<div><a href="http://vacations.travelzoo.com/asian-vacations/766318">Travelzoo just published a package to India</a> that's a pretty amazing deal. For $999 (based on double occupancy), you'll get nonstop, roundtrip airfare to Delhi, a whole bunch of tours, ground transportation in India, and five nights in 4-star hotels.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only does this package save you about $1,000, it also makes seeing some of India's major highlights - the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort, the "Pink City" - much easier than if you tried to travel on your own.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Not that we're against striking out solo in India; we've done it ourselves, and spent a few weeks traveling around Kerala and the country's southern shores, and as a single female traveler, enjoyed ourselves.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But we also traveled with a casual tour group around northern India in Rajasthan, where all of the aforementioned cities and attractions are located, and we're glad we did. While Agra isn't far from Delhi or Jaipur, traveling between the three cities can get confusing (buying tickets at any of their crowded train stations is truly challenging for those who might expect "lines"), and going with a tour seems like an efficient way to see the sights. Plus, one can always break off from a group - and this particular tour doesn't sound like one where people are joined at the hip.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our final tip? Consider adding in extra days for your trip to visit Jodhpur and the holy city of Varanasi. Five days in India is way too short of a trip!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://vacations.travelzoo.com/asian-vacations/766318">Get more details from Travelzoo here.</a></div><div><br /></div> 2010-03-11T15:26:43Z 507 this-just-in-bargain-travel-package-to-india 2010-03-11T15:31:18Z <div>The future has arrived.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, we're not talking about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoverboard">hovering skateboards</a>, à la&nbsp;<i>Back the Future II.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>We're talking about personal jetpacks and <a href="http://www.martinjetpack.com/">they're finally here</a>. Sure, they'll cost you 85k but we think that's mere peanuts considering you get thirty minutes of uninterrupted flight time with each ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, we're not making this up: <a href="http://www.martinjetpack.com/video-gallery.aspx">check out this crazy video of a man in flight.</a>&nbsp;(OK, so maybe the whole experience seems a little ... loud.)</div><div><br /></div><div>So screw you, commercial airlines. It's only a matter of time before we all have our own personal flying machines! Right?</div><div><br /></div><div><i>[via </i><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/martin-jetpack-priced-at-86-000-mere-mortals-will-soon-be-able/"><i>Endgadget</i></a><i>]</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> 2010-03-10T21:58:47Z 506 oh-good-jetpacks-finally-here 2010-03-10T22:06:00Z <div>This week's <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/trip_picks/easy-escape-winter-weekend-in-east-hampton">Trip Pick is East Hampton</a>, a beachside town out on Long Island with a strong sense of local community - meaning there's lots going on even in the off season.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only are most of East Hampton's restaurants and shops open throughout the year, but there's also a goodly number of events like gallery openings and karaoke nights that happen on winter weekends. And maybe we love 30 Rock a little too much, but 8 bucks to attend a screening and discussion with Alec Baldwin (and Scorcese) sounds like an off-season bargain (see below).</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep reading for our other tips on what to do and how to make the most of your trip should you decide to head out to East Hampton anytime soon. And if you've got any suggestions, let us know what we missed!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>_______________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>East Hampton To-Do's</i></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For more details on the below, head to the<a href="http://www.easthamptonstar.com/dnn/ListingsEvents/tabid/63/Default.aspx"> East Hampton Star</a>.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hang with Scorcese and a Baldwin</b></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.guildhall.org">Guild Hall</a>: Screenings of films by award-winning directors Shashi Balooja, a Guild Hall alumnus, and Martin Scorcese (hosted by Alec Baldwin) followed by spirited discussions will be on hand. Tickets start at $8. <i>John Drew Theater, 158 Main Stree</i>t</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hike</b></div><div><ul><li><a href="&lt;http://www.easthamptontrails.org/">East Hampton Trails Preservation Society</a>: Check out this weekend's scheduled trips (including free hikes on Saturdays).</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Gallery Hop</b></div><div><ul><li>Artists Collective:&nbsp;East Hampton artist Karyn Mannix has curated a new collective for others to showcase their work. Check out works by Ms. Mannix herself, Evan Zatti, Eileen Hickey-Hulme, Joe Strand and much more. Friday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m. <i>35 Hampton Road, Southampton</i></li><li><i>For more Gallery listings, <a href="http://www.easthamptonstar.com/dnn/ListingsEvents/Galleries/tabid/121/Default.aspx">click here</a></i></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Good Eats</b></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://luigisitalianspecialties.com">Luigi's</a>:&nbsp;Grab a sandwich from its extensive hero and focaccia menu. <i>199 Pantigo Road, East Hampton</i></li><li><a href="http://springsgeneralstore.com/">Spring's General Store</a>: Homemade donuts? Yes, please!<i> <i>29 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton&nbsp;</i></i></li><li><a href="Crumbs.com">Crumb's Bakeshop</a>: What hasn't been said about this beloved institution? Delicious desserts, nothing crummy about it. <i>35 Newtown Lane, East Hampton</i></li></ul></div><i><div><br /></div><div><b>Entertainment + Activities</b></div></i><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/Home/departments/parks/Cedar%20Point%20County%20Park.aspx ">Cedar Point County Park</a>: For fishing, camping, picknicking, rowboating, and more.</li><li><a href="http://ehbowl.com/default.asp">East Hampton Bowl</a>:&nbsp;On Friday nights from 9 to 1, enjoy karaoke and dancing with your strikes and spares. <i>71 Montauk Highway,&nbsp;East Hampto</i>n</li><li><a href=" http://www.fresnorestaurant.com/">Fresno:</a>&nbsp;On Thursday nights, Bossa Nova music starting at 6:30.&nbsp;<i>8 Fresno Place,&nbsp;East Hampton</i></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> 2010-03-09T18:00:47Z 505 east-hampton-engagements-gallery-hopping-hiking-and-hanging-with-alex-baldwin 2010-03-10T14:50:47Z <div>While we've yet to cover Newport, RI, this oceanside town is an <a href="http://www.peterpanbus.com/">easy bus ride</a> from New York, and the perfect place to escape the city year round.