The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today released its summer air travel forecast.

ATA forecasts that 7 percent fewer passengers (about 150,000 per day)* will travel June 1 through Aug. 31, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. Approximately 195 million passengers are expected to fly this summer on U.S. airlines, down from 209 million during the summer months of 2008. ATA is projecting that 7 percent fewer passengers (171 million versus 183 million) will travel domestically, and 6 percent fewer passengers (24 million versus 26 million) will travel internationally.

“The main driver behind the anticipated drop in passengers traveling this summer is the ongoing global recession, which continues to crimp demand,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “The weak economy has forced additional aircraft out of the marketplace, so despite fewer travelers, planes will remain near full. Even with fewer flights and the airlines’ heightened level of preparedness for summer travel, we remain concerned that delays may be inevitable due to the combination of an aging air traffic control system and convective weather period.”

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This milestone is an opportunity to honor and showcase the people, the culture, and the events that have helped to build Bermuda over the past 400 years and make it what it is today.

“This year of celebration has been like none other,” said Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP, Bermuda’s Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport. “We invite locals and visitors alike to come Feel the Love and join in celebrating this monumental occasion.”

Upcoming events and celebrations

– Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009: June 11-15, 2009. The Tall Ships Fleet will race from Vigo, Spain to Halifax, Northern Ireland with a stop in Bermuda on June 11-15. It will be a historic moment for all to witness the Tall Ships arrival in Hamilton Harbour to celebrate Bermuda’s 400th anniversary.

– Cup Match Cricket Festival: July 30-31, 2009. This two-day cricket match between East and West End cricket clubs is an annual favorite.

The concurrent and equally important commemoration of both Emancipation Day, the 1834 freeing of Bermuda’s slaves, and Somers’ Day, which observe the discovery of Bermuda by Sir George Somers in 1609, make this festival a not-to-be-missed event.

– PGA Grand Slam of Golf: October 19-21, 2009. Visitors to Bermuda will once again have the chance to see some of the world’s top golfers compete in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the season-ending showcase featuring golf’s premier foursome. Returning to Bermuda for its third time, the high-stakes tournament will be held for the first time at the newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course.

Saint George Harbour, Bermuda

Bermuda Exposed:

• In honor of Bermuda’s 400th anniversary, the Bermuda Department of Tourism thought it was time to set the record straight and let travelers know the truth behind the triangle…
• Bermuda is not located in the Caribbean. Contrary to popular belief, Bermuda is actually located 650 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, NC, and less than a two hour plane ride from New York City!
• Bermuda goes one to one with the US dollar. Bermuda does not have its own currency nor does it rely on the pound.
• Visitors cannot rent cars in Bermuda. Due to a strong environmental commitment visitors may not rent a car when visiting Bermuda and residents may only have one car per household.
• Bermuda is the oldest British Colony and has the second oldest Parliamentary Democracy in the world (after England).
• Travel easy. Travelers clear customs at the airport in Bermuda before the flight back to the United States. This makes the arrival home pleasant, easy and custom free.
• Franchise free. Bermuda does not allow chain stores or franchise restaurants on the island. However, Bermuda offers a wide range of restaurants with the finest chefs featuring French, Italian, Japanese, to all American cuisine.
• A golfer’s haven. Bermuda is home to more golf courses per square mile than anywhere in the world, truly making it a golfer’s haven. This year, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will return to Bermuda for the third time and will be held at Bermuda’s newly renovated Port Royal Golf Club, Oct, 20-21, 2009.
• Tennis was introduced to America by Bermuda. In 1874, Miss Mary Ewing Outerbridge, an American Sports woman, purchased tennis equipment from British army officers in Bermuda and set up the first US tennis court in the grounds of the Staten Island Cricket Club, New York.
• Fashion friendly in Bermuda shorts. Made from Irish Linen, Bermuda shorts are considered an acceptable part of everyday wardrobe in Bermuda and can be found on most businessmen. Bermuda shorts originated with the British army when they came to Bermuda from India.
• Pristine pink sand beaches. Bermuda’s signature pink sand comes from a combination of crushed coral, calcium carbonate, and foraminifera.
• Bermuda has a rich literary heritage. Bermuda’s rich literary heritage has attracted and inspired the likes of Mark Twain, Noel Coward, James Thurber, Eugene O’Neill, and John Lennon.
• Before publishing The Secret Garden in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett, the English-born writer, stayed at The Princess Hotel, giving rise to the rumor that the secret garden was located somewhere in Bermuda.
• William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was inspired by a shipwreck that occurred near St. George in 1609, the year before he wrote the play. Bermuda has also been the destination of choice for Eleanor Roosevelt and Prince Albert of Monaco.
• Finally…The Bermuda Triangle - The Bermuda Triangle is not recognized by the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. However…Bermuda remains the world’s number one wreck diving destination.

