Flying to Fight Poverty

In an article on Travelmole.com called, "New airline tax proposed to fight global poverty", the author speaks about a possible increase in the price of airline tickets to reduce the amount of poverty in the world.

"With global leaders and the UN pushing for funding fight against poverty, one group of countries says the tax will help.
France, Brazil, Chile and Germany called for a new tax on airline tickets to help finance the global fight against poverty, and urged other countries to support the proposal, at a UN ministerial meeting.

In the search for new ways of funding the UN goal of halving extreme poverty by 2015, France led the proposed new airline. France's Minister of Economy and Finance Thierry Breton said, “Airline tickets were chosen because airlines benefit from globalization and pay low tax rates, because airline passengers "are rarely among the poorest citizens," and because the practical and legal feasibility of similar levels has been proven in Britain and elsewhere, reported the Associated Press.

The tax is proposed to be different for domestic and international travel and for economy and business seats, and it could also vary depending on a country's wealth. The example given, if all countries participated, is a tax of 5 euros (US$6.08) per passenger, with a 20 euro (US$24.32) surcharge for business class, which would generate about 10 billion euros (US$12.16 billion) a year."

THANK YOU!

In the book, "Do's and Taboos" there is a list of 'Thank You's' in different languages. It says, "THANK-YOU'S

Also, while Americans answer a “thank-you” with a “you’re welcome,” the English don’t. They answer a “thank-you” with a “thank-you.”

Language is not always easy to learn, but it's important to pick up on a little bit of the language when you travel. Many destinations find it flattering or respectful when you take the time to learn a little bit of their native tongue. And it makes your stay a little bit easier, as well.

Greece

In an article on CNN.com, the best vacation deals for each season are outlined. Greece seemed like a great travel deal, and especially beautiful.

WHEN: September to mid-October

WHY: If you've got a post-Olympic craving to visit the Greek islands, wait until fall and you'll have them practically to yourself. The number of tourists drops dramatically after the first week of September, when student travelers are back in school and summer vacation crowds disappear. As a result, hotels begin reducing prices in early to mid-September, even though the weather is still balmy (80s during the day and 70s in the evening) and the water remains comfortable for swimming, with ocean temperatures averaging 72°F.

THE DEAL: You won't get much of a break on air fares, but you can get up to 50 percent off on hotel rooms. On the island of Crete, for instance, the Grecotel Creta Palace hotel, where many of the Olympic swimmers stayed, charges $325 a night in the summer. But prices for a bungalow on the beach drop to $180 a night in September and $150 a night in October.

INSIDER'S TIP: For an even better value any time of year, stay on an island that's not as well known to Western tourists. Paros and Naxos, a hydrofoil ride away from popular Santorini, have beautiful beaches and aren't as built up as some of the more popular islands.

The article also listed many other destinations and seasonal travel deals.

Booking Flights Online

In an article called, 'Online flight booking 'top priority' for travelers,' Phil Davies wrote, "Over half of UK travellers want the ability to book their flights online, new research shows.

A survey by Amadeus e-Travel revealed that 54% of people cited the ability to make online flight bookings as a top priority when selecting an airline to use. This was the third most important element in the selection process after price and schedule.

The ability to check-in online prior to arrival at the airport would prompt one in four people to change their choice of airline, while a third (35%) said they would switch airline if given the chance to change in-flight options such as meal and seat selection online.

The research among 1,955 people was conducted by YouGov last month."

Clearly the power and convenience of the internet is reaching travelers all over the world. Online flight booking, as well as online reports and articles about travels, such as GoNOMAD have become a huge factor in people's decisions about where to go and how to get there.

Girls Just Wana Have Fun!

In an article on travelmole.com called, "Go girls, but where?" David Wilkening suggests some fun destinations for women to travel.

He said, "All-girl getaways are one of the hottest travel trends, according to Liberty Travel.

So what destinations are they going to these days?

Liberty Travel agents cited these as the top five:

(1) The Caribbean -- St. Barts, Bahamas and Jamaica. “Great weather, magnificent beaches and plenty of outdoor activities,” says Liberty.
(2) Mexico: Riviera Maya and Cancun. “Ideal for female travelers of all ages as both offer a variety of nightlife, spas and culinary festivals,” according to Liberty.
(3) Las Vegas: “The city of lights, luxury and life -- perfect for women who are looking for non-stop fun.”
(4) Paris/London, with a “flair for high fashion, haute cuisine, history and heritage.”
(5) Cruises. “Always a great choice as they offer endless possibilities.”

