Orbitz Blog

Articles for January, 2009

JetBlue adds service from Orlando

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Business travel
By Joe Brancatelli

AIRPORT REPORT

The Club Life Keeps Improving: Lufthansa has opened an elaborate, three-tiered lounge inside Terminal 1 at New York's Kennedy Airport. The 16,000-square-foot, $10 million facility features a lounge for First Class/HON Circle members on the third level, a Senator Lounge on the second level and a lounge for business-class fliers on the main level. … Speaking of airport clubs, Priority Pass members now have access to new lounges in Terminal 2 of Sao Paulo/Guarulhos, Terminal 3 of Beijing/Capital, and Terminal 1 of Toronto/Pearson. … AirTran Airways says that it will launch daily flights between Columbus, Ohio, and Fort Lauderdale on March 5.

MEAN AND GREEN

Greenpeace Buys Real Estate to Block New Heathrow Runway: A controversial third runway for London's Heathrow Airport has taken a strange twist now that Greenpeace and other environmental activists purchased a large plot of land where the planned runway would be built. Greenpeace said it and luminaries such as actress Emma Thompson purchased land in the village of Sipson, which would be obliterated to make room for the runway. The British government, which is generally supportive of a Heathrow expansion, could invoke the English equivalent of "eminent domain" to seize the land, but its purchase by committed anti-runway activists will surely slow down the process.

ROUTE MAP

Southwest Adds Another Route in the California Corridor: If you had any doubt that Southwest Airlines is the emotional and physical successor to AirCal and PSA, the former masters of the California Corridor, consider this: Southwest is adding still another intra-California service. On May 9, it will launch five daily flights between San Francisco and John Wayne/Orange County. That'll make 362 daily flights within California for the nation's largest low-fare carrier. … JetBlue Airways continues to quietly turn Orlando into a small hub. Its latest move: daily service between Orlando and San Jose, Costa Rica, beginning on March 26. The airline previously announced that it would begin flights from Orlando to Bogota, Colombia, (on January 29) and Nassau, Bahamas (on February 1). … WestJet, the big Canadian discounter, is adding a slew of new seasonal destinations this spring. The new service includes daily Edmonton-Yellowknife flights; three weekly flights from Calgary to both San Francisco and San Diego; flights between Toronto and both Fort McMurray and Sydney, Nova Scotia; and service from Vancouver to Saskatoon, Regina, Fort McMurray and London, Ontario. It will also resume its seasonal flights between Calgary and Newark and Toronto and St. John. All of the service starts in May.

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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2008 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.

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Packing light: 10 tips to help avoid checked baggage fees

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

Travel With airlines now charging for checked baggage, packing light can save big bucks when you travel.

We've taken a look at the Web sites of some travel enthusiasts, Lani Teshima's Travelite FAQ and Doug Dyment's Compleat Carry-On Traveler, and talked to our own frequent travelers to offer 10 easy tips to keep your baggage to a minimum to save money on your next flight:

1) Have a good packing list — and use it. "Don't try to do it from memory," Dyment advises, "or make it up as you go along." Otherwise, you'll end up hauling more than you need.

2) Acquire a bag that has been designed for efficient and reliable travel, not to appeal to the "gimmick of the month" mentality. At the top of Dyment's gimmickry list: wheeled bags, which Dyment argues are heavier, less roomy, unreliable and less able to fit in available storage spaces.

3) Base your wardrobe on a basic neutral color — black, brown, navy or tan — and make sure each item coordinates into at least two wardrobes, using secondary colors for accent purposes. "Never pack clothing that serves only one purpose," Teshima notes, "except for your main outerwear (such as an overcoat)."

4) Learn to layer that wardrobe to create a handful of separate garments into multiple outfits.

5) Learn how to fold clothes so they don't wrinkle. Dyment suggests the "bundle folding" method, which entails the layering of clothing around a soft core, like an organizer pouch filled with small items like socks and underwear.

