Travel

• Most Topular Stories

• Five of the Best Attractions on the French Island of Corsica

  Europe A LA Carte

  Thomas Dowson

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:50 am

  Like many parents, we’re constantly dragging our children along to art museums. And like many parents, we are accustomed to groans of  “Oh no, not another museum!” Museums are starting to realize the importance of courting their future visitors and, as parents, it’s nice to see how many art museums have started to put together age-appropriate information and activity guides for children. The Van Gogh Museum (on the left), with the Rijksmuseum in the background One small museum that gets it right is the Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Chances are, Van Gogh admirers would take…

• Aug 31, VENEZUELA FACTS

  TRAVEL BLOG

  31 Aug 2010 | 12:08 am

• Best iPhone Tour Apps

  Articles for T+L Magazine

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:44 am

• Your Ashes on Wax: AndVinyly Is Putting the Fun Back in Funeral

  Matador Network

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:07 pm

  Photo: Sam Judson I need to get out, and I need to get out now. By the time you read this, I’ll be (fingers crossed) fully entrenched in Burning Man bliss, hanging out with the likes of Matador Editors Leigh Shulman, Ian MacKenzie, and Ross Borden, along with some of my favorite San Francisco peeps. I will be without my computer for a whole entire two weeks for the first time since 2007. And then it was only a week. Jesus, that’s sad. But as I’m sure many of you travel bloggers can relate, it’s hard to take vacations from the computer. The same trips people take to get…

• Safe Mosquito Repellents for Travelers – WanderGear Wednesday

  Wanderlust and Lipstick

  Beth

  25 Aug 2010 | 7:37 am

  During the two days that I spent at the Mount Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea, I saw tribes dressed in outfits that were surrealistic. Men and women painted their bodies. They drummed. They sang. They wore bird feathers and pigs’ tusks. And they looked fierce. This tribal man from the Gor SingSing Group was probably the most captivating to me. And I only discovered him during the last 30 minutes or so of my second (and final day)! The truth is that he was very accommodating in terms of having his photo taken. I got the sense that he (as well as all the other tribespeople at the Mount…

• 

  Family Travel Guide

• Best family fun vacation ideas for Colorado, Part Two

  Sheila

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:37 pm

  (This is a guest post by tourism expert, Mom and all-around great gal Sarah Page. Part One of  her kids in Colorado series is here.) Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park If you love the mountains, then Rocky Mountain National Park is the place for you.  I’ve traveled a fair amount, and this is still one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.  The majesty of the place just makes everything right in the world.  I can’t promise it will affect you the same way, but I can promise you there is something very special about this place. The town of Estes Park is the gateway to the…

• Best family fun vacation ideas for Colorado, Part One

  Sheila

  30 Aug 2010 | 2:31 pm

  (This is a guest post by tourism expert, Mom and all-around great gal Sarah Page. She rocks communications for the Colorado River Trail and is the sort of friend who responds cheerfully to my “Hey, write guest post for me?” right after her relaxing vacation.  Part Two of this series will post on Wednesday, September 1.) Our Rocky Mountain High, Family-Style My love for Colorado began well over 20 years ago in high school and college, and on vacations with my cousin and her family several times during the 1980s.  My cousin Robin worked at the YMCA of the Rockies for a couple of…

• Photo of the Week: Florida flamingo gathering at Homosassa

  Sheila

  23 Aug 2010 | 2:49 am

  This is the flamingo area at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Citrus County, Florida (south of Tampa.) It’s a wonderful place for the kids to see West Indian manatees year-round. Nope, no oil spill problems there as of this writing, so check it out!

• The world’s a stage for kids at Coterie Theatre in Kansas City

  Sheila

  18 Aug 2010 | 7:17 am

  For over 30 years, the Coterie Theatre in downtown Kansas City (on Level One of the Crown Center) has showcased innovative theater productions for families. TIME magazine named it “One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S.” Coterie has kids in many of the productions, kids in the audience, kids learning from professional actors in acting classes, and they stage works written by teens during their young playwrights festival. This is a truly impressive facility and a real treasure in the Midwest; I particularly like how they tackle a lot of plays for tweens and…

• 3 weeks left until Labor Day

  Sheila

  15 Aug 2010 | 7:43 pm

  So, is it the “summer of suck” in your house like it has been in mine? There have been all kinds of work-related opportunities and good news for the adults under our roof – extensive teacher training for my husband, speaking gigs for me, oldest daughter moving into her freshman college dorm – but kinda bupkis for the typically fun “summer stuff.” THIS was supposed to be the summer we paid at least a short visit to friends down on the coast. THIS was supposed to be the summer that we took short 2-3 day trips to a few of the major cities in our state, as fun…

• 

  LA Times Travel

• Labor Day: Put down the grill tongs and find a cool place to party

  Mary Forgione

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:58 am

  Labor Day doesn’t have to mean flipping hamburgers and hot dogs around the backyard grill. You could be viewing fireworks over Lake Tahoe or chilling at a Minus 5 Ice Lounge in Las Vegas to put a little party punch into the holiday weekend. Here are some places to add to your list: > Lake Tahoe: [...]

• Washington: Fall package starts at $399 for 3 nights at ‘Twilight’s’ Olympic Peninsula

  Mary Forgione

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:57 am

  In fall, temperatures turn cool and maples scattered amid the lush forests turn red on Washington’s wild Olympic Peninsula, the setting for Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” novels and the hit movie series. Now you can explore the area’s national park and national forest with three nights at any of four lodges The deal: The Best of the [...]

• Mexico: Rosewood hotel to open in San Miguel de Allende

  Valli Herman

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:34 pm

  An ultra-luxury hotel resort, the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, is set to open in the historic city in central Mexico early next year. The 67 guest rooms and suites will be decorated in the rustic Spanish-Mexican style that distinguishes the colonial town. Suites, some up to 4,000 square feet, will include local artwork, wood-beamed ceilings [...]

• FareCompare’s When-to-Fly iPhone app: The good and the bad

  Jen Leo

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:05 pm

  After FareCompare launched its When-to-Fly iPhone app last week, I had a few days to play with it. I must say, I’m already inspired to grab a cheap flight. The app, which is free, lets you search for airfares by typing in your departure airport and your month of travel, then choosing where you want to [...]

• Universal Studios Hollywood unveils Halloween Horror Nights 2010 mazes and scare zones

  Brady MacDonald

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:57 am

  Halloween Horror Nights 2010 returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with a lineup of all-too-familiar freak show faces — Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Chucky and Jigsaw — that we’ve seen many times before. HHN 2010 will feature five haunted mazes and six scare zones over 17 nights: Sept. 24 and 25 and Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, [...]

• 

  Matador Network

• 5 of Ireland’s Best Beaches

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:01 am

  Bundoran Beach / Photo: dusi_bbg Robin Graham shatters drab Irish stereotypes and introduces 5 beaches that are among Europe’s best, all of them in the southwest of County Donegal. 1. Bundoran Beach Surfers know beaches, and the world championships were held at Bundoran in ‘97. Since then, this little town has played host to a number of other high-profile tournaments. They come for The Peak, one of Europe’s best waves, and the locals will be only too pleased to tell you about its “nice clean barrel” and “steep, steep drop-in.” No, I don’t understand either. But…

• Panhandlers: Where Does Your Spare Change Go?

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:45 am

  What gives? pacificpelican Why are we so obsessed with how homeless people spend the money we give them? I recently read How Panhandlers Use Free Credit Cards in The Star, and while I imagine that the writer, Jim Rankin, has his heart in the right place, I can’t help but bristle at the idea that the question is being asked and is so important to those that might drop a few quarters into the palm of a citizen sitting on the sidewalk, begging for change. Aside from the fact that the article gave spare changers pre-paid credit cards (which we could assume are limited in their drug buying…

• 10 Reasons I Had to Escape, STAT

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:46 am

  Photo: Sam Judson I need to get out, and I need to get out now. By the time you read this, I’ll be (fingers crossed) fully entrenched in Burning Man bliss, hanging out with the likes of Matador Editors Leigh Shulman, Ian MacKenzie, and Ross Borden, along with some of my favorite San Francisco peeps. I will be without my computer for a whole entire two weeks for the first time since 2007. And then it was only a week. Jesus, that’s sad. But as I’m sure many of you travel bloggers can relate, it’s hard to take vacations from the computer. The same trips people take to get…

• Your Ashes on Wax: AndVinyly Is Putting the Fun Back in Funeral

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:07 pm

  Photo Mashup CC by Kate Sedgwick from record photo by seventime and skull photo by BenedictFrancis, also used as feature photo Hey, it’s your funeral. And when you consider the average cost of one these days, the price seems almost reasonable. It’s now possible to have your ashes imbedded in a record after you die. If you would like to be buried, there’s no reason you can’t opt to have part of your body cremated to undergo the process, according to the AndVinyly website. All I imagine you would have to do is find a mortician willing to dismember a portion of your…

• Letters from Thailand

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:25 am

  WHAT/WHERE Capturing the vivacity and camaraderie of time spent working in a Thai orphanage. NETWORK CONNECTION An incredible short film supposedly compiled with scraps from the cutting room floor; I can’t imagine what the highlight reel must look like. In the town of Phang Nga in southern Thailand, an orphanage houses or employs these character-rich faces. With a definite scratchy, distorted, Tarantino effect layering its entirety, the storyteller makes a beautiful representation of his time aiding this orphanage that would intrigue even the least altruistic viewer. In this video,…

• 

  The Perrin Post

• My Night in an Island Lighthouse in San Francisco Bay

  Conde Nast Traveler

  10 Aug 2010 | 9:35 am

  There I am on the widow's walk atop the light tower on East Brother Island. What I loved most: Guests can access the tower whenever they like, day or night. Tens of thousands of cars drive past it every day,...

• What Will Be Richard Branson's First Words in Space?

  Conde Nast Traveler

  13 Jul 2010 | 12:45 pm

  I'm thrilled to announce the winner of the "Dream Up Your Best Question for Richard Branson" Contest. It's Kristin Keating, who cooked up this clever query: "What will be YOUR first words in space?" Click on the video below to...

• If Richard Branson Were to Launch Virgin Time Travel...

  Conde Nast Traveler

  12 Jul 2010 | 3:02 pm

  "In 2025 you launch Virgin Time Travel. Where in time would you travel to...and what historical figures would be at your launch party?" -- Jason Klein Jason, congrats, you're the final runner-up in the "Dream Up Your Best Question for...

• Richard Branson Says He'll "Seriously Consider" Launching a Fourth Airline Alliance

  Conde Nast Traveler

  9 Jul 2010 | 2:57 pm

  "While I appreciate your independent streak, why hasn't Virgin Atlantic pulled the trigger and joined one of the big three airline alliances...or, better yet, why haven't you spearheaded a fourth alliance (think Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Alaska Airlines, El Al,...

• Richard Branson Wants Virgin America to Fly to the Caribbean

  Conde Nast Traveler

  8 Jul 2010 | 2:49 pm

  "Which destinations that Virgin America does not currently fly to are you most interested in adding to the route map?" -- Jennifer Loynd Given the airline's appeal to Conde Nast Traveler readers--they've voted it their favorite domestic airline two years...

• 

  THIS JUST IN (BUDGET TRAVEL)

• Ask Trip Coach: Cruising

  Brad Tuttle

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:45 pm

  We're aiming to tackle a biggie in the travel industry, so send us all the questions you have about cruising now. For obvious reasons, the cruise industry portrays the big-ship experience as being wonderful for every kind of traveler under the sun -- families, couples, big groups, adventure-seekers, partiers, and so on. But let's be honest: Plenty of travelers have no interest whatsoever in cruising. Perhaps they're scared they'll feel trapped on a boat, or they are worried about being overwhelmed by crowds on ships that accommodate thousands. Or perhaps they're turned off by the types of…

• OTA update: Orbitz makes hotel-search improvements

  JD Rinne

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:13 pm

  In the past, Orbitz has earned our kudos in the past for its customer-friendly attitude. The company's Price Assurance program sends an automatic refund if another Orbitz customer books the same hotel room for the same night for less. And with the Enhanced Low Price Guarantee (which we blogged about last fall) travelers who find their hotel room for a lower price on another site can get a refund for the difference and a $50 discount on a future Orbitz booking. Plus, Orbitz also shows up-front prices with taxes and fees included—a particularly nice feature for us budget travelers. Orbitz…

• Extra mile awards, the bonus round: Another motel to watch

  Danielle Lipp

  31 Aug 2010 | 3:29 pm

  (Courtesy Super 8) We just unveiled our sixth-annual Extra Mile Awards—in which we salute the forward-thinking companies and people working to make your vacation simpler, more affordable, and way more fun. One of the trends we spotlight is how Motel 6, Red Roof Inn, and Holiday Inn have taken the concept of the traditional roadside motel and flipped it on its head, each initiating a massive design overhaul and totally redefining what it means to stay somewhere on a budget. While it hasn't yet reached the sheer numbers of those three chains, Super 8 has also launched a room redesign…

• San Francisco: The city's historic streetcars

  Justine Sharrock

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:37 pm

  (Courtesy Nick.Fisher/Flickr) While the cable cars are much celebrated, the F-Line Market Street Railway is another historic transit option that shouldn't be missed. (Thanks, reader Jaime Raba for reminding us about them!) The F-Line runs from Fisherman's Wharf, along the Embarcadero, and up Market to the Castro. The brightly colored vintage streetcars were imported by the city from places around the world, from Australia to England, Philadelphia to St. Louis. On any given day, as many as 20 different trolleys are on the street. Perhaps the most notable is the 1934 open air roofless "boat…

• Questions for an editor going to Florence?

  Kate Appleton

  27 Aug 2010 | 12:54 pm

  Piazza Santa Maria Novella (Courtesy pynomoscato/Flickr) I'm leaving soon for Florence, where I'll be renting an apartment, seeking out the best bars for an aperitivo, and exploring what's new since my last visit. The sandwich shop 'ino and the Museo Nazionale Alinari della Fotografia in Piazza Santa Maria Novella are high on my list. I'm also curious to find out more about the young mayor's ambitious plans. So I've got my questions, but I'm wondering what you would like to know about Florence? Maybe it's something about Florentine etiquette, local markets and shops, how to tackle the…

• Photostream from Daylife

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

  Anthony Bourdain

• Looking at the Black and White World

  anthony bourdain

  12 Aug 2010 | 9:47 am

  They said it couldn’t be done. Others, sensibly enough, asked why we would want to do it in the first place. We were assured that ratings inevitably will plummet, and that much of our core audience will be outraged by this abominable, doomed exercise in self indulgence (and that is surely true). But I think this is our finest hour. It’s what we were put on this earth for–to cause terror and confusion at the network, to alienate our fans who were beginning to feel comfortable with us, to try something that–as far as I can tell–has never been done: A full hour of…

• Look Back With Embarrassment

  anthony bourdain

  2 Aug 2010 | 6:31 am

  I’m frankly delighted to be out of the country when tonight’s WHERE IT ALL BEGAN special airs. While it’s a very good piece of film making by a very distinguished gentleman named Dmitri Kasterine (who put over a year of his life into it), I dearly wish I were not the subject. I just can’t bear looking back at that black-haired, post-crack-skinny, arrogant twerp. I’ve said elsewhere that I “had” to be arrogant to get through the day but looking at this guy (me) eleven years ago, not fifty dollars to my name, unpaid rent hanging over my head, years of…

• 100 Is Not Enough

  admin

  31 Jul 2010 | 8:48 am

  Anthony Bourdain is celebrating 100 Episodes of No Reservations on Monday, September 6. Got a tribute for Tony? Say congrats or tell him what you would do 100 times. Upload your message to YouTube or post it to Twitter. We might even show it on the air.

• The Original (Goodbye Splendor)

  anthony bourdain

  13 Jul 2010 | 7:45 am

  A few days ago, the city of Cleveland lost a truly great and important man. And I’m not talking about LeBron James. A hundred years from now, few–other than a few sports nerds–will remember him as much more than statistics on a long ago basketball court. They will, however, remember Harvey Pekar, whose life and works will surely remain an enduring reference point of late 20th and early 21st century cultural history. Like those other giants of their eras, Twain, Whitman, Dos Passos, Kerouac, Kesey, the times he lived in cannot adequately be remembered without him. It is true…

• In it, to Win it!

  anthony bourdain

  9 Jul 2010 | 8:38 am

  In other news, over at http://bourdainmediumraw.com, we’re running a contest associated with my latest book. The best 500 word essay gets published in a future paperback edition of MEDIUM RAW. My publisher and I thought this was a pretty good prize for a previously unpublished writer of a short essay. But it has been widely suggested that this was in fact a cruel, cynical and exploitative exercise in “crowd-sourcing”. That instead of writing a few new paragraphs myself, we decided that this was somehow an easier, more cost-effective strategy for providing…

• 

  Wanderlust and Lipstick

• Win Gear from Briggs & Riley AND Tom Bihn!

  Beth

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:36 am

  It’s time to announce September’s contest! This month you can win a toiletry case (left) from Briggs & Riley as well as 2 travel pouches AND a passport pouch (below, Lara Bar not included) from Tom Bihn. Value for these 4 items that can easily be tucked away into your carry-on bag is… $80! It’s super easy to enter… All ya gotta do is subscribe to the Wanderlust and Lipstick Newsletter during the month of September and you’ll be automatically entered. Check back here in early October to find out who the lucky one is. Winner will have 3 days to respond…

• Papua New Guinea – Is Port Moresby Safe or Dangerous?

  Beth

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:35 am

  Tell someone you’re going to Papua New Guinea and if they’ve ever heard of the country, they will likely tell you how dangerous it is (whether they’ve been there or not, they’ll have an opinion). Specifically, they’ll share how dangerous it is in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and the entry point for nearly everyone. Prior to my departure a few weeks ago, I heard an earful from a lot of people, including those whom I consider very experienced travelers. It’s not worth repeating their words of danger as I’d only be perpetuating the…

• Papua New Guinea People: Gor Tribal Man – Photo of the Day

  Beth

  26 Aug 2010 | 9:30 pm

  During the two days that I spent at the Mount Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea, I saw tribes dressed in outfits that were surrealistic. Men and women painted their bodies. They drummed. They sang. They wore bird feathers and pigs’ tusks. And they looked fierce. This tribal man from the Gor SingSing Group was probably the most captivating to me. And I only discovered him during the last 30 minutes or so of my second (and final day)! The truth is that he was very accommodating in terms of having his photo taken. I got the sense that he (as well as all the other tribespeople at the Mount…

• Safe Mosquito Repellents for Travelers – WanderGear Wednesday

  Beth

  25 Aug 2010 | 7:37 am

  I had the opportunity in Papua New Guinea to test out a couple of natural safe mosquito repellents. I am not one to take malaria tablets due to their side effects and I go running when I see a DEET-based mosquito repellent. While some might think this is irresponsible, I simply don’t like to ingest unnatural crap and I’m certainly not going to slather my body with toxic oils or creams. The first mosquito repellent I tried was Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus. I had heard for years that Avon Skin-So-Soft was a great mosquito repellent. I kept forgetting to pick this up…

• Papua New Guinea – a recap

  Beth

  23 Aug 2010 | 9:08 am

  It’s hard to know where to start when describing a trip to Papua New Guinea. The country is complicated. It’s diverse. And it’s magnificent. After a short trip there, in no way can I call myself an expert, but I did manage to dive in, ask lots of questions and do a fair bit of reading that helped me to understand some of what lies under the surface. First, a few facts and a bit of an overview… The country actually occupies the eastern half of an island in the South Pacific (the other half is Irian Jaya) and is roughly the size of California. It is one of the most…

• 

  CruiseSource

• Hurricane Earl: NCL Sky Amazing Deal!

  Rich Tucker - CruiseSource.us

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:35 am

  As Hurricane Earl brushes past the Northern Caribbean, he is leaving behind him a wake of amazing cruise deals. Deal hunters in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are fully aware that this is the season to land those dream deals. Combine a semi-recovering economy with a passing hurricane and you get the DEAL OF THE YEAR! The NCL Sky departing Miami on September 6th for a 4 night Bahamas cruise vacation is now priced at only $119 per person! The best part is that Hurricane Earl will be well past Florida and the Bahamas by Labor Day. And with the NCL Sky departing on Labor Day, you’ll only have to…

• #IndieCruise Now Booking!

  Rich Tucker - CruiseSource.us

  30 Aug 2010 | 2:54 pm

  When Donna Marie, CEO and founder of the Indie Business Network started to research her idea of having Indie Business Owners join her on a Cruise Ship for networking, education, and of course fun she contacted CruiseDeals.com, the leader in Social Media group cruises. After a few weeks of planning, we’re excited that the Indie Cruise is now open for reservations, Twitter Hashtag: #IndieCruise. Conference events at Sea, like the #IndieCruise display the incredible value of cruise vacations. We are able to offer conference style sessions, meals, room, transportation to tropical islands,…

• Hurricane Earl Cruise Impacts

  Rich Tucker - CruiseSource.us

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:47 pm

  Hurricane Earl has caused several ships to change itineraries in order to avoid the storm. Some of the most popular Islands in the Caribbean like St. Maarten and St. Thomas are too close to the projected path of Hurricane Earl. So in the interest of safety and not ruining vacations the cruiselines have altered some itineraries of ships currently cruising the Caribbean. Carnival Victory, Carnival Pride, Carnival Dream, Norwegian Epic, Enchantment of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and possibly the Norwegian Dawn will have their itineraries modified due to the storm. You can see all the details on…

• Cruise Line’s #1 Social Media Question Should Be?

  Rich Tucker - CruiseSource.us

  26 Aug 2010 | 12:15 pm

  So, what do you think the Cruise Lines should be asking themselves when looking across the vast Social Media landscape? I believe their #1 question should be: How do we get more of this? This video is getting people pumped up on Youtube about going on the NCL Epic. This is a video created by a paying passenger! People trust their friends and family! There are tens of thousands of potential online content creators cruising each week. Many of these passengers are carrying high-powered cameras and video equipment. With a little creativity and investment the cruise lines can significantly grow…

• Social Fresh Charlotte, Recap

  Rich Tucker - CruiseSource.us

  20 Aug 2010 | 1:28 pm

  I recently attended the Social Fresh Social Media Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina geared toward marketers with a great showing from big brands and agencies.   One of the best parts of attending social media conferences is that when I get home I can experiment immediately with the few things that I learn.    By far, my favorite part of social media conferences is the networking at the pre/post parties and in between sessions.   Those who are the most passionate about social media seem to get the most out of the relationships made during quick conversations that happen between…

• 

  Europe A LA Carte

• Exploring the history of the Greek island of Naxos

  Inka Piegsa-quischotte

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:40 pm

  As the history fan approaches the port of Naxos Town standing on deck the ferry, he or she will rejoice: it can already be seen from a distance that nearly 2000 years of history represented by some stunning monuments, can easily be explored and enjoyed within walking distance of each other. Sure, some legwork is required, but it is not too strenuous as opposed to other Greek islands and, as Naxos according to mythology is the birthplace of Dionysos, many lovely bars, cafes and restaurants invite to recharge batteries during the walk. Cafes in the old part of Naxos First on my Naxos…

• Child Friendly Amsterdam Attractions: The Van Gogh Museum

  Kimberly Sullivan

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:00 pm

  Like many parents, we’re constantly dragging our children along to art museums. And like many parents, we are accustomed to groans of  “Oh no, not another museum!” Museums are starting to realize the importance of courting their future visitors and, as parents, it’s nice to see how many art museums have started to put together age-appropriate information and activity guides for children. The Van Gogh Museum (on the left), with the Rijksmuseum in the background One small museum that gets it right is the Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Chances are, Van Gogh admirers would take…

• Five of the Best Attractions on the French Island of Corsica

  Thomas Dowson

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:50 am

  The French island of Corsica is said to be one of the best places to visit in Europe for diving. Partly because the island is also renowned for its golden sandy beaches and crystal clear, blue sea. In striking contrast to this stunning coastline, the island’s interior has some rugged mountains that provide wonderful and picturesque settings for everything from hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, to rafting and kayaking. Golden, sandy beaches and crystal, clear seas by pimousse While the Island offers numerous opportunities for various sports and outdoor activities, there is…

• Underground Resistance at Kronborg Castle, Denmark

  Marcus Cederstrom

  31 Aug 2010 | 9:06 pm

  Bring a flashlight.  Or if you don’t bring a flashlight, be sure to bring change so you can pay to use one.  I didn’t.  Instead, I stumbled around an underground casemate trying to use my cell phone for light.  It wasn’t the best way to see what was otherwise an incredible exhibition. Under Kronborg Castle, in Helsingør, Denmark are the casemates (protected gun positions in a vaulted chamber beneath a defensive wall).  In those casemates you will learn the Danish history of Holger Danske.  A legendary character who is said to rise up and protect Denmark when the country finds…

• Berwick upon Tweed hotels

  Karen Bryan

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:39 am

  The border town of Berwick upon Tweed lies three miles south of the Anglo-Scottish Border on the River Tweed Estuary. It lies in between Edinburgh, 60 miles to the north and Newcastle upon Tyne, 60 miles to the south. If you’re driving, the town is bypassed by the A1. Berwick upon Tweed lies on the East Coast rail line and can be reached in four hours from London, two hours from York and less than one hour from either Newcastle or Edinburgh.   I’ve listed the Berwick upon Tweed hotels by how close they are to the town centre. Berwick upon Tweed The Kings Arms Hotel is right in…

• 

  Intelligent Travel: From National Geographic Traveler

• How Do You Do Abu Dhabi?

  IT Blog

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:30 am

  What to do in Abu Dhabi? A smattering of suggestions... Have your hands patterned with henna at the Abu Dhabi Library and Cultural Centre. This stately complex, across from the Grand Mosque, houses nearly two million volumes.Rise early and get to the vegetable market at Port Zayed by 6 a.m. for your pick of fresh fish, fruit, and other produce. (There are plans to move the market farther inland soon.)Take a ride on a traditional abra boat along the man-made waterway that winds through the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri. Make stops at the on-site suq (market) and spa.Sate your sweet tooth in…

• Ask a Park Ranger: Acadia in the Fall

  IT Blog

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:30 am

  A few weeks ago, we introduced a new magazine feature called "Ask a Park Ranger" where we track down the best advice from the experts about our national parks. We'll be featuring the results in a column in the magazine and here on our blog. Here's our first question. Q. My husband and I are planning a trip to Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island in early September. We made reservations to camp at the Seawall campground. Can you suggest a two-day itinerary (hikes/photo ops, scenic drives, etc.) that would introduce us to the famous and, perhaps, overlooked gems of the park? What…

• The Radar: Singapore Slides and Bootlegger Prices

  Janelle Nanos

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:25 am

  Singapore's Changi Airport just recently opened a 40 foot twisty slide in its Terminal 3. Passengers who spend at least $22 in the airport shops will receive tokens for two rides down the slide. This is the latest addition to the airport, which also features a butterfly garden and a rooftop swimming pool. [YouTube] Atlantic City celebrates the launch of HBO's latest period drama, Boardwalk Empire, about bootlegging during prohibition by offering rooms for the decidedly throw-back price of $19.20. [Hotel Chatter] And this is one way to get through airport security. [Vagabondish] Singapore…

• Your Take: Do You Lie When You Travel?

  IT Blog

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:00 pm

  Many of our readers have responded to Daisann McLane's latest column in our September issue, "The Lies We Tell," in which she discusses posing as a jewelry designer when visiting a gem dealer in Jaipur, India, and other instances when she's twisted the truth while traveling. An excerpt: ...when I travel, I'll improvise extravagant new identities for myself only with shopkeepers, hoteliers, and strangers I'm absolutely sure I'll never see again. I try on the hats that, but for a few twists of fate, I might have worn (as well as some I would not have): anthropology professor, Peace Corps…

• 10 Tips for Walking on Water

  Janelle Nanos

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 am

  This weekend I took advantage of a free Zozi deal I blogged about last week and tried out stand up paddleboarding for the first time. After driving about an hour southeast of Washington, D.C., to YK Kiteboarding and Stand Up Paddleboarding in Maryland's Chesapeake Beach, I got my sea legs, so to speak, on a wide and surprisingly stable board and managed to hold my balance while cruising the bay without falling off. I wouldn't quite say I'm a master, but I did take home enough tips to share them.Stand up paddleboards are boarded two ways: either you step directly on the far side of the board…

• 

  Travel Tips and Deals

• Treading Water in the Travel Industry

  Shannon

  29 Aug 2010 | 9:34 pm

  Social media is instant. It is fleeting. The old 15 minutes of fame has been shortened to only 15 seconds in today’s world of new media and social technology. Every once in a while, someone gets a foothold and manages to hold on for longer than that 15. If you branch outside of your community, you might possibly accomplish this. We know all the big names in the travel industry – The ones on tv, the ones with the travel memoir books, and the ones with the regular travel columns in the big city newspapers. But have you ever heard of Jason Falls or Gary Veynerchuk? I was speaking at…

• Explore New Communities

  Shannon

  26 Aug 2010 | 7:39 am

  I like meeting new people and that’s probably my favorite aspect of social media – laying the foundation for building relationships. I’ve met some pretty cool people (and most have been genuine). It’s also refreshing to hold a conversation with someone from outside of the travel industry. In October 2008 I was web surfing, trying to figure out this blog thing. I saw a banner ad looming at the top of a post BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas – World’s Largest Blogging Conference It grabbed my attention. I looked at the date and noticed it was less than a week…

• Calling All New Kids

  Shannon

  2 Jun 2010 | 5:56 pm

  I recently gave a presentation called The Wild West of Travel Blogging: Staking Your Claim in New Media to a group of traditional travel writers visiting my area. It was great to connect with the old school writers again and remember where I came from and how hard it was when I first started in the travel industry. Many people may not realize this, but I’m not a blogger. I’m a writer. I write for magazines, newspapers, websites, and blogs. I even write books (gasp). To me, blogging is just another medium where my words are published. One point I tried to reiterate throughout my…

• Cuts for the Coast – Yes, hair really soaks up the oil spill

  Shannon

  7 May 2010 | 7:34 pm

  The other day I was watching my local news (WAFB) when a story aired that looked at first to be a spoof. It seems that human hair can act as an absorbent for the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf Coast. It wasn’t a joke. This method was actually used in 2006 during the Philippines oil spill. When I was first diagnosed with Mr. Miyagi, I made a vow that I wouldn’t cut my hair and would let it grow as long as it was still intact. It grew. And it grew. Every once in a while I’d go through spurts where handfuls would fall out when I washed my hair, but it’s so thick that no one would…

• Why is Social Media Important to the Travel Industry?

  Shannon

  27 Apr 2010 | 8:23 am

  In the Beginning Once upon a time (like medieval times) each grand castle had a bard or storyteller who would regale inhabitants of the castle with stories and legends. Some of the stories were true and were a way to spread current events or tales of faraway lands. The lord of the castle would also receive news through handwritten parchment letters. Not everyone could read at that time, but they sure did repeat what they heard from the bards in the nearby taverns and this instilled wanderlust in many people. This was the original Word of Mouth Marketing. Hundreds of years later, in The New…

• 

  Travel Rants Blog

• Worst UK airports and tourism rants

  Darren Cronian

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:47 am

  It has been a while since the last podcast, but today, I took the opportunity of a bank holiday weekend, to record a new episode. I rant about the Florida gulf coast “disaster” and ask for your opinion on the UK’s worst airports, plus news of this year’s Travel BlogCamp. Subscribe to the Travel Rants [...]This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Worst UK airports and tourism rants

• Does media hype affect tourism?

  Darren Cronian

  28 Aug 2010 | 7:10 pm

  There’s an interesting article on various news sites about the increase in deaths of foreign holidaymakers on the island of Phuket. Apparently, so far this year 52 tourists have died on the island, compared with 28 during the whole of 2009. An example of lazy journalism It’s the type of news that sells newspapers and [...]This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Does media hype affect tourism?

• Please! No more flight comparison sites

  Darren Cronian

  24 Aug 2010 | 10:48 pm

  Last night I read a post on Tnooz about the lack of consumer information on airline extra fees online. I have written about this before, and that I feel comparison sites should truly compare flights, like-for-like, but many compare the flat-base flight price, not including taxes and extras. Sites must be consumer friendly I read [...]This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Please! No more flight comparison sites

• Travel companies desperate for social media attention

  Darren Cronian

  24 Aug 2010 | 12:19 pm

  There is a smell of desperation on social media networks with so many travel companies trying to get their social media campaigns viral and competitions pimped by bloggers. I wonder if the time and money could be better spent on improving customer support and other travel issues. Queensland tourism campaign was predictable I partly blame [...]This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Travel companies desperate for social media attention

• British holidays are not that bad

  Darren Cronian

  20 Aug 2010 | 10:45 am

  The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of travelling in the UK, compared with the hassle of taking a holiday abroad. I spent most of this week on the Yorkshire coast, and it was hassle free. It cost me £25 per night in a decent B&B, with breakfast and free [...]This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. British holidays are not that bad

• 

  GoVisitHawaii

• Pampering in Paradise at Kauai’s Anara Spa

  sheila

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:26 am

  Garden Spa Treatment Hale Anara Spa’s setting is amazingly blissful. Stone paths lead you past tropical gardens filled with blooming ginger, palms, ferns, and plumeria. Your mind is put at ease by the sounds of waterfalls cascading over lava rock walls and tropical birds. You’ll enjoy sipping fruit-infused, chilled water while waiting reclining in an open-air, thatched roof hale (bungalow) before your spa treatment. It’s fantastic! A dreamy and sighful “aahhh” comes to mind when I recall my recent experience at Anara Spa. I loved it! If you are looking for a special spa experience…

• Giveaway Alert: Creating the Perfect Hawaii Vacation Playlist

  sheila

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:46 am

  As you’re touring along on a scenic drive in Hawaii, you can enhance the experience with some excellent Hawaii tunes to accompany the view. So, let’s create the perfect Hawaii vacation playlist. I need your help, so please comment to share your favorite song(s) from or about Hawaii. If you know the artist’s name, please add that as well. I’ll be giving away a a copy of Facing Future to one lucky commenter from here on the blog. I’ll also be giving away another CD from our facebook community, too. So, you can increase your chances of winning by commenting in both places, if you wish.

• Luxury Dreaming at this Poipu Vacation Home

  sheila

  31 Aug 2010 | 9:05 am

  Luxury Vacation Home on Poipu Beach I was invited to a cocktail party at this luxury beachfront vacation home on a recent trip to Kauai. Well, it was absolutely cruel and lovely at the same time. It was cruel in that I can’t afford a daily rental rate starting at $1,500, but it was lovely to dream of staying there. I thought you might enjoy taking a peak at this luxury home too. We can all dream together. Prepare to sigh. A private pool and hot tub with an oceanview. Sigh, sigh, sigh! I wouldn't mind waking up to that view. Would you? The cocktail party was hosted by the nice folks at …

• Your Take: Why You Love Oahu

  sheila

  30 Aug 2010 | 8:25 am

  Windward Oahu is a peaceful contrast to lively Waikiki. A few weeks ago, I asked the Go Visit Hawaii facebook community why they like Oahu.  As I read each comment, I must have been nodding my head in agreement.  I also felt the urge to book a ticket to Oahu ASAP. That’s just a warning for you before you start reading them. From your thoughts on Oahu,  I think we can all agree that there’s bunches to love about Oahu. Bunches! The community’s responses were too good not to share, so here’s a sampling: Clarice says, “My memories of Oahu span 35 years beginning with a second…

• Aloha Friday Photo: Two Lucky Ducks, er Lucky Macaws Edition

  sheila

  27 Aug 2010 | 8:37 am

  Today’s vibrant photo was supplied by the Big Island’s Mauna Kea Hotel. I had noticed this photo they posted on twitter, claiming that these two birds are their “most demanding guests .”  I have to wonder if these macaws know how good they’ve got it? Anyone want to trade places with them? With a view like that, I bet you wouldn’t be near as demanding. Mahalo to Mauna Kea Hotel for sharing this excellent photo with us! Happy Aloha Friday, y’all! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than…

• 

  Hawaii Island Vacation Travel Information and Tips

• Lanai, Hawaii Manele Bay

  admin

  15 Aug 2010 | 3:25 am

  Located on the south shore of Lanai, Manele Bay is home to the only boat harbor on Lanai, the sixth-largest Hawaiian island. Many yachts, tour boats, charters, and ferries carrying passengers between Maui and Lanai ply the waters of secluded Manele Bay, which is enveloped by majestic sea cliffs. There is a small beach where swimmers and sunbathers enjoy the warm waters and soothing sand. Those more adventurous may be inclined to undertake certified dive trips to lava caves as well as underwater coral grottoes. Snorkeling is also big in Manele Bay, a marine preserve that offers all types of…

• Kalaupapa National Historical Park Damien Tours

  admin

  15 Aug 2010 | 3:22 am

  Located on Kalauapapa Peninsula at the base of 1600-foot high sea cliffs, Kalaupapa National Historical Park was where leprosy victims were forced to live. Maintained by the National Park Service, Kalaupapa can be toured via authorized groups such as Damien Tours and Molokai Mule Ride. Highlights of the 8,700-acre paradise that is enveloped by 2,000 acres of water include the settlements of Kalaupapa and Kalawo, a  volcanic crater, 1600-foot-high cliffs, an amazing rainforest, lava tubes, caves, off-shore islands, coral reefs, and the Molokai Lighthouse. In addition, the park…

• Waikiki Hawaii Shopping Centers

  admin

  15 Aug 2010 | 3:07 am

  Surfing, sunbathing, and sightseeing all compete with shopping in Waikiki, Hawaii, at such fine malls as Royal Hawaiian Center, International Market Place, Waikiki Beach Walk, Ala Moana Center, and Aloha Tower Marketplace. With more than 100 shops and restaurants, Royal Hawaiian Center is one of Hawaii’s largest shopping centers. Retailers range from Fendi, Ferragamo, and Hermes to Kate Spade, White House/Black Market, and bebe. International Market Place boasts over 150 shops and kiosks run by local craftspeople, as well as sit-down restaurants, a diverse food court, and stunning…

• Honolulu, Hawaii Marathon

  admin

  15 Aug 2010 | 3:01 am

  There are 25,000 runners who will take part in the annual Honolulu, Hawaii Marathon, the 10th largest marathon in the world, which draws 50,000 spectators. The 2010 Honolulu Marathon will take place on Sunday, December 12. It all begins on Ala Moana Boulevard at Ala Moana Beach Park in Waikiki, a 100-acre area with beaches and recreational facilities. The course takes runners through downtown along Honolulu Harbor and the historic Aloha Tower. Runners then turn into Chinatown and proceed through downtown past Iolani Palace, the statue of King Kamehameha, Kawaiahao Church, and Mission Houses…

• Aqua Hotels & Resorts Waikiki Spa

  admin

  15 Aug 2010 | 2:56 am

  Indulge in a rejuvenating massage or facial at one of three Waikiki Beach Aqua Hotels & Resorts day spas. Aqua Aloha Surf and Spa, Aqua Palms and Spa, and Aqua Bamboo and Spa each feature experienced massage therapists and a varied menu of offerings. Shiatsu massage is an ancient Oriental technique that stimulates specific acu-points to increase energy flow. Swedish massage is a relaxing way to relieve tension. Lomi Lomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage. Sports massages involved deep-tissue manipulation that’s perfect for chronic pain or specific bodywork. Additional treatments…

• 

  Fodor's Travel Wire

• Hawaii: While exploring Kauai, plan for a lot of stops on the road

  blog@fodors.com

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:00 am

  Try to take advantage of the many roadside scenic overlooks and pull over to take in the constantly changing view. Don't try to pack too much into one day.

• Canada: Remember that going to Canada from the United States means crossing an international border

  blog@fodors.com

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:00 am

  All travelers now need a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or reenter the United States. Naturalized U.S. residents should carry their naturalization certificate. Permanent residents who aren’t citizens should carry their Permanent Resident Card, more commonly known as a green card. U.S. residents entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport, naturalization certificate, or green card.

• China: Steel yourself for shopping at a Chinese market

  blog@fodors.com

  31 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

  It’s great fun for the savvy shopper. Do haggle—with histrionics at the seller’s first asking price but with a polite, positive attitude throughout, and never with finger pointing (use your whole hand instead). That said, be prepared to be grabbed, pushed, followed, stared at, and even have people whispering offers in your ear. Personal space and privacy aren’t valued in the same way as in the West, so the invasion of them is common. Also, many Chinese love to touch foreign children, so make sure any younger traveling companions are aware of and prepared for this.

• 5 Best Beaches on Kauai

  blog@fodors.com

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:48 am

  With over 50 miles of sandy shores—more than any other Hawaiian island—Kaua‘i is a beach bum’s dream. It’s easy to give in to "Hawai‘i time" and spend your trip relaxing on the sand. Here are some of our top places to park your beach towel.

• Road Trips: Stock up on supplies at warehouse shopping clubs

  blog@fodors.com

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

  By far the most expensive places to buy snacks and toiletries when traveling are the convenience stores attached to roadside gas stations. Try to buy groceries at discount department or grocery stores before you leave. Members of warehouse superstores, like Costco and Sam’s Club, can save a huge amount by stocking up on bulk foods and even toiletries at these places. Best bets include bottled water, crackers, cookies, chips, trail mix, sports bars, nuts, and breath mints, as well as aspirin and pain relievers, antacid tablets, laundry detergent, and film. These shopping clubs also…

• 

  Happy Hotelier

• 10 Questions For (35): Claude Benard of Hotelitour, Tnooz and We Blog Travel

  GJE

  21 Aug 2010 | 2:43 pm

  Happy to present a long time friend from the travel blogging scene, Claude Benard. We’ve met 3 times already in Berlin for ITB and now he’s asked me to work with him as a member of the jury in a Travel Blogging Contest We Blog Travel. I believe Claude is one of the few French travel bloggers who blogs in English. The portrait below shows Claude in action on one of the panels of a Travel Bloggers Summit at ITB Berlin. 1) Who Are you? I am a consultant and trainer in the field of tourism and e-tourism. My customers are hotels, tourist destinations or etourism private players. I work…

• Quote of the Day (18)

  GJE

  11 Aug 2010 | 3:57 pm

  Dirty Old Man Need Love Too! The group with whom I toured The Hague where I found the sign suggested the house where we found it might have been used by certain ladies of certain pleasures…. I don’t know. What is clear from the photo is that the typical Dutch habit of polishing such plaques at the front has obsoleted the paint over the years… Quote of the Day (18) is a post from: Happy Hotelier. Would you like to subscribe to my newsfeed, or my weekly newsletter?

• Using Tweepml to Manage your Twitter Contacts and do away with #ff and #tt

  GJE

  20 Jul 2010 | 6:49 am

  In January 2009 I complained how slow the Twitter interface is. Not much has changed since then for the better, especially since Twitter took away their pagination of tweets and from followers and following. Until then you could at least figure out where you had to look by fiddling a bit with their pagination. Now you have to wade through window after window. Looking up an old tweet it is also difficult, because there is a limit of (I believe) 3200 tweets the Twitter API allows you to look up. Unfortunately the way around that Storytlr has ceased to exist and changed into a community project…

• Street Art: Will You Marry Me?

  GJE

  19 Jul 2010 | 4:20 pm

  Graffiti Proposal from PR!MO on Vimeo. A very poetic way of posing the question:-) Street Art: Will You Marry Me? is a post from: Happy Hotelier. Would you like to subscribe to my newsfeed, or my weekly newsletter?

• New project: Absolutely The Hague!

  GJE

  18 Jul 2010 | 2:56 pm

  I started a new site, Absolutely The Hague! together with Lisa Rouissi (@Koffiekitten) and hopefully many other contributors. The reason is – and off course I’m biased – The Hague is an excellent city to work in, to live in and an excellent city to visit. I just want to tell this to the world out there in the English language. Moreover The Hague has a huge SEO problem. It is known by at least four different names: It’s original name is ‘s-Gravenhage, It’s common name is Den Haag The English speaking world knows it as The Hague and The French know it as La…

• 

  Have Kids Will Travel

• Common Travel Questions From Expectant Moms

  admin

  10 Aug 2010 | 1:49 pm

  Ed. Note: This is a guest post contributed by Michele Hakakha and Ari Brown, authors of the new book Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy. Learn more at the end of this post.   Pregnancy certainly affects the lives of expectant moms and dads, but it doesn’t have to put a damper on [...]

• 5 Essential iPhone Apps for Family Travel

  admin

  5 Aug 2010 | 8:52 pm

  It’s hard to imagine how we ever organized a family holiday in the past without our smartphones! Smartphones — and in particualr the iPhone — have become our guide books, maps, translators, booking engines and road toys all in one. Now if only they’d make an app to wipe kids’ runny noses or soothe their bee [...]

• The Perfect Travel Bra

  Editor

  12 Apr 2010 | 1:02 pm

  Admit it, ladies – this has crossed your minds more than once in the past. Among the lesser known hassles of getting packed for the holidays is the question of what to do about your intimate apparel. You don’t want your underwire bra setting off the metal detectors at the airport, and you sure don’t want [...]

• Savoring the Simple Pleasures of Paris

  Catherine

  14 Jan 2010 | 2:00 pm

  Aimie O’Shaughnessy, editor of the wonderful Ciao Bambino, recently tapped my shoulder to write a guest post for their Paris Week feature. It doesn’t take much to convince me to reminisce about my family’s summer in Paris. That city has a way of gripping you and seeping into your soul so that it is never [...]

• The Final Frontier is Open for Business

  Catherine

  11 Dec 2009 | 7:03 pm

  Bored of the beach? Tired of the ski hills? Already visited the great cities, seven wonders and hotspots around the world? Here’s a cure for the been-there-done-that blues: space travel! Yup, space tourism has finally become a reality where regular folk like you and I can blast off beyond the stratosphere, experience the thrill of zero [...]

