What to Wear When Flying

Whether you are flying on a short domestic flight, or a long-haul international one, your in-flight wardrobe must be considered. We have some helpful tips on what to wear when you fly out of Tampa International Airport:

• Choose loose, breathable fabrics. Tight tops or pants can restrict blood flow, and no one wants an accident thousands of feet off the ground. In addition, comfy, natural fabrics are easier to relax in. 
• Comfy shoes. You will most likely be screened at TSA, so take that into account before donning your high top lace up Converse. If you are going straight to a business meeting as soon as you land, pack a small pair of heels in your personal item for when you land, or stick to professional but comfortable ballet flats.
• Dress relatively conservatively. Don't arrive at the gate wearing shirts with curse words or scantily clad humans on them. Airlines have been known to turn away passengers or make them turn their shirts inside out before even letting them board. If you wouldn't wear it to church with your Grandma, don't even think about wearing it on a plane.
• Layer it up! What if it is 90 degrees when you board your flight and then in-flight temperature drops to a frigid 73. Those shorts or dress you chose to wore suddenly will be doing more harm than good. Dress in layers when flying so you are able to add and subtract clothing articles depending on the climate. 
• Deodorant and clean clothing. It may be tempting to douse yourself in perfume or cologne before a flight, but resist the urge. Many people are allergic to the scent and you may even find yourself hard to stand in such close quarters. Wear strong deodorant and clean clothing and you should be all set. 

Once you have your in-flight wardrobe squared away, don't forget to make your online reservation with A1 Express to save on your Tampa Airport Parking! 

Tampa International Airport Expasion

Maybe you have heard that Tampa International Airport has began its newest expansion...but do you really know what this project will include for the airport when finished? Check out some of the newest features that travelers through TPA will enjoy in the near future:

• A brand new tram! You heard that right, Tampa International Airport is building a brand new people mover that will span the distance of 1.3 miles! This raised tram system will shuttle people from the airport, directly to another new addition; a rental car facility on Tampa Airport property.
• Main terminal expansion. TPA is expanding the main terminal by a whopping 55,000 square feet! Get ready to explore this addition the next time you fly out of Tampa International Airport.
• Out with the old, in with the new. Restaurants...that is! Tampa Airport will no longer serve up food from Carrabas, TGI Fridays or Burger King. While we can't exactly say for sure what the future holds, Word on the street is that local favorites such as Datz, Square One Burgers, and Piquant [French inspired dishes], are all shooting to serve TIA travelers. 
• Shop Till Ya Drop. After you indulge in all that delicious food, you may be glad to hear that Spanx is opening up a shop in Tampa Airport. In addition, you will soon be able to shop for underwear [Victoria's Secret] and crystal [Swarovski]. The home shopping network will also open a satellite location. 

TPA Airport expansion or not, A1 Express will always be there for you as your trusty Tampa Airport Parking provider. Make your online reservation now and save time and money on TPA Airport Parking

How to Dress like a Local in Top US Cities

Do you often strive to "look like a local" when you are traveling? Maybe you don't want to be targeted by pickpockets who prey on tourists. Maybe you just. cant. stand. to be seen as one of "those people." Whatever your reason for wanting to dress like a local, our friends from the Orbitz Travel Blog have created this hilarious little graphic: [Do you think the photo is true about Florida locals?]

That was funny, wasn't it? Before you pack your suitcase for your adventure as a "not tourist," remember to make your Tampa International Airport Parking reservation with A1 Express!

Five "Must See" Destinations for 2015

We are halfway through the first month of 2015, and if you haven't started planning your vacations for this year, you should probably start! Flight options from Tampa International Airport are continually increasing, and choosing a destination can be quite time consuming! To start your 2015 off right, we have a list of the top five "must see" travel destinations for 2015:

Milan, Italy

Milan, Italy certainly isn't a new, or even an up-and-coming destination, so why does it make our top five for places to travel from Tampa in 2015? This year, Milan is hosting a 2015 expo on "the future of food" that will draw over 20 million visitors! This expo brings along with it tons of new architecture unique to Milan and hundreds of cuisines from across the world. 

