New York Posts

Home Away from Home for the Holidays

December 22, 2012 No Comments

Traveling for the holidays, but worried about missing out on all the festive décor, delicious food, and frosty snowflakes? Don’t worry. There are plenty hotels across the country — and around the world! –offering lots of lights, sights, treats, and sweets that will make you feel at home.

The Fairmont San Francisco

A 22-foot gingerbread house takes center stage at one of San Francisco’s most prestigious hotels. Take a stroll through the fragrant culinary concoction made from 650 pounds of candy, 12 gallons of chocolate, 7,500 pieces of gingerbread, and nearly a ton of icing. Be sure to peek through the windows at the train running through the house. After exiting this life-size Christmas staple, visit Laurel Court where guests can partake in traditional holiday foods and even a Christmas tea.

Read More

Favorite Holiday Movies – Ours & Yours!

December 15, 2012 No Comments

There are many words used about our tried-and-true Christmas movies – emotional and moving and family-sweet among them – but one you hear less often is among the most crucial: repeat. Our favorite holly-bedecked films become our favorites through their annual December return, each year, to our cable channels and DVRs. Soon we can say all the lines along with the characters we love, from “Bah! Humbug!” to “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Thank their staying power, a staying power non-holiday movies can’t rightly claim, for their places in our hearts. Thank them also for being good, and fun, and, yes, moving. Here are a few of our chestnut-scented favorites.

Read More

Reduce Holiday Travel Stress – 5 Tips!

November 17, 2012 2 Comments

For lots of people, the holidays mean more than family, gifts, and fun… They mean TRAVEL STRESS. Usually it centers around missing a train or plane, but can include not being packed in time, not packing the right things, or getting lost in a strange place… But a few easy ‘prep steps’ can reduce the possibility of these nightmare scenarios from becoming your reality.

Since many of us are on a tight budget,  saving money is step one to reducing holiday travel stress. Several travel insider sites, including farecompare.com, agree that Wednesday is the best day to travel if you want a good deal. Travel consultant Peter Greenberg believes Wednesday is the best day to BUY your tickets too, suggesting that midnight is the best time to plunk down your greenbacks, due to the competitive nature of the various airlines.

Relax Maxie, no taxi! That’s another way to say have a good plan for getting to the airport. Sounds easy right? It might be if you live close to a major airport and your flight isn’t too early… But sometimes that’s not that case. Sure, you can try to convince a friend or family member to get up in the wee hours to drive you there. But sometimes that’s not an option, and that’s where we come in. At ParkSleepFly.com,  we offer affordable packages that let you spend the night at a hotel, and then leave your car there during your trip. Parking lots often fill up over the holidays, so the peace of mind of a guaranteed reservation is a huge stress-reducer. Get a good night’s sleep, take a quick shuttle trip to the airport, rest easy knowing your car is secure, and enjoy your trip!

Back to the pricier issues of flight and hotel. There are lots of great travel search engines (Kayak, Expedia, and Orbitz to name a few) that publish low fares and allow for comparisons among airlines and hotels. Timing is key on these sites too, as a recent search for first class tickets from LA to New York proved. Staring first with Kayak, all the one-way fares on major airlines were approximately that same price, except the first flight of the day on American Airlines, which left at a decent hour and was significantly less expensive (just over $800, vs $3,000!). Don’t wait until the last minute and hope that these fares will magically be there waiting for you; Start your search well in advance of your target travel date – The bargains may influence your plans and save you a bundle. Also, check out the chat-rooms of travel sites such as Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Travel Forum or Fodors for great tips from fellow bargain hunters. Also check out travel books from your local library – a free excuse to start dreaming of your tropical getaway while it’s still snowing at home!

Get your suitcase out of storage ASAP. Don’t worry if your trip is weeks away. Find a spot in your bedroom and open up that suitcase. Each time you do laundry, set aside a favorite pair of jeans, seasonally appropriate attire, even spare undies. In no time you will have packed without realizing it! Bonus points for only using a carry-on, as you won’t have to stand around after that long flight or stress about the possibility of lost luggage, and you’ll save money on baggage fees. If you do have to check bags, try to carry one change of clothes in your carry-on, just in case. For more useful packing tips check out this post.

And on the eighth day, they invented earplugs. For just a few dollars, most local drugstores sell earplugs that come in a handy carrying case and cut out plane (and airport/bus/random people) noise. They are re-usable, can be rolled up into a ball, and are worth ten times their weight in gold. (Click here to compare earplug options.) If you can spend a bit more, look into buying some noise reducing headphones. While not as compact as earplugs, they can do wonders for your need to sleep.