• 

  TravelingMamas.com

• Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, Jamaica

  MommyMusings

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:05 am

  Sometimes, you just have to get away–without the kids! Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, Jamaica is the perfect escape. Secrets is a luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only (not couples only) resort that will have you relaxing on the sandy white beaches of Jamaica, drink in hand, within minutes of your check-in. This was my first experience at an all-inclusive resort, and hopefully, it won’t be my last. At Secrets, all-inclusive means your accommodations, meals, beverages (including alcohol), room service, gratuities, and select activities are included with your package. I quickly found…

• Gulf Shores Alabama An Insider Look

  OneMomsWorld

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:15 pm

  As you know, the Traveling Mamas were on a recent trip to the beautiful Gulf Shores in Alabama. Ever since I caught glimpse of the first news reports of the BP oil spill, I knew this wouldn’t be good for the Gulf Coast. I really longed to get to the area and when we were invited by the Alabama Visitors Bureau, I was ready to get on the plane and go right then! I wasn’t quite sure what my expectations were of the area, but from all the media reports, I just figured there would be oil all around the beach. What we found, was quite the opposite! Take a peek into this short 3 minute…

• A Dream Realized for Traveling Mama Marilyn Thanks to Hyatt’s Big Welcome Back

  Guest Author

  1 Sep 2010 | 3:34 am

  This guest post comes from Marilyn, one of the winners of Hyatt’s Big Welcome Back Giveaway that we hosted a while back. This is why we like to do trip giveaways. ~ CajunMama Motherhood sucks. Seriously. Regardless of what the mommy mafia says, motherhood sucks. Everything is about your family – you sacrifice your dreams for them, you put their needs before yours, you cook for them, clean up after them, help them with their homework, sit with them while they cry over simple and sometimes complicated issues, drive them everywhere and even do their laundry. If you’re lucky, they may…

• Traveling Mamas Tripapalooza | Blog and Win a Trip to the Beach

  CajunMama

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:08 am

  We love to travel at TravelingMamas.com and we also love to give things away. What gets us jumping for joy is being able to give our readers a trip so they can experience a smidgen of what we get to do when we’re on the road looking for the best travel destinations to highlight here. For the month of September, we’re celebrating the end of summer vacation with trip giveaways along the Gulf Coast. Each week we’ll announce a new trip giveaway, where readers can win one of many trips, including multi-night stays at various properties in Gulf Shore and Orange Beach,…

• Test Ride : Chevrolet Cruze

  CajunMama

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:09 am

  While in New York City, TravelingMamas.com was invited to test out a few new Chevy models coming to the market for 2011. The event was called Chevy Blogher (being that it was held just before Blogher began) and bloggers from around North America participated in the ride and drive. The plan was to break into small teams and drive the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze from Manhattan to Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, NY. Themeparkmom, MommyMusings, and I went with Chris, a representative from Chevrolet. We checked out the interior to see how comfortable and practical this vehicle would be for…

• 

  Everything Everywhere: Around the World Travel Blog

• September 2010 Desktop Wallpaper

  Gary

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:05 pm

  Widescreen 1900×1200 | Standard Width 1280×1024 Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel photos. Related posts:May 2010 Desktop Wallpaper April 2010 Desktop Wallpaper June 2010 Desktop Wallpaper

• Daily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, Jordan

  Gary

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:03 pm

  The Seven Pillars of Wisdom in Wadi Rum, Jordan Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel photos. Related posts:Daily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, Jordan Daily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, Jordan Daily Travel Photo – Wadi Rum, Jordan

• My non Review of Eat, Pray, Love and why I started traveling

  Gary

  31 Aug 2010 | 7:01 pm

  I also visited Bali but did not fall in love with any hot Brazilians I finally got around to seeing Eat, Pray, Love the other night. I have not read the book (nor do I plan to) but given that I write a travel blog I’ve had many people ask me what I thought about the movie, so I figured I should see it. To be honest I’m not a movie reviewer and I’m not sure the world needs another review of this film. As a film, its mediocre. I guess you can watch it on cable or DVD if you want to see what Italy and Bali are like. As far as Elizabeth Gilbert, I really have no opinion on her…

• Daily Travel Photo – Minnesota State Fair

  Gary

  30 Aug 2010 | 8:11 pm

  Midway at the Minnesota State Fair Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel photos. Related posts:Daily Travel Photo – Minnesota State Fair Daily Travel Photo – St. Paul, Minnesota Daily Travel Photo – St. Paul, Minnesota

• This Week In Travel – Episode 51

  Gary

  30 Aug 2010 | 9:05 am

  This week’s guest is National Geographic ombudsman, MSNBC travel writer and consumer advocate Chris Elliott. Subscribe on iTunes | Become a Fan on Facebook | Download the iPhone app | Download Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel photos. Related posts:This Week In Travel – Episode 33 This Week In Travel – Episode 36 This Week in Travel – Episode 32

• 

  Vagabondish

• Photo of the Moment: The Curious Poodle Lady of West Yorkshire

  Mike Richard

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:04 am

  © Paul Stevenson Photo of the Moment: The Curious Poodle Lady of West Yorkshire © Vagabondish.

• How NOT to Sneak Through Airport Security [Video]

  Mike Richard

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:51 am

  He’s got guts … I’ll grant him that. How NOT to Sneak Through Airport Security [Video] © Vagabondish.

• Photo of the Moment: ¿Por que yo?, Chile

  Mike Richard

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:18 am

  © Fernando Valenzuela “Why me?” indeed. Photo of the Moment: ¿Por que yo?, Chile © Vagabondish.

• Crocodile ‘Cage of Death’: Up Close and Personal with World’s Largest Reptiles

  Mike Richard

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:06 pm

  Might want to make a little room on the ol’ bucket list for this one, adventure travelers, because this looks freakin’ awesome! We Twittered about it just the other day. Now The Daily Mail has a full feature write-up on the insane experience that is Crocosaurus Cove’s Cage of Death: Inspired by the popularity of cage shark-diving, a tourist attraction has opened that allows adrenalin junkies the chance to swim with killer crocodiles. All that separates thrill-seekers from the huge saltwater crocodiles is a five-inch thick perspex box that has, we are assured, undergone…

• “Big Jet Plane” Is an Ode to Everyone Who’s Ever Dreamt of Escape

  Mike Richard

  31 Aug 2010 | 3:40 pm

  To anyone who’s ever dreamt of escape from the mundane – a mundane job, mundane relationship, what have you – Angus and Juila Stone’s Big Jet Plane is an ode to you. The video perfectly captures fleeting, hopeful glimpses in the life of a retail worker (played by the incredibly beautiful Emily Barclay) who dreams of one day getting away from it all. Embedding the video here wasn’t possible, but you can check out Big Jet Plane over at YouTube. (Thanks for sending this our way, Stacie!) “Big Jet Plane” Is an Ode to Everyone Who’s Ever Dreamt of…

• 

  Adventure Girl

• stefPatronStory

  Stef featured for Patron's magazine.

• companymag

  See Stef featured in the UK's Company Magazine!

• stefglamslam4site

  Stefanie guest writes for Access Hollywood's Glam Slam

• stefpeople

• vanity-fair

  Stef named America's Tweetheart for Vanity Fair Magazine (February 2010 Issue)

• 

  The Amateur Traveler

• Shy – Maasai Boma, Tanzania – Daily Photo

  chris2x

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:06 pm

  Online photo gallery for pros - smugmugRalph Velasco On Travel Photography: 101 Tips eBook I have posted photos and video of my visit to this Maasai Boma. I liked this picture that [...] Related Posts:   

• Beware Loose Women – New Orleans

  chris2x

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:00 pm

  Compare Travel InsuranceSmall Group Adventures on all 7 Continents and Beyond OK… I understand the beware of pickpockets part of the sign.Posted from . Related Posts:&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Related Posts:   

• This Way to Narnia – Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand – Daily Photo

  chris2x

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:30 am

  Ralph Velasco On Travel Photography: 101 Tips eBookNew Zealand bus tours on StrayI was watching the most recent Narnia movie this weekend (Prince Capsian) as the Pevensie children stepped off a train [...] Related Posts:   

• The Road Less Traveled – Bar Harbor, Maine

  chris2x

  30 Aug 2010 | 1:00 pm

  Compare Travel InsuranceSmall Group Adventures on all 7 Continents and Beyond Robert Frost wrote “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. ” If you have [...] Related Posts:   

• This Week in Travel #51 – Chris Elliott Strikes Back

  chris2x

  30 Aug 2010 | 9:33 am

  This week’s guest is National Geographic ombudsman, MSNBC travel writer and consumer advocate Chris Elliott. This week’s news: Southwest attendant takes baby after slap from mother JetBlue brings back ‘All You Can [...] Related Posts:   

• 

  AOL Travel News

• American Airlines Passenger Sues, Says She Was Traumatized

  Fran Golden

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:45 am

  Filed under: NewsA woman is suing American Airlines saying the emergency landing of a plane she was on has left her emotionally scarred. Jewel Thomas, of Bellevue, Washington, was a passenger on American Flight 268 when the Boeing 757 ran off the runway and skidded onto grass at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, in September 2008. "That day changed my whole life - it changed my whole world," Thomas says in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle. "This is one problem I can't solve." The plane was flying nonstop from Seattle to New York when there were electrical problems. The…

• Spilled Tea Causes Plane to Make Emergency Landing

  Fran Golden

  2 Sep 2010 | 5:15 am

  Filed under: NewsTalk about getting into hot water. A British plane had to make an emergency landing after a passenger spilled a cup of hot tea on herself. German police say the flight, operated by low cost carrier Ryanair, was en route from Liverpool to Poznan, Poland, when the 56-year-old woman accidentally scalded herself with the tea. The pilot decided to make an unscheduled landing in Bremen, in northwestern Germany, so she could be treated. After the passenger was disembarked, the plane continued with its flight. The woman was cared for at the airport and released, police say, and ended…

• Paris Hilton Banned from Wynn Resorts

  Fran Golden

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:48 am

  Filed under: NewsOh Paris. More trouble for the celebrity socialite. She's now been banned from two Wynn resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Wynn Resorts Ltd. spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne tells The Associated Press that Hilton, 29, will no longer be allowed to enter the company's Wynn Las Vegas or Encore properties. The move comes after Hilton's arrest last week at the Wynn for investigation of felony cocaine possession. A police officer says a small bag of cocaine popped out of Hilton's purse as she reached for a lip gloss. Hilton's boyfriend, Cy Waits, 34, was also arrested on suspicion of…

• Pop Singer Says She Got Bed Bug Bites at Swanky New York Hotel

  Fran Golden

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:47 am

  Filed under: NewsWith bed bugs a hot topic these days, pop singer Lauren Hildebrandt is out with word she's been attacked by the tiny bloodsuckers and it's no fun. Hildebrandt says she got itchy and painful bites on her back and shoulders at a fancy hotel in New York City's Union Square, which she did not name, but which USA Today reports is part of a luxury hotel chain. The singer is warning travelers to take precautions against the nasty nips, even at swank hotel properties, as the bugs reach epidemic proportions. "People should be aware of the danger in NYC hotels right now," Hildebrandt…

• Sneak Peek at The World's Largest Ship - Allure of the Seas

  Fran Golden

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:14 am

  Filed under: NewsThe 5,400 passenger Allure of the Seas will soon eclipse sister ship Oasis of the Seas as the world's largest ship. More or less. That's the word from the STX Europe shipyard in Turku, Finland, where the newest Royal Caribbean behemoth is under construction, and where AOL Travel News was invited for a tour. For now, Allure is a 225,282-ton ship, 1,187 feet long and 208 feet wide, which actually makes it the same size as Oasis. But some Royal Caribbean officials are saying Allure is actually 5 millimeters longer than its nearly year-old sibling. Even if the size difference is…

• 

  elliott.org

• Are car rental employees rewarded for finding dings and dents on your vehicle?

  Christopher Elliott

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:54 am

  The allegation that car rental companies have turned the damage claims process into a profit center is so common, I could probably write an entire blog on it.

• Amtrak is all aboard with electronic ticketing in 2011

  Christopher Elliott

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:58 am

  One of the most common complaints I get from Amtrak customers is about their tickets. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation uses old-school paper tickets that have cash value. I asked Matt Hardison, Amtrak's chief for sales distribution and customer service, about the ticket troubles, and how...

• Airline declines credit card, then hires collection agency to extract $510 “cancellation” fee

  Christopher Elliott

  1 Sep 2010 | 5:43 am

  Kalevi Ruuska contacted me with an urgent problem recently. One of his friends was being asked to pay an odd cancellation fee by Air Berlin, and would not take "no" for an answer. The airline had hired a collection agency to pursue its claim.

• When should an airline tell you about fees? Survey says …

  Christopher Elliott

  31 Aug 2010 | 7:08 am

  The sooner, the better.

• Kicked off my flight for sleeping with my eyes open

  Christopher Elliott

  31 Aug 2010 | 3:18 am

  This is one of the most bizarre cases I've ever come across. Gregory Machon says he was kicked off his flight because he was sleeping. With his eyes open.

• 

  Articles for T+L Magazine

• Best iPhone Tour Apps

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:44 am

• Best iPhone Tour Apps

  30 Aug 2010 | 11:33 am

  Surrender your guidebook and let these 10 iPhone apps show you the way.

• Best Top Chef Restaurants

  24 Aug 2010 | 1:13 pm

• America's Coolest River Walks

  24 Aug 2010 | 12:27 pm

• America's Coolest River Walks

  23 Aug 2010 | 11:03 am

  From Pittsburgh to Portland, people are flocking to city waterways.

• 

  Upgrade: Travel Better

• Upgrades and Downgrades: Airtran, wifi, bling!

  Mark Ashley

  1 Sep 2010 | 5:53 am

  Downgraded: Airtran Airtran has been slapped with a $500,000 fine for failing to assist disabled passengers and further failing to respond adequately to complaints between 2007 and 2009. Upgraded: Ubiquity of inflight wifi Aircell, which markets inflight wifi under the Gogo brand name, has installed hotspots in its 1000th plane. Delta is closest to the finish line, with 527 out of 549 planes installed. Upgraded: Bling For those who’ve wondered what it’s like in the absolute highest-end (widebody) luxury jets, consider this slideshow of photographs by Nick Gleis, “who…

• Business class deals trickling out now for holiday travel

  Mark Ashley

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:04 am

  Business class fare sales are like clockwork, at least in the northern hemisphere: You’ll see one fare sale for mid-summer travel, and one for December. In both cases, business travel slows significantly as people take time off and spend it with family. In both cases, airlines respond (often proactively) by slashing business class fares. Take Continental’s latest fare sale to Europe, for example. It’s notable for being early. Summer isn’t over yet, and we’re seeing late summer and early winter biz sales. The fares are solid, such as $1272 from Newark to London…

• How are airlines responding to the Mexicana shutdown?

  Mark Ashley

  30 Aug 2010 | 5:47 pm

  What a whirlwind for Mexicana, and their passengers: The airline entered bankruptcy, got bought by an alliance of investors and pilots, and shut down completely, all in the space of a month. And while the subsidiaries Mexicana Click (a discount airline) and Mexicana Link (a regional airline affiliate) were spared at first, they’re down for the count too. Mexicana was once the largest airline in the country, so this is a major fall from grace. But regardless of the grandeur of it all, this affects a lot of people. So how are their competitors responding? What are other airlines doing for…

• Good news for New York airfares: Southwest Airlines coming to Newark

  Mark Ashley

  27 Aug 2010 | 3:28 pm

  Southwest has agreed to lease 18 take-off/landing slot pairs at Newark Airport from United and Continental. The deal is a function of the CO-UA merger, which, if it were approved without conditions, would solidify Continental’s grip on Newark. Bringing Southwest into Newark is a big deal. Southwest hasn’t flown to a New York airport yet (correction: they have had flights from LGA to Chicago and Baltimore since June 2009… sorry about that!) — and no, their flights to Islip, NY are not New York City. It’s a major move into a huge market, and it’s to Newark,…

• Is eight weeks the ideal advance-purchase time?

  Mark Ashley

  26 Aug 2010 | 8:44 pm

  Airfare forecasting has never been an exact science, but at least economists are trying to make it more precise. From the Observer: An economist, Makoto Watanabe, has calculated that the optimum time to buy an airline ticket is eight weeks in advance of flying. His yet-to-be-published findings also suggests that airline tickets are cheaper when purchased in the afternoons, rather than the mornings, prompting him to speculate that airlines are assuming business travellers will book their tickets at work in the morning on the company account, whereas leisure travellers are more likely to book…

• 

  digg.com: Top News

• Bring Fido or Fluffy on vacation: Pet-friendly hotels with pets on staff

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:23 am

  There's a new breed of hotel staffers—the pets on the payroll. Although these animals-in-residence are fairly pampered and often enjoy celebritylike status, they have a job to do: amping up guest relations and rolling out a new kind of (stain-resistant) red carpet.

• 7 Ways To Ruin Your Relationship Without Realizing You’re Doing It

  2 Sep 2010 | 5:37 am

  Relationships are a pretty difficult thing to wrap your head around. It’s almost too easy to scare a woman off sometimes. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Here are seven ways you can ruin your relationship without realizing you’re doing it.

• Our Top 5 Most Expensive Things To Eat or Drink

  2 Sep 2010 | 5:32 am

  You just invented the Opti-Grab just like The Jerk's Navin R. Johnson, or possibly hit it big in what many now may consider their only chance at retirement, the lottery. What would you do with all that loot after buying a ration of fine automobiles and country estates? Well, you could join the growing legion of food elitists who are grabbing up gold-leafed cupcakes or bagels with white truffle infused cream cheese.

• How to Avoid Computer Eye Strain and Keep Your Eyes Healthy

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:34 am

  Does eyestrain keep you from doing your work on the computer? Take preventative measures to avoid eyestrain—and get your work done. Organize a functional workspace, modulate light exposure, and keep your eyes healthy overall.

• IdeaPaint

  27 Aug 2010 | 2:31 pm

  Screw putting up a dry erase board in your home office turn a whole wall into one with IdeaPaint ($30-$175). This ingenious paint turns anything you can paint into...

• 

  Soul Travelers 3

• Beach Fun, French Riviera Style

  Soul Travelers3

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:58 am

   Beach Fun, French Riviera StyleAugust 31, 2010Family travel in the south of France means not missing the fun of  perfect beach days and the idyllic summer  Family travel in the south of France means not missing the fun of  perfect beach days and the idyllic summer memories that they create. We're not into slathering with oil, just laying around and tanning, so  prefer uncrowded beaches and our 9 year old Mozart had so much fun at this private beach that was part of our campsite near Colliore called Les Criques de Porteils.    There are plenty of…

• Beautiful Photo of Southern France, Uzes

  Soul Travelers3

  27 Aug 2010 | 1:12 am

  Beautiful Photo of Southern France, UzesAugust 27, 2010Sometimes it is just the ordinary, little things that can touch you when traveling. As we were walking  Sometimes it is just the ordinary, little things that can touch you when traveling as a family. As we were walking around Uzes in Southern France, not far from the Pont du Gard,  in Provence, this rather shabby chic window caught my eye. I plan to do a whole series on windows and doors. Do windows, doors or other things sometimes fascinate you as well? Enjoy your weekend!  Adding this post to Photo Friday at…

• Around The World With Kids

  Soul Travelers3

  24 Aug 2010 | 2:26 am

  Around The World With KidsAugust 24, 2010Extended family travel can be thrilling when you run into other families doing  round-the-world tripsExtended family travel can be thrilling when you run into other families doing  round-the-world  (RTW)  trips or long term travel with kids as we did with RTW friends in Greece and again near Monaco in Nice, France. We have also met up with some in Austria and Sweden, but have yet to tell those stories. Because we do slow international travel with long-stays in campgrounds in Europe or long stay apartments and rental homes,…

• Beautiful Photo of Arles, France

  Soul Travelers3

  20 Aug 2010 | 1:22 am

  Beautiful Photo of Arles, FranceAugust 20, 2010This is the first view of Arles that we saw as we crossedthe bridge to explore it.  This is the first view of Arles that we saw as we crossed the bridge to explore it. We found it to be a very charming town in the south of France and loved the Roman ruins and arena which are UNESCO world heritage sites. We'll be posting more photos and stories about our family travel in lovely Arles, France and more of our third trip exploring Provence on our family world trip. A quick peek while we roam!

• 10 Tips For Museums & Travel Tours With Kids!

  Soul Travelers3

  17 Aug 2010 | 1:29 am

  10 Tips For Museums & Travel Tours With Kids!August 17, 2010 How can you get the most educational value out of your family travel? Books and small,  How can you get the most educational value out of your family travel? Books and small, short, high quality tours have been keys for us that add so much in a fun, frugal and easy way. There are books for all ages about the places that you want to visit and reading them before, during and after travel helps keep it alive and more educational for kids. Last summer we visited the famous Unesco World Heritage Site, the Melk Abbey on the…

• 

  The Cranky Flier

• Delta Brings Me to Visit the Mother Ship (Trip Report)

  CF

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:45 am

  As mentioned yesterday, I had the chance to go visit Delta this week for a visit. While I’m putting together posts from my time there, I figured it would be easiest to just start with a trip report. Remember, these flights were provided by Delta. I wanted to fly out on Monday midday because I had an appointment in the morning. Sure enough, there was an 1145a flight out of LAX on the 777LR, the one that comes from Sydney. I picked that one and found myself booked into BusinessElite. This was gonna be good. I headed to the airport a little early and found the terminal bustling even though…

• Visiting Delta

  CF

  1 Sep 2010 | 3:45 am

  Late last week I was sitting at home taking care of three dogs, helping concierge clients, and realizing that my wife wouldn’t be back home for a week. I looked at my calendar to see what this week held, and sure enough, it was pretty light. I decided to come visit Delta in Atlanta. See, Delta and I had been trying to coordinate a visit for about 6 months, but it never worked for one reason or another. This time, I knew it was last minute, but Delta’s corp comm team went above and beyond to pull the thing together. It was an absolutely fantastic visit, but I’m exhausted. I…

• Feds Inflict Far Less Pain on Continental and United Than Attempted with the US Airways/Delta Slot Swap

  CF

  31 Aug 2010 | 3:45 am

  In the immortal words of Dennis Hopper (rest in peace, you crazy bastard) . . . pop quiz, hotshot. Let’s say that you’ve been presented three deals impacting the most dominant airline at a highly-congested airport. You can approve one. Which would it be? Here’s what the airport will look like after the deal is approved: You’re probably thinking that B looks best, and there’s no chance anyone is going to pick deal A, right? But that’s exactly what’s just happened now that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has given its approval to United and Continental…

• Southwest To Fly to Newark Thanks to United/Continental Merger

  CF

  30 Aug 2010 | 3:45 am

  On Friday afternoon, Southwest announced it came to an agreement with Continental to lease 36 slots at Newark. Holy crap. Has hell frozen over? Nah. Just two hours later, Continental and United announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has found no antitrust issues with the merger. Ahhhh, I get it. That was easy. I’m talking more about this from the Continental/United perspective at BNET, but here I want to focus on Southwest. An airline that used to consider Islip a New York City airport will now be serving two of the biggest and most congested airports serving New York. Crazy.

• Cranky on the Web (August 21-27)

  CF

  28 Aug 2010 | 3:45 am

  Some feel blue as United, Continental wedding mixes old, new – Chicago Tribune The Trib looks at the United/Continental branding efforts, and I chime in with why I’m not a fan of what I’ve seen so far. American’s Express Seats: How Not to Introduce New Fees to Customers – BNET Headwinds American has a new fee, and while it could be relatively straightforward, the way American released it was anything but. US Airways Positions Itself as a Takeover Target with New York Moves – BNET Headwinds The US Airways build-up in New York seems goofy, but it could actually…

• 

  USAToday Travel

• Wisconsin's smoking ban really means 'no smoking' in hotel guestrooms

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:06 am

  Despite hotel owners' objections, Wisconsin in July passed a rare, statewide smoking ban that bans smoking in every guestroom.

• Carnival cruise ships in Tampa, Long Beach to swap roles

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:42 am

  The sister ships Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Paradise will switch places in the fall of 2011.

• Add Royal Caribbean to the list of cruise lines serving up churrascaria

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:22 am

  The line says its next ship, Allure of the Seas, will be its first with a Brazil-style churrascaria eatery.

• Hotel self-service kiosks here to stay, manufacturer says

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:20 am

  The Grand Beach hotel in Miami Beach this summer installed a self-service kiosk to speed check-ins, but it hasn't gotten much use. Still, the ...

• What you may not know about flight attendants

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:00 am

  U.S. flight attendants average about $35,000 a year, get paid only for the flight portion of the job and are not required to lift luggage into ...

• 

  Nancy D Brown

• Best Things to See and Do in Zeil, Netherlands

  Nancy Brown

  27 Aug 2010 | 12:02 am

  Things to Do in Brouwersdam Surfcentrum, Zeil In the United States, windsurfing is a popular sport. Windsurfers are spotted everywhere, from the San Francisco Bay to Oregon’s Columbia Gorge. On a spring visit to Zeil, Netherlands, I learned that windsurfing is a popular sport for the Dutch, as well. Check out the body slide in the YouTube video. What are your favorite things to do in Zeeland – or Zealand as it is called in the United States? Photo and YouTube video by Nancy D. Brown.  I was a guest of  Visit Holland. Related Posts: Things to See and  Do in Middelburg, Zeeland,…

• Best Things to See and Do in Zeeland, Netherlands

  Nancy Brown

  20 Aug 2010 | 12:02 am

  When in Zeeland, take a picture of a Dutch windmill The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to Deltapark Neeltje Jans and Middelburg. When I crave Zeeland cuisine, I turn to Braai Tapperij de Mug, Middelburg. To escape work I go to  the beach. For complete quiet, I can hide away at nature reserve Oranjezon in Vrouwenpolder. If you come to Zeeland, get your picture taken at Deltapark Neeltje Jans; get a picture from the Stormvloedkering. If you have to order one thing off the menu at Brouwersdam in Zeil, get the fish soup. Zeeland is my one stop shop for the Hema. When…

• Things to See and Do in Copperopolis, Calaveras County, California

  Nancy Brown

  13 Aug 2010 | 12:03 am

  Get Your Picture Taken by the Town Square Gazebo, Copperopolis, California The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to The Copperopolis Town Square. When I crave gold country cuisine, I turn to Panini’s  Italian Grille – get the Copper Classic pizza and save room for the homemade carrot cake or bread pudding. To escape work I go golfing at Saddle Creek Resort. For complete quiet, I can hide away at  Lake Tulloch. If you come to Copperopolis, get your picture takenat the Town Square’s Gazebo or the Historic Plaza in Old Town Copper If you have to order one thing off…

• 

  Station Casinos Blog

• 2010 Labor Day Weekend in Las Vegas: Westside Edition

  craigstations

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:55 pm

  Concerts, multipliers, food deals, Station & Fiesta Casinos on the west side of Las Vegas has the fun this weekend

• Las Vegas Labor Day Weekend 2010: Eastside Edition

  craigstations

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:54 pm

  Great gaming, entertainment and dining on the east side of Las Vegas for Labor Day Weekend 2010

• UPDATED: Founding Family Receives Court Approval For Plan Of Reorganization

  prstations

  27 Aug 2010 | 12:08 pm

  The Fertitta brothers will be the largest shareholder and will remain in charge of the management

• Watch UFC 118 in Las Vegas at Station Casinos

  craigstations

  25 Aug 2010 | 11:45 am

  Edgar and Penn lightweight title rematch and the UFC debut of boxer-turned MMAer James Toney vs. Randy Couture

• The Bullet Points of Our Las Vegas Football Contests

  craigstations

  24 Aug 2010 | 5:04 pm

  Last year's grand-prize winner of a house went 183-62. Here's more of what you need to know...

• 

  Newyorkology

• $19 Broadway deal at 'Scottsboro Boys' box office

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:30 am

  When the Broadway box office opens Thursday for the Kander and Ebb musical “The Scottsboro Boys,” a limited number of tickets will be available for $19.31, the show’s publicists announced today. The musical, set in 1931, tells the story of a group of African-American teenagers wrongly accused of raping two white women. It received good reviews when it played Off-Broadway earlier this year. The $19 seats will be sold only at the box office and only on Sept. 2. They’re available for the mezzanine and balcony seats at the first preview on Oct. 7 and for balcony seats for…

• Oyster festivals set for September, October in NY

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:01 am

  It looks like September 25 is going to be the big day for oysters in New York City for 2010. That’s the day for oyster festivals in Midtown at Grand Central Terminal and downtown on Stone Street. The annual Oyster Frenzy at the Grand Central Oyster Bar, from noon to 6 p.m., will feature 16 varieties of oysters, a professional shucking championship, a slurp-off eating contest and chef demos. Admission and some samples will be free. In Lower Manhattan, the Stone Street Oyster Festival will start at noon on the same day. It will feature live bands and lots of beer. For the road trippers,…

• $20 Off-Broadway ticket deal returns Sept. 7 to 19

  30 Aug 2010 | 4:37 pm

  $20 Off-Broadway deals will return for two weeks in September, through 20at20, offering deeply discounted seats to shows including “Black Angels Over Tuskegee,” “An Error of the Moon,” and “The 39 Steps.” The 20at20 offer, which runs from Sept. 7 through 19, allows anyone to walk up to the box office 20 minutes before curtain and buy a ticket for $20 (unless the show has sold out.) Buyers need to say “20at20” to get the deal. The 20at20 website so far lists 26 shows participating in the program this season.

• Tug & Barge Week begins at Brooklyn Bridge Park

  28 Aug 2010 | 9:15 am

  Tug & Barge Week starts today at Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park with temporary visits by the floating Waterfront Museum and the Tug Pegasus. The vintage vessels — both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places — will be open for free tours Saturday through Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. Upcoming: 2010 Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition on Sept. 5. Picture credit: The Waterfront Museum getting new paint earlier this year at its regular home in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.

• 'Saturday Night Live' ticket lottery open through August

  26 Aug 2010 | 9:11 am

  Long-shot lovers and underdogs of the world, August is the one time of the year you can apply to the lottery to obtain Saturday Night Live tickets for the upcoming season. Send an email to snltickets@nbcuni.com with all your contact details but don’t hold your breath. (Update as of Aug. 31: NewYorkology’s Twitter followers are getting bounced e-mails from NBC, indicating the lottery closed a day early.) “Saturday Night Live” also does stand-by tickets, but be warned that people tend to line up starting on Thursdays (as pictured up top.) Tickets are free, though they have…

• 

  TravelPod

• Ave Maria - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly — San Blas Islands, San Blas, Panama

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:35 am

  Jump to the full entry & travel map San Blas Islands, San Blas, Panama Nothing builds confidence faster than piloting a fifteen metre vessel into the darkness. Nine of us, not just passengers, but crew as well, rolling along in two to three metre waves. My job just before taking a turn at the wheel was sandwich maker. Slicing tomatoes, cucumbers and onions with a great big bloody butcher knife. I was deathly afraid of the wave that might throw me against the stove, plunging the ten inch blade into my gut, neck or maybe eye. At the wheel though, keeping us on a 240 to 260 degree course I…

• VALENCIAAAAAAA — Valencia, Valencian Country, Spain

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:35 am

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Valencia, Valencian Country, SpainGÜN 64 günlerden CumartesiSabah 07:30 da uyandım.Kafam hala güzel.Biraz açırmışız anlaşılan.Duş muş fayda etmedi.Yine de toparlanıp yola çıktık.Rahat bir yolculuktan sonra Roco diye bir yere vardık.Bu kampın şehre uzak olduğunu anlayınca daha yakın bir kamp bulmak üzere tekrar arayışa geçtik.Roco dab sonra bir de Market çalışması daha yaptık.Hala…

• Tea With the Queen! — London, England, United Kingdom

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:34 am

  Jump to the full entry & travel map London, England, United KingdomThe plane ride was uneventful....except for a few minor issues.1) 9.5 hours is a long time at 35,000 feet2) Mara likes playing cards with Kimberly. 3) Heathrow is huge.4) We (especially Christy) do not like London security.5) Tea in London is excellent.6) Bridget can go awaz at anz time. She is a tour guide from Austria that lived in Colorado who is probablz a new zorker in disguise.7) 31 hours of life without sleep was definitely long enough....´Kimberlz did take a nap in absolutelz everz location in the world so…

• D Day — Bexhill, England, United Kingdom

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:33 am

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Bexhill, England, United KingdomWell here we are. 2.5 hours till the taxi arrives and thats it,off we go. Had a good nights sleep in my comfy bed (man I will miss that). Plane flies out at 4.25pm (hopefully with all the strikes).Just been chillin out for the last few days, nothing much to do really, I must have learned something in the scouts then 'always be prepared'. Packed the job in on Friday, that was a weird feeling leaving a job and not having another one to walk into. I have worked pretty much since the day I left school so hopefully a few…

• Misc Amsterdam — Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:32 am

  Jump to the full entry & travel map Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NetherlandsThe rest of our time in Amsterdam was spent doing lots of relaxing. We didn't think about what time it was, where we were or what we were going to do next. We didn't even think of our 100 dollar per day (Canadian) budget! And if you know me, you know that's odd. Instead, we ate what we wanted, went where we wanted and slept when we wanted. Most days we took a visit to Vondelpark and ate Stroopwaffels under willow trees. (Stroopwaffel's are two very thin waffle's sandwhiched together with caramel) There are many ducks…

• 

  The Lost Girls

• Visit the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

  Patty H

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:00 am

  By Patty Hodapp Deputy Editor I had no idea life under the wavy ocean-surface was so fascinating until I visited the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. For example, the center is home to a special, small square aquarium tank that houses a very dangerous venomous marine creature called the “lionfish”. The lionfish, also dubbed the Turkey Fish, Scorpion Fish or Fire Fish, is threatening to the Keys waters because it is a predator to almost everything, and has no predators chasing it–essentially it is at the top of the food chain right now, posing problems to the eco-system,…

• Lost Girl of the Week: Kristen Jacobson

  Kristen J

  1 Sep 2010 | 3:00 am

  Jumping off of Mt. Etna in Sicily At the age of eighteen, I was self-diagnosed with a serious addiction. This obsession eventually consumed my entire existence. For the last six years, I have refused to fight this addiction and instead embrace and accept it as the definition of who I am. My name is Kristen Jacobson, and I am an adventure seeking, risk-taking travel junkie. Hanging out with camels in Tunisia I am a Lost Girl in search for a journey of awakening. I am at the point in my life where I feel a burning desire to take off for a long period of time to explore the world and learn…

• Dispatches From the Road: Guatemala: What Not to Bring To A Third World Country

  Blair H

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:42 pm

  San Marcos, Guatemala is a tiny town on the shores of Lake Atitlan, deep in the Western Guatemalan Highlands. Lush volcanoes and Mayan villages pepper the shore, and with clear views of both, San Marcos has become Guatemala’s epicenter of zen and spirituality. People come here to cook, to read, to study Spanish, to write, to do yoga and to be alone. Precisely what I thought I wanted to do  before $60,000 worth of grad school loans prevent me from ever doing that again. Turns out, I suck at anticipating what I want. Or what I need. Or, really, deciding anything, at all, in advance. For…

• Baby on Board: Tips for Traveling While Pregnant

  Kayleigh M

  31 Aug 2010 | 12:00 pm

  By Kayleigh Minicozzi LG Contributor You’re eagerly awaiting the pitter patter of little feet and a flurry of concerns are running through your mind as you anticipate the arrival of the newest family addition. Flipping through parenting books, anxiety is high about pre-natal vitamins, finding the right doctor, preparing the nursery and more often than not, globe trotting adventures are put on hold. According to Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician, mother and co-author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, this doesn’t need to be the case. Although it may feel a…

• Air Travel News 8.31.10

  Nancy Y

  31 Aug 2010 | 3:00 am

  by Nancy Yeomans LG Air Travel News Editor Look up in the sky! It’s a bird….it’s a plane! No….it’s your weekly air travel news! Here’s what’s happening in the world of aviation, from the ground up. Not Just For Flying Anymore       Amsterdam’s new and improved  Schiphol Airport has opened and looks to be a another reason to visit the city.  Here passengers can read books (in 29 languages no less), listen to music and watch movies.  Concoct your own cocktail and have it made at the Bols bar and sample Dutch chocolate.  Relax in the…

• 

  The Cruise Log - USATODAY.com

• Carnival cruise ships in Tampa, Long Beach to swap roles

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:42 am

  The sister ships Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Paradise will switch places in the fall of 2011.

• Add Royal Caribbean to the list of cruise lines serving up churrascaria

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:22 am

  The line says its next ship, Allure of the Seas, will be its first with a Brazil-style churrascaria eatery.

• Cruise ships returning early to New York, Boston to ride out Hurricane Earl

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:38 pm

  Several vessels that sail out of Boston and New York are racing home to avoid being at sea when Hurricane Earl passes.

• Queen Elizabeth to name newest Cunard ocean liner

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:48 am

  The 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth is just the latest Cunard ship the UK monarch has named.

• Getting a spa appointment on a cruise ship is getting easier

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:32 am

  Celebrity Cruises and Oceania Cruises are joining the list of lines that let passengers book spa treatments in advance.

• 

  Featured Travel Blogs - Travellerspoint

• Alaska part 2 + Canada 26 June - 17 July 2010

  8 Aug 2010 | 2:33 pm

  Alaska has impressed my quite a bit for several reasons: * Alaska still belongs to nature and hardly to people. A nice saying is: more glaciers than buildings, more wildlife than people, more mountains than stoplights. And it is true. the vastness of the landscape is impressive and I have been in the most populated area... * There are in total 600 000 people in an area which is larger than half of the lower 48 US states. 300 000 are in Anchorage, 30 000 are in the state capital ' Juneau' and Juneau can only be reached by boat or plane. There is no road leading to the state capital and that…

• People watching on the Roof of the World

  29 Jul 2010 | 10:35 am

  From Golmud we continued our journey to Tibet and expecting beautiful snow capped mountains, the drive was completely different. For 2 days we travelled through vast flat terrain with small hills in the distance covered in grass and even in this section, road works were happening. The first day we covered a lot of ground and reached our highest altitude so far of 4,767m which was covered in prayer flags. Our campsite wasn't much lower, 4,600m and throughout the night the wind turned into a gail force wind and it was so strong at times that we thought the tent would blow away.

• Monday 5th July - The Opera House

  5 Jul 2010 | 11:09 pm

  We are up early in this rainy morning for a tour of the other half of Sydney's iconography - the opera house. We make our way between the main steps to the box office where we are directed down further into the belly of Bennelong Point to the tour meeting point underneath the grey concrete gables of the magnificent sails. They don't form one building as the photographs and postcards suggest, but three - a small restaurant-cum-cabaret and two huge theatre halls. We are greeted by our tour guide who insists we have our photos taken before we start - we drop bags in the cloakroom (free, which is…

• No longer one of the "4 B's" to avoid

  27 Jun 2010 | 2:37 am

  The choice to visit Bosnia and Hercegovina (BiH) was more then the usual half thought out quick stop over between Croatia and Turkey. In actuality I’ve wanted to visit BiH for some years specifically after reading a really fascinating article on the destruction of Afghanistan’s 1500 year old Bamiyan Buddhists statues, by the Taliban. It got me interested in other sights of irreplaceable cultural significance, which have been intentionally destroyed due to warfare and/or religious zealotism. What does this have to do with BiH? Well it eventually lead me to read about the 16th Century built…

• How Is Your Name Pronounced Abroad?

  19 Jun 2010 | 9:06 am

  As everyone quickly discovers when they go abroad for the first time, the pronunciation of names is a minefield completely separate from language skills. Even if your hotel receptionist speaks perfect English, chances are he or she will get your name completely wrong. Depending on how many times this has happened to you before, the usual reactions include smiling, grimacing or groaning. What's interesting about this phenomenon is that it varies depending on the culture that you find yourself in. This quick rundown shows the different ways people have said my name, at least in places I've been…

• 

  Today in the Sky - USATODAY.com

• U.S. airlines warn Hurricane Earl could snarl flights

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:25 am

  Continental and US Airways are among the first domestic carriers to warn that Hurricane Earl could affect flights on the mainland USA ahead of ...

• Delta trims regional jet fleet

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:51 am

  There will soon be fewer 50-seat regional jets flying under the Delta Air Lines brand. That's after yesterday's announcement that Delta "plans ...

• Dulles airport security incident prompts dispute with Pakistani army

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:56 am

  A delegation of high-level Pakistani military officials are boycotting a planned meeting with U.S. Central Command in protest after they claim ...

• Name that airport ... (Eliat, Israel)

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:16 am

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

• Wednesday's chat: Ask a question

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:06 am

  We're now taking questions for this week's chat. Submit your question by clicking on the chat link and typing your question there. Come back ...

• 

  USATODAY.com Travel News

• Wisconsin's smoking ban really means 'no smoking' in hotel guestrooms

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:06 am

  Despite hotel owners' objections, Wisconsin in July passed a rare, statewide smoking ban that bans smoking in every guestroom.

• Carnival cruise ships in Tampa, Long Beach to swap roles

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:42 am

  The sister ships Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Paradise will switch places in the fall of 2011.

• Add Royal Caribbean to the list of cruise lines serving up churrascaria

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:22 am

  The line says its next ship, Allure of the Seas, will be its first with a Brazil-style churrascaria eatery.

• Hotel self-service kiosks here to stay, manufacturer says

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:20 am

  The Grand Beach hotel in Miami Beach this summer installed a self-service kiosk to speed check-ins, but it hasn't gotten much use. Still, the ...

• What you may not know about flight attendants

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:00 am

  U.S. flight attendants average about $35,000 a year, get paid only for the flight portion of the job and are not required to lift luggage into ...

• 

  Wandalust

• For The Travel Buff: Ways You Can Beat The Stay-At-Home Blues

  22 Aug 2010 | 6:15 am

  © Alaskan DudeWith this ailing economy, travelers didn't go far for their summer vacation or they just simply stayed home. But then, staying home or close to home can give you the feeling or getting stuck. Here are some suggestions on how to beat the stay-at -home blues: Host a travel-themed party It could be an international foods potluck, a Hawaiian luau barbeque or a Mexican fiesta...for sure, hosting an event with an ethnic flare will get you in the travel mood. ...

• 5 Free Budget Travel Tips To Get You Flying

  15 Aug 2010 | 10:07 pm

  © kokorowashinjinThere are so many places in the world to visit and experience unique cultures, that the idea of budget travel is almost too good to be true. Budget travel allows individuals to find cheap flights and discount travel tours in a variety of destinations. There are five essential tips for budget travelers before you begin to plan out your world adventures. One example is airfares, which is one of the major factors that contribute to expensive holidays. Simply the act of planning ...

• Classic American Vacation...Anyone?

  5 Jul 2010 | 3:45 am

  © Colin Gregory PalmerAmericans do love to travel, that's a known fact. One of the most important weekend for travel in the United States is the 4th of July weekend. For travel ideas, here are the classic American vacation: 1. Taking a road trip One good thing about the U.S is it's wide and spacious highways so that inter-state road trips are really fun to do. Like we see in the movies, American families do have great fun going on road trips. ...

• Portugals pearl - Algarve holiday deals

  28 Jun 2010 | 7:10 am

  © YXOBeing the southernmost region of Portugal, the Algarve is well known throughout the world for its beautiful sandy beaches and a great mediterranean climate. Over the years it became one of the most famous holiday destinations in Europe. Whether you plan on relaxing spa days in Caldas de Monchique or take part in any kind of the offered sporting activities all over the region - especially if you are interested in golfing - the Algarve is the perfect place to go. Along the ...

• Get an India calling card and take away the worry

  28 Jun 2010 | 7:03 am

  © tallkevOne of the best ways to keep in touch with family when you are off to explore India, is to get yourself an India calling card before you leave. In fact, get two. You can give one to your family so that they can call India cheap and stay in touch with you, and, for those times they can't call India because they don't know where you are, you can call them whenever you find a convenient phone. Often, just knowing that you ...

• 

  View from the Wing

• 1000 Free Points for Joining Goldpoints Program

  Gary

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:30 am

  Via Loyalty Traveler, GoldpointsPlus is offer 1000 points just for signing up by September 6. The enrollment form will pre-populate with promo code GPX2010 for the offer. I’m not a huge fan of Radisson, and I haven’t paid too much attention to Goldpoints since late 2001/early 2002 when their then-active shopping portal offered huge bonuses and the points could be transferred to miles at wonderful ratios. But they’ve gotten more aggressive with their promos the past couple of years, and I do like one of their most innovative (in my humble opinion) benefits.. I believe…

• More on the New Hyatt Credit Card, Free Award Nights, and Other Promotions

  Gary

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:11 pm

  This afternoon I spoke with Hyatt’s Chris Walker about their new co-branded Visa card from Chase, which I posted about earlier this morning. I can only imagine that when their PR reps set up media calls for execs, they probably don’t know quite what they’re in for talking to me! Because I tend to at least try to push them off their talking points and into the nuts and bolts of their strategy and offerings, and hopefully learn a little something along the way. Chris was surprisingly forthcoming, and offered that they were trying to develop a unique value proposition for each…

• The Best of Airline Meals in Premium Cabins

  Gary

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:33 am

  CNN.com ran a piece today on premium cabin meals, the emphasis on first class dining options from Asian carriers. The opening picture is of one of my favorite features — dining opposite your travel companion as though in a restaurant. The example in the piece is Cathay Pacific, and I have much enjoyed moving over to the buddy seat to dine with my wife. Of course I don’t really like Cathay Pacific’s first class for traveling as a couple, the suites are too private and there’s no option to sit ‘next to’ each other in a meaningful sense. But dining together…

• Hyatt’s New Co-Branded Credit Card Revealed

  Gary

  1 Sep 2010 | 3:59 am

  In the long Flyertalk thread speculating on the upcoming launch of the Hyatt Visa from Chase, a Flyertalk member decided to just type in the URL www.mychasecreditcards.com/hyatt and it came up. So it appears the offer is now live. And no doubt it’ll be widely promoting starting today (or at latest tomorrow). Sadly the offer is a bit less exciting than some had expected. First, some surveys of potential benefits in advance of the launch led folks to think that the benefits would be myriad and generous. My own hope was for the ability to use Diamond confirmed suite upgrades on award of…

• United Extends Discounted Coach Short-Haul Awards

  Gary

  31 Aug 2010 | 5:38 pm

  At the end of July, United re-introduced discounted short-haul awards, but only offered the option through August 31. Instead of the usual 12,500 miles one-way or 25,000 miles roundtrip, they’re charging 8,750 one-way or 17,500 roundtrip. This applies to awards booked at least 7 days in advance of travel (no discount on last-minute award bookings), and is for flights that are 700 miles or less each way and only within the Continental U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada. Now that it’s August 31, they’ve extended the offering — but only for tickets booked by September 30,…

• 

  Living Jet Set

• The Luis Vuitton Factor : Thoughts At 44

  heyjetset@gmail.com

  11 Aug 2010 | 8:45 am

  It was once said that age is wasted on the young. While I wouldn’t trade-in any of those painful lessons I’ve learned in my life, because I’ve benefited too much from them; however, I still wish I could save others from the lessons that life invariably teaches. Here’s my attempt at reaching out to the 30 year old guy. I realize that it’s likely to fall on deaf ears (as it probably would have with me at that age). For the average red blooded 30 year old guy the focus is on success. They say “I will be happy when I get (insert shiny, new thing), the money,…

• If You Want To Be A Jet Set Insider Now Is The Time? Plus, Headed to Party on the Aeolian Islands

  heyjetset@gmail.com

  12 Jul 2010 | 8:50 am

  I realized recently that it’s really my rolodex of contacts that gets me dialed-in when I travel.  If I know someone cool that knows a location well, it’s likely they’ll hook me up with under the radar stuff — that I would NEVER find on the internet.  It really IS about WHO you know. I get emails from people who are trying to connect with me for the same reason.  Asking where to go when they are in such and such a place.  But, to be honest, I really don’t respond to all of them.  At times it’s just too much.  I also get asked to create some kind of…

• Behind The Scenes at My First Fitness Competition

  heyjetset@gmail.com

  1 Jun 2010 | 4:51 am

• Chillin in St. Tropez: A Typical Sunny, Sandy and Seductive Jet Set Day

  heyjetset@gmail.com

  3 May 2010 | 8:38 am

  Whenever I spin my Jet Set Globe, it always seems to stop at St. Tropez in the summer. It’s hard to help. It’s just such a cool spot. Here’s a snip of the St. Tropez video I’m working on for Jet Set Life. There really is no “typical day” in St. Tropez (I just wanted to get your attention). But, here’s kind of how what we do it. Morning: (let’s make that afternoon….there are a lot of late nights). Usually begins with a walk down to the port to stop for coffee, croissants and people watching at Senequar (it’s the one with the red…

• What Inspired Me To Enter a Fitness Competition

  heyjetset@gmail.com

  26 Apr 2010 | 11:55 am

  Clint Eastwood taught me that when your life is comfortable, it’s time to shake it up again.  Last year I was feeling like I wanted to s-t-r-e-t-c-h and do something that was way beyond what I had ever done before.  So, inspired by a friend that’s an Ironman athlete, I decided to run a marathon (all 26.2 miles of it).  There’s no doubt that it kicked my ass and challenged my physical endurance.  But, honestly, it didn’t challenge me to step outside of my mental comfort zone (I thought it would have). This year I have been looking for that BIG goal.  The one that…

• 

  My Jet Set Life

• The Lesser Know Italian Islands: The Aeolians (Part 1)

  Kim

  9 Aug 2010 | 10:39 am

  You’ve heard of Ischia & Capri…but have you every heard of the Aeolian Islands? Chances are, probably not. In fact, I hadn’t heard about the Aeolian Islands until two years ago. Here’s little geography and a few facts on this volcanic archipelago: Map of the Aeolian Islands There are eight completely unique islands that make up the Aeolians. They’re found in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily. The largest island is Lipari. The other islands include Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea and Basiluzzo. There are two active volcanoes –…

• Failure of the 10 Year Plan

  Kim

  8 Apr 2010 | 2:35 pm

  Life is a funny little thing, isn’t it? We wake up each morning with a plan for the day, the week, the month, maybe the year and some of us for the next five to ten years. Today I woke up, followed my usual Friday routine – breakfast, gym, email. Then it hit me that I would dropping off my daughter with her uncle who works in a nearby town. The ironic part for me was that his office is across the street from the apartment complex that I lived in almost ten-years-ago when I first moved to Atlanta. That got me thinking about what my life was like while I lived in that apartment. I…

• Top Eleven World’s Coolest Cocktails

  Kim

  29 Mar 2010 | 11:25 am

  One of my favorite parts of exploring the world with my ever-amazing husband is exploring the cuisine and cocktails that each country has to offer! Sometimes you find that the unknown is amazing, like when Rob and I found pitchers of Clerio being served on Bikini Beach in Punta del Este (pictured below). Other times, the unknown knocks you on your ‘ars’, as the caipirhina did to us on our first trip to Brazil (not pictured below- although I wish I had pictures of that day)! Here are my favorite Top Eleven World’s Coolest Cocktails-with recipes. Some are international…

• We’ve Got Spring Fever!

