Randall on the Road

Donald, a viewer who saw my recent appearance on Studio 4 asked the following question by email:

• “I enjoyed your appearance on Studio 4 & the great website as well. It’s about time I finally made a stop in New York- probably in mid Sept., but I’d have to stay on the cheap. I saw some of the options on your site, but also wondered if you’ve ever tried or heard of one of the area hostels that may stand above the rest ?”

Randall’s Answer:

I know very little about NYC hostels. That’s not to say I haven’t travelled on the dirt-cheap myself in NYC. Just not hostels. By mid-September, prices may be coming down on some hotels-the summer tourist season will be winding down.

• Try Hotwire.com.
  • A friend got a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Chelsea for under $100 a while back.
  • The Hotwire catch is you won’t know what hotel until you’ve paid.

• Consider Priceline.com.
  • There’s a longstanding myth that Canadians can’t use Priceline; that changed a couple of years ago.
  • I use it with some frequency and good success.
  • Priceline does, however, require a substantial amount of work and know how.
  • The trick is to learn how to rebid for a specific area without losing your options.
  • Here’s a link to an online tutorial. This really does work. http://www.komonews.com/news/7516117.html

• Craigslist has worked for me.
  • There is a funny spot on the Lower East Side / Tompkins Park where I stayed last year, and it was fine, a bit of a slog to Midtown, but itself in a very funky neighbourhood. You’ll almost always see it listed at newyork.craigslist.org, click on “Vacation Rentals,” and look for an ad that says something like:

” $88 Tonight””””’room avail Aug 19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 on””” no fee (east village Tompkins SQ park manhattan) (map).” (The nature of Craiglist makes it impractical for me to try and link to this, since it changes urls almost daily).

• There are a number of other possibilities you’ll find on Craigslist, last year I stayed 3 nights in a private apartment, sharing with the tenant. Strangely, she rents out the room and sleeps on the living room sofa. A bit odd, really, but it was dirt cheap.

I’d love to hear what you end up with! Please let me know.

Growing up on a landlocked potato farm in Idaho, I didn’t hear a lot about oceans or tides. Even now, living next to the Pacific, I rarely think about tides.

But I was just in Nova Scotia, and decided to check out the Bay of Fundy — home of the world’s most dramatic tides. I was shocked! Mind you, I do notice when the tide is high or low along the Stanley Park Seawall at home, but the Bay of Fundy was like nothing I ever imagined.

I drove to a small fishing hamlet called Hall’s Harbour, arriving just in time to witness high tide (happened at 11:30 that day.). Here’s a photo:
And here’s the same spot, 6 hours later, at low tide:

It’s hard to show the true drama of the tide, because it is actually MUCH lower than what the photo shows. The small stream runs out and waaaay down the beach before ever reaching the open bay.

I’m really lucky to get to visit such amazing places. And if you’re anywhere near the Bay of Fundy, YOU should check it out, too.

Leave it to the Business Travel Coalition to sound the death-knell of travel as we know it. Their new report, titled Beyond the Airlines’ $2 Can of Coke: Catastrophic Impact on the U.S. Economy from Oilprice Trauma in the Airline Industry, sort of makes it sound inevitable that the U.S. airlines are all ready to collapse.

I sure hope they’re wrong. You and I can help. How? By continuing to travel.

Frankly, I’ve never understood why society allows ourselves to be trapped in the vicious circle of

• problem in one area>> experts or economists predict doom and gloom>>media grabs and publicizes “doom and gloom” story>>consumers stop spending= doomsday>>experts say “we were right.”

I’m sure it’s not that simple, but sometimes it is. I still have clients and an income. Sure, prices have shot up on many things I need, and even more on things I want. But I’m still living my life, and I’m not about to stop doing my favourite thing–travel–unless it truly becomes financially out of reach.

At present, it’s still very affordable. Compared to my early travel days, plane tickets are actually cheaper (in real dollars). So I’ll be travelling a lot this summer. And if you and everyone you know does, too, the airlines will keep flying, and experts will be shown that just because we fly in livestock-class, doesn’t mean we’re as dumb as a bunch of sheep.

I’m going to Halifax, and then Idaho. Where are you going?

Cheers,

Randall Shirley
Travel Writer

Catch me on Monday, June 23, during one of my frequent appearances on Vancouver’s Shaw TV Studio 4.

