Continue reading Top 7 adventure activities near Arenal, Costa Rica

Top 7 adventure activities near Arenal, Costa Rica originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide

A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Greyhound bus drivers

Now, how many of you heard about the Greyhound bus driver who headed the wrong way for more than an hour last week? Yep, last Saturday morning at about 7:14 a.m on October 31st, that's exactly what happened--a bus driver went the wrong way for more than 70 miles.

Here's an exclusive Gadling report that has yet to show up anywhere. Gadling knows because Gadling was there.

Continue reading Greyhound bus driver heads wrong way: Where's a GPS when you need one?

Greyhound bus driver heads wrong way: Where's a GPS when you need one? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Drive a rental car to Florida for $1

Drive a rental car to Florida for $1 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Top five winter-trip items you might not think to travel with originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Are the economics of Twitter airfares worth it?

Are the economics of Twitter airfares worth it? originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When picking out a haunted house to go to for Halloween fun with kids, it helps to know your child. Even then, it may not be a guarantee of a good time. When we headed into the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World a few days before my son's 6th birthday, I envisioned a shriek or two followed by chortles of glee--the mark of a delicious and welcome fright.

After all, his sister loved that ride when she was five, and she's the one that dressed up like a pink fairy princess for Halloween when she was his age. He was Darth Vader that growled out, "Beware of the dark side" in between his "Trick o' Treats."

But from the ride's first scream that pierced the dark, and every one of the floating, dancing holograph ghosts, he hid his eyes in my armpit and kept them there until the very end when we clamored out of the car--him, in relief that the ordeal was over. Happily, he immediately bounded back, ready for a different ride. When he remembers that day, he sees the Magic Kingdom as a good dream come true. That bad mother moment did not last long.

Bad mother (or bad dad) moments seem hard to avoid when accessing the various Halloween options. "How haunted is too haunted?" one wonders.

One the other side of the age spectrum are older kids who might want more than the Casper, the friendly ghost version of ghoulish. Anything less than heart-pounding fright is a big yawn.

Here are 10 tips for picking out an age appropriate haunted house experience so that no one is disappointed and your money is well spent.

Continue reading Ten tips for choosing the right haunted house

Ten tips for choosing the right haunted house originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each time I read through posts for Gadling Take Five, I look for those that may have been missed by readers. I also look for posts that may fit together in some sort of cosmic theme. It's often hard to choose five. While browsing the offerings this week, it seems this was a week of great ideas. This week I found a gold mine.

Here are ten great ideas:

• When Alison was at Litquake in San Francisco she discovered The Bookmobile, a former actual Bookmobile that has been turned into an experiential gathering place for readers, if you will. If you see the Bookmobile somewhere along the Lincoln Highway this year, step inside. You might encounter a famous author driving it. The material being gathered during the Bookmobile's journey will be turned into a documentary.
• A good idea worth considering is reducing the number of traffic signs. Although Aaron is a swell driver, he's given some thought to how he might be better at it if there were fewer signs to distract him. There is research to prove him right. Fewer signs have been shown to decrease accidents.
• As world travelers, we're often introduced to problems we wouldn't have been otherwise. In Tibet, blindness is a problem. In Sean's post on the Planeterra Foundation, you can read more about the organization's wonderful idea to tackle blindness and how you might get involved.
• Kraig, who knows a thing or two about adventure travel, highlights the reasons why hiking the Continental Divide Trail is a good idea. In the case of hiking this trail, Kraig suggests a good idea is to plan for extremes. For example, on one section there's a lack of water. On another, you'll be on the look out for grizzles.
• Here are two airlines with great ideas. KLM is giving away personalized luggage tags. Scott tells you how to get them. Virgin America is considering testing out this good idea. Those without carry-ons can board first. Alison did think about how this good idea might not be so good after all.
• If you're on a long flight, Tom has come up with great ideas for how to be more productive. Since one of my favorite things to do on a plane is zone out, Tom's tips are extra handy.
• For anyone looking for where to have a destination wedding. Look no further than St. Maarten. Katie has the scoop on why having a wedding on this island is a great idea. It's free.
• You probably came across Annie's post on 10 things not to forget to pack when you go on a trip. Pajamas is one of them, something I consistently forget.
• Here's a good idea that might be a bit weird. I found out about GoGirl, a device that helps women pee like men.
• And here's a shout out to Heather's grand idea even though it's already found great press. It's such a great idea, I had to include it. Heather has turned Laviator into a household word. I still have yet to become a Laviator. It's probably because of my tendency to zone out on a plane. One of these days, though--one of these days.

Gadling Take Five: Oct. 17--Oct. 23 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shortly after the baby was born, the plane landed in Kuala Lumpur. The aim was for the emergency landing to occur before the baby arrived but obviously the baby had other ideas.

