It may be fall, but this week's "theme" if you will is sun and snow. Lots of airfare specials this week, several are airfare and hotel deals as well.

The first deal is about sun on NatureAir - " From October 10th to October 17th travelers can purchase a ticket to anywhere NatureAir flies in Costa Rica for just $27! But that's not all- on the last day of the promotion (October 17th) NatureAir will select 27 people who purchased tickets to receive a free one-way ticket! Travel must be taken anytime from October 10th until December 1st."

For more sun, it's spring in Australia. Kayak found the latest deal with Qantas which includes the roundtrip to Australia, and 3 flights within Australia. "Offer valid on all new bookings made by October 31, 2008 on Qantas Vacations Great Barrier Reef Airpass for travel until August 31, 2009." Some travel dates are cheaper than others, and the less expensive airfares are from California and Hawaii.

And finally, some snow - United Airlines is having a Ski City Fare Sale from $83* Each Way. This one has to be booked by October 10 for travel dates until the end of February.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed this week, as are plenty of news bits from the air travel world!

image by Arlene Fleming

With an unstable global economy, job losses, airline fees galore, and several airline failures many are shunning air travel. The uncertainty that comes with airlines going under, even long established ones such as Aloha Airlines earlier this year, could easily make the air passenger worry about whether they'll be flying.

About.com's Senior Travel Guide has written a few informative articles about travel insurance, and whether you are protected when you purchase an airline ticket with a credit card.

Does insurance cover bankruptcy? A good primer on what travel insurance will and won't cover.

Should I Pay for My Trip With a Credit Card or Cash briefly looks at how a credit card may afford at least some protection if an airline stops operations.

Flights can be tiring. Flights can be long. Flights can be stressful. These are just a few of the responses I received when I ask people to fill in the blank for "Flights can be ___".

In dealing with flights, I have always found it important to have ways to help myself reduce the stresses and anxieties that can come with air travel. From my eyeshades, to my aromatherapy, it is the constant quest to make that economy seat feel much better than being in confined quarters for several hours with hundreds of strangers around.

So, I developed a self massage routine. In addition to working for an airline, I am a massage therapist, so I thought it was time to share the self massage routine I do on my face for a bit of extra relaxation. And yes, you may get stares from fellow passengers, but you can always close your eyes, turn up the soft music, and bliss out.

Self Massage of the Face - Acupressure Points, Massage for Relaxation, Flights - with Illustrations.

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

This week, Kayak found lots of airfare specials. There are other ones out there, but the ones they tracked down are good enough to fill this week's blog.

Kayak found a deal through Travelocity with roundtrip tickets to Asia starting at $881. Book by October 6, and travel through November 21.

There's also a special with Continental Airlines from $67 one way. Includes several destinations within the US, Canada, Central America and Mexico. Booking requirements and travel dates vary by destination.

United Airlines East coast sale is a quick one that must be booked by October 3, with travel through November 19. One way airfares start at $55.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed, as are plenty of opinions!

image by Arlene Fleming