The Savvy Tourist

Learn the Lingo, Beware of Dingos

If you’re heading to Australia for the first time, you’ll be delighted and surprised at some of the turns of phrase and slang terms used. Although essentially the same language as the Old World, Australian English has evolved its very own slang vocabulary, recognized across the world as something distinctly Australian. Many of the words and phrases were brought into the global lexicon via the golden era of Australian soap operas in the 80s and 90s. And they all tell us something about the history of this special country. 

Claimed for the British crown in the 18^th Century, eastern Australia was used by the empire primarily as a penal colony for Irish and British convicts, a practice that went on for 80 years, between 1788-1868. Quite a few Aussie slang words hail from this period, and betray their British origins. ‘Creek’, for example, is on old English word meaning a stream or small river. It has fallen out of use in the UK, and now seems a particularly Australian term. Similarly, ‘paddock’ – still used in England to denote a livestock enclosure – simply means any field in Australia. ‘Bush’ and ‘scrub’ refer to what Brits would call the countryside. And of course ‘mate’ is widely used by Antipodeans, passed down and still used by their English cousins, but never in other English-speaking countries like the US or Scotland. 

The origins of some Aussie phrases are a lot less obvious. ‘Fair dinkum’ is used to mean ‘authentic’ or ‘fair enough’, but its history is disputed. Some people believe that ‘dinkum’ originated during the Australian goldrush of the 1850s, and is derived from ‘ding kam’, a Cantonese expression meaning ‘top gold’. Others cite a redundant English dialect from the East Midlands, where the word meant simply ‘hard work’. Interestingly, since the phrase gained notoriety by being used in Neighbours, its usage is now more a self-parody than an authentic way of speaking – so be sure to say it with a smirk! 

Another well-worn Aussie word is ‘sheila’, the somewhat patronizing word for ‘woman’. It evolved in this very macho culture, probably from the Irish name ‘Sile’. ‘Bludger’, a great word to trip off the tongue, denotes a lazy person, and comes from the now-defunct British slang-term for ‘pimp’.

There y’go mate. Just a few Aussie words to help you blend in. To get yourself down under for a real taste of the Oz language, visit DialAFlight and fly to Australia for less than you might expect.

 

 

Disgruntled Passengers vs. Disgruntled Employees

Has everyone watched the new show this season Pan Am? Although not a documentary, it glorifies the flight attendant (or shall I say stewardess) job in a way that makes the general public think there is actually glory to be found in that job. That may have been true back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, but believe me when I say those days are long gone. If some of you may remember, flying as a passenger back then was also glorified. It was a pleasure and a luxury to fly away somewhere headed on an adventure. Flying was actually part of the adventure. Now, flying is the pain you endure trying to get somewhere that you don't have time to drive to.

When people reflect on the changes that have overcome the airline industry in just the last decade, they forget that those changes have affected the flight crews and the customer service (I use this term loosely) agents too. They have actually had a bigger effect on them if you get down to it, which I am going to do.

People are dreadfully aware these days that the level of customer service (again...lightly) and the way in which flight crews interact with them has changed. While I do not condone rude behavior or a crappy attitude while dealing with customers, I think there are times when our human nature can only take so much.

When a passenger has been delayed, re-routed, charged extra for bags, charged for a soda, squished into a seat 2 sizes too small and kicked in the back by an unruly child, he tends to get a little irritable, and it shows, because someone can only take so much. Well, guess what? The flight crews can only take so much too. Now, I know you think "It's their job, they get paid to put up with this". Guess again. Their job is to get you safely to your destination while doing their job the best way possible with the tools they are given by their employer. These flight crews are also human and can only take so much. They too get delayed, re-routed, and squished into a seat 2 sizes too small, but they have to do it for several flights a day, and they are expected to wait on you, the passenger with a smile and a gracious "I'm sorry" when the aircraft is broken or the weather is bad or the food is cold or the guy sitting next to you smells. They also have to adhere to safety standards and regulations and procedures that the general public doesn't even begin to understand. That is their real job. They just listen to your crap and try to make you comfy while they are taking responsibility for your life while on their flight. No one ever thinks of the "behind the scenes" stuff and the extensive training that all flight crews go through before they have the privilege of babysitting people who become automatically helpless the minute they get on an airplane.

If your flight is cancelled for weather it is because the pilot has been trained to know better than to fly around in dangerous conditions and put your life at risk. Maybe you should thank him or her for that instead of complaining about being late. If your baby stroller and your kitchen sink is taken from you on the jetway and put underneath the plane, again, thank them instead of complaining. Now, if the aircraft experiences turbulence the chance of you being killed by a flying baby stroller have been exponentially decreased. If you are told to put away your laptop upon take-off and landing, shut up and do it. And do it the first time you are asked because the flight crew has much more important things to do than keep re-checking to see if you can perform adult tasks.

Something else that you might not know is that these same flight crews are now doing their jobs with only half the pay they used to get prior to 9/11, without their pension plan that they were hired with, and with no guarantee their job will be there for them tomorrow. So next time you fly somewhere, try to do so with a positive attitude and an appreciation for the people that are working hard to get you where you want to be, safe and sound.

The customer service agents and the flight crews are the ones you see on the front line, but they aren't the ones responsible for the problems you encounter while flying these days. Just like the soldiers on the front line of war, they didn't start the war, they are just doing their jobs. The blame starts at the top.

I can rant when someone pushes my buttons!!

Savvy Updates

 
First order of business is tell all my savvy readers that I will be venturing into food and possibly wine in my savvy travel tales. It came to my attention (okay, I know I'm slow) that every time I head off for a new adventure, I usually try to find a great new place to eat (and drink). Sometimes it even seems that my travels actually revolve around all my eating and drinking.

