Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for August, 2007
Comparison Sites for Budget Conscious Travelers
By Linda Tancs
At some point in a traveler’s life it’s inevitable that someone–maybe in the seat right next to you–will disclose that great fare find that differs dramatically from one’s own. In the past, you might just chalk it up to experience, or luck, or a better travel agent. Now there are two Web sites to help the inexperienced, or unlucky, or agentless traveler get the best deal. One of those sites is www.farecompare.com, which offers trend analysis on various city pairings to help you “time the market.” Another site is www.farecast.com, which offers its own market analysis and a recommendation whether to buy or hold. Just one more way to level the field for all travelers, so take advantage of it.
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New Jersey Building To Go Green
By Linda Tancs
New Jersey’s nickname is the Garden State, and so it is only fitting that, as gardens evoke green imagery, the state gets ready to christen its first environmentally-friendly public building. When solar panel construction is completed on the police station in Maplewood, New Jersey, the building is slated to be certified “green” by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Council promotes the economic, environmental and health benefits of high performance, sustainable buildings. Despite what Kermit famously said, it is easy being green after all.
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How to Find a Good Tour Company
By Linda Tancs
Granted, there hasn’t been much news lately of a tour company going belly up, stranding hundreds of passengers and stripping them of their tour and deposit monies–not to mention peace of mind. The majority of tour operators are stable and reputable, but do your homework nonetheless. Check with the Better Business Bureau in the city in which a tour company you plan on using is doing business. You can also download a list of members of the U.S. Tour Operators Association at www.ustoa.com. Each tour company member is required to carry $1 million in security in the form of a bond or letter of credit held in trust by the USTOA to reimburse travelers against the operator’s financial instability or other failures. With over $9 billion in sales volume, that’s a lot of money to look after so be sure to finish your homework.
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A Tour of India
By Linda Tancs
In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is India. India no doubt conjures up images of exotic spices and snake charmers. But there’s so much more to this diverse land bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. So take a whirlwind tour of points north, south, east and west at www.travelrificradio.com.
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Biking It in London
By Linda Tancs
If cycling is your passion, then be sure to rent a bicycle during your London stay from Go Pedal (www.gopedal.co.uk). They’ll deliver your bike(s) to the address you provide. Discount pricing is available for multiple rentals and multiple days. Lights, child trailers and organized tours are available for a fee as well. Now, go pedal!
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Carry-On Rules Vary
By Linda Tancs
Is a monkey nestled in a hat an acceptable piece of carry-on luggage? Probably not, although it’s difficult to imagine how that one got by the Peruvian authorities. This incident does call to mind nonetheless the varying interpretations of what constitutes a piece of carry-on luggage. U.S. travelers know, or expect, that a carry-on means one piece of actual luggage, plus a purse, handbag or laptop bag or even a combination of them. Don’t try that in the UK, though. The UK Department of Transportation makes clear that one piece of cabin baggage means just that–one piece. A handbag can be stored within that one piece of baggage. The rules apply to flights departing from or transferring through the UK. So be warned, and watch out for those flying monkeys.
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Find An ATM Worldwide
By Linda Tancs
On safari in South Africa? Hot air ballooning over Stockholm? You’re sure to need some cash from an ATM while you’re there. MasterCard cardholders can find one by checking their Web site’s Global ATM Locator (www.mastercard.com/atmlocator) or use the phone menu for the number to call to find out the nearest ATM location at your destination.
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Bridge Ratings
By Linda Tancs
In light of the tragedy of the Minneapolis bridge collapse, the safety of U.S. bridges is paramount on everyone’s mind these days. So how safe are these bridges? A review of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics Web site shows that the biggest loser in bridge safety is Oklahoma, with 27% of its bridges labelled as “structurally deficient.” And what does “structurally deficient” mean, you ask? Well, the Federal Highway Administration, 2006 Conditions and Performance Report defines “structurally deficient” as the result of an analysis of a bridge’s ratings according to its deck, superstructure and substructure, the highest rating being a 9. So what does your state’s report card look like? Ask your legislators.
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The Frontiers of Alaska
By Linda Tancs
In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Alaska. Experience the thunderous calving of some of the world’s greatest glaciers or take a stroll through the quiet and quaint historic gold rush towns. There’s something for everyone. Find out more at www.travelrificradio.com.
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The Passion Play Returns
By Linda Tancs
It’s (almost) that time again. Reservations will begin in 2008 for the 2010 production of The Passion Play in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, Germany. The play, depicting the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was first mentioned in a text from the 1600s citing the villagers’ promise to God to produce the play every 10 years in exchange for being spared from the Black Death. The 2010 performances, from May to October, will mark the 41st production in modern times. If you snooze you’ll lose out until 2020.
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