I find these reviews beyond helpful as it is very challenging to understand how others will perceive your blog. For example, I thought the navigation was decent as I tried to keep a clean layout, but this comment was made by various people reviewing Tourfolio. It was exciting to read positive comments to re-affirm what I was specifically aiming for, such as;

• The clean crisp layout
• The use of social media (e.g., the huge “Like Facebook” button)
• The size and quality of the featured photographs

Now, based on the constructive comments provided by a few travel writers and bloggers, I will be working on implementing the following changes over the next few weeks;

• Enhancing the navigation bar
• Expanding the “About Me” section to be a bit more personal
• Better explaining the play on words with “Tour” and “Folio”
• Maximizing the top-right space of the blog (e.g., by describing the above bullet point instead of cluttering it with advertisements
• Enhancing the “Guest Posting” section as it took visitors to many clicks to find the section

Once again, a big thank you goes out to Trisha of Travel Writers Exchange for allowing me the opportunity to be the first travel blogger for her new column. I also wanted to thank the visitors who left comments as all of the feedback was greatly appreciated!

The Good

Speaking for all travelers, I really hope this is an increasing trend for travel-related companies when it comes to exploring the possibilities of social media. The contest appeared to run pretty smoothly as the clues were pretty obvious for any loyal customer of Starwood Hotels. There were only a handful of hotels that travelers could not select for their prize but that didn’t stop some winners from selecting properties such as the W London Leicester Square or the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

The Bad

A few individuals were complaining during the contest that it wasn’t fair (or equal) that not all customers could really participant as you needed to physically greet the front desk assistant with the phrase “I’m here for my Free Weekends Passport photo!”. Therefore, the contest focused on heavier populated cities instead of hotels in sparsely populated towns.

Also, don’t know if it was fair or not but some cities were given additional clues. It would have been better for Starwood just allow three clues each so that people who knew the answer right away could at least start traveling to it, assuming they lived further away. I felt that the additional clues could have screwed some people over by not being able to make it to the Starwood property in time.

The whining was pretty minimal but the funniest comment was from a platinum member who thought he/she deserved more from Starwood;

What’s the point of playing the contest if you have no chance of winning? This contest is a waste of my valuable time and should be open to every SPG member that takes the time to investigate the clues. Had I known, I surely would not have taken the time or made the effort, only to placate the powers at SPG. An unhappy Platinum Preferred member!

The SPG Free Weekend Contest Clues and Answers

Day 1:
Clue #1 – Which one of our brands just invested $6 billion in 180 new and renovated hotels?
Clue #2 – This country recently hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Clue #3 – This hotel’s city is home to the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome.
Final Clue – Right in the “Centre”, this hotel is connected to PATH, a 16-mile underground network of shops and services.
Answer: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel!

Day 2:
Clue #1 – Which 1 of our 9 brands is a glittering ensemble of more than 69 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts?
Clue #2 – In this star-studded state, the Governor is also known for acting, thus, is sometimes referred to as “The Governator.” Plus, this location is home to Brenda, Brandon, Steve, Dylan, Kelly, Donna & David who went to high school here in the 90’s hit TV show.
Clue #3 – Designed by famous architect, Philippe Starck, this hotel also touts a magical dining experience at The Bazaar by José Andrés.
Answer: SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills

Day 3:
Clue #1 – Honest and uncomplicated, this brand is all about Simple Pleasures.
Clue #2 – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys were in the right state of mind when they collaborated together for this 2009 hit.
Clue #3 – The trendy address of this hotel just happens to be “South of Houston.”
Answer: Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village

Day 4:
Clue #1 – This brand celebrated the 75th anniversary of the beloved Bloody Mary cocktail in 2009, which has been a part of its history since 1934.
Clue #2 – “Movin’ to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches…” The capital of this “Peach State” is home to the largest airline in the world.
Clue #3 – This impeccably groomed hotel is just 12 miles from Turner Field. Batter up!
Answer: The St. Regis Atlanta

