Disney’s volunteer program reached it’s goal of 1 million participants. The “Give A Day, Get a Day” program rewarded volunteers with a 1 day Disney park admission.Posts Tagged ‘atlas travel blog’
What’s New in Travel
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Disney’s volunteer program reached it’s goal of 1 million participants. The “Give A Day, Get a Day” program rewarded volunteers with a 1 day Disney park admission.Catch Up on the Latest Travel Industry News
Friday, March 5th, 2010
Crystal Cruises is offering a wellness cruise in on September 5th onboard the Crystal Symphony. Leading experts and instructors from The Mayo Clinic, Tai Chi Cultural Center, and even the world of professional baseball are on the roster. Double occupancy promotional cruise fares for the 14-day cruise – including free air from 20 cities and the $1,000 bonus spending credit – start at $5,710 per person.Experience the Thrill of the Kentucky Derby
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
The Kentucky Derby is the World’s most famous horse race, and the first jewel of the Triple Crown. On the first Saturday of every May, America’s best 3-year old Thorough-breeds assemble at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. For well over a hundred years, the Kentucky Derby has been the opening event that heralds Spring and Kentucky’s social season, for the parties given prior to the Derby are as legendary as the race itself.
Immediately before the Derby, many events occur daily offering various kinds of entertainment. From the Great Balloon Race, to riverbank picnics enjoyed while the steam boats are racing down the Ohio River, the fantastic fireworks display, Thunder Over Louisville and the Pegasus Parade, the people of Kentucky enjoy entertaining long before the actual day of the This year’s 136th running of the Derby is the perfect time for your trip to Churchill Downs. Your fantastic weekend includes tickets to the Oaks Race on Friday, as well as Derby Tickets for Saturday. Kentucky Derby Packages offer great value.
Here are our best selling Kentucky Derby packages for 2010. Please keep in mind that these packages do sell out, and prices can increase at any time.
4 Days/ 3 Nights accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Downtown
Hotel Information: Urban flair blends seamlessly with southern hospitality – the hotel is right at Fourth Street Live! with enticing dining, shopping and entertainment. The hotel is located 8 miles from the Churchill Downs and 5 miles from Louisville Standiford Airport
Land Features:
- Three nights accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Downtown
- Breakfast Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- First Floor Grandstand ticket for the Kentucky Derby
- Roundtrip Derby Day Transfers
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers from Louisville International Airport
- Host
Ticket Upgrades available, call to inquire
ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON:
Double occ. $2495 Single occ. $3995 Triple $1995 Quad: $1795
4 Days/ 3 Nights accommodations at the Galt House Hotel
Hotel Information: The Galt House Hotel is located in downtown Louisville, Ky. on the Ohio River waterfront. The hotel’s two 25-story towers offer area views. A skywalk connects the towers to the Kentucky International Convention Center. Fourth Street Live is four blocks away and offers nightly entertainment. Hotel Features. The Galt House Hotel towers are linked by the Conservatory, a glass-domed space. The Conservatory houses Thelma’s Coffee House and Al J’s Lounge with a tropical aquarium. The Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar serves beverages and lunch. The Fountain Room offers buffet lunch. Café Magnolia is located on the second floor. Rivue, an on-site restaurant with panoramic views on hotel’s 25th floor and specializes in steak and seafood.
Land Features:
- Three nights accommodations at the Galt House Hotel
- Thursday evening welcome reception
- First Floor Grandstand ticket for the Kentucky Derby Oaks on Friday
and Kentucky Derby on Saturday - Roundtrip Derby Day Transfers
- Avis 3 day full size car rental
Ticket Upgrades available, call to inquire
ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON:
Double occ. $2895 Single occ. $4895 Triple $2995 Quad: $2195
Same package above with 3 nights at the Marriott Downtown, 15 minutes from the racetrack is $4,295 pp, dbl occ.
Ticket upgrades are available. Call 800-846-7914 for details.

Short on Time? Here’s a Recap of Travel in the News
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Virgin America announces bag fee change – the airline has changed its baggage fee to a flat $25 rate (up from $20,) for all checked items (excluding the first and second bag for First Class travelers; and the first bag for Main Cabin Select and Main Cabin Refundable Fare travelers).Travel In the News Today
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Blizzards caused one of the biggest travel disruptions in years today! Several major airports closed, and over 4,000 flights have been cancelled, including international incoming and outgoing flights, due to the snow storms in the Eastern United States. Many interstates are also closed due to storms bringing travel to a hault.Delta Hiking Fees – Again
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Beginning on Tuesday, for tickets purchased after January 5, 2010, Delta will be raising prices by $8 for the 1st bag and $7 additional for the 2nd bag. This brings their total fees to $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second bag. If you don’t pay the fee ahead of time, you will have to pay an extra $2 to $3 per suitcase at the airport, regardless of whether you check your bags at the curb, a kiosk or ticket counter.
Elite frequent fliers, first class fliers and certain other customers, including active military personnel on deployment, are exempt from the fees. The domestic bag fee increase applies to travel in coach class within the 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Airlines are nickel and diming customers on so many items now…will it influence what airline you book?
Update on Airport Check-in and Security
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Just in case you haven’t flown in a while, we want to remind all travelers that the TSA has specific guidelines for carrying on liquids, aerosols, and gels on board flights:
- Travel-size toiletries (3.4 ounce bottle, 1 quart sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag) that fits comfortably in a one-quart, clear plastic zip-top bag. One zip-top bag is permitted per passenger. Beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area.
