Hilton Offers Exclusive Room Rates with Direct Booking

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If you’re a member of Hilton HHonors (Hilton’s guest loyalty program), here’s some news for you. This week, Hilton Worldwide announced the launch of its “Stop Clicking Around” promotion that encourages Hilton HHonors members to book reservations directly through the program to get specialty discounts. The promotion is valid at more than Hilton’s 4,500 properties worldwide.

In a sense, it’s to encourage members to not turn to third-party travel sites to book rooms but go to Hilton HHonors. Valid methods include the program’s mobile app, reservation call centers, or through preferred corporate travel partners and approved travel agents. If Hilton is a must for you, it’s a bit of a money saver. But also look at other discounts too like AAA (or yes, going back to those, um, other search engines).

Can You Find Love While Traveling?

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Around Valentine’s Day, there are travel stories that come out about couples that have found love while on the road. Some have happy endings, others not so much.

If you think about, it’s easy to have a romance while on the road. You’re in new surroundings. If you’re open to striking up conversations with new people, like locals or fellow travelers, you can bond quickly over similar experiences, interests, and maybe itineraries. Plus, you’re on vacation.

So, yes, I think it’s possible to find genuine romance while traveling. But you can also meet someone while passing through or encounter the exact opposite. Here are some suggestions on whether a travel romance could just turn out to be a fling or the real thing.

Take your moments together as they come.
It’s very easy to get caught up in what’s happening, but sometimes it’s best to keep your mind and heart in the present moment. Maybe you and the guy/girl you met are enjoying a night on the town or paired up to hang out on a beach or head to some other location. Just see how it goes. While I was on a walking tour in Berlin, my group included a young hunky South African on a yearlong gap. My friend and I invited him to join us at our table and he was very fun and sweet. He and I ended up walking together, and he got very chummy with me. When the tour was up, he lingered for a while and then gave me a kiss and walked off. My friend pointed to out to me that he seemed keen on me; I chalked up to just having fun.
Follow your heart, but trust your gut. Generally, most people you meet while traveling are basically good. But remember to keep your head. Along with common sense rules like watching your belongings, and even drinks, if something doesn’t feel right, pay attention. Keep an extra bill of the local currency on you in a separate place so if you need to get away safely via a cab you can. Also if his/her behavior seems off — doing one thing but saying another, being vague about himself/herself, or just emotions flying — it’s a good indicator that there’s more to him/her than willing to show. I hate to say this but I’ve found that some who’ve really put on the charm upfront (very out of the ordinary charm) were quite the opposite later on.
Think about where you from and what’s at home.
Maybe you’re from one part of the globe and he/she is from the other. Most likely, you’re either both going back home after your trip is done or your locally-love interest is staying where he/she is. Or if possible would you both continue on together? When I was in Athens, I met a charming Greek guy who after helping my awkward self figured out which subway stop would get me to the Acropolis Museum. He ended hanging out with me at the museum, and our night continued on in the Plaka. He invited me over to his place afterwards, but my hesitation kicked in (plus I thought about my then-BF back home). But it was nice to be flirty, at least for one night.
Weigh how you’ll stay in touch.
Facebook, even email, makes it a lot easier to keep in touch after travelers go their separate ways. So mostly likely you’ll keep in touch somehow, or initially. Circumstances can change, and people can change. With my Athenian, we became Facebook friends, and I would Facebook message him when he was online. But after a while, it felt like I was more interested in chatting with him than he was with me. But it happens. At least, you’ll have made a new friend, right?
If it’s right, then go for it!
In all, traveling is the one of the best ways to judge someone’s personality. If you decide to go jaunting together for a while, here are some questions to think about. Are you both open to compromising on where to go, what to see, and how much to spend? Do either of you sulk or stay patient with each other? How do you handle conflicts together? And mostly, are you both committed to having a relationship or it is more casual? If all your answers sound right for you, then see how love unfolds and take that leap.