Women’s travel is a great way to get away with the girls.

Sanibel Island, FL

Bill Stillman, of Sanibel Gold Rentals, wrote an article about the up and coming vacation spot.

He said, "Have you ever... dreamed of being on a tropical island, your toes in the soft white sand, an expansive beach, swaying coconut palms, lush tropical foliage, and beautiful crystal blue water.

Imagine watching the pelicans and herons fish for their dinner, collecting the treasures from the sea, pastel colored seashells, while the sandpipers scurry along the surfs' edge.

All this just a short ride from Ft. Myers International Airport, Florida Sanibel Island has everything one could wish for....excellent restaurants, accommodations, golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, shopping, flowers, wind surfing, bike paths, canoes, galleries, theatrical productions, children's activities, home of the renowned J.N. "DING Darling" National Wildlife Refuge & Birds Sanctuary and much, much more."

"Miskolc’s Gem in the Cave"

GoNOMAD editor, Max Hartshorne, just returned from Hungary. In an article called, “Moments in Magyar: Hungary Is Ready for Visitors,” he recounts his fascinating trip.

He wrote, “A recent trip to Magyar, as Hungarians call their country, was a bit like going to visit a friend who’s just bought a new house. He’s busy hanging photos, unpacking boxes and still arranging furniture, but he’s sure glad you’ve taken time to stop by…

The town of Miskolc isn't much to look at; a city of about 400,000, many of whom are Roma and living in bleak ugly sprawling apartment buildings dating back to the age of the Soviets. But here we found a treasure. A cave has been hollowed out and thermal pools have been built inside.

We swam with the warm current around bends and into tunnels, finally emerging into a center room with a domed ceiling with stars and music. There was also a hotter pool in another room, and more channels to swim. It costs about $8 to get in, bring a towel and a robe.”

Learning Languages in the Air

Often I find myself so bored on long flights, and after watching every home improvement show and playing the in-flight trivia game about 100 times, I always wish there was something more productive to do with my time.
In an article called “Long Haul Language Learning”, Phil Davies wrote, “Interactive language tutorials are being introduced on Singapore Airlines flights.
Up to 11 languages will be available initially, rising to 20 by the end of the year.
The Berlitz International courses will become part of the airline's KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system which is available on flights from London and Manchester.
Available languages include English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Russian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese in four main categories - numbers, dates, words and dialogue.
SIA first introduced the concept on its ultra long range flights from Singapore to New York last summer.”

Seems like a great idea to me!

Tahiti Iti

Celeste Brash wrote a GoNOMAD mini-guide called Tahiti Iti: The Forgotten Island, with some helpful tips as to why and when to go to the island. She wrote,

"WHY GO
By-passed by the tourist industry, this magnificent region boasts clear waters, waterfalls, archeological sites and caves. This is not the glamorous Tahiti of tourist brochures, but rather a destination to experience a simple and authentic Polynesia. People here are friendly, natural and still interested in new faces that have come so far to visit. This is one of the only regions left in French Polynesia where you can find wild coastline accessible only by boat or on foot. Here, you’ll also find one of the most dangerous and famous surfing waves in the world.

WHEN TO GO
November to April is the rainiest region of Tahiti, so it is best to come during the dry season: May through October."

Beloved McDonald's

McDonald's-Russia

McDonald's- Japan

McDonald's-Thailand

If you ever find yourself homesick, or unable to find identifiable meals in a foreign country, don’t worry…there is likely a McDonald’s not too far away. The McDonald's website even offers a listing of every McDonald's in the world, by country, state, or address.

In an article called, “In Bed with McDonald’s,” in the UK Times, Sarah Turner writes, “A new branch of McDonald's opens every five hours. At the last count, the golden arches have spread from the US to l19 countries, from Canada (the first) to American Samoa (last year). Travel the world today and you invariably find that McDonald's has got there first.

Go into a McDonald's abroad and you'll find it full of backpackers sucking thoughtfully on their extra thick milkshakes. Britons under the age of 35 are part of the McDonald's generation. Our teens are excited when we learn that German branches serve beer. Few of us will have needed John Travolta in Pulp Fiction to tell us that the French call a Quarter Pounder a Cheeseburger Royale. I can order a Big Mac in a variety of languages (in France, for example, avec un shake) - even the most hopeless linguist will not starve in a McDonald's.

