Posted in Cruise, Family Travel, International Vacations, Travel Tips Tags: cruises, family cruises, Family vacation
(Photo: Disney Cruise Line)
By Kim Windyka
When you think of a family vacation, bringing the kids on a cruise might not be the first idea that comes to mind. However, there are some distinct advantages to setting sail with the whole gang: you’ll only have to unpack once, and you’ll get to visit multiple different ports during your cruise. Plus, your cruise fare includes almost everything you could want: stateroom accommodations, most meals, entertainment, kids clubs, several choices of sports and activities, and even port charges. Not to mention, you’ll avoid hearing the dreaded “Are we there yet?” from anyone …well, once you’re on the ship, anyways. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in Disney Vacation, Family Travel, Orlando Vacation
Editor’s note: This is the first in a six-part Q&A series on “Bringing the kids to Disney World.” Get expert advice on everything from healthy meals to hotel recommendations.
By Robin Gallagher
Robin's niece (age 5) with Mickey
At a recent play group several moms, we were discussing the age-old question: When will our toddlers (along with everyone else in the family) be ready to enjoy a family vacation to Disney World? As we watched our 3- and 4-year-old boys run around with endless energy, pushing shoving and, of course, hugging, we talked in circles. One of the moms said, “Don’t you work for Orbitz, you should have an idea.”
Gulp. I had to come up with something quick, so I said, “Well, it really depends on your child.” (I knew this to be true and had to come up with something quick to maintain my expert status among the moms.)
The truth is, although I had been to Disney several times as a child — and only a year ago as an adult — I still had some questions that I needed answered. I was on a mission. I asked the Strategic Account Manager that handles Disney for Orbitz if he could put me in touch with a Disney expert to answer my most pressing questions. And he did. I asked Jonas Lehmann-Karp from The Walt Disney World Moms Panel six questions, and now I can finally share them with my fellow super moms, starting with this one:
Q: My boys have absolutely no patience. I am very concerned about lines and the wait times at the parks. What suggestions do you have for parents with toddlers who have a hard time standing in lines?
Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in Disney Vacation, Orlando Vacation
By Erin Kregor and Laura Deeken
We’re on the scene at Disney World in Orlando this week to experience what’s new at the resort. Watch for our updates and photos, as we parasail, go on safari, check out new restaurants and hotels, and more.
You can also follow our real-time exploits on www.twitter.com/Orbitz or www.facebook.com/Orbitz.
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Posted in Beach Vacation, International Vacations, Mexico Vacation Tags: Mexico Vacation, Sayulita
By Julia Caranci
View of the beach in Sayulita, Mexico
I’m tempted to say it rains all the time in Sayulita and there’s nothing to do because part of me wants to keep this amazing Mexican village all to myself.
In fact, Sayulita is a gorgeous coastal town just 45 minutes by car from Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Once a tiny fishing village, it is today a growing Mexico vacation destination, with a beautiful beach and well-known surf break that boasts predominantly sunny warm weather from November to May.
The main beach in Sayulita is just over a mile long, and has something for everyone. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in California Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, International Vacations, Nightlife, Ski Resorts, Sports Travel, Travel Tips Tags: Ski Resorts, ski vacations
Pieter van Noordennen in Banff
We recently hosted a live chat on Orbitz’s Facebook page to help travelers plan their ski vacations. Away.com ski expert Pieter van Noordennen was on hand to field questions, and here are some of the highlights:
Pieter, four of my closest friends (all guys) and I are traveling from Atlanta to Breckenridge in February for our yearly Ski Adventure (ha). Neither of us are expert skiers or snowboarders, but I wonder, which peaks do you recommend for intermediate and below skiers? Thanks. –Yeavis M.
Yeavis, Breckenridge has a really good mix of easy, intermediate, and hard slopes, so you’ll be fine there. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in California Vacation, Food & Wine, Romance Tags: California Vacation, California wine country, monterey, Paso Robles
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Photo: Santa Cruz County CVC
By Ari Bendersky
In my first story about wine-tasting on a California vacation (Beyond Napa … ), I focused on wineries and hotels in Northern California — in Sonoma, Mendocino and beyond. This time we travel south of San Francisco to Central California wine country.
Santa Cruz
Getting to Santa Cruz from San Francisco or San Jose is an easy, breathtaking drive over the mountains or down Highway 1 — with a quick stop in Los Gatos, Calif., to sip a few acclaimed glasses of Pinot Noir at David Bruce Winery or to San Martin, Calif., to the sprawling mission-like Clos la Chance for some beautiful red blends and citrusy Chardonnay.
