The New Dynamic Duo of Travel - Star Clippers

You may have assumed that AskAboutTravel.com has got your travel needs covered from head to toe. Whether you are looking to plan the most exclusive honeymoon getaway or the most inclusive family vacation, askabouttravel has the resources to make your desires possible. As your travel horizon broadens, however, and you begin to look for more enticing travel destination Ask About Travel is already one step ahead of you. Ask About Travel has paired up with Star Clippers Cruises, the worlds most elite cruise line, to introduce the accomplished dynamic duo of travel to all you travel buffs.

Star Clippers Cruise Line  isn’t your ordinary cruise line. This cruise line sails intriguing and old fashioned looking cruise ships to exotic destinations around the world such as the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean. Star Clippers has the proud distinction of sailing the largest and only five-masted full-rigged sailing ship available to cruise travelers. This ship provides its voyagers with the perfect opportunity to embark upon a unique and exciting adventure. Far from the limiting schedule of most cruise lines, the ships pride themselves on promoting an atmosphere of informal elegance for their voyagers, allowing them to choose their own schedule and make their own plans, while still presenting them with the comfort of a beautiful and authentic travel experience.

The timing of this dynamic duo teaming up couldn’t have been better. Travel Weekly recently posted an article mentioning the recent increase in the number of cruise ship weddings. This article details several very apparent advantages to cruise inspired weddings with the main advantage being simplicity. Attempting to gather hundreds of your closest family members and friends in whatever dreamy international location you yearn to have your wedding in is a rather daunting task. From the cost of traveling, to the complications of international travel, it would be seemingly impossible to pull of a seamless international wedding. If you plan a cruise wedding however, you can easily avoid all the hurdles of international travel, by leaving the problems to the cruise line crew. A second major advantage of cruise line weddings is the facilitation of mobility. More than having the unique experience of signing your nuptials over international waters, soon to be married couples have the unparalleled opportunity to celebrate their wedding in multiple destinations.

This partnership is also just in time for the holidays. Create lasting memories by embarking upon an unconventional holiday cruise. The crew on Star Clippers will cater to you and your family’s every need as you sail around some of the world’s most exotic islands. Or ring in the New Years with your closest friends on a 360-foot long world-class sea vessel. What better way to start off a fabulous 2012 year than to be in an exotic, tropical, and mysterious island?

Want to read more? Check out this article in High Seas adventures under sail on Star Clippers by Robert N. Jenkins from The San Francisco Chronicle.

So if you’re looking for an adventurous and truly memorable wedding or honeymoon, a unforgettable way to spend your holidays, or just a once in a lifetime vacation, book your Star Clippers cruise vacation getaway at www.AskAboutCruises.com

How can we sell it....We have to experience it....Office FAM to Maui

Maui - 2nd Annual Office Fam Trip Slideshow: Michael’s trip from San Diego, California, United States to Maui, Hawaii was created by TripAdvisor. See another Maui slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Hawaii: Life's "Pause" Button

The Honeymoon Phase. It’s that time right after getting married when everything is perfect. You can’t quite shake that notion of blissful happiness as you show off your ring or share your honeymoon photos with friends and family. It’s that type of effervescent feeling that you think can’t possibly ever end! But, as more experienced couples know, sooner or later reality starts to creep in. Suddenly you feel like you aren’t spending enough time as a couple. Monday Night Football with the guys turns into Tuesday work meetings and Wednesday Yoga Night with the girls and Thursday dinner at your parents’ house…and by the time Friday roles around, you’re lucky if you have enough energy for a quick dinner and a movie! Have kids? Then you know there’s even less free time. When did soccer practice become more time consuming than a full-time job? Of course you’re still in love, but on top of life’s busy schedules, suddenly those little “adorable” quirks start to get on your nerves. You find yourself being told that you fold towels all wrong. Or, that empty milk carton in the fridge somehow “mysteriously” appears again. Either way, it’s normal for couples to feel like they aren’t spending enough time together, or to sometimes drive each other a little crazy (or a lot crazy!). It’s times like this that you wish there was a “pause” button for life, right?

