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Keauhou Beach Resort Kailua Kona

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:24:10 +0000

www.TopHotels4U.com Make Sure You Click The Link For Amazing Prices On This Hotel And Almost Every Other Hawaii Hotel!!

Umbria Olive Harvest and Olive Oil

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:22:09 +0000

Guest post by Rebecca Winke, owner of Brigolante Guest Apartments in Umbria – continued from part 1, Umbria Grape Harvest and Wineries.

Later in the autumn, you’ll notice olive groves with …

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Aer Arann Enters Examinership – No Cause to Panic

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:19:15 +0000

Aer Arann, providing mostly inner-Irish routes with turboprop planes, but also some connections off the island, is in turbulences. Ireland’s smallest airline has been haemorrhaging money for some time and recently announced the loss of some services too. Now it has entered voluntary examinership.

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Istiqlal Mosque’s Pilgrims Mark the End of Ramadan.

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:32:03 +0000

Main prayer hall in Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia. Image © Getty Images.

September 9 marks the end of Ramadan, or Eid ul-Fitr. For the past few weeks leading up to Eid, the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia has been a prime pilgrimage point for thousands of Indonesian Muslims.

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View full post on About.com Southeast Asia Travel

India Photo of the Week – Ganesh Chaturthi

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:28:03 +0000

Anticipation is building for the start of the 2010 Ganesh Chaturthi festival on Saturday, September 11. The festival is most widely celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

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Swim with the Sharks Off Isla Mujeres

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:27:57 +0000

Mexico’s Isla Mujeres — off the Caribbean coast near Cancun — is one of the best places to swim with sharks, USA Today reports. It’s also a heck of a lot easier to get to than some of the other places on the list (like the Great Barrier Reef and Palau), and because they’re plankton-loving whale sharks, the Isla Mujeres population will consider you “friends, not food.” Which is good, because whale sharks can be up to 50 feet in length, weigh up to 10 tons, and can travel in packs of up to 50.

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New York Beyond the Big Apple

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:01:38 +0000

For many years, my exposure to the state of New York was limited to the view from inside an air-conditioned car heading north from Ohio to my summer camp in Maine. My family’s annual drive through the Empire State became somewhat of a joke over time, as my brother and I held contests to see who could sleep the longest through the seemingly never-ending pattern of rolling hills, rocky Adirondacks, rest stops, and tiny towns. To our teenaged eyes, New York State was beautiful but boring.

I’m a little older now, and the appeal of the New York that lies beyond the Big Apple has become more obvious. It’s one of our country’s most populous states, and it offers a similarly expansive variety of sights and experiences for locals and tourists alike. I spoke with Sascha Zuger — who, as the author of the Moon New York State Handbook, has seen the state from top to bottom — to find out her favorite spots. She shares her recommended locations after the jump.

Hudson Valley

I think the charm of browsing through the mom-and-pop shops and cafés of the Hudson Valley and Catskill villages is tough to top. In Rhinebeck (of recent Chelsea Clinton nuptials), stroll through the farmers’ market, filled with organic meats and greens, wildflowers, hand-crafted raw milk cheeses, gourmet chutneys (created in an 1850s farmhouse) and artisan breads. Visit the village green of the iconic artist colony of Woodstock on a Sunday evening to join a drum circle alongside a resident hippie or stray belly dancer.

Finger Lakes

There is little that can beat taking in the view of the lovely Finger Lakes region from the sipping stool of a vineyard’s tasting table — unless you count taking in that same view from an 800-lb. sailplane as it soars overhead. The Harris Hill Soaring Center in Elmira offers public glider rides every weekend through October 31, and its junior program gives local kids the chance to earn a pilot’s license early by helping out around the club. Another area highlight: Pulling molten glass into petals in the art studio at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Hamptons

My preconceived prejudice against the Hamptons — likely earned from various news stories and reality shows spotlighting privilege gone bad — was totally altered when I visited the Hampton Ocean Resort. A family-owned beachfront gem, the resort won me over with cushy towels, personalized service, and sweet, friendly staff members (as well as the Dove chocolate bars they brought right to my beach chair). Tip: Online rates can be found at discounts up to 65%.

Niagara

Niagara’s obvious draw is its natural beauty, though most would find re-enacting Jim and Pam’s famous Maid of the Mist cruise (from a recent episode of The Office) somewhat lacking (or worse, downright cheesy). Fortunately, three of the Niagara region’s state parks have given a nod to city folk with ConTENTment Camping. The service offers Hemingway-inspired safari-style tents preset with all the essentials, including cots. An a la carte rental menu adds coffeemakers, coolers and bikes to the mix, so you can enjoy a more comfortable camping experience away from the throngs of tourists.

[New York Travel Guide]

Sascha Zuger’s Moon New York State Handbook is available now. You can follow the author on Twitter @Sascha_Zuger and on Tumblr. Photos courtesy Sascha Zuger.

