Travel News & Reviews

Eat, Pray, Love Inspired Tours on Rise in Bali - 404

2010-07-23T16:08:57Z

Ubud-Bali, Photo by Lori RiceIf you haven’t read the memoir Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, chances are you have heard about it. According to an article from Time.com, tour companies and resorts are taking advantage of the best seller’s popularity, and offering guests an experience straight from the pages of the book.

Resorts such as Ubud Hanging Gardens, Ayana and tour companies such as the Las Vegas-based Spirit Quest Tours have created Eat, Pray, Love packages and excursions. These trips are intended to mimic the activities, self-discovery and transformation experienced by Gilbert herself. They are for guests who want to do the things the author did and see the things she saw.

As part of these expeditions, travelers take part in yoga, meditation, massage therapy, journaling and beach dinners. If you want to mix in a bit of Hollywood with your transformative trip, you can take an outing and see where the memoir-based movie was filmed which is set to open in the theaters this August.

The book which was released in 2006 has likely had an influence on the increase in spiritual-focused tourism for Bali. According to the article, when comparing January through March of 2006 to January through March of this year, the number of foreign tourists increased from 237,260 to 551,186.

What do you think? Are you up for an Eat, Pray, Love tour of Bali, or would you rather explore the island and find enlightenment on your own?

Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.

Medical and Health Tourism in Germany - 403

2010-07-14T20:11:40Z

Photo by trevorturkTravel can be marketed in a variety of ways. There’s adventure, family and even agriculture, but medical and health tourism? According to World Tourism News, if you visit Germany next year this just might be the highlight of your trip.

The German National Tourist Board will focus its 2011 campaign on the medical and health side of travel. Before you envision the need to suffer an ailment to take advantage, instead consider health and fitness resorts, spas and wellness centers. The campaign will target active travelers who want affordable holidays, and who like to mix fitness and relaxing indulgence with culture and history.

Germany is full of hotels and resorts that offer guests natural therapies with the invitation to take advantage of the countries healthy climate and healing waters. This new campaign will better market those appealing characteristics to tourists.

Medical facilities are still part of the marketing equation, however. According to the International Medical Travel Journal, Germany has approximately 70,000 medical tourists who visit clinics and hospitals each year. These facilities are known for their high quality and reasonable prices.

So if you head to Germany visit those museums, take those historic tours, drink the beer and eat the sausages as planned. However, you might also consider a healing mud spa or a therapeutic bath. If you’ve been meaning to have that ache or pain looked at you might want to add that to your travel itinerary as well.

Passport Fees to Increase - 402

2010-07-08T15:19:46Z

Photo by bryansblogBy this time next week travelers will be paying more for passports. According to a report from CNN.com, fees to obtain and renew a U.S. passport will be increasing on July 13, 2010. While these fees may not seem like much when you evaluate the overall cost of international travel, they aren’t exactly minor increases either.

First time applicants will be paying 35% more as the price for a passport book increases from $100 to $135. Travelers will now be charged $110 instead of $75 to renew a current passport. Likely the most difficult change to accept for many regular travelers, however, is adding additional passport pages. The free service will soon cost $82 under the new fee schedule.

The announcement has been met with many concerns. Seventy percent of the over 1,700 comments the U.S. Department of State has received have been concerns about how the changes will affect travel and travelers. Many express worries about how these changes will influence international travel overall.

Officials state that the price increases were necessary. A recent study revealed that under the current fee system the government’s costs for services were not being covered. In addition, new technology is necessary for passport books and cards to increase security and protect against fraud. The fees also help to support a U.S. presence abroad to assist citizens during travel.

You can check out the fee chart from the U.S. Department of State to learn more about the pricing changes and what to expect the next time you need a passport service.

Time to Vote for Van-tastic Adventure Winners! - 401

2010-06-25T12:45:34Z

Remember way back last June when we announced the exciting Van-tastic Adventures contest from WorldNomads.com? Over the past year, seven pairs of travelers received a set of van keys and travel equipment, and set off to explore Australia on one amazing road trip.

Videos are up, journal entries are complete and photos have been submitted. Now it is time to vote!

