Gadling

Passenger prevents lengthy delay - fixes faulty plane

Scott Carmichael — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

A passenger on a Thomas Cook flight became the hero of the day when he was able to fix a fault on the plane that was scheduled to bring him and his fellow passengers back home from Menorca.

The plane had developed a fault and was destined to be stuck at the airport for 8 hours awaiting the arrival of a UK based mechanic.

Instead of waiting for this, the passenger identified himself as a licensed mechanic with an affiliate of the airline, and was cleared to perform the maintenance work.

After a brief repair, the plane was on its way back home with just a 35 minute delay, instead of the 10 or 11 hours it would have taken if the plane was made to wait on the UK mechanic.

From now on, I'd like the airlines to load a mechanic on any of my flights, along with a doctor and a decent chef. The airline announced that they were "very grateful he was on the flight that day". I'm sure the passengers share that sentiment.

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Passenger prevents lengthy delay - fixes faulty plane originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World tourism to be slower than expected this year

Tom Johansmeyer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, France, Spain, United States

The UN World Tourism Organization just changed its mind about global travel and tourism this year. I guess forecasting is easy when you can always issue a new one ... as long as the previous efforts are forgotten. Well, I wish I could tell you that the UN believes we've turned the corner - and that travel is going to spike this year. But, it isn't. The group has added a bit more doom and gloom to its prediction, given continued economic instability and the swine flu situation.

Worldwide, the organization predicted a 4 percent to 6 percent international tourism decline for the year - this is down from the January prediction of zero to 2 percent. The changed direction coincides with the International Monetary Fund's sense of the global economic situation. In January, it called for economic growth of 2 percent this year. Now, it's predicting a fall of 1.3 percent.

For the first four months of 2009, the World Tourism Organization noted an 8 percent drop in global tourism, with only 247 international tourism arrivals. Europe's results were more severe than those of the world as a whole, off 10 percent. Asia was down 6 percent, and Africa and South America were up 3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

Even in tough times, everybody wants to go to France, which remained the top tourism destination with 79 million arrivals. The United States moved into second place for the first time since the September 11, 2001 attacks, reclaiming its position from Spain.

World tourism to be slower than expected this year originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Tour de France is underway

Kraig Becker — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Europe, France, Monaco, Spain

The 2009 Tour de France got underway yesterday with an individual time trial through the streets of Monaco. The Prologue was a short and fast 15.5km (9.6 miles) sprint that started with a steady climb and ended with the riders screaming back down the hill towards the finish line. At the end of the day, time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara took the stage victory and the famous Yellow Jersey, while the real contenders for the race, such as Alberto Contatdor and American Levi Leipheimer, lurking just off the pace. Lance Armstrong, making his return to the Tour after a 3 year layoff, finished in 10th.

Today, the race heads out onto the road, leaving Monaco behind, with a 187km (116.1 miles) stage through southern France. The route will pass through some rolling hills, but will mostly favor the sprinters who will be competing for the Green Jersey, while the climbers will wait for the seventh stage, when the race moves away from Barcelona and into the Pyrenees, where they'll begin their competition for the Polka Dot Jersey worn by the King of the Mountains.

Over the next three weeks the top riders in the world will compete in cyclings premiere event. In total, there will be 21 stages, covering more than 3500km (2175 miles). The race culminates on Sunday, July 26 on the Champs Elysees when the leader rides into Paris with the Yellow Jersey.

2009 Tour de France is underway originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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List of World Heritage Sites grows by 13

Kraig Becker — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Asia, Europe, Burkina, Cape Verde, China, Iran, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Peru, Ecotourism, Middle East, Central America

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee just wrapped up its 33rd annual conference in Seville, Spain, where they added 13 new sites to their list of amazing locations around the globe, and made the unusual move of dropping one. The new list of World Heritage Sites now stands at 890.

