Happy New Year!

Have a great and safe New Year!

2011 Travel Plans

As I discussed in my last post, I am making my travel plans for the new year. Now, with one of my best friends getting engaged I think my planning is complete.
For now my plans include: Vancouver, Atlanta, Chicago, NYC, and Philadelphia.

My poor passport isn't going to get much use in the new year it appears but I'm still in the early planning phase.
Where are you going in 2011?

Vacation Days

Did you use all of your vacation days this year and are currently planning your trips for next year? OR, are you someone who has well over a week that you're forced to take and spend it at home bored?

More and more people do not use their vacation days, and if you are one of those people I suggest you make the new years resolution to take a great trip for 2011!

Here is some information to get you started.
http://gopackandtravel.blogspot.com/2010/09/travel-websites.html

Travel Movie Friday

Into The Wild

Thanksgiving Travel 2010

Are you traveling this Thanksgiving? By car, plane or train? And how far are you going for your Thanksgiving dinner?

Travel Movie Friday

Up In The Air

Shipping vs Baggage Fees

People are now looking into shipping their personal items instead of paying baggage fees. And sadly this is something that should be considered based on travel needs.

Is this something you've done? Will you start?

Travel Movie Friday

Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2

Favorite Hotels - Hotel Renew - Waikiki

Why is this one of my favorites?


1.) Boutique – I LOVE boutique hotels and this one is just that. This is where I stayed for my wedding/honeymoon. Coming into the Hotel Renew lobby is very relaxing, we were checked in right away and free to enjoy our stay. – Other hotels (where some of our guests decided to stay) were very crowded especially during check-in!

Travel Movie Friday

Sweet November

Travel Photo Thursday

Travel Tip

Tip: Best days to fly are on Tues or Wed

Destination Wedding - Honeymoon

#4)  Keep your honeymoon separate – Its really easy to get caught up with friends and family when you should be enjoying your time with your new spouse.

Do not feel like you have to stay with your guest after the wedding. Most people are very understanding, most will come prior to the wedding to enjoy the vacation and some you may just have to flat out tell to leave you alone (politely of course!)

Travel Movie Friday

Lost In Translation

Travel Photo Thursday

3-1-1 Restrictions Going Away?

http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/3-1-1-liquid-rule-at-airport-security-may-potentially-be-dropped/22929

Travel Channel

I want to like the Travel Channel, it seems like something I should like…considering. However I can never find any shows to watch! I’ve watched all the shows they’ve been airing since the early 2000’s. However the only new shows I see are typically food related.

Travel Movie Friday

Under The Tuscan Sun

Travel Photo Thursday

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Destination Wedding

#3) Keep your guest in the loop – Make sure to get discount rates for your guest on hotel rooms, rental car companies or anywhere your guest will be using services.

Do you fold, roll or compression pack when you travel? I really want to get into rolling but I just fold and layer.

Travel Movie Friday

Vicky Cristina Barcelona - I didn’t expect to like this movie as much as I did. And it just makes you want to take a few months and just go…somewhere

Travel Photo Thursday

Taking a great travel photo to kick off Travel Photo Thursday

What makes a great travel photo? To me it’s a picture that takes you back to a moment simply by looking at it.

Favorite Hotels: Hotel 1000 - Seattle

Why is this hotel one of my favorites?

1.) Of course Location. The hotel is right between all the attractions! Doesn’t get better. Especially if you’re going to have to walk in the rain.

2.) The rooms. They are so relaxing you may not even go out and explore the city. The bathroom is amazing. The tub was my favorite part. And not because it filled from the ceiling but because it was a stand alone and set up with everything you’ll need to relax.

Travel Diet and Exercise

Traveling always throws a wrench in my diet and exercise plan.


Diet: The first test is at the airport. There are NO places that have good for you food. Some may have an apple, orange or banana for sale. Some will even have a fruit cup but it usually stops there. And the smell of fast food wafting down the terminal is very tempting.

My number one issue paying so much money for fruit when it will not satisfy my hunger long enough.

Exercise: The hardest part. Motivation. Its hard at home and harder on the road. I would say that I struggle because I don’t always stay at a hotel, let alone a hotel with a gym. That would only be half of the story. There have been plenty of times I’ve stayed at hotels with GREAT gyms and never took advantage of them.

My issue: Its hard enough at home and the space in my carry on is too precious to use it for items I won’t be using…like gym shoes and workout cloths.

Solution: Thanks to shows like The Biggest Loser and Thintervention which provide viewers with great tips that can easily cross over for travel.

