Holiday Travel

 

Candy hearts and cards are so passé. Get away this Valentine's Day. Here are a few hotel and spa destinations that will inspire a creative celebration this year. 

 

Cupid's Chinese New Year - New York: February 14th isn't just for lovers, it's also Chinese New Year. Ring in the Year of the Tiger (officially year 4708 on the Chinese calendar) in Manhattan's most exciting new address – the Distrikt Hotel. Opening February 1, the Distrikt Hotel is inspired by New York City with neighborhood-themed floors set in midtown Manhattan. The Cupid's Chinese New Year package includes a red rose and stuffed tiger upon check in; a bottle of Champagne and chocolate-covered fortune cookies delivered to the room in the evening; a $47.08 Food and Beverage Credit to use for room service or in Collage Bistro and Bar; a Chinatown area map with places of interest; and a New Year Celebration schedule. From $289 per night based on double occupancy with two night minimum, 48 hour advanced purchase required. www.distrikthotel.comRead more

Traveling by air these days is rarely fun. Traveling during the holidays can be an outright hassle. But, why not take some tips from the road warriors who travel all the time and have mastered the art of air travel with minimal pain. Here are six tips that will make this holiday season's travel woes a little less complicated and much more enjoyable.

#1 Pack Small for Carry-On

Today, almost every airline has a fee for checking your bags. Ideally, it would be nice to avoid them altogether but with gifts and heavy winter clothing that may not be possible. First, remember that carry-on bags are limited in size and with a growing backlash from frequent flyers that play by the rules, the airlines will be stepping up enforcement of carry-on bag sizes. Most airlines restrict carry-on bags to 22" x 14" x 9" or a total of 45". Don't even think of taking that big 26-incher on board. You will get flagged.Read more

Loews Hotels rolls out the red carpet for four-legged guests this holiday season with its "Houndly Holidays" package. Designed for canine and feline family members, the program features a special rate on a one-night stay, an in-room holiday meal for pets, Loews Loves Pets amenities, and a Bow Wowzer toy from West Paw Design®.

The package is available at 17 Loews Hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada from October 19, 2009 to January 10, 2010; prices vary by date and location. Examples of starting prices are $134 for the Loews Denver and Loews New Orleans hotels. Package prices are based on double occupancy and are subject to availability.

The Houndly Holiday menu items were developed by Loews Hotels Executive Chef Marc Ehrler, an award winning Master Chef from France, a country known for their fondness of pets. Menu items include Dog Nog, Turkey Rolls a la Pug, Spaniel Stuffing, Persian Pumpkin Pie, Lassie Latkes and more. Standard pet menu items are available at all Loews Hotels, but vary at each location. Most include bow wow burgers, chicken and rice and grilled filet for dogs. All menu items were approved by a licensed veterinarian.Read more

Many people will be traveling this holiday season to visit family and friends and will bring their expensive laptops along on the trip. Most of these travelers will not have considered that thousands of laptops are stolen from airports every week. Thieves are ready to capitalize on the increase in air travel during the holidays and the chaos of the holiday season.

At airports alone, 12,000 laptops a week are lost according to a survey by the Ponemon Institute. And, that number is sure to increase this season.

While the loss of an expensive laptop can dampen the holiday spirit, the potential for identity theft will hang over the victim's head well into the New Year. Credit card, Social Security and bank account numbers are just some of the pieces of sensitive information that can be lifted from a stolen computer. Read more