Category: Uncategorized

April 2, 2016: In an unusual “non revenue” producing move, Disneyland Resort has added seat cushions on it’s popular Matterhorn Mountain Bobsled ride. The Matterhorn Bobsleds opened in 1959 and was the first tubular steel track roller coaster in the world. Today, it’s still one of the Park’s most popular attractions. Although Disney says it will make the ride less rough, some early riders disagree and say the ride experience is actually rougher. By the way, Disneyland employees have named the snowman the ride passes inside the mountain “Harold” — and he’s been upgraded to be more animated.

March 31, 2016: Always a popular travel destination, San Francisco ranks at the top for year round fun and unusual atmosphere.  Historic Union Square, in the midst of a huge under ground area construction cluster, always worth a visit. Sidewalks are packed with locals and visitors — many obnoxious and pushy expecting you to be aware that they are in a hurry and command right of way!  Enjoy it for a time, and then hope a Bay cruise or ferry up to Tiberon to enjoy the city from a peaceful distance. http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ferry/tiburon/

March 30, 2016: It’s an annual event — spring break — schools close and send students off with their friends (if old enough) or holiday fun-seeking parents to invade beaches, theme parks, and any other place with open space, easy access to booze and a police force that kind of looks the other way. This years spring break runs from early March until mid April, with most travelers landing at US domestic locations. The number one gathering state is Florida with California close behind. The TC recently did his spring break in Galveston, Texas. This somewhat weathered resort location (that includes a well used cruise ship port), features miles of open beaches (this year full of pesky jelly fish) and hundreds of motel/hotel rooms that will pack families or groups of 4-8 in very tight quarters. Overweight heavily tattooed adults, booze in hand, populate most hotel pools. For the more adventurous, old town Galveston is worth the visit with numerous places to dine, snack or drink — and all the shops you’d expect close to a major cruise ship port — including a Witchery, where wanna be or professional witches can browse for merchandise needed to support their calling. The best part of spring break in any location is when it’s over and the locals can add up the revenue, repair the damage and take their own break!

March 29, 2016: Though “Favorite Airline” is an oxymoron, there are certainly some airlines that are less awful than others, especially when it comes to international, non-us companies that put an extra level of luxury on flights than the standard airbus US carriers have to offer. Which world airlines rank among the best though? Find out here.

March 28, 2016: Small space Microhotels, with room sizes ranging from 50 to 100 square feet, are opening in major markets around the US. New York currently has several lodging groups, from independent operators to more well known chains like Hilton (Tru Hotels), opening these samll space rooms for business travelers who just want an easy and efficient place to stay over night — without shelling out hundreds of dollars for ammenities not used or needed. Typical hotel rooms are 300 to 500 square feet in size. Micro hotels reduce staff sizes — including automated check in and other front desk needs — and the availability of more common area spaces for work and social activities. Watch out when you book — some rooms might include a shared bathroom!

March 26, 2016: Europe’s budget airline carriers move thousands of travelers every day — fares are low but just about everything else — excluding use of a seat belt — requires an extra fee. Customer service is fairly non existent — and by the looks of this clip so is airline maintenance responsibility?

March 25, 2016: Don’t any one hold their breathe, but several members of both Houses of Congress are in the midst of launching hearings and legislation to look into and limit the current “free for all” in the way airlines are increasing fees. This could include checked baggage, ticket changes and traveler cancelations — basically some members of Congress saying this amounts to price gouging!  The current bill, titled “Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous Fees Act” — or the FAIR FEES ACT — follows a similar legislative move to set minimum standards for seat size. Profits are good so the US airline are feeling feisty and want more revenue per passenger, smaller seat sizes to accommodate more bodies on board and, in many cases,  provide less customer services.

March 23, 2016: The Rickshaw Run — A race across India from Jaiselmar to Shillong (Pakistan Border to Myanmar Border). A two week, 2,700 km adventure with no set route and no way of knowing if you’ll make it — all in a 7 horsepower 3-wheel golf cart — the glorious auto rickshaw. From April 4th to April 16th three friends known as the up and coming adventure group, Always Be Epic, will take part in this chaotic race with no experience with either a rickshaw or the Indian landscape. There is no guarantee that they will win, or even finish for that matter, but one thing is certain — their full GoPro coverage of the event will be great for our viewing experience. Maybe if this takes off in the US, it could be as popular as NASCAR?

March 22, 2016: Consumer Advocate, Christopher Elliot, recently brought up a growing concern in the travel world — Flying liars! These people seek special treatment through airlines by faking a debilitating injury or lying about family emergencies. Granted, I think it’s admirable to find creative ways around the painful hurdles airlines have put in place in recent years — but if you pretend you’re injured just to get on a flight early, don’t be surprised if the other passengers decide to make it true.