Fanny and I will be making a departure from our regular “destination” driven visits; this time we’ll talk mostly about the state of the travel industry, taxes, fees, airlines downsizing, and what it all means to the average traveller (or traveler, depending on which country you live in).

Tune in!

Randall Shirley
Vancouver’s Travel Writer

Just a quickie to tell you the new edition of Out In Canada, the major Canadian gay & lesbian travel magazine, is now in distribution across Canada and the U.S. I’m the editor (but not the publisher…).
I still don’t find e-zines as sexy as printed ones, but you can read almost all the content on the website at www.outincanada.ca.

In other gay travel news, just a reminder that there are still some cabins available on the gay-group Holiday Cruise to Hawaii! Kevin and I are going, as are several friends. Click the link for more info. The sooner you book, the more likelihood of the group pricing being available…and the better the airfare to Southern California will be, too.

Travel safely!

Just a quickie:

WestJet’s throwing a sale, which means Air Canada has to match prices.

Fares are not what they used to be, even on sale. The sale-price for Vancouver to Calgary, for example, is $99 one-way, plus taxes, fees, and fuel surcharge. Just a few months ago it was $79 one-way.

But still, it’s better than the $129 I paid for the seat I’m flying in today.

Tickets must be purchased by June 6, for travel through June 26.

www.WestJet.com
www.AirCanada.com

Good news, several cabins are now booked for the gay group Hawaii cruise over the 2008 Christmas holidays. To get the full scoop, see my previous post. It’s full of updated info.

Cheers,

Randall

For years people have said they’d love to travel with me, and I’ve always had fun with people I’ve met on my travels, so based on an experience Kevin and I had a few years back aboard a cruise ship, we’ve organized a gay group cruise for Christmas/New Years, 2008.

It includes many of our favourite things–lots of sea days, a great ship, and Hawaii! Best of all, it’s 15 nights, which weeds out a lot of families with kids (no offense, parents, but it’s awful when wee Brittney and Tyler decide to play hide and seek around the pool chairs).

Here are answers to several questions about the cruise we’ve planned:

Q: Who’s the group?
A: It’s primarily gay men and gay couples; early indicators are that a large contingency will be from western Canada, where we happen to live.

Q: How many people are in the group?
A: It’s growing. Currently 4 cabins are booked and paid, others say they’re getting the credit card out. The agent has recently informed me that the cruise line does not guarantee our group rate indefinitely, so booking ASAP is important!

Q: What ship is it?
A: Celebrity Mercury. We like this ship for several reasons:

• Reputation with gay travellers. Celebrity has been the choice for many all-gay cruises, and is reputed to have good food, and be sophisticated enough to satisfy gay men!
• Size. It’s under 2,000 passengers, which we prefer. On bigger ships we’ve felt lost in the crowd.

Q: What’s the price tag?
A: The price for our group represents a significant savings over “discount” pricing offered by most travel agents and via the cruise line itself. Pricing for an inside cabin is in the $2,200 range, per person*. If you’ve never cruised, that may seem like a lot. Remember: it includes ship transportation to Hawaii and back, most food, your onboard “hotel” room for 15 nights, and loads of entertainment.

The pricing we’ve obtained basically

• saves $220/person (outside cabin) or $285/person (balcony cabin) vs. most other travel agencies’ discounted rates, by providing onboard credit and incentives
• saves $562/person (outside cabin) or $374/person (balcony cabin) vs. the cruise line’s rate, by providing onboard credit and incentives
• Note: the prices quoted include the cruise, the taxes, and fuel surcharges. Prices you can see on agent websites will not include these items.
• Prices are in USD, and while it’s unlikely, the cruise line can change the rate anytime until you lock it in with your deposit, so book soon!!

Contact me, randall@randallshirley.com, or the agent, Craig Satterfield, at 1 877-346-3433 x8336 for pricing.

Q: Who are you?
A: I’m Randall Shirley. By profession, I’m a travel journalist. I am NOT a travel agent, and I am not the guy who will book your cruise. I’m arranging and promoting this gay group because I think it will be a lot of fun!

Q: What if I don’t like some of the people in the group?
A: No one will be forced to hang out together. You’ll be able to have a cruise with whomever you choose to socialize with, and know that you got a good deal on a really great itinerary.