Singapore

As if you needed a reason to visit Singapore in the first place, this year, the country will celebrate its 50th year of independence with parades and merry making all year. The country is extremely safe and the urban areas are shockingly clean. Tourists can enjoy wide expanses of green spaces, cultural heritage, a national art museum, and world-class hotels and dining.

Oman

Most people have never even heard of this Middle Eastern country, located right next to the United Arab Emirates. Have you always wanted to travel to the Middle East and experience the culture and cuisine of this mysterious world? Oman is the safest Middle Eastern country in 2015 and is a highly anticipated destination to visit this year. 

Durham, North Carolina

8 hour flights and international border crossings not your idea of fun? Durham, N.C. is a lot closer to home and just as interesting as overseas destinations! Durham is boasting all the latest cuisine innovations, from fair-trade coffee shops and micro-breweries, to the best local diners you can find. This year, Durham is debuting a "tree house" hotel, where guests will stay some 20 feet above the ground.

Dominican Republic

If you are okay with a shorter flight [under 4 hours from most USA cities], but still want to visit an exotic destination, the Dominican Republic may be just right for you! Instead of visiting the "usual" high-tourist areas of the Dominican Republic, consider visiting the country's pristine northern shore. The north shore will have much less traffic and the beaches and hotels are a far cry away from "ordinary."

Before embarking on your 2015 trip of the year, don't forget to make your online parking reservation with A1 Express. We want to ensure that your Tampa International Airport flight experience is a smooth as possible by ensuring we get you to your gate on time so you don't have to worry about airport parking! 

Ice Cream in Tampa

Summer is the perfect excuse to eat ice cream, especially if you live in Florida! Celebrate long nights and sunny days by eating everyone’s favorite summer treat! Sure, you could hit up the local grocery store for a pint, but this year, we are challenging you to think local! Here are some of our local Tampa Bay ice cream suggestions:

ü  Campbell’s Dairyland. This family-owned 50’s style ice cream shop just screams family fun! They offer a gigantic selection of ice cream and frozen dairy treats! There is literally something for everyone. In addition, they offer a large assortment of delicious fried foods, including fried veggies and tater tots. The outdoor play area is perfect for kids to run around while you enjoy ice cream in the shade.

ü  Twistee Treat. This little ice cream stand has multiple locations throughout the Tampa Bay area, and it is easy to see why. Twistee Treat offers drive through or walk-up service. Try their brownie sundae, it is to die for!

ü  Bo’s Ice Cream. Bo’s has been in the same location for almost sixty years! You won’t regret ordering an upside down banana split with all the toppings!

ü  Dairy Joy. Located in South Tampa, Dairy Joy only takes cash, but is much cheaper than other ice cream places in the area. Small hot fudge sundaes are just $2.50 and are quite large. Come for the ice cream, stay for the malts, shakes and floats!

Whether you are flying in or out of Tampa International Airport, there is always enough time to catch a sweet bite to eat before leaving your car with A1-Express Airport Parking!   

Shuttle Service at Tampa International Airport

You just landed at Tampa International Airport after a long, turbulent flight and can't wait to get to your car to finally get home. Oftentimes, waiting for a parking shuttle to come and then squeezing all of your belongings inside can be one of the most frustrating aspects of your TPA airport parking experience. Here are a few ways that A1 Express strives to make your shuttle experience as stress-free as possible:

·         Shuttle buses are on call. Unlike other parking facilities in the area where you must wait for a shuttle to come every 15 min, A1 shuttles are on call to pick you up the second you’re ready to leave Tampa International Airport. To make things easier on you, our friendly staff will help you load your luggage onto the bus and into your car.

·         Shorter distance to the airport. A shorter distance means a shorter ride, which means you will be in and out of the shuttle in a breeze!

·         No hidden Fuel Surcharge Fees. You're already paying to park, why on earth should you pay for your shuttle ride as well? Other parking facilities serving the Tampa International Airport advertise a “free shuttle” service and then stick you with a hidden “fuel surcharge fee." Avoid these and other hidden surcharges when leave your car at A1 Express.