Low costs from Charleston to Ft. Lauderdale

Low cost no frills carrier Spirit Airlines announced plans to fly from Charleston WV to Ft. Lauderdale FL and Myrtle Beach SC. To kick off this new service they are offering a $9.00 each way introductory airfare. For details and reservations visit www.spiritair.com.

Ft Lauderdale is the getaway to the Caribbean & the port of Miami! You might be able to build a bargain vacation!

Connect through FLL to the Caribbean or catch a shuttle over to MIA!

Lexington KY Sunday Oct 31st Bleu Plate Walking Food Tour

Join Bleu Plate Tours in this fun culinary adventure! This guided walking tour traverses through beautiful, historic downtown Lexington while stopping at the city's best eateries. Sample the fare that made each place an iconic staple in Lexington restaurants. It's a stroll through the park with a side dish of history, a pinch of culture and a taste of the Bluegrass.

The tour starts at 130pm this Sunday Oct 31st. There are other dates posted on their website.

Got travel? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Ireland castle hotel stays

A reader recently emailed “We want to travel to Ireland but don’t want a cookie cutter escorted tour. We still like the idea of a tour though. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions?”

Yes I do! I would look at a tour operator like Brian Moore, CIE or Sceptre Tours that specialize in Ireland. They offer a nice range of package tours to the Emerald Isle. There are plenty of great tour companies but I like to look to an organization that specializes in a region not the world. I believe that this feature will get you that more customized tour.

Personally any time is the right time to travel to Ireland but I prefer the off season. Prices are reduced and the crowds are gone. Due to its location the Atlantic Ocean currents have a moderating effect on the climate. I call the off season November through mid March as sweater and jacket weather.

By the way you’ll have plenty of opportunities to purchase one of the lovely Irish woolen sweaters as your travel through the scenic countryside. Plus there will many more shopping chances during your journey.

A vacation to Ireland offers you a variety of choices when it comes to choosing your lodgings. From quiet and comfortable B&B's to lavish Castles, Ireland has something to accommodate everyone.

For those looking to create an unforgettable Ireland vacation, you can book into a wide range of Castle hotels from small, quaint properties to luxurious award winning castles. These unique properties are the perfect addition to your itinerary and you can customize a full castles itinerary or combined with a variation of Bed & Breakfasts (B & Bs) and hotels. Some of the featured castle hotels include: Dromoland Castle; Ashford Castle; Adare Manor; Waterford Castle; Fitzpatricks Castle, Kilronan Castle, Abbeyglen Castle, Cabra Castle and many more. Spend your nights like true royalty, while enjoying all of the major sites and hidden spots waiting to be discovered!

Another lodging option is the B & B. You’ll stay with the locals and I’ve always had pleasant conversations with the inn keepers and other travelers. If you can get a pub B & B that’s a great chance to have a pint or 2 while talking with the natives.

As always I suggest working with a travel agent to craft your getaway. Their service may be free but their advice is priceless!

New air travel rules start on nov 1, 2010

Air travelers should plan on showing up earlier at the airport starting on Nov 1st 2010 & beyond as new rules kin in. The Transportation Security Administration may deny boarding to travelers who do not provide their gender, date of birth and full name to their airline within 72 hours of a flight's departure, starting Nov. 1.

Experts urge travelers to double-check their personal information with their airline and to give themselves extra time to pass through security since the new regulations could lead to boarding delays.

When in doubt check with TSA before you pack and/or head to the airport!

Happy travels!

Mexican cruise for $2.00 a day!

How about a Gulf of Mexico cruise for $2.00 a day cruise fare?

The catch is that this rate is the rate for the 3rd & 4th guests sharing a cabin. The 1st 2 people pay $185.00, under $40.00 a day!

This deal applies to a sailing Jan 10th-15th departing from Mobile AL to Mexico.

Add the taxes & fees and a window less room for the 1st 2 people is $360.00 each & 3rd/4th passengers each pay $185.00. A cabin with a view is a few bucks more-$395.00 1st 2 & $ 205.00 for the 3rd/4th.

January and February offer some great cruise deals! Contact your thetravelprofessor@gmail.com or your favorite travel agent for booking details.

Travel bucket list

“You'll never plough a field turning it over in your mind!” Here’s an Irish proverb to ponder on over the weekend.

Speaking of Ireland-as a destination how high does it rate on your travel bucket list?

And speaking of bucket lists-what your top travel destination?

Email your responses to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

A cruise to the RMS Titanic final resting sport

Was the RMS TITANIC the greatest ship that ever sailed? We will never know as she struck an iceberg at 11:37 PM and by 2:20 AM on April 15, 1912 she sank to her eternal resting place more than two miles below the surface of the North Atlantic.

The world has never forgotten and Titanic buffs can join a pilgrimage to that special place, on that special date 100 years later to celebrate the ship RMS TITANIC.

