Travel Ape - The World's Hippest Travel Guide

Is Renting a Convertible Worth the Money?

2009-11-24T12:57:00.000-08:00

Top Down, Let's Ride!

If you have ever rented a convertible car on vacation, chances are you have experienced the thrill of the wind whistling in your ear, your hair flowing like water waves (whether long or short) and the feel of being free. Or you have the unfortunate opportunity of a "technical difficulty" in trying to re-connect the top unsuccessfully just before the bottom falls out of the sky. Regardless of one's individual experiences, there are still pros AND cons to renting a convertible vehicle.

We all know and enjoy the pros when it comes to renting a convertible, such as the sporty look, the breeze on our face, ect. But, what about the price? The size of a convertible vehicle is usually about the size of a regular mid-size car. So what are you really paying for? Is it just the fact that your top can fold back and mine can't? And unless you just run across a "steal" deal, there aren't any discounts on convertibles. So you are already paying more for a sporty look and most people on vacation are renting from an airport which tacks on additional fees for the airport and the convenience so you will definitely pay more renting from and airport.

Enjoying a lifelong dream to visit Orlando or Myrtle Beach is beyond important. Yeah, I know, it can be so romantic just the two of you in the car with the top back looking like you just won the lottery. If you have the money then it wouldn't matter one way or the other, but if you are a penny pincher like myself, go with a less expensive car such as an economy or midsize class, roll the windows down, and call it a day!

Improvements in In-Flight Entertainment

2009-11-20T09:25:00.001-08:00

In-flight entertainment has seen some revolutionary advances in the past few years. According to Aircell, the firm that installs Wi-Fi in airplanes, nearly 1000 domestic carriers will provide their customers with Wi-Fi service in 2009. They project that by 2010, double that number of domestic carriers will provide Wi-Fi services. That leaves only about a fourth of domestic carriers who will not provide Wi-Fi services.Wi-Fi is not free. You pay to use Wi-Fi. Some airlines are planning to give users a lower price like Delta Air Lines which has over 300 planes switched to Aircell's Gogo Wi-Fi.

Ranjan Goswami, director of customer relations at Delta has stated that customers using smart phones or satellite phones can use Wi-Fi for a nominal charge regardless of the length of the flight. Currently, planes that have Wi-Fi installed provide Internet service for their customers which means that they can access their emails. Some airlines are thinking about switching all of their in-flight entertainment to Wi-Fi service because they are cheaper to install and weigh less than their conventional entertainment systems. Aircell costs 100,000 dollars to install in a plan and weighs only 300 pounds.

Jack W. Blumenstein, the owner of Aircell plans to install movies and other entertainment packages that can be arranged before flight by flyers that bring systems that require Wi-Fi connectivity. Southwest Airlines is testing a back of the seat entertainment system that most customers like better than screens in the middle of the airplane. Another airline that has installed Wi-Fi system is Virgin America. Their head executive, David Cush, says that 26 of their A320s and A319s have Wi-Fi systems installed.

The entertainment system using Wi-Fi connections is called seatback because the back of the seat in front of you is now offering more than telephone service but videos and live satellite television. JetBlue started offering live satellite television as a frontrunner in the new airline entertainment business. They are not planning to add seatback video. You might not have enough time on your trip to make use of all the seatback entertainment that will be available. There has never been a more entertaining time to fly.

Portland's Hip Dining Spots

2009-05-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

Portland's Hip Dining Spots

At the smooth and cool speak-easy lounge of Hobo's, there is a great lounge menu, and the food is excellent. This restaurant works well for large parties, and the dining room is best for romantic dining. A large-party gratuity is added for parties of five or more. It's a highlight of Portland's gay culture scene.

Pok Pok is a personal favorite of Portland locals, and they feel very strongly about it. Serving authentic Thai food, it’s the top-rated restaurant in the city. Expect more than the standard chicken curry and pad Thai. Go with a friend or two and order the wings.
The festive Red Star Tavern and Roast House is part-fancy dining room and part-busy bar. The mahagony walls are off-set by an open kitchen decorated with 1930’s décor. The food is serious stuff and you better not leave hungry. You can walk to downtown from here, but you might pay a bit more for the location.

The Portland Spirit is a dinner cruise down the Willamette River offering not only excellent river and city views, but meal specialties like crab and lobster, of course. Order a local wine while you watch the stars go by.

