Travel

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  • To Move Abroad, Find the Place That Speaks to You

    Cheapest Destinations Blog - Travel the World!
    Tim Leffel
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:05 am
    We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!

  • Traveling Like a Travel Writer

    Intelligent Travel
    Robert Reid
    13 Jun 2013 | 1:03 pm
    Everyone’s talking about “traveling like a local” these days. Travelers, bloggers, tour operators, souvenir clerks, industry types in pleated slacks – they all seem to say it’s the best way to get to know a place. Go local or go home, right? Well, not me. I’ve spent a dozen years doing research for travel guidebooks, articles, and videos on trips that have taken me to cities on stilts in Siberia, abandoned kingdoms in Burma — even Queens on the 7 train. And while I’m likely to remember the locals I meet more vividly than the badly lit history museums I breeze through,…

  • Capri: The Adventures of Travel Cat: Relaxing on a Patio on Capri

    Jaunted - The Pop Culture Travel Guide
    JetSetCD
    19 Jun 2013 | 10:24 am
    Kitty cats. They rule the internet and, whether we realize it or not, pretty much the world too. Ever noticed how cats sometimes stake out the coolest spots in a city? This new feature—Travel Cat—focuses on exactly that. Submit a photo to be featured by tweeting or Instagramming it to us (details below). Travel Cat spotted in: The island of Capri, Italy. This week's Travel Cat comes from Kenn Wilson, aka @kchrist on Twitter, who spotted this fluffy cat doing a little cleaning while relaxing on a patio somewhere on the island of a Capri.

  • 10 Reflections on 1 Month of Traveling

    30Traveler
    admin
    11 Jun 2013 | 12:36 am
    yes this picture is real. You see people in white pavlova wedding outfits at the beach almost everyday in Hawaii! 1. 6 weeks per place is not enough time. I’ve been in Hawaii for 5 weeks today and we’re leaving next week. Major sad face! We could easily stay here 3 months. The last few days seem to have gotten sucked up by planning our next stop and mentally jumping ahead – not exactly mindful travel! Want to guess where we’re going? We’re excited about it! Part of the reason we’re not ready to move on is financial. We wish we had a bit more time here to…

  • He Said, She Said: Tips for Traveling Couples

    Intelligent Travel
    Annie Fitzsimmons
    14 Jun 2013 | 12:45 pm
    My longtime beau, Andy, and I will be celebrating our ten-year anniversary next week. We spent our first anniversary in Paris. Since then, we’ve taken a pickup truck across Texas, a train across Europe, and a plane to the Middle East. Travel has been the backdrop of our decade together. Having visited 15 countries and almost two thirds of the States, we joke that we could win The Amazing Race, the reality show where pairs compete to be the first around the world. At home in New York our schedules overlap far less than we’d like, with both of our jobs taking us to far-flung…
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    NYT > Travel

  • Letters to the Editor

    19 Jun 2013 | 3:08 pm
    Readers respond to an article about traveling to New York City with children.    

  • The Getaway: Finding Deals With Paid Upgrades

    By SUSAN STELLIN
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:25 pm
    Hotels, airlines and car rental agencies are more aggressively promoting upgrade opportunities. Here’s some guidance for deciding if they’re worth the price.    

  • In Transit Blog: Bike-Sharing Comes to Aspen

    By ELAINE GLUSAC
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:34 pm
    Aspen, Colo., says it is the first mountain town to have a bike-sharing program, with a fleet that includes 100 bikes.    

  • Heads Up: In Milan, a Surge of Burger Spots

    By RATHA TEP
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:30 pm
    Burger bars and restaurants are popping up across the city, including some seasoned with a bit of New York City flavor.    

  • In Transit Blog: A Symphony at Sea

    By ELAINE GLUSAC
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:37 pm
    Bands, ships and a lighthouse will perform the Foghorn Requiem, a lament for a fading sound, on the North Sea on Saturday.    
 
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    Intelligent Travel

  • He Said, She Said: Tips for Traveling Couples

    Annie Fitzsimmons
    14 Jun 2013 | 12:45 pm
    My longtime beau, Andy, and I will be celebrating our ten-year anniversary next week. We spent our first anniversary in Paris. Since then, we’ve taken a pickup truck across Texas, a train across Europe, and a plane to the Middle East. Travel has been the backdrop of our decade together. Having visited 15 countries and almost two thirds of the States, we joke that we could win The Amazing Race, the reality show where pairs compete to be the first around the world. At home in New York our schedules overlap far less than we’d like, with both of our jobs taking us to far-flung…

  • How to Become a Nat Geo Photographer

    Dan Westergren
    14 Jun 2013 | 8:24 am
    Reader Question: How do I become a photographer for National Geographic? My Answer: Photography is really no different than any other pursuit in life if you plan to make a living at it. Unfortunately, there are very few full time salaried photography jobs. All the photographers who take pictures for National Geographic Traveler are freelance independent business owners. Taking pictures is an enjoyable activity, but if you decide that you want that to be your job you may find it’s not much fun anymore. So, in order to be a successful photographer you need to be absolutely obsessed…

  • Traveling Like a Travel Writer

    Robert Reid
    13 Jun 2013 | 1:03 pm
    Everyone’s talking about “traveling like a local” these days. Travelers, bloggers, tour operators, souvenir clerks, industry types in pleated slacks – they all seem to say it’s the best way to get to know a place. Go local or go home, right? Well, not me. I’ve spent a dozen years doing research for travel guidebooks, articles, and videos on trips that have taken me to cities on stilts in Siberia, abandoned kingdoms in Burma — even Queens on the 7 train. And while I’m likely to remember the locals I meet more vividly than the badly lit history museums I breeze through,…

  • The Maine of Spain

    Henley Vazquez
    13 Jun 2013 | 11:29 am
    You’ve never heard of my favorite place in Spain. It’s not stylish Barcelona, foodie San Sebastian, or picturesque Mallorca. But La Coruña is just as unique. I’ve been returning to the small capital city of Galicia — the northwestern corner of Spain that sits atop Portugal like a cap — for twelve years now. I first came here for the traditional post-graduation tour of Europe’s best bars and cheapest hostels with my boyfriend (now husband), one of La Coruña’s adoptive sons (he grew up in Bilbao). The city became our home-away-from-home stopover, where his…

  • The World Is a Carpet

    Don George
    12 Jun 2013 | 12:10 pm
    My #TripLit Pick for June: The World Is a Carpet: Four Seasons in an Afghan Village It is easy to become inured to a country like Afghanistan, to dismiss it as a place endlessly wracked by war, hopeless. It is easy to forget that it is full of human beings who do not fight on one side or the other but simply live their destinies, giving birth and harvesting whatever crops they are lucky to grow, building and rebuilding their homes, teaching their children, burying their elders, dreaming, scheming, worrying if there will be enough food the next season, or month, or day. In her new…
 
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    Hawaii Vacation Blog

  • PreCheck for Interisland Flights

    AlohaBruce
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:00 pm
    For some reason, the airport PreCheck Program doesn't include flights within Hawai‘i. This is the Transportation Security Administration's way to speed up the security line. Travelers enrolled in the program may leave on their shoes and belts through screening. They also don't have to take out their laptops or small amounts of liquids in carry-on bags.  As of now, the program only includes selected airports across the country. It's a fairly new program to the traveling world that started in October of 2012. Anyone can sign up for free by filling out a form. If you…

  • Hawaii Gets First Microsoft Store

    AlohaBruce
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:00 pm
    If you're a Mac maniac like me, then news about Microsoft's new Hawai‘i store is just…meh. But because I appreciate innovation and technology, I thought I'd give it a chance. We strolled through the sleek new store at Ala Moana Shopping Center, which looks scarily similar to the Apple Store across the way. Stations set up with Microsoft's latest gizmos and gadgets filled the store, allowing customers to get hands-on with their products. Meanwhile, spunky staff members bounced back and forth between the sea of customers. All the while, I still couldn't help…

  • Surf Over to First Break Waikiki

    AlohaBruce
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm
    ​First Break Waikiki, a local boutique located in the Waikiki Sheraton, is popular with the tourists, but locals should check it out, too. Walking through the hotel’s lobby, you can’t help but notice this bright, attractive storefront. Its breezy fashions call out to be tried on and then worn straight out to the beach or to a party. What I really liked about this store is that it is not overdone. The selection is very good but not overwhelming. A quick scan around the walls will allow you to see what is available without having to push through racks. An inviting storefront…

  • Jack Johnson’s ‘Got You’

    AlohaBruce
    18 Jun 2013 | 4:00 pm
    It's been three years since singer-songwriter-surfer Jack Johnson came up with some new tunes. But his fans understand; he's been busy being a family man, as a husband and father to three little keiki.  We always see him cruising with his kids at Rocky Point (on O‘ahu's North Shore), so it's cool that he still found some time to make music. The new single, "I Got You," was just released this summer and features that notorious nonchalance Jack's known for in his musical creations. The la-dee-dah whistling and fingerpicking blend nicely with Jack's…

  • No Boozing on the Beach in Hawaii

    AlohaBruce
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm
    Is drinking alcohol on a beach allowed in Hawai‘i? Unfortunately, it is not allowed. According to the law, it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in your car or in public places, like beaches, parks or street sides. This usually comes as a surprise to many people, who thought they'd spend the day boozing and cruising in the sun and surf; only to get hit with the biggest party-pooper of them all: a ticket. The fine for a passenger in Hawai‘i caught with an open container costs about $200 to $300. For the driver, it's more than $1,000 – the highest fine…
 
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    Matador Network

  • How to rent an apartment in Berlin

    Slow Travel Berlin
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:00 am
    Photo: Oh-Berlin.com New Berlin resident Marcel Krueger on how his recent move to the city was not as cheap — nor as fun — as he’d imagined… In Ireland, where I’ve been living for the last five years, finding a new apartment and an agreement with a landlord was never hard. It mostly boiled down to viewing a place, shaking hands, and paying a deposit in cash, up front. In Berlin, I’ve recently discovered, it’s a different story. For example, prospective landlords and property agents require you to submit the following: a copy of your passport; a letter from your HR…

  • Straight readers vs. gay writers

    Aaron Hamburger
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Photo: The U.S. National Archives One of the job hazards of being a writer is that people frequently ask you for reading recommendations. However, in my experience, they’re not always interested in the books you’re actually reading. Take, for example, the recent award-winning road novel A Horse Named Sorrow by Trebor Healey. Set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the book follows the journey of a young man who gets on a bike and sets out from San Francisco to Buffalo, New York, to return his lover’s ashes to his hometown. Along the way, Healey paints a vivid picture of San Francisco…

  • #Facebook #Down

    Austin Yoder
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:45 am
    Starting around 9:11pm EST last night, people all over the world were forced to do something else. LAST NIGHT, starting around 9:11pm EST and lasting for nearly 10 full minutes, Facebook went down. In response, Twitter exploded with outrage from every corner of the Earth, to the point where my tweet stream was “throttled” by Tweetdeck (meaning limited due to the insanely high number of incoming tweets about #Facebook). People posting in Portuguese, Spanish, English, and other world languages, everyone begging to know why they had been cut off. An interesting moment to observe how…

  • 23 photos to inspire travel

    Hal Amen
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    A selection of moments from around the world, as seen through the lens of the local. All images and photographer notes below come courtesy of our friends at Global Yodel, an online travel community spreading the message that “one’s home is another’s destination.” Check out their brand-new site design at GlobalYodel.com. 1 Whirling Dervish - Bursa, Turkey During these ceremonies, the dervish believed that through their motion, they attained a place closer to God, and considered their actions a prayer to connect to God. These men whirled, most with their eyes shut for…

  • 10 words to avoid in travel writing

    Teresa Ponikvar
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:50 am
    Photo: e_walk This post complements lessons from the MatadorU Travel Writing program. WE’VE SEEN THEM too many times, and now they sound tired, strained, and cheesy — and at Matador, that’s definitely not what we’re about. 1. “Best-kept secret” Really? Are you sure The Purple Dinosaur Bar is Denver’s best-kept secret? You found it, after all, and now you’re publishing its location, so it’s a bit of a stretch to call it a secret, much less a well-kept one. 2. “Et cetera” Whether it’s “et cetera” (fancy! Latin!) or plain old “etc.”,…
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    Have Kids Will Travel

  • Top 5 Beaches In Florida Ideal For Kids

    Editor
    29 May 2013 | 4:40 am
    Florida, or the Sunshine State, is one of the best destinations to take your kids on holiday this year. If you want the true experience of Florida, then taking a visit to their world famous beaches is a must, as there’s something to suit everyone. Here are a few can’t-miss beach destinations suitable for kids [...]

  • Costa Del Sol: Uncomplicated Family Fun

    Editor
    29 Mar 2013 | 10:42 am
    When you have children, everything changes. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the holidays you choose to go on, with buggies, travel cots and favourite cuddly toys in tow. For a while you might fight the change from doing something cultural and exploring foreign cities, but while it’s great to expose your offspring [...]

  • Family Activities In Las Vegas

    Editor
    12 Mar 2013 | 9:35 am
    Las Vegas is a place of bright lights, showgirls, slot machines and luxury entertainment, so when tourists are looking for things to do the city, family activities don’t always rank high in preference. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any activities for families to do together, however, and although Las Vegas hotels have excellent standards of [...]

  • The Kids Are Alright: Expect The Unexpected When Planning Family Vacations

    Editor
    8 Jan 2013 | 4:28 pm
    Having young children — say between ages 5 and 12 — doesn’t mean you have to forgo fun vacations. But you do have to prepare a little more and perhaps adjust your expectations of what you’ll be able to do while you’re away. Still, a few simple tips should make your trip fun and enjoyable [...]

  • Top 10 Places to Holiday in Australia with Kids

    Editor
    29 Aug 2012 | 8:31 am
    When it comes time to plan your next holiday in Australia, there are countless places to consider for you and your family. However, some destinations are better for families than others are and there are some places that your children will absolutely love. Here are our choices for the top 10 places to holiday in [...]
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    Wanderlust and Lipstick

  • OluKai Ohana Sandals ~ WanderGear Wednesday

    Beth Whitman
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:34 am
    I like to think that I have tough feet (I loved running around barefoot when I was a kid) but the truth is that when I first start wearing a pair of flip flops, I have a bit of soreness around the strap – both between my toes and on the top of my foot. Not so with the OluKai Ohana Sandals. The synthetic leather strap is soft and pliable enough that even walking four+ miles (on day one of wearing them) ends with none of the soreness that often comes from flip flops where the strap is too stiff. The Ohana footbed is soft, too. Made from a compression-molded midsole, when you first step…

  • Is India Safe for Women Travelers?

    Beth Whitman
    13 Jun 2013 | 9:21 am
    There’s been a lot of news coming out of India of late. And it hasn’t been good. Sadly, there’s been a spate of high-profile gang rapes against both Indian and foreign women in the last eight months or so. The most recent one was just last week when a California woman was raped when she hitched a ride with a truck driver late at night (she was unable to find a taxi). As a result of these tragic events, it’s been reported that 35% less women are traveling to India and tourism overall is down by 25%. Just yesterday I received a call from a reporter at the Sunday Times of…

  • Mountain Khakis Anytime Clothes ~ WanderGear Wednesday

    Beth Whitman
    12 Jun 2013 | 8:04 am
    Well, Mountain Khakis Anytime clothes may not literally be for anytime, but they are definitely perfect for summer. Over the past few months, as I’ve traveled to a number of very warm weather climates, I’ve had a chance to test these out in time for summer here in Seattle. The Anytime Cargo Shorts are my favorite of the lot. All of the other shorts I own are a bit longer than the Anytime Shorts but I’ve discovered that these shorter (but not meant for a 16-year-old short) shorts, are just the right length for me with a 4.5 inch inseam. They’re made of cotton with a…

  • Passports with Purpose Wins the SMITTY Award!

    Beth Whitman
    4 Jun 2013 | 6:56 am
    It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for me that has included travel (since early March: Berlin, Bhutan, Thailand, Laos, Haiti, Miami, Kauai, NYC, New Jersey, Toronto, Albuquerque, Santa Fe), activities (hiking, eating, biking, flying, throwing dinner parties), and announcements (my involvement with Expedia’s Viewfinder blog). It’s been crazy, too. But it’s all good! And the announcements keep coming. Over the weekend, while I was attending TBEX (the Travel Bloggers Conference) in Toronto, the Passports with Purpose team was honored with a SMITTY Award from Travel…

  • Expedia Viewfinder Launches

    Beth Whitman
    30 May 2013 | 7:39 am
    A few weeks ago on Facebook, I alluded to some June news that I was very excited to announce. Well it’s time! I’ve been just bursting to talk about this and now I can, and it’s… …my participation in a project that launched this week with Expedia. Their new blog, Expedia Viewfinder, brings together a number of travel bloggers providing personal perspectives on Expedia’s top destinations. I’ll regularly be writing articles for the blog and plan to cover a wide range of topics such as: tips for solo travel; best hiking, running, and biking trails; best…
 
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    CruiseSource

  • Cruise Deals: Club Med Resorts + Summer Cruise Sales

    Martha Allen
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:28 am
    Club Med: When you’re ready to Stay Ashore Did you know CruiseDeals can also help you plan a resort vacation? Yeah, our name has “cruise” in it, but our veteran travel planners are capable of so much more than just helping you plan a cruise. One resort company we like a lot is Club Med because there are some similarities to cruising as well as some positive differences. Want to go to an exotic or sunny spot? Check! How about having a lot of activities included in the price of your vacation? Check! Like the fact that on a cruise you have all your dining included? Check! Then, there are…

  • How to save $500 – $1000 on Hawaii Cruises

    Rich Tucker
    10 Jun 2013 | 5:30 pm
    I just shot this video/presentation showing you how to EASILY save $500 to over $1000 on your Hawaii Cruise vacation. How To Save Money on Hawaii Cruises:   If you have any questions about Hawaii Cruises or about this video, please leave them in the comments. Click here to Search October 2013 – February 2014 Hawaii Cruises.  

  • Save up to $520 on Last-Minute Summer Cruise Price Drops

    Rich Tucker
    9 Jun 2013 | 8:26 am
    This is a Sneak-peak at Rich Tucker‘s weekly Cruise Price Drop email.  Click here to get it in your email each week.  Before we get to this week’s BEST upcoming price drops, if you’re thinking about booking a Sept 2013 – Aug 2014 Royal Caribbean Cruise, then you should check out our 2x WOW Sale running 6/10 – 6/12 with up to $400 on board spending money. Click Here for Details.   Last-Minute Price drops below This week’s Top ONE DAY Price Drops:  The deals listed below are for new bookings only and can only be booked on Tuesday 6/11/2013. Check…

  • 2X Bonus for Royal Caribbean + Other Cruise Sales

    Kevin Weisner
    7 Jun 2013 | 6:52 am
    Just a few times a year, Royal Caribbean puts on their WOW Sale, which we think is one of the best deals for our customers.  Here’s why: Onboard Credit ranging from $50 to $200 just for planning in advance. Combinable with many of their other discount programs (not all though). No restriction by type of cabin–from interior to suite Amount is based on length of cruise–the longer you cruise the more you’ll get. Huge range of voyages–from September 1st, 2013 to August 31st of 2014. As you can see, it’s a pretty wide open offer with few restrictions.  About…

  • Quantum of the Seas Prices Going Up and Selling Out.

    Rich Tucker
    3 Jun 2013 | 8:25 am
      Last week, Royal Caribbean opened the Quantum of the Seas bookings to Crown and Anchor members for her first 21 sailings. Wonder if Quantum of the Seas Prices have started going up already?  So did I, so I’ve been tracking it.  Analysis below. For new ships, Royal Caribbean gives their past guests a one week head start because the best cabins sell out and the rates of the most popular sailings go up quickly. The response to the Quantum of the Seas has been tremendous thanks to all of the innovations that have already been announced. On June 4th, 2013 [tomorrow], Royal Caribbean…
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    Europe a la Carte Travel Blog

  • Best Places to Visit Europe Board on Pinterest

    Karen Bryan
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:50 am
    I’m in danger of becoming a pinaholic. After writing about using Pinterest for travelling planning as part of Pinterest’s official UK launch, I decided to start a Best Places to Visit Europe board on Pinterest. It’s a group board, so if you’d like to add your European travel photos, please leave a comment on this [...]Best Places to Visit Europe Board on Pinterest Tips on best places to visit in Europe. Copyrighted content published on the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog.

  • An Evening Stroll Along Portobello Prom in Edinburgh

    Karen Bryan
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:40 am
    We had a stroll along Portobello Prom in Edinburgh one evening in May. It had been a pretty showery day. The mix of dark clouds and evening produced some beautiful colour combinations. The pillars in the Community Garden were taken from the garden of Argyle House (now a nursing home) in Portobello’s Hope Lane The [...]An Evening Stroll Along Portobello Prom in Edinburgh Tips on best places to visit in Europe. Copyrighted content published on the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog.

  • An Abundance of Wild Flowers in Northumberland: Today’s Walk 15 June 2013

    Karen Bryan
    15 Jun 2013 | 7:38 am
    There was an abundance of wild flowers on today’s walk along the River Till from Etal in Northumberland. I was amazed to see so many white flowers growing on rocks in the river. I suppose that they’ve been able to prosper due to fairly low river water levels due to lack of any significant rain [...]An Abundance of Wild Flowers in Northumberland: Today’s Walk 15 June 2013 Tips on best places to visit in Europe. Copyrighted content published on the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog.

  • Review of Hotel Ciutat de Tarragona

    Karen Bryan
    14 Jun 2013 | 4:50 am
    I stayed at the four star Hotel Ciutat de Tarragona in Spain for three nights in May 2013. My accommodation was arranged by TBMCatSur. The hotel’s in a really handy position behind the bus station; there’s a direct express bus to Tarragona from Barcelona Airport. The jouney takes around one hour. The Ciutat de Tarragaon [...]Review of Hotel Ciutat de Tarragona Tips on best places to visit in Europe. Copyrighted content published on the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog.

  • Cygnets, Buttercups and Rapeseed: Today’s Walk 13 June 2013

    Karen Bryan
    13 Jun 2013 | 7:54 am
    Today we decided to drive to Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders for a walk along the North Sea Trail. We were wondering if we would see the local swans, Jock and Jenny, around Eyemouth Harbour. The swans were a couple of hundred yards upstream in the River Eye. It looked as though there were some [...]Cygnets, Buttercups and Rapeseed: Today’s Walk 13 June 2013 Tips on best places to visit in Europe. Copyrighted content published on the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog.
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    Shannon Hurst Lane

  • Royal Princess Ship Naming Ceremony Event Coverage

    Shannon
    10 Jun 2013 | 4:19 pm
    I’m about to board my Delta flight to London Heathrow airport where I’ll travel to Southampton and the new Princess Cruises Royal Princess Cruise ship. Media and dignitaries from all over the globe are gathering for this historic event. The ship’s godmother is Kate Middlelton, Duchess of Combridge. The Original Royal Princess cruise ship had her own special godmother, Princess Diana. I’ll be there sharing moments of my experience through social media and the new Nokia Lumia 928 that takes the most amazing low light photos. So there’s no telling what I’ll be…

  • Nokia Adds to the Lumia Family + Updates Creative Studio App

    Shannon
    2 Jun 2013 | 3:50 pm
    On my way home from Scotland a couple of weeks ago, I made a detour through London for a Nokia media event. It was exciting to be there in person for the reveal of the Lumia 925 and to see the recently leaked Lumia 928 in person. I tested the new devices and experienced some of the newer features, such as enhanced low-light photography and video, interchangeable colored charging plates for the 925, and being introduced to some fun new apps. I haven’t had the chance to fully experience these new devices in everyday use as of yet, but I did get to meet some bloggers through Nokia Connects…

  • If I Live the Life I’m Given

    Shannon
    8 May 2013 | 8:54 am
    People come into our lives and sometimes it takes a long time to realize what the reason might be. It might be as simple as a smile. Or it could be a small kindness. But sometimes it’s part of a chain reaction that leads you down a path to make things right in your world, or at least help find closure. Thanks to social media, a few years ago I met a friend who was a producer at a local news station. He moved soon after to take a position in Cleveland, Ohio. We kept in touch. In my recent travels, I met a photographer who showed me a photo of his latest commission, a newly opened brain…

  • Fun Moments from #LivetheMLife Media Trip

    Shannon
    14 Apr 2013 | 1:14 pm
    Last week I participated in the MGM Resorts #LivetheMLife press trip. It was a fun group of bloggers and we had some amazing moments. Some of them were planned and some…..not planned at all! We ran into celebrities, we were treated like celebrities, and the most important thing? We learned all about MGM Resorts MLife loyalty program. Points for these MLife Moments can be earned by booking hotel stays, dining, attraction tickets, playing at the casino, and even playing their Facebook game MyVegas Slots. Check out the program and sign up at MLife.com. Here are some select moments from the…

  • Testing Windows Phone WordPress App

    Shannon
    30 Mar 2013 | 6:38 am
    I’m in the process of trying to simplify my life and my travels. I want to carry around less gear and be able to share more of my experiences without having to keep up with so much stuff. I really love my Nokia Lumia 920 phone and while I know it isn’t the complete answer to my issue, it has simplified life greatly. The only thing it’s missing is Instagram and a video editing app. Those are the two things I miss that were an integral part of my digital nomad lifestyle. I’m trying to be more productive while mobile, and hopefully these two things I miss will be remedied…
 
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    Art of Non-Conformity

  • Worth It All

    Chris Guillebeau
    17 Jun 2013 | 8:15 pm
    Sometimes it’s hard to know if it’s all worth it. You’re out in the woodshed, slaving away on this thing you love, night and day. But does anyone else care?Will anyone else care? At times, you may be tempted to pack it in. You’d like to return to normal, to the way things were before this new way of life came along. The problem is, what’s really normal? And would you really be happy if you gave up now? Sometimes it’s OK to pack it in and move on. That’s what most people do, most of the time. But how do you know if giving up is the right choice?

  • Human Behavior, Compliance, and Identity

    Chris Guillebeau
    13 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    In thinking through how to make some changes in my business, I’ve been thinking about identity in general. One of the strongest drivers of our behavior is to comply with the person we believe ourselves to be. If you want to do something different, you have to adopt the identity of the kind of person who would do that thing. What would that person focus on? How would they think? How would they behave? If you want to quit smoking, for example, you have to take on the identity of a non-smoker. You have to tell yourself: “I’m no longer a smoker … I’m a former smoker. I…

  • The Challenge and the Opportunity

    Chris Guillebeau
    10 Jun 2013 | 3:00 pm
    Once upon a time I lived in the small country of Togo in West Africa. I was based on a hospital ship docked in Lomé, the capital, and the team I worked with had a project three hours’ north in a village. One of our team members needed to be there during the week, but not over the weekend. Because we had a lot of projects competing for transportation, we couldn’t allocate a vehicle specifically to her. She could have stayed in the village over the weekend, but life in the village gets old after a few days. What to do? I solved the problem by offering to drive her both ways for as…

  • The One-Year, Alternative Graduate School Program

    Chris Guillebeau
    6 Jun 2013 | 12:49 pm
    What if learning wasn’t confined to a rigid program in a university? What if you could begin learning now, without going back to school? The One-Year, Alternative Graduate School Program was one of the more popular parts of the original AONC book, in the same chapter where I compared the value of my graduate school degree to my career as an independent writer. I’ve since heard from a number of “students” of all ages who implemented this practice in a variety of forms. The point isn’t to disparage traditional education, but to provide an alternative for different…

  • When to Buy and When to Sit it Out

    Chris Guillebeau
    3 Jun 2013 | 1:30 pm
    Whenever I release a new product, I always get questions from people wanting to know if they should buy it. For years I never knew how to answer this question—I just said, “Sorry, I’m not good at providing personal recommendations on products. If you’re uncertain, skip this one and read the blog for free.” I said that for a couple of different reasons. First, I never want anyone to feel any kind of pressure to sign up for something if it’s not an amazing fit for them. I like product launches, but I also like to sleep at night. Second, what I said was…
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    Hawaii Vacation Advice - GoVisitHawaii.com

  • Which Hawaiian Island do I choose for my vacation if I want to go to Pearl Harbor?

    Sheila Beal
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:02 am
    A view of Pearl Harbor showing the USS Missouri Battleship and the USS Arizona MemorialPearl Harbor is home to the USS Arizona Memorial, Mighty Mo, the USS Bowfin submarine. With Pearl Harbor’s importance in American history, many people want to make sure they see it as part of their first Hawaii vacation. A question I commonly hear is: which island should I choose for my Hawaii vacation if I want to see Pearl Harbor? Many people assume that they must plan an Oahu vacation in order to see Pearl Harbor. An Oahu vacation certainly makes visitingPearl Harbor easy. However, you can…

  • Review: Honua Kai Resort in North Kaanapali, Maui

    Sheila Beal
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:54 am
    The ocean front playground for kids of all ages at Honua KaiHonua Kai Resort offers the comforts of home but with the added amenities of a resort. This all-suite resort offers guests their own, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, living areas, a large lanai, separate bedroom(s) with large baths. With all the high-end appliances and furnishings, staying at Honua Kai gives you the feeling of living like a rockstar in your personal Maui villa.The locationHonua Kai is located on North Kaanapali Beach, which is a great location for a Maui vacation. This section of Kaanapali Beach is north and away…

  • Aloha Friday Photo: Oozing pahoehoe lava

    Sheila Beal
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:07 am
    Today’s amazing photo was supplied by Jack Boeggeman. Jack took this lava photo during his Christmas vacation to Hawaii.What a great shot! It appears that Jack was able to get very close to the lava flow — probably close enough to feel the radiating heat.Jack’s photo is of pahoehoe lava, which is the smooth, slow-moving lava. Use this link for descriptions of the two major types of lava you’ll see in Hawaii.Mahalo nui loa to Jack Boeggeman for sharing his photo with us for Aloha Friday. 

  • Fireworks & July 4th Events in Waikiki, Honolulu & Oahu 2013

    Sheila Beal
    12 Jun 2013 | 10:59 am
    If Waikiki is your destination for July 4th, we’ve prepared a comprehensive list of the top fireworks shows in and around Waikiki, Honolulu and the island of Oahu.July 4th is an excellent time to be on Oahu. With fireworks displays, music and great food around the island, you’ll find fun ways to celebrate Independence Day. There’s so much going on for the holiday, that events actually begin on July 3rd!Wednesday, July 3rd – Aloha Tower Fireworks – HonoluluAloha Tower Marketplace continues their tradition of fireworks and entertainment on July 3rd once again for…

  • Kapalua Spa: a top Maui spa

    Sheila Beal
    10 Jun 2013 | 2:15 pm
    Our experience at Kapalua Spa in Maui was outstanding. We intend to return here again and again on future Maui visits. Views of Kapalua Bay from the lanai at Kapalua SpaWith a rush, we barely made our appointment for a couples massage ($197 per person) on time because we had a fun but, busy day. (Our previous tour ran a bit longer than expected.) While I could only imagine the staff had been concerned that we might not make our appointment, they showed no signs of frustration. Instead, they were welcoming and kind. Though we frantically rushed in at arrival, we left feeling peaceful, relaxed…
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    Happy Hotelier

  • Do not Mix up Holland and The Netherlands

    GJE
    31 May 2013 | 7:05 am
    Do not Mix up Holland and The Netherlands The video is around some time already, but clearly explains the difference between Holland and The Netherlands: The country is The Netherlands. The inhabitants are called Dutch because they speak Dutch. Holland is a name the country is frequently referred to erroneously. There are two provinces, North Holland and South Holland that are part of the Country (yes, called The Netherlands). Do not Mix up Holland and The Netherlands is a post from: Happy Hotelier. Would you like to subscribe to my newsfeed, or my weekly newsletter? Do not Mix up Holland and…

  • Yahoo – Tumblr – Flickr

    GJE
    21 May 2013 | 4:10 am
    Yahoo – Tumblr It is reported as a done deal: Yahoo made a 1.1 billion cash offer to acquire Tumblr and the offer has been accepted. I’ll copy and paste some web reactions to the deal: WSJ on the deal Yahoo promises not to screw it up David Karp on Tumblr Marco Arment on a personal note about working together with David Karp: One Person Product Marissa Mayer and David Karp on the ABC Morning Show Yahoo – Flickr May 20 had been planned to launch a major refit of the Flickr site by Yahoo prior to the news of Tumblr being acquired. Note: I’ve fallen in the same old trap…

  • Thoughts about Google+ Plus

    GJE
    21 May 2013 | 4:07 am
    Thoughts about Google+ Plus It is not easy I don’t understand the ease of use of Google+, because in my mind it is not simple to use. I’m jotting this down as a reminder that I want to find back a link to a video that explains the possible uses quite clearly. I’ve tweeted about it, but when was that. Update: Here it is and I found the video: Then I red the following post on Mashable: Report: Google+ Visitors Spent an Average of About 7 Minutes on the Site in March. I was sort of glad I am not the only one. People tend to use FaceBook ten times more than they tend to use…

  • Willem-Alexander now King of The Netherlands

    Happy Hotelier
    30 Apr 2013 | 5:10 am
    Willem -Alexander now King of The Netherlands By a simple signature from his mother, Queen Beatrix, under an abdication declaration, Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in the Amsterdam Royal Dam Palace today at approximately 10.35 hr AM local time. Thereafter the new King will be inaugurated by swearing to be true and loyal to the Dutch Constitution before both Houses (Chambers) of Dutch Parliament. Thereafter the two houses of Dutch Parliament will swear their loyalty to the King. Even Big Brother Google blesses the new King and Queen with the above picture, albeit the Alt tag…

  • Brass Balls – Arthur Frommer

    GJE
    4 Apr 2013 | 5:03 am
    Brass Balls – Arthur Frommer I post this in my What are you Thinking About? category. Why? Read the intro for an explanation. I mean I don’t want to be disrespectful towards Mr Arthur Frommer. Not at all. It is the first thought when I learned today from the NY Times that he has bought back the publishing rights for the Frommer’s Travel guides from Google: “The man must have Brass Balls!” Mind you! The man is 83! He sold the brand eons ago (in 1977) to Simon & Schuster who sold it to the ones who sold it to Google. I really admire the move. About two week…
 
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    Global Travel News

  • Waiting times down at Heathrow airport

    12 Jun 2013 | 3:14 am
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  • Travel boosts your sex life

    6 Jun 2013 | 9:28 am
    Go travelling and you’re more likely to get laid. That’s the key finding of a recent survey which asked people if they were more likely to have sex with their partner while on their travels. 63 per cent said yes. That's Canadians, at least, who were the ones being asked. But it would be a surprise if this didn’t hold true for everyone. Because when we’re on holiday, we have more time for

  • The World's Most Popular City in 2013

    31 May 2013 | 5:55 am
    Ever wondered what the world’s most popular travel destination is? London, New York and Paris all get their fair share of visitors, that’s for sure. What about the world’s holy destinations which receive floods of religious pilgrims each year, such as Mecca, Jerusalem and the river Gangees? They receive a lot of travellers, but they’re nowhere near the top of the Mastercard Global Destination

  • Boring and Dull: two towns joined together in tedium

    21 Feb 2013 | 9:02 am
    Somebody tell photographer Martin Parr that the town of Boring, Oregon is celebrating its name many years after Parr took a series of amusing photographs of the town and its various Boring attractions. And this time Boring is teaming up with its Scottish counterpart – a village called Dull. The two synonymous locations, Boring and Dull, ‘twinned’ with one another on August 9th last year after

  • End of the World Flights Out

    14 Dec 2012 | 4:39 am
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    TravelingMamas.com

  • Saving on Summer Vacations

    RollingMama
    5 Jun 2013 | 10:12 am
    Wherever your family is traveling this summer be sure to investigate discounts that can save you money. One of the best places to find promotions is each city’s Convention and Visitor Bureau–check the website or call for information. Some offer special online deals, while others have a card-carrying program or printable coupons. To save money on must-see attractions, consider buying a CityPASS http://www.citypass.com/. Good in 11 destinations, you can use it to see the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, view New York City from the top of the Empire State Building, explore Space Center…

  • Perfectly Pampered in Plano

    MarvelousMiniMama
    28 May 2013 | 4:37 pm
    Moms, perhaps you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind, recharge those batteries and spend some much-needed time with your favorite girls.  Even the most dedicated mom needs a chance to refocus and renew, and you deserve it!  If it’s time to take a break from the laundry and cooking, the diapers and homework, or the job and commute and head out for that perfect girlfriend getaway, look no further than Plano, TX. This city boasts a number of honors, including “Safest City in America” according to a recent survey by Forbes.  That’s good to know, because your family won’t…

  • A Fabulous Fiesta in San Antonio

    MarvelousMiniMama
    22 May 2013 | 11:17 am
    This girl appreciates when a city can throw a good party.  Crowded streets and noisy parades?  Bring it.   I live for that stuff. When I was invited to San Antonio for their annual Fiesta, of course I jumped at the chance to go.  An entire weekend of Mexican food and margaritas?  I mean really, who would say no?  I would have gone for the guacamole alone.  However, I could not have prepared myself for what I was about to experience. It was an EXPLOSION of color, music, and dancing.  If it wasn’t all so completely fabulous, you probably would have found me hiding under the parade…

  • Luxury in Bermuda at The Fairmont Southampton

    MommyMusings
    30 Apr 2013 | 11:20 pm
    Bermuda — known for its pink sand beaches, sparkling cerulean waters and knee length shorts … oh and let’s not forget the infamous Bermuda triangle (dun, dun dun!) — is a group of islands located 640 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC. Though technically part of the Caribbean, Bermuda’s position in the mid-Atlantic, along with its subtropical climate, make it the perfect getaway for east coast families almost any time of year – Did you know that flights are less than 2 hours from both Boston and NYC, and only 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta!? I recently traveled to Bermuda, as an…

  • Budget Travel for Girlfriends – Traveling On the Cheap

    Guest Author
    29 Apr 2013 | 11:22 pm
    Guest post by Julia Rosien of GoGirlfriend.com I love to travel but I have a confession. I travel cheap. I want my travel experiences to be big and rich and fill my bucket list with memories rather than bills. Thankfully, travel doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. In fact, with a little research and some creativity you can start dipping into your bucket list without needing a defibrillator for your bank account. At GoGirlfriend we’ve dedicated a whole month to providing budget travel tips for our readers. And we’ll let you in on a dirty little secret, traveling on the cheap…
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    Vagabondish

  • Lego Corporation to Dedicate New Project in Denmark, to Children

    Heather Bond
    19 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    The house that Lego built ©Skift.com Billund, Denmark has been the home of Lego since 1934. For decades, children all over the world have enjoyed the colorful bricks and now, the company is giving back to them. Billund currently houses a Legoland theme park and by 2016, the town will welcome “The Lego House,” adding to the company’s mission to make Billund the “Capital of Children”. The Lego House will resemble a collection of Lego bricks, and will include exhibition areas, a café, retail, and access to several rooftop gardens. Danish architecture firm,…

  • Cannons That Started American Civil War Back in Rightful Place

    Steph Spencer
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
    View of Fort Sumter from Fort Moultrie © Matt Drobnik As any home improvement store salesperson will tell you, a fresh coat of paint makes a world of difference. Apparently that also holds true for historic cannons as well. The cannons at Fort Moultrie in South Carolina did not receive a garish makeover or a slapdash spray of dayglo Rust-O-Leum. In fact they’ve been painstakingly conserved and restored by experts. Layers upon layers of paint were removed, and then the guns were treated with a preservative coat of epoxy before being repainted to prevent the metal from deteriorating.

  • Scientists Use Technology to Discover City at Angkor Wat

    Steph Spencer
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:17 am
    © gustavo88 Lasers. They’re useful for more than just tense moments in action films, scanning your groceries, and tormenting cats. Scientists made a significant discovery in Cambodia and it’s all thanks to the use of lasers to map the area around the Angkor Wat temple complex. Airborne lasers were used to scan the landscape and discover evidence of a planned human settlement that had never been documented before. The ancient city linked the temple complex of Angkor Wat, which is still standing and is one of most visited landmarks in Asia. Check out more about this on CBC News

  • How to Master the Art of Haggling

    Kathryn Alex
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:25 am
    Considered an integral part of the transaction process in many parts of the world, haggling often throws those of us from lands of fixed prices off-kilter. We walk away from market stands with sweat on our brow, festering feelings of frustration, and vows of restricting our shopping to air-conditioned venues with price tags. Haggling, however, is an everyday survival skill for the long-term traveler, used beyond acquiring souvenirs to negotiate transport and tickets or to purchase food. While it may never become as easy as reading a sticker price, after mastering a few time-tested bartering…

  • Tourists’ Involvement in Dolphin’s Death Sparks Outrage

    Steph Spencer
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:13 am
    © moophisto A tidal wave of outrage and condemnation continues to gain momentum in response to the death of a dolphin after tourists hauled it out of the water to pose for pictures with it. The dolphin had been swept ashore on a beach in Hainan province in China, possibly after an encounter with a boat. Instead of seeking help for the dolphin, a group of tourists manhandled it and posed for a series of photos with the distressed creature. It later died of internal bleeding. Scorn for this behaviour has been plentiful and persistent, creating a firestorm of criticism on social media. Find…
 
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    Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast

  • Icelandic Overlook – Helgafell, Iceland – Daily Photo

    Erik Smith
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:30 pm
    The Snaefelles Peninsula is a short drive from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, and has been called “Iceland in Miniature” because all the best aspects of the country are available here.The post Icelandic Overlook – Helgafell, Iceland – Daily Photo appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast.

  • Amsterdam by Bike – A Dutch Experience

    Erik Smith
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:21 am
    There are many different transportation options in Amsterdam- car, bus, metro & tram, but perhaps the best one is the option most of the Dutch themselves choose, that is bicycle. Many first-time [...]The post Amsterdam by Bike – A Dutch Experience appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast.

  • Street Art in Kensington Market -Toronto, Ontario – Daily Photo

    chris2x
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:06 pm
    Kensington Market is a eccentric area of Toronto, Ontario which is still in the grip of the 1960s. Someone has turned this old car into a planter as part of the street [...]The post Street Art in Kensington Market -Toronto, Ontario – Daily Photo appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast.

  • Laura Bly in “TripAdvisor’s Favorite Podcast” – This Week in Travel #142

    chris2x
    15 Jun 2013 | 9:54 am
    This Week in Travel – Travel News Podcast. Regular hosts Gary Arndt Chris Christensen are joined by this week’s guest: Laura Bly formerly from USA Today and now from BlyOnTheFly.com Subscribe on [...]The post Laura Bly in “TripAdvisor’s Favorite Podcast” – This Week in Travel #142 appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast.

  • Travel to Amsterdam in the Netherlands – Episode 375

    chris2x
    15 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
    Hear about travel to Amsterdam as the Amateur Traveler talks again to Erik Smith from onmyfeetorinmymind.com. Erik returned to Amsterdam for the seventh or eighth time recently and continues to find the [...]The post Travel to Amsterdam in the Netherlands – Episode 375 appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast.
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    AOL Travel Ideas

  • Barcelona al Fresco: Five Picnic Pairings in the Catalan Capital

    Chris Baty
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:29 am
    Filed under: Arts & Culture, Food + Drink Barcelona may be renowned for its buildings, but the city truly lives outdoors. From the morning crowds frolicking on its beaches to late-night diners munching tapas at sidewalk tables, life here often feels like a city-wide block party. The best way to join the fun? Grab some to-go treats and plunk yourself down in the heart of the action. Here are five great Barcelona picnic spots paired with nearby bakeries, restaurants and markets that will outfit you with everything you need for an al fresco feast.  Permalink | Email…

  • Bottoms Up: Top 10 To-Die-For Breweries in the U.S.

    MapQuest Discover
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:23 am
    Filed under: Food + Drink The American beer scene has reached epic proportions, and the local craft beer market continues to grow at guzzling speed. But alas, not all brews are created equal, nor is every brewery-studded destination worth a visit. To that effect, we've compiled a list of ten to-die-for breweries in ten of the coolest towns in the country. Think of it as the perfect pairing of taprooms and travel. Make sure you check out these breweries on AOL's MapQuest Discover. You may also like Top 5 Food Truck Cities in the U.S. Permalink | Email…

  • Rocco DiSpirito's Now Eat This! Italy: Episode 3, Lasagna Bolognese (Video)

    AOL Travel Staff
    17 Jun 2013 | 4:44 am
    Filed under: Food + Drink A typical must-do list for travelers to Italy runs as long as the Appian Way. You must see the Vatican. You must commune with David and the diners at The Last Supper. You must go back in time to 79 A.D. in Pompeii. You must wander around Venice until you get lost. A list can go on and on and on. Italy offers so many significant things to do, though, that unless you've got a year or two, it's hard to actually do everything. Yet one thing makes on everyone's list: You must eat in Italy. For sustenance, of course, but also because Italy's cuisine is among the most…

  • Home Runs Are Where The Heart Is: Top 5 Ballparks in the U.S.

    MapQuest Discover
    17 Jun 2013 | 4:06 am
    Filed under: Family, Best Of Of the 30 Major League Baseball parks that light up the country every spring and summer, a few stand out for history - Camden Yards and Cal Ripken, Jr., anyone - while others shine for their sparkling new waterfront property, such as Miami's Marlins Park. But then there are those that have fielded the dream team of thrilling views, rich lore and even richer food and drink for the ideal day out. Here they are. See the top ballparks in the U.S. on AOL's MapQuest Discover. You may also like The 10 Most Adventure-Packed Beaches in the…

  • Beach House Diaries: 5 Tips for Savoring Local Seafood

    Susan MacCallum-Whitcomb
    13 Jun 2013 | 7:01 am
    Filed under: Beach, Food + Drink For anyone who hasn't actually tried lobster now is the time. Throughout North America, June 15 is National Lobster Day. Here are some tips for enjoying your local catch of the day. Celebrate Seafood Feast at themed festivals, like July's Pictou Lobster Carnival: expect lobster dinners, lobster boat races and trap-hauling contests. Coastal states - including Maine, Louisiana and Oregonboast their own line-up of seafood-oriented activities and events. Cook it at Home Nova Scotia Tourism has a video tutorial on boiling lobster plus recipes for chowder, risotto…
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    We Said Go Travel

  • Oman: Tears on a Beach

    Independence
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:00 am
    Angry shouts puncture the morning air. Heads twist to stare at two men in colourless dishdashas, nose to nose in furious confrontation. Beneath the stark, earthy battlements of Barka fort, they could be warring tribesmen from three hundred years ago in Oman’s turbulent past. Instead, their fingers jab towards fish writhing in a small motorboat and argue about a stolen catch. The argument fades behind us, replaced by the sound of bartering on the beach and hopeful gulls in the air. My friend Marc and I step over gutted fish entrails in the sand by the stalls. Bright, gaudy umbrellas fill the…

  • Kenya, Africa: A Mother and Her Cubs

    Independence
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
    It was dusk and the tiny zoo in Naples Florida was about to close. My husband and I were on our way out when we heard a tremendous roar. It was very deep and guttural and resonated throughout the whole compound. It stopped us in our tracks and we felt compelled to backtrack to the origin of that sound. We ended up in front of the lion’s cage and witnessed the male lion putting on a show for the attention of his female companion. Unfortunately, for the lion, all the preening and roaring didn’t work and he retreated to his perch. However, that unique noise he made stayed with my husband.

  • Money money money (for Trips)

    Enda
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:16 pm
    We’ve all been there: returning home from your trip, back into the office Monday morning and a wave of reality slaps you right in the face. The next trip seems so far away and you’ve spent all the savings for the last trip. Back to square one. Don’t panic, breathe. Let’s get a plan to get you out and on another trip asap! One of my best tips for travel and money is to open a dedicated travel account at your bank. Now, it’s quite possible by shopping around the banks you may find a good deal on accounts/fees/interest – here’s one example to check out…

  • Latvia: Nothing like New Friends

    Independence
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:00 am
    There’s nothing like making new friends. I had been in Latvia a month already. At first, the suggestion to take a twelve mile hike through the black swamps of Kemeri seemed like a good idea. Whilst I am not usually the most physically active of people, I would never want to turn down the chance to discover something new. A love of nature and the desire to impress my new-found friends took over me. We made our way along the trails, with the locals recounting the tales of the people that have gone missing here. Alongside dragonflies, I enjoyed watching a snake slither across our path; it was…

  • Myanmar: Monywa Standing Buddha (video)

    Lisa Niver Rajna
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
    WATCH: 22 Monywa Standing Buddha, Myanmar (Burma) During our drive we could begin to see the 420ft tall Buddha and the lying Buddha which is also enormous. It is the largest Standing Buddha in Asia but perhaps in the world. Prior to arriving at the complex with the enormous Buddhas, we saw a garden of Buddhas sitting under their umbrellas. We climbed up staircase after staircase (which reminded us all of Mandalay Hill) and found the shopping pavilions closing up. At last we reached the platform for the lying Buddha around the back you can enter the lying Buddha in his left posterior. We…
 
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    Elliott

  • What makes you happiest? Your TV — and here’s why

    Christopher Elliott
    18 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Jessica Beeman paid $779 for her 50-inch TV, a purchase she was pleased with, until one day "it just stopped" working. And then she wasn't.

  • The Elliott Show: my scamminess, force majeure and Acts of God

    Christopher Elliott
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    In this week’s episode of The Christopher Elliott Show, I dissect my own scamminess, talk about force majeure events and Acts of God and travel. What a fun discussion! Thanks for joining in. Tune in to the hashtag #elliottshow on Facebook, Google Plus or Twitter on Tuesday at 10 a.m. EDT to...

  • Any hope of saving a “vacation from hell” to Cuba?

    Christopher Elliott
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
    If you were less than impressed with your last vacation, you're in good company. Say "hello" to Colette Blanchette, who recently traveled to Cuba for what was supposed to be a relaxing tropical getaway.

  • Has anyone invoked an “Act of God” clause when you traveled?

    Christopher Elliott
    17 Jun 2013 | 4:53 pm
    This is the online edition of Elliott’s E-Mail, my free weekly newsletter. Please join me Tuesday at 10 a.m. EDT for Travel Live, a half-hour conversation across Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. Tune in to the hashtag #travel at 10 a.m., and I’ll explain the rest. Our topic: When...

  • “You are running a scam”

    Christopher Elliott
    16 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Maybe I should have said "no" to the case. All the warning signs were there.
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    Soul Travelers 3

  • Shanghai - Louis Vuitton - Chinese Luxury Shopping

    Soul Travelers3
    17 Jun 2013 | 3:13 am
    Shanghai - Louis Vuitton - Chinese Luxury ShoppingShanghai is a very impressive city, but some how we didn't expect all the western style luxury and Shanghai is a very impressive city, but some how we didn't expect all the western style luxury and shopping like this Louis Vuitton store. We should have known because Shanghai has long been a haven of international shopping and China is the world’s largest luxury market. Yet, it is not the typical image for most of China. We aren't into consumerism and actually more comfortable bargaining at the markets in China or shopping the famous Muslim…

  • European Charming Customs

    Soul Travelers3
    15 Jun 2013 | 10:47 am
    European Charming CustomsOne of the joys of a European vacation is exploring by walking around and absorbing the many One of the joys of a European vacation is exploring by walking around and absorbing the many European charming customs that are different than at home. We've spent about 7 years in Europe on our world tour, usually traveling by campervan, but sometimes trains, bikes, buses.or hiking. Mostly though, we walk Europe ( just as we walk Asia) as we like experiencing the world from ground level and slow travel. One habit in Europe that I enjoy observing is bedding airing out via…

  • Father - Daughter Relationships

    Soul Travelers3
    13 Jun 2013 | 8:36 am
     Father - Daughter RelationshipsAs we celebrate Father's Day this Sunday, I think about what I learned from my father and the  As we celebrate Father's Day this Sunday,  I think about what I learned from my father and the magnificent father -daughter relationship that we have given to our beloved daughter Mozart, by choosing to take the risk of retiring early to travel the world these last almost 8 years. ( As well as Mom & daughter bonding time too)."That evidence shows that a father's relationship with his daughter is one of the key determinants in a woman's ability to…

  • Best Beijing Travel Tip- Fun for the Whole Family

    Soul Travelers3
    11 Jun 2013 | 3:30 am
    Best Beijing Travel Tip- Fun for the Whole FamilyChina is an amazing place for a family vacation and our best Beijing kid-friendly tip is China is an amazing place for a family vacation and our best Beijing kid-friendly tip is to dress up Emperor style and fly around the top attractions! We so enjoyed our month in China for Mandarin immersion  and cultural adventures to add more Mandarin fluency for our multilingual child.  What a thrill to visit China for the first time with a fluent trilingual kid who could lead the way ( and surprised many locals). We loved the Chinese school in…

  • Yummy, Healthy Chips Recipe

    Soul Travelers3
    9 Jun 2013 | 2:20 am
    Yummy, Healthy Chips RecipeDo you know how easy it is to make delicious healthy chips? If you are into healthy Do you know how easy it is to make delicious healthy chips? If you are into healthy organic food like we are, you will skip the packaged, processed potato chips that are full of dangerously unhealthy fats and let your kid make her own! She made these from root veggies like tunips, sweet potatoes and beets. Scrumptious...better than the one's we use to buy at Trader Joes in California and much cheaper too.It's a wonderfully fun homeschool project that Mozart likes to do on…
 
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    The Cranky FlierThe Cranky Flier

  • Delta Isn’t Actually Closing Its Memphis Hub Completely

    CF
    18 Jun 2013 | 3:45 am
    In the last couple of weeks, the news has come out that Delta is closing its Memphis hub. But that’s not really what’s happening. What’s actually occurring is Delta is cutting more service — from 94 to 64 daily flights. The hub is still there with some minor banks (you can still connect nicely from Nashville to New Orleans, for example), but Delta is starting to schedule it less like a hub and more for local travelers. It’s also scheduling with the realization that it is retiring a lot of 50 seat regional jets in the near future. If you remember the last time I…

  • 72 Hours With Korean Air: Jin Air, Je-Dong Farm, and the Tech Center (Trip Report)

    CF
    17 Jun 2013 | 3:45 am
    After an excellent flight in, I crashed pretty hard in my room at the Hyatt Regency Incheon. But of course, my body wasn’t interested in cooperating, so shortly after 3am, I was awake and ready to go. That was a good thing, actually, because it meant I could clear out my inbox, Skype with my family, and still be ready to go for our insanely early bus ride over to Gimpo Airport. Reminder: This trip was paid for by Korean Air Gimpo used to be Seoul’s primary airport, but it was small and was bursting at the seams. When Incheon was built, Gimpo was kept open as a domestic airport and…

  • Cranky on the Web (June 10 – 14)

    CF
    15 Jun 2013 | 3:45 am
    Last week I didn’t write for any other publications because of my Korea trip. But I’m back as usual this week. This Is Where Your In-Flight Meals Grow: A Photo Tour of Korean Air’s Farm – Conde Nast Daily Traveler I was lucky enough to have an in-depth look at Je-dong Farm where Korean Air grows food for its premium passengers. According to Korean, I was the first member of the foreign media allowed to visit the farm. This is a slideshow of my visit. In the Trenches: Updating Our Training Materials – Intuit Small Business Blog We’re bringing on a new…

  • Correction of the Week: Delta and Korean’s Spat

    CF
    14 Jun 2013 | 3:45 am
    Last week I wrote about how Delta had cut back on awarding elite qualifying miles. Most notably, travelers who purchase tickets on Korean will no longer be able to earn elite qualifying miles in Delta’s program at all. Delta kept pointing to its email statement saying that each airline determines if it participates with Delta, so I assumed Delta jacked up the compensation it required and Korean balked. I was wrong. (And apparently Delta is, at best, bending the truth about how these decisions are made.) I’ve heard from multiple sources now that, in fact, Delta simply shut it off.

  • United Goes Fully Flat… in Business Class… On Long Haul… From North American Hubs

    CF
    13 Jun 2013 | 3:45 am
    I never thought I’d see the day, but United has finally finished outfitting its international fleet with flat beds in business class. This is a truly momentous milestone considering that the process started when I still worked at United and that was more than 8 years ago. But there are still some tricks to what you’ll get when you fly, so let’s go over all those quirks. Fully Flat in Business Class This doesn’t really need to be said, but while this announcement is just about Business Class, if you’re flying in First Class internationally, you will also have a…
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    Travel News You Can Use

  • Daily Deal: Surf in Waikiki

    PeterGreenberg.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:40 pm
    Head to Waikiki and get a chance to surf those legendary Hawaiian waves. Hotel Renew by Aston is a stylish, eco-friendly property that’s designed to promote wellness and rejuvenation. The hotel is close to Waikiki’s Kuhio Beach and within easy walking distance to exciting shopping, dining, and Kapiolani Park at the foot of Diamond Head. Take advantage of the Toes on the Nose Surf package with nightly rates from $323, and get accommodations in a City View King hotel room, a private surf lesson or stand up paddleboard lesson in Waikiki from Gone Surfing Hawaii, and two cocktails in…

  • Voluntourism Spotlight: Hope Floats

    PeterGreenberg.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:04 pm
    Want to experience a cruise vacation and still give back to the local community? Skip the traditional shore excursions with the California-based Hope Floats, which will connect you with a hands-on volunteer experience while you’re at port. Hope Floats is the brainchild of the Huckaby family who visited several different cruise ports and saw the pervasive issues that exist so close to resort areas. They realized that they wanted to find a way to connect those who wanted to volunteer to those who need it the most.  Volunteers can help in a myriad of ways, serving at one or all of the…

  • 4 Ways Your Hotel Can Make You Sick & How to Protect Yourself

    PeterGreenberg.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:38 am
    Often times when you arrive at a hotel it’s after a long day of travel and weeks–if not months–of planning, research, and anticipation. The last thing you want to think about is whether or not your hotel is bad for your health. But recent news headlines have some travelers worried about whether their hotel is safe. Here’s what to watch out for and how to protect yourself. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning You might be surprised to learn that 27 states require CO detectors in all new homes, but few states require hotels to install them. This lack of regulation has lead to recent…

  • Travel Tip: The New Ancillary Fee Model

    PeterGreenberg.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am
    Airline fees are here to stay, but now the airlines are getting creative in getting you to pay those fees…upfront! United Airlines now sells annual subscriptions, which in theory lets you avoid those a la carte fees. The lowest priced plan is $349, and gets you one free checked bag for a year. That’s only on flights in the mainland U.S. and Canada. Pay more, and it extends to other parts of the world, or you can increase it to two bags. The Economy Plus package starts at $499 and gets you access to better coach seats. But for casual flyers, it’s tough to stay loyal to one airline and…

  • The Best Luggage for Summer Travel

    PeterGreenberg.com
    18 Jun 2013 | 2:00 pm
    From a weekend bag to a carry-on that can sustain you for weeks of travel, we have tracked down this summer’s hottest suitcases and luggage. For summer, luggage has to be light, flexible and ready to handle a bit of adventure. From an afternoon away to a weekend away, here are our picks for 2013′s eight best summer luggage options. A Beach Bag Bright, colorful and practical Fullspot’s Beach O Bag has got all your each needs in one simple bag. Like a good beach bag, the EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) body makes it waterproof, lightweight and resilient. It comes with is a…
 
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    Nancy D Brown

  • Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail is more than great bourbon

    Jamie Rhein
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:33 am
    TweetThink Kentucky and perhaps bourbon come to mind. Bourbon style whiskey was born in Kentucky more than 200 years ago, and Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail is a testament to Kentucky’s bourbon bounty. What began as a way for Kentucky’s first farmers to use their extra grain–mostly corn, turned  into a booming business. As small and large [...]

  • Inn on Randolph Ideal Napa Valley Wine Country Location

    Nancy Brown
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    TweetWhether you are looking for a romantic weekend getaway, an intimate wedding location in Napa Valley wine country or want to take cooking classes at a gluten-free bed and breakfast, Inn on Randolph is the “inn” spot. Ideally situated steps from downtown Napa, California, this historic inn, with five private cottages will not disappoint. Don’t [...]

  • Hotel Do Colégio review, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal

    Nancy Brown
    14 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    TweetFollowing my visit to Pico Island, I flew to São Miguel, Portugal, the largest of nine islands in the Azores. When the taxi driver turned down the cobblestone lined street, I found myself in front of Hotel Do Colégio. This four star hotel has quite the history. Built by Jose do Rego Pontes, this 19th [...]

  • Guideline Prescription Sunglasses Eyewear for Travel, Fishing

    Nancy Brown
    12 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    TweetI remember fishing with my husband for king salmon on Alaska’s Yetna River with our fishing guide Zak Greenwood back in 2007. I called him the steely eyed guide because he could spot fish moving underwater faster than a hummingbird in flight. I don’t know if his laser eye ability was due to his polarized [...]

