Saturday, October 8, 2011

It is based while on an surprisingly slim reel of terrain between the water as well as mountain tops.

 Uptown Houston. Around the 8th Century, two cities, Buda and Pest resided on opposite sides of the Danube River. The hotel does not offer something whimsical however the space feels safe sufficient for any great rest during the night. Sumahan Hotel is a member of Condé Nast Johansens. The type of meal you get will depend on your destination and class of travel, but ANA makes sure everyone gets a tasty, well prepared meal. Uptown Houston. The actual land of The world offers it’s beautiful landscaping filled together with buildings of wonderful architecture, lovely scenery, wine beverages trips, sports along with bullfighting. This Dublin hotel is additionally located on Harcourt Street and guests who stay here can gain complimentary access to the hotel’s nightclub . Town features a populace involving about One.A few million men and women, as the metropolitan area is just over 4 million men and women. They are available entirely appointed sufficient reason for cooking area utensils.

The 1st District is the Innere Stadt – the core of town centre and one amongst the nicest places to stroll around since much of it’s pedestrianised. Luxury hotels are mainly positioned on Hong Kong Isle. Boomerangs is one such nightclub and it’s part of the Temple Bar Hotel. It runs throughout the district and is one in every of the most effective searching streets in the town. Found in historic setting on the Bosphorus, It can be on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in between the two bridges. If you plan on generating your holiday to be able to Detroit to attend sporting events in the city, you with thankful to understand there are numerous resorts near the main athletics arenas in the city. Sumahan Hotel is a member of Condé Nast Johansens. Whenever vacationing, you have particular anticipation for your hotel room, and it is important that the actual rooms fulfill those anticipation. You may also find them to be unfriendly and impolite. It has earned four stars from SkyTrax, an organization that is well known for rating airlines based upon feedback from customers. Nothing lengthy, just an overview. Via family members enjoyment offers to be able to venture themes or templates, Birkenstock boston lodge offers offer fun, enjoyment along with affordable rates. Sumahan Resort is a member of Condé Nast Johansens.

The nation’s Shopping mall in California DC is just about the hottest place exactly where folks group during their stick to the area. Novotel Svarnabhumi Airport Hotel has the most important lobby within the world. The hotel has a business center with little meeting areas. Istanbul is the most significant town in Turkey with a population of 12.8 million, also producing it the 2nd largest metropolitan location in Europe by population, as properly as the cultural, financial, and economic center of Turkey. With so a lot nightlife to be appreciated in this place, there’s a great deal of accommodations for you to remain at. There are several motels to pick from within Uptown Houston. Not every hotel that you run into is a superb low cost hotel, it takes a little class to become great. Englischer Garten is also situated in this district.

It’s aimed at an older clientele and mainly is a mix of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music

Mandala Resort: This particular boutique resort is definitely an experience of itself, with a contemporary style that’s functional and classy. This can help you in understanding what are actually questioned within you in government tenders and in what way you will offer that. Nevertheless understand most of the hotels throughout North park, specifically on the shorelines, are small , certainly not part of a series and don’t take care of your aggregators.

Munich lodges in Schwabing. A little something about you, the author. Phoning the resort right might be the only way you can get a room. Hong Kong Tropical isle will be the main section of Hong Kong, the positioning you see throughout photographs of the huge skyline. Reduced price should not mean discounted quality. Today Barcelona has transformed itself from a bland city into one in every of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Claridge’s is really a lodge match pertaining to vips along with the Brk Penthouse will be the special place in its the queen’s. It is rather famous for your people as it is very informative for their children wherever they are able to discover various traditional monuments and site. There is also a vast selection of disco bars and clubs to pick from and the location is also common for concerts. This specific metropolis is now perfectly created economically, therefore there is discovered another lot of shops that provide for sale many merchandise at very reasonable prices. This kind of air port has outstanding public transport connections with In town, there is however also some air port motels to be from if you wish to become centered close to the air port. Because, your body is evolving while individuals grow older, men that are andropausal should also learn how to relax as well as rest nicely. If you are looking for the latest info on the way to realize appropriate Hotels In Istanbul then, pull up a chair and buckle down, as a result of this is the article that you’ve been probing for. Many people are lucky and find great prices and get crazy because they save a alot of money. The Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara flank the west price and northern part is surrounded by Black Sea. You can even find hostels about Hong Kong Area. That’s quite a surprise that a thing like this still happens. Once it locates the best price, Kayak will give you a link to the site where your ticket can be booked. This is also one of the cozier locations, with just Eighty two areas, comprised of doubles and suites. With the flick of your wrist, you can disrupt the passes to opponent and take the puck away from them. Never find a “cheap hotel” since they’re not often just inexpensive in cost, but also inexpensive in quality. They are usually lease with the 7 days, so if you feel simply to put a short time that’s not a choice. White marble are typically used to relinquish the hotel a classic feel. None of the other holiday destinations suit you? along with other dished created utilizing parmesan cheese. From family members leisure bundles for you to venture themes, Boston ma resort bundles present exciting, enjoyment and reasonable prices. The hotels and resorts in these areas are dear, however they’re worth a little splurge currently and then. The location lies about A hundred and sixty a long way southerly in the Pyrenees Hills. Obtaining Spots to remain Whenever Going to Hong Kong. Silicone spray may be used on either of the table types to improve speed of the table. The third District is known as Landstrasse and can be found south east of Inner Stadt. This all issues choose this country exciting for the western travelers, which usually uncover this specific property as a great vacation destination. The location features a populace regarding approximately A single.Your five thousand men and women, as the downtown place is simply around Several thousand men and women. As Spain’s capital, This town, main cities of Spain, are the large pullers of vacationers all year round, learning an inexpensive holiday accommodation vacation might not be effortless in history. The reason why isn’t specific, but almost certainly this kind of sensation is a mixture of views with regards to the tropical crops, remarkable previous Buddhist temples, amazing foods, ancestral lifestyle and specific way of life.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Lara beach antalya turkey kremlin palace

The Lara Beach Hotel Antalya is located in Lara Beach, one of the more popular tourist destinations in the area. This Antalya hotel is located about 8 miles from the center of the city which provides numerous activities for tourists. The Antalya International Airport is located approximately 7 miles from the Lara Beach Hotel Antalya.

