More Airline Fee's

If you feel like the airlines have stuck it to you recently with all the new fee’s and changes get ready for a few more jabs.

Some airlines including US Airways are now charging for drinks and I don’t mean the kind with alcohol. If you want a glass of water or soda you will now have to pay for it. Pretty soon you will have to pay for toilet paper if you want to……well, you know.

I think its time for passengers to fight back and come up with creative ways around some of these ridiculous fee’s. So here are a few suggestions:

Beverages
If you want to have water during your flight bring an empty water bottle with you.
While you can’t bring liquids threw the security check point, you can fill the empty
bottle at a drinking fountain beyond the check point and carry it on the plane with you.
Or you can purchase a bottle of water or soda from a vendor beyond the check point.
Who knows maybe you can still get a cup of ice for free on the plane.

Luggage
Some have suggested mailing your luggage to your destination, I personally would not
be comfortable with this unless I was mailing it to a friend or family members home.
Even if a hotel, resort or post office agreed to hold the luggage for you there are too many risks and chances for your luggage to get lost. Plus you will have to make arrangements to have it shipped back.

My suggestion is to pack less. We as Americans tend to over pack. If you have ever
Observed Europeans traveling they will bring one small bag each. If you have ever
Traveled to Europe you have probably gotten that shocked looked when people see
how much luggage you have. Do we really need a different outfit for every day?
Why not bring a few pieces that you can mix and match. There are DVD’s and books
That show you how to bring a few pieces of matching clothing and how to mix them
Up to get several different outfits.

If you are worried about getting dirty then bring a travel size tablet of laundry soap that
You can dissolve in the bath and hand wash you items. You can also bring a travel
size stain remover that you can use to spot clean your items.

Award Miles
I just got a letter from Alaska airlines with whom I have a miles card. This is what it had to say:

Award Level Changes

The domestic round-trip Coach Saver award that has been available at 20,000 miles for over 13 years is increasing to 25,000 miles whether redeemed online or through our Reservations office.

The current Saver and Peak award levels for Coach and First Class travel on Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air are increasing with the exception of intra-state travel.
The popular 15,000 mile Intra-Alaska Award has been expanded to an Intra-State Award, offering travel wholly within one individual state including AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, or WA. This represents an award level reduction. First Class Intra-State awards will also be available at reduced levels.

New Three-Tier Award Levels
The previous "Saver" award types will be re-named "Super Saver Awards." These will continue to offer excellent redemption values but, as today, with limited availability compared to other awards types.

Partner Award Fee To offset the high costs associated with redeeming miles on partner airlines, we will begin collecting a $25 fee for each award booked on a partner airline. There continues to be no award fee or fuel surcharge fee for award travel on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air. The fee will apply to all awards booked on or after November 1, 2008.

Your air miles are getting close to being worthless. Have you tired to book an awards
flight lately? Its nearly impossible!

Instead of going insane trying to use these miles why not just cash them out or use them to purchase something other then airline tickets. Many airlines let you trade your miles for dollars. It would be easier to take the cash and put it towards the flight you want rather then take a midnight flight fromLos Angeles to New York by way of China! (with only 3 stops of coarse).

Sometimes you can use miles to purchase travel items such as luggage or other travel
goodies. Call whoever you have your miles with and see what else other then airline
tickets you can use your miles for.

Even though all of these things are small when thousands of people all join to gether they add up to one big voice letting the airlines know we are not going to just lie down and take it.

Kind of reminds you of a that song -"we're not going to take it, no we're not going to take it, we're not going to take it anymore!"

Personal Security

Security and personal safety is always on my mind when I travel. Often people forget about these things when roaming around a beautiful tourist friendly city. But traveler’s are always targets. If its not a pick pock its someone trying to scam some money off of you.

For example, while in Paris, I was trying to figure out how to use the ticket machine to purchase a day pass for the subway when a business looking man in a suit who spoke English approached us and offered to help us. He asked what kind of ticket we wanted and told us the cost. He said that the machine only took a certain credit card and if we gave him the cash he would charge the tickets for us. Something wasn’t quite right so I declined his help and went to the ticket window instead. The person at the window said the tickets were half the price the man told us.

