Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[A visit to Wall Street the day after the crash [PHOTOS]]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/09/a-visit-to-wall-street-the-day-after-the-crash-photos/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/09/a-visit-to-wall-street-the-day-after-the-crash-photos/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/09/a-visit-to-wall-street-the-day-after-the-crash-photos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wall Street after the crash

On a normal day, the small sidewalk on Wall Street between Broadway and Broad Street is crammed with tourists. People in suits cram hurriedly between them to get to their desks. Of course, there's the occasional television truck or nut holding a sign. When the market turns, however, the vibe in that part of town changes quickly. The tourists remain, but they're pushed around by the increase in activity, as New York's financial center seeks to cope with a massive loss of wealth.

There's nothing quite like visiting this part of New York City the day after a dive.

For those of you not keeping score at home, a dismal stock market day on Friday was followed by a worse one yesterday. The major indexes fell close to 7 percent - which stings. It really does. This led to a profound change the population of Wall and Broad today. Yes, the tourists were out in force (as usual). But, they had to share the streets.

Here's what it looked like:

Gallery: Wall Street: The day after the crash

It starts with the television trucks lined up on Broadway, a block away from the New York Stock ExchangeThen, you see the camera crews camping outAnd then the camera crews multiplyThe signs start to come out ... first to win your soul backAnd then with manifestos detailing the ills of capitalism


Photos courtesy of Inside Investor Relations

A visit to Wall Street the day after the crash [PHOTOS] originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Broadwaynew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitywall streetWallStreetTue, 09 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New North Korea tour company needs approval from the feds]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/07/new-north-korea-tour-company-needs-approval-from-the-feds/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/07/new-north-korea-tour-company-needs-approval-from-the-feds/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/07/new-north-korea-tour-company-needs-approval-from-the-feds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mount Kumgang, North KoreaA new company is trying to get into the North Korea tourism game. Korea Pyongyang Trading USA, based in New York, is looking to diversify out of its current business - importing Pyongyang Soju from North Korea. Founder Steve Park has his eye on Mount Kumgang, the site of a resort that involved a joint venture between South Korean companies and the North Korean government. It went sour when a South Korean tourist was shot there in 2008.

It seems like an interesting business opportunity, given how interesting the hard-to-reach company is too many travelers. And, since it's so hard to do business with the regime, competition is unlikely to be stiff. The regulatory red tape, on the other hand, is a different story.

South Korea is saying that Korea Pyongyang Trading USA will need to get permission from the U.S. government in order to get the operation off the ground. The Dong-A Ilbo reports:

Gallery: Introducing Air Koryo, North Korea's airline

Air Koryo boarding passAir Koryo flight attendantsAir Koryo still offers an in-flight meal!Boarding Air Koryo at Beijing capital AirportAir Koryo on the tarmac at Beijing Capital International Airport

Continue reading New North Korea tour company needs approval from the feds

New North Korea tour company needs approval from the feds originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HyundaiPyongyangresortresortstourismSun, 07 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is the United States a booming travel market for North Korea?!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/06/is-the-united-states-a-booming-travel-market-for-north-korea/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/06/is-the-united-states-a-booming-travel-market-for-north-korea/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/06/is-the-united-states-a-booming-travel-market-for-north-korea/#commentsFiled under: ,

North KoreaInternational relations may be strained, but that's not stopping the tourists. According to Yonhap News Agency, the number of North Koreans visiting the United States in the first half of 2011 surged more than 50 percent from the same period in 2010. The report cites data from the Department of Homeland Security, which puts the number of visitors in the first six months of the year at 139. In the first half of 2010, only 89 people visited the United States from North Korea.

Interestingly, this comes even as official contacts between the two governments fell off, not to mention a "general cooling off in bilateral relations."

Of course, the visits weren't strictly recreational. A delegation of scientists came over from North Korea in February, with an economic delegation following in March. In June, 17 martial arts folks visited three states on the east coast.

Gallery: North Korea: Straight from the Horse's Mouth

North Korean Propaganda PosterNorth Korean Propaganda PosterNorth Korean Propaganda PosterNorth Korean Propaganda PosterNorth Korean Propaganda Poster


Photo by yeowatzup via Flickr

Is the United States a booming travel market for North Korea?! originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Department of Homeland SecurityDepartmentOfHomelandSecuritydprkPyongyangtourismSat, 06 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five ways you can screw with travel companies via social media]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/04/five-ways-you-can-screw-with-travel-companies-via-social-media/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/04/five-ways-you-can-screw-with-travel-companies-via-social-media/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/04/five-ways-you-can-screw-with-travel-companies-via-social-media/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The travel industry is interested in what you have to say. Everything. I know this seems crazy. I mean, when was the last time you felt an airline employee was actually listening to you? Well, that sector is among the travel businesses paying close attention to you.

I saw on PRNewser yesterday that travel and hospitality companies are using online monitoring tools to keep track of what you tweet and post while you're on vacation. This should come as no surprise, of course: it's standard practice in any business to monitor online customer behavior (how do think Amazon generates such awesome product recommendations for you?). What you may not realize is that this is an opportunity with endless potential for mischief.

So, you have the travel industry's ear ... what are you going to do with it? Here are five ideas for you:

Continue reading Five ways you can screw with travel companies via social media

Five ways you can screw with travel companies via social media originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebooksocial mediasocial media marketingsocial networkingSocialMediaSocialMediaMarketingSocialNetworkingtwitterThu, 04 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eight interesting facts about North Korea's airline]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/03/six-interesting-facts-about-north-korea-s-airline/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/03/six-interesting-facts-about-north-korea-s-airline/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/03/six-interesting-facts-about-north-korea-s-airline/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



What do you know about Air Koryo? Probably not much. The state-run airline for North Korea, it's the only realistic way you can fly into the country, unless you have some sort of crazy commando resources at your disposal. Of course, there's a lot you have to do before booking your ticket, and getting a visa can be quite difficult for Americans and other westerners. If you do make it through the red tape though, you'll find yourself with more options than you realized.

So, ready to book your trip to Arirang and sample the beer and pizza of the most reclusive nation on the planet? Here's what you need to know about the airline that will take you there:

Gallery: Introducing Air Koryo, North Korea's airline

Air Koryo boarding passAir Koryo flight attendantsAir Koryo still offers an in-flight meal!Boarding Air Koryo at Beijing capital AirportAir Koryo on the tarmac at Beijing Capital International Airport

Continue reading Eight interesting facts about North Korea's airline

Eight interesting facts about North Korea's airline originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air koryoAirKoryobangkokBeijingfacebookKuala LumpurKualaLumpurkuwaitmoscowPyongyangShanghaiShenyangsocial mediasocial media marketingsocial networkingsocial networking sitesSocialMediaSocialMediaMarketingSocialNetworkingSocialNetworkingSitesWed, 03 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mastering the culinary experience on Benelux trains]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/29/mastering-the-culinary-experience-on-benelux-trains/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/29/mastering-the-culinary-experience-on-benelux-trains/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/29/mastering-the-culinary-experience-on-benelux-trains/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Hitting the rails around Europe can be a blast, and I particularly enjoyed it in the so-called "Benelux" countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg). The scenery in the Netherlands was a bit thin, but the Belgian towns were incredibly cute, and it was fun to watch the Dutch signs yield to French as we approached the Luxembourg border.

And let's face it: any alternative to air travel is a welcome one.

While the trains were a bit slow, they did offer plenty of space, and the ride was comfortable. The only downside was dining: some had a cart that was pushed around periodically, but that was the best available. In other cases, there was nothing at all.

So, if you're going to hop the train to places like Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels and Luxembourg, you're going to want to pack your own grub. You can always pick something up at the train station, but packaged sandwiches and snacks pale in comparison to what you can accomplish with a little planning.

You can do better!

