Travel Calendar

The new Aulani resort by Disney is on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu and is a great spot for families.

photo courtesy aulani resort

You can say ‘aloha’ to Mickey, Minnie and the whole Disney gang, plus get your sixth night free, thanks to a promotion from Aulani, a Disney Resort Spa in Hawaii. Bookings must be made by Feb. 29 for travel March 1 – 17 and again April 15 – May 31, with sixth nights on the house (or is that Mouse?) with a five-night consecutive stay, plus continental breakfast daily in The Olelo Room. Disney in Hawaii? Yes, since last summer, when the brand new property opened on a beachfront location in Oahu, in the Ko Olina resort area. Along with 359 hotel rooms and two restaurants, Aulani offers everything from stingray encounters at the Makai Preserve and snorkelling with angel fish and rainbow fish at Rainbow Reef, to lazy river rides, pool-side cabanas and spa services. Not surprisingly, there’s also a kids’ club, known as Aunty’s Beach House, with supervised entertainment ranging from wildlife and nature programs to traditional Hawaiian games – with the odd Disney movie thrown in for good measure. The sixth night free deal requires advance reservations and other restrictions may apply. See www.disneyaulani.com (promo code E7D).

MARDI GRAS AT THE HOTEL MODERN

If you’re in the mood for Mardi Gras, there are still hotel rooms available, but the New Orleans Convention Visitors Bureau is encouraging potential visitors to make their bookings as soon as possible. Last year, more than one million people attended the famous festival, “and the majority of hotels reported they were nearly sold out for the weekend prior to Fat Tuesday”, says New Orleans CVB rep Jenn Lotz. This year Fat Tuesday is Feb. 21, and the first parades kick off Feb. 4, with many hotels along the parade routes offering access to viewing stands for a small price. At the new Hotel Modern, room rates start at $265 (all prices U.S.) per night and range up to just under $400 per night during Mardi Gras, and spots on the viewing stands start at $30 with waiter service and Mardi Gras menus just in case you get hungry (or thirsty). See www.thehotelmodern.com.

BLUE MOUNTAIN VALENTINE

Romance is in the air at the Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain. The resort’s Valentine’s Day package, available now through Feb. 14, includes accommodation in a deluxe or one-bedroom guest room and dinner for two at the on-site Oliver Bonacini Grill (advance reservations required), for a lead-in rate of $334 per night. See www.starwoodhotels.com.

BEST BUY OF THE WEEK

Cunard Line’s ‘Feel Famous’ sale offers savings of up to $1,600 (U.S.) on balcony staterooms, for sailings in Europe and across the Atlantic. Cruise prices are per person and the sale runs through Feb. 29. See www.cunard.com/specialoffers.

Kathryn Folliott is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Prices quoted are subject to change and availability.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Sunquest: Three-night Nassau, air hotel, $469 (+$296 taxes fees) (Feb. 9). www.sunquest.ca

Air Canada Vacations: Four-night London, air hotel, $539 (+$612 taxes fees) (Feb. 22). www.aircanadavacations.com

Nolitours: La Romana, air hotel, $707 (+$388 taxes fees) (Feb. 20). www.nolitours.com

Signature Vacations: Samana, air hotel, $445 (+$390 taxes fees) (Feb. 27). www.signaturevacations.com

Transat Holidays: Faro, air hotel, $519 (+$334 taxes fees) (Feb. 14). www.transatholidays.com

Bel Air Travel: Eastern Caribbean cruise, $459 (+$76 taxes fees) (Feb. 5). www.belairtravel.com

Sunwing Vacations: Jamaica, air hotel, $995 (+$216 taxes fees) (March 5). www.sunwing.ca

Sell Off Vacations: Five-night Orlando, air hotel, $265 (+$260 taxes fees) (Feb. 10). www.selloffvacations.com

itravel2000: Puerto Plata, air hotel, $347 (+$388 taxes fees) (Feb. 29). www.itravel2000.com

WestJet Vacations: Palm Springs, air hotel, $1,059 (+$180 taxes) (Feb. 25). www.westjetvacations.com

Tour East Holidays: 10-night Turkey, air, hotel, meals, sightseeing, $2,399 (+$550 taxes fees)

(April 4). www.toureast.com

 Now that the freezing temps and snow have arrived in the Chicagoland area, the early feelings of cabin fever begin making its way into our everyday lives.  A few joy filled days of sledding with the kids and some light shoveling of the driveway tend to be quickly outlived and before we know it, we can’t wait for spring to show its face again.  Like most Chicagolanders, you will likely try to make the most out of this winter by either engaging in more fun winter activities or by taking a trip to places of warmer climates.

