American Airlines - Launches Deal Finder 2.0

American Airlines launches Deal Finder as an alternative to Orbitz and Travelocity. 

The all new DealFinder 2.0 features a user friendly design, more search capabilities, and exclusive offers.

DealFinder is the customizable fare searching tool that you can download to your desktop, so you can easily have a personalized travel planning experience!

With DealFinder 2.0, you have access to:

• Fare Search Alerts- Set up to 10 fare searches and DealFinder will alert you when your desired fare becomes available
• News and Offers – Be among the first to know about the latest fare sales and news from AA.com
• Exclusive Discounts – Receive exclusive offers tailored to your travel preferences

Whether you are using a PC, Mac or Linux operating system, DealFinder gives you access to all American Airlines travel deals.

Save time and gain more control over your travel planning with DealFinder.

To Download

TRAVEL - PHILIPPINES - INTRAMUROS - MANILA

TRAVEL - PHILIPPINES - INTRAMUROS - MANILA

Intramuros Front Gate

My office in 2009 through 2010, was in the port area of Manila, Philippines and right outside of this gate of the old walled city.  Intramuros is the oldest district of the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila during the Spanish Colonial Period. Located then along Manila Bay and south of the mouth of Pasig River, its thick defensive walls were built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to protect the city from invasion. Its name in Spanish, intramuros, literally "within the walls", meaning a city enclosed by thick, high walls and surrounded by moats.

Old City Map

Often, I would go there to conduct business such as work permits and banking.  My fiance, now my wife, suggested we tour Fort Santiago.

Pearl at Fort Santiago Entrance

The fort was the site of several key battles over the years.  Built in 1571 it was destroyed in 1574.

Pearl at the cannon

Me at the cannon

Golden Foot Print of Rizal

1896.  A national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, was held prisoner by the Spanish and executed nearby on December 30, 1896.  Moments before his execution by a squad of Filipino soldiers of the Spanish Army, a backup force of regular Spanish Army troops stood ready to shoot the executioners should they run awry. The Spanish Army Surgeon General requested to take his pulse: it was normal. Aware of this the Sergeant commanding the backup force hushed his men to silence when they began raising "vivas" with the highly partisan crowd of Peninsular and Mestizo Spaniards.  His steps are traced in gold.  It was powerful to see.

Unlikely Soldier

Later, after the Spanish-American War, Intramuros was the headquarters of the US Army.  The US trained Filipino soldiers and we got to try on their uniforms.

Pearl looks serious

In 1941, the Japanese invaded and kept many prisoners in the dungeons of Intramuros.

Pearl in the Dungeon

Pearl in front of Casa Maynila

After touring Fort Santiago, we headed over to Casa Maynila.  It is a reproduction of how people lived in the 1800's Reproduction because, during the Battle of Manila in 1945, every building was destroyed.  Not many pictures on the inside because it was forbidden to take photos.  We would have done it anyway, but the guards haunt you.  I guess they get a bonus if they catch you.

Pearl at the garden of Casa Maynila

I highly recommend the Carlos Celdran tour.  We caught the last bit of this one as we had to go work an overnight shift.   Carlos Celdran is not only knowledgeable but he is hilarious and some of routines make the history come alive.  You can book him here.  Overall, the tour of Intramuros was inexpensive and historical.  We made a lot of our own fun.  We went in January so it was cooler than usual.  But still beware the tropical sun and drink plenty of water.

American Airlines in battle with Online Booking Sites

Expedia Cancels Relationship with American Airlines Over a  Price Dispute

Expedia Inc. removed American Airlines’ airfares from its travel website today.  They claim the new pricing model from AA is “anti-consumer and anti-choice,” making it harder to compare American ticket prices and options with those of other airlines, the online travel agency said in an e- mailed statement.

American doesn’t expect a “significant” drop in sales from Expedia’s move, said Ryan Mikolasik, a spokesman for American Airlines. On Dec. 23, Expedia omitted American fares from prime search displays on its site, though customers could still buy tickets. This widens the conflict between online travel agencies and airlines, such as American, that seek to drive more consumers to their own websites. Fort Worth, Texas- based American, owned by AMR Corp., has developed a system called Direct Connect that provides fare pricing and options directly to larger online travel agencies.

Last month, American pulled its listings off Orbitz Worldwide Inc., while Delta Air Lines Inc. notified three online travel sites -- CheapOAir.com, OneTravel.com and BookIt.com -- that it terminated them as authorized travel agents.

