Gadling

Valentine's Day inspiration from travel blogging couples

Jessica Festa — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Blogs, Stories

Ryan & Laura of Round We Go
As told by Ryan

We're both from St. Louis, but met on a beach in Destin, Florida. I went to study abroad in Ireland and Laura came over to visit and we traveled through Ireland and Scotland. Laura studied in Spain the following year and I went over to visit her. When Laura finished college, we decided to attack a different continent and booked a one-way ticket to South America, traveling Brazil for six weeks, setting up shop in Buenos Aires for five months, moving to Santiago, Chile, and traveling through Bolivia, Peru and Patagonia before returning home to the U.S. We moved to Chicago, worked, saved, and left again, this time on a 14-month trip around the world. We estimate we've spent more time together as a couple than our parents' combined 70 years of marriage.

Funny travel moment: It was one of our first nights in Buenos Aires. Laura had been trying to teach me Spanish words and phrases, although I had no real desire to learn. We were still learning our way around the city when we were heading out one night. Switching subway lines, I stepped onto the train with Laura a step back. The doors closed quickly behind me with Laura still on the other side of them. Looking baffled at each other through the subway doors, I mouthed, "What should we do?" Lucky for us, the Argentine woman next to Laura had understood what I had said, "la proxima parada", in Spanish. Laura got on the following train and greeted me at "the next stop" with a cross between a grin and a scowl. I still have no idea why her Spanish lesson had popped into my head at that moment, but we still laugh about it.

Couples' travel tip: Communication is very important. We are often forced to push ourselves when traveling in ways we don't living comfortably at home. By listening to one another, we've been able to work through problems more quickly and have avoided falling into the same traps, or fights, that couples do.

This Valentine's Day: We'll be at home in Chicago brainstorming a more interesting way to spend Valentine's Day next year!

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Valentine's Day inspiration from travel blogging couples originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrate 50 years of skiing Breckenridge with great deals on lodging

Kraig Becker — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Skiing, Festivals and Events, North America, United States, Travel Deals, Luxury Travel

Breckenridge is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter, by offering a number of great deals on lift tickets and lodging alike. Now that winter has finally arrived in Colorado, bringing plenty of powder along with it, it is a perfect time to hit the slopes at last.

As we mentioned last week, ski resorts across the western United States have finally been receiving healthy doses of snow, and Breckenridge is no exception. So far this season, the area has had more than 150 inches of powder dumped on it, and currently Breckenridge has a base of about 51 inches. That means that all of the lifts, and nearly all of the runs, are currently open for business.

To entice visitors to come ski or ride some of the best snow in North America, several of the lodges there are currently running some great specials. For instance, the Village at Breckenridge, which is a ski-in/ski-out resort, is offering up to a 30% discount on double occupancy rooms through April 15. Similarly, the near by Mountain Thunder Lodge has a great weekday rate that allows travelers to book two nights and get a third one free, which also runs through the 15th of April. Even the Doubletree by Hilton is getting in on the action by offering bonus points for their HHonors members who stay there through the end of April. For a complete rundown of these deals, and others, click here.

The snow may have been late in coming this year, but there is still plenty of time left to enjoy the ski season. Breckenridge is truly one of the best destinations around for doing just that, and in its 50th year of operation, there are some good discounts to help skiers and snowboarders enjoy the mountain.

Celebrate 50 years of skiing Breckenridge with great deals on lodging originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daring aviation legends make film real

Chris Owen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, United States

Fantasy of Flight is an aviation-themed Florida exhibit showcasing vintage aircraft from the world's largest private collection, themed immersion experiences, interactive exhibits and more. Now through February 11, Fantasy of Flight is celebrating National Black History month with its Fourth Annual Legends & Legacies Symposium Series with a visit from famed World War II heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen as well as a student essay contest honoring the aviators' leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination.

"It is an honor and a privilege to welcome back the Tuskegee Airmen and their families to Fantasy of Flight for our Fourth Annual Legends & Legacies Symposium Series," said Kim Long, General Manager. "We couldn't think of a better way to honor the Tuskegee Airmen and celebrate Black History Month than by engaging students to learn more about these brave aviators and express what they've learned through written essays."

During "They Dared to Fly," the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation's first African-American military aviators, will share their personal stories of what it was like to serve as a pilot in the military during segregated America. Three Tuskegee Airmen will be appearing including Leo Gray, 91, who served as a consultant on the recently released Lucas Red Tails film, as well as Daniel Keel, 89 and George Hardy, 88. Of the original group of nearly 1,000 trained pilots and 15,000 ground personnel that made up the Tuskegee Airmen, roughly 50 pilots and 200 ground crew are alive today.

