If vanilla and fresh linen was still feeling too feminine to scent the man cave, fear not, manly men, Yankee Candle has heard your barbaric yawp and is now offering Man Candles. Offered in macho scents such as 2x4, Riding Mower, First Down and Man Town, you need never hang your head again after being dragged into the candle store. They even offer a sports-themed candle holder so you don’t ruin the tabletop. Just in time for Father’s Day. Full story at Yankee Candle via Buzzfeed. You know you want a Man Candle. Permalink | Leave a comment »
Selected by landlopers
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Most Topular Stories
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The scent of man, now available at Yankee Candle
Holy Kaw!16 May 2012 | 1:31 pm -
Malicious fake hotel reservation email issue
travel-rants.com1 May 2012 | 5:55 amFrom time to time we all receive those fake bank emails telling us to login and update our records. What are the chances of you receiving a malicious and fake hotel reservation email message though. Karen Bryan who writes on Europe a la Carte received such an email claiming to be from Booking.com. Fake Hotel ...This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Malicious fake hotel reservation email issue -
Lola Lo-Lo-Lo-Lo Lola – Not what you Think!
Happy Hotelier14 May 2012 | 3:10 pmSee this Quirky Bicycle? Rather than resting on its side standard or a back standard, it rests on its front standard in front of a shop in The Noordeinde in The Hague. Lola? Off course when I hear or see “Lola” I associate that immediately with the famous Kinks song “Lola“, but this is not about that Lola and maybe I’m too old for you to remember this;-) The name of the shop is Lola Bikes and Coffee soon daringly being opened officially in the posh Noordeinde in The Hague directly opposite the Lion’s Den of the huge Dutch coffee brand Douwe Egberts. A… -
A Working Trip to Vegas (Trip Report)
The Cranky Flier16 May 2012 | 3:45 amLast week, Allegiant paid for me to come out to Vegas and speak to the attendees at its annual conference for the airports it serves. This is a great event that lets Allegiant talk about its own business to the airports so that it can further beat into them the importance of low costs. My speech wouldn’t have surprised any readers here since it brought up a lot of topics I’ve written about including small city service, ancillary revenue, and airport infrastructure. But it was a fun event, and I have to thank the Allegiant folks for bringing me out. This trip wouldn’t be… -
Three Cute Owls and One Badass Lufthansa Bird
Jaunted - The Pop Culture Travel Guide16 May 2012 | 1:17 pmOMG. OWLS. Okay. That's just a teaser video (with a hot shot of an Airbus A380), because what we really want to talk about is this Lufthansa video:
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Holy Kaw!
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The scent of man, now available at Yankee Candle
16 May 2012 | 1:31 pmIf vanilla and fresh linen was still feeling too feminine to scent the man cave, fear not, manly men, Yankee Candle has heard your barbaric yawp and is now offering Man Candles. Offered in macho scents such as 2x4, Riding Mower, First Down and Man Town, you need never hang your head again after being dragged into the candle store. They even offer a sports-themed candle holder so you don’t ruin the tabletop. Just in time for Father’s Day. Full story at Yankee Candle via Buzzfeed. You know you want a Man Candle. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
Dirty Disney cartoons? [video]
16 May 2012 | 1:16 pmIt’s hard to imagine Disney cartoons have ever been the subject of censorship, but like many beloved cartoons, there’s a seamier side that’s bound to offend if you get the references. Such was the case with “The Shindig” where Clarabelle Cow’s exposed udders were deemed too risqué for Ohio audiences as was her reading material; Three Weeks was an early example of “women’s mass market erotic fiction.” As the old saying goes, "What happens in the barn, stays in the barn." Full story at Neatorama. The evil underbelly of Disney. -
Mammals may not get to cool climates in time
16 May 2012 | 12:09 pmNine percent of the Western Hemisphere’s mammals—and up to 40 percent in some regions—may not be able to outpace climate change. “I think it’s important to point out that in the past when climates have changed—between glacial and interglacial periods when species ranges contracted and expanded—the landscape wasn’t covered with agricultural fields, four-lane highways and parking lots, so species could move much more freely across the landscape,” says Joshua Lawler, associate professor of environmental and forest sciences at University of… -
Time of year matters for vitamin D risk
16 May 2012 | 12:08 pmWhen considering a patient’s blood vitamin D levels, it may be best to consider a lower threshold for concern, as well as the time of year. "In evaluating health risk," the University of Washington researchers conclude, "season-specific targets for Vitamin D blood concentration may be more appropriate than a static target when evaluating patients health risk." Full story at Futurity. More research news from top universities. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
The (not so correct) anatomy of sea life
16 May 2012 | 11:52 amMarine biology, scharine schiology. Pleated Jeans skips scientific facts for its series of sea life diagrams. Via Pleated Jeans. (H/T @laughingsquid) Laughing is good for you. Permalink | Leave a comment »
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travel-rants.com
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Malicious fake hotel reservation email issue
1 May 2012 | 5:55 amFrom time to time we all receive those fake bank emails telling us to login and update our records. What are the chances of you receiving a malicious and fake hotel reservation email message though. Karen Bryan who writes on Europe a la Carte received such an email claiming to be from Booking.com. Fake Hotel ...This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Malicious fake hotel reservation email issue -
Phone app to report unfair airport screeners
30 Apr 2012 | 2:33 pmJust a quick post for today and it’s from an article that I was reading on the Washington Post announcing an app called FlyRights which allows passengers travelling through the United States, to complain immediately to the government if they feel that they have been treated unfairly by airport screeners. Report unfair airport screeners The ...This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Phone app to report unfair airport screeners -
Consumers entitled to voice their holiday experiences
28 Apr 2012 | 1:46 pmOver the years I have written on a number of occasions about what my thoughts are on the future of holiday reviews and the debate about the trustworthiness of such reviews continues. I think it is important to remember that it is essential that consumers continue to be given a voice to express their experiences. ...This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Consumers entitled to voice their holiday experiences -
Chaos hits Heathrow Airport ahead of the Olympics
27 Apr 2012 | 11:00 amI have travelled into Heathrow airport a few times and my last memory was queuing for what seemed like for an eternity to go through the security and passport control. So, it didn’t completely surprise me when I read tonight about the latest chaos at Heathrow T5. Passengers delayed for hours Apparently thousands of passengers ...This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. Chaos hits Heathrow Airport ahead of the Olympics -
All-inclusive holidays damaging the local economy
25 Apr 2012 | 10:14 pmI have just finished watching an interesting piece on BBC News about the problems with all-inclusive holiday deals. Over the last couple of years there has been an increase in British holidaymakers opting for this type of holiday because they are finding them more convenient and affordable, especially for families. All-inclusive holidays impacting local businesses ...This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Consumer Blog. All-inclusive holidays damaging the local economy
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Happy Hotelier
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Lola Lo-Lo-Lo-Lo Lola – Not what you Think!
14 May 2012 | 3:10 pmSee this Quirky Bicycle? Rather than resting on its side standard or a back standard, it rests on its front standard in front of a shop in The Noordeinde in The Hague. Lola? Off course when I hear or see “Lola” I associate that immediately with the famous Kinks song “Lola“, but this is not about that Lola and maybe I’m too old for you to remember this;-) The name of the shop is Lola Bikes and Coffee soon daringly being opened officially in the posh Noordeinde in The Hague directly opposite the Lion’s Den of the huge Dutch coffee brand Douwe Egberts. A… -
Impressions of Today’s 070 Twitterlunch in The Hague by 020
24 Apr 2012 | 2:52 pmLocation just next to The “New” Church of The Hague which dates back to 1658 Birdies were necessary to keep the tweeps focussed Excellent sandwiches and soup by Pavlov KeesBteA had had his hair sharply coiffured for the occasion. The Organizing Trio. Thanks! Twitterlunch The Hague Yesterday Dutch Government resigned after Geert Wilders withdrew his support for the minority Government led by Mark Rutte. Today there was a big debate in Parliament here in The Hague whether or not to have new elections and before or after the summer holidays… But for me the most important event… -
The End of the Wilders Era?
21 Apr 2012 | 2:33 pmThe End of the Wilders Era? As you may know, my hometown The Hague is the center of Dutch Government. Today Geert Wilders left the coalition talks that lasted already 7 weeks and were aimed to create an acceptable package of cutting expenditure by Dutch Government. Wilders stated he withdrew his support for the minority Government led by Mark Rutte. Less than two years, on another platform I presented Rutte (left on the photo) and Maxime Verhagen (right on the photo) as our new Prime Minister and Vice Prime Minister when they started this adventure. Both with the typical Geert Wilders hairdo. -
America’s Cup World Series in Naples
14 Apr 2012 | 1:21 pmTeam Energy Wins First Naples Fleet Race Photo AC The Spectacle is back with AC 34 For quite some time I’d left the America’s Cup for what it was: A court room affair. It was not very clear where they were heading. Returning to them again I see that Larry Ellison who is the defender of record with his team Oracle, has made some clever moves to bring spectacle back to the race courses. The 34th America’s Cup brings the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport back to the United States: New boats, a new format for the racing and television and web coverage as… -
Happy Easter!
8 Apr 2012 | 3:29 amAnd a Happy Easter to you all! Happy Easter! is a post from: Happy Hotelier. Would you like to subscribe to my newsfeed, or my weekly newsletter?