American spokesman Mikolasik said that while consumers can’t buy American tickets on Expedia anymore, the airline’s fares and schedules remain on Egencia, Expedia’s corporate travel website.

AIRLINES FEES - Cool visual chart on fees

Philippines: Great Bargain for Beach Vacation

Do you have the Philippines Inside?  You like the Philippines.  The Philippines likes you.

The Philippines may be just about to rudely shove Thailand off the ‘best cheap beaches’ perch it’s occupied for the best part of two decades. While travellers argue long and hard about which is cheaper, there’s no denying Thailand is more popular.

For those who desire nothing more than to find great, undiscovered beaches, surf the odd wave and eat unique, distinctive food for under US$20 a day, the Philippines has the edge.

Camara Island, Pundaquit.  San Antonio, Zambales.  Philippines

Add in the possibility of beach camping along the Zambales Coast or in the Bacuit Archipelago and you’ve got the recipe for timeless island hopping that suits any budget. Ferries link many idyllic destinations in the Philippines. Expect to pay around US$5 for each hour you’re on the water.

Vacation Tip: Lost Luggage

Even though lost luggage claims are down over 20% this year, it still hurts if it is your bags that are the ones lost.  If your bags are lost, you may qualify for up to $3,300 in compensation on domestic USA flights and up to $1,700 for international flights.  Check with your airline for policies.




The best advice to is to prepare so your bags are not lost.  Here are some things you can do to get control:

BEFORE LEAVING:
*  Book a non stop flight.  Minimize the chance of a failed transfer.
*  Choose an airline with a good baggage record.  Compare here.
*  Pack your carry-on wisely so that you can live comfortably for a few days - medications and clothes - in case you have to.
*  Remove old luggage tags to avoid confusion.
*  Label your suitcase well - also tuck a business card inside - Lack of ID tags is why luggage ends up in the lost luggage clearing house and is resold.

AT THE AIRPORT:
*  Check in on time, if not your bags may not make the flight.
*  Make sure the desk agent places the correct destination tags on your bags.
* Hang onto your baggage claim ticket.  Often, it is attached to your boarding pass and is frequently left behind on the plane.

AFTER LANDING:
* Be at the carousel when bags are off-loaded.
*  If your bags are lost or delayed, file a report immediately at the airport and get a copy.
*  Ask the lost-luggage counter for the airline's contract of carriage, this will spell out your rights.
*  The Department of Transportation recommends following up with a certified letter to the airline's customer service department restating the details of the incident.

LESSON LEARNED:
Do your best to pack lightly and travel with carry-on only.  With what you save in time, aggravation and baggage fees, you could purchase what you don't pack at your destination.

Cool web site about travel by American Express:  www.TravelAndLeisure.com

Preparing for Holiday Travel

GET READY BECAUSE HERE IT COMES - Holiday Survival Guide

Gettting to enjoy it

The crowds. The lines. The security and scanning. The sprint to the gate. All of it can overwhelm air travelers -- especially during the holiday rush -- but it doesn't have to be that way.  And as security measures continue to ramp up, with pat-downs and new scans, navigating overbooked, overflowing airports just got a bit more dicey. 

Travel experts to provide tips to make the airport experience a smooth one, especially if you haven't flown since last holiday season.
But first, be aware that you'll have lots of company in your quest to share a turkey dinner with relatives.  It's estimated that 42.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving, according to AAA and IHS Global Insight. That's an 11 percent increase from last year, when 37.9 million people traveled during the holiday.  And about 24 million people will be crammed into airplanes, a 3.5 percent increase over last year, according to the Air Transport Association of America, which represents some of the nation's biggest airlines.

The busiest travel day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, followed by the Monday after the holiday, the ATA said. The Friday before Thanksgiving week and the Wednesday before the holiday will be the other peak travel days.
The least busy travel day? The holiday itself: Thursday, November 25.  No matter what day you fly, here are five tips to survive the airport this holiday season.

1. Hit the web before you head for the airport
Let modern technology save you some hassles and maybe even some money. Check in online up to 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave, and print your boarding pass at home.  "This allows you to secure your seat assignment, double-check for any schedule changes ... and decrease your chances of getting bumped if your flight is oversold,"

New since the holidays last year: More carriers now allow you to check in from your smartphone and use a digital bar code on the screen to pass through the airport.
If you're using this option, save the bar code as a photo on your device, which will make it much easier to retrieve at security and at the gate, advised Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights.

