Quicker on the Return

It is common knowledge among most travelers that the return leg of a trip always seems shorter than the initial portion. But while we all accept this phenomena, it's not clear exaclty why it happens. In my personal opinion, getting to a place takes longer because of the anticipation. You are eager to get to your destination, excited to get the trip underway, at least that's how I always feel before a trip. In fact, the feeling is not restricted to the actual commute, but rather the entire week--or month, depending--leading up to the vacation. For example, this whole week has just been dragging along, one minute feeling like five. The reason? Because I have a flight home to Denver Friday afternoon, and I cannot wait. As a result, the days seem to be at a standstill. It's that damn anticipation, the desire to get away that forces every moment to feel like an eternity. That is, until you actually get there, and then time can not speed by faster. And then you are back on a plane--or a car or train--making your way to your place of origin, welcoming reality again.

What is truly unfortunate is that the initial trip and the return are exactly the same amount of time, but our minds tell us differently. It's all in our heads. Trust me, there is scientific proof. According to an article in USA Today, researchers found that the phenomena made trips home seem 17% to 22% shorter than the initial one. The scientists interviewed people about trips they took, and each time, even though the trips were exactly the same length, most people felt the return trip took less time. Students riding bikes said the initial trip took an average of 44 minutes, but the return took 37, when in reality, both legs took 35. Yeah, they actually have numbers, data to back this up. As far as explanations, well, they claim that the effect, which they dub "the return trip effect," was caused because people expected the initial trip to be faster than it was. It's that optimism that messes with our heads, it skews our sense of what's coming.

So can this phenomena effect other aspects of our lives? Can it really be limited to travel? I'm not really sure, because there are not a lot of incidences where we take one route to get anywhere and choose that same route to get back. Because in life, we're always moving forward, in some respect. People could argue that it seems to take a long time to get anywhere in life, but a second to lose it all. While that is certainly true, you are not then moving back down that path you came down to get back to a certain point. Nope, once you lose it, you are still stuck in that current place, just without what you had before. So while we would all love to have the return trip effect kick in when we need to get somewhere faster--or at least feel like we're getting their quicker--the best we can do is trust that we will get there when we get there, and our minds will help us along the way.

Hurricane Strands Passengers, Brings Unexpected Guests

This past weekend, Hurricane Irene slammed into the East Coast, leaving billions of dollars in damage, millions of people without power and thousands more stranded in airports. And while the impact was not as bad as many had anticipated, it still severerly hurt travel in one of the most frequented air spaces in the country.

Passengers wait in line. Credit: CNN

Airlines canceled over 11,000 flights over the weekend, including nearly 1,000 today. Not sure how many of those trips were fully booked, but no matter what, that meant for a whole lot of people hanging around airports across the nation waiting to get another flight or figure out alternate plans. Some made the best of it--like the guy who ended up at my rooftop party after his flight to New York was canceled on Saturday night--while others stressed and complained for hours until finally making it to their destinations.

Many travelers received refunds or rebookings without any penalties, but there were still hours of frustration for most. Customer service lines were jammed with calls, with people waiting up to an hour and a half before speaking with anyone. Obviously, this is not the first weather-related disruption for travelers, just think about everything we've gone through this year alone--blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes. The best anyone can do is play the hand they are dealt.

For example, the guy I mentioned earlier, Chris, was making his way back to New York after visiting friends on the West Coast. He landed in Chicago, not sure if his flight would be canceled, hoping it would just be delayed. Despite the storm not being as extreme as expected in New York, he still ended up stranded in O'Hare. Luckily for him, United gave him a free hotel room for the night. But for Chris, a night in a hotel near the airport was no way to spend the night. He called his friend Josh, who just happened to be at my apartment for an end-of-summer soiree on our roof. Voila! Instant night out in Chicago. An unfortunate string of events that led to a fun evening meeting some new people.

I am aware that not everyone can get this lucky. Many people did not have friends in the cities where they were stranded. But the story does make a point that there is a way to make light of every situation. So no matter what kind of misfortune comes your way while traveling, there is always a way to make it better, more enjoyable.

This may seem a little too upbeat and optimistic for all those who faced horrific travel issues this weekend, and for those people, I truly am sorry. I am no stranger to those events. The best you can do is grin and bear it, and hope you get a damn good refund from your airline. If not, a good stiff drink should do the trick.

You’re Staying Where?

I love hotels! It may sound weird, but I really do. I like walking into a new place I’ve never been before, nicely cleaned and set up, just waiting for my arrival. I like seeing what each new room has to offer, from their toiletries, decorations and random other amenities. It’s exciting to be in a different place that isn’t your apartment, even if it’s just for a couple days. While every kind of hotel is thrilling, and I would more than happy to stay at a random Holiday Inn somewhere, in all honesty, it’s the luxury or boutique styles that are the most appealing to me. I mean, they are just so different than your typical chain hotels—which, unfortunately make up the majority of locations in the country. The real tragedy is not just that there are fewer unique hotels, but they are also much more expensive. But to experience something truly out there…I think it would be worth the money.

