Archive for the Category »Technology «

Feb
01st		   Hotel of the Week: Still Need a Room in N’awlins?
Leave a Comment Category: hotels, Technology, Travel, Travel Apps Tags:

Super Bowl fans who are still searching for a place to stay in New Orleans, or anyone who wants to attend a good party despite not having tickets to the big game can still find a hotel thanks to technology.

A popular app that is still growing in users is called Hotel Tonight. It does pretty much what it says – finds you a hotel room today, one that you should have booked weeks ago!

Above is a screen shot of a hotel from Hotel Tonight (from itunes.) Simply click on the city in which you are interested, and the app will spit out the possibilities. It is ideally supposed to help the last minute traveler.

I clicked on New Orleans as my destination, and was disappointed to find a clock ticker, saying it would take an hour and a half to find me something. No explanation, like maybe the app was doing maintenance or or something – but based on other messages I got when I clicked on other cities, it seems as if the app updates the hotel availabilities each morning. Looks like you have to try after 10 am PST. I will check back and let you know.

Another place to look is airbnb.com. This website provides you with rooms in houses or apartments, and sometimes complete homes or apartments to yourself.

An airbnb listing from skift.com

Above is an  airbnb.com example listing from skift.com, of a penthouse in New York.

I typed in New Orleans as my destination – arriving today and leaving Monday. Up popped 278 listings of townhouses, rooms, condos, etc – some that claim to be within walking distance of the Superdome. Prices range from $100-$1700 a night (that’s for a full home.) Shoot – extend your stay for upcoming Mardi Gras!

This might not be for everyone since some of the listings are for one room in a house…and you never know if certain safety features are in place that would normally be in a hotel – fire alarms, etc.  but if you find a place that works for you, it can be an affordable alternative in a situation where all the New Orleans hotels are jacking up prices.

Enjoy the game wherever you are…and forgive me… I do have a sentimental favorite since I spent some of the best days of my life in San Francisco – GO NINERS!

 
Oct
09th		   Travel Tip Tuesday: Work Your Hotel for Better Prices and Experience
2 Comments Category: Cool Hotels, frugal traveling, Technology, Travel Tags: ,

There’s some good news/bad news for we travelers who like nice hotels.

Ravel Hotel, Long Island City, NY

Good news: Hotels are spending $5 billion in improvements in 2012…. renovating lobbies and rooms, and installing flat screen tvs, high speed internet service, and nicer beds. Yay!

Some higher end hotels like the Bel Air in Los Angeles, the New York Mondrian SoHo, some in the Four Seasons’ chain are even adding iPads – a nice convenience that allows guests to order room service, call for a taxi, set a wake up alarm, or request a bill for check out.

The bad news: Why are they doing all this? Hotels have seen higher occupancy than in years past, and are charging higher room rates and fees. So the average traveler needs to be equipped with road warrior knowledge to make smart travel decisions:

–When booking a room, instead of settling for high prices, do a little homework without spending way too much time. If you find what you think is a good price on a travel website, call the hotel desk directly – not the 800 number – and ask if they can do better. They have access to exactly how many rooms are left, and a manager can make a pretty good assessment if they are going to sell out – or if he or she should cut you a better deal to get your business.

Those travel websites take a mark up, so you won’t be paying for that by going directly to the front desk.

–Also – when asking for recommendations for activities or restaurants, use a reliable website like Trip Advisor or Yelp to read reviews from locals. Or ask someone at the hotel other than the concierge. I have found concierges often recommend the same places… and aren’t always the better ones, just ones who are marketing to the concierge, or places they have known about for years and haven’t bothered to update their repertoire. Many times, they are more expensive.

Have a great day!

