« June 2007 | Main | August 2007 »
Virgin America Airline Begins Service
July 25, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Fans of Virgin Atlantic will be pleased to know that our very own domestic version, Virgin America, has begun selling tickets. The airline is set to change the flying landscape, and is touted as being a cross between a low-cost airline and a full on legacy operator. This is great news for those who have been waiting for a somewhat more luxurious low-cost flying experience.
Flights start August 8th with its flagship route between San Francisco and New York JFK Airport, as well as service between SFO and Los Angeles International and Las Vegas. Virgin America expects to serve up to 10 cities within a year, and up to 30 cities within five years. On August 29 Virgin America will launch LAX to JFK service, and on September 26 flights will begin from San Francisco to Washington Dulles Airport. In October, the carrier will also start service between San Francisco and Las Vegas, as well as LAX and Dulles.
Virgin America is set to change industry standards with entertainment amenities for social networking tech savvy passengers like Seat-To-Seat chat which lets you message with fellow passengers from the comfort of your seat. Each seat has a power plug and USB charger perfect for doing business on the go. Virgin America may be perfect for the Road Warrior who values their gadgets, their comfort, and the chance to meet likeminded travelers in flight.
New TSA Carry On Rules
July 23, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The wait on security lines at airports may start to get shorter August 4th as the TSA changes some of the rules regarding carry on items. Travelers will once again be allowed to carry on disposable butane lighters, even though torch lighters will still be banned. Anyone traveling with, or without, an infant will also be able to carry on more than 3 ounces of breast milk.
These changes will make flying a little less stressful and more convenient for parents or caretakers and those Road Warriors who always forget there is a lighter tucked away in their bag. The new rules go in effect to help screeners focus more on searching for explosives. Many Road Warriors may also be relieved to know that security efforts are being targeted once again at real possible security threats.
Airline Amenities
July 19, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Its seems nowadays that airline amenities are becoming scarcer and scarcer. Never fear because Road Warriors can still make the most of their flight with some careful planning and a bit of improvising. Business travelers can find the best ways to make their trip the most pleasant it can be even as onboard amenities dwindle.
There are some great take-along amenities that can help once you’re on the plane to provide a comfortable trip. You may want to bring along Plane Sheets to cover your seat for cleanliness or a Plane Clean Air Filter to attach overhead for purified air. And your clothes can even survive the trip intact with a folding travel hanger to ensure your garments won’t wrinkle, just make sure there is enough room in the onboard closet.
By planning ahead and bringing the proper airline amenities along, you can make the most of your trip. Air travel may not be exactly the same as in the past but it still gets you where you need to go.
Summer Music Festivals
July 18, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In the mood to be outdoors and hear some great music? Summer music festivals are perfect for those looking to take advantage of the nice weather and a variety of music. Summer music festivals can be the main event of your trip or just a pleasant side note to the business meeting.
There is really something for everyone a music festival. Many of these events last a few days, giving you plenty of time to catch a diverse range of artists or just pick and choose your favorites. USA Today recently put out a list of the top ten music festivals this summer which has lots of great ideas for summer travelers. If you’re vacationing with the whole family, you may want to check out The Family Travel Files site which has a full listing of festivals with something for every age group. Or, if none of the festivals on these lists are perfect for you, search for a festival by location and date on Upcoming, FestivalFinder.com, or Festivals.com.
The festival fun isn’t limited to the United States. Don’t forget our neighbors to the North, and check out Canada’s festival dates. Or, see what Gadling.com listed as the top worldwide music festivals this summer. Although, you may be surprised. Some of the best festivals listed here are actually in nearby music powerhouse cities such as Chicago.
Wherever you go, no matter what your tastes, the music festivals await. And knowing the events going on where you are traveling, or even scheduling your trip around them, can make your trip more enjoyable and give you a taste of local culture. Extended Stay Hotels can not only help you out by offering convenient accommodations in many of these festival cities, but also has travel guides for many of these destinations to keep you informed on what else there is to do during your stay.
Green Travel
July 13, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
With the first ever Live Earth http://liveearth.org/ concert behind us, now is the perfect time to keep the momentum going and discuss green travel. Many Road Warriors are already green in many ways, taking public transportation and working on laptops that use up less energy. There are many different shades of green and you may be surprised at how easily being eco-friendly can fit into your busy lifestyle.
It’s important to start by considering what you already do so that you can know which areas can be improved. The current issue of Time Out New York magazine takes a look at where you are now, from not green at all to dark green, an assessment even non-New Yorkers can find useful online. Also try a carbon footprint calculator to figure out your exact imprint. Fortunately there are now travel products geared directly at helping you be more eco-friendly. Burt’s Bees is a green company with a very popular line of toiletries perfectly sized for traveling light. Don’t forget that green is trendy with the “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” tote that can be used for groceries or as a carry on.
Extended Stay Hotels are a bit ahead of their time in terms of being green. They have always been conscious of being close to major attractions so that guests do not need to drive far, and by offering sheet and towel changes upon request they save water and energy. Even little things can go a long way to save our environment, so travel green Road Warriors.
MLB All Star Game Time
July 10, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Get ready baseball fans, tonight is the All-Star Game between the American and National Leagues for the 78th Midsummer Classic in San Francisco. If you are not lucky enough to have tickets to AT&T Park, there are some great San Francisco sports bars where you can take in the action with locals. And while the game may be drawing all your attention right now, don’t forget to come back to the Bay Area in the second week of September for the 12th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival as a sweet end to the summer.
Summer Gas Prices
July 5, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Gas prices have continued to soar this summer, making traveling by car for either business or pleasure an expensive undertaking. High gas prices have not stopped most travelers however, and many are adapting and finding the best ways they can to save money where they can. You may not be able to control gas prices but you can control where you go to fill up your tank.
Many travelers have taken to driving around an area to find the best gas price, but this can actually end up working against any real savings because of all the gas you’re burning up in your search. Find the best gas prices near your destination before you head out. Try gasbuddy.com to find the best gas price near any zip code you enter include a map of where the station is located. Or go no further than trusted mapquest.com where you can get all your driving directions, because now they too have a gas price finder. The AAA also has a useful online gas price tool. Being armed with the best information before heading out can make a difference in your travel spending this summer.
iPhone for The Road Warrior
July 2, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
With Apple’s iPhone June 29th release now behind us, it’s the perfect time to review this revolutionary piece of technology. The iPhone has been hailed as the “God phone,” capable of changing the entire telecom industry and drastically improving mobile applications like web surfing that used to be in a slow sad state. But can it live up to all the hype, and is it good for the Road Warrior?
The iPhone has been criticized for things like its lack of a keyboard, its exclusive partnership with AT&T, its low storage capacity, and a high price tag. But there are also the benefits of the iPhone like easy activation through iTunes, the capacity for upgrades, and its user-friendly interface. It remains to be seen what consumers will really think of the iPhone after using it for a while, but all indications look like most will be not only be satisfied but elated.
There are even iPhone travel accessories out already. The Inflight Power cable converts the audio output of your passenger seat headset jack into regular USB power, so you can charge your iPhone on the plane. Talk wirelessly with the iPhone Bluetooth Headset which includes the iPhone Dual Dock that can charge your headset while your phone syncs to your computer. There are already great travel uses for the iPhone and even travel accessories so Road Warriors most likely will not be disappointed.