Below, you'll find tips for giving yourself a better dining experience when you ride through Benelux:

Gallery: How to assemble a meal for a Benelux train ride

How will you ever find a Dutch cheese shop?Yeah, save your appetite for insideYou'll find plenty of cheese in AmsterdamSausage from BrugesSausage from Bruges

Continue reading Mastering the culinary experience on Benelux trains

Mastering the culinary experience on Benelux trains originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdamBrugescheesesausagesausagestrainwineFri, 29 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amsterdam hot dog review: THE CHUBBY!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/28/amsterdam-hot-dog-review-the-chubby/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/28/amsterdam-hot-dog-review-the-chubby/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/28/amsterdam-hot-dog-review-the-chubby/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Sometimes a food's name says everything you need to know about it. Tucked away in the museum part of Amsterdam, the Lunch Kiosk is a mobile operation intended to feed the tourists in need of some fast grub. I was in that spot on my visit earlier this month, and I do like to sample a hot dog wherever I go. It seemed like an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

At the Lunch Kiosk, the Chubby Hot Dog on the menu caught my attention immediately. How could it not? The big dog is wrapped in bacon and cheese, making it (what I thought would be) an artery-clogging delight. I had visions of Vancouver and Reykjavik, which made me salivate all the more. After waiting in line for what felt like an eternity, I placed my order and waited some more. I took this as a good sign, too. After all, immediate doesn't usually equate to culinary quality (not even with hot dogs).

When my order was up, I snatched it with excitement and headed over to the ketchup and mustard. The latter was particularly interesting, as Amsterdam tends to do mustard well (I do suggest smearing some on any of the local cheeses).

Gallery: The Chubby Hot Dog at Amsterdam's Lunch Kiosk

The Chubby Hot Dog comes with bacon and cheese, a winning combinationI had high hopes, given how long the line wasThe Lunch Kiosk is a mobile operation!Hard at work!This really is a substantial hot dog

Continue reading Amsterdam hot dog review: THE CHUBBY!

Amsterdam hot dog review: THE CHUBBY! originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdamhot doghot dogsHotDogHotDogsjunk foodJunkFoodThu, 28 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five ways the Bruges chocolate museum will make you nuts]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/28/five-ways-the-bruges-chocolate-museum-will-make-you-nuts/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/28/five-ways-the-bruges-chocolate-museum-will-make-you-nuts/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/28/five-ways-the-bruges-chocolate-museum-will-make-you-nuts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Choco-Story is a pretty wild place. Predictably, it calls Bruges home. After all, Belgium and chocolate go together like hot dogs and obesity. On my recent trip to Bruges, I heard about Choco-Story from the guy at the front desk of my hotel. Given that I like to nibble a bit of chocolate every now and then, it seemed worth a visit.

What I saw shocked me.

This isn't a museum in the conventional sense. The displays seem to have been designed from the tobacco industry playbook. The propaganda was extensive, and in a departure from the cigarette world, it wasn't shrouded effectively. Rather, insane innuendo was offered throughout the museum, and its true nature was painfully obvious. Had it been executed slightly better, the whole thing would have been funny. Alas, it was not.

So, if you're looking for some chocolate fun, Choco-Story will drive you absolutely nuts. Here are the top five ways this stop in Bruges will make your mind swirl:

Gallery: Five Belgian chocolate statues and their inspirations

White chocolate Madonna and childNon-chocolate Madonna and childAn interesting variation on an old themeThe inspiration isn't nearly as much funYou'd need a monstrous appetite ...

Continue reading Five ways the Bruges chocolate museum will make you nuts

Five ways the Bruges chocolate museum will make you nuts originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrugeschocolatechocolatesmuseumThu, 28 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five ways to get the most out of your Luxembourg trip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/27/five-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-luxembourg-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/27/five-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-luxembourg-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/27/five-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-luxembourg-trip/#commentsFiled under: ,



Luxembourg is a tiny, interesting place. It probably isn't a destination in itself for most people, but it can be a great side trip from Paris, parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. If you can tack a few days onto your next vacation to that part of Europe, Luxembourg is a fun spot that you'd probably never visit otherwise.

