Bundle up for Eastern European Travel

The outlook on travel to Eastern Europe has really changed in recent years. Many travelers are finding that this side of Europe has great travel bargains and off-the-beaten-path treasures. Some of you hearty souls that enjoy a cool breeze and don't mind the snow even opt to travel to this part of the world during the winter. Even if you are used to cold weather, it never hurts to be reminded that winter travel is not like summer travel. Your suitcase may be a bit bulkier because you’ll need heavier clothes, but you’ll have a great time seeing the sites if you pack so you can stay warm.

Pile on the layers

Just as in the United States, it may be cold outside, but rather warm inside. If you bring only sweaters and long underwear, you may find yourself melting when you are indoors. Wearing layers of clothing means you can be prepared for all temperatures.

Get boots that are made for walkin'

If you are not from a cold climate in the U.S., you may not have the kind of sturdy boots you need to make it in Eastern Europe. Galoshes or rain boots simply won’t do, You'll need sturdy, waterproof boots that go above the ankle.

The all-important Coat

You'll need a good coat, but you'll also need room in your suitcase for your other things. What do you do? Pack your coat in a sealable bag, of course. When you press all of the air out of the bag and seal it, you’ll find that your coat is not as bulky as it seems to be.

Top it all off with a hat

Yes, you've seen pictures of people in Easter Europe wearing big, furry hats, and soon you will be on of those people. Actually, you don’t have to get a huge hat like that, but you do need a hat that can protect your head and ears. It is likely that the hat you buy will not be the most fashionable, but your ears will thank you for it later.

Eastern Europe is a Winter Wonderland

When I say Eastern Europe-what do you think? If the image in your mind is dreary and filled with snow, then you are only half right. There definitely is snow (a lot of it) in Eastern Europe during the winter, but as for the dreary part, you've got it all wrong!

The prices you can pay to travel to Eastern Europe during the winter months pale in comparison to the prices for the western part of the continent. The winter is not peak travel season, so you can get great rates on everything from your airfare to the trinkets you buy to give to friends back home.

Eastern Europeans do not hide or hibernate during the winter. They have great festivals, wonderful shows, fantastic operas, and beautiful ballet productions all year long. In fact, because it is an area used to the cold climate, there are some festivals and productions that can only be seen during the winter. This is a testament to a region that embraces and celebrates the weather during all seasons. You won’t have to fight to get tickets, either.

Because it has been somewhat isolated, a lot of Eastern Europe's charming architecture, has not been heralded as much as other parts of the world. There are gorgeous cathedrals and stately castles awaiting you there. If you are into photography, you'll jump at the opportunity to photograph some of these great buildings with a backdrop of pristine snow.

Winter is a time to connect with the local people in Eastern Europe, since many other travelers choose to stay away at this time of year. Shopkeepers and restauranteurs are probably less harried during the winter and may be more amenable to conversation since things are quieter.
If you like to vacation, but dread the hustle and bustle of trying to get through jam-packed streets or do not have the patience to wait in long lines to get into a museum, then off-peak winter travel may be for you. And if you want to go somewhere that everyone hasn't already been, check out Eastern Europe.

Timeshare Forecast: Sunny with a Chance of Extra Vacation Fun

Recently Pricewaterhouse Coopers released the results of an annual study they undertake to evaluate the climate in the timeshare industry. A press release that detailed the study characterized the outlook for timeshares as sunny. This is great news as you look at your schedule for the upcoming year. The resorts you already love and the ones you want to try for the first time are ready and waiting to accommodate you.

Timeshare sales based on purchasing weeks at a resort remain strong, while the market for points-based timeshares is growing rapidly as well. The increased flexibility and a wide array of options for upgrades make timeshare travel a very attractive choice. You can get five-star treatment, help with planning activities, discounts on local attractions, and much more. Planning your vacation is a lot easier when you don’t have to do it all yourself.