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, we've just found out that one of its fanciest hotels - <a href="http://www.thechanler.com">The Chanler</a>, a mansion-style property - is 25% off rack rates for the rest of the year. The catch? You need to make reservations by the end of this month.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, planning ahead is a small price to pay for this veritable boutique property - the Chanler only has 20 rooms - that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. While some <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60978-d282749-Reviews-The_Chanler_at_Cliff_Walk-Newport_Rhode_Island.html">TripAdvisor reviewers</a> have said that rooms aren't worth the $900/night they've paid, current rack rates start at $309/night.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Not too shabby when you consider each room cost approximately $1 million to build. That, and the property was named the #4 Small Hotel in the U.S. by <i>Conde Nast Traveler</i> in 2010.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Bonus: readers who make their booking by March 31st, 2010, will receive a complimentary&nbsp;Spiced Pear Martini at the hotel's award winning restaurant. Just mention jauntsetter <a href="http://www.chanler.com">when you reserve</a>.</div><div><br /></div> 2010-03-09T14:51:04Z 504 25-off-newport-luxury-hotel-for-the-rest-of-the-year 2010-03-09T14:51:54Z <div>For the first time in forever, I'm flying on an international flight and it won't be <a href="http://www.aa.com">American Airlines</a> - after years of being Platinum (their 2nd-highest elite frequent flyer level), I've learned I've just been downgraded to Gold.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, the irony of running a travel site - you spend more time in front of a computer than on a plane!</div><div><br /></div><div>With my upcoming flight to Mexico City looming on the horizon, I've been thinking about ways I'm going to class up my sure-to-be coach experience.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out my top tips below. And let me know: how do you gussy up the other wise unglamorous affair of air travel?&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>xo,&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>your jauntsetter editor, Dorothy</div><div><br /></div><div>_________________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Classing Up Coach: How To Glamorize Your Next Airport Affair</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sartorial Savvy:</b> Like our <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/jauntsetters/jenny-slate">formerly featured Jauntsetter Jenny Slate</a>, I'm probably going to dress up for my flight. Of course, I'll keep it cool-to-hot friendly by <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/tricks-from-the-trade-how-to-layer-fashionably-when-traveling">layering appropriately</a>, and maybe even wearing my favorite <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/hot-to-cold-what-to-wear-when-escaping-winter">versatile black dress</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Look the Part:</b>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/our-travel-secret-trying-to-look-and-be-our-best-on-the-road">An updo and a smile?</a> Check and check. Who knows, if I look presentable enough, I just might get invited up to First Class like <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/first-class-futures">Kate</a> or <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/jauntsetters/kelly-dunn">Kelly</a>, despite my non-elite <a href="http://www.continental.com">Continental</a>&nbsp;status (that's who I'm flying with on Thursday).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Accessorize Appropriately:</b> As always, I'll keep calm and organized with my <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/ebay-find-vintage-bosca-passport-holder">passport holder</a>, and I'll keep things looking classic and feeling sturdy with my <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/luggage-at-the-right-price">quality vintage luggage</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Map Out Airport Amenities:</b>&nbsp;If I have lots of time to kill, I just might consider getting a manicure or a quick massage near my gate. Almost every <a href="http://www.panynj.gov/airports/newark-liberty.html">airport has a website</a>, and more and more, <a href="http://www.departurespa.com/services.html">mini spas</a> are being offered at at least one terminal … check if yours has one, and make an appointment in advance!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Consider the Lounge: </b>I know I'll likely have some work to do at the last second before my flight, and if there's serious stuff that needs to be done, <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/airport-lounges-are-they-worth-it">I think airport lounges are worth it</a>. The <a href="http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/maps/ewr.aspx#AirTrain">Continental Lounge at Newark</a> is actually one of the nicest I've been to, so I'll spend the money to get some peace and quiet there, plus some other perks: its got showers, computers, complimentary wi-fi and alcoholic beverages (a rarity!).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Gourmet Meals a Must:</b> One of the most depressing things about air travel these days is the food they serve you in flight - and the fact that not only is it almost always terrible, it's not even free anymore! This time, I swear I'm going to <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/flying-do-you-bring-your-own-meal">bring along my own delicious meal,</a> Newark Food Court be damned. (If we were flying out of <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/jetblue-terminal-5-s">JetBlue's Terminal 5</a>, this wouldn't be the case).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bring your own First Class Kit:</b> One of my favorite things about international business or first class travel is the little kit you get: fresh socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, moisturizer, ear plugs and an eye mask are almost always included. Not only do they make flights more pleasant, but they're good to have on trips in general. That said, they're really easy to make on your own.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/one-stop-travel-shop-flight-001-turns-ten-and-offers-30-off">Flight 001</a> and <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/posts/new-awesome-travel-friendly-toiletry-site-makes-packing-a-breeze">3FlOz.com</a> are two excellent sources for security friendly amenities.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Indulge:</b> OK, so this isn't really classy - but it is fun, and anything that can count as such during a flight should be indulged through and through. Like almost <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/jauntsetters">every other jauntsetter</a> out there, when I fly I'll buy all the magazines I could ever want, from <i>US Weekly</i> to <i>The Economist</i>. You can guess which will get read cover to cover.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div> 2010-03-08T15:00:24Z 503 classing-up-coach-6-ways-to-add-glamour-to-your-next-flight 2010-03-09T00:19:34Z