The Travel Professor

Friday's Fare Finds

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Costa Cruises offers a 15-day transatlantic cruise departing on Dec 5th 2009 with cabins starting at $599.00 per person. That’s food, meals, entertainment and port calls for $38.00 a person per day! Visit Spain, Portugal, Antilles and the Dominican Republic and sail the Atlantic!

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town!

Latin American cultural festival in Cincy this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:20:00 +0000

Cincinnati’s Museum Center at Union Terminal heats up this weekend with a
Latin American cultural festival. Art, music, and food fill the rotunda on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a Latin American marketplace where you can shop for authentic goods.

This event is part of the Museum’s Passport to the World programming. These events give visitors an inside-look into the beauty and richness of cultures from around the globe. Each culture fest provides a glimpse into that culture’s arts and heritage through displays, cultural presentations, performances and merchandise, and provides a forum for interacting and learning with community members of different backgrounds. All culture fests are free and open to the public.

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Hot dog flavored potato chips?

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:31:00 +0000

One item I sampled at the Fabulous Food Show was Shearer’s Home Run Hot Dog flavored potato chip. According to the company “Shearer’s Rippled Home Run Hot Dog Potato Chips are loaded with the classic taste of a flavor of plump, juicy Sugardale® beef wiener smothered with mustard and relish.” Sorry guys but I struck out on this one. I’ll wait for next summer and a real stadium dog at the ole ball park.

I would love to see how potato chips are made but was disappointed that they did not offer a factory tour. But they do have what looks like an interesting company store so a visit to the Shearer’s Potato Chip Company Store is on my schedule for next summer.

Many companies offer factory tours and I’ve discovered that these to be fun, informative (and often free and/or inexpensive) educational activities. To locate these I go to the company home and search for “factory tour” or “visitors centers”

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town!

Destination: The island of Hispaniola

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:37:00 +0000

Christopher Columbus landed on Hispaniola on December 5, 1492 and named it La Isla Española, "The Spanish Island," which was eventually Anglicized to Hispaniola. It is said that when he first laid eyes on its shores, he termed it "La Perle des Antilles" or "the Pearl of the Caribbean."

The island is the second largest island of the West Indies, with an area of 29,418 square miles (76,192 square km). To its west is Cuba, southwest is Jamaica, and Puerto Rico is to the east. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands lie to the northwest. Haiti occupies the western third of the island, the remaining eastern two-thirds of the island make up the Dominican Republic.

Be kind to your travel agent & get out of town!

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

The Fabulous Food Show

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Cleveland’s Fabulous Food Show was well...uh... just fabulous! As an ex Food Network celebrity chef would say my expectations were “bam” blown away! I was able to watch Sandra Lee and Tyler Florence wow the crowds with entertaining and engaging cooking presentations.

Any foodie would love this event! There were plenty of opps to view celeb chefs both national & local cook on the main stage/kitchen and the side kitchens.

Free samples of meats, cheeses, sauces and much more flowed throughout the main show room. I ate my ways through the many aisles that were stocked by vendors displaying their wares.

Plenty of locally grown produce and/or made fresh in Ohio products were available to taste and purchase. I could spend a couple of days touring the farms and shops that presented their goods.

True foodies need to keep early November 2010 free so they partake in the next Fabulous Food Show!

Be kind to your travel agent & get out of town!

Celebrating "the birth of the Blues" in Memphis

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:09:00 +0000

Today is the “Birthday of the Blues!” W.C. Handy, often called the "Father of the Blues," was born in Memphis TN on Nov 16th 1873.

In Memphis today Beale Street still rules as the house of blues! For music lovers this is a must visit!

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town!

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:44:00 +0000

The PT Cruiser is packed and I’m off to the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland OH.

This show returns to Cleveland’s I-X Center on November 13-15, 2009. The event features appearances by celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations by local chefs, wine and food tastings, and lots more to interest Northeast Ohio food lovers.

Yummy!

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town!

Happy "happy hour" day!

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Today November 12th commemorates the 1st recorded happy hour way back in 1745! Of course it was held at a pub in Ireland!

Cheers! Enjoy a pint today at your favorite pub!

The significance of November 11th

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:49:00 +0000

While most folks know that today Veterans Day honors those who have served in the military, the meaning behind its exact date (November 11) may not be so familiar. Here’s a little history.

Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany.

President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11.

Please thank a veteran today for their service and sacrifice.

Destination: Turks and Caicos Islands

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Here's a little known but maybe soon to be discovered Caribbean treasure.

Miles of sparkling white sand beaches with serene waters and the brightest shades of blue ring the Turks and Caicos Islands. Beaches and coves are so deserted you will feel as if you have an island retreat all to yourself.

Southeast of the Bahamas, the chain consists of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited, and the others are accessible by boat. The two principal groups, each surrounded by a continuous coral reef, are the Caicos Islands (West, Providencales or Provo, North, Middle, East and South) and the Turks islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay, which lie to the southeast and are separated from Caicos by a 22-mile-wide channel.

World class hotels, spas, and restaurants await, as do our famous stretches of uncrowded beaches and vibrant coral reefs. On land or below the water, you'll relax in the unique serenity, hospitality and beauty of the islands.

Home to the Best Beach in the World, breathtaking hues from inviting waters, and legendary diving, snorkeling and fishing, the Turks & Caicos Islands beckon you to an undiscovered Caribbean. Travel to the Turks and Caicos is easy and efficient. It is just a short flight from the east coast of the US.

I really enjoyed my time at the Beaches resort T & C!

Happy travels!

Ohio "Fireland" road trip part 1

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:05:00 +0000

It’s road trip season! I’m hitting the highways en route to the ‘Firelands” of northeastern Ohio. The motivations for this journey are the Fabulous Food Show, high school football playoffs, an old time hardware store plus a clam bake. Plus I’ve added a couple of shopping stops too.

The Firelands or Sufferers' Lands tract was located at the western end of the Connecticut Western Reserve in what is now the U.S. state of Ohio. The land was set aside for residents of the Connecticut towns of Danbury, Fairfield, Greenwich, Groton, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, and Ridgefield who lost their homes in 1779 and 1781 due to fires set by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Originally referred to as the "Fire Lands" (two words), it is now spelled as one word, "Firelands."

This heritage is one reason why clambakes are popular and held all over northern Ohio in the fall. Another reason is just that they’re a tasty treat. Who wouldn’t love some clams, chicken, corn on the corn and a bowl of chowder!

Travelling north to the shores of Lake Erie in the late fall means that the convertible stays garaged and I’ll be cruising in the PT Cruiser. This field study trip is scheduled to depart on November 13th-17th. There are a couple of routes that I could travel but a quick Net search indicates that I 64 East to Charleston WV then I-77 North is the one.

Friday Fares 2: Fly free to Europe on inclusive tours

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:52:00 +0000

Your companion flies free to Europe on Trafalgar Tours air-inclusive vacations*. The only air fare charge to your companion will be taxes of up to $190. Of course they’ll still have to pay for the land components.

Contact your travel agent, the Travel Professor or www.trafalgartours.com today!

*Specials terms & conditions apply to this offer.

Friday Fares

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:29:00 +0000

A winter sale from select east coast US cities to Rome, Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam and other European cities was just announced with with prices at just $237 roundtrip (Boston to Dublin). Purchase your tickets by December 31 to get this offer, which is valid for travel between November 1 and December 10, and January 10 and March 31.

Rates do not include the September 11th security fee up to $10, passenger facility charges up to $50, segment fees up to $12, applicable U.S. departure taxes up to $31 or foreign departure taxes up to $80. Additional fees may apply.

For more information contact your travel agent or thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town!

Which Destination is Right for You?

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Is Hawaii? If so what island(s) Or Europe? Where & when? Is it the Caribbean-cruise, all inclusive or hotel package?

Starting next Tuesday I’ll present a 60 second snapshot of a destination. Then you decide if it fits your travel style and budget.

Feel free to email destination questions to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Destination Thursday: the Bahamas

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:49:00 +0000

In the corners of the world where it's starting to get quite cold this time of year, deciding whether or not to take a trip to the Bahamas is a breeze. The real dilemma: Which island to visit? There are hundreds of Bahamian islands, many of which are secluded cays that offer quiet beaches, sea caves and shipwrecks. Or visit one of the more populous islands of the Bahamas, where travelers can find big-name resorts, casinos, fantastic golf courses, gourmet restaurants, museums and historical sites. Water sports abound with excellent fishing, scuba, snorkel and sailing.

