May
30
Saturday’s Quotable Traveler
Filed Under Quotable Traveler | Comments Off
“Some years ago, I stayed at a country-house hotel so welcoming and convivial that I forgot to pay my check before leaving.”
- Lindsay Hunt / Fodor’s Exploring Ireland
May
27
The Photo Escape
Filed Under The Photo Escape | Comments Off
Statue in the Washington DC Vietnam War Memorial.
May
23
Saturday’s Quotable Traveler
Filed Under Quotable Traveler | Comments Off
“When a traveller returneth home, let him not leave the countries where he hath traveled behind him…”
- Sir Francis Bacon / On Travel
May
22
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing a new safety measure for travelers. The Secure Flight Program will require airline passengers to give their name, gender and birth date when making a flight reservation to determine if there is a match to the No Fly or Selectee lists. By providing the additional information, Secure Flight can effectively help prevent misidentification of passengers who have similar names to individuals on the watch list and be more effective in screening for airline safety.
Secure Flight shifts pre-departure watch list responsibilities from the airlines to TSA and carries out a key recommendation of the 9/11 commission. When a passenger makes a reservation with an airline, travel agent or online company, the new data will be required. TSA is sensitive to privacy issues. Processes are still being worked out for a smooth transition from the airlines to the government agency.
“In addition to addressing misidentification, Secure Flight protects sensitive watch list data and enables officials to address security threats sooner, keeping air travel safer. By implementing one watch list matching system, the program provides a fair and consistent matching process across all airlines,” according to a TSA press release.
If a passenger wants to book a flight 72 hours in advance, the name (should match the government issued ID he passenger intends to present at the airport), gender and birth date will be required for cross referencing by TSA. If the fight is made within the last 72 hours, TSA will require additional information at the time of the reservation. During the 72 hour window, TSA will have the ability to stop the issuance of a boarding pass until further screenings.
The Secure Program is being rolled out in stages; beginning with domestic flights first, then expanding to international flights to and from the U.S. The ATS encourages visitors to the U.S. and hopes this new program will facilitate approachable travel to the U.S. If a traveler has a complaint about the manner they were treated by a government program to promote safe travel, there is a one stop web site to voice concerns. There’s a big green button: File a Complaint.
The name of the web site is: Department of Homeland Security’s Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (www.dhs.gov/trip). It can also be used as the gateway to address watch list misidentification issues. Where travelers believe they have faced screening problems at ports of entry or situations where travelers believe they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening at our nation’s transportation hubs. Secure Flight plans to use this web site to prevent future misidentification issues for passenger who may have similar names to individuals on the watch list.
May
20
The Photo Escape
Filed Under The Photo Escape | Comments Off
Early morning in the Garden of the Gods scenic near Colorado Springs.
May
18
Foreign Currency After A Trip
Filed Under General | Comments Off
What do you do with left over currency after an international trip? If you have a small amount, use it for a souvenir. Most exchange services don’t except coins and the exchange rate to U.S. dollars may not be worth the effort. If you have too many souvenirs already and you want to dump the coins, then shop at the departing airport. Many duty free shops will allow mixed currency. If you have TMS, (too much stuff), then donate your leftover currency.
Many international carriers offer a program in flight where flight attendants collect foreign currency called “Change for Good” sponsored by Unicef. A few of the 10 participating airlines are American Airlines, British Airways and Qantas.
Or you can visit www.unicefusa.org/changeforgood and mail your left over currency direct. If you have currency that is no longer in circulation from a pre-euro trip to Europe, a privately held company call the Currency Commission www.TheCurrencyCommission.com will convert your currency to Euros, U.S. or Canadian dollars.
May
16
Saturday’s Quotable Traveler
Filed Under Quotable Traveler | Comments Off
“Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.”
- Jan Myrdal / The Silk Road
May
13
The Photo Escape
Filed Under The Photo Escape | Comments Off
Maines Portland Head Light has long protected Portland and the adjacent area.