 

 

 

 
Sep
27th		   Time Travel: Convert All Those Trips Into The Digital Age
Leave a Comment Category: Technology, Travel Tags:

Venice, Italy

I have boxes and boxes of old printed color photos and negatives from trips I took B.D.C. (Before Digital Cameras.) I purposely don’t look at them very much because the guilt overwhelms me: I know I need to do something with them….find a better way to preserve and store them so I can enjoy my past. BUT – it is a hassle… a commitment… it would be another mammoth project on my ever-growing to do list. “When my kids go to college… ” I tell myself.

I have heard of companies that can convert for you, but to be honest, it even seems laborious to just GET THEM the photos or tapes to convert.

Now there seems to be an easier way. I read about an intriguing company that the tech columnist at the Wall Street Journal recommends. It is called “Peggy Bank” – word play on J-PEGs and banks. It stores all your old photos or videos online for free, so you can share easily and not worry about losing any CDs. It does cost, however, to convert material…about .45 a print.

Here is Wall Street Journal’s Walter Mossberg’s review. It sounds like a great idea…one that I may even attempt B.K.C. (Before Kids’ College.) :)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444358804578018332284002860.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_RIGHTTopCarousel_1

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444358804578018332284002860.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_RIGHTTopCarousel_1http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444358804578018332284002860.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_RIGHTTopCarousel_1

 
Sep
18th		   Travel Tip Tuesday: How To Remember Where You Parked At The Airport
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Technology, Travel Tags: ,

We’ve all done it. Raced to the airport, drove in circles in a an airport parking lot looking for a spot, finally grabbing one with glee as you race against the clock and departure time.

OOPS. You’re in such a rush, you forget to look at where you’ve parked.

Finding your car upon return isn’t so easy. Sometimes after a long trip, you can just forget anyway because you’ve had so many business trips lately, or the location  just got mixed in with all the other information floating in your brain.

A friend of mine has a good strategy: She takes a photo of the place she parks as she gets out of her car. The secret here is to have your smart phone, or camera, out and ready to use as you get out of the car so you don’t forget that too as you rush out! If you can remember, also take a photo of the name of the lot if you are off-site…. that way you remember which shuttle to take back to that lot.

Happy Travels.

 
Sep
11th		   Travel Tip Tusday: Beware: Travel in the US Can Still Send Cell Phone Bills Soaring
Leave a Comment Category: Cruises, Technology, Travel Tags: ,

If you want to stay connected on your next overseas vacation, you should know by now to get an international plan with your carrier before you go. If you don’t get one, you need to adjust your phone settings to deactivate data roaming, otherwise you could get hit with BIG charges for those texts you receive.

Skagway, Alaska

 

Now what may be deceiving is if you go on a cruise – even if it is to a domestic location, say along the West Coast or to Alaska, you have to do the same thing, or completely turn your phone off. Once you are far enough from shore,  your phone will connect to something called “cellular at sea if your cell phone is turned on; which carries expensive international roaming fees.  Your phone will collect charges by just being turned on even if it’s not being used!

That is deceiving because you technically aren’t entering another country. Be careful!

Somewhere at sea between Tracy Arm, Alaska, and Skagway, Alaska..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
May
18th		   IPO Insanity: How to Use Facebook to Help with Travel
One Comment Category: Technology, Travel Tags: ,

Since it is so topical, I thought I’d better dive right in. Facebook is breaking records today as one of the largest IPOS…

That being said, there are so many valuable tools to plan trips these days, and Facebook is only one of them, despite the hype.. Perhaps that’s an area of growth for the company…

Here are ways to make the mad money social media site work for you and your travels:

1) Click “like” on some travel pages, (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-Gallagher/284725555177 !!!) and receive updates about travel news! If you haven’t spent time finding people beyond your high school friends, there are personalities and commercial interests with pages on Facebook which you can follow and receive info. You could learn about travel deals, etc. The thing is – you have to log on to Facebook to check your news feed… If you don’t go on daily, it takes a concerted effort to check, which is a downfall.

2) Read the comments from other FB users on destination pages…. you will get an idea of what other travelers really liked about a location. Some may post photos or videos too!

