Flying Home at a Much Higher Cost

Good News! Airfares are increasing at a much slower rate this year compared to last year! What's even better, analysts said prices will rise even less in 2013.

The bad news? Airfares in the last two months of the year are set to soar...just as I'm booking my flights home for Christmas. Wonderful!

Experts in the travel industry said the average domestic fare in September was $375.35. So just imagine what that will be in Nov. and Dec. when everyone is traveling for the holidays. I'm guessing that unless I get really lucky and book at just the right moment, I'm probably going to end up paying over $300 for my flight to Denver, give or take a few bucks depending on which days and times I choose to fly. (That will largely depend on my available time off from work...oh how I wish I had unlimited vacation time.) What makes that high price tag even more likely is the fact the Southwest--known for its lower prices, just raised its domestic fares last week between 44 and $10 per round trip...and all major airlines matched the hike. Oh, how I despise the influence of Southwest sometimes.

Who knows if another hike will take place before the end of the year--I'm keeping my fingers crossed --but either way, the next week or two will be spent thoroughly searching and comparing for the best price. I just hope there are seats available...yet another problem facing holiday travelers...high demand and fewer flight options.

I absolutely love the holidays, and I cannot wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. But this is the one downfall of the season. Airlines taking advantage of travelers as they try to spend time with their loved ones.

Take an Active Vacation

On Friday evening, I had the opportunity to help out at an event for VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, recently named the No. 3 tour operator in the world by Travel & Leisure. The company has been around since 1971, when a Middlebury college professor became the provider of America's first ever organized biking tours. Located in Bristol, Vermont, VBT has grown to become a global travel company, with a family that spans across five continents.

At the event, I met owners Gregg and Caroline Marston, who greeted everyone as they entered the room. And most guests knew exactly who they were, either because they recognized their pictures from the website or travel guide, or because they had gone on an actual trip with them. I also met a couple of the seasoned travelers who have done numerous biking and hiking tours with VBT, and one man who participated in nearly 20 trips--the most of anyone else in the room. It was certainly an interesting crowd, but all of them were avid bikers and walkers with a love for travel and experiencing dynamic areas around the world. Many had met on tours together, a true bonding experience for any group, no matter their backgrounds.

And all of them had nothing but praise for the company, a rarity in the hospitality and tour industry.

So what makes VBT different? It's the personal touch they bring to each trip, making a group tour feel anything but mass-produced. It's about the individual experience, and each itinerary feels personalized. The website reads: "It starts with our seasoned trip planners, who carefully design unique itineraries in the world’s most interesting places. They work with our Trip Leaders to map out the most scenic and exhilarating routes. Then, they leverage our long-term group buying power with suppliers around the world, securing wonderful lodgings in top quality hotels where charm and character are complemented by comfort and convenience. Our air specialists do the same, working with major carriers to provide the best flight options at prices you could never match on your own."

During the event, Gregg and Caroline talked about all the new tours they were offering, as well as their foray into nordic ski trips. All the images, the stories, the destinations and the bonds made me want to book a trip right then and there. The first problem, though, is that I'm not much of a biker, so I would have to choose one of the walking tours. Of those, I would definitely sign up for the Amalfi Coast & Capri tour or the Italian Lakes. However, the Peru tour is certainly tempting, and since I've never been to South America, I might have to pick this tour first.

As much as I would love to go on one of these trips, it's not quite in my budget right now, despite the prices being incredibly reasonable for what you get. But maybe I can reach out to my new friends and negotiate a discount...they are a great connection to have, after all. But I'll most likely stay in touch because of how amazingly friendly and outgoing they are, and those are the kinds of people who know how to run a successful tour company.

Let's Get Muddy

As you may recall, I wrote a prevoius post about fun runs to do around the country. For the most part, those were basic races, with a couple interesting aspects thrown in. However, there has been an uptick in the number of people traveling to compete in obstacle-course events, also known as mud runs.

I am participating in one such event, called the Hell Run, over Labor Day weekend. It's called the Hell Run--"the most kick-ass mud run on earth!" It includes 3.15 miles of mud pits and insae obstacles like a barbed wire buncker, a rope wall, fire jumps, and a metal graveyard. And what awaits me at the end of this most outrageous of physical activities? A rock concet, beer and thousands of other mud covered participants all geared up and ready for another run!

So what is the appeal of these mud runs--other than the sheer joy of getting doused from head to toe in mud? They can be grueling, intense and definitely dirty, and yet strangely fun and addictive. These runs are essentially military-style obstacle courses, with an element of showiness thrown in, making them perfect for people who like to show off--in both a humorous and serious manner.

While my mud run is meant to be entertaining--costumes are encouraged--others are much more difficult, designed to challenge extreme fitness enthusiasts. Overall, though, mud runs are meant to be enjoyable, while still testing the physical strength and stamina of participants.