People are realizing what some of you already know—the opportunity to customize your vacation time is invaluable. More and more people are opting to take short getaways in addition to longer vacations. Also, with today’s hectic pace, everyone cannot take the long leisurely vacation that they would like to take. But it is possible to get away for a long weekend.

People are opting to take more off-peak vacations. We expect to see people vacationing in the summer or during the winter holiday season, but more travelers are seeing the advantages at other times of the year. Vacationers are adding an extra day to their three day weekends, like Columbus Day or Veterans Day. They are also using their timeshare points to vacation on weekends that don't center around holidays, times when fewer people are heading to vacation destinations.

We are seeing more people chose to celebrate special occasions with a short trip. Your anniversary, promotion, birthday and other milestones deserve their due. Why not celebrate with a change of scenery? To assist you in finding the perfect long or short get-a-way, visit our sponsor, Timeshare Giant to search for and even book your next timeshare vacation.

Hidden Costs Boost Travel Prices

Travel suppliers are trying to boost their prices without seeming to. Rising costs coupled with a weak economy has the travel industry scrambling to increase prices while still appealing to cash-strapped travelers. It's a time for "consumer beware." Some of the promotions being offered are misleading at best and downright deceptive at worst.

Here are four things savvy travelers will want to watch for:

• Hidden add-ons. Many hotels are posting enticingly low prices to get customers in the door, then adding on exorbitant resort fees, energy surcharges, shuttle fees, and unexpected fees for room features like phones, safes and mini bars, even if you don't use them. Check before you book. What you expect to be free may not be anymore. And watch for extortionary fuel surcharges on airline flights to recoup fuel costs. It's routine in other parts of the world and appealing to cash-strapped U.S. airlines.


• Unbundling. Airlines are going a la carte. Expect to pay separate fees for each checked bag, advanced seat assignments, frequent-flier miles, snacks and drinks. Many airlines are already charging $25 to $50 for each checked bag after the first one. I just flew to Hawaii on United which offered "food items for sale" in lieu of a lunch tray. Expect similar behavior from car rental agencies and hotels.


• Incidental fees. In an effort to lure you in, airlines, rental-car companies and hotels will continue to advertise affordable base costs. It's the climbing incidental fees that will kill your budget. And don't expect them to be upfront about it. Airlines are already quietly charging more for phone reservations than online ones.


• Fine print penalties. Get used to reading the fine print. Travel suppliers have started hiding tough cancellation policies and stiff fees in all that gray type, hoping you won't drag out the reading glasses to decipher it.

Spunky Old Broads Live It Up in Sin City

February is Spunky Old Broads Month (don't you love it?)! So, gals, gather up your bosom buddies and head for Atlantic City on the Jersey shore. There's no place that quite says "Spunky Old Broads" like the casinos on the nation's oldest, most famous and delightfully tacky Boardwalk. Make sure you pack your sequins!

Home to the only beach front casino strip in the country, nearly every casino in Atlantic City boasts a posh hotel just waiting to pamper you and send you home with a smile on your face. Wine, dine, see a show, play the slots or try your luck at the blackjack table amidst the glitz and glam that is distinctly Atlantic City. In summer, America's world-famous, five-mile long, historic Boardwalk (built in 1870) stretches from the exciting Steel Pier amusement park all the way up to peaceful Garden Pier, home of the fabulous Atlantic City Art Center. The chilly days of winter will allow you to dabble unhurriedly through the Center's delightful three-gallery museum. You'll find wonderful folk and fine art by local, regional and nationally-known artists to take home as a reminder of your trip to Sin City.

The Atlantic City area is an artists' mecca. Just 15 minutes away in Oceanville is the Noyes Museum of Art, the only fine arts museum in South Jersey, or Down Jersey as the locals call it. Five galleries and a walkway hold changing exhibits of local art, framed against the serene backdrop of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. An hour west you can watch art in the making at the Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center in Millville. Make sure you visit the stunning Museum of American Glass and the eclectic Down Jersey Folklife Center. You'll find plenty of artists in residence willing to chat and demonstrate the creative process.

