Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[An off-the-beaten path itinerary for southern China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/12/an-off-the-beaten-path-itinerary-for-southern-china/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/12/an-off-the-beaten-path-itinerary-for-southern-china/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/12/an-off-the-beaten-path-itinerary-for-southern-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

china When planning my trip through China one summer, I decided that I wanted to stay out of the well-known cities and explore smaller villages and lesser known areas where I could find less tourist traps and more cultural fare. While Beijing and Shanghai are both excellent cities to visit, here is an itinerary that will take you off the radar and help you discover nature, minority villages, Chinese traditions, and more. To make planning easier for myself I did this trip through Intrepid Travel, but you can also recreate it for yourself.

First stop: Hua Shan, Ning Ming County

Before coming to China I had been traveling through Vietnam and had entered the country from the Lang Son Province into Guangxi, China. From there you can catch a train or bus via Pingxiang to the mountainous village of Hua Shan, which is located in Guangxi. The journey takes about 2-3 hours.

There is a lot to be experienced in peaceful Hua Shan, which is miles away from civilization, located in the heart of mountains, valleys, forests, and near the Dong and Zhuang minority village. I stayed at a family-run guesthouse called Butterfly Valley, which felt more like a homestay than a hotel, as the family would cook for my group, take us on hikes, and end each night playing Mahjong and singing kareoke with us. It also helps to learn a bit of Chinese as not everyone in the area speaks English.

Take a walk through the countryside and notice the myriad plants and crops, like the gum leaves that locals use to cure a stuffy nose and the various edibles like corn, pumpkin, potatoes, and rice fields. Make sure to visit the minority village, which is dominated by wooden and thatched houses and livestock running around. It's interesting to hear and see the music, dance, and art of the people of the community who are, for the most part, quite friendly and were happy to talk to me via my translator. In fact, the people in Hua Shan in general were very friendly and excited to talk to me. Many of the young girls knew basic English and even asked me to hangout with them to help them practice their language skills. Hiking in the area is also a fun activity, and there are many trails that allow you to explore the various flora and fauna of the area. As the region is completely rural you can literally just wander towards the trees and mountains to find your own paths. If you'd like to see indigenous art, boat trips go out to Mount Huashan where a vivid rock painting of various types of people, animals, and symbols is located. The painting is about 725 wide and 131 feet high, making it a bit of a mystery how it was created.

Continue reading An off-the-beaten path itinerary for southern China

An off-the-beaten path itinerary for southern China originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelbudget travelBudgetTravelchengyang villageChengyangVillagechinadazhaigroup toursGroupTourshikinglongji rice terracesLongjiRiceTerracespingansouthern chinaSouthernChinatoursSun, 12 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit to Seattle by highway in five minutes]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/11/detroit-to-seattle-by-highway-in-five-minutes/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/11/detroit-to-seattle-by-highway-in-five-minutes/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/11/detroit-to-seattle-by-highway-in-five-minutes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



When I was in high school and college, some of my fondest experiences were the road trips that I used to take with my friend Chris. On one, we drove from Ann Arbor into Ontario to see the Weakerthans at the Trasheteria in Guelph and then moved onward to Toronto and our favorite hostel in Kensington Market.

Trips like this are the foundation on which I built my travel career, and now that I'm older and living in the city I rarely spend time in the car.

As for Chris, he just took up a job in Seattle and is still hitting the pavement hard. The above video documents his journey from Detroit all the way to Washington as he made his final move, all composed of still frames over the 2,300 miles. Keep on driving, my friend.

Detroit to Seattle by highway in five minutes originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbudget-traveldrivingroad tripRoadTriptime lapseTimeLapsevideoSat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EuroCheapo launches budget travel guides for Switzerland]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/eurocheapo-launches-budget-travel-guides-for-switzerland/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/eurocheapo-launches-budget-travel-guides-for-switzerland/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/eurocheapo-launches-budget-travel-guides-for-switzerland/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

eurocheapoWhile Switzerland is not usually thought of as a budget-friendly destination, there are actually many worthwhile hotels, sights, and restaurants that won't cost you a fortune. To help travelers navigate their way around this usually costly country, EuroCheapo has launched budget travel guides for the cities of Zurich and Geneva, marking their first Swiss guides on the site. These guides will not only feature accommodation recommendations and photographs from the editors themselves, but also insider tips on how to explore these cities without breaking the bank.

