www.YourDailyVacation.com

Details of the 2008 Disney Dining Plan for Walt Disney World have recently been released. The Dining Plan will cost $37.99/day for those aged 10 and above and $9.99/day for children ages 3-9 (which is a dollar less per day than the 2007 plan.) The DELUXE Dining Plan will cost $69.99 for those aged 10 and above and $19.99 for children ages 3-9.

For the regular Dining Plan in 2008 you’ll receive the following:

• 2 Meals Per Day: For the regular Dining Plan you’ll receive one table service meal and one quick service meal each day of your stay.
• 1 Snack Per Day: In addition to the 2 meals you’ll also receive 1 snack every day. A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.

Here are some of the key differences between the 2007 and 2008 REGULAR Dining Plans:

• Gratuity No Longer Included: Beginning in 2008, the Disney Dining Plan will no longer include gratuity (tips.) This means you’ll need to bring some cash along with you to leave a tip for your table service meals. For parties of 6 or more people an 18% gratuity will be added to your check automatically.
• Appetizers No Longer Included with Table Service Meals: In 2008 the table service meal will only include an entree, non-alcoholic beverage and dessert (or full buffet meal if applicable.) This is different from 2007 where you received an appetizer with your meal as well.
• Wine and Dine Option: For an extra $39.99/day you can add a daily bottle of wine to your package.

Disney has also added a new dining plan for 2007 called the DELUXE Dining Plan. This is a more flexible (and more expensive) option for diners where you’ll receive the following:

• 3 Meals: On the new Deluxe Dining Plan in 2008 you’ll receive 3 meals each day of your stay. The 3 meals can be any combination of sit down or counter service so you have the choice of eating at any Disney restaurant on the list. If you choose a table service meal that will include one appetizer, one entree, one dessert (lunch and dinner only) and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one Full Buffet. If you choose a counter service meal that will include one entree (or complete combo meal), one dessert (lunch or dinner only), one juice (breakfast only) and one non-alcoholic beverage.
• 2 Snacks: In addition to the 3 meals you’ll also receive 2 snacks every day. A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.
• Wine and Dine Option: For an extra $39.99/day you can add a daily bottle of wine to your package.

For the DELUXE Dining Plan the same rules will apply as the regular plan when it comes to gratuity. It’s not included.

On the surface my initial reaction is that I’m not really happy with the changes in the regular Dining Plan. With the loss of the appetizer on the table service meal and the added expense of paying for gratuity out of my pocket it starts to make more sense to pay-as-you-go. And when it comes to the DELUXE Dining Plan it just seems like a lot of money on a daily basis unless you plan on eating at a lot of table service restaurants. That option could be the better option however I’ll have to play with the numbers a bit more to see what is the best way to go so look for future articles regarding this subject. No matter what you’re still in for a thrill the next time you dine in Disney so have fun!

Out and proud and looking for a fantastic travel experience? Every couple wants the opportunity to relax, have fun, and be themselves while on vacation, so we’ve compiled a list of some great gay-friendly vacation ideas, from exciting gay and lesbian events like Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, to laid-back, rainbow proud cities like Key West and Provincetown where couples can walk hand in hand along the beach, or enjoy a romantic evening over a candle light dinner in a carefree and accepting atmosphere.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

This year, Sydney’s annual fun fest is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary — if you’ve never been to this dizzyingly delightful event, this is the year to get inaugurated! From cabaret to comedy, dance parties to discussion groups, film festivals to fabulous fashion, Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the world’s most joyous and memorable events. Big performers this year include comedian extraordinare, Marget Cho, and pop legend Cyndi Lauper. Celebrations actually get under way in February, with a full month of cultural, social, and musical events, all leading up to the preeminent Mardi Gras parade and party on March 1. Whether you choose to march in the parade, or watch from the sidelines, your sense of pride will skyrocket as thousands of gay and gay-friendly folks gather to celebrate this year’s theme, “Brave New Worlds.” The after-party promises an electrified night of performances by some of the world’s most cutting-edge DJ’s mixing beats inside kaleidescopic light shows. Let the dancing begin!

