Each evening the Indian military, and the Pakistani Rangers step out to the cheers of thousands of spectators. While one side screams “Pakistan Zindabad”, the other shouts “Jai Hind”. Wearing almost identical military regalia of boots, spats, uniforms, metals, and plumed hats the two sides are distinguishable by the differing colors of their uniforms: dark green for the Pakistani Rangers and tan for the Indian Military. Heated looks, mimicked threats, goose stepping and the slap of boots hitting the pavement are all part of the ritual and the movements all bear a distinct resemblance to those of angry birds. Carrying loaded weapons the two sides perform a final elaborate series of steps, speed marching towards each other in an aggressive dance before meeting in the middle and taking the flags down simultaneously. There is the briefest of handshakes with the angriest of looks in their eyes and then the gates are closed. The ceremony, for that day at least, is over.

In that one visit you’ll see the fervor that spreads amongst the crowds of both sides. You can slice the emotional thickness in the air with an ax. People are so overwhelmed and overcome with the patriotism and the display of anger and pride by their respective militaries that the majority break down and shed a tear or two. Angry shouting of slogans of Jai Hind (on the Indian side) by grown men with tears in their eyes is what marks the actual end of the evening’s ceremony. The same is reciprocated on the other side. As you step down, you notice that neither side hates the bordered land, it’s just that they love the one they live in too much. You’ll may even shed a tear as you walk back to your waiting car.

With it’s in your face diversity, sun washed beaches, tranquil temples, elaborate festivals and crowded cities; love it or hate it, India promises to jostle your entire being. Contact us to plan your journey into India.

Take a peek at the video and then answer this question for me.

Does the photo posted on the Luxor’s website  of the Pyramid room (shown above) look like the room I stayed in?

Spirit Airlines was the first airline to charge fees for carry on bags. They were also the first to charge you $5 to print your boarding pass at the airport if an agent prints it. Other fees you’ll encounter with Spirit are seat selection and extra leg room. Spirit squeezes 178 seats onto its Airbus A320s, compared with 150 on JetBlue. If you want the extra space, it’ll cost you.

Ben Baldanza, Spirit’s CEO couldn’t be more proud. “We think about it as consumer empowerment,” Baldanza says. “And let me tell you why that’s true: because customers only have to pay for what they actually use. The people who fly us get it: ‘OK, I don’t get as much legroom, but I saved $40 vs. my other options. You don’t get the same thing as Walmart that you do at Nordstrom’s, right?”

My question for you is do you feel empowered? Fees on airlines range from seat selection, extra leg room, larger front seats, headphones, pillows, blankets, boarding passes, meals, checked bags, carry on bags, oversized bags, overweight bags and a few other interesting fees.

Are you empowered by airline fees, paying for only what you need? Take our poll.

For details on what each airline charges, Smarter Travel has updated it’s “Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees.” You’ll certainly want to take a peek at this before booking your next ticket. In the meantime, share your comments on our blog and join the discussion on Facebook.

Photography: Songquan Deng / Shutterstock.com

I have to admit, I can’t claim to be a foodie, but I do enjoy a good meal. As a travel agent, and an Authorized Food Network Travel Specialist, I decided to take my own Food Network journey around Jacksonville, FL with the assistance of Food Network’s Chef Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant Impossible and Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

The first stop on my quest for a great meal was The Secret Garden Café located on Beach Boulevard. The owners Mike and Zach requested the help of Chef Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant Impossible, to get their struggling café back on track. In 48-hours, Chef Irvine and his team come in with a critical eye and revamp menus and remodel restaurants with a $10,000 budget. Chef Irvine and his team arrived at The Secret Garden Cafe in December, 2010. The episode aired on February 23, 2011. You can view the remodel in the video below.

For this dining experience, I invited Eddie, a Jacksonville Firefighter. We both love a good meal. Most importantly I knew I could count on his “honest” opinion. We decided to drop in on a Sunday afternoon for a late brunch. When we arrived, the restaurant was fairly crowded. Now mind you, it’s not a huge place but has a comfortable, warm atmosphere. When you walk in, you can grab a seat anywhere you’d like. There were a few tables that needed to be cleaned and initially service was a bit slow. It was nice to see Chef Irvine’s décor in person. The infamous wall of mirrors was still there and looked beautiful.

