Condor airline to offer service from Frankfurt to Seattle

by Kraig Becker on

Condor, a German based budget airline, has announced that it will begin offering service between Frankfurt and Seattle starting in June, with twice weekly flights that will give travelers more affordable options for visiting Europe this year. The new service is expected to begin on June 23, with flights taking place on Monday and Thursday of each week, running through October. This new route is in addition to Condor’s other North American flights, which which includes regular service to Las Vegas and Fort Lauderdale in the U.S., as well as Calgary, Vancouver, and Whitehorse in Canada.

The addition of Condor to the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) airport brings a 23% overall increase in seat capacity between that region and Europe. That boost will come just in time for the summer and fall travel season, which is expected to be a busy one once again this year. In the summer of 2010, airlines operating between Sea-Tac and Europe filled 90% of their seats, and traffic is only expected to grow in 2011.

Condor is well known for offering very affordable flights throughout Europe and for running unique promotions. For instance, they’ll regularly offer cheap airfares from German airports to a surprise destination that isn’t revealed until after travelers book their flight. Those flights can cost as little as 49 euros ($66) each way for cities in Europe or 199 euros ($268) both directions for destinations further abroad. As for flights between Seattle and Frankfurt, bookings in July are currently running about $1200, which is roughly $450 cheaper than flying the same route with Lufthansa.

Right now, there are no plans to continue operations after October, but that could change in 2012 as Condor continues to upgrade and expand its international fleet to cover more destinations and carry more passengers. Either way, it is nice to have more options for air travel, and competition is certainly a good thing for consumers.

[Photo credit: Makaristos via WikiMedia]


Take another look at these ten top cruise ports

by Chris Owen on


If you travel by cruise ship, there’s not a lot of choice in the matter. Cruise lines have a variety of islands to visit but the choices are limited with many itineraries virtually the same from ship to ship. Still, you are not required to get in line and go along with the crowd. Consider the cruise ship no more than the way you got there when thinking of what to do ashore. Planning as though you took a flight, not a cruise ship, puts things in a way better perspective. Think of yourself as a traveler who came by sea. No, really. Think that way and even ports you may have been to several times will have a fresh, new look and feel.

If you travel by air, flying can get you to islands not serviced regularly by cruise lines or maybe islands you might have sampled on a cruise and said “I think I could come back and do this again, without the ship”. If you have ever been on a cruise you probably said that at one time or another.

Sure, a cruise vacation is often a best value for travel. Good, glad to hear it. Now let’s take that a step further and get more out of your cruise by thinking a bit differently about common cruise ports visited by most every cruise line. Let’s look at ten top Caribbean islands and cruise ports.

  1. Ocho Rios, Jamaica–I think Jamaica is one of the prettiest places on the planet. As is so often the case when traveling, the people we meet along the way can make all the difference. Lincoln Stewart is a cab driver in Ocho who has lived in Jamaica all his life. However one gets to Jamaica, by sea or air, getting safely away from the tourist attractions and shore excursion mobs is key and well worth the effort to get there. Lincoln showed us “his” Jamaica, a remarkably different place than we see from a cruise ship.
  2. Cozumel, Mexico It’s almost a requirement of any cruise line and Cozumel is set up to handle the crowds. A best bet here is Paradise Beach. If you’re lucky enough to go at a time when “Tom” is around you’re in for a good time. This is the trick to making a day in port something special: Meet someone local. Get to know someone who lives there. Like so many other things in travel, the people make the difference.
  3. St Thomas-I think St Thomas was one of the most pleasant islands in the Caribbean. There are the typical third world looking parts, but as part of the United States there is an air of stability there not on other islands. Like traveling abroad, seeing a familiar brand can help make sense of otherwise unfamiliar surroundings. Throw in a US post office and feel right at home. .
  4. St John– Many who visit St John on a cruise never have the island on their itinerary. This is a common do-it-yourself shore excursion where travelers can choose to take a ferry from St Thomas to St John for a day at Trunk Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen.
  5. St Maarten-Split in two, one side French, one side Dutch, your cruise ship will probably stop on the Dutch side. A good do-it-yourself excursion would be a cab ride to the French side and a beach called Bae Rouge. You won’t find a lot of people there because it will take a couple hours round-trip to visit. Well worth the time though, this is about as secluded and pristine as beaches get. Nearby St. Barth can be visited in a day too
  6. Tortola– As part of the British Virgin Islands along with Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada, Tortola is considered the chains main island. Smugglers Cove is a popular place to go with snorkeling and amazing views. No facilities there but worth the effort to see. Divers like Tortola because of the crystal clear water and find sinkholes and ledges as well as caves and canyons.
  7. Key West, Florida– Maybe not on the top of your “Caribbean island” list but a good one to note nonetheless. A good piece of Key Lime pie can’t be beat for a real taste of Florida and the Keys. If you can’t make it the Key West Key Lime Pie Company will send you one.
  8. San Juan, Puerto Rico– San Juan gets a bad reputation for crime and other bad things that keep tourists away. Puerto Rico shouldn’t be judged by San Juan, those that live in other parts are not so proud of it and definitely prefer the West. The best beaches are in Cabo Rojo and Isabela or in close by small Island/towns like Culebra.
  9. Antigua– A good bet off a cruise ship is to take a cab for the 45 minute drive to the Allegro Resort of Pineapple Beach. There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. Most of the beaches are inside the calm, protected waters of the island’s Caribbean side. All are open to the public. The trick is knowing which one is good to visit at the particular time you are there. Cab drivers know this.
  10. Barbados– This one also has two sides with the Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. East Coast beaches, including Bathsheba are good for surfers. South Coast beaches such as Carlisle Bay and Sandy Beach are popular for body surfing while Needham’s Point is one of the best for snorkeling and swimming. Black sand beaches make this one unique. A big cruise ship excursion is Harrison’s Cave but Flightseeing is probably a better bet. Best bet here? Go sailing on a catamaran.