  • Walt Disney Family Museum

    MelanieConrad
    10 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    TweetIn the shadow of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge lies San Francisco’s historic Presidio. Formerly a military base, the Presidio is now home to several visitor centers and interesting sites. Of these, the Walt Disney Family Museum is on the “must see” list for anyone visiting the Presidio and San Francisco.   The Walt Disney [...]
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    Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast - Insider Tips On A Hawaii Vacation.

  • My Top Hawaii Museum Picks

    Bruce Fisher
    7 Jun 2013 | 10:14 am
    The weather in Hawaii lately has been quite bipolar. We’ve had heavy rainstorms followed by thick vog followed by sunny skies and no trades. Ask any local, it’s been a hot summer so far, and we’ve only just made it to June! Earlier this week Star Advertiser published an article on the tradewinds and how they are declining. Experts say this drop will slowly change life across the islands, yet the culprit behind this shift in winds remains unclear. Locals are beginning to notice this change, but how can we prepare for it and more importantly, how can we postpone it from…

  • Fun Picture Talking ideas for your Hawaii Vacation

    Bruce Fisher
    31 May 2013 | 4:37 pm
    Photos are THE best way to relive memories, and your vacation to Hawaii will be worth every click of the camera. Whether you’re a hobby photographer, professional photographer or social media photographer there are ways to create unique photo opportunities that make for great pictures and also great adventures along the way. With smartphones completely transforming the photo process, it’s now easier than ever to click, upload and share your vacation with everyone back home. So with all the time you’re saving not having to load your camera, develop the film, then sort through…

  • Some of my Favorite North Shore Drive Stops

    Bruce Fisher
    24 May 2013 | 5:29 pm
     When you’re vacationing on Oahu, make sure to plan a day exploring the north shore because it depicts a totally different personality of this bustling island. The drive alone is worthwhile in itself, but aside from the natural beauty, there are plenty of fun and different things to see while traveling to and from the north shore. If you’re staying in Waikiki, there are two ways you can access the opposite side. Either head east and drive along the coast, or head west and cut up the center of the island through Wahiawa. It really doesn’t matter which way you start out…

  • Behind the Scenes of NBC’s Today Show – Executive Producer Don Nash

    Bruce Fisher
    20 May 2013 | 3:08 pm
      Today I’m sharing the first of several behind the scene videos of my time spent on the set of the Today Show. As part of their Great American Adventure series,  Hawaii was the first stop in a 5 city tour around the country. I was fortunate enough to meet all the hosts to get a inside look at this amazing Live TV production. We caught up with the executive producer of NBC’s Today Show Don Nash who, for a long time  has been wanting to bring the show to Oahu. He discusses some of the challenges and preparation that goes into producing a broadcast of this nature 5000…

  • Experiencing Hawaii’s History through its Iconic Hotels

    Bruce Fisher
    17 May 2013 | 11:59 am
    Many travelers visit Hawaii for the beaches, tropical weather, and beautiful landscapes but few come for the history. Richly steeped in long standing culture and tradition, the islands of Hawaii have maintained timelessness while still leaving room for development. The first people settled on Hawaiian soil between 400 and 900 A.D., who are believed to have sailed from the Marquesas Islands. The 1800’s brought foreigners who sailed to the Hawaiian Islands, bringing with them language, religion, and the influence of their European and American construction.  You can still witness the…
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    Station Casinos Blog

  • Can’t decide on which port to go with your dessert?

    StationsAdmin
    15 Jun 2013 | 12:16 pm
     Try them all or let one of our Sommeliers help you choose at Sunset Station’s Sonoma Cellar!

  • UFC 161

    StationsAdmin
    14 Jun 2013 | 12:51 pm
    Join us for UFC 161 Evans vs. Henderson – Just $10, Doors at 5pm. Check it out at Red Rock’s Rocks Lounge, Sunset’s Club Madrid or Santa Fe’s Centennial Ballroom.  See you there.

  • $5,000 Flat Screen Frenzy

    StationsAdmin
    8 Jun 2013 | 10:01 am
    Show this to any Table Games Manager at Fiesta Rancho today, Saturday, to receive 5 free entries in tonight’s Flat Screen Frenzy drawing at 8pm. Must be present to win. We’ll see you there! One offer per person, must be 21 or older.

  • It’s National EGG Day!

    StationsAdmin
    3 Jun 2013 | 8:36 am
    How do you like your eggs?

  • Come down to Barley’s this Sunday to celebrate National Bubba Day!

    StationsAdmin
    31 May 2013 | 3:01 pm
    Bubba will be tapping his special IPA brew at 1pm and all in attendance at the time of tapping get first beer for free!!!!
 
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    TravelPod.com TravelStream™ — Recent Entries at TravelPod.com

  • Jerusalem Political and religious — Jerusalem, Israel

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:43 pm
    Jerusalem Political and religious - Jerusalem, Israel Jerusalem, IsraelWow! What a day. We started with a visit to the Temple Mount. Should I tell you the story behind it? Perhaps in a moment. At the mount is the Dome of the Rock. This is the third most religious site for Muslims in the world after Mecca and Medina (Saudi Arabia). This is where they believe Muhammad ascended to heaven 1400 years ago. Why here? So glad you asked. Many believe this is the spot where Abraham prepared to...yes.... Do you remember this depressing story?...sacrifice his favorite son Isaac. Muslims believe he was…

  • Day 1 — Beijing, China

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:43 pm
    Day 1 - Beijing, China Beijing, ChinaCaptains log star gate 3.976 rounded off to the nearest decimal point. We are now flying over China on flight CA987 on our way to LA. yesterday's flights and transits were tough, but due to the excitement and optimism of what lies ahead of us we kept in good spirits for most of the journey. We left Melbourne at 10.30am on flight VA178 to Shanghai, the flight was 14 hours, we managed to keep ourselves entertained with varies in flight movies, tv shows as well as our books and monopoly on the iPad. Bobbie slept a bit better than I, but all up we really only…

  • oops messed up, whale shark expedition part 2 — Playa del Carmen, Mexico

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:43 pm
    oops messed up, whale shark expedition part 2 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico Playa del Carmen, Mexico Where I stayedindia's house What I didwhale sharksmessed up the photos check whale shark entry/tortilla making for more info but one thing i left out was that it was an hour long boat trip to the whale shark feeding messed up by, Hamid (i didn't mess up my dad did)

  • Day 33 — South Australia / Northern Territory Border, Australia

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:42 pm
    Day 33 - South Australia / Northern Territory Border, Australia South Australia / Northern Territory Border, Australia318 Kilometres Fine and Sunny It was cold last night, the coldest we have had. Even a heavy frost for good measure. Good thing we don't have to rush today as we are meeting one of Allison’s work colleagues at lunchtime. I decided to get up and go for a walk to find the nearest geocache, which was about a kilometre away. A bit of exercise soon had me warmed up and feeling better. A very leisurely pack up after waiting for the sun to dry the tent a bit. As a special treat…

  • Day 32 — Alice Springs, Australia

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:41 pm
    Day 32 - Alice Springs, Australia Alice Springs, Australia138 kilometres Fine and Sunny After a night in the campground by ourselves it was off to the big smoke to have a shower, wash some clothes, buy some supplies for the last leg home. A very easy run on a bit of corrugated road and then bitumen and we had completed as much of Binns Track as were going to this trip. From Alice Springs it heads south East into the Simpson Desert through Old Andado Station and ends at Mount Dare. We were early to the caravan park and paid our $42 for a powered site. The washing on the line it was time to go…
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    Featured Travel Blogs - Travellerspoint

  • Martha's Vineyard, MA

    17 Jun 2013 | 4:46 pm
    So, we waited. Waiting appears to be an important part of boating: waiting for weather, waiting for tides, waiting for bridges, waiting for parts, waiting for berths. The sun disappeared, the rains came but the wind took its own sweet time about arriving.It was cool and dank two days on the boat, a climate not much to my liking. The temperature didn't much break 60o but did manage, barely, to stay above 50o. This may be a summer trip where the winter clothes never get put away .... we're too busy wearing them all. I have on enough layers of fleece to do a passable imitation of the Pillsbury…

  • I was hungry

    17 Jun 2013 | 5:18 am
    Mu Shu Pork please, with a side of Orange Chicken?In any foreign country, ordering food can be rather challenging, it is no different here in China. In fact the difficulty might be compounded due to the fact neither I, nor Cody speak a lick of Mandarin. But when a girl is hungry, she must eat!In this case the waitress shuffled us to a table where we passed a decent looking plate our restaurant neighbors have been working on. I promptly point to the plate, indicating "We will eat what they are eating!", and of course the beers.Our neighbors energetically cheers us drink for drink- for a moment…

  • A Sarajevo Rose

    9 Jun 2013 | 11:42 am
    It’s impossible to walk through Sarajevo without being reminded of its past. From the mosques and marketplaces dating back to the 1400’s during the Ottoman Rule to the Austro-Hungarian architecture along the streets of Old Town, everywhere I look the history is literally radiating out towards me. The history nerd in me can’t even handle it. But the visible history is not just from hundreds of years ago. The scars of 20 years ago are still easily visible on the homes, businesses, and streets of the city. Walking through our neighborhood, I am reminded daily of the conflict through the…

  • Discovering the Galapagos Islands

    6 Jun 2013 | 12:02 pm
    We have been so fortunate to visit some places that have been lifelong dreams like Machu Picchu, and this was another. The Galapagos Islands are very unique. They are world-famous for their unusual and fearless wildlife. This is the result of the archipelago´s isolated location, lying some 1000kms of the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos archipelago is made up of 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands and many tiny unnamed islands. Four are inhabited by humans. Along with its isolation, the late discovery by humans and the historical lack of predators are all contributing factors into the…

  • Elements of Culture

    6 Jun 2013 | 12:11 am
    I have been in Nanjing for nearly two weeks now. During these two weeks, I have been able to observe many interesting cultural elements of the country. Some of them are unique to China; others also exist in Canada but manifest in different ways. Today, I would like to share with you my three most interesting observations. Of course, they may not be entirely true or accurate; rather, they are just my personal thoughts. Please feel free to comment or make corrections. Here are the observations: the face culture, the education system, and the social attitude towards homosexuality.The Face…
 
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    View from the Wing

  • And the Award for Worst Frequent Flyer Program Name Goes to…

    Gary
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:30 pm
    Lucky thinks new Star Alliance member EVA Airways’ frequent flyer program has the most horrible name out there — Infinity MileageLands. And it is, no doubt, a bit bizarre and probably the result of a bit too literal translation from Chinese. That’s something that gets brands in trouble. There are famous stories that I’ve never checked out myself because I don’t think I want to know if they’re apocryphal. Like Frank Purdue’s “It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken” being translated as “It takes a virile man to make a chicken…

  • Real World Airfare Savings: Using Hidden City Ticketing to Travel for Less

    Gary
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:30 pm
    Last year I explained how to use ‘hidden city ticketing’ to save big money on airfare. Airlines often price tickets from one city to another through a hub cheaper than flights that terminate at the hub. Flying United New York to Milwaukee through Chicago is often much cheaper than just flying New York to Chicago. But if you get off the plane in Chicago and don’t board your connection to Milwaukee, you’ve potentially saved yourself a lot of money. This is called hidden city ticketing. In the live example I gave in that post, I helped someone save $1415 on a one-way ticket.

  • United Increases Change Fees on Awards for Most MileagePlus Members

    Gary
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm
    After the big news yesterday that United was following Delta’s lead in imposing minimum revenue requirements for elite status, at least for US frequent flyers who don’t spend $25,000 or more on a United co-brand credit card (this exception, or the one for legacy Presidential Plus credit card holders, not applying to 100,000 mile flyer status), comes more news a mere 18 or so hours later. The MileagePlus program has increased the fees that non-elite general members have to pay to change and cancel award tickets. For travel more than 21 days out, changes that didn’t involve a…

  • The Best 11 Ways to Leverage Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

    Gary
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:09 am
    Key links: Ink Bold® Business Card Ink Plus® Business Card Chase Sapphire Preferred® This week only, Chase is offering 60,000 points as a signup bonus (after $5000 spend within 3 months) on the Ink Bold and Ink Plus cards. That’s 20% more than the usual bonus, running through June 22. That makes it a great time to pay extra attention to Chase’s points currency, because it’s a very good deal. (The best publicly available deal for the cards that I’ve ever seen, and I consider the ‘usual’ bonus to be better than any others currently on offer). How Useful…

  • Bits ‘n Pieces for June 19, 2013

    Gary
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:15 am
    News and notes from around the interweb: Hertz still hasn’t solved the Jerry Seinfeld problem: When taking the reservation doesn’t actually hold the reservation. US Airways is rolling out online pre-order o paid meals in coach. You’ll no longer need to game their IT system to be able to have this. You can comment on my blog for a chance to win a Samsung Chromebook. Taipei-based EVA Airways has joined the Star Alliance and is a truly awesome ‘get’ — business class award availability is really, really good and thy fly to Toronto, Vancouver, New York JFK, Los…
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    Mapplr

  • Borgo San Felice: luxury retreat in the hills of Tuscany near Siena

    Megha Patel
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:11 pm
    Borgo San Felice is a Relais & Chateaux 5-star hotel created out of an 8th century hamlet (restored in 1991) which is 350 metres above sea level and just 15 kilometres from Siena, ten kilometres from Castelnuovo Berardenga and an hour drive from Florence. If you are looking for a luxurious retreat in the hills of Tuscany with splendid views, great food and wine, Borgo San Felice is one of the best places in the area. Borgo San Felice is surrounded by by 140 hectares of vineyards and like many ancient Tuscan towns, is marked by its narrow streets, picturesque squares, Romanesque chapel…

  • Hotel Edward 1er: splendid chateau-hotel in the Dordogne, France

    Esme Vos
    12 Jun 2013 | 10:50 am
    Hotel Edward 1er is a beautifully restored 17-room château that has been converted into a hotel and gastronomic restaurant by Arjan and Marije Capelle, a Dutch couple who moved from the Netherlands to France. Hotel Edward 1er is located in Monpazier, voted one of the most beautiful villages of France (“les plus beaux villages de France”). Arjan and Marije realized they wanted to run their own hotel and restaurant after working for a large hospitality company. They searched for over two years for the perfect location and found this château (during their honeymoon). They have…

  • Hotel Napoleon Paris: classic French style near the Arc de Triomphe

    Esme Vos
    11 Jun 2013 | 2:27 am
    Hotel Napoleon Paris is a sumptuously decorated hotel only a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe, a central location for those who want to be close to the main attractions of Paris. The hotel is located in a building constructed in the 1920s and given by a rich Russian businessman to his French wife as her wedding present. The interiors are done in the classic French style, but updated for the modern traveller. For people who are in Paris for business meetings at La Defense, Hotel Napoleon is an ideal location because the metro stop for Line 1, which goes directly to La Defense, is only a few…

  • La Minervetta: luxury boutique hotel in Sorrento, Italy

    Esme Vos
    10 Jun 2013 | 9:44 am
    La Minervetta is a chic boutique hotel with only 12 rooms in Sorrento, Italy. The hotel overlooks the Marina Grande of Sorrento and the Bay of Naples. What makes La Minervetta stand out from other luxury hotels in the area is that it has been recently renovated and is decorated in a contemporary style with bold splashes of colour and the feeling of summer everywhere. You won’t find the worn carpeting or ancient furniture that seem to plague other “luxury” hotels on the Amalfi Coast. There is a plunge pool and a splendid terrace where you can have breakfast gazing out onto…

  • Castell Son Claret: peaceful hideaway at Mallorca luxury hotel

    Esme Vos
    6 Jun 2013 | 11:12 am
    Castell Son Claret is the latest Mallorca luxury hotel to open, promising guests a secluded, peaceful hideaway in nature. The 18th century castle has been renovated to provide the ultimate escape on an estate surrounded by mountains. Their philosophy is “The Luxury of Silence” and the idea is that guests can wander around the gardens and pathways and lounge around the pool enjoying the warm Mediterranean climate in a tranquil environment. Castell Son Claret dates back to 1450. In the 18th century, it became the residence of Don Gabriel Claret. His family expanded the property by…
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    Tony Wheeler's Travels

  • Looking at Verona

    Tony Wheeler
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:05 am
    Having looked at things in New York, Naples and Paris I’ll jump back to my April trip to Verona. I was en route to Trento and the Mountain Film Festival, but a stop in oh-so-stylish Verona is always worthwhile even if you’re not there for the opera in the Roman Arena. ◄ And there’s always plenty to look at, such as Dante musing in the Piazza dei Signori.         The shops are always full of stylish things to look at, here’s Maureen checking one of the many shoe shops. ▼ And even ‘don’t do’ signs seem to have a sense of style. ▼ So do the Roman…

  • Autolib – Car Sharing French Style

    Tony Wheeler
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:36 am
    Car sharing systems are all the go, I’m a card carrying enthusiast for Zipcar in London and I’ve tried out (and just rejoined) Flexicar in Melbourne. The French were fairly pioneering with bicycle sharing and their Velib system has been a big hit. So it’s hardly surprising that with that French urge to do things their own way they’ve come up with a unique car sharing system. Autolib is government run, unlike the Zipcar and Flexicar programmes, and totally electric. In truly French fashion they’ve also come up with their own unique Bolloré cars. Why didn’t they just buy Nissan…

  • Looking at Paris

    Tony Wheeler
    13 Jun 2013 | 1:44 am
    ▲ I’ve had a look at New York and at Naples so today it’s Paris, last week’s trip. Wandering through the Marais I noted this window display of Queen Elizabeths, each QE2 energetically swivelling her wrist in true British royal family fashion. ▲ Still in the Marais we paused at Place des Vosges, the iconic centre of the Marais district – well actually we paused at my favourite menswear shop, Emile Lafaurie, first and I bought a bright orange shirt. The Place des Vosges fashion was black leather rather than bright orange, it was a gathering of Mr Leathers from all over France,…

  • Looking at Naples

    Tony Wheeler
    12 Jun 2013 | 2:13 am
    In the spirit of Kim Jong Il Looking at Things and yesterday’s post on looking at things in New York, here are some things I looked at on my recent visit to Naples. ◄ Starting with a Star Best Café, that’s in the spirit of the Stars & Bucks Café I came across in Ramallah on my Palestine trip.     Then there was this street stall selling toilet paper featuring Italian politicians (I bet the Berlusconi one is popular), football teams and other appropriate illustrations. ▼ A bit further down those ancient Naples streets we came across a shop window of very cheap and…

  • Looking at New York

    Tony Wheeler
    11 Jun 2013 | 8:33 am
    I’ve just posted on the Kim Jong Il Looking at Things phenomena, so I’ll post some things I’ve looked at recently , starting with New York and continuing to Naples and Paris. Without me in the picture! ◄ Walking to the theatre one night on our recent visit who should step out into the centre of Times Square, but the Naked Cowboy. He’s a regular part of the Times Square scene, although presumably only when the weather is suitable.         Then I looked out from my hotel up Lexington Ave from East 57th St and as it started to get dark I could see row upon row upon…
 
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    Notes from the Road

  • The Sun Offers No Wisdom

    6 Jun 2013 | 6:01 am
    On a still afternoon in the baking sun on a street in Marrakech, the smell of an old city comes alive - dust and charcoal, stale food, incense, motor oil, damp stone. All these smells, occasionally unpleasant, are the smells of travel, and so while some are surely unique to Marrakech, others evoke places that I can't quite place in my mind. Places and times, fragmented memories and broken images - the fragrance of travel.

  • Lightweight Travel Watercolor Kit

    1 Jun 2013 | 6:01 am
    Small altoid tin; a nice solution for a super compact watercolor set.

  • The Essaouira Murex

    11 Apr 2013 | 6:01 am
    The sky over the Atlantic coast is a deep blue, with only a few wispy, white clouds. If in Marrakech, the people find inspiration for their color palette in the sandstone hues of the desert and mountains, then in Essaouira, it is the sky and ocean, for Essaouira is a city of whitewashed walls and blue-painted shutters.

  • The Marrakech Orangerie

    10 Mar 2013 | 6:01 am
    Why do we travel? In these notes from Marrakech, Morocco, I offer a different view of the pleasures and purposes of travel as I pursue the color and taste orange.

  • Tom Goreau Explains Data on Bakers Bay Coral Decline at Bahamas National Natural History Conference

    10 Mar 2013 | 6:01 am
    Acclaimed coral scientist Tom Goreau spoke in Nassau about coral reef decline at Baker's Bay Club as a result of excessive fertilizer run-off. The speech, given at the Bahamas National Natural History Conference on March 7, was well received by the audience and by the Bahamas National Trust, which hosted the event. The speeach, billed as "Golf Course Fertilizer Runoff Causes Nutrient Enrichment Leading to Harmful Algae Blooms on a Bahamian Coral Reef", was co-written by Tom Goreau of the Global Coral Reef Alliance, James Cervino of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Troy Albury,…
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    EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog

  • Faroe Islands: Exploring beyond Torshavn

    hiddeneurope
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:22 am
    In the distance we saw a tiny island so inaccessible from the sea that no-one has ever lived there. And yet there is no-one in the Faroes who cannot tell a tale or two about Lítla Dímun, or its big sister Stóra Dímun which, contrary to all prevailing logic, is still inhabited. No regular ferry service ever goes to either Dímun, so the single family that farms on the larger of the two islands is utterly dependent on the helicopter which on three days each week buzzes down from the skies to bring post and provisions to this lonely outpost of Faroese life. “When I was a lad, there must…

  • Dublin: Youth hostels and other super-cheap sleeping options

    Jessica Colley
    18 Jun 2013 | 10:06 am
    In recent years, Dublin has shed some of its expensive reputation. Since the Celtic Tiger crash, prices have become more reasonable and there are deals to be found throughout the city. Dublin is also cheapo-friendly because it is very compact (walking everywhere is simple, no transportation required) and also because there are several affordable places to stay directly in the city center. Unlike other European capital cities, you don’t have to stay outside of the center to find good prices, especially if you’re open to staying in one of the city’s hostels. Wondering what to…

  • London: 5 classic British desserts found on most pub menus

    Nina Derham
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 am
    Much of what you’ll read on EuroCheapo’s London blog will highlight the incredible variety of cuisines on offer in the capital. From top notch Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, French and Italian to Lebanese, Turkish, Spanish and Indian, London is the ideal place to introduce your taste-buds to new flavors. However, what we tend to shout about less are the homegrown recipes we locals grew up with, the tastes that punctuate British cooking. While most visitors to London try to seek out a traditional fish and chips, English breakfast or Sunday Roast during their stay, one thing I think…

  • Weekend in Amsterdam: The perfect first trip for budget travelers

    Audrey Sykes
    17 Jun 2013 | 9:09 am
    Imagine that it’s your first time in Amsterdam. Like most travelers on a trip around Europe, you’ve only penciled in a short weekend to explore the Dutch capital. While this might not be our recommended way to see the city, it is doable… or at least we can pack the weekend with enough activities to offer a wide variety of experiences and hopefully make you want to come back for more! Here’s our quick guide to introducing yourself to Amsterdam — without paying too much for the experience! Friday night Get saucy You’ve arrived at Amsterdam Centraal station with just…

  • Venice: 5 very cheap sleeps (considering it’s, you know, Venice)

    Jessie Festa
    13 Jun 2013 | 12:51 pm
    For those looking to travel to Venice, Italy, on a budget, one of the largest expenses you’ll have to tackle will be your accommodation. While it’s not always easy to find cheap sleeps in Venice, the city does offer some inexpensive accommodation options that are generally well located, and some even have a canal view! Below are five recommendations for very affordable sleeps in Venice. For dozens more options, be sure to stop by our guide to cheap hotels in Venice. Hostel Domus Civica Doubles from $80 Read review One of the cheapest accommodations you’ll find in the city, the…
 
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    Go Green Travel Green

  • Cave Spelunking and Tribal Dancing at Oregon’s Warm Springs Reservation

    Amy Whitley
    17 Jun 2013 | 9:59 am
    If you view the Warm Springs Intertribal Reservation on Google Earth, the sparsely populated image that displays on your screen may remind you of the surface of another planet, not rural Northwest ranch land. It’s certainly rugged country, tucked between the craters and plateaus of Central-Eastern Oregon high desert, and it’s safe to say a [...]

  • Royal BC Museum in Victoria: Worth the Trip

    Kimberly Sanberg
    11 Jun 2013 | 4:20 am
    When we decided to expand our recent Vancouver trip to include Victoria on nearby Vancouver Island, the Royal BC Museum jumped to the top of my “things to do” list. I’ll admit, what won me over were the photos on the museum’s website of the natural history collections — there’s a special place in my [...]

  • 10 Best Environmental Summer Camps for Kids

    Amy Whitley
    10 Jun 2013 | 5:30 am
    At Go Green Travel Green, we believe kids who travel at a young age grow up to appreciate different places and cultures. The same is true for spending time in the outdoors in nature conservation programs: kids gain an understanding of ecology and green living they can carry into adulthood. The following 10 best environmental [...]

  • Sun Safety for Kids: Tips from Safe Sunblock to SPF Clothing

    Amy Whitley
    5 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    It’s the summer vacation season, and whether you’re traveling or staying at home, sun safety for kids is a must. In addition to buying new sunblock for your family every year, it’s important to ensure you apply it often and in ample quantity. Read on for lists and picks of safe sunblock for kids, plus [...]

  • How to Make a Rain Garden: 5 Steps for Success

    Amy Whitley
    4 Jun 2013 | 7:05 am
    In most suburban neighborhoods in developed countries, a common water pollution problem persists. The fresh rainwater from each storm runs from rain gutters, across lawns treated with pesticides, into dirty gutters, and finally down storm drains into rivers and lakes. Planting a rain garden offers an eco-friendly water solution. What is a rain garden? A [...]
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    Jaunted - The Pop Culture Travel Guide

  • Turns Out, Security Guards at JFK Would Rather Be Napping

    Omri
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:05 pm
    38 year old Stephen Jackson was fired from his job as a supervisor at JFK overseeing private airport security guards. He subsequently released to the media a bunch of really incriminating photos and videos showing other guards working for his former employer, FJC Security Services, asleep on the job. He says he was fired for being too good at his job: over the course of six months he showed his superiors evidence of sleeping guards, and they mostly ignored him, and he kept pestering them, and ultimately they fired him. Under Jackson's theory, he's a whistle blower. The good folks at FJC…

  • Donate $5, Possibly Win a $40,000 South African Safari

    cmb
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:27 am
    The Phelophepa Train of Hope is looking for your help in reaching their goal of dispensing 50,000 pairs of eyeglasses in Africa this year and in return you'll be entered to win a mega $40,000 vacation. The unique Phelophepa Trains utilize the railways of South Africa to deliver health care to under-served areas and, in doing so, they've helped more than 14 million people since 1994.

  • Capri: The Adventures of Travel Cat: Relaxing on a Patio on Capri

    JetSetCD
    19 Jun 2013 | 10:24 am
    Kitty cats. They rule the internet and, whether we realize it or not, pretty much the world too. Ever noticed how cats sometimes stake out the coolest spots in a city? This new feature—Travel Cat—focuses on exactly that. Submit a photo to be featured by tweeting or Instagramming it to us (details below). Travel Cat spotted in: The island of Capri, Italy. This week's Travel Cat comes from Kenn Wilson, aka @kchrist on Twitter, who spotted this fluffy cat doing a little cleaning while relaxing on a patio somewhere on the island of a Capri.

  • Road Tripping South Africa via the Garden Route: Attacking Swartberg Pass

    StevenD
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:44 am
    If you're going to road trip in South Africa, let it be on the Garden Route. This popular stretch of road connects Heidelberg and Storms River Village along the N2, traversing mountain passes interspersed with views out to the Indian Ocean. We recently drove it in a 2014 Subaru Forester XT, opting for the most picturesque (and least paved) stretches from Plettenberg Bay to Cape Town. Come along for the ride all this week! Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 Snaking through the Black Mountains ("Swartberg" is the Afrikaans translation of "Black Mountain"), the winding Swartberg Pass connects…

  • Six of the Prettiest Purple Airplanes to Ply the Skies

    jetflyboy
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:34 am
    It's not everyday passengers get the chance to fly on a purple plane, especially in America where we are constantly subject to boring primary colors (with the exception of Southwest) and the regular arrival of "Eurowhite" international aircraft. If you've been lucky enough to pass through some exotic ports of call, it's not uncommon to come across more vibrantly hued planes. Today we're going to "keep it royal" by taking a peek at some of these aubergine aircraft: Thai Airways: Here's one you don't have to travel too far to see since you might catch a glimpse of it at LAX. It even has a…
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    HotelChatter -

  • London: It's Not Unusual For a $22,000 Tom Jones Savoy Hotel Tab

    Chanize
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:04 pm
    When one has the likes of Sir Tom Jones, the dapper Don Juan of the 70’s music scene, as a star-judge on ones television show, it’s expected that expenses may get a little pricey. That’s what the BBC has learned as they pay £695 ($1,076) a night for Jones to stay at London’s luxurious Savoy Hotel while he’s in the city filming the British version of The Voice television show. Jones has been in town (he normally lives in L.A.) for 21 days, which as of today brings his bill to $22,596! And he hasn't even left yet as filming wraps up this Saturday. Plus, his rate is…

  • San Francisco: Inside the Mouth-Watering Haagen Dazs Suite at the Hotel Triton

    juliana
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:04 pm
    Who knew the Hotel Triton in San Francisco had such a sweet suite? (Literally!) The Haagen Dazs "Sweet Suite" has been open at the Union Square hotel since at least 2007 (we told you to book the suite to get over a bad break-up)-- but it recently underwent a refresh. It still has the "Sweet Spot", which is an ice cream cabinet full of cartons of Haagen Dazs ice creams along with bowls, scoops and spoons. But now there's new furniture and new giant photographs of ice cream and ice cream ingredients (LOL.) Despite the ice cream obsession, the suite is quite stylish with a residential feel.

  • Courtyard By Marriott is Making Sure Their Internet Is Up to Speed, Literally

    juliana
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:34 pm
    Courtyard by Marriott is not only working on a new look for their guestrooms but they're also getting serious about their internet speeds.In our 2013 WiFi Report, we took a special look at what are considered good working WiFi speeds at hotels. (One to 5mbps is a fairly good speed that will allow you to get all your basic internet activities done.) We've since been keeping track of hotel WiFi speeds on this story here. Courtyard has already recognized the important of free WiFi (which they've offered for years) but now they're implementing certain internet standards for their general managers…

  • Skopje : Why Hilton's Arrival in Skopje is a Big Step for Macedonia

    wakeandwander
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:20 am
    Earlier this month, Hilton announced it is planning to build a DoubleTree in Skopje, Macedonia. It might not seem like anything to write home about on the surface, but those who are aware of the steep uphill climb the country's capital has endured since it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1963 might understand why this is an especially big deal. Most interestingly, the announcement comes during what is supposed to be the final chapter of the highly controversial Skopje 2014 endeavor, a multi-year government effort to restore the city's identity and, among other things, begin attracting…

  • New Orleans: Try Not To Get Your Hair Wet At W New Orleans' Poolside Fashion Show

    ASchechter
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:40 am
    Summer doesn't officially (like, calendar-wise) begin until Friday, but at W New Orleans, things have been heating up since the beginning of this month, when the hotel kicked off its "Adults/Swim" series—a weekly rooftop pool party with DJs, specialty cocktails and cabana packages. Fashionistas will want to pay attention to this next part, though: on the last Sunday of each month, the Adults/Swim party will be followed by an exclusive poolside fashion show, presented through a partnership between W New Orleans and Fashion Week New Orleans. Dubbed "Strut +Swim," the shows will take place…
 
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    DeliciousBaby.com

  • Book Review: Off We Go to Mexico - An Adventure in the Sun

    12 Jun 2013 | 10:07 am
    The Scoop A visual journey, packed with sun-drenched illustrations through Mexico. Each two spread page introduces several spanish words and a poetic description of something one might experience in Mexico. Off we go to Mexico! And Adventure in the Sun by Laurie Krebs and Christopher Corr Off We Go to Mexico is best for young kids (age 2-5) who aren't expecting a storyline, but will enjoy this book's detailed, colorful pictures and lilting rhyme. Off We Go to Mexico gives a nice overview of Mexican culture the way a child might experience it. If your child is learning Spanish, translated…

  • Photo Friday: Museum Going

    6 Jun 2013 | 5:34 pm
    Kids at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center We're always sort of nervous when we take the kids to a historical or cultural museum. True, there have been some sticky moments, but more often they surprise us by finding something they're interested in, as they did in this picture taken at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. When we're at our best, we can use that as a hook to carry us through a bit more of the collection. Related Links Albuquerque with kids What is Photo Friday? Post a travel photo on your site. It can be about any topic, as long as it is G-rated. The focus of the…

  • Photo Friday: Memories

    30 May 2013 | 1:09 pm
    Everest and his dad ride in Disneyland's Astro Orbiter There's something special about taking your own kids to do something that was magical for you as a child. For me, the opportunity to be up high, sailing through the sky on the Astro Orbiter, is a hazy childhood memory, so it has been fun to revisit this ride year after year at Disneyland. Related Links Orange County and Disneyland with kids Contrarian advice for visting Disneyland with kids What is Photo Friday? Post a travel photo on your site. It can be about any topic, as long as it is G-rated. The focus of the post should be on…

  • Book Review: Paris with Children

    29 May 2013 | 9:04 am
    The Scoop The Little Bookroom Guide to Paris with Children is the kid-friendly guidebook you wish you had for every city. The author, who knows the city like a local, provides recommendations and advice to help you get the most out of grown-up attractions like the Louvre, find kid friendly activities like French cooking classes, and eat in restaurants that feature French food but also accomodate American-food-focused kids well. Paris with Children The cover, and small size make The Little Bookroom Guide to Paris with Children feel like a special gift from your most stylish friend, and somehow…

  • Finding Time for Yourself When You Travel With Kids

    29 May 2013 | 7:34 am
    View from Seattle's Alki Beach at Sunset I've been invited by Residence Inn to contribute to their Family Travel Talk Forum on Facebook this year. I'm joining several other blogging parents and I'm excited to see it shape up as a lively forum where we can share tips about traveling with kids. My first post, about how to find a moment for yourself without completely ditching the kids, is up now (yes, it's possible). You can check it out here and I hope you'll share your own tips for finding balance when you're traveling with family. Want more? Subscribe to my monthly newsletter
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    Viator Travel Blog

  • 12 Reasons to Travel to Dahab, Egypt

    Sabina Lohr
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:57 pm
    Egypt – the word evokes images of pyramids and camels, tombs and temples, caches of ancient civilizations lying beneath a vast desert. Lesser known is Egypt’s other side – cerulean waters on soft sand beaches against mountain backdrops, colorful canyons and lush oases holding secrets of the desert and open and approachable locals happy to share bits of their lives. While these aspects of Egypt are not as famous as its ancient history, they are a powerful part of the country’s character.  Where do you go to unlock this side of Egypt? One spot that holds the key is the south Sinai…

  • Buy 2 New York City Tours and Save 25% on Your 3rd!

    Viator Travel Team
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:33 am
    From now until July 8, 2013, when you buy two New York City tours you get 25% OFF of a third tour! That’s right – Buy 2, Save 25% on your 3rd tour! Can’t decide between a dinner cruise, a helicopter tour or visiting the Empire State building?  Or maybe you just can’t choose between day trips to the Hamptons, Amish Country or Washington DC? If you want to sample all of the food New York has to offer, start with trying some amazing pizza or gourmet street food and finish it up with a sample of delicious gelato! The possibilities are endless, so don’t miss your chance to…

  • Meet Harvey Paul Davidson, a Private Guide in New York City

    Viator Travel Team
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:54 am
    As a native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn, Harvey Paul Davidson is the man to go to if you’re seeking a more nuanced experience of the Big Apple. Harvey spent his adolescence and young adulthood drifting through Brooklyn’s public schools and colleges, and later acquired an intimate knowledge of Manhattan’s neighborhood’s while working as a part-time messenger there. Later work assignments made him equally familiar with the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. Simply put, Harvey knows New York like the back of his hand. Meet Harvey! Channeling these years of priceless New York…

  • Asha and Brock in Asia and Australia

    Viator Travel Team
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:43 am
    In 2012, Viator sent two teams of two travel videographers around Europe and North America with our Dream Travel Job project. For 60 days each, they traveled, took Viator tours, and filmed. This year we have Asha from our Europe team and Brock from the North America team back to do it all again in Asia and Australia! Read on to see where they are and what they’re doing on their adventure. But first… Meet Asha & Brock Fun Facts about Asha: - Toured Europe (Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland), Latin America (Chile) and Australia as a musician - Plays a 7-string electric violin…

  • Top Travel Deals of the Week

    Viator Travel Team
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:20 am
    Looking for something new and fun to do while traveling this week? Check out Viator’s best travel deals available around the globe this week and make the most of your travel budget Plus, scroll down to see the latest Viator promo codes and travel giveaways and contests! Here are the top Viator Travel Deals through June 25, 2013: Australia & the Pacific Save on tours in Melbourne! Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise – Save 50% Book a table for a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour aboard the MV Sydney 2000, the most prestigious cruising restaurant on Sydney Harbour’s waterways. The…
 
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    World Hum

  • A Sort of Happy Ending

    The World Hum Editors (eva.jt.holland@gmail.com)
    8 Jun 2013 | 10:34 am
    David Farley was 15 when his older brother took him to a strip club in Mexico to make him a man

  • The Atlantic: ‘How Learning a Foreign Language Reignited My Imagination’

    The World Hum Editors (eva.jt.holland@gmail.com)
    30 May 2013 | 4:56 am
    In the latest issue of The Atlantic, Ta-Nehisi Coates has a lovely short essay about traveling to Switzerland to study French, and the wonder of being immersed in the foreign: I started studying French in the summer of 2011, in the throes of a mid-30s crisis. I wanted to be young again. Once, imagination was crucial to me. The books filled with trains, the toy tracks and trestles—they were among my few escapes from a world bounded by my parents’ will. In those days, I could look at a map of some foreign place and tell you a story about how the people there looked, how they lived,…

  • Mapped: Bob Dylan’s Entire Repertoire

    The World Hum Editors (eva.jt.holland@gmail.com)
    28 May 2013 | 4:48 am
    To celebrate Bob Dylan’s 72nd birthday, Slate has mapped every place the man ever mentioned in his music. Why, you ask? Once the amateur Dylanologist tries to think of some, they flood the brain. “I’ll look for you in old Honolulu/ San Francisco, Ashtabula.” “Born in Red Hook, Brooklyn/ In the year of who knows when.” “Oxford town, Oxford town/ Everybody’s got their head bowed down.” From the personal—“that little Minnesota town”—to the political—“Ever since the British burned the White House down/…

  • Grantland Goes to the Iditarod

    The World Hum Editors (eva.jt.holland@gmail.com)
    9 May 2013 | 4:09 am
    This past March, Grantland sent writer Brian Phillips to follow the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska’s famous 1000-mile feat of endurance, by bush plane. The resulting story, Out in the Great Alone, comes with all sorts of online design bells and whistles—embedded audio and video, and a map that updates itself as you scroll through the narrative. But what I liked best about it was its emphasis on place, not so much on the ins and outs of the race itself but on the landscapes and communities it passes through. Here’s Phillips: I took a walk through the village. Couple of…

  • New Travel Book: ‘The Turk Who Loved Apples’

    The World Hum Editors (eva.jt.holland@gmail.com)
    8 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    Veteran travel writer Matt Gross has just released his first book: The Turk Who Loved Apples, a collection of never-before-published stories about his life as a traveler. Gross is a former Frugal Traveler columnist for the New York Times—he’s also an occasional contributor to World Hum. The Portland Book Review calls his book “part memoir, part travel odyssey and part growing-up story,” and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog has named it one of the best travel books to land in stores this spring. You can read an excerpt over at the New York Times.
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    Brave New Traveler

  • Kyudo: The art of Japanese archery

    18 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am
    Mark is a student in the MatadorU Travel Photography program. I recently went to Japan to experience and document kyudo, the ancient art of Japanese archery. It literally means “The Way of the Bow” and is considered by many to be the purest of all the martial arts. Originally a samurai discipline and heavily influence by Shintoism and Zen, kyudo integrates technical skill with the development of a completely focused and disciplined mind. I met Kazuhisa Miyasaka Sensei in Yamanouchi town, where he manages his own ryokan — a traditional Japanese inn — and teaches the art…
 
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    Free Range

  • Royal Gorge Fire hits rafting companies hard, fast

    Kyle Wagner
    11 Jun 2013 | 4:08 pm
    Rafting companies on the Arkansas River were already battling the start of a tough season, and then the Royal Gorge Fire erupted Tuesday. By Wednesday it had swelled to 3,800 acres and destroyed tourist structures on the south side of the Royal Gorge Bridge. On Wednesday, reports indicated that the bridge would need a structural integrity evaluation. The Royal Gorge, and its bridge, are among the top tourist destinations in the state. (Colorado River Outfitters Association) “How do you evacuate a whole rafting company?” pondered Arkansas River Tours owner Bobby Hamel, who was trying to…

  • REI return policy changes: Items must be returned within 1 year

    Daniel Petty
    4 Jun 2013 | 12:50 pm
    A cashier at REI in Denver bags items during a holiday sale on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post) The famed and generous REI return policy is undergoing a major overhaul. Citing a “growing number of customers who stretch our policy beyond its intended purposes,” Tim Spangler, REI senior vice president for retail, emailed customers on Tuesday to say they have one year from the purchase of an item at an REI store or REI.com to return or exchange it, except for items purchased from REI-OUTLET — which must be returned within 30 days. Its “100%…

  • Turkey, from Istanbul’s gardens to the mighty Bosphorus: How I cashed in on a layover, fell in love and planned a return

    Ricardo Baca
    15 May 2013 | 2:21 pm
    The majestic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul’s lovely Sultanahmet neighborhood. Photo by Ricardo Baca, The Denver Post Last fall, I faced one of those travel dilemmas a backpacker loves to solve. My objective: Getting from Tel Aviv to Cairo in 48 hours. The primary option: The only land border crossing between Israel and Egypt is at Taba. The primary road block: The U.S. State Department was asking Americans to steer clear of the Sinai Peninsula at the time, saying it was unsafe in a post-revolution Egypt. The secondary option: Flying, Tel Aviv-Cairo. The secondary road block: There were no…

  • Q&A: PCT hiker Gail D. Storey’s “I Promise Not to Suffer” a treat

    Kyle Wagner
    9 May 2013 | 1:21 pm
    Anyone who’s ever put a relationship through the great-outdoors meat grinder to see what’s left of it on the other side can relate to Gail D. Storey’s tale of long-distance hiking with her husband, Porter. Even the title, “I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail” (Mountaineers Books, 2013), immediately evokes those trade-off moments required to get through such an ordeal. (Provided by Gail Storey) Gail and Porter Storey on the High Sierra Mountains portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. The couple moved to Boulder from Houston in 2005, the year after they…

  • Lose weight, get fit: Get your VO2max tested to improve your results

    Kyle Wagner
    18 Apr 2013 | 8:06 am
    [media-credit id=75 align="alignright" width="224"][/media-credit] Stoney Eskew, right, has Cody DuFresne hooked up to the metabolic assessment machine at Ascent Fitness. Faster! Stronger! Leaner! Lighter! Stoney Eskew has heard it all. Elite athletes, people looking to lose weight or maintain weight loss, folks who can’t figure out why they’re working out like crazy but can’t seem to budge that last 5 pounds. Like some kind of wellness wizard, Eskew, a metabolic expert, personal trainer and weight loss specialist, lugs around a weird-looking machine that can actually help anybody…
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    Perceptive Travel Blog

  • Ireland: Celebrating Live Music

    Kerry Dexter
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:02 pm
    Music is at the heart of life and culture in Ireland. This includes what you may think of first, traditional music and work that draws on Irish tradition, from jigs and reels to airs and songs, as well as a wide range of other sorts of music. There’s a thriving classical music community across Ireland.

  • The Longest Day in Fairbanks, Alaska

    Alison J. Stein
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:50 am
      Here’s a photo from an after dinner walk in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was about 10 p.m., the day after the city’s summer solstice festival. Maybe it was a little later, the time settings on my camera were messed up, and my internal sense of time was also not completely functional. I’d been in Alaska

  • Visit almost all the UNESCO World Heritage sites…in one day

    Liz Lewis
    17 Jun 2013 | 3:43 am
    Currently there are 962 UNESCO designated sites – 745 of them are cultural heritage sites, 188 natural heritage sites, and the remainder a mixture of the two. And with the UNESCO World Heritage committee meeting this week in Cambodia to consider 31 new heritage site listings, the total number of World Heritage sites could soon

  • Requiem for Racing the Dead in Singapore

    Brian Spencer
    14 Jun 2013 | 6:02 am
    By Brian Spencer To date I have participated in three half-marathons and one 10K, but have never entered a race in which my life was at stake–until now. This week I became one of 5,000 runners registered for Celebrity Trainer’s sold-out “Race the Dead”, a 5K obstacle run along the beaches of Sentosa island in

  • Swimming to infinity in Kerala

    Sheila Scarborough
    13 Jun 2013 | 9:15 am
    Where was the jet lag that was supposed to help bounce me out of bed early in the morning? The poofy pillows cradling my head tried to deny the day, but I could see plenty of light even through drawn blinds, and with a full schedule ahead attending India’s ICTT travel technology conference, I kept saying
 
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    Travel news, travel guides and reviews | guardian.co.uk

  • Göttingen to Geneva, an interlude | Jon Butterworth | Life & Physics

    Jon Butterworth
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:01 pm
    Spoiler: I caught my planeSomething has gone a bit wrong with the Deutsche Bahn (DB). Of the last six trains I have tried to take, two were cancelled and three were delayed, including the one I am currently on. On the other hand, my train from Paddington to Swindon on Monday was just fine. I am aware this isn't exactly five sigma, but if your hypothesis was anything to do with "German efficiency" and "crap British trains", there is tension in the data.The tension is somewhat relieved by the fact that I am writing this in the BordRestaurant on the (delayed) DB ICE to Frankfurt. Also, when…

  • Texas and New Mexico – Q&A

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:59 am
    Whether you're attracted by wide open spaces, barbecue feasts, the SXSW festival or UFO spotting, post your questions and our panel of experts will help you plan a dream trip    

  • Britain's best bike rides 2013

    19 Jun 2013 | 8:30 am
    Don't miss Britain's best bike rides, our guide to 13 of the UK's best cycle routes, free this Saturday with the Guardian.In an exclusive interview with Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, we find out how a local bike ride inspired his lifelong love affair with the bicycle.From family-friendly saunters, through waterside and urban rides, to offroad excursions – and from Bath to the Isle of Arran – our 24-page supplement tells you about how to get there, what to see, the terrain and gradients, and those all-important watering holes, whether you're after ice-cream and cupcakes or real ale…

  • Delays and high prices leave rail passengers dissatisfied

    19 Jun 2013 | 6:57 am
    Customer satisfaction hits the buffers as railway users complain about delayed journeys and poor-value ticketsPassenger satisfaction on the railways is dipping, with value for money and how companies deal with delays being the biggest cause for complaint, according to a survey of thousands of train customers.Just one train company, Great Anglia, improved its overall satisfaction levels between spring 2012 and spring 2013, the poll by rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus found.Nationally, the percentage of passengers satisfied with their journey overall was 82% compared with 83% in a similar…

  • South Italy's top 10 budget beach hotels

    19 Jun 2013 | 5:59 am
    If you want beach proximity in southern Italy, hotel prices tend to rocket. Fortunately, we've got the inside track, bringing you sea views for less in Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and PugliaAlthough destinations such as Capri and the Amalfi coast have long been on the tourist map, other stretches of southern Italian coastline still have an insider's cachet. Even Puglia, which has become a popular low-cost flight destination for off-season sun-seekers, has its secret bays and deserted strands. The challenge, in a country which despite the economic downturn still has some of Europe's highest…
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    Just Checking In

  • All of LHG's Virginia Hotels Receive TripAdvisor Distinction

    24 May 2013 | 4:12 pm
    The good news continues to roll in at Landmark Hotel Group.  In addition to dominating in the rankings for their destinations at several of Landmark Hotel Group's hotels in the commonwealth, TripAdvisor gave all eight of LHG's Virginia hotels the nod this week by awarding them with their Certificate of Excellence, a distinction given only to the top ten businesses represented on TripAdvisor.com! Congratulations to the following LHG Hotels for being TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award winners in 2013, and thank you to the happy hotel guests who took the time to share their…

  • Candlewood Suites Richmond Airport Receives Certificate of Excellence!

    22 May 2013 | 9:28 am
    TripAdvisor has recognized Candlewood Sites Richmond Airport with a 2013 Certificate of Excellence.  This prestigious award places Candlewood Suites Richmond Airport in Richmond, VA in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor, and is given to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travelers.Candlewood Suites Richmond Airport is consistently ranked as one of the top three hotels (in a field of 84 hotels in Richmond), outperforming many full-service and select-services hotels in the area, and has been ranked the #1…

  • Hangin' with Howard at Virginia Tech's HTM Career Event

    19 Apr 2013 | 1:11 pm
    It was great spending a little time with hotel veteran and hospitality icon Howard Feiertag on a recent trip with Landmark Hotel Group to the Virginia Tech "Destinations" Career Fair to meet with future hospitality professionals from the university's Hospitality and Tourism Management School. Howard told me he'd post this picture to his blog, so I thought I'd return the favor (and possibly beat him to the punch). If you haven't had the chance to visit the "Howard Sez" blog, go ahead and spend a little time there now at http://howardsez.blogspot.com. Get the Lessons from the Field book here:…

  • American Bus Association Marketplace 2013 -- There's an APP for That!

    8 Mar 2013 | 3:19 pm
    While Charlotte never fails to do a great job with events like this year's American Bus Association Annual Marketplace, which this year attracted about 3,000 motorcoach, tour, and hospitality professionals to one location where they can get down to the business of planning tours for 2013 and beyond, it was the Marketplace App that made all the difference for me at this year's convention.It did take some getting used to, but once I did, it was an extremely efficient way for me to keep myself pointed in the right direction and in touch with not just my schedule, but fellow ABA…

  • Have a great 2013 from Landmark Hotel Group!

    4 Jan 2013 | 8:15 am
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    LandLopers

  • Trying to Get to the Core – South Africa in Five Words

    Matt Long
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:55 pm
    I was looking through my South Africa photos trying to decide on what to share next when I got frustrated. I didn’t want to just write a post about a safari or cool activity I did, I really wanted to share with everyone the feeling that I get when I’m in South Africa. It’s so much more than seeing a giraffe in the wild or eating some biltong; it’s an all-consuming spirit that I don’t think I’ve adequately portrayed. To try to get to that spirit, to the heart of the South African experience for me personally, I want to try a mental exercise. In this exercise I wrote down the first…

  • Grounds of Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Matt Long
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:50 pm
    The post Grounds of Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, Canada appeared first on LandLopers.

  • Five More Things You Should Do On Every Trip

    Matt Long
    17 Jun 2013 | 9:55 pm
    A year and a half ago (yikes how time flies!) I wrote a post detailing five things I think everyone should do when they travel; here’s the original. They’re simple recommendations that I think transform a trip from something prosaic into a truly memorable experience. Since then I’ve been mentally taking notes of additional items for the list and am now ready to share some more ways to make your next trip one for the scrapbooks. 1. Visit grocery stores – This may be one of my favorite travel activities, as silly as it sounds. Whether I’m in Milwaukee or Dubrovnik, there is nothing…

  • Democracy Monument, Bangkok

    Matt Long
    17 Jun 2013 | 9:50 pm
    The post Democracy Monument, Bangkok appeared first on LandLopers.

  • First Thoughts on Croatia and Battling Misconceptions

    Matt Long
    16 Jun 2013 | 9:55 pm
    The human mind is a strange thing. At one moment it can be the most impressive creation in the history of the world, completing countless tasks and being a genuine marvel of nature. Then it can be an anchor, weighing us down in thoughts of negativity and inflexible misconceptions. We all deal with the duality of the brain and I experienced it recently before a trip to Croatia when, in spite of everything I knew, the first thought I had was of the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. And I know I’m not alone, my traveling companion experienced the same thing when friends asked her if traveling…
 
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    Indie Travel Podcast

  • Nuremberg. It’s quite lovely.

    Craig and Linda
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:43 pm
    It’s true! Nuremberg has a beauty and loveliness all of its own, and it’s jumped up our internal ranking to become our second-favourite city in Germany. Learn why in this week’s podcast. To listen, hit play below or find episode 278 in iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud: Luckily we avoided the flooding affecting most of central Europe, so we could explore. Nuremberg is famous for… Tiny little sausages. The artist Albrecht Dürer. Lebkuchen gingerbread and Christmas markets. Nazi parades and the Nuremberg trials. But we discovered a whole lot more: Fine arts and city…

  • Best things to do in July 2013

    Craig Martin
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    We’ve scoured the world for some of the best things to do in July: cowboys in Canada, more bulls in Spain, bright processions in Cuzco, and a touch of the arts in Austria. Enjoy! Calgary Stampede Stampede Park, Calgary, Canada: July 5-14 Some of the best cowboys in the world come to Calgary to shake their chaps and show their skills in what’s been optimistically called the “best outdoor show on earth“. There’s rodeo, racing, and a fair amount of beer to wash the dust away. Calgary Stampede. Book your bed in Calgary • Plan your travels in Canada Festival of San…

  • Travel diary: Birthday week in Cologne and Dresden

    Linda Martin
    16 Jun 2013 | 7:00 pm
    Birthday week is always a time for celebration, and it’s even better when we’re travelling somewhere interesting. This week definitely counted — we had a great time in Cologne and Dresden. Monday 10/6: We’d spent the weekend in Bonn with our friend Richard, and our only task for the day was to get to Cologne — just half an hour away by train. After a sleep in, Richard prepared croissants for breakfast then took us to a favourite cafe of his, where I was given the largest coffee ever — I only got halfway through it. We stopped off at Richard’s to pick…

  • How to stay safe in India

    Ana Laura
    14 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    India has never been the best place to be a woman. The country’s reputation has deteriorated recently and it has suffered a drop in tourism, particularly from women travelling solo. This, together with public awareness, will hopefully cause India to become a better place for women. In the meantime, there is no reason why you should avoid India. All you need is some preparation. Really, being safe as a woman solo traveler in India is nothing out of the ordinary: basically, just be smart and careful. However, after living there for almost a year, I learned a couple of things I wish I had…

  • How to find authentic food while travelling

    Bowen Close
    12 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    For me, food is at the center of travel. I love all the sorts of other experiences I have when I’m traveling, but it’s food that gives me the most satisfaction. I love seeking out something new, meeting and talking with people along the way and going to parts of a city or an area that I might not have been otherwise. I love eating new things, even when I don’t like them, and learning about the culture of a place through its food. Food is a culture, art, history, tradition, and social culture all wrapped up into one, and can be a powerful communicator of what a place is like.
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    nerd's eye view

  • Some Things About My Dad

    Pam Mandel
    16 Jun 2013 | 7:52 am
    I’m not sure about the date on this photo — my Dad served in Korea and he’s in uniform here. The signs are in English, so he must be flying outbound. It might be the early 50s, he’d have been maybe 21 years old at the time. Forgotten, but Not Gone: I wrote this after seeing my Dad for the last time in December 2011. He died in December 2012. This is my first Father’s Day without him. Waning Moon, Waikiki: Losing my Dad was… complicated. I did not go to the funeral. A Eulogy for my Dad: My brother read this at my Dad’s service, I was so pleased when he…

  • Post-Modern Medieval

    Pam Mandel
    7 Jun 2013 | 5:25 pm
    The historic main square in Frankfurt is a pretty cobbled place. There are buildings on three sides with black or red timbered faces. There are cast iron sign brackets and from them hang attractive shields emblazoned with the names of traditional German restaurants, the wine cellar, the Black Star, the Stone House. City hall is here and newly married couple after couple appear in front of the traditional ornate facade with their happy families and friends. There is a fountain into which you may toss your change and a tourist information office where you can get a walking map for 50 cents and…

  • TBEX 2013: Less is So Much More

    Pam Mandel
    4 Jun 2013 | 10:21 am
    Here’s the truth: I attended only two sessions at TBEX this year: writer Mike Sowden’s storytelling talk and the live recording of Gary Arndt, Jen Leo, and Chris Christensen’s This Week in Travel featuring Spud Hilton, the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle as the guest. I regret missing two talks, Lola Akinamade’s photography talk (Lola recently signed with National Geographic) and Erik Lindbergh’s keynote, but my regrets are pretty minimal, less so since catching up with Lola in the Toronto airport on Monday morning at daybreak. During the conference, I…

  • Advice for Writers

    Pam Mandel
    31 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    I’m lucky to be connected to some great writers and they’ve agreed to share their advice with the folks who attended the writing workshop at TBEX 13 in Toronto. Download it here and believe it, every word of it is true and useful and will make you better at what you do. And if some of these links take you places that haven’t been updated for a while, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s because they’re not writing. Nope. They’re doing work for good money elsewhere, putting all that hard earned knowledge into making a living. They’re bad asses.

  • Foundations

    Pam Mandel
    28 May 2013 | 7:33 am
    In preparation for TBEX 2013 (the Travelblog Exchange conference in Toronto, Canada)  I’ve been rereading some things I wrote about blogging and the state of travel writing online. I’ve compiled that stuff here — all vanity links, all inside baseball –  so if you’re curious about where I stand, this collection of essays pretty much spells it out. Stubbornly Clinging to the Organic Web I want more readers. I see this as fundamentally different than traffic. Traffic is an anonymous clot of vehicles on the information superhighway. Readers, they’re hanging out…
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    About.com France Travel

  • Get this free Provence Gallery app

    18 Jun 2013 | 11:50 pm
    Art and Provence go together. Think of the great 19th and early 20th century French painters from Matisse to van Gogh, from Monet to Picasso and those vibrant paintings pop up in your mind's eye. So the clever people at the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur tourist board have come up with a perfect app which helps you orientate yourself and organize your trips based on the theme of the art of the landscape and cities of this fabulous region. You can use the Provence Gallery app to plan your trip in advance; it has detailed maps and links to good information, plus links to local tourist offices and…

  • Above the Clouds Writing Retreat in the Pyrenees in September

    14 Jun 2013 | 1:35 am
    If you have ever wanted help or inspiration to start writing, or to improve what you've already achieved, this week-long course could be the answer. It takes place in one of the most beautiful landscapes in France, at Planès in the Pyrenées Orientales, west of Perpignan. Above the Clouds sums it up: not only is the setting high up in the Pyrenees, the course is also aimed at clearing all the fog (or clouds) you might have in your mind about your writing and clarify what you're trying to achieve. Rosemary Bailey is the award-winning writer who runs the course. She's a great teacher,…

  • Jazz a Juan July 12th to 21st 2013

    6 Jun 2013 | 1:27 am
    Of all the many jazz festivals in France, Jazz à Juan in July has always been a real favorite. Since the days when Sidney Bechet was to be found jamming in the small hours in a side street bar after a concert, Juan has drawn jazz fans from all over the world. It's partly the setting, in a small palm-tree filled park with the background of the sparkling Mediterranean sea. It's partly the 'Best of the Off' festival, which is completely free, but most of all it's the artists, many of whom return again and again. This year, they have gone beyond pure jazz and there are some surprises. The…

  • Events at the Normandy Impressionist Festival

    2 Jun 2013 | 11:15 pm
    Normandy is pushing the boat out this year with the Normandy Impressionist Festival that lasts all summer long until the end of September. United by the theme of water, the huge Festival has over 600 exhibitions and events throughout Normandy.  From blockbuster exhibitions with art by Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Seurat, Sisley, Sargent and many more, to photographs, both early 20th century and contemporary, from outdoor street festivals to learning how to paint Rouen cathedral like Monet, this is a Festival to see. There's a whole slew of inventive ideas around the…

  • Traditional Folk Music and Dance in Champagne

    30 May 2013 | 11:46 pm
    Come and dance over the weekend of June 28th to 30th in Châlons-en-Champagne. The weekend celebrates contemporary folk music and you can both watch and listen, and dance yourselves after learning any tricky steps at the free lessons that are open each afternoon of the festival. It starts at 5pm on Friday June 28th with school children performing. Saturday has an afternoon folk dance lesson followed by two performances at 7pm by Claclé, the duo of twin sisters on piano and violin, and at 9pm by Hydromel, a group of 6 musicians who play traditional folk music from all over Europe on a…
 
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    Cheapest Destinations Blog - Travel the World!

  • To Move Abroad, Find the Place That Speaks to You

    Tim Leffel
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:05 am
    We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!

  • 9 Simple Ways to Keep Your Whole Life From Being Tracked

    Tim Leffel
    14 Jun 2013 | 8:41 am
    We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!