Says EuroCheapo's founder and editor-in-chief, Tom Meyers, "While it's certainly easy to overspend in Geneva and Zurich, our editors have uncovered many simple ways to make visiting more affordable. Both cities offer delightful inexpensive hotels that will keep your trip budget in check."

EuroCheapo is a free budget travel guide for Europe. To check out the brand new Swiss guides as well as money-saving guides for other European cities, click here.

EuroCheapo launches budget travel guides for Switzerland originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget travelBudgetTraveleurocheapoeuropefree travel guidesFreeTravelGuidesgenevaswitzerlandtravel guidesTravelGuideszurichThu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vagabond Tales: Swimming with elephants in Thailand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/vagabond-tales-swimming-with-elephants-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/vagabond-tales-swimming-with-elephants-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/vagabond-tales-swimming-with-elephants-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Anyone who has visited Thailand will recognize the word Chang.

The national beer of Thailand, the over sized green bottles are found everywhere from the markets of Chiang Mai to the bars of Bangkok's Khao San Road. In the Thai language, however, Chang does not mean beer. It means elephant. Hence the ornately drawn white elephant placed prominently on the bottle.

Another Thai word you may be familiar with is the word koh (also spelled ko). Ask anyone who just returned from Thailand about their trip, and they'll rattle the word off as if they're trying to remove a hairball.

"Oh the trip was great. We visited Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, Koh Mak, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui" etc.

Koh, as it turns out, is not the Thai word for hairball, but rather, it is the Thai word for island.
Put the two together, Koh and Chang, and what you are left with is Elephant Island, a nod to the fact that when viewed from the sea, the island appears to have the same profile as an elephant lying down. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that the lush and mountainous island of Koh Chang is one of Thailand's premier locations for riding elephants.

Though there are many places around the world where you can rest on top of a moving pachyderm, what's unique about Koh Chang is that it's the first place I've seen where you don't just get to ride on top of an elephant, but you go swimming with it as well.

Wait. Swimming with an elephant? This sounds dangerous. They're the largest living land mammal on planet Earth, and you want to go jump into a watering hole with them?

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: Swimming with elephants in Thailand

Vagabond Tales: Swimming with elephants in Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbest island in ThailandBestIslandInThailandbudget-travelelephantsKoh ChangKoh Chang elephantsKohChangKohChangElephantsride elephants ThailandRideElephantsThailandswim with elephantsswim+with+elephants+thailandswimming with elephantsSwimmingWithElephantsSwimWithElephantsswimwithelephantsthailandthailandThailand travelThailandTravelvagabondtalesThu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 things to do in every city you visit]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/10-things-to-do-in-every-city-you-visit/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/10-things-to-do-in-every-city-you-visit/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/10-things-to-do-in-every-city-you-visit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

While every city has its own unique landmarks, culture, and sights to see, there are certain general things you can do in any city you visit to make your experience more memorable. To enhance your next trip, take this checklist with you and try to do each of these things in every city you visit.

food Sample the local cuisine

One way to really get to know a culture is through the food. It's seriously incredible how much cuisine can differentiate from culture to culture, and how much the way food is prepared and eaten, as well as what the food is, can tell you about a community. When visiting Ghana, Africa, I was amazed at how most of the staple foods seemed to come from root vegetables and were eaten without swallowing and without using utensils. While I wouldn't say fu-fu and banku are my favorite foods, I definitely am glad I tried them and got to see the intense preparation that went into making these dishes. Even if you travel to a western country or a place that isn't too different from your own, try a local favorite or something that the area is known for (it will almost definitely taste better than what you're used to anyway). If you're in Maine make sure to have a lobster. Visiting Naples, Italy? Eat a slice of pizza from its birthplace. Traveling to Australia? Vegemite, Tim Tams, and barbequed meats are definite musts.

Continue reading 10 things to do in every city you visit

10 things to do in every city you visit originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelartbudget travelBudgetTravelcultural immersionCulturalImmersiondrinkfoodmarketsmuseumsWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sparta: Greece's ancient warrior city]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/sparta-greeces-ancient-warrior-city/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/sparta-greeces-ancient-warrior-city/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/08/sparta-greeces-ancient-warrior-city/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SpartaAfter having seen Athens and Corinth, I couldn't resist visiting one of the other great city-states of ancient Greece: Sparta.