It’s better in the Bahamas!

Disney says China approved Shanghai theme park

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:28:00 +0000

Disneynophiles will need to update their passports as Disney says China approved Shanghai theme park. The approval by the National Development and Reform Commission will allow Shanghai, China's biggest city, and Disney to work on final details for the amusement park, to be located in the city's eastern Pudong district

The jury is still out on Hong Kong Disney but WDW officials believe mainland China is the big move.

I now have to work on saying “the Magic Kingdom” in Mandarin.

And its refresher course time at the College of Disney Knowledge.

Be kind to your travel agent & get out of town!

The downsides of a Destination Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:39:00 +0000

To me some of the biggest negatives of destination weddings can also be argued as positives. One downside is the expense of traveling to and staying at an out of area destination. These costs may really limit the number of people than can afford to travel and attend. So if you have you heart set on having your life long best friend in your wedding you better be sure he/she can afford the trip.

The act of travel may limit participation. My dad hated to travel and almost refused to fly. You know the type and these folks could put a damper on your plans.

Another downside is the planning process. A destination wedding is a complex affair. You need to arrange flights from multiple cities, ground transportation, lodging, food & beverage, etc. I haven’t even mentioned the legal and civil requirements of a marriage ceremony. It can be a very detail oriented and time consuming endeavor.

As the planning and coordinating of your special day can be a little overwhelming I suggest that brides and grooms should work with experienced Destination Wedding planners. These travel professionals work with you to craft the perfect experience and to eliminate confusion, insure that everything is planned to flow smoothly and even save money!

More thoughts on Destination Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:50:00 +0000

Here are some good reasons why I think that a Destination Wedding is a great concept.

The locations and associated costs can help you keep it small and intimate. Every couple knows the agony of drawing up a wedding guest list. Should they invite second cousins or only first, should they invite work colleagues to the full day or just the evening? All too often the list spirals out of control, including people you feel you should invite but hardly know. The results are out of control expenses.

Speaking of containing costs many resort hotels are now offering free wedding packages and other amenities for the bride and groom. They offer the services of a locally based wedding planner and do most if not all of the leg work.

Many destinations wedding resorts offer all inclusive packages that work out to be great value. If you get married outside of the United States the price of food and accommodation may be lower plus you will not have to pay for a separate honeymoon.

Frequently destination weddings have a bridal registry program where guests can make financial contribution and help lower the cost of your wedding package.

All weddings are special, but a destination wedding can be a truly unique experience. You could combine the wedding with a family reunion, and it is the perfect opportunity for a romantic holiday for your guests.

Relaxing on a pure white sandy beach is a sure way to beat stress, but destination weddings reduce the pressure of wedding planning in other ways too. Wedding packages are usually all inclusive so you don’t have to work through a whole list of suppliers for every aspect of your wedding. Your travel agent and wedding coordinator do all the coordination for you and your guests.

There are some downsides to a destination wedding that I’ll point out later.

Got travel questions or concerns? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Destination Weddings defined

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:20:00 +0000

The definition of a Destination Wedding is very simple. It is a religious or civil ceremony that officially celebrates the beginning of a marriage. This takes place in a location in which the bride and groom have traveled to get there, limited only by their budget imagination and local license requirements.

Today many destination weddings occur in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean or aboard cruise ships. Other couples travel to places like the Great Smoky Mountains or Las Vegas. Destinations are almost unlimited.

A major advantage of this type of wedding is that the bride and groom can travel to their dream destination to start their married life. Many times the destination as serves as their honeymoon.

I’ll continue to point out the advantages and disadvantages of a destination wedding.

It is all in the name

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:41:00 +0000

Sandals Resorts based in the Caribbean recently added Martha Stewart branded “bridal packages” to their destination wedding offerings. I heard that within 15 minutes of deploying the brand they booked over $10,000.00 worth of Martha weddings.

That’s some big business. And destination weddings are becoming more popular. I’ll share the pros and cons of these events in later posts.

Happy travels!

Transatlantic cruise values

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Not too long ago a ship was the only mode of transportation between Europe and the Americas. For decades a transatlantic cruise was a luxurious pretext for amusement, joy, rest and passion… today a transatlantic cruise remains an outstanding, relaxing elegant holiday and exceptional value.