Day 5:
Clue #1 – Known for its jet-setting style at a steal, this brand is the new destination sensation that’s always abuzz.
Clue #2 – This state is the birthplace of many NASCAR legends, including Dale Earnhardt & Richard Petty.
Clue #3 – She didn’t build this city, but she built a web. Terrific!
Clue #4 – This hotel is at the “EpiCentre” of the bustling Uptown district.
Answer: Aloft Charlotte Uptown at the EpiCentre in North Carolina

Day 6:
Clue #1 – Just to name a few, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones & The Who all hail from this country.
Clue #2 – Oh snap! Fergie sang about this city’s famous bridge on her 2006 album, The Dutchess.
Clue #3 – The city may be English, but the hotel brand’s name is en Français.
Clue #4 – It’s highly unlikely that you will see any elephants or bears at the nearby circus.
Answer: Le Méridien Piccadilly in London

Day 7:
Clue #1 – This contemporary hotel brand gives you access to a world of “Wow”
Clue #2 – Famously lined with cherry blossom trees, the streets of this city are named after various U.S. States.
Clue #3 – By George, you’ll have a Capital Time at this Conde Nast Traveler “Hot List” hotel!
Answer: W Washington D.C

Day 8:
Clue #1 – Strap your spurs on! We’re heading south for a game of hold’em.
Clue #2 – Nope, we don’t believe this city has a “problem”. Can you guess?
Clue #3 – Built green from the ground up, our newest hotel brand welcomes guests to settle in, unwind and stay a while.
Answer: Element Houston Vintage Park in Texas

Day 9:
Clue #1 – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, only without the wizard.
Clue #2 – This city is home to one of the most iconic buildings of the millennium. Its famous shell-structure makes it instantly recognizable.
Clue #3 – The brand’s signature scent is White Tea, which soothes and elevates the senses. You’ll also feel “heavenly” in this brand’s signature bed.
Answer: Westin Sydney

Day 10:
Clue #1 – Likely the most well-known song from the musical & movie Evita, it features this country’s name in the title.
Clue #2 – The Tango was established before the end of the Nineteenth Century in this city.
Clue #3 – You’ll Rediscover this brand with new ways to work, relax and connect. This hotel is in the heart of the city and a landmark for international travelers.
Answer: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center

Johannesburg, South Africa (”District 9″)

An abandoned alien spaceship floats over Johannesburg, South Africa after the ‘prawns’ have been given refugee status within District 9. While the aliens are not welcomed outside of District 9, would you find yourself living in this city with an alien spaceship hovering above you and refugee aliens nearby?

District 9

New York City, USA (”I Am Legend”)

It’s the year 2012 and you are alone…or are you? No people bumping into you, no annoying sirens in the early hours…just you and a dog. Would you enjoy living in New York City without the sounds of everyday city life?

I Am Legend

Chicago, USA (”I, Robot”)

This futuristic movie depicts Chicago (and the world) filled with robots that are tightly integrated with humans during the year 2035. Shouldn’t we all live a life with robots assisting us (minus a revolution of course…)?

I Robot

Port Royal, Jamaica (a.k.a. Kingston) (”Pirates of the Caribbean Series”)

Rum, wenches, more wenches and of course, a lot more rum! Being a swashbuckling pirate back in the day didn’t seem that bad in this movie series. Are you the type that would guzzle down rum at any opportunity in a port town (minus the drug-related violence in Kingston)?

Pirates of the Caribbean

New York City, USA (”The Fifth Element”)

Living in New York City in this movie would fulfill childhood dreams for most of us who grew up watching “The Jetsons” cartoon – flying automobiles! Could you find yourself living in this version of New York City in the year 2264?

The Fifth Element

London, England (”Harry Potter Series”)

These movies show London as a city filled with hidden streets, overlooked stores and ancient pubs that remain invisible to the non-magical citizens. Does this sound a place you would like to be, with or without magic?

Harry Potter

Want to explain the reason for your answer? Use the comment section below!

