Travel

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  Family Travel Guide

• Carnival of Cities for 18 November 2009

  Sheila

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:06 pm

  Welcome to the November 18, 2009 edition of the Carnival of Cities, where we find out about goings-on in cities and towns across the world, all in a single blog post. Thanks very much to Glennia at the Silent I who hosted the previous edition. I’m happy to consider hosts for upcoming Carnival editions in December, January and February. If you’d like to host the Carnival on your blog, please email me at Sheila “at” sheilascarborough “dot” com. Off we go…. Cities in Europe Dingle, Ireland Shannon ODonnell presents A Little Subtlety…Dingle’s Quite…

• Family travel in New Mexico: the 50 state series

  Sheila

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:24 pm

  I took a 50 state series hiatus there for awhile, but we’re back! Until we run out of states, I’ll be posting about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook. Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word. Please don’t email suggestions to me; that’s nice but it is one-to-one communication. Tweet me and/or Facebook me, so that all of our networks can…

• Thanksgiving travel packing tips

  Sheila

  4 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pm

  Are you braving the busiest travel days in the US in the next few weeks? That’s right, it’s the Thanksgiving holiday, so have some Tums (or your antacid of choice.) If you insist on flying, remember that the airline experience these days is often similar to the worst bus trip you’ve ever taken. I’m sorry to be such a cynic, but it’s me against them when it comes to incredibly unpleasant US air travel. Consider these survival tips: ***  Drive rather than fly if you can, and take some back roads while you’re at it.  Arm yourself with detailed maps before…

• A Route 66 Oklahoma landmark: Johnnie’s onion burger in El Reno

  Sheila

  27 Oct 2009 | 2:29 pm

  While blasting north through Oklahoma enroute a speaking engagement, I saw on my map that I was passing through tiny El Reno, OK (located on historic Route 66.) The town has three different places listed in one of my favorite references, Jane and Michael Stern’s Roadfood. I couldn’t find Jobe’s and Sid’s was closed, but by golly I found Johnnie’s Grill so I stopped for their famous onion burger. I adore onions. My kids aren’t really into them. Since this was a business trip, they weren’t with me to turn their noses up, so hah.  I got my onions. The…

• Need a laugh? Low-cost airline spoof video had me rolling

  Sheila

  22 Oct 2009 | 8:54 am

  Y’all know I can be pretty tight-fisted, right? I’ll happily spend money when it makes sense to do so, and for things and experiences that are special, but when it comes to transportation and hotels, I’m okay with your basic clean versions. I simply want to get back and forth and have a decent night’s sleep and shower while I’m there. My best experiences are usually OFF the aircraft and OUTSIDE of the hotel. So, while living in Europe, my family and I did fly the notoriously cheap Ryanair a few times, because how else could I get from the Netherlands to Pisa,…

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  LA Times Travel

• SeaWorld Aquatica’s 2010 expansion to include 4 new water slides

  Brady MacDonald

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:33 am

  The recently opened SeaWorld Aquatica water park in Orlando, Fla. will add four first-of-a-kind water slides in 2010, including a pair of inner-tube rides that go uphill with the help of a hydro-magnetic launch. The twin Tornado Walls are V-shaped slides that start with a magnetic launch that shoots a six-person inflatable raft up the face [...]

• Thanksgiving travel predicted to be up this year at LAX, down at ONT

  Susan Derby

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am

  Here we go. Today begins the 10-day stretch known in some circles as the “Thanksgiving holiday travel period,” so brace yourselves for lines, lines, lines. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), passenger volumes between today and Nov. 29 are predicted to be 1.1% higher than they were in 2008. Airport officials expect to see 1.49 million [...]

• Before Winter Olympics, travel to Vancouver via 25%-off Amtrak

  Susan Derby

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

  If you’re heading to Vancouver, B.C. for the 2010 Olympic Games, you’ve probably (hopefully) got your travel plans in place. But if you’d prefer a quieter visit, get there well before Feb. 12, which is when the Games begin and crowds descend. Amtrak’s Cascades service provides an especially enjoyable means for pre-Olympics travelers to reach this “freewheeling [...]

• Ride-makers roll out new thrills for 2010 at Las Vegas expo

  Brady MacDonald

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:34 pm

  Roller-coaster and thrill-ride manufacturers from around the world descended on Las Vegas this week for the annual amusement park convention, offering a sneak peek at what we can expect to see in 2010 and beyond. In my conversations with show exhibitors, I came away with one overarching message as I toured the massive International Assn. of [...]

• Disney ship. Virtual portholes. Rich possibilities.

  Christopher Reynolds

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:25 pm

  They’re still more than a year away from sailing their next new ship, but the Disney cruise people want you to know they’ve come up with a cure for the common inside cabin. Just about every ship has them. They’re the cheapest units on board, those rooms in the middle of the vessel, closest to the [...]

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  The Perrin Post

• Win Tickets to "Up in the Air" and Get Your Frequent-Flyer Problems Solved in our FlyerTalk Challenge

  Conde Nast Traveler

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:32 am

  I've got an early holiday gift for ten lucky readers: Free tickets to a December 1 New York City sneak preview of Paramount's "Up in the Air," starring George Clooney. Any self-respecting mileage junkie will relate to this movie, which...

• Share Your Top Travel Tip and Snag Exclusive Travel Deals

  Conde Nast Traveler

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:34 am

  Have you got a travel secret that other smart travelers should know? And would you like to snag exclusive luxury travel deals by sharing your tip with the rest of us? Then join us in a fun new monthly game that starts today.

• The Best Way to Travel in Tuscany

  Conde Nast Traveler

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am

  A reader writes: We would like to stay in the Tuscany area and visit Lucca, Montecatini, San Gimignano, Siena, and Florence, but we also want to go to Assisi and Rome.

• We've Got A Winner!

  Conde Nast Traveler

  13 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm

  The "Where Am I?" Photo Challenge has its first winner!

• Introducing the "Where Am I?" Photo Challenge

  Conde Nast Traveler

  12 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm

  What corner of the globe are you bound for next? Wherever you may be headed, if you carry your copy of Conde Nast Traveler, photograph yourself or a travel companion holding it up in some fascinating locale, and then email the picture to us, we'll publish it here and challenge everybody to guess where in the world you are. Sounds like fun, right?

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  THIS JUST IN (BUDGET TRAVEL)

• Literary Paris: A lesson in pictures

  Meg Zimbeck

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pm

  Shakespeare & Company, the legendary left-bank English-language bookshop, has long been a magnet for literary talent. Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and George Orwell all frequented the store. So did the sultry Anaïs Nin, along with her lover Henry Miller who described the place as "a wonderland of books." The shop even published James Joyce's Ulysses when no publisher would touch it. [+] Enlarge photo(Courtesy Meg Zimbeck)New portraits of these and seven other Lost and Beat Generation writers were recently unveiled at Shakespeare & Company, thanks to the pen of a…

• Black Friday: Shop for travel deals

  JD Rinne

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

  Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving when Americans shop 'til they drop—is just a week away. The following two travel sites are throwing sales, too. Shell Vacations is holding a Black Friday sale on 26 resorts in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with up to 50 percent off nightly rates. Get rooms from $49 per night at the Peacock Suites in Anaheim, Calif. (a 40 percent off savings off standard rates), starting at $60 per night at the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas (a 30 percent off savings), and beginning at $99 per night at the Vino Bello Resort in Napa Valley (a 40 percent off…

• How to predict which airports will experience delays around the holidays

  Brad Tuttle

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am

  Airport delays can certainly dampen the festive mood. By dorking out with some airport data, you can play the numbers to decrease your chances of delays and cancellations. There is no way to completely avoid airport delays. No one could have predicted yesterday's mess due to an FAA computer glitch, for instance. But you can increase your chances for smooth, speedy travel by avoiding connections at airports that are historically likely to experience big delays. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics allows you to glance over the percentages of flights that have been delayed, cancelled, or…

• Le Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrive!

  Sean O'Neill

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:22 pm

  Any excuse for a party! The third Thursday of every November is the day that producers of Beaujolais Noveau release the year's vintage. It used to be a cheap treat: a light, fruity, best-of-its-kind red, delivered straight from the wineries. But the cost of shipping it over to the U.S. on a rush status, plus the unfavorable buying power of the U.S. dollar versus the euro, has hiked the price of beaujolais nouveau by more than 30 percent since 2003, as the Seattle Weekly points out. Personally, that won't stop me from getting a bottle tonight, but if you only want to read about the event, you…

• Family Travel: 12 holiday spots to let your kids burn off some energy

  Brad Tuttle

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:28 am

  Here's a roundup of 12 cool new exhibits at family-friendly, very interactive museums around the country. Scholastic Parent & Child put together quite a handy list, and all of the exhibits can be enjoyed by your little ones at least through early January. Every parent knows that children's museums can be sanity-savers, especially during the hectic winter holidays, when playing outside just isn't an option and you're sick of being stuck in a house packed to the gills with relatives. A sample of what's new around the country: Forts! You get to design and build your own hideout at the Chicago…

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  The Daily Traveler by Condé Nast Traveler

• Jennifer Aniston Luxuriates in Los Cabos

  Conde Nast Traveler

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  Whether it's surfing in Hawaii with the Cox-Arquettes, or following her boyfriend-of-the-moment on tour in Amsterdam, Jennifer Aniston is one savvy frequent flier.

• You Did What to That Watch? Tag Heuer Performs Its Own Road Tests

  Conde Nast Traveler

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:45 am

  by Hyla Bauer As Executive Fashion Editor for Condé Nast Traveler, my job is to keep up on the latest trends in fashion and accessories. Recently, I went on a quick jaunt to Switzerland to visit the Tag Heuer watch...

• The Palazzina Grassi Opens In Venice

  Conde Nast Traveler

  16 Nov 2009 | 9:13 am

  Just back from Venice, where the big news is the opening of the Palazzina Grassi hotel this week. The place wasn't quite finished yet when I took the grand tour, but it was already clear that the property is going to a stylish and intimate addition to the city's hotel scene.

• Walker and Walsh Save Sea Turtles and Great White Sharks

  Conde Nast Traveler

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:15 am

  It's no secret that quite a few celebs use their fame for more than just freebies and self-important tantrums (take note, Naomi Campbell). Today we highlight two actors who are working on behalf of the endangered species of our oceans

• Switzerland's New Snowy Retreat: Hidden Dragon

  Conde Nast Traveler

  9 Nov 2009 | 7:59 am

  Hidden Dragon, which opened a couple of months ago, is nestled in a forest away from the crowds but close to some of the region’s best skiing with ski-in ski-out access to more than 92 runs linking resorts like Verbier, Thyon and Les Masses.

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  Europe A LA Carte

• Guest Post: Christmas Markets in Vienna

  Karen Bryan

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am

  In this guest post travel writer Anne-Sophie Redisch describes some of the wonderful Christmas Markets in Vienna. From mid-November to 24 December, Vienna is filled with Christmas spirit. Vienna’s Christmas markets are as charming and elegant as Vienna itself. The markets are held in several locations, including (but not limited to) Spittelberg, Schloss Belvedere, Schönbrunn and Rathausplatz (City Hall). Christmas trees for sale in Graben St, Vienna Vienna’s Christmas Markets are a long standing tradition with records from 1626 showing that huts for selling bakers’ and…

• A French love affair with Lille

  Andy Hayes

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:03 pm

  I love Lille.  It’s a small village in the North of France near the Belgian border.  It used to be an off-beat and out of the way destination, but now that it is a high-speed railway hub only an 90 minutes away from London and 30 minutes from Brussels, it’s now a fantastic getaway destination. Here’s some of the great stuff you’ll look forward to when you visit: Vieux Lille:  The old part of the city, filled with little boutique shops, antique stores, and cafes.  It’s quaint and cosy and a great place to pick up some souvenirs for your friends and yourself.

• The murals of Orgosolo in Sardinia

  Heather Cowper

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:46 pm

  If you’re holidaying on the Eastern coast of Sardinia, take the opportunity to venture inland to the village of Orgosolo for an interesting alternative view of this rocky island. In Orgosolo, the murals that you frequently see on the sides of houses and shops in Sardinia have started to take over and the whole village has become an outdoor gallery of street-art. In fact the sleepy mountain village has become a tourist attraction in its own right purely because of the murals that people come to see and photograph. This part of Sardinia has a history of banditry and protest against the…

• Travelodge UK £9 rooms for stays 21 March to 6 June 2010

  Karen Bryan

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:13 am

  The Travlodge Spring Sale kicks off on Thursday 26 November  2009 with £9 rooms up for grabs for stays between 21 March – 6 June 2010. Edinburgh West End Travelodge It’s well worth spending some time online to book some bargain £9 Travelodge rooms. I always try to book a family room which is more spacious than a double as it contains a bed settee. Travelodge are expanding and have bought over many existing city centre hotels to expand their capacity.

• Meet Lindsay Sydenham the most recent recruit to the Europe a la Carte blogging team

  Karen Bryan

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am

  I’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Sydenham, the latest writer to join the Europe a la Carte blogging team. She has already written a couple of super guest posts for the blog, Berlin on a Budget and Dublin – a great family destination but from now on she’ll be posting on Europe a la Carte once a week. You can also find Lindsay at Looking Through Windows. I asked her to write a short bio which you can read below. “My name is Lindsay Cusworth-Sydenham. I am a public relations professional and freelance writer living in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was raised in beautiful…

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  Intelligent Travel: From National Geographic Traveler

• Andrew Tweets Miami: Five Day Countdown

  IT Blog

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:40 pm

  Our intrepid writer Andrew Nelson is just five days away from his trip to Miami, where he'll be relying on the Twitterverse to show him around. So far, he's already found a great rate at the Essex House hotel, but now he's looking for restaurant recommendations and weighing his options (should he check out Red Steakhouse? El Pub? Versailles?). Be sure to follow him at @andrewnelson to help him with the planning, and then help to show him around town when he arrives. Andrew will be in Miami from Thursday, November 26th through Monday, November 30th. Tweet him your insider tips on where to eat,…

• A Top Hat for Gandhi

  Janelle Nanos

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

  I always stop to admire the beautiful designs of foreign bills as soon as I get them from the currency exchange counter, but I'd never thought of fashioning hats for the world leaders depicted on them...until now. BoingBoing and Make magazine haven't yet confirmed with the creator of these origami chapeaus (one commenter suggested they might be from artist Yosuke Hasegawa, who has a collection of them here) but I'd encourage anyone to craft a top hat for Gandhi any day. Photo via Make Magazine Foreign exchange market - Boing Boing - Travel - Recreation - Preparation

• Festive Budapest

  Sarah Langdon

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  Two weeks ago, Budapest's Winter Festival--a massive four-month event--kicked off.  The festival includes a variety of activities, but its five-week Christmas Festival is by far the most popular. This year, the 10th annual Christmas Festival takes place today through December 29th. Attended by 600,000 people annually, it is considered one of the largest Christmas fairs in Europe. But this isn't your average tourist trap full of kitschy trinkets. Every one of the baskets, leather goods, hand-blown glass, and other crafts sold at the over 100 craft pavilions must be judged and approved by…

• Daily Radar: 11.20.09

  Jeannette Kimmel

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  Have you always wanted to see the famous Christmastime Macy's window displays? A new exhibit at the National Museum of American History features the art and business of commercial holiday displays, according to USA Today. The exhibit also details the history of the creation of Macy's Day Parade floats. [USA Today]This November and December, Saguaro National Park (just outside Tuscon, Arizona) is offering a variety of guided sunset and moonlight hikes. Due to popularity, reservations are recommended. [National Parks Traveler]Photo: wallyg via Flickr United States - Business - Government -…

• Saturday Night Out in Madrid

  Janelle Nanos

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

  I arrived in Madrid a few weeks ago with only a handful of hours on a Saturday to show my fiancé around town, so I wanted a way to pack in as much culture as we could, and if possible, do it on the cheap. Enter my colleague Meg Weaver's excellent Free City Guide to Madrid, where I found a slew of cost-efficient ways to wander the city. With her list and a few of our own discoveries along the way, we were able to make our limited stay a memorable one, and save a few euros in the process. Our first stop was the CaixaForum Madrid gallery, a former electric power station that's now a funky art…

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  Travel Tips and Deals

• New York City Holiday Travel Deals

  Shannon

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:49 am

  The Carlton Hotel in New York City is offering a few holiday packages and travel deals this season. Spend an evening at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, finish off that shopping gift list with a Shopping Concierge, or you can book a stay to make this property your home base during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Radio City Christmas Spectacular The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a glittering present full of fun and surprises for the whole family! Enjoy the flawless precision of the Radio City Rockettes’ in numbers like legendary “Parade of the Wooden…

• Family Friendly Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA

  Shannon

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:58 am

  Is it really a good idea to bring a kid to a casino? It may not be tops on your list for a family vacation, but it is definitely worth looking into. Casinos aren’t just for senior travel anymore. Every once in a while, my family takes a weekend trip to Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA. Yup, that’s correct. I used ‘casino’ and ‘family’ in the same sentence, something I thought I’d never do. For us, it is a quick getaway that doesn’t hurt the pocketbook and keeps everyone of all ages entertained. My husband and I heard about Paragon Casino Resort, with offerings…

• An Accidental Vacation

  Shannon

  14 Nov 2009 | 8:14 am

  Johnny Jet snapped a pic of me and hubby on beach in Roatan We just experienced our first cruise and lately, I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit skeptical on any offer that comes my way. Months ago, when the invitation came from Princess Cruise Lines to experience a romantic cruise for two (under the guise of a Twitter Press Trip), I said, “What the Hell” and planned on going full throttle. A press trip usually includes a full itinerary and little downtime. This one happened to turn into an accidental vacation. My bosses at work helped me plan time away from my normal routine,…

• Ultimate Ship Tour: Crown Princess

  Shannon

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:17 am

  Princess Cruises offers The Ultimate Ship Tour to a very small number of passengers on each cruise. The price per person is $150 and inlcudes not only the tour itself, but many other goodies that make this tour a great value for cruise afficianos. Tour size is limited to 12 people and there is only one tour offered per crew. I recently had the chance to experience The Ultimate Ship Tour and was given special permission to film and photograph the experience. Normally, photos aren’t allowed for security reasons, and some parts of the tour are omitted from this video. The tour normally…

• Princess Cays: A Beach Break for Everyone

  Shannon

  11 Nov 2009 | 3:10 pm

  The Crown Princess, of Princess Cruises, holds more than 3000 passengers on any given cruise. That sounds like a lot of people and you may wonder just how one can manage to find some peace, quiet, and privacy when going ashore. Princess Cruises owns a private beach port in the Bahamas, Princess Cays. It offers activities, food, fun, a beach bungalow, and can be crowded in some areas, but don’t dispair if you’re looking for a hidden spot. My husband and I recently experienced this private area for cruise ship passengers and we explored the entire to bring back the best first-hand…

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  Travel Rants blog

• UK isn’t too hot for Wi-Fi hotspots

  Darren Cronian

  13 Nov 2009 | 9:17 am

  It is quite incredible that an exhibition the size of World Travel Market does not have Wi-Fi access. I am not suggesting that it has to be free, but, why were they no hotspots either within the press lounge or exhibition halls. Is this evidence that travel hasn’t yet switched on to mobile or the internet. London 2012 Olympics offline The hotel I stayed in offered 24-hours internet at €20 via Orange, which was unfortunately down for most of my stay. Not the fault of the hotel but the 2012 Olympics are not that far away and I think the city really has to realise that it’s 2009 and people…

• Travel BlogCamp at the World Travel Market

  Darren Cronian

  13 Nov 2009 | 4:28 am

  Throughout Travel BlogCamp in 2008 I was quite relaxed knowing that it was the first event and if it didn’t go down well I could at least say that it was worth trying. This year, I felt added pressure because it had a lot to live up to, so imagine my relief when the night went by without any hiccups. Lost networking opportunities I would have liked to have chatted to more people, but, running around like a headless chicken meant I got very little time for networking which from my perspective is a shame. So, apologies if I didn’t get around to chat to you or if I looked distracted. It was…

• Countdown to Travel BlogCamp 2009

  Darren Cronian

  4 Nov 2009 | 4:35 am

  A few years ago could you imagine travel companies talking about their social media experiences to a room full of people from around the travel industry? Next Tuesday, both the sponsors and speakers will be interacting with the audience and sharing their experiences at Travel BlogCamp. Looking at the attendee list it should be an interesting night with plenty of discussion and networking. Speakers Joining me will be: Murray Harrold – Advantage Travel Joel Brandon-Bravo – Frommer’s Guillaume Thevenot – Hotel Blogs Eva Keogan – Lastminute.com Moderating the evening…

• Flight taxes rise again but are consumers really bothered

  Darren Cronian

  2 Nov 2009 | 1:52 pm

  As expected air passenger duty increased and despite all the huff and puff coming out the travel and airline industry when the increase was first announced it seems to have gone quiet. The majority of consumers will pay the flight tax without little fuss and the talk that we won’t go abroad is nonsense. Making flying greener While my main gripe is that the revenue generated from air passenger duty has never gone to help make flying more greener. I will continue to take my holiday abroad. Why? Well, there are a lot of reasons but primarily when I go on holiday I want a change of scenery and…

• Shaping the future of Travel Rants

  Darren Cronian

  1 Nov 2009 | 1:42 pm

  I have been writing this blog for over four years and I have enjoyed it, sure it has had its ups and downs. I write primarily from my own experiences and thoughts about travel, but also I receive a lot of emails from consumers which spark me into a post about the travel industry. Looking at travel from another perspective Some people have been very critical that I am always writing about the negative aspect of travel which confuses me because surely there’s so much nice positive content out there that you need someone to look at it from a different perspective. Keeping busy You may have…

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  GoVisitHawaii

• Honeymoon Couple On Cloud Nine Over Hawaii

  sheila

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:22 am

  Josh & Jenn Gampel at the Top of Maui's Mt. Haleakala at Sunrise I’m always excited to hear from readers who tell me about how much they enjoyed their travels to Hawaii. This past week, at a conference in Las Vegas, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting Go Visit Hawaii reader Josh Gampel of Onward Search in Connecticut. Josh and his new bride, Jenn, honeymooned on Maui, Oahu, and Kauai in August. From chatting with Josh, I could tell that he was very happy with choosing Hawaii for his honeymoon. Josh said, “I was amazed and blown away at how beautiful everything was. I lived on…

• Google Brings Hawaii Virtually to Your Doorstep!

  Andy

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:01 am

  If you’ve ever visited Hawaii, you’re going to love this new feature from Google Maps. If you’ve never visited Hawaii, you’re going to love this new feature from Google Maps. So, what is it? Well, Google has announced the addition of Hawaii to its Street Views project, meaning you can take a virtual “stroll” around the places you’ve visited, or the places you plan to see some day. For example, want to be on Waikiki beach while stuck in Chicago? Now you can! View Larger Map Or, maybe you want to watch surfers on Oahu’s North Shore. Now you can…

• Hawaii Vacation Deals & News Roundup: November 18, 2009

  sheila

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:15 am

  Oodles of deals and newsy bits to share today, so let’s get to it. * Here’s a lovely little boutique hotel, Hotel Coral Reef, in Kapaa, Kauai that you might want to consider for your next visit to the Garden Isle. Check out their plethora of special offers, including third night free or ocean front suite “eSpecial” of $169 per night. All rooms include free continental breakfast. Bargain! * It’s kind of hard to believe this Grand Wailea deal for the upcoming winter high season. You can stay at this posh Waldolf Astoria property on Maui for $399 per night, plus free daily breakfast,…

• The 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Competitions are on!

  sheila

  17 Nov 2009 | 1:04 am

  Whether you’re a surfer or a surfer-admirer, like myself, you’ll enjoy watching the experts power through the big waves of Oahu’s North Shore at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.This competition is the most prestigious surfing event in the world. Please be warned that watching these events can become very addicting. When Andy and I caught a surfing competition at the famous Pipeline of Ehukai Beach back in February, we could hardly tear ourselves away. From the above banner, you can see the dates for the three competitions. You can also check this page to find the status of the latest…

• Review: Kauai’s St. Regis Princeville Resort

  sheila

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:38 am

  My friend Shane Eubanks of Insider Travel Group recently asked for my opinion on where he should stay on Kauai for a romantic vacation. He had narrowed down his choices and when I saw that the St. Regis Princeville was on his short list, I urged him to stay there. I asked Shane if he would be willing to write a review of his stay and he graciously agreed. Mahalo, Shane, for taking the time to share your experience at the St. Regis Princeville Resort. If you’re looking for a 5-star luxury vacation in Hawaii, then be sure to check out the newly renovated St. Regis Princeville on the lush…

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  Fodor's Travel Wire

• Congratulations to Our Second Group of Sweeps Winners!

  editors@fodors.com

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:23 am

  Congratulations go out to Fodor's members Tellurian, Kay2, and masylvan— they are the second group of winners of our month-long Rate Your Experience sweepstakes. They each posted a review in one of our destination guides last week; and as winners they will be receiving the following:

• Find San Francisco's Tamale Lady

  editors@fodors.com

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:11 am

  It's impossible to pin down her location, but if you're out and about in the Mission on an evening, keep an eye peeled for this San Francisco legend. Her tamales are terrific.

• 6 Tips for Traveling with Surly Teens

  editors@fodors.com

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:55 am

  Who doesn't occasionally fantasize about being whisked away to a far-flung destination on someone else's dime? A teen, that's who. Fodor's member grucci recently asked fellow travelers in our Forums for tips about making a large family trip to Italy more appealing for a 16-year-old teen girl who's reluctant to go. As expected, members' responses varied widely; some argued that teens shouldn't be catered to, while others offered up suggestions and compromises that worked for their own families.

• Australia Photo Contest Winners Slideshow

  editors@fodors.com

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:16 am

  Congratulations to all of the winners of our recent Australia photo contest, including David Menkes whose photo of an underwater scene taken on the Great Barrier Reef took top honors.View the full slideshow of winning shots

• Take to the trees on a canopy tour

  editors@fodors.com

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:08 am

  Canopy tours are action-packed rides, where, fastened to a zip line high off the ground, you fly from tree to tree. Blue sky above, ribbons of river below, and in between: a forest of tree tops and a healthy shot of adrenaline.

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  Happy Hotelier

• Tricking wORDpRESs when moving form one server to another server

  GJE

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pm

  WordPress Spelling by Lorelle I had fun during the Dutch WordCamp. I learned from Lorelle that you should write WordPress with two capitals and not with 6 like I do in the header of this post. I’m teasing her again. WordPress Future At WordCamp Lorelle predicted a great future for WordPress. I teased her with my prediction that the future of WordPress will be gloomy, as it is much too technical and people wouldn’t want to go under the hood like I do sometimes. And I know Lorelle, you told us that you blogged long before WordPress even existed and did a hard job with manually…

• Real Zen – First post on the New Server

  Happy Hotelier

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:29 pm

  After I imported the posts of Happy Hotelier from the old server to the new server, this clip of an interview with Robert Pirsig came up as my first draft in my drafts ghetto. Whenever I see or hear the term Zen I associate it with the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance. Currently I’m awaiting the DNS switch from old server to new server as the two have been operated together next o each other. In the meantime I have replaced a keyboard because the w key kept hanging because of ash with coffee in it. Well I was pondering the new set up for my categories as they seem to be…

• Hello world! Happy Hotelier continues on a new server

  GJE

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm

  Usually this is the first post of a new Blog. I’ll leave it here as a reminder to the fact that I changed server and had to migrate  the blog from one server to another server. This didn’t go without difficulties. I started WordPress from scratch and exported the content from the other server via an XML export and then imported the content here. I believe this gives me the best result, but I’ve lost my links and categories. Well maybe it is a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity and restructure my whole categories department… some SEO gurus out there would…

• Moxie

  GJE

  6 Nov 2009 | 4:53 pm

  Philip C Wolf of PhoCusWright What the hell is Moxie? One of the gurus in travel marketing is the very passionate Philip C. Wolf, president and CEO of PhoCusWright, a travel marketing think tank. At one of his conferences, at ITB Berlin 2009 he teached his audience that under the present economic circumstances “You need a lot of Moxie”. I didn’t have a clue what that meant. It was later explained to me that maybe you can translate this into “You need a lot of balls” or, “You need a lot of creativity”, or “You need a lot of perseverance”.

• Winding down from 2009 WordCampNL – My Heroes – Part 1 The Organization

  GJE

  5 Nov 2009 | 1:14 pm

  A rare photo of this photographer in action at WordCampNL. Thank you Henk-Jan Winkeldermaat of PunkMedia.nl, of Flickr | Eventbranche and  @Punkmedia ! General I attended the first ever WordCampNL. It stands for a Dutch WordCamp or a WordCamp in the Netherlands. At first I had decided not to go, because I was very very busy. I do have to admit I thought a WordCamp would be a gathering of WordPress Newbies and/or Geeks and/or Nerds only. However, this first Dutch WordCampNL proved me wrong in that respect and in many other aspects! The people attending were normal people like you and me, some…

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  Laptop Road Trip

• Walk It Off and Drink Water: Rules of the Road

  Tim

  8 Nov 2009 | 10:38 am

  Beach on Dingle Pennisula Rules of the Road – Rule #4 Be Healthy!  Walk off your jet lag, drink lots of water and avoid caffeine! I am not a doctor but I am convinced a healthy dose of exercise and water when you arrive on the continent will lessen the impact of jet lag. Your stamina will be tested, so be ready. I am not ready to weigh in with an opinion on whether air travel equates to catching colds but I have learned that there are things we can do to feel better on the road. Walking is at the top of my list. This can be extra challenging with young ones so I suggest hitting the…

• Find a Grocery Store: Rules of the Road

  Michelle

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:32 pm

  Brad and Angelina aren’t the only working parents who combine work, travel and kids. Lots of non-movie stars have been doing it for years.  Since Tim and I don’t make $20 million per project, like Brad and Angie, we have to cut corners.  A big place we save money is by going to the grocery store before we check in to our hotel. Kids and room service will KILL you if you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at a hotel. Rules of the Road – Rule #2 Before You Check In to the Hotel, Find a Grocery Store and Stock Up This is one of the most important rules of the road for traveling…

• Gameboy to the Rescue: Family Travel is an Adventure!

  Tim

  1 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am

  Traveling with the family can be an adventure. Um hum, good times! Or how ‘bout the 16 hour ride home from Alabama with my youngest daughter knocking out gas bombs that my fraternity brothers would have been proud of. If we hadn’t made a joke of it and laughed as hard as we did, I might have one less tax deduction and natural gas might be the fuel of choice in the Southern State. We never determined what set that fuse alight but it hasn’t happened to her again, thank god. Some of my personally darkest parenting hours were spent being upset at my oldest when she was only 4 or so and…

• Trust but Verify with Kids and Packing

  Michelle

  25 Oct 2009 | 5:51 am

  One of my favorite quotes from President Ronald Reagan has become a core part of my parenting philosophy. Trust…but Verify. -President Ronald Reagan President Reagan said this during the Cold War, and he was talking about the Soviets.  He trusted the Soviets but he liked to “verify”.  It doesn’t matter what you think of Reagan, this philosophy comes in very handy as a mother. This philosophy is especially relevant when traveling with kids! Even when my daughters got old enough to do a lot of the packing for trips for themselves, I still checked their bags to make sure they…

• JennyCraig: Little Changes, Soup for Dinner

  Michelle

  1 Oct 2009 | 12:40 pm

  I’m an all or nothing person. I’m either all in, 100% or I’m not. My go for it type of personality is great to many things but it’s also led me to many years of yo-yo dieting.  I’d start on a new program or diet and follow it for a few weeks—–then crash and burn. I didn’t know if the JennyCraig program would just be more of the same but I wanted to try.  In May I realized I was at my all time heaviest—-except for being pregnant—-and I knew I had to do something. One of the reasons I think I’m able to stick with this program…

• 
  Have Kids Will Travel

• Hygiene Helpers for Traveling Kids

  Catherine

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:57 am

  Is it just me or does someone in your family always get sick when traveling? Whether it’s the stress of being on the move, the climate change or spending more time in confined spaces, it seems at least one of us comes down with something before, during or after a trip – and that’s not [...]

• The Lure of the Loire from a Kid’s Point of View

  Catherine

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:03 am

  If there’s one region of France that is brimming with kid-appeal it’s the Loire valley, just a few hours southwest of Paris. This is classic castle country, and what child can resist peeking into the bedchambers, poking around the dungeons and dancing in the ball rooms where kings, queens and noblemen used to dwell? You’ll have [...]

• Round the world travel with kids

  Catherine

  10 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am

  It may be a few years off yet, but I am starting to plan an extended round-the-world trip with my husband and two children. Much to the shock, horror and disbelief of family and friends, we plan to take our girls out of school for up to a year so we can explore various [...]

• A D-Day at the Beach

  Catherine

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:55 am

  I was a little apprehensive to visit Omaha Beach with my young kids. I didn’t really want to contaminate their innocence with the knowledge of war and the horrors that man can inflict on man just yet. At ages 4 and 6, do they really need to be aware of world events like D-Day and [...]

• 10 Tips for Home Exchange Newbies

  Catherine

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:31 am

  I confess, I have a new online addiction. While some have fallen prey to time zappers like Facebook, Twitter or Wordscraper, I can get lost for hours on home exchange websites. For a travel junkie like me, sniffing around various house-swapping possibilities around the world is like wanderlust crack. Pick a country, any country, and I [...]

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  Global Travel News

• Space travelling

  29 Oct 2009 | 2:16 pm

  Tourism extended to space but this destination is still expensive and the "operator" is only the Russian Space Agency for the time being. For US 20-30 million the tourists will embark on a Soyuz spacecraft and can admire the Blue Planet from a distance.The suborbital space tourism is more affordable and is viewed as a money making activity by companies such as Space Adventures, Virgin Galactic,

• Your holiday starts here

  13 Oct 2009 | 9:39 am

  When buying your groceries, in order to get the best prices you go to the supermarket because you have a wide range of products to choose from and you can get the best deals.The same thing should happen when you book your holiday or flight: you should be able to compare and select the most convenient packages. Travelgrove.com is a meta search engine which offers you the benefits of a travel

• Trip or treat - Halloween holiday

  5 Oct 2009 | 10:12 am

  If you want to feel that your holiday is sending shivers down your spine, a trip to Transylvania is the right thing to do (Halloween is almost here anyway).You can land either in the heart of Transylvania (an airport of choice could be Cluj Napoca or Targu Mures) or in Bucharest then start your trip armed with a cross and some garlic.Targu Mures is closer to Sighisoara, the place where Vlad The

• Holiday in Albufeira

  21 Sep 2009 | 4:08 am

  Albufeira is now far from the poor image it once had as a fishing village devastated by earthquakes and that is mostly because of the tourist boom to the resort. It is the most popular resort of Portugal, visited by thousands of tourists every year. You’d love the golden beaches here as well as the sandy coves which are very appealing. If you are in Albufeira than have a walk on the beach from

• Discover Philippines through Bohol

  20 Aug 2009 | 8:46 am

  Bohol is a province island in the Philippines in the region Central Visayas which attract tourists because of its beaches and resorts. The most famous beach in Bohol is Alona Beach, with white and fine sands, perfect to watch dolphins playing in the sunset.Bohol's attractions are the clear waters and white sandy beaches, the Chocolate Hills, old churches, historic towers and an interesting fauna

• 
  Everything Everywhere: Around the World Travel Blog

• Road Trip Update – The Home Stretch

  Gary

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:08 am

  After two and a half months, I’m entering the last leg of the road trip. Today I’m just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee where I’ll be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and taking photos. Tonight I hope to be in Nashville, then on Saturday I’ll be visiting Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and driving up to Indianapolis. From there I go to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Illinois, up to Chicago and back to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. Since I got back from the cruise on Monday I drove from Dallas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and a sliver of…

• Daily Travel Photo – Alexandria, Egypt

  Gary

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:27 am

  Fort Qaitbay, Alexandria, Egypt Fort Qaitbay was built in 1477 on the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria which stood on the exact spot the fort is located today. Immediately off the waters of the fort are the ruins of the lighthouse which can still be seen today. I went diving in the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Follow me as I travel around the world. Related posts:AlexandriaDiving the Lighthouse of AlexandriaDaily Travel Photo – Alexandria, Egypt

• Aboard the Crown Princess – Day 5, Roatan, Honduras

  Gary

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:17 pm

  Girl in Roatan School My original plan for Roatan was to go diving, but after Grand Cayman I didn’t really feel like diving anymore. Moreover it was raining hard and despite the fact you are going underwater, diving in the rain really isn’t that fun. It makes visibility poor and you can never dry off once you get on the boat. Instead I decided to join Kim Mance and the girls from Galavanting.tv who where going to deliver school supplies to a local grade school. I figured I’d crash their party and act as photographer for the day. It also gave me an excuse to test out my new…

• Daily Travel Photo – Versailles, France

  Gary

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:57 am

  Sitting in the garden, Palace of Versailles, France Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Follow me as I travel around the world. Related posts:Daily Travel Photo – Versailles, FranceDaily Travel Photo – Paris, FranceDaily Travel Photo – Paris, France

• Daily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, Jordan

  Gary

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:09 am

  Goat crossing, Wadi Rum, Jordan Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Follow me as I travel around the world. Related posts:Daily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, JordanDaily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, JordanDaily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, Jordan

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  Vagabondish

• Newest Threat To Global Civilization: Mean-Looking Turkeys

  Omri Ceren

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:29 am

  © Riki7 What kind of candyass, anesthetized culture have we created when our species is at the mercy of wild turkeys? The reason we bring this up is because they finally caught that turkey that’s been grinding New Jersey Turnpike traffic to a halt the whole week. Forget the visual where one of the main arteries to the financial capital of global civilization is being blocked by something that feeds on acorns and bugs. This is bigger than that. Suburbanized bien pensants from places like Seattle and Boston – we’re now talking about purse-lipped scolds use…

• Photo of the Moment: Wild Mountain Goat at Whiskey Bend

  Mike Richard

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:05 am

  © Seattle Miles Photo of the Moment: Wild Mountain Goat at Whiskey Bend © Vagabondish.

• The Way of the Hermit Crab: 4 Rules for Better Backpack Living

  Robert Evans

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:57 am

  Though we all begin life bare-ass naked and devoid of any possessions, none of us stay that way for long. The doctor swaddles us in a cozy new blanket, cooing relatives hand us stuffed animals and baby toys, while mommy and daddy shower us with gifts and buy us whole wardrobes of clothing. As we grow older, we accumulate more Stuff at an exponential rate. By the time we move out of our second womb (Mom and dad’s house) and into the real world, most of us have enough Stuff to fill up a small apartment (or at least a dorm room). The desire to acquire more and more Stuff is hardwired into…

• Photo of the Moment: Pelican Supper in Naples, Florida

  Mike Richard

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am

  © conorwithonen Photo of the Moment: Pelican Supper in Naples, Florida © Vagabondish.

• Seattle Fishing Couple & Their Two Puppies Rescued From Storm By Cruise Ship

  Omri Ceren

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am

  © Princess Cruises via KING 5 TV Seattle couple Christopher Miller and Brandy Meissner sold everything, bought a fishing boat, and were en route to Hawaii with their two dogs to start a commercial fishing business. That didn’t go exactly as planned, and instead of a placidly floating across the Pacific they hit a bit of a rough patch. And by “rough patch” we mean they encountered a storm that generated 40 foots waves, putting them and their 38 foot fishing boat in peril. The upshot is that when the rescue team did appear on the horizon, it arrived in the form of…

• 
  The Amateur Traveler

• Travel to the Tyrol (Tirol) Region of Austria – Episode 207

  chris2x

  14 Nov 2009 | 7:30 am

  The Amateur Traveler talks to Edith about the mountainous region of Austria where she grew up, the Tyrol. Edith designs for us both a winter and a summer itinerary, both of which involve getting outside and enjoying the beautiful mountains. In the winter we would ski and in the summer we would hike. When we are not hiking or enjoying one of the mountain alms then we can explore the palace at Innsbruck, a hiking museum and the Höfemuseum which is a farm museum. Edith talks about traditional foods such as Wiener Schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn (sweet pancake dish), Kaspressknödel (fried cheese…

• Travel to Molokai and Lanai in Hawaii – Episode 206

  chris2x

  7 Nov 2009 | 7:30 am

  The Amateur Traveler talks to Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View and the Holoholo Wale blogs about two less visited islands in the Hawaiian islands – Lanai and Molokai. Both islands are less developed than their neighbors and better islands for relaxing on a beach than filling up your time with excursions from the activity vendors. Molokai is the one of the two that stole Pam’s heart away with a more authentic Hawaiian experience. Molokai might be best known for recently sainted Father Damien who worked with victims of Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) on the island until he…

• Travel to Nepal and Everest – Episode 205

  chris2x

  31 Oct 2009 | 8:30 am

  The Amateur Traveler talks to Jon Miller of the Rest of Everest podcast about his journeys in Nepal. Jon originally went to Nepal as part of a film he was shooting on an Everest expedition, but as Jon tells it you come for the mountain but fall in love with the people and the culture. Jon describes Kathmandu with is various temples or stupas like Swayambhunath (the monkey temple) and Boudhanath with crowds of people performing a kora around them. He tells us places to get a good meal in Thamel (the tourist district) and suggests a day trip to the well preserved city of Bhaktapur. After…

• The Road to Io – Santorini, Greece – Video Episode 52

  chris2x

  29 Oct 2009 | 3:27 pm

  Visit Santorini (Thira) with the Amateur Traveler: This video shows goes on a road trip to the tip of the crescent shaped island to the picturesque town of Io. At sunset Io fills up with tourists who come to stand on the cliffs at Io among the houses, restaurants, shops, hotels and windmills to watch the setting sun. Io is a very lovely town with some pretty good shopping and eating options. Show NotesSantorini My friend Costa’s hotel on Santorini PricelineEurope.com – Discount Hotels in 63 Countries Worldwide right click here to download (m4v) right click here to download (Apple…

• Travel to Iceland – Episode 204

  chris2x

  24 Oct 2009 | 8:30 am

  The Amateur Traveler talks to Dave Grenewetzki about his recent trip to Iceland. Taking advantage of the weakness of the Icelandic economy Dave and his family drove the ring road around Iceland and visited places with great names like the waterfalls Svartifoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and Gulfoss, Lake Myvatn and the dark castles of Dimmuborgir, the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon, the geysers of Geysir and Strokkur, the geothermal activity of Namaskard pass, the university town of Akureyri, the hobbit-like town of Glaumbaer. They went bird watching at Ingolfshofdi, took in the baths at the…

• 
  elliott.org

• “CheapoAir made my mother cry”

  Christopher Elliott

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:11 am

  And they were not tears of joy at having found a bargain. Elizabeth Hutton's mother, Mary Ellyn, bought a round trip ticket from Cincinnati to Tallinn, Estonia, with stopovers in Newark and Stockholm. But something was wrong with the reservation, and she had to pay for another flight.

• What’s new on Elliott: CheapoAir made me cry, confusing holiday forecasts, and contagious niceness

  Christopher Elliott

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:09 am

  CheapoAir made my mother cry. Plus, confusing holiday forecasts, a car rental disaster and contagious niceness.

• Holiday travel forecasts: “Cautious optimism” — or billion-dollar bloodbath?

  Christopher Elliott

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:56 am

  There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

• After car rental disaster, angry customer mails “gesture of goodwill” back to Thrifty

  Christopher Elliott

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:23 am

  Like most travelers, Bette Waterstreet doesn't expect much when she rents a car. A clean, running vehicle that's in the same car class she ordered will do just fine. But that's not what she got when she rented from Thrifty in Ontario, Calif., recently.

• What’s 1.4 percent, really? A second look at the Thanksgiving forecast

  Christopher Elliott

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:54 am

  After a sharp drop last year, more Americans are expected to travel for the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday, although travel by air will decline. That's how the play-it-straight AP played the just-released AAA Thanksgiving forecast.

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  Articles for T+L Magazine

• America's Best Pizza

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pm

  Family-run shops, organic ingredients, special ovens: everyone has his own take on pizza. Here<br />are the best pies and slices across America.

• Great Places to Spend Christmas

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:56 pm

  From New Mexico to New Zealand, a world of Christmas celebrations awaits.

• Celebrities' Secret Winter Vacation Spots

  16 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am

  Here’s where to find Brad and Angelina, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Jerry Seinfeld, Fergie, and other A-list celebrities in the wintertime.

• Best Winter Lodges

  12 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am

  Across the U.S. and Canada, classic winter lodges that make for luxurious, snowy escapes from the 21st century.

• World's Best Business Hotels 2009

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am

  These top hotels combine service, technology, and comfort—everything that today’s business traveler needs on the road.

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  Upgrade: Travel Better

• Upgrades and Downgrades: Tray table ads, A380 high and low, forfeiting Amex points, and more

  Mark Ashley

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm

  Downgraded: The view on AirTran While US Airways has long had ads on the tops of their tray tables, which you only see if you pull the tray down, AirTran is going a step further and pasting ads on the undersides — the side you see during takeoff and landing, when those traytables are in their “upright and locked position.” The Ryanairification of American air travel is nearly complete. Stay classy! Downgraded: Premium seats on Qantas Qantas is cutting the number of premium seats. No surprises there. Upgraded: A380 first class seats The Global Traveller has flown the A380 on…

• United restores confirmed upgrades to top-tier frequent fliers. Plus: UA/Continental upgrades

  Mark Ashley

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:41 pm

  In October, United announced that they were moving to an “unlimited” upgrade system from their electronic certificate system. But as readers chimed in, one of the biggest complaints came from top-tier 1K members. The quarterly allotment of confirmed upgrades within North America was going away, and with that, a big perk of upgrade security. United must have gotten a lot of complaints, as they’re reinstating the so-called “regional” upgrades: 1K® members will continue to earn Regional Upgrades Sometimes no change is good news. After our last announcement, we…

• Airlines add more “peak day” fees; Congress starts to notice

  Mark Ashley

  17 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pm

  The airlines keep finding new ways to tack on the charges. On 41 days through May 28, 2010, American, Delta, and United have added “peak travel day” surcharges on top of existing fares. The surcharges go as high as $50 each way (on the day after the Super Bowl). Most days it’s closer to $30. The problem, for airlines, is that the US Congress is starting to take a closer look at these and other fees. Not, alas, because this kind of surcharging misrepresents the price of air travel to consumers. Rather, Congress has noticed that taxes aren’t collected on surcharges the…

• TSA: Cash is no longer a threat to security. But what is?