If you're checking bags, many airlines have raised their fees this year, but some offer discounts if you prepay during the online check-in. Delta, Continental and US Airways, for example, take $2 off the first bag and $3 off the second if you pay online when you check in for your flight on the carrier's website.
"Know before you go," Saltzburg said. "There are fees, and it's important to educate yourself and be prepared and handle as much of the check-in process before you actually get to the airport."
He recommended the ultimate airline fee guide on SmarterTravel.com to get a clear picture of any extra charges you might pay.
Check out other great travel tips and destinations at Five To Go

2. Pack light
Avoid checked-bag fees altogether by bringing carry-on luggage only. (Be sure to check with your carrier on the maximum size of bags allowed in the overhead bins.)  You can head straight for the security line when you arrive at the airport and skip the baggage carousel after your flight lands at your destination.  New since the holidays last year: Spirit Airlines now charges a fee for carry-ons that passengers place in the overhead bins. (Each traveler can still bring one personal item that fits under a seat for free, such as a purse or briefcase.)
Every other   Airline allows one piece of luggage and one personal item to be carried on for free by every ticketed passenger, Brown said.

3. Give yourself plenty of time
Get to the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure for a domestic flight and three hours before an international trip.
It's especially important to get to the airport early during the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel rush, because the many inexperienced fliers and families with children who are venturing out during the holidays will probably slow down the security process.
New since the holidays last year: Beefed-up screening means that lines may be moving more sluggishly.
"Body scanners and additional pat-downs are the norm these days, leave extra time to get through security,"

4. Prepare for the security line
There's no avoiding your encounter with Transportation Security Administration agents, and there's tension in the air as hundreds of travelers grab bins and shuffle through with their belongings.
"The one place you'll tend to have to queue is going to be at airport security, and it's probably your most stressful part of the trip," Saltzburg said.
You can't speed up the line, but you can do your part to prevent slowing it down. Here are some basic tips:
• Have your boarding pass and ID easily available.
• Remove your shoes. ("Slip-on shoes should make going through security much faster," Saltzburg advised.)
• Make sure all of your liquids are in a zip-top plastic bag that's kept separate from your carry-on bag and adheres to the 3-1-1 rule: Fliers are limited to 3-ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels, that can fit in a one-quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.
• Send coats and jackets through the X-ray machine.
• Take any items that might set off the metal detector -- like keys, loose change and heavy jewelry -- out of your pockets.
• Don't wrap any gifts. If security officers need to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap it. If traveling with food, check the TSA's list of items that should be checked or shipped ahead.
Bored at the airport? Entertain yourself with CNN iReport's holiday scavenger hunt

5. Plan for flight delays
Don't expect all of your Thanksgiving travel plans to happen without a hitch, Orbitz.com advised. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and if you have connecting flights, build buffers into your itinerary so that one disruption won't jeopardize your entire trip.
"Keep any medication you need and something to keep you busy in your carry-on bags," Brown said.
Saltzburg, who flies several times a week, said he depends on noise-canceling headphones to provide him with moments of Zen.
"I put my headset on, and it tunes out the world around me," he said.

SOURCE:  http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/17/holiday.airport.survival.guide/?hpt=Sbin

North Carolina Fall Color Report - The Final Weeks of 2010

  North Carolina - Vacation Paradise

North Carolina - Autumn Colors

Driving from the Piedmont Triad north to Stokesdale and Route 65 toward Belews Lake provides a nice outing. Route 89 to Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County is a beautiful scenic drive. Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks are past peak but still provide some late season color.

Check out the leaf color forecaster here.

In many areas sugar and red maples continue to blaze with yellow and orange, especially when back-lit in the afternoon sun. Numerous species of oak trees are actively changing into russet and brown and combine nicely with the still colorful maples and sourwoods.

Even though autumn color throughout most of the North Carolina Piedmont region is past peak, some eastern sections of the province remain stubbornly green.

William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh, for example, reports mildly colorful landscapes while several tree species are only now beginning to yellow. Whether or not full color will eventually appear in these areas is uncertain. Kim Hyer, Naturalist at Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve in Southern Pines says the turkey and blackjack oaks, usually brilliant with reds and oranges this time of year, haven’t even begun to change.

