Top 10 Celebrity Beaches

Top 10 Celebrity Beaches: "For people who like to bask in the sun and have some fun in the water, a beach is the ideal destination for a short holiday. Different beaches around the world have unique characteristics that attract tourist and earn them patrons. Today, well be dishing out the news on the best beach destinations where you can catch a glimpse of your favorite movie star–six pack abs and all–taking a dip in the water. Start packing your bags and don’t forget your camera because here are the top ten celebrity beach spots of the season."

Charleston is the ultimate cruise port

Charleston is the ultimate cruise port | ExpertCruiser.com: "Charleston is the ultimate cruise port as it has it all – beauty, history, and southern hospitality. Now that Carnival offers year-round cruising from the city it will introduce many travelers to the wonders of Charleston."

"Charleston is a city meant to meander around and get lost and it’s worth spending a few extra days to explore before or after a cruise. Oak-ringed parks with beautiful gardens and memorial plaques and statues are everywhere and are inviting to relax in on a hot day. The city’s historic homes and churches are a highlight of any walk and are perfectly preserved making it easy to imagine what life was like here 150 years ago. St. John’s Lutheran Church dates back to 1817, and St. Philip’s Church whose steeple was once used as a lighthouse. A walk along the waterfront will carry you past grand mansions to White Point Gardens where townspeople watched the first shots fired on nearby Fort Sumter in 1861."

Holiday Inn, other IHG chains offer to pay airline checked-bag fees

Hoping to cash in on a common traveler complaint, Holiday Inn, InterContinental and other IHG-brand hotels are offering to pay the checked-baggage fees charged by many U.S. airlines.

For stays between Sept. 1 and Dec. 30, 2010, InterContinental Hotels Group just announced that it will pay the fees - up to $850 worth - on any airline to any destination.

Rumor: Disney Cruise Line to visit Hawaii

Rumor: Disney Cruise Line to visit Hawaii - Disney Cruise Line News: "According to an article in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Disney Cruise Line could be setting sail for Hawaii in the near future. Sailings to Hawaii would make perfect sense with the upcoming opening of the company's newest Disney Vacation Club resort 'Aulani' opening in August of 2011. The Disney Wonder cruise ship, currently based in Florida, is moving to the West Coast in 2011, a move that is fueling the Hawaii rumors even further."

Women find world, selves with solo travel

Women find world, selves with solo travel - CNN.com: "The only thing she knew is that she would fly to Paris, France, in September and return to the United States from Auckland, New Zealand, six months later."

Deals dry up for last-minute hotel bookers, but grow for advance planners

Deals dry up for last-minute hotel bookers, but grow for advance planners – USATODAY.com: "Many travelers have spent this year planning last-minute escapes, knowing how easy it was to nab a decent hotel rate.

But it's time to rethink that strategy, as business travel rebounds and big city hotels raise rates."

The Balmoral in Edinburgh Hotels

The Balmoral in Edinburgh Hotels on Concierge.com: "It could not be more central or more subtly beautiful, with decor by Olga Polizzi, sister of Rocco Forte, to whose select hotel chain this belongs. On the other hand, its rates could hardly be higher. For the 188 exquisite chambers, Polizzi has selected a heather-on-the-Highland-moors palette: lavender, cream, moss, and peat in costly wools, leather, silks, and linens. The best rooms have views of Edinburgh Castle."

You've got a lot to learn in little Savannah

You've got a lot to learn in little Savannah - Quick Trips - MiamiHerald.com: "We took seven tours in the 2.2-square-mile historic district -- and didn't have a ghost of a chance of seeing everything."

Laid-back Bimini gets a shot of new energy

Laid-back Bimini gets a shot of new energy - Travel - MiamiHerald.com: "`It literally is a foreign country,'' Freund said. ``But it's 50 miles and two hours in my boat.''

The Big Game Club resort, with six cottages that have two guest rooms apiece, 35 standard rooms and four penthouse suites, also includes a 75-slip marina, a restaurant and bar, freshwater pool and shop. Still to come: a fuel dock at the marina, fitness center and spa, a theater for lectures and DVD viewing, and conference space.