Of the 13 new sites, 11 are cultural sites and 2 are natural. The two new natural sites are the Wadden Sea on the border between Germany and the Netherlands and the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. The cultural sites include such places as the Tower of Hercules in Spain, The Sacred City of Caral-Supe in Peru, and Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain in Kyrgyzstan. For a complete list of the new sites, check out the official press release here.

The former World Heritage Site that was dropped from the list was the Elbe Valley in Dresden, Germany. The committee expressed concern over the fact that a new four-lane bridge was being built through the Valley, and even attempted to give warning of this action, placing the site on the Danger List back in 2006. When construction proceeding anyway, they felt they had no other choice, but to drop the Valley from their list.

Continue reading List of World Heritage Sites grows by 13

List of World Heritage Sites grows by 13 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadlinks for Wednesday 7.1.09

Brenda Yun — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Gear, Europe, North America, Spain, United States, Camping, Ecotourism

Welcome to the glorious month of July here at Gadlinks! There's plenty of great reads out there, so let's get started:

Do you want the lowdown on what's going on in Honduras right now? I know I do! I found a great explanation of the Honduran coup at the Moon blog, written by the Moon Honduras author, Amy E. Robertson.
The Pamplona Bull Run begins in less than a week! Here's a great guide to this famous event if you're daring enough to attend.
There's nothing more quintessentially New England than the lively town of Portland, Maine. The Associated Press has a great guide to Portland for budget travelers.
You should be spending as much time outside this month, so make sure you cut down on wasteful materials and use some eco-friendly goods. Here's a cool list of biodegradable and landfill safe stuff to pack for your outdoor adventure.

'Til tomorrow, have great evening!

More Gadlinks here.

Gadlinks for Wednesday 7.1.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Expats hit hard by economic downturn

Sean McLachlan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Spain, United Kingdom

It's a popular dream--move to a sunny, beautiful part of the world where life is cheap and say goodbye to the home country forever.

But the BBC has found that the dream of many expats has soured because of the economic downturn. The article focuses on the tens of thousands of British expats living in Spain, but the story could be about expats anywhere. For the past twenty years the English have been moving to Spain in droves, especially the sun-soaked coastline of Costa del Sol and Mallorca (pictured here). They fueled a real estate boom that was one of the major factors of Spanish economic growth until the housing bubble popped, markets crashed, and Spain ended up with a 17% unemployment rate. Oh, and the change from the peseta to the euro caused inflation that ended the "cheap living" part forever.

Now some expats are headed home. Many had jobs related to the housing industry that have since disappeared, and new jobs are not forthcoming. English-teaching jobs may be next as Spaniards rein in discretionary expenditures.

Are you an expat? Has your job or lifestyle been affected by the economic downturn? Gadling readers want to know.

Expats hit hard by economic downturn originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scared passengers boycott airline after being asked to help "balance the plane"

Scott Carmichael — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Spain, Airlines, Airports, News

Seventy terrified passengers refused to board their Thomas Cook plane in Mallorca, Spain this week because the airline had asked them to all sit in the back of the plane.

During its time on the ground, baggage workers were unable to open the rear cargo door of the plane, and had to load all the luggage in the front - requiring passengers to act as ballast in the rear to keep the plane balanced.

The seventy passengers were afraid that the stuck cargo door would pop open during the flight, and many of them paid 100's of pounds to fly home with other airlines. One passenger paid $1000 to fly his family home.

Adding to the "horror" of the incident were passengers who had arrived on the same plane, who told departing passengers that they had just experienced "the worst flight of their lives".

The airline said it was a normal operating procedure and that it was disappointed to hear that passengers decided not to travel, despite reassurances from the crew and captain.

Scared passengers boycott airline after being asked to help "balance the plane" originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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15 Great Mountain Vacations

Kraig Becker — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Paddling, Skiing, Europe, North America, Oceania, Bulgaria, France, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, New Zealand, Camping, Ecotourism

The U.K. based online magazine Wide World launched at the beginning of May, and is already building a library of good content for adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. The articles vary greatly in subject matter and include an interview with free diver Sara Campbell, a look at the world's toughest race, and a growing collection of gear reviews.