More specifically, clothing is smoothed out and layered in a specific order — jacket, skirts and dresses, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, slacks, sweaters and knits, and shorts — with the collar and waistband ends alternating, and the dresses and pants laid out lengthwise. These layers are then wrapped around the core. The resulting bundle is then tied up — though not tightly — and placed in the bag.

6) Be flexible. "Feel free to buy a local garment on your trip," Dyment suggests, "but feel comfortable enough to mail it home if you don't plan wear it outside of that one European country."

7) Keep regular-sized toiletries at home and transfer items such as shampoo into travel-sized containers. "Unless you are visiting the Australian Outback, you should have no trouble finding replacements should you need them," Teshima says. The TSA's 3-1-1 rule allows liquids and gels in 3 oz. containers or less — all packed in a one-quart, clear plastic zip-top bag.

8) Limit the number of shoes you pack and wear the bulkiest pair during the flights, so they don't take up room in your bag.

9) Avoid lugging heavy travel books. "Tear out the sections relevant to your destination, or photocopy them and toss them as you go," Teshima suggests. "If you can't bear to do this, mail them home while you're on the road."

10) Know the rules. Airlines have strict size and weight limits for carry-on luggage, so check with your carrier. Also, make sure you don't pack anything on the TSA's list of prohibited items.

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All-inclusive resorts rev up romance with weddings, love letters

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

All-inclusive resorts
By Lena Katz

Drinks, non-motorized water sports, 7,000 calories a day, and a kick-start for your relationship too? Yup, that’s what you can get for one price at my favorite all-inclusive resorts this Valentine’s Day. Check out the following inspirations and romance recipes for a Caribbean vacation or Mexico getaway.

Breezes SuperClubs Resorts top the list of romantic all-inclusive resorts for one major reason: With a 3-night minimum stay, you can get an entire wedding or renewal of vows for free — marriage license, ceremony, cake, champagne, and flowers. Each resort even provides a staff wedding planner to make sure everything goes smoothly. Note: You must pay for the photographer, as well as government/administration fees (though some Breezes properties will waive this with a 7-night minimum stay).

Breezes is known for its fun, unpretentious, often rowdy vacation vibe — at the moment, the brand is not positioned as luxury. However, some properties, like popular Breezes Runaway Bay Resort in Jamaica, have undergone renovations to vastly improve the quality of service and accommodations. A romantic Caribbean vacation at the newly renovated Runaway Bay might include welcome champagne service to your room, dinner for two under the stars, a horse & buggy ride, and vows renewal in the oceanfront gazebo or even underwater. All these things must be pre-arranged, and the underwater vow renewals or weddings are only offered to people with scuba certification. 

Of course I couldn’t do a romantic all-inclusive resort roundup without giving a shout-out to Couples Resorts. This Caribbean mini-chain is the leader in lovey-dovey twosome experiences, and its formula is such a fan favorite, there’s even a message board for longtime repeat guests to swap their vacation stories and ideas for next time.

My favorite Couples extra is simple but oh-so-memorable: The Director of Romance will help one person craft a personal love letter to the other, and deliver it at the time and in the manner of their choosing. If, as the saying goes, ‘tis the thought that counts, then this service is invaluable to those brave enough to use it.

Three Couples resorts are currently open on Jamaica, with the flagship Ocho Rios property currently being renovated, to open in April 2009 as Couples Tower Isle. Stay tuned for more info as the date approaches.

An up-and-coming travel destination that still offers some great bargains, the Dominican Republic is the home of Barcelo Bavaro Palace Junior Suites Deluxe. Located in Punta Cana, this high-end all-inclusive resort within a 6-hotel Barcelo Resorts complex explains everything in its name, really: Expansive oceanfront suites feature hydrotherapy tubs, private terraces and “occupancy sensors” which let the housekeeping staff know when guests are ensuite. This is one of our favorite new technologies, since it alleviates the constant (and well-founded! Who hasn’t this happened to?) worry that the maids might bust in midway through an intimate moment.

