I’ve loved Australia since the first time I visited, and have returned as a travel writer for many reasons, including wine country visits, Scuba diving, epicurean “research,” and more, but to me, golf Down Under will always stand out in my memories. In fact, in a very real sense, golf in Australia changed my life.

Australia has a disproportionate number of the world’s great courses, but then again, so do Scotland and Ireland. What makes Australia so special to me is something that happened on a single day, February 18, 2004. That is the middle of summer in Australia, and I woke up early that morning at a Sydney hotel, in the vibrant and touristy Rocks neighborhood in the shadow of the famous Harbour Bridge. I proceeded to the legendary New South Wales Golf Club, one of the top 50 ranked courses on earth, where I played, then sped to the Sydney airport and boarded a non-stop Qantas flight to LAX. As soon as I arrived, I grabbed a rental car, drove to Newport Beach, and played golf again, at Pelican Hill, a Top 100 US public course. Thanks to the International Date Line, it was still February 18th when I wrapped up a very long day, one lasting more than 24 hours.

Zoom Airlines, a Canada-based low-cost carrier, abruptly shut down and began bankruptcy proceedings yesterday, leaving passengers from Vancouver to London stranded.

According to an article on CBC.ca, Zoom said the rising costs of fuel and a weakened economy over the past year forced it to ground its planes.

On their website, Hugh and John Boyle, the founders of Zoom, direct their travelers to other airlines for re-accommodation and made this statement: "We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff.”

It was the buzzword of the travel industry this summer. You may call it a "staycation" but I call it a "nocation." And if you think about the premise behind what a staycation really is -- staying home and doing nothing -- you'll realize that it really just means not going on vacation. From here on out I will no longer call this phenomenon as a staycation -- I prefer to call it what it is. A nocation!

An article in today's New York Times details the staycation of one man whose cancelled trip to Jamaica forced him into a nocation. He stayed in bed, mostly, and watched Judge Judy. His back started to hurt from being in bed so much. People -- this is insanity. Nocations will eventually lead to bedsores if we're not careful!

The irony of all this nocation talk is that maybe you didn't need to take one after all. Maybe you could have afforded that summer trip. I was convinced that traveling was not as expensive as the media hype would have you believe and it turns out I was right. Analyzing flight and hotel data from July, I was able to easily identify 14 cities where the cost increase of a trip was no more than $50 more expensive than it was last year. Some cities were even less expensive in July 2008 than July 2007. Here are the complete findings.

I don't want to say that $50 isn't a lot of money, because when it seems like the cost of everything is up -- from gas to groceries -- even a few dollars can seem like a lot. To offset any additional costs, here are a few tips:

As travelers, there's not much we can do about what's happening with the airline industry right now. But, we can at least laugh about it. In his blog, Chris Elliot wrote a piece called What’s so funny about airline fees? Everything!, highlighting videos that make fun of the airline industry. Check it out.

Here at The Window Seat, we often get emails from readers chronicling hair-raising tales from their travels. Some of the stories are so horrific that I think it’s time to share them and see what everybody thinks.

A Shade Too Much
Beth A. writes, “Who controls the window shade on a flight? Is it the person who sits by the window? Is it a mutual agreement? I ask because on a recent flight, the guy in the aisle seat (there was no one in the middle) kept asking me to put it down. I like it up, but I agreed to be nice, but then when he was asleep I put it back up so I could look out the window, which is the whole reason I wanted the window seat in the first place. He was really rude about it when he woke up.”

With everyone and their mother offering slideshows of the most memorable Olympic moments of these most recent games, I’ve gotten to thinking about what it is that makes photos so much fun to look at. Just take a look at this Fritz Hoffman collection from our friends at National Geographic. More than painting or writing or, really, any other artistic medium, photography is arguably the most successful way to convey a moment. At IgoUgo, we rely on travelers’ to add their photos to journals. Those photos complement—and often can overshadow—the written reviews themselves.

More than almost any industry, travel seems to dominate as a hotbed of amateur photographers.

I’m no safety expert, but, as a consumer, this announcement disturbed me and left me wondering: Seriously, what next?

