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

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.

Avoid the blahs with these February celebrations

Have you got the January blahs? A bit of post-holiday let down? Don’t be glum, because February offers plenty of reasons to celebrate. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect.

Black History Month

February is African American History Month or Black History Month. Oddly, this is observed at a completely different time of the year (October) in the UK. There will be events for this annual celebration throughout the month.

National Freedom Day – Feb 1

National Freedom Day commemorates the signing of a resolution for the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. This amendment ended slavery and became law in December 1865. This is not a public holiday, but many Americans observe the day and a wreath is usually laid at the Liberty Bell. Other celebrations of this event include Juneteenth and Emancipation Day.

Valentine’s Day – Feb 14

Also not a holiday, but widely observed, is Valentine’s Day, taking place on a Tuesday this year. It was originally named after some Christian martyrs and is a boon for card makers everywhere (not to mention flower shops and candy stores). Here are some fun facts about Valentine’s Day.

President’s Day – Feb 20

Now observed on the 3rd Monday in February, this holiday originally honored George Washington’s birthday. It now also honors Abraham Lincoln (also born in February) and other presidents.

Mardi Gras – Feb 21

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the day before Ash Wednesday, is a big celebration just before Lent starts – and a great excuse for a party. One of the biggest of these is in New Orleans, which we mentioned in Carnival Celebrations around the World. We’ll look at it in more detail nearer the time.

Leap Day – Feb 29

It only comes around every four years and this is the year for Leap Day. There are several traditions associated with this day and we’ll be looking at those in more detail closer to the time.

Photo: SanFranAnnie

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The big news in travel in the past week was the announcement of initiatives to improve travel and tourism in the US. The industry accounted for 7.5 million jobs in 2010 and 2.7% of GDP.  Among the measures announced were the easing of restrictions for regular travelers who pass a background check, resulting in lower waiting times at airports, an increase in the number of countries from which visitors can enter without a visa and quicker processing for visitors from countries like China and Brazil. There will also be an interagency task force to develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy. See the video below for more info:

Response from the industry has been largely positive, as a snapshot from Travel Market Report reveals. In particular, many felt that the industry was at last being respected as a major force in the US economy.

Sustainable Travel Finalists

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the finalists in the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognize sustainable travel initiatives industry wide.  There are four categories: destination stewardship, global tourism business, conservation and community benefit. The finalists are

Destination Stewardship

• Destination Røros, Norway

• Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia

• Tanabe City, Japan

Global Tourism Business

• Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Singapore

• REI Adventures, USA
• Wilderness, South Africa

Conservation

• Cheli & Peacock, Kenya

• Inkaterra Peru, Peru

• NamibRand Safaris: Wolwedans Collection, Namibia

Community Benefit

• Saunders Hotel Group, USA

• Soria Moria Boutique Hotel, Cambodia

• The Thailand Community Tourism Based Institute, Thailand

The next stage of the 3-stage judging process includes on-site visits to the finalists. The winners will be recognized at WTTC’s global summit in Tokyo, Japan, to be held from 16-19 April.

No More Hidden Travel Fees

In other news, new protections for air passengers are about to come into force. These mean that when you book and pay for a ticket, that’s the price you should pay. Airlines will have to include fees and taxes in the price they are advertising (only the mandatory ones), and to disclose the costs of the optional extras. Once a flight is purchased, the price stays the same. (Full story on NewsNet5.)

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The Family Scooter

Scooters are common forms of transport the world over. In most countries the scooter is a 1-2 seater form of transport, but lax rules of health and safety in developing nations means that families of 3, 4 or even 5 can be seen whizzing around. With simple engines that are cheap and reliable, the scooter covers terrain from the congested urban metropolis to the unpaved, muddy and step mountain trail.

Tuk Tuk

Due to its loyal serving of Bangkok, Thailand, this is often the first weird method of transport that travelers to the popular South East Asia experience. The cheerful name serves as an ideal sales call from the many Tuk Tuk drivers and their daring and exciting driving practices make riding a Tuk Tuk an experience never to forget. Cheap prices abound, travelers must be wary of a deal too good to be true. Often, Tuk Tuk drivers will deposit you outside an entertainment venue with the offer of a return trip for a mere 20 Baht. However, the venue is always more expensive to get into than originally promised and when you leave, your Tuk Tuk driver is never there. This results in having to pay an incredibly higher price to one of the few present drivers to get back to your original location.

