Do you try to always carry on your luggage when you fly?
Are you sick of getting ripped off when you buy those 2 ounce and 4 ounce bottles of contact lens solution so you can meet the liquid requirements for carry on luggage?
Me too!
And I just found out that I DON'T HAVE TO WASTE MY MONEY ON THOSE LITTLE BOTTLES.
]]> My coworker told me her sister says she always flies with a regular sized bottle of contact lens solution."How can that be?" I asked.
She said it's considered a medical supply, so it's not subject to the 3-ounce restriction on liquids, aerosols and gels.
I was skeptical. So I called the media line at the TSA to get to the bottom of it. Sure enough, a spokeswoman told me contact lens solution is indeed considered a medical supply. All you have to do is declare it at the screening check point. (You need to take it out of the luggage and show it to the TSA folks when you declare it.)
Sometimes, travel editors are the last to know....
I can't wait to try this out in person when I fly to Montana this weekend. Let's just hope the TSA agent is aware of the "medical supply" rule, too.
]]>The five-day course includes morning classroom instruction and half-day on-water instruction each day except Friday, when you have a practice sail without the instructor.
]]> You also get accommodations ashore, which can sleep up to four. You can earn U.S. sailing certification following an optional Friday test.The program is for single parents with kids aged 7 to 17. Single parent families will be paired with each other for a maximum of four students on each sailboat.
Rates range from $2,893 for one parent and child in a deluxe, gulf-front studio, to $5,755 for one parent/three children in a two-bedroom beach villa.
Here's a hint: It's famous for its cheesecake.
Be the first to respond here with the right answer, and I'll send you a copy of the hardcover "Sex and the City" companion guide to the movie.
]]>Delta Air Lines will refund payments for a second checked bag to passengers who bought tickets before the carrier adopted its new checked-baggage fees and who complain about the charge, according to an agreement between the carrier and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Enforcement Office.
]]> Delta, according to the agreement, also will not assess the $25 second-bag fee for passengers who bought tickets before the new fees were adopted and object to the charge during check-in on future flights at a ticket counter.The Aviation Enforcement Office will provide Delta with complaints it receives about the charge to help the carrier provide refunds to eligible passengers. The carrier also agreed that within two months it would modify its procedures to be able to ensure that passengers who bought tickets before the fee was adopted are not charged for a second bag weighing up to 50 pounds, whether or not they complain.
Delta, which previously accepted two checked bags without charge, announced on April 9 that beginning May 5 it would accept only one checked bag without charge.
The agreement follows a notice to airlines last month from the Aviation Enforcement Office that airlines and travel agents must disclose fees for checking a first or second bag in their internet and print ads and before anyone buys a ticket.
]]>So here's my pick for a few places worth seeking out:
Anglim Winery — Husband and wife (Northwestern graduate and former Chicagoan) team run this high quality, boutique winery where you can enjoy a free tasting (or pay a few bucks to taste their reserve wines).
]]> Adelaida Cellars — The region's first pinot noir was planted here at this lovely winery and vineyard that has a cozy tasting room and friendly staff.Halter Ranch Vineyard — My favorite of the bunch. Gorgeous setting by a restored Victorian home, where they'll sometimes have wine dinners and other food-related events. Ask to see the ginormous oak tree on the property.
L'Aventure — A colorful Frenchman is in charge here, and the result is spectacular. This place is known for taking chances and blending some unusual varietals to come up with truly unique wines.
Robert Hall Winery — One of the prettiest vineyards and wineries I've seen in California. They sometimes have concerts on the sprawling grounds.
Justin Vineyards & Winery — This is the place that put Paso on the map. It's a little far removed from the other wineries, but fans of Justin wine will want to make the trip.
]]>Here are a few ideas:
Palestine, Ill., hosts the 2nd annual Betsey Reed Festival. Who's Betsey Reed? Apparently she was the only woman put to death by hanging in the state of Illinois. Now, she has a festival named after her. There's a wine tasting, dinner, art show, carnival, ghost hunters, mock fortune telling and, of course, casket races. Let the good times roll June 6-7 and find out more at www.betseyreed.com.
