Gadling

"Nationwide system outage" grounds flights

Willy Volk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST

Only when I arrive at my gate do I learn of the FAA's "nationwide system outage" grounding flights across the country. Gate attendants are reading from prepared FAA statements, explaining they don't know what caused the delay, but that they're working to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

My 8:50am flight has been pushed back to 9:50, but now -- at 9:20 -- there's been no word about rescheduling my flight. Naturally, I have a connecting flight in Atlanta Hartsfield -- the world's busiest airport -- and they are reporting widespread delays, as well.

The issue, apparently, revolves around scheduling flights for departure. (There's a lot of confusion about this, here at FLL.)

Flights in the air are safe, and seemingly, airlines have the ability to clear flights one-by-one for departure: that explains the three flights that have zoomed off in the past 20 minutes. According to @ExecutiveTravel, "The FAA's own site says that flight schedules are being entered in MANUALLY, thus the delays and cancellations" -- but I'm unable to find this information.

We're on the ground -- literally -- for this story, updating live from our Twitter account. We'll also update this post as we learn more.

If you're traveling today ... we sympathize.

UPDATE: Apparently, the computer glitch is in Atlanta.

UPDATE 2: The gate attendant announced at 9:50 that the delay would end in "about 45 minutes." Let's see how accurate he is.

UPDATE 3: The gate agent was right on target. That flight is boarding now. My flight -- the one originally scheduled for 8:50 -- is now scheduled to depart at 11:30.

UPDATE 4: According to the WSJ, "The FAA system is a major, cutting-edge program full of redundancies that are designed to keep it from going down."

"Nationwide system outage" grounds flights originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling feeds; Gadling on Twitter, Facebook; other Gadling goodness

Willy Volk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:27:00 EST

Here at Gadling we're almost always on the go: packing, unpacking, ass-dragging through customs, reclining seat backs, putting up tray tables. Ugh: it can be exhausting. Of course, we know you're probably at least as busy and as movious as we are. Therefore, we thought it'd be nice to remind you all the places you can get your Gadling on.

If you don't have time to check Gadling.com every day, but you can breeze through your feed reader before rushing to the airport, don't forget you can subscribe to our RSS feed. If you prefer to follow only certain writers, you can subscribe to any individual author's feed (the feeds are located right next to the writers' names, on each post).

If you're less interested in specific writers, but you love to catch up on travel topics, be sure to check out some of our hub pages -- including Travel Tech, Adventure Travel, Cockpit Chronicles, Galley Gossip, or The Accidental Chef Travels.

Finally, if you didn't already know, you can become of a fan of Gadling on Facebook, and you can follow the site (as well as the writers) on Twitter. Here's a handy list of names:

Team Gadling @Gadling

Mike Barish @MikeBarish
Kraig Becker @KungFuJedi
Catherine Bodry @CatherineBodry
Alison Brick @AlisonBrick
Scott Carmichael @ItsMeScotty
Justin Glow @JustinGlow
Stephen Greenwood @SPGreenwood
Katie Hammel @KatieHammel
Aaron Hotfelder @AaronHotfelder
Tom Johansmeyer @TJohansmeyer
Jeremy Kressman @Kressie42
Heather Poole @Heather_Poole
Jamie Rhein @Jamie_Rhein
Annie Scott @AnnieScott
Willy Volk @WillyVolk
Karen Walrond @Chookooloonks
Kent Wien @VeryJr
Brenda Yun @HIBren

Continue reading Gadling feeds; Gadling on Twitter, Facebook; other Gadling goodness

Gadling feeds; Gadling on Twitter, Facebook; other Gadling goodness originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best beaches in southeast Florida

Willy Volk — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Paddling, Surfing, North America, United States, Camping

With 1200 miles of sand beaches, Florida is the world's premiere destination for vacationers seeking sun, surf, and sand. However, with so much coastline, how do you choose the beach that's right for you? Here's our list of the best beaches in southeast Florida (roughly the area from Stuart to Miami).

Best beach for photo ops: Blowing Rocks Preserve

Blowing Rocks Preserve encompasses a mile-long limestone outcrop riddled with holes, cracks and fissures; when the tide's high and there's a strong easterly wind (call for conditions: 561-744-6668), water shoots up, geyser-like. When seas are calm, you can hike through four coastal biomes: shifting dune, coastal strand, interior mangrove wetlands and tropical coastal hammock. Across the street, Hawley Education Center has rotating art exhibits with nature themes, as well as two short nature trails and a butterfly garden.

