Tee it up in Cuba

Cuba may be going green. Green as in the game for golf Cuba’s Tourism Ministry says. The island nation reports it would like to build 10 new courses around the country and attempt to attract upscale golfers from Europe, Canada and even the United States when and if the U.S. eases its 48-year trade and travel embargo

Even though pre Castro Cuba had its share of issues poverty, corrupt government, organized crime and social unrest it was still the playground of the Caribbean. It was the leading playground of America’s and the world. Great beaches coupled with luxurious hotels and casinos attracted flocks of tourists.

When Castro booted western interests off the islands American eyes turned westward toward the southwestern desert. A small sleepy railroad town called Las Vegas was getting ready to boom.

President US Grant celebration

I have a dilemma! This Saturday it's spring football in Athens, Huntington, Columbus or history in Georgetown OH.

Football is football but Gtown has it’s the annual celebration of President’s US Grant birthplace and early history in our region. Plus they add a reenactment of the raid by the Conferderate Armies Morgan’s Raiders.

Still not sure but I'm leaning towards.............

Today in history

Born on November 30, 1835 Samuel Langhorne Clemens better known as (fill in the blanks), died on this day in 1910.

Happy travels!

Sunday road trip time

Why not take a leisurely Sunday drive over to Cincinnati Music Hall and catch the Symphony perform “For George and John: A Tribute to the Music of Harrison and Lennon”. It’s a 3pm show so you will not have a late evening drive home!

McBurgers!

Yesterday on April 15th 1955 the first franchised McDonalds opened.

McFacts: Eight percent of the population visits McDonald's on an average day. Ninety-six percent of the U.S. population has visited a McDonald's at least once.

Less than 15% of the US population has cruised. What’s wrong with this picture? Apparently they don’t know it is all the burgers you can eat at sea!

And when in Dayton Beach be sure to visit the Burger Museum!

Happy travels!

Excess airline baggage fees

I am pretty much apolitical but here’s a hearty cheer from me on some recent legislative action that would prohibit US airlines from charging passengers for their carry-on bags. This comes only a week after an airline to be named later announced such a fee.

"Only one airline has announced plans to charge for carry-on item fees, but we cannot allow these floodgates to open," an elected official said.
I am for all charging folks that try to stretch the carry on limit and sneak a small suitcase and over sized duffel on board.

To me it’s 1 person 1 carry-on bag. Simple, cut and dried, nothing to discuss. It shouldn't matter if it is a purse, brief case or backpack 1 person 1 bag and yes the infant does get to carry on the diaper bag free of charge. Want another bag fine then gate check it & pay for it.

Happy travels!

Travel Trivia Time

What event that rocked the nation & the world occurred today, April 12th? If I gave you the date that would be way too easy!

Happy travels!

PS: Email your travel questions and/or concerns to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Aloha!

The US economy must be recovering as the cruise lines have raised prices. I was working with a group on an air, land and cruise Hawaii package for next year. Space was held but I needed to increase my block of balcony staterooms.

Imagine my reaction when I discovered that a balcony cabin on a 7 night Hawaiian cruise had increased over $450.00 a head. Travel agents must be doing a great job putting heads in beds.

I did snag a few of the cheaper ones before the price increase. There are a few spots available on a Jan 6-15th 2011 air, land and cruise package. For details contact thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Mahalo!

TGIF thoughts from the high seas

For your sipping pleasure here is Carnival Cruise Lines’ "FUN SHIP®" COCKTAIL recipe
• 1/2 oz. Amaretto
• 3/4 oz. 151 Rum
• 3/4 oz. Vodka
• 1/2 oz. Apricot Brandy
• 4 oz. Fruit Punch
• Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

"FUN SHIP®" COCKTAIL non-alcoholic recipe
• 4 oz. Orange Juice
• 1 oz. Lemon Juice
• 4 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
• dash Grenadine
• dash Angostura Bitters

You haven’t lived until you have cruised!

Happy travels!

OMG! It’s Nickelodeon® at Sea!

Norwegian Cruise Line and Nickelodeon have teamed up to create some incredible, one-of-a-kind family cruise vacations. Just imagine cruising with Sponge Bob and the gang while enjoy a whole new level of imaginative on-board activities and entertainment.

Care to guess who said that “he neeeeds to cruising now?” That was right after a trip to Seattle was demanded!

Contact thetravelprofessor@gmail.com or your cruise travel professional for information and booking assistance.

Bon voyage!

Taxed to death in AZ

I did plenty of pre departure research on my latest Arizona trip. I evened checked out the price of gas which was running between $2.85 -2.95 a gallon. So when the rental car agent offered me a prepaid option of $2.75 a gallon I jumped on it.

What I hadn’t planned on was all the taxes and fees that were added on to the gas fee. A full tank of 14 gallons cost @ $35.90 yet it ended up costing $47.29. With the taxes & fees added on I ended up paying $3.56 a gallon. Next time I’m passing on the gas option and will fill it up locally.

Got travel questions email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Traveling to & around the Red's new spring training home

Air service into Phoenix Sky Harbor airport is well developed with nonstop flights from Columbus and Cincinnati and connecting flights from our other air gateways. I’ve seen fares from Columbus as low as $198.00 roundtrip but expect to pay more if you have to fly out of Huntington or Charleston. Most airlines schedule 11 months into the future so set the fare watcher feature on your on-line travel agency booking website and when the price drops into your pricing comfort zone I suggest purchasing your flights.

A car is the way to get around but rental rates are not cheap here. While the cost of the car rental isn’t bad it is all the extra local taxes and fees that jack up the final rental costs. These doubled the cost of my rental. I went the hotwire.com route for this trip and saved about 50% off the total rental rate that was quoted on the rental car company website.

The area is laid out in a north-south/east-west street grid pattern which for me made it easy to motor around. I took a GPS but found that in the metro area a street map and pre-trip route recon was the best maneuver as the GPS tended to have me wander through residential neighborhoods. Once you get your bearings and the major streets identified you should feel comfortable to explore this destination.

Lodging options are next but now it is time to "Play ball"!

The Reds new spring training home part 1

“Buenos Dias” from the greater Phoenix “Valley of the Sun” region! The desert has been wonderful with temperatures ranging into the mid 80’s. Remove the mountains and the topography reminds me of central Florida. It is sprawling housing developments surrounding old cattle ranches, miles upon miles of strip malls and University of Phoenix buildings. Another noticeable difference from Florida is the humidity actually the lack of it. This absence helps makes this warmer desert climate more tolerable even in the scorching summer months.

Currently there are 14 major league baseball conducting spring training activities in the Valley. The clubs are scattered around suburbs like Mesa, Surprise, Goodyear, Peoria, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix proper. Interstate highways I 10 & I 17 along with beltways 101 and 202 allow for easy travel and access to these facilities. Like any major cities there still are the peak travel time delays but it was easy for me to navigate around the area.

Air service into Phoenix Sky Harbor airport is well developed with nonstop flights from Columbus and Cincinnati and connecting flights from our other air gateways. I’ve seen fares from Columbus as low as $198.00 round trip but expect to pay more if you have to fly out of Huntington or Charleston. Most airlines schedule 11 months into the future so set the fare watcher feature on your on-line travel agency booking website and when the price drops into your pricing comfort zone I suggest purchasing your flights.