  Kim

  8 Mar 2010 | 11:59 am

  It’s March. In most parts of the country the sun is starting to peak through the clouds, temperatures are starting to warm up and you’re seriously in need of a break! When we were kids, we had Spring Break. Now, unless you have kids or are reliving your college days, that little escape may not exist. Well, I’m here to offer a little spring inspiration with some of my favorite destinations that will warm up those winter bones and get you ready for some summer fun! $$$: $301 + $$: $201-$300 $: < $201 Scottsdale, AZ The red rocks and desert temps of Arizona, mixed with the…

• Once in a Lifetime: Rob & Kim Go VIP in Tuscany!

  Kim

  26 Jan 2010 | 6:37 am

  The world is fascinated by Italy’s most famous region, Tuscany. There are countless books written about a person’s first hand experience living amongst the Italian Cypress trees in the rolling vineyard covered fields of this great region. Probably the most famous area within Tuscany is the wine producing region of Chianti. Specifically, the Chianti Classico region is definitely one of the most visited. It offers a multitude of vineyards, hill top medieval villages and quaint farm houses that have been converted into restaurants, villas and hotels. Patrons rush to this area to…

• 

  Gadling

• Comcast High-Speed 2go offers Internet at home and on the go - now with MiFi

  Scott Carmichael

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:00 am

  Filed under: Gear, Internet Tools If you use Comcast as your home Internet/TV/phone provider and are regularly on the road, you may want to read up on their High-Speed 2go product lineup. Essentially, High-Speed 2go provides cable broadband Internet at home, and 3G or 4G mobile broadband when you are traveling. The best part is that the 3G subscription is included in your cable bill and that in some cases, the combo is cheaper than most providers charge for the 3G alone. In the example above, you'll get the Comcast Powerboost cable service, and a 2GB mobile broadband subscription for $54.99.

• New Samsung HMX-T10 HD camcorder has pro features at budget price

  Scott Carmichael

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:30 am

  Filed under: Gear This morning, Samsung announced the HMX-T10 HD camcorder. The most obvious feature on this compact HD shooter is the angled lens. This may look like an odd design, but as soon as you hold the camera, you'll instantly understand the thought behind it. Other features include a 10x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, a 2.7" touch screen and a back-lit video sensor, allowing for better quality video in low light conditions. Despite all these features, Samsung kept the price down to just $299. The HMX-T10 will be available this month. New Samsung HMX-T10 HD camcorder has…

• Flying Ryanair no cup of tea: Poland flight diverted to Germany

  Tom Johansmeyer

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:00 am

  Filed under: Europe, Germany, Poland, United Kingdom, AirlinesWhen wackiness hits the European skies, it's usually safe to guess that Ryanair is somehow involved. A British plane from this discount carrier had to land in Germany - rather than in Poland, its intended destination - because a passenger couldn't keep her tea in her cup. The 56-year-old British woman spilled hot tea on herself, according to German police, forcing the flight from Liverpool to Poznan to make an unanticipated stop in Bremen. She was treated for scalding, according to Reuters, and released. But, her plane left without…

• Daily gear deals: $35 GPS unit, $23 portable audio system and more

  Scott Carmichael

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:30 am

  Filed under: Gadling's Daily Deal Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Thursday September 2, 2010. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone. Every time I find what I think is the cheapest GPS unit on the market, someone starts selling one for less. Last month, $39 was the cheapest, but today, Midnightbox.com is selling a refurbished Insignia (the Best Buy brand) unit for just $34.95. Features text to speech and two million points of interest. Click here for this deal. Next up is a deal on an Energizer LED flashlight with 10 AA batteries.

• Airlines provide change fee relief because of Hurricane Earl

  Tom Johansmeyer

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:00 am

  Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, NewsAs Hurricane Earl works its way up the east coast, airlines are letting passengers take one item off their lists of concerns. Delta has announced that passengers affected by the storm can make one-time changes to their plans without incurring any fees. This applies to flights scheduled for today and tomorrow and covers more than 20 airports in the eastern United States, including the New York area, Washington, Boston and Baltimore. AirTran Airways has gotten in on this concept, as well, with passengers hitting a number of airports,…

• 

  PlaneBuzz

• PlaneBusiness Banter Now Posted!

  16 Aug 2010 | 10:11 pm

  Hello earthlings. Our "bonus" edition of PlaneBusiness Banter is now posted. This week we conclude our earnings coverage with in-depth earnings reviews of Pinnacle, AIr Canada and WestJet. We also take a look at the June DOT Airline Travel Consumer Report. Yep, three hour tarmac delays were much lower -- but cancellations were not up. They were flat. But hey, like we said last month, one month does not a trend make. Nor does two for that matter. We take a look at these numbers as well as all the usual DOT consumer moaning and groaning reports, lost bags, and on-time performances. Of course we…

• PlaneBusiness Banter Now Posted!

  11 Aug 2010 | 6:14 pm

  We may be a little late, but hey, we made it. I know. I can't wait to get my tarmac rule violation bill in the mail this week from the DOT. Hello all ;-) This week's issue of PlaneBusiness Banter is now, finally, posted. If you read my previous post here you'll get the skinny on why we are posting on Wednesday night. An addendum to that post: while all the other problems were apparently fixed, now I cannot send email on my planebusiness.com account using Verizon. At this point, I don't care. I can take up that battle tomorrow. In the meantime, a head's up for PBB subscribers. We will be…

• The Dog Ate the PON Card: Why PBB Is Still Not Posted

  11 Aug 2010 | 1:06 pm

  Hello. See this truck? This is the truck that the Verizon FIOS service repair person drove to the Worldwide Headquarters this morning at 10 AM. This visit was in response to my call to Verizon on Tuesday after a new router that they sent did nothing to solve the problem. Their customer service person at that point assured me that the problem was in the Verizon "box" on the wall. This was after customer service at Verizon had told me Monday that we had lost connectivity because of a bad router. But remember, I installed a new router on Tuesday -- and nothing changed. So today, at 10 AM, a live…

• PlaneBusiness Banter Now Posted!

  3 Aug 2010 | 12:40 pm

  Hello all. Live and direct from the PlaneBusiness Worldwide Steaming Hot Headquarters, we bring you a 150 plus-page issue of PlaneBusiness Banter. Yes, this is, without a doubt, the mother of all earnings issues. We have full transcripts and PlaneBusiness Banter earnings summaries for Southwest Airlines, AirTran, JetBlue, Alaska Air Group and Allegiant Travel this week. Not only that but we give you the numbers that were just reported from Air France/KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, ANA and Singapore Airlines. Whew. All of this plus our take on the more "newsworthy" topics from the past week…

• Mexicana Labor Unions Say No: Airline Files for Bankruptcy Protection

  3 Aug 2010 | 12:08 pm

  I am sitting here waiting for the final edits to be completed on what is, without a doubt, the largest earnings issue of PlaneBusiness Banter we've ever had. More on that in a bit. But in the meantime, an update on a story we talk about in this week's issue. Mexicana Airlines just filed for bankruptcy. The airline had given its unions a kind of "the worse of two evils" ultimatum last week and the unions didn't bite. As a result the airline is now in bankruptcy, and we have been told by more than one PBB subscriber that the airline has already had a handful of planes repossessed. One thing the…

• 

  Location Independent Professionals

• Professional Nomads in Prague: Essential Information and Resources

  Jenn Miller

  2 Sep 2010 | 2:00 am

  Image credit:  Benjamin Arthur For many, Prague remains one of the hidden gems of Europe. Largely untouched by the destruction of WW2 thanks to Hitler’s personal affection for the city, it was cloistered behind the iron curtain until the communist regime began to crumble and so retains much of its old world charm. Prague is a city of contrasts: avant-garde buildings on cobbled streets, medieval castles on a modern public transit route and bohemian absinthe bars down the street from hip coffee shops. The first place we paused on a year long cycle trip was Prague. We needed to get some work…

• What to Do When Your Vision of Location Independence Isn’t the Same as Your Partner

  Lea Woodward

  30 Aug 2010 | 2:00 am

  Image credit Lea’s Note: This is the second guest post concerning relationships written by expert, Jackie Walker. To find out more about Jackie, check out her byline below. Making a joint decision about a future lifestyle – one that creates space for input from both parties – is something which can challenge even the most dedicated and loving couple. A shared vision often only remains glorious until the day when it looks like becoming reality. At this point differing reactions are common: disbelief, fear, joy, achievement to name but a few and when cracks can start to show…

• Working from the Cyber Cloud: Delight or Disaster?

  Sharon Hurley Hall

  26 Aug 2010 | 2:00 am

  Image Credit Neatly picking up from Jenn’s last post, when I wrote this article I was facing a disaster for my location independent writing business. That’s because the next day I knew there would be no internet in my area and probably no phone either, since it’s the same company. I’m a firm believer of “working in the cloud” but there are times when it can be a burden rather than a blessing. Before I take a look at the disadvantages, let’s review some of the reasons why it pays to keep most of your business cloud based… Delights Mobility If you…

• 

  Tony Wheeler

• In Bruges

  Tony Wheeler

  27 Aug 2010 | 5:46 am

  Markt – The Market Square – in the centre of medieval Bruges. London’s a great city, but there are lots of other great cities it’s easy to get to from London. Last week I hopped on my bicycle and spent three days riding to Paris. And Maureen and I have also hopped on Eurostar and zipped across to Bruges, Belgium’s perfectly preserved medieval city. ▲  The weather wasn’t always perfect during our three days in Bruges, but that certainly didn’t stop us (or anybody else) from exploring the city. Like this boatload of umbrella-toting tourists…

• London-Paris by bicycle – Part 2

  Tony Wheeler

  20 Aug 2010 | 2:45 pm

  Day 1 of my London-Paris bike ride took me from London down to Seaford on the south coast of England. Day 2 was the short ride to Newhaven followed by the ferry to Dieppe and a 50km cruise along the wonderful Avenue Verte cycle track to Forge les Eaux. Click here for the Day 1 story. It’s not an early morning start the next day, the village clock is chiming 9am as I pedal out of Forge les Eaux and it’s a good job I enjoyed my petit dejeuner because for the rest of the day I come up against the great summer problem in France. In August everything shuts down and the whole…

• London-Paris by bicycle – Part 1

  Tony Wheeler

  18 Aug 2010 | 2:01 pm

  I’ve bought a new bicycle (a Specialized Sirrus, flat bar road bike, 30 speed, some carbon fibre, very nice) so why not break it in by riding to Paris? The idea that I could just roll out of my front door and end up at the Eiffel Tower was too good to miss.Cycling on the Avenue Verte bicycle track in FrancePlus there’s the Franco-British Cycle Plan, a scheme to put together a bicycle route following cycle tracks or minor roads all the way between the two capitals. So with the excellent Cycling Country Lanes & Byways (Sussex & South Surrey) map in my pocket and some…

• Expensive Bad Taste - US car thieves & Arab bling

  Tony Wheeler

  15 Aug 2010 | 8:22 am

  What’s the most commonly stolen car? Usually older cars (easier to steal) and popular cars (more of them to steal). So in the US Hondas and Toyotas get stolen most often, in the UK it’s an assortment of Fords and Vauxhalls, in Australia Holdens and Fords. But a recent US report revealed what new cars get stolen most frequently on a percentage basis and the answer is car thieves like flash and bling. US car makers may go bankrupt because not enough Americans buy their cars, but thieves certainly like them, eight out of the 10 ‘most stolen’ cars were American.Topping the…

• Up in the clouds (or down to earth)

  Tony Wheeler

  14 Aug 2010 | 9:23 am

  Two books on flying and airlines – I’ve just read Aloft, a collection of pieces by William Langewiesche which originally appeared in Atlantic Monthly or Vanity Fair. They include several of his classic analyses of aviation disasters – including the Colombia space shuttle – and musings on flying and weather. I posted recently on his book Fly by Wire, on the US Airways landing in the Hudson River.At the other extreme I zipped through Plane Speaking, accurately subtitled ‘The Wit & Wisdom of Michael O’Leary'. He’s the much loved or much hated,…

• 

  Notes from the Road

• Corals Dying at Baker's Bay

  9 Aug 2010 | 6:01 am

  Bahamas Punch columnist Nicki Kelly reports coral disease killings corals off Baker's Bay golf course.

• Wings to the Storm

  30 Jul 2010 | 6:01 am

  Life is like a sail. To get the most out of it, you gotta pull it in tight and head straight into wind. I just arrived on the island of Abaco, in the Northern Bahamas. Jane and our son have dashed off to the grocery store before our bags are unpacked. It's a small but well-stocked resort grocery which hasn't changed a lick since I first came here at the age of five. Even the grocery items don't change much - Ritz Crackers, little cellophane wrapped pork cuts with green jelly mints, Goombay Punch, Conchy Joe's Hot Sauce, and Bay Rum in plastic bottles.

• Mt. Hood Moleskine

  17 Jun 2010 | 6:01 am

  My moleskine notes from Mt. Hood, which is a collection of pressed flowers from the roadside.

• Shades of Hood River Valley

  15 Jun 2010 | 6:01 am

  A line of bubbles is trailing through the water where Hood River flows into the Columbia. A head emerges from the water. And this complete stranger takes off his mask and yells, "yahooooooo!" before he realizes I'm standing there.

• State of the Island

  28 May 2010 | 6:01 am

  New overhead images of the Baker's Bay development.

• 

  Consumer Traveler

• DOT updates “Fly Rights” A Consumer Guide to Air Travel — DOT gets it kinda right

  Charlie Leocha

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:30 am

  A helpful DOT pamphlet titled "Fly Rights" has been updated. Does it make sense of the crazy airline world that has emerged during the last decade in terms of security and during the last three years in terms of airline fees? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no.

• United begins 777 seat conversion process — an update and review

  Janice Hough

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:30 am

  United passengers on international 777s have been dealing with the old-style business seats, which are a big step down, for example, from British Airways' flat-bed seats, or even Lufthansa's lie-flat angled seats. That is changing.

• Kicked off my flight for sleeping with my eyes open

  Christopher Elliott

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:34 am

  This is one of the most bizarre cases I’ve ever come across. Gregory Machon says he was kicked off his flight because he was sleeping. With his eyes open. His condition, called nocturnal lagophthalmos, may affect somewhere between 4 and 20 percent of the population, so you would imagine the US Airways flight attendants who [...]

• What we’re reading: New Atlanta airport deal, same-sex wedding in the air, Air China changes 787 order

  Steve Surjaputra

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:23 am

  Atlanta, airlines reach deal on rent, SAS plans first same-sex wedding, Air China changes 787 order

• “We are now stuck in a communications abyss”

  Christopher Elliott

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:30 am

  Technology can be a helpful tool for the traveler, or it can be the tool of the devil. In Cindy Lammert’s case, it’s definitely the latter. Her recent online booking at the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost through the Accor site got so screwed up that no phone calls or emails could fix it.

• 

  NYT > Travel

• The Worst Way to See San Antonio

  By SETH KUGEL

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:47 am

  I made the most ill-timed, bone-headed, rookie-error-filled, first-time visit to San Antonio in tourism history. And even then, I had a good time.

• Into Cajun Country: From Po'boys to the Pink Panther

  By SETH KUGEL

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:22 am

  The Frugal Traveler leaves Mexico behind for swamp tours, jazz clubs and southern cooking in Louisiana and Mississippi.

• Q&A: Anniversary Dinner in Vienna

  By RUSHA HALJUCI

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:00 am

  "We would like some suggestions for dining in a very Viennese style, but not at a luxurious price, on Dec. 31."

• Next Stop: An Oasis Off London’s Beaten Path

  By OLIVER STRAND

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:52 am

  East London feels light years away from central London, and is totally self-sufficient, thanks to a host of enticing restaurants, shops, markets and hotels.

• Theme at London Festival Is Simply 'Funny'

  By GARY MOSKOWITZ

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:00 am

  From Sept. 6 to 12, London's normally regal Old Royal Navy College will be a frenzy of standup comedy, burlesque dancing, go-go girls and stilt-walkers during the second annual Greenwich Comedy Festival.

• 

  Budget Travel Tips - EuroCheapo

• New York: 7 free outdoor adventures

  Suzanne Russo

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:33 am

  A sunny day at the High Line. Photo by David Berkowitz. By Suzanne Russo in New York— It’s officially September, Cheapos, and that means summer’s over. But summer fun doesn’t have to be. There are a couple months of nice weather left—with more comfortable temperatures than the scorching last few months. And we in Cheapoland (New York, that is) intend to cram in as many (free) out of doors activities as we can before the cold winter roars in. 1. The High Line L, A, C or E Train to 14th Street & 8th Avenue (see Web site for other access points) The High Line is a true New York…

• Salzburg: Our favorite free (and cheap) activities

  Sarah Silbert

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:47 am

  The organ in St. Peter's Church. Photo by NH53. By Sarah Silbert— The hills may be alive with The Sound of Music in Salzburg, but there’s plenty to do that doesn’t involve Mozart and the Von Trapp family. For a trip down the less-touristy path, follow our tips on the best cheap (and free) activities in this stately Austrian city. Toy Museum Bürgerspitalgasse 2 Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300 Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday (open Mondays in July, August and December) Admission: €3 To every city’s expensive modern art museum, there is a cheaper, quirkier collection…

• Barcelona Listings: Where to read about what’s going on

  Regina W Bryan

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:58 am

  A newstand in Barcelona. Photo by caribb. By Regina Winkle-Bryan in Barcelona— We know how it is, Cheapos. You get into a new city, and you want to know what is going on while you’re in town. Maybe there is some info at your hostel or hotel, but most of the time the fliers will be a bit on the touristy side. Luckily, plenty of other local sources can fill you in on what’s happening. When in Barcelona, check out these magazines, mini-guides, and Web sites for what is going down while you’re in the Catalan capital. LeCool This magazine and website used to annoy me because it is so…

• Prague: Czech wines and great views at the Prague Wine Festival

  Joann Plockova

  1 Sep 2010 | 5:50 am

  Zofin Island, site of the Prague Wine Festival. Photo by kh1234567890. By Joann Plockova in Prague— September marks wine harvesting season in the Czech Republic (yes, there is a beverage beyond beer here), and wine harvest festivals are held throughout the country in celebration. Amongst them is the weekend-long Prague Wine Festival (September 17-19, 2010). Along with the opportunity to sample hundreds of wines, this event offers an accompanying cultural and events program to enhance your buzz—along with an exceptional island location. The Czech wine tradition Kicking off on a Friday, the…

• Berlin: Remembering the Berlin Wall

  hiddeneurope

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:17 am

  A memorial for Christoph-Manuel Bramböck. Photos © hidden europe. By Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries— Amid Europe’s frenzied political turmoil of 20 years ago, there were all manner of landmark dates that were stepping stones en route to a new order. And August 31, 1990 was one of the most significant. For it was 20 years ago today that representatives of the governments of East Germany and West Germany met in Berlin to sign the Unification Treaty that was to lead to the merging of the two German States on October 3, 1990—or, rather more precisely, the assimilation of the six eastern…

• 

  Write to Travel

• Trazzler's On the Road Writing Contest...

  KIWIWRITER

  27 Aug 2010 | 5:27 pm

  Using Jack Kerouac's concept that 'the road is life', the latest Trazzler writing contest focuses 'on the road' travel. To enter this writing contest, you need to create a short (65 -120 word) post about road travel..."the in-between places, quirky attractions, scenic drives, irresistible pitstops, natural oases, sleepy forgotten towns, places of pilgrimage, roadside enigmas, monuments, crossroads, and one-of-a-kind ways of getting from point A to point B". Entries need to be in by August 31st.Prizes:One People's Choice Grand Prize10 nights at Fairmont Hotels Nine People's Choice Runners Up5…

• Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

  KIWIWRITER

  22 Aug 2010 | 11:51 pm

  1. 7 Ways to Boost Traffic for Your Story3. Five Things Remember When You Respond to an Online Job Ad5. How To Have Zen In Your Pen Again And AgainHow to Balance a 9-to-5 Job with Freelancing

• Write to Travel Heads for the High Seas...

  KIWIWRITER

  20 May 2010 | 3:21 pm

  As I write this, I'm sitting in the lobby of Four Points at Sheraton in Sydney, Australia, catching up with emails and blogs before boarding the Dawn Princess for the first leg of it's World Cruise. Traveling with my mother, I will be spending the next 54 days port hopping on our way to England. During this time, the Write to Travel blog will be taking a sabbatical from travel writing information and instead, will be featuring 'photo of the day' posts tracking my travels.I'll be writing about life on the high seas over at Planet Eye Traveler and Perceptive Travel Blog.

• Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

  KIWIWRITER

  16 Apr 2010 | 1:04 am

  1. How To Capitalize on Opportunities3.The Freelance Writer's Guide to LinkedIn5.

• TED Talk: JK Rowling at Harvard University...

  KIWIWRITER

  12 Apr 2010 | 1:07 pm

  "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling offers advice to dreamers and overachievers at this Harvard University commencement speech.J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

• 

  Go Green Travel Green

• New Zealand Geothermal Parks: Rotorua Hot Springs & Thermal Pools at Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Hells Gate

  Elizabeth

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:36 am

  Rotorua, New Zealand is the place to be for geothermal activity. There are more hot springs, thermal pools, sulphur spas, mud pools, and volcanic valleys than you can count. We managed to squeeze trips to four of Rotorua’s most well known geothermal parks into our three day stop in the city. (Thanks, in part, to our press pass that allowed us free entry into each.) Most people won’t have the time or money to see more than one or two geothermal parks. So how do you choose which to visit? Here’s a break-down of what we liked best about each park: Te Puia Te Puia is the closest park to…

• Kea Campers and Campervans Review

  Elizabeth

  12 Aug 2010 | 7:32 am

  When we first started planning our New Zealand Trip I had no idea how we were going to get around. We considered a tour group, bussing, and renting a car - all of which had their plusses and minuses. But, when we received our press kit from Tourism New Zealand and I saw the countless ads for campervans I knew I had found our mode of transportation. It seemed from the press kit that everyone in New Zealand traveled by camper. (And, after traveling in New Zealand we found that many people do.) Now all we had to do was choose a company. Pretty much all of the companies were offering 50% off to…

• Hells Gate Rotorua Wai Ora Spa: New Zealand Geothermal Park and Mud Baths

  Elizabeth

  10 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  After experiencing the bizarre dig-your-own-spa at Hot Water Beach New Zealand, we became increasingly intrigued with New Zealand’s geothermal activity. Many of the best geothermal parks are located in Rotorua, a city where we spent several days. Each of the geothermal parks is a little different. We went to four and found that Hells Gate provided the best mix of Maori culture, geothermal activity, and relaxation (thanks to their mud baths and sulphur pools). To imagine what a place called “Hells Gate” looks like, consider this quote from George Bernard Shaw which lead to the name…

• 5 Green Backpacker Activities when Backpacking South America

  Elizabeth

  4 Aug 2010 | 6:33 pm

  This is a guest post written by Ben Kvamstad. While backpacking in South America it’s easy to get stuck on the big city route. The excitement and thrill of major cities like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago is hard to resist. But it’s important to remember that backpacking is so much more than getting drunk at the hostel bar and partying until 7am in the morning! Get out in the wild, push yourself out of your comfort-zone and do something that you never thought you would dear to do! South America has a great offer off green activities that are good for you and good for the…

• Hotel Coupon Codes and Promotions

  Elizabeth

  28 Jul 2010 | 7:51 pm

  Hotel coupons aren’t quite as easy to come by as car rental coupon codes, but you can definitely snag some good deals. Hotels generally have two types of discount coupons and promotions. Discount coupons are actually coupons that you have to click through or know the code to redeem. Promotions are the deals that are available to anyone who happens upon it. But, the downside of promotions is that those who know about them first may fill up all the hotel’s space. Here are my favorite tips for getting the best price for hotels: 1) Sign up for your preferred hotel chains frequent customer and…

• 

  Jaunted

• Extra Legroom Fee on JetBlue Now Includes Early Boarding and More

  JetSetCD

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:41 am

  Premium Economy, or just paying a tad bit extra for the teensiest additional perks, is big business in the airline industry these days. Even though JetBlue has managed to keep the first checked bag free on all of their routes, they began charging extra for the better seats up front quite some time ago. The "Even More Legroom" seats are on the Airbus A320s and they encompass the first five rows in the front of the plane. For four inches of extra legroom, JetBlue charges $10 and up per seat. Now, finally, you get a smidgeon more for that money than you did before. It was announced yesterday…

• Los Angeles: The Favorite Hang Outs of the Cast of 'Big Brother 12'

  cmb

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:41 am

  As summer is winding down, so is another season of CBS' hit reality show Big Brother. Here's a look at where a few of the remaining houseguests will be hanging out after season 12 wraps on September 15: Last week, Lane won a call from home during a POV competition and was most impressed with the fact that a local restaurant had named a burger after him. The restaurant is rumored to be the One Stop of Texas, 601 US Highway 380 W, Bridgeport, TX. The restaurant/convenience store is also selling 'Team Lane' t-shirts and was briefly featured on the show when they visited Lane's hometown of…

• Mobile Boarding Passes and More from Delta's First iPhone App

  JetSetCD

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:24 am

  As if you already don't have enough airline apps on your iPhone especially since American and British Airways have just put theirs out there, the world's largest airline is joining the fray with an app of their own. That's it; it's Delta and the app, simple named "Fly Delta," incorporates all the things we love about travel apps, like easy flight check-in, mobile boarding passes and flight tracking. Delta's new app—available for free now over at iTunes—may not have the cute Sudoku add-on game that American's app does, but it will allow you to check airport and weather information as…

• It's All Online When It Comes to Boeing 787 Training

  kjb

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:45 am

  At this point we realize that we won’t be seeing any commercial flights for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner until 2011 at the earliest, but that doesn’t mean that we’re no longer interested in what’s happening with the plane, both up in the air and on the ground. One of the many innovations with this new bird is the way workers are trained on how it all works and how to fix the things that break. Mechanics have already begun the almost month-long training classes to learn how to repair broken lights, switches, and levers, but they’re doing it without leaving any greasy…

• New York: The Flight Attendant Hotel Hotspots of NYC

  JetSetCD

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:46 am

  It may not be the swingin' sixties or even the days when hot pants ruled the sky, but Flight Attendants are still a subject of curiosity. Consummate jet setters, FAs may spend a week hopping between several different cities, but eventually they must say "buh-bye" to the last passengers and spend some time on the ground themselves. Recently on Facebook, our favorite airline hostess—the Aussie comedian Pam Ann—asked her huge fanbase of flight crew where they stayed when their international flights land in New York City. Are they in swank hotels or by-the-hour rooms out by the airport?

• 

  HotelChatter -

• New York: 10 New York Hotels With Empire State Building Views

  MsRebecca

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:01 pm

  Last week we heard all about the new skyscraper to rise about the Hotel Pennsylvania and how it would block people's views of the Empire State Building. Our first reaction to this whining was: Woe is me to those who can afford to live in a building that offered them in the first place! Our second thought: there are loads of hotels with views of the Empire State, either from the guest rooms or the rooftops, and not all of them are the most expensive joints in town. So here, in no particular order, are 10 New York City Hotels With Views of the Empire State Building for your virtual sightseeing…

• New York: Meanwhile, Not Too Far From the Soho Grand....

  juliana

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:11 am

  You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view....we had this view from…

• New York: Naturally, The View is Grand from the Suites at The Soho Grand

  juliana

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:56 am

  We are suckers for a room with a killer view.  We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view. Yesterday, we dished on the new suites at the Soho Grand Hotel assaulting you (in a good way!)…

• New York: Trump Hotels In New York Girl Up For Fashion's Night Out

  MsRebecca

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:21 am

  You already know that the Trump kids have got their hands all over the family's hotels these days—but let's not forget that Ivanka also dabbles in fashion with her Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry line. No need to write this down, though—the New York Trump hotels are happy to remind you, this time via their Fashion's Night Out package. At least there is also a feel-good side to this power-coupling: Ivanka's jewelry boutique has partnered with the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign to launch a special-edition Girl Up Bracelet, with 100% of the net proceeds from its sales going to…

• New York: Bathroom Doors: A Cautionary Tale Starring W Downtown New York

  MsRebecca

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:56 am

  Earlier this week, we looked at 10 Annoying Hotel Room Designs but today we'd like to take a closer look at #5 on that list: Sliding Bathroom Doors. Specifically, we want to tell you how we got locked inside the bathroom at the W New York Downtown. Now, we're not usually claustrophobic, but when we get stuck in a tiny bathroom inside a Financial District hotel on the weekend (where no one can hear you scream!) ... with some peekaboo strips on the frosted glass shower window our only view to the outside world ... we do start to get anxious.

• 

  SmarterTravel.com: Travel Advice

• Where to Search for the Best Airfare

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pm

  You've probably already used one of the big online airfare search systems, but you may be searching in the wrong place for your specific needs. Ed Perkins explains.

• Airfare 401: Want a Comfortable Flight? Read This!

  29 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  When booking your flight, price is an important factor. But on some flights, you may want to fork over a little extra cash for a more comfortable experience. Ed Perkins explains your options.

• Visiting the Cliff Dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park

  29 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  Imagine what family life was like for the Ancient Puebloans as you explore the cliff dwellings in southwest Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park.

• Shhh! Five Hidden Hotel Values in Las Vegas

  28 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  More than just sensibly priced, these hotels offer a little something extra to make them stand out from the crowd!

• Free Travel For Tour Organizers: Worth the Hassle?

  26 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  "Free" travel may sound appealing, but don't jump so quickly. Ed Perkins explains the strings and responsibilities attached.

• 

  Ed Perkins

• Where to Search for the Best Airfare

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pm

  You've probably already used one of the big online airfare search systems, but you may be searching in the wrong place for your specific needs. Ed Perkins explains.

• Tax-Free Airport Shopping: Bargain or Hype?

  25 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  Do these stores really offer good deals, or are they there to feed off a bored and captive audience? Ed Perkins investigates.

• More Options Emerge in Online Accommodations Marketplace

  18 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  New sites offer everything from last-minute deals on vacation rentals to "secret sales" for conventional hotels. Ed Perkins weighs in on the good, the bad, and the ugly.

• Travel Taxes: Bad, Getting Worse

  11 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  As a tourist, you can't do much about travel taxes, except stay away from the worst offending places. Sadly, those are often destinations you want to visit.

• How to Find Good Deals on Hotwire and Priceline

  4 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm

  Opaque travel sites are not scams, but if you don't know what you're doing, and how the systems work, you can be very disappointed. Ed Perkins explains how to find the good deals.

• 

  DeliciousBaby.com

• Winner: FreeHand Baby Carrier

  1 Sep 2010 | 1:57 am

  Freehand Baby Carrier by TogetherBe I want to thank everyone who entered to my giveaway to win a FreeHand baby carrier.. The randomly selected winner was Susan C who said: We will be going to Seattle in a couple of weeks-one of my favorite places on earth! Susan, please send me your mailing address to receive your printer! Didn't win this time? The Freehand Baby Carrier is also available at Amazon. I have another great giveaway starting soon. Be sure to check back (or subscribe or "like" DeliciousBaby on Facebook so that you don't miss a thing). Related Links: Amazon: Freehand Baby Carrier

• Exploring San Juan Puerto Rico With Kids

  31 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

  We were invited guests of the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. The hotel paid for the cost of our air tickets, hotel, activities, and most meals. They did not require that I express a particular point of view. We woke to rain. It's starting to become a theme for this trip, and with the intense rain, our planned outing to the Camuy Caves was canceled - they're just too dangerous to visit when there's so much water. But I have to be honest. I wasn't really all that disappointed. The Camuy Caves are one of the largest cave networks in the world. They're supposed to be spectacular -…

• Last Chance: Enter to Win a Freehand Baby Carrier

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

  Freehand Baby Carrier by TogetherBe Today is your last chance to enter our free giveaway to win a FreeHand Baby Carrier . If you have already entered, but want to add your recommendations for kid-friendly activities, restaurants, or hotels to DeliciousBaby for more chances to win, now is the time! Each recommendation will earn five extra entries in the giveaway. Just visit this article: Win a FreeHand Baby Carrier and follow the instructions.

• Photo Friday: Things You Cannot Control

  26 Aug 2010 | 11:34 pm

  E explores the sand at Crystal Cove in Laguna Beach, CA I just love this picture of Everest exploring the sand in Laguna Beach - he looks miffed that the sand doesn't behave the way he thinks it should. Related Links Orange County, CA With Kids About Photo Friday: You are invited to join us for Photo Friday! It's a great way to get to know other bloggers and to help them get to know you. Just post a "Photo Friday" picture on your own blog, and link directly to your post from the linky below (If your url is longer than 100 characters, you will need to use a url shortening service, like bit.ly)…

• Sleeping In

  25 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

  The trickiest part of being the solo parent on a trip with the kids is mornings. I always worry most about how I'll get everyone to sleep at night, but that (eventually - and sometimes with unneeded drama) takes care of itself. A shower. Wardrobe changes. A day bag. Breakfast. That's a lot to manage when you're groggy after a late night of blogging and an infant who thinks vacations are the perfect excuse to wake up for a cuddle every few hours. I've finally learned to shower and get everything ready at night, but I still have a tricky time with this: How could you possibly wake up a kid who…

• 

  Viator Travel Blog

• Puerto Vallarta Excursions with Kids

  Brittany

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 am

  The Puerto Vallarta region of Mexico can be a paradise for families, with all-inclusive hotels in every price range and easy flight access from the U.S. and Canada. Spending a week within the gated compound of one hotel can make you (and the kids) kind of stir-crazy after a while though, so here are some family-friendly diversions to consider on your Puerto Vallarta adventure. Boogie Boarding with the Kids The region stretching from Mismaloya south of the city past Nuevo Vallarta to Punta Mita is packed with hotels and traffic, so plan according when it comes to where you will catch…

• My Other Life in Paris

  Scott Mc

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:00 pm

  I wish I lived in Paris but I don’t. So on a recent 3-day trip to Paris I decided to live the life I often wished I had. I pretended I really was Parisienne. To start in the right frame of mind, I caught the Eurostar to Paris and made sure I got to St Pancreas station in London early. This is a gorgeously restored train station, I recommend you head upstairs to the Champagne Bar and indulge in a glass of Champagne with a bowl of strawberries and cream while sitting under the soaring roof – oysters are another good option. (Note: if you’re in London and simply want to visit Paris on…

• Discovering the Discovered in Thailand

  Brittany

  27 Aug 2010 | 2:24 pm

  Lending its tropical beauty to tourists now for decades, there is a reason why Thailand serves as one of the most popular destinations in the world. Whether you’re looking for a low cost exotic experience, or wanting to unload a few extra dollars on world-class amenities in a tropical paradise, modern day Thailand caters to people of all budgets and needs. Beach in Phuket Excursions and Adventures Popularized for its plentiful beaches and aqua life, there is no shortage of water activity to keep you entranced day-in and day-out — all while basking in a relaxing (although sometimes…

• Best of the River Thames

  Brittany

  26 Aug 2010 | 4:13 pm

  Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how much there is to do in London. I lived there for a year and visit regularly, but it took a trip on the London Eye to make me realise just how much I haven’t done. This started to strike before I’d even got on it. Within a couple of hundred metres’ walk, there’s so much – the London Aquarium, the London Film Museum and the Florence Nightingale Museum are within spitting distance. And then, of course, there are the Houses of Parliament staring at you from the other side of the River Thames. On Top of the London Eye The London Eye Before you get…

• Universal Studios in a Nutshell

  Brittany

  25 Aug 2010 | 4:50 pm

  Tucked away in the Hollywood hills is Universal Studios, a theme park complete with rides and attractions based on some of the top movies made in its own studios.  For a day of action-packed entertainment in Los Angeles, Universal Studios is it! The Entrance to Universal Studios I’ve visited Universal Studios twice early this year and it is by far my favorite LA theme park. In order to experience all that this park has to offer, you have to plan your theme park route out carefully. After entering the Hollywood theme park, head to the Studio Tour – a 45-minute behind-the-scenes guided…

• 

  SmarterTravel.com: Travel Deals

• Tahiti Five-Night Vacations From $1,349*

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:38 am

  Enjoy clear lagoons filled with dolphins, turtles, and fish of every color with this five-night Tahiti vacation package from Qantas. All transfers, a flower lei on arrival, and a shell lei on departure are also included in addition to airfare and accommodations.

• $202 R/T Mexico Sale on Aeromexico*

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:19 am

  Aeromexico has announced discounted September flights to visit our southern neighbors. Flights are available to Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Mexico City, and Monterrey. Find competition from American, Continental, Delta, and US Airways.

• $892 R/T Tokyo Sale on American*

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:26 am

  Fly to the other side of the world with American's latest sale. The airline is offering discounted fares to Japan's capital city, Tokyo, this fall and winter. These are the lowest prices, though Continental, Delta, and United match prices.

• $49 O/W AirTran, Delta Sales for Fall Travel*

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:05 am

  AirTran and Delta have announced massive sales with over 3,800 discounted routes. American, Continental, Spirit, and others have lowered their unadvertised fares to compete with these sale prices.

• $938 R/T Australia and New Zealand Qantas Sales*

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:09 am

  Qantas' Australia and New Zealand sales feature flights to Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland from both coasts and cities in between. Also look to United and V Australia for competing fares.

• 

  TravelBlogs

• James’ Travel/Adventure Blog

  Gretchen

  31 Aug 2010 | 10:58 am

  “Eight months ago if you had asked me anything about social networking or Flickr, not to mention Twittering, you would have received a blank stare of ignorance.” writes James Handlon in his first blog entry. Much has changed over those months as James has written about his trip to India and hiking around the United Kingdom. His adventures are just beginning. © Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | James’ Travel/Adventure Blog | No comment | Post categories: Blogs Post tags: camping, England, hiking, India, overland travel, United Kingdom, Wales

• Phil in the Blank

  Gretchen

  28 Aug 2010 | 7:10 am

  Phil Paoletta was a school teacher in Washington D.C. when he decided his batteries needed a bit of recharging. Having studied in Ghana a few years ago, Phil finds himself back in the country. His site is a mix of his journey, the music he creates and collects, and stories of the people he has met along the way. Whether he will stay or move on is up in the air but isn’t that is part of the joy of travel? © Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Phil in the Blank | No comment | Post categories: Blogs Post tags: activism, Africa, cultural experiences, Ghana, long-term travel, music, solo…

• Raising Miro on the Road of Life

  Gretchen

  23 Aug 2010 | 8:10 am

  It’s been a year since Lainie and her son, Miro (then age 10), began their quest to live more simply on the road of life. Career burn-out, long hours, a failing economy and dwindling mother-son time aided in the decision to embark on this journey. Their website is a combination of blogs and podcasts that are truly inspirational. © Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Raising Miro on the Road of Life | One comment | Post categories: Blogs Post tags: activism, Central America, cultural experiences, expat life, family travel, long-term travel, parenting, South America, travel with kids

• Life in a Sack

  Gretchen

  20 Aug 2010 | 9:23 am

  Life in a Sack chronicles the travels of Paul Duan. Though currently “locked down” in a day job (money pays for travel), he has been writing about his past experiences and recent explorations. Paul’s not a self-professed “adrenaline junkie” but he has done his share of “adrenaline-producing” fun stuff – like biking Bolivia’s “Death Road”. © Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Life in a Sack | No comment | Post categories: Blogs Post tags: Asia, China, cultural experiences, Europe, South America, study abroad, United States

• Dart Strikes Map: An Interview with Tony and Thomas

  Gretchen

  18 Aug 2010 | 7:04 am

  At The Berlin Wall: Germany 2007 1. On your blog’s home page, it states: “In 2007, Tony and Thomas decided to quit their jobs, leave the security of sedentary life behind, and travel the globe full time.” The three of us know there is a more important back-story. Was this the main reason why you decided to travel? …You are right that there is an important back-story that strongly contributed to our decision to go nomadic. What we say on our blog is true. One day, we simply decided we had had enough of sedentary life with all its complexities, complications and, most…

• 

  World Hum

• Mr. Suitcase

  The World Hum Editors (jim@worldhum.com)

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:16 am

  On the trauma of luggage gone astray (and how an inconvenience turned into an obsession)

• New Travel Book: ‘Dreaming in Chinese’

  The World Hum Editors (jim@worldhum.com)

  31 Aug 2010 | 3:42 pm

  Anyone who has ever tried to learn even a few words of Chinese will appreciate the difficulty of the task. It turns out it was a serious challenge even for a woman with a Ph.D. in linguistics and six languages already under her belt. That would be Deborah Fallows, author of the new book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love and Language. NPR just profiled her. My favorite passage from the radio piece concerned her attempt to order take-out Taco Bell, of all things: Her tones weren’t very good at that point, though, so Fallows’ request for…

• Jonathan Gold and Rick Bayless Tweet Off Over Mexican Food in L.A.

  The World Hum Editors (jim@worldhum.com)

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:49 am

  What was it? A battle? A shot over the bow? Maybe, looking back, it was just a misfire. But it got L.A. Mexican foodies pretty excited for a few days. At a talk in Orange County last week, Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold—a hero of ours who has made a career of championing great hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants in SoCal—took a shot at PBS TV host and restaurateur Rick Bayless. The chef, whose Frontera Grill in Chicago gets rave reviews, just designed the menu for a new upscale Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, Red O—his first project in the region.

• Thinking About Language Across Cultures

  The World Hum Editors (jim@worldhum.com)

  30 Aug 2010 | 11:07 am

  Fascinating story in the New York Times about how language shapes our thoughts and feelings. Here’s but one interesting nugget: In a different experiment, French and Spanish speakers were asked to assign human voices to various objects in a cartoon. When French speakers saw a picture of a fork (la fourchette), most of them wanted it to speak in a woman’s voice, but Spanish speakers, for whom el tenedor is masculine, preferred a gravelly male voice for it. More recently, psychologists have even shown that “gendered languages” imprint gender traits for objects so…

• Cruise Passengers Rescued from Northwest Passage

  The World Hum Editors (jim@worldhum.com)

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:57 am

  The Canadian Coast Guard removed 110 passengers from a cruise ship stranded in the Arctic Ocean this weekend. The ship was exploring the Northwest Passage when it got hung up on an unmapped rock—presumably, we’ll see more of these incidents as the passage becomes increasingly viable, so Canada, keep your icebreakers sharp.

• 

  Brave New Traveler

• 10 Reasons I Had to Escape, STAT

  Christine Garvin

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:46 am

  Photo: Sam Judson I need to get out, and I need to get out now. By the time you read this, I’ll be (fingers crossed) fully entrenched in Burning Man bliss, hanging out with the likes of Matador Editors Leigh Shulman, Ian MacKenzie, and Ross Borden, along with some of my favorite San Francisco peeps. I will be without my computer for a whole entire two weeks for the first time since 2007. And then it was only a week. Jesus, that’s sad. But as I’m sure many of you travel bloggers can relate, it’s hard to take vacations from the computer. The same trips people take to get…

• Climbing the Mountain: Facing Fear and Feeling Lost in Egypt

  Elizabeth Zito

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:21 am

  Photo: Author Restlessness forces Elizabeth Zito to climb the literal and proverbial mountain. Joel and the other Brits called at 2 am to demand I get into their microbus, waiting below, to head into the Sinai for the weekend. Packing a change of clothes and a volume of Arabian Nights, I was unwittingly rescued for a few days of camping along the Red Sea coast, two hours north of Dahab. Long nights passed waiting for the moon to hide behind the mountains so that we could see the stars, and entire afternoons escaped us watching the sands change shapes along the seaside. The whole time, my…

• When Travel Takes A Friend

  Caroline Makepeace

  26 Aug 2010 | 7:06 am

  Photo: realSMILEY Death is not something many of us like to associate with traveling. But when it happens to a close friend, we have to the reality that life can end in an instant, much the way it begins. It was one of those fresh fall mornings where the air was crisp and clean and you could hear the birds singing. I glanced at the gum tree outside my balcony door, and noticed how the light from the rising sun cast a soft glow inside my living room. I sat down to the computer to check my email. Amongst the clutter of newsletters and group messages sat an email from our friend Wazza. My smile…

• Fasting on Ramadan: Connecting with the “Real” Turkey

  Hannah Barth

  23 Aug 2010 | 11:12 am

  Photo: Ranoush. Hannah Barth gives a glimpse into what happens when a non-believer decides to participate in an intense Muslim ritual. It’s just past midnight in Turkey on the first day of Ramadan, 2010. I’m not a Muslim. I’m not anything for that matter, but I consider myself spiritual. From that end, I’ve decided to try to fast for the first two days of Ramadan. After living nearly seven months in Turkey, I’ve barely seen real Turkish culture. I’m part of a dance troupe that lives out of hotels and eats only catered food, so I’ve missed some things.

• A Meditation on the Waters of Bali

  Kerry Lee

  19 Aug 2010 | 2:11 pm

  Photo: Supagroova Although nothing can bring us unending peace, Balinese waters get Kerry Lee as close as possible. After stepping off the plane and into the sultry night air on the other side of the equator, I drove the two hours north of Denpasar to Tegallingah. My destination was a small house in the Pakerisan River gorge, which would be my home for the next month. The distance from that gorge in Bali to my home in Wisconsin was 12,450 miles. That’s how far I needed to go to find some sort of peace. After my first cup of java every morning, I climbed the steep, wooden steps to the…

• 

  Travel Guru (CBS News)

• Welcome to Kiryas Joel: Don't Forget to Cover Up

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:23 am

  Community of Hasaidic Jews Asks Visitors to Adhere to Traditions

• Oil Sheen Spreading from Gulf Platform Blast

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:19 am

  Coast Guard Says Mile-Long Sheen Is Spreading from Petroleum Platform that Exploded off La. Coast; All 13 Aboard Rig Rescued

• Vancouver Acid Attack Victim Doing Well After Surgery, Officials Say

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:13 am

  Bethany Storro, 28, Is Recovering After Successful Surgery

• Video: 75-mile Traffic Jam in China

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:11 am

  A traffic jam in china has stretched to more than 75-miles long, following a 62-mile build up on the same road a week ago. Gary Hamilton reports.