  • Write a Review, Get a Cool Solar Lantern

    Tim Leffel
    11 Jun 2013 | 5:20 am
    We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!

  • Travel Trouble Spots and Altering Your Plans

    Tim Leffel
    7 Jun 2013 | 7:38 am
    We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!

  • Tipsy Transnistria, Apocalyptic Hawaii, and Safari Time in Sri Lanka

    Tim Leffel
    4 Jun 2013 | 4:33 am
    We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!
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    Travel the Home Exchange Way

  • Home swap request - stunning central London homes available for Edinburgh exchange in July!

    Home Base Holidays
    13 Jun 2013 | 7:26 am
    We’ve had a request from one of our members who has a play on this summer in Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh. She’s looking to arrange an exchange in Edinburgh between July and August. In return she has two truly fantastic homes available for exchange in London. The first home is a magnificent 2-bed central London apartment - just a minutes walk from Oxford Street! Central London apartment just off Oxford Street (HE28950) View this beautiful central London swap offer here... The second swap offer is a beautiful West London 4 bedroom house - featured in interior magazines and situated just…

  • Seasoned home exchange travellers - 60 home swaps so far! Can you do this too?

    Home Base Holidays
    11 Jun 2013 | 3:40 am
    'We are a retired medical couple with more than 60 home exchanges so far. We are addicted to travel and find living in someone else's home the best way to do it!' The quote above us from Home Base Holidays members, a couple from Sydney, Australia, who are certainly making the most of their retirement to travel far and wide via home swapping. The couple are quite specific in their requirements (see their full home exchange offer) but are able to arrange suitable swaps by being very active members, contacting several others to suggest a swap and planning exchanges well in advance of dates…

  • Crawling Baby/Toddler in the Family? Prepping a House for a Home Swap

    Home Base Holidays
    10 Jun 2013 | 1:55 am
    So, you’re lucky enough to go on vacation and do a “house swap” uh? A house swap is a great way to save money, and a great way to have your own space on your vacation. However, if you are doing a house swap, you’re going to need to look at all the precautions if you have a toddler coming with you. Each parenting style is different, no matter if it’s the neighborhood down or a continent across - you’re going to have contrasts from your family to the family’s home you’re entering. But don’t fret - I have some quick tips and tricks to baby proof your home away from home. Photo…

  • The Home Exchange Newsletter - Home Swappers, June 2013

    Home Base Holidays
    2 Jun 2013 | 2:41 am
    The June issue of Home Swappers Newsletter is now available. Topics: Featured listing: Varen, Midi-Pyrenees, France - elegant 1865 "Squires" house in a tranquil area in SW France Member's report: "home swapping" ideal for everyone who loves adventure, travel and new experiences  20% discount on Home Base Holidays membership: see newsletter for code (ends 7th June) Interview: with Shelley C. Miller, Home Exchange Expert Book giveaway: 'The Promise of Provence' Exclusive offer: Join a second home exchange agency for free Read articles in this issue in full and previous issues of Home Swappers…

  • Members report: "home swapping" ideal for everyone who loves adventure, travel and new experiences!

    Home Base Holidays
    1 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    "Four years ago, as a parent who loved taking her kids on adventures but, as a freelance writer and University lecturer money was tight, I came across the Home Base Holidays website. Here was the key to the problem of how to take one's family abroad on an affordable budget and the most brilliant idea for everyone who loves adventure, travel and new experiences! I was delighted and quickly signed up and, to be honest, haven't looked back since. Our first exchange was a delightful five day mini-break outside Chichester, just across the water from us - we are on the Isle of Wight. A 40 minute…
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    Twitter Travels

  • The World’s Best Outdoor Music Venues

    Rebekkah
    11 Jun 2013 | 1:47 pm
    Summer concert season has begun, and I am itching to attend many of the outdoor music festivals I’ve heard about on the web. There’s something about listening to music outdoors that just adds so much to the experience, don’t you think? While I must confess that I haven’t been to many of the world-famous outdoor concert venues on this list, here are some of the ones that I’ve placed high on my bucket list. Red Rocks Amphitheater- Morrison, Colorado This outdoor theater, carved into natural formations of red rock in Colorado, is enough to take your breath away…

  • Travel Around the United States Many Attractions

    Leland
    13 May 2013 | 2:08 pm
    The United States is filled with an abundance of beautiful attractions. From stunning natural landmarks, beaches, and waterworks, to monuments, skyscrapers, buildings and beyond, the United States has so much to explore. Some people are fortunate enough to have these attractions in their backyards, while others may never see them unless they travel and traveling to a variety of popular attractions can become expensive. Luckily, some of the United States attractions are clustered together so if you take some time to do a little planning, you can tackle multiple attractions in one trip! Here…

  • Alert Bay: Culture and Nature Combined

    Katja
    9 Apr 2013 | 12:53 pm
      I’ve noticed in my travels that oftentimes, tourist destinations (particularly the very, very touristy ones) work far too hard to create an attraction at the expense of the local culture and environment. Sometimes, rather than embracing the unique features that would attract visitors, the local people and wildlife are exploited or suppressed in favor of making money. The best destinations, in my opinion, are the ones which integrate local culture and history with the natural environment to showcase what makes that place special. It is tough to do this, but some places manage to do it…

  • How to Bargain with Market Vendors

    Alfredo
    19 Mar 2013 | 8:33 am
    While pictures capture moments of your vacation, souvenirs are a way to bring a tangible piece of that vacation home with you. And, shops in tourist-dense areas know the desirability of certain trinkets, so they certainly don’t hesitate to mark up the prices accordingly. However, at most stores you can’t really haggle for a lower price, even in international countries…well, unless the item is damaged. Not only that, it’s also considered bad manners to try and get a vendor to sell you something for a lower price. So, take a second and think. If you were at home,…

  • Raw Fish, Huh? How to Find Savory Sushi

    Alfredo
    7 Feb 2013 | 12:09 pm
    I’m a sushi fan, so whenever I travel or even go out to eat during a normal week, I often look for quality Japanese restaurants. When I mention sushi to others, I usually get one of two replies: “Ew, raw fish!” or “Let’s go!” Occasionally someone will say they’ve never had it, but that’s usually followed by one of those two responses. I think most who give me the “Ew” response have never tried it because they’re afraid of the possible negative consequences of eating raw seafood. Yes, lots of sushi is made with raw fish, but…
 
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    Moms Minivan Blog

  • Rationalizing Renting

    Laurel Smith - Road Trip Mom
    5 Jun 2013 | 7:39 pm
    The reasons for renting a car after flying halfway across the country are obvious; you need transportation once you’ve reached your destination. But what about renting for a road trip? Renting a car may seem like an unnecessary hassle and expense for taking a road trip, but it can have its perks. Renting a car can really expand the options for the type of car to be driven on the trip. Minivans and SUVs are a great option for hauling cargo and backseat drivers, while coupes and sedans are more fuel efficient and eco-friendly. Or maybe your old clunker just isn’t as reliable as it used to…

  • Distracted Driving

    Laurel Smith - Road Trip Mom
    9 May 2013 | 3:04 pm
    This infographic spells out just how dangerous it is to drive while otherwise occupied.  Stay safe! Many accidents are preventable! Presented By IFA Auto Insurance

  • Camper Van vs. Motor Home

    Laurel Smith - Road Trip Mom
    11 Apr 2013 | 6:40 am
    In a few weeks I’m heading to the Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee with a group of girl friends. It will be my 5th year in a row. If you’re not familiar with this type of festival, imagine a huge farm swarming with 80 – 100,000 sweaty dirty people, all having a great time listening to dozens of different bands, and rouging it by camping in tents next to their cars with no water or electricity. Just imagine Woodstock, and you’ll understand. Most attendees are in their 20’s. They have stamina of youth. My gal pals and I trend toward a slightly older demographic. We have put up…

  • Teen Drivers

    Laurel Smith - Road Trip Mom
    16 Feb 2013 | 9:43 am
    If you smile and turn around in your minivan you will probably see your dear darlings smiling back at you while they are safely strapped to their car seats.  Now picture yourself a few years from now when you are no longer the one in the driver’s seat, and your dear darling is now grinning at you from behind the wheel.  You are now white-knuckled to the arm rests of the passenger seat while your teen age driver smashes the accelerator just a little too hard, or over-corrects every turn.  You instinctively reach for the brakes in front of you before you remember that you don’t…

  • Duct Tape Fixes Everything …Almost

    Laurel Smith - Road Trip Mom
    16 Feb 2013 | 9:15 am
    Ever have one of those road trips where you are at  your wits end, and you are actually considering the all-inclusive fix-it tool –  duct tape? Before resorting to this extreme parenting method, consider a couple of alternative car games instead: SWEET OR SOUR “Sweet or Sour” is an amusing game for all ages.  When you are stuck in traffic on the highway, this is a great time to play this game.   Wave to the people wave at one of the cars close to you, or do something else to get their attention.  If the person waves or honks back they are sweet.  If  you know they…
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    Rick Steves Travel Blog: Blog Gone Europe

  • Sevilla: Tapas Are All the Rage

    Rick Steves
    19 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    Eating in Sevilla is fun and affordable. People from Madrid and Barcelona find it a wonderful value. Make a point to get out and eat well when in Sevilla. The general system is to eat family-style, sharing everything. Smaller tapas are served at the bar, while larger portions called half-raciones and full raciones are at the tables. While raciones work great for small groups, individuals and couples get more variety with tapas. Fortunately, many places are easing up on the “tapas only at the bar” rule. You can always ask — many places are easing up on this rule, and if things…

  • Sevilla’s Pesky Good-Luck Peddlers

    Rick Steves
    18 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    Part of any tourist’s experience when visiting Sevilla is encountering these pesky and persistent beggars. They offer you a tiny sprig of greenery. You say no. They force it on you. You take it and then can’t give it back. They insist on a payment, while telling your fortune on the fly. You finally offer them a few coins to get them to leave you alone. They refuse to take coins, claiming coins are bad luck. They insist on paper. You finally buy your freedom for five euros. Or…you refuse to be intimidated. These are adults who know they are making fools of timid tourists. Have…

  • Sevilla: The Home of Flamenco Can Terrorize a Child

    Rick Steves
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:03 am
    Updating the flamenco scene in Sevilla for my Spain guidebook, I had the occasion to pop into concerts in five different venues in town. Sevilla is the best city in which to experience flamenco. While the concerts are designed for tourists, they are real and riveting, and a great value. Here’s my latest report on the much-changed flamenco concert scene in Sevilla: In Sevilla, you basically have three flamenco options: serious — yet still touristy — flamenco concerts, where the singing and dancing take center stage; even more touristy shows that have a bar and/or food (scurrying waiters…

  • In Sevilla, There’s Always a Parade

    Rick Steves
    16 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
    Sevilla loves a religious procession — carrying statues of saints from favorite churches through the streets on big floats. People from other towns go through their lives never marching. But in Sevilla, these parades are huge. When you meet a Spaniard, it’s common to ask them which football team they support. Here in Sevilla, you also ask which Virgin Mary they favor. The top two in town are La Virgin de la Macarena and La Esperanza de Triana. On Thursday during Holy Week, it’s a battle royale of the Madonnas, as Sevilla’s two favorite virgins are both processing through the streets…

  • Sevilla — Getting Up to Date with the Best City in Southern Spain

    Rick Steves
    15 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
      The best stop in southern Spain is Sevilla. The city is a delight from a sightseeing, eating, and live-music point of view. And it’s always changing. After a few days in town with the help of excellent local guides, I am right up to date for the 2014 edition of our Rick Steves’ Spain guidebook. Here are a few updates in advance: Recently Sevilla unveiled a giant, mostly wooden canopy in an attempt to revitalize the formerly nondescript Plaza de la Encarnación. The gigantic, undulating canopy of five waffle-patterned, mushroom-shaped, hundred-foot-tall structures provides shade, a…
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    Guidespot - Fresh Guides

  • Victor Banta Photography

    19 Jun 2013 | 6:37 pm
    Professional photography for weddings, family portraits, marketing, advertising, model portfolio, corporate portrait, Aerial photography, events and parties. I opened my first photography studio in 1991 in Tucson, AZ. I now own and operate a studio in Hell, MI near Ann Arbor Michigan. I am available for photography assignments worldwide. As photographer, my passion for culture and world travel combines with an appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds us in our lives. There is no doubt, photography with a journalistic style, teaches us to be present “in the moment.” Each of my…

  • Gus Cisneros State Farm Insurance

    19 Jun 2013 | 1:21 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. Call (305) 826-8222 for a free insurance quote today!.

  • Sharleen Miller Allstate Insurance

    19 Jun 2013 | 12:14 pm
    Excellent Rates on many types of insurance including Auto Insurance, Renters Insurance, Life Insurance, Business Insurance, & more. Save up to 35% on auto insurance. Discount rates without discount service. Call(574) 533-1700 for a free insurance quote today!

  • Phil Riehl State Farm Insurance

    19 Jun 2013 | 12:12 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. Call (301) 863-7007 for a free insurance quote today!

  • Moving Company Encino

    19 Jun 2013 | 11:06 am
    We are a local relocating company helping the Encino region. We are movers which supply relocation moves from and to Encino and all of California. Get a free estimate from us today.
 
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    JourneyEtc

  • Events in Cedar Rapids this June

    Randy Colt
    12 Jun 2013 | 4:57 pm
    If you are planning to visit Cedar Rapids, Iowa , you can easily find a home away from home since there are a lot of Cedar Rapids hotels. While enjoying the attractions, destinations, and activities,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Anti-Travel Scam Tips: Don’t Leave Home Without It

    Randy Colt
    7 Jun 2013 | 11:03 am
    Whether you’re a seasoned jetsetter or a first time traveler to a local or international destination, make yourself aware of these common travel scams that plagued many countries. Here’s what you... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • World’s Most Famous Eco Lodges

    Randy Colt
    5 Jun 2013 | 10:47 am
    These days, more and more travelers are discovering and enjoying the advantages of booking at eco lodges. Apart from adapting more eco-friendly travel tips, the travelers themselves find interest not... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • World’s Top Budget Airlines

    Randy Colt
    30 May 2013 | 7:26 am
    With today’s modern technology, the world has become a smaller place. Anyone with a computer or smart phone and Internet connection can book hotels halfway around the world and plan their travel... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Top Kebab Restaurants in Turkey

    Randy Colt
    28 May 2013 | 7:15 am
    When in Turkey, do what the Turks do—dine at the best kebab restaurants! After all, no one else understands the delicacy that is the kebab more than the Turks. For them, kebabs are not just staples... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    Daily Catch

  • Build Stronger Near the Beach

    marisaspyker
    17 Jun 2013 | 4:27 pm
    Our 2008 showhouse in Galveston, TX, went virtually unscathed after Hurricane Ike ravaged the town. (Photo: Jean Allsopp) With hurricane season off to an active start, making sure your coastal home will stand the test of Mother Nature is as important as ever. Whether it’s something as small as a two-inch nail or as large as an entire roof, the materials you choose for your home can greatly influence its durability in a storm. Our editor-at-large, Amy Goodman, appeared on Fox News’s Fox & Friends this week to give tips on building near the coast. Watch the clip here. Below,…

  • Welcome to our Beach Reads Book Club!

    marisaspyker
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    Photo: Ted Tucker If you’re anything like we are, your idea of the perfect summer day spent on the sand is vegging out with a cool drink and a hot new read. But how to navigate through the endless selection on bookstore shelves and Kindle recommendation lists for the perfect sand-between-your-toes tome? Join our Beach Reads Book Club! We’ve scoped out our favorite new page-turners, and we’d love for you to read along and share in the discussion. At the end of the month, grab your BFFs (and a pitcher of margaritas) for a live chat with our featured author. Here’s how it works:  …

  • It Takes Two

    kellybtomas
    12 Jun 2013 | 9:23 pm
    Lately, I feel compelled to have two of everything: a set of house keys in my purse, and another in my office in case I get locked out. A pair of sunglasses on my head, and another in my beach bag because I tend to forget that the ones on my head exist. A toothbrush in my bathroom, and another in my suitcase so that I’m always prepared for a quick summer getaway. I tell myself this is reasonable (even smart!), so I keep adding to my Noah’s ark of possessions. A pair of sneakers at home, and another in a gym locker. Two sets of makeup. The same book in print as on my iPad. A batch…

  • 2013 Showhouse Selects Local Charity Beneficiary

    Casey Campbell
    7 Jun 2013 | 11:18 am
    The 2013 Coastal Living Showhouse opens three weeks from today! We can’t wait to finally share our building and design ideas with you. Not only will this year’s Showhouse contain a myriad of decoration inspirations, but a portion of the proceeds from the tours will benefit the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Multiple Sclerosis Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS NOW—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. The Greater Carolinas Chapter serves over 14,400 individuals with MS and their…

  • Construction Update: Less Than a Month to Go!

    Casey Campbell
    29 May 2013 | 11:49 am
    We’re less than a month away from opening the Showhouse for tours. We can’t believe it! The house is coming along beautifully and our team is doing an incredible job bringing the pages of the magazine to life.  From roofing to custom lighting the Showhouse exterior has been transformed in the last few weeks. The Metal Roofing Alliance roof is officially installed. This high quality metal roof complements our coastal architecture—plus all MRA roofs are made from 30-60% recycled material! We’ve also started installing the striking Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights (below). These…
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    M Travel

  • Five tips for mobile from top travel brands

    kerryn
    17 Jun 2013 | 8:33 am
    The case for mobile is no longer a debatable one. Whether you are a legacy player or innovative start-up, all travel brands should be embracing mobile but how you do that depends on your business, writes Pamela Whitby. Not all travel brands are equal. So as with everything how firms tackle mobile will depend on their size, objectives, budget, customer and so on. That said, all travel brands today have recognised that mobile is absolutely integral to their success. Brands that were early embracers of mobile also recognise that they need to keep adapting to rapidly changing consumer behaviour.

  • Great expectations: mobile focus must be innovation and integration

    kerryn
    11 Jun 2013 | 3:09 am
    Having a comprehensive mobile strategy not only improves reach, it also makes a travel brand more relevant to users who are increasingly using devices on the move. While brands like are taking steps in the right direction, the integration of fragmented solutions and a focus on simplifying data entry should be top priorities, says Odigeo. Mobile-specific booking platforms have come a long way. In fact, they have reached a stage where they are competing with or even nudging ahead of traditional web assets. For instance, the travel industry has seen intermediaries replicating some of the…

  • Making an app a hit: astute marketing in a cluttered world

    kerryn
    31 May 2013 | 12:44 am
    It’s been a few years since the phenomenon of mobile apps forced its way into every travel company’s distribution and marketing plans. But today apps are being managed as a unique channel in their own right. Right from the get go, when a company identifies the core objective, an astute plan is needed to highlight the unique selling point of the app. Whether it is the name of the app, its design and functionality or its searchability in the ever developing world of apps, everything has to be crafted thoughtfully. Interesting examples of how to work out a marketing strategy for an app are…

  • Triposo, KLM, Bookassist: Three mobile categories, 160 entrants, three winners

    kerryn
    29 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    At every Travel Distribution Summit, EyeforTravel rewards members of the travel industry for innovating in a particular field. This year mobile innovation was the theme of the competition. Pamela Whitby found out what drives the winners of the competition, who collected their award in London last week. At last year’s Travel Distribution Summit, Europe everybody was talking about mobile – whether they should invest, where, how and why they should invest. This year, there is no doubt: mobile is big today and mobile is the future. Unsurprisingly then, EyeforTravel decided to focus in on…

  • Best foot forward: creating appeal in a multi-screen market

    kerryn
    21 May 2013 | 5:03 am
    The debate around how to handle content across three diverse distribution and marketing channels – desktop, mobile, tablet – continues to be lively. But even though agreement cannot be reached on which is the best way forward, the travel industry is witnessing new launches. As recently as the end of April, online travel agency ebookers introduced its all-in-one travel app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The app, ebookers Travel: Hotels, Flights, Car Hire, lets users search and book the three main components of travel: hotels, flights and car hire. ebookers is perfectly positioned to…
 
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    HOTELMARKETING.COM

  • Tablets overtake smartphones for hotel website traffic

    markus.busch@hotelmarketing.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:05 am
    Google predicts that US hotel searches will be up 24% in 2013 overall, but that includes a 68% uptick in searches from mobile devices against a 4% decrease in desktop queries. Searches from tablets, in particular, were expected to increase by 180%.

  • Google officially rolls out local carousel display in US for hotel searches

    markus.busch@hotelmarketing.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:04 am
    As suspected Google has announced the roll out the Carousel Display for local results “for local dining, nightlife, hotels, and other attractions on desktop." This launch is English and US-only for now. For hotel searches only advertisers and Google’s hotel finder are visible above the fold.

  • Sabre selling Travelocity Business to BCD Travel

    markus.busch@hotelmarketing.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:03 am
    Travel management company BCD Travel has acquired Travelocity Business, Travelocity’s corporate travel agency. The deal is seen as part of Sabre's run up to a public offering.

  • How Fairmont tackles the evolving search capabilities of social platforms

    markus.busch@hotelmarketing.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:02 am
    Hotel companies can’t afford to ignore the emerging search capabilities of social networks. As travellers increasingly access social networks with a desire to acquire knowledge, it is increasingly important to analyse how this is impacting the booking funnel.

  • Travel sector flying high in social

    markus.busch@hotelmarketing.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:01 am
    A new report by Headstream into the most social brands in the world has ranked companies from the travel sector in four of the top five positions. In total, the travel sector accounted for a huge 15% of brands in the top 100.
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    Been-Seen

  • Postcards From Chic Nomads: One Day in Gaitlinburg

    Maria
    17 Jun 2013 | 3:58 pm
    Being chic doesn’t always involve shopping at designer stores, lunching at the best restaurants, or grabbing drinks at the hottest lounge. In the Smoky Mountains and in my life, it means getting outside and exploring nature. Recently I spent a day all to myself getting to know this place I call home. I started the day with a small hike overlooking the quaint little town. I love the peacefulness of Gatlinburg in the morning. Year round this place is beautiful, but this time of year I can’t get over how green it is. The mountains feel so alive! Next I find myself doing…

  • An Authentic Puglian Trullo

    Maria
    3 Jun 2013 | 3:30 pm
    Put this on your travel bucket list: a night in authentic Puglian trullo.   For those unaware, Trullo are uniquely shaped stone residences that only appear in one place: Italy's Itria Valley. Distinguished by their conical shapes, these homes were originally built to house agricultural laborers in the 19th century, however many of them have survived to the present day. Charming Trullo is one such residence.   An authentic 200 years old trullo without any artificial building additions, Charming Trullo is surrounded by an unspoiled countryside, extensive gardens, shady al fresco…

  • What Floats? Everything.

    Maria
    3 Jun 2013 | 2:32 pm
    Boats aren't the only thing that float. Think about leaves floating on the breeze, hot air balloons gliding through the sky, clouds drifting overhead, humans hovering above water. (Well, maybe not the last one.) On a more summery note, think of ice cubes bobbing in a frosty glass or innertubes wafting across a bright blue swimming pool. We became curious about things that float and found that humans, animals, and gadgets all can float. Even the Earth is floating in space. With a little bit of imagination (and some Photoshop skills), almost everything can float. Read…

  • On The Ave New York

    Maria
    29 May 2013 | 10:56 pm
    Bright lights, big city – there’s no better place for a fabulous vacation than New York City! This city is packed with excitement, good times and people, and many of the affordable hotels also pack people in. But why stay in one of those when you can spread out and get comfortable? When you stay at a boutique hotel in NYC, you’ll enjoy your hotel as much as you enjoy the shows, restaurants and sights. One hotel that combines comfort and convenience with a great price is One the Ave.   One of the best things about On the Ave is it’s convenient location. Located…

  • 11 Mirrors Design Hotel

    Maria
    22 May 2013 | 12:52 pm
    Kiev, the capital city of the Ukraine, has emerged from the shadow of the USSR to become one of the most vibrant cities of the 21st century. 11 Mirrors Boutique Hotel is the small hotel such a city deserves, independent and elegant with a strong sense of style. The Hotel is ideally located in the very heart of old Kiev, on Bohdana Khmelnytskogo Street, just a few meters from the National Opera House. Each of the 49 guestrooms and suites at the 11 Mirrors Hotel takes inspiration from contemporary interior design with profound understanding of worldwide trends and new concepts. The theme…
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    MiceChat

  • DESIGN: Those Were The Times No. 12 – 1991 Fast Wireframe Design

    Bob Gurr
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am
    Want to know how Disney Imagineering works? Disney legend, Bob Gurr, takes us back to his days working at Disneyland. He has spun the Wheel of Years and landed on 1991 to talk about his…The post DESIGN: Those Were The Times No. 12 – 1991 Fast Wireframe Design appeared first on MiceChat.

  • Dueling Disney: Best Second Gate

    Keith Gluck
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    The term “second gate” refers to a resort’s second theme park. Disney’s first second gate, EPCOT Center, opened in Walt Disney World in October of 1982. Disneyland didn’t get its second gate, Disney’s California Adventure…The post Dueling Disney: Best Second Gate appeared first on MiceChat.

  • Disney News Round up: Starbucks, D23 is Free and more!

    Anthony Hays
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am
    Welcome to the re-designed Disney News Round Up, we hope you enjoy what we have been putting together for the past eight years! This week has been busy with Disney news. Starbucks has opened to…The post Disney News Round up: Starbucks, D23 is Free and more! appeared first on MiceChat.

  • Communicore Weekly – Timber Mountain Log Ride, WARP, Atlantis, Emperors New Groove, Bud Hurlbut

    Jeff Heimbuch
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:49 am
    Welcome to this week’s Communicore Weekly, where we talk about Timber Mountain Log Ride, WARP, Atlantis, Emperors New Groove, and Bud Hurlbut! Download on iTunes here! | http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/communicore-weekly/id496333443 Direct download here! | http://www.bamferproductions.com/communicore/0075-CommunicoreWeekly.mp3 DISNEY HISTORY! –  Sometimes…The post Communicore Weekly – Timber Mountain Log Ride, WARP, Atlantis, Emperors New Groove, Bud Hurlbut appeared first on MiceChat.

  • Universal Orlando Resort Update: The Mad Dash to the Transformers Grand Opening

    Eric Davis
    18 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am
    Transformers the Ride: 3-D officially opens this Thursday, June 20th.  While all the focus will be on the newest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort, last minute projects are being completed elsewhere in the resort…The post Universal Orlando Resort Update: The Mad Dash to the Transformers Grand Opening appeared first on MiceChat.
 
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    A Luxury Travel Blog

  • Top 5 ways to make sure she says ‘yes’ when you propose on safari

    Rose Hipwood
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:38 am
    Africa is one of the world’s most luxurious destinations and with the wide open spaces comes unrivalled romanticism. The vast plains dotted with wildlife and stunning sunsets and sunrises make Africa one of the top places to propose. This continent is not only for honeymoons but also a fantastic place to start your engagement. On [...]Top 5 ways to make sure she says ‘yes’ when you propose on safari is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Top 5 ways to make sure she says ‘yes’ when you propose on safari appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.

  • 4 of the world’s best luxury honeymoon combinations

    Tom Marchant
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:27 am
    With the nuptial season slowly but surely creeping upon us, there’s a flurry of weddings on the way… and with weddings, of course, come honeymoons. Calling all grooms (and untrusting brides), here is our guide to some of the top honeymoon destination combinations around the world. Oman & the Maldives  Best to travel during and [...]4 of the world’s best luxury honeymoon combinations is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post 4 of the world’s best luxury honeymoon combinations appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.

  • Interview with Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, Founder and Director of Passepartout Homes

    Paul Johnson
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:38 am
    Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, originally from Italy, moved to London in 2000, after working in Belgium and Germany. After 13 years as Direct Marketing Manager for international publishing and news companies, most recently for Bloomberg LP, Paola decided to launch Passepartout Homes in 2011. This is her first experience as an entrepreneur. Paola graduated from the Catholic University [...]Interview with Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, Founder and Director of Passepartout Homes is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Interview with Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, Founder and Director of…

  • Photograph of the week: Don Khone Waterfall, Mekong River, Laos

    Paul Johnson
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:01 am
    The Mekong River cascades over rocks and boulders forming the Don Khone waterfall in Don Det, 4000 Islands, Laos.  Accessed by bicycling down bumpy dirt pathways through rice paddies, past fat-bellied pigs, and sharing the narrow road with the occasional 10-year-old local on a motorbike whizzing by, this waterfall is the gateway to the famous [...]Photograph of the week: Don Khone Waterfall, Mekong River, Laos is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Photograph of the week: Don Khone Waterfall, Mekong River, Laos appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.

  • Top 10 luxury hotels in New York

    Emily Turner
    18 Jun 2013 | 6:38 am
    New York is the world’s most cosmopolitan city, bursting with stylish bars, fashionable restaurants, exclusive art galleries, renowned museums, world-class shops and iconic sights on every corner. From the bright lights of Broadway and Times Square, to the leafy streets of SoHo and the verdant landscape of Central Park, New York City is buzzing with [...]Top 10 luxury hotels in New York is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Top 10 luxury hotels in New York appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
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    Discovering Puerto Rico

  • San Juan Holocaust Memorial

    Brian
    13 Jun 2013 | 10:45 am
    A couple of weeks ago I took some time to explore the Capital District of San Juan and if you have the time I highly recommend it. One of the most moving memorials that you will find along Constitution Avenue is the San Juan Holocaust Memorial that was inaugurated in March 2012. Designed by New York artists Michael Berkowicz and Bonnie Srolovitz, the memorial is made from weathering steel with carved out images representing a family whose shadows are cast in black granite. For me it is these shadows that really make you stop and think and also give rise to the statues title ‘In the Shadow…

  • Mouth Watering Food Tours

    Brian
    11 Jun 2013 | 10:36 am
    Puerto Rico’s culinary scene just keeps getting bigger and better and one of the best ways to explore and enjoy the local dishes is with a San Juan food tour. Currently there are 3 great tour companies offering food tours in San Juan; Spun Food Tours, Flavors of San Juan and Legends of PR. Each company offers a variety of food tours that let you explore the flavors of Puerto Rico’s traditional foods as well as learning about the islands history, architecture and culture. Along with their tours in and around the San Juan area, all three companies offer private tours that can be customized…

  • Puerto Rico: Birth Place of the Piña Colada

    Brian
    4 Jun 2013 | 10:34 am
    Puerto Rico and Piña Colada go hand in hand; in fact it has been the official drink of the island since 1978. You will find it everywhere, bars, restaurants, roadside kiosks with or without rum, so do yourself a favor when you are here; try one or two Piña Coladas and see why it is so popular. Now, everyone agrees that the humble Piña Colada was born in Puerto Rico, but folks can’t seem to agree on exactly who invented it. There are two camps that claim they invented Puerto Rico’s National Drink: The Caribe Hilton Hotel and Barrachina Restaurant in Old San Juan. The Caribe Hilton lays…

  • Puerto Rico Events: June 2013

    Brian
    30 May 2013 | 10:37 am
    June might herald the start of Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico, but it also means summer is here, with plenty of events to checkout. Highlights for June include: the ever popular Abionita Flower Festival, Agrópolis Country Fair and the biggest event of the month the St. John the Baptist Festival. Jun 27 – Jul 7, Aibonito Flower Festival Starting towards the end of the monbth and running into the first week of July, the Aibonita Flower Festival is the biggest in plant/flower festival in Puerto Rico. This is one very colorful event where you will find amazing displays, plants and flowers…

  • Big Picture: Cuartel de Ballajá, Old San Juan

    Brian
    9 May 2013 | 10:46 am
    Cuartel de Ballajá in Old San Juan Related posts:2013 San Sebastian Street Festival, Old San Juan Big Picture: San Juan Bay Big Picture: Fishing Pier, Old San Juan
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    INKWATU

  • Morning walk: trawler

    Hilton Kean Jones
    29 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    After a week and a half of neglecting my walks, I finally restarted them. Lapses are bound to happen. As in meditation, all that matters is returning to the task at hand. It was good to be back. Pretty humid this morning, but a good strong wind helped keep it from being overwhelming. Saw a trawler this morning that I believe had been made over into a pleasure boat. Only once did I ever really consider buying a boat. The boat that had taken my fancy was a trawler. Thankfully, I was wisely dissuaded from pursuing that folly. I can barely keep a tiny condo shipshape, let alone a boat. This boat…

  • Morning walk: sound heals

    Hilton Kean Jones
    19 May 2013 | 5:57 pm
    Click here to listen to water’s sound Listening to this sound (recorded on a walk last week) as I walk in the predawn colors is a big part of what keeps me going back. I know now that the days I walk seem to last longer, are more productive, and my head’s in a better place. As a kid, on my grandfather’s old upright floor console radio, in my bedroom late at night, I’d listen to an AM radio broadcast from San Francisco. There was only AM and shortwave in those days; FM radio didn’t exist yet. I’d listen to shortwave symphony concerts from Europe sometimes.

  • Jumping fish

    Hilton Kean Jones
    9 May 2013 | 11:03 am
    As the sun rises earlier and earlier heading toward summer, I walk earlier. I’m not sure how the tides and sunrise figure into this but I’ve noticed that the fish are jumping out of the water a lot more at this earlier hour. The birds know it too. Some of the splashes aren’t fish, I know, because they have a different character wave action from the ones where I see fish jumping. I suspect they’re from manatee. There are signs everywhere warning the boaters about them. But, the water’s too murky to see them. Maybe later in the day when there’s lots of…

  • New motivational goal for my morning walks

    Hilton Kean Jones
    6 May 2013 | 4:11 am
    It may be that one of the reasons I’ve not been taking snapshots on my morning walks recently is that I’ve mistakenly thought I’ve taken a snapshot of everything there is to see at my favorite walking spots. Wrong! There’s always something new to see, isn’t there? As many times as I’ve walked past that topiary ship’s anchor, I’ve never seen it before. So, got myself a new goal to trick myself into taking a morning walk: spot sonething I’ve never seen before and take a picture of it. Most images link to larger images. click on larger image…

  • Morning walks: still at it

    Hilton Kean Jones
    10 Apr 2013 | 4:19 am
    I was able to help motivate myself to establish my habit of morning walks, earlier this year, by tricking myself, telling myself I was just going out to take snapshots. No attempt at “photography,” not even “street photography.” Just snapshots. It worked. I haven’t been posting many of those photos recently, simply because I haven’t needed to take snapshots to get my body in motion. The habit of walking seems pretty well established. Pretty well…not 100%! Lest I become a slacker, something I do with the greatest of ease, I’m going to make a…
 
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    Hawaiimagazine.com | HAWAII Today

  • Hawaii Food & Wine Festival announces lineup for daytime events on Oahu

    19 Jun 2013 | 12:21 am
    Hawaii Food & Wine Festival announces lineup for daytime events on Oahu Organizers of the third annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, slated for Sept. 1-9, last week announced the lineup for daytime events that offer up-close-and-personal experiences with chefs, farmers, winemakers, and cultural practitioners.The fest, which showcases Hawaii’s bounty of locally sourced produce, seafood, beef and poultry, features more than 70 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers.Co-founded by two of Hawaii’s James Beard...

  • Hawaii Pollinator Week focuses on role of bees in maintaining diverse ecosystems

    18 Jun 2013 | 4:13 am
    Hawaii Pollinator Week focuses on role of bees in maintaining diverse ecosystems In Hawaii, bees help to balance a delicate ecosystem and curate some of our signature plant species such as the ohia lehua and macadamia nut tree. Honey has also long been ranked amongst Hawaii’s top food exports.In recent years, however, mites, small hive beetles, and a tiny parasite called nosema have decimated honeybee populations on the U.S. Mainland and in parts of Hawaii. Researchers also blame some pesticides and various environmental changes for the phenomenon dubbed “Colony Collapse…

  • Your stunning Hawaii photo could win a free Maui vacation for two from HAWAII Magazine

    17 Jun 2013 | 5:31 am
    Your stunning Hawaii photo could win a free Maui vacation for two from HAWAII Magazine Do you have an amazing Hawaii photograph? One that captures the breathtaking beauty of our lush landscapes and shorelines. Or a memorable moment depicting people and culture in the Islands. How about an artistic abstract shot?If so, enter your best photos in HAWAII Magazine’s 15th annual Photo Contest. Your photography could win you a grand-prize six-day/five-night stay at The Kapalua Villas on Maui’s west side, airfare and various other goodies, such as a chic digital camera fitted with a…

  • Honolulu Night Market spotlights high-flying motocross, vintage summertime fashion

    14 Jun 2013 | 5:56 am
    Honolulu Night Market spotlights high-flying motocross, vintage summertime fashion  When was the last time your Saturday evening included high-flying motocross, reggae beats, and a fashion show, all in one place? How about your choice of sweet and savory French crepes, spicy coconut curries, or Argentinian empanadas? All of these (and more) can be found at Kakaako’s monthly block party, Honolulu Night Market.This Saturday (June 15), and on every third Saturday of the month, Night Market takes over Auahi Street, collaborating with pop-up eateries, local artists and designers, live…

  • Hawaii’s Jack Johnson releases new single, premiering songs in pair of acoustic shows

    12 Jun 2013 | 8:45 am
    Hawaii&rsquo;s Jack Johnson releases new single, premiering songs in pair of acoustic shows After a long three years of sitting, waiting, and wishing, Jack Johnson fans are eagerly hitting the play button on the Hawaii singer-songwriter’s new single, I Got You, which was released this week. Recorded at Johnson’s own Mango Tree Studio on Oahu’s North Shore, the song features a breezy, fingerpicking melody and, of course, Johnson’s smooth, heartfelt vocals.The single is the first release from Johnson’s sixth studio album to date, From Here to Now to You, which…
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    Travel Savvy Mom: Family Vacations, Hotels, Destinations, and Gear » blog

  • Family vacation fun with city bike tours

    Jamie Pearson
    3 Jun 2013 | 2:08 pm
    Taking a family vacation to New York or Chicago?  Try one of these city bike tours Bicycling everywhere is what I miss most about my years living in the Netherlands. I brought my beloved omafiets back with me to the US, but that sturdy cruiser is not built for the 5 block hill between my [...]The post Family vacation fun with city bike tours appeared first on Travel Savvy Mom: Family Vacations, Hotels, Destinations, and Gear.

  • San Diego with Kids

    Julie Breitigan
    28 May 2013 | 3:32 am
    My love affair with urban, cultural Balboa Park When my husband was recently sent to San Diego for a few weeks for work, I grabbed our 6, 5, and 1-year-old daughters and tagged along.  I’d been wanting to explore San Diego with kids for awhile. After a brief battle with my new GPS, I set [...]The post San Diego with Kids appeared first on Travel Savvy Mom: Family Vacations, Hotels, Destinations, and Gear.

  • Vacation Deals in Asia for Families

    Jamie Pearson
    16 May 2013 | 3:29 pm
    Great family vacation deals to Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam and more Last summer I booked a custom private guided tour to Thailand with Kensington Tours.  It was everything a family vacation should be: fun, exciting, safe, and –yes!– modestly priced. The highlight of the trip was Chiang Mai, but we saw a fair bit of [...]The post Vacation Deals in Asia for Families appeared first on Travel Savvy Mom: Family Vacations, Hotels, Destinations, and Gear.

  • So You Think You Can Pack?

    Jamie Pearson
    16 May 2013 | 12:18 pm
    How to pack for a family vacation.  Or any vacation. When Condé Nast Traveler asked me to join their Family Travel Bloggers Panel as an expert, I didn’t hesitate.  After all, it’s a subject I know inside and out.  Along with a handful of other family travel writers, I hopped on board. The first topic [...]The post So You Think You Can Pack? appeared first on Travel Savvy Mom: Family Vacations, Hotels, Destinations, and Gear.

  • A Family Vacation in Scotland with Adventures by Disney

    Jamie Pearson
    14 May 2013 | 11:59 am
    Expert answers to family travel questions about Adventures by Disney and Scotland: A Brave Adventure Last month, my kids and I were invited to sample Adventures by Disney’s newest itinerary, Scotland: A Brave Adventure – a 9-day ramble around Edinburgh, Loch Ness, a couple of islands, and the Highlands. When planning a family vacation, I [...]The post A Family Vacation in Scotland with Adventures by Disney appeared first on Travel Savvy Mom: Family Vacations, Hotels, Destinations, and Gear.
 
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    Cleared for Takeoff - The Triporati Blog

  • Calaveras Big Trees, Fiji Cannibals and La Dolce Vita

    Larry Habegger
    13 Jun 2013 | 5:04 pm
    The other day I accompanied my daughter’s 6th grade class on a field trip to Calaveras County where we wandered among the big trees (giant sequoias) and camped in the forest by a meadow in one of California’s pristine state parks. I expected awe and inspiration, and a lot of kid fun, and I got that. But I also got some things I didn’t expect. That’s usually the way with travel. You have some notions about what you’ll experience and at some point the path diverges and you end up someplace you hadn’t planned. A side trip in Calaveras County took me to the…

  • The Blue Lagoon’s Green Pedigree

    Darya Mead
    4 Jun 2013 | 2:58 pm
    The effects of climate change are everywhere. I just visited my beloved Coney Island only to find famous Nathan’s (among many other businesses and communities) still not back on their feet post Hurricane Sandy. Monster tornadoes in Oklahoma have swept through entire towns. The twister that hit near Oklahoma City May 31 was the widest ever recorded. Clearly we need to do what we can to make our lives more sustainable. Solar power is perceived by some as a drop in the bucket, but it can really make a difference, particularly in remote places where sun is plentiful and power is expensive…

  • Hardcore Handball and Strudel

    Darya Mead
    14 May 2013 | 2:47 pm
    I just spent seven jam-packed days of nostalgia and appreciation of the ever-evolving city of New York. The weather was perfect, the spring blooms at their peak and that dazzling mix of old world and high tech chic on display everywhere. I try to make it back to New York at least once a year, usually for events, this time my epic High School reunion. I often travel solo but this time my companion was my nine-year-old. There was so much I wanted to share with him and narrowing down our plans was painful…and true to how I roll, the best things happened serendipitously. We walked by the…

  • On Everest: Thin Air, Thin Hair, Thin Skin?

    Larry Habegger
    2 May 2013 | 3:56 pm
    It’s climbing season again on Mount Everest, and like most years, it looks to be a busy time at high altitude. The peak period for reaching the summit is a few short weeks in late April and early May, and reports say at least 32 expeditions are planned from the Nepal side. That makes for quite a crowd trying to inchworm its way up the mountain. Tempers, no doubt, will flare. Just a few days ago, in a widely reported story, things did get out of hand when a crowd of Sherpas fought with three foreign climbers in a dispute over fixing ropes on the route high up the mountain. In a story for…

  • Ottawa’s Canal Skammute

    Darya Mead
    5 Apr 2013 | 4:37 pm
    As daffodils blossom and birds once again sing in the trees, spring has sprung in many parts of North America. Many folks have weathered a long snowy winter and crave warmth, sunshine on their bare arms and all the outdoor activities that forced hibernation kept from them over the last few months. I, for one, can never get enough of winter fun. Living in San Francisco, a trip to the mountains is easy but requires some planning and often ice skating indoors has to satisfy my cravings. In Ottawa, Ontario, workers and students can ice-skate commute (skammute?) on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The…
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    The World Wide Will

  • Weathering Your Vacation Anxieties | By Irene S. Levine

    World Wide Will
    31 May 2013 | 11:09 am
    No matter how much we plan, things don’t always turn out as we hope they will—especially on vacations, when expectations tend to soar exponentially. Even the weather, which is growing more fickle than ever, can throw a monkey wrench in the best-laid vacation plans. There was the time my husband and I traveled to Boca [...]

  • Hitting the Rail On the Head – Letter from the President

    World Wide Will
    14 May 2013 | 7:49 am
    By: Roy Berger, MedjetAssist President/CEO You let me down, old friend. I was counting on you for a different and pleasant experience. Much different than the one you ultimately gave me. If I wanted to fly, I know the routine all too well: lines, confusion, TSA, jostling, then a little more jostling, baggage lying everywhere [...]

  • Getting My Brazilian Visa

    World Wide Will
    14 May 2013 | 4:42 am
    I am heading to South America and one of my stops will be Rio de Janeiro. I am very excited about the trip. I have wanted to go to Brazil ever since my parents went there when I was nine years old. However, unlike my parents’ trip many (many) years ago, I must have a [...]

  • Medjet Update: Tips for a Safe & Healthy Trip

    World Wide Will
    13 May 2013 | 5:49 am
    By: John Gobbels MedjetAssist VP/COO You’ve planned and packed and you’re all ready for your trip, but you may have overlooked one of the key ingredients for a great vacation: taking the necessary steps to make sure you and your family have a safe and healthy trip. COMMON TRAVEL AILMENTS Motion Sickness Motion sickness is [...]

  • Andrew Harper’s Free Download: Summer Escapes Hideaway Report

    World Wide Will
    13 May 2013 | 5:47 am
    Andrew Harper’s Free Download Dear MedjetAssist Members, Please enjoy a complimentary issue of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report focusing on two classic summer destinations: Maine and the French Alps. When the snowfields have been replaced by flower-strewn meadows, the Haute-Savoie region of France is one of my favorite destinations, with enchanting small hotels and an increasing [...]
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    Vagablond

  • Glenn Hotel – Atlanta, Georgia

    Bhavesh Bhatia
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:46 pm
    We chose this hotel for the location, The Glenn is located near CNN center and Phillips Arena. If you have a concert that weekend, this is the perfect place to stay. The customer service was excellent but the best part I would say is location. It has a lovely and eccentric feel as soon as you walk through the front doors. The rooms are nicely appointed, if you are looking for a cocktail before the event (as we were) the rooftop bar is perfect. The staff is as friendly as they come. The rooms are somewhat small, but it is a boutique hotel after all. Fun historical trivia fact about the hotel…

  • The Pearl Hotel – San Diego

    Ava Stochinsky
    6 Jun 2013 | 4:29 pm
    We have spent a great deal of time in San Diego, and there are certainly no shortage of hipster hotels to choose from. However, if you want someone right in the thick of things you should consider the Pearl Hotel. The decor is delightfully sleek, sophisticated yet casual and inviting. You walk in to the lobby surrounded by warm lighting and a very eclectic vibe, while being greeted by excellent staff member’s. The rooms are a combination of a retro-modern complete with telephones, storage space, comfy beds, and don’t let me forget…a goldfish. The food, if you hadn’t…

  • Wheeler’s of St.James – London

    Chris
    21 May 2013 | 4:33 pm
    What can you say about a guy who was the youngest chef to collect three Michelin stars. Well for me, you would not say much because you’re not so much the Michelin star kind of cook, but would head more towards a Jamie Oliver restaurant. What changed my mind slightly was watching Marco Pierre White as a judge/coach on the Masterchef Australia – the Professionals. He walked into the room and all of the contestants were in shear awe of this man. He has the reputation of actually making Gordon Ramsay cry. Ramsay, along with many others, including Curtis Stone learned some of their…

  • The Sagamore Resort – Bolton Landing, NY

    Bhavesh Bhatia
    18 May 2013 | 9:20 am
    Surrounded by the untouched beauty of the Adirondack Mountains near Lake George, the gorgeous Sagamore Resort is a perfect destination for visitors who want to escape into nature to get relief from the bustle of their daily schedules in an artificial world. The magnificent boutique resort is at the southern tip of the Green Island, and overlooks the peerless beauty of the island which is enhanced by the cool breeze of the lake and its cool waters. The sound of the Atlantic waves creates a humming song to strike the eardrums of the guests while they feel comfortable, cozy and warm in the…

  • Fiamma Trattoria & Bar – MGM Grand, Las Vegas

    Ava Stochinsky
    1 May 2013 | 10:05 pm
    You have heard me gush before about a meal that resonates. You also know there are a zillion places to choose from when it is time to pull yourself away from the pool or the slot machines. I strongly urge you to make a point of adding Fiamma to your MUST SEE places to eat when you roll into Las Vegas next time. We thought two hours was plenty before our show to thoroughly enjoy our meal. The courses kept coming and each dish was better than the next. My only regret was we did not have longer to savor every morsel. Great atmosphere and delicious flavors. I had the Paglia e Fieno, which is a…
 
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    Travels with Children by minnemom

  • Minnesota Day Trip to the Northfield Area

    minnemom
    28 May 2013 | 8:09 am
    On a gloomy Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, my kids and set off on a mostly-unplanned day trip. “Kids, get your laundry put away and your rooms tidied up so we can leave.” “Leave?  Where are we going?” “It’s a surprise!” “Oh, I like surprises.” Before we headed out the door, the only clue I gave them was that we were going to go somewhere related to a TV show they like to watch. I gave them each a small notebook, and as we drove down the road, I instructed them to start writing several clues, which they would also use as a scavenger…

  • Minnesota Highway 61 Road Trip: Red Wing, Wabasha, Kellogg

    minnemom
    20 May 2013 | 7:26 am
    Perusing Facebook on a Friday evening recently, I noticed a friend’s status:  “4-H field trip to Red Wing/Wabasha tomorrow; we still have room for 4-6 people. Anyone interested?”  With an open Saturday on the calendar and a husband busy planting corn, my kids and I were quick to respond, “Yes!” I had done a similar trip thirteen years ago with a Home Extension group of women, all my elders by 20+ years, and enjoyed it then.  I was interested to see if our stops would be as interesting for kids. Red Wing Pottery Store and Museum, Red Wing, MN Our first stop was…

  • Finding More Fun: Family Travel Links, “It’s March Already?” edition

    minnemom
    4 Mar 2013 | 11:42 am
    Time flies when you’re having fun, whether or not you’re traveling.  If you’re beginning to plan your summer travels, consider some of these locations.  Some are famous, some off the beaten path, and some may be right in your backyard.  I hope you find something that your family will enjoy. Alcatraz (San Francisco, CA) at Family Travels on a Budget. (Good, detailed info for families in this post.) The Best Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids at Ciao Bambino. Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI, at Road Trips for Families. Broken Down Dam, Fergus Falls, MN, at Highway…

  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site near Philip, South Dakota

    minnemom
    4 Mar 2013 | 6:56 am
    When driving across South Dakota on I-90 en route from more eastern states to the Black Hills, there are a number of attractions and tourist traps that can provide a break from the ribbon of highway.  Wall Drug, Mitchell’s Corn Palace, 1880 Town, and a roadside sculpture park are all worthwhile stops along this stretch of road, but if you want to visit a real piece of history, find your way to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Growing up in North Dakota in the 1970s and 80s, missile sites were commonplace.  We passed one underground missile silo on the way to school each…

  • Snowcoach Tour of Yellowstone National Park from Big Sky Resort

    minnemom
    30 Jan 2013 | 9:06 am
    When we were considering a trip to Big Sky Resort, one of the activities that intrigued me most was a snowcoach tour of Yellowstone National Park.  While three million or so people visit America’s first National Park each year, only a fraction do so during the winter months when access to most of the park is only allowed by guided snowmobile or snowcoach tours.  The idea of seeing Yellowstone’s geysers amidst a cover of snow, and without throngs of people, was something I wanted our family to experience. There are several snowcoach companies that operate tours into the park…
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    Information About Alaska (IAA)

  • NASA Records Rare Clear View of Alaska

    Alan Sorum
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:59 pm
    There has been some unusually warm and clear weather in South Central Alaska in the past week. Valdez saw its highest temperature ever recorded of 90° Fahrenheit on Monday, June 17, 2013, beating the previous record of 87°F registered on June 25, 1953. A very strong and warm ridge of high pressure parked itself over [...]The post NASA Records Rare Clear View of Alaska appeared first on Information About Alaska (IAA).

  • Kennecott National Historic Landmark: A Glimpse Back at the Alaska Syndicate Mining Empire

    Alan Sorum
    11 Jun 2013 | 12:43 pm
    Kennecott is a historic mining town tucked away in a corner of the great Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Built to claim a truly huge and rich copper deposit in some of the wildest terrain of Alaska, much of this mining town remains in place. Congress designated Kennecott as a National Historic Landmark in [...]The post Kennecott National Historic Landmark: A Glimpse Back at the Alaska Syndicate Mining Empire appeared first on Information About Alaska (IAA).

  • The Future History of the Arctic by Charles Emmerson

    Alan Sorum
    11 Jun 2013 | 12:20 pm
    The north has captured the public imagination for generations. Stories of the search for the North Pole, the Northwest Passage and a land of everlasting ice are nearly the stuff of myths. Regardless of deniers, the Arctic is changing because of changing climatic conditions and ready access to the region increases annually. The future history [...]The post The Future History of the Arctic by Charles Emmerson appeared first on Information About Alaska (IAA).

  • Sustainable Fishing Boat Being Built for Alaska Fishery

    Alan Sorum
    11 Jun 2013 | 11:27 am
    Blue North Fisheries is company operating a fleet of head and gut freezer longliners in the Gulf of Mexico and Bering Sea. The company harvests and processes Pacific Cod, Black Cod or Sablefish, Alaska Pollock and Turbot with these vessels using hook and line equipment. Recenty, Blue North announced a new build program for a [...]The post Sustainable Fishing Boat Being Built for Alaska Fishery appeared first on Information About Alaska (IAA).

  • Chilkoot Trail to the Klondike: 1898 Gold Rush Route from Dyea to Lake Bennett via Chilkoot Pass

    Alan Sorum
    9 Jun 2013 | 11:03 pm
    Alaska’s Panhandle is a rocky, narrow strip of land closely abutting British Columbia, running some 644 kilometers (400 miles) from Ketchikan to the upper end of the Inside Passage at Skagway. During the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, Steamships carried thousands of prospectors through Inside Passage from Seattle to jam the docks of Skagway and [...]The post Chilkoot Trail to the Klondike: 1898 Gold Rush Route from Dyea to Lake Bennett via Chilkoot Pass appeared first on Information About Alaska (IAA).
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    Smith Travel Blog

  • Five of the best romantic mini-breaks: a style guide

    Lucy Fennings
    14 Jun 2013 | 1:56 am
    You already know that Smith hotels and romantic weekends go together like moonlight and music: but what are the other ingredients of a super-stylish mini-break? We’ve rounded up this season’s perfect weekend-away travel companions – from the products that will make eyes sparkle on the Amalfi Coast to the best bedrooms to book in Barcelona… Best of all, we’ve discovered an amazing Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv gift that includes all your summer essentials, exclusively at Harrods. Read on to find out more… DESTINATION Barcelona  BEST FOR… Cosmopolitan culture Basking on the…

  • Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji: hotel of the week

    Sarah Jappy
    13 Jun 2013 | 10:31 pm
    With the Southern Hemisphere winter well and truly underway, at Smith HQ in Melbourne we’re feeling sodden, sniffly and in serious need of some sunshine. As luck would have it, our frosty months coincide with Fiji’s mild dry season – so pack a suitcase full of swimmers and make haste for Pacific paradise, Royal Davui Island Resort. Style Casual take on tropical Setting Bijou island in Beqa Lagoon Why this week? Fiji is a white-sanded seducer, made all the more tempting by this timely all-inclusive discount offer. Book between now and 1 November 2013 to enjoy seven nights’ stay for…

  • Meet Mr & Mrs Smith’s anonymous hotel reviewers: #11 Gemma Cairney

    Kate Weir
    13 Jun 2013 | 10:54 am
    We were thrilled to have BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney join our elite posse of ninja-like secret reviewers. As a clued-in culture maven who’s better known as the disembodied voice accompanying listeners’ breakfast bacon sarnies, she makes the perfect anonymous reviewer for Mr & Mrs Smith, who can flit about the hotel (in this case Budapest’s Brody House) incognito like a Keyser Soze-esque enigma. Of course, Gemma has a face suited for far more than radio, so we’re outing her here to add hotel connoisseurship to her already impressive skillset: DJ, stylist to musicians such…

  • In the diary: gad about like Gatsby

    Kate Thorman
    13 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    With the Gatsby bandwagon rumbling through town like a Rolls-Royce, we’ve rounded up the coolest hotels and happenings that capture the zeitgeist without drowning you in fringed flapper frocks… JAZZ UP YOUR SUMMER This weekend, in Gatsby’s home city of New York, we’re pulling out our kitten heels and spats for the bi-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party, now in its eighth year. Held under the trees on green Governors Island – just a five-minute ferry ride from the city – every June and August, this bash is the perfect excuse to pull out all the stops for an afternoon of dancing…

  • A cut above: Mark Hix’s carving masterclass at Brown’s Hotel

    Anthony Leyton
    12 Jun 2013 | 7:02 am
    The Smith Travel Blog team does love an outing (only last week we were mixing cocktails, remember), and we’re also partial to a meaty dinner, so when the opportunity came to combine the two with a trip to Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair for an evening with titan-of-the-London-restaurant-scene Mark Hix, we jumped at the chance… It’s a problem that many will never admit to; one faced on as much as a weekly basis by people across the world. The scene is the Sunday dinner table; a majestic roast has been presented – a tender joint of beef, a crisply coated chicken, a rosemary-pocked…
 
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    davidlansing.com

  • Casey and the fireman’s hat

    David
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:05 am
    Casey with the fireman’s hat at the Waterford Crystal factory in Ireland. Photo by David Lansing. We have just started the tour at the Waterford Crystal factory when Casey spots a crystal fireman’s helmet. She lifts it, surprised at how heavy it is. I ask her if she can hold it over her head, like she’s going to put it on, while I take a photo, but she’s afraid she’ll drop it. And, you know, owe Waterford twenty thousand dollars or something. Of all the crystal pieces we see at Waterford—a Viking’s ship, a piano, even a scene of the destruction of the Twin Towers on…

  • St. Declan and the Cliff Walk

    David
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:09 am
    Jan in her wellies. Photo by David Lansing. Before we head out on the Cliff Walk, Honor suggests that we put on a pair of wellies provided by the hotel. “It’ll be a bit slippery out there,” she says. I might put on some wellies but just glancing at the stacks of green boots in the wet room, it’s clear nothing will fit my rather large feet. Just as well. They’d probably make me look like a potato farmer. Jan’s wellies, however, make her look quite stylish. It’s gray out. And drizzling. (When is it not gray and wet in Ireland?) Honor leads us down a gravel path lined with…

  • Salmon marshmallows and beet macaroons at The Cliff House

    David
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:04 am
    Starters at the Cliff House restaurant in Ardmore included beet macaroons and salmon marshmallows. Photo by David Lansing. Here’s what it says on the menu at the Cliff House restaurant in Ardmore, called The House: “Martijn Kajuiter, our Executive Chef, has sourced as many of our supplies as possible from as local an area as possible, even going so far as to grow our own vegetable garden…From Tadgh O’Foghlu’s honey in nearby Ring, David Brown’s fresh fish from Helvick and Ardmore Bay, to Sean Twomey and Michael McGrath, our butchers in Youghal and Lismore, the quality of the…

  • Finding Honor at the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore

    David
    14 Jun 2013 | 12:05 am
    We’ve moved on from Cork to Ardmore, a little seaside town about 60 klicks to the southeast. We’re staying at the Cliff House Hotel, so named because…well, because it’s literally perched on the cliff here. The original hotel, called Kelly’s, after the owner, a Mr. Kelly from Connemara, was built in the 30s. Mr. Kelly ran the hotel until his death in 1983. After that, they tell me, the hotel fell into disrepair. Until the O’Callaghan family, who’d been coming to Ardmore on holidays forever, purchased the rather decrepit ol’ gal in 2005. They pretty much gutted the place and…

  • Derk and the spa ladies

    David
    13 Jun 2013 | 12:05 am
    Derk getting a manicure after high tea at Cork’s Hayfield Manor. Photo by David Lansing. So I mentioned yesterday that while we were having high tea at Hayfield Manor in Cork, Lisa Leahy, our host, also offered up the services of two of her spa manicurists (I’m not sure that’s a word—manicurist—but let’s go with it). No manicures for me. I bite my nails (yes, I know, disgusting). But I was curious about how this would work. Who, I wondered, was going to be the first lady to quickly down her tea and run over to the spa ladies to get her nails done? Actually, it wasn’t a…
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    Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

  • How to Get the Perfect Travel Credit Card

    NomadicMatt
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:12 pm
    This week’s travel video is on travel related credit cards. It’s a subject I’ve brought up a lot on this blog but since I haven’t in awhile, I thought reposting this video from Youtube would be helpful for many of you. Here is a basic primer on the subject: (Want more travel videos? I now update my YouTube channel each week with a new video. Subscribe here and get free videos!) I’ve also written in depth about the subject here too: Picking a travel credit card If you have any questions about this topic, ask in the comment section! The post How to Get the Perfect…

  • Success Stories: How Dan Readjusted to Life Back Home

    NomadicMatt
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:23 am
    Two months ago, Erin told us about how she readjusted to life after spending two years traveling the world. This month, continuing our reader story series, Dan shares his story about how he readjusts to life back home after spending enormous amounts of time on the road. What makes Dan’s story a little different is that he doesn’t permanently return – he comes home, works, then goes out and travels more. Dan, tell everyone about yourself. I’m English, and my first trip was a month spent inter-railing around Europe in 1991. I was 18. It didn’t actually go that well…

  • IMPORTANT and URGENT Message for All RSS Readers!