Or, take some time to visit the Woodstock District, which is right by East Moreland. This is an out-of-the-way area, but Tani's Sushi, The Delta Café, and Otto's Sausage are top-notch.

Great Hostels in Rome

2009-05-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

Great Hostels in Rome
Ask anyone about the best hostel in Rome, and they’ll tell you it’s The Beehive. Imagine if your really tidy (but somewhat chic) aunt built a hostel. This is that hostel. It’s got a nice private sitting area outside, as well as friendly staff and clean (!!) rooms. What more can you ask for in a hostel?

If you want to party because you’re in town with the boys for a nice, civilized rugby game, stay at Yellow, located near the main train station. It’s only for 18-39 year olds, and they serve a lot of alcohol at their in-house bar. That’s either exactly what you’re looking for, or exactly not!
If you want the personal hospitality and good breakfasts offered by a downtown B&B, consider the Bobby B&B, which is near the center of Rome. The rooms are uniquely decorated and, most importantly in that part of town, sound-proof! This is only for the ultra-feminine travelers!
For something cheap but still offering a more comfortable hotel feel, there is Hotel Romae, located just a few blocks from the main train station. There are several room sizes to choose from, and they have a good selection of breakfast, though you may have to trek across the street to their sister hostel, Yellow. For all standard Rome Hotels check out Travelape.

Boston on a Budget

2009-05-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

Boston on a Budget
If the weather is nice, take a lengthy stroll through Hyde Park, right next to the Capitol Building. This is the place you see in the movies with the swan boat rides. The original Cheers is nearby, but don’t go in just to take pictures.

Be sure to visit the historical Copley Square; though the shopping there is fairly mainstream, it is still a really nice place to walk around in. Nearby is today’s Boston city center, including the Hancock Tower and the site of the Boston Massacre, which is now a giant bank. And you haven’t been to Boston without getting a crab cake at Quincy Market.

The Samuel Adams Brewery tour is perfect for those museum-phobes that just want a museum to serve a free pint, darn it! After a fairly brief tour through their facilities (where you’ll gain mad respect for Sam and friends), your tour group will take a seat to taste the fine brews they offer, including some test types or seasonal ones you’ve been craving.

For meals, visit the Italian District in the North End. You could sit down and pig out in one place, but consider a walking buffet. Discover the world’s best manicotti at La Summa, where you’ll be surrounded not by tourists, but by other Italians.Before or after dinner, take a self-guided walking tour through Boston’s historyon the Freedom Trail, such as the Old North Church (Remember? ‘Two if by sea…’), Paul Revere House, Copp's Burying Ground, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Summer Festivals in Chicago

2009-05-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Summer Festivals in Chicago

The free parties get started the last weekend in May. Mayfest Chicago is the region’s annual German festival, so you know what that means. Get ready for lots of loud music, plates of Wiener schnitzel and other heavy foods, plus an offering of the finest brews the Germans have to offer. For more culture, try the many foreign fests in August: Armenian, Croatian, Korean, Belize, and Greek!

On June 5-6, visit the family-friendly 57th Street Art Fair, the Midwest’s oldest juried art show. The displays are everything from glass to printmaking to ceramics to jewelry to fiber and more. There is plenty of opportunity to entertain the kids at this alcohol-free event, whether its hands-on, kid-friendly crafts or the many nearby parks. For more artsy fun from July 14- August 25, watch a movie with your family in Hyde Park for absolutely free each Tuesday night. Watch the classics under the stars.

Of course, just one week later you have the largest outdoor blues festival in the world, the 26th Annual Chicago Blues Festival. There are many stages with all of the modern legends helping you soak up that summer sun. If you’re into down-home music, visit the Chicago Ribs’n’Soul Festival from August 14-16. Speaking of ribs, you do not want to miss the world-famous Taste of Chicago on August 29-30.

Where to Walk with Only 24 Hours in Paris

2009-05-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

With so little time, you won’t have any to spare for the Eiffel Tower line, but don’t worry—you’ll get even better pictures away from all those stuffy tourists. Take the metro to Trocadero for fantastic Tower pics.

