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Luxury Weekend Road Trips from Tampa

admin — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 08:36:46 +0000

Are you craving a lavish escape from the daily grind?

Look no further than the beautiful city of Tampa, Florida, as your starting point for a luxurious weekend road trip. Indulge in a remarkable adventure by journeying through picturesque landscapes and charming destinations while cruising in style with a luxury car rental Tampa.

Fret not because we will guide you through the finest road trips from Tampa, highlighting the must-visit locations and providing valuable tips for renting a luxury car.

So, buckle up and get ready to experience a weekend like no other!

Road Trip 1: The Gulf Coast Serenade

When we talk about experiencing the Gulf Coast’s charm, Road Trip 1 is a perfect choice. Begin your journey by renting a luxury car in Tampa, allowing you to travel comfortably and in style. As you venture west, prepare to be captivated by the stunning vistas and coastal allure.

Your first stop along the Gulf Coast is Sarasota, a vibrant city renowned for its cultural attractions and beautiful beaches. Stroll along the powdery white sands of Siesta Key Beach, known for its turquoise waters and breathtaking sunsets. Explore the Ringling Museum of Art, a treasure trove of European masterpieces and fascinating exhibitions.

Continuing your journey, head south to Naples, an upscale destination known for its sophisticated ambiance. Enjoy the city’s elegance as you explore high-end boutiques, indulge in world-class dining experiences, and marvel at the pristine beaches that dot the coastline.

No trip along the Gulf Coast would be complete without a visit to Clearwater Beach. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and soft sand, this idyllic location offers a perfect backdrop for relaxation and rejuvenation. Experience the vibrant beach scene, unwind at luxurious resorts, and witness the awe-inspiring sunsets that paint the sky in a kaleidoscope of colors.

After indulging in the splendors of the Gulf Coast, return to Tampa, filled with cherished memories of a luxurious coastal adventure.

Road Trip 2: The Everglades Expedition

For those seeking an adventurous and immersive road trip experience, Road Trip 2 takes you into the heart of the famed Everglades National Park. Rent a luxury car in Tampa and embark on an unforgettable journey through this unique and diverse ecosystem.

As you drive south from Tampa, the urban landscape slowly gives way to the natural wonders of the Everglades. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the captivating wilderness with an exhilarating airboat tour. Glide through the sawgrass prairies and mangrove forests, spotting alligators, manatees, and various bird species along the way.

After your Everglades adventure, go to Miami, a city renowned for its vibrant energy and glamorous atmosphere. Indulge in the city’s iconic nightlife, explore the trendy neighborhoods of Wynwood and Design District, and marvel at the Art Deco architecture in the historic South Beach area.

No luxury road trip to Miami would be complete without savoring the city’s culinary delights. Experience haute cuisine at renowned restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, and savor the flavors of international cuisine in the diverse culinary scene.

Filled with the thrill of the Everglades and the excitement of Miami, return to Tampa with a renewed spirit and a sense of awe for the natural wonders and cosmopolitan allure you encounter.

Road Trip 3: The Historic St. Augustine Sojourn

For history enthusiasts and culture lovers, Road Trip 3 takes you on a journey to the enchanting city of St. Augustine. Rent a luxury car in Tampa and embark on a road trip to transport you back in time.

As you travel northeast from Tampa, the modern skyline gives way to cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture. St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States, exudes an undeniable charm and historical significance.

Explore the imposing Castillo de San Marcos, a fortress built in the 17th century that is a testament to the city’s rich past. Stroll through the narrow streets of the historic district, where you’ll discover quaint boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafes.

After immersing yourself in St. Augustine’s history, take a scenic drive along the A1A coastal highway. Stop at pristine beaches, such as Vilano Beach and Crescent Beach, where you can bask in the sun and listen to the soothing sound of the ocean.

Return to Tampa with a newfound appreciation for the historical treasures and the unique atmosphere St. Augustine offers as your road trip ends.

Add Sophistication to Your Journey Today!

