Category: Uncategorized

With numerous ongoing store closing and declining visits, shoppers are moving away from the mall — but hold on to your snow shoes — the latest mall addition could be a multilevel indoor ski slope inviting mall shoppers to ski and play in real snow.  The Big Snow mountain will rise more than 16 stories and offer skiers and snowboarders a 1000 foot long 200 foot wide ski slope at 28 degrees for year round fun. Skiers will travel to the mountain top by chairlift for their “run — or slide” down the mountain.  The first Big Snow is open now a new 450 store mega mall in New Jersey.  

Here’s the 2 deepest canyons in the world to explore:  Colca Canyon in Peru, and Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.  I’d suggest Tibet, where you would really experience very old world and very new world — and quite the adventure!!!

Walking when you travel is the best way to explore — and the 3 best “walkable” cities in the US are;  Boston, San Francisco and New York! Not sure of any of these city walks qualify as “most friendly” but all grand for window shopping and neighborhood cafes.  Walk On!!!

Disney has officially opened the second major attraction in their new Star Wars Galaxy Edge land —it’s hoped the new multi-million dollar attraction will help prop up the park’s declining attendance these past few months.  Disney has also initiated some price promotions on child admissions for their 3 day Park Hopper Passes — but past history says a major overall Park price increase is on the radar.   TC Disney Park advice … go later in the day and stay until closing for shorter lines, less people and more fun!

Boeing flight engineers and quality inspectors are asking the company to re-evaluate and double check the 737 Max tail assembly (for possible defects) and some interior wiring they think might be too close and could result in shorts and aircraft fire. Late spring — as Boeing is now saying — might be a little optimistic for the super 737 to be back in the air?  Hopefully they can resolve all the issues and get the plane back flying, although the TC will pass on any MAX flights until we all know ALL the issues have been resolved!!!

Each year, using hard earned frequent flyer miles becomes harder, more complicated and with more and more restrictions.  Take a look at a site called AWARD HACKER — and, the TC says take the time to call airline for help — many times you can uncover some great opportunities by doing this — it just takes some time.  Make your calls as late at night as you can — when business is slow for most airline reservations centers and agents have more time to “explore” with you.   Happy Travels!!!

Check out a site called “Sky Scanner” … the online site has been around for a few years and offers some good last minute travel deals — especially if your dates are flexible.  One Hundred MILLION People a month seem to think Sky Scanner is worth a look!!!

You can avoid the expensive, usually somewhat unkept hotel gym by planning a minimum moderately paced walk every day — health experts say it’s as good as a 45 minute work out!!!

And for usually the best prices — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. And book your flight early in the am for the better prices!  

A new rental car trend starting in California is renting a car from an individual owner instead of going through a normal car rental agency.  Turo, based in San Francisco — where the trend is starting — will act as the middle man between a private car owner and potential renter.  How about trying a new Tesla Model 3 for $110 a day?  One car owner, with an electronic tracking system on his Porsche, was able to track his car hitting speeds of nearly 200 mph — ok, maybe this isn’t such a good idea for car owners?