If the first option sounds too cold for you, then you’re likely the type of person to fall into the latter group and fly away to your favorite destination.  What’s that?  Can’t afford a trip this year?  Well, you’re definitely not alone, but I bet you would at least love to dream about such destinations, right?  And what about those you who can afford it, but aren’t sure where to go.  Are you looking for better ideas than what your computer screen can offer?  Whether you can afford a trip or would like to just do some dreaming, you could most likely benefit from a visit to their local travel agency to browse through brochures and get their mind off the things that causes cabin fever.  Better yet, how about going to the nation’s largest travel and adventure show at the Rosemont Horizon this weekend to get a wonderful dose of ethnic cultures and places to visit?

Advertisement

That’s right.  According to the Chicago Travel Adventure Show: “The nation’s largest travel and adventure show returns to Chicago January 28–29 for its eighth consecutive year with new additions and returning favorites.  Between well-known travel experts, adventurous activities, more than 120 world-class destinations on exhibit and non-stop cultural music and dance performances, guests will uncover unlimited inspiration and information to plan their next vacation.

 New additions this year include appearances by travel insiders like Samantha Brown (host of multiple shows on The Travel Channel), Patricia Schultz (author of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die) and Marc Peyser (editor at Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine.) Travel Agency Partner AAA Chicago will be featuring seminars on personalized African safari tours, guided European vacations and cruising at the AAA Travel Theater. Also debuting is an audience “cook-off” hosted by Chicago native and Travel Channel star Mark DeCarlo, with the winner receiving a vacation to the Mexican Yucatan. Crowd favorites return, such as free scuba diving and rock wall climbing, along with non-stop music and dance and more than 120 exhibits of amazing destinations from every continent.

“Whether it’s a short weekend getaway to Wisconsin or traveling to Tanzania next summer, the Travel Adventure Show brings together an amazing array of travel ideas and expert advice,” said John Golicz, CEO for Unicomm, which produces the event in five cities nationally. “Chicago is always one of our largest events, and we’re looking forward to bringing great information and entertainment to our guests.”

Must-see stops on your itinerary at the show include:

• Domestic and International Exhibitors– Representatives from Africa, Asia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey and the South Pacific join domestic destinations from Alaska to West Virginia. Tour operators who can give you expert advice on countless other locales will also be on-hand. “Computer research is one thing, but there’s nothing like talking to someone face-to-face who has been where you want to go,” said Golicz. 

• Fiery Foods Challenge – Local chefs representing some of the destinations you’ll find at the show will be on hand to cook traditional “hot” dishes. Audience members will sample these spicy creations and vote for their favorites, as well as take home the recipes to try them at home.

• Mark DeCarlo Interactive Cooking Class and Competition –The host of the Travel Channel show “Taste of America” and author of “A Fork In The Road” will selectthree lucky audience members at random to recreate a dish of Mark’s choosing – right on the spot. The winner (chosen by the audience) will win an all-inclusive Yucatan vacation!

• ScubaDo! – Scuba diving in the world’s largest mobile scuba diving pool (no matter HOW cold it is outside, this pool – all 15,000 gallons of it! — is a toasty 72 degrees, mimicking the temperatures of Bonaire in the Caribbean.) All equipment is provided, even hair dryers.

• Global Beats Stage– musical and dance performances will transport you to an exotic destination, running non-stop throughout the show.

The Travel Adventure Show opens Saturday, January 28, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, January 29, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. (The show opens 9:30 a.m. Saturday for travel professionals.) Adult admission is $9 online with Promo Code: CHPR or $15 at the door. Children 16 year of age and under are free.

The Travel and Adventure Show is the longest-running series of consumer travel events in the U.S., with shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas and Washington D.C. The national magazine sponsor is Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel.