Beware of anyone who wants to give you a hug or if someone approaches you asking questions make sure you hang on to your purse or bags. Thieves will often try to distract you while someone else picks your pocket.

So you have to be careful. Of coarse not everyone is out to scam you and I have met some wonderful people who went out of their way to offer genuine help.
Here are a few travel tips:

* Leave your expensive or expensive looking jewelry at home. This will only put a target on your back.

* If you have an expensive camera, don’t use a camera strap advertising the brand.

* Leave your emergency contact information with your neighbors.

* Never leave a answering machine message saying you will be out of town.

* If you are a woman or women traveling alone wear a faux wedding band. In some cultures if you are not married people will assume you are looking for a man or at least open to hooking up with one. Some cultures look at single women very differently then married one’s.

* When taking a taxi leave one of the passenger doors open until you are sure you have all your bags.

* When traveling with children, carry an updated picture with you. That way if your child gets lost you will have a picture to show the police.

* Children’s identification. Have your kids wear a wallet type pouch they can wear around their neck that has their name, emergency contact information, as well as your travel plans. What hotel you are staying at, the hotel phone number, your flight information and a itinerary. If your child gets lost give people as much information you can to reunite you.

Also, there are some really cool gadgets available to help with your personal security and comfort. At www.travelsmith.com they have:

* An airport friendly belt - no more removing your belt to go through the metal detector.
* A security neck pouch
* A door stop with alarm.
* Socks with a zippered pocket.
* Stylish over the shoulder purses.

To find these products and many more go to the website, click on “travel supplies” and then on “security.”

To Insure or Not to Insure

Now that is a good question!

Most vacation packages come with the offer to purchase travel insurance, which can be fairly expensive. For someone traveling on a tight budget, espeically those with more then 2 people in their party, travel insurance can add a hefty some to their expenses.

However, if something comes up and you have to cancel your vacation, it can get you some, if not all of your money back. (Minus the cost of the insurance)

I personally have gone both ways. Before I was married and had my son, I mostly traveled without insurance. The only person I had to worry about was me but now I always get it and have had to use it. Earlier this year I had a cruise to Alsaka all planned and paid for when my husband called me from work and said his boss just happen to be taking the same week off and said he didn't want them both gone on the same week, even though my husband had already put in for that week off. So I had to cancel the cruise. But because we had the insurance I was able to get our money back.

Also I am the caregiver for my mom who has Alzheimer's so I never know what will come up with her and having the insurance takes that extra stress off.

When purchasing travel insurance keep in mind the following:

• Make sure you know what the insurance covers.
  It doesn't cover every situation, tour companies and cruiseline insurance mostly it covers death and illness.
• You have options.
  You don't have to purchase the tour companies insurance, you can buy it from an outside source. There are a number of insurance companies that offer travel insurance, usually at a much cheaper price then the tour companies and they give you more coverage.

So do your homework before you buy travel insurance and don't assume you can only get it through the tour company or cruiseline.

Here's a couple of travel insurance sites to get you started:

www.travelinsured.com

www.travelguard.com

www.insuremytrip.com

Norwegian Cruise Line sale

Norwegian Cruise line Is having a big sale! While the sale doesn't last long, with sail dates available as far out as 2010, you will have plenty of time to save up for your cruise. Remember you only have to put down a deposit to hold your cabin.

• A 3-category upgrade
• PLUS - An on-board credit up to $400
• PLUS - Early bird special pricing on virtually all sailings through 2010.

Hurry, offer expires August 17th.
Book now for the best availability.
Request Promo Code PGSALE.