  Mark Ashley

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:54 pm

  You may recall the incident a few months ago when the TSA harassed a man for carrying $4700 in cash. When questioned, the passenger, Steve Bierfeldt, refused to acknowledge the TSA’s authority to question his transportation of any sum of cash, and offered to explain the money if the agents would name the law which authorized them to question him. And he secretly taped the whole interrogation with his phone. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) took up Bierfeldt’s cause and sued the agency. The TSA has subsequently changed its rules, informing its agents that “screening…

• Florida sues Expedia & Orbitz over hotel taxes: This may change the way agencies quote prices

  Mark Ashley

  12 Nov 2009 | 8:42 pm

  Municipalities across the country have been suing the online travel agencies, charging them with cheating the local governments out of lodging taxes. Agencies responded by keeping hotels in those cities out of searches. Until now, it’s been primarily smaller cities like Columbus, Georgia. But last week, the state of Florida got in the game, suing Expedia and Orbitz, claiming that the agencies failed to pay the full amount of taxes owed. The state’s argument rests on the distribution model of the big agencies. When you book a $150 room with a hotel directly, the rate you reserve is…

• 
  digg.com: Stories / Travel & Places / Popular

• California Nudists Refuse to Put Clothes On

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:20 am

  California beachgoers were officially stripped of their right to bathe nude this past October, but many naturalists are refusing to cover up.Here's the skinny: For more than 30 years, the far south end of San Onofre State Beach has been a hot spot for those who prefer to spend a day at the coast and leave sans tan lines. The 1,000-foot stretch...

• Top 10: Most Intimidating Stadiums (Pics - Videos)

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:40 am

  If you're a fan at one of these venues, be proud. If you're a visiting team, be scared.

• One wrong turn results in a 600km trip

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:02 am

  An 81-year-old Australian takes a wrong turn on the way to the shops and keeps driving for 600km.

• LA Oil Rigs Hidden as Buildings, Islands & Palm Trees [vid]

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:50 pm

  Before L.A. was firmly established as a movie and TV town it was an oil town. In fact, Los Angeles is part of a region that is third largest oil producer in America with over 20 billion barrels of oil yet to be extracted under our feet! Who knew?

• Stunning Views from 10,000 feet (VID)

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:10 pm

  Cockpit Chronicles takes you along on some of Kent Weil's trips as an international co-pilot on the Boeing 757 and 767 based out of Boston. These are two great videos one of flying in over the Atlantic into London at Sunset and one more cool video over the jagged mountains over Greenland.

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  soultravelers3

• Family Travel Photo - Spain

  Soul Travelers3

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm

  Family Travel Photo - SpainNovember 18, 2009Do you love thermal healing water to soak in? Our world traveling family has been "into" them since long before  Do you love thermal healing water to soak in? Our world traveling family has been into them since long before our child was born, taking regular trips to our beloved Esalen in Big Sur as well as Harper Hot Springs north of San Francisco. Mozart started swimming in our Jacuzzi at four days old, so she took to it all like the proverbial duck to water. When ever we can, we enjoy finding good soaks on our world travels!After…

• Lifestyle Design a Winter in Spain!

  Soul Travelers3

  12 Nov 2009 | 4:47 pm

  Lifestyle Design a Winter in Spain!November 12, 2009"Lifestyle Design" has become a hot buzz word thanks to Tim Ferriss and his #1 best selling book "The 4-Hour                    "Lifestyle Design" has become a hot buzz word thanks to Tim Ferriss and his #1 best selling  book, "The 4- Hour Workweek" as well as his hugely popular blog. We love how he inspires, so were thrilled when we were contacted and told we were featured in the new and…

• Best Halloween! Europe or U.S.?

  Soul Travelers3

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:55 am

  Best Halloween! Europe or U.S.? October 29, 2009 There are so many fantastic festivalsin Europe, but no one knows how to do Halloween better than certain There are so many fantastic festivals in Europe, but no one knows how to do Halloween better than certain neighborhoods in the United States! We were spoiled and lived in one of those neighborhoods when we lived in Santa Cruz, where Mozart was born and lived her first 5 years.We lived in a country neighborhood where each family really got into the trick or treat spirit. There was always a Halloween party (as well as Christmas and usually…

• Family Travel Photo - Finland

  Soul Travelers3

  21 Oct 2009 | 10:56 am

   Family Travel Photo - Finland October 21, 2009There is nothing like great books to enhance family travel! We loved the libraries in Scandinavia that all seem There is nothing like great books to enhance family travel! We loved the libraries in Scandinavia that all seem to also have a great selection of kid's books in English, which pleased seven year old Mozart to no end! This was a beautiful library  with lots of windows with gorgeous sea views in Finland in a tiny town on the Aland islands that we visited last September.Books are the cornerstone of our homeschooling and we…

• Family Travel Photo - England

  Soul Travelers3

  13 Oct 2009 | 10:38 am

  Family Travel Photo - EnglandOctober 13, 2009Tapestries and a knight in shining armor...what could capture the joys of family travel in England any better? Tapestries and a knight in shining armor...what could capture the joys of family travel in England any better? We just  had a fantastic week in London from October 1st through 8th, our second time there on our world tour and took a train to the countryside to join friends from around the world for a high tea at the posh Cliveden House.This was part of Mozart's 9th birthday celebration as she has been wanting to go to a fancy high…

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  The Cranky Flier

• ANA Takes a Step Toward Global Superstar With Product Changes

  CF

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:10 am

  It’s certainly interesting to watch the Japanese market these days. JAL is turning in record losses and is effectively sitting on a cliff waiting to jump. Meanwhile, ANA has decided to pour a bunch of money into seriously improving its product. This is some pretty impressive looking stuff. Take a look at the new first class suite. Pretty awesome-looking, huh? But let’s start with coach since that’s where most of us will end up anyway. Coach seats will have 34 inch pitch, so pretty nice legroom, along with headrests AND footrests. Footrests in coach?! Hooray! They will also…

• United and Continental Now Have Reciprocal Upgrades But That Doesn’t Mean They’re Merging

  CF

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  I suppose it’s inevitable. Any time two airlines move closer together, the speculation that it means they’ll merge picks up. Right now, the noise surrounding a United-Continental merger is deafening thanks to the announcement that elite members will now get upgrades on each airline. That doesn’t necessarily mean a merger is going to happen. Let’s start with the actual news here. United fliers will be given access to “premium” seating (better seats) in coach as well as upgrades on Continental. Continental fliers will get access to Economy Plus and upgrades…

• British Airways and Iberia Finally Get Closer to Almost Possibly Merging

  CF

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:21 am

  Has there been a stranger courtship than that between British Airways and Iberia? The airlines, which have been talking for years, have finally agreed to merge, sort of. I mean, it’ll get there eventually. I believe talks began in 1784 when King George III, still sad about losing that whole American Revolutionary War thing, decided to go take over Spain instead. (Note: please do not try to double check this in your history books). Though Englaspaña didn’t pan out thanks to bad blood over that whole Armada tiff a couple hundred years earlier, they agreed that were airplanes to…

• What the F*&^ is a Sharklet? (Hint: It’s Good)

  CF

  17 Nov 2009 | 8:01 am

  Winglets on airplanes are nothing new. We’ve seen them big and small on all kinds of airplanes. The most visible ones these days are the huge ones that you see on 737s, but what the heck is a sharklet? Well, that’s the Airbus-designed winglet for the A320, and here is an exclusive photo of it from Airbus. Or maybe not. A sharklet is actually just a winglet with a cool name, and Airbus is going to put them on A320s, if the buyer so chooses. “But wait,” you say, “doesn’t the A320 already have winglets?” Well, sort of, but not really. Those little guys…

• Virgin + Wine = Good Times (Trip Report)

  CF

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am

  This past weekend, my wife and I were planning on driving up to wine country to spend the weekend with some friends. As the weekend drew closer, I decided that I really didn’t want to drive, so I went to look for flights. Three days before departure, I saw that Virgin America was, as usual, the cheapest around. Not only were they cheap, but they were absurdly cheap. It was on. (Sorry to steal your slogan, Southwest.) My flight up on Friday morning was a whopping $49 all-in. The flight back was $99 at prime time on Sunday, but wait, that fare was for Main Cabin Select, the…

• 
  Peter Greenberg Worldwide

• Should Personal Electronic Devices be Banned in the Cockpit?

  Peter Greenberg

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm

  Lawmakers are champing at the bit to introduce new legislation banning personal electronics in the cockpit after the two Northwest Airlines pilots revealed that they were working on their laptops when they overshot their destination last month. Reducing distractions for pilots seems like a no-brainer, but would these new laws actually hinder future safety advancements on planes? The Senate is currently considering a bill called the Distracted Flying Act, which would ban the use of personal wireless devices and laptops on the flight deck of commercial aircraft. Proponents of the bill have…

• Backpacking Central & Eastern Europe: Austria & Slovenia

  Peter Greenberg

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

  A generation ago, young travelers hit the road with nothing more than a backpack, a few dollars and a Eurail pass to cover as many Western European countries as possible. But these days, that Eurail pass can take travelers far past the west-to-east borders, all the way to the Black Sea. Already jaded by her Western European experiences, Dara Bramson reports on her journey south and east as part of a new generation of intrepid backpackers. At first glance, Vienna is unmistakably beautiful and clean; akin to Washington, DC. But with the exception of indoor smoking and a few stunning monuments,…

• A Message from American Express: Pay Late, Lose Your Rewards

  Peter Greenberg

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:21 am

  Airlines have become notorious for stringing travelers up like piñatas and beating them with frivolous fees. Now, American Express wants to take a swing. Starting January 1, the credit card company is enacting a new policy that could cost you the points or miles you earned with your card—if you don’t pay your bill on time. If you have an American Express card cobranded with Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Hilton Hotels, and Starwood Hotels, rewards won’t be transferred to your loyalty account with those partners if you are late paying your bill. You can get those rewards back, but it will…

• FAA Computer Glitch Fixed, Flight Delays Still Expected

  Peter Greenberg

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:40 am

  The Federal Aviation Administration has fixed a major computer glitch that caused flight delays throughout the morning, but officials expect the logjam to last into the afternoon. This is the second time in the last 15 months that an FAA computer glitch has led to extensive delays nationwide. Keep reading to find out what may have caused this problem … Officials say the glitch started shortly after 5 a.m. at a computer center in Salt Lake City when a system known as the National Airspace Data Interchange Network failed. This forced flight controllers to input flight plans manually, which in…

• Cancel Any Time, Any Reason Travel Insurance

  Peter Greenberg

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am

  You may have seen insurance companies offering policies that let you cancel at any time for any reason. It can be a great backup in these uncertain times, but as always, read the fine print. The policies have gotten more popular due to the economic downturn. If you’re not sure you’ll be employed in two months, it can be worth a few extra dollars if you have to cancel at the last minute. Travel Safe has a plan that allows travelers to cancel up to two days prior to departure, for any reason. But the amount refunded depends on the penalty assessed by your trip or tour provider. The same…

• 
  USAToday Travel

• Boeing breaks ground for historic S.C. plant

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:15 pm

  Work has officially started on building Boeing's $750 million aircraft assembly plant in South Carolina the largest industrial ...

• NYC airport bag scales 98% accurate

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm

  New York City officials say virtually all of the luggage scales at the city's two major airports are accurately calibrated.

• Oasis of the Seas sets sail

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm

  The ship's enormous size is just part of the reason many industry watchers are calling it a game-changer.

• Airlines still offer fliers fine wine as a high-class amenity

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

  Most airlines have eliminated meals, free pillows and magazines. But there's one frill many refuse to skimp on in their cost-cutting: ...

• Ski deals across the USA

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:26 am

  Ski areas are offering deep discounts, and those discounts tend to be in effect for longer periods and carry fewer restrictions ...

• 
  What a Trip

• Garifuna Dancers of Roatan, Honduras

  Nancy D. Brown

  16 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  Posted by Nancy D. Brown Roatan, Honduras Garifuna Dancers My first visit to Roatan, Honduras and it was during November's rainy season. I was cruising on the Crown Princess as a guest of Princess Cruises. My dolphin encounter shore excursion was cancelled due to rough waters on the seas. As an alternative, I selected "The Best of Roatan" tour and discovered the Garifuna Dancers. Go With the Flow When Cruising As a person new to cruising, I have learned that you need to be flexible when it comes to ports of call and shore excursions. On this particular Western Caribbean…

• Princess Cruises Crown Princess - Day at Sea

  Nancy D. Brown

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am

  Posted by Nancy D. Brown Crown Princess for a Day - DesireDid you ever play dress up as a child or trick-or-treat dressed as a Princess?  Ever fantasized about your ultimate wedding? After a day at sea as a guest of Princess Cruises Crown Princess, I've experienced the pampering of the Lotus Spa, wandered into the adult-only Sanctuary and gazed upon a bride-to-be as she transformed from a fiancee to a newlywed, to half of a honeymooning couple on her wedding day. All of this took place during a day at sea. SPA TIPS As a newbie to cruising, I've learned that it's best…

• Pond's Travel Essentials Gift Pack Giveaway

  Nancy D. Brown

  8 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

  Posted by Nancy D. Brown Nantucket Travel WalletMy hair is rumbled as I pull off my not-so-glamorous eye shades. The plane has touched down in Miami; a red eye from San Francisco and I have raccoon eyes from sleeping with my makeup. A quick trip into the bathroom with my Pond's Towelettes and I look presentable again. Pond's sent me a package of Towelettes to try out on my travels. They also included a gift pack for me to give away to you, my dear reader. Let's face it, a review of Pond's Towelettes is not going to bring eyes to this site. What about a Travel Essentials gift pack…

• Environmental Impact of Cruise Ships

  Nancy D. Brown

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

  Posted by Nancy D. Brown Next time you admire that glossy brochure touting a cruise to Alaska's pristine Inside Passage or are considering a Disney Cruise with Grandma, Grandpa and the entire family, look beyond the gourmet dining and children's program. Ask yourself how these cruise lines impact our environment? While some cruise lines take great care to tread lightly on their surroundings, other companies are failing miserably. Have you asked yourself if cruising is any greener than flying? Marcie Keever, Clean Vessels Campaign Director for Friends of the Earth notes,…

• Princess Cruise to Western Caribbean - What a Trip!

  Nancy D. Brown

  29 Oct 2009 | 2:16 pm

  Posted by Nancy D. Brown Crown PrincessIn a week, I'm sailing to the Western Caribbean. This is my first trip to the Caribbean and my first Princess Cruise, with exotic ports of call including the Grand Cayman Island, Honduras, Cozumel, Mexico and the Bahamas. What a Trip! Along with several other tweeting travel writers, I was invited by Princess Cruises to take a hosted trip and share my experiences as part of a first-ever “Twitter Press Trip.” Check back here  for some videos and posts along the way. You can follow along on…

• 
  Newyorkology

• New York City webcam gallery

  15 Nov 2009 | 4:41 am

  NewYorkology will be on vacation this week. In our absence, keep an eye on the city with these webcams: Click on each link for the live view. Statue of Liberty webcam, from Red Hook Brooklyn Bryant Park webcam at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue Wired New York’s Midtown skyline/Hudson River seen from Hoboken, N.J. Times Square Dept. of Transportation’s Brooklyn Bridge at Centre Street Southern view from the 55th floor of the Empire State Building Eastern view from the 55th floor of the Empire State Building Christopher Street webcam at Village Cigars The Standard hotel, High Line and…

• 2010 Winter Restaurant Week set for Jan. 25 to Feb. 7

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am

  NYC Winter Restaurant Week will return Jan. 25 through Feb. 7 with prices frozen at the same rate as in recent years: $24.07 for three-course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for three-course prix-fixe dinners. The deal does not include beverages, tax or tip. It’s suspended on Saturdays and only some restaurants partake on Sundays. The dates were announced today by NYC & Co. the city’s official tourism marketing group, but participating restaurants have not yet been named. Earlier: Restaurant Week deals extended through Labor Day

• City pays $96 mln for Coney land, plans new rides in '10

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

  The City of New York inked a $95.6-million deal to buy 6.9-acres of Coney Island property along the boardwalk to create a massive year-round 27-acre amusement and entertainment district, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday. The city has been in tumultous negotiatons with developer Joe Sitt of Thor Equities who bought much of the property in recent years and kicked out many tenants, including Astroland. Sitt — who said at the Thursday press conference that his high school nickname was “Joey Coney Island” for playing hookey at the beach — will retain ownership of…

• Empire State opens annual Valentine wedding contest

  12 Nov 2009 | 6:41 am

  When the Empire State Building puts out a request for proposals, qualified applicants must be willing to say “I do.” The city’s tallest skyscraper allows weddings only once a year - at Valentine’s Day. Fourteen couples will be chosen to marry, renew their vows or affirm their commitment to each other in ceremonies atop the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day weekend, 2010. Each couple will get a free, private 30-minute ceremony with up to 20 of their guests. “From big-screen movie love scenes to sky-high proposals, this destination has always been a symbol…

• Video: USS New York departing New York City

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:58 am

  The newly commissioned USS New York departed New York City this morning. The warship, made with seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center towers, officially joined the US Navy fleet Nov. 7. Video credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology. Earlier: USS New York arrives in NYC for commissioning

• 
  TravelPod

• NATURE TRAILS AND WALKS -Tourism info — Larnaca, Cyprus

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:27 pm

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Larnaca, CyprusNATURE TRAILS AND WALKS(Tourist information)If you are a tourist, I suggest that you join the guided tours that pass through many historic houses. You can join the Larnaca walks offered free of charge by the Municipality of Larnaca in…

• Wat Rong Khun: The White Temple — Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, Thailand

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pm

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, ThailandOur final stop before arriving at our hotel, was Wat Rong Khun which is a contemporary temple created by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. It is still under construction and is…

• Up Periscope! — Little Langdale, England, United Kingdom

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:04 pm

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Little Langdale, England, United KingdomThe rain came down in sheets. There were gusts of wind that blew clouds of water across the motorway. The night was pitch black and spray from the&nbsp;road surface&nbsp;obscured the tail-lights of the cars…

• The night before the big trip — United Kingdom, United Kingdom

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:02 pm

  Jump to the full entry & travel map United Kingdom, United KingdomThink I've packed up everything in the house now, feels weird without the cats being here.&nbsp; I think that's one of the toughest things I've ever had to do.&nbsp; I hope they go to a good home....Sold the car and rented out…

• Did you get to the Lagoon? — Krabi, Thailand

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:01 pm

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Krabi, ThailandThe day-long trip getting into Krabi gave me a different view of Thailand...First of all, let me mention that the Thais are quite opportunistic and whenever they can earn a little more money, they'll definitely…

• 
  The Lost Girls

• 7 Holiday Airfare Savers and Ticket Tips

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  by Patty HodappLG Travel Lifestyle EditorFlying home for the holidays has the potential to be a total bank buster. You’re already saving up extra cash to buy presents for your family, so the last thing you want to worry about is setting aside extra money for a plane ticket to get home—especially during one of the worst economic crunches our country has ever experienced. But before you phone home to tell Mom and Dad you're opting out of family festivities this year in order to save cash, try these easy money-saving tips from David, our travel specialist at Airtrek.com. Whether you’re…

• The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.19.09

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:48 am

  by Molly FergusLG Travel News EditorMissed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....Waiting on MagicFinally! Disney unleashed the first official wait time app for mobile phones. Updated in real time, the app will map out wait times on popular rides and character lines at its parks.The catch? The program only works on Verizon Wireless phones…and it doesn’t include Blackberrys or the new Motorola Droid. Factor in the Disney-fied $9.99 price tag, and this all seems a little inaccessible. A couple suggestions: Check…

• Lost in South Africa: A Look Back on Johannesburg

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  By Courtney BrooksLG International CorrespondentI left Johannesburg about six weeks ago to move to Cape Town and work as a freelancer for an international press agency, as well as do a photography project for my school. Even now I haven't completely reconciled my feelings about Joburg.There’s not doubt that Johannesburg is one of the most interesting places I have ever lived. If I had to pick one word to describe it I would say “intense,” because it’s true whether you’re in the swanky northern suburbs, the townships or the city center. The poverty is intense, the crime is intense…

• Casseroles for Cancer Part I: How Not to Go to South East Asia

  17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  This summer, Blair Hickman retraced a 12,000 mile cross-country road trip in memory of her mom, who died from cancer in 2003. Along with her sister and best friend, the three girls retraced a path their mom had taken in 1977, serving dinner at 9 Ronald McDonald Houses and raising money for the charity along the way to raise awareness about the importance of non-medical support for families living with cancer. They blogged and vlogged the whole way, raised over $7,000 for the charity and in the end, found a little more than they’d bargained for.***On January 7, 2009, I fell off my oven and…

• Movie Travel: In Search of Twilight

  16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  by Sarah AmandolareLG Entertainment EditorI’ve never been a vampire fan – I have vague memories of Brad Pitt’s pony-tailed appearance in Interview with a Vampire. But it seems the fanged creatures, like Twitter and overpriced coffee, are something I’ve got to make peace with. Main characters Bella and Edward have so enamored audiences that it’s almost impossible to get through the day without hearing someone say “Twilight.” The film, inspired by Stephanie Meyer’s book, has even trickled down to travel, particularly to corners of Washington State where portions were filmed.The…

• 
  The Cruise Log - USATODAY.com

• Photo essay: A first glimpse at Oasis of the Seas' zip line in action

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:58 pm

  One of the most talked-about features of Royal Caribbean's record-size Oasis of the Seas is the zip line that stretches across the top of the ...

• Cruise ship report: Live blogging from Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:22 am

  USA TODAY's Gene Sloan is blogging live this weekend from Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Go to the comment box below to leave ...

• Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, by the numbers

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:07 am

  Fast facts on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas

• Royal Caribbean takes the wraps off world's biggest cruise ship

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:06 am

  Just when you thought cruise ships couldn't get any bigger, along comes Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

• Index to Cruise Log coverage of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am

  USA TODAY's Cruise Log plans extensive live coverage this weekend from Southern Florida as Royal Caribbean unveils the largest cruise ship ever ...

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  Featured Travel Blogs - Travellerspoint

• Huaraz

  15 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am

  We bid an emotional farewell to our Quechua maid and caretaker, who seemed crestfallen that we were leaving so soon. After eating a huge breakfast, our second in as many days, at the misnamed El Turista, since it was full of locals, we crammed into the collectivo that took us to Huaraz. We were given the best seats in the small combi, right up front, but that didn't prevent 15 people from squeezing in. The ride took about 1@1/2 hours through the valley, and would have been shorter were it not for the constant stops that were made to drop-off and pick up other passengers en route. Huaraz, a…

• Doin' Dunedin

  12 Nov 2009 | 12:15 am

  The trip from Christchurch to Dunedin is only supposed to take around four and a half hours. But, the GPS can’t calculate stops to see the beauty of South Island. So four and a half is more like six and a half. I have a feeling that drive times may be very elongated in New Zealand. Just North of Dunedin is a good place to stop to see a natural wonder that’s a little different. The first thing you notice as you exit the car this day is the wind; it is blowing quite hard and bending the tall grass near the beach entrance to a 90 degree angle. Walking across a sand dune the tips of the same…

• Sailing from Panama to Colombia

  8 Nov 2009 | 12:34 pm

  I arrived at the Marina and found the captain, Bryan Nellor of the Pearl S Buck - my home for the next 12 or so nights. The Pearl Buck was built in 1982 in Hong Kong and was named after a famous writer. If you get a chance read 'Good Earth' I read it on the boat and its a pretty good read. The boat was 42ft long and was originally built for cruising around the world. Emil a guy from Sweden was joining us on the trip, he seemed nice enough. He wanted to get into sailing for himself so was really into the knots and learning all about sailing – a lot more enthusiastic then me, I think it may…

• Navigating Maui's Northwest Coast

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:05 pm

  Rumor has it that Maui’s road to Hana is the drive of a lifetime. Having never actually taken part in the twisting and turning of this tedious route, I am not one to accurately report on this supposed assumption. I have heard that it is incredible. Yet I have also heard that the 600 turns in the road leave some with their head hung over a plastic bag or other vomit catching device for the day long duration of the drive. Either way I had intentions of completing the Road to Hana while in Maui, yet something about the closeness of the rugged Northwestern coastline left me wondering why Hana…

• Colors in Connecticut

  28 Oct 2009 | 8:33 pm

  I spent one of my most beautiful Saturdays ever upstate in Connecticut, which is about an hour plus drive from Midtown Manhatten. The drive was along a very scenic route along the Hudson River and then on the Merritt Highway, which was flanked by rows of trees in full colors of the fall, green, yellow, orange, red, purple and what have yous. Arriving at her place, we drove up a 100 meter long driveway to her very quaint and pretty house. The houses in the suburbs are HUGE! Her place was surrounded by so much flora i thought she lived in a nature reserve! it's SOOOO beautiful! After meeting…

• 
  The Travel Blog by TravelPod

• Cairo protests: travel bloggers in the midst of violence

  starlagurl

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:26 am

  Protests have erupted near the Algerian embassy in Cairo after a World Cup play-off game was lost to that country’s soccer team. Eleven police officers and 24 protesters were injured yesterday and Rich Frohl, our blogger on the ground is right in the middle of it. People protesting the results of a soccer match in the streets of Cairo “‘Stop taking pictures you cunning white one or I will throw a stone at you,’ are the words one angry protester hurled at me as I tried to document the anarchy that has taken over the streets of my neighborhood here in Cairo. On…

• Pittsburgh TravelPod meetups

  starlagurl

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:47 am

  On my latest foray into the good ol’ U.S. of A., I met up with a bunch of awesome TP bloggers in Pittsburgh! VisitPittsburgh was kind enough to provide me with airfare and a hotel room during my stay there. Unfortunately, we couldn’t all get together on the same night, so I met up with everyone in the area individually. Here’s a run down of the awesome bloggers I met in Pennsylvania: Jeremy, aka Jeremystravels, was only in town for Halloween weekend. He’s a frequent forum poster and just came back from a whirlwind tour of Egypt. We met up for my first taste of the…

• TripAtlas’ 10 Safest Countries in the World

  starlagurl

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:07 am

  TripAtlas.com recently listed the 10 safest countries in the world. “The Global Peace Index (GPI) moves beyond simple crime statistics alone, and looks at the actions of a government, the country’s relationships with the world at large, and the attitudes and demographics of its population.” Let’s see what TravelPod bloggers had to say about that. 1. New Zealand Kikiblogtrot at Lake Pukaki in New Zealand “I get to chat to local Kiwis who tell me about Christchurch and the life here, and not all of it is rosy and happy… far from it. They tell me about what…

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  Today in the Sky - USATODAY.com

• Top travel Twitter feeds to follow

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:59 am

  For any of our readers who use Twitter, I suggest two lists of great sources for aviation-related Twitter feeds that came out this month. And, ...

• Virgin America expands Florida

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:13 am

  "Marking one of its most ambitious expansion moves yet," Virgin America touched down Wednesday in Florida, The Associated Press writes.

• Air France's first A380 leaves for JFK

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am

  Air France's first A380 superjumbo jet took off today from Paris en route to New York's JFK Airport. The Associated Press reports that there ...

• American Eagle launches new service in Santa Fe, Charleston

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:22 am

  American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, launched a new daily nonstop flight Thursday from Los Angeles International to Santa ...

• Name that airport ...

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:10 am

  Here is this week's "name that airport" photo.

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  RickSeaney.com

• Black Friday: Don’t Shop for Electronics, Adopt a Pet Instead

  Rick Seaney

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:48 am

  The people at the Best Friends Animal Society say, forget Black Friday shopping — instead, come pick up a cat (or maybe a dog) this coming Nov. 26th and 27th (Thanksgiving Day, and the day after). There is an adoption fee. The society, based in Kanab, Utah, has teamed with Pet Airways - the only all-pet airline - to find homes for 26 cats, and there may be some “extra pets” on the flight, including (maybe) some dogs. Pet Airways will make the pick-up in Kanab on Thanksgiving Day, and over the course of the next 48 hours, will drop off animals in Denver, Omaha, Chicago,…

• What’s the Weirdest Place You’ve Seen an Airline Ad?

  Rick Seaney

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pm

  I was thinking about the weirdest place I’ve seen an airline ad - while perusing an LA Times story on AirTran’s plan to put ads on the backs of seats - actually, on the undersides of the tray tables. “Hah!” I can hear you say, “I’ll pull the tray table down and make it disappear.” That won’t always work - US Airways has been known to slap ads on top of the trays. You want to escape the ads, so you grab a book from the overhead bin, and - if this is Spirit, beware the bin ads. And don’t bother calling a flight attendant to complain - Spirit…

• US Airways New 5% Surcharge: Other Airlines NOT Matching

  Rick Seaney

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am

  At least, the other airlines aren’t matching - yet. Maybe they’re waiting to see how much bad publicity - if any - will result from the move by US Airways to add a 5% surcharge to all its flights, beginning May 8. It may be that the new surcharge is accepted - after all, we accepted (grudgingly) bag fees. On the other hand, US Airways did have to drop their charges for soft drinks and water after running into a buzz saw of passenger resentment. And this 5% surcharge could sting a lot more than any $2 Coke. It’s like another bag fee, when you consider that 5% of a $300 ticket…

• Computer Glitch: Nationwide Airline Delays/Cancellations

  Rick Seaney

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am

  UPDATE: The FAA says the glitch was a “failure” they attribute to a “software configuration problem within the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure in Salt Lake City.” Atlanta’s National Airspace Data Interchange Network, which processes flight planning, was affected because it relies on the Salt Lake services. “We will be a mess all day.” So said a spokesman for AirTran Airways, about this morning’s computer glitch in the system that pilots use to file flight plans. The system went down early this morning, and has since been restored, but…

• Passengers Fight on a Plane - Whatever Happened to Civility?

  Rick Seaney

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:31 pm

  Passenger fights are rare, true - but there are too many for me. This latest incident of incivility was reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: two women aboard a Delta flight ready to head from Atlanta to Tampa complained about two men seated behind them; allegedly, the men were hitting the women’s seats. A “verbal altercation” ensued, and - according to an unverified report - one of the women told one of the men that she planned to use a knife on him. Oh, my. Next thing you know, a whole bunch of passengers are vigorously ringing their “call” buttons -…

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  Wandalust

• Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling for the Holidays

  11 Nov 2009 | 1:59 am

  © d'n'cThe holidays are meant to be enjoyed. Whether it is a cold or the swine flu, no one wants to ruin their holiday by spending precious time sick. While traveling over the holidays there are a few easy-to-implement tips to keep you and your family virus-free. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Tom Bayne offers these preventative measures for staying healthy while traveling: Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water especially while flying to keep your immune system strong. Water helps keep mucous membranes moist enough to combat the ...

• Seen that? - Earthship Enterprise

  8 Nov 2009 | 6:19 pm

  Earthship Enterprise at Wandalust New Mexico company Earthship Biotecture specialises in creating environmentally friendly, solar and thermodynamically powered homes, called Earthships. "The Earthship is a completely independent globally oriented dwelling unit made from materials that are indigenous to the entire planet." My first ...

• Where to Ski in France

  30 Oct 2009 | 6:10 pm

  © geoftheref The Telegraph recently published an overview of ski resorts in the French Alps.When it comes to skiing , France gets a lot of things right. More than 300 resorts, many located at high altitude, provide skiers with some 5,000 miles of pistes – a great number of which are to be found in massive, efficiently lift-connected ski areas such as Espace Killy, Les Trois Vallées, Paradiski and Portes du Soleil. For those who prefer the thrill of the off-piste, there are world-class destinations to ...

• Many Caribbean Resorts Offering Free Weddings

  24 Oct 2009 | 6:47 pm

  © √oхέƒx™ If you're thinking of getting married in the near future and you like the Caribbean, you're in luck! Several resort chains are offering free wedding packages when you book a stay in the Caribbean in the near future. Sandals is offering a Martha Stewart-designed wedding package when you book a six night stay. Those packages are worth at least $1500, depending on the package the bride and groom pick. Both Ritz-Carlton and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts are offering wedding free packages with some stays as ...

• Diseases Travelers Should Know About

  17 Oct 2009 | 9:26 am

  © Ryan Wick I saw a piece in Vagabondish that made me think of some of my own experiences on the road. It was a look at some of the worst travel diseases - and none of them are Swine Flu. Post author Turner Wright has a list of ten diseases you should keep in mind. Top of the list? Dysentry. And while that can kill you, the list actually goes down hill from there. He looks at malaria, typhoid, dengue fever, lyme disease, yellow fever, ...

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  View from the Wing

• United’s 2010 Elite Choice Rewards

  Gary

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pm

  United elites can read the good news over at Lucky’s blog about the 2010 Elite Choice rewards being offered to folks who fly more next year than their current status level required. As a 1K, for example, I could get 25,000 redeemable miles for passing 125,000 elite qualifying miles and another 25,000 redeemable miles for passing 175,000 elite qualifying miles. That’s quite an incentive! Other options include nominating someone to Premier or Premier Executive (yes, you heard me right) status. The benefits get even better for those at lower status levels. There’s even the…

• United’s Flight Attendants Speak Out About Complimentary Domestic Elite Upgrades

  Gary

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:36 pm

  This Flyertalk thread points to United’s flight attendants union’s statement on the airline’s plan to offer complimentary domestic upgrades to elite passengers: Unlimited Elite Customer Upgrades – Say Goodbye to First Class …United had previously announced their intention to implement this program last month to United’s elite customers, and is just another kick in the teeth to Flight Attendants and other loyal employees. My thoughts. 1. It’s true, without upgrade certificates there will be more passengers upgrading, and fewer seats up front for employees. 2.

• Should You Redeem Your Miles for Breast Implants?

  Gary

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:04 pm

  Once upon a time there were mileage offers for donating blood. Last summer I earned 20,000 miles for a hair loss consultation. Plenty of folks went for Lasik eye surgery consultations this year for Delta miles as well. So mileage earning certainly has become intertwined with all parts of life. Now, mileage burning has as well. Finnair has introduced a new redemption option: Breast augmentation. Bloomberg has more. Breast implants, hair replacement surgery or a face-lift performed by the Nordstroem Hospital in Helsinki are among the newest offerings in the carrier’s Finnair Plus loyalty…

• 1500 Point Amtrak Small Business Program Signup Bonus

  Gary

  17 Nov 2009 | 3:23 pm

  According to Free Frequent Flyer Miles, if you sign up for Amtrak’s small business program by December 31, 2009 using promo code DEC09 your new account will receive 1,500 bonus points. You’ll also receive 25% of the points earned by individual travelers (such as yourself) that are linked to the account. So it’s like a 25% earnings bonus. You’ll need a taxpayer ID to identify yourself as a unique business, and of course most of us have one of those, we usually just call it a social security number…

• United is Bringing Back Confirmed Regional Upgrades for 1Ks Next Year

  Gary

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:37 am

  Ok, technically they never went away. But when United announced their plan to go to unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades next year, they were going to drop confirmed regional upgrades for 1Ks from the mix. As I noted at the time, As speculated yesterday, confirmed regional upgrades go away. Currently 1K members get up to 8 of these a year (promotions aside) and they’re good for confirming a domestic (including Hawaii) upgrade at time of booking from any fare. While there are no more 500 mile upgrades to worry about, there are no more special domestic confirmed upgrades either, there…

• 
  Living Jet Set

• Join Rob and Kim Tonight (Nov. 3) 8 P.M E.S.T Live on U-Stream for the Launch of Jet Set Money (Plus FREE Pre-Launch Bonus)

  Rob

  3 Nov 2009 | 7:30 am

  This is all going to happen really, really fast……. If you’re frustrated (and maybe a little pissed off) because you know that there’s a bunch of cool s***t happening around the world that you don’t have the money or time to be a part of …now is the time to step up and make it happen. Get Jet Set Money We will offer only 10 spots for discounted pricing at exactly 8PM (when they’re gone they’re gone). Here is How You Can Get One of Those 20 Spots: Go to U-stream.tv at 8PM E.S.T. search jetsetlife (as one word) and click on the live link Go to Get…

• Grab Your Early Spot For Jet Set Money Special Pricing Now – (and Also Receive a Jet Set Insider Interview with Madonna’s Party Planner in Rome)

  Rob

  28 Oct 2009 | 6:48 am

  Here’s How You Can Get Special Pricing The buzz for our newest program, Jet Set Money, has been insane! There will be a VERY short window to get in on pre-launch pricing. Once it’s gone – it’s gone! All you have to do to be eligable is add your name to the “Front of The Line List” by clicking the link below (and you’ll also instantly receive our Jet Set Insider interview with Madonna’s party planner in Rome as your FREE bonus)! Click Here To Get On The Early Alert Special Pricing List and Get Your FREE Bonus Live U-Stream Broadcast on Tuesday…

• I’m a Kid From Queens NOT a Trust Fund Baby- PLUS a FREE Bonus Interview From Our New Jet Set Money Program

  Rob

  21 Oct 2009 | 7:03 am

  Front of The Line List To answer a few questions….. We decided to launch Jet Set Money on Nov. 3 and here’s how you can get special pricing before everyone else does (and a free interview from the new Jet Set Money)….. Click Here To Get Added to “The Front of Line List” For Special Pricing (PLUS get a FREE Bonus Interview) I’m Just a Kid From Queens To answer  a few questions about us.  We are NOT trust fund babies.  I’m a kid from Queens New York.  I’m from a very blue collar background.  My dad was a truck driver (retired now) and my mom…

• The Truth is We Just Want To Travel (PLUS a FREE Gift)

  Rob

  13 Oct 2009 | 6:16 am

  Here’s the whole back story behind last week’s survey: Kim and I are just two people that love to travel. We are NOT internet marketing Guru’s, nor are we IN the internet marketing business. We really are just two people that LOVE to travel. A few years back (after reading the Four Hour Work Week) we went on a crazy search to try and figure out how to make some money to fund our travel habit with an online business. After doing a lot of things that didn’t work we began figuring out what did work (the 80/20 if you will) and we started making money online. That’s…

• And The Survey Says (So Far)…..

  Rob

  6 Oct 2009 | 8:58 am

  We recently sent out a survey regarding what you guys most wanted to know about having a Jet Set Life.  While we are still tallying the results I wanted to give you a sneak peek at the responses so far. If you haven’t taken the survey please help us out and click the link below. Take the Survey Here WHAT ARE THE TOP TWO THINGS THAT ARE HOLDING YOU BACK FROM LIVING A JET SET LIFE? Time and Money.  Yep.  You guessed it.  No big secret here.  Most responses kind of went like this: 1. “I just don’t know where to start”. 2. “I don’t have the time to learn…

• 
  My Jet Set Life

• Jet Set Life Unveils Top 3 Tip to Take Great Photos

  Kim

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:42 am

  The perfect picture is one that triggers your memories. The perfect picture is the picture that makes you say “Remember that….that’s when….” When you’re taking a photo, there are no rules. Photos capture moments. When you’re traveling,  you don’t just want to remember the monuments in the places you’ve been. You want to remember how delicious the food was, funny moments with your friends and especially the magic moments with your family. With the Holidays quickly descending upon us, many will be traveling abroad for a fantastic snow inspired vacation or simply…

• Join Rob & Kim Live Tonight at 8pm on Ustream for the Launch of Jet Set Money!

  Kim

  3 Nov 2009 | 7:39 am

  This is all going to happen really, really fast……. If you’re frustrated (and maybe a little pissed off) because you know that there’s a bunch of cool s***t happening around the world that you don’t have the money or time to be a part of …now is the time to step up and make it happen. Get Jet Set Money We will offer only 20 spots for discounted pricing at exactly 8PM (when they’re gone they’re gone). Here is How You Can Get One of Those 20 Spots: Go to U-stream.tv at 8PM E.S.T. search jetsetlife (as one word) and click on the live link Go to Get…

• The Jet Set Body: Part 1

  Kim

  7 Oct 2009 | 11:28 am

  It’s seems like the whole world is always chasing 5-15 lbs. When is the last time you hear someone say, honestly, I love my current weight and how my body looks? I’m not sure I’ve ever heard someone say that! Even the sexiest bodies always want to improve something. Millions of people every day use Google to search for the secrets to obtaining the perfect body. In fact, when doing research for this blog I came across something really interesting, however not very shocking. The word “diet plan” is searched 246,000 times a month (according to Google Keyword).

• Jet Set Life Needs Your Help!

  Kim

  29 Sep 2009 | 1:01 pm

  We’ve been getting a bunch of e-mails from people asking us when we are going to re-open our Secrets of Successful Muses Membership area to new members. The short answer is Kim and I are not exactly sure. We really could use your help! As you know the Secrets of Successful Muses course was created to answer this one single question we get asked constantly…..How can I create my own online business and be able to travel like you guys? When we first launched the course this past summer it was sold out in less than a week! The good news was that it was a WAY bigger success then we…

• Do more of the things you love & less of the things you don’t!

  Kim

  9 Sep 2009 | 10:51 am

  “What would you do each day if you had 20 million in the bank?” This question has been posed by every online business mogul and wanna-be mogul in the universe, and now me. I recently took a poll of my Facebook friends, which some of you may have been included in, asking this exact question. The typical answers were: give money to family friends, donate to charity, do charity work and open animal shelters. The animal shelter one is definitely a chick-thing because I too want to rescue every cute and fuzzy animal without a home. But the real question goes deeper than the answer you…

• 
  Joe Sharkey At Large

• A Typical Friday Morning Rush-Hour in the Skies

  joesharkey

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  Ever wonder how things can get so messed up so fast when there’s a glitch in air-traffic control or a weather problem east of the Mississippi? Above, from Flightexplorer.com, is a snap image of routine, typical Friday morning air traffic in the U.S. as of about 7.45 a.m. eastern time today. In a few hours, after the West coast gets up, I’ll post a later image, just for the heck of it. Warning: Flightexplorer.com is addictive. You could idle away hours fiddling around with it.

• New American Airlines Widget Flags Wi-Fi-Equipped Flights

  joesharkey

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:11 am

  The American Airlines Web site now has a Wi-Fi widget that lets customers identify Wi-Fi-equipped flights 24 hours before departure. You enter your flight number or select your flight’s departure airport from a drop- down menu to find out if your flight is scheduled on a Wi-Fi-equipped plane. American has the Aircell Gogo Wi-Fi system on 165 of the 620 airplanes in its mainline fleet — 150 MD-80s and 15 Boeing 767-200s. The Gogo system is land-based and isn’t offered on international flights. In August 2008, American became the first U.S. airline to launch the Gogo service,…

• Flight Delays Today Caused By FAA Computer Problems in Atlanta

  joesharkey

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:34 am

  Flight delays are expected all day because of an FAA computer-network problem that first affected Atlanta and then started fanning out to other hubs. The FAA said the computer problem was fixed by mid-morning. However, the domino effect of flight delays is expected to continue into this afternoon. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association issued this update late this morning, and said “it will take many hours for the system to catch up.” As of 9:30 a.m. eastern time, Atlanta, Dulles and Newark airports were all reporting mounting delays. The FAA attributed the delays at…

• AirTran Slapping Ads on Its Seats, For Your Viewing Pleasure

  joesharkey

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:49 pm

  AirTran proudly announced plans to outfit all of its 138 Boeing 737s and 717s with seat-back advertising. Actually, the headline on the statement said “unveiled.” Come on, folks! I know everybody needs to boost revenue, but is this really customer service –  or just more ads in your face? From AirTran’s unveiling announcement: “During the next two weeks, each seat will be outfitted with a 2 1/2 [by] 1/2 x 9 inch, easily-changeable, full-color, advertisement. Mother Nature Network is the first advertising partner, offering a chance to win a seven-night, deluxe…

• New Pressure in Brazil on U.S. Pilots

  joesharkey

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:34 pm

  It’s largely forgotten in the U.S., but the two American pilots who safely brought the Legacy 600 business jet down in the Amazon three years ago after a horrific mid-air collision at 37,000 feet with a Brazilian airliner remain on criminal trial, in absentia, in Brazil. The charges carry prison sentences in the crash, which killed 154 on the Brazilian airliner while all seven on the American business jet survived. The ad hoc organization directed by trial lawyers for relatives of victims of the accident is now demanding, after a meeting in the Brazilian capital, that the U.S.

• 
  itravelnet.com Travel Blog

• Travel Photo: Annasaule, Innsbruck - Austria

  itravelnet

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:36 am

  Location: Innsbruck - AustriaPhoto: AnnasauleAnnasaule, Innsbruck - Austria.Travel Photo Gallery: Innsbruck Photo Gallery

• Featured Travel Site: Luggage Limits

  itravelnet

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:24 pm

  Luggage Limits details baggage allowance information on all routes and ticket classes for over 60 airlines. Avoid expensive airline luggage fees by preparing before you go.luggagelimits.com

• Travel Photo: Bogor Botanical Gardens, Bogor - Indonesia

  itravelnet

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:47 pm

  Location: Bogor - IndonesiaPhoto: Bogor Botanical GardensBogor Botanical Gardens in Bogor, Java - Indonesia.Travel Photo Gallery: Bogor Photo Gallery

• Featured Travel Site: Holiday Pad

  itravelnet

  10 Nov 2009 | 3:07 am

  Holiday Pad is showcase of unusual, wonderful and downright weird ideas for a holiday.holidaypad.net

• Travel Photo: St Martins Cathedral, Mainz - Germany

  itravelnet

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm

  Location: Mainz - GermanyPhoto: St Martins CathedralSt Martins Cathedral in Mainz, Germany.Travel Photo Gallery: Mainz Photo Gallery

• 
  Gadling

• Two North Korean diplomats arrested for smuggling

  Annie Scott

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm

  Filed under: Sweden, NewsTwo North Korean diplomats tried to claim diplomatic immunity when they were arrested in Stockholm for smuggling cigarettes. The man and woman, who were caught driving their tobacco-filled car off a ferry from Helsinki, have been taken into police custody. Apparently, they have diplomatic status in Russia, but no accreditation in Sweden. Also, they allegedly had 230,000 Russian cigarettes. "If you come to Sweden and commit a crime, you're just like any other foreign national," Sweden's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Cecilia Julin told Reuters. What on earth two North…

• Refusal to tip for lousy restaurant service results in arrest

  Scott Carmichael

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

  Filed under: North America, United StatesView more news videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video. Tipping is a really complicated issue in the US. What was once introduced as a way to reward good service, has now turned into a way for patrons to actually pay the salary of restaurant workers. One of my biggest pet peeves with tipping is the mandatory tip on groups. This used to be added to groups of 12 or more, then it dropped to 8 or more, and nowadays most places consider a group of 6 people to be large enough to warrant a mandatory 18% tip - no matter how lousy the service. Leslie…

• Where to go for fast food - the flowchart edition

  Scott Carmichael

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

  Filed under: Food and Drink American food blog "eating the road" has come up with one of the best uses for a flowchart I have ever seen. By answering some simple questions, you'll be told where to go for your daily dose of crappy fast food. The chart points west coasters to the stores the rest of the country dreams of getting, and sends all Canadians to Tim Hortons. The chart covers 16 of the most popular US fast food chains, and even takes your sobriety into account (only drunk people will survive sliders). Click here for the full version of the chartWhere to go for fast food - the flowchart…

• Visitors from outside the U.S. down 9 percent, spending a lot less

  Tom Johansmeyer

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

  Filed under: North America, China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, United States, Brazil Visits from outside the United States continued their slide in August. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that 5.4 million people visited the United States from other countries in August this year. Unfortunately, that's a drop of 9 percent from August 2008. And, the smaller number of people is spending less money when it comes here. In August 2009, international visitors spent $10 billion. This sounds like a lot, but it's off almost 21 percent from last…

• Greyhound customer service delivers after bus heads wrong way for more than 70 miles

  Jamie Rhein

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:30 am

  Filed under: Business, Stories, Transportation, Budget Travel, Consumer ActivismWhen the five people who ranged from an R& B singer moving to NYC to seek her fortune-- to a young man trying to get to Hartford, Connecticut and his sick grandmother as quickly as possible, sidled up to the Greyhound ticket counter in Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan, they weren't itching for a fight. What they wanted was some compensation for their Greyhound induced travel woes. See, the bus they had taken from Cleveland had arrived two hours late. It's not unusual for a bus to be late. Traffic,…

• 
  PlaneBuzz

• PlaneBusiness Banter Now Posted

  16 Nov 2009 | 3:33 pm

  This week's earnings issue edition of PlaneBusiness Banter is now posted. This week we take an in-depth look at the recent earnings results posted by Air Canada and Pinnacle. Some of the highlights from this batch of earnings calls? Air Canada still has a cost problem and it also has a debt problem. Oh, and yes, it has another problem -- a lack of high-end business travelers. As for Pinnacle -- the regional airline posted a pretty good quarter -- all things considered. In the news department the Department of Transportation and the FAA want to come up with a master plan to "help" the airline…

• So much for new blog editor...

