Showing posts with label TRAVEL & LEISURE. Show all posts

Monday, June 22, 2015

Airline stocks are up, and that's bad news for consumers

Delta Airlines passengers watch as a Delta plane taxis at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, April 14, 2015.

IMAGE: CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

3 days ago

Most airline stocks have lost altitude in 2015, but they rallied Friday on signs that carriers may soon raise fares at the same time that energy prices are becoming lower.

Delta apparently started a fare hike of $2 each way on many domestic flights, according to J.P. Morgan. And FareCompare.com said Friday that JetBlue and others had raised prices by $1 to $4 each way on a smattering of routes.

SEE ALSO: This is a great year for a European vacation

It was unclear whether the increases would stick; they could be rolled back if discount airlines like Southwest decline to go along with the increases. But last week, Southwest took part in a fare hike of $5 each way on many tickets.

"We are surprised to see Delta lead off an additional broad-based effort so soon after the industry's last success," J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker wrote. "But we see no harm in trying."

Meanwhile on Friday, the price of benchmark U.S. crude fell $1.06 to $59.39 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Cheaper oil could translate to lower spot prices for jet fuel, a major expense for airlines.

But that savings won't likely go to consumers, as airlines base fares on demand, rather thanoperating cost.

In afternoon trading, shares of American Airlines Group Inc. were up $1.775, or 4.4%, to $41.75; United Continental Holdings Inc. gained $1.71, or 3.3%, to $53.72; Delta Air Lines Inc. rose $1.07, or 2.6%, to $42.42; Southwest Airlines Co. gained 31 cents to $34.17; and JetBlue Airways Corp. was up 54.5 cents, or 2.7%, to $20.505.

At the beginning of the session, the Arca index of airline stocks was down 9% in 2015 after gaining 49% last year.

The drop has been even sharper at major U.S. carriers. Through Thursday, American had lost 25% in 2015, United shares were down 22%, Delta was off 16% and Southwest was down 20%. JetBlue, which has bucked a downward trend in the industry by reporting gains in a key revenue figure, rose 26% through Thursday.

Additional reporting by Mashable

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Here's what $90 million will get you in the private island market

The Exuma Cays, in the Bahamas, where the $90-million Cave Cay is located.

IMAGE: FLICKR, DANIEL PIRAINO

BY JESSICA PLAUTZJUN 10, 2015

Not all private islands come with outrageous price tags. Take for example Hemlow Island in Nova Scotia, which can be yours for just 24,000 of your American dollars. Or this tiny Connecticut isle on sale for a mere $250,000.

But those islands don't come with an airstrip, beach compound and private harbor. This one does. Cave Cay, in the southern Bahamas, is fit for a king — as long as he's got a spare $90 million.

SEE ALSO: Leo DiCaprio is turning his $2 million island into an eco-resort to save it

The island's price tag may sound expensive at first — if you don't often check New York City real estate prices. But think of the amenities.

The main house on the island is perched atop one of the highest points, providing panoramic views of Caribbean gorgeousness. There is also a 3-story houseboat. A clubhouse, shower and bathroom facilities are under construction.

The island is approved for commercial operations, but where would be the fun in sharing it with tourists?

"Rarely does an island with the attributes of Cave Cay become available," . "Located in the heart of the Exumas and near to famed Musha Cay, Cave Cay is one of the most beautiful spots in the world."

Musha Cay is owned by David Copperfield.

Unspoiled beaches and breathtaking views are clearly in abundance — as they should be at this price.

Vladi says it's "a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a private island that has it all."

What it's like to ride a WWII motorcycle on a frozen Siberian lake

IMAGE: MATTPRIOR.CO.UK

BY JESSICA PLAUTZJUN 11, 2015

The bar for adventurous travel has been raised.

Matt Prior and Dennis Malone spent two weeks circumnavigating a frozen lake in Siberia. And as if the destination and the itinerary weren't adventurous enough, they did it in a World War II-era Russian Ural motorbike and sidecar.

SEE ALSO: 10 Crazy Vacation Ideas for Thrillseekers

6 tricked-out campsites that don't really count as camping at all

Ads by Google

Cheap Tickets - Get the cheapest flights Deals! Find & Compare Prices on Flights.

continental-airlines.tripbase.com

Evening Dresses - Huge selection. Low price. Free shipping. Buy Now.

aliexpress.com

Facebook® Account Sign Up - Connect With Your Friends Online. Join the Facebook Community - Free!

facebook.com

BY KATHLEEN WONG

Glamping takes your marshmallows and sleeping bag to the next level.

The portmanteau of "glamorous" and "camping" is a revolution in enjoying the great outdoors. This leisurely trend has emerged over the last decade or so, according to the New York Times. Guests enjoy luxury accommodations in beautiful, natural settings — we're talking butlers, heated floors and electricity.

