And now that those days are behind you, the hustle, bustle and hassle of commercial airlines and airports can be your next farewell.

Meet ONEflight International, your new travel buddy, bringing the joy and thrill back to flying. No more turning on your Google flight tracker for the best deals or acting out a scene from the Hunger Games when it comes to an airline's early flight check-in process.

ONEflight International's new state-of-the-art Book A Jet or BAJit.com program makes taking that trip to California (or anywhere else you have to go, for that matter) as easy as calling your nearest ride- hailing company.

Think this service may be outside your budget? Think again. ONEflight's volume-based pricing allows savings of 30 to 40 percent over typical private jet costs and with a database of more than 4,000 jets and 500 of the leading charter operators, you are guaranteed to find the perfect size and style.

The price for a single flyer may seem daunting. However, President and CEO Ferren Rajput believes the private flights are ideal for businesspeople and families.

When factoring in the time, money and overall hassle it takes to travel in groups, flying private quickly appears as the most viable option. Plus, let's not forget that each flight comes with a complimentary catered meal - and we're not talking bagged pretzels and a cup of water. Passengers are connected with a Concierge Coordinator that will accommodate any food and dietary restrictions to provide a deliciously catered meal selected by the passengers, with crowd favorites such as steak and potatoes.

Private jets also offer the convenience of smaller, less crowded airports. For the group of business folks eager to reach their destination, flying private cuts out the stress. No long check-in station or even longer TSA lines to fight through, shaving off hours of travel time and leaving more time for business.

In an interview with Arizona Daily Mix Channel 7, President and CEO Rajput says, "the private jet segment was really just supposed to be for the wealthy, the top super- rich, but it's not that anymore."

With the new system BAJit.com, developed by ONEflight International, anyone can experience the luxury and convenience of a private jet.

"If you're going to fly private jets, you need to check out ONEflight's BAJ, the most efficient booking system." says Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of Herjavec Group, a global cybersecurity company, leading Shark on ABC's Shark Tank, and brand ambassador for ONEflight.

So, before you book your next getaway, be it business or pleasure, check BAJit.com for the best options.

Whether plans for visiting relatives, exploring a new destination, or revisiting a favorite vacation spot, loading the car and getting behind the wheel is second nature. But, upgrading a road trip with an RV may be just the ticket to making the next adventure the best one yet.

According to Phocuswright's US Consumer Travel research, almost half of Millennials are interested in renting an RV for a leisure trip within the next 12 months. It may be because hitting the road in an RV is an exciting way to spend time traveling with friends or family on a nature-filled adventure. Don't have an RV? Thanks to sites such as RVshare, RV rentals are easier to find and book than ever. With more than 100,000 RVs to choose from across the country, the peer-to-peer marketplace has a variety of vehicles with options ranging from a luxury motor home to a confined camper, there is something for everyone at any price point. There is no special license required and the RV insurance is built-in.

"RV rentals are a great option for those to experience the RV lifestyle without having to buy an expensive vehicle," says RVshare's CEO Jon Gray.

"Travelers come to our site to find RVs for a weekend of camping or a multi-week road trip. With a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen all on-board, an RV is essentially a hotel room wherever you want it."

Want to ditch the sedan and upgrade to a motor home? Here are a few tips for renting an RV for first-timers.

• Use a trusted site: Use a trusted site such as RVshare.com where payments are protected and the owner of the vehicle is verified. RVshare also offers roadside assistance, 24/7 customer service, insurance and other perks to protect your trip and payment.
• Have a plan before booking: With camping, road tripping and RV travel being in high demand this summer, campgrounds will get booked up, especially on weekends.
• Narrow down the options: For a first-time renter, finding the right RV may feel daunting. First, consider the trip type, how many people will be traveling and what the goal of the road trip is. For a couple, a Class B Campervan is a great option for two. A family should look at a Class C driveable RV, which boasts a lot of space but is still maneuverable for those intimidated by big rigs.
• The owner is the best resource: When booking with a peer-to-peer platform, the owner is the best resource to answer questions about the vehicle, including what is included, their rules about pets and if the RV is suitable for long road trips.

