Island or Beach Tweets

Tweets about "island OR beach"

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Bag2Go Luggage Has GPS In Case Your Airline Loses It

Bag2Go Luggage Has GPS In Case Your Airline Loses It [VIDEO]: "Misplaced luggage is one of the most headache-inducing problems that can befall a weary traveler. Thanks to Airbus, however, tracking down your lost suitcases is about to get a whole lot easier. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus recently unvealed the "Bag2Go," a so-called "smart bag" complete with GPS, RFID and 2G mobile data capabilities. The Bag2Go can even sync up with your iPhone, letting you track your bag's progress as it's loaded onto your flight."

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Popular sailing ships to cruise in tandem

Real Sailing is fun!

 Popular sailing ships to cruise in tandem: "Sea Cloud Cruises is offering something unusual for sailing fans this fall as its two sailing ships travel in tandem for several days. The Hamburg-based line says the 65-passenger Sea Cloud and 94-passenger Sea Cloud II will sail together around the Canary Islands starting on Nov. 20 in a meet-up "designed so that sails and sailing are at the forefront." The two vessels will meet in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands and sail together from Tenerife to La Gomera and El Hierro. Passengers on each of the ships will have the chance to tour the other vessel during an "open house" party planned for Nov. 21 in Tenerife."

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Book Travel Online for Less

How to Book Travel Online for Less: "With clear skies and rising temperatures around the country, the summer travel season is nearly upon us. And unless you've got money to burn or a first-born to offer, now's the time to book your travel plans. Here's how to get away without breaking the bank. Timing Is Everything . . . "(read  more at link above)

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Airlines push new booking platform, old IT firms wary

Airlines push new booking platform, IT firms wary | Reuters: "Members of IATA, the world airline industry organization, met in Cape Town this week, viewed a demonstration of the new standard and passed a resolution approving it. "Airlines offer a rich customer-centric shopping experience on their own websites and we want travel agents to have similar capabilities," said Eric Leopold, a senior IATA official. But not everyone was happy. Some travel information technology companies, such as Sabre Holdings and Travelport, make their money from contracts linking airlines and agents via global distribution systems heavily reliant on the old technology. They may stand to lose business if the NDC standard, which bypasses those older systems, eventually prevails"

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US to close its Cuban prison?

A group of retired admirals and generals who have advocated the closure of the Guantanamo prison met with National Security Council officials Tuesday to discuss the administration’s plans to shut the facility. The group included many of the retired officers who stood behind President Barack Obama on January 9, 2009, when he signed the executive order to close Guantanamo. The group met with Avril Haines, the legal adviser to the National Security Council, and other members of the White House staff. Retired Rear Adm. John Hutson, a former top Navy lawyer and a member of the Human Rights First board of directors, said the retired officers urged the officials to be more aggressive with efforts to close the prison than they were in the first term. “I said every day Guantanamo is open is another day of stain on American reputation and undermining our security. And a day closer to the end of the Obama administration,” he recounted. “We’ve got to move.” Adm. Hutson will appear Wednesday at a panel discussion organized by Human Rights First at the Navy Memorial Museum to examine the steps the administration should take make good on Mr. Obama’s pledge last month to make a renewed effort to close the prison. (source: wsj.com)

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Cuba, Alan Gross, Politics

Washington engaged in a negotiation with Havana to try to free U.S. Agency for International Development contractor Alan Gross from a Cuban jail?

Cuba Admits Gross is a Pawn - Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com: " . . . In other words, Mr. Gross is a negotiating chip. Ms. Vidal would not say what Cuba wants in exchange for letting him go, but the release of several Cuban intelligence officers convicted in 2001 of spying on the U.S. is likely on the list. Not surprisingly, the three Cuban-American congressmen object to negotiating with the dictatorship and are asking, “What was the purpose and intent” of Ms. Vidal’s trip and “what issues were discussed during her meeting with Ms. Jackson?” In addition, they have asked for an “update” on Mr. Gross’s case, which began in December 2009 when he was arrested by Cuban authorities for having brought satellite telecommunications equipment into the country. The 64 year-old is now serving a 15-year sentence in Havana for his “crime.” For the record, Ms. Vidal also told CNN viewers that Cuba has free elections, political competition and free speech."

free elections, political competition, free speech???

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Turkey by gulet sailing

Turkey by gulet: sailing in the company of the ancients - Telegraph: " . . .Travel brochures are seldom gospel, but when they are they blaze like torches. How’s this for conveying the spirit of a holiday in just a couple of lines? “Day six: We head north to the tiny island of Sikinos. We will endeavour to collar the only transport on the island to visit Episcopi, one of the best preserved Roman monuments in the Aegean… overnight in the harbour or nearby.” . . ."

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Canadian businessman goes on trial in Cuba

Cuba no place for business--

Canadian businessman goes on trial in Cuban corruption crackdown - Yahoo! News: " . . . The arrests . . . sent shockwaves through Cuba's small foreign business community where the companies involved were among the most visible players. Cuba's state-run media, however, has not yet reported the Yacoubian trial, nor mentioned the arrests and crackdown on foreign trade. . . . In October 2011, police also closed the Havana offices of the British investment and trading firm Coral Capital Group Ltd and arrested chief executive Amado Fakhre, a Lebanese-born British citizen. Two months later police raided the offices of the powerful military-run Tecnotex trading company, taking its Cuban chief executive Fernando Noy away in handcuffs. Coral Capital's chief operating officer, Stephen Purvis, was arrested in March 2012. Purvis is a British citizen. A number of other foreigners and Cubans who worked for the companies remain free but cannot leave the island because they are considered witnesses in the cases.. . ."

