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August 2008
Is travel insurance a good idea?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anyone who watched Hurricane Fay crisscross the state of Florida last week knows the havoc that wind and water can wreak. As Floridians begin to clean up and Georgians catch the tail-end of Fay’s dousing, I wonder how many travelers’ vacation plans were doused as well.
How many people plonked down hundreds (or thousands) of dollars months ago to secure a house, resort or cruise only to find airports and hotels closed or flooded when it was actually time to leave for vacation? How many trips were cut short as a result of the storm?
It’s a risk any traveler takes when they plan a trip to a hurricane-prone area during hurricane season (June through November in our neck of the woods, with most storms churning up mid-August through October). And it’s one of the reasons people buy travel or trip cancellation insurance.
When we booked our house in the Outer Banks, we paid the extra money for the travel insurance. You never know what the weather will be like out in the Atlantic in the summer. The idea of losing the rental money or of having to evacuate part-way through our trip made the cost of the insurance palatable.
Naturally, the weather during our vacation was perfect. I’m certainly glad that the insurance was not needed. But since then, I have asked myself if travel insurance is really worth it or just another way to squeeze another dollar out of travelers like me.
Travel insurance averages about five to eight percent of your trip’s prepaid cost, and hurricanes aren’t the only reason folks buy it. Many policies cover cruise ship sicknesses and natural disasters of all kinds -snowstorms, earthquakes, fires, etc. - as well as travel delays that impact your ability to get there, medical emergencies or death, and even terrorist incidents occurring in your destination city. “Listed unforeseen events” is usually the key phrase in travel insurance policies, so make sure you read all of the particulars and compare travel insurers if you are buying a plan.
In the end, I know I would have kicked myself had we lost our vacation AND money due to weather. So I will probably keep buying the insurance.
Tell us…what would you do? Have you ever bought travel or trip cancellation insurance before a big trip? For what reasons did you buy the insurance? Were you glad you did? Have you ever had to use your trip insurance? Was it easy getting reimbursed? Does the cost of the trip have to be a certain amount before you will purchase insurance?
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Computer glitch affecting your air travel?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are your air travel plans being disrupted by a reported communications problems at a Federal Aviation Administration facility? (Read the story by clicking here.)
What information are you being given by the airlines about the problem? What are your prospects for making connecting flights? Is this vacation or business travel that is being interrupted?
If you are willing to be contacted by a reporter, please include your e-mail address as you post your comment.
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Where’s the best golf vacation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s no feeling quite like enjoying your favorite pastime on vacation. If your preferred hobby is golf, no doubt you’ve visited or considered visiting Myrtle Beach, S.C. The area is a long, glorious stretch of golf courses. (Read about them by clicking here.)
Some golfers dream about playing the links at St. Andrew’s or Pebble Beach; many actually make it there.
Where’s the best golf vacation? What does it have to offer, and how often do you go?
Photo: The St. Joe Company
RELATED:
• Golfing in Myrtle Beach | Photos
• Golf time is family time for some | Photos
• Myrtle Beach, S.C., attractions | Myrtle Beach travel guide
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Would you vacation in a “so gay” spot?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A travel campaign overseas caused a stir in South Carolina a few weeks ago, when advertisements proclaiming that “South Carolina is so gay” were put up in the London Underground during the city’s gay pride festivities. Next to it were adverts saying the same thing about Atlanta, New Orleans and several other travel destinations. (To see the full article, click here.)
While the ad campaign was meant to drum up tourism dollars, it also ruffled a few feathers along the way. Politicians in South Carolina didn’t want to use taxpayer dollars to fund the ads. Some argued that the message might mislead gay travelers into thinking SC had gay-specific destinations like gay beaches, when it does not.
American gays and lesbians represent about 10 percent of the travel industry, and surveys have shown that the community travels more, stays longer and spends more while on vacation (in general) than their heterosexual counterparts. From a tourism standpoint alone, it makes sense to highlight locations that might appeal to such a lucrative group of travelers. If you Google “gay travel”, you’ll find numerous web sites direct you to travel agencies that do just that.
I know Miami Beach has designated gay beaches, and I see how cities like Atlanta, with its thriving gay and lesbian community, would be considered friendly to gay travelers. But what makes a place “so gay”? Is it activities targeted to the homosexual population, the number of gays and lesbians living there, or the general attitude toward homosexuals among the population?
If you are gay or lesbian, would you seek a “so gay” locale? Does that designation mean anything or would such a label impact your travel plans?
Do you agree that Atlanta, New Orleans and South Carolina are good travel spots for the gay community? What are other places in the south that might be considered good gay vacation spots?
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Trips to lake extend summer break
Have you wrapped up this year's summer travels?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By now, most students in the metro area have traded in their beach bags for back packs and their boogie boards for dry erase boards. Yet, it looks, feels and really IS the height of summer.
