Vacations & Holiday News

Some of our favorite waterfront restaurant dining options with a great view are in the Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral Florida area. Check out ‘Reviews’ and Tips + Top Pick Favorites and a printable Restaurant Map. Also handy links to other Info on what to do and see in the Cocoa Beach area.

Click on Image on left or here for some Waterfront Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral Florida Restaurant Top Picks

See you at the Beach! (Or even better — enjoying the view while dining at a waterfront Restaurant!) Gene Seecann

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Check out some Great Waterfront Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral Florida Restaurant Top Picks + REVIEWS and Tips

Last week’s news that American Airlines would be adding a US$15 charge for the first checked piece of baggage was bad enough. But it turns out that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Numerous airlines have just announced increases in various fees and charges, and without exception, the airlines are blaming the rising cost of fuel for their need to either introduce or increase these costs. While some consumer groups are pretty mad that some people will end up paying more, other people think this kind of “debundling” of costs is fair – then you only pay for what you use, and if you don’t need to pack a suitcase or bring a pet, then you don’t have to pay for it, or subsidize others who are.

But the list of fees that are being increased “because of fuel prices” is phenomenonally long, and often seemingly a bit randomly selected. For example, Delta Airlines and American Airlines have both increased the fee for unaccompanied minors. If you send your child on a flight on their own, the Delta fee has now doubled from $50 to $100, and on American it’s gone up from $75 to $100.

At the same time, many airlines have raised the costs for bringing your pet on a flight. On Frontier Airlines, they’ve banned them from the cabin so you now have to pay to put them in the cargo hold. At Delta Airlines, bringing your cat or dog on the plane with you will now cost $100 instead of $75, and if they go in the cargo, the price has jumped to $200 from $150; American Airlines have increased their prices to a similar degree.

Even hunters are not exempt from having to pay more. Previously at Frontier Airlines, they would be required to pay $75 to transport a pair of antlers in cargo, but now that’s gone up to $100.

Meanwhile, after American Airlines decided charging for the first piece of checked baggage is all right, US Airlines and United Airlines are said to both be seriously considering doing the same. If you take any oversized baggage, the fees have also increased. At Delta Airlines and American Airlines, oversized bags will now cost $150, up from $100.

With all this extra revenue coming in, airlines should be laughing: but it might not be long until passengers start rebelling against the charges and traveling less.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog.

Now Airlines Charge More For Everything

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Now Airlines Charge More For Everything

The Call of the Weird

A road trip often makes for a good travel story, and Louis Theroux’s strange drive around the United States to create his book Call of the Weird is no exception. The book’s subtitle, “Encounters with Survivalists, Porn Stars, Alien Killers and Ike Turner” gives you a taste of what Theroux came across during his trip.

It all harks back to the 1990s TV series called “Louis Theroux’s America”, in which Theroux set out to meet some of the weirdest people around – such as those who believe in aliens, a group of staunch white supremacists, and a bunch of porn performers. Ten years later, Theroux wondered what his subjects were doing, and set out on a road trip to catch up with them all.

That makes this a combination of a travel book and an interesting insight into the lives of people who are, well, different to most of us. Theroux’s narrative is detailed and fair – he manages to deal with all of his interviewees without ridicule. Like his travel writer father Paul, Louis Theroux isn’t afraid to have his own opinions out there in black and white, regardless of what others might think about them. As a whole, the book will give any traveler around the United States a whole new outlook on what might be found on your journey.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog.

Louis Theroux Calls Out the Weird of America

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Louis Theroux Calls Out the Weird of America

Florida Travel Deals

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expires 6-30-2008

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog.

Travel Deals of the Week 5/27/2008

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Travel Deals of the Week 5/27/2008

The famous Love sculpture in downtown Philadelphia. Flickr.

Philadelphia is a city which is rich with history but which is also on the cutting edge of the most modern trends in America today. Filled with landmarks dating back to the American Revolution and earlier, Philadelphia is certainly a place where you can go to see what America was like when it was young. And yet, it’s a city where there is a lot of industry coming in related to forward-moving fields like computers and medical technology so it appeals to a young, trendy crowd of people interested in arts and science.

The best way to see these two sides of Philadelphia is to take a tour of the city’s many different museums. Visit the history and culture museums to learn more about the role that Philadelphia has played in the history of the United States over time. Visit the art museums to put your hand on the creative pulse of modern Philadelphia artists and to see the history of art in the city. And visit the science and technology museums to see where Philadelphia is moving towards in the future.