Beginning July 2^nd you can vote for your favorite set of road trippers and their exciting explorations. Over 33,000 kilometers were covered throughout Australia and these adventure seekers did it all from caving to swimming with dolphins to skydiving.

Check out the Facebook page for links and updates, and watch over 100 of the travelers videos on the contest’s YouTube page. Then head over next week and cast your vote. You will help one team win AU$10,000!

Wait, you didn’t think they would be the only ones to win, did you? Of course not! As a voter you can be entered to win one fabulous prize package of your own. By voting and submitting your best road trip tip you’ll be entered to win prizes valued at AU$5,000! The package includes an iPod Touch 32GB, iPhone 32GB, MacBook Pro 15’, $100 iTunes voucher, a Canon Legria HF20 video camera and an adventure travel kit from WorldNomads.com!

So watch some videos, enjoy beautiful Australia, get a good laugh and then pick your favorite. You just might win right along with them!

Spirit Strike Continues, No Flights through Thursday - 400

2010-06-15T16:41:09Z

Spirit Airlines has cancelled all flights through this Thursday due to pilot strikes, according to a report from msnbc. Spirit flights have been halted since Saturday when pilots walked out as a result of pay disputes. It was hopeful that talks today would result in resumed flights, but union officials announced that the strike would continue until a deal is approved.

Pilots of the airline are requesting that their pay be similar to that of other discount airlines such as JetBlue and AirTran. Although a raise has been proposed, the company states that other discount airlines are larger than Spirit.

The strike is affecting 16,000 daily passengers which have been completely grounded and forced to rent cars or pay full price for tickets on other airlines. If you are one of them, Spirit Airlines is offering its customers credit for a future flight in addition to $100. You’ll need to call the airline if you would rather have a refund on your ticket. So far no passenger complaints have been reported by the U.S. Transportation Department regarding refunds since the initiation of the strike.

Photo by PhillipC

No More Peanuts on Planes? - 399

2010-06-11T21:11:32Z

Photo by EuroMagicFor years peanuts have been a standard snack offering on commercial flights, but the AP reported today that federal regulators are considering a restriction or ban on the legume. The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently gathering facts and figures from those who suffer from peanut allergies, which includes an estimated 1.8 million Americans, as well as from medical experts, the food industry and the general public.

Along with a complete ban other restrictions being considered include banning only when requested by a passenger in advance or creating “peanut-free zones” during flights. Some airlines have already stopped serving peanuts on flights including Continental, United, US Airways and JetBlue. However, the snack is still served on Delta and Southwest, and American serves mixes that contain peanuts.

There are two sides to this story, of course. If passed, the decision would be a relief to the many people who suffer from peanut allergies and experience reactions when peanut dust enters the air in enclosed spaces. Some of these individuals avoid flying all together due to fear that necessary medical care would not be available should a allergic reaction occur in the air.

On the other hand, peanut growers are not happy with the potential changes. The idea is especially unpopular in Georgia which is the top producer of peanuts in the U.S.

Regardless of the final decision, the issue does elicit more questions, or one might say –opens a can of worms. If peanuts are banned on planes, why not in all public spaces? If airlines are banned from serving peanuts, how will flight attendants deal with other passengers bringing peanuts onto the plane?

Only time will tell if peanuts will remain in air and how it will influence their availability elsewhere.

Have thoughts or opinions on the topic? Leave a comment. We’d like to hear what you have to say.

South Dakota Black Hills Biking Adventure-398

2010-06-10T13:02:42Z

Photo by ken ratcliffCalling all cyclists, adventure-seekers, and anyone up for an active vacation with incredible scenery. Soak up some U.S. history as you bike your way through South Dakota with the Austin-Lehman Adventures Black Hills Biking Adventure.

This six-day biking adventure takes you through the heart of the Black Hills in South Dakota. One of many highlights is the chance to ride on the 119-mile long George Mickelson Recreation Trail! It was recently chosen as one of 25 trails for the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a non-profit organization that works to convert abandoned railways into recreational trails across the U.S.

In addition, you will bike through an historic Old West gaming town, along the base of Mount Rushmore and visit Wind Cave National Park. You will also cross over 100 historic railroad bridges and ride through four rock tunnels. The course has easy grades and if you get to a hill that is a little too challenging, shuttles are available to help you out.