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Cuba slowly opening?

Cuba needs tourists, including golfers--

"The $350m Carbonera Club, to be developed by Esencia, a British firm, is the first project to get the go-ahead; another course is expected to be complete by the end of the year. A 1,300-berth marina, the largest in the Caribbean, is to be built in Varadero. And the island's airports are to be upgraded, with help from Brazil's development bank . . . Cuba's politics remain as opaque as ever, but it looks as if the island is gradually opening for business." (read more at the source: economist.com)

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Cruises get new ships, overhauls

Cruises get good buzz from new ships, overhauls
Tbo.com
The 2013 cruise season began with a nightmare: A Carnival ship adrift with no power. But in the last month or so, several cruise companies — including Carnival — have announced major overhauls to old ships and exciting innovations on new ships, from ...

'Mariner of the Seas' cruises along Indian shores
Hindu Business Line
En route from Dubai, the 138,000-tonne ship with 15 decks, part of the Royal Caribbean International cruise liner, was welcomed by Goan cultural troupe while it docked at the port here on Friday. Deputy Director of Goa Tourism Department, Pamela Maria ...

Hindu Business Line

The legal risk of cruise-ship crime in other countries
Herald Sun
More than half of the world's cruise ships are registered in Panama, Liberia and the Bahamas, and Mr O'Connell said that passengers could have their case heard in countries with a poor human rights records and a history of ignoring crimes against women.

A passage to the India of my youth: Echoes of the Raj on a cruise into a...
Daily Mail
Voyages to Antiquity (0845 437 9737, www.voyagestoantiquity.com) offers a range of cruises in the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Black Sea this summer. A 13-day cruise on Aegean Odyssey costs from £1,995 per person, including return flights, full board ...

Daily Mail

New Star is born in ocean cruising
The Province
Viking River Cruises ( vikingrivercruises.com) has taken the river cruise industry by storm as of late, launching 10 of its new Viking Longships in March alone. Now, the company is prepared to conquer a new frontier - ocean cruising. Rebranded as ...

Lakeland Man Declares Full Steam Ahead After 105 Cruises
The Ledger
"From the first cruise I took in 1960, I never dreamed I would see the type of ships they have today, which are literally like floating hotels," he said. Though today's mammoth vessels, outfitted with sophisticated stabilization systems, are not prone ...

Viking Ocean – a new cruise experience | Fox News
Viking River's first sea-going vessels will redefine the concept of cruising.
www.foxnews.com/.../viking-ocean-new-cruise-experience/

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Think beyond airfare for summer travel

Summer travel? Think beyond airfare | Business & Technology | The ...
If you want to drill down for recent data about such factors as on-time rates, lost baggage and consumer complaints among U.S. carriers, see the U.S. Department of Transportation's Air Travel Consumer Report at http://tinyurl.com/dot-air.
The Seattle Times

I'm The Sucker Who Still Likes Travel Brochures | Gadling.com
By Dave Seminara
I'm a sucker for brochures. It makes no sense to plan one's vacation itinerary, even in part, based on what you see in the flyers.
Gadling

Ballooning over Cappadocia | Rick Steves European Travel Blog
By Rick Steves
Ballooning over Cappadocia. I've never been big on ballooning. It's expensive, you need to get up really early, and I'm a little bit afraid of the whole thing. Ballooning is popular in France's Loire Valley and in Egypt's Luxor on the Nile, but it's ...
Rick Steves Travel Blog: Blog...

Travel Luminaries Converge at GBTA Convention 2013 | News ...
By Breaking Travel News
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travelindustry, today announced the speakers for the 'Luminaries of Travel CEO Panel' to be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, during the GBTA Convention ...

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International Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights

CRUISE INDUSTRY ADOPTS PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS | Cruise Lines International Association: "Washington, DC — May 22, 2013 — Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that its Board of Directors approved the adoption of a “Cruise Industry Passenger Bill of Rights” detailing CLIA members’ commitment to the safety, comfort and care of guests in a number of important areas.

Following is the full text of the Passenger Bill of Rights, as adopted by CLIA’s members unanimously.

INTERNATIONAL CRUISE LINE PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS

The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights:

1. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard, subject only to the Master’s concern for passenger safety and security and customs and immigration requirements of the port.
2. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures.
3. The right to have available on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shore side medical care becomes available.
4. The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures.
5. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures.
6. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure.
7. The right to transportation to the ship’s scheduled port of disembarkation or the passenger’s home city in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures.
8. The right to lodging if disembarkation and an overnight stay in an unscheduled port are required when a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures.
9. The right to have included on each cruise line’s website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations.
10. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each line’s website."

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Best Travel Booking Tip

Call before booking online--

5 budget travel tips you don't know- MSN Money: ""It's a myth that all the available inventory is available on the Internet," says Peter Greenberg, travel editor at CBS News. "We go online because it's easy, but we do so at our own peril if we're looking for a deal.""

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Luxury Island Musha Cay video

AskMen counts down the top 10 luxury islands on the planet, our choice for number 1 is David Copperfield's private islands Musha Cay.