Entry to the preserve is $2 per person, and it's only open from 9am to 4:30pm. A dedicated photographer would probably consider the best photo opportunities to be at sunrise (though we didn't tell you to park south of the preserve and hike in with your camera and tripod). Finding the refuge is a little tricky, as there's no signage: from US Hwy 1, take Bridge St (708 east) to Hobe Sound. Make a left on Beach St (707). Travel about 3 miles; the refuge is on your right.

Continue reading Best beaches in southeast Florida

Best beaches in southeast Florida originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest!

Willy Volk — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States

Yesterday, we announced Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" contest, a fantabulous contest in which Gadling is partnering with Cadillac to send one lucky winner (and a friend!) on his or her perfect road trip, all expenses paid. All you have to do is describe your favorite road trip, and if you're selected as the winner, Cadillac will provide --

airfare for you and a friend from your home(s) to the start of your road trip destination;
a new Cadillac SRX to drive for the duration of a the road trip (sorry, you have to give it back at the end of the trip);
money for fuel and expenses along the way (think: hotel and meals);
airfare from the road trip's end point back to your home.

Here's how the contest works --

In the comments below, leave a comment telling us about your favorite road trip. (Please: no months-long trips here; the road trip may only be two days long, but that's PLENTY of time to, say, cruise the Florida Keys.)
You don't have to have been on the road trip before -- it can be one you're dreaming about -- but try to be specific. Make us drool over your imagined itinerary. (Hint: the prize will be available in September, so try to think of a relevant destination -- and that destination must be in the Continental US.)
You can only leave one road trip suggestion, so choose wisely. Successive road trip ideas will remain visible on the site, however, for other people to dream about.
All submissions must be left by July 22, 2009, at 5pm EST, in order to be considered.
Gadling's road trip gurus will choose the 5 best road trip ideas from those left in the comments.
We'll present Gadling's readers with the list early next week, and they'll vote on which is the best road trip -- and therefore, who should be the winner of the contest.
Leaving a comment below constitutes having read, understood, and agreed to the complete rules (link is a PDF).

Good luck.

Gallery: 2010 Cadillac SRX

Enter Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Announcing Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest

Willy Volk — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST

There's something transcendental about zooming along wildflower-rimmed country roads with the top on your convertible down. Fresh spring air, ripe with morning dew, floods your nostrils and tossles your hair. Hulking, weeping fig trees, thick with Spanish moss, sway in the breeze like a feathered boa on a dancing woman, and the sun -- cresting the canopy of the roadside trees -- plays hide-and-seek in the ripples of the nearby river.

Troubles at home? Far removed. Stressed from work? No longer. All that matters is the here and the now -- driving along gorgeous back-country roads, mercifully traffic-free.

If road trips delight you, then Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" contest will make you ecstatic. We're partnering with Cadillac to send one lucky winner (and a friend!) on his or her perfect road trip, all expenses paid. All you have to do is tell us your favorite road trip, and if you're selected as the winner, Cadillac will provide --

airfare for you and a friend from your home(s) to the start of your road trip destination;
a new Cadillac SRX to drive for the duration of the road trip (sorry, you have to give it back at the end of the trip);
money for fuel and expenses along the way (think: hotel and meals);
airfare from the road trip's end point back to your home.

Here's how the contest works --

Continue reading Announcing Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest

Announcing Gadling's "Perfect Road Trip" Contest originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Afghanistan, an accordion, 'Elvis' and Johnny Cash

Willy Volk — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Afghanistan

Some people travel to shop in different stores, or to eat different food, or to drink different beers. Jeff White traveled to immerse himself in a different culture. He believed so strongly in immersion, in fact, that he moved to Germany to live and work. This post of Jeff's, republished in his honor, demonstrates Jeff's interest in immersion and passion for connecting with people while traveling. Thanks, Jeff, for reminding us of the most important reason for travel.

A friend of mine just sent me this video from the start-up Web site GlobalPost, and it's fantastic.

Gregory Warner, a freelance foreign correspondent living in Afghanistan, is an avid accordion player, and he tries to use the instrument as a means to connect with the people he's covering.

The way Afghans respond to his accordion music is somewhat unexpected and reveals some truths about the country's development during the last quarter century.

What does Warner do when asked to perform at a concert and realizing he doesn't know any tunes by Afghanistan's own pop icon? Well, Johnny Cash to the rescue. Watch and see what I mean...

