Sunday Travel Shot: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Posted by Andrew Hickey on Nov 8, 2009 in Travel

Downtown Philadelphia

Feeling down about losing the World Series Philadelphia? Cheer up and take a look at this beautiful travel shot of downtown Philly, which is known for its unique combination of old brick row-houses mixed with modern skyscrapers. Still feeling down Phillies fans? Then why not drown your sorrows at one of these four fantastic Philadelphia pubs.

Tags: mlb, pennsylvania, philadelphia, phillies

Megabus Offering One Hot Deal This Fall

Posted by Andrew Hickey on Aug 5, 2009 in Travel

megabus In these tough economic times many people can not afford to book a plane ride or hop aboard a train and take a vacation. But one company is hoping to assist those individuals that are strapped for cash, but still want to get in a little traveling in 2009.

The low-cost Megabus has just announced that they are adding an additional 50,000 $1 fares to their itineraries that include such cities as New York, Chicago, and Boston.

You must enter the code “HOTDEAL” when ordering your seat and be willing to take that bus ride between September 14 and November 19, 2009.

The $1 seats will be available on all of the 30 cities that Megabus departs from during the sales period and is subject to availability. Now while I have never used this service, I know many people that have done so and loved it. That George Washington that you fork over entitles you to a double-decker bus that comes equipped with recliner seats, air condition, Wi-Fi access, and even an on-board bathroom. That should convince even the pickiest traveler to use a bus on their next trip.

For more information on fares and routes, check out Megabus.com and tweet with them @MegaBus.

Tags: albany, baltimore, boston, buffalo, chicago, cincinatti, cleveland, detroit, indianapolis, Kansas City, megabus, memphis, milwaukee, minneapolis, new york, philadelphia, rochester, St. Louis, toledo, toronto, washington

America’s Best & Worst Airports For 2009

Posted by Andrew Hickey on Aug 3, 2009 in Travel

airport_delays

Travel + Leisure Magazine just released it’s list of the United State’s “Best & Worst Airports” for 2009. They compiled information on flights that departed more than 15 minutes late from the country’s airports between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 courtesy of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

There are some notable highlights from this year’s list of aviation hub angels and offenders. We have a new number one “worst” in ‘09, Seattle (SEA) dropped off the top 10 “best” list, Chicago (MDW) fell from the “worst” list, and it should come as no surprise that all of the New York area airports made an appearance (…and not a good one). Here are this year’s winners and losers:

Worst Airports:

#1 – Newark (EWR)

#2 – Chicago (ORD)

#3 – Miami (MIA)

#4 (tied) – Dallas (DFW)

#4 (tied) – New York (LGA)

#4 (tied) – New York (JFK)

#7 – San Francisco (SFO)

#8 (tied) – Washington DC (IAD)

#8 (tied) – Atlanta (ATL)

#8 (tied) – Philadelphia (PHL)

Best Airports:

#1 – Salt Lake City (SLC)

#2 – Portland (PDX)

#3 (tied) – Washington DC (DCA)

#3 (tied) – Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)

#5 (tied) – Los Angeles (LAX)

#5 (tied) – San Diego (SAN)

#5 (tied) – Tampa (TPA)

#5 (tied) – Detroit (DTW)

#9 (tied) – Phoenix (PHX)

#9 (tied) – Orlando (MCO)

So what is your favorite and least favorite airport? If you want to vent and share some airport horror stories, feel free to comment below.

For more information on this list, check out TravelandLeisure.com.

Tags: arizona, atlanta, california, Dallas, detroit, florida, georgia, jfk airport, los angeles, miami, michigan, minneapolis, minneapolish-st paul, minnesota, new jersey, new york, newark, oregon, orlando, pennsylvania, philadelphia, phoenix, portland, salt lake city, San Diego, san francisco, tampa, texas, utah, washington d.c.

Great Firework Displays Around The USA

Posted by Andrew Hickey on Jul 3, 2009 in Travel

Before you head out to a packed airport or major traffic on the highways, check out a great collection of some of the country’s best firework displays. Have a safe and happy Independence Day and see you back here on Monday.

Also be sure to check out the Saturday and Sunday Travel Shots this weekend while you are preparing for your big barbecue party or before you head out for a day at the beach.

Chicago, Illinois

Portland, Oregon

Denver, Colorado

San Francisco, California

Miami, Florida

Boston, Massachusetts

San Diego, California

St. Louis, Missouri

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Seattle, Washington

Austin, Texas

Keystone, South Dakota (Mount Rushmore)

New York City

Tags: austin, boston, chicago, colorado, dakota, Denver, florida, illinois, massachusetts, miami, missouri, mount rushmore, new york city, oregon, pennsylvania, philadelphia, portland, San Diego, san francisco, seattle, south, south dakota, St. Louis, texas, washington

Best Town Square #1: Prague, Czech Republic – Old Town Square & Winner Of The Lonely Planet Guidebook

Posted by Andrew Hickey on Jun 5, 2009 in Travel

#1: Prague, Czech Republic – Old Town Square (26% of the vote)

Lonely Planet review of Old Town Square

One of Europe’s biggest and most beautiful urban spaces, the Old Town Square has been Prague’s principal public square since the 10th century, and was its main marketplace until the beginning of the 20th century.

Despite the swarms of tourists, crowded pavement cafes and over-the-top commercialism, it’s impossible not to enjoy the spectacle: tour leaders thrusting through crowds, umbrellas borne aloft like battle standards, with clients straggling behind like a gaggle of ducklings; students dressed as frogs and chickens handing out flyers for a drama production; middle-aged couples in matching, too-short shorts and sensible shoes, frowning at pink-haired, leather-clad punks with too many piercings; gangs of red-faced lads in football shirts slopping beer and ice cream on the cobblestones; and a bored-looking guy with a placard advertising a museum of torture instruments.

There are busking jazz bands and alfresco concerts, political meetings and fashion shows, plus Christmas and Easter markets, all watched over by Ladislav Saloun’s brooding Art Nouveau statue of Jan Hus. It was unveiled on 6 July 1915, the 500th anniversary of Hus’ death at the stake.

The brass strip on the ground nearby is the so-called Prague Meridian. Until 1915 the square’s main feature was a 17th-century plague column, whose shadow used to cross the meridian at high noon.

Winner of the Lonely Planet guidebook:

Drum roll please…and the winner of the Lonely Planet giveaway is EJ! You will be contacted shortly by me via email to get all your shipping information. EJ has requested an Estonia LP guidebook for an upcoming return trip to the Northern European country. Safe travels and take a lot of pictures! Thanks to everyone that entered and I look forward to giving away more freebies in the future.

Quick recap of the best town square poll results: