Sri Lankan Tourism is Kicking into Full Gear!

It appears that the conflict with the Tamil Tigers may finally be coming to a close. After years of civil unrest and countless losses, Sri Lanka is ready to put itself back on the map as a major tourist destination. Here is a recent news release compliments of SriLanka.travel discussing conflict resolution and the country's plans to attract more tourism:

The conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group also known as the Tamil Tigers, which has affected the north of the country for over two decades, is rapidly nearing its end.

When the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse assumed office in 2005, the LTTE had over 16,000 square kilometers under its control. Within two and a half years since the recommencement of the conflict in mid-2006, the government has managed to take control of the LTTE strongholds in the northeast of Sri Lanka, restricting them to a narrow 8-kilometer strip in the northeast of the country.

The President of Sri Lanka visited the eastern province last year and more recently the Killonochchi last week - the LTTE's once self-proclaimed headquarters. Subsequently, the armed forces achieved victory this week by rescuing over one-hundred-thousand civilians...

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Free things to do in Paris

Paris: the city of light, and also the city of an empty pocketbook. This world class city in western Europe is full of things to do, but many times at a high expense. In my junior year of college, I studied abroad in Paris. Being a student, I quickly learned how to get by on little cash and still have a lot of fun. Here are Travel Marketer's personal favorite FREE things to do in Paris, France:

The Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel).

This is one of the most recognized structures in the entire world and a must when visiting Paris, however, if you want to get all the way to the top, it will cost you about 13 euros. Instead, grab a bottle of wine (you can get great wine in France for as cheap as 1 euro!), a loaf of bread, and a couple of friends and enjoy a picnic at the foot of the tower. There is often free entertainment and performances to enjoy! As an added bonus, on the hour, the tower displays a spectacular 10 minute light show.Take a look at a live shot of the Eiffel Tour at Webcams.travel.

Notre Dame:

One of the world's most stunning pieces of architecture and the inspiration for a classic novel, this cathedral is a free treasure for tourists.

Take a walking tour. Paris has so much to see and I would spend many days walking around and discovering this very accessible city. Some of my favorite spots included: the Seine River, which slices a path through the heart of the city, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palais Royal. On the way to and from class, I would walk through the gorgeous Luxembourg Gardens, central Paris’s largest park in the heart of the Left Bank which also houses the Luxembourg Palace.

Museums. No one can visit Paris without visiting the famous Louvre. Admission is free for all visitors on the first Sunday of each month and on July 14 (Bastille Day). My favorite museum in Paris is the Musee Rodin which features the famous statues of The Thinker and The Kiss, is also free of charge each first Sunday of the month.

Window Shop on Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, one of the city's priciest streets. Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris’s largest department stories, offers free weekly fashion shows on Fridays at 3 p.m. on the seventh floor. For even more window shopping, take a stroll down the Champs Elysees or Saint German.

Pay Your Respects: Pére-Lachaise Cemetery has served as the final resting place for a "who's who" of cultural icons since 1804. Chopin, Colette, Molière, Modigliani all lay beneath 118 acres of rolling terrain. So do Oscar Wilde, Isadora Duncan, Georges Seurat, Sarah Bernhardt, Gertrude Stein, and Jim Morrison.

With all of the free and exciting things to do in Paris, there is no reason not to visit. Visit Future Vacations to book your trip today! -Travel Marketer

Green Travel for Earth Day

April 22nd's Earth Day is a holiday inspired by Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote awareness and appreciation of our mother Earth. In honor of Senator Nelson and out of respect for our dear planet I have provided a list of Central American Eco lodges courtesy of Greenspot.travel.

La Finca Rosa Blanca in Costa Rica: La Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Inn is located right above the Central Valley of Costa Rica and this 13 room inn is one of the most luxurious times you will ever have going green. Not only is La Finca Rosa the first ever sustainable hotel in Costa Rica, but 5 % of the lodge's profits go towards community projects supporting the local children. And dont forget, the master suite is a perfect romantic getaway for you honeymooners!

Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge in Panama: Sure Tranquilo translates to calm. And you wouldn't necessarily expect to see the words calm and adventure in the same sentence, but when your having that afternoon cocktail on a jungle view balcony you will forget all about how sore your back is from snorkeling earlier that day. With only six cabanas, youll feel like your on your own private island in this tropical paradise.

Granja San Bernardo in El Salvador: These cabins in the wood come with a twist, you have a great view of the Izalco Volcano right from your front porch. The hotel is family owned and is know for its high level of customer service and fantastic homemade bread. For being at the base of a Volcanic Biosphere and Reserve Granja San Bernardo is suprisingly peaceful and charming.

Summer Travel Trends for 2009

Its that time of year again. The time when ugg boots and sweater vests get traded in for flip flops and suntan lotion. With people today seeming to instinctively associate the word budget with travel, we are seeing a shift in summer travel trends this year. Here is how people will choose to vacation this summer:

People will buy more Air and Hotel Vacation Packages: Purchasing your airfare and hotel together is one way to cut back travel expenses. Resorts are now subsidizing the cost of airfare, just to get more people to come to their hotels.

There will be an increase in all-inclusive resort stays: There are some great deals for all inclusive resorts this summer. People will flock to these resorts because they will know exactly how much they will be spending from the get go.

This will be the summer of "return" vacations: Being strapped for cash, people will most likely turn to familiar destinations that they know they enjoy. This season families will most likely head to tried-and-true vacations spots like Disney and Cape Cod.

Here is a video with some tips on how to save money on summer travel:

Top 5 Reasons Online Travel Agencies Save You Money

1. Less Overhead: Online agencies cut costs by basing themselves out of a small physical location. All an online agency needs to get by is a high speed Internet connection. What these agencies save on electricity, staff, and maintenance usually is money put right back in to savings for the customer.

2. Comparison Shopping: Good online travel agents are masters of their craft. So, while your scavanging the aisles of cvs for the best tanning lotions. These agencies are constantly surfing the web findind you the best possible travel deals.

3. Ticket Consolidation: Many online travel agencies have personal relationships with air travel consolidators, granting them access to a wealth of discount ticket databases. In fact, many agencies will buy up discounted tickets in bulk at the end of a travel season, only to save them and sell them for cheap come next season.

4. Vast Array of Travel Services: online travel agents, through frequent bookings and constant research have a wealth of information that travel agents without an online presence would have no way of having. Through constant contact with hotel managers, restaurant owners, and transportation providers online agencies can use this relationship to squeeze out better deals for the end consumer.

5. One-Stop Shopping: Travel agencies can provide a complete packages that you could never get trying to book travel agent. With a simple phone call or email you can have an online agent book your flight, hotel, and transport all taken care of within minutes.

There are hundred of online agencies out there, but a couple of the most reputable are Future and Damron Vacations. Save yourself a little grief and a lot of cash by using an online agent next time you travel.

Easter Travel Deals

I am not going to pretend to be well versed in the traditions of the Easter Holiday. I know that it involves the rebirth of Christ and whole lot of Eggs. If some could explain to me how that sneaky little rabbit came in to the picture I would really apprecaite it. But, I do know that this is a long weekend for a good number of people and that many of them are planning last minute trips. I have done a little background research for any frantic travelers out there. Here are the top 3 travel deals of the week:

1. Stay at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas for $40 a night: Sure celebrating the rebirth of our lord and saviour in the city of sin may seem a bit tacky, but I dont think that Christ himself would expect people to pass up a deal this good. You get this rate by booking directly with the Monte Carlo. Don't worry if you enjoy yourself a little too much, there is still room for redemtion. I think Jesus once turned a brothel in to a temple. Or did I get that wrong?

2. An all inclusive trip to Cabo: You will find that the pristine beaches and endless array of outdoor activities round out the insanity of Cabo night life quite nicely. Easter is a great weekend to go to Cabo seeing as how the holiday is second only Christmas. The Easter parade through downtown is one of the highlites of the year. You can get great deals through Futurvacations.travel.




