The car rental company is offering the rock-bottom-rate of $1 per day for renters willing to pick up the car at Houston Hobby, Houston International, Corpus Christi, Boston, Burlington, or Providence airports and drive to Florida before November 15th.

So you have a few days to jump on this if you’re headed south for the winter.

News courtesy of one of our most favorite travel blogs…Gadling!

HOWEVER, have no fear….we shall return! The beautiful thing about our blog is that a lot of our stories are timeless and you can go back to them again and again. We’d like to thank all of our readers, new and old, who have left comments and still support our site… even during its ‘downtime’.

With all the big changes this year, it’s actually been a while since Eb and I have seen each other. Which is why I’m excited about this Labor Day Weekend – Eb is coming to visit me in Los Angeles!

You may remember a year ago, I came to L.A. as a visitor. Now…I’m a resident. School has had me pretty busy since June…so I haven’t had a chance to really explore the city as much as I’ve wanted. I just recently moved to the Hollywood area near Sunset Blvd, and am now minutes away from neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Silverlake, West Hollywood, Koreatown. Plus, I now have my car with me (which I learned is a MUST in L.A.) So hopefully I will be able to get out and about a little more (after I study, of course!)

Eb is my first out-of-town visitor…so its only fitting for us do it up in true JetSet Diva style. So I KNOW I will get to see more of L.A. with her here this weekend (she’s already got her things to do list..lol).

Follow us on Twitter (TJSD, Eb) and get in on the fun as we take on L.A.

Feel free to send us suggestions on where to go, what to see, where to eat, where to chill… We up for anything… well almost anything..lol.

Hollywood, get ready.. Two JetSet Divas are coming your way!

Nationwide Flights on Sale from $85 R/T. Orbitz and AirTran have teamed up to offer discounted fares to/from 50+ cities all the way into November, but you must book by 3/5.

$89 & up – 5-Star Hotels on Sale in Top Cities Nationwide. Indulge in New York, Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, more Hotels.com

50% OFF 2nd Person on All-Inclusive Club Med Escapes. Half off 7-night stays at U.S. Club Med.

Car Rentals in Cities Nationwide from just $8.99/Day. Pick from brands like Budget, Thrifty, Hertz, Alamo, more at CarRentals.com

$135 & up – Upscale Condo Rentals on Hawaii’s Big Island. Choose from stays in Kona, Keauhou, and Waikoloa Outrigger Hotels & Resorts

$48* & up – Huge Denver Flight Sale on United, Each Way. Travel to/from 100+ cities across the U.S. and Canada into April on United Airlines

$139 & up – Carnival Cruises up to 30% OFF + FREE Upgrades. Exclusive offer on sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Mexico Cruises Only. I know I said Domestic, but can you beat that?

To top it off, once you join the community, you can enter for a chance to win a vacation giveaway by Luxury Link. So that’s really two perks in one – travel to an exotic locale and look good while you’re doing it. The giveaways will starts on a special date and time (which is a secret to the rest of the ideeli community… but we know people). All the details about the event can be found in the ‘coming soon’ section of the site . So, don’t miss this great opportunity to be a JetSet Diva in style.

For the special invitation to this exclusive shopping community, visit www.ideeli.com/invite/twojetsetdivas

Got Canada on your mind? Well, we’re giving away a free Niagara Falls Tour courtesy of eTours.
The tour includes:
- A brief bus tour around Toronto and some of its attractions, such as the CN Tower, Sky Dome, Air Canada Center and Maple Leaf Gardens.
- The tour stops at one of wineries in the The Niagara region, famous for its ice wines.
- Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, voted Canada’s most beautiful town.
- The package includes a choice of a boat ride (Maid of the Mist) that takes you almost under Niagara Falls, or admission to actually walk behind the Falls (Journey Behind The Falls).
- Much more!

While airfare and lodging for this Niagara Falls giveaway are not included, Expedia offers some great packages to make this trip a great experience.

It’s easy to enter our Niagara Falls Tour giveaway…just leave us a comment about your experience in Toronto or Niagara Falls (if you’ve been before) or why Canada is on your travel list! Sunday, March 8th, we will announce the lucky winner!

source: forbes traveler

But, Mardi Gras is only one of many festive Carnivals taking place all of the world this week. Street parties, parades, and people donned in vibrant colors, feathers and beads are a part of Carnival celebrations from Aruba to Trinidad and Tobago to Rio de Janiero.

It seems like every year I’m wishing I was celebrating Carnival, but because the dates vary year-to-year, it always sneaks up on me and I miss it. However, I’ve discovered that Carnival isn’t just celebrated in February, but its held throughout the year around the world.

For instance, Carnival is being celebrated February 23-24 in Aruba, Trinidad/Tobago, Rio de Janiero, New Orleans, Dominica, and Guyana. But, I can still catch Carnival celebrations in Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and the Cayman Islands during the month of April. St. Lucia in June; Barbados in August; and St. Kitts, St. Croix and the Bahamas in December and January. Go here for a listing of more 2009 Carnival dates.

Carnival and Rio go hand-in-hand. If this is the spot where you want to celebrate Carnival next time, you can get your trip planning started early. We’ve got you covered, with a a list of Rio Carnival Dates from 2009 to 2030. Talk about pre-planning!

Carnival isn’t just a Caribbean or South American celebration, Carnivals take place in Venice, Germany, Canada, and the U.S (hey, even ATL celebrates Carnival!). Forbes Traveler has some great photos of how various countries celebrate Carnival. Check it out.

Trinidad

But now I have no excuse to experience the mother of all parties. I’m grabbing my beads and going to shake my “tailfeather”….somewhere…somehow…sometime soon. Question…where should I go for the most ‘unique’ Carnival experience? I know this question will be open for debate…but we welcome it!

JetSetters, have you experienced Carnival? If so, tell us where and your best experience. If you’re like me and you haven’t, where you’d like to celebrate Carnival if given the opportunity?

Share your thoughts.

The top ten on the list include:
1. Stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and where Marian Anderson performed her historic 1939 Easter concert.
2. Catch a free concert featuring Aretha Franklin on January 19 at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.
3. Explore famous and infamous moments in history by following the “Civil War to Civil Rights” heritage trail through downtown DC.
4. Visit the newly remodeled National Museum of American History, where you can view a copy of the Gettysburg Address on loan from the White House. The theme of Obama’s inauguration, “A New Birth of Freedom,” is taken from the Gettysburg Address. Look for Obama’s name in the “American Presidents” exhibition.
5. See poignant images from the Civil Rights era on display in Road to Freedom, a special exhibition of more than 200 powerful photographs at the Smithsonian Institution’s Ripley Center, on display through March 9.
6. Live Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by joining a volunteer program through Serve DC.
7. Check out the presidential portraits on display at the National Portrait Gallery.
8. Tour the magnificent Library of Congress and test out its new interactive exhibits, like the re-creation of Thomas Jefferson’s original library.
7. Only Bill Cosby and the Obama Family can eat for free at DC’s legendary Ben’s Chili Bowl — but visitors can soak in the local flavor and chow down on the cheap with their signature half-smokes — for just $5 or a chili dog for $3.60.
8. Cheer on the Inaugural Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue on January 20.
9. Watch a peaceful sunset at the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue).
10. Learn what it was like to be a guest at a past presidential inauguration through The Honor of Your Company is Requested: President Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball, a special exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The remainder of the list is available here.

For the latest Inaugural information, travel tips and advice, log on to Destination DC’s official inauguration website, www.washington.org/inauguration.

Here’s also a schedule of events leading up to Inauguration Day.

If you are jetting (or riding) to D.C. this weekend, share your experiences with us when you return! Safe travels.

I looked near and far – read all the email newsletters – checked out all the event sites – looked at EVERY ning community site we belong to – “Googled” my fingers off and I am now ready to present to you the Hottest List (self-proclaimed) of Summer and Fall 2008 Festivals.