We just had family in town for a week and every day was planned around what and where we were going to eat. That pretty much sealed the deal, so be on the lookout for my savvy adventures with food (and probably wine).

Second order of business is to make sure you check out the latest Orbitz specials and deals in the left sidebar. Great stuff that might make your summer vacation more affordable!

Last...I have updated my Travel Tips page with some wonderful new advice for packing and being safe while traveling.

 

                                                                                                         

Turn your move into a vacation

When we take on the daunting task of moving, whether it be just a few hundred miles away or possibly across country, we never think about how relaxing or enjoyable it might be. At least I know I don't and I have done it. The problem with the move I made is that I did it with just the help of my own family. I tried to save money by not hiring a mover. I packed up the house after living in it for over 13 years, so you can imagine the accumulation of "stuff" I had to deal with. Then I rented a truck, hoping it would be big enough. Then I loaded the truck...twice. The first time it wasn't loaded properly and some "stuff" wasn't going to fit. Since I was going across country, I also had to rent a car dolly to pull my car behind the truck.  I don't know about your driving skills, but try backing up a 27 foot moving truck with a car on a pivotal dolly system. Everywhere we went we had to make sure we could pull in, and pull out. No reverse required.

Then, as if that was not enough, since I am a plant hoarder, I loaded my car with all of my house plants so they would be in plain site for the Dept. of Agriculture going across certain state borders. Had I not checked into the agriculture rules for every state ahead of time, my plants would have been confiscated at the border and I would have been heartbroken.

None of this included the fact that I had 1 kid, 1 dog, and 3 cats that also had to move across country. After I got me, the truck, my car, and all my "stuff" where it needed to be, I flew back and packed up the remaining kid, dog and cats! Then we all flew together back to our new home...far, far away. Now, doesn't that sound like fun? I didn't think so.

The point I am getting to is that hiring a mover will save you money, time, aggravation, and possibly your sanity in the long run. Let's say you are planning a move to Arizona from many states away. Who knows more about moving to and living in Arizona than movers in Arizona? They will have all the information you will need to participate in a smooth move, and can also hook you up with realtors, insurance agents, and other local establishments that you will need to start new services with like gas, water, electric, trash removal, etc. I tried doing all this myself too, only to find out that I didn't know there were 2 gas companies, 2 trash companies and other assorted services that I didn't even know I needed. I was coming from rural farm country and moving to suburbia. I had no idea you actually had to pay for water.

Let's say you were moving to Tucson, Tucson moving companies would be able to provide you with local information about your new city like things to do when you get there such as movies, restaurants, museums and local events. Normally this would all be stuff you figure out after you get settled in, if you ever do.

The best part though is that they do all the work!! Let them pack, load, drive, gas up, unload and deal with all the aggravation of moving (and backing up at the gas station). They are paid to take the stress out of moving, therefore leaving you and your family the ability to turn your move into a mini vacation. Load up the family car with kids and dogs and take your time driving. You can stop off and see the World's Largest Ball of String or maybe something better like Mt. Rushmore or The Grand Canyon.

Even if you absolutely have to do this move yourself, there is a great place to visit online for assistance. If you are possibly moving to the Phoenix area, go to Billy.com Phoenix movers and you will be able to access tools to make your move easier such as a moving checklist, moving tips, and useful information on traveling with pets and children. Believe me when I say you do not want to do it the way I did it.

Whatever city is destined to become your next home, check out Billy.com before making the big move.

Is this your kind of vacation?

There are endless vacation options for today's savvy tourists but the one I am asking you about in this post is a Bed and Breakfast vacation. Have you ever experienced the type of lodging where you actually just feel like a guest in someone's home, rather than a large impersonal chain hotel? As luxurious and special as some B&Bs can be, I personally don't think they are for everyone. Large families with children will probably not feel comfortable in such a place, nor do many B&Bs provide the proper accommodations for such families. Bed & Breakfasts, as well as some small boutique hotels and Country Inns, are reserved more for the intimate traveler such as the romantic couple.

I personally was able to experience a stay in a lovely romantic B&B called The Darley Manor Inn located in Wilmington, DE. as a gift from my grandparents on my wedding night. It was very quiet and exquisitely decorated and I surely felt like I was a friend of the family as the Inn Keepers were waiting up for us and excited to congratulate us on our recent nuptuals. The strange part was that we got married on a Tuesday, so the Inn was empty that night except for us. We were the main attraction and got lots of attention, maybe even too much attention. Breakfast was a little uncomfortable since we were the only guests at a very large family sized table with many people waiting on us and asking us questions and trying to be personable and polite. As much as I appreciated their hospitality (and awesome breakfast) and would definitely stay there again, I prefer not to be the center of attention.

Next time I think I would like to try a larger scale B&B, where we will be able to enjoy the home cooking and the hospitality, but also be able to blend in and possibly mingle with some of the other guests. I just happen to have my eye on a few in the Napa Valley Wine Country up in northern California. My savvy sis-in-law lives in St. Helena so I will be using that as an excuse to try these fancy places when we visit her. One of the ones I have my eye on is The Wine Country Inn where they offer full buffet breakfast, afternoon wine and appetizers, luxury honeymoon cottages, spa services, pool and jacuzzi, wine tours and a shuttle to local wineries. This is my kind of vacation!

For a more intimate setting, I would also like to try The Glass Mountain Inn which is more of a homestyle environment and nestled in a secluded wooded area that is very close to town even though you feel like you are very far away in your own little paradise. Activities include biking, hiking, horseback riding, golfing and birdwatching or just lying around while you recover from the two course gourmet breakfast.

