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Holistic Healing Practices From Around The World

Jessica Festa — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Food and Drink, Stories, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, Morocco, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, Belize, Mexico, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Middle East, Central America

Nowadays, it seems like there's a pill or shot to cure every illness. But do we really know how safe these unnatural remedies are? Throughout my travels and by talking with locals from other cultures, I've learned there are many natural treatments that are also effective in promoting good health. For those who've ever wondered about the holistic secrets of other cultures, here are some answers.

Turkey

In Turkey, the trick to staying healthy is mesir paste. The concoction was invented in Manisa during the Ottoman Empire, when the wife of Sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim and mother of Suleyman the Magnificent became very ill. No doctor was able to find a cure, until one created a unique spice blend that seemed to bring the woman back to life. The mixture is a blend of 41 different spices that form a thick paste, and is used as a general cure-all and tonic. Some of the paste's ingredients include black pepper, cinnamon, licorice root (shown above), coconut and orange peel. The country is so proud of their natural remedy, they celebrate a Mesir Festival in Manisa each year.

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A Sensory Journey Through Morocco, Africa

Jessica Festa — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Food and Drink, Africa, Morocco, Budget Travel

Morocco is a country in northern Africa that features unique sights and experiences for all travel styles. When I visited, I was amazed at how much there was to explore - the lively sounds of the markets, the tastes of flavorful spices, the feel of gentle hands during a neck massage and the spiritually felt at a sacred mosque.

More than just your average tourism trip, Morocco takes you on a journey of the mind, body and senses. Your eyes will be opened to a new culture and you will get the chance to visit beautiful and enlightening places that will transform your outlook on life.

Smell

Designed in the 1920s by French furniture maker Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in the 1980s, the Majorelle Garden (pictured) is a 12-acre botanical garden in Marrakech. The site is brimming with unusual tropical flowers, cacti and shocking displays of Yves Klein blue. Stroll through this exotic and vibrant garden, take in the unique aromas and visit Yves Saint Laurent's resting place.

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A Sensory Journey Through Morocco, Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Experiential Moroccan Hotel Brings Chic Luxury To Traditional Berber Style

Jessica Festa — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Morocco, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel

In Morocco, the indigenous people are Berbers, and their traditional architecture uses rammed Earth and wood. Aside from in big cities, the Berber-style is plentiful across the country. While this rooted design may be popular, however, the country has never seen it done in a modern and luxurious way - until now.

At the end of March, Max Lawrence opened a brand new experiential hotel, Chez Max. Located 45 minutes outside of Marrakech, this all-inclusive catered villa is offered exclusively through Lawrence's company, Lawrence of Morocco. The property takes principles of Berber building techniques and infuses them with dramatic effects and trendy accents. For example, while Berber rooms are customarily long, low and narrow, Chez Max features squared or curved rooms with high ceilings, giving them more space and light.

"Normal Berber properties are built around the Islamic principle that strangers and prying eyes cannot look in, but the problem is that this means you can't look out, either," explains Lawrence. "But Chez Max is able to flaunt that rule, and offers views for kilometers, over the local hamlets towards the hills, from inside and from its terraces."

While this is the designer's third Moroccan property, the style of hotel is one-of-a-kind in the country. Along with the tradition and luxury infusion, the property works to help guests feel completely at home. For example, the housekeeper, Saida, makes sure the rooms are tidy and also prepares delicious home-cooked cuisine. Additionally, there is no bill to pay on departure, as the designers do not want to intrude on the peaceful and relaxed feeling of the villa.

"There's absolutely nothing else like this in Morocco," says Lawrence. "Other Berber impersonations aren't nearly as stylish or dramatic, nor are they situated in a such a quiet spot in the country, but within easy reach of Marrakech."

New Experiential Moroccan Hotel Brings Chic Luxury To Traditional Berber Style originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Traveler In The Foreign Service: Meet An Intrepid Diplomat

Dave Seminara — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, North America, Morocco, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, Spain, United States, Middle East

In our ongoing attempt to demystify the Foreign Service, we're going to occasionally introduce you to diplomats living in various parts of the world. Amy Tachco is a 36-year-old Foreign Service Officer (FSO) originally from Southern California and Central Ohio who joined the Foreign Service just over ten years ago.

