Archive for the 'News, Tips & Advice' Category
‘Amazing Race’ Season 13 teams are announced
August 20, 2008 12:15pm
Finally! After almost seven months of waiting, Season 13 of “The Amazing Race” (”TAR” 13) is drawing near. Sunday, Sept. 28, is the premiere, so set your TiVos now. In the meantime, check out our video with host Phil Keoghan shot in January 2008, where he highlights his Top 5 countries from past “TAR” seasons.
CBS has done us all a favor and posted the “The Amazing Race” 13 cast bios, so we can start making predictions about just who will melt down with a “My ox is broken, and I hate you!” first. But I’m going to give everyone some extra info on this season’s teams — or rather my opinions, after spending about 20 minutes with each of them last April at a behind-the-scenes CBS media event, just before they headed out on the race.
When I met them, all the teams had seen one another, but each team had a handler preventing them from talking to one another, so just as I was speculating about each of them, many of them were guessing about one another and probing to see if there was any dirt I could share on their competition. So now, in no particular order, here are the “TAR” 13 teams, as I see them.
One of the most interesting things about Terence and Sarah was the fact that almost every other team said they were the ones to worry most about. The tracksuits and Terence’s runner’s physique were obviously intimidating factors. Sarah having to leave her BlackBerry behind was definitely a top concern on her list. They claimed to have a “never quit” attitude, and they listed Latvia and Argentina as countries they hoped the race would take them to. Terence and Sarah didn’t strike me as teammates who would be completely combative, nor completely harmonious while racing. They had confidence and a competitive edge, but then again, what team on this show doesn’t start out that way? I’m not sure how they’ll place, but unless they get hopelessly lost or miss a flight, I think they’ll be part of the race for a while.
Like it or not, you can always count on CBS to give us a pair of cute blonds wearing pink, and in Season 13, the team is Marisa and Brooke. Am I the only one who’d like the blonds to show up wearing all black with a bunch of tattoos, for variety’s sake? Well, that’s not the fault of Marisa or Brooke, best friends who were prepared to “lie, cheat and steal” if that’s what it takes. And of course flirt — they were more than willing to play up a ditzy perception if it meant it would get them further in the race. These two were hoping to visit Italy and Greece, as well as get in some skydiving and bungee-jumping, we’ll see how they fare after a lack of sleep and some bug dishes. Marisa and Brooke didn’t want anyone to have preconceived notions about them, but while they were certainly friendly and nice, nothing about this team indicated they’d go beyond the “team pinks” we’ve seen in previous seasons. I’d like to be proven wrong, but I don’t know if they can do it. Read the rest of this entry »
Fast-food road-travel tips from Weight Watchers
August 20, 2008 10:08am
Do you have trouble –- or carry extra guilt -– when you stop for fast food on road trips? It’s much easier to eat healthfully at home, but when travelers take to the road, good eating habits can get left by the wayside.
When driving alone, I usually give myself a “fast-food-free zone” that mentally allows me to eat almost whatever I want because I’m on vacation — or even worse — on a road trip, where healthful eating options require extra research and work to find. But I haven’t been on a hard-and-fast diet — and it shows.
All of these road-trip-eating mind games are ridiculous, and don’t think that I don’t know it. I do. That’s why I was eager to read the Weight Watchers article to get its interpretation of what’s healthful and what’s not in fast-food joints. Before you read the article, what do you think is better for you, fish or chicken sandwiches? Tacos or burritos? Read: Weight Watchers Road Trip Dining.
Roundup: American Airlines launches limited Wi-Fi; Tablet Hotels contest; are you a flashpacker?
August 20, 2008 7:22am
Good morning, travelers. Are you ready for some in-flight Wi-Fi?
Airlines news | American Airlines announced today it will have in-flight Wi-Fi on some flights, including long-haul flights “connecting New York with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami,” reported the Associated Press. The cost is $12.95 per flight, but you’ll have to forgo your VOIP phone calls. Read: American launches in-flight Internet on three routes.
Let us know if you took one of these flights and tried the service. What kind of Wi-Fi can you compare it to (speed-wise)?
Craigslist offers last-minute Labor Day travel deals
August 19, 2008 1:29pm
It’s OK if you haven’t even started thinking about Labor Day until now. There are still plenty of getaways to book, especially if you’re thinking of vacation rentals. Craigslist is a great resource for last-minute travel options. I took a look at the “vacation rentals” section of Craigslist Los Angeles and found options in Palm Springs, Mammoth, Big Bear and San Diego’s Gaslamp district. Grabbing the deal requires a bit of trust and a little bit of phone calling or e-mailing to see if the accommodations are still available.
Deal: When I looked this morning, there were:
> a little apartment in Santa Monica near the “Montana Avenue shops, cafes, restaurants” going for $100 a night. It wasn’t four-star, but if you’re just looking for location, the price is right.