    NomadicMatt
    16 Jun 2013 | 2:24 pm
    Do you read this site via RSS like Google Reader? Then I have an important message for you that requires urgent action. On July 1st, Google will be shutting Google Reader down. That means you won’t have easy access to all the great travel tips and stories featured on this blog but here are two easy things you can do so you don’t miss any posts: 1. Find another feed reader and add this: http://feeds.feedburner.com/MattsTravelSite You can use Feedly, which is an awesome free site. 2. Join 35,000 other people on my weekly email newsletter, where you can get my posts, awesome tips not…

  • What’s It Like Taking a Night Train in Europe?

    NomadicMatt
    13 Jun 2013 | 6:53 am
    Earlier this week, I talked about European train passes and whether or not they were worth the money. As part of the continuing train series, in this week’s video, I highlight my night train from Madrid to Paris, a long twelve hour ride on an old Renfe (Spanish) train. (Quick note to Renfe: upgrade your trains!) Here’s the journey: (Want more travel videos? I now update my YouTube channel each week with a new video. Subscribe here and get free videos!) While I had a good time and the journey was comfortable (and the food surprisingly good), as I said in Monday’s post, I…

  • Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?

    NomadicMatt
    10 Jun 2013 | 7:08 am
    Every two years, I use a train pass to ride the rails of Europe in an effort to answer the most important question travelers have on the subject: do these passes actually save you money or are they a giant waste of time? Back in 2011, I found that rail passes were worth the cost if you took lots of high speed, long distance, or overnight trains and were traveling last minute. This year Rail Europe again gave me a pass to determine whether that was still true. I set off on a journey from Lisbon to Berlin, taking a variety of trains in order to explore the differences in value. Over the last…
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    The Word From The Timeshare Crusader

  • Latest ARDA Research Shows...Lots of Marketing Money Is Being Thrown Away

    Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader
    17 Jun 2013 | 7:27 am
    According to the latest ARDA research released, here's a snapshot of the average timeshare owner in the United States:Median Age:                                      51 years oldMedian Household Income               $74,000Own Primary…

  • Sunchaser, Northwynd, Fairmont, etc.-A Bad Timeshare Situation in Canada

    Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader
    11 Jun 2013 | 10:33 am
    I recently became aware of a situation in Canada affecting thousands of timeshare owners.Long story short---developer went bankrupt, new owners came in, found the place in horrible shape and is now offering two options:$4,000 in assessments per interval to fix itor$3,000 to get outOn top of it, they gave owners almost no time to make the decision.As I said, this is the very short version of a very long story.I contacted some of the people on their Facebook page that they set up and told them that I would make this forum available to them in the sincere hopes that the more coverage this…

  • Can RTX Supercede RCI-Even When An RCI Membership Is Paid For?

    Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader
    30 May 2013 | 6:59 am
    It is times like this that I'm really glad I don't own a timeshare.I received an e-mail a few days ago from one of my regular readers asking how/why she was receiving a letter regarding her RTX membership when shenever purchased a membership into RTX furthermore, her RCI membership is paid in full through 2016!Here's the letter from RXT: Hi _____, With the busy summer travel upon us, we wanted to reach out to let you know that we are available to answer any questions you may have to get you to your vacation destination. We also would like to make you aware of a change to the RTX Basic…

  • Meet Steve Burton, Our Guest Timeshare Blogger

    Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader
    28 May 2013 | 8:09 am
    At Timeshare Insights, we like to hear from owners and report on their timeshare experiences.  Today's guest blogger is Steve Burton, who has a wealth of experiences to share.I have been asked by Lisa to be a guest blogger for Timeshare Insights due to my extensive experience of the timeshare industry. I have owned timeshare since 1980 at the Osborne Torquay which is the first timeshare development in England and during that time I have made over five hundred and fifty exchanges with RCI to around one hundred different resorts.I would like to devote my first blog to a resort in…

  • Yet Another Group of Timeshare Owners In Need of a Platform-The Manhattan Club Saga

    Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader
    22 May 2013 | 4:34 am
    About a month ago, I received an e-mail about the alledged wrongdoings at The Manhattan Club.  As I do not own, nor have ever owned a timeshare there, and since the e-mail seemed to be addressed to about 200 or so owners, I briefly read the e-mail and filed it.  That was the first of about 100 or so e-mails I've received since then.  It seems that owners at The Manhattan Club are very, very angry.So, I decided to open up this blog again to these owners to give them a platform and hopefully gain some traction and attract some attention.I DID NOT START THIS BLOG FOR THIS ISSUE…
 
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    Travellious.com

  • ArtSmart Roundtable: Andrew Wyeth's Wind from the Sea

    kelly
    11 Jun 2013 | 2:53 pm
    Art Smart detail of Andrew Wyeth's Wind from the Sea, 1947. As I wandered the West Building at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, a wispy web of white paint caught my eye. Andrew Wyeth's Wind from the Sea is essentially that, an image of the wind, captured in a painting of an open window. While in front of the work, I marveled at how he was able to capture the feeling of the movement of the curtain billowing from the wind. I pondered the process the artist must go through to translate an image in life to the two dimensional canvas. But, today, as I revisited the painting again, I…

  • Exhibitions Worth the Trip: Venice Biennale

    kelly
    17 Mar 2013 | 11:09 pm
    Image: Giorgio Zucchiatti Courtesy: la Biennale di Venezia. Venice is well known for its wealth of art and architecture that inhabit the floating city, but did you know that contemporary artists live there, as well? At least, temporarily. From June 1 through November 24, 2013, Venice will hold the 55th Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte, or better known as the Venice Biennale to the English-speaking world. The exhibition of art began in 1895 and is held every other year (on odd years.) Today, it showcases artists selected from around the globe to represent their country and is regarded as a…

  • Festivals of the Season: Lantern Floating in Honolulu, Hawaii

    austin
    17 Mar 2013 | 10:45 pm
    Image: absolutMad. Going to Hawaii is often an exercise in rest and relaxation, full of beaches, good food, and beautiful weather. Somehow, we've discovered yet another reason to visit the islands, one that can help bring you some spiritual healing and inner peace. Our newest festival of the season is the Lantern Floating in Honolulu, Hawai'i, a yearly celebration that honors people who we've lost, giving attendees a chance to reflect, remember, and heal. The Lantern Floating is the Hawaiian version of the Japanese Tōrō nagashi cememony, where, traditionally, white paper lanterns are…

  • Desktop Calendar: March 2013

    kelly
    5 Mar 2013 | 11:12 am
    Happy March! This month we created a desktop calendar featuring Chioggia, Italy, a small town just outside of Venice in the Veneto. It was the perfect spot for a long walk on a Sunday afternoon made complete with people watching and a spritz, a cocktail made of bitter Aperol, with Prosecco and slice of orange. Want to see more? Take a virtual walk with us with a photo tour. A virtual passeggiata, if you will. And, as always, feel free to put this travel inspiration on your desktop or iPhone. Just choose the size that best fits your screen! 1024x768 1360x768 1600x1200 1920x1200 iPhone Enjoy!

  • Artsmart Roundtable: Richard Serra's Band Sculpture

    kelly
    4 Mar 2013 | 10:03 am
    Art Smart Nothing beats being in front of a work of art. Sometimes these works travel to you, in exhibits and to museums nearby. Other times, you've got to travel to the work itself, which is definitely the case when it comes to the work of Richard Serra. His over-sized works made of steel are often site-specific and their installation alone is labor intensive. These aren't works that travel and that's ok. Because, after all, it's a good excuse to get out there in the world and see it for yourself. Serra can give you an excuse to travel to Spain, the Hudson River Valley, Qatar, or, in this…
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    Dawn on the Amazon Captains Blog

  • Seating Ayahausca at the Cannibal Banquet of the Soul (Part Four)

    Captain Bill
    5 Jun 2013 | 7:59 pm
    Iquitos Peru, Ayahuasca, What Happened To Me, Part Four A guest post by Dag Walker “Only when the dusk starts to fall does the Owl of Minerva spread its wings and fly.” G.W.F. Hegel, Philosophy of Right, “Preface” (1820) The philosopher who wanted to explain the nature of things, to create, to shape, to make the world in his own image, finds that it is only at the end of his history that he is able to see that story at all; and then it is too late to do more than at last understand. Wisdom comes when all else is over. John and I took a mototaxi across town for the…

  • Iquitos Peru, Ayahuasca, What Happened To Me, Part Three

    Captain Bill
    4 Jun 2013 | 9:16 pm
    A guest post by Dag Walker “When Reason sleeps, there be monsters.” Franciso Goya (1797-99) The round-faced and still pretty for some years to come 20ish German girl said, “Why would I want to take ayahuasca? It changes you; and I like my life as it is.” Many ayahuasca users I have met are covered with tattoos, and often as well they wear costumes designed to display some juvenile rejection of middle class conformity to the rational norms: baggy pantaloons, neon embroidery shirts of psychedelic designs, and rat-dos that must weigh almost as much as I do. This type of…

  • Iquitos Peru, Ayahuasca, What Happened To Me, Part Two

    Captain Bill
    2 Jun 2013 | 5:11 pm
    A guest post by Dag Walker I stood in the semi-dark of the long, low room of the ayahuasca centre in central Iquitos, red plastic cup in hand, thinking of what could possibly happen to me physically and mentally if I actually drank this stuff in hand. I’m not rash or stupid. I read the work by the Vanity Fair writer and saw how he feared the loss of his mind and chickened out and ran off to England to pursue a non-story rather than risk all of his long life’s work of accumulating skill and memory that he feared could be, perhaps would be lost from one drink of ayahausca. In…

  • Iquitos Peru, Ayahuasca, What Happened To Me, Part One

    Captain Bill
    31 May 2013 | 7:43 pm
    A guest post by Dag Walker I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears I hid from Him, and under running laughter. Francis Thompson, The Hound Of Heaven (1893/1917) Nearly 60, and on the road for over 40 years all over the place, learning as much as I can in the hope of knowing something that will wrap it all up as sense in the end. Life’s all a mystery. So, there I was, six days and nights on a rusty cargo boat in the back end of Peru going downstream on the…

  • The Chariots of Death

    Captain Bill
    14 May 2013 | 1:50 pm
    The Chariots of Death, Motorcars A guest post by Adrian Walker, “The Snake Whisperer” The Motorkar is Iquitos most popular method of travel for tourists and locals alike. They’re cheap, get you between points A and B fairly efficiently and generally the drivers know where they’re going, whether a popular cafe or Belen whorehouse. There are however pitfalls and dangers in Motorkar travel and the passenger should always take care to obey the following 5 basic rules of Motorkar travel…. Unless it’s pouring with rain wear sunglasses or better still, welding…
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    Common Sense and Whiskey

  • Moving On

    Bill
    4 Jun 2013 | 5:36 pm
    Common Sense and Whiskey is moving from Typepad to WordPress. The content here is already there, and the Typepad version will expire in June 2013. The only way you should come directly here now is if you have bookmarked "commonsenseandwhiskey.typepad.com." If that's you, please change that to "commonsenseandwhiskey.com" and you'll be all set. Thank you and thanks to Typepad for the first five years. Bill

  • Shop Talk, and A Plea for Indulgence

    Bill
    23 May 2013 | 7:31 am
    Common Sense and Whiskey is moving from TypePad to Wordpress. This should cause you no grief, but as I learn about Wordpress there will be fewer posts for  the time being. Once completed, I predict there will be formatting inconsistencies with the content created on Typepad over the years and I ask your indulgence. I'll bet that somewhere in the transfer process, things will be left behind - comments, sidebar information, surely something. Please be gentle. I will leave the CS&W URL pointing to the version hosted by Typepad until I've smoothed out the new Wordpress version,…

  • The Golden Horn, Istanbul, Turkey - Wednesday HDR

    Bill
    15 May 2013 | 1:27 pm
    Shot at sunrise from the lower level of the Galata Bridge toward Beyoglu as nine exposures, processed as an HDR in Photomatix, finished in Photoshop. Texture and a spin through Pixel Bender to make it like an oil painting. Click to see it bigger. And there are currently 357 more photos from Turkey here.

  • Funny Place Names

    Bill
    14 May 2013 | 10:13 am
    These two maps are really entertaining. Just click through and go see: Map of Orkney, Map of Shetland

  • Photo Quiz #178 - Where in the World?

    Bill
    3 May 2013 | 7:38 am
    Not an easy quiz this week, so here are three photo clues. Can you name the country? Extra credit for naming the capital city, which is shown in the middle photo. Place your bets and click through for the answer. And a good weekend to all from CS&W and EarthPhotos.com. And the answer is ............................................ it's Madagascar, and the capital city is Antananarivo. That's the Zoma, the Friday market in Antananarivo pictured in the middle. See more photos from Madagascar in the at Madagascar Gallery at Earthphotos.com.And take all the CS&W photo quizzes.
 
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    Spot Cool Stuff: Travel

  • The Cat Houseboat of Amsterdam

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    9 Jun 2013 | 9:41 pm
    Most crazy cat ladies live in dilapidated houses in blighted suburban neighborhoods that you wouldn’t want to travel to. Henriette van Weelde is not one of those crazy cat ladies. For one, she lives in a quaint section of central Amsterdam. Also, her cat-filled abode is not only a place you might want to visit, it’s a place lots of tourists do. It started in 1966 when van Weelde decided to take in a family of stray cats she found near her home. Then she found another stray and thought to herself what so many crazy cat ladies have: Well, I’m sure I can find room for just one…

  • Our Favorite Room Themes at the Landhotel Hof Beverland

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    6 Jun 2013 | 11:54 am
    Spot Cool Stuff likes unusual hotels with creative themes. So, of course, we love the Landhotel Hof Beverland. The Beverland (very much not to be confused with Bieberland) is located on the site of a former dairy farm near Ostbevern in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It has 62 rooms. And 36 radically different room theme. There’s are the under-the-sea rooms, for example, and the medieval themed rooms. The hotel’s jungle rooms have beds suspended from the ceiling. Their Star Wars rooms have private cinema screening areas. Their disco rooms come complete with hanging…

  • Roof It Around Stockholm

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    1 Jun 2013 | 7:12 am
    For some travelers the opportunity to take a guided walking tour of historic buildings is about as appealing as taking a walk through an airport security checkpoint. Yet even those travelers would find the offerings by Stockholm tour operator Upplev Mer cool. That’s because their tours don’t walk alongside acclaimed architecture—they walk on top of it! Literally. Participants on a Upplev Mer tour scamper across Stockholm’s roof tops like Mary Poppins. Except, instead of using an umbrella for safety, they rely on hard hats, harnesses and cables. That safety equipment is not…

  • Bathe In Chocolate

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    28 May 2013 | 5:45 pm
    Chocolate is romantic. Taking a candlelit bath with your special someone is romantic. So what could be more romantic than spending time with your special someone while bathing in chocolate? It’s that sort of flawless logic that has Spot Cool Stuff writing a review of the world’s best chocolate spas. We found three spots in particular—one each in Switzerland, the United States and Japan—where you’ll want to go to experience the world’s best chocolate baths. So, what’s it like to bathe in chocolate? you might be asking. Contrary to what you might imagine, it…

  • The Magical Way into Harry Potter’s Wizarding World

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    26 May 2013 | 6:53 pm
    If you are planning a vacation to Central Florida with young Muggles, odds are high that they’ve tugged on your arm begging you to take them to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The attraction, a part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, has been Orlando’s hottest attraction since it opened in June of 2010. Nearly any kid who’s a fan of the J.K. Rowling books will eat up everything about the Wizarding World like so many Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. But what about the parents? The good news for adults is that, while the Wizarding World of Harry…
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    No Crowds

  • All This From Poop

    29 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    “William Gibbs made his dibs Selling the turds of foreign birds”I just love visiting country houses in England where you can step out of the pages of Evelyn Waugh or Jane Austen and into the lives- and stuff – of others. Most houses have a great story.  Tyntesfield, a Victorian Gothic revival estate 8 miles from the centre of Bristol may be one of the best stories of all. Because the spectacular house, the extensive gardens and parkland and the room after room of stuff that was owned by William Gibbs (1790-1875), the richest commoner in the country, all came from bird shit.

  • Searching for John Reed on Ile de Re

    29 Mar 2013 | 4:51 am
    When John Reed, the head of what was the world’s largest financial institution exited Wall Street in 2000, he hightailed it to an island off the coast of southwest France. Interesting, n’est pas?  I mean, John Reed could have moved anywhere in the world but this Master of the Universe chose Ile de Re. Why?For years, I wondered about that. But I never managed to actually get to Ile de Re to find the answer - which is strange since as islands go, it is very accessible. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is only 15 minutes by taxi from La Rochelle airport.  But…

  • Skiing the Dolomites - From New York to Chicago on a Single Ticket

    19 Mar 2013 | 6:57 am
    Every year since 2006, we have sung the praises of skiing in the Dolomites. To summarize our posts from the last 8 seasons:One ski pass gives you access to 1,200 kilometers of trails, 510 lifts across 12 valleys encompassing three regions of Italy with infinite options for skiers of all abilities Spectacular alpine scenery and charming villages that offer the best of Austria and Italian tradition and culture (designated a UNESCO natural world heritage site in 2009)An almost infinite number of mountain restaurants with exceptionally good food and drink at attractive prices (including…

  • Mondrian Meets Paul Smith in the UAE

    25 Feb 2013 | 8:02 am
    Gary and Lorraine head back to Zighy Bay in the UAE and make a surprising discovery.This is our second visit to Zighy Bay, that very exclusive resort on the Indian Ocean.  Zighy Bay is a mountain-enclosed beach so nearly inaccessible by land that it's actually easier to hang glide than drive into it (and that is an option). So imagine our surprise on our second visit to find something even more unexpected - a budding - and undiscovered - artist.Enjoying the laid-back zeitgeist at Zighy, we wandered into the resort gift shop one lazy afternoon (as you do), expecting the usual…

  • We'll Always Have Paris

    15 Feb 2013 | 12:50 am
    I may flirt with St Petersburg or cast a wayward eye at Belize but I always go back to Paris.Yes, Paris has seen better days. The mood is decidedly down and the only obviously growing business is begging. The streets are filled with striking [fill in the blank] and anyone with money is moving out. But today is St Valentines Day and I am here with my husband - in the city of light and l'amour - and as cities go, it is still a wonder..First, there's the Look - Every time we arrive - conveniently by Eurostar or less conveniently by car, in rain or sun…
 
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    HipCompass Escapes

  • The sock cave

    Staff
    31 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    When packing, consider rolling your socks up and placing them in your shoes.  The inside of shoes is wasted space and this is a great way to make use of it. Now if you have really stinky shoes, you might be charged with “sock torture.”

  • Your own Moroccan palace

    Staff
    27 May 2013 | 10:32 pm
      When visiting the entrancing city of Marrakech you are faced with the decision to stay in either a hotel or riad (former mansion turned into a B&B)…if you are looking to relax your stay away poolside with a cocktail in hand, I would go the hotel route…but if you are longing to experience the real Marrakech, definitely stay in a riad. Once that decision is made then you are faced with the painstaking task of picking which riad you want out of the hundreds Marrakesh has to offer.  Luckily you have me to guide you to the perfect one…Amirat al Jamal. Set right in the heart…

  • Pam Ann Safety Demonstration

    Staff
    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    This is hilarious…but if you are afraid of flying, I would skip it!

  • Drainpipe living

    Staff
    22 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    If you happen to by kayaking in the Austrian city of Ottensheim, you will come across three lonely segments of concrete drainage pipe hanging out on the shores of the Danube River.  No, a lazy construction company did not leave it’s trash out…..it is actually a hotel….Dasparkhotel to be exact. Dasparkhotel has turned three large sections of drainpipe into a boutique budget hotel. Located in a grassy park, the seven foot wide pipes are fitted with a large double bed, side table, lamp and a small window; also located on the property are a cafe, bar and restrooms. As if…

  • The sun makes an appearance

    Staff
    17 May 2013 | 2:28 pm
    The sun peaking through the clouds in the Anza Borrego Desert….the largest state park in the contiguous United States lies between Palm Springs and San Diego in California….the desert covers 600,000 acres.
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    The Longest Way Home | Travel Blog

  • Food in Nepal: A mutton curry to avoid

    Dave from The Longest Way Home
    16 Jun 2013 | 4:30 pm
    Mutton Curry from Nepal – maybe not the best Mutton Curry from Nepal: I like mutton. Some of the best mutton dishes I’ve had have been in India and certainly the single best roast leg of mutton I ever had was in Pakistan. What then when I see mutton curry on a menu in Nepal? Pakistan, India … Nepal. Surely it would have a hint of the former’s greatness? Arrival of the mutton curry My worst expectation of ordering a new meat dish in Nepal is that it will come with bone. As in the meat still attached to the bone. There’s nothing more wasteful for me than to see a…

  • How to bargain and barter in Kathmandu Nepal

    Dave from The Longest Way Home
    4 Jun 2013 | 5:01 pm
    Souvenir Market in Kathmandu Nepal Bargaining and bartering is a way of life in Kathmandu and Nepal If you don’t like to bargain or barter and are planning to visit Nepal then good luck to you. Indeed there are many other places in the world where fixed pricing is not common. Indeed the art of bargaining is a way of life and in Nepal it’s expected. Walk with a local and watch them shop for vegetables at a market they don’t know. It happens there too. So, no. It’s not just a tourist thing either. The thing is if you don’t bargain or barter you will lose out.

  • Food from Nepal: Chicken Reshami Kabab

    Dave from The Longest Way Home
    26 May 2013 | 4:37 pm
    Chicken Reshami Kabab from Nepal or is it something else? Chicken Reshami Kabab I first discovered this incredible dish back in 2008. You can see the original photo below. It amazed me. Tender succulent chicken wrapped in sugar string like candy floss. Served with a mint sauce and naan bread it’s one of the nicest chicken dishes I’ve ever had. The problem is I can find nothing out about this dish!! Read on … My first encounter with Reshami Kabab in Kathmandu I was randomly picking off new dishes from a popular local Indian/Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu when I came…

  • The rising cost of entry fees into heritage sites in Nepal

    Dave from The Longest Way Home
    14 May 2013 | 5:22 pm
    Pay up before entering – foreigners to pay 1000% more than anyone else … we don’t know why … but just pay! Should you pay an inflated entrance fee to a tourist area? You head down to Kathmandu’s Durbar square. The most famous heritage area among this old city’s long list of cultural charms. Old Newari buildings stand beside red bricked temples, a palace, a goddess’ house, a few places of worship and a giant public courtyard that’s an intersection to many more important areas of the city. A guard approaches you with the word…

  • Jobs & working in Kathmandu Nepal

    Dave from The Longest Way Home
    1 May 2013 | 5:01 pm
    You can / have to work from any age in Nepal How to get a job in Kathmandu Nepal? Before going any further I should point out that this article is mainly in relation to a “foreigner” seeking employment in Nepal. Though given the mass of Nepalese also seeking employment anywhere in Nepal there are some equally pivotal points of note here too. To the non-Nepalese I urge you to understand that Nepal is one of poorest economic countries in the world that’s been struggling to form a constitution for a ridiculous number of years now. Finding a job in Nepal for…
 
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    My Itchy Travel Feet

  • Bonding at Black Rock 2013

    Donna Hull
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:05 am
    All cleaned up and ready for the Show and Shine. How many different types of getaways can you think of? There’s bonding with girlfriends at the beach or golfing with your buddies on a trip to Florida. But what about group getaways? No, I don’t mean group tours; instead, I’m thinking about trips where a group comprised of friends and strangers bonds over a common theme. That’s exactly what Alan and I did when we traveled to Ucluelet, B.C., for Black Rock 2013 sponsored by the Vancouver Island Region of Porsche Club of America. Antique Porsche 356 at Black Rock 2013…

  • How to Make the Most of a Visit to the Children’s Museum

    A Guest Writer
    17 Jun 2013 | 1:05 am
    From our ongoing multigenerational travel series with Grandparents.com: Ludmilla Alexander shares a few much-needed tips  on how to make the most out of a visit to a children museum with the grandkids. Make the Most of a Children’s Museum Did you know there are right ways and wrong ways to visit a children’s museum? Grandfather Jim and I headed to the Boston Children’s Museum with our two grandchildren — Kara, 4 1/2, and Timmy, 2 1/2 — without really taking the time to make an efficient plan. Because we were on a weeklong visit from California, we were eager to cram in as…

  • 7 travel experiences to tempt your itchy travel feet

    Donna Hull
    14 Jun 2013 | 10:00 am
    You’ll see Sand Mountain when driving Highway 50 in Nevada. Photo courtesy TravelNevada.com During my trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, for IPW13 (a U.S. travel show for the international travel trade), I had the opportunity to meet with media and marketing representatives from destinations and travel companies across the United States. My head is still spinning from meetings, press announcements, glitzy Las Vegas entertainment events and the sheer size of the show. During the conference, I kept a list of special travel experiences that made my travel feet itchy. Today, I’m sharing them…

  • The Ins and Outs of House Sitting

    A Guest Writer
    11 Jun 2013 | 1:05 am
    Dalene and Pete Heck are a Canadian couple who sold everything in 2009 to travel the world. Since then, they have slow-traveled through 33 countries and have no desire to stop. The blog, Hecktic Travels, chronicles their journey around the globe. The Heck’s favourite method of travel, via house sitting, has helped them save over $40,000 in accommodation costs. In their new ebook, How to Become a House Sitter and See the World, they write about how to live this exciting lifestyle. Today, Dalene shares a few tips from the book with our boomer readers: View of the Costa del Sol Sunset…

  • Five Apps for Staying Healthy While Traveling

    Nicole Jewell
    10 Jun 2013 | 1:05 am
    During my younger years, I’ll admit to being a complete travel gorger. I entered every new city with a no-holds-barred mentality: see, do, and especially, eat everything the city’s culinary scene has to offer. Good times were had and I can’t say I regret my many years of gluttony. Today, however, as my old travel wear gets more and more snug, I begrudgingly find myself taking on a whole new perspective on the road. No longer is my body receptive to carefree all-nighters nor massive meals nor multiple stops at those ubiquitous local pastry shops found in every city. Nowadays I find…
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    The Circumference - Inspired Travel!

  • Nimis Sculpture in Landonia: Modern Art Surrounded by Nature

    17 Jun 2013 | 7:43 pm
    Sweden. Published on June 18, 2013 by Madison E. LaFondThe StoryAs world travelers we all have a secret desire to get wonderfully lost in a new place. How about a site made just for people like us? An incredible work of art that is not listed on maps and can only be reached by hiking on foot through a nature preserve? You literally have to get lost to see The Nimis Sculpture. Nimis is a modern sculpture that was built by Swedish artist Lars Endel Roger Vilks. Vilks named the sculpture Nimis, which is Swedish for "too much." The Nimis Sculpture is constructed of 75 tons of driftwood and is…

  • Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival

    10 Jun 2013 | 6:33 pm
    China. Published on June 11, 2013 by Redpeffer, WriterThe StoryChina is a vast country rammed full of amazing things to interest and astound all but the most world weary traveller. Whether you want to make a one off trip to Hong Kong or add it to your world travel bucket list, one of the most colourful and dramatic events to witness has to be the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu. It is a traditional celebration and public holiday which happens on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month each year. Obviously this means travellers hoping to see such an event need to be well planned and…

  • Learn the Secret Behind Ramen at the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

    26 May 2013 | 7:16 pm
    Japan. Published on May 27, 2013 by Biji Ravindran, WriterThe StoryMaking instant ramen noodles at home isn't overly exciting, but visit the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka, Japan and making them will take on a whole different experience. Here, you get to become a part of the instant ramen noodle-making process, right from scratch. Sound interesting? Well here you are your own cook, designing your new favourite noodle and experimenting with various flavors. The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum houses a wide collection of the instant ramen sold over the ages. From the packaging…

  • Take a Sake Brewery Tour in Niigata, Japan

    19 May 2013 | 9:25 pm
    Japan. Published on May 20, 2013 by TrevorThe StoryThe sake breweries of Niigata are one of the most interesting world travel destinations. Even those of us lucky enough to have been to many places have to admit, it's easy to get swept up by the vast beauty of the rice fields that are kept in order to create that characteristic Japanese drink, sake. And there are no less than 96 sake breweries in this area of Japan alone. The sake itself is delightful. In fact, it is known throughout Japan for the light colour it has, as well as its delicate flavour. I’m no sake connoisseur, but Niigata…

  • Getting up to date with Yerevan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city

    15 May 2013 | 10:25 am
    Armenia. Published on May 15, 2013 by Denise Beresford, WriterThe StoryYerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. It is the world’s oldest continuously-inhabited cities, dating back to the 8th century BC with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC by King Argishti. Yerevan expanded rapidly during the 20th Century with Armenia becoming one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union. In fifty years Yerevan transformed from a town of a few thousand inhabitants to become Armenia’s principal industrial, cultural and artistic centre. Yerevan is a very homogenous city with…
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    Travel Blog

  • Marvellous Mauritius

    NettieSublett
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:59 am
    Due to its geographic location and position on historic trade routes, Mauritius has over time become a melting pot of vastly differing cultures which make it what it is today. Influences from Europe, Africa, China and India can be found in many aspects of life on this vibrant sun-kissed spot in the Indian Ocean.   [...]

  • Morroccan Etiquette for your Trip to Marrakech

    mistarea9
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:24 am
    When you go on holiday to a foreign country, it’s important that you adhere to its etiquette rules. Not everywhere will follow the same rules as your home country, so to avoid offending anyone on your trip to Marrakech, we’ve put together some of the things to remember on your trip to Marrakech so all [...]

  • Visit Silver Screen Locations in San Francisco

    mmatchev
    17 Jun 2013 | 2:32 am
    The city of San Francisco is picture-perfect, so it comes as no surprise that it has appeared as the backdrop in many films. From inspiring human-interest stories to gripping dramas to science fiction, a wide range of films have taken place in this Californian city.   What are some of the most memorable films shot [...]

  • The best vacation rentals in Malaysia during December

    Afiniya
    1 Jun 2013 | 6:47 am
    Malaysia is a mesmerizing contrast of 21st century internationality and the utterly exotic. The country’s colonial history created a government very similar to Britain’s, and a legal system based on English law. Its economy is strong and in many places it’s modern and efficient, with good public transport and world-class urban landmarks. Its landscape, though, [...]

  • 3 Extreme Options for this Year’s Family Holiday

    vacations
    30 May 2013 | 12:06 pm
    Soak up the sun in Europe This summer, turn up the heat with your family as you explore Europe’s best holidays. There are so many great places to enjoy across the continent, but when in comes to soaking up the sun, there are spots that keep getting repeated.     Spain’s appeal is undeniable. It [...]
 
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    Boldly Go Solo

  • Five fun things to see and do in Toronto, ON

    Ellen Perlman
    11 Jun 2013 | 5:19 am
    Toronto, Canada, is full of food, fun and adventure. Who knew? I was bowled over by my recent visit to Toronto. I had visited Montreal with my family when I was a kid. It had that French vibe and it felt like you were in Europe. And my dad could have fun practicing his bad French. But I always thought of Toronto as a modern city without much character. I knew you could go up...

  • A Titanic museum in Branson, Missouri?

    Ellen Perlman
    19 May 2013 | 9:31 am
    There's a half a ship on the main drag in Branson, Missouri, with a Las Vegas-like marquee out front saying: TITANIC NOW BOARDING 9 am - 9 pm A Titanic museum in the Midwest, hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean? I was prepared to be underwhelmed. Instead, I've been talking about it ever since. If this museum was meant for children, I must be a big kid. I tapped out my first-ever Morse code...

  • Art at the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley

    Ellen Perlman
    21 Apr 2013 | 8:59 am
    On typical Saturdays in the town of Millwood, Va., volunteers set the 18th-century Burwell-Morgan Mill to work grinding corn, wheat, rye or other grains. They demonstrate the centuries-old method of food production, weighing and bagging the flour, grits or cornmeal for sale, often enlisting visitors to help. But for three weeks in the spring, and again in the fall, the stones grind to a halt, the water rushing to the water wheel is cut off,...

  • Mason-Dixon Wine Trail in Pennsylvania. Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as Pennsylvania wine

    Ellen Perlman
    10 Mar 2013 | 7:53 am
    "When tasting wine, connoisseurs hold their glasses up to the light to look at the wine’s color and clarity. I don’t always know what I’m supposed to see, but at Naylor Wine Cellars in Pennsylvania, I held up my white wine and it was crystal . . . No. I have to say that it was most definitely cloudy. Very clearly cloudy." That's how today's Washington Post story, called A winemaking and tasting tour through Pa. and...

  • Heart-shaped tubs for Valentine's Day

    Ellen Perlman
    14 Feb 2013 | 12:47 pm
    In the tradition of Erma Bombeck and Ann Landers, I am rerunning a fave story for Valentine's Day, (though by no means comparing my skills to theirs!) Here you go: A recent visit to Niagara Falls, where dozens of motels beckon with the promise of a soak in a bubbling red heart, left me strangely drawn to the outlandish kitsch of the heart-shaped-tub scene. And so one night, on my way home from a visit...
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    Almost Fearless: Full Feed

  • The Resistance is Coming!

    18 Jun 2013 | 1:23 pm
    First, yesterday, I wrote about something I think is really brilliant, but it’s hard to get people to take the little extra step and get involved. So go read yesterday’s post. Make a $5 contribution, leave a comment on that post and I will match every $5 donation from now until the end of the campaign. See, now you have an incentive. Go. Then come back, because it’s still the Bilingual Summer, where I’m trying to learn Spanish, a bunch of folks have joined me either on DuoLingo (it’s totally free) or in their own studies to focus on doing a little bit, every day…

  • Changing Lives in Panajachel (Creating a Sustainable Eco-friendly Learning Center)

    Christine Gilbert
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:53 am
    If you’re ever traveled through Guatemala, chances are that you visited Lake Atitlan and Panajachel. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, but often what’s so heartbreaking is seeing the children selling bracelets on the street, the adorable little kids who should be in school but instead are pressing you for a few coins. What do you do? If you’re new to traveling you might give them money. If you’ve been traveling a while you know better because hand-outs often make the situation much, much worse. Even volunteer programs and charities who have been…

  • Pollo Adobado (Spicy Red Chile Marinated BBQ Chicken)

    13 Jun 2013 | 11:47 am
    One of the most popular seasonings for meat here in Mexico is adobado, which is a catch-all term but generally means a chili pepper based sauce. If you pick your meat up from the butcher, you can get it plain or with the adobado sauce right on it. I prefer to make my own because then I can control how spicy it is (with seeds is super hot, without for more mild). Once you know how, it’s super simple to make and is a great alternative to BBQ sauce for grilling. (By the way, Pollo Adobado just translates to “Marinated Chicken”). Nod to Rick Bayless for documenting this…

  • Six Steps to DIY Language Immersion

    11 Jun 2013 | 11:48 am
    At home, in my garden, were all the language learning begins… I’ve been loving Duolingo (I took a little break over the weekend and everyone smoked me on the leader board  but I fought back to 10th place today!) — but the other big piece for our language studies is using it in our daily lives. We’ve been doing this for over a year now, living in Mandarin in Beijing, Arabic in Beirut, and now Spanish in Mexico. Here are the ways that we stretch ourselves into living with more immersion, even when it’s uncomfortable or just plain easier to switch to English. 1.

  • Diet Review: Is DASH Travel-friendly?

    Christine Gilbert
    10 Jun 2013 | 1:15 pm
    If you’re just catching up, here’s the short story: I live overseas, I travel a lot and I just had my second baby. I struggled with post-partum depression this time around (although it has vastly improved with exercise and sunshine) but I still have this on-going issue with fitting in exercise while on the road (and with kids and everything else) plus my travel diet is usually pretty much out-of-control. I’m trying to figure out how to fix that, so as I’m trying out new things I’m writing about my results here, in case anyone else is going through the same thing.
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    The Mother of all Trips

  • Celebrate travel blog carnival: A salute to ice cream

    Mara
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:32 pm
    Welcome to the monthly Celebrate Travel blog carnival sponsored by The Mother of all Trips, Walking On Travels, and WanderMom. Every month we’re going to have a little party in honor of a different quirky holiday in the way that we best love: By sharing a curated list of themed blog posts from travel bloggers. Did you know that June is National Ice Cream Month? What better time to share tales of sweet treats than during a month that celebrates one of the great travel rewards: A delicious ice cream eaten strolling down a new street. For me sharing a travel ice cream story is more like…

  • Summer travel: Make the most of it

    Mara
    14 Jun 2013 | 11:13 am
    It’s that magic Friday, halfway through June. School is done for most of us and the summer months stretch out like one long beautiful dream. Today I’m itching for the summer travel that’s about to begin, but before I go I thought I’d offer a few tips for those of you who might be dragging your feet or dreading the hassle of packing the car or worrying about disrupting baby’s nap schedule with some summer galavanting. Today I want to answer one question:   How can you make the most of your summer travel?   Make your summer travel as slow as you can. My…

  • Toronto with kids – a few fun ideas

    Mara
    13 Jun 2013 | 10:27 am
    I hadn’t ever thought of visiting Toronto with kids until work brought me there at the beginning of June. I was actually in Toronto for two events: An intensive blogging workshop (do my photos look better? I hope so because that was one of the things I worked on) called Blog House, which is run by a truly generous and fabulous group of bloggers who in addition to their own sites operate collaboratively under the aegis of Navigate Media. After the workshop I stayed on for the TBEX Conference, an annual meeting of travel bloggers and industry representatives of all stripes. Of course, this…

  • Haiti Part Three: Water at last

    Mara
    9 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm
    In May I had the privilege of visiting communities in Haiti where I saw firsthand the work being done there to construct wells some of which are being funded by the Passports With Purpose travel blogging fundraiser. And by the way, I’m thrilled to announce, that PWP just won a Travel + Leisure Social Media in Travel and Tourism (SMITTY) Award for the blog making best use of social media! This is the third of my posts about my Haiti trip; read about the first community meeting I attended in Belanjé and how I then saw people getting their water from a creek in Neva. Many thanks are due to…

  • Summer travel: Packing your first aid kit

    Mara
    4 Jun 2013 | 8:03 am
    The summer travel season is almost upon us and you better believe I’m doing my happy dance right now. In fact, I don’t know whose more ready for school to be over: Me or my eight- and eleven-year-old. Right now I’ve got all our summer travel booked and organized, so this week before school ends I’ll be spending some time buying supplies, including cleaning out and restocking my first aid kits, which are indispensable items for families on the go. What I pack in my summer travel first aid kit  Bandages, disinfecting wipes, and antibiotic gel.  The beginning of summer is a great time…
 
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    transient travels

  • it might be scary, but do it anyway

    susan
    18 Jun 2013 | 7:26 pm
    Half moon is a yoga pose that has, say, your left hand reaching for the floor as the other extends toward the sky. Meanwhile, your left leg is planted on the ground while the other lifts up and points to the wall behind you. It’s a pose that doesn’t come too hard for me at first, perhaps it’s my years as a figure skater. But just when I’m feeling comfortable the instructor challenges the class to look straight up in the direction of the elevated hand. First though, she prefaces with: “this can be scary, looking up.” She’s right. I start by gliding my…

  • capturing nemo

    susan
    10 Feb 2013 | 8:55 am
    Many areas of New England saw as much as three feet of snow as the record-breaking blizzard, known as Nemo, pummeled the region. Like most New Englanders, that left Mike and I cooped up in our house, until cabin fever got the best of us. In case you haven’t seen enough photos of this epic storm, here’s a glimpse into our storm watch adventure…

  • climbing up mount washington & out of ruts

    susan
    24 Jan 2013 | 8:00 pm
    Have you ever been in a rut that forces you to say no to everything? A rut that makes you back out of plans when the logistics seem too complicated or when you envision yourself being way too tired? A rut that kills the thing in you that fuels your sense of adventure? Sure, I talk “adventure” here all the time, but in reality this blog is the thing that holds me accountable to my “adventurousness.” I hate to admit it, but my dark side is the side of me that backs out to take the easy route. No, not the easy route – the “sensible” route. But I ask you…

  • the gift of travel inspiration

    susan
    5 Jan 2013 | 3:36 pm
    I’ve been suffering from that rampant flu. I’m not 100 percent yet, but today I left the house for the first time in nearly a week. Progress, right? That, and the nonstop holiday celebration last month, is the cause of my absolute neglect of the blogosphere. Needless the say, my sense of adventure – and productivity level – has been at an all time low. But things are looking up. It’s that time of year when we all start to think about how we’ll make the most of 2013. Like every year, when it comes to travel goals, I’m trying to be realistic. For…

  • gone oyster pickin’

    susan
    28 Nov 2012 | 7:48 pm
    For most, the end of summer in New England marks the end of flocking to the beach, the end of sinking your feet into the sand, the end of dipping your toes into the water and letting the waves slowly pull you in. As winter comes, the likes of Cape Cod and its beaches – once lit up by the warm summer sun – are a mere memory, stored away until the next year. That’s not the case for everyone though. When it comes to going down the Cape, my dad for one doesn’t follow the sun, he follows the moon. For years I’ve had the great fortune of enjoying the freshest and most…
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    Travel Wonders of the World

  • Mysterious Stone People (Canada)

    Mark H
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:58 pm
    Wandering the northern climes of Canada, visitors may be greeted by mysterious stone figures or inukshuk. Recently a symbol of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games (2010) and used by the Inuit people for many hundreds of years, many temporary ones are seen around scenic areas as an acknowledgement of the beauty of nature. Each inukshuk feels like it has its own character with the shape, colour and... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com.

  • Bicentenary of the Crossing of the Blue Mountains (Sydney, Australia)

    Mark H
    14 Jun 2013 | 4:10 pm
    Two hundred years ago a small troop of men led by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth stood joyously surveying this scene of wide open plains from Mount York, west of Sydney, having found a passage through the Blue Mountains. This land ensured the survival of the fledging Australian colony with excellent farmlands and forests. Several had tried before but several key elements to their approach saw... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com.

  • The Red Centre: An International View (Australia)

    Mark H
    10 Jun 2013 | 4:36 pm
    A video portraying a string of reactions of international travel journalists to Australia’s Red Centre prompted me to relive my journey there late last year. Evocative images of the spiritual Uluru (Ayers Rock), wondrous rock formations, crimson red sunsets, remote sparse wilderness and cultural indigenous history dating back to the dawn of mankind quickly leapt to mind. Yet the vast majority of... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com.

  • Alabaster Cliffs of Étretat (France)

    Mark H
    7 Jun 2013 | 4:06 pm
    On the northern coastline of France, the Alabaster Coast, chalky pockmarked and crevices cliffs (falaises), sweeping crescent beaches and an iridescent ocean have inspired great French writers and painters for centuries. Visitors walk the chalky cliffs to discover three yawning arches– natural bridges to the sea. With centuries of erosion, enamel white columns of rock elegantly lean into the... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com.

  • Why Are the US Virgin Islands A Great Cruise Destination?

    Mark H
    5 Jun 2013 | 2:14 pm
    guest post by James Daniel If someone told you they were going to go on a large luxury ship like Princess Cruises, with swimming pools, restaurants and live entertainment available, in a setting that allowed them to visit exotic islands, with palm fringed beaches, where the pearl white sand runs between their toes, would you be envious? Chances are you would, but by booking your own cruise to the... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com.
 
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    OffbeatTravel

  • 50+ Years The Beatles: It All Began in Hamburg

    17 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Beatles fans are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of the band's first album "Please Please Me" this year; but it was in Hamburg, the maritime jewel in northern Germany, where the Fab Four began their career as the not so fab five, and recorded their first commercially released record, "My Bonnie," on June 22/23, 1961. Thanks to a well-known night club owner who needed musical acts for his clubs in the infamous St. Pauli red light district, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best had come to Hamburg a year earlier. The rest, as they…

  • York: Medieval, Picturesque and Unexpected by Patrice Raplee

    11 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Yorkshire offers travelers the opportunity to visit remarkable castles with majestic estates that have almost vanished over the years in England. Or, explore the region's scenic cities that offer a wide variety of historical attractions to antique shopping and tearooms. The most intriguing and picturesque medieval city to visit in Yorkshire is York. This culturally rich city was founded by the Romans and has one of the longest and best-preserved town walls in England, at just over two miles. The ancient wall encircles the city and affords visitors excellent views along its walkable ramparts.

  • Discover Barcelona on a Budget: Top 5 Tips

    6 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, home to amazing Modernisme architecture, beautiful beaches, magical mountain trails and much, more. But between entry fees, dining on Las Ramblas and touring the sights, those heading to this top Mediterranean destination might find it a little tricky to discover the Catalan capital without leaving a massive dent in their wallets. However, it can be done! If you're looking to explore Barcelona on a budget, there are plenty of ways to enjoy all of Barcelona's gems without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  • Road Trip Through Big Sur, California: Five Don't Miss Sights by Hank Barton.

    5 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    West of the more commonly traveled I-5 between San Fransisco and Los Angeles, Route 1 through Big Sur makes its way across about 90 miles of beautiful California coastline from Carmel to San Simeon under giant redwoods and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The western side of the route gives a view to the rocky cliffs and beaches of the Pacific. There are plenty of areas that look appealing and adventurous spirits will likely find interesting places, but here are some of the places that stole my heart on a north-to-south trip down Route 1.

  • Going Behind the Scenes on the Norwegian Epic by George Bailey.

    20 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    I've sailed on other cruise ships but never one as large as the Norwegian Epic, and I've never been able to take a peek behind the scenes to see what goes on "backstage". Until now. This huge beautiful ship which made its maiden voyage in June of 2010 is one of the world's largest ships. And with its new tour of all the spaces and places guests never go, it is also one of the most fascinating.
 
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    tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide

  • Seeing Scandinavia by Boat

    deannanmc
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:43 am
    TweetHitting most of the Baltic Sea ports by cruise ship was a lot of fun. It was so much fun, in fact, that when we disembarked from our big cruiser we…got on another boat. Scandinavia is a land of beautiful waterways and seafarers, and there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing by river and canal [...]

  • Maine Island Vacation Made Easy

    adena
    17 Jun 2013 | 8:11 am
    TweetIf you have yet to plan your summer getaway, you’re probably looking for something quick and easy, and I’ve got a plan for you. It’s summer, so you’re heading to the beach, right? Traffic, crowds, yelling children, busy boardwalks, and shopping….sound like hell to you? Many of Maine’s beach towns are overrun in July and [...]

  • The world in your pocket – the tripwolf unlimited package

    tripwolf
    16 Jun 2013 | 1:49 pm
    TweetThe earth keeps spinning, and our tripwolf development team is constantly working on new and helpful features for your tripwolf app. Here’s why it’s worth downloading our latest app update: For all the globetrotters out there, we came up with a very special offer: the tripwolf unlimited package. Our entire set of guides (more than [...]

  • Big Mamma Cafe and Bar Montevideo Uruguay

    lisamarimer8
    13 Jun 2013 | 6:56 am
    TweetLast week, Mark and I spent a considerable part of the day in Migraciones in Montevideo, working on getting our residency papers. Like any country, there’s some bureaucracy and line-waiting involved, but probably less so than other countries. Nonetheless, having been there since 8:00 in the morning, we were hungry, and ready for a good [...]

  • 5 of the Best Climbing Spots in the World

    adena
    11 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm
    TweetClimbing is a natural human urge, like traveling, and often travelers who try climbing on one of their trips become instantly hooked. These two passions perfectly combine – a travelers is a natural explorer, and what better way to explore your world than by getting your hands and feet right on the solid earth. There [...]
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    My Several Worlds

  • Taipei Hostels – Our Top Hostels for Visiting Taipei

    Carrie
    17 Jun 2013 | 11:02 pm
    (Image STAR Hostel) We all know how hard it can be when choosing the right hostel. The pictures on a hostel website might include a hotel level oasis complete with gentle candlelight and soft furnishings, but when you arrive it’s more like a cheap bed and breakfast, and you discover the photos are from when it first opened….10 years ago. How do you avoid this? Well, that’s where we come in. I’ve stayed at a number of hostels in Taipei, and when Carrie approached me about doing a top ten article on Taipei hostels, I was happy to oblige. After all, it can be difficult separating…

  • Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum in Taipei

    Carrie
    11 Jun 2013 | 7:33 am
    I love outdoor museums, especially if they’re a complete and utter surprise to my day. One of my favorite outdoor museums is the Japanese Farmhouse Museum that we visited in Osako, Japan in 2008. It’s been a while since I’ve been to an open-air museum, so you can imagine my delight when John took me for a surprise visit this weekend to see Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum in Taipei’s Zhongshan District. In the seven years that I’ve lived in Taipei, I had no idea that this beautiful home even existed! That just goes to show you that there is always something…

  • The Tallest Buildings in Hong Kong Island (Photo Essay)

    Carrie
    15 May 2013 | 8:44 am
    The Hong Kong skyline at night is probably one of the most recognized skylines in the world. It’s certainly one of my favorites. We’ve made it a tradition to go and see the free Symphony of Lights Show, which is sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, every time we visit.  Symphony of Lights is a synchronized decorative light show and laser multimedia display set to music. It’s featured on the exterior of the buildings of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor. 44 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbor participate in the show, which starts at 8pm every night. Guinness…

  • Travel Tips for Your Holiday in Tunisia

    Guest Writers
    6 May 2013 | 10:43 pm
    Tunisia is a fantastic country that is rich in culture and history, as well as being perfect for a relaxing beach holiday with the family. Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa. It’s bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterrean Sea to the north and east. There are a huge number of things to see and do in a climate that’s almost ideal for sun vacationers. If you’re thinking about booking a holiday in Tunisia, here are some simple tips to help you find the best things to do while you’re in the country. The climate in Tunisia is very…

  • Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis with Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (My Story)

    Carrie
    5 May 2013 | 5:02 am
    People around the world are ‘celebrating’ World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day today in an effort to raise awareness about this horrible and painful autoimmune disease. This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them. If my story here helps one person, then it has been worth it. There is no need to suffer silently with this disease. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Ankylosing Spondylitis in February 2009 after suffering from a variety of strange symptoms over a span of ten years. I might not look outwardly sick, but inside my body there is a…
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    Lanzarote Information - Anything and everything about Lanzarote

  • English Presentation: No Oil Lanzarote & Fuerteventura - Yes to Renewable Energy

    Jules
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:05 pm
    Ezequiel Navío, the Director Oficina Acción Global from the Cabildo of Lanzarote would like to invite residents, citizens and visitors to Lanzarote to a meeting regarding the situation with the planned oil drilling off the coast of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The two hour presentation will be held at Casa Cerdeña in San Bartolomé on Sunday 30th June from 16:00 to 18:00. The briefing will be translated simultaneously in English, with the opportunity to present questions, through the help of a translator. to an expert from the project against oil in the Canaries. The Island Council…

  • Haria Extreme 2013

    Miguel
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:42 am
    It was the third running of the event Haría Extreme at the weekend, and this has grown to become the island’s third largest sporting event, with trail runs of various lengths through the mountains and down to the beaches in Lanzarote’s stunning municipality of Haría. A total of 1200 runners and walkers set off – the runners, covering either 32.5KM or 22.5KM from the Plaza, and the walkers from Mala. All three courses are pretty tough with some serious climbing. Even the walkers, along with the middle distance runners had to finish with a really hard climb up from Arrieta beach back to…

  • Ironman Lanzarote Wins Medal of Excellence

    Jules
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm
    Winners of this year’s Medallas a la Excelencia Turística were announced at the Canary Tourism meeting held on the 13th June. Ironman Lanzarote won the sector for business activities within tourism accommodation, catering, entertainment, information & promotion. Entrepreneurs Enrique &amp; Katherina Moel from Tenerife won the category for professional activities within institutions, establishments or companies, and the Playitas Resort in Fuerteventura was recognised for innovation and renewal of tourist facilities and leisure infrastructure. The actual ceremony for the awards will…

  • No Stone Souvenirs Please

    Jules
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:38 pm
    Lanzarote airport has launched a campaign aimed at tourists to raise awareness that volcanic stone from the island, should not be taken home as a souvenir. Officially launched on the 5th June which was also World Environment Day, AENA commented that Arrecife Airport recovers an average of 490 stones from tourist’s luggage each month, this equates to around six tonnes recovered per year. The slogan of the campaign which is marketed in Spanish, English & German at each terminal of the airport is “Do not take stones as souvenirs, they are not allowed on the plane and it is not possible…

  • More Lanzarote Videos!

    Miguel
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:06 am
    Jarle is building up a great collection of videos of the island, and we love that he shares them with us. The first is from a day trip to La Graciosa The next is a walk along the coast from Costa Teguise And finally, we have a very atmospheric one shot in black and white on a cloudy day in Arrecife What do you think?
 
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    Luxury Travel Tips and Vacation Ideas

  • The Top 3 Villas for Rent with the Best Sea Views in Ibiza

    Ollivier Jacq
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:41 pm
      Close your eyes and imagine a secret hideaway tucked away. Envision the cool breeze in the air as you look out over your balcony and gaze into the crystal blue ocean while the waves calmly hit the shore. What an amazing visual that comes to mind when you think of this! Let´s delve into [...]

  • The Top 2 Modern Villas in Ibiza for Rent

    Ollivier Jacq
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:22 pm
    Modern Ibiza homes are a new trend for many people all over the world. Including the latest designs into the architecture of your home featured with the latest gadgets and chic furniture is sure to bring a unique and trendy feeling inside. Here we will reveal the top 2 modern villas in Ibiza. Cala Jondal [...]

  • Visit Antigua and Barbuda for a Fantastic Holiday this Summer!

    Ollivier Jacq
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:01 pm
    Welcome to the “Caribbean´s Greatest Summer Festival” also known as the Antigua Carnival! The carnival begins July 27th and goes until August 6th, 2013. Guests will be marveled at the impressive event held annually on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. For visitors, this is the ultimate way to experience the culture of the two [...]

  • Nikki Beach Ibiza, New Beach Club Grand Opening in July

    Ollivier Jacq
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:46 pm
    Nikki Beach Worldwide is proud to announce their 2013 Grand Opening of its newest location Nikki Beach Ibiza. Nikki Beach will be located on a beautiful beach front overlooking the spectacular Mediterranean Sea.  It will consist of the brand´s popular beach club, restaurant and lifestyle boutique. Nikki Beach will be the third location added to [...]

  • Top 5 Reasons to Spend the Holidays in Crete

    Ollivier Jacq
    14 Jun 2013 | 6:09 am
    Tucked away in the astonishing Meditteranean Sea lies the beautiful Island of Crete. As the largest island in Greece, Crete has been a popular destination for many people. Let´s explore the top 5 reasons why Crete should be your next vacation stop. 1. Rich Culture Crete is filled with a lush cultural history. The island [...]
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    The Travel Word

  • Sustainable Development and Ecotourism in Maldives

    editor
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am
    THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THOMSON UK Encompassing more than 200 islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a world-renowned tropical paradise famed for its clear blue skies, turquoise lagoons and sandy white beaches. There's nothing like a Maldives sunset. Photo courtesy of Canopus Maldives However, a combination of Maldives’ ever-increasing popularity and its desire to meet tourist demand could have potentially damaging consequences to the country’s delicate ecosystem if the clean and green environment that is such a top selling point is not maintained. While…

  • Giraffe Awe and Wild Things on Safari in Botswana

    cynthia
    4 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am
    What a travesty it would be for any traveler to central Africa to skip a safari. My adventure to Zambia to visit my daughter Gina in the Peace Corps began in Livingstone, a place best known as the gateway to the incomparable Victoria Falls. Livingstone is also the launch pad for a handful of local safari outfitters operating in Chobe National Park, about an hour’s drive into neighboring Botswana. A pack of pachyderms on the Zambezi. Photo courtesy of John Ord Gina and I connected with Kalahari Holiday Tours Kasane and negotiated an overnight stay in Chobe. The outfitter picked us up right…

  • EcoAdventure Media: Walking the Talk

    editor
    28 May 2013 | 11:50 am
    Today, I am proud to announce The Travel Word’s part in the launch of EcoAdventure Media, a group of seasoned media and travel industry professionals – writers, reporters, editors, bloggers, photographers, videographers, podcasters, marketing/PR virtuosos, social media experts and more – united behind a powerful platform for promoting eco-conscious brands. Of course, it’s a behind-the-scenes exercise that most travellers will never get wind of, but this is our early and hopeful boast that perhaps the responsible, sustainable and local causes The Travel Word champions, not to…

  • Six Things to Do in Nairobi, Kenya

    laurel
    6 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Mention Nairobi to the Average Joe and you’re likely to be subjected to a barrage of incredulous questions along the lines of “You do realise it’s EXTREMELY dangerous, don’t know?” Elephant playtime at the David Sheldrick Animal Orphanage on the outskirts of Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Photo courtesy of Samuel Hopkins Often mislabelled and maligned by a sometimes ruthless and distorted media as the granddaddy of hazardous African cities (alongside Nigeria’s Lagos and South Africa’s Johannesburg, of course), Nairobi, Kenya, is to many travellers simply a no-go zone.

  • Miraculous El Sauce, Nicaragua

    laurel
    2 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    The river swelled and prevented his crossing. When Guadalupe Trejos was ordered to oversee the safe passage of El Christo Negro back to El Guayabal, a number of strange occurrences befell him. The final one sent him to his grave. The statue of the Black Christ would remain where it had been placed, beneath the willow tree (in Spanish el sauce) in the rich emerald valley. Catholic officials from Guatemala would twice more attempt to return El Christo Negro. Twice more the river would rise, malaria would strike and those sent to remove the relic would perish. El Christo Negro refused to move,…
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    Videos

  • Canada & The United States: Bizarre Borders Part 2

    CGPGrey
    5 Jun 2013 | 2:35 pm
    Canada & The United States: Bizarre Borders Part 2 Website: http://www.CGPGrey.com/ CGPGrey T-Shirts: http://dftba.com/product/10m/CGP-Grey... Reddit Thread: http://www.reddit.com/r/CGPGrey/ Twitter: https://... From: CGPGrey Views: 2022578 35764 ratings Time: 05:26 More in Education

  • 10 Unanswered Science Questions - Explained by the greatest minds on YouTube

    Alltime10s
    3 Jun 2013 | 11:00 am
    10 Unanswered Science Questions - Explained by the greatest minds on YouTube 10 Unanswered Science Questions Explained by the greatest minds on YouTube From the existence of alien life to the mysteries of the human brain, these are th... From: Alltime10s Views: 859039 28650 ratings Time: 05:23 More in Education

  • Ooh La La | Learn Guitar With David Brent

    The Ricky Gervais Channel
    2 Jun 2013 | 4:01 pm
    Ooh La La | Learn Guitar With David Brent David Brent talks about dreams, reality and traveling with this guitar tutorial for the song 'Ooh La La'. SUBSCRIBE for more Brent tutorials ▻ http://is.gd/R... From: The Ricky Gervais Channel Views: 305349 3700 ratings Time: 05:21 More in Comedy

  • What if You Were Born in Space?

