Flight delays are not just annoying for passengers but they are draining the pockets of everyone around.  Just last year, the delays of the nation’s airlines are believed to have cost around $41 billion when you take into account the passengers, airlines and businesses (this is according to a congressional study).  They also pay for an additional 5% of fuel because of delayed flights - at today’s prices it is probably one of the main reasons so many airlines are in trouble.

The costs include an increase in operating costs for the airlines.  They companies are often forced to offer some compensation for delayed passengers.  Even delays that are completely out of the airlines hands often forces them to pay for overtime for employees and other unexpected necessities.

Passengers also take a hefty hit in the wallet from flight delays.  There is the need to purchase meals, get temporary lodging or other unwanted expenses.  The costs to the passengers as reported did not even take into account the canceled flights or missed connections.

Non-airline businesses suffered the least financial damage, but they did not walk away unscathed.  Passengers miss out on part of their vacation time because they are stuck in the airport.  Any time they aren’t at their destination then the businesses don’t have a chance to compete for their dollars.

The reason behind delays seems to have no scientific logic, but they do seem to be an expected part of any flight travel plans you might have today.  If the airlines would spend more time working out the delays instead of trying to charge passengers for every thing imaginable (from check in luggage to particular seating) then people might be willing to spend a little more for the “privilege” of flying to their destination.

The thought of $41 billion being flushed away should make everyone stand up and pay attention.

Rising gas prices are putting a damper on many of the travel plans for the summer and holidays through out the summer season.  Not only are people concerned about paying the price at the pump, many are also worried about what those rising prices are doing to every day costs (like groceries).

The news reports in print and on the small screen are not helping the concerns.  They regularly report doom and gloom about the things that are still to come.  It is no wonder people are closing up their pocketbooks and turning away from the traditional family vacation.

Some people are just looking for vacation options closer to home.  The idea is that if they can save on the travel expense then they can still afford to enjoy a getaway – although the getaway may not be as far as they originally planned.

The travel industry is scrambling to try and entice people to come their way.  Some locations are offering tax rebate specials to lure vacationers.  Others are just crossing their fingers and hoping for the best.

Concerns will only continue to grow if the prices at the pumps (and the stores) continue to rise.  Those consumers who were planning for shorter vacations or vacations closer to home may decided that costs are just high.  Then again, many will just adjust their plans once again to take into account the fuel costs.

Between the increased warnings and the actual increased prices of gasoline, people are traveling less this season.  How much damage that will cause the travel industry is yet to be seen.  It may be that local “tourists” manage to balance out the equation and in the end the industry is not as damaged as some may suspect.  In the long run, the fuel “crisis” may turn out to be less of a problem than the experts are predicting.

Getting through the security checks at the airport can be a stressful event if you’re not prepared.  As more airports tighten up security measures to ensure all bags and items are checked in appropriately, you may soon find many items you used to take along in your carry on no longer meet the TSA requirements.

Packing only the items you need for your carry-on bag can be a daunting task, but you’ll need to downsize that bag as much as possible to not only get through security, but also make sure it fits easily into the overhead bins or under the seat during the flight.  Here are some of the essentials you need to pack your carry on:

1.    Reading materials. Longer flights may encourage a few hours of quality reading, so pack at least one or two novels, magazines or newspapers to accompany you on the flight.
2.    A Ziploc bag of fluids or liquids.  A Ziploc bag of your miniature-sized hand lotion, contacts solution or other cosmetics is the easiest way to ensure your carry on items will pass through the system.  Pack these well ahead of time to avoid delays.
3.    Personal music player.  Take along the iPod or MP3 player, but make sure you pack it near the top of your bag so you can take it out easily to pass the security checks.
4.    Eye mask.  If you have a long flight ahead of you, take along an eye mask that will help you sleep better.  You’ll be much more refreshed and alert when you arrive at your travel destination.
5.    Travel journal and writing instrument.  Take along your journal or diary to capture some thoughts or ideas from your trip, or in anticipation of your upcoming destination.  Flying gives you some personal time to reflect, relax and capture your experience.

Leaving pets at home while traveling isn’t always practical, and many airlines accommodate for pets by offering carriers and special passenger areas for animals – all at a fee, of course.  Still, as Americans try to balance the budget for regular roundtrip and one-way airfare, many are realizing that pet travel fees are also on the rise.  Major airlines across the country are hiking up pet travel costs in addition to baggage handling fees, the cost of food and even imposing restrictions on ticket purchases.

Fees for traveling with pets can be as much as $100 each way, and while these include baggage handling and food costs, they don’t help the budget-sensitive traveler looking for ways to cut expenses at every opportunity.  Airlines such as JetBlue, Continental Airlines and U.S. Airways are just a few major carriers that are imposing higher fees this summer and Fall, and even charging extra for kennels and other pet carriers.