3. Cruise through out Europe and Russia: Ok, so I know this would be a little longer than a weekend trip. But right now ecruising.travel is knocking down its price on European cruises. No better place to ponder the resurection of the Blessed Son than from the balconoy of your cabin that overlooks the Mediterenean Sea.

This is why everyone needs to go to Utah

Cruising Tips

When my twin sister and I turned 15 we were presented with two options for celebration. We could of gone the quinceanera route (big party, frilly pink dresses, lots of presents, you get the idea) or take a trip. Always having been a slave to my wanderlust, my sister and I opted for the trip. Seven years ago my sister, bestfriend, and I (pictured above) departed for our first ever trip to Mexico. Four cruises later (including one that lasted 100 days and encompassed the globe) I would say I have become rather savvy at sea travel. Here are few things you may want to keep in mind before booking you're next cruise.

Book from a Cruise wholesaler: Some people think that booking through a travel agent or directly from the cruise line will save money. Not true. Cruise lines will usually give better rates to wholesalers than they do direct customers because they buy in bulk and the line wants to stay competitive. Look for deals on cruises.com, ecruising.travel, and cruisedeals.com.

Request the second dinner seating: This will give you more time for your excursions while your at port and more time to get ready for your meals while your at sea. No one wants to have to leave the pool early to change for a 6 o'clock seating.

Rent A Car: For roughly the same price of one shore excursion, you can rent a car and explore as much of the Islands as you like with out having to worry about reliable transportation. This is an especially good idea of those traveling with families. Check out Hertz, Orbitz, and Nationalcar.com for international car rental.

Bring a Bio Band: $12 will buy you a nifty little bracelet and serious piece of mind. A Bio Band is worn around your wrist and prevents sea sickness. Trust me, you don't want a sudden bout of turbulent waters to keep you in bed for the rest of the day!

And thats why they call it Bluetooth

Ok so I know this isn't really travel related, but I thought this story was just too good too pass up. I recently learned how the tiny mobile device known as bluetooth got its name. So here is your fun fact of the day:

Supposedly, Blue tooth is named after the 10th century King of Denmark, Harold "Bluetooth" Gormson. Harold was known for being an avid blueberry lover, so much so that his teeth were permanently blue stained (hey Bluetooth, get it?). Harold was responsible for uniting Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Bluetooth work to unite all the worlds wireless devices under one single standard. While I am not sure if this story is true or not, it certainly would make for an interestering namesake; dont you think?

Look closely. Can you see the rune characters for the initials H.B. In the bluetooth logo?

UN in call for Sri Lanka 'pause'

Do you think this will work?

The UN, backed by the US and Britain, has urged the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels to back a "humanitarian pause" in fighting.

A senior UN official said the civilian population trapped in the conflict zone in the north was not being allowed out.

Amnesty International said on Friday that thousands of civilians were increasingly at risk in the conflict.

Troops have pushed the rebels from most of the territory they held during heavy fighting in the past few weeks.

The rebels are now restricted to a small area of jungle and coast in Mullaitivu district.

Rights and aid groups have continued to criticise both the government and Tamil Tiger rebels over civilian casualties (BBC News)

Travel Girl Pays a Visit to the Windy City

Last week, I left 72 degree weather and a cool ocean breeze for 40 degrees Fahrenheit and a 25 degree wind chill off of Lake Michigan. Thats right, I went to Chicago for the very first time. While being Miami born and bred did present a few obstacles for me, who knew it was a bad idea to wear leather heels in snow and slush? I ended up having a great time and cant wait to go back. I didn't have much time to sightsee while I was there, but there were a few things that I absolutly had to. I really wanted a Chicago style deep dish pizza, and I needed to know the best way to spend my two free afternoons. Luckily a good friend of mine is a Chicago native and she gave me some great advice. But for those of you who are new to the city and need some guidance here are some suggestions:

Eat at Giordano's: If you are anything like me, when you think of travel your mind immediately goes to food. And when I think of Chicago I cant help but imagine a delicious deep-dish pizza. When I asked my cab driver where to go for one, he said Giordano's with out a moments hesitation. He was right. That 12 inch cheese stuffed pizza will stay with me forever.