Take the Metro Line 2 to “Blance” and check out the Moulin Rouge. Hang onto your purse and walk to the base of the Sacre Coeur, which is on your left. Climb the stairs and pay 5 Euros and go to the crypt where you can climb the stairs to the dome of the church. Not many people do it, so you get one of Paris’ best views and some privacy.

Walk the famous Champs-Elysée towards the Place de La Concorde. You’re nearing the high-class shopping area of Place Vendome, Rue de Rivoli, etc. Hop the Line 1 to St. Paul and you’ll land in the heart of Le Marais. Take a Metro is St. Michel to see Notre Dame, the Seine River, and the Latin Quarter. Check out the famous Shakespeare and Co. bookshop. Then walk along the Seine to Odeon. Near the metro stop there is a little pink-and-green stand where a happy French man serves France’ best crepes. Walk down San André Des Arts and find the Pont Des Arts bridge. End your day with a wine and cheese picnic on Paris’ only bridge without cars.

Embrace Life !! Walk Across Active Volcanoes in Hawaii.

2009-04-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

If I'm correct the majority of people who read this blog are from affluent countries if not all from the United States. Sure the United States has areas that are questionable and dangerous, but hardly for most areas that are real dangers in terms of nature. Yes, there is Death Valley, and sure part of the North West is still considered to be uncharted, but how about walking near the lava of a live volcano?

Well you can live

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most exciting and unique parks in the entire world. It's an experience rich in geologic and natural Hawaiian history and culture. This expansive park is home of Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess, as well as many native Hawaiian flora and fauna, wildlife and some of the world's most active volcanoes. The park encompasses several climatic regions that range from the cool snow-capped Mauna Loa to the desolate, sunbaked and barren lava covered shoreline at Kalapana.

Golf in Holland? The Hampshire Golfhotel Waterland Amsterdam will Convince You.

2009-04-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

When visions of Golf dance in the avid golfer's head, I'm sure most would agree they see images of sun kissed courses bordered by palm trees or maybe a blustery scene of links on the British Isles. How about Holland or the Netherlands? Sure I guess the concept isn't that insane, since any major destination probably has some form of upscale golf or country club available, but I bet I'm safe to say that golf isn't the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions, Holland or Amsterdam.

Well do we have a treat for you. The Hampshire Golfhotel Waterland Amsterdam is world class. We mean WORLD CLASS !! You'll find yourself in the lap of luxury in any one of the approximately 100 rooms and or deluxe rooms. Every room has a great view of the incredible golf course, offers well appointed furniture and comes complete with every convenience you'd expect in a top rate hotel like hair dryers, bathrooms with showers and baths and big color televisions. The hotel itself offers a fantastic bar and restaurant known as the Plaza serving up big frothing glasses of beer and bar food favorites.

Let's not forget about the big draw and reason for this post in the first place. Be ready to enjoy several rounds of golf at the Hampshire Golfhotel Waterland Amsterdam 45 hole golf complex. Fantastic views, incredible layout of the links and greens and a world class experience waiting for any avid golfer.

So if you had been thinking about making the move to take a trip to Amsterdam and happen to love golf the Hampshire Golfhotel Waterland Amsterdam is a must for your travel plans.

June Really Makes Atlanta "Hot"-Lanta - Check Out these Up Coming Events

2009-04-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Atlanta is a shining city of the south and maybe one of the crown Jewels of the big American Metropolis with it's culture, commerce and progressive nature. The weather has turned to warm as Spring offers an incredible respite from Winters cold, but the Summer is very close.

After taking a look at the upcoming events for the next few months in and around the city of Atlanta, the month of June holds a lot of options. If you take a look at Travel Ape's Atlanta Travel Guide you can see complete information about reviews and other important information about these events, but here's a summary of some featured happenings for Atlanta in June.

On June 10th the soulful sounds of Al Green come to Atlanta to perform at the Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Green is best known for some great hits such as "Let's Stay Together" and "Love and Happiness". Enjoy a medley of pop, gospel and R&B with Al Green

Also performing at the Chastain Park Ampitheatre is Pink Martini. Founded in 1994 by a Harvard graduate that was classically trained as a pianist, the band follows a sound close to the sound of big band 1940's and 1950's. Pink Martini is scheduled to perform on June 5th, 2006.

For those of you that really love classic rock Bad Company will be coming to Atlanta on June 19th 2009 to perform also at the Chastain Park Ampitheatre.