Only a few weeks after reporting a 32 percent decline in net income, Jazz Air, the regional carrier for Air Canada, decided to remove life vests from its planes to reduce weight and save a few bucks.

A Jazz Air spokesperson said that the removal of these vests is in accordance with Transportation Canada regulations, which requires only one means of floatation when operating flights within 50 nautical miles from shore. Jazz Air will rely on the seat cushions as the sole flotation device.

Four catfish, two tortoises, an alligator, and a snake walk onto a runway. (Okay, maybe the snake didn’t walk.) The punch line isn’t quite as funny as the setup, though: a Delta Air Lines flight was delayed coming into Florida’s Melbourne International Airport last week because it had to wait for the amphibious party to break up.

It turns out that flight delays brought on by mischievous animals aren’t so rare, especially in recent months. Perhaps it’s a new air trend? Consider the following incidents.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member wanderluster

You’ve heard of Swedish massage (kneading), deep-tissue (poking), Shiatsu (pushing), and hot-stone massage (balancing), but Hawaii’s lomilomi massage blends natural island ingredients and traditions for the ultimate in rejuvenation and healing. On a recent trip to Hawaii, I sought out massage treatments on three different islands, done in three different ways.

To get a sense of what lomilomi massage is all about, imagine the arm movements of a hula dancer—they’re rolling and flowing, spiritually dedicated, gentle yet strong. Lomilomi feels as if someone is going through the motions of hula on your back, and literally means “loving hands.”

Photo: Stone table steam treatment at the Wyland Waikiki's Spa Pure.

With the closing ceremonies behind us it’s time to say bye-bye to Beijing. Though these games were a spectacular in many ways your memories are already starting to fade. Of course there are things we will never forget…The US swimming champ Michael Phelps winning a phenomenal 8 gold medals; the brilliance of the Chinese in sweeping the sports most other countries ignore boosting China to a fantastic high of 51 gold medals; and Usain Bolt breaking the world record for the 200. But there are many things that are better left behind: the possibility of some of Chinese athletes competing under age; the fact that the Chinese conducted the games like the Great Oz manipulating everything from a “cuter” singer to digitized effects; or the that the bold-faced lie promising a totally open and free media. Ah well, it’s time to look to the future. And so I turn your attention to the Winter Olympics s'il vous plait. It is now Canada’s turn.

Don’t for a second think they aren’t aware of the tremendous pressure that comes with the privilege of hosting. I travelled to Whistler while the Beijing Games were in full-swing and got a close look at the prep.

On Wednesday, American Airlines expanded its availability of in-flight Internet services, essentially granting everyone with a laptop, BlackBerry, or other Wi-Fi-enabled device the ability to stay plugged in once they hit the skies. Services are available for $12.95 per flight on Boeing 767-200 airplanes connecting New York with Los Angeles and San Francisco with Miami.

American isn’t the first airline to offer such services. JetBlue has been connecting passengers for free on its BetaBlue aircraft since December 2007, as has Air France on its Airbus A318 jets. Other international airlines such as Qantas in Australia and Dubai’s Emirates airlines offer similar services. Domestically, Delta, Southwest, and other airlines also have in-flight Wi-Fi programs in the works.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member rokiss.ch.

Rare is the person who hasn't complained about the price of gas in the last few months: with driving and flying becoming steadily more expensive, the numbers at the pump can curb even the most severe case of wanderlust.

Here's a novel idea, though: what if you could actually use the fluctuating price of oil to your advantage? Believe it or not, the Victorian Inn in Monterey, California wants its guests to do exactly that. From Monday through Thursday, August 18 through September 30, room rates at the hotel will be dictated by the price of a barrel of oil.

Yup, you heard that right: these crazy old gas prices might actually be a good thing. Each Friday, the price of a room will be set for the following week based on the New York Mercantile Exchange’s price for a barrel of light sweet crude oil at the final bell of the New York Stock Exchange. And the payoff for you? (Apart from thumbing your nose at the oil industry, we mean?) Well, you might just save a few bucks. And in the current economy, that's nothing to sniff at.