The over 300 rooms at the Lara Beach Hotel Antalya are universally-provided with private balconies and sea views. There are minibars, satellite television service and telephones provided in every room. The rooms are decorated in a modern fashion.

The Lara Beach Hotel Antalya has a 24-hour reception desk. The hotel is provided with a restaurant, a café and a bar. There is a separate breakfast room. Guests arriving on business may take advantage of the conference facilities. There is a game room, a nightclub and a TV lounge for unwinding. There are parking facilities available for those who arrive by private car. A babysitting service is also available.



Hotel Features

General

Room Service, Restaurant, Disabled Access, Bar / Lounge, Air Conditioned, Non-Smoking Rooms, Mini Bar, Cable / Satellite TV, Hair Dryer, TV, CD Player, Wheel Chair Access

Activities

Fitness Room/Gym, Swimming pool, Tour Desk, Massage / Beauty Centre, Tennis Courts, Medical Assistance Available, Sauna, Bath / Hot Tub, Private beach, Spa bath / Jacuzzi, Garden, Windsurfing, Playground, Massage, Steam Bath, Beauty Salon, Theatre

Services

Concierge, Elevator / Lift, 24 Hour Reception, Babysitting / Child Services, Banquet Facilities, Conference Room(s), Currency Exchange, Multilingual Staff, Safe-Deposit Box, Security Guard, Wake-up Service, Meeting Rooms, Laundry service, Bicycle Rental, Desk, Direct dial phone

Internet

High-speed Internet is available at this hotel.

Parking

The hotel has free parking. There is an airport shuttle that runs from the hotel.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Vacation packages for the family

Massive storms were hitting the area at the time, and the high winds and rough waters prevented rescue operations from travel cushions commencing for more than 24 hours. Sometimes I dance with boys or kiss boys. They can’t see very well, so if you don’t move holland america alaska cruise tour at all you have a better chance of not being noticed. When the train finally eased into Churchill’s budget airline tickets to amsterdam station, I had one thing on my mind: polar bears. Once upon a time, gas stations gave away all kinds of cool stuff, most of it targeted at kids. Though I’ve never been one to make small talk about weather, this magical phenomenon tempted me to break the silence and ask if he, too, libert travel thought it was amazing, even though he lived here.
Sailing in the Southern Ocean is a dangerous proposition, even in the best of times. I asked him if discount chicago hotels I could remain clothed for the massage; samsonite travel bags he nodded and smiled beatifically in his long white skirt. But only if I want to. Gripping the metal seatback with both hands to keep from banging into the man standing sunway travel ie next to me, I silently cursed American culture—and some tourists in particular—for making it more likely that I’d be harassed during my travels. It would take me at least that long to walk back to my guesthouse, but I wasn’t too worried about being female escorts in los angeles accosted by demons on the way. The cost of gas in Truckee, California, where my brother lives is $4. Shasta today, and thought myself lucky. But once we got into the stuffy, dark massage room, luxury travel tours he motioned to my skirt and top and said, “Off. Like ohio river cruises many of my female friends, I’ve also had sex when I didn’t want to to get a persistent guy to stop pestering me. The nearest town is about 170 miles away.

His eyes fell and his shoulders travel garment bag slumped; Cookie grabbed his bottle of beer and described the time a bear unexpectedly showed up in his backyard, blocking the path between him and his house. Suddenly, he pointed to a white dot about 200 yards across the boggy tundra. To reach this community of 900 on disney magic your way vacation packages Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada, travelers must fly, sail or ride a train.

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Sadly, had the crew of the Berserk heeded those guidelines, there is a better chance that they would be alive today. The story took an online travel brochures ominous turn later in the week when an abandoned life discount sea worldtickets raft was discovered adrift in the ocean, with no sign of passengers. The drive is hard going but everyone says it\'s worth it. The crew of the Berserk, did none of those things before setting out on their ill fated boston luxury boutique hotel journey.

The association is made up of tour operators and travel companies who work together to ensure that sailing through the Southern Ocean is california travel guide free from danger and available to all. It was Sampath and his friends chewing betel leaf and passing around a bottle of arrack, Sri Lanka’s dangerously smooth coconut liquor. Because super cheap airplane tickets if boys see us, they try to grab us. When I stood before the pyramids of Giza, I was impressed. He was 23 and she was 19; they essex travel news had been dating for four years. We all live up here together, us and the bears. Until we marry, I protect you. S. I paid $3. I couldn’t switzerland eyewitness travel guides help grinning back. Simply crossing the road to the edge of town was an adventure. Men here, they see a white girl, they think bad things. It was believed that the ship had five passenger on board, low airline fares to cleveland but two of them were later found, alive and well, on the Antarctic continent, where they were embarking on a journey to the South Pole.