New Jersey's premier spot for gaming, live entertainment and shopping, the Wyndham Sky Tower (shown) is just a block from the Boardwalk and close to everything you want to see and do. Between visits to the galleries or stints at the tables, lounge around the pool, take a cleansing steam or gossip in the hot tub with your friends. Click the link above for full details on the Wyndham Sky Tower or click the post title to preview other Atlantic City timeshares.

Celebrate President's Day in Washington D.C.

What better time to visit Washington D.C. than February when we celebrate the birthdays of two of our nation's greatest leaders: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington is one of those cities with so much to see; you could spend weeks there and never come close to seeing it all. If it's your first visit, you can catch the high points and get an overview or you can delve deep into whatever interests you most and plan to return.

You can spend an entire vacation touring the fabulous galleries of the Smithsonian or visiting the many stunning memorials and specialty museums that crowd the city's center. You can tour the capital, spend some time in the Gallery watching the legal meanderings of our country's representatives at work, and the chow down on a hearty bowl of bean soup in the commissary -- it's a perennial Congressional favorite. You can visit later in the spring and delight in the Cherry Blossom Festival when delicate pink and white petals drift like snowflakes through the air. You can tour myriad government buildings and learn all manner of fascinating facts. (Don't miss the Spy Museum -- so James Bond!)


No matter what your plans, for touring the capital, the Wyndham Old Town Alexandria (shown) is the perfect place to stay. Located in the charming heart of Old Town Alexandria, the Wyndham is just a short jaunt to the Washington transit stop, the smartest way to get around the capital's major attractions. Parking in the city is not for the feint of heart. You'll generally wind up closer to the sights taking the Metro. It can be a long walk from your parking place to the building you plan to visit.


For a rare treat, visit the newly opened Lincoln summer cottage on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Lincoln and his family spent summers in the cottage from 1862 to 1864 to escape the heat and humidity of the National Mall. In Lincoln's day the sprawling property, just 3 miles from the White House, was surrounded by bucolic farms and served as the President's private sanctuary. It was here that President Lincoln paced the floor contemplating the end of slavery while his children played on the grounds. For Lincoln admirers, it's a must see, along with the Lincoln Memorial and Ford's Theater.

"This is one of those places that is hidden in plain sight, and yet it's one of the most significant historic sites," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation which just completed the seven-year, $15 million restoration. The site just opened to the public this week on President's Day, February 18.

In audio and video recreations, actors portray the president, first lady Mary Lincoln and their associates to tell the stories of events centered around the cottage. The history of people and events was meticulously pieced together from letters, diaries and newspaper accounts. A multimedia room allows visitors to play the roles of rival cabinet secretaries debating emancipation.

Lost Luggage? How to Make Sure You Get It Back

Lost luggage is every traveler's nightmare. Unless you've been itching for a new wardrobe, it's the worst possible start to your timeshare vacation. Lost luggage complaints skyrocketed in 2006 and 2007, according to the Transportation Security Administration (see our Feb. 13 post). So what should you do if your luggage goes missing to ensure that your bags are returned? Follow these tips:

• Take pictures of all your belongings as you pack your bags. Make an inventory and keep it and all receipts for purchased items separate from your bag.


• Lock your bag with a TSA-approved lock. You can find approved locks at SafeSkiesLocks.com or TravelSentry.org.


• Tag everything. Put your name and contact information inside each bag as well as on the luggage tags. That way if the tag is torn off or damaged, airline personnel will still be able to identify your luggage. I find it easy to stick address labels onto index cards and slip them in my bag. All I have to add is my phone number.


• File a claim immediately if your bag goes missing. Don't leave your destination airport without filing a claim. The sooner the airline starts looking, the better the chance you'll be reunited with your luggage. Remember to ask if the airline will deliver your bags to you free.