  2 Nov 2009 | 2:42 pm

  Hmmm. I can see more work is needed. On the part of the user, i.e., me.

• PlaneBusiness Banter Now Posted

  2 Nov 2009 | 2:38 pm

  Someone sent me a note last week and told us that last week’s issue of PlaneBusiness Banter was over 100 pages when they printed it out. Heh. Well, this week’s is longer than last week’s issue was, so I have no idea how long this one will be when you hit the print button. And no, I don’t own stock in Staples. Or Office Max. Much less Weyerhaeuser. But one thing’s for sure. We had a lot to talk about this week. Yes, once again, the bulk of this week’s issue is about earnings. This week we take a close look at the results posted by: AirTran, Alaska Air Group, JetBlue, Continental…

• That's It for Ecto

  31 Oct 2009 | 12:52 pm

  Anyone else out there using Ecto as a blog editor? See that headline that says “CIT Bankruptcy Looks Imminent?” That was, originally, a very long blog piece talking about how it appears CIT Group, the parent of CIT Aerospace, the third-largest aircraft leasing company, appears to have put together a pre-packaged bankruptcy deal. Only one big problem. When I pushed the “publish” button, the entire post disappeared. And yes, this was after I had carefully saved the thing at least three times to make sure nothing happened to it. So I go to the software maker’s support boards. Ever have…

• CIT Bankruptcy Looks Imminent

  31 Oct 2009 | 11:19 am

• 
  Location Independent Professionals

• 5 Things Our Four Month Old Could Teach You About What It Takes To Become Location Independent

  Lea Woodward

  17 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pm

  Most of you will know we’ve been on a pretty wild ride over the last few months, thanks to the little bundle of joy above (the one on the left)…and in less than a week, we’re about to head off on our first location adventure with the littlest LIP in tow. Like most new parents, we’re constantly amazed by each new development Mali displays – what’s amazed us the most are the things we’ve re-learned by watching her grow, adapt, evolve and feel her little way around this big wide world. Things that, over the course of time, we forget or become conditioned…

• The Official Location Independent Blog Carnival (with a twist!) #2

  Lea Woodward

  13 Nov 2009 | 1:51 pm

  Image by michibanban Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Location Independent Blog Carnival (with a twist!)…what’s the twist? As always, we don’t just feature the best articles submitted to the carnival but we also feature some of the best new projects launched by members of our community in the “Project Promoter” section – giving you an opportunity to see what everyone else is up to. Without further ado, here are the best of the best… The Blog Carnival Audrey from Uncornered Market presents: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Travelers Nicolas from…

• Slow & Steady Wins The Race: An Interview About A 3 Year Journey To Location Independence

  Lea Woodward

  10 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  Image by mikep The notion that “all good things come to those who wait” is not one that sits well with lifestyle designers and anyone aspiring to become location independent. If you, like me, want something – you’ll probably want it now. In fact now is not soon enough – yesterday is better! But if you want something badly enough, you’ll do what’s necessary to get it – and that’s exactly what the couple we feature in today’s interview did. We’re always talking about lifestyle design and location independence being a journey…

• Inspirational Destinations: An Interview About Location Independence in Bali

  Andy Hayes

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  Image by sektordua ** This post was written by Andy Hayes. Find out more about Andy at the bottom. ** Today we have a special guest telling us about a new destination for your LIP roadmap: Bali, Indonesia. Telling us about this sun-drenched party paradise is Mike Henry, the brains behind the website Bali Expat, a fantastic resource for all-things Bali. Mike also runs the blog Retire Young and Wealthy while on the road so he has plenty of free resources to check out.  Did I mention that not only a Bali expert, he’s from Australia and spent 10 years in Japan and elsewhere before hitting…

• More Tips For Bargaining & Bartering As A Location Independent Traveller

  Lea Woodward

  3 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  Image by Vanessa Pike-Russell ** This post was written by Nancy Sun, one of the shortlisted applicants for staff writer ** In matters of personal finance there are two ways to positively impact your cash flow: increase your incoming cash or decrease your outgoing expenses. In previous posts, Lea has highlighted location independence in itself as a means of decreasing your expenses – she pointed out that when you’re location independent you can take advantage of favorable foreign exchange rates and live in countries where the dollar, Euro, pound, etc. can go farther and perhaps even…

• 
  Tony Wheeler

• Ljubjlana

  Tony Wheeler

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:37 am

  Slovenia is the fourth ‘new’ country I’ve been to in 2009, I started with Malawi when I bicycled a stage of the Tour d’Afrique. Then there were mid-year trips to Costa Rica and the Faroe Islands. Finally I walked across the border from Gorizia in Italy to Nova Gorica in Slovenia. I stayed in the Albergo Transalpina my last night in Italy, my room looked out over the Piazza Transalpina and back in the days of the iron curtain that’s where it was, right in the middle of the square. It’s new Europe, I left the hotel and strolled straight into Slovenia. A bus…

• Udine

  Tony Wheeler

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:13 pm

  From Trieste I took the train an hour north to Udine for the town’s Fuorirotta (‘off the beaten track’) festival. Udine is one of those very swish small Italian towns, a place that looks well off. It’s a reminder that if you divided off northern Italy from the rest of the country it would be one of Europe’s wealthiest countries. If not the wealthiest.The town centre is dominated by the Loggia di San Giovanni, sporting a clock tower looking remarkably like a squashed down version of the one in Venice’s Piazza San Marco along with a collection of statuary. It…

• Trieste

  Tony Wheeler

  14 Nov 2009 | 5:28 pm

  After my visit to western Ireland the next stop in my November travels was the Italian town of Trieste, on the Adriatic coast, right up in the north-east corner of Italy. Trieste enjoyed a visit from a notable Irishman, James Joyce lived here for a spell before WW I.It’s a city with a long and convoluted history. The town features one of the finest town squares in Italy, the Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia, crowded in on three sides by impressive buildings and lots of elegant statuary. Statue on Piazza Dell'Unita d'ItaliaThere are plenty of churches, museums, bits of Roman ruins…

• Ryanair – and the romance of air travel

  Tony Wheeler

  13 Nov 2009 | 2:13 am

  I finally got around to flying Ryanair. I’ve flown on assorted LCCs – Low Cost Carriers – but never had a reason to get on the European airline which generates all the bad publicity. Michael O’Leary, the airline’s outspoken boss, specialises in being controversial. OK they’re not really going to charge fat people more, add a fee for using the toilets or offer standing room tickets, but hey, it’s all good publicity. I had to fly from London to Trieste in Italy and Ryanair were offering seats for £14.99, it was a no brainer. The flight left on…

• Galway & Inishmor

  Tony Wheeler

  11 Nov 2009 | 2:49 pm

  I’ve been on the road for the first couple of weeks of November.  Starting with a visit to Ireland for an Irish Tourist Board (Fáilte Ireland) conference in Galway. Walking along Galway’s main pedestrian street I came across a strangely familiar statue of that noted Irishman Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde & Eduard Wilde in Galway, IrelandOscar Wilde & Eduard Wilde in Tartu, EstoniaIt was indeed familiar, the gentleman he appeared to be conversing with was the Estonian writer Eduard Wilde (they never met) and I’d come across the two figures in 2005 in the town of…

• 
  Consumer Traveler

• WeatherUnderground and Google maps mashup provides directions and weather for roadtrips

  Charlie Leocha

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:21 pm

  WeatherUnderground.com has just launched a new mashup of Goggle Maps with their weather information. The directions will now include weather-related information as well as directions.

• Airfares vary by distance – why don’t baggage fees?

  Janice Hough

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:15 am

  As a United elite status flier, I long ago decided to do what many frequent fliers do: Make your peace with putting up with one airline on a regular basis, in order to get miles and occasional perks. And one of the biggest perks these days is not paying basic checked luggage fees.

• Life is a Dream on Carnival’s newest ship

  Anita Dunham-Potter

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:04 am

  Last week, Carnival Cruise Lines christened its newest, largest ship the 3,646-passenger, 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. It boasts such features largest water park at sea, new family cabins with two bathrooms, a nighttime poolside laser show, and what the line is calling "the most elaborate" children's facilities at sea.

• What we’re reading: Vegas expects holiday boost, Delta offers JAL $1 billion package, bill seeks ban on electronic devices in cockpit

  Steve Surjaputra

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:58 am

  Las Vegas will likely see an increase in drive-in traffic, mostly from Southern California.

• Holiday travel forecasts: “Cautious optimism” — or billion-dollar bloodbath?

  Christopher Elliott

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am

  There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

• 
  NYT > Travel

• American Journeys | Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska: A Place in Time, Not All Frozen

  By DIANA BLETTER

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:04 pm

  In Alaska, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley is home to a 27-mile glacier, an old gold-mining camp and a New Deal farming project.

• A Permanent Theater Festival on Puget Sound

  By PATRICK HEALY

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:57 pm

  Seattle is alive with artistic energy. While the city’s musical voices thrive, stage productions are on the rebound after the loss of prized playhouses.

• 36 Hours in Rajasthan, India

  By KABIR CHIBBER

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:39 pm

  The country is modernizing rapidly, sometimes too fast, but this spectacular old region still endures.

• Frugal Traveler: Finder's Keepers: Souvenirs on the Road

  By MATT GROSS

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm

  What makes a great souvenir, especially when you don't want to spend a lot of money? And how do you find unique items of real value?

• Q&A: Hong Kong Highlights for Two 21-Year-Olds

  By DAVID G. ALLAN

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:09 pm

  “Can you suggest comfortable places to stay in Hong Kong for two 21-year-olds, as well as sites and dining suggestions, for the end of December?”

• 
  NYT > Escapes

• American Journeys | Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska: A Place in Time, Not All Frozen

  By DIANA BLETTER

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:04 pm

  In Alaska, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley is home to a 27-mile glacier, an old gold-mining camp and a New Deal farming project.

• High & Low | St. Augustine, Fla.: History, Sun-Drenched

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

  St. Augustine, Fla., the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States, was settled by the Spanish in 1565.

• A Permanent Theater Festival on Puget Sound

  By PATRICK HEALY

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:57 pm

  Seattle is alive with artistic energy. While the city’s musical voices thrive, stage productions are on the rebound after the loss of prized playhouses.

• Two-Wheeled Rambles, Even When Frost Is on the Pumpkin

  By DAVE CALDWELL

  13 Nov 2009 | 12:17 am

  Motorcycle tours offer an autumn opportunity for scenery and solitude. Here are four weekends’ worth of scenic rides.

• Who Needs Miami or Los Cabos? Time Shares Move to the City

  By SUSAN STELLIN

  12 Nov 2009 | 10:21 pm

  Urban time shares expand the vacation ownership concept beyond beach destinations, appealing to regional residents who come to the city to shop and eat out.

• 
  Budget Travel Tips - EuroCheapo

• New York: Buy a cupcake and save on “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” tickets

  Sarah Silbert

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:44 am

  Kickin' cupcakes. Photo: Magnolia Bakery As the weather gets colder and New York gears up for the holiday season, we’re daydreaming about sugary treats and high-kicking entertainment. We were happy, then, when we learned that two of our favorite city traditions are pairing up to offer a sweet deal. Magnolia Bakery (the cupcake boutique made famous in “Sex and the City”) has joined forces with the Rockettes to offer a 25% discount for tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the purchase of a special “Rockette Red Velvet Cupcake.” The cupcakes…

• Copenhagen: 7 questions for our hotel reviewer, Sarah Silbert

  Thomas Meyers

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am

  Sarah relaxes at Copenhagen's Viking Bar. Photo: Derek Van Gorder We were very pleased to update our Copenhagen hotel reviews yesterday, adding several new budget hotel picks, and refreshing our existing listings. Sarah Silbert, our “listings guru” in the New York office, visited Copenhagen last month to tackle the job. We sat down with her this morning to learn more about her trip. As a first-time visitor to Copenhagen, what did you find surprising about the city? I didn’t think it would be so compact! All the main attractions are roughly in the same area, so…

• Madrid: A visit to the Rastro flea market

  Cynthia Kane

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:23 am

  Crowds at the Rastro Market. Photo by Sylvain Bourdos. By Cynthia Kane in Madrid– If you’re looking to buy clothes, household goods, furniture, or trinkets on the cheap in Madrid, Sunday is your day. This is when the city’s sprawling outdoor flea market, the Rastro, is open between La Plaza Mayor and Puerta de Toledo. History of the Rastro The Rastro is the largest outdoor flea market in Madrid and its origins date back nearly five centuries. It’s been said that the area used to be the epicenter of the tanning trade. The word “Rastro” actually translates as “track” or…

• Stockholm Public Transportation: Bus and Metro explained

  Marcus Cederstrom

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:10 am

  A train at Telefonplan Metro Station. Photo by harry_nl. By Marcus Cederstrom in Stockholm— Each day in Stockholm, 700,000 trips are made using public transportation. Considering only about 800,000 people live within Stockholm city limits, that number is pretty impressive. With the efficient and user-friendly SL, Stockholm’s public transportation company, it makes sense that so many Stockholmers take to the metro, buses, and more. The lowdown Stockholm is a very walk-able city, but if you’re less interested in wandering around than getting around efficiently (or if you just want to get…

• Paris Cheap Souvenirs: 5 souvenirs under €5

  Liz Webber

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am

  Cheap secondhand books at Gilbert Jeune. Photo by ShimShamB. By Liz Webber— There are plenty of things to bring back from Paris, whether lasting or fleeting, that won’t eat up all your euros. Here are five of our suggestions for souvenirs that will remind you of la vie Parisien—for €5 or less. 1. Livre d’occasion from Gilbert Jeune With outlets on both sides of the St. Michel fountain, the Gilbert Jeune bookstore both buys and sells books. That’s good news for Cheapos, since the store often resells the livres d’occasion (used books) at 50 percent or more off the…

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  Write to Travel

• Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers....

  KIWIWRITER

  27 Oct 2009 | 5:00 am

  1. Learn to Craft a Perfect Author Bio2. Why Writer’s Block is Your Secret Weapon3. 5 Questions To Ask Before You Write For Free4. How To Get Past The Blank Page By Creating Urgency5. How to Give Yourself to Whatever the Moment Brings, and Forget Stress

• Video: Travel Blogger Sherry Ott Talks to Dispatches 2.0...

  KIWIWRITER

  24 Oct 2009 | 5:00 am

  Need some inspiration? Look no further than Sherry Ott, who left the corporate world, took off around the world, and created the popular travel blog ottsworld.com

• Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

  KIWIWRITER

  23 Oct 2009 | 5:00 am

  1. Q&A With the Travel Photographer Robert Caplin2. 10 Reasons Why That Other Writer Always Seems to Get Ahead3. 10 Ways to make your editor love you4. Editing Help – Tips for Revising Articles, Essays, and Short Stories5. News you can use: 10 top takeaways from the 2009 ONA (Online News Association) conference

• Press Trips: ethical or not?

  KIWIWRITER

  22 Oct 2009 | 12:52 pm

  There's an interesting discussion going on over at twitter on press trips. It was triggered by the writers over at World Hum who posted about the continual debate about press trips - ethical or not. This latest rounds of discussions started following a this Daily Finance post - Ethics takes a holiday: Newsweek, New York Times writers in swag orgyYou can follow the debate over at twitter thread #twethicsAnd for more about press trips, check out previous Write to Travel posts on this topic...FAM and Press Trips - Good or Bad for Travel Writers? The Press Trip: Great Deal or Big Hassle?

• Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

  KIWIWRITER

  12 Oct 2009 | 11:39 pm

  1.5 Choices You Will Face When Freelancing (And What You Should Choose)2. Is Your Mind Holding You Back?3. Ideas for Writers Who Travel, But Who Don’t Write About Traveling4. How to Defeat Burnout and Stay Motivated5. 45 Free Things for Writers

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  Go Green Travel Green

• Simple Satire ecoSNEAKS Review: Environmentally Friendly Travel Shoes

  Kimberly

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:44 am

  I stumbled upon Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS two years ago during my search for an environmentally-friendly alternative to my beloved Vans Prison Issue tennis shoes. I wanted shoes that were more durable than the Vans, but as attractive. I was even willing to sacrifice the awesome velcro of my Prison Issues, but only for the right eco-friendly shoe. Then I saw it: the Simple Satire shoe, a member of Zappo’s ecoSNEAKs line. Features of Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS Certified organic cotton uppers with recycled PET laces Vegan shoe! No animal byproducts or even regular animal products…

• Join GGTG for HI-USA’s Boston Travel Forum this Weekend

  Elizabeth

  17 Nov 2009 | 11:05 am

  Go Green Travel Green is going to Boston this weekend for Hostelling International USA’s Boston Travel Forum and Workshop. I’ll be presenting about the Green Travel program I’ve developed with HI Minnesota. The conference is free and open to the public so if you’re in the Boston area, make sure you stop by for some great sessions. Space is limited, so be sure to register online. Conference Details Workshop Date: Friday, November 20, 2009 Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm Location: Boston Park Plaza Hotel Street: 64 Arlington St City/Town: Boston, MA Workshops Include: - David…

• Biking from Alaska to Argentina: One Family’s Ultimate Green Travel Experience

  Kimberly

  11 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am

  Can any travel be greener than traveling by bike? We hear a lot about various methods of “green” travel - ecoresorts working to preserve the environment or companies who strive to reduce their carbon footprint. But we don’t hear much about traveling in such a way as to nearly eliminate that footprint altogether. Traveling on bicycle is one of the few methods of travel that allows a deep relationship with Mother Nature while, at the same time, treading lightly on our precious earth. Our bicycles use no fuel (other than the food we consume), and are easy on the ground we pass…

• Live Your Life Like a 20-Year-Old in Estonia

  Kimberly

  4 Nov 2009 | 11:03 am

  In retrospect, hopping on a bus from St. Petersburg, Russia to Tallinn, Estonia with nothing more than my passport and some cash was mildly crazy. But at the time, it seemed perfectly logical. We all have those moments when we travel. There’s something about being in a new country that makes us more daring, more willing to be spontaneous. Then we return to home to our routines and that willingness to get off the beaten path fades. But it doesn’t have to. In fact, I think we could all learn to live our lives more like a 20-year-old in Estonia. A Spontaneous Thanksgiving Weekend in…

• Ultimate Guide to Halloween 2009: Spooky Drinks, Haunted Houses, and iPhone Apps

  Kimberly

  28 Oct 2009 | 11:35 am

  Throwing a Halloween party, but at a loss for spooky drinks and tasty treats? Want to find a haunted house in your neighborhood? Thinking about skipping town with a Halloween travel deal? Or are you just looking for a few good Halloween iPhone apps? No matter what Halloween advice or entertainment you seek, we’ve got you covered — from scary books and Halloween drinks to costumed animals and face paint facts. Halloween Party Ideas: Drinks, Treats, and Decorations If you’ve procrastinated on planning your Halloween party, don’t worry. It’s not too late. These tips…

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  Jaunted

• New York: Slankets, Sliders and Southwest Ale at NYC's Bryant Park

  JetSetCD

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:04 pm

  Almost six months ago, Southwest Airlines gave New Yorkers an outright gift: the Southwest Porch, a relaxing, open-air venue in the middle of the city at Bryant Park. During the day, workers from offices in Midtown would sit in the adirondack chairs and on the cushioned lounges to eat their packed lunches, and at night, they can return for a drink and snacks when the bar opens. The Porch is a pleasant surprise for its lack of pretension and excess of good food choices (being from Top Chef Tom Colicchio' s 'wichcraft chain). We expected it to close down for the winter when the leaves began to…

• Avoid Holiday Travel And Score Deals Like The Bahamas For Under $250

  Jennifer Kester

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:19 pm

  Before you settle in for a long winter's nap, it's time for a warm-weather getaway. Travelzoo's offering a dirt-cheap package to the Bahamas where you'll get airfare and five nights at a hotel for $229. You'll stay at Our Lucaya Reef Village in Grand Bahama Island. The hotel has a Vegas-style casino where you can blow the money you would have spent on full-price airfare and hotel, as well as two golf courses and four pools. But the most important amenity is that this resort sits right on the beach. The deal's good for travel through December 19 and from January 3 to 31. We recommend that you…

• Sydney: We're Dreaming Of A White (Sand) Christmas Down Under

  amandak

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:25 am

  Think a white, sandy Christmas might be better than a white snowy one? All you northern hemisphere people can be guaranteed a very different experience if you decide to celebrate Christmas in Australia, where temperatures can easily reach over the century mark and a swim at the beach is way more likely than a snowball fight.The nice thing is that it's not even too late, if you decide skipping the drag of family festivities is what you want. There are still plenty of packages available to get you Down Under for a few days around Christmas time, including heaps of lastminute.com travel packages…

• It's Rihanna On A Boat, As The 'Oasis' Floats

  JetSetCD

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:34 am

  While we were having a little Thursday night drink near Times Square last night, Rihanna was performing in the Opal Theater on Royal Caribbean's newest, biggest, largest cruise ship ever: the Oasis of the Seas to celebrate the night before her first cruise out of the Fort Lauderdale. Then, this morning as we mixed some instant cappuccino in our modest kitchen, the Oasis set sail from the US with 5,400 passengers for her first voyage, a preview cruise that included the Good Morning America gang. While going about our mundane day, it was weird to remove ourselves from the scene for a moment and…

• Vancouver: Relive The Magic of Twilight's 'New Moon' At These Vancouver Spots

  cmb

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:04 am

  New Moon has such a hold on the world right now that even Martha Stewart admitted to having dreams about Robert Pattinson. The movie's cast hasn't been helping matters either with a media blitz that has taken them around the world, but let's not forget where it all started, in Vancouver. The "New Moon" movie was filmed in Vancity last spring and its stars seemed to make the most of their time there. Check out a few of their favorite spots and find out how you can see them all for yourself:

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  HotelChatter -

• Shanghai: Please Welcome The Peninsula And Its Fleet Of Phantoms To Shanghai

  JetSetCD

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

  We can talk about Art Basel Miami hotels and hotels for the holidays all we want, but we can't ignore one of the biggest hotel openings of autumn, that of the Peninsula Shanghai. It officially welcomed its first guests back on October 19, and yet it's already like a landmark on Shanghai's Bund—the street of shops, other high-class hotels, and historical buildings right at the bend of the Huangpu River. The main thing to know about this Peninsula is its relatively low starting room rate: $295. With it, if you can score the deal (and we recommend searching for dates far into the future),…

• These Dog Concierges Have Written a Book, Have You?

  MsRebecca

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

  It’s that time of the week again: Cute Hotel Doggie Friday! And today we give you not one but two adorable hotel doggies. Because we’re nice like that. Both of these smilin’ fools work for Fairmont Hotels—Catie Copley (the black lab) at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, and Santol (a Bernese mountain dog cross) at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. They have the lofty title of Canine Ambassador, and enjoy all the perks that go with it—business cards, email addresses, comfy beds in the lobby, plenty of attention from guests and staff, and of course,…

• Los Angeles: The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Gets Jazzed About Brunch

  EricRosen

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:04 pm

  The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has a long and checkered history that well pre-dates today’s celebrity tantrums and “Super Sweet 16” parties. As a way of hearkening back to that golden-hued heyday, the hotel has started offering a new ”Jazz Brunch” on Sundays from 11:00am-3:00pm. Since the special brunch starts at $18 per person, it’s actually a pretty good deal, especially for a Thompson Hotel, and especially considering that overnight parking will run you around $30, and the standard rate for a stay at the hotel starts at $225 a night.If you’re anything like…

• Santiago: Party Dispatch Report: The W Santiago's Grand Opening Party

  Jonathan Sanders

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:16 am

  For the opening of the W Santiago Chile we were fortunate to have Jonathan Franklin and photographer Morten Andersen, the guys behind Addict Village attend the party and report back to us on what they saw. We know, we know, what a tough assignment. Enjoy. W chose Santiago as its first ever South American location roughly five years ago. Finally on Tuesday, The W Hotel Santiago held its official opening party, a trademark WOW experience that included a rooftop pool adorned with three female synchronized swimmers in body gripping silver suits, live bands on various stages and the constant buzz…

• Berlin: The Hotel Concorde Berlin Wants You To Look Hawt

  amandak

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:59 am

  Berlin's Hotel Concorde has long tried to be hip with its accommodation packages, and each deal they come out with does seem to get better and better. Learning French in Berlin was a bit of a stretch; their Fall of the Wall deal was pretty good; but now comes the most sensible idea they've had so far: a Shop in the City package.Being all very cosmopolitan and cool, yet not outrageously expensive, Berlin is an ideal place to go on a shopping splurge. The Hotel Concorde is also in the right part of Berlin for this, right on the Kurfürstendamm shopping street, and even through winter you'll be…

• 
  SmarterTravel.com: Travel Advice

• Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Winter 2009/2010

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  While many winter travelers head to the beach or to popular ski resorts, savvy tourists can take advantage of fewer crowds and off-peak deals for fabulous vacations.

• U.S. Versus European Credit Card Validation Systems

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am

  Have you ever had your credit card rejected overseas? It's probably not due to bad credit, but the different validation systems used. Ed Perkins explains how to handle the situation.

• Two Great New Airline Initiatives and One Horrible Idea

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  Lower taxi costs to and from the airport, as well as automated, lifetime check-in can make air travel easier. But who charges $60 to print your boarding pass at the airport?

• Travel Right After the Holidays for a Great Deal

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  If you have any flexibility in your schedule, you'll want to consider planning a trip immediately after the holidays to take advantage of low travel periods and great bargains. The weeks after Thanksgiving and New Year's are especially affordable.

• America's Worst Airports for Delays: How to Cope

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  Knowing what your activity options are at the nation's most delay-prone airports can turn a frustrating wait into bona fide leisure time. Almost.

• 
  Ed Perkins

• Two Great New Airline Initiatives and One Horrible Idea

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  Lower taxi costs to and from the airport, as well as automated, lifetime check-in can make air travel easier. But who charges $60 to print your boarding pass at the airport?

• Buying Tickets Offshore Can Save You Money

  11 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  For international travel, a round-trip ticket is usually the cheapest option. However, buying a one-way ticket and purchasing a return ticket at your destination is sometimes more economical.

• Air France Offers a Class Between Economy and Business

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  Air France's Premium Voyager offers 40 percent more room, but you pay 100 percent more for your seat. Ed Perkins explains why shelling out the cash may be better than the alternative.

• Why Is Southwest Travelers' Favorite Airline?

  28 Oct 2009 | 9:00 pm

  We love certain airlines and avoid others at all costs. Ed Perkins investigates one survey's results to explain why Southwest wins top honors and why US Airways has some work to do.

• Travel Blogs Offer a Plethora of Information

  20 Oct 2009 | 11:46 am

  Ed Perkins provides a substantial list of travel-focused blogs, covering everything from finding great airfare deals to seat upgrades to getting more frequent flyer miles.

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  DeliciousBaby.com

• Photo Friday: Khmer Dance School

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:30 pm

  Khmer dance school in Phnom Penh Cambodia When the Khmer Rouge controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, the toll wasn't limited to the estimated 1.5 million human lives lost, it was a whole culture. In an effort to return to a simplistic agrarian-based Communist society, the intellectual elite were specifically targeted for "re-education" or even death. Fine arts including weaving, metal work, music, and traditional dance were all but lost. That's why it was so touching to visit this traditional Khmer dance school, founded by one of the last living traditional dance teachers. As the country…

• What Would You Do in Paris?

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  D has been obsessed with the Eiffel tower lately. It's not hard, images of it appear everywhere... on the side of the DHL trucks that circle our city, in her story books, and on posters in local businesses. But what does she really think, I wondered? Does all that exposure make her interested in visiting it? Yesterday as she leafed through a children's picture book of Paris I asked her what she would want to do if we went to Paris together. "Go to the grocery store" she said, flipping immediately to a picture of French pastries. Smart girl. That's my first priority in Paris too. Inventive…

• Please Join Us for Passports With Purpose

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  If you have been reading DeliciousBaby since last year, you may remember Passports with Purpose, the travel blogger's fundraiser founded by Pam Mandel of Nerd's Eye View, Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Michelle Duffy of WanderMom, and myself. In a few short weeks, with the help of travel bloggers around the world, we raised $7400 for Heifer International. We also gave fabulous prizes to many donors, ranging from hotel rooms to video cameras and high-end travel gear. Kids outside their floating home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia This year we will be fund-raising to build a school in…

• Welcome Budget Travel Readers

  16 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm

  I'm very excited that Budget Travel's website features an interview about family travel with me today. About DeliciousBaby DeliciousBaby is about Traveling with Young Kids. We have lots of tips and helpful advice to make your family vacation easier and more enjoyable. If you are new to DeliciousBaby, you might want to check out some of these useful links and resources: Travel Tips: Flying with Babies and Kids Money Saving Trips the Travel Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Family Friendly City Guides including Rome, Paris, Chicago, and Santa Fe Travel Tips: Keeping a Child Busy on a Plane…

• Weekly Links: Favorite Travel Stories and Giveaways

  15 Nov 2009 | 9:21 pm

  Here are a few stories I enjoyed this week. I especially enjoyed this reflective post from the father of a family who went around the world describing the enduring impact of the trip even two years later These pictures of a family road trip through Yellowstone National Park are making me jealous... and will hopefully inspire me to plan a Yellowstone trip for my own family. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to spend the winter in Alaska? Here's a list of winter activities in Anchorage This post about an unexpected snake encounter in Marrakech made me laugh Giveaways Enter to win this…

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  Viator Travel Blog

• Oberammergau Passion Play

  Scott Mc

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:59 am

  This may be the world’s most famous play… that you have never heard of! The 2010 Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, is a once-a-decade event that takes over, consumes, and essentially overwhelms the entire town of Oberammergau. Once every 10 years, more than half of this Bavarian village’s 5,000 inhabitants take part as actors in the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play. Stage of the Oberammergau Passion Play The local residents join together with director Christian Stückl (manager of Munich’s renowned Volkstheater), stage designer Stefan Hageneier, and music…

• [Contest] Win 2 Free Tickets on a Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruise

  amberj

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

  Rosemarie, last year's contest winner, on her Sydney New Year's Eve Cruise Sydney is home to one of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve celebrations. The fireworks display is second to none, the weather is warm & sunny, and the atmosphere is simply unbeatable. This year, you can go as a VIP by entering to win 2 free tickets on a Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve Cruise. Cruise Sydney Harbour in style aboard the Bella Vista, see the sights of Sydney and the harbour as the sun goes down and the city lights up the sky. At 9pm you’ll have a front-row seat for…

• Your Travel Photos - Reborn as Toys!

  Scott Mc

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:34 pm

  So you’ve travelled and taken lots of digital photos. Now you are now home, pining for the next adventure. What to do? Why not dust off your travel pictures and have some fun? You could show them to your friends and family again, but apparently that is boring (note to self: why aren’t people more interested in my personal travels??) and results in a lonely life. So instead, spice up the photos with some cool effects then share them around – you’ll get a much better response and have some fun in the meantime. One of my favourite effects is to make a photo look as though it was…

• Rome Catacombs Tour

  Scott Mc

  17 Nov 2009 | 11:25 am

  I arrive for my Rome catacombs tour early and so sit in the last of the October sun munching on a suppli (a Roman snack containing a deep-fried ball of rice and mozzarella). The meeting point is Piazza Barberini at a distinctive fountain created from a large statue of Triton spouting water from a large conch. After a moment’s digestion I notice people beginning to assemble. The tour manager ticks me off her list and hands me an oval little white sticker which I press onto my lapel. San Calisto catacomb in Rome We are introduced to our guide – Angelo. It turns out we are all early and…

• New Zealand: Maori Hangi in Rotorua

  Scott Mc

  12 Nov 2009 | 2:49 pm

  It wasn’t easy dragging myself out of the hot thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua on that cold winter night. Birds were rising from the lake, heading home to roost as steam rose in the dying light of Saturday. As I forced my relaxed muscles to work, cold air hit skin: this traditional Maori Hangi dinner better be worth it. A ride back into Maori history Half an hour later, rugged up and feeling like I was still steaming gently, I stood outside my hotel waiting for the tour bus. In my befuddled state, this was a confusing moment: there were tour buses and tourists everywhere. How…

• 
  SmarterTravel.com: Travel Deals

• Celebrate the Fall of the Wall in Berlin From $689*

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm

  With plenty of beer gardens to keep you warm, Berlin is the perfect place for history enthusiasts this winter. If shopping's more your thing, the KaDeWe will have you wishing there were more hours in a day to explore all its floors.

• Venice, Italy, Six-Night Vacations From $889*

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pm

  Glide along the canals and get lost navigating the streets this winter in Venice. With mild temperatures, you can still afford to indulge in all the gelato you can handle.

• Switzerland by Rail Starting at $1,129*

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pm

  With a four-night stay in Lucerne and a Swiss Pass, you have the option of kicking back and relaxing in town, or hitting the rails. See the Alps, take a day trip to Geneva, or just take in the scenery on a train ride.

• Amsterdam Six-Night Vacations From $639*

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:45 pm

  Home to Anne Frank's house and Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam is bursting with culture. Discover a peaceful urban setting as you walk or bike along the canals or visit the open-air markets.

• Six-Night Irish Castle Vacations Starting at $859*

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:45 pm

  Arrive in Dublin, leave from Shannon, and explore everywhere in between. When you're not on the road seeing the sights, you can kick up your feet in each of three castles. There's no better way to explore the country.

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  TravelBlogs

• The Mother of All Trips

  Eric

  1 Nov 2009 | 10:45 pm

  Mara is a travel-loving mum for whom parenthood has done nothing to stop her passion for travel. Her blog is an inspiring read for parents who want to impart a love of travel to their children.

• Do Travel Disasters Make the Best Travel Stories?

  Eric

  27 Oct 2009 | 9:20 pm

  Photo taken in Sibenik, Croatia by Laura R.. Less than one week into a nearly six-month stint in Brussels and I had already racked up my first travel mishap. Heading out to an Internet café for a scheduled online chat session, I was so sure of my route until I came up against a dead end with no sign of the correct street. Only then did I realize that I had walked a good 20 minutes in the wrong direction. I dejectedly backtracked, arriving at the café 30 minutes late only to discover it was closed. While frustrating and a bit demoralizing, my story is nothing compared with the travel…

• How the Economy Affected 16 Travellers in 2009

  Eric

  21 Oct 2009 | 6:02 pm

  Coming home. Photo taken by Marlis Seelos. How has the economy affected your travels in 2009? That’s the question I put to the internet’s finest travel bloggers last week. For some, the economic crisis put trips on hold, while for others it seems to have had no impact whatsoever. Whatever the case, their responses show one thing: if you’re passionate about travel, you can pretty much always find a way to indulge that passion. Credit should go to Debby Lee of Tea, Sugar, a Dream for suggesting this discussion topic. Thanks Debby! Ara Sarafian from The Life Less Travelled As a…

• True Nomads

  Eric

  11 Oct 2009 | 11:23 pm

  True Nomads is a reflective, almost philosophical travel blog written by Cooper and his wife Jill, a couple who rest in Saipan and live on the road.

• Alison Travels

  Eric

  8 Oct 2009 | 10:53 pm

  Alison quit corporate America for a life on the road. Along for the ride is Max, her dog and companion as she travels around the USA writing and taking photographs.

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  World Hum

• The Travel Benefit Young Americans Should Envy

  The World Hum Editors (michael@worldhum.com)

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:19 am

  Australian Ayden Fabien Férdeline writes in a New York Times op-ed column about Working Holiday visas, and why America should follow suit and offer its citizens the same benefits her country offers. Férdeline makes a good point: I owe a great many adventures to this program and I’ve gained an appreciation for the differences that make us human. When I hear the French stereotyped as snobby, for example, I know better. When I worked in France, the people I met were warm and welcoming, despite my mediocre language skills. The United States could gain some similar good will by…

• Photoshopped: Himalayan Horn Blowers

  The World Hum Editors (michael@worldhum.com)

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:48 am

  Mischievous Fark photoshoppers are playing with a photo from the Big Picture.

• Photo You Must See: The Thin Yellow Line in Chongqing

  The World Hum Editors (michael@worldhum.com)

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pm

  REUTERS/Stringer Shanghai Yellow cabs line a viaduct in Chongqing, China, while waiting to get their tanks filled during a shortage.

• Jan Morris Reveals her Favorite Cities

  The World Hum Editors (michael@worldhum.com)

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm

  She fields this question in the Guardian: What is her favorite of them all? Dear God, what a question! To my mind cities are distillations of human life itself, in all its nuances, with all its contradictions and anomalies, changing from one year to another, changing with the weather, changing with history, changing with the state of the world, changing above all in one’s own personal responses. How can I have a favourite? Sometimes I prefer one city, sometimes another. Inconstancy governs my responses to cities—fidelity in personal matters, promiscuity in civic affairs. Morris…

• World Travel Watch: Demonstrations in Venezuela, Clashes in Namibia and More

  The World Hum Editors (michael@worldhum.com)

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:10 am

  Larry Habegger rounds up global travel news

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  Brave New Traveler

• A Life Well Lived: Developing a Personal Manifesto

  Christine Garvin

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:28 am

  Alright, it’s time to break out those pens. Or computers. Photo: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ We’re ripping out a page from the popular Notes from the Road series over at the Traveler’s Notebook and asking you to take a moment to sketch out something that probably crosses your mind now and again: A Personal Manifesto. When I happened upon Gwen Bell’s, author of the Unconventional Guide to the Social Web, process the other day, I immediately became excited at the notion of going through my own. Check out her guide on the myriad of ways to go about developing your own…

• The Big View: Thomas Knierim On Philosophy Worth Spreading

  Ian MacKenzie

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:40 am

  Apollo Belvedere / Photo: alun salt A traveler/philosopher shares his motivation for creating The Big View, a hub of classic philosophy and new ideas that may be critical for humanity’s future. “If life is a journey, then philosophy is like a compass. It helps us to find our way through the jungle of possibilities that life presents.” With these words, Thomas Knierim articulates his reason for creating The Big View, a website with the goal of “rendering a bird’s eye perspective on various philosophical topics, hence, the name.” Topics as diverse as Space…

• The Freedom to Feel: Is Happiness Our Only Choice?

  Christine Garvin

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am

  Photo: Randy Wick The quest for what brings happiness is eternal. At least seems that way. Swept up in the notion that life is meant to be happily lived, many of us often struggle with what it means to be happy on any given day. Am I feeling good at this moment? Was I feeling better yesterday? Why can’t I get to that balanced state of bliss? Ah, yes, the “balanced state of bliss.” What in the world could that possibly imply? Some sort of a delusion, at least on my part. After a better part of my childhood and 20s fraught with depressive tendencies, I feel a daily pull of…

• Fragile Moment: Pakistan Before the Rise of the Taliban

  Greg Johnson

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am

  Photo: Dave Watts Traversing the desolation of Pakistan was not a part of Greg Johnson’s travel plans. Yet, here he is humbled by a small act of human kindness. Peshawar, Pakistan. Those two words have a very different meaning today than they did 10 years ago. One of the beautiful things about travel is that it exposes you to a place at a specific time, perhaps a place and a time you do not realize has any meaning until years later. The place is real to me – not just a place where atrocities occur to nameless, faceless people. I was in Peshawar, Pakistan 10 years ago as a tourist,…

• The Surprising Wisdom Of Will Smith

  Ian MacKenzie

  16 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am

  A fan-compiled video shares the collected wisdom of Will Smith, revealing the secret to his remarkable success in Hollywood…and life. If you grew up in the 90’s, it’s likely your after school hours consisted of the following: Saved By The Bell, Full House, and Family Matters. But there was one show that transcended the corny sitcom genre and was actually clever and consistently funny – The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. The success of the show was largely the result of Will Smith’s comedic timing and aw-shucks likability. It wasn’t a surprise then when Will made…

• 
  Travel Guru (CBS News)

• Video: The Showbuzz: New Moon

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:13 pm

  The Twilight saga continues this week with the release of "New Moon," which has fans around the world running to the theaters in record numbers. CBS News' Karina Mitchell reports.

• The Shaniya Davis Story: Timeline of "Angel's" Last Days on Earth

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:05 pm

  A Look Back At The Horrifying Death of A Little Girl

• Hasan Slated for Hospital Hearing Saturday

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:05 pm

  Accused Fort Hood Shooter's Attorney Says Military Prosecutors Scheduled First Hearing in Hospital Room

• Does Text Prove Shroud of Turin is Real?

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

  Vatican Researcher Claims Faintly Written Words Authenticate Jesus' Burial Cloth

• State Unemployment Rates: A Small Victory For Little Rhody

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:57 pm

  Jill Schlesinger: Sliver of Good News for Rhode Island

• 
  A Days Outing Blog

• Tree Tagging - fun or a nightmare?

  Elizabeth

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm

  Nana and PeaPop, as the grandparents are affectionately called, are taking the kids to “tag” a tree at a local Christmas Tree farm this week. I had no idea that you could head out early to a tree farm and choose your tree well in advance of Christmas. Nana is thrilled. She loves cutting down her own Christmas tree and she is taking the kids on a tagging trip to Foxfire Farm in Buckingham County, VA, near the James River. The kids are looking forward to finding the tree, drinking a cup or two of hot chocolate and choosing a snow globe from the farm shop. What a fun day! In just a few…

• I Love Winter Squash, Who Knew?

  Cathy

  17 Nov 2009 | 8:52 am

  For years I have seen the winter squash in the grocery store. I wished I liked them and wished I could figure out how to get my kids to eat them. On Facebook one day, my friend Tryna’s husband posted a picture of the raspberry basil butternut squash he had roasted for dinner. I love it when people post pictures of what they are making, I have gotten so many great dinner ideas.  Maybe Dan will share his recipe with us?  It looked amazing and was definitely not the traditional heavy butter, brown sugar and cinnamon type recipes you always see. I took his inspiration and adapted my own acorn…

• Observing a Meteor Shower - Leonids November 17-18th

  Elizabeth

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am

  The annual Leonids meteor shower is only a few days away. The meteor shower will peak in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 17 and again on Wednesday, November 18th. The Moon will be just past new, so we should have a really dark sky for seeing dozens of shooting stars. And just what are meteor showers? As comets orbit the Sun, they shed an icy, dusty debris stream along the comet’s orbit. If Earth travels through this stream, we will see a meteor shower. Depending on where Earth and the stream meet, meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky, maybe within the…

• Wednesday is Veterans Day

  Cathy

  9 Nov 2009 | 4:56 pm

  Veterans Day is this Wednesday, November 11. Here is a little background I found. It is both a federal holiday and a state holiday. In other parts of the world it is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. The major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner…

• ‘Tis the Season to Start Slow Cooking…

  Cathy

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:31 am

  I love days when I have started something in my slow cooker (Crock Pot) and you can smell dinner throughout the house all day long. Ahh, I feel one step ahead. I didn’t even have a slow cooker until a few years ago. I think I somehow believed maybe it wasn’t really cooking, or that all slow cooker meals were greasy, mushy and the ingredients indistinguishable. I found several great recipes that I adapted (ie. tried to make them agreeable to most of my family) from a Cooking Light Special Slow Cooking Magazine. I will share one of the family favorites below. I also have loved Slow Cooker…

• 
  Carrying On

• As usual, a lot of overpromising, underdelivering

  Kyle Wagner

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

  The post before this one is about a travel insurance company hosting a contest for the World’s Unluckiest Traveler, and don’t we all feel like that these days? I don’t think there’s a trip anymore where something doesn’t go wrong. And, yes, we all know that we have to adjust our expectations and roll with the punches. The thing that’s becoming clear to me, though, is that so, so much of this is people simply not doing their jobs. Take, for example, my recent journey to Seabrook Island, S.C., for my cousin’s wedding. I already wrote about the vacation…

• Are you the World’s Unluckiest Traveler?

  Kyle Wagner

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:47 am

  Come on, I know you’re out there — I hear from someone at least once a day with a heart-wrenching story about a delayed flight, lost luggage, cockroaches in the honeymoon suite… Starting next month, Travel Guard, a travel insurance company, is giving away two Flip MinoHDTM camcorders each month for a year — one to the entry that receives the most votes, and one to a person who votes for the winning entry — to folks who share their tales of travel woe. All monthly winners then qualify for the grand prize giveaway, $10,000 toward their ultimate dream vacation.

• Happy Thanksgiving in Cabo with this deal

  Kyle Wagner

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:44 pm

  For $740 per person (based on double occupancy), you get four nights at the Hacienda Beach Club & Residences in Cabo San Lucas, as well as a turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared at your residence, a cruise on a yacht on the Sea of Cortez on Black Friday, a personal trainer for a day and a few other amenities (subject to availability; valid through Nov. 30). Call call 949-388-8590, or click here.

• Vacation home rentals: something to consider

  Kyle Wagner

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am

  A recent family wedding on Seabrook Island, S.C., brought up an issue about renting vacation homes directly from the owners than I hadn’t considered – namely, if the owners are headed toward foreclosure and/or not making their utility bill payments, you might find yourself stuck, say, in lodging with no heat or running water, or with bank notices, foreclosure papers or “Do Not Enter” signs taped to the front door. Travel Troubleshooter Christopher Elliott says that so far this isn’t a trend, but it does make some sense. “These are second and third homes, so those are the first to…

• Winter Park lift tix, Steamboat Sheraton bargains

  Kyle Wagner

  3 Nov 2009 | 8:17 am

  Winter Park Resort will hand over free lift tickets when guests book a minimum of two nights of lodging between Nov. 18 and Dec. 25. Skiers and riders get one free lift ticket per night booked, regardless of the size of the unit or number of people in the party. Book early –lift ticket quantities are limited. Info: playwinterpark.com or 800-979-9874. Meanwhile, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort is offering two deals: Champagne Powder Package and the Stay & Ski Package. Champagne Powder Package includes overnight accommodations for two, two adult lift tickets per day, breakfast for two…

• 
  Recent Kayak Deals

• $53 & up: Thanksgiving Hotel Sale - 90+ Cities up to 30% OFF

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:11 am

  Pick from L.A., NYC, Orlando, Branson, even Cancun

• $901 & up: Dublin, London, Paris, Rome: 9 Nts w/Air, Hotels

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:08 am

  Flexible itinerary; incl. air transfers, breakfast

• $1199 & up: 9-Nt China Getaway Packages Incl. Air & Transfers

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:43 am

  Incl. 4-nt Yangtze River cruise, 17 meals, more

• $399 & up: 7+ Night Alaskan Sailings Through 2010

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:40 am

  Cruise lines with FREE coupon books, credit, more

• $449 & up: 7-Nt Caribbean Cruise w/Complimentary Dinner for 2

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:39 am

  See the Caribbean in style aboard RCI

• 
  Perceptive Travel Blog

• They want what travel bloggers already have

  Sheila

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:06 pm

  I see it in the packed social media-related workshops and presentations at travel and tourism industry conferences. I see it in my email IN box, overflowing with “Look! Here!” pitches from every travel-related marketer you can imagine. I see it in advertising campaigns like Starbucks VIA instant coffee, which distributed their product to travel bloggers in hopes [...]