Sala Silvergruva. Credit: WSJ

So, you can just imagine how excited I got when I read about Sweden’s Sala Silvergruva, a hotel that is so far from ordinary, it borders on creepy. It’s located in a 600-year-old silver mine dug in solid marble. The high-style rooms are situated over 50 stories below ground, and it takes guests a full four minutes in an elevator to get to the outside world. The rooms have silver leather chairs and candelabras all over. And since you are sleeping underground, the hotel uses a partition and electric heaters to bring the temperature up from its usual 36 degrees to a more reasonable 64 degrees—down covers and extra blankets are provided. Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone.

If guests don’t want to sleep in a cave, they can opt for a wooden dormitory, originally built for miners. While it may not be as nice as the mine suite, it is much cheaper and you still get a similar experience. The suite costs around $600 per couple, with a dinner and subterranean tour included in the price. The dormitory costs $60 per person.

A cave is certainly intriguing to me, but I think sleeping in a refurbished plane would be more my style. At Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, a Boeing 747 that used to fly for Pan Am was gutted and transformed into hotel accommodations. It has 27 rooms equipped with bunk beds and cabinets made from luggage bins. Guests share the bathrooms, but they have been revamped to include shows and porcelain toilets. If you have the money, you can get a suite in the nose and tail of the plane that have double beds and their own bathrooms. Bunk-bed rooms cost $60, while the suites cost around $500.

In the Netherlands, an old harbor crane was made into a one-room inn. The cab sits atop four legs at 56 feet high and features a double bed and bathroom with a toilet and showers. It has large windows that offer panoramic views, but the cab is still designed to rotate, so guests can change their view with the push of a joystick. Day rates range from $570 to $857.

While some of these sound really interesting, and I would like to try them out at least once, there is one concept I think I would gladly skip: A prison. That’s right, you heard me correctly. Some hoteliers have taken to turning closed down prisons into boutique hotels. I cannot imagine two things more opposite. The Malmaison Oxford Hotel was converted from a prison in 2005. Part of the old complex dates back to 1071—which I guess is pretty cool. But I don’t know if I could sleep in an old cell that once housed killers, rapists and thieves. Stockholm’s Långholmen Hotel was also once a prison. It was where Sweden’s last execution was held in 1910 and closed in 1975. Decorations include mirrors that mimic guillotines and gray sheets striped like prison uniforms. Rooms are very small and have bunk beds.

So, there are more than a few quirky places out there for me to explore, and hopefully one day I'll get to see these hotels and experience everything they have to offer. Because, let's face it, it's not everyday you can sleep in a silver mine or an oil-rig escape pod, so why not step out of the ordinary, just once.

Montana's Big Sky: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Montana is called “Big Sky Country,” a nickname not understood by many until they witness the unobstructed beauty of its sprawling landscapes, rugged mountain ranges and wide open grassland. 

I'm writing a short article about sports in Montana for my freelance job, and reading up on the various cities and places in the state reminded me of my road trip through the area the summer after my freshman year of college. I, along with my two best friends from high school, planned a trip up to Calgary, Canada, and decided the best way to get there would be to drive. The journey became part of the vacation, with Billings as our overnight stop on both legs--since Sari had a friend there who could provide us with a free place to stay. 

On the way up to Canada, after our night in Billings, we decided to take I-90 West through the state and drive up to Glacier National Park. It was a long drive that took us pretty much all day. But it was totally worth it. Not only did we get a glimpse of how wide open and scenic Montana is, we also got an amazing treat once we hit the Butte area and saw the rising peaks of the mountain ranges--just breathtaking. Our route took us around a lake that seemed to go on forever. (Since I don't remember exactly where we were, I had to look at a map, and I think this lake is called Flathead Lake.) As we drove along the water, we kept seeing signs for cherry farms. At the time, I had no idea that cherries grew in Montana, let alone there was such a booming business for harvesting the tasty fruits. Intrigued, we decided to pull over and buy some. We watched as the women took the freshly picked cherries from a bin and pour them into a bag for us. I think we got at least two pounds of cherries, and it didn't cost much.

And while the lake and the cherries were certainly memorable, nothing can compare to when we first entered Glacier. It didn't look real. It looked like a painting, a photograph that had been digitally displayed for all to see. But it was real, pristine water perfectly framed by walls of glacially formed rock and dirt all topped by a bright blue sky. It became even less of a dream when we removed our sandals and dipped our toes in the lake. We cooled off briefly and then got back in the car to continue our drive through the park--since we still had to reach Calgary by that night. We weaved up the sides of the peaks, stopping every few moments to snap a picture of another magnificent scene, because there were just so many we wanted to capture. Reluctantly, we heading down the other side and headed for the exit, knowing we had a long way left to go before we could rest our heads.


While my time in Montana was brief, it is clearly a place that has made an impression on me. I have some fond memories from that trip, and many of them happened on that drive through Big Sky Country. I can honestly say that I understand how special it is and why it is admired for its beauty. So while Montana may not seem like an exciting place, I encourage you all to give it a chance. I can guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.