More Summer Specials

Destination: Switzerland

Provider: Trafalgar Tours (tel. 866/854-4434; www.trafalgar.com) Base Price: $2,299Duration: Eight daysAdditional Fees: $140What's Included: Accommodations, sightseeing, some meals, hotel and service taxes, tour guide and leader, and all in-country transportation.What's Not: Tour guide gratuities.When: April 25, 2009Deadline: September 30Why this is a Deal: You take 10% off the tour price when you book before the above deadline.Complete Details: Put a $500 down payment before September 30 to receive the discount on all 2009 European vacations from Trafalgar. The trip begins in Zurich before visiting Zermatt, St. Moritz, Geneva, Interlaken, and Geneva. The package includes accommodations in four-star hotels as it covers cities, deep countryside, and mountain regions.



Destination: Dominican Republic
Provider: Liberty Travel (tel. 888/271-1584; www.libertytravel.com) Base Price: $699Duration: Four nightsAdditional Fees: $115What's Included: Airfare, accommodations, hotel service taxes, airport transfers, and fuel surcharges.What's Not: Security fees and departure taxes When: September 27 to October 31Deadline: October 15Why this is a Deal: The fourth night is free on this already well-priced package deal.Complete Details: This package deal to Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic departs mid-week out of Philadelphia flying into La Romana. The resort is one of the best-known and luxurious properties on the island with golf courses, horse back riding, miles of beachfront, ten restaurants, several pools, tennis court, water sports, and nightclubs.


Destination: Rocky Mountains
Provider: Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) Base Price: $508.72Duration: Three nightsAdditional Fees: $85What's Included: Airfare, accommodations, hotel taxes, and fuel surcharges.What's Not: Security fee and departure taxesWhen: August 7 to 10Deadline: Book as soon as possible to lock in this price.Why this is a Deal: Save $250 over booking this deal on your own.Complete Details: Flying into Aspen airport via Denver, this trip departs out of Chicago. Accommodations are at The Stonebridge Inn, a small mountain hotel in Snowmass. Summer activities include hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and bicycling. Snowmass has excellent shopping, eateries and live music bars.


Destination: Belize
Provider: Ka'ana Boutique Resort (tel. 877/KAANA21; www.kaanabelize.com) Base Price: $873Duration: Three nights, four daysAdditional Fees: $95What's Included: Accommodations, airport transfers, daily breakfast, sightseeing, one full dinner, and adventure excursion.What's Not: Hotel service taxes and some entrance feesWhen: Through December 19Deadline: Book within six weeks to two months of travel to ensure room availability.Why this is a Deal: Save $300 off standard room rates and excursion costs. Complete Details: Located in the Cayo District near the Guatemala border, the Ka'ana Boutique Resort is a small seaside hotel opened by two Irish brothers who vacationed in Belize as children. The hotel has 15 rooms, a pool, a gourmet restaurant and a small spa. It caters to travelers looking for a private and intimate vacations.


Destination: Bordeaux Region, France
Provider: Regent Grand Hotel (tel. +33 (0) 5-57-30-44-44; www.theregentbordeaux.com) Base Price: $840 per nightDuration: Three nights Additional Fees: $180What's Included: Accommodations, gourmet dinner with wine pairings, full breakfast, and third night freeWhat's Not: Local hotel taxesWhen: Through August 28Deadline: Book as soon as possible to ensure availability.Why this is a Deal: Save 39% off regular room rates, and also get the third night free.Complete Details: Called the Gourmet Treasure package, this deal to Bordeaux puts you up at the recently opened five-star Regent Grand Hotel, with interiors designed by Jacques Garcia. The package deal includes either lunch or dinner at the restaurant with selected wine pairings.

Last Minute Summer Specials

Here are a few great summer specials.

