Travel

Hate the bathrooms at JFK?

Wish O'Hare had better Wi-Fi coverage?

Love the food options at Heathrow?

Here's your chance to vote on what you love and hate about airports around the world. Lessno.com, a discount travel web site, is hosting its First Annual International Travelers Choice Awards, Airport Edition.

In this wired world, people have a chance to voice their opinion to just about every company they buy from, but they can't do that when it comes to airports.

Lessno.com wants to give you that voice and let airports know what they're doing right, and what they're doing wrong.

Categories include: Most loved dining, most loved security, most loved shopping, most hated traffic, most hated for losing luggage and most hated bathrooms.

"We feel it is essential for travelers to have a say on things that really matter to them when they fly," said Assen Vassilev, co-founder of Lessno.com. "We want to applaud those airports that do things right, like have efficient checkpoints. And we want to put on notice those that cause travelers headaches with messy check in or traffic."

The survey is quick and easy and can be found at Lessno.com.

Posted by Lori Rackl at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You can do more than just watch the balloons fill the sky during the nine-day festival in October, although being a spectator is pretty cool in and of itself. And it's cheap, too, costing only $6 for those 13 and older, free for kids.

Rainbow Ryders is the fiesta's sole balloon vendor authorized to take off from the park. You'll want to call in advance to book a flight, which cost $325 per person this year. But even if you don't book ahead, there's a good chance you can sign up for a ride at the Rainbow Ryders tent. Call 1-800-725-2477 or visit Rainbowryders.com.

If you want to be a part of the action but don't want to do it from the sky, consider volunteering for a spot on a chase crew. The chase crew basically helps inflate and deflate the balloon, among other things. A spot on the crew is open to adults 18 and older. Call the Balloon Fiesta to register at 888-422-7277 or register at the Chase Crew Tower on the field around 5 a.m.

If you are going to attend next year's event, try to schedule your visit so you can catch the Special Shape Rodeo as well as a general mass ascension. And don't miss the evenings, when tethered balloons glow under the dark sky.

One other tip: You can pay the $10 to park and watch the events from the roof of your car. That way you avoid paying general admission, which isn't much to begin with at $6.

And remember to book your hotel room early, because an estimated 800,000 people flock to Albuquerque for the popular event.

Bon voyage....

Posted by Lori Rackl at 04:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Can't make it to wine country? The Hotel Vintage Plaza just launched a new package that lets oenophiles have an Oregon wine experience in downtown Portland.

At check in, you'll get a bottle of the hotel's private label Oregon pinot noir and two Riedel crystal glasses. You get to taste in the comfort of your hotel suite, jotting notes down in the wine journal provided with the package.

You'll get an Italian/Oregon pinot noir comparison flight at Pazzo Ristorante next to the hotel, and if you like, schedule a private session with the restaurant's wine director.

The best part is the hands-on blending class for two at Urban Wineworks. You even get to take home a carafe of your special wine blend.

How much does it cost?

Package rates, including overnight accommodations for two, start at $289.

The hotel is at 422 S.W. Broadway in downtown Portland.

Even if you don't get the package, the hotel offers a free nightly wine-tasting event for all guests.

Call 503-228-1212 or go to vintageplaza.com.

Posted by Lori Rackl at 04:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth says Chicago isn't among the top two choices on the list of favorites for the coveted 2016 Summer Olympics.

He says Madrid, Spain; Tokyo; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil have us beat so far.

I'm thinking Rio's well publicized crime problems might count against that fun-loving, thong-wearing party town.

As for Japan, I recently met with some tourism folks from that country. They seemed pretty confident they'd snag the games right out from under us. Then again, they're biased. But so am I. Having the Olympics in Chicago would be a boon (at least I think so) not only for my hometown, but for my place of employment.

Have you ever been to any of the Top 3 cities?

If so, do you think they deserve the games more than us?

Posted by Lori Rackl at 04:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)