Icelandair Offers Stopover Buddy Program

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Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Here is a fun news item: Icelandair has launched a new service called Stopover Buddy that provides passengers with stopovers in Iceland with someone to hang out. The Stopover Buddy is for those flying to Europe, and it’s free. (But technically, you have bought an Icelandair plane ticket and you have to stay up to seven nights in Iceland at no additional airfare.)

At times, fliers heading to Europe might first stop to Iceland en route to their final destination, and find themselves with some time to kill between flights in Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport. If time permits, they often leave the airport and venture out to places like the Blue Lagoon. But if you’re flying solo, Icelandair’s Stopover Buddy program is a nice incentive. It lets you be in the company of a local guide, who doesn’t mind keeping you company. Your buddy will be an Icelandair employee.

The Stopover Buddy program works like this. Before their flight, Icelandair passengers put in an advanced request for a buddy. This temporary pal (or potentially newly-made friend) is an Icelandic native who is paired up with a passenger based on a mutual interest: nature, culture, cuisine, or just some fun sightseeing. Once this information is submitted, the Stopover Buddy will set up an itinerary based on what his/her fly-by friend wants to do. It could involve seeing a specific place or local favorite spot or even doing an activity like hiking or biking.

Sadly, your chance to find a short-term buddy in Iceland is short. Icelandair’s Stopover Buddy program is available now through April 30. Plus you have to be 18 and up to use it. And your buddy will hang out with you for one day only.

Exploring Fort Worth, Texas

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Recently I traveled to Fort Worth, Texas for two work assignments. For three days, I ventured about its different districts, exploring its culinary, historic, and cultural offerings. Although I’m going to leave most of what I did out – I’ll post the published articles once they’re online – here are some places to consider seeing or dining at.

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Horseshoe Hill Café
In the Stockyards National Historic District, this restaurant is all about cowboy cuisine – Texas food influenced by ethnicities and ingredients found in the state’s various regions – and serves up Western favorites. Its specialty is chicken fried steak. You can order the traditional version with peppered gravy to inventive twists like chili con carne and queso blanco or chili gravy and a fried egg. There are also other offerings like sides of red chile cheese enchiladas and a nice 16 oz. dry aged ribeye.

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Guided Tour of the Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth’s history with the cattle industry began as being the last stop for cowboys and their steers en route to Kansas’ railheads around the mid-1860s through 1880s. Although the industry has changed much over time, the Stockyards are still a visual reminder of this period. One way to learn more about the Stockyards is through Stockyards Historic Walking Tours. Starting from the visitor center, a guide takes you along specific spots throughout the Stockyards and gives the backstory on these buildings. Tours happen daily. While at the Stockyards, see the twice a day Fort Worth Herd parade. At 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., a small set of longhorns and their handlers walk down East Exchange Avenue.

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Esperanza’s Mexican Cafe and Bakery
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to sit down and eat here. However, I kept hearing from locals about how good this place is. So I decided to a quick run over and see what I could grab. There are two locations, but I went to its site near the Stockyards. This venue gets a lot of nods for its breakfast and lunch, but it also has a side bakery in the front featuring Mexican pastries. I grabbed what I could say a version of a jelly-filled, powder sugared donut. It was messy but tasty!

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National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Based in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, this museum is unique in that it solely is about cowgirls and pioneering women who promote Western heritage on many different levels. And it pays tribute to them. Some of them are known, while some might be surprises. On the lower level, there are a number of displays dedicated to Annie Oakley. A holographic Annie speaks about her days as a gunslinger, and her clothes and other items are on view. Upstairs, the hall of fame features photos of various American women of the West.

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Dine out on Near Southside’s West Magnolia Street
This section in Near Southside is a place to go for dinner or after drinks. Coffee shops, cocktail bars, and restaurants are lined along here. One night, I just walked up and down this street, and going into places that looked appealing. Desserts will always get my attention, so I went inside Stir Crazy Baked Goods, a cozy bakery along this district. Inside, there are cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and muffins in different flavors good sizes, but with prices that are easy on the wallet. Another venue that was recommended to me for more of a meal was The Bearded Lady. It has more of a pub atmosphere, with a full board of craft beers (including Texas suds). Apps are interesting like fried cactus strips, fried leek rings, and whole fried okra. Sandwiches and burgers have their say on the menu. There’s a fancy grilled cheese selection and a Build Your Own Damn ½ Lb Burger (I opted for the former; it was good.).

