We Love Alaska Airlines!

We had our first opportunity to fly Alaska Airlines from San Fancisco back to St. Louis. It was great!

We had one stop in Seattle for about an hour so we had time to get a sandwich and walk about 150 feet to our new gate. SEATAC airport was very clean and nice.

Both planes were Boeing 737-900's with comfortable leather seat made by ricaro, the same people that make custom seat for Porsche's etc. Each seat had an individual power supply and a USB port, again, a very nice touch.

They offered tablets with pre-loaded, first run movies for $8.00. and they served Biscoff cookies as a free snack.

The best part about Alaska's configuration was the leg room. I am 6' 4" and I still had at least 3 inches of leg room for my knees! I haven't seen that kiind of legroom in coach since the 1980's! Bless you Alaska Airlines.

The staff was friendly, the flight was comfortable and on time and the price was right. We will be flying Alaska Airlines when ever we can!

The best view of San Francisco

The Hilton hotel at Union Square  has just opened Cityscape" and this is definitely the best view of the city by the bay!

Calistoga, CA hotels

We stayed at these two hotels while in Calistoga, CA. They were both very unique and the mud bath was a first for both of us!

Napa Valley Hot Air Balloon Ride

Here is a video Sue's first hot air balloon ride in Calistoga, CA

Let's Eat Granbury, Texas

Let's Eat is a great little restaurant in Granbury, Texas. Chef Curran Dodd is the only person in the kitchen and prepares truly amazing meals to his eager guests.

Let's Eat is a very casual, fun place to dine. Here is a short video we are sure you will enjoy.

https://youtu.be/zsLZpT-Sk9g

Cheers

Kevin and Sue

La Compagnie Airline

La Compagnie Airline is a very affordable way to flyBusiness Class to France. They offer daily service from Newark, NJ to Paris, CDG.

W have  flown La Compagnie twice and found them to definately be the best service for the price!

You will enjoy flying on a Boeing 757 with only 74, lay flat, seats with wine and meals from a French Chef. The service is excellent and you will arrive rested and relaxed, with a smile on your face.

Luxury French Canal Cruising and Gourmet Dining

We recently enjoyed a European Waterways French canal barge cruise on the Canal de Garonne in south west France.

This was our second barge cruise with European Waterways, the first being on the Canal de Bourgogne, in north east France.

Both cruises offered a very relaxing experience with beautiful scenery, daily excursions into the country side and villages and an amazing dining experience.

We highly recommend European Waterways canal barge cruises which are available throughout Europe. For more information go to www.gobarging.com

Please views this video to see an example of the fine dining you will experience on board the Rosa.

Nagel Warren B&B

Beautiful original wood parquet floors in the dining room and a luscious breakfast.

1888 Nagle Warren Mansion B&B Cheyenne WY

This beautiful 1888 Mansion B&B is where I stayed on my recent trip to Cheyenne WY.

Outlaw Saloon Cheyenne WY

Ride 'em cowboy Isaac.  Great dismount.

OUTLAW SALOON

The Outlaw Saloon is the place to go during rodeo in Cheyenne, WY We talked a local cowboy, Isaac, to ride the bull so we could take photos.

Buford WY Trading Post

Mayor Don, the only person who lives in Buford, WY wasn't working at the only business in town, the Trading Post, the day I stopped by.  But, I did find an unusual item.  Do you think TSA would let me take this lighter on the plane?

Buford WY

On a recent trip to Cheyenne WY I stopped by the tiny town of Buford, WY.  Population 1.

OTHER GREAT PLACES TO RETIRE WORLDWIDE

Lunigiana, Italy, Population 130,000, Cost of Living per couple $2,500 per month   Bocas Del Tori, Panama, Population 125461, Cost of Living per couple $1,500 per month   Granada, Nicaragua, Population 105,171, Cost of Living $1,250 per month   Nha Trang, Vietnam, Population 361,454, Cost of Living $750 ($1,000 for more luxury)   Roatan, Honduras, Population 70,000, Cost of Living $1,200 mo, cruise ship stop   Bearn, France, Population 350,000, Cost of Living $2,000, Southwestern France   Corozal Town, Belize, Population 9,901, Cost of Living $2,500, Best scuba in world

Retire in Merida Mexico

Merida is a historical and family community. Chichenitza Ruins are nearby.