We know Spring is just around the corner but that Old Man Winter can come back to slap us around a little on his way out the door. Just thinking about someplace warm can help. Going there is better though.


Personal semi submarine pontoon awesomobile

by Justin Delaney on

I am pissed I still don’t have a hover-board. For sure, by this year of 2011, I should be carving around the streets of Neotokyo, just me and my board. The closest thing we have to teleportation is TelePresence, which is like some off-brand Star Wars tech. We still get to where we are heading in planes older than Justin Bieber, at familiarly slow speeds. My list of modern grievances is long, and I generally feel that the future of my childhood expectations has failed to keep up with Moore’s law.

Every now and then though, something comes along that makes me feel like I am part of some cool present day future. The personal semi submarine by South Korean manufacturer Raonhaje is case in point. Named “Ego,” it looks like a craft that a twelve year old doodled in the margins of his notebook, only to have Apple designers in Cupertino perfect it for production. The personal semi submarine relies on pontoons to keep the craft afloat, and an LCD monitor in the cabin displays an above water view via an HD camera. To steer this awesome craft, you utilize pedals and a wheel, much like in a car. The vehicle is completely electric, with an 8 hour range at cruising speed. It goes on sale in October of 2011. Get in line behind me.

image via CNN

Somali pirate ordeal ends with death of religious Americans

by Chris Owen on

They were on year seven of a ten-year around-the-world voyage, passing out bibles from New Zealand to Alaska to Fiji and all points in-between. Their voyage came to a tragic end today as Somaili pirates shot and killed captives Jean and Scott Adam of Southern California and Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle of Seattle.

US forces had been trailing the captured m/v Quest when shots were heard on board this morning. A special forces team engaged in a brief firefight with the armed pirates then confirmed: all four hostages had been shot.

The incident is raising questions and demanding answers from governments around the world.The killing of the four Americans only puts a brighter spotlight on a growing problem as pirates become more violent and abusive to hostages. Previously, the bulk of damage done by Somali pirates has been financial. Holding ships for ransom as they attempted to pass through hostile waters, they currently hold 30 ships and more than 600 hostages. Historically fetching millions in ransom, the turn to killing raises questions.

Did the hostages try to fight back to the point that they posed a greater danger than they were worth in potential ransom? Were the killings retribution by pirates for the capturing of some of their own recently?

AOL Travel tells us “The U.S. Navy had been following the hijacked yacht with an FBI negotiating team on board. When shots were fired aboard the Quest, a Navy special ops team boarded the vessel and discovered the travelers had been murdered.”

We may never know the reason for the senseless deaths of the Americans simply traveling to share their beliefs with others. We do know that pirate activity has made waters around eastern Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian sea a deadly place to be. Diplomatic steps have failed. Peaceful nations continue to be outraged over events.

Over the weekend, President Obama was advised of the situation and authorized use of force against the pirates “in case of imminent threat” said White House Press Secretary Jim Carney.

The big question being asked worldwide over the ordeal: What happens next and what ends this?

Recent events suggest an increased effort to capture pirates may be key.

You’re watching Somali Pirates Captured by India to Face Trial. See the Web’s top videos on AOL Video

Photo svQuest.com

Luxury travel: Three days of sun and ski in Lake Tahoe

by Melanie Nayer on

There’s a multiple personality syndrome happening in Lake Tahoe. In the winter, the region is packed with snowboarders, skiiers and skaters ready to take on the chill and hit the slopes. In the summer, Lake Tahoe turns laidback with endless nights on the lake and festivals in the streets. The area is frequented by skiers, sun-worshipers, families, singles and solo-travelers. You can spend the night roasting marshmallows by an open fire or enjoying sushi at the local Japanese restaurant. Whether you come here to ski or sit in the sun, luxury travel in Lake Tahoe can be a traveler’s paradise.