Amy and I joined the Foreign Service at the same time and were part of the same A-100 class, which is essentially a two month long intro to the Foreign Service. As I described in December, at least one of our classmates shed tears over an assignment to Jamaica, but Amy was unfazed when she was sent to Karachi, Pakistan, her 19th choice.

Over the last ten years, she's also served in Casablanca, Madrid, Beirut and Damascus. She arrived in Karachi just days after a suicide bomber struck the embassy, flew into Beirut on a helicopter during the height of the 2006 conflict and recently had a Bashar Assad thug pelt her with a tomato. She was evacuated from Syria in mid-January as the conflict there intensified and recently returned from a brief stint in Istanbul, where she continued to report on the situation in Syria.

Why did you join the Foreign Service?

I did my junior year overseas as an economics and French major and then went to Geneva for grad school. It's an international city and I worked at the World Economic Forum for a while. The lifestyle of the Foreign Service appealed to me - you have a job, but you get to move all the time and constantly do something different. After I graduated I worked for a company that did asset management and then I worked for a hedge fund. I was earning more than my initial salary in the Foreign Service.

Your first assignment was Karachi - your 19^th choice. But you took it like a champ. Were you disappointed to be sent to Pakistan right out of the gate?

No. I wasn't upset. Jerusalem was my first choice - it's been my first choice many times but it's never happened.

And the day you were set to leave for post the consulate in Karachi was bombed?

It was a car bomb, a suicide bomber. A car pulled up right in front of the building and blew a 30-foot hole in the front wall. Thirteen people were killed. My parents called and said, 'Turn on CNN, it's your consulate.' I made the executive decision not to call anyone at the State Department, because I was afraid they'd tell me not to go.

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A Traveler In The Foreign Service: Meet An Intrepid Diplomat originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galeries Lafayette in Morocco receives first Guinness World Record for largest in-store shop facade

Jessica Festa — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Business, Festivals and Events, Africa, Morocco, Consumer Activism, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel

The Galeries Lafayette, a department store in Casablanca, Morocco, has received an award from the Guinness Book of World Records for having "the largest in-store shop façade". The façade has a combined area of 36,402.68 square feet (about 46 feet high and almost 791 feet wide) that takes over the three story store located in the Morocco Mall.

The Galeries Lafayette is set to open on December 5, 2011, along with the Morocco Mall itself.

While winning the Guinness Book of World Records spot is exciting, it is also worth noting that the Morocco Mall is the first destination mall in Africa and is being built as an economic development initiative of the Mediterranean Region, Southern Europe, and Africa. Construction began in 2007 and the mall is said to be on of the five largest in the world. People visiting the Morocco Mall will be immersed in a world of shopping and entertainment and will be able to visit the third musical fountain to be built in the world.

For more information on the Morocco Mall, click here.

Galeries Lafayette in Morocco receives first Guinness World Record for largest in-store shop facade originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holiday gifts for food (and drink)-loving travelers

Laurel Miller — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Morocco, India, Indonesia, France, Italy, United States, Argentina, Chile, Ecotourism, Central America, Caribbean

Holiday shopping is easy if the people on your list like to eat and/or imbibe. If they're into travel--be it armchair or the real deal--the options are endless This year, think beyond the predictable bottle of wine or pricey "artisan" cookies and give reusable, portable, eco-friendly gifts or small-batch edibles that are the taste equivalent of a trip abroad.

As for where to get these items, look at farmers and flea markets, street fairs, specialty food shops, wineries/distilleries, and boutiques. One of my favorite spots to shop: foreign supermarkets.

For the green at heart

An inflatable wine bag is ideal for wine and spirit-loving travelers. They're multi-use and work equally well for olive oil, vinegar, or other fluid specialty products.

