Category: Travel

Death to the Postcard

It should come as no surprise that today’s social networking sites have been the kiss of death for snail mail. And this includes postcards. While people the world over used to send postcards to loved ones while they were vacationing in exotic locations – today they can simply instant message or post pictures on Facebook and other sites.

Researchers with Mintel looking at the issue in the UK found that, while about 33% of travelers used to send postcards from a vacation spot, today only 3% do so.  As Analyst Alexandra Richmond said,

“Younger Britons may never have experienced the joy of receiving a postcard in the age of social media and many others may have forgotten the sensory experience a writing set gives the sender. We’re traveling more and we’re also more connected than ever before.”


The postcard began in 1840 with a hand-painted design that was posted in London to writer Theodore Hook. The first postcard in the United States was postmarked in December of 1848 and it included a printed advertisement on it.  Certainly, the lengthy history of the postcard and its vast popularity can be well documented and cherished – but it’s definitely a thing of the past at this point, relegated to memory books with stamps, stationery and the written letter.

Top 5 Vacation Destinations for Graduates

Summer is approaching, and with it the opportunity for soon-to-be graduates to celebrate their successful completion of their degrees.

According to Travel Ticker, the top five vacation destinations for such travelers are:

  1. Amsterdam, Netherlands– The best time to go is between October and April, when deals will be cheaper and crowds sparser. The city offers both historical and modern attractions, including the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and incomparable night life. Bike- friendly routes make the trip much more hands-on and affordable, too
  2. Havan, Cuba- Though the island has been forbidden to American citizens in the past, the restrictions have been removed. Now the beaches, coral reefs, night life, culture and music are right at grads’ fingertips!

  3. Dublin, Ireland- Everyone knows the Irish are the best at celebrating- anything! The city’s scenery and climate are perfect in May and June, and the locals are welcoming all year round.
  4. Ibiza, Spain- Often mentioned in hip-hop music nowadays, the city is known for its outstanding night life, beautiful azure beaches and amazing DJs. The weather is perfect right as the semester ends, making it a perfect destination for those looking to party.
  5. Prague, Czech Republic- Prague is the best destination to truly unwind, providing a more laid back and old-Europe experience. With amazing architecture, the Vltava River and great beer, the region is perfect for backpacking and exploration.

Film Fans Can Now Vacation on Favorite Sets

Honeymoon Villa from 'Breaking Dawn'

The debut of the Hunger Games films triggered incomparable tourism in North Carolina, with hundreds if not thousands of people flocking to the area to see ‘District 12,’ Capitol, and the wild forests in Asheville.

It’s no surprise then, really, that other film fans are paying thousands of dollars per night in order to stay at their favorite sets for a vacation. For example, Twilight fans now have the option of renting Edward and Bella’s honeymoon villa from the new ‘Breaking Dawn’ movie. Entourage groupies now also have the option of renting the unbelievable house that closed the series finale with Ari and Melissa Gold.

The new attraction is offered by FlipKey.com, a home, apartment and condo rental site. Their list includes eight properties from much-loved movies that are available for rent- and anyone can try it!

Costs may be hard to meet, however. The Twilight honeymoon home starts at $4,000 per night, while the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil mansion is going for $1,300 a night.

Perhaps for some the price is well worth the experience, but others would prefer to spend the money on a ticket to somewhere exotic and more reality-based. Venice, Greece, Italy or maybe Sweden all pose as attractive alternatives; each location has endless villa rentals, beaches and vacation spots. In fact, villa-cravers must not seek far beyond their own cities- the U.S. is filled with luxury apartment villas that will transport you to a whole new world without requiring a plane ticket.

Titanic Memorial Cruises Launched in New York and Southampton

Would you willingly participate in a Titanic memorial cruise?

The tragic story of the ocean liner that hit an iceberg and sank on April 14th, 1912, has been famous for a century. More than 1,500 lives were lost with the ship, and the event is considered one of the most romantically tragic in history. This reputation was enhanced by the film ‘Titanic’ in 1997, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Now, 100 years after the shipwreck, organizations across the globe have worked to commemorate the event and the lives lost. Memorial cruises were launched from New York and Southampton, tracing the doomed route of the Edwardian cruise liner and stopping at its final resting place to pray and commemorate the shocking deaths. Wreaths were thrown on the water, while guests reflected on the event and the numerous lectures they had attended while en route to the watery mass grave.

Helen Edwards attended a memorial cruise on the Balmoral. After learning about the Titanic’s history throughout the cruise, she explained that the undying appeal is a result of several aspects, such as romance, history, fate and tragedy.


“There are all the factors that came together for the ship to be right there, then, to hit that iceberg. All the stories of the passengers who ended up on that ship,” she said. “It’s just a microcosm of social history, personal histories, nautical histories… Romance is an appropriate word right up until the time of the tragedy- the band playing, the clothes… And then there’s the tragedy.”

On the two Titanic memorial cruises, many of the passengers had a personal connection to the event. The travelers dressed in period-appropriate costume, and participated in the balls and formal dinners served to accentuate the drama of the era.

The cruises were surely breathtaking and emotional, and undoubtedly used all safety measures. Still, would you be willing to retrace the steps of an ocean liner that sank on its maiden voyage, despite its believed immortality?

The Hunger Games Boost Tourism in North Carolina

With an opening week worth $155 million in the U.S. alone and an unbelievably enormous throng of fans of Suzanne Collins’ books, the Hunger Games was undoubtedly the most anticipated film since the release of the Twilight movies. It’s not surprising then that the phenomenon has boosted tourism throughout North Carolina.

The entire film, including the abandoned mill, the Capitol and the harsh forests, were all shot in the same state.

The book, first released in 2008, tells a story of a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world in which annual gladiator-like fighting games are held in the country of Panem (formerly known as North America). Run by the advanced city of Capitol, the twelve surrounding districts are forced to send ‘tributes,’ or teenage gladiators, to participate in the games each year.

The majority of the story takes place in the forests, where the protagonist Katniss Everdeen is forced to use her survival skills during the fighting games. In the film, most of these scenes were shot in a 22,000-acre forest in North Carolina’s Asheville. Though the area is closed to the public, tourists have flocked to the region.

District 12, home of the film’s main characters, was brought to life in Henry River Mill Village. Though its mill burned down a few decades ago, the small, run-down buildings and shops create the perfect atmosphere. The property is owned by Wade Shepherd, an 83-year-old man overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

“I’m getting too many visitors. Day and night, they’re driving through, taking pictures, getting out and walking. I’m just bombarded with people,” he told Associated Press.

And District 12 is not the only attraction. The area’s tourist industry has scrambled to create an authentic experience, and now offers hotel packages, tours and of course, survival skill courses.

The Hunger Games Fan Tours organizes day and weekend trips as well, that allow fans to reenact scenes from the movie and simulate the Hunger Games at the end of the training.

Pre-Spring Break Planning

Spring break is approaching and with it the stresses of planning a vacation, entertaining the kids, traveling comfortably and so much more.

There are a number of circumstances that are worth planning for in advance, and they include:

  • Traveling with your children, which can be difficult and result in boredom, disagreement and immaturity. To discourage these issues before they begin, have your kids help with the planning and trip preparation. Encourage them discuss the itinerary, present ideas and reach conclusions together, as well as help with the packing. The involvement will add enthusiasm and interest, and boost the cooperative mood as a whole.
  • Traveling by car, which can be delayed, boring and claustrophobic. For long plane trips, bring entertainment like an iPad, a deck of cards, a book…and most importantly food! These items are important whether you’re traveling alone, with your best friend, your spouse or your children.which can be long and grueling and leave everyone irritable. For long rides, look into audio books that can be enjoyed by the whole family. On a drive to the Grand Canyon, for example, try something long and suitable for several ages, like the first of the Harry Potter series. Discuss with your travel companions before choosing a story. If you’re traveling with kids, or without for that matter, end your car ride at a hotel with a pool.
  • Traveling by plane, which can be long and grueling and leave everyone irritable. For long rides, look into audio books that can be enjoyed by the whole family. On a drive to the Grand Canyon, for example, try something long and suitable for several ages, like the first of the Harry Potter series. Discuss with your travel companions before choosing a story. If you’re traveling with kids, or without for that matter, end your car ride at a hotel with a pool.
  • Home security. According to Indiana State Police Captain David Bursten, one of the biggest mistakes travelers make is cancelling the mail and newspaper deliveries. Instead, have a neighbor collect your post for you while you’re away, so that it seems someone is still at home. Installing randomized timers for the lights and, if possible, an alarm is also highly recommended.