Thursday, October 29, 2009

Vampire Vacations Popular this Halloween Season

Now more than ever, the fascination with vampires seems to be ingrained in our culture. Vampire lore has been around for ages, becoming mainstream with movies like "Dracula", "Interview with a Vampire", the "Underworld" movies, and the recent and very popular "Twilight".

Many tour groups around the world are now offering tours and excursions that are helping the vampire imagery come to life.

Dracula's Castle (Bran Castle), located in Transylvania, Romania is the most popular vampire vacation spot in the wolrd. Tourists who come to this area usually make sure to also visit Dracula's birthplace, in Sighisoara, and Dracula’s burial grounds at the Snagov Monastery.

New Orleans Vampire tours and Haunted History tours are also very popular among Vampire enthusiasts. These chilling yet fun tours take guests to locations mainly in the French Quarter that are based on real diaries, city archives, and very real legends will make a believer out of anyone.

Forks, Washington, is home of "Twilight's" Cullen family of vampires. The popular "Twilight" series has given this small town (with a population of 3,175) a new life, with tourists coming from all over the world to see the real life town that was portrayed in the books and movies.

San Fransisco is not usually known for vampires, but there is an underground history of vampire lore. With the San Fransisco Vampire Tours, participants visit some very haunted places around the Nob Hill neighborhood.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next spooky, or not-so-spooky vacation!

Friday, October 23, 2009

First All Female Flight Crew in the Middle East

Royal Jordanian flight number 132 recorded a first for Jordanian Airlines, and aviation history when it landed in Amman this week.

Returning from Athens, the plane flew with an all-women cockpit and cabin crew. The plane was led by Captain Carol Rabadi and co-pilot Hadeel Khamash. Captain Rabadi said her first flight as captain, together with co-pilot Khamash, would be a landmark in her life and the airline's history where women play a major role.

Way to go Royal Jordanian!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Some Airlines now Charging for Seat Assignments

Airline fees are on the rise again! On October 7th, British Airways began charging fees for all pre-assigned seat assignments. This even includes discounted business class.

The cost for a pre-assigned seat on a trans-atlantic flight in coach or premium economy class is $30 USD per flight! Passengers traveling on a discounted business class must pay $90 per flight! For exit row seats the fee is $75 each way! These fees are non-refundable.
No U.S. Airlines have started charing for seat assignments yet, but they most likely will start soon.

This is a perfect example why to use a Travel Agent for international travel. Most Travel Agencies can still book British flights without charging for seat assignments.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next trip!

Friday, October 09, 2009

5 Helpful Tips for Women Traveling Alone

If you are a woman who travels alone, or will be, as many women do these days, here are some helpful tips to ensure safer travels.

1. Pack Smart. Pack light so you won't be weighed down or look weighed down, both of which could make you an ideal target for pickpockets. Also, avoid using expensive looking baggage and clothing, lock all suitcases and only use covered luggage tags with your office address written on it rather than your home.

2. Be Familiar with Your Surroundings. Download maps of the area where you will be staying at home before you go, and try to familiarize yourself with surrounding streets and neighborhoods, to avoid looking like a lost tourist. Ask the hotel concierge where to go and where not to go.

3. Hotel Safety. Ask for a room on a higher floor near the elevator but away from emergency exits, stairwells, and any renovation work. Never accept a room if the clerk loudly calls out your name and room number.

4. Know Before You Go. Try to learn as much about the destination as possible, especially when traveling to a foreign country, before you go. An area's religious or cultural beliefs can directly impact you, compelling you to adapt your dress and demeanor to comply with local customs.

5. Getting Around Safely. Grab a card or matchbook from the front desk with the hotel's name, address and phone number on it, and keep this card on you at all times. This is especially helpful in foreign countries where you taxi driver might not speak English or in case there are several hotels with similar names in the area. Also, explore transportation options available at your destination ahead of time, especially if you will be arriving late in the evening. If renting a car, it's probably a good idea to also rent a GPS to help you navigate unfamiliar roads.

There is also safety in knowledge. With advance planning and the advice of a Professional Travel Agent, your vacation or business trip can be safe, hassle-free and memorable.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Disney Announces Give-A-Day, Get-A-Day Promo

Disney parks announced last week, that beginning January 1, 2010 they will be giving away one million free admission tickets in exchange for one day of volunteer service.

What a great promotion! This encourages people to volunteer one day of service at a participating local charity organization and get involved in their community, and in return will get one day admission to either Disneyland, Disney World or Disney's California Adventure FREE!

This promotion is limited to one ticket per person and will last until December 15, 2010, or until all one million tickets have been givien away, which ever occurs first.

For more information go to Disney's website.