Over in fabulous Cancun, the Paradisus Riviera Cancun has a Romance Specialist on staff to help guests pre-arrange the perfect couples getaway. Some of their suggestions for your Mexico vacation? Breakfast in bed — a curtain-swagged Bali bed, no less. A torchlit dinner al fresco. Vow renewals by the sea. Couples massage. Let the professionals spin your romantic daydreams into reality.

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Lena Katz lives on the Left Coast and writes about tropical islands, beach clubs and ski resorts, but her heart belongs to NYC.

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Las Vegas hotels: Top 10 casino lounges

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Vegas-hotels1
By E.C. Gladstone

I don’t need to tell you that there’s no shortage of places
to get a drink in Las Vegas hotels — in fact, most every casino resort has
several options to choose from, any time of the day or night. But just as a
wine cooler is not the same as a handcrafted mojito, some bars and lounges are
a bit more worthy than others. Whether you’re looking for a business meeting
place, a low-key romantic room (note to Valentine’s Day procrastinators) or
just a stylish spot with no cover, no line and no attitude… these are the best
property picks. IMHO, anyway.

10) Rush Lounge, Golden Nugget: An almost Hollywood-worthy
stylish lounge in perhaps the least expected place. Frankie Moreno’s house band
is also reportedly among the best in town.

9) Tempo, Zen, Las Vegas Hilton: Inside the casino-side Tempo lounge
is an ultra-Mod escape you would never expect at the Hilton. Also have to give
a shout out to the vintage Benihana Village Zen lounge, which really is quite
relaxing.

8) Cleopatra’s Barge, Bradley Ogden lounge, Caesars Palace:
Despite several more modern options here, my heart belongs to Cleo’s vintage
kitsch, complete with artificial smoke and cheesy lighting. The casino-side
lounge of Bradley Ogden’s A-list eatery is also a sweet spot.

7) Fontana, Sportsbook, Bellagio: The Fontana lounge not
only offers world-class entertainment, but also one of the best views of the
fountains from its balcony. The Sportsbook bar is elegant enough to be suitable
for any occasion.

6) Liquidity, Tender Steak lounge, Luxor: Liquidity is a
cool mid-mod designed bar with rainfalls everywhere you turn, and DJs at peak
hours (try the “jaded mojito”). Right off the casino, Tender’s clubby, comfy
bar serves classic cocktails like Moscow Mules and Old Fashioneds. Done.

5) The lounges at Delmonico and Cut, Venetian / Palazzo: Two
restaurants win out here — Delmonico’s lounge has its own pianist during happy
hour, and you can order Emeril’s great apps. Cut, by Wolfgang Puck is the definition of mod luxe,
and also has a fantastic bar menu and handcrafted cocktails.

4) Parasol Up/Down, Wynn Las Vegas: Truly one of the property’s gems,
this split casino bar overlooks the Lake of Dreams in two linked but distinct
identities, so evocative of a mid-century international fantasy, you expect
Audrey Hepburn to glide in at any second (try the Viking martini or cucumber
& lavender mojito). New sister hotel Encore’s Eastside Lounge is a sweet escape, too.

Las-Vegas-hotels
3) The lounges at Koi, StripHouse, Planet Hollywood: While
the Heart bar on the casino floor has some intrigue and energy, I lean toward
the great lounges in restaurants Koi (a room which evokes the inside of an
oyster–great saketinis) and StripHouse (a noir-style bar decorated with
vintage erotica). Both unique.

2) West Wing Bar, MGM Grand: The definition of hidden gem, MGM’s
West Wing Bar (beyond Centrifuge) is New York sleek and sexy (leather loungers
for two!) with a menu of caipirinha varieties. More accessible, Rouge sets a
high mark for an open-walled lounge. (try the Stoli Lychee)

1) eyecandy, Mandalay Bay: Virtually everything a lounge could
or should be–a cool dance floor with go-go platforms and side banquettes,
comfortable bars with original cocktails by master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim
(try the Pineapple-Ginger Mojito, or “Pure Joy”) and a variety of private lounge
areas too. Fantastic.

Honorable Mentions: Napoleon's and Eiffel Tower Restaurant
bar at Paris; Stir at Platinum, Rojo at Palms Place, and the Gaudi lounge at
Sunset Station (still the most improbably gorgeous casino center bar anywhere).

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E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas and interviews top Strip entertainers, restaurateurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for VEGAS Magazine, and several other publications . Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.

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Family vacations: 5 family favorites in Orlando

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

Family-vacation
By Jim Cohn

If you're planning a family vacation to Orlando, there's plenty to experience beyond the theme parks. Having lived there for almost 10 years, I got the chance to explore outside the typical tourist zones. Here are five of my family favorites:

Favorite museum/indoor attraction — Orlando Science Center is located in downtown Orlando, about a 20-minute drive or so from the attractions. This is a great place to visit with kids, especially on a really hot or rainy day when you’re looking for an indoor attraction. Orlando Science Center is a four-story, interactive attraction, offering hands-on fun for all ages through engaging interactive exhibits, live animals and giant-screen films on IMAX. It is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast, and downtown Orlando, including the museum campus, is a great place to escape the park crowds and find some great restaurants.
 
Shopping and Dining — Winter Park is well-known amongst locals but a fairly well-kept secret when it comes to tourists. If you’re looking for a place where your kids can run and scream, this is not it. However, if you want to experience some of the real, old Florida during your family vacation, as well as a quaint shopping and dining district, this is the place to go. The Winter Park Boat Tour is terrific, linking some the town’s smaller lakes, and gives riders a chance to see some breathtaking homes, picturesque Rollins College and much more. Great shops, restaurants and everything is within walking distance. About a 30-minute drive from the attractions, north of downtown. Also, Mall at Millenia, closer to Universal Studios area, is a beautiful new mall with great dining and every good store you’ve ever wanted.

Beaches — New Smyrna Beach. About an hour and a half from the attractions, New Smyrna Beach is the nicest beach close to Orlando. Cocoa Beach is closer, under an hour from attractions, but the New Smyrna beaches are nicer, cleaner and better for kids. Cocoa Beach is where you want to go if you’re looking for a bigger party.

Restaurant — Seasons 52. Sand Lake Road near Universal. Again, a place locals know well but tourists aren’t likely to find. Seasons 52 offers a great atmosphere, outdoor dining, outstanding food and a full wine bar with more than 120 wines. Best thing is you can get a great meal that’s healthy and low in calories. The menu is constantly changing to showcase the finest foods that are in season, grilled over open fire.  Reservations strongly recommended.

State Park – Blue Spring State Park. If your family vacation in Orlando is during the winter time and you don’t mind the drive, Blue Spring State Park is about an hour away and the best spot in Central Florida to see the manatees.  Blue Springs is a designated manatee refuge, and on chilly days when waters in the St. Johns River are cool, you can see upwards of 75 manatee in their winter home at Blue Springs. The manatee are an endangered species, and this is one of the best places to see them.  Blue Springs is 2,644 acres of natural Florida, Winter park activities include St. Johns River Nature Cruises, kayak tours and canoe rentals. Great for the outdoor enthusiast.

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When Jim Cohn is not running drills with his wife and kids, he can be found at Wrigley Field watching his beloved Cubbies, coaching t-ball or chasing his other passion, a little white ball on the golf course.

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Taking an infant on a Disney vacation can be a joy

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

Disney vacation
By Mark Verone

We have always been fans of Disney, and now we love it even more through the eyes of our son, Andrew. Our first Disney vacation with an infant was when Andrew was just 8 months old. Anyone who says you have to wait until your kids are older to truly enjoy Disney have not experienced the joy of an infant taking in the sights, colors and sounds of the happiest place on earth. Andrew loved every minute of Disney. He loved it so much that we caught him laughing in his sleep after the first day…we can only imagine what he was dreaming about.

