Getting stuck in an airport for a delayed flight or long layover can really be annoying and inconvenient. Luckily many airports are coming up with new ways to keep you entertained, relaxed and comfortable during these times. Here are just a few of those extra amenities.

1. Yoga rooms
Many airports now offer yoga rooms or exercise rooms where you can stretch out and de-stress while waiting. Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco and Dallas are just a few who offer these rooms to travelers. Philadelphia International has stationary bikes available so you can get in a good workout before you get stuck back in an airplane seat. Some airports, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor even have indoor and outdoor walking trails.

2. CoatChex
If you are traveling from the frigid cold temperatures of New York to somewhere much warmer, don’t worry about trying to fit that bulky coat into your bag. CoatChex has partnered with Jet Blue airlines at JFK and now offers a new coat checking system. When you arrive, they will ask if they may take your coat. It will be safely stored, by visually tagging it to its owner, and upon your return you need only provide the last four digits of your phone number to retrieve your belongings.

3. De-stressing Pooches
Many U.S. airports, including San Jose, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Los Angeles have incorporated PUPs into their airport amenities. PUP, or Pets Unstressing Passengers, can be found in 20 major airports. The petting and belly-rubbing of dogs is known to be a calming act. Since San Jose incorporated the pets after 9/11, other airports caught on to the trend and it has become quite popular. The stress level in airports definitely seems to decrease once people start interacting with the animals.

4. Nap Areas
Getting stuck forever in the airport is bad enough, but when you are tired and trying to catch some Zzzs in a molded plastic chair things can only get worse. The good news is that airports are taking note of this dilemma and providing special nap areas just for you. Atlanta, Dallas Fort-Worth and Philadelphia already offer Minute Suites. Here you will find a cozy day bed freshly made, HDTV, and either an alarm or wake up call. For $30 an hour, this can be what saves you from being overtired for your big presentation. Some rooms even have workstations and showers available.

5. Ice Cream
What’s better than a delicious ice cream sundae? One you make yourself! At Logan International Airport in Boston you can do just that. The MooBella Ice Creamery Machine is an interactive stand where you just touch the screen to order. Choose from the 96 combinations of ice cream and mix-ins, and within a minute your delicious treat pops out! This may be just what you need to get through that boring layover!

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Tags: Travel Tips

San Diego is a city full of culture, beautiful hiking areas, museums and luscious gardens. The list of activities is sure to keep anyone entertained and intrigued.

If you enjoy the outdoors, there are several awesome places to go hiking. Torrey Pines State Reserve is perfect for bird watching. The rarest of pine trees, the Torrey Pine, is well protected here. There are plenty of hiking trails on which to view birds, or just gaze at the spectacular coastline. There are also two secluded shorelines perfect for a swim.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is best to visit, as the name says, during sunset. You can see some breathtaking scenic views anytime, but the sunsets here are well worth the trip. The sandstone cliffs make your hike extremely exciting, and the vegetation is basically untouched.

The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous in the country for many reasons. The natural habitats the animals reside in make them extremely comfortable and provide the most realistic viewing of these creatures. Close to 4,000 animals call the zoo their home, and are stretched out along trails named fittingly, such as Monkey Trails. If bigger animals are more your preference, the Safari Park showcases elephants, lions, cheetahs and much more in expansive habitats.

If indoor adventure is more to your liking, check out one of the museums. The USS Midway Museum is the best place to learn about aircraft carriers. Hop aboard the longest-serving American aircraft carrier and tour the engine room, sleeping quarters, ship jail, and over 60 exhibits. There are restored aircraft to check out, and extremely knowledgeable volunteers on board, many of which are military veterans, to fill you in on anything you may miss during your tour, or any questions you may have.

The Maritime Museum lets you tour many historic vessels. Check out sailing vessels, submarines, and learn about the not so easy life of a sailor.

Check out one of the local beaches for relaxation, entertainment or just plain people watching. Mission Beach has picturesque white sands, and an occasional seal comes to visit. It is very popular to surfers, so you can check out some surf action or hop on your own board and give it a try. The boardwalk is bustling with skaters and cyclists, and at the northern part of the beach you will find Belmont Park. Here you can ride the famous Giant Dipper rollercoaster! There are scores of eateries scattered along the boardwalk to grab a bite.

