Summer Is Not Complete Without Sharing It With Family!

Within the past two months, my family has become best of friends with the state that claims the name, "Virginia is for Lovers".  Both Williamsburg and Virginia Beach have shown us their “southern charm” over the past two weeks offering wonderful accommodations and local attractions to not only keep me and my husband entertained, but also our over-exuberant two-year old, "Princess Jaya".  

Our first trip was to Williamsburg.  Here, we stayed at the Wyndham property, Patriot Place.  It's a beautiful timeshare offering a quaint historical community, lush gardens and simple, yet comfortable, lodging.  Each family has their own individual town home offering a living room, a separate bedroom, kitchenette, and full bathroom.  The kitchen definitely came in handy when it came time to making breakfast and not having to run to McDonald's and IHOP every morning.  Behind each complex, there are shared grilling stations for those evenings when you want to grill that favorite brat sausage or well-marinated patty.  My brother knows how to marinate his just right!

This particular property holds intricate landscaping high on their priority list.  They definitely feel the need to keep up Williamsburg's reputation for pristine gardens and colonial aura.  They offer great space for a group volleyball tournament, two beautiful crystal lakes, a playground, and a gated pool with a wonderful sundeck (towels are provided poolside - how convenient!).  My husband couldn’t help but to point out the full basketball court.  I admit, he still has that jump-shot on lock!

With so many things to do, the week flew by before we knew it.  Our week consisted of enjoying all the main attractions such as, Busch Gardens (Jaya and Logan absolutely ADORED Sesame Street's "Forest of Fun"), miniature golfing, outlet shopping at the Premium Outlets, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at Captain George's Seafood, and Riverwalk Landing (historical Yorktown).

Williamsburg definitely offered a good time for me and my family, but I have to admit that Jaya was in complete overdrive when it came time to head home.  It’s amazing how love from family can take you on a natural high...literally!

Before I knew it, we were headed back to Virginia.  This time we were looking forward to spending time with the other half of the family: The Creeks.  This time we stayed at the Ramada on the Beach.  While staying on the northern end, we experienced a more private, settle atmosphere versus the southern end offering more nightlife and late-night partying.  Note: I wouldn't stay out past 1:00 a.m. as you head further down Atlantic Ave.  Once the clubs/bars let out, you'll see quite a few who can't hold their own if you get my drift.  I would recommend the northern end while traveling with children and possibly seniors.  As for the oceanfront, the tide is much higher on the northern end particularly around noon.  So, if you're not one for jumping waves, I would recommend looking for lodging closer to the middle of the strip or going early morning/late afternoon.  But if you're anything like me and Malik and can handle the waves, you'll have a blast!  While most of our time was spent soaking up the sun, we made time for some other activities to bring it all in. Of course I had to get my hands on some more butter-drenched Alaskan crab legs at the local Captain George’s.  I almost had Jerome on the go karts at Motor World until the track manager confused me while waving the checkered flag too early.  Otherwise, my husband can't see me!  I definitely had to see what this MacArthur Center was all about.  It offered your everyday shops - Aldo, Nordstrom, The Men's Wearhouse - but it wasn't anything I couldn't find at home.  I enjoyed some late night cocktails and wings with Jerome and Bro/Sis-in-Law at the Deja Blu Supper Club, but I wouldn't recommend this spot for a Thursday night.  It may lose its license for using the word "jazz" in it's name if recommended as the best night to go.

Virginia has treated my family quite nicely these past couple of weeks with its southern charm, good eating, and laid back vibe.  And while Virginia may not be where I reside, it certainly deserves its mantra.  It’s where the heart is!

Summer Vacation Savings Are Being Extended to Winter!!!

Now, you don't have to rush to take advantage of that long awaited vacation to the islands.  These deals are extended for travel until December...as long as you book by July 31!!! 


Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall - 4 Nights for $785 per person.  All-inclusive, adults-only & hotel transfers. BONUS save 20% & 1 round of golf per person.

Gran Caribe Real Cancun - 3 nights for $295 per person.  All-inclusive & hotel transfers. 
Upgrade your stay to a family junior suite for just $30 more.

Grace Bay Club (Turks and Caicos) - 3 Nights for only $689 pp

While staying at the Grace Bay Club Resort every 3rd Night is FREE!!!

During your stay, enjoy a full American breakfast, complimentary room upgrade to the next category (subject to availability), villas junior suites, etc.

Book Now through 12/12/11; Travel Now through 12/17/11 

Ooh La-La Paris! - Air France adds new Orlando-Paris Nonstop Service, Debuts A380 in Washington & San Francisco

Is visiting Paris on your mind?  If so, Delta now offers non-stop flights from Orlando and debuts A380 from Washington-Dulles and San Francisco.  Read the following press release for more details:

(June 7, 2011) -    This week, Orlando becomes Air France's thirteenth destination in the United States, and the Joint Venture's newest international gateway. Air France will operate three weekly flights from Orlando (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) on the Boeing 777-300ER (472 seats). The new route is in response to strong demand from customers in both the U.S. and Europe.

