Top 5 US holiday vacation destinations

The top 5 U.S. holiday vacation destinations - CBS News: ". . . 3. Chicago. America's "second city" is a first-class destination for the holidays. Browse for gifts in the open air Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza, a Chicago tradition since 1996, then head to the famous Walnut Room at Macy's for a bite to eat. A tradition since 1907, this landmark restaurant serves up plenty of holiday cheer to locals and tourists alike. Finish up a perfect night with a trip to ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo to see animals, ice carvers and thousands of twinkling lights. 2. Boston. . .."

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Skiing in Japan -- small but beautiful

Skiing in Japan: small but beautiful | Travel | The Observer
The Guardian
Japan boasts some 600 ski resorts and the top sites, such as Niseko, are now well known to an international clientèle. But the lion's share of skiing in Japan goes on at local hangouts where, although the slopes aren't always steep, the runs are cheap ...

The Guardian

Sunday Preview | Travel essay How Boston prepared me to travel the world
Boston Globe
Kate McCulley, a Boston area native, gave up her Fenway apartment and online marketing career for a life on the road two years ago. She has been traveling and blogging ever since, visiting 35 countries on five continents. McCulley, 28, explains how ...

Philippines Lifts Travel Ban on Israel - Inside Israel - News - Israel ...
Arutz Sheva
"In view of improved security conditions in Israel and Gaza as a result of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the (foreign department) travel advisory... is now lifted," a ministry statement said. Manila imposed a travel ban on Israel ...

Arutz Sheva

Travel tips: go to Lake Heikki in Finland, get healthy in Morocco, and deals ...
The Guardian
Take me there… Lake Heikki, Finland. Lapland is known for many things – reindeer, Father Christmas, the northern lights – but local cuisine is not one of them. However, a new holiday to northern Finland is putting the culinary highlights of the North ...

The Guardian

From the Travel Desk: No one wants bags to get lost
Minneapolis Star Tribune
The U.S. Department of Transportation keeps tabs on the numbers of lost, damaged, delayed or pilfered baggage, and the statistics can be sobering. In the first nine months of 2012, Delta reported 155,859 mishandled bags (for 73,852,423 passengers ...

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Amtrak Adds Chicago-Michigan Trains For Holiday Travel « CBS ...
By sstoddart
Amtrak is adding more trains on its Chicago-Michigan route to accommodate increased demand during the busy travel period at the end of December.
CBS Detroit

Avoiding Rose Bowl ticket and travel scams - TODAY'S TMJ4
Are you looking to get a great deal on tickets to the Rose Bowl? Before you jump at a deal that seems to good to be true, watch out. You could be targeted by a scam.
Local News

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Staying healthy on the road (video)

Staying healthy on the road

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Hotel Room Workout (video)

CNN's Richard Quest looks at how to stay fit without leaving the comfort of your hotel room. --Business Traveller on CNN.com

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Top tips for women business travellers

Good Travel tips--not just for women--

Top tips for female business travellers - Business Review Europe: ". . . In general, an outgoing personality encounters more security risks than those with an introverted character. Being careful about attire is important as designer clothes and jewellery attract attention. . . . Research the security situation prior to travel and understand the areas that are considered safe and unsafe. Are there cultural sensitivities? What is the status of women in business and society? What languages are spoken? Are bare arms and legs permitted or appropriate? . . . Be a hard target - Arrange to be met at the airport by a company or hotel car or even better, by a colleague or friend. Avoid unlicensed taxis, ensure mobiles are switched to roaming prior to travel, carry a list of key contacts, book a room on the third floor or higher and ask for women-only floors if available. Never accept food or drink from a stranger. #4 – Confidence and assertiveness . . . " read more here

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Boutiqe British cruise line launches revamped Voyager

Voyager--not your ordinary cruise ship--

Boutiqe British cruise line launches revamped Voyager: "The ship, which has been decorated in an explorer theme, offers open-seating dining in three restaurants, including a specialty venue, The Explorer Club. Other amenities include Scott's Lounge, a classic piano bar; a panoramic lounge at the front of the ship; and a terrace with an all-weather area for outdoor dining as part of the Veranda restaurant. . . The ship, which offers passengers soft adventure, is small enough to visit lesser-known destinations. It will stay in port longer than typical cruises, and feature lectures by experts on the areas visited. After its 20-day sailing to Barbados, Voyager will sail in the Caribbean and offer a 20-day sailing through the Chilean fjords, and visit Buenos Aires. Other trips will call on Uruguay and Brazil, the Amazon and Venezuela. For more information and booking, visit VoyagesofDiscovery.com."