One of the feature articles is of particular interest for travelers, offering up 15 amazing mountain trips from around the globe that will give you something to do at altitude even in the summer. Some of the locations on the list are amongst the most famous mountaineering communities in the world, each well known for offering a range of outdoor adventure activities.

For instance, Chamonix, France appears on the list, and during the winter, the famous mountain town is filled with visitors looking to take advantage of the best skiing and climbing in Europe. But during the summer months, those crowds vanish, leaving one of the world's best outdoor playground virtually deserted. Sitting at the base of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe, Chamonix gives easy access to some of the best alpine hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking found anywhere.

The other locations on the list are just as impressive, and each offers its own unique mountain activities. Some are great paragliding destinations, others offer horseback riding, rafting, fly fishing, and more. Most of the locations are in Europe and North America, with Queenstown, New Zealand being the lone exception. Any one of these mountain escapes would make a great getaway for anyone still looking for summertime fun.

15 Great Mountain Vacations originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Through the Gadling Lens: seeing the light

Karen Walrond — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Asia, Europe, North America, Thailand, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United States, Through the Gadling Lens

When you're first starting out in photography, you're likely to read, or hear, or have told to you:

"See the light. When you can see the light, you'll be a great photographer. You just have to see the light."

Many times, I've had new photographers retort with exasperation: "God, I hate that. 'See the light.' What light? There's just light! I see it! What are they talking about? How do you 'see the light'?"

In many ways, the exhortation to see the light is one of those things that, annoyingly, you'll understand it when you finally see it. But basically, what you're trying to do is not just acknowledge that the light exists, but really notice the quality of the light -- is it golden? blue? white light? Is it coming in at an angle? Is it merely ambient light, or tightly focused? Are there shadows, or reflections? Once you've assessed the light, you can adjust your camera ISO, white balance, aperture and shutter speed accordingly, to capture the light and image as authentically as possible.

For tips and a refresher on how to adjust your camera's settings, click here. However, for an illustration of the various types of light, and how to maximize what it does to your images, read on.

Continue reading Through the Gadling Lens: seeing the light

Through the Gadling Lens: seeing the light originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling picks the world's best "second cities"

Jeremy Kressmann — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil

We like winners. Whether it's the winning army of a war or the world's fastest 100 meter runner, we lavish attention and praise on the victors and relegate the losers to the dustbin of history. The same is true of travel - the most important travel cities like New York, London, Sydney and Tokyo are favored by visitors while lesser-known destinations are skipped, scratched from the itinerary or just plain ignored.

The destinations we visit win our attention for good reason. They're typically the biggest cities - meaning they have the best restaurants, biggest museums and largest inventory of hotels. Yet when we travel to only the "most popular" or "biggest," we ignore a fundamental truth of travel. What we know about a place has as much to do with what we're told as it does with what we actually find once there.

With that in mind, Gadling is bringing you a compilation of our favorite "second cities" - large urban areas that are among the biggest in their country but frequently overshadowed by more famous capitals. The following picks boast many of the same amenities that make their bigger rivals so famous - top notch cultural institutions, unique local charm, great cuisine and nightlife. How many have you visited? Take a look below:

Second City #1 - Osaka, Japan - travelers love to talk about Tokyo, but focusing exclusively on Tokyo does serious injustice to the city of Osaka. What Osaka lacks in population, it more than makes up for in its citizens' lust for life and sheer zaniness. Along the streets of Osaka's Dotonbori district you'll find a raucous party of eating and drinking that is virtually unmatched anywhere on earth. In addition to the city's famous Takoyaki octopus balls and grilled snow crab, Osaka also boasts cultural attractions like Osaka Castle and the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum.

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Gadling picks the world's best "second cities" originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need a hotdog in Madrid? Try Chicago Hot Dogs

Tom Johansmeyer — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Europe, Spain

I know that part of traveling aborad is experiencing new cuisine. And, Madrid's a great place to do that. Sometimes, though, you just have a jones for the familiar. Or, you're in the mood to dine 'n' dash. I get it. When you need a quick fix, a hotdog's the likely answer, and Chicago Hot Dog in Madrid is ready to deliver.