If you don’t have children or aren’t otherwise bound by the almighty school calendar, August is a great time to get away just about anywhere. But even with school schedules, squeezing in a little more summer holiday doesn’t have to be impossible.
A weekend - or even a daytrip — at one of Georgia’s lakes is definitely do-able. Ditto for many of the lakes in Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. Lake levels in our drought-plagued state may have dipped, but water enthusiasts can still find enough of it to make the trek worthwhile.
Follow this link and this link to find lakes within a few hours’ drive of metro Atlanta. Many have marinas where you can bring your own boat or rent various water craft for the day. Some lakes have beaches and campgrounds, and others offer more posh digs like resorts or rental homes for their weekend visitors.
Though we live a short drive from Lake Lanier, my family prefers to make the longer trip out to Lake Oconee (east of Atlanta in Greene, Morgan, Putnam and Hancock counties). It helps that we have relatives that live there. Even without the family base, Oconee has always been a favorite because the water levels in this Georgia Power-managed lake are generally kept constant.
However, if the lake’s not your thing, check out Katie Kelly Bell’s article on last-minute trips. She has great tips to help you make the most of the dog days of summer.
What lakes do you prefer in the southeast and why? Where else do you go to cram in that last bit of summer fun? Or have you already wrapped up your summer travelling?
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Are you looking for an Olympic adventure this summer?
No passport needed; Check out Georgia's Olympic sites
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In just a couple of days, athletes from all over the world will parade into Beijing’s National Stadium to kick-off the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. And for the next two weeks, millions of Americans will watch the competitions, the medal ceremonies and all of the athlete profiles and think …“hey, I could do that.”
Of course, representing our country in the Olympics is a rare honor, and winning a medal is even more so. But television spectators in Atlanta who get the Olympic itch need not travel too far to scratch. For starters, Atlantans can play at many of the summer games in their own backyard or basement (think basketball, badminton, table tennis or trampoline). Or hit the streets to get a taste for long-distance running and road cycling.
You don’t really need an Olympic “venue” to try out swimming, diving, baseball or soccer either. A county park or a good pool with diving facilities (see article) might be enough to fuel (or douse) your Olympic dreams.
But if it’s venues you want, the state of Georgia (and a tiny part of Tennessee) has got ‘em. Many venues from the 1996 summer Olympic Games in Atlanta remain. Just down the road in Jonesboro is The Beach at Clayton County International Park. You can still play on one of the 11 courts at the site of the 1996 beach volleyball competitions, or just stay cool at the Beach’s water park.
On the coast, Savannah hosted the 1996 Olympic yachting events. The Savannah Sailing Center played a large role and now offers sailing classes and clinics. Similarly, the Lake Lanier Rowing Club in Gainesville teaches newbies the skills they need to test the waters at the site of the 1996 Olympic rowing events.
Venture across the state line to Copper Hill, Tenn. to try your hand at some Olympic-size whitewater rapids. The Ocoee Whitewater Center was home to the ’96 canoe and kayak slalom (aka whitewater) events.
Since I’m not even 5’4” and volleyball has never been my strong suit, I might take my Olympic pipedreams north to check out those Ocoee rapids one weekend in the near future. I can almost hear the Star Spangled Banner now.
Will you be looking for an Olympic adventure this summer? Have you been to one of these venues? Are there other places nearby you would recommend for people who are inspired to get out and try an Olympic sport?
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How do brides and grooms register for a honeymoon?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An Atlanta reader wrote to ajc.com’s Travel staff to ask about honeymoon registries. A honeymoon registry bypasses the usual crystal and silverware and instead requests monetary contributions toward the wedding trip.
Of course, if a couple receives cash as a gift, they can spend it as they please — but this reader inquired about a service that could take care of the details, like a travel agent would.
Through Google, we found one such registry at Smarthoneymoon.com, where wedding guests can give an airline ticket (or part of one), a picnic lunch, a couple glasses of champagne, even breakfast in bed.
Some couples on Smarthoneymoon.com even registered for scuba certification and pocket money for souvenir shopping.
If you were married in the last few years, did you request honeymoon contributions? Did you use a service/registry/agency to help you plan your honeymoon and defray the expenses? What advice can you give brides- and grooms-to-be who want to do the same thing?
More: Best of Big A — vote now! Best place to get married
• Atlanta man proposes to childhood sweetie in D.C.
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Been burned by the “buddy pass”?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Or have you had good luck traveling on one?
An airline employee buddy pass gives you the chance to fly for very nearly free. There is a chance, however, you may not get on the flight you want.
Have you traveled using a buddy pass? If you’re willing to talk to a newspaper reporter about your experience, please send your name and telephone number to Clint Williams at cwilliams@ajc.com.
