You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘facebook’ tag.
Here are eight great ways to find travel deals:
- Twitter. Follow the Twitter accounts of individual airlines, hotels and hotel chains, rental car companies, cruise lines, and other travel companies. Journalists, travel industry experts, and other Twitter users also tweet travel deals. TIP: I created a Twitter list, and frequently check it for travel deal news.
- Facebook. Airlines, hotels and hotel chains, rental car companies, cruise lines, and other travel companies can have more creative sweepstakes, surveys, and other promotional methods on Facebook.
- Email. Register for email notifications from airlines, hotels and hotel chains, rental car companies, cruise lines, and other travel companies and let then tell you when they are having a sale.
- Travelzoo. The Travelzoo Top 20 travel deals list is released around noon Eastern US time every Wednesday. It is full of air, lodging, cruise, vacation package, and car rental travel deals. TIP: Register to have an email automatically delivered when the travel deal list is published.
- Research. You can go the do-it-yourself route and find your own travel deals. After all, who knows what you are looking for better than you. McCool Travel helps the DIY travel consumer save money, time, and stress. Here are a few articles about finding cheaper flights, cheaper lodging, and cheaper rental cars and cruises.
- FlyerTalk. As a DIY travel deal researcher, my favorite source for learning about travel deals is FlyerTalk. Specifically, I like to peruse the FT forums called Mileage Run Deals and Hotel Deals. FTers are the most knowledgeable and active frequent travelers–TIP: and often find and announce travel deals before any other source.
- Ask. That’s right. Just simply ask for cheaper hotel room, cheaper rental car rate, or lower package vacation price. I often end up with some unpublished rate (not available online or by telephone), a newer car, or better hotel room–just by asking. You may be pleasantly surprised with a much better travel deal. If not, you may learn something (I always do).
- Travel Agents. Who spends all day, every day, looking at travel deals? Travel agents! Let them know what you want and they will find you a travel deal–saving you time and stress (along with money).
Travel Agent, from NYDailyNews.com
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
In Old School Trip Planning, I said that I would not use any apps on my trip to Morocco. How did I do?
Well, I succeeded. I visited Morocco without using apps and made it home in one piece.
I did pre-trip research in guidebooks and online, so I had a basic plan for my four short days in Morocco.
My new Couchsurfing friend in Casablanca gave me a couple of tips for visiting Marrakech and helped me decide not to see to much. I considered zipping through Marrakech and visiting Rabat and Sale on my last afternoon and evening. Instead, I spent more time in Marrakech and the last evening in Casablanca.
On the train ride to Marrakech I talked to several locals. One was a merchant with a tour guide friend. It seems that everyone in Morocco has a cousin, brother, or friend who knows the sights better than anyone else. I was cautious and skeptical toward the merchant and his friend–but it worked out. The merchant suggested a decent hotel in a great location and the tour guide (with a private driver) drove me there from the train station. I got an impromptu tour of Marrakech and saved on the taxi fare.
The next day the tour guide and a different driver took me on a tour into Ourika Valley–including a stop at a Sunday market, Argan oil shop, Berber house, and 2 hour waterfall hike. All for less than price of me renting a car. Nice deal!
OK, I did not use apps but I did use email, Skype, Facebook, and Twitter. I did not use an international plan or any fancy service. For my iPhone, I turned off notifications and switched to Airplane mode. I was able to use wi-fi when available, including at the fantastic Arsat Moulay Abdessalam (Cyber Parc) in Marrakech.
As I listed in my recent 8 Great Travel Lessons post, my trips are more memorable when unwiring, doing minimal research, talking to locals, and walking and exploring.
What are your experiences? Do you find apps useful or unessential? What great travel apps do you use?
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
McCool Travel is excited to present interviews with travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons.
For the fifth profile, I am thrilled to present Christy and Scott from OrdinaryTraveler.com. They live in San Diego, when they are not surfing or traveling around the world. They are a couple of surfers sharing travel stories, photography, tips and the best travel gear. “Ordinary people can lead extraordinary lives” is their motto.
Christy recently shared with me,
“We are two surfers who love exploring what the world has to offer. Travel is more than just a vacation for us. It’s about learning new languages, exploring how different cultures live, and opening our minds to all that is out there. Our goal is to travel the world with a purpose and to give back to humanity through our travels.”
How cool is that?
Always in my luggage…
Digital SLR & Lenses
3 favorite home-away-from-home places…
A favorite travel memory is…
http://www.ordinarytraveler.com/articles/in-search-of-the-blue-lagoon-
3 favorite travel brands…
Korean Air, Osprey Packs, Canon
3 money-saving travel tactics I use are…
reading travel blogs, online research, talking to other travelers
3 ways that I have fun while traveling are…
surfing, taking local transportation, taking photos
8 word (or less) travel mantra…
Who wants to live a life imprisoned in safety?
My favorite non-travel website…
Christy and Scott are very active on Twitter (@OrdinaryTravelr), their blog, and Facebook.
Thank you, Christy and Scott, for sharing a few thoughts with McCool Travel and may you have countless more memorable travel adventures!
Share responses by leaving a comment below or contacting me directly by email (CharlesMcCool -at- gmail -dot- com).
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
McCool Travel is excited to present interviews with travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons.
For the third profile, I am happy to present Jason Scott. Jason is CEO of Sunday Drive, LLC. Their flagship product is the Sunday Drive iPhone app. Sunday Drive is a community of locals, enthusiasts, and conservationists building a network of the best scenic and historic routes worldwide. Part of their mission is to help preserve historical landmarks, designated off road venues, and parkways that may be in danger. I connected with Jason in 2010 on Twitter (@SundayDriveNet) and Facebook. When Jason is not scoping out fantastic road trips, he is at home in gorgeous Ventura, California (anyone hear America in the background?).
