From the monthly archives:

January 2008

Cocoa Beach – Orlando’s Beach Resort

January 28, 2008

Orlando may be located in the middle of the state, but you don’t have to give up on the idea of a beach vacation in order to see Disney World. Cocoa Beach, located along Florida’s east central coast is just an easy hour’s drive away. The Space Coast, as that area is called, is a [...]

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Orlando’s Gatorland

January 26, 2008

Sure, Orlando’s major theme parks are fun, but when in Central Florida, make sure to allow time to visit some of the lesser-known attractions in the area, such as Gatorland. This 110-acre wildlife preserve is located midway between Orlando and Kissimmee and features thousands of alligators and crocodiles as well as other animal and [...]

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Free things to do in Orlando

January 25, 2008

Sure, Orlando has the Disney theme parks and Universal Studios and a dozen or so lesser theme parks, but the city also has a surprising number of things to do without spending a dime.

Morse Museum of American Art – One doesn’t usually equate Orlando with art museums, but the city boasts an example [...]

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No more ‘One Person, One Fare’

January 24, 2008

In a ruling that overthrows previous airline policies, Canada-based carriers are required to eliminate their “one person, one fare” policies.
From now on, if clinically obese or disabled travelers require transportation attendants or more than one airline seat, Canadian airlines are no longer allowed to charge them extra, says the Canadian Transportation Authority. Within the [...]

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India is home to the world’s best hotel

January 23, 2008
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If someone asked you where the world’s best hotel was located, what would you say? If you were one of the people who participated in Travel and Leisure’s annual poll on the topic, you might have said Udaipur, India. The hotel that made the number one spot on 2007’s list of the world’s top 500 [...]

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There’s plenty to eat at CityWalk Orlando

January 22, 2008

You won’t be lacking for things to do when you plan to spend a day (or more) at Universal City Walk in Orlando, Florida. This entertainment complex is filled with everything from souvenir shopping to well-known performances by theater stars like Blue Man Group. In the midst of all of this busy activity, you are [...]

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Honeymoon at Disney World

January 21, 2008

Disney World is one of the most frequently visited family vacation destinations in the world. Because of this, it might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about romantic travel destinations. But there is romance at Disney World, and plenty of adult activities.
In fact, one of the top romantic restaurants [...]

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A shoppers paradise in Orlando

January 20, 2008
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While the stated goal of the 30-acre entertainment complex known as CityWalk is to entertain and educate patrons in a variety of themed environments, its real accomplishment is giving tourists a place to deposit their cash. Whether you’re a sport’s buff, a cigar aficionado, a fashionista or a conservationist; there’s a store for you.

Cigarz at [...]

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Mickey salutes the military with discounts

January 19, 2008

Tucked between the Magnolia and Palm golf courses, very close to the great mouse’s home, Magic Kingdom, rests a resort dedicated to hosting America’s military.
Florida’s Shades of Green was originally built as a luxury resort known as the Disney Inn. In 1994 the Department of Defense leased the property and turned it into an [...]

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Flight 001 offers one-stop shopping for travelers

January 18, 2008

The next time you’re in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Chicago, or Dubai and realize you’ve forgotten your toothbrush again, don’t fret: Flight 001 is there to rescue you. Selling everything from toiletries to fashionable luggage, the store is the brainchild of Brad John and John Sencion.
Designed as a one-stop shop for busy [...]

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Destination: Puerto Rico

January 17, 2008
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As you dig into a spicy, citrusy ceviche and down a typical rum drink, you’ll know that coming to Puerto Rico was a fantastic choice.

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New York City tourism recovers from September 11

January 17, 2008

It’s no surprise to think that the number of tourists visiting New York City dropped dramatically after the 2001 terrorist attacks. While some curious visitors might have made a special trip to see the aftermath, most people would have been a bit nervous, and in fact tourist numbers fell to 35.3 million [...]

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Anchorage’s Fur Rendezvous

January 16, 2008

When you think of winter in Alaska, do you think of fur-cloaked residents, holed up in their homes? Well, think again. Parts of Alaska, such as Anchorage in the south-central part of the state, enjoy surprisingly mild winters (by Alaska standards) and up to 10 hours of daylight in the late winter months. [...]

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Liverpool’s year of culture begins

January 16, 2008

Each year in Europe, two cities are named to be the continents Capitals of Culture for the year. It gives sometimes little-known cities the chance to make their name on the world scene – like one of this year’s Capitals, the town of Stavanger in Norway – and others the opportunity [...]

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Will you need a REAL ID to fly?

January 15, 2008

Since the REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, there’s been all kinds of discussion across the United States about what data will be required and how privacy will be protected, whether or not such a system is constitutional and how people without REAL ID will be discriminated against.
What we really [...]

