I’m always looking for a great travel bag, so the Orvis In-Flight Travel Tote caught my eye. It’s simple, but has outside pockets - which I always seem to need for magaznes, water bottles, tickets, wallet, etc. I hate having to stop and open my bag to grab essentials when I’m hoofing it through an airport. The pockets were what initially got my attention, but I also like the neutral color (not going to stain easily), durable canvas material and the fact that there are multiple inside pockets - including a mesh one.

Orvis In-Flight Travel Tote

Not a bad pool setup for a hotel that’s so close to the airport. Click the pic 4 more info about the Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport, which TravelPosters give an overall 8.9 rating - out of 76 reviews.

I don’t usually post about personal things here, but I attended the memorial service of a friend today, and it reminded me - in that way these sorts of events remind you of things you already know but often forget to remember - that the time to travel, to see the world, to walk down streets in a city you’d never thought you’d actually visit, the time for that is now. Sometimes life is short. At other times, it seems to last and last. The trouble is, you never know which one you’re going to get until it’s too late. My friend, who died of cancer at the young age of 39, lived life with an enthusiasm and zeal and curiosity that surpasses what most of us are able to muster up in our day to day lives. Reflecting on his life today, I kept thinking of all sorts of cliches. No time like the present. This ain’t a dress rehearsal. Carpe diem. The list goes on. But those sayings are cliches for a reason. Because they’re just so right and true when you get down to the bottom of it all.

So, in honor of my friend’s memory, my wish for you is this: Embark upon your next adventure sooner than you’d planned. Worry a little less about vacation days and plane ticket prices and the perfect itinerary. Just enjoy your trip.

While some hotels attract patrons with their canine ambassadors, others lodging options are more inclined toward cats. New York’s Algonquin Hotel has had a cat in residence since the 1930s. Obviously, not the same one throughout. Now that would be amazing. Anyway, Matilda doesn’t go on walks with guests like her canine counterparts at other hotels. She does what cats do best: presides over the lobby from her post upon a miniature chaise lounge.

The Algonquin Hotel’s Feline Celebrity

Been thinking of flying somewhere with JetBlue? Now would be a good time to book your ticket. The JetBlue Fall Fare Sale runs through Aug. 3, 2006 (next thurs) and start from $49 each way. I prefer to think of it as $98 roundtrip. Some of the best deals, IMHO (all prices below are for roundtrip tickets):

NYC - Raleigh Durham: $148

Boston - Orlando: $158

DC - Las Vegas: $198

NYC - Santiago, DR: $198

Boston - San Jose: $258

JetBlue Fall Fare Sale

All full-service Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites Hotels will have new Precor fitness equipment and facilities installed by the end of 2007, the Hilton company announced today. What does it mean for you, the guest? New equipment and fitness rooms that remain consistent across Hilton properties…

Press release

Google has released yet another useful tool all of us can benefit from: Green Summer Tours. The short round-ups of environmentally-friendly activities, hotels and restaurants in popular vacation cities New York, San Francisco, Orlando, Las Vegas and Los Angeles are pretty nifty little guys. Each offers a list of stops and plots them on an interactive map. The feature also offers tips on searching for environmentally-friendly travel topics and access to Google’s Green Travel Group, where you can post suggestions and tips for other travelers.

Via Luxist, I learned about Hotel Okura Amsterdam’s new absurdly oppulent suite, a two-floor enclave for the luxury-seeking traveler that cost some 2.3 million euro and proclaims itself the largest suite in Belgium, The Netherlands or Luxembourg. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a private 12-person movie screening room, dedicated staff at guests’ beck and call and a dining room for up to 14 guests.

Hotel Okura offical site

Another way to monitor UVB rays comes in the shape of cute little fishies. Apply the stickers to your skin. When they turn deep orange, it’s time to reapply your sunscreen. These water-resistant sun monitors are made to stay on children, even major wiggle worms. You can order 18 for $6.95 through Leaps and Bounds.

Leaps and Bounds Sun Signals UV Sensors