My goal with this posting is to ease any hesitation or fears about taking a Disney vacation with an infant. While you won’t be able to indulge the “thrill” rides, there are plenty action-packed, family-friendly attractions to keep an infant or toddler engaged. Disney is all about family fun for all ages, and it fully lived up to our expectations. We were pleasantly surprised by the numbers of newborns, infants and toddlers throughout the parks. (See, we are not the only crazy new parents out there.) Besides, just think of all the AMAZING photos you will have for years to come. My wife and I both have family pictures from visits to Disney World as youngsters, and they are priceless memories.

Favorites

Andrew loved the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion®, It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Monster, Inc. Laugh Floor, and countless interactive movie attractions within the Disney Parks. Andrew loves animals and Dinosaurs and was totally engaged in the Kilimanjaro Safaris®, the Cretaceous Trail and It’s Tough to be a Bug® at Animal Kingdom. I like Epcot and was happy that Andrew got a kick out of The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Journey into Imagination with Figment.

We also had fun with some classics like the Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management, the Tomorrowland® Transit Authority People Mover. We discovered his favorite ride is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland®. And if you think an 8-month-old won’t remember…think again. When went back at 14 months on this recent trip, he was pointing at the Buzz ride from a distance and was even able to control the joystick to spin the car around — until we caught him trying to eat the joystick.

Another memorable photo opportunity is a Disney character breakfast, lunch or dinner. We planned in advance for our first trip and did the Winnie The Pooh and Friends character breakfast at the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom, along with the Alice and Wonderland, Mary Poppins and Pooh breakfast at 1900 Park Fare in the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. One character dinner that was quite memorable was the Dreams Come True Dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella’s castle. The meal was excellent, there is a photo opportunity with Cinderella, and there was a little show featuring the Fairy Godmother. On this recent last-minute trip we were not able to get advance reservations for character dining but learned a little insider tip: Since Disney does not require advance deposits or a credit card to hold most dining reservations, we found out that a lot of people book but never show up. We were able to get into the 1900 Park Fare character breakfast faster than trying to dine in the hotel restaurant. Sometimes not being prepared works to your advantage.

Tips

Family vacation
Traveling with a baby always presents some challenges, and a theme park is no exception. At 8 months we were still on a mostly liquid diet of baby formula. With formula, you need a plan of attack when it comes to refrigeration in the hot, humid Florida weather. We carried a small soft case travel cooler. It’s collapsible and lightweight, and all we needed to do was fill it with ice at the hotel. Our cooler also fits conveniently in the pouch under our stroller. It got easier on this last trip now that Andrew is drinking whole milk. The nice thing about Disney is you can bring in your own food, and you can find milk, juice and kid-friendly food options all over the park. Speaking of strollers…most people dread the idea of bringing their stroller on an airplane or to a theme park. While Disney does offer a great stroller rental service, we prefer our own ride. We did notice on this trip that Disney upgraded their strollers to newer beige models with a mesh carry-all.

To stay on property or not to stay on property, that is a good question. I’ve done both in my lifetime, and I am convinced that staying on Disney property is the most convenient way to go. You don’t have to fight with traffic or risk the park being closed for capacity during peak times. We have been at Disney during New Years and 4th of July, and they closed Magic Kingdom to the outside world when the park reached maximum guest capacity. The only exception was for resort guests who are allowed in regardless of capacity constraints. The Disney resort properties offer a variety of price levels and amenities. In the last few years we have come to like the monorail hotels near Magic Kingdom and Epcot, including Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Resort. The hotels can be higher priced but are extremely convenient when traveling with a stroller versus using the Disney transport bus system. We also like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, the Disney World Swan and Disney World Dolphin, which are convenient walking distances from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Our son naps on the go, but for some families nap time is strict, and staying closer to the parks allows you to take a break and get back to the parks quickly. This is especially important for Extra Magic hours when certain parks open earlier or stay open later for resort guests.

Get the Park Hopper Passes: Kids under 2 are free, and with a little one it’s good to move around and check out several parks. We like Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom in the morning, Epcot for lunch and Hollywood Studios at the end of the day.

We had such a memorable experience on this Disney vacation, we're already planning to go back to Disney World to celebrate Andrew's second birthday.

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Before his son was born, Mark Verone and his wife made a pact to keeping traveling even with a newborn in tow. They got a passport for the baby a week after he was born and took 29 flights in his first year alone.

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Disney vacation tip: Triple the rides in half the time

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

Disney_drew By Drew Dixon

I have family in Orlando.  I also have three kids.  This combination makes it easy to justify frequent Disney vacations.  While my youngest (4 months) has yet to meet the mouse, my two daughters (ages 5 and 3) have each been there at least twice, and every time we try to hit a few of the parks.  We’re going again for Spring Break this year.

For young kids, The Magic Kingdom is your best bet. There are lots of rides and attractions, and the different “lands” offer an ever-changing panorama of visuals to keep the kids entertained for hours on end.  While this may be the most magical place on Earth, there’s no escaping the long ride lines.  Even with a FastPass, once you factor in meals and potty breaks, you may only get to experience five or six rides the entire day if the park is crowded. Anyone who’s stood in line for an hour with two toddlers for a three-minute ride knows this can weigh heavily on mom and dad’s stress level.

Dreams really do come true. I’m here to tell you that there is a way to experience three times the rides in half the time, plus an exclusive parade and fireworks display. It’s Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party!

There are three party events that I know Disney World does:  Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in October, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party during the Holidays, and Mickey’s Pirate & Princess Party all throughout the year.  These scheduled events require a separate ticket purchase, and you can’t get in until 4 p.m., but they kick everyone else out at 7 p.m., and the park stays open until midnight.  We went to the Pirate & Princess Party in February 2008.  Our girls dressed in their finest piratey garb, and we all had a blast.

Disney limits the number of tickets it sells, so the crowds are practically non-existent. As a family of four, we were able to walk on to rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Magic Carpets of Alladin, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel (several times), Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It’s a Small World and more.  No wait.  None whatsoever.   Want to ride again?  Sure!

There are plenty of other things to do besides the rides, too.  Disney sets up treasure stations and gives each visitor a treasure map and bag.  It became a fun game for the kids to see who would find the next “X-marks-the-spot” where they could collect gems, beads, or candy.  We also made sure to get a good spot for the exclusive Pirate and Princess Parade.  To this day, my 3-year old still talks about seeing Tinker Bell there. 

So, if you have young kids, and don’t mind that they’ll be staying up way past their bed time (make sure they get a nap in the afternoon!), my wife and I agreed that this is the best way to experience The Magic Kingdom, stress-free.

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Drew Dixon is a proud daddy of three: two girls, 5 and 3, and a newborn son. His family routinely travels to Orlando, the Outer Banks, and the South Jersey Shore.

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Florida vacations: Tampa beyond the Super Bowl

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

Tampa hotels By Joanna Citarella

With the Super Bowl fast approaching — and football being at the forefront of everyone’s mind — I couldn’t miss the opportunity to point out some of the other great attractions that the Tampa Bay area has to offer visitors on a Florida vacation.

The options are endless, but below are 5 of my favorite things to see and do:

1. Busch Gardens, a personal favorite of mine which just seems to get better every year. With something for everyone, from hair-raising roller coasters (SheiKra offers a 200-ft. vertical drop and reaches speeds of up to 70 mph) to an African Safari; you can easily spend an entire day taking in all that the park has to offer. Don’t miss the parks newest exhibit, Jungala, something the whole family can enjoy together.

2. MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) includes a Planetarium, an IMAX theater and a “kids in charge science center” offering a range of educational interactive exhibits aimed at children aged 12 and under. Adults will enjoy the newest exhibit, Body Works, a one-of-a-kind look at the wonders of the human body.

3. Sun, Sea and Sand. For a change of pace, venture a few miles out of Tampa and explore the beaches of Clearwater and St Petersburg. The area boasts 35 miles of pristine beach, including Fort De Soto Park and Caladesi Island, voted Americas No. 1 beaches in 2005 and 2008 respectively. The west coast of Florida also offers some of the most spectacular sunsets. If conditions are just right, you might even spot the legendary Green Flash as the sun goes down!