Giving birth in flight, with the help of a doctor who was on board, has landed this mom a jackpot of free flights on AirAsia for life. The airline has also bestowed these riches to the newborn.

Can you believe the luck? Just two days old and already a budget traveler to envy. Think of all the nifty vacations this kid will be able to go on. AirAsia, a budget carrier, flies all over Asia and to the United Kingdom.

In a way, this is also like being granted lifelong companion fare status. If either mom or son want to travel with a friend or relative, they could offer to pay a portion of the companion's ticket in order to share the wealth and have a steady stream of traveling pals.

Happily, mother and son are doing well, even though, the birth was 11 weeks premature.

Want a lifetime of free flights? Give birth on board originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

35 California hotels run by the Joie de Vivre boutique hotel company are offering a third night free when you book and pay for two nights. To book the deal, go to the Third Night Free page on their blog or just use the promo code JOIE. Prices at the Joie de Vivre hotels range from $79 to $459 per night.

The Joie de Vivre group operates 35 hotels in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sonoma, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Silicon Valley, Huntington Beach, Brentwood, Long Beach and Venice Beach. I checked out the Gaige House, a 23-room boutique hotel set on three acres in wine country and was able to book the deal, saving nearly $200 off the regular rate.

The offer is good for stays from November 1 to June 15, 2010 and must be booked online by May 31st.

[via Los Angeles Times]

California hotels offer third night free originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In some cites, the savings can be as much as 30%. In New York, the average has dropped from $281 to $196 - nearly $100 per night. Stay 2-3 nights and that could cover your airfare. Miami's average is down from $176 to $140 and the cost of a typical hotel room in San Francisco has decreased from $155 to $124. Even rates in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, are down 18% from $191 to $157.

The stats came from Hotels.com's list of average hotel room rates around the world. Chicago, with a drop of 22% came in third place (tied with Anchorage) among major cities for the most significant drop in rates. Juneau, Alaska, was in second place. New York and Las Vegas tied for the top spot with a drop of 30%. Every state in the US experienced a drop in the average nightly rate, except for North Dakota. Rates there remained stable.

The lowest prices in the country were found in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Boise, Idaho; and Las Vegas.

The global average for hotel price drops was 17% with Moscow experiencing the most significant decrease of 52%.

ABC News and Hotels.com list best US cities for hotel deals originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mileage runs, Flyertalk and obsessive compulsive flying: a film project originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you missed Woodstock forty years ago, or feel that counterculture may have passed you by, the West Fest: 40th Anniversary of Woodstock festival is a place to catch up.

At Golden Gate Park in San Francisco this Sunday, Oct. 25th, counter culture is using its voice again--big time.

From 9 a.m to 6 p.m, hundreds of San Francisco-based musicians, Beat Generation poets, anti-war speakers, members of the Free Speech Movement, members of the Green Movement and others are joining forces to celebrate California's trend-setting role in the counterculture movement.

As part of the venue, 3,000 musicians will play Jimmy Hendrix's "Purple Haze" at the same time in an effort to break the world record for the largest guitar ensemble.

Several of the musicians are from groups that might sound familiar, i.e., Starship, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Greg Allman's Band, and the Byrds. To be clear--this doesn't mean these bands will appear, but people who are from these groups will be performing.

As the West Fest page of the Woodstock Story website points out, the San Francisco area is where the Free Speech Movement, Free Love Movement, Farm Workers Movement, Women's Movement, Gay Rights Movement, and the Sexual Revolution first took hold.

Whether you're a counterculture type or not, West Fest sounds like an event not to miss if you're within shouting distance of San Francisco. Couldn't you use a bit of peace, love and good cheer?

As a plus, unlike 40 years ago, the weather on Sunday in San Francisco is supposed to be sublime. How does mostly sunny and a high of 75 degrees sound?

During three days of the four-day Woodstock concert, it mostly rained.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly place to stay in San Francisco, check out The Good Hotel.

West Fest: 40th Anniversary of Woodstock is FREE! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Seoul is not in Southeast Asia. But for a budget traveler like myself headed on to Southeast Asia, this South Korean capital has provided a perfect introduction to my trip. First-time Asian visitors "headed Southeast" often start in Tokyo, the neon Asian mega-capital of food, shopping and nightlife. Yet Seoul matches the urban amenities of Japan's uber-city pound-for-pound, all at a fraction of the price. When you add in Seoul's welcoming and friendly locals, surprising natural beauty and top-notch culinary scene, you've got the makings of a emerging traveler's hotspot.

So if you're planning a visit to Southeast Asia, skip that Tokyo layover and arrange a stopover in Seoul. Not only does South Korean carrier Korean Air offer convenient Asia connections from Chicago, New York, Dallas, Washington DC and Atlanta, it's also a great place to get over your jetlag and pickup last-minute travel supplies before heading onwards. Whether you're just passing through or end up hanging out stay a few days, you'll find yourself surprised and delighted with just how much Seoul has to offer.

Over the past few days here in Seoul, I've found plenty of reasons to justify sticking around. Ready to investigate this tourist-friendly, bustling Korean capital? Let's take a closer look at Seoul and review the basics of your visit? Click below for more.

Continue reading South by Southeast: Welcome to Seoul

South by Southeast: Welcome to Seoul originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In Utah, Edward and Jacob, the two guy hotties in Twilight, have found corn maze fame. At Connors Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts, Brian and Stewie from Family Guy are representing pop culture in an elaboratelyy, mowed cornstalk design.

The presence of both of these mazes is an indication of how many family-owned farms have stayed in business over the years. To stay afloat, keeping up with the times through ingenuity, multi-tasking and hard work is a must. Connors Farm is a perfect example of how many farms have changed.

Back in 1904, when the farm was established, the family took the produce by truck to Boston to sell the goods wholesale. This worked out fine until the price of sweet corn fell in the 1950s. Opening a small, roadside stand became the best option for making money. That move has developed into a family-fun, farm produce fresh gold mine.

Over the years, the stand has expanded to include fresh baked goods, gourmet pastas, jars of jams, jellies and sauces and the farm's own products. The farm also partially operates as a U-pick establishment where visitors pick what's in season. The annual Strawberry Festival, pony rides, hay rides, and autumn corn maze have made Connors Farm a multi-purpose, multi-age destination most of the year.

The Family Guy corn maze has turned out to be a brilliant choice. It's attracted serious, media attention, for one thing. The video after the jump is a fun trip through the maze blended with Family Guy footage from FOX25NEWS in Boston.

There are two weeks left for this corn maze. The last night is October 31.

Continue reading Family Guy in a corn maze at 105-year-old farm

Family Guy in a corn maze at 105-year-old farm originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Friday, October 16, in drizzling rain and cool temperatures, 300 people or so, many clad in pre-Civil War attire, at least four of them dressed like abolitionist John Brown, set out on foot for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

The beginning of their five-mile walk, the log farmhouse in western Maryland, is the very spot where Brown and his raiders left for the Federal Arsenal in Harpers Ferry. Their aim? To seize the weapons necessary for establishing a colony for runaway slaves.

As a result of the raid, Brown, zealous about his cause, was wounded and captured in a stand off with townspeople and the militia. Brown's bold move is credited with starting the Civil War.

It also found him swinging at the end of a hangman's noose six weeks later after he was found guilty of treason for his efforts. Although Brown wasn't successful, his actions, along with those of his men, did put the nation's attention firmly on the issue of slavery.

The original march, also on October 16, was 150 years ago. The march that led to the raid on Harpers Ferry, isn't the only event being held to commemorate Brown's important place in American history. There are several more happening this month and into November.

With fall foliage still showing it's glory, these are perfect days for taking a drive to trace Brown's journey, both on that night years ago and at other parts of his life. Here are suggestions for a do-it-yourself John Brown sesquicentennial celebration that takes in parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.

Continue reading Weekend Drive: Retrace the steps of John Brown and the beginning of the Civil War

Weekend Drive: Retrace the steps of John Brown and the beginning of the Civil War originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Although Columbus and his men made it to the Bahamas on October 12-- more then 500 years ago, it's still possible to see what it would have been like to travel on one of these ships during the 15th century.

These days, life-size replicas of the Santa Maria, the Niña and the Pinta serve as floating museums. Although the Santa Maria is permanently located on the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio, the Niña--and most recently the Pinta, travel to various ports.

The Niña, built to commemorate 500 years of Columbus's voyage, has been to 425 ports since its beginning. The Pinta, larger than the original version, was built in 2006 and also serves as a dockside charter that can be rented out for parties whenever it is docked.

Both of those ships are owned by the Columbus Foundation in the British Virgin Islands.

Tomorrow is the last day that the Pinta and the Niña will be in Huntington, West Virginia. On the 16th to the 20th, they'll be in Marietta, Ohio and will finish off October in Steubenville, another Ohio river town.

For the schedule that includes the rest of the year, click here. The two ships will finish off the 2009 season in Pensacola, Florida.

As a note: The Santa Maria will be open until October 25th when it will close until April 2010.

Climb aboard one of Christopher Columbus's ships originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Start the new year in China for $888

Start the new year in China for $888 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading South by Southeast: How to budget for long-term travel

South by Southeast: How to budget for long-term travel originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This month artcars have well-deserved attention by Smithsonian Magazine. The magazine sent a crew to the H Street Festival in Washington, D.C. on September 19th to cover artcar artists and their work. The result is this video that provides a wonderful overview of the artcars that are tootling about on American roadways. More importantly, it highlights the motivations of the people who create them. An insight into the mind of an artist is a worthwhile ride.

Artcars given kudos by Smithsonian Magazine originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.