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Tips for Saving Money on Cruises

Spending wisely - The Banner: " . . . . 4. LOOK FOR REPOSITIONING CRUISES Cruise lines move their ships from their rotation in one region to another every few months, usually as the high season in one region cools off and before the next destination heats up. For example, a ship will shift from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean for the winter, or vice versa. Or from the Caribbean to Alaska for the summer. . . ."

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Frequent-Flier Miles - Best Airlines for Cashing In

Availability of award tickets at the basic mileage level on United Airlines is twice as good, for example, as on Delta Air Lines or US Airways, according to the Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey. (source infra)

Frequent-Flier Miles: Best Airlines for Cashing In - WSJ.com: "Cashing in miles has been a source of long-standing frustration. Some fliers set clocks to request free tickets at midnight 331 days, or about 11 months, before departure—traditionally the moment airlines open a flight for booking—only to find no seats available on popular flights. And airlines have raised the price of award tickets by introducing higher-cost award tiers, reducing availability at the lowest award level."

 for more information and detailed chart go to link above and here

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Book Travel Online for Less and Photo tips

How to Book Travel Online for Less: " . . . Airline ticket pricing is a fickle mistress. While prices overall have steadily risen over the last two years—and showing no signs of stopping any time soon—the cost of an individual ticket depends on a myriad of factors, the largest of which being when you buy it and when you want to leave. . . ." (read more at link above)

Trey Ratcliff - Japan Photography Tips - YouTube: I did a little behind-the-scenes in Japan recently - this shows how I got a few different shots - more info at http://www.StuckInCustoms.com

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Many Air Passengers Never Turn Off Electronics

To add to the confusion, the F.A.A. permits passengers to use electric razors and audio recorders during all phases of flight, even though those give off more electronic emissions than tablets. (source infra)

Many Air Passengers Never Turn Off Electronics, Survey Finds - NYTimes.com: "In a study released on Thursday by two industry groups, the Airline Passenger Experience Association and the Consumer Electronics Association, as many as 30 percent of all passengers said they had accidentally left a device on during takeoff or landing. About 67 percent said they had never done this, always ensuring that their electronics were turned off. Four percent were unsure."

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Cook Islands paradise

Cook Islands paradise isn't plain sailing for all - The Japan Times: " . . . the Saturday-morning market on Rarotonga, which is home to all but about 4,000 of the nation’s population. Just at it teems with sarongs, ukuleles, pearls, masks and handwoven hats and mats, the islands have resorts a-plenty, with many set up to marry star-crossed lovers in a Christian church — in the traditional Maori way. The main island, Rarotonga, a volcano rising 4,500 meters from the ocean floor — or to 658 meters above sea level at the summit of Te Manga — has the cooling breezes of Hawaii, spectacular scenery to rival Bora Bora in Tahiti and a technicolored lagoon reminiscent of Guam or the Marshall Islands. Here, coconuts quite literally fall from the trees (beware!), and wherever the gaze falls it seems to happen on a cornucopia of avocados, papayas, mangoes, breadfruits, pineapples, starfruits and passionfruits. . . ." read more at link above

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Sailing the Fiji Islands with Captain Cook Cruises

Sailing the Fiji Islands with Captain Cook Cruises | Travel News from Fodor's Travel Guides: "The islands of Fiji are a slice of South Pacific paradise: a dramatic montage of lush volcanic isles fringed by palm-studded beaches; uninhabited sandy cays seemingly lost at sea; seeped-in-tradition villages; and sparkling blue lagoons teeming with colorful coral reefs. A cruise delivers an effortless and cost-effective means of sampling some of the vast island nation's 300-plus diverse isles. The folks behind Australian-owned Captain Cook Cruises offer expertly crafted itineraries to the popular Yasawa Islands archipelago, set northwest of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu (site of the international airport at Nadi), where sailings embark from the Port Denarau Marina. . . ." read more at link above

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Northern Lights Best Viewed At Sea On A Yacht

Northern Lights Best Viewed At Sea, On A Yacht, French Style | Gadling.com: "Common tips for viewing the Northern Lights say to go North, inside the Arctic circle, bring along a good guide and get away from light produced by cities and towns. That's exactly what Compagnie du Ponant, a little French-flagged cruise line is doing this autumn for one of the best aurora borealis viewing opportunities possible. Specializing in expedition sailings to the poles, Compagnie du Ponant sails small ships that feature custom technology designed to preserve fragile marine ecosystems."  read more at link above

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Sea, Romance, Mont-St.-Michel

Restoring the Sea and the Romance to Mont-St.-Michel - NYTimes.com: " . . . Built “for war as well as worship,” the writer noted, the Mont “seems to float on the sea as gracefully as a ship under full sail, catching all the changing colors of the clouds.”. . . ."

Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island 247 acres in size, and is a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometre off the country's northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. Wikipedia

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Tips on Avoiding Baggage Problems

Plane Talk: Tips on Avoiding Baggage Problems | Department of Transportation: "Avoid putting the following in checked baggage: Valuables (cash, jewelry). Don't rely on suitcase locks; they are easily defeated. Critical items (medicine, keys, passport, tour vouchers, business papers). Irreplaceable items (manuscript, heirlooms). Fragile items (camera, eyeglasses, glass containers). If these must be checked, wrap them carefully in padding. Perishables."