    Vsauce
    12 May 2013 | 9:58 am
    What if You Were Born in Space? Subscribe to join the sauce! http://bit.ly/POIaN7 Cool stuff every day: http://www.twitter.com/tweetsauce Links to learn more below: music by http://youtube.... From: Vsauce Views: 1753211 65497 ratings Time: 13:23 More in Science & Technology

  • Countries inside Countries: Bizarre Borders Part 1

    CGPGrey
    7 May 2013 | 12:55 pm
    Countries inside Countries: Bizarre Borders Part 1 Discussion: http://goo.gl/yLsko C. G. P. Grey T-Shirts: http://goo.gl/qbGje Website: http://www.cgpgrey.com/ From: CGPGrey Views: 779792 14598 ratings Time: 02:07 More in Education
 
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    About.com Adventure Travel

  • 8 Colorful Locales for Self-Guided Trekking and Hiking Tours

    19 Jun 2013 | 3:10 pm
    Are you an adventurer who prefers to travel independently, instead of on a guided tour? Here are eight self-guided adventure trekking, walking tours and hiking trips designed to  let you meander through colorful scenery in locales around the globe, from Switzerland's Haute Route to Tasmania. The bonus: Each hike or trek is organized by companies that will set the trip up for you, from maps to lodging....Read Full Post

  • Croatia: Explore Ruins Revealing Ancient Civilizations

    14 Jun 2013 | 7:49 am
    Get away from the crowds packed into Dubrovnik's Old City and explore ruins that reflect the ancient Illyrian civilization. Your guide is an author, winemaker, cosmologist and expert on the Illyrian mysteries that are so vital a part of Croatia's history....Read Full Post

  • Where to Find Urban Adventures Near You

    7 Jun 2013 | 12:45 pm
    Parkour anyone? How about a Dirty Dash? A raft trip on a river flowing through a city, or a sunset kayak tour? A smorgasbord of  urban adventures are waiting for you and here's where to find them....Read Full Post

  • Free Gear & Adventures From ZOZI

    3 Jun 2013 | 10:47 am
    Adventurer and survivalist Bear Gryllis has joined ZOZI. To celebrate, ZOZI has teamed up with Bear, GoPro, Gerber and some 80 local merchant partners to give away 100,000 free local adventures and gear.  The freebies are going fast, but it's not too late....Read Full Post

  • Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Year-round Playground for Adventure Travelers

    28 May 2013 | 11:10 pm
    Hiking in the wilderness, mountain biking on singletrack, rock climbing and fly fishing, then soaking in a natural hot springs.  Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has it all. Photo: © Lois Friedland
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    About.com Africa Travel

  • Elmina, Ghana -- One of my Favorite Spots in Africa

    17 Jun 2013 | 10:58 am
    Most visitors come to Elmina to take a tour around St George's Castle. The castle was built by the Portuguese in 1482 making it the oldest European building still in existence in sub-Saharan Africa. During the trans-Atlantic slave trade, thousands of slaves were shipped from this site, trudging through the "door of no return". Visitors get a sobering peek into the dungeons and holding cells. Fortunately, the incredibly lively and vibrant fishing port that surrounds the Castle provides a wonderful antidote to the depression you feel after the tour. I found Elmina to be one of the most…

  • July Festivals and Events in Africa

    12 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am
    It may be winter in South Africa, but that's not stopping lots of festivities taking place this July. Durban hosts its annual film festival, Cape Town celebrates fashion, and Grahamstown celebrates the arts. Zanzibar will host East Africa's premier film festival, a week long event. You can enjoy music, arts, literature, film and more, from all over Africa and countries bordering the Indian ocean. Dhow races take place throughout the festival. July also marks the start of Ramadan this year, find out how this month of fasting and feasting may affect your travels in Africa. Click here to find…

  • In the Footsteps of Mandela

    10 Jun 2013 | 9:40 am
    A Nelson Mandela tour of South Africa will introduce the traveler to some of the highlights of the great man's life as well as some of the most interesting sights in South Africa. In honor of Nelson Mandela who is struggling with his health in hospital right now, I hope this will inspire you to take this journey -- in the footsteps of Madiba. A Mandela tour would start along the Wild Coast of South Africa's Eastern Cape region, where he was born. The next stage would be a visit to Soweto, where Mandela lived as a young man. His home is now a museum. No Mandela tour would be complete of course…

  • Exploring Casablanca

    6 Jun 2013 | 3:37 am
    Casablanca is often the first port of call for travelers flying into Morocco. While most people move on to either Marrakech or Fes within hours of arrival, Morocco's largest port and busiest city is worth more than a mere glance through a taxi window. There's plenty of well preserved art-deco architecture to enjoy, a vibrant contemporary arts scene, and bustling outdoor markets. The Hassan II Mosque alone is an absolute "must see" for any visitor to Morocco. It took 6,000 traditional Moroccan artisans, five years to build this magnificent mosque, with its intricate mosaics, stone and marble…

  • Frozen Cape Town ....

    2 Jun 2013 | 4:58 pm
    Palm trees overlooking frozen streets doesn't quite look right, but this is what Capetonians woke up to on Sunday. Not quite the image most people have when they think of a vacation in Africa. The penguins at Boulders beach must have been very excited! Of course local people had a lot of fun, some intrepid folks even managed to scrape together a snow man at the Cape of Good Hope. So for those of you heading to South Africa and expecting a hot African sun - bring a fleece, it's winter time! Snow is really quite rare in Cape Town, but it is more common in Johannesburg and at higher elevations.
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    About.com Amsterdam Travel

  • Up Close and Personal with the Jordaan

    19 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    It's easy to become smitten with the Jordaan, a district of Amsterdam popular for its cafe, boutiques and culture. Delve below the surface of the modern-day Jordaan at its dedicated museum, the Jordaanmuseum, for a look at its historic trials and tribulations, and the bumpy road to its present prosperity.

  • A Treasury of Amsterdam City History

    17 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Visitors interested in Amsterdam city history should head over to the Stadsarchief (Amsterdam City Archives), whose free Schatkamer (Treasure Room) presents some of the city's most precious artifacts in the monumental interior of the archive's landmark premises, De Bazel.

  • Art on the Streets

    12 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    The Schuttersgalerij (Civic Guard Gallery) may well be the only freely accessible "museum street" in the world, an enclosed avenue bedecked with 15 colossal city watch portraits in the vein of Rembrandt's The Night Watch. Find this top free attraction between two others of its kind, the Amsterdam Museum and the Begijnhof.

  • Meet Multatuli

    10 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Can you name a Dutch writer? Maybe not; but chances are, if you can, that the first name that jumps to mind is Multatuli. Visit the Multatuli House, the Amsterdam birthplace of Eduard Douwes Dekker - a/k/a Multauli - whose satirical novel Max Havelaar inspired the Dutch to reform their unjust colonial policies in the East Indies, and is considered one of the catalysts for Indonesian independence.

  • Amsterdam for Free

    5 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Free attractions and activities are in perennial demand in Amsterdam. Fortunately, there's ample supply of them in the Dutch capital. See the best free attractions in Amsterdam in pictures.
 
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    Orlando Florida Vacation Deals

  • Disney World Resorts

    Sunil Govind
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:56 am
    Making up the moderately priced resorts of Walt Disney World are five impressive places to stay. These resorts are as follows; Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. These five resorts are themed upon [...]

  • Disney World Coloring Pages

    Tara Alexander
    16 Jun 2013 | 4:22 am
    Colors are so refreshing that everyone loves to look at colorful things around them – the green trees, bright coloured flowers, the blue sky, the yellow sun, beautifully painted houses and stuffs! Moreover, everyone loves to paint using colors, especially kids! With classic fairytale and favorite cartoon coloring pages made available by Disney, coloring becomes [...]

  • Fireworks Displays at Walt Disney World

    Sunil Govind
    10 Jun 2013 | 9:46 am
    Residents of Orlando west side enjoy a special treat every night–a glimpse of the fireworks display from Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The Disney fireworks are among the highlights of any trip to Orlando, and those who visit the WDW theme parks have plenty of opportunities to catch a brilliant display. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, [...]

  • Orlando kid-friendly hotel choices

    Sunil Govind
    9 Jun 2013 | 1:46 pm
    People vacation in Orlando, Florida for many reasons; for the incredible golf locales, for business, and of course, to see some of the local attractions and theme parks. If you are traveling to Orlando theme parks you may also be traveling with kids. Traveling with kids poses some challenges when it comes to finding the [...]

  • Orlando Hotels with Great Restaurants

    Sunil Govind
    7 Jun 2013 | 10:40 am
    For Orlando area residents, one of the benefits of living in close proximity to so many first rate Orlando hotels is the ability to enjoy fine dining without having to pay for a hotel room. There are many hotels in and around Orlando that are dining destinations in and of themselves. By calling 407-WDW-DINE, anyone [...]
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    USA Travel Guide

  • The Best Golfing in Los Cabos

    Anne
    14 Jun 2013 | 8:39 am
    Avid golfers understand that a round of golf can be one of the most relaxing and scenic endeavors to embark upon on the regular. What better way to spend a vacation than enjoying the scenery and stepping foot on some of the most internationally acclaimed courses. Although Scotland, New Zealand and Ireland may come to [...] Related posts:Los Cabos Golf Vacations – Palmilla & All-Inclusive The Best Golfing in Biloxi, Mississippi Your Summer Escape – A Los Cabos Resort

  • Staycations – Los Angeles

    Anne
    29 May 2013 | 1:43 pm
    When you live so close to some of the most visited attractions in the continental United States, forget about a vacation, turn it into a staycation! Oftentimes, wherever we live, we tend to our surroundings with a grain of salt. This summer, why not clean the sleep out of your eyes, shake the school year off [...] Related posts:South Florida Staycations – Hollywood Beach Summer Family Vacations – Los Angeles, California The Getty Museum in Los Angeles

  • Top Attractions in Chicago: Navy Pier

    Anne
    25 Mar 2013 | 11:45 am
    As the warmer months are approaching, we know it’s time to start planning a summer vacation or getaway with your family. And Chicago is a great place to bring the kids. The most visited tourist attraction in Chicago is the Navy Pier, a 3,300 foot long, 50 acre stretch of fun along the shoreline of [...] Related posts:Budget California Attractions – Santa Monica Pier Taste of Chicago 2009 – Chicago Events in Grant Park Chicago Blues Festival 2009 – Free Chicago Events

  • Grand Canyon National Park

    Anne
    18 Mar 2013 | 2:57 pm
    It is one thing to see pictures, to hear how big the Grand Canyon is, to know how old it is, how long the Colorado River has been carving its way through Mother Earth. It is another thing entirely to visit the massive wonder and take in the expansiveness in person. The Grand Canyon, one of [...] Related posts:2011 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California Drive In to the 61st Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA Top American Zoos – Canyon of the Eagles Lodge & Nature Park

  • American History Tours – Connecticut

    Anne
    8 Mar 2013 | 7:41 am
    The state of Connecticut has a rich history, with roots dating back to the seventeenth century. All across this rather small state – just 70 miles across and 110 miles in length – is an array of historical sites to visit. From a nuclear submarine along the coast to larger than life homes, there is [...] Related posts:American History Tours – Alexandria, Virginia American History Tours American History Tours – Boston, Massachusetts
 
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    News and Views from Cheapflights.com

  • 10 things to do in Oslo

    Marissa Willman
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:58 am
    Norway’s capital city offers no shortage of museums, natural beauty and bustling entertainment centers, but it can be difficult to decide how to dig into all Oslo has to offer. Whether you’re short on time or just want to make sure you hit all of the city’s highlights, don’t miss these 10 things to do in Oslo. The Nobel Peace Center Nobel Peace Center (Image: rossgram)Every year, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. Not only does the Nobel Peace Center chronicle award winners and the prize’s history, but it also showcases exhibits on conflicts, their…

  • 5 reasons to visit Chicago this summer

    Marissa Willman
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:56 am
    In need of a bit of inspiration for your next summer getaway? Not to worry, we have you covered. Check out these five reasons to visit Chicago this summer. Music FestivalsLollapalooza (Image: Gustavo Alves Paques used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)As one of the country’s most famous music festivals,� Lollapalooza is well worth a summer pilgrimage to the Windy City. Artists like The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, The Killers and Mumford & Sons headline this three-day concert at Grant Park held Aug 2-4. Can’t get tickets? Then head next door to…

  • Cheapflights Hotels 10% Discount Giveaway

    Oonagh Shiel
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:04 am
    To mark the launch of Cheapflights Hotels, we’re giving you an exclusive 10% off hotels around the world! We’ve already got the finest deals on thousands of properties around the world – a low-price guarantee!With our generous 10% off, your hotel stay is even cheaper!Voucher Code: CFTWhotel10Customers in the US, visit: uf.ly/hotelsusCustomers in Canada, visit: uf.ly/hotelscaCustomers in the UK, visit: uf.ly/hotelsukCustomers in Australia, visit: uf.ly/hotelsauBook by 23.59pm PST on July 14 for stays until December 31 2013.See full terms and conditions. Oonagh Shiel

  • Summer vacation ideas for families

    Marissa Willman
    18 Jun 2013 | 3:28 am
    Summer is here and the kids are out of school, so you know what that means: it’s time for a summer vacation! If you’re looking for a little inspiration for where to take the family this summer, check out these four ideas for a memorable family trip. A Hawaiian GetawayFamily paddle boarding in Hawaii (Image: Bruce Tuten)It’s nearly unheard of for kids to not have a good time in Hawaii. From the kids’ clubs you’ll find at most resorts to warm beaches and endless kid-friendly activities, there’s a good reason Hawaii is such a popular family vacation…

  • Free things to do in London

    Marissa Willman
    18 Jun 2013 | 3:24 am
    As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, London has no shortage of attractions to keep you busy on your trip to England’s capital city. Lucky for the budget-minded traveler, many of the city’s top attractions are free to see or visit. Here are a few free London attractions to put at the top of your travel list. MuseumsThe Reading Room at the British Museum (Image: brewbooks used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)You’ll find plenty of free museums to visit throughout London. The� British Museum is one of the oldest museums in…
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    Geotraveler's Niche

  • Postcard: The Banana Squad in Stockholm

    Lola Akerstrom
    17 Jun 2013 | 3:38 am
    Ran into this lot on Drottninggatan in Stockholm. You can read more of the backstory on Slow Travel Stockholm.

  • Notes on marriage, space, and travel from Paco

    Lola Akerstrom
    14 Jun 2013 | 5:25 am
    Paco glanced back at me through the rear view mirror. He wanted to make sure I was okay. That I was comfortable. As comfortable as I could be at 11 pm that night as we drove from the airport to downtown Toronto twinkling in the distance.“Is everything okay ma’am?” he asked. “Yes, thank you,” I responded, but I wasn’t sure he heard from that distance. Honestly, I’d rather have sat in the passenger seat next to him than what felt like 10 feet away hugged by soft dark leather in the back of his luxury sedan which had been sent.“Where are you from?” he asked. I told him.

  • Photo Composition Tip: Simplest Explanation of Rule of Thirds

    Lola Akerstrom
    12 Jun 2013 | 1:43 am
    While most photographers are inherently creative people, I think a person can still learn to be creative, especially when taking photographs.The biggest composition issue I constantly see is poor framing of the subject. One of the simplest yet tricky to grasp concepts of photography is what is called Rule of Thirds. Properly framing your subjects can exponentially (I’m not exaggerating) improve the composition of your photos.I’ve included an illustration above.In a nutshellIf you mentally divide your photo into a three-column, three-row grid, your subject or whatever you want to…

  • Notes, Slides, and Favorite Photos from TBEX Toronto 2013

    Lola Akerstrom
    7 Jun 2013 | 8:09 am
    I’m still trying to decompress from what I feel was the best TBEX conference to date. We’ve definitely come a long way from TBEX New York and Copenhagen even, both of which I enjoyed because I got to hug and chat with friends I’ve known online for a long time.There’s been a lot of online chatter about what people liked and didn’t like about TBEX. Personally, I view TBEX and travel blogging conferences as factories (in a good way, hang with me…). Newbie bloggers go in raw through one end of the factory, learn all the tips and tricks, collect tools, and…

  • Presentation: Telling Your Stories Through Travel Photography #TBEX

    Lola Akerstrom
    1 Jun 2013 | 8:28 pm
    Telling Your Stories Through Travel Photography from Lola (Akinmade) ÅkerströmHere’s the presentation I gave during my travel photography session at TBEX Toronto 2013. While it’s a lot different being there in person listening to each slide being explained, hope you get the gist of it and learn something new too. Please share your thoughts below.
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    Isabelles Travel Guide

  • Herrenchiemsee Palace

    Isabelle
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:47 am
    I`ve been visiting the Chiemsee since I was a kid. The Chiemsee is Bavaria`s largest lake, located between Munich and Salzburg. Recently I explored the region a bit more and discovered King Ludwig`s II famous German castles: Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and Linderhof, all located close together (about 3-3,5 hours’ drive from the Chiemsee). But King Ludwig II had another palace, Herrenchiemsee Palace also known as the New Palace (Neues Schloss). Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on Herreninsel, which is an island in the Chiemsee next to Fraueninsel, a neighboring island. You…

  • Locals in Brindisi

    Isabelle
    12 Jun 2013 | 9:28 am
    In the heel of Italy, you`ll find the city of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city might not be as famous as Bari, which is an hours drive from here, but it`s another port where you can experience Italy and make your way to Greece by ferry making it possible to discover two countries on the same trip. I spent a couple of days exploring the city and took this photo during an afternoon walking the streets. In Italy shops are closed between 1 pm and 5 pm, so it was quiet at Corso Umberto I, but a few locals were doing some grocery shopping or having a chat out on the street. I…

  • Famous German Castles

    Isabelle
    5 Jun 2013 | 2:46 am
    SCHLOSS NEUSCHWANSTEIN  Neuschwanstein castle was the inspiration for  Disney`s Sleeping Beauty castle. It is probably the most visited castle in Germany, meaning when you go you won`t be alone. Here are some tips: Decide in advance if you want to visit the castle inside, as you have to make reservations for a tour. A tour will take about 35 minutes and costs 12 euro/adult* (More info) The best shot of the castle (except if you can actually fly over it) is from the Marienbrücke. You can get here by either walking up, BUT don`t underestimate the hike up, it`s a steep hill! Or you can take…

  • Neuschwanstein Castle Germany

    Isabelle
    29 May 2013 | 5:11 am
    I`d heard about Neuschwanstein Castle before, as its reputation precedes its name. It was the inspiration for Disney`s Sleeping Beauty Castle and it sometimes even gets referred to as Disney`s Castle. This 19th century palace on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen is located in southwest Bavaria, Germany. It was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and built in honor of Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany and a famous tourist destination for foreigners. After opening to the public in 1886 the palace has been…

  • What to See in Perth?

    Isabelle
    22 May 2013 | 10:09 am
    Perth is a city that usually gets forgotten on a trip by international travelers, they explore Melbourne, Sydney and Uluru, but Perth misses out. Or better yet travelers miss out on Perth as you`ll discover! Let me take you on a tour around Perth. King`s Park and Botanic Garden King`s Park and the Botanic Garden cover 400 hectares and overlooks the Swan River, besides showcasing lots of Western Australian plants it`s a popular place for picnics, walks and events. You can take free guided walks in the park. At 10 am Botanic Garden Walk and at 2 pm there`s a Wilderness & Wildflowers Walk.
 
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    Ciao Bambino Blog

  • Memorable Vacation Experiences from the Ciao Bambino Archives

    Kristi from Ciao Bambino
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:29 pm
    I recently wrote a post about vacation experiences that kids remember for I See! Me personalized books. Their newly released travel book for children, My Very Own World Adventure Book, takes kids on an adventure around the world as they visit a country that starts with a letter in their name and are presented with a gift from a child that lives there. Kenya, Tanzania and Argentina are a few countries that my daughter, Katarina, visited on her journey. As my daughter and I read through the book, I started thinking about how much I enjoy reading about the adventures that the Ciao Bambino…

  • Photo Friday: Archery at Glamis Castle in Scotland

    Amie from Ciao Bambino
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:37 am
    Adventures by Disney hosted Ciao Bambino in Scotland to give us the opportunity to review their tour for families. As always, our opinions are our own. I’m a big fan of integrating a few very special local activities into international travel with kids. A kids’ cooking class, walking tour, whatever — these engaging cultural encounters often end up being the most memorable events of a trip. During our recent family trip in Scotland with Adventures by Disney, the itinerary was packed with unique activities that helped every age stay present and appreciate the finer details of each…

  • Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Highlights with Kids

    Amie from Ciao Bambino
    12 Jun 2013 | 9:52 am
    Four Seasons Las Vegas provided a media package to Ciao Bambino so we could write about the hotel for families. As always, all opinions expressed on Ciao Bambino are our own. Las Vegas with kids? Yes! The fact is that many of the attributes that make Vegas a great adult getaway — a convenient airport, hot weather for pool time, and a long list of fun attractions  — make it a terrific all-family getaway too. I’ve covered top things to do in Las Vegas with kids. The second half of the kid-friendly equation is where you stay. We made the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas our home for the…

  • Thailand with Kids: Five Kid-Friendly Adventures

    Gabi from The Nomadic Family
    10 Jun 2013 | 7:04 pm
    My name is Gabi Klaf and I am the mom behind The Nomadic Family and GabiKlaf.com. My family and I are in our third year of world travel, with no intention of stopping. We’re having too much fun spending ridiculous chucks of time with our kids, getting lost and found (physically and spiritually), and writing books and blog posts to guide and inspire others to make their travel dreams come true. We’re big on unearthing all of the beautiful, colorful, sweaty, and intoxicating shades of real round-the-world life on the road family travel. It’s a huge honor to join in with the…

  • Action-Packed Summer Camp at Woodward Tahoe

    Amie from Ciao Bambino
    7 Jun 2013 | 8:03 am
    Woodward Tahoe hosted Devon for an overnight in order for us to cover the camp on Ciao Bambino. As always, our opinions are our own. Devon, our 10-year-old, participated in his first media trip without mom to give Woodward Tahoe, an action-packed summer camp program for ages 7 and 20, a test drive. I can only comment on the boy factor as that is all I heard about, but there is no question this camp is sports nirvana where kids refine skills around snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, BMX bikes, as well as cheerleading and tumbling. Camp equipment includes trampolines, skateboarding ramps and…
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    Texas Parks, Travel & Recreation

  • 06-18 | Game Warden Field Notes

    tpwdnews
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:40 am
    ---Quote (Originally by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department)--- The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports. ---End Quote--- :: TPWD news release republished with permission from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department at... - WildTexas.com

  • 06-18 | National Survey Will Explore Dove Hunter Opinions

    tpwdnews
    18 Jun 2013 | 7:30 am
    ---Quote (Originally by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department)--- AUSTIN -- The National Dove Hunter Survey, a cooperative effort by the state fish and wildlife agencies, all four flyway councils, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will ask dove hunters from across the U.S. to share... - WildTexas.com

  • Monahans Sandhills State Park

    Troop198
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:08 pm
    We were there this March, may of the sites look like the pictures under "Camping" in this Wild Texas forum. Nights were cool then, air was so clean. You need to rent early in the day before it gets too hot on the sand, drink lots of water and take showers to cool off Have fun. - WildTexas.com

  • 06-17 | Fireworks at the Fishery to Light Up Skies Over Athens

    tpwdnews
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:50 am
    ---Quote (Originally by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department)--- ATHENS, Texas--The annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) is coming up on Thursday, July 4. The show will last approximately one-half hour and is one of the biggest in East Texas. ---End... - WildTexas.com

  • Lost Maples SNA Primitive Campsite A

    BigBendHiker
    16 Jun 2013 | 4:07 pm
    My son and I are looking to do a quick overnight backpack to Lost Maples SNA primitive campsite A. We have hiked past the campsite area many times before, but have never stayed there. Has anyone stayed at that site? Any comments, one way or another? - WildTexas.com
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    Family travel, entertainment, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

  • Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial video

    ThemeParkMom
    10 Jun 2013 | 7:36 am
    Holiday World is a fun theme park destination that many Midwestern families visit each summer. The park in Southern Indiana is one of my family’s favorites. But did you know that just a few miles away from summer fun is a historic site that your kids would also love visiting? The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a National Park Service site that preserves the Lincoln family farm, where Abraham Lincoln lived from age 7 to age 21. We visited recently and took a fun walk through the woods to an 1800s-style farm with a log cabin, park rangers demonstrating what life was like for Lincoln…

  • Carowinds 40th anniversary party starts June 1

    ThemeParkMom
    30 May 2013 | 8:46 am
    Carowinds opened to a crowd of 3,000 people dressed in bell bottoms and mini skirts on June 2, 1973. All summer long, the Charlotte, N.C., theme park will be celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the party kicks off on June 1 with a full day of special activities. Here’s the schedule of events for Carowinds’ 40th anniversary celebration: 9:30 am – Ceremonial ribbon cutting with two people who were with us opening day- James Henderson, Carowinds’ first official visitor, and Connie Dorn Rist, Ms. North Carolina 1972. 10:00 am – Fort Mill High School marching band…

  • Top 10 packing tips for a Disney Fantasy cruise

    ThemeParkMom
    27 Mar 2012 | 9:12 am
    Is tonight formal or semi-formal? What’s the dress code in that dining room? What kind of shoes am I going to need? Those are just some of the questions that swirled in my mind before I packed my family for our first Disney cruise. Now that I’m on my third one — right in the middle of it, actually, as I write this — I think I’ve learned what to pack that my family will actually use on board. Here are some Disney cruise packing tips: 1. Packing for dinner: There are no formal nights, semi-formal nights, etc. Unless you are planning to dine at one of the…

  • Getting to know Miami, Florida: Highlights and Alternatives

    ThemeParkMom
    23 Mar 2012 | 12:14 pm
    While sun-kissed beaches and family-themed amusement parks are Florida’s universal attractions, Miami has become a popular hotspot for all types of holiday seekers. Art and culture lovers, foodies and nightlife aficionados have put Miami on the map as a must-see destination. It is a city that has long been defined by the beach. However, it has redefined itself in recent years as a culturally diverse and cosmopolitan getaway. The beach is still the lifeblood of this southern city, and no holiday to Miami is complete without sunbathing on one of the barrier islands in Biscayne Bay. However,…

  • Tips for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at Raglan Road

    ThemeParkMom
    16 Mar 2012 | 2:07 pm
    Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant will be the center of the St. Patrick’s Day universe at Walt Disney World this weekend. The Downtown Disney eatery has plenty of special entertainment planned over the next two days, and there will be plenty of Irish food to enjoy and Guinness to drink. Tonight’s entertainment starts at 6 p.m., with guest entertainers Murphy’s Law & The Irish Rogues, Creel and the Raglan Road Dancers. And on St. Patrick’s Day, doors will open at 11 a.m., with all-day entertainment starting at noon. Elevation, a U2 tribute band, will perform…
 
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    BootsnAll Travel Articles

  • Round the World Family Budget Planning

    admin
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:03 am
    Dreaming is easy. Planning is harder. Budgeting gets downright scary.How much will your RTW trip with your family cost?Great question!There isn’t one answer to that. (Wouldn’t it be nice if there was just a formula?)How do you plan for something that you haven’t done before? How do you figure out how to pay for something that has wildly differing and open ended costs?Also great questions.Of course you can’t plan for everything, but you can certainly make a reasonable budget by doing a little research and answering a few questions that will help you determine and estimate costs.What…

  • Indie Travel in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for $50 a day

    admin
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:03 am
    If walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great sounds like an adventure to you, then Central Asia is the right place to be. There are other former USSR states that may be higher on most people’s must-do list than Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, but these still off the beaten path destinations are well worth a visit.  Between ancient Silk Road caravansaries like Bukhara and modern architectural marvels like Astana, there’s a lot to see between the two countries, and for the most part, you’ll find yourself well outside the normal tourist track.   But a word of caution, don’t expect…

  • RTW Family Travel: The Case for Slowing Down

    admin
    17 Jun 2013 | 1:03 am
    When you’re sitting with your map on the dining room table planning your RTW trip, it’s tempting to keep adding dots to your route. There are so many places to go, and a year seems like a very long time to travel. Except that it’s not, really; it goes by alarmingly quickly. Knowing that, you resolve to see as much as possible, and you pour over the maps, not wanting to “miss out” on anything really good. Pour yourself another glass of wine, and let’s take a second look at your plans, and mine.Our original route I recently came across my planning lists from 2007, the fall before we…

  • 9 Great Destinations to Begin Your Round the World Trip

    khammel
    14 Jun 2013 | 1:03 am
    For first time RTW travelers, there’s so much to think about and ponder when in the planning stages. Where you’re going to begin your epic adventure is usually at the forefront of the decision-making. Getting that first country on your itinerary is an exciting time, and many struggle with finding the best place to begin.Best is a completely subjective term that will be different for everyone. Some RTW travelers may be quite experienced, even though they have never gone on a long-term trip like this. Some are inexperienced, never even leaving their home country. Some travelers can speak…

  • Indie Travel in Hong Kong for $60 Per Day

    admin
    13 Jun 2013 | 1:03 am
    Hong Kong is one of the most bustling metropolises in the world. The Mongkok district has the second-highest population density in the world, and the government had to fill in much of the bay to accommodate its unconstrained population. The impressive cityscape is, of course, one of the attractions of Hong Kong, whether viewed from the top of Victoria Peak or from the Avenue of Stars at night, watching the Symphony of Lights show.But what many don't know about Hong Kong is that it is also the site of beautiful natural features and great for hiking and relaxing on the beach. With a land-mass…
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    Travel Blissful

  • How to Best Spend Money Abroad

    Erica Johansson
    18 Jun 2013 | 5:37 am
    ATM Machines in Panama. CC Image by thinkpanama (Flickr). If you are planning a holiday abroad this year and are confused about how best to go about organising your spending money, then join the club. Research by Consumer Focus last year showed that as much as £1bn a year was being made by exchange providers in fees, mainly because holidaymakers are confused about rates and charges. In addition to this, Brits who chose to withdraw money from ATMs in foreign countries were also subjected to a significant loss. Sainsbury’s Travel Money estimate that around £14.2 billion was withdrawn on…

  • 6 Steps to Success in International Business

    Erica Johansson
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:24 am
    Business Travel Panama. CC Image by thinkpanama (Flickr). By HOWARD CURTIS “International business” can mean different things to different people. If you own and operate an online business, and in the daily course of doing business you occasionally fulfill orders for international customers, perhaps you consider yourself to be an international businessperson. If you regularly travel back and forth from two or more countries in the course of your job role, you too may consider yourself to be operating in the international business arena. But the truth is that not everyone who is engaged in…

  • Budapest for Children

    Erica Johansson
    14 Jun 2013 | 4:08 am
    Camel, Budapest Zoo. CC Image by Jonny (Flickr). By DEREK LEM Taking a family vacation to the Hungarian capital? Most travel articles focus on the things that older travelers will enjoy, like architecture, museums and food. But when you’re in a group featuring a mix of ages, you need to find some activities that will appeal to the young as well as the young at heart. Here are several fun things to do with children in Budapest. Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens Fun for all the animal lovers in the family, the Budapest Zoo has a wide array of well-cared-for animals from around the world. A…

  • 5 Steps to Keeping the Kids Happy on Holiday

    Erica Johansson
    12 Jun 2013 | 8:02 am
    Jamaica Vacation. CC Image by adwriter (Flickr). Taking your family away on holiday is one of the best and most exciting things you can do, although keeping the youngest members of the group happy can be hard work. Fortunately the following idea will help you do this. Let Them Make Decisions The adults in the group might be the ones who are paying for everything but that doesn’t mean that they need to decide everything as well. The younger members of the family will enjoy the trip a lot more if you let them choose what you all do sometimes. In fact, this process should start before you even…

  • Explore Goa in Architecture

    Erica Johansson
    11 Jun 2013 | 3:09 am
    Fort Aguada. CC Image by Premnath Thirumalaisamy (Flickr). By NITYA BHAGAWATI Most travellers focus on the beach when planning a trip to Goa, but this former Portuguese enclave offers more to explore than simply sea and sand. Especially interesting for history buffs and design lovers is the fusion of architectural styles present in Old Goa. Goa’s heritage of Portuguese occupation has left the city with some examples of rich and interesting architecture. The Portuguese Influence The Portuguese first came to Goa in 1510, but mostly abandoned what is now known as Old Goa in the mid-1800s when…
 
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    Stuck in Customs

  • Not Impressed by Adobe Creative Cloud’s Launch Features for Photographers

    Trey Ratcliff
    18 Jun 2013 | 5:09 pm
    Is this how they usher in the Cloud era? Today Adobe announced Photoshop CC that is only available to cloud subscribers. Adobe should not release such lame updates to Photoshop and Lightroom to convince people that the cloud-subscription software is exciting. They should make dramatic improvements – things that photograpehrs can’t live without. Can we live without “Smart Sharpen” and “Intelligent Upsampling” with Photoshop. Err, probably. The Lightroom improvements are equally underwhelming. You know that the updates are lame when one of the top bullet…

  • The Golden Seaspray

    Trey Ratcliff
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:01 pm
    Don’t Miss Nicole’s new eBook on Inspiration Grab it now on Flatbooks – The Inspired Photographer! Filled with ideas and resources to help you find your “spark” of inspiration 146 beautifully designed pages filled with colorful photographs Presented in Nicole’s approachable and conversational style of writing Real-life inspirational examples Dozens of ideas to help get those creative brain-cells active Want to see more from Nicole and the book? Watch the show that went live last night here on the blog. She joined us to talk about it! Daily Photo – The…

  • Trey’s Variety Hour #78: Finding Your Photography Inspiration + Google Loon Balloon recap! Join me with Thomas Hawk and more

    daveveffer
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:47 pm
    Trey’s Variety Hour #78 The show airs each Monday at 7 PM PT / 10 PM ET. (Check your local time) You can subscribe for free to my YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/stuckincustoms Watch previous episodes on YouTube here New Live Chat! Log in and you’ll automatically join the #stuckincustoms channel! Click Here to go to the chat. Connect Manually with an IRC chat client: IRC Server: irc.geekbeat.tv Join room #stuckincustoms Thanks to our friends over at GeekBeat.tv for providing this chat room! Subscribe to the Podcast and View Past Episodes Subscribe for free to My YouTube…

  • The Mighty Trees at Glen Oaks Big Sur

    Trey Ratcliff
    16 Jun 2013 | 10:01 pm
    Stuck On Earth in Big Sur I was able to use Stuck On Earth to find a lot of great places in Big Sur! By the way, don’t forget that you can now get it for iPad AND Android. We are glad that so many people are enjoying it! Anyway, don’t forget that one cool feature that lets you download all the photos in a given area and add them to a new trip. This came in handy here… I just kind of vacuumed up all the good spots into a “Big Sur Trip” with a single click! Daily Photo – The Mighty Trees at Glen Oaks Big Sur Here’s another photo from that amazing place…

  • The View from CN Tower in Toronto

    Trey Ratcliff
    15 Jun 2013 | 10:01 pm
    Behind the scenes of the photo below In case you missed the video while I was up on CN Tower in Toronto to take this photo below, just click that link and you can watch on YouTube. Mirrorless Cameras and Post-Processing on This Week in Photo Here is a fun interview I did with Frederick Van Johnson from TWIP recently. Enjoy! Daily Photo – The View from CN Tower in Toronto While walking around the top of the tower, I was taking photos with both cameras – the Sony NEX-7 and the Google Glass. Of course, I ended up getting better photos with the Sony, and here is one of them below.
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    We Blog The World

  • The Growth of Homestays in Asia

    Puneet Sidhu
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:01 pm
    A rapidly increasing number of home-owners are welcoming visitors from across Asia–and abroad–into their homes and their lifestyle; for brief as well extended home-stays. Encouraged by the government, people are putting to good use their extra bedrooms by letting them out to discerning travellers willing to imbibe a culturally different way of life. A complete departure from the facility-rich albeit impersonal environs of a hotel, home-stays are indeed answering the home-away-from-home call. The Mirage, Andretta Typical home-stays require visitors to check into another’s house and life…

  • Waiheke Island Yacht Club, a Kiwi Transplant to Open in San Francisco for American’s Cup

    Marcia Gagliardi
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:01 pm
    During my trip to New Zealand, I had the pleasure of making my way through all the appetizers at Clooney in Auckland, a very chic and contemporary restaurant from restaurateur Tony Stewart (he is also behind The Hamptons in Auckland). At the time, he told me he had a pop-up, New Zealand-inspired restaurant and bar project that was going to open in San Francisco California for the America’s Cup. After waiting on some finalized details, I can finally spill the beans on ~WAIHEKE ISLAND YACHT CLUB~, opening Thursday July 4th on Pier 29. First, I need to explain Waiheke Island a bit. It’s an…

  • iPhone’s New iOS 7: Is There Any Innovation There?

    Michael Tchong
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:20 pm
    Apple released the much-anticipated update to its mobile operating system yesterday. The chorus of complaints has been unprecedented, but not unexpected. With any new design you always flush out, what Howard Cosell would call the “nattering nabobs of negativism.” Is all the criticism deserved? Based on some of the design analysis out there, it’s quite evident that Apple’s redesign fell short in a number of areas. Inconsistencies Several pundits have pointed out the glaring inconsistencies and design incongruencies that have no place in a company with 50,250 employees. You might argue…

  • Hospitality and Charm Over Pasta in Italy’s Riomaggiore

    Jessica Festa
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:10 pm
    “Hurry! Turn off the stove!” Dan, a Toronto native, shouts as boiling water begins overflowing from the pot. I have never cooked before but am determined to create a delicious, authentic Italian meal here in Riomaggiore, Italy. We lower the heat and let the pasta continue to boil as Simon and Alison, a middle-aged New Zealand couple sharing our apartment-style accommodation, set the table out on the balcony. It is still sunny out at 6pm, and we have a great view of both markets and locals of the small village as well as the Italian Riviera. Lindsay, a sweet girl from Minnesota, and I had…

  • Come to Singapore & Experience Hot & Steamy Kopi Culture…

    Jessica Festa
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:35 pm
    In this article, Epicure & Culture  While Chinatowns are a growing staple for any major city, the large Chinese influence in Singapore makes its version particularly lively and impressive. It hosts a seemingly endless array of shops and restaurants overlooking the famous Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and is brimming with tourists and locals alike every day (and night) of the week. While these headlining attractions pull in large numbers of visitors, I instead take a step back in time and head for a smaller site nestled on the crowded corner of Keong Saik Road across from the old-time Hotel…
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    Business Travel Destinations

  • MGM Resorts International Ranks In Top 100 For MBA Students

    Business Travel Destinations
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:18 pm
    LAS VEGAS, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) has been cited as one of the top 100 companies for Masters of Business Administration students by Universum Global, the Employer Brand Research Firm. MGM Resorts ranked 86th, the only integrated casino resort company to rank, in its first appearance on the list that was announced on June 6th via CNN Money. “We’re pleased that our focus on being an employer of choice as a leading entertainment and hospitality company that provides a spectrum of dynamic career paths, is recognized by the next…

  • Cancun Welcomes Newest Property: Aloft Cancun

    Business Travel Destinations
    17 Jun 2013 | 9:16 am
    Tweet 17/06/2013Cancun Welcomes Newest Property: Aloft Cancun The Cancun Convention Visitor’s Bureau welcomes another addition to Cancun’s impressive list of hotels and resorts with Aloft Cancun. Ideally located in the hotel zone, Aloft provides travelers with high style, forward-thinking technology and a vibrant social atmosphere. Aloft Cancun is located along Cancun’s main avenue, Boulevard Kukulcan, is only 25 minutes away from the International Airport, 15 minutes from Downtown Cancun and walking distance to several of the city’s most famous entertainment venues and its renowned…

  • Neighborhood Spotlight: Humboldt Park

    Business Travel Destinations
    17 Jun 2013 | 3:16 am
    Humboldt Park is a vibrant neighborhood located on the near west side of Chicago. Butting up to Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village, Humboldt Park offers some compelling reasons to “Go West, young man.” The huge, metal Puerto Rican flags that demark the heart of this vibrant neighborhood proudly display its Puerto Rican and Latino tradition. This stretch on Division Street known as the Paseo Boricua is full of authentic Latin food, music, art and architecture and is a must-see for any Chicago visitor. The park, with which the neighborhood shares a namesake, is expansive and equipped…

  • Seattlites Find Family History in Sligo

    Business Travel Destinations
    15 Jun 2013 | 9:15 am
    Michelle Duffy is the multitasking writer behind the brilliant Wander Mom blog, where she writes about the joys of travelling with children. Born in Dublin and living in Seattle, she recently brought her children to Ireland for a holiday lesson about their heritage. This is their story. Michelle and her family Growing up in Ireland I didn’t think about my family’s history or roots at all. It just wasn’t important. My parents regularly took my siblings and me to visit our grandparents in Sligo and Galway and I knew in a background, “who cares?” kind of way that my family had probably…

  • Second Edition of IBTM Industry Research Launched at AIBTM

    Travel Industry News
    14 Jun 2013 | 9:14 am
    Average number of events increases Incentive Travel on the rise Meeting planners expect to seek new meetings destination in the next 12 months The Caribbean identified as offering good value Technology expected to play an even bigger role in event planning in the future Chicago (June 12) — The second edition of the IBTM Global Meetings Industry Research for the Americas was launched at this year’s AIBTM (www.aibtm.com), on Education Day, which took place in Chicago’s McCormick Place on June 11. Key findings from the research highlighted thatthe average number of events organized by…
 
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    A Postcard a Day

  • Ottawa from various angles

    2 Jun 2013 | 3:01 pm
    I've chosen Canadian postcards and stamps for this week as my theme because in a day or so I will be there visiting family in its broadest sense.  In-laws of in-laws in some cases.  Ottawa is where I'll be based, though with a few side trips I believe. The first set of stamps illustrates games of Canadian invention.  I'm familiar with basketball and lacrosse, but ringette is a new one on me.  There was a fourth stamp in the series issued in 2009, illustrating five pin bowling. The second set is a series showing beneficial insects, issued by Canada Post in 2007. This is a…

  • College of Arms Quincentenary

    26 May 2013 | 4:17 pm
    These PHQ (Postal headquarters) stamp cards were part of an issue of stamps in 1984 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the founding of the College of Arms. The top card shows the Arms of Richard III, the founder of the College of Arms, and whose remains have recently (2012) been found under a car park in Leicester, in what was the Church of the Grey Friars not far from the cathedral.  It wasn't until this year in February that the remains were finally confirmed as definitely being those of Richard III. The second card shows the arms of The Earl Marshal, a ceremonial position and one…

  • Sauna in Finland

    19 May 2013 | 2:31 pm
    I had to go back quite a long way to find stamps from Finland.  Once upon a time I could depend on receiving cards from Finland almost every week but now they are something of a rarity.  But I am delighted to be able to show this themed card and stamp from 2009. According to the sender, the card and stamp rove that Finnish people are maniacs as far as saunas are concerned.  There is a sauna in every home and they are used at least once a week.  As she was writing her own sauna was heating, ready to welcome her family. A post about stamps from Finland wouldn't be…

  • Youth organisations

    12 May 2013 | 6:37 am
    From 1982, a set of stamps as shown on PHQ (Postal HeadQuarters) stamp cards, depicting youth organisations.  The upper ones are the Girls' Brigade and Boys' Brigade, the lower ones Guides/Brownies and Scouts/Cubs.  I believe all these organisations have changed fairly radically since 1982 in an effort to remain relevant with the changing times. This is a post for Sunday Stamps, run by Viridian. To join in just click on the button and visit her blog.

  • Map and stamps from China

    5 May 2013 | 12:57 am
    I've been trying to look through all my map cards - I have a LOT of them - but can't find any others of China.  I'm almost certain this is the first one I have been sent that is a map of a part of China, sent from China.  It is the Shichai district of Beijing, popular with tourists because of the three lakes and an abundance of temples and residences. It came with equally wonderful stamps.  The problem I have with Chinese stamps is that I frequently can't tell what they represent though they are almost always very beautiful.  This time, though, I do recognise…
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    Travelojos

  • Top Theme Parks from Around the World

    admin
    17 Jun 2013 | 11:55 pm

  • Festivals Around the World

    admin
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:34 am

  • A Guide to Rajasthan’s Top Cities

    admin
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:13 am
    Jaipur (creative commons) Rajasthan in north India is one of the country’s most eclectic and exciting regions, with a wealth of fascinating sights to discover. It’s a particularly good place to explore if you’re interested in history and culture, as there is a host of outstanding monuments to visit. To give you an insight into what to expect if you choose to travel to this part of the country, we’ve put together a bit of information about Rajasthan’s best cities and the unmissable sites in each of them. You can go on a tour that takes in all of these places, as…

  • Solomon Islands – a holiday in paradise

    admin
    16 Jun 2013 | 3:50 am
    This summer should be all about spending your time the way you want it and delighting your senses with a wonderful once in a lifetime experience! If you’re feeling over the top adventurous then why not try something new and different this holiday, something like a nice getaway in the Solomon Islands? The Solomons still remain a mystery for many travelers out there and a holiday destination for those seeking an authentic Melanesian experience. Just imagine a scenario filled with corals and blue lagoons accompanied by volcanoes bubbling in the underwater, locals that will mesmerize you with…

  • Welcome to St Tropez

    admin
    16 Jun 2013 | 3:35 am
    From time to time we all need that one vacation that will pamper our senses to the fullest! We deserve a nice treat after all the stress we absorb in our bodies in our daily life. And what better way to do that than to leave all our worries at home and book a trip to the extravagant and flamboyant St Tropez? Considered to be a high class luxury travel destination, in fact, this French Riviera hot spot is a place for everyone and for every pocket. If you plan your trip wisely and start saving some money in advance, then all you’ll need for this trip are a passport for fun, a light luggage…
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    The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

  • Postcard from the Road: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

    Amy Querido
    28 May 2013 | 7:40 pm
    After two month trips to Thailand last year, this year we decided to stay closer to home (for various reason including financially). So our summer road trip 2013 was born. Summer Road Trip 2013 Our... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tell Your Travel Stories with Disney Story App

    Amy Querido
    17 May 2013 | 1:22 pm
      During Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2013, I learned about recently released new iPhone app from Disney called ‘Story’. And I can’t wait to share with everyone about... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Disney with Kids: Visiting the New Fantasyland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom

    Amy Querido
    10 May 2013 | 11:30 pm
      If you haven’t noticed already, you will pretty soon realize that we love to visit Disney with kids. It’s such a magical place to visit and every time we always discover something... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • DC Itinerary Planning: 5 Days in Washington DC with Young Kids

    Amy Querido
    20 Mar 2013 | 12:02 pm
    One of the aspect of vacation planning for our family is hours I spent reading, researching and agonizing over our itinerary planning. Just because we have a list of things to do in the destination... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Fun Things to Do in DC for School-age Kids

    Amy Querido
    19 Mar 2013 | 7:55 am
    Finding family friendly things to do in DC with kids is easy. But choosing what your family can fit into your schedule and limited vacation time is extremely hard. We have been to Washington DC with... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
 
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    Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog

  • Wildlife Across the USA

    Tina Becci
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:38 am
    Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors! No matter where in the country you live or plan on visiting this year, there is bound to be fascinating wildlife within driving distance. You may see wild animals regularly if you live in the country or the suburbs; if you reside in a large city, it might be a rarer occurrence. Here are just a handful of interesting species you might be able to catch a glimpse of if you plan on traveling in the United States:   Elephant Seals  If you are planning a trip to central or southern California, you might consider a trip to the…

  • Globus and Cosmos Religious Tours

    Burt Brage
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:22 am
    VACATIONS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN Journeying to Devine Destinations Around the World Drawing more than 16 million travelers, faith tourism – which includes religious pilgrimages and more esoteric spiritual destinations – is one of the top travel trends today. In fact, each year, more and more travelers are interested in exploring sites with unique spiritual significance.  On these spiritual journeys, they are looking for a meaningful vacation experience: One where they can explore the roots of their faith by walking in the footsteps of religious leaders while also encountering a…

  • Duchess Kate Formally Names the New Royal Princess Cruise Ship

    Sue Lobo
    16 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Looking beautifully pregnant (now at 8 months,) the Duchess of Cambridge, kept the 1,000 year tradition of the naming of a ship, by cutting the ribbon that set the bottle in motion to break along the hull of the new Royal Princess cruise ship.  The spectacular ceremony upheld British ship-naming traditions including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards, as well as contemporary singer Natasha Bedingfield. A godmother of a ship is symbolic patron that symbolizes the spirit of the vessel. Diana Princess of was the godmother for the first Royal…

  • Best Selling Tauck Tours

    Sue Lobo
    15 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
    For those who have taken a Tauck tour in Europe, don’t forget they offer amazing trips close to home as well.  Which one is the best? Well they are all wonderful in our opinion, but we have listed the top 10 USA/Canada trip for Tauck tours, and what highlights and features are included to make it a unique Tauck experience.  Remember that with Tauck tours just about every single sightseeing experience is included in your price. HIGHLIGHTS OF TOP TAUCK USA/CANADA TRIPS AMERICA’S CANYONLANDS- 7 NIGHTS- filmed highlights by Ken Burns 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners) – 4…

  • Things to Do in San Francisco This June

    Tina Becci
    13 Jun 2013 | 10:24 am
    San Francisco, California, is a huge city with a number of well-known landmarks, unique neighborhoods, and cultural events to explore and enjoy. Almost any time is a good time to visit the city, which is known for its mild climate. However, travelers that come to the city in June are arriving just in time for a month’s worth of interesting and exciting events, making it perhaps the ideal time to take a vacation in the city. If you stay for the whole month, you can attend food fairs, street festivals, parades, and more. Here are some of the highlights of the month of June in San…
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    TRAVEL BLOG

  • Jun 18, WORLD CUP 2014

    18 Jun 2013 | 5:26 am
    Brazil is hosting World Cup 2014, biggest soccer event of its kind held every four years. If you are fond of sports, fantastic scenery, beach life and lots of fun and entertainment, head off to Brazil and you'll have the time of your life...

  • Jun 15, BRAZIL PICTURES

    15 Jun 2013 | 5:04 am
    Through Brazil Pictures you will discover some of the most amazing tourist attractions in Brazil, up to the point that, after seeing this, you'll start searching for the next available flight. To make your experience more gratifying, you'll be browsing through images in 3D...

  • May 30, SIGHTSEEING RIO DE JANEIRO

    30 May 2013 | 5:13 am
    Let's do some sightseeing Rio de Janeiro before you actually get to Brazil. Rio is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, from its beaches to its people, a must-see destination on your Brazil vacations...

  • May 12, Lugares Turisticos de Chile

    12 May 2013 | 4:18 am
    La lista de lugares turisticos de Chile incluye una vasta y variada gama de maravillas naturales y sitios de interes. Entre todas ellas, una reciente votacion de sus ciudadanos determino las principales siete...

  • May 7, Places to Visit in Chile

    7 May 2013 | 2:40 am
    Let's review top places to visit in Chile, the country's seven wonders voted by Chilean nationals in 2010. The list includes some of the most unique and spectacular sights in South America...
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    Take On Africa

  • Desert Snow – The Book of Take On Africa

    Helen Lloyd
    10 Jun 2013 | 7:52 am
    It is a long time since I posted a blog here. Many of you will have followed my subsequent journeys on my newer site Helen’s Take On… and will know I’ve been writing the cycle ride through Africa into a book. But for those who didn’t know, I thought I’d mention it here. So now the book is published – Desert Snow. Buy it here if you like. And if you want to follow my next adventure – Take On Asia – subscribe to my other blog. I’ve just uploaded a few taster photos of Moscow. The journey has begun… I’m on my way by train from…

  • Video of DR Congo Train Journey

    Helen Lloyd
    21 May 2012 | 12:30 pm
    For those who followed my trip through Africa, you’ll know that I loved the Congo. And sometimes hated it too! But mostly I loved it and those experiences in my 3 months there will remain with me forever and seem to be a benchmark and comparison for all I have done since. And while I was in the DRC, I spent a few days on a train or hanging around waiting by the train. And this is the video… This will probably be my last Africa video for a while. I’m going to be putting a few together from my latest journey cycling from Canada to Central America. In fact I’ve uploaded…

  • Video of Dogon Dama Mask Ceremony in Mali

    Helen Lloyd
    9 May 2012 | 10:42 am
    Another short video I made, this time showing the fascinating Dogon culture in Mali… a funeral procession and dance I saw when visiting the village of Djiguibombo: Video of Dogon Dama Mask Ceremony Dogon Mask Ceremony  

  • Video of Biking the Guineas’ Backroads

    Helen Lloyd
    6 May 2012 | 1:33 am
    Well I’m back from another trip and finally have some time to spare. I thought it about time I put together some of the videos I took while biking through Africa. So over the next few weeks I’ll be gradually sorting through and uploading a few. To begin with we go to Guinea and Guinea Bissau… Video of Biking the Guineas’ Backroads (well, I say ‘backroads’… there were ‘main’ roads too, but they all look the same! Dusty.) Biking in Guinea  

  • Video of Cycling across the Sahara

    Helen Lloyd
    19 Jun 2011 | 10:08 am
    I’ve just created a short video of the cycle from Morocco through the Western Sahara and Mauritania. You can check it out on my new website: Helen’s Take On… video of Cycling Across the Sahara
 
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    Wild Junket

  • How Travel Changed My Life

    Nellie Huang
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:52 am
    Writing my book has got me thinking a lot these days about how different my life would be without travel. Here, I share my personal journey of how I built a life around travel and how my life has changed because of it. Twenty years ago, if you’d told me I would be jumping out of planes and climbing active volcanoes today, I would have laughed. In fact, the old me was far from an adventurer. You see, I grew up a shy and timid girl in Singapore, where creativity and social skills were always secondary to academic excellence. I did well in school, but not in sports or other recreational…

  • A Month of Hiatus: Taking A Break From Blogging

    Nellie Huang
    10 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Flickr image by YST   It’s been almost five years since this travel blog turned into a business and many things have happened since. I’ve taken on many other writing projects, my other half Alberto quit his job to join me in the venture, and we even launched our very own WildJunket Magazine! Thanks to the success of this blog, we’ve traveled extensively during the past five years – from Antarctica to the Arctic, from India to Madagascar. While we’re grateful to lead this privileged lifestyle, travel has inevitably become our work. Just like how you wake up each day to go…

  • Confessions of A Semi-Nomadic Couple: We Love Coming Home

    Nellie Huang
    10 Jun 2013 | 5:02 am
    After four months of traveling around the Caribbean, Pacific, and North America, we’re finally back home in Granada, Spain.  I can’t begin to describe how comforting it is to be in a place we’ve come to be so familiar and at ease with: the smell of our sheets, the sounds of kids playing in the park right behind our house,  the view of the mountains on our rooftop terrace and the fragrance of pine in the air that’s quintessentially Granada. Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely love traveling – so much so that we turned our biggest passion into a job and built a lifestyle around…

  • Travel Sketches from the Road

    Nellie Huang
    4 Jun 2013 | 7:30 am
    They say a picture paints a thousand words – but I think a painting does an even better job of capturing the poetic beauty of a place. Since my friend and fellow writer, Candace Rose Rardon, first published her sketches, I’ve been hooked. Hooked to the lines, the colors, and the magic she’s transmitted on canvas. Candace has always had the talent of bringing a place to life through poetic words and striking photographs – and now she’s added sketching to her list of talents. As an avid traveler, she’s used water colors to put magic into the flower markets of Mumbai, temples of…

  • 8 Quirky Houses Around the World

    Elica Sue
    3 Jun 2013 | 7:25 am
    With today’s growing suburban culture, it’s extremely common to see cookie-cutter houses and less-than-creative designs and colors. Amidst these uniformity, there are still a handful of exotic and unique dwellings scattered around the world –ranging from cave houses to gnome huts. Their quirkiness adds a little bit of spice to our surroundings, and a touch of creativity to our world. For curious travelers, these houses not only make for interesting places to visit but also memorable holiday homes. 1. The Stone House — Guimarães, Portugal Not much is known about this…
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    South Africa Travel News

  • Dinner at Al Pescatore in Ballito – a review

    The SA-Venues Team
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:15 am
    Send to KindleDine at Al Pescatore A few weeks ago we had lunch at the well known Ballito eatery Al Pescatore. This Italian and seafood restaurant has been operating since 1989 and is well of the oldest and most popular restaurants on the Dolphin Coast. Located slap bang on the beach – overlooking Clark Bay in fact, Al Pescatore is popular with both the older and younger generations. The restaurant has a stylishly decorated interior while the wooden deck outside appeals to the younger, more...

  • A weekend in the Magaliesberg

    The SA-Venues Team
    14 Jun 2013 | 1:15 am
    Send to KindleBeautiful Magaliesberg Before the Dutch trekked up from the Cape in search of new frontiers, claimed the Ndebeli land and renamed the mountains Magaliesberg, Botswana tribes who’d migrated here were invaded by the Bapede and Ndabele while lead by Shaka Zulu’s best captain, Mzilikazi. He broke away from Shaka, formed his own tribe and controlled all the inhabitants between the Vaal River and Limpopo. Thereafter explorers such as Robert Moffat, David Livingstone, and William...

  • Port Elizabeth one of the “Big Five” Cities

    The SA-Venues Team
    13 Jun 2013 | 12:40 am
    Send to KindlePort Elizabeth One of South Africa’s “Big Five” Cities, Port Elizabeth is located on South Africa’s world renowned N2 road. This long road travels along the eastern coast all the way from Cape Town, up through the picturesque Garden Route, and carries on through Durban, Richards Bay and then finally heading inland at St Lucia toward its ending in Ermelo. Just as many coastal cities in South Africa were started off thanks to the trade routes, so was Port Elizabeth. Noted on the...

  • 10 Hour Stopover in Cape Town – top things to do

    The SA-Venues Team
    11 Jun 2013 | 1:40 am
    Send to Kindle Cape Town, on the very tip of the African continent, whilst not the Singapore of the European / Asian flight path by any stretch of the imagination, is nonetheless conveniently placed to act as a stopover point for long-haul flights. Already there are tourists who fly into Cape Town en route to Johannesburg. And it will only need a gentle nudge – now that fuel-efficient long-distance aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380 are in the air – to convince...

