Although I use search sites like Orbitz to find low airfares, I normally book directly with an airline to avoid extra fees. Recently though, Orbitz caught my attention when they announced they will be dropping fees and issuing refund checks through their price assurance program if another customer books the same itinerary as you for a lower price. The fee waiver is scheduled to end on May 31st and the price assurance is capped at $250. I’m not sure if I’ll book my next flight on Orbitz, but I’ll probably consider it.
Colgate has released a new disposable toothbrush called the Colgate Wisp. It’s a flat, 3 1/2 inch brush with a bead of toothpaste built in and a pick on the end. The Wisp comes in three flavors, works without water and can be purchased in packs of 4 for around $3.00 or 16 for around $9.00. You can find them in most grocery stores or pharmacies on and offline.
For more information on the Wisp and a coupon, check out Colgate’s website linked below.
Colgate Wisp
In these times of hyper economic and environmental awareness, what better way is there to travel than by train? On May 9th, Amtrak celebrates 140 years of service with National Train Day. Events featuring celebrities, live entertainment and train tours will take place at stations nationwide and the company is also offering special packages and promotions including bonus Amtrak Rewards points.
National Train Day
If you are planning a road trip in the U.S. this summer, let RoadEscapes help you make the most of it. Just type in the details of your trip and they’ll give you suggestions on places to sleep, eat and attractions to stop at along the way. The great thing about the site is that they take into consideration a wide variety of preferences like the time of year, your budget and energy level and if you are traveling with a pet, children or a person with special needs.
If you’re looking for a new bag, here are a few that are not only cool, but also “green” because they are all made from recycled materials.
The Haversack made from old bicycle inner tubes.
$98 Alchemy Goods
The Recycled Messenger Bag made from discarded newspapers.
$46 Global Goods Partners
The Marbella made from old kites.
$66 Demano
Juice Drink Pouch Tote made from old Capri Sun pouches.
$9.99 Target
Source: Budget Travel
Ridecharge is a new service that allows you to book and pay for a taxi online or by phone in over 30 U.S. cities. Just log on and pay with a credit card and your ride is on its way. Ridecharge will even send you an alert when your car arrives so you won’t waste time looking out the window or standing on the street. Anything that makes travel more efficient is fine by me!
The current issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine featured a list of hotels offering unusual amenities:
Setai, Miami Beach – Guests can record music in the hotel’s celebrity frequented, state of the art studio for $250/hour.
Hotel 100, Seattle – Infrared sensors detect when your room is occupied and alert housekeeping so you’ll never get the dreaded wake up knock.
Algonquin, New York – Guests can borrow hotel-owned Amazon Kindles preloaded with classics and bestsellers.
Muse, New York – With just 48 hours notice, room service will create a pint of ice cream with almost any requested ingredients.
JetBlue understands that some people don’t like to travel without their 4 legged friend so they’ve introduced a new program called JetPaws. Enroll your dog or cat for free and you’ll receive a downloadable pet travel guide, a pet carrier travel tag and, best of all, TrueBlue points for your pet’s ticket!
JetPaws
Although many hotels are offering unheard of deals to lure in customers during these tough economic times, some are pricier than ever. According to a 2008 survey by the Hogg Robinson Group, the following cities have the highest average prices for a hotel stay, listed in order from most expensive:
1. Moscow
2. New York
3. Paris
4. Mumbai
5. Abu Dhabi
6. Milan
7. Geneva
8. Dubai
9. Stockholm
10. Zurich
It costs an average of $500/night to stay in Moscow which tops the list and NYC is close behind at just over $400/night. While it may seem like the worst time to visit any of these places, with the record low airfares I’ve seen for some of them you may still end up paying less for your trip than you would in a better economy.
Did anyone see the episode of Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches in Jamaica? I actually really liked it. Bridget hiked up a waterfall, stayed in Ian Fleming’s house (author of the James Bond books) and even went bobsledding. It definitely made me want to plan a trip to Jamaica!
It’s currently airing on the Travel Channel. Check their website or your local listings for times.
Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches