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Flight Delays and Bumped from a Flight

Plane Talk: Coping with Flight Delays | Department of Transportation: "Compensation is required by law only when you are “bumped” from a flight that is oversold. Airlines almost always refuse to pay passengers for financial losses resulting from a delayed flight."

eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations:
PART 250--OVERSALES
§250.1 Definitions.
§250.2 Applicability.
§250.2a Policy regarding denied boarding.
§250.2b Carriers to request volunteers for denied boarding.
§250.3 Boarding priority rules.
§250.5 Amount of denied boarding compensation for passengers denied boarding involuntarily.
§250.6 Exceptions to eligibility for denied boarding compensation.
§250.7 [Reserved]
§250.8 Denied boarding compensation.- (a) Every carrier shall tender to a passenger eligible for denied boarding compensation, on the day and place the denied boarding occurs, except as provided in paragraph (b), cash or an immediately negotiable check for the appropriate amount of compensation provided in § 250.5. (b) Where a carrier arranges, for the passenger's convenience, alternate means of transportation that departs before the payment can be prepared and given to the passenger, tender shall be made by mail or other means within 24 hours after the time the denied boarding occurs.
§250.9 Written explanation of denied boarding compensation and boarding priorities, and verbal notification of denied boarding compensation.
§250.10 Report of passengers denied confirmed space.
§250.11 Public disclosure of deliberate overbooking and boarding procedures.

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Stone Villa, Mediterranean Views

From a Stone Villa, Mediterranean Views
A three-bedroom hillside apartment with a pool is on the market for $4.54 million.

A three-bedroom apartment in the Villa Belvedere, a 1920s house overlooking the Mediterranean on the Italian island of Capri, is on the market for $4.54 million (3.5 million euros). A flight of stone steps leads up to the villa from the road.

Slides:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/03/27/greathomesanddestinations/20130327-GH-IHH.html?smid=pl-share

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Asuncion, Paraguay, Small-Scale Charms

In Asuncion, Paraguay, Small-Scale Charms and a Complex History - NYTimes.com: " . . . Asunción, a city of about 500,000, is not poised to become the next tourism capital of South America. But it is a fascinating window into Paraguayan history and culture. Over the last 150 years, the country has been beaten up by two punishing wars and one wicked dictatorship, but has emerged with a fierce and peculiar independent spirit represented by (among other things) a national indigenous language — Guaraní — that just about everyone mixes liberally with Spanish. The city (and country) make for an interesting side trip from Buenos Aires or Iguazú Falls — or, though it would be a bold call, a trip of its own for travelers who prefer their destinations off-beat, unexplored, mighty friendly and shockingly inexpensive. Asunción was a bargain in just about every way imaginable (except for the $160 entry visa for Americans); for starters, its buses cost 2,000 guaraníes, or 50 cents at 4,000 guaraníes to the dollar, and get you just about anywhere. . . ."

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China financing Baha Mar in Bahamas

Sailing with the new tide
China Daily
"...The resort is certainly one of a kind. Spanning 400 hectares, the resort, gaming and entertainment complex will boast some of the world's most famous luxury hotel brands, including Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Mondrian, and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, as well as the dazzling new Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, creating more than 2,200 new rooms. Within the hotels, Baha Mar plans to develop 307 highly exclusive, ultra-luxurious residential condominiums and villas available for private ownership. Baha Mar's stunning, new 9,000-square-meter casino will be the largest in the Caribbean and comparable only to the best in Las Vegas. The whole project will create around 8,000 jobs on completion. . . . " (read more at link above)

China Daily

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Arthur Frommer gets Frommer brand back from Google

Arthur Frommer gets Frommer brand back from Google - Travel - Boston.com: "Google confirmed in an email Wednesday night that the brand was returned to its founder, but added that the travel content it had acquired from Frommer’s and Wiley had been integrated into various Google services such as Google Plus. The terms of the deal between Google and Frommer were not disclosed. Pat Carrier, who has watched the ups and downs of the travel publishing industry as the former owner of the Globe Corner Bookstore in Cambridge, Mass., said the whole thing was ‘‘baffling.’’ ‘‘I don’t get why they (Google) bought Frommer’s and then decided to essentially shut down the whole enterprise,’’ he said. ‘‘Do they really think the content that they acquired from the Frommer’s deal has a longer shelf life than yogurt?’’ Jason Clampet, who reported Google’s decision to cease publishing Frommer content on Skift.com, called Frommer’s reacquisition of his brand ‘‘fantastic news.’’"

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US Lawmakers Express Concern Over Jay-Z Beyonce Cuba Trip

US Lawmakers Express “Concern” Over Jay-Z, Beyonce Cuba Trip: ". . . “If these individuals were given people-to-people licenses, we would like to bring to your attention the Cuba Travel Advisory issued by OFAC on July 25, 2011 which states, ‘OFAC only licenses People-to-People Groups that certify that all participants will have a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba,’” they wrote. Both Members of Congress have been longtime critics of Cuba’s government. The two said that, because Cuba’s tourism industry is “wholly state-owned,” “US dollars spent on Cuban tourism directly fund the machinery of oppression that brutally represses the Cuban people.”"