- At the security checkpoint, place the zip-top bag of liquids in a bin or on the conveyor belt for inspection.
- Passengers carrying on larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula, and diabetic glucose treatments must declare these at the security checkpoint for additional screening.
Other useful tips to get through the check points faster:
Arrive at the airport early. Enhanced security measures may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
- Keep in mind that you will be required to remove electronics (laptops, full-size game consoles, DVD players and video cameras) from your carry on bags and submit them separately for x-ray screening.
- Do not wrap gifts as you may be asked to unwrap for inspection.
- Remove items from your pockets that may set off metal detectors before getting in line. These items include keys, loose change, cell phones, and PDA’s
- Wear slip-on shoes. Travelers are required to remove shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection.
- Have your boarding pass in hand as well as identification until exiting the check point. Acceptable ID includes US passport, US passport card, US Military ID and permanent resident card
- If traveling with children, take them out of baby carriers and strollers and carry them through the metal detector with you. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.
Security policies apply to all domestic and international flights departing from U.S. airports. We always recommend checking the TSA Web site (www.tsa.gov) for the most up-to-date information about security procedures. If you are departing from a non-U.S. airport, be sure to check that airport’s security policies and pack accordingly.
One more thing I think is important to mention is Baggage guidelines—Be sure to review your airline’s baggage allowance guidelines. Airline rules for checked baggage allowances vary. Almost all carriers have implemented new fees for luggage so it’s not just the weight you need to consider. Check the airline’s website so you are not faced with unexpected charges.
Last Minute Travel Deals
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Should you wait until the last minute to book a trip?If you’re just looking for a last minute weekend getaway – sure, why not? Often unplanned escapes can be the best!
Big Savings. You can get away this weekend and save up to 70%! The Last Minute Deals team focuses only on bringing you the best deal available at the last minute so you can get up and go this weekend and save up to 70%. Our flexible packages include a wide range of options and prices. Flight + Hotel packages usually start at less than $200 per person, while Flight + Car packages and Hotel + Car start at less than $150.
No Compromises. Just because you want to go today doesn’t mean you have to take what you can get. Choose from hundreds of packages to domestic and international destinations. Last Minute Deals include your choice of exact flights, hotels and rental car so you can take the trip you want and still save big. Don’t forget to enter your frequent flier number when booking your trip–you’ll earn miles for every Last Minute Deals flight package.
Sold From Three Weeks to Three Hours Before Departure. It’s possible to log on to Last Minute Deals at lunchtime and be on your way to Miami, hotel, airfare and optional rental car included by 5pm! But don’t delay. Inventory moves fast at the last minute and prices and availability can change quickly. See a deal you like? Grab it and go! Last Minute Deals cannot be reserved.
It’s Never Been Easier to Get Up and Go. It’s our mission to make it so easy to get away, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been going somewhere new every weekend! Our travel team researches every destination on the site and writes up whimsical, spontaneous trip ideas so you can see the possibilities and try a new place–even cities you may never have thought about traveling to before. Pick a package, choose your hotel, your flights, your car and go!
Keep in mind that if you are planning more than a few nights away or booking a cruise or tour, then it is best to plan ahead, as there are several advantages to booking early that a travel agent can discuss with you.
Celebrity Cruise Deals
Friday, January 8th, 2010
See for yourself why Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted five of Celebrity’s vessels among the world’s “Top 10 Large Ships”, with the line’s Constellation, Summit, Infinity, and Millennium ranked as the top four overall. Plus, don’t miss Celebrity cruises brand-new ships, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse. Each features a manicured half-acre lawn where you can play bocce ball and croquet, practice your putting, or simply picnic!
Here are the latest Celebrity Cruise Deals
Up to $300 FREE Onboard Spending* – Call!
Call to book an Oceanview or higher category stateroom on a qualifying Celebrity sailing departing 2/28/10 – 12/16/10 and, depending on the length of sailing, we will give you $50, $100, $150, $200, or $300 in FREE Onboard Spending per stateroom. Use it towards a spa treatment, cocktails, shore excursions, or other purchases made on the ship.
Reduced Deposit!
Take advantage of the reduced deposit offer when you book a qualifying Celebrity Cruises sailing months in advance. Get your vacation on the calendar – now you can put your stateroom on hold for less up front. This offer is not a discount. Some restrictions apply. Valid only for new individual bookings made between 1/7/10 and 1/31/10 by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
*Onboard spending amount is non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be used in the casino or applied towards gratuities/service charges, and may not be redeemed for cash; unused portions will become void after cruise is complete. May not be combinable with other offers or promotions. Valid only for new individual bookings made between 1/7/10 and 1/31/10 by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Argentina Imposes New Fee for Travelers
Monday, December 28th, 2009
Starting today, the government of Argentina will charge a reciprocity fee to all American, Australians and Canadians who arrive at the Buenos Aires airport. The reciprocal fee will be $131 for Americans, $100 for Australians and $70 for Canadians. Why the different rates? The fee is equal to what Argentines pay to get to those countries. The fee will be collected upon arrival at the airport and can be paid in Argentinean pesos, US dollars, credit cards or travelers checks. This fee is good for the life of your passport.
Argentina is not the first in South America to implement fees. Chile is $131 for travelers arriving by air, Bolivia is $135 for a visa, Paraguay is $65 for a visa and Brazil is $150 for a visa. Lima and Montevideo are now currently the only ones with “fee-free” entry.