I'm Back

If you follow me on twitter you know I made it to Boston, MA (Freedom Trail): Mt. Washington, New Hampshire (Drove it due to weather) and Portland, Maine(Great Lobster and tons of Lighthouses).

I now need to start unpacking and uploading photos.

Angry with Airtran

Thank you Airtran for not allowing me to travel today and making me have to reschedule ALL my plans because you not only had a delayed flight but had no alternate flights to get me to my destination. Thank you for also having a rude staff who did more telling me what they could NOT do than what they COULD do to get me to my destination.
And finally when I said rebook me the young man kept asking if I wanted a refund. Can't be good for business if your employees are giving back money and their service leaves your customers bitter and not wanting to ever rebook with you again. Its always worth it to me to pay more upfront for good service later and better yet to get to my destination ON TIME!

Fun Travel Finds – Travel Journal

Another one of my favorite travel finds is my travel journal. There was a time where I was constantly trying to remember what year I went where. My trips were all started to blur together. Not only does my journal help me stay organized but it helps me remember some details I would otherwise forget.

The Amazing Race Season 17

I’ve been trying to watch this show for several seasons now. Why did I say trying? I’ll explain that. First let me start off with why this show should be right up my alley. The travel! I can see some really exciting towns and cities right in my living room. I make some trip plans from this show as well. Even though the contestants are ‘racing’ to complete a challenge they still see a lot of great sights.

Now to why I have to try to watch this show.

Travel Movie Friday

Ferris Bueller's Day Off: Not only is this a classic, but it is a great reminder of all the things available in a major city near you. Probably things you haven't ever done or haven't visited in years.

Have a great weekend.

My Version of Route 66 drive.

We changed things up a bit from the actual route because we have family and friends along the way.

My husband and I did this drive and really loved it. Below are our stops.

Travel Movie Friday

Forgetting Sarah Marshall: I LOVE, love, love this movie. Not only is it funny but you will be booking a trip to Turtle Bay when you’re done.

Have a great weekend.

Fun Travel Finds – Passport Cover

Why was this find was so exciting for me?

Be on your best behavior, hotels to blacklist guest

This is interesting.

This will NOT fly… Literally

In addition to the normal discomforts of airline travel its interesting that a company would create a product to make seats more uncomfortable.

Favorite Hotels: The Pelican Miami

Yes green is my favorite color but read on to see why this hotel made the list?

Travel Movie Friday

The Darjeeling Limited – Great cast, will make you want to take a trip on a train!

Green Travel

One of my 2009 resolutions (yes I do those) was to “go green-er”. I really just made my habits more consistent and permanent.

One of the biggest challenges is staying green while traveling. The fuel it takes to fly or drive to a destination, along with the water and electricity used during a hotel stay made me look at what I can do better.

Beyond the tips and tricks I’ve found, I try to stay with friends and family whenever possible. No, it’s not just for the cost savings since I really enjoying having my own space.

What tricks do you try? If none will you start?

Destination Wedding

I would have never thought this but I found the perfect dress at Nordstrom.com. Nordstrom's great return policy also takes the stress out of ordering for a website. More exciting is that a few months later I saw it on the red carpet in purple!
Most stores carried dresses that were just not right (in my opinion and for what I wanted) for the beach.

When it comes time to travel, Do NOT check the dress. I’m not saying anything will happen to it. Just the peace of mind of having it with you far outweighs the convenience of having someone else handle your bags.

Friday Movie

A Perfect Getaway – A thriller that will inspire the adventure traveler in you.

Travel Websites

I’ve used Tripadvisor, Kayak/Sidestep, Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity.
My favorites:
#1) – Tripadvisor (my username is Oaklay18 if you want to see my reviews)
I will NOT go to a hotel or a city without first going to Tripadvisor. I LOVE the candid photos more than anything. Why? Because hotels use highlight the best features of their lobby, rooms etc. My concern is, does the room look the same in a picture when taken with a digital camera?
Also hotels tend to post pictures of their suites which can be more modern, larger and in general nicer than a standard room.

#2) Kayak/Sidestep
Its quick, it’s easy and you know you’ve found the best price for a flight.

#3) Priceline
I love the name your price feature. I typically use this for rental cars and have gotten the best rental car deals through this site.

What are your favorite sites?

Favorite Hotels: Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort and Spa

Why did this make the list?

#1) Instantly relaxed. Music, soothing scents and an ocean view greet you as you enter.

#2) What you see is what you get. The pics on the site are exactly what you see when you arrive.

#3) Every room has an ocean view. Need I say more...

#4) Adults Only- Again, need I say more?