Luckily for you, the geniuses at askabouttravel.com have the perfect “pause” button for you, and it happens to be just a quick plane ride across the Pacific Ocean. That’s right, Hawaii is calling your name. Before you roll your eyes and say “I can’t afford a Hawaiian vacation right now,” think again. It just so happens that askabouttravel.com not only has affordable deals, but our travel packages have everything you need to spend some amazing time with your special someone.

Take, for example, the beautiful Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona. At $195 a night, you’ll be treated to the Royal Experience Package. With this, you’ll be able to start your days off right with complimentary breakfast, and end a night with a sunset dinner cruise for two! There’s nothing more romantic than watching a Hawaiian sunset on the water. Plus, you’ll get to attend a Luau for two, and start your entire trip off with a welcome bottle of champagne. Cheers to that.

If you and your spouse want a little more room, you might want to check out the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort in Kapaa. Rates start at $245 a night and get you a roomy beachfront one bedroom condo. This package will really allow you to leave the stresses of reality behind with their fantasy swimming pool featuring romantic, cascading waterfalls. You both can unwind further in the luxurious Spa by the Sea. This beach resort allows you to reconnect with the one you love.

Another Outrigger property you simply can’t miss is their Outrigger Reef at the Beach. This paradise gives you fantastic views of the city of Honolulu for $199 a night. You’ll feel instantly immersed in the relaxed Hawaiian culture with this resort’s nightly performances from Hawaiian musicians. Dine beachfront at multiple restaurants and take in the warm breeze. And, if you are feeling as rejuvenated and happy as we’re sure you will be, they even have free Hawaiian vow renewal ceremonies.

Finally, if you’re able to sneak away for a whole week, there’s simply nothing better than our Seven Nights of Savings package at the Grand Wailea. If you pay for 4 nights, your 5th night is free. Enjoy a daily breakfast buffet and their championship golf course with both mountain and ocean views. Feeling cultural? The Grand Wailea has the largest international art collection in Hawaii. Plus, when it’s time to unwind, there’s nothing better than the full-service Spa Grande.

These are only a few of the many deals askabouttravel.com offers in Hawaii, the US, and around the globe. And while summer vacations with the whole family are wonderful, there is something to be said for a little one-on-one time with your special someone. With the endless to-do lists and worries of everyday life, that time becomes hard to find! But, all hope is not lost. On the contrary, we bet that the only thing you need to feel reconnected is a little change of scenery. Let us at askabouttravel.com help you plan your perfect little getaway, and make your Honeymoon Phase last a lifetime.

When it comes to river cruising, Viking River Cruises is the world leader

Video of Flight from SFO to Paris with the Northern Lights - Specular!!!!!

SF to Paris in Two Minutes from Beep Show on Vimeo.

Do Resorts Promise More Than They Deliver?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Pyramids of Egypt: Take Off with Captain John - Cairo

Egypt has been in the news lately. This is a great video from CaptJohn. John Roberts is an international pilot for Delta Airlines. You can find more of his videos on You Tube.

The Allure of the Seas

What is it like to sail on one of the largest cruise ships in the world?

The Wacky Logic Behind Airport Codes - How Do They Come Up With Airport Codes? Rick Seaney Explains

Most of you fliers out there are familiar with JFK, LAX and DFW -- the airport codes for New York's Kennedy, Los Angeles International and Dallas-Ft. Worth. But how many of you have flown to SUX? Yes, SUX - the airport code for Sioux City, Iowa. Luckily, residents there have a sense of humor; instead of bemoaning their unfortunate appellation, they celebrate it: the airport's website sells souvenirs including t-shirts and caps emblazoned with the bold SUX logo.

It could be worse. It appears a kindergartner might have had a hand in picking some of these airport codes: Russia's Bolshoye Savino Airport is stuck with the unlovely designation PEE, while Brazil's Poco De Caldas Airport has to live with POO. Then there's Rotorua, New Zealand ROT while Louisiana's Barksdale Air Force Base is just plain BAD.