To be honest, Chicago Hot Dog's fare did not measure up to Sweden's impressive dogs, and it lagged Iceland a bit. Had the hotdogs been a little hotter, though, the gap would have closed some. Similar to the dogs of Scandinavia, the mustard is the main event in Madrid. Maybe it's a European thing: the mustard at Chicago Hot Dog was creamy and had a hint of cheese flavor (a la Oscar Mayer) ... which works. The hotdog itself was quite large, especially compared to those of Iceland and Sweden (but smaller than those I had in France). For Americans, a good rule of thumb at Chicago Hot Dog is 2:1 - two local dogs equals one from home.

Chicago Hot Dog has several locations across the city. One is close to the Museo del Prado, and another is only a block away from Reina Sofia (which is home to Pablo Picasso's "Guernica"). So, if you're short on time while running from one museum to the next, scarf down a hotdog instead of waiting forever for the check at a more authentic establishment, and you'll maximize your time with the art.

Check out a video of the dining experience after the jump.

Continue reading Need a hotdog in Madrid? Try Chicago Hot Dogs

Need a hotdog in Madrid? Try Chicago Hot Dogs originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spectacular summer art season in Madrid

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Europe, Spain

Madrid is one of the art capitals of Europe, and each season the city's big three art museums host major exhibitions. This summer looks like it's going to be an especially good one.

Perhaps the biggest show of the season is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum's show on Matisse. Running from June 9 to September 20, it focuses on the work the famous painter and sculptor did in the middle part of his life. In the 1920s he and Picasso were at the vanguard of making modern art acceptable to the general public, and in the 1930s Matisse's work became more inward-looking as the Depression, the buildup to World War Two, and the invasion of France took their psychological toll.

The Prado will has a show focusing on the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, who in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries became one of Spain's best-loved painters with his brilliant images of sun-soaked gardens and beaches. This show runs from May 26-September 6. One of his paintings, titled "Walk on the Beach", is shown here. If you like his style, you might also want to check out his house, which is now a museum showcasing his life and work.

If modern art is more your thing, check out the Reina Sofia, Madrid's home for modern and contemporary art. Their big show this summer will be Los Esquizos de Madrid, an art movement that flourished in Spain's capital in the Seventies as the country made the transition from dictatorship under Franco to a fragile multiparty democracy. This movement embraced figurative art at a time when the rest of the European art world seemed have abandoned it.

The Reina Sofia will also have an exhibition by Lebanese artist Walid Raad, who created The Atlas Group, an art movement of one. His work explores censorship and the Lebanese Civil War though various media and will be open from June 3 to August 31.

Spectacular summer art season in Madrid originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling's guide to Summer music

Jeremy Kressmann — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Morocco, Denmark, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Summer. Music. Could any two words in the English language possibly go so well together? There's just something about warm weather that makes you want to be outside, bare feet touching soft grass and dirt underfoot, hands in the cool night air, eardrums fluttering to the vibrations of a strumming guitar.

And aside from Summer, what could go better with music than travel? Whatever your favorite genre, this season is prime time to catch some of the best live performances you'll see all year. So what if nothing good is playing near your hometown? Jump in the car or book that cheap plane ticket. Music is just the excuse you're looking for to get out on the road. From the smallest local city festivals, to the giant multi-headliner events now dotting the country (and the world), it's time to start making some travel arrangements to catch your favorite band.

We won't pretend to list out every music festival and event going on this summer - there's way too many. But we've been to our fair share of good ones - and we know what's worth the trip. Grab those earplugs and stop making those Free Bird requests, Gadling is bringing you our picks of this Summer's best music events, both in your backyard and around the world.