Take an Architecture Boat Tour: Cruising a long Lake Michigan while getting a lectured on the John Hancock Center may not be everyones cup of tea. But Chicago has a very rich architectural history which is actually pretty interesting. For example, did you know that the Sears Tower is 1,45o ft. tall and on a clear day you can see Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan from the Skydeck? Click here for a list of tour operators.

Get Tickets to the Jerry Springer Show: Its true. All the trash-talking, chair-tossing goodness that is Jerry Springer comes at you right from the heart of Chi-town. Sure you could go see Oprah instead, but Jerry is just so much more fun. If you write the show far in advance there is a good chance that you can get the tickets for free!

Why Do We Celebrate St. Patricks Day?

While most of you were probably out and about last night, yours truly celebrated St. Patty's Day holed up in a backwater motel with nothing but a six-pack and a generous amount of premium cable channels to tide her over (ah last minute work trips, don't you love 'em?) Somewhere between my third Guinness and second HBO special I found myself wondering: Why do we even celebrate this Holiday? What did Saint Patrick do to spark a world wide binge fest? How the hell does this Big Love guy keep up with three wives? In response to the first two questions I have decided to share with you all the story behind St. Patrick's day:

Saint Patrick (The Patron Saint of Ireland) wasn't really Irish at all. He was a Roman Britain born in 390, who was captured and brought to Ireland as a slave when he was only 16. Patrick escaped after six years in captivity and fled to Wales to become a Christian Missionary. Saint Patrick eventually returned to Ireland as a Missionary where he baptized thousands, despite being placed on trail as a heretic. Some stories claim that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland (although I am pretty sure the island never really had a huge snake problem) and that he introduced the Irish to the three-leaf clover (shamrock) when trying to explain the Holy Trinity. All thats known for sure is that St. Patrick was one of the first missionaries to travel abroad and one who never abandoned his beliefs.

Well St. Patty we toast to you and all you sacrificed!

Top 3 Ways to Save Big on Airline Travel

1. Know When to Book: The timing in which you purchase a ticket can be very strategic. Ticket prices generally go up every 21, 14, 7, and 3 days prior to take off. Especially during a peak season, buying your ticket a month early on a site like answers.travel can save hundreds of dollars. If you need to get somewhere with out much advance warning, it may pay off to wait to reserve your flight. If a flight still has space available airlines will often bottom out their prices just to fill up seats. Sites like hotwire and lastminutetravel specialize in these last minute bookings. Also be sure to remember that most airlines launch their fare sales on Tuesdays and Wendsdays, holding off and not buying that ticket on Monday can mean big savings.

2. Look into Open-Jawed Tickets: An open-jaw ticket is where the traveler returns from a city other than one he arrived in. Or if the final destination is different from the original departure city. Tickets like these are perfect if your traveling around a continent like Europe, or if you need to get to and from different Cruise ports, and they are usually much cheaper than buying multiple one-way tickets. Just call your airline to see if they are being offered.

3. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters: I know the constant influx of emails may get annoying, but airlines often save special deals strictly for their newsletter subscribers. If you tend to stick to one airline it can really pay off to read the newsletter and stay on top of things. Other sites like farecast.com predict airline pricing trends and can be very useful in shaping future travel plans.

Staycations in South Florida

Definition:
1. A dream vacation right at your doorstep
2. When your to poo' to go anywhere on vacation so you stay home.
*source: Urban Dictionary

So the economy is down the tubes, if you have a job your probably working more hours than ever before, and by the time the weekend rolls around you are in need of some much deserved R&R. So some of my fellow South Florida natives and I thought of a few ways to feel like your on vacation when you don't have the time or money to travel great distances.

The Hard Rock Hotel, Hollywood, FL: Spend a day at the Seminole Hard Rock's pool
and spa and get a taste of South Florida fabulousity. Start the day with a Chocolate Indulgence Cellulite Treatment (yes that really exists) and then bust out the aviators and string bikini for some pool side lounging. Its amazing how a day of people watching and water sliding can make you forget the worries of everyday life.