Coronado Beach is a bit more on the calm side. The waves are smaller so not as many surfers, and no busy boardwalk. The scenery is spectacular, there are exquisite mansions located along the beach to see, and the Hotel del Coronado also sits here. This National historic landmark is 120 years old.

In case your seal watching at Mission Beach was a bust, check out whale watching. Set out on an amazing excursion to see the gray whales as they follow their migration route. You may also spot seals, sea lions, and plenty of different species of birds on your journey. Dolphins are also a big attraction on the bay. They have been known to follow boats and play in the wake for miles.
If you still haven’t gotten enough of sea life, head to Sea World San Diego. Go for the dolphin interaction and get up close and personal. Journey through the shark tunnel, view over 300 penguins, and see plenty of other aquatic performers.

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There’s nothing worse than planning your vacation to a specific destination, only to find out that it is the rainiest season, or there is a large convention or event of some sort that makes the highways even more crowded than usual. Here are some pointers on the best time to visit San Diego so you can have the most enjoyable visit.

If you enjoy visiting all the local sights, such as the San Diego Zoo, plan to show up from March through May or September through November. Schools are in session and there won’t be as many families vacationing at this time.

Hotels run plenty of awesome deals during off seasons, since they are rarely full. The temperatures are in the high sixties to high seventies for the most part of the year so you won’t really hit any cold weather.

The rainiest season is from November through March, however, but if plenty of inside activities are planned as well you should get through the rainy days as well as the sunny ones.

Early Spring, or March through May is probably the best time for vacationers. Mild temperatures, school still in session, and plenty of events to check out. The San Diego Carnival is in March, Earth Fair in April, and don’t forget the awesome Cinco de Mayo celebration in May.

June through August is when most of the tourists visit, making it much more crowded. This makes hotels raise prices, makes it harder to find available rooms, and the major attraction lines will be a mile long. If you do plan to come during these times you will have to book hotels way ahead of time, and possibly get tickets for certain shows etc. ahead also.
Celebrations during this time include the Rock n Roll Marathon and San Diego International Beer Festival in June, and Comic-Con in July.

September through November make for a wonderful Autumn visit. Hotel prices start to decrease as tourists head home, lines become shorter, and things seem to relax a little.

Some events you won’t want to miss are the Festival of Sail in September, The Old Town San Diego Art Festival in October, and plenty of good music and spirits during November. Here’s when you will find the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, San Diego Beer Week, and the Dixieland Jazz Festival.

Winter in San Diego is somewhat cooler, and much rainier, but there is still plenty to see and do. For starters, this is the beginning of the migration season. Over 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000 mile round-trip journey from Alaska to California, where the females give birth. This is something you don’t want to miss. You can also catch activities such as the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights in December and the Heritage Day Festival and Parade in February.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit the wonderful city of San Diego, you can be sure there will be plenty to see and do.

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San Diego has so much to offer whether you are a one-time visitor, frequent vacationer, business traveler or full time resident. But what is the most convenient way to travel to different areas? Here are a few suggestions that may help you decide.

Driving your own vehicle around is probably the best way to see what you want, when you want. Though there are buses and trolleys, they may not have as many convenient stops as in other large cities. The airport also offers a shuttle service, which will take you downtown, and to Mission Beach, among other areas.

Whether you arrive in your own car or rent one from the San Diego International Airport, or just pick one up once you get to town. It’s always nice to control your own itinerary and be able to come and go when you want. You may want to hit the beaches or find the perfect restaurant. Having your own vehicle makes all this possible without hassle. Keep in mind that most of the streets do feature parking meters, so you want to be sure you have coins handy.

If you don’t like driving in traffic or just don’t want the hassle, there is public transportation available. The city Metro system hits most of the major sights, such as the Cabrillo National Monument, Balboa Park and of course the San Diego Zoo. The trolley can get you quickly around downtown, and makes stops at the San Diego Convention Center and the Santa Fe Depot. Fares are around $2 to $5 one-way, or you can purchase day passes for $5 which cover unlimited rides on most of the bus and trolley trips. Most of the Metropolitan Transit System vehicles run seven days a week, but not 24-hours.

Taxis are scattered throughout the city, so if you prefer to let someone do the driving for you, you will have no problem hailing one. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing or traveling, however, you will probably get off cheaper renting your own car.