Still, some airlines are taking the lead on making air travel more pet-friendly with incentive programs and bonuses to help travelers make the most of their trip.  Continental Airlines offers a PetPass Program that allows travelers to earn rewards based on miles traveled with their pets; this can offset some of the fees and costs associated with pet travel, and make it easier to stick with just one airline in order to cash in the rewards at a later date.  Midwest Airlines runs a similar program with its Premier Pet Program, offering free trips for frequent travel and allowing pet owners to rack up travel miles on each trip.

For pet owners that insist on only the best, Virgin Atlantic Airlines offers an exclusive specialty package for all pets; their ‘welcome aboard’ pet package provides a special passport, a Virgin collar tag and even pet toys to keep pets happy and satisfied throughout their trip.  Pet programs may not be the ultimate solution for lowering pet travel costs, but do make it easier for pet owners to enjoy freebies and attractive options for future travel.

The rising cost of gas prices has many consumers rethinking every aspect of their lives – from what they eat to where they work and live.  Everyone is struggling to find new and inventive ways (or old tried and true methods) of saving money at the pump.  Family vacations are some of the first casualties of this finance war.

Instead of pushing the vacation on to the back burner, why not use some simple methods to have a great vacation even with higher gas prices.  There are a number creative ways to keep the vacation plans from breaking your bank.

 1.      Check with hotels in the area you want to travel.  Some are offering vouchers for gasoline to get you to stay at their locations.  You would be able to save the cost of the gas to get your vacation underway.

2.      Make a few budget adjustments to compensate for the higher fuel costs.  You can take out some of the activities that you planned to do or maybe downgrade your hotel to something a bit less costly.  Getting a location with a kitchen would allow you to cook in instead of eating out and that alone could save you a fortune.

3.      Stay closer.  Most people plan vacations for far away when there are many great activities and events right in their own back yard.  Search your community and state tourisms sites to see what great things you can do without going to far from home.

4.      Make it a group trip.  Traveling will cut all the costs because you will be dividing them among the group.

There are a number of ways to plan a great vacation even with gas prices climbing to record highs.  Instead of staying home, get creative with your getaway.

The time has come to start thinking about fun in the sand.  Just in time for the summer beach season, Professor Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr Breach, has revealed his top 10 Beaches for 2008. The Dr. uses 50 criteria to determine his choices and is the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research.I guess it’s no surprise that the Florida Professor chose 3 of Florida’s beaches for his top 10 picks in the United States.  Although with the fine, white sand and the fact that it has one of the longest coastlines (second only to Alaska) of any state in the United States probably helped the cause.

Caladesi Island, Florida received the top honors.  It is one of the barrier islands north of Clearwater.  The Island is only accessible by either private boat or the Caladesi Connection ferry service.  Ferry passengers are only allowed a four hour stay.  The other two Florida beaches to make it into the top 10 are Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida and Cape Florida State Park near Miami.

Hanalei Beach (Hanalei means Crescent Shaped) in Hawaii is in the Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai.  The entire bay is ringed with the magnificent white sand.  In the early morning hours the water is often so smooth that it reflects the majestic mountains around the bay.  During the day, these same waters offer fair swimming because of the protection of the surrounding mountains.  It is one of only seven beaches that have a lifeguard station.

Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York was the 4th beach on the list. Non-residents pay to enjoy the beach, but there is a pavilion that offers lunch, shower facilities and lifeguards.

Rounding out the top five is Coronado Beach in San Diego.  Parking may be a challenge, but there is always plenty of room on this California gem.

With all the choices around the United States, you are likely to be within a relatively short drive of one of the top Beaches in the country according to Dr. Beach.

These are not your mother’s summer camps.  The days of just doing some crafts and swimming in the lake are far behind.  Now kids get to expand their gifts and talents in unbelievable ways (or maybe they just uncover hidden talents).

Camp Jam is a five day overnight program that is all about the rock - and that means Rock -n- Roll.  Celebrity visits, group lessons and so much more make this the best camp around for those kids that want to party like it’s 1999.

Seacamp is all about the ocean and is held at a non-profit educational center in the Florida Keys.  Kids participate in SCUBA diving, sailing and marine science.  What better way to spend your summer break than enjoying the surf, sand and sun.

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts offers a summer camp that takes kids imaginations and helps them become reality.  They offer classes in dance, theater, music, circus performing, magic and much more.

The Fashion Design Institute at Pali Adventures is the perfect location for your fashion focused girl.  Here they create sketches and illustrations, choose fabrics and even assemble garments.  The end of camp features the designs of the campers in a finale fashion show.

If your kids want to flip, fly and ski then the Learn to Fly Summer Ski Jumping Camps are they place you need to send them.  The camps are held at Olympic Park in Utah and they accept kids as young as seven.  They use artificial slopes to teach ski jumping and freestylers get to land in a pool.