Bamboo Raft

Everyone knows what bamboo looks and feels like but an actual bamboo raft is always a slight surprise on your first encounter. These are often included in package day trips, along with elephant and mountain trekking, but an actual bamboo raft is surprisingly long and ungainly. In addition to worryingly low buoyancy capability, and sometimes you may have to pitch in to help steer at the back, the journey will likely be less relaxing than expected but still surprisingly hilarious and unforgettable.

Venetian Gondola

The Venetian Gondola is as iconic as the waterways it serves. This form of transport is known the world over as both classy and relaxing, allowing you to take in a city known for its beauty and charm. The fares can be expensive as it is primarily a form of transport for tourists, so travelling in groups is cheaper as this does not affect the price.

English Punt

Similar to the Venetian Gondola, this differs in that the boat is propelled by punting the bottom of the waterway, something not possible in Venice due to the depths involved. This form of transport is quintessentially English, even though it is present in several locations worldwide. Like the Gondola, it is now focused on the tourist trade and is most popular in Cambridge, Oxford and Bath.

Las Vegas Limo

Vegas is known for its opulence, but for first time travelers your money will actually go further than you think.  If you want to splash out and arrive in style, the Hummer Limo is king, however many limos and limo drivers are hired by certain venues and therefore offer cheap fees or even free on the condition you go to their specific venue.

Animal

Elephants and camels have been lumped into one category here as it doesn’t take too much of a stretch of the imagination to understand one having experienced the other. First impressions of these are that they are nowhere near as comfortable as you would expect. Sitting on an elephant in the best case involves sitting on a bench harnessed onto the back, which involves a tipping motion that can feel like you are about to fall off the side.  There will also be little room for your legs if someone is sitting behind the head, however this person will have to put up with the spiky hairs that cover this part of an elephant.

Chinese Junk

Junks are traditional Chinese sailing boats with 2 masts, and cruises can be found around Asia / South East Asia on board these amazing vessels.  The distinctive shape is iconic of many locations, and has also led to motorized versions of these boats that preserve the outline and charm of the sailing equivalents.

Dog Sled

Another form of travel by animal, but the provision of a man made apparatus (i.e. the sled) makes this slightly more advanced than other methods of animal travel. Unlike many forms of transport on this list that are now only aimed at the tourist trade, the dog sled actually still serves as useful in many inhospitable, poorly accessed locations. Several breeds of dog are used in packs of sometimes more than 20, and sleds can maintain speeds of nearly 20mph for prolonged periods of time.

Tubing (Laos/Austin):

Tubing is famous in several areas of the developing world that are popular on the travel agenda but can also be found in countries such as the US. Tubing is a method of travelling down a river on a tire inner tube to access several bars along the designated route. Most famous in Vang Vieng, Laos, it evokes wildly different responses from different people. If you enjoy a wild crowd, cheap alcohol and all day partying, this is a great way to see part of the country. On the other hand, if you are looking for authentic culture, quality local cuisine and escaping the crowd, this is not a form of transport you should seek out. If you’re looking to avoid the dangers notoriously linked to tubing in Laos then Austin, Texas is a viable option that hasn’t been subjected to so much negative press as Laos has.

Matthew Nunn is a major travel fan and has recently returned from an extensive RTW trip. This year he has already started planning trips to Europe in particularly his Sardinia holidays.

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Chinese New Year Traditions

Traditions surrounding this celebration include cleaning the house to get rid of bad luck and make room for good luck which will come with the new year. There’s lots of red decoration and much talk of wealth, happiness and long life. There’s feasting and fireworks. On the day itself, children wish their parents a happy new year and get money in red paper envelopes. This is the time to forget past troubles and wish happiness and peace to everyone. Celebrations can last for a couple of weeks, traditionally ending with the Lantern Festival.

