Orbitz Blog

Articles for ‘Holidays & Events’ Category

Top 10 busiest airports for Thanksgiving travel

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

airplanestock1If you’re traveling this Thanksgiving, don’t plan on moving anywhere too quickly — at least while you’re on the ground. Travel during Thanksgiving weekend can be slow no matter where you’re traveling, but some places are busier than others.

Orbitz just released a list of the Top 10 busiest airports in the country. Chicago’s O’Hare International ranks as the No. 1 most traveled airport during the weekend with LAX, Denver, San Francisco and Atlanta rounding out the Top 5. New York’s three area airports — La Guardia, JFK and Newark — along with Boston Logan and Seattle Tacoma International make up the rest of the Top 10. So if you’re planning on heading to or from any of these cities, make sure you are prepared for long waits at check-in and security.

Some Airports Actually Have Less Traffic
For the first time ever, Orbitz has tallied the Top 10 least busy airports.

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Holiday travel in Ft. Lauderdale

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
up-north-033

Fort Lauderdale Beach off of Las Olas Boulevard

By John George

I’ve always had relatives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and my family lived there in the early aughts. We are returning for a week around Christmas, and will definitely utilize the following tips to help make our trip go smoothly.

Find Appropriate Accommodations

We’re lucky enough to be staying with relatives this trip, but have spent enough time visiting to know some of the better hotel options that suit our needs. Our current favorites in town are the Marriott Harbor Beach and the Riverside Hotel—we used to love staying at Ireland’s Inn Beach Resort, but it closed two years ago for renovations and no new information is currently available. We have also used the Embassy Suites on the 17th Street Causeway; although this hotel is about two miles from the beach, the suite layout is very family friendly.

Pack for the Weather

December weather in southern Florida is definitely unpredictable. We’ve enjoyed marvelous beach time and also some chilly days in late December—and even early January (we, of course, console ourselves by remembering the weather back home up north. If you are planning on visiting before about mid-January, be sure to monitor weather conditions before packing for your trip. One year, we had some of our cousin’s visit for New Year and during their stay, the weather turned cool—shorts and tank tops gave way to jackets and sweaters. Good thing we were there to lend some clothes!

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Orbitz blogger gives E! travel tips on Day of the Dead in Mexico

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Orbitz travel expert, Lena Katz, explains the significance and allure of the Mexican holiday of Dia de Los Muertos, otherwise known as Day of the Dead.

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Colonial Christmas in Williamsburg

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

By Mark McCulloughholiday3

Colonial Williamsburg officially starts the holiday season with Grand Illumination, a wonderful evening of singing, storytelling and fireworks. The event offers a great opportunity for families to get into the holiday spirit by strolling the pedestrian-only areas of Williamsburg’s historic district and enjoying the candlelit windows, wreaths and entertainment. There are multiple stages in the historic area that features storytelling, period music and events for the children.

My family arrives around 3 p.m. so we can take in all the sights before sundown. We pack a thermos full of hot chocolate in addition to making stops for hot cider and the traditional Virginia ham biscuits that should not be missed. The fireworks display truly highlights the evening as it projects from three different locations: the Governors Palace, the Colonial Capital and the Magazine. All of these are within eyesight of each other, so getting a good viewing spot isn’t difficult. Never before have I experienced seeing fireworks in a 360-degree eruption where the lights are kept lower in the sky, creating a more intimate setting that doesn’t scare the kids-truly a grand illumination. (more…)

Holiday travel with an international twist

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

By Alistar Wearmouth

My wife and I are preparing to pack up our two young kids for a family vacation to Scotland this Christmas, which is where my family lives. Getting on the road is never easy around the holidays, but even less so when you’re facing a long transatlantic flight. Here are some tips for coping with stressful international travel during busy holiday periods.International vacations

