Taking off Travel blog

Busy may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of Alaska, but it’s the right one to describe the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Built in 1951, the Anchorage International Airport was renamed in 2000 to honor Senator Ted Stevens. It’s one of only four US airports named after a living person. The airport handles around five million passengers a year, and is also one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs. Unsurprisingly, it’s a major hub for Alaska Airlines.

There are two terminals in operation, with shuttles between them running every 15 minutes all day. Airport facilities include a bureau de change, ATMS, a post office, restaurants, bars, duty free shopping, barber shop and a massage and rest center. However, there are no business or conference facilities at the airport. For those, you will have to visit one of the hotels located less than two miles from ANC. There are short term parking lots as well as offsite Anchorage airport parking.

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, and it’s home to 40 per cent of the state’s population. There’s lots to see and do - here are a few suggestions. Read more »

Most business trips are short and sweet, but occasionally there’s the chance to spend a couple of extra days seeing the new city. If you want to see the sights without blowing a hole in your budget, then couchsurfing might be a great option. Since we first covered the topic at the start of 2008, the numbers of couchsurfers have grown and grown, with an estimated 1.2 million couchsurfers around the world, according to Couchsurfing.org, the site founded by the originator of the movement, Casey Fenton.

Couchsurfing is a great way to see places from the inside.

How Couchsurfing Works

The premise is simple - sign up for the site, set up a Facebook style profile, say where you want to go and find someone in the city prepared to offer you a couch for a few days. That’s not all you might get, either. Many hosts are willing to show you around, give you tips on where to eat and places to visit and generally make sure that you have a great time without spending a lot. It’s a wonderful way to see a place from the inside - the way the locals see it. You can avoid tourist traps and have experiences that you might otherwise have missed.

Rating The Experience

Is it safe? Statistics suggest that most people have a fantastic time with no negative reports. On the Couchsurfing site you can rate each experience. Even if you don’t want to stay with a complete stranger, you can use the site to meet people in your destination who will meet you for coffee or a drink and point you in the right direction. You can also have just as much fun playing host to new friends visiting your town - and when the holiday’s over, there might even be business opportunities.

Other resources

• The Hospitality Club
• Global Freeloaders
• Video Introduction To Couchsurfing
• Couchsurfing on Twitter
• HostATourist
• Stay4Free
• Warmshowers - for bike tourists

Wherever you happen to be celebrating them, carnivals are a time to let your inhibitions go and enjoy the music, dancing, costumes, parades and festive atmosphere. In many countries, carnivals take place just before a period of privation, such as Lent (derived from the Latin words carne vale - goodbye to meat). They give people to chance to feast before a time of austerity. In others, it’s about celebrating the advent of good weather in the spring. Here are some of the famous carnivals around the world, plus one you might be less familiar with.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Held for four days before Ash Wednesday, this is the most famous carnival in the world. Revelers say goodbye to the pleasures of the flesh in an orgy of music and dancing. If you get the chance to visit, don’t miss the Samba Parade.

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Trinidad and Tobago

This is the best carnival in the Caribbean. The build up to it starts just after Christmas (and sometimes before), with celebrations reaching a head on the Monday (J’ouvert ) and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Calypso music and the steel drums invented in that country are everywhere, and it’s a great place for a celebration.

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

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