Q: I think I can find a cheaper rate on this cruise somewhere else. Can I book it and be part of your group?
A: No. If you do find a better rate, it’ll likely be part of some other group, as the cruise lines long-ago stopped allowing agents to discount too deeply. You are welcome to book on this ship, however, you will not be treated as a member of our gay group, nor invited to attend unique events and activities that we are planning.

Q: I/We have never cruised before. Will we like it?
A: Only you know for sure. If you enjoy chilling out, relaxing with a good book, hitting the gym, making new friends, a dip in the pool, good food, and a nice cocktail, chances are you’ll enjoy cruising. Personally I’ve never felt “trapped” on board a ship. They’re huge, and there’s lots to do. If you’re super-active, and prefer vacations with mountain climbing and whitewater rafting, a cruise may not be for you.

Q: My mother wants to come, and she’s straight. Is that ok?
A: Of course! Straight friends and family are welcome to join the group. Be advised, however, that our group adult-focused, and we would prefer no one under age 18. (There may be children aboard the ship, but we prefer them not to be associated with our group).

Q: Is this an RSVP or Atlantis cruise?
A: No, we will be a gay group aboard a mainstream cruise itinerary. The majority of passengers on board will be straight. In my personal experience, this works out just fine. Many other gay groups do mainstream cruises, and in general gay travellers are well-accepted on mainstream vacations. Some of the things you might get away with on an Atlantis cruise will not be appropriate on our cruise. You don’t want to watch a straight couple make out in the pool; they don’t want to watch you, either.

Q: Will I have to bring a lot of formal wear and costumes?
A: No. While there will likely be 3 formal nights during our cruise, you can choose what that means. Kevin and I cruise with tuxedos; we like getting gussied up for a few evenings…it feels very special. As for costumes, unless we plan a costume event for the group, I don’t believe there’s an official costume night on this itinerary.

Q: This sounds fun. How soon do I/we have to decide?
A: Soon! The cruise line can change the rates until you lock in. Currently, there is a likelihood of added fuel surcharges, and possibly an upcoming 10% increase in fares (the ship is likely to sell out 100%). But once you’ve paid, your price doesn’t go up. Also, this ship is likely to sell out 100%, so eventually our group will be full simply because the ship is full.

Q: Who do I book through?
A: In order to get the correct group rates and be a part of this group, you must book through Craig Satterfield, of Surecruise.com. Craig is located in Las Vegas. He’s a lot of fun on the phone, and that’s the best way to get all your questions answered. Email is also an option. Craig’s number is 1 877-346-3433 x8336. His email is craig.satterfield@surecruise.com. Tell him you’re booking with Randall Shirley’s gay cruise group.

Got more questions? Ask me!

Hi. I recently rented a car in Toronto, and was shocked by a new scam the agencies are using to lift more dollars from travellers’ wallets. Here’s how it works, and the way to avoid it…the ONLY way!

1. You rent a car, and the length of rental (number of days) doesn’t matter. In my case, I rented it for 2 days in Toronto, National was the agency.
2. You don’t drive very far. In my case, the car was insurance against Toronto Transit going on strike, since I normally use subways and busses in that city (more on that in a future blog). I drove the rental car into the city, and left if parked nearly the whole time, then drove back to the airport. Total use, about 50 kilometres.
3. You top off the gas, as you’ve agreed.
4. You return the car.
5. The agency adds a fuel surcharge to your bill, on the spot! In my case, it was around $25.
   • I asked the agent what the surcharge was for, and he told me it was because I hadn’t driven far enough to make the gas gage move, so they didn’t believe I’d topped up the gas, and the next client wouldn’t get the benefit of a fully-topped tank.
   • I should simply take my fuel receipt inside to the desk (where there would, undoubtedly be a line-up), and the inside agent would remove the charge. It couldn’t be done at the car return zone.

WHAT THE HECK? This one hit my scam-nerve HARD. First, a lot of business travellers might not even look at their receipt (the agencies are counting on that), second I didn’t have a fuel receipt, as I’d paid cash at the pump, and the gas attendant didn’t offer a receipt. Third, the prospect of waiting in a potentially long line to return the car is daunting, especially if you haven’t left spare time for such silliness.

The only way out of this scam is to make sure you keep your fuel receipt, and be prepared to wait in the line. And once you’re at the desk, insist on speaking to a manager to register your outrage at this inane new policy.

