Question: My husband and I own four time shares that we use frequently but have never had this problem until recently. We stayed at an RCI property that was billed as a five-star resort. We had to change the bed linens and bath towels ourselves by taking them to the laundry room to exchange, and [...]
Selected by jenleo
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LA Times Travel
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Explaining time shares’ star system
21 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am -
Coeur d’Alene to the North Pole: An Idaho resort goes all out for Christmas
21 Nov 2009 | 6:49 amWhen not in Vegas, 1.5-million lights can only mean someone’s putting on one heck of a holiday party. Northern Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Resort, which claims to hold the world’s tallest living Christmas tree, puts on a family-friendly Holiday Light Show annually on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. This year, the event runs Nov. 27 [...] -
Yosemite: Curry Village ice rink opens today
20 Nov 2009 | 2:57 pmWhether you’re on the ice to pirouette, or to practice skating in a straight line without causing any harm, you can’t have less than an awe-inspiring time at an outdoor rink in Yosemite. The national park’s ice-skating venue, which sits below Glacier Point’s cliffs, is naturally blessed with good views of popular landmarks like Tenaya [...] -
SeaWorld Aquatica’s 2010 expansion to include 4 new water slides
20 Nov 2009 | 11:33 amThe recently opened SeaWorld Aquatica water park in Orlando, Fla. will add four first-of-a-kind water slides in 2010, including a pair of inner-tube rides that go uphill with the help of a hydro-magnetic launch. The twin Tornado Walls are V-shaped slides that start with a magnetic launch that shoots a six-person inflatable raft up the face [...] -
Thanksgiving travel predicted to be up this year at LAX, down at ONT
20 Nov 2009 | 9:11 amHere we go. Today begins the 10-day stretch known in some circles as the “Thanksgiving holiday travel period,” so brace yourselves for lines, lines, lines. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), passenger volumes between today and Nov. 29 are predicted to be 1.1% higher than they were in 2008. Airport officials expect to see 1.49 million [...]
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USAToday Travel
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New travel books offer hundreds of trip ideas
21 Nov 2009 | 2:00 amLooking for inspiration for your next trip? Five new travel books offer ideas in multiples of 100. -
Boeing breaks ground for historic S.C. plant
20 Nov 2009 | 1:15 pmWork has officially started on building Boeing's $750 million aircraft assembly plant in South Carolina the largest industrial ... -
NYC airport bag scales 98% accurate
20 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pmNew York City officials say virtually all of the luggage scales at the city's two major airports are accurately calibrated. -
Oasis of the Seas sets sail
20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pmThe ship's enormous size is just part of the reason many industry watchers are calling it a game-changer. -
Airlines still offer fliers fine wine as a high-class amenity
20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pmMost airlines have eliminated meals, free pillows and magazines. But there's one frill many refuse to skimp on in their cost-cutting: ...
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USATODAY.com - Today In the Sky
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NYC bags scales accurate; Boeing breaks ground
20 Nov 2009 | 1:53 pmHere is Friday's news round-up. It includes recent aviation-related stories posted on USATODAY.com. The stories listed below include only those ... -
Top travel Twitter feeds to follow
20 Nov 2009 | 11:59 amFor any of our readers who use Twitter, I suggest two lists of great sources for aviation-related Twitter feeds that came out this month. And, ... -
Virgin America expands Florida
20 Nov 2009 | 10:13 am"Marking one of its most ambitious expansion moves yet," Virgin America touched down Wednesday in Florida, The Associated Press writes. -
Air France's first A380 leaves for JFK
20 Nov 2009 | 9:35 amAir France's first A380 superjumbo jet took off today from Paris en route to New York's JFK Airport. The Associated Press reports that there ... -
American Eagle launches new service in Santa Fe, Charleston
20 Nov 2009 | 9:22 amAmerican Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, launched a new daily nonstop flight Thursday from Los Angeles International to Santa ...
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Gadling
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Antarctic Travel Guide
21 Nov 2009 | 10:30 amFiled under: Antarctica, New Zealand, CruisesIn recent years, one of the most popular destinations for adventure travelers has been Antarctica. The lure of visiting one of the most remote, and rugged places on the planet is a strong one for travelers who have already trekked, paddled, and climbed their way across the other six continents. But for the less adventurous traveler, it can be difficult to understand why someone would even want to venture so far south, and spend their vacation in an arctic environment. U.K. newspaper The Independentis here to help both kinds of travelers with their… -
The scale doesn't lie, at least not in New York
21 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amFiled under: North America, United States, AirportsThanksgiving is right around the corner, and we're all dreading the thought of stepping on the scale the next day ... and making all kinds of empty promises about jogging and losing weight and not eating like that again next year. Some of us we'll even unleash a stream of profanities and accuse the device of lying. Out in Queens, however, a few scales have been tested, and they won't be fooling anyone at turkey-time. Inspectors from the Department of Consumer Affairs have verified that the 741 luggage scales at New York's JFK and LaGuardia… -
Man arrested at LAX with a chest full of lizards
21 Nov 2009 | 9:30 amCustoms officials at Los Angeles airport caught a 40 year old passenger trying to sneak past them with undeclared lizards. Most smugglers hide their loot in their luggage, but this guy had strapped eleven skinks, two geckos and two monitor lizards to his chest. They had been smuggled from Australia, and he obviously did not have an import permit for them. Surprisingly, this is the second time in a month that a passenger tried to pull this stunt. Back in October, we wrote about a Norwegian passenger who strapped pythons and geckos to himself. The man has been released on a $10,000 bond, and is… -
Feds are tired of making you wait in security line
21 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amFiled under: North America, United States, AirportsThe government doesn't want to make you miserable! Seriously. The Department of Homeland Security wants faster airport screening just as much as you do. That's why it supports a program for screening approved, low-risk travelers coming to the United States to most international airports. The new approach has been tested for more than a year at seven airports, and screening time dropped from 10 minutes to only three. To participate in this program, you need to be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident -- and more than 14 years old. -
Daily gear deals - $189 Amazon Kindle, free laptop bag and more
21 Nov 2009 | 7:30 amFiled under: Gadling's Daily Deal Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Saturday November 21st 2009. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone. Today's first deal is for another nice price drop on the Amazon Kindle 2. This is for a refurbished version, but it comes with a full warranty and most users report them arriving looking brand new. It is on sale for just $189.99, which is $70 cheaper than the new version. Click here for this deal. Next up is a laptop bag/sleeve for just one penny. You'll need to pay $5.89 for shipping, but that still…
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Jaunted
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Los Angeles: Leapin' Lizards! Cali Man Busted Smuggling Aussie Reptiles in Money Belt
21 Nov 2009 | 9:21 amThings travelers should put in a money belt: Passport, tickets, cash, emergency contact information. Things travelers should not put in a money belt: lizards. It may seem rather obvious to most readers of this blog, but there's one guy in California who somehow never picked up this basic tenet of travel wisdom. As the LA Times points out, 40-year-old Michael Plank was arrested by U.S. Customs agents at Los Angeles International Airport this week when he was found to have 15 lizards stuffed in a money belt. Plank was on his way back from Australia and apparently decided to bring 11 skinks, two… -
Would You Fake Sick In Order To Score A Better Seat On The Plane?
20 Nov 2009 | 2:59 pmFAME: Five Ways To Score Better Airline Seats For Holiday Travel You can get more than just flights with your frequently flyer miles The first glance at Virgin America's 'Fly Girls' TV showAlso: Everything about Thanksgiving Travel LAME: What Not To Do In Venice: 5 Tourist Mistakes To Avoid FAA Glitch Grounds and Delays Flights Has Anybody Flown Aeroflot Lately?Also: Demon Statues in an Airport. For real. -
Fort Lauderdale: Fort Lauderdale Airport Is The New Bunker Hill
20 Nov 2009 | 2:09 pmWhen the Colonials learned that British forces were planning to send troops out of the city to the surrounding unoccupied hills, they acted. The colonials set up shop at the top of Bunker & Breed's Hill and picked off the redcoats sending them retreating towards Cambridge. Seems to us that FLL is the new Bunker Hill, though we will leave it to you to determine which airline wears what uniform. By now we all know how Virgin America launched their 10th destination earlier this week at FLL and we have the photo gallery to prove it. However, what really struck us about our jaunt to meet them in… -
Santa Monica: Run, Don't Walk to See David Lynch's Painting Exhibit in LA
20 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pmLos Angeles' reigning auteur of "weird," director David Lynch, doesn't limit his mode of creative expression to the screen. Though better known for helming films such as Mulholland Drive and hawking the benefits of transcendental meditation on college campuses, the fabulously-coiffed Lynch actually began his career as an artist. In 2007, a major retrospective of Lynch's multimedia art was featured at Paris' Fondation Cartier, and earlier this year, a selection of his photographs were on display at L.A.'s Michael Kohn Gallery. We deemed the latter exhibition, a visual offshoot of the Danger… -
New York: Slankets, Sliders and Southwest Ale at NYC's Bryant Park
20 Nov 2009 | 1:04 pmAlmost six months ago, Southwest Airlines gave New Yorkers an outright gift: the Southwest Porch, a relaxing, open-air venue in the middle of the city at Bryant Park. During the day, workers from offices in Midtown would sit in the adirondack chairs and on the cushioned lounges to eat their packed lunches, and at night, they can return for a drink and snacks when the bar opens. The Porch is a pleasant surprise for its lack of pretension and excess of good food choices (being from Top Chef Tom Colicchio' s 'wichcraft chain). We expected it to close down for the winter when the leaves began to…
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THIS JUST IN (BUDGET TRAVEL)
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Literary Paris: A lesson in pictures
20 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pmShakespeare & Company, the legendary left-bank English-language bookshop, has long been a magnet for literary talent. Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and George Orwell all frequented the store. So did the sultry Anaïs Nin, along with her lover Henry Miller who described the place as "a wonderland of books." The shop even published James Joyce's Ulysses when no publisher would touch it. [+] Enlarge photo(Courtesy Meg Zimbeck)New portraits of these and seven other Lost and Beat Generation writers were recently unveiled at Shakespeare & Company, thanks to the pen of a… -
Black Friday: Shop for travel deals
20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pmBlack Friday—the day after Thanksgiving when Americans shop 'til they drop—is just a week away. The following two travel sites are throwing sales, too. Shell Vacations is holding a Black Friday sale on 26 resorts in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with up to 50 percent off nightly rates. Get rooms from $49 per night at the Peacock Suites in Anaheim, Calif. (a 40 percent off savings off standard rates), starting at $60 per night at the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas (a 30 percent off savings), and beginning at $99 per night at the Vino Bello Resort in Napa Valley (a 40 percent off… -
How to predict which airports will experience delays around the holidays
20 Nov 2009 | 9:01 amAirport delays can certainly dampen the festive mood. By dorking out with some airport data, you can play the numbers to decrease your chances of delays and cancellations. There is no way to completely avoid airport delays. No one could have predicted yesterday's mess due to an FAA computer glitch, for instance. But you can increase your chances for smooth, speedy travel by avoiding connections at airports that are historically likely to experience big delays. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics allows you to glance over the percentages of flights that have been delayed, cancelled, or… -
Le Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrive!
19 Nov 2009 | 1:22 pmAny excuse for a party! The third Thursday of every November is the day that producers of Beaujolais Noveau release the year's vintage. It used to be a cheap treat: a light, fruity, best-of-its-kind red, delivered straight from the wineries. But the cost of shipping it over to the U.S. on a rush status, plus the unfavorable buying power of the U.S. dollar versus the euro, has hiked the price of beaujolais nouveau by more than 30 percent since 2003, as the Seattle Weekly points out. Personally, that won't stop me from getting a bottle tonight, but if you only want to read about the event, you… -
Family Travel: 12 holiday spots to let your kids burn off some energy
19 Nov 2009 | 11:28 amHere's a roundup of 12 cool new exhibits at family-friendly, very interactive museums around the country. Scholastic Parent & Child put together quite a handy list, and all of the exhibits can be enjoyed by your little ones at least through early January. Every parent knows that children's museums can be sanity-savers, especially during the hectic winter holidays, when playing outside just isn't an option and you're sick of being stuck in a house packed to the gills with relatives. A sample of what's new around the country: Forts! You get to design and build your own hideout at the Chicago…
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HotelChatter -
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Sad Sea Lion Has Nowhere to Sleep in Punta Del Este and Other Stories This Week
20 Nov 2009 | 2:31 pmIt's our weekly recap which we call Suite-Hostel. Get it? SUITE: $19.24 for a Night at The Roosevelt Five Hotels Where You Can Sleep and Skate Which Rooftop Pool is Best for You in Seville? ALSO: Top Five Hotels for Eating Macarons HOSTEL: Punta del Este Hotels are Sold-Out for New Year's. Marriott Changing Up The Ritz-Carlton Brand Delano a No-Go for -
Is This The Real Reason Why Hotels Have Bad WiFi Connections?
20 Nov 2009 | 2:11 pmPorn jammers! Old men in the club! Fergie! Hotel Strikes!It always seems that no matter how much Celebrity Scoop we write about in a given week, there's also lots more that we didn't have time to get to. So from now on, every Friday we'll be rounding up the week's Infamous Hotels. This weekly list will include hotels that celebrities visited (and it made the news) but also hotels that really up the "Eww" factor. This can easily done by manipulating the WiFi connection for guests.The Sports Guy aka Bill Simmons recently offered up his take on Hotel WiFi after spending four weeks on the road… -
Cape Town: This Week in Hotel Lust: White Picket Fences at Cape Town's Mount Nelson
20 Nov 2009 | 1:40 pmThis week, a combination of wanderlust and hotel lust led us to research the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, which a roving HotelChatter correspondent briefly had the chance to visit last year. We deemed Mount Nelson worth a second look from afar, because of the consistent buzz it garners for its exaggerated sense of luxury. Then again, if it weren't exaggerated it wouldn't be lust-worthy, would it? Fat cats who travel to areas of the world deemed "exotic" aren't usually in the game of roughing it. Maybe they've come for a safari, but they better be welcomed home at the end of… -
Shanghai: Please Welcome The Peninsula And Its Fleet Of Phantoms To Shanghai
20 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pmWe can talk about Art Basel Miami hotels and hotels for the holidays all we want, but we can't ignore one of the biggest hotel openings of autumn, that of the Peninsula Shanghai. It officially welcomed its first guests back on October 19, and yet it's already like a landmark on Shanghai's Bund—the street of shops, other high-class hotels, and historical buildings right at the bend of the Huangpu River. The main thing to know about this Peninsula is its relatively low starting room rate: $295. With it, if you can score the deal (and we recommend searching for dates far into the future),… -
These Dog Concierges Have Written a Book, Have You?
20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pmIt’s that time of the week again: Cute Hotel Doggie Friday! And today we give you not one but two adorable hotel doggies. Because we’re nice like that. Both of these smilin’ fools work for Fairmont Hotels—Catie Copley (the black lab) at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, and Santol (a Bernese mountain dog cross) at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. They have the lofty title of Canine Ambassador, and enjoy all the perks that go with it—business cards, email addresses, comfy beds in the lobby, plenty of attention from guests and staff, and of course,…
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Holy Kaw!