Every North Carolina fall season is beautiful with the state’s vast forest resources in the mountain region and numerous state and local parks

Cozy Bed and Breakfast - 2 sites to help you find a good one

Small and intimate locations with a personal touch provided by friendly innkeepers these are the benefits of a nice little bed and breakfast.  Many of these are off the beaten path and are close to historical sites and quiet beautiful vistas.  Check out this directory of Bed and Breakfasts in North Carolina. 

These sites can help you plan your trip:  BnBFinder.com and BedandBreakfast.com 

If you are tired of an impersonal chain hotel stay, consider a bed and breakfast.

The Roanoke Island Inn

BookingBuddy.com - Travel App Review

BookingBuddy (http://www.bookingbuddy.com/) is a service of Smarter Travel Media LLC. It is a free service designed to help travelers search all their favorite travel websites with fewer clicks and in less time.

"BookingBuddy.com attempts to take the hassle out of searching multiple travel sites to find the best rates and deals. Simply fill out your travel details in the box marked Step 1, and then click one of the popular search sites from the Step 2 box at the right. BookingBuddy checks Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Hotwire.com, Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, as well as numerous other hotel, air, car-rental, cruise, and vacation sites."

Negatives on BookingBuddy.com are:  some find it to be slow and labor intensive.  Especially around the  way it is designed.  Plugging in the information for what you are looking for and then choose which search engine to use. This process can be slow and requires you to select each search engine separately. Some might be able to search the other sites quicker on their own.  The fact that it's owned by Expedia, there is a perceived bias in guiding the user towards Expedia.com

Others have found that BookingBuddy is useful.  Especially when needing to quickly compare several  ticketing sites and various travel dates.  The service they give is completely free, and it has been designed to help travelers search through all the travel websites. The site will also save all your recent searches so you don't have to retype all the information again. Also you can compare prices not only from flights companies but also from hotels, cruises, vacations, travel deals and cars.

“As travelers feel more comfortable shopping on-line, they're also looking for the lowest prices available.”, says president Daniel Saul.

Now known as Smarter Travel Media, the company was acquired in 2007 by TripAdvisor and Expedia.

LONDON ON THE CHEAP - Travel Guide

LONDON:

If you go to London, you must realize it is one of the most expensive cities in the world.  Yet it is still possible to experience the city without breaking your budget.

Here is a list of low cost things to do in London:

 Get a Free Map. The official tourist office charges for maps but if you grab the pamphlets for the walking or bus tours, they contain maps. Also, the Museum of London gives away a map for free if you ask. Some Travel Guide maps can sometimes be hard to read and these others maps give you a good idea as to where the location of all the sites and underground stops are without having squint at a book.

Visit Museums. Most of the museums in London are free- the Museum of London, the British History Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum are all free. Get your fill of British history without spending a pence!

Vist an Art Gallery. The National Gallery and the Tate Modern are also free.

Buy an Oyster Card. This may not be free but for 28 pounds, you get unlimited usage of the bus and trains. I’m not sure why they call it an Oyster card. It’s not shaped like one.

People Watch. Sunday is market day in London. There’s the Camden Market, the Portobello Market, the Flower Market, and a million more markets. People watch, get great photos, and enjoy local London life without spending a dime.

Watch Iconic Symbols. The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace at 11:30 a.m. as well as the horse guards at Whitehall at 11:00 a.m. are both free and interesting to watch.

Free Internet. Looking for your online fix? The city libraries offer free internet. There are five library locations around the city. You get a free half hour but if it’s not busy you can stay on until you are finished.

Walk Around. London is a huge city and there are beautiful historic buildings all around. In fact, London beat me. I found this city to be totally un-walkable. I walked for four hours and barely made a dent on the route I was going to take (hence the need to get the Oyster Card.) I’ve walked countless other European cities and never had this problem but there is simply too much to see here. However, once you walk and get out of the tourist area around the Thames, you’ll get to see London the way the locals do.

Lounge in the Parks. Spending a day in the park is free wherever you go. London has some great parks and when the sun comes out (which hasn’t been too often), Londoners flock outside. Join them for some fun in the sun.

See Westminster Abbey. You can get into Westminster for free. You have to cheat slightly though. Westminster will not charge you entrance if you’re there for worship. (Maybe worshiping its beauty?) If you want to get in and not pay, say you are worshiping. I didn’t do it but I’m just putting it out there that you can do it.

