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All Aboard For National Train Day!

Friday, May 10th, 2013
Kids on the Train

My son, Travis, and his buddies were super excited for their ride on the Historic Georgetown Loop Railway in Georgetown, CO.

Trains. Some say the invention of the railway was the single most important invention in our history.  It catapulted the industrial revolution and brought worlds together.  And even today with all of our modern ways to get places faster and even virtually, trains are still inspired, offering travelers convenience and an opportunity to experience the passing landscapes en route to their ultimate destination.

Whether simply for entertainment or for actual transportation, add a train-ride into your summer plans, such as a historic ride along a Narrow Gauge Rail such as the historic Georgetown Loop Mining Train to the modern cars and amenities of Amtrak.

Trains are often overlooked in favor of planes, but are in fact a great way of traveling. Europe, for example, has the InterRail service – a network of trains that enables people to travel from one country to another.  And even here in the US, it’s so easy and comes without the hassle of security lines; you can get to the train station 30 minutes before your train, and you even have nice options to dine and sleep comfortably.

National Train Day – May 11, 2013
Train stations and museums around the US are all celebrating National Train Day this weekend.

Los Angeles
The National Train Day event at Los Angeles Union Station (on May 11 from 11 A.M – 4 P.M) will feature free kids’ activities sponsored by Chuggington, interactive and educational exhibits, model train displays and giveaways.  Visitors will have the chance to tour private luxury railcars, freight and commuter trains, as well as current Amtrak equipment.

Grand Canyon, AZ
Take a ride at the Grand Canyon Railway on the Cataract Creek Rambler: a 45 minute train ride in either First Class streamliner cars or vintage Pullman coaches. This year, the Rambler will be pulled by Diesel Locomotive 6793, built by the American Locomotive Company in the 1950’s. Trains depart every hour on the hour from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

San Antonio, TX
The San Antonio Amtrak Station is playing host to a special one-day, large scale, and family-friendly event that is free and open to the public.  Visitors will climb aboard vintage Southern Pacific engine No. 794 for a rare chance to the see the inside of the locomotive cab and have a feel for what it was like to engineer a puffing steam engine a century ago.

Sacramento, CA
At the California State Railroad Museum, visitors will have the opportunity to tour modern-day Amtrak/Amtrak California passenger cars and learn more about train travel options in California by watching short films, browsing timetables and travel literature, and talking with rail transportation providers. Rides aboard the Museum’s Interpretive Handcar and a children’s “Chuggington Station” activity area will all be part of the fun. Admission to all activities – including the Museum – is FREE!

Kansas City, MO
The Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad (16 inch gauge parktrain) will be celebrating its 20th year of operation by running trains on our half-mile oval of track in Line Creek Park. The Brush Creek & Western HO model railroad will be open to the public. Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department will provide entertainment, facepainting for children, and the zoomobile animal exhibit. Wooden toy trains will be on hand for the little folks to engineer around a tabletop layout.

Boston, MA
At the Boston North Station, Boston Cyclists Union Presents: 5th Annual National Train Day Bike Tour We will bike along the routes of parts of the old Eastern, Boston & Lowell, and Boston & Maine Railroads north of Boston. Along the way, they will stop to look at a number of historic railroad stations and talk about the competition between these railroads in the years surrounding the Civil War.

Share your Train Day photos with us here at Travel Smart Blog or to my Facebook!

 
 

 

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What’s BIG in Travel for 2013?

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

2013 may just be the year of the traveler. Industry experts (too many to name) all agree that worldwide, people will be criss-crossing and zig-zagging their way to new places, perhaps more than ever before. With travel being such a BIG deal this year, I thought I’d fill you in on some of the of the biggest trends in travel.

Prices will be BIG

Remember Econ 101? When demand is up, supply goes down therefore prices go up. Hotels only have so many rooms on a given night and airlines can limit flights, which reduces the number of seats in order to drive up cost for those coveted spots for your vacation. With fewer seats and more people willing to pay for them, it will be harder to use your loyalty miles on domestic flights. Don’t wait too long to book – not only will the prices be steep but you may not get a seat.