]]> Got milk? If not, you can find plenty of it in downtown Harvard, Ill., during Harvard Milk Days, June 6-8. It's the longest running festival in the state. Street dancing and 30 plus events round out the activities, and thousands of people line the two mile route through the town of Harvard. Get the skinny at www.milkdays.com.One hundred years ago, there was a race riot in Springfield that destroyed homes, businesses and the American dream for many people. Men were shot; some were lynched in the streets. Learn the stories that led to the formation of the NAACP during the Springfield 1908 Race Riot Walk on June 7. If you can't make it then, tours will also take place throughout the summer, with a special anniversary tour planned for Aug. 16. Go to www.springfieldwalks.com for info.
]]>I had the pleasure of attending this past March, just a day before Barack Obama dropped by to sit on a tractor and have a photo op. I missed Barack stump, but I did get to see Tim McGraw sing. Bor-ing.
Thankfully, the rest of the rodeo didn't disappoint. Tons of 4H-type exhibits are part of the show, and it was pretty cool watching baby chicks pluck their way out of their eggs and talking to breeders about the market value of prized cattles' sperm, which you can buy at the rodeo if you're so inclined. I was not.
This really is a great family event to build a vacation around. You can take the kids to the rodeo's petting zoo and they'll be entertained for hours walking past rows of tractors and farm equipment and animals ready to give birth on the spot. (They do, too. That's part of the show.)
The best show of all is the riding competition. I loved sitting in Reliant Stadium, watching cowboys do their best to stay on a bucking bronco for 8 seconds. And who could be bored when guys come galloping into the ring and jump off their horses to wrestle a steer to the ground? Now if Tim McGraw could do that, I'd be impressed.
The whole thing is a real Texas -- make that Houston -- tradition. It doesn't feel touristy at all. It feels authentic -- and fun.
The next rodeo is March 3-22. Catch it if you can...
]]>I figured it was just like any of the other ports we're stopping at. I'd get off the boat, poke around the Hermitage, walk the streets, do a shot or two of vodka and that's that.
Oh boy, was I wrong.
]]> It started with a notice from the cruise ship, telling me that Russian law requires that travelers have a designated sponsor during their visit in St. Pete. The ground operator who handles the shore excursions can legally only assume responsibility when guests are actively engaged on the cruise ship's sanctioned excursions. Individual visas will be required for anyone wanting to go ashore on their own.Yikes. The visas cost something like $100 and look like a gigantic pain to apply for. And the cruise ship's excursions are expensive -- not just because they always are, but because they know most people aren't going to want to bother with applying for visas on their own.
I've heard some big downsides to going with the cruise operator on St. Pete excursions. For example, you can get stuck in a large group and have very little flexibility to see or do what interests you.
On the flip side, going solo has its obvious drawbacks, like not having the tour operator clout to cut the infamously long line at the Hermitage.
My limited Internet research tells me there are some independent tour groups who are a good middle ground alternative for those who don't want to go with the cruise ship or on their own. Apparently they serve as your sponsor, so there's no need for you to get the visa.
Has anyone out there had any experience with one of these independent tour companies?
Did your cruise line do everything in its power to steer you away from that option?
I'd love to hear about it...
Be the first to reply here with the correct answer and you'll win a copy of Fodor's European Ports of Call book.
]]> Be patient, though. I'm in California at the moment and it might take me a little time to check the comments.Thanks!
Lori
]]>Ah, the good old days.
What's up with this infinitely mediocre discount travel Web site by rapper and producer Kanye West? I know the site has gotten better over the past few weeks, but it's still not good.