In the spirit of making your trip a little easier a few suggestions for hotels are the Buckhead Inn Atlanta, Wingate by Wyndham Buckhead and the Springhill Suites Buckhead.

The Far East is Calling - Travel Ape Welcomes Tokyo Japan

2009-03-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

Speeding ahead with the growth of its travel guide section and the destinations it covers, Travel Ape is proud to announce the inclusion of the travel guide dedicated to the city of Tokyo Japan. This is the first of the great cities of the Far East to fall into the Travel Ape family and we couldn't be prouder. Travel Ape recently did a huge tour of the western cities of the United States with coverage of Portland Oregon and decided to take a jaunt across the great Pacific Blue. What he came back with was an excellent story and we now have the Tokyo Travel Guide.

We start a great day in Tokyo with some fantastic ideas to see and do. So here's a little bit of advice on what to do if you happen to make the great journey to the Far East and enjoy the wonders and magic of Tokyo. Let's begin our day with any number of Tokyo Attractions, but we'll offer up a great featured attraction the Shinjuku Garden located at 11 Naito-Cho. This fantastic Tokyo attraction is world class all the way, with 144 acres of the most magnificent garden area you'll ever see. Once a private area for the elite of Tokyo government it is now a public attraction that is a must see. Take your day to a new height with any number of Tokyo Restaurants but here's our pick. Nobu Restaurant is a new style restaurant that infuses great historic Japanese Fare with new style continental cuisine. It's perfect. Finally hit the Tokyo Night Life scene and check out the hot sizzling action of New Lex Edo. Tokyo is known for its hot nightlife and this place embodies it all the way.

So we welcome the best that Tokyo offers here at Travel Ape. Enjoy this gem from the Far East.

Austin Texas Welcome to TravelApe.com

2009-03-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Travel Ape welcomes one of the newest cities to our family of travel guides...Austin Texas is now a proud member of the Travel Ape Clan bringing to you all the information we offer about destinations you've come to expect. So please take a look at the Austin Travel Guide.

So what do we have from the capital of the biggest state in the Continental United States? Just about everything you'd need to learn and enjoy a stay or a trip to Austin. From the Austin Dining Guide you'll learn about the best and some of the most heralded restaurants in and around town, to even some of the little known places, to the Austin Nightlife guide that let's you know about the fun and excitement of the night. Of course for the tourists out there Travel Ape offers complete attractions and landmark guides.

So let's start with a little brief overview of the Austin Restaurant Guide. We have to begin with the featured restaurant of Chuy's. Chuy's is located at 1728 Barton Springs Boulevard in Austin and is the very first Chuy's restaurant. So this is the landmark. This is all Tex Mex and quality. The next restaurant is Vespaio located at 1610 South Congress Avenue. Texas may not be the first place you think about when you think of pizza or Italian food, but Vespaio is a mainstay worth seeing.

Heading out for the night check out the Austin Nightlife Guide. The Mean Eyed Cat is the place to be to have fun in a comfortable and relaxed setting. But not to relaxed. Some hot nights go down at the Mean Eyed Cat.

Take a look at the entire section of information with the Austin Travel Guide at Travel Ape. There is a lot to see and do if you pan a trip.

Atlantic City Hotels - Getting Ready for Summer

2009-03-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Spring is here. Yes not the proverbial it seems nice out there, but it's spring as of March 20th 2009. There is a lot to see and do with the weather getting warmer, but as we do so often we like to make suggestions on the featured fun stuff out there in the world. Our thoughts today aren't necessarily for this spring, but to give you a little time to organize yourself to get out for a trip this coming summer. Sure times are tight, but if you live on the east coast we have a few suggestions. To that end how about considering a trip to Atlantic City New Jersey.

There is no doubt that if you know anything about Atlantic City the news hasn't been good. The casino industry is embattled with fierce competition, legislation and poor performance as of late. That's why you may be in for some great deals if you head there the deals are great, not to mention there are several events planned that you may find of interest.

Take a look at the wide array of Atlantic City hotels and the Atlantic City casinos section offered here. You won't believe some of the deals they are offering. Here are some great events

In Boxing area favorite, although he's not from Atlantic City, Kelly Pavlick is scheduled to fight Sergio Mora on July 15th or 18th.