New York City
The deal: NYC's historic, art-filled Buckingham Hotel, located just a block from Central Park, is offering a family package that includes overnight accommodations for four (there's a two-night minimum), four tickets (two adult, two children) to the Central Park Zoo, stuffed-animal toys, and a family snack pack to take with you on your journey to see the zoo's more than 130 species.
How much: Starting at $339 per night.
When: Through September 7.
Typical cost for a similar trip: At least $370
Find it: http://buckinghamhotel.com/specials_and_packages/cental_zoo_package.cfm or tel. 888/511-1900
Promotion code: Zoo

London
The deal: London's stylish Draycott Hotel, in the heart of in the heart of Chelsea, is offering the three-night "London Culture and Dine-Around Package," which includes accommodations, two tickets each to the Churchill Museum and Benjamin Franklin House, two theater tickets to the best available show, a full English breakfast, and VIP treatment at your choice of three out of five of London's trendiest eateries, including Daphne's (Italian), El Balson (Spanish), Chutney Mary (Indian), Amaya (Indian), or Boisdale of Belgravia (Scottish). All hotel guests also get free Wi-Fi access, afternoon tea and biscuits, a glass of champagne in the evening, and hot chocolate before bed.

How much: $2,165 for a deluxe double, including taxes and based on double occupancy.
When: From July 31 until Dec. 31.
Typical cost for a similar trip: At least $2,440 for a deluxe double, including taxes and based on double occupancy.
Find it: http://www.draycotthotel.com/ or tel. 800/747-4942

Yukon, Canada
The deal: Horizon & Co. is offering a special price on its "Into the Wild -- The Great River Journey," an 8-day luxury wilderness safari through Yukon, Canada that includes all accommodations -- mostly in rustic, elegant lodges, hotels, and camps along the Yukon River; meals; transportation via canoe, mountain bike, kayak, floatplane, and riverboat; all outdoor equipment (canoes, kayaks, etc.); and the services of all local guides and experts. Not included are international or domestic flights to the start of the trip, taxes (5% in Canada), and gratuities.

How much: $3,900. In July, this price includes return flights from Calgary, Edmonton, or Vancouver.

When: July 25-Aug. 1; July 27-Aug. 3; Aug. 1-8; Aug. 3-10; Aug. 8-15; Aug. 10-17; Aug. 15-22; Aug. 17-24; Aug. 22-29; Aug. 24-31; Aug. 29-Sept. 5; and Aug. 31-Sept. 7.
Typical cost for a similar trip: $7,800 per person, not including any airfare.
Find it: http://www.horizon-co.com/ or tel. 800/387-2977 or 416/585 9911.
Know a great deal to a top destination? Send your tips to editor@frommers.com.

The company Pleasant Holidays (tel. 800/742-9244; http:///) offers just what it promises, especially for this week's smart deal, which offers a Hawaii summer sale for 50 percent off the companion airfare, with vacations starting from $509 per person.You must book by July 31, but the special is valid for travel now through December for San Francisco and Los Angeles departures. The sale covers the roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and hotel taxes and the airline fuel surcharge. Other taxes and charges up the price by $100-$160.
The lowest advertised price reflects a trip to Oahu for select travel, daily departures from late August through December 8. The special requires a three-night minimum stay and full payment of airfare and deposit are due within 24 hours of booking the trip. The $509 rate specifically reflects Waikiki's Aqua Continental, which is two blocks from the beach and features several restaurants on site. The property is also offering a special incentive for the fifth night free. Other hotels in Waikiki are part of the special, too, such as the Sheraton Princess from $625 and the all-suites property Castle Hokele from $549.

If you are interested in other islands, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island are also included in this special. Maui starts from $565 per person for Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, a condo property right on the beach, whereas Kauai's availability starts at $869 for the Sheraton Kauai Resort, located on Poipu Beach. Finally, stay from $705 per person on the Big Island at Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel, where the stay at this oceanfront property includes free continental breakfast and children 17 and younger stay for free.
Talk with other Frommers.com readers on our Hawaii Message Boards.

Rome
The deal: Expedia is offering a 4-night air and hotel package at the Residence Vatican Suites, which is in central Rome, near St. Peter's Square.
How much: $518, including airfare and a four-night, double-occupancy hotel stay.
When: Book by Through September 5. Book by July 31.
Typical cost for a similar trip: 30% more.
Find it: http://www.expedia.com/daily/vacations/summerofadventure/sale/europe/default.asp?dest=Rome&emlcid=MMN-TR-issu272-testX-segm-sega-date20080605224003-vers01-link199468-paid81983772-dma-wave7933

Summer Time Specials

Travel specials are starting to pop up. While airlines are raising their prices, cutting flights and adding on endless fee's cruiseline are offering discounts to bring in the travlers. If you can travel on relatively short notice, within a couple of months, you can get some great last minute deals.