Sparta needs no introduction. It's a star player on the History and Discovery channels and that schlocky pseudo-historical film 300. While I wanted to see the ancient ruins where brave warriors once strode, my main reason for going was to explore nearby Mistra, a Byzantine ghost town with a castle that rivals Acrocorinth. I'll get to that in my next post.

Sparta is a three-and-a-half hour bus ride from Athens. The route passes along the Aegean shore, through the Isthmus of Corinth, and into the Peloponnese, the peninsula that makes up southwestern Greece. Passing Corinth, the road ascends into rough hills that were being buffeted by a snowstorm.

Luckily the roads were in good condition and I made it on time. The clouds were breaking over the Vale of Sparta although it remained bitterly cold. My first stop was at the Fifth Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities to learn more about how the economic crisis was affecting archaeologists' ability to explore and preserve Greece's past. The Ephorates are divided by region, in this case Lakonia, roughly the central and southern Peloponnese, and also by period. There's a Fifth Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities too.

Archaeologists Lygeri Nikolakaki and Ageliki Mexia greeted me in their cramped office overflowing with books, reports, and maps. They spread out several maps in front of me to demonstrate just how rich their area was in medieval remains. Castles, churches, monasteries, and medieval towns dotted the landscape. This area was called the Morea in late Byzantine times and was one of the few centers of wealth, art, and learning during the waning days of the empire in the 14th and 15th centuries.

One region caught my eye--the Mani peninsula. The Ephorate has recorded some 2,000 Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments on the peninsula, and the map showed hiking trails crisscrossing the area. The Maniots were always semi-independent, fierce fighters and pirates who never fully submitted to the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, or Byzantines. Their culture remains distinct even today. As I was researching this trip I was already planning another one.

Gallery: Sparta

Map of the PeloponneseRuins and olive treesStairway to nowhereRecent excavationsThe theater and modern Sparta


Don't miss the rest of my series: Our Past in Peril, Greek tourism faces the economic crisis.

Coming up next: Mistra: a Byzantine ghost town in Greece!

Continue reading Sparta: Greece's ancient warrior city

Sparta: Greece's ancient warrior city originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient Greeceancient historyancient SpartaAncientGreeceAncientHistoryAncientSpartaarchaeologistarchaeologistsarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsByzantineByzantine EmpireByzantineEmpireByzantiumcastlecastleseconomyGreeceGreece tourismGreece travelGreeceTourismGreeceTravelgreek debt crisisGreekDebtCrisishistorymedievalmedieval greeceMedievalGreecemiddle agesMiddleAgesmodern SpartaModernSpartaMoreamuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumspastinperilPeloponneseSpartaWed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten bizarre travel diseases that can ruin your next vacation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/ten-bizarre-travel-diseases-that-can-ruin/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/ten-bizarre-travel-diseases-that-can-ruin/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/ten-bizarre-travel-diseases-that-can-ruin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

travel diseasesOn some level, catching a weird disease or picking up a little-known tropical parasite on your travels gives you bragging rights. "Look at me, I'm so hardcore!" Trust me, I've been there. But with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) making headlines worldwide, I'd like to remind fellow travelers that these diseases are no joke, and even those of us with healthy immune systems and access to industrialized medicine aren't impervious.

The reality is, you never know what you might be susceptible to. In my case, my doctors and medical research indicate that I may be lacking an enzyme that made me vulnerable to an extremely rare but serious tropical disease caused by the bacteria Bartonella bacilliformis, which causes Oroya Fever (and its precursor, Verruga Peruana). I'm still recovering from a three-year battle with the disease that has resulted in permanent organ damage because of a failure to protect myself against sand flies in the Amazon Basin region of Ecuador. Regular applications of DEET could have prevented that, as well as the various misdiagnoses of tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and Hodgkin's lymphoma, but that's another story.

A lot of tropical and uncommon travel-related ailments are difficult to diagnose, and sometimes even more problematic to cure (if they don't kill you, first). Statistically, however, most travelers--even if they're in extremely sketchy parts of the world--will stay healthy if they take the necessary precautions. Having a trustworthy travel doctor is also helpful if you spend a lot of time in developing nations.