Interested in learning more about how to book an RV rental? Visit RVshare.com.

 

However, after years of making their own travel arrangements online, many potential travelers are rediscovering the value of a professional travel advisor to identify and navigate the variety and shifting safety protocols of post-pandemic travel.

"We are dealing with a fragmented travel landscape with shifting public health protocols and entry restrictions that are constantly changing," says Brianna Glenn, owner and travel designer at milkandhoneytravels.com, a boutique travel service that designs custom vacations.

"Travelers don't need the added stress of trying to navigate this new maze on their own, a good travel advisor can smooth the way and get their trip off to a great start," she adds.

"For example, I just had a honeymoon trip that had their outbound flight delayed due to weather and they missed their connecting flight to Frankfurt on their way to Croatia. We stepped in and worked with United to rebook their flights, secure a hotel inside the Frankfurt airport since they were not able to leave the transit area and adjust their hotel booking and airport transfers in Dubrovnik without them having to worry about a thing."

Results of a survey by the travel industry website Skift showed that almost half of Americans planning post-pandemic travel plan to use travel advisors.

Some key benefits of engaging a professional travel advisor to plan your post-pandemic trip include:

- Preparation upfront. An old wedding planning adage says, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Especially in the post-pandemic landscape, a good plan is essential, and a professional advisor, like a good wedding planner, can make sure that everything is set up in advance.

Advance planning includes knowing what to expect at your destination regarding safety protocols such as masking requirements and testing or quarantine requirements.

- Backup if you need it. Upscale travelers are seeking peace of mind and expertise as they plan the often complex and exotic trips they have dreamed about during more than a year of staying at home. The more complex the trip, the more important it is to have a knowledgeable advocate in your corner if something goes wrong or if safety regulations should suddenly change.

Professional travel advisors can help with purchasing travel insurance to recoup costs in case of cancellation due to COVID and with negotiating refunds if reservations, flights, cruises, or other travel-related activities are cancelled.

"There is a big difference between people who love to travel, and people who love to plan travel," Ms. Glenn says.

"Ultimately, we save you hours of time and energy so you can focus on the things that matter most to you," she emphasizes.

Visit milkandhoneytravels.com to learn how professional travel advisors can help make your post-pandemic getaway flow smoothly.

 

(NewsUSA) - Looking for a family getaway that’s anything but ordinary? Look no further than Plano, where Texas-sized fun comes without big-city hassles or price tags. Just 20 minutes from DFW airport, Plano offers the perfect mix of outdoor thrills, indoor fun, colorful festivals and tempting eats. Walkable lodging, entertainment and dining areas make it easy to strike the right balance between recreation and relaxation. Here’s a head start on planning your family adventure in Plano:     

Get colorful at The Crayola Experience a wonderland of color and creativity with 22 hands-on attractions, letting kids of all ages name and wrap their very own Crayola crayon, see how crayons are made, star in their own coloring book and more.     

Go Ape! Don’t just get out in nature -- glide over the forest canopy at Go Ape! Treetop Adventure Course. Zip lines, Tarzan swings and suspended obstacles bring out everyone’s inner monkey amid 800 acres of natural beauty.     

Go back in time at Heritage Farmstead, a living history museum on a 360-acre farm that recreates Victorian-era life. For another fun, nostalgic activity, climb aboard a vintage train car at the Interurban Railway Museum in Plano’s quaint downtown arts district.     

Get festive. If you happen to visit Plano in late September, enjoy the signature Plano Balloon Festival, with its magical evening balloon “glows,” tethered balloon rides, and carnival atmosphere. But there are other fun happenings all year round and no matter when you visit, you’re sure to come across a colorful festival, street fair or free outdoor concert.     

Taste your way around Plano.  Plano has more restaurants per capita than New York or San Francisco and offers up great renditions of kid-friendly favorites like burgers, pizza, Tex-Mex and more. For those nights when everyone in your family wants something different, there’s always Legacy Hall, a European-style food hall with individual stalls offering multiple choices, from duck fat- fried chicken and lobster rolls to Belgian-style waffles to gourmet s’mores featuring house made marshmallows, all under one roof. Parents can enjoy craft cocktails, wine or beer brewed on site along with their meal of choice.   

Stay in style. Plano hotels have mastered the art of making kids feel at home and parents feel pampered after a busy day of play. Two convenient and popular options are the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center and the Dallas/Plano Hilton Granite Park.     

For further information or help planning a family adventure in Plano, go to visitplano.com.

(MS) - Qingdao in July is destined to be the world of beer.     

On the evening of July 22, the 32nd Qingdao International Beer Festival “Dynamic Laoshan” Beer Carnival opened in the Century Square Beer City, Laoshan District. The world’s first Metaverse Beer City was also unveiled.

Sense of Science and Technology     

A series of activities, such as  artistic performance, an art parade and drone performance, welcomed visitors from all over the world in the bright night and under a strong festive atmosphere. Chinese and foreign friends, citizens and company representatives attended the opening ceremony and invited friends from all over the world to gather in Laoshan to share the  feast.     

Clemens Baumgaertner, Minister of Labour and Economy of Munich, Germany, and Commander in Chief of Munich Oktoberfest; Didier Bernheim, Academician of the French Academy of Art, Secretary General of the Jean Cardot Arts Foundation and International Economic Consultant of Qingdao Municipal Government, and Karel van Bommel, Agricultural Counsellor of the Dutch Embassy in China, sent congratulatory messages via video and expressed best wishes to the people of Qingdao and the opening of the 32nd Qingdao International Beer Festival “Dynamic Laoshan” Beer Carnival.

Night Shows     

With a naked-eye 3D light and shadow show, pop music performance, “Handmade in Shandong, Good Products in Laoshan” China-fashion market, art carnival flash mob and other wonderful activities, as well as 500 drones shining in the night sky, the colorful technology pictures showed the romantic light and shadow changes of Laoshan and the beer festival, bringing a spectacle to tourists and citizens.

i-Beer Carnival Opens the Metaverse     

The year 2022 is the year when the Metaverse door really opens. The Metaverse is not only the next generation of Internet technology but also the future way of life. In the current consumer market, Gen Z have gradually become the largest group of beer drinkers.     

Laoshan District seized new opportunities for the development of the Metaverse, took advantage of the virtual reality industry, transformed and upgraded digital cultural tourism and developed the Metaverse Qingdao International Beer Festival (also known as the “i-Beer Carnival”), which is the first Metaverse online digital experience platform of the Qingdao International Beer Carnival.     

The square set up beer garden brand digital venues, and offered  Augerta and Münchener Bier  (beer) brands, virtual interactive scenes, allowing for online and offline interaction, as well as virtual and real fusion experiences, and allowed visitors to participate in the activities of the Qingdao International Beer Festival across time and space.

Joy Becomes the “Yeast”     

Beer encounters with passion, and Qingdao cheers with the world. The 32nd Qingdao International Beer Festival “Dynamic Laoshan” Beer Carnival lets you embrace your youth and have an unforgettable tour. Let’s gather at the online Metaverse Qingdao International Beer Festival, enjoy a fun journey in the wonderful dynamic Laoshan District Qingdao, and start a new future.

(NewsUSA) - A century ago, it was common for the affluent to take a months-long Grand Tour to see the sights of Europe.     

Today, a typical vacation averages two weeks or less -- not long enough to experience the highlights of Europe-- or is it?     

On a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, you can visit theTrevi Fountain in Rome, the lavender fields of Provence and Barcelona’s famous cathedrals, with side trips to the Italian riviera and a Spanish vineyard.     

With international airfares decreasing, parity between the dollar and euro for the first time in decades and a new generation of cruise ships plying its waters, a Mediterranean cruise vacation has never been more attractive, accessible or affordable.

Convenient and Inclusive     

On a cruise, you unpack once and you’re done. No lugging baggage from hotel to hotel or bus to train. Plus, your meals, on-board activities and entertainment are included in the cruise fare.