• Clay Branham Missing: Utah Man's Family Takes Search to Facebook

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:09 am

  30-Year-Old Man Last Seen Checking Out Lodge in Kanab, Utah

• 

  A Days Outing Blog

• It’s Time for Hummingbirds to Migrate South

  Elizabeth

  22 Aug 2010 | 11:34 pm

  It’s time for the fall migration of hummingbirds. While not all hummingbirds will head south for the winter, those in the northern climates will.  The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flies up to 2,000 miles every fall when they migrate from northern climates east of the Rockies to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.  This amazing distance includes a 600-mile crossing over the Gulf of Mexico. A Few Facts: Hummingbirds are among the smallest of birds, and include the smallest living bird species, the Bee Hummingbirds.  Hummingbirds can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping…

• Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

  Cathy

  19 Aug 2010 | 11:56 pm

  This weekend we were having a family over to dinner and I really wanted to make something everyone would like. When the kids were younger, we would usually make something fancier for the adults and then have a kid friendly option. Now that the kids are getting older, I really love having the kids at the table with us talking about dinner just like we always do with our friends. On the menu this weekend were grilled flat iron steaks, twice baked potatoes, corn on the cob and wedge salads with a super easy homemade ranch dressing. While ranch is not my favorite, I knew the kids would all like…

• Stopping at a State Park for Lunch

  Elizabeth

  17 Aug 2010 | 11:29 pm

  My husband and I make it a point to stop for lunch somewhere on long drives so the kids can stretch their legs and get a bit of energy out. We pack a big picnic lunch to carry with us in the car so we have the flexibility to stop anywhere that we want. A few months back we were in the middle of an 8 hour drive, and we stopped at Falls Lake, a North Carolina State Park. I was testing out A Day’s Outing’s iPhone App when it was in development and found the park as we were driving down the road. Falls Lake is quite large and offers camping, boating and fishing. We were just at the…

• A Fan’s Visit to the Life and Science Museum in Durham, NC

  Cathy

  15 Aug 2010 | 11:28 pm

  Recently we got this great review submitted to us by Debbie an A Day’s Outing fan.  We love fan submitted tales of their day trips! The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is a great place for children and adults alike. There are lots of outside activities like climbing stations, a real caboose, a sound area with drums and other percussion instruments. The butterfly house is wonderful. There are two areas, a large tropical rainforest with butterflies from around the world and a smaller domestic butterfly section. Children can watch the butterflies as they emerge and take flight. There…

• Visiting a Fish Hatchery

  Elizabeth

  12 Aug 2010 | 11:56 pm

  On the way back from a family visit to my mom’s, I made a last minute decision to follow a state tourism sign to the Montebello Fish Hatchery. It was a beautiful day and I usually like taking these kind of unexpected side trips. I now realize that I should have pulled out my trusty iPhone and check my own app for A Day’s Outing to see exactly where the sign for the fish hatchery might be leading me, but I didn’t. Instead, we turned at the sign and started our journey down a lovely country road. I began to have doubts when the lovely road began to narrow and we started to…

• 

  Carrying On

• Don’t forget: This is a fee-free weekend at the national parks

  Kyle Wagner

  13 Aug 2010 | 2:41 pm

  This weekend the more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees — including, in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes NP & Preserve National Park and Colorado National Monument — will be free Aug. 14 and 15, and many of them will also offer specials on food or concessions, as well as additional ranger-led programs. The cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde have to be seen to be believed. (Kyle Wagner, The Denver Post) That often means they will be crowded like crazy, but you can’t beat the savings. It also looks like…

• Colorado, New York, Hawaii lodging deals; Arizona restaurant week

  Kyle Wagner

  1 Aug 2010 | 12:51 pm

  Blue Sky condos in Breckenridge is offering 25 percent off a second night and a third night free when three or nights are booked for their “Ever Summer” package through Nov. 11. Also, if you book your winter stay at the ski in/ski out property before Aug. 15, you can save up to 38 percent. The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera near Vail is featuring rooms for $129 per night with a minimum two-night stay, along with 20 percent off spa treatments, from Aug. 22-31. The Inn at Lost Creek in Telluride has a deal for 50 percent off room rates on Sundays or Mondays with any Friday and Saturday…

• Tips for 4th of July travel from DIA

  Kyle Wagner

  1 Jul 2010 | 4:32 pm

  I just came through Denver International Airport (DEN) a few days ago, and it wasn’t even the holiday yet — and it was already a madhouse. According to the DEN Public Affairs Office, it’s estimated that 33 percent more passengers will fly through DIA compared to last year. That means you need to get out there a little earlier to park and get through security. They also offered these other helpful tips: 1. Check in online if your airline offers it. You can do it 24 hours ahead of your departure time. You also can prepay for checked bags, usually at a discount over paying at…

• Not too late to celebrate RV Centennial

  Kyle Wagner

  16 Jun 2010 | 12:31 pm

  The RV turned 100 this year, and RV parks across the nation have been celebrating or are still planning something fun to commemorate the year the first mass-produced trailers you could sleep in started being made in California and Michigan. In 1910, the Pierce Arrow Co., in Buffalo, N.Y., also made the first Touring Landau, which had a tank for fresh water and a back seat you could fold into a bed, as well as a basic “chamber pot.” It cost $8,250. It would cost close to $200,000 now. Someone's living the dream at Zion River Resort, one of our favorite RV parks on the Grand Circle…

• Travel deals: 4th of July at the Westin in Avon; take the kids to San Luis Obispo

  Kyle Wagner

  5 Jun 2010 | 8:48 am

  Enjoy primo views of one of Colorado’s largest and most spectacular July 4th pyrotechnic extravaganza in Avon at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa’s Salute to the USA fireworks display with a Celebrate American July 4th Getaway. The package starts at $299 per night and includes: accommodations in a studio suite (upgrades to 1, 2 and 3-bedroom condos available); $150 credit to Timberline Tours for a whitewater rafting adventure or an off-road Jeep tour; a Welcome Celebration amenity complete with American flags, a Westin Riverfront picnic backpack and a snack of Colorado microbrews…

• 

  Recent Kayak Deals

• $145 & up: Two Hawaii Oceanfront Hotels w/Summer Savings

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:00 am

  Enjoy ocean views, distinct dining, golf and more

• $647 & up: Super Saver: Best of Costa Rica: 6-Night w/Air

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:24 pm

  See the beatuy of Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, more

• From $12: Car Rental Discounts in Cities Nationwide

  29 Aug 2010 | 7:45 am

  Savings on top brands with no hidden charges

• From $1191: Athens & Santorini 6-Night Packages w/Air + Extras

  21 Aug 2010 | 9:00 am

  Incl. daily breakfast, all taxes & transfers

• $199 & up: Atlantis Fall Special w/4th Nt FREE

  19 Aug 2010 | 5:22 pm

  FREE companion air, dolphins, golf and more

• 

  Perceptive Travel Blog

• The September Edition of Perceptive Travel Webzine

  liz

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:59 pm

  Here at the Perceptive Travel Blog, the beginning of each new month means just one thing – access to the latest edition of the Perceptive Travel webzine. Guaranteed to stimulate the wanderlust that we all suffer from, each new edition of Perceptive Travel webzine opens up new experiences and destinations for us to explore. And the September edition is [...]

• Melbourne Under Attack! Another View from the Langham

  Alison Stein Wellner

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:50 am

  Liz just wrote about the view from the Langham, Melbourne, where I also stayed this past Spring.  It reminded me of something that happened to me on that visit. I am in no way a morning person, but my body never quite accommodated to Australian time. I was routinely up before sunrise. One morning, I threw [...]

• A Room with a View…at The Langham in Melbourne

  liz

  30 Aug 2010 | 4:51 am

  I hadn’t planned on going to Melbourne, Australia. But the abrupt end to my ‘around the world’ trip resulted in having to return home to a cold and wet New Zealand a couple of weeks earlier than planned. And cold and wet was something I wasn’t quite ready for. So when friends, who were heading to Melbourne, [...]

• Finding Peace along the Falls Road

  Kerry Dexter

  28 Aug 2010 | 12:02 am

  The Falls Road runs west out of the center of Belfast, up in to the hills that ring this part of the city. It is a road whose name resonates through the Troubles, that term which is describes, accurately, the harder parts of contemporary Irish life and recent history: the divisions over politics and religion [...]

• Scenes from a Marathon Tour of South African Winelands

  Brian Spencer

  27 Aug 2010 | 7:12 am

  Our three days of indulgence in the Cape Winelands flashed by like an ’80s movie montage, all postcard-perfect backdrops, long laughs, rental cars, and red teeth. During our three-day splash here in this, the biggest wine-producing region of South Africa, we managed to squeeze in stops at 25 different vineyards and taste some 120 wines while [...]

• 

  Guardian Travel

• The Irish island that drums to its own beat

  2 Sep 2010 | 2:00 am

  Every year bodhrán drummers descend on the little-known island of Inis Oírr for a unique insight into Ireland's traditional music

• Krishna's birthday

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:13 pm

  Children dress as Hindu god Krishna during festivities to mark Janmashtami at a school in Mumbai

• Your photos on local life

  Guardian readers

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:26 am

  See the best images from August's photo competitionGuardian readers

• India: economic growth contrasts with political unrest in a forgotten enclave

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  Long sheltered by its remote location, the capital of Mizoram state must learn to manage the maelstrom of modern IndiaI am sitting on a balcony looking out on one of the more extraordinary places on earth. Teenage girls and boys "hang out" beside the headstones in the graveyard below me. Pigs squeal and grunt in their little pens amid the banana trees and corrugated iron houses.I am in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state, which extends like a peninsula into one of the farthest corners of north-east India. Burma lies about 50km to the east, and Bangladesh is nearly as close on the western side.

• Can cruise ships keep the theatre industry afloat?

  Alistair Smith

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:08 am

  As job opportunities in theatre dry up on land, cruise ships are pouring money into productions out on the high seasTimes are going to be tough over the next few years for those employed in the theatre industry. With severe funding cuts expected from central and local government, falling support from the corporate sector and fewer regional theatre productions, jobs will undoubtedly become more scarce – both for those on and off the stage. Actors, managers and technicians will have to be more imaginative and broaden their horizons in their hunt for work.Which brings me to cruise ships (bear…

• 

  Lonely Planet blog

• 76-Second Travel Show: ‘What’s a travel animal?’

  Robert Reid

  20 Aug 2010 | 6:14 am

  ANIMALS GONE WILD! If you hadn’t noticed, animals are going berserk lately. In Colorado, a bear took a Toyota for a ‘joy ride’ and smashed it into a tree; in South Africa, a whale jumped onto a sailboat (perhaps it had watched Duran Duran’s ‘Rio’ one too many times). Are they trying to stop travel? Or are they merely trying to travel too? I’ve been interesting in honoring certain ‘travel animals’ for a while — but previous efforts tended to be on animals you see, not animals that travel like we do. An official at the Bronx Zoo…

• This vs That: travel dilemmas put to the test

  Jane Nethercote

  5 Aug 2010 | 11:18 pm

  People trying to make a travel decision often turn up on the doorstop of Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree forum, hoping that the community brains trust will help them work out where to go, when to go and who will join them on a ride from Paris to Jerusalem by horse. In this bustling land of travel decision-making, one of the most common threads is the decision face-off – where readers put two options in the ring and let the forum decide which one wins. Here’s just a sample of the title fights taking place on the forum right now. Perhaps you can help – or perhaps they can…

• 76-Second Travel Show: ‘The real Orlando’

  Robert Reid

  28 Jul 2010 | 12:07 pm

  Orlando’s not the #1 destination in the USA for the city itself, which was an orange grove haven long before Mick Mouse showed up. But on a recent visit, to attend the opening to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I stayed in town and spent time talking with locals about the ‘other Orlando.’ And I liked it. It’s a place, I learned, where Jack Kerouac became a beat legend (his mom’s old home is at 1418 Clouser Ave, just off Shady Lane, in the pretty College Park neighborhood – summed up in Bob Kealing’s book Kerouac in Florida), and home to some of…

• Lonely Planet meets Robert Verdi

  Robert Reid

  20 Jul 2010 | 8:57 pm

  Robert Verdi wants his own cartoon character, restaurant, island, airline, magazine, jewelry line and empire. Until then, the style/jewelry guru, at least, DOES have his own TV show, and he hosts Twitter parties at his New York studio. This Thursday, July 22, Robert’s turning his Twitter party focus to travel, and invited Lonely Planet to partake. From 7 to 8pm EST, listen in and contribute to a live Twitter Q&A on all things travel — things to pack, places to go (’atypical places,’ Robert tells us, ‘not just the lake or beach’). Just follow #rvtips on…

• How to be a reenactor?

  Robert Reid

  19 Jul 2010 | 12:48 pm

  One of these days Will Ferrell will do a reenactor film. The middle-management guy who needs a break from strip malls and polite weekend barbecues, he’ll see a Civil War film on a whim, a few days later he’ll drive by a blood-spattered, gray-bearded captain on horseback vainly raising his sword with a shout, and stop to check it out. Everyone will be invited to laugh at his brand of commitment, but he’ll sell it too – that the enthusiasm and joy of ‘pretend histories’ might catch on. And, friends, that’s how the Reenactor Renaissance will be born.

• 

  Just Checking In

• Landmark Hotel Group Names New Leader

  Don

  11 Aug 2010 | 7:52 am

  Akhil Jain promoted to president of leading hospitality company. Akhil JainLandmark Hotel Group, LLC, one of the mid-Atlantic region's leading hospitality management companies, has announced several promotions and organizational changes.Akhil Jain has been named as the new president for the hospitality management company based in Virginia Beach, VA.  Mr. Jain, who is also a managing partner for Landmark, formerly held the position of Vice President of Finance and Development where he oversaw the company's growth and investment initiatives.  He will be taking over the duties of Raj…

• Hilton Garden Inn Scores J.D. Powers Award Again!

  Don

  27 Jul 2010 | 5:35 pm

  Congratulations to Hilton Garden Inn, the winner for the second year in a row of the J.D. Power & Associates award for Guest Satisfaction at a mid-scale full-service brand.In fact, according to an article published by Hotel & Motel Management, guest satisfaction spikes from 2009 to 2010,  which, to be honest, comes as no surprise to me.I think travelers are not only finding a better value for their hard-earned dollars these days, but are also finding far better customer service as hotels strive to "wow" their guests into becoming repeat customers.I've seen this brand in action at…

• Tracking Traveling Teens

  Don

  12 Jul 2010 | 4:40 pm

  Back in January of 2008, I put up a post about student travel entitled "The Wheels on the Bus," which discussed domestic student travel and what a fan of that I was, mainly because I am affiliated with hotels located in the United States.But in a recent article in USA Today offering "Tips for Sending Teens on a Trip," the topic turned to global, international travel, and with the help of Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) members Mike Bowers of People to People Ambassadors, Patrick Connor of Director's Choice Tour & Travel, and offers some practical and innovative tips on how to…

• Gulf Oil Spill May Impact East Coast Tourism

  Don

  14 Jun 2010 | 3:00 am

  It's no surprise that people are choosing to vacation away from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which, last I heard, had begun to impact the shores of the west coast of Florida.  While the increasing emphasis on the environmental damage this disaster is causing has been rightfully making headlines, I've not seen much from that area on the impact the spill is having on tourism in the Gulf Coast states.I am sure the hospitality industry is feeling it in a huge way, as beaches are sure to become a mess and the seafood people expect in those locations has been affected.  If you're…

• Staycations: Thing of the Past or Wave of the Future?

  Don

  7 Jun 2010 | 4:00 am

  Last summer, hotels across the country began marketing more heavily in their own backyards due to a phenomenon that had emerged as a result of the struggling economy for which the media coined the term "staycation."  People were still "getting away," just not as far away as in the past, saving on travel costs and still feeling as if they'd taken a vacation.In a recent article by Peter C. Yesawich at Hotel and Motel Management, "Numbers Now Back Up the Staycation Phenomenon," new statistics are revealed that indicate that the staycation may not be a blip on the travel industry radar or a…

• 

  landlopers.com

• Anatomy of an Airport

  Matt Long

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:19 pm

  “It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ‘As pretty as an Airport’ appear.”  – Douglas Adams As is usually the case, I completely misjudged Washington, D.C. traffic. At least this time I hadn’t missed my flight, but I was more than an hour early. There are two camps when it comes to airport arrival times. The first is the infrequent traveler who dutifully reports to the airline kiosk two or three hours in advance of their flight and waits patiently at the gate until their flight is called. Then there is the barely in time camp. They tend to travel a…

• September Giveaway!

  Matt Long

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:34 am

  LandLopers has a lot to celebrate – September is our six-month anniversary and we just unveiled our brand new logo and site graphics! Helping us celebrate is SteriPEN, who has graciously volunteered to sponsor this month’s giveaway. SteriPEN is a world leader in hand held, ultraviolet light water purifiers and truly sets the standard for fast, light, easy and effective water purification. These are great little devices to take on any trip, but particularly to areas where you might not be sure of the water. Personally, it has helped relieve some of the anxiety about health concerns…

• Five Washington DC Activities Off the Beaten Path

  Matt Long

  31 Aug 2010 | 5:50 pm

  Washington, DC is famous for its monuments, memorials and Smithsonian Museums. However, there are many things to do and see in the District that few tourists know about, much less visit. Here are my top five favorite off the beaten path DC attractions. 1. Longest Escalator in the Western Hemisphere - While the location may not be all that stimulating, the escalator located at the Wheaton station of the MetroRail is the an impressive site. Located at the end of the Red line, the Wheaton escalator is over 500 feet in length and over 200 feet high that takes passengers from the underground…

• True Meaning of Sustainable Tourism – A Case Study

  Matt Long

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:36 pm

  In a recent post, I discussed the popularity of the terms “sustainable tourism” and “ecotourism” and how they have expertly infiltrated travel marketing. I went on to lament the fact that many of these properties and services are eco-travel imposters, thus watering down the meaning for the true good actors in the green tourism revolution. It was with this cautious skepticism that I accepted the kind invitation of the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico to visit for a long weekend. Part of the focus of the trip, which also included several other travel bloggers and…

• House of the Virgin Mary – Ephesus, Turkey

  Matt Long

  29 Aug 2010 | 7:46 pm

  I’m not a religious person in the traditional sense, although I would certainly say I have my spiritual moments. But for some reason when I travel I always find myself drawn to areas of religious importance. A visit to the Virgin Mary’s house, or Mother Mary as she is called in Turkey, was an unintended stop, but one I’m glad we made. According to the story, in the early 19th century, a German nun had a variety of visions about the Holy Mother. Included in these visions was the revelation that her final resting place was on a hill in Turkey near the ancient city of Ephesus, which had…

• 

  Indie Travel Podcast

• Wales photography: of culture, castles and countryside

  Karin Leperi

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:00 am

  In Wales, sheep outnumber people by a ratio of almost 4:1 (there are three million people and 11 million sheep). Wales is also home to 641 castles, two languages, and three national parks. Along the border that separates Wales from England, lies an easily accessible countryside – where gentrified adventure is found walking the vales, knolls and dykes of eastern Wales; where a walk in the country is an immersion in natural verdant beauty with subtle surprises around every gentle bend; and where castles abound, each with their own fairytale setting and legends of lore to explore. Legend has…

• Video – Tour de France in Chinaillon

  Craig and Linda

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:00 am

  We were at the Tour de France, live, in Chinaillon in the French Alps. This Tour de France video is from the Tour de France 2010. Video – Tour de France in Chinaillon is happily produced by The Indie Travel Podcast, proud winners of Lonely Planet's "Best Podcast" -- Check out our free podcast in iTunes, free online travel magazine, or the Art of Solo Travel

• 165 – La Tomatina Festival 2010

  Craig and Linda

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:33 am

  La Tomatina is a giant tomato fight that’s held every year in Buñol, Spain, on the last Wednesday of August. There’s celebrations all week, but most people go just to throw tomatoes at each other, and this year we joined in the fun. To listen to our experiences, press play below, or subscribe (free) in iTunes: We had a great time, but as always we learned a fair bit about what we could have done better. What we did right Arrived early Although the fight starts at 11am, you can’t get there at 10am and hope to be part of the action. The smart people are in the main square at…

• Mostly tomatoes

  Craig and Linda

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:37 pm

  A week of tomatoes, bloggers and overwhelmingly high temperatures – on the whole, a win. 23/8 Monday After a productive work morning, we walked through the park to the City of Arts and Sciences, which is a collection of impressively large and interesting buildings. It was hot though, so we had to stop and rest a fair bit – we spent ten minutes with our hands trailing in one of the moats. In the evening, we met up with a whole bunch of travel bloggers – Christine, Suzy, Abbey, Joel, and Dave. They were all in town for La Tomatina, and it was awesome to meet, chat, drink and…

• Solo Travel Facebook photo competition

  Paula Harman

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:00 am

  Our first photo competition here at the Indie Travel Podcast was a great success. We’d like to thank everyone who entered and remind you all to enter the competition this month for a chance to win some excellent prizes! Here are all of the entries from the first competition in June: First place was Nancie McKinnon- congratulations! Second place went to Sue Boxell. Thanks to everyone else who entered. Go enter this month’s competition now- there’s still time! Solo Travel Facebook photo competition is happily produced by The Indie Travel Podcast, proud winners of Lonely…

• 

  nerd's eye view

• Postcard from Alaska

  nerd's eye view

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:52 am

  Alaskans have a really complicated relationship with their government and they will tell you all about it. Repeatedly and in great detail. It is possible to eat salmon every day for a week and not get tired of it. Distance is relative. I’m sure there’s an equation that multiplies road condition by miles divided by weather then multiplied again by the number of moose spotted to determine how long it takes to get somewhere. A lot of the cliches about Alaska are true. It is not hard to encounter gold prospectors and subsistence homesteaders and scrappy women with rifles and bearded…

• In the Sky

  nerd's eye view

  1 Sep 2010 | 8:57 am

  I don’t put much stock in horoscopes but a few things amuse me. I’m a Capricorn – that’s the mountain goat – and we’re supposedly stubborn and ambitious. We’re climbers, and though I know that’s meant to be figurative, I like to take it literally, especially when I’m above the tree line. I am slow and out of shape, so I was a bit out of breath while we walked back to the chairlift that takes you to the top of Whistler Mountain.  But I was supremely content, surrounded by that Kodakchrome sky above, the tops of the clouds below, my feet on the ground. I don’t like to fly,…

• Lytton, British Columbia

  nerd's eye view

  27 Aug 2010 | 6:14 am

• Nature’s Grace

  nerd's eye view

  26 Aug 2010 | 6:29 am

  As soon as I was old enough, I made plans to take a road trip to a secluded spot in Northern California that I had fallen in love with while on a family trip years before. I remembered that the confluence of the two rivers where we rafted was called Ishi Pishi Point, and I convinced two friends to drive the 600 miles south to go camping there with me. We arrived late at night, having passed the last traffic light or street lamp hours before, and were grateful to find the entrance to a rustic campground. In the morning we were pleased to discover that we were the only campers there. Each day,…

• Bear Safety

  nerd's eye view

  25 Aug 2010 | 10:54 am

• 

  About.com France Travel

• Driving in France

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:30 am

  I like driving in France, particularly because of the huge road signs that advertise the local attractions so effectively. These enormous metal billboards with their simple graphics are everywhere. Sometimes the sign is for a specific attraction, like Pierrefonds with its extraordinary chateau between Compiègne and Senlis; sometimes it's a general one -- like the Sologne and its wonderful lakes; or maybe a historical event such as 'Le Camp du Drape d'Or' -- or the Field of the Cloth of Gold....Read Full Post

• The Deauville American Film Festival, September 3rd to 12th

  29 Aug 2010 | 11:16 pm

  It's glamorous, the programme is exciting and it's accessible. Just three great reasons to visit the Deauville American Film Festival. The well-established, highly regarded festival has been held here for 36 years. This year the special guest is Annette Bening, so you can see some of the films she was in, from Valmont (1989), Bugsy (1991) and American Beauty (1991) to the latest, The Kids Are All Right....Read Full Post

• Great Food and Vintage Cars in Alsace at Salon Degusta, August 27th to 31st

  26 Aug 2010 | 2:10 am

  Alsatian wines are sensational, and here's a great chance to taste them at the Salon Degusta Food Festival. It's being held in the impressive Automobile Museum-- Schlumpf Collection in Mulhouse among the gleaming Rolls-Royces and the two Bugatti Royales, Hispano-Suiza and other legendary names. There are 437 cars from 97 different makes. Quite a collection....Read Full Post

• Hot Air Balloon Champions over the Auvergne

  23 Aug 2010 | 2:00 am

  Every year, enthusiasts get together for the French Hot-Air Balloon Championships somewhere in France. This year, from August 24th to August 29th, they will sail serenely over the Auvergne skies in the Haut-Lignon region and Les Suc. It's a wonderful volcanic location (I love this region as I have a house here looking down onto the Allier River gorges). So I'll be there, watching the 50 balloons competing to find the target on the ground. Once located, the balloonists have to drop a marker from their basket as near as possible - or better still a bullseye shot....Read Full Post

• Summer Shopping in France

  19 Aug 2010 | 6:12 am

  Brightly colored Provençale fabrics; lavender soaps; weird and wonderful liqueurs in pretty bottles; mis-matched plates with scenes from gallant Napoleonic wars -- all these and much, much more can be found in the open air markets that spring up all over France in the summer months....Read Full Post

• 

  Hotels

• Paris Hilton Banned by Wynn & Encore Las Vegas

  P. Ling

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:08 am

  You know you’ve gone way too far when Las Vegas hotels start blacklisting you for being a bad influence. Paris Hilton has reached yet another milestone in her infamous socialite career by getting herself officially banned from the Wynn hotels in Las Vegas. Paris Hilton & Wynn Las Vegas According to a Wynn Resorts spokesperson, not only is Paris Hilton no longer welcome at Wynn & Encore, but her boyfriend Cy Waits has also been ‘removed’ from his position as a managing partner at the Wynn nightclubs Tryst and XS. This summary kick in the pants comes in the wake of…

• Understated Luxury at THEhotel in Las Vegas

  Angie Lynch

  31 Aug 2010 | 7:17 pm

  I consider myself “lucky” to have had the opportunity to stay at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. Granted, I was 5 months pregnant at the time with my first baby, so I was happy to be anywhere before the baby arrived. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a STELLAR place to stay. Locate within the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Resort property is the modern-day, luxurious (but not-over-the-top) THEhotel. Over-sized one-bedroom suites populate the 43-story hotel right on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. With the access to all of the amenities of Mandalay Bay including the Shark…

• 3 Top Hotels for Fall Foliage Season in Asheville, North Carolina

  Angie Lynch

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:35 pm

  Seeing as I’m a Florida native (lived in Florida since I was 2, so that totally counts), Fall foliage season is one of those myths we hear about, but never get to see (like snow) unless we take a trip up north of the border. One of my favorite places “up north” is Asheville, North Carolina. It’s small, stuck in the mountains (real! live! mountains!), very laid back, and it has real! live! seasons! For us in Florida, we don’t have a Fall foliage, or really, any sort of massive leaf-color-changing time. Sure, we have a few trees around that change from green to…

• Win a Free Stay in New York For Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

  P. Ling

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:56 pm

  Homewood Suites is putting up a quacky new float at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of the celebration, Homewood guests have a chance to win parade tickets and a family trip to New York with a free stay at the Hilton Times Square. Homewood Suites Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float From now through Oct 17, guests booking online with Homewood Suites will be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to New York City. Winner gets a 4 night-stay at the Hilton Times Square for a family of four, a $3,500 gift card to cover the travel costs, and VIP…

• Turkish Hotels Order Extra-Long Beds for World Basketball Championship

  P. Ling

  26 Aug 2010 | 11:40 pm

  If you happen to see a 7 foot long bed in your room at the Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel, blame it on FIBA – that’s a French acronym for the International Basketball Federation. Renaissance Polat Istanbul That’s because hotels in Turkey are being forced to replace their beds to accommodate hundreds of basketball players. Apparently, 6 ft 6 in is the average height of the 288 players from 24 nations who landed up in Istanbul yesterday for the competition’s opening. The Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel is the official FIBA hotel for the 2010 World Basketball…

• 

  Suite101: Family Travel Articles

• Las Vegas Vacation Tips: Ideas for a Las Vegas Family Vacation

  31 Aug 2010 | 12:35 pm

  Given Las Vegas' notorious reputation, kid friendly vacations seem discouraged; however, Las Vegas has plenty of shows and attractions for the whole family.

• Sightseeing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  31 Aug 2010 | 7:33 am

  Once known almost exclusively as a brewing and manufacturing powerhouse, Milwaukee has taken steps in recent years to reshape its image.. Come and see it!

• Fullerton Arboretum Blooms With Botanic Gardens

  24 Aug 2010 | 11:09 pm

  The Fullerton Arboretum, located in Fullerton, California, features 26 acres of gardens divided into four collections.

• Restaurant Review: Rainforest Cafe in Anaheim, CA

  24 Aug 2010 | 8:46 pm

  The Rainforest Cafe in Anaheim, California offers a truly unique dining experience amongst waterfalls and wildlife.

• Road trip warriors! Travelling with children

  23 Aug 2010 | 6:14 am

  Tips, tricks and ideas to help parents take the family trip they have always wanted and still retain their sanity.

• 

  travel.booklocker.com

• Fighting Monks, Personal Landmarks, and Azerbaijani Tea

  tim

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:23 am

  Had your fill yet of insipid travel articles headlined “Top-10,” “Best,” and “Worst”? Then go get some nourishing stories from Perceptive Travel, home to well-written narratives from book authors on the move. The new issue just went up and, as usual, it’s an eclectic collection of travel tales from around the globe. Michael Buckley checks into a [...] Related posts:Thai Voluntourism, Bamboo Bridge Crossings, and the Obama Grocery Store Sneaky Salmon, Hiding Xanas, and Fighting Cows Stupid Tourists, the World’s Original Travelers, and Ash Cloud…

• Tour of a Mexican Cemetery

  tim

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:54 am

  One of the cool things about living somewhere instead of just passing through is you have the time to check out things that don’t get much space in guidebooks—if they’re mentioned at all. Yesterday I took in a Mexican rodeo where the participants were women in fancy ruffled skirts riding sidesaddle. (More on that later.) But [...] Related posts:Mexican Fiestas Have it All Amazing Mexican Mask Museum in Zacatecas On to Important Things – Like Mexican Beer

• Mexicana May Live, but Blackjack Offers Better Odds for Your $

  tim

  27 Aug 2010 | 4:59 am

  Editor’s Note August 29 – The weekend after I posted this, Mexicana officially declared themselves dead and they have canceled all flights. Living in Mexico as I am right now, I’m particularly interested in how this Mexicana Airlines train wreck will play out. Ever since they declared bankruptcy it’s been a complete nightmare for customers [...] Related posts:Avoiding Sneaky Extra Travel Fees South Florida’s Connected Airports Which Frequent Flyer Program Sucks the Worst?

• Travel Prices in Chile

  tim

  25 Aug 2010 | 6:53 am

  Usually when I’m doing one of these price rundowns for a country, it’s to show you what a bargain it is in one of The World’s Cheapest Destinations. When I went on a trip to Chile this past week for a wine tourism article though, I knew that would not be the case. Chile is, [...] Related posts:Update Those Destination Perceptions World Cup of Travel: Chile vs. Honduras Travel Prices in Ecuador

• Update Those Destination Perceptions

  tim

  22 Aug 2010 | 8:08 pm

  It’s an easy trap to fall into: hear a news story about a travel destination, log it into your permanent memory, and then forget to ever edit or clarify that impression. We humans are wired to find shortcuts and quick connections, so that random impression about a place heard on the news two years ago tends [...] Related posts:Travel Prices in Chile Australia is NOT a Cheap Destination Cheap Destination Travel News

• 

  Soul Travelers 3

• Beach Fun, French Riviera Style

  Soul Travelers3

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:58 am

   Beach Fun, French Riviera StyleAugust 31, 2010Family travel in the south of France means not missing the fun of  perfect beach days and the idyllic summer  Family travel in the south of France means not missing the fun of  perfect beach days and the idyllic summer memories that they create. We're not into slathering with oil, just laying around and tanning, so  prefer uncrowded beaches and our 9 year old Mozart had so much fun at this private beach that was part of our campsite near Colliore called Les Criques de Porteils. There are plenty of sandy beaches in this area, but she…

• Beautiful Photo of Southern France, Uzes

  Soul Travelers3

  27 Aug 2010 | 1:12 am

  Beautiful Photo of Southern France, UzesAugust 27, 2010Sometimes it is just the ordinary, little things that can touch you when traveling. As we were walking  Sometimes it is just the ordinary, little things that can touch you when traveling as a family. As we were walking around Uzes in Southern France, not far from the Pont du Gard,  in Provence, this rather shabby chic window caught my eye. I plan to do a whole series on windows and doors. Do windows, doors or other things sometimes fascinate you as well? Enjoy your weekend!  Adding this post to Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby!

• Around The World With Kids

  Soul Travelers3

  24 Aug 2010 | 2:26 am

  Around The World With KidsAugust 24, 2010Extended family travel can be thrilling when you run into other families doing  round-the-world tripsExtended family travel can be thrilling when you run into other families doing  round-the-world  (RTW)  trips or long term travel with kids as we did with RTW friends in Greece and again near Monaco in Nice, France. We have also met up with some in Austria and Sweden, but have yet to tell those stories. Because we do slow international travel with long-stays in campgrounds in Europe or long stay apartments and rental homes, our daughter has made so…

• Beautiful Photo of Arles, France

  Soul Travelers3

  20 Aug 2010 | 1:22 am

  Beautiful Photo of Arles, FranceAugust 20, 2010This is the first view of Arles that we saw as we crossedthe bridge to explore it.  This is the first view of Arles that we saw as we crossed the bridge to explore it. We found it to be a very charming town in the south of France and loved the Roman ruins and arena which are UNESCO world heritage sites. We'll be posting more photos and stories about our family travel in lovely Arles, France and more of our third trip exploring Provence on our family world trip. A quick peek while we roam!

• 10 Tips For Museums & Travel Tours With Kids!

  Soul Travelers3

  17 Aug 2010 | 1:29 am

  10 Tips For Museums & Travel Tours With Kids!August 17, 2010 How can you get the most educational value out of your family travel? Books and small,  How can you get the most educational value out of your family travel? Books and small, short, high quality tours have been keys for us that add so much in a fun, frugal and easy way. There are books for all ages about the places that you want to visit and reading them before, during and after travel helps keep it alive and more educational for kids. Last summer we visited the famous Unesco World Heritage Site, the Melk Abbey on the…

• 

  Travel the Home Exchange Way

• Home exchange – so much more personal than an identikit hotel or villa rental

  Home Base Holidays

  31 Aug 2010 | 7:00 pm

  Although Home Base Holidays members give different reasons for their enthusiasm for home swapping, a renewing London member describes the main attraction for many succinctly:   ‘We love travelling and like home exchanges as they are so much more personal than an identikit hotel or villa rental' Since the start of the worldwide economic downturn two years ago, many journalists have written about home exchange primarily as a way of saving money on what for most people is a major expense, holidays, especially when visiting a country with a stronger currency than your own.

• Finding a long term home exchange (sample offer: France or England swap for Italy)

  Home Base Holidays

  20 Aug 2010 | 8:00 pm

  Although two or three week holiday home swaps are still the norm for most Home Base Holidays members, increasing numbers are looking for long-term exchanges of up to a year (sometimes even longer). This is a growing trend for a variety of reasons: There have always been the few lucky ones able to take sabbaticals but now more people can work remotely wherever there is reliable internet access, and so can combine work and a holiday. Retired home exchangers often prefer longer exchanges to long-haul destinations; once flights are paid for, most are able to live as cheaply (sometimes more so) as…

• A PhD in home exchange – well done Dr Grit!

  Home Base Holidays

  17 Aug 2010 | 2:49 am

  It’s almost three years since Alexander Grit, a PhD student at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, first approached Home Base Holidays with a request for volunteers to help with his research into aspects of the home exchange experience for his doctorate. We felt that home exchange had truly come of age now that it was the subject of a PhD thesis and Alexander was delighted by the response he got to his request: ‘The idea is that by watching and analysing several home exchange diaries we will get insights into this very exciting hospitality concept from the point of view of the…

• UK resident? Arranged a home exchange in the USA? Apply for ESTA now

  Home Base Holidays

  11 Aug 2010 | 10:56 am

  ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is a currently free-to-apply web-based system that tells you in advance whether you're eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Although at the moment applying for ESTA is free, from 8 September 2010 there will be a $14 charge so it’s well worth applying now even if you aren’t planning a home swap or any other trip to the USA in the immediate future.   MoneySavingExpert.com has published an excellent guide to ESTA, what it covers and how to apply (only on the official ESTA page on the US…

• Search posts by topic on Travel the Home Exchange Way

  Home Base Holidays

  7 Aug 2010 | 7:00 pm

  To help you find all posts on a particular home exchange related topic, we have added a search box (see column to your right, directly below the calendar). As nearly 1000 posts have been published over the last six years since starting the blog, the search  function will be very useful in narrowing the results to posts most likely to contain the information you need.   Search results are only ever as good as the words or short phrases entered, and even then not all posts in the results will be relevant (for example, a search on ‘bills’ includes a post mentioning Bill…

• 

  Moms Minivan Blog

• Crank Flashlight

  Road Trip Mom

  15 Aug 2010 | 1:14 pm

  Last winter I had the misfortune of suffering a blow out during a short 3-hour road trip to Nashville, TN.  I was driving along the Kentucky Bluegrass Parkway when it happened. It was January.  It was cold. It was late. And it was dark.  …. VERY DARK.  So dark in fact, that I couldn’t see in order to remove my spare tire, or even where to put the tire iron to tighten the lug nuts. Cars and truck sped by me on the freeway as I struggled and tried to use the light from my cell phone screen just to see what I was doing!   “Never again,” I thought, “will I be…

• How to Make a Pirate Map

  Road Trip Mom

  1 Aug 2010 | 8:21 pm

  Do you have some swashbuckling youngsters about ye?  Are ye surrounded by crazy mad rowdy tricksters?  Need ideas to keep them busy?  Send them on a treasure hunt! Start with your very own authentic looking map.  Here’s How to make your own authentic looking pirate treasure map! Avast ye, mateys!!  It’s time for some fun on the high seas! All material copyright ©MomsMinivan.com

• Parade Magazine and MomsMinivan!

  Road Trip Mom

  24 Jul 2010 | 7:54 pm

  MomsMinivan is in Parade Magazine this weekend!  (July 25, 2010) Look for it in the article called, “Fifteen Ways to Enjoy Your Summer“.  It’s item Number 6:  “Play a New Road Trip Game!”   Check it out! Also find it at their website at Summer Fun on the Road” And with a picture of cutie Zack Efron on the cover to boot! All material copyright ©MomsMinivan.com

• Look for MomsMinivan in Parade

  Road Trip Mom

  21 Jul 2010 | 8:38 pm

  Does your local paper publish Parade Magazine in its weekend editions?  If so, look for MomsMinivan.com in Parade Magazine this weekend!  (The July 25 issue!). Meanwhile, I hope your summer travels are filled with joy and adventure! All material copyright ©MomsMinivan.com

• Oddities Attract

  Road Trip Mom

  10 Jul 2010 | 1:10 pm

  Stopping for a crazy road side attraction is something we love to do on a long car trip.  Take a break and give yourselves something to talk about for the next leg of your journey.  I’ll tell you where to find these amusing sights and how to make the most of your stops… Read the entire article and see some of the crazy road side photos I’ve taken with my family at Oddities Attract – Side tracks Remind You that Half the Fun Is Getting There. What weird roadside things have you seen lately?! All material copyright ©MomsMinivan.com

• 

  Rick Steves: Blog Gone Europe

• Tasty Tomatoes in Athens

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:48 am

  Enlarge photoI just returned from several days in Athens, and I enjoyed the city more on this trip than ever before. Part of my enjoyment was seeing a place that's getting its act together, as I believe Athens is. I had a great experience even though I was there at the worst time of year. It was sweltering ' well over 100 degrees ' and in mid-August, much of the town was gone, enjoying a vacation and finding relief on the beach. Still, there was an energy in Athens that made me want to come back and linger...in the winter.Right off, I noticed women's toes. I did a study of feet on my subway…

• A Sweaty Saint, a Sommelier, and Marmite

  29 Aug 2010 | 9:32 pm

  Last week, sitting down to a traditional fried breakfast in an early-19th-century steel master's mansion in England's Ironbridge Gorge (birthplace of the Industrial Revolution), I reviewed ways people had spiced up and given meaning to my travels in the past month.Collin, who ran the B&B I was enjoying, topped up my coffee and showed me a photo of an industrial wasteland with his stately brick home standing like some weary war survivor in its midst. Today, his delightful house stands in a lush river valley welcoming guests like pilgrims to the place where iron was first produced in the…

• Economic Crisis in Britain? Bingo!

  26 Aug 2010 | 11:49 am

  As in the States, people in Britain have been trained by the media to talk about "The Crisis." For 10 days, all I saw was Britain at play. But the metabolism of tourism is certainly down. It's sad to see lively cultural events like the medieval folk banquet in Ruthin (North Wales) and the sheep shows (Ewe-phoria in North Wales and the Cockermouth Lakeland Sheep and Sheepdog show near Keswick) fall out of business. All three were major sights in my guidebook. And now all three are gone.For 20 years, I've built my North Wales coverage in part around the medieval banquet at Ruthin Castle.

• Travel Tip: Take a Hike

  23 Aug 2010 | 10:59 am

  Enlarge photoI just spent 10 days in a car exploring Britain. I forgot to note the mileage, but I started in London, scoured the Cotswolds, toured North Wales, and then drove up north to the Windermere Lake District (near Keswick), before returning to London. Total cost for diesel: £120 (about $185).For the first time, I really took time to hike in the Cotswolds and the Lake District. And when I think back on the highlights of the last 10 days, those hikes were it. Nothing too demanding ' just hiking through farmland from Stow-on-the-Wold through the Slaughters to Bourton-on-the-Water and…

• Notes from a Parisian Wine-Tasting

  19 Aug 2010 | 1:23 pm

  Enlarge photoOlivier Magny, a young sommelier, gathers tourists in a royal French wine cellar a block from the Louvre. Two crude lamps hang under a rustic vault. Before us, sparkling empty glasses await an impressive array of fine French wines. As we drink, Olivier gives us a wonderful commentary. I'm no wine expert and would never claim to be, but I learned a lot. Here's what I gleaned (from my rough notes):White wine should be clear...if not, it's Spanish.Acidity is like salt. It gives wine character. "Legs," a.k.a. "tears," indicates how much sugar is in the wine. Dry wine has fewer legs;…

• 

  Guidespot - Fresh Guides

• Orange County Fresh Carpet Cleaning

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:16 am

  Orange County Fresh Carpet Cleaning is the name Orange County residents and businesses remember for their carpet cleaning, area rug cleaning, upholstery, tile & grout cleaning and air duct cleaning needs. Emergency water damage restoration and fire damage restoration services are provided 7 days a week, 24 hours a day by our certified technicians to Orange County businesses and Orange County residents. Call (714) 369-8776. We clean green! We only use non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning agents, which are safe for you, your family, your pets and the environment. We use low…

• Cindy Bourland-Ernst

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:57 am

  Excellent Rates on many types of insurance including Auto Insurance, Renters Insurance, Life Insurance, Business Insurance, & More. Save up to 40% on auto insurance. Discount rates without discount service.

• Kingdom Hearts: Sora cosplay Shoes

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:06 am

  Hellocosplay sells many different color of Sora Cosplay shoes

• Practical Ideas for Having a Cheap Wedding

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:56 pm

  Wedding is a big issue not only because it starts marriage life but also it may be costly and be stressful. People go with caterers and wedding planners to save themselves stress so they can just enjoy things. But many couples are on a tight budget. Trying to save money or have a cheap wedding will have to cause extra stress. But it's totally doable and it's easy if you do it right. There are many ways to cut costs and save money. But generally, keep your wedding simple, casual & personalized, DIY as much as you can and buy at cheap. Let’s see more detailed ideas.

• Thomas Tobin

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:17 pm

  Excellent Rates on many types of insurance including Auto Insurance, Renters Insurance, Life Insurance, Business Insurance, & More. Save up to 40% on auto insurance. Discount rates without discount service.

• 

  Travel Guides

• Top 10 Most Extreme Restaurants in the World [with videos]

  Randy Colt

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:10 am

  What do you consider in finding the perfect place to eat?  On top of the list is the sumptuous food that they serve. Others consider affordability.  For some, the location of the restaurants matter. The ambiance is a huge factor too. That is why restaurant owners pay interior designers to provide a well suited setting for their dining place. They choose the best materials in building up their restaurants.  Dishes together with its tableware are served in a very artistic manner. Some imaginative restaurateurs add some twists to their set up to spice things up a bit. Aside from the awesome…

• Tokyo on a budget

  Randy Colt

  1 Sep 2010 | 8:17 pm

  Personally, I’ve always had a fascination for Japan and its capital, Tokyo. I find it simply amazing how one place can manage to combine the old and the new, the modern and also the ancient. I find it hard to think of another place where something hi-tech is comfortably settled in next to something that has a history that dates back hundreds of years. For example, if you get on the metro that takes you to central Tokyo specifically Chiyoda Ward, you’ll end up smack in the middle of a very modern-looking part of the city. One moment, you’re surrounded by skyscrapers all made of clear…

• Travel Gears: Knowing the risks of having your important documents in a USB stick

  Randy Colt

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:20 am

  Safeguarding your important documents is a must and making copies of the originals is a great idea.  But carrying them with you in a small “drive” might not be such a good idea.  Even if these drives come with hardcore password-ing features, they are yey small and could easily slip out of your luggage when you’re traveling around the world.  Worse, you could forget when you keep them. The Travel Stix USB drive is both a 2GB/4GB USB drive, small enough to fit your wallet and big enough to store your emergency travel documents.  How it works:  You print out the emergency travel…

• German’s hidden cash of £45,000 seized by UKBA

  Randy Colt

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:05 am

  Earlier this month, a 32-year-old German was caught with £45,000 hidden in his underpants when he arrived from Brussels via the Eurostar Train in St. Pancras International station in London.  When confronted by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the German claimed that the £45,000, which consisted of 500 euro notes, was intended for business.  However, the man was unable to supply ample proof that the money was legitimate.  The UKBA officials seized this horde until he can convince the court with ample proof that the cash was all his.  The man was not arrested, though. When evidence pointed…

• Hotel Via Train: Westin Nova Scotian

  Randy Colt

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:55 am

  While most of us are accustomed to arriving and departing from hotels in cabs and rented cars, the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax, Canada offers something different—taking the train.  The Canadian hotel is located in the business district city proper and close to the OneLight Theatre, Pier 21 National Historic Site, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Public Gardens Park and Halifax Citadel. The Westin Nova Scotian Hotel is very accessible if you travel with VIA Rail Canada.  But don’t worry, the hotel has parking spaces for guests who prefer to travel by cars. The Westin Nova…

• 

  The Wide Wide World

• At The Edge Of The Western World

  Craig

  1 Sep 2010 | 3:14 am

  According to legend, some time during the 4th century an Angel visited a Greek monk named Rule, the custodian of the bones of the apostle St. Andrew.  The Angel commanded Rule to carry five of the saint’s bones to the edge of the western world, where he was to build a city in his honor. Rule set off from his home in Patras in southern Greece, carrying three of the apostle’s fingers, the upper bone of an arm, one kneecap, and one of his teeth.  As luck would have it, Rule never made it to the edge of the western world – he was shipwrecked in Scotland, just north of the Firth of Forth.