• Birth of Travel Journals

  Antonia Malchik

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

  I was so inspired by Alison’s essay yesterday on First Travel Memories that I spent last night’s free time thinking of all the travel journals I’ve started and discarded, all the way back to the very first. When my family moved to the Soviet Union, my parents’ boss’s wife sent me off with a cheap 3 [...]

• First Travel Memories

  Alison Stein Wellner

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:31 am

  One Saturday afternoon, when I was eight years old, I asked my mother for a few sheets of paper and a pen. She tore out a few sheets from the memo pad she used to write casual letters, and grabbed a Bic from the cup attached to the wall near the kitchen phone.  I sat [...]

• Win a Copy of the South Africa Traveler’s Literary Companion

  Antonia Malchik

  13 Nov 2009 | 12:46 pm

  Last week’s review of the South Africa Traveler’s Literary Companion led me both into some of the best short literature I’ve been able to read in a while, and into one of my favorite neverending debates: whether novelists or travel writers are better writers of “place.” Reading the collection, as I mentioned in the review, made [...]

• Keeping small towns special: murals in Alva, Oklahoma

  Sheila

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  On a recent trip to Alva, Oklahoma (home to my Tourism Currents business partner Becky McCray) I slammed on the brakes while passing the local farm co-op store downtown. Painted on the side of their one-story building was an intriguing mural about threshing; the center part was painted and colored in but the edges were only [...]

• 
  Guardian Travel

• Mrs Warren's Profession

  Lyn Gardner

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm

  Richmond TheatreThe times certainly do change. And then again, maybe they don't change as much as we would like to think. In Shaw's 1894 play, banned for almost 30 years by a Lord Chamberlain who condemned it for being "immoral and improper", a clever young woman rejects her mother when she discovers that her expensive school and Oxbridge education have been paid for by her mother's immoral earnings from running a string of continental brothels.Michael Rudman's handsome but dull revival sails sedately into Richmond in the same week that a highly educated young woman revealed that she had paid…

• Tube upgrade work puts london transport disruption in perspective

  Dave Hill

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am

  From Docklands 24:Bus passengers are set for more disruption as plans have been revealed for a 48-hour drivers' strike. The 2,500 workers from the East London Bus and Coach Company will be on strike from 3am on Friday (November 20) to 3am on Sunday...The Unite union behind the strike has blamed it on the failings of London Mayor Boris Johnson and "vanity projects" like the abolition of bendy buses and the design competition for a new Routemaster. The row comes after transport bosses tried to impose a pay freeze for bus company staff.This is going to hit a lot of routes, starting from just…

• Track listing for Toddla T's music tour of Sheffield

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:38 am

  1. Boom DJ From The Steel City by Toddla T (ft Trigganom & Helders) on Skanky Skanky2. Manadanman by Toddla T (ft Serocee) Skanky Skanky3. Goin' Off by Toddla T (ft Roots Manuva, Serocee & Shake Aletti) on Skanky Skanky4. Shake Aletti on the Dance Floor (unreleased) myspace.com/shakealetti5. South Yorks by Kid Acne on Romance Ain't Dead6. Oh No You Didn't by Kid Acne on Romance Ain't Deadguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

• Ten weather-proof days out

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:42 am

  With rain forecast for much of the country this weekend, we recommend 10 indoor attractions across the UKRead more brilliant British winter days out in this Saturday's Travel 1. City of Caves, NottinghamDeep under Nottingham city runs a fascinating network of Anglo-Saxon sandstone caves. Visitors can explore the tunnels and see how they were variously used over the centuries; experience the medieval tannery dating to 1500 and step back to 1940s when the caves were used as bomb shelters. On 2 December the caves open their doors from 5-7pm for a new audio tour and will be encouraging tales of…

• Booker club: The Bone People by Keri Hulme

  Sam Jordison

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:49 am

  Keri Hulme's The Bone People deals with hefty issues surrounding Maori displacement. Shame it breaks down too easily into bad writing and spiritual nonsenseThe buzz when The Bone People won the Booker prize in 1986 was all about the struggle Keri Hulme had to bring it to publication. First there was the monumental effort of writing it over a 12-year period, then the fact that nearly every publisher rejected it out of hand. Those who were prepared to look at it wouldn't contemplate bringing it to print without severe re-edits, prompting the author to declare she would rather have the book…

• 
  Lonely Planet blog

• Polar tourists escape Antarctic ice trap

  Tom Hall

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:05 am

  As excuses for being late go heavy pack ice in the Weddell Sea sure beats a Spanish air traffic controllers strike. This week brought news that the Kapitan Khlebnikov, one of the hardy icebreakers which carries passengers to and from Antarctica had, in the grand manner of polar exploration, got stuck. Inclement weather – on a continent which specialises in making life hard for visitors – caused sea ice to compact and locked in the 12,288 ton ship. Once concerns for the safety of those on board had been allayed, it quickly became apparent that far from pining for a swift return to Ushuaia…

• Nantes’ bizarre hamster hotel

  VivekW

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:04 pm

  ‘Your mother was a hamster!’ yelled the taunting Frenchman in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A pair of hotel owners in Nantes appear to have taken this line a little too seriously. They’re offering a unique experience at the Hamster Villa: the opportunity to be a hamster for a day (and night). For €99, you get a ‘room’ populated by a giant hamster wheel (your exercise machine) and several haystacks (your bedding for the night). You also get fed seeds. Here’s an inside look at the rodent race: What is going on here? It’s not as though Nantes…

• Europe’s high-speed train revolution continues

  Tom Hall

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:37 am

  December is a red letter month for train travellers in Europe. First up, December 13: the first date of operation for the speeded-up Paris and Brussels to Amsterdam Thalys service. This train was already pretty zippy, but with the completion of the 78 mile Hogesnelheidslijn Zuid (High-speed Line South) in the Netherlands, journey times have been further slashed. Amsterdam Centraal: closer Brussels is now seven minutes under two hours from the Dutch capital. Paris is a shade over three. Intriguingly for city-hoppers, London is now four hours ten minutes from Amsterdam by rail, using Eurostar…

• 76-Second Travel Show: ‘Pirates vs Vikings’

  Robert Reid

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:14 pm

  It’s the time of year when Caribbean dreams consume a wide girth of North Americans seeking a break from chilling temperatures. That’s cool. But it reminds me once again, frustratingly, how little most of us actually know of pirates del Caribe. Much less what would have happened if they had ventured far north — with a saucy swagger, plus a time machine — to the year 1000 AD and faced down Eric the Red, or his son, off the shores of Viking settlements of present-day Newfoundland? Movies never ask this crucial question, but I will. Pirates versus Vikings? Who wins? For…

• The best of Science Week

  VivekW

  12 Nov 2009 | 4:10 pm

  Here at Lonely Planet, we declared it Science Week. Why? Well, it was a great week for science in general – and science in travel, in particular. The week kicked off with a story straight from science fiction, when it was postulated that a time-travelling bird might have sabotaged Switzerland’s Large Hadron Collider. Sabotaged by future birds? Photo by sbisson On theme, as always, was our US Travel Editor Robert Reid, who interviewed the (technical) inventor of ‘augmented reality’ and came up with the Top 3 Augmented Reality Achievements. How is this highway augmented…

• 
  Get A Room!

• Virginia Beach and OBX are Open for Business!

  Don

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:35 pm

  You probably heard a lot about Virginia Beach, Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina recently, what with that pesky nor'easter that parked itself on us for a few days. While The Weather Channel tagged the event as an "Atlantic Assault," the locals came to know the storm (quite well, what with the nearly four days it spent visiting us!) as "Nor'Ida," named for the remnants of a hurricane

• Virginia Beach Prepares to Welcome Whales!

  Don

  9 Nov 2009 | 7:21 pm

  Virginia Aquarium whale watching boat tours begin late December showcasing humpback and fin whales migrating off the coast.It moves through the water with amazing grace, in search of its next meal. It plummets toward the depths of the deep sea throwing its fluke upward out of the water with great force. Then in a flash, it’s gone. It’s wintertime – the humpback and fin whales are returning to

• Welcome to the USA

  Don

  27 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am

• NTA Has Some 'Splainin' to Do

  Don

  22 Oct 2009 | 8:13 pm

  In an article published on the NTA website entitled "NTA Takes Message of Opening Cuba to NY Media," the National Tour Association has announced that they are promoting "the freedom to travel to Cuba."Are you kidding me? I have some questions regarding the motives here, especially at a time when so many of us in the U.S. travel and tourism industries are looking for new ways to promote inbound

• Ironing Board Abuse

  Don

  17 Oct 2009 | 7:51 am

  Ever wondered why there's an unusual dent in your hotel room ironing board, or why it doesn't necessarily open or close properly?As hotel employees, we don't always know what happens to the poor, defenseless ironing boards provided in the hotel rooms... but thanks to YouTube (and videos like this one), we're getting a pretty good idea.Please don't try this at home, or anywhere else for that

• 
  Indie Travel Podcast

• 7 reasons hostels rock and how to really enjoy them

  Craig and Linda

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:40 am

  Following 7 reasons hostels suck, here’s 7 for the other side of the fence. The podcast edition of this post talks through the points in both posts. You can listen here or click to subscribe and download it for free in iTunes. 1. Hostels are sociable Hostels are excellent places for meeting like-minded travellers. With a constant flow of people from all over the world, hostels are a global melting pot for people interested in the region where the hostel is based and the people who live there. It seems that hotels create a feeling of individualism and people tend to be closed and…

• Travel photo: Yakushima, Japan

  Gary Arndt

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:02 pm

  Cedars in the mist, Yakushima Japan Also read: Travel to Tokyo, Japan Travel photo: Yakushima, Japan is happily produced by The Indie Travel Podcast, proud winners of Lonely Planet's "Best Podcast 2009" -- Check out our free podcast in iTunes, free online travel magazine, or have the Indie Travel Podcast Magazine delivered.

• Travel Ninja – Review

  Craig Martin

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:17 pm

  Last week we had a look at Chris Guillebeau’s frequent flyer mile book, Frequent Flyer Master. It builds on a previous book, Travel Ninja, that we review today. The title (How to Become a Travel Ninja: Travel Hacking Anywhere in the World) has a hint of meme-heavy web humour but accurately describes the book’s goal: to help you travel more, and more cheaply. It focusses exclusively on airline travel, especially long-haul and round-the-world travel. While it is aimed at a North American audience, it is a little more internationally-friendly than Frequent Flyer Master, suggesting…

• 7 reasons hostels suck, and how to deal with it

  Karol Gajda

  15 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  I’m not a fan of hostels. That said, sometimes there are no other options, and I’m glad they are readily available in those situations. In general, hostels provide a safe environment for an incredibly low price. But with that low price come a lot of tradeoffs. You can’t expect to buy a Ferrari for the price of a Ford, and in the same way, you can’t expect to get four-star treatment at a hostel. 1) You don’t meet locals in hostels Hostels are made for travelers. That includes not only the people staying at the hostel, but the staff working at the hostel as well.

• Indie Travel Podcast t-shirts

  Craig and Linda

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:18 pm

  Pre-order the sexiest podcast t-shirt you’ll wear this year … or ever, actually. Your custom-designed Indie Travel Podcast t-shirt will draw crowds from miles away. Stylishly indie with cream and blue design over a brown shirt, you can display your love of the world and travel…and give massive props to your favourite podcast at the same time. Style: Men’s Women’s Size: Small Medium Large XL Please double-check your shipping address in Paypal. Price includes standard worldwide shipping. All shirts are: 150 GSM, super soft t-shirt 100% combed ringspun cotton…

• 
  nerd's eye view

• Postcard: Waikiki, 7am

  nerd's eye view

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pm

  Two guys are opening their surf shack. One of them is digging perfectly spaced holes in the sand, the other is dropping bright yellow umbrellas into the holes and popping them open. A man sits on the stone wall facing the surf, barefoot, a cell phone glued to his head, a deep frown marking his face. How can he be so unhappy, I wonder, we are in Waikiki, it is a balmy 78 degrees and there’s a light breeze coming off the ocean. Scattered leftovers from the day before line the beach, an abandoned yellow inner tube, still fully inflated, a surf worn beach mat, one flip flop. There are…

• Buy the Extra Insurance, Already.

  nerd's eye view

  13 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am

  It’s like a horror movie for your wallet. Funny how you can barely see the damage in the video footage. The part of Kermit the Frog is played by Peter Carey, stunned passenger, Kelly Goodman.

• Re[Think] Hawaii & TEDx Honolulu

  nerd's eye view

  11 Nov 2009 | 9:07 am

  I’d been invited to travel to Oahu by the Oahu Visitor’s Bureau in exchange for blogging about my adventures there. At the same time, Christine Lu was planning re[Think] Hawaii, a small conference about start-ups, sustainability, and social media and the dates lined up perfectly. Christine generously waived the attendance fee in exchange for… well, let’s say I owe her a favor or three. Neenz, a Hawaii social, um, universe, she’s a social universe, invited the attendees of reThink Hawaii to TEDx, a morning of interesting ideas and speakers. Now for some long…

• The Amateur Traveler Podcast: Hawaii — Lanai and Molokai

  nerd's eye view

  8 Nov 2009 | 4:45 pm

  Chris had me as his guest on the Amateur Traveler, we talked about… Hawaii. Lanai and Molokai, specifically and I don’t sound like TOO much of an idiot. Have a listen. Amateur Traveler Episode 206 – Travel to Molokai and Lanai in Hawaii

• Lightning Round: My Hawaii Hotels

  nerd's eye view

  7 Nov 2009 | 11:08 am

  The Ohana Beachcomber: I have to be honest and tell you that I was so absurdly busy while I stayed here that my room left little impression. It was fine, I was comfortable, the room was quiet and the folks that worked here were very friendly — I especially appreciated the valet parking guys, they were total sweethearts. While I can’t say much about the room, I can tell you that the hotel does a couple of things that I did remember and appreciate. They give you a little beach bag, nice for that wet suit and sandy towel and those trips to the ABC store — just say no to plastic…

• 
  Suite101: Family Travel Articles

• Applying for a Canadian Passport

  16 Nov 2009 | 10:14 pm

  This article will address the most common problems people face when applying for a Canadian Passport, and how to ensure an application is accepted and not rejected.

• Holiday Travel Deals

  15 Nov 2009 | 2:10 pm

  Traveling over the holidays can get expensive, but there are many holiday travel deals this season. Here is a list of the best holiday travel deals for seasonal trips.

• Christmas City

  15 Nov 2009 | 10:07 am

  For a true Christmas vacation, there are few places as caught up in the holiday spirit as Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, aka Christmas City. Here are tips on planning a trip.

• Tizer Botanical Gardens and Arboretum

  12 Nov 2009 | 12:53 pm

  The Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum is the only one of its kind in western Montana. It specializes in fantasy, theme gardens and a wide array of beautiful flowers and

• Best Holiday Travel Tips

  10 Nov 2009 | 7:57 am

  How to pack and how to behave to clear airline security checkpoints with ease and grace.

• 
  Tim Leffel's Cheapest Destinations

• Smart Packing for the Holidays

  tim

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:38 am

  It’s about to be that time of year again, when planes are jammed, tempers are flaring, and we’re supposed to deliver gifts while full of cheer. Of course it’s hard to be cheerful when you’re paying $25 to $75 to check bags after already paying inflated holiday airfares. So check out this article I got quoted [...]

• Enter the Remarkable Photo Contest

  tim

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:51 am

  It’s time for the third annual Remarkable Photo Contest at Perceptive Travel. If you’ve taken a fanstastic, amazing travel photo (or two), send in your entry and you may score a nice prize. We’re giving away a compact super-zoom Casio camera that can take 1,000 photos on one charge, a pair of sunglasses from Tifosi Optics, [...]

• Caffeinated in Colombia

  tim

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:32 am

  I’ve spent the last few days bopping around Colombia after taking a seat on Spirit Air’s new route to Armenia, Colombia. This is the Coffee Triangle region of the country so I’ve been jacked up on caffeine the whole time (just the black liquid pick-me-up, not the other white powdery one.) First impressions are that the [...]

• Your Input Wanted

  tim

  13 Nov 2009 | 6:53 am

  Because I seem to be the juggler who keeps saying, “Throw me another ball,” I agreed to do a book on travel writing that will come out next year. It’s not the usual rundown on query letters and deadlines though. It’s going to be more about how “breaking into travel writing” is a lot different [...]

• Good Travel Info From Elsewhere

  tim

  11 Nov 2009 | 7:11 am

  I’m busy getting the 3rd annual Remarkable Photo Contest ready to launch this weekend on Perceptive Travel, so here’s some useful travel info from elsewhere to make this a week of being wiser. 8 things you should know about Gore-tex (that I didn’t until two weeks ago). The fine print on credit cards keeps getting worse and [...]

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  soultravelers3

• Family Travel Photo - Spain

  Soul Travelers3

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm

  Family Travel Photo - SpainNovember 18, 2009Do you love thermal healing water to soak in? Our world traveling family has been "into" them since long before Do you love thermal healing water to soak in? Our world traveling family has been into them since long before our child was born, taking regular trips to our beloved Esalen in Big Sur as well as Harper Hot Springs north of San Francisco. Mozart started swimming in our Jacuzzi at four days old, so she took to it all like the proverbial duck to water. When ever we can, we enjoy finding good soaks on our world travels!After an eight…

• Lifestyle Design a Winter in Spain!

  Soul Travelers3

  12 Nov 2009 | 4:47 pm

  Lifestyle Design a Winter in Spain!November 12, 2009"Lifestyle Design" has become a hot buzz word thanks to Tim Ferriss and his #1 best selling book "The 4-Hour                    "Lifestyle Design" has become a hot buzz word thanks to Tim Ferriss and his #1 best selling  book, "The 4- Hour Workweek" as well as his hugely popular blog. We love how he inspires, so were thrilled when we were contacted and told we were featured in the new and expanded 4HWW edition coming out on December 15th! We have become accidental trail blazers in…

• Best Halloween! Europe or U.S.?

  Soul Travelers3

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:55 am

  Best Halloween! Europe or U.S.? October 29, 2009 There are so many fantastic festivalsin Europe, but no one knows how to do Halloween better than certain There are so many fantastic festivals in Europe, but no one knows how to do Halloween better than certain neighborhoods in the United States! We were spoiled and lived in one of those neighborhoods when we lived in Santa Cruz, where Mozart was born and lived her first 5 years.We lived in a country neighborhood where each family really got into the trick or treat spirit. There was always a Halloween party (as well as Christmas and usually…

• Family Travel Photo - Finland

  Soul Travelers3

  21 Oct 2009 | 10:56 am

   Family Travel Photo - Finland October 21, 2009There is nothing like great books to enhance family travel! We loved the libraries in Scandinavia that all seem There is nothing like great books to enhance family travel! We loved the libraries in Scandinavia that all seem to also have a great selection of kid's books in English, which pleased seven year old Mozart to no end! This was a beautiful library  with lots of windows with gorgeous sea views in Finland in a tiny town on the Aland islands that we visited last September.Books are the cornerstone of our homeschooling and we are…

• Family Travel Photo - England

  Soul Travelers3

  13 Oct 2009 | 10:38 am

  Family Travel Photo - EnglandOctober 13, 2009Tapestries and a knight in shining armor...what could capture the joys of family travel in England any better? Tapestries and a knight in shining armor...what could capture the joys of family travel in England any better? We just  had a fantastic week in London from October 1st through 8th, our second time there on our world tour and took a train to the countryside to join friends from around the world for a high tea at the posh Cliveden House.This was part of Mozart's 9th birthday celebration as she has been wanting to go to a fancy high tea…

• 
  MaxaBlog.com

• World's Ten Best Airports In Which to Layover: Casinos, Golf Options, Xmas Markets

  Rudy Maxa

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:50 am

  USA Today today (I love saying and writing that) was kind enough to ask me my favorite ten airports in which to have an extended layover. Here are my picks. You may be surprised at some of the amenities forward-thinking...

• Guy Who Doesn't Listen to Audiobooks Holds Forth on Audiobooks Blog

  Rudy Maxa

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:59 am

  Jonathan Lowe of Greenville, SC, writes a handsome blog on audiobooks, and he asked me to do a short Q&A on the subject of my fave audiobooks. Sad to say, I've never listened to an audiobook, but he settled for...

• British Airways/Chase VISA Card: 100,000 Miles Sign-Up Bonus

  Rudy Maxa

  15 Nov 2009 | 8:38 pm

  Sign up for most credit cards linked to an airline's frequent flyer program, and you'll usually receive 25,000 bonus miles. Sometimes, for a premium card such as Delta's American Express "premium" card (that comes with a hefty $450 annual fee),...

• Tips for Saving on Ski Lift Tickets This Winter; Act by Nov. 22 for Colorado

  Rudy Maxa

  15 Nov 2009 | 8:06 pm

  If you’re thinking of taking a ski vacation this year to any of the Western states known for great snow, you’re in for a nice surprise if you do some advance planning. Many lift prices are less than last year,...

• A San Francisco Christmas Treat & a Deal on Luxury River Cruising

  Rudy Maxa

  8 Nov 2009 | 7:37 pm

  The Westin St. Francis right on Union Square in San Francisco is going all out this Christmas to put you in the holiday spirit. First, you'll be in a good mood when you enter the hotel's lobby and oooh and...

• 
  Travel the Home Exchange Way

• Home Exchange Check Lists/Forms and Guest Information Folders

  Lois

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:14 am

  Q: Hello, we're looking at doing our first home swap, and I was trying to find some sort of checklist/form where I can write where everything is kept and how things work? Any recommendations? Regards Lisa   A: Hi Lisa, In the Home Base Holidays Guidelines for Arranging an Exchange scroll down to Stage Four: Preparing for Your Exchange Guests for a reminder of information to leave for your exchange guests.   You might also find the trader companion form published by Know Your Trade useful to print off and adapt to record all the relevant information.  As any…

• Tips for Arranging a Last Minute Home Exchange

  Lois

  12 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm

  Starting a search for home exchange partners well in advance of your exchange dates is always recommended but sometimes, as in the request published on Tuesday for a Christmas exchange to Sussex or London, time is not on your side. If you are looking for a last minute swap, here are a few tips which should increase your chances:   ·Be as open as you can be on exact destinations. If you are planning an exchange to be near friends or family, ideally you will want to find a home very close by. But, if this is too limiting, look at the surrounding area and extend your search as…

• Christmas Home Exchange Offer - North Carolina for Sussex or London

  Lois

  10 Nov 2009 | 4:25 am

  Last week we published Cathy's post, Reasons to Plan a Home Exchange Well in Advance. Cathy gave very sound advice on why it’s always wise to start making plans, especially for international home exchanges, several months before the period wanted  (more opportunities for  finding a suitable exchange, time to get to know exchange partners and time for both parties to find the best flight deals); but there will always be people who need to arrange exchanges at short notice for a variety of reasons.   Most people who move far away from home (often, like I did, when…

• Home Exchange Offers: Dates, Dates, Dates – Confused?

  Lois

  4 Nov 2009 | 7:53 am

  It’s been a couple of years since I last addressed the very important topic of dates to look out for when browsing home exchange offers. As this still, understandably, causes confusion, it’s time to look again at this crucial issue.   There can be so many types of dates to keep straight - and it doesn't help that the format for showing dates (day, month, year) varies in different countries. I hope this helps:   Dates Available - these are the dates that a member wants to arrange an exchange and are generally shown as ranges of dates, e.g. Mar 10 - June 10 would indicate…

• Reasons to Plan a Home Exchange Well in Advance

  Lois

  30 Oct 2009 | 7:34 am

  'home exchangers are a fraternity which involves trust' Cathy, very experienced home exchanger from Auckland (and also the Home Base Holidays representative in New Zealand), offers sound advice:   “We have been getting offers of exchange only a couple of months out from the planned exchange.  I penned the following in response to the latest one which is only one month out i.e. I received it on the weekend and they already have their flights etc and want to exchange in December…   "Thank you for your contact regarding exchange in December. …

• 
  Rick Steves: Blog Gone Europe

• Seeing America

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:08 am

  I have just enjoyed a fascinating fortnight traveling around our country, giving talks. The trip left me inspired to explore the USA. I was hosted by wonderful people in Fort Smith Arkansas, Port Huron north of Detroit, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, at the International House on campus in Berkeley, and at Apple and Google headquarters in Silicon Valley. Going from Apple to Arkansas, I was struck by the variety in this country. Given that, it's a compliment to our civility that we hold together as well as we do. My fantasy is to put together a 20-cities-in-30-days lecture tour to small towns in…

• Europeans Share Their Healthcare Experience, Part 4: Switzerland and Belgium

  13 Nov 2009 | 9:30 am

  To bring some diverse experience into the discussion on health care reform here in the USA, I've asked my friends in Europe to share how health care works in their lives. In this final of four entries, here are comments from my friends in Switzerland and Belgium:From Fritz in Switzerland: In Switzerland, everyone has health insurance provided either through an employer (by payroll deduction) or by paying privately to a health insurance company. A family with two children has an annual premium of about 8,000 CHF (about $7,300). For every doctor's bill, the insured person pays 10 percent. If a…

• Europeans Share Their Healthcare Experience, Part 3: Italy

  9 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

  To bring some diverse experience into the discussion on health care reform here in the USA, I've asked my friends in Europe to share how health care works in their lives. In this third of four entries, here are comments from my Italian friends:From Susanna in Italy: The system in Italy is faaaaar from being perfect, but the idea behind it is the right one: Everybody has the right to have health care ' it's really one of those things that makes a democracy, a real democracy.In Italy, I pay for the national health care system through taxes. The rate depends how much you make per year (there are…

• Europeans Share Their Healthcare Experience, Part 2: Great Britain

  7 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

  To bring some diverse experience into the discussion on health care reform here in the USA, I've asked my friends in Europe to share how health care works in their lives. In this second of four entries, here are comments from my British friends:From Martin in Wales: The National Health Service (NHS) in Wales is essentially the same as the English NHS founded over 60 years ago. Today, the main difference between the services in England and Wales is that in Wales (as in Scotland) we pay nothing for medications. Our Welsh Assembly decided that no matter the cost of the drugs, the duration of the…

• Europeans Share Their Health Care Experience, Part 1: Scandinavia

  4 Nov 2009 | 2:58 pm

  To bring some diverse experience into the discussion on health care reform here in the USA, I've asked my friends in Europe to share how health care works in their lives. In this four-part series, we'll start with the most highly taxed and socialistic part of Europe: Scandinavia.From Hakan in Sweden:In Sweden, we have free choice in health care. It means that patients can choose a hospital anywhere in the country.In 2005, the cost of the health and medical care sector amounted to 8.4 percent of GDP (in the US, it was over 15 percent). This amount includes the cost of pharmaceutical products,…

• 
  Guidespot - Fresh Guides

• Feder's Air Conditioning, Heating & Appliance Service & Repair Company

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pm

  Since 1963, Feder's Co. has been providing service to Los Angeles and SFV residents, landlords, property management companies and everybody else. See our Service Area Map. Because we have been here for so long, we have become the most trusted company for air conditioning and heating repair and service in the Los Angeles neighborhood. In fact, even though we widely advertise in such sources as Yellow Pages, Verizon and AT&T Phone Books, and other various Apartment Owners periodicals, most of our customers still come to us by personal referral from someone who used our services and had a…

• Find A/C and Heating companies in California - California A/C and Heating CA

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:04 pm

  If your thinking of an air conditioning repair or installation in california then look no further than the selection of air conditioning companies below. With a good choice of companies who cover all over this big vast state you are sure to find a great air conditioning rate. Most of them also cover big area out of state, so you can always count on one of these companies to come through with a great service for you.

• Out of state Movers Texas

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:46 pm

  OutofStateMove.com is focused on providing you with excellent service. We allow you to find the most qualified moving experts in your area, and have access to the best rates and packages around! We are dedicated to make your moving experience as simple and easy as possible. Allow us to plan, schedule, and execute your long distance relocation. We know moving can be a task. We have over 15 years solid experience in the moving industry and getting your move handled safely, on time, and on budget is our #1 priority!! Out of State Move will coordinate everything for you from start to finish so…

• Out of state movers Florida

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:41 am

  OutofStateMove.com is focused on providing you with excellent service. We allow you to find the most qualified moving experts in your area, and have access to the best rates and packages around! We are dedicated to make your moving experience as simple and easy as possible. Allow us to plan, schedule, and execute your long distance relocation. We know moving can be a task. We have over 15 years solid experience in the moving industry and getting your move handled safely, on time, and on budget is our #1 priority!! Out of State Move will coordinate everything for you from start to finish so…

• Remington Financial Group

  17 Nov 2009 | 1:11 pm

  In today’s capital market, Remington Financial Group is a powerful and strategic resource with an enviable track record of success, especially for projects unable to obtain needed financing from conventional sources. For one thing, Remington is ideally situated as an intermediary between the client in need of financing – especially those with problematic projects – and the hundreds of private and institutional sources of commercial capital with whom Remington has strong, active and productive relationships. For another, the experts at Remington have in-depth knowledge, market expertise,…

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  Travel Guides

• The Best US Shopping Destinations

  World Traveler

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm

  Whether you enjoy shopping normally or not, shopping at some of the legendary destinations in the US can be quite exciting and fun. Of course in order to properly shop you have to have a fair amount of money to spend, but window shopping can be fun as well. If you’re looking for a fresh new kind of vacation, consider the destinations below: 1. Mall of America, Minneapolis Almost everyone has heard of the Mall of America, but many people have yet to experience it. This 520+ store behemoth is the grand-daddy of all shopping malls. Literally everything you could possibly think of is…

• Tips for Your Antigua Cruise

  Travel Advisor

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:25 am

  If you are thinking about going on a Caribbean cruise for this years vacation then a stop to Antigua is one of the highlights, as this stunning island is packed full of idyllic tropical beaches and warm turquoise waters. Antigua also has a fascinating history and was once an important colonial base for the British Empire, with the Royal Navy operating strategic Head Quarters out of English Harbour, and the remains of this impressive naval past can be seen in the historic Nelson’s Dockyard and the old quarters and forts of Georgian Harbour. You can also see the remains of the great sugar…

• Win a family holiday in Tenerife

  Travel Advisor

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:56 am

  Win: The holiday up for grabs is date specific so make sure you can go! It is for 2 adults and 2 children staying at The Fanabe Costa Sur in Costa Adeje, Tenerife The holiday includes flights and transfers but must be taken in January 2010. A great time of year to get away for some sunshine! How to Enter: Entry is easy if you have a facebook account already. You just have to join their facebook fan club. More details. Competition Closing Date: 25th December 2009

• Win a family trip to Euro Disney

  Travel Advisor

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:51 am

  Win a family break to Disneyladn Paris plus Disney netbooks worth £299 up for grabs. Win: Up for grabs in the latest free to enter comp from Comet is a 2 night break to Disneyland Resort Paris for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids aged 3 to 11). You will be travelling standard class on return Eurostar direct to Disneyland Resort Paris from London St Pancras International or Ashford International. The prize includes accommodation for two nights in a standard room at a Disneyland Resort Hotel including continental breakfast and park hopper adult and child tickets to both Disney Parks for the…

• How to Plan Your Vacation

  World Traveler

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:24 pm

  If you are going on vacation, especially during a busy travel time, you need to plan out your trip ahead of time. Even if you aren’t usually the type of person to lay everything out beforehand, I highly recommend making a detailed plan before you step out the door. Below you will find some tips on how to plan your next vacation: 1. Leave yourself plenty of time Especially when flying during a busy time of the year, it’s vital that you leave yourself with enough time to get wherever you need to be. If you’re unsure of how much time you will need, give yourself way more than…

• 
  The Wide Wide World

• Consulting the Oracle

  Craig

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:21 am

  Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is the city’s oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Within the temple itself, and at many places on its approach, there are omikuji stalls. For a suggested donation of 100 yen, visitors may consult the oracle and divine answers to their questions. Querents shake labelled sticks from enclosed metal containers and read the corresponding answers they retrieve from one of 100 possible drawers. More stories and pictures from Japan.

• Faces of India

  Craig

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:18 pm

• Spirit in the Desert

  Craig

  29 Oct 2009 | 12:52 am

  Uluru, the World Heritage Site formerly known as Ayers Rock, is one of the world’s most recognizable natural icons – and along with the Sydney Opera House, an international symbol for Australia. The sandstone monolith is culturally significant to the Anangu aborigines, the traditional landowners of Uluru. In 1873 surveyor William Gosse, on an expedition to plot the route for the Australian Overland Telegraph Line, “discovered” Uluṟu. In a move also known as “sucking up to the boss,” Gosse named the monolith Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief Secretary…

• Contemplating Angkor Wat

  Craig

  27 Oct 2009 | 12:54 am

  Siem Reap, Cambodia – Cambodian monks journey each year to Angkor Wat, near Siem Reap, for meditation, reflection and renewal. The initial design of Angkor Wat’s main temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II, in the early 1100s. Originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, it was built to serve as the Khmer Empire’s capital city. In the late 13th century, Srindravarman deposed his father-in-law, King Jayavarman VIII, who was Hindu. Srindravarman was an ordained Buddhist monk, so when he took power he converted the Khmer…

• And What Do You Do During the Week?

  Craig

  22 Oct 2009 | 12:02 am

  Conor and his friends enjoy their annual pilgrimage to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and frankly, so do I. Is there a better place to people watch? I wonder, though, what do these “enthusiasts” do during the week?  And where do they keep their costumes the rest of the year? Nothing quite like a little leather and lace. More Renaissance Festival pictures here.

• 
  m-Travel.com and Travel Distribution News

• AirTran Airways introduces seat back advertising

  m-Travel.com

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  AirTran Airways plans to outfit all of its 138 Boeing jets with seat back advertising. During the next two weeks, each seat will be outfitted with a 2 and 1/2 X 9 inch, easily-changeable, full-colour, advertisement. This new advertising forum...

• WestJet ties up with Travelocity to answer calls much faster

  m-Travel.com

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:56 am

  WestJet has implemented a change to its Sales Super Centre in order to answer calls much faster. The airline has chosen to partner with online travel agency, Travelocity. “With the implementation of our new reservations system, we have experienced hold...

• TripAdvisor to add direct hotel contact information

  m-Travel.com

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:50 am

  Hotels can now enhance their TripAdvisor listing by adding their URL, telephone number and e-mail address on TripAdvisor sites beginning January 4, 2010. The new TripAdvisor Business Listings are sold on a flat-fee subscription basis, with a cost that varies...

• Orbitz offers hotel bookers “ultimate” price protection

  m-Travel.com

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:12 am

  Orbitz has enhanced its Low Price Guarantee offering. Under the new programme, customers who find their prepaid hotel room available for a lower price on any site, including Orbitz, can receive a refund for the difference and a $50 discount...

• FareCompare tweets more than 2,500 messages daily

  m-Travel.com

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:08 am

  More than 15,000 travellers are now taking advantage of FareCompare’s When-to-Fly real-time airfare alerts available via Twitter for immediate updates on airfare deals. Introduced in July, the Twitter application is part of airfare comparison shopping site’s real-time alerts service powered...

• 
  HOTELMARKETING.COM

• New STR forecast not optimistic for 2010, but definitely 2011

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:05 pm

  According to Smith Travel Research’s latest U.S. industry forecast, an uptick for the hotel industry won’t come soon - as in the next six or eight months - but it should be in full swing by 2011. Hopefully, that is.

• RevPAR down 19.2%, but worst should be over for Europe

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:04 pm

  A report by Deloitte has found that year-to-September hotel performance fell across Europe. RevPAR performance in European hotels was down 19.2% to €58. This decline was driven by a 12.3% drop in average room rates to €108, while occupancy levels fell to 61.6%.

• Meeting planners struggle to control cost

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:03 pm

  Hotel managers are not the only party at the negotiating table struggling to control costs and operate within the limits of austere budgets. Meeting planners have also been given the challenge of setting up effective events at the least possible cost.

• Eight tips for effective e-mail preheaders

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:02 pm

  The e-mail preheader (the content in the top line of an e-mail message) has come a long way from its origins as an HTML and deliverability troubleshooter. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your preheaders.

• Brands on Twitter: 76% of accounts are infrequent users

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  Most companies fail to realize Twitter's full potential as a market engagement platform. While 73% of Fortune 100 companies registered a total of 540 Twitter accounts, effectiveness based on level of activity, interaction and engagement were off the mark.

• 
  The Astute Recorder

• Baked Alaska, Indian Summer and Beat Happening

  10 Nov 2009 | 11:54 pm

  Chef Jud makes a classic dessert Baked Alaska, said to have been created by Chef Charles Ranhofer to celebrate the U.S. purchase of Alaska.

• King's Village, a collector's paradise

  10 Nov 2009 | 11:53 pm

  King's Village in Waikiki offers more than shopping, it's an artifact wonderland and a place to experience Hawaiian history.

• President and humanitarian: The favorite foods James Earl Carter

  10 Nov 2009 | 11:50 pm

  President James Earl Carter talks about his childhood foods in "A Remarkable Mother."

• Where to eat and stay in 'haunted' St. Augustine, Florida

  10 Nov 2009 | 11:34 pm

  Its reputation as one of America's haunted cities causes St. Augustine, Florida to attract paranormal buffs year-round.

• The freedom in gluten-free eating.

  10 Nov 2009 | 10:52 pm

  There can be freedom in gluten-free eating. More restaurants are incorporating gluten-free dishes into their menus and an helpful book by Donna Washburn and Heather Butt make eating gluten-free at home delicious and easy.

• 
  PlanetEye Traveler » Global Nomad

• What To Pack For The Mother of All Journey’s, India

  jcampos

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:52 pm

  The climate is hot, the air is sticky and heavy with pollution and the population is dense…very dense. All this can be summed up after stepping out of any international arrivals terminal, when you are greeted by a sea of dark curious faces that are just as shocked as you are. So what can you do [...]

• Field of Dreams Darjeeling, India

  jcampos

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:04 pm

  The only way it can be described is emerald green, like you see in a cartoon movie that isn’t even real. The air is so clean and the birds chirp so clearly that for a second you wonder if you are awake or dreaming. The giggling in the distance from the tea plantation workers confirms [...]

• Entering the Land of the Forbidden: Sikkim, India

  jcampos

  14 Nov 2009 | 2:49 pm

  A far cry form the honking cars, noisy streets and the chaos of everyday life is a place so untouched by modern day life that those wishing to go must take a few extra steps along the paper trail as well as a long and grueling journey through the base of [...]

• Peaceful Protest? Kathmandu, Nepal

  jcampos

  13 Nov 2009 | 2:49 pm

  Riots and protests are a common thread in Nepal’s social tapestry as they provide the nation’s people with a vocal outlet from which they can present their argument in front of the nation. Some protests comprise of small gatherings of rural milk farmers who pre-arrange a highway closure for a set [...]

• The Mighty Himalayas and How to Prepare, Nepal

  jcampos

  10 Nov 2009 | 4:31 pm

  Now that you have decided to embark on the journey of a lifetime, let this list be a helpful guide in preparing you for anything that may come your way while on the trail. High energy snacks such as nuts and/or granola bars Walking stick Up-to-date map (also makes a great souvenir upon completion) Good raincoat as the weather [...]

• 
  The Gypsy's Guide

• Scala Contarini del Bovolo

  Angela K. Nickerson

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  Medieval and Renaissance Venetians often built exterior staircases on their homes to save precious living space.  But the architects of the Scala Contarini del Bovolo -- or staircase of the snail shell -- took the art of floor-to-floor mobility to a new artistic level.  Peter Contarini added the staircase and series of loggias to his palazzo near the end of the 1400’s.  The staircase and loggias, possibly designed by Giovanni Candi, have characteristics of both the earlier Gothic style as well as the Renaissance fever for Romanesque design.  But as we stood there my…

• Link Love: My Melange

  Angela K. Nickerson

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am

  If you love France, Italy, travel and food, you should be following my friend Robin and her blog, My Melange. Her blog posts are always interesting. She is the Carry-on Queen (something I aspire to be when I grow up) and has great packing advice. And she helps plan vacations, too. Oh, and did I mention her online Parisian Flea Market? Yes, it is addictive! My Melange has a new look as of today -- it is gorgeous! I hope you'll stop by and check it out. And be sure to tell Robin, "Hello!" Check out: My Melange (view on Google Sidewiki) You can also follow Robin on Twitter: @MyMelange.

• The World's Best Pumpkin Pie

  Angela K. Nickerson

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  I have to be honest.  My family doesn't share this recipe with just anyone.  But we're friends, right?  So, once again I am sharing the recipe for my family's pumpkin pie -- the best and easiest recipe in the world.  I blogged about baking at my grandmother's house last year about this time.  This was one of the first recipes I learned to make, and I make pumpkin pie all fall and winter.  It is heavenly comfort food! So, here it is... the family recipe: The Livdahl Family Pumpkin Pie 1 can pumpkin 2/3 c. brown sugar 2/3 c. white sugar 1 T. plus 1 t. molasses (the…

• A Mock Funeral for Venice

  Angela K. Nickerson

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pm

  While in Venice last month, I had several conversations with concerned Venetians about the state of their city. Living in the historic city has become prohibitively expensive for many, and with a diminished population, making a living has become more difficult. Additionally, many Venetians are dismayed by the throngs of tourists who flock to the city for just a few hours. Locals bemoan the "day-trippers" who tromp through the city streets, enjoy a meal, and then leave again without partaking of the city's hotels, museums, or restaurants -- and thus substantially contributing to the economy.

• Photo Friday: Wedding in Piazza San Marco

  Angela K. Nickerson

  13 Nov 2009 | 10:48 am

  You all know how much I love brides, and on this last trip to Venice, I watched a particularly gorgeous wedding party having their photos taken in Piazza San Marco.  They were happily chatting in both English and Japanese.  The mother of the bride's kimono was absolutely gorgeous.  And look how delighted they all seem to be!         What a small world we live in... a Japanese wedding in Venice in three languages... I wish them every happiness -- wherever they may be! Thanks for joining me for DeliciousBaby's Photo Friday!

