Tagged With "Airport Collaborative Decision Making"
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Re: Crashing the geocache
Hello TatToo, I live in Europe especially Germany. I do know Geocaching and of course the game is known here. If you don't have a GPS device with a European card in it you can use your mobile phone as long you have the geocaching app. Before your son goes to Europe just with that mobile phone, make sure he looks for geocaches in areas he will be first and download the map and the cache itself. Even if you don't have an Internet connection they can use it via GPS. I did it in USA and it has...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Good discussion! WiFi has for me become an indispensable part of traveling. It allows me to stay in touch with family easily and cheaply (remember how hard it was even 25 years ago -- a phone call could run you $5 a minute? And there was no email). It lets me spend evening hours clearing out a hefty email que, and doing research on what I am going to see tomorrow and the next day. And with "Gumbo on the Go", it lets me share my travels as they happen with fellow Gumboites! I echo PHeymont's...
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Re: Films that affected your Travel destinations
This is going to seem odd, I guess...but as a kid I really enjoyed the Road to.... pictures with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. Nothing really serious about them on the surface...but all of them play in some way with the idea of different cultures and how not understanding them can lead to strange circumstances. Of course, in the Road films, no really bad consequences ever happen, but still...they did make me curious.
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Re: Films that affected your Travel destinations
Casablanca...and it's funny, but it didn't make me want to go to Casablance, it made me want to go to "Paris before the war." And if Ingrid Bergman could be there with me...
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Again thanks, this is incredibly helpful!! So I think I'll look at trains for trips from bigger cities to other cities, and fill in the gaps with bus if the pricing works out. A little more planning is needed. Even though it's expensive, I do want to spend around a week in London. Being an architect, there's just so much to see and do there, like seeing the Houses of Parliament and Westminister Abbey. I plan on being on the go almost all day each day there -- can rest later, maybe in the...
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Re: Spring Honeymoon Help
Congratulations SueZee! We're delighted in your marriage, and you've picked a great country in which to honeymoon. May is not too early to go to Italy, although pack a light jacket just in case. The crowds won't be there yet and you'll save some money when compared to the peak summer season. Where to go is very much a matter of taste. Most definitely you need to go to Venice and I'd say spend at least 5 days here, maybe with a day trip or two (such as to the glass making island of Murano or...
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Re: Traveling for Local Food
To be honest, Varsity ain't what it was when I was in college...there's better places around. Some good stuff on Marietta St. near the convention center, and lots of good places in Decatur area (we're near there). That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for to make up our road trip.
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Everyone's been very helpful! I can't tell you what a great welcoming and helpful group of people you are. My uncle is an employee of Delta, so he has some kind of free ticket that requires me to fly on Delta only (no partners). I will have him check into the dates. I like the idea of flying up to Manchester, slowly working my way to London then returning from Paris. I think going to Amsterdam is more than I can bite off now, plus I want to spend the time seeing stuff, not traveling all the...
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Re: Renting an apartment in Europe
Of course, you don't have to cook. But it is nice to make a pot of coffee in the morning and eat nice warm croissants fetched from the bakery down the street, before you venture out into the city. It's also pleasant once in a while when you are tired at day's end to pick up something to heat in the microwave and maybe a bottle of decent wine for only a few euro, and sit with feet up and watch TV. Ahhh....
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Re: Safe to fly on New Years?
Just don't spill any salt on your meal and make sure you don't walk under any ladders at the airport.
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Re: Gifts to bring back from Portugal or Barcellona
I am no shopper so I try to make this gift-buying task easy. When I arrive at the large entry airport, I like to stretch my legs, get a cup of takeaway coffee, and cruise the airport gift shops. Almost always, I can find little magnets of the country flag, local tiles, miniature photos, the sports team, or handiwork mounted on refrigerator magnets. I pick up a few of those and am good to go for my visit. One more thing off of my list. Refrigerator magnets are easy to carry, no problem with...
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
It just compromises passenger safety for extra profit ! It would make flights cheaper. But you and I wouldn't see the savings ! Airlines have shown they would squeeze you dry into a bucket for another Dollar ! Ooops ! Sorry, They already do that.