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The Cranky Flier
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A Working Trip to Vegas (Trip Report)
16 May 2012 | 3:45 amLast week, Allegiant paid for me to come out to Vegas and speak to the attendees at its annual conference for the airports it serves. This is a great event that lets Allegiant talk about its own business to the airports so that it can further beat into them the importance of low costs. My speech wouldn’t have surprised any readers here since it brought up a lot of topics I’ve written about including small city service, ancillary revenue, and airport infrastructure. But it was a fun event, and I have to thank the Allegiant folks for bringing me out. This trip wouldn’t be… -
The DOT Gets it Right With Washington/National Slot Awards
15 May 2012 | 3:45 amThere’s nothing I like more than ripping apart the Department of Transportation (DOT) for its poor rule-making abilities, but every so often, the department does something right. We might as well celebrate on the rare occasion when that happens. Yesterday was one of those days as the DOT doled out slots at Washington’s National Airport. The DOT had four slot pairs to give away at National as part of the recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. As a quick refresher, National has a rule that prevents any flights longer than 1,250 miles from operating at the… -
No Honest Customer Will Pay $100 to Carry a Bag on Spirit
14 May 2012 | 3:45 amYou’ve probably seen at least one of the dozens of stories reporting on how Spirit is going to charge $100 for a carry on bag. Those stories are incredibly misleading at best. If you’re an honest customer, there’s no way you’re going to pay $100 to carry a bag on the plane. And that’s exactly why it’s there, to punish those who aren’t honest. I wasn’t going to write about this, but after seeing all the misinformation out there, I figured I should chime in with what’s actually happening. Here’s the story. I actually hate the phrase… -
Cranky on the Web (May 7 – 11)
12 May 2012 | 3:45 amA Preview of EVA Air’s New Flat-Bed Business Class Seats – Conde Nast Traveler Here’s a look at some pics of EVA’s new flat beds in business class. Outrage over $100 carry-on bag fee – CNN I was on CNN to talk about Spirit’s $100 carry on fee, a fee which is so incredibly misunderstood that I’m going to write about it next week. But they made me pull off my glasses (too much glare), and then made some interesting editing choices. Watch it here: -
Topic of the Week: Are You Still Unhappy with United?
11 May 2012 | 3:45 amBy most accounts, United is starting to get a handle on its phone hold times … two months after the system switch. But clearly some people aren’t happy as evidenced by this hi-larious sign that my friend saw this past weekend at a United gate in New Orleans. Let’s be honest, I was just looking for a topic that would let me post this photo. But what the heck; let your United complaints fly below …. It feels good to vent, right?
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Jaunted - The Pop Culture Travel Guide
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Three Cute Owls and One Badass Lufthansa Bird
16 May 2012 | 1:17 pmOMG. OWLS. Okay. That's just a teaser video (with a hot shot of an Airbus A380), because what we really want to talk about is this Lufthansa video: -
New York: How To Get Tickets To 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Brooklyn This Fall
16 May 2012 | 11:12 amSurprise, surprise. Jimmy Kimmel announced he's taking his ABC talk show on the road, but he isn't headed to Las Vegas or Manhattan...he's going to Brooklyn. Jimmy Kimmel Live will tape five shows at the Brooklyn Academy of Music between October 29 and November 2. The episodes won't only be filmed in Brooklyn, they will also showcase the borough's neighborhoods, restaurants, music scene, and people. -
How One Radioactive Man Has Us Rethinking Airport Security
16 May 2012 | 10:31 amWe can't quite decide whether this story—which involves a traffic stop in Connecticut but which we'll connect to airport security in just a second—is quietly reassuring or deeply creepy. The things that police officers and security officials can do, and the different ways they can do them, are becoming harder and harder to catalog. Stratford firefighter Mike Apatow was driving along a Connecticut interstate when he found himself getting pulled over for no discernible reason. It turns out that Apatow has high blood pressure, and just that morning he had been to the hospital for a… -
Atlanta: Atlanta Airport's New $1.4 Billion Dollar International Terminal is Open!
16 May 2012 | 9:36 amSmell that? That's the scent of brand new airport, as Atlanta's Airport opens the doors to their brand new Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal today. The building is 1.2 million square feet with 12 gates, and cost $1.4 billion to complete. Now that is finally completed, however, what can you expect as a traveler winging your way to or from far-away destinations? Yummy, convenient food options. Pei Wei Asian Diner, The Varsity (classic American burgers and hot dogs), Ecco Kitchen, Jekyll Island Seafood Company, Lorena Garcia Tapas Bar, Maison Mathis, Sweet Auburn Market Café, The Pecan,… -
Sounds Like American Airlines Could Be Open to That US Airways Merger After All
16 May 2012 | 8:20 amAll right, we’ll admit that we don’t exactly know what’s going on with US Airways and American Airlines. It seems like one day the two airlines are all hot and heavy for one another, and the next day the relationship has turned a tad cold and sour. This week, the two airline lovers have been talking and texting once again, and American Airlines may be interested in continuing this type of relationship. Late last week American Airlines said that they would consider merger opportunities with the friendly folks over at US Airways. This is kind of the first time they’ve…
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Lonely Planet blog
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Lonely Planet’s Year of Adventures coming to Travel Channel
14 May 2012 | 1:32 pmLonely Planet has been producing travel-related television shows for over 10 years, but we’re especially excited about our latest and doubly happy to be able to announce the upcoming US premiere of the new television series Lonely Planet’s Year of Adventures on Travel Channel. Based on the Lonely Planet book of the same name, this new television series takes viewers to spectacular locations across the world, bringing the adventure guidebook to life on the small screen. Starring British adventure traveller Ben Fogle, this series follows the fearless explorer as he goes to the ends… -
Road Trips: the winning picture
4 May 2012 | 7:15 amOur independent judge has been busy assessing the final picture selection of our Road Trips photo competition and has now finally reached a verdict. Before we reveal the winning entry, let’s have a look at the 5 runner ups (in no particular order): 1. Top of the World trail in Moab, Utah. Just one of the many breathtaking stops on a cross country road trip with 5 of my best friends in our modified Jeep Cherokee’s – Samuel M. 2. Sunset Safari through dazzling dubai dunes (Dubai, UAE) – Anne S. 3. Yellow Ambassadors and Tram Rule the Calcutta tradition and the Roads – Saurabh S. -
A culinary adventure: the winner
3 May 2012 | 3:29 amWe asked you to tell us what had been your best culinary experience while travelling around the world for a chance to win a tour of Morocco, Tuscany or South America thanks to G Adventures and you duly obliged: we had over 2,500 mouth-watering submissions! Here are some of the best ones: Gap year comfort food from Nicole M: I was on my gap year and had been moving from guesthouse to guesthouse in a little village on the coast of England – my money was being eaten up and I had no kitchen for myself! The food in the area was awful and I was terribly homesick and lonely. A colleague of… -
Road Trips photos: our top 20 picks
1 May 2012 | 7:55 amLast month we asked you to send us the best picture of your road trips to our Facebook Road Trips Competition. The result was overwhelming, with more than 1,300 submissions, ranging from the evocative to the adventurous (unicycle tripping, really?!) We have now gone through all of the pictures and have whittled them down to the last 20, featured below in no particular order. From this selection, an independent judge will pick 1 winner and 5 runner-ups. The lucky winner will be taking home a Nokia Lumia 800 smartphone, while the runner-ups will be awarded a Lonely Planet guide of their… -
Are Americans safer in Mexico than at home?
29 Apr 2012 | 8:16 amEvery week or so I get asked, ‘Is it safe to go to Mexico?’ I had always said, if you’re thoughtful about where you go, yes. But after my most recent trip there, I’m changing my answer… to a question: Do you think it’s safe to go to Texas? To be clear, violence in Mexico is no joke. There have been over 47,000 drug-related murders alone in the past five years. Its murder rate – 18 per 100,000 according to this United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime report – is more than three times the US rate of 4.8 per 100,000. Though Mexican tourism is…
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LandLopers
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News and Deals: May 16, 2012 – More Americans plan on summer travel, European travel groups prepare for Greek euro exit, Paramount Pictures plans movie-themed hotels and resorts and Airline OKs cell phones while flying
16 May 2012 | 4:43 amMore Americans plan on summer travel MiamiHerald.com Americans plan to travel in slightly higher numbers this summer, according to surveys, starting with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. But many will hold the line on spending for items such as hotel stays and entertainment because of high fuel costs and rising airfares. An annual survey by the American Automobile Association released Tuesday predicted that 34.8 million Americans will travel by all modes at least 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend, a 1.2 percent increase over last year. Continue Reading European travel groups… -
To The Aquariums of the World – I Am Done With You
15 May 2012 | 8:55 pmI love animals and wildlife experiences are amongst my most favorite whenever I travel. Of course I always make sure that the experiences are done in as a sustainable way as possible and more than anything else that the animals aren’t hurt. Besides zoos, another wildlife related activity I’ve been known to engage in is to visit aquariums whenever I travel. I still have great memories of visiting the National Aquarium in Baltimore as a young child and marveling at the giant tanks and the rainforest recreated on an entire floor of the massive institution. But the more I visit these sights,… -
Sea Lions Lounging on the Beach in the Galapagos
15 May 2012 | 8:50 pmSea Lions Galapagos Copyright LandLopers All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. -
News and Deals: May 15, 2012 – Allegiant Air adds five new Hawaii routes, Tranz Alpine Tourist train numbers could take years to recover, Underwater Hotel to be Dubai’s Latest Extravagance and Alaska Airlines Wins Approval for Portland, Ore.-Washington, D.C.
