Summer time and the traveling is getting hectic!  People are still traveling, and that means full planes, busy airports, and long at airport security.  Summer is also a time when there are lots of novice travelers trying to figure out how the whole systems works.

Here’s a video that does a pretty good job of explaining how the systems works, as well as giving some suggestions for how to make the process as painless as possible.

It’s tough to make a definitive video on the topic, because regulations and requirements are constantly changing, but it’s a good starting point to help you learn to be a savvy traveler.

Some of the wealthiest people, highest priced real estate, and celebrities of all sorts, call Beverly Hills home, making it a rather exclusive and expensive place to live and visit.  But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargain to be had.

Here are 5 FREE things to do in Beverly Hills this summer:

1. Outdoor concerts at Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza as part of the Summer Nights in the Plaza series, starting July 11th.
2. Take a self-guided walking tour of the various public art sculptures around town.  Give Fido a work out as well by taking him along on your walk.
3. Wander the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market, Sundays from 9 am – 1 pm on Civic Center Drive.
4. Get a fix of classic television with daily screenings at The Paley Center for Media.  Or, for a mere $5 charge, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences offers “Best Picture of 1939” screenings every Monday at 7:00 pm throughout the summer.
5. Enjoy some beautiful scenery while hiking Franklin Canyon Park at the north end of the city.

And since all those FREE activities are going to make you hungry and thirsty, here are 5 Beverly Hills food and beverage bargains, where you can grab an inexpensive bite to eat or something to drink without losing any of the BH swank:

1. Score a 2-course prix fixe lunch at one of the top spots around town with the Business Express Lunch at Crustacean.  Only $15.
2. Enjoy “Groove on Blue” DJ nights at the Avalon Hotel’s pool therapy happy hour.  You’ll find $8 drinks (that’s cheap for BH) and small bites every Thursday, 7 – 10 pm.
3. Signature martinis for $3.60 is the special at Bar 360’s Happy Hour, Monday – Friday, 4:30 – 7:30 pm.  Located at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.
4. Feel like your part of the Golden Triangle, lunching at the new Mediterranean restaurant, Villa Blanca, where you’ll find a fresh lobster and crab salad lunch for $15.
5. Sweets aren’t just for dessert, so try pastries at Fulfilled ($2.95), truffles at Madame Chocolat ($14 for four), cupcakes at Crumbs ($3.75) and frozen yogurt at Yogen Fruz ($2.95 and up).

Photo credit: jonlclark @flickr

Traveler’s continue to find dissatisfaction with the airline industry, according to J.D. Power & Associates, making this the third consecutive year.  No surprise that new fees (the result of ala carte ticket pricing), baggage problems, and personnel reductions are not making anyone happy.  Is it all the economy?  You’ll have to decide.

Here’s how the airlines faired.

Alaska and Continental scored one and two among traditional carriers, and Jet Blue and Southwest and WestJet a close second among the low cost carriers.  Alaska scored highest for its inflight crew, Continental for its inflight service, JetBlue for its aircraft, and Southwest for its costs and fees.

At the other end of the list, United and US Airways were at the bottom for traditional carriers, and Frontier and AirTran for low cost carriers.

Do your flying experience parallel these results?  Who do you think ranks at the top and why?

Photo credit: SXC

The safety demonstration is one part of the pre-flight routine where people seem to turn out.  Whether it’s talking to their neighbor, reading the paper, or burying their nose in a book, many people ignore this important information.

Air New Zealand is hoping to change your mind with a safety demonstration video called Bare Essentials – starring employees with body paint.

What do you think?  Would this make you pay attention?

Today I have a guest post from Amanda, one half the blogging duo at Married with Miles.

Chances are, with the large corporations and the local convention business, if you travel for work, you will have opportunity to spend some time in Chicago. It’s also a great city to visit with your family.

We recommend a day trip to Chicago’s neighbor to the near west, Oak Park, Illinois. Many visitors find themselves in Oak Park to explore the Frank Lloyd Wright sites of his home and studio or Unity Temple.  Each of these are early examples of Wright’s work, but essential for the Wright tourist.

However, there’s more to Oak Park than these anchor sites and it also happens to be where Married with Miles calls home.

The main attractions for most of the tourists we see in our city are the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio and his Unity Temple. Wright’s philosophy on architecture seems very relevant to many people now concerned with the environment and merging design with the natural world. I also recommend the book Loving Frank for background on him and a sensational true story set in this very town.

But what else is there to do to make this side trip from exciting Chicago worthwhile?

