Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

A new real-time route monitoring system, electronic tracking of guest safety training and changes that will allow more crew members to issue orders, are among the initiatives being adopted by the company in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster.

Under the new rules, Costa cruise guests will receive emergency training before the ship leaves port and officers in uniform must be present during safety training. “This ensures the training has proper solemnity and gives guests an opportunity to ask any questions or express concerns they might have directly with an officer,” Costa said in a document outlining the new procedures.

At least 30 people were killed when Costa Concordia ran aground on January 13 off the shore of the Italian island of Giglio. Some survivors complained that they had not been instructed in emergency procedures. International regulations require that passengers receive instruction within 24 hours of departure. In February, three cruise industry associations announced new standards exceeding that rule by requiring muster drills before leaving port.

Under Costa’s new rules, guests will receive an electronic card to be scanned during safety drills. Guests who miss the initial training will be tracked electronically and invited to attend training the following day. Guests who do not attend either session will receive written safety guidelines.

Officers will be more involved in decision making under a new bridge management model. “According to the new model, the Captain maintains intervention power as required by law, but is no longer the only person who issues orders,” the Costa document said.

The Concordia’s captain, Francesco Schettino, remains under house arrest while he is investigated for possible criminal charges. He faces allegations of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck, abandoning ship and failing to report the accident.

Costa will also limit access to a ship’s bridge during critical navigation phases, following a standard established by Cruise Lines International Association last month, and a new monitoring system will allow Costa to control the position and course of all of its ships in real time.

The cruise line’s new ship, Costa Fascinosa, was delivered in Venice on Saturday, along with sister ship Costa Favolosa. Costa Fascinosa, a $665 million ship that can carry up to 3,800 passengers, is the largest Italian-flagged cruise ship afloat.

“The delivery of the Costa Fascinosa is an important stepping stone on our Company’s road to recovery,” Costa CEO Pier Luigi Foschi said.

We consulted travel experts and real travelers to get their tips for making a long weekend holiday just as much fun — and just as satisfying — as a week-long vacation. The surprising thing? Our go-to advice for saving on hotels and airfare when on vacation could actually ruin your short trip.

Budget Travel: World’s 16 most picturesque villages

Mistake #1: Booking a hotel too far from the action

“I think this is the biggest mistake [that travelers make when planning short getaways],” says travel expert John E. DiScala of JohnnyJet.com, “It generally takes time to get to and from a city when you stay farther out, and you’re going to have to pay more for transport, too.” If you’re going to Disneyland for a short visit for example, he says, it’s worth paying extra to stay at a hotel right near the attractions.

The same goes for short city visits, too. “You could possibly save money by staying in Hoboken [New Jersey] if you go to New York and public transport into the city is not expensive,” he says, “But it will take more time — you have to factor that in and figure out if it’s worth it.”

So while, yes, saving money by staying a bit outside of town is usually smart advice, on short trips it’s a bad idea. After you do the math, chances are that even paying $50 more per night for a more centrally located hotel can end up being worth it for the time you’ll save.

Mistake #2: Checking a bag

Nothing is worse than arriving in Manchester, New Hampshire, and finding out that your bag is on its way to Manchester, England. It could take four days to get it back-meaning you’ll have it just in time to check it for your flight home.

With all the savvy packing tips out there, there’s usually no reason why you should check a suitcase for a short break.

“If it’s a warmer climate, it’s fairly easy to pack light,” says Mike Cooney of the Florida-based travel agency Cooney World Adventures. “But for colder climates you have the option of dressing in layers so you don’t have to pack as much in the actual bag itself.”

If you have sports equipment that must be checked (skis, a surfboard), consider shipping it ahead of time or, better yet, opt for rental gear instead. And checking a bag usually requires more time at the airport-instead you can spend more time seeing the sights and then head straight to security on the way home.

Budget Travel: 11 new hotel wonders

Mistake #3: Trying to make the most of every second

Instead of rushing between Chelsea and Midtown — two neighborhoods in opposite parts of town — to see five different art exhibitions during a short trip to New York City, your time might better be spent really delving into just one or two spots during your stay.

Figure out your goals for the trip ahead of time, says DiScala, and then schedule your activities accordingly. “Some people want to see it all, and others will go to Paris for a weekend and just want to hang at one café and soak in the culture,” he says.

And be realistic about what you can actually see in just a couple days. In the end it all comes down to personal preference — think about what you’re looking to get out of your getaway and what you and your travel partners can sanely handle. After all, the last thing you want is to come back from your vacation feeling like you need a vacation.

Mistake #4: Booking a flight with multiple connections

The flights that float to the top when you’re looking for cheap airfare on sites like Orbitz or Expedia are usually the ones that involve switching planes at an airline’s hub. It’s a fine way to save some dollars — until you find yourself spending extra hours on layovers and facing potential delays.

