Pets will now have the “Freedom to Fly” on Southwest Airlines. Southwest will soon allow Customers to bring along small cats and dogs in the aircraft cabin for a special low “pet fare” of $75 each way. All pets must be in a carrier that fits under the airplane seat, and the carrier will count as the Customer’s carryon bag. Customers can begin purchasing tickets for their small cats and dogs on June 1, 2009, for travel beginning June 17, 2009.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Ladies, grab your gal-pals, some good summer driving tunes, and prepare to hit the highway with Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s new Girls Road Trip package.
resort lobbyValue priced to make it easy on the pocketbook, the package provides the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, relax and have some good old-fashioned fun while enjoying the best of Canada’s breathtaking west coast.
The Girls Road Trip package includes a two-night stay in a one or two-bedroom suite, a complimentary cocktail in the Float Lounge, and choice of Express manicure or pedicure at the newly opened Drift Spa. The package is available this summer from June 19 through September 20 and is priced at $306.00 USD per person in a one-bedroom suite, or $376.00 USD per person in a two-bedroom suite, based on double occupancy and a 1.08 exchange rate.
A road trip wouldn’t be complete without some fun and interesting stops along the way. The journey from Nanaimo to Ucluelet offers numerous opportunities to pull out the camera for some must-have road trip shots including:
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Aficionados of Scottish Whisky can spend their days visiting and touring several of Scotland’s most popular distilleries and themed events while enjoying their evenings (and off days) at one of Connoisseurs Scotland’s 23 distinctive upscale hotel properties. Three of Scotland’s most popular distillery attractions are conveniently located near one or more Connoisseur Scotland property, offering their own reasons to visit:• The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is located close to the Malt Whisky Trail — a 68-mile route through the picturesque glens of Speyside, connecting several of the country’s finest distilleries. The five-star country hotel is offering a “Partner Stay Free” package, allowing a second guest to stay for free when a single rate Executive or Deluxe room is booked Monday-Thursday; the offer includes a full Scottish breakfast and runs through the year. Amenities include world class salmon fishing, championship golf, nearby historic castles, chefs specializing in the best of Grampian produce and a selection of more than 400 wines and 100 malt whiskies.
• “Whisky Live” is a world-wide celebration taking place in cities from Glasgow to Tokyo, bringing together hundreds of different whiskies for tasting by both industry professionals and novices. Hotel du Vin (at One Devonshire Gardens) is the perfect host for those partaking, conveniently located in the fashionable West End of Glasgow. The boutique hotel has walled-in gardens, impeccable service and a new bistro and bar and is offering a free half or whole bottle of Macallan to those booking Standard/Club or Superior rooms, respectively, and a complimentary in-house whisky tasting to those booking suites.
• The Glasshouse, Edinburgh’s five-star boutique hotel - voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top 50 hottest hotels - is ideal for those wishing to visit the popular Glenkinchie — the 19th-century distillery known for its highly regarded single malt whisky. The Glasshouse is currently offering three nights for the price of two, with regular prices starting at £185 ($250) per room per night. Built behind the facade of the 150-year-old Lady Glenorchy church, the hotel features a two-acre, lilac-scented roof garden, in-room massages and an impressive whisky selection. The special three-night offer, valid through July, includes full Scottish breakfast for two, a luxury fruit plate, noon checkout and VAT.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
A great guide can make a successful trip just as quickly as an average or sub-par guide can ruin one, says Dan Austin, co-founder and Director of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), a leading active tour company based in Billings, Montana.
With over 20 years in the business, Austin knows what he’s talking about. ALA was honored this year by the editors of National Geographic Adventure Magazine with its highest accolade as one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.”
Here are the top traits ALA looks for in selecting guides:
1. Focused with laser-like precision on making sure that guests feel like a V.I.P.
2. Naturally intuitive and has the innate ability to foretell what a guest is thinking or wanting.
3. Spontaneous and can seamlessly deal with the unexpected, both pleasant and potentially disastrous. This means having a Plan B ready in case of such things as sudden weather changes, lodging snafus and road delays.
4. Passionate and eager to share his / her knowledge about an unfamiliar destination.
5. Multi-tasks, switching from chauffeur, coach, and doctor, to teacher, culinary wizard, athlete, mechanic, social worker and psychologist, all in a heartbeat..
6. Has sense of humor and can loosen everyone up to break out of their shell, helping to create strong bonds between absolute strangers.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Miami MandarinHotel Details That You’ll Love
Flashy architecture and showy interiors are great and all, but when it comes to spending the night, it’s the clever design details that really stand out. From a bathroom tricked out with cutting-edge electronics to a ceiling that rains, this month at mens.style.com they count down 21 inspired aesthetic flourishes in hotels around the world. Check it out
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
A few years back, my sister and I enjoyed an idyllic respite at Rio Caliente Hot Springs Spa Resort near Guadalajara. You can read about it here. Having lived in Mexico on-and-of for the past decade, I adore the place. So, my heart ached today when I read this newsletter (see below) from Rio Caliente owner, Caroline Durston. I hope you’ll read it with an open mind and share it with a generous heart.
Vaya con Diós,
Ellen
Reflection of Different Times
Our longstanding friends and guests will recognise that this newsletter is a bit different than the ones we usually send you - a reflection of how different and challenging things are these days.
We all have been affected in some way by the economic downturn. Then in early April there was widespread media coverage of drug wars at the US/Mexico border. And since April 23, you’ve all been hearing the swine flu stories.
Like the drug war coverage, it is now being reported that there was an overreaction to the swine flu which may be no more severe than seasonal influenza. The Economist reported on May 4 that “the overreaction extends to an unfair vilification of Mexico, which in fact has handled this outbreak in a laudably transparent and competent manner.” The impact of this overreaction may cost the Mexican economy something like $5 billion.
We know there certainly has been an impact on Rio Caliente. We’ve experienced unprecedented numbers of cancellations and the lowest occupancy levels we’ve ever had at this time of year, creating uncertainty and stress for our Mexican staff. The guests who are here, however, have been enjoying absolute peace and tranquility and a research biologist from California told us in early May that she couldn’t think of a safer place to be at this time.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".