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

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

Valentine'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

An 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!

Good 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.

Terrorist gets 15 years for JFK airport plot

A 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

Want 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.

Gallery: Carnival Evolutions of Fun

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

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

Need 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 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

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.

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

Filed under: Skiing, North America, United States
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?



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

Filed under: Europe, Germany, News
Would 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

Filed under: North America, United States, Budget Travel, Internet Tools
A 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?

Gallery: How to create a realistic travel budget

SkyMall Monday: Helpy Carry-on Harness

Airports 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

Filed under: North America, Canada, United States, Cruises, Caribbean
A 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

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

Filed under: Theme Parks

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

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, North America, United States


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

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.

Gallery: Castles of Extremadura, Spain

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

Over 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!)

Five airline fees you haven't

Cheap Cruise Watch- Norwegian Upgrades (almost) everybody

It'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