Posted in Gulf Oil Spill, Travel News
We’re closely monitoring the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on destinations along the Gulf Coast. Find daily updates here:
As of July 29, 2010:
Florida – All Florida beaches are open to the public. Florida has issued Oil Impact Notices for all of Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Alabama – Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, have seen significant oiling in the water. Beaches are OPEN but water is CLOSED to the public and/or Health Advisory remains in place for: Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Bayou St. John, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, Old River, and Mississippi Sound.
Mississippi – The beach closure extending from Nicholson Avenue to the Silver Slipper in Hancock County and Bay St. Louis has been changed to a health advisory and the beach has reopened.
A health advisory in Harrison County from Bay Saint Louis on the west to Azalea Avenue in Biloxi on the east. A health advisory in Jackson County from Main Street in the Beale Fountain area west to Seashore Avenue.
Louisiana – Grand Isle beaches remain closed to the public. All other beaches are open to the public. A health advisory exists for all gulf waters from Martin Beach on the LA/TX state line to Fontainebleau State park near the LA/MS state line.
Gulf Islands National Seashore – Beaches open, but public health advisory is in effect park-wide.
Related resources
1 Comment »
Posted in Beach Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Romance Tags: Bahamas
Credit: Darcy McCarty.
By Steve Jermanok
Take a Caribbean vacation for the sun, sand, warm breezes, but most of all, romance. A few things on my checklist for worthy romantic getaways are picturesque surroundings, a feeling of sanctuary from the rest of the world, and impeccable hotel amenities and service — after all, I have a lady to impress. These three Caribbean islands and respective hotels have my stamp of approval.
Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments »
Posted in Beach Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Hotels Tags: Bahamas
A Bahamian gazebo. Credit: bryce_edwards.
By Whit Honea
It’s hard to think of a better way to spend beach vacations than with a trip to the Bahamas, where sun, sand, luxury and the outstanding service of world-class resorts await. In fact, you might might just catch me at one of these four Bahamas hotels this year:
Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments »
Posted in Beach Vacation, Florida Vacation, Hotels, Spa Vacation Tags: Marco Island, Naples
Naples Bay Resort, which overlooks Naples Bay, Florida.
By Joanna Citarella
I’ve lived in Naples, Florida for the past nine years. It’s become an annual tradition for us to take a short vacation in our own backyard every summer. Why? Quite simply, some of the best values are found during the summertime in southwest Florida. Traveling off-peak, I can experience all the wonderful things that my home has to offer with amazing savings at luxury hotels.
Below are my top 5 picks for a luxurious southwest Florida summer getaway:
Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments »
Posted in Business Travel, Flights, Travel News Tags: Delta Air Lines, United Airlines
By Joe Brancatelli
Credit: contraption.
Since United Airlines has had some limited success selling travelers “bonus” Mileage Plus credit on a per-flight basis, American AAdvantage has decided to do the same. The airline’s so-called Mileage Multiplier Option will appear when you check in for your flight at airport kiosks. For the outrageously inflated price of about 3 cents a mile (plus tax), you can buy double or triple flight miles.
Delta Air Lines has eliminated the annoying redemption fees for SkyMiles awards claimed within 21 days of departure. The fees ranged as high as $150 for tickets booked within three days. Why roll back the fees? Delta insiders say the strange new world of frequent flyer accounting actually makes it beneficial to the airline when travelers claim awards.
Moreover, customers who successfully claim awards are more likely to continue to book Delta, thus creating more revenue than the fees generated. But nothing is totally free of bad news, of course. While it drops redemption fees, Delta has hiked the charge it imposes if you redeposit miles to $150.
Stash Hotel Rewards is the name of a new frequent-guest program that claims to be a loyalty plan for “fiercely independent hoteliers,” about 65 of whom are currently participating. But “independent” is in the eye of the beholder. Among the properties in Stash Rewards are the Hotel Sierra chain, run by LodgeWorks, and a handful of lodgings operated by Greystone Hotels of San Francisco.
Related resources
Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
No Comments »
Posted in California Vacation, Food & Wine Tags: Pet-friendly vacations, wine country vacations
Credit: Spigoo.
By Carmen Madrid
Sushi bars, electric cars, theme parks… and now, from the trend-setting West Coast: dog-friendly wineries. As a transplanted Californian who loves cabs and labs, this is one trend I hope will make its way across the country to New England. If you’re planning a California vacation with your own pups, you’ll definitely get four paws up if you add these dog-friendly Sonoma wineries to your must-see list. Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments »
Posted in Beach Vacation, Caribbean Vacation Tags: puerto rico
W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
By Whit Honea
No Comments »
Posted in Family Travel, Hotels Tags: pet friendly hotels, Seattle
Seattle's famous Space Needle. Credit: Seattle Municipal Archives.
By Whit Honea
Seattle is a walkable city, which is great for people traveling with pets. Of course, you may need to walk with an umbrella, but it’s walkable nonetheless. Many of the popular attractions are located within a small, convenient area and there are several pet-friendly, downtown Seattle hotels with easy access to them all.
Whether you want to experience world-class dining, shopping, sports or entertainment, you and your furry friends will have no trouble fitting in at these fun Seattle hotels.
Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments »
Posted in International Vacations, Ski Resorts Tags: Banff, Canada, Whistler
Your eyes are not deceiving you: the magnificently blue water of Lake Peyto in Banff National Park really is this color blue. It comes from minerals found in the runoff from the Peyto Glacier that feeds the Lake. Credit: Frank Kovalchek.
By David De Lalio
Living in Colorado, I’m surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. But, the mountains in Canada take scenery to a whole new level. Whistler and Banff are renowned destinations for winter skiing, but there are so many activities at these destinations in the summer too. In fact, more tourists flock to Banff in the summer months than they do in the winter. While the same can’t be said for Whistler, Canada’s premier ski destination, there’s plenty to keep you busy at this year-round resort.
Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment »
Posted in Hotels, Travel News, Uncategorized Tags: Chicago, Transformers
Hotel 71 in Chicago, on the set of Transformers 3.
By Angie Jaime
Chicago’s Hotel 71 has become the epicenter of the Transformers 3 mayhem, as shooting continues on Wacker Drive. The hotel, which morphed into Bruce Wayne’s penthouse in The Dark Knight has reclaimed its Hollywood limelight in the third installment of the Transformers series. The wreckage littering the street–presumably from the robots in disguise–spills out from within the hotel.
Hotel 71’s East Cafe has transformed into something of a drive-through–a car crash wreaks havoc on the eatery. But who can complain when they’re offering a $20 food credit for items from their movie-themed menu. Other perks for travelers staying amongst the chaos include 30% off the second adjoining room, daily posting of Transformers shooting schedule across the city, and a complimentary screening of the first two Transformers films.
Angie Jaime is an editorial intern at Orbitz. A lifelong traveler, she’s been surfing in Hawaii, hiking in Mexico and backpacking through Europe.
No Comments »
