Traveling Abroad?

Check out the website set up by the U.S. Department of State to get general tips for traveling abroad, but also specific information and travel warnings for certain parts of the world.

The entire site isn't just travel warnings, though. You can also get information about the 2006 FIFA World Cup event, taking place all over Germany this June-July.

And your mother dresses you funny!

We're loud, arrogant and poorly dressed.

Oh, yeah — we're fat, too.

Though it can't solve the U.S. obesity problem, a business group is attempting to beautify the time-worn image of the ugly American by promoting an attitude adjustment among business executives traveling abroad.

USA Today reports that the non-profit Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) will formally launch its program in May, when it will make its World Citizens Guide available online. But the group already has distributed the consciousness-raising pamphlet to 50 or so U.S. businesses, including American Airlines, Loews Hotels and Novell, says the group's executive director, Cari Eggspuehler. The guide politely suggests that when traveling in foreign lands, Americans generally should tone it down and dress it up, among other behavioral tips. BDA will follow up with an intensive briefing program for businesses.

Check out the entire story here.

Standing Room Only Seating? What?

The New York Times reports that Airbus has been quietly pitching a "standing-room-only" option to Asian carriers, though none have agreed to it yet. Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness, according to experts who have seen a proposal.

So where do you eat your meal on the flight? Oh right, there aren't any meals...

Send Your Luggage Ahead of You

Traveling with luggage has become even more difficult. The new baggage security procedures and airline crackdowns on luggage allowances add to the hassle and uncertainty of traveling with checked baggage. Several companies have developed innovative and excellent solutions to these problems.

Have someone else transport your luggage
There we were - checking in for a ten day journey to Florida, and the check in agent asked us 'how many pieces of luggage do you have?'. I smugly replied 'None!'. The agent looked very surprised and so I explained 'We've sent our luggage ahead with Sports Express'. He smiled and we did too - traveling with no luggage is truly a wonderful and liberating experience.
We didn't have to carry our typically very heavy and bulky suitcases anywhere. We didn't even need to tip anyone. We simply left the bags on our front door step and found them, waiting for us, in our hotel room at the other end. What a marvelously convenient way to travel!

Read the entire story here.

How Green Are Your Meetings?

Are you interested in saving water, saving energy, reducing solid waste at your next event? How about saving money?

The Green Hotels Association offers a free questionnaire to anyone involved in planning meetings for their clients or organization.

You can reveal the "greenness" of your venue by answering a few simple "yes" and "no" questions.

"When planning meetings or conventions", Green Hotels Association's President Patricia Griffin suggests, the questionnaire can be faxed to four or five hotels. When the planner is making a final decision between perhaps two hotels, the planner should call or fax again to ask management if there is one further green accomplishment the hotel will offer to obtain this business. The hotel can perhaps install low-flow aerators on one floor of rooms, add a recycling bin for aluminum by the pool or in a public area, stop using paper doilies on serving trays, delamp vending machines or even contact "Green" Hotels Association for further information."

Traveling for Business? Work in a Workout

If your job keeps you on the road, you know how challenging it can be to stay fit and trim. After sitting for hours at a time in cars, planes or trains and subsisting on the high-calorie meals served in restaurants, you probably aren't surprised when your waistband starts to feel tight. You can prevent that from happening with a little dedication and some advanced planning. Your fitness program doesn't need to go by the wayside when you're traveling for business. Here are some tips on staying in shape when you're away from home, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

Put Your Luggage on a Diet

Need a new suitcase? Don't buy another heavyweight (the average suitcase weighs 15 pounds empty!)... go with a lightweight roller that weighs half as much but is still durable and roomy.

Remember: Airlines are looking for revenue whereever they can, and if you don't tip that skycap well enough, they'll hit you with a fine if your bag is over 50 pounds.

Check out the Eagle Creek Cross Roads 25, or some of their other bags. Or, try a Google search for "lightweight wheeled luggage".

Free Airfare in Ireland?

Today one-quarter of Ireland's
Ryanair passengers fly at no cost,
and by 2010, they want more than
half to be flying free.

How can this be?



Ryanair flew 35 million people to European destinations last year, with an average airfare of $53. But they still had $368 million in net earnings - a 22% profit margin (Southwest is 7.2%).

Again, how? Ryanair charges for pretty much everything other than the flight. Every amenity has a fee. They sell ads. And soon, they plan on offering in-flight gambling (and taking a cut of each wager).

Check out the complete story in Business 2.0 magazine.

Book a Private Jet, ala Priceline

OneSky Network is following the priceline.com model of "name your own price" for online flight-booking of private jets.

There are more than 1,500 private jets out there, many of which fly into and out of Hanscomb field in Bedford, MA (and pretty much every other private and regional airport out there). These jets often fly empty, because the company needs to get the jet to another location.

Now, OneSky will let business and vacation travelers shop for prices up to 50% off market rates for seats on private flights that would otherwise be operating empty.