  • In Search of the Baobab – Where to find them in South Africa

    The SA-Venues Team
    10 Jun 2013 | 1:30 am
    Send to KindleThe Mighty Baobab The African baobab or Adansonia digitata is the only of the now nine species (up until recently there were eight) of baobab trees native to the African mainland. These monster trees with their swollen, gnarled bodies and incongruous branches that look more like roots than arms are also known as ‘elephant trees’, ‘big trees’ or ‘upside down trees’. Their lifespan is great and there are specimens in South Africa as old as 3000...
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    Velvet Escape

  • Ten airports you must book a window seat for

    Keith Jenkins
    18 Jun 2013 | 5:16 am
    Aisle or window? That’s a question I’m sure many of us are familiar with. I’m a big fan of window seats – you’ll know why if you’ve seen any of my Plane Views posts! Whether you’re an aisle or a window person, here are ten airports you’ll want to book a window seat for (arriving, departing or both)… in all cases because of the amazing views but I’ve included two airports for those among us who love the occasional adrenaline rush! Sydney International (SYD) Australia’s biggest and busiest airport is also one of the best to fly…

  • Keeping South Africa’s F1 Grand Prix history on track

    Keith Jenkins
    13 Jun 2013 | 5:25 am
    A special guest post by Lezaan Roos. Step through the doors of the Franschhoek Motor Museum and you’re stepping into one of the great stories of modern South Africa. A story of the family at the heart of its industrial and tobacco industry, of the renewal of the past through local conservation and preservation – and of a very special slice of motoring history, rescued from dust-gathering obscurity to teach a new generation about the world-class importance of the South African Grand Prix. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. It’s fair to say that the Rupert…

  • The magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal

    Keith Jenkins
    11 Jun 2013 | 5:23 am
    The Notre-Dame Basilica on the Place d’Armes, Montréal. It was my first visit to Montréal and I know now… it won’t be my last! I spent four days (way too short) criss-crossing the city on foot and what I found was a charming, laid-back city with a distinct European feel. Sure, downtown Montréal, with its towering skyscrapers and broad avenues, looks very much like many North American cities, but venture a few blocks in any direction and you’ll find a variety of districts that make Montréal so unique. One of the first districts I chose to explore was the historic…

  • Plane views: Rio de Janeiro

    Keith Jenkins
    7 Jun 2013 | 2:31 pm
    I’d just spent four glorious days chilling in Rio de Janeiro and it was time to say goodbye. I’d booked a flight from Rio’s downtown Santos Dumont airport to Saõ Paulo and chose a seat in row ‘F’ (right side of the plane). It was my lucky day as Rio had one more grand surprise in store for me! The views of Rio as the plane took off were simply mind-blowing! The runway at Santos Dumont airport with the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance. As soon as we took off, the plane banked to the left steering clear of the Sugarloaf Mountain. We were treated to…

  • Palazz-ial luxury in Florence

    Keith Jenkins
    5 Jun 2013 | 8:13 am
    Relais Santa Croce – entrance A special guest post by Rajul Chande. To call Relais Santa Croce in Florence a “hotel” is a slight misnomer. The building is so unique, replete with historic details and visually opulent that I immediately felt as if I’d stepped into an entirely different dimension. This feeling began with the sense of discovery on arrival. The entrance is so discreet that you feel one of the privileged few invited to enter an exclusive private palazzo. It is followed by a grand staircase sweeping upwards to the reception. As you step inside the building, you catch an…
 
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    Paddy in the Big Apple

  • Thailand - Koh Samui

    14 Jun 2013 | 8:20 pm
    As one of Thailand's most popular and most expensive islands, my best advice here is to arrive off-season where the good hotels will negotiate for nightly rates. We originally planned on staying at a Lonely Planet recommended dingy backpackers for USD $30 for a double room but got a 3.5 star private beach front resort bungalow with swimming pool / jacuzzi down the road for $50 per night.  Needless to say it was well worth the extra $20 per night. Tags: ..Thailand - Ko Samui If you like what you've read, why not subscribe to updates click here

  • Thailand - Khao Phing Kan

    6 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Made famous by the James Bond movie 'Man with the Golden Gun' Khao Phing Kan is a big tourist draw for it's signature mushroom rock. It was fun but a tad tacky touristy for our liking. I would have loved to have trekked this area about 20 years earlier to avoid the crowds. photo above courtesy wikipedia Tags: ..Thailand - Khao Phing Kan If you like what you've read, why not subscribe to updates click here

  • Thailand - Ko Phi Phi

    3 Jun 2013 | 11:30 pm
    The real gems are the islands near Ko Phi Phi reachable by long boat (small narrow one engine boat) where the turquoise water and pristine white sand beaches are spectacular. The island of Ko Phi Phi itself is a victim of it's own success and disappointing (polluted beaches). Tags: ..Thailand - Ko Phi Phi If you like what you've read, why not subscribe to updates click here

  • How much does it cost to upgrade from Economy to First Class

    1 Jun 2013 | 9:53 pm
    I've noticed AA are now aggressively offering upgrade offers as you book online.  I recently booked a ticket for my family (me, wife and son < 2yr old) on American Airlines from New York to Buenos Aires for the upcoming (7 months away) Christmas / New Year high season. The wee man pays 10% of the fare as a lap infant.  Off-peak will cost ~$1,200 per adult but a direct flight for peak holiday season is ~ $1,800 per adult, 11 hours and expensive and not easy with a child. A connecting flight would add hours and unwanted complexities to the experience albeit cheaper for approx…

  • Pulau Lankawi, Malaysia

    29 May 2013 | 8:14 pm
    Langkawi, aka the Jewel of Kedah is a beautiful group of islands off the West coast of Malaysia. This was a welcome splash of beach isolation after the hustle and bustle of KL. It's a tad (x 5) more expensive than it's Thai island cousins in the North but has a very different / more affluent/private vibe.  Tags: .Pulau Lankawi Malaysia If you like what you've read, why not subscribe to updates click here
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    こんどーの日記

  • 午前中は日曜参観

    こんどー
    9 Jun 2013 | 7:37 am
    朝から曇り空だった。 9時ころからシトシトと 雨が降り始めた。なんか梅雨みたい （梅雨だって！！） 今日は息子二人が通う小学校で 日曜参観があった。 妻と二人で自転車で出かけた。 次男の授業から参観することにした。 今回は『人権』がテーマの授業のようだ。 といっても2年生ではそれほど難しいことを するはずもなく、 「しっぽのないおさる」 というお話を題材に お友達と仲良くしよう、という 内容で授業がすすんでいった。…

  • 次男！危機一髪！！

    こんどー
    19 May 2013 | 4:33 am
    その日、次男は学校のグラウンドで 友達と遊んでいた。 うんていで遊んでいて 飛び降りようとしたときに事件は 起こった。 次男は水筒をかけたまま 遊んでいたのだ。 次男が飛び降りようとしたその時に 水筒がうんていに引っかかった。 次男は顔から落ちていったのだ。 下が砂場でそこに落ちていれば まだ大した怪我ではなかったかもしれない。 残念なことにうんていの下の方に 鉄の棒があり、次男はそこで 鼻を強打した。…

  • 家族ゲーム面白いですね。

    こんどー
    15 May 2013 | 8:45 am
    嵐の櫻井翔さんの主演で 「家族ゲーム」がはじまりました。 （といってももう５話が放送されましたが・・・＾＾；） 家族ゲームは小説が原作で 松田優作さんが主演した映画や 長渕剛さん主演のドラマが 今までにも発表されています。 私は上記のどれも見たり読んだりして いないので過去の作品と比べることなく 楽しんで見ています。 今日で前半が終わり、 沼田茂之の家庭教師となった 吉本荒野は学校に行かなくなった…

  • 別府旅行　（うみたまご編）

    こんどー
    6 May 2013 | 8:49 am
    うみたまごは高崎山の猿で有名な 高崎山自然動物園のすぐ近くにある。 今回は雨だったのと時間があまり なかったので高崎山自然動物園に 行けなかったのがちょっと心残り。 １３時からセイウチのショーがあったので 館内をちょっと見学してからショーを 見に行った。 テレビで見たことはあったが 目の前でセイウチのパフォーマンスを 見るのは始めてだった。 芸も素晴らしく、ネタ（？）も面白かったので かなり楽しめた。…

  • 別府旅行　（アフリカン・サファリ編２）

    こんどー
    30 Apr 2013 | 9:05 am
    アフリカン・サファリは６つのセクションにわかれている。 キリン、象、ライオンなど動物園でも 見られる動物もたくさんいたが 動物園と違ってアフリカン・サファリでは それらの動物が餌をもらいに 目の前まで来てくれる。 特にライオンが餌をもらいにきたときは バス自体が檻になっているので安全では あるがちょっと怖かった。 出した餌をみんな食べてくれるので 子どもも嬉しかったみたい。 自分の車で回っていると…
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    Pearls of Travel Wisdom

  • Crying Over the New UA Frequent Flier Rules? You May Be!

    Carol Margolis
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am
    United Airlines (UA) announced what I have said before was coming… they have added a minimum spend component to qualify for UA elite status. Very similar to the Delta program I wrote about earlier this year, it will also take effect at the beginning of next year. Details about the changes to the UA program can be found here. Like Delta’s Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD), United’s Premier Qualification Dollars (PQD) are earned on either United flights or flights operated by Star Alliance partners that are marketed by United. Delta’s flights, for example, must be…

  • Be a Part of Royal Princess’ Christening

    Carol Margolis
    12 Jun 2013 | 4:50 pm
    Wake up early Thursday morning, June 13th, and you can watch as Princess Cruises christens their new Royal Princess ship. Join The Duchess of Cambridge and the nearly 2,000 in-person attendees by watching the ceremony online at princess.com. The champagne breaking and ship naming tradition will also be accompanied by other festivities, including musical performances and celebrity appearances. The new 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a next-generation ship, featuring an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship, the largest pastry…

  • A Short 8-Hour Layover – at Home

    Carol Margolis
    12 Jun 2013 | 7:13 am
    An eight-hour layover sounds like a long time, doesn’t it? Until the to-do’s during this layover include: Unpacking from one business trip Packing for another business trip Catching up with the spouse Going through the mail Having a glass of wine Sleep Waking up Shower, dress and eating Departing for the airport … all while having this layover at home. This is my second of such layovers in the past two weeks and is not something I want to repeat very often. It’s exhausting. Sure, I could fly directly to my next city though that would mean a change fee for my ticket. I…

  • Marriott Workspace on Demand is Expanding

    Carol Margolis
    11 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    Have you ever been part of a small group trying to conduct business in a Starbuck’s? Yeah, the coffee is great and everyone loves free Wi-Fi but it is often difficult to find enough space, much less a quiet area to work. Marriott Hotels previously announced a program where anyone can rent space in their properties, and the definition of space is pretty broad. It may be part of the lobby or may be a meeting room. Most important, this is available to non-guests as well as hotel guests. Marriott is working with LiquidSpace to offer flexible WorkSpace on Demand. Unlike hotel rooms, this…

  • Traveler’s Electronics Dream? Oh Yeah, Maybe!

    Carol Margolis
    10 Jun 2013 | 6:45 am
    For travelers, it should be no surprise that laptop sales have been plummeting at the expense of popular tablets. While laptops tout benefits such as more memory and hard disk space, they have been pretty dismal for battery life. Battery lives in laptops are rated in hours but the problem has always been that the rating is based on optimal conditions, frankly something that never happens in the real world. Thus it is no surprise that a battery with a supposed 8-hour life really only works for 4 hours, maybe 5 if you are lucky. This can be a nightmare flying with no power outlets when suddenly…
 
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    The Travel Expert(a)

  • Horse Back Riding Lessons – Equestrian Style

    Marina Kuperman Villatoro
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:06 am
    Travel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with KidsLiving in Guatemala and being an Expat has so many benefits it’s hard to keep track of them all. But one of the top ones by far is my son’s Horse Back Riding Lessons. Horse Back Riding Lessons in Guatemala: I mean, I never ever considered sending my kids to an Equestrian school since the first thought that comes to mind is: expensive!!! Not in Guatemala. Azotea, a gorgeous farm about 10 minutes from Antigua Center, offers some of the best…

  • Fun for the Whole Family – 4 Places to Visit

    Marina Kuperman Villatoro
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am
    Travel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with KidsWhen you are trying to please a range of ages at once, amusement parks are often the perfect choice. Families with children, teenagers and adults can all enjoy thrilling rides, fun games and fascinating performances at amusement parks, and there is also often the option for water rides during the summer months. If you are searching for the perfect amusement park to plan your next family holiday around, think outside the box and pick one of these global…

  • Top 3 Places for Horseback Holidays

    Marina Kuperman Villatoro
    18 Jun 2013 | 7:00 pm
    Travel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with KidsKeen equestrians or those looking to rekindle their love of horse riding might be surprised to hear that there are lots of fantastic holidays out there – in the UK and further afield – designed just for them. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, here are a few ideas of horseback holidays that should add a taste for adventure to your next trip. Horse Safaris in Kenya – for experienced riders If you’ve always dreamed on going on safari in…

  • Belize Food – Best Served at Street Food Stands

    Marina Kuperman Villatoro
    16 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    Travel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with KidsBelize, as of right now, is probably our favorite country. The beautiful weather, beaches, and people make it a place where I would consider moving to. However, the most fun we had was eating Local Belize Food at the tons of food stands that are as varied in food as they are in character. We Found 4 Options to get Belize food at Street stands: Caye Caulker Food Stand Yes this is a Food stand and was a great spot for a quick morning coffee while looking…

  • Best Last-Minute Budget Family Holidays in 2013

    Marina Kuperman Villatoro
    15 Jun 2013 | 1:00 pm
    Travel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with KidsTimes may be tough, but the last thing you want to cut out is the annual family holiday. While costs can easily multiply when you’re travelling with kids, last-minute bookings can save you a huge amount and still land you that welcome getaway that you’ve been waiting for all year. Here’s a look at some of the best places for late holidays in 2013. Despite its economic woes, Spain still comes near the top of the list in terms of classic…
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    CoolHunter RSS Feed

  • The Cool House 2014 - New York City

    17 Jun 2013 | 5:00 pm
    The Cool House, the first ever pop-up concept created and curated by The Cool Hunter (TCH), was an unprecedented run-away success at Pacific Bondi Beach(10 days), Sydney, Australia and at Rockeby Studios, Melbourne (4 days). Close to 10,000 people attended both events. Media attention, both online and off, and the overall reaction of the public – both in person and online – was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. To take advantage of the momentum and to realize the incredible HOUSE potential of The Cool HOUSE concept, TCH will now take this concept to the next level. TCH…

  • IBM's Smarter Cities Billboard Campaign

    5 Jun 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Billboards are meant to distract and annoy, to draw attention and to not fit in. In its recent on-street ad campaign, IBM promotes its People for Smart Cities Program with billboards that are even more invasive. Ogilvy & Mather France took the concept of the board and bent it into shapes that could – with some effort – be seen as solutions for a somewhat smarter city, London and Paris in this case. A board bends to become a bench, a rain shelter or a ramp over stairs. It is still visual clutter, it is still preaching something, but at least it is doing it with a bit more…

  • Cafe Francais - Paris

    29 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Gilbert and Thierry Costes’s Parisian hospitality empire, Beaumarly, has produced yet another entry: Café Français at 1, Place de la Bastille. Facing the Opéra, the Café Français includes a brasserie, a bar, a veranda and a terrace, and takes up almost an entire block, form Boulevard Henri IV to Rue Saint Antoine, making it one of the largest establishments of its kind in Paris.   We love the juicy leather seating, seemingly bursting out of its form and showing off the French national colors. Counter-balancing the roundness of the seating are the…

  • Maison Blanche - Casablanca, Morocco

    28 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    If the city is called Casablanca (White House), creating an all-white interior for a restaurant there isn’t a major creative break-through. But Christophe Pillet, the designer of the Maison Blanche (White House), reflected the omnipresent white back on itself with smoked mirrors, and created a vertigo-inducing vessel-of-a-space that forces us to look again.   The 600 square-meter (approx. 6500 sq.ft.) restaurant and bar, opened in July 2012 at La Place Mohamed Abdou and La Rue du Commandant Lamy, facing the Parc de la Ligue Arave. Maison Blanche Casablanca is the baby sister of…

  • The Prahran Hotel, Melbourne, Australia

    26 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    A rear of a small inner city Melbourne pub has been transformed from a tiny add-on back extension into a voyeuristic playground by Techné Architects. The clever rethinking of the space has effectively turned the 130m2 back area of The Prahran Hotel into 300m2 over three levels. The star of the design is a series of 17 ½ concrete waterpipes. These concrete culverts dominate the striking street façade. For architect Justin Northrop, the pipes add a lot more than drama to the hotel’s exterior. “Inside you are climbing over the pipes, sitting in them, or on them…
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    Man Tripping - Guys Weekends and Mancations

  • The Coolest European Stag Party Destinations

    StagWeb Guest Post
    24 May 2013 | 11:13 am
    If you've recently done the big proposal and got a ‘yes’ then congratulations, and prepare to get planning a memorable bachelor party! It’s a given that the last weekend of single life should be an epic affair, but where to head for the expected weekend of fun booze and memories? Here are the top choices in Europe, picked for their cool-factor, great value and activities: Read more ...

  • Interview with Two-Time Mr. Olympia Champion, Phil Heath

    James Hills
    20 May 2013 | 10:04 am
    Fitness geek or no, sometimes it is just downright amazing to see what the guys who compete in the Mr Olympia competitions have created. One of these guys is Phil Heath - a two time winner of the competition and has shared with us some of his favorite mancation movies as well as a peak behind the scenes regarding his favorite cars.   Read more ...

  • Viking River Cruises Launches Oceans Brand

    James Hills
    17 May 2013 | 1:41 pm
    Viking Cruises today announced the launch of its ocean product line, Viking Ocean Cruises, marking the introduction of the travel industry’s first new cruise line in nearly a decade. The small ship experience, combined with the heritage of doing fantastic river cruises makes this new line a super exciting addition to the cruising world. Read more ...

  • Myrtle Beach Mancation Tour

    Bob M
    16 May 2013 | 10:39 pm
    When someone says they are going to Myrtle Beach, I automatically think Golf. Wow, was I wrong. Myrtle Beach has so much more to offer than I ever thought.  Between paddle boarding, NASCAR, craft beer, sushi, steaks, and shooting lessons, Myrtle Beach is a great place for a mancation. It is also certainly a lot more than just a great golf destination! Read more ...

  • Maison Dupuy French Quarter Hotel

    James Hills
    9 May 2013 | 7:33 pm
    Maison Dupuy is located in New Orleans' French Quarter, just a two blocks away from Bourbon Street and walking distance to pretty much any place you might want to visit in the French Quarter. While it is the newest hotel to be built in the French Quarter (1973), it manages to convey a classic elegance that its much older neighbors do - without some of the weirdness of uneven floors and crooked windows that come from being housed in buildings that are in some cases hundreds of years old. Read more ...
 
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    The Travel Tart

  • How To Earn Frequent Flyer Points – Travel Hacking Genius!

    Anthony The Travel Tart
    17 Jun 2013 | 11:23 am
    A post about How To Earn Frequent Flyer Points and Miles – The Innovative and Funny Way People who are travel addicts like myself are constantly finding ways for other people to foot their travel bill. That might include setting up a travel blog and going on lots of junkets, or finding every possible way on How To Earn Frequent Flyer Points.  A new term called ‘Travel Hacking‘ has come about because of this obsession. Basically, why should you pay for your own airfares and hotels when you can drastically reduce or eliminate the cost of travel? Chris Guillebeau has a guide…

  • Cheeky Monkey – The Balinese Money Thief!

    Anthony The Travel Tart
    13 Jun 2013 | 9:54 am
    Cheeky Monkeys – Too Smart For Tourists One thing that’s common at many Tourist Traps around the world is that even the local animals are in on the act of trying to fleece as many tourist dollars off you as possible! Especially when it comes to the Cheeky Monkeys around the place – and I think because they are closely related to us humans, that means that they’re smart enough to get away with almost anything. Including removing your entire travel budget from you! If fact, they’re probably smarter than many humans! Sometimes, these primates have learnt over…

  • Pet Snakes in Cambodia – The Youngest Snake Handler In The World!

    Anthony The Travel Tart
    10 Jun 2013 | 3:59 pm
    Pet Snakes and Handlers With A Difference! Today I have a very unusual travel photo from my mate who runs Curious Drifter (he produces some great travel videos and he’s a travel addict like me). It’s of the Youngest Snake Handler in the World and her Pet Snakes! If you’re after an unusual pet idea for one of your children, well look no further than this page for some inspiration! This isn’t something you see every day when cruising around in your travels! The Pet Snakes photo below was captured at the Tonle Sap floating villages in Cambodia in South East Asia…

  • Tongue Twisters – Funny African Languages

    Anthony The Travel Tart
    6 Jun 2013 | 6:30 pm
    Ok, here is one for you language aficionados out there – it’s about some Tongue Twisters from South Africa. If you can manage to do these as well as the guy in this video, then hats off to you! This is probably one of the hardest languages in the world to master! Basically, this video demonstrates how that cool ‘clicking noise’ is made by some African Languages by pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. It’s a bit reminiscent of ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy“, that classic but daggy movie that actually made a list of my funny travel movies.

  • How To Use A Toilet – Funny Instructions!

    Anthony The Travel Tart
    3 Jun 2013 | 7:05 am
    Today I’ve got another piece of funny travel photo gold from my mate at Curious Drifter – this is of a How To Use A Toilet sign in a bar in Rawaii, Phuket … showing how and how not to use the toilet. This sign is very self explanatory – but I had to laugh at some of these and think of the reasons behind actually needing this sign in the toilet in the first place! That’s because some people have actually tried to do these silly things in the past. Some other examples of where the only reason the sign was created because someone has done something crazy in the…
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    Sam Antonio Photography

  • A Charlie Brown Christmas from Washington, D.C. 2012

    28 May 2013 | 4:00 pm
    A Charlie Brown Christmas from Washington, D.C. 2012, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.Last year I spent time in Washington, D.C. visiting my sister and photographing the monuments and memorials. I was at the U.S. Capitol to photograph the Capitol Christmas Tree (this year’s White House Christmas Tree was a dud). Besides the Christmas tree, there are two other temporary changes at the Capitol if you look closely. One, you can see the scaffolding on the Capital lawn preparing for President Obama’s inauguration ceremony next year. Two, the Capitol flags are at half-staff as a…

  • It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

    9 May 2013 | 7:40 am
    It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.UPDATE: May 9, 2013 (10:39 Eastern Standard Time in the United States) - The Mayas love a good joke. Cheerio then all, thanks for reading. Until the next Apocalypse.UPDATE: December 21, 2012 (3:49 Eastern Standard Time in the United States) - The world has not come to an end...for now.Are you ready for the December 21, 2012, apocalypse when the Maya's "Long Count" calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era? Chichén Itzá, located in the Yucatan of Mexico, is the apex of Maya archaeological…

  • Five Reasons why I prefer Photographing Sukhothai, Thailand over Angkor Wat, Cambodia

    8 May 2013 | 10:10 am
    Five Reasons why I prefer Photographing Sukhothai, Thailand over Angkor Wat, Cambodia, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.Photographing Angkor Wat in Cambodia last year was a dream come true. It is an amazing place, but I found the ancient capital of Sukhothai, Thailand much more enjoyable to photograph. Maybe it had to do with the name when translated, “The dawn of happiness.”Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam founded by King Ramkhamhaeng during the 13th Century. The province's temples and monuments have been restored and is now the Sukhothai Historical Park and has been…

  • The Real Voyage of Discovery

    6 May 2013 | 5:39 pm
    The Real Voyage of Discovery, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr."The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” - Marcel ProustTaken at the Bac Ha Market, Vietnam.----------Canon 5D Mark IICanon 70-200 f/4 L Big smile Happy Travels! Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography Why don't you join me on Facebook? Still figuring out Google + Follow me on Twitter! I'm over at Pinterest too! Sam's Photography Blog Sam's Travel Photography Gallery

  • Goodbye Mr. Green Square, Hello Mr. Aperture Priority!

    24 Apr 2013 | 1:06 pm
    Goodbye Mr. Green Square, Hello Mr. Aperture Priority!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.The day I left the green square behind was the day I started to get serious with photography.You know the full auto mode on Canon cameras that is indicated with a green square or what I call the dummy mode. That may sound harsh, but why spend hundreds of dollars on a DSLR camera so you can operate it like a simple point and shoot? That is why we have smart phones with cameras.I soon discovered other modes like “AV” (aperture priority) and “TV” (shutter priority) which would open the…
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    Part Time Vagabond | Part Time Vagabond

  • I’m a 5K Racer!

    Chris Cavallari
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    Middle of the pack. That’s where I wanted to be, because that’s where everyone told me I should be. I was new at this, and I still wasn’t very fast, so middle of the pack was the best place to start. Let the fast ones get out front, and the old, the slow, the ones with kids, strollers, let them fall behind. Middle of the pack. Middle of the pack. Middle of the pa… And that’s what I thought about during my second 5K road race last week. I took part in my first race back in May, but it was so last minute that I didn’t have much time to think about it. But for…

  • Sailing Vagabonds: A Life of Travel, Incrementally Achieved

    Chris Cavallari
    29 Mar 2013 | 10:03 am
    My friend Anne is on a boat, and has been for the last year. She and her partner Colin—and their dog, Maye—left the comforts of living on land for a life on the sea, going where the wind takes them (mainly, south) and enjoying time on the water while still working real, full-time jobs. I asked Anne how she decided to make the jump to a full-time vagabond, and what she, Colin, and Maye do to keep themselves happy in their lifestyle. I just celebrated St Patrick’s day in Savannah, GA. I live on a 32′ wooden sailboat and it took three full days of sailing to get here in time for…

  • Daydreaming of Summer

    Chris Cavallari
    18 Mar 2013 | 9:00 am
    It was beautifully sunny and somewhat mild in Maine as I began writing this post, and of course the nice weather had me daydreaming about all the trips I’d like to take before I get married in late September. Part of my travel goal this year, I’ve decided, is to explore Maine more. I’ve just passed my 4 year anniversary here, and while I’ve seen a great deal of the state, there is so much more I have yet to explore, so many people to meet, so many things left to experience. This July will also see the 1 year anniversary of the day The Lady and I became engaged. You may…

  • How To Survive an Airport Delay

    Chris Cavallari
    4 Mar 2013 | 10:50 am
    For many travelers, airport delays are akin to going for a leisurely swim in a swirling vortex of scorching lava. People will go to extreme lengths to get on any airplane when their flight is delayed, wasting a lot of time and energy for very little return. It doesn’t have to be this way. Today’s airport is a modern metroplex, combining all the features of shopping mall, food court, museum, and classroom. I spoke with my friend C.C. Chapman, an intrepid traveler who has spent the last several years hopping around the globe speaking at events and promoting books. C.C. has a tried…

  • Is Glamping Really Camping?

    Chris Cavallari
    26 Feb 2013 | 11:44 am
    A few years ago, I stumbled on a travel/outdoors concept called “Glamping.” I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now, but if not, here’s an idea of what glamping is: Take two parts outdoor camping, one part luxury hotel, sprinkle with trite cultural stereotypes, and mix well. Bake until halfway done, then throw it on the table and see who bites. I’m being unnecessarily harsh on glamping, because in all honesty, the activity does seem kind of fun. And if it gets people to appreciate the outdoors, I’m ok with it. Glamping is characterized by a complete lack…
 
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    Breathedreamgo

  • Why content is king and story is queen

    Mariellen Ward
    6 Jun 2013 | 6:07 pm
    Me, touching sati prints at Jodhpur Fort, India Because it is the travel stories we tell that engage, inspire and motivate travellers This is an open letter to the International Conference on Travel and Technology, the India travel & tourism industry and anyone else who could stand to benefit from understanding the contribution that professional travel writers / bloggers / photographers / videographers can, and do, make to promoting travel online. Rajasthan, land of kings (and queens), is filled with heroic stories, fairy-tale architecture, blazing colours and stark landscapes; it is a…

  • WeGoSolo Dream Destination Contest

    Mariellen Ward
    4 Jun 2013 | 7:42 pm
    Mariellen Ward at Tiger Fort, Jaipur, India during her first six-month solo trip in 2006 WeGoSolo helps women travel alone safely, wisely and well — and now we have a sponsor! Travelling solo for many, many months in India over the past seven years has been the most transformative experience of my life. I gained a level of self-confidence I never thought I would achieve. I opened myself up to another culture and allowed it to become part of me. I gained new-found perspective about myself as a global citizen. And I gained much, much more, including many new friends, an Indian family, a…

  • TBEX Toronto highlights (and one lowlight)

    Mariellen Ward
    3 Jun 2013 | 12:40 pm
    Canada’s own Dave and Deb of ThePlanetD give the keynote at TBEX Toronto The biggest travel blogging show on earth comes to Toronto When I started travel blogging seven years ago, the profession didn’t exist. When I founded Breathedreamgo four years ago, I called Toronto’s first travel tweet-up and three women met for tea (you can read about it here in my post From Tea to TBEX). When I went by MegaBus to the second TBEX, in New York City three years ago, I was amazed to see about 300 travel bloggers congregating. And Saturday morning at 8:45 am when I sat in the second row…

  • The green 13: Introducing EcoAdventure Media

    Mariellen Ward
    28 May 2013 | 3:59 am
    Photo courtesy Bret Love and Mary Gabbett of Green Global Travel. New group dedicated to responsible ecotourism WE HAVE only one planet, and it is our home. Planet earth is an incredibly rich and dynamic place made up of human and natural ecosystems that must co-exist for us to live in peace and harmony, and have all our material and human needs met. As a traveller, a writer and citizen of this planet, I take my responsibility for trying to make this world a better place quite seriously. Which is why I am very excited to announce that I am a proud member of a new group of travel industry and…

  • From Tea to TBEX

    Mariellen Ward
    24 May 2013 | 4:28 am
    Janice, Evelyn, Mariellen and Nora meet in 2009 From humble beginnings, travel blogging in Toronto is now exploding! With just days to go before the Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) rolls into Toronto, I wrote this post all about how I started Breathedreamgo, co-founded the Toronto Travel Massive and watched travel blogging grow, evolve and now, with TBEX coming, explode! It was the summer of 09, the summer of change. This was when it was becoming clear to me that my future as a freelance writer, and my dreams of becoming a travel writer, were in jeopardy. Magazines were shrinking, newspapers…
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    Singapore Travel Blog

  • Southern Thai Cuisine at Baan Ice Restaurant @ Somerset Thonglor Bangkok

    Zhiqiang & Tingyi
    16 Jun 2013 | 9:02 am
    Baan Ice Restaurant is well-known in Thailand for its southern Thai traditional cuisine and has been recommended by the countless food gurus and bloggers in Bangkok.  In Thai, Baan means “village” or in modern usage “house/home”.  Ice is the name of the the young restaurant owner who brought his grandparents’ popular Nakorn Sri Tamarat (in Southern Thailand) recipes to Thonglor in Bangkok.  Besides the recipe, he had also brought in the local ingredients from Nakorn Sri Tamarat daily e.g. chili paste, sator beans and bai liang leaves. So if you are looking for…

  • Free-Flow Oysters + Seafood Porridge at Penghu Marine Leisure Farm 青灣海洋牧場巡禮

    Zhiqiang & Tingyi
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:45 pm
    After a fun morning at Jibei Island, we took the 18-minute boat journey back to Penghu mainland for our next destination – 青灣海洋牧場 (Marine Leisure Farm).  To get there, we will need to take a boat from 南海遊客中心 South Sea Visitor Centre (near Magong City). This is an organised tour run by 和慶 so the boat departs at fixed timings (每日航班：0830、0840、1000、1010、1300、1310、1430、1440) from the Visitor Centre harbour.  More information about the tour is available at http://www.phhc.com.tw/travel.php but everything is written in Traditional Chinese…

  • Indulging in CHI Signature Massage @ CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Singapore

    Zhiqiang & Tingyi
    12 Jun 2013 | 9:02 am
    Nestled amidst 15 acres of lush tropical greenery, CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Singapore draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of personal peace and well-being. CHI presents a personal sanctuary where holistic treatments are based on time-honoured methods shared by many Asian cultures.  In traditional Chinese philosophy, “chi” is the universal life force that governs well being and personal vitality. It is believed that “chi” must flow freely within the body to maintain good health. At CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Singapore, you can expect unique…

  • Why Now Is the Right Time to Visit Greece?

    Zhiqiang & Tingyi
    12 Jun 2013 | 6:16 am
    Greece has had its fair share of coverage in the press recently but unfortunately not for the best reasons. It is no secret that the country has been facing particularly tough economic times as of late and while this has given rise to questions and debate over whether now is a good time to travel there, it should in fact have had the opposite effect; encouraging people to visit now more than ever before. Value for money The services and broad range of experiences available to tourists in Greece have not depleted in quality since the economic crash but they have reduced in price. Cheap flights…

  • Enjoying 周杰伦 Jay Chou Opus Jay 2013 World Tour @ Singapore Indoor Stadium with OCBC Titanium Card

    Zhiqiang & Tingyi
    10 Jun 2013 | 6:45 am
    Thanks to OCBC Titanium Card – one of the sponsors for the Jay Chou “OPUS JAY 2013 WORLD TOUR” 周杰伦2013魔天伦世界巡回演唱会, we had the opportunity to check out the much talked about concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in town last weekend. 周杰伦 Jay Chou’s most recent album “Opus 12″ – the name symbolizing his 12th Mandarin album has been widely received and he now follows up with his eargerly anticipated world tour which lets fans see Jay Chou’s accumulation of his hard work since his first album in 2000. The 周杰伦…
 
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    Kaleidoscopic Wandering

  • Falling in Love with London Again

    JoAnna
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am
    As a child, I tripped around the United States and into Canada for a few brief days on a family vacation. And then high school happened. As a freshman, our band teacher planted the idea of an overseas trip in our heads. By summer, we were on a march-a-thon, raising money for plane tickets to London, England, to play in the city’s New Year’s Day parade. By fall, I was the proud owner of my very first passport. That trip to London hit the highlights of the city—the Tower of London, Big Ben—as well as those things that particularly appealed to teenagers such as the Doc Marten store and…

  • Review: MIRA Luggage Scale

    JoAnna
    7 Jun 2013 | 2:01 pm
    I recently lamented the astronomical cost of shipping things using mail services, so as we helped pack our foreign exchange student this week, the weight of his luggage was definitely weighing on our minds (pun intended). In order to get the most stuff home for the least amount of money, we had to be right on the 50-pound weight limit that airlines impose on checked baggage. The offer to try out the MIRA luggage scale honestly couldn’t have come at a better time. For the most part, luggage scales all offer the same features: A device to hook the bag to the scale A scale that weighs up to a…

  • I Love Las Vegas: Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours

    JoAnna
    5 Jun 2013 | 3:49 pm
    The helicopter skimmed above the earth, high enough so that we could see the desert landscape dotted with cacti and scrub bushes for miles in front of us, but low enough so that the shadow of the red Papillon helicopter was visible above the ground. The helicopter banked to the right for its initial descent, and then, suddenly, there it was: The Grand Canyon. I’d been to the Grand Canyon several times before, both on the North Rim and the South Rim, but I’d never actually been in the canyon (though not from lack of trying; I’ve applied for back country passes to hike rim to rim but have…
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    Fili's World | A different look at Asia, China & Taiwan

  • Machane Yehuda Market Festival – Baal Basta : Jerusalem

    Fili
    18 Jun 2013 | 10:10 pm
    The transformation that took place in Machane Yehuda Market in central Jerusalem is remarkable (official site). From an ordinary loud and dirty wet market to a posh shopping areas filled with exotic restaurants, coffee shops, bars, pubs, tons of cool little shops that sell just about everything, and – ofcourse – an upscale version of the former obligatory market. Every year when I visit year I go back and find myself completely overwhelmed with how things look. Last year, the hard-working Jerusalem municipality arranged a festival, or a carnival – some would say, inside the…

  • Knesset – the Israeli Legislator : Jerusalem

    Fili
    16 Jun 2013 | 7:40 pm
    Though over the years I’ve become somewhat cynical and critical of what takes place inside those walls, the visually-challenged Israeli Legislator building has – also – been part of my childhood background scenery. Located about 20 minutes walk from my parents house, I could see the Knesset across the Valley of the Cross (Emek Hamatzlevah) on the many strolls I did around the Rehavia neighborhood. Oddly enough, I’ve never really been to the Knesset. Even stranger, I can’t remember being anywhere near it. So in one of my recent visits to Jerusalem, my mother took…

  • Prudential Square and Tower Skywalk : Boston From Above

    Fili
    15 Jun 2013 | 10:42 pm
    Want to see Boston from Above? Make you way to Prudential Square into Prudential Center and up the Prudential Tower to the Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor to get some superb views of this beautiful city. The area surrounding the Prudential Center also offers some interesting architecture and if you feel like posh shopping, there are plenty of options for you to choose from at the center and the streets  nearby.     Wikipedia has a bit of intro on the Prudential tower : The Prudential Tower, also known as the Prudential Building [...] is a skyscraper in Boston,…

  • The Vilna Shul : Beacon Hill – Boston

    Fili
    13 Jun 2013 | 7:38 pm
    Much like the Eldrige Street Synagogue Museum in NYC’s China Town Boston too has its Jewish heritage with a history of Jewish immigrants settling in first with the low budget neighborhoods of Boston and then slowly migrating out as the population turns wealthier. Beacon Hill was once a crowded immigrant neighborhood, and so this is the place to learn a bit about that part of history. Very much like the Eldrige synagogue, I ran into the Vilna Shul by accident, seeing a mention of a museum that might be open nearby while navigating with Google Maps. And I’m very glad that I…

  • King Herod the Great Exhibition : Israel Museum – Jerusalem

    Fili
    12 Jun 2013 | 9:24 pm
    The Israel Museum in Jerusalem is my home museum. Located only ~15 minutes walk from my parents’ house in Rehavia, down Ramban street and across the Monastery valley, it has always been part of the very familiar view I’ve come across many times while walking my dog or wondering around the neighborhood. Perhaps since it was so close, it has remained so far, as I’ve always felt that it was there for my to visit if I wanted to, so I very rarely took up the opportunity often offered to me by my parents to go visit.   But with age comes wisdom, and with distance comes…
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    Official Reno Tahoe USA Blog

  • Adventure Sports Week Tahoe

    Christina Erny
    18 Jun 2013 | 4:49 pm
    Long known as a premier outdoor haven, North Lake Tahoe will capitalize on its famed natural terrain to host the 2nd Annual Adventure Sports Week Tahoe Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 24. The 10-day festival invites outdoor enthusiasts to participate in competitive events ranging from stand up paddle boarding to trail running, mountain biking, [...]

  • Outlets at Legends Breaks Ground on Northern Nevada’s First IMAX Theatre

    Christina Erny
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:23 am
    Galaxy Theatres officially breaks ground on northern Nevada’s first and only IMAX experience on June 18 at the Outlets at Legends. The new state-of-the-art theatre complex will feature all digital sound and projection in its 12 auditoriums along with 3D capabilities and a giant screen IMAX auditorium. The expansive, curved IMAX theatre screen will span from [...]

  • 60 Buckaroos drive 300 head of cattle on authentic 5 day cattle drive

    Christina Erny
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:28 am
    The numbers behind the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive The Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive is a five-day event that kicks of this Sunday. New route, new scenery, new challenges and three new camps. Over 300 rodeo steers are driven from north of Reno, from Doyle, California to the rodeo grounds in downtown Reno. During the five days, [...]

  • 2013 Reno Rodeo Theme Nights

    Christina Erny
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:21 pm
    Toss aside your city-slicker suit, put on your boots and cowboy up. From the rock ’em toss ’em chaos in the arena to the hoedown at the Jack Daniel’s tent, you’ll need to tighten your spurs to survive this event. Ride in with style and participate in the theme nights! Reno Rodeo [...]

  • Lake Tahoe Beach Finder

    Christina Erny
    11 Jun 2013 | 4:11 pm
    Looking for a nearby beach in Lake Tahoe – there’s an app for that! Search and discover Lake Tahoe public beaches.. The Lake Tahoe Beaches app uses GPS to help you find nearby beaches and driving directions. Find nearby Lake Tahoe beaches at your fingertips. Search by features – Accessibility, Barbecues, Boat Rentals, Campfires, Campsites Nearby, Fishing Nearby, [...]
 
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    The Circumference

  • Nimis Sculpture in Landonia: Modern Art Surrounded by Nature

    17 Jun 2013 | 7:43 pm
    Sweden. Published on June 18, 2013 by Madison E. LaFondThe StoryAs world travelers we all have a secret desire to get wonderfully lost in a new place. How about a site made just for people like us? An incredible work of art that is not listed on maps and can only be reached by hiking on foot through a nature preserve? You literally have to get lost to see The Nimis Sculpture. Nimis is a modern sculpture that was built by Swedish artist Lars Endel Roger Vilks. Vilks named the sculpture Nimis, which is Swedish for "too much." The Nimis Sculpture is constructed of 75 tons of driftwood and is…

  • Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival

    10 Jun 2013 | 6:33 pm
    China. Published on June 11, 2013 by Redpeffer, WriterThe StoryChina is a vast country rammed full of amazing things to interest and astound all but the most world weary traveller. Whether you want to make a one off trip to Hong Kong or add it to your world travel bucket list, one of the most colourful and dramatic events to witness has to be the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu. It is a traditional celebration and public holiday which happens on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month each year. Obviously this means travellers hoping to see such an event need to be well planned and…

  • Learn the Secret Behind Ramen at the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

    26 May 2013 | 7:16 pm
    Japan. Published on May 27, 2013 by Biji Ravindran, WriterThe StoryMaking instant ramen noodles at home isn't overly exciting, but visit the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka, Japan and making them will take on a whole different experience. Here, you get to become a part of the instant ramen noodle-making process, right from scratch. Sound interesting? Well here you are your own cook, designing your new favourite noodle and experimenting with various flavors. The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum houses a wide collection of the instant ramen sold over the ages. From the packaging…

  • Take a Sake Brewery Tour in Niigata, Japan

    19 May 2013 | 9:25 pm
    Japan. Published on May 20, 2013 by TrevorThe StoryThe sake breweries of Niigata are one of the most interesting world travel destinations. Even those of us lucky enough to have been to many places have to admit, it's easy to get swept up by the vast beauty of the rice fields that are kept in order to create that characteristic Japanese drink, sake. And there are no less than 96 sake breweries in this area of Japan alone. The sake itself is delightful. In fact, it is known throughout Japan for the light colour it has, as well as its delicate flavour. I’m no sake connoisseur, but Niigata…

  • Getting up to date with Yerevan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city

    15 May 2013 | 10:25 am
    Armenia. Published on May 15, 2013 by Denise Beresford, WriterThe StoryYerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. It is the world’s oldest continuously-inhabited cities, dating back to the 8th century BC with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC by King Argishti. Yerevan expanded rapidly during the 20th Century with Armenia becoming one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union. In fifty years Yerevan transformed from a town of a few thousand inhabitants to become Armenia’s principal industrial, cultural and artistic centre. Yerevan is a very homogenous city with…
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    Travel Blog | Travel + Leisure

  • Arrive Like LiLo: Ride in a Police Car at Hotel ZaZa

    19 Jun 2013 | 6:18 am
    Hotel ZaZa, a Texas mini-chain of boutique hotels, retains a fleet of vehicles available to guests at their Dallas and Houston properties. The kooky lineup includes an art car, a hearse, a car wi...

  • Organists Compete in Philadephia's Longwood Gardens

    19 Jun 2013 | 4:42 am
    Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, near Philadelphia and equidistant from Washington, D.C. and New York City, is one of the world's spectacular botanical parks, with more than 1,000 acres of wo...

  • 55th Venice Biennale: The Encyclopedic Palace

    18 Jun 2013 | 5:24 am
    Part wunderkammer, part memory palace, this year’s 55th Venice Biennale is an introspective investigation into contemporary art.  Through November 24, the Biennale will dance around the Renaissan...

  • Beautiful Views: Escape the Daily Grind

    17 Jun 2013 | 6:25 am
    Stuck in the daily grind? Counteract those weekday blues with Travel + Leisure’s full guide to beautiful views. From the iconic skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan to a cliffside pool in Cap d’Antibes...

  • This Summer's Hot UK Souvenir: Royal Baby Swag

    17 Jun 2013 | 5:09 am
    Last summer, some of the most omnipresent souvenirs found around London featured the faces of Wenlock and Mandeville, the much-maligned, one-eyed mascots from the 2012 Olympics. This summer, exp...
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    Cruise Radio

  • Episode 197 - Un-Cruise Adventures Review

    cruiseandblog
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:54 pm
    On this episode Doug broadcasts from the 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer from Southeast Alaska. Hear all about the Un-Cruise Adventures style with interviews from passengers, crew and expedition leaders.

  • Episode 197 - Un-Cruise Adventures Review

    cruiseandblog
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:39 pm
    On this episode Doug broadcasts from the 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer from Southeast Alaska. Hear all about the Un-Cruise Adventures style with interviews from passengers, crew and expedition leaders.

  • Episode 196 - Cruise Photo Tips + Norwegian Breakaway

    cruiseandblog
    13 Jun 2013 | 8:09 am
    This week we talk to Craig Zabransky with StayAdventurous. Craig will give us some photo tips for your next vacation. Plus, a passenger review from Norwegian Breakaway.

  • Episode 195 - ShipMate App, Travel Insurance + Cruise News

    cruiseandblog
    5 Jun 2013 | 11:16 pm
    On this show we talk to Michael Jirout, founder of ShipMate App, a free cruise app that has all the bells and whistles. Dan Skilken, ceo of TripInsurance.com answers your questions about losing a passport while traveling overseas and how a death in the family can affect your trip.

  • Episode 194 - Royal Caribbean Ship Fire

    cruiseandblog
    29 May 2013 | 8:29 pm
    The Royal Caribbean ship fire is the big talk of the week. This week we talk to a passenger who was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas when a fire started just off the coast of Bahamas. Plus, more experts join us.
 
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    Nomadic Notes

  • New Country Day: Belize

    James Clark
    16 Jun 2013 | 10:17 pm
    Country: Belize Date: 14 June 2013 [Belize - famous for offshore incorporation.] I’ve been keeping track of when I visit a country for the first time with the New Country Day tag, and it turns out I haven’t been to a new country in over a year. While I have visited numerous countries in this time, they have all been countries I have been to before. And most of that time has been slow travelling or based in one place. So this is my first time in Belize, and it is also my first time anywhere in the Americas below Mexico. Central and South America have been calling my name for years,…

  • Beautiful Fountain, Nuremberg – Germany

    James Clark
    13 Jun 2013 | 5:35 pm
    Nuremberg was an unexpected surprise for me. I went here solely to see the museum that stands at the Nazi party rally grounds (more on that later). What I didn’t expect to find was an old town which was worthy of more time that I had allocated for Nuremberg. At the old market square I found these figures on a beautiful fountain called Schöner Brunnen (which in English means Beautiful Fountain). [I travelled to Nuremberg thanks to Eurail.com.] Travel Photos: Nuremberg photo gallery Beautiful Fountain, Nuremberg – Germany is a post from: Nomadic Notes

  • NotVOIP – Use any phone, anywhere, to make international calls.

    James Clark
    6 Jun 2013 | 9:30 am
    One of the joys of running an online business is not having to do any sales or customer service over the phone. Any calls I do make I get by with Skype, or mobile if it’s a local call. As much as I love Skype though, sometimes it’s just not a viable option. To get around those times when I am on the road and I need to make an important phone call I use the NotVOIP app. NotVOIP NotVOIP is a service that enables you to make landline quality phone calls via ‘callback’. I tested out this app when I was in Malaysia and I needed to call my bank in Australia. The wifi at my…

  • Man-birds of Offenburg – Germany

    James Clark
    1 Jun 2013 | 4:15 pm
    Travelling long distances by rail in Europe will often require one or two changes of train. On my trip from Strasbourg to Nuremberg I had about ninety minutes between connecting trains in Offenburg (which made three types of bergs in one day). Hitherto that day I had never heard of Offenburg, but I as the station was close to town I figured a little wander was better than standing on the platform for over an hour. In that time I found these delightful man-birds on the street which made the detour worth it. [I travelled to Offenburg (from Strasbourg to Nuremberg) thanks to Eurail.com.] Travel…

  • [Travel Photo] London in red, London – UK

    James Clark
    23 May 2013 | 5:06 pm
    [London in red] 2013 marked the fifteenth year in a row that I have visited London. That is the longest run I’ve had for any destination, and one that I am happy to continue. It all started in 1999 when I first arrived in London on a working holiday visa. That counted for three calendar years, followed by two years in Dublin (via London), then another decade of hubbing through on he way to somewhere else. London is such a great walking city. I usually start with the intention of going for a short walk, then several hours later I find I’ve walked half way across the city. On this…
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    City Traveler Blog

  • Fun in the Sun: Free Summer Concerts in NYC

    Byron Beck
    13 Jun 2013 | 1:23 pm
    Summer’s the time in New York City to get out of your hotel room, out onto the streets and into the parks and other outdoor venues to enjoy the sights and hear the sounds of the countless concerts and festivals that seem to be taking place in every corner of the Big Apple. Here’s a short list of summertime fests where the sound is as big as the city. And better yet (most of) the fests are free! ROCKEFELLER CENTER Every Friday morning through late August and early September CityPASS holders on their way to Top of the Rock have the added bonus of a free music concert outside of Rockefeller…

  • Island Hopping, New England Style

    Kristin Girard
    6 Jun 2013 | 9:57 am
    Photo Creidt: http://en.wikipedia.org/ - Thompson Island, Boston Harbor I grew up in New England, and some of my best childhood memories are from summer vacations by the shore: playing on sandy beaches, having clambakes at sunset, catching fireflies at twilight, taking hikes through the woods, picnicking in grassy fields, and taking ferry boat rides across the harbor. While I’ll never get those precious sun-drenched childhood days back (don’t we all wish we could!), I can help my own kids create seashore memories like these on a day trip or camping trip to the Boston Harbor Islands, a…

  • Interview With Manhattan Walking Tour Founder: 'I Am NYC. NYC Is Me.'

    Byron Beck
    31 May 2013 | 9:51 am
    Photo Credit: Garry Zafrani, founder of Manhattan Walking Tour Want to feel like a “real” New Yorker? Then break out your best walking shoes and hit the street. But where should you go? And what should you do? That’s where a great walking tour guide comes in handy. And one of the best is Garry Zafrani, founder of Manhattan Walking Tour. A native of Brooklyn, the 60-something Zafrani grew up in New York City and loves every inch of it. That’s why he decided to share his love of his hometown on foot. And that’s why he heads out on a daily basis with a small group of visitors to share…

  • The Exploratorium Settling Into PIER 15

    Deston S. Nokes
    24 May 2013 | 10:29 am
    Visitors gaze into a mosaic of tiny mirrors to see a myriad of eyes, all their own, gazing back at them. Image by Amy Snyder © Exploratorium, All rights reserved Since 1969, San Francisco’s Exploratorium has been an icon for the inquisitive and a beacon for brainstormers. Known for being one of the world’s top science education centers, the Exploratorium has enthralled millions of visitors over the decades with its hands-on exhibits exploring biology, physics, human interaction and the environment. Founded by famed physicist Frank Oppenheimer, the Exploratorium had been located on the…

  • Surf's Up in So Cal

    Deb Barracato
    17 May 2013 | 12:25 pm
    Photo credit: San Diego Surf School on Facebook Does surfing call to mind hip youngsters with sun-bleached hair and too much time on their hands? Or big-wave daredevils with an apparently malfunctioning fear factor? Actually, much like mid-life professionals on Harleys, a surprising number of surfers take up the sport long after they’ve left their wild years behind. If the thought of hanging 10 has always appealed to you, Southern California’s more than 300 miles of sunny coastline make the perfect place to bring that dream to life. Anyone who’s reasonably fit and can confidently swim…
 
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    Matt-Gibson.org

  • Scuba Diving the Similan Islands in Thailand

    Kristin Addis
    3 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    I’m surrounded by a deep blue haze.  Small locals this region of the world of varying shades of yellow, black, and blue pass by, seeming not to notice me.  I take a deep breath in, and blow bubbles back out.  Looking up, I can see the surface of the water from down below. I’m a traveler in a new land: scuba diving the Similan Islands in Thailand. Looking back over my 6 days, having completed 18 dives from a live-aboard boat sailing through some of the most beautiful islands this world has to offer, I was privy to quite a few amazing sights. As a traveler, these are the types of…

  • Learning How to Scuba Dive: What to Expect

    Guest Blogger
    1 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Every year more and more people are learning how to scuba dive and discovering the glorious feeling of sinking beneath the waves at some of the world’s most pristine dive sites. Nothing quite comes close to the experience of scuba diving because it allows you to explore a completely different world than that which is experienced on land. The idea of taking scuba diving lessons, the process may seem a bit intimidating, but it shouldn’t be. To set your mind at ease, read on to learn what it’s like to go through a scuba diving course for the first time. If you already decided that you…

  • Helicoptering Over Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand

    Kristin Addis
    30 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Last year I went on a New Zealand glacier helicopter tour. There’s something about the majesty of a glacier that you can’t quite get the full effect of from the ground level, separated by a fence and the cracking glacier a few meters away. Sure, the vistas and viewpoints provide great photo opportunities, and the hike is quite rewarding, punctuated with cascading waterfalls and framed by gorgeous mountains. But in order to really get up close with a glacier, to really appreciate and understand it, one has to touch it.  That’s where a helicopter tour comes in.  Of all the…

  • Paragliding in Turkey

    Guest Blogger
    27 May 2013 | 12:39 pm
    By Clare Dyckhoff What do you look for when you traveling? Is it the nearest beach, the warmest sea, the best place with the largest selection of adventure sports? If you’re an adrenaline junkie with a burning desire for all things all active and fun then you may be interested in my tale about paragliding in Turkey. My family and I have visited Ölüdeniz in Turkey twice now and we still cannot get enough. Literally translated as ‘Blue Lagoon’, Ölüdeniz is a stunning sight for anyone wanting time to relax and meet some fantastic people. I’ve always been one for activities abroad,…

  • Snowbird Powder Porn

    Matt Gibson
    21 May 2013 | 7:57 pm
    Snowbird is one of those resorts that in almost always included in best ski resort lists, and rightly so. It has one of the biggest annual snowfalls in the country, and it’s the legendary Utah driy powder. It has some of the most accessible in-bounds extreme terrain that I’ve ever seen. I was fortunate enough to visit Snowbird a few times this year and shoot some of their sponsored riders. It was epic. I rode chutes like the ones I’d only previously seen in movies. Hucked sme pretty big cliffs as well. The conditions weren’t always great for photos, but we still got…
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    Diary of The Purple Passport

  • 5 NYC Eateries Perfect for Dining Alone

    Emily
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:25 am
    Photo courtesy of Gramercy Tavern NEW YORK CITY, USA - Whether you’re traveling alone on business, taking a lunch break by yourself, or simply seeking a bit of solitude, there’s no reason why a party of one can’t still be a party. So, in this new series, we’re pointing the way to eateries where the food is not to be missed and where you won’t feel the slightest bit awkward going it as a lone wolf. New York City is one of the world’s foremost business travel destinations yet, when it comes to dining, it’s not the friendliest to those seeking solo seats. Manhattan’s most…

  • Tempting Tuesday: Spruce Up Your Summer Wardrobe with C. Orrico

    Jessica S.
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:15 am
    PALM BEACH, USA – With warming temps and crystal, clear skies ahead, we’re itching to switch out our wardrobe in favor of fun and playful pieces. And while snagging the latest designer labels often comes with a hefty price tag, some area retailers are getting a head start on their summer sales—even if the official start date of summer is later this week! C. Orrico is offering its spring and summer women’s and children’s apparel and accessories at a steal. This green-and-pink boutique has been supplying chic, sophisticated looks to the oceanfront community since 1985. Expect Alice…

  • A Wealth of Knowledge and, well, Wealth at the Morgan Library in NYC

    Valerie
    17 Jun 2013 | 8:45 am
    Photo Credit: Flickr user Jeffrey Zeldman NEW YORK CITY, USA –We expect nothing less in decadence or prestige when it comes to something J.P. Morgan ever had his eye on.  Though never really known for his physical appearance or his amiability, Morgan and his legacy are known for his immense collection of paintings, objets d’arts, gems, manuscripts, letters, drawings, prints, and all the like. Evidently, moderation wasn’t his thing, either. Morgan kept his collection at his townhome in London, but as it began to expand he had his personal library built in 1902 adjacent to his New York…

  • Introducing: The Purple Passport Postcards Site

    Jenn
    16 Jun 2013 | 5:27 am
    GLOBAL – Summer officially arrives this week, which means the season for blockbuster movie openings is upon us (Man of Steel opened Friday by the way…just saying). Well, here at The Purple Passport, we’d like to announce a new blockbuster feature of our own: The Purple Passport Postcards site. The site is a collection of original snapshots from our team’s travels to exciting destinations around the world, featuring gorgeous, easy-to-navigate visuals of everything from New York to London and Abu Dhabi to Vietnam. But the site isn’t merely a stunning set of photo…

  • Embrace Boho-Chic in NYC’s East Village

    Jessica S.
    15 Jun 2013 | 8:55 am
    Photo Credit: edenpictures on Flickr Creative Commons NEW YORK CITY, USA – Like Williamsburg, the East Village offers an interesting counterpoint to the posh and chic ambiance much of Manhattan provides. This traditionally immigrant neighborhood has been a mecca for the proverbial “striving artist” for decades. You’ll encounter plenty of scruffy beards, black-rimmed glasses, and skin-tight jeans to last you a lifetime, but that’s all part of the East Village’s charm. Expect tons of cute cafes (like the Bluebird), rustic bars, and indie-music joints. Stretching north from Houston…
 
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    A Travelers' Library

  • Henry Fonda, Sierra Mountains, and Le Marche

    Vera Marie Badertscher
    18 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am
    Sometimes I think I’m going to meet myself coming and going–through cyberspace, that is. Here’s what I’ve been up to, when I’m not here writing about books and movies to make you travel and trying to get you to sign up for an e-mail subscription by offering you a wonderful FREE new book (YOUR CHOICE) to start your summer reading season…. At Reel Life With Jane I talk about all-American Henry Fonda and a new set of ten movies in The Henry Fonda Film Collection. At Donna Hull’s great travel resource, My Itchy Travel Feet, I reviewed a terrific…

  • Afghanistan Fragmented in New Book by Masha Hamilton

    Vera Marie Badertscher
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am
    Destination: Afghanistan Book: What Changes Everything (NEW June 2013) by Masha Hamilton   (Disclosure: years ago, before she had published her first novel, I knew Masha Hamilton when she lived in Tucson) Before you even open this book, you get a treat.  The dust jacket is the most striking cover art I’ve seen this year.  And the style and choice of artwork becomes clear when you read the book.  I spend a lot of time complaining about book covers, so I wanted to take this opportunity to praise the publisher, Unbridled Books and designers  David Ryski and Kathleen Lynch. Even…

  • Apple Pie–American and also Italian, French, Sri Lankan and Jamaican

    Jennifer Close
    14 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am
    FAMILY TRAVEL Destination: The World Book: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman (Ages 3-7)       Article by Jennifer Close How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World  by Marjorie Priceman is a whimsical children’s picture book that takes you on a journey around the world to gather ingredients for an apple pie. The main character decides that she is going to make an apple pie but unfortunately the market is closed. Rather than wait for the market to open, she decides to pack a suitcase and catch a steamship to Europe. Apple Pie Photo By Benny Mazur…
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    My Life in Leeds

  • Hollybush Conservation Centre, Leeds

    Jo Murricane
    9 Jun 2013 | 6:55 am
    In Kirkstall, tucked away between the Leeds Liverpool Canal and the River Aire, you will find Hollybush Conservation CentreThis content was syndicated from My Life in Leeds - an online guide written by local writers. Hollybush Conservation Centre, Leeds

  • Independent Stores in the City Centre

    Jo Murricane
    6 Jun 2013 | 1:01 pm
    Leeds has a strong set of fabulous independent stores, offering unique items and something a lot more personal than the big brand chainsThis content was syndicated from My Life in Leeds - an online guide written by local writers. Independent Stores in the City Centre

  • Engine House Cafe, Leeds

    Jon Howe
    31 May 2013 | 5:58 pm
    Tucked neatly off Water Lane, behind the more prominent Midnight Bell and Cross Keys, is the Engine House CafeThis content was syndicated from My Life in Leeds - an online guide written by local writers. Engine House Cafe, Leeds

  • Pooky & Grumps, Horsforth

    Jon Howe
    31 May 2013 | 10:07 am
    A local delicatessen and cafe; the quaint and authentic charm of Pooky & Grumps, buy food from local producersThis content was syndicated from My Life in Leeds - an online guide written by local writers. Pooky & Grumps, Horsforth

  • Granary Cafe and Farm Shop

    Jo Murricane
    30 May 2013 | 10:21 am
    Found in Cookridge, the Granary Cafe and Farm Shop are based at Crag House Farm. A must visit for locals and tourists visiting the cityThis content was syndicated from My Life in Leeds - an online guide written by local writers. Granary Cafe and Farm Shop
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    Go Timeshare

  • Interval International adds third Azul Resort in Mexican Caribbean

    Maria Rodriguez
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:42 am
    The Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera is the latest property to join Interval International’s exciting portfolio of  worldwide resorts. The Hotel joins Azul Sensatori and Azul Fives Hotel & Private Residences (both part of the Azul brand of Gourmet Inclusive properties operated by Karisma Hotels & Resorts), which are already part of Interval’s global exchange network. Commenting on the news, Rinaldo Fernandez, senior VP of administration for Karisma Hotels & Resorts said: “We greatly value the relationship we’ve enjoyed with Interval over the…

  • Global hospitality leader Diamond Resorts International(R) files for IPO

    Maria Rodriguez
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:48 am
    Diamond Resorts International, Inc. has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 in the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of its common stock. The timeshare specialist is a pioneer and global leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industry, and boasts a current ownership base of more than 490,000 owner-families and a worldwide network of 295 vacation destinations located in 32 countries throughout the world. Diamond Resorts’ locations include the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America,…

  • ‘Overhaul needed’ to combat nuisance cold calls, says Which?

