Iceland

AmStar

Something may look a little bit different the next time you go on vacation. AmStar is now serving as the destination management company--that's the company that handles your airport transfers--for Funjet, United and Southwest Vacations. Just look for their Blue Hawaiian style shirts when you arrive at the airport and you'll be on your way!

Using your Smartphone Abroad

Connecting

Most of us can't live without our smartphones these days, and travelling abroad doesn't mean you'll need to completely disconnect.  Of course, you can always find free WiFi in your hotel room or a local cafe to update your Facebook, check your email, or send a message using Apple's iMessage service.  However, if you need all the time connectivity, most of the major mobile phone providers now offer international connectivity plans at a reasonable cost.  For example, Verizon offers Travelpass, which costs $5 a day to extend your plan to Canada or Mexico, and $10 a day for over 100 additional countries.  AT&T offers a service called Passport  which will give you 200MB of data and unlimited texting for $40 extra added to your bill per month.  Check with your cell provider for all the specifics. 

Plug-In

The vast majority of modern smartphones are designed to charge between 100 volts and 240 volts.  This means you probably wont need a voltage converter and can plug your smartphone directly into a wall outlet abroad, provided you have a simple plug adapter.  

Chances are you will be stretching your phone's battery with all of the pictures you'll be taking and social media updates you'll be making.  So, we recommend bringing along an external power pack so you never run out of juice.

Must Have Travel Apps

UBER

If we have not pre-arranged your transfers to and from the airport, UBER ride sharing service is a great alternative to taxi's when travelling abroad.  They are typically quick and efficient and you wont have to fumble with the local currency to pay for your ride as UBER operates as a cashless system.

Google Translate   

There you are at the most adorable bistro in Paris staring at a menu written only in French--its been years since your high school French class, and you don't want to order something you won't like.  Never fear, Google translate will come to your rescue.  Not only can you input words or phrases to translate, a more recent feature makes use of your smartphone's camera to translate menus and signs in real time augmented reality.  Don't leave home without it!

Google Maps

Don't get caught looking like a stereotypical tourist wandering around with a big paper map!  Utilize Google Maps or Apple Maps for walking and public transit directions when traveling abroad.  Nobody will know you are looking at your phone for directions, preventing you from sticking out like a sore thumb.  Pro tip: If you have an Apple Watch, Apple Maps will inconspicuously give you a tap on the wrist when its time to make a turn and display the next direction on your watch face.

Airline App

All the major airlines offer a mobile app these days.  Save time and aggravation at the airport and check-in for your flight with your airline's app.  Many airlines even offer a mobile boarding pass through their app.  You can also stay up to date with the status of your flight, and some airlines utilize their app for in-flight entertainment.    

Mobile Passport

Travel like a pro and save time upon reentry to the United States.  The Mobile Passport app is officially licensed by the US Customs and Border Patrol.  With the app you won't need to fill out the paper customs and immigration forms and can utilize an expedited line.  Just pre-fill your passport information into the app and you are all set to go.  Most major US international gateway airports, including DFW, allow you to save valuable time with the Mobile Passport app.  NOTE: If you are already a member of Global Entry, Mobile Passport won't offer you any added perks.    

     

   

   

   

Is your driver's license acceptable for domestic air travel?

Back in 2005, the US Congress passed the Real ID Act which established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.  In other words, if your home state is not in compliance of the Act, you may need an alternate form of identification to board a domestic flight after January 22, 2018.  

 Good news for Texans, your state issued driver's license or ID card is in compliance with the Real ID Act and will remain valid for travel.  The majority of states not in compliance have been granted an extension through October of 2018.  However, extensions have not yet been granted to Michigan, Louisiana, New York, or American Samoa.  So, if your ID was issued by one of these states/territories you may be effected come the end of January.  You can check the current status of your state here: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id  

Alternate forms of ID that remain acceptable for travel are the following: 

·        U.S. passport

·        U.S. passport card

·        DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

·        U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

·        Permanent resident card

·        Border crossing card

·        DHS-designated enhanced driver's license

·        Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID

·        HSPD-12 PIV card

·        Foreign government-issued passport

·        Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

·        Transportation worker identification credential

·        U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

·        U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Take A Journey on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie’s classic detective novel, Murder on the Orient Express, is set to hit the silver screen yet again on November 10, 2017.  The new adaptation stars an ensemble cast including Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Gadd and Judy Dench.  The film’s plot unfolds aboard the fabled Orient Express train that ran regular service between Paris and Istanbul from 1883-1977.