Because of its focus on conservation and Harvey's passion for protecting sharks, the resort has formed a partnership with a shark research lab on South Bimini so guests can learn more about the researchers' efforts."

Tips for a stress-free flying experience

Tips for a stress-free flying experience - USATODAY.com: "it is tough to be a passenger these days, too. There have surely been plenty of travelers, stuffed in coach with crying babies, rolling eyes and empty wallets, who have wanted to make a quick exit down the emergency slide." Here is a rundown of how to make your travel experience more Zen-like, from booking to landing (and how to complain if it isn't like that):

Santa Barbara: Nature, with a bit of luxury, at El Capitan Canyon

Santa Barbara: Nature, with a bit of luxury, at El Capitan Canyon - Travel - LATimes.com: "Summer is running out. If you want to get away before the Labor Day crush to a place that’s not too far from home, you might find solace in a stunning natural setting — and a third night free — at a cabin or safari tent at El Capitan Canyon near Santa Barbara.

The deal: The resort, which brings some luxury to nature, is about 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara and a 10-minute walk inland from El Capitan State Beach. It offers 108 cedar cabins of various sizes and 26 safari tents (with beds, not sleeping bags) tucked along the canyon."

Helpful honeymooners: Why newlyweds volunteer abroad

Helpful honeymooners: Why newlyweds volunteer abroad - CNN.com: "'honeyteers' -- newlyweds whose honeymoons double as volunteer projects. These couples not only tour distant locales but also get involved with the communities they find there."

Airports trading fast-food for sit-down dining

Airports trading fast-food for sit-down dining - Travel - Business Travel - msnbc.com: "NEW YORK — Forget about greasy french fries, soggy pizza or that sandwich that's been sitting out for hours. Filet mignon, crispy duck confit and crab cakes are taking off at the airport."

Holland America ship to go around the world in 112 days

Holland America ship to go around the world in 112 days – USATODAY.com: "The 112-day voyage, announced today, will kick off Jan. 6, 2012 in Fort Lauderdale and include calls in the Caribbean and South America before a trip around Cape Horn to the Chilean Fjords. From there, the vessel will head south to Antarctica and then west to Tahiti, followed by calls in Australia, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. The trip will end with a transit of the Suez Canal and stops in the Mediterranean before the ship returns to South Florida."

Luxury residential cruise ship to stop in Maine

Luxury residential cruise ship to stop in Maine - Travel - Cruise Travel - msnbc.com: "The World, a 644-foot ship with 165 residences ranging from studio apartments to a six-bedroom ocean penthouse, will visit Portland from Oct. 15-17, 2012.
Residents live aboard the ship as it circumnavigates the globe.
For its 2010 voyage, the ship left Australia in January on a route that has included Southeast Asia, India, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea and Europe. It will then go to Greenland and along the east coasts of North and South America before ending its yearlong trip in Antarctica.
The World last visited Portland in 2005."

New Princess Cruises itinerary to hit three continents in four weeks

New Princess Cruises itinerary to hit three continents in four weeks – USATODAY.com: "Looking for a vacation that will take you to three continents in just four weeks? Look no further than Princess Cruises, which just unveiled plans for a four-week voyage in 2011 that will include stops in Europe, Africa and Asia.

The 'Mediterranean, India & Asia' sailing from Rome to Singapore on the 680-passenger Ocean Princess, scheduled to begin on Oct. 15, 2011, is similar to a 56-night voyage between the cities taking place later this year but exactly half as long."

Venice Soon to Have 1st Official Woman Gondolier

Venice Soon to Have 1st Official Woman Gondolier - ABC News: "Venice is on its way to having its first official female gondolier.

City Hall said Friday that Giorgia Boscolo had passed the practical exam to become a gondolier. She is the first woman to pass this test, considered the most difficult of those required to pilot a boat on Venice's canals."

Another cruise line cuts back on voyages to Mexico

Another cruise line cuts back on voyages to Mexico – USATODAY.com: "Industry watcher Seatrade Insider today reports the luxury operator is replacing two seven-night sailings to the region schedule for April 2011 with new trips along the West Coast of the USA between Los Angeles and Vancouver.