    Maria Rodriguez
    18 Jun 2013 | 4:30 am
    An industry-run service to prevent unsolicited marketing calls is not working, according to a survey by the consumer group Which? Members of the public who had been plagued by cold calls subscribed to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) in an effort to combat the nuisance calls but the Which? found that even though they had registered with TPS, they were still receiving double the average number of unsolicited calls than those not signed up. Nineteen million phone numbers are registered with TPS, which accounts for around three-quarters of all landlines in the UK. “While people…

  • Looking forward for Lanzarote

    Maria Rodriguez
    17 Jun 2013 | 2:11 am
    Very soon Kim and her son will be jetting off from East Midlands airport for the sunny skies of Lanzarote and the home of Club Las Calas in Puerto del Carmen who pride themselves on being the most popular timeshare and self-catering holiday destination in Lanzarote.  To say she is looking forward to this press trip is an understatement.   After a tough few months and a family bereavement, this is a holiday that is well deserved. Kim has been very kindly invited by the Resort Development Organisation to visit and experience this wonderful resort which has 145 apartments spread across four…

  • Alicante Top 10

    Maria Rodriguez
    13 Jun 2013 | 3:53 am
      If you’re looking for a scorching hot escape this summer but don’t want long flight times, then why not visit the Spanish city of Alicante? The historic city has plenty for both couples and families to see and do, making it the ideal holiday hotspot.  Alicante is one of Spain’s top timeshare destinations, but there’s much, much more to it than sand, sea and sangria, and if you are renting a car, it’s the perfect place for half day trips out of town as the region has so much to explore.   Here are our top things to see and do in the area:  …
 
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    Travel stories, insights, and tips for adventure and cultural travel seekers written by Ms Traveling Pants

  • Travel Back in Time Fifty Years in Fifty Minutes – Cuba Travel

    MsTravelingPants
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:51 pm
    Ever wonder what it would be like to travel back in time just like Marty McFly in Back to the Future? I certainly did when I was growing up. I wanted to take that speedy trip in the Delorean to another time and lifestyle. Little did I know that I would time travel with trips to Cuba. Now in under fifty minutes from South Florida, I time travel to the 1950′s frequently. For any first-timer, the old American cars are enough to believe that you too have gone back in time. The parade of taxis around Havana and the island is overwhelming. Something that is such a rarity and perhaps only a…

  • Americans, You Too Can Travel to Cuba

    MsTravelingPants
    5 Jun 2013 | 4:17 am
    Let me be one of the first to tell you; Americans, you too can travel to Cuba and legally. I know it may sound wrong, illegal, or just impossible, but I want to let the cat out of the bag. You can fly direct from Miami to Cuba, experience Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santa Clara, and even change your US Dollars into Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) to purchase music, books, Cuban hats, Guayaberas, and more. AND, there isn’t a catch; you don’t need to be a Cuban-American, governmental worker, press, or on a religious mission. How Can Americans Travel to Cuba?  With changes in the travel…

  • Toronto and Ontario With Love

    MsTravelingPants
    4 Jun 2013 | 1:38 pm
    After nearly a week experiencing the city of Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ontario wines, delicious foods from around the world, and exploring the Toronto Islands, I was wowed! The area is absolutely so me: international, foodie focused, mass-transit of almost every form, and the outdoors just a quick 5-minute ferry ride away. I feel that only a video would be ideal to transport you to my Toronto, Ontario experience. Here you go with “Quando, quando, quando” (When, when, when) performed by Michael Buble and Nelly Furtado (both from Canada)! After such an epic week, I was tempted to move…

  • English Cities Worth Visiting Aside from London

    MsTravelingPants
    4 Jun 2013 | 6:44 am
    With a thirst for adventure and off the beaten path travels, I’m interested to returning to England for some touring outside of London. Although I loved my last trip to London; it was for business. Thus, it did not allow time for more in-depth travel. However, with summer travels ideas simmering, I wanted to learn more about others’ travels through England and outside of London. I asked Sian, a wanderluster and writer, to provide me suggestions for an English holiday without the crowds of London, but with loads of charm. Enjoy her advice and tips on Bath, Birmingham, and Newcastle…

  • Getting Rid of Tan Lines in Toronto

    MsTravelingPants
    1 Jun 2013 | 6:03 am
    When one thinks of tanning, Canada isn’t the first spot that comes to mind. In fact, only on a last minute whim did I throw in my bikini before leaving South Florida for Toronto. However, I have been oh so very fortunate; since arriving in Toronto earlier this week, it has been glorious with very sunny days and cool enjoyable nights. After touring the city via bike and Niagara Falls on my first days, I thought it was time to get off the beaten path and explore the Toronto Islands. Yesterday, I left the Harbourfront of Toronto on the ferry for cheap (only $7 round-trip), arriving at…
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    Traveling Mom RSS Feed

  • Stardust Memories: The Lights of Broadway

    18 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am
    Billing itself as “The Best Free Show on Broadway,” Ellen’s Stardust Diner has been open since the 80’s, but it’s décor, memorabilia and food will take you back to the 50’s. However, what are you really going to see at this popular tourist destination in the heart of Times Square?  The singing wait staff. With names like “Slick,” “Sassy,” and “Lady Liberty,” these young men and women make no bones about why they are there. Well sure, they’re there to make a buck waiting on tables like thousands of others in NYC, but these folks are all aspiring actors and…

  • Stardust Memories: The Lights of Broadway

    18 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am
    Billing itself as “The Best Free Show on Broadway,” Ellen’s Stardust Diner has been open since the 80’s, but it’s décor, memorabilia and food will take you back to the 50’s. However, what are you really going to see at this popular tourist destination in the heart of Times Square?  The singing wait staff. With names like “Slick,” “Sassy,” and “Lady Liberty,” these young men and women make no bones about why they are there. Well sure, they’re there to make a buck waiting on tables like thousands of others in NYC, but these folks are all aspiring actors and…

  • Losing a Child at Disney World

    15 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Most of us have a memory of getting lost as a young child. I remember the first time I couldn’t find my parents.  I was probably about six years old and I was playing in the Barbie section at K-Mart. My mom kept telling me it was time to go but obviously, as a five-year-old child, I was too busy. She went into the aisle next to me to give me a little scare and boy did she! I took off running and hid inside one of those round clothing displays the stores use to have because I didn’t want anyone to see how hard I was crying. I’m sure you can remember the frightening feeling you had…

  • Losing a Child at Disney World

    15 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Most of us have a memory of getting lost as a young child. I remember the first time I couldn’t find my parents.  I was probably about six years old and I was playing in the Barbie section at K-Mart. My mom kept telling me it was time to go but obviously, as a five-year-old child, I was too busy. She went into the aisle next to me to give me a little scare and boy did she! I took off running and hid inside one of those round clothing displays the stores use to have because I didn’t want anyone to see how hard I was crying. I’m sure you can remember the frightening feeling you had…

  • Who Plans and Prepares for Family Vacations—Mom or Dad?

    11 Jun 2013 | 8:39 pm
    In a recent survey created by the folks who run Great Wolf Lodge, they found overwhelmingly DADs are the most likely to be the family vacation planner. Is that true in YOUR household? If I were taking that survey… As a TravelingMom with a family of 5 where my husband travels heavily for work (and by heavily I mean as much as 1-2 weeks per month!) I wonder when he would have time to plan our family vacation?
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    littleindiana.com » Jessica Nunemaker

  • Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose by Aeromax Review

    Jessica Nunemaker
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:00 pm
    Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose by Aeromax Review What’s the one thing that kids find irresistible every time? Water! The Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose by Aeromax is an amazing step up from simple squirt guns! Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose by Aeromax Review Every year we buy an array of squirt guns hoping against hope that this is the year when they will all work and last longer than five minutes before breaking. Never again! At least, not after discovering the Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose! This is absolutely our favorite summer toy right now. It holds a surprising…

  • Images from The Destination Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana

    Jessica Nunemaker
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    If you have been dreaming of rest and relaxation with stunning country views, you’ll want to take a look at The Destination Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana. Amish horses and buggies clip-clop down the street. Birds sing. Horses whinny. Everywhere you look are green, green fields and rolling hills. In a word: perfection. Inside, it’s comfortable and cozy. Breakfast is amazing and almost too lovely to eat! Lovingly decorated, little Indiana can think of no better place to unwind than in this tucked away bed and breakfast in Salem, Indiana. The Destination Bed and Breakfast in…

  • Garden Gate Gifts and Flowers in North Salem, Indiana

    Jessica Nunemaker
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    Garden Gate Gift and Flower Shop in North Salem, Indiana Word on the street was that we had to make it over to North Salem, Indiana to investigate the treasures hidden inside Garden Gate Gifts and Flowers. Garden Gate Gifts and Flowers is a cheery little spot  in this small Indiana town! North Salem, Indiana: Garden Gate Gifts and Flowers You can’t miss the jolly pink and green exterior of this Indiana antique shop and more. Two store fronts are occupied by this Hendricks County shop. There are antiques, antiques, and more antiques! Stuffed animals, dishes, and vintage cookbooks are…

  • Images from East End Double Dip in Peru, Indiana

    Jessica Nunemaker
    17 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am
    For amazing ice cream treats, you will want to run to East End Double Dip in Peru, Indiana! Unique flavors, changing specials, and a true neighborhood hangout, this is small Indiana town life at its finest! You can easily find it in Peru, Indiana–just look for the rainbow umbrellas! This Miami County ice cream shop is oh so good! It is open seasonally so don’t miss your chance to check it out. Images from East End Double Dip in Peru, Indiana East End Double Dip in Peru, Indiana East End Double Dip in Peru, Indiana East End Double Dip in Peru, Indiana East End Double Dip in Peru,…

  • Indiana Blogs: Hoosier Gardener

    Jessica Nunemaker
    16 Jun 2013 | 2:00 pm
    This marks another addition to the regular feature here at little Indiana: Indiana Blogs! If you are an Indiana Blogger, please use the contact form and send me an email. You may be featured right here on little Indiana. Indiana Blogs: Hoosier Gardener Hoosier Gardener is an Indiana blog to give you a little insight into your garden! No green thumb? No  problem! This blog is a treasure trove of all things gardening. Gardening woes or gardening planning, you are sure to find something on this blog to make you want to get your hands in the dirt! Indiana Blogs: Hoosier Gardener Why did you…
 
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    Traveling Greener

  • Green Photos: Hostels

    Sonya
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:38 pm
    Unusual hostels: Hobbiton in Matamata; Crocodylus Village YHA Queensland. Photo credits: Hostelling International. Looking for a quirky place to stay?  If you fancy unusual accommodations like the Hobbiton in Matamata (above), you might fancy staying in a hostel with budget accommodation provider Hostelling International. One of its most unusual hostels is the Jumbo Hostel in Stockholm (below), a refurbished Jumbo Jet hostel which offers modern amenities, ensuite guestrooms (double and private) and a café. In close proximity to the Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, it works well as a…

  • Get Carried Away In Edinburgh

    Sonya
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:37 pm
      Enjoy Every Second – The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Video courtesy of The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Summer is festival time in Europe and we love every lively minute of it. One of our favorite arts festivals is The Edinburgh Festival Fringe which promises “an emotional rollercoaster” of a program for 2013. Called the world’s largest arts festival, coming up on August 2-26, 2013, the charming festival campaign (above) encourages people to”Get carried away, be inspired, have a blast, cry your eyes out.” In numbers, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will…

  • Best Trips Ebooks

    Sonya
    17 Jun 2013 | 11:44 am
    California’s Best Trips, one of the Best Trips ebook titles by Lonely Planet on Inkling. Photo credit: Lonely Planet. Looking for a travel ebook guide for your next trip?  Then you’ll want to check out the Best Trips interactive ebooks launched by Lonely Planet on Inkling. These Inkling editions of the Best Trips series have been designed for interactive and dynamic use by travelers on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and web browsers. Among the Lonely Planet ebook titles are California’s Best Trips; Italy’s Best Trips; France’s Best Trips and Ireland’s Best…

  • A Walking Break In Portugal

    Sonya
    13 Jun 2013 | 3:51 pm
    Quinta das Barradas, a working family farm country house in Algarve, Portugal. Photo credit: Quinta das Barradas. Fancy a walking break in the sun?  If you’re into Nordic walking, then you might fancy a walking break at Quinta das Barradas in Algarve, Portugal. The country house is hosting a series of long weekend Nordic walking breaks on a variety of scenic terrains in the region. Portugal’s Algarve is an ideal walking destination because of its sunny, mild climate which has an average of 3,000 sunshine hours every year. Quinta das Barradas is situated a few kilometres from the…

  • Made By Hand, The Bike Maker

    Sonya
    10 Jun 2013 | 1:56 pm
      Made by Hand is a short film series by bureauofcommongoods.com.  The inspiring series celebrates the people who “make things by hand—sustainably, locally, and with a love for their craft.” This fifth film tells the powerful story of bike maker Ezra Caldwell of Fast Boy Cycles. Be inspired!
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    Plum Deluxe

  • Pretty and Practical Upgrades to Your Picnic Basket

    Andy Hayes
    19 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am
    Maybe it is just me, but picnics always look better in the catalog than they are in person. But I still like the idea, and if you can keep the pests away, there must be a way to enjoy having a glass of wine and a cheese plate alfresco? Today, I’m sharing with you my plum picks to upgrade your picnic gear (as we already have talked about upgrades to your picnic foods). All you need to do is hit the grocery, and find the perfect spot – even if it’s in your backyard! Don’t Knock Over the Wine Glass Ever Again A picnic is nothing without a glass of wine or bottle of…

  • Getting Past Some Old Cliches about Gift-Giving

    Andy Hayes
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am
    Today’s feature was brought to you by Ziftit I’m not sure exactly what happened, or when, but somewhere along the line we lost the “art” of gift giving and it became a chore. Which is a shame – it should be a joy, a pleasure, a bit of fun finding a little gift to treat someone special. Today I’d like to smash some of those gift-giving cliches. Let’s get started. First, can we stop with the gifting stereotypes, please? I really am sick of the gift stereotypes that continue to perpetuate our culture. You know the ones: the ladies all want aprons and…

  • Confessions of a Fan Sleeper: The Need to Sleep with White Noise

    Andy Hayes
    18 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am
    I have a confession to make, something very few people know, but it accounts for around 7-8 hours of my day.  I can’t sleep without a fan on. I’m not sure where my habit started; I kind of remember it being a habit in college, but it suffices today I’ve been at the fan habit for a long time.   It’s not that I can’t sleep entirely without the fan, but I definitely notice the difference in my quality of sleep and the amount of time it takes for me to fall asleep.  And as I find a good night’s sleep harder and harder to find every year I age, I’ll take any help I can get.

  • Pacific City: A Perfect Little Getaway on the Oregon Coast

    Andy Hayes
    17 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am
    It is no secret how dearly I love the Oregon coast.  I’m not sure whether it is the peaceful beaches, the lighthouses, or the hospitality, but I can’t get enough. I’ve highlighted all of the best places on the Oregon Coast; today, I’d like to go in the details of a weekend getaway to one of the best of the best, Pacific City.  It’s just the perfect little spot. What to do in Pacific City? Relax! Honestly, you can count on one hand the number of things to do in Pacific City. (Oregon = less is more.)  Really, it truly is a place to visit and do nothing and you’ll have a lot of…

  • 6 Essential Experiences in Cleveland, Ohio

    A Guest Writer
    16 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am
    “The mistake by the lake” is just one of the nicknames of my birthplace of Cleveland, Ohio. Believe it or not, a weekend in “the 216” might just be what your travel plans need. This resurging city is home to a world-class market and orchestra, a fantastic ethnic food scene (pierogi, anyone?), a top-notch brewery, and downtown ballpark, and is only 90 minutes from the world’s best amusement park. West Side Market Since the 1840s, the West Side Market has stood proudly on Cleveland’s west side, offering fresh meat, produce, pasta, pierogi, and flowers. This huge public market…
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    J The Travel Authority

  • Active Wales

    Jeanine Barone
    10 Jun 2013 | 1:15 pm
    To truly experience a country, I need to get intimate with the land. Taking in the aroma of blossoms and pine needles. Listening to the soft crunch of leaves underfoot, and the wild roar of the ocean. Touching craggy boulders strewn along my path or rough bark in dense forests. Tasting the salt spray from a turbulent surf on my lips. Here's are some activities that will bring you up close with the varied landscapes found in Wales. Surfing         Along the Gower Peninsula with its soaring cliffs and its sweeping sandy bays, you'll find fine quality waves,…

  • A Historic and Tasty Walking Tour in Brooklyn

    Jeanine Barone
    7 Jun 2013 | 10:11 am
    As a native New Yorker, I've taken a lot of NYC-based walking tours in the hopes of getting a different perspective about my hometown. But, by far, one of the best is the Brooklyn-centric tour company, Made in Brooklyn Tours, run by Dom Gervasi. I had taken his Williamsburg walking tour many months ago and found him to be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, organized and full of amazingly yummy tasting experiences that he introduced us to. I'm hoping to eventually do all of his tours, but my most recent one was to the DUMBO neighborhood. I thought I knew this neighborhood but here are some of the…

  • FIve Scenic Walks in Scotland

    Jeanine Barone
    30 May 2013 | 10:53 pm
    With such a diverse landscape of moors, woodlands, lochs, glens, sandy beaches and rugged peaks, Scotland presents walkers with a medley of options, from multi-day, rigorous treks to more leisurely strolls of just a few hours duration. But no matter the level of exertion, you'll be enveloped in this country's sublime beauty if you choose any of the five walks below: 1. The four-day Great Glen Way will bring you to Leitirfearn Nature Reserve with its myriad wildflowers and the ruins of Invergarry Castle. Of course, Loch Ness is the most iconic sight. But those who are obsessed with canals,…

  • Tips For Adventure Travel, My Fave Parks + Much More

    Jeanine Barone
    29 May 2013 | 9:54 am
    With summer vacations on the horizon, how do you choose an adventure-based trip? After all, you don't want to end up on a hiking trek that seems like you'll pass out as you slog up yet another mountain pass, particularly if you're at high altitude. Kinda puts a crimp in the enjoyment factor. And it can be a health hazard, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions or are just unfit or unprepared. Not all of my trips are adventure-based, but those that are, most are memorable, such as my multi-day cross-country ski journey in Washington's Methow Valley. Then, there are those that I'd…

  • Zurich's Postcard Perfect Urban Wilderness

    Jeanine Barone
    15 May 2013 | 10:07 pm
    Ah, a snowy Sunday in Zurich. With so many shops closed, what's a Type A person, like myself, to do? Head to the wilderness, of course. And that couldn't be easier in Zurich where Mount Uetliberg, really a set of hills rather than one mountain, rises almost 3,000 feet above sea level. In the winter, it's a playground for sledding, walking, hiking, jogging and mountain biking. In the summer, take sledding  out of the mix and add picnicking. Taking a train from Zurich's main station to Uetliberg, I shared my car with families and kids toting sleds. The wide open slopes as well as steeper…
 
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    Two Kids and a Map

  • Less Than $500: A Budget for 4 days in Moab, Utah

    Jen
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:21 am
    When we realized that we had a few extra dollars in the bank, we knew exactly what we wanted to do with it.  Since moving to Denver, we realized that we were only six hours from Moab, Utah.  For as long as I have known my husband, the desert and its otherworldly landscape was something that he wanted to see. Unfortunately, we started to do our research and the hotel prices were ridiculous.  Almost two hundred dollars a night for a Motel 6 was not in our budget.  We realized that there were a number of campsites, my husband’s first choice for accommodations.  It was supposed to be…

  • A Summer Visit to Estes Park (with these coupons)

    Jen
    15 Jun 2013 | 8:01 pm
    We have a lengthy list of things that we want to do during our first summer in Colorado and a visit to Estes Park, Colorado is one of them.  I want to wander the town and visit the shops.  I want to keep an eye out for the wild animals that we didn’t have back in Pensacola like the elk that appear to just wander around like they own the place.  I want to hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park and ride the famous Trail Ridge Road.  I want to wander around looking for and identifying wildflowers with my daughter and her new wildflower identification book. Have you been to Estes…

  • 4 Day Camping Menu

    Jen
    15 Jun 2013 | 4:05 pm
    Why does food always seem to taste better when you are camping?  You still have to cook it yourself and clean up after yourself, but for some reason it always tastes better. It has been quite awhile since I have had to plan a camping menu for more than one night.  We went camping in Moab, Utah where we stayed in a primitive cabin with a small fridge.  I knew the fridge would eliminate the need to worry about refilling the cooler with ice.  We had access to a charcoal grill and we brought our camp stove. We planned on doing a lot of hiking and it was hot.  I tried to come up with meal…

  • An Open Letter to Hiking Trail Map Makers, Guidebook Writers and Website Owners

    Jen
    27 May 2013 | 4:33 pm
    To the Hiking Trail Map Makers, Guidebook Writers, Website Owners and more, We are fairly new to the hiking scene. We moved from Northwest Florida where the hiking trails are mostly part of the state park system so they are well marked.  Now that we live in Denver, we have been hiking together as a family. There is a lot to learn about hiking and hiking with kids.  My husband has section-hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail, so hiking isn’t new to him, but hiking together as a family is  much different.  You have to figure out what you need in your day pack.  You have to decide…

  • 63 Days of Summer in and around Denver, Colorado with Kids

    Jen
    24 May 2013 | 8:07 am
    Sixty three days.  That is how many days my children have off of school this summer.  We are all itching for summertime.  We are ready to sleep in.  I am ready to be finished with lunch packing, homework time and more. This is a year of firsts for us.  We are so excited to be spending our first summer in Denver.  We have lots of people coming to visit us and we can’t wait to spend the summer exploring Denver and the surrounding areas.  We have put together a list of things to do for each day of our summer.  We probably won’t get to all of it (probably won’t even get…
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    Travel Deals Blog BestTravelDeals.net

  • Italy Travel Deals

    kirsten
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:58 am
    $92-$113 –  Italy: Central Rome Hotel thru Summer, 40% Off Get a great deal during peak tourist season, when rates are rarely discounted. Travel July 6 – Sept. 1 $1799 & up — Italy 3-City, 9-Night Trip w/Air, Car & Train Package includes RT airfare, accommodations, car, breakfast & more. Travel through October $2424 & up — Rome, Florence [...]

  • NYC Hotel Deals

    kirsten
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    $179 & up — NYC: 4-Star Times Square Hotel, 50% Off See a Broadway shows while staying steps for the theater district. Travel select dates, July-August $215 — NYC: Weekends at 4-Star Downtown Hotel, 40% Off The hotel offers a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city. Travel Fridays-Sundays, July-August. $251-$269 — NYC: Weekends at 4-Star Midtown Hotel, [...]

  • California Summer Travel Deals

    kirsten
    7 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    $119 — San Diego 4-Star Waterfront Hotel, 60% Off Located on San Diego Bay, near SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and the Gaslamp Quarter. Travel select dates through July $168-$199 — San Diego Hotel near Old Town, Save 25% Island-themed resort near the beach, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo & historic Old Town. Plus get a $50 Vacation Pay [...]

  • 10 Free Things to Do in Austin

    Kathleen
    5 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    Austin is a progressive metropolis that stands out amid the gung-ho conservatism that characterizes the rest of Texas. Despite being a bureaucratic capital city, Austin retains a funky flavor and boasts a diversity of recreational opportunities. And from its lively music scene to its abundance of outdoor pursuits, Austin overflows with activities that don’t require [...]

  • Last Minute Travel Deals

    kirsten
    3 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    $106 & up — La Romana Hotel, Over 30% Off Plus Up to $400 in Coupons Beachfront setting, all meals & drinks included w/ on-site spa service. Every 3rd night free for travel Aug 24 – Dec 22, 2013 $599 & up — Dominican Republic All-Incl. Trip 4 Nts. w/Air Top rated resort includes $100 resort credit per [...]
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    Frill Seeker Diary

  • Social Media And Blogging Have Grown Up

    Annemarie Dooling
    12 Jun 2013 | 1:25 pm
    Last month was like eighth grade graduation all over again. After a vigorous three-year term of receiving compliments from renowned authors and changing the conversation around STEM fields, I looked forward to moving on, but was also excited for a lazy, … Continue reading →

  • TBEX ’13: Community Reading

    Annemarie Dooling
    31 May 2013 | 5:16 pm
    If you attended the TBEX talk on going from an engaged readership to a strong community, you heard Jodi Ettenberg and I discuss a number of references and reading materials. If you missed them, here’s where you can find all … Continue reading →

  • Living Life Dolce Far Niente

    Annemarie Dooling
    28 May 2013 | 4:42 pm
    I was completely sleepless on my red-eye from Seattle back home to New York earlier this month, buzzing with energy, both positive and aggressive. I had booked the trip on a whim to speak to a few conference and side … Continue reading →

  • FriFotos: Holidays Around The World

    Annemarie Dooling
    21 Dec 2012 | 8:24 am
    The holidays are a fantastic time to flee your loved ones and score an amazing deal in the process. I've often been the receiver of strange clucks and looks when I've told people that, sure, I'd be flying out on Christmas day and, hey, don't expect to see me until I land on New Years. Sharing those looks and clucks with the travel community is just one reason I've found my home in them, feeling instant gratitude when I see an email, or postcard, or get a phone call from someone I love who I know is enjoying their holiday in Thailand/San Francisco/Buenos Aires. This week my friends at…

  • On Losing Your Travel Security Blanket

    Annemarie Dooling
    6 Oct 2012 | 4:27 pm
    The frat boys prattled on and on about their coitus conquests across three rows of seats, but I was unfazed. Somehow our Madrid flight was scary empty and the trio of college boys en route back from a spring break … Continue reading →
 
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    Nuts About Southwest

  • Southwest Tees Off At Air Capital Classic

    lblumberg
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:00 pm
    Knowing that Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World, home to the Boeing Company, Cessna, Raytheon, and Bombardier Aerospace's Learjet division, it certainly made sense that our newest Southwest destination was also the host of the 2013 Air Capital Classic (Web.com Tour) golf tournament this past weekend at Crestview Country Club. As the "Official Airline of Golf Lovers," Southwest Airlines is always looking for fun ways to connect with fans of the game on and off the green, and we were proud to be the Official Airline of the tournament!Last Tuesday, we kicked off our Air Capital…

  • Hitting the High Points: Southwest Airlines shows Denver more LUV this summer

    egalin
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:19 am
    It’s not surprising that people in the Mile High City are always on the move. They have a passion for the pursuit of exploration.  Southwest Airlines shares that same passion, and it’s no secret that we LUV Denver.  After all, Denver is our fifth busiest airport in terms of daily departures, and Southwest Airlines is Denver’s largest domestic carrier in terms of originating, domestic passengers.  There’s something special about the mountains and the mountain air, so naturally, this LUV affair is a perfect match!  This summer, Southwest wants to thank the folks in…

  • Travelin’ Taylor Tour: Good Old War, Live at 35

    aeliasen
    18 Jun 2013 | 2:24 pm
    GOODwin, ArnOLD, SchWARtz... see what they did there? If you didn’t catch it, the guys of Good Old War—Keith, Tim, and Dan—came up with their band name by combining pieces of their last names to create something personal and unique. That’s exactly what sets Good Old War apart—they infuse their true heart, soul, and personality into music and that makes their performances spectacular. What’s more, they brought their sound to 35,000 feet to help create a once-in-a-lifetime inflight experience for Customers during the Travelin’ Taylor Tour. Needless to say, Passengers onboard were…

  • Going Green: Get Rewarded for Recycling Your Electronics

    tlambiase
    18 Jun 2013 | 2:15 pm
    These days, it seems like everyone owns a smartphone … and a laptop … and an iPod … and a Kindle, iPad, or tablet!  In fact, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates that the average American household owns 24 different electronic devices.  But what do you do with these electronics when they break or become outdated?  How can you ensure that they don’t end up in a landfill?Two of the most helpful resources I’ve found for recycling electronics are Best Buy and www.1800recycling.com.  Many Best Buy stores will accept old electronic devices for…

  • Celebrating 42 years with the Bags of SWAG Giveaway

    egalin
    18 Jun 2013 | 10:52 am
    It’s an exciting day for Southwest Airlines—our 42nd birthday! We know what you’re thinking. “I need to rush out and buy Southwest Airlines a birthday gift!” …Right? Well, break out those party hats, but relax, because we’re going to celebrate a little nontraditionally. We couldn’t have made it 42 years without our wonderful Customers. So, we have gifts for you!  We’re giving away Bags of SWAG (SWA Goodies).  One bag features a grand prize ski trip for four to Salt Lake City/ Park City, our 42nd destination.  The trip is complete with roundtrip air fare…
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    Caribbean Travel Blog - RumShopRyan

  • Cruzan Summarita Drink Recipe: Boat Drinks

    RumShopRyan
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:07 am
    After one sip, you’ll be dancing across the deck. As summer rolls in and the temperatures rise, I think we all need to take time to celebrate the summer slow down. On June 21, the sun lingers in the sky on the longest day of the year, I encourage you too sit back and relax with a glass of summertime. The Cruzan Summarita is a refreshing summer cocktail that will satisfied those baking in the sun. I’m a big fan of this drink. It’s simple, super refreshing and I love adding Agave Nectar to my drinks. Give this one a try Castaways, I think you’re going to like it. Cruzan…

  • National Flip Flop Day Giveaway!

    RumShopRyan
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:53 am
    We celebrate a lot of things here on RSR, the Caribbean islands, great music, smooth rum and a relaxed lifestyle. Flip flops are a symbol of that relaxed lifestyle and that’s what we are celebrating this week. This Friday, June 21st is National Flip Flop Day. Yes believe it or not, it’s a real “official” holiday, especially for Castaways! It’s definitely one of my favorite days. I think most of you know, but I have a slight addiction to flip flops and sandals. What can I say, my toes need to be free! I think my collection of flip flops numbers in the 35-40 pair…

  • No Shoes Nation Television Special

    RumShopRyan
    14 Jun 2013 | 6:05 am
    I think Mr. Chesney is a reader of RumShopRyan.com, he liked how RSR readers are called Castaways and decided he needed a cool name for his fan base. That’s how No Shoes Nation came about right? Ahhhhh, probably not. I’m happy to be a part of No Shoes Nation and on June 19th No Shoes Nation is coming into your living room. The GAC channel will air a documentary on Kenny Chesney and his No Shoes Nation. The show will air at 10pm EST/9pm C. Get those DVRs set! GAC cameras were in tow when Chesney landed in Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, Tampa, Jacksonville, St. John, and Barbados. This…

  • 2013 Taste Of The Caribbean In Miami

    RumShopRyan
    13 Jun 2013 | 5:47 am
    Hungry for delicious Caribbean food but don’t have the time to travel to the islands? The 2013 Taste of the Caribbean is taking place June 26-30th at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, Florida. At the Taste of the Caribbean over 10 teams from the Caribbean compete in a hot food/culinary team competition, bartender competition and pastry competition. Each participating team represents a Caribbean island which has held individual competitions to select their national team. Each team is composed of 2 senior chefs, 1 junior chef, 1 bartender, 1 pastry chef and 1 manager. The participating team…

  • Video: Sumthin’ Blue Cocktail Recipe – By Blue Chair Bay Rum

    RumShopRyan
    12 Jun 2013 | 4:37 am
    After one sip, you’ll be basking in all that is blue. Yes, here’s another cocktail video featuring Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay Rum. Are you getting sick of these yet? Yeah, me neither! I could do these videos all day non-stop! Just keep the rum flowing. Here are the two previous video recipes featuring Blue Chair Bay Rum. Cinnamon Sun Island Girl It’s hard not to be a fan of a product that has to do with two things you are passionate about–Kenny Chesney’s music and rum. That’s why I decided to do another cocktail video with Blue Chair Bay Rum. Who…
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    Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals

  • Meet Career Break Veterans, Plan, Go!

    editor
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am
    “If you knew you wouldn’t make it to your next birthday, how would you change your life right now?”  Would a career break seem more of a priority?  Would it be easier to plan and take a career break? This is the question Warren and Betsy Talbot asked themselves years ago.  It is what ultimately pushed them over the edge to take the career break leap of faith.  They then spent the next 25 months selling everything they owned, saving money, and revamping their lifestyle to make their dreams a reality.  But before they left, they helped us host the first Seattle Meet Plan…

  • Where to Go: Timing

    MeetPlanGo
    12 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am
    Timing plays a big part in deciding where to go.  Some factors to consider include weather, holidays & festivals, and the value of the dollar. Weather: What time of year are you traveling and what will the weather be like in your destination? Summer in the northern hemisphere means winter most points south of the equator. And some destinations don’t experience our traditional four seasons but rather two – wet and dry. But whatever time of year you travel, there are benefits to the different types of weather you may encounter. For example, the months of September – November in the…

  • Quality of Life Priority Number One

    Michaela Potter
    7 Jun 2013 | 12:03 am
    After his five month career break with his now wife, Matt Goudreau sees how that time helped them set both their life and work priorities. It all started on New Years Day 2009. After two months of dating, my ladyfriend Shara and I made an impromptu decision to celebrate our upcoming birthdays in London and Paris, which would be my first big international trip. So, one month later, we went. We ate, drank, saw the sights – loving every second of it. You could say we caught the “travel bug.” At that point we had a similar revelation: we were merely content with our jobs; the word…

  • Reverse Culture Shock: Dealing With It Without Spreading It

    MeetPlanGo
    31 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    You’ve just returned from a life-changing adventure around the world, where every day brought you something new and exciting to experience. You can’t believe how much you’ve accomplished in such a short period of time, yet the second you walk through the door to your home, it feels like you never left, as everything looks the same. And that feeling is only enhanced when you meet up with family and friends, as it may seem as if nothing has really changed with them either. But you have changed, and you’re not sure what to make of the roller coaster of emotions you’re feeling. You, my…

  • How the West Can Be Won

    editor
    2 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Cost is an obvious, integral factor for those of us planning an overseas sabbatical.  You’ve already resolved to place your day job on pause, now it’s time to strike a balance between where you would like to visit and the amount of money it takes to get there.  While Western Europe rightfully holds an allure for all travelers, some of its more enticing cities tend to be the most prohibitively expensive.  It’s the reason we see few backpacks in Florence and a barrage in Luang Prabang; Southeast Asia is the affordable alternative, particularly when you’re sustaining yourself with US…
 
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    In the Know Traveler

  • Affordable Rome and Florence Packages

    media@intheknowtraveler.com
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:26 pm
    Affordable Summer Vacation for Couples and/or Families Libertyville, IL, June 3, 2013—Take your kids to Italy and the price starts at $806 per person in a quadruple room. Take your spouse or friend and the price starts at $954 in a double. Whichever way you go, Rome and Florence are the Italian highlights that everyone should see, and this summer is the time to see them. TourCrafters has designed an 8-night/9-day land-only package that includes four nights’ accommodation in Rome at the modern 3-star Hotel Trevi and four nights in Florence at the charming 3-star Hotel Paris; daily buffet…

  • Israel’s Largest Culture Festival

    media@intheknowtraveler.com
    18 Jun 2013 | 8:19 pm
    Israel’s Largest Culture Festival Festival to Feature Live Performances By Israeli and International Artists in Jerusalem Through June 22 The 52nd annual Israel Festival will showcase dance, music and theater performances by international and Israeli artists in Jerusalem, through June 22, 2013. Israel’s largest art and culture festival, the Israel Festival will showcase a diverse selection of performances in concert halls, theaters and outdoor venues throughout Jerusalem, including Housen, a site-specific dance adaptation of House at the Hansen House in Jerusalem’s Talbiya…

  • Luxurious South Africa Safari

    media@intheknowtraveler.com
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:59 pm
    Lion World Tours Offers Luxurious Five-Star Pride of South Africa Safari Vacation Take in the ultimate beauty of South Africa on this luxury five-star Pride of South Africa adventure starting from $3,999* per person, including taxes and air from 28 US cities. This saves $2,000 per person on competing packages. This 10-day vacation and safari is being offered by Lion World Tours for travel – December 6, 2013 and January 12, 2014 for USD $3,999 and selected dates in November 2013 and January, February and March 2014 for USD $4,299. Single supplement USD $950. Included in this incredible…

  • Emirates Will Fly Dubai to Los Angeles

    media@intheknowtraveler.com
    13 Jun 2013 | 9:19 pm
    A380 on Emirates’ Longest Distance Route to Los Angeles commences in December 2013 DUBAI, UAE –June 12, 2013 -Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, today announced A380 service to Los Angeles (L.A.) starting on December 2nd, 2013; bringing Emirates award-winning service and the most fuel-efficient, quietest long-range aircraft to customers in the L.A. area. “Demand for our award-winning onboard service has steadily grown since we commenced operation to L.A. in 2008 and customers have been requesting our flagship A380 for some time now,” said Orhan Abbas,…

  • Thai Food Festival 2013

    media@intheknowtraveler.com
    12 Jun 2013 | 8:48 pm
    TAT Invites Global Food-Lovers to Thai Food Festival 2013 Bangkok, Thailand — Jun 12, 2013 — Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in its ongoing promotion, World Destination of Food in Thailand, invites both domestic and international tourists who love food to participate in the “Thai Food Festival” under the concept of “24/7 Everywhere…..Easy Tasty Street Food.” This campaign goes hand in hand with CNNGo’s naming Bangkok as the world’s best city for street food. Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni has invited…
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    AAA TravelViews | AAA's Travel Blog

  • The High Dune Beaches of Cape Cod

    Inspector 84
    19 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    Although Cape Cod conjures up images of impressive high dune beaches leading toward the open ocean, I sometimes hear complaints from past visitors who traveled here and never found them. After some probing, I learned that many first-time visitors believe that all Cape Cod beaches have steep, sand cliffs above the beach. However, it’s not until you reach the Cape Cod National Seashore, just past the Orleans/Eastham rotary, that you find the most staggering high dune beaches. Here is a list of some of the best ones, as well as nearby places to eat (since we all know an active day at the beach…

  • Washington’s Grant County — from a Pet’s Perspective

    Bailey Schoenmaker
    18 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    Enough of the Seattle rain already. I was ready for some sun and some fun! I’m sure my two-legged pet parents were thinking the same thing as they pulled out the Washington state map and the overnight bags. Yeah, road trip! I love road trips. My pet mom packed a bag for me and insisted I get dressed up when I got into the car. I don’t mind — I look pretty fancy in my red harness vest. She attaches it to the seat belt in the back of the SUV so I’ll be safe. I have my travel bed and a few toys. I’m good to go. I look at the map over Mom’s shoulder. We’re headed to Steamboat…

  • Memphis: A City for Many Lists

    Inspector 12
    17 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    I always love getting my National Geographic Traveler magazine, mostly because I get to read about places I know I will never visit. Occasionally, an article mentions some place I have been to, and it’s always fun to see if there were any common experiences. The name National Geographic conjures up beautiful images of tribes from continents away or a sexy tango in Buenos Aires — and for sure it does have that. However, it also features a lot of good stories on locations right here in the U.S. When I got the 2013 edition of the top 20 places to see in the world, I was not expecting to…

  • Friendly Tips for Your Visit to Sunriver, Oregon

    Inspector 26
    14 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    If you’re planning a vacation to Sunriver, Oregon, I’ll share the tips I’d give to any friend: Depending on your rental’s location, you’re a mere 20 to 30 minutes from Bend. While you may be familiar with roundabouts, they are all over Sunriver and they’re called “circles” there. As long as you know your next circle destination, they are not hard to navigate. Also keep in mind that there are two access roads to Sunriver from US 97. Use the one closest to your lodging. If you are renting a home and plan to do any cooking or need snacks, stock up…

  • Two Standouts from the Crowd: Great Eats in Idaho and Utah

    Inspector 15
    13 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am
    As an inspector, I dine out almost every day, and it can be trying at times. However, great spots in Boise, Idaho, and Logan, Utah, hit all the right spots. Boise Fry Company (AAA One Diamond), Boise, Idaho When I pulled up to the Boise Fry Company, where I had never dined before, I said to myself, “Oh great. Just what I need, fries.” Well, these aren’t just any fries. They are Idahoan and, above all else, treated with respect. Choose your potato (e.g., purple, Okinawa, russet, sweet, yam, Yukon gold) and cut (e.g., curly, homestyle, regular, po’balls, shoestring, wide). The…
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    Travel Junkie Julia

  • MMA Madness: Mixed martial arts events across America

    Julia
    11 Jun 2013 | 12:13 pm
    From the Muay Thai rings of Bangkok, to the Sumo wrestling matches of Osaka, Japan, the tradition of fighting for sport and public entertainment exists across many cultures around the globe. Travelers visiting these countries will often adopt a ‘when in Rome’ mentality, eagerly paying their admission tickets to cheer on local contenders. But, as MMA (mixed martial arts) dominates pay-per-view popularity here in the U.S., travelers don’t necessarily have to go far for gladiator-style grappling with global flair. For newbies like me, MMA could be described as the melting pot of blood…

  • Hot Hotels in Bali

    Julia
    3 Jun 2013 | 12:36 pm
    A honeymoon, surfer and yogi mecca, the Indonesian hub of Bali is a dream destination, ripe with unique culture, incredible food and affordable wellness retreats. But with endless hotels to choose from, actually deciding on where to rest your head may foster accommodation anxiety. On a recent trip to Bali, I slept around… sampling many hotels the island has to offer. Here were some of my favorites: Ayana For a high-end resort experience that’s near the international airport, check into Ayana, a luxurious hideaway with infinity pools, Koi ponds and stunning private villas. Spend an…

  • Win An All-Expense Paid Adventure Around the World

    Julia
    21 May 2013 | 1:59 pm
    Travel junkies listen up! Want to win a free, all-expense paid trip to some of the world’s most exotic destinations? Umm…let me think about it…um yeah!  DoubleTree by Hilton has just launched DTour of a Lifetime, a year-long competition that will provide six lucky winners with, you guessed it, adventures of a lifetime.  Each “DTourist” will embark on a two-week to two-month adventure to one of the six continents, staying in several iconic DoubleTree by Hilton properties. I’ve partnered with Hilton as their DTour ambassador, so I wanted to share the details with…

  • Cruising the road to Hana: Epic road tripping in Maui

    Julia
    6 May 2013 | 10:45 am
    It’s been called one of the world’s most scenic drives. The Hana Highway along Maui’s eastern coast is 52 miles of narrow roads that carve through lush rain forests along rocky coastlines. Stretching from Kahului to the sleepy coastal town of Hana, this curvaceous highway coils around the island, across hundreds of curves and one-lane bridges. A trip there reveals the rugged natural beauty of postcard perfect Hawaii, from sweeping ocean views, to tropical waterfalls and volcanic black sand beaches. Eager to experience this adventure for myself, I flew to Maui, rented a compact car,…

  • Unleashing the Power Within: A Weekend With Tony Robbins

    Julia
    26 Mar 2013 | 6:33 pm
    Picture 6,000 people dancing like lunatics, high-fiving each other, shouting “YES!” and “I OWN YOU” at the top of their lungs. Add personal breakthroughs, hilarious storytelling, group massages, moaning, nose picking, a Jumbotron, coarse language, and a fire-walk across hot coals—there you have the Tony Robbins experience. It’s a unique blend of convention meets summer camp, therapy meets rock concert, motivation meets techno party mega church. Tony Robbins, the business and life strategist who has advised everyone from Nelson Mandela to Bill Clinton to Oprah over the past 30…
 
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    SEO

  • Adidas Coupon Codes 2013: Up to 50% Off Plus Free Shipping from Adidas.com

    Wiki News Blog.org
    19 Jun 2013 | 7:47 am
    PRLog (Press Release) – Jun. 17, 2013 – SAN DIEGO — CouponsDealsPromos.com has updated the latest Adidas coupons for its customers making Adidas products available at discounts to mass purchasers. You can now get discounts on top Adidas products like Adidas Boost Running Shoes, Adidas Originals, Adizero, Adidas Nitrocharge, Adidas D Rose Collection at Adidas.com. [...]
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    Shermans Travel Blog

  • Berlin Two Ways: Budget and Luxury

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:19 pm
    It’s very rare that I get to experience the same destination twice. Even more rare is it that I get to experience a city twice from two completely different perspectives. If you’re traveling to Berlin, whether you’re looking to pinch pennies or indulge, here are some ways to make it unforgettable. Berlin on a Budget Stay: If you’re opting for the budget route, you can’t go wrong with COSMO. The hotel has a modern feel, with clean lines and earth tone colors. It’s modern-chic, with a very pleasing price tag, as rooms start at $96. COSMO is centrally located…

  • 8 Ways to Eat and Stay Healthy at an All-Inclusive Resort

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:30 am
    All-inclusive resorts can be both a blessing and a curse – and an incredible deal. But it’s easy to lose control of your eating habits when your options are unlimited, and offered at no additional cost. Why, yes, I will have another hamburger. Oh sure, throw in another daiquiri. I’m on vacation! Suddenly you’re 10 pounds heavier by the time you get home, and your whole health routine is shot. Sound familiar?  Here are five tips to help you maintain your bikini bod at an all-inclusive resort. 1. Stick to the One-Plate Special Just because you can eat everything doesn’t…

  • CyberSummer: Celebrate Summer With Hot Hotel Deals

    Jill K. Robinson
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:10 am
    Just because you don’t yet have vacation plans as the first day of summer approaches doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Get in on a hot hotel deal with CyberSummer, a one-day only sale that begins at midnight EDT on the summer solstice – this Friday, June 21! Travelers will be able to find exclusive online deals, including four-diamond resort stays from $99/night, five-star hotels offering 50 percent savings, free nights, and more. Want examples? Here are a few, just to whet your vacation appetite. Florida Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater: This grand four-diamond beachfront…

  • 3 Gadgets for Maintaining Your Home While Traveling

    Darren Murph
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm
    There are so many things to worry about when you’re traveling (delays, bad weather, theft, etc.), but what’s going on at home shouldn’t be one of them. In order to ease your (sometimes misplace) paranoia (did you lock the door on the way out?), I’ve found a few gadgets that will allow you to keep tabs on your home while still getting to enjoy your trip. Nest: It took many decades for one of the home’s most overlooked features to become cool again, but a company called Nest has managed to create a lust for thermostats despite the odds. The company’s founder…

  • JetBlue 2-Day Sale: One-Way Flights from $39

    Mandy Berman
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:18 am
    Fly to your choice of U.S. cities, beaches, and Caribbean islands this summer for less with a two-day summer sale from JetBlue. Starting with one-way flights from $39, these are some of the best rates we’ve seen from JetBlue all season, including the following routes: Boston – Nantucket: $39 Philadelphia – Boston: $39 Portland, OR – Long Beach, CA: $55 New York City – Nantucket: $59 Long Beach – San Francisco: $68 Boston – Washington, D.C.: $69 Washington, D.C. – Orlando: $79 New Orleans – New York City: $119 New York City – Albuquerque: $119 Las Vegas…
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    Shermans Travel Blog

  • Berlin Two Ways: Budget and Luxury

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:19 pm
    It’s very rare that I get to experience the same destination twice. Even more rare is it that I get to experience a city twice from two completely different perspectives. If you’re traveling to Berlin, whether you’re looking to pinch pennies or indulge, here are some ways to make it unforgettable. Berlin on a Budget Stay: If you’re opting for the budget route, you can’t go wrong with COSMO. The hotel has a modern feel, with clean lines and earth tone colors. It’s modern-chic, with a very pleasing price tag, as rooms start at $96. COSMO is centrally located…

  • 8 Ways to Eat and Stay Healthy at an All-Inclusive Resort

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:30 am
    All-inclusive resorts can be both a blessing and a curse – and an incredible deal. But it’s easy to lose control of your eating habits when your options are unlimited, and offered at no additional cost. Why, yes, I will have another hamburger. Oh sure, throw in another daiquiri. I’m on vacation! Suddenly you’re 10 pounds heavier by the time you get home, and your whole health routine is shot. Sound familiar?  Here are five tips to help you maintain your bikini bod at an all-inclusive resort. 1. Stick to the One-Plate Special Just because you can eat everything doesn’t…

  • CyberSummer: Celebrate Summer With Hot Hotel Deals

    Jill K. Robinson
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:10 am
    Just because you don’t yet have vacation plans as the first day of summer approaches doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Get in on a hot hotel deal with CyberSummer, a one-day only sale that begins at midnight EDT on the summer solstice – this Friday, June 21! Travelers will be able to find exclusive online deals, including four-diamond resort stays from $99/night, five-star hotels offering 50 percent savings, free nights, and more. Want examples? Here are a few, just to whet your vacation appetite. Florida Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater: This grand four-diamond beachfront…

  • 3 Gadgets for Maintaining Your Home While Traveling

    Darren Murph
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm
    There are so many things to worry about when you’re traveling (delays, bad weather, theft, etc.), but what’s going on at home shouldn’t be one of them. In order to ease your (sometimes misplace) paranoia (did you lock the door on the way out?), I’ve found a few gadgets that will allow you to keep tabs on your home while still getting to enjoy your trip. Nest: It took many decades for one of the home’s most overlooked features to become cool again, but a company called Nest has managed to create a lust for thermostats despite the odds. The company’s founder…

  • JetBlue 2-Day Sale: One-Way Flights from $39

    Mandy Berman
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:18 am
    Fly to your choice of U.S. cities, beaches, and Caribbean islands this summer for less with a two-day summer sale from JetBlue. Starting with one-way flights from $39, these are some of the best rates we’ve seen from JetBlue all season, including the following routes: Boston – Nantucket: $39 Philadelphia – Boston: $39 Portland, OR – Long Beach, CA: $55 New York City – Nantucket: $59 Long Beach – San Francisco: $68 Boston – Washington, D.C.: $69 Washington, D.C. – Orlando: $79 New Orleans – New York City: $119 New York City – Albuquerque: $119 Las Vegas…
 
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    Shermans Travel Blog

  • Berlin Two Ways: Budget and Luxury

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:19 pm
    It’s very rare that I get to experience the same destination twice. Even more rare is it that I get to experience a city twice from two completely different perspectives. If you’re traveling to Berlin, whether you’re looking to pinch pennies or indulge, here are some ways to make it unforgettable. Berlin on a Budget Stay: If you’re opting for the budget route, you can’t go wrong with COSMO. The hotel has a modern feel, with clean lines and earth tone colors. It’s modern-chic, with a very pleasing price tag, as rooms start at $96. COSMO is centrally located…

  • 8 Ways to Eat and Stay Healthy at an All-Inclusive Resort

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:30 am
    All-inclusive resorts can be both a blessing and a curse – and an incredible deal. But it’s easy to lose control of your eating habits when your options are unlimited, and offered at no additional cost. Why, yes, I will have another hamburger. Oh sure, throw in another daiquiri. I’m on vacation! Suddenly you’re 10 pounds heavier by the time you get home, and your whole health routine is shot. Sound familiar?  Here are five tips to help you maintain your bikini bod at an all-inclusive resort. 1. Stick to the One-Plate Special Just because you can eat everything doesn’t…

  • CyberSummer: Celebrate Summer With Hot Hotel Deals

    Jill K. Robinson
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:10 am
    Just because you don’t yet have vacation plans as the first day of summer approaches doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Get in on a hot hotel deal with CyberSummer, a one-day only sale that begins at midnight EDT on the summer solstice – this Friday, June 21! Travelers will be able to find exclusive online deals, including four-diamond resort stays from $99/night, five-star hotels offering 50 percent savings, free nights, and more. Want examples? Here are a few, just to whet your vacation appetite. Florida Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater: This grand four-diamond beachfront…

  • 3 Gadgets for Maintaining Your Home While Traveling

    Darren Murph
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm
    There are so many things to worry about when you’re traveling (delays, bad weather, theft, etc.), but what’s going on at home shouldn’t be one of them. In order to ease your (sometimes misplace) paranoia (did you lock the door on the way out?), I’ve found a few gadgets that will allow you to keep tabs on your home while still getting to enjoy your trip. Nest: It took many decades for one of the home’s most overlooked features to become cool again, but a company called Nest has managed to create a lust for thermostats despite the odds. The company’s founder…

  • JetBlue 2-Day Sale: One-Way Flights from $39

    Mandy Berman
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:18 am
    Fly to your choice of U.S. cities, beaches, and Caribbean islands this summer for less with a two-day summer sale from JetBlue. Starting with one-way flights from $39, these are some of the best rates we’ve seen from JetBlue all season, including the following routes: Boston – Nantucket: $39 Philadelphia – Boston: $39 Portland, OR – Long Beach, CA: $55 New York City – Nantucket: $59 Long Beach – San Francisco: $68 Boston – Washington, D.C.: $69 Washington, D.C. – Orlando: $79 New Orleans – New York City: $119 New York City – Albuquerque: $119 Las Vegas…
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    Shermans Travel Blog

  • Berlin Two Ways: Budget and Luxury

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:19 pm
    It’s very rare that I get to experience the same destination twice. Even more rare is it that I get to experience a city twice from two completely different perspectives. If you’re traveling to Berlin, whether you’re looking to pinch pennies or indulge, here are some ways to make it unforgettable. Berlin on a Budget Stay: If you’re opting for the budget route, you can’t go wrong with COSMO. The hotel has a modern feel, with clean lines and earth tone colors. It’s modern-chic, with a very pleasing price tag, as rooms start at $96. COSMO is centrally located…

  • 8 Ways to Eat and Stay Healthy at an All-Inclusive Resort

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:30 am
    All-inclusive resorts can be both a blessing and a curse – and an incredible deal. But it’s easy to lose control of your eating habits when your options are unlimited, and offered at no additional cost. Why, yes, I will have another hamburger. Oh sure, throw in another daiquiri. I’m on vacation! Suddenly you’re 10 pounds heavier by the time you get home, and your whole health routine is shot. Sound familiar?  Here are five tips to help you maintain your bikini bod at an all-inclusive resort. 1. Stick to the One-Plate Special Just because you can eat everything doesn’t…

  • CyberSummer: Celebrate Summer With Hot Hotel Deals

    Jill K. Robinson
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:10 am
    Just because you don’t yet have vacation plans as the first day of summer approaches doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Get in on a hot hotel deal with CyberSummer, a one-day only sale that begins at midnight EDT on the summer solstice – this Friday, June 21! Travelers will be able to find exclusive online deals, including four-diamond resort stays from $99/night, five-star hotels offering 50 percent savings, free nights, and more. Want examples? Here are a few, just to whet your vacation appetite. Florida Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater: This grand four-diamond beachfront…

  • 3 Gadgets for Maintaining Your Home While Traveling

    Darren Murph
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm
    There are so many things to worry about when you’re traveling (delays, bad weather, theft, etc.), but what’s going on at home shouldn’t be one of them. In order to ease your (sometimes misplace) paranoia (did you lock the door on the way out?), I’ve found a few gadgets that will allow you to keep tabs on your home while still getting to enjoy your trip. Nest: It took many decades for one of the home’s most overlooked features to become cool again, but a company called Nest has managed to create a lust for thermostats despite the odds. The company’s founder…

  • JetBlue 2-Day Sale: One-Way Flights from $39

    Mandy Berman
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:18 am
    Fly to your choice of U.S. cities, beaches, and Caribbean islands this summer for less with a two-day summer sale from JetBlue. Starting with one-way flights from $39, these are some of the best rates we’ve seen from JetBlue all season, including the following routes: Boston – Nantucket: $39 Philadelphia – Boston: $39 Portland, OR – Long Beach, CA: $55 New York City – Nantucket: $59 Long Beach – San Francisco: $68 Boston – Washington, D.C.: $69 Washington, D.C. – Orlando: $79 New Orleans – New York City: $119 New York City – Albuquerque: $119 Las Vegas…
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    Shermans Travel Blog

  • Berlin Two Ways: Budget and Luxury

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 2:19 pm
    It’s very rare that I get to experience the same destination twice. Even more rare is it that I get to experience a city twice from two completely different perspectives. If you’re traveling to Berlin, whether you’re looking to pinch pennies or indulge, here are some ways to make it unforgettable. Berlin on a Budget Stay: If you’re opting for the budget route, you can’t go wrong with COSMO. The hotel has a modern feel, with clean lines and earth tone colors. It’s modern-chic, with a very pleasing price tag, as rooms start at $96. COSMO is centrally located…

  • 8 Ways to Eat and Stay Healthy at an All-Inclusive Resort

    Megan D.
    19 Jun 2013 | 11:30 am
    All-inclusive resorts can be both a blessing and a curse – and an incredible deal. But it’s easy to lose control of your eating habits when your options are unlimited, and offered at no additional cost. Why, yes, I will have another hamburger. Oh sure, throw in another daiquiri. I’m on vacation! Suddenly you’re 10 pounds heavier by the time you get home, and your whole health routine is shot. Sound familiar?  Here are five tips to help you maintain your bikini bod at an all-inclusive resort. 1. Stick to the One-Plate Special Just because you can eat everything doesn’t…

  • CyberSummer: Celebrate Summer With Hot Hotel Deals

    Jill K. Robinson
    19 Jun 2013 | 9:10 am
    Just because you don’t yet have vacation plans as the first day of summer approaches doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Get in on a hot hotel deal with CyberSummer, a one-day only sale that begins at midnight EDT on the summer solstice – this Friday, June 21! Travelers will be able to find exclusive online deals, including four-diamond resort stays from $99/night, five-star hotels offering 50 percent savings, free nights, and more. Want examples? Here are a few, just to whet your vacation appetite. Florida Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater: This grand four-diamond beachfront…

  • 3 Gadgets for Maintaining Your Home While Traveling

    Darren Murph
    18 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm
    There are so many things to worry about when you’re traveling (delays, bad weather, theft, etc.), but what’s going on at home shouldn’t be one of them. In order to ease your (sometimes misplace) paranoia (did you lock the door on the way out?), I’ve found a few gadgets that will allow you to keep tabs on your home while still getting to enjoy your trip. Nest: It took many decades for one of the home’s most overlooked features to become cool again, but a company called Nest has managed to create a lust for thermostats despite the odds. The company’s founder…

  • JetBlue 2-Day Sale: One-Way Flights from $39

    Mandy Berman
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:18 am
    Fly to your choice of U.S. cities, beaches, and Caribbean islands this summer for less with a two-day summer sale from JetBlue. Starting with one-way flights from $39, these are some of the best rates we’ve seen from JetBlue all season, including the following routes: Boston – Nantucket: $39 Philadelphia – Boston: $39 Portland, OR – Long Beach, CA: $55 New York City – Nantucket: $59 Long Beach – San Francisco: $68 Boston – Washington, D.C.: $69 Washington, D.C. – Orlando: $79 New Orleans – New York City: $119 New York City – Albuquerque: $119 Las Vegas…
 
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    Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

  • Staying (and Eating) at Bangkok’s Amari Watergate Hotel – A Few Days of Luxury

    Mark Wiens
    18 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
    View from my room on the 32nd floor In mid June 2013, I was invited to attend a travel blog conference in Bangkok organized by Digital Innovation Asia. While attending the conference I was put up in Amari Watergate, a luxurious hotel located smack dab in the middle of the bustling Pratunam market and shopping district of Bangkok. If you’re coming to Bangkok to go shopping, the location couldn’t be more perfect. A fresh garland of Thai flowers From the moment I stepped in the door to the moment I left, the service at Amari Watergate Hotel was nothing short of fantastic. Even though…

  • VIDEO: Indian Round Roti in Varanasi, India

    Mark Wiens
    16 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
    Within the lanes of Varanasi, I discovered a small stall with a man serving a delightful snack known as baati chokha, or round roti. Theses little balls of dough about the size of a golf ball were filled with garam masala spices and grilled before being served with a curry sauce made form potatoes and chillies. Watch the video now… (If you can’t see the video, watch baati chokha here) Thank you for watching! Simple, fresh, and extremely tasty. I really enjoyed eating these baati chokha round rotis while visiting Varanasi! VIDEO: Indian Round Roti in Varanasi, India is a post from:…

  • PHOTO: Non Smiling But Friendly Man

    Mark Wiens
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
    Non Smiling But Friendly Man   Non Smiling But Friendly Man   This guy may look mean in the photo, but he’s the one who politely asked me if I’d take his photo in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Similar to the waiter at the best Indian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, he put on a tough grin when I took his portrait, but he was a really nice guy! PHOTO: Non Smiling But Friendly Man is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

  • Gangtok Travel Guide – What You Need To Know

    Mark Wiens
    13 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
    Gangtok Travel Guide Gangtok, situated in the Sikkim state of India, hardly feels like you’re in India at all. It’s clean, peaceful, quiet orderly, and even its population is Nepali in majority. Sitting on top of a mountain and surrounded by the Himalayas, it’s a beautiful place to spend some time when you’re in India. Below you’ll find my Gangtok travel guide, packed with lots of useful tips from my  visit. Here’s what is included: Arriving and Leaving Where to Stay in Gangtok How to Get Around Things To Do Food and Restaurants Enjoy your visit! Arriving and…

  • A Taste of Tibetan Food in Sikkim, India

    Mark Wiens
    10 Jun 2013 | 7:00 pm
    Tibetan food in Gangtok, India Before visiting India, I can’t say I had ever eaten Tibetan food. And when I traveled to India, little did I realize I’d be dining on some traditional Tibetan dishes, but I did! The province of Sikkim is located in Northeastern India in the Himalaya mountains, bordering Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Sikkim is the only province in India where the majority of the population is Nepali and Tibetan. So it feels quite a bit different from mainland North or South India. After enjoying Tibetan cuisine at a number of restaurants in Gangtok (biggest town in…
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    i heart japan - Japan travel tips and info about Japan

  • Happy Pudding Time!