• 
  Kathika Travel Website

• Travel News and Stories for 11/20/2009

  newsdesk

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am

  Below is a list of travel news and stories for 11/20/2009 FAA Computer Glitch Delays Flights Nationwide Controllers forced to manually enter pilots’ flight plans. http://abcnews.go.com One wrong turn results in a 600km trip An 81-year-old Australian takes a wrong turn on the way to the shops and keeps driving for 600km. http://news.bbc.co.uk LA Oil Rigs Hidden as Buildings, Islands & Palm Trees [vid] Before L.A. was firmly established as a movie and TV town it was an oil town. In fact, Los Angeles is part of a region that is third largest oil producer in America with over 20 billion…

• Travel Photo of the Day Zebra in Etosha National Park

  traveldesk

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/20/2009 is of Zebra in Etosha National Park and was taken by coda Photo credit: coda Etosha National Park is a park located in northwestern Namibia’s Kunene Region. It was first established in 1907 when Namibia was still a German colony and when it first opened, it was the largest game reserve in the world. Now, though, it only contains a quarter of its original area, but it is still a signficant refuge for the local wildlife and has become one of Namibia’s most prominent national parks. This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by…

• Visiting Chinatown in San Francisco

  Kristin Kizer

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  San Francisco’s Chinatown claims to be the oldest and the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. It’s also one of the top tourist destinations in the area with a number of noted locations and events. Photo credit: dlr2008 Chinatown - San Francisco-dlr2008731 Chinatown was established in the mid 1800s when a large number of Chinese immigrants moved to the region. During that time what is now considered Chinatown was then a port of entry for immigrants coming from the Bay. Many of the immigrants settled in the region and Chinatown developed into a congested area that was poorly built with many…

• Travel News and Stories for 11/19/2009

  newsdesk

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am

  Below is a list of travel news and stories 11/19/2009 Ship With 100 Tourists Stuck in Antarctic Ice Russian icebreaker carrying tourists is stuck in the ice around Antarctica. http://abcnews.go.com United’s Denny Flanagan: “Being nice is contagious” United Airlines Captain Denny Flanagan had his 15 minutes of fame — and then some — when he was "discovered" by several prominent print and broadcast outlets two years ago and profiled for his many random acts of kindness. But long after the TV crews left, Captain Flanagan continues to do good at……

• Travel Photo of the Day Hayden Planetarium at night

  traveldesk

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/19/2009 is of Hayden Planetarium at night and was taken by ericskiff Photo credit: ericskiff The Hayden Planetarium is located on Central Park West in New York City and it is a part of the American Museum of Natural History. The planetarium is one of the two main attractions in the Rose Center for Earth and Space, housing the high-tech Star Theater and Big Bang theater in its top and bottom halves. The planetarium’s distinctive design makes it a recognizable part of New York City. Check out our most popular travel posts. This post originally came from…

• 
  BEEN-SEEN.COM : TRAVEL by DESIGN

• Mosc-Wow: An Exploration Above and Below Ground

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  Eleven time zones and two continents. Nearly 143 million people. Forests of spruce, pine, and birch trees. Mountains. Fathomless lakes. Deserts and snowy steppes. The Russian Federation is all of this. So it might seem strange to concentrate on just one city in a country that spreads across approximately 6.6 million square miles. But nearly a quarter of its population lives in urban areas, and in a country so vast, sometimes time and money only allows for a taste, a nibble. UndergroundLet's start below ground, deep within the earth under the city of Moscow, where more than…

• A Ship Named Guilty

  16 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  No-one could ever accuse Jeff Koons of subtlety. And if you happen to see this yacht floating towards you, you probably won't be surprised to hear it was designed by the artist who brought us a gilded Michael Jackson (with Bubbles), and erotic self-portraits featuring his former wife, porn star La Cicciolina. The boat, Guilty, was created for Greek Cypriot industrialist and collector Dakis Joannou, and it's a floating work of art. The striking exterior was inspired by Dazzle Camouflage (aka Razzle Dazzle), a First World War design created by Norman Wilkinson to…

• Taking Off

  15 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  You're about to jet off somewhere amazingly beautiful, but your flight is at some ungodly hour of the morning. You could check into the Motel 6 nearest the airport, or you could make the airport layover part of the adventure. These days, airport hotels are getting more and more interesting. Take the Vila Aeroport in Tirana, Albania (top). It's just been built along a roadside near the airport, and is shaped like a giant silver fuselage. It's hard to find out much about it, but it looks cool. It's a bit like the Jumbo Hostel we featured on Been-Seen this time last…

• Le Grand Voyage

  13 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  I love road movies. Movies where the protagonists set off on ridiculous journeys across unfathomable distances (The Great Race, Around the World in Eighty Days). They remind me of my childhood, when my parents would throw us kids in the car and drive for weeks on end. Luckily, we'd stop to take in all the sights along the way - unlike the characters in Le Grand Voyage, who barely stop for breath, as they travel by car from France to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The journey is 3000 miles, and starts in Bouches-du-Rhône, France, where Reda lives with his Moroccan…

• Winter Palace

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  The fall leaves are slowly disappearing, and the chill of winter will soon start creeping in. But there's a certain coziness that comes with even the coldest of weather. In northern Sweden, architect firm Murman Arkitekter constructed Restaurant Tusen at the Ramundberget ski resort, and it looks to be the ultimate in winter coziness.Situated between birch trees, brooks and rocks, the building was intentionally constructed to put a strong emphasis on nature. The view from the restaurant looks over surrounding mountains, and it's although near the popular ski lifts, no other buildings…

• 
  Matador Network

• FTC Guidelines Mandating Transparency to Begin Dec. 1

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:21 pm

  The new FTC Guidelines mandating disclosure of any paid endorsements goes into effect Dec. 1. As writers and bloggers, how can we embrace these guidelines and utilize them as part of an ethic of material transparency? Photo: Rutger de Moddertukker IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD YET, new FTC guidelines will be going into place beginning Dec. 1. These guidelines include, among other things, a mandate on disclosing any and all paid sponsorships or endorsements. From the FTC Guide: “The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that “material…

• A Life Well Lived: Developing a Personal Manifesto

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:28 am

  Alright, it’s time to break out those pens. Or computers. Photo: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ We’re ripping out a page from the popular Notes from the Road series over at the Traveler’s Notebook and asking you to take a moment to sketch out something that probably crosses your mind now and again: A Personal Manifesto. When I happened upon Gwen Bell’s, author of the Unconventional Guide to the Social Web, process the other day, I immediately became excited at the notion of going through my own. Check out her guide on the myriad of ways to go about developing your own…

• A Day in the Life of An Expat in Copenhagen, Denmark

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:27 am

  Photos: author A day in the life of an American in the midst of a Danish winter. I’ve lived in Copenhagen long enough to know punctuality is the cardinal rule of Danish etiquette, and yet my day somehow still goes like this: Eight(ish) : Waking up early in Copenhagen is surprisingly complicated. Today, with one foot planted in the Scandinavian winter, sunrise is just before eight and hidden behind the patter of rain. My husband tries to roust me before leaving for work, but even then, with the casual work-life balance here, he’s barely out the door by nine. After pillaging our…

• Shock, Sink, Freeze: Casio’s EX-G1 Camera is Built for Endurance

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:42 am

  Drop it down the chimney or bury it in the snow – this camera can handle it. class The newly released EX-G1, first in Casio’s new EXILIM® brand of digital cameras, is built to endure shock, water, dirt, and frigid temperatures, all wrapped up in a slender 0.78 inch package. According to the press release, the company is determined to “create digital cameras suitable for top athletes and adventurers.” The shell passed drop tests from seven feet during testing, can be used underwater for up to one hour, and will function in temperatures down to 14°F. Full features include:…

• Santiago Sidetrip: Cajón del Maipo

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:01 am

  Cajón del Maipo is a massive Andean canyon with hot springs, alpine shelters, a ski area, and dozens of miles of whitewater all within 2 hours of downtown Santiago. Photo: pviojo I’m floating in a muddy spring called Baños Morales while looking at the walls of Cajón del Maipo and talking to Jorge about Lil Wayne. Jorge is around 12. He wants to know who are the best “cantantes of hip hop.” For some reason none of this seems improbable in South America. “What’s this song saying?” He has a little mp3 player with built-in speaker. He plays the first 5 seconds of that…

• 
  Halogen Life - Recent Stories

• Oprah Calls it Quits, ABC May Have Foreshadowed Announcement

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:18 am

  Perhaps realizing that she's already richer than God and doesn't have to work so damn hard, Oprah Winfrey announced today that she's planning on wrapping her talk show for the last time in 2011, after twenty-five years on air. During Friday's taping, Winfrey told her studio audience, "Twenty-five ...

• Haute Bathroom Technology: Must-have Gadgets For A Nouveau Loo

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  Lavatories. WC suites. The turlet. There are so many ways to refer to the bathroom. We know it as the necessary room, FYI. It's an important place, a shrine really, in which we dedicate a large portion of our lives and efforts. We evacuate (yes), but we also primp, assess our physiques and visages, ...

• La Tour d'Argent to Auction off 18,000 high-profile wines from 1700s, 1800s, 1900s

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:47 am

  Venerable Parisian restaurant "La Tour dArgent":http://www.tourdargent.com/ is auctioning off a portion of its wine cellar to help raise funds for renovations and upgrades, as well as to make room in its cellar for diversification. According to an article in "The Drinks ...

• Spaces We Love: Tcherassi Hotel and Spa

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

  After a decade of strife, Colombia emerged first as a fashion center in Latin America a few years ago, and more recently as a revived travel destination. Now, as the tourists are returning in significant numbers, Silvia Tcherassi, a Colombia-born fashion designer, has opened her first namesake ...

• Bar Tab: Thanksgiving Cocktails

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:17 am

  Entertaining guests at Thanksgiving has extended far beyond dropping a turkey down on the table in between football games. The food magazines are filled with original, themed dinners allowing you to be Thomas Kellar or Martha Stewart for a day. In that spirit, why not enhance your table's Cotes du ...

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  MiceChat

• In The Parks: A Disney Thanksgiving

  Dustysage

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:41 am

  Thanksgiving time is here again and turkeys everywhere are shaking in their boots (we hear that Turkeys are very fashion forward).  The In The Parks Disneyland and Theme Park blog fills us in on all the holiday happenings at the parks, as well as some passholder news, photos, and local Southern California events.  David Michael [...]

• What Would A Marvel Theme Park Look Like? Let’s Take A Peek!

  Dustysage

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:16 am

  One of the biggest theme park news stories of the year was Disney’s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment.  There is little doubt that Disney will leverage the characters and eventually put them in the parks.  What would such a Marvel theme park look like?  Today, we’ll take a look at a Marvel park which has already [...]

• Disney News and Discussion Round Up - We Gather The Week’s Best Discussions For You!

  Dustysage

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  One week to Thanksgiving and the Disney parks around the world are ready for full Christmas insanity.  The MiceChatters have been busily sharing news and photos of Disney’s holiday decorations, lights, parades, fireworks, shows and attractions.  Disneyland looks spectacular this year, but much discussion is focusing on the dwindling entertainment value of Walt Disney World [...]

• The Concept Art Of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth

  Dustysage

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am

  Let’s take a look at the genesis of the ultimate icon for Epcot itself, Spaceship Earth.  From these early drawings by Herb Ryman and others, we can see exactly how this classic Disney attraction took shape.  Join us as we take communication from the Cro-magnon age to the future!

• Dateline Disneyland - Santa, Construction, and Swine Flu

  Dustysage

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am

  The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are officially in full swing and all of the seasonal favorites are back - from Small World Holiday, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, to Santa’s Reindeer Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch. The nightly “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular is back as well, along with its signature snowfall [...]

• 
  Heidi's Blog

• Playing in the campground

  heidia

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pm

  by Melynda @ www.yourwildchild.com

• The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, Michele Borba

  heidia

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:08 pm

  Book Review By Casey Sievila

• Walk at the rest area in Glenwood canyon Colorado

  heidia

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:02 pm

  A rest stop off of the I-70 may not seem like the best outdoor destination, but for this family it was quite entertaining.

• Going to the park

  heidia

  15 Nov 2009 | 9:28 am

  A simple activity like going to the park may be all your child needs to feel grounded and connected to nature.

• Outdoor party

  heidia

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:19 pm

  Hosting an outdoor party may be a great way to introduce other families to the wonders of the outdoors.

• 
  TravelBrook

• 25% Off Promo Code For Rockettes New York Spectacular

  Allison

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:22 am

  It’s that time of year once again as the Rockettes take the stage this holiday season. Right now you can take advantage of a great promotional code that will save you 25% on regular ticket prices.  All you have to do is enter ‘DANCE’ and you’ll automatically save $, but it won’t pack your bags for you, sadly.

• Orbitz Enhances Program With Low Price Guarantee

  Allison

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:19 am

  Earlier this year travel-booking site Orbitz extended their Price Assurance program to not only airfare but also hotels, offering users automatic reimbursements. Now the website is offering up a low price guarantee that will ensure that you not only receive an automatic rebate but also a promo code  for $50 off your next hotel or vacation package reservation.  Now, that’s what we call a travel stimulus plan!

• Forbes Publishes Travel Guide Winners

  Allison

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:48 am

  Formerly known as the Mobil Travel Guide, Forbes has officially published the winners of the now Forbes Travel Guide. This year’s winners include the Colorado Springs The Broadmoor, winning five stars for the 50th consecutive year; the Tower Suites at Encore in Las Vegas and The Spa at The Broadmoor. Congrats to all winners.  For the full list, click here.

• 6 Nights In New Zealand From $1500

  Allison

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:42 am

  It’s in the off-season that you always find the best deals, such as this 6-night New Zealand travel package that starts at $1500. With round-trip airfare on Air New Zealand, you will enjoy three nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland and three lovely evenings spent at the Holiday Inn City Centre Christchurch.  Now, how does that sound?

• Targus 4-Port Smart USB Hub Travel Gadget

  Allison

  16 Nov 2009 | 12:17 pm

  For the gadgeteer and traveller who might have everything this holiday season comes the Targus 4-Port Smart USB Hub. This handy dandy travel gadget will allow users to charge or sync up their gadgets via four USB ports.  Cost, $30.

• 
  A Luxury Travel Blog

• How-to-Heli Ski Camp with Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole

  Paul Johnson

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:28 pm

  Ever dreamed of experiencing the excitement of heli-skiing, but weren’t sure if you had the skills, or even how to go about it? This coming February Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole presents the How-to-Heli Ski Camp, a special three-day, four-night camp offered in partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and High Mountain Heli-Skiing. Recommended for the strong, intermediate or expert skier, the on-snow experience focuses on powder techniques and off-piste etiquette, and introduces snow safety education – all necessary preparation for big-mountain heli adventures. The camp…

• More success for the Travelwrap

  Paul Johnson

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:11 pm

  Remember the Travelwrap that we reviewed earlier this year? Well, it sounds like the company is going from strength to strength.  In addition to winning Luxury Gift of the Year (UK) 2008, it’s now a recipient of the prestigious Best Company of the Year, International Women in Business at the 2009 Stevie Awards. Alongside the new autumnal colours for the Travelwrap, this season sees the introduction of luxury lounge socks – the perfect accompaniment for a winter wardrobe and Christmas stocking filler.

• The view from the very, very top of the Burj Dubai

  Paul Johnson

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:26 am

  This amateur video footage is taken from the very top of the Burj Dubai’s spire and gives an interesting perspective over the surrounding area. Even some skyscrapers look miniscule in comparison.

• New luxury coming to Rhodes in 2010

  Paul Johnson

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:36 pm

  Rhodes is continuing to shun its former reputation as a haven for young clubbers by focussing on attracting luxury travellers. A number of five star hotels have opened on the island in the past two years, with three more due to open during 2010: The Kresten Royal Villas and Spa The five star Kresten Royal Villas and spa is located on the northeastern side of Rhodes Island on a hillside in Kallithea.  It will offer a total of 203 rooms comprising of double rooms, junior suites, villas and grand maisonettes. All suites in the villas – including junior suites – will offer private…

• Montréal in two minutes

  Paul Johnson

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:21 pm

  It’s actually nearer three minutes but hey… we won’t quibble with Tourisme Montréal on that detail. Just sit back and enjoy their promotional video.

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  Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel Worldwide

• Heli Ski Board France Switzerland Italy for Burma Landmine Survivors

  info@exquisitesafaris.com

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:52 pm

  The Exquisite Safaris philanthropic mission integrates a guided visit to a humanitarian outreach project into every private, luxury, epicurean experience we create. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.

• @Philanthropic Transformational Giving

  info@exquisitesafaris.com

  12 Nov 2009 | 12:25 am

  The Exquisite Safaris philanthropic mission integrates a guided visit to a humanitarian outreach project into every private, luxury, epicurean experience we create. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.

• Advances in Travel Philanthropy

  info@exquisitesafaris.com

  10 Nov 2009 | 6:11 pm

  The Exquisite Safaris philanthropic mission integrates a guided visit to a humanitarian outreach project into every private, luxury, epicurean experience we create. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.

• The Evolution of Travel Philanthropy

  info@exquisitesafaris.com

  10 Nov 2009 | 9:06 am

  The Exquisite Safaris philanthropic mission integrates a guided visit to a humanitarian outreach project into every private, luxury, epicurean experience we create. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.

• Travel Philanthropy Press and Media

  info@exquisitesafaris.com

  8 Nov 2009 | 3:08 am

  The Exquisite Safaris philanthropic mission integrates a guided visit to a humanitarian outreach project into every private, luxury, epicurean experience we create. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.

• 
  Vacations Blog

• A Typical Sight at Scottsdale Fashion Square

  Laura Charon

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

  A lineup of cars to drool over. This right here is a typical sight in the valet parking area of Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona (right in front of The Yardhouse). My husband and I were headed to our car one day last weekend, when we came across this sight. We continued on to our car, grabbed the camera, and headed back down to drool. This is an Audi R8. The STARTING PRICE is $114,200: The Audi R8. This is a Gumpert Apollo, which will set you back somewhere around $400,000: The Gumpert Apollo, which can get away with this color. This is a Bugatti Veyron, which is a total…

• As God as My Witness, I Thought Turkeys Could Fly

  Whit Honea

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:02 am

  Gobble, gobble. Turkeys may not fly, but they’re arriving by the plate full.  Also, tofurkey. Speaking of turkeys, people are traveling in mass this weekend and into next week.  No, I did not call you or your mother a turkey – just that one relative that you’ve called worse.  Turkey. The roads are wet and covered in ice.  People are giving thanks and making merry.  Let’s be careful out there and enjoy our families, friends, assorted loved ones and coworkers. Do it for the children. And the turkeys. Photo by Whit Honea For more family-friendly travel photos visit…

• A Myrtle Beach Ripley’s Experience

  Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:40 am

  Iron Maiden torture chamber at Ripley's Believe It or Not! I loved the Ripley’s Believe  It or Not! cartoon as a kid.  Learning about  Robert Ripley’s weird and wacky discoveries around the world was always intriguing.  So there was no way I’d pass up the strip of Ripley’s attractions on Ocean Blvd in Myrtle Beach.  I grabbed my reluctant 12-year-old and headed to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. I wouldn’t recommend it for children under 10 because the museum is filled with creepy and eerie artifacts. Once you walk past the  photos of the…

• Layover Culture – Airports are the New Museum

  Whit Honea

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:05 am

  Where lost luggage goes to die. Sacramento International's "Samson" uses real suitcases! Remember when airports became shopping malls? Sure, I love browsing for iPhones and sweaters or a burger and a beer as much as the next guy, but it’s just so lowbrow. Finally, the latest phase in airports is upon us: the art gallery. Here are just a few examples of airport art springing up in a concourse near you. For the record, I like beer with my art, too. Seattle, as usual, was ahead of the trend as Sea-Tac Airport went artsy in the 60s. Artist Trimpin's "On: Matter,…

• Concert Travel – Parrotheads Check-in to Buffet Hotel

  P. Ling

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:06 am

  On Nov 24, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band are all set to bring Summerzcool to Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Summerzcool tour is heading towards a grand finale with the upcoming December release of Buffet Hotel - Jimmy Buffett’s latest album based on a musical experience he had in Timbuktu, Mali. Summerzcool Tour, Jimmy Buffett Parrotheads won’t mind shelling out for Jimmy Buffett tickets and checking-in for the Buffet Hotel experience at MSGNYC. But that’s not all a Parrothead does. A loyal Parrothead, in addition to being a fan and groupie…

• 
  Johnny Jet's Weekly Newsletter

• Tel Aviv, Israel

  Shalom! This week we finish up our incredible journey to Israel by sharing with you our time in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and the flight back.

• Lucerne, Switzerland (Part 2)

  Living in a Jail Cell, Tobogganing down a Mountain in Lucerne: Part 2

• Masada, The Dead Sea, Bethlehem

  Shalom from Israel! I continue to tell you about my amazing trip to the Holy Land. This week we head to the Dead Sea, Masada and Bethlehem which is in Palestine.

• Lucerne, Switzerland

  Living in a Jail Cell, Tobogganing down a Mountain in Lucerne: Part 1

• Jerusalem, Israel

  Shalom from Israel! Last week, we left off after our El Al flight touched down in Tel Aviv. This week, we hit Jerusalem. If you thought that Israel was unsafe and only for Jews (like I did), think again.

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  Inkwatu

• 2009 St. Petersburg International Folk Fair photos

  Hilton Kean Jones

  14 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH FUNNEL CAKE SPIFFS (the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society — www.spiffs.org/) “is the only independent multiethnic organization of its kind in the United States. It was founded in 1975 as an umbrella organization of ethnic groups who joined together to present a festival during the US Bicentennial Celebration.” In addition to their annual Folk Fair–this years just concluded this past weekend–they provide a number of educational, entertainment, cultural pride, and translation services for the community through the following…

• Thai Orchids at St. Petersburg International Folk Fair 2009

  Hilton Kean Jones

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:30 am

  Click on any picture in this post for larger image. SPIFFS (www.spiffs.org/), the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, is one of the beloved institutions of St. Pete. I’m honored to be their official photographer this year while their regular photographer is in the hospital. This year, the fair has been moved from the spring to the fall. It is open to the general public Saturday November 7, 2009, 10am-10pm and Sunday November 8, 2009, 11am-7pm. Admission $8.00 children under 12 free w/paid adult. I’m posting this article a day earlier than usual in hopes that those who…

• Pumpkins & Palm Trees

  Hilton Kean Jones

  31 Oct 2009 | 2:08 am

  Celebrating autumn and winter holidays down here in the semi-tropics is always a little unconvincing because the temperatures are still in the upper 80s to mid-90s. But, many here are transplants–temporary or permanent–from climates that have actual seasons so we bring our traditions with us. We even relish the dissonance of seeing a carved pumpkin next to a palm tree as in the photo above (be sure to click it for a better view). And, yes, we can grow pumpkins here. There are huge fields where you can go pick your own. But…you’re more likely to find a field of…

• LocalShops1.com

  Hilton Kean Jones

  24 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

  ESTER VENOUZIOU, FOUNDER OF LOCALSHOPS1.COM The tagline of Inkwatu is “Delights, Near and Far.” Many of these delights are independently owned food establishments (restaurants or markets) with tasty food, pleasing ambiance, friendly staff, ethnic authenticity, inventive dishes, and reasonable prices. Some of these delights are activities, events, locations, artists, buildings, aspects of nature, books, and non-food businesses that grab me, that contribute to a sense of well-being, that make living fun. One of those delights is seeing local entrepreneurs with great ideas become…

• Jazzy’s BBQ

  Hilton Kean Jones

  17 Oct 2009 | 4:30 am

  OPEN HEARTH BBQ AT JAZZY’S There is a gold standard for barbecues: Leatha’s, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (6374 U S Hwy 98; 601-271-6003). I had the privilege of tasting that standard when my Mississippi Cuzn Don treated me and part of his family to supper there. I got to experience, first hand, the prodigious memory of Miss Leatha’s daughter’s memory. She can take an order for a table of a dozen or more and repeat it back, properly assigned to each customer, in complete detail without writing it down, after only hearing it once. JAZZY’S BARBECUED RIBS But, the…

• 
  Travel Happy

• Breakfast In The Banda Islands

  Chris Mitchell

  9 Nov 2009 | 11:28 pm

  Most famous as the exotic, remote home of the spice nutmeg, Indonesia’s Banda Islands are still home to some spicy surprises for visitors While travelling across Indonesia’s Banda Sea on a liveaboard earlier this year, we stopped off at the Banda Islands, a tiny speck on the map that once was one of the most bitterly fought over pieces of land anywhere in the world. The reason was that the Banda Islands were the only known source of the spice nutmeg, which was believed (wrongly) to be a cure for the plague. At one point nutmeg was worth more than gold pound for pound. The Dutch…

• Samsung N110 Netbook Review: The Ultimate Laptop To Take Travelling – Part 2

  Chris Mitchell

  1 Nov 2009 | 1:21 am

  Netbooks are a godsend for travellers who need a lightweight laptop while they travel – and the Samsung N110 is one of the best of the current bunch A year ago I wrote about the arrival of tiny and cheap eeePC laptops pioneered by Asus. These laptops were the first wave of netbooks, inexpensive computers that were perfect for people on the move – and also for backpackers and travellers who wanted a notebook with them but without the potential heartbreak of losing or breaking an expensive laptop. (See my Seven Tips For Taking A Laptop Travelling for some other tips on travelling…

• Hanging Out With Hammerheads

  Chris Mitchell

  23 Oct 2009 | 12:17 am

  If you go scuba diving in the Maldives, you’re sure to run into some big stuff – including hammerhead sharks if you’re very lucky (or not, depending on your point of view). Over on my other blog Divehappy.com I’ve just posted a trip report about diving in the Maldives on the MV Orion, a new and very posh liveaboard boat that’s just begun operations. We did a seven day trip around northern Male and Ari atolls, as well as heading to Hani Faru, which is the home of some of the most incredible whale shark and manta ray plankton feeding – watch the Nat Geo video…

• Bangkok’s Best Bookshop Gets Bigger

  Chris Mitchell

  9 Oct 2009 | 5:59 pm

  Dasa, Bangkok’s best secondhand bookshop – and certainly my favourite – has recently moved to bigger premises to fit in even more books. The new shop is literally a few doors away from Dasa’s old location on Sukhumvit Road near Sukhumvit 26. The nearest BTS Skytrain stop is Phrom Phong. You can see full location info on Dasa’s own website and you can also read a list of my favourite Bangkok Bookshops that I wrote previously. One shop I missed off my list was Orchid Books, which is located in the Silom Complex on Silom Road – it is the home for Orchid Press…

• Phuket to Hong Kong Budget Flights With AirAsia

  Chris Mitchell

  4 Oct 2009 | 9:34 pm

  AirAsia continues to expand its Asian flights network with the launch of a new direct route between Phuket and Hong Kong on 5th October. The budget carrier is promoting cheap flights on its recently launched Hong Kong – Phuket route: for the first week, flights are 999 Baht plus taxes each way. Check AirAsia on Skyscanner to see how their fares compare with other airlines. AirAsia has also launched Phuket to Jakarta direct flights at the same time. Australian carrier Jetstar are also increasing their flights to Thailand. Their Sydney to Phuket flight route will have more planes during…

• 
  Hawaiimagazine.com | HAWAII Today

• How to buy an ukulele from Hawaii

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:49 am

  How to buy an ukulele from Hawaii A HAWAII magazine reader asked us for some tips on buying one of Hawaii’s most iconic instruments:Where can we find ukuleles and banjo ukuleles (new & used) being produced or sold in Kauai? You ask, we answer. And we answered the question for all the Islands, not just Kaua‘i.Standard ukuleles are far easier to find than “banjo ukuleles.” A banjo ukulele, or banjolele, has the small scale, tuning, and playing style of a ukulele but, not surprisingly given the name, is constructed like a banjo. Banjo ukes are not commonly used in…

• What's the best way to learn how to surf in Hawaii?

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:57 am

  What's the best way to learn how to surf in Hawaii? HAWAII magazine reader Brookelynn Morris wrote us with a question about surf lessons:I’m heading to Honolulu for vacation soon, and I want to learn how to surf. Can you tell me the best way to learn? You ask, we answer.Oahu’s shores—as with all of the other Hawaiian Islands—offer wave action for a variety of skill levels, from professionals to beginners.For beginning surfers, we recommend sticking to the south shore of Oahu—specifically, the beaches of Waikiki. Wave heights on the south shore are consistently…

• How to make Hawaii-style barbecue (teriyaki) sauce. A recipe.

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:09 pm

  How to make Hawaii-style barbecue (teriyaki) sauce. A recipe. Barbecue sauce in Hawaii is not the same as barbecue sauce in the Mainland U.S.Order a barbecue mixed-plate lunch at a casual Hawaii eatery and it’s doubtful you’ll get a heaping helping of smoked chicken or ribs slathered with sweet-and-tangy reddish-brown sauce. And don’t expect corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans or rolls on the side either. What you will get, probably piled on a bed of white rice and accompanied by a scoop of macaroni salad or tossed salad, is a large platter of grilled meat or chicken,…

• Restaurant Week Hawaii offers great Oahu dining deals all this week

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:13 am

  Restaurant Week Hawaii offers great Oahu dining deals all this week Dining out on Oahu this week? Prepare to eat well.Restaurant Week Hawaii celebrates the Islands' diverse dining scene, wealth of superb locally-grown ingredients and the world-class chefs who bring all of it to dining establishments on Oahu. This second-annual edition of the Hawaii Restaurant Association-sponsored event happens today through Sunday, Nov. 22.What does this mean for you? Dining deals and lots of them. More than 60 restaurants on Oahu are participating—rolling out exclusive dishes, discounted prix-fixe…

• New luxury Trump Hotel opens today in Waikiki. A photo tour.

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:39 am

  New luxury Trump Hotel opens today in Waikiki. A photo tour. The Trump International Hotel Waikiki opens quietly today, across the street from Waikiki Beach. It’s the first luxury property to open in Waikiki for decades.The 38-story tower has 462 studios and suites, though how many will available in the hotel pool is not yet fixed, since most are privately owned.John Votsis, the hotel’s director of marketing, took HAWAI‘I Magazine on an exclusive preopening tour. Not every area of the hotel was complete when we arrived, but we saw a sampling of finished studios and…

• 
  Uncornered Market

• From Ecuador to Turkmenistan: 10 Border Crossings We Have Known

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:08 pm

  What is it about land borders that attracts hookers, drifters, the down-on-their-luck and crazy travelers like us? The margins, the frontier: the domain of moneychangers, deal-makers, “friendship” bridges, duty free shops — and occasionally, garden gnomes. Passing on foot from one country to the next, the feeling of adventure rises with a heightened sense of possibility, good and bad. Within the space of a few meters, land border crossings lay bare neighbors’ similarities and differences. Contrast this with flying. While the airplane is certainly the most expeditious mode…

• The Bolivian Salt Flats: Mother Nature’s Watercolor Playground

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  13 Nov 2009 | 7:43 am

  Vast, stunning, barren, surreal — and a stark, beautiful reminder of how small we humans are, particularly in the face of Mother Nature. That’s southern Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and the surrounding high deserts that float in pastels from 11,500 to 16,400 feet. The beauty of motley mountains and chromatic lakes contrast with the hostility and harshness faced by people living in this environment. Only llamas, vicuñas and flamingos can really survive above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). Agriculture is similarly limited to just about nothing; not even the rugged potato can make it…

• Our U.S. Radio Debut…and Behind the Scenes in Bolivia

  Audrey Scott

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  In case you haven’t already heard, I was recently interviewed by Pauline Frommer for The Travel Show, a weekly radio program she co-hosts with her father, Arthur Frommer. We chatted about one of our recent articles - Fawlty Tours - and some of the pitfalls one encounters when booking local tours. The entire interview experience was terrific. But there’s more to this story than just a successful radio interview. There’s the behind the scenes in Bolivia to comply with a simple request: a landline phone number at 4:45 PM on Thursday. The Commitment Like many others who contact us, Pauline…

• From Cocaine to Monkeys: Bolivia, 10 First Impressions

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  4 Nov 2009 | 10:19 am

  Sometimes life’s complexities get in the way of a poetic narrative. Bolivia is proof of this. The folds of Bolivia’s beauty – and its contradictions and struggles — defy a story line. It seems that every time we turn a corner, another piece of data in the form of an observation or conversation presents itself. Along the way, any pre-conceived notions that we might have had of Bolivia are further laid to waste, and the makings of a convenient narrative further deteriorated. With this in mind, we share ten first impressions from our first two weeks as we sort through our thoughts…

• Fawlty Tours: 7 Games Tour Companies Play

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  26 Oct 2009 | 6:08 am

  We began this piece by writing a narrative tracing the hiccups in our Salkantay to Machu Picchu trek, but soon realized that our lessons learned go beyond Peru’s tourist-laden Inca corridor. So what happened? Our guide got drunk two nights in a row, tried to pinch us for more money with unplanned and overpriced transport, didn’t buy our Machu Picchu tickets in advance, missed our meeting on the day of Machu Picchu by two hours, and mismanaged our return train and bus tickets to Cusco. Not bad, eh? (But we still had a great time. Our group even enjoyed a few laughs because of it.) Aside:…

• 
  Peregrine Online

• Changes in Spain and Finland

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

  It was interesting to read about some changes in both Finland and Spain that will guarantee some basic broadband services to residents of the two countries, making broadband a right of people in those two places. Very cool, and very much a sign of the times, isn't it?Makes you wonder when the rest will catch up. The US is, of course, lagging behind in this area. And yet, it is hard to be overly worried about that when there are so many places where rights that are even more basic — like clean drinking water, freedom from oppression, etc. — are neglected.What a strange world we live in.

• South for the Winter

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:51 pm

  Looks like my timing was just right. I got back to Singapore late last night for my 3 month stay during the winter months. I am in my shorts and t-shirt now, as comfortable as can be. But back in Shanghai, the weather has turned nasty. It's cold, rainy, and there are predictions for snow! The temperatures are going to be below 10 degrees Celsius this week. Ugh!The nasty winter weather is pretty much the only thing I am not going to miss about Shanghai this winter (I was really enjoying the momentum developed there), but I am glad to have some tropical sunshine on my shoulders right now. I…

• dark 'til dawn, the series

  11 Nov 2009 | 11:08 pm

  Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email

• dark 'til dawn

  9 Nov 2009 | 11:35 pm

  Having just launched dark 'til dawn, I've been getting lots of feedback on the project this couple of days. The launch was good, and the feedback has been really encouraging so far.If you'd like to have a look at all of the lamps in the series, I've posted a PDF catalog. It isn't of very high resolution, so hopefully it won't take too long to load.If you are interested in purchasing one of the lamps, drop me a note and I can let you know which ones are still available. There is only 1 of each piece, so once it's gone, there won't be another chance to buy that piece. Subscribe to Peregrine…

• Arizona Rentals

  9 Nov 2009 | 11:21 pm

  When trying to find a rental in Arizona when I was a kid, I can remember my parents poring over a magazine with cheap paper and tiny print. We were going on a big holiday that would spread across 3 weeks, driving from Texas to California. It was a tedious process for my parents to do the planning, but we had a great time when all was said and done. Finding rentals in Arizona is so much easier today. Locating good prices for my travel needs is probably one of the top 10 uses I make of the internet. I travel a lot, and have found lots of good deals online to make my travel more affordable, and…

• 
  The TSA Blog

• Holiday Travel Refresher: What if I Lose or Forget My ID?

  Bob

  16 Nov 2009 | 12:39 pm

  It’s been a while since we talked about IDs and what happens if you lose or forget your ID on the way to the airport. With the busiest travel time of the year quickly approaching, I thought it would be wise to do a quick refresher on the subject.So, what if you show up at a TSA checkpoint and you can’t find your ID? Does that mean you won’t fly? Nope… You’ll still be able to fly as long as you provide us with some information that will help us determine you are who you say you are. Verifying the identity of people coming through checkpoints is an important part of security, just as…

• Veterans Day: Thank You

  Bob

  10 Nov 2009 | 5:51 pm

  We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." - Winston ChurchillVeterans Day is a time to remind our nation to reflect on all of the people who served and sacrificed as members of the United States military and thank them for that service. From the battles of Lexington and Concord to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this nation has always had a strong core of people who were willing to serve, fight, and sometimes die for their country and that is truly honorable.TSA has a strong core of Veterans who have…

• TSA Stops Medical Supplies for Cape Verde?

  Bob

  10 Nov 2009 | 6:02 am

  Over the weekend, an article ran stating that TSA Officers in Boston had stopped medical supplies from traveling in checked baggage to Cape Verde. The article states the items confiscated included Tylenol, vitamin C, mosquito repellents, hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol.TSA did prevent most of the insect repellant, but everything else was permitted. Why the repellant? Well…FAA regulations state that Personal Care Items containing hazardous materials (e.g., flammable perfume, aerosols) totaling no more than 70 ounces may be carried on board. Contents of each container may not exceed 16…

• Response to: “Oops: Backscatter X-ray machines tear apart DNA"

  Bob

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:41 pm

  This article has been receiving quite a bit of attention and it’s leading people to believe the Backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) used by TSA emits terahertz radiation. Recent studies are showing that terahertz radiation may “unzip double-stranded DNA, creating bubbles in the double strand that could significantly interfere with processes such as gene expression and DNA replication.”(I know… who knew that your DNA could be unzipped? Hey buddy, your barn door’s open!!!)I forwarded the article around to a few subject matter experts here at TSA and was provided with some…

• Response to "TSA Takes Big Gulp over Britney"

  Bob

  3 Nov 2009 | 12:53 pm

  Photo Courtesy of Steven DepoloA video was posted earlier today by a popular celebrity tabloid showing Britney Spears traveling through airport security at LAX with a large drink cup.We checked with the airport and I'm happy to report there's nothing to see here.Her cup had a few ice chips in it, not liquid. Ice is a solid. Therefore, ice is permitted through the checkpoint, as long as it's screened by the X-ray (Which it was).I should also add that Ms. Spears did have a bottle of liquid in her purse which was identified on the X-ray and voluntarily surrendered at the checkpoint.One thing to…

• 
  Travel Savvy Mom: Family Friendly Hotel, Resort, Suite Reviews » blog

• Traveling with Surly Teens

  travelsavvymom

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:51 pm

  Who doesn’t occasionally fantasize about being whisked away to a far-flung destination on someone else’s dime? A teen, that’s who. Granted, this phenomenon is not universally exhibited by all teens; some love to travel and are more than happy to do so with their parents.

• 7 Reasons to Love the San Francisco Zoo

  Jamie Pearson

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:42 pm

  The fact that the San Francisco Zoo has had its fair share of negative publicity in recent years makes me sad. This is my hometown zoo. The zoo I grew up on. The zoo against which all other zoos were measured.

• Sidetracked: Cascades D’Ouzoud

  Kayt Sukel

  16 Nov 2009 | 2:36 am

  Visiting the Cacades D'Ouzoud, the largest waterfall in North Africa (150km north of Marrakech) with kids.

• Snakes Are Scary

  Kayt Sukel

  13 Nov 2009 | 2:29 am

  Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna is part foodie heaven, part carnival. Wander this bustling square and you'll soon find there is plenty to distract you.

• A Travel Purse with Form and Function

  travelsavvymom

  11 Nov 2009 | 2:27 am

  There is no shortage of travel purses on the market. A search of Zappos for "travel" under handbags returns an overwhelming 782 results, and Travelsmith and REI both have abundant selection too.

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  Wanderlust and Lipstick

• Photo of the Day: Punakha Dzong, Bhutan

  Beth

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  This is one of my favorite photos from my most recent trip to Bhutan. This is Punakha Dzong (monastery). Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan and is now the winter seat of the monastic body of the country. In my opinion, this is by far the most beautiful dzong in the whole country, both [...]

• WanderGear Wednesday: MountainSmith K-9 Cube

  Beth

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pm

  Guest post from dog lover, Georgia Congleton I recently had the fun job of trying out a luggage product for my dog – yes, for my dog, Elsie! I had never given a thought to having luggage for my dog and my first thought was, “What a very yuppie item – the K-9 Cube by Mountainsmith“. [...]

• Photo of the Day: Beach Time

  Beth

  12 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pm

  It’s coming up on Thanksgiving and what am I thinking about? Warmth. This is the Bay of Bengal near Chennai, India. My favorite place in Mexico is Bucerias, near Puerto Vallarta. See more lovely photos at DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday! Travel Well! Beth Related links: Slot Canyons Vietnam & Cambodia Women-only Tour Photo of the Day: Monks Doing Normal Stuff Photo of the Day: Indian Bangles Photo [...]

• Photo of the Day: Bhutan Windows

  Beth

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pm

  Next to the beauty of the Himalayas, probably the most striking thing about Bhutan is the architecture. This is a series of windows at one of the country’s many monasteries. See more lovely photos at DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday! Travel Well! Beth Related links: Spring Women-only tour to Bhutan (register before Dec. 1 and save $150) Eastern Bhutan Trekking Tour Photo of the [...]

• Photo of the Day: Paradise Found in Oahu

  Beth

  29 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pm

  As I was writing this post, it struck me how ironic it is that the TV series Lost (or at least parts of it) are filmed on Oahu. For one, you can’t possibly get lost on the island. But more than that, I think there’s an element of being Found here, or finding yourself, or [...]

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  Cleared for Takeoff - The Triporati Blog

• Shanghai Disney

  President Obama’s visit to Asia this week has been headline news. Another American icon is headed to China soon, as Disney is planning to open a theme park in Shanghai by 2014. After more than 20 years of wrangling, the Chinese government has granted the US media company the right to ...

• Yosemite Accommodations

  A recent October trip to Yosemite and Mariposa County, CA followed a huge rain storm. The robust waterfalls thundered all around and the scenery was more striking than I had remembered from my last trip at the end of July. Autumn colors enhanced the spectacular vistas and there was a crisp feel in the air. Not ...

• Beluga Whales, Polar Bears, and the Wilds of Churchill, Manitoba

  One October a few years ago I spent a couple of days in Churchill, Manitoba looking for polar bears. Churchill is famously the "Polar Bear Capital of the World"  because so many bears come in to den when the pack ice breaks up on Hudson Bay. In the fall, when ...

• Guanajuato’s Cervantes Festival and Magic Realism

  One night some years ago I arrived in Guanajuato, Mexico for the first time, knowing little about the place beyond its being yet another Spanish colonial city. When the bus couldn't get anywhere near my hotel on Jardin de la Union because the streets were jammed with revelers, I got ...

• Kayaking the Mekong River

  In the late ’60s and early ’70s the thought of a trip down the Mekong was the stuff of nightmares. The place was a war zone, and the only way to see it was courtesy of Uncle Sam. But thankfully times change, and today the great river that runs from ...

• 
  The World Wide Will

• Andrew Harper’s New York Holiday Calendar

  WorldWideWill

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:12 am

  Andrew Harper is the pseudonym of a gentleman traveler who, frustrated by commercially driven travel coverage, began writing his own candid reviews of smaller, unique hotels. The Hideaway Report, which began as a small newsletter for friends and family, is now one of the most distinct voices in luxury travel. Impatient with pretense and skeptical of [...]

• Sri Lanka Travel Warning

  Travel Warnings

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risks of travel to Sri Lanka due to continued security concerns, especially in the northernmost areas and most of its Eastern Province, as there are still uncleared landmines and potential for incidents by remnant members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Stability in the southern and western areas of the country has improved with the cessation of hostilities. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain vigilant while traveling in Sri Lanka. This replaces the Travel Warning for Sri Lanka dated June 26, 2009 to…

• Niger Travel Alert

  Travel Alerts

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the risks of travel to Niger due to threat of kidnapping, and recommends against all travel to Niger at this time. This Travel Alert expires February 28, 2010. On December 14, 2008, two United Nations officials, former Canadian diplomats, were kidnapped by the terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) while returning to Niamey after a visit to a Canadian-operated gold mine. On January 22, 2009, four Europeans were abducted by AQIM operatives along the Mali-Niger border as their tour group returned to Niamey from a…

• Nepal Travel Warning

  Travel Warnings

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Nepal, and urges caution when traveling in that country. The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal, and urges American citizens to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans on short notice. This replaces the Travel Warning for Nepal dated May 22, 2009 and updates safety and security information. Political violence remains a problem in Nepal. Protests, demonstrations and disruptions continue to occur, often without advance notice.

• Mali Travel Warning

  Travel Warnings

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Mali and continues to recommend against all travel to the north of the country due to kidnapping threats against Westerners. This replaces the Travel Warning for Mali dated August 31, 2009, to update security and threat information. As noted in the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution, dated July 29, 2009, the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. AQIM has declared its intention to…

• 
  Galavanting Women's Travel Magazine & Web Series

• Princess Cruises Ultimate Ship Tour: The Crown Princess

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:05 pm

  Left to right: Courtney McGann, Kim Mance, Princess Cruises Commodore Giuseppe Romano, & Shanna Quinn on the Bridge of the Crown Princess. (note: Kim ambushed the commodore and lap-sitting isn’t a conventional pose offered during photo-ops… :) Aside from the many shore excursions at each port, the Galavanting Gals got to take a trip through the ship itself during a sea voyage we recently took. It turned out to be a fun highlight. The Ultimate Ship Tour aboard the Crown Princess is normally a three-hour tour for which a limited number of Princess Cruises passengers can pay $150…

• Tokyo's Tsukiji Market

  1 Nov 2009 | 5:10 pm

  From scouting for the freshest ingredients to the way food is prepared and presented in both restaurants and private homes, Japanese people are serious about their fish.

• Altared States

  22 Sep 2009 | 7:09 pm

  What if death was not the last destination, but just an exit on a larger cosmic freeway? This is the way many Mexicans have programmed their philosophical GPS systems, and their Dia de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead—holiday, celebrated each autumn, is the result.

• Pivo, Prosim: My Introduction to Czech Beer

  30 Aug 2009 | 1:12 pm

  Dark lagers of the Czech variety are often sweeter but maybe the Czech myth about women and beer had something to do with my decision as well. According to local legend and the wise bartender at my favorite pub, consumption of dark beer enhances the size of a woman’s bust resulting in dark beers often being favored by the ladies.

• MonicaZ Photography - Destination Wedding Photographer

  27 Aug 2009 | 2:00 pm

  With a fresh perspective and ready to take it all on attitude, Monica Zibutis is slowly photographing her way around the world. Monica, along with her husband of three years, is a destination wedding photographer.

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  Vagablond

• Just released:2010 Hotel and Restaurant Trend List, pt 3

  Janice Nieder

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:07 am

  RESTAURANT Trends for 2010 Coming to America – International influences are ingrained. Sriracha (rooster sauce) is the new salsa, which replaced the old ketchup. Vietnamese Banh Mi is the new Ham & Swiss; and Middle Eastern spices and spreads go mainstream as pizza makes way for pide. Forget chicken noodle soup, it is pho; pho sure. Examples: Short rib sliders with Sriracha aioli at E&O Trading Co. (San Francisco, Larkspur and San Jose, CA); Sourdough bread and lavash with feta walnut spread and Caspian tapenade at Zare at Fly Trap (San Francisco, CA) This Is a Stick Up - Small foods…

• Just released:2010 Hotel and Restaurant Trend List, pt 2

  Janice Nieder

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:17 am

  HOTEL Predictions The Discovery Channel – Guests are in search of experience vacations that allow them to get involved. Wise hotels bring the true taste to the table, or the farm. Farm stays, winery bootcamp programs, voluntourism, and cooking classes. Escape to an alternate reality. Examples: Feather Down Farms (multiple locations, Europe); Stony Creek Farm (New York, NY), Liberty Hill Farm (Rochester, VT) The Loyal Treatment – Guest loyalty programs give more out, more often, in efforts to boost business and keep a strong relationship. Statistics: Loyalty is up 19% in a tough economy…

• Most Expensive Apartment :: One Hyde Park

  Anjita

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

  Owning a dream home is something we all dream of even when we are not sleeping and if it is something rare and classy then you can be sure that it will be worth all the money you spend. One Hyde Park the exclusive apartment complex in London, England brings your ambition for a dream home to reality as with its 4 exclusive penthouse apartments fabricated by Candy & Candy while the architectural genius of Richard Rogers has given these apartments a totally awesome and stunning look. Other than the mind blowing penthouse apartments this apartment complex also features 80 specially designed…

• Just released:2010 Hotel and Restaurant Trend List, pt 1

  Janice Nieder

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:02 am

  Andrew Freeman, the president of Andrew Freeman & Co. (natch) a San Francisco boutique agency specializing in hospitality and restaurant marketing, has just released his eerily spot-on (if last year was any indication) 2010 Trend Watch List predictions of the good, the bad and the downright ugly restaurant/hotel trends we can look forward to next year. The 2010 Trend Watch List was developed by AF&Co. from a combination of close industry observation, coast-to-coast travel, discussions with industry experts, meetings with hotel and restaurant clients, press contacts, conferences…

• Bertrand at Mister A’s at San Diego

  Anjita

  16 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am

  The Bertrand at Mr. A’s restaurant located quite close to downtown San Diego is not only one of the favorite restaurants for the residents in San Diego, but at the same time it offer splendid evening views of the city. The very appearance of the mouthwatering delicacies will want you to have more of it. The Modern American Cuisine with French and Mediterranean tastes are the specialties of this restaurant. This restaurant is reputed for its ever-changing menu in different seasons but your excitement to taste their innovative dishes wouldn’t change. The delectable lunch menu…

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  Travels with Children by minnemom

• Photo Organization for Real People

  minnemom

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:21 am

  Whether you’re a blogger or not, chances are you have some photos around your house.  They may be in a variety of formats–digital, prints, slides, negatives–and doing something with them may be an overwhelming task. At the I_Blog conference, we heard about the importance of having some type of organizational system for your photos.  After all, if you can’t find a photo when you need it, it doesn’t do you much good. There are a variety of ways of organizing photos, and you have to choose what works for you, but even some basic organization, like naming your…

• Photo Friday: Not Your Typical Farm

  minnemom

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:01 am

  When driving in rural America, the farmsites usually don’t vary a lot.  Sure, the farmhouses may have been built in different eras, but as a whole, they are usually quite conservative in design.  And the barns will be red or white or faded to gray, with not a lot of variation. Once in awhile, however, a farmsite that’s unique will appear on the horizon, entirely different from its neighbors. This one caught my eye as I drove through Iowa, just past a Lutheran church that could very well have had the same architect as my home church had.  Lutheran churches tend to vary in…

• Historic Marker: Struggle for Control

  minnemom

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:48 am

  Located at Three Rivers Trail park near Bradgate, Iowa.  Click through to photo; it is mapped in flickr. Here’s a close-up of the text so that you can read the significance of this place.

• Grand Opening! “Amazing Castle” Exhibit at Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato

  minnemom

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:19 pm

  We live an hour away from Mankato, Minnesota, but as the nearest “big” city, it’s where we do a lot of shopping, have special medical appointments, and conduct business.  The one thing in the past that we haven’t found in Mankato is a lot of family fun.  Beyond bowling or a movie, there isn’t a lot to do in Mankato, especially in the winter. That’s all about to change.  The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is opening its first exhibit tomorrow, November 19.  “The Amazing Castle” is a traveling exhibit and will be open to the…

• Historic Marker: First House in Pocahontas County, Iowa

  minnemom

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:38 am

  Found on the west side of a gravel road; there is no sign indicating the marker from the road.  For location, click through to the photo.  I have attempted to map the location in flickr. Notice that local historians recognized the need to remember this location and placed the plaque in 1947.