Ever wonder how these codes came into being and what they mean? I'm going to tell you, plus I'll give more examples of truly weird ones. Like FAT and GRR.

First things first: FAT is the airport code for Fresno, Calif. (and from what I understand, the locals aren't crazy about it); and while GRR may sound like an anger management therapy center, it's actually the code for Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Where do these codes come from?

The assignment of these codes is administered by the Montreal-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the codes cover locations (mainly airports) around the globe.

A lot of these codes are no brainers: LGA stands for LaGuardia in New York, HOU is for Houston's Hobby Airport and SLC is for Salt Lake City.

But what about, say, LAX -- where did that "X" come from? It goes back to the early days of passenger air travel when airports simply used the same two letter codes that the National Weather Service used for cities, never dreaming they'd ever need more letters for more combinations. When they did, some airports simply added an "X" to their name, and that's why you have LAX or PHX for Phoenix.

But how to explain Chicago O'Hare's ORD? For that I turned to the Sky God -- pilot Dave English. A few years back, he wrote an excellent explanation piece for the Airline Pilots Association journal that tells the story of a now defunct community just west of Chicago called Orchard Place. In the 1940's, it became the site of a military (and later, commercial) airport called Orchard Field, which was renamed for WW II ace Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, in 1949. However, nobody bothered to change the original "Orchard" code designation of ORD....(read more)

Rick Seaney is one of the country's leading experts on airfare, giving interviews and analysis to news organizations that include ABC News, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, the Associated Press and Bloomberg. His website, FareCompare.com, offers consumers free, new-generation software, combined with expert insider tips to find the best airline ticket deals.

Underwater Fun at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to sleep with the fishes, but get to wake up in the morning? Now you can at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, whose signature under-water Ithaa restaurant is giving guests a chance to spend a night under water in the new “Ithaa Suite.”

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the restaurant, set approximately 16 feet below the Indian Ocean’s surface, offers guests a one-of-a-kind dining experience as thousands of fish swim across the 180-degree-arched glass ceiling. Now, the hotel has worked to turn the restaurant into an exclusive suite for two—talk about a room with a view.

For guests just looking to dine, the aqua adventure begins with a set menu composed of 23 different dishes spread out over four courses. We hear the Reef Fish with grape, almond and saffron reduction is to die for. Note: A three-course lunch menu is also offered. Daily lunch and dinner is served at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. There is only one seating for each time, so be sure to snag your table by making reservations at least 14 days in advance. Sunny Note: During the day, the dining room is so bright that sunglasses are recommended. Forgot yours? Not a problem. The resort has plenty on hand to lend.

Rangali Island is home to 50 water villas of ever increasing degrees of luxury. The elegant villas set on stilts over the ocean offer sweeping views of turquoise surrounds complemented by iridescent sunsets. With ocean view baths, private sun decks, espresso machines and Bulgari bathroom goodies, it is almost impossible to imagine anything more beautiful. Guests staying in our Maldives hotel's Superior and Deluxe Water Villas will love the Jacuzzi pool on the sun deck, while Premier Water Villas have an additional jacuzzi in the bathroom with in-built satellite TV. Two Sunset Water Villas stand in a secluded part of the lagoon and offer a private butler, glass-floored living room, rotating bed and ocean pool.

Good to Know: The special suite is available for only one night of a guest’s stay and arrangements must be made prior to arrival. Available to only one set of guests at a time, the experience comes with a private Champagne dinner and breakfast in bed.




Watch the video and you'll want to pack your bags and go!



May 10, 2010 | By: Meagan Drillinger | LuxuryTravelAdvisor

What is Yapta?

What Is Yapata? "Tag flights from your favorite airline sites and Yapta will email you when prices drop. Get refunds and credits after you buy. When the price drops below what you paid, Yapta helps you get a voucher or refund from the airline!"

