Everybody gets tired, even on their hard earned vacation as they enjoy and relax at the same time with their families. Whether for a long earned break or just for pure family fun, Sea Isle city has a lot to offer to those who are bold enough to see the hidden beauty that is New Jersey. Named after the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel it boasts many Victorian age buildings and architectural wonders.
Whatever reason you may have for going to the place, history, fun and relaxation everybody needs some place to stay and what better a place to do so than in one of the last few Victorian structures that dot the city. Hotels, Inns and other Sea Isle City rentals abound, ready to rest those tired feet and worn out souls. New Jersey, for a taste of luxury that’s right on the beach.
The World’s Busiest Airport
I have a friend who works at the world’s busiest airport, Chicago’s O’Hare. Terminal 5 (the international wing) has been so busy these days that she was working 16 hour shifts just to keep up. She told me Americans (at least those who could afford to) have been flying out of the country to escape the bitter cold of Illinois. Last night it was -5 degrees Fahrenheit. I left a bottle of water in my van and as expected, I’ve got a bottle full of ice that following morning. LOL.
The snow storms these past days before Christmas made things a little worse. I’ve got a friend who was flying into Chicago but got stuck up somewhere in Canada for 3 days! Worse was his airline didn’t even bother putting him up in a hotel. He had to drive 5 hours back into where he came from. That’s a huge bummer I know!
Anyway, if you’re reading this and would be flying in to O’Hare in a couple of days or so, expect that there would be a little inconvenience along the way. Long lines by the ticket counter, taxi hunting, traffic, clogged hallways (wether in O’Hare or elsewhere) is to be expected.
Make sure you’re ready to do the dance once more time!
At least you enjoyed the sun!
Great time to book your summer
This post side-steps on the previous one about “Frequent flyer miles redemption on the rise”. While it’s true that people are hunting for free seats by cashing in on their miles reward points, the same is true with people also hunting and actually landing great summer trip deals. This is the perfect time to hunt for paid seats!
Travel agencies worldwide are trying their best to present the greatest deal they can during these tough times. They have to make their deals as affordable as possible to survive these tough times. So go ahead and hunt those “once expensive deals”… you may get something within reach this time.
Check out these tips:
1. Hunt online – go on the internet and search for that special holiday program. If you like to go to Asia you can search for “Asia holiday” or “Asia Travel Guide” on google.com Casually browse through the sites, but have a pen and paper handy to write down anything that catches your attention.
2. Ask friends -chances are your friends know friends who travel a lot. Ask around, don’t be shy about it too.
3. Look at the papers – Sunday papers are the best to start with as they print out many travel ads there. Clip those sections that you’re interested in and put them in a folder.
Frequent flyer miles redemption on the rise
CNN reports that business travellers are now starting to “cash” in their frequent flyer miles. Choosing to use earned miles versus paying for business flights have remarkably grown these months. American Airlines alone has seen a 10-15 percent increase in redemption over 2007 on AAdvantage, its frequent flier program. Priority club members of the InterContinental Hotels Group (owners of Intercontinental hotel, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza) are seen redeeming their points in record numbers.
“We expect to see the largest ever increase in reward redemption this year.” says InsideFlyer magazine publisher Randy Petersen.
If we do not see the USA (the world’s largest travelling population) make a successful economic rebound we will see frequent flyer redemption on a steady upscale. What I am a little worried of is the “cause and effect” outcome of this. If more people redeem flights chances are airlines will have to develop stricter rules to get free seats. For the usual once or twice a year flyers, this reaction would be bad. I personally make around 2-3 trips to the USA a year, and some of those I charge to my frequent miles. So I hope we see some silverlining soon.
A Humble City
Hoi An is like setting foot inside one of those old Chinese movies. The elements are all there. From the low-tiled roofs to the narrow streets, Hoi An is a picture perfect replica of what ancient Vietnam used to be. The small city is located in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th century, it served as one of the major trading centers in Southeast Asia, attracting a lot of Chinese, Japanese, Indian and even Dutch people.
Now, Hoi An is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite being a relatively small city, it has been enjoying a boom in its tourism industry in the recent years. A lot of visitors are taken in by the number of shops selling arts and crafts unique to Vietnam. Visiting the city’s main attractions require coupons. These are available at the Hoi An Office of Tourist Services.
The city also has a place for modern technology. There are a number of restaurants, bars and Internet cafes by the river. However, the locals make it a point to shut off such modernities every 15th day of each lunar month. This means no fluorescent lights. No neon lights. No television. Not even modern modes of transportation.
On this day, Hoi An celebrates the Buddhist way of worship. This is going to be a more interesting experience for those who want immerse themselves in the city’s culture and history. Paper lanterns will hang everywhere, giving the city a most intimate glow. There will also be incense and singing, transporting tourists to a time long passed.