For example Norwegian Cruilseline is offering 50% off the 2nd passenger on certain cruises. The offer ends July 28, 2008

Offer applies to the following sailings:

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND

6-Day Canada & New England Round-trip New York from 9/7/08 - 10/12/08

7-Day Canada & New EnglandRound-trip Boston or New York from 8/31/08 - 9/21/08

10-Day Canada & New EnglandRound-trip New York on 10/8/08 & 10/18/08

SOUTH AMERICA

14-Day Chilean Fjords & Strait of MagellanFrom Valparaiso or Buenos Aires from 11/23/08 - 3/29/09

EUROPE

9-Day Canary Islands & MoroccoFrom Barcelona on 12/12/08, 1/16/09 & 2/6/09

12-Day Eastern MediterraneanFrom Barcelona on 1/4/09, 1/25/09 & 2/15/09

Request Promotion Code: DMLAT1

Regent Cruises Special

Regent cruiseline is offering some really good specials and extra's on their cruises to Tahiti. These cruises are a little on the expensive side but are absolutely beautiful (so I hear).

Free airfare + extra’s on Regent Cruiseline Tahiti cruise
http://www.cruisecheap.com/regent_seven_seas_tahiti_cruises.asp

More Contests

Here are a couple more contests I ran across.

www.budgettravel.com
Unscramble the picture and enter to win a vacation.

www.budgettravel.com/truestories
In 250 words or less tell Budget travel your best travel story and you could win a free trip. (contest runs August 1-31, 2008)

Win A Trip

Who wouldn't want to win a free trip! Here are a couple of links I found to enter to win a free trip. Good Luck!


A free cruise from Regent Cruiseline
http://www.regent-seven-seas-cruises-discount.com/freetrip.html

Win a 7 day trip to Napoli, Italy
http://www.travelandleisure.com/promo/check-in/

Which day of the week to Fly

Does it really matter which day of the week you fly? The short answer is, it can. Mid-week days are usually cheaper then Friday through Sunday. I did a little comparision to show the difference.

International flight - Los Angeles, California to London, England

Lax to Heathrow


Saturday departure & return
Sept 6 to Sept 13 Delta Airlines $1120.00



Tuesday departure & return
Sept. 2 to Sept. 9 Delta Airlines $1060.00



Thursday departure & return
Sept 4 to Sept 11 Delta Airlines $1021.00



Monday departure & return
Sept 8 to Sept 12 Virgin Airlines $1005.00





So you could save $115.00 per person by traveling on a Monday rather then Saturday











Domestic Flight


Los Angeles, California to Altanta, Georgia





Monday Sept. 1 to Sept. 8 $429.00

Tuesday Sept. 2 to Sept. 9 $306.00

Wednesday Sept. 3 to Sept 10 $306.00



Thursday Sept 4 to Sept 11 $366.00



Friday Sept 5 to Sept 12 $366.00



Saturday Sept 6 to Sept 13 $366.00



Sunday Sept 7 to Sept 14 $406.00



The difference between the most expensive and the cheapest is $123.00





So if you are flexible with your travel dates it will be easier to say money.

Cruise Outlets

Every Wonder if those cruise outlets have better deals then the cruise line’s themselves. I did a little comparison. Sometimes its not about the price as many are the same but rather what extra they give you. I shopped for an Alaskan cruise on Carnival cruise line. Here is what I found:

Carnival Spirit - Customer Favorite! Sailing Date(s): July 1, 15, 29, 2009 Ports of Call: Departs From Whittier, Alaska visiting Cruise College Fjord, Alaska; Cruise Prince William Sound; Sitka, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Cruise Lynn Canal; Skagway, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska; Vancouver, British Columbia


Vacation Outlet
www.vacationoutlet.com
Interior Ocean view Balcony
$849.00 1129.00 1249.00



Cruise Brothers
www.cruisebrothers.com

Interior Oceanview Balcony
$849.00 1149.00 1299.00


Cruise Only
www.cruisesonly.com
Interior Ocean View Balcony
$849.00 1129.00 1249.00
Cruise only will give you $25.00 on board credit.