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Obama, Cuban-Americans and Cuba policy

The times are changin' on Cuba--policy and travel--

MIAMI: Obama maintains standing with Cuban-Americans - Politics Wires - MiamiHerald.com: "The door for travel to Cuba cracked open during President Barack Obama's first term. Cuban-Americans can now visit family on the island as often as they like. Americans can travel legally as part of an academic or religious trip. Perhaps it's for this reason that Obama's standing with the Cuban-American community in Florida stayed largely steady on Election Day, even though the modest openings with Cuba have riled some of South Florida's more conservative exiles. Exit polling showed that 49 percent of Cuban-Americans voted for the Democrat, roughly the same percentage as four years ago. At the same time, Florida voters sent to the House a Cuban-American Democrat from Miami who supports Obama's expansion of travel and remittances to Cuba while still favoring the 50-year-old embargo that limits American trade with the communist country. . . The victories by supporters of looser restrictions on Cuba travel illustrate changing attitudes of Americans who hail from the island nation: They seem to be less resistant to politicians who promote travel to Cuba and more focused on more traditional American concerns such as the economy, rather than Cuba policy. Those shifting attitudes could have implications for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the next four years, as well as how presidential candidates and politicians approach Cuban-Americans in Florida, an important swing state, in the future. . . . Read more here

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Air travel at risk of sharp decline

Go over the fiscal cliff? Unintended consequences follow--

WASHINGTON: Air travel at risk of sharp decline - Business - MiamiHerald.com: "If Congress and the White House fail to deliver a deal on spending and taxes, funding for an array of federal transportation programs could suffer. But the bigger impact could result from an economic downturn that reduces travel and transportation demand. A Fitch Ratings report last month warned that the fiscal cliff would drive the U.S. economy into a new recession and unemployment back to 10 percent. In 2009, domestic and international travel declined 5.3 percent from the year before, and Fitch forecasts that it could decline as much as 5 percent next year if the fiscal cliff triggers a broader downturn. The aviation system would face a huge slowdown with potential cutbacks in operations and personnel, but air travel also would decline in a slowing economy. Highway and transit spending depends on the federal gasoline tax, and that would decline if Americans cut back on driving. Lower demand for consumer goods would hurt trucking companies, freight railroads and port operators. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration would face a mandatory $1 billion budget cut that could result in fewer air traffic controllers and more delays for the implementation of NextGen, the advanced aircraft guidance system that replaces decades-old technology. The Transportation Security Administration would be required to cut more than $500 million, which likely would lead to fewer security screeners and air marshals, resulting in longer lines at the nation’s airports. . . ."

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Disney to base entire fleet in Florida in early 2014

Disney to base entire fleet in Florida in early 2014: "Disney will operate all of its ships out of Florida in the early half of 2014, the cruise line announced as it unveiled new itineraries, which include a new port in Jamaica. The Disney Magic will return to Port Canaveral, joining Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy in sailing off the central Florida coast. And Disney Wonder will continue to homeport in Miami. (In 2013, Magic is scheduled to sail out of Galveston, Texas; Barcelona and Miami.) PHOTO TOUR: The Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy compared  Most sailings from Port Canaveral will visit Disney's popular private Bahamian island, Castaway Cay. Dream and Magic will sail a variety of itineraries, including three- and four-night Bahamian sailings. Fantasy will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes . . . "

How to Survive a Caribbean Cruise with 7 Kids - Ordinary Traveler: "I know what you must be thinking. “You poor thing. You had to go on a seven day Caribbean cruise with your family.” Okay, so it really wasn’t all that tough, but I’m not going to lie, it was trying at times. It was my father’s request, who was celebrating his 60th birthday, to go on a family trip, young kids included. We were quite the crew of fourteen people, running around airports and cruise ship ports. Even though Scott and I don’t have any kids of our own, I did learn a few things about how to keep my nieces and nephews entertained while making sure I stayed sane."

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Cruise deals during Wave Season

Decoding cruise deals during Wave Season | Fox News: "We’re also heading into Wave Season, which is the Black Friday and Cyber Monday of the cruise world.  But instead of one day, this sale lasts for three full months, running from January through March.  Every year during this time, cruise lines roll out special deals, perks and upgrades in order to entice travelers to book early for their departures later in the year. However, beyond the frequent cruiser, it’s surprising how many other travelers are unaware of this season, and also unaware of the savings that can be had on ocean voyages all over the globe.  The problem is that if you’re a first time cruiser, this time of year can also be dizzying with the array of choices you have. In fact, there are so many different ships, offers and promotions, it’s difficult to know where to start and even tougher to discern a mediocre deal from the bargains you shouldn’t pass up. With the start of the season just a few weeks away, I’ve put together a handy guide to help you narrow down your options and book the ideal cruise to fit both your lifestyle and your travel budget."

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Do smartphones make it hard to escape work on vacation?

Do smartphones make it hard to escape work when you're on holiday? - video | Technology | guardian.co.uk: "Would you take a call from your boss if you were on the beach? Michael White heads to the Brighton seafront to see how many holidaymakers are using their smartphones and taking business calls when they're supposed to be relaxing and getting away from it all"

DavidMixner.com - TRAVEL: Is This The Best Hotel In The World? "  . . . as a person that loves hotels and traveling to seek the best in the world. Some of my favorites over the years have been the Cape Grace in South Africa, the George IV in Paris and the Washington, D.C. Four Seasons. Conde Nast Travelers has announced the winners in its annual reader survey for the 'Best Hotel in the World". The winner was the Oualia Hotel on Hamilton Island in Australia. The hotel obtained an unheard of perfect score of 100 from the magazines readers. The hotel is located on the Great Barrier Reef and has sixty large rooms. The resort is adults only."

Jewish Travel Through the Ages | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com: "Among us Jews, it’s a common saying that there’s one of us everywhere. These days, whether it’s the recently released Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier backpacking through India or South America, or those who run the Chabad house all the way in Laos, the Jewish people make their presence known in nearly every nook and cranny of the world. Throughout history, some Jews traveled to distant parts to escape persecution, others were explorers who were curious about the culture or science of new places, and some just ended up on strange shores completely by chance."

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Caribbean Cruise Port With Adventure Travelers In Mind

A Caribbean Cruise Port With Adventure Travelers In Mind
Gadling
The people that steer cruise ships to Caribbean cruise ports have been looking for new places to send ships for quite some time. Formerly satisfied with the standard fare of Western, Eastern or Southern Caribbean itineraries, cruise ...

Search continues for US man missing in Caribbean | Local News ...
U.S. Coast Guard crews searched Friday for a Washington state man who was reported missing from a Caribbean cruise. Two ships and a plane took part in the ...

New Cruise Ship Adds Old Ship Feature | Gadling.com
Recently, major cruise lines have been taking popular features of new ships and adding them ...

Authentic, New York City Experience, On A Cruise Ship
Gadling
Norwegian Cruise Line will launch new Norwegian Breakaway from New York City in May 2013. Busy getting New Yorkers into the idea of sailing away on their newest ship, Norwegian has everyone from the Rockettes to celebrity chef's excited and involved ...

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Gauguin line sailing Caribbean, Mediterranean

Gauguin line sailing Caribbean, Mediterranean
The Province
29 from St. Martin, Tere Moana will ring in 2013 by sailing an eclectic mix of Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries before setting out across the Atlantic on March 30, bound for a summer in the warm Mediterranean. With her first foray into the ...

Travel: Peggy Siegal's Guide to Cannes and the French Riviera ...
The movie-party publicist and events maven on the best places to hit up while in Cannes.
The Latest from VanityFair.com

Should a cruise line tell passengers who is sailing? Cruise Critic UK
By cruisecriticuk
“For groups of people with similar interests, we always evaluate group size, in the interest of not altering or interrupting the experience for other guests (not in the group) onboard,” explains Celebrity Cruises' Tavia Robb. “We are committed to ...
Cruise Critic UK

No sign of missing Caribbean cruise ship passenger
Boston.com
The 42-year-old man was identified as Jason Rappe of Olympia, Washington, who had been on board the Holland America Line cruise ship Eurodam. The ship was traveling from St. Thomas to the Bahamas when he was reported missing by his wife on ...

Cruise News Shorts: An Angry Cruise Ship Captain, NYC Hot Dogs and Kid-Free ...
Cruise Critic
In keeping with the Norwegian Breakaway equals all things New York City theme, Norwegian CruiseLine (formerly NCL) has announced the new ship will feature Sabrett Hot Dog carts and Brooklyn Lager beer. The three hot dog carts – the same you'd find ...

No sign of missing Caribbean cruise ship passenger
The Coast Guard has searched for a second day for a Washington state man missing from hisCaribbean cruise but found no sign of him. Coast Guard ...

Mediterranean Cruise Deals, Cruises to the Mediterranean | The ...
For the best Mediterranean Cruise Deals, speak with a consultant at the Cruise Web today.

No sign of missing Caribbean cruise ship passenger
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard has searched for a second day for a Washington state man missing from his Caribbean cruise but found no sign of ...

Favorite Travel Websites: Price Most Important in Survey
ABC News
How satisfied you are with the price you pay for your next vacation may dictate how satisfied you are overall with the travel website you used. That's according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Independent Travel Website Satisfaction Report. The ...

ABC News

Just what is 'Gangnam Style?' Seoul Convention Bureau explains it all
Chicago Tribune
Hoping to capitalize on the record popularity of the "Gangnam Style" music video, a South Korean tourism organization has launched a campaign and contest around the theme, “Just what is Gangnam?” The video, by the South Korean pop and rap star Psy, ...

Travel Deal Destinations For 2013 (PHOTOS)
Huffington Post
Also, popular chain hotels such as Marriott, Hilton and InterContinental are sprouting up across the country. This tourism boom is breeding competition and deals - in a country where the U.S. dollar already goes far. All of this is helping to change ...

Tourism award to Jammu and Kashmir
New York Daily News
Jammu, Nov 30 — The Jammu and Kashmir government has been given an award by a travelmagazine for "Excellence in Regenerating Tourism". According to a Jammu and Kashmir government spokesman, Conde Nast Traveller magazine selected the ...

AAA Alabama selling travel packages for BCS Championship Game to confident ...
The Birmingham News - al.com (blog)
Bama football.JPG Alabama defensive back Robert Lester (37) returns an interception during the first half of Saturday's Iron Bowl as Auburn offensive lineman Chad Slade (62) pursues at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) ...

The Birmingham News - al.com (blog)

Santa Barbara Travel Celebrates 65 Years of Navigating the World
Ventura County Star
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau was recognized for 65 years of travel service by luxury travelnetwork, Virtuoso, and the Mayor of Santa Barbara.In photo: Charles de L'Arbre, CEO of Santa Barbara Travel; Helene Schneider, Mayor of Santa Barbara; Harwood ...

2013 PATA Travel Mart heads to China
eTurboNews
The PATA Travel Mart 2013 is co-hosted by Chengdu Municipal People's Government and supported by Chengdu Municipal Tourism Administration, Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Exposition, and Chengdu Culture & Tourism Development Group. For further...

eTurboNews

China and Japan report rising numbers of outbound trips
eTurboNews
BERLIN, Germany – Asia continues to be the driving force in global tourism. According to the latest ITB World Travel Trends Report, this year the number of outbound trips from Asia rose by seven percent, due in part to rising wages. Yet again, the most ...

eTurboNews

Tripomatic Revamps its Sweet Travel-Planning App
By Paul Sawers
The Czech Republic-based company launched in 2011 as a Web-based platform, and the introduction of a native app for iOS devices went a long way towards procuring new users who want to have their travel plans with them on the road.
The Next Web

Minneapolis travel writer Doug Mack gets lost in Europe | MinnPost
By Amy Goetzman
Doug Mack: I've always wondered about this. Dumb luck is a recurring theme in my book — when you travel with outdated information, you develop a deep-rooted reliance on what my traveling companion, Lee, called “The Goddess Serendipity.” But that initial find was certainly the luckiest; without it, I wouldn't have written ... MP: You're a champion of local tourism. Tell me about your work with Preserve Minneapolis? www.PreserveMinneapolis.org. DM: I serve on the board and I help ...
The Latest posts on MinnPost

Lightroom Travel Contest Winner Shares Lessons and Photos from ...
By Lex van den Berghe
Recently, Lightroom hosted the Around the World with Lightroom Photo Contest, which asked our community to share travel photographs and stories on our Facebook page. After a panel of judges selected five finalists, members of the ...
PHOTOSHOP.COM BLOG

Travel Like A Boss: Onboard A US Air Force KC-10 Extender - Gadling
By Josh Wolff
During Air Force Week earlier this year, the team at Gadling Labs was invited out to witness a demonstration of the KC-10 Extender refueling four.
Gadling

Solo female travel - independent - Lonely Planet travel forum
I will be landing in Morocco in a few days. I am travelling alone and am a woman (see subject line) late-30s, tall and blonde. It has been recommended by ...

Tourism researcher: Billings travel industry booming due to better ...
Every day during the first nine months of this year, at least 77 percent of the 4,000 hotel rooms in Billings were booked. That's a healthy 22 percent increase in ...

Making the Most of Business Travel with Eventbrite - Eventbrite.com ...
One of the tools we love to use when we travel is Eventbrite. When we're on the road we try to make the most of it and meet with customers we'd otherwise only ...

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