For more information on attending or exhibiting in the event, please visit www.adventureexpo.com/Chicago or call 203-878-2577 x100.”

___________________________________

By Steve Campbell

sfcampbell@star-telegram.com

Monday marked the start of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated by millions around the world. The festivities involved in the two-week long celebration make for some great photography opportunities. From dragons to lanterns to fireworks, the Chinese New Year brings not only good luck, but also stunning images. Take a look at the below slideshow for just a few examples.

You don’t have to live in Asia to take part in the festivities, either. Here is a list of cities where you can celebrate in the U.S.

If you take photos of a Chinese New Year celebration, or just have photos of destinations you’d like to share, click here to submit them.

You can also join our It’s a Snap Facebook community and share your photos with others by clicking here.

Peter Parks / AFP – Getty Images

Millions around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year, which began on Jan. 23 and welcomes the year of the dragon.

Launch slideshow

More photos:

• It’s a Snap: Travel photos from around the world
• Mist on the Delaware River
• Reflection of Maroon Bells

PHOENIX, ARIZONA, Jan 25, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Travel Golf Center introduces a better alternative to traveling with
golf clubs – renting high end golf clubs and accessories online and
picking them up near the Phoenix airport. In addition to affordable
pricing, this innovative one-stop shop offers both avid and
occasional golfers the benefits of choice and convenience.

The idea for this unique enterprise came as the result of a recent
golf vacation to Phoenix. Founding partner, Doug Forbes-King paid
$150 in extra baggage fees to fly his clubs from British Columbia.
Discouraged by not only the hassle of carrying and checking in extra
baggage, but the exorbitant cost, Doug created a solution to this
challenge faced by every golfer who visits the Valley of the Sun.

Travel Golf Center, located next to the Phoenix airport, rents new or
mint condition clubs for almost half the rate of typical executive
golf courses. Golfers have three options from which to choose,
including pre-stocked Value Bags; or the latest technology from
Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping in their Tour Bags and Custom Bags. The
Tour and Custom Bags feature clubs from Golf Digest’s 2011 Hot List.
The Custom Bag also allows golfers to mix and match clubs of their
choice on their e-commerce website, where “fill your golf bag” has
replaced “add to your shopping cart”.

When asked if golfers will be interested in renting clubs when so
many are particular about using their own equipment, Forbes-King
responded, “Because we offer the latest and greatest technology, we
have something for every ability, including golf pros. In fact,
renting Hot List clubs gives golfers the opportunity to try out clubs
they may have their eye on.”

In recent discussions with Fred Barr, PGA, Director of Career
Services at Golf Academy of America, Barr indicated, “The concept for
the Travel Golf Center fills a void for a golf destination city such
as Phoenix. All golfers now have an opportunity to stay and play with
rental equipment that suits their specific needs.”

The Travel Golf Center website also allows tourists to book tee times
online with impressive savings off regular green fees. In store,
Arizona golfers can have their swing analyzed with a launch monitor
or try out clubs with hitting nets and putting greens. The pro shop
also sells golf shoes, a complete range of accessories, and rents
GPS’s and rangefinders. They are celebrating their grand opening with
discounts throughout January and February.

About Travel Golf Center

Travel Golf Center is a one stop location for rental golf clubs, golf
balls and accessories, as well as discounted tee time bookings for
golfing in Phoenix, Arizona. The pro shop is conveniently located
next to Sky Harbor Airport beside the Car Rental Center, which allows
golfers to pick up their suitcase, rental car and golf clubs and head
directly to their favorite course.

        Contacts:
        Travel Golf Center
        Doug Forbes-King
        602-708-3019

SOURCE: Travel Golf Center

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: Charlie Leocha is director of the Consumer Travel Alliance, an organization that worked with congressional staff and regulators crafting new consumer-friendly rules. The alliance is still working to encourage airlines to disclose baggage fees and reservation fees up front.

(CNN) — We’ve all seen that “great deal” airline ad, only to discover that with surcharges, taxes and fees, the great deal is not so great. Starting Thursday, when airline consumers see an advertised price of $500, that will be the price they pay. (Of course, there will still be some additional irritating “optional” fees like baggage charges, seat reservations, etc.)

