Category: Blog

October 25, 2017:Airports confuse you, customs a challenge, no one speaks your language? You might need a professional airport “guide” to help. A new airport concierge service called SOLVE (check the airports online site for specifics) is now available in over 400 airports around the world. Guides cost $200+/person and speak both English and the local language.

October 23, 2017: A new budget airline is set to take off in December — SCOOT (fine name) will start service from Osaka and Singapore to Hawaii.  The airline — flying 787 Dreamliner’s and A320 aircraft —  really isn’t all new as it is a combination of the new Scoot brand with the old Tigerair group headquartered in Singapore — Tigerair already serves numerous destinations in Asia. The new web site: www.flyscoot.com is a bit funky — and Scoot employees are referred to as SCOOTEES  — yes, this is all for real!  Scoot and Scootees might be headed for the US?

October 20, 2017: Check out the November mushroom wine and beer festival in the Mendocino area of Northern California. Sign up for mushroom hunts (don’t try it on your own), mushroom cooking classes, learn how to brew mushroom tea and don’t miss the ever popular mushroom beer festival. And if you’re really into mushrooms and want a real treat, look for the handmade mushroom ice cream featuring “candy cap mushrooms” — What a digestive experience?

September 25, 2017: Two of the world’s largest hotel chains, HILTON and MARRIOTT, are implementing a 48 hour cancelation policy — or you pay for one nights stay. This is up from the current 24 hour cancelation policy — they say this is to crack down on travelers who wait until the last minute to cancel. Initially the policy will be for both chains properties in the US and Canada, but watch for them to roll the program into other locations. I guess when business is good, big chains can be somewhat more greedy!!! Not sure why we call this the “hospitality” business?

September 22, 2017: Asia and Europe are breeding grounds for more low cost long haul air carriers these days — following the successful example of Norway’s Wow Air — with mandatory stop from anywhere in Iceland.

• Level International Airlines, owner of Spain’s flag carrier Iberia, will use Barcelona as their hub
• Malaysia based Air X will be the first low cost Asian carrier to hit US soil with service to Honolulu
• France’s La Compagnie will fly between Paris and Newark with an all low (they say?) one business class (74 seats) service.

Low cost international airline fares can be as low as $199 each way — but watch out for the add ons!!!

September 15, 2017: Here’s where National Geographic says travel is best this year:

• Kauai: great outdoor experiences and adventures.
• Finland: Already a TC favorite — don’t miss the country’s 100 year independence celebrations and outdoor wilderness activities.
• Baja California: Experience close encounters swimming with marine life and whale watching.
• Moscow, Russia: Lots of history, art and “retro” Russian history.
• Madrid: Museums, night life that runs until the sun comes up and a lively art scene.
• Prince Edward Island, Canada: Red rocky sea shores and quaint fishing villages.

September 11, 2017: Campers looking for a different way to sleep under the stars are now dangling between trees on hybrid hammock style tents — from 10 to 100 feet off the ground. These gravity-defying devices, a little tricky to set up, can hold up to 3 campers “somewhat comfortably” — with some tents costing more than $1,000. Not sure how suited this off ground style camp sleeping is for sleep walkers?

August 30, 2017: Yup — the French have come up with an innovative way to get their daily intake of fresh oysters — from a vending machine. Several “Oysters On The Run” machines are currently being tested in Paris and seem to be very popular. Other innovative vending machines, especially popular in the US, dispense hot french fries and — the most popular, especially at airports — fresh flowers! Oysters On The Run, the ultimate dine and go!!!

August 28, 2017: Indoor pools and track, high end spa, cardio-joggers, catered meals — all this and much more — for your pets to enjoy a holiday while you travel. Amenities can be added a la carte too — like water work outs, lap swims, field play, snuggles and massages. Costs range from $350 to $1500 or more a NIGHT — if your pet has trouble sleeping for another $200 plus, an attendant will sleep with your pet. Only thing missing is a doggie martini!!!

August 23, 2017: If are looking for the “ultimate” outdoor adventure — and the adventure being illegal doesn’t bother you — then “tomb robbing” in China might be something to consider? The demand for ancient Chinese artifacts has revived this dangerous but lucrative activity — some newly found “treasurers” — like a chariot discovered in a grave in Henan Province — selling for several million dollars. Beware — this “pop culture” adventure can be dangerous and your competition might be experienced professionals who don’t take kindly to amateur adventure tourists!