]]> http://www.tourfolio.com/favorite-city-from-movies/feed/ 1 http://www.tourfolio.com/photo-essay-the-u-s-s-arizona-memorial-and-pearl-harbor-weaponry/ http://www.tourfolio.com/photo-essay-the-u-s-s-arizona-memorial-and-pearl-harbor-weaponry/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 11:23:23 +0000 Bryan Cassidy http://www.tourfolio.com/?p=1668 The historic grounds of Pearl Harbor instantly fills your thoughts once you step past the gates and begin walking throughout this National Historic Landmark. These are just a few of the creative photographs I took when paying respect to those who have fallen protecting freedom…

Looking down the scope of an anti-aircraft gun with the bridge leading to the active naval base on Ford Island

The closeup of a submarine propeller located near the U.S.S Bowfin (The Pearl Harbor Avenger)

The rusted barbette of the U.S.S Arizona which was used to protect the heavy artillery guns on the ship

A photo essay of Pearl Harbor would not be complete without at least one photograph of the glistening white marble U.S.S Arizona Memorial that sits gentle upon the watery grave of the U.S.S. Arizona

]]> http://www.tourfolio.com/photo-essay-the-u-s-s-arizona-memorial-and-pearl-harbor-weaponry/feed/ 1 http://www.tourfolio.com/how-to-hike-diamond-head-crater-in-oahu-hawaii/ http://www.tourfolio.com/how-to-hike-diamond-head-crater-in-oahu-hawaii/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 20:55:50 +0000 Bryan Cassidy http://www.tourfolio.com/?p=1687 When sitting on the beaches of Waikiki, it’s almost impossible to miss the hulking volcanic crater that rises to your left as you stare out into the ocean. The crater was given the name “Leahi” by local natives for the crater’s ridge-line as it appears to be similar to a tuna’s dorsal fin. Everyone else knows the crater as “Diamond Head” after British sailors many years ago mistakenly thought the sparkling rocks were diamonds, which you sadly won’t find on this 0.75 mile hike that will reward you with great 360 degree views of Oahu.

Almost at the top of Diamond Head...

Hiking Recommendations

The overall hike should take approximately 1.5 hours to reach the top and take pictures along the way. To avoid the sun, many people will hike the crater when it first opens around 6:00am as the temperatures will be a bit cooler and won’t be as crowded with other tourists. It’s recommend that you wear shoes that provide some ankle support as there are a few areas of loose rock. I wore my Quiksilver flip-flops and thought I would roll my ankle a few times during the hike. Lastly, there are a few tunnels and bunkers which get pretty dark so it doesn’t hurt to bring a flashlight or headlamp like I recommended in our “Holiday Gifts for Action Sports Travelers” article in December.

Your Physical Condition

You don’t need to be the world’s greatest athlete to hike this crater but it wouldn’t hurt to be somewhat in shape. I enjoyed seeing locals (from what I could tell) sprinting up and down the entire path even though it made me a bit jealous knowing that these runners were getting a superb workout with amazing views of the area. The hike is pretty gradual with the first portion being paved with cement until it becomes a hard dirt-packed pathway with a handful of switchbacks. You will also have to hike a few hundred steps which also includes a spiral stairway through an old military bunker. Once reaching the top of the spiral stairs, you will need to climb a small ladder through the bunker to reach the outside of it. Be prepared to either crawl or walk very low to the ground as the bunker window is pretty small.

The last few steps to reach the bunker ontop of Diamond Head Crater

Diamond Head Entry Prices

Walk-In – The bus is by far the easiest and cheapest method to reach Diamond Head as it picks you up in Waikiki and drops you off outside of the crater. This requires you to walk up the hilly road and through a skinny dark tunnel which you will be sharing with cars. The price for this entry method is $2 per person for the bus ride and $1 per person for actual entry into the crater. Can’t get much cheaper!
Drive-In – The other method is to drive into the crater which will cost you $5 per car-load, meaning you can cram a bunch of people into the car and the price will remain the same.