Travelocity
www.travelocity.com
Interior Ocean View Balcony
$849 $1,149 $1,299

Travelocity will give you a coupon book -
Cruise Certificate Booklet Includes:
* Free Bottle of Wine: Purchase 4 bottles of wine and receive one bottle free. (Value of free bottle must be of equal or lesser value than the least expensive bottle purchased.)

* 10% off 2nd Bottle of Wine: Purchase 2 bottles of wine at the same time and receive 10% off the least expensive bottle.

* Complimentary plate of Chocolate Delights: Purchase a $45 or higher bottle of champagne for stateroom delivery and receive the “Chocolate Delights” plate for free.

*Free Smoothie : Purchase 2 smoothies at the same time and get one free.

* Free Carnival Souvenir Glass: Purchase any frozen drink to receive the free glass.

* Ultra Premium “Ketel One” Martini for the price of a regular martini.

* Free Cookbook : Purchase “The Carnival Experience” cook book and receive “The Buffets of Carnival” cookbook for free.

* Complimentary $5 “Free-Play” Chip: “Free Play” chip good for one play on any even money bet on blackjack, roulette or craps.

* Free Casino tournament entry: Purchase an entry to any casino tournament and receive a free entry for a different player.

* Grande Coffee for the price of a tall coffee (non-alcoholic coffees only)

* Free Book: Purchase a bathrobe from the Formalities shop and receive “Carnival Towel Creations” for free.

* 20% off Spa Treatment: Book a Le Therapie Hydralift Facial or Elemis Stone Therapy while ship is in port and save 20%

* $99 Spa Treatment: Choose a Iorithermie or Aromaspa Ocean Wrap for $99 while ship is in port

* Free 2nd Set of prints: Process one roll of film or one set of digital prints with the ships photographers and get a second set free.

* Free Internet time: purchase time plan #1 and get 10 minutes free or purchase time plan #2 for 5 minutes free



Carnival Cruise Line
www.carnival.com
Inside Outside Balcony
$879 $1,179 $1,479

Fanning Island

A couple of years ago my family wanted to take a Hawaiian cruise. I was torn between the cruise that just circled the Hawaiian island and one that went out to a place called Fanning Island. I knew nothing about Fanning Island, I had never even heard of it before and the cost was higher then just cruising the Hawaiin Islands. And being the budget traveler that I am priced played a big factor in choosing my cruise.

But then I came across a special for the cruise that included Fanning so I decide to take a leap of faith go for it. Only one cruiseline goes to this island and it was a 2 day sail to get there and the sea was no exactly calm but it was absolutely worth it. If you ever get a chance to go there do it.

It was the most beautiful place I ever saw. The water is literally emerald green. It was absolutely beautiful. There are no stores or hotels. It is an extremely remote island with no electricity or pluming. It was stunning! The temperature is about 80 degrees year round and is located about 400 sound of Hawaii.

The cruise line setup a really nice barbeque for us (and there were toilets we could use). They have a generator but no regular electricity. The native people are kind of a cross between Hawaiian and Polynesian and were very friendly. They sang and danced for us the whole time we were there.

They also had a little craft market setup and the prices were ridiculously cheap. You can use American money which was really nice. Of course there is nothing for the people to buy on the island. There’s no stores. The people live off the land. A supply ship comes every few months and the cruise ship brings some supplies. I purchased several handmade baskets, shells, pieces of coral, wooden carving at the craft market.

There is also a post office, sort of, its more like a metal shed, where you can buy stamps that you can only get on the island so if you’re a stamp collector its really neat. I kid you not, when I went into the post office there was a lady sitting at a card table with a brown grocery bag and when I asked for some stamps she reached into her bag and handed me the stamps. It was crazy.

