For travelers, 2009 was the year of the deal — and if you play your cards right, you can still get some great deals.
In addition to the holiday surcharges, airlines attempted to recoup their costs in other creative ways, including baggage fees, check-ins and inflight service. Here are few tips to keeping your money in your pocket when flying this holiday season:
Read more from my article in the New York Daily News
One of the perks of being single is also being flexible and when it comes to travel, there’s nothing like last-minute plans to soothe the single gal’s soul (especially over the holidays). Nothing says love like cramming into the middle seat on a last-minute flight to see family and friends for the holiday season.
If you get struck by the travel bug this holiday season, or you succumbed to the guilt of family members and agreed to go home for the holidays, don’t forget to pack these essential travel items in your carry-on…
Read my entire column on the Jane Air Crew blog with Wyndam Worldwide
November 23, 2009
It’s fascinating to be part of Sir Richard Branson’s world. The uber-entrepreneur turns dust into gold, and rarely comes across a challenge he can’t solve. When Richard Branson puts his mind to something, creativity knows no boundaries (don’t believe me? see: Virgin Galactic). So what does this man do when he’s just being Branson? You might be surprised…
I’ve had the privilege to talk to Branson on a few occasions. The topics usually involve the airline industry, his newest adventure or invention, or a quick chat about upcoming trips, and they usually take place as we’re running through an airport. But our latest conversation was a little more intimate. I had the unique opportunity to join Branson at the dinner table on Necker Island (Branson’s own private island in the British Virgin Islands). There was dining, drinking, dancing (yes, all on the dinner table), and conversation on one of the most private islands in the world. Simply put, my one night on Necker Island was a travel writer’s dream come true…
It all started with a little invitation to attend the kick off to the first annual Kite Jam in the British Virgin Islands, a kite surfing extravaganza set to launch in March 2010.
I hopped a flight to San Juan and weighed in for the Cessna flight to Tortola, where the festivities were set to begin. The first night was at Maria’s By The Sea, a helpful little hotel located right in the center of town. The hotel is perfect for business travelers needing quick access to everything, but if you’re staying for a few nights be sure to request a room overlooking the water (otherwise you’ll have a great view of the parking lot). I met my fellow press trip reporters for dinner and tucked myself in for a good night’s sleep after a long day of travel.
The next day we set sail for Norman’s Island, courtesy of Sunsail fleets. The catamarans took us to the island said to harbor the treasure chest of Blackbeard. Sadly, I didn’t find the loot, but I did leave the island with a hat that reads, “Where’s your booty?” After a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant, I packed my bags and set up a wake-up call for 6 a.m. the next morning. Destination: Virgin Gorda.
Sailing the BVIs
On our way to VG, we detoured at the undiscovered and beautifully unspoilt island of Anegada. (more…)
The waiters walk past you, glancing slightly and then continuing on to the next table. They ignore you, but not consciously or even maliciously – they think you’re waiting for your guest. The other people around me are being served coffee and juice, some have bread baskets and other tables are dining on hot eggs and omelettes. “They” are a couple, I am at a table for one.
I watch the room and trace the pattern of the waiters going from table to table, and I’m getting a little annoyed as I wait for someone to come over. The woman who seated me at the restaurant knows I’m only one person – she seated me for one person – surely, she told the other people I was only one person. Then I realize: I’m sitting at a table for one waiting for something to happen. Why? I don’t wait when it comes to my career, why am I waiting to be served eggs?
Now would be the most appropriate time to transition the story into the metaphor the eggs symbolize – being single, and ‘unfertilized’ – but that’s too cliche for me. In fact, the point isn’t about the missing huevos rancheros, or the fact that Mr. Huevo hasn’t galloped down my street to whisk me away to his ranchero. The point is, as single women, unconsciously we wait, but for what?
Beach dining
Sitting alone at Cocotal (one of the resort’s restaurants open for breakfast) I’m admittedly a little teary – maybe it’s because I feel like the cubic zirconia in a sea of diamond rings, or maybe it’s because I’ve been awake for almost two hours without caffeine. Whatever the case, my patience has ended and my single-woman-superhero-psycho-independence is taking over. I’m done waiting.
I stood up, walked over to the waiters station and poured myself cup of hot coffee. I asked one of the servers to place an order of huevos rancheros and, just for added effect, I took the pot of coffee and gracefully walked back to my table for one.
Here’s another good thing about traveling solo: when you travel, you only have to pack for one. That means no one’s last-minute travel items in your carry-on, no dirty laundry bags for two, no extra pairs of shoes taking up valuable space in your luggage.
I leave for Riveria Maya, Mexico, in two days to check out the Karisma El Dorado Royale. I am usually a last-minute packer – always have been. I’ll pack the night before, but lately, I’ve put off the packing until the morning of (which makes for a very long day when I’m on the 6 a.m. flight out of Boston). Thanks to a packed schedule this week, I have tonight free and I’ve labeled it: Packing night. What to bring?
Mexico, here I come!
Aside from the obvious clothes and toiletries, when traveling solo there are a few must-haves:
For this particular trip, packing clothes is a bit easier. It’s fall-almost-winter in Boston, and it’s hot in Mexico. Bulky sweaters and jackets make room for sarongs and tank tops. Throw in a pair of flip-flops, bathing suit, one pair of jeans, a few ‘nice’ shirts and the essential wrap and you’re good to go.
Don’t forget the essentials for any trip:
The beauty of packing for this trip: Room to spare! We might not leave the resort, but if there’s shopping to be had there’s space left in the luggage to bring it home!
Follow me on Twitter (@chic_travel) for my up-to-the-minute posts from Mexico.