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Acre Distillery LLC
A recent newcomer to Fort Worth’s Downtown area, this venue is a combination of an espresso bar and distillery. In the morning hours, this place serves up caffeinated brews and light breakfast orders, particularly to nearby Texas A & M students. At night, the scene changes to more of a cocktail environment featuring in-house made gin, vodka, and two types of bourbon. These distilled spirits also get mixed up as cocktails paired with flavored moonshine infusions such as a cinnamon and can be served alongside charcuterie boards.

ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade Giveaway

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I’m happy to announce my first prize giveaway: the ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade! The ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade is a personal wearable siren from ROBOCOPP that is designed to give off an effective alarm when activated. The siren is said to be 120 db (as loud as an ambulance’s) that can startle an assailant or an animal. To turn on the alarm, simply pull out the pin found on the top of the device. And to turn it off, just place the top firmly back on.

The ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade’s small size (less than one ounce) makes it incredibly portable. I’ve been told by a ROBOCOPP rep that the ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade is TSA friendly, so you can bring it on board with you. Plus I applaud the design team for including a lanyard so you can slip the ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade through and attach it to perhaps a key chain or belt buckle. Even more ingenious, the lanyard is what seals up the packaging. Just remove it and you’re all set – no hunting for scissors required!

I did a test on this alarm so you can see it, and hear it, in action. Take a look (and please excuse my shabby appearance).

Enter by clicking on, and following the requirements for entering a Rafflecopter giveaway.

Participants must fully complete entries to be qualified. The contest begins Saturday, January 30, at 12 a.m. and ends Monday, February 15 at 12 a.m. Sorry but only U.S. residents can enter. Good luck.

Disclosure: I was invited by ROBOCOPP to review and hold a giveaway for the ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade. My description and accompanying video demo of this product is based entirely on my opinion.

Signing up for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

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Photo credit: danjo paluska via Flickr

Recently, I got approved for enrollment in both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. If you’re not sure what these programs are, they relate to airport security. Frequent fliers often register for them so if you fall into this category, consider getting which one applies to you. Or both.

Mainly, they are expedited security screening programs for traveling within or out of the U.S. I’m sure you’re familiar with waiting your turn to go through the security detectors, taking off your shoes, belt, and coat, pulling out your laptop and your clear bag of 3-1-1 compliant toiletries, and putting them all through the scanner. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry changes this scenario. If you’re considered to be a low risk flier – i.e., no questionable background or history – and fit with certain citizenship requirements, being a member in these programs eliminates these necessities. And, in most cases, you avoid a lengthy wait. You still have to go through security, but usually in a different line, and you don’t need to do all the required clothing/luggage removals.

Here’s what each program is about:

TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is for fliers that meet certain citizenship requirements and departing from the U.S. and is valid for five years. To apply for the program, you can either do so on online or through scheduling an in-person appointment. There’s also a third option of going straight to an application center, but your chances of that happening depend on how busy the day is. I lucked out at JFK with a walk-in appointment, but that’s probably because the TSA security checkpoint was surprisingly quiet. Plus I tend to go to the airport early. Screening appointments can run behind, so you want to make sure you allow enough time to avoid stressing out about making your flight. Mine lasted maybe 30 minutes or so. Also, at your appointment, you need to have certain paperwork on you like your driver’s license or passport and other requirements. There is an $85 non-refundable processing fee as well.

Upon approval, you’re assigned what’s called a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you give when buying a plane ticket. (Currently, most major carriers and airports participate in TSA PreCheck. Check online for confirmation). Your KTN will appear on your boarding pass. Although you can save your KTN to your frequent flier account, it’s best to type it in every time to be certain it’s correctly placed in the system. Plus, be sure your name is exactly listed on your ticket as it is for your TSAPrecheck (for example if you go by your full name, it has to match), as a slight difference can cause a slight problem.