In May Jerry Seinfeld is making his way to the Boardwall City to share some of his inane observations.

Finally because Travel Ape is a fan of the 1980's Loverboy is performing in Atlantic City at the Hilton on August 18th.

Find out more information about other Atlantic City events with Travelape.com's complete event and ticket section.

Vacation Packages - Many Cities You'd Never Think About

2009-03-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

A few months ago we did a post about vacation packages to some unknown cities. The point was that for most we think about going away to exotic ports of call such as Hawaii, Florida and maybe the South Seas. The point, to get to the point for God's sake, is that there are many other great destinations and cities to consider. Let's take a glance.

Let's start as obscure and out of left field as we can. Biloxi Mississippi is a great place to check out. It's a Gulf Coast destination so you're going to find beaches. Yes beaches. There's more. There's the great Biloxi Casinos and other local entertainment. If we had to make a pick we'd probably lean towards the Grand Casino Biloxi as a choice to check out. Check out our complete section on Biloxi Travel at Travel Ape.

Next how about a Trip to Dallas Texas. Yes things are bigger in Texas and for the upper crust Dallas has it all. One great up and coming event is Andrea Bocelli appearing in Dallas June 3rd of this year. Talk about Big Time entertainment !!! Why not try out a Dallas Vacation package centered around this event. Yahoo offers a list of great tour operators with Dallas vacation packages.

Finally as spring is finally upon us why not enjoy the great outdoors. Fishing in any number of the fresh water hot spots in America is just fantastic. Pigeon Forge is just such a place to embrace the greatness of these times.

With so much to see and do across the country these are just a few of the off beat places, for lack of a better term, where a vacation would be fantastic. Check back often for more ideas on vacations and vacation packages soon.

A Birthday Wish for a Special Friend of Travel Ape

2009-03-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

It's hard to think back so far, but way before the days of 9/11, before the bubble really burst on Wall Street with the first Tech boom, before computers were almost as pervasive an appliance in every home as the stove there wasn't a Travel Ape. At least Travel Ape wasn't famous. Well to a special person who will remain nameless for the sake of anonymity, to Travel Ape there is no one more important person...Bar None !!! This person discovered, cultivated and made Travel Ape who he is today and has done the same for the website that shares Travel Ape's name, of course that is TravelApe.com. Today is this person's birthday, and straight from the Ape himself came a decree that special note be made in this person's honor.

To many people the world is a non-stop tread mill of family, work, responsibilities that repeat and repeat. Not to say in any way that this is not a noble way to live, on the contrary, special commendations need to be made to honor the true heroes that live on these front lines. They make life in the world. To a select few a far greater burden falls upon them. To many these people live in the shadows, in the background and believe it or not are not in the limelight. These are visionaries. Whether it be artists, musicians or, yes, entrepreneurs, something pushes these people to a different path. This path is far from easy, although the pay out to the laymen observer seems like a life pitched from God above...It isn't. No better example exists, at least in the mind of Travel Ape and the rest of us here, than in the life of this person. Half self tortured and equally self driven, he's done what most people could only hope to accomplish. He's created and developed multiple and successful enterprises. He's provided jobs, opportunity and possibility for countless others. He's successfully grown his business enterprises for over 15 years...a feat not easily achieved.

There is so much more. This man has ventured beyond the world of mere business and has excelled. He's participated in the World Series of Poker and although far from winning it, made money. He's produced video features doing so by intertwining his own special brand of personality with great professionalism.

For all of this Travel Ape wishes this great man a good day. A hearty Birthday Wish to a special friend for whom had they never met, Travel Ape surely admits his life would have been emptier and less fulfilling for the loss.

Traveling to Florida by Car - An Ode to a Special Friend

2009-03-18T19:53:00.001-07:00

Recently a near and dear friend to Travel Ape had mentioned that he was going to travel to the Sunshine State, that is Florida for those of you who may not know that, and do so by car. This friend lives in the North East and decided that he'd like to make the trip a little more than a short vacation so having the car with him made sense. Not to mention being a veteran in the travel business the friend felt he'd get some kind of needed bit of inspiration that comes along with a long traveled pilgrimage such as doing so by auto.