Since your time in Luxembourg is likely to be short - and dependent upon other factors in your vacation - it can help to have a few ideas in mind before you hit the ground. You want to make the most of your experience, of course, while minimizing the aggravation that can come with going from Point A to Point B. Below, you'll find five tips for making your Luxembourg visit easier and more enjoyable.

Gallery: Views of Luxembourg

Luxembourg: the cityLuxembourg: the cityLuxembourg: the cityLuxembourg: the cityLuxembourg: the city

Continue reading Five ways to get the most out of your Luxembourg trip

Five ways to get the most out of your Luxembourg trip originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>luxembourgwineWed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Belgian chocolate statues and their inspirations]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/27/five-belgian-chocolate-statues-and-their-inspirations/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/27/five-belgian-chocolate-statues-and-their-inspirations/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/27/five-belgian-chocolate-statues-and-their-inspirations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



When you wander through Europe, you run into statues (literally, if you have your nose stuck in your guidebook). There are lots of 'em, and they're all old. Some are incredibly impressive: I still have a soft spot, of sorts, for Venus de Milo. Others, however, are utterly forgettable - vast collections of stone or metal that are important while falling short of stunning.

Visit Bruges, Belgium, and the rules change entirely.

Sure, there are plenty of statues, including a piece by Michaelangelo that somehow found its way out of Italy (this doesn't happen much, to be honest). The interesting stuff isn't sitting in churches or etched from stone. Rather, it's built from a distinctly Belgian medium: chocolate.

I'm not joking.

Spend a few minutes in Belgium, and you'll be bombarded by the sweet stuff (you'll even be encouraged to stick some up your nose). There's chocolate everywhere, and as I saw shortly after I hit the ground in Bruges, it's even on display.

The local chocolate museum, Choco-Story, is home to quite a few of them - unsurprising, really, given that the propaganda exhibition museum has the tools and expertise necessary to make it happen. There are a few more elsewhere in the city, though, and you should keep an eye out for unique, interesting and tasty creations all over the cute little city.

Below, you'll find five interesting chocolate creations, along with some guesses at what may have inspired them. In some cases, it's a straight line from the real world to chocolate equivalent, but I will admit I stretched plausibility in a few places. Ultimately, the extent to which I may have fudged is up to you!

Gallery: Five Belgian chocolate statues and their inspirations

White chocolate Madonna and childNon-chocolate Madonna and childAn interesting variation on an old themeThe inspiration isn't nearly as much funYou'd need a monstrous appetite ...

Five Belgian chocolate statues and their inspirations originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Belgian chocolatesBelgianChocolatesBrugeschocolatechocolatesmuseumWed, 27 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's the one sign you have a CHOCOLATE ADDICTION]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/26/here-s-the-one-sign-you-have-a-chocolate-addiction/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/26/here-s-the-one-sign-you-have-a-chocolate-addiction/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/26/here-s-the-one-sign-you-have-a-chocolate-addiction/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's 3 AM. You're at the office, top button of your shirt released and tie loosened. You're nowhere near finished for the night, and there's a good chance you'll see the rest of the company show up before you go home. So, you reach into the lower right drawer of your desk, take out your stash and do a quick, refreshing line off your desk. Exhilarating.

No, you don't have to call Nancy Reagan on me to leave an acerbic comment below. I'm not talking about coke ... I'm talking about cocoa. Chocolate.

We all know someone who loves chocolate, and there are always a few who take that tasty affair to a totally uncomfortable level. Well, when Christmas comes this year, you won't have to try as hard. When I was in Bruges, Belgium a few weeks ago, I ran into the one gift that will appeal to the choco-holic in your life.