Where to stay:

The Northstar -at-Tahoe Resort is one of Lake Tahoe’s newest “villages” and features everything from an ice skating rink to hot dog stands to sushi bars. The village at Northstar offers different accommodations, but to make the most of your stay choose a condo at Northstar and take advantage of the full kitchen, washer-dryer in unit and electric fireplace. The condos have balconies that overlook the village and because of its location on the mountain, you can walk from your condo to the gondola in less than 3 minutes, hitting up Starbucks along the way.

For the ultimate in luxury travel in Tahoe, head to the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe – an oasis in the mountain. The resort is accessible via a private gondola from Northstar to the Ritz-Carlton, so you can easily shuttle between the village and the hotel, if you choose to do so. Or, you can hit the slopes straight from the Ritz. After a day of skiing or boarding, let the massage therapists at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe spa ease away your muscle aches. My suggestion: Opt for one of the spa packages that includes a bath soak. The copper tubs in the spa are meant to release stress on your muscles. After a day of snowshoeing at Tahoe, I can say with certainty this spa service saved me from the pain I was bound to wake up with the next morning.

%Gallery-117172%What to eat:

Northstar-at-Tahoe village has everything from French hotdogs and burritos-to-go to gourmet pizzas and wine bars. For sushi lovers, don’t miss a meal at Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Bar. The restaurant offers typical Japanese food and the sushi bar is full of unique rolls and combinations.

If the pub scene is more your style, TC’s Pub in the village is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is typical American bar style and the burgers are worth the wait from the kitchen on a busy day. Thanks to its location near the lifts, TC’s is also a great place to warm up after a day on the slopes or in between runs.

Don’t miss an opportunity to dine at Manzanita, Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe’s signature restaurant. (Suggestion: let the chef plan the course for you and ask the sommelier to pair your food with wine. You’ll never forget the meal.)

While it’s great to spend time in the village, it’s also worth it to get out and explore the Tahoe region. Head into town (only a 10 minute drive from the Northstar village) and check out the local shops and restaurants. Our favorite meal in town was at Pacific Crest Grill, the restaurant attached to the favorite local hangout, Bar of America.

What to do:

If you’re here in the winter, you’re hitting the slopes. If you’re here in the spring, you’re hitting the hiking trails. But aside from the obvious, there are few hidden treasures to check out.

For winter visitors, take a spin around the ice skating rink at Northstar. At night, the rink lights up with strands of bulbs and decorations, and fire pits surround the rink for watchers to roast marshmallows.

Dogsledding with Wilderness Adventures takes place at Squaw Valley, the next village over from Northstar. The dogs run a few times a day, but it’s advisable to book your reservations in advance as this popular activity books up fast.

If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, rent some snowshoes and head out for a hike. My suggestion: go first thing in the morning when the trails are clear and you have the mountains to yourself. Because you have the flexibility to walk various trails and weave in and out of trees, you’ll come across some of the best views from the mountain that skiers and boarders won’t likely see. Word to the wise: snowshoeing is harder than you think! Even as a long-time runner, I was sore for days after a 3 mile snowshoe hike. My advice: stretch often and hit the spa after your hike for some good massage therapy!

On rainy days, or days when you just need a break from the mountain scene, hang out in the village and take the kids to some creative shops. The Northstar village has jewelry making and candle making shops, and stores just for kids who want to do their own shopping without mom and dad.

The Lake:

Let’s be honest, you might be here to ski, snowboard or skate, but you’re not going to miss a turn around the lake. The Lake Tahoe region is, in fact, situated around an expansive lake that provides some of the best scenes you’ll ever see out West.

The entire drive around Lake Tahoe can take up to three hours, but if you’re up for it you’ll enjoy the various twists and turns of the roads that lead to some of the peak spots for pictures. If you don’t have an entire three hours to spare, head toward the Lake and drive into South Lake Tahoe, just over the Nevada border and about a 45-minute drive from the Northstar village. The town area has a cute shopping center and boardwalk, and you’ll still get to see some picturesque Lake Tahoe views.

Side trip: Lake Tahoe is only a three hour drive from San Francisco. On your way back to San Francisco from Lake Tahoe, make a special stop at the Jelly Belly Factory, located off I-80 about halfway between the two destinations. The Jelly Belly Visitor Center is open daily from 9am-5pm. You can take a guided tour of the factory, or just head straight to the good stuff in the Jelly Belly retail store.

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Parts of this trip were sponsord by Northstar-at-Tahoe, but the opinions expressed in this post are mine.