A logo tote bag (preferably made from recycled materials) from a specialty food shop, winery, etc. is great for practical recipients. A co-worker recently brought me a signature navy blue number from Neal's Yard Dairy, a famous cheese shop in London. In two months, it's traveled to South America and across the U.S., doing time as a souvenir satchel, laundry and grocery bag, and all-purpose carry-on. When I don't need it, i just roll it up and stash it in my duffel bag or day pack. Love it.

Gift a wine key (opener) salad tongs or bowl, chopsticks, or other kitchen utensils made from local, sustainable materials such as wood, antler, bone, bamboo, or shell. Do a quick online search or ask (I've said it before, I'll say it again: phrasebooks) about the origins of said object. If you have any qualms about the eco-aspect, don't buy it and let the shopkeeper know why.

[Photo credit: Flickr user noramunro]

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Holiday gifts for food (and drink)-loving travelers originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day - Fez cafe

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Morocco, Photo of the Day

This black and white image of breakfast at a cafe in Fez was snapped by Flickr user clee130. For anyone who has spent time in Morocco, this is a familiar scene: an outdoor cafe full of men conversing together over slowly savored drinks or nibbles. Ourika, the cafe's name, refers to both a valley and river in Morocco. The Ourika River flows from a source in Toubkal National Park into the Tensift River just east of Marrakech.

Submit your best images to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. Several times a week, we pick our favorites from that pool to be published on Gadling at Photos of the Day.

Photo of the day - Fez cafe originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world

Jessica Festa — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cambodia, India, Israel, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Consumer Activism, Middle East, Central America, Women's Travel

Cars, trains, buses, and planes aren't the only way to get around a country. From the Bamboo Train in Cambodia to the Rail Cart in the the Philippines to the Couch Bike in Canada, here are ten unique modes of transportation from around the world.

Chicken Bus
Guatemala, Central America

While variations of the chicken bus can be found in many different countries (this reminds me a lot of taking the tro-tro in Ghana, Africa), this vehicle is used not only to transport people but also livestock, hence the name. These U.S. school buses are very eye-catching as they are colorfully painted and decorated. When taking one expect cramped conditions, as chicken buses tend to be packed to capacity, and hectic driving at Nascar speeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day - Bored in Morocco

Meg Nesterov — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Africa, Morocco, Photo of the Day

Some say if you're bored, then you're boring (it's even a lyric in the '90s favorite song Flagpole Sitta). It's something older people say to shame you when you're being a sullen teenager. But I'd argue there are certainly legitimately boring experiences, even while traveling. Waiting for a train in the middle of nowhere. Standing in line for museum tickets. Anything in an airport. But this gentleman in Morocco doesn't look terribly boring, or at least not his store. I shudder to think how he does inventory. Flickr user Calvin Lee has found something interesting in this man's boredom and made it a great portrait.

Send us your best travel portraits by adding them to the Gadling Flickr pool and we may choose it for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Bored in Morocco originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adventure travel show Expedition Impossible begins tomorrow

Kraig Becker — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Paddling, Africa, North America, Morocco, United States, Ecotourism

Fans of reality television and adventure travel shows will want to set their DVR's for tomorrow night's premiere of ABC's Expedition Impossible, the latest creation from Mark Burnett, the man who brought us Survivor. The show looks to be a combination of The Amazing Race and the sport of adventure racing, mixing in puzzle solving and physical challenges while crossing through a remote and exotic location - in this case Morocco.

When the show debuts at 9PM ET tomorrow night, there will be 13 teams of three lining up at the starting line in hopes of winning $150,000 in cash. Judging from their team bios on the ABC website, the show's producers found some interesting, if a bit predictable, characters for the race, including teams of jocks, cops, fireman, and the obligatory "California Girls." Once the starting gun goes off, they'll be racing across deserts, up mountains, and down rivers over ten grueling stages, with teams being eliminated each week until an ultimate winner is crowned.

Will the show be an epic competition that will have us riveted to our seats all summer long? Or will it feel like a made-for-television adventure? We won't know for sure until it begins tomorrow night, but you can get a sneak preview of the show right now. ABC has made the first 14 minutes available online which you can check out below. Post your thoughts in the comments section for this story. Is this going to be a hit or summer let down?