Mobile is BIG


The big word in travel this year is “Mobile” and why shouldn’t it be? You’ll never get lost, go hungry, get bored, wait in line, or wonder where you are sleeping with the plethora of travel apps available for download.

Last year, the Hotels.com app saw its 10 millionth download. In North America, 2013 will mark the first year that online access is greater from mobile devices than desktops or laptops.

I have some new favorite travel apps that I will be sharing throughout the year designed to enhance all of your travels!

Being Healthy is BIG

Mini-bars stocked with healthy options, spas farming their own natural ingredients, free fitness channels on your TV, yoga mats delivered by room service….hotels are making a big effort to help you feel good and stay fit during your stay. Check out Kimpton hotels nationwide, London’s 45 Park Lane, the Nu Hotel Brooklyn.

Agro and Eco-Tourism are BIG

With an increased level of environmental awareness and the desire to be closer to nature, many are choosing vacations that offer new ways of getting closer to natural areas than ever before. For travelers interested in ecotourism, consider traveling to Borneo to Save the Orangutan. If you are more interested in agrotourism, learn exactly where food comes from at Whole Foods Market. Beginning April 2013, they will offer worldwide tours focused around the production and consumption of food. Many of the tours include hikes and bike rides through a region to meet with locals, see how meals are made and where raw materials bought.

Security is BIG…business that is.
New initiatives are rolling out to help travelers breeze through airport security checkpoints. 39 airports worldwide can now use the U.S.
Customs & Border Protection’s Global Entry, which allows travelers who have submitted to background checks to simply swipe their passports at a kiosk and speed through customs.

With TSA’s PreCheck, you’ll no longer need to remove shoes, laptops, and liquids. The program is aligned with Global Entry, domestic airlines’ frequent-flier clubs, and now the Loews Hotels & Resorts loyalty program.

 
 

 

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Hotels.com Discovers Differing Travel Habits among Republicans and Democrats

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012

How does your political party like to travel?

With the election finally upon us, there is no doubt that President Obama and Mitt Romney are fantasizing about taking an extended vacation after tonight’s results are announced. Over the last year, we’ve learned a great deal about each of these candidates, including their travel preferences and quirks.

But what about their supporters across the nation? What does their political affiliation say about their travel tendencies? Interestingly enough, Hotels.com recently released the results of a survey that points to some notable differences between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to their habits while traveling:

Domestic Affairs

86 percent of Republican travelers prefer to stay within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean, while Democrats are 11 percent more likely to explore abroad in overseas destinations such as Europe, the Middle East, or Latin America.

Democrats: “Put it on my Tab”

Democrats admitted to spending slightly more on items such as clothing and accessories, as well as drinks with friends and family while traveling for business, whereas both Democrats and Republicans were discovered to be just as likely to expense other amenities such as hotel Wi-Fi, flight upgrades, and room service or upscale dining.

Absentee Ballot

While Democrats are squeezing all they can out of their vacation while they’re on it, Republicans proved to be the group more likely to try and extend their travel plans beyond their expiration date. Of the 1,000 respondents included in the survey, Republicans outweighed Democrats by 11 percent when asked if they would call out sick to gain an extra night on their vacation.

Honest as Abe

Luckily for hoteliers, both political groups delivered similar results when asked if they had ever stolen any common items from a hotel room; the majority of each party (Democrats, 88 percent; Republicans 93 percent) voted “nay” when it came to leaving with more items than they checked in with.

Travel like a Candidate

Whether you want to plan a last minute trip to celebrate a win (or help heal a loss), or get a jump start on planning a retreat to the favorite spring-time stomping grounds of Mitt and Barack themselves – Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro NH and Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Code, MA, respectively: Democrats and Republicans alike are encouraged to check out the Hotels.com “Deals for Me” app on Facebook. The app will match custom hotel and deal recommendations for you based on popular destinations within your own social network. You can even book with your friends on Facebook too – inauguration road trip to Washington D.C., anyone?