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How to save time
21 Nov 2009 | 9:25 amHere’s a great tool: Sue Shellenbarger, over at the Wall Street Journal, has test drove three time management tools for us, so we don’t have to try them ourselves. Talk about time saving. The three tested methods are: • Getting things done. • The Pomodoro Technique. • Franklin Convey’s Focus. Read the article to see what she found. We’ve got lots more ways to get things done and hack your life, too. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
How to re-imagine the color of your room with no paint
21 Nov 2009 | 9:14 amWant to see what your room would look like with different paint? Check out colorjive.com, a really cool site that takes your pictures and changes the colors of the walls in just a few easy steps. It's fun! And it could save a lot of fails. More cool design sites. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
Common mistakes in social media and other insights on impact
21 Nov 2009 | 9:03 amOver on SmartBlog, Mary Ellen Slayter interviews Olivier Blanchard (above), a seasoned brand strategist at BrandBuilder Marketing. Blanchard delves into his perspective on how businesses can maximize their return on social media. He shares, for instance, three common mistakes companies make when trying to measure the value of social media: Focusing too much on digital measurement. Not understanding the difference between nonfinancial impact and financial impact. Not establishing clear goals and objectives when launching a social media program. How can you avoid this fate, and what other… -
A geography of BBQ
21 Nov 2009 | 8:38 amAs a newcomer to DC, people keep telling me that my BBQ education is about to begin. Though complete strangers and close roommates have preached the glories of BBQ, this article is the clearest introduction to the sauce I’ve seen yet. Did you know there are at least four kinds of sauce? Kansas City Style Sauce Texas Style Sauce North Carolina Style Sauce South Carolina Style Sauce Check out the article to see just how each of them differ. Hungry for more? There’s much more about food and recipes. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
France vs. Ireland controversial goal video
20 Nov 2009 | 10:58 pmIn case you haven’t seen the controversial goal in the France versus Ireland game, here you go. Total coverage of soccer. Permalink | Leave a comment »
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The Perrin Post
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Win Tickets to "Up in the Air" and Get Your Frequent-Flyer Problems Solved in our FlyerTalk Challenge
20 Nov 2009 | 8:32 amI've got an early holiday gift for ten lucky readers: Free tickets to a December 1 New York City sneak preview of Paramount's "Up in the Air," starring George Clooney. Any self-respecting mileage junkie will relate to this movie, which... -
Share Your Top Travel Tip and Snag Exclusive Travel Deals
17 Nov 2009 | 10:34 amHave you got a travel secret that other smart travelers should know? And would you like to snag exclusive luxury travel deals by sharing your tip with the rest of us? Then join us in a fun new monthly game that starts today. -
The Best Way to Travel in Tuscany
17 Nov 2009 | 10:15 amA reader writes: We would like to stay in the Tuscany area and visit Lucca, Montecatini, San Gimignano, Siena, and Florence, but we also want to go to Assisi and Rome. -
We've Got A Winner!
13 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pmThe "Where Am I?" Photo Challenge has its first winner! -
Introducing the "Where Am I?" Photo Challenge
12 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pmWhat corner of the globe are you bound for next? Wherever you may be headed, if you carry your copy of Conde Nast Traveler, photograph yourself or a travel companion holding it up in some fascinating locale, and then email the picture to us, we'll publish it here and challenge everybody to guess where in the world you are. Sounds like fun, right?
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CrunchGear
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Union Square Best Buy: Your Exclusive Keytar Dealer
21 Nov 2009 | 10:30 amSo is everyone totally freakin’ stoked about the new Best Buy in New York City?! Yeah, I didn’t think so. But if you need a late night electronics fix and you’re around Union Square, the brand-new flagship store is open 24-hours a day. First one in the world, actually. Did anyone else miss out on the fact that Best Buy sells musical instruments now? I had no idea, but apparently over 80 stores across the country now carry your standard rhythm section fare of drums, guitars, and basses, along with a full DJ gear section and live sound equipment. They seem to be working… -
Saturday giveaway: Kodak 5250 all-in-one printer, just for you
21 Nov 2009 | 10:30 amGood afternoon, readers! What does Santa have in his bag for you today? Interestingly enough, he was unable to bring his bag because this printer is far too big for it. We present, for your inspection, the Kodak 5250 all-in-one: a scanning, printing, faxing, photofinishing machine that can best the big boys in the printer race. Best of all, the 5250 has built-in WiFi so you can stick the printer on your network and print from any computer in the house. Take a look at Kodak’s 5250 product page and then click through to figure out how to win. Wireless printing in seconds—it’s simple! -
Review: Nyko Wand Action Pak
21 Nov 2009 | 10:03 amAlthough only a few Wii games support the light gun concept, if you’re a heavy player you may want to look into getting the $39.99 Wand Action Pack if you’re planning on adding a controller to your line-up. This kit includes Nyko’s Wand Wiimote – essentially an exact clone of Nintendo’s product – along with a sleeve and gun attachment for light gun games. Nyko seems to have been forced to create a controller that is functionally identical to the Wiimote but cosmetically different. Purists will be off-put by the bright red and square A button and the odd… -
Daily Crunch: Fireside Edition
21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amShh! World’s largest radio telescope network goes live Space adaptive HUMANITARY INVENTION detects things and then calls you about them USB-powered Alien figure with illuminated tongue For your holiday consideration: A little truck that poops dominoes New PogoPlug adds four USB ports, and more -
Review: Klipsch iGroove SXT Speaker System for iPhone and iPod
20 Nov 2009 | 8:33 pmShort Version: You want to listen to Fergie in the kitchen. Don’t worry, I understand. Fergie and cooking eggs just go together well. If you’ll be piping Fergie off an iPhone or iPod, you’ll probably want a compatible speaker system. Like anything in the audio world, the price tag on dedicated speaker systems for the iPhone or iPod can be surprisingly cheap ($30-40 bucks), or mind-blowingly expensive ($500+, like the Bose SoundDock 10). Most tend to work their way into a comfort zone of $129-$159.99 – and at an MSRP of $149.99, that’s exactly where you’ll…
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Travel Rants Blog
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UK isn’t too hot for Wi-Fi hotspots
13 Nov 2009 | 9:17 amIt is quite incredible that an exhibition the size of World Travel Market does not have Wi-Fi access. I am not suggesting that it has to be free, but, why were they no hotspots either within the press lounge or exhibition halls. Is this evidence that travel hasn’t yet switched on to mobile or the internet. London 2012 Olympics offline The hotel I stayed in offered 24-hours internet at €20 via Orange, which was unfortunately down for most of my stay. Not the fault of the hotel but the 2012 Olympics are not that far away and I think the city really has to realise that it’s 2009 and people… -
Travel BlogCamp at the World Travel Market
13 Nov 2009 | 4:28 amThroughout Travel BlogCamp in 2008 I was quite relaxed knowing that it was the first event and if it didn’t go down well I could at least say that it was worth trying. This year, I felt added pressure because it had a lot to live up to, so imagine my relief when the night went by without any hiccups. Lost networking opportunities I would have liked to have chatted to more people, but, running around like a headless chicken meant I got very little time for networking which from my perspective is a shame. So, apologies if I didn’t get around to chat to you or if I looked distracted. It was… -
Countdown to Travel BlogCamp 2009
4 Nov 2009 | 4:35 amA few years ago could you imagine travel companies talking about their social media experiences to a room full of people from around the travel industry? Next Tuesday, both the sponsors and speakers will be interacting with the audience and sharing their experiences at Travel BlogCamp. Looking at the attendee list it should be an interesting night with plenty of discussion and networking. World Travel Market I am travelling down to London on Monday, I have plans for Monday night and Tuesday, but I will be at ExCeL on Wednesday for World Travel Market, if anyone wants to meet up for a coffee,… -
Flight taxes rise again but are consumers really bothered
2 Nov 2009 | 1:52 pmAs expected air passenger duty increased and despite all the huff and puff coming out the travel and airline industry when the increase was first announced it seems to have gone quiet. The majority of consumers will pay the flight tax without little fuss and the talk that we won’t go abroad is nonsense. Making flying greener While my main gripe is that the revenue generated from air passenger duty has never gone to help make flying more greener. I will continue to take my holiday abroad. Why? Well, there are a lot of reasons but primarily when I go on holiday I want a change of scenery and… -
Shaping the future of Travel Rants
1 Nov 2009 | 1:42 pmI have been writing this blog for over four years and I have enjoyed it, sure it has had its ups and downs. I write primarily from my own experiences and thoughts about travel, but also I receive a lot of emails from consumers which spark me into a post about the travel industry. Looking at travel from another perspective Some people have been very critical that I am always writing about the negative aspect of travel which confuses me because surely there’s so much nice positive content out there that you need someone to look at it from a different perspective. Keeping busy You may have…
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World Hum
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What We Loved This Week: Tijuana Art, Canadian Road Tripping, The New Yorker’s Food Issue and More
20 Nov 2009 | 2:11 pmRolf Potts On Tuesday I traveled to Metuchen, New Jersey, for a reading at The Raconteur Bookshop. It was the first time I’ve read publicly from Where No Travel Writer Has Gone Before, and I recruited audience members to read the Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Uhura lines from the fantasy sequence in Part Two. They did great, and the whole reading proved quite a hoot. -
The Travel Benefit Young Americans Should Envy
20 Nov 2009 | 8:19 amAustralian Ayden Fabien Férdeline writes in a New York Times op-ed column about Working Holiday visas, and why America should follow suit and offer its citizens the same benefits her country offers. Férdeline makes a good point: I owe a great many adventures to this program and I’ve gained an appreciation for the differences that make us human. When I hear the French stereotyped as snobby, for example, I know better. When I worked in France, the people I met were warm and welcoming, despite my mediocre language skills. The United States could gain some similar good will by… -
Photoshopped: Himalayan Horn Blowers
20 Nov 2009 | 6:48 amMischievous Fark photoshoppers are playing with a photo from the Big Picture. -
Photo You Must See: The Thin Yellow Line in Chongqing
19 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pmREUTERS/Stringer Shanghai Yellow cabs line a viaduct in Chongqing, China, while waiting to get their tanks filled during a shortage. -
Jan Morris Reveals her Favorite Cities
19 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pmShe fields this question in the Guardian: What is her favorite of them all? Dear God, what a question! To my mind cities are distillations of human life itself, in all its nuances, with all its contradictions and anomalies, changing from one year to another, changing with the weather, changing with history, changing with the state of the world, changing above all in one’s own personal responses. How can I have a favourite? Sometimes I prefer one city, sometimes another. Inconstancy governs my responses to cities—fidelity in personal matters, promiscuity in civic affairs. Morris…
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The Daily Traveler by Condé Nast Traveler
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Jennifer Aniston Luxuriates in Los Cabos
20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 amWhether it's surfing in Hawaii with the Cox-Arquettes, or following her boyfriend-of-the-moment on tour in Amsterdam, Jennifer Aniston is one savvy frequent flier. -
You Did What to That Watch? Tag Heuer Performs Its Own Road Tests
19 Nov 2009 | 7:45 amby Hyla Bauer As Executive Fashion Editor for Condé Nast Traveler, my job is to keep up on the latest trends in fashion and accessories. Recently, I went on a quick jaunt to Switzerland to visit the Tag Heuer watch... -
The Palazzina Grassi Opens In Venice
16 Nov 2009 | 9:13 amJust back from Venice, where the big news is the opening of the Palazzina Grassi hotel this week. The place wasn't quite finished yet when I took the grand tour, but it was already clear that the property is going to a stylish and intimate addition to the city's hotel scene. -
Walker and Walsh Save Sea Turtles and Great White Sharks
13 Nov 2009 | 8:15 amIt's no secret that quite a few celebs use their fame for more than just freebies and self-important tantrums (take note, Naomi Campbell). Today we highlight two actors who are working on behalf of the endangered species of our oceans -
Switzerland's New Snowy Retreat: Hidden Dragon
9 Nov 2009 | 7:59 amHidden Dragon, which opened a couple of months ago, is nestled in a forest away from the crowds but close to some of the region’s best skiing with ski-in ski-out access to more than 92 runs linking resorts like Verbier, Thyon and Les Masses.
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Newyorkology
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New York City webcam gallery
15 Nov 2009 | 4:41 amNewYorkology will be on vacation this week. In our absence, keep an eye on the city with these webcams: Click on each link for the live view. Statue of Liberty webcam, from Red Hook Brooklyn Bryant Park webcam at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue Wired New York’s Midtown skyline/Hudson River seen from Hoboken, N.J. Times Square Dept. of Transportation’s Brooklyn Bridge at Centre Street Southern view from the 55th floor of the Empire State Building Eastern view from the 55th floor of the Empire State Building Christopher Street webcam at Village Cigars The Standard hotel, High Line and… -
2010 Winter Restaurant Week set for Jan. 25 to Feb. 7
13 Nov 2009 | 8:30 amNYC Winter Restaurant Week will return Jan. 25 through Feb. 7 with prices frozen at the same rate as in recent years: $24.07 for three-course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for three-course prix-fixe dinners. The deal does not include beverages, tax or tip. It’s suspended on Saturdays and only some restaurants partake on Sundays. The dates were announced today by NYC & Co. the city’s official tourism marketing group, but participating restaurants have not yet been named. Earlier: Restaurant Week deals extended through Labor Day -
City pays $96 mln for Coney land, plans new rides in '10
13 Nov 2009 | 5:57 amThe City of New York inked a $95.6-million deal to buy 6.9-acres of Coney Island property along the boardwalk to create a massive year-round 27-acre amusement and entertainment district, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday. The city has been in tumultous negotiatons with developer Joe Sitt of Thor Equities who bought much of the property in recent years and kicked out many tenants, including Astroland. Sitt — who said at the Thursday press conference that his high school nickname was “Joey Coney Island” for playing hookey at the beach — will retain ownership of… -
Empire State opens annual Valentine wedding contest
12 Nov 2009 | 6:41 amWhen the Empire State Building puts out a request for proposals, qualified applicants must be willing to say “I do.” The city’s tallest skyscraper allows weddings only once a year - at Valentine’s Day. Fourteen couples will be chosen to marry, renew their vows or affirm their commitment to each other in ceremonies atop the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day weekend, 2010. Each couple will get a free, private 30-minute ceremony with up to 20 of their guests. “From big-screen movie love scenes to sky-high proposals, this destination has always been a symbol… -
Video: USS New York departing New York City
12 Nov 2009 | 5:58 amThe newly commissioned USS New York departed New York City this morning. The warship, made with seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center towers, officially joined the US Navy fleet Nov. 7. Video credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology. Earlier: USS New York arrives in NYC for commissioning
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Intelligent Travel: From National Geographic Traveler
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Too Authentic For You?
20 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pmTransplanted Englishman Paul Rogers writes about music and lifestyle for LAWeekly, and reports for us from the Characters of Egypt Festival:"Does he have to keep using that bright pink cell phone?" groaned the lady atop the camel in front of mine as she pointed her camera down at the little lad leading the lanky beast.My fellow tourist was lamenting the otherwise exotic, trapped-in-time image in her viewfinder--the boy's hungry eyes and tousled hair emerging from atraditional earth-toned robe--being tainted by a disappointingly familiar, decidedly 21st-century fuchsia Motorola.That happened… -
Andrew Tweets Miami: Five Day Countdown
20 Nov 2009 | 12:40 pmOur intrepid writer Andrew Nelson is just five days away from his trip to Miami, where he'll be relying on the Twitterverse to show him around. So far, he's already found a great rate at the Essex House hotel, but now he's looking for restaurant recommendations and weighing his options (should he check out Red Steakhouse? El Pub? Versailles?). Be sure to follow him at @andrewnelson to help him with the planning, and then help to show him around town when he arrives. Andrew will be in Miami from Thursday, November 26th through Monday, November 30th. Tweet him your insider tips on where to eat,… -
A Top Hat for Gandhi
20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amI always stop to admire the beautiful designs of foreign bills as soon as I get them from the currency exchange counter, but I'd never thought of fashioning hats for the world leaders depicted on them...until now. BoingBoing and Make magazine haven't yet confirmed with the creator of these origami chapeaus (one commenter suggested they might be from artist Yosuke Hasegawa, who has a collection of them here) but I'd encourage anyone to craft a top hat for Gandhi any day. Photo via Make Magazine Foreign exchange market - Boing Boing - Travel - Recreation - Preparation -
Festive Budapest
20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 amTwo weeks ago, Budapest's Winter Festival--a massive four-month event--kicked off. The festival includes a variety of activities, but its five-week Christmas Festival is by far the most popular. This year, the 10th annual Christmas Festival takes place today through December 29th. Attended by 600,000 people annually, it is considered one of the largest Christmas fairs in Europe. But this isn't your average tourist trap full of kitschy trinkets. Every one of the baskets, leather goods, hand-blown glass, and other crafts sold at the over 100 craft pavilions must be judged and approved by… -
Daily Radar: 11.20.09
20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amHave you always wanted to see the famous Christmastime Macy's window displays? A new exhibit at the National Museum of American History features the art and business of commercial holiday displays, according to USA Today. The exhibit also details the history of the creation of Macy's Day Parade floats. [USA Today]This November and December, Saguaro National Park (just outside Tuscon, Arizona) is offering a variety of guided sunset and moonlight hikes. Due to popularity, reservations are recommended. [National Parks Traveler]Photo: wallyg via Flickr United States - Business - Government -…
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Travel + Leisure: Articles
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America's Best Pizza
19 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pmFamily-run shops, organic ingredients, special ovens: everyone has his own take on pizza. Here<br />are the best pies and slices across America. -
Great Places to Spend Christmas
16 Nov 2009 | 1:56 pmFrom New Mexico to New Zealand, a world of Christmas celebrations awaits. -
Celebrities' Secret Winter Vacation Spots
16 Nov 2009 | 11:58 amHere’s where to find Brad and Angelina, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Jerry Seinfeld, Fergie, and other A-list celebrities in the wintertime. -
Best Winter Lodges
12 Nov 2009 | 11:56 amAcross the U.S. and Canada, classic winter lodges that make for luxurious, snowy escapes from the 21st century. -
World's Best Business Hotels 2009
12 Nov 2009 | 9:01 amThese top hotels combine service, technology, and comfort—everything that today’s business traveler needs on the road.
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elliott.org
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‘Keystroke error’ turns $289 rate into $28
21 Nov 2009 | 2:33 amTerry Capps finds a $28 a night room rate at a Westin hotel in Orlando. Turns out the hotel made a mistake, and that the real price is $289 a night. What now? Should the resort honor the original price or can it change the rate and force Capps to pay? -
“CheapoAir made my mother cry”
20 Nov 2009 | 4:11 amAnd they were not tears of joy at having found a bargain. Elizabeth Hutton's mother, Mary Ellyn, bought a round trip ticket from Cincinnati to Tallinn, Estonia, with stopovers in Newark and Stockholm. But something was wrong with the reservation, and she had to pay for another flight. -
What’s new on Elliott: CheapoAir made me cry, confusing holiday forecasts, and contagious niceness
20 Nov 2009 | 1:09 amCheapoAir made my mother cry. Plus, confusing holiday forecasts, a car rental disaster and contagious niceness. -
Holiday travel forecasts: “Cautious optimism” — or billion-dollar bloodbath?
19 Nov 2009 | 7:56 amThere are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. -
After car rental disaster, angry customer mails “gesture of goodwill” back to Thrifty
19 Nov 2009 | 3:23 amLike most travelers, Bette Waterstreet doesn't expect much when she rents a car. A clean, running vehicle that's in the same car class she ordered will do just fine. But that's not what she got when she rented from Thrifty in Ontario, Calif., recently.
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Happy Hotelier
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Tricking wORDpRESs when moving form one server to another server
19 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pmWordPress Spelling by Lorelle I had fun during the Dutch WordCamp. I learned from Lorelle that you should write WordPress with two capitals and not with 6 like I do in the header of this post. I’m teasing her again. WordPress Future At WordCamp Lorelle predicted a great future for WordPress. I teased her with my prediction that the future of WordPress will be gloomy, as it is much too technical and people wouldn’t want to go under the hood like I do sometimes. And I know Lorelle, you told us that you blogged long before WordPress even existed and had a hard job with manually… -
Hello world! Happy Hotelier again on the New Server
19 Nov 2009 | 2:01 amThis is the second installation on the new server after a mess up with a redirect into the cellar of nowhere. I now miss a post that I had made in my prior installation on the new server, but as compensation it seems now do I have my comment counts back and my categories…don’t understand what went wrong. But this seems workable… Bare with me:-) I’ve found the post and manually inserted it here below. Last edited by Happy Hotelier on November 21, 2009 at 7:06 pm Hello world! Happy Hotelier again on the New Server is a post from: Happy Hotelier -
Real Zen – First post on the New Server
18 Nov 2009 | 2:29 pmAfter I imported the posts of Happy Hotelier from the old server to the new server, this clip of an interview with Robert Pirsig came up as my first draft in my drafts ghetto. Whenever I see or hear the term Zen I associate it with the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance. Currently I’m awaiting the DNS switch from old server to new server as the two have been in the air next to each other. In the meantime I have replaced a keyboard because the w key kept hanging because of ash with coffee in it. Well I was pondering the new set up for my categories as they seem to be misfits… -
Happy Hotelier is moving to another Server
18 Nov 2009 | 1:58 amHi. This is the last post on the old server where Happy Hotelier used to hang out on line. I’ve not posted much the last week as I was under the hood moving this blog to another server. It is possible you have seen or will see some hiccups today and tomorrow. If you have commented during the last couple of days it is possible the comment is not migrated. I hope it works and that I may welcome you back. Last edited by Happy Hotelier on November 21, 2009 at 7:01 pm Happy Hotelier is moving to another Server is a post from: Happy Hotelier -
Moxie
6 Nov 2009 | 3:53 pmPhilip C Wolf of PhoCusWright What the hell is Moxie? One of the gurus in travel marketing is the very passionate Philip C. Wolf, president and CEO of PhoCusWright, a travel marketing think tank. At one of his conferences, at ITB Berlin 2009 he teached his audience that under the present economic circumstances “You need a lot of Moxie”. I didn’t have a clue what that meant. It was later explained to me that maybe you can translate this into “You need a lot of balls” or, “You need a lot of creativity”, or “You need a lot of perseverance”.
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Upgrade: Travel Better
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Airport Security: The song!
20 Nov 2009 | 2:06 pmSome light fare for a Friday afternoon… When I was a college student in New Jersey, a local band called the Bouncing Souls played the clubs (and even a few house parties). I’m glad to see that nearly 20 years later, they’re not only still making music, but finding inspiration for their songs in the TSA. So without further ado, the song and video “Airport Security”: -
Upgrades and Downgrades: Tray table ads, A380 high and low, forfeiting Amex points, and more
19 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pmDowngraded: The view on AirTran While US Airways has long had ads on the tops of their tray tables, which you only see if you pull the tray down, AirTran is going a step further and pasting ads on the undersides — the side you see during takeoff and landing, when those traytables are in their “upright and locked position.” The Ryanairification of American air travel is nearly complete. Stay classy! Downgraded: Premium seats on Qantas Qantas is cutting the number of premium seats. No surprises there. Upgraded: A380 first class seats The Global Traveller has flown the A380 on… -
United restores confirmed upgrades to top-tier frequent fliers. Plus: UA/Continental upgrades
18 Nov 2009 | 6:41 pmIn October, United announced that they were moving to an “unlimited” upgrade system from their electronic certificate system. But as readers chimed in, one of the biggest complaints came from top-tier 1K members. The quarterly allotment of confirmed upgrades within North America was going away, and with that, a big perk of upgrade security. United must have gotten a lot of complaints, as they’re reinstating the so-called “regional” upgrades: 1K® members will continue to earn Regional Upgrades Sometimes no change is good news. After our last announcement, we… -
Airlines add more “peak day” fees; Congress starts to notice
17 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmThe airlines keep finding new ways to tack on the charges. On 41 days through May 28, 2010, American, Delta, and United have added “peak travel day” surcharges on top of existing fares. The surcharges go as high as $50 each way (on the day after the Super Bowl). Most days it’s closer to $30. The problem, for airlines, is that the US Congress is starting to take a closer look at these and other fees. Not, alas, because this kind of surcharging misrepresents the price of air travel to consumers. Rather, Congress has noticed that taxes aren’t collected on surcharges the… -
TSA: Cash is no longer a threat to security. But what is?
16 Nov 2009 | 4:54 pmYou may recall the incident a few months ago when the TSA harassed a man for carrying $4700 in cash. When questioned, the passenger, Steve Bierfeldt, refused to acknowledge the TSA’s authority to question his transportation of any sum of cash, and offered to explain the money if the agents would name the law which authorized them to question him. And he secretly taped the whole interrogation with his phone. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) took up Bierfeldt’s cause and sued the agency. The TSA has subsequently changed its rules, informing its agents that “screening…
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The Cranky Flier
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Cranky on the Web (November 14 – 20)
21 Nov 2009 | 7:12 amFirst Space Hotel Set to Open in 2012 – Asylum.com I was asked about travel to space. Fun topic, but I don’t see it anytime soon. Milwaukee sparks air wars – BusinessRockford.com A thorough piece on what the low cost carrier expansion into Milwaukee might mean for Rockford. I weighed in (and, as you imagine, I don’t see much hope for the place). Does Delta Make Atlantic Southeast’s Performance Suffer? We’re About to Find Out – BNET ASA’s on time and bag handling performances are pretty bad, but is it Delta’s fault? Possibly, and now… -
ANA Takes a Step Toward Global Superstar With Product Changes
20 Nov 2009 | 7:10 amIt’s certainly interesting to watch the Japanese market these days. JAL is turning in record losses and is effectively sitting on a cliff waiting to jump. Meanwhile, ANA has decided to pour a bunch of money into seriously improving its product. This is some pretty impressive looking stuff. Take a look at the new first class suite. Pretty awesome-looking, huh? But let’s start with coach since that’s where most of us will end up anyway. Coach seats will have 34 inch pitch, so pretty nice legroom, along with headrests AND footrests. Footrests in coach?! Hooray! They will also… -
United and Continental Now Have Reciprocal Upgrades But That Doesn’t Mean They’re Merging
19 Nov 2009 | 8:00 amI suppose it’s inevitable. Any time two airlines move closer together, the speculation that it means they’ll merge picks up. Right now, the noise surrounding a United-Continental merger is deafening thanks to the announcement that elite members will now get upgrades on each airline. That doesn’t necessarily mean a merger is going to happen. Let’s start with the actual news here. United fliers will be given access to “premium” seating (better seats) in coach as well as upgrades on Continental. Continental fliers will get access to Economy Plus and upgrades… -
British Airways and Iberia Finally Get Closer to Almost Possibly Merging
18 Nov 2009 | 7:21 amHas there been a stranger courtship than that between British Airways and Iberia? The airlines, which have been talking for years, have finally agreed to merge, sort of. I mean, it’ll get there eventually. I believe talks began in 1784 when King George III, still sad about losing that whole American Revolutionary War thing, decided to go take over Spain instead. (Note: please do not try to double check this in your history books). Though Englaspaña didn’t pan out thanks to bad blood over that whole Armada tiff a couple hundred years earlier, they agreed that were airplanes to… -
What the F*&^ is a Sharklet? (Hint: It’s Good)
17 Nov 2009 | 8:01 amWinglets on airplanes are nothing new. We’ve seen them big and small on all kinds of airplanes. The most visible ones these days are the huge ones that you see on 737s, but what the heck is a sharklet? Well, that’s the Airbus-designed winglet for the A320, and here is an exclusive photo of it from Airbus. Or maybe not. A sharklet is actually just a winglet with a cool name, and Airbus is going to put them on A320s, if the buyer so chooses. “But wait,” you say, “doesn’t the A320 already have winglets?” Well, sort of, but not really. Those little guys…
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The Lost Girls
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7 Holiday Airfare Savers and Ticket Tips
20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amby Patty HodappLG Travel Lifestyle EditorFlying home for the holidays has the potential to be a total bank buster. You’re already saving up extra cash to buy presents for your family, so the last thing you want to worry about is setting aside extra money for a plane ticket to get home—especially during one of the worst economic crunches our country has ever experienced. But before you phone home to tell Mom and Dad you're opting out of family festivities this year in order to save cash, try these easy money-saving tips from David, our travel specialist at Airtrek.com. Whether you’re… -
The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.19.09
19 Nov 2009 | 6:48 amby Molly FergusLG Travel News EditorMissed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....Waiting on MagicFinally! Disney unleashed the first official wait time app for mobile phones. Updated in real time, the app will map out wait times on popular rides and character lines at its parks.The catch? The program only works on Verizon Wireless phones…and it doesn’t include Blackberrys or the new Motorola Droid. Factor in the Disney-fied $9.99 price tag, and this all seems a little inaccessible. A couple suggestions: Check… -
Lost in South Africa: A Look Back on Johannesburg
18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amBy Courtney BrooksLG International CorrespondentI left Johannesburg about six weeks ago to move to Cape Town and work as a freelancer for an international press agency, as well as do a photography project for my school. Even now I haven't completely reconciled my feelings about Joburg.There’s not doubt that Johannesburg is one of the most interesting places I have ever lived. If I had to pick one word to describe it I would say “intense,” because it’s true whether you’re in the swanky northern suburbs, the townships or the city center. The poverty is intense, the crime is intense… -
Casseroles for Cancer Part I: How Not to Go to South East Asia
17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amThis summer, Blair Hickman retraced a 12,000 mile cross-country road trip in memory of her mom, who died from cancer in 2003. Along with her sister and best friend, the three girls retraced a path their mom had taken in 1977, serving dinner at 9 Ronald McDonald Houses and raising money for the charity along the way to raise awareness about the importance of non-medical support for families living with cancer. They blogged and vlogged the whole way, raised over $7,000 for the charity and in the end, found a little more than they’d bargained for.***On January 7, 2009, I fell off my oven and… -
Movie Travel: In Search of Twilight
16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 amby Sarah AmandolareLG Entertainment EditorI’ve never been a vampire fan – I have vague memories of Brad Pitt’s pony-tailed appearance in Interview with a Vampire. But it seems the fanged creatures, like Twitter and overpriced coffee, are something I’ve got to make peace with. Main characters Bella and Edward have so enamored audiences that it’s almost impossible to get through the day without hearing someone say “Twilight.” The film, inspired by Stephanie Meyer’s book, has even trickled down to travel, particularly to corners of Washington State where portions were filmed.The…
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What a Trip
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Passports with Purpose
20 Nov 2009 | 8:59 pmPosted by Nancy D. Brown If you are a member of the travel blogging community, you are probably familiar with Passports with Purpose. Last year, Passports with Purpose raised over $7000 dollars for Heifer International. In 2009, we've extended our goals and hope you'll join us again for a second round of giving. This year, fellow travel bloggers are joining together to support American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC) and independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for the youth and rural poor in Cambodia. Our goal for 2009 is to raise $13,000… -
Garifuna Dancers of Roatan, Honduras
16 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amPosted by Nancy D. Brown Roatan, Honduras Garifuna Dancers My first visit to Roatan, Honduras and it was during November's rainy season. I was cruising on the Crown Princess as a guest of Princess Cruises. My dolphin encounter shore excursion was cancelled due to rough waters on the seas. As an alternative, I selected "The Best of Roatan" tour and discovered the Garifuna Dancers. Go With the Flow When Cruising As a person new to cruising, I have learned that you need to be flexible when it comes to ports of call and shore excursions. On this particular Western Caribbean… -
Princess Cruises Crown Princess - Day at Sea
12 Nov 2009 | 7:26 amPosted by Nancy D. Brown Crown Princess for a Day - DesireDid you ever play dress up as a child or trick-or-treat dressed as a Princess? Ever fantasized about your ultimate wedding? After a day at sea as a guest of Princess Cruises Crown Princess, I've experienced the pampering of the Lotus Spa, wandered into the adult-only Sanctuary and gazed upon a bride-to-be as she transformed from a fiancee to a newlywed, to half of a honeymooning couple on her wedding day. All of this took place during a day at sea. SPA TIPS As a newbie to cruising, I've learned that it's best… -
Pond's Travel Essentials Gift Pack Giveaway
8 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmPosted by Nancy D. Brown Nantucket Travel WalletMy hair is rumbled as I pull off my not-so-glamorous eye shades. The plane has touched down in Miami; a red eye from San Francisco and I have raccoon eyes from sleeping with my makeup. A quick trip into the bathroom with my Pond's Towelettes and I look presentable again. Pond's sent me a package of Towelettes to try out on my travels. They also included a gift pack for me to give away to you, my dear reader. Let's face it, a review of Pond's Towelettes is not going to bring eyes to this site. What about a Travel Essentials gift pack… -
Environmental Impact of Cruise Ships
5 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amPosted by Nancy D. Brown Next time you admire that glossy brochure touting a cruise to Alaska's pristine Inside Passage or are considering a Disney Cruise with Grandma, Grandpa and the entire family, look beyond the gourmet dining and children's program. Ask yourself how these cruise lines impact our environment? While some cruise lines take great care to tread lightly on their surroundings, other companies are failing miserably. Have you asked yourself if cruising is any greener than flying? Marcie Keever, Clean Vessels Campaign Director for Friends of the Earth notes,…
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USATODAY.com - The Cruise Log
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Live blogging from Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, Part 2
20 Nov 2009 | 3:19 pmThis is PAGE 2 of this report. Click HERE to return to PAGE 1. -
Photo essay: A first glimpse at Oasis of the Seas' zip line in action
20 Nov 2009 | 12:58 pmOne of the most talked-about features of Royal Caribbean's record-size Oasis of the Seas is the zip line that stretches across the top of the ... -
Cruise ship report: Live blogging from Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
20 Nov 2009 | 4:22 amUSA TODAY's Gene Sloan is blogging live this weekend from Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Go to the comment box below to leave ... -
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, by the numbers
20 Nov 2009 | 2:07 amFast facts on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas -
Royal Caribbean takes the wraps off world's biggest cruise ship
20 Nov 2009 | 2:06 amJust when you thought cruise ships couldn't get any bigger, along comes Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.
