|
Time to Get Away? Try Google Flight Search...
I'm not sure what it's like where you live, but here in Michigan the weather this winter hasn't been too bad. In fact, I've been able to get out most weekends on the bike for a ride/run - and not had to worry about slipping on the ice like in years past. But if you still have had enough of the cold weather and long for a warmer destination this time of year, our friends at Google have done it again. Check out Google Flight Search!  On the site you can narrow down your flight options a variety of different ways to see what's available.
- Number of stops/layovers
- Specific airline
- Connections
- Outbound or returning time
- Budget range
For example, let's say I only have $400 to spend on a ticket and want to fly out of my local airport in Kalamazoo (AZO). Using the toggle feature on the price selector I can see there are a handful of options. I could go to Denver (for some skiing) or head south to visit friends in Charlotte, NC. Increasing the amount (or changing the airport) gives me even more options to pick from. The cool part about the site is that you can just "play around" and see what your options are (almost like taking a mini vacation from your computer). When you're ready to book, some of the airlines even let you book directly from the site, making it super easy. So, give it a try and see what you think. Who knows, you may be jet-setting off somewhere fun (and warm) this weekend! |
|
Organize Your Travel With Tripit
Since I do a lot of speaking at conferences and conventions, I'm in and out of airports quite often. One of the sites (and they have an App for iOS and Android) that I love to use to help keep me organized is Tripit.  You can get started using the service for free and signing up is quick and simple. After you get your account started, all you need to do is forward any travel plan confirmation messages to plans@tripit.com and the system "magically" enters it all into their system for you. Once your itinerary is in their system, you can quickly access the information online or via your phone and even send it to friends, family and colleagues that may need to know your travel schedule. There's even a cool LinkedIn App for you to share your schedule with your LinkedIn connections if you wish. Upgrade to the Pro version (for only $49 per year) and you get all sorts of other great features like mobile alerts, alternative flight suggestions and set up automatic sharing so that you won't have to remember to send your schedule to the office (or your wife)! |
|
Have You Jumped On The "Pinterest" Bandwagon?
Have you heard of the hot new site called Pinterest.com? While not as popular or mainstream as Facebook (yet?), this new site is taking social media world by storm and growing quickly. In fact, just last night I was at dinner with family and even the "non-techies" around the table admitted to being addicted to this image sharing site.
In case you're not familiar with it (and be careful, it's addictive), Pinterest is a virtual pinboard to help you organize and share the things you love. Some people equate it to "scrapbooking" but with an online feel to it. You can also think of it as "visual bookmarking" and ways to remember (and share) what you find as cool, interesting or memorable.
What's happening here, and this is the case with all forms of social media these days, is the power to create, share and spread information is becoming easier for the non-technical person. No longer do you need to be an HTML guru to upload photos, add notes and description information and then share with your friends on Facebook. Amazing if you think about it, really. We're all social animals at some root level, and Pinterest is making it easy to share the visual elements of our lives with others.
If you are interested in learning more, here are some great articles to get you started. To find more, simply search for "how to use pinterest" in any of the popular search engines and dig in!
And, to keep with the "travel theme" that I seem to have fallen into this month, be sure to stop over to the Pinterest site and do a search for things like travel, vacation, trips or some other search term. You'll be amazed at what you find (and the inspiration that may come along with it)!
|