You can also have your passport stamped at the customs office, which strongly resembles a kool-aid stand. You will need a passport to visit the island since it is owned by a foreign country.
There were lots of lounge chairs on the beach to sit in or you could sit under a giant shade tree, have something to eat and drink and stare out at the emerald green ocean and relax.

Here are a couple of pictures I took at the island, though they don't really do justice to its beauty.

New Cruise Excursions in Jamaica

If you find yourself in Ocho Rios, Jamaica there are some new excursions being offered to cruise passengers. They will be available as of July 12, 2008. The website is up now and you can look at the pictures of the different excursions. They look really fun. I will be in Ocho Rios in November and will definitely checking out the bobsled tour.

The various attractions of the site will be sold as three separate shore excursions to cruise passengers visiting Ocho Rios:

* The Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica Tour will offer a gravity-driven bobsled ride on tracks laid through the forest. Riders control their speed with a handbrake.

* The Rainforest Sky Explorer Tour is a chairlift ride through the tropical seaside forest canopy, providing panoramic views of the coastline on the way to the peak of 700-foot Mystic Mountain.

* The Rainforest Zip-Line Tranopy Tour is a zip-line trek through a series of tree-to-tree platforms set up in the coastal forest. The tour ends at the mid-station of the Rainforest Sky Explorer chairlift, which returns zip-line riders to the park entrance.

http://www.rfat.com/index.php

Dollar Here, Dollar There

Airlines are going a little over board with all their fee's. If you are traveling to Europe and planning on taking a hopper flight between countries, you will find even more fee's. Such as, they only allow 33 pounds per suit case. Anything over that will be charged $22.00 for every 2 pounds over that 33 pound limit.

The Irish carrier Ryanair charges $7.50 for checking in at the airport rather then online, however if you want to check in a suitcase you have to check in art the airport. Some airlines are even charging you per minute to speak to them on the phone. Travelers have reported having to paid up to $150.00 in extra fee's.

You can get great deals on hopper flights between various European countries but with all the extra fee's it may not be such a great deal after all. If you are planning on traveling within Europe consider using the train. Europe has a great train system and its very easy to use.

There are numerous options when it comes to train ticket. You can get a family, senior or youth pass. Multi day passes, multi country passes, the list goes on and on. Check out http://www.eurail.com/ for more information on train ticket.

If you are traveling within Great Britain visit http://www.britrail.com/

If you will be traveling within only 1 country, check to see if they have local trains. Most European countries have their own train system. These trains will cost less then the Eurail.

For more information on traveling within Europe visit that countries official tourist board for more information or if traveling to Great Britain go to http://www.visitbritain.com/

Automobile Club

People don't always realize that the automobile club does more the change your tire or give you a tow. Some automobile clubs, such as AAA, have great travel services. They often have deals exclusive to them. Members can even get free domestic travel tour books. In some cases if you are a premier member you can get international tourist books. These are not skimpy books either they are really nice thick, travel books such as Frommer's or Rick Steve's. So if you are a member of a automobile club, see if your local office offers travel services or has free travel books.

What about Alaska!

If you are looking for a great vacation spot in the good old USA, why not try Alaska. Many of the cities can only be reached by plane or boat, there are no roads leading in or out. Even though Alaska is a popular tourist state it doesn't feel touristy. They say its the last frontier and when you see it you will know why. Its stunning!
You can go dog sledding on a glacier, go for a ride on a float plane over the ice fields, go for a walk in the rain forest, go bear watching or just sit back and enjoy the view.
If you go in the summer months the weather is very pleasant. Here's a few pictures from a trip I made up there.

Carlsbad Caverns

If you find yourself in New Mexico a really cool place to visit is the Carlsbad Caverns. These caves are incredible. They are located in the Guadalupe Mountains, which runs from west Texas into southeastern New Mexico.

There are different types of tours available. Some involve walking around the caves while others you have to crawl through very small holes. Take a look at the parks website for more details about visiting the caverns.

http://www.nps.gov/cave