The next time you visit Yapta (and if you like saving on airfare, you should) you'll notice that we've integrated our airfare tracking service with TripIt.com - a terrific trip management site that will help you organize and share your travel plans.

Using TripIt is easy. Simply forward all of your travel confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com. It doesn't matter if it's an airline, hotel or car reservation - TripIt automatically creates a master itinerary that combines all your travel plans plus weather, maps, restaurants and more. You'll love it.

So what's the benefit to using Yapta and TripIt together? Well, now when you forward your flight confirmation emails to TripIt, you can have Yapta start tracking your flights for airline refunds or credits with a single click. It will save you time, money and the frustration of not having all your travel plans in one place.

Look for the "Connect with TripIt" button on your MyTrips page and try it out today.

Another great thing about these sites is that you can link them to your Facebook page, on LinkedIn and there are apps for Google, Blackberry and the iPhone.

Happy Travels,
Yapta - Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant

Travel Quote of the Day on 2 July 2010

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
~ Shirley MacLaine

Summer Sale Hawaiian Airlines flights to Maui from San Diego & Oakland

To celebrate the launch of its two new daily, nonstop flights this summer connecting Maui with Oakland and San Diego, Hawaiian Airlines announces a special introductory fare being offered for a limited time via HawaiianAirlines.com. Both non stop flights begin on June 17, 2010.

Roundtrip summer airfares are now available starting at $428 and can be purchased through February 19, 2010.

This special introductory rate is good for travel from June 17 through September 6 between Maui and Oakland and from June 17 through August 24 between Maui and San Diego.

Flight Schedule From Oakland:

• Flight 23 - departs Oakland 12:20 pm - arrives Maui 2:20pm

• Flight 24 - departs Maui 9:35 pm - arrives Oakland 5:30 am (the next morning)

Flight Schedule From San Diego:

• Flight 37 - departs San Diego 10:35 am - arrives Maui 1:05 pm

• Flight 38 - departs Maui 10:30 pm - arrives San Diego 6:35 a.m (the next morning)



Tickets at the special introductory rate are based on roundtrip travel during weekdays. The special fare is subject to availability and may not be offered on all flights. Taxes, fees and other restricitons apply.

Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas will close doors on May 2

The announcement that The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas will close its doors on May 2 could come as a surprise, but when you take a closer look, it’s an unfortunately accurate representation of the current lodging industry...READ MORE

Cougars, nude flight attendants, dirty cities, the world's scariest airports

First, let me apologize. I was unable to squeeze in many of the really important news stories in the year just ended. I tried, but our industry just cooks up so much worthwhile grub for those who feast on travel news that I find my to-do basket overflowing with stuff I have to share with you.


I never associated the decline in formal nights at sea with the growth in nude cruising, but perhaps that was a mistake. We might see evening dress recommendations listed as "towel optional" in years to come.


One other trend I missed was the advent of "cougar cruising." A cougar, for the culturally challenged, is an older woman who prefers to date younger men, described as "cubs." continue...

Article by: 
Richard Turen
Travel Weekly on January 25, 2010

Montego Bay: Jamaican Me Crazy!

Since we shared with you in one of our previous posts a little bit of travel info about Jamaica, we thought we'd share with you one of own experiences there as well!

Post by: Tina, Marketing Intern at AskAboutHoneymoons.com

In 2007, my family and I vacationed in Montego Bay at an all-inclusive resort for 7 days. Needless to say, Montego Bay was gorgeous, breathtaking, and the epitome of Rest & Relaxation. The ocean water was pristine and blue and was mere steps from the resort! I couldn't believe it- I was living the life. Imagine seeing this view outside your hotel room all day and everyday. From tanning, eating, jet skiing, kayaking, fishing and then eating again...I was pretty sure I never wanted to leave this paradise.


During our week in Montego Bay, we also took a day out to tour a local pottery factory and actually got to see the artists in action. On top of that we also went to Ochos Rios, a nearby city, to climb the Dunns River Falls!