First, getting here from downtown Chicago is a breeze via either the blue line or the green line. The best way to get to the heart of Oak Park, Lake Street, and the Wright sites, is via the Green Line. Stop at either Oak Park Avenue or Harlem. Oak Park’s business and shopping districts will be along the way to the Oak Park Visitor’s Bureau or to the Home/Studio itself to buy tickets.

The best place to stop to eat is our new Marion Street Cheese Market for artisanal cheeses and meats, a great beer list, and a full menu of small plates with big taste. Take a seat at the bar for some good conversation and enjoy the beautifully designed restaurant space where every detail of the (green, environmentally-concerned) design, down to the plates and the tiles on the floor is impeccably chosen.

Along Marion Street are some boutiques for browsing and unique gift-buying from several locally owned boutiques (mostly home and gift-oriented). If you walk all the way east to Oak Park Avenue, you’ll find another cluster of great shops: Magic Tree Children’s Bookstore, Gepetto’s Toy Box full of imported, handcrafted toys, and Fly Bird for more unique design items for your home. You won’t find a Restoration Hardware or a Pottery Barn, but instead a growing locally-owned economy with laid-back shopping experience.

If you found yourself in Oak Park as a side trip to enjoy more history and architecture, note that it’s also the birthplace of Earnest Hemingway and you can also visit his childhood home.  We also have a beautiful main library that’s a treat to you if you’re interested in public space or books.

This is also a city of parks and on the corner of Lake and Oak Park is Scoville Park, a great place to relax in the outdoors before heading back to the bustle of Chicago.

Rob and Amanda stay connected despite work travel through their blog, Married, with Miles.  It allows them to see more of the world together and write about it.

Photo credits:  amanda.rea.also @flickr (Unity Temple) (Cheese Market) – all photos used with permission

Recent statistics released by the US Department of Commerce showed a drop in US travel abroad.  The drop of 1% is the first decline since 2002,  Travel to Canada declined by 7% and increased to Mexico by 4%.  Interestingly enough, though the number of travelers was down, spending was up by 7% setting a new record for the fifth consecutive year.

The top five countries for American spending are:

1. Mexico
2. United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. Germany
5. Japan

We set new spending records in Germany, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Netherlands and Argentina.

Since I’m currently traveling in Europe, I found these numbers interesting.

I think they indicate that we are still traveling, and that we are working travel expenditures into our budgets.   Economic times may have shifted our traveling priorities – fewer trips, heavier importance on value for our dollar spent, more cautious travel expenditures, etc. — but we still think spending money to see the world is important.

I think traveling broadens the mind in exposing us to cultures and places where things are not just like home.  It’s a big beautiful world out there!

Are you still traveling?  How has the economy impacted your travel choices?

Photo credit:  personal collection

If you’d like a taste of old-fashioned elegance, while still enjoying a modern resort, the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia may be just your cup of tea – in more ways than one.  The modern amenities include an 18-hole golf course, spa, rooms, day trips and tours, all balanced against the English charm of ivy-covered walls, an impressive English decor, and the traditional, and elegant, Afternoon Tea.

The Empress, now part of the Fairmont brand, opened in 1908, and although it has been through a variety of restorations, the original look remains.  It’s been a favorite of Hollywood, old and new, and is a popular choice for special occasions.

Many people, even if they’re not staying at the hotel, opt to visit for the legendary Afternoon Tea.  Served in the Tea Lobby, the Harborside Room, and in the Library, Afternoon Tea has been an Empress tradition for nearly 100 years.  Seating starts at noon and requires reservations, often times weeks in advance.  You can always check for a last minute cancellation, or no-show, as reservations are only held for 10 minutes.

The hotel strives for authenticity with the menu and the presentation.  Here’s a little sample from the menu:

• Fresh Seasonal Fruit with Chantilly Cream
• Warm Raisin Scones served with Strawberry preserves and Devonshire Cream
• Smoked Salmon Pinwheel Sandwiches
• Multigrain Crostini topped with mixed Mushroom Pate, drizzled with Truffle Oil (open-faced)
• Battenburg-Vanilla and Chocolate Sponge Checkerboard wrapped in marzipan
• Lemon Tart- Lemon Curd with Berry Garnish
• Marble Chocolate Tulip- a cherry hidden under milk and white Chocolate in a Chocolate Tulip Cup

An Afternoon Royal Tea, which includes a glass of champagne is also available.  If you’re traveling with children, they’ll be treated like royalty with the Prince & Princess Tea, which has menu selections specifically designed for a child’s palate:

• Teddy Bear Cookies
• Mini Cup Cake filled with Jelly Beans
• Cucumber Finger Sandwiches
• Heart-Shaped Cream Cheese & Raspberry Jam Sandwich
• Bubblegum Tea

The Fairmont Empress is located at 721 Government Street (overlooking the Inner Harbor) in Victoria, British Columbia.

