07th Oct2011

Travelling Does Not Have To Ruin Your Diet Plans

by Sam

Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, travelling does not have to sabotage your diet plans.  With a little pre-planning, you can stay on your diet, lose more weight, or even splurge just a little.  Always remember, know matter what, that even if you do stray from your diet plan, you do not have to quit all together , just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going.

If you are going to be flying, think about what you want to eat on that day, and stick to it.  You can bring your own food with you and keep it in your purse, such as a bag of baby carrots, a small bag of almonds, a low-sugar granola bar or dried fruit.  Airlines are charging now anyway for meals, and there are no substitutions with the airlines, so bringing your own food is healthier and less expensive.  When the stewardess rolls the beverage cart down the isle, choose water.  Water is great for flushing toxins, it has no calories, and it will keep you hydrated.  Stay away from soda, juice and alcohol.  All of those beverages affect your blood sugar levels and may make you tempted to choose less healthy food options if you get hungry.

If you have to eat out a restaurant, be assertive with your wait person and ask how the dishes are prepared.  For instance, if you are ordering a salad, ask for the dressing to go on the side, or ask that the chicken not be fried.  If you are ordering a sandwich, ask that the bread not be buttered and fore-go the mayonnaise.  Remember that the free bread basket does not have to be eaten, and you can even request the wait person not bring it to the table if it is too much temptation.  The waitstaff at the Bluegreen resort restaurants are familiar with guest diet plans, and are not offended if you ask for substitutions or modifications to a meal.   Vegetables in place of french fries is a common request!

When you check into your Bluegreen Corporation resort, ask the concierge where the nearest grocery store is so that you can buy healthy snacks.  Having a piece of fruit or some pre-cut vegetables with you to snack on will keep you from getting too hungry should your eating schedule be thrown off.  Just like it’s a bad idea to grocery shop when you are hungry, it’s also a bad idea to walk into a restaurant famished.  The temptations are too great!  You can also ask the concierge to show you where the fitness room is, or where the closest jogging path is, or where the closest aerobics class is around town.

With a little planning and preparation, you can maintain your diet plans and even continue to lose weight if that is your goal.  For more helpful tips on maintaining your diet plans while travelling, go to Fox News.

Category : Travel
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03rd Oct2011

Space Travel Symposium in Orlando, Florida

by Sam

This last weekend, in Orlando, Florida, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and NASA’s Ames Research Center in California gathered together to discuss interplanetary travel.  The two groups have created, and want to administer, a one year research program called the “100-Year Starship Study”.  The reason for the number 100 is that scientists feel it will take that long to build a craft strong enough make the travel and approach the complex issues of human occupation in space.

In this study, students, professors and researchers are going to look at such items as building materials that would make the transport into space, health issues, how to divide interplanetary real estate, ethical questions, financing, and more.  The one item everyone was in agreement with at the opening was that space travel within the next 100 years may be possible and NASA wants to be prepared.

Interstellar starship designs and advance propulsion systems required to traverse the 4.3 light years to the nearest star other than our own sun — Alpha Centauri, is daunting.  Earth is 93 million miles from the sun and Alpha Centauri is 272,000 times farther away.   There are time-distance issues with intersteller travel that will need to be addressed.  The research topics covered were quite complex, such as “Modular Aneutronic Fusion Engine for an Alpha Centauri Mission”, a talk given by three Princeton scientists.

The symposium was open to the public, for free, because DARPA and NASA want to raise interest and let the public know that the issues they are confronting head on, are real.  Bluegreen Corporation resorts are in Orlando, Florida, close to the convention, and are able to host guests for the next symposium.  For more information on this event, go to Popular Mechanics.

 

 

 

 

Category : Travel
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20th Sep2011

Take a Foodie Vacation

by Sam

Travel and Leisure magazine has just announced it’s 2011 “America’s Best Cities for Foodies” list.  There are some interesting choices this year making the list a bit controversial and enticing for people that might enjoy the idea of going on a “foodie” vacation tour.  Normally, San Francisco and New Your take top prizes, but those cities are getting some good competition from cities like New Orleans and Providence.  Not all the restaurants chosen are high end restaurants with celebrity chefs.  Some include food trucks and local, mom and pop restaurants that support the local fisherman and farmers.

The number one city picked this year is New Orleans!  With all of the new building happening post Katrina, some great new neighborhood cafes have opened up along with spots such as Meson 923, located in the new Warehouse District, that serve up mouth watering ethnic foods.  So on top of all the street parties and the music scene, New Orleans can now boast of their food as well.  Bluegreen resort Club La Pension is on Decatur Street, located at the edge of the French Quarter and within walking distance of the city’s attractions, restaurants and shops.  In this prime location, you’re right next to the fabulous food, nightlife and renowned eccentric culture of the Big Easy.  The resort is closed until February, 2012 while reconstruction is finished, but next spring, the resort is expected to be ready for business.