Eating at one isn't adventurous, but it's highly unlikely to give you food poisoning either. Flying back from Washington DC in January, I had the choice of a cheerful-looking local Chinese or a Burger King at the airport. In a rare moment of anti-globalisation fervour I chose the former and spent the next two days in a bathroom, contemplating my folly…”

Oktoberfest!

If you are looking for a place to party hard, Oktoberfest is one of the world’s most famous celebrations. Oktoberfest takes place once a year in Munich, in Southern Germany.

In an article on bootsnall.com, an independent travel site, Geoff Clelland said, “The actual fair grounds where the drinking happens are made up of 9 huge beer halls, each owned by a separate beer company. We visited a few during the afternoon, but most of the seating was occupied, so we just found a table that was reserved, sat down and ordered a few beers.

Now the beer glasses they serve beer in here hold 1 liter of beer and are called a mass. We drank several in each beer hall we visited. Lowenbrau was my favorite, although the other brands have slipped from my memory due to the volume of amber ingested at that point. I actually ended up that drunk that I smoked a cigar that I bought from one of the girls walking the beer halls - I gave up the tobacco 6 years ago!

I totally enjoyed my 'day trip' to Munich. The Oktoberfest was just one great big party and we ran into people from all over the world. During September / October, you can't afford to miss this celebration!!”

Click here for a GoNOMAD article about Germany, or here for more info on Oktoberfest.

Blogging: Next Big Thing

In an article called, "Blogging is next big thing," Ginny McGrath wrote, "Consumers will increasingly make decisions about travel according to the recommendations of strangers on the web. This was the message from the speakers taking part in this week’s EyeForTravel Summit in London, who talked of the increasing importance of “blogging”.

Speaking at the summit, Tim Frankcom, head of travel Europe at Yahoo, spoke of the importance of the 250,000 user reviews featured on Yahoo Travel, which was relaunched this week. He said that it was a section that influenced consumers and something the company was hoping to build on.

Joining him on the panel was Travelzoo UK managing director, Chris Loughlin, who said: “Blogging and peer-to-peer recommendations is going to grow and grow over the next five years.”

Speaking at the summit on the previous day, Cendant Travel Distribution Services president and chief executive Gordon Wilson, spoke of the increasing use of personal reviews in sites.

He said one of the greatest strengths of Octopustravel.com, the online accommodation broker purchased by Cendant last year, was the independent reports written for each hotel by travel professionals who have personally visited the hotels."

Blogging is the way to go... so keep reading!

Handicap Accessible Cruises

In an article written my David Wilkening called, “Supreme Court: Cruise Ships Must Help Handicapped”, he wrote, “The US Supreme Court ruled that international cruise lines sailing in US waters have to provide better access for wheelchair passengers.

In a 5-4 decision, the nation’s highest court agreed with disabled rights advocates who argued inadequate ship facilities curtailed their right to “participate fully in society.”

Justices ruled that Congress intended the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act to apply to cruise lines.

Wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy:

“The statute is applicable to foreign ships in the United States water to the same extent that it is applicable to American ships in those waters.”

The Associated Press said the ruling is unclear how much the $2.5 billion cruise industry will have to spend to reconfigure their pools and other amenities. But the upgrades obviously carry multi-million dollar price tags.”

Traveling is such a unique and wonderful experience that it really should be available to all people. So if you or a loved one is handicapped, don’t rule out cruise travel so fast. Soon cruise ships will be just as accessible for those in wheelchairs.

Exotic Weddings

Wedding at home cost a ton of money, as well as often lack the excitement couples want when they make such a sacred vow. Traveling for one’s wedding has become quite popular.

According to an article called, “Survey Highlights Exotic Wedding Locations” on travelmole.com, it says, “Unusual and adventurous” wedding ceremonies in exotic locations are becoming the latest travel trend, a survey claims.
Instead couples looking for an “out of the ordinary” experience are opting for tailor-made marriages in more remote areas, featuring a diverse cast of characters ranging from Buddhist monks, exotically dressed elephants, native village choirs and traditional dancers and drummers.
…off-the-peg wedding experiences aren’t enough for many people. Today’s couples seem to be looking for a much more personalized wedding experience. Our offices have been called on to organize wedding packages with ceremonies performed by Buddhist monks or which take place in a rainforest.”