(Thanks, Ed)

Afghanistan, an accordion, 'Elvis' and Johnny Cash originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff White: 1976-2009

Willy Volk — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: About The Bloggers

Dear Gadling Readers,

We usually avoid getting overly serious here at Gadling, but something happened recently, and we thought we should share it with you.

Our friend and colleague Jeff White has died. Unbeknownst to most of us, Jeff had been battling cancer for some time. Though he'd been in remission, the cancer came back late last year and spread throughout his body. He died at his parents' home in Connecticut on June 29, 2009. He is survived by his parents, James and Dolores; his brothers, Gregory, Paul, and Michael; five nieces and nephews; and his wife, Nicki, to whom he was married for only three weeks. (I wince every time I think about that.) Jeff was 32.

A career journalist, Jeff was living and working in Berlin when we contracted him to write for Gadling in February of 2008. While all the bloggers at Gadling travel, Jeff was a traveling expat, which, in my mind, made him uniquely qualified for this work. He did not disappoint. Though he lived far from the rest of the team, he kept in close contact, and I considered him a good friend and a dependable co-worker. He was a talented writer, armed with with a quick wit, a global perspective, and a passion for travel.

Today, we're going to pay tribute to Jeff, republishing some of his old posts that really moved us. We hope you'll indulge us -- and maybe get to know Jeff all over again. A good place to start is his "About Jeff White" post.

We love you, Jeff. You'll be missed.

Jeff White: 1976-2009 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 things to do on Jost Van Dyke, the "New York of the Virgin Islands"

Willy Volk — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, United States, Nightlife, Caribbean

Only five miles from Tortola, the main commercial center of the British Virgin Islands, minuscule Jost (rhymes with "toast") Van Dyke is a little island with a big reputation. The scant 8-square-mile island -- dubbed the "New York of the Virgin Islands" because it offers so much nightlife -- probably packs more fun per square inch than any other island in the BVIs.

Most of the action occurs on the south side of the M-shaped island, in either White Bay (to the west) or Great Harbour (in the south-central area), though rugged Little Harbour, way to the east, is making a play for adventure- and fun-seekers, as well. Moving roughly west to east, what follows are some of Jost Van Dyke's brightest, shiniest hot spots.

One Love Bar and Grill
This ramshackle restaurant (left) seems like it must've been cobbled together from junk that floated up on the beach, but the fact is: this place serves painfully cold Carib beers and heaping, open-faced lobster rolls ($20).

The dining area -- if you can call it that -- is the part of the beach under a sprawling sea grape shading scattered plastic chairs and tables. If you plan to visit, don't worry about your outfit: you really can't be dressed too casually for this dive.

Soggy Dollar Bar
If you've been to this place (large image, above), you know how fanfreakingtastic it is. If you've only heard tales about it, let me break it to you gently: it's seriously more fun than your friends told you. If you've never heard of it, well ... you lead a sad, sad life.

Gallery: Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Continue reading 10 things to do on Jost Van Dyke, the "New York of the Virgin Islands"

10 things to do on Jost Van Dyke, the "New York of the Virgin Islands" originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maho Bay Camps: A true eco-resort in St John, USVI

Willy Volk — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Paddling, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Camping, Ecotourism, Caribbean

If waking to the sounds of thrumping tree frogs and the gentle sloshing of waves kissing a sugary beach -- not to mention one of the most amazing sunrise views in the hemisphere -- appeals to you, you need to move Maho Bay Camps to the top of your travel short list immediately. All this, and it's a truly "green" resort, too.

Roughly 1100 miles southeast of Miami sits one of America's most precious resources: the United States Virgin Islands. Named by Christopher Columbus for Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgins, the former mouthful "Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes" has mercifully been shortened to the Virgin Islands, but it still casts the same kind of mythical charm over both first-time and regular visitors alike.

Today, the US Virgin Islands consist of three main islands: St. Thomas, known for its cruise-ship-friendly mega-port, Charlotte Amalie; St Croix, a (largely) working-class island boasting some excellent scuba diving; and St John, 75% of which is national park and therefore: pristine, lush, verdant. Think: America's jungle.

Considering how untouched St John is, it makes sense for the island to host "green" hotels. In 1976 -- long before the phrase "eco-resort" even existed -- a visionary named Stanley Selengut decided untrammeled St John needed a self-sufficient hotel integrated seamlessly into the natural vegetation. To that end, he set about creating Maho Bay Camps. Today, Maho's resort shines as perhaps the single finest example of an ecologically-friendly, low-impact resort in the world. Moreover, given its unspoiled, undeveloped location, this place is truly a hidden gem.