A light house on the beach that is directly below Diamond Head Crater

]]> http://www.tourfolio.com/how-to-hike-diamond-head-crater-in-oahu-hawaii/feed/ 1 http://www.tourfolio.com/hotelchatters-annual-hotel-wifi-report-for-2010/ http://www.tourfolio.com/hotelchatters-annual-hotel-wifi-report-for-2010/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 13:13:37 +0000 Bryan Cassidy http://www.tourfolio.com/?p=1690 Don’t you hate when you get to a hotel and find out that you need to pay some exorbitant fee to use their wireless network? Well, for the past six years, the folks over at HotelChatter have been monitoring the reliability and fees associated with wireless access for some of the major hotel chains. The other goal of their report has been to discover trends from the impact of new technologies (i.e., 3G networks on smart phones). Will wireless become a free amenity as we begin to rely more on our smart phones for Internet access?

HotelChatter's Annual WiFi Report for 2010

The following is a high level summary of only top 3 hotels in each of the categories of the report;

Hotels with the Best Wifi Networks

1. Andaz Hotels
2. Standard Hotels
3. Peninsula Hotels

Hotels with the Worst Wifi Networks

1. W Hotels
2. DoubleTree Hotels
3. Four Seasons Hotels

Check out the full results of this interesting report by clicking here.

]]> http://www.tourfolio.com/hotelchatters-annual-hotel-wifi-report-for-2010/feed/ 1 http://www.tourfolio.com/our-favorite-travel-tweets-of-the-month-apr-2010/ http://www.tourfolio.com/our-favorite-travel-tweets-of-the-month-apr-2010/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 11:28:54 +0000 Bryan Cassidy http://www.tourfolio.com/?p=1692 We at Tourfolio know there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tweets a day and that there is a chance you could miss a few links highlighting thoughtful, interesting and humorous content related to traveling. Make sure to follow us at @Tourfolio for our travel tweets!

Photo Essay – Volcanoes around the World: http://bit.ly/bZwEnl

The Best, Worst, Ugliest, Busiest Airports in the World: http://bit.ly/cbnO3R

Understanding Colours In Cultures: http://icio.us/3t13iq

10 Weirdest Urban Ecosystems On Earth: http://bit.ly/bYa1Cm

Photo Essay: The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda: http://goo.gl/fb/ZLgSA

Ash and Lightning Above an Icelandic Volcano: http://bit.ly/cjouKr

Your thoughts on the round-up of travel tweets during April 2010? Was there something that I missed and should have been added to the list? Please share!

]]> http://www.tourfolio.com/our-favorite-travel-tweets-of-the-month-apr-2010/feed/ 1 http://www.tourfolio.com/why-you-should-avoid-learning-to-surf-at-waikiki-beach/ http://www.tourfolio.com/why-you-should-avoid-learning-to-surf-at-waikiki-beach/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:00:49 +0000 Bryan Cassidy http://www.tourfolio.com/?p=1667 As a kid, I loved when my parents gave me some quarters so I could spend some time at the local arcade on the Jersey Shore. One of the better arcade games was to pick up the foam baton from ‘Whac-a-Mole’ and beat down the heads of the moles popping out of their holes. You are probably asking yourself, “How does this ‘Whac-a-Mole’ even closely relate to why you shouldn’t surf in Waikiki Beach?” Well, imagine that you are one of the thousands tourists swimming at this famous Hawaiian beach (the moles) and the hundred newbie surfers that are taking 1 or 2 hour lessons (the foam batons). Exactly – Ouch!

A surfer at Barber's Point standing up on the longboard after a few tries

The famous Waikiki Beach on the southeastern side of Oahu is a tourist haven with many locals avoiding the area at all costs. The countless number of hotels in the downtown area condense all the tourists into a small strip of sand and ocean. Now don’t get me wrong here. The downtown Waikiki area near the ocean (Kalakaua Avenue) is absolutely beautiful way to spend a day shopping at high-end luxury and surfing stores, as well as markets to practice your haggling. I tried haggling for some coral earrings for my fiancé only to have a Japanese women tug at my ear and lightly punch my stomach while saying, “Why so cheap!” So beware!

Trying to learn how to stand up and balance on the surfboard will take a few waves if you aren’t familiar with similar sports, such as snowboarding or skateboarding. The last thing you need to think about is how to avoid using your surfboard to hit the swimmers heads popping out of the water. There is a very low chance that you will be able avoid them as you are trying to stand up and then balance yourself.