Continue reading Here's the one sign you have a CHOCOLATE ADDICTION

Here's the one sign you have a CHOCOLATE ADDICTION originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrugeschocolatechocolatesTue, 26 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five good business habits that suffer when you travel]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/26/five-good-business-habits-that-suffer-when-you-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/26/five-good-business-habits-that-suffer-when-you-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/26/five-good-business-habits-that-suffer-when-you-travel/#commentsFiled under: ,

business travelBusiness travel isn't easy. In order to make the most of the money you're spending, you wind up sacrificing sleep, cramming in as many meetings as possible and adopting a pace of life that you'd never be able to maintain at home. It's severe, it's unpleasant and it's a simple fact of life on the road. Your personal well-being tends to be the first casualty. Diet and exercise are cast aside, as you sacrifice them to business objectives. Sleep doesn't last long, either - I can't count how many six-hour nights quickly slipped to three.

What often gets overlooked, however, is the impact that business travel can have on your business habits. We all lament the personal effects, but we tend to miss those that matter most to why we're on the road to begin with! Hectic schedules and long lists of business needs can ultimately cause your performance to suffer.

Let's take a look at five good business habits that are jeopardized when you're on the road:

Continue reading Five good business habits that suffer when you travel

Five good business habits that suffer when you travel originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business travelbusiness travel tipsBusinessTravelBusinessTravelTipsroad warriorRoad WarriorsRoadWarriorRoadWarriorswhitecollartravelTue, 26 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[High finance for HomeAway says a lot about travelers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/30/high-finance-for-homeaway-says-a-lot-about-travelers/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/30/high-finance-for-homeaway-says-a-lot-about-travelers/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/30/high-finance-for-homeaway-says-a-lot-about-travelers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

HomeAwayAs the travel industry claws its way back from the depths of the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent consumer credit hangover, bright spots are already beginning to emerge. And unsurprisingly, it's the non-traditional sort that seems to be leading the charge. After all, stung by layoffs, pay cuts and other personal austerity measures, we've had to find ways to spend less while still traveling. So, it's no surprise that HomeAway got popular ... and that investors are rewarding it.

What does all your HomeAway use mean?

Well, for starters, it translates to $216 million raised in one day. HomeAway went public yesterday, and its shares shot up 49 percent to just over $40 each. Now, the vacation rental company is worth $3.2 billion. Trading at 19 times 2010 revenues, HomeAway's valuation is more generous than that of Priceline (8.1X 2010 revenue) and Expedia (2.3X 2010 revenue).

So, what's all this financial stuff have to do with us, the traveling public? To me, it signals behavior. For HomeAway to be valued so richly, investors must see a lot of potential. Look for more people to look at the vacation rental alternative to hotel rooms and other traditional lodging options.

High finance for HomeAway says a lot about travelers originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financeHomeAwayipovacation rentalvacation rentalsVacationRentalVacationRentalsThu, 30 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five reasons the airlines don't need to care about you]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/24/five-reasons-the-airlines-don-t-need-to-care-about-you/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/24/five-reasons-the-airlines-don-t-need-to-care-about-you/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/24/five-reasons-the-airlines-don-t-need-to-care-about-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

airlines care about money far more than they care about youI'm getting on a plane next week, and I'm not looking forward to it. This will be yet another long, painful flight this year - and I've already had more than I have in a while. Though I'm getting used to this sort of business travel again, I can't say that I like it. All the time spent in transit, quite frankly, blows.

It isn't unusual at this point to lament the state of customer service in an industry that won't even call us customers. How nice it would be to be treated well and given a product worth consuming, right? Well, we all know that isn't going to happen. And the truth is that there's no reason for it.

The airline industry really wouldn't benefit from making our lives better, while the impact of the status quo on airline shareholders is as positive as it is evident. Let's take a look at five reasons why it would be stupid for the airlines to start treating us better:

Continue reading Five reasons the airlines don't need to care about you

Five reasons the airlines don't need to care about you originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airline industryairline sectorAirlineIndustryAirlineSectorbusiness travelBusinessTravelcustomer serviceCustomerServicepassengersFri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five ways to lighten your load when traveling on business and pleasure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/23/five-ways-to-lighten-your-load-when-traveling-on-business-and-pl/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/23/five-ways-to-lighten-your-load-when-traveling-on-business-and-pl/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/23/five-ways-to-lighten-your-load-when-traveling-on-business-and-pl/#commentsFiled under: , ,

traveling on businessIf you've gone on a long business trip, there's a good chance you've tacked a vacation onto the front or back of it. Why not? You're already on the road. If business takes you (or close to) an interesting place, it makes sense to get the most out of your experience - and the plane ticket you've already purchased. Unfortunately, this can be a pain sometimes. You wind up with a lot of luggage to drag around, which can be uncomfortable at best.