So, for the more intimate savvy tourist, let me suggest trying a Bed and Breakfast vacation for you and your special someone. If you already have a B&B that you are crazy about, please write in and share with all of my savvy readers.

Now is a good time to plan your next B&B vacation or possibly give one as a gift.

Let's Pack

By now you should have purchased your new Antler Luggage and are ready to take a trip. So, let's talk about all the great accessories you can pack now that you have that fantastic super lightweight luggage.

The handiest item I have found to assist me in neat and organized packing for a long trip is packing cubes. I was able to get nine days worth of clothes and assorted other things in savvy hubby's suitcase for one of his overseas adventures. Believe me that was not easy as hubbys do not do laundry while away from home. By packing similar items in the individual cubes, you don't always make a huge mess of your suitcase every time you look for something either.

Another great item is the space saving compressible bags that allow you to literally suck the air out of your clothes and pack 10 times as much stuff. I use these mostly for bulky items like sweaters and jackets. Some people may use them to keep dirty clothes separate from clean clothes or wet clothes separate from dry clothes. This works great too if you travel with your own pillow.

A good toiletry kit that doesn't take up too much room and keeps all your liquids and such separate from your clothing is a must have. The one I recommend here will also hang on a hook in the bathroom so you can keep the sink area from being cluttered all the time. This is good when traveling with a companion who also may have a lot of "bathroom stuff". You still have to be aware of the rules if flying and going through security at an airport. Your liquids (no more than 3oz bottles) must be in a quart sized plastic bag and out for inspection. So pack accordingly! If you aren't sure then try this 3-1-1 compliant kit.

There seem to be a lot of luggage limitations these days when traveling in the friendly skies so I try to eliminate the need for a purse (which counts as a carry-on or "personal item"). I have a large stylish bag that I use not only for my laptop or netbook, but I carefully integrate my phone, keys, wallet, business cards, sun glasses, make up, my Kindle, and a bottle of water in there. It tends to get a little heavy but it does keep me organized. Now because of this, I pack in my suitcase a "fanny pak" to use on the other end. I can just fill that with daily needs as opposed to my entire life that I have crammed into my big bag.

Everyone's needs are different and their destinations vast, so no matter what you pack in your suitcase, make sure you secure it with a TSA approved safety lock and a durable luggage tag. For all of your travel accessories, please visit The Savvy Tourist's Travel Store.

If you have any great packing tips to share please comment on this post.

 

 

 

Traveling to the Gulf of Mexico

If I was still an active travel agent, I would have inevitably had all my clients booked for a nice sunny vacation at a resort on the Gulf of Mexico this summer. You see, that is how my luck works and one of the main reasons I got out of the biz.

Charlie, Hazel, Hilda, Debbie, Beulah, Eloise, Gilbert, Keith, Arlene, Roxanne, Emily, Stan, Wilma, Dean and Ida...do you recognize these names? These are the names of the hurricanes that collectively ran me out of the travel agent business. All I have to do is book a client (or better, a large group of clients) to an island resort like Cozumel and it becomes the target for a hurricane or really big tropical storm. This happened a few years in a row and although I am not superstitious, I took it as a sign. I do not know who the poor fool is that jinxed the Gulf with the oil spill, but I am sure they are currently waving their white flag and changing careers as I write this.

Now I ask...who has booked travel to the Gulf this summer? Are you still planning to go or have you rescheduled? Rescheduling travel can be a nightmare. This is another reason you should always use a travel agent for your vacation planning (and I don't mean me). Travel agents will spend endless hours rescheduling your trip for you with the knowledge of what you are eligible for in the way of refunds and later bookings without penalties for changes. Also, if you used a travel agent in the first place, he or she more than likely insisted upon you purchasing insurance for your trip, therefore making all these last minute changes much more affordable.

Having been out of the travel agent business for a few years now I am not as familiar with insurance as I used to be. Now, what I can tell you is that your insurance coverage will be limited and that the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster is a man made event therefore not covered by most insurance. You will have to spend the extra money on a "cancel for any reason" travel policy. For all of your travel insurance questions you can travel on over to The Trip Insurance Store Blog and insurance expert Steve will assist you.

Now for all you savvy travelers that plan to drive into Mexico for your vacation or for any other reason, please realize that Mexican Law does not recognize our insurance purchased in the U.S.

Click on the link below to get a quick and safe policy that will protect you once over the border.

Antler Luggage

Have you ever heard of Antler Luggage? Well, me neither until now. I always hate to admit that considering I am the "Savvy Tourist", but hey, I am here to advise my savvy readers and if I have to be humble to do so well so be it!!

It seems Antler Luggage has actually been around for over 90 years which is longer than all my savvy readers I am guessing. They specialize in light-weight luggage and they have been the #1 brand over seas for many years. They are British by the way!! It seems from my research that luggage in the UK typically weighs less than our American hefty luggage.

Antler has designed yet another class of lightweight luggage that can be lifted with just a finger. IT is called the Size Zero collection.  Now, the whole luggage thing is a case of weight and balance when it comes to stuffing everything you own onto an airplane. Therefore, if you have a lighter suitcase, guess what? More stuff!!!! Yes, you can pack so much more into these suitcases since they are so lightweight. Of course you better be a savvy packer! (That is something we will touch on in a few days after you order you new suitcase.)

Antler Size Zero 24" Medium Super Lightweight Rolling Upright

I cannot wait to share this information with my savvy 'Mum-in-Law" (that's British speak of course) because she loves to travel and she loves to take as much with her as possible.

Oh...and if there are any 90+ year olds out there reading my blog, please write in with some of your travel stories and experiences.