May
11
A Visit to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona California
Filed Under Spa, USA - California | Comments Off
Corona, California is not the hot spot of luxury spa hotels, but there is an oasis off the freeway that hosts a spa experience that the most discerning spa aficionado will enjoy. Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, 25000 Glen Ivy Road, Corona, CA 92883, is close to Los Angels and Orange County, has unique spa attractions and is an experience you won’t want to miss. Photos Provided By Glen Ivy Hot Springs
As you enter the property, you will experience the lush foliage, exotic palms and ferns and abundant flowers. Check in with guest services and obtain a guest information guide to plan your activities. As you walk on to the property, you will release how big the resort is. There is much to explore so plan for a full day. You can also book traditional spa services, massages, body treatments and skin care services to compliment the public spa attractions. Book in advance or take your chances and try for same day treatments at the Glen Ivy Spa.
The first stop is the Bath House which was recently remodeled. Here, you’ll find all the amenities in a hotel spa resort including showers, hot tubs and steam saunas. You should plan to bring an older bathing suit because some of the treatments may cause your swim suit to discolor. And, because most of the spa attractions are out doors and co-ed, you must were a swim suit to experience them.
The resort is famous for their thermal, natural Mineral Baths. There are several out door community baths to soak in, allowing the minerals to absorb into the skin and the warm water to relax the body. Reminder, these are community baths so if you are squeamish about public Jacuzzis, you may not like the Glen Ivy experience. There are 19 pools and spas through out the resort and you can easily find a less crowed area. The mineral baths attract the most people and therefore, are the most crowded.
The next popular outdoor attraction at the Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa is the Red Clay Mud Bath. Here, you enter a designated area, rub the therapeutic red clay all over your body, relax, bake in the sun; and then rub it off producing an exfoliation affect all over the body. Finally, there are hot, outdoor showers with fragrant shower gel to rinse off the remaining mud. You are left with soft skin and the clay will have drawn out the impurities in your body.
At this point, you may head back to your car and enjoy a pre-packed picnic—tailgate style or go to Café Sole and enjoy a selection of Mediterranean style salads, pizzas and pastas. The lounge pool is perfect for after lunch. There are rafts to lie on and enjoy the tranquility of the resort. And then at 2 pm, when you just can’t take any more relaxation, head over to the lap pool for 45 minutes of water aerobics.
The Glen Ivy Hot Springs Resort is best experienced with a group of friends or family members. The last event of the day should be to experience the body moisturizing treatment call the Grotto. The is a group activity where you are escorted down an elevator, an attendant paints the moisturizing body mask on you and then, your group enters a cave like large room where you rest and let the treatment soak in for at least 10 minutes. Then, your group is escorted to warm showers, followed by crisp apples and warm tea. It’s a beneficial body treatment, fun to experience as a couple or in a group and worth the $25 charge. If someone in you group is elderly or has trouble getting around, I wouldn’t recommend this experience because it’s dark in the cave, the moistening mask could be slippery and the sitting areas in the grotto are rough.
Location: The Glen Ivy Hot Springs is located off the Interstate 15 Freeway, about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Los Angeles and 30 minutes from Orange County. It’s open daily at 9:30 AM and closes at either 5 PM or 6 PM, depending on the hot or cold seasons. The Glen Ivy Hot Springs is full service day resort; so plan to spend the entire day there. It’s best to plan your visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds and save money on admission. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays $48 per person and Monday thru Friday $35 per person.
Must do:
- Mineral Baths
- Red Clay Mud Experience
- Float on a raft
- Water Aerobics
- The Grotto Experience
Special things:
- Free admission on your birthday
- Private Cabanas and Terraces available for rent for 2 people to 100 people—warm season prices are from $175 to $2000—perfect for a celebration.
- 15% off if you are a Corona resident or city employee, senior citizen (over 55) military, police, firefighter, teacher or a nurse.
May
9
Saturday’s Quotable Traveler
Filed Under Quotable Traveler | Comments Off
“Most travel is best of all in the anticipation or the remembering; the reality has more to do with losing your luggage.”
