Tagged With "CruiseCritic.com"
Reply
Re: Trains in Cuba
Great question...and possibly not an easy clear answer. Cuba's trains have generally been in poor shape in recent years as older equipment has run down and spares not available. However, according to Mark Smith (The Man in Seat 61), that's changing with the arrival of a fleet of new Chinese-built locomotives. On his site ( Seat61.com ) he has an extensive update of recent changes in schedules, routes and locations (that's important because Havana's main station is closed for a 3-year...
Comment
Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool
In Europe, I have had good luck finding value accommodations at Booking.com and Europe-Stays. com. Those sites list hostels with their ratings and prices. A quick peek for June shows several promising choices for around $ 21 USD per bed per night. Unless you just want company, you might budget hotels pricing similar to the hostels. They often charge per person, not per room, which is a big help for the solo traveler. Tune Hotels will work for the London part of your trip, but they are not in...
Reply
Re: Liverpool and Manchester
Trains run every hour between the two Cities Paul. You need to add Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King. We have two.The Anglican one was the worlds largest - but I think St Johns in NY had to beat it. Speke Hall. Chester. Here's a list to peruse at your leisure. Meanwhile I'll put a reserved in my diary. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/A...seyside_England.html Liverpool Cathedral 360' tour: http://www.liverpoolcathedral360.com/tour/ Liverpool World Museum
Reply
Re: How do you buy your travel?
Few more thoughts, following HistoryDigger and DrFumblefinger... 1. Definitely check all your affiliations on car rental; after years of getting better price through AAA than any other way I knew, I recently found that going to the same vendors through USAA (my car insurance) gets me even better. 2. Not only does Priceline have good pricing on cars, I've often found I can get 30-40% lower through their blind-bidding (Name Your Own Price) service. 3. RailEurope is something of a red flag for...
Reply
Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
If you're passing through Europe and plan to go directly on to Marrakech, keep in mind that the low fare carriers more often than not use secondary airports which will add to your travel time if go straight on. For instance, if you fly into London's Heathrow airport a low fare airline will likely use either Luton or Stansted. I believe British Airways has flights from Heathrow so check on the variables and you may find that with time and costs involved to change airports a bit more expensive...
Reply
Re: Spain or Portugal?
Portugal's rail system feels a bit worn in places, and some trains look terrible from outside...but the interiors are clean and the system seems to work. Not a terribly large country, so that time between the two largest cities (Lisbon and Porto) is about 3.5 hours. If you add in getting to the airport early and getting in from the airport at the other end, it's probably faster than flying. Other significant points in Portugal also have reasonable rail service, including Coimbra, the...
Reply
Re: Spain or Portugal?
I just visited www.seat61.com and it seems a fabulous website for travelers wanting to catch trains in Europe! So many tips and price comparisons!! And thanks for your info on trains. I think I'll take them even if they're a little beat up looking, LOL You been wonderful with all your help, PHeymont! I might have more questions later. Do you keep an eye on these posts? How does that work? What's the best way for me to get in touch with you if I have more questions?
Blog Post
British Library Unites Last Copies of the Magna Carta
The British Library will unify the last four remaining copies of the Magna Carta on February 3 for the first time as Britain celebrates the 800-year anniversary of the constitutional charter. They handed out 1,215 tickets to see all four documents to...
Blog Post
Airbnb Starts #OnelessStranger Pay It Forward Campaign
Airbnb will give $1 million dollars to 100,000 global community members. Those chosen members are asked to use the money for a random and unique act of kindness and share it on social media. ...
Blog Post
Peer to Peer Travel Expands
A plethoria of Peer to Peer travel sites changing the way people travel. http://travel.france24.com/content/peer-peer-travel-redefining-landscape-report
Blog Post
Hop on the Bus, Gus...or maybe a train
Wanderu, a startup travel aggregator (think Kayak) is now offering schedule and fare information for the major U.S. bus lines (Greyhound, Megabus and Boltbus) and has just signed a distribution agreement with Amtrak that will allow them to include...
Blog Post
"Tide of the Century" Coming to Mont Saint-Michel
Crowds gathered along the coast of Brittany ,near Mont Saint-Michel, to watch Saturday’s high tide. The tide will be the first in nearly a month of large spring tides due to culminate on March 20 and 21 . March 21 has been touted as "the tide of...
Blog Post
Big Changes Coming to United Airport Lounges
Photo from United Airlines :United Club Bar- London Heathrow Lounge This coming year ,United will build two new lounges in Atlanta and San...