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
Boeing is really big up here in Seattle. I know they make great planes. But like FlashFlyer said, things can go really wrong and I'd just feel better knowing there's someone in the cockpit besides a robot.
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Re: Hi Everybody! I'm new here.
By the way, Mrs. Briggs, the question about a road trip in California is a good one. Why don't you start a separate forum page (thread) on that? One way to make it easier for people in the future to benefit from our discussions. Ted, if you have suggestions for Mrs. Briggs, keep an eye out for that and help her out.
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Re: Air Miles vs Low Fare Airline
Amazing the way these calculations work out. We're going to England next spring, using American Airlines points. The flight selection offered us flights on British Airways and American. The AA flights cost the points plus government fees. The BA flights cost the points plus the government fees, plus enough surcharges to make a $1000+ difference. If I only had the BA flights, I'd certainly rather find a low-cost carrier! It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming year as Aer...
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
I did some initial research today on cell phone rentals also, and have come down to 2 options basically, any experience notes with either of these companies would also be appreciated: www.mobal.com ($29 to buy a phone, and then pre-paid card loading) www.cellularabroad.com (straight rental, but calling rates may make it a cheaper option in the end than mobal). thanks!
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
I have a Mobell (same company as Mobal) UK sim that I got years ago, very convenient, phone bills charged to my credit card, rather than having to keep track of the balance and "top up". However, calls are relatively expensive although I don't mind for the convenience and limited use when I'm in the UK. Knowing full well it would cost me, about a £ a minute because I was in Italy, I allowed a British friend who was meeting me in Italy to call me when she arrived using her UK phone and my UK...
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Re: London- multiple questions
You've gotten some great advice! I think that as a daytrip, Liverpool pushing the fringes of what you want to do because of the cost and travel time (total 5 hours). Maybe best to make an overnight of that one?
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Re: GPS v. Sicily = WTF
I have mixed feelings about GPS. Sometimes they're a good send. Other times they make for hazardous driving. As a rule, I still prefer old fashioned maps. Call me old fashioned..... As Pheymont said, hope you can share some of those great Sicilian travel experiences with us, Rbciao!
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Re: London- multiple questions
Thank you for all of the information. I am finally ready to finalize some things since we leave at the end of this month! We have decided not to do Liverpool...seems like we should come back and do that someday. I am thinking the Megabus option may be the way to go to Salisbury and catch the shuttle to Stonehenge from there. That way we can see the cathedral while we are there. Do you know if it is a short walk to the cathedral or will we need to take a taxi from the Megabus stop? Do you...
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Re: Impression about Perth, Australia
I've actually visited Perth, attending a medical meeting there some years back. I really enjoyed the city. Mostly modern, but with historic colonial era buildings. Very friendly people, especially considering they're all descended from convicts (a point of pride and good humor with them, I found). Perth was a good springboard for a road-trip around southwestern Australia, including a drive up to Shark's Bay, through the wildflower way (am I remember that name correctly), down to the large...
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
I think it depends on where one lives. Yes, those three cities may be faster; however should someone live IN Oakland, it may take them mere minutes using public transportation to get to the Oakland airport. And, using Oakland as an example, it takes me less time to get to the Oakland airport from my house using public transport than it would if I were to take my car simply because of traffic. However, to travel to my home to San Francisco (SFO) it is actually longer to take public transport...
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
Taking a bus from Honolulu is quicker than taking the freeway? Even with bad traffic (which the buses would also get trapped in) I find this hard to believe. I agree with Jen. Depends on where you live. Many of us would welcome reliable fast public transportation serving our airports. The cab lobby has effectively prevented that in many cities.
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
There's certainly a lot of variation, as I also noted above. And sometimes the planners don't help much either, as is the case with all three of our New York airports, where the whole AirTrain concept is completely botched. At Kennedy, the AirTrain's stations are not in, but sort of near, the terminals. That means you have to drag your stuff outside, across the roadways, and then up stairs or elevator to the train. And then, you have a choice of going to the commuter rail station (about 3...