This South Dakota vacation package is all-inclusive and costs $1,998 per person based on double occupancy. You will begin and end in Rapid City. Your accommodation in lodges and inns along the route, meals, ground transportation, guide, and even your bike and equipment, are all included. Packages are available throughout the month of September with departures on the 5^th, 12^th and 19^th.

Along with this trip to see a breathtaking spot in the U.S., Austin-Lehman Adventures offers tours around the world in locations such as France, Austria and Peru. The group is a world-wide leader in bike tour vacations and was recently named “World’s Best Tour Operator” in 2009 by readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine. You receive a money back satisfaction guarantee when booking your trip.

Nickelodeon Family Getaways - 397

2010-06-04T18:09:33Z

Photo by Aaron JacobsIf the kids aren’t overly excited about your weekend getaway, they are sure to perk up when they learn that some of their favorite characters might pay them a visit at the pool. Nickelodeon Family Getaways at select Marriott resorts give your children plenty to get excited about while giving you a little rest and relaxation.

When you book any room on a weekend night at one of five participating hotels your family can take part in a variety of fun-filled activities. A dive-in movie on Friday night, contests and crafts on Saturday and a Nickelodeon character farewell with photos on Sunday. If you choose to upgrade you will enjoy a Saturday morning breakfast with Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants!

Current participating hotels can be found in Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona, Miami and Naples in Florida and Indian Wells in California. Another location is set to offer the packages soon in Hawaii as well as in Mexico and China.

Rates and availability of the packages vary by resort. The getaway is available at Miami’s Doral Golf Resort & Spa from now until September 5, 2010 and rates begin at $189 per night.

Just be prepared for a little mischief during your trip. We all know what Nickelodeon is famous for, right? Don’t be surprised if, in the midst of your relaxation, you are a victim of a sliming at some point during the weekend.

Western River Expeditions Girlfriend’s Getaway - 396

2010-05-28T17:19:04Z

Photo by diametrikAre you trying to choose between an active girlfriend getaway riding the rapids and a relaxing retreat with yoga and massage? You and your girls can have both on a Western River Expeditions Girlfriend’s Getaway in Utah!

This four day, three night Colorado River rafting excursion is designed for you and all the women in your life – mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. You will get your fill of adventure as you travel 100 miles down the Colorado River. Get ready to paddle, hike and camp as you enjoy the great outdoors.

Sure to refresh and renew your attitude, each morning you can participate in sunrise yoga overlooking beautiful landscape. There will also be the opportunity to close your evening with good food, a relaxing massage and campfire conversation.

The trip, led by female guides, will take place July 20 – 23, 2010 and begins in Moab, Utah. The rate of $1,025 plus tax per person includes rafting, hiking, camping, meals, transfers to the river and a flight and shuttle back to Moab.

This is an active trip so you’ll need to be in decent shape before taking it on. If you don’t know how to prepare for this type of adventure the trip website offers plenty of valuable tips to help you such as packing lists. With such beautiful scenery, lots of action and relaxation this is the kind of trip where you’ll get your adventure and your (outdoor) spa retreat all in one.

New Website Design for Travel.State.Gov - 395

2010-05-25T19:10:15Z

Photo by chris.corwinToday, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs launched a newly designed website for travel.state.gov. Since May of 2009 the agency has been collecting consumer feedback through an independent customer satisfaction survey. Over 32,000 people responded and the changes were based on comments and suggestions from the group.

Last year the site received over 370 million visits making it a major resource for many travelers. The site provides information on obtaining passports and visas for foreign travel. In addition, travelers can find safety notices for specific destinations. The site aims to be a useful resource for those traveling or living abroad during times of crisis as it can provide updates on current conditions and reports on the status of U.S. citizens ones on the road.

I reviewed the site briefly and have already found it much more user friendly. Passport and visa information is easily located on the navigation bar. All the guidance you need based on your current status is well organized and easily accessible. Visitors can find travel alerts and warnings in the left-hand column. Of course, whether you choose to heed the advice is up to you, but it is helpful to know the current events of international destinations.

The agency continues to request feedback from users. If you have the need for a passport, visa or travel information this summer, take a look at the site and offer your opinions through the customer satisfaction survey.