1. The name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, a day of feasting before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. This day is also known as Shrove Tuesday.
2. Depending on where you are, Mardi Gras celebrations can span more than a month, either starting on Twelfth Night or being confined to the 3 days before Mardi Gras day itself.
3. In addition to celebrations in New Orleans and Rio, other famous celebrations of the day take place in Baranquilla in Colombia, Port-of-Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Mazatlan in Mexico and Quebec City in Canada. (See our article on Carnival Celebrations around the World for a snapshot.)
4. The first known Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837, though prior to that it was celebrated in Mobile, Alabama in 1703.
5. Floats became part of the New Orleans celebration in 1837 and since then have become an integral aspect of festivities.
6. The official colors of Mardi Gras have meanings. Purple is for justice, gold is for power and green is for faith. These were chosen by the Grand Duke of Russia in 1857.
7. Mardi Gras became a legal holiday in Louisiana in 1875.
8. Krewes, which are parade groups, started as private social clubs. The oldest of these is Comus which was founded in 1857.
9. The tradition of handing out items to the audience dates back to Renaissance Europe. In New Orleans, the first person to do that was a Krewe member dressed as Santa Claus in the 1880s.
10. The Mardi Gras balls are another important part of the celebrations, but some of those are by invitation only.

If you’re visiting New Orleans, check out our New Orleans airport parking deals.

Image: DoctorWho

AskMen has a list of the top 10 places to propose. These include where you had your first date, Las Vegas (where you can probably get married at the same time), on top of a mountain and Cambodia (really?). Of those, my favorite is the first date one, but then since many women have first dates in public places, you could end up getting a proposal in a burger joint or fast food restaurant – that doesn’t exactly scream romance. Instead, check out this list of romantic US proposal spots and find some inspiration there.

Of course, you could take another option and make the move at home. Many people like to get their significant other out of the way so they can stage the perfect proposal, complete with rose petals, champagne and a great meal. It may be a little bit cheesy, but it works so consider this as another option.

My personal favorite – and I know I’m biased – is in a sunny location. Whether you choose a beach in the Florida Keys, Mexico or the Caribbean, there’s something about all that white sand and clear water that makes any proposal romantic. Be careful if you’re going down on one knee, though – a mouthful of water might make it hard to get the words out.

And ladies, if Valentine’s Day passes without the question you’ve been waiting for, remember that it’s leap year. Traditionally, you get to pop the question yourself on Leap Day, February 29th, so one way or another there could be an engagement in the offing.

If you’re planning a Valentine’s Day trip, don’t forget to check out our off airport parking offers and sweetheart parking deals.

Image: terren in Virginia

Travelers From Memphis Frustrated by High Air Fares

A WMCTV report suggests that high air fare prices out of Memphis International Airport are costing the city in more than one way. The report says there are fewer conventions in the city, business travel has been reduced and some 35% of locals are driving to other airports to pick up cheaper flights. There has been a 9% increase in air fares in the last year alone, which Scott Brockman COO of the Memphis Airport Authority blames on the airlines. Well, we can’t do anything about the cost of the flights, but we can provide discount airport parking at Memphis International Airport – check it out!

Business Travelers Want More Luxury

If you were planning on attending London’s Business Travel Show this week, let’s hope you made it in before flights got canceled at Heathrow. A survey of 1,000 business travelers showed that some business travelers are ready to get fancy with their trips, with a desire to see onboard cinemas, flying casinos, a hairdressing salon and double beds on the new super jumbos. Other business travelers have focused on practicality with 69% wanting more leg room, 54% wanting Wi-Fi and 28% wanting showers. See more on the Business Travel Show survey here.

National Green Week

This week is National Green Week. This is the week when schools and students around the nation work to reduce waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s all part of the lead-up to Earth Day on April 22 when the world goes green. If you’re wondering how you can do your bit this week as you travel check out our tips on having a green vacation and our totally green eco-tourism resources, and don’t forget that you can do your bit to cut down on wasted paper by getting email updates of our latest airport parking offers.