• All Edinburgh’s A Stage

  Craig

  25 Aug 2010 | 3:31 am

  A young girl, about 25, approached us as we stood in line for our first show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  “I have to warn you,” she said, “this show is highly offensive.” As the father of two American teenagers who watch a lot of cable TV I thought: How bad can it be?  “The program says the show is rated 14+,” I said. “Yea, we rated it before we saw it,” the young girl said.  “Once the festival organizers actually saw the show, they changed the rating to 18+.  Anyway you should know that the show is highly offensive.  And I do mean highly offensive.” It…

• Introducing Resident Tourist

  Craig

  11 Aug 2010 | 12:31 am

  I am proud to say Dani’s got a new thing going this month – a blog called Resident Tourist – published by our friends at Bethesda Magazine. Dani will be blogging about all the quirky, off-the-beaten places in and around Washington, DC. Be sure to check out Resident Tourist at the newly redesigned Bethesda Magazine web site — you can navigate there  using the “Blog” pull-down menu on the magazine’s homepage.

• The Heat Is On

  Craig

  4 Aug 2010 | 12:07 am

  The hottest July on record came to a close last week, and as climate change deniers continue to ignore the obvious, I thought of two very real examples of the impact of global warming. On the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Franz Josef Glacier (pictured above) has retreated several kilometers since the 1840s, a distance made all the more real because of the hike along the valley floor to the face of the glacier. About 150 years ago, the glacier covered the spot where tourists park today. One hundred years ago Franz Josef Glacier filled this valley. Our experience in New…

• The Heart of a Place

  Craig

  14 Jul 2010 | 12:13 am

  The heart of any place is the people who inhabit it. For years, the Cambodian people where victims of Richard Nixon’s secret bombing campaign, only later to be subjected to Pol Pot’s brutal genocide while much of the word looked the other way. Yet today, few places, few people are more welcoming to international travelers. For a lesson in resilience and forgiveness, few places can match Cambodia.  Few places are more rewarding to visit.

• 

  m-Travel.com and Travel Distribution News

• Understanding the top 5 travel distribution trends

  m-Travel.com

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:18 am

  By Ritesh Gupta Where is the travel sector headed? Which areas of distribution are going to see maximum growth? How is the whole travel planning, booking and in-destination process changing for the travellers? What is the role of technology and...

• Understanding how the UK advertising watchdog can go about removing PPC ads?

  m-Travel.com

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:55 pm

  The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK is extending its powers to cover all online marketing and advertising from March 1st 2011. Under the new regulations, the UK’s independent watchdog, will have the power to remove advertisements and statements...

• Eurostar targets business traveller market, launches ad campaign

  m-Travel.com

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:46 pm

  Eurostar, the high speed rail service between the UK and mainland Europe, has worked on an advertising campaign in an effort to revive the business traveller market. The TV, outdoor, digital and CRM push, created by Fallon, coincides with the...

• Top European Travel Professionals Meet at Online Marketing & Social Media in Travel Summit

  m-Travel.com

  1 Sep 2010 | 3:07 am

  How can travel companies get the most out of the time and resources they allocate to online marketing and social media? What innovative strategies and tactics can be deployed to drive real return on social media and avoid wasting time?...

• Using a mobile travel application offline with no roaming fees

  m-Travel.com

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:23 am

  The iPhone has opened the door to a world of opportunity for consumers’ personal lives. More and more developers are jumping on board daily to create useful apps for travellers. Despite all of this, there are several features and details...

• 

  HOTELMARKETING.COM

• 33 tips for your hotel’s social media marketing

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:05 am

  Here is a timely and relevant list of 33 tips to develop an effective social media plattform for hotels, established by a knowledgable industry panal during the recent Southern Lodging Summit in Memphis.

• Travel goes mobile

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:04 am

  Mobile devices are destined to play an increasingly important role in the distribution and sale of travel services in years ahead. A new study by Ypartnership takes a closer look at how travelers are using these devices.

• Expedia’s CEO on the Google/ITA deal

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:03 am

  Tnooz conducted an interview with Expedia's President and CEO Dara Khosrowshah about Expedia’s role in the regulatory review, and the talk's that Expedia is playing an active role in the industry in rallying the troops against this deal.

• Booking engine becomes top requested PMS feature

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:02 am

  A recent survey conducted by the University of Venice on features most requested for PMS software has shown some interesting results indicating that professional assistance and customer care is one of the most important features that Hoteliers are willing to pay for.

• Social media budgets for loyalty objectives experience most growth

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:01 am

  U.S. companies that use social media primarily to deepen customer loyalty spend almost twice as much on this emerging channel as competitors who use it for brand awareness, customer acquisition and other core marketing purpose, according to a new survey by Colloquy.

• 

  The Gypsy's Guide

• Project365: The Last Day of August

  Angela K. Nickerson

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  It has been 8 full months since I started my Project365.  I absolutely love this new way of journaling -- in light and images rather than words. If you haven't started a Project 365, what are you waiting for?  Here's your invitation!  Read on for tips and links that will help you get started.  The Gypsy's Project365 If you have a Project365, post your link below!  I can't wait to see what you've been up to!

• San Francisco Street Food Festival

  Angela K. Nickerson

  27 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  San Francisco is a fabulous foodie city.  Within walking distance of my apartment I have an organic bakery, a fabulous fondue spot, a taco truck that serves gourmet French food, and dozens of other restaurants.  But last weekend, I spent the day at the San Francisco Street Food Festival -- an orgy of tasty treats and fabulous eats from restaurants, food carts, caterers, and taco trucks all over the Bay Area. And the funniest part: the festival was sponsored by Pepto Bismol! Tips for the FestivalBring plenty of cash.  Wells Fargo is a sponsor, and there was a cash machine…

• Rick Steves in Sacramento: Travel as a Spiritual Act

  Angela K. Nickerson

  25 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  I am delighted to announce a great opportunity for those of you in Northern California to meet Rick Steves, travel writer, TV host, and radio personality.  A deeply philanthropic guy, Rick is coming to Sacramento to do a talk and reception as a fundraiser for two causes near and dear to my heart: the Rwanda School Project and Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. And as one of the organizers of this event, I hope you will all come! Wednesday, October 20Reception: 5 pm Lecture: 6:30 pm(tickets for the reception are very limited) St. John's Lutheran Church1701 L Street ⎹…

• The Gypsy on Travel with Rick Steves

  Angela K. Nickerson

  24 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  My Book A big thank you to travel guru Rick Steves for having me on his show! We had a great conversation about Rome, Michelangelo, and our mutual love for great art.  If you missed the broadcast on your local PBS station, you can listen to it online: Travel with Rick Steves: Barcelona and Michelangelo's Rome You can also listen to the program on iTunes.  Look for Barcelona; Michelangelo's Rome. Rick Steves And if you haven't purchased my book yet, what are you waiting for?  A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome is available at most major booksellers including Amazon.com. …

• Michelangelo's Rome on Rick Steves' Radio Show

  Angela K. Nickerson

  18 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  My book -- do you have it? I'm very excited to announce that I will be a guest on Rick Steves' radio show this weekend, August 21-22.  We will be talking about Michelangelo and Rome -- two of my favorite subjects -- as well as my book, A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome. For a list of stations and air times, check this link: Where You Can Hear Travel with Rick Steves If your local NPR station doesn't offer Travel with Rick Steves, you can listen to it anytime after August 22 from the audio archives on Rick Steves' website.  It will also be available as a podcast on i-Tunes and other…

• 

  Kathika Travel Website

• Visiting Central Park in New York City

  traveldesk

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:30 am

  Central Park, one of the most famous parks in the world, first opened in 1859 and sprawls over 843 lush acres in the center of Manhattan. Central Park is surrounded by some of the most expensive and luxurious real estate in the city, especially along famed 5th Avenue, which borders the west side of the park. Central Park is one of New York City’s most recognizable icons and has been featured in major Hollywood films—including Enchanted, When Harry Met Sally, and Serendipity. Central Park is an oasis for nature enthusiasts. Bird watchers can spot up to 200 different types of birds.

• Visiting America Falls

  traveldesk

  25 Aug 2010 | 11:04 am

  America Falls are just one part of the area known as Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is a collection of waterfalls located in the heart of the United States and Canada. The America Falls are located in the State of New York, and ties the border with Canada. The American Falls can be observed from various locations at Prospect Point Park. Tourists are welcomed to come and see Prospect Point Park observation tower. Many visitors like to go to Goat Island so that they can view the Falls from a different vantage point. Goat Island can be accessed by cars and walking. A dock is located at American…

• Romantic Destinations in Baltimore

  roman

  19 Aug 2010 | 8:00 am

  Baltimore may not be the most romantic destination for couples but there are several places in Baltimore that can inspire romance between you and your sweetheart. Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is a major seaport of the United States and has been since the 1700s. In the 1970’s it began to take a different direction and became more of a cultural center. Not only are the neighborhoods worth examining for couples but the harbor itself is pretty stunning with its beautiful panoramic views of the city and the waterfront. Look for street performers and other interesting events…

• The American Museum of Natural History, NY

  traveldesk

  18 Aug 2010 | 11:30 am

  The American Museum of Natural History offers a wide variety of scientific and educational exhibits. This museum provides an interesting experience to people of all ages. Visitors to this building will be able to enjoy an array of activities. This attraction is located in New York City. The American Museum of Natural History offers both temporary and permanent exhibits. This allows each visit to be a unique experience. With forty-six permanent exhibit halls as well as temporary exhibits, there is something to interest everyone. Some of the more popular exhibits are the fossil halls. This…

• Romantic Destinations in Washington DC

  roman

  12 Aug 2010 | 9:12 am

  Romance and politics seem to go hand in hand so why not head to Washington D.C. for a romantic escape with your loved one? National Mall The National Mall and Memorial Parks is known for its national monuments and memorials which include the Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. But beyond the historical significance the national mall is incredibly beautiful with a tidal basin, 2,000 American elms, 3,000 Japanese cherry trees, 35 ornamental…

• 

  Been-Seen

• Pool House

  Been-Seen

  30 Aug 2010 | 1:39 pm

  This new house is situated in the former jungle spa area and will be our most amazing house to date.  Continuing the ‘TeaHouse’ – tradition,  we created a complex area with garden, pool, living room and 2 bedrooms.  From the secluded 16×16 pool you have the perfect ocean view as well as from the living room.  Think private paradise on earth. No interior pictures yet – we are still under construction but here are some ‘mood’ images to get you in the mood for this new addition.

• Musicians Delight in Dublin: Once

  Been-Seen

  24 Aug 2010 | 11:35 am

  Though it is perhaps not included among the many other cultural hubs of Europe—London, Paris, Rome—Dublin has as much to offer the culture vulture as any of the more renowned cities on “The Continent.” Part of the reason Dublin might be a step behind in the public consciousness is due to the fact that those other cities have appeared so frequently as the setting for memorable motion pictures. The first step in introducing the world to Dublin through cinema came with the 2006 musical Once. Far from the first film being set in Dublin, Once is the first that is neither historical nor…

• FLW Seth Peterson Cottage – Mirror Lake, Wisconsin

  Been-Seen

  9 Aug 2010 | 8:02 pm

  Frank Lloyd Wright’s design and a woman with vision wrested this great cottage from obscurity.  The cottage, with banks of floor to ceiling windows, has you steeped in the natural surroundings.  The 1 bedroom/1bath cottage feels like a much larger space.  Appointed with all the amenities, you can relax surrounded by nature as you look out over Mirror Lake.

• World’s Smallest Pop-up Hotel

  Been-Seen

  6 Aug 2010 | 11:16 am

  Pick your cliché: Good things come in small packages. Size doesn’t matter. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Because they all apply to the World’s Smallest Hotel. At 203 square feet (29 X 7) it far outdistances a hotel in Amberg, Germany, which is the next smallest at 603 square feet. Lest you think the unit skimps the finer things in the interest of coziness, it is based on the Radisson Edwardian on Bloomsbury Street in London. And it shows in a luxurious interior, where you can waft away the time amid velvet linens, a dining room area, a flat screen television, a refrigerator and a…

• Magia, Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico

  Been-Seen

  3 Aug 2010 | 7:01 pm

  From every room in the house you can see the amazing sunsets and sunrises. You can hear and see the various birds and hear the distant crash of the ocean.  All the windows completely fold away to the walls so you feel like you are sitting outside. Our house is perfect for a couple who wants to relax and yet be in touch. Or a family who wants to spend the time together and yet have some privacy. The structure consists of TWO units on three levels: MASTER UNIT MAGIA 1: On the top level, the Palapa Room where the living, dining and the kitchen areas are located plus two amazing terraces.  The…

• 

  Inc.com

• 8 Places To Find Advocates for Your Business

  Janine Popick

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:01 am

  You've probably spent a lot of time and energy building up your business, so now it's time to locate those people who love to shout from the mountain tops how great they think you are. Why? Well eventually you'll want to reach out to these very special people, thank them and treat them extra special.At my company VerticalResponse, we create a list of advocates from different channels so that when we're ready to really motivate them even more than they already are, we can do it easily. So where do you start?Your Employees - Your employees can be the very best advocates for your business. You…

• Battle for the Nerds

  Jason Del Rey

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:18 am

  Each day, Inc.'s reporters scour the Web for the most important and interesting news to entrepreneurs. Here's what we found today:Google vs. Facebook: the employee bidding wars are on. Sure seems like a good time to be a developer at Google. According to TechCrunch's Michael Arrington, Google is combatting an increasing number of employee defections to Facebook by offering some astounding perks: in one recent case, Arrington writes, Google offered a developer threatening to leave for Facebook "a 15% raise on his $150,000 mid level developer salary, quadruple the stock benefits and...a…

• Would You Challenge Taylor Lautner to Push-ups?

  Courtney Rubin

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:28 am

• What About That Other Ping?

  Renee Oricchio

  2 Sep 2010 | 2:00 am

  So, there's Apple's new social network for iTunes called Ping. It was just announced this week and as Steve Jobs himself described it; it's "like Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes."We all know how this goes. Jobs launched it, so count on Ping to be Webster's newest verb by Friday. (As in, "let me ping you that song" or "what's the name of that new group? Can you ping it to me later?").But wasn't there already a Ping brand out there? What about the golf brand, Ping?It turns out, Apple has already cut a deal with the owner of the Ping name in golf. Ping's parent company, Karsten Manufactoring,…

• 5 Ways to Improve Quality

  Inc. Staff

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:38 am

  Every business owner likes to think that he or she has a commitment to quality. If that were truly the case, of course, no product would ever disappoint, and no service would result in a complaint. So how can you improve quality at your company? Here are 5 steps you can take to put you on the right path.1. Make a commitment. W. Edwards Deming, the father of the quality movement, famously laid out 14 points for management—chief among them, the notion of "constancy of purpose."Deming argued that a company's commitment to quality had to come from the top, and it had to be reinforced over…

• 

  MiceChat

• Dragon Down, Magic Kingdom A to Z, Windseeker – Disney Round Up

  Dustysage

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:17 am

  Let’s round up the top Disney and theme park news, rumors, photos, and trip reports of the week!  The big news this week was the spectacular failure of Fantasmic’s problematic dragon.  At the climax of Saturday’s performance, she collapsed on stage and forced the cancellation of the night’s performance.  The dragon has now been removed from Fantasmic for an indefinite period of time and its head removed.  But there is much more in today’s update.  Taste Pilot’s Grill removes another popular item from the menu leaving fans furious.  King Eric attempts…

• Dragon Failtasmic!, Halloween creeps in, California Adventure construction, MORE

  Dustysage

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  Disneyland’s popular Fantasmic! show ended its summer with a bang this weekend, but not in a good way. The show’s giant dragon audio-animatronic collapsed mid-show on Saturday night, prompting the cancellation of the show’s second performance and a flurry of Disney fan chatter on Twitter and the MiceChat discussion boards. Yet, as a major Disneyland show screeched to a halt this weekend, construction around the Resort continued in full force on numerous projects including California Adventure’s major expansion and remodel and the Disneyland Hotel’s multi-year…

• Weekend Update’s Mouse-free Extravanganza

  Dustysage

  27 Aug 2010 | 11:18 pm

  We devote a lot of space to Disney around here.  So much so, that it can be easy to forget that there are lots of wonderful parks and attractions in the world which weren’t built by the house of mouse. Today’s Weekend Update takes a look at some amazing places which don’t have Disney in their name.  One of those places is Ocean Park in Hong Kong; although Ocean Park wasn’t built by Disney, they are working hard to improve the park after Hong Kong Disneyland upped the ante five years ago – and by most accounts, Ocean Park is winning this battle. Sir Clinksalot…

• In The Parks – Disney Construction, Universal Mazes, Knott’s Preserves Ghost Town

  Dustysage

  26 Aug 2010 | 10:27 pm

  Vavoom the In The Parks blog is back like a rocket from a week long survey of Southern California’s top parks and attractions. An it’s another good one folks! The end of Summer means a big increase in construction at nearly all of the local parks. And Halloween continues to stagger slowly into the parks. So, let’s see what’s going on this week at Disneyland, California Adventure, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios Hollywood

• Theme Park Battle In Asia: Universal vs. Paramount

  Dustysage

  26 Aug 2010 | 6:31 am

  Disney, Universal, Paramount and others have been rushing to build parks in Asia.  These parks are, at times, even better than the originals in the USA that they are modeled after.  Today, Alain Littaye, our French friend from Disney and More, takes a look at a possible new Universal Studios park for India and a new Paramount park for Japan which will compete directly with Universal Osaka.  It is a fascinating theme park battle.

• 

  What's Happening?

• Pig Roast

  heidia

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:02 am

  How to stay close to your food and your kids??

• A day at a Time:

  heidia

  29 Aug 2010 | 7:44 pm

  How to be the worlds best parent while traveling?

• Simplicity:

  heidia

  27 Aug 2010 | 9:37 pm

  What to do with children? Tips on how to have fun while traveling with kids.

• It's a Beautiful World!

  heidia

  25 Aug 2010 | 9:43 pm

  What do 4 year old girls say on road trips?

• Girls on the road

  heidia

  24 Aug 2010 | 9:34 pm

  How do three girls hit the road?

• 

  TravelBrook

• 3 Nights In Jamaica From $429

  Allison

  19 Aug 2010 | 9:13 am

  Just think, you could be on the beaches of Jamaica in a matter of days! We have a great steal of a travel deal for you this fine Thursday morning with 3 nights in Jamaica starting at just $429. With an all-inclusive stay at the Riu resort in Ocho Rios and round-trip airfare on a major carrier to Montego Bay, you won’t have to plan a thing except for the credit card payment! Offer valid September 8 through October 27, 2010.

• Win South Africa Tickets With CheapOair Contest

  Allison

  18 Aug 2010 | 7:55 am

  Online travel agency CheapOair has just launched a contest that will see two round-trip tickets to South Africa to the winner. All you have to do to enter is answer questions on your Twitter account that they will be posting for ten days. Followers simply answer the question with the hashtag #COASA, and they’re entered into the contest to win. Participants are allowed one entry per day and winners will be announced the following day by 12 pm EST from the CheapOair Twitter account. Participants are randomly selected. Winners will automatically be entered into the grand prize for the two…

• Save 50% Off Club Med Resorts

  Allison

  12 Aug 2010 | 6:25 am

  Club Med is offering 50% off an all-inclusive seven-night stay in the Bahamas, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and many more. From $230 per night you can relax with all of your meals, open bar beverages, nightly entertainment, water sports and resort activities paid for in one lump sum. Choose from locations in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Cancun Yucatan and Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico, Turks and Caicos and Florida’s Sandpiper Bay.  Good through April 29, 2011 so you even have some time to think about it!=

• US Warns Citizens To Avoid Russia Travel

  Allison

  11 Aug 2010 | 7:16 am

  Due to raging wildfires and extreme heat across Russia, the US has issued a travel warning about visiting the country. With many of the non-essential embassy staff in Russia given authorized departure and numerous flight delays because of the acrid smog, it’s probably best to stick to non-Russia travels in the next days and more likely weeks. But never fear!  Who does Russia in the summer anyway?  It’s Puerto Rico you want!

• Free National Park Weekend!

  Allison

  10 Aug 2010 | 9:38 am

  There’s only 43 days and counting until summer turns into fall, so you better get your travels done soon! This weekend the US National Parks are providing you with a great excuse to get outdoors with free entrance to specific parks on August 14 and 15.  What a great deal this is, especially when some parks cost as much as $25 for entrance. Parks such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and the Everglades are offering free admissions, so you better get that party started!  For a full list of freebie parks, see here.

• 

  A Luxury Travel Blog

• Sydney Seafood School: October 2010 classes

  Kay McMahon

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:05 am

  You have to be fairly quick off the mark if you want to book a place at the renowned Sydney Seafood School (SSS) at the Sydney Fish Market. Most of the September classes are already fully booked. So get your skates on and book your plaice soon (sorry!) if you want to book for an October class. The Sydney Fish Market (SFM) is one of the most prestigious and largest of its kind in the Southern hemisphere and the variety of fish available here is rivalled only by Japan. The Sydney Seafood School, which dates back to 1989, is reputed to be Australia’s top cooking school. The history of the…

• Changi Airport is now home to Singapore’s tallest slide!

  Paul Johnson

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:47 am

  Air travel needn’t be boring any longer! Changi Airport is now home to Singapore’s tallest slide. The 12-metre tall slide can be found at Terminal 3 and riders can look forward to a top speed of 6 metres per second! Changi Airport is now home to Singapore’s tallest slide! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

• Aruba Wine Extravaganza

  Paul Johnson

  24 Aug 2010 | 4:07 am

  Enjoy rare vintages and top scoring wines guided by the winemakers themselves. Taking place for the first time this year, the Aruba Wine Extravaganza (2nd-4th September 2010) will bring together about 50 different South American wineries. The event, held at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino and Spa, will include a series of wine tastings under the stars, special lunches and a sparkling wine reception in the ball room foyer, followed by a gala dinner and award presentation. Aruba Wine Extravaganza is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

• Win a copy of the fabulous book ‘Dive in Style’!

  Paul Johnson

  19 Aug 2010 | 8:03 am

  A Luxury Travel Blog has teamed up with the publishers Thames & Hudson to offer you a great chance to win one of 5 copies of the fabulous book ‘Dive in Style’ by Tim Simmond. I have a copy of this beautiful book myself and it contains over 700 fabulous illustrations of where you can “chill, snorkel and dive”… a must for anyone who has a passion for the most luxurious diving spots around the world! To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is comment on the posts within this blog. The five readers with the most approved comments during the remainder of August and…

• Interview with Julian Carr, Managing Director of bmibaby

  Paul Johnson

  18 Aug 2010 | 5:35 pm

  Julian was appointed Managing Director of bmibaby on 1st April 2010. He previously held the position of commercial director for two years, responsible for marketing, revenue management, public relations, network planning, e-commerce and customer services. Prior to this Julian spent two years working for IATA in Montreal where he was responsible for marketing and business development opportunities within the airline sector. His initial entry into the airline industry however was with Jet2.com, where he was involved in the business planning and launch of the airline. After a term as business…

• 

  Vacations Blog

• Reptilemania at the San Diego Zoo

  Kim Tracy Prince

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:49 am

  Why did it have to be snakes? A few weeks ago, there came a day that a mother fears – the day when her five-year-old son declares that he wants a snake for his birthday.  Especially if on that same day his father declares that yes, this is a possibility. Oh, really. So far, the five-year-old is just “totally into” snakes and lizards.  At a friend’s birthday party recently, there was a Lizard Lady, who brought several cages of reptiles and showed them to the children, telling the crowd a little bit about each animal.  There were lizards, turtles, small snakes, and a…

• Seashells and Ladybugs on the Seashore

  Whit Honea

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:38 pm

  The old ladybug and the sea... Just north of Cannon Beach along the breathtaking Oregon coast we encountered a beach full of ladybugs. There’s a story to it, but I can’t share here. This is a Wordless Wednesday post. Photo by Whit Honea

• An Alternative City for Your England Vacation, Leeds

  Patricia Jenkins

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:33 pm

  This  guest post about Leeds, England is authored by travel writer and Leeds’ local: Darren Cronian. I suspect most American’s when looking to take a vacation in England would instantly think of London. That’s understandable, it is our capital city, it has bags full of history and our Royal Family reside there. In this post though, I would like to offer you an alternative, and it is only a two hour train journey from London King’s Cross station. Leeds' Kirkgate Market Welcome to my home city of Leeds Leeds, by population, is the UK’s third largest city, and the perfect city…

• Weekend Destinations for the Craft Beer Aficionado

  jeremybanas

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:31 pm

  Mighty friendly folks here in Blanco! Texas is big. I know, surprise, surprise. You can drive for hours and never leave the state. So where can you go for a quick weekend get away? A place that takes both no time at all to get to, but gets you away from the daily grind? There are many places in and around San Antonio, Austin and Houston that both natives and visitors can get to with relative ease. Blanco, Texas is one such town. Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, this quant little town boasts quite a lot of history, beautiful landscape and fun things to do. Rivers, hills and lots…

• MotoGP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

  Tiffany Joyce

  31 Aug 2010 | 6:45 pm

  Ben Spies taking a practice lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. My husband and I had the fantastically fun opportunity to catch the MotoGP festivities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis last weekend. Friday’s practice sessions lead to Saturday’s qualifying runs, which lead to Sunday’s races. Three classes comprising of 125cc, Moto2, and MotoGP bikes ensured for very full days of soaking up the sun, admiring the roar of the bikes and the skills of the riders, and ingesting copious amounts of track food and pricey beers (though you are allowed to bring in…

• 

  Visit The Coqui

• Puerto Rico through the Eyes of Surfing

  Coqui

  5 Aug 2010 | 12:19 pm

  Thanks to Rincon Life I found this really awesome video of Puerto Rico and just had to share it on the site for you to enjoy too. The aim of ‘The Salitre: Puerto Rico through the Eyes of Surfing’ project, was to capture a taste of Puerto Rico and its surf culture from the eyes of local surfers. I’m no surfing expert so the likes of Alejandro Moreda, Carlos Cabrero, Brian Toth, Dylan Graves in the video mean little to me (sorry guys), but what I do know is that this is one of the best videos that have seen, that captures the people, landscapes, beaches, culture and beauty of Puerto Rico.

• See a Puerto Rican Parrot Up Close and Personal

  Coqui

  4 Aug 2010 | 6:41 am

  On Sunday August 8, 2010 you can get the chance to see one of the islands most endangered species the Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona Vittata) at El Yunque’s El Portal Rain Forest Center. Ricardo Valentin, DNER Rio Abajo State Forest Aviary Manager will be bringing the parrot to the visitor center from 9am – 2pm and will present a 45 minute audio-visual lecture about the Puerto Rican Parrot at 11am. This is a great opportunity to get to see a Puerto Rican Parrot in person. Puerto Rican Parrot Facts: An endemic bird to Puerto Rico only found in the El Yunque Rainforest Scientific Name:…

• Electric Daisy Carnival 2010 in Puerto Rico

  Coqui

  3 Aug 2010 | 6:09 am

  On Saturday August 28, 2010, Coors Light will be presenting the 2nd annual Electric Daisy Carnival in Puerto Rico. This year’s event will take place at Sixto Escobar Stadium, San Juan with doors opening at 6pm. Tickets are priced at $20.50 + tax for general tickets and $40 + tax for VIP tickets. There is a minimum age of 18 and ID is required. The 2010 Electric Daisy Carnival will feature 20 artists, 10 hours of music, 3 Stages and full size carnival rides. The evening’s lineup includes: MOBY (djset) LMFAO (live) PENDULUM (djset) Will.I.Am (djset) WOLFGANG GARTNER NERO ED RUSH &…

• El Morro Artisan Fair 2010

  Coqui

  29 Jul 2010 | 1:22 pm

  This weekend, July 31 – Aug 1, the grounds in front of El Morro Fort, Old San Juan will host around 150+ artisans from all over Puerto Rico as they come together to showcase their works. The El Morro Artisan Fair starts at 10am each day, and visitors to the fair can experience a wide variety of local handicrafts including sculptures, paintings, wood carvings and more. Being a fair here in Puerto Rico there will also be the chance to sample local Puerto Rican food as well as enjoying traditional Puerto Rican music. Last year the artisan fair was set up in tents at the beginning of the…

• 2010 Central American & Caribbean Games

  Coqui

  12 Jul 2010 | 6:52 am

  Saturday July 17 sees the start of the 2010 Central American & Caribbean Games here in Puerto Rico. The games, just like the regular Olympic Games take place every 4 years and this year Mayaguez in Puerto Rico is the host city. For 2 weeks (July 17 – August 1) the sporting spotlight will be on Puerto Rico as athletes from around the region take part in the games. This will be the third time that Puerto Rico has hosted the Central American & Caribbean Games with the previous games held in San Juan in 1966, and Ponce in 1993. Currently the Olympic Torch is traveling the island,…

• 

  Johnny Jet's Weekly Newsletter

• L.A. to Papeete on Air Tahiti Nui

  Ia orana from French Polynesia! This is arguably the world's most beautiful destination and the ride down in Air Tahiti Nui's Poerava (Business) Class helps jumpstart the trip. If you've ever wondered what it's like on the other side of the curtain, then see this 24-photo slideshow.

• Rome, Italy

  Buona Sera from Italy! Last week we left off from the beautiful island of Capri, and this go around we travel to a small village in the mountains near the Amalfi Coast and then on to Rome (by car) to check in to a beautiful boutique hotel.

• Maui Family Style

  We're surfing the Pacific-quite literally. The sport of paddleboarding is all the rage here in Maui, and we're giving it a try at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui's South Coast. The waves are just right-not too strong for the little ones, but powerful enough to give us a good ride. And when a turtle swims right up to us (they call this area of Maui "Turtle Town"), we're about as relaxed and happy as one can be standing on a surfboard and holding a paddle.

• One Day Cruise Aboard The S.S. Lane Victory

  The S.S. Lane Victory is a fully restored WWII merchant ship that, in the months of summer, re-creates portions of a WWII convoy. The ship is docked in San Pedro, California and will cruise on August 21st and 22nd, and then again on September 25th and 26th. Adult tickets are $130 and youth (15 and under) tickets are $80. Tickets can be purchased online at Lanevictory.tix.com or call 1-800-595-4849.

• Capri, Italy

  Buon giorno! We pick up where we left off last week, at the Naples airport in Italy! I'm en route to the island of Capri!

• 

  Inkwatu

• Mystery series set in foreign lands

  Hilton Kean Jones

  28 Aug 2010 | 3:03 am

  If you enjoy travel to foreign lands and if you enjoy mystery suspense series with a strong, memorable protagonist, then we share the love of a special niche in escapist fiction. I’m sure there are more such series, but there are four authors’ series that I know of. James Church‘s novels, featuring an Inspector O of Pyongyang, North Korea. It’s hard to imagine a more unlikely, inhospitable setting for a story and likable protagonist, but Church makes it work, fabulously. I guarantee you’ll be hooked once you start reading these: A corpse in the Koryo (2006)…

• Florida Museum of Photographic Arts Member’s Show

  Hilton Kean Jones

  24 Aug 2010 | 3:07 pm

  A friend tipped me off that she had won an honorable mention at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts Member’s Show. I was very pleased for her and wanted to see her picture. Plus, I was very curious about this museum. I’d not heard of it at all. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is at 200 N. Tampa Street, Suite 130, Tampa, Florida 33602; 813-221-2222. That’s near the corner of Jackson Street and Ashley Drive, right downtown. This particular exhibit closes on September 4th. That’s only 10 more days. I hope you go. It’s worth every bit of the effort. You…

• E-book readers for PC

  Hilton Kean Jones

  19 Aug 2010 | 5:01 am

  I’ve been debating getting an e-book reader ever since they first came out a couple years ago. They’re finally getting down into a price range where I might actually buy a dedicated e-reader at some point, but during the process of pondering the whole issue, I finally decided to buy a netbook because it’s multi-purpose (would permit reading e-books as well as allowing email, word-processing, music, music notation processing, and spreadsheets as well as good ol’ Solitaire). All the major e-book dealers provide FREE e-book readers for PCs. (I don’t know about Macs;…

• Ideal Motel

  Hilton Kean Jones

  15 Aug 2010 | 1:30 am

  Ideal Motel — Adult Movies 1999 Nebraska Avenue Tampa, FL Most images link to larger images. click on larger image for closeup Copyright © 2010 Inkwatu. 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 legal@inkwatu.com so we can take legal action immediately.Plugin by Taragana InkwatuDelightsNearAndFar HOME | HILTON | INDEX | TAMPA BAY RESTAURANTS | BLOGROLL | STORE | PHOTOS Amazon.com Widgets

• Best deal in town

  Hilton Kean Jones

  14 Aug 2010 | 1:30 am

  New Orleans, LA Most images link to larger images. click on larger image for closeup Copyright © 2010 Inkwatu. 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 legal@inkwatu.com so we can take legal action immediately.Plugin by Taragana InkwatuDelightsNearAndFar HOME | HILTON | INDEX | TAMPA BAY RESTAURANTS | BLOGROLL | STORE | PHOTOS Amazon.com Widgets

• 

  Travel Happy

• Yellow Fever Vaccination In Bangkok – Where To Get It

  Chris Mitchell

  27 Aug 2010 | 12:15 pm

  The Thai Red Cross centre in Bangkok is the easiest place to get a yellow fever vaccination if you’re heading to Africa or South America. Here’s directions on how to get there It’s surprisingly difficult to get a yellow fever vaccination in Bangkok – no hospitals provide the service and so it’s only available from three places – the Thai Immigration office which recently moved from Suan Plu in Sathorn to the far away district of Chaeng Wattana; the Bamras hospital in Nonthaburi, also quite a journey from central Bangkok; and the Thai Red Cross centre, which…

• Singapore Airport Hotels: A Quick Guide

  Chris Mitchell

  24 Jun 2010 | 10:45 pm

  Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the better Asian aviation hubs to spend the night in transit. If you are in need of a bed nearby the airport for the night. Here’s a quick guide as to your Singapore Airport Hotel choices. If you want to stay in or near Singapore’s Changi Airport while you’re in transit, you have three choices. The Ambassador Transit Hotel inside the airport itself, the Crowne Plaza hotel located in Terminal 3 and Changi Village hotel located a 10 minute drive away. There’s actually also a fourth choice of simply heading in Singapore itself,…

• Travelfish iPhone Travel Apps – Try Them For Free

  Chris Mitchell

  10 Jun 2010 | 6:17 am

  If you’re interested in testing out Travelfish’s new iPhone travel apps but don’t want to spend any money to have a go, you can now get free lite versions of several of their apps I’ve written previously about Travelfish’s excellent iPhone travel apps - these are elegantly designed and info-packed apps that replace the need for a guidebook, whilst giving you some very nifty interactive maps that can even tell you where you are located using the iPhone’s GPS functionality. Travelfish are pumping out these apps quite rapidly – at the moment there are…

• Bangkok Safe Again For Tourists – June 2010

  Chris Mitchell

  9 Jun 2010 | 9:32 pm

  11th June 2010 – A quick update to my last couple of posts: Bangkok is pretty much back to normal and has been for the last couple of weeks. The protesters have gone home, the army are back in barracks, the public transport services are open again and the shopping malls are open too. It’s safe to go anywhere in Bangkok again. The only reminders of the troubles in May are the burnt out CentralWorld mall and other fire-damaged buildings, which ironically are now attracting quite a few tourists, both foreign and Thai. As such, Bangkok is safe again for tourists. Several countries…

• Is Bangkok Safe In May 2010? Short Answer – No

  Chris Mitchell

  15 May 2010 | 4:49 am

  Renewed fighting in Bangkok between the Thai army and Redshirt protesters has made the city best avoided by travellers if possible UPDATE 22 May 2010 - Bangkok is returning to normal after the troubles of this week. There is a curfew currently in place that is due to be lifted tomorrow on Sunday 23 May. The curfew also includes Chiang Mai and several other northern provinces. The curfew has already been lifted in Pattaya. In Bangkok itself, the protest leaders have surrendered and their followers have left the city. The damage caused in the protest zones is already being cleaned up, although…

• 

  Dive Happy

• Pearls Of Borneo – EZ Dive Magazine

  Chris

  31 Aug 2010 | 9:22 pm

  My story about scuba diving in Indonesian Borneo is now out in EZ Dive magazine - exploring the islands of Nabucco, Kakaban, Derawan and Sangalaki - and the hidden reef of Palau Sambit EZ Dive Magazine - Pearls Of Borneo article Back in May I did a trip on the Tambora liveaboard to explore the coastline of Indonesian Borneo. The article I wrote has now been published in EZ Dive magazine. You can see more of the photos I took during the trip from my previous post Scuba Diving In Indonesian Borneo on the Tambora Liveaboard. I'll put the article up here in full once it's out of print. EZ Dive…

• Sardine Run South Africa 2010: Death From Above And Below

  Chris

  21 Aug 2010 | 11:03 am

  South Africa's annual Sardine Run sees millions of sardines spawning and travelling northwards up the country's eastern coast - closely followed by thousands of dolphins, sharks and gannets all anticipating a feast... A pod of dolphins charge through a sardine baitball Imagine being dropped into 18 degree green water, with 2 metre visibility, and just about making out the glint of a large baitball of sardines in front of you. Then imagine the constant sound of gunshots overhead - but it's not gunfire, it's the deafening crack gannets make as they divebomb from the sky above into the baitball…

• Great White Sharks In Australia Magazine

  Chris

  30 Jun 2010 | 1:23 am

  My great white shark encounter with Rodney Fox in southern Australia was featured in the UK's Australia & New Zealand magazine recently Just remembered this was published a few months ago - a syndication of my Rodney Fox and the Great White Sharks story originally written for Asian Diver magazine. The story appeared in the UK's Australia & New Zealand magazine, a title aimed at British people thinking of emigrating Down Under. Not sure if the thought of encountering great whites is going to help persuade them to make the move, but still... Australia & New Zealand Magazine,…

• Palau Scuba Diving Story in EZ Dive Magazine

  Chris

  27 Jun 2010 | 2:39 am

  My story about diving in Palau's epic seascapes amongst the sharks is now out in the June 2010 issue of EZDive magazine, the bilingual Chinese-English dive magazine A quick sneak peek of my Palau feature for EZ Dive magazine, published this month with photos by Jez Tryner (and one by Tim Rock too). Palau is one of those truly incredible places to dive, a unique atmosphere and one of the few places left to see a lot of sharks. EZ Dive is on sale now. Palau article, EZ Dive magazine I've been to Palau once before this trip, for a very quick 3 day stay in 2007 - you can read my Palau Liveaboard…

• Pattaya Clownfish Release

  Chris

  26 Jun 2010 | 2:13 am

  You can never have too many clownfish, and to celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8th a group of Thai divers released one hundred clownfish in Pattaya to help replenish the reefs. Clownfish at Koh Haa in Thailand As part of World Oceans Day on June 8th, a group of volunteer Thai divers in Pattaya took part in a clownfish release into the city's waters. Led by Serm Phenjati, a consultant for the Dusit D2 Baraquda Pattaya hotel, the group of divers were joined by hotel staff to assist the in the clownfish release. The clownfish were bred in captivity at Percular Farm, which is Thailand's first…

• 

  Hawaiimagazine.com | HAWAII Today

• Hawaii-grown pineapple all over Alan Wong’s Restaurants special menu in September

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:49 am

  Hawaii-grown pineapple all over Alan Wong&rsquo;s Restaurants special menu in September Pineapple Upside-Down CakeFresh, Hawaii-grown pineapple.It’s what’s on the menu at Hawaii chef Alan Wong’s Oahu restaurants in September. That is, a special a la carte dining, cocktail and dessert menu, which guests can enjoy all month at Wong’s flagship Alan Wong’s Restaurant in metro Honolulu and Pineapple Room at Ala Moana Center.Wong’s restaurants have been spotlighting a different H...

• Hawaiian rainforest stamp to get first-day issue at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Sept. 1

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:47 am

  Hawaiian rainforest stamp to get first-day issue at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Sept. 1 A new U.S. Postal Service stamp pane featuring the native plants and wildlife of Hawaii’s rainforests will receive its first-day issue at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park this Wednesday, Sept. 1.If you’re on the Big Island that day, you're invited the stamp pane's first-day cancellation and unveiling ceremonies. The morning ceremony will be free and open to the public, as will entry to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park until noon.

• "Best of Hawaii" 2010: Our favorite Hawaii cultural events

  26 Aug 2010 | 5:21 pm

  "Best of Hawaii" 2010: Our favorite Hawaii cultural events The 2010 HAWAII Magazine “Best of Hawaii” issue is arriving in subscriber mailboxes and on sale nationwide now! It’s always one our most popular issues of the year, always a keeper.And as always, it’s loaded with picks from our knowledgeable HAWAII Magazine and HawaiiMagazine.com readers and our editorial staff, sharing their advice and insights on the best our Islands have to offer.The “best” of what you ask? The best of everything Hawaii, of course.Among the “best” in this…

• Kauai's tasty, mai tai-ready Koloa Hawaiian Rum now award-winning, too

  24 Aug 2010 | 6:38 pm

  Kauai's tasty, mai tai-ready Koloa Hawaiian Rum now award-winning, too In the January/February 2010 issue of HAWAII Magazine, we brought you a feature article on Koloa Rum Co., whose quartet of premium rums are the first and only distilled liquor ever produced for retail on Kauai.Having sampled a fair share of the Lihue-based distillery’s gold, white and dark rums—you know, for research purposes and all—before putting the feature together, we’d become instant fans. In particular, we came away impressed with Koloa Rum Co.’s Kauai Dark Hawaiian Rum, with its deep…

• VIDEO: Maui philosopher & fruit stand owner, Mel Witt

  23 Aug 2010 | 6:48 am

  VIDEO: Maui philosopher & fruit stand owner, Mel Witt Everyone’s heard of the road to Hana. Thousands of Maui visitors drive it each year. It's one of the most scenic roads in Hawaii.Less is written about Maui’s other hidden drive, the road from Kapalua around the north side of the West Maui Mountains, even though the road is just as scenic as the Hana Highway. Along the road, which winds along Maui’s northernmost point, you’ll encounter a rugged lava coastline, with remote snorkel spots, beaches, marine preserves and even a village, Kahakuloa, tucked along a rocky…

• 

  Uncornered Market

• Vietnamese Summer Rolls: Keeping the Taste of Summer Alive (A Video Recipe)

  Audrey Scott

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:45 am

  As we look out the window of our sublet in Berlin today, leaves are changing colors, temperatures are dropping, and intermittent rain storms are battling with a sun that struggles to peek through the clouds. No doubt about it: summer is fading away in the northern hemisphere. So we offer a suggestion on how to hold on to the taste and freshness of summer: Vietnamese summer rolls. Good thing is, they’re easier to make than you think. Have you ever tried summer rolls (think unfried spring rolls) at a Vietnamese restaurant and loved them, but figured they would just be too difficult to…

• A Little Bite of Buenos Aires

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  30 Aug 2010 | 3:37 pm

  When we poked around Buenos Aires earlier this year, our food quests were focused not only on understanding Argentine cuisine but also seeking out various ethnic cuisines that we hadn’t encountered much while traveling the Andes and Paraguay. A couple of times a week, we’d head out with a restaurant recommendation, a gigantic map of the city, and scribbled notes as to our bus route. We often got lost. We always ate. And we discovered something. There’s some nice food in Buenos Aires. But mediocrity in the cuisine scene is well represented across various budget levels. It’s…

• Panorama of the Week: Bolivia and the Banana Millionaire

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  27 Aug 2010 | 1:58 am

  Have you ever heard of the banana millionaire? He was an urban myth (or perhaps he was real) making the rounds in Lithuania in the early 1990s. The story goes that just after the country’s independence from the Soviet Union, a young Lithuanian entrepreneur got hold of a big truck, drove it south to somewhere like Spain, filled it with bananas and drove it back north again to his home country. In Soviet times, bananas were a precious commodity; the man sold his truckload of bananas at a premium and became a millionaire overnight. One man’s commodity, another man’s luxury. And…

• Audio Slideshow: Northwest Argentina, Road Trip Style

  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

  25 Aug 2010 | 10:08 am

  Some places are best suited to road trips. They speak: move at your own pace, get lost, stop off in small towns, have the flexibility to enjoy whatever experiences might come your way. The area around Salta and Jujuy in northwest Argentina is one such chunk of perfect road trip territory. Listen and watch the audio slideshow below to find out why. For best viewing results, click full screen (four arrows) on the right side. Make sure your volume is turned on/up. You can also enable individual photo captions! A special shout out goes to Jason and Aracely. We set off renting a car with them for…

• 7 Tips for Learning Foreign Languages on the Road

  Audrey Scott

  23 Aug 2010 | 2:45 am

  I am not a linguist, so when people find out that I am conversant in five foreign languages (French, Estonian, Czech, Russian, and Spanish) – most of which I’ve picked up on the fly instead of through formal study – they often ask me how I do it. I don’t have a “get rich quick” secret for learning how to speak a new language. It can be challenging, humbling, and frustrating. So why do it? For me, learning a foreign language is a gateway, an enabler to communication, connection and learning. Speaking someone’s language establishes rapport and it often opens surprise doors of…

• 

  The TSA Blog

• TSA Guest Blogs At Disability.gov: Traveling With Service Animals

  Blogger Bob

  30 Aug 2010 | 2:12 pm

  While I was working as a trainer at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), I had the pleasure of working with a group called Circle Tail. Circle Tail is a non-profit organization that trains and provides service animals for people with disabilities. We helped each other understand how best to navigate a security checkpoint while traveling with service animals. We both learned a lot from each other, and when the folks at Disability.gov asked me to be a guest blogger, service animals were the first topic that came to mind. So be sure to check out my blog post…

• Enhanced Pat-downs

  Blogger Bob

  27 Aug 2010 | 1:29 pm

  You may have read about TSA implementing enhanced pat downs as part of our layered approach to security. Using the latest intelligence, TSA constantly updates our screening procedures to stay ahead of those who wish to do us harm and keep the skies safe for the flying public. When developing our security procedures, we use input from across the agency, including our Offices of Intelligence, Privacy, and Civil Rights and Liberties. To add some perspective, TSA has used pat downs since our agency started federalizing checkpoints in 2002. They’re an effective way of helping us keep dangerous…

• Please Post Off Topic Comments Here

  Blogger Bob

  25 Aug 2010 | 9:41 am

  I have long allowed off topic comments. However, after many complaints from folks who would understandably like to stay on the subject, I am providing this post as a place to comment things that are way off topic with the current post. I’ve added a link to this post on our sidebar so people will know to post off topic comments here. You now have the option of subscribing to posts, so you’ll be able to keep up with the comments here if you so choose. So it’s not as if your comment is being exiled to the land of forgotten comments. We’ll be paying attention, and you can stay up to…

• Talk to TSA Response: Recognizing TWIC Cards and Other Forms of ID at TSA Checkpoints

  Blogger Bob

  20 Aug 2010 | 2:19 pm

  As part of the "Talk to TSA" initiative TSA reviews the questions and comments that come in and we plan to use the TSA blog to address some of the more common themes we are seeing - both the favorable and not so favorable. Security is a shared responsibility and we are always looking to hear from you. ‪ In reviewing the last few weeks worth of submissions, one issue that came up consistently was the acceptance of different forms of ID at security checkpoints. TSA officers see hundreds of different IDs at the checkpoints and it is their job to ensure they are legitimate and valid. There are…

• Safety Razors and Disposable Razors

  Blogger Bob

  17 Aug 2010 | 7:25 pm

  I've seen a lot of confusion out there on what types of razors are OK to take with you in your carry-on baggage. This post is just a quick and basic attempt to clear up any confusion. Let me just start by saying that electric razors are OK, but straight razors are a no-go. These two photos below show a safety razor and the removable blade that they use. They're making a come back thanks to the close shave they provide and the extremely affordable price of the replacement blades. It basically unscrews and you can insert a razor blade. Because these razor blades are so easy to take out, safety…

• 

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

• Visiting Joshua Tree National Park with Kids

  Jamie Pearson

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:21 am

  Now that temperatures are regularly dipping below the 100-degree mark, it will soon be safe to venture back into the Mojave Desert. If your travels take you anywhere near Los Angeles, consider squeezing a day trip to family friendly Joshua Tree National Park into your itinerary. It's just 140 miles away, but a world apart.