Do you have tips that might help ease our readers’ way this holiday season? Share them in the comments!

Feast of San Gennaro

September 8, 2012 No Comments

Here’s another post from Customer Service Agent Michele on one of her favorite travel memories!

A can’t miss event in the Little Italy section of New York City is the 86th annual Feast of San Gennaro, which will take place from September 13th through 23rd. This festival celebrates the spirit and faith of the Italian immigrants who began settling in this area in the 1920’s, honoring the patron saint of Naples.

There are parades, religious processions, games, musical entertainment including Italian folk music and opera, as well as more than 300 street vendors and 35 Italian restaurants that participate.   Opening day begins with the cannoli eating competition, with pizza and pasta eating competitions the following week. The performance stage on Grand and Mott Streets features concerts and radio broadcasts in the evenings and cooking demonstrations, food and wine tastings daily from 2 to 4 PM. (Read more about schedule and activities here!)

Growing up in the northeast, my family made their annual pilgrimage for an eat fest that rivaled my Nonna’s at Christmas. We began with sausage and pepper subs, worked our way through the pizza and pasta while still managing to leave enough room for the zeppoles (fried dough dusted with powdered sugar) and making a stop at Ferrara’s Bakery on Grand Street for cannolis (flaky fried pastry filled with sweet ricotta cream filling)to go. If we were lucky enough to go back for a second day, we couldn’t leave without going to Umberto’s Clam House on Mulberry Street for baked clams and linguine with clam sauce. What can I say – Italians dream about food! Although I no longer live in the northeast, every time I cook sausage and peppers for my family it brings me back to my childhood and fond memories of the Feast of San Gennaro.

The festival takes place on Mulberry, Hester and Grand Streets, from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm and stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Top 5 Destinations for Summer Travel

May 15, 2012 No Comments

Where to go?  Where to go?  Where to go?  Sure, you have been socking away that extra hard-earned money all year.  Now, it’s time to figure out where to take the family for the summer vacation destination.   But, sometimes you just need a little inspiration.  I’ve been planning our family vacation and here are my top 5 destinations suggestions – Boston, San Francisco, New York City, Yellow Stone National Park and Monument Valley – Four Corners.

Boston, MA  I’m not sure you can get more American than Boston, Massachusetts.  Home of the Boston Tea Party, the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and the shot heard around the world when the rifle fired to start the American Revolution, Boston is the perfect destination to take the kids for a little bit of American history.  A hike along the Freedom Trail takes you along 16 historical sites in a 3 hour walk.  It covers 2 and a half centuries of Boston history and is a must see for any visitor to Boston.

Not much into history? Boston has several museums which includes the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.  Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art that includes works by Andy Warhol, Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe and others just to name a few.  There’s also the Paul Revere House, Old State Museum, the U.S.S. Constitution, and the Boston Children’s Museum.

Maybe you are more into sports what a better sports destination than Boston.  Check out Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox.  It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012.  The New England Patriots stake their home in Boston, as well.  For those connoisseurs, check out the oldest restaurant in America, the Union Oyster House (est 1714), the  oldest bar in the United States the Bell in Hand Tavern (est 1784), and there’s also the infamous Cheers from television fame. Boston has so many activities that they are just too numerous to list. I’ve only touched on a brief amount of things to do if Boston is your destination for your summer plans.

Yellowstone National Park When you think of the phrase “family vacation,” I’m sure the word “Yellowstone” immediately came to your mind.  Established in 1872 as the United States’ first national park by Teddy Roosevelt, there’s no better way to spend quality time with your kids and family than exploring Yellowstone National Park.  The park boasts the world’s largest collection of geysers, and haven’t we all stood in wonder watching Old Faithful erupt every 90 minutes or so. The beauty of the park alone is breathtaking and will create a lifetime of memories.  Take plenty of cards for the digital cameras so you don’t miss the elk in the background of Old Faithful.

From bears to bison, mountain meadows to cold, rushing streams, biking to hanging out camping Yellowstone National Park is a must see for everyone.  The park’s website has a park trip planner to help you make the most of your visit.  Younger children can become a Junior Ranger and the family can take guided tours with Park Rangers and outside vendors.  Remember to pack a variety of clothes, since weather at the park changes quickly.  Plenty of rechargeable batteries for your camera is also a requirement because you will want to take photos of everything!

Four Corners Region – Monument Valley  Aside from Yellowstone National Park, there is nothing more breathtaking than Monument Valley.  I believe that most of us who watched the old west movies of John Wayne can immediately recognize the land formations that are now icons of the old west.

