PTG Presents: Bowl Travel Guides

So your alma mater finally got an invite to the big game. You've got your tickets and you've booked your flight, but there's one small problem. You don't know a thing about the host city. Not to worry.

Here at PTG, we've scoured our destination guides to provide you with all the travel information you need to make it through bowl season. We offer you a comprehensive travel guide for every single bowl game... yes, even the Eagle Bank Bowl. Each bowl guide offers recommendations on hotels, restaurants and nightlife. And all the recommendations are broken down by price range so you know what you're getting into. Happy Bowl Season.

Bowl Travel Guides

St. Petersburg Bowl - 12/20

Eagle Bank Bowl - 12/20

New Mexico Bowl - 12/20

Las Vegas Bowl - 12/20

New Orleans Bowl - 12/21

Poinsettia Bowl - 12/23

Hawaii Bowl - 12/24

Motor City Bowl - 12/26

Meineke Car Care - 12/27

Champ's Sports Bowl - 12/27

Emerald Bowl - 12/27

Independence Bowl - 12/28

Papa John's Bowl - 12/29

Alamo Bowl - 12/29

Humanitarian Bowl - 12/30

Texas Bowl - 12/30

Holiday Bowl - 12/30

Armed Forces Bowl - 12/31

Sun Bowl - 12/31

Music City Bowl - 12/31

Insight Bowl - 12/31

Chick-Fil-A Bowl - 12/31

Outback Bowl - 01/01

Gator Bowl - 01/01

Capital One Bowl - 01/01

Rose Bowl (BCS) - 01/01

Orange Bowl (BCS) - 01/01

Cotton Bowl (BCS) - 01/02

Liberty Bowl - 01/02

Sugar Bowl (BCS) - 01/02

International Bowl - 01/03

Fiesta Bowl (BCS) - 01/05

GMAC Bowl - 01/06

BCS Championship - 01/08

FareFinder: Key West Coupon Craze

We're all about the specials and deals here at FareFinder. So imagine my delight when this email from Key West, Florida landed in the Farefinder inbox:

The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council has launched a program designed to enhance visitors' vacations through a wide variety of value-added offers from Keys lodging entities, restaurants, attractions, watersports operators, dive excursions, charter fishing boats and other businesses.

"No doubt, many travel consumers are seeking vacation experiences that maximize their dollar during these unsettled times," said Keys tourism council director Harold Wheeler. "Our 'ValuCation' program makes vacationers aware of Keys incentives during traditionally peak travel periods."

Coupons range from nice ($2 off admission to numerous local attractions, BOGO -- "Buy One, Get One" -- at restaurants and bars) to sweet (discounted room rates at the four-star Sheraton Suites Key West, for one) to cool (one night free accommodations for each day you book a fishing charter). It's not a tremendous boon to the wallet, but at the same time, every dollar counts.

Carnival Cruise Lines Sues Rolls Royce for $100 Million

These are not the halcyon days of the auto-industry. That is, if you can have a time, usually in the past, of greatest happiness or success actually in the present. Which you probably can't, but that's neither here nor there. The point being that with GM, Ford and Chrysler all already in trouble, it appears as if luxury automotive dealer Rolls Royce might be facing a little financial problem too.

Only they're not running out of money; they're just getting sued by Carnival Cruise lines. For $100 million.

According to the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Carnival seeks more than $100 million, claiming that Rolls-Royce defrauded Carnival into the "selection, acceptance and continued use" of the Mermaid pod propulsion system.

"The Mermaids are simply defective and do not function as it was represented that they would," the suit states. "Most importantly, it is now also clear that the defendants have known about this situation all along and that they have deliberately conspired to mislead, deceive and defraud Carnival into believing otherwise."

The Mermaids are, obviously, made by Rolls Royce (engines, natch) and used by Carnival on their boats. And oddly enough, this isn't the first time that Carnival has come after the high end auto maker -- in 2003, the cruise line sued them for issues with a propulsion pod system and asking for $300 million.

So, at least on the bright side, Carnival recognizes that these are tough economic times and is being reasonable about how much they're asking for from Rolls.

World's Largest Ice-Skating Rink Opens in Mexico City

Mexico City has opened the world's largest ice-skating rink in The Plaza de la Constitucion (commonly known as Zocalo Square). Although Guinness hasn't verified the claim, no one's about to dispute it either. The massive rink measures 3,200 sq meters. Whether or not it's actually the largest ice rink in the world, it certainly adds some Christmas cheer to the Mexican capital.

People there can have a skate on the huge rink for free, if they're prepared to wait in the long queues for their turn! Around 14,000 people are expected to go for a skate every day.