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Like North Korea today, visitors\' experiences oregon coast beach vacation rentals were tightly controlled, peppered with propaganda, and anything but independent, with some travelers\' conversations and actions recorded and reported. As our massive white buggy lumbered through muddy paths, Dave scanned the horizon. Siem Reap is an ancient place. By the time search and rescue teams hit the area, the beacon was no history of the fairmount hotel in san francisco longer transmitting and the california wine tours yacht could not be reached by radio. You can also take a bus into Siem Reap from Bangkok or Phnom Penh. After a few drinks, I asked if he’d ever had to shoot at a bear. While citizens of the USSR and GDR were unable to travel abroad and restricted in domestic travel, foreign defination airline reservation system travelers were permitted under a boise travel controlled environment. Louis in 1905, hardware stores and mercantiles had gas pumps. It is well worn with character written like wise creases on an old face. There is no road to Churchill. As I mentioned on Monday, I\'m china tour packages moving to Harar, Ethiopia, for two months to explore the ancient and unique culture in that medieval walled city. While I’m lucky to be in the alarmingly small majority, I’ve certainly had sex that was harmful to myself and others because of alcohol, loneliness, or a seattle airport car rental reckless combination of the two. As Sampath served me tea the travel trailer dealers in concord next morning, he said, “I wanted to invite you to join us yesterday, but I know my friends try to hug you and kiss you. Combine that renaissance hotel cleveland with the possibility of spotting a threatened species in the wild and this, for me, was the trip of a lifetime. It rolled over and plunked a paw on its brown stony bed, unaware of the thrill it was providing us. It’s the first thing I think of when conjuring images of the Canadian north. Besides, san diego convention center hotels I was wearing a bathing suit underneath my clothes. When I came upon Angkor Wat, I was in love.

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On Tuesday, February 22, the Berserk was sailing 18 nautical miles off the coast of Antarctica when it activated its emergency locator beacon. While I dove and splashed in clear, cheap cruises uk green waves, women in saris stood on the sweltering shore, dipping their toes in the froth. I struggled to couch my objections in simple language. S. They are people who boston harbor hotel boston ma live an adventure every day and put my own adventures renaissance fort lauderdale hotel to shame. But then Sarasi flashed me an excited smile, her eyes widened mischievously. When I saw Sarasi again a few days after the massage, I thought of how horrified she would be to know that I’d put myself in that situation. The bear ripped his arm off. Here yearly travel insurance there are tribes living much the way they always have, herding vacation rentals outer banks nc and hunting animals and living off the lush hills and open savannah. The problem with this dichotomous thinking became clear when I decided travel to costa rica to treat myself to a massage. But as it turned out, the bears weren’t the highlight of the trip. At its apogee, the Khmer empire built some of the most extraordinary temples in the world, ruling a kingdom covering parts of current day Cambodia, philadelphia eagles football tickets Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Polar bears are the world’s largest carnivorous land mammals and nearly 1,000 of them are found in the region, so I listened more algonquin travel attentively than I do to, say, airline safety spiels. Intourist was founded by Joseph Stalin and also managed many hotels in disney world of the USSR\'s accommodations. I stood on the buggy’s back deck watching through binoculars, marveling at each rise and fall of the bear’s chest as it breathed in crisp, cool air. The ethereal greenish mass swirled above.

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Starting in the 12th century the people dug out a series of churches from the bedrock, making celebrity cruise line rates fantastic buildings that will keep your jaw dropped for your entire visit. The storms are powerful and massive icebergs lurk just beneath the surface, waiting silk road travel to punch a hole through the hulls of passing ships. The most famous tribe is the Mursi, known for their giant lip plugs like discount rental cars canada you see here in this photo by user MauritsV courtesy Wikimedia Commons. Cookie often kept a rifle handy, but he said being around the bears was now second nature. My brother didn\'t have to punch me in retaliation, my parents didn\'t have to st andrews travel pull over; everyone was happy. Southern Tribes Perhaps the best known images of Ethiopia come from its sparsely populated southern region. If you are just aching to part with your dough, Silk atlanta apartment rentals Air offers a flight from Singapore that hovers around a grand. Because of these dangers, the IAATO released a set of guidelines for independent sailors on private ships passing through Antarctic waters. As I walked Sarasi to the bus, comfort inn los angeles I protested that rape is never “normal,” disney travel company and that keeping women locked at home is no way to combat sexual violence. After hearing from several travelers that female massage therapists were too gentle, I found a masseur who seemed professional, trustworthy, and capable of softening the knots golf travel bag in my back. Read this fascinating trip report from a Fodor\'s community member who visited Russia in 1984 and a Chicago Tribune story with an Intourist guide after the glasnost discount hotels las vegas policy was introduced. On the way back to Churchill, Dave offered more warnings, urging us to stay away from side streets in town and areas with trash cans—and alamo car rental coupons to avoid sitting on the bayside boulders because bears could be sleeping under them. It was the jovial and friendly people who choose to weather the elements and live in this unforgiving environment a world away from everyone else—who commute by exceedingly golf travel cases slow trains to shop for clothes or consult with a medical specialist. Whew. Flying to airline reservation systems Cambodia is easy, as routes fly nonstop from many Southeast Asian hubs. All but the Southern Tribes are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many of them were covered in my travel series about Ethiopia during san diego airport hotel my visit last year. In a local diner, rather than remarking on the weather or sports scores, friends greeted each other with the question, “Any bears mesa travel around today?” Each person I met added his or her own advice on how to handle a bear confrontation.

