WEBSITE OF THE DAY: MeGlobe

MeGlobe

Here’s a great concept: an instant messenger service where English is instantly translated into a foreign language recipient’s language and vice versa. Fourteen languages are covered: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Greek, Swedish, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Traditional and Simplified are all supported. So, no more misunderstandings!

TRAVEL PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: JetHeads Pillow Cases

JetHeads Pillow Cases
These days it’s difficult to find a pillow on the plane, unless of course, you're flying First or Biz). And if you are lucky enough to score one you can bet that it’s dirty as can be as most airlines don't change their pillowcases between each flight. So, if you don’t want to carry your own pillow, you should try JetHeads. They are new airline pillowcases that just slip over the existing pillow. They are disposable and made of a soft, non-woven fabric. Two come in a pack for $4.95

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: NationalGeographicFood.com

NationalGeographicFood.com

If you're reading this newsletter, you're probably an avid traveler and chances are, your friends are too. So instead of sending them a generic box of chocolates or flowers as a thank-you gift for letting you crash at their house for a week, why not give them something unique? At National Geographic Food of The World, you'll have plenty of options. You can sort by country (from Africa to the U.S.) or by type of food, from coffee and teas to sauces and spreads. They do also have chocolate and desserts, so feel free to send them to me.

TRAVEL PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Flip Video

Flip Video

Most everyone has a digital camera these days. But surprisingly, most people don’t realize that their little camera also shoots video. If you don’t believe me, just look for a movie camera icon in your options. If it’s there, you’re good to go! Of course, if you’d read your manual, you’d have known this already but who reads those boring things? However, even with the video option, it’s still not an ideal way to capture video since it takes up much more space than photographs on your camera’s memory card. And then you have to download everything …

Your next best option is to get a video camera but not only are they expensive but they’re bulky, too. That’s where the Flip Video and all of its spinoffs come in. The Flip is a little device that shoots nothing but video and is so easy to use, even my father can figure it out. Sorry Dad, but you’re not the most technologically inclined person I know. If you want to shoot an hour’s worth of video and be able to play it back immediately or download it straight to your computer using the camera’s built-in flip USB port (hence the name Flip Video), then check it out. Oh yeah, the best part: They’re inexpensive and the battery charges when you plug it in to your laptop. I have the Flip Mino, which is the new skinny version of the Flip Video, and it rocks! The Mino sells for $179.99, the Ultra goes for $149.99 and the Flip retails at $129.99.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: The Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation

The Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation (KHG) was started by Chris Grundner in 2005 in memory of his wife and best friend, Kelly, who passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 31. The main goal of the foundation is to do the one thing that no other brain tumor group in the country is focusing on - raising awareness for brain tumors and educating the public about the facts, symptoms and proper diagnosis techniques. The foundation's slogan is "If you don't have the fact on brain tumors, you need to Get Your Head In The Game!" For more info http://www.khgfoundation.org AND more about the campaign: http://www.getyourheadinthegame.org Also, the founder recently made the top 10 in a video contest on LIVESTRONG and needs our support. You can watch his two minute video and vote for him at: http://www.livestrong.com/video/5025-dare-challenge-finalist-cgrundner-/

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: GreenAirOnline.com

GreenAirOnline.com

This website is for all of you green-lovers, like me. GreenAirOnline.com is an independent online publication with international news, comments and information on aviation and the environment. It’s a free service that gives registered users regular updates, features and statistics on current issues surrounding air travel and its impact on global warming and the environment.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: Jacob's Cure

Jacob's Cure

As my brother continues to undergo cancer treatment, we are supporting worthy cancer foundations. This week we’re supporting New York-based Jacob's Cure (www.jacobscure.org), a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising money to support and promote cutting-edge research to develop a cure for Canavan Disease, a rare, fatal brain disorder in children. They partnered with Chief Executive Air (www.chiefexecair.com), an exclusive private aviation company, and created the ‘Fly For A Cure' charity jet program whereby clients associated with a particular cause will have a percentage of their total trip cost donated back to that non-profit organization.

Round Trip to Italy for $399 (including fuel surcharge!)

Round Trip to Italy for $399 (including fuel surcharge!)

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: JumboHostel.com

JumboHostel.com

I have to admit I’m not big on hostels but I would love to spend the night at this unique one that opens in December. It’s a parked 747-200 jumbo jet built in 1976 that has 25 rooms, 85 beds and is parked by the entrance of Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport. Guests can choose between three bedrooms with a shared bathroom or the luxury suite in the converted cockpit. Personally, I would opt for the latter not only for the obvious reasons but because it has panoramic views of the airport. Prices have yet to be set.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: TellYourAAStory.com

TellYourAAStory.com
Since I was so perturbed by Delta’s policy about not waiving fees this past week for New York passengers headed into Tropical Storm Hanna, I thought it would be fitting to feature a website where passengers can gripe about their experiences. Tellyouraastory.com is solely for experiences with American Airlines (AA) and you might be surprised to learn that it was created by two American Airlines pilots who are trying to make it clear that they don't think that you (the passenger) are AA's top priority.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: Courage for Life Foundation

Courage for Life Foundation

As my brother continues to undergo cancer treatment, we are supporting worthy cancer foundations. This week we’re supporting the Courage for Life Foundation. Their mission is to provide life encouraging sporting experiences and community support for high school athletes with life threatening illnesses. Sadly, the organization’s founder, 18-year-old John Challis passed away a couple of weeks ago but his dream and legacy lives on through his foundation.

VIDEOS OF THE DAY: No Free Ride" parody and "Body Skating"

For a bonus website we have two YouTube videos. One is for the adventure, thrill-seeker and the other is an airline parody the whole family can enjoy. Take a look at this nut "body skating" in Switzerland and here’s the "No Free Ride" parody.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: Phweet.com

Phweet.com
As many of you may know, American Airlines has begun offering wireless Internet (for $12.95) on their nonstop flights between JFK-SFO, JFK-LAX and JFK-MIA. It’s the first time in a couple of years that wireless is available after Connexion by Boeing went out of business; their problem was that they charged way too much at $29.95. I paid the high price a few years ago on a SAS flight to Copenhagen and freaked my friends out when I called them from the air using Skype. American Airlines is using a company called AirCell (Aircell.com) and supposedly, they are blocking all VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) calls. However, there’s one website out there that can bypass those firewalls. The service is called Phweet and it only works for people who have Twitter (Twitter.com/JohnnyJet) accounts (sign up is free and easy). Of course, this tactic to get around the problem probably won’t last long because executives from American Airlines read this newsletter so it’s only a matter of time before they block it. If you do manage to make a phone call, please use a headset and whisper so you don’t disturb your seatmates.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY: CharityProTravel.com

CharityProTravel.com
As I wrote a few weeks back, while my brother is undergoing his cancer treatment, we are supporting any worthy cancer foundations. Check out eleven-year-old Megan Maloney’s. She is going to Stand Up To Cancer and is making it easy for the rest of the world to join her. Megan’s grandfather and uncle recently died of cancer and her grandmother, a breast cancer survivor, recently died of a heart attack. Megan’s idea is to do her part so that others would not have to face the tragic loss of family members and was the inspiration behind Charity Pro Travel Inc., a revolutionary international travel website and booking engine that donates commissions to both selected and consumer chosen charities. Soon after its launch by her father Brad this past spring, Charity Pro Travel, Inc. announced its partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Stand Up To Cancer initiative. Charity Pro Travel Inc. will donate increased percentages of proceeds from all travel booked at www.charityprotravel.com through September 2008 to Stand Up To Cancer. As a result of this partnership, Megan and Brad will be guests of Stand Up To Cancer and attend their nationally televised event on September 5.