A new lower cost way to travel from New York to London is Zoom Airlines, who recently launched scheduled service on this popular route.  With fares as low as $199 (U.S.) each way (plus additional taxes), it is no wonder this new competition is generating industry buzz.  Zoom already flies from several major cities in Canada to destinations such as London, Scotland, Wales, and Paris.  It isn’t clear if these special low fares are permanent or a temporary promotion to gain new customers after getting approval to enter the U.S. market for the first time.  Either way, bookmark this airline website as another option for your New York or Canada to London and Europe itinerary.

I have to admit that I have never won a free trip by entering all those sweepstakes over the years, but someone must be winning so that keeps me trying!  This week I want to direct you to three different types of travel sweepstakes where you can participate.  I suggest that you always read the official rules before entering, check the residency qualifications, and opt out of any mailing lists or sharing of information depending upon your preference.

1. Trip Rewards Mystery Hot Spot
The hotel reward program behind such brands as Days Inn, Ramada, and Travelodge is offering a grand prize of a $10,000 vacation package (that you design) and an instant win game with lots of fun prizes such as an iPod, GPS, or gift card.

2. IgoUgo Photo Feud Contest (Update: too late to enter)
Share your travel photos with the IgoUgo community of personal travel journals, and earn a chance to win a trip to London.  Vote for the best photo in “one-on-one” battles to determine who is going on a dream vacation to Mexico.  Submission of your own vacation photos has officially ended, but you can still cast a vote for your favorite until June 15.

3. Frommer’s Monthly Sweepstakes
You can always rely on the expert travel advice of Arthur Frommer’s website after entering their monthly contest.  This time you can be rewarded with a free trip to Australia and visit the Red Centre, Darwin, and Kakadu National Parks including airfare from Los Angeles. 

Good luck and Happy Traveling!

This news story came out recently and it instantly caught my attention as someone who follows the online travel industry.  TripAdvisor.com, which has always been the first place I turned for (mostly) unbiased hotel reviews. has purchased The Independent Traveler network, another excellent travel information and advice website.  The Independent Traveler owns the highly popular Cruise Critic website, which as you can guess is a top place to turn for cruise line ship reviews and ports of call recommendations.  If that is not enough, TripAdvisor also recently acquired SeatGuru.com which as most of you know, guides travelers to choose the best airplane and optimal seat while booking airline tickets.  When researching flight options, especially for an overseas trip, I always consult SeatGuru to learn which planes have seatback entertainment, lots of legroom (I wish), and ultimately which seat best meets my needs during the reservation process.  These recent acquisitions will ensure that TripAdvisor and its many branded websites are at the top of the savvy online travel planner’s list of bookmarks (Favorites).

A friend and colleague who used to live in Hawaii highly recommends the “Revealed” series of books for those wishing to plan the most memorable trip to the Islands of Aloha.  Each book covers one of the major islands of Oahu (Honolulu, Waikiki), Maui, Kaui, and the Big Island, and lists numerous ways to get off the tourist path to uncover the true pleasure of visiting Hawaii.  I haven’t made it back to Hawaii (Maui) since my Honeymoon ten years ago, so as you can imagine I can’t wait to plan my next trip to this tropical paradise.  Since I now live on the West Coast, it will be a much shorter (and less expensive) flight to the island of my choice.  Plus in case you haven’t heard, the new inter-island high-speed Superferry service is starting this summer and offers a real alterative to taking a cruiseship or shuttle flight.  The links below enable to you order the books through Amazon.com, but they may be available for purchase at other (travel) bookstores online and in your local community.

Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook)

Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Hawaii the Big Island Revealed)

Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond (Oahu Revisited)

Â

You may have heard about Skybus Airlines during recent television news stories, and how they are trying to replicate the low-fare a la cart airline model that is popular in Europe.  Skybus is based out of Columbus Ohio, and has a stated goal of offering the lowest airfare (humanly) possible by keeping operating costs to a minimum and charging extra for every type of service that a budget traveler might require.  For example, you can only book via their website as there is no phone number (I’m not kidding) and you must pay a fee to check bags, enjoy a beverage, and board the plane first.  Since the airline is brand new, they are only offering flights via their Columbus hub to such cities as Los Angeles, Seattle, Kansas City, Boston, and Ft. Lauderdale.  My interest in tracking this airline is to see if similar startups emerge in North America, offering a no-frills experience with one-way fares as low as $10 (plus taxes and fees) such as Skybus.  That could certainly shake up the industry!