And to complete the larger-than-life winter wonderland there is a 50-metre high Christmas tree, toboggan slide and a huge snow area...

City mayor Marcelo Ebrard says the attraction, which drew millions of visitors last year, provides entertainment for families on low incomes.

Rockefeller Center, eat your heart out. With a holiday display like that, the big wigs in NYC are bound to have some Christmas tree envy.

But in all seriousness, the powers-that-be in Mexico City have provided a valuable, family-oriented service to the community. Despite its smoggy reputation, the city has countless attractions to offer tourists.

There are outstanding museums, the nearby pyramids of Teotihuacan, the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico (a spectacular presentation of Mexican music and dance) and much much more. If you've never considered a trip to Mexico City, currently falling airfares, rich culture and an enormous ice-skating rink are all great reasons to spend Christmas south of the border.

FareFinder: Continental.com discounts make Weekend Warriors happy

Continental.com offers special eDeals on its Web site for weekend travelers, and depending on your preferred destination, there are some good airfares to be had directly from the airline.

Continental offers Saturday through Monday/Tuesday tickets on the cheap roundtrips for selected cities each week, mostly traveling out of the their main hub in Newark, which also serves the New York City region and Houston, with a majority of these fares falling in the $119 to $179 range.

This week's specials include:

Houston to West Palm for $179
Newark, NJ to Montreal for $128
Houston to New Orleans for $119
Newark, NJ to Greensboro for $119

There are about two dozen deals this week, which change on a weekly basis, so keep an eye out, but as always, Farefinder will keep you updated when more hot deals come down the pipeline.

German Markets Put an Old School Spin a Commercialized Holiday

Ramsey Qubein is Travelin' Light's on-the-road correspondent.

The Christmas season is in full swing, and no one does it better than our friends in Germany. Their hearty Christmas markets usher in the holiday spirit in cities across the country with rows of decked-out stalls selling handicrafts, homemade gingerbread cookies, gluhwein (mulled wine), toys, candles, ornaments, and personalized gifts.

It’s more than the stalls though. It’s the festive feeling in the air. As people jostle through the crowds (and jostle is a nice word for it), you come up close and personal with more than your fair share of locals. But, the mood is light and the smiles ear-to-ear. Live choirs and music perform on a regular schedule, children cling to parents’ hands, and, if you’re lucky as I was in both Nuremberg and Strasbourg, a light snow will begin to fall.

Yes, that’s right, I said Strasbourg. Even France, Switzerland, and Austria put out an equally impressive showing for their Christmas markets. Some might say that the Spanish and Italians get into the act, but Germany is by far the leader in this area of expertise.

What is it with Americans and shopping in a mall or online? I admit, I’m an online fanatic. But, there is something to be said for a souvenir gift purchased at one of these markets.

This is the official recognition that Christmas is finally here in my book. Whether I’m in Nuremberg, Dusseldorf, Strasbourg, Zurich or Vienna, there is something strikingly familiar about these communal gatherings. Perhaps it’s the old-fashioned squares in which they often take place or it’s the anticipation of what you will find down each row of stalls.

Either way, when I flip the page on my calendar to December, I get excited about planning which market I will attend this year. And 2008 will take me to the Zurich Christmas Market. While nothing can top Nuremberg’s famous festival or Strasbourg’s winding-through-the-old-town charm, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Swiss celebrate. My findings are forthcoming, but in the meantime, sip some gluhwein and toast to the holiday season in honor of our smart European friends.

Jamaica Tourist Board Reappointed

Just two weeks ago the entire Jamaica Tourist Board quit. All of them (you may recall a post cleverly titled, Entire Jamaica Tourist Board Quits). The group resignation was designed to give Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, free rein to appoint a new board that could better address the current global financial crisis.

At the time of the resignation, Bartlett told reporters that a new board would be selected and in place by Dec. 15, the beginning of the winter season. According to a recent Travel Weekly article, there's been a change of plans:

Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has reappointed most of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) members who tendered their resignations en masse last month.

So apparently good tourist board members are hard to find. Or maybe they all promised to take macroeconomics courses if they could have their jobs back. Either way, one important appointment did take place.

John Lynch, who resigned as chairman of the board before being reappointed as chairman of the board, was named Director of Tourism. In his new and additional role, Lynch will handle the day-to-day operations of the JTB and be responsible for the island nation's global marketing efforts.

As a former VP for Unique Vacations (the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts) Lynch is extremely qualified for the position. Expect to see big things from Jamaica, including gaudy, brightly-colored bungalows, large fruity cocktails, kitschy atmosphere and self-promotional swimming pools nationwide.

