Orbitz Blog

Articles for 2009

Williamsburg attraction makes family vacation a splash

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Family vacation

The water park at Great Wolf Lodge.

By Mark McCullough

I live in Williamsburg, and probably like other people who live in tourist towns, I initially did not think to take a family vacation at a hometown attraction, Great Wolf Lodge, but I’m sure glad I did.

The main attraction of the Great Wolf Lodge is the massive indoor water park that is always a balmy 84 degrees. Fort McKenzie is the center of it all, highlighted by a 1,000-gallon bucket that tips over every few minutes to the delight of all.  From a gentle lazy river to the howling tornado that spins you and your family through a huge funnel, the water park caters to family vacations, with activities for all ages and abilities. Recently a flowrider was added to simulate surfing and boogie boarding (make sure your swim trunks are pulled tight). (more…)

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Posted in Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »

Great Southwest Road Trip: Lena explores Sedona

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ (Courtesy, Lena Katz)

A mini-adventure in the snow with Rocky at Slide Rock State Park just down the hill from Flagstaff, followed by a magical afternoon by the creek at L’Auberge Sedona. Day Three of Orbitz blogger Lena Katz’s Great Southwest Road Trip takes her into a “sacred vortex” and back out in time for tea. Read more of Lena’s adventures on the Away.com blog.

Related Resources:

Lena Katz is the author of SUN: California and SIP: California, part of the Travel Temptations series published by Globe Pequot Press.

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Posted in On the Road | No Comments »

Florida vacation: top 5 cities for holiday travel

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Florida vacation

ICE! at Gaylord Palms

By Mary Flynn

The weather outside may not be frightful, but a Florida vacation over the holidays can be so delightful …

Orlando

Orlando is a popular Florida vacation destination year ’round, and the holidays are no exception. You can visit ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Hotel (voted one of Orbitz’ top 10 best decked-out hotels). This holiday attraction, hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice, creates a winter experience like no other in Florida. The enormous structure used to house ICE! — dubbed “The Florida Fridge” — is cooled to a chilly nine degrees, so the resort provides winter coats for visitors to wear. The popular family experience gives guests a chance to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures. There is even an ice skating rink on the premises! It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family. (more…)

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Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Holidays & Events, Miami Vacation, Orbitz Parent Panel, Orlando Vacation, Travel Tips | No Comments »

Travel Blogger Lena Katz takes on Albuquerque

Monday, December 21st, 2009
Old Town Albuquerque (courtesy, Albuquerque CVB)

Old Town Albuquerque (courtesy, Albuquerque CVB)

This bustling New Mexico city is home to 3D religious artists, friendly ghosts, and a whole lotta liberals. Albuquerque writer Neala Schwartzberg shows Orbitz blogger Lena Katz the offbeat side of Old Town. Read more at Away.com. (more…)

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Posted in On the Road | No Comments »

In-flight Wi-Fi service; frequent flier program changes

Monday, December 21st, 2009

fllightsBy Joe Brancatelli

NEED TO KNOW

On-the-Road Intelligence to Help You Travel Smarter:

A firm called the Holdup Suspender Company has introduced a line of airport-friendly braces. The company claims the suspenders will not set off the alarms as travelers pass through the security checkpoints.

United Airlines now offers GoGo Inflight Wi-Fi connections on its so-called p.s. service, which operates flights between New York’s Kennedy Airport and Los Angeles and San Francisco.

And Air Canada is testing GoGo on two routes (Montreal-Los Angeles and Toronto-Los Angeles), but the Wi-Fi only works when the planes are flying over the continental United States.

US Airways‘ frequent flier program, Dividend Miles, undergoes a radical shift in January. There will be four prices for awards instead of two: off-peak, low, medium and high. So that means, for example, a business-class seat to Europe will cost 60,000, 100,000, 200,000 or 350,000 miles.

The big airlines have a new way to raise airfares: They impose a surcharge of as much as $60 on flights on so-called “busy” travel days. There are currently about 40 busy days between Thanksgiving week and Memorial Day.

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 Business Travel, Flights, On the Road, Travel News | No Comments »

New hotels in Rome, Puerto Rico, Fort Myers

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center

By Joe Brancatelli

HOTEL HOT SHEET

Recession Be Damned, The New Hotels Keep Coming: With occupancy plummeting and room rates falling precipitously, no recovery in sight and a record number of properties in or nearing default, logic would lead you to believe that the hotel industry would stop opening locations. But that’s not how it works since projects put into the pipeline years ago keep gushing out. So get out your scorecard and make note of the newbies.