15 May 2012 | 4:17 amAllegiant Air adds five new Hawaii routes USA Today Allegiant Air is rapidly expanding its presence in Hawaii, announcing this morning that it will add five new routes to the state this fall. To Honolulu International, Allegiant will add nonstop service from four cities. They are Bellingham, Wash.; Eugene, Ore.; Santa Maria, Calif.; and Stockton, Calif. To the Kahului Airport on the island of Maui, Allegiant will add nonstop service to Bellingham, Wash. All five routes will launch between Nov. 14 and Nov. 18. Allegiant will offer two flights a week on both Hawaii routes out of Bellingham. The… -
Around Luang Prabang in Five Courses – Learning About Lao Cuisine
14 May 2012 | 8:55 pmWhile there are some similarities with other Southeast Asian countries, Lao cuisine definitely has its own unique qualities. To best share them with you, here are some of my favorite meals we found while exploring Luang Prabang. Appetizer Dried Mekong River Weed with Sesame This local specialty is made from a type of algae found along the nearby Mekong River. The plant is harvested, dried and in Luang Prabang it is served with sesame. It was pretty common to find around town and this particular portion was delivered to us unprompted as an appetizer. River weed is definitely not the…
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Hawaiimagazine.com | HAWAII Today
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Hawaii Wine & Food Festival gets under way tomorrow at resorts on Oahu's leeward coast
16 May 2012 | 3:46 amHawaii Wine & Food Festival gets under way tomorrow at resorts on Oahu's leeward coast The fifth annual Hawaii Wine & Food Festival at Ko Olina on Oahu will feature a Thursday evening of premier wine pairings followed by more primo vino and fashion shows on Friday and Saturday evenings. Oh, and plenty of delish dishes and music. Among the chefs is the “Stiletto Chef,” model-turned-chef Candice Kumai, who is a judge on the Iron Chef America television series and a cookbook author. Kumai is based in New York City. Another visiting chef, Pao-yuan Huang, is an award-winning… -
Allegiant expanding air service to Hawaii with one-way fares as low as $159
15 May 2012 | 4:58 amAllegiant expanding air service to Hawaii with one-way fares as low as $159 Allegiant Air, a Nevada-based airline owned by Allegiant Travel Company, announced today that in November it will start providing nonstop air service from the mainland to Maui. Also, it will add four cities in Western states to its mainland-Oahu air service lineup.The carrier is now offering introductory fares as low as $199 one-way, including taxes and fees, from Maui’s Kahului Airport to Bellingham, Wash., beginning on Nov. 14. Introductory fares, including taxes and fees, are avai... -
VIDEO: Fleeting view of spattering lava at edge of Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater
14 May 2012 | 6:16 amVIDEO: Fleeting view of spattering lava at edge of Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater The Big Island’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released a video last week that spotlights lava spatter at the margins of the lava lake in Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater. Scientists note that the video shows typical flow activity that's usually obscured from view by a thick gas plume shifting with the winds over the lava lake. (To check out the 58-second video, click on image below.) Since March 2008, the lake’s levels have fluctuated between 230 feet to 490 feet… -
International Waikiki Hula Conference staging free sunset "hoike" shows this weekend
11 May 2012 | 7:33 amInternational Waikiki Hula Conference staging free sunset "hoike" shows this weekend If you happen to be in the Waikiki area at sunset this weekend, you’re cordially invited to swing by the fifth annual International Waikiki Hula Conference’s hoike (exhibition) hula shows.During the free shows, set for 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night, on stages scattered around Oahu’s world-famous oceanfront stretch, dancers will perform to a mele (song) learned during the conference’s workshops and seminars led by mor... -
Top 5 favorite filmed-in-Hawaii TV series ever: HAWAII Magazine Facebook poll results
9 May 2012 | 5:54 amTop 5 favorite filmed-in-Hawaii TV series ever: HAWAII Magazine Facebook poll results We’ve counted the votes from our latest HAWAII Magazine Facebook Ohana poll question: What’s your favorite filmed-in-Hawaii TV show or made-for-the-small-screen mini-series or movie? The top five vote-getters are on the pages ahead. As it turns out, Hawaii-filmed television shows took all five top spots in the poll. So, made-for-TV mini-series, such as The Thorn Birds (1983), with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward, did not make the cut. Same for TV movies, such as Tempted, Lifetime Channel…
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Hawaii Vacation Connection
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Note to guys: Forget the Speedo if you're comng to Hawaii!
10 May 2012 | 9:16 pmWe posed the question on our Facebook page, “For the gals Bikini or One piece?? For guys Speedo or Board shorts?” and received some interesting, if not enlightening responses. Many of the women responded with comments about wearing one-pieces and board shorts due to body image issues. I have a few things to say about this. First, one-pieces have made a major comeback in the fashion industry, and are currently not (anywhere near) what they used to be. One-pieces today don’t have to be that regular old Hawaiian flower print from a decade back, they can… -
You can enjoy Hawaii if you don't swim!
4 May 2012 | 12:22 amAll the Hawaiian Islands are surrounded entirely by water. But to decide not to travel to Hawaii because you can’t swim is assuming Hawaii is only for water enthusiasts. Coming from the islands we can say that there is more (much, much more) to do in Hawaii than just swim in the warm waters. It is true, however, that many vacationers choose Hawaii for this exact reason; to float in the ocean in nothing but a bikini, get some surf action in, or snorkel, but for them to say this is all they did on their entire 7-night stay would be an exaggeration. Plus, the water logged wrinkly skin… -
The best beaches on Kauai
29 Apr 2012 | 12:11 pmKauai, the oldest island within Hawaii’s chain, is known for its relaxed, quiet, and relatively unpopulated beaches. Fifty miles of white sand adorn this garden isle, giving visitors a wide variety to choose from. But with so many options, and so little time, how do you pick or even prioritize which beach to spend your day at?We recommend beginning by narrowing down the activities and your preferences for your beach day. Are you hoping to snorkel? Do you wish to bring the kids? Are you looking for calm waters, public restrooms, or generous shade? Are… -
Hawaii Island Hopping
20 Apr 2012 | 8:38 pmWhen planning a trip to Hawaii, the lure of visiting multiple islands is hard to ignore. Each island in Hawaii is unique, with distinct attractions, activities, and points of interest worth visiting. However, when vacations are limited to time frames, it’s difficult to narrow down your vacation priorities. So how can you best utilize your time if you indeed choose to island hop? We recommend a minimum of three days per island. If your vacation is a 10-day trip, you can feasibly jump to three different islands, spending three full days on each. Keep in mind however, that any day of… -
Hawaii is for relaxation & exploration
13 Apr 2012 | 6:52 pmDo you come to Hawaii to simply relax or to be active and explore? Our most recent question asked to Hawaii enthusiasts, we received feedback that may surprise those who consider Hawaii the ultimate place for kick back time. Although the islands do provide visitors with copious amounts of lounge chairs, rattan couches, warm sand, and poolside bars, most people who travel to Hawaii are looking to get more out of their time than just a good tan.
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Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel
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PHOTO: Pretty Church and Central Park in the Otherwise Touristy Town of La Fortuna, Costa Rica
15 May 2012 | 6:30 pm -
PHOTO: White-faced Capuchin Monkey in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
14 May 2012 | 3:30 pm -
They Call Her Sagarmatha
14 May 2012 | 6:46 amI’ve stood at the edge of molten lava flowing from the world’s largest volcanic crater (Mauna Loa, Hawaii), touched the Equator in the Amazon Jungles of Ecuador, descended to the bottom of the deepest canyon in North America (Copper Canyon, Mexico), and stood on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in the world (Superior). I’ve looked down upon the lost city of the Incas (Machu Picchu, Peru), marveled at the fearless animals in the Galapagos Islands, been pummeled by spray from the largest waterfall in the world (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, more than a mile long), and climbed the… -
PHOTO: Jesus Christ Lizard in Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica Can Actually Walk Across Water
13 May 2012 | 2:45 pm -
PHOTO: Stunning Beach at Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
12 May 2012 | 3:45 pm>
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Travel Wonders
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Trekking Patagonia’s Torres Del Paine (Chile)
14 May 2012 | 5:56 pm[caption id="attachment_13317" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Lake Scottsberg"][/caption] guest post by Swoop Patagonia For those more adventurous souls out there a few weeks inter-railing around Europe might seem a little tame. But don't worry, the world might have shrunk but it has not lost all its mystery yet: Patagonia is a totally unique region of the world, a sparsely populated,... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com. -
Hiking Fox Glacier (New Zealand)
12 May 2012 | 5:40 pm[caption id="attachment_13289" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Fox Glacier dwarves trekkers"][/caption] Fox and Franz Josef Glacier each squelch, groan, grind, gouge and meander around 12 or 13 kilometres from the heights of New Zealand’s Southern Alps ending in lush rainforest. From small townships with matching names, they are among the most accessible glaciers in the world with an... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com. -
Travel Wonders Refresh
10 May 2012 | 6:00 pm[caption id="attachment_13270" align="aligncenter" width="630" caption="Knights Point Lookout approaching Haast"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_13271" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Knights Point Lookout looking north"][/caption] As regular readers will undoubtedly note, I have revamped Travel Wonders, completely redesigning the layout and converting from Blogger to Wordpress... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com. -
Greenstone, Whitebait and Gorge (Hokitika, New Zealand)
3 May 2012 | 6:28 pmDriving only a couple of blocks through along Hokitika’s main street leaves no-one in any doubt as to the main attraction of the area – greenstone. The local Maori population has always treasured the valued greenstone (or jade) found in nearby rivers and along the beach. The Hokitika Museum has many beautiful pieces of greenstone, from boulders straight from the river to wonderfully worked... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com. -
Games Around the World: Two Up (Australia)
1 May 2012 | 5:32 pmAs the Australian memorial day of Anzac Day recently passed (April 25), it seems an ideal time to introduce the popular Australian gambling game of Two Up. The game only requires two pennies and a flat throwing stick called a kip and can be played nearly anywhere. The thrower or spinner simply tosses the two pennies from the kip into the air with people betting between each other (or against the... Read the full story at http://www.travel-wonders.com.
