.jpg)
.jpg)
RSS Feed (xml)
Join us on this video while we take you around the Greek popular market.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Vergina-Home of the Royal Tombs
Here's a video I stumbled upon. It gives a close up look at the newest National Treasure in Greece. We had the opportunity to visit the Royal Tombs at Vergina last year. No photography of the interior was allowed, so I was delighted to find this video. There is a political statement being made, so please over look that and enjoy the pictures of this archaeological treasure-the resting place of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
New Video
This is the first in a series of videos that we took when we went on our annual trip to Greece to see family. We'll be posting more as we get them edited and uploaded. Enjoy!
Staycation
Staycation is the buzzword this season. Since transportation costs are getting so ridiculous taking a mini vacation within 100 miles of home has become a "staycation." We used to call it a Sunday drive.
So where do you find places to go? Here are places to look for ideas: your local library, the internet, your local book seller, the chamber of commerce, the local and/or state historic society, the newspaper, the convention and visitor's bureau, the state park system, the national park system, recommendations from friends and co-workers and the local parks and recreation department.
So where are you taking your staycation this summer?
So where do you find places to go? Here are places to look for ideas: your local library, the internet, your local book seller, the chamber of commerce, the local and/or state historic society, the newspaper, the convention and visitor's bureau, the state park system, the national park system, recommendations from friends and co-workers and the local parks and recreation department.
So where are you taking your staycation this summer?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Get Ready for Increased Air Fares
There are rumblings in the airlines about raising air fare to match the rising cost of fuel. The fees they are charging (see chart on previous blog post) are not even coming close to cover the cost. All the major airlines are scrambling to stay afloat and it seems that flights and routes are being cut faster than the speed of sound. It won't be long before air travel is out of reach for most everyone. The airlines are also the next industry that will make cuts to their workforce. Pretty soon, there will be more TSA agents working than pilots.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Airline Fees Chart
I found this and thought it would be helpful.
Airline Fees are a fact of life (hastened by $130/barrel oil), it is important that everyone take into account airline fees while shopping for airfare. To that end we have compiled a comparison list of U.S. domestic airline fees. Fees are changing rapidly and we’ll do our best to keep the chart up to date.
updated 24-Jun-2008
|
| Reservation by Phone (per person) | 1st Checked Bag Fee (each-way) | 2nd Checked Bag Fee (each-way) |
| American | $20 | $15 | $25 |
| Continental | $15 | Free | $25 |
| Delta | $25 | Free | $25 |
| Northwest | $15 | Free | $25 |
| United | $25 | $15 | $25 |
| US Airways | $25 - $35 | $15 | $25 |
| AirTran | $10 | Free | $10 - $20 5 |
| Alaska | $15 | Free | $25 |
| Frontier | $15 | Free | $25 |
| JetBlue | $15 | Free | $20 |
| Southwest | Free | Free | Free (3+ $25) |
| Spirit | $20 | $10 | $20 - $25 5 |
| Midwest | $10 | Free | Free (3+ $100) |
| Hawaiian | $10-30 | Free | $25 |
| Go | Free | Free | Free |
| ExpressJet | Free | Free | Free |
| Virgin America | $10 | Free | $25 |
| Allegiant | $10 - $15 ea/way | $10 - $20 5 | $10 - $20 5 |
| Sun Country | $10 | Free | $25 |
|
| Beverage/Snack Packet | Meal | Alcohol | Oversize Bag Fee (each-way) |
| American | Free/none | $3 - $10 | $6 | $150 |
| Continental | Free | Free 2 | $5 | $100 |
| Delta | Free | $4 - $10 | $5 - $6 | $150 |
| Northwest | Free | $7 - $10 |
| $100 |
| United | Free | $5 - $7 3 | $6 | $100 |
| US Airways | $2 bev/none | $5 - $7 | $7 | $100 |
| AirTran | Free | None | $6 | $29 - $69 |
| Alaska | Free | $5 | $5 | $50 - $75 |
| Frontier | Free | $3 | $5 | $75 |
| JetBlue | Free | None | $5 | $75 |
| Southwest | Free ($3 Energy) | None | $4 | $50 |
| Spirit | $2 - $4 | $5 |
| $100 - $150 |
| Midwest | Free (Cookie) | $6 - $11 | $5 | $80 |
| Hawaiian | Free | $160 - $360 | ||
| Go | Free | None | $25 | |
| ExpressJet | Free | Free | $1 - $3 | $50 |
| Virgin America | Free | $6 - $8 | $5 - $6 | $50 |
| Allegiant | $2-$4 | LAS-only $5 | $5 | may apply |
| Sun Country | Free | Free | $5 | $60 |
|
| Travel w/ Pets (each-way) | Unaccompanied Minors (per flight) | Curbside Check-In |
