Ever wonder when’s the best time to find the best airline ticket deals?  According to Sound Money Tips, the best time to search for air fares is on Wednesday morning from midnight to 1a.m. on the airline’s web sites.

Here’s what Sound Money Tips suggests:

What’s the absolute best time to purchase a ticket directly from the airlines? Turns out it’s Wednesday from midnight to 1a.m. in the time zone of the airline’s “home base”. For instance, Delta is headquartered in Atlanta (Eastern Daylight Time) and United currently calls Chicago home (Central Daylight Time).

Why? That’s when the computer systems of most airlines get rid of the reserved but not yet booked lower fare reservations. Most of us at one time or another have booked a reservation, then let it go without purchase. Snap-up these discounted fares right after this happens and you’re likely to get a significant discount.

[ Via Sound Money Tips ]

Exercising isn’t the first thing on my mind when I’m on a getaway, so I try to motivate myself by imagining the calories I’m going to burn!  I figure I’ll be able to enjoy the chocolate dessert of my choice without any guilt!

Here are some of the things I like to do to keep fit while I’m away.

At the Beach
Walk or run on the beach. Nothing is better for a great calves work-out. 

In the City
A guided walking tour of the city. The slower pace allows me to appreciate the architectural details and the guides are usually far more entertaining than a guide book. 

At a Hotel or Resort
Many resorts, especially those with spas, offer yoga and Pilates classes.  If they don’t offer classes, I’ll do a few laps in the pool or check-out the fitness center. 

In the Country
Hiking is far and away my favorite choice in the wilderness.  The Rails to Trails Conservancy’s trail finder site at www.traillink.com has a comprehensive listing of trails and greenway paths located  all over the world - perfect for walking, biking or inline skating. 

Want to find a pool?
To find a pool anywhere in the world, go to www.swimmersguide.com.

[ Via Health magazine ]

Here are some highlights from July:

• The Getty Museum (Los Angeles)
• Summer Travel Specials
• Local Getaway - have fun in your own home town
• Summer Entertainment Sampler
• Shakespeare Festival (Ashland, Oregon)
• Win a trip to France!
• Top Ten Bakeries
• Organizing a Girls Trip? Check out TripHub.
• San Juan Islands, Washington
• When the Girl is away…
• San Juan Island Lavender Festival
• Who’s the queen of chick flicks?

When it’s time for our annual sisters get together, we usually take turns being the organizer.  The organizer sends out the emails to find out what weekend everyone is available (with my sisters schedules this can be quite a challenge), arranges for the hotel, gathers the flight itineraries, thinks about fun activities and coordinates the trip in general.   

Good news - TripHub just made this task a lot easier!  TripHub is a group planning tool that allows members of a traveling group to share the details of an upcoming trip such as flight times, accommodations, and activities and even keeps track of money owed for a trip.  Trip details are only visible to those in your group. (more…)

Here’s a quick recap of what appeared in June:

• Where the Girls Are
• Chocolate Martinis
• Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (Scottsdale)
• Girl (Trip) Interrupted
• Mackinac Island, Michigan
• Spa Recap
• Vinotherapy
• Deals: Travel & Leisure’s Spa Week
• Stowe, Vermont
• Sharing photos? Try Flickr.
• Flip-Flop Style
• Nantucket
• Booking a Flight?
• Green Valley Resort & Spa (St. George, Utah)
• Beach Reads
• Carmel, California
• Things to do around Carmel
• Women may Benefit from Moderate Drinking
• Want to be on the Today Show?

Here’s a quick recap of recent Girlaway articles:

• Sharing photos? Try Flickr.
• Flip-Flop Style
• Nantucket
• Booking a Flight?
• Getaway Now: Green Valley Resort & Spa (St. George, Utah)
• Beach Reads
• Carmel, California
• Things to do around Carmel
• Women may Benefit from Moderate Drinking
• Want to be on the Today Show?
• May Highlights

Have you just returned from a great trip and want to share your photos with the rest of the girls?  Instead of emailing these (and possibly maxing out their mailbox space), try using a free photo sharing service like Flickr. 

With Flickr you can upload digital photos and choose to share them with the whole world or just your friends and/or family.  Your friends can view the photos as a slide show, leave comments and order prints. You can even create a web address for your photo collection.

Most of my photos are set to be viewable only by friends and family, but I’ve made a few viewable by everyone so you can see how Flickr works. 

Did you ever wonder which of the online travel services like Expedia, Orbitz, CheapTickets or Travelocity is best at finding low air fares?  Because many of these sites provide quotes for only some of the airlines, you’re never sure if you’re getting the best possible fare to your destination.  Recently, I’ve discovered a couple of sites that may help you find the best fare more quickly.  (more…)