While I loved the décor, I was there for one reason and one reason only; to experience the food. Beth, our waitress was friendly and promptly took our order. I was disappointed that they were out of orange juice but Beth offered me a Poinsettia (cranberry juice and champagne) instead of the mimosa she’d mentioned earlier. I opted for the Poinsettia, while Eddie ordered his iconic Arnold Palmer. There were a number of menu items that would make any mouth water. Decisions. Decisions. For breakfast, I chose French toast made with fresh ciabatta bread and served with honey butter, maple syrup and fresh berries. In the show, Irvine blasted the French toast before the menu makeover. Eddie, chose Shrimp and grits, a particularly interesting dish served with fried grit cakes, shrimp, shrimp bisque with shredded Romano cheese and tomatoes. One breakfast menu item that gave us a good laugh was “A Hot Mess.”  Served with 3 eggs scrambled with bacon, sausage and ham atop a bed of cafe potatoes with sharp cheddar cheese and diced tomato. You can make it a REALLY Hot Mess by adding the sausage gravy!

Our meals arrived hot and tasted as good as they looked! Ed was so impressed with the simple but tasty menu that he’s vowed to take his son back for a meal. Portion size was appropriate if not more than expected for the price. Count this restaurant as travel agent recommended. It’s safe to say that the Secret Garden Café is no longer a secret. Thank you Chef Irvine!

The next stop on my Jacksonville, FL Food Network journey is 13 Gypsies, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with host  Guy Fieri. Want to join me in Jacksonville at 13 Gypsies? Email me or find me on Facebook.

If you’re not in Jacksonville and you want a Food Network journey of your own, consider one of the 2012 Food Network vacations in San Francisco/Napa Valley, France or Italy. Email me for details of these extraordinary, behind the scenes exclusive tours.

Have you been to the Secret Garden Café? We’d love to hear about your experience there. Share your comments below.

We skipped breakfast and opted to disembark the ship in search of our tour guide for the day. The port was an interesting place. Bustling with people either shopping or heading into the island for an adventure of their own. We quickly located the bright yellow information center building as detailed on our tour agenda. We asked for D & J Tours and were pointed in the direction of a really tall island man. Considering my petite frame (4’9” tall), anyone is considered tall but trust me on this one; this man was tall. He greeted us and told us to sit tight while we waited for a few others to join us. After about 10 minutes, Mr. D & J Tours sent us off with another island man, our driver, who would take us to pick up our ATV. The driver was eerily silent. Never said hello, goodbye. Nothing. Pure silence.

He drove us to a small garage looking place with a number of large, nice looking ATV’s outside. We walked into the dark garage and truly it was a bit unnerving. The other employees stared as we walked towards a makeshift desk and an Asian gentleman standing behind it. I wasn’t sure if I was on a tour or an ambush! The Asian gentleman presented himself as the owner and quickly greeted us. He was very friendly and quickly put me at ease. He gave us a quick private lesson on driving an ATV and because we were the first to arrive, he offered us the newest ATV in the shop. I was feeling pretty good about this experience. Shortly after we arrived, approximately 15 or so others arrived. We all mounted our ATV’s adorned with helmets and we were off.  Within a few minutes of our departure, we were in the heart of town. You could smell the whiffs of curry in the  air and feel the warm breezes across your face. I was in heaven!

There was no better way to see the island than on an ATV.  Yes I’ve heard all the horror stories but I’m one of those travelers who refuses to let the misfortunes of others taint my zest for life.

We explored the beautiful neighborhoods of St. Maarten, riding high into the mountains. The scenic views were breathtaking. We stayed on the main roads until we reached a certain point on the mountain when our guide took a detour and off road we went through a field. It was only a moment before I realized we weren’t the only ones in the field. Off to the left were two horses! Nice. We parked our ATVs in the field on the mountainside and hiked up a little further to get another glimpse of the views that St. Maarten is so famous for.

