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Not sure if you can bring Grandma's famous fruitcake on the plane? Let us help you. Check out this list of items from the TSA.
Put these items in your checked bag, ship them ahead or leave them at home.
The Philadelphia Enquirer had THIS to say about the H1N1 virus's impact on travel:
We have not heard much lately about how business travel may have been affected by the spread of the H!N1 flu virus (aka swine flu). One explanation for that may be in the resuls of a survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives of 109 international companies taken earlier this month. It was released at the group's global conference in Prague, Czech Republic.
In a statement issued today, the organization said that despite President Obama's declaration of a national emergency to deal with the rapid spread of swine flu, the vast majority of the companies aren't canceling meetings or business trips because of it. ACTE executive director Susan Gurley said companies have serious concerns about the potential spread of the disease, but they have yet to alter travel plans for the rest of 2009 or 2010.
In the survey, 91 percent of those responding said they were not holding off on planning meetings or conferences. Even more telling, 96 percent said business travelers had not asked to hold off heading out on trips during the flu season.
We say, if you're going to travel, pour some hand sanitizer in a TSA-compliant GoToob to have some germ-fighting power on the go. When you arrive at your destination, remember that frequent handwashing is key.
Avoiding extra charges while you fly is more difficult than ever. While some are unavoidable (checking bags *cough*) you can avoid having an overweight bag by weighing it before you head to the airport.
This week, we're featuring a digital luggage scale that will save you money:
The portable digital luggage scale is designed with the traveler in mind. Pack smart and weigh your luggage.
Key features:
New Overweight Checked Luggage Fees
Checkout these last-minute jaunts that happen to be fabulous Halloween weekend deals featured on New York Times online.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is offering rooms for $129 a night from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31. In addition to celebrating at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom, guests can trick or treat around the resort and watch a pie-eating contest. To book, call (800) 227-1500 and mention the code Spooky.
If you want to combine leaf-peeping and trick-or-treating, Family Travel Forum, a Web site for family vacation planning, suggests a spooktacular weekend itinerary in Tarrytown, N.Y., with kid-friendly activities and accommodations at a DoubleTree Hotel for $129 a night. The site also lists free Halloween activities in New York City.
For adults, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is offering a Trick or Tweet package that includes two nights, two spa passes, VIP passes to the PURE Nightclub and a $50 resort credit for $175 a night (normally $275). Plus, guests who follow the resort on Twitter or Facebook will receive updates all weekend about free food, drink specials and giveaways. Reserve online using the code PKGCTOT. The rate is available for Oct. 30 and 31.
In Missouri, the Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson, is offering a Titanic Museum Masquerade Dinner Party Package, which includes two tickets to a Friday night masquerade, where the costumed crew will tell unexplainable tales, like how the ship may have been cursed by an Egyptian mummy. The one-night package starts at $299, based on double occupancy. Book online or call (888) 333-5253.
And Travelzoo.com, a travel discounter, has the scoop on more than 20 Halloween deals, including a Colorado hotel featured in “The Shining” and a King Tut exhibit in San Francisco.
It's hard to juggle sippy cups and suitcases throughout the airport and then tell a 4-year-old he or she has to sit still for two and a half hours while the nice pilot man flies the plane to Grandma's house.
That's why we're offering up our top four choices of the best toys to take on a flight. They will help keep your kids occupied without driving other passengers crazy.
1. Little Ladies - A new take on the age-old paper dolls, this dress up kit by Melissa and Doug offers tons of imaginative options, plus your kids are more apt not to lose the bigger pieces.
2. Little Einsteins - It's their favorite Banagrams game travel style. It's a fun learning tool to pass the time for older children.
3. No-mess crafts - This Fun with Felt book from Klutz is the ultimate no-mess art project for your little Picasso.
4. Playful Puppets - For your littlest travelers, fun and friendly finger puppets will help distract them in between naps.
If you normally procrastinate with holiday travel plans, you might pay big time this year. Buying airplane tickets late this season can mean paying premium prices or not getting a seat at all on in demand flights.
According to AAA, more than 50 million Americans will fly for the holidays, but during the recession airlines have started offering few flights creating the perfect conditions for travel-induced migraines for travel procrastinators.
Travel experts suggest shopping now for holiday tickets and purchasing them before the end of the month.
With the flu, colds and everything else flying around as you fly this season, make sure you're armed with the tools to combat germs this season. Check out our small, travel-size hygiene personal care products that keep you clean on the go. They're TSA compliant, too, which means you don't have to worry about security.
Body Wash Soap Sheets
Shampoo Sheets
Hand Soap Sheets - Perfect for airplanes, fair grounds, concerts and more.
There's a place where the rugged coastline meets unabashed beauty of crimson and burnt orange leaves framing the peak of the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic Coast. There's no place like Acadia National Park during autumn.
History:
People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history.
Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries
donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to
many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic
coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike
historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery.
If you only have a half-day: Drive the 20-mile Park Loop Road for breathtaking views of ocean, mountains, and forests. Driving the entire road, including short stops to read wayside exhibits or enjoy the scenery, takes three to four hours.
If you have multiple days: Explore the park's scenic 45-mile carriage road system on a bike or horse-drawn carriage tour **Don't forget a Day Pack**. And don't forget to have tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House, a tradition for more than a century.
Sometimes flights can be uncomfortable, whether they're long, crowded or at a less-than stellar time of day (Red Eye, anyone?). Something as simple a super comfortable pillow can make your flight much more enjoyable.