San Fran or Bust

In a few weeks I will be traveling to the city of San Francisco for a short visit with my Aunt. She has never been to San Fran and I would really like to show her a wonderful time. The trick is...it is only for a few days so it has to be an abbreviated wonderful time. As a travel agent, I do realize the millions of things to do in San Fran. My question to my savvy readers is......what are the BEST things to do that you wouldn't want to miss no matter what? We aren't marathon runners so we can't exactly cram in 20 things a day (much to my Mom-In-Law's chagrin). I would like to actually enjoy this trip and leave her wanting more, maybe for next year's visit. So, bring on the suggestions folks.......I'm all ears!

 

My Mom-In-Law sent me a book to carry along with me on my trip and I have to admit it is the coolest little travel tool ever. It is called The Little Black Book of San Francisco. I highly recommend that you check out Amazon for a Little Black Book of Anywhere you are thinking of traveling!!!!!

Kindle it...if you can

A little over a year ago I did a post about the Amazon Kindle. My curiosity was peaked backed then and it is again, but for different reasons this time. Santa was generous enough to leave a Kindle under my Christmas tree this year and I just love it. When I started researching the Kindle last year, there was quite a bit of content available to purchase for this electronic handheld reader. I questioned whether or not it was cost worthy considering a lot of the books were rather pricey considering they weren't real books that I could put my hands on. Somehow they just get wisked through the air and appear on the Kindle within seconds at my request. I now know that is not magic but rather Amazon's Whispernet technology. Well, a year later and there is a remarkable amount of material available for the Kindle and so far it is cheaper than buying the real book. It is not limited to books either. You can subscribe to newspapers, magazines, and blogs. One of the first things I did was subscribe to the Reader's Digest on a monthly basis.

Now you might wonder why I think this has anything to do with travel or blogging. Well, since I travel and blog sometimes at the same time, I think I will find the Amazon Kindle quite useful. I like to take more than a few books with me in my luggage and we all know that is almost impossible these days since you have to stuff your life in one bag or be charged out the wazoo by the airlines. I will have my book that I am currently reading for pleasure, (usually a James Patterson murder mystery) and a current newspaper from the hotel, (usually USA Today), several blogging reference books and some travel guides depending upon where I am visiting. That takes up quite a bit of room in my luggage! But now, I can have all those things and more on just one small electronic reading device that stores neatly in my luggage or even my purse.

Another great feature is that if you are thinking about buying a book, but aren't quite sure about it, the Kindle lets you download a portion of the book and read to see if you are interested first. You can also subscribe to magazines and newpapers free for 14 days to make sure that is the best subscription for you before you purchase.

The Kindle is difficult to get, but it sure is worth the wait!

The Tale of Tiburon

Back in the day, I think the hustle and bustle of Tiburon, CA. was more than it is today. The tiny peninsula that plays host to three different communities was a very busy industrial center. The Town of Tiburon (as it became known in 1979) was the center of activity with fish packing plants, dairies, military installations, cattle ranching and the railroad. Railroad cars, locomotives and also ferry boats were built there to serve the San Francisco Bay area and beyond. Tiburon even survived Prohibition being that it's location made it very easy to sneak in alcohol from ships anchored in the bay. The Town of Tiburon is the largest of the three communities. There is also Belvedere, which was known as a subdivision for the wealthy San Franciscans who built weekend homes there, and Strawberry, which remained a dairy ranch until after World War II.
Today, Tiburon is a nice quiet place to relax and "get away from it all". There are still many buildings and establishments that have been there for many years and keep the charm of the town intact. The railroad is long gone, except for a few casual reminders like the passenger depot and the Depot Palm that had been used to mark every passenger station in the Northwestern Pacific system.
Even with tourists, the town is peaceful and the people are friendly. Many of the residents are commuters to the San Francisco area and use the ferry system to get to work. The tourists (like myself) use the ferry to spend the day in San Fran while being able to get back to peace and quiet for the night.
That was a perfect day! We grabbed a bite to eat at the coffee shop on the corner of Main Street, then waited for the ferry to arrive while exploring the downtown wharf area with camera in hand. The cost of the ferry was a little high at $9.50 per person each way, but considering you are not fighting traffic,or paying for gas, toll, and parking,I would say it was worth it. The schedule is very convenient for both commuters and tourists and the trip itself was very pleasant and relaxing. They do not waste any time either. You board the ferry and buy your ticket onboard after leaving the dock. Very simple. We walked around Fisherman's Wharf, taking in all the sights, mostly just around the Pier 39 area. We shopped (my favorite thing to do) and ate (my other favorite thing to do if I'm not shopping) and took pictures of everything and anything as usual. We ate a fantastic lunch at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant which had the best clam chowder ever and some luscious libations to go along with it. It is very difficult to decide where to eat while at Fisherman's Wharf. Everything sounds and smells so good and many menus are similar in that their specialty is seafood. Price can be a deciding factor and also ambiance (if you can call it that on a wharf). All the restaurants have their menus posted outside so you know what they offer before making a commitment.

So, with tired feet and full stomach we headed back to Tiburon at the end of the day via ferry with the sun in our faces and the cold breeze at our backs. This is July and yes, you need a jacket to be able to enjoy the ride from the outside deck. You can also take shelter inside where there is a little beverage bar for anyone needing a coffee, beer, or snack. Again, very convenient.
There are actually many different ferry services to choose from whether you are departing from Tiburon or from San Francisco. You can visit Sausalito, Angel Island, or even take a tour of Alcatraz Island. Of course, you cannot do all that in one day.
It was back to Tiburon for us, and the ferry trip gave us the opportunity for even more picture taking that we could later bore our family to tears with.

There are most certainly things to do without leaving Tiburon. There are many adorable little shops and eateries all along Main St. to explore, although a tad pricey. Everything is very unique and a little "artsy", mostly gallery and boutique type establishments. There is a strip of shops known as Ark Row, where all the shops used to be houseboats on the lagoon. They are now anchored permanently by land and a parking lot and almost resemble a movie set because of their small size.

Many people rent bikes from San Fran and ride the ferry over to Tiburon and spend a leisurely day riding along the coast of the bay and through the town. For us, it was a perfect place to relax and do whatever we wanted without the pressure of a schedule or activities list. We even took an evening stroll through town admiring the architecture, beauty and peacefulness that is the Town of Tiburon.

As if to mark this lovely spot on the map, there is a beautiful sculpture in the center of town that moves likes sails in the wind.

San Fran or bust......

I began my trip by flying First Class from San Diego to San Francisco via United Air Lines. There may be a better way to go, but I can't think of one. The service was great, the flight was uneventful (which is how I like my flights), and everything was on time. Of course I was not offered a meal, only a small bag of pretzels and a soda, but for an hour long flight, that seemed appropriate.
I always enjoy flying into San Francisco. People watching is a funny little habit of mine and San Fran certainly has an interesting mix of folks to watch.
I had already made arrangements for a rental car online with Budget so all I had to do was go pick it up and be on my way to my savvy little getaway in Tiburon, CA.  I had done quite a bit of research on the available rental cars for type and price and other miscellaneous issues involved in renting cars, and decided upon Budget. Well, I think that most of the people arriving in San Fran that day had done the same research and come to the same conclusion and were standing in the same line waiting to pick up their rental car. Just my luck! What I did learn, while patiently awaiting my turn is that Budget offers a new system called FastBreak where you can reserve your car and drive away without any hassles. No paperwork, no waiting, no added expenses. Just fill out the enrollment form online and the next car you rent will be the easiest thing you've ever done while traveling.

We asked the rental agent the best way out of the airport to 101 North towards Tiburon. (The last time we tried to drive directly through downtown San Fran while following a map which didn't bother to tell us which roads were one way). We apparently like to learn things the hard way. The agent muttered something about a convertible only being an extra $15, would I like to upgrade? No, I would not like to upgrade, what is the best way to 101 North? His answer was some sort of jibberish that sounded like 380 - 280 - 19th street. So that is exactly what we did, and amazingly enough, it worked. Golden Gate Bridge  here we come.

BTW- the extra $15 is per day not total, so don't think they are offering you any kind of deal at the last minute.

A savvy vacation choice

With the price of gas (and everything else) everyone is looking for new and improved ways to budget. Having been a travel agent, I can tell you that vacations are the first thing to either get thrown out of the budget completely or else purchased as cheaply as possible. Unfortunately, when you skimp on your vacation, you are essentially cheating yourself out of the best time you have with your family and friends. Personally, I would rather clip coupons and carpool than skimp on my vacation. I was always sorry when I booked a "budget" vacation.
There are ways to have a great vacation without skimping and one of them is by renting a house, possibly with friends and family, instead of paying resort prices. Sharing the cost of a house or condo is always more cost effective. You have facilities to cook some meals instead of eating out 3 times a day. You don't have to pay for parking your car, you don't have to walk through the lobby in your swimsuit, you don't have to tip anyone or cram 4 people (or more) into 1 hotel room. Everyone has a little more space to call their own and in some cases, you can take the family dog. One of the online booking agencies that I recommend is HomeAway. There are more destinations to choose from than you can imagine. Whether you prefer Italy or Martha's Vineyard, North Carolina or Africa, there is a home to suit your vacation needs. There are even homes for rent for RV travelers to "take a break" and spread out for a little while. I consider this a much more savvy way to travel, and I will always recommend it over timeshares any day.

Scenic route back to Nashville

After our fabulous lunch at The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. we meandered through a few stores admiring the local wares until it was decided we needed to head for home to beat the traffic. Traffic? What traffic? I guess the idea of "traffic" in general depends on what you are used to. I live in Southern California where it can take 5 hours to travel 80 miles to the Los Angeles International Airport. That is traffic! What I observed here in quiet little Gatlinburg, TN. was a few cars traveling slower than normal. I figured they were all just savvy tourists trying to take in all the sites. If you have been following this series, you will remember that I am not driving and I really have no clue where I am going from the backseat so I go where the driver decides we go. That being said, we decided to go another route that would be more scenic and have less traffic. Now again, if you've been following this series, you know this doesn't usually go well for us, but we did it anyway because...well, I don't know...we're tourists? Instead of heading North on Rt. 441 out of Gatlinburg towards more civilization, we headed in more of a Southwesterly direction on a road known to the locals as Little River Road because it travels beside the Little River.
The sun was shining through broken clouds and the river was rushing alongside the road like it had somewhere to be, making me feel like we had traveled back in time. This is what being in the Great Smoky Mountains is all about. This was a beautiful drive that I will never forget. We were able to pull off the side of the road safely and take pictures along the way. We finally got some good photos to commemorate our trip to Tennessee. We eventually rounded the bend near civilization, the small road turned into a parkway, connected with U.S. 40 towards Nashville, and we were headed home from our little adventure. It is amazing what you can see when you are just along for the ride.

Here are a few photos that we took along the way. You can click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

Find the best cruise for you...

