Daphne just wants attention…after all she is a dog!
Comet wants you to know he is in charge…after all he is a cat!
Cats and Dogs
ParkSleepFly.com
Travelwriters.com just released this press release about a program that may be useful to frequent travelers. I have not tried it but it does sound promising.
About ParkSleepFly.com, Inc.
ParkSleepFly.com, a trendsetter and industry leader in hotel, parking, and airline reservations, offers travelers deals on overnight stays at over 1,500 hotels located just minutes from more than 129 airports in the U.S., Canada, and Europe – along with free parking for 7-14 days or more plus complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminal.
ParkSleepFly.com, a trendsetter and industry leader in hotel, parking, and airline reservations, offers travelers deals on overnight stays at over 1,500 hotels located just minutes from more than 129 airports in the U.S., Canada, and Europe – along with free parking for 7-14 days or more plus complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminal.
For business and leisure air travelers, ParkSleepFly.com offers flexible airport hotel park and fly packages with the convenience of arriving the night before a flight. Customers with long airport commutes and early morning departures have a new option to relax at a nearby hotel beforehand and avoid missed flights due to heavy traffic, airport parking lot congestion, and security delays. Travelers with return flights landing late at night also use the service to book a hotel room to get some rest before driving home. Either way, through ParkSleepFly.com, customers often find the cost of the hotel room with free airport parking can be about the same as airport parking alone. Reservations may be made at www.ParkSleepFly.com or toll-free at 800-PARKING (800.727.5464).
Christmas Cats
“I really do not want to wear that thing! I’d rather eat it.”
“If I must…I’ll sit here and pose. But I’m not real happy about it.”
Christmas Travel
Traveling at Christmas this year? If you are staying in a hotel or B & B with family, why take along a few favorite Christmas decorations? Take stockings to hang, if that’s what you do. Pack a small string of lights or even a small tree. If you know in advance, ship those ahead to the hotel or B & B and you won’t have to worry about space in which to pack them.
Don’t forget to check the weather where you are going. You’ll know whether to pack coats or swimsuits!
Remembering
Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Thank you to all our Veterans
More TSA Regs
Planning on giving a snow globe as a gift this year? If you are flying, be sure to pack it in your checked luggage. Why?
Budget Travel and TSA tell us since there is more than 3.4 ounces of liquid in those snow globes, they need to be in checked luggage or not taken at all on your flight.
This fits in the “strange” category of items confiscated by TSA…don’t you think?
Travel Gadgets
With Christmas approaching, are you buying travel gadgets for your favorite traveler? If so…what are some of your favorites?
Places like Budget Travel, REI, USA Today, Journey Woman, and oodles of other sites list their favorites. Some of their suggestions include things like GPS units, bags, luggage, backpacks, water purifiers, cameras, luggage locators, cord stations, music players, book readers, luggage scales, wallets, blankets, pet carriers, games, journals…
The list goes on forever it seems. Want to share your ideas?
TSA Travel & Security Reminders
Flying this season? Here are some TSA travel tips to make it through security.
Dress to make it simple to get through metal detectors. Avoid clothes with metal buttons, or heavy metal jewelry. Remove metal body piercings, or replace them with acrylic or other non-metallic plugs.
Arrive early…airlines recommend two hours in advance for domestic flights and three for international flights.
Place your wallet, cell phone, eyeglasses, keys, watch, jewelry, essential medications and other valuables in a purse or carry-on bag before you get to the checkpoint. Make sure you have no items in your pockets. The carry-on or purse will be run through an X-ray machine while you either go through a metal detector or a body scanner.
As you approach the TSA document check station, have your boarding pass and ID…a drivers’ license or passport in hand. Fumbling at the last minute is not a good idea.
Remove shoes and place them directly on the X-ray-machine belt for quick screening. Remove coats, jackets and belts with large buckles and place them in a bin. Remove computers and large electronics from their cases and place them in a separate bin.
Remember the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4-ounce containers of liquids, gels or aerosol should be placed in a 1-quart-sized clear, zipped, plastic bag, with a limit of one bag per passenger.
Leave food items at home. Among those prohibited: Cranberry sauce; creamy dips and spreads such as cheeses and peanut butter; gift baskets with food items; gravy, jams and jellies; oils and vinegars; salsa, soups, wine, liquor and beer.
If you are taking gifts…leave unwrapped, especially if they are in your carry-on bag.
Be ready to be selected for the new body-scanner machine instead of the metal detector. If you set off the metal detector, you may be sent for a body scan. You can choose an enhanced pat-down instead.
For a full list of prohibited items and for more holiday travel tips, visit the TSA’s web site, www.tsa.gov.
Some International Tips
If you have not traveled internationally before here are some tips to get you started.
First…you need a passport. The current processing time is about four to six weeks and the cost is about $100. In an emergency passports can be issued in just days through expedited means. Keep in mind there are extra fees attached.
Some countries require a visa to visit. China, Russia, India and most of the Middle Eastern countries are some of those requiring visas. Check out the State Department’s web site at www.travel.state.gov for info on visas and any travel advisories.
TSA is now suggesting three hours prior to departure to check in for international flights. They are also saying that if you are going to Israel, plan on at least five hours ahead of time.
And pack smart. Know what you can and cannot take on board with you. If you pay attention and heed the rules, check in can go much more smoothly.
Living Like a Local
Hike through vineyards in the fall…with the owner’s permission of course.
Take time to savor amazing views…
Saving money is important…yet you want to get away for a few days…try a vacation home and travel like a local.
Traveling like a local could mean renting a vacation home instead of a hotel. Usually vacation home rentals are located in residential areas…not in row after row of hotels. This gives you a flavor for the city or area you are visiting. Also, you end up with more space than in a hotel room, allowing you more room to stretch out or relax.
You could save some more money by cooking or eating in for a few meals. Usually equipped with a kitchen, buy a few groceries and have breakfast or lunch at “home”. If you are into cooking, check before you book to see if the kitchen comes fully equipped for cooking. It’s not only cheaper but can be a fun experience.