Turning Your Business Trip Into a Mini-Vacation

Do you travel often for business but rarely for pleasure? If so, then why not turn your next business trip into a mini vacation? Adding in leisure time will make your trip more exciting and eventful. Your company may not pay for the extra perks, but you will still have your flight and hotel covered for the duration of the business trip. To make this happen, you just need to follow these simple steps.

Travel with company – it’s more exciting than traveling alone. Since you already have a hotel room, have someone else stay with you. Also, make sure to meet up with friends that live in the area. It’s a great opportunity to connect with old friends that you have lost touch with over the years.

Set up a client meeting at a fun place. Go to a sporting event or a show if possible. Go out to eat at a Hibachi restaurant, where it is fun and interactive. If you aren’t sure which restaurant to go to, check out sites and apps like these:

• Restaurant Row to see all of the dining options in your area.
• LocalEats (for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android) to find the top 100 restaurants in 50 U.S. cities.

Extend your trip. Add a couple days on to your trip and enjoy yourself. If possible, add the days on to the end of your trip so your mind is clear knowing that the business part of the trip is over. Sometimes it’s hard to do everything you want to do in just a couple days, so make sure you have these extra days to get all of the activities in that you have planned.

Research your destination beforehand. This way you can easily learn about fun nightlife spots, attractions or events that are nearby. For example, if it’s football season and you are on business in New Orleans, why not get a ticket to watch the Saints play? If you don’t have time to research your destination in advance, try downloading one of these apps to help you out.

• iLocate – This iPhone app will help you find all of the tourist attractions in the area you’re visiting, as well as directions, contact info and much more.
• Quintessentially City Guides – This BlackBerry app is a free city guide that will help you find the best restaurants, bars, spas, attractions, markets, etc. where you’re staying.

Mixing business travel with leisure travel definitely has its perks. Traveling can easily be fun and exciting, even if the trip is work related. Next time you are scheduled to go away on business, make sure to do some research and turn the trip into a mini vacation. You will enjoy it a lot more this way, get the most out of your time away and come back home feeling refreshed.

GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Mar. 25, 2010

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. If you are looking for some adventure in the near future, make sure to check out the article on the ten outdoor destinations that have it all.  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!

Busted! How To Ensure Your Luggage Survives A Trip
http://www.frommers.com/articles/6666.html
Having your suitcase break while lugging it through the airport can be quite frustrating.  Here are some luggage horror stories and tips on how to cope when your suitcase malfunctions.

Ten Outdoor Destinations With Everything
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/19/ten-outdoor-destinations-with-everything/
Have you been so busy with work that you haven’t been able to do anything adventurous in a long time?  If this is applies to you, then make sure you take a look at this article.  It discusses ten outdoor destinations that take adventure to a new level.

Too Sick To Fly? When To Put Yourself On The “No Fly” List
http://www.frommers.com/tips/health_and_travel_insurance/article.cfm?tipID=HEALTH&articleID=6678&t=Too%20Sick%20to%20Fly%3F%20When%20to%20Put%20Yourself%20on%20the%20%22No%20Fly%22%20List
No one wants to be sick, especially when traveling.  However, sometimes bad luck strikes and you fall ill right before a trip.  Take a look at this article for some tips on how to figure out if you are just too sick to fly.

Captive Audience: Crying Babies And Air Travel
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/22/captive-audience-crying-babies-and-air-travel/
Have you ever been on a flight with a baby that would just not stop crying?  Crying babies on airplanes are many air travelers worst nightmare.  Check out this article for some tips for parents and passengers on what to do with a crying baby in the air.

How Old Is The Plane You’re Flying On?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/01/planes.age.dreamliner/index.html
Many passengers on a plane often wonder about the age of the plane.  Planes are used for several years and the reality is that if you are traveling in the U.S., the plane you are on is most likely more than a decade old.  Take a look at this article to learn more.

To Get A Good Seat, Check The Chart
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/business/23road.html
Several air travel booking sites now show you seating charts when you are booking a flight.  These charts sometimes share specific details about the seats such as the amount of legroom in each row.  This article shares with us information on seating charts and how to go about choosing your seat.