“It’s worth it to pay extra to get the nonstop option, especially when you have a short amount of time in a place,” says DiScala, who logs more than 150,000 air miles per year, “If there’s a cancellation or weather delays in a hub city, there goes your vacation.”

It’s also worth avoiding destinations that require various forms of transportation to reach, such as islands only accessible by an infrequent ferry or resorts that require a private shuttle ride (especially one that doesn’t depart until other passengers have arrived).

Budget Travel: 15 international food etiquette rules that might surprise you

Mistake #5: Winging it

On a recent girls getaway with four friends to Miami Beach, Janet Malin of Tampa, Florida, found herself wishing she’d figured out her group’s dining logistics ahead of time.

“We got to the hotel and had a few drinks by the pool, and next thing we knew it was time to go out for dinner,” she recalls, “But we hadn’t booked a table anywhere and couldn’t decide on a place we all wanted to hit.”

The group ended up wandering aimlessly around South Beach before settling on a random place. Sure, it’s hard to predict weeks in advance if you (and your traveling companions) will be in the mood for Italian or if you’d rather have tapas on any given night, but reservations aren’t usually set in stone.

Research dining options ahead of time, or call your hotel’s concierge for recommendations after you book your room.

Mistake #6: Forgetting to prepare for a new time zone

Unlike some of the other tips on this list, the advice for dealing with jet lag on short vacations is the same as on longer getaways. “Anywhere you go, do everything possible to maintain the new time schedule you’re on,” advises Cooney. “If I’m flying to say San Francisco from the east coast, I would immediately go out after arriving at the hotel, walk around the city, have dinner, have a cup of coffee… the objective is to try and get on the new time zone as soon as possible.”

If it’s already nighttime in your destination when you step on the plane, pass on the in-flight meal and movie and pop in the earplugs for a snooze instead — that way you’ll be waking up with the locals, instead of feeling like it’s time to sleep when you touch down.

Plan lots of outdoor activities for your first day in a different time zone, too — the sunlight and fresh air will keep you energized. If there’s no avoiding a snooze, try to limit yourself to a 20-minute power nap.

Budget Travel: 8 items you never pack… but should

Mistake #7: Dressing for only one part of the day

Does anyone still wear fanny packs and those zip-off cargo pants anymore? We hope not. When your time is limited, avoid dressing like a tourist on urban exploration, which most likely requires heading back to the hotel to change for the evening. The key is smart layering.

For both men and women, a thin T-shirt with a cardigan or blazer is a good way to go in temperate climates. And for footwear, opt for comfortable leather shoes instead of the sneakers from your gym bag.

Plus, choosing clothes that you can wear all day and into the night makes packing a breeze, and diminishes the chance that you will have to check a bag (remember Mistake #2?).

Mistake #8: Mapping out where you are — once you get there

Unless you’re fine with just seeing where the wind blows you — and hey, we’re all for spontaneous travel at times — you’ll lose a lot of time on the ground if you don’t have at least an idea of the layout of your destination before you arrive.

If you are going international, grab cash from the ATM at the airport so you don’t have to search out a bank near your hotel. And make like grade school and do your homework: Study maps before you leave and figure out the best route to take from your hotel to the attractions and restaurants you plan to visit.

Pre-planning extends to knowing the physical location of the airport you fly into, too, as it relates to the city center, says Malin, who’s made the mistake of choosing a cheaper flight into a satellite airport that required more transit time to reach the city center.

Budget Travel: 12 elevators you need to see to believe

 

 

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Wilderness Lodge Resort: At the entrance stairs to the Territory Lounge, a classic Mickey decorates a pot in the right lower section of a wall map.

Add a cocktail and you have a true recipe for repose. Try these five drinking establishments with very different vibes:

Go bananas at Bananas

A husband and wife team quit their jobs in Philadelphia and sold virtually everything they owned to open a tropical bar and guesthouse in Puerto Rico.

“It was one of the smartest things we ever did,” said Glenn Curry, owner of Bananas Guesthouse, Beach Bar & Grill in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The 63-year-old former journalist and his wife, Wynne, a mortgage representative, bought Bananas in 2002 and enjoy their lives hosting locals and guests from around the world at their remote tropical corner of the world.

Since Vieques can only be reached by boat or plane, their establishment caters to a more adventurous crowd, Curry said. Vieques is an island municipality of Puerto Rico that lies 8 miles east of the mainland.

“Vieques is special because it is not very developed and contains unspoiled land and pristine beaches, which is attractive to many tourists,” he said.

Bananas has views of the Caribbean Sea and is a short distance from Sun Bay, a large public beach. The bar specializes in frozen drinks like piña coladas and dirty bananas.