New York – Ohio – Maine – New York City – United States

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Things to Do for Free on Kauai

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:08:49 +0000

_{Kilauea Point Lighthouse}

Like most everything in life, the best things to enjoy about Kauai are free – or at least pretty affordable.

Kauai is called Hawaii’s “Island of Discovery” and popularly referred to as “the Garden Island” – both for good reason. Kauai’s landscape is an enticing, exciting playground for lovers of the environment, outdoor adventure, and Polynesian culture.

The following are twelve enjoyable and interesting ways for visitors to experience and enjoy Kauai for free (or nearly free). Thanks to our good friends at the Kauai Visitors Bureau for these ideas.

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Back to Uni=Back to Gigs

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:03:58 +0000

Students all over Britain are settling back into their university routines. Often that means checking out the latest British new music at their Student Unions and local clubs.

Every season …

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MAUI HAWAII WHALE WATCH

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:23:46 +0000

This is a whale watch we did as a family in Hawaii in 2008. I thought it was exceptional so I thought I would share my video with you to enjoy. I have more video of this whale watch tour. Please leave comment and I will post more. The crew on the boat were pulling out there cameras and they said this is very rare. The boat drifted with the two whales for about 1/2 an hour. ABSOLUTELY beautiful creatures.

Happy Birthday to Florence’s Duomo – Italy Photo of the Week

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:22:24 +0000

Florence’s Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, celebrates its 714th birthday today.

More: Photos from the Duomo Dome | Italy Photos of the Week

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The City That Really Never Sleeps – Berlin’s Club Night 2010

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:21:01 +0000

Berlin is not only the capital of Germany, it is also the capital of nightlife. The city that never sleeps proves its reputation by hosting its annual Club Night on September 11: With only one ticket, you can hit over 40 different Berlin clubs, among them some of the best hot spots in the city.

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Greek Tourism Minister Urges Israelis to Choose Greece

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:17:22 +0000

Greek Minister of Tourism Pavlos Geroulanos is taking full advantage of the possibility of siphoning off Israeli tourists who have been accustomed to traveling to Turkey for their sun and fun. In an interview with Ynet in Israel, he details some great reasons to visit Greeceand encourages Israelis to go to Greece as an alternative to Turkey, now that political relations between Tel Aviv and Ankara are strained.

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North Cape? Plan Now!

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:32:47 +0000

Right now is a really good time to plan a trip to the North Cape. Why, you ask?

Especially in the later part of the year, the North Cape is a monumental natural experience, along with breathtaking views, unusual climatic conditions, the dramatic cliff itself and the fact that one is standing at Europe’s northern end. Then, there’s the fact that this is a great location to see the Northern Lights….and with all the summer crowds gone, prices will be lower, too.

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Autumn Destinations to Fall for – Courtesy of Jetstar!

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:31:46 +0000

This autumn season, low fares leader Jetstar is about to put you in the mood for travel, with low fares to two enchanting Southeast Asia destinations. Jetstar’s all day, every day, low fares make Vietnam and Cambodia ever more appealing places to visit when fall comes upon us.

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View full post on About.com Southeast Asia Travel

Moon Viewing Events in Japan

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:30:09 +0000

Appreciating the mid-autumn full moon, which is referred to as “Jugoya” or “Chushu-no-meigetsu”, is an important tradition in Japan and is called tsukimi. As it originated from the Chinese Moon Festival, tsukimi takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, and it falls on September 22 in 2010. How about visiting Japanese tsukimi ceremonies or events this autumn?

Read More:

Photo by Yasuhide Fumoto / Getty Images

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Conde Nast Readers Vote India World’s 7th Best Luxury Destination

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:28:46 +0000

Rajasthan elephant.
Sudip Dutta.

Forget countries such as Thailand, France, South Africa, and even the USA — India is becoming an increasingly popular destination for luxury travel.

Readers of the UK Conde Nast Traveller magazine have voted India as the 7th best holiday destination in the world. Votes were based on satisfaction with travel facilities and services, including hotels, spas, airlines and airports. However, what India scored the highest on was the warmth of its people and hospitality. New luxury trains, such as the Maharajas Express have also added to India’s appeal as a luxury destination.

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Riviera Maya Eco-Adventures

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:28:43 +0000

As a vacation destination, it’s hard to go wrong with the Riviera Maya. There are beautiful beaches, fascinating archaeological sites, and accommodation options ranging from laid-back eco-resorts to up-scale luxury boutique hotels. Besides all that, there are also plenty of choices for adventure activities and opportunities to interact with nature. Read contributing writer Emma Sloley’s recommendations for Riviera Maya Eco-Adventures.

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Friends and Family Fly Free to Nassau/Paradise Island

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:28:41 +0000

Now through Dec. 22, hotels in Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas are offering free companion airfare on three-night minimum stays. The package must be booked by Sept. 15, however, so act fast!