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These residents happily give bear safety advice to visitors. I was distracted by these thoughts on my travel shop tv holiday channel walk home from dinner with Sarasi, hardly noticing the fruit bats swooping in and out of lush rain trees. When I got hotels in hong kong off the bus a few hours later, I was thrilled to find a beach touristy enough for me to sunbathe in a bikini without being harassed by local men. After a month of enduring catcalls and groping, I felt so stupidly vulnerable for united kingdom information having believed I could apply Western social rules to a albuquerque travel Sri Lankan interaction. As soon as I yelled at them to go away, they recoiled in alarm, as if they couldn’t believe a white girl would be offended by an uninvited caress from riverside mission inn a stranger. This was the Rome of Southeast Asia. Later, it was discovered that the Berserk was sailing without permits and without alerting any kind of national authority of their planned enterprise rental cars for sale course. But just a few minutes in to the massage, his heavy breathing and disproportionate focus on my inner thighs made it clear that he was not only doing this for the money. She’d asked me if she could practice her travel clothes women English with me; we spent most of the next week together. Lalibela Lalibela is another famous spot in Ethiopia. I knew how rare, and therefore freighted, female nudity in Sri car rental deals houston Lanka was. The priests will show you gold and silver crosses dating back hundreds of years. There are many more tribes, and each day will introduce you to a very different culture and set of traditions. Eager to carry the discussion further, aol travel deals I told him about the time I got so mad at a man who wouldn’t stop following me that I yelled, “Just because I’m white does not mean I want travel shampoo sex!” Sampath laughed. Our guide, Dave, gave riders a polar bear safety briefing as we ventured through the wildlife preserve outside town. He smiled and rolled his international travel insurance agents in spain eyes but answered my questions about growing up around bears. Soon after leaving Kandy to travel around the hill country, I had an interesting conversation with a travel suppermarket guesthouse owner named Sampath, a smiley bachelor with the sinewy body required to carry tourists’ packs on backcountry travel channel schedule treks.

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The process is quick and easy. This barr head travel year is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union and 21 years since the reunification of Germany. Before settling in, I thought I\'d share some of the budget car rental frankfurt germany most popular places to visit in the country. I chose to forget for the moment that I, too, exploited the increased freedom my white skin afforded me. It was 2007 when Princess Cruises last sailed from the Port of Galveston but the ares travel Love Boat cruise line returns next year, offering 19 departures from Galveston between December 22, 2012 and April 27, 2013 with one of their most popular ships, Crown Princess. During my first few weeks backpacking around north korea tour Sri Lanka, I’d felt uncomplicated rage at the general pattern of male/female dynamics, where girls’ virginity is tested before marriage and couples rarely leisure travel do more than hold hands before their wedding day. I felt a palpable awareness of the bears. On a packed bus later discounted alaska cruises that day, I thought of other, smaller cultural transgressions I’d witnessed: white girls wearing tank tops or skirts that came above their knees, white girls drinking beer with Sri Lankan guys. This became impossible when he put his libya travel face close to mine and whispered, “Do you want massage here?,” motioning to my chest. Is gross. Although united airlines flight status I found it stifling to imagine being deprived of erotic intimacy outside of marriage—not to mention a fun night out once in a while—the comparatively extreme sexual freedom of the U. . I told myself to relax into being a tourist and enjoy this luxury I couldn’t afford in ireland walking tours the U. I\'m not exactly sure when the freebies stopped, but that\'s not the only thing that\'s changed hotel monaco chicago in American gas station culture over the years. I kept my eyes shut tight throughout the massage, trying to pretend that the hands rubbing oil replacement parts for 1956 aljo travel trailer into my stomach and legs belonged to a woman. She wouldn’t even let her boyfriend kiss her on the mouth. By my last luxury travel peru day I’d become more confident walking the streets, just as the town began to buzz with news that the Northern Lights would appear that night. My parents would bribe me not to annoy my older brother on road trips by promising me a new vacation rentals old orchard beach maine plastic animal for my Ark. As I craned my neck at 2 a. And Sampath said he also had a couple of friends expedia travel directions who were devoted—and successful—seducers of younger tourists.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Scientists confirm our worst fear: the super bedbug is here to stay

super bedbug

The results from a large bedbug study at Ohio State University have been revealed - and they don't look good. According to scientists, bedbugs are turning into super bedbugs by becoming resistant to most common pesticides.

Compared to ten years ago, bedbugs are one thousand times more resistant to chemicals that used to kill them - and are less prone to stress from heat, cold and dehydration.

Even more alarming is that bedbugs in New York City are 250 times more resistant to pesticides than bugs from Florida - which explains why New York has such a massive bedbug problem at the moment.

The report from Ohio State is quite complex, but certainly worth a read if you like waking up in the middle of the night from bedbug nightmares.

Check out this article for more tips on how to detect and remove bedbugs - by taking basic precautions, you may be able to prevent spreading the infestation.

Couples can win a trip to Fiji, courtesy of CheapOair

Fiji Contest, CheapOAirValentine's Day doesn't have to be about roses and chocolates. How about a trip to Fiji? CheapOair is playing cupid and giving away a free trip for the couple that wins their "Crazy in Love" contest.

All lovebirds are asked to send in a 30-second video that answers the question "What makes you and your significant other unique?" It could be a hobby or a special talent or anything that shows how the couple is exciting and distinctive. Once uploaded, the video is automatically entered into the contest and showcased on CheapOair's YouTube Channel. The winner will be announced on CheapOair's blog and Facebook page on Valentine's Day.

The lucky couple will win roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles to Fiji, courtesy of Air Pacific, and a 5-night stay at the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island. And if they're ready to tie the knot, Paradise Brides will even set them up with a wedding coordinator, license certificate and everything they'll need for their big day.