| American | $100 - $150 | $100 | Free |
| Continental | $95 | $75 - $100 | Free |
| Delta | $100 - 200 | $100 | $3 |
| Northwest | $80 - $359 | $75 - $100 | $2 |
| United | $100 - $200 | $99 | $2 |
| US Airways | $100 | $100 | $2 |
| AirTran | $65 | $39 | Free |
| Alaska | $100 | $75 | $2 |
| Frontier | $100 - $200 | $40 | n/a |
| JetBlue | $100 | $75 | $2 |
| Southwest | No Pets | Free | Free |
| Spirit | $75 | $75 | $2 |
| Midwest | $100 | $50 | Free |
| Hawaiian | $35 - $175 | $35 - $95 | n/a |
| Go | $25 | $25 | n/a |
| ExpressJet | $50 | $50 | n/a |
| Virgin America | $100 | $75 | n/a |
| Allegiant | $75 | $75 | n/a |
| Sun Country | $75 | $50 | n/a |
|
| Seat Selection / Priority / Leg Room | Non-Refundable Ticket Change Fee | Overweight Bag Fee (each-way) |
| American | None | $150 | $50 - $100 |
| Continental | None | $150 | $50 |
| Delta | None | $100 | $80 - $150 |
| Northwest | $5 - $35 | $100 | $50 |
| United | $14 - $109 | $150 | $100 |
| US Airways | $5 - $30 | $150 | $50 - $100 |
| AirTran | $6 - $20 | $50 | $29 - $69 |
| Alaska | None | $50 - $75 | $50 |
| Frontier | None | $100 | $75 |
| JetBlue | $10 - $30 | $100 | $50 - $100 |
| Southwest | $10 - $30 1 | Free | $25 - $50 |
| Spirit | $5 - $15 | $100 | $100 - $150 |
| Midwest | None | $100 | $50 - $65 |
| Hawaiian | None | $150 | $50 |
| Go | None | $20 | $25-50 |
| ExpressJet | None | $50 | $50 |
| Virgin America | $15 - $50 | $75 | $50 - $100 |
| Allegiant | $11 - $13 | $50 | may apply |
| Sun Country |
| $75 - $100 | $60 |
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Hidden Hotel Fees
I just read an article about hidden hotel fees. I think we've all become accustomed to accepting that the mini bar is not free. However, in this article the author stated that when he booked from one of the online travel services that it stated that there was a cleaning fee. He was quite surprised to find out is was $166 after he got his bill when he returned home. Buyer beware-know exactly what the charges are ahead of time before making the reservation so you won't have an unpleasant surprise like this. Without stating what the cleaning fee was, they could have charged $10,000. Luckily, he got this situation resolved and had most of his money refunded. Save yourself the hassle, use a credit card vs. debit card to add an extra layer of protection by having the right to dispute it and ask for specifics before you commit.
Monday, June 16, 2008
What is Bonnaroo?
Ok, so I might be one of the few that don't know about this summer music festival. As I was driving through the lovely Tennessee mountains this weekend, traffic came to a crawl around the Manchester area. When it started to ease up, I saw a sea of tents as far as the eye could see. I wondered what it was. The friend I was visiting didn't know what it was either. Ironically, when I got home the pilot had some co-workers over from that area and filled me in. If you're interested, you can Google the word "Bonnaroo" and get all kinds of information.
So I got to thinking about when I was at a great summer festival years and years ago in Birminham, AL called City Stages. It just happened to be this weekend, too. It's much more than the $20 I paid for a weekend full of great music with big name stars, but still quite reasonable if you get your tickets early. If you're interested in other music festivals around the country this summer, I dug up this article from MSNBC. Click here to read.
So I got to thinking about when I was at a great summer festival years and years ago in Birminham, AL called City Stages. It just happened to be this weekend, too. It's much more than the $20 I paid for a weekend full of great music with big name stars, but still quite reasonable if you get your tickets early. If you're interested in other music festivals around the country this summer, I dug up this article from MSNBC. Click here to read.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
All Good Things Must Come to an End
Our family takes an annual two-week vacation to Greece every year to visit family. We just got back. This year I fussed and considered not going-too much to do to be away for so long. Luckily the pilot did not listen. As we had our daily walks on the beaches of the Aegean Sea, I kept thinking that I sure liked the Tracy that visited Greece and not the one that existed in the United States the other fifty weeks of the year. All the stress of making ends meet and doing the work that paid the bills vs. the work that fed the soul takes its toll. Now to figure out how to bring that peace home and make it last until I get my batteries recharged next year. Only fifty more weeks to go! Any suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