Travel just keeps getting more and more expensive, and we travellers have to be more vigilant than ever because the providers (airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc.) will be delighted to take every penny they can get out of our pockets.

Cheers,

Randall Shirley, Travel Writer

Welcome back to my blog. I’ve missed a few weeks, and am now back in the blogging saddle. As always, I only want to write if there’s something I really think you should read. Today’s is a doosie.

You probably know that I’m an airline/airport junkie. Without doubt, the past few years have been very difficult for the airline industry. One carrier, Air Canada, has been far more innovative than the other North American carriers, and I’ve often been impressed by their new “products,” such as flight passes which, when on discount, have allowed me to jet around the continent at amazingly low prices.

But their latest “product,” or service, or something, is unbelievably insulting to any thinking customer. Get this:

• for as little as $25, they’ll actually provide customer service! Well spank me. I must have been sleeping for the past 43 years, because I thought business was all about customer service, and now a company has figured out a way to charge for it.
• (wait a minute, someone else already charges for it — Ticketmaster charges me to serve myself through “convenience charges.”)
• But back to Air Canada. Sue Welscheid, AC’s Vice President of Customer Service, emailed me (and a zillion other Aeroplan subsribers) to say,
  “chances are you’ve occasionally had flights delayed or cancelled because of bad weather or air traffic problems. In situations like that, we do what any responsible airline would do for their customers: we work hard to rebook you on our first available flight out so you can get to your destination as quickly as possible.
  But we want to offer you protection that goes beyond what airlines normally do when the unforeseen occurs.
  Introducing On My Way™, an innovative new travel assistance service for flights within North America. For the price of a cab ride to the airport, you can benefit from:
  • Access to specialized agents who are available around the clock to address your needs
  • Priority rebooking on the first flight out (with Air Canada or another airline)
  • The option of a complimentary rental car, train ticket or bus ticket
  • Food vouchers and a hotel room if needed
    What this means for you: a faster response time, fewer line-ups and more options. So you can feel in control even when events occur that are beyond your control.

Ok, let me get this straight. Air Canada cancels my flight. If I bought their “On My Way” service, they’ll take care of me. If I didn’t, I’m now at the back of the line, and left to sleep in an airport corner and (if I’m in many Canadian airports) hope there’s food in the vending machine, and that its inside security.

I have an idea: how about Air Canada and all airlines do what they should when they cancel a flight: take care of me. Admit the real reason the flight was cancelled (they’re brilliant at blaming “air traffic”). Make deals with the other airlines to take each others’ customers in such cases. And if they can’t handle that, give me the option then to pay $25 for a hotel or rental car. At worst, give me a pillow and blanket to make the airport corner a bit more comfortable, and if its an airport with a Maple Leaf Lounge, let me sleep in there.

And whatever they do, drop the silly branding and selling of customer service. All Air Canada is doing is selling “customer service insurance.” It’s insulting. I hardly find it “the new name for peace of mind.” So there’s a piece of my mind.

Cheers,

Randall Shirley, Travel Journalist

This question is asked…A LOT. I get at least one email each week asking me how to break in, what the secrets are, etc.

To those of you who ask, please know that I’m working on a page about this for my main site, and will post it soon. Promise. But right now I’m really busy on deadlines and actually being a travel writer…sometimes ya gotta write!

If you have questions about how to become a travel writer, please send them along. I’ll try to include answers on the page.

Cheers,

Randall Shirley, Travel Journalist
www.RandallShirley.com 

Tomorrow you can catch me on Studio 4 with Fanny Kiefer. We’ll be yakking about travel to Prince Edward Island and Quebec City, both of which are celebrating major birthdays this year.

Meanwhile, I’ll be travelling most of the month of April. If you want to buy me a cocktail, you can catch me in Calgary, Toronto, New York City, San Diego, Whitehorse, or at home in faboo Vancouver.

Cheers! Randall Shirley, Travel Writer

This post will apply to Canadian readers more than Americans…you U.S. readers can just get jealous.

