If you want to take a break from the usual barbecue ritual for Father's Day, treat dad to a quickie getaway. There are still several last-minute deals that will make dad happy and make you look like the best child he ever had.
Check out these three last-minute trips for dad. ]]>
If you'll forgive us for talking about The Bachelorette at all, then we just want to say that not only is Australia getting the TV love next year with The Oprah Show, but it looks like Fiji will have its turn in the reality tv limelight as The Bachelorette is in talks to film part of the next season there.
The Fiji Times reports that last season's little excursion to Tahiti did for the exotic destination something like what The Love Boat did for cruising: "Tahiti hosted the last season of the show and reportedly gained about US$150million (FJ$277m) from the exposure." Who are all these people who see a show and immediately book pricey packages to give that lift? We need more convincing than watching two hours of people alternately fighting then making out in hottubs to get us to go somewhere, but evidently the exposure works. ]]>
Summer may be winding down, but don't get out those winter coats just yet. If a couple of weeks in a warm climate helping kids sounds like a better option than schlepping through the snow, take a look at Projects Abroad's voluntourism trips to Fiji.
Projects Abroad is one of the leading organizations for pairing volunteers with opportunities around the world. In Fiji, Projects Abroad is based in Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu, where they work primarily with children. Care project volunteers work at kindergartens, orphanages or at centers for children with learning disabilities. Most volunteers become teaching volunteers, to assist teachers in the classroom. ]]>
Most of the east coast is getting ready for some winter weather this weekend, and after the middle of the country was blanketed with snow a couple weeks ago, it’s already time to go somewhere warm. Continental Airlines already has been promising tropical locations to much of Orange County, California, and now they are going a little farther.
Having a little extra cash in the budget after beginning to equip their planes with in-flight WiFi, the airline now has its eyes set on Fiji. You’ll have to connect in Honolulu or Guam, but it’s just another option to get to one of the ideals of paradise. Right now there are no US based airlines that fly to Nadi International Airport, so we say this is a good thing. Not that there’s anything wrong with taking Air New Zealand to get there or anything, but we just like options. The new flights start today. ]]>
There's an argument floating around about how tourism board video contests73151;Tahiti's iPhone competition from June being a good example—are on the verge of becoming gimmicky and routine. It kind of makes sense, especially if you figure that there's a limited number of people inclined to enter and they'll give up after losing too many similar contests. On the other hand, the lottery is still in business and the most recent video contest is being promoted by Tourism Fiji. As long as there are still competitions with the 333 island paradise as their grand prize, it's probably safe to say people will keep competing.
The contest, dubbed the Ultimate Fiji Adventurer, calls on "thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies" to display their "daring and creativity" in a video highlighting why they're a good fit for Fiji and why Fiji's a good fit for adventurers. Winners get roundtrip airfare from LAX to Nadi on Air Pacific, seven nights at the decadent Sonaisali Island Resort, and daily meals at the resort. ]]>
One of our biggest pet peeves when it comes to booking flights is the do-si-do websites do with displaying airfares; get us all excited with super cheap prices, but then tack on another couple hundred dollars in taxes and fees before checkout. One of the biggest offenders, aside from Ryanair. that is, is British Airways and their "JFK to LHR" specials which quickly turn a tasty $250 one-way into a sour $730 roundtrip.
Why must websites and email promotions tempt us so; why not just display juicy deals with taxes included? Our most recent disappointment comes at the hands of Air Pacific, Fiji's national airline. After we received a press release boasting of "unbeatable" $565 roundtrips (and no mention of taxes or fees) between LAX and Nadi, Fiji, we nearly choked on our chocolate donut.
For a moment, thoughts of gently swaying palm trees and scuba in crystal clear water danced in our head, but arrival to the Air Pacific website revealed that actually, the price with taxes comes to nearly $900. So much for tropical daydreams. Wake us when airfare sales actually return to being sales.
Related Stories:
· Flight Specials [Air Pacific]
· What It Really Costs to Fly Ryanair [Jaunted]
· Airline Fees Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: superciliousness]]]>
Fijian tourism is suffering, and it's not just because of military coups. Nope, the thing that's really killing 'em is an incident last year in which a drunken Fijian soldier urinated on a Japanese tourist on board an Air Pacific flight.
Believe it or not, said the Fiji Times:
Urinating on a tourist on an international flight is a high-profile incident which gains global notoriety.
And getting peed on is only half of it. From cab drivers who overcharge tourists, to shop vendors working the hard sell to gum-smacking customs officers, the tourism industry is doing everything it can to give the country a black eye, the newspaper says. While there aren't any quick fixes listed, we've gotta figure that making it to the airplane lav in time would be a good start.
Related Stories:
· Urinating on Japanese Tourist Hits Fiji Tourism Badly [Stuff.co.nz]
· Coup Travel: The South Pacific's the Place [Jaunted]
[Photo: Wikipedia]]]>
