the Neville Brothers, Bon Jovi, Robert Cray, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu and Neil Young. 

Tickets can still be purchased online or through Ticketmaster.  Gray Line Tours offers transportation between downtown New Orleans and the Jazz Festival site at the Fair Grounds Race Course, only 10 minutes away.

If you’d like to hear get into the groove, visit WWOZ.org to listen to the Jazz Fest online.

 

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TripAdvisor has just released their new series of free Budget Travel Guides.  Here we’ll take a look at their list of how to Stay for Less and Dine for Less in Branson, Missouri, ‘America’s Family Destination’.

Stay for Less

Alpenrose Inn, 2875 Green Mountain Drive – from $55 USD

Savannah House Hotel, 165 Expressway Lane – from $60

Branson’s Best, 3150 Green Mountain Drive – from $60

Best Western Music Capital Inn, 3257 Shepherd Expwy – from $89

Horizon by Marriott Vacation Club, 2929 Green Mountain Drive – from $139

Dine for Less

Billy Bob Dairy Land, 1901 W. Hwy 76 – from $6 USD

Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, 2800 W. Hwy 76 – from $8

McFarlain’s Family Restaurant, 3562 Shepherd Expwy – from $7

Rib Crib, 1855 W. Hwy 76 – from $7

Grand Country Buffet, 1945 W. Hwy 76 – from $8.50

Visit the Official Branson site for more information or to order your FREE Branson Vacation Guide . 

Embark on an amazing voyage aboard the most celebrated ship at sea and join the Queen Victoria on one of three enthralling itineraries in Northern Europe with fantastic savings.

Cunard Line is offering Complimentary Balcony Upgrades on summer sailings or save up to $600 per stateroom on the Winter Wonderland Voyage. 

Land of the Midnight Sun 14-day cruise and the Geysers & Glaciers 13-day cruise both have limited availability starting at $3,295 USD; the Winter Wonderland 10-day sailing has availability starting at $1,695 USD.

Known as the “Best of the Best”, the Queen Victoria sails round trip from Southampton where ‘the New Golden Age of Ocean Travel’ is just waiting to be discovered. 

The Japan Rail Pass is offered by the 6 companies that make up the Japan Railways Group (JR Group): Super Ozora, Narita Express, Hida, Haruka, Shiokaze, and Sonic.

With the pass, you can freely board most trains on these JR Group lines throughout the country.  For modern, convenient sightseeing, a Japan Rail Pass is a traveller’s best friend.  The Japan Rail Pass is a special ticket that is available only to travellers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing. 

To be eligible to purchase a Japan Rail Pass, you must meet one of the following two criteria: you are a foreign visitor entering Japan under a ‘Temporary Visitor’ visa or you are a Japan National living in a foreign country.

Japan Rail Passes range in price from 14, 150 YEN ($145 USD) for a child’s 7-day pass to 79,600 YEN ($819 USD) for an adult 21-day pass.  Visit Japan Rail Pass for more information.

Stay for Less

1. Mather Campground, South Rim – from $18
2. Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins, South Rim – from $69
3. Yavapai Lodge, South Rim – from $107
4. Red Feather Lodge, Tusayan – from $109
5. Holiday Inn Express, Highway 64 – from $169

 Dine for Less

1. Café on the Rim, North Rim – from $1
2. Sophie’s Mexican Kitchen, Tusayan – from $3
3. Maswik Cafeteria, South Rim - from $3
4. Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room, North Rim – from $6
5. Phantom Ranch, Canyon Bottom – from $20
   

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Moneywise, there’s never been a better time to travel.  Team that up with cruising and you’ve got your best vacation value today.

Princess Cruises is offering up to 2-for-1 savings on select cruises including Europe, Alaska and South America.  Special time limited fares start at only $70 USD per day with great prices like $899 for a 12-day Europe or only $969 for a 14 or16-day South American cruise.

Alaska has never been a better bargain with amazing low prices like a 7-night Alaska sailing from $399 or an 11-night Alaska cruise tour starting at $1,124. 

For more information, locate a professional travel consultant near you or contact Princess Cruises directly.

Bon voyage!

Today is Earth Day, April 22, 2009.  What better way to celebrate than to take action?

Earth Day events are happening around the world and it’s still not too late to participate!  Attend an educational workshop, a parade, wine tasting, or a concert – find a complete list of events here!

If you can’t attend an event, you can donate, join, or volunteer through the Earth Day Network (EDN).  Even easier - plant a tree or simply switch out an incandescent light bulb!  Everyone can do their part.

Today is also the official kick off for the Green Generation campaign started by EDN whose mission is to provide a healthy, sustainable environment for all people of the world today and for our future.

Happy Earth Day!

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’re probably already a huge fan of the informative weekly television show, Northwest Backroads.

Hosted by Grant Goodeve (Eight is Enough & Northern Exposure), the show tells unique stories while taking viewers to little-known & well-known destinations throughout the area including Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska. 

Viewers have been introduced to exclusive wildlife locations, geological anomalies, restorative architecture, and more while being offered travel tips plus links & a travel forum on their website.

Northwest Backroads airs on KING-TV and KONG-TV in Seattle, KREM-TV in Spokane, WA, KGW-TV in Portland, OR, and on KTVB-TV in Boise, ID.  And if you don’t live in the Northwest, you can still learn more by visiting the Northwest Backroads website.

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Near Bryson City in North Carolina, not too far from the junctions of Highway 74 and 28N, lies a cluster of cabins better known as Watershed Luxury Log Home Rentals.

Since 1998, the collection of one to five bedroom ‘cabins’ have provided something for everyone’s budget from value cabins to luxury but all include a hot tub, luxury linens & down comforters, which are so deserved after a hard day’s play.

In the Great Smoky Mountains, ‘play’ can include endless water sports (whitewater rafting, tubing, jet boats & more) or mountain biking (trails + horseback riding, hiking, camping).  Those looking for less action can try their luck at the nearby Harrah’s Casino or at the Lakeview at Fontana Day Spa.

For more information, visit WatershedCabins.com.

United Airlines is the most recent airline to join eight other American carriers in applying new rules to obese passengers.

Dubbed the ‘fat tax’, obese passengers will now be required to show they are able to put the armrest down between seats and buckle their seat belt with one extension. 

If unable to do so, the passenger may:

• Be reaccommdated to two empty seats, at no extra charge
• Be rebooked onto another flight and may be required to purchase two tickets
• Be able to upgrade to a larger business class seat, for a fee

Chicago based United Airlines is making the move after receiving 700 complaints last year in regards to obese passengers.  As with all other domestic carriers, United will examine each case on an individual basis and will apply these rules when all other options have been exhausted.