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RickSeaney.com
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Odds of Getting Bumped from a Flight: Best and Worst Airlines
20 Nov 2009 | 3:04 pmThe odds you could be bumped from a flight? In a word: slim. Still, “getting bumped” happens to thousand every year, and you can read all about your “bumping chances” on specific airlines at a fascinating website called the Book of Odds - its tagline is, “the odds of everyday life” (and it includes everything from the odds you’ll date a supermodel to the odds of having a golf cart accident). Anyway, back to bumping - according the site, the odds of a passenger being bumped from a flight both voluntarily and involuntarily are about 1 in 872. Chances of… -
“Peak Travel Day” Surcharge - Fee or Airline Survival Instinct?
20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pmIt’s been a rough couple of years for the airlines - what with the fuel crisis that sent prices into the stratosphere (well, to about $140 a barrel, back in July of 2008) - and then, the economy had its dramatic meltdown. And people weren’t flying. Which is why prices were exceedingly cheap this summer - in fact, they’re still pretty good, even during the holiday season -and that’s good for us, but not so good for the airlines. Hence, the surcharges (always wanted to use “hence” in a sentence). Annoying aren’t they? But, I kind of doubt they’d… -
Black Friday: Don’t Shop for Electronics, Adopt a Pet Instead
20 Nov 2009 | 9:48 amThe people at the Best Friends Animal Society say, forget Black Friday shopping — instead, come pick up a cat (or maybe a dog) this coming Nov. 26th and 27th (Thanksgiving Day, and the day after). There is an adoption fee. The society, based in Kanab, Utah, has teamed with Pet Airways - the only all-pet airline - to find homes for 26 cats, and there may be some “extra pets” on the flight, including (maybe) some dogs. Pet Airways will make the pick-up in Kanab on Thanksgiving Day, and over the course of the next 48 hours, will drop off animals in Denver, Omaha, Chicago,… -
What’s the Weirdest Place You’ve Seen an Airline Ad?
19 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pmI was thinking about the weirdest place I’ve seen an airline ad - while perusing an LA Times story on AirTran’s plan to put ads on the backs of seats - actually, on the undersides of the tray tables. “Hah!” I can hear you say, “I’ll pull the tray table down and make it disappear.” That won’t always work - US Airways has been known to slap ads on top of the trays. You want to escape the ads, so you grab a book from the overhead bin, and - if this is Spirit, beware the bin ads. And don’t bother calling a flight attendant to complain - Spirit… -
US Airways New 5% Surcharge: Other Airlines NOT Matching
19 Nov 2009 | 9:35 amAt least, the other airlines aren’t matching - yet. Maybe they’re waiting to see how much bad publicity - if any - will result from the move by US Airways to add a 5% surcharge to all its flights, beginning May 8. It may be that the new surcharge is accepted - after all, we accepted (grudgingly) bag fees. On the other hand, US Airways did have to drop their charges for soft drinks and water after running into a buzz saw of passenger resentment. And this 5% surcharge could sting a lot more than any $2 Coke. It’s like another bag fee, when you consider that 5% of a $300 ticket…
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NYT > Travel
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Journeys | The Caribbean Issue: Something New Under the Caribbean Sun
20 Nov 2009 | 2:28 pmDespite a persistent economic downturn with no clear end in sight, luxury hotels are cropping up on islands big and small, and tourism boards are rolling out new activities. -
36 Hours in Rajasthan, India
20 Nov 2009 | 11:29 amThe country is modernizing rapidly, sometimes too fast, but this spectacular old region endures, evoking rulers with giant mustaches and spectacular forts and palaces. -
Journeys: In Marfa, Texas, Minimalist Art and Maximum Flavor
20 Nov 2009 | 8:58 amRecently, this remote town has begun to develop a reputation for food that, while not eclipsing its artistic one, might at least be said to complement it. -
American Journeys | Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska: A Place in Time, Not All Frozen
19 Nov 2009 | 10:04 pmIn Alaska, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley is home to a 27-mile glacier, an old gold-mining camp and a New Deal farming project. -
A Permanent Theater Festival on Puget Sound
19 Nov 2009 | 9:57 pmSeattle is alive with artistic energy. While the city’s musical voices thrive, stage productions are on the rebound after the loss of prized playhouses.
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tripso.com
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WeatherUnderground and Google maps mashup provides directions and weather for roadtrips
20 Nov 2009 | 12:21 pmWeatherUnderground.com has just launched a new mashup of Goggle Maps with their weather information. The directions will now include weather-related information as well as directions. -
Airfares vary by distance – why don’t baggage fees?
20 Nov 2009 | 6:15 amAs a United elite status flier, I long ago decided to do what many frequent fliers do: Make your peace with putting up with one airline on a regular basis, in order to get miles and occasional perks. And one of the biggest perks these days is not paying basic checked luggage fees. -
Life is a Dream on Carnival’s newest ship
20 Nov 2009 | 3:04 amLast week, Carnival Cruise Lines christened its newest, largest ship the 3,646-passenger, 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. It boasts such features largest water park at sea, new family cabins with two bathrooms, a nighttime poolside laser show, and what the line is calling "the most elaborate" children's facilities at sea. -
What we’re reading: Vegas expects holiday boost, Delta offers JAL $1 billion package, bill seeks ban on electronic devices in cockpit
20 Nov 2009 | 2:58 amLas Vegas will likely see an increase in drive-in traffic, mostly from Southern California. -
Holiday travel forecasts: “Cautious optimism” — or billion-dollar bloodbath?
19 Nov 2009 | 8:04 amThere are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
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Budget Travel Tips - EuroCheapo
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New York: Buy a cupcake and save on “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” tickets
20 Nov 2009 | 7:44 amKickin' cupcakes. Photo: Magnolia Bakery As the weather gets colder and New York gears up for the holiday season, we’re daydreaming about sugary treats and high-kicking entertainment. We were happy, then, when we learned that two of our favorite city traditions are pairing up to offer a sweet deal. Magnolia Bakery (the cupcake boutique made famous in “Sex and the City”) has joined forces with the Rockettes to offer a 25% discount for tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the purchase of a special “Rockette Red Velvet Cupcake.” The cupcakes… -
Copenhagen: 7 questions for our hotel reviewer, Sarah Silbert
19 Nov 2009 | 9:05 amSarah relaxes at Copenhagen's Viking Bar. Photo: Derek Van Gorder We were very pleased to update our Copenhagen hotel reviews yesterday, adding several new budget hotel picks, and refreshing our existing listings. Sarah Silbert, our “listings guru” in the New York office, visited Copenhagen last month to tackle the job. We sat down with her this morning to learn more about her trip. As a first-time visitor to Copenhagen, what did you find surprising about the city? I didn’t think it would be so compact! All the main attractions are roughly in the same area, so… -
Madrid: A visit to the Rastro flea market
18 Nov 2009 | 8:23 amCrowds at the Rastro Market. Photo by Sylvain Bourdos. By Cynthia Kane in Madrid– If you’re looking to buy clothes, household goods, furniture, or trinkets on the cheap in Madrid, Sunday is your day. This is when the city’s sprawling outdoor flea market, the Rastro, is open between La Plaza Mayor and Puerta de Toledo. History of the Rastro The Rastro is the largest outdoor flea market in Madrid and its origins date back nearly five centuries. It’s been said that the area used to be the epicenter of the tanning trade. The word “Rastro” actually translates as “track” or… -
Stockholm Public Transportation: Bus and Metro explained
17 Nov 2009 | 9:10 amA train at Telefonplan Metro Station. Photo by harry_nl. By Marcus Cederstrom in Stockholm— Each day in Stockholm, 700,000 trips are made using public transportation. Considering only about 800,000 people live within Stockholm city limits, that number is pretty impressive. With the efficient and user-friendly SL, Stockholm’s public transportation company, it makes sense that so many Stockholmers take to the metro, buses, and more. The lowdown Stockholm is a very walk-able city, but if you’re less interested in wandering around than getting around efficiently (or if you just want to get… -
Paris Cheap Souvenirs: 5 souvenirs under €5
16 Nov 2009 | 7:54 amCheap secondhand books at Gilbert Jeune. Photo by ShimShamB. By Liz Webber— There are plenty of things to bring back from Paris, whether lasting or fleeting, that won’t eat up all your euros. Here are five of our suggestions for souvenirs that will remind you of la vie Parisien—for €5 or less. 1. Livre d’occasion from Gilbert Jeune With outlets on both sides of the St. Michel fountain, the Gilbert Jeune bookstore both buys and sells books. That’s good news for Cheapos, since the store often resells the livres d’occasion (used books) at 50 percent or more off the…
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Go Green Travel Green
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Simple Satire ecoSNEAKS Review: Environmentally Friendly Travel Shoes
18 Nov 2009 | 11:44 amI stumbled upon Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS two years ago during my search for an environmentally-friendly alternative to my beloved Vans Prison Issue tennis shoes. I wanted shoes that were more durable than the Vans, but as attractive. I was even willing to sacrifice the awesome velcro of my Prison Issues, but only for the right eco-friendly shoe. Then I saw it: the Simple Satire shoe, a member of Zappo’s ecoSNEAKs line. Features of Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS Certified organic cotton uppers with recycled PET laces Vegan shoe! No animal byproducts or even regular animal products… -
Join GGTG for HI-USA’s Boston Travel Forum this Weekend
17 Nov 2009 | 11:05 amGo Green Travel Green is going to Boston this weekend for Hostelling International USA’s Boston Travel Forum and Workshop. I’ll be presenting about the Green Travel program I’ve developed with HI Minnesota. The conference is free and open to the public so if you’re in the Boston area, make sure you stop by for some great sessions. Space is limited, so be sure to register online. Conference Details Workshop Date: Friday, November 20, 2009 Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm Location: Boston Park Plaza Hotel Street: 64 Arlington St City/Town: Boston, MA Workshops Include: - David… -
Biking from Alaska to Argentina: One Family’s Ultimate Green Travel Experience
11 Nov 2009 | 9:11 amCan any travel be greener than traveling by bike? We hear a lot about various methods of “green” travel - ecoresorts working to preserve the environment or companies who strive to reduce their carbon footprint. But we don’t hear much about traveling in such a way as to nearly eliminate that footprint altogether. Traveling on bicycle is one of the few methods of travel that allows a deep relationship with Mother Nature while, at the same time, treading lightly on our precious earth. Our bicycles use no fuel (other than the food we consume), and are easy on the ground we pass… -
Live Your Life Like a 20-Year-Old in Estonia
4 Nov 2009 | 11:03 amIn retrospect, hopping on a bus from St. Petersburg, Russia to Tallinn, Estonia with nothing more than my passport and some cash was mildly crazy. But at the time, it seemed perfectly logical. We all have those moments when we travel. There’s something about being in a new country that makes us more daring, more willing to be spontaneous. Then we return to home to our routines and that willingness to get off the beaten path fades. But it doesn’t have to. In fact, I think we could all learn to live our lives more like a 20-year-old in Estonia. A Spontaneous Thanksgiving Weekend in… -
Ultimate Guide to Halloween 2009: Spooky Drinks, Haunted Houses, and iPhone Apps
28 Oct 2009 | 11:35 amThrowing a Halloween party, but at a loss for spooky drinks and tasty treats? Want to find a haunted house in your neighborhood? Thinking about skipping town with a Halloween travel deal? Or are you just looking for a few good Halloween iPhone apps? No matter what Halloween advice or entertainment you seek, we’ve got you covered — from scary books and Halloween drinks to costumed animals and face paint facts. Halloween Party Ideas: Drinks, Treats, and Decorations If you’ve procrastinated on planning your Halloween party, don’t worry. It’s not too late. These tips…
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SmarterTravel.com: Travel Advice
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Six Simple Tricks for Winter Packing
20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmFor many travelers, winter means finding a way to pack bulky clothes, puffy jackets, and all the necessary cold-weather accessories into a bag. Instead of stomping on your luggage, follow these basic tips for hassle-free packing. -
Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Winter 2009/2010
19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmWhile many winter travelers head to the beach or to popular ski resorts, savvy tourists can take advantage of fewer crowds and off-peak deals for fabulous vacations. -
U.S. Versus European Credit Card Validation Systems
19 Nov 2009 | 7:54 amHave you ever had your credit card rejected overseas? It's probably not due to bad credit, but the different validation systems used. Ed Perkins explains how to handle the situation. -
Travel Right After the Holidays for a Great Deal
18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmIf you have any flexibility in your schedule, you'll want to consider planning a trip immediately after the holidays to take advantage of low travel periods and great bargains. The weeks after Thanksgiving and New Year's are especially affordable. -
Two Great New Airline Initiatives and One Horrible Idea
18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmLower taxi costs to and from the airport, as well as automated, lifetime check-in can make air travel easier. But who charges $60 to print your boarding pass at the airport?
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DeliciousBaby.com
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Photo Friday: Khmer Dance School
19 Nov 2009 | 8:30 pmKhmer dance school in Phnom Penh Cambodia When the Khmer Rouge controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, the toll wasn't limited to the estimated 1.5 million human lives lost, it was a whole culture. In an effort to return to a simplistic agrarian-based Communist society, the intellectual elite were specifically targeted for "re-education" or even death. Fine arts including weaving, metal work, music, and traditional dance were all but lost. That's why it was so touching to visit this traditional Khmer dance school, founded by one of the last living traditional dance teachers. As the country… -
What Would You Do in Paris?