Gallery: Maho Bay's Tent Camp, USVI

Continue reading Maho Bay Camps: A true eco-resort in St John, USVI

Maho Bay Camps: A true eco-resort in St John, USVI originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling is on Twitter

Willy Volk — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Internet Tools

"What are you doing?"

We at Gadling want to know about the little things that happen in your life, particularly those little things surrounding travel. We want to know if you're packing for a four-wheeling trip to Utah, relaxing on the beach in Cancun, or stranded at the airport in New York. We're curious to hear if your road trip to Colorado is going well, if you're waiting for a train to Midway, or whether you just scored an awesome wooden carving from a vendor in Lusaka.

How can we do this? Follow Gadling on Twitter. Once you follow us, we'll help you connect with other travelers, and with other people who love to think and talk about travel. We'll also keep you up-to-date on breaking news, fill in the gaps on some of the travel news that can't fit on our blog, and share all sorts of (short) travel tips there.

If you don't know what Twitter is, watch this short tutorial, which explains it very clearly. If you do know what Twitter is, then what are you waiting for? Follow us!

Gadling is on Twitter originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marco Polo Didn't Go There ... but Rolf Potts did

Willy Volk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Books, Rolf Potts's Book Tour

Rolf Potts, author of the great philosophical/travel/how-to book Vagabonding, has just wrapped his "virtual book tour," in support of his new book, Marco Polo Didn't Go There.

On his tour, he chatted with various people about life as a travel writer, the themes he explores in his new book, and much more. If you want to see where he's been and who he's talked to -- well worth your time, whether you're an aspiring writer or a travel junkie! -- be sure to check the links below.

Now that Rolf's virtual book tour is complete, he'll be embarking on a real book tour, and on that tour, he'll be keeping a virtual diary -- right here at Gadling! Starting very soon, Rolf will be joining Gadling to discuss, among other things:

what it's like to travel around the US and talk about one's travel writing;
the bad reputation travel writing tends to get in the critical milieu;
how to deal with the occasional oddball at book readings (i.e. people who ask 10-minute questions that aren't really questions);
getting drunk in the homes of famous people;
the worst diseases he's suffered on the road, the worst border crossings and bureaucracy, the most overrated and underrated fellow travelers by nationality, his weaknesses as a travel writer, and more.

Visit Gadling to see what Rolf has to say! If you have any questions for Rolf, let us know, and maybe -- if you're really, really lucky -- he'll answer them.

Alternatively, you can see Rolf in person at one of 20 cities nationwide as he celebrates the release of Marco Polo Didn't Go There (Travelers' Tales, 2008). We encourage you to ask for the book at your favorite local bookstore or Amazon.com.

Continue reading Marco Polo Didn't Go There ... but Rolf Potts did

Marco Polo Didn't Go There ... but Rolf Potts did originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GADLING'S NWA WORLDCLUB GIVEAWAY

Willy Volk — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:44:00 EST

GADLING'S NWA WORLDCLUB GIVEAWAY

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN

1. ELIGIBILITY: Gadling's NWA WorldClub Giveaway (the "Giveaway") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and are 21 years of age or older. Employees of WL Acquisition LLC, AOL LLC, its advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaway, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with Giveaway (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

1. SPONSOR: The Giveaway is sponsored by WL Acquisition LLC, 22000 AOL Way, Dulles, VA 20166 ("Sponsor").

2. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3. ENTRY PERIOD: The Giveaway begins at 3pm EST, on Monday, March 10, 2008 and ends at midnight on Wednesday, March 12, 2008.

4. ENTRY: During the Entry Period, go to http://www.gadling.com/2008/03/10/anyone-want-a-free-northwest-airlines-worldclub-pass/ and leave a comment on the post (using a valid email address). Submission will result in one (1) entry. Limit one (1) entry per person. Subsequent entries from the same person will be removed from the entry database. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

5. DRAWING: On or about March 14, 2008, sponsor will select the name of one (1) potential winner in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winner will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the email notification, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. .