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
Originally Posted by PHeymont You just have to conclude that all this planning is done by people who have chauffeurs or helicopters to get them to the plane on time... Or progress is blocked by some politician or lobbyist... ;-) I did just get a chance to read the blog you linked. While I agree that public transportation is much more available in Europe, and perhaps Asia, however with the few examples he sites, there really are few cities that have that 15-20 minute from "airport to...
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
London was mentioned, actually...Heathrow Express in 15 minutes to Paddington. There's also a slightly-slower less expensive version. Skipped the CAT in Vienna last month, but the regular S-Bahn only took 28 minutes... Paris...hate to say anything bad about Paris, but RER is NOT a great way to do that...needs a true express.
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
Heathrow Express MAY take 15 minutes. The only time it was convenient for me and I decided to give it try, it stopped part-way to Heathrow and we just sat there. I'd have gotten to the airport faster and paid quite a bit less to take the slower train from Paddington, the Heathrow Connect. Since then I make a point to stay along the Piccadilly Line of the London tube and pay the least of all.
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Re: Republic of San Marino
Great report and photos! I'll make sure that I add San Marino on my ever expanding travel list.
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Re: Beating Jet Lag
My method is similar--get on the local schedule as best as I can. I do not nap upon arrival. Fortunately, I am usually so dang excited that adrenaline takes over and am usually fairly alert until after dinner time. Unfortunately, that also means I have nearly an impossible time sleeping on planes. Even with a sleep aid. I've read of people adjusting their schedule for up to two weeks ahead of time to make up for the change in the schedule, making their sleep rhythms in tune with the local...
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Re: Beating Jet Lag
Some people claim the newer generations of jet-liners, like the Boeing 787, will reduce jet lag because they allow higher humidity in the cabin and higher air pressure (more oxygen). In fact that was discussed right here on a TravelGumbo during an interview with Norwegian Air . A few more points. I try not to have more than one or two connections on any flight, especially on overseas trips (for people traveling from small cities, this can be challenging). I find the fatigue factor clouds my...
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Re: Are you a chatty seat-mate?
Yes, I'd make up the 5% as being in the chatty-seatmate column!
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Re: Is Visa everywhere you want to be?
Very good advice, Rob...and also check with the card-issuer what fees it charges for overseas use...some of them not only charge foreign-exchange fees, but also hefty ATM fees! One idea that may make sense for many travelers: Charles Schwab has a "high-yield investment" checking account that seems almost like a dream. No fees, no minimum balance, no foreign exchange fees, no ATM fees, and if anyone charges you an ATM fee, they refund it. It's linked to an investment account, but you don't...
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Re: World's most attractive libraries
Technically speaking, it's not a "best of..." but a "world's most stunning" list. I understand I may be splitting hairs with that argument. In any event, one needs to make an exception for really valuable lists, like libraries or books. There's something special about a great book and a great bookshop. The smells, the textures, the visual stimulation -- always work wonders for me. Thanks for these additions.
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Re: Lost a US Passport Overseas? What I learned this trip.
i believe that we should make a copy of our passport and bring some photos (passport size) before departure. It will be really useful in the case we lost our passport. This is my travel experience whilst working as travel consultant in Vietnam.
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Re: How do you buy your travel?
Hi TravelGirlJenn, I've used Expedia to buy tickets a number of times, only once or twice with Priceline, never with Kayak. The big advantage is that you get to see often hundreds of competitive prices, not just the few the airline sites directly show you. And often they are cheaper than directly buying from the airline. Whether or not you can pick your seat in advance is completely up to the airline, not to the online travel site (eg. Expedia). Some airlines (eg. United, Alaska) do let you...
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Re: How do you buy your travel?
A reminder I used to post on other sites...when you book through an agency, with OTA or brick-and-mortar, the next step is to ask them for the airline locator number (that 6-digit string that goes on your reservation). With that code, go to the airline's site and search for your reservation...doesn't matter if you didn't book it with them directly, you'll be able to find it with the code and your name. If not, call the airline! The reason for all this is to make sure that the agency did its...
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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...
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Re: How do you buy your travel?