A Different Country (Almost) Every Day     

A typical seven-day Mediterranean cruise will have five or six port calls in several countries. Cruise lines design shore excursions to maximize time in port, getting you to the sites you want to see efficiently and safely, and ensuring your timely return to the ship. Amazing Value     

With the euro on par with the dollar for the first time in 20 years, your vacation budget can go farther than ever. For example, for North American consumers, Costa cruises are sold in dollars, but shipboard spending is in euros. Parity means your dollar buys as much as a euro, which can mean up to 30% in savings.     

Also, Costa makes it easy to recoup the value-added tax, or VAT, charged in European Union countries on-board, skipping long lines at the airport.     

In terms of value, Costa’s offers are unparalleled in the Med. Savvy shoppers can find cruise fares of about $100 to $150 per person per day -- and some as low as $65 --with other deals in which kids sail free or amenities and add-ons such as drink packages and on-board credits are included in the fare.     

Sailing the Mediterranean for more than 70 years, Costa Cruises is the undisputed leader in the region, offering more new ships and more itineraries than any other cruise line.       

For an immersive, European experience of the Mediterranean on an authentically Italian-style cruise, contact your travel professional, visit costacruises.com or call Costa Cruises North America at 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782).

(NewsUSA) - As the world reopens, savvy travelers want to make the most of every opportunity for unique and indulgent experiences.     

Today, seekers of luxury adventure travel may include singles, couples, retirees and families.     

Some people want to plan the ultimate destination wedding, others are looking for the ultimate golf outing.     

Whether they are celebrating a milestone event or just want to enjoy an unforgettable adventure, travelers have high expectations.     

Companies such as Adventure Travel 365 fill this niche by curating and selecting the top destinations, cultural experiences and adventures for their clients.     When seeking a top-notch travel service, look for features that will make your travel:     

• Easy. Booking with a company that specializes in luxury travel means that all you have to do is pack and go, knowing that your destinations have been selected, verified and approved by experts in the field.     

• Unique. The right luxury travel company has the resources to offer exclusive opportunities that fit your interests, whether it is extreme mountain sports, indulgent spas or whatever else you had in mind.     

• Incredible. Top-notch luxury travel companies have done their research and identified amazing experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.     

Adventure Travel 365 is a company created to meet the needs of modern adventure travelers. It provides clients with all the information needed to plan the ultimate luxury vacation. Its luxury adventure magazine, “Explore Luxury,” is published digitally each month, with a yearly print edition. The digital and print versions showcase stories and photos of the world’s most prestigious resorts, and hotels, along with a range of activities, spas and restaurants to suit any taste and appeal to any interest.     

The company’s 365 Excellence Award is given to only the top-tier travel destinations and signifies that its staff writers, editors or influencers have visited these properties and confirmed that they meet the highest standards for luxury adventure travel.     

The company’s website stays current with the latest articles, reviews and listings of the most luxurious vacation properties and activities in top destinations worldwide. Options range from exotic luxury safaris, amazing theme park adventures, must-see cultural attractions, blissful spa retreats, and extreme (or not so extreme) outdoor pursuits.     

Nominations are ongoing for this year’s 365 Excellence Award, and travelers can stay tuned to the Adventure Travel 365 website and subscribe to “Explore Luxury” magazine for the latest. The awardees will be the best of the best in luxury travel.     

Visit adventuretravel365.com for more information. For additional details and photos, visit Instagram https://instagram.com/adventuretravel365 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/goadventuretravel365.

(NewsUSA) - As the world reopens, travelers are seeking trips to global destinations where fast and accurate communication is as important as the clothes you pack.     

Handheld translators help travelers communicate more effectively during multilingual conversations and promote deeper connections between locals and visitors.     

Designed for conversations between two people speaking different languages, the Pocketalk Plus translator is simple to use, portable and efficient. Use the real-time two-way translation device to speak as you normally do, in full sentences, and the Pocketalk Plus provides a fast, accurate translation that accounts for local dialects and slang in up to 82 world languages.     

The device is suited for everyone, wherever you go, whether an informal interaction asking for directions, or an exchange at a restaurant, airport, market, business meeting, tourist site, hotel or hospital.     