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Daring aviation legends make film real originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Teva Winter Mountain Games begin today

Kraig Becker — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Arts and Culture, Skiing, Festivals and Events, North America, United States

The first-ever Teva Winter Mountain Games get underway today in Vail, Colorado, where some of the top pro and amateur outdoor athletes have gathered to compete in a variety of sports. The event, which lasts through the weekend, will also feature a number of concerts, gear giveaways, clinics, and more.

Some of the sports that the athletes will be competing in including ice climbing, Nordic and telemark skiing, snowshoeing, and on-snow cycling. Even man's best friend can get in on the action, as there are several events for dogs to compete too. But the biggest event of the weekend is the Ultimate Mountain Challenge, which features three different sports spread out over three days. In order to be crowned the King or Queen of the Mountain, a single athlete will have to fend off all the competition in a Nordic Freestyle race today, than follow it up with an up-hill cross country skiing competition tomorrow. On Sunday, those same competitors will then square off in the toughest stage of all - a skiing race up, over, and back down, Vail Mountain.

A large group of spectators are expected to be hand over the three-day event, cheering on their favorite athletes. That crowd won't have to sit on the sidelines without getting the opportunity to join in on the fun however, as they'll get the chance to take part in photo competitions and clinics, test out some gear, and hone their own winter outdoor skills. They can also enjoy an adventure film festival, listen to some live bands, and join the celebration at several parties.

The inaugural Teva Winter Mountain Games is a natural extension of the summer Mountain Games, which will be taking place later this year. If you're an outdoor enthusiast who loves to run, ride, or climb, you'll certainly find a lot to love at both events.

The Teva Winter Mountain Games begin today originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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6 ways to crash New York Fashion Week

Jessica Marati — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, United States, Luxury Travel

Twice a year, Manhattan's streets are flooded with high heels, red lips, and designer clothing as the world's fashion community descends upon the city for New York Fashion Week.

The week-long event, officially called Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (nod to sponsors), runs from February 9 to 16 and will feature presentations by some of the world's most famous fashion designers of their Fall/Winter 2012 collections. The runway shows are invitation-only, with most seats reserved for press, buyers, and friends of the designer. The after-parties are equally exclusive, with tight guest lists and strict door policies.

But although it's a mostly closed event, it is possible for New York visitors and residents to get in on the action. Here are six ways to "crash" Fashion Week from outside the industry.

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6 ways to crash New York Fashion Week originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pacific Rowing Race announced

Kraig Becker — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Paddling, Festivals and Events, Oceania, United States, News

Adventurers and extreme sports athletes looking for a new challenge may well find what they're looking for in the newly announced Pacific Rowing Race. The event, which isn't scheduled to take place until June of 2014, will cover more than 2100 nautical miles, beginning in Monterey Bay, California and ending in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Organizers of the event expect that it will take around 30 to 35 days for the fastest two- and four-person crews to row the entire length of the course. The current record for an individual rower is 64 days, and was set back in 1997, but due to advances in technology and better boat design, a solo racer could easily break that record. On the other hand, teams who are more interested in enjoying the experience of being out on the ocean, and aren't trying to set new speed records, could take as much as 100 days to reach the finish line.

Along the way, racers will face a host of weather conditions, ranging from clear, calm days to potentially dangerous storms. They'll also have to contend with seas that can be both extremely turbulent or smooth as glass. And while they're out on the water, they'll experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and a peaceful solitude that is broken from time to time by a passing dolphin, whale, or other sea creature.

Some of the details on the race are still being worked out, but if you're interested in taking part in the event, there is an online form that you can fill out by clicking here. Completing that form will ensure that you receive the latest news on the event and keep you updated on any announcements from the race organizers.

Online entry for the Pacific Rowing Race is scheduled to open on April 2nd of this year, giving participants more than two years to prepare.

[Photo credit: Roz Savage]

Pacific Rowing Race announced originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet

Chris Owen — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, Russian Federation, France, United States

Mardi Gras rolls around about this time every year bringing Fat Tuesday and signaling celebrations held worldwide. In the United States, the focus is on New Orleans and this year the city is sponsoring some special events including a family-friendly focus and a special series of Twitter Chats leading up to the celebration.

About a million people will take to the streets of New Orleans for the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Throughout the celebration, the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold can be seen around the city. Purple, green and gold officially became the colors of Carnival back in 1872 when Alexis Romanov, Grand Duke of Russia, visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras. In the Duke's honor, the city adopted the Romanov family colors of purple, green and gold, representing justice, fidelity and power.

