Now you can visit a plague-ridden era and watch history unfold. No, this is not an invitation to get busy with swine flu. Instead, head out to Oberammergau, Bavaria and witness a performance that has been carried out for centuries.

In 1633, Oberammergau's population was decimated by the Plague. The villagers were brutalized, but their spirit remained strong, and they promised to act out the events of the last days of Jesus Christ, ending in the resurrection, every tenth year. This Passion performance, sans any influence from Mel Gibson, is an extremely local affair. If you weren't born in the village or haven't lived there for at least 20 years, the best you can do is watch with the masses. The stage is reserved for the true villagers.

Half the village is engaged to assist, from acting to playing music to creating costumes - in the case of Oberammergau, that's 2,500 people out of a 5,200-person population. In what seems like a scene from The Greek Passion by Nikos Kazantzakis (who is more famous for his other book, The Last Temptation of Christ), lead roles are sketched out on a chalk board, while all of Oberammergau waits anxiously. The parts are assigned the year before. In the run-up to the performance, the cast grows its hair long and cultivates beards (not the women, of course), as wigs are not permitted.

Continue reading In Oberammergau: the most "passionate" performance you will ever see

In Oberammergau: the most "passionate" performance you will ever see originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

November is the month for arts in Madrid originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Japan - Bunka No Hi (Culture Day) is a national holiday held annually in Japan on November 3 for the purpose of promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavour. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.
• Helsinki - The Kettupaivat Short Film Festival begins Wednesday, November 4, and continues until November 7.
  
• British Columbia - Whistler's 13th annual art event, ARTrageous, takes place this Thursday, November 5, and features live art, roving performers and a live dance band.
  
• New South Wales - The Bitter and Twisted International Boutique Beer Festival will today take place this weekend, from Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8 in New South Wales.
  
• London - The World Travel Market 2009 will take place at the ExCel London from Monday, November 9 through Thursday, November 12. This travel expo enables businesses to network with each other and learn about the travel industry's latest innovations.

Get out and go: Events around the world (November 3-9) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading In a poor economy, SeaWorld raises ticket prices to just under $80

In a poor economy, SeaWorld raises ticket prices to just under $80 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I find costumes scary and Halloween night even scarier. I may love to travel, but on this particular evening there's no better place than the comfort of my living room. For those of you who are a bit more brave and eager to set out into the spooky evening donning a custom costume, have a ghoulish time! But for the others, like myself, who prefer to stay home, I invite you to read these Halloween-themed travel reads.

• Haunted houses? That's nothing compared to notoriously haunted hotels or creepy castles. [via BootsNAll]
• My flick chick homegirl Eva over at World Hum put together this great list of travel horror movies that the faint of heart should avoid, but the brave should check out.
• Oh scary! There's nothing more frightening than graveyards by night. [via Matador Trips]
• Recycled Halloween costumes? If I did dress up, I'd go that route. Here are some frightfully good, green Halloween tips for travelers. [via Go Green Travel Green]

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Friday 10.30.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While Catherine has Halloween costume ideas that reflect different types of travelers--(there are more ideas coming throughout today), and Heather previously posted on how to dress up like an awesome flight attendant, here are other costume ideas. These wander into the unusual--possibly the obscure.

Each are based on travel and incorporate souvenirs you may have brought home with you, particularly if you have problems passing up purchases. All were thought of at the last minute for a past Halloween and were worn at a party.

As a note, you may have to explain what you are, although the responses to each were positive.

Also, as you travel this year, think of costume ideas as you go. In this picture I see items that might come in handy. Read on.

Costume 1: A Homonym

Continue reading Last minute oddball Halloween costumes that reflect your travels

Last minute oddball Halloween costumes that reflect your travels originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even though Edgar Allan Poe's funeral do-over in Baltimore was a couple weeks ago, there are several locations where it's not too late to pay tribute to this literary master of horror. Poe, a traveler himself, moved between Boston, Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia and Baltimore, plus a few towns in between. Because several of the Poe-related landmarks still exist, it's possible to follow his trail from his birth to his death.

Given that this is the 200th year of his birth, why not pay Poe tribute by heading to one of these locations for a Halloween weekend remembrance?

Bring a copy of his short stories or poems with you to add to the ambiance. Make sure "The Raven" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" are among them: some of the stops are where they were written.

Continue reading Edgar Allan Poe travel for Halloween weekend

Edgar Allan Poe travel for Halloween weekend originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Racing on foot through the Sahara originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Denmark - Since the first Music Harvest in 1985, the festival has presented contemporary music from the USA, Russia, Britain, Germany, Hungary, Finland, Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic countries, as well as from Denmark. The event takes place in Odense. It begins Wednesday, October 28 and will continue until November 7.
  