Read more about the Skybus Airlines “Rules of Flying”

The “Luck of the Irish” is with you this month, when you submit your online entry to win a trip for two to Ireland.  Colgate is promoting their new “Irish Spring Body Wash”, and what better way than to offer the chance to visit the country that inspired their cleaning products (or so the commercials claim).  I’ll admit to using Irish Spring soap in the past (very refreshing), but I haven’t had the opportunity to try their body wash yet.  The prize includes coach flights to Dublin plus 6 nights hotel and a week long car rental.  In addition the winner will receive a cash injection of $1,000 to spend along the way.  With all my traveling I’ve still never made it to Ireland though it is high on my list of magical places to visit next.  Good luck and make sure to enter by June 27th to qualify for the contest.

Irish Spring “Trip to Ireland” Sweepstakes

I was excited to learn on Sunday night during the finale for The Amazing Race (TAR) All-Stars that teams had to travel from Hawaii to the city of San Francisco to sprint to the final pit stop and finish line.  Having just moved from Philadelphia to San Francisco, I have been exploring my new home city for the past couple of weeks and was eager to see where they might race.  The three final teams (Eric and Danielle, Charla and Mirna, and Dustin and Kandice) all arrived on the same flight to Oakland Airport, though the show offered no explanation as to why teams couldn’t fly into SFO.  Their first stop was The Old Mint, which I had seen in person the previous day while shopping near Union Square and consulting my pop-out map. 

I guessed that the “mat” (finish line) would be in Golden Gate Park since it seems to be one of the few secluded places in the city.  In the end, dating couple Eric and Danielle arrived first at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens to win (share) $ one million dollars $.  I was rooting for one of the all female teams to win it all, especially beauty queens Dustin and Kandice who were strong, smart, and successful (and smiling) on every leg of the race.  Overall season 11 (yes eleven!)  was thrilling to watch, and the safe cracker challenge at the end was an ingenious way to give each team a fighting chance to win the race.  I look forward to season 12 and a new batch of teams to cheer on as they travel around the globe.

Â

This promotion has been going over for the past few years, but it is worth mentioning for those who haven’t experienced the history, culture, and fun that Philadelphia has to offer.  The ever popular hotel package deal offers two nights for a special rate at selected hotels in the city.  The “special” rate varies by date and by hotel so you may have to do some searching to find the lowest price.  As always, it is a good idea to comparison shop the prices at Expedia or Travelocity to ensure that you are getting a true deal.  You also receive free parking (a real savings), a sleepover coupon book with special offers, and best yet a “Philly’s More Fun Teddy Bear!”  When Jenn and I took advantage of this offer in the past, no free teddy bear, so learn more and come visit Philadelphia in the Springtime.  Plus the King Tut exhibit is on display until September 30 at the Franklin Institute, and Philadelphia is one of only several cities in the world to host this priceless collection of Egyptian artifacts. 

Philadelphia Overnight Hotel Package at GoPhila.com

Â

The frequent flier program of Continental Airlines is called OnePass, and they are promoting destinations in Canada this month via their in-flight “Global Trends in Travel” videos.  The grand prize winner of this contest is awarded two round trip airlines tickets (from a Continental friendly airport) and four nights hotel in either New Brunswick or Newfoundland.  Both of these Canadian provinces offer the best of friendly towns, history, nature, and adventure so it will be a difficult choice.  Check out each of their official visitor websites, order a tourism information kit, and start planning your vacation to Atlantic Canada. 

Win a Trip to Canada - Continental Airlines

The Belgium Tourism Office in the USA and Tourism Antwerp is sponsoring a contest that awards the winner a luxurious stay in the city known the world over for its diamonds.  Airfare is not included, but you will receive a two night stay at the Hilton Hotel plus a diamond pendant ($1,000 value) and a welcome package from the tourism office.  I suggest that you design a custom itinerary and book visits to the capital city (and EU capital city) of Brussels along with Bruges and Ghent.  Unfortunately by entering this contest you are also signing up to be on their promotional email list, so you might want to use an alternate email address.  If you have the time on your European getaway (assuming you win the contest of course), Amsterdam can be reached quickly by train.  To minimize your time flying to Belgium from the US, fly direct to London on one of the many daily flights, then take the Eurostar Train from Waterloo Station traveling under the English Channel to Brussels. 

Antwerp Diamond Getaway Contest Entry Form