ParkSleepFly Posts

Sleeping on a Plane. Too Much Air Traffic or Playing with Gremlins?

March 16, 2012 No Comments

How many times have you said to yourself, or your travel partner, “I can sleep on the plane.”  Yea, right.  Admit it.  We all have done it, but who can sleep in a cramped, canned air, baby crying, bumpy catastrophe of a ride? I always assume that no matter how tired I am, I can get a few winks of sleep once the flight is airborne.

Now, I know why.  The video below shows 24 hours of airline travel across the world. No wonder no one can sleep on a plane.  Look how busy it is!  With all that light in the sky, no wonder I can’t sleep!

In all seriousness, I have had little success trying all the tricks to sleep on the plane.  Even on a 14 hour flight from JFK to Mumbai, India, I was awake during both flights even though we left late in the evening.

So, I did a little research to help not only me, but any of you who may have problems sleeping on a plane.  Travel experts say that not drinking caffeine or any alcohol for four hours prior to your flight will help in relaxing and catching a nap.  Sitting next to the window so you can lean against the wall is also a big tip.  Wearing noise canceling headphones (which I love), a sleep mask, taking a blanket and pillow, a neck pillow, and wearing comfortable clothes can help you arrive at the completely comfortable state to get some rest.  Ok, all those sound good to me until the guy in the seat in front of me pushes his seat all the way back and I feel trapped, and all the preparation to snooze is now on the wing of the plane with that gremlin from the Twilight Zone.  (Do you remember that episode?  I still expect to see a gremlin if I look out the window.)

But, have no fear.  There are many more tips to help you gain those lost hours of sleep.  Sit up toward the front of the plane.  It is more quite if you sit in front of the engines and there is less traffic for the rest rooms.  I have to agree with those tips, but they still don’t help me catnap.

I’ve given up on sleeping on a plane. I’d rather write, read, or watch a movie on my computer.  What I do is try to get a great night’s sleep before I fly by using a ParkSleepFly.com hotel near my airport.  Depending on my flights, I may choose to stay before, after, or on both ends of my trip.  I get a comfortable room at an airport hotel, parking for the duration of my trip and rides to and from the airport.  This really leaves me relaxed and ready to tackle a long flight with chatty seat neighbors, kids that stare at you for the entire flight, or just plugging in my noise-canceling headphones and reading for a while.  I’ll make the most of it, as my traveling partner is settling in for a nap.  Sigh…..

If you have any great tips for others to get some decent shut-eye on a flight, let me know.  I’m getting tired just thinking about it.

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Family Day – Spring Break – Travel Ideas and Beyond!

February 15, 2012 No Comments

Wow, it seems like the holidays just ended and now Family Day and Spring Break are upon us. Time to make some plans in a hurry. Even though Canadian winters can be a long, time passes by quickly and before you know it is time to take a break.

There are just so many options but so little time. Need some inspiration? A recent survey show that sounded top destinations Canadians love to travel to are:  New York City, New York, Orlando, Florida, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Who doesn’t want to escape the snow and cold to warmer climates?  The vitamin D supply is running low, so why not go and soak up some naturally in sunny Florida or Arizona?  Dipping your toes in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico is enough to cure some of those winter blahs.  After all, Family Day is about getting together, reconnecting, enjoying each other’s company – time away is a perfect solution.

I remember old family vacations. My mother was a school teacher and my dad had a knack of trying to teach us historical facts, that may or may not have been true.  However, it was more about being together for a few days and enjoying the time together.

So, if you are planning that special Family Day vacation or Spring Break, enjoy every minute and don’t get started off on the wrong foot with your family.  If you are making that trip across the U.S.-Canadian Border to the Detroit Airport, you already know what a hassle that can be.  The wait to cross the border alone can be over an hour.

No one, and I mean no one, wants to ride in a car with cranky kids in backseat asking how long  before you go through the border.  Then, you need to drive on over to DTW, find a parking space, wait for the shuttle, go through security again, then… wait for the flight.  And, you are doing this on a couple hours sleep.

Instead, why not book a park, sleep, and fly package at a hotel near the Detroit International Airport.  You stay the night before, after, or both.  Included in the package is a night’s lodging, parking for the duration of your trip and a ride to and from the airport terminal on the hotel’s shuttle.  All this for one low price.

Check out our website at ParkSleepFly.com.    We offer several hotels that service DTW.  The rates are reasonable and you can leave for your Family Day vacation or Spring Break rested and relaxed, even if the kids are keyed up.  Start your trip off right and stay the night before your flight!

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Valentine’s Day Gift Idea? How about a Get-A-Way?