As a travel agent, I took pride in the personalized customer service that I tried to provide my clients. If you are a regular reader of The Savvy Tourist you will know that is one of my pet peaves...customer service, or the lack thereof these days. If my clients are going to spend their hard earned money on a vacation then I believed that it should be custom tailored to their family's dreams. I have noticed in the business that when people book cruises they do not realize that every cruise line out there offers something different. Price is not the only factor to be considered. That is why you need to use a travel agency that specializes in cruises. It would be almost impossible for you alone to compare all the cruise lines and what they have to offer. For example, Royal Caribbean has always provided my clients with exceptional service and fantastic excursions for a reasonable price. Princess Cruises is a little "higher end", but delivers beyond your expectations. They are well known for their exceptional Alaska Cruise Tours that offer you the vacation of a lifetime. I had the privilege of attending a cruise seminar sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Lines once and I left there with my mouth watering from all the delightful meals they offer from their renowned chefs. So you see, even though all cruise lines can provide you with a cruise vacation, you need to understand that not all cruise lines are the same. If you are from the retired crowd and you want a quiet two week cruise as opposed to a fun filled week of partying and gambling, then you need the expertise of a travel agency that can provide the level of customer service required to find the right cruise line for you.

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co

Now that our 3 hour tour had been canceled (Gilligan should be so lucky), we decided it was time to eat again so we traveled back down the road a bit into the town of Gatlinburg. Yes, you heard me correctly, we were actually in the town of Gatlinburg. There were cute little shops and restaurants and it was just so quaint. It was a little busier than I would expect for February, but I soon learned that Gatlinburg is pretty much a year round destination. There is skiing in the winter, river rapids in the summer, and festivals all year round. There is always something to do in Gatlinburg, whether it is shopping, dining, or playing.
Now, back to the eating.....one of my most memorable moments on this particular trip was the fabulous dining experience at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant. The atmosphere was friendly and fun and the staff was very helpful since it was our first time visiting. They had wonderful recommendations, all of which I took. I started out with Jenny's She-Crab Soup: An Alabama twist to a low country favorite. It was very creamy and rich and just perfect. My main course was the "I'm Stuffed!" Shrimp: Large shrimp stuffed with crab, baked in garlic butter, and topped with Monterey Jack Cheese served with Jasmine Rice.   Of course I started the whole meal out with a Peach, Love, Rock 'n' Roll: DeKuyper Peachtree and Razzmatazz, Cointreau and Pineapple Juice and Lemon-Lime.

Needless to say, that set the mood for the rest of the day!!

 

The waiter started our experience with a few Forrest Gump trivia questions:

What was Forrest's favorite drink?

What did Forrest say to JFK when he met him?

That was my little dose of trivia and I answered them correctly....can you?

Traveling laundry bag

When you travel you always want to try and keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean clothes (especially if you are in Las Vegas walking through those smoke filled casinos). One good way is to pack a single pillowcase in your suitcase to use as a dirty laundry bag. As the dirty clothes (not the hotel towels) accumulate, just toss them into the pillowcase. When you get home, you can throw everything in the washer, right along with that pillowcase.

Lost in the Woods.......

.....like Hansel and Gretel! That's where we were just moments after retrieving my misplaced credit card from the store. You see, we were curious as to how far we actually were from our cabin (you know, as the crow flies) given it felt like we had traveled in a circle to get where we were (are you confused yet?) so we turned on the GPS. That was our first really bad idea. If you have been following the series at all, you will remember that I mentioned we were forewarned that the GPS might not be very accurate in the mountains. They weren't kidding!!! After leaving the store, we made an immediate right turn onto a small country road that looked pleasant enough, but wasn't exactly easy to find on any map we had in the car. The driver (you remember who that is, right?) was confident that the GPS knew exactly where it was going, so off we went. Keep in mind we are also trying to beat the eerie darkness from getting to the cabin before us. We traveled for a few miles, made a few uneventful, seemed like a good idea at the time turns and there you had it....we were officially lost. One of the many things that I think contributed to our situation was that if a road was "unmarked", the driver was pretty sure that was the road we were supposed to take. The other problem was the GPS did not know her right from her left. I will call it a her just because it spoke so sweetly while telling us to turn left to our death all the while highlighting a right turn on the screen so as not to arise any suspicion on her part. This GPS was very confused (or hateful, I'm not sure which). We decided to pull off the road stop in the middle of the road and reset the system by turning it off and turning it back on, allowing it to clear it's head and think about where the heck we were. That didn't really help. The closer it looked like we got to our destination, the more the GPS wanted us to turn around and go the other way. The scariest part for me was that it seemed we were just going higher and higher, yet not really getting anywhere. At one point my sister-in-law had to get out and walk ahead of the car to make sure we could actually drive where we were headed. I think that is about when some of the panic started to set in, or at least that is when we admitted the panic was setting in. I had felt the tension building for awhile now, especially since I was sitting in the back seat with most of it. After a few more times of foolishly going where the GPS suggested, we actually got close to the road the cabin was on. You could see the road from where we were, but you couldn't exactly get to it. If only we had a 4-wheel drive, a pair of bolt cutters and a few pairs of hip waders we would be home free. We didn't have any of those things therefore we were left to stare longingly at the road we wanted to be on, while contemplating going back the way we came, whichever way that was. Good thing those bears were hibernating because our trunk still had our carry out rib dinners from Damon's Grill that were permeating the air around us. Had it been Spring, we would have been followed and eaten for sure. I won't bore you with the twists and turns and nice words that we used to get down the mountain and finally back to our cabin one and a half hours later (some shortcut). Just rest assured we made it, despite ourselves and our helpful little GPS system, and we lived to tell about it....obviously!

After looking at our trek on Google Earth, it became clear to me where we went wrong. It was that first right hand turn when we thought it would be a good idea to take a shortcut. I have included a picture of the area with labels on the Arts and Crafts Community and our cabin. Enjoy finding your way from one to another. You can click on the image for a larger view. Happy Trails!

The tale of three cities......