Also this week, the Air France Airbus A380 makes its debut on both the Washington-Paris and the San Francisco-Paris routes.

The daily A380 service between the French and U.S. capitals offers 516 seats in four cabins with 9 seats in La Première/First Class, 80 in Affaires/Business Class, 38 in Premium Voyageur/Premium Economy Class and 389 Voyageur/Economy Class. Air France, in collaboration with Delta, offers up to two daily flights between Washington-Dulles and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Air France marked its 25th anniversary of San Francisco-Paris service by upgauging the flight to the super jumbo between June 6 through September 4, 2011. The aircraft, equipped with 538 seats, will feature: 9 seats in La Première/First Class, 80 in Affaires/Business Class and 449 in Voyageur/Economy Class. During the peak summer 2011 season, Air France will operate, in partnership with Delta, a total of 10 weekly flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and San Francisco.

To book your flight, give us a call!  

Bonjour Mon Cheri!

Breezes Girl's Golf Getaway! - A Great Mother's Day Gift

Any idea what you’re going to get the best woman in the world this Mother’s Day???  Well, how about the gift of travel!  SuperClubs Breezes Resort and Spa (Runaway Bay, Jamaica) is offering a “Girls Golf Getaway!”  Who says the greens are strictly for the fellas.

This promotion offers a “super-inclusive” experience which includes all meals and cocktails, daily/nightly entertainment, private golf and scuba instruction, a “free” manicure/pedicure, a “free” Native’s Touch massage, deluxe accommodations, ground transportation, and land/water sports (air excluded). 

*Book by: May 31, 2011; Travel from May 1, 2011 – Sept. 2, 2011

Call me for more details and to take advantage of the best mother/daughter experience ever!

Fees Away! - Airline Baggage Fees

Tracking cheap air rates is one thing, but choosing an airline that won't charge you the same in baggage fees is a different story.  Ladies, think twice before packing too many of those fly heels before heading to Vegas.  Because while those five pair of stilettos may be look good on those freshly manicured toes each day you're there, you may find yourself spending your Black Jack money on paying for overweight fees.  

To prevent the above situation from happening, start by taking a look at the below airline baggage fees before heading to check-in.  It's well worth it!

Have a Safe Flight!

AirTran Airways
First Checked Bag: $20 each way for all economy-class reservations.
Second Checked Bag: $25 each way for all economy-class reservations.
Who's Exempt: Business-class travelers and active military personnel traveling with ID and official orders. Disabled travelers may check a wheelchair for no charge.
Excess Bags: $50 per piece beyond your first two checked bags. Special fees may apply for sporting equipment.
Overweight Bags: $49 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds, and $79 for bags weighing 71 to 100 pounds. Suitcases that weigh more than 100 pounds are not permitted.
Over-sized Bags: $49 for bags with dimensions totaling 62 to 70 inches, and $79 for bags with dimensions of 71 to 80 inches. Bags larger than 80 inches are not permitted.

Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air
First Checked Bag: $20 each way for all economy-class travel.
Second Checked Bag: $20 each way for all economy-class travel.
Who's Exempt: First-class passengers, MVP and Gold Mileage Plan members and their traveling companions booked in the same record, active-duty military personnel, customers traveling wholly within the state of Alaska or to Guadalajara or Mexico City, and passengers making international connections to other airlines (as long as a ticketing and baggage agreement is in effect between Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air and the other airline).
Excess Bags: $20 for a third bag, and $50 for each bag thereafter.
Overweight Bags: $50 for bags weighing 51 to 100 pounds. Heavier bags are not permitted.
Over-sized Bags: $50 for bags measuring 63 to 80 inches; $75 for bags measuring 81 to 115 inches. Larger bags are not permitted.


American Airlines
First Checked Bag: $25 each way for economy-class flights within the United States, U.S.V.I., Puerto Rico and Canada.
Second Checked Bag: $35 each way for economy-class flights within the United States, U.S.V.I., Puerto Rico and Canada.
Who's Exempt: First- or business-class travelers, customers who purchase full-fare tickets in economy class, select AAdvantage and oneworld Alliance members, and military passengers on active duty. Other exemptions apply; see link below for details.
Excess Bags: $100 per piece for third, fourth and fifth checked bags; $150 per piece for any additional bags. Exceptions may apply for international itineraries.
Overweight Bags: $60 for each bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds; $100 for each bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds. Bags over 100 pounds are not permitted.
Over-sized Bags: $150 for bags measuring 62 to 126 inches. Bags measuring more than 126 inches are not permitted.