Tough Mudder, one of the top three mud runs in the country, is probably the most diffcult. The events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses that were designed by British Special Forces. Some obstacles include things like the Arctic Enema, a swim through ice; the Electric Eel, where people slide under live wires; the ball shrinker, where mudders cross a body of water with one rope overhead and one rope below to walk on; trench warfare, a crawl through narrow muddy trenches; and the gauntlet, where mudders get high pressure hosed from both sides as they climb a steep incline. Sounds crazy, right?

The greatest part about these races is that they aren't really races at all. Sure, there's a start and a finish, but it's not about being the first to cross the line, it's about conquering the course...with teammates by your side. That's right. This is not an individual event. The Tough Mudder asks runners to pledge to put teamwork and camaraderie ahead of their course time.

Warrior Dash and Spartan Race are two other popular obstacle courses. Warrior Dash was created by Chicago-based company Red Frog Events, and includes plank walks, bruch crawls, cargo nets and steep walls. It's a shorter course, usually only 3 miles, and most people finish within an hour. This event is basically a big party, kind of like Hell Run, with live bands and beer and free food.

On the other hand, Spartan Race is not for the faint of heart. It is an obstacle course that pushes contestants to their physical limits, and then throws fire, mud and water at them...pretty much Hell on Earth. The organizers never give racers advance warning about what they will encounter, only that there will be obstacles that catch them off guard.

For most people, these runs are about accomplishing something they never thought they would ever or could ever do. People say it makes them feel like a kid again, it's fun and entertaining, and different, to say the least. As someone who likes standard runs, I am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone. I know I can run a fast mile...but what about a mile through mud, over fire, under wires? If I can get through this...I can get through anything! (Or at least that's the kind of mentality these mud runs hope to engender in runners.)

I'll report back...

Do You Know How to Say 'how do you say..." in Spanish?

One of the most difficult aspects of traveling internationally is being unable to communicate with the locals. Luckily for us, most people do speak English, at least basic phrases, making it easier to converse. But if you don't want to be one of those typical (ugly) Americans who expect others to cater to you, even if you are a visitor in their country, then I suggest learning some common questions and statements so you can talk to residents, figure out the cost of something, learn about the ingredients on a menu, and, most importantly, find the bathroom. (That's ¿Dónde está el baño? in Spanish, just so you know.)

Had to know where to find this

As someone who studied Spanish, French and Italian, and lived abroad in Rome for four months, you would expect that I'd be somewhat fluent in at least one of those languages. Much to my chagrin, I'm not even close...in any of them. However, I do know some key phrases in Italian that were saviors during my time abroad. Quanto costa questo? (How much is this?) Posso acquistare un biglietto del treno? (Can I buy a train ticket?) Un cappuccino e cornetto al cioccolato, per favore (A cappuccino and chocolate croissant, please.) Posso avere un bicchiere di vino? (May I have a glass of wine?) Dove si trova il più vicino negozio di gelato? (Where is the closest gelato shop?) You get the idea...only the essentials. If you learn nothing else, at least learn "how do you say..." and insert whatever it is you would like to know how to say in a specific language. This definitely helped me when I found myself searching for the right word in Italian to tell the young man who was hitting on me that I was in a relationship. Somehow the word for boyfriend (ragazzo) escaped me at the time---not sure if it was those deep brown eyes, or the sultry accent, or that dreamy smile...

But I digress...

Obviously, you could take a language class to learn the necessary vocabulary; or purchase an expensive software program like Rosetta Stone or Pimsleur Approach. But most of us don't have the time or the money set aside for those kinds of commitments. But there are alternatives.

Do a quick search on iTunes, and you'll find a waide array of free language lessons. There are some fun podcasts from Radio Lingua called Coffee Break Spanish--though there are more languages than Spanish. Each one is 15-20 minutes and encourages interaction to better learn pronunciation. There are also one-minute crash courses in Greek, Arabic and Mandarin. Living Language is not free, but there is a "free downloads" section that offers freebies like a pocket phrase guide to help you learn a few things before heading on your trip.

The BBC offers intruction on 40 languages, for no cost at all. Users select the desired language and then can choose from a variety of vocabulary categories in the "holiday phrases" link, such as food and drink and shopping. The downloads are accompanied by cultural notes and games, and there is even a beginners' course for those who have at least three months before their trip.

If you're willing to spend a little bit, try Livemocha, a networking site that connects people from different parts of the world and offers basic intruction in a given language. The program facilitates learning through actual communication with someone else, hands down the best way to learn a language. It costs $9.95 for one month of unlimited access, and $99.95 for a year.

So if you are heading to an international destination--whether for a week or ten--why not take some time to learn a few words. It will help you better interact, and make you a more cultured individual--and who doesn't want that?

