The worst Summer vacation ever?

Poor Emma and Raoul. After booking their flight to Sydney through an online travel agent, Raoul stepped off the plane with Speedo in hand. Ready to hit the beach for some fun and sun, the two are instead "enjoying looking at the pick-up trucks, and eating the local lobster". Puzzled, eh? Unfortunately that's about all there is to do in Sydney, Nova Scotia. That's right, the online travel service booked Emma and Raoul for a trip to Nova Scotia and not Australia. Ouch! You have to give these kids credit though as they are making the best of it. To read more about the adventures of Emma and Raoul, click here for the BBC News article.

Do you have a vacation nightmare to tell? Please comment or send us an email with the details.

Jet Blue allows you to be a fancy pants jet-setter for 30 days and $599*.

A few months ago I added a post about being laid off and using the extra time to travel. If you have yet to do it, Jet Blue just gave you some major incentive. The "All You Can Jet" pass allows you to fly unlimited on Jet Blue from September 8th through October 8th. Choose from 57 cities and more than 600 daily flights. What a deal! Of course restrictions apply; however, this appears to be a very advantageous offer for business travelers or those with a little extra time on their hands. JJ

Click here for more details on Jet Blue's All You Can Jet pass.

The travel myth goes on vacation.

A few years ago we were fascinated with the Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters. From drinking coffee to expedite soberness to stuffing a dead pig in a car to decompose, they attempt to debunk the most common myths. Come to think of it, why did they stick that dead pig in the car? Our interest in the show has subsided; however, we love a good myth. Travel writer Eric Lucas has done his best to dispel some of most common travel myths in Debunking a Dozen Travel Myths.

Below we added our two cents and experiences with some of the myths featured. Read his article and check us out here in the peanut gallery.

That trains are best. Trains can be fun, but they can also be a big hassle. We traveled by train throughout France. With the cramped seating on older cars, your luggage may be stored by the exits. This results in frequent trips to the storage area during stops to ensure no one makes a quick get away with your stuff. It’s sincerely nerve wracking. Riding backward, as many cars are built with half the seats facing one way, the rest, the other, can also be uncomfortable. If the train is crowded, you won’t have a choice of which direction to face and may experience a car-sick sensation.

We also thought we would get great deals by taking the train. As noted by the author, we often paid more than a much quicker trip by plane costs. And come to think of it, the view wasn’t any better. They don’t place tracks in the most scenic of locations.

Dress well and ask nicely and you might get upgraded to first class. We tried this about ten years ago on a flight to Vegas. The result, we were the best dressed people in coach and the only ones on the plane in suits.

U.S. airlines are required to compensate you if a cancellation is their fault. So far we’ve had good travel luck with airline delays, but if you want to hear some horror stories just ask our airline insider Inside Coach.

Americans are the world’s worst tourists. We agree with the debunking of this myth, but at the same time, have seen some of the ugliness first hand with American member of our travel party. On our first trip to Europe we were traveling with an acquaintance of a family member. We witnessed this woman grab the arm of a nicely dressed Italian woman who was already using a phone and ask her slowly and loudly in English, “Where is the Vatican?” The woman was not only busy, but did not speak English and looked completely horrified by having a stranger touch her. We did our best to avoid doing anything in public with this family acquaintance for the remainder of the trip.

Jeans and sneakers brand you in Europe as an American rube. What about a good fanny pack? Yes, that will make anyone, with the exception of maybe a street vendor, a complete rube. In addition to Eric Lucas’ observation that a track-suit labels you as a jackass, we’d like to postulate that shorts with bulky white athletic socks and sneakers or dark socks and dress shoes also makes one stand out as a tourist. In a tropical destination, nothing announces the arrival of the cruise ships like summer clothes and winter footwear. In all fairness, many Northern Europeans wear this, too.

Foreign travel is dangerous, especially in the developing world. We had a recent related post about scams. Our advice is to do a bit of homework on your destination(s) and your chances of being safe improve greatly.

Street food isn’t safe. Poppycock indeed! Street food is the best kind! And it has changed many lives. We absolutely love street food. Take a chance, use the precautions discussed in our previous post about Mexico, and you will not be sorry. We feel much safer eating on the street than at the Old Town Super Buffet at the nearest mall. Follow the lines. Repeat business happens for a reason.

Cruises are all-inclusive — leave your wallet at home. The additional expenses and lack of culture are the primary reasons we choose not to go on cruises or stay at all-inclusive resorts. However, if you prefer to be isolated from local culture and enjoy foods you’re familiar with, whatever floats your boat.

It’s easy to use your phone in Europe or Asia. Laptops are so light and convenient now, it doesn’t seem necessary to transfer your phone. Email, chat, Facebook, Skype, or your communication of choice should suffice. How did we survive prior to cell phones?

Really savvy travel shoppers can fly for less than $10 on budget airlines. SSBDTravel has yet to try the ultra-low cost carriers. We’re fascinated with domestic carrier Spirit, but we have never used them. Obviously, carriers will add fees to the ultra-low cost tickets to make it worth their while.

You must have an International Drivers Permit to drive overseas. Again, no experience with this one. Many countries have such great public transportation; we’ve never felt the need to drive when overseas. Though when we have ridden in a private car overseas, there have been more near death experiences than we can count on one hand.

