When planning on traveling to a vacation destination, remember to check not just the discounted pricing for your vacation, but also what is happening in the area that might  cause the discounted pricing. The vacation destinations of  Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach are all having a terrible time due to bridge construction. So if you are planning on visiting these areas for spring break or your vacation, be prepared not to drive around much, because traffic is snarled with construction.

The south Pinellas County beach communities are busy entertaining tourists and residents. But getting there is hard, getting around once you arrive is is tougher - and it’s all going to get worse before it gets better.
Three bridge construction projects have squeezed traffic in and around Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach. Pressure is mounting as spring break, spring training and spring boating seasons loom.
“It’s nothing but traffic problems,” said Larry Hoffman, the president of the Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce, which sits between the closed Treasure Island Causeway and Gulf Boulevard, the beaches’ main drag in more ways than one.
“If I was going to do a plan to create a total disaster, this is what I’d do.”
In addition to the closure of the Treasure Island bridge, the John’s Pass bridge is half closed, choking seasonal traffic into one lane in each direction. For good measure, the Tom Stuart Causeway, the next mainland connection north of John’s Pass, is beginning a yearlong project that will limit its capacity. via the St. Petersburg Times.

I thought that this complete list of Spring Break 2006 Schedule for Colleges and Universities was helpful to those who are planning on hitting the beach in the next few weeks. Panama City, South Padre Island, the Bahamas, and Daytona are all gonna be hopping.

Sometimes it is awesome to have know what other schools are going to be out so you can plan accordingly. So here is the list.

Spring Break from 2/25/2006 -3/5/2006

• Northeastern University-Boston
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• Western Michigan University

Spring Break from 3/4/2006 - 3/12/2006

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Spirit Air has entered the Dallas Fort Worth market with a daily flights to and from Fort Lauderdale. The airline will begin with one non stop flight a day and hopes to add more. via Dallas Business Journal

If you are planning on going to Walt Disney World this winter, try these restaurants. Southern Living sent a team down and came back with these results.

• Jiko: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  This restaurant is a warm and visually stunning spot tucked into the lowest level of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort. Jiko specializes in African cooking, spices, and wines. It’s creative, surprising, and true to many of the traditional flavors of Africa.
• Liberty Tree Tavern: Magic Kingdom
  Cinderella’s (in the castle) may be the prime place to see a Disney character, but Liberty Tree Tavern at lunch is the best spot in the Magic Kingdom for a bit of calm. In the heart of Liberty Square, you’ll find a building straight out of Williamsburg. But don’t be taken aback by ye ole atmosphere. Liberty Tree Tavern boasts a fresh, healthful menu and highly efficient waitstaff
• The Hollywood Brown Derby: Disney-MGM Studios
  Though the West Coast original no longer graces Hollywood and Vine, its legacy lives on in meticulously reproduced detail at Disney-MGM Studios. The decor itself is a treat–burnished wood, beamed ceilings, Gothic-style sconces, and heavy curtains recall the golden age of Hollywood.

If you are on the property, dial 55 to get the restaurant reservation line. If you are planning to go to Walt Disney World, you can make  a reservation up to 90 days ahead of time by calling 407–939– 3463.

In a USA Today article due to the rising cost of fuel, financially strapped airlines and steady consumer demand translates to higher airfares this holiday season. For those who procrastinate or look for the last minute bargain flights may be on the outside looking in.

The trend for leisure fares has been upward all summer (averaging 16% more than a year ago), and it’s continuing through the fall,” says Bob Harrell of New York-based Harrell Associates, which tracks airline pricing.

Since both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a weekend this year, travel will probably be compressed over a shorter time frame, making deals less likely. And while airlines typically trumpet deep discounts for travel on Thanksgiving or Christmas day, availability is highly restricted, notes Harrell.

Those in the industry state that popular destinations like Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean could be paying double of what the fares cost today.

Vacationers with more time — and with a hankering for such popular holiday destinations as Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean — “are probably going to be paying double or triple the lowest sale fare,” says Tom Parsons of Bestfares.com.

Get a benchmark air fares through such sources as
FareReport.com
Cheapflights.com
Expedia.com’s Fare Compare
Travelocity.com
CheapSeats.com
Don’t forget to contact low-cost carriers like Southwest

For the full story and tips for scoring the best holiday airfare

Officials in the Florida Keys urged tourists to wait until today to travel to the area after it was sideswiped by Hurricane Rita. They seemed to have dodged the worse of the storm and had less than anticipated damage as compared to when Hurricane Rita came ashore in Port Arthur, TX.

Officials in the Florida Keys urged tourists to wait until today to travel to the area after it was sideswiped by Hurricane Rita on Tuesday. Still, they were breathing a collective sigh of relief after the latest hurricane — the third to hit the Keys this season — did less damage than anticipated.

“We seem to be in very good shape,” said spokesman Andy Newman. “There is no major structural damage. They’re busy moving some sand around and digging out seaweed.”

The Key West airport reopened Thursday; cruise ships return Sunday. For updates: 800-352-5397; www.fla-keys.com.

(Full Story)