Travel Smart With Jodie

Archive for the ‘Travel tips’ Category

If looking for a fun and interesting winter break, head to Chicago.

The city is about all shopping the Magnificent Mile of North Michigan Avenue and seeing public sculptures around almost every downtown corner.

It is music in the clubs, musicals in its Broadway in Chicago theaters and music at Chicago Symphony Center.

It is about exploring centuries of fine art at the Art Institute of Chicago and centuries of natural history at the Field Museum.

It is about enjoying the seascape of Lake Michigan and creatures of the sea at the Shedd Aquarium.

However, Chicago is best enjoyed when you know how to get around the town.

Here are five tips to doing Chicago like a travel pro:

• If flying in to O’Hare International Airport, you can take the subway system downtown. The Chicago Transit Authority, popularly called the CTA, has a station downstairs of O’Hare’s baggage claim area. Its Blue Line will take you from O’Hare to Randolph Street near theaters and hotels. Visit CTA and go to Trip Planner. The Trip Planner extimates travel time at about 45 minutes but driving the Kennedy Highway from the airport can take an hour when backed up and then driving into the downtown area from the highway can take a good 15 minutes more.
  

  Chicago is also known for its architecture. The Marina Towers on the left and Trump Tower, far right, are on the north side of the Chicago River just west of Michigan Avenue

• If taking an Amtrak train to Chicago’s Union Station, you have a choice of buses to take from Union Station’s cross streets to the city’s main shopping areas and attractions. Go to CTA Trip Planner for options.

• Chicago is as much a destination for suburbanites and residents of nearby towns as it is for visitors. But public transportation is still a good choice to avoid traffic congestion and highly taxed parking garages. Visit Metra for stations and times and visit the CTA Trip Planner for bus options from the Ogilvie Transportation Center or Union Station.
  

  The Picasso sculpture at Daley Plaza is a Chicago landmark but the city also has sculptures by well-known artists throughout the downtown including Joan Miro's Chicago across from the plaza and Claes Oldenburg's Batcolumn just west of the Metra station

• Chicago is a CityPASS town. The pass saves big bucks and time when trying to fit in more than one attraction.  It allows entry to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium or Art Institute, the SkyDeck at Willis Tower (formerly Sears) and the Museum of Science and Industry or the John Hancock Observatory. The pass typically means not having to stand in line to for tickets.

• World class museums are certainly a draw but there also are events, neighborhoods, public sculpture, parks and many more sights and activities so check out the city’s official visitor site: Explore Chicago to see what is happening when you plan to come to town.  The site also lists hotel packages. Now wishing you world class fun.

All photos by and copyrighted to Jodie Jacobs

Remember the snow storms that shut down airports on the East Coast last year? Were you or a family member recently delayed because Chicago was experiencing high winds? Even if you are traveling to or from a balmy climate, winter’s weather woes may put your plane or the flight of someone in the family on hold at a different airport.

You can get to know the airport better where you are stuck. But having a place to relax, watch TV while sipping a glass of wine or have free Wi-Fi access can go a long way to easing flight delays.

The holidays are a great time to make travel easier for someone you love (including yourself) by giving an airline club membership. However, the recipient will appreciate the gift throughout the year.

What you should know

American Airlines

AA has more than 40 Admirals Clubs and connections to 30 more lounges through its international partners.  If the recipient is already an AA Advantage member, club membership may be discounted. Also Advantage miles may be used to purchase membership. If not a member, the person can be enrolled for additional benefits at no cost.

Club benefits include complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, snacks, computers with hi-speed internet access and Wi-Fi. In addition, a service desk assists with plane and seat changes. Seating and TV is more comfortable. Some clubs have showers and children’s areas. Many clubs have complimentary beer and wine.

Costs range from $500 for a new, single annual membership (or 80,000 Advantage miles) to $400 (or 55,000 Advantage miles) for a new, single AAdvantage platinum member. Add $325 for spouse. A 30 day Admirals Club pass (from date of purchase) is $99.

United Airlines (includes Continental Airlines)

United Club, (formerly United Red Carpet Club and Continental Presidents Club) offers the same benefits as Admirals Clubs do for AA travelers. With international partners, the joint clubs have more than 50 lounge locations. As with AA the recipient should join the Milage Plus program.

Club cost for a United MilagePlus member is $475 (62,500 miles)) Premier MilagePlus member cost is $450. Add $225 (30,000 miles) to add a spouse or domestic partner. A one day Club Pass is $39.

Happy holiday travels

The signs are there, teasing the Northern US and Midwestern states with nippy air and barely tinged maple and aspen leaves. It’s time to plan a fall color getaway.

But before you pencil in your destination there are a few tips to consider so that fall color fever does not have to be treated with two aspirins a day.

1. Even though weekends may be easier on your work schedule, it won’t be easier on your drive or stay at popular fall destinations.

Do try to go during the week or you will find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic along normally scenic roads, staying at less desirable locations and grabbing “to-go” from a drive-in instead of relaxing at a good local restaurant.

2. Once you have determined where you want to go, take a look at that area’s Convention and Visitors Bureau websites for accommodation listings.

It is OK to call the CVB for suggestions and recommendations. They want visitors to be happy. They may even have a list of places in your price range and that meet your needs that are booked and those with vacancies.

3. Accommodations in popular color destinations are often filled months, sometimes a year, ahead so book as early as possible. Also, broaden your options to include Bed & Breakfasts, condominium rentals and suite hotels.

Remember that a place that may sound pricey but includes breakfast could end up cheaper than somewhere without breakfast. Also a condominium with kitchen facilities may also save on meal costs.

4. Choose an area that has more to do than drive around looking for the best snapshot to post on Facebook or go into the family album. Areas rich in fall color often have additional attractions such as wineries, harvest festivals and art galleries.

Knowing more about an area than its reputation for color may help deciding when and where to go.

5. Whether you have a destination in mind or not, you will have a better idea on when peak color comes if you check a state’s website. States want you to come so they have color watch and color information.

Knowing ahead that color comes the last week in September in one state or area of a state and mid-October in another state or area, will help you schedule your trip.

Here are some Midwestern scenic and color websites sites to check (other states have similar sites):

Visit Illinois and Color watch. See Indiana and check Color information. Go to Ohio and its  Color information. Also see Michigan and its Color information. Visit  Minnesota and its Color information. In addition go to Wisconsin and Color information

Photos by Jodie Jacobs

You’re not alone if you have a mega fever – cabin fever that is. Just as all that snow melted from the last blizzard and the weather seem to be turning the seasonal corner, either another blast of icy cold or the white stuff has us hurrying back indoors.

Here are four doable prescriptions to ease cabin fever.

• Green isn’t just the color of lawns and leaves when the weather finally cooperates. It also comes with an Irish accent and a lively, musical lilt. Plan now to host a fun St. Patrick’s Day party or talk with friends about getting together at an Irish pub that will have a dance group or live music. Begin planning now to have something to look forward to a few weeks away.

• Take a stay-vacation where you only have to travel to a nearby B&B, resort or downtown hotel. Many places are offering good deals before the Spring Break and Easter rush. Choose a place with a spa or one that is near a fine restaurant or live theater to make the getaway even more special. Need an excuse? Isn’t it a half birthday or anniversary of something?

• Start planning your summer vacation. Look on line for a range of accommodations, things to do and transportation options. By starting now you should have more lodging and price choices. And you start to feel more connected to the places you hope to go instead of house bound by snow and cold.

• Remember the 2011 blizzards will be conversation items for years to come. So, gather your photos and memories, put them in a scrapbook and close the book on this winter.