Beware: Text from bank could be fraud

While sitting at dinner in Tirana last night with an Albanian friend, I noticed my cell phone light it up. It was a text message from JP Morgan Chase asking me to call immediately about recent activity on my account. My first instinct was to call, but then I thought for a second, and realized I hadn't used the card here. I suspected it was a scam, so waited until I got back to my hotel room, and dialed the phone number on the back of my card for contacting the bank from overseas. I got through immediately, and was told I was the 23rd person to call so far, reporting the same text. People who called the number were asked for the experation dates on their cards.

It was a good reminder that a bank never uses e-mail or a text to notify a customer of a  problem. They always call. If you get as similar message or text about your credit card, call your bank.

More updates on travels in Albania at http://carolapucci-albania.blogspot.com

All Systems Go For Rome

     Tues, April 20

     Planes are flying again, and so far, it looks like all systems are go for a flight to Rome tomorrow Tom and I have had scheduled for months. Our final destination is Albania where we'll spend 10 days, then onto Southern Italy.
      Here's a link to the blog:  http://carolapucci-albania.blogspot.com/

      Meanwhile, the volcano is still affecting air space around Britain and elsewhere. Here's the latest this morning from MSNBC.

       Click here for a map tracking which airports are open and closed.

Answers and help for European Travelers

Stranded? Airbnb has rooms in private homes and apartments in Paris, London and New York available immediately starting at $30-$50 per night. Travelers can automatically book accommodations with the hosts. Airbnb is worldwide network of homeowners, apartment owners etc. with private rooms to let to travelers.


Here are the links: 

airbnb.com/stranded-nyc

airbnb.com/stranded-paris

airbnb.com/stranded-london

For the latest info on European airports: Click here 

Here's a Q and A on what you need to know if you're planning to fly to Europe soon. Click here.

European Travel Update

Saturday, April 17

   Where to find the latest info on airports in Europe: Click here

  Joe Brancatelli, author of the online business travel newsletter, Joe@JoeSentMe.com, has been right on the mark with his updates and advice since last Wednesday when European airports began shutting down due to spreading ash from the volcano in Iceland.
   Here's his latest advice as of today:
Just a brief update on the volcanic ash situation:
     1) All US carriers serving Europe have now updated and expanded their flight-change policy. Most are now allowing free changes for flights scheduled to depart through Tuesday, April 20 regardless of whether the flight has been officially cancelled. Check the Web site of the carrier you're using because the policies have now been loosened since yesterday and even earlier this morning.
     2) The situation in Europe continues to worsen. British Airways, for example, has now cancelled all flights into and out of London tomorrow (Sunday). Aer Lingus has done the same for all US, UK and Europe flights. Paris/CDG and Paris/Orly are now closed until 6am Monday local time. SAS has cancelled all but a few local flights tomorrow. Lufthansa has cancelled flights worldwide until at least 2pm German time tomorrow. Amsterdam/Schiphol is closed until at least 11am local time tomorrow. Brussels Airport is closed until at least 8 a.m. Sunday. Poland's airspace is closed.
     Some additional notes:
     1) I want to reiterate that if you are scheduled to fly TO Europe next week, cancel. It's going to be a mess even if airports open. Aircraft and flight crews are out of position and just because an airport opens doesn't mean a carrier can get its operations together.
     2) Most of Europe's ground transport options are at or beyond capacity.
     3) While some airports in the South of Europe (Rome, Athens, Madrid, Lisbon etc) are open, flights into and our of those airports are largely booked. And since no airport in Southern Europe is a particularly large hub, there's not a lot of extra capacity. This includes Madrid, where passengers have largely overwhelemed Iberia's flights and facilities at Madrid/Barajas. Unless you are ABSOLUTELY desperate to get out of Eur ope, I don't recommend trying to get to these places now. But if you must, make sure you have CONFIRMED reservations beyond those cities and a CONFIRMED way to get to those cities on the ground.
      To Joe's advice, I would add that if you do have a confirmed reservation when flights resume, there's a good chance the airlines will be generous with offers for "voluntary bumps,'' meaning that if you're flexible, and don't mind waiting to get to your destination (and you could be waiting a long time), there could be a good chance you'll be offered cash and/or a free ticket in exchange for giving up your seat.

Travel Half-Price on Amtrak

         Fed up with the unreliability and expense of air travel? Ask anyone who had a flight scheduled during the British Airways strike in March, or worse, this week with volcanic ash spewing from Iceland shutting down airports in Europe.
          Here's an idea: Go somewhere on Amtrak Sept. 7- Dec. 10, buy one ticket and get another at 50 percent off. Amtrak is celebrating National Train Day on May 8 by offering this deal to anyone who books a ticket between now and Sept. 30. Clip a coupon in today's New York Times then go to www.amtrak.com and type in the code H836 when you book to get the price you'll pay. Three days advance reservations required. Present the coupon when you pick up your ticket.
        

Mazatlan: Two vacations in one

Mazatlan: Golden or Olden? Most tourists choose either the Golden Zone or the Historical Center when they vacation in Mazatlán. I sampled both on a recent five-day trip, checking in first at El Cid, a $146-a-night all-inclusive beach resort, then moving downtown to a $50-a-night room at La Siesta, one of the first hotels built in Mazatlán when tourism began developing in the 1950s. The big surprise: I loved them both. For more pictures and the story in Sunday's Seattle Times, click here.   And here's a link to a great blog written by Nancy and Paul who "retired'' in Mazatlan a few years ago. Great insights for anyone thinking of doing the same. Go to Countdown to Mexico

Make Your Own Bed and save $$$$

Here's a new one: Live a few days in a hotel without housecleaning, and shave a few dollars off your bill.