It's contests like this one that make us sad we're not part of a "couple" on Valentine's Day!

Arizona restaurant taking prepaid orders for lion tacos

lion tacoAn Arizona restaurant has made a name for itself by selling "exotic" tacos every Wednesday.
After python, alligator, elk and turtle, Boca Tacos y Tequila turned to a vendor in California to order up something "different". The next big thing on their menu lion meat. And at $100 a pound for ground lion, this is definitely not a cheap cut of meat.

The Tucson restaurant plans to serve the tacos on February 16, but only to patrons that pre-order by 3PM February 7.

Because lion meat is pretty rare here in the U.S. the owner has been asked whether eating lion is legal. According to the FDA, meat like this is indeed perfectly legal, as long as the species is not considered endangered.

If you'd like to try this once-in-a-lifetime taco, you can call Boca Tacos y Tequila at (520) 777-8134 to place your order - each taco costs just $8.75. The tacos will be served "Sonoran style". Besides the lion meat, you can add cabbage, guacamole, pickled red onions and diced cucumbers, along with any of the six house-made salsas. Roar!

United Airlines launches Three Perfect Days contest -- win a free vacation!

united airlines contestGood with a video camera and a Final Cut Pro? United Airlines might have the perfect opportunity for you to win your dream vacation.

Yesterday they launched a new promotion on Facebook soliciting video entries for their "Three Perfect Days" contest. All that you have to do to enter is make a short video explaining what you would do with three perfect days of vacation and post it to their site. The submission that gets the most "likes" wins two free round trip tickets, a digital camera and a $2,500 Visa debit card (you could use it to pay off the taxes!) at its complete disposal. You've got until March 1st to come up with the most "likeable" video on the web.

Having sumbitted a few entries and reviewed a few more ourselves at Gadling Labs, permit us to give you a tip before inking the celluloid: people who vote in these contests dig two things:
  1. The best cinematogrphy ever known to man
  2. Hotties
Aim to have one of the two concepts in your entry and you're guaranteed a shot. Have both and you'll take home the gold.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Terrorist gets 15 years for JFK airport plot

JFK, JFK airport, terrorismA terrorist who plotted to blow up fuel tanks at JFK airport has been given 15 years in prison, the BBC reports. Abdel Nur, a citizen from Guyana, tried to meet an Al-Qaeda explosives expert in order to blow up JFK airport's fuel depot, and the fuel lines that run below an adjoining neighborhood. He hoped to kill thousands in the attack.

Russell Defreitas, Kareem Ibrahim , and Abdul Kadir were also arrested. Kadir is a former member of parliament from Guyana and is now serving a life sentence. Defreitas has been found guilty and will be sentenced in February. Ibrahim's trial is scheduled for April.

The plot was foiled when Kadir and Defreitas discussed their plans in front of an unnamed informant. This informant recorded their conversation and alerted authorities. This last detail is interesting. These radical Muslims would hardly have discussed such a plan in front of a non-Muslim. It stands to reason, then, that the informant is a Muslim. What these two nutcases didn't understand is that most Muslims aren't terrorists. This fact will almost certainly be lost amid the news of another "Muslim terrorist plot".

There are no hard figures for the number of Muslims in the United States since the U.S. Census doesn't record religion. One study by Dr. Tom W. Smith of the University of Chicago estimates the Muslim population in the U.S. at around 1.9-2.8 million. If most Muslims were terrorists, as many people believe, the U.S. would be suffering attacks every day. Luckily this is not the case. Vigilance defeats terrorists, fear and stereotyping helps them win.

New-ship features added to existing cruise ships

features added to cruise shipsWant to go on the newest cruise ship but having a hard time justifying the premium price they sometimes demand? The cruise lines hear you and are adding features from the newest ships on older models that are often much less expensive to sail.

New features on new cruise ships are something we almost just expect to happen. The latest, greatest ship coming out always has the very newest and innovative attractions and reflects what we want out of a ship. Royal Caribbean International introduced the world's largest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas in 2010 but has not forgotten the rest of the fleet. Throughout 2011, the line is adding new features to older ships. Here's a breakdown of what's coming up.

On Oasis of the Seas, twin to Allure and not all that old, they're adding the Dreamworks Experience animated characters as well as a 3-D Movie theater.

Down one class in size to Liberty of the Seas, starting January 30th, that one too will have the Dreamworks Experience and a Broadway hit, Saturday Night Fever:The Musical. Add on a 3-D theater here too as well as The Cupcake Cupboard made popular by Oasis-class ships and Vintages Wine Bar plus a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery.

Sister to Liberty, popular Freedom of the Seas sailing from Port Canaveral will have all that plus a BRITTO Gallery starting March 27. No need to get off the ship in the Caribbean for shopping, this one has it all right on board.

Older ship Radiance of the Seas will add new specialty restaurants Park Cafe, Giovanni's Table, Samba Grill and Rita's Cantina in the Summer and get new interactive flat-screen televisions in staterooms plus the Touch-screen signage made popular on Oasis-class ships that helps guests navigate the ship.

Splendour of the Seas
will see probably the biggest change. Royal Caribbean is adding 100 balcony staterooms and more inside and oceanview staterooms too. New specialty restaurants and special lounges for Diamond-level members of the line's Crown and Anchor past guest club plus an exclusive Concierge Lounge for guests booked in suites.

Technology is front and center too on Royal Caribbean with iPod/iPhone docks in each cabin.