Costa, Royal Caribbean, Holland American and other major cruise lines are offering westbound departures in November and December. Each cruise liner will offer a different itinerary specially crafted for its unique routes featuring attractive and historic ports of call and days at seas.

I’ve seen some incredible special fares for this transatlantic cruise season so contact your travel agent today. Don’t have an agent the email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com and I’ll assist in selecting your dream cruise.

Happy birthday to Internet

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Yes the Net was born on Oct 29 1969 when two colleges linked computers & sent the 1st electronic message.

Where would we be without all this instant communication & information?

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Extended stay hotels

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:08:00 +0000

A student stuck her head into my office the other day and asked “We want to go on vacation but there are 4 of us (husband, wife & 2 small children) and a regular hotel room is too small. Due to the ages of our kids two rooms isn’t a good idea plus that is more expensive. Do you have suggestions?”

I replied that an extended stay hotel might work. In addition to a sleeping area they generally have a work area plus a semi furnished kitchen. Rates can be very reasonable especially when staying a week or longer.

Some chains to check out are Intown Suites, Extended Stay America and Value Place hotels. There are other brands so be sure to research the rates at all properties. Better yet call your travel agent and let them shop for you.

Be kind to your travel agent & get out of town!

Plan well in advance and try to avoid holidays and peak travel periods. If you must travel during these times then expect to pay a room surcharge or higher rate.

To the Traveling Public

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:38:00 +0000

You may not have read recent articles in the press about how useful a good travel agent can be. The Los Angeles Times just published a column, noting that “Travel consultants are like having a knowledgeable friend along…these travel guns aim to make sure you have a deeper, richer experience tailored to your tastes and interests…. Many specialists use their depth and breadth of knowledge and create a detailed itinerary for you that becomes a playbook for your vacation.”
(http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/travel-consultants-h-5074)

The New York Times recently published an article citing how some consumers have gotten burned using online travel agencies and are now turning to real, live agents who can help them save time and money when booking a trip. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/business/04frustrate.html?_r=3&ref=business)

CNN.com posted a follow-up story on how online travel sites are flooded with overwhelming options, all claiming the best deals. “Extra fees nestled into the fine print amid blaring advertisements. Pounding 16 digits into the telephone after you've booked the wrong flight before finally getting a human voice.” (http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/08/12/travel.agent.comeback).

These three articles indicate that the time is right to return to the practice of using a travel agent.

I specialize in vacations to Europe, warm weather beaches, cruises, historic/cultural venues and group educational experiences. Some of my professional credentials include a Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) designation, Certified Cruise Consultant, Destination Specialists (DS) North America, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii along with plenty of individual country specialist and destination certifications.

Let me assist you in crafting your next vacation and I promise to use all of my knowledge, skill, industry contacts and contracts to make it your most special trip ever. Feel free to email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com or call 740.550.9540.

Not interested in one of my specialty destinations? There are many other area agents that specialize in Asia, South America, Gatlinburg, the Beach or Branson Mo. For example Crystal Bays at Ironton AAA is a Disney World encyclopedia. What she does for a Disney traveler is incredible. For business travel needs contact the agents at Travel World. Next week I’ll share some thoughts on locating the perfect agent for your travel needs.

Get in touch with any professional travel agent and allow them to plan your dream getaway and cut through the travel red tape.

Conducting your travel business with a live local agent just makes too much sense. You’re dealing with a neighbor and keeping money in the community. Don’t leave your precious vacation or business time to fate. Get the services of an expert, as you would with an attorney or accountant.

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town!

Hotel stay, park & fly

noreply@blogger.com (The Travel Professor) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:44:00 +0000

To JP: Here is an explanation about why your recent hotel stay was more expensive than the room rate you confirmed on-line.

Many airport area hotels offer a package that includes your pre departure hotel room plus parking. The number of free parking days varies by property. Be sure to inquire about how free days are included in your room rate and what any additional days of parking would cost.

The stay, park & fly rate is generally not listed on the Internet so I suggest that you contact the hotel directly to obtain the correct price. I recently priced a hotel stay at $55.00 but this did not include free parking. I had to upgrade to a $79.00 rate which did include free parking and airport shuttle.

I believe that this is what you experienced.

To help prevent rate check in shock conduct your pre-arrival research and arrived as an informed traveler. Better yet contact a travel agent.

Happy travels!