A car ride from New Jersey to the Miami and Fort Lauderdale Florida area is about 1,200 to 1,250 miles and if you drove in one straight shot would take a little over 20 hours. Do do it in one straight shot though, that is if you have the time, is a complete waste. Over that 1,200 miles exists a treasure trove of destinations, stops and attractions to fill up a lifetime of memories.

Today's Interstate System makes a trip like this a no brainer, but it takes you through Washington DC, Maryland, the Carolina's, Georgia and a good portion of Florida. Why not try this. On the first portion of the journey get to the District of Columbia area and take a break to see all that is available to see. The Washington DC area has too much to offer to laser in on any few suggestions and to be honest just being in the area serendipity will take over. After a few hours of soaking in DC you can head back on the road till you get to Richmond Virginia. Staying overnight to recharge the batteries is advisable so here is a link to some great Richmond hotels. Start the next day by driving until you come to the incredible town of Savannah Georgia. Savannah may very well be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Check out the official Savannah Tourism Website for more information. From Savannah to Fort Lauderdale is just another 7 hours of driving.

There are hundreds of variations and options to see and do but we just wanted to show you one way to enjoy a trip like this.

To Travel Ape's friend, he hopes for him the best if and when he takes his journey.

House of Blues is Rocking the USA - Turn Great Events into a Vacation

2009-03-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

The House of Blues has risen to an iconic level over the last 15 years and for good reason. The commitment to excellent entertainment and events and the locations of their various venues makes it a great place to visit while on vacation. The House of Blues brand has venues in great cities such as Atlantic City, New Orleans, Anaheim, Boston, Chicago, San Diego and of course Myrtle Beach. So planning a vacation around an event at a House of Blues venue is obviously very easy.

So the best way to start this little conversation is to provide some feedback on what and who are playing where.

First off at the Las Vegas House of Blues coming up March 27th is Daniel Tosh. Flat out just plain funny, and Travel Ape has Daniel Tosh Tickets available for the dates. Prices range from about $110 to $350 a piece.

Second, why not head east and get in a round of golf for a Myrtle Beach Vacation and a Mystery Dinner Show at the House of Blues Myrtle Beach. On March 28th HOB Myrtle Beach will be showcasing it's comedy murder mystery show that is a laugh a riot. The event is interactive so if you're not into being part of the show this isn't for you.

There are plenty of other destinations to choose from so look at the HOB's main site link offered above to see who is playing and when. For a full list of great hotels and discount rates check out the Hotels page provided by Travel Ape. It offers links to each of the cities that The House of Blues is located and the fun never stops.

Hotel Ratings - Making Sense of What a Rating Really Means

2009-03-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

The advent of the internet has no doubt brought efficiencies to the retail market place. Consumers have no doubt benefited from how the internet works, how information is disseminated and how quickly they can compare prices for comparable products ensuring, in large part, that large differences in price offerings for the same products are negligible. That being said the flip side is that information found on the internet has no real way of certifying if the information is accurate or standardized. This is most glaringly obvious when it comes to hotel rating systems.

Years before the internet became the place to find information only a handful of names in the industry stood out as the "word" trusted to provide ratings and reviews for hotels and accommodations. These include AAA (the Automobile Association of America), Zagat's Travel Guide and other guides such as Frommers and Fodor's. For anyone that is even slightly familiar with the internet can attest that the number today is in the 100's. The issue is who do you trust and what can you do to ensure you get the most of the ratings you use.

First and foremost we at Travel Ape are firm believers in the criteria and review system utilized by AAA. Another veteran group that provides the Mobil Travel Guide is a close second. Reason being, these companies/groups have inspectors that take their time and administer an excruciating level of detailed analysis on each and every hotel they review. They measure televisions in hotel rooms, inspect bathrooms, test concierge service and do so much more. Further, AAA for example only awards the very top award, which is called the Five Diamonds designation, to only five hotels world wide. So it's not even so much that hotels offer a level of service, the rating system is also done on a comparable level across the industry.

So if you're looking for ratings use the AAA guide to ratings as the gold standard and make your decisions from there.