Tickets and passes for individual events, as well as the main parade and party are going fast, so if you want to be part of one of the greatest gay and lesbian celebrations in the world, start booking as soon as you can. For a list of great hotels to choose from in Sydney, check out Sydney Hotels.

Key West, Florida

In Key West, where the average temperature is just under 80 degrees, gay and lesbian couples will find a fabulous variety of fun in the sun activities. One of the United States’ most gay-friendly cities, Key West is an island paradise where the official motto is “One Human Family.” Any time of year, travelers can enjoy tanning on the beautiful beaches, diving and snorkeling in crystalline waters, biking through the historic district of Old Town Key West, experiencing the vibrant nightlife of Duval Street, stopping to smell the roses at Key West Botanical Forest and Garden, and so much more. Key West is also host to some exciting annual events, such as Gay Spring Break in March, Pridefest in June, and Womenfest in September. Key West’s GLBT Visitor’s Center is a fantastic resource for gay and lesbian travelers, offering information on activities, special coupons, and discount offers.

Ready to soak in a little sun and fun in Key West? Check out Key West Hotels to start planning your trip.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Voted “Best Gay Resort Town” by OutTraveler in 2005, and then again by PlanetOut in 2006, Provincetown is a mecca of culture, art, and adventure for the gay or lesbian traveler. Strolling past its pleasantly funky architecture, lovely tree-strewn streets, and historic sites (P-town was the first landing site of the Pilgrims and the place where the Mayflower Compact was signed), travelers will see gay couples walking hand in hand, gay parents pushing their children along in strollers, and a myriad of smiling and friendly faces. Located on the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a wonderful destination for whale watching, as RealTravelers Globally Speaking recently discovered:

“It was a perfect whale watch trip…since it had been raining there were very few people on the ship, we could run around at will. We rode out to Stellwagon Bank, a hot feeding ground, and immediately began spotting whales. In total, we saw about 20 humpback whales and over 100 dolphins!” (more…)

For appreciators of the arts, P-town is where it’s at. Dozens of art galleries line popular Commercial Street, and travelers can catch great theatre production here too at wonderful theatres like Provincetown Repertory Theatre (also on Commercial Street), and Provincetown Theatre Company on Bradford Street. Other activities travelers can enjoy include harbor cruises, sailing, dolphin watches, biking, beach swimming, and fishing. Oh, and let’s not forget, if it’s time to make the ultimate commitment to your partner, P-Town will be happy to host your wedding! Check out Provincetown Hotels to begin planning your stay.

Whether the international flight being planned is a first class, business class or a low cost coach flight with a discount airline, the preparations should be the same. The one item that is different is the preparation and information that may be necessary because it is an international flight. Rules and guidelines can be quite different for domestic flights, as compared to airline travel overseas.

First of all, it is important for both types of travel that tickets, lodging and other factors are accounted for before ever departing for the airport. The wise traveler leaves plenty of time to make travel arrangements before the departure date. If problems or issues come up, there will be time to straighten them out.

Among the items that should be on the travel plans priority list are: airline reservations, hotel accommodations, travel between airports, train stations, and connecting flights etc., special arrangements for health or physical limitations. With these items in place, time should be free for attention to details, such as identification and required documents, packing luggage and securing this luggage. Of course, requirements for identification will be different with domestic travel, as a passport is not required. But with all airline travel, passengers should be prepared to show photo identification and try to comply with any other requests made by airline or government personnel.

Well before the departure date, the experienced traveler will talk to airport or airline personnel, or read information online that will tell if driver’s license, government ID card, certificate of citizenship, passport etc. are necessary. Those who wish to remain in another country for an extended period, or who will be working or studying there, will probably need a particular type of visa. This too should be secured well before the planned departure date.

One of the most important steps in international travel is the packing and securing of luggage. If the trip is underway and the luggage is in transit, it is too late to begin worrying about contents, locks or other details. These items should be given attention during the trip-planning process.

During the planning stage, the experienced traveler make sure to understand what items are allowed and what items are prohibited in the airport and on the plane. Some liquids and containers must now be in a plastic bag of a certain size, for instance, and must be available for inspection separate from luggage. There are still restrictions on certain sharp objects and metal objects. Tip; Find out what the guidelines are and follow them to the letter.