3) Facebook Connect allows you to view other travel websites while remaining logged in to your social network. So you can see what your friends have done on other websites.. like where they’ve gone on TripAdvisor. It’s a great way to figure out which friends you should ask for advice about your trip.

4) Use an integrated travel app like Gogobot! The travel app allows Facebook users to share vacation photos with friends and non-friends while giving recommendations to people who post questions about general travel and specific destinations.

5) And lastly.. the good “old fashioned” way to learn about travel on FB – start a conversation and… just ask your friends…a trusted source. :)

Have a great weekend – it’s almost summer :)

 
Nov
15th		   Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Best Navigate Airports, & Find Surprising Services
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Technology, Travel Tags:

Don’t ya hate when you have a great idea, and someone beats you to developing it?

A few years ago I wrote up a book proposal  – a guide to the world’s busiest airports with maps and hours of operation for all amenities. Since travelers were spending more time at airports due to longer security checks, I thought it was a great idea. There have been many times myself when I landed somewhere at a late hour and wondered where I could find a restaurant that was open. Or times when I wanted to pick up a gift on the way home, and didn’t know where to go.

Anyway, I shopped the book around to a few literary agents, and they liked the idea.. just thought it might make a better magazine series, or couldn’t figure out if anyone beyond business travelers would need it.

SFO

In comes the “App” age. The airport guide is the perfect app idea. In today’s airports we are experiencing upgraded and even exciting amenities like cutting edge design, charging stations, gourmet food, and massage chairs so there is a lot more we can get excited about.

Airport Charging Station

There are some useful apps out there to help you get through airports, whether delayed, on a layover, or have time to kill waiting for a flight. They can also help you discover  hidden gems in various terminals.

I once had to buy a stopwatch for a shoot, and actually found a pretty great watch store in Denver’s airport… stumbled upon a fun wine bar in Oakland… have spent hours shopping in Heathrow…and even seen a full-service spa offering Brazilian bikini waxes. Good to know.

All of this can be info at your fingertips. Here are some airport assisting apps for you to check out – easy to carry right in your phone!

1) Flysmart App: Free on the iphone. Gives you maps of more than 25 domestic airports and what each one offers.

2) Airports are launching their own apps – look for guides under the airport’s name.

3) Gate Guru – free Android and iphone.

4) ifly Airport Guide -free Android and iphone.

Here’s to never getting lost in terminals again. :)

 
Oct
12th		   Can You Go Unplugged While On Vacation?
Leave a Comment Category: Technology, Travel Tags:

Have you ever taken a trip and not checked email, phone messages, or social media?

On a recent trip, I went completely unplugged for about two weeks. Well, almost. I admit I did carry my phone so I could receive texts from people I told I would be unavailable, and I did send two urgent emails.

The other day, while waiting for a plane, I looked around me and everyone was on their mobile phones texting, talking, or emailing.

According to TripAdvisor, many of us use social media while traveling – 71% check Facebook on a daily basis. Some 60% of us regularly post -sharing photos or other travel experiences – while on the road. So why do we even need a travel companion when you have a whole built in group of friends traveling “with you”, who can provide colorful commentary? Kidding of course.

It is interesting to note these observations about electronic use and how it impacts us, and our travels:

—Scientists who study the topic say too much reliance on technology can inhibit deep thought and cause anxiety.
They say when the brain doesn’t relax, and has too much stimuli, one won’t be as introspective. Think about it: Many of us check our phones in tiny moments of boredom, when we could be having productive thoughts, or deepening relationships with a little chit chat, or admiring the architecture of a foreign place. Also -can you live in the present if you are always expecting an email?

–Scientists also say that the expectation of email seems to be taking up room in our working memory. They hypothesize that when a part of the brain is tied up in anticipation of an email or message, there is less space for new ideas or integrating information. You might not retain any highlights you learn while touring the Smithsonian, for example.