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Smooth sailing ahead for cruise industry

Smooth sailing ahead for cruising | Washington Times Communities: " . . . the international cruise industry is moving ahead full steam. In fact, cruising remains the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. And to accommodate expected bookings, over the coming months some will put into service newer—and bigger – ships. Norwegian Cruise Line for one will debut its Norwegian Breakaway in May.  It  will accommodate 4,000 passengers and be home ported in New York City initially sailing to Bermuda. Then coming along behind it will be its sister ship Norwegian Getaway, It will go into service in February 1, 2014 making seven day sailings out of Miami. Norwegian paid nearly $1.6 billion for the two vessels. . . ."

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Florida is overwhelming choice of Brazilian visitors

Florida is overwhelming choice of Brazilian visitors - Americas - MiamiHerald.com: " . . . Mauro Vieira, Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, said Friday that new figures show that of the 1.8 million Brazilians who traveled abroad in 2012, 75 percent came to Florida.“Florida is a very important state for Brazil,’’ said Vieira, who was a speaker at the 8th Annual Latin American Symposium, which is organized by the University of Miami’s Center for Hemispheric Policy. . . . Visa-free travel between the United State and Brazil is a top priority for the U.S. travel industry and for Bill Talbert, president and chief executive of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, in particular. Talbert has become a tireless advocate for a visa waiver program that would allow Brazilians to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. . . . "

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Cruising to Alaska

Setting sail for Alaska on the right ship
The Seattle Times (blog)
With seven major lines sailing 10 ships between Seattle and Alaska this year (and more ships sailing out of Vancouver, B.C.), a decision on which trip is the right one hinges on more than price. Not that the bottom line isn't important, but costs can ...

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Sailing Among Myanmar Islands of Mystery

Living aboard a 100-foot boat, exploring a mostly uninhabited region spread out over 250 miles in the Andaman Sea.--

Setting Sail Among Myanmar’s Islands of Mystery — Explorer - NYTimes.com: "I arrived on a chaotic pier in the border town of Ranong, Thailand, feeling as if I was about to throw up as I watched three-story fishing boats chug by. I had persuaded my two younger brothers and eight girlfriends to fly across the world and pool a large chunk of money so we could charter a live-aboard boat. The plan was to sail for six days through the Mergui Archipelago, a chain of 800 islands offMyanmar’s coast that’s become the holy grail of sublime, empty beaches. . . . "

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Website and App Travel Helpers

Have smoother sailing on the road with e-travel helpers
USA TODAY
For years, when he prepared for a trip, Richard Hadden either e-mailed his itinerary to himself or printed it out on a card, which he cut to fit inside his shirt pocket. Before that, he says, "I just used pencil and paper." Now, he uses TripIt, a ...read more at link above

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Cruise lines sailing away from Twitter

Cruise lines sailing away from Twitter
Tnooz
Cruise lines sailing away from Twitter. March 29, 2013 By Special Nodes Leave a Comment. NB: This is a guest article by Jamie Riddell, creator of social media insight company Birdsong. After seeing solid use of Facebook by cruise lines for ...

Tnooz

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Greek Islands Sailing

Greek Islands Sailing - European Sailing - G Adventures
Whether you're a seasoned sailor or nautical newbie, you're sure to discover something new and exciting on our Greek sailing trips. Combine routes for the ...read more at link below--
www.gadventures.com/cruising/european-sailing/greece/

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Google pulling plug on Frommers

No more printed Frommer's guides--

Why Google is pulling the plug on Frommer's - Fortune Tech: " Spotting a tourist used to be easy. Just look for someone toting around a travel guide. Today, vacationers are organizing their trips entirely online. All they need to carry with them is a smartphone to occasionally look up tourist attractions and navigate around town. Travel guide publishers are in upheaval amid this new reality. Sales of guidebooks are down sharply as people instead turn to sites like TripAdvisor for hotel and restaurant reviews. The industry's decline was hammered home recently with two big developments. . . .word that Google (GOOG) planned to kill the print edition of Frommer's, the travel guide giant it acquired last year. Google declined to comment, although Skift, a travel news site, reported that Google's editors had already broken the news to authors of some upcoming titles. Frommer's has long been a Bible for globetrotters, and its extinction in print, at least, would be a big loss for the travel guide industry. Google could continue to publish digital books under the Frommer's name and keep Frommer's website alive, however. The second development, the BBC's sale of Lonely Planet, happened earlier this month. The British broadcaster disclosed plans to sell the guide-book publisher for $78 million, far less than the nearly $200 million it had originally paid. . . . " (read more at link above)

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Insider Guide - Best of Chicago

Good guide if you are going to visit the Windy City--

Insider Guide: Best of Chicago | CNN Travel: "Unlike New York and Los Angeles, luxury hotels in downtown Chicago are generally cheaper (if not cheap), which means that mid-range rooms are even more of a bargain. Built in 1926, the Ambassador East Hotel and its legendary Pump Room entertained the likes of Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland until it faded from the limelight. Then in 2010, hotel developer (and Studio 54 cofounder) Ian Schrager bought the building and poured $35 million into its renovation. . . ." (read more at link above)

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Caribbean Island Itineraries

4 Perfect Caribbean Island Itineraries | Travel News from Fodor's ...
No matter what type of traveler you are, there is a Caribbean island for you. Bringing the fam? Get that snorkel gear on. Looking to escape? No one will find you ...read more at www.fodors.com/news/best-caribbean-islands-trips-6577.html

More from Fodor's--

5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do in The Caribbean

Five Reasons to Go to Turks and Caicos Now

7 Must-See Secluded Islands

5 Reasons to Go to Bermuda Now

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Royal Princess to Call Port Everglades Home

New Royal Princess to Call Port Everglades Home for Debut Caribbean Cruise ...
Broward Net Online (press release)
“We are honored that Princess Cruises has once again selected Port Everglades to homeport the line's newest and most sophisticated cruiseship, Royal Princess,” says Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak. “Princess has a long, ...

