Give the gift of travel

On Black Friday I ventured over to the mall with a few friends that were looking for that perfect gift for that special someone. The parking lot was packed and once inside there appeared to be plenty of business being transacted.

One person looked and browsed then browsed & looked some more but in the end just could not come up with that ideal present.

She was getting frustrated searching for that special item for her special guy. I asked about her budget, smiled then suggested that she buy him a trip to Vegas. I know the guy she was shopping and he’s been craving for a trip to Sin City. Based on what she’d planned on spending at the mall she could purchase a 4 day 3 night package with air to Las Vegas for both of them.

Stunned she asked how she could do that. I explained visit a local travel agent and they’d do all t he leg work. I also reminded her to clear the dates with her boyfriend before booking and paying for their trip.

Another option was to give him a gift certificate redeemable for a trip to Vegas. Most companies offer gift cards or certificates in various denominations.

One of my favorites is a gift card from AAA. I’ve found this to be the most practical way to give travel as it allows the recipient to select where and when they want to travel. Most people even if they’re not a AAA member do not live that far from a local AAA location where they can redeem their gift at.

Give the gift that just about everyone appreciates-travel!

A Thanksgiving controversy?

In Wednesday's Nov 26th 2008 Herald Dispatch Jay O’Dell mentions that the first Thanksgiving was held in what now is the United States was held on September 8th 1565 in Spanish Florida.

I am not going to debate or challenge that history rather offer a challenge to Plymouth Mass.
According to the historians and curators of Berkeley Plantation this is the spot of the 1st American Thanksgiving. It was held here in 1619 two years before the Pilgrims had theirs in 1621.

Located on the James River between Richmond and Williamsburg VA this elegant home and grounds is worthy of a stop. While you're in the area be sure to visit some of the other James River plantation homes.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Save on European travel by taking a cruise tour.

Here's a question that I was recently asked: "We’d love to travel to Europe but isn’t the currency exchange impacting travel costs?"

Yes the exchange rates recently have devalued the American dollar versus the EURO, English Pound and other European currencies. The dollar has made some recovery but Europe is still a little pricey.

Today one strategy for European vacations that still offer a great value is a cruise vacation. On your European cruise your prepaid package includes air travel, accommodations, meals, entertainment, transportation between cities even organization activities for children. Your prepayment often locks in a favorable exchange rate so most if not all of your expenses are paid before you depart.

I also believe it is a more civilized way to travel. You arrive are transferred to your ship unpack once and watch the world sail by. There’s no packing and unpacking rushing from airport to airport or train station to train station.

Whether you are sailing on one of the traditional cruise ships or aboard an intimate inland river vessel there’s a new destination each day with boatloads of European history, heritage, culture and cuisine to take in.

For itinerary ideas, sailing dates and rates contact your travel or cruise only agent or visit the Cruise Lines International Association website www.cruising.org and for small ship or river cruises go to www.nichecruise.com home of the Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance.

Happy trasvels! Email your travel questions to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Cruise travel deals

As I've commented recently travel bargains & deals continue to arrive in electronic mailbox.

Here's an unbelievable offer from Norwegian Cruise Lines:

Cruise on a 5 day/4 night Bahamas cruise departing from Miami FL on Dec 1st 2008 is only $99.00 per person for a windowless cabin. That's less that $25.00 a day!

Call your travel agent today!

Best time to go to Ireland

Bev emailed this question: "When is the best time to go Ireland?"

In my opinion there's never a bad time to head to the Emerald Island. The most affordable time is between November and March when the airfares are lower and it’s less crowded. In summer the airfares and land rates increase plus you'll experience long lines at many popular tourist venues.

In the off season the weather can be chilly but it's seldom downright cold but you get much longer days with daylight until 10.00 pm in June and July. I've had a few pints outside an Irish pub and enjoyed the almost midnight lights.

Happy travels. Get travel questions email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com

Tis the season for travel deals & discounts

With passenger load factors and occupancy rates dropping and advance bookings soft for 2009 I’ve seen a tremendous amount of deals on cruises, tour packages, hotel rooms and even airfares showing up in my inbox. These discounts and specials are approaching post 9/11/2001 levels.

Personally I like to check out each supplier’s web site for their current deals instead of working through an intermediary like the previous referenced web sites. Admittedly it’s time consuming but most of us consumers have some specific items that we’d like to track down and price. If I’m interested in a Mediterranean cruise then I search those cruise lines offering sailing in the Med. I don’t need information on other deals or destinations.

The major on-line travel bargain sites like www.travelzoo.com or www.hotwire.com provide great data but it’s all over the planet. However if you am open to suggestions and just interested in deals then yes by all means subscribe to newsletters that the discount travel sites offer. You should also subscribe to e-deals that many suppliers offer. You’ll receive a ton of emails but if you find the perfect deal then it’s worth wading through your inbox.