A reporter recently posed a question that prompted a bit of digging on my part. He asked: Is there something about capacity cuts at airlines that will drive more overbooked flights?

His question was provoked by an experience he had flying United Airlines between Chicago and Seattle, where he was voluntarily bumped three times before successfully boarding a flight. The reporter was thrilled to get three flight vouchers out of the ordeal but was curious if this was a common occurrence or a weird aberration.

In short, what happened to him certainly deviates from the norm. Even as airlines continue to slash routes into the fall, there is nothing about these capacity cuts that should drive more instances of denied boarding.

Looking for adventure through the aloha lens? The Hawaiian islands are the stuff of legends for a reason. By sea, by sky, and by tropical rainforest, Hawaii’s got you covered--with a pineapple twist. This past week in Hawaii I pushed my adrenaline meter to the limits with zodiac-rafting, zip-lining, and waterfall diving, and learned some very intriguing island facts along the way.

"The Screamer" zip-line course in the West Maui Mountains.

Forget the security lines at the airport, the delayed flights and the bad airline food. I have the habit of starting my travels off with an experience so bad that it makes these little annoyances look like a walk in the park; I live in San Francisco and take Super Shuttle to the airport.

My dread starts the moment I make that reservation. I always struggle with choosing my time slot. Will they pick me up earlier or later than requested? It’s always a crapshoot, and I always lose. Super Shuttle never arrives during that 15 minute window. Ever.

Capacity cuts. Baggage fees. Price hikes. Fuel costs. More fees. Airline pleas. Are you lost yet? I, too, find the task of keeping up with the airline industry a grueling one. Whenever I fly, I safeguard my travels against added costs where I can: I always double check my carrier’s baggage fee policy; I make sure my carry-on conforms to the airline’s size restrictions; and I pack snacks, so I’m not tempted to purchase food while on board.

The overall sentiment toward the airline industry right now is one of negativity, but every airline offers an experience (good or bad) that’s slightly different than the next. From baggage fees to in-flight entertainment, get the scoop on what to expect before you fly.

Aloha from the Hawaiian islands! I am writing live from the Hawaii Superferry on my way between the islands of Maui and Oahu. To my right, I see the open Pacific Ocean, and to my left lies the green mass of Molokai. So far, on this trip, I have visited both the islands of Kauai and Maui and have done everything from zodiac-boating along the dramatic Na Pali coast and zip-lining down the West Maui Mountains to indulging in luxuriant lomi lomi massage treatments and swimming beside rainforest waterfalls.

Along the way, I've been learning a great deal about Hawaii's history and culture from the first Polynesian arrivals to the missionary days. I've eaten strawberry-guava straight off the tree, rubbed noni fruit juice into my sunburn, and squeezed fresh awapuhi into my hair in an attempt to see first-hand the island's healing and restorative powers. I've also spoken with many people about what the island is doing to protect its treasures, from saving the coral reefs to safe-guarding the monk seals and sea turtles.

In blog posts to come, I'll fill you in on the details of my adventures. Wish you were here -- the weather is fine!

Photo coutesy of IgoUgo member creekland.

Sometimes working for a travel company is hard on your friendships. I know, I know. Somewhere the world’s smallest violin is playing a tune that can only be heard by dogs. But really, not a happy hour goes by without someone asking me the age-old question: Can you hook me up?

And now that the cost of travel is skyrocketing, I’m getting this question more and more. I used to tell my friends that I couldn’t help them out, but now I send them to the Insider’s Guide to Booking Cheap Travel. In addition to linking to Genevieve’s great blog about how to save $500 on your next vacation, it also teaches you how to work the system to your advantage. Knowing how to find the lowest fares is half the battle.

Think you’re already an expert at finding travel deals? Here’s a quick quiz I give my friends to test their knowledge.

