Tag: Holiday travel

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You and All Your Friends Are Apparently Road-Tripping Over Memorial Day

May 23, 2012 at 9:09 AM | by | Comments (0)

In what has to be one of the weirder press releases we've read in a long time, U-Haul is literally yelling at people regarding "the true meaning of Memorial Day." Quote-unquote: "Memorial Day IS NOT about getting an extra day off from work, having a picnic with family and friends, or taking advantage of all the many sales that will be offered." That ought to do the trick, because if there's anything we know about the Internet it's that capital letters are extra persuasive.

And yet somehow it seems as if holiday travelers haven't gotten the memo. U-Haul's caps aside, more Americans will be vacationing over this year's Memorial Day travel period than ever before. In 2011 the five-day period—Thursday through Monday—saw zero increase over 2010. One year later, with an economy that's kind of sort of improving, road trips are expected to be up to the tune of half a million more travelers.

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The Most Popular Airports for Memorial Day, According to Foursquare

May 17, 2012 at 1:13 PM | by | Comments (0)

Are you psyched for Memorial Day yet? It's Monday, May 28, in case you hadn't yet penciled it into your iCal, and with the nice weather the US has had so far, it's going to be a doozy for traveling.

We know Foursquare is already beyond excited. The location-based social networking app is bracing for all the airport, airplane, turnpike, backyard BBQ and lobster shack check-ins that are sure to come from the long holiday weekend, and they've just shared with us the most popular airport (and other travel centers) from past Memorial Days, including the most checked-into city pairs!

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Get Outta Town: Four Times of the Year to Avoid Certain Cities

May 17, 2012 at 11:24 AM | by | Comments (0)

While the NATO Summit clogs up traffic and shuts down parts of Chicago for security's sake this week, many of the Windy City's residents are wishing they'd have thought to get the heck outta town. Some did, as we have Chicago friends who scattered to Brazil and Paris to miss these NATO days.

Still, the negative push to get away from the city got us thinking, about other events and holidays that flush a population out of their metropolis and into travel mode. We've featured four more mass exoduses, which you should take to heart as travel caution. Visit during the holiday, risk higher prices and fewer cool locals with whom to make friends. If you love being surrounded by other tourists, however, this would be the time.

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Plan Now, if Not Months Ago, for Passover in Israel

March 14, 2012 at 12:33 PM | by | Comments (0)

It's prime travel time to Israel, but. BUT! There's an incredible amount of tension in Israel right now, with sporadic fighting in the country's south and a looming crisis with Iran on the horizon. So if you're the kind of person who looks for deep travel discounts in the wake of geopolitical unrest, as we've urged you to be, you might want to keep your eyes on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem deals.

On the other hand, last month saw a record-breaking number of tourists visit the Holy Land, braving not only the geopolitical problems but also fairly horrendous weather. That kind of demand is going to keep prices at the very least stable, and Israel is already a country with a high cost of living. But those aren't the only reasons why Israel travel is going to stay pricey.

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Operation Flower Flight: How LAN Airlines Makes Valentine's Day Possible

Where: Santiago, Chile
February 17, 2012 at 10:14 AM | by | Comments (0)

Oh hey there cutie, did someone give you flowers for Valentine's Day?

If you're smiling at a bouquet of fresh blooms this week, take a moment to think about the journey they had to make before ending up in that crystal vase you bought at a garage sale. Unless you picked them from your backyard or purchased them from a local greenhouse, there's a huge chance each flower had a ticket on LAN Airlines, up from South America.

Indeed, just for the big rush before flower-heavy holidays (Valentine's, Mother's Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving), LAN's cargo airplanes ship in some 15 million bouquets, the majority of which are red roses, followed by carnations, pompons and chrysanthemum. Overall they transport around 30% of the entire world's flower market year-round.

Fun fact! During the week before V-day, "168 flights will carry flowers from Colombia and Ecuador—this means that every 2 hours, a LAN CARGO aircraft full of flowers is taking off."

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The Day Pigs Flew and British Airways Rocked a Long-Haul Flight

January 19, 2012 at 10:06 AM | by | Comments (0)

You might remember our surprise (understatement: we nearly had a stroke with shock) when we flew British Airways from Heathrow to Vegas on Christmas Eve, and were confronted, instead of the usual sullen frowns and can’t-do mentality, by smiles, extra booze, cheery greetings and an atmosphere that didn’t send us screaming for the emergency exit handle.