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Aztalan Pyramids

January 15, 2008

If pyramids excite you and make you feel like traveling, how about a trip to Wisconsin? Believe it or not, the Midwestern state is home to an ancient village and ceremonial complex, complete with pyramidal mounds, from somewhere between AD 1000 to 1300. Not much is specifically known about the group that constructed these pyramids [...]

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Rich Emirates passengers can soon take showers

January 14, 2008

Flying is getting more comfortable by the minute, especially with the advent of the new A380 plane, slowly being rolled out across the world. The latest plan is that Emirates Airlines will include showers on its Airbus A380 planes to be used on long haul flights by first class passengers.
Can you [...]

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Harley-Davidson to open museum

January 14, 2008

If you hear the word “hog” and don’t automatically think of a farm and squealing pigs, then you’re probably long overdue for a trip to hog heaven. The Harley-Davidson headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been home to the hearts of millions of motorcycle enthusiasts for decades but a new home will open this year.
Museum staff [...]

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The power held by airline ticket agents

January 13, 2008

Stay on their good side, or you may find yourself:

Getting additional security screening. Some ticket agents can highlight certain tickets for secondary security screening. This means you go through one-on-one screening with a security guard. This is rare, but apparently it happens.
Paying higher fees, Often, if your bag is a little heavier or larger than [...]

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Why your luggage was lost

January 12, 2008

It’s not always the baggage handlers’ fault. Sometimes your bags are lost because of

Technology problems: Sometimes those conveyor belts taking your luggage from the terminal to the plane jam.
Flight problems I: Sometimes a flight is too full to hold everybody’s bags and yours get put on a later plane.
Flight problems II: Missed connections. When [...]

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Cruising for less

January 11, 2008

Though many of us dream of someday taking a cruise, sometimes our wallets don’t stretch that wide. Luckily, MSNBC has brought us 13 tips to save money on your next cruise.

Now’s the time to buy: We’re about to hit the cruising high season, so the best deals are available right now.
Buy your own airfare: Though [...]

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Best of Travel Blogs: Crossing Borders, Saving Whisky and Feeding Hippos

January 11, 2008

You can almost touch the momentum of travel bloggers around the world as they run with their New Year’s Resolutions to post more and post better:

For those keen to compare the every day costs at different destinations so you can make the most out of your traveling dollars, try a useful post at [...]

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More travel bought online than off in 2007

January 10, 2008

You don’t have to think back very far to remember a time when you physically went to the travel agent to book the flights for your next vacation – and for that matter, came home with a valuable paper ticket that you were scared of losing.
Things change fast, and if you’re reading [...]

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How to get the best hotel rates

January 10, 2008

Sleeping away from home can be a expensive undertaking, so spending each dollar well is an important part of every traveler’s plans. Searching for the absolute best hotel rates is your key to maximizing luxury and minimizing costs, and CNN has come up with tips on how to do just that:

Start using new search engines: [...]

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Planeguage: Etiquette for fliers

January 9, 2008

Nothing can sour a flight like a child kicking the back of your seat, a stranger falling asleep on your shoulder, or a loud and drunk passenger regaling the entire plane with stories only she finds funny. Flying is frustrating, at best, and passengers without manners only make it worse. Thankfully, Delta’s finally supplied us [...]

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Singapore’s Changi Airport Gets Even Bigger

January 9, 2008

As a hub for flying between the northern hemisphere and Asia or Australia, Singapore’s Changi Airport has long been a major stopover for many travelers. And Changi Airport has often received great reviews for reliable service and a huge array of shopping and entertainment options for those long hours between flights.
Changi [...]

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Best ski resorts for non-skiers

January 8, 2008

Winter is a time of fantastic ski vacations, exhilarating trips to snowboarding parks, and delicious sips of hot chocolate in between ski runs… unless you’re not a fan of powdery, white snow. Skisnowboard.com has come up with the 6 best resorts for non-skiers:

Lake Placid, New York: The home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics [...]

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Disney World restaurant bans kids

January 8, 2008
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The dream of many small children across the world is to visit Disney World, right? Even though there are plenty of adults who have become addicted to visiting Disney theme parks, the whole concept is really about entertaining kids.
Or so I thought, until I read that Disney World has recently banned children from eating [...]

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Keep guests in mind when planning your destination wedding

January 7, 2008

Though your wedding day is all about you, you friends and family will be there to love and support you. When planning your destination wedding, with its romance and magic, don’t forget to factor your guest’s needs into the equation.
Issues to keep in mind range from having kid-friendly food to whether a hotel will be [...]

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Cunard: Good news and bad news

January 7, 2008

Who wouldn’t dream of a trip on one of the Cunard ships: the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Elizabeth 2 or the Queen Victoria. When I’m old and rich, I’m definitely going to sign up for a three-month, round-the-world stint on whichever ship passes my nearest port.
This week the Cunard ships have [...]

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