  1. Get Organized Early!: I swear my wife starts stressing about what to bring before the stores even have their Halloween decorations out. But she’s always the one smiling once the day of travel arrives. If you have presents or gifts to take, think about sending them ahead by mail to save some room in your suitcases. And don’t forget a daypack of kiddie essentials like changes of clothes, wipes, plastic bags, and that favorite stuffed animal.
  2. Be Direct: If you can, book direct flights to your final destination. Cutting down on layovers will lessen the chances of missing connections or sprinting through an unfamiliar airport with cranky kids in tow. It will also mitigate the chances of your luggage getting lost or delayed in transit. If direct flights look too expensive, consider flying through smaller regional airports to avoid some of the more major travel snarls that can occur at big, busier international airports (for example, we like to transit to Scotland via Ireland or Iceland instead of facing London Heathrow during the busy holiday seasons).
  3. Keep ‘Em Fed & Watered: A plentiful supply of snackfoods is the lifeblood of any family outing. But when you’re on a longer flight or train journey, for example, remember that Animal Crackers are no substitute for proper meals. Plan accordingly with sandwiches, fruits, and juice boxes, just in case there’s no meal service on board or the in-flight meal tray doesn’t do it for your kids. (more…)

Mexico travel: The inside scoop on Dia de Los Muertos

Friday, October 30th, 2009

By Lena Katz

Sugar Skulls for sale at a Marketplace in Oaxaca

Sugar Skulls for sale at a Marketplace in Oaxaca (Courtesy of the Mexico Tourism Board)

Snack on sugar skeleton, picnic in a cemetery, party in a mummy museum, and build an altar to the dearly departed right in your foyer. While all these ideas might shock you, they’re beloved holiday traditions south of the border. November 1 marks Dia de Los Muertos, the famous Day of the Dead holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and in U.S. cities with a large Hispanic population. Drawing from Roman Catholic Spanish traditions and pre-Colombian rituals, this annual holiday is a time to remember and honor the deceased. It is an exotic and eccentric holiday, but not a scary one, despite all the skeletons on every corner. In the places that really celebrate, street corners and shops display countless homemade altars, while the church steps and sidewalks flow with colorful flower petals and candles.

If there is an epicenter for Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, it might be the tiny island of Janitzio in Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Indigenous pre-Colombian people believed Lake Patzcuaro might be the doorway to heaven. People have traditionally made pilgrimage to this island each year to observe Dia de Los Muertos through prayer, offerings and traditional dance. (more…)

Orbitz holiday travel tips

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Spend the holiday season with friends and family, not the people waiting in the airport security line. Although rightfully known as the most wonderful time of the year, the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel season often creates a few challenges for travelers.holiday4

To ensure smooth sailing this holiday season, consider the following holiday travel tips:

  • Know before you go: The OrbitzTLC Traveler Update site offers real-time weather, traffic and tips from fellow travelers about airport conditions across the country. It also features the OrbitzTLC Flying Forecast, featuring the Orbitz air-traffic analysts’ provide round-the-clock updates on delayed flights across the country.
  • Have the latest information: Sign up for Orbitz Care Alerts to have information about any flight delays or gate changes sent to your mobile device.
  • Neatness counts: The Transportation Security Administration recommends packing your carry-on as neatly as possible so it will be easier to screen, with separate layers for clothes, electronics and toiletries.
  • Remember 3-1-1: Liquids, gels or aerosols must be in containers 3 ounces or less and should fit in a quart-size, zip-top bag.
  • Don’t wrap things up: If you’re packing gifts, remember that they need to be unwrapped to go through security.
  • Arrive early: Better safe than sorry.