• In addition to your airline claim, file a claim with the TSA as soon as possible. Claim forms can be downloaded from the TSA.gov website.

Dog Sledding Coast to Coast

My friend just ran in the NYC "Iditarod." Of course this being crazy New York, the "sleds" were grocery carts and the "sled dogs" were campily dressed 20 and 30 somethings out for a good time. The day-long trek across the Brooklyn Bridge and into Manhattan featured skits, songs and lots of beer!

I've always wanted to experience the excitement of dog sledding. When I was growing up a neighbor had a sled team and trained in the park across the street on snowy weekends. I would marvel at his gorgeous Huskies, muscles bunching beneath their sleek fur coats, as they crashed silently through the snow to his cries of "Mush! Mush!" It all seemed so exciting and romantic.

You can experience the romance of the Alaskan wilderness in between cross country treks or downhill ski runs on either coast of America. In California's popular Mt. Shasta ski area and Vermont's fabled Green Mountains, adventuresome tourists can experience the excitement of dog sledding. Dogsled Express in Mt. Shasta offers one-hour sled rides through the majestic Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Castle Crags wilderness area. Green Mountain Dog Sled Adventures, profiled on the Travel Channel, carries you through the breathtaking Green Mountain wilderness, though you may have to wait until late winter to book your tour. Owner Bruce Linton and his team of dogs are currently in Alaska to realize their dream of racing in the famed Iditarod.

A dog sled adventure makes a nice change from charging down the ski slopes. What better way to fully experience the awesome majesty of nature than while being silently whisked through the pure, white snow. In Stowe, Vermont, enjoy a stay at the gracious Trapp Family Lodge (above, left; yes, it's the Sound of Music Trapp family). You'll delight in the Austrian-style guesthouses, spectacular views and live music. Make sure you sample the luscious pastries in the Austrian Tea Room. For a change of pace, on the West Coast, stay in Klamath Falls, Oregon and take a day trip down to Mt. Shasta in far north California. Stay at Eagle's Landing (right) in the heart of Oregon's winter ski country to experience all of winter's delights.

Leave Your Heart in San Francisco

It's Valentine's Day. A time for romance, candlelight, flowers and slow dancing with your honey -- and chocolate. A girl has to keep her priorities straight, after all!

For me, there is no city in America more romantic than San Francisco. Like legendary singer Tony Bennett, I left my heart in San Francisco the first time I visited and have been returning regularly ever since. From the shiny red cable cars that climb it's 48 hilly square miles to the broad expanse of the golden gate bridge that connects it's peninsula to Oakland and the mainland, San Francisco is filled with amazing, funky, unique things to see and do.

Among my favorite sites to see are:

• taking a leisurely sunset stroll past the shops and street vendors on the way to a scrumptious meal on Fisherman's Wharf;
  
• twisting crazily down picturesque, flower-banked Lombard Street;
  
• spending quiet moments contemplating the exquisite stained glass windows of Nob Hill's Grace Cathedral;
  
• wandering the tranquil paths of the traditional Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park;
  
• expanding my horizons with a quirky lecture at the innovative Exploratorium, physicist Frank Oppenheimer's amazing interactive museum;
  
• wondering at the gargantuan sculptures that hover above the you at the stunning Museum of Modern Art and, of course;
  
• spending a delightful leisurely afternoon browsing through fabulous shops and galleries;
  
• sampling exotic cuisines from a host of nations . . .

I could go on and on. San Francisco mesmerizes you like some exotic, misty-eyed beauty, then steals your heart away forever. You'll want to stay right in the center of things. I love the elegant urban suites at the Inn at the Opera (above, left). Located right in the famous San Francisco Civic Center, home to six performance houses, the Inn is just steps from wonderful music, exciting theater, charming bistros and unique shops. For other fabulous San Francisco timeshare accommodations, click the post title.