Here is a synopsis of new rules going into effect this week affecting airfares and airline fees:

Full-fare advertising

Starting Thursday, all advertised airline prices will have to be the full cost of travel. Airlines are squirming, claiming that their business will suffer if they are required to advertise the full cost of travel and suggesting that consumers will be scared away when they see a jump in prices when this rule comes into effect. Consumers may see what seems to be an increase in prices, but only transparency and honesty will be to blame.

Commentary: New rules make airfares seem higher

Many airlines and some analysts have argued that making airlines play by a different set of rules than other industries is, well, un-American. However, the Department of Transportation has found itself all but forced to act because of the astounding discrepancies in the advertised price and the real price of airline travel.

On some domestic routes, the difference will be minimal. On international routes, the price increases may seem astronomical.

On Monday, the price on Orbitz for a flight from Boston to London Heathrow, departing on April 17 and returning on April 24, was advertised for $130, round-trip! After airlines, airports and governments add $622 in taxes and fees, the total cost is $752.

Is it honest to advertise a flight from Boston to London for $130, when the lowest cost to travel would be $752? I think everyone would agree that it is not.

Unfortunately, this rule applies only to mandatory per-passenger taxes and fees, not the slew of “optional fees.” Those fees, especially baggage charges and seat reservation charges, can add more than $100 to the cost but are still concealed from airline shoppers unless they do some digging.

The airlines are not making comparison shopping easy when it comes to examining the full cost of travel across airlines, including optional fees. And, yes, consumer groups are encouraging the Department of Transportation to mandate that airlines disclose, at least, specific baggage and reservation fee information before consumers have to press the “buy” button.

Exact baggage charges

Passenger-specific baggage fees are now required on flight itineraries. Airlines must tell passengers exactly what the baggage fee will be based on their frequent flier status, class of service and the credit card with which they purchased the airfare, and they must take into account whether the passenger is traveling with others, on the same ticket record, who have benefits or dispensation that they can share.

Though airlines still refuse to disclose baggage fees that can be compared across airlines during the buying process, this measure will allow passengers to know what they will have to pay, rather than find themselves surprised at the airport.

Baggage fees across code-share and alliance flights

The marketing carrier must provide passengers a common baggage charge that will apply throughout their trip when travel involves code-share and alliance partners. For instance, a ticket purchased on Delta Air Lines may not involve any flights on Delta, but Delta baggage rules will apply. If the first flight with a Delta flight number is on an Air France plane to Paris, the second is on Alitalia from Paris to Rome, and the return flight from Rome via Amsterdam to the U.S. is on KLM, the Delta baggage rules will apply.

As confusing as domestic baggage fees have become, international baggage fees on a Delta-flight-number ticket used to be indecipherable. Now, consumers may get baggage fees that are comprehensible.

Besides the new pricing rules that come into effect this week, airlines must allow a 24-hour grace period to change airline tickets or cancel them after purchase. They will be forbidden from increasing prices after airfare purchase. And airlines will be required to inform passengers of delays of 30 minutes or more, and cancellations and diversions within 30 minutes of the carrier becoming aware of the change.

Finally, airline consumers are getting some respect.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Charlie Leocha.

BRASILIA, Brazil — Demand for flights in Brazil has nearly tripled in the past decade, authorities said Wednesday. That is straining a system that is under pressure to prepare for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Brazil’s civil aviation agency said demand for air travel rose 194 percent in 10 years. Demand in 2011 alone increased 16 percent over the previous year.

In 2002, airlines flew 34.3 million passengers on flights originating in Brazil. That rose to 107.8 million last year, the agency reported.

While airlines are enjoying the boom, air travelers are suffering from packed airports, jumps in ticket prices, and routine delays often caused by woeful airport infrastructure, from poor runways to problems with radar systems that air control operators rely upon.

At least seven airports in the nation require substantial work to make improvements Brazilian officials promised in winning the right to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. The work on the airports is expected to be the most expensive part of Brazil’s preparations for the events.

Officials have said the total investment on airport upgrades has jumped from 5.5 billion reals ($3.2 billion) at the beginning of 2011 to 6.4 billion reals ($3.7 billion) by the end of the year.