Blog Post
Sphinx Courtyard to open after 4 years!
According to the Antiquities Minister of Egypt, Mohammed al-Damati, the Sphinx courtyard will be opening soon for the first time in four years since it's restoration of the monument. No date was given. ...
Blog Post
Disney's new idea: river cruising for families
The Disney empire, which seems to be almost as much a travel and resort company as it is a studio and park operator, has another new plan: change river cruising from an older-adult activity to a family plan. Adventures by Disney, which provides...
Blog Post
Four Ways to Savor Savannah
Stephanie Kalina-Metzger shares some of her favorite ideas on what to see and do when visiting Savannah, Georgia
Blog Post
Why Zurich Is The Place To Be In Summer
Roger T makes an excellent case why Zurich (especially during its short but beautiful summer) should be on your travel list!
Blog Post
Trains to Scotland gaining riders
Upgraded rail service between England and Scotland is taking market share away from airlines.
Blog Post
Boston to celebrate Mayflower anniversary
A free maritime festival commemorates the Pilgrims' voyage to the New World and the ship they rod in on.
Blog Post
QM2 to get upgrades, new facilities for 2016
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 will go into drydock next May for a month-long update that will include adding single staterooms and more kennels, reflecting several changing trends for cruisers. Cunard says the single rooms are not only because...
Blog Post
More river cruises cancelled, but some hopeful signs
CroisiEurope's Leonardo da Vinci on the Neckar at Heidelberg Continuing problems with low water in European rivers, as described in several recent TG NewsLinks, are disrupting more cruise plans by most operators...but at least some see hope in...
Blog Post
"Pops" is a New Route 66 Icon
I know this is going to be a fun stop on Route 66 just outside Arcadia, Oklahoma when I spy a 66-foot pop bottle on the horizon. Getting closer I can see it stands in front of an uber-modern structure with gas pumps in front. I have never seen...
Blog Post
Erika Update: Storm causes cruise changes and cancellations
Tropical Storm Erika has been downgraded, but her effect on the Caribbean cruise industry continues, bringing changes to cruise itineraries, and cancelling some port calls, although some cruises are now slated to resume their original plans. ...
Blog Post
St. Augustine Celebrates 450th Anniversary
St. Augustine, Florida is celebrating its 450th anniversary September 3rd through September 8th. Pedro Menendez landed in St. Augustine, Florida on Sept. 8, 1565, making St Augustine the oldest continuously occupied...
Blog Post
Travel Times Listed on South Central Pennsylvania's Electronic Message Signs
Starting today, south central Pennsylvania will have travel times posted on the electronic message signs over and along interstate highways and major expressways. The estimated times will be based on real-time traffic conditions on the major...
Blog Post
Low water puts some European river cruises on hold
Low water in the Danube, 2012 If it seems like only yesterday we were reporting on European river cruises being canceled because high waters were blocking ships from sailing under bridges...well, it was. On May 7, we reported problems on the...
Blog Post
Saudi King and His 700 person Entourage Draw Mixed Reaction in France
French Patisserie, Cassis by IslandMan King Salman of Saudi Arabia will be arriving in France with a 1000 person entourage. He and his inner circle will...
Blog Post
Carnival's WiFi gets faster, sort-of-cheaper
Carnival Cruise Line, which has recently tried out faster internet with lower package prices on three of its ships—and gotten good marks for it from passengers—is adding it to nine more ships, and plans to include the majority of its fleet...
Blog Post
Next for Cuba: Carnival to offer volunteer cruises
Cuban sunset, soon to be seen from Carnival's volunteer cruises Carnival's Fathom cruise line will offer "voluntourism" cruises to Cuba starting next spring, it announced today. Although the itineraries haven't yet been fully developed, and the...
Blog Post
'Fee Creep' continues in cruise industry
Norwegian Escape (above) arrives with new dining charges Photo: Arno Redenius / Wikimedia Perhaps taking a cue from the airlines, a number of cruise lines have recently added...
Blog Post
Cruise line updates: Win some, lose some
Cruise lines have announced some changes in plans and prices recently; two big ones are a trend to higher daily gratuity charges on board, and a move to more flexibility in choosing flights as part of cruise packages. Princess Cruises is raising daily...
Blog Post
Airline 'ancillary fees' top $80 billion
Fees, fees and more fees: the airlines are relying on them more and more.
Blog Post
Ryanair may do a U-turn on bag policy
Ryanair may reverse new rules that help speed up boarding but sacrifice revenue from priority and baggage fees.