6. PRIZE: One (1) Winner will receive a Northwest Airlines WorldClub pass (valid until March 31, 2008). Approximate Retail Value: $45. Pass is subject to Northwest Airlines' terms and conditions. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winner is responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

7. GENERAL CONDITIONS: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

8. RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Giveaway or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

9. DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

10. GIVEAWAY RESULTS: To request the name of the winner, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Gadling's NWA WorldPass Winner's List, 22070 Broderick Drive -- 12D:G09, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received by April 30, 2008.

GADLING'S NWA WORLDCLUB GIVEAWAY originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The World's Best Places to Live

Willy Volk — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:38:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Finland was recently named the best place in the world to live, thanks largely to great air and water quality, low rates of infant diseases, and protection from water pollution and natural disasters. What else is great about Finland? Well, for starters, Finland ...

Plus, it's gorgeous.

Gallery: Finland

Iceland also made the list of the world's best places to live. Despite it's name, Iceland is not made entirely of ice. In fact, Iceland offers:

Opportunities to surf
Excursions to the Icelandic Phallological Museum
Some of the most gorgeous valleys in the world
Scuba diving

Iceland has all this, plus ... it's stunningly beautiful.

Gallery: Iceland

Norway made the cut, too. Despite it's reputation as being expensive, Norway has:

Amazing views
Amazing coasts
The amazing Hurtigruten
Some of the world's most amazing islands

Don't believe us? Check out this amazing gallery.

Gallery: Norway

Ahhhh ... Sweden. There are so many reasons to love this nation:

It's home to one of the world's top tech cities.
You can see the world's longest art gallery here.
It'll soon have an ABBA museum!
They even have Swedish tacos.

Yup ... it wouldn't be hard to live here.

Gallery: Sweden

Austria rounds out the list of the five most liveable countries. However, just because it came in at number five -- and just because it has controversial urinals -- don't dismiss this nation. Austria is the proud home of:

The world's largest ice caves
One of the world's most elegant Easter festivals
Entire villages you can RENT!
One of the world's most unusual spas

Of course, the nation is lovely to look at, too.

Gallery: Austria

Don't feel like living outside the U.S.? Be sure to check out Money's list of the best places to live in America!

The World's Best Places to Live originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Greatest and Most Unusual Travel Photo of All Time?

Willy Volk — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Photos

I stumbled over this image just now, and it took my breath away.

Everything about the image is just so amazing: The poof-y shapes of the clouds in the background... The electric blue line that marks the boundary of the atmosphere... The absolute void of color that is space juxtaposed against the brilliant white space suit... The fact that you can see the photographer's reflection in the mask of the astronaut... The slight, slo-mo wave the astronaut is giving, as if to say, "Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows..."

In my opinion, this may be the greatest travel photo of all time. I love it.

Be sure to check out the larger image here. And for other great travel photos -- none of which were taken in space -- be sure to browse through our Photos of the Day.

The Greatest and Most Unusual Travel Photo of All Time? originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's Best Islands Based on "Activities, Beaches, Culture/Sites, Lodging, Restaurants and Scenery"

Willy Volk — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:17:00 EST

Filed under: Scuba Diving

For me, a dream vacation involves a wide, white, sandy beach for relaxing on; bathtub-warm, blue water for scuba diving in (or sailing over); a very funny book for transporting me a bit further from home; and a bar nearby that serves frozen drinks -- for all the rest of the time. While I certainly enjoy active vacations, I also enjoy laying around a bit. Consequently, I'm always on the lookout for ideas about islands worth visiting.

According to this list, the Top 20 islands in the world -- based on Activities, Beaches, Culture/Sites, Lodging, Restaurants, and Scenery are:

Bali
Kauai
Maui
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Mount Desert, Maine
Tasmania
Hawaii
Galapagos
Santorini
Santo Stefano
Phuket, Thailand
Thatch Cay
Blue Lagoon
Grand Bogue Caye
Allan
Caritas
Cerralvo
Pakatoa
Isla de sa Ferradura

The site provides details about what makes each island special, though some of the descriptions are as spare as the islands themselves. Nevertheless, the list makes a nice jumping-off-point if you're dreaming about island travel...

World's Best Islands Based on "Activities, Beaches, Culture/Sites, Lodging, Restaurants and Scenery" originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-Marine Kills Black Bear With Log: His "Bark" Is Worse Than His Bite

Willy Volk — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Camping

I spent my formative years in a sleepy little hamlet north of Atlanta known as the only city in America that required all city residents to own a handgun. We all felt safe, and nervous, and protected, and just a little bit skittish. It was nice.