Embarking on a luxury weekend road trip from Tampa opens up a world of extraordinary experiences. Whether you explore the Gulf Coast, venture into the Everglades, or immerse yourself in St. Augustine’s history, renting a luxury car in Tampa adds style and sophistication to your journey.

As you set off on your adventure, savor the freedom of the open road, indulge in luxurious amenities, and create lasting memories that will stay with you long after the trip concludes. So, don’t wait any longer—plan your perfect luxury weekend road trip from Tampa and let the magic unfold!

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Passenger fined $10,500 for blowing his nose into a blanket

admin — Sun, 16 May 2021 08:20:46 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration fined an ‘abusive’ JetBlue passenger $10,500 after he refused to wear mask and ‘coughed and blew his nose into a blanket.’

The man, whose name was not revealed, had boarded a JetBlue flight from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport on December 27 when he began to act unruly, according to a press release from the FAA.

Rapper Lil Pump may have been the man against whom the fine was levied, the Washington Post indicated – while noting that the rapper had been banned by JetBlue for refusing to wear a mask during a flight on that same date and route.

Lil Pump has been an outspoken critic of mask mandates and said he does not ‘believe in corona,’ according to the outlet.

‘The FAA alleges the passenger repeatedly ignored, and was abusive to, flight attendants who instructed him to wear a facemask,’ the release reads.

‘At one point, while not wearing a mask, he coughed and blew his nose into a blanket. The passenger’s disruptive behavior diverted flight crewmembers from their duties.’

Nearly 1,300 cases of unruly passengers have been reported to the FAA since February, marking a large increase from previous years.

In January, the FAA announced an order ‘directing a stricter legal enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers in the wake of recent, troubling incidents.’ The agency extended the policy in March.

‘These incidents have stemmed both from passengers’ refusals to wear masks and from recent violence at the U.S. Capitol,’ FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said at the time.

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Airline shares soar massively on hope of Travel industry recovering soon with new vaccine

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 15:59:14 +0000

Finally a positive piece of news after months of depressing outlook for the travel industry.

Airline and holiday company shares have surged on optimistic news from Pfizer and BioNTech that their coronavirus vaccine may be more than 90 per cent effective.

During the latest lockdown in England and the whole Europe, passenger numbers have once again collapsed, with many countries imposing a general ban on outbound and domestic air travel. Many airlines and holiday companies have cancelled most or all departures until early December.

But after the vaccine news was revealed, shares in easyJet, Britain’s biggest budget airline, rose from £5.54 to £7 – a jump of over a quarter – as investors moved in on hopes of a swift return to normality.

TUI, Europe’s biggest holiday company, saw a gain of 31 per cent in just 15 minutes. Its nearest rival, Jet2, saw a surge of 27 per cent.

IAG, the parent company of British Airways, saw its share price increase by as much as 40 per cent on the start of the day. The market capitalisation is now above half what it was in January 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Ryanair’s shares rose by over 10 per cent. Even Norwegian, which had begun the day warning that the government had refused any more funding, saw its value increase by 48 per cent, though on a very low base.

Malcolm Ginsberg, editor of Business Travel News, predicted “a rush for seats”. He said: “Whether it be for holiday or business there is a huge demand to travel and if the vaccine can be rolled out in time for the year end holidays that will be terrific.

United Airlines added more than 19% to end the day at $41.32, while Delta Air Lines rose 17%, and shares of Hawaiian Holdings, parent of Hawaiian Airlines, soared 50%, each closing at the highest price since June. American Airlines rose 17% to a two-month high.

Shares of aircraft maker Boeing rose 13.7%, a three month closing high. The gains far outpaced the broader market with the S&P 500 ending the day up 1.2%.

The aviation analyst John Strickland said: “This news is certainly very welcome but it would be massively premature to say that the airline sector can now return to normal.

“Enormous damage has already been done and we can expect failures this winter.”

“Demand will continue to be massively reduced and even if the vaccine can deliver there are still many questions to answer and logistical challenges ahead.”