As we made our decent, we went through some of the everyday neighborhoods as I like to call them. You know the kind I mean right? The ones without the luxury homes, with regular cars and kids playing outside.  From there, another off road adventure. This time through a muddy dirt road with lots of water. Oh yeah! The ATV had incredible means to ride over ANYTHING! Rocks, dirt, mud, concrete, grass, water, pot holes, and everything else we could find to drive over. After the off road adventure, we headed off to Orient Beach for an hour or so of refreshment. I sipped on fruit punch and took in the beautiful ocean views. White sands, turquoise waters and cocktails. What more could you ask for. But be warned, Orient Beach is a topless beach.

After our beach break, we headed back to town. In the horizon you could see the makings of the infamous afternoon rain clouds forming. We wasted no time in getting back. Often times at 70 mph we drove through the streets of St. Maarten. Who knew ATVs could go so fast!

All of our convoy arrived back at the dark little garage in once piece. The owner offered us all a gift. A little bottle of rum that sits half empty on my kitchen counter. Now that’s the way to spend a day in St. Maarten!

About the ATV Tours: You’re in great hands on this tour. There are at least two or more guides that accompany your group. One is always in the front and the second is always in the back. They will hold/stop traffic to allow ATV riders to get onto a busy street safely. You can rent a one or two person ATV. All safety and driving instructions are clearly explained before departing the garage. If you’re considering an ATV tour in St. Maarten or simply looking for shore excursions in any port for any cruise, give me a call at 904-446-8687 or visit this link, Cruise Line Shore Excursions.

As Egypt’s struggle for democracy continues, travelers look for assistance to stay out of harms way and return home safely. The Cairo airport turned chaotic. There were no departure times listed and no destinations being displayed; only flight numbers. Flights are departing as soon as clearance from air traffic control is received. Hundreds of people are trying to board a flight to anywhere other than Cairo.

International travel has never been without risk. While most destinations present little concern, being prepared for the unexpected is no longer optional.

As a travel professional, I wish I could provide each client with a pair of Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers; with instructions to click your heels three times and repeat “there’s no place like home.” Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to getting home safely. When the unexpected does occur, being prepared is your best ally. Here are a few steps you can take when traveling abroad if you’re suddenly presented with the unexpected.

Before Departure

• Research the destination you’ll be visiting by reading news stories. Be knowledge about any political situations or elections that may be occurring. Check for travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State. Being informed can help you make the decision to go or stay home.
• If you decide to travel despite the travel advisories warning, register ANY international travel with the U.S. government’s Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP). Enrolling in the program ensures that the U.S. Embassy is able to reach you in an emergency and assist you with evacuation if needed. Be sure that you know where the U.S. Embassy is located.
• Purchase an international cell phone or a satellite phone. Many travelers take an international calling card for emergencies. If you are unable to reach a phone, there is no substitute for having a cell phone immediately available. Internet service was disrupted in Cairo leaving a phone as the only means of communication.Pre-program the following numbers into your phone:
  • Immediate family members
  • Airlines you are flying with and the airport
  • Hotels you are staying in
  • Tour operators you are traveling with
  • Your travel agent
  • Local numbers to emergency personnel
  • US Embassy
  • Travel and Medical Insurance provider

  It sounds like a lot of work right? The goal is to stay safe and have the resources you need in the palm of your hand. Immediate family members should have the cell phone number and a copy of your itinerary with important phone numbers to hotels and tour operators.

  • Keep a spare credit card and a small amount of cash. You may be able to obtain a cash advance if banks are operating. During periods of civil unrest, credit may not be accepted. Cash may be the only thing that can be used to purchase food or pay for emergency transportation and lodging.
  • Purchase travel insurance and international medical insurance. The expenses you’ll incur in an evacuation attempt will be expensive; from diverted flights to longer hotel stays, food and transportation. All policies are NOT created equal. Ensure that your policy covers non-medical emergency evacuation coverage.

  Evacuating Safely

  • Contact the airport and airline and investigate your flight options. If you’re traveling as part of a tour group, your tour operator should be able to provide assistance in re-booking your flights. Depending on the situation, you may not be able to confirm specific departure times. If this is the case, be prepared for a wait at the airport. Bring food and water with you as availability in the airport may be extremely limited.
  • Arrange for safe transportation to the airport avoiding the use of buses and trains. If roads to the airport are blocked, stay in your hotel (if safe) until you are able to reach the airport without incident. Be aware of any curfews. Make sure you travel to the airport several hours before any curfew begins.
  • Stay in touch with the U.S. Embassy. Often in volatile situations, the U.S. government will arrange for transportation for U.S. citizens to a safe haven. The transportation provided is not without cost. It is provided on a reimbursable basis. You will be responsible for your own transportation from the safe haven to your final destination.