Bottom line: Vacation is supposed to be restorative. Try to go unplugged and you will see – and your kids will appreciate it when you don’t check your phone every 10 minutes during dinner. Has anyone succeeded in doing that?

 
Aug
04th		   Road Trip: You wouldn’t believe what is in your pit stop meals!
Leave a Comment Category: Family Travel, health, restaurants, road trip, Technology, Travel Tags:

My husband and his buddy just took all of our kids camping for a couple days. Camping is a ton of work  -  I give him credit. So I’ll let him slide on the many fast food stops they made on the way there and back due to bathroom stops, hunger pains, and ah yes.. even a flat tire now and then.

Gotta love my 9 year old daughter though. She came home and said “Mom – you wouldn’t believe the disgusting fast food we saw – Del Taco has chicken nuggets filled with mac and cheese (translation: fried mac and cheese) and funnel cake fried french fries.”

That was a moment of pride. Although it still takes work to make my kids appreciate vegetables – even from our garden – this was a sign of a break through.

On this very topic, I was astonished to read an interesting article on how bad some of these meals can be at fast food, or chain restaurants that you may normally stop at while traveling. For instance, the Italian Classic sandwich at Quizno’s has 1370 calories…86 grams of fat (holy cow!).. and 4490 mg of sodium. (OMG  - the recommended amount is between 1500-2200!)

This info is right out of “Men’s Health” magazine – pretty entertaining stuff that will make you think twice before you order those cheese fries at Outback Steak House. Check it out: http://www.menshealth.com/20worst/worstfood.html.

Another interesting article is “The 10 Most Unhealthy Fast Food Items on America’s Menus” http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/06/15/the-10-most-unhealthy-fast-food-items-on-americas-menu/

But fear not you road warriors, moms and dads alike. There is a smart phone app to save you from fried food overloading. The “Good Food Near You” app lets you find healthy (or healthier anyway) meals near your locale. Type in your zip code and up will pop restaurant info and nutritional info about items.

You don’ t have to be neurotic about healthy food to enjoy this – sometimes if you had the knowledge of a healthier meal just around the corner, wouldn’t you choose it over the Kentucky Fried Chicken  right in front of you?

Go to the app store and search for “Good Foods Near You.” It isn’t perfect – users say that sometimes it merely lists the healthiest items at the fast food chains nearest you, instead of knowing of other alternatives. But that’s a start.  And… it’s free.

A Votre Sante!

 
Mar
02nd		   Travel Tip Tuesday: Cool Gadget To Make Your Own Oscar Worthy Vacation Videos
Leave a Comment Category: sports travel, Technology, Travel Tags: , ,

While I was skiing recently, I ran into a man with a camera propped on his ski helmet.

A video camera, about the size of a toilet paper roll. I’m no stranger to these because some of the most creative producers I’ve worked with have used helmet cams, but now the regular consumer can get one for a decent price. A high def, digital, entry level cam starts at about $150… and they can reach $2000 in the more professional quality equipment.

The benefits are you get a unique point of view from this cam – a film technique that lets you see things from the main character or movie makers perspective more naturally. Also – you can photograph anything – hands free! Attach to the helmet, and you can film your kids skiing in snowboarding in front of you in Tahoe, or the cafe scene while you are meandering down Boulevard St. Germaine. Or you can attach it to a harness…

It is an awesome gadget for adventiure travel, especially with sports-related activities. Many of the cameras available are water-proof, so taking them snow boarding, skiing, surfing, or swimming is not out of the question.

There are many brands available, but do you research – some don’t stay attached to helmets very well (or handle bars, or wherever you plan to attach so you can have your hands free). Also – many reportedly have bad audio capabilities – but hey, honestly, it is the exciting video that speaks louder anyway. Some places to begin research – helmetcameracentral.com, bikebling.com, or REI. Check out this super fun example from YouTube: Ski Jumping in Utah:

 
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