Global Entry
Global Entry involves admittance into the U.S. and extends to other different citizenship requirements. When coming back in and going through customs, you often would head to what’s called a Global Entry kiosk, to process your passport and have your fingerprints scanned for identification. Plus, at the kiosk, you fill out a customs declaration.

Applying is done online only. You have to create an account through what’s called the Global Online Enrollment System or GOES. Through your account, your application will require certain personal information, so be thorough when filling out the requirements. You also pay a $100 non-returnable application fee.

Once officials approve your application, you’ll get an email about scheduling an interview. To set one up, you have to go back into your GOES account and select a date, time, and location (there is a list of processing centers, depending on the state you live in, to click on and choose from). On your interview day, bring certain documents like your passport or resident card, a second form of ID and a print out of an email saying that you’ve been approved. And don’t be late! You’ll have an interview with a DHS official, who will ask you certain background questions. Your photo and fingerprints will be also taken. With your approval, a Global Entry card will be sent to you in the mail. (I also got a paper copy with my number on it before leaving.)

Another Global Entry member bonus is that you will be eligible for getting TSA PreCheck. (Editor’s note: I didn’t know this information beforehand. If I did, I would have applied for Global Entry first. Oh well). Like its counterpart, Global Entry approval lasts five years.

Either way, having membership in both programs helps if you’re a serious traveler. But the choice is up to you. Learn more about them plus other options here.

Learning about Nara, Japan

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Photo credit: Visit Japan

Before 2015 ended, Visit Japan tourism board invited me to an informative session about Nara, Japan. Have you heard of Nara? It’s often known for spotted deer that live in Nara Park and don’t seem shy around people. Others see Nara as an ideal day trip, from 40 minutes from Osaka or Kyoto or an hour from Tokyo. This session also showed there was more to this city than a short visit.

I was told by representatives from Nara’s tourism board that Nara was actually Japan’s first capital. These officials told me that Nara considered to be the birthplace of Japan’s culture and civilization, and was the last stop of the famous Silk Road. Here are some other neat tidbits that I learned about Nara.

Temples and Shrines
As with throughout Japan, there are buddhist temples and shinto shrines to definitely visit in Nara. Kasugataisha Shrine is a main complex comprised of four different shrines that visitors can approach along a route graced with many moss-covered stone lanterns. The shrine has additional 1,000 lanterns inside it. During a festival known as the Mantoro Festival, the inside lanterns are lit. Another place to visit is the Mt. Shigisan Chogosonshiji Temple, especially during spring. This temple is said to be a good spot for viewing the cherry blossoms and has a festival that celebrates their bloom. Plus, it’s known for the tiger figures that are on temple grounds. And Kofukuji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a five-story wooden pagoda.

Cuisine
Nara has interesting culinary offerings, with ones that fuse in Western influences. According to the representatives from Nara, the city has Michelin Guide restaurants and sake breweries where visitors can go for tastings. As for native dishes, one local specialty is kakinoha-zushi – sushi wrapped in a persimmon leaf. It’s made of rice seasoned with vinegar and topped with a slice of salted mackerel or salmon. It’s also then pressed into a rectangle and wrapped in the leaf.

Accommodations
To further push aside the notion of Nara as a day visit, travelers can stay in accommodations. Along with modern boutique hotels and refurbished townhouses, one unique option is a ryokan. Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns that can consist of communal baths and public areas. One place to look at might be the Nara Hotel. Set near Nara Park, this hotel dates back to 1909, when it was constructed to serve as a guest house for visiting dignitaries.

My Travel Plans (So Far) for 2016

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New Phot We are now five days into 2016, and already I have some travel plans and goals for this year. Of course, I’m hoping to visit new destinations, but there are other areas that I want to head into. Here is what I’m hoping to accomplish this year.

My first solo work trip.
Last year, my travel writing got a big boost. I landed five freelance assignments that brought me to Wyoming, Michigan, and California, had me revisiting New Haven, Connecticut, and fulfilling a wish to visit Costa Rica. Though the locations differed, one thing they had in common was that I was in a group of other travel writers and bloggers. But I have some news to share: this month, I’m working on plans to go to Texas on my own for a piece for a new outlet I hope to do more writing with. I have ties to the Lone Star State and haven’t been there for 30 years, so I’m looking forward to going back.