> a Newport Beach house that was appealing to the Disneyland-family-beach vacation crowd. It included tons of pics of the property and rates ran $350 per night over the holidays. Weekly rates were in the $2,250 ballpark but were negotiable.
Roundup: Beijing ticket scalpers caught; foreign airlines cutting flights to LAX; Southwest Sept. airfare sale
August 19, 2008 8:59am
Good morning travelers! Do you have your Labor Day plans set yet? Assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor Jane Engle reports that fewer people will fly on Labor Day. Is that true of Southern Californians? Are you flying, driving, taking the rails, staying put or taking another kind of journey? Tell us what kind of plans you’ve made.
Local | International airline carriers have joined the domestic pattern of cutting flights to and from Los Angeles International Airport by November. The effect is that the L.A. region faces an economic hit speculated to total $9 billion. Read the Los Angeles Times’ Foreign airlines cutting flights to Los Angeles International Airport.
Airfare deal | Southwest Airlines is having a September airfare sale. Fares start at $59 each way (pre-tax) with travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays getting the rates. Book by Aug. 21 for travel Sept. 5–30, 2008. With the 21-day advance purchase and fares that don’t really feel that low, it might be more fun to vote for Chief Executive Gary Kelly’s Halloween costume instead.
TSA laptop bag changes: Is yours checkpoint-friendly?
August 19, 2008 12:20am
Do you have a “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag? As of Aug. 16, 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows laptops to remain in their bags — but only certain kinds. I flew through San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Sunday and found a sign at the security gate already alerting travelers. Here’s what you need to know before crossing your next security checkpoint.
Airlines waive fees, cruise ships shift for Tropical Storm Fay
August 18, 2008 5:45pm
Headed to Florida or the Caribbean? As Tropical Storm Fay rakes the region, you may be able to change your flight without paying penalties. And if you’re cruising, expect port changes and delays. Check often with your airline or cruise line.
Airlines: Below are some policies posted on websites this afternoon. A caveat: Even if change fees are waived, you may still owe fare differences:
American Airlines will let you change your ticket once without fees if you’re scheduled to fly to, from or through Florida, the Bahamas or Grand Cayman through Aug. 24, providing that you bought your ticket by Aug. 16. Your rebooked flight must begin by Aug. 24.
Continental Airlines was waiving change fees for travel involving eight Florida airports through Aug. 20.
Delta Air Lines was waiving change fees for travel to 14 cities in Florida and Georgia through Aug. 21. Your rebooked flight must begin by Aug. 21.
United Airlines was waiving change fees for travel to, from or through Florida through Aug. 21, providing that you bought your ticket by Aug. 16.
Disney World prepares for Tropical Storm Fay
August 18, 2008 3:25pm
As Tropical Storm Fay approached Florida today, Walt Disney World Resort continued to operate normally, but will open its four theme parks an hour early, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, “to ensure our guests have opportunities to enjoy our parks and Downtown Disney offerings.”
The resort also said it would not waive cancellation or change fees for pre-booked vacation packages unless Fay is upgraded to a hurricane.
The storm policy at Walt Disney Travel Co. allows such fees to be waived on “Magic Your Way” vacations only if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area or for a guest’s home within seven days of the scheduled arrival, according to spokeswoman Jacquee Polak.
Fewer people will fly on Labor Day, airline group says
August 18, 2008 1:08pm
At last, some good news for fliers: Jets are expected to fly less full over the Labor Day weekend than they did last year over the holiday. So you should have a better chance of getting a seat and less chance of getting bumped. You may even get a break on fares. (OK, that’s asking a lot.)
The reason is falling demand. U.S. airlines expect to carry nearly 6% fewer passengers over the holiday period than they did last year, the Air Transport Assn. of America said today. In a news release, James C. May, president and chief executive of the industry trade group, blamed economic uncertainty and high energy prices for the falloff.
Tropical Storm Fay warnings, hurricane travel tips, interactive storm map, news & weather resources
August 18, 2008 8:10am
Keep an extra close watch on your flights today if you are traveling to South Florida. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has Tropical Storm Fay warnings and complete coverage of Fay’s projected path, travel advisories and a five-day forecast.
So far the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is open and offers hurricane travel tips and advice on what travelers should do if they have a scheduled flight when a hurricane is approaching. However, Key West International Airport was expected to close today at 10 a.m. EDT. Sunday, US 1 was backed up with traffic as residents and tourists were leaving the Upper Keys. Monday traffic was light and steady. Early this morning, Tropical Storm Fay was over central Cuba and moving north-northwest at 12 mph. Read: Florida Keys brace for hit from Tropical Storm Fay.
Hurricane watch news resources:
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Interactive tropical storm and hurricane watch map
Weather Underground: Dr. Jeff Masters’ Blog