Where to Spend Labor Day Weekend

It's the last long weekend of the summer, the final hoorah before the cool breath of fall sets in and backyard barbecues and outdoor patios will become a thing of the past--at least until next summer. To celebrate the end of warmth, (and welcome the gorgeous changing leaves and scrumptious pumpkin smells) you need to pick a great place to go. Luckily, our country is full of fantastic long-weekend spots to get away to, the problem is picking one.

Orbitz released its Insider Index with a special section dedicated to the top places to travel for Labor Day weekend. Now, I'm not saying you have to pick one of these destinations, but it may give you a good starting off point. The Index tracked the most popular places people visit for Labor Day, as well as pricing for flights and hotels.

The top ten list includes:

• New York
• Las Vegas
• Chicago
• Denver
• Seattle
• San Francisco
• Orlando
• Boston
• Los Angeles
• Atlanta

Lucky for me, I live in one of the top destinations, and I'm actually going to one of the other ones for Labor Day--home to Denver! For those of you looking to plan a vacation, check any of these out. Orbitz said the best hotel rates are in Denver, Atlanta and Orlando. The best round-trip airfare is on flights to Atlanta, Orlando and Boston.

If none of these sound appealing (or they are out of your price range or you've been to all of them before) there are plenty of other places to go. Why not try a nice camping trip in the mountains? Any mountain range will work, but I think the Rocky Mountains are the best, though I'm slightly biased. Or what about a family vacation to the water park capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells? There are dozens of reasonably priced hotels, great activities for kids, and some pleasant amenities for parents. National parks are a big seller for long weekends. Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yellowstone--all of them are great picks. Labor Day is also a great time to shop and take advantage of amazing deals and discounts. Clearly, New York, Chicago and LA are popular shopping destinations, but since those are all on the list, why not try Miami? You get the beach and a wide array of shops to enjoy. If you are a foodie, as so many travelers are, I think a great place to visit is New Orleans for some authentic cajun-style dishes that are sure to satisfy any palate.

So, I've thrown a lot out there for you, and obviously there are a lot of places I didn't mention, but this should give you some nice options to consider.

And even if you decide to stay put for the holiday weekend--because, let's face it, we could all stand to save a little money right now--then make sure to celebrate Labor Day right. Gather your friends and family, fire up the grill, grab some traditional American grub and sit back with a nice beer (or glass of wine!) That's a great way to spend your final weekend of summer!

On Planes, Passengers Indulge

I've written a few posts about trying to stay active and eat healthy while traveling, since it is often difficult to maintain that lifestyle while on the road. Many people constantly ask how they can keep up with their diets or avoid packing on pounds while on vacation, so it seems oddly counterproductive to find out that most passengers will still choose the high-fat and calorie-laden items on airplane menus. What is going on here?

I read an article in the Wall Street Journal that critiques airplane food and discusses what people are choosing to eat onboard. While many carriers have tried to introduce healthy items like fresh salads, hummus plates, fruit and nut mixes, and greek yogurt, passengers seem to pass those over for something a bit more indulgent. For example, Alaska Airlines offers vegan and gluten-free items, and chicken and vegetable dishes. Yet, it's most popular item is the quarter-pound cheeseburger. United Airlines briefly had "active" and "organic" snack boxes, but ended up donating most of the food. In the end, it had to eliminate the items from the menu because they just were not selling. According to the airline, the most popular option is the "tapas" snack box, which has nine different items, like crackers, hummus, olives, cheese, almonds and candy, and weighs in at 553 calories. If experiments with healthy options seem to be failing as passengers decide to reach for salty, carb-ridden foods, what's the point of having them anyway?

Because there will always be at least one person on the plane that will choose the better product. But in all honesty, most airlines still fill menus with food that is not particularly good for you, even though they are making some moves in the right direction. Airlines like Delta still sell items like toffee-caramel popcorn or cans of Pringles sour cream-and-onion chips, which adds up to 375 calories. United's "Classic Snack Box" features both goldfish and pretzels, why do you need both?

Food experts say that many of these snack boxes contain between 600 and 700 calories, mostly because they are stuffed with a variety of different items that most people probably do not need. A turkey sandwich comes in at a reasonable 400 calories, but throw in potato chips, cookies, almonds and dried fruit, and you just bumped it up by another 300 calories or so. And since airlines do not print up the calorie counts for people, travelers believe they are consuming healthy options, when they really aren't. Since carriers cannot seem to sell beneficial food items, they are forced to either riddle them with more salty, high-calorie foods or remove them from menus all together.

For those who don't think twice about what they eat on planes, these options will suffice. But for those who are concerned about what they eat or are trying to maintain a diet or watch their waists, I suggest surpassing the food that airlines provide. The best thing you can do is pack your own food. It's easy to make a small sandwich and bring it on board, or pack small snacks like fruit, cheese and nuts. It's a safer bet calorie-wise, and it also saves you about $10.

InSite Newsletter

This is going to be a super quick post, but I just wanted to direct everyone to my article about Edmonton in the "InSite on Leisure Group Travel" newsletter. It's not the full feature I will be writing about my Fam tour there--that's set to be published in the February edition of their print magazine--this one is just a quick piece about boat tours down the North Saskatchewan River. Check out the article by clicking on the link below!

Edmonton from the Water

Enjoy!!