Crazy Vaca of the Day: Volunteer for the Iditarod

Spring break (although the term is a bit outweighed if you have a "job") is usually in March. And it usually involves going somewhere sunny. But perhaps you're not a fan of the beach or the sun or the ocean. Well, beginning on March 7, 2009, Alaska has the trip for you, and it involves the world's most famous dog sled race.

Race enthusiasts who want to be a part of the event can volunteer with the Iditarod Trail Committee for assignments as diverse as dog handling, sorting food and supplies, and race communications.

Although the Iditarod Trail Committee does not pay for transportation or room and board costs for volunteers from outside Alaska, it will attempt to find housing for volunteers with local race enthusiasts.

So, yes, there is the downside of nothing being free. But there is also the upside of getting to travel across the great unknown in one of the most famous and grueling races that society has ever seen.

Also, Alaska is pretty goshdarn underrated in terms of its ability to provide a inspirational, albeit out of the way vacation. It sports a wealth of natural wonders and the Inside Passage is a must see/do, even if you're not mushing dogs around the great Northwest.

Cruise Ship Outruns Pirates

Over the weekend, an Oceania-line cruise ship was attacked by pirates off the coast of Yemen. The Nautica was on a 32-day cruise from Rome to Singapore when the incident occurred. Although it was the first time one of the company's ships had been threatened by pirates, the captain and crew wasted no time in their response, quickly leaving the two small skiffs in their wake.

The ship took evasive maneuvers and accelerated to its full speed of 23 knots or 27 mph. One of the smaller craft closed to within 300 yards and fired eight rifle shots at the cruise ship, he said, but the ship was able to pull away.

The Nautica escaped without damage or injury to its 684 passengers and 400 crew, and arrived safely on schedule in Salalah, Oman early on Monday morning.

Although the incident occurred in a Maritime Safety Protection Area patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces, the Nautica was on its own as it sped from pirates at a blistering 27 miles per hour. Sources at the Maritime Bureau pointed out that although the zone was created to give safer passage to ships, it's impossible to guarantee the protection of every ship in such a large area.

Some travelers may shy away from cruising after hearing stories like this and others about pirates in Somalia, but there are two factors to consider. First and foremost, attempts on large passenger ships are incredibly rare (this was the first of its kind in 2008 and pirates generally target cargo ships) and cruising remains, by and large, a safe and fun way to vacation. Second, what more of a testament do you need for the qualification of a ship's crew and captain? Oceania escaped with more than their ship, crew and passengers... you better believe those 684 passengers are going to have some brand loyalty the next time they book a cruise.

Musings on the Hotel Experience

Ramsey Qubein is Travelin' Light's on-the-road correspondent.

How often have you stayed in a hotel when the big things were impeccable, but it was the little things that caused irritation. In my role as a correspondent for Northstar Travel Media, I am privileged with the opportunity to experience and inspect a variety of international properties for our readers. But, it amazes me to find the exact same annoyances at properties across the globe. Too small to cause concern, but in summation enough to produce anger, these are undoubtedly widespread situations that all travelers endure.

How many times have you…

…been interrupted or awakened by the minibar inspector who wanted to check the status of your fridge? (You know... the one that you never even opened!)

…been charged for high speed Internet access at a so-called full-service property after having experienced free Internet at a budget-minded hotel days earlier?

…been awakened by overpowering noise in the hallways as housekeepers bang and scream their way from room to room? (Don’t get me wrong, I find housekeeping to often be the most friendly members of staff, but they can often be as loud as all get out!).

…been charged a token dollar or two to the room to go towards charity (from which the hotel will receive the praise)? Management knows most guests will be too embarrassed to remove the charge, and they can get away from saving what they would have contributed on their own.

…been saddened to find that the expensive room you paid for has hair in the sink or on the towel?

…been guilted into reusing your towel for environmental purposes?(A cause I support wholeheartedly, but always have an inkling the savings go into the hotel’s coffers rather than towards worldly good - Ed. Note: You and me both, brother. -).

…been submerged by water around your feet in the shower only minutes after starting the water since the so-called rainfall shower head was never matched to the drain’s capabilities.

I am by no means a perfectionist, but I do believe that the hotel industry has become complacent at a variety of key “touch points” that are important to the guest. My personal “touch points” are: the arrival moment, the ease of “living” in the room (Internet, phone, TV), the bathroom, the bed, and the unscripted interaction with employees (a smile from a housekeeper or greeting from a bellman). These are important “moments” where a guest’s opinion of a property can change in an instant.

Sure, it’s nice to have a signature scent in the lobby, turndown service, or a half-dozen restaurants. But, if I cannot relate on these primary touch points, I leave with more hesitation than praise.