...constantly searching to find the best travel deals and places to visit. A never-ending quest for adventure!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Island towns for fun

I'm always intrigued about other perspectives on travel, and I've found that SmarterTravel.com really does a good job of offering some fun travel alternatives.  One of their most recent posts included a focus on island towns, and that got me thinking that I should highlight that summary here for all to enjoy.  Since quite a few of my "place of the day" posts have included islands, it seemed like a smart idea.  Hope you like!

10 Charming Island Towns - SmarterTravel.com

(I was excited to see that St George's made the list at #6!  Check out my report here.)

Friday, May 25, 2012

Aitutaki...where?

Aitutaki - Cook Islands 


I bet you're wondering where this came from...well, you need look no further than the Cook Islands to find this particular location (yes, part of the group that Captain James Cook discovered, but not directly discovered by him - this location was found by William Bligh).  A 30-mile protective reef surrounds the island, but you can still explore it on foot and is a perfect destination for a picnic or snorkeling in the clear water.

It's just another fun place to visit while you're on your way through the south pacific.  You're probably better off flying into nearby Rarotonga (RAR) and catching a transport over.  Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand offer flights from Auckland or via greater Australia if you're in the neighborhood and want to check this place out!


Saturday, May 19, 2012

Geirangerfjord...can you pronounce it?

I'm not sure I can pronounce it myself...but I think it's fun to try. 

Geirangerfjord - Oye, Norway



Time for another 'place of the day' to highlight - and it's in Norway which has been on my list of places to visit not just for fun (but also for genealogy purposes).  The fjords of Norway are always talked about as one of the things to do when you finally get to the country, and this is no exception.  You can get to this location by boat, cruise, hike, road, or even bicycle if you're so inclined.  The cliff wall itself is over 10 miles long, and is a site to take in.  If you do get there and plan ahead, the Union Hotel is a recommended place to stay - Room 12 is where Kaiser Wilhelm stayed no fewer than 25 times in his lifetime.  For a map view, click here.

You'll most likely fly into Oslo and then take the 7 hour trip via the Serpentine Road to reach the fjord.  

Flights to Oslo can be found via Europe or direct through SAS or United from the US.  British Airways and Delta also connect to there via partners.  Mid-August flights from JFK are averaging about $1000 in economy.  If you want to use points or miles, business seats can be had in mid-August for 50,000 miles O/W on United via Lufthansa and SAS (in lieu of a ticket price of $2400).  It's not tremendous value, but could save you if you're short on cash. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Special Southwest Sale: Today only!

Wanted to pass this along, since it's a ONE DAY SALE for specific dates at 35% off - check out the link below for more info:

http://www.southwest.com/html/promotions/fs-35off.html?int=HOMEHEROFARSAV120515

Make sure to use this promo code:  SUMMER12

Some routing pairs are excluded, but most are good.  This offer only applies to round-trip Wanna Get Away fares.

Good luck!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

how does your budget affect travel?

Normally I'm not one to share the doom and gloom of things, but I ask this question above seriously as this news report discusses how bad the state of CA is right now financially:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/us/huge-new-shortfall-predicted-in-california-budget.html?smid=tw-share

It's becoming more and more critical to take advantage of point opportunities and free travel as it becomes available, given everyone's dollar being stretched to the brink.  The issues talked about above will continue to affect my area within higher education, and I hope that they figure out a solution to the problem fast.

What kinds of strategies have you employed to make your travel plans a reality? 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Zurich on a layover

Sure, just when I think that I won't have a lot of time to make a travel post, I discover one today!  And in my preferred city no less...


http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/11/travel/zurich-stopover-hurry/index.html?hpt=tr_c1


posts and a grill

Needless to say, I feel bad that my posts of "place of the day" have curtailed recently.  I've been swamped with finishing up my final PhD classes as well as working on my dissertation proposal (which is near completion so I can defend it) that was delayed due to some scheduling complications with my advisor.  Once that is all wrapped up, the Place of the Day posts shall return.  My bucket list is pretty long, as I reflect on those I've already made a highlight.

One thing I enjoy while traveling though is grilling - whether that be at a restaurant or planning it out ahead.  As I currently have no grill and recently passed through a residential area that smelled of many grills, I find myself longing for a grill. 

Maybe my travels in the short term will lead me to finding one of my own.

Or, there's always this.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Best and worts airports

I do quite a bit of flying each year, and have to say that I'm usually pretty impressed with the airports I fly to.  The larger ones (LAX, ORD, HOU for example) have much more to do to keep clean and orderly, while other smaller ones have put together extremely clean and well kept concourse areas (PVD, MSN to name a few). 

Do you agree with some of the following?

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-and-worst-airports

It's important to note that his survey only took into account the 22 major airports in the U.S.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Qatar Video

Can't claim any credit for this, other than seeing it through a friend - but wanted to share since it's so excellent!


http://vimeo.com/41017790