4. Downtown St. Petersburg. This neighborhood includes notable attractions such as the St. Petersburg Pier and the world famous Salvador Dali Museum. The Pier offers shopping, dining and an observation deck with a spectacular view of the bay, while the Salvador Dali Museum houses a comprehensive collection of works and complimentary exhibits.

5. Enjoy the weather. Although this one may seem obvious, I still feel it's worth mentioning that the average temperature Tampa in January is a comfortable 70 degrees. Humidity is low, skies are blue, and conditions are perfect — not only for watching football, but also for taking in some of the other notable attractions in the Tampa Bay area.

So, if you’re traveling down to Tampa for the big game and find yourself getting a little caught up in football fever, take a few moments to consider how you might like to spend your time pre and post game and really make it a memorable Florida vacation.

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Joanna Citarella is the Orbitz Market Manager for the West Coast and Northwest of Florida.

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Romance, renovations heat up Hawaii vacation scene

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Honolulu-hotels By Lena Katz

Hawaii is romantic 365 days a year, but a Valentine’s Day in the islands is the ultimate couples’ getaway. Hawaii vacations have never been more reasonable than in 2009…and with many of the classic island properties unveiling top-to-bottom renovations, the Hawaii hotel scene has never looked so luxurious.

Of all the many revamps, the one that makes this island-hopper happiest is the reopening of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. Though it opened in 1965, this Kohala Coast property has an ageless, striking beauty: Lush greens set on black lava against a turquoise sea-meets-sky backdrop. Offshore earthquakes caused major structural damage back in 2006, and many islanders wept as the grand hotel shut its doors. However, owners Prince Resorts Hawaii wouldn’t let a legend die so easily. Two years and $150 million later, it’s back and ready to eclipse all expectations, with more spacious rooms (but fewer of them), an upgraded golf course, and oceanview baths. (Champagne bubble bath at sunset — hellllooo!)

Over on the island of Oahu, Waikiki welcomes back its longtime landmark Honolulu hotel, the Royal Hawaiian. The “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” as it was known, hadn’t aged quite as gracefully as the aforementioned Mauna Kea — in fact, it was as last-generation tacky as a strapless taffeta Gunne Sax dress. With a wrist corsage. No longer, however:  As of January 20th, 2009, it’s the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. From the newly installed koa wood check-in desks (no more queuing at the counter) to the late-night poolside cabana cocktailing to the “contemporary-elegant” guest room renovations, the Pink Lady has definitely joined the modern era.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village has always felt like a little town of its own, just within the borders of Waikiki. It recently opened the Grand Waikikian, an entire new skyscraper’s worth of all-suite guest lodgings. The sexiest thing about it is its 5000-square-foot pool, which has waterfalls and plenty of little swim-up grottos for canoodling and camera moments. 

And finally, no Valentine’s roundup is complete without the Four Seasons Maui, which is everyone’s romantic go-to getaway. One of the latest things this Maui hotel has introduced is custom perfume blending. Guests can create their own custom scent from the finest natural ingredients, either individually or as a couple. It’s said that the sense of smell is most closely connected to the memory center…in which case, a specially blended Valentine’s scent is the perfect way to recreate happy twosome moments long after you’ve bid Aloha to your Hawaii vacation.

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Lena Katz lives on the Left Coast and writes about tropical islands, beach clubs and ski resorts, but her heart belongs to NYC.

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Denver to launch bike-sharing program

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Explore the best of Denver this summer at no cost to your wallet or the environment.

Denver B-Cycle, a free bike-sharing program is scheduled to start this summer. A total of 500 bikes will be available at 30 to 40 stations throughout the city. Visitors can swipe their credit card to get a bike, and rentals are free as long as the bike is returned to the same station by 10 a.m. the next day.

Bike stations will be located within three or four miles of downtown, situated near light rail stations, Denver hotels and popular attractions like museums and the convention center.

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