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BootsnAll Travel Articles
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Coming Home from a RTW Trip: Adjusting Your Expectations
16 May 2012 | 1:03 amOn a RTW trip we arrive in countless foreign, strange locations with nothing but an out-of-date guidebook and a general idea of where the cheap hostels are. Yet often, the most intimidating and unanticipated destination to which we travel is back home. This is likely because the return can be packed tighter with rigid expectations than your 50 liter pack: we need to get a job, we want to assimilate seamlessly back into our former lives, we feel compelled to equal the contemporaries we left behind in social and career status. But when we are preparing for a trip, expectations rarely make the… -
6 Ways to Experience Nepal in Pokhara
16 May 2012 | 1:01 amTourism in Nepal is mainly fueled by trekkers who flock to the Himalayas with sights set on climbing the most famous peaks in the world, namely Mt Everest. A traditional route to Everest leads you through Kathmandu and on to Lukla and Sagarmatha National Park on the eastern side of the country. The Annapurna Mountains sit off to the west of Kathmandu, with their base for trekking being the city of Pokhara. Though most travelers use Pokhara only as a jumping off point for their treks, Pokhara is a destination in and of itself. Either a short flight or a six-hour bus ride from the capital,… -
Adventures in the Dark: Nighttime Activities Around the World
15 May 2012 | 1:03 amWhen it comes to evening activities, people tend to separate neatly into two categories: the partiers and the homebodies. Or, put another way, the young-at-hearts and the gettin’-olds. But the night and the darkness offer many other opportunities for adventure and exploration that don’t require alcohol or uncomfortable encounters with strangers. By night, places take on a different tone and ambiance; things that appear innocuous by day may take on whole new dimensions. On the one hand, the darkness impairs our sight, taking away information and forcing us to approach a place in a… -
We Are Intrepid… Are You? [Sponsored Post]
15 May 2012 | 1:02 amThis post is brought to you by Intrepid Travel. For more information on sponsored posts read here. We are Intrepid… Are you? Tell us and you could win a trip for 4 anywhere we travel… Do you like getting off the beaten path? Exploring a country under the surface, at the local level? Like to escape from the tourist masses and instead travel in small groups? If you answered 'yes' to any or all of these questions, then you're most likely an Intrepid traveler! For travelers who want to take a wrong turn every now and then, to be amazed and to see the unseen - Intrepid are your partners in… -
How a Dog Walk Changed My Life Forever
14 May 2012 | 1:03 amA little over five years ago, my wife and I were well on our way to the "American Dream." She was an attorney, I a high school English teacher. We were saving money to buy our first home. Then one evening, we took our dog for a walk. Sometimes it's tiny, seemingly insignificant moments that can shape what your life becomes. On that April evening in 2007, my wife uttered a couple sentences that literally changed the course of our lives. "So, I was reading a blog at work today of this couple who went on a trip around the world. We should totally do that." Those two sentences, spoken…
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The Travel Expert(a)
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Costa Rica Romantic Vacation – Testimonial
16 May 2012 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Central America Travel Expert - Hi, Marina! Happy and Healthy New Year to you too ! Costa Rica was good to us , beautiful nature, swimming in Water fall , hiking , strong bridges , exciting zip-lines ( for whom they can be exciting , not for me) , great weather in Samara . We had a very good time. Thank you for your help in our vacation . If somebody wants to go to Costa Rica I will give your name. Thanks, Sarah and Al, USA For More Great Info Get Your Book NOW! Posts Related to Costa Rica Romantic Vacation - Testimonial Romantic Getaway, Honeymoon and Anniversary… -
Korrigan Lodge in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
14 May 2012 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Central America Travel Expert - Korrigan Lodge is a jungle lodge in the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. It offers family friendly private bungalows with a simple yet beautiful decoration and nested in the middle of nature. Family Friendly Jungle Lodge Private Bungalow al Korrigan Lodge Gardens Around the Rooms For More Great Info Get Your Book NOW! Posts Related to Korrigan Lodge in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica Spotlight Costa Rica – Korrigan Lodge in Puerto ViejoThis is a great option for peace & nature lovers. There is this great Hotel in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica's… -
Belize Travel – Hopkins Village – Garifuna Town – Video of the Week
12 May 2012 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Central America Travel Expert - Hopkins Village is one of the few off-the-beaten-path towns in Belize on the coast of the Caribbean sea. Here the Garifuna population is still strong, but is also a super adorable beach town! For More Great Info Get Your Book NOW! Posts Related to Belize Travel - Hopkins Village - Garifuna Town - Video of the Week Tribal Music, Drumming and Dance Traditions – Garifuna Kids in Belize – Video of the WeekGarifuna Indians are people that were shipwrecked on the way to the slave trades. They populated the Caribbean coast of Central… -
4 Pieces of Advice for Traveling to Central America
11 May 2012 | 9:00 pmTravel Experta - Central America Travel Expert - After years of traveling in Central America with my family I learned a lot if things that can make your trips to this part of the world easier and cheaper. Advice about Traveling to Central America 1. Seasonal Travel – You can get a much better room for the same amount of money if you travel during the rainy season to Costa Rica or Guatemala. Believe me, rain won’t be an issue because in these countries the rainy season isn’t more than a one or two hours of rain during the day. To get even better prices here are some Coupons for… -
Ernest Hemingway’s House, Cuba – Photo Essay
11 May 2012 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Central America Travel Expert - Ernest Hemingway spent over 20 years on this fabled island and was known to write some of his greatest masterpieces here. So visiting his home outside of Havana, Cuba was great to see how he lived and where he drank copious amounts of rum while doing what he did best – writing! Hemingway’s Entrance Living Room, Hemingway’s Museum Workers at Hemingway’s Museum Hemingway’s Farm, Cuba Famous Hemingway’s Pool where Ava Gardner Swam Naked Pilar – Hemingway’s Fishing Boat …
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Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals
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Getting Creative on Your Career Break
16 May 2012 | 4:00 amIn the 1940′s a young man went on the road trip of his life through America and Mexico. As he was traveling, he kept a journal of his experiences, and later turned it into one of the greatest books of our times. Jack Kerouac’s On the Road is the quintessential example of art inspired by travel. Whether you are a master sculptor or make the occasional doodle, there is nothing like hitting the road to get the creative juices flowing. Getting outside your daily bubble and being surrounded by the romance of adventure is bound to bring out the Picasso in anyone. For some of us, it is… -
Travel Makes Better Executives
14 May 2012 | 4:00 amAs a long term traveler on sabbatical, I am occasionally asked, “Are you concerned about coming back to work? How will you explain the large gap in your resume?” Each time this question is posed, I calmly reply “of course not.” As the months have passed, some of the lessons I’ve learned are easier to articulate than others. Nevertheless, here are five skills that I have tuned while traveling. I am sure that these skills will make me a more confident executive leader and apply to other travelers as well. Separate the Wheat from the Chaff At some point every… -
Photo Friday: Easter Island
11 May 2012 | 4:00 amToday’s Photo Friday comes from Ali Garland of Ali’s Adventures. Ali explains: “I always knew Easter Island would be amazing because of the mystery behind the Moai statues. But when we got there and stopped at the beach one day, we saw a row of Moai at the top of the beach. Not only was it a gorgeous beach, but to be able to relax on the sand and swim in the ocean while admiring the island’s history was just magical. We actually used them as inspiration to build a sand Moai, instead of a sand castle.” Easter Island has become a popular place for career-breakers… -
Itineraries with Purpose: Serving in Natural Disaster Areas
9 May 2012 | 4:00 amWise people have said that the highest levels of happiness come from giving back and helping others. This inspired me to add a service component to my world adventure. Not just another trip, not just a long vacation, but more worth, more substance. I decided I wanted to focus on areas that have been affected by natural disasters, with a few in particular in mind: New Zealand, Japan and Chile. My goal is to serve in at least six regions over my 11-month adventure. So far, I have served in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Ishinomaki, Japan. Christchurch is a city where there used to be a city… -
Homestay Hits and Misses
7 May 2012 | 4:00 amAs I prepared for my career break and considered the different things I would do along the way, staying in a home stay was high on my list. Everything I read indicated that homestays would be a great way to connect with locals and immerse myself in a different culture – exactly what I was hoping to do on my travels. I imagined a homestay as being a true cultural exchange. I did my first homestay almost right off the bat, just two weeks into my journey through the former Soviet Union. It was part of a volunteer program that had me living with a family in St. Petersburg, Russia and tutoring…
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In the Know Traveler
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15th Annual Zanzibar International Film Festival
16 May 2012 | 10:45 am(May 16, 2012, New York, New York) –World class films with an African focus, international music performances, international and local art exhibitions, and stunning natural settings are in store for cinema and art lovers attending the 15th annual Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) July 7-15, 2012 in Tanzania. The 2012 Festival theme, “When Global Images Meet in Zanzibar”, captures the essence of the diversity of humanity and humanity’s most precious resource- creativity- through films. In addition to showcasing the world’s most captivating and cutting-edge talent in film,… -
Nap-Friendly and ‘Freely at Singapore’s Changi Airport
15 May 2012 | 8:16 pmLazing about may be frowned upon in regular settings, but at Changi Airport it is downright encouraged. Nothing could be more important than the “state of restfulness” of its guests and so Changi encourages rest and relaxation at free “sleep areas” and provides other convenient options that include transit hotels and an elegant airport hotel (adjoining Terminal 3), all within an easy walk and accessible without leaving the airport. Is it any wonder that online travel portals like www.SleepinginAirports.net regularly name Changi Airport as the top airport for forty winks or longer?For… -
Lion World Tours Offers Luxury Kenya Safari From $2,899
10 May 2012 | 3:00 pmLion World Tours is offering a luxury package to Kenya starting from USD $2,899 per person including international airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges. The itinerary provides multiple game viewing opportunities and includes a visit to the renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve, a prime spot to observe Kenya’s Big Five — lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants and leopards. This USD $2,899* “Luxury Kenya” package is valid for departures on 08, 15, 22 and 29 November 2012. Fly from Washington, DC on Ethiopian Airlines to Nairobi via Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines was the winner of the… -
Wearing and Understanding Hijab in Saudi Arabia
9 May 2012 | 10:40 amIt’s undoubtedly one of the most misunderstood symbols. The Hijab has been attacked many times, nationally and internationally. Whether you travel through America, Europe, or the Middle East one thing is evident: that you will see a Muslim woman wearing Hijab in some form. I am one of them; I reside in California and grew up in Orange County. I adore American culture, and like so many Muslim women, I choose to wear Hijab. Hijab has many forms, and many looks. Each woman has her own personal reasons for wearing Hijab. This article is not meant to showcase one individual as correct or… -
“In Bruges”
29 Apr 2012 | 10:21 amOn a windy night, I attended a screening of “In Bruges,” at the Writer’s Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. It was simultaneously funny and horribly violent. I laughed, I cringed. Colin Ferrell and Ralph Fiennes were excellent, but the standout star of the movie was the sexy city of Bruges, in Belgium. Infatuated with her stunning, well-preserved Medieval architecture, I could hardly wait to be there. It took three years (I move slowly), but I finally got to her. There are no flights into Bruges from the US, so I flew into Brussels and caught a train (right at the airport) to the city of…
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NYT > Home Page
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Greece Teeters Ahead of New Vote
16 May 2012 | 12:55 pmAmid warnings of the possibility of bank runs, state television said June 17 would be the date for a new round of elections. -
Bodies Inert, They Moved a Robot With Their Minds
16 May 2012 | 12:53 pmScientists reported that a tiny brain implant allowed two quadriplegic people to manipulate a robotic arm with just their thoughts. -
Defense Rests in Edwards Trial
16 May 2012 | 12:46 pmThe defense rested without calling John Edwards, his daughter Cate or his former mistress to the stand. -
For Republicans in Connecticut, Hope and Dread as 2 Fight for Senate
16 May 2012 | 12:46 pmThe contest between Linda E. McMahon and Christopher Shays for the Republican nomination in a Connecticut race for the Senate could be damaging to the winner. -
Latin Pop Group Maná Draws Adoring Crowds
16 May 2012 | 12:34 pmManá, a rock group that sings only in Spanish, has been attracting fans, both recent immigrants and others, in the United States for decades.