 
 

 

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Presidential Hotel Packages Celebrate Your Right to Choose!

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

President Obama and Mitt Romney

Did this week’s debate get your more excited about the presidential election on November 6? Now a few San Francisco hotels are jumping on the political bandwagon with a “Presidential Package” regardless if you sleep on the right or left!

Choose from the three Personality Hotels: Hotel Diva, Hotel Union Square or Kensington Park Hotel and then cast your vote for:

  • A customizable Voodoo Doll (pin down your vote)
  • A choice of Obama or Romney toilet paper (wipe away the opponent)
  • A 22 oz bottle of “Ale-Lection” – choose from red-labeled Romney Ale or blue Obama Ale, brewed locally by Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (lubricate the debate)

    • A Democratic donkey pin or Republican elephant pin (election bling)

    This “Presidential Package” is available through November 7, 2012. Rates depend on the economy (excluding tax, of course). For reservations, call 800.553.1900 or visit www.personalityhotels.com.

 
 

 

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Xtreme Booking Part 2: Running With the Bulls

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

Ever try running from a 1,700-pound charging bull while booking a hotel room? Today Hotels.com launched its second Xtreme Booking campaign to highlight the brand’s mobile booking app – this time, featuring Freestyle Motocross (FMX) biker and Nitro Circus stuntman, Andy Bell, who booked a room while participating in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain

Illustrating the simple and user-friendly interface of the Hotels.com mobile app, the video features Bell quite literally running for his life to stay ahead of the bulls and navigate obstacles in the streets of Pamplona, all while booking a hotel room that he checks into shorty thereafter. Andy demonstrates that reserving a room on the Hotels.com app is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

See Andy run with the bulls below, and be on the lookout for a new interactive game that will launch next week where you can run with the bulls yourself!

 
 

 

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The American Guide to the World’s Best Food

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

We all love to eat and the hotels.com Food Survey tells us where!

Half the fun of taking a vacation to an overseas locale is the opportunity to try authentic food from the country you are visiting. Whether it’s bratwursts in Germany, pasta in Italy or truffles in France, you don’t have to be a foodie to enjoy what the locals have to offer.

Hotels.com released the results of a global survey that discovered some core facts about American food preferences internationally and domestically. Over 1,000 Americans participated in the global survey and 63 percent of the respondents specified food as an important factor when selecting a hotel for various types of travel.

Below is a sample of the survey results and what we learned about American dining habits. Do any of the results surprise you?

Best Cities in the World for Local Cuisine (According to American Travelers)

  1. New York
  2. Rome
  3. New Orleans
  4. Paris
  5. Mexico City
  6. Tokyo
  7. Venice
  8. Florence
  9. Chicago
  10. Bangkok

Best Countries for Family Dining (According to American Travelers)

  1. USA
  2. Italy
  3. Germany
  4. France
  5. Great Britain
  6. Mexico
  7. Spain
  8. Canada
  9. Japan
  10. India

Best Countries for Fine Dining (According to American Travelers)

  1. France
  2. Italy
  3. USA
  4. Spain
  5. Germany
  6. Great Britain
  7. Japan
  8. India
  9. Belgium
  10. Australia




 
 

 

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Carmageddon: Are you Ready for a Staycation, L.A.?

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011


Beat Carmageddon by taking a 'staycation' or heading out of town for the weekend (photo courtesy of LATimesBlog.com).

Beginning Friday, a portion of the 405, otherwise known as the busiest highway in the U.S., will be shutdown for 53 hours (as if L.A. needs any help in the bad traffic department).

Los Angeles police and department of transportation officials have been doing their best to encourage residents and visitors alike to make alternative plans for the weekend in hopes of avoiding a colossal traffic jam.

My suggestion for those people that can get out of town before the closure begins, is to take the opportunity for a weekend road trip to one of California’s other picturesque cities such as Santa Maria, San Diego or head north toward Marin County.