Viva Mexico!
Read more from The Diary
If there’s one thing I really enjoy about traveling, it’s spending the quality time with my friends while on the road. More often than not I get the typical, ‘rough life’ response from people when they learn I’m a travel writer, but those who have traveled with me know that it’s not always the glamorous lifestyle portrayed in movies and books. Still, I’m not complaining – I have a great job and I love every day of it.
My friend Kate joined me on the recent trip to Martha’s Vineyard. She’s traveled with me before and knows the ropes of the biz — do your thing, I’ll do mine and we’ll meet up for drinks. It’s always a bit of an adventure when we travel though, and this trip to Martha’s Vineyard was no exception. We were heading to an island as a Nor’Easter was approaching.
(more…)
Seat 13A, through the eyes of a child
As adults, we inherently worry about everything. We make things more complicated and often spend too much time analyzing something as simple as why he won’t call, why she said what she did, or whether forgetting where we put the car keys means early signs of Alzheimer’s. We take the easiest task and over-complicate it, and we’re good at it. But sometimes it takes a child’s mind to remind us about the simpler things in life… and how simple things can really be…
I make a point to spend as much time with my nephews (12- and 14-years-old), given my busy schedule. When I’m traveling, we communicate via text messages and we have one very specific rule: Wherever I go, I bring back a pin from my destination. For an easy $2, we get a memory. They have a corkboard on their bedroom walls with all the pins I’ve brought back from cities around the world. It’s our “thing”, and it’s simple.
Yesterday I took time out to watch the 12-year-old’s hockey practice. I went to the rink, and after practice we were going for pizza. A perfect evening. Time alone will open your eyes to what’s happening in their lives — math homework, substitute teachers, class photos and sports try-outs. He asked where I was off to next and I replied, “New York.” He reminded me to bring back a pin and then stopped and asked, “Mel, do you like what you do?”
“Yes, I love it. But it’s hard work,” I said. And then, the 12-year-old looked at me and said, simply:
“What’s so hard? You write essays all day about places around the world, and the people are nice to you because they want you to write something nice about them.” (more…)
If there’s one thing I love it’s a good hotel. The fine pressed-linens, the smell of the freshly-cleaned room, the views from top floors, the shine of marble in the lobby, and the attention to detail – from smiling check-in desk agents to personalized pillows – all play a part in a successful hotel stay.
As I prepare for some upcoming trips to new hotels, I started thinking about my hotel wish-list — my ‘ bucket list’ of hotels, the hotels I must stay in before I kick it. Here they are, in no particular order. If you’ve stayed at any of these hotels – or have hotels to add to this list – please let me know!
St. Regis Hotel, New York
St. Regis, New York: This one seems so simple, but still so far away. I’ve always had a fascination with the St. Regis. I remember the first time I saw the entrance to this hotel in Manhattan -the gold, the marble, the fountains; so grand and exquisite. I vowed one day to stay at the St. Regis, but only when I could afford to do it right. Note to the St. Regis: When I do finally get my room at the hotel, you can be certain I’m not leaving for the duration of the stay.
Four Seasons Lana’i, Hawaii: The beauty of this hotel has captivated me since I was first introduced to it by my friend Stacy at Elite Travel International. I’ve never been to Hawaii, and didn’t have a huge desire to go until I saw this hotel. Admiring the Pacific Ocean from the balcony at this hotel would be magical.
Tango Mar, Costa Rica: My plan is to do a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, but then I found Tango Mar and thought, why not combine yoga with spa? (more…)
A quick recipe for rejuvenation is a long weekend at a great hotel in a familiar city, add in a spa treatment and an excellent meal at a new restaurant, and you’ll feel revived and ready to go. Sometimes, these escapes are as simple as booking a hotel room in your own city. Other times, I’ll hop a cheap flight to New York or Miami (thanks to JetBlue from Boston) and spend a weekend at a new hotel, exploring the new sites of the familiar cities.
Here’s a look at my upcoming fall trips:
New York: Even though New York is my second home, I still experience new things every time I’m in the Big Apple. This time around, I’ll be trying out a few new hotels and meeting up with some new friends.
Hotels: The Roosevelt, Affinia Shelburn
Miami: The parents have laid on the guilt about my not visiting Florida, so I’m taking a quick trip to Miami to visit the Mandarin Oriental and the new Viceroy Hotel, and to see Mom and Dad. What’s sexier than South Beach, really?
Hotel: Mandarin Oriental, The Viceroy
Mexico: The 4-day girls weekend takes place over Halloween weekend at the Karisma El Dorado Royale in the Riveria Maya. I’ll be working on some articles re: culinary travel while the girls test out the tequila bar.
My good friend Keith, and a fellow traveler at Velvet Escape, asked me to submit a guest post about my hometown, Boston, Mass. Here’s a snapshot of what was published, but be sure to read more on his website:
I travel to experience new things, not to escape them. I’ve captured the various colors of sunsets from countries around the world; buried my feet in sand ranging in hues from white to black; tasted some of the best cuisine straight from the kitchen of locals in the world’s most remote fishing villages. And yet, there’s no place like home.
The travel writer’s worst day is when there isn’t a plane ticket on hand, or a trip planned. But there is something to be said for finding that perfect little escape in your own hometown. Whether it’s a favorite restaurant, a quiet museum or a public garden, your own ‘velvet escape’ is what settles your soul, and makes you truly appreciate home.
Allow me to introduce you to my home: Boston, Massachusetts, where some of the greatest escapes are documented in history and some unknown treasures are still waiting to be discovered.
Read more from my guest post at Velvet Escape’s…