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@ProBlogger
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5 Effective Tricks to Create a Killer Call to Action
16 May 2012 | 7:04 amThis guest post is by Greg Digneo of Sales Leads in Thirty Days. Here’s the dirty little secret: there are actually two steps to building an extremely popular blog. The first and most popular step is to drive traffic by guest posting, social media, and SEO. The far less sexy step is to convert that traffic into loyal readers who will become the backbone of your community. Who will share every piece of content you produce with their friends. And who will ensure that every post sparks an engaging discussion. But most of all, they will be the first to buy your products and services. The… -
Get Obsessed with Your Message
15 May 2012 | 1:01 pmThis guest post is by Danielle LaPorte of DanielleLaPorte.com. Blog = up? Posts = rolling? It’s time to get obsessed with your message. A quick dictionary moment, to differentiate between your voice, your topics and your message. Your voice is what makes your writing distinctive, compelling, unmistakably you. You’ll carry your voice from your blog, right into your book. Seamless, identifiable. Individual. Your topics are the categories or subjects you write about (Eco-luxe weddings on a shoestring budget! Savvy corporate management, with heart and soul! Thrifty vegan recipes!) Your… -
On the Elusive “Next Level” of Blogging
15 May 2012 | 7:04 amWe’ve all heard of it—the elusive “next level” that so many bloggers talk about online. But what is the next level? How many levels are there? Is there an end point in leveling up? These are all worthwhile questions—especially for more experienced bloggers who have spent a lot of time and energy in reaching the level they’re already at. For these bloggers, trying to reach the next level can involve a degree of risk, so the steps that get us toward the next level might be taken slowly and with care. On the other hand, the web isn’t exactly undersupplied with… -
Grab Your BWE Virtual Ticket for $100 Off—24 Hours Left
14 May 2012 | 5:09 pmWish you could get to Blog World Expo this year, but can’t make it to New York? Me too. I’ll be in Queensland with the winners of my blogging competition, but I know there are plenty of bloggers from other countries, as well as within the States, who won’t be able to attend Blog World this year. Fortunately, you and I don’t need to miss out on the information and fun of the Expo (and if the speaker list for this year is anything to go by, the conference is going to be really impressive). We “remote” bloggers can still “attend” on a BWE virtual… -
Install Your First WordPress Theme
14 May 2012 | 7:09 amThis guest post is by Karol K of ThemeFuse. Seeing a headline like “How to Install a WordPress Theme” on ProBlogger might seem strange at first. This doesn’t sound like a “pro”-thing at all, right? If you’ve been dealing with WordPress for a while then this is probably even more than obvious to you. However, everyone starts somewhere, and there are plenty of experienced bloggers who haven’t ever installed a WordPress theme—but would like to give it a try. Maybe you’re installing your first theme right now, and you’re searching for a…
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Singapore News
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Singapore Shares End At 4-Month Low On Greece Fears; Olam Sinks
16 May 2012 | 4:43 amSINGAPORE Singapore shares closed at a four-month low Wednesday, tracking a selloff across the region on fears that Greece is inching closer to an exit from the euro zone, as coalition talks to form a government in the indebted country failed.The benchmark Straits Times Index closed 1.6%, or 45.55 points lower at 2,831.15, its lowest close since ... (more) -
High Court to proceed with Hougang by - election case
16 May 2012 | 2:38 amSINGAPORE: The High Court will proceed with the case by a Hougang resident on whether Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has "unfettered discretion" in calling a by-election in the single-seat constituency. -
Tracing by-elections in Singapore
15 May 2012 | 11:34 pmSINGAPORE: The last time Singaporeans went to the polls in a by-election was in 1992. -
Premium
15 May 2012 | 4:30 pmPARIS: Francois Hollande became President of France yesterday and almost immediately left for Berlin for a high-stakes face-off with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over remedies for Europe's crisis. -
700 AMK, Sengkang West residents celebrate Indian New Year
12 May 2012 | 8:27 amSINGAPORE: Some 700 Ang Mo Kio and Sengkang West residents marked the Indian New Year on Saturday evening at Cheng San Community Club.
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For the Love of the Dog
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Pit bulls – The Media Continues to Reinforce the “Mean” Stereotype! Need Your Help!
23 Apr 2012 | 12:10 pmA dear reader and friend brought something to my attention this morning regarding an article published in the Chicago Tribune about Judge Judy and her sidekick Byrd. Actually the topic of the article is irrelevant,the article itself rather mundane, what is important here is the writer’s careless comment referring to the Judge as a “pit bull,” [...] -
A Memorial for the100 Slaughtered Sled Dogs in Whistler BC
22 Apr 2012 | 1:43 pmThis video is a memorial tribute to the 100 sled dogs that were cruelly slaughtered in Whistler BC on April 21st and 23rd, 2010 after business slowed down and the dogs were no longer needed. The song is by Canadian singer songwriter Sarah McLachlan, a huge SPCA, WSPCA and ASPCA supporter. Word has also come [...] -
New Baby in the Family vs. Family Dog
22 Apr 2012 | 8:12 amDo you get sick of hearing about people dumping pets because they’re going to have a baby? Well here you go, here’s a twist… Looks a little different from this side of the issue, eh? -
HOWL 2012
21 Apr 2012 | 7:25 amFor the 100 sled dogs butchered in Whistler, we Howl again. Our departed friends Howl along with us. Listen to them… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ujCYD8-IBk Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard. ~Anne Sexton Howl 100 Sled Dogs Slaughtered – The Investigation 100 Sled Dogs Slaughtered Yesterday, April [...] -
HSUS: Lawyers in Cages – VIDEO
20 Apr 2012 | 1:28 pmAfter I stopped laughing I had to decide whether to post this or not. It’s hysterically funny when you really look at it. So I figured I’d post it with the disclaimer from No Kill Nation because they about nailed it! “For the record, we do NOT support the organization who produced this video. And [...]
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Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis
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Moscow police raid new protest site
16 May 2012 | 12:47 pmMOSCOW — Police swept into a new gathering of political protesters Wednesday evening, pushing into a plaza where the demonstrators had established a base hours before and carting away the leaders. An angry crowd of about 1,000 jeered at the police and tried to block their buses before being shoved aside. Read full article >> -
Former D.C. teacher makes FBI ‘Most Wanted’ list after 2008 child porn discovery
16 May 2012 | 12:29 pmThe discovery in June 2008 was as shocking as it was horrific: a camera with explicit photos of a child who attended Washington National Cathedral’s exclusive Beauvoir elementary school, which caters to some of the area’s most powerful families. Read full article >> -
Senate panel approves benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees
16 May 2012 | 12:22 pmA Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday allowing same-sex partners of federal employees to receive employment benefits. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act with a bipartisan voice vote. It must be approved by the full Senate and the House before enactment. Read full article >> -
Obama warns Republicans over debt ceiling fight
16 May 2012 | 11:37 amPresident Obama warned congressional leaders on Wednesday that he would not tolerate a replay of the bitter debt ceiling fight of last summer that nearly put the United States in default and led to the nation’s first ever credit-rating downgrade. Read full article >> -
Herman Cain formally endorses Mitt Romney
16 May 2012 | 11:19 amBusinessman Herman Cain formally endorsed Mitt Romney’s presidential bid in an event on Capitol Hill on Wednesday afternoon. The move marks Cain’s third endorsement since suspending his own White House run last December amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment and a 13-year affair. Read full article >>
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Roll Call: Daily News
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Obama's Sandwich Outing Almost Made Me Late
16 May 2012 | 2:38 pmOne reporter’s schedule was thrown offtrack this morning due to the presidential motorcade’s unusual stop. -
Washington: Dennis Kucinich Won't Run Here — or Anywhere Else
16 May 2012 | 2:31 pmRep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) will not seek a House seat in Washington state this year after losing a primary to a fellow Democratic Member in March. -
At White House, Hoagies Win Praise Even as Debt Crisis Looms
16 May 2012 | 2:08 pmPresident Barack Obama's decision to bring hoagies to lunch with Congressional leaders today was a bipartisan hit, but it did nothing to stop a looming crisis over raising the debt ceiling at the end of the year. -
Massachusetts: Elizabeth Warren Releases New Ad
16 May 2012 | 2:04 pmElizabeth Warren, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Massachusetts, released a new ad today that continues to introduce the Harvard Law School professor and consumer advocate to voters. -
Florida: Connie Mack IV Gets Mitt Romney Endorsement
16 May 2012 | 11:41 amFlorida Rep. Connie Mack IV (R) today got the endorsement of presumptive GOP White House nominee Mitt Romney, boosting his effort to win the GOP nomination to take on two-term Sen. Bill Nelson (D).
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"Free in DC" Free Events & Things to do in DC!
