Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for travel
Bali, Indonesia
By Linda Tancs
In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Bali, Indonesia. Where’s the best sunset in the world? Find out now at www.travelrificradio.com.
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Driving in Sweden
By Linda Tancs
It’s been reported that comedian Bill Murray was legally driving around Stockholm in a golf cart while illegally drunk. Golf cart? Perhaps he thought he was back in Catalina Island. So just how popular is this mode of transportation in the city centre? And was he wearing a helmet?
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The Bag Tax
By Linda Tancs
As environmental concerns drive consumers and businesses to forego the ubiquitous plastic shopping bag, international shoppers should be aware of certain disincentives–like bag surcharges–for the use of store-supplied plastic bags at the local grocery store. Ireland, for instance, charges 15 cents per bag, which apparently has folks lugging their own to the market. However, this practice is hardly new. There was a time, 20 or so years ago, when markets in the U.K. countryside routinely charged for in-house bagging and rare was the sight of a shopper without a bag or two–or even a cart–to take away their goods. Maybe it was the entrance of “express shopping” or mini-marts in the cities that caused the practice to abandon in favor of easy convenience for the time-challenged shopper. Whatever the reason, let’s cheer the return of those bygone days, even if we need a little tax to get there.
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New York State Fair to Open in Syracuse
By Linda Tancs
Beginning on August 23 and continuing until September 3, Syracuse will once again host the New York State Fair at its Expo Center. The fair’s theme this year is “Gotta Be There,” the urgency of which belies 161 years of standard fare in the way of exhibits, amusements and livestock demonstrations. Nonetheless, these sorts of things are usually well endorsed by the kids, who can travel free on Amtrak under certain conditions. Visit www.amtrak.com for details.
*Love travel? Get your travel-inspired merchandise today at www.wanderfulplacesonline.com*
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Be One of the First to Fly A380
By Linda Tancs
There’s jumbo–and then there’s superjumbo. Jets, that is. A380, the largest passenger airplane in the world, is set to make its debut courtesy of Singapore Airlines in October. Starting on August 27, however, you can participate in a charity auction on Ebay sponsored by Singapore Airlines to win a seat on the historic maiden voyage, set to depart on October 25 from Singapore to Sydney. Return seating the next day will also be up for grabs. Visit www.singaporeair.com for details.
*Love travel? Get your travel-inspired merchandise today at www.wanderfulplacesonline.com *
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Summer in Scotland
By Linda Tancs
In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Scotland. You may not see Nessie, but you’ll delight in the urbane pleasures of city life or the tranquil views of the Highlands. Find out how at www.travelrificradio.com.
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Royal Golf
By Linda Tancs
St. Andrews, move over. Soon they’ll be another “royal” kid in town. Royal Island, Bahamas will host its own golf club courtesy of The Golden Bear (that’s Jack Nicklaus for you non-golfers out there) when construction is completed in 2009. Okay, maybe that’s not soon enough.
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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.