The other reason why it is good to avoid Waikiki Beach is that you won’t have thousands of other tourists watching you from the beach when you take a nasty fall. Why have the ocean waves physically crush you and possible humiliation from other tourists emotionally crush you?

So Where Should I Learn How To Surf?

There is a saying goes, “Do as the locals” which fits in perfectly with the best place to learn how to surf. Barbers Point Beach is located on the southwestern side of Oahu (about 22.7 miles or 40 minutes from Wakikiki). The locals teach their children at Barbers Point Beach because there are constant beginner sized waves (only a couple feet) for longboards and boogie boards, which means you do not need to wait for the tides to change. The reason for the never ending waves is that coral reefs a few hundred feet from the beach cause the larger waves to break and then reform, leaving beginner surfers with easy waves to stand up on.

The two biggest surfing companies in the Barbers Point area are the following;

Girls Who Surf

When Cherry Fu graduated from Harvard College, she believed that “lifestyle is a choice”. She quickly moved to Hawaii, picked up surfing, and founded “Girls Who Surf” based on her job experience in teaching, coaching and high-end tourism. Don’t get confused by the name as there are male instructors. The company is not limited just to females either even though my fiancée used this company in April 2010 and thoroughly enjoyed the lesson with only two other individuals.
2 Hour Semi-Private Surfing Lesson Price: $130.00 USD per person with a maximum of four (4) surfers per instructor

Hawaiian Fire

The surfing company consists of Honolulu City firefighters who have a strong passion for surfing and providing guests with a memorable experience. Hawaiian Fire instructors focus strongly on safety considering that they need the certifications (e.g., EMT-B, CPR, Open Water Rescue, etc…) for their job as a firefighter.
Adult Group Lesson: $109.00 USD

Disclaimer: For transparency purposes, we did not receive a media discounted rate when taking surf lessons at Girls Who Surf.

]]> http://www.tourfolio.com/why-you-should-avoid-learning-to-surf-at-waikiki-beach/feed/ 2 http://www.tourfolio.com/photo-essay-life-at-the-beach-in-samara-costa-rica/ http://www.tourfolio.com/photo-essay-life-at-the-beach-in-samara-costa-rica/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:00:15 +0000 Bryan Cassidy http://www.tourfolio.com/?p=1602 Samara is rather low-key beach town located on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica which is not yet crowded with foreign tourists…yet. The beaches are mostly enjoyed by locals, especially during holidays like New Years in which you will find hotel vacancies low and tents scattered throughout the camping grounds. Throughout the day you can hear howler monkeys in the local jungle environs and horses wandering around on the beach. The tidal flucations are pretty intense as a high tide will basically lap up against the line of palm trees while a low tide will cause you to walk about an extra 30 or 45 seconds to reach the surf. These are a few photographs that I took while wandering around the town and beaches of Samara…

A touring boat that doesn't appear to be in use anymore...

On the far western side of Samara’s beach, two old touring boats were laying in the middle of a beach entrance. I thought it was very fitting for a photograph considering it states “Tour Samara”.

A look down the main street from Hotel Giada to the beach

This is a look down the main street, from outside of Hotel Giada, to the beach which can be seen in the distance. It only takes a few minutes to make your way down the beach so there really is no need to drive a motorcycle, rental car or all-terrain vehicle to get to the beach.

Horses eating some breakfast (grass) on an unused soccer field in Samara

I woke up around 6:00am (local time) and decided to take a walk down the beach. When making my trek to the sandy beaches, I looked over my shoulder at a soccer field and saw two horses catching a healthy morning breakfast consisting of grass…

The high tide literally laps up against the line of palm trees

The tides are pretty drastic as you can see. There is only about ten to fifteen more feet behind the palm trees before the water is entering beach-side restaurants and residential properties.

Pure relaxation...

The three common charactersitics of any beach photograph….a row boat, a palm tree and a bench.

A pony walking on the beach during the afternoon

I was sitting under a palm tree when this pony began walking down the beach, in which I’m assuming he/she was looking for friends.

Have you been to Samara before? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the town or the pictures!

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