Always in my luggage…
iPhone, underwear, 10 miscellaneous items to keep the kids occupied
3 favorite home-away-from-home places…
camping in the Los Padres, Vegas, Costa Rica
A favorite travel memory is…
snowboarding Mammoth
3 favorite travel brands…
3 money-saving travel tactics I use are…
mobile coupons, asking locals, online research
3 ways that I have fun while traveling are…
hiking, rising at sunset, discovering new things
8 word (or less) travel mantra…
Change is good
My favorite non-travel website…
Learn more about Jason Scott and Sunday Drive on LinkedIn and Facebook. He shares thoughts on Twitter (@SundayDriveNet) and his blog (Sunday Drive). Sunday Drive is a proud member of MomsWithApps.com, a great site for family-friendly app listings.
Thank you, Jason and many more memorable road trip adventures!
Share responses by leaving a comment below or contacting me directly by email (CharlesMcCool -at- gmail -dot- com).
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
With 10 days left in 2010, it is a great time to recall the whole year and set a road map for the next year.
2010: Where McCool Travel Went
* the McCool Travel blog launched September 17, 2010, replacing the Travel Skills blog.
* regular McCool Travel blog posts (more than 3 per week) started November 10, 2010.
* Twitter account (@CharlesMcCool) has organically grown to more than 1,000 followers. Follow me on Twitter. Thank you.
* McCool Travel Facebook Group created December 21, 2010. Please visit and join. Thank you.
* Charles McCool took a sabbatical from teaching. I only conducted two travel skills seminars, both at the incredible Joyfully Jobless Jamboree in October.
* McCool Travel was officially registered as a business in Fairfax County, Virginia in August 2010.
* 2010 research trips included (with one tip from each trip):
- January: Terrace Suite at The Greenbrier resort (I won a travel contest)
- March: Hilton Head, SC ($99 cottage through TravelZoo)
- April: Florida to DC road trip ($10 a day Hertz rental car)
- July: Outer Banks (vacation rental)
- August: Colorado/Wyoming (saved $500 on rental car by not renting from airport)
- September: Maine, Boston, New Orleans, San Diego, Portland/Seattle, New York City (JetBlue All-You-Can-Jet pass)
- October: Florida (Priceline) and Austin (compensation for problems)
- December: DC to Massachusetts road trip (hotel coupon)
Tomorrow: 2011 Resolutions
Happy and healthy travels!
Be sure to follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool). Subscribe to this blog to be among the first notified when a new entry is posted.
© 2010, Charles McCool
One Good Decision Leads to Another
That seems to be the theme of a Nutrigrain commercial* I recently saw. Starting your day with a Nutrigrain bar, instead of a doughnut, leads to better and healthier decisions throughout the day (it implies). That made me wonder whether a good decision while traveling or trip planning works the same way.
In the commercial, which I cannot find on the web (although here is a similar one), a woman starts her day with a Nutrigrain bar. Her day is perfect because she later has healthy snacks and sensible meals, and time and energy to play with her child and snuggle with her man. Her alter ego starts with a doughnut, which leads into a pit of despair; unhealthy meals, no energy to play with her daughter, and passing out after dinner.
OK, point made. Does the same theory apply to other life areas?
Certainly it helps your small business to start the day with an important task. If I get distracted by Twitter and Facebook, my mental task list can snowball into a stressful mess. Instead, if I have a productive meeting, with Nutrigrain bars instead of Starbucks treats of course, then everything is smooth–just like in the commercial.
What about in the world of travel?
I certainly feel in the zone, the flow, when I find a great travel deal. Everything else seems to fall into place. If I find a great airfare, the lodging and car rental seemingly work out.
I often talk about karma in my travel classes. Be nice to people, treat problems as opportunities, be a traveler rather than a tourist. Little did I know there is a reason for all the great things that happen when I travel. Yes, it must be the Nutrigrain bars.
*It was odd that I even saw the commercial. Since Tivo and DVRs, I rarely see commercials; other than ads during sporting events. However, a visitor was watching a live (gasp!) daytime show and the ad popped up.
© 2010 Charles McCool
My AYJC pass starts out with the shuttle ride at IAD, where I met the pilot of my first flight and another fellow AYJCer, Drew Lawrence. While most people (including me) are using the JetBlue pass for fun, Drew is on a mission.
Drew wants to raise awareness about cancer, inspired by his mother’s death from cancer when he was a freshman at the University of Virginia. Drew is submitting daily video blogs and frequent Twitter, Facebook and FourSquare updates. His campaign is organic, using social media and networking to spread the word, meet people and to serve as his travel guidebook.
Drew will be traveling and not see his Albemarle county Virginia home for 30 days. While he booked several flights, he admits that this trip experience may take on a life of its own. He intends to end the trip with three days in Puerto Rico but notes that he can be swayed to change flights for media spots and for fun.
The subtext of his trek is to visit 29 cities in 29 days before his 29th birthday; and fly more than 29,000 miles (his booked flights total over 33,000). His motto is “no limits and whatever possible.” He did not book any hotels in advance and has no real list of must-sees. He has no budget but wants to spend as little as possible.
Tools that he is using include TripIt, Yelp, GateGuru, TaxiMagic and Meetup iPhone apps. He expects to use Couchsurfing to find places to stay in a pinch but hopes to meet enough people to share hotels or, of course, stay for free.
Good luck, Drew. You can follow his progress at 29daysuntil29.com and on Twitter @drewlawrence.
P.S. That JetBlue pilot gave Drew some cash and said that it was for a lunch. Drew said it and all donations are being given to the American Red Cross. I was impressed and inspired by the actions of both men.
© 2010 Charles McCool