The government has said all airport upgrades will be finished in time for the World Cup, but none will be fully ready before the Confederations Cup to be held in 2013, the important warmup tournament for the World Cup.

Government officials previously said that five airports were expected to be ready by June 2013, when the Confederations Cup begins, but acknowledged recently that none will be completed by then. Among the key airports being upgraded are those in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Related on HuffPost:

“;
var coords = [-5, -72];
// display fb-bubble
FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, ‘top’, {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: ‘clear-overlay’});
});

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. • Starting Thursday, forget about finding a $9 airfare.

That’s the beginning of new U.S. Department of Transportation airfare rules that require airlines to include all taxes and mandatory fees in the quoted airfare price.

That will make fares look higher, although they only will be advertised in a different — and more transparent — way. The actual fares will not change, travel specialists say.

But it means airfares for $9, advertised by such low-cost carriers as Spirit Airlines, couldn’t fly. Taxes alone would cost more, said Monika Dysart a travel consultant with Sixth Star Travel in Fort Lauderdale.

“For the consumer, this is obviously very good,” Dysart said. “It’s full disclosure of the fare upfront, instead of letting you get to the airport thinking you got a good deal and then having another $100 or $200 [added].”

Here’s one example of how fares might look different: An airline that used to advertise $39 fares each way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, for example, now would quote the price as $99 round trip. That’s $39 one-way and $39 back and $21 in taxes, said website Travelzoo.com. It might also quote the price as $49.50 each way, based on a round-trip purchase, specialists say.

As a rule of thumb, on a nonstop domestic flight, taxes are generally about $21 round trip. On a one-stop domestic flight, taxes are generally $42. On an international flight, taxes can approach up to $200 round trip. Starting Thursday, all those amounts will be bundled into the fares displayed, said Travelzoo.com.

The rules make it easier for travelers to compare prices across airlines, said consumer advocate Ed Perkins of SmarterTravel.com.

Yet airlines could be even more transparent, if they listed all their fees — from bags to frequent flyer fees, charges for pets and infants and more — “all in one easy to find page,” said George Hobica, the creator of AirfareWatchdog.com, a website that alerts users to low airfares.

The Department of Transportation has been adding consumer protections for air passengers for months. Last summer, it required airlines to refund a baggage fee if a bag is lost. It also doubled to $1,300 the maximum amount that airlines must pay for bumping passengers if a flight is oversold.

Some airlines are challenging the government’s price-advertising provisions in court. That lawsuit is pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, a Transportation Department spokesman said.

Good Wednesday morning, western Montana!

A winter weather advisory is in effect for virtually all of
western Montana until 6 p.m.

Travel on Interstate 90 and on all of the mountain passes will
be “severely impacted” at times by snow and blowing snow, the
National Weather Service warns.

From Haugan to Lookout Pass on I-90, “dramatic reductions in
visibility are expected to continue at times through this
afternoon,” the Weather Service says.

“In the valley locations, a wintry mix of light snow and
freezing rain will continue through this morning. Roads will
continue to be very slick, with black ice likely, making travel
hazardous through much of the morning.”

On Interstate 90 approaching Lookout Pass, up to 10 inches of
new snow could accumulate today, according to the forecasters.
Valley locations could see an inch of snow, as well as ice glazing
roads.

Here is the Weather Service’s long-term, day-by-day forecast
through the weekend:

Today: Rain showers likely in the valleys of western Montana.
Snow level 3600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind
between 17 and 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of
precipitation is 60%.

Tonight: A chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then a chance of
snow. Cloudy, with a low around 29. West southwest wind between 8
and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation
is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Rain likely. Snow level 4200 feet. Cloudy, with a high
near 40. Southeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming west. Winds could gust
as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly
before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West southwest
wind around 5 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch
possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. West wind around 6
mph.

Friday Night: Patchy freezing fog after 11pm. Partly cloudy,
with a low around 6.

Saturday: Patchy freezing fog before 11am. Partly sunny, with a
high near 34.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy,
with a low around 12.

Sunday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near
39.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain showers. Snow level 3500 feet.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.