© Ian Muttoo


A friend of mine teaches in Quebec. I actually have a number of Canadian friends that I met on the road while I was traveling when I was younger. Much younger.

My friend and sned messages through Facebook and chat online occasionally, but it was been years since I've spoken to him. We talk about teacher (since I work in education, too). We talk about politics. My friend spnet time working on a petition that was sent to the US Congress, asking members of Congress to stop slandering Canada's very fine health care system. And, of course, we talk about personal things - the details of life.

We were both very interested in the winter Olympics and we chatted back and forth during the hockey gold medal game. I decided I'd surprise him and call, but I realized he didn't have a phone number of Facebook. So I used 411 Canada to find his number. IT was fun, actually being on the phone with him with the US team scored the tying goal and sent the game into overtime. Of course, Canada won. But the conversation was still memorable.

Among the 26 major UK airports, Manchester Airport is the only global gateway to Northern England.

At Manchester Airport, over 100 airlines offer direct flights to over 210 destinations worldwide, connecting over 22 million passengers to more places than any other airport in the UK.

One more thing that Manchester Airport boosts about is Manchester airport parking. You can actually pre-book your car parking online. How's that?

Anyways...aside from airport parking, Manchester Airport also boosts about its body scanners which has been in place since the end of 2009. It is for better security and safety. Aside from the usual "pat down" searches and removal of jackets, coats, shoes and belts...all passengers are required to use the body scanners. Anybody who refuses will be denied travel.

It sounds like Manchester Airport is high on security measures. I hope it follows that their airport parking secure as well.

Body scanners and airport parking, what more would you look for?

Aston Hotels & Resorts has been awarded with a 2010 Editor's Pick Award in the category of Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Agent Support as part of the TravelAge West WAVE (Western Agents' Vote of Excellence) Awards.

Aston Hotels and Resorts are located in South Lake Tahoe (California), Hawaiian Islands and Sun Valley (Idaho).

From MarketWatch:

Other Aston Hotels & Resorts travel agent support programs include:

• EduVacations - Aston encourages agents to stay updated on what each property has to offer with special travel-agent rates starting from $79 per night.


• Webinar Training and Educational Tools - Aston conducts training and sales presentations across the country and offers 60- to 90-minute regional webinars. Other educational tools include travel agent sales support online or by phone, a detailed property reference guide and educational FAM tours. Aston sales materials and images are available online at AstonHotels.com.


• FAM-tastic "First Night Free" Promotion - This promotion, valid at Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa and Aston Aloha Beach Hotel on Kauai, offers travel agents and wholesale agents the first night free, with subsequent nights at a discounted rate of $85 for an ocean-view room. Two-night minimum stay required.

Check out Aston Hotels and Resorts and book your stay.

It has been said time and again and men and women are made up differently. Even when traveling, men and women are susceptible to different illnesses.

Such were the findings of a study by the University of Zurich.

Women when traveling are susceptible to the following:

• stomach problems


• colds


• urinary tract infections


• adverse reactions to meds

On the other hand, men are more likely to suffer:

• fevers from infections transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks


• mountain sickness


• frostbite


• STDs

It certainly helps knowing what to bring and what to avoid when traveling.

© ukcountryhousehotelsandspas


Luxury hotels don't have to be mysterious in today's Internet-savvy society. It's easy to wonder if you really get what you pay for, or what it is that's worth that kind of money. But the Internet has made it easy to simply look it up...

I have a lottery ticket in my wallet at the moment. If I win, I'll do a little traveling. And I'll stay in the best places. But what does that mean?

It's more than chocolates on your pillow and a chef to cook your eggs the way you want them in the mornings. I stayed at an Embassy Suites recently and got both those things.

I think facilities have a lot to do with it. Is there a spa? Can I get a massage? Is the place relaxing? Are there things that cause discomfort?

But really, it's service that makes a place a luxury hotel. Can you get someone attention when you want it? Will they pay attention to just you? And when they're finished paying attention to you, did you get what you wanted?

Finally, luxury is not entirely manmade. Blue skies and a white sand beach can make the difference between luxury and a mediocre hotel stay...