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Wizz Air launches 7 new domestic routes in Norway!

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 14:30:46 +0000

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air announced it will launch 7 new domestic routes in Norway!

The airline will open a new base in Oslo Gardermoen with 2 aircrafts.

The new routes are following:

Oslo <> Alesund
Oslo <> Bodo
Stavanger <> Tromso
Stavanger <> Trondheim
Tromso <> Bodo
Tromso <> Trondheim
Trondheim <> Bodo

These new domestic routes will start operating from 5th December 2020.

These new routes are another addition to previously announced new routes from Oslo:

Oslo <> Bergen
Oslo <> Tromso
Oslo <> Trondheim

It looks that Wizz Air means its expansion in Norway seriously.

The airline has been one of the best in Europe to overcome COVID-19 drop in airline traffic as it has already launched many new bases and routes across the whole region and its flight occupancy remains relatively high.

Wizz Air will have to count with a tough competition as 3 other airlines already operate on most of these routes.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and Widerøe all operate these same domestic routes.

While Wizz Air will be flying multiple times a day to each city besides Trondheim, their daily frequencies pale in comparison to those of their direct competitors.

At the time of writing, Norwegian Air Shuttle is scheduled to run about 13 round-trips per day between Oslo and Bergen in November.

SAS is scheduled to run up to 17 round-trips per day between the two cities.

Although it remains to be seen how successful this expansion ends, it is definitely a good news for all fans of cheap travelling as tickets start from just 99 NOK for one-way flight on all of these routes.

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Cathay Pacific will fire 8500 employees and shut down its low-cost division

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 13:13:27 +0000

Cathay Pacific is eliminating thousands of jobs and shuttering its regional airline Cathay Dragon as the Covid-19 pandemic roils the global travel industry.

The cuts will affect 5,300 employees in Hong Kong, where the company is based. Some 600 workers outside of the Asian financial hub will also be affected, Cathay said in a statement.

The company also plans to eliminate additional jobs that remained unfilled, either through a recruitment freeze or natural attrition. All told, Cathay is reducing about 8,500 jobs across the company, accounting for about 24% of its headcount.

“We have taken every possible action to avoid job losses up to this point,” said Cathay Pacific Group CEO Augustus Tang in a statement. He said the airline has scaled back capacity, deferred new aircraft deliveries, frozen recruitment and cut executive pay, among other measures.

Even so, Tang said the company continues to burn as much as 2 billion Hong Kong dollars ($258 million) per month. Wednesday’s changes will reduce the company’s cash burn by about 500 million Hong Kong dollars ($65 million) per month, he added.

Cathay Pacific stock jumped 4% Wednesday in Hong Kong after the news.

Like other major airlines, Cathay Pacific has taken drastic steps to shore up its business this year. Earlier this summer, the Hong Kong government agreed to lead a $5 billion bailout of the airline, taking a minority stake.

Cathay said this week it expects to operate approximately 10% of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity for the rest of 2020, and under 50% for 2021.

A lack of consumer confidence, the drop in business travel, and fresh coronavirus spikes in the United States, Europe and elsewhere continue to weigh heavily on global air travel.

The International Air Transport Association, which represents some 290 airlines, said last week that it estimates airline revenues this year will be down at least 50% ($419 billion compared to $838 billion in 2019). The trade group urged governments to use Covid-19 testing to safely re-open borders and called for more financial support “to prevent the systemic collapse of the aviation industry,” IATA said in a statement last week.

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Finnair starts selling Business Class meals in supermarkets

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:39:40 +0000

What do you miss most about air travel? Is it the thrill of the take off? The excitement of stepping off the aircraft and arriving in a new country?

Or perhaps you’re daydreaming about something more unexpected — airline food.

Assuming that would-be-fliers might be missing fine dining at 30,000 feet, Finnair is bringing a taste of air travel to the ground.

In a new business venture, the Finnish airline has started selling ready-made meals inspired by its Business Class offerings in a grocery store in the city of Vantaa, Finland.