19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amD has been obsessed with the Eiffel tower lately. It's not hard, images of it appear everywhere... on the side of the DHL trucks that circle our city, in her story books, and on posters in local businesses. But what does she really think, I wondered? Does all that exposure make her interested in visiting it? Yesterday as she leafed through a children's picture book of Paris I asked her what she would want to do if we went to Paris together. "Go to the grocery store" she said, flipping immediately to a picture of French pastries. Smart girl. That's my first priority in Paris too. Inventive… -
Please Join Us for Passports With Purpose
18 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amIf you have been reading DeliciousBaby since last year, you may remember Passports with Purpose, the travel blogger's fundraiser founded by Pam Mandel of Nerd's Eye View, Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Michelle Duffy of WanderMom, and myself. In a few short weeks, with the help of travel bloggers around the world, we raised $7400 for Heifer International. We also gave fabulous prizes to many donors, ranging from hotel rooms to video cameras and high-end travel gear. Kids outside their floating home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia This year we will be fund-raising to build a school in… -
Welcome Budget Travel Readers
16 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pmI'm very excited that Budget Travel's website features an interview about family travel with me today. About DeliciousBaby DeliciousBaby is about Traveling with Young Kids. We have lots of tips and helpful advice to make your family vacation easier and more enjoyable. If you are new to DeliciousBaby, you might want to check out some of these useful links and resources: Travel Tips: Flying with Babies and Kids Money Saving Trips the Travel Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Family Friendly City Guides including Rome, Paris, Chicago, and Santa Fe Travel Tips: Keeping a Child Busy on a Plane… -
Weekly Links: Favorite Travel Stories and Giveaways
15 Nov 2009 | 9:21 pmHere are a few stories I enjoyed this week. I especially enjoyed this reflective post from the father of a family who went around the world describing the enduring impact of the trip even two years later These pictures of a family road trip through Yellowstone National Park are making me jealous... and will hopefully inspire me to plan a Yellowstone trip for my own family. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to spend the winter in Alaska? Here's a list of winter activities in Anchorage This post about an unexpected snake encounter in Marrakech made me laugh Giveaways Enter to win this…
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nerd's eye view
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Passports with Purpose 2009
20 Nov 2009 | 4:57 pmI don’t really expect you to remember this, but I pretty much sobbed my way across Cambodia. Julius had to take my hand and lead me to sit on a quiet bench somewhere, or in a sheltered cafe, or sometimes, I just sat on the bus, staring out the window while trying to pull myself together. Phnom Pehn was the worst, we couldn’t visit a historical site or a store staffed by land mine victims or go for a drink anywhere but the Foreign Correspondents Club without me just falling apart. I calmed down some by the time we got to Angkor Wat because it was really a dream come true for me to… -
Postcard: Waikiki, 7am
16 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pmTwo guys are opening their surf shack. One of them is digging perfectly spaced holes in the sand, the other is dropping bright yellow umbrellas into the holes and popping them open. A man sits on the stone wall facing the surf, barefoot, a cell phone glued to his head, a deep frown marking his face. How can he be so unhappy, I wonder, we are in Waikiki, it is a balmy 78 degrees and there’s a light breeze coming off the ocean. Scattered leftovers from the day before line the beach, an abandoned yellow inner tube, still fully inflated, a surf worn beach mat, one flip flop. There are… -
Buy the Extra Insurance, Already.
13 Nov 2009 | 7:54 amIt’s like a horror movie for your wallet. Funny how you can barely see the damage in the video footage. The part of Kermit the Frog is played by Peter Carey, stunned passenger, Kelly Goodman. -
Re[Think] Hawaii & TEDx Honolulu
11 Nov 2009 | 9:07 amI’d been invited to travel to Oahu by the Oahu Visitor’s Bureau in exchange for blogging about my adventures there. At the same time, Christine Lu was planning re[Think] Hawaii, a small conference about start-ups, sustainability, and social media and the dates lined up perfectly. Christine generously waived the attendance fee in exchange for… well, let’s say I owe her a favor or three. Neenz, a Hawaii social, um, universe, she’s a social universe, invited the attendees of reThink Hawaii to TEDx, a morning of interesting ideas and speakers. Now for some long… -
The Amateur Traveler Podcast: Hawaii — Lanai and Molokai
8 Nov 2009 | 4:45 pmChris had me as his guest on the Amateur Traveler, we talked about… Hawaii. Lanai and Molokai, specifically and I don’t sound like TOO much of an idiot. Have a listen. Amateur Traveler Episode 206 – Travel to Molokai and Lanai in Hawaii
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Johnny Jet's Weekly Newsletter
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Tel Aviv, Israel
Shalom! This week we finish up our incredible journey to Israel by sharing with you our time in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and the flight back. -
Lucerne, Switzerland (Part 2)
Living in a Jail Cell, Tobogganing down a Mountain in Lucerne: Part 2 -
Masada, The Dead Sea, Bethlehem
Shalom from Israel! I continue to tell you about my amazing trip to the Holy Land. This week we head to the Dead Sea, Masada and Bethlehem which is in Palestine. -
Lucerne, Switzerland
Living in a Jail Cell, Tobogganing down a Mountain in Lucerne: Part 1 -
Jerusalem, Israel
Shalom from Israel! Last week, we left off after our El Al flight touched down in Tel Aviv. This week, we hit Jerusalem. If you thought that Israel was unsafe and only for Jews (like I did), think again.
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Evolution of Security
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Gobble, Gobble: TSA Helpful Holiday Travel Tips
20 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pmCan you believe it? It’s that time of year again where turkeys head for the hills and people head for the airports. It’s the busiest travel time of the year and a time when people who rarely fly, or have never flown, take to the skies, so we wanted to provide some clarification and tips for those who might come to the blog looking for some information.Here’s some guidance related to the most common questions we’ve been hearing lately. Please remember that each time our officers have to search a bag or a person, the line slows down.The 4-1-1 on 3-1-1 (Liquids, Gels & Aerosols): Let… -
Holiday Travel Refresher: What if I Lose or Forget My ID?
16 Nov 2009 | 12:39 pmIt’s been a while since we talked about IDs and what happens if you lose or forget your ID on the way to the airport. With the busiest travel time of the year quickly approaching, I thought it would be wise to do a quick refresher on the subject.So, what if you show up at a TSA checkpoint and you can’t find your ID? Does that mean you won’t fly? Nope… You’ll still be able to fly as long as you provide us with some information that will help us determine you are who you say you are. Verifying the identity of people coming through checkpoints is an important part of security, just as… -
Veterans Day: Thank You
10 Nov 2009 | 5:51 pmWe sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." - Winston ChurchillVeterans Day is a time to remind our nation to reflect on all of the people who served and sacrificed as members of the United States military and thank them for that service. From the battles of Lexington and Concord to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this nation has always had a strong core of people who were willing to serve, fight, and sometimes die for their country and that is truly honorable.TSA has a strong core of Veterans who have… -
TSA Stops Medical Supplies for Cape Verde?
10 Nov 2009 | 6:02 amOver the weekend, an article ran stating that TSA Officers in Boston had stopped medical supplies from traveling in checked baggage to Cape Verde. The article states the items confiscated included Tylenol, vitamin C, mosquito repellents, hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol.TSA did prevent most of the insect repellant, but everything else was permitted. Why the repellant? Well…FAA regulations state that Personal Care Items containing hazardous materials (e.g., flammable perfume, aerosols) totaling no more than 70 ounces may be carried on board. Contents of each container may not exceed 16… -
Response to: “Oops: Backscatter X-ray machines tear apart DNA"
6 Nov 2009 | 1:41 pmThis article has been receiving quite a bit of attention and it’s leading people to believe the Backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) used by TSA emits terahertz radiation. Recent studies are showing that terahertz radiation may “unzip double-stranded DNA, creating bubbles in the double strand that could significantly interfere with processes such as gene expression and DNA replication.”(I know… who knew that your DNA could be unzipped? Hey buddy, your barn door’s open!!!)I forwarded the article around to a few subject matter experts here at TSA and was provided with some…
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Cleared for Takeoff - The Triporati Blog
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Shanghai Disney
President Obama’s visit to Asia this week has been headline news. Another American icon is headed to China soon, as Disney is planning to open a theme park in Shanghai by 2014. After more than 20 years of wrangling, the Chinese government has granted the US media company the right to ... -
Yosemite Accommodations
A recent October trip to Yosemite and Mariposa County, CA followed a huge rain storm. The robust waterfalls thundered all around and the scenery was more striking than I had remembered from my last trip at the end of July. Autumn colors enhanced the spectacular vistas and there was a crisp feel in the air. Not ... -
Beluga Whales, Polar Bears, and the Wilds of Churchill, Manitoba
One October a few years ago I spent a couple of days in Churchill, Manitoba looking for polar bears. Churchill is famously the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" because so many bears come in to den when the pack ice breaks up on Hudson Bay. In the fall, when ... -
Guanajuato’s Cervantes Festival and Magic Realism
One night some years ago I arrived in Guanajuato, Mexico for the first time, knowing little about the place beyond its being yet another Spanish colonial city. When the bus couldn't get anywhere near my hotel on Jardin de la Union because the streets were jammed with revelers, I got ... -
Kayaking the Mekong River
In the late ’60s and early ’70s the thought of a trip down the Mekong was the stuff of nightmares. The place was a war zone, and the only way to see it was courtesy of Uncle Sam. But thankfully times change, and today the great river that runs from ...
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Wanderlust and Lipstick
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Photo of the Day: Punakha Dzong, Bhutan
19 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pmThis is one of my favorite photos from my most recent trip to Bhutan. This is Punakha Dzong (monastery). Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan and is now the winter seat of the monastic body of the country. In my opinion, this is by far the most beautiful dzong in the whole country, both [...] -
WanderGear Wednesday: MountainSmith K-9 Cube
18 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pmGuest post from dog lover, Georgia Congleton I recently had the fun job of trying out a luggage product for my dog – yes, for my dog, Elsie! I had never given a thought to having luggage for my dog and my first thought was, “What a very yuppie item – the K-9 Cube by Mountainsmith“. [...] -
Photo of the Day: Beach Time
12 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pmIt’s coming up on Thanksgiving and what am I thinking about? Warmth. This is the Bay of Bengal near Chennai, India. My favorite place in Mexico is Bucerias, near Puerto Vallarta. See more lovely photos at DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday! Travel Well! Beth Related links: Slot Canyons Vietnam & Cambodia Women-only Tour Photo of the Day: Monks Doing Normal Stuff Photo of the Day: Indian Bangles Photo [...] -
Photo of the Day: Bhutan Windows
5 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pmNext to the beauty of the Himalayas, probably the most striking thing about Bhutan is the architecture. This is a series of windows at one of the country’s many monasteries. See more lovely photos at DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday! Travel Well! Beth Related links: Spring Women-only tour to Bhutan (register before Dec. 1 and save $150) Eastern Bhutan Trekking Tour Photo of the [...] -
Photo of the Day: Paradise Found in Oahu
29 Oct 2009 | 10:00 pmAs I was writing this post, it struck me how ironic it is that the TV series Lost (or at least parts of it) are filmed on Oahu. For one, you can’t possibly get lost on the island. But more than that, I think there’s an element of being Found here, or finding yourself, or [...]
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GoNOMAD
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A Visit to the Bavarian Alps: Christmas Markets and Pagan Spirits
16 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pmChristmas shopping in Germany is a great way to experience the true gift of giving, and late fall is the perfect time to consider a trip to the Bavarian Alps to do so. Visitors can stroll merrily through illuminated streets, buy handmade decorations, sip sweet cider, even, take a spin on an old fashion carousel. Old town squares, medieval castles and authentic dining await your visit. Christmas Traditions in Munich There are dozens of theme-driven Christmas markets in Munich from the Kripperl (manger market) to the Medieval to the Tollwood Market of Ideas. By far, the most popular is… -
A Girlfriend Getaway to “Where The Sun Shines Through the Mist”
13 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pmIs anything really ageless? I think not. But “girlfriend,” is an ageless word. Your girlfriend could be eight or 80. A girlfriend isn’t necessarily a girl, she’s born of friendship, history, empathy and love. Happily, I have several girlfriends. I shared an escape weekend this summer with two in particular, Jody and Brigitte. We spent the weekend, “Where the Sun Shines Through the Mist,” the Indian meaning for the word, Temecula. Sixty miles north of San Diego and 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles is the Temecula Valley. Our busy lives allowed us just two days and one… -
Travel Tips from a World Traveler
13 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pmI’ve been traveling on international trips about 10 times a year for the past five years. Since that time I’ve compiled the following tips that in most cases occurred to me after I wished I had thought of them. Below are some recommendations that will make your next trip easier and safer. 1. If you’re given a piece of paper by customs or somebody else with a uniform in the airport, save it in your wallet…even if you don’t know what it is. You will most likely be asked for it again on your way home. 2. Ask to sit in an aisle seat or in an exit row when you check in if you get antsy… -
GoNOMAD Book Excerpt: Invisible China: A Journey Through Ethnic Borderlands
13 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pmColin Legerton and Jacob Rawson engage in an anthropological journey of more than 14,000 miles to encounter and reveal the ethnic minorities of China. Legerton and Rawson report on hidden minorities -- their language, homes, cuisine, and school systems. The focal point is to reveal their opinions of Chinese Government Policy and Han culture. However, even one without knowledge or interest in Chinese history will find this an enticing read through the authors' immersion into the day-to-day lives and homes of these people through their journey. Revealing the history and public opinion of… -
Bicycling Cuba: Bluebird Skies and Welcoming Homestays
9 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pmJust a few tire rotations from the arid town of Cajobado along the island’s eastern most fringes, the road takes a sudden turn north and we’re almost immediately forced to gear down. Save for the occasional ’55 Cadillac and galloping horse with carriage in tow, Tabi and I are left alone to tackle the steep switchbacks one laborious pedal stroke at a time. Wending through and cresting the Sierra del Purial mountain range on its way to once isolated Baracoa on the north coast, the last bit of pavement of the La Farola road was laid down in the sixties and is widely considered the first…
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Travellious.com
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Postcard from Italia: On Top of the Mountain
21 Nov 2009 | 12:50 amImage: kelly. On Top of the Mountain read more -
5 Embarrassing Rookie Travel Mistakes
18 Nov 2009 | 7:59 amImage: aghman. Mistakes. Everyone makes them, from rookies to seasoned travelers. We're definitely not immune, far from it, we still make them quite regularly. But, the great thing about mistakes, is that we can all learn from them. So, in the interest of both amusement & education, I present you with our own top five rookie travel mistakes. read more -
Travel Stories: Taking the Bus
12 Nov 2009 | 5:59 amImage: gabrieletrapani. I stepped off the plane in Venice's airport and I instantly felt "at home." I've been through this airport countless times, the first as a student and I remember sitting on a bench in baggage claim waiting to rejoin Austin as we took separate flights. We fumbled our way through the airport to find the bus counter, for tickets to get to Piazzale Roma via a short $3 bus ride. (To this day, I have yet to take an overpriced taxi or boat ride. If you're a romantic with extra cash to spend, by all means do so. If you're cheap, unromantic or too pragmatic to take a boat, then… -
Postcard from Italia: Horse Watching
11 Nov 2009 | 4:15 amImage: kelly. Horse Watching read more -
Video: Graduation Celebrations in Padova
10 Nov 2009 | 9:19 amGraduation Celebrations, Padova, Italia (15 sec.) When someone graduates from the University of Padova, they get a proper celebration and a not-so-proper one. Last night we were taking a walk around the city center and spotted these two poor souls "enjoying" their graduation festivities. read more
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Almost Fearless
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Free Book Friday: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo
20 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmWanderlust and Lipstick’s Beth Whitman wants you to travel. In this second edition of the aptly named, The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, she takes the reader through the basics like: Why Travel Solo, Getting Beyond the Excuse, Let’s Get Booking, Pack it Up, and Responsible Travel. The advice is solid, the writing is clear and pleasant to read. If you harbored a desire to travel but had never done it, then this book would answer nearly every concern. But there’s something about explaining travel to this level of detail that reminded me of a how to book for… -
Authentic, Culturally Appropriate and Unique Tourism: Does it exist?
