Articles for ‘Top 10 Lists’ Category
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
If 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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Posted in Family Travel, Holidays & Events, Top 10 Lists, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Certified Natural Angus burger at Simon (Photo: E.C. Gladstone)
By E.C. Gladstone
Gourmet burgers are hot everywhere you turn these days. But the top restaurants of our Las Vegas hotels may be the most competitive anywhere in trying to create the finest formula. Rating them (for flavor, texture, and presentation) proved serious business — several perfectly good (and popular!) choices didn’t make my cut, and to be fair, differences from one number to the next were often minute. For the record, numbers one through three below are all absolutely excellent in their own right, the next five all very satisfying, and the final ones I’d happily eat every day (if my doctor would let me). Most are $12-$19 dollars unless otherwise noted. In my opinion, medium-rare cooking is strongly recommended.
10. Wolfgang Puck Solara, Palazzo
When I began this odyssey a few months ago, I accidentally had a chance to try the burger at Solara, Palazzo’s poolside café, and was shocked to experience a flavorful but tenderly toothy thick patty, cooked with just enough char and covered with thin melted cheese, onions browned to oblivion (virtually remoulade), crisp sweet pickles, lettuce and a beefy tomato slice on a soft, sweet egg-glazed seeded bun. Not a thing wrong with it. If a pool burger can be this good, anything at a more serious venue certainly needs to top it.
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Posted in Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
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 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…)
Posted in Disney Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Holidays & Events, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Fall is shoulder season, the period between summer and holiday season known for low cost travel and fewer crowds at many vacation hot spots. This year, the Orbitz Insider Index reviewed average hotel costs in 10 popular shoulder season destinations, identifying which give travelers the most value this fall.
Dublin and Bermuda top the list, offering the highest year-over-year percentage savings. But, thrifty travels should set their sights on a fall vacation to Las Vegas, San Juan, and once again, Dublin, all of which offer average hotel rates under $100 per night. (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Flights, hotels, Las Vegas Vacation, travel
Posted in International Vacations, Las Vegas Vacation, Top 10 Lists, Travel Deals, Travel News, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Friday, September 11th, 2009
By Kate Schwartz
If your legs cramp up at the thought of a long flight, this article is for you. I’ve done extensive research on the best in-flight exercises and compiled a top ten list of the most effective cramp/blood clot/boredom-fighting moves. So bust out the sweatband, it’s time to move!
- Take a lap: Get up and take a walk up and down your aisle. (For the adventurous traveler, try some lunges—you’ll be sure to get a good workout while simultaneously entertaining your fellow passengers.)
- Stretch your back: Pull your shoulders back contracting your “wing bones.” For a deeper stretch, put your hands behind your back and pull your shoulders back even farther. (more…)
Posted in Flights, Top 10 Lists, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
Martorano's meatballs (Courtesy: Harrah's Entertainment)
By E.C. Gladstone
Vegas has long had a healthy Italian population, so naturally it has always had more than a fair share of Cucina Italiano. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it had good Italian food. It wasn’t until the arrival ten years ago of Valentino (Venetian), Circo (Bellagio) and others that Las Vegas hotels began offering truly elegant, inspired, Italian food with gourmet ingredients.
Now, fancy fritto mistos are everywhere you turn, but to be frank, all are far from equal. Your intrepid blogger set out to try them all, but to be honest — at a certain point, I had to cry uncle and let a few pass (based on other reliable reviewers, I don’t think I missed much). Of the top four here, each has so many strengths that I’d strongly recommend all. From there, there are some with particular strengths, and for the more adventuresome, a list of some well-regarded local places.
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Posted in Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
Monday, August 24th, 2009
If you want to ditch the backyard bbq and have a travel adventure this Labor Day weekend, we have good news. Average hotel rates are lower than last year, so pack your bags and take advantage of the top 10 Labor Day travel deals.
Labor Day in Las Vegas
If you’d rather spend money on the slots than on a place to rest your head, rejoice in knowing that Las Vegas hotels are number one on the 2009 Orbitz Insider Index. The average Las Vegas hotel rate this Labor Day is $108, down $28 from last year.