Interesting facts about the Chinese New Year

• Red is worn because the color was once thought to banish evil spirits.
• most people wear new clothes as a symbol of a new start and of prosperity
• the floral decorations used during the period have symbolize what people hope will happen during the year. For example the plum blossom means luck and the narcissus means prosperity.
• Sydney, Australia claims to have the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside China. In North America, there are significant celebrations in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver.
• Some people believe that the Chinese calendar has been in use since the second millenium BC, but no one can agree on exactly when it started, so the coming year might be Chinese year 4709, but then again it might not.

Where to Celebrate the Chinese New Year in the US

I’m not going to attempt to list all the Chinese New Year celebrations nationwide, but here are some to consider when making travel plans:

• the Golden Dragon Parade in Los Angeles, now in its 113th year
• the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade in San Francisco
• the New York Chinese New Year celebrations

As for me, I’ll be looking forward to next year’s celebrations since I was born in the Year of the Snake.

Image: Chinese New Year parade, Vancouver, BC, 2007 The Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club

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Off Airport Parking Research

First up, the results of some new research into airport parking, published on the UK’s Travel Daily UK blog. UK firm Looking4Parking has published research showing that 66% of those using airport parking firms save an hour on their journey. And a third of the 1,000 people polled also thought that a meet and greet service saved up to 2 hours.  Convenience and cost were among the factors that led people to book with off airport parking firms. Find out more about the airport parking research here.

Looking Ahead to Terminal 4 – JFK Airport

In the New York Times last week, there was a sneak peek at changes happening at JFK’s new terminal 4, due for completion next year. According to the article by Christine Haughney, the structure is beginning to take place. The new terminal will automate baggage screening and speed up security. When completed passenger transfers between domestic and international flights are also expected to work more smoothly. Read more on the JFK expansion here.

Airline Administration Fees

It’s not just here in the US that we have a problem with ever increasing air travel fees. Saturday’s post on the Travel Rants blog saw Darren Cronian talking about administration fees on EasyJet, one of the UK’s low cost airlines. The cause of contention is a new GBP9 (approximately $13.50 at today’s exchange rates) applied to all debit card payments. This fee is more than 9 times the maximum fee charged by banks for debit card transactions. With new European legislation coming in to improve transparency for travelers, Cronian asks:

why is it that every time the government or European Union announces a new legislation, the airlines find somewhere around it, which ultimately costs the consumer money?

Why, indeed?

Radiation Tests for TSA Employees

We’ve been wondering about the effects of airport scanners for quite a while and the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has generally played down health concerns. However, according to an article in the LA Times, the TSA is planning to test its employees and check their radiation exposure. No tests yet for the scanners themselves or the passengers though.

Save on Airport Parking

Finally, to end today’s roundup, a piece of company news – our latest airport parking discount coupon. If you’re thinking of making airport parking reservations at (MDW) Chicago Midway Airport, (IND) Indianapolis Airport, (ALB) Albany Airport, (ORD) Chicago O’Hare Airport, (JFK) John F. Kennedy Airport or any of our more than 150 airport parking locations nationwide, you won’t want to miss this offer. Just book 2 days or more by January 31, 2012 using the promo code Happy12 and SAVE 10%*.  This offer is valid for travel for the entire year.

Curious things, luggage tags. In many ways their original purpose has been superseded by airlines embracing bar-coded baggage labels a few years back.

Back in the Golden Age Of Travel between 1890 and the outbreak of World War II, suitcases were a different bag altogether. The privileged would have had their details inscribed onto plates that were part of the luggage, while labels were placed on by railroads, steamships or hotels and today it’s those labels that evoke memories of the halcyon days of travel. The battered, overlaid labels, randomly placed on long lasting luggage, became a history of the owner’s travels (check out the Louis Vuitton home page and see what I mean). What do we have today?   Just gummy stains from peeled off airline bar codes – what a come down.  Not so long ago things used to be a lot worse when all holiday makers were given those tacky little card labels (often attached with rubber bands).