SEE ALSO: What $1,500 in Rent Gets You in 11 U.S. Cities

Check out a few glamping locations that give you the best of both worlds.

1. Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

IMAGE: DUNTON HOT SPRINGS

This exclusive resort is a reconstructed ghost town located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The former mining town features a restaurant dressed as a saloon, hiking trails and steaming hot springs — and you can't forget high-speed Internet, of course. Thirteen cozy cabins (with bathrooms) occupy the resort. Some cabins are built around hot springs or reside by waterfalls, so it's not a wonder that they start at around $1100 per night. Feel free to reserve the entire resort for events, too.

2. Whitepod Resort, Switzerland

IMAGE: WHITEPOD RESORT

Located in the Swiss Alps is a series of 15 geodesic domes known as the Whitepod resort. These low-impact pods are fitted with wood-burning stoves and fully-equipped bathrooms. Guests can visit the sauna and go skiing or paragliding. For a little less than $900, you can book a pod for two adults for two nights, and the program will include an excursion to the Bains de Lavey thermal baths, a breakfast buffet and tea time.

3. Longitude 131 Degrees, Australia

IMAGE: LONGITUDE 131 DEGREES

Explore the vast Australian Outback by lodging at Longitude 131 Degrees. This glamping destination overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage site Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is famous for its vivid sandstone monolith. But maybe a little bit less natural is the outdoor swimming pool and movie and video game library. The tents resemble those that old-fashioned explorers would pitch, but we're not sure pioneers had rain showers with moving walls. The rates start at $1,200 for one person for a single night.

4. Greystoke Mahale, Tanzania

IMAGE: NOMAD TANZANIA

Nomad Tanzania, one of the first East African safari companies, has set up camp on the pristine beach of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. Called Greystoke Mahale for the Mahale Mountains behind it, this sustainable luxury campsite comprises of six wood and thatch beach huts with running water and most of all, amazing views. Guests can hike, swim in waterfalls and watch chimpanzees.

5. The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

IMAGE: THE RESORT AT PAWS UP

This sprawling luxury ranch resort offers multiple luxury campsites in the picturesque Montana. But despite which camp you choose, you'll get a chef and butler at your service. (Who else is going to start the bonfire?) Its newest and most luxurious campsite out of the five is Cliffside Camp, which, like the name implies, sits cliffside over a river. These tents are perfect for a romantic getaway, including air conditioning and clawfoot bathtubs. A tent at this camp starts at $1555 for a two people per night.

6. Chobe Under Canvas, Botswana

IMAGE: &BEYOND

These mobile tents with ensuite bathrooms follow African wildlife around Chobe National Park. The mornings start with your butler waking you up for a safari drive and ends with cocktails over an open fire. Only a maximum of 10 guests get to experience the secluded but personal encounters with graceful African elephants. The rate for one person starts at $540 per night.

The exquisite beauty of India seen through Instagram

IMAGE: LAUREN BATH

BY JESSICA PLAUTZ

Lauren Bath, who says she was the first person in Australia to claim the title of professional Instagrammer, recently traveled to India, where she captured some amazing shots of the people, the architecture and the landscapes.

SEE ALSO: 20 photos that show the exquisite beauty of America's National Parks

It's not uncommon for a photographer to show off her work on Instagram. But for Bath, it was the other way around: She didn't buy a "real" camera until after she started an Instagram account and begun to post photos taken with her iPhone.

Bath, who had never before been to India, went on the trip for Intrepid Travel: "It was a destination I had wanted to visit for a very long time," she told Mashable. "For some reason it kept not happening."

As for what she ended up photographing, Bath said she had no master plan.

"I never research my destination — I always like to arrive and see what takes my fancy when I'm there," she said.

One of the many highlights of the trip, she said, was a stay in northern India, in a more rural area outside Jaipur. "We stayed in a palace, that still has a royal family living in it, and they take in guests to earn money."

Check out the photos for some of the amazing sights Bath Instagrammed:

So I have something pretty cool to share - I just got to INDIA! I'm doing a really different job working with @IntrepidTravel ! This means that although I'm in India I'm also promoting the company as a whole and so far I'm really impressed. I'm with a group of 7 and a trip leader who's a local! Intrepid is super affordable too so it's well within many peoples reach! So go at me - what do you want to see in India and what do you want to know about Intrepid? #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
I didn't shoot as many portraits in India as I thought I would, we were always busy busy and I felt a little shy asking sometimes. This woman was in the cow shed when we were exploring the palace we stayed at in Karauli and she was inviting me in with her eyes! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Now this is the photography that I love, just simple moments captured in travel. I took this shot of a big basket of chapati being prepared for the congregation at a Sikh temple. Sikh followers are commonly characterized by wearing turbans and, in the older days, carrying swords. My group had access to the kitchens and a couple of the girls joined the locals to roll out dough, I looked for the light. ;) @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
What's the point of going to India and visiting awesome palaces if you can't take a mirror selfie?! Lol. This was also shot at the Karauli City Palace which was a total favorite for me. Incidentally we also stayed in a palace, a real palace with a royal family still in residence!