Key features of the Pocketalk Plus include a large touchscreen, text-to-translate camera, long battery life and two noise-cancelling microphones. The camera will translate text, written word and signs via its proprietary technology. The device can also take a photo and translate it via text on top of the image. Additionally, it can seamlessly provide an audio readout in the native language for the camera-translated text.     

Other key features:     

• Safety. The Pocketalk Plus is HIPAA and GDPR compliant, meaning it protects your sensitive personal data, including any health information you may use the device to transmit.     
• Size. The compact size of the device fits easily into a pocket, purse, or small travel pack.     
• Style. The slim, elegant design of the Pocketalk Plus includes one built-in speaker, dual microphones and a rechargeable lithium battery. Its large touchscreen provides a text translation for easier clarity and the one-button translation offers simpler translations in fewer steps.     
• Conversion Feature. Ability to calculate exchanges for currency, length, width and temperature.     
• Complimentary two-year cellular data plan. Provides coverage in over 130 countries/regions.     

“There’s never been a greater need for accurate, fast, and accessible translations that bridge the language divide,” says Noriyuki Matsuda, Founder and CEO, Sourcenext Corporation and Pocketalk.     

“Pocketalk contributes to a deeper understanding of people and different cultures, all at one’s fingertips, and meets a need for people to communicate with each other easily anywhere in the world.”     

In addition, the Pocketalk App, coming soon to the App store and Google Play, can turn your smartphone or tablet into a two-way language translator for fast, reliable communication on the go. Just like the Pocketalk Plus device, the cloud-based app translates 82 languages, so it can enable casual conversations and provide translation support in any setting in which multiple languages are being spoken.     

Visit pocketalk.com for more information.     

To view the video, click here.

(NewsUSA) - For a truly distinctive experience, Israel stands out as a dream destination that should be on everyone’s top travel list. For the first time since 2019, Israel is open to all travelers from around the world. Whether you are a solo traveler, or part of a couple, family, or group of friends, Israel is a diverse destination with something everyone can enjoy. When planning a trip to Israel, consider a range of destinations and events for a well-rounded itinerary.     

- History: Israel is steeped in history, and travelers can indulge in a journey to the past by visiting Jerusalem’s Old City. Key destinations include the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, and the Dome of the Rock. Travelers also can experience a spectacular view of the Old City from the nearby Mount of Olives.     

- Natural Wonders: Tel Aviv’s world-renowned beach, spans the entire western side of the city along the Mediterranean. Travelers mix with locals to appreciate the sun, sand, waves, and water sports. When in Haifa, don’t miss the Baha’i Gardens on Mount Carmel. The gardens are designed with 19 mountainside terraces filled with flowers, small trees, small sculptures, water fountains and pools.     

- Food and Drink. Many visitors to Israel are unaware of the region’s rich wine-making tradition. In fact, Israel boasts more than 300 wineries, large and small, with signature brands inspired by the sweeping hills of Western Galilee and the low-lying Negev. Israel is well known for its abundance of delicious street food found in every city, but two markets not to miss are the Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem and Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. Vibrant food stalls feature Israeli staples ranging from the more familiar falafel and hummus to lesser known but equally delicious shakshuka and sabich.       

- Caves and Craters: For the geologists, or anyone who appreciates the power and beauty of nature, the Ramon Cater in Israel’s Negev Desert was created more than 220 million years ago, and remains the world’s largest erosion crater. Visitors can rappel down its sides, bike across its ledges and hike across its canyons. For those craving more rappelling, the Keshet Cave is a popular site with a stunning view from the highest point in Western Galilee. Adventurers rappel off a high natural stone arch through the air and down approximately 150 feet.     

- Dead Sea Dip: Located 1,412 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the earth’s lowest elevation on land. The waters of the Dead Sea are 10 times saltier than sea level water, which means marine life can’t live in it, but humans can enjoy the unique experience of floating effortlessly on the surface.     

- Inclusive atmosphere: Tel Aviv is one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly cities in the world and celebrates Pride all year long; however, visitors can enjoy exceptional Pride events every June, when people of all genders, religion, and color flood the streets for a celebration of acceptance, love and joy.     

Visit Israel.travel for more information.

(Israel) - Fall is the best time to explore Israel during its peak harvest season for both wine and olive oil.     

Olive oil and wine go back to the very dawn of the Jewish people in Israel and today they are the best expression of the Mediterranean diet and are symbols of the new quality Israeli cuisine. From wineries in the Negev desert to olive picking in Galilee, there are a variety of experiences which showcase the vast variety of Israeli wines and olive oils.

Wineries in the Negev Desert     

Israel’s Negev Desert covers over half of Israel’s total land area, and it is an area bristling with beauty.     

The reddish, gleaming desert terrain is characterized by many impressive geological rock formations, allowing visitors to enjoy a unique view of an untouched vastness -- both silent and majestic. Throughout the Negev, there are also traces of past civilizations, their agriculture as well as stunning archaeological sites. And today, it offers an unmistakable backdrop for encountering the Bedouin tribes, also known as people of the desert. The desert is perfect for creating wines as grapes mature and ripen faster in warmer conditions, leading to lower acidity and higher sugar levels.     

• Sde Boker Winery - The first winery to open in the Negev was the Sde Boker Winery, begun 15 years ago as an experiment led by Zvi Remek, a member of the Sde Boker kibbutz who studied agronomy in California before returning to his home. Having previously worked in the grape vines of the kibbutz, opening the winery was the start of a transition from simply growing produce in the Negev, to creating a high-value product from it. Slowly, the Sde Boker Winery expanded, and today is still modestly housed in the old communal laundry facility of the kibbutz. Combine a visit to Sde Boker and visit the home of Ben Gurion.     

• The Boker Valley Vineyard - The Boker Valley Vineyard not only grows its own vines, but also offers visitors the opportunity to taste many of the other wines produced in the Negev Wine Route -- making it totally unique. Run by a couple of diverse origins --  Moshe is from Eilat and Hilda from the Netherlands, as well as the wines, they also sell local olive oil, wine and olives, and offer beautiful accommodations in the heart of the desert.     

• The Negev Wine Route -  The Negev Wine Route has 25 isolated farms engaging in agriculture and tourism. The farms welcome visitors to stop, taste and enjoy the unique Negev Friendly Desert route. The vineyards create some highly respectable and well received wines and offer a very unusual experience for tourists exploring the desert.

Olive Oil in Galilee     

Arguably one of the most beautiful regions of Israel, the Galilee is situated in the north of the country, and it is characterized by its beautiful, lush landscape full of vegetation, amazing natural landforms, historic sites and quaint rural communities.     

The Galilee makes up much of the north of Israel and is divided into three areas: the Lower Galilee, Upper Galilee and Western Galilee and within are the famous Sea of Galilee and River Jordan. Stunning agricultural villages sit alongside ancient ruins, and amazing hills and valleys are mentioned throughout history as the location of famous battles and events. All the varieties of olives are grown and harvested here in the Galilee and nurtured by the waters of the Jordan River, making Galilee the perfect place for olives.     

• Avtalion Oil Press - Looking out onto breathtaking views of the Galilee is the Avtalion Oil Press. Inside lies the huge oil press. Here olives picked from nearby vineyards are crushed and the pips and flesh removed. High-quality olive oil is then produced and delivered to the local residents. During the pressing season (October - January), visitors can watch this process in action. They can either bring with them their own olives or pick them from the nearby fields. Throughout the rest of the year, the place is still open for visitors to see the equipment, watch demonstrations, attend lectures about the olive oil industry and its history in the Galilee and enjoy a tasting workshop sampling the different local products.     

• Hananya Farms - Hananya Farms, located in the Western Galilee, is the perfect place to spend a day enjoying a nature walk, a picnic lunch and, of course, olive picking. It also offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the various cultures of people living in Israel today.     

• Gailiean Olive Oil Festival - The Galilean Olive Oil Festival takes place across Northern Israel’s Galilee region every November. Due to the many qualities that the olive tree has to offer, it has become a recent tradition for the start of the olive harvest period to be celebrated.