Security screening and questioning may be different at each international airport, depending on local and national laws, local law enforcement and so on. It would be best to become as familiar as possible with these rules and guidelines before entering the foreign airport or another country. If this is not possible, be sure to comply with requests from staff and personnel who are trying to follow their own rules and orders.

Whether the flight is with a smaller, low-cost airline or one of the larger airlines, international passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. This allows for getting through check-in, screening and for taking care of any minor issues that may arise. Working with this limited information may be enough to make the overseas trip more enjoyable. But there is no such thing as too much information when traveling internationally.

All About Green Travel

What exactly is meant by a phrase like Green Travel? Green Travel can mean anything from environmentally responsible motor cars to eco-friendly transportation fuels, to responsible ecotourism options, sustainable travel or stays in hotels and facilities that are environmentally conscious.

Read on to find some great options on the Internet where you, the environmentally-responsible traveler, can enhance your knowledge and continue to seek the smartest, most planet-conscious choices available when you travel.

Why Green Travel Matters

Tourism, in contemporary times, is a tremendously growth-oriented industry, and is among the world’s largest, with spending figures estimated at over five hundred billion per year in recent years. Because of the overwhelming size of the industry globally, millions of people are employed within its ranks, and are therefore of great concern when it comes to responsible, eco-conscious decisions.

Such lofty statistics all begin with local, individual choices - where people spend their money when they travel, during their travel and the message that their actions send out to global populations. The impact of global travel, when geared toward the positive, can be terrific - including when tourism’s dollars go to the enhancement of local populations, or when travelers return home with a fresh take on other cultures, communities and environments, for instance.

How Tourism and Travel Become “Sustainable Tourism and Travel”

WTTC Associations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council in London, England, offer world travelers a wealth of information on sustainable and green tourism. The mission statement of the organization speaks to their goals: “Raising awareness of the importance of Travel & Tourism, promoting synergies between the public and private sector, generating profit as well as protecting natural, social and cultural environment [these] are the fundamental components of [their] mission, as outlined in the Blueprint for New Tourism.”

Whenever you travel, do what you can to extend the extra effort to ask questions about the businesses that service your trip: from hotels to tours to restaurants and more. Find out what you can about the impact of their businesses on the environment, in terms of both the physical and cultural aspects. No set of universal standards or guidelines currently exists to ensure that those in the travel and tourism industry world-wide operate according to environmentally conscious principles.

So What Is Ecotourism and Can It Help?

With a greater emphasis placed on the environment in general, travel and tourism has also felt the weight of the green revolution. The travel and tourism industry has sprung up in places where the natural environment remains in tact and available for one to experience first-hand. At its best, ecotourism is essentially nature travel - tourism of and cultivation of appreciation for the unadulterated vistas and landscapes of the planet.

Resources Available for Green Travel

ResponsibleTravel
At Responsible Travel, find “A hand picked directory of 1000s of stunning eco holidays run by 265 specialist tour operators and 100’s of accommodations. Use the site to contact the specialists directly to request more information. Book direct with the specialists to get the best price.”

The International Ecotourism Society (www.ecotourism.org)

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) offers that through “Uniting communities, conservation and sustainable travel,” they directly “promote responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

PlanetA

Debuting in 1994, PlanetA is a pioneering website that provides tips for travelers and locals who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel. They take a dynamic wiki view of the Web and appreciate their viewers’ helpful editorial suggestions and offer a yearly World Travel Directory.

Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org)

The organization Sustainable Travel International has the following for its mission statement: “Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit.”

Google Green Travel Search (services.google.com/earth/green/)
At Summer of Green, Google’s now legendary map service is powered to help Green travelers find what they need to in the way of environmentally conscious global travel, through the work of Earth Day Network. Find tips on traveling green this summer with keyword searches like “environmentally friendly hotel” rather than just “hotel.”

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance says, “With more than 800 million people traveling each year, tourism is a growing source of revenue for people living in areas that are especially rich in plants and animals - and threatened with destruction. While tourism can lead to problems such as waste, habitat destruction and the displacement of local people and wildlife, it also has the potential to provide incentives for conservation.” Find out more through the tourism arm of their website.