Blog Post
Pakistan Desert Jeep Rally Growing Fast
The Desert Rally drew about 200,000 spectators from Pakastani local villiages and major cities this year. It has a huge following from foreigners living inside Pakistan. Pakistani Tourist officials hope this Rally might bring...
Blog Post
Americans Leaving Half Their Paid Vacations Ununsed
A survey from the career site Glassdoor shows half of paid vacations earned by Americans is unused and 2/3 of people take work with them while on vacation.Two thousand people were in the survey sample. Read More:...
Blog Post
Paris Zoo Reopens with New Kind of Zoo.
Paris Zoo will reopen on Saturday after a six-year remodel. They are trying to create as real natural habitats as they can and shed the image of a traditional zoo. Animals will live together and be able to retreat from viewing areas...
Blog Post
Google Brings Street View Like "Trekker" to Bordeux Wineries
Google signed agreements with around a dozen wineries in the Bordeaux region to bring the wineries online last year. The first wineries have come online now. It allows Google to bring "trekker" to France for the first time. Trekker uses a...
Blog Post
Travelers Reveal Favorite Brands
TripAdvisor polled more than 30,140 travelers to see their favorite brands to pack in a suitcase. Actually seems like a pretty accurate list to me. Here are a few winners: Hand Sanitizer: Purell Carry-on Luggage: Samsonite Body Lotion and...
Blog Post
25 Yr Old Wins $ 1M Picasso for only $ 135 US
If you fork over $135,you'll have a 1 in 50,000 shot. An exciting way to give to a charity this Christmas season.Read about the offer below http://travel.france24.com/con...casso-yours-just-135 UPDATE: The $ 1 M painting was won by a...
Blog Post
Send Your Teddy Bear on Vacation
If you send your Teddy Bear on one of these Japanese tours,please have them post on TravelGumbo!Is this one of those only in Japan stories or could this be the latest trend? Read all about it...
Blog Post
Portugal's 'Golden Visa' Gaining Traction
If one buys a home or apartment for at least 500,000 Euros and holds it for 5 years, investors will receive a Portuguese residence permit. Rich Chinese business people are doing just that."Only obliged to spend seven days per year in...
Blog Post
Budget Deal Asks Air Passengers to Pay More
The budget deal would more than double the 9/11 Aviation Security Fee from $2.50 per flight segment to $5.60 for a one way journey.Those with multiple flight segments per journey,will actually pay less ,but most will pay...
Blog Post
* Fireworks will Fill the Skies of Dubai *
Dubai says it has over 400,000 fireworks this New Years Eve.Read more about the increbible plans.This will be something to see. http://travel.france24.com/con...rs-eve-firework-show UPDATE: The show in Dubai is getting rave reviews:...
Blog Post
Lovers of Cannabis Rejoice !
Colorado & Washington State are getting ready for Jan 1st when new state laws make it legal for recreational Marijuana stores in those states http://travel.france24.com/con...es-eye-tourism-surge
Blog Post
Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 9: Norway's Fjords
Cruise ship is dwarfed by steep mountains as it enters Norway’s Naeroyfjord, an arm of the Sognefjord in the rugged coastal mountains north of Bergen. A network of these deep waterways connects scattered areas of small towns and farms on...
Blog Post
Adding Sound to Google Street View
British hearing specialists have created a platform that adds sound to Google Street View . It’s called Sounds of Street View . What a great idea! Read More:...
Blog Post
Get a Call From a Statue!
London and Manchester ,England have launched "Talking Statues" , where visitors swipe their smartphones at the statue to get a call from that historical figure telling them more. Read more:...
Blog Post
Summer Camps for Adults
Cheapflights has compiled a list of some Summer Camps for adults.The list includes a Rock-n Roll Fantasy Camp,Surfing Camps, a Grape Camp and even a Zombie Survival course. Read More: http://travel.france24.com/con...-summer-camps-adults...
Blog Post
Websites Tackles Tipping Around the World
It's one question that always comes up among travelers, "What is the customary tip ?" A new website http://www.tipthismuch.in/ offers some guidelines about tipping around the World. After looking at the site, I'm still left with a...
Blog Post
Ryanair Creates Online Travel Guides
Ryanair has created online travel guides that can be downloaded for free for the destinations they serve.The new guides cover sightseeing ,hotel ,dining and shopping listings, as well as nightlife,airport & map info. Read More www.ryanair.com/en/discover-europe/ . http://travel.france24.com/con...online-travel-guides