• Travel Strollers

  travelsavvymom

  30 Aug 2010 | 1:46 am

  It is an axiom of family travel that that which works at home does not always work on the road. No one wants to buy an extra stroller just for travel. But, let's face it, no one wants lug the fully featured model (or hand it over to the baggage handlers) either. Trust us on this.

• Sidetracked! Sea Life Aquarium, Speyer, Germany

  Julie Breitigan

  26 Aug 2010 | 1:41 am

  Simple math: Rainy Saturday morning + energetic children = day at aquarium. Unfortunately, many others shared this brilliant idea.

• Audio Stories for Traveling Families

  travelsavvymom

  23 Aug 2010 | 1:01 am

  Tales2Go is an app that puts an enormous library of children's audio stories at your fingertips for a very reasonable subscription price of $24.99/year. Play them over your car's speakers or pass the phone on back.

• Sidetracked! Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, NJ

  Traci Suppa

  19 Aug 2010 | 1:27 am

  The Thomas Edison Center in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Edison's laboratory was located on this tract of land from 1879-1884, before he moved to a more well-known site in West Orange, NJ.

• 

  Cleared for Takeoff - The Triporati Blog

• Mountain Biking Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain

  "This has got to be the craziest sport I've ever done," my friend George said to me as we rested on our mountain bikes gazing down a precipitous slope toward pine forest and spiky mountains in the distance. "Here we are in one of the most beautiful places on earth ...

• Walla Walla Washington for Wine Lovers

  Before I start on this post — let me make a big apology to Walla Walla lovers. I too love this place but I  have gotten too casual about it (I go quite often) and so when I first wrote up this blog post, I really didn't check my spelling, ...

• Canoe Camping on the Sacramento River

  Cue the Deliverance Music. There are many popular canoeing rivers in Northern California. The Sacramento River, from Red Bluff, 30 miles downriver in the shadows of Mount Shasta, to Woodson Bridge, is not one of them. It was July 4th weekend so we were expecting crowds, and save for a few kayakers ...

• Fly-Fishing an Idaho Trout Stream

  "That's a big-fish cast," guide Jim Santa said as my fly landed on the far side of the creek just shy of the willows lining the bank. The fly caught the current, drifted through the ripples into the shade, swirled once and flowed under the overhanging bush ...

• Romantic Summer Slopes in Washington State

  I have lived in Washington State since 1972 and skied Crystal Mountain during the winter. I’ve never thought about ski slopes in the summer. But this month I was invited to a birthday party up at the Summit restaurant on top of the Crystal slopes and I realized there were new ...

• 

  The World Wide Will

• Coffee, Tea or Milk-Bone…?

  World Wide Will

  20 Aug 2010 | 7:50 am

  Having a hard time finding something to do with the pooch while you are on vacation? Well never fear, the Dogtravel Company is here. Now you can take the pup on vacation with you via the assistance of the world’s first travel club for dog lovers. And, guess what? Fido can sit right next to you [...]

• Things You Should Know

  WorldWideWill

  2 Aug 2010 | 5:45 am

  Andrew Harper, the most credible resource for unbiased travel intelligence, now has a new travel blog aptly named, Things You Should Know. This latest travel resource from Andrew Harper is packed full of stunning photographs and great information ranging from travel destinations to travel service providers. There is no doubt that Things You Should Know [...]

• Are You On Board?

  Jennifer - Medjet

  25 Jul 2010 | 8:19 am

  Are you on board with what to do if a medical emergency interrupts your next trip? If you are a Medjet member then the answer is yes. As a Medjet member there are various ways you can utilize your member benefits including medical evacuation to the hospital of your choice. Take a moment to [...]

• Montreal – An Epicurean City

  Jennifer - Medjet

  19 Jul 2010 | 9:41 am

  I love food and I love experiencing new things. I love Montreal… Besides the fact that the city is delightful from top to bottom, has an easily navigational and accessible metro system and lets not forget the phenomenal shopping, Montreal also has a wealth of epicurean delights. So whether you are in the mood for street [...]

• Member Comment – Alaska to Montana

  Jennifer - Medjet

  19 Jul 2010 | 8:39 am

  Thank you for the remarkable service that I recently received during medical evacuation involving MedjetAssist. I was in-between Petersburg and Juneau, Alaska on a trip when I became very ill on board a live aboard yacht. I was able to make it to a regional hospital in Juneau. MedjetAssist was contacted to arrange my medivac [...]

• 

  Galavanting Women's Travel Magazine & Web Series

• San Antonio Video and Winner!

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:05 pm

  Okay so I’m no Kim Mance when it comes to editing but here it is:   Even more exciting is announcing our winner of the Eat Pray Love Trip to San Antonio!     Drum roll PLEASE…..   Global Butterfly from My Beautiful Adventures!

• The Ripe Traveler

  24 Aug 2010 | 10:32 am

• Savory, Spiritual and Sensual San Antonio

  11 Jul 2010 | 8:55 pm

  Everything’s a little bigger in Texas. At least, that’s the way the old saying goes. Is it true? Well, I will say that everything is a little bit different in Texas. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I realized that things are a little slower, a little more glamorous and definitely a little bit nicer.

• Behind the Veil

  1 May 2010 | 10:02 am

  As I sat on on a cushion with my legs tucked beside me, I was struck by my unique privilege. I had joined Hind at the mosque and also the hammam, where we had lain naked on marble slabs as the bath attendant sloughed dead skin from our bodies. I had sat chatting with her grandmother about her tattoos and taken the groom’s 12-year-old sister to the market to buy sweets. Yet as a Western woman, I was not expected to follow the rules of my Muslim counterparts.

• Gentle Spirit, the island of Curaçao

  7 Apr 2010 | 6:50 am

  The greatest mystery of all may be how its residents have forged a culture where more than 50 ethnic groups live together in peace and harmony. The secret may be in how they describe themselves in Papiamento: “yiu di Korsow,” literally, “I am a child of Curaçao.” Islanders claim that Curaçao is the only country in the world where residents refer to themselves as children of a nation.

• 

  Vagablond

• Shepherd Loaf – An Ultimate Bread High-profile Customers

  Jerry

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:34 am

  Tom Herbert, a baker from Britain, has created the costliest bread in the world. The 2 kg bread comes with a staggering price of 21 pound. Truly speaking, this bread is strictly for upper strata people, you have to spend quite an amount to afford this bread. But Shepherd Loaf is a “work of art” of this baker. This bread is prepared by mixing some of the most expensive ingredients like the spring water of Cotswolds, Cornish sea salt, spelt flour from Somerset and raised it with the help of a secret sourdough recipe. It took six months for Tom Herbert to develop this perfect loaf of bread.

• A Costly Stiletto for Fashion Flaunters

  Jerry

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:31 am

  Are you fascinated about using variety of sandals? If so, we have some great options for you! There are some extravagant slippers which can add style, elegance and comfort to you. One such sandal you can opt for is, Ruby Slippers by the renowned designer Stuart Weitzman. Oscar Heyman & Bros has contributed a lot in manufacturing these slippers. This stunning slipper is decorated with 642 round and oval shaped rubies whose weight is about 123.33 carats. What makes it more attractive is the combination of rubies with platinum. Half pound pure platinum is used in making this costliest pair…

• Visit South America in Silversea Cruise Ships

  Jerry

  2 Sep 2010 | 12:27 am

  Have you heard of the Silversea Cruises? If you are cruise lover, you are definitely acquainted with this line of cruise! Cruise ships of Silversea line of cruises are small but spectacular. Each traveller of Silversea’s Silver Spirit gets the facility to enjoy an intimate luxury atmosphere and the charm of being in a cruise ship. Though this ship does not travel a great distance, but it visits even the tiny ports of South America. In this extraordinary ship, you will see that all rooms are designed like suites and majority of them have balconies. All these rooms are well furnished with…

• Pay a Meagre and have Fun in a Luxury Vessel

  Jerry

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:59 pm

  Travelling in cruise is the most luxurious mode of experiencing your vacation! Cruises offer you 24 hour entertainment, food and high quality services. There are some high grade cruise ships that provide you with royal services. So, go for a world tour and visit different countries in a world class cruise ship! One such cruise with high quality services and amenities is Serenity, the largest cruise ship of Crystal. This luxury ship offers you a thorough tour across some of the advanced regions in about 108 days. If you are thinking of visiting Africa, nothing can be better than this! You can…

• Pamper your Taste Buds with Yummy Burgers

  Jerry

  31 Aug 2010 | 11:56 pm

  If you wish to taste the most expensive burger, nothing can be a better choice than The Richard Nouveau Burger. It is a recent addition to the class of expensive burgers. At Wall Street Burger Shoppe in New York, you will get this fantastic burger at a retail price of $175. This highly priced burger is created with the intention to outdo a pricey burger offered by some other local eatery of that area. This burger is made from 10 ounce of Kobe beef, topped with old Gruyere cheese and black truffle, wild mushrooms, foie gras and real golden flakes. Even the mayonnaise sauce that is specially…

• 

  Travels with Children by minnemom

• Maize Maze near Elgin, Iowa

  minnemom

  28 Aug 2010 | 6:32 pm

  Living in Minnesota, our kids have gone through their fair share of corn mazes.  Some, like Sever’s Corn Maze in Shakopee are commercial ventures.  Others are part of orchards or other fall-fun venues, or agricultural museums like Farmamerica. But even though we’ve been to several corn mazes, that didn’t stop us from tackling one in Iowa.  On a beautiful late-summer day, what better way to enjoy the weather than with a run through a corn maze? We found our maze near Elgin, Iowa.  The Country Heritage Community Maize Maze exists not just for fun, but to educate people…

• Scenic Iowa

  minnemom

  27 Aug 2010 | 7:41 pm

  I think that Robert Frost and I would have gotten along very well.  After all, he took the road less traveled by.  And stopped by woods on a snowy evening.  And even believed that good fences make good neighbors.  (Wasn’t that him?) Iowa, however, is not the land of Robert Frost.  It is the land of Grant Wood.  Most everyone recognizes American Gothic, Grant Wood’s famous painting of a woman and a man with a pitchfork in front of a Gothic Revival-Style farmhouse.  Although some of his works are sculptures or other media, Grant Wood most often painted what he knew best: …

• My Secret for Parking at the Minnesota State Fair

  minnemom

  23 Aug 2010 | 7:39 am

  The Great Minnesota Get-Together begins this Thursday and runs through Labor Day.  I’ve taken the kids the past few years (see Minnesota State Fair!; Minnesota State Fair with Kids; and Minnesota State Fair Checklist) but I’m not sure if we’ll be able to make it this year. And since I may not need it, I’m going to share with you my secret to getting a decent parking spot at the State Fair.  The one thing I dislike more than big crowds (and I always try to pick a “quiet” day at the Fair, although I’m not always good at guessing that) is sitting in…

• The Vacation that Fits You Best

  minnemom

  19 Aug 2010 | 9:11 pm

  Many of you have probably already taken your summer vacations; in fact, in many parts of the United States, school is already back in session.  Others, like our family, might be trying to fit in some last family fun before classes begin again.  When it comes to planning your family’s vacation, how do you decide what to do and where to go? For several years, I had four kids in carseats, harnessed seats that were a puzzle to fit to our kids and to our vehicles.  I had so many kids in carseats that, instead of taking up four slots at a carseat clinic, I got my CPST certification so…

• Marine Mill Historic Site in Marine on St. Croix, MN

  minnemom

  16 Aug 2010 | 5:29 am

  We’ve been to all but six of the Minnesota Historical Society’s 26 sites, and overall we’ve been impressed with them.  Most are nice museums with visitor centers, or historic buildings that have been preserved, and staff are friendly and helpful. When we visited Marine Mill this past weekend, however, we learned about the other definition of historical “site.” Marine Mill is the site of the first commercial sawmill in Minnesota, located in Marine on St. Croix, 11 miles north of Stillwater along the St. Croix River.  Follow the signs for the business district,…

• 

  iKangaroo

• Naples, Italy in a minute

  Chris

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:07 am

• That’s right! iKangaroo is on Foursquare

  Chris

  3 Aug 2010 | 3:24 am

  Going to Paris or Rome?  We have built up quite a list of places to try in both places and are adding more and more all the time.  We are finding the cheapest happy hours, most interesting and budget conscious restaurants and a lot more worthwhile tips that will save you time and money.  Don’t be afraid of crazy phone bills for using data roaming because we are tagging all the free WiFi spots we can find.  If you do not have the Foursquare app yet download it now and friend iKangaroo.

• iKangaroo’s iPhone apps

  Chris

  3 Aug 2010 | 2:26 am

  iKangaroo has just released a series of iPhone apps.  Our first installment is a companion to Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons.  For only $2.99, compared to €70+ for a guided tour) this app will help you experience the thriller like never before while you follow the action of the book and movie on your iPodTouch or iPhone.  Our app uses audio explanations complete with pictures and maps to provide the richest experience possible when visiting and navigating among the featured sites. Angels & Demons, Dan Brown’s book about a plot to destroy the Vatican, has been made into…

• Bizarre Foods Paris Part 1: Foodie Walking Tour

  Chris

  28 Jul 2010 | 7:44 am

  By Sarah– Paris, France While back in the States I stumbled upon a travel show about Paris and its different foods. I thought, ummmm?  I live in Paris.  I like food.  I want to try different things.  I wonder how easy and expensive it would be to follow this itinerary?   So the seed was planted and a plan was made, we had decided to let a TV show be our guide. The program, Bizarre Foods Paris with Andrew Zimmern, featured a mixture of shops, restaurants and other food experiences. We downloaded the show on iTunes and after few viewings and careful note taking we loaded up the…

• Is the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) it worth it?

  Chris

  21 Jul 2010 | 4:07 am

  Capri, Italy–2010 The short answer: NO. When visiting Naples and the rest of the South of Italy you can do better things with your time and money than traveling to Capri to see the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), especially if  that is your sole intention for visiting Capri .  Yes, this Roman Emperor private swimming hole has breathtaking and unexpected color, but you will be ferried in and out so quickly that you will not have any time to soak it in.  The 11€50 admission charge buys a short and cramped boat trip through a cave that while beautiful is simply a waste of money. Capri…

• 

  EveryTrail Blog

• Become a Guide Writer and WIN FREE GEAR

  chris

  30 Aug 2010 | 11:36 am

  We have had a lot of great new Mobile Travel Guides submitted recently, written by our great community! Be sure to check them out. Guides have only been available for a short time so far, and we already have great coverage We have especially great coverage in California and the San Francisco Bay Area, where you can find all sorts of fun things to do. People are also downloading EveryTrail guides at a higher rate than ever, which is partly due to our recent announcement about individual iPhone Travel Apps for the best walks, hikes, and city tours. To keep up with the growing success and demand…

• EveryTrail Pro Android App now available in the marketplace

  chris

  27 Aug 2010 | 10:24 am

  Today we are proud to announce that our EveryTrail Android App has gone PRO with added features. Read on to find out what’s included: Search for Nearby Trips We have added trip searching to the guide search that is already available. You can specify keywords, location, and activity, and limit trips to only those nearby if you like. Once you find a trip you want to follow, add it to your map and you will see the track, pictures, and other waypoints on the map while you record your own route. Never get lost with the trails on your phone! Sync Your Trips Similar to the EveryTrail iPhone…

• Announcing iPhone Travel Apps for the best walks, hikes, and city tours

  chris

  26 Aug 2010 | 12:52 pm

  We released EveryTrail mobile travel guides just over a month ago on the iPhone and about a week ago on Android and have had thousands of downloads so far! These guides have been written by EveryTrail community members and other professional partners to bring you the best information in the most useable format. Today we are announcing individual iPhone travel apps for some of the most popular guides. You can see the list of individual travel apps here. Why are we releasing individual applications? Good question. There are 2 main factors behind this decision: ease of use, and guide discovery.

• Congratulations to our Survey Winners!

  chris

  25 Aug 2010 | 2:11 pm

  We would like to give a BIG THANKS to everyone who responded to our recent survey regarding the itunes app store and application icons.  The number of responses was overwhelming, many more than we expected, and your feedback was extremely detailed and very helpful, should have a meaningful impact. We have selected 2 responders at random to receive a $50 gift certificate redeemable at MooseJaw.com, and the winners are: Griffs and postlibyan (no photo) Thanks again to everyone who responded, with such a high response rate we plan to have many more surveys in the near future with the…

• EveryTrail Leads To Vacapedia Vacation Rentals

  chris

  19 Aug 2010 | 5:36 pm

  Between vacation rentals booked through Vacapedia and the iPhone travel guides from EveryTrail, you´ll be set for the best journeying possible. Imagine the limitless possibilities that can be had with your next trip when paired with compelling content at your finger tips and spacious accommodations to boot. The vacation rentals inventory at Vacapedia features more spacious lodgings from studios to eight bedrooms and fully equipped kitchens. Bring the whole family or group and share an authentic experience in your destination, as a stay in one vacation rental rather than several hotel rooms…

• 

  Suite101: Luxury Travel Articles

• Top Five Luxury Beach Resorts for Families in the United States

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:25 am

  The US has spectacular coastline, and the best beach resorts make the most of it. 5-star resorts don't always fit family travel; these top beach resorts do.

• Reef in Wadduwa, Sri Lanka, Offers Ultimate Luxury and Relaxation

  29 Aug 2010 | 6:50 am

  The most prestigious hotels now offer seamless, luxurious stays and the Villa/Hotel Reef in the small, seaside village of Wadduwa on Sri Lanka is one such.

• Resort Rentals by Owner, New Take on Vacation Rental Homes

  25 Aug 2010 | 7:19 am

  Resort Rentals by Owner is a relatively new site that provides substantial savings for travel planners. An interview with a co-founder provides details.

• Sukhothai Heritage Spa at the Heart of Historic Sukhothai Town

  23 Aug 2010 | 10:52 pm

  Sukhothai Heritage Spa exudes tranquility for which Thailand is famed. It is a stone's throw from the World Heritage Site of the ancient Siamese capital.

• New York City Travel and Tourism Rates Set to Break Record

  20 Aug 2010 | 6:16 am

  The first half of 2010 indicates that New York City is on track for record-breaking travel rates. Markers in the leisure and hospitality industries are up.

• 

  Travel & Places Videos

• "rocky point, puerto penasco, puerto penasco mexico, things to do rocky point, things to do puerto p

  2 Sep 2010 | 2:13 am

  http://www.fiestacruiser.com Rocky Point and Puerto Penasco vacation deals and activities.Author: ericmahnKeywords: &amp;amp;quot;things to do in rocky point things to do in puerto penasco rocky point puerto penasco rocky point deals puerto penasco deals&amp;amp;quot; Added: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:13:55 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• Lexington Duke 866-963-7223

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:54 am

  Call Lexington Duke at 866-963-7223 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              866-963-7223      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              866-963-7223      end_of_the_skype_highlighting for more information. Visit http://www.LexingtonDuke.com or email us at info@LexingtonDuke.comAuthor: lexingtonduke09Keywords: Lexington Duke airline tickets 866-963-7223 866…

• Lexington Duke 866-963-7243

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:27 am

  Call Lexington Duke at 866-963-7243 for more information. Visit http://www.LexingtonDuke.com or email us at info@LexingtonDuke.comAuthor: lexingtonduke05Keywords: Lexington Duke airline tickets 866-963-7243 866 963 7243 8669637243 http://www.LexingtonDuke.com Added: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:27:13 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• Lexington Duke 866-963-7205

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:10 am

  Call Lexington Duke at 866-963-7205 for more information. Visit http://www.LexingtonDuke.com or email us at info@LexingtonDuke.comAuthor: lexingtonduke08Keywords: Lexington Duke airline tickets 866-963-7205 866 963 7205 8669637205 www.LexingtonDuke.com Added: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:10:47 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• #2 Buy a Home in Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree-Know Your Rights

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:06 am

  http://www.BuyAHomeLaffette.com - Step two to buy a home: Know Your Rights. This free step-by-step guide will help you when looking for Colorado homes in Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Lone Tree, etc.Author: iowalker44Keywords: Buy A Home Highlands Ranch Buy Property Highlands Ranch Lone Tree Colorado step-by-step guide FAQ How to Added: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:06:45 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

• 

  Sweden Tourism - a blog for tour operators

• Sweden Tourism blog has moved… and grown up

  Curt Landin

  16 Aug 2010 | 1:42 pm

  Thanks to the inspiring response from international readers I´ve decided to expand this blog´s perspective to include tour operations and tourism related issues worldwide. For that purpose, I´ve renamed and moved the blog. From now on I will be writing Tour Operators Blog – for tour operators and tourism professionals worldwide. You reach it at touroperatorsblog.com or naturalconsulting.se/blog As ususal, comments and discussions are most welcome. Please update your bookmarks and RSS feeds accordingly.  All the best, /Curt Landin

• From a Jack to a King

  Curt Landin

  18 Jun 2010 | 2:45 am

  In these days of royal ceremonies, where the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria will marry Daniel Westling, an ordinary man of the people (actually his cousin is sitting next door to me right now, it´s a small country…), I finally stumbled upon “the ultimate tour”, while doing some export coaching for African tour operators. I can be a King. At least for a few days: Day 3: Transfer to your Kingdom early in the morning, after breakfast. Upon arrival you will check into your palace and have lunch. Later in the afternoon you will have a short meeting with the local chief and be…

• Gothenburg right on track

  Curt Landin

  26 Mar 2010 | 6:52 am

  I´ve travelled quite a lot. Worldwide. Being a sales trainer, management consultant has made me somewhat sensitive when it comes to service and customer relations, especially where my (business) heart lies: tourism. C´mon, we´ve all been through it: Taxi´s that doesn´t show up, hotel receptionists acting like a headache, train delays and restaurant waitresses ignoring you. I hate to say it, but after a while you get used to it. Not so in Gothenburg. I´m on my way back home from Sweden´s biggest travel trade fair, TUR 2010. Made my decision just 2 days before the opening and expected…

• Tourism Website Review

  Curt Landin

  17 Feb 2010 | 12:09 am

  Got a tourism website? Does it sell? Nah, didn´t think so… There are millions of tourism websites, but not many of them are specifically designed to promote sales of tourism products. Not surprisingly, most of them are built by IT professionals with little or no experience of tourism sales processes. Want to see the midnight sun? Try to make a reservation at Sweden´s national railways www.sj.se . Outstanding Tourism Website Review wild bear watching, anyone? Try www.nordicnature.com.  A conference or training camp? Check out www.friscordia.com. These are just samples… they´re…

• The best stats you´ve ever seen

  Curt Landin

  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.

• 

  davidlansing.com

• In search of a leopard

  david

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:00 am

  Baboons hate leopards. The feeling is mutual. Photo by David Lansing. Cottars 1920s Safari Camp is spread out in the acacia woodlands at the base of the Olenturoto Hills which call out to us, literally, every evening when the large troop of baboons that make the tree tops their home bark and scream belligerently at the leopards prowling about the granite koppie below. Leopards and baboons have an interesting relationship; they despise each other. During the day the baboons scamper over the rocks and in the trees, taking fruits and leaves, insects, lizards, even small snakes, the babies…

• The nostalgia of Africa

  david

  1 Sep 2010 | 1:00 am

  My camp bedroom with its foldaway beds from the '20s. Photo by David Lansing. The weather has been quite comfortable and even in the middle of the day unless you are on the ground with the heat rising through your shoes and the dust in your nostrils it’s very pleasant. Still, after a languid lunch in the cool shade of the mess tent and maybe a couple of Tusker beers, everyone wanders off to their tents for an afternoon nap. I’ve tried doing this but it just doesn’t seem possible. I lie on my foldaway bed, draped with an open mosquito net, and study the rolling hills of the Siana…

• Wild dogs and Englishmen

  david

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:00 am

  A Masai giraffe in front of a flat topped acacia. Photo by David Lansing. We’ve fallen into a pleasant routine here in the Mara. We try to gather in the dining tent by 6:30 for a quick breakfast of fruit and coffee (Calvin would like us to be up by 5:30 but it’s just not going to happen). Early morning is the best time of day. The air is cool and fresh, the sky alive with chattering starlings and weavers and mourning doves. It is the cooing of mourning doves that, for me, is the soundtrack of Africa. We might spend three or four hours looking for game, always with a specific species in…

• Death of a wildebeest

  david

  30 Aug 2010 | 1:00 am

  What's left of a wildebeest just a few hours after its death. Photo by David Lansing. The easiest way to find lions is to look skyward. Early this morning as we were driving through the woody area not far from camp, Calvin stopped the Land Cruiser and pointed towards three or four vultures dropping down from the sky about half a mile away. “They’re going in for a meal,” he said. “Probably from a lion kill. If we’re lucky they might still be there.” We cut through the bush, taking a straight line to where Calvin thought the birds had landed. The lions were gone. In their place…

• Africa’s Black Death

  david

  27 Aug 2010 | 1:00 am

  These buffs probably can't see us but they can smell us. Photos by David Lansing. It was a Cape buffalo, of course, that ended the short happy life of Francis Macomber in Ernest Hemingway’s classic short story of the same name. “(They saw) the bull coming, nose out, mouth tight closed, blood dripping, massive head straight out, coming in a charge, his little pig eyes bloodshot as he looked at them. Wilson, who was ahead was kneeling shooting, and Macomber, as he fired, unhearing his shot in the roaring of Wilson’s gun, saw fragments like slate burst from the huge boss of the horns,…

• 

  Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

• Hiking the Inca Trail

  NomadicMatt

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:59 am

  This is a guest post from Gillian from One Giant Step Hiking to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail remains the highlight of my year traveling. It’s that amazing. Standing 4200 meters high on the mountains, looking out over the peaks of the Andes, and knowing that I hiked to get there, filled me with joy and awe. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I won’t lie though, it took some work but it was totally worth it. Day 1 They broke us in easy on the first day with a gentle start along a wide path that passed through the Sacred Valley. Described as ‘Inca Flat’, the trail starts alongside…

• Gaining the Wonder of Travel

  NomadicMatt

  29 Aug 2010 | 5:08 pm

  A few months ago I was in a slump. After 4 years on the road, I was a bit burnt out. Since my last “rest” I’d been traveling for 11 months solid. That’s a long time to go without a breather. I wrote about how I had lost the wonder of travel. As I said: “The more I travel, the more I realize travel is the only thing I want to do and I would never trade my lifestyle for a cubicle. But eventually travel does become repetitive – more trains, more waterfalls, more beaches, more, more, more. I’ve been lost, I’ve done the hostel thing, I’ve ridden on trains, I’ve explored…

• The Weekly Photo: Gili Islands

  NomadicMatt

  28 Aug 2010 | 8:49 am

  The Gili Islands in Indonesia ©Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. Looking for travel deals, news, and tips? Sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter! You'll get all the deals, tips, and advice I can't squeeze into a blog!

• Learning Pura Vida in Costa Rica

  NomadicMatt

  26 Aug 2010 | 7:47 am

  The most distinct part of living or traveling through Costa Rica is what I call the “calming down effect.” Life is so simple there; the most stressful decision to make all day is often where to watch the sunset. Physical changes arrive thanks to the opportunity of living in a world surrounded by untouched nature. Monkeys play in the trees, and roosters roam the streets. But not everything is perfect. I lived a year in the land of “pura vida,” and was I’m surprised by the many misconceptions people have about the country. The most obvious mistake that any expat notices is how many…

• Six Great Safaris in Africa

  NomadicMatt

  23 Aug 2010 | 8:20 am

  Most people travel to Africa for one reason – to go on safari and check out the large numbers of animals that can potentially kill you. Viewing animals and what they do in their natural environment takes on a different dimension when compared to watching them in a zoo. It’s an addicting and amazing experience. Everyone wants to see the ‘Big Five’– the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and the rhino. However, Africa is home to a lot of interesting wildlife and ecosystems. Here is a quick guide to some great places to safari in Africa and view its diverse wildlife: Kruger National…

• 

  Hawaii Vacation Connection

• Episode #407 Royal Lahaina Resort Review

  27 Aug 2010 | 6:14 am

  Yesterday we had a team meeting and were visited by Hawaii Hotels, who run 2 the Royal Lahaina on Maui and the Royal Kona on the Big Island. Today the focus is the Royal Lahaina because we actually did a site inspection there last week so the prperty is very fresh in my mind.

• Episode #406 Flying to the small Kapalua airport on Maui

  25 Aug 2010 | 6:14 am

  We did something we never did before which was fly into Maui to the smaller the Kapalua Airport. This is the smaller of two airports that are located on Maui and it's up on the northwest side of the island. Only the smaller planes fly there so we took Island Air which seats about 80 people in their planes.

• Episode #405 Mission Houses Museum

  18 Aug 2010 | 5:40 am

  This Saturday we had a chance to check out the Mission Houses Museum. I have to admit that we have never been there before. It’s interesting to note that in talking to the folks there, that many people never get the opportunity to experience this important historical site.

• Episode #404 Outrigger Catamaran Snorkel Adventure

  11 Aug 2010 | 5:40 am

  We had a awesome time Monday on the Outrigger trade winds. I was invited to check it out by Nathatn Kam and Jeremiah Owyang, some good friends of mine in the social networking community.

• Episode #403 Ala Moana Hotel & Return to Waikiki

  6 Aug 2010 | 7:30 am

  We had the chance to check out he Ala Moana Hotel the other day. We haven't been there in a while. Return to Waikiki will be opening this weekend. This new luau and show has a speacial place in my heart; it's being put together by 2 people I really love, Makana, the slack key master and Sakara Blackwell, a friend and local events promoter.

• 

  GoNOMAD

• Rediscovering Newfoundland and the East Coast Trail

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:42 pm

  I've lived in St. John's for four years. I know the city like I know my beer, but every time I climb Signal Hill to sit on the rock ledge looking out across the Atlantic Ocean, it takes my breath away all over again. There’s something new to discover there every day, whether it’s a boat steaming by or a giant iceberg drifting down from Iceberg Alley. In Newfoundland and Labrador, even city-dwellers are blessed with big nature. The last time on the trail, a small fishing boat tooted its horn at me, the people onboard waving with big grins. Not too long ago, however, I woke up to a…

• Climbing Mount Takao: A Delightful Escape from Tokyo

  30 Aug 2010 | 4:21 pm

  Tokyo's parks are small patches of greenery in an astoundingly huge urban sprawl, and while some of them are incredibly beautiful, they cannot truly be said to be pockets of nature. They are often for looking at, rather than being in, and visitors may stroll along paved and roped off paths, but not lounge on grassy knolls or get lost in swathes of woodland á la Central Park. Many Tokyoites therefore find it necessary to get out of the city from time to time to get reacquainted with Mother Nature. Lucky for us, there are many natural areas within a few hours' train ride from the main…

• Learning Spanish on a Cultural Tour of Lima

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:36 am

  Traveling solo is the best way to improve your language skills because it forces you to interact with local people, and prevents you from chatting in English all day with travel buddies. However, if you’re traveling with a friend or a group you must make a pact before you leave to speak Spanish as much as possible. You will feel silly at first, but you'll be smarter because of it. Once you’re in Lima, a great way to start your visit of the city is by going on guided tours in Spanish. Tours of local museums and churches offer an affordable learning experience and allow you to orient…

• Weaving Sea Silk in Sardinia: Preserving an Ancient Art

  27 Aug 2010 | 12:57 pm

  The byssus is a fine fabric produced from the velvety strand of the noble pen shell, or pinna nobilis, an endangered fan-shaped species of mollusc, native of the Mediterranean Sea bed. Originally, the pen shell used to be fished in order to pull the byssus out, but Chiara has come up with a special cut so that she can take the secreted material without killing the precious animal. “The pen shell offers us ten centimeters of byssus per year,” explained Chiara, who dives herself on the lookout for the rare silk. “To gather 200 grams of byssus, I need to go on 300 divings,” she…

• Eco-Hotel in Crete is a Tranquil Haven for Relaxation

  27 Aug 2010 | 12:55 pm

  This tale is not my fancy but the true story of Marcos Mourtzanakis, owner of Mourtzanakis Residence, a unique ecotourism hotel in Achlada, about 20 miles west of Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Being not only a man of vision, but also a man of action, Marcos built the eco-hotel with support from his brother and his wife. It took years of hard work and planning, not to mention the investment of a large amount of money, but what greets the visitor today are four separate villas which are the guest accommodations and a main building which features a library, a salon and a communal dining room…

• 

  Travellious.com

• Travel Like A Human Being: Always Be In Search Of Something

  austin

  31 Aug 2010 | 10:22 am

  Image: austin hill. Whenever I'm traveling, or even just out exploring in Seattle, I've always got a collection of things that I keep a lookout for. A pulled pork sandwich. A stack of vintage LPs. Food cooking in an open air market. These are things that cause me to drop my plans to stop and stay awhile. Not necessarily addictions (ok, maybe they are just a little), but glimpses into my personality, who I am, and what I love. They make travel, and life in general, more fun. I'm sure you've got your own set of favorites, all your own, that you indulge in on a regular basis. But do you take…

• Travellious Review: Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

  kelly

  16 Aug 2010 | 1:08 pm

  Image: kelly goodman. Photo is much better looking, here As you might have noticed, my recent trip to Aruba was sponsored by the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. As such, I thought it only fitting to give you my thoughts and experiences on the resort itself. When I travel, I don't discriminate against any kind of establishment (although admittedly, cost is usually my deciding factor.) Sometimes I stay in a "mom and pop" B&B and sometimes it's the chain hotel. It all depends on my travel needs and desires for the trip. Price might be my deciding vote, but there are many other…

• The Happy Island

  kelly

  5 Aug 2010 | 4:01 pm

  Image: kelly goodman. (This photo looks much better here, by the way.) “How was Aruba? Is it truly one happy island like they say?” This question kept presenting itself to me in a variety of forms when I arrived back stateside a few weeks ago. This notion of the happy “other” makes me uncomfortable. Why do we, and by we I mean Americans, insist on stereotyping the “other” as happy? Is it because happiness is a tricky emotion and one that eludes many an American? When someone returns from a trip and tells me “the people in Mexico, or the Italians, or the Mississipians, they were…

• Quick Tip: Turn Off All That Data BEFORE You Leave the Country

  kelly

  3 Aug 2010 | 3:04 pm

  Image: tomsun. Wow, I'm kinda embarrassed to admit this, but I'm totally in the dog house here in the Travellious house. I just got my T-Mobile phone bill covering the few days that I was in Aruba last month and it was a jaw dropper. I'll admit that I didn't do my research before hand, nor study up on the costs associated with using my phone abroad. I knew it was expensive (been there, done that) and thought I kept it to a minimum. read more

• Off Roadin' in Aruba

  kelly

  29 Jul 2010 | 9:05 am

  I didn’t expect Aruba to be so arid, let alone see ginormous cacti. A jeep tour with De Palm Tours gave us a peek at the terrain of the island, a tour of local landmarks, a dip in a natural pool and a bit of a roller coaster ride when some fellow travel bloggers took the wheel. read more

• 

  Dawn on the Amazon Captain's Blog

• Amazon Cruises from Iquitos Peru With Dawn on the Amazon

  Captain Bill

  30 Aug 2010 | 3:10 pm

  Amazon Cruises from Iquitos Peru with Dawn on the Amazon. Want to learn more about Amazon Cruises? You are on the best web site to learn about your options. Amazon Cruises are our specialty. We customize cruises according to your schedule and interests. I’ve published 27 articles about our cruises and destinations, and built a special page with links to show off all of the articles at; Amazon Tours and Cruises. Another good link that is full of more specific details is to the Amazon Cruise page on my business web site;  Amazon Tours and Cruises With Dawn on the Amazon. Dawn on the…

• I Long To See My Mother In The Doorway

  Captain Bill

  29 Aug 2010 | 12:35 pm

  I long to see my mother in the doorway. My mother in the doorway I longed to see my mother standing in the doorway, as she stood there years ago her boy to greet…and here she is, just like I remembered, only 89 years old and doing good. She has very little peer pressure, she has outlived most of her peers. I was lucky to have been born and raised by this woman, on this farm, in rural Indiana near the banks of the Wabash River. This is where I was taught the values of honesty, honor, and hard work that have made me who I am today. Bill on the tailgate of his truck, on the banks of the…

• On The Banks Of The Wabash Far Away

  Captain Bill

  4 Aug 2010 | 4:37 pm

  On The Banks Of The Wabash Far Away I’m at the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima at the sort of fancy restaurant, 4D, at the top of the escalator across from Starbucks. I’m using Starbucks wi-fi. I guess the two places have some arrangement, or maybe 4D pirates the signal. My waiter knows the password. The waiter says he will move me to a table where I can plug in to charge my battery. If that happens I will use this as my office for the rest of the afternoon. I’ll be darned, he did it I’m plugged in, wired in, charging my battery, answering emails, writing to you, studying…

• Peru Independence Day, July 28th

  Captain Bill

  28 Jul 2010 | 12:59 pm

  Peru Independence Day, July 28th July 28th of each year starts one of the biggest holidays of the year commemorating Peru’s independence from Spain followed on July 29th honoring the armed forces and it turns into a long weekend of celebration known as Fiestas Patrias Peruanas. I’m hanging out with half a dozen of my ex-pat buddies on the corner of the boulevard and Nauta, at the Dawn on the Amazon Café. They are drinking beer. I just enjoyed a delicious lunch of cecina fajita, with a glass of white wine. We have our Peruvian Flags flying. Some other interesting gringos are…

• Relapse Into Poor Health And My Recent Recovery

  Captain Bill

  28 Jul 2010 | 8:12 am

  Relapse Into Poor Health And My Recent Recovery I don’t want to bore you with my health problems so this will be brief. I’m not complaining or feeling sorry for myself. Just reporting in to let you know. I am much better today. Remember last year I came down with that unnamed, poorly understood virus, and was sick for months; Here Is What Happened To Me. I had a relapse for the last couple of weeks. I’m lucky. So many people in the world are in pain and misery. My symptoms were to sleep 20 hours per day, pain free. Sleeping is not the worst way to spend time, although at…

• 

  Common Sense and Whiskey

• Practical Travel Gear Blog

  Bill

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:33 am

  It's time I mentioned the Practical Travel Gear blog. As somebody whose carry-on bags are 1. a small camera bag (with a camera body, three lenses, camera batteries, memory cards and a cable release) and then 2. A bag of stuff to support bag#1, I'm a recovering gadget fan.  There was a time when every trip was an excuse for a new piece of camera gear. Nowadays it's different. After each trip I sit down on the floor and take every last item out of those two bags, and anything I didn't use goes back in the camera room under the stairs, banished from the next trip. But still,…

• Riding to Minsk

  Bill

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:01 am

  Just for sheer novelty, waking up one morning and going to Belarus is hard to beat. Here's how it went a couple of weeks ago: 14 August, 2010 I’m excited today. We’re heading into the capital of Europe’s lone holdout authoritarian state, Minsk, Belarus, still all decked out in mint-condition Communist architecture. This ought to be fun. So: We decided to do this the local way. Yesterday at a terrace bar down across from the big Vilnius Cathedral they convinced us that the train we meant to take would spend an eternity at the border, and that the entire trip would be far faster by…

• Wednesday HDR: Cathedral Photo Comparison

  Bill

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:41 am

  The subject this week is the interior of the Riga Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltics. Both our HDR photos below are derived from the same three bracketed photos; They've just been processed differently. First, the unpromising-looking bracketed photos I took from the back of the church:  And now, the combined HDR versions: Simple difference in the two HDRs: In the bottom version, we gave the top version its own layer in Photoshop CS5, duplicated it, used Filter -> Stylize -> Find Edges to define lines, then blended the two layers together. Whichever you prefer,…

• Adding Insult to Injury (from Crocodiles)

  Bill

  31 Aug 2010 | 9:13 am

  This photo, from the Rwandan border town of Gisenyi, is as close as we got to the UN/NGO-dominated town of Goma, Dem. Rep. Congo. U.N. charters flew in almost constantly. Click the photo for a larger version you can actually see.  To and from Gisenyi, long haul trucks from the Indian Ocean ports of Mombasa and Dar es-Salaam brought goods to supply eastern Congo. Congo itself, mind you, fronts the Atlantic Ocean. But the state of its infrastructure is so dismal as to require the eastern half of the country to be supplied from the other side of the continent. So it's no real surprise to…

• Tallinn, Estonia

  Bill

  29 Aug 2010 | 2:59 pm

  HDR of an oh-so-cute tourist train around the old town. Perhaps the driver's very tired after driving all day.It's from the new and as yet unfinished Estonia Gallery at EarthPhotos.com.

• 

  WritingTravel.com

• Mid-America road trips for wimps, part 2

  Lanora @WritingTravel

  10 Aug 2010 | 10:10 am

  Safely at home after spending more than two weeks with my extended family in southern Illinois. I had intended to stay a week or less, long enough to recover from the solo drive south and make the rounds to see as many cousins as possible. And yes, I had intended to blog from the road, but I'm a wimp.

• Mid-America road trips for wimps, part 1

  Lanora @WritingTravel

  24 Jul 2010 | 9:07 am

  A big shout-out to CoPilot Live, sponsors of TBEX '10. During the conference, I was the lucky winner of their GPS mapping product for smartphones. Before I hit the road yesterday, I installed the app on my iPhone 4 and downloaded maps for Illinois, where my travels are focused, as well as maps for contiguous states Indiana and Kentucky, where my wanderlust may take me.

• Late supper at Bien Trucha

  Lanora @WritingTravel

  2 Jul 2010 | 6:21 pm

  Late supper at the fabulous Bien Trucha in Geneva, Illinois: Rick Bayless would love this authentic Mexican haute cuisine.

• The 10-plus things I learned at TBEX '10

  Lanora @WritingTravel

  29 Jun 2010 | 10:27 am

  Here's my very personal list, in no set order, of the idiosyncratic things I learned at TBEX '10.

• In remembrance of my father on Memorial Day

  Lanora @WritingTravel

  1 Jun 2010 | 8:58 am

  Lawrence William Schoeny 1921-1999 T/Sgt, 8th Army Air Force, 448th Bomb Group, Squadron 714

• 

  Hole in the Donut

• Eat, Pray, Love In Real Life – How My Career Break Led to a Life of Travel

  Barbara Weibel

  1 Sep 2010 | 5:37 am

  I went to see the new movie Eat, Pray, Love a couple of weeks ago. The movie wasn’t fabulous, it wasn’t even as good as the book, but it threw me into reminiscing. Nearly four years ago, like the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, I too made the decision to abandon my existing life and job to travel around the world for six months in pursuit of my true passions of travel, photography, and writing. The book had just been released at that time and I read it from cover to cover during the 36 hours and three layovers required to get to Vietnam. I remember being intrigued by the fact that I…

• Kayaking Nature’s Church In Silent Reverence

  Barbara Weibel

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:01 am

  As the crow flies, I was only a mile or two from the beach, but it might as well have been a thousand miles away. Despite ominous skies and the threat of rain, I climbed into my lemon yellow kayak, pushed off the ramp and slipped into Graham Creek. Silently gliding through slate waters, I navigated narrow twisting channels bordered by tall wire grasses that reflected subtle green mirror images on the unstirring water. Giant pines loomed over the dense vegetation like overarching staves of an ancient church and I paddled in silent reverence, awed by the overwhelming stillness of the place. My…

• Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama’s Refreshing Commitment to Tell the Truth About the Oil Spill

  Barbara Weibel

  29 Aug 2010 | 4:04 pm

  Like most Americans, I was mortified by the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico this summer. My stomach turned when I viewed the underwater photos of oil gushing from the breached well and I felt helpless, wishing I could help in some way but knowing there probably wasn’t anything I could do. Then, a few weeks ago, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism invited me to visit the area as part of their first ever press tour. Since I had long wanted to check out this part of the country I jumped at the chance, but I was anxious about what I would find, given the…

• What Do You Get When You Cross a Donkey With a Zebra?

  Barbara Weibel

  23 Aug 2010 | 11:32 am

  What do you get when you cross a donkey with a zebra? A zedonk, of course! The owners of the non-profit Chestatee Wildlife Preserve near Dahlonega, Georgia got a big surprise recently when their mama donkey gave birth to her mixed breed foal. Since she was born with striped legs and a solid body, they named the baby Pippi Longstockings. The foal has attributes of both donkey and zebra. Though she sports stripes, she is much less skittish than a zebra and seems not to mind all the attention she is getting. Can’t see the video above? Click HERE to view on YouTube. Chestatee Wildlife…

• Gorgeous Beaches and Great Shrimp: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama Are Oil Free and Open for Business

  Barbara Weibel

  21 Aug 2010 | 12:04 am

  I’ve feasted on shrimp all around the world, but Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama have, hands down, the most delicious shrimp I’ve ever eaten. I arrived last night and promptly dug into my first helping at the Gulf Island Grill; today I had a shrimp Po’ Boy for lunch at the Beach Club and this evening I had broiled skewered shrimp at Live Bait restaurant in Orange Beach. I’m here as a guest of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, enjoying four days on this lovely coastal barrier island and checking up on the status of the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon…

• 

  Spot Cool Stuff: Travel

• Sleep Around in Free Spirit Spheres

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  19 Aug 2010 | 2:31 pm

  The Swiss Family Robinson meets Cocoon on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. There, on the island’s western coast, is a a gem of an eco-resort where guests sleep in round pods suspended by ropes in the trees: the Free Spirit Spheres. The “Spherical Tree House” accommodations of Free Spirit Spheres are not exactly spacious. But they do make efficient use of the room that’s available, much like the sail boats that inspired their design. In fact, when a wind blows the pods sway much like a boat does. There are three sphere-pods to choose from. All About Melody…

• The World’s Largest Car Dealership

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  19 Aug 2010 | 2:24 pm

  Chances are that you have never visited an auto dealership purely for an afternoon of fun. That may change once construction is complete on a new car showroom megaplex. Said new car showroom megaplex is not located in the United States, China or Germany, as you might expect. Instead, the Autopia Europia is being built in a suburb of Istanbul, Turkey. The massive building will be the world’s largest car dealership. Though we’d argue it will be much more than that. Read the rest of this review on our design blog

• One Price For All You Can Jet in September

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  17 Aug 2010 | 12:37 pm

  Spot Cool Stuff is about things that make you go WOW! The thing could be a product, a place, a design, a website, a song—or a sale. And the latest sale from cool low cost carrier JetBlue made us go WOW! The sale is dubbed AYCJ. That’s All You Can Jet. And it allows passengers to do exactly that: To travel where ever they like on the JetBlue network, practically as much as they like between Sept 7th 2010 and October 6th, for a single fixed rate. There are two AYCJ passes to choose from: The AYCJ-7 pass, valid seven days a week, costs $699; the AYCJ-5 pass, which does not cover air…

• Cool Outdoor Gear You’ll See In Stores Soon

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  12 Aug 2010 | 2:27 pm

  Spot Cool Stuff is freshly back from the Summer Outdoor Retailer convention in Salt Lake City where, along with approximately 20,999 others, we ooo-ed and ahhh-ed over the latest tents, backpacks, kayaks, shoes, bicycles, roof-top carriers, portable disposable toilets (yes, really), sunglasses, jackets, pocket knives, hammocks, energy bars, hiking GPS units and an assorted sundry of outdoor gear and gadgets. Many products at the OR Show were newly released and several will not be available to the general public for several months. What were the coolest new items we discovered? Here’s a…

• The World’s Largest Underwater Sculpture Park

  Spot Cool Travel Stuff

  9 Aug 2010 | 8:00 am

  Ah, Cancun. The sun. The beaches. The shopping. The tequila shots. The drunken college kids on spring break. The massive underwater sculpture park? Even those familiar with what Cancun offers above sea level will soon to be surprised at what they can find underneath it: a museum. The project, abstractly named “The Silent Evolution,” is not the first underwater sculpture park some sources claim it to be—that distinction goes to a set of sculptures off the coast of Grenada. However Cancun’s subaquatic offering will easily be the world’s largest. By the time it opens to…

• 

  No Crowds

• Transforming Family and Friends into Effective Agents of Guilt and Terror

  1 Sep 2010 | 1:03 am

  Dear Friends,Thanks to Chris Baty's No Plot? No Problem: A Low-Stress, High Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days, I have committed to writing a 50,000 word novel by September 30th. That's 1,667 words a day for the next 30 days.I will be reporting my daily word quota on social media. Poke merciless fun at me any time I miss my deadline. And thanks.Kate

• Off-The-Grid Travel

  20 Aug 2010 | 2:02 am

  Recently, the New York Times ran a story about five neuroscientists who took a  trip to the Glenn Canyon National Recreation area in Utah with the goal of studying how the heavy use of digital services and other technology changes how we think and behave. At the end of the trip, all five scientists were singing the praises of Off-the-Grid Travel.Great premise, I thought. Off-the-Grid travel just might be the next big thing. It’s exotic, exclusive, difficult to achieve. It won’t be long before Abercrombie & Kent will be offering Off-the-Grid safaris. I should do something about…

• Great Fakes?