Head to K-Citymarket in Vantaa’s Tammisto neighborhood over the coming weeks and you can purchase pre-packaged reindeer meatballs, smoked char and chanterelle risotto and other Finnair meals.

Marika Nieminen, VP of Finnair Kitchen, says the initiative aims to satiate the appetite of Finns who’re missing air travel — and allow the airline to bring back some of the Finnair Kitchen staff who were laid off when the pandemic hit. Nieminen says they’ve been able to rehire roughly 10 employees for the project.

Finnair tested the concept internally first, selling the food to airline staff.

When that proved popular, the airline took the idea to K-Citymarket in Tammisto, Vantaa. The grocery store is located super close to the Finnair Kitchen headquarters.

After launching the meals in Vantaa on October 15, Finnair plans to expand to other K-Citymarket stores across Finland, and maybe even beyond.

The airline reckons its specialty food options — contemporary Nordic offerings infused with a Japanese flair — could have an international appeal too, although Nieminen caveats it’s still early days.

“The quality of the food is really something that we are proud of,” says Nieminen.

Finnair was also keen to give passengers who usually opt for Economy plane tickets a taste of the Business Class experience.

Currently, there are two main course options available to buy daily — and each weekend there will be an appetizer on offer too.

The menu will change every two weeks.

For this fortnight, the main courses are 12,90 euro (roughly $15) and the starter is 5,90 euro ($6.90).

We appreciate every such original attempt to make something extra for customers and given the high standard of Finnair airline we are sure these menus will be delicious.

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Ryanair cancels one third of flights in Winter schedule

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 19:33:42 +0000

Ryanair is cutting the number of its winter flights by a third because of Covid air travel restrictions across the EU and has warned of further job losses as passenger numbers plummet.

The airline previously cut the number of flights in October to around 40% of normal levels, but is now extending the reduction through November to March, down from the 60% previously planned. It is still hoping to keep its planes 70% full, in order to break even and “minimise cash burn”.

“There will regrettably be more redundancies at those small number of cabin crew bases, where we have still not secured agreement on working time and pay cuts, which is the only alternative,” said Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive.

“While we deeply regret these winter schedule cuts they have been forced upon us by government mismanagement of EU air travel.”

Ryanair, along with other European airlines and airports, had been lobbying for a harmonised approach to air travel during the pandemic, to ensure – at the least – more predictable and consistent rules on cross-border travel.

However, the European council agreed a recommendation only this week, issuing guidance on restrictions for member states that fell far below the aviation industry’s hopes.

Ryanair said it was “inevitable” that pilots and cabin crew would also have to take more unpaid leave and participate in job sharing this winter, adding that it was a better outcome than “mass job losses”.

The airline said it would maintain most of its winter route network, but offer fewer flights. It is already temporarily shutting bases this winter in Cork and Shannon in Ireland and in Toulouse, France.

It will now cut the number of flights from bases including those in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain.

Ryanair has also cut its full-year traffic forecast to 38 million passengers, down from 50 million. Last year it had 149 million passengers.

“This guidance could be further revised downwards if EU governments continue to mismanage air travel and impose more lockdowns this winter,” the airline said.

“We continue to actively manage our cost base to be prepared for the inevitable rebound and recovery of short-haul air travel in Europe once an effective Covid-19 vaccine is developed.”

Ryanair shares fell almost 4% on news of the schedule cuts. EasyJet’s stock dropped by a similar amount.

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Alitalia launches “COVID-free” flights, tests all passengers before departure

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 15:18:19 +0000

If you could book a seat on a flight where you were guaranteed not to catch coronavirus, would you do it?

Alitalia is an airline betting that the answer to that question is “yes.”

The Italian national carrier has announced that it will trial flights between Rome and Milan where every single passenger has to confirm that they have tested negative for the virus. These flights are identified as “Covid-tested.”

There are two ways to do that: by getting tested within 72 hours of flying and bringing a negative certificate to the airport, or by getting a negative result of a rapid antigen test at the airport‘s Covid testing facility. These flights will have a dedicated security line for extra safety.