Adventure travel show Expedition Impossible begins tomorrow originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reality television show Expedition Impossible debuts in June

Kraig Becker — Sun, 22 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Paddling, Festivals and Events, Africa, North America, Morocco, United States, Camping

A new reality television show entitled Expedition Impossible is set to make its debut on ABC this June, pitting 13 teams of three against one another in what looks to be an adrenaline fueled competition through remote regions of Morocco. The show, which seems to combine elements of The Amazing Race and the sport of adventure racing, comes to us courtesy of Mark Burnett, the mastermind behind Survivor.

The official website for the show offers little in the way of information about the competition, although I would expect that it will be updated as we get closer to when it first airs. But in the trailer video, which you'll find below, we see teams not only trekking through the desert, rock climbing, and kayaking rushing rivers, but also solving puzzles and working through other challenges. The video actually conveys an intensity to the race that isn't present in other realty shows of this type.

For Burnett, this looks to be somewhat of a return to his roots. Back in the 90's he produced an adventure race known as the Eco-Challenge which had coed teams of four racing against one another on foot, mountain bike, and kayak through some of the most remote places on Earth. Expedition Impossible seems to have a similar theme, although it is much more approachable for the masses than Eco-Challenge ever was.

So? What do you think? Is this going to be worthwhile adventure television for the summer months? I guess we'll find out on June 23 when the first episode airs.

Reality television show Expedition Impossible debuts in June originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 22 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Where Would You Travel for a Meal?

David Farley — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, North America, Morocco, India, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, France, Spain, United States

Just what motivates us to travel? What exactly inspires us to get on a plane and, thousands of miles later, blurry eyed and sleep deprived, to step into a place that was hitherto unknown to us? I'd be willing to guess that for an increasingly large amount of leisure travelers, "food" might be near the top of the list.

Last week, hundreds of hungry people attended the Lucky Rice Festival in New York City, an annual weeklong feast of all things Asian and eating. During the "Grand Feast," where a couple dozen chefs served up Asian-inspired snacks and curious cocktails (a martini spiked with a whole baby squid, anyone?) in a large Mandarin Oriental hotel ballroom overlooking Central Park, I put my hypothesis to the test. I asked some of the chefs at the festival - many of whom are New York City's most esteemed toques - to answer one simple question:

Where would you travel for a meal?

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Where Would You Travel for a Meal? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 09 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Useful foreign phrases, Part 2: how to say, "Can you write this down for me?" in 10 languages

Laurel Miller — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Morocco, China, Japan, Vietnam, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Middle East, Central America

A post written by Chris on Tuesday reminded me of this little language series I started in March. In "Ten things Ugly Americans need to know before visiting a foreign land," Chris recommended brushing up on the local language. He joked about dashing around Venice clutching his concierge's handwritten note, "Do you have 220/110 plug converters for this stupid American who left his at home?"

Thanks, Chris, because I've had this post sitting in my queue for awhile, as I debated whether or not my phrase of choice would appear useful to readers. It's saved my butt many a time, when a generous concierge or empathetic English-speaker would jot down crucial directions to provide to a cab driver. It's also helped me out when I've embarked on long-distance journeys that require me to get off at an unscheduled stop.

I have a recurring nightmare in which I board the wrong bus or train in a developing nation, and end up in some godforsaken, f---ed up place in the wee hours. Actually, that's happened to me more than once, except I was actually in my intended destination. So the other piece of advice I'd like to impart is: do some research ahead of time on accommodations and how to reach them as safely as possible if you're arriving anywhere in the wee hours--especially if you're alone, regardless of your gender.

I digress. Before your next trip to a foreign land, take the time to scribble the words, "Can you (please) write this down for me?" in your guidebook or dog-ear it in your phrasebook (you're bringing one, right? Right?). It will serve you well, I promise you. Below, how to make this useful request in ten languages.

