Now that the kind folks at Spirit Airlines have decided to charge passengers for carry-on bags, CEO Ben Baldanza has stuffed himself in an overhead bin.

No, he’s not trying to hide from the backlash and free publicity (I mean, had you even heard of Spirit Airlines a month ago?!). It’s most likely an attempt at being cute to prove why these fees are supposedly good for travelers. He’s probably trying to be cool and ‘go viral’ on YouTube as well. Bravo.

Now that you have our attention here at TravelPlusWine…

Click here to read a heart-filled letter from this popular airline CEO outlining their new corporate policy.

Thoughts?

On Monday, February 22^nd a Travel Alert was issued by the U.S. Department of State regarding travel to Mexico.

For the many tourists who have been loyal to visiting Mexico over the years, this news wasn’t cause for concern. However, Mexico attracts new visitors every day and this Travel Alert could have potential tourists feel a little worried about traveling to Mexico.

To begin, this is not a new Travel Alert, but an update from a Travel Alert dated August 20, 2009 and is reviewed every six months. The main revisions on this version have to do with a few additional border areas where extra caution is recommended.

If you read the document, you will see the U.S. Department of State mainly refers to cities like Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, and Nogales, where there has been an increase in violence along the U.S. – Mexico border.

Clearly, the Travel Alert has put an emphasis on the border area. But Mexico is a big country and fortunately the top touristic destinations are far from those border cities.

So what does it mean to travelers and how should we respond to this alert?

One of the things that we need to understand is that there is a big difference between a Travel Alert and a Travel Warning.

Basically a Travel Alert informs the public about short-term conditions, meaning U.S. citizens should take common-sense precautions (we hope you always use your common sense, regardless!).

On the other hand, Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable.

So, it is very important U.S. citizens understand that this alert is not to discourage Americans from traveling to Mexico’s tourist destinations.

As I mentioned before, the top tourist destinations in Mexico are far from the areas included in the alert. For example, the distance from Cancun to Ciudad Juarez is 1,312 miles – approximately the same distance between New York and Miami (1,290 miles).

Other tourist spots like Los Cabos, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco, are about a two-hour flight away from the areas identified in the alert. In other words: no need to get up from your hammock, so relax and ask your waiter for another Margarita!

Putting things in perspective

Big fact: U.S. and international travelers continue to visit Mexico because they feel safe; they know the violence in the northern border cities is unrelated to Mexico’s main tourist areas.

Tourists who visit Mexico find the friendliness, warmth, and hospitality like no other place. Because of this, Mexico welcomed almost 22 million international tourists in 2009. In addition, over one million Americans choose to reside in Mexico.

Always remember: As with any other place in the world, you should always be a smart traveler, use your common-sense, be informed about the place you will visit, respect the local customs, and take any necessary precautions.

If you have any questions about what places to visit in Mexico, contact the Mexico Tourism Board or go to www.VisitMexico.com

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>> Chianti Classico divorce papers come through (Decanter)- Chianti and Chianti Classico are now officially separated.

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>> Dark Days for Cult Cabs (Los Angeles Times)- Makers of high-end Napa Valley Cabernets are feeling the pain of the economy as demand for their wine plummets.

(photo via mygloss.com)

Combining travel with wine is our formula for happiness and good times here at TravelPlusWine!

Mark your calendars because the 2010 Zinfandel Festival in Paso Robles is coming up and it’s the perfect opportunity for you to combine TravelPlusWine. Taste some good wines and visit a beautiful place. What more do you need?

WHEN: March 19 – 21

WHERE: Paso Robles, California

THE WINES: 50 wineries showcase their Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends. Wineries will be hosting activities throughout Paso Robles in celebration of everything that Zinfandel adds to your palate and your experience!

THE FOOD: Zin-friendly food from more than 10 of wine country’s best restaurants and caterers will be there to enhance the experience.

For more details and to reserve your spot, visit the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance website. They say space is limited, so you better move fast!

Sleep tight! New Zealand Air is the first airline in the world to create a “bed” for economy class [drum roll, please]… The Skycouch!

Well it’s not exactly a bed per se (à la Singapore Airlines Suite Class), the important thing is New Zealand Air is taking a step in the right direction by giving the economy passengers an opportunity to do something other than sit or ever-so-slightly recline. This airline is innovative and they want us to be comfortable! Bravo.

Dubbed the ‘Spoon Seats,’ New Zealand Air is targeting the Skycouch toward families or couples who might want to buy the third seat in a row (at a 50% discount) to have a little more space.

How does the Skycouch work? Push a button and the modified footrests pop up. Then push the armrests up and you have a solid bed! The seat cushions align with each other for comfort and the airline will provide a blanket to place over the seat for extra comfort.

It sounds as though Skycouches will be available on a select few rows which means you’ll probably have to book in advance. Skycouch seats will probably cost about $200 more.

Sounds good to us!

Watch the video above and fast forward to minute 3:15 where they show you a mock up of the new economy cabin and Skycouch.

Question: Would you pay extra for a Skycouch on a long-haul flight?