18 Nov 2009 | 11:11 pmWe were having dinner with Ian, one of the owners of Ka’ana, a luxury spa resort in the Cayo District of Belize. He was talking about his vision of transforming not only the food, but every detail—to the tours offered (more culture, less glitz), to food sourcing (think local), to community involvement (replanting an important area), even to the type of soaps they offer to their customers—to become not just a fancy spa resort that attracts well-heeled foreigners (although that is the intent) but to actually define the authentic Belizean experience. He used those words again and again,… -
Traveling Pregnant: Hiking and Tubing the Jaguar Reserve
16 Nov 2009 | 11:59 am“Ok Christine, here is where you get out.” Our Belizean tour guide, David, who had informed me earlier that he had done a lot of things in the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, but didn’t want to add “delivered a baby” onto the list, was now floating ahead of the group and pointing to the embankment. We had just hiked the jungle and were 30 minutes into our river tubing tour. The icy water felt so good. I became officially six months pregnant the day before, and while my stomach had expanded into a noticeable baby bump, not much else had changed. I was still waiting to feel pregnant. Every… -
Back in Belize, The First Night
10 Nov 2009 | 5:20 pmThis week I’m writing from Belize while on a Travel Blogger Fam trip hosted (and paid for– the trip, not the post) by the Belize Tourism Board. I am posting with a 24 hour lag. We arrived on Monday 11/9. I stepped off the plane in Belize and it hit me. That sweet smell of over-humid air, so thick that you breathe deeply just to taste it. You forget the wetness of it, even after a few months of being away. I had been gone eight. Last time, I had taken a bus from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City, stopping just long enough to buy my water taxi ticket to the backpacker island… -
Belize If You Please
8 Nov 2009 | 8:01 pmToday, I’m flying to Belize courtesy of Belize Tourism. I’ll be joining four other bloggers for a six day Fam Trip, where they’ve arranged a packed itinerary of jungle tours, cave tubing, zip line canopy tours, snorkeling, parasailing, Mayan ruins and more. Oh and they’re putting up us in some lovely hotels and hosting all the meals at some great restaurants. Sounds pretty good, no? This is the first time I’ve traveled on someone else’s dime (excluding all the business travel I did in my corporate days). The trip comes at an interesting time for me. First,…
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Beat of Hawaii
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Damien Tours on Molokai
20 Nov 2009 | 2:05 amOne of the most beautiful places in Hawaii is also the site of much hardship and enforced imprisonment. Those with Hansen’s Disease were called “lepers” and sent to live here, on Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula, against their will. They represented all ages, ethnicity and economic status. For $50 I was taken on a tour of the settlement in an old school bus following my hike down the Pali Trail. It gave me a sense of what forced quarantine might be like. My freedom to explore on my own was taken away. Most buildings were off limits to me including the U.S. Post Office. I was truly… -
LA or SF Air Plus Hotel From $279
19 Nov 2009 | 2:06 amPleasant Holidays has some good pricing for air plus hotel from either LA or San Francisco. Travel dates for this first deal are December 1-16. In addition, Pleasant Holidays together with Starwood Resorts has another sale, this one valid through January 28. Air plus three nights accommodation starts at $399 on Oahu and Maui, $449 on Kauai and $639 on the Big Island. Since their new website isn’t due out until next year, it makes it hard to find the dates these deals are available. I suggest that if you don’t find the deal you’re looking for, just give them a call. I… -
Hawaii Travel News: Hotel Occupancy Up; HA Strike Nearer
19 Nov 2009 | 2:05 amHawaii Hotel Occupancy Improving First, on a bright side, we’re finally seeing a little glimmer of hope in Hawaii tourism. Occupancy rose in September, albeit slightly, for the first time in 18 months. Hospitality Advisors LLC reported September statewide occupancy of 64.6% vs. 63% a year earlier as the state saw a a 7.2% increase in monthly visitors to the state. That bucks the nationwide trend, in which at nearly the same time (measured the week of November 7), occupancy fell 3.7%. This was reported by Smith Travel Research. Hawaiian Air Strike Continues to Draw Nearer The… -
Poipu Bay Update and a Golf Tip
18 Nov 2009 | 2:05 amKauai’s Poipu Bay golf course will be closing in April for eight months to convert from Bermuda grass to salt water and hurricane resistant Paspalum turfgrass. Paspalum, also designed to provide a more consistent and faster putting surface, has been around for over 30 years, and is popular both in Hawaii and other island locations. It is already installed at Kauai’s nearby Kiahuna course as well as at Princeville’s Makai course. Recently, friend and local golf pro Luke Shanahan wrote about two of the other Kauai courses he loves most, Puakea and Prince. Luke also has a… -
TripAdvisor Adds Direct Links to Hotels For A Fee
17 Nov 2009 | 2:05 amBarbara De Lollis at USA Today is reporting that Expedia’s TripAdvisor will soon be adding direct links to properties. The catch to adding this long overdue and badly needed feature, is that hotels will have to pay up. The cost will be from $600 to $15000 per year, depending on the property’s size. The fee will reportedly be discounted, at least for now. Watch for the new feature to be added starting in early January. TripAdvisor stands to rake in a bundle from this feature. According to their VP of partnerships, Nathan Clapton, perhaps 150,000 hotels fit into the category…
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tripwolf | blog
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Sleeping Around At Boutique Hostels
19 Nov 2009 | 4:49 pmI was sure that I was in the wrong place. It looked like a living room done up by Ian Schrager – gorgeous wooden floors and big ceilings filled with stark, modern edge (including a deer head sculpture made out of plastic). A mojito bar was set up in the corner and the DJ was spinning some ambient something-or-other. Everyone had the same what-the-hell-are-we-doing-here look that I had. I was in a youth hostel. The Lisbon Lounge Hostel, to be precise. They’re popping up everywhere. The rage right now seems to be converting old homes or hotels and turning them into eye-popping digs. Only a… -
Buy as the Locals Do
16 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amI’ve lived in 4 countries. Due to the large amounts of time I’ve spent in each, I’ve explored their regions, learned 2 new languages, experienced their holidays, and eaten my weight in their traditional foods. Through this, I gained a heightened understanding of their culture. If only it were practical to spend years in every place on our “must visit” lists. Short visits can be fabulous, but getting ushered into Disney-like tourist traps can be frustrating – leaving you wonderingif you even saw the “real” Italy at all.My best tip for getting an… -
Peru tempts south of the border
15 Nov 2009 | 7:26 pmPeru is a travel destination for seekers. One of the oldest cultures in the world, the Peruvians hold a deep understanding of human nature, and a trip to Peru can bring you closer to self understanding – that old back packers’ dream. If hiking through ancient ruins doesn’t bring you to that special place, perhaps washing down ‘cuy’ (whole, fried guinea pig) with a glass of pisco will center you. We’re proud to offer you the complete Footprint guide book for Peru, free and online. Check out the awesome travel info, and start planning your Peru trip. Have… -
Bula from Fiji
15 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pmAt the top oF Kioa Volcano -
Surfing at Cloud Break
12 Nov 2009 | 9:33 pmAfter a big breakfast of Wahoo omelette, hash browns and the normal unlimited supply of pineapple, watermelon and papaya, we set out for the breaking waves on the horizon – towards what is known as Cloud Break, on the northern side of Vanua Levu. Bouncing along in the dinghy, squinting into the bright sun, I had high hopes and anxieties – surfing a reef break alongside the pros would at least be exhilarating to say the least. Hopefully reef rash wouldn’t take us out bleeding anyway. I crossed my fingers and secretly hoped for a small, left breaking wave. Arriving it…
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Amenity Watch
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Paranormal Luxury
20 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pmIn Cape Elizabeth, a charming New England coastal town located on Crescent Bay just outside of Portland, Maine the picturesque Inn by the Sea offers offers travelers eco-friendly luxury, stunning waterfront views and true New England hospitality, with a paranormal twist. The resort claims to be haunted. Lydia, the ghost of a 19th century bride-to-be, seems to be making the Inn her permanent residence, but doesn’t mind sharing the newly remodeled grounds with out-of-towners. Talk to many of the staff, and even some guests, and learn about odd occurrences that are said to be linked to… -
Bath Sommelier
16 Nov 2009 | 1:39 pmWeekend getaways are always a coveted luxury; an opportunity to get away from the daily grind. Throw in a hotel with a on-site spa and you’re practically in heaven. Does it get any better? It just did. The Fairmont Chicago will actually bring the spa to your room. Included in it’s in-room dining services, the hotel offers the Serenity Bath. Order one and a bath sommelier comes and sets up a relaxing atmosphere for you. They’ll draw your bath, adding soothing aromatherapy oils. They’ll also set up neck pillows and loofahs, a fruit plate and bottled water, a variety… -
Family Pillow Fights… And Other Vacation Mischief
13 Nov 2009 | 8:29 amGetting kids to bed on a normal night can be harrowing. Trying to get them to bed while on vacation can be down right impossible. What with hallways to run down, elevator buttons to push and beds to jump on, kids have a lot of ground to cover before its lights out. But, as the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So while staying at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach why not surprise your kids with a pillow fight! Enjoy this lively turndown service that will get the whole family involved (and hopefully tuckered out). Guests are armed with 30 small silk pillows and… -
Sofitel Philadelphia Launches London Taxi Service
9 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pmFrance-based Sofitel hotels are generally known for their, naturally, French flair, but the luxurious brand’s Philadelphia property is adding a dash of English charm with its new London taxi service. For hire by hotel guests only, the iconic London taxi, imported directly from England, offers free rides around town and to/from the Philadelphia International Airport (a 20-minute drive) Mondays through Fridays between 7 and 9 A.M (reservations recommended). Booking the service any other time of day will cost you, depending on the duration of your ride, upwards of $25 for lifts within the city… -
Gettin’ Ink Done on a California Vacation
3 Nov 2009 | 8:13 amGetting something permanently drawn onto your body should not be a decision made quickly. So maybe a long weekend getaway with friends isn’t the best time to sit down under the needle. That giant sun wrapped in barbwire to commemorate your trip to Florida might not seem so awesome once back home in Wisconsin. Then again, vacations are known to motivate, and friends can be pretty convincing. And what more inspirational setting then ink-clad, super-hip Venice Beach, California? And what better excuse then a hotel offering a “Ink and Stay” hotel package? Hotel Erwin, the…
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Mickey News
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Disney's Holiday Decorations By The Numbers
19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmMany Disney fans said they were disappointed to hear that Epcot was pulling the plug on its Lights of Winter display this year, but there is certainly no shortage of holiday cheer around Walt Disney World. -
Disney Channel Nets Best-Ever Ratings With 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,' 'Imagination Movers'
19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmLast week was a big one for Disney Channel among kids, tweens and preschoolers. -
Sanuk opens signature store in downtown Disneyland
19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmSanuk (they're not shoes, they're sandals) takes out a rubber chicken, smiles, and announces the grand opening of the Sanuk signature store at the world famous Downtown Disney. -
New Disney movie chief pulls plug on costly 'Captain Nemo'
18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmIn one of his first major creative moves as Walt Disney Studios' new movie chief, Rich Ross has made the costly decision to pull the plug on the planned $150-million production of "Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" -- the last project approved by his predecessor, Dick Cook. -
Disney's dream that 'Christmas Carol' will be the new 'Polar Express' coming true
18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pmWhen "A Christmas Carol" opened to $30 million domestically on its opening weekend -- well below what prerelease research had suggested and historically very weak for a movie that cost nearly $200 million to produce -- Walt Disney Studios' president of domestic distribution, Chuck Viane, counseled patience.
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DISney News Stories - wdwinfo.com
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Walt Disney World fighting swine flu with hand sanitizers
16 Nov 2009 | 10:37 amThe Walt Disney Company is stepping up efforts to stop the spread of the swine flu by installing hand sanitizers around the theme parks. -
Hong Kong Disneyland plans Toy Story Land
14 Nov 2009 | 11:34 amHong Kong Disneyland has announced plans for a Toy Story Land that may open as early as 2011. -
Let Disney take care of Christmas this year
14 Nov 2009 | 10:57 amDisneyFamily.com announces a sweepstakes aimed at providing one family with an easy "Disney" Christmas. -
Disney releases fourth quarter figures
14 Nov 2009 | 10:09 amDisney's 4th quarter financial figures show an 18% increase in earnings. -
Role reversal for Disney executives
12 Nov 2009 | 1:47 pmCFO Tom Staggs and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo will be switching roles within the company.
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L.A. Times - USC Trojans
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Donte Smith drops weight, finds role as point guard
21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amSmith started only three games last season and played little down the stretch because of his weight, but he played the entire 40 minutes Tuesday against UC Riverside. Smith started only three games last season and played little down the stretch because of his weight, but he played the entire 40 minutes Tuesday against UC Riverside. -
Stanley Havili ready to move forward
21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amThe Trojans fullback didn't want to talk after the 55-21 loss at Stanford last weekend. He foresees a strong finish to the season for USC and himself. The Trojans fullback didn't want to talk after the 55-21 loss at Stanford last weekend. He foresees a strong finish to the season for USC and himself. -
USC in the Sugar Bowl? Not such a sweet possibility
21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amThe Times' college football writer gives the answers to readers' questions. The Times' college football writer gives the answers to readers' questions. -
Up next for USC: Saturday vs. Loyola Marymount
21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amThe Trojans are missing three players and North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson. Loyola Marymount's Drew Viney, a transfer from Oregon, has scored 52 points in his last two games. USC today VS. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT When : 5 p.m. -
Letters: USC fans are unforgiving
21 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amPete Carroll and the Trojans (but mostly Pete Carroll) get ripped for second big loss in three weeks. UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel must be feeling pretty good about the Bruins' chances in next week's game after watching one of the worst performances by USC in 10 years against Stanford.