]]> I mean, he can't even bother to integrate his concert tickets into a travel package. The link to "Buy Kanye Concert Tickets With Your Travel" is a link to Ticketmaster. Gee, thanks.What made Kanye think hawking cheap hotel rates was a good idea? The site is almost as funny as this recent exchange among two readers commenting on the site on the Washington Post's blog:
Just curious. Is this one of those travel companies that gets up trips for perverts to go molest children? Did you REALLY think that you could blog about him, and NOT have someone comment on his dispicable proclivities?
Posted by: | April 24, 2008 4:08 PM
Kanye West, a molester? I think you're confusing him with R. Kelly, unless you're referring to West's collaboration last fall with Michael Jackson. Of course, if you have some insider gossip about West himself, please share!
Posted by: Christina Talcott | April 24, 2008 4:21 PM
]]>There's also a lavish Mother's Day brunch this Sunday that costs $65 a person, as well as a Mother's Day getaway that includes two nights' accommodations in an ocean view room, champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries on arrival, breakfast for two each morning, overnight valet parking and late checkout. The package starts at $1,139. Call (800) 241-3333 or go to the Ritz web site.
For a few options closer to home...
]]> Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wis., has a "celebrate mother" package that's valid from May 1 to June 30. It includes two evenings' accommodations in a deluxe suite with king bed and whirlpool, dinner at Lola's restaurant ($100 dining certificate), relaxation massage with facial at the spa and a one-day culinary workshop at Jill Prescott's cooking school. Oh yeah: you get truffles and champagne on arrival. The Osthoff is about a three-hour drive from Chicago, and it's a AAA Four-Diamond property. Call (800) 876-3399 or go to the Osthoff's web site.Even CLOSER to home...the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. A special Mother's Day brunch will take place Sunday in Seasons restaurant. Seatings start at 11 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $105 per adult and $25 for kids aged 5-12. The hotel is also offering credits from $125 to $200 when you book a deluxe or premier room or executive suite. Call (312) 280-8800.
And for moms to be, the Four Seasons has an "expecting you" packages that includes a visit from the ice cream man, who will deliver ice cream sundaes and a side of pickles to the guest room, as well as a copy of the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting," a Four Seasons teddy bear and rubber duck, a free manicure with the purchase of a pregnancy massage, breakfast in bed and discounts at various boutiques. Rates start at $485.
]]>The answer: Capital One. Unlike most other forms of plastic that have tacked on fees and percentages that boost your bill, Capital One cards have zero conversion fees (the fees used to switch foreign currency into U.S. dollars) and they've absorbed the 1 percent fee Visa and MasterCard charge to process purchases. American Express charges a flat 2 percent fee and doesn't allow merchants to tack on extra fees at the point of sale, according to the book.
]]> It's also a good idea to let your credit card company know before you go overseas, since they may put a hold on purchases that look suspicious, like a gold necklace you picked up in Dubai.So what's your best travel tip? Post it here. By this time next week, I'll pick a winner. The best of the bunch gets a free copy of Fodor's "1,001 Smart Travel Tips."
]]>Eagle will operate up to six daily flights using 50-seat jets and will be the only airline offering nonstop service from Love Field to Chicago.
]]>The May issue of Consumer Reports' ShopSmart lists the six best Web sites for all of the above. Here's the run down:
For last-minute deals: travelzoo.com
For timing your trip: farecast.com
For the best airline seats: seatguru.com
]]> For travel reviews: tripadvisor.comFor answers to just about any travel question you have: johnnyjet.com
For useful travel gadgets: magellans.com
Know of any others worth adding to the list?
]]>The "Royalty Rocks" package includes VIP tickets to Sir Eric Clapton's May 5 concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Hollywood.
During the same time, Princess Diana's most famous dresses will be on display at the hotel.
]]> You can check it out in person, along with a guest, for $5,000. Here's what else you get:- roundtrip Rolls Royce airport transfers
- welcome bottle of Cristal champagne
- two nights at the hotel
- pool-side cabana with butler service
-dinner for two at the Council Oak restaurant
-two VIP tickets to the Princess Diana Royalty Rocks luncheon and exhibit
Party like a rock star...
]]>