Expanding search options.
My method of picking flights centers on mainly route, schedule, and cost. Unfortunately I’m still new to figuring out airline mileage programs, and, because of my budget and other reasons, I only belong to two of them: Southwest and JetBlue. I have a lot to learn but recently I’ve been checking out more of another source for savings: third-party search engines. In choosing a soon to use flight, I gave Kayak a try and found a direct, neither too early or late morning flight for at least $100 less than going through the airline’s website! So I booked. For comparison, I now do an initial search through Google Flights, another search engine.

Making time for family travel.
Although my interest in solo travel perked up a lot last year, it’s still nice to have someone come along. My younger sister and my cousin are my main plus ones, and they’re joining me on some excursions this year. I’m heading back to Jamaica with my sis this month, specifically to Montego Bay, where we hope to get in some bonding over swimming and bike riding. (Her flight in is way earlier that mine, so might give her some distance for recovery). I’m also excited about returning to Europe this summer. Part of my family is based there, and for years, I’ve been exploring parts of the continent with my European cousin. For 2016, we’re going to see Scandinavia – specifically Denmark, Norway, and Sweden! And within the U.S., I’ll be joining the younger set of my family for an April trip to Walt Disney World (which I haven’t been to since I was a teenager).
What do you have planned for 2016? Let me know.

Where to Go in 2016

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Photo credit: Ken Bosma via Flickr

Is travel part of your New Year’s resolutions for 2016? There are many “where to go” lists out, and here is another one. I reached out to various travelers with their own respective blogs and expertise for ideas on what places they’re encouraging people to head or where they’re going. Here is what they had to say.

Germany, as suggested by Charles McCool of McCool Travel

“Berlin, Germany is one place I really want to visit in 2016. Sure, the city has a vibrant social and art scene, with attractive cuisine and architecture. The main reason I want to visit, though, is because it is a part of my ancestry. My grandfather and his family fled to the USA from a small village near Berlin in 1926 and I would love to visit his childhood area, and maybe learn some more about my family history.”

Photo credit: Rebecca Holland

Jordan, as suggested by Rebecca Holland of Curiosity and a Carry on

“It’s the first place I ever traveled outside of the U.S. six years ago, and I’ve gone back every year since because of the welcoming people, incredible food, stunning natural beauty, and variety of things to do–from Roman ruins to floating in the Dead Sea to canyon hikes, camping in the desert, and, of course, Petra. Though it might not be the best time to visit surrounding countries, Jordan is still pretty safe, and right now needs tourism more than ever. Plus, it opens your eyes to a culture that is not as scary or different as you see on the news, which is something people (especially Americans) could use right now.”

Mexico, as suggested by Nick Wharton and Dariece Swift of Goats on the Road (tip provided by Dariece)

“I don’t mean the typical cities of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta, I mean the real Mexico. This is a country filled with gems for travellers to discover. Check out the little known island of Isla Holbox, the UNESCO listed city of Guanajuato, or the mountainous town of San Cristobal. Mexico’s cities are stunning, its beaches are beautiful, the people are welcoming and the food…oh, the food! This is a great destination for 2016 because the U.S. Dollar is very strong against the Mexican Peso at the moment. This already affordable destination will be around 35 percent cheaper to travel to than this time last year.”

Photo credit: Chris Backe

Colombia, as suggested by Chris Backe of One Weird Globe

“Break out your high school Spanish. Between improving tourist infrastructure, a historically awesome exchange rate (for tourists, anyway), and a number of places worth visiting, there’s plenty going for it. Start with Medellin, Colombia’s second city, for a modern, First-World introduction to the country. Ride the modern metro and cable car, meander around Poblado’s trendier side, explore the Laureles neighborhood, or see the grittier (but still safe) side in the Envigado neighborhood. Bogota is also worth visiting as well, but requires a bit more carefulness on your stuff.”