Happy travels! Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Tis the season for travel deals & discounts

With passenger load factors and occupancy rates dropping and advance bookings soft for 2009 I’ve seen a tremendous amount of deals on cruises, tour packages, hotel rooms and even airfares showing up in my inbox. These discounts and specials are approaching post 9/11/2001 levels.

Personally I like to check out each supplier’s web site for their current deals instead of working through an intermediary like the previous referenced web sites. Admittedly it’s time consuming but most of us consumers have some specific items that we’d like to track down and price. If I’m interested in a Mediterranean cruise then I search those cruise lines offering sailing in the Med. I don’t need information on other deals or destinations.

The major on-line travel bargain sites like www.travelzoo.com or www.hotwire.com provide great data but it’s all over the planet. However if you am open to suggestions and just interested in deals then yes by all means subscribe to newsletters that the discount travel sites offer. You should also subscribe to e-deals that many suppliers offer. You’ll receive a ton of emails but if you find the perfect deal then it’s worth wading through your inbox.

Happy travels! Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Flying Southwest Airlines to the Mall of America

Southwest Airlines a low frills yet ultra successful carrier has recently announced new service into the Twin Cities. Now you can fly to Minneapolis-St Paul and shop till you drop at the Mall of America.

They are reportedly in conversations with some other carriers to establish new alliances that would permit Southwest to offer flights to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.

A $13.00US fare to Europe

Ryanair the big Irish-based low-fare line has recently created quite a stir among airline industry executives with an announcement that it plans to fly from Ireland and other big European cities to Boston, Florida (probably Orlando), Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco for rates starting at €10 or about $13.00 US. Nope this is not a misprint it is really €10.

But don't pack your bags quite yet as service is not scheduled to until late 2009 or early 2010. Only a few seats will sell for as little as €10.00 as nobody could make money doing that. Expectations are that the average economy fare will have to be at least €100 to €150 (US130.00-US195.00) each way to break even.

Economy seating will be really, really cramped, and you'll pay extra for virtually everything beyond just the seat. But hey even the mega legacy air carriers are charging for just about everything too so what’s the difference. As far as leg room the seating is already cramped on the big boys too!

At the very least this new competition will force the other players to match Ryanair’s fares so the traveler wins in this case.

NOTE: € is the currency code for the European Union’s EURO. Go to XE.com for currency conversion rates.

Deep Disney World Discounts!

The sluggish economy has finally hit Walt Disney. Historically they have never been known to give anything away let alone discount their products.

But it has happened with their “Magic Your Way program”. Book a 4-night, 4-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way program and you will receive three additional nights (with tickets) free! This offer is valid for stay most nights January 4 through April 4, 2009 and from April 19 through June 27, 2009. Hurry your reservations must be made on or before December 20, 2008.

Contact your local Disney specialist or the Walt Disney Travel Company today and enjoy the magic.

If you don't know a Disney specialist email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com and I'll refer you to one.

Learning vacations are taking off

We’ve been conducting what we term “Education on Location” learning tours at Ohio University Southern for the last 12 years. Our classes have been conducted domestically and internationally, on beaches, boats, busses and byways.

Now it appears that the concept of travel plus classes is expanding countrywide. According to a 2006 survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association 56 % of travelers said they were interested in taking an educational trip.

For me a working definition of a learning vacation is when you participate in lectures, instructions or activities. This means that you have classes or hands on workshops in the subject of your choice. At OU we have focused on art, music, literature and history. Many travel to learn programs feature courses in foreign language, classical music, art, cooking, religion and so forth. The list of topics is almost endless.

One on-line source of information concerning educational vacations that I am familiar with is Shaw Guides. They have a fairly complete listing of trips plus an Internet should also provide plenty of responses.

A word of caution before you plop down any money is to thoroughly research the supplier. For most folks this is a difficult if not impossible chore so here’s where I recommend that you talk with your travel agent. There’s a good chance that they’ve heard about this company and can steer you away from trouble and into a great travel learning experience.

The pop art of Andy Warhol comes to Columbus Ohio

If you’re a fan of pop artist Andy Warhol a comprehensive exhibit of his life and works is on view at Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus Ohio. Titled “Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms,” this presentation defines how he embraced consumer culture, explores sexual identity and his challenge of society through his painting, drawings, videos, prints and films.

The center is on the campus of Ohio State University located at 1871 N. High. Contact 614.292-3535 or www.wexarts.org for admission details.

On Friday February 13th, 2009 Ohio University Southern campus in Ironton is sponsoring an Education on Location day trip to view this exhibit plus additional art themed venues in Columbus. For more information contact Travel World at 740.533.4630, 800.210.3350 or www.4travelworld.com.