As reported by Phil Davies, the American Express Travel Weddings and Honeymoons League of 2005 said that the top exotic wedding locations are now: (1) Barbados, (2) Cyprus, (3) Mauritius, (4) St. Lucia, (5) Las Vegas, (6) Jamaica, (7) Mexico, (8) Antigua, (9) Florida, and (10) Maldives.

For entire article visit “Survey Highlights Exotic Wedding Locations”.

Pink Sands

Pink Sands Resort, Bahamas

Pink Sands on Harbour Island in the Bahamas is a place where celebrities often go to relax for a weekend. But the resort is not exclusive to the famous, anyone can visit.

In an article in Distinction Magazine from May 2005, called, “The Bahamas’ Out Islands Are In”, Judith Kirkwood wrote, “Barbara Hulanicki, who founded the revolutionary London style store Biba in the 1960s, designed interiors that mix Moroccan, Indian and Balinese furnishings against a backdrop of color-layered walls in the gathering rooms and the larger cottages. There’s an air of intrigue and exoticism, almost as if Harbour Island might have drifted into the Indian Ocean.

With 25 cottages of various sizes, the resort can accommodate a maximum of 58 adults. (Children are also welcome.) Spread over about 20 acres of lush tropical foliage—as the sun goes down the landscaping is reminiscent of a royal jungle in some movie fantasy. The resort is so spacious that one never feels crowded.

The initial excitement of possibly spotting a celebrity fades fast. After all, this is a place where the ornate East Asian carved-wood swing in the entrance hall has been photographed as many times as any film actor. Managers/hosts Clemens and Nancy von Merveldt treat everyone like a celebrity. Besides, the real star of Pink Sands is the beach…Then there’s the water. Whether it is grape green, baby blue, or peacock with pink edges, it is so clear and refreshing you just have to play in it.”

For more info visit Pink Sands Resort.

Hiker Heaven

A Chicago Tribune a list called, "Hiker heaven, worldwide" named the top ten hikes in the world from National Geographic Adventure Magazine. They are:

1. Buckskin Gulch, Utah
2. John Muir Trail, CA
3. Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii
4. McGonagall Pass, Denali, Alaska
5. Fitz Roy Grand Tour, Argentina
6. Kungsleden, Sweden
7. Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
8. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
9. Routeburn Track, New Zealand
10. Shackleton Crossing, South Georgia Island

Many of these are right here in the U.S. and those that aren't are clearly still worth the trip. If you are a hiker, or lover of the outdoors, you may want to check out some of these ten locations.

Taos: “Chosen Spot on Earth”

El Monte Sagrado, Taos

In an article called, “Art and History Meet in Taos,” Mary Elisabeth Pitz wrote, “I love Taos, especially off season: There’s no pressure to fly down ski slopes or hike from morning to night. There is, instead, every reason to live the Taos life—visiting galleries, eating and savoring the beauty of the Sagrado de Cristo mountain range. For the tourist, there is the added plus of staying at El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, a luxurious green haven in the high desert…

Modern Taosenos pride themselves on their characters, their artists and their chili-infused food… D. H. Lawrence once said: “You cannot come to Taos without feeling that here is one of the chosen spots on earth.” Fortunately, some things never change.”

Click here for a Guide to Taos.

Dutch Country

I remember as a child visiting the Dutch Country in Pennsylvania. I have such clear memories of the vacation that when I read a brochure called “Pennsylvania Dutch Country,” I just had to share an excerpt.

“Whether your family loves exploring history, thrilling rides, or getting close to nature, you’ll find your niche in PA Dutch Country! Splash the day away at DUTCH WONDERLAND or with a family kayak adventure down the Susquehanna River! Walk the steps of a Civil War soldier in Gettysburg or take a ride on the rails aboard the Strasburg Rail Road. Hungry? Try a new smorgasbord at Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant that’s just for kids!

With just a short ride through PA Dutch Country, you can step back in time to a Civil War battlefield, discover the Underground Railroad homes and churches that housed enslaved Africans on their quest for freedom, or walk the same streets as the Continental Congress. A ride into the farmland shows how the Amish still live without technology, just as their ancestors did years ago. Centuries of history come alive every day in Dutch Country.