Spirit Air Web Site Wrought with Problems

2009-03-12T16:45:00.002-07:00

The time has come to make public a nagging issue that has consumed our Ape friend for almost a year. As many of you who know Travel Ape he is a mild mannered, laid back, fun kind of guy that doesn't like to make waves. Most of all he hardly ever gets stressed out about the small things in life. Things like heavy traffic on the highway, the dollar bill that just wont seem to be accepted at the vending machine when buying a soda, or when the browser on the computer freezes up, all meaningless to a fella that takes life smiling along. Well today I saw his breaking point and to that end a discussion must be had.

Most of the travel that Travel Ape does on the east coast of the US is done through Spirit Airlines. The convenience, pricing, etc have always seemed to be perfect. Well in the last 12 months or so it seems that almost every time our Purple Ape friend has used the Spirit Air website some issue pops up. Whether it be the slow response of the web site, growing trend in confusion for navigation, and the big kicker, the seating chart utility has become the equivalent to a master puzzle to be solved. What's even worse is each and every time he ran into an issue and tried to contact customer service he got the same response..."Sorry, we are unable to assist you with issues relating to the website".

So what's the issue Spirit? Why does it seem that each and every day the navigation, functionality, and user experience degrades on your website? Travel Ape has been a big fan for some time of your airline and your company. What's the issue?

With that being said we'd like to maybe suggest to all of you to check out Travel Ape's Discount Airfare section. Why not right. No doubt we've been fans of Spirit for some time, but drastic times call for drastic actions.

Hopefully Spirit Airlines will see this post and take heed. We certainly hope so.

2009-03-12T16:45:00.001-07:00

Make Room for Basketball and a Vacation - Atlatnic City is the City to Do So

2009-03-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

March Madness is in full bloom. The crazies are out and about flaunting their school colors and mascots as teams make their bid for conference Championships and the ultimate bid to the "Big Dance". For those of you who may not know about all of the little idioms of which I speak, this time of year ushers in the Men's Collegiate Basketball Championships of the NCAA. Our featured tournament of course is the Men's Atlantic 10 Conference that is hosting their conference tournament at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City New Jersey from today, March 11th till March 14th culminating with a Champion to be crowned and an open bid to be won with a a free entry into the NCAA National Tournament starting in a few weeks.

So to the Atlantic 10 Tournament. We at Travel Ape are in the area as of late and the tourney officials have set up some very accommodating packages to get people in the door and have fun. One such package, which we think is awesome, is if you're from the local area, that is, from the counties of Atlantic, Ocean or Cape May Counties, and you come to any of the sessions you will be afforded a special two for special. That is show your identification, such as a driver's license with proof of residency and another person can enter the session with you for free.

There are plenty of great Atlantic City Hotels and packages being offered by the local hotel association and some of the third party hotel companies so check them out.

Which ever your team whether it be Temple, St. Joseph's of Philadelphia, Xavier, Dayton or any number of other teams, the event is sure to be fun and the action hot. So don't miss out on this event this year. Atlantic City got an extension last year, but five other cities are bidding to host the event next year so this may be its last in the area.

Tampa Florida - Sun, Fun and Great Restaurants

2009-03-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

There is so much to report about a city here and there that it almost becomes impossible to cover it all in one post. We recently received an email from a user of the Travel Ape site that wanted to know a little more about Tampa and it's restaurants. We know doubt have a Tampa Restaurants guide and reviews section, but I guess here and there we like to personalize our attention to questions and this one seems like as good as any.

To that end, SummerBum49, we have a bit of selection to offer you in the way of Tampa and it's dining. Tampa, like many other great cities has a vast array of dining to offer the inhabitants of the city in addition to the visitors and vacationers that come through the town each and every day. No Doubt that seafood would have to be our very first feature because Tampa is a port town and the catch of the day was actually caught that day. We bring you Catch Twenty Three located at 10103 Montague St, West Park Village, Tampa. Catch Twenty Three quite simply is an unassuming restaurant that brings the eater dishes that offer a combo of Latin and Caribbean style. The setting is tropical and what's best are the prices at an average of $25 per plate this is a steal. The second would have to be the famed steakhouse known as Bern's. Bern's Steakhouse is a Tampa staple that's been around since 1956. Bern's is known for superb service and one of the largest wine collections a restaurant could offer. The prices there are a little high though, where you're looking at an average plate of about $45 and that's not counting the wine you'll most assuredly want.

We have a few more choices to let you see, but we'll wait for another day. Enjoy a great meal in Tampa and if you have any more questions please let the Ape know.