There are a couple of bits of Air Canada news you should know:

1. They’ve got a screaming deal available on their “passes.”
   • Basically, you can get a pass that allows you to fly anyplace Air Canada flies in North America for $799/month, plus GST.
     • It’s available for April & May
     • You can only start your trips on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
     • You can only fly to AIR CANADA destinations–don’t be fooled into thinking Vancouver-Denver is an Air Canada route; it looks like it is, but is actually flown by their Star Alliance partner, United. To get to Denver from Vancouver using the pass, you’d have to fly to Toronto, then Denver.
     • If you buy the pass for both months, they’ll give you a round trip to Shanghai, Paris, or London for only $150 more, but it must be used during April, 2008 (which cuts into your North America jet-set time),
     • The pass must be purchased by March 20, 2008.

     I used a similar (although cheaper) pass a couple of years ago, and it can open a world of amazing opportunities. Did someone say “Lunch in LA?” Also, you can jet away to far-flung Canadian cities that often seem out of reach–Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Gaspe.

2. They’ve added non-stop service between Calgary (YYC) and New York’s Newark International Airport (EWR).
   • I’ve long preached that Newark is the best airport for travel to New York City. Everyone thinks of JFK, but Newark wins in my book. It has fast, cheap train service, called the AirTrain directly to Penn Station. From plane to Penn, I’ve done it very quickly, and it’s easy.  You take a monorail from the airport to the New Jersey Transit station, change trains, zip through a tunnel under the Hudson, and you’re at a Broadway show in no time. See my New York page here for more tips on the greatest city in the world.

Hi. On Saturday the final part of my 4-part Argentina series will run in the travel section of the Calgary Herald. The theme is “medical tourism,” based around my experience of getting my dental work done in Buenos Aires by the unique brother/sister dental team of Gustavo & Marisol Telo.

Closer to home, I’m actually considering some medical tourism tomorrow (Friday). I need new glasses, and since I’m already going to the U.S. on some other business, I’m heading to a Lens Crafters! I know that in Vancouver, the optrometist next to my normal Lens Crafters charges about $100 for a check up. I don’t yet know what the guy next to the American Lens Crafters in Bellingham, Washington’s Bellisfaire Mall will charge. I’ll let you know.

What I do know already, thanks to the Internet, is that the U.S. prices on frames is about 20% lower than in Canada. And I’m betting those clever Americans will be delighted to give me the same discounts for Blue Cross and CAA (that’s the Canadian version of AAA) as they’d give their U.S. resident clients with the same cards.

Tune in…this could be the start of much, much more to come.

This is post is about a very personal milestone: my 500th flight.

For some road warriors that may not sound like a big deal, but for a guy who’s never had a corporate job where travel was an official duty, and who craves airplane flights, I’ve done pretty well.

I grew up on a potato farm in Idaho (no kidding), and we were on the flight path between somewhere and somewhere. Few jets landed at our nearest airport, Idaho Falls, but I would watch the contrails from the overhead jets and think “someday I’ll be on those planes.” And it’s come true.

• My 1st flight was at just 5 days old, December 21, 1964, from Boston (BOS) to Idaho Falls (IDA). I have no idea what airline, but I know there were plane changes in Chicago, Denver, and Salt Lake City.
• My 500th flight was December 10, 2007, on a Continental 767, from Houston (IAH) to Buenos Aires (EZE). And I didn’t even get an upgrade… But I did manage to snag an entire middle row (3 seats), popped a sleeping pill, and snoozed all the way to Argentina.
• My most recent flight was/is February 25, 2008, on an Air Canada E90, from Vancouver (YVR) to Calgary (YYC).

Thanks for reading!

Randall Shirley, Travel Writer
www.RandallShirley.com

I had a travel experience yesterday that showed me just how naive most of us are. By “us,” this time I’m referring to Vancouverites.

I went to Whistler to watch men’s World Cup ski racing - the giant slalom. The event was amazing, all the “big names” in skiing were there: American Bode Miller, Austrian Benjamin Reich, and Canadian John Kucera (I’m calling him a big name, because I think he’s one to watch, and he’s Canadian).

However, the crowd’s were not there. I don’t know a single Vancouverite who went to Whistler to watch these amazing racers. Funny thing is, two years from now tickets to this very same event at the 2010 Olympics will fetch premium prices, and be impossible to get.

It’s too late for you to go see these races, but get your eyes open (I’m doing the same) and watch as great competitions come through all our Olympic venues over the next couple of years. In effect, I just saw an Olympic-level race, and I didn’t pay a dime.