There are certain things about plane travel that nobody likes: delays, baggage surcharges, drooling on yourself when you’ve fallen asleep in the upright and locked position. That’s fine, I can relate. However, why does everyone freak out about their laptops? The TSA has released a whole new set of regulations for laptop bags, describing which are OK, and listing manufacturers who make cases and bags that pass muster at the x-ray machine. I can appreciate the attempts to speed up security lines by not requiring the removal of laptops from cases, but really, why does everyone need their laptop so badly? I have a laptop that sometimes comes with me on trips but, really, unless I’m traveling for work, I don’t lug it.

Just saw a piece from Aviation (via MSNBC.com) that list the various airline policies for dealing with overweight passengers. Some, like Southwest, have clear policies in place while others, like United, have no policy at all. Most airlines fall somewhere in the middle with hard-to-enforce informal policies.

I am really curious to know what you all think about this topic and what YOU think the airlines should to accommodate overweight passengers (or not accommodate as the case may be). I am aware of the sensitive nature of this topic but think it is a valid one, especially considering that having an empty seat next to you seems to be, for the most part, a thing of the past.

I don’t think I’m particularly vain—I clogged across three continents in Crocs, for goodness’ sake—but I really hope I look a little different in everyday life than I did when I was climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. You know, just...not dirty?

Maybe, though, the difference between mountain me and city me isn’t as apparent as I would hope. The other night I—wearing a dress, heels, and jewelry—met up with some friends who’d hiked the mountain with me, and we found ourselves in need of a corkscrew. “It’s okay,” one of them said, “Michelle has one on her Swiss Army knife.” I had to explain that I do not, in regular life, hook a Swiss Army knife onto a carabiner and attach it to a daypack before setting off to dinner. And, I added, not only was I not carrying a daypack et al, I didn’t even have pockets, let alone giant stow pockets in which to stuff gadgets.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member 80 Ways Tim

David Grossman of USA Today sees the silver lining in this cloud of negative airline news. His latest column lists 12 ways business travelers could benefit from capacity cuts and increased costs. He makes a few good points and it will be interesting to see if things like fewer air traffic delays and ground holds (#3), renewed focus on business travelers (#8) and more time at home (#11) actually come to fruition.

I have a feeling the capacity cuts will lead to a few more changes for business travelers. I suspect with the increased cost of air travel and the return of the dreaded Saturday-night-stay, we'll see more road warriors adding leisure vacations on to their business trips. I'm also pretty sure that because of increased costs, travel managers will force employees to plan their trips further in advance, which translates into fewer-last-minute trips and therefore, more control over personal lives and schedules. Bring it on, I say.

I'd love to hear from the business travelers out there -- do you think increased costs and capacity cuts will impact your trips? How?

If you’re a sports fan, a news junkie, or basically not living under a rock, you’re probably aware that today marks the first day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. And while I’ve never been one to catch Olympics fever (the odd assault or bribery scandal excepted, of course), I can’t help but notice how especially momentous this year’s proceedings have been.

Since 2001, when Beijing was awarded the honor of hosting the 2008 Summer Games, China has been going all out to make the Games an occasion to remember--so far with resounding success. A new stadium was constructed, the city’s subway system overhauled, and an ambitious torch relay route, one leg of which included the summit of Mt. Everest, proposed and executed.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member TwoIdiots.

In an effort to ensure the opening of its brand-new terminal at JFK goes smoothly, JetBlue is looking for 1,000 people to participate in a sort of test run on August 23. According to Reuters (via MSNBC.com), JetBlue wants "passengers" to " . . . check bags given to them by the airline, go through security and wait at the assigned gate for their imaginary "flight."

The carrier will give out lunch, free parking and other giveaways to participants.

So apparently the French aren't eating lunch anymore.

I know! I was taken aback too. I'm not sure about you, but I've always pictured Parisian lunches to be long, boozy affairs filled with bread and cheese and lazy conversation in the world's most beautiful language. But with the economy in a downward spiral---yep, the effects are being felt all over the world, not just in the U.S.!---the French are stepping away from multi-course meals &agrave la table and opting for take-out sandwiches, quick salads, and DIY picnics instead.

Airline fees have been dominating the travel news recently, but one new fee that's sure to irk air travelers is a fee to use frequent-flier miles. Irritating your most loyal customers is an interesting business practice (even by airline standards), and one I imagine will be met with some anger.