Happy travels! Email your questions to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Internet users & travel agents survey results # 1

Travel Weekly a travel industry trade publication and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) recently conducted a survey of Internet users/travel consumers and travel agents. I would like to share some of their survey results with you.

Agents and consumers alike both rated www.tripadvisor.com as their number one source to check out what others have said about hotels, tour operators,, cruise lines, attractions and even travel agents. The Travel Professor also visits this site and finds it useful but I’m leery of the too good or too bad reports. Just like comment cards in restaurants people tend to exaggerate.
Let’s say if a hotel gets mixed reviews some good some bad then I consider it to be an all-right place. It’s probably a budget to standard class property and people who paid a budget price but expected a luxury hotel are likely the ones that are ripping it. After all what’s the difference between $100.00 or $600.00 a night? Do they have realistic expectations when they opt for the lower rate? Brags and bravos fall into a different category in my thinking as I don’t think any of us travelers would mislead another to a hell hole.

Stay in touch with your travel providers

It is extremely important that your travel suppliers have multiple contacts for you before and during your travels. If there are any irregularities or problems most suppliers will contact you in advance.

Just the other day I was working with one of my travel students who had booked her flights on-line and we were trying to pre-assign seats on the plane. When all on-line attempts failed I resorted to an old fashioned tactic. I called US Airways.

Once I got a “live” agent on the phone she displayed the reservations and added the seat requests. Just out of habit I also inquired as to what phone contacts were showing in the record. Just one was her reply that of the on-line booking source.
We provided the agent with plenty of additional contact data the students’ home, work; cell phone even the local phone number of the Hawaiian resort that she’d be staying in.

Now in the event that of any flight irregularities the carrier should be able to contact her. I know from personal experiences that the airlines will contact the traveler when or if problems arise so stay in touch.

Food Network Celeb Chefs in Cleveland OH Nov 14th-16th

TV Food Network food junkies have a rare opportunity to see and maybe meet some celebrity chiefs next weekend at the 2008 edition of the Fabulous Food Show. Held at Cleveland Ohio’s International Exposition the show starts on Friday, Nov. 14, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 16. This year's event boasts big personalities and big flavors.

Headliner Paula Deen brings her brand of deep-fried fun to the Main Kitchen Theater at 11 a.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It's her second appearance at the Cleveland show, following a series of sellout appearances in 2006.

This year other members of the Deen gang have a main stage show. "Bobby Deen and Friends" features Paula's younger son partnered with her husband, Michael Groover (show times are 2 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday).

Three rising stars who happen to be among the best-humored TV chefs also make their Cleveland debuts this year.

Guy Fieri who was the winner of the second season of "The Next Food Network Star," and now hosts "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," "Guy's Big Bite" and "Ultimate Recipe Showdown" brings his humor to seven cooking demonstrations. If you don't watch Food Network, you'll recognize him as the guy who hosts commercials for TGI Friday's restaurants.

Curtis Stone, author and host of TLC's "Take Home Chef," is a Melbourne, Australia, native. He worked in some of London's top kitchens before moving to Los Angeles and a career in America. Stone makes two appearances Saturday and three Sunday.

Restaurateur Michael Symon needs no fanfare in his hometown. The winner of the 2007 "The Next Iron Chef" and host of Food Network's "Dinner Impossible" heads up his own cooking sessions at 4:45 p.m. Friday and Sunday.

Whether you're taking the pulse of the culinary scene, want to learn more about cooking, like to shop for the latest flavors, enjoy sampling food and wine or simply collect recipes, the 2008 Fabulous Food Show is a good opportunity to see, sip and savor.
The 2008 Fabulous Food Show is a three-day exposition featuring an array of culinary celebrities, chefs, food and wine educators, as well as sampling and shopping stations, auto graph opportunities and more.
The festivities run Friday through Sunday, Nov. 14-16. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

It is being held at The International Exposition Center, 6200 Riverside Drive, Cleveland. The center is adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

All tickets include general admission and all-day access to the exhibits and most presentations, plus one admission to a celebrity chef performance (while supplies last). Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at http://www.fabulousfoodshow.com/. Day of the show tickets will be also available at the I-X Center. General admission to the 2008 Fabulous Food Show is $25 or $27.50 on the day of the show (all-day admission and a seat for a celebrity chef performance while supplies last). Reserved Gourmet Floor Seating tickets (better proximity to the stage) are $40 and are available as advance-purchase tickets only. Paula Deen performances are $55 and up.

It’s a five to six hour journey with plenty of opportunities to pull off the road and see local attractions en route. Call 800.BUCKEYE or visit http://www.discoverohio.com/ for destination information along your route.

Once you arrive on the north coast there is plenty more to see and do in the greater Cleveland. Explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; catch a Broadway performance in the Theater District or browse the collections at the Cleveland Museum of Art. For more information call 888.815.4506 or visit http://www.positivelycleveland.com/

Holiday sale airfares are here!