Photo credit: Paul Mannix @flickr

Today we have a guest post from Jenni Ingersoll.

If a king was coming to visit my house, I am sure I would be in a whirlwind of preparations.  Such is the case of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.  After months of construction, reconstruction and improvements the world’s largest children’s museum is set for the arrival of the king – King Tut that is.

A new exhibit, Tutankhamum: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs will open at The Children’s Museum on June 27th and run through October 25th, 2009.  Over 130 treasures from the tomb of the “Boy King” and other important rulers from 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history will be on exhibit.  Many of these splendid objects have never been seen in the United States.

The wonder of the Egyptian pharaohs, their purpose in the earthly and divine worlds, and what their rule meant to the people of Egypt will be the focus of the exhibit.  Among the powerful leaders whose artifacts will be displayed:

• Khefren – whose great pyramid remains among the seven wonders of the ancient world
• Hatshepsut – the queen who became king
• Psusennes I – owner of a golden death mask
• Tutankhamum – the boy king who died under mysterious circumstances around the age of 18 or 19 during his ninth year of reign, in 1323 B.C.

Of the 11 major galleries located within The Children’s Museum, four will be devoted to King Tut.  Each will correspond to the four rooms of his tomb – the antechamber, the annex, the treasury and the burial chamber.

The legendary treasures, discovered in 1922, will include Tutankhamun’s golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry, one of four canopic jars inlaid with gold and precious stones and CT scans of Tut’s mummy.  Among the statuary will be the largest image of King Tut ever found, a 10-foot statute that retains much of its original paint.

A timed-entry ticket must be purchased in combination with General Admission to the Museum, and specifies a 30-minute entry window for admission to the exhibit. Once inside the exhibition, visitors may stay as long as they wish within normal business hours.  Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended to ensure entry for a preferred date and time. Check information for exhibit hours and ticket prices.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit facility committed to enriching the lives of children as it enhances their natural curiosity and love of learning.   Through its dedication to the areas of physical and natural science, history, world cultures and the arts, The Children’s Museum is a place to interact and learn.  The Museum has been a favorite place of mine to visit since I was a child and a place I love to take my children.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is located at 3000 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis.

Jenni Ingersoll shares her love of all things Disney, writing at The Disney Traveler for PlanetEye.

Photo credit: Valerie Everett @flickr

The newly released third edition of Barrier-Free Travels: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers is sure to save disabled travelers time, money and frustration as it answers questions and provides detailed information about the logistics of planning accessible travel.  Whether by plane, train, bus or ship, you’ll find the answers that you need here.

Managing the myriad details can be daunting, and author Candy Harrington breaks the process down into bite-size pieces, explaining things like traveling with oxygen, finding the best travel agent, locating accessible ground transportation, and resources for accessible recreation.  And given the tough economic times, travelers will appreciate the section on budget travel (stay at an accessible yurt on the Oregon cost for $28/night).

Full of resources from A to Z, this book is perfect for anyone dealing with the details of accessible travel.  Whether you’re a traveler yourself, a family member, or a travel industry worker, there’s much to be learned from this book.

Candy Harrington is also the founding editor of Emerging Horizons, and is the author of several other accessible travel titles.  She also blogs at Barrier Free Travels.

You can purchase Barrier-Free travel at you local bookstore or online as a pre-order from Amazon ($13.57).

Photo credit: Amazon

If you’re looking for good, yet budget conscious, eating while on the road, nothing beats a farmer’s market.  Not only is the food fresh and delicious, the prices are generally set with locals in mind.  That means your not paying a premium price just for being a tourist.

With purchases from a market, you can easily create a picnic lunch or dinner, or stock up your hotel room (or apartment, or wherever you’re staying) with tasty and healthy snacks.

I’m traveling in Italy right now, and a stop at a local market yields a variety of salami and hams, cheeses from the local region, fruits and vegetables, bread and pastries, and a few other little odds and ends.  Add in a little olive oil and a bottle of wine, and I can make a fabulous dinner.

Even if you don’t speak the language, it’s easy to point or gesture at what you want.  Food seems to be a universal language.

Besides food, many markets will include flowers, local crafts, and other agri-business items.  It’s also a great way to meet locals and get some tips about things to do and see, and places to go.

If you’re traveling in the United States, you can refer to the Department of Agriculture’s listing of farmers markets around the country.  At the website you can click on the state and get information for the area, including market location, hours, and contact information.

If you’re traveling abroad, many guide books will list local markets.  Or, check with a local tourist office or look for signs around town.  A front desk clerk at a hotel or property manager at an apartment rental is also a good resource.

Photo credit: SXC