I had the pleasure recently to go on a holiday trip to New York. And this is what I discovered. Everything about New York is complex. To fully appreciate the magnificent place, you must know a bit about New York. Here are the top nine little-known facts about New York which I think everyone planning to go there should know:

1. Everyone calls New York City the ‘Big Apple’. But why? Where did it come from? The phrase was first popularized by a newspaper editor, John Fitzgerald, who titled his column: Around the Big Apple. He first heard the term, the ‘Big Apple’, being thrown around by Black stable boys which they used to describe New York City as place of monetary abundance and opportunity.

2. The state of New York has the most extensive and oldest transportation system in the whole of North America. New York City, itself, is home to more than 12,000 yellow cabs, 120,000 bicycles, a huge subway system, bus and railroad systems, large airports, massive bridges and tunnels, ferries, and a aerial commuter tramway (think of a oversized cable car).

3. New York hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. The US Ice Hockey team, consisting of collegiate and amateur players, was to be up against the favoured Soviet Union team, which had legendary players in world ice hockey. To put it in the words of the New York Times: “Unless the ice melts, or unless the United States team or another team performs a miracle…the Russians are expected to win the Olympic gold medal for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments.” The US won and went on to win the gold medal. This victory was one of the greatest sporting moments in the twentieth century and was dubbed “Miracle on Ice”.

4. New York State is best know for the urban landscape of New York City. However most of New York State is dominated by farmland, forests, rivers, mountains and lakes. Even in built-up New York City there are more than 12,000 acres of undeveloped natural land and 26,000 acres of parkland. Who would have thought that rivers, estuaries, beaches, saltwater marshes, forests, grasslands, sands dunes, ponds, and lakes could be found in New York City? Apart from the aesthetic appeal, these natural habitats have performed, and continue to perform, vital ecological services for the city including providing clean air and water, absorbing pollutants, lowering temperatures on summer days, and improving public health and welfare.

5. The Erie Canal was built in the nineteenth century and was an important step in creating the international trading center, New York City, that we know today. It was a marvel of its day and was often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Erie Canal was enlarged a number of times to keep up with increased trading. The ‘final’ achievement was a canal 12 to 14 feet deep, 120 to 200 feet wide, and 363 miles long. Today the Erie Canal is largely used for recreational purposes.

6. Who coined the name ‘New York’? The land was first explored by an Italian, Giovanni da Verrazzano, who named it New Angouleme in honor of the French king Francois I. Then, the Dutch claimed the land and called it New Netherlands. Finally, the Duke of York from England bought Long Island and took possession of the rest of the land by the brute force of an army. The Duke of York called the land New York (what a surprise).

7. New York was the first state to employ license plates for automobiles. They first appeared in 1901, however the government did not issues the plates as they do today. In fact they required the owners to make their own plates. From 1901 to 1902 the plates had no numbers - all they had were the initials of the owner. It was only until 1910 when the state of New York began issuing license plates.

8. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been put up every year since 1931. The tradition began when construction workers of the Rockefeller Center decorated a small balsam fir tree with cranberries, paper, and tin cans. Nowadays, the Rockefeller Tree is usually a Norway Spruce which have a life span of 80 to 110 years and grows 1 foot a year. The dimensions of the tree must be a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide to qualify for the Rockefeller Center. After the season is over, the tree is often mulched and donated to charities. One tree can yield almost 3 tonnes of mulch.

9. The Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building from 1931 to 1972. It was surpassed by The World Trade Center which became the tallest building in New York. After the bombings, the Empire State Building was announced and now remains the tallest building in New York. Just as an aside, the tallest building in the world is the Sears building in Chicago. However this record is expected to be surpassed by the Burj Dubai which will be, once completed, about 1.5 times the height of Sears!

There you have it! The top nine facts about New York I discovered on my trip to New York. Everyone knows New York is a global leader in business, finance, fashion and the arts. However this is just the ‘mask’ of New York. By reading this article, you have taken your first step to appreciating this great city.