Back then, we told you about the crew, and promised more on the flight later. Sorry about that—it’s taken three weeks to process the shock of a pleasant BA flight. But anyways. Did the flight-our first longhaul in BA economy for a couple of years-live up to the crew? Let’s see.

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Transatlantic Time Hop: Skipping the New Year on British Airways

January 2, 2012 at 5:03 PM | by | Comments (0)


Comedy hats and smiles. Two things you don't normally expect to see British Airways staff wearing

When we told people last week we were flying British Airways from Las Vegas to London overnight on New Year’s Eve, they were aghast. Why weren’t we partying? Why were we flying alone? Why were we leaving Vegas on the best night to be in Vegas?

We told them they were wrong on several counts. First, NYE in Vegas is horrendo, period. Second, after the Christmas Eve mini party we experienced on our flight out, we suspected the return journey could actually be fun. Thirdly—since there are few things we enjoy less than forced festivity—the idea of spending NYE at 40,000ft watching crappy movies was highly appealing.

And fourth, we coolly assumed we’d fly past loads of fireworks and cross so many timezones that we’d witness the year turning about six times before we reached London.

So how was it?

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Celebs Stuck Together for New Year's Weekend Travel

January 2, 2012 at 1:40 PM | by | Comments (0)

This year, New Year's Eve was about banding together for celebrities.

Maybe the most unlikely celeb pairing of the weekend was Gwyneth Paltrow and Courtney Love, who partied together in Abu Dhabi on NYE. Over the weekend Courtney tweeted, “getting the best [advice] for the new years from a true friend, love you @GwynethPaltrow @Goop xoxo.” Later Gwyneth added, “Happy New Year everyone from Abu Dhabi! Hoping 2012 is your best year ever.”

On the other side of the world, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, and their L.A. neighbor Jimmy Kimmel—who was with his girlfriend Molly McNearney—spent New Year's Eve in Kauai, Hawaii. The couples were spotted hitting the surf together in wetsuits on Saturday.

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Australia on New Year's Eve: How Aussies Will Boogie Down, Down Under

Where: Australia
December 27, 2011 at 11:39 AM | by | Comments (0)

New Years Eve plans don't have to include ways to stay warm while singing Auld Lang Syne, or fighting for a cab in a snowstorm. it's summer down under in Australia! And some time spent with friends and family on a beach or dining alfresco while watching a fireworks display of Olympic proportions can surely be on your December 31st agenda.

Australia is one of the first countries to ring in the new year. Each city center hosts a myriad of events showcasing the individuality of each region, while drawing domestic and international visitors alike.

Please make sure you leave the fireworks to the professionals, however, as they are illegal throughout the country. Here's what's going on, plus our own tips for what to go if you find yourself in Australia this weekend:

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Merry GIFsmas, from Jaunted

December 24, 2011 at 6:54 PM | by | Comments (0)

Happy Holidays to you, our awesome readers. We've already got everything we wanted—you guys.
Safe and awesome travels this long weekend!

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Three Airports That Already Celebrated the Holidays with Flashmobs

December 23, 2011 at 11:04 AM | by | Comments (0)

Traveling today? Who isn't?! Luckily not flashmobbers, since the holiday airport flashmobs are done for the season; airports don't want to crowd up their walkways on one of the busiest travel days of the year, you see. Flashmobs already got their dancing and videos out of the way over the last few weeks.

Without a doubt, the winner for best airport flashmob of winter 2011 is Denver International, with their swing-happy routine. Essentially they Lindy-bombed the place. The video above is energetic enough to hold your attention all the way through, and perhaps even get you grinning.

The following two videos are flashmob-esque:

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Foreign Grocery Friday: The Ponche Crema of Venezuela

Where: Venezuela
December 23, 2011 at 10:11 AM | by | Comments (0)

When we travel, one of our favorite things to do is to pop into a local grocery store and check out the food products and candies we'd never find anywhere else. So we're trying out this new feature, Foreign Grocery Friday, where each week we'll feature some of our (and your) favorite overseas treats. Got a recommendation? Let us know!

Hope you like rum. Since Venezuela is the producer for some of the world's best rums, it only makes sense that they've have a far better version of egg nog than most of the rest of the world. Their boozy, creamy holiday drink is called the Ponche Crema, and it's not just limited to Venezuela either; this is a drink enjoyed in the southern Caribbean as well, and since so many travelers head to spend Christmas break in the balmy weather, a Ponche Crema or two may be part of the holiday feasting.

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