The bohemian town of Santa Cruz is a hippie haven and a bastion of liberalism — and has some fantastic attractions. If you like the beach and a boardwalk, Santa Cruz is a must for your California vacation. You could spend an afternoon in SC en route to Monterey, but make sure you swing by Bonny Doon to indulge in the creative craftiness of winemaker and owner Randall Gramm. He’s known for deep, rich Syrah and other Rhone varietals (like Grenache and Mouvedre), but he’s also quite the court jester — just look at his wine labels. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in All Inclusive Resorts, Beach Vacation, International Vacations, Mexico Vacation, Romance, Spa Vacation Tags: Cabo, Mexico Vacation, Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya
Las Ventanas al Paraiso
By Lena Katz
Tired of all the rain, hail, sleet and snow yet? Yeah, me too. It doesn’t seem to really fit the Valentine’s theme at all. That’s why I’m making February the official month of the mini-moon — and suggesting lovebirds should migrate south. With most of Mexico’s most popular resorts just a few hours’ flight from any U.S. hub, it’s the perfect three-day beach vacation getaway. Escape crowds and get canoodly on a romantic Mexico vacation at one of the hideaways below.
Los Cabos often reminds me of a smaller Spanish-speaking beachfront version of Las Vegas. Not muy romantic, I know. But certain hotels in this Mexico vacation hub know how to provide ultimate serenity and beauty in the eye of the tourism whirlwind — which is why you constantly read about celebs and jetsetters taking beach vacations here to “get away from it all.”
Demi, Gwyneth and their ilk are most often seen at One & Only Palmilla and Las Ventanas al Paraiso — stunning properties to be sure, but also among the most expensive in Mexico. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Holidays & Events, Las Vegas Vacation, Romance, Spa Vacation Tags: Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Golden Nugget, Harrah's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas CityCenter, Las Vegas hotels, Las Vegas restaurants, Las Vegas Spas, M Resort, Mandalay Bay, Palms Place, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Stratosphere, Valentine's Day travel, Venetian
Bellagio Cypress Suite (Photo: MGM/Mirage)
By E.C. Gladstone
Tradition holds that June is the most popular month to get married. But not in Las Vegas — here, that distinction belongs to Feb. 14, St. Valentine’s Day. If you’re one of the many planning to help that statistic, you’ve probably already chosen the venue, but just in case, you might want to check my wedding blog (Getting married? Say “I do” on the Vegas Strip) for tips (not every Elvis on the street can marry you, fyi.)
Those of us who have already taken the vows, or aren’t of that mind, can still find a lot of romance within the Las Vegas hotels for Valentine’s Day, though. While most of my Valentine’s Day recommendations from last year still hold , I thought I’d update with a few new pointers.
SUITE YOURSELF
Las Vegas hotel room rates are at very competitive levels now, so why not look into upgrading to a more lavish, roomy suite? For couples wanting to get cozy, “standard” suites at the Venetian/Palazzo and Trump as well as the Hard Rock Hotel’s new HRH tower certainly make the grade, in my mind. Above those, I think some of the sexiest junior and one-bedroom suites can be found at the following Las Vegas hotels: Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in Business Travel, Flights, On the Road, Travel News Tags: airlines, Business Travel, Continental Airlines, Flights, international travel, Lufthansa
By Joe Brancatelli
There isn’t much sign that international premium-class travel is picking up, but that hasn’t stopped the airlines from looking for niches to add new service. Here’s what’s on tap for the so-called “summer schedule” that, by airline tradition, starts in late March.
- Meanwhile, Continental will also resume flights between Hong Kong and Guam on April 2. The twice-weekly service will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
- Speaking of Lufthansa, it will begin flying between its Munich hub and Miami International Airport on March 29. Flights will operate three times a week.
- Icelandair will launch three weekly flights from Orlando/Sanford to Keflavik on March 27.
- Taiwan travelers take note: EVA Air will launch Taipei-Toronto flights on March 29. The three-day-a-week service will make an intermediate stop in Anchorage on the Asia-bound flights.
- And China Airlines will launch a Taipei-London service on March 28. That, too, will operate three times a week.
Related Orbitz 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.
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Posted in Beach Vacation, Gay Travel, Holidays & Events, International Vacations, Nightlife Tags: Bondi Beach, Gay Travel, LGBT travel, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Opera House, travel
By Bryan Herb
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (Feb. 19 – March 6, 2010) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008, and the future looks promising for what many consider to be the largest gay and lesbian celebration in the world — a great excuse for gay travel to Sydney. The organizers are constantly tweaking and refining to improve upon prior years; in fact, they recently met with me and Joel Cabrera, the co-owner of Zoom Vacations, to solicit our feedback and suggestions.
What I love about the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is how fun and carefree the whole thing is. It’s also very busy, so expect your dance card to fill up quickly upon arrival. Read the rest of this entry »
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