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Writing Roads
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Use this for that
19 Nov 2009 | 7:58 amWay, way back, a long time ago – like in the 90’s – I ran in a fantastic road race in Harvard, MA: the annual Apple Harvest Ramble Road Race. It’s a 10-miler through a picturesque New England town, with one gargantuan hill. I ran it twice, in ‘98 and ‘99 – and, from race 1 to race 2, I decreased my race time by 12 minutes. That’s pretty good – for those of you who don’t run. But the part of the story that I love the most is how I did it. You’d think that I must have run harder, longer and more often over the course of that… -
Compass Shmompass
17 Nov 2009 | 6:56 amI grew up in St. Louis – a city boundaried by the great Mississippi, the river that divides our country into east and west; a city with a monstrous steel arch marking the gateway to the west. As soon as I was conscious, I knew where the river was, I knew where the arch was, and so I knew where east and west were, north and south. It was a kind of knowing – this where I was in relation to space, where I stood on the compass – that was as natural and ingrained as knowing where my feet were – even with my eyes closed. I could feel it. My next place was Vermont. Middlebury… -
If you try to do it all yourself, I bet you’ll fall over
11 Nov 2009 | 10:43 amI just got off the phone with a friend. She was telling me about her morning. Like me, she’s a freelancer, but of graphic design. This morning, before she even opened Photoshop, she did her bookkeeping, went to the bank and the post office, cleaned her office, fixed the leaky faucet in her bathroom, booked plane tickets for an upcoming conference and worked on a video segment she’s trying to edit to put on her blog. Did you forget what it is that she actually does for a living? I almost did – and I’ve known her for years. It all boils down to this: If you’re… -
Just add running shoes
9 Nov 2009 | 5:05 amThe regulars around here know that I’m an avid (read incredibly enthusiastic) rollerblader – but it wasn’t always my go-to sweat activity. I used to be addicted to the pool (and the intense meditative silence of swimming back in forth in water), tolerant of the bike (I just never found a comfortable existence there) and, then, of course, there was the running. Here’s the thing about running. It’s the easiest thing in the world. You don’t need a pool, you don’t need an expensive bike and helmet…you just need some good sneakers. You can run… -
Because sometimes, things need a little massaging
6 Nov 2009 | 7:59 amI’m not usually into massage. I think it’s because 7 years ago, I had an especially intense rub-down of the Ayurvedic variety and woke up the the next morning to greet my first of 40 some-odd kidney stones. Now granted, the massage didn’t give me the kidney stone. When they did an MRI, my kidneys were so chock-full, they looked like a 1960’s fallout shelter – just substitute cans of tuna and beans for tiny, jagged rocks. What the massage did do was take me from my deliriously innocent state wherein I was 29 and believed myself to be the picture of health (and…
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Published and Profitable
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How to get experts to provide book cover blurbs and endorsements before your book comes out
20 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pmFriday’s upcoming event calendar for authors Learn how to solicit blurbs and expert testimonials for the front and back covers of your book before your book appears. Blurbs are brief front and back cover quotations recommending your book supplied by authors and other experts in your field. Cover blurbs are one of the most powerful tools you can use to position your book and enhance the credibility of your personal brand. The example, above, is from the back cover of my Design to Sell. Learn how to attract blurbs, for free! Published & Profitable friends and members are invited to… -
Author profits begin when they clearly specify the back-end consulting services they offer
19 Nov 2009 | 11:17 amThursday’s profit tip for authors Authors begin when authors look beyond the income they are going to receive, directly or indirectly, from the sales of their book. Back-end profits from speaking, consulting, coaching, e-books, workshhops almost always outweigh profits from book sales. Authors can increase their back-end profits by doing something as simple as clearly specifying exactly the coaching and consulting services they offer their clients. Stephanie Chandler’s website, which I have previously used as an example of promoting and profiting success, provides a great example… -
Listen as David King tells how to gain Twitter Influence and drive more traffic to your website
17 Nov 2009 | 9:36 pmWednesday’s promoting tip for authors Listen, tonight, as I interview, David King, master Internet Marketer, and ask him to tell us how we can start build your Twitter Influence and drive more website traffic. David King is an Internet marketer with several stories to share, which we’ll be discussing when I interview him for Jay Conrad Levinson’s Guerrilla Marketing Association weekly teleconference this evening, Wednesday, November 18, at 7:00 PM EST. Among the topics we’ll be discussing will be the two e-books he’s created: Twitter Influence: How to vastly… -
Use the Existing Content Inventory worksheet to see if you’ve already written your book!
17 Nov 2009 | 3:11 pmTuesday’s Writing Tip for Authors You may be pleasantly surprised to find that you’ve already written a lot of the content you need for your book! The problem is, the content is probably scattered around dozens of different files on your hard drive. You must locate existing content before you can reuse it in your book! Using the Existing Content Inventory worksheet shown at left, you’ll be able to consolidate the locations and characteristics of important content onto a few printable worksheets. This worksheet makes make it convenient for you to track existing content and… -
What authors need to know about query letters
15 Nov 2009 | 9:33 pmMonday’s Planning Tip for Authors Most authors begin their journey to a published book by sending query letters to literary agents whom they hope will be interested in representing their book. In addition, they often send similar query letters to acquisitions editors at different publishers. In both cases, query letters a crucial role in getting published. Query letters must be engaging, descriptive, and concise. They must begin the sales process, and–hopefully lasting relationships–by asking the recipient if they would like to see a detailed proposal describing the book…
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Las Vegas Logue
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Restaurants at Bellagio Las Vegas
19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmSticking with the elegance and luxury feel of the Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, the restaurants take you on a virtual trip through many cuisines of the world. You can choose between fine dining, contemporary dining, casual dining and quick eats and you are guaranteed to find something to suit your taste. Fine Dining Circo [...] -
Bellagio Las Vegas
18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmBellagio is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip. It was built on the site of the demolished Dunes hotel and casino and is owned by MGM Mirage. The hotel was inspired by the Lake Como resort of Bellagio in Italy and is known for its elegance and the beautiful Fountains [...] -
Things to Do For Kids at Excalibur Hotel and Casino
18 Nov 2009 | 3:34 amFor most travelers Las Vegas equals gambling, show girls and drinking, along with partying till dawn and getting married (in secret). But among all these “sinful” activities, there are some kids’ friendly activities and you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that family vacations are possible in Las Vegas. At Excalibur Hotel and Casino, the fun [...] -
Things to Do at Excalibur Hotel and Casino
17 Nov 2009 | 12:37 amWhether you are looking to have fun at the arcade, try the new 4D rides, spend time looking for souvenirs, soak up the sun, enjoy a spa treatment or burn off some calories playing golf, Excalibur Hotel and Casino is going to give you an incredible experience. SpongeBob Squarepants 4D At the Fantasy Faire level of [...] -
Entertainment at Excalibur Hotel and Casino
16 Nov 2009 | 10:41 amWhen it comes to entertainment, Excalibur Hotel and Casino combines the hilarious live comedy with action packaged adventures and spices it up with a sexy show. Families with kids have plenty of options but couples won’t be bored either. Shows Tournament of Kings Tournament of Kings is the most popular dinner show in Las Vegas. [...]
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Avis
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Driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road!
17 Nov 2009 | 7:01 amApparently it’s all relative, time, space…and even which side of the road is right and which one is wrong. I’ve recently passed my driving test in the UK and having originally learnt to drive in Italy, and have to admit that the first impact with driving on the left, was well, interesting. As my driving instructor eloquently put it, in the UK: “left is right and right is wrong…”, and that little mantra will probably stick with me forever. But that got me thinking about all the British drivers who every day cross the Channel and face the slight disconcerting feeling of looking at… -
The AirPod
11 Nov 2009 | 9:30 amFollowing on from Barry’s post mentioning particular Cool Cars you’d like to see on fleet, I’d like to introduce what could potentially be the future of practically zero emission transport, although I’ll leave it up to you to judge whether or not it’s a “Cool Car”. With such a high focus lately on low carbon emissions it was only a matter of time before air powered cars became a reality. And that reality is far closer thanks to Guy Negre, a French auto engineer who has developed a car powered by fresh air, with a fraction of the carbon emissions to that of a standard engine. He… -
Avis Cool Cars
5 Nov 2009 | 5:08 amThere is always lots of talk around the office about what cars we might potentially get on fleet, which cars we would like to see and what we think our customers would like to drive. Following on from Robert’s blog post on the Frankfurt Motor Show and news of our exclusivity on the Porsche Panamera in Germany, I was inspired to take a look at some of the other desirable cars available with Avis. The focus of my attention starts in the US where they have a range of cars, similar to our own Select Series fleet – Cool Cars. Immediately, the selection of cars available in the range had me… -
The life of an Avis car
3 Nov 2009 | 8:12 amBeing an Avis car means being a busy car. On average our cars travel 14,000 miles, are rented 45 times and spend 10 days in the body shop being repaired. In order to get them into the right place they are moved by 4 times by transporters spending 2 full days on the road without the cars wheels even turning. They travel the length of the country and are used for glamorous film shoots as well as for taking the kids to school. As well as all these miles driven our cars also spend a lot of time idle. A great proportion of this is when they are awaiting collection from our corporate or home… -
Christmas shopping in the UK
30 Oct 2009 | 7:23 amI’ve always considered the switching on of lights in London the official kick off to the festive season, and this morning it was announced on the radio that lights ceremony would be next weekend. When I arrived at the office, ready to share my new found Christmas spirit, one of my colleagues pointed out he is way ahead of me, as he has already finished his Christmas shopping. This sparked an animated conversation about the best places in the UK for Christmas shopping, here are our favourites. Let us know what you think and give us your suggestion. Westfield shopping centre –…
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Best Western
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Best Western Offers Deals from 49€ (USD $73) per Night Across Europe During Two-Day Promotion
12 Nov 2009 | 10:44 amBest Western hotels across Europe and in Egypt are offering outstanding winter value during a two-day period. On Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, book a December, January or February stay on www.bestwestern.it/2daypromotion for rates starting at just 49€ per night, including breakfast. Family-size guestrooms and triple occupancy rooms start at just 69€ per night, including breakfast. Rewards program members earn 1,000 points per stay.Countries participating in the promotion include: Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,… -
What I'm loving right now: NY Times Family Guide
12 Nov 2009 | 10:26 amI check The New York Times Web site every morning and go to the Travel section at least once a week, yet it was just today that I stumbled upon the "Family Travel Guide." Here, The Times has compiled all dozens of its past articles geared specifically to those traveling with kids in tow. You'll find stories on everything from trekking with llamas in Colorado to playgrounds in Amsterdam to camping in New York City (who new?).It's fun to browse through the section and daydream about all the places you could take your kids. Forget Disneyland when you can tour the mosques and medinas of… -
Google's holiday gift: Free Wi-Fi in 47 airports
10 Nov 2009 | 8:21 amBeginning today, Google is footing the bill for wireless Internet coverage at 47 airports across the country.Google says the Wi-Fi will be available until January 15, 2010, and they're also extending the free service to Virgin America flights within the continental United States.The list includes airports in Austin, Boston, Des Moines, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Jose, St. Louis, and more. For a complete list, click here."This is one of our holiday gifts to our users, and when you connect, we also hope you'll take the opportunity to try some of the latest Google products," the company said in a… -
Best Western Countdown to Savings
9 Nov 2009 | 12:44 pmBest Western’s Countdown to Savings Sale starts today. For each day of this week, select Best Western hotels will offer deep rate discounts on bestwestern.com until the clock strikes 4 p.m. EST. A new theme each day will reveal new hotel deals.Monday, Nov. 9: Hockey CitiesBoston, Mass.: Rates From - $139Atlanta, Ga.: Rates From - $75Tuesday, Nov. 10: Ski DestinationsAnchorage, Ala.: Rates From $80Bozeman, Mont.: Rates From - $89Wednesday, Nov. 11: Grab BagDurango, Colo.: Rates From - $79.00Detroit Lakes, Minn.: Rates From - $68.00Thursday, Nov. 12: Tropical DestinationsHonolulu, Hawaii:… -
Winter getaways: $200 a day
8 Nov 2009 | 9:25 pmGatlinburg, Tenn.Thousands of twinkling lights, a parade and decorated trees bring plenty of cheer to this snowy town that celebrates the cold weather with an annual Winterfest, running throughout November and December. Play: At nearby Smoky Mountains National Park (pictured), you can hike in the snow or cross-country ski on Clingmans Dome Road, which is closed to traffic for recreation. Eat: At Desserts & More, start with a healthy homemade quiche and then choose from the amazing array of pies ($4.99 a slice): from almond joy to peanut butter. Stay: On Main Street, the Best Western…
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Boeing
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Groundbreaking
20 Nov 2009 | 12:16 pmBoeing Breaks Ground on Second 787 Assembly Line Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, addresses employees at the groundbreaking ceremony at Boeing Charleston. An artist rendering of the second assembly line for the 787 program in North Charleston, South Carolina. -
Hot, hot, hot
18 Nov 2009 | 4:10 pmDUBAI – Our days at the air show started out warm, and just got hotter in the significant heat and sunshine of the flight line. With little of the breeze we felt during the first day, the last few days of the show definitely heated up in more ways than one. In action at Dubai – delivering the Middle East market outlook. Much of my Day 2 at the show was focused on presenting the Boeing market outlook for the Middle East. About 30 reporters were at the event, all keenly focused on any signs of market recovery. What I told them is that we see next year as the year of recovery, with… -
Dressed to the eights
18 Nov 2009 | 11:50 amDUBAI - The 747-8 left the paint hangar last night back home in Everett, and there’s no mistaking the name of this airplane. Check out the super-sized “8” on the tail. We’re calling this a “light” livery, and it’s special for the 747-8. A "747-8” also is prominent on the belly of the airplane (which may a bit difficult to see in the photos). We think the special livery helps convey that this new airplane is unique. It will remain on the first airplane through flight test. Elements of this new look - including the “8” - will be incorporated in the full Boeing livery that… -
Dubai 2009
16 Nov 2009 | 9:23 amDUBAI – After a full day at the air show I can say that this is a very different experience than Dubai 2007. Two years ago here we were at the peak of the cycle. Clearly that’s not the case this year. As best we can tell, there’s been no flurry of orders. A busy day at Dubai, along the static display area and chalet row. I’m also getting the impression that journalists seem to be having to work a bit harder to find their stories this time around. Our first day at Dubai focused on media interviews, group discussions with reporters and some TV appearances. My fellow Boeing executives… -
Body building
15 Nov 2009 | 10:31 pmDUBAI – As things get into full swing here at the air show, we have another great update to share on progress back home at the Everett factory. Over the weekend, the 787 team completed installing the side-of-body section reinforcements on Airplane 2 as well as on the static test airframe. Modifications are complete on the static test airframe as well as Airplane 2 (above), which has been housed inside a temporary structure on the Everett flight line. With the modifications now complete on these two Dreamliners, and last week’s completion of the installation on Airplane 1, the focus turns…
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Delta
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Fourth Day With Delta’s Force For Global Good
20 Nov 2009 | 12:58 pmHello everyone, Today was the fourth day of our build in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and we were awakened with our usual daily wake-up call—the wonderful smells of chicken with cashew nuts, fried dough with sweetened sauce and dark roast coffee. Our group has fully united as one Delta Force for Global Good by spending long days working in the intense sun of beautiful Chiang Mai—spending our time building walls brick by brick for our families, much like adding rungs to the ladder of opportunity and hope we’ve now helped provide by giving these families their own homes. And as long… -
Hanging Tough On Day 3
20 Nov 2009 | 11:48 amNYC based pilot and blogger, Scott J. My mom used to say, “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” And while it’s rare to find experiences that are more meaningful and purpose-giving than making a difference in the lives of others, even more rare is the opportunity to pair doing something you love that also has meaningful purpose. The Habitat for Humanity build here in Chiang Mai is the epitome of both. Yes, our build site feels like it’s ten degrees from the center of the sun, and humidity is our constant partner, but we’re… -
Image of the Week: 1934 Delta/Eastern Schedule
20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amBrowsing through the Delta Archives for exhibit images, I turned up this wonderful 1934 joint schedule from Delta and Eastern for travel from New York to Dallas via Atlanta. Click here to see front & back. In the same folder with the schedule was a perspective on air travel by longtime Delta engineer Art Ford in 1976. Passengers traveling from New York to Dallas in 1934, were in for a ride, writes Ford: “You first rode in an Eastern T-34 Condor to Atlanta, and then connected to a Delta Stinson Trimotor for the rest of the journey. And what a journey it was! You took off and landed… -
Day Two And Going Strong!
19 Nov 2009 | 10:49 amI am a recently hired employee of Delta, joining the Company in October 2008, and serve as a Ready Reserve in Little Rock, Arkansas. When the announcement calling for volunteers to help with the Habitat for Humanity build in Chiang Mai went out, I was excited to apply and pleased and honored to one of the applicants selected. My fellow Delta team members come from not only many U.S. states, but from around the world. And we are building alongside over 2,000 other volunteers who have traveled from all corners of the globe including New Zealand, Ireland and Saudi Arabia. There are six Delta… -
Day 2 of Thailand Build- Day In Pictures
19 Nov 2009 | 8:35 amToday we wanted to let the hard work from the Habitat for Humanity team speak for itself. Have you ever done a Habitat build? If so, where was it?
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Garmin Blog
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Peg’s Posts: Explore more.