• 
  Suite101: Luxury Travel Articles

• Honeymoon Resorts on Queensland's Gold Coast

  13 Nov 2009 | 10:32 pm

  The Gold Coast is an ideal location for newly married couples to take their first holiday together, with sand, sun and surf just some of the advantages.

• Three Attractions for a Luxury Trip in Asheville

  13 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am

  The thriving art scene and quirky culture of Asheville attracts many tourists. Three interesting things to do add upscale fun to a luxury vacation in North Carolina.

• Best Summer Activities in Newport, Rhode Island

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:03 am

  Newport RI is well known for its luxury travel and historic significance. A family trip here is at once classy and fun; these best things to do will entertain everyone.

• Luxury Family Travel Packages at Fairmont Hotels

  11 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

  Family vacations are a popular way to spend time with loved ones while experiencing new places. Fairmont hotel and resort packages add fun and stretch travel budgets.

• FireSky Resort & Spa, a Kimpton Hotel, in AZ

  7 Nov 2009 | 8:24 pm

  FireSky Resort & Spa is one of the best hotel choices accessible to Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona with culinary dining, shops, golfing, and hiking on luxury vacations.

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  Travel & Places Videos

• Beautiful Silver Bracelets For Your Lover

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:21 am

  http://www.handmade-silver-bracelets.com/ Select this fantastic silver bracelet made out of 99% pure silver, and you know you have something truly specialAuthor: beijingshopping08Keywords: Silver bracelets miao silver bracelets handmade silver bracelets exquisite silver bracelets Added: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:21:51 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• Selecting your Courtesy Car in Sydney

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:16 am

  http://www.courtesycars.com.au the simple and friendly service that you can rely on.Author: brownglasshair3Keywords: car hire cheap car hire dubbo car hire north shore car hire north sydney car hire wagga car hire wodonga car rental cheap car rental dubbo car rental north sydney car rental wagga car rental wodonga car rentals north shore courtesy car hire courtesy car rental courtesy car rentals last minute car hire last minute car rental last minute car rentals north shore car rental one way car rentals Added: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:16:19 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your…

• Miao Silver Bracelets For Your Friends

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:54 am

  http://www.Handmade-Silver-Bracelets.com/ Miao people have been making silver bracelets for centuries, and it is truly a sacred art form in their culture. These silver bracelets are some of their artworkAuthor: beijingshopping08Keywords: Silver bracelets miao silver bracelets handmade silver bracelets exquisite silver bracelets Added: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:54:32 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• Russian Ukrainian Brides go to Dominican Republic

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:16 am

  http://www.oksanalove.com (310) 929-5935 The best way to meet Russian or Ukrainian bride is to go to Dominican Republic. Romance Tours are safe, easy way to meet Great Women without going to RussiaAuthor: oksan110Keywords: The best way to meet Russian or Ukrainian bride is to go to Dominican Republic. Romance Tours are safe easy way to meet Great Women without going to Russia Added: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:16:07 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• Beautiful Silver Earrings And Necklaces From China

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:12 am

  http://www.EarringsAndNecklaces.com Dragon earrings and silver necklaces are the best way to show your knowledge about Chinese culture. Check out these marvelous silver jewels nowAuthor: kisety51Keywords: Silver earrings miao silver earrings handmade silver earrings beautiful silver earrings Added: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:12:33 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

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  Travel Blog - Mr & Mrs Smith Boutique & Luxury Hotels

• L’Hôtel of the week: Hotel Particulier Montmartre

  Kate

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am

  Our offer of the year – 2 nights for the price of 1 – across a wealth of properties in the UK, Paris and Morocco has been behind many a judging decision when it comes to pinpointing Hotel of the week of late. Now, the offer has just one week left to run. You’ve got just seven days to book a half-price stay at Hotel Particulier Montmartre Style Art house opulence Setting Serene secret garden Why this week? All you need is a couple of days’ annual leave, a mere 390 euro, and a penchant for autumnal Montmartre. Falling leaves, fairy lights and a bohemian air await in this…

• Christmas cooking with Raymond Blanc

  Caroline

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

  We Smiths like to rank ourselves rather highly in the cookery stakes. In fact, a week rarely goes by without Gareth bringing in baking-parchment parcels containing new-recipe treats or Anthony relaying his latest culinary combinations (eg. pork balls and rice for breakfast). But if there’s any time of year when you need skills in the kitchen, it’s coming up – so stop mass-catering meltdowns forever with a cooking class at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons… Raymond Blanc’s elegant Oxfordshire outpost is the gastronomic capital of the A40, and at this country manor, you…

• Make mine an… architectural punch bowl

  Sarah

  16 Nov 2009 | 9:10 am

  Jelly. A curious entity – reminiscent of school days, lumpy custard and Seventies trifles. Many would agree it’s an unlikely object of passion. Not Bompas & Parr, the oddballs behind the Horseless Carriage of Curiosities, Flavour Tripping and the breathable cocktail. Their slippery creations include wobbly wedding cake-alternatives for adventurous brides, alcoholic stars for Courvoisier, and squidgy buildings for a charitable Architectural Jelly Banquet. And let’s not forget their glow-in-the-dark, sherry flavoured Funeral Jellies, exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of…

• Hotel of the Week: Aviator

  Caroline

  13 Nov 2009 | 10:39 am

  We’ve taken to the skies this week and, after looping the loop over farm and field, we have landed in Hampshire to award our Hotel of the Week accolade to one-of-a-kind aeronautical affair, the Aviator hotel… Style: Silver belle Setting: Airfields of Farnborough Why this week? Until the end of the year, you can stay Friday and Saturday and get Sunday night free. Members will still get their Smithcard offer, so they can toast their free night with some free champagne and spend their skyward-bound stay indulging in heaven-sent chocolate-dipped strawberries. Our favourite bits We…

• Camembert, crustacea and cocktails

  Sarah

  11 Nov 2009 | 2:17 am

  Columbus may have discovered America, but Team Smith recently made a world-altering find of our own: cheese macaroons. And not just any old common as muck cheese - these were Camembert- and Pont-l’Evêque-flavoured puffs of pleasure. It’s difficult to comprehend the majesty of a cheese macaroon unless you’ve eaten one, but for the uninitiated, they are an unholy trinity of creamy, crispy and chewy – savoury and sweet, and so good, we had to wangle an entire box for the office. The scene of this culinary revelation was a Normandy food-focused press event, appropriately…

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  Fun Things to Do

• Pirate Radio

  Irishlass

  15 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am

  I’ll give it 5 stars! Get to the movies this weekend and see Pirate Radio with it’s fun story and FANTASTIC soundtrack. Our movie party had an age span of 40 years and we all loved it. Amazon has the Pirate Radio Pirate Radio soundtrack for sale and it includes these songs: 1. Duffy “Stay With Me Baby” 2. The Kinks “All Day And All The Night” 3. The Turtles “Elenore” 4. John Fred & His Playboy Band “Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)” 5. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas “Dancing In The Street” 6. The Beach Boys…

• A Cote - Oakland, California

  Irishlass

  14 Nov 2009 | 2:28 pm

  Charming French Restaurant Oakland Guest Author: Laura Groves Here’s a little write-up on my favorite Bay Area restaurant, A Cote in Rockridge (Oakland). In a metropolitan area as blessed with wonderful restaurants as the San Francisco Bay Area, choosing one favorite could be tough. But in fact it took just a few moments’ reflection to recognize that A Cote, in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, easily tops my personal list. It’s visually gorgeous, yet comfortable; the menu is varied and the food beautifully prepared; and the prices are such that, even in these times, a…

• Tia Pol - New York City

  Irishlass

  14 Nov 2009 | 1:19 pm

  Best Tapas Restaurant - NYC Guest Author: Kelley Vick With so many wonderful restaurants to choose from in New York City, my “favorite” can change depending on the day. My current obsession, however, is a tiny little tapas joint on Tenth Avenue at 23rd Street called Tia Pol. The space is tight (there are only about eight tables), so there’s often a long wait and diners frequently eat at the bar, but the close quarters merely add to the ambiance. While patrons wait to be seated, the bartender is more than happy to provide particularly delicious sangria (I normally prefer red, but the…

• Milano’s on the Lake - Pelican, NSW, Australia

  Irishlass

  13 Sep 2009 | 1:44 pm

  Best Romantic Spot Australia Guest Author: Kimberly Knight My family and I spent Christmas 2008 in Australia. It’s a tradition for us, as my husband is an Aussie, so we try to go home every other year. This past Christmas, my husband and I took a big step and decided to have a romantic date awayre from our then two2 year old son. Chances like this don’t come around very often for us, as we usually don’t have a sitter, so we knew we had to make this meal and alone, adult time count. Both sets of grandparents were at the house at Blacksmiths Beach, so we did not have to worry about a…

• 93 Pisco Sours in Chile

  Irishlass

  13 Sep 2009 | 1:05 pm

  Pisco Sour - Favorite Cocktail of Chile & Peru Guest Authors: Darrell Corti, Rick Mindermann Sacramento’s favorite foodie, Darrell Corti, and his associates spent 2 weeks eating and drinking their way through Chile in June and documenting the trip on their brand new oodlebox blog. Because I love the store so much, they’re letting me share highlights with you. They’re on a crusade to bring the Pisco Sour to Sacramento. Here’s a video on Pisco Sours from KCRA The Wonder of the Pisco Sour After Darrell told us about the history and wonder of the Pisco Sour, we set a…

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  Sweden Tourism - a blog for tour operators

• The best stats you´ve ever seen

  swedentourism

  3 Nov 2009 | 1:23 am

  Sometimes some facts & figures can change your view of the world… Tourism development  is often seen as a sustainable way out of poverty. This week Natural is educating 143 tour operators from 28 developing countries on the Scandinavian tourism market under the flag of CBI´s Export Coaching Program in Rotterdam. Enjoy Hans Rosling´s inspirational speech at TEDx Tokyo, showing that the world is reasonably on track when it comes to fight poverty.

• Online tourism boosting

  swedentourism

  30 Oct 2009 | 3:28 am

  A recently published study, Netstudy Travel Industry 2009, by Swedes Peter Hellman and Alf Hedlund, shows that e-marketing is becoming more important within tourism. The travel industry´s online market has grown tremendeously, from SEK 10 Bn 2005 to SEK 25 Bn 2007 (US$ 1,43 Bn to US$ 3,58 Bn). The travel sector has increased the most and stands for 30% of all online shopping in Europe. The pure net travel actors had a turnover of SEK 7 Bn 2007, estimated to SEK 9 Bn next year (US$ 1 Bn to US$ 1,29 Bn). The consumer behaviour is now rapidly changing. 90% begins their journeys on the net, but…

• Wind power vs tourism employees in Sweden

  swedentourism

  17 Sep 2009 | 12:42 am

  wind power vs. tourism employees in Sweden 2008 Sources: Swedish Energy Agency & Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth

• Sweden according to visitsweden.com

  swedentourism

  14 Sep 2009 | 10:17 pm

  Fill in the blanks…

• 7 Growth industries characteristics, part 3: Requirements

  swedentourism

  28 Aug 2009 | 4:21 am

  Sweden is becoming more and more unknown among foreigners, accordning to a recently published report by The Swedish Institute. “The reason for this is that the choice of countries being investigated changed compared to previous years” says Olle Wästberg, SI Director-General. “The other reason is that the competition has become tougher as a result of globalization.” Well, there´s a shortcut to change peoples opinion about Sweden: Invite them to see for themselves. Sweden have thousands of tourism related entities, with approximately 160,000 employees all together who…

• 
  davidlansing.com

• The white egrets of Parque Juárez

  david

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:30 am

  If the Jardín is San Miguel’s living room, Parque Juárez is her cozy den, a spacious, shady place where you can spend an afternoon reading a book without being disturbed in her luscious gardens. This afternoon, needing to get out of the house but desiring some place more peaceful than the Jardín, I found a unoccupied green bench near the children’s playground. Above me, white egrets roosted in the thick branches of the laurel trees. I couldn’t see them but I could hear their vociferous squawks. The author at the entrance to Parque Juárez. Photo by David Lansing. Here I was, only…

• Squash blossoms, brie, and Eunice O’Hanna

  david

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:15 am

  Serendipity dances up and down the streets of San Miguel. For instance, one day I walked up Aldama away from the center of town, past Parque Juárez, and towards the neighborhood of San Antonio. Having recently reread Mary Morris’ book Nothing to Declare: Memoirs of a Woman Traveling Alone, in which she took up residence in this barrio for a year, I was curious to see it for myself. In her book, which was published over 20 years ago, she says, “I never would have moved to the neighborhood called San Antonio if I’d known better. For that part of town was different from the other parts.

• Dusk in San Miguel

  david

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:42 am

  At dusk the sky over San Miguel is a layered torte of reds and pinks and purples, a hazy but lovely sunset made rich by the smoke that sits over the town waiting for a breath of fresh air to blow it away. I like to walk up Correo in the late afternoon when the brightly colored walls of the buildings look drained in the sun, the heat and the dust making them like the old ladies who squat beneath the awnings of the mercado during the hottest part of the day. A walk up Correo on a hot afternoon. Photo by David Lansing. I’ll have a drink by the pool at La Puertecita, waiting for the day to cool…

• The story of La Parroquia

  david

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:46 am

  In Alice Adams’ book Mexico: Some Travels and Some Travelers There, she writes: “Mexican churches so often have that slightly lopsided, mildly deranged look; they were clearly made by striving, imperfect, talented, but fallible human beings, which may account for some of their strong appeal.” She most certainly must have been thinking of San Miguel’s most famous church, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel which everyone simply refers to as La Parroquia—the parish church. It is to this part of Mexico what Notre Dame is to Paris, a beloved icon that in some ways is San Miguel. The…

• Shooting a telenovela in Parque Juarez

  david

  16 Nov 2009 | 2:37 am

  Aldama seemed noisier than usual this morning. Small groups of teenagers, mostly girls, were giggling and shrieking as they passed quickly past my door towards Parque Juarez. Which is in the opposite direction of where they should have been headed, which is to school. I grabbed my coffee and stuck my head out the door to see what the commotion was about. A film crew was set up on the corner, across from my neighbor, La Mansion del Bosque. They were shooting a scene from a telenovela, those Mexican soap operas that seem to be on every blue screen in every house in San Miguel and elsewhere in…

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  Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

• Consumer Travel Interview with Christopher Elliott

  NomadicMatt

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:34 pm

  Christopher Elliott is a syndicated columnist for MSNBC, the Washington Post, and National Geographic and writes about  consumer rights, the travel industry, travel tips, and helps consumers troubleshoot problems they encounter. His articles frequently talk about consumer relations and he is always helping people deal with the bureaucracy of many travel companies. I lucky enough to meet him at TBEX 09 and today we get to hear his thoughts: Nomadic Matt: How did you get into consumer travel? Chris Elliott: I felt drawn to consumer travel during the early 90s, as an editor at Travel Weekly…

• Back Home

  NomadicMatt

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:35 am

  I’ve been back home for over a week now. After two months in Europe, I’ve come back to my friends, good drinks, Cheap Charlies, amazing food, great weather, and chaotic excitement. Yes, I’ve come back to Bangkok. Though born and raised in Boston, I consider Bangkok home now. When people ask me “where I live?” I usually say Bangkok, even though I really consider myself homeless since there is no apartment waiting for me anywhere in the world. Such is the life of a nomad! They say home is where the heart is and while Boston is always “home” it is more the place I was born and…

• Riding the Rails in Europe

  NomadicMatt

  13 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am

  One of the highlights of my recent trip to Europe was all the train travel I did. Using my Eurail pass, I rode across the continent through the amazing scenery. In the past, I had done limited train travel but, usually my travel plans are always random, so I typically jet set around Europe on cheap Ryanair flights. This time though, since I had a pretty set route, I really wanted to explore Europe by train. I had heard so much about it, that it was time for me to experience it. I got to see the countrysides of.. Spain While not my favorite, the Spanish countryside was beautiful. The land…

• The Four Things I Hate About Europe

  NomadicMatt

  11 Nov 2009 | 5:28 am

  I love Europe. I really do. So much so that when I stop being Nomadic Matt, I want to move to Paris (or maybe Amsterdam). I love the cafe culture, the wine, the free health care, the liberal attitude towards life, the ability to travel to so many different places cheaply- it is all great. But there are things about Europe that really get on my nerves. Some things that keep it from being the perfect place while making me realize America, well, it ain’t so bad… Convenience- Asia really spoiled me in this area. When you live in Asia, you can get anything or go anywhere 24/7. Nothing…

• The Weekly Photo: Beaches in Nha Trang

  NomadicMatt

  10 Nov 2009 | 4:53 am

  The beaches of Nha Trang, Vietnam ©Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. Learn to have your blog pay for your travels!

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  Hawaii Vacation Connection

• Episode #348 Last Minute XMAS packages for Hawaii

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:00 am

  Podcast questions, Package reviews

• Episode #347 Whale Watching in Hawaii

  11 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Podcast questions, Package reviews

• Episode #346 ReThink Hawaii, Outrigger Hotels in Hawaii

  31 Oct 2009 | 12:00 pm

  Podcast questions, Package reviews

• Episode #345 Out of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki

  28 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am

  Podcast questions, Package reviews

• Episode #344 Hawaii Rental Car Reminders

  21 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am

  Podcast questions, Package reviews

• 
  GoNOMAD

• A Visit to the Bavarian Alps: Christmas Markets and Pagan Spirits

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

  Christmas shopping in Germany is a great way to experience the true gift of giving, and late fall is the perfect time to consider a trip to the Bavarian Alps to do so. Visitors can stroll merrily through illuminated streets, buy handmade decorations, sip sweet cider, even, take a spin on an old fashion carousel. Old town squares, medieval castles and authentic dining await your visit. Christmas Traditions in Munich There are dozens of theme-driven Christmas markets in Munich from the Kripperl (manger market) to the Medieval to the Tollwood Market of Ideas. By far, the most popular is…

• A Girlfriend Getaway to “Where The Sun Shines Through the Mist”

  13 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pm

  Is anything really ageless? I think not. But “girlfriend,” is an ageless word. Your girlfriend could be eight or 80. A girlfriend isn’t necessarily a girl, she’s born of friendship, history, empathy and love. Happily, I have several girlfriends. I shared an escape weekend this summer with two in particular, Jody and Brigitte. We spent the weekend, “Where the Sun Shines Through the Mist,” the Indian meaning for the word, Temecula. Sixty miles north of San Diego and 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles is the Temecula Valley. Our busy lives allowed us just two days and one…

• Travel Tips from a World Traveler

  13 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pm

  I’ve been traveling on international trips about 10 times a year for the past five years. Since that time I’ve compiled the following tips that in most cases occurred to me after I wished I had thought of them. Below are some recommendations that will make your next trip easier and safer. 1. If you’re given a piece of paper by customs or somebody else with a uniform in the airport, save it in your wallet…even if you don’t know what it is. You will most likely be asked for it again on your way home. 2. Ask to sit in an aisle seat or in an exit row when you check in if you get antsy…

• GoNOMAD Book Excerpt: Invisible China: A Journey Through Ethnic Borderlands

  13 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm

  Colin Legerton and Jacob Rawson engage in an anthropological journey of more than 14,000 miles to encounter and reveal the ethnic minorities of China. Legerton and Rawson report on hidden minorities -- their language, homes, cuisine, and school systems. The focal point is to reveal their opinions of Chinese Government Policy and Han culture. However, even one without knowledge or interest in Chinese history will find this an enticing read through the authors' immersion into the day-to-day lives and homes of these people through their journey. Revealing the history and public opinion of…

• Bicycling Cuba: Bluebird Skies and Welcoming Homestays

  9 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pm

  Just a few tire rotations from the arid town of Cajobado along the island’s eastern most fringes, the road takes a sudden turn north and we’re almost immediately forced to gear down. Save for the occasional ’55 Cadillac and galloping horse with carriage in tow, Tabi and I are left alone to tackle the steep switchbacks one laborious pedal stroke at a time. Wending through and cresting the Sierra del Purial mountain range on its way to once isolated Baracoa on the north coast, the last bit of pavement of the La Farola road was laid down in the sixties and is widely considered the first…

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  Travellious.com

• 5 Embarrassing Rookie Travel Mistakes

  austin

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:59 am

  Image: aghman. Mistakes. Everyone makes them, from rookies to seasoned travelers. We're definitely not immune, far from it, we still make them quite regularly. But, the great thing about mistakes, is that we can all learn from them. So, in the interest of both amusement & education, I present you with our own top five rookie travel mistakes. read more

• Travel Stories: Taking the Bus

  kelly

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am

  Image: gabrieletrapani. I stepped off the plane in Venice's airport and I instantly felt "at home." I've been through this airport countless times, the first as a student and I remember sitting on a bench in baggage claim waiting to rejoin Austin as we took separate flights. We fumbled our way through the airport to find the bus counter, for tickets to get to Piazzale Roma via a short $3 bus ride. (To this day, I have yet to take an overpriced taxi or boat ride. If you're a romantic with extra cash to spend, by all means do so. If you're cheap, unromantic or too pragmatic to take a boat, then…

• Postcard from Italia: Horse Watching

  kelly

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:15 am

  Image: kelly. Horse Watching read more

• Video: Graduation Celebrations in Padova

  kelly

  10 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am

  Graduation Celebrations, Padova, Italia (15 sec.) When someone graduates from the University of Padova, they get a proper celebration and a not-so-proper one. Last night we were taking a walk around the city center and spotted these two poor souls "enjoying" their graduation festivities. read more

• Travel Chatter: What's Hot On The Net (November 10, 2009)

  austin

  10 Nov 2009 | 8:23 am

  The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week. Image: alex the greek. Brave New Traveler Are Americans Afraid Of Overseas Travel The question asked in this article, and a lot of the answers aren't new either, but the question keeps being asked. But what about asking the same thing about people in other countries? I'd like to see a direct comparison/study of people in other countries. Or, I'd like to see a study of how many people in other countries leave their continent. An American can travel an exceptionally long way before they…

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  Dawn on the Amazon Captain's Blog

• Population Of Iquitos According To The Latest Census

  Captain Bill

  12 Nov 2009 | 3:49 pm

  The Population Of The Province Of Maynas, and Iquitos According To The latest Census I am typing from the official 2007 census; Provincia Maynas, total population, 486,072…Urban, 386,891…Rural, 99,181 That includes; Distrito Iquitos, 156,904…Urban, 153,517…Rural, 3,387 Distrito Alto Nanay, 2,566…Urban, 803…Rural, 1763 Distrito Fernando Lores, 19,002…Urban, 4,515…Rural, 14,487 Distrito Indiana, 12,041,…Urban, 3,275….Rural, 8,766 Distrito Las Amazonas, 10,266…Urban, 2,498…Rural, 7,768 Distrito Mazan, 13,050…Urban,…

• Celebrate Thanksgiving On November 29 At The Amazon Golf Course

  Captain Bill

  7 Nov 2009 | 4:51 pm

  Everyone Is Invited To Celebrate Thanksgiving On November 29 At The Amazon Golf Course This is your invitation to celebrate thanksgiving at the Amazon Golf Course This is your invitation to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Amazon Golf Course on the last Sunday of November. That is not Thanksgiving Day! Plan on being there for a delicious meal and a good time on November 29th. I know Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated outside of North America, but everyone, regardless of nationality, is invited to join us. The only requirements are that you purchase a ticket for $15 soles, preferably in…

• Greetings From Bill Grimes On The Captain’s Blog

  Captain Bill

  1 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  Greetings From Bill Grimes On The Captain’s Blog Please accept my apology for any inconvenience caused if you were having trouble accessing the Captain’s Blog. Hooray, it is fixed, and functioning better than ever. Thank you for your patience. I received numerous emails, phone calls, and face to face conversations wanting to know what was wrong. I explained it was like an electrical short, sometime the wires were touching and the spark would open the blog and frequently it would short out and off. It took me three days to make the post, Golfing Amazon Style, From The Fringe. Ohhh,…

• Golfing Amazon Style, From The Fringe

  Captain Bill

  23 Oct 2009 | 4:34 am

  Jeff Sutherland, publisher of Inside Golf Magazine, and www.insidegolf.ca, sent Mike Collis an email saying in part, “…I have taken the liberty of visiting your site and then written a piece about your amazing achievement. Please note we ran this in our 5,000 subscriber newsletter and in the summer issue of our magazine…” Golfing Amazon Style, From The Fringe I'm going to dine on this forever. What other golfer can claim to have lost a finger tip to a piranha while playing golf. In the campy British “Carry On” movies of the 1960s, there was a scene where the explorers…

• Adrenaline Rafting, The Great Amazon Raft Race 2009

  Captain Bill

  1 Oct 2009 | 8:13 am

  A guest post by Barry Brett One of a series of short humorous stories of life in Iquitos Each article is a portrayal of actual events, written from the perspective of a Californian living in the Jungle City of Iquitos, Peru. Adrenaline Rafting The Great Amazon Raft Race 2009                                                                                     Barry Brett On the River Amazon, headed for Porvenier I’ve often wondered what kind of person would set about navigating the River Amazon on a raft.

• 
  Common Sense and Whiskey

• CS&W Interview: Sean Gallagher on North Korea

  Bill

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:33 am

  Sean Gallagher is unlike most people. He has been to Pyongyang. In September the award-winning, Beijing-based photographer and the Canadian Globe and Mail's Asia correspondent, Mark MacKinnon, entered North Korea as tourists. Gallagher wrote about his experience in an article for The Digital Journalist titled Inside North Korea, and now he talks further about North Korea with Common Sense and Whiskey:- Sean, thanks very much for answering a few questions about your trip to North Korea. First, you're a British photojournalist working in China, right? Tell us a little about your…

• Friday Photo Quiz #48

  Bill

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:05 am

  Like in last week's photo quiz, this place is its country's capital and seat of government, but unlike last week, it's not the country's biggest city. It's home to about a million and a half people. This city and Krakow, Poland were the first Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978.The volcano in the photo stands at 5,897 meters, or 19,347 feet and is still active, having erupted more than 50 times  since 1738. Can you name the city? The country?The answer is after the jump. A good weekend to all from Common Sense and Whiskey & EarthPhotos.com. (Photo…

• Interview Tomorrow: Photographer Sean Gallagher on North Korea

  Bill

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:04 am

  We write about tourism to North Korea whenever we run across the rare story about it (here, here, here and here, among a few others). Here's an article written by Sean Gallagher, a photographer based in Beijing, about his visit to Pyongyang earlier this fall. Join us here tomorrow when CS&W talks with Sean about his trip.

• Fifty Photos #39

  Bill

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:39 am

  The shipyard at Freemantle, Australia.Find 400 more photos from around Australia in the Australia Gallery at EarthPhotos.com. Get top-notch professional 8x12 Glossy & Matte prints of this and any of these Top Fifty Prints for just $11.50, 16x24 Glossy, Matte & Lustre for $35.00 at EarthPhotos.com. (Photo from EarthPhotos.com.)

• Guest HDR: Japan

  Bill

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm

  Nice guest HDR photo today from our friends Bobby & Carol Long, recently returned from holiday in Japan. It's the Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens, Tokyo, from a single RAW image converted to HDR.

• 
  WritingTravel.com

• Corpse Bride and Victor Van Dort figures in the window of Album, Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris

  Lanora Mueller @WritingTravel

  11 Nov 2009 | 6:13 pm

  Figures from Tim Burton's film The Corpse Bride, among others, on display in the window of Album 84 on boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris. Located here in the Latin Quarter since 1948, Album 84 is the oldest bookshop in France specializing in comics, better known as BD or bande dessinee.

• United takes back upgrade from exec in track suit

  Lanora Mueller @WritingTravel

  4 Nov 2009 | 5:54 pm

  Definitely bad business for United, possibly even worse than their recent lost-luggage double whammy on the musician whose "United Breaks Guitars" video went viral. Travel blog Gadling reports that United revoked the first-class upgrade of a passenger traveling in a track suit. Oops! That passenger was an articulate, otherwise very well-groomed Best Buy vice president and frequent flyer. Watch the video for yourself. Will Thomas of Fox News DC has since reported that United has responded and is investigating the allegations.

• Objets de collection, Quebec City

  Lanora Mueller @WritingTravel

  4 Nov 2009 | 3:33 pm

  More Quebec City windows:

• Wednesday Window ~ Blackberry sur La Seine, Paris

  Lanora Mueller @WritingTravel

  28 Oct 2009 | 9:19 pm

• Wednesday Window ~ View of Quebec City from Hotel Pur, Saint-Roch

  Lanora Mueller @WritingTravel

  14 Oct 2009 | 2:17 pm

   

• 
  Hole in the Donut

• Good Night and God Bless

  Barbara Weibel

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

  Throughout the ages, religious orders have traditionally offered lodging and a bite to eat in return for a small donation. Although few were aware of it until very recently, this tradition continues today. Convents and monasteries around the globe supplement their income by offering cheap, clean, and safe accommodations for modern day pilgrims. I first heard about this practice when I was traveling around the world in 2007. On the backpacker trail for six months, I learned that rooms at convents were available for astoundingly cheap rates. The only downside seemed to be that the residents…

• Blogging Boomers Carnival 139 Hosted By Don’t Gel Too Soon

  Barbara Weibel

  16 Nov 2009 | 5:06 am

  Well it’s Monday, and that means we’re in for another round of fascinating posts from the demented minds of our baker’s dozen Blogging Boomer carnival participants. And speaking of demented, I’ve always wondered about the title of the blog that is this week’s host: Don’t Gel Too Soon. For some reason, I always assumed it referred to hair gel, but I’m starting to wonder if it means that we never really “gel” as people until we are of a certain age….. Cruise on over to Don’t Gel Too Soon and discover for yourself the diversity of…

• Punta Gorda – Florida’s Gulf Coast Painted Lady

  Barbara Weibel

  14 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  When Dr. Robert Andrews first proposed that a series of historically accurate, educational murals be painted on downtown buildings in Punta Gorda, Florida, some residents opposed the idea, insisting the murals would be nothing more than “graffiti.” Business leaders, on the other hand, loved the idea. They formed the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society (PGHMS) in 1994 and successfully lobbied the City Council for permission to paint the first one on a large blank wall of a former shopping center located on U.S. 41 Northbound. Once the first mural was completed, others quickly…

• Southwest Introduces New Green Plane to Fleet

  Barbara Weibel

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am

  Southwest Airlines has always been one of my favorite carriers, a position which was recently reinforced when they refused to charge the onerous $100 checked luggage fee being levied by other airlines. My confidence in Southwest escalated another notch today when I learned a “green plane” is being added to their fleet. Environmentally friendly materials used in the interior of the Boeing 737-700 will equate to a weight savings of almost five pounds per seat, saving fuel and reducing emissions while adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste. Elements of…

• Blogging Boomers Carnival 138 Hosted By The Boomer Chronicles

  Barbara Weibel

  9 Nov 2009 | 10:37 am

  The intrepid Rhea, who shares my inexplicable desire to chuck it all and go RV’ing for the rest of my life, is our host for this week’s Blogging Boomers Carnival. Check out her most recent post on The Boomer Chronicles, where she’s summarized the subjects being discussed by our little group of 12 boomers, and click through to read the complete articles of any that tickle your fancy.

• 
  Luxury Travel Insights

• Bedford Post Inn, An Eight Room Hideaway in Bedford, New York

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:04 am

  Drive an hour from the city and you're in Westchester, more specifically, Old Post Road, a carefully manicured country-house-style suburb....

• Jumeirah Essex House, A Glam Hotel on Central Park South

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:02 am

  No one could say that New York is short on glam, and Jumeirah Essex House plays into this element in it's grandiose size, style and amazing...

• Kadju House, A Stylish and Luxurious Beachfront Villa Rental in Sri Lanka

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:01 am

  Exotic, serene, different! The island of Sri Lanka, off the southern tip of India, is fast becoming a luxe destination thanks to romantic retreats...

• Villa Lara, A Chic and Private Oceanside Villa Rental near Cape Town

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  With his eye for style and attention to detail, it's no surprise British landscape photographer Chris Simpson has chosen the perfect...

• Casa Roma, A State of the Art Villa Rental in Northern Croatia

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:58 am

  Set in the tiny hamlet of Sveti Kirin, just a ten minute drive from Sovinjak in Northern Croatia, Casa Roma is set on nearly an acre of private...

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  Spot Cool Stuff: Travel

• 5 Amazing Towns on Perilous Cliff Sides

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:10 am

  Spot Cool Stuff loves a good cliff-side town. There’s something about them that’s romantic, daring and a little impossible. Here are five of our favorites places where no one with vertigo would want to live: Manarola, Italy The uber-colorful Italian village of Manarola is not the most precariously placed cliff-side settlement of the five in this review. This is fortunate considering the amount of wine produced—and consumed—here. The local specialty is Sciacchetrà, a sweet dessert wine that tastes of honey and apricots. Manarola is one of five villages in the Cinque Terre area…

• The Amazing Bioluminescent Bay

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  12 Nov 2009 | 1:32 pm

  None of the photographs on this post are the product of PhotoShop manipulation. So what’s the blue luminescence you see around these swimmers and kayakers? That’s the result of the natural properties of Puerto Rico’s Laguna Grande. The Laguna Grande—colloquially referred to as the “Bioluminescent Bay” or simply the “Bio Bay”—is a relatively small and shallow body of water with a very narrow opening to the ocean and an extensive mangrove forest at its edge. All of those qualities combine to produce an ideal environment for dinoflagellates to…

• Europe’s 6 Best Running Events

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  9 Nov 2009 | 8:13 pm

  You don’t need to be as fast as the Kenians. You don’t need to challenge “Ultramarathon Man” Dean Karnazes on a 100 miles race. Running a marathon or a half marathon or a shorter race is more a personal challenge than a struggle against the clock. And you can enjoy the tourist experience as well, it’s called sightseeing on the run. Crossing the Brandenburg Gate at the Berlin Marathon or entering the Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens will leave you breathless (OK, that maybe be the exhaustion) and offers a more vivid memory of the city than thousands of pictures.

• November ‘09 Travel Deals & Discounts

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  8 Nov 2009 | 6:44 pm

  November marks the start of the high season for many of the world’s warm weather destinations. Travel to places like Thailand, Turkey and the Caribbean starts to get expensive. Meanwhile, the ski season in Europe and North America prepares to get into high gear. Fortunately, there are good travel deals and discounts to be found. Here’s a selection of a few of our favorites. As always, you can stay updated on our latest travel deal posts by . . . • going directly to our travel hot deals page; • or, getting a Kindle subscription to our travel blog; • or, perhaps best of all,…

• 5 Superb Shoe Museums Where Fashion Is Afoot

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  23 Oct 2009 | 12:52 pm

  Did you know that humans have been wearing footwear of some form or another for as many as 40,000 years now? And that it’s only been in the last 200 years that shoes have been designed with differentiation for left and right feet? You needn’t necessarily be a fashionista to appreciate the astonishing variations in footwear over the ages. You need only to bring your curiosity to one of the two dozen-ish museums around the world dedicated to design of the shoe. Here’s a look at Spot Cool Stuff’s five favorites places to kick off a podiatric exploration: Bata Shoe Museum…

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  No Crowds

• Thanksgiving in London

  12 Nov 2009 | 2:09 am

  We run the best Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen outside the United States. It’s a bold claim but let me offer some supporting metrics. During our time in London, we have served over 370 pounds of turkey to an estimated 420 people. This year we anticipate feeding thirty-three pilgrims hailing from France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, the UK and the United States. And I’m confident that everyone who will celebrate with us this year would agree, London is the ultimate Thanksgiving destination.For the uninitiated, London might seem like an unlikely place to eat turkey with friends and…

• Why is Lucca so Lucky?

  23 Oct 2009 | 9:48 pm

  Driving through the imposing medieval walls into the small Tuscan city of Lucca, we asked ourselves three questions:Why does everyone look so happy?Why is everyone on a bike?Where is all the tourist hoopla?Over the course of our three-day break, we found answers to all our questions.First, everyone looks happy because they live and work in one of God’s green acres. According to Forbes magazine, Lucca is the second most idyllic place to live in Europe (after Patmos, Greece) and “has all the charm of Tuscany without the crowds … This is a quiet, though classy town, with lawyers and…

• Take a Two Minute Trip to the Arctic

  15 Oct 2009 | 9:34 am

  Who knew freezing your butt off could be so much fun?When I heard that National Geographic had opened a store on London’s Regent Street, I thought:It will be worthyIt will be well doneBut exciting retail? I doubt it. Well, I was wrong.Yesterday, on the way to look at kitchen counters at John Lewis (speaking of worthy but boring retail) I stumbled into the Nat Geo emporium and had a blast – literally.Of all the things to do and see in this huge, glossy, dare I say it, sexy store, it’s hard to beat taking a spin in the testing chamber where you can try out your expedition gear in…

• Is Your Hand in my Pocket Because You're Glad to See Me

  6 Oct 2009 | 2:53 am

  Yesterday, the UN ranked Norway the best place to live based on education, wealth and life expectancy which reminded me that I had an instructive email from Gary languishing in my inbox about the need for travellers on the road to be vigilant with valuables ... even in the best place to live in the world!Soon after we rendezvoused with our friends on arrival in Oslo, one of them somewhat randomly mentioned multiple signs they had seen mentioning the need to stay vigilant about pickpockets.Ah well, our friends don’t travel that much, I thought, and haven’t endured multiple “pickpockets…

• Thank You American

  2 Oct 2009 | 3:06 am

  I need a flight. That was one of my first thoughts after hearing that my aunt Anne had died. I need to be in North Carolina, not London, so I called American Airlines.I explained to the woman on the other end of the phone, I don’t remember her name, that there had been a death in the family and I understood most airlines had special “bereavement” fares. It felt disrespectful even to ask. Someone has died, so can I get a cheap ticket please. But the American Airlines representative handled it all beautifully. She explained that the airline understood that there were times when a…

• 
  hipcompass.com

• Fall Issue of HipCompass Escapes

  HipCompass Guru

  27 Oct 2009 | 6:40 am

  We are working on re-vamping the HipCompass blog, but in the meantime check-out the the Fall issue of HipCompass Escapes magazine… CLICK HERE to preview the issue

• Luxury on the slopes

  HipCompass Guru

  5 Oct 2009 | 10:35 am

  Amangani, the first Amanresort in North America, located high above the Wyoming town of Jackson Hole, invites guests to join the most exceptional “ski club” in the West.  The only requirement for membership in the Amangani Ski Club is a stay of four nights or more at the sprawling resort, which is known for its exceptional décor, views and service. But the privileges are inviting, particularly for skiers: access to the Amangani Ski Lounge, two adult ski passes for three days of skiing, daily Continental breakfast and complimentary airport transfers. Situated at the heart of the…

• Wakadoodle travel tip

  HipCompass Guru

  1 Oct 2009 | 7:00 am

  Another bizarre and hilarious “travel tip” I found on the web: “Pack a plastic rain coat, it can double as a bathrobe” Hmmmm, don’t think I want to wear a raincoat as a bathrobe….

• Lao Tzu

  HipCompass Guru

  1 Oct 2009 | 7:00 am

  “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” ~Lao Tzu

• Passenger rights and more…

  HipCompass Guru

  30 Sep 2009 | 8:29 am

  Click on the headline to read the story… ‘Clear’ Security Service May Return at Airports Airline Industry Gets Smarter With Bags Passenger rights debate on glide path to Congress

• 
  Brilliant Tips from BrilliantTrips.com

• Tolkuchka Bazaar – The World’s Premier Carpet Marketplace

  Chris

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

  Sprawled across the desert, just a few kilometers from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is an extensive market known as the Tolkuchka Bazaar. Selling a massive range of goods, the largest open air market in central Asia is most famous for selling large red Turkmen rugs. Basically, everything and anything of importance is bought and sold within the open-air bazaar; anything from carpets and handicrafts, to camels and sheep. The market thrives on Sundays when practically the entire country comes together to trade. The Tolkuchka Bazaar is by far Turkmenistan’s number one sight and a must see for…

• Zermatt – Switzerland’s Magic Mountain

  Rich

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:04 pm

  Zermatt is often considered the best and most beautiful ski resort in the entire world. Located in Switzerland, about 10 kilometers from the Italian border, Zermatt offers spectacular views and superb snow conditions that result in consistent skiing until summer. Skiing in Zermatt is split up into four areas, Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee, which combined make up over 300 kilometers of ski runs for all skill levels. The lovely village of Zermatt is nestled in a deep valley dominated by the majestic Matterhorn. I sent a close friend here on a ski trip, by himself, and he…

• The #FollowMeAtSea Twitter Cruise

  Rich

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:48 pm

  Although I’ve been fortunate enough to travel my entire life, I had never gone on a cruise until this past week. I’ve been on some pretty big overnight ferries like the one from Split, Croatia to Ancona, Italy, but never the week long Love Boat kind of deal. A while back, Princess Cruises contacted us about being a part of the first ever Twitter press trip they were planning. The deal was simple: experience a cruise of the western Caribbean free of charge and tweet the entire experience to our followers on Twitter. After a quick five minute search around Twitter, we were able to…

• Best Dive Ever in Cozumel

  Guest

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:53 pm

  Our guest Dave took advantage of one of the free travel activities, available to us as part of #FollowMeAtSea, and went scuba diving in Cozumel. To my surprise, he came back to the cabin declaring that his dive experience in Cozumel had been his “best dive ever.” Here’s his story… -Rich Nervously awaiting the dive boat, I made small talk with the various other divers in queue. I mentioned to a few folks in line that I had made the mistake of watching the film Open Water. The film is about a couple on a boat dive who were left out to sea. Tragically, it was based on a…

• Swimming with Dolphins

  Rich

  13 Nov 2009 | 4:58 pm

  Dolphins have been fascinating people for thousands of years with their beauty and grace along with their elusive sense of intelligence. Swimming with dolphins, an activity available in travel destinations around the world, is something that many people dream of and has become one of the most popular and talked about travel activities there is. There are a wide variety of interactive dolphin programs and activities available offering swimming experiences both fun and educational. While each tour operator has their own particular way of presenting their activities, most programs include direct…

• 
  The Elite Travel Gal

• The Lowdown on Luxury Hotels & Why to Book Now Not Later...

  9 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pm

  A few months ago, I wrote a post stating that I disagreed with MSNBC's article about how 2010 would be "the year of the travel deal". I commented that 2009 was indeed the year of the travel deal, and those who hadn't taken advantage of the deep discounts on offer would likely lose out on the lowest prices we've seen in years.After spending all of today trying to find space over Xmas at a luxury resort for a family of 11 and nearly coming up empty (with the exception of $3,800/night suites, $2000/night rooms or a private home rental for $75,000/week), I hold fast to my original theory. And I'm…

• SMALL LUXURY HOTELS SUPPORTS MY BDAY CANCER CAMPAIGN!

  30 Oct 2009 | 6:07 am

  As if you really needed an extra-good reason to donate to breast cancer research, here's one that's hard to beat: Small Luxury Hotels is donating a FIVE-NIGHT stay at any of its worldwide properties. Yes, you heard correct. The ONLY thing YOU need to do for a chance at winning this incredible free luxury vacation valued at $2,500 is to donate $25 or more, by Monday (my birthday) to my chosen cause. http://bit.ly/SLHBDAYCAMPAIGNHere's the scoop: Having lost my dad way too young after a long cancer battle, my efforts to raise money for cancer research (specifically the Breast Cancer Research…

• Peruvian Adventures

  24 Oct 2009 | 6:10 am

  No doubt, Machu Picchu is a must see when in Peru but if you don't take time to explore other regions of this fascinating country--like the Colca Canyon (where I'm pictured w/friend Samantha Steckbeck)--you are truly missing out! My first (and surely not last) visit to Peru was a study in a whole different world--one where locals work & live off the land, and where a form of simplicity we never see in the States still exists.Sure, the city of Lima--where our journey began--is a bustling, growing city. But like any major city it's one of extremes...from the upscale residentials areas like…

• Me & Montana: Love at First Sight

  7 Oct 2009 | 12:35 pm

  Montana's long been on my wish list of spots to visit. After a recent visit to The Resort at Paws Up, it's now on my list of places to return to time and time again. To say I loved The Resort at Paws Up is putting it mildly. Located about 40 minutes from Missoula, MT, this four-year old property is one of the most unique resorts I've ever visited. There's a huge WOW factor when you walk into your gorgeous three-bedroom Estate Home-- each with two floors, fireplace, huge deck w/hot tub, and stunning views of the Great Outdoors....and the aptly named "Big Sky". I enjoyed these views from nearly…

• Why I Don't Agree with MSNBC: 2009--not 2010--is the Year of the Travel Deal

  26 Sep 2009 | 11:50 am

  A recent article on MSNBC.com stated that 2010 will be the "Year of the Travel Deal". Respectfully, I disagree. Rather, 2009 will go down in the books as the "Year of the Best-Ever Travel Deals". As more people realize they can't live without travel, the bargain basement hotel rates, deeply discounted cruises, time sensitive promos & last-minute sales will become a thing of the past--a 2009 kind of thing.How do I know this? Well, I'm seeing signs of it already. Just yesterday, I checked space for clients wanting to sail in style to Europe (next October!), and the top suites they wanted…

• 
  Suite101: Travel Articles

• Best Neighborhood Christmas Lights in Portland

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:28 pm

  For many Portlanders, the holidays wouldn't be complete without an evening stroll to admire the lights and scenes along quaint Peacock Lane.

• San Juan de Ulúa in Veracruz

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:39 am

  Explore dungeons, ramparts, and prison cells from Veracruz's viceregal era. Sitting on the harbor, San Juan de Ulúa offers great views of Veracruz and its busy port.

• FastPass at Disneyland and California Adventure

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:42 am

  Disney's FastPass minimizes wait times for some of Disney's favorite attractions. Here are tips for using FastPass at Disneyland Resort.

• Placencia - A Sandy Beach Peninsula

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:27 am

  Placencia is not only home to the best beaches on mainland Belize but it also offers three distinct destinations. Discover all Placencia has to offer.

• Towns With Animal Names in England and USA

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am

  From Bunny to Mousehole, Goosey to Badger's Mount, there are lots of towns and villages in the UK with cute animal names dating back to Roman times.