The northbound and southbound 'Pacific Escape' and 'Coastal Exploration' sailings on the 940-passenger Crystal Symphony will include visits to Santa Barbara, Calif.; San Francisco; Seattle; Astoria, Ore.; and Victoria, BC, the news outlet says."

Top 10 Cities to Visit for Your Art Education

Top 10 Cities to Visit for Your Art Education: "Exposure to what is beautiful, to geometric and mind labored shapes, to beautiful music that becomes grander and grander in scale as the orchestra plays it, can dramatically sharpen our senses and our sensual intelligence and sensitivity. If you want to go and get lost in art, here are some key cities you will find which will help you reacquire a vision for your life."

World's most beautiful lakes

World's most beautiful lakes - CNN.com: "10 lakes go to all the right extremes -- highest, deepest, clearest -- and showcase nature at its most spectacular. Soak up the views from a boat, a cable car, a trailhead or a castle tower."

Women find world, selves with solo travel

Women find world, selves with solo travel - CNN.com: "'Eat, Pray, Love' -- both the book and the new movie starring Julia Roberts -- is fueling lots of interest in the experiences of solo travelers, especially female ones. There's just something romantic, exhilarating and liberating about the idea of setting off on your own and exploring the world and yourself along the way."

More travelers willing to bare all on 'nakations'

Survey: More travelers willing to bare all on 'nakations' – USATODAY.com: "The online travel community asked 22,091 U.S. travelers if they would bare all at the beach and 48% said yes. This is up from last year's nude beach survey, in which 31% of respondents said they would 'love to see and be seen' at a clothing-optional destination."

Shoestring Stockholm: The Best Budget Guide When Visiting Sweden’s Capital

Shoestring Stockholm: The Best Budget Guide When Visiting Sweden’s Capital: "Sweden is one of the prime destinations in the European Union. Due to their high level of economy and upscale living conditions, it is not cheap to visit the country. However, the pristine beauty of its alps, glacial landscapes punctuated by pine trees and beautiful meadow, are sights that people should not pass up."

More Morocco: New Best Five Destinations of the Kingdom

More Morocco: New Best Five Destinations of the Kingdom: "Morocco has its share of romance from being a crossroads between the Middle East, Africa and Mediterranean cultures into its existence today as an international vacation spot. Since Tourism is indeed Morocco’s prime industries, expect a lot of traffic clogging up the areas you’ve probably listed as places worth visiting.
Most travelers will agree that the best places are not necessarily the most visited ones. The secluded spots which are untouched by the heels of any tourist from the nearby bus are special places indeed and worth exploring a little further. It is time to toss away the generic tourist map and stretch those legs a little and then begin traveling to these five spots off Morocco’s beaten tracks."

Eurostar to face Faster Competition with Deutche Bahn

Eurostar to face Faster Competition with Deutche Bahn: "Deutche Bahn just announced that it will be testing one of its trains through the famous Channel Tunnel. For sixteen whole years, the train operator Eurostar has been manipulating the transportation from Britain to the French vineyards. Now, Eurostar might be facing a very strong competition with Deutche Bahn’s high-speed trains."

Crystal Adventures Offer New Perspectives

Cruise Diva: Crystal Adventures Offer New Perspectives: "If you've been there and done that, you might want to consider a Crystal cruise for something different. This fall, Crystal passengers can see what backstage life is like at the Monte Carlo Ballet, how the ponies live at St-Tropez's Polo Club, view Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains from a private plane and Copper Canyon by privately chartered rail, among other 'private access' experiences. The luxury cruise line is offering nearly 100 brand new Crystal Adventures with its fall itineraries, offering travelers distinctly new perspectives on the destinations."

Rome to Open Colosseum After Dark

FOXNews.com - Rome to Open Colosseum After Dark: "Rome officials announced on Friday that for seven straight Saturdays starting Aug. 21, visitors can tour the Colosseum with an archaeologist. They will enter in groups of 40 people maximum from 9 p.m. till midnight. Normally, the monument is open only during daytime..."