Broward Net Online (press release)

Carnival cruise line in more troubled waters
CNN
In yet another setback for the cruise line, the Carnival Legend is having technical difficulties that are affecting its sailing speed. It's the latest in a growing list of woes for the travel company. Will Carnival keep its customers? The Legend was on ...

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London Travel Tips from a Travel Specialist (videos)

Travel Tips Video Tips from a Travel Specialist, England Edition Condé Nast Traveler In this week's edition of tips from our Top Travel Specialists Collection, we put England specialist Jane McCrum in the spotlight. McCrum's strength is her personal connections—primarily with members of the aristocracy who open up their personal homes ...

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Carnival Cruise Lines is planning more Nassau options

The cruise line has partnered with Carib Resorts, which is developing a site for shore excursions on a remote island. Carlos Torres de Navarra, Carnival’s vice president for commercial port operations, discussed the project Wednesday during a session at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference in Miami Beach. After disembarking at the port, passengers will be able to take a small boat to the island, called Balmoral. Torres de Navarra said the island will include elements of Bahamian history and serve as an alternative to shopping and Atlantis, Paradise Island options. . . . Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/13/3284360/carnival-cruise-lines-looking.html#emlnl=Business#storylink=cpy

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Carnival Triumph Episode and Cruise Sales

Has the Carnival Triumph Episode Hurt Cruise Sales? | TIME.com
Cruise industry insiders say that in the weeks after the Carnival Triumph debacle made news, cruise sales have remained strong, prices have remained steady, ...
business.time.com/.../has-the-carnival-triumph-episode-hurt-cr...

Royal Caribbean Vision norovirus: Cruise returns to Port Everglades ...
Royal Caribbean Vision norovirus: Cruise returns to Port Everglades after over 100 norovirus ...
www.wptv.com/.../royal-caribbean-vision-norovirus-cruise-ret...

Hotels stinging guests with extra fees
The Seattle Times
How do you know if hotels have gone too far with fees? When Jay Sorensen complains about them. Sorensen runs a Wisconsin consulting firm focused on helping travelcompanies generate money through surcharges and is a self-described “fee advocate.

Moments of Serendipitous Travel Bliss In Nicaragua
Gadling
His grandmother's name was Maria Auxiliadova Mairena. After chatting with them, I went back to sit with my family and realized that those kind of moments of serendipitous bliss, bordering on rapture, are why I love to travel. I knew I'd never forget ...

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Island Travel - Bahamas Out Islands

Amiable encounters on Out Islands - Travel Weekly: " . . . on a recent trip to two of the 700 islands in the archipelago that make up the Out Islands of the Bahamas. Actually, only 14 are inhabited: the Abacos, Acklins and Crooked Islands, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, the Exumas, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana and San Salvador. It's 25 minutes from the hubbub of Nassau to North Eleuthera Airport (there are flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale) aboard a BahamasAir prop plane. . . . " more info at www.myoutislands.com.

Moments of Serendipitous Travel Bliss In Nicaragua | Gadling.com
By Dave Seminara
I was sitting on the Che Guevara ferry, which was bouncing over choppy waters in Lake Cocibolca on the way back from Ometepe island in.
Gadling

As You Travel, Making Money Work for You - NYTimes.com
The travel blogger known as Nomadic Matt offers tips on setting a daily travel budget, choosing the right credit cards and avoiding transaction fees abroad.
travel.nytimes.com/.../as-you-travel-making-money-work-for-...

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Cruise Shipping Miami - SXSW Of Cruise Travel

The SXSW Of Cruise Travel Starts Monday
Gadling
Considered by many as the SXSW of cruise travel, Cruise Shipping Miami is an annual mega-convention that starts Monday in Miami, Florida. On hand will be cruise line executives and travel experts participating in panel discussions during the four-day ...

How to get reservations in popular national park lodges
USA TODAY
Room availability in national park lodges is frequently in short supply, especially during the busy summer season. Overall, the number of rooms in America's national-park lodges has remained essentially unchanged for decades. An increasing number of ...

Travel World Shrugs Off Start of Sequestration | Fox Business
The sequester may ultimately cause travel delays at U.S. airports, but the first weekday after the government's March 1 sequestration deadline proved pretty ...
www.foxbusiness.com/.../travel-world-shrugs-off-start-sequest...