Carbon Neutral Aircraft Progress

Finally, could carbon neutral aircraft finally be here? Not quite yet, but NASA is starting to test prototypes being developed as part of its subsonic fixed wing program. The program not only looks at the reduction of drag, weight, energy consumption, emissions and noise in aircraft but it developing new ways of bringing these together. A number of aircraft manufacturers form part of the team.

Image: marsmet543

by Anna Dewinter

Travelers might think of visiting Great Britain for the Olympic Games 2012, or to experience the sights and sounds of London – one of America’s favorite destinations. However, there are other destinations that are sometimes overlooked and that definitely deserve a visit in 2012.

Whilst there, consider using hire cars to drive south to the second city and explore Cork – enjoy shopping in the English Market and ringing the Bells of Shandon. Throw in a short trip to nearby Blarney Castle where the famous Blarney Stone awaits.

From Cork, fly to the third destination: Hamburg. Packed with popular things to do and see, including the Miniature Wonderland with model railways and tiny countries, there are also fantastic parks and gardens, examples of superb architecture and wonderful museums.

A high-speed train runs between Hamburg and Amsterdam in The Netherlands, which has a laid-back ambiance and offers the wonderful Van Gogh Museum and the Royal Palace. For a countryside trip, seek out the tulip fields and windmills.

For these four European destinations tourists should always carry ID: a valid passport is needed but a visa is not required for stays of less than three months.

Two Complementary Destinations in China

Hong Kong displays a fusion of east and west influences with major Chinese temples and palaces, accessible via the iconic tram system, plus skyscrapers and Hong Kong Disneyland!

A three-hour flight from Hong Kong to Beijing takes visitors to a different, exquisite historical era; explore the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs and the Temple of Heaven.

Singular India

Delhi in India is a city in two parts: Old Delhi features historic mosques, forts and shrines, whilst New Delhi is contemporary, bustling and cosmopolitan. Be sure to view the stunning Taj Mahal in nearby Agra, the world’s finest monument to Mughal architecture and one of the seven top tourist attractions globally.

For both China and India a visa is required and a passport must have at least six months’ validity.

Three Different Choices – Abu Dhabi, St Vincent and Wellington

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates might be relatively unknown but it offers a relaxed break and a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the city. Explore dramatic sand dunes and mountains, and cruise along the Gulf Coast. A valid passport is sufficient if staying for up to 30 days; visas are free of charge at the port of entry.

Caribbean island destination St Vincent and the Grenadines is a great alternative to Barbados or Martinique. An English-speaking location, there are lots of tourist facilities among the tropical eco-rainforests. Snorkeling, yachting and scuba diving are on offer.

The city of Wellington provides easy access to the lovely North and South Islands of New Zealand. Besides the outstanding natural habitat, Wellington offers fabulous views from its cable cars and the Mount Victoria Lookout, and great shopping in the bohemian quarter of town. Pack a passport – visa requirements are waived for US citizens.

Whether preferred vacation choices are educational, unusual or exotic, there is a place to visit in 2012 that suits perfectly.

Image: slleong

History

The airport started life as the Buffalo Municipal Airport in 1926, so it’s one of the country’s oldest public airports. It started passenger service in 1927 with flights to Cleveland.  The airport had successive expansions in 1955 and 1961 and its name was changed to Greater Buffalo International Airport in 1959. Expansions continued to address the growing air traffic, but it soon became clear that a new airport would be needed to keep pace with modern requirements. This was built between the existing terminals and opened in November 1997 as the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. The old terminals were then demolished.

The airport now has 25 gates and handled more than 5 million passengers in 2010. According to the airport it’s the fifth least expensive place to fly in the US, with a price per mile of about half of the most expensive place. It serves several major air carriers including AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and US Airways.