About Bermuda:

Bermuda, just under two hours from East Coast gateway cities, stretches for 21 miles along turquoise waters and is surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau. Bermuda’s diverse activities offer an array of vacation options, including more wreck dives than anywhere else in the world, championship golf, horseback riding, world-renowned deep sea fishing and smooth pink beaches to rest on by day’s end. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com.

Getting there

Book your cheap flights to Bermuda today. Visit http://www.farestore.com.

South Pacific, the box-office blockbuster about forbidden love in the tropics during World War II, was recently re-released on Blu-ray Disc by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to commemorate the movie’s 50th anniversary.

Kauai Coastline

Most of the filming for South Pacific took place in 1957-58 on Kauai’s idyllic north shore, an area renowned for its breathtaking coastlines, flourishing green fields, and picturesque waterfalls.

The location was a popular choice with the film’s crew and Director Joshua Logan noted at the time, “Kauai is a place that will enchant movie audiences, giving reality instead of stage illusion.”

Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, said an enduring attribute of Kauai’s north shore is that it remains largely unchanged five decades later. “Kauai’s allure and spectacular natural beauty helped tell the story of South Pacific. Travelers coming here today will enjoy many of those same qualities,” said Kanoho.

Kanoho added that visitors will recognize many of the sights and landmarks used for South Pacific’s signature moments, especially those captured in song.

Mount Makana’s towering twin peaks in Haena were the inspiration for the mystical “island of Bali Hai.”

Nellie Forbush (Mitzi Gaynor) was romanced by Emile de Becque (Rossano Brazzi) singing the ballad “Some Enchanted Evening” atop a garden-like plateau overlooking Princeville, now home to a popular resort area.

Nellie sang “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” at Lumahai Beach, a crescent-shaped beach known for the many native hala trees on the beach’s edge.

The song “Nothing Like a Dame” took place at Hanalei Bay, a perfectly curved bay featuring historic Hanalei Pier, crystal blue waters, and one of Hawaii’s most famous surfing spots.

The ever-charming Bloody Mary (Juanita Hall) sang “Happy Talk” on the banks of the Kilauea River amid the fertile vegetation that is the Garden Isle’s trademark.

Kanoho noted, “South Pacific helped put Kauai on the map for travelers and our

Kauai Beach

island is as lovely and inviting today as it was 50 years ago.”

For more information about Kauai - Hawaii’s Island of Discovery - visit www.kauaidiscovery.com or call the Kauai Visitors Bureau toll-free at (800) 262-1400.

To book your cheap flights to Hawaii today visit http://www.farestore.com.

Sample fares:

Los Angeles to Hawaii 05 May - 12 May American US$240 (taxes and fees included)

Vancouver to Hawaii 05 May - 12 May Northwest CAD$558 (taxes and fees included)

Tower of London - The Tower of London is perhaps as famous for its traditions as its imposing structure. It is guarded by a special band of Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, and dotted with several large, black birds - the Ravens. Legend has it that if the Ravens ever leave the Tower, a great tragedy will befall England, and to this day the birds are protected by Royal decree. The Tower’s history dates back to the 11th century, and each new Monarch has played a role in its growth and development. It also houses Britain’s crown jewels, a spectacular display of some of the world’s finest gems and workmanship.