Bahamas Junkanoo Summer Festival
Date: June 12th – August 19th
Place: Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, Bahamas

Reggae Sumfest 2008
Date: July 17th – 19th
Place: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Performers: Lil’ Wayne, Keisha Cole, T-Pain, Elephant Man, Beenie Man and more…

Party in Palm Springs
Date: July 25th – 27th
Place: Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs Wyndham Resort)

Adamari Caribbean Summer Festival 2008
Date: July 27th
Place: Long Island Queen Mary Park – Long Beach, California
Price: $50 in Advance, $60 at the gate, $100 VIP, 9 & under Free
Performers: Shabba Ranks, Lady Saw, Junior Reid, Cham, Felisa Marisol, Richie Kupone and more…

The 5th Annual Turks And Caicos Music and Cultural Festival
Date: July 28th – August 4th
Place: Turks and Caicos
Performers: Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Ne-Yo, Rickey Smiley and more…

Barbados Crop Over
Date: July 28th – August 4th
Place: Barbados

Caribana
Date: July 31st – August 4th
Place: Toronto, Canada

A.T.I – R.T.I Weekend (A.K.A Jamaica Independence Weekend)
Date: July 31st – August 4th
Place: Negril, Jamaica

Lollapalooza
When: Aug. 1-3
Where: Chicago, IL
It will cost you: $190-$205/three-day pass
Headliners: Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, Radiohead, Lupe Fiasco, Rage Against the Machine and more…

Anguilla Summer Festival 2008
Date: August 2nd – 12th
Place: Northern Leeward Islands – Anguilla, BWI
11 days of carnival and boatracing activities

The London Notting Hill Carnival
Date: August 22-25, 2008
Place: London, England (Notting Hill)

Labor Day Getaway Weekend
Date: August 29 – Sept 1, 2008
Place: San Juan, Puerto Rico

BumberShoot
Seattle’s Music & Art Festival
Date: August 30 – September 1, 2008
Place: Seattle, WA – Seattle Center
Featuring: Keyshia Cole, T.I., Stone Temple Pilots, Neko, Estelle, Adele, Jakob Dylan, !!! and much much more….too much to list!

Mr. Caribbean International 2008
Date: October 6 -13, 2008
Place: Hedonism III

Bermuda Music Festival
Date: October 1-4, 2008
Place: Bermuda
Performers: Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Steve Harvey, Bill Bellamy, Aaron Nevile and more…

That’s all I got! If you venture out let us know about. Upload your pictures to the Jet Set Community www.TwoJetSetDivas.ning.com

Contributing Source: Black Beach Week.com
They know about every happening event! Sign up for their newsletter here…make your life easier!

In its article, Airline fees survival guide, SmarterTravel investigates the affect those ‘hidden, little’ fees have on the final cost of your trip. They’ve also joined forces with SeatGuru and Airfare Watch Dog to put together a nifty guide which lists many of the fees charged by the big American carriers for items such as luggage, food/beverages, change fees, and more. According to the SmarterTravel, the list will continue to grow and will be updated on their…so this is good little chart to check out and keep on standby.

PFCs?
SmarterTravel does a great job in providing some travel scenarios and cost comparisons between airlines. For instance, a single traveler with no carry-ons doesn’t have to worry about baggage fees. However, if that traveler’s trip includes a layover, a PFC (passenger facility charge…hey airports are losing money too!) is tacked on to the price of the ticket. The old theory that flights with layovers are often the cheapest is now going out the window, because with every layover another PFC is added on. In their cost comparisons for the single traveler, the flights with more layovers actually ended up being slightly higher because of this.

Pay to sit?
Another fee I learned about was the seat assignment fee. In the couple traveling to Puerto Rico scenario, base airfare for AirTran and Spirit were initially lower. Of course we know Spirit charges for everything…but what I didn’t know is that both airlines charge if you decide you want to have a seat assignment.

In Part II of the guide, they discuss the lovely food and beverage charges and more baggage fees. Not to our surprise, in these cost comparisons, Southwest is still considered one of the most fee-friendly airlines out there.
Speaking of Southwest, their new commercial always makes me giggle…

Do you think we’ll ever stop being nickle-and-dimed? Doubt it…so we just have to know how to play by the rules…and beat the airlines at their own game.

So whether you’re headed to these spots, to a fireworks show near you, or just plan to relax at home, have a HAPPY and SAFE 4th!