Staying Fit While Travelling

Many business travelers feel like staying fit on a business trip is impossible. Business trips are often hectic with back-to-back meetings, client dinners and company events. This doesn’t leave much spare time to exercise and focus on healthy eating habits. However, as long as you stay focused and follow the right steps, staying fit while traveling for business is do-able.

Since you can’t pack a treadmill or elliptical in your suitcase, try to stay at a hotel with a fitness center, which is a feature found in our Courtyard hotels. You only need 30 minutes to get in a great workout (http://exercise.about.com/cs/cardioworkouts/a/burn300calories.htm). If you don’t feel like working out in the fitness center, that doesn’t mean you can’t exercise. There are ways to stay fit without any equipment. Download an application on your smart phone and you can get in a workout without leaving your hotel room. Apps like these will help you keep on track.

• FitDeck Mobile (http://www.fitdeckmobile.com/) – This Blackberry and iPhone app provides simple, convenient and fun fitness routines for every ability level.
• iFitness (http://download.cnet.com/iFitness-for-iPhone/3000-2129_4-10915632.html?tag=rtcol) – This iPhone app has over 180 exercises and has workouts specifically tailored towards business travel.

Some people don’t like exercising indoors. It can feel like the time is going by slowly or that the air is stale. So, why not go for a run outside? If you want to track the distance you are running and calories burned, you can download an application like iMapMy (http://www.imapmy.com/), which will allow you to track your workout. Since you are most likely in an unfamiliar destination, you can also get some sightseeing in while running. Look for nearby trails or sidewalks to avoid any busy streets. As long as there is a safe place to run and good weather, grab your running shoes and hit the road.

Many travelers think that since they have to eat out on business trips, they are going to pack on the pounds. However, this can be easily avoided. Most restaurants have a section in their menu for healthier choices. Check out Healthy Dining Finder (http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/) to find all of the healthy dining options near where you’re staying, or you can download apps which provide nutritional info on many of the food items you eat. Try apps like these to help you navigate the often-unhealthy world of dining out.

• Nutrition Menu-Calorie Counter (http://www.shroomies.com/nutrition_menu/)-This app is an iPhone calorie counter with over 78,000 foods to choose from and enjoy.
• Calorie Count Nutrition Search (http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/755)- This Blackberry app will help you find nutritional details for any food on the go.

Creativity is important when trying to stay fit while traveling. Since you are usually rushed and have a chaotic schedule, you don’t have much time to spare. However, even if you don’t have a lot of free time, you can still think of ways to exercise throughout the day’s events.
• When you are waiting to board the plane at the airport, why not walk around for a while instead of sitting in the terminal?
• If your meetings are near your hotel, walk there instead of driving or taking a cab.
• Why use the elevator when you can walk up the stairs?

Exercising on a daily basis is important to many people, so don’t let a business trip get in the way of that. Staying fit while traveling can be done as long as you take the right steps. If you exercise, eat healthy and use creativity, you may even come back looking and feeling better than before.

GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Mar. 19, 2010

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. If you are planning a road trip in the near future, don’t miss the article on the ten “must have” road trip safety products. 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!

3 Reasons Flight Attendants Won’t Allow Passengers To Switch Seats In Flight
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/17/galley-gossip-switching-seats-in-flight/
Have you ever switched seats on an airplane and been asked by a flight attendant to return to your original seat? Take a look at this article to learn why seat assignments are sometimes strictly enforced.

Travel Booking For A Good Cause
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/travel-booking-for-a-good-cause/
MASSIVEGOOD is a new fundraising initiative that allows travelers to contribute to a good cause. This article provides more detail on this cause and how you can make a difference when booking your next trip.

Corporate Travel Comeback Expected
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/corporate-travel-comeback-expected/
As you probably know, business travel is very profitable for airlines. In order to increase profits and avoid losing business due to the economic downturn, many airlines are rolling out some great perks for customers. Check out this article to learn more.