  16 Aug 2010 | 6:33 am

  We are off to Cadaques in Spain made famous by Salvador Dali. We’re going to the real one.  Not the official recreation that is being built in China for holidaymakers looking for a 'taste’ of Europe and not the unofficial real estate development, Cadaques Caribe, a reconstruction in the Dominican Republic.“How surreal” I thought when I read about all those fake Cadaqueses in the Guardian newspaper but how fitting.  As one of the most forged artists in the world, aided by the habit of signing and selling off blank sheets of paper, Dali would most likely have enjoyed the whole…

• Will Travel Make You Happier?

  9 Aug 2010 | 7:27 am

  The business section of the New York Times ran a major story on consumption and happiness this weekend.  To sum up the findings of a number of prominent psychologists quoted in the article, spending on an experience provides more lasting happiness than spending on stuff. According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor at the University of California, Riverside with a grant from the US National Institute of Mental Health to study the possibility of permanently increasing happiness, spending on travel experiences is a happiness ‘best buy’. She claims that travel provides longer-lasting…

• Take Me to the Kasbah - Exploring Morocco's Atlas Mountains

  6 Jul 2010 | 5:37 am

  More from No Crowds reporter, Penny, on how to explore the Atlas mountains of  Morocco in grand style. From our balcony at the Kasbah du Toubkal, we looked across the valley to the summit of Mount Toubkal and spent our first evening just listening to the call to prayer echoing and repeating village to village.  By day, you can walk in the mountains – with or without a guide, with or without a mule to help you on the climb.  You can walk the 10-11 km to a “nearby” lodge above a traditional village inaccessible by car (and devoid of the sounds of cars) and come…

• 

  Brilliant Tips from BrilliantTrips.com

• Top 10 Reasons to Visit the Azores

  Rich

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:03 am

  There are so many great reasons to visit the Azores. With an abundance of beauty, lush vegetation growing from the contrasting volcanic rock, beautiful farmland, a great seaside influence, an unspoiled culture ... Related posts:Praia a Mare – An Undiscovered Gem in Italy Zadar – Croatia's Most Underrated City Hanalei Town on Kauai's North Shore

• Lake Nakuru, Kenya

  Chris

  30 Aug 2010 | 9:00 am

  Home to huge flocks of flamingos and tons of other wildlife, this lake is one of particular beauty. Just over 150 km from Nairobi, the Lake Nakuru is said to have over 1 million flamingos. The sheer numbers make the lake appear to have a bright, pink shoreline. This lake is one of great interest to scientists, birdwatchers and tourists alike. It is often included on Kenyan safari tours. Related posts:Lake Orta, Italy – A Place for Sublime Moments The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania Bled, Slovenia and the Julian Alps

• Bullfights on a Rope in Terceira

  Rich

  27 Aug 2010 | 7:30 am

  Popular since the 16th century, the “touradas à corda” (literally “bullfights by rope”) are held by local Terceiran villagers from May to late September. In these events, similar to the Running of the ... No related posts.

• Le Palais Idéal

  Rich

  23 Aug 2010 | 6:45 am

  Le Palais Idéal is an intricate castle made of stones that are bound together with concrete, lime and wire, located in Hauterives, France. The palace was built over a 34 year period by Ferdinand Cheval, ... Related posts:France for Foodies Fengdu – The Chinese Realm of the Dead The Paris Sewer Museum

• Valencia’s Mercado Central – Real Valencian Daily Life

  Rich

  20 Aug 2010 | 7:19 am

  Last month, while in Spain, I had the opportunity to visit Valencia’s Mercado Central. While the building itself was constructed in the beginning of the twentieth century, it displays genuine Valencian style ... Related posts:Christmas and the Holiday Season in New York City The Azores – An Archipelago Jewel in the Atlantic The Old City of Peñíscola, Spain

• 

  The Elite Travel Gal

• Luxury and Health Go Hand in Hand at Four Seasons Westlake Village

  10 Aug 2010 | 10:30 am

  How is it that a full month has gone by since I've found time to blog? I guess this is a good thing, as luxury travel is back and we're busier than ever. That said, I'm overdue for a post on the Four Seasons Westlake Village and the adjoining California Health and Longevity Institute (CHLI)as it's an incredible place...and just 40 minutes from my home in LA.More than just another fabulous Four Seasons hotel with a terrific spa, this property takes it to the next level when it comes to the health/wellness options available. I confess: I really wasn't that interested in meeting with a fitness…

• From Santa Barbara to Sonoma....via San Francisco

  29 Jun 2010 | 1:39 pm

  How is it that I've traveled all over the world, yet had never experienced a self-drive trip up and down the stunning California coast until this weekend? All I can say is better late than never...and it's a trip I'll be doing many times again. Breaking up the drive from LA by booking stays at fab hotels in Santa Barbara, San Francisco & Sonoma County was the smartest idea I've had in a while...and I'm already planning my next visit in my head. The perfect road trip started with a leisurely afternoon drive up Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) through Malibu to Santa Barbara. It took just 90 minutes…

• Food For Thought

  25 May 2010 | 6:23 am

  What do Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Wilshire, the Fairmont Miramar, Malibu Beach Inn, Four Seasons Westlake , The London West Hollywood & the Peninsula Beverly Hills have in common? Other than being hotels in LA, each has an amazing restaurant--so good you might even forget you're dining in a hotel! Gone are the days when hotel dining was nothing more than a necessary evil as these properties offer up seriously great eats...in fact, the meals I've had at these hotels rival some of the best I've had anywhere in LA. Take for example, the newly opened Culina at Four Seasons LA. Billed as…

• Mexico in Style

  28 Apr 2010 | 5:54 pm

  Mexico’s always been top of my list of places to go when I totally need to chill, and want to do so in a luxury hotel on a gorgeous beach. A recent journey south gave me the chance to do so, as I checked into the newish (opened fall ‘o8) St. Regis Punta Mita for sheer R&R then headed to old town Puerto Vallarta, the region Richard Burton & Liz Taylor put on the map with their longtime love affair. Pairing a few days in Puerto Vallarta (with its cute shops, hip nightspots, great restaurants and unique history & culture) with downtime at the beach in sleepy Punta Mita, to me, is the perfect…

• Amangiri Puts Page on the Map

  10 Apr 2010 | 8:47 am

  Leave it to Aman Resorts to put a small town like Page, Arizona on the map. Seriously, unless you like house-boating with throngs of tourists on Lake Powell, there’s little chance you’d choose Page as your destination of choice. That is, until now, with the recent opening of Amangiri. Just over the Utah border, 20 minutes from Page, Amangiri opened last fall as Aman’s second stateside venture. The secluded 34-suite resort sits on 600 acres of wilderness 4,000 feet above sea level in a canyon setting ideal for hiking, exploring and of course, in true Aman style, chilling out and spa-ing.

• 

  Suite101: Travel Articles

• The Resurgence of Tacoma, Washington

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:30 am

  In the face of a rough past and sordid history, the South Sound's port city has become home. A familiar room where every crack in the plaster is known.

• Travels with Terry: Honeymoon in Hawaii

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:19 am

  We arrived at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel in Waikiki at 5PM to start our honeymoon trip. We had been in the air or at airports for 23 hours. Things get better

• Waikiki Beach Walk Shopping Mecca

  2 Sep 2010 | 9:22 am

  Waikiki beach in Honolulu, Hawaii has a great shopping district within walking distance. Lewers Street is lined with interesting boutiques to browse.

• A Walk through a Pakistani Bazaar Delights the Senses

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:56 am

  A bazaar is a vibrant place, full of life and noise. The sights and smells are intoxicating for a Westerner who is open to new experiences.

• Alnwick, England's Historic Border Defense.

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:04 am

  Explore northern England, Northumberland and the border town of Alnwick and step back into English history.

• 

  Lifecruiser

• Three Trees in Norway

  Lifecruiser

  31 Aug 2010 | 2:38 am

  Out on a walk in the forests of Norway, you’ll never know what you could see - I mean Norway is after all famous for their trolls. At least I spotted them three times - or even more… I’m glad that it wasn’t in the evening when it was darker, that could perhaps have been a bit scary, or what do you say?`*giggles* I have only one thing to say about the one above: what is that thing she has growing between her legs…? *giggles* I’ve heard about treehuggers hanging around before, but never in this kind of way…. *giggles* Is it me having too much…

• Home Sweet Sleep Home

  Lifecruiser

  26 Aug 2010 | 1:47 am

  After being away all summer (7 weeks) at our summer paradise island and then for 9 days in Oslo, Norway, visiting friends (including a fab blog gathering), it sure was nice to finally come home to Stockholm again - even though we have had a wonderful time away. The number one thing I’m always longing back to when out traveling is: our own (90 cm!) bed. Since we arrived home, we have been sleeping many hours, for 2 nights in a row we slept about 12 hours! Of course, since we both are born in Stockholm, the Northern Venice has a special place in our heart and always will even though we…

• Oslo Blog Gathering, Norway - here we comes!

  Lifecruiser

  13 Aug 2010 | 10:00 pm

  After spending 7 weeks - 50 days - at our summer paradise island, we only had 4 days to unpack, laundry, trip preparations and pack again for next trip. Phew! Yes, you read right, we’re taking off again, this time to Oslo, Norway. First we’ll visit our Norwegian friend Kari between Saturday - Sunday. After that our dear Norwegian blog friends Tor and Anna will host us alone for a couple of days before our dear blog friends from France, Claudie and Pierre (who hosted us when we went to France last year) arrives. Wednesday evening we’ll have a culinary evening with…

• Skarsand Sunset, Gotland

  Lifecruiser

  7 Aug 2010 | 8:24 am

  There is a lot of beautiful beaches and other places at Fårö island, Gotland, Sweden. We never get tired of watching the sun go down on this magic island. This time we want to show you the sunset at Skärsand beach. We thought that this photo above turned out rather well in that sense that it looks so unusual, almost like it was painted with that ship anchored up. Dark and magic. There were a lot of sea birds flying around in front of the sun when it was going down, quite difficult to catch on photo though, so we’re proud over this one. A red sunset but with golden color…

• Norsta Aurar Beach 2010, Gotland

  Lifecruiser

  3 Aug 2010 | 7:20 am

  Our engagement beach Norsta Aurar at Fårö island (Gotland, Sweden) is a very long and absolutely gorgeous beach here at the Baltic Sea, that changes appearance all the time. Sometimes narrow, sometimes wide and sometimes even filled with smaller or bigger rocks. This year there were just small rocks at one shorter part of the beach. The rest of the beach, which is several kilometers, is the finest sand beach - and not too crowdy either since it’s such a long walk along the beach. Sometimes this beach is mentioned as a nudist beach, but the truth is that it’s big enough…

• 

  The Longest Way Home

• I got hit by a taxi, but that’s not the worst thing

  The Longest Way Home

  Taxi vs The Longest Way Home ... I wasn’t going to write in my journal about such a trivial event like being hit by a taxi. Trivial because, because aside from some arm bruising, I am fine. What happened minutes afterwards is however, leaving a lasting impression on hospitality in The Philippines. Why walking is a virtual crime in the Philippines I walk to many places. A rarity in the Philippines as the majority, and by majority I mean 98% of the population seem to have an alergy to this human activity. Heat & dust is the causal excuse. Sweaty clothes, skin and exertion are…

• Gun Crazy Philippines

  The Longest Way Home

  Another nation obsessed with guns I am not sure if the average tourist picks up on the fact that guns are everywhere in The Philippines. From the police, to the private security man on down to the general public. In the Philippines you have the right to bear arms. Sadly on Monday August 23rd a bus filled with tourists in the capital Manila, got to experience this first hand. And, the results ended in a shooting bloodbath. Manila kidnapping & shooting The media has covered this story in its entirety (news sourcewiki source) so I won’t repeat it in detail. The outline of…

• The Tibetan Temple in Davao City & how to realize you’ve gone too far

  The Longest Way Home

  The Tibetan Temple Inc in Davao City, The Philippines (click to enlarge) Getting to the Tibetan Temple in the rising morning heat was quite easy. There was a small Sari Sari store outside and some shelter in the form of some palm tree coverings. Something I needed, as I am not a fan of humidity. I looked at the large red gates that were firmly closed in front of the Tibetan tower. Behind them and inside the temple I could see a man busy sweeping away. There was life. Patience is a virtue in Travel Half a bottle of water later and I ran the bell beside the large red gates and waited. And,…

• Food from The Philippines: Itlog (aka testicles)

  The Longest Way Home

  Bull testicles A plate of gourmet testicles (click to enlarge - you've been warned) Well, nearly every country has them. The Philippines is no exception when it comes to eating testicles. In this case, testicles of the bull or Itlog sa Baka. I will admit here, that I really don’t have a passion for eating internal organs. Just not my thing. I’ll also spare as many male genitalia jokes as possible. How to find testicle soup in The Philippines: I discovered “Itlog” quite by accident. In my normal friendly manner I saw some locals around a table eating what looked…

• Why did I spend 2 years in The Philippines?

  The Longest Way Home

  “Have you found home in the Philippines?” Looking at life from the bottom up - (clump of giant bamboo - click to enlarge) I’ve received a lot of email from people asking this question, mainly pertaining to the fact that I have been here so long. Let me knock one thing on the head here. “I lived & traveled in Africa for longer.” I’ve just written more about it from here due to enhancements in technology, having better electricity, and having access to the internet. Moreover this is not your typical travel blog. This is my life. I am not country…

• 

  Fly Away Cafe

• A WPA Poster Guide To Fall Resolutions

  Briana Rognlin

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:41 am

  Most people resolve to do things around January 1st, but I like to challenge myself to new tasks around September 1st. The change of seasons, that “back-to-school” feeling (even if you’re not in school), and that I’ve-been-lazy-all-summer-not-it’s-time-to-kick-into-gear type of inspiration makes me especially motivated this time of year. Plus, there’s nothing like being hung over and snowed in to make me NOT want to start training for a marathon or ride my bike to work. So in the spirit of what I think should be the official season of resolutions, here are…

• Meat, Greet, and Eat: Do You Consume Smart Animals?

  Caroline Sloan

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:00 am

  A post on Treehugger about the intelligence of octopuses raised an interesting question: Does an animal’s intelligence factor into whether or not you’ll eat it? As the article points out, we eat pigs, which are typically smart (despite the fact that they roll around in shit), yet eating the highly intelligent dolphin is socially unacceptable. So, to all you carnivores out there — do you consider an animal’s intelligence level before you eat it? Let us know. via Treehugger Post from: BlissTree Meat, Greet, and Eat: Do You Consume Smart Animals?

• 2 Sep 2010 | 10:30 am

  Blisstree Staff

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:30 am

  Oil Rig Explodes: Another oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded this morning. It’s not certain if there will be a leak. (via Inhabitat) Post from: BlissTree

• Pet Health: A Salad for Your Dog

  Caroline Sloan

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:21 am

  photo: Thinkstock We know that eating greens reduces the risk of cancer, but a recent Huffington Post article suggests that feeding your dogs organic kale could cut their risk as well. The article describes a dog with a tumor. Its owner added kale to the dog’s diet, and after four weeks, the tumor had disappeared. When I think about feeding an animal a salad, I just have visions of lots of green poop. Would you consider feeding your dog kale? via Huffington Post Post from: BlissTree Pet Health: A Salad for Your Dog

• September Is National Yoga Month – Get a Free Week of Yoga

  Briana Rognlin

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:12 am

  September is National Yoga Month, which means lots of free events throughout the country, and our personal favorite: A week of free yoga at over 1,200 participating yoga centers in the country. The pass is good for any week this month, at any participating studio that you haven’t already visited. Check out the Yoga Month website to find a studio near you, or at the very least, go to a yoga class, any yoga class. Post from: BlissTree September Is National Yoga Month – Get a Free Week of Yoga

• 

  My Itchy Travel Feet

• Five Tips for Staying Fit On Your Boomer Trip

  Donna Hull

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:59 pm

  Keeping fit while traveling is one of the biggest baby boomer challenges that Alan and I face. That’s why I’m excited to introduce our boomer readers to today’s guest post from Steve Jasper, a contributing blogger for GymSource. As much as we eagerly anticipate our vacation time, there is a disadvantage to this welcome diversion—traveling [...]

• Goodbye August, Hello Fall

  Donna Hull

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:19 am

  It’s been a busy summer for baby boomer travel at My Itchy Travel Feet. Today’s post is an update on where we’ve been, who’s been talking about us on the internet and a sneak preview of where Alan and I are going next. Are you curious about the challenges of travel blogging? I shared our story [...]

• Saturday’s scene: Relaxing at the Barn

  Donna Hull

  29 Aug 2010 | 5:09 pm

  Sitting by the outdoor fireplace in our barn suite at Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley gives life on the farm a whole new meaning.

• Baby Boomer Adventures in Cancun

  Donna Hull

  27 Aug 2010 | 4:25 pm

  “You’re itinerary includes rappelling, zip-lining, kayaking, swimming in a cenote and climbing the tallest Mayan temple in the state.” When I received this email from the marketing staff at CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, I felt a brief moment of baby boomer self-doubt. Climb Nohoch Muul’s 192 steps? I’m afraid of heights. Jump off a cliff [...]

• Cancun for Baby Boomers at CasaMagna Marriott Resort

  Donna Hull

  24 Aug 2010 | 10:36 pm

  Is a beach resort your idea of baby boomer travel? Add a Latin-influenced flavor to adventure by the sea with a stay at CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort in Mexico. I’ll admit, when Marriott Resorts invited me to visit Cancun to blog from paradise at their seaside resort; all I could think about were news reports that [...]

• 

  TheCircumference.org

• Visit Fidel Castro's Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, Cuba

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:10 pm

  Cuba. Published on September 02, 2010 by Nicole BowersThe StoryThe first thing I noticed upon entering Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, was the sheer size of it. Standing inside one can easily imagine former President Fidel Castro addressing the masses and it is quite obvious that Revolution Square is indeed one of the biggest city squares in the world. Though the name “Revolution Square” is linked to Fidel Castro and his revolution, the square was actually constructed during the regime of prior President Fulgencio Batista. It was originally named “Civic Square” and renamed…

• Spend the Night in a Hotel Made of Ice

  31 Aug 2010 | 10:57 am

  Canada. Published on August 31, 2010 by Tammy Burns, WriterThe StoryThe first thing they tell you at the Ice Hotel is not to put your head inside your sleeping bag. You’ll want to. It’s cold in the Ice Hotel and your nose will want to tuck itself under the covers to keep warm. But if you do, your warm breath will mix with the hotel’s cold air and you’ll end up with a sleeping bag with an opening coated in ice. The Hotel de Glace in Quebec, Canada, is a boutique hotel made entirely of snow and ice – 20,000 tonnes of it. Redesigned and rebuilt every winter, it takes over a month to…

• Up Close and Personal with Alaskan Grizzly Bears

  30 Aug 2010 | 3:35 pm

  United States. Published on August 30, 2010 by Drew Tapley, Managing Editor & WriterThe StoryThe northern U.S state of Alaska is more than a remote icebox of the Arctic Circle and the largest state of America. This is especially true for those interested in bear watching—seeing wild Alaskan grizzly bears in their natural habitat. These huge, beautiful, often misunderstood and underestimated animals roam the great white northern regions; and if the grizzly bear is your creature of choice, then timing and positioning are key to bear watching from a safe yet intimate distance. In the fishing…

• Witness the "Boiling Lake" of Prismatic Spring

  25 Aug 2010 | 5:47 pm

  United States. Published on August 26, 2010 by Spencer SpellmanThe StoryIf you're only able to visit a single U.S. national park, then Yellowstone should be your choice. Spanning several states, this U.S. park is the oldest in the country, opening in 1872. Yellowstone is well known for its geysers and hot springs. While Old Faithful often takes the spotlight regarding the park's geysers, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the park's most notorious hot spring, located along the Midwest Geyser Basin near the Firehole River. Prismatic Spring, in Wyoming, is the largest spring in the U.S., and third…

• Going for a Wander on the White Cliffs Of Dover

  24 Aug 2010 | 9:24 pm

  United Kingdom. Published on August 25, 2010 by Angela Jill, WriterThe StoryThe white cliffs of Dover have been as important in literature as they have been in history. Significant in the Napoleonic wars and World War II, they have represented England's last line of defence in poetry and literature. In Matthew Arnold's poem, Dover Beach, it's the tide ebbing away from the cliffs that have the significance in terms of a loss of faith. The cliffs of Dover also symbolize England itself, for which Rudyard Kipling is so homesick in his poem “the Broken Men.” Regardless of the symbolic value of…

• 

  Travel Blog

• Hot air balloon in Tuscany Free during the Air Celebrations in Capannori Lucca

  admin

  2 Sep 2010 | 4:00 am

  Find the emotions of a trip in a hot air balloon, flying over the sweet typical hills of Lucca, in Tuscany, completely free. This very interesting initiative has been promised by the Air celebration of Capannori, that every year takes place the presence of beautiful and colourful hot air balloons, which during 2 days of [...]

• Catered vs. Self Catered Vacation Accomodation

  admin

  1 Sep 2010 | 1:22 am

  Anyone who goes on vacation will be faced with two main options to consider with regards to food. Do you choose catered accommodation or self-catered. The choice may be easy for some, but for others it deserves more consideration. Here are some of the key points to consider before you make a booking. Budget If [...]

• Exploring the Road Tunnels of Britain

  admin

  31 Aug 2010 | 2:38 pm

  When you go on holiday this summer, you may find that your route takes you through one of the many road tunnels in Britain. One minute you’re in sunlight, and the next you are moving along in a tunnel with an orange glow. From Cornwall to Clyde, there are plenty of tunnels to find. Make [...]

• The Ten Best Documentaries on Contemporary China

  admin

  31 Aug 2010 | 2:22 pm

  Contemporary China often seems like a vast and mysterious country to many. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, modern China can seem like an entirely different beast to try to comprehend. Since not everybody has the privilege of traveling to the enigmatic nation, a fantastic alternative may be to check out some [...]

• Route 66 in the Fall

  Ray Province, M.A.

  29 Aug 2010 | 7:06 pm

  Fall is the most wonderful time to drive old Route 66, also known as the “Mother Road”. The weather is great, and if you go late enough in the fall you will be treated to spectacular foliage and fall festivals along the way, and the desert part of the crossing is a bit less brutal. [...]

• 

  Boldly Go Solo

• Solo travelers can live like locals in cities around the world

  Ellen Perlman

  31 Aug 2010 | 9:11 am

  Fellow travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet ended up in Amsterdam's Red Light District doing...well...not what you think. Paquet and her husband, tourists from Canada, had arranged a special meeting. No, not for what you think! They had arranged to have dinner with a local couple. A company called Like-a-Local arranges for visitors to have dinner with local residents in cities in Europe and the United States. Paquet chose dinner at the home of a couple...

• Free stuff in cities around the U.S.

  Ellen Perlman

  25 Aug 2010 | 6:01 am

  $500,000 in free stuff in 16 major cities around the country. I don't know much about this site called zozi but that's what they're giving away. Starting today. But not for long. It seems like it's another one of those discount sites that slashes prices so you will frequent a local business. I recently wrote about groupon and livingsocial deals and this seems similar. Go. Now. Get something free. I just went to the site...

• Could you travel the world with no luggage? Wouldn't it be great?

  Ellen Perlman

  22 Aug 2010 | 1:57 pm

  Could you travel the world with no luggage? We're talking none. No checked bag. No overhead bag. No backpack. No fanny pack. Not even a plastic grocery bag. None. Just a lot of pockets to stuff with necessary items and some soap for washing out clothes. This is the six-week travel challenge for Rolf Potts, which began Saturday and will take him through 12 countries in 42 days. You can follow the no-baggage challenge trip...

• The book and movie Eat, Pray, Love wouldn't have been possible without solo travel

  Ellen Perlman

  17 Aug 2010 | 7:40 am

  You can't have the same experiences you get while traveling solo if you go as part of a pair. So says Elizabeth Gilbert, in a recent CNN travel piece on Eat, Pray, Love, the book she wrote that came out as a movie this past weekend. Anyone who has traveled solo knows this. Traveling solo compels a traveler to open up more. See more. Explore more. And be distracted less by conversations that could, and...

• Costs of solo travel vs with friends or family

  Ellen Perlman

  13 Aug 2010 | 3:39 pm

  The New York Times' Frugal Traveler recently wrote about the costs of traveling with two different sets of people. A couple of high school friends. And his parents. During separate trips in Colombia and Nicaragua. He thought traveling with his friends would be cheap, while having to provide his parents with creature comforts would take a bite out of his budget. Turns out it was the other way around. It's a good read about the...

• 

  Almost Fearless

• So You Want to Be a Freelancer?

  Christine

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:19 pm

  Today’s guest post is by Emily from Maiden Voyage.  She’s a working freelancer and if anyone knows how to make it work, it’s someone who can stitch together a living on their own talents and network.  Freelancing definitely isn’t for the timid, but if you want to make it work, here are some tips. Nearly every neophyte knows they need business cards and a website to launch their career, but there are plenty of other things to be aware of before diving head-first into the world of freelancing. Read on for some of the tips and tricks I have learned throughout years of…

• Tips for Balancing Work and Travel

  Christine

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:00 pm

  Today’s guest post is by Matt Kepnes from NomadicMatt.com. It’s the question of my life… how to balance living life– seeing a city, taking photos for fun, spending time with friends and the distractions of being connected 24/7. I don’t think any of us have it figured out, but Matt has some great tips. As a digital nomad, I spend my time traveling the world and working as I go. It sounds like a great life. I get to do what I want, when I want. And, as a bonus, I get paid for it too. But, it’s actually not always the easiest thing to do. I often find myself…

• Oh the People You’ll Meet: Bogotá

  Christine

  25 Aug 2010 | 3:13 pm

  It occurred to me that when we travel, we learn more about a place from the people we see than the attractions we visit, yet we focus on taking pictures of the places. I wanted to address this disconnect, so I decided to create a photo essay based completely on the inhabitants of a particular city. These pictures were taken in Bogotá, Colombia, South America. Learn how to Work Wirelessly - Travel the World - Connect to Travelers: three ebooks one price

• Notes On Bogotá, Colombia

  Christine

  22 Aug 2010 | 9:55 pm

  You walk down to el centro and if you squint, it might be Madrid. Men in suits are the norm and even the teenage boys are wearing European style pencil jeans. We stayed in La Candelaria which is the historic district downtown and the only place in Bogotá with that classic colonial architecture. Part backpacker slums, part art hub and home to many colleges and universities — a painter told me, “Candelaria has good light.” It’s the kind of place where you’re just dying to whip out your camera. If you’re like me, you will and perhaps because of your fair skin…

• Life as a TV Travel Host (with Julia Dimon)

  Christine

  9 Aug 2010 | 10:27 am

  Guest Post: Julia Dimon has a pretty great life. Plucked from her travel writing job on a Canadian newspaper to star in a series of travel shows, she’s done everything from hiking with silverback gorillas in Uganda to sleeping with lions in the Serengeti and living as a Buddhist monk in Korea — to say she’s seen more and traveled more than most is a wild understatement. Oh and now she can be found online too at Travel Junkie Julia and on Twitter (@juliadimon). Forehead pressed against the pane of the plane window, I took in the scene. Colombia sure was beautiful at 20,000…

• 

  Mother of all Trips

• Teatime with kids at Fortnum & Mason

  There are two food-related items that are important to me when I’m traveling with my children. One is that they always have some exposure to local traditions and food. The other is that they get some experience eating at restaurants that do not have a children’s menu and where they cannot color on the tablecloth. [...]

• Mondays are for dreaming: Looking up in Oxford

  I don’t usually share posts that are primarily photos (since I don’t really consider myself a photographer) but sometimes the perfect words elude me, especially when it comes to a place as gorgeous and magical as Oxford. Looking at these pictures, it amazes me I don’t still have a crick in my neck, I spent [...]

• Mondays are for dreaming: Endless summer…not!

  Now is usually the time to write the obligatory “summer is ending and I’m feeling wistful” post, but to do so would be disingenuous. Yes, I love fireflies and ice cream and corn-on-the-cob as much as the next person, but you know what I don’t like? Mosquitoes. Heat and humidity. Aimless children bickering in the [...]

• Mondays are for dreaming: Views of London

  When the boys said they wanted to go up in the London Eye I was dubious. Expensive, crowded, tourist trap…these were the words that came to my mind. And yet as we approached it on the afternoon of our ride I realized that like the Eiffel Tower it has a beauty all its own that [...]

• Castles, dinos, and birdhouses on the shores of Lake Champlain

  I haven’t been taking too many actual pictures during our Vermont vacation this year, choosing instead to take mental photographs. In some ways these are better because I record them with all my senses: The sweet honey scent of freshly mowed grass, the warmth of sun on skin, the small burst of sour-sweetness on my [...]

• 

  transient travels

• a little house in maine

  susan

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:01 pm

  I got the best text this weekend. My brother randomly and unexpectedly found himself in Maine, just a few houses down from our old vacation house on Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro. It hasn’t changed a bit- except for the new family’s SUV out front. You think you have a memory down and then you get a text like that and realize you didn’t. But, it all comes rushing back.

• philly’s more fun when you sleep over

  susan

  25 Aug 2010 | 7:17 pm

  Two weekends ago my gal pals coordinated a surprise girls weekend to tack on one more adventure before I officially lose my status as a single lady. I didn’t guess the destination until we reached route 84 in Connecticut, but even when I did, there were still plenty of surprises ahead of me. Festivities began on Saturday morning when we made a quick stop at our old stomping grounds. What’s so cool about visiting old places is you find out that some things never change. And the things that do, really stand out. Next we went on to another location, rife with even more memories…

• the manhattan

  susan

  23 Aug 2010 | 9:02 pm

  A few weeks ago I had a conversation with a co-worker about the ingredients of a Manhattan cocktail. I confidently, and quite arrogantly, stated that the ingredients are whiskey, sweet vermouth and a maraschino cherry (though I sometimes ask for two). He corrected me with the fact that a Manhattan also contains bitters, and I couldn’t believe it. How could I go on this long without knowing the exact ingredients of my favorite cocktail? And more importantly, how could I have allowed my Mad Men party be so incomplete? What a poor hostess! When I go out I do tend to order wine or beer,…

• bride and groom travel essentials

  susan

  18 Aug 2010 | 7:36 pm

  I’m not one to draw attention to myself in public. As you may remember, there were no tiaras or feather boas at my bachelorette party. But I got a gift from my friend Beth last weekend that was so fun and perfect that I will probably make an exception to show it off. Plus, I was thinking about how the first stop of our honeymoon will be a bit unconventional, so it will be nice to be adorned with some corny stuff to, you know, make it known exactly why we are traveling together… Aren’t they pretty and fun? They are Wilton Bride and Groom passport cases and Anna Griffin Mr.

• perception

  susan

  12 Aug 2010 | 8:07 pm

  While in Europe I had a film camera that was just about as old as me. Having only mastered the ins and outs of a throw away, I felt lucky to have a camera that would stay with me for the long haul. I was a student studying abroad – naive, innocent and inexperienced, but I was free. With that camera I set out to capture every piece of the world I could, and turn each one into a tangible, visual memory. Today, when I go through my photos I tend to feel a lot of remorse. I look back and wish I had a better camera, that I was a better photographer, that I had the means to buy endless…

• 

  Travel Wonders of the World

• Drinks Around the World: Kriek - Sour Cherry Beer (Belgium)

  Mark H

  1 Sep 2010 | 7:58 am

  Some years ago, I received a strong recommendation to try a kriek - "it is unlike any beer you will have ever tasted". And boy, were they correct.Kriek is a sour-cherry flavoured beer, brewed in a special manner called lambic. A typical mix of wheat, hops, water and malt is exposed to wild yeasts and bacteria (sounds almost medicinal), fermented rapidly, with sour cherries added after the fermentation.Opening the bottle results in a truly pungent wet earth odour (more odour than aroma!), pouring as a deep red drink where the head disappears almost immediately (more like champagne than beer).

• National Geographic Photo Contest

  Mark H

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:28 am

  I have always been a huge fan of National Geographic's fine photography whether it be exotic wildlife from far-flung places, extraordinary scenes of nature or mood-capturing images of people from around the planet. In their annual photography competition, over 14,000 entries from budding amateurs and enthusiasts have been narrowed down to 12 finalists across six categories (wildlife, people, nature, travel, weather and energy). All are exceptional photos (view them all in the widget below) for which you can vote the six category winners and ultimate winner. The lead photo above shows the 2009…

• Daylight Robbery

  Mark H

  27 Aug 2010 | 5:17 pm

  In Melbourne recently, I heard a story about the origins of the term daylight robbery. During the 17th and 18th centuries in Britain, households were taxed based on the number of windows their house contained. As richer people were more likely to live in larger houses with a greater number of windows, it was introduced as an early method of progressive taxation. In times past, it was seen as an invasion of privacy for income to be declared.To reduce their tax, some families embarked on enclosing some of their windows by bricking or sealing over some of the window spaces (such as the…

• Mediterranean Cruises Top Four Destinations

  Mark H

  22 Aug 2010 | 12:50 pm

  guest post by Gill CruisesEvery year, more and more travellers are discovering the convenience, flexibility and excitement of embarking on a cruise ship holiday. While there are cruises sailing around the world, those heading to the Mediterranean are among the most magical and beautiful. Few other cruise destinations offer the cultural wealth and historical beauty like Monte Carlo, Naples, Athens or Istanbul. And unlike a traditional holiday, where you will spend many days of your travel time in transit, on a cruise ship all the travelling is done at night while you catch up on your beauty…

• Photo of the Week: Remote African Village (DR Congo)

  Mark H

  19 Aug 2010 | 3:37 pm

  The Congo River journey is one of the great travel wonders experiences on water. In a country dogged with political and military upheaval, the journey passes spectacular untracked rain forests and tiny remote villages whose only contact to the outside world is via the river boat. Hemmed in by heavy rain forest, the villages maintain their difficult existence through fishing, a small garden, a little hunting and bartering with other villages via the river boat. Small wooden craft called pirogues are used to paddle out to the river boat to conduct the barter for required goods.

• 

  Beat of Hawaii

• Maui Condo/Hotel Sale $79+

  Rob

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:07 pm

  If you’re planning a trip to Maui this fall, here are two Hawaii accommodation deals to consider. They both offer great value and are part of the 100-hour sale on Bookit (which I’ve linked to). Read the details for each offer and book soon. 1. Kihei Akahi $79/night Book by September 4 for stays through December 21. This well reviewed resort sits across the street from one of Maui’s longest beaches, Kamaole Sands. On Expedia, you’ll find this condo at $135/night. It just goes to show that you need to be a smart shopper when looking for deals. One bedroom, 655 square…

• East Coast and Mid-West to Honolulu $203 Each Way

  Jeff

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:58 am

  The incredible Hawaii airfares from last week have returned again today as the legacy carriers move into each others turf. A number of these airports are now appearing for the first time. These are incredible fares, especially considering that the distances are up to nearly 5,000 miles each way to Honolulu.  I’ll keep checking to see if for more cities get added later today. Here are the details: Airports:  Chicago, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detoit, Memphis, Salt Lake City and Washington DC to Honolulu (neighbor islands are again not included). Price: Approx. $476 round trip…

• Mainland to Hawaii Airfare Deals $137 to $161 Each Way

  Jeff

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:48 pm

  Here’s what’s hot in U.S. Mainland to Hawaii travel today : These airfare deals are valid now through mid-November. Portland to all islands $137 each way ($292 round trip, all-inclusive) Hawaiian Airlines Oakland to Maui or San Jose $143-$152 each way ($329-337 round trip, all-inclusive) Hawaiian Airlines or United Airlines Seattle to Honolulu or Maui $147-$154 each way ($315-$330 round trip, all-inclusive) Hawaiian Airlines (to Honolulu or Maui) or Delta Airlines (to Honolulu only) Los Angeles to All Islands $161 each way ($343 round trip, all-inclusive) Hawaiian Airlines To get…

• Remembering Father Felix of Kalaupapa

  Rob

  30 Aug 2010 | 3:36 pm

  When we hiked to Kalaupapa in October, I never mentioned we were packed with fresh fruits from Kauai. We originally planned to bring them down in a large ice chest. One look at the steep and muddy trail changed our mind. I could just imagine sliding in the mud and making an impromptu fruit smoothie. We opted to carry the fruits in our backpacks and shopping bags for the steep three mile hike. Why would Beat of Hawaii do this? Two words: Father Felix. His dear friend is our neighbor and had asked us to make the delivery. The priest from Belgium has been a fixture in Hawaii for fifty years…

• Honolulu From SFO or LAX Round Trip $235 Incl. Car

  Jeff

  30 Aug 2010 | 2:53 pm

  Here another top value, last minute Hawaii travel deal from Pleasant Holidays.  You get a 3-day car rental plus round-trip air on United Airlines.  And yes, you even accrue frequent flyer miles. Travel dates:  Depart through September 6 and return through September 9 Extensions:  Add more car rental days to extend travel.  Pleasant Holidays only books airfare in conjunction with either car rental or hotel accommodations. Taxes:  Additional $37 per person Comments. Subscribe to our email updates. Honolulu From SFO or LAX Round Trip $235 Incl. Car is a post from: BEAT OF HAWAII. Please…

• 

  NileGuidance: A Travel Blog

• Fake Booze Alert: Knockoff Aussie Wines Found in China

  David Chalk

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:15 am

  Emanuel Skorpos runs a small winery in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges.  When he heard from Hong Kong’s Wine Protection Group that counterfeit versions of his wine and other Australian wines were being sold in China, he jetted off to investigate.  Sure enough, Skorpos found knockoff versions of his Kieras Bin ‘05 2008 Merlot and several other Australian labels being sold in China. China is the fastest growing market for Australian wine exports, but Skorpos and others are worried that will sour if something isn’t done about the fakes. The Australian Wine and Brandy…

• Brit Refused Re-Entry Because His Face Doesn’t Match His Passport

  Ben Van Loon

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:14 am

  Unlike yearly school portraits or your profile picture on Facebook, government-issued identification doesn’t always show the natural progression of one’s age. While the latter are updated every year (and in the case of the highly active Facebook user, once a week), driver’s license and passport photos often show a person frozen in time. Such was the case for 37 year-old British resident Derrick Agyeman who was denied entry at British customs because his face didn’t match the one in his passport photo. The problem started because Agyeman hadn’t updated his…

• Electric VW Beetle Making Historic Trans-Canadian Trip

  David Chalk

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:00 pm

  Last week a group of students from the University of British Columbia left Vancouver in an electrified 1972 Volkswagen Beetle on a 4,000 mile road trip to the other side of Canada.  The UBC Electric Car Club members are hoping to not only set a record for the fastest coast-to-coast trans-Canadian trip in an electric vehicle, but they also want to see if the car’s ready to become the first Canadian entrant in the Zero Race, an 80-day race around the world for electric vehicles. The real difficulty of the journey is planning out places to plug in the car for four hours to recharge its…

• Stiff-Necked Competition at the UK Backward Running Championships

  Ben Van Loon

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:15 am

  It’s the hottest new trend in the running world: backwards running or ‘retrorunning,’ is the sport of, well, running backwards. You’ve walked backwards before, and maybe even did a quick backward jog as a joke. But in your mind’s eye you could see yourself losing your rhythm, tripping backwards, and cracking the back of your skull on the sidewalk (or at least bruising your elbows). Not exactly an adult’s sport of choice – that is until the revitalization of retrorunning over the past few years. In fact, the sport’s increasing popularity inspired…

• Drunken British ‘Sailor’ Braves The Open Seas to Visit a Friend

  Ben Van Loon

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:52 am

  Drunk people have a habit of making unwise decisions. In the most recent case of a bizarre, alcohol-impaired judgment call, 20-year old British tourist Zirian Kamarin Tahiri attempted to row the 40-mile distance between the Spanish islands of Minorca and Majorca on a small Zodiac boat stolen from a marina. He’d reportedly had too much drink and not enough food at lunch and and decided it would be a good idea to cruise the gap between Spain’s two Mediterranean islands. He claims he was going to visit a friend. From Ciutadella in Minorca you can see the mountains of Majorca, and…

• 

  About.com: New England Travel

• A Very New England Wedding

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:40 am

  My wedding anniversary is today! I hope you'll indulge me by allowing me to once again remember my very New England wedding day. If you've never seen a bride atop ...Read Full Post

• Have a Stinky Labor Day... at the Vermont Garlic Festival!

  1 Sep 2010 | 6:16 am

  Do you wish you could sample unusual and potent varieties of farm-fresh garlic? Think garlic ice cream sounds like a treat? Feel confident you could sink a hole-in-one with a ...Read Full Post

• Labor Day Travel Deals

  30 Aug 2010 | 3:20 pm

  Looking for last-minute Labor Day travel deals? Find holiday weekend savings this week on Kim's New England Deal Sheet:Sleep close to the Clydesdales for $63 this holiday weekend with eBreak rates at Marriott hotels in New Hampshire;Stay in an upscale cabin for as little as $209 per night while you enjoy the Camden Windjammer Festival in Maine this Labor Day weekend;Enjoy free stagecoach and riverboat rides at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts in September, plus, save on admission this Sunday if you're a WGBH or WGBY member;Enjoy free admission at New England museums with your Bank of…

• Cape Cod Town is America's Dog-Friendliest City

  27 Aug 2010 | 10:02 am

  Looking for a dog-friendly place to vacation? Take your pup to Provincetown! Named DogTown USA 2010 by Dog Fancy magazine, Provincetown, Massachusetts, at the tip of Cape Cod has welcomed ...Read Full Post

• Where the President Plays: A Martha's Vineyard Guide for the Rest of Us

  26 Aug 2010 | 11:22 am

  The island of Martha's Vineyard has rolled out the red carpet for President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, daughters Sasha and Malia, and even First Dog Bo this month. Think ...Read Full Post

• 

  Europe for Visitors

• Top 11 Tourist Mistakes in Venice

  Avoid these common errors in travel judgment, and you'll get more enjoyment--and value--from your Venice holiday.

• Travelwritten

  Durant Imboden's new how-to blog helps entrepreneurial travel writers make the switch from freelancing to self-publishing on the Web.

• 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

• Guernsey Channel Islands: History, Beauty, and More by Patrice Raplee.

  Hillsides swathed in colorful bluebells and wildflowers scent the late afternoon air, as golden cows munch contentedly in lush fields. Just beyond the fields, verdant cliffs, surrounded by hand-built stone houses, overlook the sparkling sea and boats drift sedately upon the waves. It is here on Guernsey in the Channel Islands where time slows and serene landscapes provide a vignette of life in harmonious rhythm.

• Daytrip to Catania, Sicily, Itlay – An Offer That You Can Not Refuse by Troy Herrick.

  Through the ages Catania has been devastated by Mt. Etna’s eruptions and lava flows but like the phoenix it always rises again better than ever. Consequently this city is younger than its Sicilian neighbors. Visitors to Catania discover a treasure trove of Baroque architecture and ancient ruins. But these monuments are not just historic site; they are still in use today. All are conveniently located in the compact city center so you can tour them through a leisurely daytrip.

• James Madison Montpelier Celebrates Constitution Month with New Tour of the Home of the Father of the Constitution

  James Madison Montpelier will celebrate its first Constitution Month on September 1, 2010, with a brand-new tour of the newly restored mansion, and follow that with other activities throughout the month, including a five kilometer run, a national survey on citizen knowledge of the Constitution, weekend visits with "James" and "Dolley," and a celebration on Constitution Day.

• Grupo Mayan Resorts Goes Eco-friendly Green

  Now official green. Grupo Mayan has completed all three steps needed to achieve their EarthCheck documentation: affiliation, benchmarking (operational efficiency indicators and environmental impact), and certification (gained after two onsite audits).

• Safed Israel: Tales of the Tombs in Israel by Judith Fein.

  The hills around Safed are dotted with ancient tombs. To Jewish believers, these tombs of long-deceased tsaddikim, or holy men, are the meeting place between the living and the dead. People make pilgrimages to the burial places to ask for blessings, favors, surcease from suffering.

• 

  What's new at Dad's Guide blog

• Sep 2, Disney World Hours

  2 Sep 2010 | 5:51 am

  Have a question about Disney World Hours? Dad has the answer. Check it out.

• Aug 31, HELP! with our 1ST Trip to Disney World

  31 Aug 2010 | 2:28 pm

  Hi Dad, We will be leaving for our 1ST TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD Sept 26- Oct 1. It will be my husband, myself and our 5 year old Princess. What should I

• Aug 31, Disney Park Hopper or not?

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:27 pm

  Please help!! My husband and I are planning a Disney vacation December 17-22 with our 4 year old son. We know it is a busy time, and I am carefully planning

• Aug 31, Disney Wilderness Lodge - is it a hotel or a work of art

  30 Aug 2010 | 5:12 pm

  The Disney Wilderness Lodge one of the most impressive resorts anywhere. It's Disney World's most beautiful hotels.

• Aug 29, Bay Lake Towers - The newest Disney Vacation Club Resort

  28 Aug 2010 | 6:48 pm

  Bay Lake Towers is the Disney Vacation Club Resort with the best view. Just think DVC and walking to the Magic Kingdom. Sweet.

• 

  tripwolf travel blog - your worldwide travel guide

• Shopping for Leather in Florence, Italy

  adena

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:14 am

  See the trip with all the shops! Fall in Florence is unparalleled – the weather has started to cool off, but you can still grab dinner in the piazza. Harvest season brings celebrations of local foods and wine making.  As the nights become chilly, leather season begins with boots, then gloves, then all rules out the [...]

• Oktoberfest 2010 – Where to Find Your Tracht

  adena

  27 Aug 2010 | 9:12 am

  Oktoberfest begins September 18th and runs through Oktober 4th. “O`zapft is!” (“It is tapped!”) The rallying cry that begins Oktoberfest rings loud and clear. You’re surrounded by throngs of men and women of all ages rowdy to celebrate the historical German event. Maybe your glass is full and your spirit brimming, but you’re still not going to [...]

