I love cruises! Love them! You spend a day sightseeing, have a five-course meal, and wake up to a new destination. Then you repeat this cycle throughout the length of your vacation, going place to place without maps, without headaches, without lugging a suitcase, and without packing and unpacking. Can life get any better?
If you love cruising as much as I do, you'll appreciate this information on picking the best cabin:
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/07/10/AR2009071001919.html?wpisrc=newsletter
Another tip for a seasoned traveller--some of the interior cabins at the front and back of the ship are larger than the rest, but at the same prices. Just beware--the ride is a bit bumpier at the front of the ship!
Enjoy, and bon voyage!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Travel Humor--Luggage
Over the years, I have had my share of luggage ordeals. Remember, the old fashion suitcases with the tiny wheels that always managed to break off, and if they weren't hard shell, those pesky suitcases kept the contents about as well-protected as packing in a plastic sack and hoping for the best? And if they were hardshell, they already exceeded the baggage weight limit empty? I do.
While I consider myself infinitely blessed for having the opportunity to do several study abroad trips, totalling six months of my life out of the U.S., I have had my fair share of what I would call "luggage malfunctions."
Malfunction 1: I arrived home from two months in Spain to some airport in the Northeast US. (I can't remember where, but the horrifying events that are about to be described were more memorable than the exact airport). I am standing at the baggage claim watching luggage come down this very tall slide above onto the conveyor belt. It is a quite dramatic, viewable-to-everyone sort of baggage claim. First, I see my lime green "Universidad de Salamanca" t-shirt making its way down the slide. I think, that's not good. Then, I see my bikini top. Then, I become quite concerned for the rest of the contents of my luggage. Then, I see in full view for all, my bright blue bra, coming down the slide between everyone else's fully intact suitcases. Full panic! Fortunately, I am not easily embarassed. I walked straight up to that conveyor belt, claimed my shirt and unmentionables, and acted like that's what all the cool kids do. Soon after comes that completely opened suitcase. My friend Emily and I die laughing and then are introduced to a machine that I hope most people do not have to encounter at the airport (but you will be comforted to know exists)--the giant plastic wrapper. Imagine a machine that entirely wraps your what is left of your luggage in heavy duty saran wrap. Actually, quite a smart idea. Your saran-wrapped bag then arrives at your final destination, in my case, Atlanta. You know you've had quite a trip when this is what's yours to claim. Surprisingly, I think everything made it home except the matching bikini bottom, which must be somewhere between Georgia and Madrid.
Malfunction 2: I arrive home from Italy. I put my suitcase in the back of the car but am eager to get a few souvenirs out for my family that picked me up. I reach for the locked-together zippers (back in the day when you could lock your suitcases), and notice no zippers exist on my suitcase. So I simply peel the suitcase top back like a banana, zipper easily coming apart with no effort at all, thinking that at any time if anything had caught onto the top of this suitcase, everything inside would be sprinkled from here to Milan. That, or I would have had to made visit Number 2 to the saran-wrapper.
I pause to quickly note how amazed I am that I made it home with the contents of my luggage on both of these occasions. During this pause, I also want to note one even more miraculous accomplishment to do with luggage. I did manage to bring home three fully intact painted egg shells (they're a local favorite) from PRAGUE, totally unharmed. They have moved with me from Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis too. I'm very proud of that.
Ok, pause complete. My meandering about luggage stories good and bad finally brings me to my point. I'm always looking for nice, new updated luggage, because luggage is made so well now that I feel certain none of these malfunctions could occur. But of course I love my bargains as well. I've been perusing T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, and other discount stores for some time looking for my dream suitcase:
The latest model ebony black 29" Samsonite spinner! Isn't it beautiful?
Well, friends, this week my dream came true. I finally found the suitcase of my dreams, at T.J. Maxx, for $99! (It retails for $480!) Yes!
I cannot wait to fill it full and hope that with this sleek updated model, none of my undergarments will appear at baggage claim.
While I consider myself infinitely blessed for having the opportunity to do several study abroad trips, totalling six months of my life out of the U.S., I have had my fair share of what I would call "luggage malfunctions."