The number two city chosen this year is San Francisco.  San Franciso has Baker and Banker in Pacific Heights and Off the Grid, a mobile truck that circles weekly in different parts of town. San Francisco also scored in the top 5 for ethnic fare, coffee bars, and farmers’ markets. The newest hot trend right now is grilled cheese sandwiches, and there are food trucks and brick and morter restaurants serving up some fantastic variations such as toasted rye bread, with apple and gouda cheese.  Wash this down with some sparkling water, and your taste buds will have died and gone to heaven.

The number three winner this year is Providence.  For Rhode Island foodies, farm-to-table and boat-to-table is all the rage. Travel and Leisure is recommending Chez Pascal on Hope Street, or Nick’s on Broadway, in the West End for boat-to-table seafood.   Providence also grills their pizza, rather than baking it, for extra bubbly goodness.

For more information on Travel and Leisure’s 2011 “Best Cities For Foodies” list, go to The Huffington Post.

Category : Travel
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08th Sep2011

Sabre Travel Network To Expand Database

by Sam

Sabre Travel Network is expanding their capability of storing and delivering client information to travel agents globally.  The new software, Sabre Profiles, will enable travel agents to look up client information quicker and more efficiently such as contact information and credit card information reducing the need for clients to provide it multiple times and under multiple user applications.  Right now, this information is not scheduled or tied into any government agency to reduce security clearances.

Storing this information for travel agents will not only reduce the need for clients to repeat personal information to each travel agent they work with, but will also provide a layer of safety for travelers by providing alternative contact information such as employer information or secondary contacts.  The new software is secure, so your information is deemed safe.

Bluegreen Corporation resorts store client information as well to inform visitors of special rate offers and current local events.  Bluegreen  resorts work with travel agents to meet guest requests for everything ranging from meeting halls, tours, special health needs, diet restrictions and more.  Staying connected on vacation is much easier today with all of the advances in travel applications on iPhones and iPads.  Each Bluegreen resort has wi-fi available to help you stay connected.

For more information on this story, go to Market Watch.

Category : Travel
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06th Sep2011

Employers Bringing Back Incentive Travel

by Sam

Incentive based business travel is coming back.  Employers are realizing that bonusing employees through free travel is a great way to keep them motivated and it is different than just providing a paycheck.   Some time off, a free trip for the family and bragging rights are the top motivators for the employees.  These incentive based travel packages are not reserved for top executives like at AIG, they are for designed for the work force that makes the top executives look so good.

The benefits to the employer are there as well.  According to a Maritz poll released this last summer, only 12% of employees today believe they matter to the company.  A bonus like a free trip goes a long way to tell the employee they are valued.  Studies also indicated that for every one dollar spent on incentive travel, up to five dollars is returned to the company bottom line  through greater production from the employee.

Bluegreen Corporation resorts are great locations for employee incentive based vacations.  They are equipped with wi-fi, work-out rooms, pools and are conveniently located to local restaurants and entertainment.  Some resorts are big enough to host conferences if groups are traveling as well.  Talk to the concierge to see what kind of group arrangements can be made for your employees.

For more on this story, visit USA Today.

Category : Corporate News, Travel
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30th Aug2011

Corporation For Travel Promotion Set To Take Off

by Sam

The Corporation for Travel Promotion, a government run agency, formed in 2010, was formed to create interest in travelling to the U.S., to attract foreign visitors.  The idea is to promote the U.S. as a tourist destination, a business destination and a scholarly destination thereby creating more jobs in the U.S. in the tourism industry.

The board and staff are made up of private citizens, but they are accountable to reporting to the federal government and Congress on their successes.  It is a non-profit corporation funded 50% by cash and in-kind contributions, and then the other 50% is funded by ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.  ESTA is a program set up for travelers from countries that do not require a visa to pay a small fee once every two years to enter the U.S.  A portion of this fee is placed in a special account at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, to be transferred to the CTP in amounts equal to the contributions made by the private sector.  The program is not funded by tax dollars.

Funds for marketing become available to CTP on October 1, 2011, but the team has been busy creating goals and outcomes for CTP.  The marketing of the U.S. will hopefully attract foreigners to resorts located all over the United States, with promotion distributed evenly.  Bluegreen Corporation resorts should see an influx of visitors for leisure and business travel.

The reason for the creation of CTP is that other countries and destinations have grown more competitive, drawing foreign visitors to their countries rather than ours.  And, since 911, travel has become more cumbersome for foriegn travellers due to hightened security measures, which has probably cost our country lost revenue.