20 Nov 2009 | 1:21 pmSigns of my addiction: Packing for a long weekend getaway to Phoenix, the first items to go in the suitcase are my running shoes, shorts, running shirts, socks and water bottles (for cycling and running). Not to mention three Forerunners and a nüvi. Now I’m set for a relaxing vacation. My husband has finally come to terms with my addiction and knows that when it’s just the two of us on vacation, we’re going somewhere warm and recreation-friendly. And by recreation, I don’t mean go-carts or golf carts (no offense to Caddy Carl), though we were surrounded by plenty of lush courses… -
nüvi 1690: One of My Favorite Things
20 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pmFor the die hard Black Friday shoppers, this weekend is all about scouring the web and making a game plan for where they'll be at o' dark-thirty the day after Thanksgiving. Savvy consumers know they should also cross reference the ads with product reviews so that they're sure to get the biggest bang for the buck. GPStracklog.com recently posted a review of the nüvi 1690 and according to them, "They (Garmin) is the first manufacturer to get the connected personal navigation device model right, giving two years of free service and then keeping it to a low $5 per month.This replaces the 765T as… -
Jake's Journal: Custom Maps another reminder to keep software updated
19 Nov 2009 | 2:55 pmA lot of people ask me for freebies. Here you go: Go get your Garmin. Update the software right now. You're at a computer - unless you're reading this on your phone, in which case I'll try to keep it short - so you don't have any excuses. Even if you just bought your Garmin yesterday, had it for years or will be opening it a month from now, our engineers may have been working on new software while it sat on a shelf, in your house or under the tree. Updating your software through my.Garmin.com is free, it's fast, it's easy and it makes your Garmin even better than before without costing a… -
Cyclists around the world ride faster, farther with Garmin Edge 705
19 Nov 2009 | 8:19 amTime to check in with cyclists across the globe who are relying on Garmin's Edge 705 to get the most out of their training, touring and racing. While Team Garmin-Slipstream enjoys a brief offseason, American sprinting sensation Tyler Farrar just wrapped up a meet-and-greet at Cycle University in West Seattle, near his hometown of Wenatchee. We'll be announcing another chance for fans to meet Tyler, so stay tuned. Many of Tyler's fans are in the Washington State Bicycle Association, and we had a chance to sponsor more great cycling through the WSBA's Garmin Series for CAT4 women. "I was this… -
Wish List Wednesday: Best Gifts for Pilots
18 Nov 2009 | 12:35 pmThere are only five weeks left until Christmas and if you haven't begun your shopping yet, it's time to start. Don't panic. We're here to help. Every Wednesday between now and December 25, we'll give you a few ideas for those you love who need a sense of direction -- pilots, boaters, runners, cyclists, golfers, hikers, drivers, geocachers, cell phone users, and hunters, just to name a few. This week we're focusing on those who have caught the flying bug.If you're looking for the ultimate aviation gift for under the tree, now is the time to upgrade your favorite pilot's airplane avionics.
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This week in search 11/20/09
20 Nov 2009 | 3:58 pmThis is part of a regular series of posts on search experience updates that runs on Fridays. Look for the label This week in search and subscribe to the series. - Ed.This week brought a number of new features to the fore.Google TranslateThe biggest and most visible release this week was our update to Google Translate. New changes to the interface help you translate instantly and see translations as you type. We have also introduced both input and output transliteration: for selected languages, our tool will show you letter by letter how a word or phrase appears in a different language as you… -
Google Apps highlights – 11/20/2009
20 Nov 2009 | 8:57 amThis is part of a regular series of Google Apps updates that we post every couple of weeks. Look for the label "Google Apps highlights" and subscribe to the series. - Ed.Over the last two weeks, we've made improvements across Google Apps, some geared for individuals, others meant for business customers.Green Robot icon in Gmail LabsThe green, orange and red chat bubbles in Gmail signal if your contacts are online, idle or unavailable, but as more people sign in from mobile devices, it's becoming harder to tell when someone is actually online at a computer or just connected with their phone. -
Cool. Even Batman uses Google.
19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pmWhen I first started at Google, Craig Nevill-Manning, engineering director here in New York, said to me: "The Google homepage doesn't belong to us. It belongs to the millions of people who use it." Besides the fact that Craig can make one of those insanely cool leaf patterns in his latte, I find the simple truth of his statement inspiring. I often refer to it as a guidepost for our work.So when we got together with the search team to brainstorm ways to talk about our latest innovations (like music in search results), we decided to feature them through stories inspired by our users. Because… -
Releasing the Chromium OS open source project
19 Nov 2009 | 10:31 amIn July we announced that we were working on Google Chrome OS, an open source operating system for people who spend most of their time on the web.Today we are open-sourcing the project as Chromium OS. We are doing this early, a year before Google Chrome OS will be ready for users, because we are eager to engage with partners, the open source community and developers. As with the Google Chrome browser, development will be done in the open from this point on. This means the code is free, accessible to anyone and open for contributions. The Chromium OS project includes our current code base,… -
Automatic captions in YouTube
19 Nov 2009 | 8:30 amSince we first announced captions in Google Video and YouTube, we've introduced multiple caption tracks, improved search functionality and even automatic translation. Each of these features has had great personal significance to me, not only because I helped to design them, but also because I'm deaf. Today, I'm in Washington, D.C. to announce what I consider the most important and exciting milestone yet: machine-generated automatic captions.Since the original launch of captions in our products, we’ve been happy to see growth in the number of captioned videos on our services, which now…
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Have Kids Will Travel
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Hygiene Helpers for Traveling Kids
18 Nov 2009 | 11:57 amIs it just me or does someone in your family always get sick when traveling? Whether it’s the stress of being on the move, the climate change or spending more time in confined spaces, it seems at least one of us comes down with something before, during or after a trip – and that’s not [...] -
The Lure of the Loire from a Kid’s Point of View
13 Nov 2009 | 8:03 amIf there’s one region of France that is brimming with kid-appeal it’s the Loire valley, just a few hours southwest of Paris. This is classic castle country, and what child can resist peeking into the bedchambers, poking around the dungeons and dancing in the ball rooms where kings, queens and noblemen used to dwell? You’ll have [...] -
Round the world travel with kids
10 Nov 2009 | 10:54 amIt may be a few years off yet, but I am starting to plan an extended round-the-world trip with my husband and two children. Much to the shock, horror and disbelief of family and friends, we plan to take our girls out of school for up to a year so we can explore various [...] -
A D-Day at the Beach
6 Nov 2009 | 6:55 amI was a little apprehensive to visit Omaha Beach with my young kids. I didn’t really want to contaminate their innocence with the knowledge of war and the horrors that man can inflict on man just yet. At ages 4 and 6, do they really need to be aware of world events like D-Day and [...] -
10 Tips for Home Exchange Newbies
3 Nov 2009 | 6:31 amI confess, I have a new online addiction. While some have fallen prey to time zappers like Facebook, Twitter or Wordscraper, I can get lost for hours on home exchange websites. For a travel junkie like me, sniffing around various house-swapping possibilities around the world is like wanderlust crack. Pick a country, any country, and I [...]
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National Geographic Traveler Magazine
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Trip Lit: Book Review Column
Don George reviews Surviving Paradise by Peter Rudiak-Gould. Plus: mysteries, maps, and more. Stephen Jay Gould - Paleontology - Earth Sciences - JayLeno - Invertebrates -
133 Places Rated
In our sixth annual survey, discover where some of our most celebrated destinations rank, based on such factors as pollution, cultural authenticity, and tourism management. -
Presented By:
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Photo of the Week: Italy
Download a photograph from Sardinia, Italy. -
Traveler's Best Photos of 2009
See a slideshow of Editor-in-Chief Keith Bellows' favorite pictures published in Traveler magazine.
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Mashable!
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GrandCentral Website Shuts Down Next Month: Download Your Data and Contacts
21 Nov 2009 | 9:26 amGoogle has already transitioned GrandCentral users over to Google Voice, and now comes the final step in that move: Google is shuttering the GrandCentral website and telling users to download any old messages and contacts they have on that site. The GrandCentral site will be closed on the last day of the year – December 31st – and a further reminder will be sent before that date. In a mail to users today, the company advised: The GrandCentral website is shutting down – GrandCentral is now Google Voice. Dear GrandCentral User: We’re writing to let you know that we will… -
Tila Tequila Continues Her Ustream Video Meltdown [LIVE VIDEO]
21 Nov 2009 | 1:19 amSocial media is a double-edged sword. Due to its unfiltered nature, it can be a powerful promotional tool. However, it can also publicly expose our problems. Former reality TV star Tila Tequila is an unfortunate but prime example. Some backstory: Tila Tequila is one of the most popular artists on MySpace, was the subject of an MTV reality show, and most recently filed assault charges against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, which were subsequently dropped. Fastforward to Wednesday, November 18th. That night, Tila had a very public meltdown on her Ustream page. She waved around a… -
UNDERDOG: Google Android Smashes Apple iPhone in Reader Vote
20 Nov 2009 | 9:20 pmWe’ve been matching up popular web services, applications and mobile apps against each other in heated one-on-one battles here in our weekly Faceoff Series. Last week Microsoft Office bested Google Docs in a head to head race for the title of office suite champion. This week we turned our attention to a rather timely battle being waged on the mobile front, between Apple’s still wildly-selling iPhone platform and Google’s slower to boil Android mobile operating system. Apparently the latter has been gaining some ground, resulting in our first unexpected upset victory in the… -
Fido Factor Finds Dog-Friendly Places in Your City
20 Nov 2009 | 7:31 pmThis post is part of Mashable’s Spark of Genius series, which highlights a unique feature of startups. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here. The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. Name: Fido Factor Quick Pitch: Fido Factor is a dog-specific local search and review site and iPhone app built for dog owners. It’s a “Yelp for dogs.” Genius Idea: We dog owners love our canines: it’s really that simple. We raise them, feed them, play with them, sleep with them, and fall in love with them. We want to… -
Droid Does: A Price Drop
20 Nov 2009 | 4:04 pmWhen it was released earlier this month, the retail price for the Motorola Droid was $200 for new activations on Verizon. Although Verizon is staying firm with that price point for now, it appears that some of its retailers are not. Specifically, Amazon and Dell have both cut prices on the smartphone to $150 and $120, respectively. The news comes just one day after news broke of price cuts by online retailers on other devices not named iPhone: the Palm Pre and Pixi. Of course, the device cost shouldn’t really play a huge role in consumer’s decision given the total costs of ownership for…
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Gizmodo
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The World’s Largest Earthquake-Safe Building [Architecture]
21 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amThe new terminal at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport is the world's largest earthquake-safe building. You're looking at the over two million square feet of scaffolding that support it, all resting on... -
Gifts for Retro-holics Who Yearn for the Old Days [Giftguide]
21 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amAre you trying to find a gift for one of those crazies who's always going on about the superiority of vinyl, or who dresses like a character on Mad Men? Here are some ideas for the retrophile in your... -
3D Scanning, a Webcam's Latest Trick [Cameras]
21 Nov 2009 | 8:30 amWe've seen cameras do all kinds of crazy things. DIY 3D photography, augmented reality, and now this demo by Qi Pan shows how an ordinary webcam can model objects in 3D. I'm in no position to... -
Robot Polar Bears: Less Dangerous Than Real Bears, For Now [Robots]
21 Nov 2009 | 7:30 amInstead of replacing the St. Louis Zoo's deceased polar bears with live ones, zoo officials put robots up in their place. This slightly-better-than-average yard display will surely be remembered as... -
Wired for the Apple Tablet [Apple Tablet]
21 Nov 2009 | 6:30 amWe still don't know what the fabled Apple Tablet actually looks like, or if it even exists, really, but this concept magazine reader from Condé Nast gives us a glimpse at what to expect from tablet...
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Engadget
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Microsoft roadmap pegs Windows 8 release for 2012, or just after the world's end
21 Nov 2009 | 9:10 amIt's somewhat hard to believe that we're already talking about Windows 8 given that Windows 7 just hit the shelves two months ago, but you know the engineers at Microsoft are already planning ahead. According to a roadmap constructed over at Microsoft Kitchen -- based around whispers heard through the grapevine on the eventual release of the next Windows Server -- the next iteration of Windows is tentatively pegged for release in the year 2012. Of course, a three-year window between Windows 7 and the next version is totally believable, but we wouldn't go planning your end of the world party… -
BlackBerry Curve 8530 now putting Verizon through the rounds
21 Nov 2009 | 7:12 amRight on schedule, the latest BlackBerry to grace the Verizon's CDMA spectrum, the Curve 8530, is now on sale. A 2.5-inch display, OS 5.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and yes, WiFi -- take that, Tour. Price is $199.99 on two-year contract, with an added $100 discount if you buy it online. Let's be honest, what else were you gonna spend that money on tonight, hm?Filed under: CellphonesBlackBerry Curve 8530 now putting Verizon through the rounds originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Verizon Wireless… -
Tesla Motors IPO coming 'any day' now, says report
21 Nov 2009 | 4:31 amWord on the street -- and by that we mean Reuters -- is that Tesla's looking to go public with the company "any day." The luxury electric car make, whose Roadster still goes for a cool $109,000, would be the first US auto company to offer an IPO since Ford way back in 1956, says MSNBC. Quite a notable event, indeed, but earlier comments by Tesla investors (via Autoblog Green) suggest "any day now" might be any time between now and September 2010.Filed under: TransportationTesla Motors IPO coming 'any day' now, says report originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:31:00 EST. -
New Sony NXCAM is more camcorder than you ever need, but still you covet
21 Nov 2009 | 1:33 amSony's latest professional-grade camcorder probably meets your needs and then some by quite a stretch, recording AVCHD up to 24Mbps and SD quality in MPEG-2 / 9Mbps. We're also looking at a 20x zoom lens, 3 x 1/3-inch Exmor CMOS sensor, and storage options including Memory Stick Pro Duo and an optional 128GB flash memory drive. Don't lie, you want this beast, even if it clearly falls in the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" category. Look for more temptation sometime closer to its expected early 2010 launch.Filed under: Digital CamerasNew Sony NXCAM is more camcorder than you ever… -
PlayStation 2 finally launches in Brazil for the bargain price of around US $462
20 Nov 2009 | 10:41 pmYou read that right. Sony's PlayStation 2, which the great majority of the world has been enjoying since 2000, is just now officially touching ground in Brazil. We're pretty sure it's been making its way into the country for many years by not-so-official means, but if you've gone the legit route, last-generation's game console king can be yours for just 799 Brazilian Real, which we're sad to say translates to about $461 in US currency. Yeah, we're expecting this to just fly off the shelves.Filed under: GamingPlayStation 2 finally launches in Brazil for the bargain price of around US $462…
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Shiny Shiny
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Powermat: a revolution in gadget charging
20 Nov 2009 | 9:33 amNo more tangled mess of cords or searching for the right adaptor. Just put your enabled device on the Powermat to charge!... -
The worst driving gadget in the world: a steering wheel laptop desk
19 Nov 2009 | 10:37 amDon't even buy this for your worst enemy. While a gun might be more obviously life-threatening, this laptop steering wheel rest really is almost as dangerous. As suggested by the wise writer on RedFerret.net, attaching your laptop to your steering... -
The 10 iPhone apps we'll be using in 2012
19 Nov 2009 | 10:01 amI can only associate 2012 with the London Olympics and that disaster scenario movie 2012, however some people are gazing into the future with clearer eyes than me... and can see what mobile apps we'll be using in that far... -
Casio's Exilim-G1: shock resistant and delightfully slender
19 Nov 2009 | 8:12 amCasio's new Exilim, the EX-G1 claims to be the slimmest shock resistant camera ever. 19.9mm thick, it's waterproof, dustproof and doesn't break when you drop it from a height of 2.13 meters (7 feet) onto lauan plywood from any of... -
New Youtube Shows section gets full-length Channel 4 shows
19 Nov 2009 | 7:36 amFinally a big TV company gets serious about internet TV - Channel 4 has decided to stream whole shows on Youtube, giving UK users legal access to programmes on demand. FTW, as they say. It seems that Google has persuaded...