• 
  Lifecruiser

• Vintage Marseille Soap Posters

  Lifecruiser

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:41 pm

  With the thought of that Marseille traditional soaps have been made for about 600 years, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of those really wonderful vintage soap posters I found in a French medieval village. The traditional Marseille soap is made from vegetable oils and it grew so popular that it in 1913 the production had reached 180,000 tons (!) and already in 1924 there were 132 soapmaking companies in the Marseille and Salon areas. Traditionally, the soap is made by mixing sea water from the Mediterranean Sea, olive oil, and the alkaline chemicals soda ash (sodium carbonate) and lye…

• French beach leach

  Lifecruiser

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:34 pm

  When we were in Southern France in August we did of course also visit a beach since the weather was absolutely gorgeous. So one of the first days we did head for Bandol…. This big bay has a lot to offer, several different sand beaches - of course very crowded and you better get there early if you want to find somewhere to park your car. For us it was like heaven to take a swim in the Sea a hot day like this. I believe Anna was one of the first to get ready…. Yep, definitely Beach Babe 2009. Just check in her bikini. I say no more. But who could beach hunk 2009 be then? We spotted…

• Bloggers toast in France

  Lifecruiser

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am

  One of the many higlights of our trip in southern France in August, were of course when we bloggers got to make a toast in real life with the gigglewater we had been pretending to drink together at our cyber cruise parties during the three years we’ve been blogging together. Pierre, Mrs Lifecruiser, Claudie, Renny and Tor. Southern France, August 2009 The missing faces in this photo are behind their cameras: Mr Lifecruiser, Diane and Anna. This had to be well documented - almost as a historic happening…. lol No wonder the happy faces and giggling, it’s not every day you get…

• DRTW #6: Eyeballs On The Rocks - Dracula Classic Drink

  Lifecruiser

  31 Oct 2009 | 4:03 pm

  Welcome to the 6th international cocktail party meme: Drinks ‘Round the World, hosted by Lifecruiser Travel Blog & Travel Experta the 1st every month. I still remember our 2007 Cyber Halloween Party - if you haven’t read about it earlier, I really recommend to click your way over there! It sure was fun! Remember, there was a special drink: Boo (the barftender) recommended the Eyeballs On The Rocks!!! …and for the really thirsty it was OK to order a whole Bloody Mary at once - the real Mary that would last for the whole evening and to be shared with ghoul friends.

• Fun French Face Art

  Lifecruiser

  27 Oct 2009 | 3:24 pm

  Modern art found in a medieval village in ProvenceSouthern France, August 2009 Lifecruiser ♥ French Art   Copyright © 2009 Lifecruiser. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact Captain Lifecruiser at lifecruiser.com so we can take legal action immediately.Plugin by Taragana

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  The Longest Way Home

• Great food from the Philippines: Carabao & regular Mangoes!

  The Longest Way Home

  A Carabao and regular mango from the Philippines There are many different kinds of Mangoes available in the Philippines and all over the world. On the streets they are usually found chopped into little slices and sold in clear plastic bags. They may not be what you expect though. Filipino’s really like a contrast of bitter, salty and sweet flavors. The slices for sale on the streets are often quite bitter and hard. They come with a dipping sauce, or just plan salt. Yes, salt and mangoes are a big favorite in the Philippines. Pictured above in the read is the large Carabao Mango.

• Australia and New Zealand? Should I go?

  The Longest Way Home

  For any long term readers of this website you’ll know of my poll on my about page. It gives you a chance to say where you think I might find home. I put it up quite some time ago and here’s what’s come in so far —– Europe, and Australia / New Zealand are in the lead with nearly a quarter of the vote each. As you can see there’s a fair indication of the web these days as Europe still ranks really high coming in at around 20%.  Granted I’ve not traveled all of Europe, nor ruled it out. Asia also ranks fairly high, which considering where I am; is…

• How to connect to the internet when you’re traveling in the Philippines

  The Longest Way Home

  Remote internet access in the Philippines (click to enlarge) “How do you connect to the internet so often when traveling?” It’s a question I get asked a lot from people planning their travel trips. Especially people going away for 3 months plus who want to bring a laptop, upload photos, and blog etc,. For those who don’t have laptops I wrote up an article here called How to Travel Blog from a Cyber Cafe it’s more specific to connecting without a laptop. For those that do have a laptop, or those who want to know some of the methods I have been using when in the…

• Great Food from The Philippines: Santol

  The Longest Way Home

  A Santol fruit from the Philippines, halved The Santol fruit is about the size of a grapefruit, but looks like a round pear. Once inside there are 4 -6 stones (hard seeds) that are covered by a soft white flesh. The fruit needs to be peeled. The harder flesh outside of the inner flesh is quite bitter. And, Filipinos like to eat it with salt. While the inner soft flesh around the stones is quite sweet. The inner flesh has quite a unique taste. Almost like rose hip or something very flowery. I enjoyed this fruit, though found it frustrating as the flesh is hard to remove from the stone, so…

• Cliff Climbing in El Nido, Palawan

  The Longest Way Home

  The cliff to climb in El Nido Rex had mentioned cliff climbing to me. “No rope, no gear, just climb the cliff.” I treated his comment with a grain of typical skepticism. The cliff was likely to be a hill, and the rope comment was meant to generate interest or bravado. I also had a deep desire to reach the top of a place that had been a home in name only for quite some time. My gut seemed to be telling me something I knew already. To hire a guide would cost 250 pesos, but it had a minimum or 2 people. Meaning I would either have to pay 500, find a tourist, or go alone. So I took…

• 
  My Itchy Travel Feet

• Hiking with History on Kodiak Island

  Donna Hull

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:53 pm

  Will you be traveling to Alaska’s Kodiak Island on your next Alaskan cruise? Here’s an excursion that will satisfy any active baby boomer traveler. Photographers, nature lovers and history fans will enjoy it too. When Alan and I visited Kodiak Island while on a 52-day cruise with Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner, “The Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park Nature Walk” excursion gave us a chance to stretch our legs. Arriving at the trail head via school bus, we embarked on a 1.5-mile journey that meandered through a Sitka spruce forest to a coastal view. Although the…

• Weighing in on the Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale

  Donna Hull

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:05 am

  Baggage Allowance. Don’t you dread those words? Meet your air carrier’s baggage weight guidelines—or pay—big time. What’s a frustrated baby boomer traveler to do? Know before you go. With the Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale, weigh your bags at home while there’s still time to rearrange the contents or leave items behind. The luggage scale, which uses 2 AAA batteries (not included), literally fits in your hands. Attach the Balanzza’s heavy duty strap to the item being weighed, press the “on” button, and lift. The item’s weight (in either lb or…

• Saturday’s scene: Shanghai’s City Lights

  Donna Hull

  14 Nov 2009 | 4:50 am

  On a cruise to China, Alan captured the lights of Shanghai reflected in the Huangpu Jung River.

• and the Winner of the Kuru Shoe Contest is…

  Donna Hull

  13 Nov 2009 | 11:41 am

  Congratulations to Shilo Beedy of Mexico, NY, winner of the Kuru Shoe Contest. She has chosen the Rapid model in black. Shilo, I hope that you’ll post a comment to let us know about your experience wearing Kuru shoes. Thanks to all who entered and to Kuru Footwear for supplying the contest prize.

• Write About Your Travels to Win This Trip to Vietnam

  Donna Hull

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

  Cruising through Halong Bay, Vietnam Are you a baby boomer wandering woman? Do you have a way with words? Great! Enter this travel writing contest for women to win a 12-day culture and spa tour of Vietnam with Buffalo Tours. I’ve just returned from a cruise that included Vietnam and I would love to take a land adventure like this one. There are category prizes, too, including a Bayliss travel bag, Cocoon travel pillow and Coolmax travel blanket. Wanderlust and Lipstick, one of my favorite travel sites for women, is hosting the WanderWomen Write contest. Simply choose a category, write…

• 
  TheCircumference.org

• Explore the Abundant Biodiversity at El Yunque Rainforest

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am

  No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to the majestic El Yunque National Forest. The only tropical rainforest in the United States Forest System, El Yunque is a 28,000-acre abundance of biodiversity ready for you to explore. Situated in the northeast corner of Puerto Rico, El Yunque’s rainforests are located in the Loquillo Mountains, about an hour drive from San Juan. Home to over 240 species of trees (23 of which are unique to El Yunque), 50 species of birds (including the rare and endangered Puerto Rican Parrot), and over 1200 species of insects, El Yunque rainforest was…

• Hike the Karmic Karsts of Vang Vieng in Laos

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm

  Vang Vieng is located in the Vientiane Province of Loas by the Nam Song River. The area was notably used as an American Army base for landing aircrafts during the Vietnam War, but has since developed into a well-catered backpacker district. Surrounded with a dramatic countryside of jagged limestone mountains, a cornucopia of caves and waterfalls, Vang Vieng was designed for hiking! A good hike through Vang Vieng offers hikers an array of sights and activities including vibrant valleys, rugged waterfalls, caving, kayaking and the opportunity to finesse your way across bamboo and rope bridges.

• Hail the Ancient Book of Kells in Dublin

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pm

  One of the world's oldest and most beautiful books, The Book of Kells has become a must-see for any visitor to Dublin. The Book of Kells is on display in Ireland's oldest and most picturesque university Trinity College, whose campus represents for many Dubliners the very centre of the Irish capital. This remarkable book contains the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin written on vellum (treated calfskin), and was meticulously illustrated by Irish monks around the year 800 BC. The history of The Book of Kells is almost as remarkable as the precision craftsmanship it contains. The Book…

• Behold the Beautiful Bacteria of The Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:01 am

  There's so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park, which is bigger than the states of Delaware or Rhode Island, that it would be easy to spend a week there and still not see it all. If you don't have a week, then some of the best experiences can be found in the Upper Geyser Basin in the southwest corner of the Park. All of the geysers, pools and wildlife make it a truly unique place to visit. One of the more popular sites in Yellowstone is the Morning Glory Pool, which sits at the end of a boardwalk trail that easily meanders throughout the geyser basin. The trail to the Morning…

• Celebrate Cinco de Mayo - Mariachi, Margaritas and Mole, Oh My!

  16 Nov 2009 | 9:21 am

  Despite the common misconception, Cinco de Mayo is not actually Mexico's Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican militia's victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is more of a regional holiday than a national one, and most of the celebrations occur in the city of Puebla. Those parts of the United States with large Mexican populations will also enjoy the thrill of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, which have become a bigger tradition than in Mexico itself. Cinco de Mayo is seen more as a day to celebrate Mexican culture within the United States. The Battle of…

• 
  Travel Blog

• $10 Off – ArrangeYourVacation Thanksgiving Special

  admin

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:44 am

  We want to wish all of our faithful ArrangeYourVacation customers a Happy Thanksgiving this year and also thank you for your business and support over the last 5 years. The staff of ArrangeYourVacation REALLY enjoy this time of year when the temperature drops, families come together, and online business picks up (meaning more revenue for [...] Related posts:ArrangeYourVacation.com With YouTubeâ„¢ Video Now! It is no doubt that great images and a video...Season’s Greetings from ArrangeYourVacation.com Season’s Greetings! As another good year comes to an end,...The…

• 2010 FIFA World Cup contracts vacation rental homes for the first time

  Shannon Russo

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:47 am

  A resounding cheer could be heard from investment home owners across the Western Cape in South Africa when FIFA made the decision to contract vacation rental homes, guest  houses and Bed & Breakfasts for the 2010 World Cup. Commendably, FIFA recognizes the value and convenience found in renting a vacation home. With vacation rental fraud and scams on the [...] Related posts:Vacation Villas Of Disney World Disney World, the name itself is very famous all over...Haikou China: World Class Travel Destination Have you ever been to Haikou China? Next time you...Vacation Rental:…

• BOOK LAKE TAHOE RENTALS EARLY

  10 Oct 2009 | 12:39 pm

  Book Lake Tahoe Rentals for Christmas and New Years Early this year. The holidays are just around the corner and Lake Tahoe is preparing for some huge snow based on the 2009/2010 weather predictions. This means huge snow around the entire a lake the good chance for a white Christmas in Lake Tahoe. Now in the [...] Related posts:Best Holidays For Teens Here I have listed the best holidays for teens: Sailing-Boat...Vacation Rentals With each passing year, vacation rentals are getting more popular....Vacation Rentals: Fighting Economy Crisis We cannot deny the fact that economy crisis impacts…

• Winter Sun Villa Vacations In Lanzarote

  Teguise

  6 Oct 2009 | 7:20 am

  The summer season may have come to a close in mainland Europe.  But on the Spanish owned island of Lanzarote in the Canaries the sun carries on shining all year round.  And despite recent falls in tourist numbers the island still expects to welcome hundreds of thousands of tourist guests this winter.    Lanzarote and the Canaries [...] Related posts:Easter Vacations In Lanzarote Despite the current economic climate and the recent diminuation of...Demand for Lanzarote Villa Holidays Up 14% Media pronouncements about the death of the foreign holiday appear...Luxury Villa Holidays In…

• ArrangeYourVacation.com Implements Rental Seal’s Vacation Rental Fraud Protection Services

  admin

  30 Sep 2009 | 2:43 pm

  ArrangeYourVacation.com Implements Rental Seal's Vacation Rental Fraud Protection Services Providing Property Verification, Vacation Rental Insurance, and Peace of Mind to the Online Vacation Rental Community Related posts:We have improved ArrangeYourVacation.com once again! We have added new feature – “Vacation Rental Reviews and...$10 Off – ArrangeYourVacation Thanksgiving Special We want to wish all of our faithful ArrangeYourVacation customers...Vacation Rental Business Goes Online Today, more and more businesses are online. Almost all people...

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  Boldly Go Solo

• Traveling solo in Japan, eating and sleeping cheaply

  Ellen Perlman

  15 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  In my last post, my Japanophile friend Bob talked about some of his favorite places to visit in his favorite country. In this post, he talks more about traveling solo, why he loves Japan and the types of places he goes to eat and sleep when he visits. What so intrigues you about Japan? The mix of modern and traditional cultures, the delicious food, great customer service, and the discovery potential. Japan has all of...

• Traveling solo around Tokyo, Kyoto and other places in Japan

  Ellen Perlman

  10 Nov 2009 | 6:35 pm

  Anyone who knows my friend Bob knows how much he loves all things Japanese. He's been studying the language for years in Washington, with Japanese language partners and in classes. He's even learning how to write kanji, one of three Japanese alphabets. The most complicated one from what I can tell. Every time I turn around, Bob's off on another trip to Japan, including the time he rented out his apartment in Washington a few...

• Dining solo in Austin, Texas

  Ellen Perlman

  5 Nov 2009 | 5:58 pm

  Because I couldn't bear the thought of staring at the four walls of my hotel room and eating a dreary dinner in a hotel restaurant, I pushed myself to stick with my original plan: Dinner at Garrido's. A casual Mexican restaurant somewhere in Austin. The result? An action-packed night filled with squeaky bats, soft tacos, and a stroll through the Sixth Street Warehouse district of Texas' capital city. I'd decided on Garrido's before I arrived...

• Mexico's Day of the Dead or All Saints' Day or All Souls' Day or Los Dias de los Muertes

  Ellen Perlman

  1 Nov 2009 | 7:32 pm

  Feliz Dia de los Muertes. That is, happy Day of the Dead (hm, maybe "happy" isn't part of the greeting?) The holiday is celebrated in Mexico in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2. It wasn't until after I returned from Mexico that I learned about the National Museum of Death. Sounds real enticing, right? You want to see human skulls encrusted with...

• Is solo travel more liberating for Americans when they're outside of the US?

  Ellen Perlman

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:07 pm

  I hadn't ever put my finger on this before, it struck me as I read this post: I prefer to travel solo in a foreign country than here in the United States. Why? The writer says that despite being fluent in the language and culture of her own country, it's more daunting traveling in the U.S. than in a foreign country. Citizens of other countries are more welcoming, she believes. And "one often feels a...

• 
  The Telegraph: A Travel Blog

• Alishan: A Sea of Clouds

  Emily Haile

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  Alishan, at last! We took an early high speed rail to Chiayi. Again, Fish had breakfast waiting for me. I don't know what I did to deserve such a friend. We sipped warm soy milk and watched dozens of fish farms rush past at 170 miles per hour. In Chiayi, we were met by our driver, Da Chuan, which means Big River in Mandarin. We piled into his red van and began our ascent to Alishan. We made a strange caravan: We were John, Fish, "the professor," Ali, "Mr. Money," John's dad, and another friend of John's whom we also called "the professor." I forgot my Bonine pills and John insisted I sit in…

• A Chance Encounter With Wu (and His Entourage)

  Emily Haile

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:15 am

  When Maggie and I boarded the high speed train back from Kenting on Sunday, I was fully prepared to snooze the whole time. But around Taichung, a curious thing happened. A large group boarded the train and sat in the seats right across from us. There were at least seven middle-aged Taiwanese men, all kow-towing to an older gentleman. They shuffled around the aisle, pointing out his seat to him, stowing his briefcases, and speaking in mysterious, hushed tones. I noticed that most of them were wearing earpieces. I poked Maggie in the ribs. "Are those secret service?" I whispered. The response…

• Raw Wasabi (and other National Treasures)

  Emily Haile

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:47 am

  Raw wasabi at market in Alishan, Taiwan.Guava shake at "The Home of Bitter Tea."244 Changan W. Rd., Taipei. Tel: 886-2-2558-0119. Crazy huge rotating cedar plank bbq at the foot of Alishan.At Chuhuo nature fire "special scenic area," in Kenting this local woman was illegally cooking potatoes on a fire fueled by a natural gas leak.

• The Joys of Jinshan: Coffee and Sculptures

  Emily Haile

  9 Nov 2009 | 2:05 am

  YOUNGDOOR 洋荳子 | Jinshan 金山Originally uploaded by ` Kai-Chu 朮Last week, Fish took me to the Juming Museum about an hour outside Taipei in Jinshan. The impressive grounds house works by Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming. What moved me most was Ju Ming's taichi series, enormous, hulking works of bulky bronze chiseled into graceful taichi poses. After practicing Tai Chi with master Liao, I felt Ju Ming brilliantly captured what it means to be "soft but not soft." Here are these heavy, substantial characters displaying such agility and motion. The bronze is able to convey what is feels like…

• Biking Taipei: Guandu to Danshui

  Emily Haile

  5 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  Last month, my roommate rented a Taiwanese film called Island Etude. A young student rides his bike around the island meeting all kinds of characters along on the way. One of the people in the movie said that cyclists will always see the best and the worst of a place. I have to agree, especially since my bike was recently stolen! You're low to the ground and can cover a lot of area. You're also sure to see a diverse cross-section of local life. One of many riverside paths in Taipei, the Guandu Bikeway offers a nice weekend afternoon ride. But it's not for impatient or speedy cyclists. Though…

• 
  My Sweet Viscape

• How to drive more bookings adding reviews to Craigslist via Viscape’s Postlets-like application

  Caroline Allison

  17 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am

  Have you ever wondered how your reviews can help you on Craigslist? The popular postlets application is really great for marketing rentals, however, what do you do when you want to use reviews to help market your vacation rentals and build trust? In this article, I will show you how to take your Craigslist posting from drab to fab in a matter of 5 minutes. Viscape is a new way to advertise your vacation rental - FREE. I’m going to take you through step-by-step instructions for how to give your vacation rental a make over on Craigslist.  Using this application will you time  and…

• Viscape Travel Review of the week - St. Barts oh la la!

  Caroline Allison

  29 Sep 2009 | 10:58 am

  Did you ever see that movie, “Along Came Polly,” starring Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, and the hilarious scantily clad Hank Azaria? If you didn’t see it, this travel review on St. Barts reminds me of the movie. The gist of the movie is that newlyweds, played by Ben Stiller and Debra Messing, go on their honeymoon to St. Barts.   The bride (Debra Messing) is tempted by a scantily-clad, sculpted and buff man on the beach with a thick French accent played by Hank Azaria.  The couple breaks up and Ben meets Polly, played by Jennifer Aniston.  Check out this photo of Hank…

• Victoria Row: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island’s “Bourbon Street”

  Caroline Allison

  22 Sep 2009 | 2:09 am

  Take a stroll down Victoria Row in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and you might mistake it for Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The open air restaurants, the jazz music playing across the street, and the eclectic crowds of people are reminiscent of the good ol’ South. What’s different? There’s no gumbo, the streets are cleaner, and my favorite….those yards! Remember those tooty fruity frozen drinks like the Hurricane? That’s right! Those are called, “yards.”  Well, there are no yards in Charlottetown.  But with Anne of Green Gables’…

• Very affordable Puntarenas vacation rental - Viscape vacation home of the week

  Caroline Allison

  21 Sep 2009 | 12:02 am

  This 3 bedroom, 2 bath Puntarenas, Costa Rica vacation villa goes for a mere $125 per night and it is just drop dead gorgeous!  Its close to the beach but also has a view of the lake and mountains and is set along the beautiful coastline of Costa Rica.  This house is a perfect example of a vacation rental that allows you to stretch your budget. Casa Amarillo En Monterey Esterillos Este, Puntarenas, CR Property #15072 Villa Available for house swap Property manager:mzoldi Click here to see more photos A 2,400 square foot private hillside villa in Esterillos Este, Costa Rica. Rancho Monterey…

• Fresh Lobster anyone? How about fresh, cheap lobster?

  Caroline Allison

  18 Sep 2009 | 11:26 pm

  Who doesn’t love lobster meat?  Mmmmm!  How about a lobster roll for $10?  Well, that’s what you get in in the fishing towns along the Bay of Fundy.  Cheap, fresh lobster!  Anywhere else in the U.S. a lobster roll will cost at least double! We stopped in a lobster town - Alma, New Brunswick, which is a little town on the Bay of Fundy between St. Martins-by-the-sea and Hopewell Rock. Watch the video to see a real lobster town - Alma, New Brunswick! Do you like this video review of Alma, New Brunswick?  Tell us what you think in the comments below.  Or, write your own review…

• 
  Almost Fearless

• Authentic, Culturally Appropriate and Unique Tourism: Does it exist?

  Christine

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:11 pm

  We were having dinner with Ian, one of the owners of Ka’ana, a luxury spa resort in the Cayo District of Belize. He was talking about his vision of transforming not only the food, but every detail—to the tours offered (more culture, less glitz), to food sourcing (think local), to community involvement (replanting an important area), even to the type of soaps they offer to their customers—to become not just a fancy spa resort that attracts well-heeled foreigners (although that is the intent) but to actually define the authentic Belizean experience. He used those words again and again,…

• Traveling Pregnant: Hiking and Tubing the Jaguar Reserve

  Christine

  16 Nov 2009 | 11:59 am

  “Ok Christine, here is where you get out.” Our Belizean tour guide, David, who had informed me earlier that he had done a lot of things in the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, but didn’t want to add “delivered a baby” onto the list, was now floating ahead of the group and pointing to the embankment. We had just hiked the jungle and were 30 minutes into our river tubing tour. The icy water felt so good. I became officially six months pregnant the day before, and while my stomach had expanded into a noticeable baby bump, not much else had changed. I was still waiting to feel pregnant. Every…

• Back in Belize, The First Night

  Christine

  10 Nov 2009 | 5:20 pm

  This week I’m writing from Belize while on a Travel Blogger Fam trip hosted (and paid for– the trip, not the post) by the Belize Tourism Board. I am posting with a 24 hour lag.  We arrived on Monday 11/9. I stepped off the plane in Belize and it hit me. That sweet smell of over-humid air, so thick that you breathe deeply just to taste it. You forget the wetness of it, even after a few months of being away. I had been gone eight.  Last time, I had taken a bus from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City, stopping  just long enough to buy my water taxi ticket to the backpacker island…

• Belize If You Please

  Christine

  8 Nov 2009 | 8:01 pm

  Today, I’m flying to Belize courtesy of Belize Tourism. I’ll be joining four other bloggers for a six day Fam Trip, where they’ve arranged a packed itinerary of jungle tours, cave tubing, zip line canopy tours, snorkeling, parasailing, Mayan ruins and more.  Oh and they’re putting up us in some lovely hotels and hosting all the meals at some great restaurants. Sounds pretty good, no? This is the first time I’ve traveled on someone else’s dime (excluding all the business travel I did in my corporate days).  The trip comes at an interesting time for me.  First,…

• Free Book Friday: Imagine - A Vagabond Story

  Christine

  6 Nov 2009 | 3:13 pm

  When Grant Lingel finds out in his fifth year of college that he wouldn’t be graduating that winter because of some non-transferable credits, he decides to avoid the prospect of finishing school alone by heading to Mexico instead.  It’s with this impetus that the travelogue Imagine - A Vagabond Story begins, which unbeknownst to our 23 year old narrator, will be the driving force behind his travels.  He flys to Mexico because his friend lives there.  He later travels to Belize and Guatemala because some kids are going.  He returns to Mexico City to visit his crush.  He…

• 
  Mother of all Trips

• A trip back in time with Thomas and the Strasburg Railroad

  There was a time in my life when trains, specifically Thomas trains, were more than just a mode of transportation. They were members of our family. We told stories about them, built tracks and houses for them, watched the videos and sang the songs they contained (the first song Tommy ...

• MidAtlantic Wednesdays: Toy Magic in Bethlehem

  When you travel with a toddler for 13 months as I did, you come to rely heavily on independent toy stores. Why? Well, the exigencies of a long road trip mean that your toy and book selection are limited. And sometimes it rains – for days. A great toy store ...

• Mondays are for dreaming: Oxford’s spires

  I'm happy to announce that we've officially decided where our big family trip will be next summer. After much consideration (after all, I am turning the big 4-oh in June so we want it to be special) we have decided that a return to London and some travel in southern ...

• Trekaroo stops in Philadelphia and The Mother of All Trips is on board

  If you've never visited Trekaroo, I recommend you get yourself to this fun and friendly website that's all about family travel. You can browse reviews of things to do with kids written by other parents, get tips on traveling with kids, and even book your trip. Sign up for your ...

• MidAtlantic Wednesdays: An enchanted garden and more at Winterthur

  I started a new feature last week called MidAtlantic Wednesdays, where I will share new or updated posts about things to do and see with kids in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. If there’s an activity or museum that you’d like to see featured, please don’t hesitate to drop ...

• 
  transient travels

• road trip

  susan

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:21 pm

  Two weekends ago Mike and I went to Bluebell, PA for the wedding of some good friends. It was a wonderful. Per usual we decided to drive down instead of taking a plane or the train. While many people dread six to seven hour car rides, I happen to love the drive. I love flying down the Mass Pike toward route 84 and somehow like clockwork the Get Up Kids get stuck in my head halfway between Boston and Worcester. As much as I don’t like driving through Connecticut, when I take 95 I love being able to see the ocean from the road briefly. I love deciding last minute which bridge to take…

• threadless loves travel

  susan

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:52 pm

  My friend Liz just introduced me to Threadless, a community-based tee shirt company with an ongoing, open call for design submissions. The designs available are really fun. She thought of me today because this year, in collaboration with STA Travel, they will be sending a lucky designer on an 11 day excursion to Australia when they design a shirt with a travel theme. There are already some great submissions. Here are some of my favorites: If you have been blessed with design skills, unlike myself, definitely check this out. Imagine winning such an amazing prize for doing something you love!

• i love this.

  susan

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:35 pm

• out of towners

  susan

  11 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pm

  The other day I sat in front of the guest list for our wedding trying to fill out the missing contact information. As I sat there staring at the screen, calling various family members to pull email addresses, hometowns and zip codes, I came to a realization. There will be a lot of travelers. While the Wedding Channel had some great ideas for welcoming these guests and The Knot had ideas for making guests feel at home, I really want to start doing things now to make their trips more seamless and affordable. After days of research and careful thought, I have come up with one idea: ~I set up…

• what philly’s got

  susan

  9 Nov 2009 | 7:42 pm

  Every time I am even remotely close to Philly I always get an urge to take advantage of all the things I miss while in Boston. Take for instance, Wawa. Nothing beats being able to punch in your dream hoagie into a touch screen and also be able to ask for toppings on the side. Their breakfast sandwiches are also out of this world. Whatever you do, don’t compare it to 7 Eleven, it just isn’t the same, trust me. And Yuengling, America’s oldest brewery. Whenever myself or a friend goes back to Philly we almost always grab a case to bring home, I feel like more often than not…

• 
  Travel Wonders of the World

• 1000 Years in 100 Minutes (Luxembourg)

  Mark H

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm

  Since 963 when Count Siegfried first built a castle on a rocky outcrop overlooking a sharp bend in the Alzette River, various European powers have battled for control of the tiny state of Luxembourg. At times, the Burgundians, Spanish, French, Austrians, Prussians and Germans have all held sway over this scenic nation wedged between France and Germany. Despite a tumultuous history of almost

• Sculptures in Nature's Gallery (Sydney)

  Mark H

  15 Nov 2009 | 4:28 pm

  On a sunny spring day, little beats walking Sydney's coastline with azure seas, golden beaches, verdant green strips and rocky escarpments. For over a decade for a few weeks, the walk between Sydney’s Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach is turned into a huge outdoor gallery in Sculptures by the Sea. Many hundreds of thousands of people walk the two kilometre coastal track enjoying the outdoor

• Photo of the Week - Heidelberg Castle (Germany)

  Mark H

  13 Nov 2009 | 2:34 pm

  As a child, I recall reading Mark Twain's wry and witty account of travelling through Germany, Switzerland and Italy in A Tramp Abroad. It was one of the books that captured my interest in travelling the world. Twain spent three months in Heidelberg mystified by the world's largest wine barrel and including a wondrous description of the semi-ruinous castle and its stunning location overlooking

• The World's Largest Wine Barrel (Heidelberg, Germany)

  Mark H

  11 Nov 2009 | 12:58 pm

  Deep in the bowels of Heidelberg Castle is the world’s largest wine barrel. The Heidelberg Tun or Grosses Fass holds over 220,000 litres (58,000 US gallons) and stands an impressive six metres high. To encourage partying, a staircase leads to a dance floor installed on its top so people could drink and dance all evening!With elegant deceit, the path through the castle leads past a smaller barrel

• Photo of the Week - Waratah (Australia)

  Mark H

  9 Nov 2009 | 1:32 pm

  In the midst of spring, Sydney is awash with colourful flowers and blooms. The state floral emblem of the waratah is spectacular with its large deep red flower. The hardy waratah scrub suits the sandy soils of the area and even regenerates if burned to a crisp after a savage bushfire.

• 
  Beat of Hawaii

• Damien Tours on Molokai

  Rob

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:05 am

  One of the most beautiful places in Hawaii is also the site of much hardship and enforced imprisonment. Those with Hansen’s Disease were called “lepers” and sent to live here, on Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula, against their will.  They represented all ages, ethnicity and economic status. For $50 I was taken on a tour of the settlement in an old school bus following my hike down the Pali Trail. It gave me a sense of what forced quarantine might be like. My freedom to explore on my own was taken away. Most buildings were off limits to me including the U.S. Post Office. I was truly…

• LA or SF Air Plus Hotel From $279

  Jeff

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:06 am

  Pleasant Holidays has some good pricing for air plus hotel from either LA or San Francisco. Travel dates for this first deal are December 1-16. In addition, Pleasant Holidays together with Starwood Resorts has another sale, this one valid through January 28.  Air plus three nights accommodation starts at $399 on Oahu and Maui, $449 on Kauai and $639 on the Big Island. Since their new website isn’t due out until next year, it makes it hard to find the dates these deals are available.  I suggest that if you don’t find the deal you’re looking for, just give them a call.  I…

• Hawaii Travel News: Hotel Occupancy Up; HA Strike Nearer

  Jeff

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:05 am

  Hawaii Hotel Occupancy Improving First, on a bright side, we’re finally seeing a little glimmer of hope in Hawaii tourism.  Occupancy rose in September, albeit slightly, for the first time in 18 months.  Hospitality Advisors LLC reported September statewide occupancy of 64.6% vs. 63% a year earlier as the state saw a a 7.2% increase in monthly visitors to the state. That bucks the nationwide trend, in which at nearly the same time (measured the week of November 7), occupancy fell 3.7%. This was reported by Smith Travel Research. Hawaiian Air Strike Continues to Draw Nearer The…

• Poipu Bay Update and a Golf Tip

  Rob

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:05 am

  Kauai’s Poipu Bay golf course will be closing in April for eight months to convert from Bermuda grass to salt water and hurricane resistant Paspalum turfgrass. Paspalum, also designed to provide a more consistent and faster putting surface, has been around for over 30 years, and is popular both in Hawaii and other island locations.  It is already installed at Kauai’s nearby Kiahuna course as well as at Princeville’s Makai course. Recently, friend and local golf pro Luke Shanahan wrote about two of the other Kauai courses he loves most, Puakea and Prince. Luke also has a…

• TripAdvisor Adds Direct Links to Hotels For A Fee

  Jeff

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:05 am

  Barbara De Lollis at USA Today is reporting that Expedia’s TripAdvisor will soon be adding direct links to properties.  The catch to adding this long overdue and badly needed feature, is that hotels will have to pay up.  The cost will be from $600 to $15000 per year, depending on the property’s size.  The fee will reportedly be discounted, at least for now. Watch for the new feature to be added starting in early January. TripAdvisor stands to rake in a bundle from this feature.  According to their VP of partnerships, Nathan Clapton, perhaps 150,000 hotels fit into the category…

• 
  NileGuidance: A Travel Blog

• Washington, DC: 4 Reasons to Visit Off-Season

  Victoria Castiello

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:31 pm

  Unsurprisingly, Washington DC welcomes the majority of its visitors in the spring and summer months.  With school vacations and relaxed work schedules, it’s easier to head to the US Capital then, to view the sights (Cherry Blossoms! Monuments!) or to take part in cool local activities (museum tours! Fourth of July festivities!).  But there are plenty of reasons to visit DC in the fall and winter months. For one, it’s a heck of a lot cooler (DC in August is not for the faint of heart), and there are far fewer crowds. If you haven’t considered planning a trip to DC in the…

• 10 Coolest Train Stations Around the World

  Rachel Greenberg

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:52 am

  It’s pretty much a fact that at some point every little kid spent his or her days “choo choooo-ing” around the house with a tiny wooden train and giggling at the ever-hilarious word “caboose”. Even if you’ve outgrown your striped hat and overalls, you still have the chance to live the childhood dream and enjoy the rich history, beautiful architecture, and downright amazing technology of some of the world’s coolest train stations. 1. Southern Cross Station - Melbourne: The recently remodeled Southern Cross Station has a distinctive wavy roof that…

• NileGuide 5 with World Hum’s Eva Holland

  Nicole Lerner

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

  This week’s NileGuide 5 interview features Eva Holland, a freelance travel writer and the senior editor of World Hum.  She’s currently mid-relocation from her hometown of Ottawa, Canada, to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. Follow her on Twitter at @evaholland. 1. What’s the most underrated destination you’ve been to? Every time I visit New York City I wind up spending a lot of my time in Queens - I actually lived there for a three-month stay last winter - and I’m always amazed that, out of the millions of tourists New York sees each year, so few bother to…

• Budapest Eats: 5 Must-Try Hungarian Dishes

  Ryan James

  16 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

  To fully experience the essence of travel, it is necessary to indulge in the local cuisine. Waistline concerns should be pushed to the wayside, this is a vacation after all! With this in mind, here’s a list of the top five things you absolutely need to taste in order to say that you’ve truly experienced Hungary. Gulyas – Most English speakers think of goulash as a stew, but in reality it is a soup. So don’t be disappointed with a rich brown broth filled with chunks of beef and chopped vegetables. Where to find it: The best place to get a huge bowl is at Paprika Vendéglő…

• 
  About.com: New England Travel

• Your Time Machine Awaits

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:23 am

  Old Sturbridge Village is a 200-acre time machine that transports visitors to the early 1800s. The Northeast's largest living history museum is a place where the routines and rituals of a 19th-century New England community play out day after day, season after season. Did you know that you can even celebrate Thanksgiving at Old Sturbridge Village?Join me on a photo tour of Old Sturbridge Village, then plan your own visit to yesteryear.More Places to Spend Thanksgiving in New EnglandHoliday Survival StrategiesPlan Ahead: When is Thanksgiving 2010?All About ThanksgivingOld Sturbridge Village…

• Ho Ho Ho! The Place To Go

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

  If you can hardly wait for Christmas, head to New Hampshire. Santa's Village, an enchanting family amusement park, reopens this Saturday for special weekend dates of magical (if chilly!) fun through December. I'll take you to Santa's New Hampshire headquarters on this photo tour. If you're good, you might even catch a glimpse of the bearded guy himself.Santa's Village photo © 2006 Kim Knox BeckiusHo Ho Ho! The Place To Go originally appeared on About.com New England Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 19:50:02.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• Photos by You

  17 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

  Have you "flipped" through the pages of my online album of New England photographs submitted by travelers? They show this wonderful region in all of its four-season glory. Thank you to Sailingmusic for sharing this view of a fall sunset on the Massachusetts coast. Click the image to see a larger view. Submit your photo, and you just might see it featured here.Did you miss your chance to see New England's fall color show this year?Subscribe to my eight-week email course (it's free!), and begin planning and dreaming about your 2010 New England fall foliage trip.Photos by You originally appeared…

• This Week's Travel Deals Revealed

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:08 am

  New additions this week to Kim's New England Deal Sheet:Take your family on a memorable ride aboard the Polar Express this December with a special package from New Hampshire's Bartlett Inn;Print your coupon to save on admission to this weekend's Paradise City Arts Festival in Massachusetts;Save all season with the Frequent Skier Card; andPurchase $25 restaurant gift certificates for just $3 through November 22.Media photo courtesy of Paradise City Arts Festival.This Week's Travel Deals Revealed originally appeared on About.com New England Travel on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at…

• Dreaming of a White Christmas?

  14 Nov 2009 | 8:40 am

  Here are the 10 places where you're most likely to celebrate a White Christmas in New England, based on snow statistics from the National Climatic Data Center.Ready for Snow?Sunday River is Already Open for Skiing 7 Days a WeekPlan a Maine Snowmobiling TripPeruse These New England Winter PicturesWhite Christmas photo © 2005 Kim Knox BeckiusDreaming of a White Christmas? originally appeared on About.com New England Travel on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 16:40:35.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• 
  Travelguru.tv

• Dahabiyya Cruises

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:15 am

  Guest blog from travelguru, John CarterI have just spent a week on "Amber", one of the small dahabiyyas which cruises the Nile, taking a maximum of a dozen passengers to tombs and temples between Aswan and Luxor. It was a delightful experience, in the main, and served, among other things, to convince me that small is, indeed, beautiful when it comes to such excursions. A fleet of 350-plus larger boats is also on that river, running in convoy from one site to another. Far too many vessels carrying far too many passengers (even in tough economic times), so that the aforementioned sites quickly…

• Applying for a non-immigrant US Visa

  19 Aug 2009 | 7:38 am

  Ever had the feeling those US folk would really rather not have foreigners come visit? If you've stood in line at Immigration at a US entry point or, worse still, had to apply for a visa in advance you could be forgiven for thinking that was the case. However, some of us are still not deterred and now that our friends at the Massachusetts Travel and Tourism Office have asked us to come and film their spectacular state, the hoop jumping could no longer be avoided. I thought I would share my experience...Filming/reporting/journalism requires an I Visa and so it was that I ended up in a queue…

• Short break in Catalonia

  16 Jun 2009 | 2:31 am

  Its rare for me to get the chance to revisit filming venues but sometimes the temptation is just too great. Ever since we filmed in Catalonia last May, I have been waiting for my chance to check back in to the Castell D'Emporda as a guest rather than for work. Fortunately, this is an easy one to arrange. Just wait for the Ryanair price to be right (in our case just £36 for 2 return tickets) and no excuses necessary. A 2 hour flight and 30 minute drive is all it takes to be transported to this Catalonian gem.The images speak for themselves - enjoying the most idyllic rural setting, mid way…

• Notes from... The British Virgin Islands

  3 May 2009 | 8:40 am

  I got chatting to a lady on our outward flight to Antigua - she was heading there with a group of 20 to celebrate a friends 50th - nice booking for someone. They were Caribbean repeaters but when I told her I was heading on to the British Virgin Islands she was puzzled - the British 'what' she asked, where are they? Well as it happens, they are a short Liat hop on from Antigua but her response kind of sums up both the problem and appeal of the BVI's. As there are no direct flights, they have never been on the mainstream tourist map and, those who have already discovered them would prefer to…

• Caribbean roll

  3 May 2009 | 8:32 am

  No time for blogging recently as I've been mad busy filming on three, virtually back to back Caribbean shoots - first the British Virgin Islands, then St Kitts and lastly, Barbados. For many people the Caribbean is just one region - assuming white sands, palm trees, steel bands and little else. Big mistake! If this rash of shoots has revealed anything it is that each island is completely unique - scenically, culturally, historically and almost any other 'ally' you can think of!The results of our efforts will be on the site within the next month or so but over the next few days I will be…

• 
  Europe for Visitors

• Rotterdam, Netherlands

  Holland's most underrated city is home to leading-edge architecture, vintage boats in inner-city harbors, a lively art scene and nightlife, and Europe's busiest port.

• Holland America Line Cruise Review

  Our illustrated cruise coverage includes a 10-page review, a 156-page photo gallery, articles on Holland America Line's efforts to attract more international guests, and more.

• Venice for Visitors

  The Web's leading guide to Venice, Italy, with more than 500 pages of illustrated travel advice and photos.

• Paris for Visitors

  Transportation, sightseeing, accommodations, and other practical advice for travelers to Paris, France.

• Europe for Cruisers

  An illustrated guide to more than 50 cruise lines that cater to English-speaking travelers in Europe, along with detailed cruise reviews, ferry links, barge-cruising links, and other resources.

• 
  OffbeatTravel

• Festive Christmas Celebrations Begin This Month at the Newport Mansions

  Spectacular decorations will soon deck the halls of The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, as The Preservation Society of Newport County prepares to welcome visitors for Christmas at the Newport Mansions, from November 20, 2009 through January 3, 2010. Holiday music, tours, book and ornament signings, special shopping days, a holiday dinner dance and visits from Santa Claus will bring the season to life at three of America's grandest historic houses.

• Santa Monica pier: Named the official western end of the legendary Route 66

  In a ceremony on November 11, 2009 Santa Monica pier was officially named the western point for Historic Route 66. To celebrate, 66 vintage cars and motorbikes drove the final stretch of the Main Street of America and then unveiled the official End Of The Trail sign

• Nightly Lighting of the Grain Silos in the Old Port of Quebec City -- Aurora Borealis

  The grain silos in the city's Old Port have come to life starting on October 31, draped in a luminous veil that lights up the night. Robert Lepage and Ex Machina will once again be working with the lines of this imposing architectural structure, installing permanent lighting that will turn on every evening from nightfall until 11:30 p.m., for the next five years.

• Top Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

  For decades, Historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has been a great retreat during the stressful holiday season. With its cozy bed and breakfasts, hearty holiday dinners and eclectic downtown shopping, it is a great place to take a weekend getaway and truly get away.

• Celebrate the Winter Holidays

  Across the country and around the world we are compiling ways to enjoy winter and its special holidays

• 
  What's new at Dad's Guide blog

• Nov 19, Magic Kingdom Opening Each Morning

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:06 pm

  I'm just wondering what they do that is special to open Magic Kingdom and/or other parks? If the are Extra Magic Hour that day, do they do it at the

• Nov 19, April Crowds at Walt Disney World

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:47 pm

  Dad, How heavy will the crowds be the week of April 18th. I'm a little concerned about spring breakers. When we booked our vacation we thought the

• Nov 18, Living with the Land

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:38 pm

  Living with the Land is one of the few largely unchanged attractions left from opening day at Epcot. Come see why.

• Nov 15, Will Disney World be wickedly crowded at Christmas

  15 Nov 2009 | 2:31 pm

  Hi Dad, we are traveling to Walt Disney World over Christmas Break (I know, I know) but my twin girls will turn 5 on December 27 and I really wanted

• Nov 14, Disney World Tickets - Dad tells the real story

  14 Nov 2009 | 3:34 pm

  Disney World Tickets are a big part of any Disney World vacation. Dad shows you where to purchase, where to get them cheap, where to find deals, and where not to buy.

• 
  Unearthing Asia

• Nostalgic Jiu Fen Taiwan

  Feel the oriental nostalgia with Jiu Fen’s quaint ancient charm that traces its paths back in history. Sitting at the top of a mountain up northern Taiwan, Jiu Fen used to be an isolated town up in the highlands, isolated from the rest of the world. It was until the ...

• Bizarre World - Unusual Festivals

  Just as the rest of the world moves forward into the online digital world, there are still various classical traditions from centuries past that retains their popularity with the new younger generation of people. Even as some of these traditions are bizarre and unusual, they have continued to grow in ...

• Scottish Reminiscence in Dunedin, New Zealand

  Living in Scotland, you become spoilt by the never-ending scenery and hospitality of this northernmost section of the UK. Surprisingly, though, there’s one part of the world where you’ll find a near replica of Scotland – and it couldn’t be further away: Dunedin, New Zealand. Dunedin is actually an old Scots ...

• Six Breathtaking Scenic Drives in Asia

  Although Asia is mostly made up of various sizes of island nations and several dense world capitals, there is a time and place to hire a car and push the pedal to the floor. Here are some of Asia’s greatest drives perfect for those wanting the sense of thrill and ...

• Holy Dip at Kailash Mansoravar

  At 4,556m above sea level, the Kailash Mansarovar is without a doubt one of the highest altitude lakes in the world. It is a place of relatively untouched pristine beauty and amazing sceneries, one that would no doubt attracts adventurers from all over the world. In to the Hindus of ...

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  tripwolf | blog

• Sleeping Around At Boutique Hostels

  waywardlife

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:49 pm

  I was sure that I was in the wrong place. It looked like a living room done up by Ian Schrager – gorgeous wooden floors and big ceilings filled with stark, modern edge (including a deer head sculpture made out of plastic). A mojito bar was set up in the corner and the DJ was spinning some ambient something-or-other. Everyone had the same what-the-hell-are-we-doing-here look that I had. I was in a youth hostel. The Lisbon Lounge Hostel, to be precise. They’re popping up everywhere. The rage right now seems to be converting old homes or hotels and turning them into eye-popping digs. Only a…

• Buy as the Locals Do

  IEatMyPigeon

  16 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  I’ve lived in 4 countries. Due to the large amounts of time I’ve spent in each, I’ve explored their regions, learned 2 new languages, experienced their holidays, and eaten my weight in their traditional foods. Through this, I gained a heightened understanding of their culture. If only it were practical to spend years in every place on our “must visit” lists. Short visits can be fabulous, but getting ushered into Disney-like tourist traps can be frustrating – leaving you wonderingif you even saw the “real” Italy at all.My best tip for getting an…

• Peru tempts south of the border

  adena

  15 Nov 2009 | 7:26 pm

  Peru is a travel destination for seekers.  One of the oldest cultures in the world, the Peruvians hold a deep understanding of human nature, and a trip to Peru can bring you closer to self understanding – that old back packers’ dream. If hiking through ancient ruins doesn’t bring you to that special place, perhaps washing down ‘cuy’ (whole, fried guinea pig) with a glass of pisco will center you. We’re proud to offer you the complete Footprint guide book for Peru, free and online. Check out the awesome travel info, and start planning your Peru trip. Have…

• Bula from Fiji

  adena

  15 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

  At the top oF Kioa Volcano

• Surfing at Cloud Break

  adena

  12 Nov 2009 | 9:33 pm

  After a big breakfast of Wahoo omelette, hash browns and the normal unlimited supply of pineapple, watermelon and papaya, we set out for the breaking waves on the horizon – towards what is known as Cloud Break, on the northern side of Vanua Levu. Bouncing along in the dinghy, squinting into the bright sun, I had high hopes and anxieties – surfing a reef break alongside the pros would at least be exhilarating to say the least. Hopefully reef rash wouldn’t take us out bleeding anyway.  I  crossed my fingers and secretly hoped for a small, left breaking wave.  Arriving it…

• 
  Travel Blog

• Advantages of Renting a Vacation Home

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am

  Vacation homes are the perfect experience to truly feel what it is like to live in your destination. Fully furnished homes, apartments, villas, cabins and more all around the world offer fully furnished accommodations, including full size kitchens allowing the traveler to stock the fridge upon arrival and not having to spend a lot of money eating out for every meal. They are also the best alternate to small hotels which have limited number of amenities and not much privacy. These vacation rentals are more economical and more convenient as you get the chance to cook food according to your…

• Want a Little Warm Sunshine this Winter?