These rapid antigen tests will be taken free of charge for all passengers with valid boarding card.

And the test alone isn’t enough for a boarding pass: “Before boarding, a Ministry of Maritime, Air and Border Health (USMAF) doctor will check the validity of the certificate already held by passengers,” Alitalia explained in a statement.

Passengers who are tested at the airport will have their results in 30 minutes, according to the airline.

Right now, this testing procedure isn’t significantly different from what many airlines are doing around the world. But labeling the flight “Covid-tested” could provide much-appreciated peace of mind to travelers who are antsy about boarding a plane amid a pandemic.

Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 won’t be able to board, but they will be eligible for a refund or voucher for another flight, according to the airline.

Some of these flights are already available for booking on Alitalia’s website and they are the same price as the non-earmarked flights serving the route.

For Alitalia, the way ahead is not only about making passengers feel safe on board.

Earlier this month, Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO) was recently given Europe’s first (and so far only) five-star “Anti-Covid” award from international airline ratings body Skytrax. The airline has transformed one of its parking lots into a mobile Covid testing facility, available to travelers and non-travelers alike.

It’s unclear what will happen with the “Covid-tested flights,” though. Does this mean passengers would not have to wear masks on board, or that the airline will be able to fill middle seats?

While it’s a new experimental approach and the outcome remains to be seen, we really appreciate every such effort to make travelling safe for everyone, especially if the tests are free for all passengers.

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Wizz Air massively cuts flights after Hungary closed borders to foreigners

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 18:26:31 +0000

Wizz Air will sharply reduce weekly flights to and from Hungary from Sept. 7, the airline said, after the government announced it would ban the entry of foreigners to try to rein in the coronavirus outbreak.

Hungary announced on Friday that it would close its borders to foreigners from Sept. 1 to curb a rise in infections and Hungarians returning from abroad will have to go into quarantine.

Wizz Air said in a statement that it would operate 32 flights per week between Sept. 7 and 30, down from around 126 flights in the Sept. 1-6 period. That is only around 25% of prior flights.

On Sunday, Hungary recorded 292 new infections, the highest daily number since the start of the pandemic. Hungary has had a total of 5,961 coronavirus cases and 614 deaths.

“From Sept. 7 until 30 a greater reduction in flights can be expected, and only the most popular routes will remain available for passengers,” the airline said.

Other Wizz Air routes not operating to/from Hungary luckily remain unaffected by these cuts so far.

The low-cost airline, which in recent years has expanded from eastern into western Europe, has been one of the fastest airlines to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

According to their press release, Wizz Air already operates 80% of flights compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Wizz Air also sticks to recent plans to open new huge bases in London Gatwick and Doncaster Sheffield.

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Ukraine will close borders to all foreigners until end of September

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 12:32:24 +0000

Ukraine will close its borders to foreigners until the end of September.

But some categories of foreigners will be allowed to enter the country, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

He said this at a government meeting on Wednesday, August 26, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“Today, the government will consider closing the borders to foreign citizens from Saturday 29th August almost until the end of September, of course, except for foreigners who have residence permits in Ukraine,” Shmyhal said.

This will most likely mean cancellation of majority of flights to Ukraine in September.

According to him, the restriction will also not apply to foreigners who are members of international and humanitarian missions.

The Cabinet of Ministers has repeatedly called on all pilgrims who plan to take part in this year’s Rosh Hashanah celebrations in Ukraine to refrain from visiting the city of Uman due to the threatening epidemic situation.

“Unfortunately, we will have to make a decision to ban such mass events in the city of Uman. This is our responsibility, and we should not create additional huge risks for Ukrainians, and not only for them, but also for citizens of other countries,” Shmyhal said.

As of August 26, Ukraine recorded 110,085 cases of COVID-19, including 1,670 new cases reported on August 25.

A total of 2,354 patients died from COVID-19 and 53,454 people recovered.

Source: Ukrinform

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