Last minute low fares over the holidays are usually impossible to come by but you may be able to luck out this year. United Airline's recently announced holiday fare sale will get you to where you want to go at one of the lowest fprices of the year. Each-way fares start at $49.00 with round-trip purchase and are available from cities all across the U.S. Valid on select dates only you’ll need to travel between November 20, 2008 and January 8, 2009.

The best part of this sale is the special way United will show you how to find the lowest fare. Here's how it works. Go to www.united.com and click on the "Holiday sale artwork." A color coded calendar will be displayed showing the different fare levels. Green is a good fare, yellow is a better fare and pink is the best or lowest available fare. All the secrets to finding the cheapest holiday flights are out on the table.

As in most air fare sales the other carriers will not be far behind so click, book & save!

Happy travels!

Beating the nickel & dime game-next time

Traveling on business the other day I unexpectedly needed to spend a night at my destination. It was the weekend and my favorite travel agency was closed so I searched the Internet mega agencies Travelocity.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz.com and Expedia.com. The results were as expected and the room rates quoted on various sites for the most part were identical.

However one problem with these monster websites is that not all hotels and other suppliers participate and list their rates and inventory. So I went to a few of budget brand “X” hotels websites found a rate that would not break my budget and booked it.

When I checked in the proprietor inquired if I stayed frequently stayed with them. In my mind you are always a frequent quest of the present establishment so I responded with a yes! She gave me a business card said to call them direct the next time to book a room and I’d save $11.00 off of the Internet rate. Based on the rate I paid for this stay that’s close to a 20% discount off the regular room rate for any future stays. Consider me a regular corporate road warrior with this chain. I’ve got to do some more research and see if this trend applies at other properties but I’m wagering that it does.

I’ll pick up the phone and call their front desk the next time I have to overnight in the region. Then I will have managed to play the system while beating the nickel and dime extra fees game and save my travel budget a few bucks.

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Back on the Underground Railroad tour

After a lunch break at Cohearts Riverhouse in Ripley OH we boarded the coach and crossed the Ohio River en route to the next stop on our Underground Railroad tours. Yes we’re doing this trip in reverse order as the fugitive slaves would have tried to make their way north but the logistics of this trip dictated our tour itinerary.

The last stop on our trip was the National Underground Railroad Museum in Maysville, KY. Located at 38 West Fourth Street in the historic Bierbower House this venue is a documented safe house on the Underground Railroad (UGRR) network. Friendly and knowledgeable guides met our group and did a splendid job of interpreting the UGRR plus they showed us the original kitchen and slave quarters where fugitive slaves were hidden under false floors while they on the run to freedom. To schedule a visit contact these fine folks at http://bierbower.org.

This one day trip was full of educational experiences and is only a 90 minute drive from Ironton. In addition to the history of UGRR Old Washington, Maysville and Ripley regions offers plenty to see and do. I think that I am going to head back to Old Washington KY the 1st week of December and take in their Frontier Christmas. This festival is held in the scenic 1780s pioneer village featuring seven museums, strolling costumed carolers, dulcimer, banjo and fiddle playing; learn the art of candle making, period craft demonstrations. Go to www.cityofmaysville.com/tourism/old%20washington.html for details.

Another Underground Railroad stop in Ripley OH

At the bottom of Rankin Hill is the John P. Parker House another important stop on the Underground Railroad. Today it is a museum owned by the John P. Parker Historical Society.

During our visit we discovered that John Parker was born a slave. In 1845, he purchased his freedom and eventually made his way to Indiana and Ohio, settling in Ripley in 1850. He opened an iron foundry and eventually purchased a brick home. Parker also became active in the Underground Railroad, commonly traveling across the Ohio River and helping fugitive slaves from Kentucky escape to the North. Parker routinely took the fugitives to John Rankin, another abolitionist who resided in Ripley. Rankin hid the runaway slaves and assisted them in their journey further north. During the American Civil War, Parker served as a recruiter for the 27th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops. With the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the end of slavery in 1865, Parker devoted his energies to his foundry business.

Since the late 1990s, the John P. Parker Historical Society has owned the Parker House. This organization has diligently worked to preserve the home. The John P. Parker Historical Society has also formed alliances with numerous other educational and preservationist groups to educate people about the Underground Railroad and John Parker's role in it. Since 2002 the society has opened the home to visitors and they can be contacted at 937.392.4188.

Our next stop is for lunch at Cohearts Riverhouse 18 N Front St, Ripley, OH 45167
937.392.4819. They're located along the beautifully restored riverfront boardwalk in historic downtown Ripley. After lunch we're going to cross the Ohio and continue our tour in Mason County Kentucky.

For more information on Brown County Ohio tourism call 937.378.1970.