Also a tradition of Mardi Gras, King Cakes came to New Orleans with the French and began as round, custard-filled pastries decorated with crowns. King Cakes remain extremely popular throughout the city during the carnival season and are often compared to a coffee cake, drizzled in icing and decorated with sugar dyed the traditional colors. Tradition holds that whoever gets the ornamental baby hidden inside the cake at the first party had to give a king cake party the following weekend.

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Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: parties and parades

Jessica Marati — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, South America, Brazil, Nightlife, Women's Travel

What's Carnival in Rio de Janeiro without its lively parties and parades? Now that planning, packing, and logistics are taken care of, it's time to think about the important stuff: your social calendar. In this second installment of the ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio, we'll walk you through some of the main events.

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The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: parties and parades originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Food poisoning! What to watch out for in 2012

Laurel Miller — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Netherlands, United States, Budget Travel, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

For 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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10 best times to break your travel budget

Jessica Festa — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Hotels and Accommodations, Budget Travel, Travel Security

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).

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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.

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Chile's Valle Nevado ski resort rolls out early-bird special

Laurel Miller — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Skiing, Festivals and Events, North America, South America, United States, Chile, Hotels and Accommodations, Budget Travel, News, Travel Deals, Luxury Travel

Dedicated 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.

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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The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: planning, packing and logistics

Jessica Marati — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, South America, Brazil, Nightlife, Women's Travel

Attending Carnival in Rio de Janeiro tops many a bucket list, and for good reason. Not only is Rio Carnaval one of the world's sexiest festivals, it's also an important cultural event for the people of Brazil. Last year, more than 4.9 million people participated in the week-long festival of parades, parties, and carousing in the streets, and the number is expected to increase yet again this year.

In short, Carnival in Rio is an event of epic proportions, and trip preparation can be as much of an adventure as the festival itself. The hotels are overpriced, the tickets are sold out, and it's tough to tell the real advice from the travel agents trying to sell you on a package. This guide, compiled from my research and paired with tips from Brazilian friends, will hopefully provide a starting point for planning your own Carnival adventure. If you think anything's missing, please share your knowledge in the comments!

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The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: planning, packing and logistics originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Superbowl 2012 travel trends

McLean Robbins — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Hotels and Accommodations, Internet Tools

For football fans, next weekend is the penultimate match up between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. What does that mean for travelers? Stay the heck away from Indianapolis!

Kayak just released data showing that searches from New England to Indianapolis saw an increase of 28 times the average immediately following the Pats/Ravens game. New York Giants fans accounted for a flight search increase to Indianapolis of 38 times the average.

Hotel searches for Indianapolis on January 22 were seven times the average hotel search share of the first two Sundays of the month.

Of course, that means hotels are raising prices accordingly - Staybridge Suites Indianapolis- Airport hotel is showing a rate of $312 and the Residence Inn Indianapolis Fishers is offering a rate of $179. Both are a 20 to 30-minute drive away.

Hotels up to 10 miles from the stadium are already beginning to sell out, if they haven't done so already.

Of course, if you want to go luxe, you certainly can. Jetsetter is offering three packages for the game, which include overnight accommodations, VIP game passes and party access. Of course, the price goes along with the exclusivity - the most expensive package is $20,000 for two.

Gallery: Superbowl trends

[Flickr via indywriter]

Superbowl 2012 travel trends originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Upcoming travel blogger conferences for 2012

Laurel Miller — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Business, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Blogs, Photos, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Antarctica, Italy, Switzerland, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Books, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Cruises, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel

If the word "conference" immediately conjures images of tipsy, poly-suit clad conventioneers, comic book geeks, or coma-inducing workshops, you obviously haven't attended a travel blogger gathering.

'Tis the season for some of the year's biggest travel industry blowouts. Each has a different focus--some are for accredited travel writers, others hone in on the burgeoning travel blogging industry or events tailored for the public. What they all share is an emphasis on networking with industry professionals, travel trends, and continuing education in the form of field trips, workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and yes, a fair bit of partying.

Below, our picks for the best in travel industry camaraderie and information exchange:

Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX)
The year's most anticipated travel scribe gathering will be held June 15-17 in Keystone, Colorado. Expect a mix of over 350 fledgling and veteran writers, PR and travel industry experts, guest speakers, and workshops. In your downtime, take advantage of Keystone resort and environs by hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fly-fishing, or riding. Psst. Europe TBEX will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, October 11-13.