Winner of Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. : Investor Relations : RSS Content: "After hosting an eight week-long contest, which culminated with five intense hours in the competition kitchens at The Culinary Institute of America, Royal Caribbean International has found the next culinary superstar to lead the kitchen of the signature restaurant onboard Allure of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship which will make her debut in December 2010 and share the title of world's largest and most innovative cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. Maureen 'Molly' Brandt of Stillwater, Minn. has landed the job of a lifetime: a one-year paid contract to be the Chef de Cuisine of 150 Central Park onboard Allure of the Seas."

Costa Favolosa, Costa Cruises’ Fifteenth Ship Set to Debut in Summer 2011

Cruise Diva: Costa Favolosa, Costa Cruises’ Fifteenth Ship Set to Debut in Summer 2011: "As her name suggests (Favola is Italian for “fairy tale”), Costa Favolosa is intended to interpret the excitement and emotion of people who view the cruise as a magical voyage in a “contemporary enchanted castle,” a perfect combination of fabulous atmosphere and state-of-the-art high-tech fun with a truly amazing range of amenities."

Don't set yourself up for air travel #fail

Don't set yourself up for air travel #fail - USATODAY.com: "Don't play fast and loose with the clock. I don't care if it's an important meeting, a funeral, a wedding, or you're catching a cruise, don't plan to arrive a couple of hours before whatever it is begins. Hotel rooms are cheap these days. Rent one and arrive the night before. Catch up with old friends, or make some new ones."

The road (a little) less traveled in China

The road (a little) less traveled in China - CNN.com: "The less-traveled roads offer the chance to experience a more local China and see stunning scenery that has inspired artists and attracted vacationers for centuries. In Guangxi province, Guilin -- a popular destination for international and domestic tourists alike -- offers visitors a unique vantage point from which to witness the blend of nature and traditional culture that characterizes today's China."

Airships to Get a Second Chance

Airships to Get a Second Chance: "Reaching Bedford, once you get to the Cardington Airfield, you’ll see two massive hangars made from corrugated steel. The structures tower over an otherwise low-lying terrain. They’re over 190 feet high and 800 feet long. With that area, you can easily play three games of football simultaneously without interception. These steel structures housed what used to be the symbols of British airship industry’s former success."

A Cheaper Phone Choice

A Cheaper Phone Choice - Letter - NYTimes.com: "If you are a truly global traveler, the simplest solution by far is to buy a cheap, unlocked SIM-ready phone ($50 or less) and buy SIM cards in each country you travel to. SIMs generally cost $5 or less. With a local number you can very cheaply call hotels, restaurants, etc., in that country to book a spot, and you can call or text home much more cheaply than you can while roaming on your home-based plan."

Visiting France’s Cote Fleurie

Visiting France’s Cote Fleurie - NYTimes.com: "Cote Fleurie serves up film festivals (the Deauville American Film Festival in September is second only to Cannes), expansive beaches (particularly the golden sands of Deauville and Trouville), seafood-laden local cuisine (with excellent new spots in the port of Honfleur), artistic history (Monet and other Impressionists painted here), celebrity residences (the Rothschilds, Gerard Depardieu and Yves Saint Laurent are among current and former homeowners) and all-night casinos (place your bets in Cabourg and Deauville)."

Explore the Best of Athens

Holland America Blog � Blog Archive � Explore the Best of Athens: "The Acropolis’ symbolic ruins have survived for 25 centuries and have remained a part of the Greek culture for the entire world to appreciate. Most tours in Athens include a visit to the most famous temple of the Ancient City – the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. Stand in awe when visiting the incredible Acropolis. A brand new addition since last summer is the newly opened Acropolis Museum where you can admire the surviving treasures of the Acropolis in a state of the art building."

Top 5 things to do in Istanbul

Top 5 things to do in Istanbul: "It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning Turkey holidays, because there are so many educational, historic, and fun things to do on your vacation. Here is a list to get you started."