• Cambodia - Coronation Day a major religious holiday all over Cambodia and commemorates King Norodom Sihamoni's Coronation. This event takes place this Thursday, October 29th.
• Ottawa - One World Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers and the public to exchange ideas and information about issues of social justice, human rights and the environment. The event begins Thursday October 29 and continues until October 30.
• Hong Kong - Wine and Dine Festival is part of the a range of food and wine events in Hong Kong. The event begins this Friday, October 30 and continues until November 1.
• Las Vegas - The Professional Bull Riders Finals take place this Friday, October 30 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The event is followed by the National Rodeo Finals later in the year and will continue until November 8.
  
• Transylvania - Halloween in Transylvania is a special event that will be held this Saturday, October 31,. The festival includes tours, shows and celebrations that follow the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel character, Count Dracula.

Get out and go: Events around the world (October 28-31) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

2010 Adventure Travel World Summit goes to Scotland originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Now there are three Haven's Candies locations. The company's flagship candy making facility, that includes a retail and wholesale store, is in Westbrook, Maine. Other retail locations are in Portland and Scarborough.

If you've ever wondered how candy is made the old fashioned way, this video clip of Haven's Candies covers it. From peanut butter cups to coconut haystacks to candy canes, it's all here. By the end, you'll have a sweet tooth craving.

It is possible to see Haven's Candies being made in person. There is an open house at the candy factory every year on Columbus Day. Guided tours are also available at other times. Plus, the candy making area of the Westbrook location has glass windows. When the store is open you can watch the candy production.

Vintage candy making in Maine originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:00:00 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.

Did you know today is the International Day of Climate Action? According to 350.org, "People in 181 countries are coming together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people are gathering to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis." In keeping with this special day, I've saved our usual Friday Gadlinks for today to present you with travel-oriented reads related to climate change. Hope you enjoy!

• CNN covered 350.org's climate change initiative today, and the world is responding. [via 350.org]
• Here are five of the coolest climate change stories from around the world. [via Inhabitat]
• If you're in Honolulu, there's a free screening of a climate change documentary playing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's campus this afternoon. [via Honolulu on the Cheap]
• In a personal effort to raise awareness on climate change, one man is biking around South America. [via Tree Hugger]
• That bike trip may be a bit extreme. If you don't have that much time or energy to campaign for climate change, here are six small things you can do to save the environment. [via Go Green Travel Green]

'Til Monday, have a great weekend!

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Saturday 10.24.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 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.

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.

• Montreal - The Travel and Adventure Film Festival begins Wednesday, October 21 and continues until the 24th. The festival celebrates both short and long films.
• Brisbane - The Caloudra Music Festival will take place at King Beach Bark in Caloundra, near Brisbane, on Thursday, October 22. This is a family-friendly event aimed at celebrating diversity in the local community and will continue until October 25th.
  
• Kyoto - Kurama Himatsuri, Japan's legendary fire festival, will see boys carrying torches through the streets of Kyoto, eventually converging at the Yuki-jinja Shrine, this Thursday, October 22.
• Montego Bay - Wata Rose Hall Health and Wellness Festival begins Friday, October 23, and culminates with a triathlon on October 26.
• Boston - Harry Potter: The Exhibition opens at Boston's Museum or Science this Sunday, October 25. The exhibition showcases the supreme artistry and craftsmanship that went into the making of the ever-popular film series.

Get out and go: Events around the world (October 21-25) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Twilight fans get their own cruise originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last January, my husband and I took a trip to the Rioja region of Spain. We sampled Rioja wines and visited underground cellars by day, and hopped from bar to bar snacking on tapas and drinking Rioja wines by night. We found that there were several Rioja wines that we loved, at that the tapas served there (while not incredibly creative like those offered in the Basque country) were simply delicious. So I was very excited to see that this week, October 18 to 25, is Rioja Restaurant Week both here in Chicago and in New York City.

From now until Sunday, dozens of restaurants in both cities will offer special deals and dishes to celebrate the wine and cuisine of the Rioja area. Some will offer $12 tapas and wine pairings and others will offer $25 or $50 prix fixe menus paired with wine. Other specials offered as part of the promotion include a 15% discount on dinner or a 20% discount on a bottle of Rioja wine. Not a bad deal. This means that at Eivissa, a Catalan tapas restaurant in Chicago (for example), you can either get a multi-course dinner for two for $50, or just nosh on their signature tapas, which are half off weekdays from 4pm-6pm, and enjoy a bottle of Rioja wine for as little as $30.

Over 50 restaurants in NYC are participating, along with nearly 30 in Chicago.

It's Rioja Restaurant Week in NYC and Chicago! originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:30:00 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.