Go Camping: Thats right, people still go camping in Florida. If the usual backwoods deliverance-style camp ground isn't your scene, head to the Florida Keys for a weekend beach retreat. While you there you can keep up the outdoorsy theme by kite surfing, scuba diving, fishing, and more.

* Photo by Damian Fernandez

The Miami Seaquarium, Key Biscayne, FL: For a mere $35 you and yours can spend a family
friendly day with Lolita and friends. Don't let the Seaquarium's wholesomeness deter you thrill seekers. The shark presentation and top deck dolphin can easily provide a days worth of excitement.

Some other suggestions that were tossed around were: taking a trip to Boomers and going for a ride on the Dania beach Hurricane, Skydiving, or a drive through lion country safari. So next time you feel burnt out from the work week, remember to take some out of your weekend and enjoy yourself!

"When you want something in life, you just gotta reach out and grab it"

I hear it all the time, "I would like to travel but I cant find anyone to come with me." I always have the same response, " So go alone." While I am not suggesting you should try and move out to the Alaskan Wilderness with nothing but a sleeping bag and a pair of rubber boots, these days there a million and one ways explore the great unknown on your own.
I always knew that I wanted to study abroad in college but I couldn't find anyone that was interested in the same program as me. So I spent a Semester at Sea through a different university where I knew absolutly no one, and had four of the best months of my life. Travel is about leaving your comfort zone, there is no need to take a security blanket with you. I know that people may be scared to go it alone, I certainly was, but you would be surprised how many other travelers are in the same boat.
There are countless organizations out there devoted to sending people around the world that don't break the bank. Always been your dream to go to Asia? Why not teach in Vietnam for a summer, have your living expenses covered, and meet like minded individuals? How about getting to know new people during a two week long group safari in Uganda? If you're not interested in a structured program but still want travel buddies there are dozens of social networking sights that specialize in bringing travelers together. Couchsurfing.com, 2go.travel, and travelersfortravelers.com are all free ways to hook up with people around the world.
There are always going to be a dozen reasons why you shouldn't do something, but don't let the lack of a travel partner stop you from going anywhere. Isn't the ability to reinvent yourself part of the allure of meeting new people and going to exotic places? Do it! Give in to that wanderlust. I have never a met a single person that has traveled alone and regretted it. Be smart, be safe, and see what the world has to offer. Don't waste time waiting on anybody but yourself.

How to Survive Carnival

Around this time last February I was dancing in the streets of Bahia, soaking up the sights and sounds of Carnival, and keeping hydrated with 50 cent cans of Brazil brewed Skol Beer. This year, well I am sitting behind a desk nine hours a day, but hey we all have to grow up some time. While the Carnival of Light was one of the best times of my life, it is not for the faint of heart. Looking past the music and dancing, its hard to miss the packed to the brim hostels, pick pocketers, and serious cases of travelers diarrhea. But not to fear, experiance has taught me how to avoid those inconvenient mishaps.

Remember to book your hotel early and through a reliable source. Sure the idea of landing in South America with nothing but your back pack and Brazilian reals may sound adventurous and romantic, but trust me there is nothing sexy about sharing a room with a dozen other sweaty, smelly travelers and God knows how many prehistoric insects. Finding a good hotel beforehand can make the difference between a great trip and an awful one. Travel sites like hotels.com and futurevacations.travel are good places to start.

Most westerners that venture to Carnival will at some point feel like they are walking around with giant bulls eyes on their forehands. In the four short days I spent in Brazil I was pick pocketed twice, had four friends robbed at knife point, and two at gun point. While it may be a buzz kill to have to think about these things when you just want to have a good time, its important not to let yourself become an easy target. Before you hit the streets remember: do not wear any jewelry. That includes earrings girls, ear lobes have been riped in half for $10 silver hoops. Put everything you have in a money belt that you wear under your clothes. Don't leave money in your pockets and definitely don't carry a purse. Try to stay as close to the action as possible, no wandering off to the beach for an evening stroll. Also, avoid the street food if you can help it. That seafood gumbo may look good under the cover of night, but trust me it wont the next morning.