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Independence Day 2010: For a Wildfire-Free Brazil

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:19:46 +0000

Brazil is commemorating the 188th anniversary of its independence today. In Brasília, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the parades in which the air show by the fantastic Esquadrilha da Fumaça (the Smoke Squadron) was, as usual, a top attraction and a grand finale.

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World’s Top Dealer in Endangered Animals Snagged

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:01:25 +0000

Anson Wong, the notorious kingpin of the illegal wildlife trade, was finally convicted by a Malaysian court this week and sentenced to prison. He dealt in such rarities as snow leopard pelts, panda skins, Sumatran rhino horns and live Komodo dragons, buying and selling in Australia, China, Madagascar, New Zealand, South America and elsewhere. Full story of his capture and conviction on NatGeo NewsWatch.

Wong previously served five years in U.S. prison, after being nabbed by an extraordinary international undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service called Operation Chameleon, considered one of the most successful in history. [You can read about this extraordinary sting operation in last January's National Geographic, in writer Bryan Christy's story, 'The Kingpin".] But Wong’s wife continued to operate the smuggling network while her husband was in prison, and Wong returned to Penang in 2003 to resume his criminal activities. “Nothing can be done to me,” Wong boasted then to an undercover agent. “I could sell a panda — and, nothing. As long as I’m here, I’m safe.”

He was caught this time by an alert airline security officer [Hear! Hear!] who noticed the broken lock on his luggage, and found it to be full of 95 boa constrictors.

From NatGeo NewsWatch:

Wildlife trafficking may be the world’s most profitable form of
transnational organized crime. The reason is not money alone, although
the profit margins can be spectacular. The reason is the low risk: When
it comes to wildlife trafficking, there is little chance of getting
caught. Around the world, law enforcement dedicated to wildlife
smuggling is woefully undermanned and underfunded. And even when
smugglers are caught, the most common penalty they face is a fine,
often no larger than a parking ticket.

Photo by Mark Leong in “Asia’s WIldlife Trade,” National Geographic, January 2010; NatGeo NewsWatch blog
Related: “The Last One,” by Verlyn Klinkerborg, National Geographic, January 2009, photos by Joel Sartore

WIldlife Trade – United States – Prison – Malaysia – National Geographic

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Catch A Game at Citi Field

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:06:28 +0000

Are you going to see the New York Mets play at Citi Field on your next trip to New York City? Check out our Citi Field Visitors Guide for …

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Fairmont Kea Lani Resort Wailea Makena

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:22:58 +0000

www.TopHotels4U.com Make Sure You Click The Link For Amazing Prices On This Hotel And Almost Every Other Hawaii Hotel!!

Visiting the Doge’s Palace in Venice

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:22:52 +0000

A visit to the opulent Doge’s Palace is a highlight of a trip to Venice. One of the attractions of Saint Mark’s Square, the former home of the Doge (Venice’s ruler) is not only one of Venice’s most famous buildings but its treasures make it one of Venice’s top museums, too. For a more enjoyable visit, arrive at opening time to beat the tour groups and consider booking a Secret Itineraries Tour that includes a look at secret passageways, prisons, and the famous Bridge of Sighs…

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“O’zapft is!” – The Best Oktoberfest Beer Tents 2010

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:21:30 +0000

Which Oktoberfest tent is a good choice for families, has the best yodelers, or is the most popular among locals? In the weeks leading up to Munich’s Oktoberfest, we will introduce some of the best Oktoberfest beer tents here, so check back regularly!

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Global-Trekker.net

Keauhou Beach Resort Kailua Kona

Umbria Olive Harvest and Olive Oil

Aer Arann Enters Examinership – No Cause to Panic

Istiqlal Mosque’s Pilgrims Mark the End of Ramadan.

India Photo of the Week – Ganesh Chaturthi

Swim with the Sharks Off Isla Mujeres

New York Beyond the Big Apple

Things to Do for Free on Kauai

Back to Uni=Back to Gigs

MAUI HAWAII WHALE WATCH

Happy Birthday to Florence’s Duomo – Italy Photo of the Week

The City That Really Never Sleeps – Berlin’s Club Night 2010

Greek Tourism Minister Urges Israelis to Choose Greece

North Cape? Plan Now!

Autumn Destinations to Fall for – Courtesy of Jetstar!

Moon Viewing Events in Japan

Conde Nast Readers Vote India World’s 7th Best Luxury Destination

Riviera Maya Eco-Adventures

Friends and Family Fly Free to Nassau/Paradise Island

Independence Day 2010: For a Wildfire-Free Brazil

World’s Top Dealer in Endangered Animals Snagged

Catch A Game at Citi Field

Fairmont Kea Lani Resort Wailea Makena

Visiting the Doge’s Palace in Venice

“O’zapft is!” – The Best Oktoberfest Beer Tents 2010

Autumn Destinations to Fall for – Courtesy of Jetstar!