Continue reading Ten bizarre travel diseases that can ruin your next vacation

Ten bizarre travel diseases that can ruin your next vacation originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>African sleeping sicknessAfricanSleepingSicknessAmazon BasinAmazonBasinantibioticsbartonellaCDCciguateradiseasefatal diseaseFatalDiseasefilariasisfoodborne illnessFoodborneIllnesshistoplasmosisJapanese EncephalitisJapaneseEncephalitismalariamds roboticsMdsRoboticsmisdiagnosismosquito borne diseaseMosquitoBorneDiseaseOroya feverOroyaFeverparasitesparasitic diseaseParasiticDiseaseTBtravel disease preventiontravel innoculationstravel medicinetravel vaccinationstravel wellnessTravelDiseasePreventionTravelInnoculationsTravelMedicineTravelVaccinationsTravelWellnesstropical diseasetropical medicineTropicalDiseaseTropicalMedicinetsetse fliesTsetseFliestuberculosisvaccinationsvector borne diseaseVectorBorneDiseaseverruga peruanaVerrugaPeruanaTue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tips for flying cheaper in 2012]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/tips-for-flying-cheaper-in-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/tips-for-flying-cheaper-in-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/tips-for-flying-cheaper-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We're in a different world of air travel in 2012. Airlines have upped the ante in the a la carte pricing and fee game, and the Department of Transportation has taken steps to reduce the volume of nefarious fare marketing. American Airlines is now bankrupt, while Malev Hungarian is almost completely out of business and Spirit Airlines is on the full offensive. To put it mildly, the airline industry is a mess.

Despite the chaos, airfare remains competitive, with sub-$300 fares still commonly available from coast to coast and a glut of competition to keep prices low. The sales are fewer and farther between through, and only the savviest of travelers are cashing in on the best tickets. So we've compiled the cutting edge in airfare search technology into one simple spot for readers to do their research. The product, we hope, will ultimately save you a few dollars.

1. Check out Kayak's new search interface. Make no mistake, Kayak was already the top choice for savvy airfare searchers prior to this year, but as of January 2012 they've also made some nice improvements. Most useful perhaps is the flexible searching. From the main flight page on Kayak you can now click on "My Dates are Flexible" and then "Flex month" to get an excellent snapshot of when the cheapest time to fly from point A to point B is. If, for example, you know you want to get away to San Francisco for a few days next month, you can select a starting departure date and your desired duration of travel. The tool will then search for an entire month of flights taking place over your selected duration and then identify the best window for your travel.

Another nice application that Kayak has is the Explore tool. All that you need to get started with Kayak Explore is your point of origin; the system will populate prices around the planet that meet your criteria thereafter, whether you want a beach, ski or international destination. The result is a clean little application for inspiring travel for those without a destination in mind -- all while keeping a healthy budget.

2. Credit cards, points and loopholes. 2011 was the year of points and promotions, a trend well underscored by the explosive growth of The Points Guy and View from the Wing. It's a culture of budget travel and reward points gaming that the blogs are basically selling, and each site expertly takes you through the variety of tools that the community uses. Primarily, you'll see a lot of discussion about airline credit cards, many of which allow you to skirt various airline fees such as baggage or rebooking fees while piling on extra miles good for future travel. And though the reward can sometimes be barely worth the credit score and time invested, keeping track of your miles and gaming the system can be a fun and addictive activity.

Continue reading Tips for flying cheaper in 2012

Tips for flying cheaper in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paging the team at The Adventurists. Gadling Labs just dug up a great video from on the web showing a tricked out mobility scooter that would be great for a cross continent adventure. Youtube user colinfurze uploaded the video showing some of the ridiculous speeds and maneuverability afforded by a scooter that he customized, and the result is pretty outstanding.

This is actually the same machine that broke the Guinness World Record for fastest mobility scooter (at over 71MPH) a couple of years back. The outstanding weather that the UK has been experiencing in the last few days, however, allowed Mr. Furze to take the equipment out for some unique footage and fun. Perhaps next year's Rickshaw Run will also allow entries from the scooter class.

A mobility scooter for the adrenaline junkie originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelmobility scooterMobilityScooterscooterSun, 05 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/10-free-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/10-free-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/10-free-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

barcelona Barcelona, Spain, is full of fun things to do and interesting sites to explore. Luckily, the city features many experiences for the budget traveler with free museums, walking tours, beaches, parks, museums, dance shows, and more. Use this list to help you save money while still experiencing the best the city has to offer.