P.S. It bears repeating that I'm far from a polylinguist; I'm relying on phrases based on past experience or research. If I inadvertently offend anyone's native tongue, please provide a correction in the "Comments" section.

1. Spanish (Catalan): ?Puedes escribirlo, por favor?

2. Italian: Può ripeterlo, per favore?

Continue reading Useful foreign phrases, Part 2: how to say, "Can you write this down for me?" in 10 languages

Useful foreign phrases, Part 2: how to say, "Can you write this down for me?" in 10 languages originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Useful foreign phrases, Part 1: how to say, "I'm just looking" in 10 languages

Laurel Miller — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Business, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Morocco, Thailand, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Deals, Middle East, Central America, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel

I've frequently pimped Lonely Planet's Phrasebooks on this site, but I swear I don't get kickbacks from the company. It's just that I'm a big believer in not being a). A Tourist (although, let's face it, if I'm not at home, I am indeed A Tourist) and b). helpless.

Even if you're the biggest xenophobe on earth--which would make foreign travel a really weird and pointless pastime you might want to reconsider-- it's hard to dispute the importance of knowing how ask "Where's the bathroom?" in certain urgent circumstances.

It's with such experiences in mind that I came up with this fun little series. There are a handful of phrases I've cultivated in various languages that have served me well, in situations both good and bad. Not only are they inscribed on the dog-eared inner covers of my trusty Phrasebooks; they're etched into my mind, so I can summon them at will. Whether you need to ward off annoying vendors, personal humiliation, potential suitors, or would-be attackers, it pays to be prepared and know what to say, when. Since things like "Yes, No, Thank you, Please, Hello," etc. are generally not too challenging, for the purposes of this series, I'll leave them out. That doesn't mean they're not very important to learn, however.

This week's lesson: "I'm just looking." Invaluable for politely but firmly stating your desire to see with your eyes, not your wallet. It may not stop persistent hawkers from trying to close a deal, but at least you're showing respect by speaking in their native tongue (or an approximation thereof). And who knows? If you change your mind, that alone may help you score a better bargain.

P.S. I don't claim to be polylingual: I'm compiling phrases based on past experience or research. If I offend anyone's native tongue, please provide a correction in the "Comments" section. Be nice!

1. Spanish: Solo estoy mirando.

2. Italian: Sto solo guardando.

3. French: Je regarde.

[Photo credit: Flickr user Gerry Balding]

Continue reading Useful foreign phrases, Part 1: how to say, "I'm just looking" in 10 languages

Useful foreign phrases, Part 1: how to say, "I'm just looking" in 10 languages originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take a photographic adventure with National Geographic

Kraig Becker — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Morocco, Bhutan, Costa Rica, United States, Ecuador, Ecotourism, Central America, Luxury Travel

Fans of National Geographic have long been drawn to the magazine's fantastic photos, with many of us wishing we had the skills to take similar shots ourselves. Now, National Geographic Expeditions is offering us the opportunity to go on a photographic adventure while building and honing those skills along the way.

Nat Geo Expeditions is the travel arm of National Geographic, offering up some excellent adventure travel opportunities to a number of far flung places. But they also offer aspiring photographers the chance to take part in photography workshops held throughout the country including New York, Washington DC, Tuscon, and Santa Fe. Those workshops range in length from 4 to 7 days, and will teach you everything you need to know about using that fancy digital camera that you bought, but never got around to learning how to operate. For dates and pricing on those workshops click here.

Perhaps even more exciting however are the Photo Expeditions that Nat Geo has to offer. Those trips are 8-12 days in length and will send you off to some amazing places where you'll learn everything you've always wanted to know about photography. Destinations include Alaska, Bhutan, Morocco, Costa Rica, and the Galapagos Islands. Much like the workshops, these trips are designed for photographers of all skill levels and are led by National Geographic photographers with years of experience in the field. They also happen to add healthy doses of culture and adventure to the mix. For more information on the Photo Expeditions click here.