Services and Amenities

BUF Airport has a range of useful passenger services and amenities. In addition to food outlets and shops, the airport has a cell phone lot, laptop workstations near gates 3,14, and 20, and charging stations for cell phones and MP3 players at gates 4,14, and 20 and in the baggage claim. There are also special services for disabled travelers. Check out the terminal map and list of accommodation for more nearby amenities.

BUF Airport Parking

In addition to the onsite airport parking, we also offer Buffalo airport parking reservations. These include Thrifty Airport Parking, Airport Valet Parking and airport parking from The Parking Spot. Book on the web for discounted airport parking rates which are locked in when you reserve.

Things to Do Near Buffalo Airport

If you’re visiting the area, you’ll find plenty to do near Buffalo-Niagara International Airport.  You could make things easy by hopping on a plane and visiting Niagara Falls, but if you want to stay in the US, here are some suggestions:

• Go on a sailing adventure on the Spirit of Buffalo. Best done in summer, a sail on a 73 foot schooner is one of the areas most popular things to do.
• Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House.
• Check out the beautiful Victorian homes, lovely walks and eclectic nightlife in Allentown.
• Find out more about Theodore Roosevelt at Wilcox Mansion.
• See the Heritage Farm (and the animals) at Buffalo Zoo.

Image: Craig Damlo

• The Egyptians are responsible for our knowledge that the solar and human calendars are not in sync.
• Instead of 365 days, the Earth takes an extra 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 second to go around the Sun.
• The Romans (Julius Caesar) added February 29th as a leap day in the Julian calendar, with the once every 4 years rule. It took another 1500 years (till 1582) for the Gregorian calendar to apply the system we use now.
• Only years divisible by 4 have leap days.
• No year that can be divided by 100 has a leap day unless it is also divisible by 400. That’s why 1900 was not a leap year but 2000 was.
• Leap day is the day when women are allowed to propose to men (though these days most women don’t wait if that’s what they want to do.) According to tradition, this practice started in the fifth century.
• Since those born on February 29th only have a birthday every 4 years (most celebrate the day before or day after), they can claim to be much younger than their calendar years. Here’s a handy chart to work out your age in leap years if this applies to you.
• Even decades usually have three leap years (e.g. 2000, 2004, 2008); even ones have two (e.g 1992, 1996)
• Want to know what day of the week Leap Day will be? It occurs on the same day every 28 years.  That means it will be 2040 before Leap Day is on a Wednesday again.
• According to the Guinness Book of Records, one family in the UK has three generations born on February 29th. They are Peter Anthony Keogh (194), Peter Eric Keogh (1964) and Bethany Wealth (1996).
• Not everyone follows the Gregorian calendar. For example, the lunisolar Chinese calendar adds a leap month approximately every 3 years. This month takes place at different times in the calendar.
• Sweden once had an extra leap day, February 30th, in 1712.

Image: OliBac

You’ve got an extra day to travel this month. Don’t forget to check our site and save on off airport parking.

Planning a Trip to Europe

As well as projects, goals, blog ideas, thoughts and links, I started a list item for my planned trip to Europe. I wanted one place to collect all the stuff I needed to think about. Once I’d created the main heading, I double clicked on the bullet point to create a new page with that list item as the main heading. On that page, I created a number of sub-items for the issues I wanted to look at, such as the countries I wanted to include, the accommodation to investigate, and some possible sightseeing targets in each country. Then I could add sub-items for each item. For example, under things to see in Spain, I could add Barcelona (yes, I do mean the whole city!), the Sagrada Familia, etc.

Workflowy Features

Workflowy has drag and drop, which means I can easily reorder items if I need to. I can also add notes to each list item, which is useful for more detail or to keep track of links related to a particular task I want to carry out. Every time I complete a task, a line goes through it, and I can choose to keep completed items hidden or visible. I can delete items that are no longer relevant, and I can also export the entire list (or a portion of it) and share lists with people, which could be useful if more than one person is involved in trip planning.

