GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Jan. 29, 2010

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. Make sure you don’t miss the article on the 7 websites every traveler needs to know about. These websites may come in handy on your next business trip. Also, feel free to use the comment section to let us know if we left out any articles that should have made it into this week’s roundup. Enjoy!

Trick, Repack And Rethink Your Way Around The New Luggage Fees
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/20/trick-repack-and-rethink-your-way-around-the-new-luggage-fees/
Checking your bags can be a pain, especially with the new fees certain airlines are now charging. Take a look at this article to learn a few tricks about how to get around checking your bags and paying that extra fee.

Security Gripe? There’s An App For That
http://travelandleisure.com/blogs/carry-on/2010/1/11/security-gripe-theres-an-app-for-that
Do you ever feel like you should abe able to voice your opinion about how effective you think an airport’s security system is? If you have a smart phone, you are now able to let TSA know how you feel. An application has been created that allows travelers to rate airport security screening via a TSA survey. Check out this article to learn more.

Charge Your Gadgets With Or Without An Outlet
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/19/charge-your-gadgets-with-or-without-an-outlet-the-igo-charge-a/
Having your phone run out of battery and no outlet in sight is very frustrating. However, with an iGo charger, you don’t need to worry about looking for an outlet. This article discusses how this charger can help you out the next time your phone dies, no matter where you are.

Seven Websites Every Traveler Needs
http://travelandleisure.com/tips/6654-seven-websites-every-traveler-needs
Traveling to different cities can be very difficult when you don’t know your way around. This article provides seven different websites that come in handy for every traveler, whether they need subway directions, a currency converter or even directions to a nearby public restroom.

Business Traveling On Holidays
http://business-travel-tips.suite101.com/article.cfm/business_traveling_on_holidays
Have you ever had to go on a business trip and miss a special family celebration or an important birthday? Sometimes you have no control over when these trips pop up. Check out this article for some ideas on how to make traveling during a holiday or important event less of an inconvenience.

The Tipping Point
http://travelandleisure.com/articles/the-tipping-point/1
Many people who have to travel internationally are unsure of the tipping “rules” from country to country. Take a look at this article for a guide on how to tip around the world.

iPod Accessories For Travel
http://www.travelpost.com/articles/ipod-travel-accessories.aspx
iPod’s are extremely popular nowadays and are a must have for traveling. Check out this article to find out which iPod travel accessories you should buy in order to enjoy your music experience while on the go.

Thanks for helping us keep Courtyard on the go.

7 Ways to Make Solo Business Travel More Exciting

We all know that sometimes business trips can be fairly boring, especially when traveling solo. Most business travelers’ trips consist of flying to a destination, grabbing a quick bite to eat, relaxing in the hotel room, attending meetings and conducting business, and then flying home. However, there are ways to spice up solo business travel and make it a little more exciting. Here are 7 ideas you can use to make your next business trip a little more enjoyable.

1). Do not over schedule yourself with meetings/appointments
If you can, resist the urge to over-schedule yourself. Jumping from meeting to meeting is stressful and exhausting. Arrange your schedule so that you have a break between meetings, even if it is just an hour. A benefit of traveling alone is that you can go where you want to go and don’t need to cater to anyone else. You would be surprised how refreshing it is to just sit down at a coffee shop and relax for an hour.

2). Plan at least one fun activity
Before you fly out, makes plans to to see the sights or go to an event that you will enjoy. If during the summer you are traveling to Boston and love the Red Sox, you can get tickets to a game. If you enjoy aquariums and are traveling to Baltimore, make sure to stop by the Baltimore Aquarium in the Inner Harbor. Having an activity planned beforehand will give you something to look forward to. If Metblogs.com has a portal for your destination city, look there for interesting, offbeat events.

3). Go to a nice restaurant
Don’t fall into the fast food trap. Take few minutes to check out the local restaurant scene. You never know when there might be a classic local joint or a fantastic Tibetian restaurant in town. Since you are alone, you don’t have to please anyone else with your choice. Some people feel a bit awkward dining alone. If that’s the case, you can dine at an off time when not many people will be at the restaurant. Yelp.com, and Twitter are the best tools for finding local gems.

Don’t forget that if you’re staying in one of our new hotels, we’ve got a full menu and good conversation at The Bistro, too.

4). Enjoy the night life
If you have some energy to spare at the end of the day, get out and take in the local night life. Depending on where you are, you may be able to catch some live music or theater nearby, or find a unique bar or club. The best way to find out what is going on at night is to ask your hotel concierge. Since the concierge lives and works in the area, he or she will be able to point you in the right direction.

5). Go to a local meetup or Tweetup
Twitter users are always tweeting about different gatherings in a variety of cities. Do some research on www.meetup.com or www.search.twitter.com to find out if there are any local events taking place nearby? Find one that interests you and check it out. Meetups are a great way to meet new people who share your interests, and these days there’s a meetup for every pursuit or hobby.

6). Go to the spa or get a massage
Why not take a trip to the spa on your next business trip? Get yourself a deep tissue massage to relieve all of the stress from the day’s meetings. A little pampering will help relax you and allow you to feel more refreshed.

