Why do you travel?

After a short break, I'm back to explore the world of travel even further and will open with the question of why you travel.

That is the ultimate question. There is no doubt that travel is enjoyable. It gives us the time to get away from ins and out of daily life and to experience a whole new world.

But what is your actual goal for traveling? I have nothing against relaxing on a beautiful beach that can be considered paradise, but there is more to traveling than taking all you can get for your money.

While you are taking and experiencing, what mark are you leaving on the place you're visiting? Do you make the ever effort to speak the native language and learn the customs? Are you aware of important issues and events taking place?

Or if you're on business, do you have the time to get outside of your hotel - even if only for a 20 minute walk?

The right luggage

An important part of traveling is choosing the type of luggage that suits your trip, you and your budget. With the plethora of luggage types available it can be a daunting task (as is any shopping trip) to choose the right one if you don't know what you're looking for.

Personally, my favorite is the Samsonite Spinner. These pieces have four wheels instead of the regular two and allow for easier transport. However, traveling over cobblestone or through snow is not the easiest. Second in ine to the spinners would have to be duffel bags, which I feel allow for easy packing. If you risk making you bag heavy it is also possible to find duffel bags with wheels.

How to pick the right luggage offers some great advice as does this eHow article.

What is your favorite piece to travel with?

Safe travels.

Philly Restaurant Week

It's that time of year when restaurants open up their doors for amazing deals during Center City District Restaurant Week.

From September 12-17 and 19-24 participating restaurants will offer three-course lunches for $20 and three-course dinners for $35. Many places also offer great happy hour deals, so take advantage and discover what the Philly restaurant scene has to offer.

I definitely plan on going to a couple restaurants and will share my experiences. If you go, please feel free to share yours.

Happy eating and safe travels.

Are hostels what they used to be?

Traveling the world can be an exciting adventure. For those on a budget, youth hostels have often been an affordable option that allow for a few nights stay in a city before adventuring/ backpacking on to the next one.

But it seems that hostels are no longer what they used to be. Formerly, travelers used to be able to head to any city and show up at a hostel when they arrived. Traveling in such a manner may have given you a sense of freedom to stay in a location for as long as desired. However, now it seems it is a requirement to book hostel rooms (often shared with other people) in advance and also pay a booking deposit.

You do have the choice of staying in a dorm or private room and prices will range accordingly from $10 - $45 per night depending on when and where you stay. Prices in Europe are higher due to the exchange rate. Alternatively, you might consider staying in a one- or two-star hotel if you aren't really particular about where you stay.

For more information about staying in hostels check out Back Pack Europe. A wide range of sites such as Hostels.com, hihostels and Europeanhostels can help you with booking in any country.

Do you have any backpacking or hostel stories?

Safe Travels.

Labor Day

The first Monday in September (this year September 6) marks Labor Day, a national holiday dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. We also mark that day as the unofficial end of summer.

Around the world, labor day is traditionally celebrated on May 1 and is also known as May Day and is characterized by dancing around the maypole and other ancient customs associated with the celebration of spring.

One event happening on Saturday, September 4 in Philadelphia is the Red Bull Flugtag. At 1 p.m. 34 teams will show and test their homemade flying machines by soaring off a 30-foot high flight deck. This is the first time that Flugtag (= "flight/ flying day"in German) will be in Philadelphia and it will be interesting to see the designs dedicated to human-powered flight.

Location: Camden Water Front, Pier 1
                1 Cooper St, Camden, NJ

Gates open at 11 a.m. and the first flight is at 1 p.m.

Most of all this event is FREE and vendors will be on sight selling food and beverages, including beer.

New Megabus destinations

Megabus is a wonderful bus service that offers a great alternative to the Chinatown buses in Philadelphia. I have never used Chinatown buses, but from what I hear Megabus is cleaner and not smelly, has air conditioning and WiFi - essential for any traveler.

At the moment the company services 13 states, Washington D.C. and Canada. A great new improvement is the addition of 10 more destinations from Philadelphia. So after you've walked your way around the historic City of Brotherly Love you can hop on a bus to A.C. (Atlantic City), Boston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Toronto, Buffalo, State College, Washington D.C., Syracuse and Harrisburg.

While it is a requirement to order your tickets online, prices can range from $1 - $20.

With Love, Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly is awakening to fight the signs of recession and entice visitors from the Tri-State area and around the world into its loving arms.

Summer is fast approaching and the question on people’s minds is where to go to escape daily life and have some much needed fun. Travel is rarely cheap and during times of hardship people look for local affordable attractions

But what is it that attracts visitors to an area?

One aspect that is important in travel is how potential visitors are lured into the magic of a city and if the city is able to market its assets correctly. In an effort to speak to travelers who are no longer looking for luxury vacations in far away places, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) has combined Philly’s sights, humor and love to grab the attention of travelers.

The new and innovative campaign speaks directly to potential visitors through a series of letters addressed to a specific audience and are signed With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™.

“We’ve sort of given Philadelphia a personality and what better way to express everything Philadelphia has to offer than through letters,” Eric Cortes, GPTMC’s Communications Coordinator, says.

Starting May 18 and through September, letters from Philly (of which there are 54 in total) will be found on billboards, transit stations, street banners throughout the Tri-State area, as well as in national magazines and online. Love will also be sent through the airwaves and television, for those who miss the written versions. The ads have also been translated into Spanish, German, Italian and French to send love throughout the world.

The letters address Philadelphia’s historical and cultural sights, nightlife, gay life shopping areas, and family oriented activities among others.

“The letters act as an invitation and center on a specific Philadelphia experience,” Cortes says.


Related Links:

www.gophila.com/withlovecampaign
http://press.gophila.com/presskits/with-love-philadelphia-xoxo