Walk down Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is the most famous street in Barcelona, and often the first stop on many tourists' to-do list. Not only is the street lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, theaters, and shops; it's also home to various street entertainers, performance art, and colorful markets, making the street both fun and aesthetically pleasing. I love seeing all of the people dressed in ostentatious costumes trying to act like still sculptures (Note: Some of them look really real. I actually leaned on one not realizing it was a person!). Las Ramblas is also a bit historical, as the famous native painter Joan Miró, who died in 1983, helped to create part of the street. You can see one of his mosaic creations on the ground of the main center walkway.

Continue reading 10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain

10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antonio gaudiAntonioGaudiarchitectureart galleriesArtGalleriesbarcelonabeaches in barcelonaBeachesInBarcelonabudget travelBudgetTraveldancefree flamenco shows in barcelonafree tapasfree tapas in barcelonafree things to do in barcelonaFreeFlamencoShowsInBarcelonaFreeTapasFreeTapasInBarcelonaFreeThingsToDoInBarcelonamuseumsspaintagoSat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Budget travel tips from the girls of Sixpenny Globe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/budget-travel-tips-from-the-girls-of-sixpenny-globe/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/budget-travel-tips-from-the-girls-of-sixpenny-globe/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/budget-travel-tips-from-the-girls-of-sixpenny-globe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

sixpenny globeLast year, recent college graduates Kelsey Ogden and Kristen Refermat set off on the adventure of their lives -- a four-month, 12-country backpacking trip -- armed with two packs, four cameras, and a desire to document the ups and downs of traveling on $30 per day.

The result is Sixpenny Globe, a Kickstarter-crowdfunded travel documentary series following Kelsey and Kristen on their budget round-the-world trip. Episode 1 premieres on February 12 on their website and Blip.TV, with a prologue providing the girls' backstory launching the week before. I caught up with the girls to see what inspired them to create Sixpenny Globe, how they made it happen, and what their tips are for traveling on a tight budget.

What inspired Sixpenny Globe?

We both had always wanted to do a huge trip. We'd both traveled quite a bit and lived abroad, but we'd never traveled for a truly extended period of time. So six months after we graduated from college, the time felt ripe for the Big Trip, but we were both pretty broke. Voila, the $30-a-day budget was born. As far as the web series aspect goes, there just seemed to be this gaping hole in travel documentation. There's that romantic, idealized open road you read about in Kerouac, where all you need is 2 bucks in your pocket. Then there are the travel shows you see on TV where the perfectly manicured host is cracking canned one-liners about bratwurst from the comfort of her chic boutique hotel room. You can either read about bohemian broke people having adventures or you can watch Hollywood's fake versions of adventures. But there seemed to be very little video documentation of real people traveling cheaply. Tons of people do it, but very few have endeavored to tell the story for the screen. So we figured we'd give it a go!

Continue reading Budget travel tips from the girls of Sixpenny Globe

Budget travel tips from the girls of Sixpenny Globe originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backpackbackpackingbudgetBudgetTraveldocumentaryfilmkickstartermoviesixpenny globeSixpennyGlobetravel documentaryTravelDocumentaryweb seriesWebSeriesSat, 04 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Traveler's guide to local and western food in Ghana, Africa]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/travelers-guide-to-local-and-western-food-in-ghana-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/travelers-guide-to-local-and-western-food-in-ghana-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/travelers-guide-to-local-and-western-food-in-ghana-africa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ghana food When visiting Ghana, Africa, unless you are at the mall in the capital city of Accra or staying at a resort or hotel, you will most likely find yourself eating food that is far from Western comfort cuisine. Here is a guide to some of the typical foods you will find in Ghana, as well as some surprising favorites from home you'll be able to find in the small shops.

Local meals

Banku with tilapia

Banku is a thick dough ball made from fermented maize. The thick matter is stirred rigorously in a pot and has a similar, gum-like texture to the other main starch staple in Ghana, Fufu (see below), and is usually served with a stew and/or tilapia. The proper way to eat it is to grab a piece of the dough ball, create an indentation with your finger, and scoop up some palm oil or stew, swallowing it without chewing. The dish is very similar to Kenkey, another Ghanian staple, although the preparation and cooking time vary slightly. Many westerners may be a little hesitant to try the tilapia (I know I was), as it still has the head, tail, and scales in tact. Simply use your hands to peel back the scales and pull out chunks of meat with your fingers, being careful not to grab any bones.