Today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required), outlines the fees by carrier. Delta, Northwest Airlines, and US Airways all charge $25 and up, depending on the destination, while American Airlines charges $5 online booking fee. There have also been recent changes to frequent-flier programs that will greatly impact holders of miles -- for example, US Airways will stop giving bonus miles to elite frequent fliers.

Joe Brancatelli, writing for Portfolio.com and reprinted on MSNBC.com, thinks airline miles are becoming less valuable. He says, "There's less and less to buy with it now that airlines are slashing their route networks and seating capacity."

Update: See Laptop Bag Procedures.

Effective August 16, the Transportation Security Administration will allow travelers to leave their computers inside "checkpoint friendly" cases, a rule that they hope will speed up the security process.

Currently sold by Mobile Edge, Skooba Design and Targus, these custom design bags have laptop-only sections that unfold to lie flat on the X-ray machine conveyer belt.

Add another cost to the increasingly long list of fees. Jet Blue will begin charging passengers $7 for a pillow and blanket. Now, this is a fee that makes sense. I much rather pay for a new, clean pillow and blanket than use one that someone else has drooled all over.

A la carte pricing seems to be the way of the future for the airline industry. The Wall Street Journal writes that Jet Blue says “it is on track to collect about $60 million this year from customers' purchasing extra legroom and paying an extra $15 to check a second bag. The company says it will also bring in an additional $50 million in revenue after doubling its ticket-changing fees to $100.”

We’re in the heart (or should I say, eye?) of hurricane season right now, and every other week it seems the National Weather Service issues a new alert. So far this year we’ve seen Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and, currently, Edouard (we hope you’re okay Louisiana and Texas!). Officially, the hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 1, which is a long time if you plan on just hunkering down at home until it’s done. My advice? You can keep on traveling to regions prone to hurricanes as long as you use common sense. Keep in mind that the vast majority of people who travel to these regions during this timeframe see nary a hurricane. In fact, in most places right now, the weather is pretty darn lovely.

But if you are traveling toward the storm, here are some recommendations:

Photo courtesy of Samantha Berg.

I was interviewed for an article in USA Today by Gary Stoller titled: Will Fares Go So High That Only The Rich Can Fly? And I want to state for the record that I don't foresse jetting to vacations as something limited to the rich alone. That said, I do think the days of super cheap fares and traveling because it's a steal are over.

In the future travel is going to take more planning, more thought, and more budget. There will absolutely be people for whom the notion of flight will be a far-reaching dream. But they will be able to fly. Even this summer where fares are averaging around 15% over last year if you look carefully at most markets we're talking about flights that cost $25-$50 above where they were last year. So while that may still be more than you'd like to pay, expecially coupled with unexpected bag fees and charges for food and drinks in flight, the additional cost to your flight is probably not going to break the bank.

I love JetBlue. Do I love it for its leather seats? Yes! Do I love it for the in-flight entertainment? Yes! Do I love it for the simple pricing structure? Yes! Do I love it for allowing me to at least check one bag for free? Yes (though I loved it a little more when I could check two bags for no charge). Oh, and I love it for the time they bought everyone in the gate area pizza when a flight was delayed.

But the number-one reason I love JetBlue is for its terminal at JKF airport. Specifically, for the food. And in particular, the Boar's Head Deli. Yes, I live in the middle of Manhattan and can get a sandwich at any one of the hundreds of fabulous delis anytime I want. But trust me -- the deli in the JetBlue terminal at JFK rules.

Now there's a new terminal slated to open in September. After reading this recent New York Times article, I am more excited than ever to sample the forthcoming dining options. I even plan on taking my own advice and arriving two hours before my flight just so I have ample time to eat. Think famous chefs, open kitchens and my personal favorite feature, "Dining areas at the gates will be equipped with computer terminals so travelers can order food to be delivered to tables and check e-mail while waiting for flights."

If you just want a quick overview on the new offerings, New York Magazine rounds them up here.

I just hope my Boar's Head deli survives the upgrade.