FAA Looking into Use of Electronics on Planes

The FAA announced earlier this week that it will start a process to study the use of electronic devices on planes, but it will take until at least March before it makes a recommendation and probably even longer before giving permission to use them.

Last March the FAA said it could loosen the rules for using such devices at iPhones and iPads during flight. Pilots already use iPads in the cockpits but passengers have to turn their electronic devices off when the plane is below 10,000 feet because of worries that signals emitted by the devices might interfere with electronics in the cockpit. Airlines can only allow devices that have been tested and proven not to interfere with the plane's electronics.There are thousands of these devices on the market and new ones coming out each day so airlines simply ban them all during takeoff and landing.

The FAA will form a committee made up of mobile technology companies, airplane makers, pilots and flight attendants, airlines, and passenger associations. The FAA will also ask for public input during this process. The FAA also said that allowing cellphone use during flights isn't under consideration.

Americans Prefer Familiar Pit Stops

According to a recent article in USA Today, when Americans go on road trips, we like familiar road-side pit stops.

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

When it comes to making road-trip pit stops, Americans are creatures of habit. At least if an analysis by skobbler is any indication.
The mobile map-based app provider examined the most common search queries for lodgings, restaurants and gas stations during road-trip high season, May through July.

The conclusion: Most travelers stick to what they know when in unfamiliar territory.

The top food-related search: McDonalds, followed by IHOP.

In the lodging arena: Holiday Inn with Hilton Hotels in second place.

For coffee breaks: Starbucks led with Dunkin Donuts following.

For gassing up: Exxon Mobil beat out Shell.

And in the supplies department, Wal-Mart and Target led the pack.

The results are in line with a broader analysis of skobbler queries, which found that 70% of the top 500 searches involved major brands.

What's your road-trip style? Do you seek the familiar or do you look for local, one-of-a-kind establishments?

Original article can be found at USA Today.

National Geographic Cruise to Circumnavigate Iceland

Article by: Gene Sloan, USA Today
Is Iceland on your bucket list? A new small ship expedition planned for next year by National Geographic Expeditions offers the chance to circle the entire island in just over a week.


Dubbed A Circumnavigation of Iceland, the eight-night sailing on Lindblad Expeditions' 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer will kick off July 11, 2013 in Reykjavík, Iceland and focus on the country's many geological wonders and natural areas.

National Geographic says highlights of the voyage will include walking on lava fields and ice sheets, visiting hot springs and waterfalls and birding in the Arctic Circle. Kayaking into fjords and serene bays, and hiking along remote stretches of the Iceland coast also is on the schedule, as well as visits to small coastal towns.

Contact a Professional Travel Consultant today to book your next cruise!

Original article can be found here.

Christchurch Announces Massive Redevelopment Plans

The redevelopment of Christchurch follows last year's devastating earthquake that brought large parts of the city center to rubble. The city is getting a new convention center, sports stadium and performing arts complex among the big projects planned for the new-look of downtown Christchurch.



Government planners unveiled a blueprint on Monday for the city that replaces office towers with green spaces, urban apartments and innovation "hubs" they say will give the city the feel of a college campus. Under the plan, the city will be smaller, the buildings lower and also constructed to higher earthquake standards. Government officials have not yet identified an overall cost for the rebuild or specific funding sources for all the new projects.


It has been nearly 18 months since the magnitude 6.1 quake struck the city, killing 185 people and irreparably damaging 1,400 downtown buildings, including the century-old Anglican cathedral in the city center. An earthquake memorial will be given prominence, as well as a Maori cultural center. The central city square will also be divided into a number of smaller public gathering spots.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to book your next New Zealand Vacation!