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UPCOMING: MUSIC: Free Outdoor Concerts in Farragut Square every THURS evening from 5:30pm - 7:30pm starting this THURS, May 17th as part of the "Golden Triangle Summer Concert Series" which runs THURS, May 17th - June 21st
15 May 2012 | 9:12 pmGolden Triangle Summer Concerts in Farragut Square every Thursday nightThursday, May 17th - June 21st5:30pm - 7:30pmFreeEach summer, the Golden Triangle BID hosts their Summer Concert Series in Farragut Square Park every Thursday evening from 5:30pm - 7:30pm starting on May 17 and running through June 21. Grab a blanket and some friends and hit the park after work to take part in the local music scene!See the complete lineup below! Thursday, May 17thLethal Peanut - Rock & BluesRead more about the band hereThursday, May 24thSin… -
UPCOMING & ONGOING: Today! Weekly: Free Lunchtime Performances every WED in Chinatown as part of "Happenings at the Harman" from 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Free
15 May 2012 | 9:03 pm"Happenings at the Harman"Performances every Wednesday12:00pm - 1:00pmFree, feel free to bring your lunch!Wednesday, May 16thTale of a TigerCreated and performed by Rachel Hynes with original music created and performed by Ethan Foote. Poetic and dangerous, physical storyteller Rachel Hynes relates the tale of a little girl who lives with her father in the forest. After he locks her in the cupboard for three days, she starts to see tigers everywhere. What do you feed a tiger?"Happenings at the Harman" is a performance series that takes place at Harman Hall every Wednesday from noon - 1:00pm. -
UPCOMING: Today! Free Arts & Culture Events this Week Thanks to CultureCapital.com! WED, May 16th - SUN, May 20th
15 May 2012 | 9:03 pmHere's a list of more free arts and culture events thanks to CultureCapital. Be sure to click through for more info about the event and location details. CultureCapital is a program of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, linking you to the Metro DC's vibrant arts community. Find more upcoming free events and exhibitions on view in the DC metro area on the customized Inside-Out page on their site designed especially for fans of Free in DC! Wednesday, May 16thLunchtime - Lecture & Book SigningThe Gods of Prophetstown: The… -
UPCOMING & ONGOING: KARAOKE:Tonight! Monthly: Live Band Karaoke with Northeast Corridor at Chief Ike's - every Third WED of the month - from 8:00pm - 11:00pm, Free, 21+
15 May 2012 | 9:02 pmLive Band Karaoke with Northeast Corridorat Chief Ikes in Adams Morgan Monday, May 16th every third Wednesday of the month 8:00pm - 11:00pmFree, 21+Northeast Corridor plays Live Band Karaoke party every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Chief Ike's in Adams Morgan! Choose from over 100 hit songs! They provide the lyrics, the grooves, and the background singers. You rock the Mic! Invite your friends and arrive early to get the song of your choice. Chief Ike's Mambo Room1725 Columbia Rd, NW - in Adams MorganMetro: Closest by bus, take the 42 from Conn Ave downtown or… -
UPCOMING: STORYTELLING: Tonight! Story League hosts their Story Contest 7 "Psychic Phenomena & Other Weird Things" at Busboys and Poets 14th & V this WED, May 16th from 9:00pm - 10:30pm, $10
15 May 2012 | 9:01 pmStory League presents Story Contest 7 "Psychic Phenomena & Other Weird Things"Wednesday, May 16th9:00pm - 10:30pm$10 at the door or onlineThe evening will be hosted by Michele Carlo (Author, "Fish Out of Aqua"). Judges include: Katherine Marsh (Edgar Award, "The Night Tourist"), Adam Ruben (Comedian/Storyteller) and Brandon Wetherbee (Host/Producer, You, Me, Them, Everybody).Tellers have a maximum 7 minutes to tell a true story on the theme "Psychic Phenomena & Other Weird Things: Stories about the spooky, eerie, and just plain strange." No notes may be used…
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Washington Dc concerts
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Thu May 24th: one direction at Patriot Center Fairfax
16 May 2012 | 2:41 pmone direction Fairfax : Patriot Center 4400 University Dr 22030 on 2012-05-24 -
Fri May 25th: Drake at Verizon Center - DC Washington
16 May 2012 | 2:38 pmDrake on gruvr Washington : Verizon Center - DC 601 F Streets Nw 20004 on 2012-05-25 -
Sun Jun 3rd: Radiohead at Verizon Center - DC Washington
16 May 2012 | 2:34 pmRadiohead Washington : Verizon Center - DC 601 F Streets Nw 20004 on 2012-06-03 -
Sun Jun 24th: Demi Lovato at Wolf Trap Vienna
16 May 2012 | 2:31 pmDemi Lovato Vienna : Wolf Trap 1645 Trap Road 22182 on 2012-06-24 -
Sun Jul 8th: Coldplay at Verizon Center - DC Washington
16 May 2012 | 2:28 pmColdplay Washington : Verizon Center - DC 601 F Streets Nw 20004 on 2012-07-08
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Travel News & Deals - latimes.com
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National parks from California to New Mexico rev up for eclipse
16 May 2012 | 6:15 amFade to ... almost dark? An annular solar eclipse will be visible in part of the West on Sunday hours before sunset when the moon will cover up all but a sliver of the sun. Inside what's called the annular path, a "ring of fire" will appear as the moon passes in front of the sun. -
Riverside: Mission Inn offers package for members of the military
16 May 2012 | 6:00 amThe Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside has a special offer for active and veteran members of the U.S. military this month: $159 a night for a room that includes dinner for two and valet parking. It's a good discount off the usual rates -- and might make for a nice Memorial Day getaway. -
Yosemite: Insider tour presents the stories behind the landscape
16 May 2012 | 5:30 amYou may think you know Yosemite National Park , but you can get to know it intimately through the Yosemite Insider Experience , a two-night, three-day adventure. Even better, new dates have been added for fall. -
Tanzania: REI offers 20% off a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro
15 May 2012 | 6:00 amMt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania rises 19,340 feet above sea level, the high point on the African continent and one of the "seven summit" high points of the world that's special to climbers. Outdoors retailer and travel operator REI will offer 20% off a six-day trek to the top of the peak for those fit enough -- and motivated enough -- to make it to the summit. -
Tuesday Travel Ticker: Pirate ship sails San Diego
15 May 2012 | 5:00 amDid you know that strawberries, though considered a fruit, are technically a member of the rose family? Then you are ripe for the California Strawberry Festival this weekend in Oxnard. On 50 acres, the event features two concert stages and an array of strawberry treats, including strawberry beer. There’s also Strawberryland for the kids. Info: (888) 288-9242 or www.strawberry-fest.org . . . . Speaking of kids, here’s yet another summer activity in family friendly San Diego: Pirate Ship Adventures offers daily cruises aboard an 83-foot sailing ship , including a special July 4…
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This Just In
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Passengers On Virgin Atlantic Will Soon Be Able To Use Cell Phones In-Flight
16 May 2012 | 12:41 pmA Virgin Atlantic plane on the runway in Manchester (Courtesy eisenbahner/Flickr) How many times have you been forced cut off a phone call practically mid–sentence, or send a frantic "CallyouwhenIland!!" text, seconds before the airplane door closes? Thanks to Virgin Atlantic, that may be a thing of the past—in the not–too–distant future. Passengers traveling between New York and London on the airline's Airbus A330 will soon be able to use their cell phones to talk, text, and surf the web in–flight. It's a bit of news that's sure to delight business travelers and… -
TSA Misstep Causes Teen to Lose Pricey Medical Equipment
16 May 2012 | 9:02 amA familiar sight at the airport (Courtesy niiicedave/Flickr) There are a lot of jokes at the expense of the TSA, thanks to some ridiculous mistakes and policy misunderstandings on the part of agents. But it's no laughing matter when an agent's ignorance causes a teen traveler's life–saving medical equipment to malfunction. When 16–year–old Savannah Barry—who is a Type 1 diabetic and wears an insulin pump—was flying out of the Salt Lake City airport last Monday, she followed the guidelines for diabetic travelers listed on the TSA website and asked for a… -
Why Flight+ Is Apple's App of the Week
15 May 2012 | 10:33 amThe app Flight+ launched only a couple of weeks ago, but it's already a bestselling app in the iTunes App Store. The reason is simple: This week, Apple named Flight+ its App of the Week, singling it out as exceptional among the 725,000 apps in the store. Flight+ deserves its popularity. It can do complex things in a very streamlined way. That matters most when you need help handling a snafu with your itinerary, such as a delayed or canceled flight. Say your flight is delayed. Flight+ earns its $3 price tag because it lets you track any flight in the sky on a map in real time—at least as… -
Why You Don't Want to Have an Accident When Driving a Rental Car in Mexico
11 May 2012 | 8:45 amRental car in Mexico (Courtesy adam_d_/Flickr) Last year, Wade Bruleson of Enid, Oklahoma, learned the hard way what could go wrong when you rent a car in Mexico. During a vacation stop in Cozumel, Bruleson went on a quick trip in his family's rental car to pick up a map from a local shop. During the drive, he accidentally broadsided a motorcycle, which led to a few broken bones for its two riders. At the police station, Bruleson discovered that the premium insurance policy he bought from his rental car company wouldn't cover everything. In Mexico, the guilty party in a car accident that… -
Will You be Flying or Driving This Summer?