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Air Travel's Golden Age

Remember when air travel was fun?--

Golden Age of Air Travel
ABC News
Golden Age Of Air Travel. A flight crew serves food and beverages to passengers aboard an airplane during the 1960s. . . . (slides at link above)

ABC News

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Best new travel adventure for 2013

10 best new travel adventures for 2013
"Whether your particular brand of travel involves hiking, paddling, or sampling fine foods from another culture, this year's new crop of adventures is sure to get ...Wild and scenic Chetco River - This year, Oregon-based Northwest Rafting Company has secured the first commercial permit in a decade for rafting trips down southern Oregon's wild Chetco River. Not for the faint of heart, the Chetco is a Class IV river with "epic" rapids. But this trip is about more than an adrenaline rush: Think crystal-clear pools for swimming, scenic canyon hikes, and the absolute tranquility of a remote and virtually unvisited river. If you're serious about rafting, this new-for-2013 trip may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Offered By: Northwest Rafting Company When: June 2013 Length: 5 days Price: $1,495 . . . "
www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/.../1942441/

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Cruise Travel - Titanic II

Billionaire unveils new 'Titanic II' cruise ship design
Australian billionaire Clive Palmer unveiled design plans Tuesday for construction of Titanic II, a cruise ship designed as a 'full-scale recreation' of the Titanic.
www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2013/.../1948935/

How To Travel Alone On A Cruise? - Yahoo! Answers
Norwegian has a LIMITED number of cabins for one otherwise, you will pay anywhere from 150-200% of the listed price, less port fees and taxes, ...
answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid...

Cruise With Wendy to Learn Travel Secrets—and Maybe Win Free ...
Decadent deal: Join our Wendy Perrin on a luxurious yet affordable Panama Canalcruise and you could win a free iPad Mini, a $50 iTunes gift card, and $200 ...
www.cntraveler.com/perrin.../perrin-postcard-announcement

Travel insurance: Don't cruise without it? - Jennifer Waters's ...
How to find a travel insurance policy that will protect your health and pocketbook.
www.marketwatch.com/.../travel-insurance-dont-board-a-cruis...

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Grown-Up South Beach Hotels

New Grown-Up South Beach Hotels - Carry On | Travel + Leisure: " . . . the James Royal Palm (pictured; 1545 Collins Ave.; $$), which opened in November, it means a focus on the local and sustainable. Snapper at the restaurant, staff uniforms, even the plantain chips in the mini-bars are South Florida–sourced. Here, the wood is reclaimed and the beach huts solar-powered. . . . . the 393 rooms are large and bright, and nearly half are suites—a boon to families, who will also appreciate the kids’ club. A few blocks up, the Philippe Starck–designed SLS South Beach (1701 Collins Ave.; $$), is the new Miami sibling of the Beverly Hills original. (The company is also taking over the Raleigh.) The 140-room SLS is very much about drinking and spending and having boisterous dinners, but it isn’t juvenile. . . . "

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Best US Airports for Business Travelers (video)

Best US Airports for Business Travelers - MarketWatch's Christopher Noble and Jim Jelter discuss which U.S. airports offer the best services for business travelers.

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Budget Travel Nicaragua

Budget Travel: Nicaragua
Fox News Latino
Though it's been making more appearances in travel magazines lately, Nicaragua remains one of Central America's less-visited destinations. Overshadowed by Costa Rica, which has a far bigger budget to invest in marketing to the North American market,...

Travel deals that seem too good to be true
Fox News
All right welcome back it's one of my favorite segments -- -- and -- wintertime blues right now you're cold I'm all stuffed up you want a nice vacation right you think it's too expensive and out of reach for you not anymore Courtney Scott. As a senior ...

How The Filthy Rich Really Travel
Huffington Post
As part of a $2.5 million, two-week birthday romp through southern France that a Los Angeles man threw for his wife and 30 of her friends, 20 vintage cars from all over Europe were imported to Provence for a road rally through the Bandol wine region.

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Wikivoyage emerges from legal cloud as the travel site grows

Wikivoyage emerges from legal cloud as the travel site grows
PCWorld
A legal cloud that's been hovering over the Wikimedia Foundation's travel site, Wikivoyage, has lifted. The Foundation and Internet Brands announced Friday that a lawsuit between the two has been settled. Under the agreement, Internet Brands will not...

Tips if you're considering travel insurance
Florida Times-Union
If you're thinking about purchasing travel insurance, here are a few things you need to know, said Chris Harvey, co-founder and CEO of the website squaremouth.com, which provides comparisons of different travel insurance plans. “There are a number of ...

Cuban dissident blogger starts world tour
Boston.com (blog)
Sanchez is one of Cuba's most prominent dissidents, though her blog is not widely followed on the island. Whether authorities would allow her to go abroad was seen as a key test of the travel law, one of the most significant reforms of President Raul ...

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Boutique river cruise line

AAA Travel: Picturesque cruises that have you sailing into savings
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)
Voted one of the "World's Best Cruise Lines" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Uniworld is a boutique cruise line that specializes in river cruises. Uniworld sails to some of the world's most picturesque destinations, docking in the heart of ...

ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)

Photo travel essay: Traveling though Europe by train
NorthJersey.com
Travel columnist Jill Schensul's recent trip to Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and France included some of the current trends in European train travel: visiting not just big cities, but off-the-beaten-path ones; and stopping off at several Austrian cities ...

NorthJersey.com

Travel Writer Hitchhiking on GA to all 50 States
By jethikinggypsy
Hi everyone! I am a travel writer who is "hitching" rides on general aviation planes across the US in an effort to visit all 50 states. I began in July 2012 and visited Oshkosh right off the bat. Since the, I've been to 19 states on 26 different planes ...
EAA Forums

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More Companies Treat Business Travel Like Budget Travel

More Companies Treat Business Travel Like Budget Travel - WSJ.com
Business travel is back to pre-recession levels, but road warriors can expect less legroom than before.
online.wsj.com/.../SB10001424127887323511804578300181...