Pigeon Forge Dollywood - Enjoy KidFest This August.

2009-03-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

With many trying to find ways to stretch their vacation budget dollars we've done a little bit of researching for you. Why not a trip to Pigeon Forge. This is a charming little spot in the Smoky Mountains filled with things to do like hiking, biking, nature walks and just enjoying a destination that isn't filled with the hustle and bustle you might find in a big time destination or vacation spot.

Well one of the top attractions in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood. Dollywood is an amusement park named after the founder of this great place, Dolly Parton. There are actually a few of these parks through out the lower southern United States, but we'll focus on the Dollywood Pigeon Forge for the moment because this park just opened it's newest attraction as she does every year, Dollywood is planning it's annual Kidsfest Celebration.

The KidsFest Celebration at Dollywood is a great way for the family to enjoy a good, budget oriented vacation. It's just a lot of fun that offers a full docket of family fun, craft seminars and explanations by experts of the local wildlife.

If you're interested in planning a simple and budget oriented family vacation check out the links from above.

Spring Weather in Atlantic City Today - Book an Atlantic City Hotel While They are Cheap

2009-03-07T11:18:00.001-08:00

Well we woke up today at the Travel Ape compound, located in an undisclosed location, but somewhere in the North East, to unseasonably warm weather. Actually, weather that is quite bewildering, considering not more than five days ago a snow storm hit the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey areas with more than 8 inches and up to a foot in other locations.

So with a fat budget and our Travel Ape mobile we got up early and found our way to the Atlantic City Boardwalk (Remember, you may think you caught us on where the Travel Ape compound is, but the vehicle we speak about could very well be a private jet...so there) to see spring fighting to bust out. Let me tell you something, it's doing more than trying to bust out, it's taken residence and giving Old Man Winter a noogie that would make any school yard bully proud.

Atlantic City is currently about 60 degrees and the sun is beaming. So the four of us that made a pilgrimage to the sea side town have booked a few rooms at the Borgata Resort and Casino. I'll tell you one thing, when we get back to the hotel in a few hours I'm surely going to take a restful stop at the Borgata's famous spa. Last time I was there I spent about 20 minute under the hot springs water fall.

Well why we're on the subject and seeing that Atlantic City is a personal favorite of the big ape, we'd like to take some time to maybe suggest a stay at any number of great Atlantic City Hotels. Next weekend are some great rates at some incredible hotels. At Harrah's Atlantic City a stay from March 13th to the 15th is $515.00, head to the Showboat Casino Atlantic City and you're rate for a full weekend goes to $439 and if you're interested in trying out a whole new hotel experience in Atlantic City try the Chelsea Hotel where a full weekend is going for $327.

Spring is here and the Boardwalk is hopping. Come out and enjoy Atlantic City, you may see us at one of the Craps Tables or buffets.

Branson Hotels - Charming Accommodations in the Ozark Mountains

2009-03-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

A Branson Missouri vacation is the perfect idea for the over stressed, over worked, over stimulated person. Branson is known the world around for it's incredible entertainment. The city offers over 50 individual venues that feature shows and events almost every night. Of course it has other great attractions and is probably know best for good old wholesome family fun or a quiet romantic getaway.

Well with all the hub bub what are some of the featured places we'd recommend for your stay in Branson? I mean, we've certainly put ourselves on the line here. Well here are a few of some suggested Branson Hotels.

One would be remiss if in making a suggestion for a Branson Hotel that the very first place to be mentioned should be the Chateau on the Lake Branson. Imagine a castle coming out of the hills and that is all I can say to properly describe the Chateau as you drive up to it. Set against the Ozarks this is a fantastic resort. The property offers five star hotel rooms, award winning dining at the Chateau Grille and to unwind an on site spa known quite simply as the Spa Chateau. The next hotel suggested would have to be the Grand Victorian Hotel Branson. Located at 2325 West Highway 76 in Branson, the Grand Victorian is no Chateau on the Lake but the quality is very, very high. Last, but certainly not least, for a no frills but charming stay in Branson we suggest Old Matt's Guest House Inn Branson. Visitors have access to a quiet secluded pool, well appointed guest rooms free breakfast.

Take some time to see if a trip or vacation to Branson makes sense to you. I'm sure you'll find a gem of a deal today.