Of course there are still plenty of traditional summer camps around the country.  Kids can hike, swim and have a good time.  But who can resist the lure of some of these amazing camps that are now available to kids of all ages?

Cruise ships are not just boats with hotel rooms and a few entertainment areas. These traveling vacation destinations have continually grown in size for the last few decades. Today you will find an entire city floating around in the form of cruise ships.

Although they already have almost every amenity you might be able to imagine, it is still not enough. Royal Caribbean is gearing up to launch to monster ships that will hold 5,400 passengers, span 16 decks and include things like a park. The designers have outdone the imagination with all of the options and opportunities that cruisers will find around this small, moving island escape.

The Central Park space will be a unique outdoor space for cruisers. It will include pathways, seasonal flower gardens and even canopy trees. There will be balcony staterooms that look over the park. The park will run the length of a football field and offer a neighborhood feel.

Already sailing the wide blue sea today are some monster ships. The Queen Mary 2 is not just about size, but it is about elegance. It was designed to bring back the Golden Age of Ocean Travel and to make the experience once again one of the grandest on earth. Its crowning point is the Planetarium.

Royal Caribbean has the other top ships already carrying passengers. It seems that the company is determined to stay on top. With the release of the plans for the Genesis project – including the Oasis of the Seas set to sail in 2009 and Allure of the Seas planned for 2010 – it is likely to continue holding the top position for biggest cruise ship available today.

If you want to experience something that can never be covered with mere words, then consider a vacation experience on one of the biggest cruise ships around for you and your family.

If you’ve been putting off travel plans until gas prices subside and ticket prices become more affordable, you may have missed out on a ripe opportunity that many Americans are already cashing in on – volunteering overseas. 

Many volunteer opportunities are available to U.S. citizens who want to make ad difference while experiencing a new culture or environment, and these programs also offer free board, lodging and in some cases, even cover the costs of that flight. 

From working on an organic farm to teaching English in Sudan, Matador.org recently listed their top ten volunteer opportunities.  Here are just a five exciting projects that might help you travel for free:

1. Appalachian Trail Conference.  This U.S.-based organization attracts volunteers from around the globe to build and maintain the Appalachian Trail to preserve the environment and endangered species.  The organization does pay for food and basic accommodation for its recruits, and can be a valuable way to explore nature at its best.
2. United Nations Volunteer program.  The UN offers several positions for volunteers who want to experience an extended stay abroad; they work with projects in health care, economic development and education in thousands of third world countries around the globe.
3. Conservation Volunteerism in New Zealand.  If you’re an active environmentalist, the Conservation Volunteerism organization in Australia and New Zealand is the place to promote eco tourism, work with teams to protect and clean up area habitats – and have meals and lodging taken care of.
4. Willing Workers on Organic Farms.  Organic farms around the world are searching for volunteers who will work on farms in exchange for food and lodging.  These opportunities are suitable for adults and teens who want to live and work in a completely new environment.
5. Sudan Volunteer Programme.  If you want to flex your teaching skills, you can teach English at schools and universities in Sudan, a country that is always looking for skilled teachers and volunteers to help with various community efforts.  Volunteers are provided with a monthly stipend, food and lodging, but are responsible for their own airfare.

The world famous tomato fight festival is scheduled for August 27, 2008 (the last Wednesday in August) in Bunol, Spain and is already attracting global travelers who want to experience this Spanish tradition firsthand.  The tradition started over 61 years ago in the small town of Bunol, a traditionally quiet town located just a short drive from Valencia.  The fight itself is one of the most chaotic summer festivals in Spain’s history, and typically runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with other special events and performances held afterwards.

The event begins with the Gigantes y Cabezudos procession, a carnival-style parade of characters and figures with oversized heads and colorful costumes.  The procession starts slowly, but begins to speed up to a near running pace as more people join the march down the streets of Bunol.  Crates of tomatoes are then added – and spilled – to the crowds, resulting in a giant battle of tomatoes and food fight like no other.  Tomatoes are thrown on buildings and on people, but the rules are simple; ‘tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown so they do not hurt anybody.’

Travelers who want to join the festivities can choose to stay in the village of Bunol, or stay in an adjacent village or city and take the train to the Estacio del Nord in the centre of Valencia.  Trains run every hour to Bunol from here, and offer travelers from around the region a chance to take par tin the fun.

The La Tomatina festival attracts thousands upon thousands of people to the small village of Bunol who want to experience the festival, and almost all of the hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other accommodation venues are booked solid for the months prior to the festival.  Still, there are options to stay in hostels and smaller hotels throughout Valencia; Hotel urbem Opera Valencia, Hotel Vincci Lys and Hotel Husa Reina Victoria are just a few hotels located in the main commercial areas of Valencia, and offer easy access to Bunol and surrounding areas.