An hour-or-so north of my well-armed town was an even tinier hamlet: Helen. Designed to resemble a Bavarian village (seriously!), Helen is a draw for shop-happy grannies (thanks to its novelty) and outdoorsy types (thanks to its remoteness).

Evidently, ex-Marine Chris Everheart (not a shop-happy granny) was camping near Helen with his three children when a 300-pound bear snuck into their campsite. When the bear lunged for Everheart's six-year-old boy, the former military man "picked up a log and threw it at it. It happened to hit the bear in the head. I thought it just knocked it out but it actually ended up killing the bear." Everhart was later cited for not storing his food properly.

No doubt Everheart's boys are bragging to all their friends: "My daddy can beat up a black bear!" It's cool now, kids, but wait'll you try to sneak in after curfew and daddy's eyes start gleaming...

[Via Get Outdoors]

Ex-Marine Kills Black Bear With Log: His "Bark" Is Worse Than His Bite originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Nude Beaches

Willy Volk — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Stories

I visited one nude beach, once.

Cape Town's secluded Sandy Bay is a wind-protected cove that our friend told us was great for letting it all hang out. After spending a few days at the gorgeous, trendy, topless-friendly (but ridiculously overcrowded) Clifton Beach, we decided to mix things up and head farther afield. Sandy Bay was, as promised, remote, quiet, and pristine. It was also filled with creepily bronzed, withered middle-aged men who were so evidently trying to ogle my junk that I couldn't relax. In short, it was fun, it was different -- but it was time to go.

If the thought of getting your daily dose of Vitamin D in the buff titillates you, you might want to check out USA Today's picks for the world's best nude beaches:

Hawaii's Little Beach
Vancouver's Wreck Beach
France's Cap d'Agde
Antigua's Hawksbill Bay
Miami's Haulover Beach
Oregon's Rooster Rock State Park AND Collins Beach
St. Martin's Orient Bay
Australia's Samurai Beach
San Diego's Black Beach

Prefer your nudism a little more active? Why not try nude skydiving, nude dining, nude discoing, nude bungee jumping, or nude running?

Best Nude Beaches originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bangladesh's Train Riders

Willy Volk — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Photos, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, it's common to see people riding on the roofs of trains. No, it's not some crazy stunt; due to the huge population in the country, an inadequate number of seats on the local trains, and punishing poverty, some people are forced to "borrow" a ride now and then. I'm sure they'll pay it back.

GMB Akash is a Bangladeshi photographer whose work captures the culture and experiences of many different kinds of Bangladeshis. One of his photo essays shows these train riders clinging to the rickety, rocketing engines. Some of the riders appear perfectly content -- and some are even able to sleep on the roofs of these moving trains!

Akash is a genius at capturing motion with the lens, and his camera provides a fascinating look at a completely different world. I was amazed by the photos, and I'm sure you will be, too.

Bangladesh's Train Riders originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amsterdam To Go Smoke-Free?

Willy Volk — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:17:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Business

Quick: When you read the word "Amsterdam," what springs to mind?

Right! All those funny little glasses from which the Dutch drink beer. Those crazy Hollanders.

Those crazy Hollanders will soon be drinking their beer in smoke-free bars, after a smoking ban comes into effect in July 2008. The ban covers all restaurants and cafes -- including the city's 300+ coffee shops, those gezellig little haunts where people go specifically TO smoke.

So how does a business founded on providing an environment in which to smoke survive if said business must be smoke-free? Fortunately, the proprietors of pot will be allowed to set up a separate room or glass partition behind which people can smoke. Customers will not be served behind the partition. The government says this will protect staff from the effects of second-hand pot smoke.

Protect staff from the effects of second-hand pot smoke? Um, isn't that why staff applied to work there in the first place?

Amsterdam To Go Smoke-Free? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tarp Shelters

Willy Volk — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Gear, Camping

Minimalist campers -- or those just too stinking cheap to purchase a tent -- will no doubt thrill at the bounty of tarp-related information provided on equipped.com.

From an exhaustive FAQs relating to tarp shelters, to detailed schematics about the various ways to hang a tarp to suit your needs, to intricate folding patterns for your tarps, this site is like the Costco of tarps: it's a one-stop shop.

It's worth noting that the piece specifically warns against using a tarp to protect against hailstorms. My thought? If you didn't know that already, then you should NOT click over to read more. Go read about sexy cities instead. Thanks.

Tarp Shelters originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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