For a different kind of ride, take the ferry or water taxi. These crafts run between the Convention Center and Coronado and the Broadway Pier. For about $4.25 per person, take the 15-minute ride and relax. These ferries run between 9 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., depending on which ferry you depart on. The water taxis depart from any dock on the San Diego Bay, charge $8 per person, and travel to most locations. These only operate on weekends from noon to 10 p.m. For more information check out San Diego Harbor Excursions.

If you are settled and want to explore the area you are in, you can always walk around the area. There are plenty of things to see and do within walking distance in the town, but if you really want to see the city you will probably need a better mode of transportation.

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When planning your business trip, everything seems to sound fine when you write it all down on paper. Even going through the itinerary in your head goes smoothly and ends with a productive finish. Unfortunately, we all know that’s not how it works in reality. Delays cause you to miss important meetings. Sketchy Wi-Fi makes your connection intermittent or sometimes non-existent.

You may not always get the sleep you planned to, whether it’s due to a crying baby on flight or a noisy atmosphere around your hotel room. Lastly, grabbing unhealthy snacks between stops can drag you down.

Here are a few tips to help you make the best out of your next business adventure.

For starters, pack as lightly as possible. Plan your outfits to your days so you don’t carry around excess clothing that’s not needed. Avoid checking bags whenever possible to avoid delays checking and also picking up your luggage after your flight.

If you have items that need to be brought to your presentation that can be mailed ahead of time, this can save space in your bags and also keep you from wondering if they are going to make the trip safely. Check with your hotel to see if they can hold things for you until you arrive.

Flight time can be useful for doing all sorts of tasks, even if you don’t have internet. You can make lists on your phone or desktop to have handy later. Write emails you may need to send, and save them as drafts to send as soon as you get a connection. You may find the perfect chat buddy to discuss things with and get a step ahead of the game. The GateGuru app is awesome for airport delays and will help you find the perfect restaurant, where to find an ATM, or help you organize your schedule better.

Down time is perfect for relaxing and de-stressing. Instead of sitting in your room staring at a TV, take a walk around the local area. Find a restaurant that will provide you with a healthy, energizing meal. Visit a museum or take a tour of the area to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. You can also visit the hotel spa for a super-relaxing massage. Clearing your mind before the big presentation can make you function way better than sitting around wondering if you are going to do well.

Be sure to keep organized throughout your journey. It can be overwhelming meeting dozens of new contacts at once, or having a ton of ideas thrown at you. Don’t let it get to you. Be prepared with apps like Evernote to keep all your notes organized and easily accessible. You can also participate in discussions and check out all the research you have done in one simple place.

Following these easy tips can help make your business adventure a fun one. Don’t waste time sitting around wondering what can go wrong. Instead, look forward to the promising outcome from being well prepared.

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Business travelers are not always employees, but many times the people at the top. The big boss. The CEO. The man (or woman) in charge. Running the business can be stressful enough, but when you have to keep doing it while you travel, it can sometimes become too much to handle without feeling overworked and exhausted. Here are a few ideas to help you make the best of your next journey.

For starters, try to get a good nights rest the previous day. Make a list of what things need to be done before you leave and once you arrive. Once you have all your chicks in row, so to speak, take a relaxing bath or shower, have an herbal tea or maybe a cognac and try to get to sleep at a reasonable time. Push all the thoughts about the upcoming venture to the back of your mind for just one night and relax. It will give you a much better start in the morning.

Try to keep an “It’s all good” attitude. Don’t expect your taxi to be late or your flight to be delayed before you even leave the house. On the other hand, be ready for anything. If it does happen, think of it as a positive thing. Maybe your taxi is late because you forgot to grab that last thing from the house. Perhaps your flight delay is a good thing because you forgot to do that last entry you were going to write, or you remembered what you wanted to add to your speech for later that day. Always use the time wisely and you won’t be disappointed.

Without you, your team can’t work properly. So you need to take care of yourself and be ready to lead them. Don’t rely on arriving in time to grab lunch, just in case. Be sure to have some power snacks, nuts or bars in your bag just in case you have to run right into your appointment when you arrive. Drinking water is also helpful in keeping your wits about you.