It's not just Royal Caribbean either. Carnival Cruise Lines recently added their popular Punchliner Comedy Clubs, SuperStar LIVE karaoke, huge LED screen Seaside Theater and more to most ships and the popular Chef's Table dining experience to the entire fleet. Older ships have gone through a $350 million Evolutions of Fun adding Carrnival Waterworks, Adult Serenity areas and more.


Sculpteo sculptures of your own face - the perfect roadtrip gift?

sculpteo roadtrip sculpture

Here at the Gadling headquarters, we get a lot of email - but we still read every single one of them, which explains how we came across a pitch for Sculpteo, who are in the business of making mini 3D sculptures.

Not just any old sculpture either - these mini-me models are designed using your own photo, and the end result is a small statue of yourself (or someone you love/hate). The travel angle for these seemed extremely limited to us - until the company told us that they use sculptures of themselves for the dashboard of their car, making it a funny roadtrip accessory.

The combination of this creative pitch and funny product earned them a mention here on Gadling.

If the idea of your own face on a sculpture interests you, head on over to Sculpteo and start the process of creating your mini-me. Not interested in seeing your own face all day long? The company also makes 3D necklaces, key-chains and bracelets based off your own design.

Daily Pampering: Emirates and Montblanc create limited edition writing instrument

emiratesNeed a new pen? Emirates has partnered with Montblanc to offer customers the opportunity to win an exclusive Montblanc Skeleton A380 Limited Edition writing instrument, inspired by the Airbus A380.

The Montblanc Skeleton A380 Limited Edition is a collector's dream. Its dual-leveled windows and dark blue precious resin dominates the writing instrument's 18k white gold barrel and is designed to resemble the A380. There are 28 flawless diamonds and the crown bears the Montblanc emblem and there's an engraved 18-carat gold nib with platinum plating on the writing instrument.

Want one? Of course you do!

Board an Emirates flight and purchase the Montblanc StarWalker A380 fineliner from Emirates' Duty Free. When you buy the luxury writing instrument, you'll also be entered to win a luxury trip to Hamburg, Germany, where you'll receive the Montblanc Skeleton A380 Limited Edition. Book a flight now! The promotion runs only until June 30, 2011.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Leading Hotels of the World launches benefits program for luxury hotels

luxury hotelLuxury travel isn't going anywhere. In fact, one hotel group believes luxury travelers will pay extra for the value and service they get at luxury hotels, which is why they're adding a fee to their membership program.

The Leading Hotels of the World, which comprises 430 unique independent hotels and resorts worldwide, announced additional benefits for members of its Leaders Club but eliminated the free aspect of joining their club.

According to the hotel, "In addition to their existing benefits - ability to earn free nights; early check-in, late check-out; room upgrades; welcome gifts and exclusive rates - Leaders Club members will now be able to enjoy daily complimentary continental breakfast for two and complimentary Internet access at all Leading Hotels."

The cost of the enriched benefits? An annual $100 for an Access level membership and $1,200 for an Unlimited level membership.

Fly private (for cheap!) with the Jetsuite

jet suite

For those of you that are tired of long lines at security, baggage fees and the everyday melee that comes along with flying commercial, a new solution may now be on the table for you. Jetsuite a new private jet company just began operating out of California and is actually a fairly reasonable solution to inexpensive private air service.

Jetsuite flies a fleet of Embraer Phenom 100's, a series of cute, comfy, four seater aircraft capable of landing at smaller, private airports like Van Nuys, and cruising at speeds of up to 722km/hr (whereas a typical 737 cruises at 780km/hr).

There are a variety of pricing options for the service, from the SuiteKey, where users deposit at least $25,000 to use on an ad-hoc basis, to pay-as-you go pricing, where journeys start at $999 (one way) for short-haul routes. Divide that by four and that's not an outrageous price per person.

We'll let you know once the Gadling team gets onboard for a flight check.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Goby.com names top New England ski resorts to brave the winter storm warnings

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There's another massive snowstorm heading up the east coast and making its way to Boston, Providence, Nashua and beyond. As the storms get worse, the New Englanders get daring. What better excuse to brave the slopes than with a fresh few feet of snow at a favorite ski resort?

ski resort

Goby.com, a travel and events search engine, pulled together a list of the top ski resorts in New England. Our advice: Instead of sticking around the airport hoping for a flight out of the winter wonderland, bundle up and head to one of these hideaways. There's snow, there's a fire, there's a bar, and there's a lot of skiing, sledding and snowboarding to be found.

British tour company criticized for offering 'Hilter tour' around Germany

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germanyWould you spend $3100 to tour sites only associated with Nazi leader Adolf Hilter? One British tour group put together a trip that does just that, and is under fire by critics over the distasteful offering.

The tour takes 30 tourists on a luxury $3100 trip through Germany to visit sites associated with Hitler, according to a report in The Australian. The articles says the eight-day trip in June - titled "Face of Evil: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" - has been sanctioned by German authorities.

The tour includes more than just visiting a few concentration camps, which is common on many other tour groups through Germany. The concentration camps, which for many are a must-see when in Germany, are a significant part of history. But can you say the same for Hitler's lakeside villa where he planned the Sachsenhausen concentration camp? That's one stop on the Hitler tour, along with the spot where Hitler committed suicide.

Tour leaders say the trip is for those with a true interest in the history of the Holocaust era and will prevent any Neo-Nazi members from taking the tour; critics say the trip is a "perverse pilgrimage" to honor Hitler.

Travel Resolution: How to create a realistic travel budget with Mint.com's planning tool

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travel budgetA new year often means lofty resolutions, especially when it comes to planning and maintaining a travel budget.