    Travis
    18 Jun 2013 | 7:32 am
    Here’s something to brighten up your day :) Related Posts:Even More Funny Japanese CommercialsMore Funny Japanese CommercialsWild and Wacky Japanese Horse Racing GameA Stroll Through Japan in 8 MinutesHonda Unveils Upgrades to their Asimo Robot

  • Top Ryokan in Tokyo

    Travis
    10 Jun 2013 | 8:56 am
    Photo by theCarol. Ever since it was brought to my attention that the Tokyo ryokan that I recommended in my article Top 5 Ryokan in Japan was actually no longer open (oops!) I’ve planned to do an update. But since Tokyo is so big and such a tourist destination I thought it deserved its very own post. So here we go…some of the best choices for Ryokan in Tokyo! What Qualifies as a Top Tokyo Ryokan? I’d like to give a bit of quick background for how I came up with my selection for top Tokyo ryokan. Since there is such a wide variety of choices, I haven’t just selected the…

  • Cat Dress Up in Japan

    Travis
    6 Jun 2013 | 1:18 pm
    This video is so full of win. Related Posts:Even More Funny Japanese CommercialsMore Funny Japanese CommercialsWild and Wacky Japanese Horse Racing GameMr. Penguin Goes to MarketSimple Instructions on How to Buy Subway Tickets in Japan

  • Hashima Island – Walk in the footsteps of James Bond

    Travis
    4 Jun 2013 | 8:25 am
    Photo by filmmaker in japan. While perusing this Lonely Planet article, I discovered that it’s now possible to tour the Japanese island showcased in the James Bond movie Skyfall. The island of Gunkai-jima (also known as Hashima-jima), about 15km from Nagasaki, served as the secret base of the arch-villain Raoul Silva in the film Skyfall. Tours leave from Nagasaki for this truly peculiar abandoned coal mining island, which resembles a giant battleship (hence the Japanese name, which means ‘Battleship Island’). According to Japan Times Hashima Island was once home to a now defunct…

  • Weaker Yen Drives Tourism

    Travis
    28 May 2013 | 8:50 am
    Photo by narumi-lock. I was amazed when I checked the value of the Japanese Yen versus the Canadian Dollar last week. I haven’t seen the Yen this low in a long time. Even just after the earthquake the conversion rate wasn’t this high. According to News on Japan: The weaker yen has both positive and negative impacts on Japan’s travel industry, with the number of foreign travelers to Japan increasing but fewer Japanese travelling overseas. The tourism numbers have already jumped 26% from the previous year. So if you’ve been planning a trip to Japan, now might be a good…
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    EuropeUpClose.com

  • Exploring Rome from the Piazza della Repubblica

    Terri Fogarty
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:06 am
      While we had been to Rome before and had seen all the major sights, this time we were interested in a less frantic, more in-depth visit. We stayed in a great location near the Piazza della Republica on the Via Nazionale. The Piazza della Republica is impressive with gorgeous semi-circular colonnades surrounding the white marble Fontana delle Naiadi. It is not far from the Termini rail station, so upon arrival we were able to walk to our hotel from the station, and from our hotel to most of the important sights in Rome. Teatro dell’ Opera di Roma and Pontifical Gregorian…

  • Barcelona: The New Mecca of Shoes

    Guest Contributor
    17 Jun 2013 | 7:35 am
    For shopping addicts, there is no fix as satisfying as finding fabulous shoes at an attainable price. These days, sadly, if you’re craving a fashion forward style in luxurious material that won’t leave your feet looking as if they’ve been through Chinese binding, the price tag is upwards of $400. In Barcelona, however, shoes are a right – not just a privilege for those who can afford it. Hakei Store Cuplé We first noticed it at the airport. Ever take a look around and see what kind of footwear people are travelling in? It’s usually a sneaker, an Ugg, or something equally…

  • Alhambra: Spain’s Last Stronghold of the Moorish Kings

    Guest Contributor
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:32 am
      Looming above Granada as a reminder that all things must pass over time, stands the red stone walls of Alhambra. The castle, visible from most points in the city, is nestled in the hills like a mirage of some Medieval memory. While Granada is one of those European towns that proffers an air of the old world, Alhambra is in itself a true monument to an Age. Palacio Carlos V on the west side of the Alhambra While its origins are debated, it is generally agreed that the castle was first established as a fortress in the late 800′s. Nearly 500 years later, it was expanded and made…

  • Best Budget Paris Hotels Under 100 Euros

    Terri Fogarty
    13 Jun 2013 | 8:33 am
      We have assembled the following list of what we think are the best Paris hotels that you can book for under 100 Euros per night. They may not have all the amenities, but they do have well maintained guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms and all are located in central Paris. l' Hotel de la Place des Vosges Hotel de la Place des Vosges This 2-star hotel is located near the Place Des Vosges, and is a short walk from Bastille Metro Station. The Hotel de la Place des Vosges has 16 large and modern rooms with access to a jacuzzi, a lift, free Wi-Fi and concierge services. For those…

  • Hidden Treasures in Naples’ Santa Chiara

    Guest Contributor
    11 Jun 2013 | 6:26 am
      I had never considered becoming a nun. In fact, in my on-going quest to decide on a career, it may have been one of the few occupations I had not entertained. And yet, in the courtyard of the Santa Chiara Cloister, tucked away from the busy streets of surrounding Naples, sitting on a bench painted with a vivid blue and yellow ship sailing into a lemon-framed port, smelling the orange blossoms and listening to stone fountains gurgle and bells toll at the basilica next door, I could understand how a woman could choose to live that life. Santa Chiara Statues of Clarissan Nuns I had not…
 
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    eNidhi India

  • Quoted in Moneylife Magazine on timeshare

    Shrinidhi Hande
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:13 am
    I was quoted in 30th May 2013 issue of Moneylife Magazine on a cover article about Timeshare memberships. It narrates the side effects of timeshare memberships (covers Club Mahindra, Sterling, Country club etc) and very much reflects my findings about timeshare in this post on Club Mahindra)The contents of the magazine are not available for free online. Costs a subscription (Starting Rs 99 per month for digital access). If you have a subscription or if you can buy one, you can read the article at link below http://www.moneylife.in/article/timeshares-are-bad-deal/32726.html I was quoted in a…

  • 'Scammed' by Anonymous: Book Review

    Shrinidhi Hande
    17 Jun 2013 | 7:26 am
    "Scammed" is a fiction written by an unknown author. No idea why he chose to remain anonymous-may be it is a real story and he feared life threats? or anything else?"Scammed" is another corporate fiction I read this weekend after Puneet Gupta's "The Suicide Banker". Scammed is a story of an accountant, who while slogging for a cheap salary at an auditing firm, discovers several irregularities at one of their clients- Supreme MotorsHitesh is a hard working accountant, who is denied his rightful promotion and is subjected to excessive workload. During one such assignments, he discovers that his…

  • The Suicide Banker-Puneet Gupta-Book review

    Shrinidhi Hande
    15 Jun 2013 | 9:27 pm
    The Suicide Banker by Puneet Gupta is another interesting banking related fiction, at par with the ones by Ravi Subramanian (Read: Devils in Pinstripes * The Incredible Banker * Bankster * )The suicide banker is focused on the concept of rural banking- lending money to farmers and villagers. Sumeet is the lead character who hops from SBI to Citizen bank to Ind-Credit bank. In his role as fraud detector, he smells the rot in agri-business, but people at the helm of control are in no mood to retrospect. They are riding high on the initial wave of success- of being able to disburse large amounts…

  • Melukote near Mandya

    Shrinidhi Hande
    13 Jun 2013 | 6:24 pm
    Melukote is a scenic temple town off Bangalore-Mysore highway. It is located about 30 kms from Mandya and has couple of major temples, one located on a hilltop.We visited Melukote in April, wrong season, wrong time. We reached there by afternoon, only to learn that temple opens by 5.30 PM. As we weren’t keen on waiting, we left the place, but not before taking some photos A pushkarini or small pond Dried up location- should be green and refreshing post monsoon and even more scenic during sunrise/sunsetA monkey drinking water from tapShould visit this place again

  • Chayakruthi-a bike photography exhibition

    Shrinidhi Hande
    9 Jun 2013 | 8:27 am
    I was taken to this bike exhibition last month in Bengaluru. Organized by Sumanth Raj Urs, it housed a collection of nice bike photographs, few modified bikes and accessories on sale. Worth a visit if you're in Bangalore and are enthusiastic about bikes. They conduct occasional bike photo walks, exhibitions and other activities around bikes.A few photos below for your quick reference:Below: A modified Honda Dio An old bikeA few good photographs on display- these were for sale, priced about Rs 5000 to 10000 A laptop bag priced at Rs 18000 and few other accessories were also on…
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    Solo Traveler

  • Monument Valley and the Question of Historical Truth

    solotraveler
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:30 am
    The drama of Monument Valley which provided backdrops to many Hollywood films also provides the material on which to consider the potential for historical truth. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler

  • Solo Travel Destination: Medellin, Colombia

    Guest
    18 Jun 2013 | 5:47 am
    This Solo Travel Society member loves the people and the city of Medellin so much that she never wants to leave. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler

  • Of Shakespeare and Pigs

    Tracey
    17 Jun 2013 | 7:08 am
    Most people travel to Stratford to see Shakespeare. Tracey went to visit a pig farm. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler

  • Pic of the Week: Corning, New York, USA

    Tracey
    13 Jun 2013 | 5:37 am
    This stunning stained glass window resides at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler

  • The Meaning of Landscape: road trip through the American Southwest

    solotraveler
    12 Jun 2013 | 5:30 am
    On my solo road trip through Arizona I experienced red buttes, mesas, canyons and cliffs. Here are photos of all. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
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    Live Travel Mountains

  • iPhone Photo + Storm

    Sonya
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:02 pm
    Tweet “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” ― Vivian Greene

  • Summer Mountain Holidays In Europe

    Sonya
    17 Jun 2013 | 4:20 pm
    Tweet The Pyrenees: Lake Gentau reflecting the Pic du Midi d’Ossau. Photo credit: Myrabella. Kerry Butters wrote this guest post about summer mountain holidays around Europe.  She writes on behalf of Holidaybreak. Fancy taking a summer mountain holiday in Europe? There are many beautiful summer mountain getaways in Europe, from Lake Garda in Italy to camping in French mountain lodges. Summer mountain holiday activities in Europe range from walking and hiking to golf, mountain biking, lake swimming and even waterslides at some resorts. An inspiring and comprehensive list of the top 100…

  • Everest, A Time Lapse Film

    Sonya
    14 Jun 2013 | 12:20 pm
    Tweet  Filmmaker, adventurer and speaker Elia Saikaly has made the incredible Everest – A time lapse short film. “While most climbers slept, I attempted to capture some of the magic that the Himalayan skies have to offer while climbing to the top of the world,” says Saikaly.

  • Relaxing In Zanzibar

    Sonya
    13 Jun 2013 | 8:52 pm
    Tweet Pristine beach in East Zanzibar. Photo credit: Bakersville. Relaxing in Zanzibar after climbing Kilimanjaro can be a welcome break. When you climb Kilimanjaro, you’ll no doubt want a few days of rest and relaxation after the exertion. After all, the Tanzanian peak is the highest walkable mountain in the world at 5,895 m tall. If you’re looking for somewhere to kick back and relax, nowhere fits the bill better than Zanzibar, a group of islands off the coast of Tanzania. There are glorious white sand beaches here, colorful coral reefs beneath the waves and some fascinating…

  • iPhone Photo + Walk

    Sonya
    10 Jun 2013 | 12:56 pm
    Tweet “Walking . . . is how the body measures itself against the earth.” ― Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking
 
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    HAPPYTIMEBLOG

  • The Top 5 Steps for Finding Your Dream Wedding Venues in Devon

    aaron@happytimeblog.co.uk (Aaron "Danger" Bradford)
    17 Jun 2013 | 10:52 pm
    Backpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | The Top 5 Steps for Finding Your Dream Wedding Venues in DevonPhoto from Flickr by kdvenus As we all know find the perfect location of your wedding can be an extremely stressful process, there are all kinds of things that need to be considered alongside the pressures that come with everyday life. Devon is one of the most beautiful counties in England because of this there are a number of fantastic wedding venues to choose from depending on your requirements. In order to take the pressure off this process, here are 5 simple steps that can help to…

  • Motorbiking through the UK but not sure where to go?

    aaron@happytimeblog.co.uk (Aaron "Danger" Bradford)
    10 Jun 2013 | 12:29 am
    Backpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Motorbiking through the UK but not sure where to go?Photo from Flickr by Chris Milne Photography Biker or Bikie, you’re looking for your next adventure but your bored of the same old routes? Well you’re in luck! Carol Nash have come up with an easy to use online tool that allows you to pick and plan your next trip on the open road with ease and more importantly, at no cost to you. This new online bike route tool, in it’s functionality, is so simplistic, straightforward and intuitive, that any literate person, can research and create their…

  • Seven sights to see in Peru – off the beaten track

    aaron@happytimeblog.co.uk (Aaron "Danger" Bradford)
    7 Jun 2013 | 4:12 am
    Backpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Seven sights to see in Peru – off the beaten trackphoto from Flickr by: fiat.luxury Peru is one of South America’s most picturesque areas and a haven for tourists and travellers – from ancient Inca ruins to the flora and fauna of the Amazon jungle; from desert scenery to snow-capped mountain landscapes; from world famous treks following ancient pathways to more modern adrenalin activities such as white-water rafting or mountain biking in the Sacred Valley – and of course the never-ending warmth and colourful culture and dress of the local…

  • Saved by the Blackout Blinds; a Night in Berlin

    aaron@happytimeblog.co.uk (Aaron "Danger" Bradford)
    5 Jun 2013 | 1:24 am
    Backpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Saved by the Blackout Blinds; a Night in BerlinPhoto from Flickr by tim caynes Berlin! My favourite city in the world. The greatest nightlife I have ever encountered. Kreuzberg is my stomping ground of choice. The diversity of clubs, pubs, restaurants and people are mind blowing. I check into my hotel at around seven in the evening, just as the sun is setting. My room has a window overlooking the river Spree. It’s a million dollar view, for which I only paid one hundred and twenty Euros! I didn’t come here for the view though; I came to party…

  • The Solitary Dolphin Phenomenon

    aaron@happytimeblog.co.uk (Aaron "Danger" Bradford)
    5 Jun 2013 | 12:26 am
    Backpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | The Solitary Dolphin PhenomenonPhoto from flickr by pochacco20 Dolphins. One of the most sociable mammals in the world. The continual research into how dolphins behave and communicate is well documented in mainstream media- just ask any child and they can probably tell you that dolphins can kill sharks to protect their young. And there is a recurring theme in what is being learnt about dolphins- their behaviour is thought to be extremely similar to humans. They communicate, identify each other by whistles (the way we do a name) and live in families…
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    501 Places

  • A very English breakfast

    Andy Jarosz
    16 Jun 2013 | 3:37 am
    A shrivelled lady in her seventies, back severely arched and supported in her chair by a pile of cushions, sits just inside the entrance.  There’s a scent that’s hard to place but is reminiscent of a nursing home. “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” We are soon greeted by a lady dressed in an elegant black waist-coast who asks our room number in a heavy Slavic accent, checks that breakfast is indeed included in our rate and takes us to a table in the middle of the room. A small army of staff in similar black and white uniforms offer us tea, coffee, juice and ask…

  • Do we really need to travel?

    Andy Jarosz
    14 Jun 2013 | 1:45 am
    According to the UNWTO (UN World Tourism Organisation) there are now over 1 billion people travelling internationally each year; a number that is expected to increase sharply as more people in India and China acquire the means to go on foreign holidays. In the world of travel and tourism this travel bonanza is being embraced with thousands of new hotels being built, a flotilla of giant cruise ships under construction and airlines taking record orders for new fleets that will whisk people away to their adventures. Travel is good The act of travel is generally seen as overwhelmingly positive.

  • Nan Madol: the lost city of the Pacific

    Andy Jarosz
    31 May 2013 | 1:00 pm
    Approaching Nan Madol by boat there is little sense of the scale of the ruins that are about to surround us. The choppy waves of the Pacific subside as we make our way through narrowing mangrove channels until finally we see the first basalt columns above the clear water. A moment later there is no doubt the size of this ancient site, sitting to the south-east of the Micronesian island of Pohnpei. Nan Madol is probably the world’s most important historical treasure not to have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Facts and legends about Nan Madol merge freely, leaving those…

  • Rule 1 of basic customer service: it’s about the customer, not you

    Andy Jarosz
    28 May 2013 | 4:10 am
    I read a recent article written by a hotel receptionist (I’ve searched through my archives to try and find a link, with no success) that had me banging my head on the desk in frustration (metaphorically, of course). The author was scathing about the inventor of rolling luggage (suitcases with wheels), saying that they had single-handedly destroyed the income of bellhops. With the advent of bags on wheels, hotel customers are now more likely to say “It’s ok, I’ve got it” and take their own luggage up to their room, so depriving the bellhop of their tips. According…

  • How to make a tourist town

    Andy Jarosz
    20 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    Many British cities look on with envy at places such as York, Bath and Canterbury. These tourist honey pots attract thousands of visitors every day, pouring into town to snap a few photos, eat an expensive meal at a chain restaurant and buy something from a shop they have in their own local high street. The same situation applies across Europe, with a few cities attracting the lion’s share of the tourists’ Euros. Yet the reality is that anywhere can be a tourist town, even if it has nothing of interest to visitors. If you are in charge of your local tourism efforts, here are a…
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    Eyeflare Travel Articles and Tips

  • Lamu Old Town

    Jack
    17 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Lamu Old Town gives the visitor a fascinating glimpse into a nearly-forgotten world. The best-preserved and oldest Swahili settlement along coastal East Africa, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 250 kilometers north of Mombasa in Kenya, features architecture that clearly shows the mishmash of influences - Bantu, Arabic, Persian, Indian, and European - that influenced the creation of Swahili culture. In Lamu Old Town, you’ll find a warren of narrow streets, navigated only by the ubiquitous donkeys (there are no cars on Lamu Island) that fuel commerce and transportation, and leave their…

  • Monastery of St Anthony of Qozhaya in Lebanon

    Jack
    12 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    The Monastery of Qozhaya in North Lebanon is dedicated to Saint Anthony, who is also known as the Father of all Monks. Anthony is a saint of the Christian religion who was born in Egypt in 251 and who became an ascetic, living a life of abstinence and piety. He lived as a hermit, secluded from society. Qozhaya is a very old and very rich monastery in the Kadisha Valley, which is a deep gorge bisected by the Kadisha River. The Lebanese Maronite Order was given the monastery in 1708 by the See of the Maronite Patriarch, the authority of the Eastern Catholic Churches. By the early part of the…

  • Soak in the sun on the Amalfi Coast

    Jack
    4 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    If you’re spending your vacation in Italy, think of a trip to the Amalfi Coast as a “vacation within a vacation”. Glittering seas, plummeting cliffs, and cobalt blues skies are only some of the reasons to add the gorgeous Amalfi Coast to your itinerary. About the Amalfi Coast The Amalfi Coast (or “Costiera Amalfitana”) is a 50km stretch along the southern side of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula. From the 9th to the 12th century, Amalfi was a true maritime superpower. However, for many years afterwards (after being plundered by the Republic of Pisa), Amalfi was economically weak, and…

  • Six unique museums in Australia

    Jack
    22 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    A museum is a treasure trove of knowledge. If you're a cerebral traveler who appreciates learning history and culture while on-the-go, you can never go wrong with a museum trip. Anyone, from kids to grandparents can surely enjoy a trip to these centers of learning. Australia, being a country where diversity and multi-ethnicity is respected and celebrated, is never in short supply of interesting must-see museums. Some of the popular ones include the National Museum of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. But Australia is more than just boomerangs and kangaroos. There are a lot of quirky…

  • The Memorial Hall in Philadelphia

    Jack
    13 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Visitors to Philadelphia should definitely make it a point to see the 1876 Centennial Exposition Memorial Hall, located at East Memorial Hall Drive and the Avenue of the Republic in Fairmount Park. This famous landmark, is an impressive example of neoclassical Beaux-Arts architecture, created by Fairmount Park Chief Engineer Hermann Schwarzmann, as the Centennial Art Gallery for the Centennial Exposition, the first World’s Fair in the United States. Celebrated at the time to honor the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this magnificent building was…
 
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    Oyster.com Blog

  • The Best B&Bs on the Beach

    Kristina
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am
    The Inn on the Blue Horizon is one of our favorite B&Bs in the Caribbean. We love the quaint, homey vibe that comes with bed-and-breakfasts. And when they’re located beachside, where mega-resorts are more often the norm, they feel even more like hidden gems. Plan your next getaway — or just dream about it — by clicking through our slideshow of the best B&Bs on the beach. Many dot New England’s coast, but some, like this first one, are further flung — and just as fabulous.

  • Old-Time Hotels, Old-Time City: Take a Photo Tour of Amsterdam’s Charming Historic Hotels

    Kristina
    18 Jun 2013 | 5:46 am
    Conservatorium Hotel, Amsterdam Amsterdam may be famous for its red light district and its friendly stance on marijuana, but the capital of the Netherlands has much more to offer. A city steeped in history, Amsterdam is home to beautiful historic buildings, numerous parks, fields of tulips that bloom in the spring, about 40 museums, and a system of canals and bridges that rivals (and in fact, is larger than) the one in Venice. Many of the city’s hotels give visitors a taste of the city’s rich past, such as properties housed in former monasteries or former schools.

  • High Living: 9 Beautiful Tree House Hotels

    Kelsey
    17 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Did you spend all your time in your tree house as a kid? Or were you brokenhearted because you never had one? Well, these nine gorgeous hotels can turn your childish tree house fantasies into grown-up realities. These rustic-luxe (or just luxe) tree-house-style bungalows will let you live among the birds (and, in some cases, monkeys). Who says you have to give up on your childhood dreams? Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur The Post Ranch Inn’s organic architecture is breathtaking, seeming to grow out of the ground beside the hotel’s surrounding redwoods, and the spacious,…

  • Where Celebs Have Gotten Married: From Gorgeous Castles to Beachside Resorts

    Jane
    13 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    We’ve given you the deets on where some of our favorite celebs have wed and where they’ve spent their honeymoons, as well — now it’s time for round two. Considering Hollywood couples’ infamous inability to stay hitched, they certainly go all out for their nuptials! From gorgeous castles to beachside resorts, we’re bringing you a photo gallery of the beautiful hotels where stars have said “I do.” And fortunately, everyone on our list is still married  – even if its only been a couple weeks of wedded bliss! Check out the five hotels we can…

  • 13 Stunning Health And Wellness Retreats

    Kelsey
    12 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am
    For many of us, long days at the office, stress, and errands can get in the way of a healthy lifestyle. So we often look at our vacations not as a chance for a calorie binge (well, not always), but as a chance to hit the reset button and get back to our exercise and fitness regimens. And those who do manage to stay fit year-round may not want to part with their healthy lifestyle choices when they go away for a week or two. After all, there’s a lot to be said for the mind-body connection, so we found 13 stunning holistic retreats that can help you take your relaxation and well-being to…
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    bonhawaii.com

  • Slide Dad a "Papa's Painkiller" Cocktail this Father's Day

    bberusch
    4 Jun 2013 | 2:06 am
    dadsdayTikiks.jpg Waikiki's most aloha-friendly, al fresco eatery is putting pops front-of-mind during this upcoming Father's Day. With sweeping views of Waikiki Beach—and the bikini clad visitors that stroll the promenade between it and Tiki's—the eatery is featuring a mixed grill of dad-friendly items that are sure to please.  Management assured us that if your father doesn't live in Hawaii or won't be joining you this Father's Day in paradise, that it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy the Tiki's festivities and send home inappropriately humble brag-like…

  • Venerable Maui Seafood Eatery to Launch Sustainable Fishing Practices Aid

    bberusch
    18 May 2013 | 4:33 am
    mamas.jpg Mama's Fish House in Ku‘au, Maui, has always led the charge in giving credit where credit is due. Long before "Farm-to-Table" was a trend, the venerable culinary attraction located on the slopes of Haleakala was printing the names of vessels and captains who were responsible for getting fresh-caught fish from the ocean to your table. Now, the eatery's owners and executive chef, Perry Bateman, have announced that they will sponsor the deployment of a new fishing buoy in waters 30 miles off the northeastern coast of Maui. Mama's Fish House has been buying fish directly from…

  • Memorial Day: A Moment of Reflection

    bberusch
    18 May 2013 | 3:51 am
    lanterns.jpg For many, Memorial Day weekend is the official kick-off to summer. Whether it's extra long hours at the beach, or a "freebie" night to fire up the BBQ and imbibe with friends, it's become just that—an extra day of no work. Yet for the more contemplative, Memorial Day is indeed a way to reflect on people (and ideals, habits, so on) that we have lost in recent years. There is simply no more eloquent way to do so than the annual Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony at Magic Island on Oahu. After all lanterns are set adrift in the waters, they are then collected and repurposed for use…

  • Hawaii Polo Life Magazine to Launch in Mokuleia Sunday, May 19, 2013

    bberusch
    17 May 2013 | 3:42 am
    B_polo_cover.jpg Brand new Hawaii-based lifestyle magazine covers travel, fashion, philanthropy, gear and sport... with a healthy dose of equestrian and polo imagery.  Dawson Media Hawaii is proud to announce the launch of Hawaii Polo Life magazine, which will be lauded in epic style on O’ahu’s North Shore on Sunday, May 19th, 2013. Guests and attendees—clad in all-white garb—will be treated to elegant cocktails and light canapes from Hawaii’s leading chefs, mixologists and distillers. An informal fashion show will showcase couture summer wear from a number of the magazine’s…

  • Rabbit, Boar, Elk and more! Tiki's Vintner Pairing Dinner

    bberusch
    24 Jan 2013 | 2:09 pm
    nasuti.png Anyone who hasn't partaken in one of Chef Ronnie Nasuti's high-flyin', out-of-the-box specialty dinners is missing some flavor in their life. Some say Nasuti has "the best job in Hawaii," serving consistent, creative fare to masses of visitors in Waikiki at Tiki's Grill & Bar while enticing locals with his culinary "chops" during these signature, one-off events. Well, get your knives sharpened…   On Monday, March 11, 2013 at 6:00 pm, Where most chefs might plateau or tone down with a fish dish here, Nasuti takes you over the falls in a barrel with...
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    Wicked Good Travel Tips, Top Travel Tips, Unique Vacations, Travel Trends

  • Wicked Good Travel Tips Magazine – June 2013

    Susan
    19 Jun 2013 | 8:32 am

  • Discover The Natural Side of Cyprus

    Guest Author
    19 Jun 2013 | 5:34 am
    A holiday in Cyprus can be full of surprises. Cyprus is the perfect place for a sophisticated beach holiday with a touch of historical culture. Paphos is the prime location for experiencing the ancient side of Cyprus and has many wonderful sights to see. Paphos Harbour offers stunning views of the Medieval fort that overlooks it. The best time to visit is during the summer festival when the sounds of opera echo around the ancient walls. The Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station is a natural attraction that is well worth visiting whilst you’re in Paphos. This beach is an area of conservation…

  • Staycations..Neighcations, Do You Know The Latest Travel Buzzwords?

    Guest Author
    18 Jun 2013 | 5:34 am
    In an effort to further compartmentalize, re-market and glamorize the kinds of trips we travellers enjoy, it seems that the emergence of a new generation of travel buzzwords has only just begun. In May 2013, one of the latest additions to the colourful dictionary of modern travel was added: a ‘flocation’. The word, coined by boating holiday specialist lateboat.com and originally reported by Travel Mole, puts a spin on the concept of a ‘staycation". With so many travel buzzwords being coined these days, perhaps we should be asking ourselves if this is all just a bit of fun, or whether…

  • 10 Most Entertaining Things To Do In Marbella

    Guest Author
    17 Jun 2013 | 5:43 am
    Spain is more than just a holiday destination offering a sun kissed lifestyle for over 3.8 million expats. The city of Marbella on the southeastern coast of Spain is generally regarded as the crème-de-la-crème for vacation properties in Spain. Marbella is well known for its champagne lifestyle and indulgent quality of life. We have listed the best things to do in this area showing why it has remained a premium safe-haven for foreign investors. Marbella is famed for its golf championships and beautifully manicured golf courses. There are over 50 golf courses on the coast to choose from all…

  • Why Island Hopping In Croatia Is The Ultimate Choice For A Luxury Vacation

    Guest Author
    14 Jun 2013 | 5:28 am
    It’s time for the French Riviera to step aside and make way for Croatia. With hundreds of islands nestled in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea this is the new destination for luxury travel. Let’s take a look at why Croatia is making its mark as the must visit destination for luxury travel enthusiasts. Croatia is quickly emerging as the glamorous jewel in Eastern Europe’s crown. Set in the Mediterranean Sea, or more accurately the Adriatic Sea which is the most northerly subdivision of the Mediterranean, Croatia has hundreds of beautiful islands offering miles of beautiful coastline (over…
 
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    Beers & Beans

  • Moloka’i: The Most Hawaiian Place?

    Randy
    18 Jun 2013 | 3:33 am
    Moloka’i may only be 15 miles from Maui, but from everything I’ve heard it could very well be its own country. The fish shaped island with cliffs as tall as 300 story skyscrapers sits in quite juxtaposition to its more famous and tourist heavy brethren of the Hawaiian archipelago.Today, we are hopping an early morning flight out of Boston to Moloka’i to explore a land where coconut trees rule the skyline not high-rise hotels and “talk story” with the locals, who have more Hawaiian blood flowing through them than any other place on the planet.We’ve got a…

  • Travel Bites: Coco Loco – A Galapagos Local Find

    Bethany
    12 Jun 2013 | 3:33 am
    There were 98 episodes of Gilligan’s Islands, and despite fashioning an astonishing amount of items out of coconuts, I’m pretty sure the Coco Loco never made an appearance.After finding this Galapagos favorite on Isabela Island, I felt a little bad for the castaways of the SS Minnow who were stuck in TV Land for three seasons with a whole lot of coconuts and no rum. I think it’s safe to say that a few CoCo Locos would have helped take the sting out of all those botched escape attempts.Related: Discovering the Galapagos: The LandingWe were only on Isabela a few hours when I…

  • Rocky Mountain Park Time Lapse

    Randy
    10 Jun 2013 | 3:12 am
    I got a glimpse into one of Colorado’s most historic roads yesterday and I thought it would be fun to showcase the time lapse here.Fresh from a jaunt to Colorado, Beth’s sister, Bridgette, and brother-in-law, Mike, arrived home yesterday with this iPhone time lapse. We’ve both been longing for a road trip, especially since we weren’t able to take one last week to Toronto for TBEX because I got sick, so this really hit the spot.The time lapse below is from Trail Ridge Road, one of Colorado’s 25 Scenic and Historic Byways. The historic road, which took a decade to…

  • Danube River Cruise: A Peek Inside The Sound Of Music

    Bethany
    4 Jun 2013 | 3:33 am
    We’ve written quite a bit about our time cruising the Danube River from Austria to Germany with Gate 1 Travel, but we have yet to give you a glimpse inside the Sound Of Music – the boat we cruised on.Two of our readers booked the same trip as us after reading our stories and they wrote to us wanting to know what the boat was like inside. We told them the ship was great and that the rooms are bigger than most, that the food was fantastic and the staff phenomenal. And it’s all true. We had a lot of fun on the Sound Of Music – it’s a perfect size (not too big, not…

  • Under The Porticos Of Bologna

    Bethany
    29 May 2013 | 3:33 am
    There are over 666 porticos in Bologna. Actually I should clarify, there are 666 porticos on the walk going to the Basilica of San Luca and over 40k of porticos throughout the city.That is a LOT of porticos and it is impossible to walk throughout the city and not become instantly enamored with them.They were first built in the Middle Ages when the Bologna population exploded with students attending the University of Bologna, the oldest and largest University in the western world. They simply needed more living space so they built porticos that would support the expanded living space of the…
 
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    Heather on her travels blog

  • Lisbon Hotels: Inspira Santa Marta Hotel: review from Oneika the Traveller

    Guest Author
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:41 pm
    In this guest post, Oneika Raymond reviews the Inspira Santa Marta Hotel in Lisbon where she spent a long weekend soaking up the atmosphere and colour of Portugal’s capital, as well as the fragrance of pasteis de nata from the local bakeries. These days, my hotel experience can make or break a trip. I am not a traveller who is content with just having a place to sleep. Quality and comfort are of the utmost importance when I am looking for a place to lay my head away from home, and why shouldn’t it be? Location also plays a large role for me, especially when I am in a destination…

  • Being Princess for a day – the naming of the Royal Princess by the Ducess of Cambridge – video

    Heather Cowper
    16 Jun 2013 | 3:47 pm
    Royalty and cruise ships seem to go together like champagne and smoked salmon, strawberries and cream or perhaps sunshine and showers that seem to represent the English weather in June. It was the Royal connection that brought me to Southampton this week, as I was invited to experience the naming ceremony of the new Royal Princess cruise ship by the Duchess of Cambridge. There’s a long tradition of each cruise ship having a godmother to name her; Diana, Princess of Wales was godmother to the first Royal Princess ship and other Princess Cruises godmothers have included Audry Hepburn,…

  • Finding Paradise in Ilha Grande, Brazil

    Guest Author
    11 Jun 2013 | 2:41 pm
    In this Guest post, Neil Robertson explores the remote island of Ilha Grande in Brazil, discovering breath-taking beaches, rainforest trails, the deserted ruins of a prison and takes a hike up to the island’s highest peak. I think that every traveller has their own definition of paradise in mind. If you have ever been to Ilha Grande in Brazil, you might just agree with me when I say that I think I’ve found mine. I visited the island after a hectic week in Rio de Janeiro, which was an incredible experience in itself but left me desperately yearning an escape from the clamour and din of…

  • Video – How to make a Rudesheimer coffee

    Heather Cowper
    10 Jun 2013 | 2:57 pm
    On our visit to the pretty riverside town of Rudesheim, during our Rhine river cruise, the tour guide gave us a choice. We had enjoyed the fairground organs, music boxes and other mechanical instruments of the Rudesheim music museum. Now we could continue the walking tour with her, or she suggested that we might like to wander along the cobbled street of the Drosselgasse with its wine shops and taverns and perhaps stop for a Rudesheimer coffee. Brandy and cream were mentioned. Well, dear readers, can you guess which we chose? I hope that you enjoy the video below on How to make a Rudesheimer…

  • All aboard the Amadeus Princess – what to expect on your river cruise ship – video

    Heather Cowper
    9 Jun 2013 | 2:37 pm
    Never having been on a cruise of any kind before, I was not quite sure what to expect as we joined the Amadeus Mozart ship at Basel for our Rhine River Cruise with Lüftner Cruises. I’d heard that the European river cruise ships have the intimate atmosphere of a small hotel, but that everything is on the compact side as the boats are restricted in height and width so that they can fit through the locks and under the bridges as they pass down the rivers of Europe. Amadeus Princess is moored at Cochem The ship proved to be an extremely comfortable base for our cruise and had all the…
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    Trekaroo

  • NASCAR Racing with Kids in Charlotte, NC

    Amanda Rodriguez
    19 Jun 2013 | 12:43 am
    Racing has always been a part of my life. Growing up, my father rarely watched TV.  But, there were three exceptions to that rule: 1) one hour of local news while he waited for dinner, 2) The Cosby Show (because come on, everyone LOVES Bill Cosby), and 3) NASCAR. He always told us that the best athletes on the planet were race car drivers.  He said they have to use their body AND their minds.  You can’t miss a shot or a pass on the track unless you want to wrap your car around a pole. We’d argue with him relentlessly about this.  And the fact that on top of everything else,…

  • Is Golf the Perfect Sport for your Family?

    Sharon Rigney
    18 Jun 2013 | 12:46 am
    Tiger Woods starting playing the game of golf at the age of two with his dad. Yet, what do you envision of when you think of the sport of golf? I know in my mind it didn’t really conjure up visions of children. Did you know, however, that many clubs offer not only lessons, but Junior memberships as well as leagues for kids? This sport is one your family can participate in together, or your children can get involved in themselves – it’s a sport they can play all throughout their lives, with others or by themselves. My kids (ages 14, 11 and 7) and I had a chance to dabble in the…

  • Monday Madness: Enter to Win a Cape Cod Family Vacation at Red Jacket Beach Resort

    Katie Bodell
    17 Jun 2013 | 12:01 am
    A spacious room with a view, private beach, pool, mini-golf, boating – what more could a family ask for? Our sponsor Red Jacket Resorts features five family friendly resorts located in beautiful Cape Cod that offer all that and more. Here you and your family can spend some time together relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the Cape with the modern conveniences families need. At Red Jacket Beach Resort, families can enjoy numerous perks, including amazing beach front access.  Our New England Guroo, Michelle Brennan, had the chance to review the Beach Resort with her family, This…

  • Family Road Trip Tips-Weekly Digest-6/14/13

    Michelle McCoy
    14 Jun 2013 | 11:21 pm
      To start receiving Weekly Family Fun Digest emails. Click here. Destinations Tips Talk Book Hotels Buy Gear Blog Giveaways Family Road Trip Tips Friday June 14, 2013 Hit the road with your kids this summer and enjoy an amazing trip. We’ve got tips, tricks, and itineraries to help you plan the perfect road trip.  Road Trip Itineraries for: Great Smoky Mountains Utah Florida Kid Friendly Road Trip Tips & Suggestions Explore our Pinterest Board full of road trips – happy pinning! …scroll down to find more great road trips in the U.S. Write reviews on Canada and…

  • Family Road Trip Travel Tips

    Tina Buell
    14 Jun 2013 | 7:50 am
    Sponsored by Westgate Resorts: Founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, Westgate Resorts is one of the largest resort developers in the United States. Westgate features 27 themed destination resorts with over 10,500 luxury villas in premier locations throughout the United States, such as Orlando, Florida; Park City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Miami, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Tunica, Mississippi. For more information, visit westgatedestinations.com. It’s Day 5 of Road Trip Week! Have you entered our…
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    The Mom Maven

  • Win It Wednesday 6-19-13

    cindy
    18 Jun 2013 | 9:39 pm
    The Rules 1. Make sure the link is to the giveaway post, not the home page of your blog. Links to home pages will be deleted. 2. Put the end date in the title of your giveaway. 3. Link to an image of the prize, not your blog button. 4. If you post a giveaway enter at least one giveaway someone else posted. This is just one way to play nice with others :-) The post Win It Wednesday 6-19-13 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

  • Man of Steel T-shirt Giveaway

    cindy
    18 Jun 2013 | 3:44 am
    Warner Bros. summer blockbuster Man of Steel hit theaters over the weekend and leaped to the top of the box office in a single bound. Man of Steel won the weekend opening with $113 million in box office revenue. Now you can win a Man of Steel t-shirt (size adult medium) and a Man of Steel Keyring to show off your love for Superman as your favorite super hero. The giveaway is open to the contiguous 48 US states only. The giveaway ends at 12:00am on 6/25/13. The winner will be chosen via the Rafflecopter widget and then emailed about their win. The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize via…

  • Mouse House Memories: Dining at Epcot-Les Halles

    cindy
    17 Jun 2013 | 2:39 am
    We eat at a lot of counter service restaurants on our Walt Disney World vacations. Sometimes we want a change from burgers and chicken fingers and now if you are dining at Epcot you can check out Les Halles Boulangerie Pattisserie in the France pavilion. Les Halles opened in January and I have had the opportunity to eat there a few times since it opened. Les Halles has become my favorite counter service restaurant to eat at when dining at Epcot. Located in the back left of the France pavilion, Les Halles has a varied menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, savories and desserts. The beverage menu…

  • Recipe: Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake

    cindy
    14 Jun 2013 | 3:07 am
    I am always on the lookout for great recipes and lately I have seen several versions of orange cream poke cakes flying around the internet. Instead of making all of them and deciding which I liked best, I took what I thought were the best parts of each of them and created my own. Guess what? It worked! My Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake is delicious, light and easy to make.   Print Recipe: Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake Rating: 41 Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutesCook Time: 25 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes Yield: 24 servings IngredientsCake 1 Duncan Hines White Cake mix 1 cup water 1/4 cup…

  • Have a Crafty Summer with Michaels Passport to Imagination

    cindy
    13 Jun 2013 | 3:44 am
    When my boys were young they took many craft classes and camps at Michaels. They always had a lot of fun and made some very cool items that I would never have attempted at home. My kids are too old for kids crafts classes now but I wanted to make sure you know what is available at your local Michaels store ao that you can have a crafty summer. This summer Michaels is offering Passport to Imagination every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-noon for 7 weeks beginning June 17th. The program, for children ages 5 and up costs only $2.00 a day! Each week will focus on a different continent in…
 
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    Travel

  • "Pay-Per-Kilo” Samoa Air introduces seats for XL passengers

    19 Jun 2013 | 5:30 am
    Samoa Air has launched special seats for passengers who weigh more than 130 kilograms by altering some of its existing seats.

  • Sea 'too loud' among quirky complaints from cruise ship passengers

    1 Apr 2013 | 5:36 am
    Complaints by cruise ship passengers include one by a woman who moaned about the sea being "too loud", it has been revealed.

  • Over 50s take more wild holidays

    4 Feb 2013 | 1:33 am
    Holidaymakers, who are over the age of 50, are becoming increasingly reckless and putting themselves at risk, by taking daring holidays, according to study.

  • Dos and don’ts of travel

    2 Dec 2012 | 2:44 am
    Since other people’s social customs can be very different from yours, experts have listed out some pitfalls to watch out for while travelling to other countries to make sure that they do not mean anything offensive in that culture.

  • Touristlink.com Wins Best Social Media Solution at EyeforTravel Asia

    26 Nov 2012 | 5:26 pm
    Touristlink.com, a Travelers Social Network website won the award for Best Social Media Solution at the EyeforTravel Asia Conference which took place in Hong Kong on Nov 19- 20, 2012. Touristlink along with other regional and global travel companies including; Makemytrip.com and Hotels.com participated in the event.
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    Brendan's Adventures

  • Announcement: Partnering with Adobe Photoshop Elements

    Brendan van Son
    16 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
    I’ve been shooting travel photography since I was 13 years old on a school exchange to Japan.  Back then, I used one of those bright yellow disposable Kodak cameras and a curious eye to capture the world.  I still remember setting my eyes through the plastic viewfinder and loving the sound of the shutter flipping.  I loved how I could take a world of motion, and twist it to a stop.  I loved how I could steal an emotion from a scene and remember it forever.  It was addictive even then.  I’m sure I must have wound that camera dial half a mile in length on that trip.  Forget…

  • How to Take Great Safari Photos

    Brendan van Son
    14 Jun 2013 | 12:15 am
    Being on an African safari is on the bucket lists of most.  And when you’re out there living you’re dream, chances are that you’re hoping to capture the experience as best as you can.  It’s easy to be slightly intimidated by the challenge of taking great safari photos, especially when you see people packing around massive lenses and other high-level photo equipment. The good news is that you don’t need fancy equipment to capture amazing safari photos, you just need a keen eye and to follow some of the tips I’ve mentioned below.  If you follow some of these tips, you’ll find…

  • Exposing a Night in the Wild of Chobe National Park

    Brendan van Son
    12 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am
    With a full moon rolling through the sky, I zip my safari tent shut while leaving the screen open enough to watch the light show of a night in Chobe National Park.  The stars pierce the early night sky before the full near-full moon chases them into hiding and me into a sleep. Curled up into a ball, my slumber is anything but pure.  The grunting warning of a male impala interrupts my sleep first.  It sounds like a warthog being attacked rather than a graceful antelope.  Later, the sound of hippos in the distance bounces through the night sky like a chorus of laughing cows.  Finally, the…
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    Runaway Jane | Travel Blog

  • The Most Stupid Things I’ve Done While Travelling

    Jane
    18 Jun 2013 | 11:31 pm
    Those of you who know me well will know that I have done many-a-stupid-thing in my life so far. In fact, I’m lucky if I can go a whole day without doing something completely ridiculous! Being a hapless idiot is just one of my personality traits unfortunately, but on the positive side it does lead to a very entertaining life! So for your amusement I thought I’d share some of the most brainless wonders I’ve ever done on the road! Leaving my entire suitcase in Slovenia I’ll start with dumbest things I’ve ever done shall I?  There was this one time I was in…

  • First Impressions of Poitiers, France

    Jane
    16 Jun 2013 | 12:33 pm
    As the last stop on my tour with the Poitou-Charentes tourism board I stayed in the French city of Poitiers. Having had such a great time in La Rochelle I must admit I was wondering whether Poitiers could compete as the other main city hub of the region… Hotel Central Poitiers I was lucky to stay in possibly the best location in the entire city - Hotel Central Poitiers. The view above (of Poitiers Town Hall) was taken from my hotel room balcony. I really couldn’t have asked for a better location in the city for both cracking views and access to local amenities. What…

  • 5 Things to do for Free in Zagreb

    Jane
    10 Jun 2013 | 7:11 am
    Photo credit; kriskaer When you’re travelling it’s always nice to save money! One of the ways I do this on the road is by taking advantage of any free activities there may be on offer. In this case I’m going to be focusing on Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. Although Zagreb is not an expensive city by European standards, it is the most expensive city in Croatia. For that reason I thought it would be useful to provide you with info on 5 things you can do for free here. If you’re travelling on a shoe string budget in Croatia hopefully this will save you some…

  • 5 Things to do for Free in Budapest

    Jane
    8 Jun 2013 | 2:35 pm
    Photo credit; Elfilosofo via Flikr Budapest is one of the most affordable capital cities in Europe. However, as its popularity grows so do the local prices every little bit year after year. For that reason I thought it would be useful to share with you 5 things you can do for free in the city. That way if you’re travelling in Budapest on a shoe string budget you can save yourself some money! Climb Castle Hill Number 1 on your list of things to do in Budapest should be ascending Castle Hill in my opinion. It’s the iconic view of Budapest in the way that the Eiffel Tower is to…

  • First Impressions of Ile d’Oléron, France

    Jane
    3 Jun 2013 | 6:48 pm
    One of the great perks of my career in travel blogging is that I get to visit new places frequently. Recently I was invited by the regional tourism board Poitou-Charentes in France to come out and experience their region for 5 days. In all honesty it’s not a region I was particularly familiar with prior to their contact, but I’m glad that they did get in touch with me as I discovered a really beautiful part of France that has lots to offer travellers looking to get off the beaten track a bit. One such highlight of the region was Ile d’Oléron, an island which lies just…
 
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    Different places to travel

  • Travel – Sovereign Hill – Australia – Part 2

    Traveller
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:30 pm
    Sovereign Hill is an open air museum located in Golden Point which is a suburb of Ballarat, Victoria in Australia. Goldrush Special • The latest V/Line train initiative – the Goldrush Special now delivers visitors on to Sovereign Hill’s door. • Inside the Goldrush Special a courtesy return service coach meets the train at [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Travel – Sovereign Hill – Australia – Part 1

    Traveller
    19 Jun 2013 | 3:45 am
    Sovereign Hill is an open air museum located in Golden Point which is a suburb of Ballarat, Victoria in Australia. Overview of Sovereign Hill • Sovereign Hill depicts Ballarat’s first decade history. • It is in 1851 when the gold was discovered there. • It was officially opened on 29 November 1970. • It [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Travel – Apollo Bay – Australia – Part 2

    Traveller
    17 Jun 2013 | 2:20 am
    Apollo Bay is a coastal town located in southwestern Victoria in Australia. Things to Do in and around Apollo Bay Mariner’s Lookout • From the north end of town one has to drive about a km up to reach Marriner’s Lookout Rd. • A 30 minute return walk takes you into a great view [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Travel – Apollo Bay – Australia – Part 1

    Traveller
    15 Jun 2013 | 1:13 pm
    Apollo Bay is a coastal town located in southwestern Victoria in Australia. Overview of Apollo Bay: • It is situated on the eastern side of Cape Otway and lies on the edge of the Barham River. • Apollo Bay falls along the Great Ocean Road and is considered as a tourist destination. • Apollo [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Travel – The Great Ocean Road – Australia – Part 3

    Traveller
    14 Jun 2013 | 4:43 pm
    Read more in the previous post (Travel – the Great Ocean Road – Australia – Part 2). This is a series of 3 posts that talks about an extraordinary road, the Great Ocean Road. The road is remarkable, both for its construction history and for the current drive on this road. One of the attractions [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    WanderingTrader: Travel Blog. Living Overseas. Day Trading.

  • May’s Reader Q&A

    Marcello
    2 Jun 2013 | 11:47 pm
    Our first reader Q&A from here in Singapore. We may plan on doing these regularly either in every location we visit & travel  to or on a monthly basis depending on the number of volume of questions that we receive.  If you have any questions for us you can send us a message via the WanderingTrader Facebook page, WanderingTrader Twitter page, contact us via the contact page, or just leave a comment below.  Have a great one from Singapore!

  • Why Traveling Around The World Is Such A Beautiful Thing

    Marcello
    30 May 2013 | 5:13 am
    Traveling around the world for the last few years has brought incredible experiences. Everyone enjoys traveling because there is no right way to travel. There are newbie’s and those afraid of adventure that travel with fanny packs and extra security features. There are the adventurous that leave everything to the unknown. There are travelers right in between, young and old, experienced and not experienced. We live in a society of customs and expectations. A society that expects us to do certain things. We all start to attend school and those that don’t finish are not held in high…

  • How Professional Day Traders Make Money In The Stock Market

    Marcello
    28 May 2013 | 4:01 am
    How professional day traders really make money in the stock market is a question that I get quite frequently.  I even announced a Q&A session recently via the WanderingTrader Facebook page and most questions were actually about day trading rather than travel. There is an aura around Wall Street and the stock market that involves a lot of money. Most people are vaguely acquainted with the stock market and only understand that there’s a lot of money involved. Some of us in recent years have even begun to dislike everyone associated with the stock market because they have all the…

  • Madame WanderingTrader Chronicles: The Taj Mahal

    Marcello
    27 May 2013 | 3:24 am
    The moment of truth was here…Taj Mahal… We woke up early and couldn’t wait to get going.  We headed again to the train station to take a day trip to Agra, this was a much better scenario. During the day you can see the beautiful scenery and the beautiful faces of people going about living their lives. It was a very soothing trip, the train was much more comfortable and less crowded, I could not help but think that they were us and we were them, just from a different country and different culture.  It took all day to get to Agra where we settled in another beautiful hotel. Checking…

  • Camels at Wadi Rum, Jordan

    Marcello
    24 May 2013 | 2:45 am
    The camels at Wadi Rum, Jordan, were full of character.  This was more of a parking lot full of camels and is where local Bedouins would take a rest (mostly with tourists).  There was a local Bedouin tent where were able to try Bedouin tea otherwise known as Bedouin Whiskey.  We also filmed a “Harlem Shake” videos with the Bedouins as well.  The people of Jordan are full of character and are some of the kindest people that we have bet traveling around the the world.  Often times tourists only spend a few days in Jordan thinking there are limited choices on things to see.
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    逆援交案内サイト

  • それだと分かった時点で削除しましょう

    admin
    31 May 2013 | 9:02 am
    ・悪質な出会い系サイトの特徴　その１…

  • 「お前はアホか」とツッコンでいると思います

    admin
    30 May 2013 | 4:05 pm
    私は、パンツを見られるのが大の苦手です。 かと言って、スパッツを履くのは嫌ですし、オシャレがしたいのでスカートを履きたいです。 そこで私は、パンチラ対策としてノーパンで出かけることにしたのです。 恐らく、世の中にいる全ての女性が、「お前はアホか」とツッコンでいると思います。 でも、私からすれば、パンツを見られるよりは、ノーパン姿を見られる方が、よっぽどマシなのです。…

  • セックスを伴う友人

    admin
    15 May 2013 | 6:02 am
    この男友達は本当に友達なんだけど、たまにセックスをする。私は別にこの男とのセックスが 気持ちよくてたまらない、というわけではなくて、本当に失礼な言い方なんだけど、慈善事業の 感じがある。この男は、それなりにモテルのに、育ちのせいで、どうしても女が苦手で、苦手なんだけど 性の対象としてはもちろん女が大好き。男の言い分は『女ってやるとその後が大変じゃん。だから…

  • メール代やらネット代やらを注ぎ込むんでしょうか

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 7:19 am
    セフレ生活をしている人の話しを聞いたことがあります。その人はあなたが知りたいサクラなし出会いサイト一覧を幾つも利用していて、一度に色んな女性とやり取りをしているそうです。その中からセフレまで辿り着けるのは２割くらいらしいですよ。わたしはとてもじゃないですが、そんなバクチは打てません(笑)。でもそれだけ投資するものがあってこそ、得られるものがあるんでしょうね。何と言ってもセフレ生活は男の夢です。…

  • 私には仕事しか残っていません

    admin
    5 May 2013 | 8:15 pm
    ３８歳未婚・亜佐美様よりメッセージ 「父の事業を継いで７年になります。右も左もわからない仕事に悪戦苦闘してきましたが、やっと落ち着いて きました。でも遊びもせず、結婚もしないまま、私には仕事しか残っていません。 身も心も寂しい私を慰めて下さいませんか？もちろんお手当てとして月５０万円用意させてもらいます。」 皆さんもこのようなメールを受けっとったことはありますか？…
 
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    Spot Cool Stuff: Travel

  • The Cat Houseboat of Amsterdam

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    9 Jun 2013 | 9:41 pm
    Most crazy cat ladies live in dilapidated houses in blighted suburban neighborhoods that you wouldn’t want to travel to. Henriette van Weelde is not one of those crazy cat ladies. For one, she lives in a quaint section of central Amsterdam. Also, her cat-filled abode is not only a place you might want to visit, it’s a place lots of tourists do. It started in 1966 when van Weelde decided to take in a family of stray cats she found near her home. Then she found another stray and thought to herself what so many crazy cat ladies have: Well, I’m sure I can find room for just one…

  • Our Favorite Room Themes at the Landhotel Hof Beverland

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    6 Jun 2013 | 11:54 am
    Spot Cool Stuff likes unusual hotels with creative themes. So, of course, we love the Landhotel Hof Beverland. The Beverland (very much not to be confused with Bieberland) is located on the site of a former dairy farm near Ostbevern in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It has 62 rooms. And 36 radically different room theme. There’s are the under-the-sea rooms, for example, and the medieval themed rooms. The hotel’s jungle rooms have beds suspended from the ceiling. Their Star Wars rooms have private cinema screening areas. Their disco rooms come complete with hanging…

  • Roof It Around Stockholm

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    1 Jun 2013 | 7:12 am
    For some travelers the opportunity to take a guided walking tour of historic buildings is about as appealing as taking a walk through an airport security checkpoint. Yet even those travelers would find the offerings by Stockholm tour operator Upplev Mer cool. That’s because their tours don’t walk alongside acclaimed architecture—they walk on top of it! Literally. Participants on a Upplev Mer tour scamper across Stockholm’s roof tops like Mary Poppins. Except, instead of using an umbrella for safety, they rely on hard hats, harnesses and cables. That safety equipment is not…

  • Bathe In Chocolate

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    28 May 2013 | 5:45 pm
    Chocolate is romantic. Taking a candlelit bath with your special someone is romantic. So what could be more romantic than spending time with your special someone while bathing in chocolate? It’s that sort of flawless logic that has Spot Cool Stuff writing a review of the world’s best chocolate spas. We found three spots in particular—one each in Switzerland, the United States and Japan—where you’ll want to go to experience the world’s best chocolate baths. So, what’s it like to bathe in chocolate? you might be asking. Contrary to what you might imagine, it…

  • The Magical Way into Harry Potter’s Wizarding World

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff
    26 May 2013 | 6:53 pm
    If you are planning a vacation to Central Florida with young Muggles, odds are high that they’ve tugged on your arm begging you to take them to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The attraction, a part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, has been Orlando’s hottest attraction since it opened in June of 2010. Nearly any kid who’s a fan of the J.K. Rowling books will eat up everything about the Wizarding World like so many Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. But what about the parents? The good news for adults is that, while the Wizarding World of Harry…
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    RockCheetah » Views from a Corner Suite

  • Google Redesigns Hotel Search with Big Integration

    Robert Cole
    19 Jun 2013 | 1:30 am
    Google scares Online Travel Agencies – but OTAs spend billions on Google-related ads & source a considerable portion of their traffic from Google. Google scares Hoteliers – but hoteliers love the prospect of sourcing traffic directly from Google’s Hotel Finder at a lower cost than the OTAs. Google scares travel meta-search sites – OK, maybe that represents a legitimate reason for concern… Google updated its Google+ Local search processes and moved hotel search a good step forward. Hoteliers are going to like the changes and they shouldn’t piss off the…

  • Seminal Live Performances – A Memorable Travelogue

    Robert Cole
    16 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am
    Like travel, music has the power to expand horizons, introduce new cultures & change lives. The difference is that with travel – one travels to the culture. With music, particularly with touring music acts, those cultures largely come to you. Saw The Who twice on their last North American Tour with Keith Moon in 1976/77 – Long Live RockImage Credit: Heinrich Klaffs (cc|flickr) Both music and travel can be transformative – For me, greater categorical impacts are difficult to recall. If the topic of music arises in a conversation, the inevitable questions follow –…

  • Rental Car Pricing, Tax & Fee Demolition Derby

    Robert Cole
    14 Jun 2013 | 1:28 am
    High taxes and fees paid by air travelers is frequently cited as being at a higher rate than for cigarettes and alcohol. But all those airline taxes and mandatory fees pale in comparison to the car rental industry where daily rental rates, tax and fee levels have achieved a whole new level of crazy. At most major airports, the rental cars are not getting wrecked, it’s the traveler’s wallet – even when they get a great dealImage Credit: boeke cc|flickr Times have changed. At one time, car rental was perceived as the tail of the travel dog. After considerable consolidation and…

  • Valuable Lessons from Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlours

    Robert Cole
    6 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am
    Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration had an operations analysis class where Bob Farrell visited as a guest lecturer. As a student, I was fortunate to participate in that amazing session. The establishment that hooked millions of kids to a lifetime of chilled confectionary dependency – the Tin Roof Sundae was my gateway drug of choiceImage Credit: happyitis.biz Farrell explained that the brand’s birth was inspired by a family trip and an inability to get ice cream one evening while visiting Seattle’s Olympic Hotel, then managed by then Western…

  • A Hotelier’s Take on IATA’s New Distribution Capability

    Robert Cole
    4 Jun 2013 | 12:40 am
    For decades, the airline reservation was the focal point for every automated travel itinerary. Despite considerable internet-enabled innovation, it still largely remains that way today. Now the International Airline Traffic Association (IATA) has embarked on it ambitious “New Distribution Capability” (NDC) initiative, with the stated objective to “define a messaging standard that will enable retailing opportunities.” Airlines want full control over their passengers. Once inside their brains, they can trigger brand preference cues that dictate specific behaviorsImage…
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    Vino Con Vista Italy Travel Guides and Events

  • Taste of Randolph Street 2013 in Chicago

    www.vino-con-vista.com
    12 Jun 2013 | 8:21 am
    English: Randolph Street Market, west of Desplaines Street on the Near West Side of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Attend the 17th annual Taste of Randolph Street in Chicago for Father’s Day Weekend. It’s bigger and better than ever!! There’s plenty of food, beer and live music along six blocks of Randolph Street, from Peoria Street to Racine Avenue. Taste of Randolf Street 2012 in Chicago WHEN: June 14-16, 2013: June 14: 5 pm – 11 pm; June 15: 12 Noon – 11 pm; June 16: 12 Noon – 10 pm WHERE: Randolph and Peoria Streets – 900 W. Randolph St. Taste of Randolf Street…

  • Italian Festa Pasta Vino 2013 in Little Tuscany in Chicago

    www.vino-con-vista.com
    12 Jun 2013 | 7:45 am
    Plan to attend Chicago’s Festa Pasta Vino Italian Food and Wine Festival on Father’s Day Weekend. Taste the flavors of some of Chicago’s most authentic Italian restaurants:  La Fontanella, Bacchanalia, Ignotz’s, Il Vicinato and Miceli’s Deli. They will be offering tasting portions of their Italian cuisine from their street booths. WHEN:  June 14-17, 2013:  Fri. 5:00 pm -11:00 pm; Sat. 12:00 pm -11:00 pm;  Sun. 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm WHERE: Oakley Avenue and 24th Place just south of Cermak in Chicago, Illinois Here’s a link to the entertainment schedule…

  • Palladian Villas of the Venato are a UNESCO site in Italy

    www.vino-con-vista.com
    27 May 2013 | 9:26 am
    Image via Wikipedia Andrea di Pietro (1508-1580) was known as Palladio. He was a stone mason’s apprentice who became the most influential architect of his generation. Palladio’s urban dwellings and villas are scattered throughout the Venato. His Palladian architectural principles gained world-wide prominence in the 18th century. A villa with a superimposed portico, from Book IV of Palladio’s I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura, in a modestly priced English translation published in London, 1736. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Statue of Palladio in Vicenza (Photo credit: Wikipedia) A…

  • Visit “Little Barcelona” in Alghero Sardinia

    www.vino-con-vista.com
    26 May 2013 | 9:54 am
    Image via Wikipedia Pristine Sardinia, like Sicily, is an island that has historically been plagued by foreign invaders because of its strategic location in the Mediterranean. English: Piazza Sulis in Alghero (Sardinia), Italy. Italiano: Piazza Sulis ad Alghero (Sardegna), Italia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) It is characterized by soaring cliffs, beautiful beaches and granite coasts. Italiano: stemma della Regione Sardegna. English: coat of arms of Sardinia Region. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) In 1861, Sardinia became part of a Unified Kingdom of Italy.  Vittorio Emanuele II, of the Royal House…

  • Chicago Summer Festivals 2013

    www.vino-con-vista.com
    25 May 2013 | 12:59 pm
    Mark your calendars for Chicago Summer Festivals 2013: Chicago Theater (Photo credit: Wikipedia) May 25-26: Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival | Lincoln Park 25-26: Randolph St. Outdoor Market Debut | West Loop 30-June 2: Maifest | Lincoln Square 31-June 2: Do-Division | Wicker Park 31-June 2: Millennium Arts Fest | The Loop June 1-2: 57th Street Art Fair | Hyde Park 1-2: Fashion in the Street | South Loop 1-2: Lincoln Avenue Live | Lincoln Park 1: Veggie Pride Parade and Festival | South Loop 7: Taste of Greece | West Loop 7-8: Ribfest Chicago | Lakeview 7-9: Andersonville Midsommarfest |…