Labor Day is just another excuse to party in Las Vegas. For the best in the club scene, check out PURE, LAX and Christian Audigier. Labor Day weekend is also jam packed with performances. Check out Zumanity, the “sensual side of Cirque du Soleil,” or Lance Burton, a Las Vegas master of magic.
Labor Day in New York City
With New York hotels an average of $54 cheaper than last year, New York City is a great place to spend Labor Day weekend. The first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, and the parade tradition continues today. This year the parade will held on September 12, 2009, and will feature trade union members, high school bands, politicians, police and fire departments, and more.
Looking for other Labor Day weekend vacation ideas? The Orbitz Insider Index highlights the busiest destinations based on hotel bookings on Orbitz for September 4-7.
|
Destination |
Avg. Daily Rate 2009 |
| 1. |
Las Vegas, NV |
$108 |
| 2. |
New York, NY |
$191 |
| 3. |
Cancun, Mexico |
$151 |
| 4. |
Honolulu, HI |
$111 |
| 5. |
Chicago, IL |
$127 |
| 6. |
Atlanta, GA |
$121 |
| 7. |
San Francisco, CA |
$142 |
| 8. |
Seattle, WA |
$118 |
| 9. |
San Diego, CA |
$195 |
| 10. |
Paris, France |
$164 |
Related Orbitz resources:
Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Holidays & Events, Las Vegas Vacation, Mexico Vacation, New York Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
Friday, August 7th, 2009
Aquatica
By Samantha Chapnick
A Florida vacation is usually about water — either a day at the beach or a dip in the hotel pool. But there are plenty of other, unique ways and places to enjoy the water while you’re in Florida. Here are my family’s top 10:
- Aquatica: Simply the best water park we’ve been to. A 4x speed lazy river, flumes going through dolphin tanks, huge childrens water playground with plenty of lounges, and most importantly — a quota! After the park reaches capacity they close it, so crowds and long lines are NEVER an issue! We live in New York and STILL have a yearly pass. (more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
Parades, cookouts, fireworks — however you like to celebrate, the Fourth of July is the holiday of summer, and with the 4th falling on a Saturday this year, it's a great opportunity for a short summer vacation. Before you book your flights and hotels, check out these top picks based on Orbitz bookings for travel July 3-6:
Top 10 Fourth of July Vacation Destinations for 2009
1. Las Vegas: Las Vegas hotels — with their glitzy shows and gourmet restaurants — are popular year 'round, and it's no surprise that Vegas celebrates the Fourth in a big way. Check out a virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy at the Fremont Street Experience, or see the real thing — times nine — as nine different Stations Casinos properties display fireworks simultaneously.
2. Chicago: The Fourth of July is a great time to plan a summer vacation in Chicago. Taste of Chicago is in full swing, and you can take full advantage of the lakefront beaches. Chicago's official Fourth of July fireworks take place on July 3 over the lake by Grant Park.
3. New York: Book your New York hotel now and plan to enjoy the Big Apple's Fourth of July fireworks display over the Hudson River. Here are the recommended spots for best views of the fireworks.
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Tags: flight, fourth of july, Hotel, summer vacation, travel
Posted in California Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, Holidays & Events, International Vacations, Mexico Vacation, New York Vacation, Top 10 Lists, Travel News | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
As all players know, the annual World Series of Poker is now running at the Rio Las Vegas Convention Center. But nearly all of our Las Vegas hotels offer card rooms these days, and the WSOP crowd doesn’t come just for tournaments — they want some cash action, too! With that in mind, it was time to rate the rooms. But I’m no pro; that’s why I called Jennifer Harman. You might have heard of her. She’s arguably the best female poker player in the world (easily one of the most successful, period). And I give her kudos for being unbiased — as you’ll see, she didn’t even rate the room that hosts her own event the highest!
10) Red Rock Resort
Open 24 hours (certainly rare off-Strip), Red Rock’s 20-table room has quick computer screen sign-in kiosks as well as a system that tracks your play time for club points usable at all Stations casinos. They’re also part of the Stations-wide Bad Beat Jackpots.
Jennifer says: I really like the Red Rock. It's got a spacious poker room, they really cater to their players and if you feel like a break from playing poker, you can catch a movie just 100 yards away inside the casino.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Film, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Top 10 Lists | 1 Comment »