February 10, 2012 No Comments

How many of us  remember making our “Valentine’s Day mailboxes” that were pressed to our school desk and filling out all our little Valentines to our classmates.  Maybe you had a special one for that one person you ignored during recess because you have a crush?  Art class was filled with red, pink and white papers, paste, glitter and those rounded tipped scissors.  Somehow, out of that glittered mess came a special Valentine’s Day card for your mom, grandma, and your dog.    The room mothers and/or teacher had cookies or the ultimate Valentine’s Day cupcakes, along with red heart-shaped suckers and candy hearts that say “I love you,” “XOXO” and “Be Mine.”  Ahh, the memories when everything was innocent and sweet and simple.

Fast forward two, three, four, or more decades and you would love to get that innocent feel back for Valentine’s Day. No more of those old Valentine’s Day gifts of cardboard candies and wilted flowers.  You want to make some nice, Valentine’s Day memories.  How about a long romantic weekend.  Hop on a plane and you’re off on a mid-winter adventure.

If you want to take a long weekend, what would be better that to take a quick jaunt to a place where neither of you have been?  I did a little research on the Most Romantic Cities in the United States.  There are several on this list I would love to go to for a nice, romantic get-a-way with my sweetie.

Honolulu tops the list as the most romantic city.  Who wouldn’t love to go to Hawaii for a few days; however, I prefer the entire island of Maui over Honolulu.  It’s great to go to a beach in the middle of the winter.  Hawaii certainly has many beaches, and this time of year whale watching is a great activity.

San Antonio is a great city to do a weekend.  Strolling along the River Walk  in the middle of the city is very romantic. With shops, restaurants, and a quiet boat ride along the river will kindle or re-kindle that spark into a nice flame.

If you are more of a “beautiful people” couple going to hot Miami could be the perfect place to get your passion boiling.  Those hot, humid Miami nights are just what the love doctor ordered.
For those more adventurous Frommer’s lists world’s most romantic cities to fall in love.

Paris, France, is number one on the list, of course.  Need I say more?  The subject of all those great movies of the couples falling in love under the Eiffel Tower.  Even in the movie, Casablanca, Rick says to Ilsa “We’ll always have Paris.”  C’mon, even guys know that movie.

Florence, Italy.  Take your love along the cobblestone streets.  Whisper in her ear, “Ti penso sempre.” I guarantee she’ll be your Valentine, then.

Let’s go to where the dance of love, the Tango, originated. Go learn the Tango where it originated in Buenos Aires.   Some Tango lessons may be a good Valentine’s Day gift idea, as well!

What are your plans for a romantic get-a-way?  Wherever you decide to travel either for a long or short trip, start your vacation off by staying overnight at a ParkSleepFly.com hotel.  The package includes a night’s stay, parking, shuttle service to and from the hotel – all for one low price. Go through the security line actually speaking to your Valentine instead of snipping at each other due to the lack of sleep or stress from almost missing your flight.  Everyone loves a lover, they say.  Even if you are single this year, no need to hum “Love Stinks.”  Be your own Valentine and take yourself on a trip.  You never know, you may meet your Valentine!

What’s On Your Top Travel Destination Bucket List?

January 5, 2012 No Comments

I don’t know about you, but a brand spankin’ new year always finds me refreshed and ready for new adventures.  With that, my thoughts do go toward where I might wish to travel.  I have a few places on my “bucket list.”

About three years ago, I went on a business trip to India.  I must admit, it was not MY idea to go.  However, to be picked up and completely dropped off in a new country, culture, and with only one other person with you there’s not much you can do but hang on for dear life.

Our hosts were quite gracious.  They took us to places that normal American tourists would not have access to.  We went to a Hindi engagement, which would rival most weddings I have been to in the past.  Several monuments around the city, idols, and to Karla Caves, which alone was almost worth the trip to India.  I had only experienced places like Karla Caves through history books, but to actually see, touch and experience something that took hundreds of years to complete was truly humbling.  Along with the Indian way of life, the experience certainly was once of a life time.

This experience also made me realize that I wanted to travel more and have other world-traveler experiences.  I’ve started a “bucket list” and currently am researching new adventures.  I did a search on 2012 top travel destinations to see what to put on my bucket list.  I received quite a few ideas from Frommer’s.   (Click for slideshow).

With destinations from Japan, to China, and Spain, to England to the United States, there’s is a destination for everyone.  I was excited to see that Moab, Utah was among the top destinations.  The Delicate Arch near Moab can make you feel both empowered and humbled in the same moment.  This location alone is worth a second or third bucket list trip.  Along with Monument Valley and other natural formations, including the Grand Canyon, the Southwest is a “must see” for anyone living in the United States.  Do yourself a favor and get a local guide to take you through the formations for an extra special visit that you won’t forget.

