The Importance of Snacks

When spending significant time flying across the sky, even though you're not really doing anything active it's still important for the sake of comfort to eat. Airline food had a reputation for being bad, but at least it was food. Now meals are not guaranteed in the least and many airlines don't even serve snacks, with Jet Blue making the fact that they do a major part of their marketing campaign. Not a bad idea in my opinion.

The flylemma in this situation is  - how much is it worth sacrificing in order to be sure that in-flight meals will be provided? Would you be willing to take an early morning flight? Have your knees touching the seat in front of you? I might be willing to do both.

Running Through The Fields

Once again, my travel plans have been influenced by music. This time, the inspiration came from the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Snow, and now I want to run through fields without really worrying about anyone seeing me and wondering what I'm doing. The first place that comes to mind is Iowa, but I'm not sure what else there is to do there. Ukraine is well known for its wheat fields but like Iowa not well-known for its tourism. I feel like Iowa is the best choice, but unsure if it is worth the trip. Is it? Or maybe I should just go to Siberia and be sure that no one will see me.

Thoughts?

No time to sleep at home or no room to sleep on board?

This is a hypothetical flylemma that could be real for me in the future and is most likely very real for potential readers in the present. What if I had to fly from NYC to Heathrow in London but because of budget restraints I could either take a flight that leaves at three in the morning or fly on a crowded plane with very limited leg room. I think I would choose the red-eye, since leg irritation can be even more aggravating than sleep deprivation, but not sure. What would you choose?

Old-Timey Flights

Although many of my previous posts have been for ambitious vacations, in the continued economic downturn it may be more realistic to try to go somewhere closer and more affordable. Additionally, having been inundated by iProducts and all sorts of other electronic society, I'd like to get away from all that without going full-on Amish. I've been thinking either Williamsburg, Virginia or Branson, Missouri. Both are reasonably short flights from LaGuardia in NYC and neither should cost too much while there. Since I plan on traveling alone I'm thinking Williamsburg is probably better for me but if you think otherwise please let me know why. Finally, as always, which airlines would you choose for each destination?

A Choice of Two Calis

I've told myself that I would like to go to Cali within the next few years, but I haven't committed to which one. California is closer and more scenic, but in many parts the people are known for not being very real. Cali, Colombia, on the other hand, is known for being one of the most dynamic cities in the Western Hemisphere and has a reputation for being very real. I'm leaning towards California because going there would give me a much better chance to survive long enough to make the flight back home, but am open to suggestions recommending either place.

What airline would you suggest to go from LaGuardia to LAX? Also, any Colombian travel advice would also be appreciated.

Which Wonder Wall?

I've been listening to Oasis lately and that has inspired me to see a wondrous wall on vacation within the next few years. There are two such walls which I have in mind, with the first being the Great Wall of China, one of the seven man-made Wonders of the World. I've seen photos of the wall taken from outer space, but I'd rather see how impressive it looks in person.

My other option is a natural wall, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It's made of countless coral, and being in the ocean it is harder to reach than the Great Wall but I'm sure it looks spectacular. Also, I would take Qantas to the Great Barrier Reef but what would I take to get to the Great Wall of China?

Flight For The Penguins?

I've never seen a penguin in its natural habitat and would like to change that. As cold as New York winters may be, we don't have penguins around here so realizing my goal would require a lengthy flight. Either to Chile or New Zealand, since there aren't many commercial flights to Antarctica. I'm leaning towards New Zealand because of its beautiful scenery that I saw in Lord of the Rings, but the flight is insanely long. Chile isn't close either, and I'm sure it has some great vistas of its own.

Would you rather be flying to New Zealand or flying to Chile, and do you know what the best airline is to take to each from JFK Airport in NYC?

Cheesy Vacation Choices

I know the argument could be made that after my trip to Disney World, I could not go anywhere cheesier, but I disagree. I want to go somewhere even more associated with cheese, such as Green Bay, Wisconsin or the Limburg region in Europe, but not sure which one. Green Bay has Packer games and is much easier to fly to Wisconsin than to Limburg from New York City, and its cheese smells good. Limburg is known for having terrible smelling cheese, but they have tourist attractions such as thermal baths to make up for it.

Which cheesy region, Wisconsin or Limburg, would you rather fly to and what airline would you take to get there?

Phoenix or Prague

Have you ever been offered half-price tickets to any city in the world as long as its name starts with the letter "P"? Me neither, but I figure I might as well be prepared just in case. My top two choices are Phoenix and Prague and I'm not sure which of the two I'd choose. Prague is, from what I've seen, a very beautiful city with plenty of history while still being modern. Phoenix, on the other hand, is much warmer during the winter months and is a car ride away from breathtaking national barks such as the Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon. Phoenix is also a shorter ride that Prague would be, at least if they are both direct flights.

Which of the two cities would you choose and how would you get there?

Flying to a Party (and back)

I'm trying to make plans for 2012, and just in case the Mayans were actually right I want to get in as much partying as I can. That means there are two logical choices - New Orleans for Mardi Gras or Brazil for Carnivale. Would like to do both but if the world doesn't end then my liver and bank account wouldn't be able to handle that. The crux of the flylemma is that Brazil takes longer to get to, but it has much more beautiful beaches and people. If you were me, or even if you were you, where would you go?

I would also appreciate advice about which airline to take. Price is important, but smoothness of ride is also essential considering the likely hangover after days of debauchery.

Flight For Faith?

I've got this urge to visit a place where a major religion was born, in case being surrounded by all that history could help with my own spirituality. As to which religion, however, I am undecided. The obvious choice would be Israel, and I would take El Al to get there, but that would be a long flight. Going to Rome, the birthplace of Roman Catholicism and Jupiter worship, would not take quite as long although there is slightly less religious history in Rome. I'd probably take Alitalia to get there if I chose Rome unless there is a better option to fly from New York to Italy. What do you suggest?

Volcanic Vacation Advice?

I want to take a vacation somewhere that has ample volcanoes. The thrill of climbing up to the rim and peering into the lake of fire is unparalleled, but funds are not unlimited so I can only take one such vacation this year. I'm thinking either Hawaii, with its beautiful weather and majestic peaks such as Mauna Loa, or Iceland, which has tons of volcanoes and plenty of fascinating Viking history which could be explored while resting my legs. Coming from JFK airport in New York, both would be long but worthwhile flights, with the warmer Hawaii taking slightly longer to get to. Which would you recommend, Hawaii or Iceland? Also, what airline do you think is best to take to get there?