There's been no mention, that I noticed, of consolidators for multi-segment air travel. I've had great success over the years using Airtreks and now, after a number of bookings, have a "relationship" with an agent there. The only job of a consolidator is to find their clients the cheapest fares point to point and string them together to make a unique personalized trip. They use airlines with which they have contracts for the lowest fares so, short of a spectacular sale, will, as far as I can...
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Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Well, I said so much about Iceland, I decided to leave the rest for another post. Getting from Barcelona (or Madrid) to Lisbon: the only practical way is to fly. Train takes too long for this one, and costs more! From Barcelona to Lisbon, flights on Vueling, Iberia, TAP, etc. run from $35 one-way to about $80 before you hit the high-priced ones. I just looked in May; Vueling and Iberia have $68 in the morning and $35 at 7:30 pm. Madrid-Lisbon, there's a $40 mid-day flight, but most other...
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Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
If you can, pay the extra to go straight into Marrakech as going in via Casa is more hassle and time that detracts from the fun of your holiday. This is especially if you have to fly via a European hub first as it is all airport, airport, airport, Marrakech is "THE" experience of Morocco and honestly very "full on" - just please hook up with local guides, probably and preferably via the hotel, who will deflect some of the more 'enthusiastic' locals who might make life a bit tedious. There is...
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Re: Weekend getaways. Where's your favorite spot
We are west of Denver in Morrison, Colorado. It is always fun to go out to Dinosaur Ridge to see the dinosaur tracks. They have a bus and some really good guides. Sometimes, we make a day of hiking at Red Rocks.
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Re: Visiting great places -- before they're gone
TB, I have been up the Amazon River as far as Manaus. There were bugs but they were extra rad Brazilian bugs so I did not care. Should we strive to get to places before they are gone ? It is an oxymoron. In the getting there, we make the place disappear. The very fact that a new element - the visitor - is there changes the place. Margaret Mead And David Livingstone each noted that phenomenon. Anthropology is the science which tells us that people are the same the whole world over - except...
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Re: Camera Advice, Please?
Reading reviews on camera brands will make you see everything from specs, info and features.
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Re: Camera Advice, Please?
I use the Lumix as my "on the hip at all times" camera as well. Pretty pleased with it. A still use my Canon SLR when lighting and convenience make it feasible to.
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Re: Planning a Road Trip
That's an interesting tripod, TravelandNature, but you won't catch me on anything that potentially could launch me as a projectile at 60 mph. And, unless you're very macho, you'll not enjoy yourself in bad weather. So if you want to walk on the wild side, rent a convertible, or buy an older one, drive it for a month and sell it in Seattle (not exactly a city for convertibles, except on rare days). Regarding on where to go and how to plan the trip, I'd make a point of going by my local AAA...
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Re: Planning a Road Trip
Hey, guys...thanks for a bunch of good ideas! I think the 3-wheel bike is not for me, but the idea of buying an old ragtop and then selling it appeals to me. Not even sure I'll need a car living in Seattle, but don't know yet (job is near the waterfront, but don't know where I can afford to live!) National Parks idea sounds really good to me...I've loved the ones I've been to before. Shunpiking? I didn't make that up! This is from Merriam Webster:
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Re: Spain or Portugal?
Usually these days I put together a "trip book" with articles and information from a lot of sources, but I also usually take along one full-scale guidebook as well. I'd be hard-put to make a recommendation for Portugal, because for that one I decided to overcome my feelings and give Rick Steves a try...and it was nearly useless. No special information, a smug tone, and maps that were too sketchy to be useful. In general, I've liked the Frommer guides (and I'm excited that the new ones will...
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Re: The Legend of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula)
Well first thank you for reading my post:d I just want to share what my country can offer I'll start with the wine cuz' you know we talk here about vampires and stuff. Our land can provide fine wines also, because we have a vast grapevine crops, the most in the land Dobrogea, which starts from the near field of Bucharest and goes all the way through the country and reach its fullest near the Constanta county (the county near the sea). Also we have a some wine tours, which you can follow if...
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Re: More Then & Now Photos.
Sigh... 1908 to 2013 comparisons give me a thrill and glow. 1980 to 2013 comparisons make me feel time is passing me by I wonder why!