New York Times Travel Show (NYT)
Held March 2-4 at Manhattan's Jacob C. Javits Convention Center, this is a great event if you're an accredited writer with a specific niche (Industry Professional Sessions include topics like "Focus on Africa," and "Focus on Travel Media"); there's also a "trade-only" day. The public and and newbie writers can explore the Exhibition Hall, check out a variety of cultural events to be held on five stages, and let the kids run amok in the Family Fun Pavilion. Bonus: Accredited travel professionals can attend the Friday Exhibition Hall and travel industry welcome reception, and Saturday and Sunday seminars and Exhibition Hall free of charge.

Travel Bloggers Unite (TBU)
Feel like a tax write-off trip to Umbria, Italy (did I just say that)? From April 20-22, this UK-organized conference unites travel writers and bloggers with travel PR experts, tourism boards, and travel companies. Seminars include photo walks and workshops, and using social media. Best of all, delegates will be able take free post-conference tours of Umbria.

Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference
Lonely Planet guru/Gadling editor Don George co-founded this renown industry event with Book Passage owner Elaine Petrocelli in 1991. Held annually at Petrocelli's Marin County bookstore (located 15 minutes north of San Franciso; the other Book Passage is a tiny shop in San Francisco's Ferry Building). The event has attracted in the past luminaries such as Tim Cahill, Larry Habegger, and Gadling's David Farley. This year, esteemed writer Susan Orlean will be in attendance, and the schedule includes four days of seminars, workshops, panel discussions, and optional evening field trips. If you're serious about travel writing--and few places provide as much topical diversity as the Bay Area--sign up, stat.

Be sure to check out Don's article on "Top tips for TBEX and other writers' conferences" before you sign up or get on a plane (they say advice doesn't come cheap, but this is free, baby).

[Photo credit: Flickr user Dia[TM]]

Presenting Xtranormal's "I want to be a travel writer"

Upcoming travel blogger conferences for 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Win a year's supply of beer at the Whitefish Winter Carnival

Kraig Becker — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, United States, Video

For more than five decades, the Whitefish Winter Carnival has been an annual tradition in Whitefish, Montana. The 2012 edition of the event takes place next weekend, and will once again feature parades, ski competitions, a dip in the frigid waters of the nearby lake, and prankster Yetis out to kidnap the Snow Queen. The Carnival will also play host to a unique, one of a kind, competition known as the Black Star Barter, which asks competitors what they would do - or trade - for a year's supply of beer.

On Saturday, February 4th, a group of daring, wild, and downright crazy contestants will gather at the Great Northern Brewing Company, where they'll be given a chance to convince a panel of judges that they deserve to win 52 cases of Black Star Beer. They'll show off amazing hidden talents, offer up prized possessions, and generally try to charm the judges into awarding them the prize. Competitors will be rated on creativity, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and overall awesomeness.

Last year, more than 1000 spectators gathered to watch the Barter, which featured a five-year-old harmonica player and his singing dog, a man who turned his nose into a piggy bank, and a family of four who were willing to part with their two egg-laying chickens and a hog. In the end though, the year's supply of beer went to a creative duo who came up with a series of hilarious radio commercials extolling the virtues of Black Star.

So, what would you be willing to trade or do to win a year's supply of beer? Do you have an impressive talent or precious item you'd be willing to give up for 52 cases of Black Star? If so, there is still time to get yourself to Montana in time to compete in the 2012 edition of the Barter. You just might go home with enough beer to stock your fridge for months to come.

Win a year's supply of beer at the Whitefish Winter Carnival originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video of the day: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque projections

Elizabeth Seward — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, United Arab, Video, Nightlife, Middle East

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Projections from Obscura Digital on Vimeo.

Ready to see a beautiful video that will brighten your afternoon? Then check out this gorgeous video featuring the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Projectors, 44 to count, came together form a combined brightness of 840,000 lumens. The images from these projectors covered a 600 foot wide and 351 foot high surface on the building. Mostly floral patterns were projected alongside filigree-type designs, creating a stunning imagery any visitors undoubtedly enjoyed. Were you lucky enough to see this display first-hand? Please tell us about it in the comments if so.

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Video of the day: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque projections originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valentine's Day is coming - where are people traveling?

McLean Robbins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Hotels and Accommodations, Internet Tools

Most holidays see a spike in travel - particularly those that involve long weekends. But what happens on the romantic holiday of the year, which, in 2012, just so happens to fall on a Tuesday? Sure, card sales, flowers, chocolate and the prix fixe menu at The Melting Pot will go up in price, but will travel increase?

Kayak sourced the top five most romantic destinations based on both a) search volume (the number of searches for that location) and b) the percentage of change in search volume for Valentine's Day vs. the weekends prior and following February 14th.

