Natalie Tran (community channel) in Mexico with Lonely Planet

Check out where Natalie is...Mexico beautiful and I love the food!!

High Gas Prices Increasing Air Fares

The gas prices are soaring at an all time high causing the ripple effect on the cost of flying with major airlines.  The hottest travel news right now is all about the price wars and the small public charter airlines that are emerging to profit by offering travelers extremely low air fares. The following public charter airlines are hitting the news.

Direct Air, based in Myrtle Beach, S.C., announced plans today to fly between Lakeland Linder Regional Airport and four destinations: Niagara Falls, N.Y., Hagerstown, Md., Springfield, Ill., and Myrtle Beach. The flights start June 23. The airline is offering $79 one-way fares on the new route through Saturday on its website (visitdirectair.com).  Lakeland's airport hasn't hosted scheduled airline service since the late 1970s.
From 2006 to 2007, air taxi operator DayJet provided limited flights.  In 2007, Direct Air launched flights from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport to Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls and Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss.  Direct Air will fly the Lakeland routes with a Boeing 737-400 supplied by charter operator King Air, which moved its headquarters from California to Lakeland last year.

Sun Country Airlines based in St. Paul, MN announced that they have been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve Washington National Airport from Lansing, Michigan. The daily round trip flight will originate in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and stop in Lansing before continuing onto Washington, D.C. Flight times and dates will be announced in the near future.

Sun Country will offer daily service featuring modern, fuel efficient, Boeing 737 aircraft with both First Class and Coach service from Terminal 2/Humphrey in Minneapolis/St. Paul to Washington National Airport. “This service will provide a great benefit to customers in both Minnesota and Michigan by providing a competitive low fare alternative.  Sun Country will commence service December 22, 2010 to Orlando, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Cancun and Montego Bay from the Capital Region International Airport.
In addition the Airline recently announced twice weekly service from Minneapolis/St. Paul to London Gatwick Airport commencing May 27, 2011 and operating through September 4, 2011.
They also launched a unique program called "Fall Free For All" a $499 pass, for 37 days unlimited travel to any domestic and international destinations this Fall.  For the price of a single ticket on other airlines, Sun Country travelers can reserve their pass beginning August 16th to August 24th and use the Fall Free For All pass and have access to any coach-class seat available with no blackout dates.  I think this is really a unique and smart idea that will prove to make money for this airline.

Vision, which is based in suburban Atlanta and started flying in December, has built its schedule to cover 24 cities in 14 states, almost all of them within 500 miles of its hub at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. Until now, Vision has not gone farther West than Houston.  The company's management has closely followed the template of Allegiant Air, operated by Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., which picks a resort city as the primary focus, then connects it to other cities with nonstop routes where other airlines previously required connections.  The fares are set to undercut competitors, with some promotional seats being sold as cheaply as $19 one way, but with separate charges for other items.  Vision Air Holdings, which started in 1994, has run charters to Gulf Coast casinos, Cuba and Afghanistan. Other divisions operate tours to the Grand Canyon out of the North Las Vegas Airport and sell vacation packages.

All 3 of these once charter airlines are starting to increase their momentum in capturing travelers with the excellent deals their offering and cutting the major airlines  These airlines have found their niche and are really able to compete right now with the big guys given their strategy and pricing.  Hooray for the little guy!!








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What You Need to Know About Passports & Visas

Passports & Visas: What You Need To Know

A passport is the internationally recognized identification document you need to enter and leave foreign countries. A visa is your specific permission to enter certain countries requiring them. (Please note: Not all foreign countries require visas; check the country's embassy website to learn more.)

Passports are issued by the country in which you are a citizen. Only the U.S. State Department can issue passports to U.S. citizens. If you are a U.S. citizen, here's what you need to know:

•Traveling to and from U.S. Territories: No passport is required if you're entering or leaving American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Swains Island, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
•International Air Travel: Passports are required for all U.S. citizens traveling by air to any international destination other than U.S. Territories.
•Land and Sea Travel: Passports are required for all U.S. citizens traveling abroad by land, sea, or air.

Detailed Information
Passport, visa, and health requirements for international travel can vary based on your mode of travel. According to the U.S. State Department, processing time for routine passport service can run up to six weeks. However, it's possible to get your passport in three weeks or less if necessary. Click on the links below for the latest U.S. passport-related information:

For general passport and visa information:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
How to apply:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html
To find the nearest location to apply:
http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
To find current processing time for routine service:

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html

To learn about expedited passport processing:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_831.html

To check the status of your passport application:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html

To renew an existing passport:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html

The City of Lights!