Retire in Merida

More photos of beautiful Merida.

Retiring Abroad

Merida, Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula is a great place to retire.  Make sure where you want to retire at your choice location by taking trips to that destination before making your decision.  If you want water you won't find it in Merida.  Merida is located in the center of the peninsula and has a  major airport, excellent healthcare and the cost of living is $1,700 per couple.  The population is 777,615

8 GREAT PLACES TO RETIRE WORLDWIDE

We stayed at the beautiful InterContinental Hotel in Merida.

SUE WAS ON CHANNEL 2

July 26th - I talked about Great Places to Retire Around The World. To see the interview with anchor John Pertzborn go to www.fox2now.com/news/morningshow/

CHEYENNE WYOMING

Today is Frontier Days Rodeo in Cheyenne, WY Can't wait to see the barrel racing, bull roping, a behind the chutes tour, explore the Indian Village, watch the parade and more. Photos will come after I return home.

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO SHOW VICTORIA BC

Our regular contributor, Patrice Raplee, was on our radio show July 16th and talked about her recent trip to Victoria BC.   The photos are from the famous Butchart Gardens and Patrice at high tea at the gardens.   Other points of interest she saw were numerous tea shops and chocolate shops.  Her lodging was at the Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites.   For more info about Victoria check out www.tourismvictoria.com

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO SHOW GUEST

REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE TRAVEL PLANNERS SHOW MICHELLE NEWMAN   Michelle was on-air with us July 16th talking about her trip to Washington, DC to attend the CULTURE OF COLOMBIA AT THE 45TH ANNUAL SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL.   The objective of the festival is to educate Americans about culture, regional and eco-diversity of other countries.  There were cooking demos, handicraft exhibits and culture of the different regions:  Amazon Tropical Rainforest, Coffee Region, Andrean Highlands, Pacific Rainforest and Amazon Tropical Rainforest.

2012 AAA FIVE DIAMOND AWARD

The Bellagio, Picasso and Le Cirque have been awarded the prestigious 2012 AAA Five Diamond Award.  The Bellagio also has the distinction of being the only hotel in the U.S. to have two AAA Five Diamond restaurants under one roof.   To be considered for AAA rating and approval, lodgings and restaurants undergo a thorough evaluation by AAA/CAA's full-time tourism inspectors.  Five Diamond establishments go through a much more extensive review.  AAA experts judge lodgings on the exterior of the facility, public areas, guest rooms, amenities and bathrooms.  Restaurants are evaluated on criteria including food, service, decor and ambience,    Less than one-half percent of more than 31,000 hotels and less than one-quarter percent of 26,000 restaurants achieve this distinction. www.bellagio.com

UNITED/CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

As part of the makeover and rebranding of United Airlines/Continental Airlines the familar "U" logo will disappear.  The new version will a giant globe logo on all airport monitors, counters, signs and boarding passes.  These were first rolled out at O'Hare Airport in Chicago in May.  United and Continental are starting to roll out: a new boarding process, integrated check-in kiosks, frequent flyer perks and onboard snacks.    Currently the airlines are operating separately while starting to adopt the same services and practices.  522 aircraft have been repainted with the new United logo.  450 gray, white and blue signs on the back walls at United's gates and check-in counters at O'Hare.  The process will be repeated at 370 airports worldwide by 2013.   United and Continental Airlines are subsidiaries of the Chicago-based United-Continental Holdings Inc.

TRAVEL NEWS UPDATE

www.southwest.com Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld have teamed up offering customers family vacation savings and a chance to win a trip to visit SeaWorld.  SW Airlines is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and SeaWorld's new Shamu show, "One Ocean".  They will give away 40 trips in 40 days. Visit www.southwest.com/oneocean to enter to win.

EARTH DAY

Enjoy our Earth on Earth Day.