Malfunction 1: I arrived home from two months in Spain to some airport in the Northeast US. (I can't remember where, but the horrifying events that are about to be described were more memorable than the exact airport). I am standing at the baggage claim watching luggage come down this very tall slide above onto the conveyor belt. It is a quite dramatic, viewable-to-everyone sort of baggage claim. First, I see my lime green "Universidad de Salamanca" t-shirt making its way down the slide. I think, that's not good. Then, I see my bikini top. Then, I become quite concerned for the rest of the contents of my luggage. Then, I see in full view for all, my bright blue bra, coming down the slide between everyone else's fully intact suitcases. Full panic! Fortunately, I am not easily embarassed. I walked straight up to that conveyor belt, claimed my shirt and unmentionables, and acted like that's what all the cool kids do. Soon after comes that completely opened suitcase. My friend Emily and I die laughing and then are introduced to a machine that I hope most people do not have to encounter at the airport (but you will be comforted to know exists)--the giant plastic wrapper. Imagine a machine that entirely wraps your what is left of your luggage in heavy duty saran wrap. Actually, quite a smart idea. Your saran-wrapped bag then arrives at your final destination, in my case, Atlanta. You know you've had quite a trip when this is what's yours to claim. Surprisingly, I think everything made it home except the matching bikini bottom, which must be somewhere between Georgia and Madrid.
Malfunction 2: I arrive home from Italy. I put my suitcase in the back of the car but am eager to get a few souvenirs out for my family that picked me up. I reach for the locked-together zippers (back in the day when you could lock your suitcases), and notice no zippers exist on my suitcase. So I simply peel the suitcase top back like a banana, zipper easily coming apart with no effort at all, thinking that at any time if anything had caught onto the top of this suitcase, everything inside would be sprinkled from here to Milan. That, or I would have had to made visit Number 2 to the saran-wrapper.
I pause to quickly note how amazed I am that I made it home with the contents of my luggage on both of these occasions. During this pause, I also want to note one even more miraculous accomplishment to do with luggage. I did manage to bring home three fully intact painted egg shells (they're a local favorite) from PRAGUE, totally unharmed. They have moved with me from Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis too. I'm very proud of that.
Ok, pause complete. My meandering about luggage stories good and bad finally brings me to my point. I'm always looking for nice, new updated luggage, because luggage is made so well now that I feel certain none of these malfunctions could occur. But of course I love my bargains as well. I've been perusing T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, and other discount stores for some time looking for my dream suitcase:
The latest model ebony black 29" Samsonite spinner! Isn't it beautiful?
Well, friends, this week my dream came true. I finally found the suitcase of my dreams, at T.J. Maxx, for $99! (It retails for $480!) Yes!
I cannot wait to fill it full and hope that with this sleek updated model, none of my undergarments will appear at baggage claim.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Travel Tidbits-- Ferry Rides
Want to relax and watch the scenery pass you by without even having to leave the good 'ole U.S.A.? Just think of it as a mini cruise, American style. Here are Budget Travel's recommendations for the most beautiful and breathtaking ferry rides! From the Staten Island Ferry past the Statute of Liberty (the coldest I have ever been in my life by the way--I do not recommend going on a rainy winter day . . .) to the famous San Francisco Bay, these trips are as American as apple pie! Many appear budget-friendly as well!
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042301954.html?wpisrc=newsletter
As a sidenote, I was very impressed by the Alaska ferry options. Many people opt to go on Alaskan cruises, but did you know you can take a ferry through the pristine Inside Passage for $45? This waterway is the highlight of most week-long cruises, but you can see it for what it costs a couple to go to dinner and a movie. Not bad!
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042301954.html?wpisrc=newsletter
As a sidenote, I was very impressed by the Alaska ferry options. Many people opt to go on Alaskan cruises, but did you know you can take a ferry through the pristine Inside Passage for $45? This waterway is the highlight of most week-long cruises, but you can see it for what it costs a couple to go to dinner and a movie. Not bad!
Travel Tidbits-- WhereIveBeen.com
Can't get enough of social networking sites? They can be used for travel tips galore. Just ask your facebook friends a favorite destination, or post a "tweet" on Twitter requesting recommendations. Virtually all travel magazines now tout the benefits of these sites for great information.
Here's yet another, but dedicated totally to travel! I thought I was social-network-sited out, but I'm going to sign up and give this one a try! Sounds like fun!
http://www.whereivebeen.com
Here's yet another, but dedicated totally to travel! I thought I was social-network-sited out, but I'm going to sign up and give this one a try! Sounds like fun!
http://www.whereivebeen.com
Dream Destinations--Overwater Bungalows
As mentioned in previous posts, there is perhaps no more of a dream vacation than an overwater bungalow. Sleeping above the ocean? Walking out onto your balcony over the clear blue water? For me, that defines a dream! As always, I peruse locales with such bungalows, and this is one of the more extensive lists I've found. Of course, the legendary (and costly) chic resorts of Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti have these, but did you know about Bermuda? Panama? The Phillipines? If not, read on!
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/02/07/AR2007020701384.html?wpisrc=newsletter
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/02/07/AR2007020701384.html?wpisrc=newsletter
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