  Assistance in the chaos

  There are a few exceptional services to assist you in the midst of the chaos. I’ve listed them below. They provide 24/7 open lines of communication in addition to the many services they offer.

  International SOS.
  With 26 alarm centers worldwide, a membership with International SOS offers 24/7 emergency assistance from doctors, nurses, security personnel as well air and ground logistics personnel. The coordinators are multilingual and can assist with minor complaints to major emergencies.

  Global Rescue
  When spending extended time abroad, a security upgrade to a Global Rescue membership can provide the peace of mind you need. If the U.S. government declares that its citizens should leave the area, experienced military Special Forces veterans will arrive to evacuate you from troubled areas in the case of civil unrest, invasions, terrorist attacks or war free.

  On Call International
  Regardless of the reason for your travel, On Call International offers medical evacuations, assistance and security services worldwide. Memberships offer a political and natural disaster upgrade of only $85 more per person. With 24/7 access, you’ll have up to the minute information until On Call International is able to get you home.

Live, up to the minute upates on Egypt’s Protests
Twitter is an excellent source of live, up to the minute updates on the situation on the ground in Egypt. To stay abreast of the situation, visit any of the following:

@YahooNews/Egypt – A compilation of Twitter users and reporters both in Egypt and abroad.

Evan Hill – Al Jazeera English online producer, live on the ground in Egypt.

Dan Nolan – Al Jazeera report whose tweets were critical in spreading the word when the Egyptian authorities shut down Al Jazeera.

A longer list of other excellent Twitter feeds to follow for updates on the events in Egypt can be found in Christopher Albon’s post on UnDispatch.com.

SkyVenture’s indoor skydiving experience takes place in vertical glass tunnel that simulates the skydive experience with winds of up to 130 mph. I arrived at SkyVenture shortly after noon. After checking in, I was shown to the observation room to wait for my training class. During the brief training session, my classmates and I watched a short video detailing the flight experience and what we could expect. Our instructor shared hand signals we’d need to know to communicate during our flight. Two fingers meant straighten your legs slowly. Two bent fingers; bend your legs slowly. One finger pointing straight up meant to keep your chin and head up. Not too difficult right?

With training complete, it was time to gear up. SkyVenture provides all the gear needed for your flight.

Flight suit? Check.
Ear plugs? Check.
Goggles? Check.
Helmet? Check.

Superhero or Catwoman? You decide.

Let’s do it! We entered the vertical wind tunnel and the fans started kicking the winds up. The moment of truth had arrived. With my heart racing and my superhero ambitions, I put my hands in position and jumped into the wind tunnel. I immediately took flight. With a big cheesy smile on my face and my imaginary cape blowing in the wind, I watched for hand signals from my instructor. Two straight fingers. I straightened my legs slowly. As I did, the perfect form was achieved and I floated in mid air! Awesome! My classmates told me I looked like I was going to claw someone to death rather than a superhero!

Your SkyVenture instructor stays in the tunnel with you to provide instructions for a successful flight. The Earn Your Wings package for newbies like me provides two, one-minute flight experiences in the tunnel.

During the last 20-seconds of my final flight, the instructor took flight with me. He held on to my arm and a leg and we quickly ascended to the top of the tunnel with a free fall down to the bottom. Talk about an adrenaline rush! We repeated that maneuver three times. The experience is so realistic that many skydivers train here as well as military personnel.

Indoor skydiving is a great way for the entire family, ages 3 to 103, to experience a free fall without jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. The SkyVenture’s experience is offered in locations worldwide.

Are you a skydiver? Have you tried indoor sky diving? Have you done both? Share your experience and help convince me to do the real thing!

Note: The post contains a few pictures but I’ve added more on Flickr.

We headed out a little after 6 with a little help from car navigation system. The restaurant is located at 12903 Hood Landing Road in a residential neighborhood. As we headed down a dead end road, passing home after home, the navigation system alerted us that our destination was on the left just ahead. We saw the cars before we saw the restaurant itself. This place was packed! The unpaved parking lot was completely full and patrons had begun to park on the shoulders of the road. We grabbed our spot on the shoulder, parked, and headed in for this dining experience.