Photo credit: Two Monkeys Travel Group

Naples, South Florida, as suggested by Jonathan Howe and Kach Medina Umandap of Two Monkeys Travel Group (tip provided by Jonathan)

“Much more than great weather and beaches, this beautiful little corner of the USA is surrounded by some of the densely packed mangrove and swamplands in the world, the Everglades. Hiking, swamp walking, kayaking and paddle boarding with alligators, air boats, fishing, wildlife photography and loads more. It’s also one of the greatest foodie destinations we have ever discovered. Now that we’ve found out for ourselves that this part of South Florida is much more than a ‘snowbird’ winter escape for retirees, we’ll be going back for more!”

Copenhagen, Denmark, as suggested by Caroline Coupe of LoveLiveTravel

“The city has a fantastic vibe and there is always something happening; whether you have two days or two weeks, there is so much you can experience. The most famous sights here are the Nyhavn canal with its colourful buildings and tall ships, The Little Mermaid perched on her rock in the harbour. and the charming, historic Tivoli Gardens amusement park. Another popular spot is the Strøget pedestrian street packed with shops, cafés, historic buildings, and fountains, perfect for shopping and browsing. The city also is home to three palaces: Amalienborg Palace, where the Royal family still live today and you can watch the daily Changing of the Guard, Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish Parliament, and Rosenborg Castle, which is surrounded by the gorgeous King’s Gardens.”

Iceland, as suggested by Valen Dawson of Eating the Globe

“It’s where I’m going next. It seems to be a hot spot right now. It attracted my attention because of the natural beauty there and the cheap flights from the U.S.”

U.S. National Parks, as suggested by me

“In August of next year, the U.S. National Parks system marks its one hundredth anniversary. Some of the most incredible national parks to set foot in are based in the western part of the U.S. – Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Zion, and so forth. Get out your best pair of hiking shoes and go exploring.”

Where do you want to go to in 2016? Let me know.

What 2015 Taught Me About Travel

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Photo credit: Whatleydude via Flickr

This year I got to branch out more as a traveler and a travel writer. I also learned a few new lessons for myself. Here are three of them.

There’s a lot to see in your home country – more than you realize.
As someone who tries to get to as many “must-see before I die” international destinations as I can, I find it’s easier to forget that my native United States has many unique finds. An April visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea introduced me to its quirky history – no stoplights or street signs – and souvenirs like a permit to wear high heels. During summertime, I got to experience artistic and culinary growth in Detroit, where a relationship between old buildings and new purposes seems to be bridging together nicely. Cheyenne showed me more about what life was and is like on the Western frontier, and how rodeo remains its legacy. And Reno has its charms too. So hopefully in 2016 I’ll do some more sightseeing of the U.S. of A.

Expand your travel options. It’s easy to consider just one option for getting from A to B, but consider looking at alternative methods of everything from transportation to dates to make traveling more efficient. With the hope that I’ll be doing more flying in the future, I decided to sign up for TSA’s Pre-Check and applied for enrolling in TSA’s Global Entry. They are security clearance programs in which once you complete a background screening, you’ll be given a special traveler’s number that you’ll be associated with you. It means you go through a different airport security line in which your screening will be conducted separately. The same goes for driving. Also as someone that tends to avoid being behind a wheel on trips, especially on my own, I made a stride in changing that by heading to Maine last November.

Learn more by doing. There’s no other time that I could think of which gives people the opportunity to travel more with websites, apps, forums and other resources providing tips and deals. The same goes with travel writing. Whether you want to post about your travels as a diary, or develop your skills as a blogger, there are hosting sites that can give you the knowledge to gradually develop your site. It does take time to flourish – I’ve been at if for three years as a blogger, close to 20 as a professional writer – but either way you’ll learn a lot. Even if you don’t make a living from travel media, you learn about self-promotion, marketing, social media, SEO, and networking. Starting out? Don’t be alone. I suggest connecting with travel-minded Meetup and Facebook groups and signing up for Travel Massive, a global networking exchange of individuals connected to the travel sector.

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