OneSky, based in Manchester, NH, scrutinzed three years' worth of private jet operating records from the FAA, and found that 40% of the time, pilots are operating empty planes. Why not sell those seats? It ends up not costing much more than flying first class, AND you get to skip the security check-in hassles, missed connections, lost bags, and jammed-up hub airports.

Help! I'm Traveling and I Can't Find WiFi!

The Linksys Wireless-G USB Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder is a handy, pocket-sized device that combines an easy-to-use wireless network scanner with a USB-connected Wireless-G network adapter. Now you can scan for available wireless connectivity before turning on your computer. This is key if you're walking around the airport or another location, and don't want to carry your laptop around in your hands waiting for that signal to pop up. If the scanner does find a network, just plug it into your PC and get connected.

The Wi-Fi Finder detects Wireless-G and Wireless-B networks with a simple push of a button. It displays all pertinent information such as the wireless network's name (SSID), signal strength, the channel used, and whether wireless security is enabled or not. The information is displayed on an easy-to-read LCD display and can be set up to look for only open networks, all networks, or a specific named network. Discovered networks are listed in order of signal strength.

Public wireless hotspots are springing up all over in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels and convention centers. The Wireless-G USB Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder from Linksys makes it easy to find, and connect to, those hotspots. About $80.

CPT - Play Golf with Professional Athletes

Superstar athletes are regulars at celebrity golf tournaments, and there is even an entire tour just for celebrities.

The Celebrity Players Tour (CPT) presents about eight tournaments per-year, and packages are available for amateurs to play two days of golf with these sports celebrities (there are a few actors and musicians as well).

These packages are surprisingly affordable, and work great as incentives for some of your best sales people, or perks for your best customers.

The CPT tour kicks of 2006 in Fort Myers this week, and will visit the South, Midwest, Northeast, West Coast, and Caribbean.

Check it out!

Reducing Jet Lag

Jet lag affects individuals in different ways and to different degrees. Flying across three or more time zones often disrupts your normal sleep-wake cycle. As a result, your internal body clock wakes you during the night and makes you sleepy during the day.

Other symptoms of jet lag include irritability, decreased concentration, dizziness, headaches, muscle soreness, and constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms can be aggravated by stress, lack of sleep, dry air, dehydration and a bumpy airplane ride (not to mention the 3-day conference with 12 hours per day of speakers and sessions!).

Keep in mind that it generally takes one day at your destination to fully adjust for a one-hour time zone change. Also, the symptoms of jet lag are often worse when traveling eastward rather than westward.

There's no single, proven method for preventing or "curing" jet lag. But there are some things you might try:

Before your trip, reset your internal clock. Several days before your trip, gradually adjust your sleep schedule to more closely match the time at your destination. For example, if you're traveling eastward, start going to bed an hour earlier every day and getting up an hour earlier.

Choose a daytime flight when possible to avoid sleep loss and fatigue. Make sure you are well rested and not sleep-deprived before your trip. Also, wear loose, comfortable clothing on your flight so that you can relax and rest more easily.

During the flight, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine. Avoid taking sleeping pills during the flight. If you have trouble sleeping after a few days at your destination, consider taking a mild sleeping pill — unless your doctor advises otherwise.

When you arrive at your destination, reset your watch to local time. If possible, allow yourself a day or two to acclimate to the time change.

Some research suggests melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement, may help decrease jet lag. You may try taking 1 to 3 milligrams of melatonin at bedtime for several days once you arrive at your destination. However, the benefits of melatonin are often exaggerated. More research is needed to determine its potential benefits and risks.

Feet Feeling "Swell" After that Flight?

As a passenger on a plane, you spend most of your time seated with your feet on the floor. This allows blood to pool in your leg veins. When you walk, the muscles in your legs contract and compress the veins, forcing blood back to your heart.

You can usually relieve swelling during and after a flight by:
- Elevating your feet and legs
- Get up and walk around the plane once an hour
- Rotate your ankles while seated

On flights lasting six hours or more, consider taking these additional precautions to reduce the risk of DVT:
- Avoid wearing tight clothing around your waist
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Stretch your calves once an hour
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives, which promote immobility

Smokin' the Competition

If you've got the right audience, having a master cigar roller not only roll cigars made with premium Dominican filler, but also answer questions from guests, is a great addition to an executive-level reception or event.

CF Dominica's new Cigar Catering service has master cigar rollers in 14 cities nationwide, and they'll travel to whereever you need them to be (usually at no additional cost).

Worried about lots of smoke at your event? According to CF Dominica's president Dennis Briganti, "Any cigar that's rolled fresh at an event shouldn't be smoked for at least a few hours - the tobacco needs to get down to 70% humidity."

An interesting alternative to the more traditional wine tastings!

Big Apple, Small Price

The April 2006 issue of US Airways Magazine highlights a small hotel in New York's Times Square (right behind Planet Hollywood) that gives you a lot for the money: Rooms start at $175 a night - simply unheard of if you've ever tried getting a room in Times Square.

Check out the story here.