I realize I am probably dating myself just a little… but web based map services like Google Maps or MapQuest just astonish me. Whoever figured out how to map any block on the planet in 5 seconds has got to be rich… if not they should be.

If you never tried this wonderful service, go to maps.google.com right now. It doesn’t matter where you are going… the shortest most up to date driving instructions and maps are seconds away.

G-Maps has been my choice for a few years already. The know-how in the geo-mapping arena has advanced remarkably yielding amazing immediate maps of most of the planet and directions to just about any place in the world. (more…)

I found a great deal on a trip to Miami, what documents do I need to have in order to travel?

This is a common questions that I am presented with. It is important to consider the requirements before booking an international trip of any kind: you would hate to miss your vacation due to being turned away at the airport!

You will need a passport. As of January 2007, Canadians flying into the USA require passports. You are still allowed to travel by car, train or bus without a passport, but by January 2008 these travelers require (more…)

There is no better rush than skiing down a mountain on fresh snow. For all you winter sports enthusiasts, we have compiled a list of the popular ski resorts in the USA to fulfil your craving for speed:

Breckinridge, Colorado

One of the better known Ski resorts in Colorado, Breckinridge totals 2,358 acres and has 155 trails. Its longest trail, Four Oclock, reaches a length of 3.5 miles and the resort spans over more than 10 peaks. Of the 155 trails this resort hosts, 36-percent are expert slopes, the largest percentage of slope difficulty, and 13-percent of the slopes have the easiest designation.

Aspen, Colorado

Located in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen, Colorado, is the Aspen Mountain Ski Resort. Aspen Mountain sits on 673 acres and is one of the smallest skiing resorts around. It utilizes Aspen Mountain and Bell Mountain which has an elevation of 11,212 feet.

Killington, Vermont

This ski resort is the largest resort in the eastern part (more…)

My recent decision to move to Panama for four months sounded quite a bit like my decision to move to Costa Rica for six months, or to Chile for five. I made all the travel arrangements on my own, including a stopover in Costa Rica to see my boyfriend. But when it came time to say goodbye after spending three weeks with another human being at always by side, I felt a sudden unfamiliar anxiety about venturing off on my own to a new country.

Traveling alone comes with many ups and downs. In our daily lives we rely on friends, family and co-workers to get us through our days. We often overlook how interwoven our actions and accomplishments are, and how our surroundings define who we are.

As I was sitting alone at the bus terminal in San Jose during the two hours that the bus was delayed, I started having fears of crossing the border alone with my life packed away into two large pieces of luggage. I wondered how I would find my to-be-co-worker in an unfamiliar bus stop the next day; and how would I pass 16 hours on a bus alone? Longing to crawl back to the warm, protective arms of my boyfriend, I boarded that bus and watched as my decision to put 16 hours of time and space between us became a reality.

At the Albrook bus terminal in Panama City, Panama, I stared in awe at my surroundings, which stared right back at me. “What was this little American girl doing alone in such a big place?” they questioned. I was obviously not an intimidating sight, and found it quite simple to get help from others. A taxi driver dialed my friend’s phone number on a public phone for me, a guard watched my bags as I used the restroom, and a fellow passenger offered me a ride to my new home.

Luckily, I was able to decline that offer as my new boss rolled up, as if on cue, to where I was standing in his white ford explorer with a huge smile on his face despite the early morning hours. And I knew that everything was going to be okay.

Best friends or recent acquaintances, we are never on your own in this world unless we choose to be. Traveling “alone” may allow you to forge your own unique path, but there will always be someone nearby for you to fall back on. You just have to get used to accepting the varied forms in which these people come. You never know your own limits, until you take yourself out of the comfort zone, forge new paths and let yourself rely on a stranger.

We made a promise to our kids that when they reached their twelfth birthdays, my wife and I would take them any place in the world they wished to go. We called the program “Twelve and Travel.” There were several pre-conditions to the travel. The first one was, we had to be notified of the choice at least 12 months before the birth date and there had to be some kind of rationale for it. That provision gave us time to organize and plan the trip.

Second, each child had to apply for a passport and know why a passport was needed. We helped with the application process, of course, but the initiative had to come from the kids. (more…)