Houses of Parliament - Originally built for Edward the Confessor more than 1,000 years ago, the Houses of Parliament, or Palace of Westminster, remained the principal residence of Britain’s monarchs for the next 400 years. Thereafter it became the administrative centre of the country. In 1834 the great fire burnt everything except Westminster Hall, and the present Gothic building was completed in the 1840s. It is perhaps most famous for the clock tower, St Stephens, which is commonly, but mistakenly called Big Ben, after the name of the bell inside.

London Eye - At 443ft (135m) tall, and weighing more than 250 double-decker buses, the London Eye is the most spectacular new addition to London’s skyline. With incredible views of most of London’s major attractions, and an opportunity to put the city’s geography into perspective, it is a must see for all visitors. Originally conceived by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield as an entry for a millennium landmark competition, the project took six years and the expertise of hundreds of people from five European countries to turn it into a reality.

 
Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Gallery - No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but now visitors can actually get a peek inside during the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, and see some of the Queen’s private art collection at the newly opened Queen’s Gallery. Originally the town house of the Dukes of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace has served as the official London home of Britain’s monarchs since 1837. Look to see whether the Royal Standard (not the Union Flag) is flying, which indicates that the Queen is in residence.

British Museum - With more than 6,000 historical objects from all around the globe, the British Museum houses one of the world’s greatest collections of antiquities, including the Parthenon Frieze or Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Roman Portland Vase dating from the 1st century AD. In 2000 the great court was reopened with an incredible glass roof covering two acres, and stairwells leading down to the Reading Room, which has been completely restored.

Piccadilly Circus - One of London’s best known, but most overrated sights, Piccadilly Circus is at the junction of Piccadilly, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is surrounded by neon advertising and fast-food restaurants. However with its Tube station, Piccadilly Circus is a good starting point for shopping in the West End, being near to Jermyn Street, Saville Row and Bond Street. London’s Theatreland is centred on Shaftsbury Avenue and Soho and China Town are also within easy walking distance.

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Sample fares for May ‘09
Toronto to London 06 May - 13 May Air India CAD$645 (taxes and fees included)
New York to London 06 May - 13 May British Airways US$440 (taxes and fees included)

“So many have journeyed so far to this remote place inspired by the actions of the heroes of Flight 93. It is the purity of this pilgrimage that testifies so eloquently to the strength of these peaceful fields. The full emotional and educational journey will be completed with the dedication of the permanent Flight 93 National Memorial on September 11, 2011,” said Joanne Hanley, NPS superintendent, Flight 93 National Memorial.

The NPS began counting visitors on Memorial Day weekend of 2003. The NPS estimates the one-millionth visitor arrived in late February 2009 and that the total stood at 1,006,585 visitors as of March 31. In 2008 alone, more than 235 buses with schoolchildren made educational visits.

The temporary memorial, open from dawn to dusk, is on a hilltop overlooking the crash site. It is located in Somerset County, approximately 80 miles outside of Pittsburgh. Visitors can visually follow the plane’s flight path to the crash site, now solemnly enclosed by a fence and carpeted with wildflowers. At another fence, visitors have left over 30,000 mementoes and artwork including religious symbols, notes, flowers, flags and other forms of respect. Visitors also record their thoughts in journals maintained by volunteers and staff. The NPS catalogs and preserves these tributes to understand the visitors’ thoughts and emotions. Some of these will be part of the permanent Flight 93 National Memorial.

To learn more about the temporary memorial, including its National Park Week activities, visit www.nps.gov/flni. For information on how to help fund the permanent Flight 93 National Memorial, visit www.honorflight93.org.