Don't let this problem get in your way!

There are a number of ways you can change how you pack to make your business-and-pleasure combo easier to manage. Let's take a look at five of them:


Continue reading Five ways to lighten your load when traveling on business and pleasure

Five ways to lighten your load when traveling on business and pleasure originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business travelbusiness travel tipsBusinessTravelBusinessTravelTipspackingpacking tipsPackingTipsThu, 23 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Expedia a step closer to ditching TripAdvisor]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/22/expedia-a-step-closer-to-ditching-tripadvisor/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/22/expedia-a-step-closer-to-ditching-tripadvisor/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/22/expedia-a-step-closer-to-ditching-tripadvisor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Expedia to sell TripAdvisor for $4 billionTravel industry ... welcome to high finance! By the end of the year, online travel agency Expedia is expected to spin off its TripAdvisor unit in an initial public offering, according to MarketWatch. And, the deal could be worth as much as $4 billion.

Think about it: all those hotel reviews you've written, photos you've posted and advice you've sought could be worth as much as Facebook generates in advertising revenue this year. Clearly, you've been working hard to churn out all that free content for your fellow travelers.

So, here's the cosmic justice in all this. Expedia, the largest online travel agency in terms of revenue (which is what really matters), is set to benefit in a big way. But, you don't post to TripAdvisor for fame and fortune. You do it to help your fellow travelers. Well, imagine how much traveling the folks cashing in on this IPO will be able to do. Maybe they'll take your reviews to heart!

Look for the IPO filing in a few weeks ... and celebration by a handful of people around the Christmas holiday.

[photo by jollyUK via Flickr]

Expedia a step closer to ditching TripAdvisor originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Expediainitial public offeringInitialPublicOfferingipoonline travel agenciesonline travel agencyOnlineTravelAgenciesOnlineTravelAgencyTripAdvisorWed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five reasons I'm insanely jealous of Michael O'Leary]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/20/five-reasons-i-m-insanely-jealous-of-michael-o-leary/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/20/five-reasons-i-m-insanely-jealous-of-michael-o-leary/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/20/five-reasons-i-m-insanely-jealous-of-michael-o-leary/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I am jealous of Michael O'Leary. Very. The CEO of super-low-rent European discounter Ryanair, O'Leary has developed a reputation. He's loud. He says what's on his mind. He really doesn't care what you think about him. He's probably broken every rule of public relations and investor relations. I've been with Gadling since December 2008, and O'Leary has been a great source of posts every step of the way.

So, he's the CEO and he can say what he wants. This isn't really how it works: most CEOs have plenty of people telling them what to say and when to shut up. This is why O'Leary has it made.

And now it's time for my confession: five reasons I'm jealous of Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair:

Gallery: A Closer Look at Ryanair

Definitely no room for the oversized on Ryanair flightsStepping off a Ryanair PlaneSafety First!Are those pay-to-pee invoices?If you can find the elbow room ... you're lying

Continue reading Five reasons I'm insanely jealous of Michael O'Leary

Five reasons I'm insanely jealous of Michael O'Leary originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial crisisFinancialCrisismichael olearyMichaelOlearyryanairMon, 20 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Airline fuel costs up almost a third since last year]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/14/airline-fuel-costs-up-almost-a-third-since-last-year/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/14/airline-fuel-costs-up-almost-a-third-since-last-year/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/14/airline-fuel-costs-up-almost-a-third-since-last-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Airline fuelSo, how expensive is fuel for the airline industry? Brace yourself: the situation is pretty ugly. In April 2011, airlines in the United States dropped an average of $2.99 a gallon on fuel. That number sounds a lot better than what you're seeing at the pump, right? How can it be that bad?