 Private Moon Travel Startup Launches Crowdfunding Campaign...
A new firm called Golden Spike aims to launch private manned moon expeditions , and it's ...
www.space.com/19795-private-moon-travel-crowdfunding.html

Weary passengers head home after stinky Carnival cruise | Reuters: "Thousands of passengers who spent five days stuck on a stinking cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico headed home on Friday by bus, plane or car, and relished the chance for a warm shower and working toilets after finally arriving back on land. . . . Carnival Corp shares closed down 11 cents at $37.35 in trading on Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. The company canceled 14 upcoming Triumph voyages that were scheduled through mid-April. The Triumph is a Bahamian-flagged vessel, and the Bahamas Maritime Authority will be the primary agency investigating the cause of the engine room fire. Earlier this month, Carnival repaired an electrical problem on one of the Triumph's alternators. The company said there was no evidence of any connection between the repair and the fire. For all the passengers' grievances, they will likely find it difficult to sue the cruise operator for any damages, legal analysts said. Over the years, the cruise industry has put in place a legal structure that shields operators from big-money lawsuits."

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Travel Savings - choose cheap places

"Goodbye Norway, hello Bolivia. Or as Gary Arndt of the Everything Everywhere blog put it, “Cheapest dorm bed in Zurich = nice room in Bangkok.” Extrapolate that to tour guides, museum entries, food and more, and the savings start to add up. Of course, keep in mind how much it will cost you to get there in the first place. Luckily, a lot of the cheaper countries are also cheap to fly to; Matthew Kepnes, the blogger known as Nomadic Matt, put together a list of 10 “Cheap Places to Travel on the U.S. Dollar,” which includes Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Hungary and Romania. Another option: put together the 10 places you’d most like to go and price out the basics — a task most easily done by browsing guides in the travel section of your local bookstore. . . ."

Read more at http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/08/for-travel-savings-in-2013-go-retro/?smid=pl-share

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Exploring the Grand Canyon (video)

Explore the Grand Canyon with Google Maps
Google Maps is releasing panoramic imagery of one of the world's most spectacular national monuments: the Grand Canyon. These Street View images cover more than 75 miles of trails and surrounding roads, making our map of this area even more comprehensive, accurate and easy to use than ever before.
Take a walk down the narrow trails and exposed paths of the Grand Canyon: hike down the famous Bright Angel Trail, gaze out at the mighty Colorado River, and explore scenic overlooks in full 360-degrees. You'll be happy you're virtually hiking once you get to the steep inclines of the South Kaibab Trail. And rather than drive a couple hours to see the nearby Meteor Crater, a click of your mouse or tap of your finger will transport you to the rim of this otherworldly site.

Explore these images at maps.google.com/grandcanyon

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Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

Should You Buy Travel Insurance? (source: New York Times)
"I have never bought travel insurance in my life because instinct has always told me that it’s a bad deal. I rarely pay for hotel rooms, tours or rental cars in advance. I don’t pack designer clothing in my checked luggage. I’m generally healthy, and I have medical insurance that covers me abroad. (It claims to, at least.) But instinct is a poor way to make decisions about insurance. So with a three-week trip to Asia approaching, I finally decided to figure out whether I should be traveling with insurance, and, in general, when it is smart to have it and when is it unnecessary. Travelers tend to buy insurance if they are more at risk or more likely than the average policyholder to make a claim. In economics that’s called “adverse selection” — but it’s adverse only for the insurance companies. For consumers, it’s just smart. Imagine two people looking at a $100 insurance policy for a two-week trip: one is a 65-year-old heading to India, where he plans to rent a scooter, eat street food and sleep in already-reserved five-star hotels every night. The other is a 30-year-old going to London, planning to crash at a friend’s apartment and buy discount theater tickets every night. It’s pretty clear who should buy insurance. . . ." Read full article at http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/should-you-buy-travel-insurance/?smid=pl-share

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World's Most Romantic Islands

Travel + Leisure: The World's Most Romantic Islands (PHOTOS)
By Travel + Leisure
Spin the globe, and you're bound to land by one of the top romantic islands. From the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, they share the powerful ingredient of fantasy.
The Huffington Post Full Blog Feed

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Travel Tips on saving money and travel pillows

Travel Spending: 6 Myths That Cost You Money | TIME.com
Plenty of so-called conventional wisdom isn't really wisdom, especially when it comes totravel spending. The myth: Book your plane ticket as far ahead as ...
business.time.com/.../6-myths-about-travel-spending-that-cost-...

The Best Travel Pillows: Desperately Seeking Slumber - WSJ.com
On long-haul flights, an unconventional travel pillow can be the key to avoiding a pain in the neck.
online.wsj.com/.../SB10001424127887323539804578264243...

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Best weeks to book hotels in top US cities

Cheapest weeks to book hotels in top U.S. cities: " . . . For Las Vegas, mid-May to mid-August visits will yield the lowest hotel prices. Rates in early August fall as low as $55 a night. While the desert in summer is not for everyone, if there's one city where you can accomplish all your recreation indoors, Vegas is it. As you might expect, New Year's Eve is the most expensive hotel night, with rates climbing to an average of $152. As one of the USA's most popular destinations, Orlando hotel rates remain consistent for much of the year. The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is the most expensive ($76/night), but the rest of the year stays fairly close to $50, with the lowest rate ($42) in late August. . . ."

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