11 May 2012 | 8:25 amAre you a fan of flying vs. driving this summer? (Courtesy Ceo1O17/Flickr) A couple months ago we theorized that no one would be taking road trips this summer due to high gas prices. Turns out, we might have been wrong. According to the Royal Bank of Canada, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, their U.S consumers are feeling better about the economy—and they want to travel. Thanks in part to a recent dip in gas prices, 67 percent of the respondents said they were planning on driving to their summer vacation spot—up 8 percent over 2010—while 34 percent plan to fly…
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CruiseSource
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Royal Caribbean Kids Sail Free to Europe
15 May 2012 | 11:34 amTake a Europe cruise and bring the Kids for Free! It may sound too good to be true, but now through May 31st, when you book select Royal Caribbean cruises to Europe, kids sail FREE. Here are the details: Children 11 and under sailing as the 3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom sail free on: any 9-Night or longer Royal Caribbean Europe cruise departing between July and December, 2012. Transatlantic and the Independence of the Seas sailings are excluded Keep in mind, government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. My Handpicked Deal from this Offer: August 9th Serenade of the… -
Cruise Deals: Alaska & Bermuda with up to $800 Credit
11 May 2012 | 9:33 amThis Week’s Handpicked Deals Celebrity Bermuda & Alaska with up to $800 Credit On top of incredibly low rates, Celebrity is offering $100 to $800 per stateroom onboard credit on select 2012 Alaska and Bermuda cruises when you book now through May 20th The amount of onboard credit varies by the type of stateroom booked, and applies to 7-Nights or longer Celebrity Alaska and Bermuda cruises departing June through September, 2012. Inside & Ocean view: $100 Balcony: $150 Concierge Class: $200 Aqua Class: $250 Suites: $300 Penthouse & Royal Suite: $800 Of course, I had to… -
4 Lessons from a Magician
9 May 2012 | 3:16 pmJared Sherlock Pulls a Stunt at Cruise Holidays Meeting This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of Cruise Holidays franchise owners and agents. The weekend consisted of lots of workshops and presentations, but the evenings were spent doing what many of us enjoy doing best: socializing! Saturday night, a young man named Jared Sherlock entertained our group. He’s a magician, but as we soon found out, he could probably moonlight (when he’s not doing evening magic shows) as a comedian. This guy was funny – I don’t want to divulge the details of his final act, but… -
CruiseSource’s Cruise News – May 9, 2012
9 May 2012 | 1:35 pmCruiseSource’s Cruise News Enjoy our brief round-up of important cruise stories happening this week. It’s good to know that you can now satisfy your vegetarian palette onboard Holland America Line, and experience the indulgent “Suite Life” on Celebrity Cruises! Want to stay on top of cruise-related news? Click to subscribe to CruiseSource! Holland America Line Introduces New Alternative Vegetarian Menu Holland America Line has introduced a new alternative, vegetarian-only menu, as well as 30 new vegetarian dishes to their main dining room menu, furthering the line’s… -
Royal Caribbean’s Silent Party
7 May 2012 | 3:58 pmThis video just released today by Royal Caribbean caught my attention. Once upon time, I was a club kid and now as an official cruise geek, I love it when the cruise lines get creative with their entertainment options. So, I had to share it… I’ve never experienced a Silent Party, but according to the video they are popular in Europe. Seems like it would be strange to walk into a dance club, hear no music, and see people dancing around to two different beats since they have 2 DJs to choose from in their headphones. But, It would be cool to actually be able to have a…
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Europe a la Carte Travel Blog
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Walking Along the North Sea Trail from Eyemouth
16 May 2012 | 12:08 amOne of our regular short day trips from Berwick upon Tweed is to the coastal town of Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, for a walk along the North Sea Trail towards Coldingham. The views were particulary attractive one afternoon in mid April. Although there was a chilly wind, it was sunny and bright. The white heads of the crashing waves contrasted sharply with the colour of the rocks. After our walk along North Sea Trail we had a late lunch at the Oblo Eyemouth. Love UK Walking Along the North Sea Trail from Eyemouth Best Places to Visit Europe from the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. -
Review of Travelodge Dunfermline
15 May 2012 | 12:07 amWe stayed at the Travelodge Dunfermline on the first night of our budget break in Scotland during early May 2012. The room cost £19 for a Saturday night booked during the December 2011 Travelodge Sale. It’s quite hard to get cheap Travelodge rooms on Saturdays, so this was a good price. Travelodge Dunfermline is located close to the M90 Perth to Edinburgh motorway. The hotel is a bit out on a limb, near an industrial unit. There’s often a restaurant next to Travelodges; here it’s a few minutes walk to a Harvester Inn at Halbeath Retail Park, where you’ll also find an… -
Is the Food at Gourmet Restaurants Better?
14 May 2012 | 12:12 amI am left wondering if gourmet restaurants serve better food, after eating at a variety of establishments during my recent visit to Portugal. I freely admit I’m no foodie with a refined palate. I really enjoyed lunch in Tomar which cost 13 Euro for two. Mary Goudie of Your Lisbon Guide and I both had the dish of the day, 2 pork chops with potato, served with tomato and lettuce salad and collard greens. Mary had a beer and a coffee and I had water to drink. The food was really tasty and the waitress a very pleasant young woman, who was working all the tables single handedly. I also had a… -
Do You Love the UK?
13 May 2012 | 8:45 amDo you love the UK? I do and I’ll be taking a UK staycation at least once a month over the next few months, as well as day trips from home. Yes, I know all you fellow Brits are muttering what about the unreliable weather plus going abroad seems more exotic. However, I want to illustrate that you can have a great time on home shores. Below are some recent and upcoming UK highlights. Duddo Stone Circles – April 2012 In an example of discovering what’s on your doorstep, we’d driven past the sign for the Duddo Stone Circles on many occasions but finally made the decision… -
Join Me for Afternoon Tea at the Glasgow Thistle
12 May 2012 | 2:48 amWould you like to have afternoon tea with me at the 4 star Glasgow Thistle Hotel on Monday 11 June at 3pm? We’ll be tucking into freshly baked scones and cakes, accompanied by either tea or a glass of Prosecco. If you’d like to be my guest, you can: Leave a comment on this post Tweet with the hashtag #afternoonteaglasgow I’ll pick my afternoon tea guest at random from the blog comments and tweets. Groupon have asked me to roadtest their offers, so I wanted to share some the treats on offer with Europe a la Carte readers. You can enter the draw twice, once by leaving a blog…
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Intelligent Travel
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I Heart My City: Katja’s Siena
16 May 2012 | 10:30 amSwiss expat Katja Meier arrived in Siena in 1999, fell in love with an olive grove, and never left. She lives with her Tuscan native husband and their two badly behaved Swiss-Italian kids in Southern Tuscany, working as a health and life coach and organizing retreats for people from all over the world who are battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. She started a travel blog – MapItOut – because she says she owes her best travel adventures to kind locals who have taken her by the hand, and wanted to repay the favor. Here are a few of Katja’s favorite… -
Karmic Charleston: Laura the Librarian
16 May 2012 | 8:11 amAfter spending a day at Fields to Families – a Charleston charity that collects fresh produce from farmers and distributes it to the needy — volunteer coordinator Tina Arnold pulled me aside and said, “If you really want to meet someone doing good things, you should go to the soup kitchen here and ask to meet “The Librarian.” That’s all she said, but I could tell by the look on her face that everything would be explained to me once I got there. Laura The Librarian had just gotten back from the dentist when I arrived, her mouth still swollen. Needless to… -
The Radar: Fiji for the Rest of Us, 7 Countries with Cheap Grad Degrees, How to See Hamburg
16 May 2012 | 5:57 amThe word Fiji calls to mind white-sand beaches, pristine water, and steep price tags. Learn the secret to booking a trip to this island paradise without taking out a second mortgage. [New York Times] Higher education in America is expensive. But if you love to travel, there are other options. Here are seven countries where you won’t have to live like a grad student while you get your Master’s. [Matador Network] Sometimes you don’t have an entire day to spend wandering around a city. Find out how to see the sights in Germany’s second largest city a flash! [Easy Hiker] Got… -
Charleston in Black+White
15 May 2012 | 7:47 amOh, how I wished for nine days to walk around with a camera. But what I got was about an hour. So what you get are a few quick snaps from my iPhone. They won’t blow you away, but hopefully they’ll add to your ongoing list of reasons to visit Charleston. -
A Couple of Keepers: Tracy + Paul Wilkes
14 May 2012 | 1:32 pmYou have to wonder what Paul and Tracy Wilkes did. Rob banks? Run a Ponzi scheme? They had to have done something terrible. Because no couple devotes so much of their time to doing good. Tracy “Get back in the building.” I got back in the building. Something about her shouting at me, locking the door behind me and rushing us into a room where a dozen or so people – mostly kids – were waiting, wide-eyed and worried, but safe. “There’s a big fight outside — about 50 neighborhood teens — and some of them probably have weapons.” The way Tracy Wilkes talks, this is just one…
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Vagabondish
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Win 25,000 Points for Stays at Any U.S. Starwood Hotel!
16 May 2012 | 12:33 pmDo you like hotels? Specifically free hotel stays? No way – us too! Which is why you should definitely enter our latest giveaway! As a member of the brand new Starwood Preferred Guests American Express blogging partners program (phew!), we’re thrilled to announce the giveaway of 25,000 points from Starwood/Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express! W New York – Times Square, New York City There are more than 30 Starwood hotels in the New York City area. All you have to do is check out the complete list and tell us via Twitter which one you’d most love to stay… -
Rhode Island Introduces “Family Guy” Tour
16 May 2012 | 10:00 am“giggity giggity” ©The Daily Mail Rhode Island’s tourism board has sponsored the latest tour to promote their state–Rhode Island as depicted by the animated TV show “Family Guy”. Fans of the show won’t be able to find the fictional town of Quahog, R.I. on the map, but real landmarks featured in Family Guy can be found on the tour. Van Wickle Gates at Brown University, the Breakers mansion in Newport and even the real Drunken Clam are featured tour stops. More on the “Family Guy Experience” can be found here. -
World’s Oldest Backpacker to Set Off on Two-month Journey
16 May 2012 | 6:00 amBackpacking–not just for the young © slgckgc At 95 years old, backpacker Keith Wright isn’t showing signs of slowing down. The native Australian only started traveling solo 10 years ago. Much like a cash-strapped college student, Wright does the full backpacking experience–hosteling included. This summer, Wright will travel all over Europe for two months by train, bus and ferry. He’s planning to make a special trip to London to see his favorite racehorse, Black Caviar, race in the Royal Ascot. My belief is that if you are fit and able to travel independently, it… -
A Foreigner’s Lesson on How to “Deal” with Foreigners
16 May 2012 | 5:20 amI’d just completed my walkabout of a one-street town filled with takeaways and information centers for those seeking to kayak down the Whanganui River. I stumbled upon an all-too-common sight in the traveling experience: the irritated, flustered local and the non-native language speaking tourist. In this case, a Chinese woman was attempting to locate the proper bus heading north, while the Kiwi bus driver tried to explain that he was traveling south. What I witnessed was some of the most condescending human behavior in the history of time: This one … going to Wanganui … over… -
Hub Innovations Prizm: The Ultra-Portable Tablet Stand for Travelers
16 May 2012 | 4:57 amA growing number of travelers are leaving laptops at home in favor of simply toting their iPads or other tablets. Hub Innovations is looking to make that decision more obvious and ergonomic. Their latest Prizm tablet stand features a sleek, sexy, 2-piece aluminum construction designed to pack completely flat. Throw in a Bluetooth keyboard (or not) and you have the perfect netbook replacement. Pricing & Availability Available now in various colors from $29.95 (USD) directly from HubInnovations.com.
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USATODAY.com Feed
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JFK Airport trains employees to be nice
16 May 2012 | 11:56 amJohn F. Kennedy International Airport is teaching some of its employees how to be N.I.C.E. -
Vegas on Lake Erie? Cleveland gets a casino
16 May 2012 | 9:45 amA new casino opened in Cleveland this week under a new law permitting legal gaming venues in Ohio. -
New Oceania Cruises ship no copy of sister
16 May 2012 | 9:41 amThe 1,250-passenger Riviera sets sail today on its maiden voyage. -
British Airways upgrades in-flight service
16 May 2012 | 9:11 amPassengers on British Airways will see some major in-flight changes within the next couple of years: better food, upgraded cabins. -
Atlanta airport opens Maynard Jackson international terminal
16 May 2012 | 6:12 amAtlanta airport opens a new, $1.4 billion international terminal that the city calls its "new front door" for the world.