From chocolate to chow chow, your taste buds won’t be neglected in PA Dutch Country! In this snack food extravaganza, you can try hand-twisting your own Pennsylvania Dutch pretzel or sampling a warm potato chip just off the line from Martin’s or Herr’s Potato Chips! For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a stop at HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATEWORLD, or try a warm apple pie made with fresh Adams County apples. You definitely won’t leave hungry.”

For more info visit dutchcountryroads.com

"At this time, please turn off any cellular devices..."

Anyone who has been on a plane knows that cell phones are strictly prohibited and rarely get service in the air anyway. However, the FCC may approve the use of cell phones on planes in the near future. But is this a good idea? Many restaurants and theaters prohibit the use of cellular devices for the convenience of other customers, as the ringing and chatting is often annoying. Especially when 100 people are all on their phones having 100 different conversations at once.

On TravelMole.com, in an article called, “US law enforcement oppose cell phones on planes”, the author said, “While most worry about an increase in loud, disturbing cell phone chatter on flights, if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approve use of cell phones on flights, the U.S. Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security and FBI have told regulators that use of cell phones on flights could assist potential hijackers with coordination of an attack.


"The uniqueness of service to and from an aircraft in flight presents the possibility that terrorists and other criminals could use air-to-ground communications systems to coordinate an attack," the security groups said in comments to the FCC.

Flight attendants filing with FCC address their concerns that use of cell phones could make their jobs harder during an emergency and lead to further cases of air rage by passengers.”

Do you think that cell phones on planes would be beneficial or just annoying to passengers and attendants?

What's on the 'menu' at these coffeeshops?

Amsterdam Coffeeshop "Menu"

A kid that I worked with last summer played for his high school soccer team, and the team went to Amsterdam for their end of the season tournament and workshops. He came back and there was not enough time in the day for all of his stories. I will definitely be writing an article about Amsterdam in the near future, as the place absolutely amazes me. I was reading an article in Frommer's Guide today called "Smoking Coffee Shops" and I wanted to share a piece of it.

"Tourists often get confused about “smoking” coffeeshops and how they differ from “no-smoking” ones. Well, to begin with, smoking and no-smoking don’t refer to cigarettes—they refer to cannabis. Furthermore, the smoking shops are easily identified. Almost always, a smoking establishment is a “coffeeshop”—the Dutch spell it as one word. For coffee and a snack go to a “coffee shop”—two words…

Coffeeshops not only sell cannabis, frequently in the form of hashish, but also provide a place where patrons can sit and smoke it all day if they so choose.

In recent years Holland has given in to pressure from surrounding countries regarding its drug policy and has tightened the rules for the coffeeshops. You used to be allowed to buy and retain 30 grams of soft drugs for personal use; now, however, you can technically buy only five grams at a time. Each coffeeshop has a menu listing the different types of cannabis it sells. Hashish comes in two varieties: white and black. The black hash is usually more powerful. Bags cost between Dfl 10 and Dfl 25, depending on quality…”

Two of the most popular coffeeshops in Amsterdam are The Rookies and The Bulldog.

Biometric Identifiers in Airports

Especially since Sept. 11 airports have attempted to tighten up security and take extra measures to protect passengers. Still, the government and airport officials recognize the need for even further changes to the security system to ensure safety. While pre-Sept. 11 type checks will still be necessary, fingerprinting and eye scanning may be in the near future.

In an article called ‘Preparing for fingerprint checks and eye scans’ by David Wilkening, he says, “International travelers should get ready to have their fingerprints taken or their eyes scanned at US airports in the not-so-far future, says the top US Homeland Security official.

Traditional airport security tests are outdated and subject to abuse, said Michael Chertoff, secretary, US Homeland Security.

He told reporters after a European trip:

“Right now, in many ways we are using the most primitive kind of screening -- meaning we screen for names that match lists of terrorists and criminals. Names can be changed, identification documents can be forged. But biometric identifiers help reduce that type of fraud and protect the identity of the visa holder by making it much more difficult to impersonate someone...”

Click here for complete ‘Preparing for fingerprint checks and eye scans’ article.

Please feel free to comment on this issue. I’m curious as to what people think of being fingerprinted and eye-scanned at the airport. Do you think it will cause more lines and confusion? Lessen wait time? Be effective in detecting terrorists and illegal visitors to the United States? What is your stance on biometric identifiers?