For someone who loves to snap photos (like me!), but wishes they had a firmer grasp on the technical aspects of the art (also like me!), these workshops and expeditions are fantastic opportunities to learn from an expert. So whether you use a point and shoot or a high-end DSLR, a National Geographic photographic adventure is sure to be a fantastic experience.

[Photo Credit: National Geographic Expeditions]

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Take a photographic adventure with National Geographic originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day: Rabat, Morocco

Elizabeth Seward — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Africa, Morocco, Photo of the Day

Traveling isn't just about seeing beautiful sights. It's about experiencing culture. The little day-to-day activities we witness while away from home can be the most touching. This image of boys in the water in Rabat, Morocco transported me a bit. I heard the water splashing, the boys yelling, and the sounds from the street. I stared at the small dot of the man sitting on the rocks in the background; I wondered how long he'd been meditating there at the time this photo was taken.

A sudden realization ended my reverie: common denominators like these, like children playing in the water, drive home the fact that no matter where we go, people are more or less the same at their core.

Have a photo you'd like to submit for our POTD series? Upload it to the Gadling Flickr Pool so we can take a look.

[photo by Vanessa Brown]

Photo of the day: Rabat, Morocco originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 tips for people who really don't want to go on a cruise

Chris Owen — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Morocco, United Kingdom, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, New Zealand, Cruises, Central America, Caribbean

Maybe hiking, biking, backpacking or pretty much any other minimizing endeavor is more what you have in mind for traveling but someone is dragging you along on a cruise. There's just no way you're getting out of it. Is there hope for you? Yes. A little. Not much. But some.

Pace yourself- Food will always be available 24 hours a day on board. You might not be used to that with your triathlon training and all so do some stomach stretching exercises prior to boarding. You will need the extra room. Stop pouting that there are no granola bars or energy drinks. There are. On cruises they are called "shots" and you find them at the bars. You'll enjoy the walk to get them and recent studies suggest those extra steps will help prevent diabetes.

No barfing- You are concerned about the possibility of becoming sea sick because the little path on your normal mountain hike doesn't really move around much. Think of it like that and yeah, you probably will be. Prepare for shooting the rapids in Colorado with somebody who doesn't know what they're doing and you'll be fine. It could be worse. You could have been invited along for a taping of Paris Hilton's new reality show.

Know where you are going- Take time before the cruise to check out a travel guide on the places you will visit. Duh. Just because you don't have any say in where the ship goes doesn't mean you can't meet fun and find interesting people. You probably won't find any of them on the ship but maybe when you go ashore.

Careful with spending- The food is included in the price of your cruise but that's about it. Beverages, both alcoholic and sodas are not included. Want a sip of water? You'll pay $23.54 for that. This is why people smuggle booze on the ship. They do have beds so leave your sleeping bag at home with your tent. Bring your flashlight though, cruise passenger are fascinated by shiny things.

Relax. That may seem like a silly tip but you would be surprised how many people try to pack so much into every day that they need a vacation after they get back from their cruise to recuperate. Know this as a fact: There are way too many things to do and you can not possibly do them all. To be more accurate, there are too many things to do that you will think are stupid so bring a telescope and memorize the sky. Maybe you can find a 14th sign of the zodiac.

Flickr photo by Robbie Howell

5 tips for people who really don't want to go on a cruise originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forking Fantastic hits Morocco with Brown & Hudson culinary tour

Alex Robertson Textor — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, North America, Morocco, United States

Now that Thanksgiving is underway, it's time for many of us to start thinking about our immediate futures. The holiday season and our travel schedules for the new year are all on deck.

Here's one very appealing idea for travel in the new year.

Tamara Reynolds and Zora O'Neill, Astoria's very own Forking Fantastic dinner club team, have teamed up with Brown & Hudson to create a seven-night culinary tour of Morocco.

Forking Fantastic began as an informal supper club. It has spawned an international fan base as well as a guide to entertaining: Forking Fantastic! Put the Party Back in Dinner Party.