Most hotels leave guests the option of having their sheets and towels changed daily, but the Marmara Manhattan, a luxury hotel on New York City's Upper East Side, has taken things a step further. Customers who agree to sign up for housekeeping only once every three days get a $20 per night discount. Housekeeping services include a thorough cleaning and fresh linens and towels.

The hotel's new "green rate" applies to stays of three days or longer. Rates for weekend stays in April start at $239 for a one-bedroom suite. 

Find a Bed. Make a Friend

  

   Today's Seattle Times travel section zeros in on cheap sleeps. Check out the story on AirB&B, a new online source that connects travelers directly with people all over the world with spare rooms, apartments or homes for rent. I'm certainly going to give this a try the next time I'm planning on being in a big city such as New York or Paris. 
      All of this got me thinking about how much a part of the travel experience lodging usually is for me when I stay in a B&B, or even better, try out a homestay. Staying in someone's home - either a B&B or a spare room - is like having an instant friend in a strange city. I do it whenever I can, especially when I travel alone. 
    I recall an especially nice experience on Lopud Island in Croatia where a woman named Ane met our boat and showed my husband and me to a room in her home overlooking the sea. It was a bargain at $30, but more than the very comfortable room, I remember Ane and the kindly way she looked after us.

     Making these sorts of connections is the subject of my Travel Wise column on hospitality exchanges such as CouchSurfing and two Washington State travel clubs, Casa Casa and the Affordable Travel Club.
     I was amazed when I started to look into CouchSurfing how many Seattle people are involved, and what a resource it's become for connecting travelers and locals, whether or not they actually have a spare couch to offer. CouchSurfing has really become a cultural exchange network, as much about making a friend as finding a bed. An guess what? It's not just for backpackers in the 20s looking for a cheap place to stay. Lots of people in their 50s and up are using the site to connect with each other, either here or on the road. 
     If you're coming to the Seattle area, check out all the CouchSurfers here who might be willing to help you out, meet for coffee as well as offer you a place to stay.
    Two that really impressed me are Maia Lassen-Purser and Miles Erickson who serve as CouchSurfing "ambassadors'' for the city of Everett. He's a pilot. She's a dancer. They both apparently love to cook. They have a double futon. I wasn't able to connect with them by phone on deadline, so I didn't include much about them in my column, but if they're an example of the kind of people who "CouchSurf,'' what are you waiting for? 
    Here's an e-mail I received today from a couple with some first-hand experience:
   "Just had to write and tell you about our couchsurfing experience after reading Sunday’s article.  We traveled to Iceland, and beforehand found a couple in Reykjavik that had a couch available.  They commented that they preferred to host travelers close to their age (50+) but were open to anyone.  I emailed them, told them there were 4 of us all 55+.  We did not need a place to stay, but would love to have a home hosted dinner of typical Icelandic food.  We offered to reimburse them for the cost.  A few emails later found us at their door complete with Washington State wine we brought from home, along with Chukar Cherries, Almond Roca and some postcards from Seattle.  We had a fantastic evening of talking and a great meal.  They served a casserole of salted cod – a staple up there.

    "We also we contacted by someone who read my post on Virtual Tourist, and we made arrangements to have dinner at their house also.  Along with everything we brought to the first home, we also brought some American hot wheel cars  for their 4 year old son.  There we were treated to leg of lamb that the father of our host had raised. Just another way of using some of these sites.  I can’t wait to travel again so we can try it somewhere else!"  -- Ronda and Dale Miller

Spring getaway: Victoria calling

Vancouver and Vancouver Island were the "It'' destinations last year during the run-up to the 2010 Olympic Games. This means that THIS year is the perfect time to go to avoid crowds, higher prices and all that goes with being on the tourist trail.


I've spent many a three-day weekend exploring the island. No matter how many times I go, I always find something new. 


If you haven't detoured off the highway between Sidney and Victoria, do this the next time you're on the island and discover the culinary delights of the Saanich Peninsula. 

Here's a few other ideas gleaned from Victoria Tourism's monthly newsletter: 

DINE AL FRESCO ON THE EMPRESS VERANDA

On April 30, 2010, the Fairmont Empress Hotel opens its veranda to visitors with bistro-style dining (no reservations) daily from 11:30 a.m.- 5 p.m for beverages or a light meal, through September. I personally am not a fan of the Empress high tea experience (to crowded, too expensive), but this sounds like a winner. Another of my favorite spots,  especially in rainy weather, is the Bengal lounge. 

CELEBRATING MOTHER'S ONE GARDEN AT A TIME

The Victoria Conservatory of Music offers garden-loving mothers a self-guided Mother’s Day Garden Tour. May 8 and 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors will be treated to a plant sale and entertainment by students from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Passes are $25, available by calling the Victoria Conservatory of Music at 1-866-386-5311. 

ONE-PERSON THEATER

This sounds like it might be worth a special trip. The Uno Fest, Canada's oldest festival dedicated to one-person theater, will be held in Victoria May 20-30. Uno offers live comedy, drama, and dance from around the world. The 2010 line-up includes Chris Gibbs, Toronto singer and filmmaker Bob Wiseman, and American actor and comedian Kahil Ashanti. More than 20 shows to choose from at the Metro Studio and the Intrepid Theatre Club. Tickets start at $17. 

TEA TIME (AND COFFEE TOO) 

Venus Sophia Tea Room is a new space in Chinatown. I haven't been here, but from the description, it sounds like fun. Filled with overstuffed floral cushions and bicycles with flower baskets mounted overhead, Venus Sophia is described as "an elegant space pouring teas from China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka and its own Venus Sophia black, green, white and herbal organic varieties.''

There's also coffee and a selection of raw foods, baked goods, homemade soups etc. Venus Sophia also specializes in red espresso, a rooibos tea specially made for use in espresso machines, and known as a healthy hybrid between tea and coffee.