Get Cheap Theater Tickets- The theater in London is one of the best in the world. However, it’s also bloody expensive. A night at the theater can blow any traveler’s budget. However, there are plenty of ways to find discount tickets.

Get a river taxi pass and hop on hop off sightsee from the riverside stops. Much more interesting than the godawful tube. Go for a drink in Chelsea then hit the west end.

Time: Extended-stay passes will bring down your daily rate.  And because you are not in a rush to see everything in a day, you now have time to shop for other deals on food and souvenirs.  Plus relax and skip the stress of rushing.

London maybe expensive but it is very possible to fill your days with free activities. If you do want to go in to see the sights you will have to pay, sometimes as much as £25!!! So try out the above activities and save some money.

Using a Credit Card in London?

LONDON - TRAVEL TIPS - USING A CREDIT CARD

(1) Beware of foreign transaction fees
You almost always are going to be charged a foreign transaction fee when using your cards in the UK (or any other country too, for that matter). This fee varies by issuer, but most banks charge a 3% fee. So if you spent the equivalent of $1,000 USD while in London, there would be an extra charge of $30 (3%) on your credit card statement. When you consider that credit cards are much safer than cash, for many the 3% fee is worth it. But there are ways to pay a lower fee… or none at all! How? Well, Discover cards charge a 2% fee so that’s a bit cheaper (but acceptance will be limited). Then there’s one credit card company that charges no foreign transaction fee at all – Capital One. To be honest, I hate them, but they are the only issuer that doesn’t charge this fee. So if you travel to the UK a lot, you may want to consider a Capital One card solely for that purpose.

(2) Credit card acceptance is different
In the US, the major credit card companies are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. However if you whip out your Discover card in the UK, the cashier may not know what it is! But that should be changing soon; Discover acquired Diners Club a couple years ago and starting this year, you will be able to use your Discover card at UK merchants that accept Diners Club (but that’s not widely accepted). The acceptance of American Express in the UK has grown quite a bit over the past decade, but it’s far from being universally accepted. Therefore you should definitely plan on bringing a Visa/MasterCard. In fact, bring a couple in case something happens to one.

(3) Notify your credit card company before your trip
If you haven’t left Ohio for five years and the next day you’re in Glasgow making a purchase, don’t be surprised if your transaction is declined. Why? Because it’s not normal for your spending pattern, so your bank will flag it as possible fraud. This can be a real headache if you’re trying to check into a hotel, pay for a taxi, etc. and your card isn’t working. So what you will want to do is call up your credit card company a couple days before traveling to let them know where you’re going. That way they will be expecting these overseas charges and will be much less likely to flag them as fraud.

(4) No “smart chips” can sometimes be a problem
Pretty much everywhere in the world (other than the United States) uses what are known as “smart chips” on their credit cards. These add an extra security measure; a four digit pin is encoded and it must be entered when the card is used (similar to an ATM card here in the states).  The UK is a very tourist-friendly country so most places – like hotels and restaurants – should still be able to process your US credit card (which only has a magnetic strip). However there are some places where you may not be able to use them, particularly anywhere that has self-service payments (automated kiosks). For example, vending machines at regional rail stations, parking meters in parts of London, etc. For now there’s no easy solution for this problem. If an attendant is available they should be able to run your card manually. U.S. banks have tossed around the idea of issuing smart chip credit cards for cardholders that travel internationally, but so far that has not happened yet.

(5) Merchants may set minimum purchase amounts
In the United States, technically a merchant is not allowed to set a minimum purchase amount. For that reason, I use my travel rewards credit card even if I’m buying a candy bar, simply because I love earning my miles! However that won’t fly in the UK – merchants often set minimum transaction amounts if you’re going to pay with a card (like 20 euros, for example). So if you’re accustomed to using your card for tiny transactions, that might not always be possible.

Last Minute Travel - Cost Saving

If you have ever had to travel at the last minute, you know it can be hectic and expensive. 

Go soon without breaking your budget:

 If you surf the usual places — Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak, a few airline and rental car sites — but they all came back with similar numbers. Barring inconvenient timing or lousy connections (Seattle–San Diego, by way of Denver?).

Try lastminute.com, the Travelocity subsidiary that specializes in travel over the next two weekends. Enter

your preferred plan and be surprised.  The results maybe surprising. 

The system, notes communications manager Giovanna Garlati, is pegged to the availability of distressed inventory, i.e., those airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars that are in danger of going unsold by their original providers. “They usually release it two weeks beforehand,” she says, “when they see it’s not selling.”