Continue reading Traveler's guide to local and western food in Ghana, Africa

Traveler's guide to local and western food in Ghana, Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaafrican foodAfricanFoodbankubudget travelBudgetTravelfood in ghanaFoodInGhanafufughanakenkeyred redRedRedrice waterRiceWaterFri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Acropolis: Greece's most famous monument weathers the crisis]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/the-acropolis-greeces-most-famous-monument-weathers-the-crisis/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/the-acropolis-greeces-most-famous-monument-weathers-the-crisis/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/the-acropolis-greeces-most-famous-monument-weathers-the-crisis/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Visiting Greece and not visiting the Acropolis is unthinkable. Set atop a high rock overlooking Athens, the temples here were built primarily to honor the city's patron goddess Athena in all her attributes. The buildings here are some of the best examples of Greek architecture and have had a profound effect on the architecture of all the Western world. While I have a preference for medieval sites like Acrocorinth, and I've visited the Acropolis before, I couldn't help but go back.

The last time I was there was 1994, and a lot has changed. There has been a great deal of restoration and the world-class Acropolis Museum has opened up.

Here's one attraction that the Greek government needs to preserve as it passes through its worst economic crisis since World War Two. People still flock here and it's a major reason why Greece is an important tourist destination. Tourism accounts for 18 percent of the Greek GDP and tourist numbers went up last year. Several sources told me there were two reasons for this: budget-conscious Europeans are traveling closer to home and people are staying away from North African favorites like Tunisia and Egypt.

Even though sites like the Acropolis generate billions of euros a year in revenue, the Ministry of Culture survives on just 0.7 percent of the national budget, and that budget is shrinking faster than the supply of Greek olives I brought back from this trip. In the past year the ministry has seen its budget slashed by almost a third, with warnings of more cuts to come. Museums are already feeling the pinch and now ministers, archaeologists, and site directors are scrambling to find ways to maintain their their heritage. There are even plans to lease the Acropolis for film backdrops and photo shoots to help raise funds.

Gallery: The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum

The Propylaia, the entrance to the AcropolisThe first view of the Parthenon as you enter the AcropolisThe Sanctuary of Athena NikeThe ErechtheionCaryatid columns in the Erechtheion

Continue reading The Acropolis: Greece's most famous monument weathers the crisis

The Acropolis: Greece's most famous monument weathers the crisis originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcropolisAcropolis museumAcropolisMuseumarchaeologyarcheologyarchitectureAthensAthens tourismAthens travelAthensTourismAthensTravelclassicclassicalclassical archaeologyClassicalArchaeologyclassicseconomiceconomic crisiseconomic recoveryEconomicCrisisEconomicRecoveryeconomyGreeceGreece tourismGreece travelGreeceTourismGreeceTravelGreek architectureGreek debtgreek debt crisisGreek economic crisisGreek economyGreekArchitectureGreekDebtGreekDebtCrisisGreekEconomicCrisisGreekEconomymuseumsparthenonpastinperilrecessionrestorationThe AcropolisTheAcropolisUNESCOUnescoWorldHeritageSiteUnescoWorldHeritageSitesworld heritage siteworld heritage sitesWorldHeritageSiteWorldHeritageSitesFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia rail travel a bargain for backpackers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/australia-rail-travel-a-bargain-for-backpackers/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/australia-rail-travel-a-bargain-for-backpackers/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/australia-rail-travel-a-bargain-for-backpackers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

rail travelQueensland Rail Travel (QR) provides Urban and Interurban rail and bus services throughout South East Queensland in Australia. Looking to deliver a greater number of international tourists to the state's regional tourism hotspots, QR is offering special savings for overseas backpackers who want to travel between multiple locations

"Backpackers travel to several different locations up the east coast and this new offer gives them the flexibility of being able to move from point-to-point in a quick and convenient way," Queensland Rail Travel general manager, Max Kruse said.

International visitors who have a valid hostel or backpacker card can save up to 40 per cent off the normal rail travel fare for point-to-point journeys on Queensland Rail Travel's long distance services.