Clark’s Fish Camp is very rustic, with flaming torches outside and statuesque gators lurking in the waters. Our wait time was 40 minutes. I grabbed a Cosmo and a seat at the high top table and waited while watching the game on the flat screen and enjoying good conversation. The couple at the table with us was making their first visit as well; being drawn in by all the great reviews like we had been.

Lions and tigers and bears – oh my!

The time passed quickly and before you know it we were seated. Entering the dining area itself was quite an experience. Clark’s Fish Camp houses the largest collection of privately owned taxidermy in the country. I felt as though I was back in Africa or possibly on an Alaska adventure as I passed the massive lion catching its prey and the large bear that looked a bit angry. As we were seated, above us were monkeys, impala, orangutans, snakes, badgers and a host of other creatures.

Great food and festive atmosphere

The menu is quite exhaustive. From frog legs to gumbo; fresh fish cooked in a variety of ways, pastas and the best cuts of steak. Food portions are large and prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is festive and upbeat; a great place to celebrate special occasions. You’ll want to take a picture or two in front of the animals while you wait for your meal to be served!

Clark’s Fish Camp is a rustic, one-of-a-kind dining experience that you don’t want to miss! If dining on the weekend, be prepared for a wait. Reservations are accepted and recommended. If the weather is nice, dine outdoors. If you’re visiting the Jacksonville, FL area, don’t miss this one.

The media is abuzz with reports of the dispute between American Airlines and the online travel agencies. I’ve read one story after another on this heated issue. I will try to shed some light on what’s really going on with this subject.

The Scenario

When you’re shopping for flights on a travel website, the search results you receive are a compilation of data from the Global Distribution System (GDS). The GDS system consolidates hundreds of airlines’ fares and schedules, providing data to travel agencies and online reservation sites. You’re search results are controlled by the travel agency’s software and are based primarily on price and schedule. The search results do not include an airline’s additional fee services such as baggage fees, upgrades, more leg space, etc. When you purchase a ticket, GDS companies earn revenue from the airlines for any tickets booked through the GDS. That revenue is then shared with the travel agency that facilitated your purchase.

Airlines would prefer to control those search results and include their additional fee services. American Airlines has stepped up to the plate to take control. The fight over who controls what you see has officially begun! But this fight isn’t just about what you see when searching for an airline ticket. This is about money!

American Airlines Direct Connect

American Airlines has requested that all travel distribution channels, including the GDS systems, access its fares through their Direct Connect system. With Direct Connect, the search leaves your travel agency’s website and goes directly to American Airlines who determines what flights and fares to display as well as displaying its additional fee services.

By using Direct Connect, American Airlines would effectively bypass the GDS system and keep the revenue it once paid to them. In addition, they would gain the ability to up-sell your airline ticket by offering additional fee services.

The Impact

For the GDS companies, losing an airline’s fare and schedule content means a loss of revenue. The consumer loses the ability to comparison shop. If you purchased American Airlines tickets through Expedia or Orbitz in the past, that option is no longer available. Searching for the lowest price tickets will not yield any results from American Airlines on either website. Your best option to purchase an American Airlines ticket is to contact a travel agent or go directly to the American Airlines website.

GDS companies and the travel industry are not in favor of the actions taken by American. Sabre, one of the largest GDS companies, went so far as to de-preference American Airline flights in their system making them harder to locate. In a recent court action, American Airlines was granted a temporary injunction to which Sabre immediately complied and restored their flights. However, Sabre has threatened not to renew American’s contract and completely remove their fares in the fall. A recent article by the Los Angeles Times reports the concern that travel agents have expressed in regards to American and Sabre.

The Future of Airline Searches

Make no mistake that the coming months could have profound effects on the way you search and book your airline tickets. If other airlines decide to follow in American’s footsteps, finding the lowest priced flights just became difficult. Lower cost fare options may be less visible and require you to visit each airline’s proprietary system to find them.

So how do you find the lowest fare going forward. Use a travel professional who can navigate the sea of information or the lack thereof. If you must do it yourself, visit sites like Kayak.com that can still provide a decent comparison of available flights.

Read American Airlines official statement.