All that fresh mountain air made me sleep like a baby. It really does feel good to get away from it all every now and again. The first thing we did was grab a fresh cup of coffee from the Tassimo machine and head out onto the back deck. Any other season would have been more colorful for photographic purposes, but there was a certain peace and serenity in the mountains that morning that was easily captured by the camera.

   

It was very quiet and very still (I swear I'm gonna call Stephen King), almost like every living thing was just waiting for Spring. The woods were filled with wild rhododendrons just waiting for a sign that it was time to bloom. I can only imagine the beauty that overtakes this area when the weather warms up a bit, but for now, it is still winter. The bears are hibernating and thankfully so were the snakes. Don't get me wrong, I love bears.....but from a distance.....or stuffed. Snakes, I am not as fond of and was very happy not to have to look out for them while I was crawling through the wooded paths in search of an unsecured Internet connection with hubby's new iTouch. It takes me awhile to acclimate to my environment and I was so craving access to my blog life. Luckily, we also took the camera on my search for civilization and came up with a few nice shots.

   

It didn't take long for the peace and quiet to end, moments actually. It was apparently time to go on our daily trek down the mountain and see some sites. My mother-in-law had a few specific things she wanted to see and when she sets her mind to something, well let's just say, there was a reason she was doing the driving. She probably wouldn't get to do anything she wanted to do if she didn't have us all trapped in the car like rats headed in the direction of her own agenda. Hopefully when she gets done curling her nose up at this remark, she will laugh because she knows I am right!

At this point I am still hoping to catch a glimpse of Gatlinburg, although I am realizing that there is a fine line between Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Even the GPS got confused. I told you about some of the exciting attractions in Sevierville, but you may recognize Pigeon Forge as the home of Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Great Smoky Mountain Family Amusement Park. At first I thought this to be a little hokey (even though I am a huge fan of Dolly's singing), but I am finding out that hokey is part of the fun around these parts! Dollywood offers rides and attractions like rollercoasters and kiddie rides. There is also shopping, crafts, shows, and many special events including Five of the South's Largest Festivals. The dining experience is renowned at Dollywood with it's famous southern cooking and choice of venues. We did not actually go to Dollywood this time around, but I think I might suggest it for next time. I hate to admit it, but it sounds like fun.

We were headed to a place called Alewine Pottery that had caught someone's eye on a TV ad. We were finally headed to Gatlinburg so I was cool with this plan. We drove down the road a piece (about 4 miles) and lo and behold there it was....Gatlinburg. I was just starting to see a few stores and hotels and some more cabins on the ridge, when we hung a left and were headed back out of town again. Everything for the next few miles was all about goods and wares crafted by local artisans. A unique characteristic of Gatlinburg are the craftsmen who demonstrate their special talents and skills. An historic 8-mile loop has been designated as Tennessee Heritage Trail. Established in 1937, the artisans whittle, paint, sew, weave and carve to create original collectibles.

After making our way through the arts and crafts village, we decided that we would pick up an awesome BBQ rib dinner from Damon's Grill and head back up to the cabin before dark and enjoy a little family time with games and movies. This time it was me who threw a wrench in our otherwise grand plan. When it came time to pay for our carry out meal, I realized that while running my mouth in a cute little store where I bought a cute little stuffed alpaca bear, I forgot to get my credit card back from the merchant. In a little bit of a panic, we hurried back to the store to retrieve my card. This set us back about a half an hour which made getting back to the cabin by dark almost a problem. So, we decided to take a short cut.........with the help of the GPS.........in the mountains.......

Public Transportation...YIKES!!

Growing up I was never very familiar with public transportation. I would see TV shows that were based in New York City and I would see people using the subway and taxis all the time. It actually seemed like a different world to me. The closest I ever got to public transportation was the Disney Transportation System between the Theme Parks in Walt Disney World, Florida. This is hardly your run-of-the-mill public transport. 
I think public transportation can be very intimidating, even scary when traveling to new and undiscovered exotic lands (like New York City). If you are traveling alone or with small children it can get especially overwhelming. Personally, I have always chosen to get completely lost in my very own rental car. That brings on a whole new set of problems like driving through the wrong parts of towns you are unfamiliar with, or trying not to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, or running down pedestrians that thought they had the right-of-way. (I really think it is easier for pedestrians to see cars coming than it is for cars to see pedestrians coming, but as long as they have the right-of-way, out in the street they go!!)
Anyway, back to the public transportation theme......I recently did a link exchange with Public Routes Blog so I took the time to research what they are all about (how savvy of me). This turned out to be very interesting and quite useful. They are affiliated with Public Routes, which is a web based service that assists you in getting around different cities using only the public transportation provided. I tested it out by entering Los Angeles International Airport as my starting point and Disneyland in Anaheim as my destination. It not only gave me all the different buses I would have to connect with, but it told me where all the stops were along the way for every bus I would be on. I really believe this takes some of the anxiety out of public transportation. Knowing where you are going before you get there is a real bonus when in unfamiliar territory. They provide public transport info for trains, trams, ferries, subway, buses, driving and air train.They also offer many other services including maps and city guides that can be accessed through your mobile device. So, next time you are planning to travel to a city with public transportation, try this service and I bet your travels will be much smoother. 

No International Transaction Fee with Capital One

 Almost every credit card charges some sort of international transaction fee on purchases overseas. Visa and MasterCard charge a 1% processing fee on international transactions, and most card-issuing banks add their own fees on top of that. These fees, known as international transaction fees or foreign transaction fees, are generally a percentage of your overall purchase price (in U.S. dollars after the foreign currency exchange; for example,if a purchase costing 100 Euro in France converts to $135 in U.S. currency, the international transaction fee is a percentage of the $135). 