Ten “Must Have” Road Trip Safety Products
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/ten-must-have-road-trip-safety-products/
When planning a road trip, it is crucial to be prepared so you can stay safe on the road. Check out this article to learn about ten products that you should have before leaving on your next road trip.

World’s Most On-Time Airlines
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35648431/ns/travel-business_travel/
Last month, we posted an article on the world’s most delayed airports. This article is quite the opposite. Take a look at it to see which are the world’s most on-time airports.

The Gadling Guide To Finding Power Outlets At The Airport
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/11/the-gadling-guide-to-powering-gadget-airport-outlet/
Finding power outlets at airports that are not in use is often not as easy as you would assume. This article has some great tips for how to find these outlets quickly and efficiently.

GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Mar. 12, 2010

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, so make sure to check out the article on ten great places to celebrate the holiday. 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!

9 Tips For Dealing With The Most Stressful Travel Disasters
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3899.html
No matter how prepared you are, sometimes travel disasters are unavoidable. However, as long as you deal with them correctly your trip may not be ruined. Check this article out for 9 tips on how to deal with the most stressful travel disasters.

Ten Best Places To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2009/03/green-guide-to-st-patricks-day.html
St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching. If you are still looking for a great place to celebrate, take a look at this article for some fun ideas.

Throwing Exit-Row Seats Into The “For Sale” Bin
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/09road.html?ref=travel
Exit-row seats typically have the most leg room, which is why travelers sitting in coach prefer to sit in the exit-row. Passengers in elite-status programs typically get priority for these seats when flying. However, the assigning of the exit-row seats may become a bit more complicated now. Read this article to find out why.

Handling Medical Emergencies Abroad
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35544002/ns/travel-tips/
Medical emergencies can happen anywhere and can often be difficult to deal with. However, when a medical emergency happens while traveling abroad, you need to make sure to be prepared. This article can help provide you with information on how to handle medical emergencies when you are far from home.

3-Hour Rule Ready To Become Reality
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35766268/ns/travel-rob_lovitt_columns/
We have been hearing a lot of chatter about the new DOT rules on how long a plane can sit on a runway when holding passengers. After learning that over 1,000 plans were stuck on the ground for 3+ hour last year, it is clear that new laws need to be made to avoid this. Take a look at this article and find out about the 3-hour rule and when it is going into effect.

Amtrak Introduces WiFi On Acela Express Trains in NE USA
http://www.businesstravellogue.com/accommodation/amtrak-introduces-wifi-on-acela-express-trains-in-ne-usa.html
If you live in the Northeast of the U.S. and often take the train when traveling for business, here is some great news. Amtrak now has free WiFi on all of their Acela Express trains connecting cities in the Northeast. Read this article to find out more.

GoCourtyard's Weekly Round-Up – Mar. 5, 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 how you can use technology to get the most out of 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!

Taxi Tips For Travelers
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35186887/ns/travel-destinations/
Taxicabs can come in very handy while on a trip. However, you should always make sure you are careful when getting into one. Some taxi drivers take advantage of passengers by over charging them. Check out this article for some tips on what to look out for the next time you hop in a cab.

You Can’t Weatherproof A Flight
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/travel/07prac.html?ref=travel
Unfortunately when booking flights, you can’t know ahead of time if the weather will cooperate. Here are some tips on what to do when bad weather strikes and your travel plans are affected.

Make The Most Out Of Every Minute
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35522265/ns/travel-business_travel/
Technology has allowed us to save a lot of time, especially when traveling for business. Check out these tips on how you can take advantage of today’s technological advances to get the most out of your next business trip.

Rental Car Company’s Insurance Coverage Isn’t Required
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/rental-car-companys–6494/
When renting a car, do you always pay the extra money for insurance? If so, did you know that your current insurance may already cover you? Take a look at this article for some tips on how to go about renting a car without getting ripped off.

Taxes And Fees Grow For Air Travelers
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/business/02fees.html?ref=travel
Taxes on airfare continue to increase, which is causing quite a debate. This article details all of the different airfare taxes and which ones may be rising.