Hotel Hana-Maui and Honua Spa in Maui

Hotel Hana-Maui and Honua Spa in Maui Hotels on Concierge.com: "Hana's lush beauty has been protected from overdevelopment by the daunting two-hour drive in or out on the twisty Hana Highway, and aficionados swear it's the last authentic place on Maui. This sprawling luxury ranch takes full advantage of the unspoiled setting: The eight one- and two-bedroom oceanfront Sea Ranch Cottages sit out where the land suddenly drops into the sea. The wooden houses have high, beamed ceilings, an enclosed garden off the modern bathroom, and interiors done up in vintage Hawaiian designs. There are amenities for guests at nearby Hamoa Beach, a pool that overlooks the ocean, and a state-of-the-art spa with open-air treatment rooms. An additional four Maui Bay Cottages sit closer to the main building, with views over Hana Bay or the garden, and for complete privacy, the turn-of-the-century Plantation House has two bedrooms and is a 10-minute walk from the hotel's main building (there's a shuttle service too). Attention, honeymooners: September is an adult-only month."

Paris in August

Paris - The Longest Sunday - National Geographic Traveler: "the secret of Paris in August. At the first of the month, as the French departed the capital en masse for their annual vacations, the city shut down. Chez Georges, the wonderful restaurant on the corner of Rue du Mail, closed for the month. The cafe across the street pulled its shutters tight, as did the boulangerie next door. Automobiles disappeared, taking their horns and roar and leaving yards of space. In the cafes that stayed open, and there were plenty, it was easy to find a peaceful table with a relaxed waiter. In the jardin of the Palais-Royal, metal armchairs waited empty by the center fountain. But the gain in physical space wasn't as important as the change in psychological space. In August, a sense of serenity settled over the city."

Leading river cruise line to begin voyages on the Mekong

Leading river cruise line to begin voyages on the Mekong – USATODAY.com: "Add the Mekong River to the list of destinations that can be visited with Viking River Cruises.
The world's leading river cruise line today announced it will offer a 15-day program along the famed Southeast Asia waterway starting in 2011."

Deal watch: Luxury line Windstar Cruises launches 'two-for-one' sale

Deal watch: Luxury line Windstar Cruises launches 'two-for-one' sale – USATODAY.com: "Windstar Cruises has launched a 'two-for-one' sale on seven-day sailings to Costa Rica"

Crystal Cruises' next world voyage to include three days in Beijing

Crystal Cruises' next world voyage to include three days in Beijing – USATODAY.com: "Crystal Cruises has announced plans for a 94-day world voyage in 2012 that will include an unusual, three-day overland adventure in and around Beijing.

The luxury line's 17th annual world cruise, kicking off on Jan. 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, will take place on the 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity and also include stops in 34 other ports as the ship loops around the Pacific to Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, China and Japan."

Rambling through the ruins of Europe's castles

Rambling through the ruins of Europe's castles - Travel - Destination Travel - Europe - msnbc.com: "But beyond the touristy castles are the ones I prefer — the forgotten ones. These are evocative, stony husks without plaster or furnishings — where you'll see broken stairways and open skies rather than rooftops. Massive chunks of stone no longer guard anything from anyone and lichen grows on walls seemingly to cushion stones for a fall they've been expecting for centuries. Castle ruins invite you to ramble the ramparts and let your imagination roam. Climbing through waist-high weeds on rubble corralled by surviving walls, you can break off a spiky frond and live a sword-fern fantasy."

Epic cruise ship entertains the entire family

Epic cruise ship entertains the entire family - Travel - Family Travel - msnbc.com: "the brand-new Epic, the latest megaship to debut for Norwegian Cruise Lines. At 153,000 tons, the new ship can accommodate 4,100 passengers, including upwards of 1,000 children, and 1,700 crewmembers and is scheduled to sail to the Caribbean from Miami (snare $99 flights, including port transfers, from 16 gateway cities. Book by Aug. 1 for cabin upgrades fleet wide and get up to $150 onboard credits for Epic reservations.)"

Plaza's 'Eloise' suite mixes luxury and whimsy

Plaza's 'Eloise' suite mixes luxury and whimsy - Travel - Luxury Travel - msnbc.com: "NEW YORK — The lovable fictional heroine of Kay Thompson's classic book 'Eloise,' who turned the landmark Plaza hotel on its head with her wild antics, is back with a suite created in her honor."