• How To Hit the Movies in Japan

  Eva

  26 Aug 2010 | 9:24 am

  You never thought you’d say this, but you just might have visited too many Shinto shrines, eaten too much sushi, and taken too many photos of cherry blossoms. The very idea of dropping yen at yet another pachinko parlor has you weeping tears of sake. No. It’s time for an afternoon “off” during your visit [...]

• Volunteer and Teach While Traveling

  susanlgreen

  24 Aug 2010 | 1:44 pm

  I look out the window of the bus.  We’re passing through small villages in the Soria providence of Northern Spain.  As the bus winds up the mountain range I notice that I’ve lost my cell phone signal.  Panic rises in my throat: a week with no cell phone, what will I do?   Will I survive? Getting [...]

• tripwolf’s Top 10 Places to Dive

  adena

  24 Aug 2010 | 6:56 am

  Diving – there’s nothing else like it.  Exploring an underwater world gives us a new perspective no matter where we are, and for some, it’s an addiction they’ll never give up!  Here is our list of the top ten spots around the world to dive (in no particular order.)  Depending on your level of effort [...]

• 

  Southpoint.com Blog

• New New York James Hotel has unique waterfall

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:29 pm

  The posh 114 room James Hotel in West Manhattan of New York City opens on Wednesday. One of the magnets...

• Pilsen, Czech Republic town continues to thank American soldiers for liberation

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:33 pm

  Received this special email. Thanks to Ron Forsythe and Raymond Lingenfelder for forwarding this. I do not know the original...

• Old Soda Fountain in Dallas

  26 Aug 2010 | 8:08 am

  During our recent...

• 

  Fascinating Travel Destinations

• Aug 31, Travel Guide Australia

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:58 pm

  Travel Guide Australia books include Lonely Planet and Rough Guide Travel Guides for Australia.

• Aug 31, Travel Resources

  30 Aug 2010 | 10:22 pm

  This Travel Resources pages has carefull selected links and directory listings for further information on fascinating travel destinations.

• Aug 30, Travel Guide Books

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:07 am

  Get up to date Travel Guide books here - Loney Planet, Rough Guide, Phrase books etc

• Aug 30, Japan Travel Guides Selection

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:57 am

  This Japan Travel Guides Selection includes Lonely Planet and Rough Guide Travel Guides, Japanese Phrasebook etc

• Aug 23, Orangutans in Borneo

  23 Aug 2010 | 5:38 am

  To see Orangutans in Borneo is a dream for many. Visit Sepilok and Semmingoh Wildlife Sanctuaries, or see in the wild for an awesome experience.

• 

  My Several Worlds: A Global Mind in Asia

• Taipei in Style: Issey Miyake Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Show

  Yiiee

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:13 pm

  I was ecstatic when my friend Tom  invited me to see Issey Miayke’s runway show on the weekend. Issey Miyake’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection was exclusively designed by Japanese fashion designer Dai Fujiwara, who was there on the night. Issey Miyake’s runway show was presented at the Nangang World Trade Center as part of Taipei in Style. This three-day convention was organized by the Taiwan Textile Federation and was an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their fashion apparels and accessories to leading buyers from around the world. Visitors include fashion houses,…

• 5 Taiwan Tourist Attractions You Won’t Want To Miss

  Carrie

  30 Aug 2010 | 6:35 am

  Today’s guest author is Ava Apollo, a lover of travel, things that are purple, and dirty martinis.  Ava writes that when she’s not stuck in the cubicle farm, she’s out fighting douchebags, spewing sarcasm, and blogging about love, life, and of course, battling the bullshit along with her friends Stella Sage and Bella Blue on the Superblogettes. The Blogettes are three 20-something ladies trapped in a hilarious ongoing battle with The Man, anything precluding them from having some good, dirty fun, and anything and anyone who reeks of general douchery. A chronicle…

• Taiwan Culture Video: Ghost Month in Taiwan

  Carrie

  28 Aug 2010 | 4:25 pm

  The beautiful hostess of Peggy Teaches Chinese brings us a new Taiwan culture video on Ghost Month. The Chungyuan Festival(中元節) follows the lunar calendar and this year, the festival, which is also known in Taiwan as “Ghost Month”, beings on July 15th. On this day, the door of the underworld is open for spirits to enter the world. By July 29th this year, the ghosts will return to the underworld. Throughout the month many families and local businesses set up a table which is covered with offerings of food to placate the homeless spirits(aka 好兄弟/hao3xiong1di4 –…

• Peggy Teaches Chinese (27): Comparatives and Superlatives

  Carrie

  27 Aug 2010 | 8:58 am

  In Peggy’s first intermediate Chinese lesson, we learn how to make comparative and superlative sentences. Learn Chinese with Peggy Lee Subscribe to Peggy’s YouTube channel for pre-recorded lessons. Visit Peggy’s web site: Peggy Teaches Chinese Follow Peggy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/followpeggylee Learn Chinese from the comfort of your own home. Peggy offers paid tutoring lessons via Skype: peggyteacheschinese E-mail: peggyteacheschinese@gmail.com Peggy Teaches Chinese (27): Comparatives and Superlatives is a post from: My Several Worlds © 2007-2010 My Several Worlds…

• The Grand Green: Taipei’s First URS Project

  Yiiee

  23 Aug 2010 | 4:39 am

  Urban regeneration has been a hot topic for major cities around the globe, including London, New York, Sydney, and now, Taipei. The Grand Green was officially revealed to the public in August and is Taipei’s first urban regeneration station (URS). The project is also given a unique identification number: URS 27. The URS concept is driven by the Taipei City Urban Redevelopment Office. It’s an on-going, large scale urban renewal project that plans to renovate old and abandoned buildings into more functional and aesthetic pleasing spaces. Rather than completely knocking over old…

• 

  Lanzarote Information

• Lanzarote Restaurant Review - Golden City Chinese Restaurant

  Jules

  2 Sep 2010 | 8:41 am

  There are a lot of Chinese restaurants in Lanzarote, some of them are excellent and others are mediocre. The Golden City found on the Avenida del Jablillo in Costa Teguise have set themselves apart from the rest by offering an all you can eat buffet but this one is fresh, exciting and only priced at an incredible €4.50 per person. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor, there is a good sized shaded terrace outside and plenty of seating inside. One thing I don’t like is the PR person on the pavement but please don’t let this put you off, this restaurant really does not need…

• Moped Law Changed

  Miguel

  2 Sep 2010 | 7:02 am

  September 1st saw a law change which increased the age from 14 to 15 for youngsters here being able to legally ride a 50 CC moped or scooter on the roads. The new rules also add that pillion passengers cannot be carried until age 18. Riders will still have to take a written and short practical test in order to gain their licence, and then from age 16 they will be allowed to ride motorcycles of up to 125 CC. Scooters and mopeds are almost a rite of passage here in Spain, with most youngsters gaining their on road experience buzzing around the streets. These may be interesting: 1/ Driving…

• Clubbin' Lanzarote, 2nd - 5th September 2010

  Jules

  1 Sep 2010 | 2:38 am

  Here’s our guide to the Lanzarote nightlife events in the clubs and pubs around the island this weekend. Costa Teguise: Bar: Rendezvous Bar, Avda del Mar, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote Date: 2nd September 2010 Time: 21:30 – 23:30 Entry: Free Details: The Skatoons make a welcome return to perform in Costa Teguise. o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) :o) :o):o) :o) Puerto Calero Bar: Casablanca Bar, Puerto Calero Marina, Lanzarote Date: 3rd September 2010 Time: 9:30 – late Entry: Free Details: Fresh to Fridays with DJ…

• Lanzarote Football, U.D. Realejos 2 Lanzarote 3

  Jules

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:56 am

  U.D. Lanzarote kicked off their Season with a thrilling away win in the blistering heat of Tenerife finding the winner deep into injury time. The Tenerife side began the game the better of the two sides. In the 11thminute claims for a penalty for the home side was waived away from the official as keeper Alejandro seemed to have brought down striker Rayco. Minutes later and only a fine save from the 21 year old new Lanzarote goalkeeper kept the scores level after a fine shot from midfielder Juan David from the edge of the box. The Rojillos (reds) then began to get into their stride. In the…

• Secret Beaches of Caleton Blanco and Orzola

  Tracy

  31 Aug 2010 | 8:57 am

  The resorts of Lanzarote have some fantastic beaches with all facilities but if you fancy a day away from it all I can recommend heading to the NE coast between Punta Mujeres and Orzola. The narrow road runs through the volcanic scenery heading to the end point of the Island at Orzola. It is quite wild and rugged with the imposing Volcano “La Corona” which is shaped like a crown on the left and beautiful sea views on the right. Dotted along the road are designated parking places opposite foot trails leading to rocky fishing spots or beautiful sandy coves. The footpaths are suitably rustic…

• 

  Luxury Travel and Lifestyle News

• Le Chardon Luxury Chalet Availability

  Lucca

  2 Sep 2010 | 10:45 am

  Val d'Isère luxury chalets Le Chardon Mountain Lodges have just released their ski vacation availability. The luxury chalets in Val d'Isère are the perfect homebase for luxury ski vacations this winter 2010. Le Chardon is also offering free transfers and half price ski lift passes in 2011.

• JapanQuest Journeys New Japan Tailor-Made Holiday Tours

  Amy

  2 Sep 2010 | 6:15 am

  JapanQuest Journeys offers luxury tailor-made tours and customized luxury vacations in Japan. Book private tours in Japan and stay in luxury hotels with expert culture tours and sightseeing holidays available.

• Winner of the Elounda Contest on Paradizo.com

  Lucca

  2 Sep 2010 | 3:45 am

  Luxury travel resource Paradizo.com has just announced the lucky winner of their special luxury vacation contest. Congratulations to Jamie Ellrod, who is now getting ready for a 2-night stay at Crete's Elounda Peninsula Collection one-bedroom suite.

• Jet Unlimited New Private Jets in Romania

  Lucca

  2 Sep 2010 | 1:45 am

  Jet Unlimited is an luxury private jet broker offering air charter clients private jet travel in Romania for corporate jet travel. The Cessna Citation Sovereign private jet is now available to all jet charter clients in Romania.

• Mexico Gastronomy Vacation - Grand Velas Riviera Maya

  Lucca

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:45 am

  From now through October 30th, Grand Velas Riviera Maya will celebrate the bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence with an exploration of traditional Mexican cuisines and their fusion with diverse global kitchens in exclusive gourmet tasting menus at the all inclusive luxury resort in Riviera Maya: Grand Velas.

• 

  Enduring Wanderlust

• Uganda: The Next Kenya or Tanzania?

  Gennaro

  31 Aug 2010 | 9:56 pm

  When you hear Uganda, if you’ve never been there, the first thing that comes to mind is Idi Amin and perhaps the more recent civil unrest in the north. Well, I certainly associated Uganda with these things, but when I visited the country last month, it painted a different story altogether. Now, when I think about Uganda, I think of lush green hills, white water rafting (apparently, the second best rapids in the world), gorilla safaris, which I wished I’d done, and the very friendly people. Editor’s Note: This post was written by guest contributor Meera Ashish. So, discovering how much…

• Best NFL Stadiums To Visit

  Gennaro

  23 Apr 2010 | 3:36 pm

  While Major League Baseball is considered the national pastime in the United States, NFL football has surpassed baseball in overall popularity over the last decade. It has become a Sunday tradition for sports fans who either watch on television or attend games, which consists of hours of tailgating followed by heart-pounding action. For the best experience, visit one of these stadiums: Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers) Lambeau Field is the home of the Green Bay Packers. The oldest stadium in the league has the best atmosphere for football including a stadium filled with passionate fans, often…

• Cambodia Protects Tourist Sites

  Gennaro

  10 Mar 2010 | 10:59 am

  The Cambodian Cabinet voted to preserve 14 tourist sites that are connected to the Khmer Rouge regime. Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, was a totalitarian organization that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979. The 14 sites that are being protected from illegal encroachment by locals will provide travelers with an opportunity to learn about the 1.5 million Cambodians who were murdered and tortured during that period. The targets of the regime were often city-dwellers who were educated or considered to be part of the intellectual elite. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Cambodia © Gennaro Salamone Although…

• 5 Arts Festivals That You Can’t Miss

  Gennaro

  17 Feb 2010 | 10:28 am

  You don’t have to be a lover of the theatre or a liberal arts junkie to enjoy a good arts festival. In fact, some festivals are destinations in themselves – cities double in size and locales morph into totally new personalities. Check out the places and dates for these arts festivals that you just can’t miss – then add one into your upcoming travel plans. Editor’s Note: This post was written by guest contributor Andy Hayes. Edinburgh Fringe (August) The Edinburgh Fringe is just one of several festivals that take place in Scotland’s capital city in August. Edinburgh swells in…

• Most Conversational Travel Posts Of 2009

  Gennaro

  29 Dec 2009 | 11:17 pm

  As 2010 approaches, Enduring Wanderlust has collected its most conversational travel posts for 2009. Feel free to re-visit these articles and offer your thoughts about their content in the comment section. Have a happy and healthy new year. 1. 8 Best Chocolate Shops In NYC New York City has some of the best chocolate shops in the world. This post offers eight of the best shops. 2. Angkor Wat Through The Lens Angkor Wat is one of the most beautiful sites in Southeast Asia. It’s one of the primary reasons travelers have Cambodia on their itinerary. Enjoy this look at the site through…

• 

  Lori Henry

• An Introduction to Queen Charlotte, Haida Gwaii

  Lori Henry

  27 Aug 2010 | 8:01 am

  After arriving in Haida Gwaii for the first time (known to most as the Queen Charlotte Islands in northern British Columbia), I spent my first three hours in town at Rainbows Gallery (3201 Oceanview Driver, Queen Charlotte, 250-559-8420) chatting with Jack. That’s sort of the way things go here; everyone has time for you. Haida [...]

• Saying Skål Before Every Drink in Denmark and Norway

  Lori Henry

  25 Aug 2010 | 8:01 am

  In both Denmark and Norway, I learned that to give “cheers” around the table, you say, “skål” (sort of rhymes with “stole”). It started in Copenhagen, where I was told that the Vikings would have meals with their enemies in order to keep an eye on one another: if you were sitting across from him, [...]

• Amsterdam, Holland: Pancakes, Jordaan and the Red Light District

  Lori Henry

  23 Aug 2010 | 8:01 am

  I stood at the KLM ticket counter in disbelief: after waking up at 4:00 am to get to the Bergen airport, I’m told my reservation has been changed to 1:15 pm. Huh? The small airport is jam packed with travellers and the gate is inching closer and closer to closing time. Bergen Flights The KLM [...]

• Bergen Travel: Museums, Art Galleries, Bryggen and Restaurants

  Lori Henry

  20 Aug 2010 | 8:01 am

  The buildings surrounding me are from the 18th century, built upon the foundations of the original buildings from the 12th century. This harbour front strip has seen seafaring activity that has developed the city of Bergen, Norway. The bundle of wooden houses along the city’s downtown Hanseatic wharf are here to stay. Called Bryggen, they’re [...]

• Norwegian Cruises, Hurtigruten Style

  Lori Henry

  18 Aug 2010 | 8:01 am

  Three times everyday during the summer, there’s a man in Ålesund, Norway who helps the crew of the Hurtigruten ship set anchor. He has been volunteering for many years, even after becoming a millionaire on a lottery win. Norway Cruises Our group of tired but happy travel writers arrive at the Hurtigruten dock in Ålesund [...]

• 

  Suite101: W Canada Travel Articles

• Transfers from Victoria (British Columbia) to Vancouver Airport

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:09 pm

  What are the options and cost for travelers requiring transfers between Victoria BC and Vancouver airport?

• Crawford Bay BC on Kootenay Lake is hidden gem worth discovering

  1 Sep 2010 | 9:54 am

  Crawford Bay is a beautiful, scenic hamlet along the east shore of Kookenay Lake with a strong cretaive community and plenty of great things to do.

• Outdoor, Adventure Vacations in the Canadian Rockies

  30 Aug 2010 | 12:16 pm

  A guide to outdoor, summer activities in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper: horseback riding, river rafting, golf, hiking, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, more.

• The Ethiopian Pavilion at the 2010 Folklorama Cultural Festival

  24 Aug 2010 | 7:19 pm

  The new Ethiopian Pavilion at the 2010 Folklorama festival in Winnipeg was an exciting new venue for celebrating the traditions and culture of the country.

• Things to do on Granville Island, Vancouver

  23 Aug 2010 | 3:29 pm

  This colorful and arty island is a short ferry-ride away from downtown Vancouver. Here are the best things to do, see, buy and eat on Granville.

• 

  Telluride Inside... and Out

• Telluride Film Festival: The features

  Susan Viebrock

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:04 am

  [click "Play", Gary Meyer talks about this year's films with Susan] The great sucking sound you hear is the air going out of the Telluride's Film Festival's competition. Among the world's film festivals – and there are about 1,700 similar events – "The SHOW" is in a league of its own and bulletproof. Film Festival directors (Tom Luddy, a co-founder, Gary Meyer and Julie Huntsinger) make no attempt to fill their shopping carts with fluff. The Telluride Film Festival is renowned for turning its back on The Industry, Hollywood shorthand for special effects and mind-numbing plots. The…

• Telluride Film Festival: Tributees, Cardinale, Firth and Weir

  Susan Viebrock

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:03 am

  [click "Play", Gary Meyer reveals the 2010 Tributees] Every year, since the event got off the ground in 1974, the Telluride Film Festival, known locally as The SHOW, has paid tribute to artists whose contributions resonate throughout the medium. Thirty-seven years ago, the first tributees were Gloria Swanson, Francis Ford Coppola, and Leni Riefenstahl. The list of Telluride Film Festival honored actors swelled over the years to include Jack Nicholson, Gerard Depardieu, Clint Eastwood, Isabelle Huppert, Jodie Foster, Klaus Kinski, Shirley MacLaine, Toni Collette, Daniel Day Lewis, and…

• Telluride Film Festival: Documentaries, shorts

  Susan Viebrock

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:02 am

  [click "Play" to hear Gary Meyer's conversation with Susan] Monsoon season in Telluride appears to have ended. The grass is green, the sun is shining bright yellow and the sky is Colorado blue. But this weekend, people who like watching people making well-lit , larger-than-life spectacles of themselves will burrow in dark theaters. This weekend, September 3 – September 6, is the 37th annual Telluride Film Festival.And it is not just about the full-length features. Documentaries are given equal prominence. Festival attendees also applaud the shorts. (The directors and their compatriots…

• Telluride Film Festival: Who's coming to town?

  Susan Viebrock

  2 Sep 2010 | 11:01 am

  [click "Play", Gary Meyer talks about who's coming to town] Breaking news: The Telluride Film Festival features 3-D throughout the weekend, September 3 – September 6. But attendees may not need a big pair of red and green glasses to see the images. And they will not just be on the silver screen. They will be walking down the streets.This weekend, critics, actors, directors, cinematographers, producers and distributors and buffs walk side or stand in line talking about films. Everyone shows up in Telluride because the event is regarded as a jewel among film festivals, sans hype or hoopla. On…

• Nuggets from the Nugget: 9/3-9

  Clint Viebrock

  1 Sep 2010 | 10:37 pm

  The Schedule for Telluride's Nugget Theatre for September 3-9 is all about the Telluride Film Festival. The Film Festival website will have the program. See you next week, or at a Telluride Film Festival screening.

• 

  Gettin' Carried Away

• It’s been too long

  Carrie

  16 Aug 2010 | 10:00 am

  …since I’ve updated my travel blog. I started Gettin’ Carried Away two years ago today. And yes, I missed out on the last six months. Not only was I not blogging all this time. I wasn’t traveling either. Since January, I’ve changed jobs, battled illnesses, survived a few weeks on crutches and more. Truthfully, after working 50+ hours a week writing and editing all day, the last thing I wanted to do was write. Also, being a newbie at my company, I don’t get any vacation for an entire year. So anytime I did get a moment for myself these past few months, I…

• Ten years in the making: a decade of writing and traveling

  Carrie

  1 Jan 2010 | 12:44 pm

  I can’t believe it’s New Year’s Day 2010! When I think back to the year 2000, it feels like a lifetime ago. In 2000… I attended high school. I learned how to drive. I wrote a monthly e-newsletter about the Backstreet Boys. I took pictures with disposable cameras. I flew on a plane for the first time in my life. Ten years ago, I was just a kid enjoying life and beginning my journey as a writer and a traveler. In the years ahead, I would continue this journey…which is still far from seeing an end. In 2001… I mourned for all those directly affected by 9/11. I…

• Another foiled attempt to blow up a plane results in a ridiculous rule from TSA

  Carrie

  26 Dec 2009 | 4:57 pm

  Yesterday, i enjoyed a quiet, rainy/snowy Christmas Day with my family. I wrote a post about Airplane Sugar Cookies, and I spent the evening with the love of my life and his family. Yet…while I was enjoying happy times with my loved ones, someone else was trying to take all those joyous moments away from 200+ people in Detroit, Michigan. A 23-year-old Nigerian man named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to destroy Northwest Flight 253 by ways of an explosive device he had attached to his body. The flight originated from Nigeria, where he originally boarded, connected in Amsterdam and…

• Happy Holidays: a homemade gift for your traveler

  Carrie

  25 Dec 2009 | 1:39 pm

  On this day, the 25th of December, I feel I should take a break from regular posts to wish you and yours Happy Holidays from me, Carrie of Gettin’ Carried Away! In my house, we celebrate Christmas. We attend Midnight Mass at the church I’ve attended since birth, we watch classic comdedies like Home Alone, Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story, and we break oplatki wafters before Christmas dinner. We do exchange gifts, even though the holiday spirit shouldn’t be about gift-giving. However, sometimes I feel no greater joy than finding or making the perfect present for a…

• Traveling with your phone: Cricket

  Carrie

  22 Dec 2009 | 3:00 pm

  Earlier this month, I started exploring the service of various cell phone carriers in an effort to bring my fellow travelers the most up-to-date information on the best plan. No matter how often you travel, for business or pleasure, there’s a plan for you. Next on the alphabetical list: Cricket Wireless. THE LOGISTICS Unlimited Cricket Wireless’ claim to fame is that every plan boasts unlimited minutes, so you’re really paying for the extras. $25: talk, caller ID & text $30: talk, caller ID & premium coverage $35: talk, caller ID, premium coverage, PLUS text &…

• 

  Costa Rica Vacations

• Residency In Costa Rica - Types of Residency

  18 Aug 2010 | 8:23 pm

  Pensionado Requires proof of US$1000 per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund. Must remain in country at least 4 months

• Costa Rica Law Firm English Spoken Since 1999

  18 Aug 2010 | 8:23 pm

  Hello Barrantes & Associates a Full Service Law Firm in San Jose Costa Rica. We Can Help Answer Any Questions Regarding Doing Busines in Costa Rica. All

• Costa Rica History

  29 Jul 2010 | 2:12 pm

  Much of Costa Rica history is shrouded in mystery, from Guyabo, the Lost City, to Disquis Balls found only in Costa Rica. But, there's much more after Columbus, too.

• La Negrita: Costa Rica's Shrine and Pilgrimage

  29 Jul 2010 | 12:21 pm

  La Negrita, the Patron Saint of Costa Rica, dates to 1635 and every August two million pilgrims travel Costa Rica to worship.

• Disquis Rocks: Costa Rica's Mysterious Stone Balls

  29 Jul 2010 | 11:26 am

  One of Costa Rica's strangest, unsolved, archeology mysteries are its disquis rocks, some small, some huge, all round, a lost part of Costa Rica history.

• 

  whl.travel Blog

• ‘The Lunatic Express’ by Carl Hoffman, An Encouraging Read for Local Travelites

  laurel

  1 Sep 2010 | 4:00 pm

  If local travel means putting oneself in the shoes of a local, then travel writer Carl Hoffman has earned status as an expert local travelite with a compelling story to tell. In his latest book, 'The Lunatic Express: Discovering the World via Its Most Dangerous Buses, Boats, Trains, and Planes,' Hoffman relays his round-the-world jaunt aboard the rickety and rusty human conveyances that represent how the global majority transports itself.

• Top Five Picks for Off-Season Hotspots

  laurel

  31 Aug 2010 | 4:00 pm

  School is back in session and summer is sadly coming to an end in the northern hemisphere. Luckily many holiday deals are commencing. To help you make a decision about where to go to satisfy any unfulfilled travel cravings, the WHL Group presents here five of its favourite off-season autumn holiday destinations in Antigua & Barbuda, China, Colombia, Lithuania and Tunisia.

• Yet Another 10 #whltravel Tweeps Tweeting

  editor

  31 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

  Inspired by Make Travel Fair’s 10 #whltravel Tweeps Twittering, which was in turn inspired by the 10 #Travel Tweeps Twittering post published on Matador’s Travelers Notebook, in March 2010 we published 10 More #whltravel Tweeps Tweeting, all from the WHL Group. Given the interest in this, we decided to share yet another 10 #whltravel tweeps tweeting.

• Photo of the Week: Flora in Full Bloom During the Rainy Season in Nabaoy, The Philippines

  admin

  29 Aug 2010 | 4:00 am

  This photograph was taken during the rainy season along the Nabaoy River, just a stone’s throw by boat from Boracay island in the Philippines. The flower, brought to life along with others of virtually every colour by the seasonal deluges, belongs to the terrestrial family of orchids, one of the many pretty flora planted along the banks of the Nabaoy.

• A Different Corfu: Special Moments (Part 2)

  laurel

  27 Aug 2010 | 4:00 pm

  When you travel to a Greek island, the first thing you sometimes want to know is the location of the 'hottest' beach. However, those that really touch your soul are often hidden somehow. The author hasn’t yet visited all of Corfu's sandy strands, but she always keeps the following in her memory.

• 

  New & Noteworthy

• New Library at Amsterdam Airport is World's First

  Liz Webber

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:15 am

  Already one of our airports worth the layover for its on-site art gallery and city excursions, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport ups the ante with what it claims is the first-ever airport library. Stocked with 1,100 books from the Dutch Public Libraries – as well as songs and films – the library presents a snapshot of Dutch culture for early arrivers or those just passing through on their way to another destination. If you’ve got a few hours to kill at Schiphol, stop by the library to browse stellar examples of Dutch literature in 29 languages including Dutch, English, Spanish, and…

• Three California Fall Food Fests to Relish

  Molly Fergus

  31 Aug 2010 | 1:31 pm

  With authentic Mexican food to the south, Napa and Sonoma’s storied wines to the north, and some 1.4 million dairy cows in-between, California rarely lacks for epicurean delights. Even so, this fall is looking particularly ripe for feasting on the left coast: September 1 kicks off California’s annual wine month, and a bounty of food festivals are dishing up everything from mushroom and wine pairings to chef-led culinary seminars throughout the season. Whether you prefer to try your hand at local farming or simply eat with abandon, we’ve rounded up three picks to keep you grazing until…

• United & Continental Merger Clears Antitrust Hurdle

  Elissa Richard

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:54 am

  The pending United–Continental merger has been on Savvy Flyer’s radar since it was first announced in early May, but it cleared the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust review in record time as of Friday, getting the green light for the $3 billion merger, which is now expected to close in full by October 1 (following a stockholders’ approval voting in mid-September). The newly merged airline, which will operate under the United name, is set to usurp Delta Air Lines as the world’s largest carrier (a title Delta earned itself following its merger with Northwest in 2008). So what…

• Forget Hollywood: Three New Cities for Spotting Celebrities

  Molly Fergus

  26 Aug 2010 | 1:52 pm

  Hollywood, New York City, and even Vancouver and Toronto all claim hard-earned reputations as movie-making hot spots – and therefore as must-visit destinations for hopeful star spotters – but it looks like a rash of new state tax credits for filmmakers  is mapping a completely fresh itinerary for amateur paparazzi. This month, California announced it has already burned through its $100 million film tax credit for 2011 movies and has a waiting list of at least 45 films. Meanwhile, savvy flyover states have implemented steep discounts to lure Tinseltown execs and boost local economies in…

• Bags Fly Free With Holiday Inn, InterContinental Promotion

  Molly Fergus

  24 Aug 2010 | 11:26 am

  One way to win the favor of the ever-crankier traveling public: Get rid of one of the industry’s most griped-about fees, just like InterContinental Hotels Group is trying to do with its new “Check it Free!” promotion. With the offer, IHG (which operates Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, and Hotel Indigo properties) will pay up to $850 of a guest’s checked baggage fees on any airline September 1 through December 30 – under a few conditions, of course. To snag the reimbursement, customers need to book two consecutive weekend nights at any one of IHG’s…

• 

  Hotel Buzz

• Experience Picasso in Seattle with Help from an Art-Themed Hotel

  Liz Webber

  31 Aug 2010 | 5:25 am

  With Paris’s Musée National Picasso closed for renovations from 2009-2012, some of the artist’s top works have gone on tour. The next stop (and the first in the U.S.) is the Seattle Art Museum, whose exhibit Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso opens October 8. We can’t think of a better place to rest your head during the exhibit than the Alexis Hotel, an art-themed Kimpton property just down the street from the museum (they even have a SAM suite, pictured). Alexis’ Art of Picasso package treats you to two VIP tickets to the exhibit, two Picasso cocktails (Bulleit…

• Fabulous but Broke – 9 Hotels Face Bankruptcy

  Stephanie Johnnidis

  26 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

  Normally, we’re all about bringing you news of exciting new hotel openings, updates, expansions – but what of the hotels that haven’t made it through the economic storm? Despite the influx of good news on the travel front – destinations bouncing back (hello, Mexico), beaches seemingly unscathed along the Gulf, spurts of hotel openings in cities across the globe (New York’s 2010 hotel boom alone brings over a dozen newbies) – there is also the sad reality that some great properties are on the fast road to ruin. Herewith, the ugly truth . . . The Elbow Beach Hotel, Bermuda, a…

• Mall of America Gets Stimulus Funds for New Hotel

  Liz Webber

  25 Aug 2010 | 5:35 am

  In a move that will doubtless spark controversy, last week local Minnesota officials approved $40.3 million in tax-free bonds to help fund a 12-story luxury hotel at the Mall of America, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The bonds come from part of the county’s stimulus package funds. This type of funding is normally used to finance projects such as roads or subsidized housing, and some county officials questioned awarding the bonds to the hotel project. However, the county stands to lose the bonds if they aren’t doled out by the end of 2010. Moreover, the hotel only recently…

• Bags Fly Free With Holiday Inn, InterContinental Promotion

  Molly Fergus

  24 Aug 2010 | 11:26 am

  One way to win the favor of the ever-crankier traveling public: Get rid of one of the industry’s most griped-about fees, just like InterContinental Hotels Group is trying to do with its new “Check it Free!” promotion. With the offer, IHG (which operates Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, and Hotel Indigo properties) will pay up to $850 of a guest’s checked baggage fees on any airline September 1 through December 30 – under a few conditions, of course. To snag the reimbursement, customers need to book two consecutive weekend nights at any one of IHG’s…

• New Menu by Michelin Chef & Free Margaritas at Mexican Hideaway in Chelsea

  Stephanie Johnnidis

  24 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

  Tucked away on an unremarkable block in Chelsea, Mexican restaurant and bar, Las Chicas Locas (attached to but not affiliated with the Four Points by Sheraton), has kept a fairly low profile since opening in 2008. Sure, the occasional celebrity wanders in now and again – Tiger Woods (pre-infidelity), Derek Jeter, Anthony Mackie (I saw the latter two there myself on separate occasions) – but this often dubbed “neighborhood hangout” is headed towards stardom of its own. A new partnership with two-star Michelin Chef Christopher Lee, currently of Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, brings a…

• 

  Savvy Flyer

• Virgin America Sale from $39 Including New Routes to Mexico

  Amber Nolan

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:51 pm

  With ultra-low rates and chic aircrafts, it’s no wonder Virgin America is drawing a loyal following of savvy flyers as the airline rapidly expands its route network. The West Coast-based carrier recently touched down in Toronto, and now the airline has announced service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Cancun, and Los Cabos. To accompany the new routes, Virgin has launched a fare sale on fall travel starting from as low as $39 (each way) for short-haul domestic flights. The new routes to Dallas and Mexico kick off in December starting from $129 each way. This sale ends September 2. Sample Fares (Each…

• New Library at Amsterdam Airport is World's First

  Liz Webber

  1 Sep 2010 | 11:15 am

  Already one of our airports worth the layover for its on-site art gallery and city excursions, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport ups the ante with what it claims is the first-ever airport library. Stocked with 1,100 books from the Dutch Public Libraries – as well as songs and films – the library presents a snapshot of Dutch culture for early arrivers or those just passing through on their way to another destination. If you’ve got a few hours to kill at Schiphol, stop by the library to browse stellar examples of Dutch literature in 29 languages including Dutch, English, Spanish, and…

• Mexicana Suspends All Flights

  Molly Fergus

  30 Aug 2010 | 9:44 am

  The crippled Mexico tourism market took yet another blow on Saturday afternoon when Mexicana Airlines announced that it is suspending all flights on its three airlines (Mexicana Airlines, MexicanaClick, and MexicanaLink) until further notice. The news comes less than a month after Mexico’s oldest airline declared bankruptcy and halted new ticket sales in an effort to bide time and find a solution to its debt. Rumors that Mexicana might one day resume flights are circulating, but if you’re schedule to fly with the airline you’re better off snagging a refund and rebooking on another…

• United & Continental Merger Clears Antitrust Hurdle

  Elissa Richard

  30 Aug 2010 | 7:54 am

  The pending United–Continental merger has been on Savvy Flyer’s radar since it was first announced in early May, but it cleared the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust review in record time as of Friday, getting the green light for the $3 billion merger, which is now expected to close in full by October 1 (following a stockholders’ approval voting in mid-September). The newly merged airline, which will operate under the United name, is set to usurp Delta Air Lines as the world’s largest carrier (a title Delta earned itself following its merger with Northwest in 2008). So what…

• Bags Fly Free With Holiday Inn, InterContinental Promotion

  Molly Fergus

  24 Aug 2010 | 11:26 am

  One way to win the favor of the ever-crankier traveling public: Get rid of one of the industry’s most griped-about fees, just like InterContinental Hotels Group is trying to do with its new “Check it Free!” promotion. With the offer, IHG (which operates Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, and Hotel Indigo properties) will pay up to $850 of a guest’s checked baggage fees on any airline September 1 through December 30 – under a few conditions, of course. To snag the reimbursement, customers need to book two consecutive weekend nights at any one of IHG’s…

• 

  Daily Deal

• $129+: Last-Min. Luxe D.C. Hotel Stay; Save Over $150

  Andrew Skwarek

  2 Sep 2010 | 5:00 am

  Bummed you didn’t book a Labor Day getaway? Maybe this will cheer you up: If you’re free next weekend (Sept. 9 – 12), consider penciling in a visit to historic Washington, D.C., and setting up shop at The Fairfax at Embassy Row, located in desirable Dupont Circle. The luxurious, 259-room property has slashed weekend rates to just $129/night – over $150 less than end-of-September prices!  Just don’t sit on this deal too long – the booking period ends September 3. THE VALUE: Starting weekend rates at the end of September hike up to $296/night – so you’re saving $167 by booking…

• Virgin America Sale from $39 Including New Routes to Mexico

  Amber Nolan

  1 Sep 2010 | 12:51 pm

  With ultra-low rates and chic aircrafts, it’s no wonder Virgin America is drawing a loyal following of savvy flyers as the airline rapidly expands its route network. The West Coast-based carrier recently touched down in Toronto, and now the airline has announced service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Cancun, and Los Cabos. To accompany the new routes, Virgin has launched a fare sale on fall travel starting from as low as $39 (each way) for short-haul domestic flights. The new routes to Dallas and Mexico kick off in December starting from $129 each way. This sale ends September 2. Sample Fares (Each…

• $699+: 14-Nt Repositioning Cruise from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale w/Bermuda

  Andrew Skwarek

  1 Sep 2010 | 5:00 am

  There aren’t many cruises where you can enjoy the vibrant New England fall foliage and then a week later, lounge on sun-kissed shores with dangling palm trees providing just the right amount of shade. But, our deal producers scouted out one particular 14-night October repositioning cruise that leaves from regal Quebec City, hugs the New England coast, and calls on the cerulean waters of Bermuda and Port Canaveral, Fla., before reaching its final destination of Fort Lauderdale. Inside cabins on this sailing have been discounted up to 75 percent, reducing the starting rates to $699 per person…

• $749+: Thanksgiving Vacation to Prague w/Air, Hotel & Breakfast

  Andrew Skwarek

  31 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

  September hasn’t even arrived yet (and the last thing you’re thinking about is turkey, stuffing, and gravy), but before you draw the short straw and have to host Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year, book a vacation to dazzling Prague. Gate 1 Travel has drastically reduced the cost of a 6-day, 4-night trip to this enrapturing Czech Republic capital to as little as $749 per person – with round-trip airfare and fuel surcharges included! This incredible price point also features daily breakfast and accommodations in a three-star hotel (upgrades are available starting from $30 more).

• $721+: Spain 6-Nt Packages w/Air, Luxe Hotel & Breakfast

  Elina Vaysbeyn

  30 Aug 2010 | 11:14 am

  Stroll down the cobblestone streets and sunset-glazed alleys of two blockbuster Mediterranean cities. Central Holidays’ Super Bargain packages start from just $721 with a six-night stay in arty Madrid or spell-binding Barcelona (a savings of up to $700 or more), including round-trip airfare from New York City, a four-night stay at a first-class hotel (with hotel taxes and service charges), daily breakfast, and airport transfers. At the cost of a round-trip flight, you can visit these historic, Spanish stomping grounds, taking in striking architecture, romantic beaches, exotic palates, and…

• 

  Amenity Watch

• Underwater Suite in the Maldives

  Becca Bergman

  23 Aug 2010 | 2:37 pm

  The famously luxe Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort has recently rolled out one of those amenities that’s truly out of this world. Spread out over two islands in the Alif Dhall Atoll of the Maldives, the Conrad is known for (among other things) its underwater restaurant, Ithaa. The all-glass dining room is submerged 16 feet under the ocean and was the first of its kind when it opened five years ago.Dining here is an unforgettable experience in itself (everyone must wear sunglasses at lunch because it gets so bright). But to really step it up, the resort is offering a special…

• Hotel Pedi-Cab Service

  Becca Bergman

  16 Aug 2010 | 12:59 pm

  According to the Elysian hotel in Chicago, hotel bike rentals are so last year. So how do guests of this elegant hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood get around? A complimentary pedi-cab service of course! The hotel-branded service is available in the afternoon and evenings. The dedicated peddler awaits guests in the hotel courtyard and will take them anywhere in an designated area whose borders are Michigan Avenue to Chicago Avenue and Division Street to Clark Street. Hotel guests who are out wandering the neighborhood can also arrange for the peddler to come pick them up. One can imagine…

• A Hypoallergenic Hotel

  Becca Bergman

  25 Jul 2010 | 2:20 pm

  Some hotel amenities are silly, some are stylish, some are gimmicky and some are over-the-top awesome. And then there are those that you’d take any day over six sessions with a pet psychic–that is, amenities that are supremely practical.  For the millions of Americans who suffer from dust and chemical allergies (or are just plain sensitive to either) traveling and staying in hotels can be a huge headache, as we expose our systems to new environments whose elements we can’t control. To some a fluffy feather comforter is heaven–to others, it means a sneezefest.

• Beach Sherpas are the New Sunglasses Concierges

  Becca Bergman

  18 Jul 2010 | 4:45 pm

  Lounging by the pool or on the sand, where with one wave of the hand you can summon a chilled Chardonnay and club sandwich or a piña colada and nachos, is the ultimate state of vacation bliss. No matter where you are or how many stars the hotel has, I don’t think the transportive indulgence and pleasure of poolside service ever wears off.  And then there are the hotels that up this game with amenities to make the experience even more luxurious – and yes, make us all lazier in the process. But hey, it’s vacation. A crowning example is the sunglasses washing service offered…

• Celebrity Chefs Lure Guests To Dine And Stay

  Jennifer Bernstein

  14 Jul 2010 | 3:30 pm

  It was only a few years ago that our our noses turned up (and stomachs too) at the thought of dining in a hotel restaurant. Lucky for all, the tables have turned as empty seats are now filled with guests who flock to make hotel dining reservations and to experience the celebrity chefs and talent. With hotel chefs ranking high among the best amenties, which stays (you may ask) also come with great dining? We’ve found a few to whet your appetite: In the two years that Chef Jennifer Carroll, chef du cuisine for the 10 Arts Bistro and Lounge by Eric Ripert, was brought to the The…

• 

  Smart Luxury

• 25% off All-Inclusive Ecuador Culture and Gastronomy Tour

  Elissa Richard

  24 Aug 2010 | 7:48 am

  SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE The Luxury The Ecuadorian capital, long considered a mere pit stop en route to the Galapagos, is finally getting the attention of in-the-know travelers, thanks to a major restoration of its Unesco-designated Old Town and burgeoning hotel, restaurant, and nightlife scenes. Book the eight-night City Culture and Gastronomic Tour, put together especially for Sherman’s Travel readers by Exclusive Hotels and Haciendas of Ecuador. The trip starts with two nights at bohemian-chic hotel Café Cultura in Quito before visiting the Ecuadorian cloud forest, San Pablo Lake, and the…

• Soak Up Glamour with an Exclusive Capri Package

  Suzanne Steinert

  17 Aug 2010 | 7:47 am

  SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE The Luxury A relative newcomer to Italy’s most exclusive isle, Villa Marina Capri overlooks the glittering Amalfi Coast from its hilltop perch. Its 21 uniquely designed rooms vary in style from contemporary-chic to blends of modern and baroque (bold colors paired with billowing canopy beds). Outdoors there’s a heated infinity pool. The Stai spa offers a range of treatments, from color therapy to hydromassage. The Value Book the four-night Capri in the Heart package for two through October 31 and enjoy champagne upon arrival, buffet breakfasts daily, a complimentary…

• Pay for 3 Nights and Stay for 4 on a Tanzanian Safari

  Liz Webber

  13 Aug 2010 | 8:00 am

  SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE The Luxury Sanctuary Retreats brings upscale camping to a whole new level at the Sanctuary Swala and Sanctuary Kusini camps, where decked-out tents (12 at each site) come with en suite bathrooms and butler service. Located inside Tarangire National Park, Swala sits near a watering hole popular with lions and elephants, while Kusini overlooks the plains of Serengeti National Park, where zebras, cheetahs, and cape buffalo roam. All meals and game drives are included at both camps. The Value The Stay 4, Pay 3 offer (available through December 15) grants guests who book a…

• Savor Spa Time on Chesapeake Bay with a Spa & Sail Package

  Elissa Richard

  11 Aug 2010 | 8:23 am

  SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE The Luxury Set on the fringes of Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels is a mecca for aficionados of wildlife (bald eagles, osprey, and falcons) and R&R alike. This historic waterside village is also home to antiques shops, crab shacks, and charming B&Bs and inns. The 20-room Five Gables Inn & Spa stands out for its proximity to the bay (just three blocks away); unique setting in four converted 19th-century houses; on-site Aveda Concept Spa; and indoor pool, sauna, and steam room. The Value The Spa & Sail package (with prices starting at $520) offers two nights’…

• Exclusive Unlimited Golf Package at Beachfront Hotel and Spa in Bermuda

  Suzanne Steinert

  3 Aug 2010 | 8:06 am

  SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE The Luxury Positioned on Bermuda’s longest stretch of private beach, Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa opened a year ago as the island’s newest luxury-residence club. Decorated in a classic colonial seaside style, each of the 88 rooms has updated furnishings, complimentary Wi-Fi, balconies with harbor views, and free-standing tubs. The spa features a 10,000-square-foot garden sanctuary and a hydrotherapy suite touted as the “world’s most expensive shower” (with 18 showerheads). The members- and guests-only golf course offers sweeping Atlantic vistas. The Value…

• 

  Cruise News

• $399+: 7-Nt Bahamas & FL Cruise from N.Y.

  Elina Vaysbeyn

  25 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

  Once the weather cools off in the temperate Northeast, take to the shimmering waters of Florida and the Bahamas for a relaxing, 7-night cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line, priced from just $399 per person. For less than $60/night this idyllic, round-trip sailing departs from chilly New York, sojourning in sunny Port Canaveral before calling on Great Stirrup Cay (a private island and snorkeling mecca), and last, the brilliant beaches of Nassau. THE VALUE: NCL defines the Freestyle Cruising mantra, offering a massive array of activity, dining, and entertainment options, with the freedom to…

• Possible Cruise Ship Pollution in Maine Port

  Elina Vaysbeyn

  19 Aug 2010 | 10:36 am

  On July 19, an unidentified murky substance filled the water in Maine’s crisp Bar Harbor, while American Cruise Lines’ (ACL) brand-new, 104-passenger Independence floated at the dock. Alerted by witnesses, local authorities conducted routine water testing, uncovering an abnormally high count of the bacteria “enterococcus.” ACL, along with the ship’s captain, denied any possibility of sewage dumping, besides gray water from showers and sinks, and consequently, legal restrictions barred the environmental agency from entering the ship to check waste valves. Though the Department of…

• Rock Band 311 Announces Caribbean Cruise

  Amber Nolan

  15 Aug 2010 | 2:06 pm

  To answer your question, yes, the rock band, 311 is still around. In fact, the Omaha-based group − which became popular in the 90s − celebrates March 11 (or 3/11) every other year by rewarding their faithful followers with a lengthy concert of upwards of 60 songs (dubbed 311 Day) that showcases their work over the past 20 years. (The most recent – which was hosted in Las Vegas – sold out in a single day and lasted more than five hours.) Next year, the band is switching things up and ringing in March 2011 on a four-night cruise from Miami to Turks & Caicos aboard the Carnival…

• Cruise Ship Cocaine Smuggler Receives Sentence

  Zach Custer

  13 Aug 2010 | 6:00 am

  The fifth and final party of a 2008 cruise ship cocaine smuggling scheme, Claudie Anglin, was sentenced to over ten years in prison by a British judge on August 10, 2010. On October 19, 2008, four men were arrested while disembarking the P&O Arcadia in Southampton, England, after completing at 23-day Caribbean and transatlantic sailing. The men, searched by customs officials, were found with a total of 44 pounds of cocaine strapped to their bodies – one of the largest documented cases of drug smuggling via cruise ship. The four smugglers, Calvin Hylton, 41; Briony Dyce, 25; Natalie…

• New Feature: Mediterranean Cruises 101 Guide

  Amber Nolan

  11 Aug 2010 | 1:21 pm

  Sailing the storied waters of the Mediterranean offers a sense of romance and adventure on the high seas that is virtually unsurpassed, with its shimmering, cerulean sea providing access to a staggering array of diversified ports, ranging from sleepy old-world fishing villages nestled by coastal cliffs to bustling and exotic metropolises that span Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. While many Americans first acquire their sea legs hopping between the island paradises of the Caribbean (see our Caribbean Cruises 101), the siren call of the Mediterranean sounds out strong, enticing…

• 

  Gourmet Traveller

• Shanghainese rice roll (上海秶飯)

  admin

  29 Aug 2010 | 2:06 pm

  After Marc is born, life has changed dramatically. Breastfeeding every other two to three hours has taken almost all my time. I have not been able to cook much in the last weeks because I need ...

• Bún Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork loin with Rice Noodle with Nuoc Cham sauce (香茅豬扒檬米線)

  admin

  23 Jul 2010 | 1:43 pm

  Further to my previous baby announcement, I would like to share this Bun Thit Nuong with you all which was prepared just before my labour began. I have written the draft of this post that evening ...