According to their data, New York City is 64% more popular over Valentine's Day weekend than the two flanking it. According to Kayak data, cities seeing the most search volume for Valentine's Day weekend include: New York City, Venice (Italy), Honolulu, Maui and Denver. While we're not quite sure how Denver hits the list, we can only suppose it's a stopping point for a romantic ski trip away.

Searches for US flights showed a spike for Valentine's travel to New York City and Chicago.

Are you traveling to any of these cities this Valentine's Day?

[Flickr via moominmolly]

Valentine's Day is coming - where are people traveling? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Climbers attempting Kilimanjaro barefoot

Kraig Becker — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Climbing, Hiking, Festivals and Events, Africa, South Africa, Tanzania

A team of South African climbers has traveled to Tanzania, where they hope to climb Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain on the African continent, without wearing shoes. Over the next few days, these barefoot adventurers hope to scale the mountain in an effort to raise funds for a children's hospital back home.

According to the group's website, the team of five climbers, and their support crew, arrived on the mountain yesterday and started their ascent. Early on, they passed through a pine forest, which provided a soft surface for their bare feet, but as the day wore on, they entered a tropical rainforest, where the trail gave way to gravel instead. While that proved to be a more challenging surface to hike on, they still managed to reach their first camp without too many problems.

In the days ahead, things won't quite be so easy however. Today, they'll leave the forests behind completely and move into the alpine marshlands of Kilimanjaro. That zone is punctuated with lush grasses and strange plants, which, aside from a few thorny bushes, shouldn't offer too much of a problem either. After that, it is on to the alpine desert, which is much rockier and harder to walk on, even while wearing boots. The final push to the summit will include plenty of volcanic scree, not to mention snow and ice. The cold temperatures on the final approach to the 19,340-foot summit may actually numb their feet from the pain - that is if they don't lose a toe or two to frostbite first.

In order to make this barefoot climb, the team has established a set of rules that will govern their approach. Those rules dictate that they must walk or climb every meter of the mountain without wearing any kind of artificial or natural substance on their feet. Furthermore, they pledge to walk each day between their camps in this fashion, although it seems likely they'll put on some comfy slippers when they reach their end point for the day.

By undertaking this trek, the team is hoping to raise funds for the Red Cross Children's Hospital in South Africa. 100% of the proceeds generated from the climb will go to that organization, which is one of the first of its kind in Africa.

Having climbed Kilimanjaro myself, I can't imagine attempting it without shoes. My feet hurt at the end of a long day as it was, and that was while wearing a good pair of hiking boots. Going completely barefoot seems crazy to me, and I'll be incredibly impressed if they actually make it.

Climbers attempting Kilimanjaro barefoot originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The Palazzo Las Vegas' 8,000-pound fire-breathing dragon

McLean Robbins — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Hotels and Accommodations, Luxury Travel

We all know Las Vegas hotels and resorts pull some pretty crazy stunts - hello, Treasure Island's Pirate Show, Bellagio's fountain and Mirage's exploding volcano, just to name a few. But this is the first time we've seen such a large scale installation to celebrate a single holiday. The 128-foot, 8,000-pound fire-breathing dragon suspended above The Palazzo's waterfall took more than 13 months to complete.

Guests can visit the dragon (perhaps during tomorrow's ceremonial dragon dance ceremony), or stop by through the end of the celebrations (February 5) for themed menus and special events.

Video: The Palazzo Las Vegas' 8,000-pound fire-breathing dragon originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The couple's guide to Valentine's Day hotel packages

Jessica Festa — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Luxury Travel

It's always fun to do something a little special for Valentine's Day, and staying at a luxury hotel can definitely add an air of romance to the occasion. And because we know every couple has a different idea of romance, here is a guide based on your "couple personality" to help you decide where to spend this Valentine's Day.

Nature-loving couples

Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Amelia Island, Florida

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is a romantic hotel in general, with ambient restaurants and activities for couples like cooking classes, bike tours, wine tastings, and picturesque hikes. There is also a nightly "Beach Lovers Fire by the Dunes" where couples can snuggle with blankets, hot cocoa, and binoculars for star-gazing in front of a beach bonfire. For Valentine's Day, couples can opt for the "Romance Package", which includes accommodations, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, breakfast for two, a rose-petal turndown service, free parking, and late check-out. Rates begin at $379 per night. Call 904-277-1100 to book.

Continue reading The couple's guide to Valentine's Day hotel packages

The couple's guide to Valentine's Day hotel packages originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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