From the monthly archives:

May 2008

Now Airlines Charge More For Everything

May 30, 2008

Last week’s news that American Airlines would be adding a US$15 charge for the first checked piece of baggage was bad enough. But it turns out that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Numerous airlines have just announced increases in various fees and charges, and without exception, the airlines are blaming the rising [...]

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Louis Theroux Calls Out the Weird of America

May 29, 2008

The Call of the Weird

A road trip often makes for a good travel story, and Louis Theroux’s strange drive around the United States to create his book Call of the Weird is no exception. The book’s subtitle, “Encounters with Survivalists, Porn Stars, Alien Killers and Ike Turner” gives you a taste of what Theroux came [...]

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Travel Deals of the Week 5/27/2008

May 27, 2008

Florida Travel Deals
Save up to 30% off Daytona Beach – more information
Save up to 30% off Florida Keys – more information
Save up to 30% off Fort Lauderdale – more infoamtion
Save up to 30% off Miami – more information
Save up to 30% off Orlando – more information
expires 6-30-2008

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Museums in Philadelphia

May 26, 2008

The famous Love sculpture in downtown Philadelphia. Flickr.

Philadelphia is a city which is rich with history but which is also on the cutting edge of the most modern trends in America today. Filled with landmarks dating back to the American Revolution and earlier, Philadelphia is certainly a place where you can go to see what [...]

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American Airlines Charges You For Baggage

May 23, 2008

A fair few budget airlines over in Europe have been doing it, but there’s been a shocked reaction this week in the US after American Airlines announced that they will start charging passengers a $15 fee for checked baggage.
The charge starts from June 15, and will apply to all American Airlines passengers who buy a [...]

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Sightseeing in Phoenix

May 23, 2008

Downtown Phoenix. Flickr

Phoenix, Arizona is blessed with sunny weather, a casual lifestyle, and a plethora of things to do and see. Whether you’re just visiting the city for a few days or are a life-long resident, there’s always something new to experience. Below are just a few Phoenix sightseeing ideas:

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Discover Tony Horwitz’s Long, Strange Voyage

May 22, 2008

A Voyage Long and Strange

Tony Horwitz has got a new book out, and before you even open it you can have a strong feeling that it’s going to be a good read. Horwitz is a Pulitzer prize winning journalist who likes to get out and about in the world, and to look back into history [...]

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Best Places to Shop in Toronto

May 21, 2008

Toronto Skyline

Toronto, the largest city in Canada and its economic and financial center, is a very international city. In fact, almost half of the city’s population was born outside of Canada. The diversity gives Toronto a very cosmopolitan flair. It was makes for some interesting shopping. Below are just a few of the best places [...]

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Travel Deals of the Week 5/20/2008

May 20, 2008

Celebrity Cruises
Get up to $100 Onboard Credit expires 5/29/2008
more information
Royal Caribbean
Receive up to $100 Onboard Credit expires 5/29/2008
more information
New Cruise Ships
Explore the New Ships on the Block expires 5/31/2008
more information

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Best Places to Shop in Las Vegas

May 19, 2008
Thumbnail image for Best Places to Shop in Las Vegas

Las Vegas nights are almost always busy. You grab dinner at a top restaurant or a favorite buffet, catch a Cirque du Soleil show in the evening, head to the clubs afterwards and then stay up all night playing the slots. This activity may encourage you to sleep in but you’ll still have afternoons free [...]

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Tourists Caught Up in Asia’s Natural Disasters

May 16, 2008

The last week or two have been filled with natural disasters in the Asian region, and even now it’s hard to get really accurate information about the outcomes and effects. But for tourists traveling in China – and to a lesser extent in Burma – these natural catastrophes are definitely not what they planned for [...]

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Will Thomas Kohnstamm Go To Hell With Other Travel Writers?

May 15, 2008

Travel guide book writer Thomas Kohnstamm is probably delighted with the media storm that surrounded the recent release of his book Do Travel Writers Go To Hell?. Its long subtitle, A Swashbuckling Tale of High Adventures, Questionable Ethics, and Professional Hedonism seems to sum up what’s been reported about Kohnstamm and the book lately.

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How to Plan a Wine Tour

May 14, 2008

Carneros Vineyards in California. Flickr

Years ago, vacations were planned around national monuments, natural wonders, Uncle Joe’s farm or Grandma’s house. Now planning a vacation for family or friends can cover all kinds of bases. There are eco-vacations, that explore the rain forests and attempt to combat global warming; there are “volunteer vacations” that may involve [...]

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Travel Deals of the Week 5/13/2008

May 13, 2008

Memorial Day Sale
Get a FREE Night in Orlando this Memorial Day Weekend when you travel between 5/22 and 5/27
more information
Memorial Day Sale
Get a FREE Night in Cancun this Memorial Day Weekend when you travel between 5/22 and 5/27
more information
Paris on Sale
Book Early and Save! Book by 5/25/08 for travel in July or August and Save
more [...]

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Historic Landmarks in Rome

May 12, 2008

A view of Rome in the evening. Flickr

Rome, the capital city of Italy, is a cosmopolitan travel destination that is adored by people throughout Europe and around the world. It has some of the world’s best restaurants, some of the most luxurious five star hotels and some of the most interesting new buildings that you’ll [...]

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Westin Long Beach Hotel Review

May 12, 2008

The Westin Hotel Long Beach
333 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802
(866) 716-8132
StarwoodHotels.com
Directions

The Long Beach Hotel is located on Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach California. The hotel is located resonably close to both Los Angeles Airport and Orange County Airport. Local nearby attractions include the Long Beach Aquarium, Pine Ave Market, Shoreline Park, Rainbow Lagoon Park, [...]

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Beijing Olympics Travel: Book Now and Check the Rules

May 8, 2008

With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games drawing ever nearer – and with the Olympic torch already making it into China – the half a million foreign tourists expected to head into China to watch Olympic events should be making their final travel arrangements. With another two million domestic tourists expected t be flooding into Beijing [...]

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Get Your Australian English Phrasebook

May 8, 2008

Did you think they spoke English in Australia? Well, sometimes they do, but the “Aussie” language has quite a few differences to American or British English. The third edition to Lonely Planet’s phrasebook came out last year and it’s both an interesting and a useful book to take with you on a journey Down Under.

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Visiting Aruba

May 7, 2008

Beautiful ocean view of Aruba. Flickr

Aruba, located just north of South America is an arid, almost desert-like island with a long stretch of white sand beach, a number of international resorts, a constant breeze, and predictably good weather. In other words, the island is an ideal place for a beach vacation or honeymoon. [...]

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Travel Deals of the Week 5/6/2008

May 6, 2008

Norwegian Cruise Lines
Get Upgrades and Onboard Credit Expires 5/11/2008
more information
Celebrity Cruises
Get up to $100 Onboard Credit expires 5/29/2008
more information
Royal Caribbean
Receive up to $100 Onboard Credit expires 5/29/2008
more information
New Cruise Ships
Explore the New Ships on the Block expires 5/31/2008
more information
photo credit: jacreative

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Twisting in the Wind: Great European Roller Coaster Videos

May 6, 2008

Europe, land of castles and culture. But sometimes you need more thrills than a trip to an art museum can give. Sometimes you just want to get the wind in your hair and scream. Here’s a guide to 15 of Europe’s top roller coasters that you’ll want to consult next time you need to let [...]

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Museums in New York City

May 5, 2008

The Egypt wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From Flickr

The museums of New York City are famous around the world. Everyone knows that The Met is where you go to see art (unless you want to be edgy and going to the MoMA). And there are leading museums throughout New York City which cater [...]

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Bumped Flyers Get Higher Refunds Due to DOT Regulation

May 4, 2008

As airlines try to squeeze more profits out of flights, and gas prices continue to rise, and consumers use internet price comparison services, things are going to get a lot tougher on the airlines with a new DOT Rule. According to the DOT consumers who are bumped because of overbooking are now entitled to a [...]

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Walt Disney Polynesian Resort Review

May 3, 2008
Thumbnail image for Walt Disney Polynesian Resort Review

The Polynesian at Walt Disney World is a deluxe class resort in the Magic Kingdom area. The Polynesian (or “Poly”, as frequent visitors refer to it), was one of the first resorts to be built at Disney World.
The close proximity to the Magic Kingdom makes it a very popular hotel choice for Walt Disney World [...]

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Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Review

May 2, 2008

The Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World in Florida.
photo credit: mrkathika

This Disney deluxe class resort is located in the Magic Kingdom area, between the Contemporary resort and Fort Wilderness. The “theme” of this resort is that of a National Park, as the entire resort has a lodge feel that captures the spirit of the [...]

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Tourists in Accidents on Three Continents

May 2, 2008

With the summer tourism peak just starting up, you could be forgiven for getting a bit worried about whether or not you can get around safely once you’ve landed at your destination. In the last week or so there seem to have been endless news items about vehicle crashes involving tourists, which could almost make [...]

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Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

May 2, 2008

The Animal Kingdom Lodge located next to Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom Park opened in 2001 photo credit: clyderob

Opened in 2001, this Disney Deluxe resort is located about one mile from the Animal Kingdom Park. The theme of this resort is an African Savanna and Lodge. Everywhere you look, you will see the animal theme from [...]

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From the Tuscan Sun to the World of Frances Mayes

May 1, 2008

If you haven’t read Frances Mayes Under the Tuscan Sun, you’ll at least have heard of it or its several sequels. Mayes and her husband renovated an old villa in Tuscany and she quickly became known as the travel writing queen for all things Tuscan. But recently, she released a new book called A Year [...]

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