You're probably thinking the same thing I was: climbing a waterfall?! Yeah right. Don't worry though. It was far from steep and scary but still a little thrilling nonetheless! Just hold onto the person in front of you and make sure to buy some water shoes beforehand. ( You can usually find them in sporting good stores or Target). The Dunns River Falls was probably my favorite part of Montego Bay. If you ever do plan on vacationing here make sure you don't miss out on this!

All in all, Jamaica was beautiful. I'm sure that whichever city you choose would be equally as amazing!

Other must-do's: Try Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Red Stripe Beer.

sunset outside hotel room. very romantic.

Good morning, Jamaica!
(My father and uncle fishing at the end of the dock)

sun is gone, tanning time is over =(

from left to right: cousin, me (Tina), sister

So if you were just thinking about traveling to Jamaica, hopefully this gave you that extra little push to maybe even book a trip!

Here are some suggested destinations from one of our sites AskAboutHoneymoons.com
or you can go to www.VisitJamaica.com

Also give us a ring at 858-768-2610 for more information :)

Lie back for the long haul in coach?

Forget about flying high, Air New Zealand passengers will be laid low by new seats that allow them to lie back, stretch out and sleep - a world first for economy-class travel.

While Air New Zealand is remaining tight-lipped about the new design, it indicates it has "created the ability for passengers to lie down comfortably".

It is preparing for the unveiling, on Tuesday, of a new lie-flat seat that has been a year in development. The airline has built a full-size replica of a Boeing 777-300 economy-class cabin in a shed on Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, near the Air New Zealand headquarters.....read more

Article By Rebecca Lewis of the nzherald.co.nz

Friday Poll: What would you like to do this summer?

We're starting a new thing here on our blog: FRIDAY POLLS! Every Friday we'll post a poll regarding anything about travel. Please, take some time out of your day and let us know your favorite vacation spots, the places you want to see, what you like to do, eat, etc.! Based on the responses we get, we'll post more info about each poll topic.
Also feel free to leave comments.

Happy T.G.I.F.! =)

Today's Poll:

JESSICA SIMPSON SET TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD TO FIND "THE PRICE OF BEAUTY" IN A NEW ORIGINAL SERIES ON VH1

VH1 New Original Series Set to Premiere on Sunday, March 14th at 10 PM*

PASADENA, CA January 15, 2010 No matter where you are in the world, chances are, you know that Jessica Simpson is no stranger to the spotlight. Her hit pop and country songs, movies, television and eponymous collection of shoes, clothes, bags etc. have helped to keep her in America's eye, but we all know Jessica for more than just her career achievements. Jessica has been followed, studied and scrutinized since she released her first hit single at the age of 19. Now, Jessica turns the tables on our culture and cultures all over the world in her new original series on VH1, "Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty." The series is set to premiere on Sunday, March 14 at 10PM.*

In the new VH1 docu-series, produced by RDF USA ("Wife Swap", "Secret Millionaire"), Jessica travels to Japan, Thailand, France, Brazil, Uganda, Morocco, and India then back home to Los Angeles to meet every day women and some local pop culture icons. She examines the local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes and even participates in some extreme practices in order to reveal what constitutes beauty in these foreign cultures....read more

Travelistic Videos!

When it comes to documenting your travels, it's safe to say that we've come a long way from the disposable camera or video recorder(you know, that giant apparatus your father would lug around on his shoulder trying to capture every mundane moment?).

In this day in age, digital cameras, video phones, and miniature camcorders make it so much easier for you to capture, remember, and share your experiences.

So combine all of the above with the INTERNET and what do you get? This cool site we found http://www.travelistic.com/ ! It's a video site for travelers compiled of creative, personal videos of people's vacations from all around the world. In other words, it's a "YouTube" solely for the inspired traveler.

We think it's pretty cool because if you wanted to do a little research about a specific destination, why not check out real experiences?!

Check out this quirky video below that a couple made while vacationing in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.





If you're looking for a relaxing getaway in the U.S. Virgin Islands, HERE are some lovely places to stay!

Happy travels....