A steeply discounted seat (or room or rental car), after all, provides more revenue than an empty one.

Once the inventory is released, lastminute reassembles it (via software developed under the site’s predecessor, site59) and prices it for quick sale. Generally speaking, users can book travel from 14 days to three hours before departure. Says Garlati, “You can book right now and head to the airport straightaway.”

Additional Resources:

If you are using your points or airline miles, I quick review of http://www.flyertalk.com/ maybe useful.

Scary Bridges - Caution - Don't View if you Fear Heights

WORLD'S SCARIEST BRIDGES

Many courageous (or foolhardy) travelers seek out hair-raising bridges just for the thrill. The bridges along the route to Colombia’s National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro are a good example. Though there are safer routes via bus from La Plata, some thrill-seekers choose to ride motorcycles over slippery bamboo crossings deep in the mountains, where one wrong move could mean plunging into a turbulent river.

So get ready to face your fears—or maybe find your next adventure—with a list of the world’s most petrifying bridges.

Suspension Bridge - North Vancouver

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Canada

Originally built in 1889, this simple suspension footbridge surrounded by an evergreen forest is very high, fairly narrow, and extremely shaky—the cedar planks bounce on their steel cables as you walk across them. If the bridge doesn’t scare you, wait until the spring of 2011; the Cliffhanger attraction will allow visitors to climb across a series of suspended walkways attached to a cliff.

Where: British Columbia, across the Capilano River.

Stats: 450 feet long; 230 feet high.

Vietnam - Monkey Bridge

Monkey Bridges
Vietnam

It may seem that only monkeys could make it across traditional monkey bridges—after all, they’re typically made of a single bamboo log and one handrail. However, the name comes from the stooped monkey-like posture you have to maintain when crossing, so as not to plunge into the river below.

Where: Various points across the Mekong Delta at the southern tip of Vietnam.

Stats: These bridges are built by hand by local residents and vary from town to town. Newer ones are made of concrete.

New York - Museum Guide

NEW YORK:  Museums and Galleries

No visit to New York City would be complete without visiting the museums, and New York has some of the finest museums in the world. All the public museums (notably including the Metropolitan Museum), which are run by the city, accept donations for an entrance fee, but private museums (especially the Museum of Modern Art) can be very expensive. In addition to the major museums, hundreds of small galleries are spread throughout the city, notably in neighborhoods like Chelsea and Williamsburg. Many galleries and museums in New York close on Mondays, so be sure to check hours before visiting. The following is just a list of highlights.  

    Arts and Culture

Brooklyn Museum of Art

Brooklyn Museum of Art on Eastern Parkway (Eastern Parkway stop on the 2 or 3 train) is a large museum which contains excellent collections of Egyptian art, Assyrian reliefs, 19th-century American art, and art from Africa and Oceania, among other things. Right past the museum are the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens (separate admission charge), so you can easily visit both in one pleasant afternoon. 

Cloisters Located on four acres overlooking the Hudson River in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, the building incorporates elements from five medieval French cloisters—quadrangles enclosed by a roofed or vaulted passageway, or arcade—and from other monastic sites in southern France. Its gardens are a great way to spend a nice afternoon. Pay for the Cloisters or the Metropolitan Museum and see both for the price of one (although note that payment at both places is by donation, in any case). (Take the A to Inwood-207th Street for the M4 bus)

Guggenheim The architecture is more interesting than the collection it hosts, although the spiraling galleries are ideal for exhibiting art works. It was designed by the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and was built in 1959. TIP: Take the elevator to the top and view the exhibits by walking down hill.

International Center of Photography 1133 Sixth Avenue (at 43rd Street). Devoted solely to photography, this museum a block from Times Square always has interesting exhibits running. Take the B, D, F or V trains to Bryant Park-42nd Street.