But if you can’t get out of town then test your skills navigating the surface streets of Los Angeles and make it a Staycation weekend. Check out the last minute deals from hotels.com and have some fun.  I suggest that you consider booking in Hollywood, Pasadena or downtown Los Angeles to best avoid the 405 or simply stay on the beach in Santa Monica and walk to nearby shops and restaurants all weekend. Many local restaurants and shops are offering special deals on the 16th and 17th which makes this weekend a great time to help boost local businesses.

I was able to track down the following helpful transportation resources:

July 15th and 16th, the transportation authority will be offering free fares on 26 bus lines along major routes on the west side and in the San Fernando Valley. Additionally, the Red, Purple and Orange line subways will offer free service.

Prime Time Shuttle is offering shuttle service from LAX to anywhere in the San Fernando Valley for $20/ person (one way) and $10 for each additional person, on July 16th and 17th.

Follow @BeatCarmageddon on Twitter to keep up with the impending melee.  Click Here for the more details on the road project.

Good luck to my friends and family in L.A. this weekend, and keep me posted on all the freeway fun!

 
 

 

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Celebrate the Mavericks NBA Championship with Great Hotel Deals in Dallas

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Find the best hotels in Dallas to view the Mavericks NBA Championship victory parade.

With the Dallas Mavericks beating the Miami Heat four games to two in this year’s NBA Championship, fans from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as transplant fans from other cities will converge on the city of Dallas on Thursday morning, June 16th, at 10am to join the players, coaches and city of Dallas in well-deserved jubilation during the Maverick’s victory parade.

To help fans find a room with a view (or a place to stay afterwards,) hotels.com has compiled the below list of Dallas hotels along the parade route for the most devout Mavs fans.

With this parade celebrating the first-ever Mavs National Championship, an attendance estimated at 250,000 plus, finding a spot to view the festivities might be difficult. For those who want to enjoy the fanfare without obstructed views and crowded sidewalks, here is a list of Dallas hotels with a vantage point for parade watchers:

For fans traveling to Dallas from out-of-town, and making a full vacation day, or long weekend out of the parade, hotels.com suggests booking through the currently running Summer Sale, which will provide fans with 30% off select rooms while providing summer gifts just for booking.

 
 

 

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How to Get the Proper Workout When Traveling

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Bikini season has arrived, great summer hotel deals are available, and many don’t realize how easy it is to incorporate a workout into their everyday lives – even while traveling.

Hotels.com is making travelers sweat in a good way, with their recently launched luggage workout video designed for travelers looking to feel the burn while waiting for their plane, train or automobile.

According to a recent Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health study, road warriors who travel for business two weeks or more a month have higher body mass index, higher rates of obesity and poorer self-rated health than those who travel less often.

One in five travelers checked a suitcase when traveling abroad, meaning the other eighty percent are most likely trying to beat those annoying additional baggage charges by hauling, pushing or dragging suitcases around airports. But what many travelers don’t realize is that suitcases and bags make for fantastic impromptu gym equipment.

With the help of fitness guru Troy Dureh, hotels.com has devised a workout that aims to help travelers make the most of their journey, with a number of simple exercises that are perfect to fill the hours spent waiting at airports. Dureh is one of the most versatile international fitness presenters in the U.K., known for his dynamic personality, unique teaching style as well as delivering high energy, motivational workouts.

Instead of only working out biceps while lifting a pint of beer or glass of wine at the airport bar, travelers are encouraged to utilize weightlifting techniques from the “suitcase struggle” to “carrying curlers.” The luggage workout comprises of a range of specially designed exercises available using your own weights, your luggage.

Available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUyXJ89npFc, fitness fanatics can watch Troy showing frequent flyers a number of specially designed exercises.

 
 

 

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Female Bloggers Highlighted in March Magazine

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

I am so excited and appreciative to be featured in the new issue of March Magazine, the bi-monthly magazine that celebrates the accomplishments of women. 

The article features a few of us gals who make a living by blogging. So to learn a little more about me, read the article here: March Magazine

 
 

 

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