Though there are many personal-finance sites and software out there, this year I'm resolving to use Mint.com's free online tool. Though you can create plans for saving toward retirement and buying a house, I'll be primarily using the site for its Travel Goals, which help you set -- and stick to -- realistic travel budgets.

Though the tool obviously doesn't do the hardest part (you still have to save the money), it does track how far or close you are to achieving your Travel Goal.

For example, say you want to go to Hawaii for a week this summer. Once you create a budget by filling in the estimates for airfare, hotel, meals, and other expenses, you can then specify how much you will contribute to that Travel Goal each month.

If you underestimate how much you'd need to save per month, the online tool points out: "Oh no! You aren't saving enough each month to reach your goal on time." The tool then offers you two ways to fix your Travel Goal: increase your monthly contribution in order to reach your desired travel date or postpone your planned date to fit your monthly contribution.

If you stay on track with saving the specified amount each month, Mint.com's budgeting tool highlights (and adjusts) the projected date of when you can afford to take the trip. Save more, and you could afford to take your trip a month or two earlier.

But if you slack on your monthly savings, the date will be pushed back -- a reality check and an instant motivator. Once you mentally equate an unnecessary clothing purchase or an impulse buy to the consequence of delaying your trip by a month, saving becomes a little more real.

Granted, most people will buy plane tickets and reserve hotels with a credit card several months before actually taking the trip; the tool helps track if you'll be able to easily pay it all off after your trip. After all, nothing ruins a vacation more than coming home to bills that you're not financially prepared to handle.

To fund my travels this year, I've linked my Mint.com account to an ING Savings Account labeled Travel Fund.

How do you stay on track with saving up for a vacation?

SkyMall Monday: Helpy Carry-on Harness

skymall monday helpy carry-on harnessAirports are chaotic and tiring places. Between checking in, dealing with security, finding your gate, overpaying for bad food after waiting on long lines and then trying to board your flight before all of the overhead bins on the plane are taken, air travel is exhausting. Making things even more taxing is your luggage. Sure, rolling luggage releases you from the burden of carrying your belongings, but you still have to pull your bags. That means that at least one of your hands is occupied by something other than your smartphone, a cup of coffee or a cinnamon bun the size of Utah. It just seems to me that, if we have to deal with the horrors of the airport, we should at least be able to entertain ourselves with both of our hands. Here at SkyMall Monday headquarters, we have our dogs do all the heavy lifting. Since they can't pass through airport security due of their knife collections, we've had to find other ways to free our hands for fun airport activities such as reading books, tweeting and pointing at which Sbarro meals we think are most likely to give us explosive diarrhea (Hint: All of them). Thankfully, SkyMall has managed to eliminate the need to use our hands to pull our luggage, thus freeing us to immerse ourselves in activities that help alleviate the stress of being at the airport. They've done it with the Helpy Carry-on Harness.

Surprise! Alaska picked as most-desired cruise destination

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Alaska Cruise DestinationA recent poll by Princess Cruises revealed Alaska, not the warm-weather-dreamy Caribbean, as the number one destination choice for cruising in the coming year. The poll, fielded from the line's 76,000 Facebook fans, had some other surprising results as well.

Among other results, one-fourth of those responding chose Alaska as their top choice to visit this year, followed by the Caribbean (15%) and Europe (14%) Hawaii (8%); Panama Canal (7%); Africa (5%); Australia (5%); Amazon (4%); Asia (2%); Canada/New England (2%); Mexican Riviera (2%); New Zealand (2%); South America (2%), and India (1%).

The pool also revealed that the most desired traveling companion by far (68%) was the respondents "other half" followed by good friends (15%) almost leaving kids at home with a measly 6% vote.

Asked what celebrity they might choose to travel with, Oprah (19%) beat out Jack Black, Tina Fey (no doubt in Sarah Palin mode),Bono, Heidi Klum, Mario Batali, Michelle Obama, Peyton Manning and Justin Bieber among others.

Top choice for what Princess fans want on a vacation? Relaxation (50%) was far ahead of Adventure, Entertainment, Culture and Romance.

So lets add this up. Most people want to go to Alaska with Oprah and/or their "better half" to relax. Almost nobody wants to go to India with Justin Bieber for romance.

I think that works for me. What about you?

Daily gear deals: Swiss Gear bag clearance, $32 media player and more

daily gear deals

Here are the hottest daily gear deals for today, Monday January 10, 2011. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone.

Today's first deal is for a huge sale on Swiss Gear bags, backpacks and messenger bags. With bags starting at $21, there is bound to be someting for everyone. Click here for this deal.

Next up is the Archos Vision 4GB media player. Despite being priced under $32, this player features a 2.4" color screen, audio, photo and video support along with an FM radio and voice recorder. Click here for this deal.

Today's third deal is for a Duracell USB car charger. This is obviously better quality than most of the brand-less chargers on the market. On sale for $7 over at Alphashark.com.

And while on the topic of car chargers - Jizbee.com is selling a Samsung 3-in-1 car adapter for $4.95. Click here for this deal.

Elvis' favorite roller coaster Zippin Pippin comes to Green Bay

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Green Bay Wisconsin's Bay Beach Amusement Park will soon be home to a classic wooden roller coaster known as the Zippin Pippin. The remains of the defunct ride were purchased from a Memphis, Tennessee park last year. It was known to be Elvis Pressley's favorite roller coaster as he often rented out the park so that he could ride it without being bothered by fans. Reports are that Pressley rode Zippin Pippin eight days before he died. To support the ride's history, Bay Beach Amusement Park is working on adding Elvis' favorite food, peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bay Beach Amusement park is aiming for the ride to open when the park opens on May 7th. Even with the harsh Wisconsin weather, recent construction photos show that Zippin Pippin's track work is nearly complete. It appears that the park should be able to hit their target date. Bay Beach Amusement park is the ninth oldest operating amusement park in the U.S. according to ZippinPippin.org. The park is already home to historic amusement park rides, so this classic wooden coaster with an interesting claim to fame should be right at home.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: The Gear

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pacific crest trail - gear

On a long-distance hike like the Pacific Crest Trail, what you carry on your back is everything.

This summer, my girlfriend Katie and I walked the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. The journey took us across the Mojave desert, over the remote, snowy Sierra Nevada mountains, and through a spectacular and constantly changing wilderness landscape.

We found that three carefully chosen big-ticket gear items -- our backpacks, sleeping bags, and tent -- went a long way toward making our journey possible. In this video, we talk about "the big three," give tips for selecting and caring for gear, and explain why the right gear is crucial to a successful long-distance hike.

Top five castles of Extremadura, Spain

castle, castles, Spain, Badajoz
Spain is one of the best countries in the world to see castles. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Iberian peninsula was split between various Christian states and the Moors, Muslim invaders from North Africa. These factions fought and traded with each other in a constantly changing network of political alliances. Leaders protected their domains with castles and walled cities. One of the hot spots for fighting was in the southwest in what is now the autonomous community of Extremadura, including its provinces of Badajoz and Cáceres. There are literally hundreds of castles here. Below are five of the best, picked for their accessibility and general coolness.

Olivenza
Olivenza is a town in the province of Badajoz. It's right on the border with Portugal and is actually claimed by that country, although it has been under Spanish jurisdiction since 1801. The castle of Olivenza is an impressive Templar fortress adapted from an earlier Muslim castle taken in 1228. It features high walls and imposing square towers. As you can see from the photo in the gallery, these included "murder holes" set out from the edge of the tower from which to drop rocks and boiling water on attackers. The idea of dropping boiling oil is a myth. Water was much cheaper and easier to obtain, although one account from a siege in France talks about using boiling lead! The castle at Olivenza was expanded in the 14th and 16th centuries and is very well preserved, still dominating this small town of 12,000 people. A gate flanked by slender, semi-round towers, and a wide moat also survive.

Fregenal de la Sierra
This castle is also in Badajoz and guards the road to Seville. As you can see from the above photo, courtesy Fregenal01 via Wikimedia Commons and taken under much better conditions than the crappy weather we had on our trip to Extremadura, the high walls and seven towers now share the skyline with church spires. This wasn't always the case. The first fort here was built by the Romans, later reworked by the Visigoths and Moors. After the land was taken from the Muslims, King Fernando III gave the castle to the Templars in 1283. They expanded and improved the fortifications and they were still being used as late as 1808 by Napoleon's troops! The castle courtyard is now the town's bullfighting ring.



Five airline fees you haven't thought about (but they have!)

airline feesOver the past two years, the fees that airlines have figured out have been seemingly endless. Baggage and cancellations are just the tip of the iceberg. Now, passengers are stuck with a healthy dose of fee fatigue, but the good news is that there doesn't seem to be anything left for which to charge - except maybe access to the flotation devices in the event of an emergency.

Well, don't get too comfortable.

Despite having had a fantastic year in 2010, there are already grumblings in the airline industry about increasing fuel costs. This means, of course, that the additional expense will have to be passed along to us, the passengers, in some form. Even though we may not be able to think of (realistic) charges to levy, it seems as though the airlines have this under control, according to an article on MSN Money. Already, 19 different a la carte charges exist, and they are set to earn the airlines $22 billion worldwide for 2010.

So, the airlines want more of your money. How are they going to get it? Well, here are five ideas for them:
Continue reading Five airline fees you haven't thought about (but they have!)

Cheap Cruise Watch- Norwegian Upgrades (almost) everybody

Cheap CruiseIt's what the cruise industry calls "wave season", the time of the year when people stop dreaming of a White Christmas and instead have nightmares about getting stuck in snow and ice. Thoughts turn to warmer weather and cruise vacations come to mind. We have been talking a lot about how to get a good deal lately. Today we have one for you.

Cheap prices are good. Cheap prices and you get more for your money are better.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a "Free Upgrades For All" promotion that applies to the new Norwegian Epic going on now through January 16, 2011 where we can book and get up to a 4 category upgrade at no additional charge. That's nothing really all that exciting but with this promotion, you can book an ocean-view cabin (with a window) and get a balcony cabin at no additional charge. Book a balcony and get a mini-suite too. That's different and unique to Norwegian.

They're also throwing in a coupon book "worth over $400" but don't get too excited about that part. Many of the coupons you probably won't use but they do add up and some you will. The big attraction here is booking an ocean-view and getting a balcony or booking a balcony and getting a mini-suite on their newest ship. That's the kind of value we want you to get. It's available on all 2011 sailings and its pretty easy to do.

Like most cruise deals this can be a little tricky to book so pay attention if you visit the NCL website. For Balcony upgrades, you'll see a Balcony Stateroom with the same price as an Ocean-view Stateroom. For sailings with Mini-Suite Upgrades, you'll see a Mini-Suite listed at the same price as a Balcony. A few restrictions apply and it is always a good idea to read the fine print.

Get with your travel expert to be sure you get it right.

Flickr photo by Cruise News Weekly