Travel by touch screen takes off

Travel by touch screen takes off - Travel - Rob Lovitt columns - msnbc.com: "the Discover e-book series, a new collection of digital guidebooks that the company calls the first-ever interactive travel e-books. Covering France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain, the iPad-based guides bridge the gap(s) between printed guidebooks, mobile apps and other e-reader offerings."

Create your own ‘Bachelorette’ moment at Hilton’s Bora Bora resort

Create your own ‘Bachelorette’ moment at Hilton’s Bora Bora resort - Travel - LATimes.com: "For those who want to create their own “Bachelorette” moment, the resort is offering a “Bora Bora Is for Lovers” package for a limited time with an eye-popping price tag of $4,995 for two that includes:

Five nights in an over-water villa;
An escape and picnic lunch on a nearby island;
Daily breakfast buffet; and
Airport boat transfers."

Papahanaumokuakea named World Heritage site

Papahanaumokuakea named World Heritage site - Travel - Destination Travel - msnbc.com: "Papahanaumokuakea consists of remote, mostly uninhabited atolls northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the waters surrounding them.
It's home to 69 percent of the coral reefs in U.S. territory. It also hosts 7,000 marine species, a quarter of which are found only in Hawaii. The area is off-limits to fishing, allowing for healthy and abundant populations of sharks, ulua or jackfish, and other marine life."

Santa Fe In 5...

FOXNews.com - Santa Fe In 5...: "While it's long been an obligatory stop on any trip to the American Southwest, Santa Fe has a way of surprising first-timers who think they know what to expect. Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it's a high-altitude town that's as much cool-air mountain retreat as it is sunny high-desert hideaway.

Sure, this tri-cultural community has plenty of ancient adobe buildings housing long-running restaurants, hotels, museums, and galleries, but New Mexico’s capital also receives a steady influx of hip new dining venues and edgy shops. Most recently, Santa Fe unveiled a completely re-imagined downtown neighborhood, the Railyard District, adding yet another intriguing facet to this radiant city."

World's best up-and-coming hotels

World's best up-and-coming hotels - Travel - Luxury Travel - msnbc.com: "Take the pedigree of the Four Seasons brand, add in the design sensibility of Pierre-Yves Rochon (the man behind the hotel group’s George V Paris), and add a dash of the Middle East’s of-the-moment style quotient, and you have the new Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, one of this year’s top up-and-coming hotels."

UNESCO adds 5 sites to the World Heritage List

UNESCO adds 5 sites to the World Heritage List - World news - Americas - msnbc.com: "SAO PAULO — UNESCO added five cultural sites to its World Heritage List on Sunday, including the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi in Vietnam.
The citadel, built in the 11th century by the Viet Dynasty, became the 900th site listed as a World Heritage Property. With the other four sites added, the total increased to 904.
The new sites are the historic monuments of Dengfeng in China, the archaeological site Sarazm in Tajikistan, the Episcopal city of Albi in France and a 17th-century canal ring in Amsterdam."

The Best Castle Hotels around the World

The Best Castle Hotels around the World: "Have you ever dreamed about being a king or a queen just to have a room as big as your entire house, and a home that reminds you of the fairytales you used to read as a child? The good news is you don’t even have to have royal blood anymore just to sleep in a castle. You can simply flip through the catalogues and choose among a wide myriad of castle lodgings around the globe."

Overnight sailings return to the Mississippi

Overnight sailings return to the Mississippi - Cruises - MiamiHerald.com: "After a hiatus of more than two years, overnight cruising is returning to the Mississippi River. Cruise West will run eight departures next year on the storied river aboard its 102-passenger Spirit of Aventure."

In Berlin, Finding Art in Unlikely Places

In Berlin, Finding Art in Unlikely Places - In Transit Blog - NYTimes.com: "This summer, the Berlin Biennale isn’t the only art show in town. Kreuzberg, long one of Berlin’s creative districts, is hosting the first-ever Kreuzberg Biennale, through August. Though it’s on a smaller scale than the city-wide event, it’s got plenty of edgy offerings — and in some unlikely places."