Travelling on…

Hola,

My 4-part series Argentina series for the Calgary Herald  travel section is in full-swing, part 3 ran today. The photo of a jet boat heading toward San Martin fall at Iguazu Falls covers nearly the entire front page of the section, in colour. Wahoo…I love when that happens.

Anyway, since some of you follow this blog primarily for my Argentina info, I thought I’d let you know that you can see the stories at the following links, and you can connect into my Calgary Herald blog from the Iguazu link. Yes, I’m blogging there too…the life of a travel writer just gets busier all the time.

Thanks for reading, and keep reading! I’m always sending out info about travel I think will interest you.

Randall Shirley, Travel Writer

Links to Calgary Herald Argentina travel articles:

Feb 9: Apartment stay
Feb 16: Argentine Beef
Feb 23 : Iguazu Falls
March 1: Medical Tourism

Hola,

Interest in our Argentina trip continues to be impressive. It’s a place people are so curious about, truly a “new frontier” for most.

Anyway, I’ve written some bits about tango and milongas, but just came across a product called a Tango Map which I would certainly buy for my next trip to Buenos Aires. If you’re interested in exploring tango during your trip (and you should be), this could be a great resource. I haven’t reviewed it or compared it to my own experience, but it looks quite reputable.

Dance on,

Randall Shirley, Travel Writer
Vancouver, BC

If you’re under 18, you’re not allowed to read any further. Ask your mom. 

This is a legitimate question, and one that I’ve been discussing with more and more frequency in professional travel circles.

Is sex a motivator in travel?

Many of us believe that it is. I personally believe that it always has been a motivator. Here are a few examples…

• The businessman who can “hook up” when he’s on the road and away from his spouse/partner
• The couple who has frequent sex on vacation, but rarely at home
• People who swing when they travel, and never would at home
• Travellers who flirt more when they’re on the road
• Singles who engage in a wider variety of sex when travelling than at home
• People who sample sex clubs or sex bathhouses when travelling because they think they’re anonymous
• A couple rarely goes out at home, but when on vacation meets a hot single person in the hotel bar…and voila, a menage begins that would never happen at home.

Additionally, I believe that sex is primary seller of leisure travel. Don’t believe me? Take a good look at many travel ads–notice the two, very attractive (generally opposite-gender, unless you’re reading a gay publication) models?

• Yup…there they are frolicking on the beach, not a hair on her head out of place and his abs rippling like the sea waves
• Yup…there they are on the deck of a cruise ship, perhaps slightly older, but still so attractive and sexy. They’ll spend some time in the stateroom before dinner
• Yup…there they are, in fluffy bathrobes on the hotel room sofa, glowing because they just, well…

And read on–I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with this. Ok, you Americans, get over the puritanical blushing and answer this: you do get laid more when you travel, no?

Another example: a reader recently asked me which Disney he should take his wife and kids to, Florida or California. Now, this guy works really hard, has the most beautiful kids on earth, and a gorgeous wife. But because he works really hard and has several kids, I know he and his wife can’t get much alone time–especially on vacation. My response: Florida all the way. Spend a week–the first 3 days on land at the Disney parks…let the kids exhaust themselves. Then get on a Disney Cruise–the cruise staff will take care of the kids several hours a day, you and your wife can use the time to, er, reconnect.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to tell a story, or simply answer this question: Does sex figure into your vacation plans?

*Note: I am aware that some people use pre-paid sex services when they travel in foreign countries. I do not believe in this, promote this, or advocate this. I also firmly believe that sex is only to be practiced between consenting adults. Period.

Oh yeah, here comes Spring Break. It’s a period of the year that confuses the hell out of me, largely because of where I grew up and where I went to school. Grades 1-12 we had potato harvest break in the fall, so no Spring Break. My university, BYU (another lifetime) chose to skip the break and get us out a couple of weeks ahead of other universities. It worked great for securing summer internships since our break was longer than theirs.

Anyway, if you’re trying to travel during late February through March, it’s worth remembering that several million college kids are doing the same thing. Thus ski resorts are packed, beach resorts are packed-er, and the airlines are packed–especially the cheap seats (gee, when I was in uni nobody could afford a plane ticket).

So, when planning your travel for the next few weeks, refer to the Spring Break Calendar via this link, and if a school near you is on break, watch out for crowds at your nearest play places.

Travel on.