It seems to be a week of parents, kids, and air travel, and a whole lot of discussion of hoaxes.
First, there was the Heene family, and what it becoming known as the Bubble Boy Flight.  Or hoax, depending on which side of the issue you come down on.  A recent CNN breaking news report said that charges were soon to be filed against the dad.  What charges?  Not yet known, but many who followed the story on Thursday will be curious to find out.
Next, comes the story of Nic (a mom), Jackson (a baby), Atlanta’s Jackson-Hartfield Airport, and the TSA.
On …read more

I’ve been checking out a lot of hotel rooms lately, and have seen some that are very ordinary and some that are truly spectacular.  Those truly spectacular ones often have price tags to match.
It would be nice to think that for a special occasion, money doesn’t matter.  But in the real world, it does.  Even for a honeymoon, special event, or romantic getaway, we all have a budget.  Sometimes it will be greater than others, but we all have a budget to work within.
This got me thinking about what I’ve spent for a room, and whether or not it was …read more

Space.  The Final Frontier.  The mysteries of it have romanced men and women for decades, but up until recently, space was the purview of an elite group of scientists and aviation experts.
With citizens now accepted for space travel, albeit at a price tag in the $20-35 million range, space tourism looms as a very real possibility.  American Dennis Tito was the first Space Tourist, spending nine days in space back in 2001.  Since then, five others have made space their destination, including one woman, with visits ranging from 11 to 15 days.  In October 2009, Guy Laliberté (founder and CEO …read more

With back to school only a couple short weeks away, summer vacation time in dwindling.  Did you do any traveling this summer?  Or are you expecting to do some?
Typically, I stick pretty close to home during the summer.  After all, it’s a great time to be in Seattle.  But this summer I took a three week trip to Italy, leaving mid-June and returning home in early July, and a long weekend trip to Las Vegas in late July.
I don’t have any further summer plans, although if something came up, I wouldn’t say NO.
I invite you to take my Summer Vacation …read more

Time for a new poll, and the topic evolved out of some conversations with some other travel bloggers:
What kind of traveler do you consider yourself to be?
 

Expert – My bag is always packed, I can be at the airport in half an hour, and will figure out plans on the fly.
Advanced – It takes me awhile to figure out what I need to do, but I can manage planning, packing and the airport with minimal stress.
Intermediate – It’s going to take some doing, but I’ll manage.
Novice – I don’t travel that often, so it takes me awhile.
Inexperienced – I need …read more

Despite the struggling economy, people are still traveling.
We may make cutbacks in the length of our travels, where we go and what we do, but I’m glad to see that most of us still understand the importance of seeing something beyond our own backyard.
This month’s poll is my unscientific attempt to identify the type of experience  people are expecting on their next vacation.
So the question is: 
What type of destination will you be going to on your next vacation?

Cruise – it’s a great value
Resort – I need the rest & relaxation
City – I love all that they have to offer
The …read more

October’s travel poll was about the most appreciated hotel room amenity.
In the original description of the poll, I made mention of the fact that I was deliberately NOT including in-room FREE internet access.  However, because many of you did not see that initial post, internet access was added as a choice in the poll.  That was my error in not explaining the options more carefully.
In reporting on the results, I’ve taken it out of the answers, even though I know this may skew the results a bit.
Here’s what you had to say about what you like in your hotel room:

Upscale …read more

Time for a new reader poll, and since I’ve been spending a lot of time in hotel rooms lately, it’s got me thinking about all sorts or hotel room amenities.
 
What is your most appreciated hotel room amenity?

 
I think for most people FREE hotel room internet access tops the list, so I haven’t included this obvious choice.  And I’m not talking about wanting the basics of a clean room and bed.
I want to know what else makes you glad that you made the hotel choice that you did.  What do you really appreciate as a little extra in your room?
Please take …read more

Last month’s poll asking about what is the key consideration when booking a flight showed that while price is important, it is not the all important issue. 
The most important consideration was price – but within a range that also addressed other issues.
In other words, we want a bargain, but we’re not willing to give up everything for the sake of the bargain.
That sounds about right to me!
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There are a number of ways to select the flight that you’ll take, from a price point to convenience.  Usually it’s some combination of a number of factors.
Ring in on your booking criteria with the August poll:
What is your most important consideration when booking a flight?

Price – I only book the lowest fare
Price – within a range, but doesn’t have to be the lowest
Scheduled departure
Scheduled arrival
Non-stop flight, no connections
Only one stop or one connection
Airline – I’m loyal to my favorite(s)
Any airline other than the one(s) I hate
Other – please explain in the comments

Make your selection in the side bar at …read more