I visited this spot recently on a “great American tour” that I took and it was very surreal to see these sandstone land formations rising from the horizon.  I did opt to take a guided tour through the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, and it was money well spent.  I strongly suggest this option, as to drive through the park requires a 4 wheel drive.  Led by a Native American Navajo guide, we went to the various formations and he pointed out both popular movie locations from John Ford movies, as well as different locations that John Wayne shot scenes.

However, the most interesting part of the tour was when our guide explained how the land is infused with Navajo culture and tradition.  The park is located on Navajo Nation.  The Navajo raise sheep, and in turn, the wool is woven into beautiful rugs sold throughout.  The methods are passed down from generation to generation and are still made the same way today.

Also in the area is Four Corners. This is the only place in the United States where four states, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and  Arizona, come together in one location. Kids get a great kick out placing their hands and feet in four separate states.  This monument is also on the Navajo Nation and  there is a small admission fee.  There’s also a small visitors center and a Four Corners gift shop.  Another stop that is well worth the time getting there and making more family summer vacation memories. Four Corners is located right next to Monument Valley, so these two destinations are not to be missed!

San Francisco Street cars, hills, Rice-a-roni, the Golden Gate Bridge.  What a beautiful city, and like other destinations on my list, San Francisco has a ton of things to do.  Early in the morning (dawn), you can go check out Fisherman’s Wharf and all the sea lions that hang around Pier 39 before heading back out to sea later in the day.  If you can’t get your family up that early, you can still check out all that Pier 39 has to offer for dining, spectacular views of the bay, shopping,  the aquarium and other attractions in this area.  You can also take a cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and circle Alcatraz.

Take a tour on one of the world renown San Francisco Cable cars.  You can hop on and off at will, and what a better way to tour the city.  Be sure to make it over to the Golden Gate Park.  Be sure to visit the Conservatory of Flowers and for the kids, there is a huge playground with a circa 1912 carousel.

To round out the highlights, do NOT forget to go see the Golden Gate Bridge in all its glory.  And, if it isn’t too foggy or windy, makes for a beautiful walk across the engineering marvel.  No matter what your tastes, budgets, or time frame, there is a ton of things to do in San Francisco and can make for a great family vacation!

New York City What can I say about New York City.  It is one of the most exciting places that I have ever been.  From Central Park, to the Bronx Zoo, to Ellis Island your family could spend a month here and still not see all this city has to offer.  Going into Manhattan to Times Square, Wall Street, Broadway, MoMA, and  all the iconic New York City destinations are always worth your trip.   However, if you can only do one thing in Manhattan do take in the Empire State Building, The view from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building  is breathtaking. To avoid the lines, go early or during lunch or dinner hours.  There is a charge, but it is well worth the money to view New York City at your feet.

No visit to New York City would be complete without a trip to Ellis Island.  Since many of us have ancestors who first came to the United States through Ellis Island, it is a good way to feel your roots.  What a better way to show your kids how their great-great-grandparents immigrated into the country.  A perfect family history destination.

Just walking around New York City itself is an experience.  During our last visit to Manhattan, we did just walk around and absorbed the energy the city have to offer.  We had no specific destination in mind, but happened along many spots we recognized from movies and television.   The city certainly has a life of its own.  Whether you choose to visit just Manhattan or the other boroughs, be sure you plan what you want to do well in advance.  Planning ahead will be worth the time and energy to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Planning for your trip is something that you must do, including arriving refreshed and with a clear mind at the airport. If you book at any of the ParkSleepFly.com airport hotels listed, you can get a great park sleep and fly package.  Think of this – Getting up  at 3 AM, pile cranky kids in the car and drive the hour and a half to the airport to make that 7AM flight.  After a couple of road construction delays, you race to the airport only to spend 30 minutes trying to find a space in the airport parking lot.  Scramble to the shuttle, throwing your bags in the door with your crying kids and barely make  your flight.

By booking a park and stay hotel, you can stay the night before your flight.  Get a decent night’s sleep, transportation to the terminal, and parking for the duration of your trip.  You may even have enough time to grab something from the breakfast bar at the hotel!

If you are thinking of going to any of the destinations I listed above, did you know that ParkSleepFly.com also has airport hotel packages too?  You get the same great rate at an airport hotel, but with no parking.  So, if you are going to Boston, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or New York City check out our rates for airport hotel rooms, as well.  Just select “airport hotel” when submitting your itinerary on the ParkSleepFly.com page. You may be pleasantly surprised at the prices.

If you have other great destinations you are considering for your Summer Vacation plans, let me know.  I’d love to hear your suggestions.  There’s so much traveling, and so little time!

Related articles