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LGBT Las Vegas and 2009 Halloween happenings

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

By E.C. Gladstone

While Las Vegas has always been known as an “anything goes” town, it doesn’t always get top billing as a destination for LGBT travelers. And that’s an oversight, especially since the passing of Nevada’s Domestic Partnership Act. Vegas is actually a very gay-friendly town if you know where to look; but since I’m not in that category myself, I consulted with my friend and colleague Steve Friess, author of the Gay Vegas travel guide. Here’s Gay Las Vegas at a glance:

Penn & Teller flanking Holly Madison and Josh Strickland at a Human Rights Campaign event (courtesy of R&R Partners)

Penn & Teller flanking Holly Madison and Josh Strickland at a Human Rights Campaign event (courtesy of R&R Partners)

ACCOMMODATIONS & WEDDINGS

While none of the major Las Vegas Hotels are unfriendly to the Gay community, some are friendlier than others. Wynn Encore and Paris Las Vegas in particular have regular promotion packages aimed towards same-sex couples, Luxor and Mandalay Bay both hosted Gay pool parties over the summer, so are certainly friendly. Other good choices include the Venetian/Palazzo with three Broadway shows under one roof (Jersey Boys, Phantom and Blue Man Group), Planet Hollywood, adjacent to the Krave club, as well as the Bellagio, Flamingo, Caesars Palace, the Palms, Hard Rock Hotel and the Mirage.

And then there’s the intimate Blue Moon Resort, the only dedicated Gay hotel—and certainly the only one with a clothing optional pool! (more…)

Luau 101: Understanding a Hawaiian vacation tradition

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

By Lena Katz

South Pacific fire dancers spinning flaming batons around their bodies faster than the eye can see. Plates piled high with roast pork from the imu oven and fresh island catch. Girls in grass skirts and coconut shell tops swishing their hips hypnotically. Countless rum punches turning the evening to a pleasant blur. These are all critical elements in a typical Hawaiian luau today, and a Hawaii vacation isn’t complete till you experience one … if not all. But a lot of visitors wonder: What exactly is a luau and is it a real tradition or something cheesy just for tourists? Most important: Are all luaus created equal?

Aha Aina

Aha Aina

A luau, a feast to mark an important celebratory occasion, is culturally rooted, festive and all about food, fun and family. Luaus have been part of Hawaiian culture since long before Westerners arrived to the islands. Up until about 150 years ago, Polynesians called their big celebratory feasts ‘aha ‘aina. These events were usually somewhat formal, with more ceremony and not such a party-down atmosphere. Just as the colloquial name gradually shifted to “luau”(which is actually the Polynesian word for taro leaf, an ubiquitous ingredient in traditional Polynesian cooking), the concept evolved to be more of an any-occasion celebration. (more…)

Top 10 scary Halloween travel destinations

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Fall travel is in full swing, and with Halloween around the corner, many fall travel destinations are looking to give visitors a scare. From Disney’s haunted theme park to Las Vegas costume parties, there is an endless amount of Halloween fun this fall. Check out some of the top fall travel destinations for Halloween.

Disney Halloween (Photo copywright Disney/Kent Phillips)

Disney Halloween (Photo copywright Disney/Kent Phillips)

  • Disney World & Disneyland: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., is perfect for families with younger children. Children of all ages can dress up and trick-or-treat throughout the Magic Kingdom. The party runs through early November. Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., also serves up an age-appropriate scare with a haunted mansion, fireworks, trick-or-treating and more.

  • New Orleans: This year, New Orleans plans to host a 4-day charity Halloween Party. The Twisted Seasons event features dance parties, costume contests and New Orleans-themed surprises.
  • Las Vegas: Las Vegas hotels are teaming up to host the biggest and best costume party in the country. If it can get any bolder, Las Vegas kicks it up a notch on Oct. 31 with all-night parties and over-the-top shows.
  • Salem, Mass.: Home of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, Salem, Mass., is thought to be one of the most haunted places in America. As local hotels book up quickly, consider Massachusetts hotels north of Boston .
  • Chicago: Check out the spooky side of the Windy City. Haunted Chicago tours and lakefront haunted houses are just the beginning. Even Six Flags Great America, an amusement park in Gurnee, Ill., hosts Fright Fest, a zombie-filled festival sure to be a wild ride. (more…)