“The atmosphere in our establishment is very relaxed,” said Curry. “The clock in our bar landed on happy hour and it never gains a minute,” he said with a chuckle.

Jamaican tropical oasis

The owner of Floyde’s Pelican Bar in Jamaica said he doesn’t keep regular hours and works on the honor system.

“If you pass by and I’m not in, then take a beer and leave cash,” said Floyde Forbes.

This remote bar can only be accessed by boat and is about six-tenths of a mile from Treasure Beach on the southern coast of Jamaica. It was built with driftwood and coconut trees.

This tropical oasis, which specializes in fresh seafood and Red Stripe beer, was named after the large flock of pelicans that rest on a sandbar nearby.

Forbes said the atmosphere at Floyde’s is “calm and serene with a very accepting international flavor that doesn’t compare to anything else.”

The original bar was built in 2001, but in 2004 Hurricane Ivan destroyed it. Local residents helped rebuild.

Drink to infinity at the Infiniti Bar

You may feel like a movie star at this hot spot.

Jane Fonda, Cindy Crawford and Shaquille O’Neal are among the many celebrities who have spent time relaxing at the glamorous Infiniti Bar in Turks and Caicos.

The Infiniti Bar is the marquee attraction at the upscale Grace Bay Club resort and is the Caribbean’s longest bar at 90 feet, according to the resort. It is surrounded by a white sand beach and lush vegetation and attracts its largest crowds at sunset.

The “longest bar in the Caribbean” is the pride and joy of internationally renowned designer Keith Hobbs. His creation has been celebrated by guests, travel magazines and other publications since its opening in 2007.

During your visit, be sure to order the bar’s signature drink, the Infiniti Martini.

Still standing after multiple hurricanes

Music lovers will be drawn to The Dune Preserve.

Since 1994, reggae singer and songwriter Bankie Banx has owned the beach bar along Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla.

Banx often performs at his bar, and he has attracted big name performers over the years, such as Jimmy Buffet and John Mayer. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has visited, too.

“Banx formed the Moonsplash Music Festival back in 1991 and it has become one of the premier music festivals in the Caribbean,” said his manager, Olaide Banks. The event will be March 8 to 11 this year on the grounds of The Dune Preserve.

In addition to live music, the beach bar is known for its signature “Duneshine,” a fermented ginger cocktail.

“The two-acre complex has changed quite a bit since 1994 due to four major hurricanes, but the charm lives on,” Banks said.

The Dune Preserve is primarily built from driftwood, pieces of shipwrecked boats and harvested wood from Dominica and Guyana.

Pack a swimsuit at Rick’s

You’ll dive into more than just a drink at Rick’s Cafe in Jamaica.

Since 1974, countless guests have jumped into the waters off this 45-foot cliffside bar in Negril, so be sure to pack a swimsuit and a sense of adventure. Boaters like to pull their vessels up to this seaside establishment, too.

Aside from aquatic adventure, this drinking spot is known for its sunset views of the Caribbean over the naturally formed cliffs. Bring your camera!

“From the minute we entered Rick’s it was evident that it was one of the most beautiful spots that we had seen in Jamaica, if not the world,” said Sonya Matalon of Columbus, Ohio. “I felt like I was standing in a picture postcard with an absolutely amazing view.”

Rick’s takes pride in calling itself “the premier gathering spot” in Negril and has maintained much of its original seaside ambiance despite damage from Hurricanes Gilbert and Ivan.

White Stag Block, Portland, Ore. — In one of America’s greenest cities, three long-vacant historic commercial buildings have been brought back to life in a textbook example of sustainable development.

But what to do if you’re one of those people who just can’t stand beaches? (Scorching sunburn, salt in your hair and sand everywhere!) If you’re a beach hater, don’t dismiss Hawaii just yet: there’s plenty to do on the Hawaiian islands where you’ll never have to step foot on sand. Here are some of our suggestions.

HAWAI’I (the Big Island)

Mauna Kea

This dormant volcano’s peak is 4205 m (13,796 ft) above sea level — the highest mountain in the state of Hawaii. (If you measure from its base underneath the Pacific, though, it’s 10,000 m (33,000 ft) tall — making it the tallest mountain on Earth.)

With such a clear vantage point, it’s no wonder that its snowy summit is dotted with the greatest collection of astronomical telescopes in the world. The Onizuka Center here offers astronomy displays and nightly stargazing programs to the public.

Experienced mountaineers can even hike 12 miles to the summit through an otherworldly landscape of volcanic cinder cones and ancient archaeological sites.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

If you’d prefer to see some live volcano action, head southeast to this unique national park, where Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, has been erupting continuously since 1983.

Outside the park boundaries, depending on conditions the day you visit, you may even be able to see fresh molten lava flowing into the sea (which is slowly but surely making the Big Island even bigger, year after year).

