Top Travel Trips: February

by Melanie Nayer on

There are hundreds of travel-related events and shows that take place during a given year, but we’ve simplified some of the best-known and most-popular travel trips so you can plan ahead. Each month we’ll highlight the top travel trips taking place in the following 30 days – stop by any of these events and you just might run into a Gadling blogger on your journey…

Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Rio’s party of the year takes place Feb. 12 -16, 2010. Take part in the parades, the dancing, and the revelry that happens once a year (but provides enough memories to last a lifetime). Don’t forget to snap some photos if you go and upload them in our photo pool for possible consideration as a Photo of the Day.

Winter Olympics, Vancouver, Canada — We’ve been waiting with bated breath as the torch makes its way around the world and we’re finally nearing the opening ceremonies. The 2010 Winter Olympics starts Feb. 12 and goes through the end of the month.

LA Times Travel & Adventure Show, Los Angeles, California — Travel experts, writers, agents take over the Los Angeles Convention Center Feb. 13-14. Keynote speakers include Rick Steves and Arthur Frommer, and over 500 exhibitors will be on site to talk travel with conference-goers.

New York Times Travel Show, New York, New York — Not to be outdone by the West Coast contingent, The New York Times Travel Show takes place Feb. 26-28 at the Javits Convention Center. This year’s travel tracks include information on Africa, cruising and the Caribbean.

Need a room for the Olympics? No need to worry

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you’re planning to make a run up to British Columbia for the Olympics next month, you still have a shot at getting a great room. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler tells me that there is still some space available from February 11 to February 28, including coveted space slope side rooms. There’s only a minimum stay of three nights, and you won’t have to conform to an arrival or departure pattern — come and go from Whistler as you please. Rooms start at C$899 a night and require prepayment within three days of booking. It’s all non-refundable, but c’mon, this is the Olympics! You can’t do it on the cheap.

If you really want to “do it big,” mix it in with private jet travel, and you’ll have an unbeatable experience. This is a rare opportunity, so you really don’t want to look back on any part of it and wonder if it could have been better, right?

Want more Olympics coverage?

[Photo by Tim in Sydney via Flickr]

Ultimate Christmas gift: Flexjet to the Olympics

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Have you booked your ticket to Vancouver yet? The Winter Olympics are coming, and you can count on flights being packed. When that happens, even first class flying’s a drag. And, there’s no upscale treatment for every other part of the travel experience — from curb to gate and baggage claim to the door — which is were you’re bound to spend at least several hours on your journey. If you want to make your trip to the Games memorable, skip the airlines and go private. The Flexjet 25 Jet Card program offers the travel experience you deserve, and a partnership with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will get you access to behind the scenes action that the regular fans won’t even know is possible. Quantities are limited, and you’ll need to travel between February 26 and March 1, 2010.

Guests buying the Flexjet 25 Jet Card — 2010 Gold Edition will receive exclusive access to an award-winning athlete and a look behind the action in Vancouver. But, this is nothing compared to tickets to the events that everyone wants to see: the Closing Ceremony, Men’s Ice Hockey Gold Medal Game, Figure Skating Gala Exhibition and three Short-Track Speed Skating gold medal races. You’ll also receive three nights at Vancouver’s Sutton Place Hotel and access to the city’s top restaurants. And you’ll have your choice of jets, including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60, Challenger 300 or Challenger 604 business jets.

This is far more than mere private jet travel: the latest from Flexjet 25 is an unparalleled experience in one of the world’s most memorable athletic traditions.

“We continually search for ways to create unique travel opportunities that provide unparalleled access for our owners, wherever their travels take them,” said Sylvain Levesque, Vice President, Marketing, Flexjet 25. “In a time when consumers are more discerning with their spending, we are excited to offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience that jet card owners will remember for years to come.”

Sead Dizdarevic, Chairman and CEO of Jet Set Sports, which is partnering with Flexjet, “Our partnership is a winning combination of the best in private aviation with the premier hospitality our customers have come to look forward to at the Games.”

This is the second jet card inspired by an expert offer. Last year’s involved exclusive access to private meeting experts, with packages offering inside looks at the art world with Barbara Guggenheim and learning to play Texas Hold ’em from World Poker Tour bracelet winner Antonio Esfandiari, among others.

Want more Olympics coverage?

Coconuts banned on Rio de Janeiro beaches

by Alison Brick on

If it’s your dream to go to Rio de Janeiro, and walk Copacabana Beach while drinking from a coconut, here’s a reality check for you: you have to nix the coconut.

Starting December 1st, coconuts will be banned from being sold by beach vendors in an effort to clean up Rio’s beaches in time for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Officials make a good argument. Who knew that 30 tons of husks have to be picked up daily? And if they’re not collected, they attract rats.

But critics point out that husks are natural and biodegradable. And coconut water will still be available for sale, but only in bottles and cans — personally, I’d rather get it from the source and not have the man-made waste. Maybe there’s a way to step-up the beach cleaning, while still making the coconuts available?

Let’s see if Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes changes his mind. He’s offered to rethink the ban if beach-goers do a better job at picking up after themselves (although obviously it won’t be coconuts that they’re picking up, because they’ll have already been banned.)

Eat, drink and ski happy in Salt Lake this winter

by Tom Johansmeyer on

What’s the happiest place on Earth? Well, Disney claims that title, but here’s the problem: Utah does, too. If they were in different countries, no conflict would exist, but since they do, we have to sort this out.

A Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index recently released ranks Utah highest among all states in happiness. And, if that’s not enough, Men’s Fitness magazine ranked Salt Lake City fittest in America. So, the endorphins are firing, and Utah is thrilled. Want to get a little taste of this happiness?

The Gold Medial Podium Package celebrates Salt Lake’s Olympic legacy. Skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes while taking advantage of some great deals. Book a four-night vacation by December 15, 2009 — including a Ski Salt Lake Super Pass — at any of the 22 participating hotels, and your fourth day on the slopes and your fourth night in the hotel are free.