Museum of Sex 233 Fifth Avenue (at 27th Street), A museum which relates to the evolution of sex. It features images, films, and sex devices being used. They also sell some adult collections. Take the N (weekends only), R, or W (weekdays only) to 28th Street.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), 11 West 53 St (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Subway: E or V to Fifth Ave/53 St; B, D, or F to 47–50 Streets/Rockefeller Center), This is the most comprehensive collection of modern art in the world, and is so large as to require multiple visits to see all of the works on display. If you are in a hurry and want to see only the crowd-pleasers, head to the fifth floor, where you'll find works like Van Gogh's Starry Night and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Also make sure to take time to visit the extensive (and sometimes whimsical) industrial design collection.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum is in New York City's Central Park along Fifth Avenue. The Museum's two-million-square-foot building has vast holdings that represent a series of collections, each of which ranks in its category among the finest in the world. The American Wing, for example, houses the world's most comprehensive collection of American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts, presently including 24 period rooms that offer an unparalleled view of American history and domestic life. The Museum's approximately 2,500 European paintings form one of the greatest such collections in the world's Rembrandts and Vermeers alone are among the choicest, not to mention the collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist canvases. Virtually all of the 36,000 objects constituting the greatest collection of Egyptian art outside Cairo are on display, while the Islamic art collection is one of the world's finest. Other major collections belonging to the Museum include arms and armor, Asian art, costumes, European sculpture and decorative arts, medieval and Renaissance art, musical instruments, drawings, prints, antiquities from around the ancient world, photography, and modern art.

Madame Tussauds New York City's branch of the famous London wax museum. Features over 200 detailed life-like wax models of celebrities, politicians, athletes and historical icons in the heart of Times Square.

PS1 Contemporary Art Center, 22–25 Jackson Avenue (Queens). An affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Whitney Museum of American Art Contemporary American art, permanent collection and rotating exhibitions. The Whitney is associated with Fisher-Landau Center in Queens, and the Whitney Museum at Altria, a smaller exhibition space in midtown.

The New Museum of Contemporary Art Contemporary art exhibitions with no permanent collection.

Science and Technology

Hayden Planetarium

American Museum of Natural History in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Contains the Hayden Planetarium, immediately to its north on 81st St. Take the B (weekdays only) or C train to 81st Street-
Museum of Natural History or the 1 train to 79th Street (a few blocks further away than the B or C)

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 12th Ave & 46th St, Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 to 42nd Street (either Port Authority Bus terminal, Times Square, Bryant Park, or Grand Central, depending on the line you take) and then take a westbound M42 bus. (Times Square and Port Authority Bus Terminal are the closest stops to the museum, if you plan on walking directly from the train to avoid waiting for the bus.

Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (Museum at FIT), 7th Avenue at 27th St. Subway: 1 train to 28th Street.

New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th Street in Queens located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, On the grounds of the former World's Fair, and incorporates one of the buildings of the Fair, now known as the Great Hall. Subway: 7 train to 111th Street

AIRLINES - Budget Travel and Price Shopping

AIRLINES:

 

Discount airlines maybe pricing some destinations higher this year, the WALL STREET JOURNAL reports.

 

Virgin America, jetBlue Airways and AirTran Airways are pricing some markets significantly higher than their bigger, typically more-expensive competitors, expecting robust demand and limited airline capacity will lead to full planes at full fares. Despite the struggling economy, airline executives seem to think that travelers will buy tickets regardless of price.

 

Demand for air travel has increased recently, and airlines haven't added much capacity back after the recession.

 

Some tips on finding affordable fares this holiday season:

 

1. Buy early: Demand will likely be stronger than supply this year, so prices will rise as seats sell. There are still some good prices out there.
2. Be flexible: Avoiding peak days can save you hundreds of dollars. Consider the Saturday before or Tuesday after Thanksgiving, for example. And the cheapest days of all can be the holiday days.
3. Shop around: Check websites that search fares across multiple airlines, like Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz, and sites that search more aggressively, like Kayak. Don't forget that Southwest fares are only available from the airline.
4.  Find a cheaper beach: If it's a vacation you want, look at multiple destinations. The Caribbean may be selling stronger than Florida or Mexico, for example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Travel - Save while Seeing the Sights

Budget Tips -

Water Bottles - Bring your own.  Take along refillable water bottles for each member of your group.  Fill up the bottles at hotel, park or attraction water fountains.  By doing so, you could save a group of 4 $20 a day. 

Pack a Lunch - Plan on eating at least one meal a day in your room, cabin, tent or picnic in park.  Pack a simple lunch, sandwich, fresh fruit and chips.

See the Alternate Sights - Pick a day and stay out of the tourist traps, amusement parks and other expensive outings.  Chart your own course and save.

Save at the Pit Stop - Find the best gas prices on the way, use GasBuddy.  This site is a user reported gas price site.  You can chart the cheapest fuel along the way.