#5) Its off the main drag – My friend and I ventured downtown one day and decided we did not need to leave the comforts of the resort.

#6) The other amenities: The restaurant onsite was great, had fun and met new friends at the bar, the spa is relaxing, and the firepits were nice.

The only draw back would be that due to the waves/tide, guests are not able to go into the ocean. The alternative is that they offer a free shuttle to their sister hotel downtown where you can use not only the pool but it’s also on the main Cabo beach
Although my friend and I were probably the only non couple there, we found it a perfect place for a girls trip.

Friday Movie

When I’m unable to leave my current city for the weekend I watch a good travel movie. This weeks:

Away We Go. I LOVE this movie because it speaks to my life. Its funny, its real its on HBO right now so you don't have to rent it.

Have a great weekend.
Oaklay

Destination Wedding

Find a planner that you’re comfortable with. What really helped my comfort level…the company website. My thought is that the website is the first view into the type of weddings the company is planning. Also these are your eyes and ears especially if you’re not able to travel to the site very many times if at all. You want someone who can communicate well and understands your request.

After MUCH searching I came across Honolulu Wedding Consultants and not only was the site beautiful but they offered the kinds of beach wedding packages I was looking for. (The picture is from my wedding)

Oaklay

Travel style

I always say the airport is the best place to people watch. You see people from all over, and you see some pretty interesting outfits. From fanny-packs, to 7inch heels and everything in between. My favorite to this day is the lady in floral print pants, with an animal print top and a red fanny pack.
On the opposite end of the spectrum there is Victoria Beckham who is some sort of super human traveler. The thought of taking off heels, a jacket and accessories at security already turns me off to her travel style. But if that didn’t what would is the idea of having a gate that’s furthest from arrivals/departures and having to march up and down the terminal in 6 inch heels. Not to mention how binding her cloths are. Not for me.
My travel most haves are a comfortable shoes that are easy to get off and on. A pashmina to dress up an outfit and later use as a blanket or wrap, a watch, jeans, a comfortable top and sunglasses.

What is your travel style?

Overpacking

I mean this not only in the sense of having too much “stuff” in one bag, but also bringing way too many bags in general.
I was watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey (I know I know) and on a trip to Italy one of the housewives just had bag after bag after bag. I’m talking the largest suitcases you can find totally filled with ‘stuff’.

For me this is wrong on so many levels. The money it costs to check bags these days, the extra money for a larger rental car. The time it takes to collect and keep track of all those bags….its enough to drive you mad.
The cost of checking bags aside, I don’t like waiting in line to check my bag, then waiting at baggage claim to pick up bag and getting them onto the shuttle bus, and into the rental car and up to the room. UGH!

So I say all that to ask, are you an over-packer? Do you bring way more bags with cloths and shoes then you could ever wear on one trip? Were you an over-packer before checked bagged fees were administered? And lastly with the talks of CARRY-ON bag fees, will you stop being an over-packer?

I think charges for Carry-on bags is going way too far.

Have you paid to bring a Carry-on bag? Would you?


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Fun Travel Finds

One of the things I love to use when packing for a trip is my TravelPrep.pad.

Why? It reminds me of the little things I may forget like winter accessories if I'm traveling somewhere cold and coming from somewhere warm. Things like phone charger, medication, socks and underwear are all things that I would need for a trip and not want to spend anytime trying to find on vacation.

If you don't have a packing list this is something you may want to look into. Check www.getbuttonedup.com.

If you have another method what is is?

Oaklay

Travel Collections

I love to travel and I love to bring back something that will remind me of my trip. When I was younger I collected keychains. I had a specific size and shape I wanted and after several trips of not finding that size and shape I stopped.

Flash forward to 2004 when I first bought a magnet. My aunt had asked me to get her one from my trip and when I found hers I grabbed myself one too. After that I think I just liked the reminder being right there on the fridge. From there its turned into something fun and a little obsession. Just like the keychains it can be hard finding the size and shape that I like and luckily I haven't run into any real issues with it.

Now that I'm married, my husband and I collect postcards when we travel together. Why postcards? Because postcard are very easy to find, inexpensive and you can always find multiple scenes so you're not stuck with whatever is available. I like for my postcard or magnet picture to represent the trip I had, or the places I went on my trip.

So my question to you, do you collect something from your travels?
If not. Here are some ideas of things you see at ALL gift shops:
Keychains, postcards, shot glasses, magnets and pens.

Happy Travels
OakLay

Planning: Maine and Boston

Do to some last minute change and plans, I am currently re-booking and replanning my trip to Maine and Boston.

Any suggestions?