Here are some of the Philadelphia museums you’ll want to add to this type of tour:

History and Cultural Museums in Philadelphia

African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP). This is one of the most important museums in the city (and in the entire nation) because it was the first museum funded by a major American municipality which is intended for the purpose of preserving the history of African Americans. It educates visitors about the role that African Americans have played in Philadelphia as well as throughout the rest of the country. The exhibits here are sure to teach you about a side of Philadelphia that you might not otherwise get the chance to explore as a visitor to the area. With four galleries and an auditorium, it’s the type of museum where you can probably spend a whole day if you want to.

American Helicopter Museum and Education Center. This museum collects, restores and displays historic aircraft so that people visiting Philadelphia today can get a sense of what it was like to fly in a different era. It’s a niche history museum which gives you insight into transportation history that you’re not going to be able to experience in this type of up-close-and-personal way in many other parts of the nation. There are about 35 different civilian and military aircraft to check out here so it’ll be a good trip but it won’t take you a full day to enjoy it. If you’re doing a full museum history tour, you’re interested in aviation history or you just want to see something different then this is a good Philadelphia museum to add to your list.

Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia (AKMP). People who don’t have a lot of time to visit a huge museum may want to make a quick stop at this small history museum. It’s located near major historic landmarks in Philadelphia (like the Liberty Bell) so it’s able to provide a great supplement to people who are exploring the city’s history on a limited time schedule. One of the favorite things here is a large scale map that lets you walk across a big chunk of Philadelphia within the walls of the museum. It’s a great way to see the city and learn more about it even if you don’t have a lot of time for your trip.

A Knight on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Flickr.

National Liberty Museum. People who are interested in the Liberty Bell and the other symbols of liberty and freedom that are so important in Philadelphia should make it a point to stop at this museum which offers exhibits on different liberty leaders throughout history. Through a combination of exhibits, art works, film and interactive displays, you’ll get a sense of what liberty really means.

Civil War Library and Museum. Some people are particularly interested in certain periods of America’s history. Those people who are interested primarily in the Civil War era will want to check out this museum. Basically any type of memorabilia from the area that you might want to see is on display here. Plus you’ve got a library full of information about the time period which you can access to really get an education in this time period.

Eastern State Penitentiary. People who visit San Francisco always go to Alcatraz; people who visit Philadelphia go to this historic prison. It’s a way for us to see the way that people were treated in the past and to learn about the criminal history of America. It’s definitely a fascinating stop.

Germantown Historical Society. The best way to experience the history of Philadelphia is to take a trip to the Germantown neighborhood which remains in historic form in many ways today. The best way to understand what Germantown is all about is to check out the historical society museum which gives you the lowdown on the city’s past.

Art Museums in Philadelphia

The Waterworks and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Flickr.

Philadelphia Museum of Art. Many travelers interested in art will make sure that they find a city’s modern art museum as soon as they arrive in the area. This is that museum for people visiting Philadelphia. There are numerous permanent and changing exhibits featuring all different types of art here. You may also want to look for events that are being held here as they happen often and provide a new creative dimension to the rest of the art experience. Every Sunday is pay-what-you-wish day for those of you who are traveling on a budget.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). Those people who are interested in finding the more cutting-edge artwork that’s going on in Philadelphia will want to see what’s going on at this University of Pennsylvania art museum. Featuring student art and emerging artists, this museum                                                                               provides a look at modern Philadelphia’s more creative side.

Woodmere Art Museum. The other museums in Philadelphia don’t necessarily feature Philadelphia artists all of the time. This one does. If you’re trying to really get in to the heart of Philadelphia’s art scene by a trip to an art museum then you’re going to want to make it a point to go here.

Science and Technology Museums in Philadelphia

The Franklin Institute Science Museum. People who are trying to find the most extensive science museum in Philadelphia are looking for the Franklin. With three theatres including an IMAX theater and a planetarium theater, it’s got plenty of action going on to educate you in the sciences while keeping you entertained and engaged in the experience. Various exhibits and events are designed to be appealing to a wide-ranging audience comprised of visitors of all ages. In other words, go here as a family or just go here on your own; either way you’ll have a good time.

Philadelphia Insectarium. If you’re interested in bugs then you might not want to pass up the opportunity to visit a museum that’s completely devoted to them. Kids love this place but it’s good for all ages and is definitely something a little bit different on the Philadelphia museum list.

Please Touch Museum. Those people who are primarily looking for a science museum that’s intended to interest children are going to want to check out this hands-on interactive science and activity museum. Even little kids can have a really good time here getting their hands dirty and learning about life.

photo credit: ReefRaff

photo credit: freakapotimus

photo credit: PBoGS

photo credit: babasteve

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog.

Museums in Philadelphia

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Museums in Philadelphia