Oh, and the answer to my first question is...¿Cómo se dice...
Just in case you were curious.

Not Your Average Tour

Just last weekend, my parents, uncle and his girlfriend, came to visit me in Chicago. For my parents, it was an opportunity to see their daughter and spend some quality family time together. While it was also that for my uncle and his girlfriend, it was also a chance to see a new city, since neither had been here before. Of course, they asked me what they should see and do, and I ran off the usual list of attractions. They decided to do the Architecture Tour along the river, which I think is one of the better tours offered in Chicago. Not only is it a great way to see a lot of the downtown area, but it provides great backround on Chicago's history.

While I will always recommend this tour to first time visitors, I cannot guarantee that everyone will appreciate it, since each person has different tastes, opinions, and interests that could be fulfilled through other options. There's walking tours, bus tours, mob tours, ghost tours, museum tours, the list goes on and on. But even with all these, some people may still be looking for something different, unusual, off-kilter.

Enter the internet and its vast array of travel-sharing websites touting specialty tours, unique experiences and some pretty odd activities not generally listed on a tourism site. I learned about these through a New York Times article, which discusses a few of the platforms.

Tequila Adventure Rapel

What makes these sites work is the artists, chefs, students, writers, hobbyists, and musicians, who offer their services to those looking for a truly novel experience. Some websites are better than others about making sure guides can deliver on their promises, while other rely on peer reviews.

CanaryHop.com was co-founded by "Saturday Night Live" star Andy Samberg and launched in March. It is a searchable list of about 2,500 guides and service providers, which are referred to on the site as "canaries," while travelers are called "hoppers." Some examples of experiences are a circus training in Las Vegas; a fire engine tour in San Francisco; camping in the Mojave Desert with a botanist; New York City makeup and accessories tour; and home cooking and eating with a family in Delhi.

Gidsy.com is another option that has grown popular in the last year. With the tagline "do something different," the website certainly lives up to that mentality with its options. It features offerings in nine cities, with activities like a chocolate and grappa tasting in Hasselt, Belgium; a tango lesson in London; a street photography workshop with a professional photographer in Istanbul; and a challah braiding and baking class in New York.

East London Street Food Tour

The idea behind Vayable.com is to give travelers a deeper look into at a local culture through experts. The site has 1,500 guides on almost every continent--it hasn't quite made it to Antartica. Travelers can search ac tivities by city and then book their own experience or join a pre-arranged tour. Some of the options include a hookah and tea tour in Istanbul, fly fishing in Alaska with the may of Kenai, a tour of East London street food, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle tour of Versailles and Rambouillet.

Another option if you are just looking for unique experiences in New York is SideTour. The founder, Vipin Goyal, said there are plans to expand, but New York certainly offers a plethora of exciting and intriguing opportunities. Most of the listings are updated weekly and sell out weeks in advance, so book early! Popular offerings include a street art tour and graffiti demonstration, urban beekeeping in Brooklyn, and creaft beer brewing.

As someone who is often looking for something different to do in my own city, perhaps I should see if there are any special activities/tours in Chicago. That way the next time someone asks me about what they should do here, I can offer something that's a little bit off the beaten path. And for my future travels, I will certainly give these sites a quick run through to see if there is anything I would like to take part in during my visit. Because what could be better than finding a hidden art gallery that isn't featured in every travel guide? Or tasting street food from the vendor that doesn't have a line around the block but is just as good--if not better--as that guy that was featured on the food network? Or having an in depth conversation with a local author while sipping regionally-made wine at an underground jazz club? It's these kinds of odd experiences and locations that make a city what it is, so why not take the opportunity to peel back the artificial layers and see the roots.

Pride Around the World

Pride Fest Chicago is one of my favorite summer events, mostly because it is one of the few times during the year where everyone tosses aside their inhibitions, proudly wears anything--or nothing--and comes together in a grand spectacle of joy, celebration, openeness and unity. I have participated in the festivities for the last two years, and I always have a good time watching the parade of flamboyant costumes, colorful floats and shirtless men--not to mention the crowd of people who are just as entertaining to watch. So far, though, Chicago's is the only Pride Fest I've experienced, and while it's certainly a great one, there are a number of other's I am eager to see.

Here in the U.S., New York and San Francisco are probably the two most well-known pride festivals. New York has been celebrating ever since the 1969 riot that sparked the gay rights movement, making it the oldest march for sexual equality in the world. The parade is usually held in June and is the finale of a week-long festival which can bring in as many as 750,000 people.

San Francisco's Pride Fest is held at the end of June and features 200 floats in its parade that travel along Market Street. The tradition dates back to 1970 and now more than one million people attend every year. Organizers said the point of the event is to "educate the world, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people."

While these events are certainly noteworthy, Pride resonates throughout the world, and there are some international festivals that are definitely a must see.

Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the largest Pride event in the world and lasts the entire month of February. The event was sparked back in 1978 when police revoked a permit for a Pride parade and arrested 51 people. The celebration is combined with the Mardi Gras holiday, making for never-ending activities, including a parade, harbour parties, mardi gras festivals, drag races, pool parties and much more.

In Amsterdam, they take the celebration to the water. The Pride Fest features a flotilla of 75 glittering boats. The festivities take place at the end of July or beginning of August, and events include street parties and club circuit parties, as well as the famed Canal Parade.

Brazil is known for its Carnivale celebrations, but is also noted for its Pride Festivals. Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro both have huge celebrations, so either city is worth visiting. Rio's parade is held on Copacabana Beach in October. Sao Paulo's event is acknowledged as the largest pride parade in the world, drawing nearly four million people.

Obviously, there are dozens more held all over the world, from Manila in the Philippines to Berlin, Germany, from Madrid, Spain to Montreal, Canada. There is no end to the possibilities to show your support for the Gay and Lesbian communities around the globe--or to find an excuse to wear flashy costumes and rainbow jewelry. I fully intend to hit some of the Sydney Pride Fest when I head down to Australia next February, and I will be sure to report back on all the insanity.

Until then, stay proud!!

North Korea Stirs Curiosity, Draws More Tourists

Of all the places in the world to go, one of the last places I would ever consider is North Korea. Mostly because I associate it with dictatorship, repression, nuclear war, poverty...not exactly selling points in the tourism industry. And yet, a number of Westerners are taking trips to the country, due in large part to curiosity about what its actually like.

In 2010, North Korea lifted the restrictions on American citizens traveling to the country. They are now able to visit anytime of the year, but they cannot travel by train and are not allowed to participate in homestay programs. Tourists do not have the same freedom as in other destinations, and they must be part of a tour and have a Korean escort. All visitors need a visa, which will be issued once a tour is booked, approved by authorities and paid for. It sounds a bit daunting, and travel is certainly limited, but that doesn't appear to be detering guests.

According to Koryo Tours, based in Beijing, about 3,500 Western and 40,000 Chinese tourists went to North Korea in 2011. And the number is expected to grow this year, especially as the image of the country continues to change under the rule of Kim Jong-un, who took over in December after the death of his father, Kim Jong II.

Tour companies, like Koryo, said there are many misconceptions about North Korea and its people, but the country offers a variety of great experiences just like any place else...tourists just need to give it a chance. Another common belief is that all tourists must have the same fixed itinerary that the government dictates, but there are a variety of tour packages available. Koryo, for instance, offers itineraries that include museums, parks, monuments and other areas around the capital Pyongyang; the demilitirized zone on the North Korean side of the border of South Korea; and Hamhung, an industrial city that was opened to tourists in 2010.

There are plenty of other tour groups that offer itineraries to North Korea, and the price of the vacation will vary depending on group size, trip length and sightseeing options.

Even though the country has opened its doors a crack to tourists, indicating that it is becoming a little less rigid on government control, there are still plenty of restrictions placed on guests. Visitors cannot use cellphones, send email, walk down the street without an escort, talk to strangers or take pictures of people or places that are not approved by the escort. (For an interesting account from a reporter, check out this article from the Washington Post.)

Juche Tower

I realize that some of this might be putting a few of you off the idea of visiting North Korea, but if you're still with me, here are a few places that are highly recommended to see once you are in the country--and hopefully the tour you booked takes you to these places:

• Kim II Sung Stadium
• Kim II Sung Square
• Tower of the Juche Idea
• Daedong River
• Koguryo Tombs
• Arch of Reunification
• Geumsusan Memorial Palace

Mass Games

One of the best attractions in North Korea is the Grand Mass Gymnastics and Artistic Performance Arirang, popular festivals held at the Kim II Sung Stadium. The events run for two months and held annually on Kim's birthday. The whole thing is kicked off by over 30,000 school children holding colored cards that create a massive mosaic. Guests can witness complex and highly choreographed group routines by dancers and gymnasts.

On the border between North Korea and China is Heaven Lake, located within a caldera on top of the volcanic Baekdu Mountain. This is one of the most popular sites to see in the country as it offers breathtaking views of the water and the surrounding mountains. 

There is a lot of great information on more attractions in the country at the official Korean Tourism website, which mostly features travel in South Korea. Still, there is a section dedicated to the spectacular sites of North Korea.
Despite the wonderful sites of the country, and the changes that are being made within its government, I am not completely sold on taking a trip there. I am all about spontaneity when I travel, being able to go wherever I want, whenever I want, and the restrictions set by North Korea definitely hinder my ability to explore freely. Given that fact, I'd say I'll hold off on traveling to North Korea until it gets a little more lacks with tourists--though that's not likely to happen very soon.