Don't let these risks deter from experiencing Carnival. Brazil is beautiful places and Carnival was one of the greatest experiance of my life. It brings people together like nothing else in the world does. The entire country shuts down for four days a year so its inhabits can eat, drink, dance and celebrate life. With something like that to look forward to, the grind of the other 361 days a year would be worth it.

Supporting the Arts

*Photo by Gregory Colbert from his Ashes and Snow Collection

I just spent a wonderfully sunny Miami afternoon at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. While the twenty minute commute from my house to the Grove may not qualify as the typical high octane adventure one would expect to read about in a travel blog; I think that the ability to appreciate art and culture is what separates true travelers from tourists. Here are a few things I learned at the festival that I hope serve my fellow non-aficionados well at their next massive cultural gathering.

It’s about quality NOT quantity
The arts festival contained about two miles worth of exhibitors. I can not tell you how many people I saw racing past some fantastic artist’s booths just because they wanted to make sure they saw every inch of the festival by the end of the day. Of course, it is a shame if the day is not long enough to check out every artist. But you are not gaining anything by only allowing yourself a 30 second snapshot of every exhibit, flipping through a nouveau coffee table book will provide the same effect. If you see a booth that you find interesting, be sure to stop and take a really good look. You would be surprised at how much you can learn about yourself by examining what certain pieces mean to you.

Bring a blanket and eat the food
I know in this economy I should probably be telling you to skip out on the five dollar snow cones and eat before you get there, but where’s the fun in that? I believe that a day spent surrounded by fine art is a day meant for splurging. The arts festival today featured delicacies like curried goat and seafood paella, were they a little overpriced? Sure. But that just comes with the territory. Once you have your food you can try to fight for a table with the rest of the masses, or use a blanket and enjoy that funnel cake in full picnic style glory!

Remember it is about what YOU like
Art is incredibly personal. It is quite possible that you will fall in love with a piece while the person standing next to you thinks it is complete crap. I do not understand why people favor certain works of art over others. I think that it may be a combination of people’s experiences, personal preferences, depth perception, and countless other things. But at the end of the day you are the one that has to be happy with the decision you make. It doesn't matter what your boyfriend, best friend, parents, or whoever else may think. If you a look at something and feel an immediate reaction, that is a piece worth some serious consideration.

"Art is not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to shape it." Russian poet and playwright, Valdimier Mayokovsky

To read an interesting article on the festival and watch a promo video click here.

A Little About Myself

I would like to start this off with some insights about myself and why I decided to start a travel blog. I recently graduated from Florida State University and have began a new job in marketing for the travel industry. Its true that the switch from late night study sessions and keg parties to 9 -5 working hours and cocktail "networking" functions has been a bit of culture shock to me, but when it gets down to the actual travel aspect of my work I could not feel more in my element.

The first time I left the country was when I was five months old. My parents took my twin sister and I to Colombia to meet my fathers family for the very first time. Of course, my sister and I were not the most disciplined travelers at the time and to this day my parents wonder if the fellow passengers of Avianca flight 4120 have ever fully recovered. My next major trip over seas was at the tender age of nine when my grandmother took my sister and I to Kenya. Basically, my grandmother proposed that instead of giving us big gifts every year for our birthday and christmas, we could pick any place in the world and she would take us there. We were nine, huge Lion King fans, i think you know where this going....

At this point in my life I have explored five continents and visited over 12 countries. While all the places I have been to are amazing and each has touched me in its own unique way, I sometimes leave a country wishing that I knew a few things before I got there. Had I known to ALWAYS agree to a fare before getting in to a cab, never buy travelers checks and just stick to local atms, or that money belts are one of the best investments a traveler can make; i could of saved myself some unnecessary grief. With this blog I hope to share some of the things I have learned over the years, so that fellow travelers can explore new countries with every possible tool in their arsenal. I will be posting often so please feel free to follow me and I would be happy to get any comments or feedback you may have!