Source: National Park Service

“They’re at it again,” said Brandon M. Macsata, Executive Director of AAPR, of the airline industry. “United is now the latest airline to shelve customer service standards in search for higher profits, while claiming that the new policy is to ‘protect’ other passengers. At issue should not be the size of any passenger, but rather why the airlines continue to pack coach passengers like sardines into the cabin.”

Most coach airline seats are smaller than seats on buses or trains, even movie theaters - yet unlike in those environments, customers cannot simply get up and move around but are rather forced to sit uncomfortably until the flight’s destination is reached.

Macsata further argued, “Where does this madness end? So now a customer who purchases an advanced ticket online can show up at the airport and arbitrarily denied boarding because a ticket agent deems him or her to be overweight? He or she would be at the mercy of the airlines - an unthinkable scenario especially if the passenger is traveling for a family emergency or death in the family. I wonder just how much will be the price of that second ticket?”

AAPR also questioned the legality of the discriminatory policy and whether it violates the Air Carrier Access Act governing the treatment of passengers with disabilities. It is documented that certain health conditions, and sometimes medications, can cause weight gain and therefore should be protected by law. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) addressed this issue earlier this year, when it issued its “one-person, one-fare” ruling covering passengers with disabilities - including “clinically obese” passengers who cannot fit into a single seat.

To learn more about airline passenger rights visit http://www.friendlyskies.com or to book your cheap flights today visit http://www.farestore.com

Source: Association for Airline Passenger Rights

“Currently, most pets traveling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage,” said Dan Wiesel, president and CEO of Pet Airways. “The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now.”

Pet Airways’ Pet Attendants ensure an animal-friendly travel experience from drop-off at the Pet Lounge through the fully-lit and climate-controlled flight in which there is a proper level of fresh air circulation. All animals are boarded and de-boarded from planes as quickly as possible, never left in the cold or heat, and depending on transit time, will be offered toilet facilities, food and water as necessary during stops.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, approximately 76 million cats and dogs travel with their owners each year. Many airlines allow small pets to travel with their owners, stowed under the seat, but most airlines will only accept one or two pets per flight. Pets that are too big to fit under the seat are relegated to cargo and, unfortunately in many cases, are treated as such. A study by the San Francisco SPCA found that, out of the 2 million animals transported in the cargo holds of commercial airliners per year, approximately 5,000 are injured in transit.

According to the Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), “virtually every major airline has been cited and fined for repeatedly mishandling animals.” As a result of a lack of oxygen and temperature control in the cargo holds, the most common causes of death are suffocation and heat prostration, although one airline was cited for placing a dog too close to a motor, which burned the animal.

TravelAgent Central Contributor

Two weeks into my trip and now I’m in St. Petersburg, completely surrounded by marble and gold gilding. The kind of Russian opulence even Hollywood couldn’t exaggerate.

So what to do? I buy a ticket for an express train. This requires a bit of faith in urban planning that an airport near Moscow would have an express train that runs into Moscow. Besides anyone I asked gave me an answer that made no sense. Unless you speak Russian or can find someone kind who speaks English, understanding directions can be difficult at times. All I knew was that I should arrive in central Moscow with a few hours of sunlight left. Enough time to navigate Stalin’s world famous metro system and arrive at my hostel.

St. Basil's Cathedral - Moscow

Unfortunately my hostel was not located on my map of the city. All that was on my map in relation to my place of lodging was an arrow on the edge of the map indicating that the hostel was only 50m beyond. You would think I would be able to find it no problem. I did find it. It only took me 2 hours. The entire time I was so close, just 50m away! Needless to say I tested my “travellers” patience.