The best time to buy travel is about six weeks before you go. We’ve always been planners, but recently have had multiple opportunities to travel last minute. Bargains are out there and despite the fact that we still like to have our ducks in a row, we’ve learned not to be flustered by having to find last minute deals.

In addition to Eric Young’s debunked myths, here are few of our own.

New Yorkers and the French are rude. This misconception was discussed about New Yorkers in a recent post. For both, their directness and how they guard their personal space is often perceived as rude. Just be respectful and you will most likely be rewarded with a very pleasant interaction.

If you don’t speak the language you should only tour with a group or stay in an all-inclusive resort. You probably have detected our disdain for all-inclusive resorts. Some people just can’t imagine it any other way, but if all we want are watered down Mai Tais at the swim-up bar and choice of Beef Wellington or Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner we would go to a resort destination in Arizona or Florida. The question is: why go to a foreign country only to experience something you can get in your own back yard? It boggles the mind. Learn some key phrases and your attempts will be greatly appreciated. One time James had to ask for cold medicine in Italy. He butchered it by telling the girl at the counter that he was cold. She was puzzled; however, after a few minutes they were on the same page. And if you must, point. You’d be surprised how often it works.

Travel should be an adventure, expect it to come with challenges. Overcoming them makes you a savvy traveler. If you have any travel tips to share, send us an email or comment to any of our posts. Now go somewhere. JJ & FP

BAR NUN-Li Po San Francisco, CA

Li Po on Yelp

The Li Po is a delightfully seedy little lounge in San Francisco’s Chinatown that’s remarkably not attached to a Chinese restaurant. This section of the bar that’s shown in the photo to the lower right is the only part that’s not totally run-down & decrepit. Don’t look too closely at this part, either. Because when you first walk through the cavernous facade, it looks amazing, like a dive bar in a 1950’s Buddhist temple. Once you turn the corner to the left, where the bar rail ends, so does the faded glamour. Beyond the bartender’s reach is a room like you’ll find in any other bar, with beer poster covered walls & fake wood grain formica topped tables & booths.

The signature cocktail at the Li Po is the Mai-Tai, made with some type of rose liquor. What this stuff is, is evidently an ancient Chinese secret, because no one seems to know. But it is fabulous looking, large & delicious, no matter what they put in it. All their drinks are generously poured, however, so you need not endure umbrella drinks if it’s not your style. Your beverage will still be plenty satisfying. Other good things at the Li Po include a jukebox well stocked with 1970’s classic artists, such as Neil Diamond & Tom Jones. The staff is typically pretty friendly, too.

The Bar Nun definitely recommends that you go during the afternoon, though. Stroll over after a nice greasy dim sum brunch and re/dehydrate. The bathrooms, located down a narrow, slippery staircase, are pretty heinous during the day, so later on, after much more use, I can’t begin to imagine how scrungy they must get. I also understand that at night, the scary scary basement frequently hosts live bands, which causes the Li Po to be overrun with hipsters, instead of the usual mellow afternoon barflies one generally finds there.

Once you’ve bravely trekked down the block past the crazy old man on the corner of Grant & Washington who constantly yells “Happy happy happy” while waving an immense sign informing passers-by about how W & the Dali Lama are war criminals, you’ll deserve that Mai-Tai. FP

916 Grant Avenue CA 94108

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It pays to be a smart traveler.

If you have ever traveled you have encountered one: the travel scam. Most are small and only designed to take money from you. But they can leave you feeling bitter or aggravated about your travel adventures and may overshadow the good moments. Though I can't recall a time that I know I was scammed, I can remember a few instances of someone trying. And I am sure someone out there has taken me for a few extra dollars without my knowledge.

Plain old common sense is the best way to avoid being scammed. Use a travel book as your base for knowledge, wear a money belt or "flesh toned inside the pants fanny pack" in high volume tourist trap areas (or all the time), and stay aware. If you don't feel right about a situation, get out.

Here is an article written for MSN Travel that touches on some of these scams and offers advice for staying safe. The World's Worst Travel Scams by Diane Vadino.

When traveling to Europe I have been a fan of Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall which features a Tourist Scam Alert section written by all kinds of travelers. However, don't live in fear. These scams should not deter you from your adventures. Being aware will only make you stronger, smarter, and keep you from becoming light in the wallet. JJ

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Tour of a Money Belt

It's a good time to fly VA.

Virgin America is having another brief sale. Good fares starting at $49 each way to $139 each way if you book by 8/11/09. Make sure to read the fine print, as some restrictions apply. Even with the additional cost associated with the fine print this is a great time to experience VA.

Anthony Bourdain's Rust Belt adventures.

Last year I went to Cleveland for the first time. It was a work related trip so I wasn't expecting much in the way of food. However, after Anthony Bourdain showcased "the New American City" on No Reservations, I was hopeful. Unfortunately my hopes were dashed when my exposure to outside work sponsored events was limited. Most of the time we had an option of chicken, hamburgers, more chicken, hot dogs, and even more chicken. My body has never been the same. One bright spot was a visit to Michael Symon's Lolita in the Tremont area. Delicious food in a nice atmosphere with a few nearby spots for an after dinner cocktail . Next week Tony visits "the Rust Belt" featuring Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit. I've experienced great food in Baltimore and I am curious as to what the others have to offer. Buffalo wings anyone?



Catch new episodes of No Reservations on the Travel Channel, Mondays at 10pm.

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Travel Michigan a major sponsor of 2009?