U.S. Travel Association

Roger Dow, U.S. Travel's president and CEO, recently released a press release on FAA Reauthorization Critical To Create Jobs and Add Billions of Dollars To Our Economy.   He says, "Passage of legislation being considered by the Senate to reauthorize programs for the Federal Aviation Administration is critical to improve the air travel process.   Reducing delays could add $17 billion dollars back into the economy by supporting more than 155,000 jobs in the travel industry, primarily in lodging, food services, amusement, recreation and retail.   The bill will reduce delays and airport congestion by accelerating airport modernization by implementing NEXTGEN air traffic control systems, converting the air traffic control from a ground-based system to one that uses GPS.   The bill also would require airlines to develop contingency plans for delays while passengers are on the aircraft.  Plans must include how the airlines will provide adequate food, water and access to restrooms.  Airlines must also provide passengers with timely and accurate information regarding the flight.   A 2008 travel survey found air travelers avoided 41 million trips from 2007-2008, or slightly more than 100,000 trips per day.  Translating to $26.5 billion loss to the U.S. economy.  "When travel is avoided, we lose more than just an airline ticket, Dow noted, "Hotels lose customers.  Local restaurants lose patrons.  Salesmen lose clients.  And, businesses lose the opportunity to purchase valuable goods and services."

JAPAN CRISIS

The spirit of the Japanese people is what keeps this great country together.  They have survived before and they will be survivors once again.  Our hearts go out to all of them during this time.   Kevin and Sue McCarthy

SUE ON CHANNEL 11 TODAY IN ST LOUIS

TRAVEL WARNINGS FOR SPRING BREAKERS IN MEXICO TEXAS DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS URGING SPRING BREAKERS TO AVOID TRAVELING TO MEXICO DUE TO CONTNUED VIOLENCE AND IS REMINDING BOATERS TO STAY ON THE U.S. SIDE OF FALCON LAKE.   BORDER TOWNS TO AVOID ARE NUEVO LEON, CIUDAD JUAREZ.    SAN LUIS POTOSI IN CENTRAL MEXICO AND SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE.   MEXICO SECURITY WARNINGS ALSO INCLUDE GUADLAJARA IN CENTRAL MEXICO.   TRAVEL TIPS:   BE SURE TO HAVE A PASSPORT.   CHECK WITH THE U.S. STATE DEPT. WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE SECURITY WARNINGS.  WWW.TRAVEL.STATE.GOV   KNOW HOW TO CONTACT THE EMBASSY WWW.USEMBASSY-MEXICO.GOV/   U.S.CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER WITH THE MEXICAN EMBASSY THROUGH THE SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) BEFORE THEIR TRIP.      VARIOUS CRIME PROBLEMS ARE ALSO EXISTING IN ACAPULCO.

Sue on Channel 2 Spectrum Resorts

www.thebeachclub.spectrumresorts.com   Check out these beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast condos.   April Specials up to 25% off. -  5 outdoor pools -  indoor heated pool -  numerous hot tubs -  white sand beach   15% off spring special WATERVILLE GULF SHORES PACKAGE FREE Zac Brown Concert Tickets -  three-night stay at a two bedroom condo -  tickets to Waterville USA 2 adults and 4 kids -  tickets to Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo   GULF SHORES DEEP SEA FISHING PACKAGE -  two-nights, two bedroom condo -  one deep sea fishing charter    from Fort Morgan Marina   GOLF AT GULF SHORES PACKAGE -  over a dozen golf courses -  green fees for one round of golf -  two-nights, two bedroom gulf front condo Total package price depends on number of golfers in each party   www.spectrumresorts.com www.golfgulfshores.com www.captben.com www.agccvb.com www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com www.navalaviationmuseum.org www.gulfshores.com www.orangebeach.com -

www.BestFares.com

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT DEALS FOR SPRING   Florida Fly In Drive Out For Only $33 A Week!!!   April 24 - June 12, 2011   Flying to Florida for Spring Break drive back home with Hertz and drop the car off at one of their locations across the country.  Some states don't apply, check out the www.BestFares.com for all details.    Go to www.Hertz.com and use codes 34618 Discount Code and DRV5 Rate Code.   March 25 - April 23 Alamo, Enterprise and National car rentals has another great deal.  $19.95 per day or $140 a week before taxes and you can keep the car for up to 21 days.