Try to keep in contact with some or all of your key employees so they know what to expect and can keep things on schedule even if you are not around to lead them. You should have a few members who you can trust to take on whatever needs to be done without instruction from you.

Whether you have a long or short flight ahead of you, try to take the time to just relax. Running things over and over in your head will just stress you out even more. Give your arrival list one more read through, and you will be ready to get down to business when you land.

Assure yourself that everything is being taken care of and use this time to read a good book, watch a movie, or just look out the window and relax.

A happy, stress-free person can lead others more productively than a tired, grumpy one. Don’t dread your next trip away from your business, look at it as a step away from the desk and maybe even give yourself an extra day of relaxation. You’ve earned it!

Categories: Traveling
Tags: Traveling

When your job requires you to be on the road most of the time, you want to be sure you have what you need to be comfortable, connected, and up to date on what’s important. Wasted time can mean less productivity, bad attitudes and can lead to a less than perfect outcome on the big day.

Here are some items that can help you stay organized, connected, and put the most into whatever task you have at hand.

Portable hotspots are becoming a necessity for travelers of all kinds. Whether you purchase one yourself, or purchase them for your employees, you can be sure that no time will be lost when a connection is needed to finish the big job. The Verizon Jetpack and Samsung Mobile HotSpot Pro received rave reviews from those who use them.

A portable pocket charger for your smartphone will ensure that your phone won’t die when you need it the most. The LinearFlux Lithium Card Pro is said to be the world’s fastest phone charger. The Emtec Power Pouch also rates high on the list of portable chargers.

Good headphones or ear buds are also essential if you want to listen to seminars, review notes or just block outside noise so you can concentrate or rest.

The Smart Watch is still causing controversy as to whether it is worth it or not. Many say it is so much easier than holding their phone all the time. The watch can hold many apps, and functions as well as your smartphone, but keeps your hands free to handle other tasks.

A gadget organizer is an awesome way to keep everything organized. They can hold your cell phone, camera, cords, flash drives, chargers and whatever else you want close at hand. No more digging through your bag to find the one item that has hidden at the bottom.

If you choose to travel with an iPad or tablet instead of a laptop a portable keyboard can make things easier and take up less room. There are many different styles and brands that are compatible with most tablets.

Don’t forget to download the best travel apps for your journey. GateGuru is awesome for all your airport information. You will be notified of gate changes, cancellations, delays and get the best info on your particular airport such as restaurants and amenities.

TripIt can make the best out of your itinerary and give you easy access to hotel and airline information, confirmation numbers, rental car stats etc.

Dropbox is perfect for keeping all your important documents in one place. Especially handy for those who work on many different electronic gadgets and need to keep all that info in one easy to find place.

Using some of these helpful tips can make your next travel time more productive and less stressful.

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Tags: Travel Tips

You ride in them all the time. But have you ever wondered where and why limousines came to be? Let’s go back 116 years to the year 1899. This is when the first limousine was built in Paris. The main idea of this vehicle was for privacy of the passengers. The driver sat outside in a separate compartment, enclosed in some way so that the passengers could be alone. There was usually a sliding window or some sort of intercom system so that the driver could speak to the passengers. The original driver compartment was opened, leaving them at the mercy of the weather, which was probably quite cold at times.

The fancy name, limousine, came from the French region “Limousin”, mainly because the covered compartment was similar to the raised hood of the cloaks that were worn by shepherds in the Limousin area.

In 1928, the stretch limo was invented. The Armbruster coach company in Fort Smith, Arkansas designed the larger limo to carry members of famous “big bands” such as Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. Nicknamed “big band buses”, these limos carried the leaders, their bands and their instruments to shows.

Limousines were the first automobiles to be equipped with air conditioning. This was a very expensive option, and not a very useful one, as it did not work very well. New York and Chicago limos in 1939 were the first to try out this new option, though it was more for status than actual cooling.

Some special limos in use are “The Beast”, which is the limousine used solely for the President of the United States. This limo comes equipped with shotguns, gas canisters, and night vision cameras. It has eight inch thick doors and bulletproof glass windows. It is also sealed from within to protect from chemical attacks.

The world’s longest car was invented by Jay Ohrberg of Burbank, CA. It has made the Guinness Book, and measures in at 100 feet long. It has 26 wheels, and some awesome features such as a swimming pool (with diving board!), king sized water bed, Jacuzzi tub, sun deck, and strangest of all a helipad! There is a driver compartment on both ends of the limo to help when reversing. This limo is primarily used for movies and advertising.