A Little About Paris
Today we will visit Paris, France the land of romance!  There are lot of things Paris is really known for. Being the largest city in France as well as in Europe, The cosmopolitan capital city of France is known to be the City of Love.  It has a well-known reputation of being the most romantic city in the whole world because of its lovely sceneries, beautiful ambiance and significant culture. 
Paris is acknowledged for its classy food and great fashion sense. It is also known as the City of Lights and now considered as one of the most well-liked tourist destination in the world nowadays.  If you are up for romantic sightseeing, then Paris is the best destination for you. Eiffel tower is definitely the best tourist spot in Paris.
Eiffel tower is the representation of the world's most romantic city which gives you the most picture perfect setting for marriage proposals. How would you like to get engaged in Paris at the Eiffel Tower?
Paris is considered as one of the greatest fashion capitals of the Western world just like New York, London & Milan. Shopaholic would like to call Paris as Shoppers Heaven because of its hip, classy, high end and continuously evolving fashion styles.  It is a must-see city for globe-trotting tourists – a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetimes.  Located in northern France along the banks of the River Seine, Paris is the largest city in France with a population of 2 million in the city and 10 million more in the surrounding land.

Places to Stay in Paris

One popular budget hotel in Paris is the Hotel Langlois, close to the Paris metro but less than $100 per night.  For less than $150 per night, The Maxim in the city’s hip Latin Quarter is a two-star hotel nestled amongst Parisian cafes and within walking distance of one of the city’s open-air markets.  For high-end travelers, the Westin Paris is located in the heart of Paris, not far from the Louvre.

Paris’s Museums and Cultural Sites

Because Paris has such a long history (the first permanent human habitations were founded around 4200 BC), it has many historical sites and museums worth visiting.  Notre Dame, Paris’s most famous cathedral, was built in the 12th century on the Ile de la Cite, the island in the center of Paris which was also the site of its earliest settlements.  Also on this island is the prison where Marie Antoinette waited out her execution during the French Revolution, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the Pont Neuf – the “new bridge” which is actually the oldest bridge in Paris.
For art lovers, Paris has several world-famous museums, including the Louvre – perhaps the world’s most famous museum, which holds the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.  Other landmarks worth visiting in Paris include the Napoleonic Arc de Triumphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Bastille.  Whether in Paris for business or pleasure, Paris apartments are the ideal accomodation for your stay.  Read unbiased opinions about hotels and vacations at TripAdvisor.

Madrid-Spain

Come with me to Spain one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe.  If you're looking for a vacation spot that has just about everything, Spain is the spot.  It's very popular due to it's beautiful beaches, fabulous nightlife, amazing food, culture & festivities.  Spain is well know for it's traditional architecture, cathedrals, fortresses & mosques.  The country has changed over the years and is now known also for it's cutting edge architecture.
There are many airports in Spain especially Madrid International Airport which is the 4th busiest airport in Europe.  It serves as the main gateway to all of the major cities on the iberian peninsula.  One of the best ways to travel while you're in Spain is by train.  Visit http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html to find out about the train system, check schedules & fares.  Spain today has one of the most modern trains in Europe.  You can also rent a car however, this could take you longer given you would need to find your way around.  Traveling by bus is a fast way to travel as well & you would be able to see the beautiful countryside.  To check bus schedules and fares, visit http://www.movelia.es/ which will give you all the information you need. 
As you prepare for your trip you'll also need to book accomodations while you're in Spain.  If you book your hotel online it's the most cost-effective way to do it.  Make sure that you check many sites to assure you're getting the best deal.  You can do your research, compare rates and get the best deal by using the link under hotels on this blog.  While you're in Madrid you must visit the Chapel of Bones!  It is unbelievable, the walls, ceiling just everywhere you look there are real skulls & bones.  Come visit tomorrow and let's check out Paris.  Please write your comments and subscribe to Travel Alley where your dream destination can become a reality. 

What's Going On?

What's going on in the good ole USA?  The unemployment rate is at an all time high, people are losing their homes and the cost of living is increasing everyday!  It makes me furious when I call one of my creditors to discuss my account and I find the representative on the other end of the phone is difficult to understand.  Why because the companies are outsourcing the jobs they have available to other countries.  I think companies that do this to save a dollar should be fined.  They should be giving jobs to US citizens that are out of work and well qualified.  Banks were given large sums of money to fund programs to help consumers save their home and they do nothing but put the consumer through so many hoops that only about a 1/3 of the people that apply for help actually get it.  Are you mad, I am!  Tell me what gets you mad.

Anthony Bourdain in Uruguay