But even if the volcano goddess Pele isn’t cooperating, there are still plenty of intriguing sights within the park’s confines: hollowed-out lava tubes, steaming craters, tropical rainforest and old lava trails.

Rangers offer guided walks and other activities at the visitor center. For information on volcanic activity, the National Park Service has helpful updates (plus lava cam).

MAUI

Upcountry Maui and Haleakala National Park

The volcanic soil and sloped pastures of Mt Haleakala have sustained much of Maui’s farming and livestock for the past two centuries, and the paniolo (cowboy) vibe is still strong in towns like rustic Makawao.

A drive through the plush pastures of the Kula region will take you past cattle ranches, vineyards with cellar-door sales, goat dairies and a huge lavender farm (with a cafe and gift shop offering lavender versions of just about any foodstuff or cosmetic product you can imagine — and even those you can’t).

If you keep driving you can follow a tortuously winding road up the flank of Mt Haleakala itself, up 3055 m (10,023 ft) to the summit, where you can explore the surreal, lunar-like landscape — home to unique flora such as the ten-year-blooming Haleakala silversword, which grows nowhere else on Earth — and stare down at clouds filling enormous volcanic craters below you.

If you can get up early (or stay up late) enough, book a tour to catch the sublime sight of sunrise from the peak; you can also have a van take you and a bicycle up to the top so you can ride — er, roll all the way down.

Lahaina

This colorful town was once the whaling capital of the Pacific, where ships would dock for supplies, sailors and shore leave. Today the dance halls, saloons and brothels that kept the whalers busy have been replaced by the best restaurants on Maui, art galleries that host free “art nights” every Friday, bars with live music from Irish trad to jazz and, of course, souvenir shops (c’mon, it is Hawaii). Meanwhile, Lahaina’s seafaring past is kept alive by the numerous whale-watching cruises that depart from its harbor.

O’AHU

Diamond Head

This extinct volcanic tuff cone stands guard over Waikiki, and is O’ahu’s signature backdrop. You can hike to the top in about an hour or less — a paved trail leads 1.3 km (0.8 miles) all the way to the summit, which at 232 m (760 ft) affords some pretty awesome views of Waikiki. (OK, you’ll still have to see a beach, but you won’t have to step on it. Happy?)

USS Arizona Memorial

The tragic events of December 7,1941 are memorialized at Pearl Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Honolulu. The USS Arizona lies where it sank, the resting place of over a thousand of the U.S. sailors who died in the Japanese attack.

In 1962 the memorial was opened, with a structure built over the ship that allows you to view its remains poking out of the shallow water below; a marble wall inside is engraved with the names of the honored dead. A visit to Pearl Harbor will leave you with a palpable sense of the history that was made there.

KAUA’I

Waimea Canyon

This gigantic chasm at the heart of Kaua’i is one of the island’s greatest natural wonders, and its red-and-black-striated lava-rock walls contrasted with the lush green forests that blanket its top is a true sight to behold.

Its name comes from the Waimea River, which runs through the bottom; the canyon was formed by a combination of erosion and the partial collapse of one of the island’s shield volcanoes.

Waimea Canyon State Park has lookout points over Kaua’i's stunning Na Pali cliffs, as well as numerous hiking trails through and around the canyon, a wilderness lover’s delight.

Helicopter ride over Kaua’i

Way more thrilling than a day at the beach is a helicopter ride over the interior of Kaua’i, most of which is too densely forested and mountainous for wheeled vehicles.

Numerous helicopter companies (most based in Lihu’e) offer up-in-the-air jaunts over waterfall-striped Mt Wai’ale’ale, the island’s central shield volcano and one of the wettest spots on Earth, and the sheer-hewn sea cliffs of the Na Pali coast, accessible otherwise only by ocean kayak.

MOLOKAI

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Hansen’s disease (leprosy) was introduced to Hawaii by foreigners in 1835, and soon spread through the islands. King Kamehameha V, in an attempt to stop the epidemic, created a law banishing all those afflicted to this remote peninsula jutting out from beneath the towering sea cliffs (the world’s highest) of Molokai’s north coast, which became the final home for the unhappy exiles.

Around 40 years later, a compassionate Belgian missionary named Father Damien came to visit, and remained with the colony for 16 years, when he died after contracting the disease himself (Father Damien was officially canonized by the Catholic Church in 2009).

The enforced isolation law was finally revoked in 1969; today, only a handful of patients, all senior citizens, remain. You can visit the peninsula to see the village and Father Damien’s church and gravesite only by pre-arranged tour — either flying down to the peninsula (which takes about eight minutes) or riding a mule down a steep, 2-mile (3.2km) route zigzagging across the cliffs.

© 2011 Lonely Planet. All rights reserved.