Well, this is yet another month-over-month increase. In March, the airlines spent an average of only $2.80 a gallon on get fuel, according to the latest data from the U.S Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. In 30 days, we're looking at a 6.8 percent spike. Look back even further, and the numbers don't get any prettier. In April 2010, the U.S. airline industry spent an average of $2.29 on fuel. In one year, the average cost has surged an incredible 31 percent!

If you thought driving was too expensive because of gas prices, you'll find the skies decidedly unfriendly.

[photo by octal via Flickr]

Airline fuel costs up almost a third since last year originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairline industryairline sectorAirlineIndustryairlinesAirlineSectordepartment of transportationDepartmentOfTransportationfuel costsFuelCostsjet fueljet fuel pricesJetFuelJetFuelPricesTue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Airline fees are worth more than Facebook]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/13/airline-fees-are-worth-more-than-facebook/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/13/airline-fees-are-worth-more-than-facebook/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/13/airline-fees-are-worth-more-than-facebook/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Airlines, Facebook and money

Outside the travel world, everyone's marveling at the prospect of a Facebook IPO, which could be valued at as much as $100 billion. So, what are we missing while we fawn over Mark Zuckerberg's creation? How about the slow, stodgy, ugly airline industry. Known for a painful user experience and a steady decline of free features, the likes of Delta and American Airlines are outdoing the hottest online property in the world simply by annoying their customers.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, baggage and reservation change fees brought the U.S. airline industry a whopping $5.7 billion last year. Delta picked up close to a billion dollars on baggage fees alone, which doesn't include what they yanked from the wallets of soldiers returning home from combat. The largest airline in the country also brought in approximately $700 million from reservation change fees.

American Airlines, the fourth largest airline in the United States, came in second in both categories, with $580.7 million in baggage fees and $471.4 million in reservation change fees.

Continue reading Airline fees are worth more than Facebook

Airline fees are worth more than Facebook originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairline industryairline sectorAirlineIndustryairlinesAirlineSectoramerican airlinesAmericanAirlinesbaggage feesBaggageFeeschange feesChangeFeescontinentalContinental airlinesContinentalAirlinesdeltaDeltaAirlinesdepartment of transportationDepartmentOfTransportationfacebookfeesUnited AirlinesUnitedAirlinesus airwaysUsAirwaysMon, 13 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Could your cell phone make you an in-flight killer?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/10/could-your-cell-phone-make-you-an-in-flight-killer/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/10/could-your-cell-phone-make-you-an-in-flight-killer/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/10/could-your-cell-phone-make-you-an-in-flight-killer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Could my Kindle have the potential for murder? Mayhem? Needless to say, I may think twice before firing it up during takeoff on my trip to London at the end of the month!

I'll be the first to admit that I thwart airline rules about turning on electronic devices during takeoff and landing. I don't like reading print, and a year and a half after getting it, I still have a comfortable yet steamy love affair with my Kindle. I just can't resist flipping the switch at the riskiest of times during my flights.

According to a report that ABC News got its hands on, though, I might be putting many, many lives at risk. ABC picked up a confidential industry study that indicates the safety issues could be real. Very real.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) studied survey responses from 125 airlines from 2003 to 2009 and found ... "75 incidents of possible electronic interference that airline pilots and other crew members believed were linked to mobile phones and other electronic devices." Twenty-six of them, a tad more than a third, "affected the flight controls, including the autopilot, autothrust and landing gear." Another 17 hit navigation systems, with 15 affecting communication systems.

Continue reading Could your cell phone make you an in-flight killer?

Could your cell phone make you an in-flight killer? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phonecell phonesCellPhoneCellPhonesiataInternational Air Transport AssociationInternationalAirTransportAssociationkindleFri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST