Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. Make sure to check out the article on ten great ways to spend a layover.  You may be able to put some of these ideas to use on your next trip. Also, feel free to use the comment section to let us know if we left out any articles that should have made it into this week’s roundup. Enjoy!

Business Travel: A Guide To Luggage Delivery Service
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20090501/business-travel-a-guide-to-luggage-delivery-services.html
Have you ever waited by the luggage carousel after a long flight and found that your luggage has been lost, stolen or damaged?  For any of you who have had this happen, you know how frustrating it is.  A way to avoid this is to use a luggage delivery service on your next trip.  Take a look at this article for more information on if this service will benefit you.

Ten Great Ways To Spend A Layover
http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/26/layover-airports-delays-lifestyle-travel-jfk-lax.html
Nobody likes waiting at the airport hours upon hours in between flights.  Check out this article for ten great ways to spend a layover.

10 FlyerTalker Tips To Maximize Your Miles
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/502261
There are several ways to earn extra miles, but you need to be strategic about it.  Take a look at this article for ten tips on how to maximize your miles.

E-Mail Saves Time, But Being There Saves More
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/business/26road.html
Has one of your clients ever taken an e-mail that you sent the wrong way?  E-mail is a great thing to use, but it still does not replace face-to-face interaction.  This article explains why in person meetings are still the best way to communicate important information.

Spas That Cater To Businessmen
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20091101/spas-that-cater-to-businessmen.html
Men: Have you been thinking about going to the spa for a day of relaxation but feel spas are not manly enough?  If so, take a look at this article to learn about a few different spas that cater to men.

How To Protect Valuables While Traveling
http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/29/how-to-protect-valuables-while-traveling/
One thing that can ruin a trip in just seconds is noticing that the expensive jewelry you brought along or your brand new laptop has been stolen.  Protecting your valuables while traveling is extremely important and easy to do.  This article provides tips on how to make sure your valuables are safe at all times.

How To Make Plastic Fantastic
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/502256
Have you wondered if the fee to own an American Express Platinum Card is worth it?  Many people swear by it, but does it make sense for all travelers?  Check out this article to find out what types of people will benefit from an AmEx Platinum.

You don’t need a hemp backpack or a bike with recycled-rubber wheels to make your vacation or business trip earth-friendly. Eco-tourism (or “green travel”) is less complicated than it seems.

It’s easy to forget, but there are a number of things you can do to make your trip greener before you even hit the road. Save energy and lower your utility bill by unplugging appliances and turning the heat or air conditioner down. Appliances eat electricity as long as they are plugged in, not just when they are on. You can also reduce the amount of trash you create in transit by carrying your own reusable water bottle and snack containers.

When you stay in a hotel, there’s a tendency to act differently than you would in your own home. Do you wash your sheets and towels every day at home? Most people don’t. When you check in, request that the sheets be left on the bed for the entirety of your stay, or changed only once a week if you’re there more than 7 days. Make a similar request for the towels, which can usually be used several times before needing a wash. Conserve energy by turning off lights, televisions and adjusting the thermostat when you leave your hotel room. You may not be paying the utility bill in your temporary home, but you’re passing that debt off on the environment.

Making wise transportation choices is another key to a “green” trip. If you’re hitting the road, be sure to efficiently use the space of your vehicle and carpool if you can. If you’re flying, check to see if your hotel offers a shuttle service from the airport – many do. If you must rent, choose a hybrid or a smaller vehicle with good gas mileage. If you’re visiting an urban area, look into using the public transportation system. It’s a great way to get to know the city, costs less than a tank of gas and enables you to read a book or enjoy the sights while in transit.

Another way to reduce waste is to tap into your sense of adventure and try new things during your travels. Instead of choosing familiar items that had to be imported, try to eat, drink and shop locally. Local goods will generally cost less because the cost of transit is not factored into their prices like items that had to be flown in from across the world. You may find something great that you would never have discovered otherwise.

Finally, let your hotel know what you think. Here at Courtyard, we’ve developed a prototype for LEED-certified hotels. The first one based on this model will be opening this summer and we’re going to be opening a lot more as part of our commitment to preserving the environment. Some of our other brands are also working on finalizing their LEED-certified prototype plans as well.

If you like what we’re doing to go green, let us know. If you have a suggestion, be sure to pass it on. We’d like to hear any ideas or suggestions you have for us.

Thanks for helping us keep Courtyard on the go.

We all know that sometimes business trips can be fairly boring, especially when traveling solo. Most business travelers’ trips consist of flying to a destination, grabbing a quick bite to eat, relaxing in the hotel room, attending meetings and conducting business, and then flying home. However, there are ways to spice up solo business travel and make it a little more exciting. Here are 7 ideas you can use to make your next business trip a little more enjoyable.

1). Do not over schedule yourself with meetings/appointments
If you can, resist the urge to over-schedule yourself. Jumping from meeting to meeting is stressful and exhausting. Arrange your schedule so that you have a break between meetings, even if it is just an hour. A benefit of traveling alone is that you can go where you want to go and don’t need to cater to anyone else. You would be surprised how refreshing it is to just sit down at a coffee shop and relax for an hour.

2). Plan at least one fun activity
Before you fly out, makes plans to to see the sights or go to an event that you will enjoy. If during the summer you are traveling to Boston and love the Red Sox, you can get tickets to a game. If you enjoy aquariums and are traveling to Baltimore, make sure to stop by the Baltimore Aquarium in the Inner Harbor. Having an activity planned beforehand will give you something to look forward to. If Metblogs.com has a portal for your destination city, look there for interesting, offbeat events.

3). Go to a nice restaurant
Don’t fall into the fast food trap. Take few minutes to check out the local restaurant scene. You never know when there might be a classic local joint or a fantastic Tibetian restaurant in town. Since you are alone, you don’t have to please anyone else with your choice. Some people feel a bit awkward dining alone. If that’s the case, you can dine at an off time when not many people will be at the restaurant. Yelp.com, and Twitter are the best tools for finding local gems.

Don’t forget that if you’re staying in one of our new hotels, we’ve got a full menu and good conversation at The Bistro, too.

4). Enjoy the night life
If you have some energy to spare at the end of the day, get out and take in the local night life. Depending on where you are, you may be able to catch some live music or theater nearby, or find a unique bar or club. The best way to find out what is going on at night is to ask your hotel concierge. Since the concierge lives and works in the area, he or she will be able to point you in the right direction.

5). Go to a local meetup or Tweetup
Twitter users are always tweeting about different gatherings in a variety of cities. Do some research on www.meetup.com or www.search.twitter.com to find out if there are any local events taking place nearby? Find one that interests you and check it out. Meetups are a great way to meet new people who share your interests, and these days there’s a meetup for every pursuit or hobby.

6). Go to the spa or get a massage
Why not take a trip to the spa on your next business trip? Get yourself a deep tissue massage to relieve all of the stress from the day’s meetings. A little pampering will help relax you and allow you to feel more refreshed.

7). Catch up with old friends
If you have friends residing in the area in which you are staying, grab a bite to eat with them. It is always nice to catch up with old friends that you rarely get to see. Even if you only have an hour long break between meetings, have your friend meet you at a nearby café to grab a quick bite to eat.

Traveling solo doesn’t have to be a burden. With a few minutes of research before you leave and a little bit of creativity while you’re away, you can make your business trip more than airports and meeting rooms.

Thanks for helping us keep Courtyard on the go.

Here’s this week’s round-up of travel news, tips and info that we found to be the most interesting and helpful. Make sure you don’t miss the article on 31 great places to visit in 2010. Also, feel free to use the comment section to let us know if we left out any articles that should have made it into this week’s roundup. Enjoy!

A Drug’s Second Act: Battling Jet Lag
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/business/07jetlag.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
For many travelers, jet lag is a common side effect from traveling place to place. However, there is talk of a new drug coming out that will become the first medicine officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help with jet lag. Check out this article to learn more.

The 31 Places to Go in 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Have you been meaning to take a trip to a new and interesting place but aren’t sure where to go? Take a look at this article for some great ideas on places you should visit this year.

Need To Know – Google Nexus One Preview
http://businesstravel.about.com/b/2010/01/04/need-to-know-google-nexus-one-preview.htm
Most people don’t know anyone who does not own a cell phone today. Many business travelers can’t even conduct business successfully without their cell phone, especially on a business trip. Check out this article to find out what Google’s new Nexus One phone can do to help out business travelers.

E-Mail? Free. Internet? That’ll Cost You
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/business/12road.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Being connected during air travel is important to many travelers. The majority of the major airlines believe that in-flight Wi-Fi Internet service will enhance their brand and increase profits. This article details the connectivity services several major airlines are currently offering, and what they will be offering in the near future.

Winter Clothes For Kids: The Right Winter Clothes To Keep Kids Warm During Travel
http://familytravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/winter_clothes_travel_tips
Do you often bring your kids along with you when you travel? During winter travel with kids, keeping them warm is very important. Take a look at this article for some tips on getting the right winter clothes for your children so they stay warm while traveling.

Seven Things To Do With Your Unused Foreign Currency
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/seven-things-to-do-with-your-unused-foreign-currency/
After traveling internationally, are you left with a pile of unused foreign currency that just ends up sitting in your wallet for months? Take a look at this article for ideas on what to do when you are in this situation.