Continental Airlines
First Checked Bag: For economy-class flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I. and Canada, $23 each way when prepaid on the Continental Web site or $25 when paid at the airport.
Second Checked Bag: $32 each way for economy-class flights within the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I. and Canada when prepaid at the Continental Web site, or $35 at the airport. For flights to Mexico, Central or South America (except Brazil), or the Caribbean, a fee of $27 each way (prepaid online) or $30 (at the airport) applies. For flights to Europe, a $45 fee applies when the bag is prepaid at the Continental Web site; the fee rises to $50 for bags checked at the airport.
Who's Exempt: OnePass Elite members, Continental Airlines Presidential Plus primary Cardmembers, Star Alliance Gold and Silver members, customers on full-fare economy tickets, active-duty military personnel, and passengers headed to international destinations besides the ones listed above.
Excess Bags: $150 per bag (beyond your first two).
Overweight Bags: $50 per bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds. Heavier bags will not be accepted.
Over-sized Bags: $100 per bag that exceeds 62 inches; bags exceeding 115 inches are not permitted.

Delta
First Checked Bag: $23 each way for travel within or between the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and the U.S.V.I. when prepaid online at the Delta Web site, or $25 at the airport.
Second Checked Bag: For travel within or between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S.V.I. and Canada, $32 each way when the fee is paid online at the Delta Web site, or $35 at the airport. For travel between the United States or Canada and Europe, $50 each way when paid online at the Delta Web site, or $55 at the airport.
Who's Exempt: First- or business-class passengers, select SkyMiles and World Perks members, passengers paying full economy fare, and active-duty military personnel. Other exemptions apply; see link below for details.
Excess Bags: For travel within the United States, Canada, U.S.V.I. and Puerto Rico: $125 for a third checked bag and $200 each for bags 4 through 10. For travel outside these regions, fees vary by itinerary from as little as $75 to as much as $600 per bag. See link below for details.
Overweight Bags: For travel within the United States, Canada, U.S.V.I. and Puerto Rico: $90 for each bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds, and $175 for each bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds. For travel outside these regions, fees vary by itinerary from as little as $50 to as much as $450 per bag. See link below for details. Bags weighing over 100 pounds are not permitted regardless of itinerary.
Over-sized Bags: $100 - $175 for each bag measuring 63 to 80 inches, depending on destination. Bags measuring 81 - 115 linear inches are considered specialty items, for which fees vary by destination. Bags measuring more than 115 inches are not permitted.


Frontier Airlines
First Checked Bag: $20 each way for economy-class travel within the United States.
Second Checked Bag: $20 each way for economy-class travel within the United States or to international destinations.
Who's Exempt: Summit and Ascent mileage level members, passengers traveling domestically on Classic airfares, passengers traveling on Classic Plus domestic or international airfares, and active-duty military personnel.
Excess Bags: $50 for each bag beyond your first two.
Overweight Bags: $75 for each bag weighing more than 50 pounds. Bags weighing more than 100 pounds are not permitted.
Over-sized Bags: $75 for each bag measuring more than 62 inches. Bags measuring more than 110 inches are not permitted.


JetBlue
First Checked Bag: Free.
Second Checked Bag: $35 each way for travelers who booked travel on or after March 2, 2011. $30 for travelers who booked before this date.
Who's Exempt: Active-duty military personnel.
Excess Bags: $75 per bag beyond your first two checked bags.
Overweight Bags: $50 for each bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds, and $100 for each bag weighing 71 to 99 pounds. Bags over 99 pounds are not permitted.
Over-sized Bags: $75 for each bag measuring 63 to 80 inches. Larger bags are not permitted.


Southwest Airlines
First Checked Bag: Free.
Second Checked Bag: Free.
Who's Exempt: N/A.
Excess Bags: $50 each for a third through ninth bag, and $110 for any bag thereafter.
Overweight Bags: $50 for each bag weighing 51 to 100 pounds. Heavier bags will not be accepted.
Over-sized Bags: $50 per bag measuring 62 to 80 inches. Larger bags will not be accepted.