Of course your average limo will not have quite all those amenities. But you can usually count on a fully stocked bar, some awesome entertainment, whether it be a surround sound system, video game console or plasma screen TV and fancy décor. Some limos go as far as to have crystal chandeliers, or the best in seating materials.

Roadrunner Limousine is always ready to provide you with a relaxing, friendly ride to wherever you are headed. Check them out for your next big event.

Categories: Traveling
Tags: Traveling

With technology taking drastic leaps in the past years, business travel has benefited from the advances. Business travelers have started to expect more from their travel experience and hotels, and new features make things easier for them to acquire.

Something you can check into is Delta’s Innovation Class. This mentoring program allows you to be seated next to a mentor for your flight. Just fill out your application, and if you are chosen you can use your flight time to learn from a professional, give your advice, or just chat.

Another awesome program is the Business Bar. A New York hotel helps guests by loaning them all sorts of helpful tools such as GoPros, Kindles, iPads and much more, free for your use. This can be helpful if you are low on packing space. Book with Eventi, a Kimpton hotel, to participate.

Digital Check-In is a great way to pass by the lobby desk and head to the important part of your trip. Mobile check-in and room keys can really make your hotel experience quick and stress-free.

One of the hottest new items for business is the Apple watch. Start with the obvious feature of it being a wearable. No more trying to juggle your cell phone in your hand while looking for important papers or doing other tasks. Just check your watch for incoming messages or calls. There are dozens of awesome apps for your watch that will help you get through your busy day.

The Clear app handles tasks and reminders and keeps you on schedule.

The Evernote app helps you dictate notes, search for recent notes.

Invoice2Go is awesome for creating price estimates, purchase orders and invoices, keeping tabs on money that is owed, and even prompts you to start tracking time when you arrive at a job. Plenty of other useful apps are in the works for the Apple watch so keep your eyes open.

Some hotels are now using a virtual concierge, where you can use hotel apps to be sure you have what you need to be comfortable. Take care of your meal reservations, event tickets and tours just by pressing a button.

These are just a few of the tech gadgets that are available to you currently or in the works. Business travel can be just as easy as you make it with the right tools.

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Airline tickets can cost you a bundle, whether you are flying close by or internationally. There are a few tricks you can try to find cheaper flights if you are willing to expect anything.

First of all you should be able to change your schedule at a moment’s notice. If you have absolute set plans, you will probably have to deal with whatever flights are scheduled. But if you can change from say leaving in the morning to taking the overnight flight, you may be able to save some money. Many airlines offer last minute promotions and deals, or have empty seats they want to fill before final boarding. You may have to count in an extra layover, or change planes. You might not get the window seat you prefer. But you just might score a cheap rate that will give you a little extra to spend when you arrive.

Make sure you are signed up for notices of these last minute deals. You may get an email, or you can always check the website for any information. Frequent flyers may get first notice of these deals.

Check into vacation packages as well. These are another option to grab those last minute flights that need to be filled. Travel agents often get bundles of different packages that are to be sold by a certain date. If not sold, they have to try to get them sold by the deadline, which is great for the traveler. You can pick up a flight and hotel deal sometimes for the price your flight alone would have been. Even if you aren’t planning on staying, the discount price may be worth going for and just not using the room. Business travelers rarely look into this sort of thing, thinking they just need to get to their destination and get the job done and head home. But it may make your whole transaction more pleasant and save you a lot in the process. Some bundles even include things like transfers, car rentals, and even meals!

Travel blogs and chat rooms may also be a good place to pick up some expert advice from the daily traveler. First-hand experience is always the best way to get information.

Airlines also offer discounts to students, teachers, and younger travelers. Most airlines also extend discounts to mourning passengers. Be sure to take advantage of these savings.

Cheaper flights are also offered if you stay several days. Maybe you can fit an extra day into your schedule for relaxing time. The airline may make it worth the extra time.

So remember to use your miles, call the airport if you want to check last minute deals, and don’t always head for the number one airline. If you really want to save money, cheaper airlines may offer the same perks as the larger ones, but at a lower price. Shop around!

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