  • From Marriott, the chain’s first Courtyard in the center of Rome. The 162-room property is in the Monte Mario district not far from the Vatican.
  • From Starwood, the 503-room Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan and a 202-room Le Méridien in Philadelphia. And a 323-room Marriott-branded property in the New World entertainment complex across from Terminal 3 of Manila’s international airport.
  • From InterContinental, a 100-room Hotel Indigo in Asheville, North Carolina; and a 95-room Candlewood Suites in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
  • Hilton has converted and expanded the Terraces Hotel at Lake Taupo, New Zealand. The property is a three-hour drive from Auckland. Hilton has also put its flag on the Lexington Downtown Hotel. The 267-room property adjacent to the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, and is undergoing a $13 million renovation.
  • Finally, please note the reopening of the Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Mayo hasn’t operated as a hotel in more than 30 years and now it features 102 hotel rooms and 76 lofts.

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 Business Travel, International Vacations, On the Road, Travel News | No Comments »

Las Vegas hotels crank up the New Year celebrations

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Las Vegas hotels

miX at THEhotel

By E.C. Gladstone

New York may have Times Square, Sydney may have the Harbour Bridge, London may have the Eye, but possibly no other city in the world grabs onto New Year’s Eve with such gusto as Las Vegas. Las Vegas hotels hosts lavish celebrations in their restaurants, lounges and nightclubs, competing with the big multi-site fireworks display over the closed-to-traffic Strip at midnight.

Dinner

Though certainly all of the top restaurants at Las Vegas hotels will be hosting lavish special meals on this special night (if you need inspiration, check out In Vegas, chefs are the stars of the Strip ), I would lean towards several with exquisite views. My picks include Alize at Palms, miX at THEHotel, Paris Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower Restaurant … (more…)

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Posted in Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Holidays & Events, Las Vegas Vacation | No Comments »

New Year’s Eve: ring in 2010 with a California vacation

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

San Francisco hotelsBy Lena Katz

New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday this year, giving us a four-day weekend to welcome brand, shiny and new 2010. Party promoters, event planners and venue owners in California’s big cities are planning a merry-making marathon that lasts ’til Saturday p.m. (Which still gives you all of Sunday to lie around on the couch going “Owww my head,” and watching reruns of America’s Next Top Model.) If you’re up for the challenge, and ready to book a room at your favorite San Francisco hotel, San Diego hotel or other Cali destination, here are four cities ready to ring out 2009 with a bang. (more…)

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Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Holidays & Events, Romance, Spa Vacation | No Comments »

Half Dome at night, a hiking adventure

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

flights

The falls on the way down from Half Dome.

By Melissa Fuller

It happened a lot like this. I get a call from my best mate Jackie at 3 p.m. on a Thursday. “I have a plan,” she says. “I have three days left over on this week-long pass that I bought to enter Yosemite Valley. I think we should do Half Dome — I think we should do it at night. I read a bunch of articles about it; this could be seriously legit.”

This is standard Jackie.

“I’m in,” I reply. “What do I need to know?”

JD was at my door that night armed with carabiners, freeze-dried lasagna, Mylar blankets, extra headlamp batteries and enough hype to overkill the mellow wine buzz I was trying to offer her as compensation for her efforts. She unpacked her bag, spreading out a plethora of magazine tears and topo maps, nearly covering the surface of my kitchen counter, and over the next 45 minutes we scheduled our plan.

(more…)

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Posted in California Vacation, Photography, Sports Travel | No Comments »

New Disney cruise ship launches in January

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Disney cruise

Donald Duck and the captain of the Disney Dream lay the keel for the new ship.

By Kate Schwartz

What makes the new Disney Dream cruise ship unique? Magic, of course! Like all Disney Cruise Line ships, the Dream combines state-of-the-art technology with a hint of enchantment.

If you’ve never taken a Disney cruise, throw stereotypes to the wind. This isn’t a kid-filled, in-your-face Disney experience; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The “Disney” is in the subtleties — perhaps you’ll notice a glass slipper chandelier while enjoying a fine dinner at one of the many on-board restaurants, or maybe you’ll spot an oil painting that comes to life when you walk by. Hints of magic are in the details — only the beginnings of which are captured here. (more…)

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Posted in Caribbean Vacation, Cruise, Disney Vacation, Family Travel, International Vacations, Travel News | No Comments »

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