Sail to the site of Titanic and enjoy a complete learning experience through specially planned Titanic activities, programs, lectures, and memorial services

Honor those who were there all those years ago. Touch history during a visit to Halifax, the city who received Titanic’s victims. Explore the great ship as she rests today via images from the bottom of the ocean. See the interior of the bow and how the ravages of the sea have taken their toll.

There’s still limited space on a special Boston Mass cruise departure in April 9 – April 18, 2012!

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Ohio Smoked Meats & BBQ Festival

It is time for another road trip and I hope that the wonderful fall weather sticks around for this upcoming weekend. I can drop the drop and hit the road to Nelsonville OH and the “Ohio Smoked Meat and Barbeque Festival”!

This fest originated back in 1996 and by a proclamation from the governor of Ohio it was the first official state of Ohio championship for smoked meat and BBQ. The competition is also sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

For 11 years the competition was organized by Hocking College and the Inn at Hocking College. Many great years of barbecue excellence occurred at Hocking College, along with fun and friendship.

The Ohio Smoked Meat and Barbecue Festival took a great turn in 2008! The Nelsonville Area Chamber of Commerce stepped forward to organize and lead this Ohio classic of barbecue. Not only was there a new organizer but a new competition area. The competition moved from the fields of Hocking College to the streets of downtown Nelsonville, Ohio, and the historic Public Square and arts district. 2008 was a year that renewed the BARBECUE SPIRIT in Nelsonville.

This year BBQ is back on the Public Square in Nelsonville, Ohio. It runs October 15 & 16, 2010 and should serve up some good eats and treats!

The World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) is coming soon!

Last year’s World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) was a hit!

• More than $45 million in cruise sales was booked in just one day!

• More than 1,300 agencies held physical WLCN events!

• Nearly 50,000 consumers attended physical WLCN events!

• Nearly 2,800 agencies participated in virtual WLCN promotions!

• This year’s WLCN is Wednesday October 13th!

Email your cruise travel questions to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

50 essential travel destination on a new bucket list

Few people have seen more of the world than Princess Cruises’ own destination experts. In the past 45 years that Princess ships have been sailing to all seven continents many of their longest-serving shipboard and shore side employees have logged thousands of sea and air miles visiting hundreds of countries, cities and sites. They’ve often been asked “You’ve seen it all. What places do I really need to have on my travel bucket list?” They have started a “The Travel Bucket List” blog that on a weekly basis many of their 15+ year employees will share their inspirational stories that make up their 50 essential travel experiences. Enjoy the journey!

Blog visitors will be encouraged to share their own experiences, and a different reader experience will be showcased each week. All of the destinations described in the blog will be ones that passengers can travel to aboard a Princess ship. For more information, visit www.50essentialexperiences.com.

Be sure to visit your local travel agent when you’re ready to book your Princess cruise vacation!

First Televised Presidential Address

On October 5, 1947, President Harry Truman made the first presidential address broadcast by television. In 1947, however, only a few thousand Americans had televisions. Most Americans, therefore, did not watch the event, but listened to it on radio. Truman's broadcast asked the American people to reduce the consumption of grain products so that more could be exported to Europe where years of war had devastated agricultural production

You can probably find the camera in one of Washington DC Smithsonian Museums. They are America's national educational facility with 19 museums, 9 research centers and over 140 affiliate museums around the world

Tour operator teams with videographer Ken Burns to document the USA

Tauck World Discovery is working with Ken Burns, the documentary filmmaker, and his collaborator Dayton Duncan to develop itineraries related to the documentary series.

The "Ken Burns American Journeys" itineraries will be outlined by Tauck in the coming months. "Our films and Tauck's U.S. journeys are about sharing America's story in a memorable and compelling way," Burns said. "We both try to engage our audiences increase their knowledge and make strong emotional connections with the people and stories from America's past that helps define who we are today."

He's the guy that has done the Civil War & Baseball so I'm really looking forward to this presentation.

Tauck is a great luxury tour operator and their products are top shelf!

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

1st battle of the American Revolution?

Head up river this weekend and take in Point Pleasant WV Battle Days. This annual event commemorates and reenacts the Battle of Point Pleasant which occurred October 10, 1774 at the “point” between Virginia militia and the Shawnee Tribe led by Chief Cornstalk. Features include an art show at Fort Randolph Terrace, a lantern tour with historical re enactors at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park on Friday night, and a Battle Days Parade on Saturday in downtown Point Pleasant. The Mansion House at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park will be open for tours.

It’s held in downtown Point Pleasant, WV October 1-3 from 10:00 am daily with free admission. A short schedule of events: October 1: School tours, Evening lantern tours October 2: Battle Days Parade, Demonstrations, Art Show at the 409 Art Gallery on Main Street, Colonial Tea, Colonial Ball. October 3: Colonial church service, Battle of Point Pleasant Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m.

For More Information: Contact Diane Johnson, Chairperson of the Battle Days Committee at 304-675-8844, colonialdame@peoplepc.com. or Carolin Harris at 304-675-9726.