Back in July, Gadling published an entertaining Q&A with the very lively Tamara Reynolds. Since then, the Forking Fantastic team has been swept up in a media whirl. Ms. Reynolds can be seen on several upcoming episodes of Unique Eats on the Cooking Channel and both Tamara and Zora were featured in the New York episode of Jamie Oliver's Jamie's American Road Trip.

The Brown & Hudson tour takes in Marrakech, the Ourika Valley, and Essaouira. The tour runs from May 28, 2011 through June 4, 2011. A three-night Fez add-on option is also available.

Hanging out with the Forking Fantastic ladies in Morocco doesn't come cheap. Brown & Hudson has priced the tour at £3,495 ($5520) per person based on a 16-person tour and on a double occupancy basis. The single supplement is £685 ($1080).

[Image: Flickr / Ahron de Leeuw]

Forking Fantastic hits Morocco with Brown & Hudson culinary tour originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ryanair passengers stage sit-down strike

Sean McLachlan — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Europe, Morocco, Belgium, France, Airlines, Transportation, News

What would travel bloggers do without Ryanair? From trying to get rid of co-pilots to arresting passengers for complaining about the sandwiches, the budget airline provides endless grist for our mill.

Yesterday more than a hundred passengers refused to leave their plane after their Ryanair flight from Fez, Morocco, to Beauvais, France, was diverted to Belgium. It was one of four Ryanair flights diverted to Liege due to foggy conditions in France. Passengers were offered a bus to their final destination, a journey of 225 miles. While passengers in three of the planes agreed to go, those in the fourth flight refused, insisting to be flown there instead. The flight had departed Fez three hours late and landed in Liege at 11:30 PM. The passengers didn't leave the plane until 3:30 in the morning to catch a 4:30 AM bus home.

That's the story both sides agree on. Beyond this, there are two stories. Passengers say they were then abandoned by the crew, who even left the cockpit open, and were not given any water for several hours. The toilets were also locked.

Ryanair said the crew stayed for an hour and only left when some passengers got disruptive. They also say that they would have gotten an earlier bus if they had agreed to leave.

[Photo courtesy user Yap S S via Gadling's flickr pool]

Ryanair passengers stage sit-down strike originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top five uses for Ziploc® bags when traveling

Laurel Miller — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, Learning, Africa, Morocco, Airlines, Camping, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Women's Travel, Travel Security

Over the years, I've become a bit of a bag lady. I'm always finding new and surprising uses for Ziploc(R) bags or their generic counterparts when I travel. I'm also a rabid recycler, so I like getting extra mileage out of my airport security "liquids and gels" see-through baggie.

But that's not the only reason I love these little guys. They're tough, they're resealable, and they're economical, because they usually survive multiple trips. Below, my favorite uses for this home kitchen staple:(R)

1. Holding a wet swimsuit.
When you're on a day or side trip, or don't have time to dry it before catching your flight.

2. Collect seashells.
Make sure it's legal, first.

3. Safeguard against spilled liquids.
I also place bags on top of shaving cream canisters (secure with a rubber band). Because it only takes one exploded can in your backpack to learn your lesson.

4. Seal off your shoes (or socks) for packing.
Hiking. hot weather. 'Nuff said.

5. Keep your passport/money/other paper valuables (including tissues/t.p.) dry.
If you're an adventure traveler, you may find yourself in situations where your daypack (or whatever you use to carry these items) gets soaked. I've had to hang my passport out to dry after a.) having to hitchhike in a major storm; b.) having to swim across a deeper-than-expected creek; c.) falling into the water while climbing out of a dinghy in rough surf.

*Bonus: "Have food poisoning/need to vomit while stuck in Marrakech rush hour traffic" emergency satchel.
Not that this happened to me.

Have your own travel uses for Ziploc(R) bags? Let us know!

Want to cut down on plastic altogether? ChicoBags come in their own little stuff sacks, and are the size of a deck of cards. I clip one inside of my day pack when I travel for groceries or other purchases.

[Photo credit: Flickr user hfabulous]

Continue reading Top five uses for Ziploc® bags when traveling

Top five uses for Ziploc® bags when traveling originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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