In the not so far off future, tourism in the United States should increase, filling our resorts with more visitors and improving our economy.  For information on this story, go to the San Francisco Chronicle .

 

Category : Corporate News, Travel
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29th Aug2011

Anniversary of 911 Spurs Airline Safety Standards

by Sam

With the ten year anniversary of 911 approaching, U.S. citizens are examining the measures now being taken by the airlines to improve security, and has us wondering if we are really any safer.  Although the measures taken by TSA certainly make us all feel as if we are being watched more carefully, the real question is whether or not all these measures deter terrorists.

There are certainly a lot more hoops to jump through to get onto an airplane these days but are all of the hoops really necessary?  Are we really more protected now than we were before 911?  The only ones that are really going to know this are the terrorists, people that will look for loop holes in the system and then test them.  The rest of us can only hope enough check points are in place to prevent another terrorist attack.  According to an article written in USA Today,  every day citizens mostly feel that travel is becoming a bit more of a hassle than it’s worth.

More and more people are beginning to look at alternative ways of travelling, either by car or train, to avoid the hassles.  Luckily, Bluegreen Corporation resorts are located all over the United States, so you don’t have to go far to stay in one of their luxury vacation resorts.  Sometimes taking a vacation 100 miles away feels the same as going 1000 miles away and experiencing new sites, sounds and tastes can be refreshing no matter how far you travel.  But for as many people looking for alternative methods of travel, traveling by plane is still the quickest way to get from point A to point B, even with the early check-ins.

Category : Resorts, Travel, Vacation Planning
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24th Aug2011

East Coast Earthquake Not Likely To Re-Occur

by Sam

A 5.8 earthquake hit the eastern United States on August 23, 2011 and was felt from Toronto, Canada down to Georgia due to the hard, brittle quality of the ground.  The quake that struck mid-afternoon near Richmond, Virginia was the strongest in the state since 1897, and shook for almost 30 seconds.  Because the lithosphere is colder on the East Coast than in California, the shock waves were more severe feeling than the same earthquake might feel like in California.  When the ground shakes on the east coast, it is like hitting a bar of steel.  The numerous fault lines in California also help to alleviate some of the shaking that occurs in their earthquakes.  Although the east coast also has fault lines, the lines are so old and cold, that they are not as pliable as the ones on our west coast.

This earthquake does not seem to be the first of many for the east coast according to the USGS, so if you are planning on a vacation anywhere along the east coast soon, you should not have any problem.   There are numerous Bluegreen Corporation resorts all up and down the east coast, and none of them have reported any damage.

 

Category : Travel, Vacation Planning
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21st Aug2011

New Book On Travel Full Of Saving Tips

by Sam

Nicholas Kralev has published a book on travel tips that gives frequent fliers some good advice.  Nicholas is a former foreign correspondent for the Financial Times who visited 82 countries and traveled nearly 2 million miles as a correspondent.  During that time, he learned a lot about travel.

One great tip he offers is to shop for ticket prices between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon because that is when the airlines publish the heavily reduced fares.   The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.  If you are planning on a vacation at a Bluegreen Corporation resort anywhere in the country, flying on those days reduces the fare because most business travelers fly on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays.

The new book Nicholas Kralev has published is Decoding Air Travel, A Guide To Saving On Airfare and Flying In Luxury.   You can download it on your Kindle eBook from Amazon for even more savings.

Category : Travel, Vacation Planning
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17th Aug2011

MetLife Augments Insurance Policy To Include Travel Benefits

by Sam

Metlife is known for it’s medical and life insurance coverage to employees, but they are now also expanding into the travel business.  Metlife is adding travel insurance now with their Travel Assistance program, which includes concierge services and web site access to important pre-trip and travel information such as weather conditions, necessary vaccines, security alerts, and other information.

If you are travelling more than 100 miles from home, the Travel Assistance program may be helpful to you.  Bluegreen Corporation resorts have very accommodating concierges that stay informed of area weather conditions, health concerns, travel conditions and local events you may be interested in.  Accessing this information through your insurance company may be a value to you as you can notify your insurance carrier of your travel plans while receiving helpful information as well.

Having the right insurance coverage is important for your ease of mind during your hard earned vacations.  Stephen Pontecorvo, vice president of Group Life at MetLife says, ”People want to optimize their time when traveling, whether for business or pleasure. Having access to important information before and during your trip along with local updates makes travel easier and likely more enjoyable and productive.  These new features are part of MetLife’s continued commitment to meeting our customers’ diverse needs and augment our existing medical assistance, legal assistance and identity theft solutions which are part of MetLife’s overall travel assistance program.”

For more information about Metlife, visit their website.

Category : Travel, Vacation Planning
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