"Queensland Rail Travel's network provides the gateway to all the tourism hotspots including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, the Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns," said Kruse.

Continue reading Australia rail travel a bargain for backpackers

Australia rail travel a bargain for backpackers originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaBrisbaneCairns, QueenslandFraser Coast Regional CouncilGold Coastrail travelRailTravelSouth East QueenslandSunshine CoastTownsville, QueenslandWorldThu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Food poisoning! What to watch out for in 2012]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/ten-ways-travel-will-give-you-food-poisoning-in-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/ten-ways-travel-will-give-you-food-poisoning-in-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/ten-ways-travel-will-give-you-food-poisoning-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

food poisoningFor many people--myself included--one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is experiencing how other cultures eat. Even if you're only traveling as far as the other end of the state, chances are there's a regional specialty, street food, farmers market, or restaurant that's a destination in its own right.

Sometimes, however, the pickings are slim, or no matter how delicious the food, the odds are just stacked against you. As Anthony Bourdain put it on a recent episode of his new series, The Layover, "...if there's not a 50-percent chance of diarrhea, it's not worth eating."

Gross, perhaps, but gluttonous travelers know there's truth in those words. Bourdain happened to be referring to a late-night drunk binge at one of Amsterdam's infamous FEBO fast food automats (above), so with that in mind, I present this photographic homage to the things we eat on the road, despite knowing better. Walk softly, and carry a big bottle of Imodium

Gallery: Ten places to get food poisoning in 2012



[Photo credit: Flickr user .waldec]

Food poisoning! What to watch out for in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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gilligans While many people think of hostels as run down hotels with cramped rooms and few amenities, there are many properties that can actually make you feel as if you're staying at a resort. For those who want comfort on a budget, here are 10 excellent luxury hostels from around the world.

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns
Cairns, Australia

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort in Cairns is without a doubt one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in. And if you're looking for something a little more luxurious than your average youth hostel, this is an excellent choice. Rooms offered include 4,6,8,10-bed dorms, 4 & 6-bed deluxe dorms, 6-bed all female dorms, and private rooms. The accommodation has a resort-type feel, with balconies, a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall and palm trees, a makeshift beach with volleyball nets, and even gym access. They also have swanky nightclub that often hosts theme parties and hot DJ's.

Continue reading 10 luxury hostels from around the world

10 luxury hostels from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art and cultureArtAndCulturebest hostelsbest hotelsBestHostelsBestHotelsbudget travelBudgetTravelluxury hostelsluxury travelLuxuryHostelsLuxuryTravelwhere to stayWhereToStayThu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 best times to break your travel budget]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/10-best-times-to-break-your-travel-budget/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/10-best-times-to-break-your-travel-budget/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/10-best-times-to-break-your-travel-budget/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

blue mountains While it's smart to plan a budget and make wise spending decisions, there are times while traveling when a splurge is in order. Don't think of these instances as wasting money, but as investments into your personal happiness and enhancements to your travel experience.

If there's a site you really want to visit

Whether it's a museum that covers a topic you're passionate about, a trek that will take you through unexplored territory or ancient ruins, or a historical site with a unique story to tell, you should let yourself experience it. No matter how much information a guidebook or website gives you, it can never compare to actually seeing the site for yourself. And if you think about it, isn't the point of traveling to a city to experience things for yourself? When I was in Sydney, Australia, I had heard about a place called the Blue Mountains, and although I was a broke student at the time, the vivid photos and natural landmarks I kept reading about online made me realize that if I didn't go visit this area I would regret it later on. I splurged on a coach bus and a cabin in the mountains, which allowed me to have an unforgettable long weekend hiking diverse terrain, getting aerial views of valleys and mountains, photographing unusual rock formations like The Three Sisters and Orphan Rock, and seeing firsthand why they call it the Blue Mountains (the oil mist from the eucalyptus trees creates a blue haze over the area).