7). Catch up with old friends
If you have friends residing in the area in which you are staying, grab a bite to eat with them. It is always nice to catch up with old friends that you rarely get to see. Even if you only have an hour long break between meetings, have your friend meet you at a nearby café to grab a quick bite to eat.

Traveling solo doesn’t have to be a burden. With a few minutes of research before you leave and a little bit of creativity while you’re away, you can make your business trip more than airports and meeting rooms.

Thanks for helping us keep Courtyard on the go.

GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Jan. 22, 2010

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. Make sure you don’t miss the article on 31 great places to visit in 2010. Also, feel free to use the comment section to let us know if we left out any articles that should have made it into this week’s roundup. Enjoy!

A Drug’s Second Act: Battling Jet Lag
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/business/07jetlag.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
For many travelers, jet lag is a common side effect from traveling place to place. However, there is talk of a new drug coming out that will become the first medicine officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help with jet lag. Check out this article to learn more.

The 31 Places to Go in 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Have you been meaning to take a trip to a new and interesting place but aren’t sure where to go? Take a look at this article for some great ideas on places you should visit this year.

Need To Know – Google Nexus One Preview
http://businesstravel.about.com/b/2010/01/04/need-to-know-google-nexus-one-preview.htm
Most people don’t know anyone who does not own a cell phone today. Many business travelers can’t even conduct business successfully without their cell phone, especially on a business trip. Check out this article to find out what Google’s new Nexus One phone can do to help out business travelers.

E-Mail? Free. Internet? That’ll Cost You
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/business/12road.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Being connected during air travel is important to many travelers. The majority of the major airlines believe that in-flight Wi-Fi Internet service will enhance their brand and increase profits. This article details the connectivity services several major airlines are currently offering, and what they will be offering in the near future.

Winter Clothes For Kids: The Right Winter Clothes To Keep Kids Warm During Travel
http://familytravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/winter_clothes_travel_tips
Do you often bring your kids along with you when you travel? During winter travel with kids, keeping them warm is very important. Take a look at this article for some tips on getting the right winter clothes for your children so they stay warm while traveling.

Seven Things To Do With Your Unused Foreign Currency
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/seven-things-to-do-with-your-unused-foreign-currency/
After traveling internationally, are you left with a pile of unused foreign currency that just ends up sitting in your wallet for months? Take a look at this article for ideas on what to do when you are in this situation.

Save 20% on Your Next Weekend Stay with Courtyard

To kick off the new decade, Courtyard and eight other Marriott brands are offering guests 20% off their weekend stays. All you have to do is book by January 22nd using promotional code F5X and complete your stay by March 21st of this year.

Ski season is in full swing in many parts of the world and an extra 20% makes hitting the slopes at your favorite ski resort all the more enticing. If skiing isn’t your thing, head to a warmer climate to catch some rays and beat the winter blues. In fact, some hotels in the Caribbean, Latin America and Hawaii are offering up to 40% off their normal rates.

Looking to get away for more than just a weekend? Some of our hotels around the world are even offering these deep discounts 7 days a week. Visit marriott.com/globalratebreak1 to save on your next vacation now.

Thanks for helping us keep Courtyard on the go.

GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Jan. 8, 2010

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. Make sure to check out the article on the best places to dine in 20 airports around the country for some great tips on where to eat when you are stuck in an airport. Also, feel free to use the comment section to let us know if we left out any articles that should have made it into this week’s roundup. Enjoy!

Travel Photos: How To Take Great Photos While Traveling
http://www.travelpost.com/articles/travel-photo-tips.aspx
Have you ever missed out on a great shot during your vacation because your camera malfunctioned? This article discusses a few basic photography tips for those travelers who enjoy documenting their trips with photographs.

Airport Dining Survival Guide
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34044235/ns/travel-business_travel/
We often get hungry at airports since it is recommended to get to the airport at least two hours before our scheduled flight. Some airports provide better dining options than others. Check out this article to discover the best places to dine in 20 airports across the country.

Upgrading Using Miles: A Wild Fare Chase?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33403458/ns/travel-business_travel/
Using your frequent flier miles to upgrade your ticket can often be very confusing as each airline has different rules that are always changing. This article goes over several different airlines policies regarding upgrading your flight using miles.

Roadside Attractions – Historic To Hilarious: The Favorite Top 10
http://www.travelpost.com/articles/road-trip.aspx
Do you often travel by car for hours at a time? Have you ever wondered what types of attractions are out there that could help split up your trip? If so, this article is a must read. It details 10 of the world’s largest and most unique attractions on the road.

Prevent Wrinkles On The Road
http://businesstravel.about.com/od/luggageandpackingtips/tp/how_to_prevent_wrinkles.htm
Unpacking your suitcase in your hotel room and finding that the dress shirt you will be wearing at tomorrow’s meeting is wrinkled can be very frustrating. Check out this article for some great tips on how to prevent wrinkles on the road.

Save On Phone Bills When Traveling For Business
http://business-travel-tips.suite101.com/article.cfm/save_on_phone_bills_when_traveling_for_business
Making several phone calls a day while on a business trip is inevitable. Most business travelers need to check in with the office several times a day and keep in touch with their friends and family, which can get very pricey. Take a look at this article to learn how to save on phone bills while traveling for business.