In the 1980’s an American businessman purchased the iconic Orient Express train cars at auction.  The cars were beautifully refurbished and the new Venice-Simplon Orient Express was born.  Today the train is owned and operated by the Belmond Hotels Group and offers journeys from London to Venice.  For the journey, Belmond operates two separate sets of restored carriages, one in the UK and one in Continental Europe.  The first train delivers passengers from central London to the English Channel.   To cross the English Channel, passengers are transferred to motor coaches which are loaded onto the Eurotunnel Shuttle for transfer through the Channel Tunnel.  Upon arrival in Calais, France, passengers board the second Orient Express train which will convey them through to Venice.

Journeys take about two full days to complete and promise “to take you not just across Europe, but to transport you back in time.  With its polished wood, sumptuous upholstery and antique fixtures, the train epitomizes the glamour and elegance of the Golden Age of travel.”  Luxurious Sleeper cabins are available and guests are treated to exquisite meals in the elegant dining car.

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express Train by Belmond is one of our preferred suppliers.  So, if you would like to experience a piece of real, literary and Hollywood history, Fairway Travel is here to help.  Contact us to learn more.   

U by Uniworld This Is Not Your Grandparent’s River Cruise!

It is no secret that river cruising is one of the best ways to see Europe.  With a river cruise, you step aboard a floating hotel and unpack once while you are ferried from one unique destination to the next.  Often you get to visit small off-the-beaten-path destinations that would be difficult if not impossible to see if travelling Europe over land.  River cruises are known for their many inclusions such as city tours and shore excursions, bicycles, and complimentary beer and wine with meals.  Buuut, traditional river cruises have long had a reputation of appealing only to more mature travelers such as retirees and empty-nesters.  However, one cruise line is attempting to change those perceptions with their new brand, U by Uniworld—the world’s first river cruise line designed specifically for the 21-45-year-old demographic.

U by Uniworld’s two ships are simply named A and B, and these ships are begging to be Instagramed, Twittered and Facebooked with their slick design and edgy modern styling.  The ships allow the modern millennial traveler to stay connected by featuring complimentary WIFi throughout and utilizing email and WhatsApp (a popular mobile messaging app) for communicating with guests in lieu of traditional daily paper itineraries.  A new U by Uniworld mobile app, which is still in development, will creatively connect travelers before, during and after their cruise. 

The A makes her home on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, flowing through The Netherlands and Central Europe.  Meanwhile, the B cruises down France’s Seine River.  Both ship’s itineraries are destination focused and include many late night or overnight departures allowing passengers to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Both ships feature three different room styles ranging from “I just need a place to stash my stuff” to "I’m going all out in a suite,” each with waterfront views.  Flying solo?  U by Uniworld has single rooms available, and feature special room rates for those traveling on their own who want to share a room with a like-minded traveler.  They’ve even added extra sound proofing to the cabins to shield sleepy travelers from the inevitable noise created by night owls returning from the rooftop lounge or the unique “silent disco.”  A host of hip and exciting onboard experiences awaits cruisers including: paint and wine classes, mixology classes, morning open air yoga classes and chef’s table cooking classes. 

   

The ships feature two venues for dining, a full-service restaurant and a casual rooftop eatery, each serving farm to table cuisine, often inspired by the destinations on the itinerary, and don’t worry vegetarians, U by Uniworld has you covered serving up many organic, vegetarian and healthy options.  If guests are in the mood for breakfast (or dinner) in bed, they can take advantage of complimentary 24 hour room service.  Two meals per day are included in the cruise fare, leaving time for travelers to experience a local meal while docked in each destination.

At every stop along the journey U by Uniworld guests will have the option to explore the destination in one of three ways:

     1)  Included excursions and activities ranging from an evening bike ride along the Danube, to a midnight stroll through the streets of Paris, a canal cruise in Amsterdam, vineyard hikes or castle tours.
2) U Time  optional outings designed by local experts to deliver authentic local experiences.

     3) Explore on your own with no set schedule in mind.  

All of us at Fairway Travel are really excited about this new way to river cruise, so let us know if you would like to be one of the first to experience U by Uniworld!   The line officially launches in April of 2018, but is taking bookings now.  Prices start at just $200 per person per night.  Additionally, U by Uniworld just announced plans for two additional ships for the future to cruise the rivers of Asia!  

        

Welcome to Our Blog!

Welcome to the new Fairway Travel Blog!  Our team of experienced and globetrotting travel professionals are excited to share with you their insider knowledge and insights.  So, stay tuned for exciting destination guides, vacation ideas, travel tips, and more!