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
A very good morning from New Delhi! Today I'm catching the train to Jaipur and come tonight I should be watching a Bollywood movie in one of India's most famous cinemas. India is not going to be a destination for landscapes, more for people and food and chaos! I hope that you guys like seeing something a little different from me! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
This is the view of the Taj Mahal as seen from the Agra Fort. I loved the story of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who died here imprisoned by his own son. Shah was the emperor responsible for building the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his favorite wife and he spent his last days with this view of his beloved. Upon his death his daughter had him buried at the Taj Mahal alongside his wife. The graves are below ground with replicas housed in the main area but I got to see the real deal! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
I've got one more shot to post of the Taj Mahal and this is the "classic" shot, straight down the line! On the day I went it was free entry so the place was absolutely packed! After I was done shooting I managed to sneak in a quick FaceTime to my Dreamboat and my parents and got to show them the Taj Mahal in all its glory, how easy has technology made staying in touch? @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Good morning from India! This is a shot of the Taj Mahal as you enter the site, the first glimpse you get. I was awed in this corridor and spent ages getting this shot before moving forward. Yesterday I learned that the Taj Mahal was never built to be lived in or to serve any other function than that as a mausoleum for the ruling Mughal's deceased wife. Later his daughter saw to it that he was buried there too which was never originally the plan and the reason the Taj now houses two graves. Fascinating! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Who wants to know what the Taj Mahal really looks like? I took this shot because I rarely see a close up like this and the details in the building are gorgeous! The sun sets in the west and lights up that side beautifully. @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
If anyone really wants to know what an Intrepid trip is like this shot kind of sums it up for me. Intrepid really help you to get amongst it by providing a mix of group activities and plenty of down time to go off and do your own thing. In Jaipur I went for sunrise with Jo, the writer, and Charissa, one of our group members, and we had a wonderful morning. Since we weren't quite in position for a full sunrise I chose to capture this moment instead. A group of cows were heading past and as Jo put her hand out they each in turn came and gave her a sloppy kiss. The cows really are sacred here and they really are everywhere. @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
I just want to take a second to talk about something important, animal tourism. I photographed this elephant yesterday at the Amber Fort so that I could broach the subject of animal tourism. While this elephant looks beautiful, it's being used for tourist rides every day. Intrepid Travel is one of the very few tourism brands in the world that discourage the riding of elephants and visiting animal attractions that may compromise the welfare of the animal. They invested in research that shows that often the treatment of captive elephants in tourism is cruel and unnatural to the animals. As a responsible tour company they advocate for animal friendly activities instead. It's important to realize that riding elephants, such as this one, doesn't make you a bad person but everyone should be aware of the repercussions to the animals before they make that decision, they belong in the wild! I'm posting a link to their blog post on the subject for those that are interested. I'm so proud to be working for a company after my own heart when it comes to animal protection! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
I'm sure you've noticed that my photography from India was very different to my usual style and I have to say - I LOVED IT! I especially enjoyed the challenge of working with daytime light as I was rarely in a great position for sunrises and sunsets and the smog can greatly impact them anyway. I shot this at a temple in New Delhi. @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Good morning from INDIA! I know that I totally suck at symmetry shots but I still like this and in my defense nothing really lined up at all! This was shot in New Delhi whilst out and about exploring. Local time is 4:45AM and I'm heading out for my first sunrise shoot. I hope it's nice out, I can hear lots of birds chirping! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Someone asked me to share a photo of the renovations at the city palace in Karauli so this one is by special request. This is the roof in one of my favorite rooms and I think I actually lined it all up symmetrically! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Argh, I can't thank you all enough for the overwhelmingly positive response to my last post, it can be hard to talk about the important things sometimes! Here's another one from my early morning outing yesterday, an awesome switch back road spotted from the Tiger Fort and looking over Jaipur. India is incredibly beautiful. @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM
Alrighty, at long last I have been shooting some landscapes! This morning I headed out for sunrise with a couple of the girls in my Intrepid group. We went to the Tiger Fort in Jaipur but I was shooting in and around it since it wasn't open yet, still absolutely worth it! I snared this shot from the road on the way back to the hotel. It's the Jal Mahal, "water palace" and it's kind of gorgeous! @IntrepidTravel #IntrepidTravel

IMAGE: @LAURENEPBATH ON INSTAGRAM

Show As Gallery