I find Workflowy an excellent tool for all sorts of uses. You can do a brain dump when you are initially thinking about a trip, then refine your thoughts by adding other considerations as sub-items and changing the order of items to reflect their importance. Workflowy also has search and tagging. And there’s one more good thing about Workflowy – it’s got a restful user interface. It looks like a page with a list and it never gets overwhelming because you can keep main list items collapsed and only expand when you want to see the sub-items.

Have you ever tried Workflowy as a travel planning tool? What do you think of it?

Planning a trip? Don’t forget to use our Happy12 coupon and save on off airport parking.

Experts Predict Airline Ticket Sales Slowdown

Last week we mentioned the new rules to promote more transparency in air travel prices for consumers. That story has continued to promote discussion especially since the rules came into force last Thursday. However, an article in the LA Times suggests that the rules may result in a reduction in ticket sales because of ‘sticker shock’ – the sudden increase in prices. This view is held by a number of travel industry experts. There is still a pending lawsuit to stop the rules from going into force, brought by Southwest, Spirit and Allegiant.

LA Visitor Numbers Rocket

The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau has released figures showing a 4.2% increase in overnight visitors to LA during 2011. The influx of 26.9 million people had a resulting 8% increase in spending by tourists to $15.2 billion. One of the largest sections of growth was in the international visitor sector, where visitor numbers increased by 7% and spending increased by 12%. One of the factors driving the growth was increased traffic from Asia, as well as Canada and Mexico but there was also a 2% increase in domestic travel to LA. The airport is undertaking an expansion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, to cost $1.5 billion and Los Angeles is to host the US Travel Association’s International PowWow in April, resulting in an influx of international visitors. If you are planning to visit LA in 2012, check out our recommendations for things to do in LA.

Brazil Boom Brings Travel Woes

If you’re planning a trip to Brazil in the near future to attend any of the major sporting events to be held there, don’t be surprised if the trip leaves you feeling underwhelmed. The country is due to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and ahead of that the country is experiencing a travel boom. That means headaches for passengers in terms of higher ticket prices and lots of delays. Brazil’s airport infrastructure just isn’t ready to cope with the boom and airport upgrades scheduled to be ready by the June 2013 start of the Confederations Cup, are unlikely to be complete. More on this in the Washington Post.

Relax at SFO

If you happen to be visiting San Francisco, you might find your trip through San Francisco International Airport quite … peaceful. Though that’s not a word often associated with air travel, the airport now has a Yoga Room in terminal 2, reports Time. Low lighting and sound protection should keep the noise of the terminal at bay, and you can sit on one of the many available yoga mats between 4.30am to 12.30am daily and rediscover your bliss!

Visiting SFO, LAX or another airport? Don’t forget to use our Happy12 coupon and save on off airport parking.

Tokyo is an amazing destination. A fusion of the old and the new, this high-tech city with its incredible history has something to offer to everyone. Whether it’s the incredible Japanese cuisine or the breathtaking sights, Tokyo is the ultimate Asian experience. A brief list of some of the attractions of Tokyo is listed below.

Tsukiji Fish Market

A trip to Tokyo is incomplete without a visit to the world’s largest fish market. Get ready for some live action at Tsukiji market with auctions of some of the most exotic seafood in the world. There are many stalls selling an incredible variety of delicacies here. If you are in the mood for sushi for breakfast, Tsukiji market is just the place for you.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Experience the serenity and beauty of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden amid the chaos of Tokyo. There are gardens here to please everyone’s aesthetic sense. Visit the Japanese Traditional which also offers a teahouse or the French Formal Garden. There is also an English Landscape, a Taiwan Pavilion, and a Mother and Child Forest. The gardens are spectacular in the cherry blossom season. Various shopping opportunities are also nearby along with great places for you to enjoy a gourmet lunch.

Ryogoku Kokugikan

If you’re in luck, you may be able to see any of the three grand sumo tournaments in Ryogoku Kokugikan, the National Sumo Hall. These are fifteen day events and the Rikishi Parade is a must see. Don’t miss the intense action if you are visiting Tokyo in the time of the tournament.

Park Hyatt and Tokyo Tower

Park Hyatt

If you want to see incredible panoramic views of Tokyo, you can either visit Park Hyatt or Tokyo Tower. The admission fee at Tokyo Tower is very reasonable and the ride up to the top of the tower is really enjoyable. Park Hyatt may cost you more. The higher you go up Park Hyatt, the higher you will be charged. The New York Grill on the 52nd floor of Park Hyatt offers great food with incredible views. Make sure you have either (or both) of these locations on your travel plans.

Treat Yourself at Ebisu

A visit to Tokyo is incomplete without spending a considerable time treating your palate. There are countless places where you can enjoy amazing food. For Japanese bar food, there’s no place better than the trendy neighborhood of Ebisu. You can find many establishments in Ebisu selling sashimi, grilled vegetables and meat, and sushi. Visit Saiki for a truly Japanese experience. You won’t have to wait in line or pay a fortune for a meal. Apart from traditional Japanese food, you can also enjoy other cuisine. You can also go to Toraji Korean for great Korean grilled food. Don’t forget to sample ramen while in Ebisu or you’ll feel your trip was wasted.

Andrew Black is a Japan lover. He has been traveling in Tokyo for the last 3 years and is planning his next trip soon. When he is not traveling, Andrew distributes sushi machines.

Photo credits: Greg Palmer, St Stev, H-Huynh, UggBoy

Want discount airport parking ? Find out about our airport parking coupon here.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

History of ATL Airport

ATL Airport’s history goes back to 1925, when an airfield was developed on an abandoned car racetrack, renamed Candler Field. The first commercial flight to this field took place a year later. In 1929, the airport was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport and it got its first control tower in March 1939.

World War II saw the airfield double in size as it was used as a government air base. By 1957 it was the country’s busiest airport. In 1961, the country’s largest terminal was opened there, but capacity was soon exceeded. In 1971, the airport was renamed the William B Hartsfield Atlanta Airport and then to William B Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport , with the launch of services to Mexico and Jamaica.

In 1980, a 2.5m square foot passenger terminal, the world’s largest, was opened. Other major infrastructure improvements followed. The airport gained its current name in 2003 to commemorate Atlanta Mayor Maynard H. Jackson.

The airport serves Delta Airlines (which has the world’s largest airline hub there), AirTran Airways, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, ExpressJet and many more.

ATL Airport Terminals and Services

The airport has two terminals and six concourses. It also features the world’s busiest automated people mover, known as The Plane Train. In addition, it has an above-ground train station which is part of Atlanta’s MARTA transit system.

ATL Airport has a full range of passenger and business services, including medical services, Wi-Fi, shopping, eating and pet assistance. Here’s a list of ATL terminal layout maps. In addition, the airport has an art program, which includes several permanent exhibits, as well a range of temporary exhibitions.

ATL Airport Parking

In addition to the onsite airport parking facilities at ATL Airport, there are several off airport lots. Our own Atlanta airport parking lots include Fasttrack, Park N Go and Park N Fly. The airport also offers parking for passengers with disabilities.

Five Things to Do Near ATL Airport

If you’re traveling through Atlanta Airport, then here are some activities to consider:

• Join in with Martin Luther King Day celebrations or visit the MLK historic site.
• Visit the World of Coca Cola (official site)
• Relax at Stone Mountain Park.
• Check out the Margaret Mitchell House (if you’re a Gone with the Wind fan).
• Visit the Centennial Olympic Park.

Traveling to Atlanta? Find out about our airport parking coupon here. (Photo: Shashi Bellamkonda)