I’ve taken several trips to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, and there’s always a new adventure awaiting no matter how many times you may travel there.  There’s a relaxed feel of the residents, great food, great music and wonderful scenery.  Okay, I have been to all the locations listed in the United States, and would definitely keep them on the bucket list again for various reasons.

I would love to go spend time in Nova Scotia and visit the Bay of Fundy.  Who doesn’t love a picturesque lighthouse? However, I believe I will start putting my extra change in my piggy bank for a trip to Istabul, Turkey or even Tromso, Norway.  But, Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia looks quite inviting as I sit in the middle of a cold snap of winter.

It’s hard for me to pick one of these top destinations to go to this year.  I need to win the lottery so I can go to all the locations!  One thing for certain, I’ll start my trip off with a ParkSleepFly.com hotel parking package.  I can stay the night before and after my trip in a nice hotel and leave my car for the duration.  All with one low price.

What travel destinations are on your bucket list?

Trying to Avoid Those Extra Airline Fees? Good Luck.

December 27, 2011 No Comments

Now that the 2011 travel year is winding down, articles abound across the Internet regarding 2012 travel predictions and future airline fees. Unpredictable fees,  along with American Airlines‘ bankruptcy, may make it more difficult for some travelers to find a convenient flight, and/or one that is in their price range. In an article by Brett Snyder, author of The Cranky Flier blog,  next year’s airline fares are unpredictable. The fares will be driven by fuel prices and passenger demand. In his article “What will 2012 bring in air travel?” Snyder states demand for air travel has been strong. Therefore, airline rates will continue to rise. However, if demand starts to waiver, the airfares may drop in price.

American Airlines will reduce services in some markets as part of its restructuring.  Southwest will no longer service many AirTran markets since the airlines’ merger is proceeding.  All this will lead to fuller and fewer flights for passengers.  Also, if fuel prices spike, airlines will raise their fares and cut back on flights.

Don’t expect those extra fees to go away anytime soon.  As we all know airlines have started to nickel and dime travelers with new fees.  The airline that seems to have this down to a science is Spirit Airlines. In reviewing Spirit’s baggage fee page, it appears the only thing they do not charge extra for is an infant sitting in a passenger’s lap.  Carry-on luggage (currently free on other airlines) is an additional charge from $20-$30 per bag.   Since I just witnessed a lady who unpacked half of her carry on bag just to get it in the overhead compartment, I wonder what she would have done if she still had to pay a fee for her bag.

Spirit Airlines is well known for offering $9 airfares, but then tacked on additional fees for checked and carry-on luggage, advanced seat selection, and a passenger user fee which can be up to $17 each way for tickets booked online. All these fees are “optional” since technically a passenger does not need them to travel on a plane.  The passenger doesn’t need luggage, nor advanced seat selection, and they could drive to the airport and purchase the ticket at the counter.  As history reflects with airlines, if one airline can charge an additional rate the others are sure to follow its example.

One theory among travel experts is that more airlines will start ” bundling.”  Passengers will have options to choose from to fit their budget or travel demands.  Frontier Airlines is already offering bundles.  Good, or bad, this seems to be the new way that airlines will be able to dig deeper into travelers’ pockets.

How many of us have been intrigued by the insanely low advertised airfare – UNTIL we read the fine print.  Good news, starting January 24, 2012, the Transportation Department will enforce a rule that any advertised air travel price must include all the government taxes and fees.  Previously, the Transportation Department allowed the government-imposed fees listed separately on advertised fares.  This resulted in that dreaded fine print disclaimer which could add 20 percent to a ticket price.  However, keep in mind that this fare would not include any additional extra fees, such as baggage fees since these are optional.

However, the some airlines are not on board with this new rule and have filed suit against it stating that “that it violates their commercial free speech rights.”  The rule was part of a about a dozen passenger protections proposed by the DOT in 2010.  We all will have to wait to see if this rule is upheld through the courts.

One way to avoid extra fees is to use ParkSleepFly.com.  You receive a night’s stay at a hotel, parking for the duration of your trip, and a shuttle ride to and from the airport.  All at one low price.  The park sleep and fly package is often cheaper than parking at the airport alone, plus you get a great night’s sleep prior to your trip.  ParkSleepFly.com has hotel partners at major airports and a lot of regional airports, too.  Stay the night before, after or both and you’ll be glad you booked this total parking package.  Look, you are going to have to pay for your snacks on the plane, and maybe a beverage.  Don’t be overloaded with all those extra fees.  Book your hotel and parking package now for a great rate, which also includes the shuttle service.  Stay the night before your flight, and save your money for that extra bag of trail mix you’ll want for your flight.

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