How do the major credit card issuers stack up? Below are the international transaction fees from each issuer (for banks that issue Visa or MasterCard branded cards, these numbers include the Visa or MasterCard fees):

               

• Capital One: 0% transaction fee. (Capital One not only doesn't impose its own fee, but it also eats the 1% fee that Visa or MasterCard impose.)
• Discover: 0% transaction fee (Note, however that Discover is accepted on a limited basis outside of North America.)
• Washington Mutual/Providian: 1% transaction fee
• American Express: 2%
• Pulaski Bank: 2%
• Barclays/Juniper Bank: 2%-3%, depending on card
• Bank of America: 3%
• Chase: 3%
• Citibank: 3%
• GE Money: 3%
• HSBC: 1-3% depending on card
• U.S. Bancorp (U.S. Bank): 3%
• Wells Fargo: 3%

The above information was obtained from a Credit Card Index site.

This is not a paid post! I wish it were!!!

I am a resource guide after all......

Since I do profess to be a travel resource guide, I actually spend quite a bit of time searching for useful travel resources to share with you. My thought process is to do the work so you don't have to (now I sound like a scrubbing bubbles commercial). Today I came across some pretty handy sites that I hope will assist many (if not all) of you with your future travel endeavors. I have also added these sites to my Travel Links page for easy reference at a later date (and because they are travel links and that is where they belong).

• Wi Fi Free Spot - a listing of free Wi-Fi Hot spots in airports
• Alternate Airports - a list of alternate airports that you can take into consideration when searching for the cheapest airfare.
• Flight Status - check airport delays and flight status
• World Travel Guide - this site offers so many guides for airports, cities, events, tours and more!
• Airport Gyms - locate an airport gym so you can exercise during your layover or delay

Let me know if there is a site out there that you would like to recommend to everyone.

 

Sandals On Sale!!!

My vendors have been bombarding me with the sale that Sandals is currently promoting so I thought I would put it out here for all to see. I have included some details below, but please be aware that this is a limited time offer and is only good for booking until January 31, 2008. You can travel all the way up until Christmas of 2008 (blackout dates may apply, as usual), but you must book early. Usually, it only requires a deposit to book your trip so if the holidays have left you short of funds, don't worry, you don't have to pay for the whole trip now. It is kind of like putting your vacation on layaway!

Not only are they offering your 7th night free, but they are very excited about their "Suite of the Month" sale at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort. Here is a quick link for booking an incredible vacation at an incredible price:

Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, winner of the prestigious Five-Star Diamond Award, stands alone as the premier destination for people in love who demand only the very best. From our offshore island - a veritable resort within a resort - to world-class dining in 8 gourmet restaurants; from rooms and suites, ranging from the merely sumptuous to the over-the-top lavish, to Versailles - like gardens filled with stunning statuary - you will know beyond a doubt, that you've discovered paradise. For a limited time, book one of three luxurious suites for seven nights or longer and the seventh night is FREE! Plus, save up to 45%!

Luxuriously-furnished suites offering spacious, elegant accommodations, 24-hour room service, exclusive butler service, VIP Rolls Royce or Mercedes Benz airport service and exclusive dining at Gordon's on the Pier. 

Choose from 3 luxurious categories and receive a 7th night FREE and SAVE up to 45%:   

• Royal Windsor Beachfront One Bedroom Suite (WS)   
• Royal Bahamian Oceanview One Bedroom Suite (RS)   
• Royal Village Honeymoon Villa Suite (BV)

My biggest recommendation is to purchase trip cancellation insurance! I will follow up soon with a post on trip insurance, but in the meantime, do not reserve your trip without it!

Holiday Traveling Tips

It is most certainly better to be prepared so I have listed a few tips that may help you while planning all your holiday travels. Please write in with any other tips you can add to my list.

• If driving, make sure you either buy or download a map or Thomas Guide of the area. Winter weather is no time to be lost without directions. If renting a car from an airport, request a map from the rental car agency.
• Confirm all of your reservations before leaving home. This season gets very overbooked. Call the airlines, the hotels and the rental car agencies to let them know you will be using your reservations. Keep in touch with hotels and rental car agencies if your flights get delayed.
• Plan ahead and leave early. There is always extra traffic this time of year and extra long wait times. Check security wait times for your airport here on my site under "Travel Links."
• Pack properly to get through security without a hassle. Don't forget the 3-1-1 rule for packing your liquids in a quart size ziploc bag. Have this out for security to see. See "Travel Tips " page.
  
• Do not try to take wrapped Christmas presents through security, they will get unwrapped!!! If possible, ship them ahead to your destination.
• Keep necessities in your carry on bag. Cell phone, charger, toothbrush, medications and any reservation numbers you may need should not be checked. Personally I also keep all electronics like Ipods and my camera with me in a carry on.
• Put a business card or some sort of contact information in your checked bags just in case the outside luggage tag gets removed and you have to claim it. Also, only use TSA approved locks on your checked bags. You may even want to tie some sort of "marker" to the outside of your bag for easy recognition on the baggage turnstile. A friend of mine once made me some pom poms out of yarn to tie on my bags. This worked very well!
• Check the weather ahead of time for your planned destination. Just because you are going to Florida, doesn't mean it is going to be warm. I was at Disney World one year for their record low temperature of 30 degrees. Needless to say, I wasn't prepared.
• Check out the article I posted on my Travel News  page on being "bumped". You have rights, know them!
• Have some extra patience with everyone around you whether they be loved ones or strangers. Be extra appreciative to the people serving you. You may get that last seat on the airplane just because you are the nicest guy! Don't forget to wish everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. A little kindness goes a long way this time of year.