Holiday Travel

Every year many of us travel long distance to reach friends and family during the busiest travel time – the holidays - and the worst travel conditions of the year - winter. During this time travelers often experience increased traffic, flight delays and terrible storms and rely heavily on their mobile devices to stay in touch, informed and entertained. The last thing travelers should be concerned about during these times is their phone bill, but with the end of unlimited mobile data plans, this is top of mind.

Now travelers can breathe a bit easier knowing that by using Opera Mini, the web's most popular mobile browser, they will not be wasting their traveling bucks on excessive phone bills. Opera Mini is the only mobile browser that compresses websites data allowing for a faster browsing experience and less data consumed. With more browsing capabilities, Opera has put together a top ten list of must use sites that will help travelers get to where they are going and pass the time until they get there.

1. Smooth Operator
Opera Mini browsers compress data to use just ten percent bandwidth of other mobile browsers options - reducing image data size, unnecessary formatting, text encoding and more. What this means – a faster mobile experience and a lower monthly bill!
Cost: FreeRead more

Horrendous airport delays make headlines every holiday travel season. Sadly, not even the most carefully planned travel itinerary can help you survive flight delays, cancellations and other snow-induced shenanigans.

Until now.

After undergoing my own 36-hour airport nightmare last summer, I understand the sheer frustration of being bumped time...after time...after time. I know what it's like to curl up on a concrete floor or contort into a deceptively uncomfortable chair. Pulling from my experience as an airport refugee, I've put together this brief prep list and extensive tick-tock guide of what to do, where to go, and how to remain sane during a 36-hour vacation at the concourse. It's going to be a wild -- if stationary -- ride.

The Situation

Weather is obviously the biggest factor leading to terminal limbo, but a combination of unpredictability, bad timing and high commuter volume really turns a rosy-cheeked getaway into an extended bout of humbugging. According to stats from the Federal Bureau of Transportation, last December saw the highest percentage of delayed flights and twice as many cancellations as the 2009 average. Both trends extend back more than 20 years.Read more

 

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