Continue reading 10 best times to break your travel budget

10 best times to break your travel budget originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelbudget travelBudgetTravellove abroadlove and sexLoveAbroadLoveAndSexsafetytravel budgetTravelBudgetWed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, puts a new spin on in-room iPads]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/hotel-in-vancouver-canada-puts-a-new-spin-on-in-room-ipads/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/hotel-in-vancouver-canada-puts-a-new-spin-on-in-room-ipads/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/hotel-in-vancouver-canada-puts-a-new-spin-on-in-room-ipads/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

hotel No need to worry about tipping your tour guide on your next trip to Vancouver, Canada, as the OPUS Vancouver hotel has recently added iPads to each of their 96 guest rooms to act as personal tour guides of the city. While the trend of adding tablets to hotel rooms is not a new concept, the OPUS adds a new spin by having the technology reflect the guests' personality and show them around the city.

First, guests choose their rooms based on what they like: Red Modern and Minimalist, Blue Stylish and Sophisticated, Green Artful and Eclectic, Orange Vibrant and Outgoing, or Taupe Daring and Dramatic. Your in-room iPad concierge and guide will then give you a personalized tour of the city based on your personality. To make these fictional guides more human, they've been given names, professions, and home cities. Guides include:
  • Pierre, a food and wine critic from Paris
  • Billy, a cultured rock star from London
  • Susan, a fashion executive from Toronto
  • Mike, a doctor from New York
  • Dede, an actress and prima donna from Los Angeles
And no need to worry about Wi-Fi as the virtual guides work offline, as well. For more information, click here. To get to know the tour guides a little bit better, you can also visit the OPUS Hotels' Blog to read some posts written by the fictional characters.

Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, puts a new spin on in-room iPads originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best hotelsBestHotelsbritish columbiaBritishColumbiabudget travelBudgetTravelcanadaipadluxury travelLuxuryTravelopus vancouverOpusVancouvertechnologytour guideTourGuideunique hotelsUniqueHotelsvancouverWed, 01 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chile's Valle Nevado ski resort rolls out early-bird special]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/chiles-valle-nevado-ski-resort-rolls-out-early-bird-special/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/chiles-valle-nevado-ski-resort-rolls-out-early-bird-special/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/01/chiles-valle-nevado-ski-resort-rolls-out-early-bird-special/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

chile skiingDedicated pow hounds tend to hightail it to the Southern Hemisphere once summer rears its sunny head. Chile is justly famous for its snow, as well as its lack of crowds, above-timberline terrain, and epic backcountry and vertical accessible via heli-skiing.

Valle Nevado, located 20 miles east of Santiago, is already the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. This year, during its June 22-October 2nd winter season, it has even more enticements to offer.

North American and UK guests who book and pay before March 31st, 2012, will receive up to 50% off a season-long package that includes a seven-night stay at any of Valle Nevado's three hotels (which range from high-end to budget), and two interconnect tickets for the neighboring resorts of La Parva and El Colorado, which opens 7,400 acres of skiable terrain (that's more than Vail, for you ski and snowboard die-hards).

The promotion also includes 25% off equipment rental, a complimentary 30-minute massage, and free attendance at the weekly Thursday Wine Festival. Look for forthcoming announcements on heli-skiing packages, as well. To book, call 1-800-669-0554 from the U.S., or email reservas@vallenevado.com.

Tips for Powder Skiing

Chile's Valle Nevado ski resort rolls out early-bird special originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: 3:33PM EST: American expects to lay off "400 pilots, 2,300 flight attendants, 1,400 management and support staff positions and 8,800 ground workers and mechanics." source

American Airlines parent company AMR is expected to lay out the company's plan for moving forward from bankruptcy today and the news is not good. American Airlines may cut between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs across the company, outsourcing aircraft maintenance in a bid to keep flying.

"The surprise is going to be big and it's going to be bloody and it's going to be nasty," Vicki Bryan, a bond analyst at Gimme Credit LLC in New York, told Business Week adding 10,000 jobs "is not unreasonable." The airline will have to cut as much as $2 billion to gain competitive labor costs, more than the $800 million AMR estimated, she said.

Reporting a $904 million loss in December, American employs about 74,000 full- and part-time workers plus 14,000 at regional carrier American Eagle.

In December, Gadling noted the bankruptcy made American "among the last of the legacy carriers to finally concede to ultra-competitive pricing and sky high oil prices. It's a sad day for stockholders, but like many of the fallen giants they'll pick themselves up, dust off and continue to operate -- albeit a little bit leaner."

Continue reading American Airlines to cut jobs, work remaining force harder

American Airlines to cut jobs, work remaining force harder originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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