Well, these days the luggage tag is a thing just screaming out to be designerified (best bit about writing is making up the words as you go along!).  So if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd at the luggage carousel in Majorca or Gran Canaria what’s the best way of doing it and what do your choices say about you?

First off get the right luggage first.  It’s got to be Louis Vuitton simply because it’s the only one that screams designer from a distance even if it’s the best copy from your local market.  Now you need to accessorize the bag so that you stand out from hundreds of other travelers and luggage tags are the way to do it.  Not too expensive and easily identifiable - that’ll do the job perfectly.

Looking for labels, there’s one idea from the other side of the pond called the Big Tag and it does just what it says on the tin.  Made out of durable impact resistant plastic these guys really claim to be the biz.  Oversized luggage labels in very bright colors and equally garish shapes that give you away as, well, as American tourists really;  probably not the best accessory for your first appearance on the Majorca tarmac after all.  A jumbo tag on a jumbo jet - some people are just so funny.

Going up market you can’t get more British than good old Paul Smith – you know the one with the stripy mini cars popping up in the oddest of places.  How about an elegant little leather number with Paul’s brilliantly colored signature stripes?  They’d certainly make you stand out from the crowd but for the right reason?  I think not – just IMAGINE how the stripes would clash with your LV monogram patterned cases (especially the white pattern).  No, perhaps we need something more classic?

You couldn’t get more classic than Aspinal of London.  They provide a much better class of crocodile leather.  Soft little pieces of sheer luxury but there’s only one problem: nobody on the carousel will know their Aspinals from their onions so scrap that one straight away!

If you’re going to accessorize then do it properly.  Tiffany’s is not just for breakfast, you know.  They have a range of lovely little numbers, beautiful leather in seasonally changing colors so you need to make sure you’re not soooo last year.  Perhaps best of all are the words Tiffany & Co.  Small and perfectly formed, less really is more and you’ll stand out from the crowd beautifully unless of course your latest accessory gets caught in the belt and unceremoniously ripped off.  Even worse if it happens as you pick the bag up!

After all that perhaps designer labels are really a bit yesterday.  Today’s trendsetting traveler wants to find a way of standing out from the crowd by showing off their technology.  Perhaps what we really need is a luggage tag that can be spotted by our iPhone?  Now that’s a thought……off to the iTunes store then……

Andy is a writer for Kenwood Travel who specialize in the best Saint Lucia holidays, leave a comment of your favorite locations.

Image credit: Mattes

A Visit to London

Stop number one would be London, with its centuries of history. It’s easiest to make this the first port of call as most international flights fly there, especially to London Heathrow, the world’s busiest airport. While there, I’d like to show my daughter the sights of one of my old stamping grounds, including a walk to Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Covent Garden, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Madame Tussauds and any of the parks. A ride on the London Eye and a trip along the Thames are also a must, as is a London Bus Tour. Ciao Bambino had an excellent series last year on London with Kids which is worth a read.

From the Midlands to Europe

Next, I’d go inland to the Midlands to visit Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and reconnect with old friends. That would also be a good jumping off point (from the Nottingham East Midlands International Airport) for budget flights to Europe. On my list would be a trip to Denmark, which I’ve never visited but where one of my best friends lives to check out the Tivoli Gardens, among other Denmark attractions.

Also on my list for this trip would be a visit to some friends in Gibraltar (gotta love the view of the rock!) and a week or two soaking up the Spanish sunshine and culture. I really love Spain, with some of my favorite cities so far including Malaga (ancient Arab city with landmarks to match), Barcelona (the Sagrada Familia is a must-see) and Bilbao (where I’d visit the Guggenheim Museum). There are many more Spanish attractions to visit too.

A Trip to France

There’s one more country on my list, which has a place in my heart because I once lived there: France. For me, visiting France is not just about the sights of Paris, though those are excellent. Instead, it’s about the South of France. When I lived there, I went from Nimes to Marseilles to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Agde, the Camargue and along the coast to Cannes, Monaco and Nice – one of the best trips of my life and one I’d like to repeat with my family. Here’s a snapshot of the Nimes attractions I think are worth visiting.

So those are some of the top places on my European travel list. I’m hoping to get there within the next 18 months. What’s on your list?