Spirit Airlines
Carry-On Bags: Spirit is the first airline to charge a fee for carry-on bags. Any carry-on item that cannot fit under the seat in front of the passenger will be charged the following fees: $20 when reserved online by $9 Fare Club members; $30 when reserved by phone or at check-in, or online by non-members of the $9 Fare Club; or $45 at the gate. (Certain items are exempt from these fees, such as strollers and diaper bags.)
First Checked Bag: $9 Fare Club members pay $18 for domestic flights and $23 for international flights when checking in online; non-members checking in online or any passengers checking in by phone or at the airport pay $28 for domestic flights and $33 for international flights; passengers checking their bag at the gate pay $45 for domestic or international flights.
Second Checked Bag: $9 Fare Club members pay $25 for domestic flights and $30 for international flights when checking in online; non-members checking in online or any passengers checking in by phone or at the airport pay $35 for domestic flights or $40 for international flights.
Who's Exempt: No one.
Excess Bags: $9 Fare Club members checking in online pay $75 each for a third through fifth bag on domestic flights, and $80 each on international flights. Non-members checking in online or any passengers checking in by phone or at the airport pay $85 each for a third through fifth bag on domestic flights or $90 each on international flights.
Overweight Bags: $25 for each bag weighing 41 to 50 pounds, $50 for each bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds, and $100 for each bag weighing 71 to 99 pounds. Heavier bags are not permitted.
Over-sized Bags: $100 for bags measuring 62 to 79 inches, and $150 for bags measuring 80 to 160 inches. Spirit does not accept bags that measure more than 80 inches in a single dimension or that have combined dimensions exceeding 160 inches.


United
First Checked Bag: $25 each way for economy-class flights within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.
Second Checked Bag: $35 each way for economy-class flights within the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I. $30 each way for travel between the U.S. and the Caribbean or Mexico. $50 each way for flights from North America to Europe or India.
Who's Exempt: First- or business-class travelers; Global Services, Mileage Plus 1K, Premier Executive, Premier, or Star Alliance Gold or Silver members; active-duty military personnel (and/or dependents) with ID and traveling on orders; and passengers flying to destinations besides those listed above.
Excess Bags: $100 per excess bag for flights within the U.S. or to Canada, Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean. Excess baggage fees for other international flights vary by destination; see link below for details.
Overweight Bags: $100 per bag weighing 51 to 99.9 pounds for flights within the U.S. or to Canada, Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean. Fees for other international flights vary by destination; see link below for details. Bags larger than 99.9 pounds will not be accepted.
Over-sized Bags: $100 per bag measuring 62 to 115 inches for flights within the U.S. or to Canada, Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean. Fees for other international flights vary by destination; see link below for details. Bags larger than 115 inches, or with any single dimension exceeding 62 inches, will not be accepted.


US Airways
First Checked Bag: $25 each way for all economy-class flights (except to Europe, Brazil or Israel).
Second Checked Bag: $35 each way for all economy-class flights (except to Europe, Brazil or Israel). $55 each way for flights to Europe.
Who's Exempt: Dividend Miles Preferred members, Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members, unaccompanied minors, First Class and Envoy passengers, and active U.S. military personnel with ID.
Excess Bags: $125 each for your third through ninth bags on flights anywhere except Europe, Brazil or Israel for tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2011. For tickets purchased before this date, the cost is $100. $200 each for your third through ninth bags on flights to Europe or Israel for tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2011. For tickets purchased before this date, the cost is $100. $85 each for your third through ninth bags on flights to Brazil for tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2011. For tickets purchased before this date, the cost is $100.
Overweight Bags: For tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2011, fees vary by destination and weight. For flights anywhere except Europe, Israel and Brazil, the fee is $90 per bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds and $175 per bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds. For flights to Europe or Israel, the fee is $150 per bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds and $175 per bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds. For flights to Brazil, the fee is $85 per bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds. For tickets purchased before February 1, 2011: $50 for each bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds, and $100 for each bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds. Heavier bags are not accepted.
Over-sized Bags: For tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2011 to any destination except Brazil: $175 for each bag measuring 62 to 80 inches. For tickets to Brazil purchased on or after February 1, 2011: $85 for each bag measuring 62 to 80 inches. For tickets purchased before February 1, 2011: $100 for each bag measuring 62 to 80 inches. Larger bags are not accepted.

The InterCounty Connector Makes Way to BWI

With seat availability becoming more and more obsolete on evening MARC trains leaving Union Station (DC), a new bus route is available for travelers headed to BWI.  The new Intercounty Connector (ICC) bus service - Bus 201- has launched a new route running from Gaithersburg, MD to the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport daily.  The daily fare is $5.00 one-way.  Vouchers are accepted and discounts are available for frequent riders.  With intermediate stops in between Montgomery County and Baltimore, Bus 201 starts at the Gaithersburg Park and Ride with stops in and out of the ICC such as, Shady Grove Metro Station, Norbeck Park and Ride, and the Burtonsville Park and Ride.  Now until March 14th, commuters ride FREE!!!  Service starts at 4 a.m. reaching BWI MARC/Amtrak rail station by 5:15 a.m.  For additional time schedules, visit the website: daily schedule.  For more information regarding Bus 201 as well as Bus 202 - providing commuter service from Gaithersburg to the Department of Defense and Fort Meade Monday through Friday - visit the Department of Transportation website

Happy Commuting and Happy Friday! : )