  3 Nov 2009 | 7:28 am

  I was daydreaming the other day about slipping off for a little warm beach time this winter. How nice would it be to just take off for a few days of fun in the sun and escape the cold for just a bit? I knew if this daydream were to become a reality, we would have to choose somewhere close enough to just jet away for a few days because of the busy holiday season. I haven't been to Mexico in years and it just kept popping back into my head. The few times I have been I have absolutely loved the culture, the friendly people, the beautiful landscapes and of course the ocean! Sounds like…

• Thinking of Investing in a Vacation Home?

  16 Oct 2009 | 12:34 pm

  With the growing popularity of the vacation rentals as holiday homes more and more people are becoming interested in this business and they have turned their personal vacation homes into vacation rentals so that they can earn an extra income in the recession that has hit people around the world. If you are thinking of investing in a vacation home that you intend to rent out to travelers, you need to keep the things in mind that you seek for your vacation experience. This way you will be able to understand and accommodate people more easily when you book them in your vacation rental. These…

• Mountain Lodge Vacation Rentals - A Necessity for a Memorable Stay

  9 Oct 2009 | 10:19 am

  Most of us plan vacations in different parts of the country with fishing trips in nearby lakes, tanning on the beach chairs along the sea side or even hiking or spending the outdoors on the mountains. If skiing, snowboarding and watching the snow fall sound most appealing for a vacation, there are numerous mountain vacation homes for rent. Whether you are looking for a ski-in and ski-out lodge or a cabin that is a little off the beaten path, many vacation home owners are renting out their homes around the world in some of the most beautiful ski towns around. There are many mountain cabin…

• Beach Vacation Rentals Perfect for Beach Holidays

  29 Sep 2009 | 9:35 am

  Beach house vacation rentals are becoming very popular. Travelers have the opportunity to enjoy the lovely sand and deep turquoise waters of the ocean, all while kicking back for some R & R in a spacious, fully furnished beach vacation rental. Imagine having the space of a 2,000+ square foot beach house for your family to enjoy as opposed to a 400 square foot hotel room. The amount of privacy it affords is absolutely priceless. You can enjoy all of the amenities, including fully furnished kitchens, in the comfort of your very own vacation rental and step out for a dip in the pool or the…

• 
  Southpoint.com Blog

• Wild West Trip: Day 10 - Moab to Grand Junction, CO

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:27 pm

     The next morning we took a walk around the...

• Balsam Mountain Inn - Feature Accommodation

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:48 pm

  The historic Balsam Mountain Inn heralds from a golden age when travelers arrived by railroad and carried their steamer trunks...

• Wild West Trip: Day 9 Part III - Arches National Park

  7 Nov 2009 | 9:44 pm

  Over 2,000 unique arches can be found throughout Arches National Park. We tried our best to see them all in...

• Wild West Trip: Day 9 Part II - Headed to Moab

  6 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm

     From Wilson Arch we headed closer to Moab.Hole...

• Wild West Trip: Day 9 - Wilson Arch

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:44 pm

     In Blanding the next morning I talked again...

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  Walking and Drinking Beer

• Walking and Drinking Beer in Central Park

  14 Nov 2009 | 10:36 am

  Strolling New York’s Central Park is one of the great urban walks of the world and as a bonus, it offers the best outdoor bar in Manhattan.Of course, you’ll have to share that bar with the park’s 25 million annual visitors. This is the most popular green space in America – and the most recognizable. More than 200 films have been shot here. From romantic Annie Hall to Death Wish, Love Story to Fatal Attraction, Central Park has seen it all. But strangely, most of the people who visit the park have no idea what they are seeing. As they stroll down the shady 58 miles of paths through a…

• Riding Trains and Drinking Tequila in....Tequila!

  31 Oct 2009 | 9:22 am

  If you drank eight different shots of tequila a day, it would still take a 100 days to work your way through every variety of tequila available in the Mexican state of Jalisco. They take tequila very seriously here in central Mexico.With more than 800 different brands of tequila to explore, one of the most fun way of studying this particular fire-water is by riding the legendary Tequila Express – an excursion railroad that runs a rolling party from Guadalajara down 40 km of rusting track to the Hacienda San Jose del Refugio, near the town of Tequila…

• Riding Ferries and Drinking Rum in the Virgin Islands

  11 Jul 2009 | 9:40 am

  The title is a little deceptive, because just about the only place in the Virgin Islands where you can’t drink rum or beer is on the ferries. When you see how these passenger boats pitch and roll on their fast run between islands, you can understand the “no eating or drinking, all passengers must be seated” policy.But once on land, it’s anything goes. As a U.S. territory (residents are citizens, but can’t vote for president), the three U.S. Virgin Islands have all their own laws. Driving is on the left, British style. The drinking age is 18 and there are no open container laws --…

• Walking and Drinking Beer in New York's Historic Taverns

  12 Apr 2009 | 10:04 am

  Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free……while searching to find a nicely poured pint in a quiet bar with a wonderful little neighborhood to stroll around afterwards. Well, maybe not, but Emma Lazarus wrote those lines in 1883 to fundraise for the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal, and they certainly epitomize New York’s historic appeal. It’s been burned to the ground, occupied by military forces and survived numerous terrorist attacks. In movies, New York has been frozen, flooded and invaded by apes and aliens. But still, everyone wants to come here.

• Walking and Drinking Beer with the Wreckers, Rebels and Rumrunners of Key West

  26 Mar 2009 | 12:13 pm

  The six-foot-two-inch female impersonator in the gold lame gown curled her finger at me across Duval Street and shouted, “Come on over honey, the show starts in 15 minutes.”She was wrong. The “show” in Key West started about 180 years ago and it’s still going strong.This somewhat crazy tropical island, capital of the self-proclaimed Conch Republic, lies 126-miles from the southern tip of mainland Florida -- closer to Cuba than to Miami, and closer to another planet than to Mainstream America. Since it was founded in 1822, Key West has been home to a whacky collection of pirates,…

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  Fascinating Travel Destinations

• Nov 17, Cheap Accommodation

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:23 am

  Find cheap accommodation for a huge selection of countries here - hostels, backpackers, cheap hotels, and more.

• Nov 17, Cheap Airfares

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:53 am

  Tips on how to find cheap airfares and the most suitable flights .Use the Kayak search box to compare all your possible airline choices in one place.

• Nov 14, Jeju Island South Korea

  14 Nov 2009 | 4:48 am

  Jeju Island, South Korea is a World Heritage site.This beautiful island has much to offer tourists with magnificent scenery, theme parks ,beaches etc Read here for more comprehensive information.

• Nov 8, Japanese Holidays

  7 Nov 2009 | 9:02 pm

  Information on Japanese Holidays .Everything you need to know in brief about Japan's culture, destinations, japanese festivals and traditions, and a wealth of helpful tips for you holidays in Japan.

• Nov 5, Nagasaki Sightseeing

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:12 am

  Nagasaki sightseeing is a fascinating look at this Japanese city in Kyushu famous for its Portuguese and Dutch history, and the dropping of the atomic bomb. Read about the many attractions.

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  My Several Worlds: A Global Mind in Asia

• Getting Inked in Taiwan: Needle No 8 Tattoo Studio

  Carrie

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:08 am

  Hummingbird Tattoo Ta-da! My new tattoo is almost healed.  This was my first time getting inked, and in Taiwan no less! So, a little about my new tattoo: The original design for the tattoo was based off the artwork of Si Scott, a graphic designer and illustrator from Manchester. The Hummingbird Tattoo I chose the hummingbird as a reminder to myself to always seek the joy in life. Hummingbirds are thought to represent peace, love, and happiness. These tiny little birds are often called new world birds because they are native to North America, Central and South America. I really liked the idea…

• Photo Moment: Monkeying Around

  Carrie

  13 Nov 2009 | 10:12 pm

  Photo Moment: Monkeying Around is a post from: My Several Worlds © 2007-2009 My Several Worlds Share and Enjoy:

• Photo Essay: LGBT Pride Parade Taipei 2009

  Carrie

  10 Nov 2009 | 2:07 am

  Taipei’s seventh annual Gay Pride Parade was held on October 31st this year. Over 25,000 people showed up to march in the parade, asking for recognition of equal rights and same-sex marriage. The parade also included supporters from Hong Kong, Japan, and South East Asian countries. Taipei’s Gay Pride parade is the largest in Asia. Last year’s march drew over 18,000 supporters. Pro model Jaclynn and I marched in the parade together to show our support of gay rights. Marcus Aurelius from Waakao! also showed his support. Photo Essay: LGBT Pride Parade Taipei 2009 is a post…

• My Several Worlds’ Best Kept Travel Secrets

  Carrie

  7 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  First off, a big thank you to Katie Erica from Tripbase Blog for asking me to contribute to her list of best kept travel secrets from some of the most famous travel bloggers in the industry today. Here’s how Tripbase Blog Tag works: Been somewhere amazing you’d never even heard of? You want to let your buddies in on the secret, right? Read on for my top travel gems! What’s interesting about travel is that the places / hotels / restaurants that everyone agrees are fantastic, are often not so fantastic. And even if they are, it can all be a bit predictable. Now what’s really fun is…

• MSW Interviews: Professional Model and Global Nomad Jaclynn Joseph

  Carrie

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:27 am

  Global nomad, Hawaii’s sweetheart, and now Taiwan’s new top model, international model Jaclynn Joseph has done a formidable job of combining a love of culture and traveling with a lucrative modeling career here in Taipei. Stylish, versatile, daring, and 100% original, Jaclynn is also fiercely independent and a real go-getter. MSW: Hi Jaclynn. Thanks very much for agreeing to answer a few of my questions. Can you tell us a little about yourself? JJ: My full name is Jaclynn Joyce Joseph and I am originally from Hilo, Hawai’i. My family immigrated from the Azores and Madeira to…

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  Lanzarote Information

• Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Challenge, Dec 2009

  Jules

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:50 am

  On Sunday 6th December 2009 teams of rowers will set off from San Sebastian in La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands to cross the Atlantic Ocean, as part of the Woodvale Atlantic Challenge finishing in Antigua, a distance of approximately 2,900 miles! The event is unsupported, and will test the teams to their limit of mental and physical abilities, this crossing is known as the ‘World’s Toughest Rowing Race’. The rowers will need to row alternate two hours on then two hours off for 24 hours a day. The start date in December takes advantage of the winds and currents but the rowers will…

• Lanzarote Football, On Line Shop

  Jules

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:33 am

  You don’t just have to be into football to wear one of the U.D. Lanzarote football shirts, they’re also a great souvenir or gift if you love Lanzarote too. Ian who writes the Lanzarote Football results (don’t groan if you’ve been following them this season) also has the Teguise market stall offering the official team merchandise for sale and now an on line shop. The red kit is the away kit for U.D. Lanzarote known as the Rojillos (Reds) and the white the home but now you can also buy polo shirts and sweatshirts as well as caps and scarves. The kit is available in sizes for children…

• Rock Climbing in Órzola, 29th November 2009

  Jules

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:35 am

  Fancy trying escalada (rock climbing) in Lanzarote? The Consejería de Juventud, Deportes y Seguridad Vial have 20 places available for anyone over 18 to try, they’re offering transport from the Ciudad Deportiva in Arrecife on the 29th November at 9am returning back at 2pm or you can meet them at the location for 10.15 if you prefer. The climb will be at the Los Bolas de Órzola, details of this climb can be seen on the Adventure Lanzarote website which describes the location as the Los Muchachos and Roque de Los Lagartos (lizards) the rock faces are 10-15 meters in height, making it a good…

• VI Festival de la Canción, Lanzarote 2010

  Jules

  17 Nov 2009 | 11:39 pm

  The subscription is now open for the 6th edition of Festival de la Canción Isla de Lanzarote for 2010. The casting session will remain open until the 20th September 2010 and this year its been made even easier to take part, you simply submit your video and a panel of judges will select the 14 finalists. The competition is open to amateurs and professionals, there have already been 16 entrants and their videos have been uploaded to the website www.festivallanzarote.com for you to see. This year the festival would also like to see some international contestants, they are already talking to…

• Bristol Charity Jailbreak Reaches Lanzarote

  Jules

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:09 am

  When 40 teams of students were “released” from the Student Union building in Bristol on Saturday their aim was to get as far away as they could in 36 hours without spending any money on their travel. The winning team called “Left Hand Drive” managed to reach Lanzarote and enjoyed a day of sunshine relaxing on the beach in Playa Blanca before returning to Bristol on Monday! The annual jailbreak is part of University RAG Week and organised by the Student’s Union to raise charity funds. The members of the Left Hand Drive winning team were Laura Baker, Heidi Trivasse and Danielle…

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  Luxury Travel and Lifestyle News

• Shangri-La Hotel Wenzhou Opens in China

  Amy

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am

  Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, celebrates the grand opening of Shangri-La Hotel, Wenzhou with an opening rate of RMB 888 ($130) per night for a deluxe room. Valid until 28 February 2010, the opening rate includes daily breakfast and marks the completion of all facilities at the hotel, which is one of three Shangri-La properties in China's southern Zhejiang province.

• Four Seasons Jackson Hole Resort offers Heli-Ski Camp Experiences

  Amy

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

  This coming February 2010, Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole presents the How-to-Heli Ski Camp, a special three-day, four-night camp offered in partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and High Mountain Heli-Skiing. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort by the Four Seasons offers a full heli-ski vacation experience for this February at the Wyoming Ski resort in the United States.

• Villas de Maitre Opens Two Contemporary Pool Villas in Mauritius

  Amy

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am

  Villas De Maitre announces the addition to its Mauritius villa collection of two stunning luxury villas. Villas La Balinaise at Sankhara are two brand new contemporary luxury homes situated on the eastern shores of Mauritius on a secluded beach. These pool villas are unique and offer privacy and views of the ocean.

• IF Lifestyle Management Sneak Peek at New Concierge Service: IF Gift Series

  Amy

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm

  IF Lifestyle Management has just announced a sneak peek at a brand new program for Italy vacations. Inspired by authentic experiences for the discerning client, IF Lifestyle Management presents IF Gifts: the perfect occasion to uniquely demonstrate appreciation for family, friends, and associates.

• Exclusive New Year 2010 Castle Rental at Chateau de la Barre

  Amy

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:05 am

  Usher in 2010 in Leonard de Vinci's manor house then celebrate New Years' Day in your own Loire Valley Chateau, as guests of chateau owners Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay. The Chateau de la Barre invites discerning guests to a romantic and lavish getaway in France's stunning countryside. The Chateau de la Barre has recently released a special 4-night luxury vacation deal to ring in the New Year.

• 
  Enduring Wanderlust

• Last Night I Dreamt Of San Pedro

  Gennaro

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:59 pm

  Sunrise Over San Pedro Few experiences are as lovely as waking up to the sun’s rays shining on your face. It’s especially enjoyable when it happens over the balcony of your accommodations (The Phoenix Resort) in view of palm trees and the crystal clear waters of San Pedro, Belize. San Pedro, a hip town on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye, has a range of activities and restaurants that will keep even the most seasoned travelers awed. Sunrise © Gennaro Salamone Swimming With Sharks No trip to San Pedro would be complete without a visit to Hol Chan Marine Reserves and Shark…

• Things To Do In London

  Gennaro

  20 Sep 2009 | 7:24 pm

  There is no time like the present for visiting and getting bargains in jolly old London, which has been called the most expensive city in the world. Editor’s Note: This post was written by guest contributor Lisa Fantino. Right now, with the state of the economic climate and exchange rates for the dollar and euro against the pound better than a year ago, there are plenty of bargains to be had in London for food, culture and off the beaten path. Here are ten great things to do for £10 or less: 1. Courtauld Gallery Courtauld Gallery is one of London’s best kept secrets. The museum, located…

• United Passes Fees To Agents

  Gennaro

  30 Jun 2009 | 6:56 pm

  United Airlines has decided to pass on credit-card fees to travel agents when customers book their trips with said agents. The airline threated a $75 per ticket penalty to agents who charge the fee to United’s account. Increasing the cost of operations for agents has caused a ground swell of opposition. Agents claim that customers will eventually bear the burden of the shift if other airlines follow United’s lead. Earlier in the year, United Airlines made headlines by deciding to charge larger passengers for two seats instead of one. United Airlines © Matt Hisnta It’s not a…

• Pushkar Ghats Through The Lens

  Gennaro

  21 May 2009 | 9:56 am

  Pushkar is located on the shore of Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, India. It is an important pilgrimage site for followers of the Hindu faith. The lake has countless ghats, which are a series of steps that lead down to its sacred waters. The city is filled with devout Hindus who descend into the waters of the lake for a spiritual cleansing along with travelers who are observing the cultural happenings. Follow this photographic journey around the ghats of Pushkar: Holy Cow + Preparing To Bathe © Gennaro Salamone Sacred cows are seen throughout India including Pushkar. Whether it’s a rural…

• Memorial Day Weekend: Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

  Gennaro

  20 May 2009 | 10:29 am

  Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. It was developed to commemorate American soldiers who past away while serving in the armed forces. Memorial Day weekend is an opportunity to visit a host of memorials and cemetaries that are dedicated to the nation’s history. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia is the perfect spot to observe this history along with the changing of the guard. It is also near the attractions of Washington D.C. Follow this photographic journey into the ceremony at the Tomb of the…

• 
  Lori Henry

• Mardi Gras Party on George Street in St. John’s, Newfoundland

  Lori Henry

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  The main purpose of choosing St. John’s, Newfoundland on this particular weekend was because of the Mardi gras party on Halloween. Everyone I talked to said it was a fantastic party on George Street that the whole city comes out for. And come out they did, in some of the most interesting, odd, creative and politically [...]

• Quidi Vidi and The Battery in St. John’s, Newfoundland

  Lori Henry

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  Seen from the back of our hotel is Signal Hill National Historic Site, with Cabot Tower perched authoritatively on top of the hill and looking out over the water. It’s fitting, as this tower has been an observation lookout and communications centre for St. John’s since the 18th century. It worked as a surveying spot for [...]

• Corner Brook to St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

  Lori Henry

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  The drive from Corner Brook to St. John’s, Newfoundland is a long one. Almost 700 kilometres long using the Trans Canada Highway; it’s really the only main highway in Newfoundland (with smaller routes that branch off). Not the most fun drive in the world. I can’t complain, though. Although there were no moose sightings, there are [...]

• The New Zip Line near Corner Brook, Newfoundland

  Lori Henry

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  Steady Brook Falls, just outside of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, takes a lovely, short hike to get to, and is also the local swimming hole: you can jump from a rock into a swirling pool just before it cascades from the gorge. The currents somehow pull you back so you don’t fall over the edge. Now, locals [...]

• Union Street Bar & Billiards in Corner Brook, Nfld

  Lori Henry

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  It was one of those dark, cold fall nights in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and there wasn’t much going on. Supper had long been eaten and an episode of CSI had already been watched. How else do the people here spend their time? Union Street Bar & Billiards (709-634-6410). Pool is a great way to pass the [...]

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  Suite101: W Canada Travel Articles

• Big Rock Roadside Attraction in Okotoks Alberta

  16 Nov 2009 | 10:48 am

  "The Big Rock" - the world's largest glacial erratic about 30 minutes south of Calgary, Alberta - is a travel attraction worth a stop to stretch the legs.

• Alberta Travel -- Okotoks, Near Calgary Alberta

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:43 am

  The town of Okotoks, 15 minutes south of Calgary, has taken bold steps for sustainability, working to be a leader in water and waste management, and eco-friendly housing.

• First Nations Vancouver Travel in BC, Canada

  15 Nov 2009 | 11:33 am

  To learn about the aboriginal people of British Columbia, see aboriginal art work in downtown Vancouver and then head to Mission for First Nations history.

• Ucluelet, BC Travel Guide

  14 Nov 2009 | 9:45 pm

  Still a sleepy fishing town at heart, British Columbia's inviting Ucluelet is quickly catching up to its popular northern neighbor Tofino in terms of tourist appeal.

• Alberta's Haunted Places

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm

  Throughout Alberta there are places that make a chill go up your spine, these paranormal sites thrive despite or maybe because they are haunted.

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  Telluride Inside... and Out

• Fashion Friday: Jagged Edge

  Susan Viebrock

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:30 am

  [click "Play" to listen to Erik Dalton on outdoor fashion] Editor's note: In Fall 2002, long-time Tellurider Susan Dalton acquired the flagship Jagged Edge store, 223 East Colorado. Son Erik, an avid outdoorsman – skier, climber, backpacker, kayaker – took over the operation. Today, Erik is the store's primary buyer and product tester. Product lines reflect a bias towards grown in America and co-ops that help people in Third World countries. One of Erik's respected vendors, Osprey Packs, perfectly fits the Jagged Edge mold. Kristin Holbrook of Two Skirts regularly does podcasts for…

• Poet/teacher offers workshop & reading at Telluride library 11/20

  Susan Viebrock

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:30 am

  [click "Play" to hear Susan's conversation with Sandra Dorr] Friday, November 20, Telluride welcomes acclaimed poet/ teacher Sandra Dorr to town for two distinct events at the Wilkinson Public Library. At 1 p.m., Sandra offers a workshop: “Out of Your Mouth:  Performing Stories and Poems in Public. " She has this to say about that: "Sometimes reading in front of a crowd dries your mouth, freezes your throat, and jams your tongue.  This is a workshop for writers, young and old, to bring in samples of work, in poetry or prose, and, through several passes, improve the quality of…

• Nuggets from the Nugget: "Men Who Stare at Goats"

  Clint Viebrock

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  The Nugget Theatre in beautiful downtown Telluride is showing one movie for the week of November 20-26: "The Men Who Stare at Goats." Rated R, the film tells us that there is a branch of the military which is studying the paranormal with the goal of reading the enemy's mind, killing by thought, learning to walk through walls. TMWSAG is billed a dark comedy and boasts a first class cast in George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey and Ewen McGregor. I probably will go just to watch George Clooney stare a goat down. See below for showtimes, and see the Nugget website for trailers and reviews.

• The New Community Coalition: Green Gondola Campaign

  Susan Viebrock

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  [click "Play" to hear Ben Williams speak about the Green Gondola project] Governor Ritter has a very public campaign targeting significant, statewide greenhouse gas reductions by 2020.Telluride Renewed is our two mayors' local response: a challenge to the communities of Telluride and the Mountain Village to produce 100% of our electricity from new renewable sources by 2020. One major step – or should we say ride – in the right direction is entrepreneur Ben Williams' Green Gondola Project, which falls under Telluride's The New Community Coalition's broad umbrella of sustainable…

• Your Ah Haa Moment: Rosie the Riviter,Telluride style

  Susan Viebrock

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  [click "Play" to hear Jon Hubbard on his up-coming courses]  Telluride's Ah Haa School for the Arts offers its own, original spin on Rosie the Riveter, the American icon representing women who worked in factories during WWII. This weekend, Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15, Ah Haa offers an all-day course (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Welding for Women (Ages 13+). The teacher is metalsmith, teacher and artist Jon Hubbard, who holds an M.F.A. in Metalsmithing from Colorado State University and a B.F.A. in Metals and Jewelry from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute…

• 
  Gettin' Carried Away

• Life happens; sometimes, you can’t travel

  Carrie

  16 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  It’s been awhile since I’ve updated my blog, and I’ve had good reasons. I haven’t been traveling. I haven’t been keeping up with travel trends. I haven’t spoken to any of my TBEX/Twitter travel buddies. When you travel, do you ever get the feeling that you’re invincible? Let me put it this way… Your flight leaves on time. Your flight lands early. You receive a great hotel upgrade… at no cost. You get to see and do everything you planned. Your return trip home is also smooth sailing (or driving, or flying). When everything is seemingly…

• A travel-related Halloween costume

  Carrie

  31 Oct 2009 | 2:40 pm

  Happy Halloween! It’s no secret that fall is my favorite season. Naturally, I enjoy Halloween, as well. I love to watch terrifying movies (even though I’m easily scared by the smallest noise), and I always have fun putting up scary decorations. Most of all, though, I live for the costumes. Over the years, I’ve dressed up as a lot of characters: Jasmine from Aladdin, a referee, Devil Wears Prada. However, I think that my costume for Halloween 2009 trumps all of my past outfits. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Carmen Sandiego, let me give you a brief back story,…

• Sick again; changing flights/hotel accommodations

  Carrie

  20 Oct 2009 | 3:39 pm

  It never fails that I fall ill before a trip. For instance, take this post I wrote earlier this year. I was headed to New Orleans, but before I traded the Windy City for the Big Easy, my hometown gave me a lovely parting gift: a horrible cold. I had always been told by fellow travelers and by friends in the medical field that a sick person (especially one with a head cold) should really try to avoid flying. I already had a lot of pressure constricting my sinuses, so a drastic chance in the air pressure outside my body could really do some damage. I once flew over nine hours from France to…

• Stretching your travel dollar

  Carrie

  5 Oct 2009 | 2:45 pm

  First, I’d like to say… HAPPY OCTOBER! My favorite month of the year has finally arrived. And while some people in Chicago don’t appreciate the windy weather or the dark, rainy days, I’m more than happy to embrace the crisp chill in the air and break out my collection of fleece jackets and blankets. I know I’ve been MIA again for a short time, but it’s only because I’ve been working long hours and saving up lots of money for a future Eurotrip. But just because I’ve been away from the blogosphere, it doesn’t mean I haven’t been…

• Finding home when you travel

  Carrie

  25 Sep 2009 | 8:00 am

  I know the title of this post might seem kind of contradictory. Why the heck would you want to be thinking about home when you’re traveling? Honestly, I’m not looking for the comforts of home when I’m on a trip (unless it really sucks). Things just happen, and I’m reminded of home. Take the first time I tried sushi, for example. I went out to dinner with some coworkers, and some of us were kind of apprehensive about eating raw fish, seaweed and wasabi. We ordered a bunch of different “rolls,” and I sampled a few of them. I thought most of the sushi tasted…

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  Taking off Travel blog

• Reflections On A Year Of Travel Blogging

  Sharon Hurley Hall

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:40 am

  It’s been just over a year since I officially became a travel blogger here on the Taking Off Travel Blog, the travel blog belonging to off airport parking firm, Park Ride Fly USA. Sure, I’d blogged about travel before and had written travel articles too, but it wasn’t a regular occupation as it is now. During the year, I have kept an eye on popular posts and comments, thanks to a couple of great analytics tools, and have learned a few things about what the Taking Off Travel Blog readers like. It Never Hurts To Rant You might think that when blogging for an organization you…

• Sharing Travel Experiences - A Review

  Sharon Hurley Hall

  17 Nov 2009 | 1:50 am

  One of the travel blogs I’ve been enjoying recently is Sharing Travel Experiences. The recently rebranded site takes a different approach to travel and has some unique features. The site is owned by Andy Hayes, better known as the travel guy who’s active on the Matador Network. (I recently recommended him in Seven More Travel Bloggers You Should Follow On Twitter.) About Sharing Travel Experiences Here’s what he says about the site’s name: “We’re a tight-knit community of people passionate about learning more about the world and exploring it, both from our…

• Easy Ways To Guard Against Airport Luggage Theft

  Sharon Hurley Hall

  12 Nov 2009 | 1:29 am

  We’ve all seen it in the movies: luggage is moving round a carousel and the bad guys step in and take the bag belonging to the good guy (or vice versa) and walk straight out of the airport to examine the contents at their leisure. But as the luggage thefts at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport show, that doesn’t just happen in the movies. On my recent trips, I’ve often thought about the security of my luggage. Years ago, my bags were so nondescript that it would have been easy for another traveler to walk off with them without being noticed. That was something I considered,…

• More Airport Security On The Horizon

  Sharon Hurley Hall

  10 Nov 2009 | 1:27 am

  When I wrote last week about travel trends that tick me off, I left out one major part of travel that takes the shine off the trip - airport security. Until eight years ago - and we all know why it changed - you would show your passport at the check-in desk, show it again at immigration and you and your stuff would get scanned quickly on the way out. On the way in, checks took only a short time (except in places like Miami Airport, which is always a time consuming stop). Airport Security Checks However, security checks now take an inordinate amount of time. On my recent trip to Bahrain, my…

• Three Travel Trends That Tick Me Off

  Sharon Hurley Hall

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:09 am

  Ah - the glory days of travel: excitement, romance and luxury. The first time I stepped onto a plane, the experience was alluring. Seating felt roomy (I was young), there was food on little trays, and the cabin crew visibly loved their jobs - or put on a good show of doing so. Not any more. Here are three (plus one) things that take the shine off air travel. Mealtime Woes On most flights these days, you don’t get a meal unless you are flying long haul. Perhaps that’s good for our waistlines in a more health conscious era, but there are some flights where you could do with a bit of…

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  Costa Rica Vacations

• COSTA RICA VACATIONS, PARADISE AND ADVENTURES

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:37 pm

  I discovered Costa Rica. OK, technically Christopher Columbus did but each of my Costa Rica Vacations brings new discoveries.

• Work in Costa Rica?

  10 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pm

  Thinking about living in Costa Rica but not ready to just sit back and enjoy the sunsets? Work in Costa Rica! Here are the rules of the road and opportunities when you are living in Costa Rica.

• Whale Sounds

  10 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm

  The seas are alive with song, from mighty whale sounds to tiny dusky damselfish. Listen to a spiny lobster and a real underwater earthquake

• Volcanoes in Costa Rica

  10 Nov 2009 | 12:07 pm

  Volcanoes! Only in Costa Rica can you stand at the top of a volcano and see the Pacific and Caribbean at the same time. Or look down at a lost city. Come see for yourself!

• Volcano Turrialba

  10 Nov 2009 | 12:03 pm

  Volcano Turrialba is one of the few volcanoes in the world where you can walk into its crater. Stunning scenery, spectacular birds, whitewater rafting, and a Lost City in Costa Rica

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  whl.travel Blog

• Los Roques Brings Venezuela to the whl.travel Network

  editor

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:14 am

  * MIRAR DEBAJO POR ESTE MENSAJE EN ESPAÑOL / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SPANISH * LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE Situated 156 kilometres off Venezuela’s central coast, the Los Roques Archipelago is a true Caribbean paradise, one with all the hallmarks of a Fantasy Island [...]

• Sign A Petition to Stop Development in Brazil’s Ilha Grande and Emerald Coast

  editor

  17 Nov 2009 | 3:56 am

  By Ethan Gelber . LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE Some things make no sense at all, especially when it comes to politics and the environment. Far too often, years of careful consultative and democratic negotiation in favour of cultural and environmental conservation can be – and are too [...]

• Jaipur, in Rajashtan, Is whl.travel’s Eighth City in India

  editor

  15 Nov 2009 | 10:01 pm

  SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESAGE IN RAJASTHANI / YEH WALA MESSAGE RAJASTHANI MEIN NEECHE DEKHO The northwest Indian city of Jaipur has almost always been known as the ‘Pink City’. Some attribute the name to city designer’s attempt to imitate Mughal architecture, notable for its use of red sandstone; others point to an 1873 visit by [...]

• Photo of the Week: Mt Yasur Eruption, Tanna Island, Vanuatu

  editor

  15 Nov 2009 | 3:44 am

  Image/text by John Nicholls, whl.travel local connection in Vanuatu . Every so often, a photographer finds him- or herself in the right place at the right time, although the circumstances may not be ideal. This shot (one of a series of 10) is the result of such a unique time and place. Mt Yasur, although a Strombolian volcano [...]

• Eat Your Greens: Vietnam’s Green Restaurant Campaign Takes the Bite out of Illegal Animal Consumption

  editor

  13 Nov 2009 | 3:56 am

  This article was first published by our friends at Intrepid Travel, who have agreed to its republication here. View the original article on their Intrepid Express Blog. . Bear for breakfast, langur for lunch or tiger for tea? We certainly hope these are not on YOUR dinner plate, but sadly these endangered creatures can be found on some [...]

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  New & Noteworthy

• Cruise Line to Watch: Voyages to Antiquity

  Amber Nolan

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:49 pm

  If you’re thinking that this trend of over-the-top onboard entertainment is the new direction of the cruise industry: think again. One cruise line that has recently surfaced is traveling back in time by placing emphasis back on the ports of call. Voyages to Antiquity will soon be sailing the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Red Sea with a focus on the culture and history of each destination. Founded by Gerry Herrod, (who also introduced Ocean Cruise Line and Orient Lines), Voyages to Antiquity will offer nine unique itineraries aboard its boutique vessel, the Aegean Odyssey – which is…

• Sophisticated New Website Makes Family Trip Planning Glam

  Suzanne Steinert

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

  Pulling off a hitch-less family getaway can be a daunting task for any parent – let alone when that parent heads up a multi-million dollar global enterprise as well as a household. Just ask Forbes and Fortune cover-girl Katrina Garnett, mother of three and successful Silicon Valley CEO who’s been finagling family trips to sync with school vacations for 15 years (granted, she probably had the help of an assistant or two). The well-traveled, Aussie-born virtuoso is now sharing her trip planning savvy with the rest of the world with the coming launch of My Little Swans – a members-only,…

• Sofitel Philadelphia Launches London Taxi Service

  Suzanne Steinert

  9 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

  France-based Sofitel hotels are generally known for their, naturally, French flair, but the luxurious brand’s Philadelphia property is adding a dash of English charm with its new London taxi service. For hire by hotel guests only, the iconic London taxi, imported directly from England, offers free rides around town and to/from the Philadelphia International Airport (a 20-minute drive) Mondays through Fridays between 7 and 9 A.M (reservations recommended). Booking the service any other time of day will cost you, depending on the duration of your ride, upwards of $25 for lifts within the city…

• New Travel Book Celebrates Global Gourmet

  J. Gabriel Boylan

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  The late Raymond Walter “Johnny” Apple, Jr. assumed many roles over his 40-plus-year career at The New York Times: bureau chief in Albany, Lagos, Nairobi, Saigon, Moscow, London, and Washington D.C.; correspondent during 10 presidential races; Vietnam War reporter — and truly passionate eater. This last role gets top billing in a new collection of Apple’s artciles that is fiesty, painstakingly researched, and often simply mouthwatering. The more than 50 essays in Far Flung and Well Fed ($27; St. Martin’s Press) first appeared in Saveur, the Times, and Town &…

• Essential iPhone Travel Apps

  J. Gabriel Boylan

  26 Oct 2009 | 6:05 am

  Choosing from the seemingly endless array of travel applications for iPhones and other mobile devices can be tough. Our picks pair the useful and the user-friendly. iMedjet This virtual first-aid kit offers remedies for jet lag and nausea, and explains how to set broken bones. Urban Spoon, Yelp, Zagat Locate eateries and read reviews and menus. Truphone, Skype Make long-distance calls over the Web and save some serious money. Nearest Tube, TomTom Using iPhone’s internal compass and video camera, these apps pinpoint attractions and subways. FlightTrack Access live status updates for flights…

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  Hotel Buzz

• New Miami Art Hotel Offers Opening Rates for $20.10 in January 2010

  Stephanie Johnnidis

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:38 am

  Downtown Miami’s new Hotel Urbano bills itself as the city’s first boutique “art hotel” with an exhibit schedule directed by William Braemer, artist and Curator of Art Fusion Galleries in Miami’s Design District, who will plan seasonal art exhibitions to be displayed throughout the hotel; artwork – all from emerging artists – will also be available for purchase. An unofficial opening date is predicted for late December, but Hotel Urbano is really giving us something to look forward to in 2010 with their Grand Opening special. From January 1 through January 29, the hotel is…

• Low Rates at New Boston Hotel from $124/Night

  Andrew Skwarek

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Visit Beantown in style this fall and winter without paying a pretty penny. Ames, Morgans Hotel Group’s brand-new luxury boutique hotel in downtown Boston, is celebrating its grand-opening with special introductory rates starting at just $124/night for select stays from November 22 to January 31 – quite a bargain considering nightly summer rates are expected to be as much as $300/night. Also included in this offer are two complimentary welcome drinks. This introductory rate requires a minimum two-night stay and must be booked by December 2. Other travel dates through April 5 start at…

• 7 Independent U.S. Hotels Form Collaborative Partnership

  Liz Webber

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:52 pm

  Hailing from cities as far apart as Napa and Palm Beach, the seven properties that comprise Kindred Hotels and Resorts have little in common other than their status as independently-owned luxury lodgings with long histories and reputations for excellence. But, a new collaboration will bring them closer together – at least on the Web. These properties have partnered up for PR purposes with a new website, staykindred.com, promising to use the portal to roll out deals and highlight what’s new. In one convenient location, the Kindred website presents a brief background of each property while…

• New ARIA Resort & Casino from $159/Night

  Andrew Skwarek

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Slated to open December 16, the ARIA Resort & Casino has a little extra pizzazz, boasting a 150,000-square-foot casino, and 4,004 stylish guestrooms complete with 42-inch flat-screen televisions, stocked mini bars, soft, luxurious linens, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Sounds heavenly, right? If you’re a penny-pincher and don’t want to sacrifice on the quality of accommodations when visiting Sin City, you’ll definitely want to check out ARIA’s great introductory rates which start at just $159/night. From December 17 through April 1, 2010, guests who stay two nights at the modern…

• Top-Honored Kentucky Art Hotel Plans Cincinnati Twin

  Suzanne Steinert

  6 Nov 2009 | 6:07 am

  Kentucky’s hippest hotel, just voted by Conde Nast Traveler’s readership as #1 in the country (and #6 in the world) for 2009, announced plans Wednesday to debut a new sister property just upriver in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 21c Museum Hotel, an upscale boutique which opened on downtown Louisville’s Main Street in 2006, has played a key role in revitalizing Derby City’s art scene. The renovated 19th-century tobacco & bourbon warehouse has drawn national acclaim for its high-style halls packed to the brim with whimsical paintings, abstract video art, photos and sculptures (like the…

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  Savvy Flyer

• JetBlue Announces One-Day Sale from $29

  Amber Nolan

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:50 am

  JetBlue just announced a limited time fare sale on domestic and international flights from as little as $29 each way. Take off to sun-soaked destinations like the Bahamas, Cancun, Aruba, Bermuda, and Barbados or do some weekend jetting between major U.S. cities like New York, Baltimore, Orlando, Boston, and more. Travel is valid from December 2 through December 16, and January 6 through January 28. Just be sure to book quickly – this sale ends today! Sample one-way fares include: •    New York–Chicago: $49•    Denver–Boston: $89•    Long Beach–Las Vegas: $29•   …

• Flight Watch: More New Routes for 2009

  Elissa Richard

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:15 am

        ROUTE                                 AIRLINE                         STARTS Toronto to Boston                              Porter                   9-14Boston to Montego Bay, Jamaica       JetBlue                  9-23Dublin to Canary Islands                    Ryanair                 10-27London to Tel Aviv                              easyJet                 11-2Rome to Lisbon                             …

• In-Flight Ads: Coming to a Seat-Back in Front of You

  Suzanne Steinert

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:26 am

  Publicized over intercoms by flight attendants, stuffed in seat-pocket magazines, painted on napkins, tray tables, and even barf bags . . . the recent barrage of on-board ads plugging products from Coca-Cola to credit cards has been difficult to ignore. As operating costs continue to rise, the money to be made in in-flight advertising (tens of millions of dollars a year) is tempting airlines as of late to offset expenses by plastering promotions into every available cabin cranny, transforming planes into virtual flying billboards. Flyers, feeling the creep, have criticized many of the…

• The Lowdown on Stolen Luggage

  Suzanne Steinert

  13 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

  Earlier this week, police nabbed a Phoenix couple suspected of stealing over 1,000 pieces of luggage from airport carousels and selling the contents at yard sales and flea markets.  The arrests come on the heels of October’s similarly startling admissions by a Northwest Airlines baggage supervisor in Oregon who pled guilty to stealing $10,000 worth of checked luggage (subsequently hocking the loot on eBay) and a Philadelphia TSA officer who heisted multiple laptops while screening passengers’ bags. With luggage theft cases involving everything from switched destination tags to underwear…

• Fly to Peru from New York for $250 Round-Trip

  Amber Nolan

  12 Nov 2009 | 8:20 am

  Flights to Lima, Peru, from New York City are now on sale for only $250 round-trip – including taxes! Our editors found this low fare to be available for travel nearly every day from May through mid-June of 2010 (prices shoot back at the end of June). This route usually costs over $600, so this deal is truly remarkable. Even better, nonstop flights are also available at this incredible price! To book this fare use ShermansTravel’s QuickSearch. This fare is unadvertised, so book soon before it goes up.

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  Daily Deal

• New Miami Art Hotel Offers Opening Rates for $20.10 in January 2010

  Stephanie Johnnidis

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:38 am

  Downtown Miami’s new Hotel Urbano bills itself as the city’s first boutique “art hotel” with an exhibit schedule directed by William Braemer, artist and Curator of Art Fusion Galleries in Miami’s Design District, who will plan seasonal art exhibitions to be displayed throughout the hotel; artwork – all from emerging artists – will also be available for purchase. An unofficial opening date is predicted for late December, but Hotel Urbano is really giving us something to look forward to in 2010 with their Grand Opening special. From January 1 through January 29, the hotel is…

• 4-Night Mexico Spa Package from $616

  Andrew Skwarek

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Mexico’s unique culture and climate proves to be irresistible for American travelers looking to enjoy some rest and relaxation. And why shouldn’t it? After all, it’s home to marvelous sites, top-notch resorts, and favorable currency exchange rates. Make your dollar go further this winter at the four-star Ixtapan Spa Hotel and Golf Resort. Currently, this resort is offering an incredible Spa Classic package priced from just $616 per person that is sure to leave your skin silky smooth. Valid through December 20, this package includes:•    A four-night stay in a spacious…

• JetBlue Announces One-Day Sale from $29

  Amber Nolan

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:50 am

  JetBlue just announced a limited time fare sale on domestic and international flights from as little as $29 each way. Take off to sun-soaked destinations like the Bahamas, Cancun, Aruba, Bermuda, and Barbados or do some weekend jetting between major U.S. cities like New York, Baltimore, Orlando, Boston, and more. Travel is valid from December 2 through December 16, and January 6 through January 28. Just be sure to book quickly – this sale ends today! Sample one-way fares include: •    New York–Chicago: $49•    Denver–Boston: $89•    Long Beach–Las Vegas: $29•   …

• Low Rates at New Boston Hotel from $124/Night

  Andrew Skwarek

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Visit Beantown in style this fall and winter without paying a pretty penny. Ames, Morgans Hotel Group’s brand-new luxury boutique hotel in downtown Boston, is celebrating its grand-opening with special introductory rates starting at just $124/night for select stays from November 22 to January 31 – quite a bargain considering nightly summer rates are expected to be as much as $300/night. Also included in this offer are two complimentary welcome drinks. This introductory rate requires a minimum two-night stay and must be booked by December 2. Other travel dates through April 5 start at…

• King Tut Package from $249/Night

  Andrew Skwarek

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  King Tutankhamun, the young famous Egyptian pharaoh who reigned for just nine years before dying unexpectedly, left a legacy that is still alive and well today – three thousand years later. For a limited time only, the de Young Museum in San Francisco is showcasing the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit – a magnificent collection of over 130 artifacts and works of art taken right out of the boy-king’s tomb. Amateur Egyptologists who don’t have the time or money to jet off to Africa might want to consider the excellent Mummy and Me package currently being offered by…

• 
  Amenity Watch

• Paranormal Luxury

  Jennifer Bernstein

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pm

  In Cape Elizabeth, a charming New England coastal town located on Crescent Bay just outside of Portland, Maine the picturesque Inn by the Sea offers offers travelers eco-friendly luxury, stunning waterfront views and true New England hospitality, with a paranormal twist. The resort claims to be haunted. Lydia, the ghost of a 19th century bride-to-be, seems to be making the Inn her permanent residence, but doesn’t mind sharing the newly remodeled grounds with out-of-towners. Talk to many of the staff, and even some guests, and learn about odd occurrences that are said to be linked to…

• Bath Sommelier

  Jennifer Bernstein

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:39 pm

  Weekend getaways are always a coveted luxury; an opportunity to get away from the daily grind. Throw in a hotel with a on-site spa and you’re practically in heaven. Does it get any better?  It just did.  The Fairmont Chicago will actually bring the spa to your room. Included in it’s in-room dining services, the hotel offers the Serenity Bath. Order one and a bath sommelier comes and sets up a relaxing atmosphere for you. They’ll draw your bath, adding soothing aromatherapy oils. They’ll also set up neck pillows and loofahs, a fruit plate and bottled water, a variety…

• Family Pillow Fights… And Other Vacation Mischief

  Jennifer Bernstein

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:29 am

  Getting kids to bed on a normal night can be harrowing. Trying to get them to bed while on vacation can be down right impossible. What with hallways to run down, elevator buttons to push and beds to jump on, kids have a lot of ground to cover before its lights out. But, as the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So while staying at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach why not surprise your kids with a pillow fight! Enjoy this lively turndown service that will get the whole family involved (and hopefully tuckered out). Guests are armed with 30 small silk pillows and…

• Sofitel Philadelphia Launches London Taxi Service

  Suzanne Steinert

  9 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

  France-based Sofitel hotels are generally known for their, naturally, French flair, but the luxurious brand’s Philadelphia property is adding a dash of English charm with its new London taxi service. For hire by hotel guests only, the iconic London taxi, imported directly from England, offers free rides around town and to/from the Philadelphia International Airport (a 20-minute drive) Mondays through Fridays between 7 and 9 A.M (reservations recommended). Booking the service any other time of day will cost you, depending on the duration of your ride, upwards of $25 for lifts within the city…

• Gettin’ Ink Done on a California Vacation

  Jennifer Bernstein

  3 Nov 2009 | 8:13 am

  Getting something permanently drawn onto your body should not be a decision made quickly. So maybe a long weekend getaway with friends isn’t the best time to sit down under the needle. That giant sun wrapped in barbwire to commemorate your trip to Florida might not seem so awesome once back home in Wisconsin.  Then again, vacations are known to motivate, and friends can be pretty convincing. And what more inspirational setting then ink-clad, super-hip Venice Beach, California? And what better excuse then a hotel offering a “Ink and Stay” hotel package?  Hotel Erwin, the…