So when I got to my hostel I met an Irishman and a German. We decided to go for a drink, which in hindsight was a bad idea, considering the misery that would become the next day. But hey, one night in Moscow, what does one do?
For those who are curious, Moscow is still holding on to the nostalgia of its former glory in some small ways it seems. The metro is filled with mosaics of Lenin and proletariat propaganda amidst the marble stairs, chandeliers and stained glass windows. Above the station that got me out of Moscow was a huge iron sign that still had the traditional soviet CCCP with a hammer and sickle above it.

In the distance the large concrete buildings held spires to the sky upon which shining soviet stars marked the territory of mother Russia. Moscow is huge! Imagine New York, and I mean all of New York, not just Manhattan, and squish it into one massive sprawling concrete city and then double it, and that’s what Moscow feels like.

As for attempting to read signs in Cyrillic that amounts to not much more then symbol matching and you can’t help but think that what ever someone is selling you is undoubtedly not what you asked for and is twice the price. And let me tell you the Russian ruble may be cheap but Moscow is not.

Spas-na-Krovi Cathedral, St Petersburg

The 8 hour train ride got me into St. Petersburg, half of which was spent watching back to back Richard Gere movies. Now St. Petersburg is a beautiful city, the mecca of all high Russian culture. Even though ice is still flowing down the Neva River, one could not image a more beautiful city. No wonder it inspired Alexander Pushkin and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Beautiful wide canals ring around wide boulevards and open spaces with ornate buildings neatly lined up.

Russia is great! Tomorrow I’m off on a night train to Vilnius, Lithuania and we’ll see what comes of that! Stay tuned.

Your best opportunity to save money on your vacation is before your even leave home.

Travel off-peak

So you think New Zealand shines only as a summer destination? Travel before the masses in September/October or wait until after they depart and consider traveling outside of peak travel times (Jan/Feb). You’ll soon discover that the other seasons offer equally compelling reasons to visit:

Spring (Sep-Nov) in New Zealand offers warming temperatures and lengthening days, and hosts great festivals including the Spring Festival (Sep-Nov), the World of Wearable Arts Awards Show in Wellington, and the Ellerslie Flower Show (Auckland).

Autumn (Mar-May) showcases alluring golds and warm reds splashing the landscape. From the sub-tropical north to the expansive south, it’s time to enjoy orchard fruits, see vineyards being harvested, or to explore the outdoors.

In winter (Jun-Aug), New Zealand goes into overdrive rather than hibernation. Crisp blue skies, steaming geothermal pools and a vibrant après-ski atmosphere bring the country alive. June is also the month to welcome in the Maori New Year, with cultural celebrations throughout the country.

Be Flexible

Most travellers start in the north at Auckland (all international flights arrive into Auckland from North America) and travel south. This means there are great deals to be enjoyed by picking up a car or motorhome and travelling in the reverse direction. Since New Zealand is such a small country, connect to a domestic flight to New Zealand’s South Island and work your way back north.  The added advantage is that you are often travelling against the traffic, rather than with it!

Auckland skyline

Stay a little longer

The main cost of a vacation is often the airfare, so the additional cost to stay another week or so will give you a more leisurely trip. There are also significant reductions on cars and motorhomes for rentals over 14 days. Extending your stay by several days can often dramatically reduce your cost per day.

Book Early

Often there are early booking savings. The other advantage of booking well in advance is to ensure that you are not disappointed and don’t miss out on specific accommodations or regions that you wish to visit. When accommodation and vehicles become tight on availability, you’ll soon discover the price increases unless you’ve secured your reservation in advance.

Prepay where possible

If you want to avoid extra charges while on vacation, consider a package that includes meals, activities, tips, and transportation. A motorcoach tour includes your accommodation, transfers, touring and meals, and often the touring is flexible and allows you to customize your tour by choosing from a variety of activities that suit your interests. By paying for as much as possible in advance, you don’t need to worry about charging money to your credit card, and only need to worry about incidentals, souvenirs and snacks! The other advantage of prepaying for an all-inclusive trip is that you take advantage of locking in a set exchange rate on your trip; and you’re not held hostage by the fluctuating exchange rates.