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nerd's eye view
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Shift
16 May 2012 | 10:05 amInside baseball, friends. Not interested? Here’s a story about that time I went on safari in Tanzania. Man, that was amazing. Over the last year or so, I’ve been culling a lot of my social media feeds. I’m unfriending, unsubscribing, unfollowing. The reason for this dieting? There’s been a marked shift in the tone of what’s broadcast through my online travel channels. A change of focus, of attitude, of goals underlying the creation of the “stuff” that makes up the corner of the web where I spend most of my time. Lately, I feel like bloggers about… -
Breaking Badass
12 May 2012 | 4:27 pmI snapped a string on stage last night. The Castaways were playing Loverboy’s Working for the Weekend. It’s a fun song to play, it’s fast and drives, and even though I don’t know how to do the fancy chord progression, I feel like I’m part of it because of the beat underneath. I was hammering on that D chord hard, fast, when the string went. It stung my wrist, sharp and fast, and surprised the hell out of me. The fretboard felt naked without the string there but I couldn’t quit right in the middle of the song. Apparently, I am a consummate professional… -
Yeah, But Why? Really, WHY?
10 May 2012 | 8:51 amI’ve been rolling an idea around in my head for a few months, this idea that there seems to be a shift in the landscape of blogging about travel. Rather than define this for you now, I’m asking you to help me confirm or invalidate my sense of how things are going. I’d love to have you answer a question that’s both simple and kind of complex. Why did you start your travel blog? Why are you blogging about travel now? In case you’re nervous, know that I don’t think there’s a right answer. I’m not looking for the complicated back story or your… -
Homes of the Stars
7 May 2012 | 12:19 pmI was up in the “attic” of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History yesterday, on a balcony lined with boxes and metal lockers and drawers with those little metal slots designed to hold a label that says something in Latin, or something illegible in an elegant script, or something neatly typed on a yellowing index card and then, cut to fit. There were boxes of bones labeled “Reburial Only” and a carton that had “Porcupine, Old, Not Cute” scrawled on it in sharpie. I peered through a vertical window into a lab lined with more cardboard boxes, when I leaned… -
To the Crossroads
24 Apr 2012 | 7:48 pmMy soul feels completely intact after my band played a fantastic show at Seattle’s Greenlake Forza Coffee. The Castaways were the supporting act for a Team in Training/Leukemia Lymphoma Society fundraiser. We played three solid sets of music and while, yes, mistakes were made, even our normally understated bass player admitted to being all whacked on endorphins after it was over. And I was sore the next day, not just from three hours of standing on the concrete floors, but from the jumping up and down. I mean that literally. I was totally into it. We had two test runs for our new stuff…
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Rick Steves: Blog Gone Europe
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A Revealing Peek at a Skinny-Man Shower in Venice
15 May 2012 | 10:38 amForgive me for not dressing up for this, but while showering early one morning, the spirit moved me to share a peek at life as a tourist in Venice — and to show how the demand for private bathrooms in once-spacious elegant rooms has resulted in rooms that are less spacious and elegant, but more convenient. If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube. Get a better browser! -
Casinos and Small Change in Venice
14 May 2012 | 10:00 amChecking in on local guides recommended in my Venice guidebook, I meet my friend Alessandro and his tour. Nearly every night, he meets a gang of my readers at the top of the Rialto Bridge for a pub-crawl dinner. Eating ugly things on toothpicks in a series of characteristic bars, all seemed to be having a blast. I’m in Venice doing a few days of research for my guidebook and preparing for our TV shoot. I’ll be meeting my crew soon to make two new shows on Venice. I shaved the beard and got a haircut, and am excited to switch from guidebook-research mode into TV-production mode. -
The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona)
11 May 2012 | 10:00 amLocals in Verona marvel at how about half of the people who come to their town are here for Juliet. Each year, about 1,600 Japanese tour groups break their Venice-Milan ride for an hour-long stop in Verona just to visit this courtyard, with its famous balcony. And all day long, a steady stream of visitors line up to polish Juliet’s bronze breast in hopes of good fortune in love. Did Juliet even exist? According to the local information box, “While no documentation has been discovered to prove the truth of the legend, no documentation has disproved it either.” I enjoy standing in… -
Hit the Ground Running in Verona
9 May 2012 | 10:00 amA fundamental skill for travelers is simply getting around efficiently and economically using public transit. Here are a few train and city bus tips grabbed in a stream-of-consciousness way while zipping from the train station in Verona out to the street to catch my bus to the center (and my hotel). Time and money are both limited resources. As you’ll see here, you’ll save time by getting adept at using automated ticket machines, and you’ll save money (while losing very little time) by hopping on the bus rather than catching a cab upon arrival. While you won’t always connect this… -
It’s Police Yearbook Season in Italy
8 May 2012 | 10:00 amIn many Italian small towns, each spring a policeman drops by your place of business and asks you, Girl Scout–cookie style, if you want to support them by buying their yearbook. But the consequences of not supporting your local police force is much more severe than blowing off that Girl Scout. If you look, most bars, cafes, and shops display the town police yearbook — they even come equipped with little loops for easy display. Locals say no one ever read one. You could say it’s just good for business.
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Chris Around The World: Your Guide to Value Luxury Vacations
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In Patagonia: Flying to the End of the World
15 May 2012 | 12:35 pmThis is the first in a series of articles on my visit to Torres del Paine and Patagonia, Chile “How far is it? And how do you get there?” Last year, I noted that those were the main questions that friends and family asked when I traveled to Easter Island. As I planned my trip to Chilean Patagonia, I received the same questions – and provided a similar answer: It’s not how long the journey takes, it’s what awaits you at the end. Most people scoff when I say that. And I’ll admit that the itinerary I received from LAN Airlines did look daunting. I’d be flying… -
Grape Expectations: Eugene, Oregon & the 5th Street Market
14 May 2012 | 2:10 amThis post continues my ongoing coverage of wine country travel. Once known primarily as a hippie haven, Eugene, Ore. is quickly becoming a city where clean living, along with local food and drink, flourish. After a night spent in Dundee, in the Willamette Valley, we meandered south toward this town, which is the home of the University of Oregon and the original psychedelic Merry Prankster, Ken Kesey (there’s a statue in the author’s honor downtown). The Inn on 5th, the city’s first boutique hotel, opened this spring, complete with luxury suites that have drawn guests such… -
Photo Friday: At the Beach in the Grenadines
11 May 2012 | 2:28 amThis is the latest of our weekly travel photo series, inspired by #FriFotos on Twitter. This week’s #FriFotos theme is PARADISE. It’s been a few years, but Don and I have yet to encounter a destination as relaxing as the 2009 trip that we took to St. Vincent & The Grenadines. While the Caribbean islands can be hard to get to (no thanks to the often unreliable and confounding Liat Airlines), they seem to attract a more laid-back crowd than some of the others, and the result is more of a sailor vibe than the throngs of cruise ship tourists that infiltrate other countries. The… -
Jazzfest 2012: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Photo Essay
7 May 2012 | 2:09 amThis is the second in our series on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. If you have never been to the festival, the following photo essay may give you inspiration to go if you are heavily drawn to either music or culture. Our first stop as we entered the festival grounds led us to the Jazz and Heritage stage, where Walter Cook and the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians were singing and dancing. It didn’t take us long to get into the spirit of dancing and chanting along with the performers. The festival has ten stages/tents that you are free to wander between after… -
Photo Friday: Orchid Flowers Photo, Philadelphia Flower Show
4 May 2012 | 3:00 amThis is the latest of our weekly travel photo series, inspired by #FriFotos on Twitter. This week’s #FriFoto theme is FLOWERS. Orchids are my favorite type of flower – not only because they are exotic, but because there are so many different varieties and bizarre shapes. The photo above, of a moth orchid, was taken at the Philadelphia Flower Show, an annual event drawing thousands of visitors. The moth orchid is fairly common – even so, it’s very vibrant and its structure produces some very nice details, especially for close-up photography. Photo Friday: Orchid…
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Travelanthropist
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Living It Up in Rio with a Volunteer Vacation
2 May 2012 | 2:43 pmTraveling to Cidade Maravilhosa in Rio and looking for a rich experience? A number of non-profit organizations (NGOs) giving travelers the ability to volunteer their skills during their vacations have cropped up to meet the community’s needs... -
Forget Bali, 3 Islands That Offer The Ultimate Escape
28 Mar 2012 | 3:10 pmCrazy traffic jams, noisy Bluebird taxis, and terrorist threats have all detracted from Bali’s status as an island paradise. What’s a traveler to do for a little tropical R&R now? These three island destinations... -
Travel to the Philippines to Help Rebuild the Batad Rice Terraces
2 Feb 2012 | 11:12 amAs a result of a series of typhoons, the Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao, a World Heritage site since 1995, are in danger. The Batad community will be open to voluntourists, who will be able to help as well as have a taste of traditional Ifugao life and culture. -
Places to Go and Not Go in 2012
9 Jan 2012 | 10:41 pmLooking for the ultimate travel experience for 2012? Here are a few destinations to add to your list or keep off your list! -
How to Find 500,000 Places to Stay in Over 175 Countries
13 Dec 2011 | 6:34 amSocial travel site Tripping.com, which connects travelers with local people for tips or even homestays in over 175 countries, recently announced the launch of a new search engine that aggregates listings from the world's top vacation and short-term rental sites.
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Solo Traveler
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Your Voice as Weapon
16 May 2012 | 5:15 amPractice using your voice so that it is ready if you need it. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler -
Solo Travel Destination: Seville, Spain
15 May 2012 | 5:20 amSeville, Spain comes highly recommended as a beautiful, easily navigable destination for solo travelers, chock full of lively tapas bars. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler -
Low to the Ground in Italy
14 May 2012 | 5:30 amJoining a local community celebration that has gone on for centuries, I felt really connected to Italy. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler -
You are arriving… “The Journey” by David Whyte
13 May 2012 | 5:30 amFor the second week in a row, my poetry post is a poem named "The Journey". It offers a very definite solo point of view. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler -
Pic of the Week: Keylong, India
10 May 2012 | 5:15 amA Solo Travel Society member shares with us this peaceful shot of mountains near Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, India. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