Continue reading Gadling's guide to Summer music

Gadling's guide to Summer music originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 29 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling + BootsnAll - Picks of the Week (5.22.09)

Jeremy Kressmann — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, South America, Jordan, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Argentina

Welcome back. Here we are again for Gadling's weekly roundup of links from the independent travel experts at BootsnAll. This week's links are custom-made to get your wanderlust racing and put you in the right travel mindset. So pull that suitcase out of the closet and start clicking below:

Biggest Soccer Rivalries - soccer is a sport that tends to elicit groans of boredom from many Americans. But around the world it's serious business. Rivalries like Spain's Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona or Boca Juniors vs. River Plate in Argentina spark intense fan participation, raucous crowds and huge TV coverage. Jessica Spiegal has a list of some of the best rivalries, including teams in Egypt, Iran and England among others.
Weird World Heritage - the World Heritage Site program was established to conserve sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to all of humanity. That said, Cherrye Moore points out that the program's selections include quite a few picks off the beaten track, including the "Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump" in Alberta Canada (the Native Americans used to run buffaloes off the cliffs) or the Quseir Amra Castle in Jordan.
Bone Churches - European church builders seem to have an odd proclivity for building and decorating their structures with human bones. Often called ossuaries, these unique bone structures can be found in churches from Spain, to Italy and all the way to the Czech Republic. Whether you're a Goth into the black arts or just interested in some unique cultural landmarks, Jessica Spiegal's bone churches roundup is worth a look.
South American Subways - as Eileen Smith points out, Europe is not the only continent with a wealth of public transportation options. If you happen to be traveling around cities like Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Caracas, or Medellin, Colombia make sure to give them a try.
Amsterdam Amenities - let's drop the stereotypes: Amsterdam has a lot more to offer than marijuana, Van Gogh museums and canals. The WhyGo Amsterdam blog has a roundup tips to know before you visit. Ever considered some Indonesian food for dinner? Or a visit to the world's largest flower market? Have a look.

That's it for this week's BootsnAll Picks of the Week. Check back again next Friday for another roundup of great links from around the world.

Gadling + BootsnAll - Picks of the Week (5.22.09) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spanish air contains cocaine

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Spain

Next time you visit Madrid or Barcelona, breathe deeply. Along with the car exhaust, you'll be getting a whiff of cocaine, according to a recent study.

The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations tested the air in various barrios in the two cities where drug use is popular, and found trace particles of cannabis, amphetamines, and a host of other drugs besides the ubiquitous Bolivian Marching Powder.

While this may seem like yet another of those headline-grabbing but flawed "scientific studies", having lived in Madrid for the past several years I can believe it. It's not unusual to catch a cloud of ganja while engaged in the simple act of walking down the street, or to walk into a club bathroom and find someone sniffing off the counter (I mean really people, have you no sense of hygiene!!!) The government has recently felt it necessary to start a national advertising campaign to remind people that drugs are, in fact, illegal.

This is something that many travelers forget at their peril. While some Spaniards wink at drug use, the cops will bust your ass same as back home.

Spanish air contains cocaine originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 15 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eight Great Food Markets from Around the World

Kraig Becker — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Morocco, Japan, Russian Federation, Singapore, France, Spain, United States, Australia

One of my favorite aspects of travel is visiting unique markets in foreign countries. These sometimes charming, sometimes chaotic, always fascinating and entertaining places offer up slices of local culture, unusual foods, and a variety of other goods, both common and unidentifiable.

It is in that spirit that BootsnAll gives us a list of eight of the world's best food markets, offering up great places to shop for fresh food in all corners of the globe. Each of the markets on the list exhibit local influence and style, while providing a shopping experience that is sure to leave an impression on visitors long after they've gone home.

For instance, the list starts with Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, a market that has been open for more than 100 years, and specializes in fresh fish and giant crab legs. There are more than 200 merchants in Pike Place, selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade cheeses. The market is even the site of the original Starbucks.

For a completely different experience, head to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, Australia. The article notes that Queen Victoria is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere, offering up plenty of fresh food items, but also electronics, antiques and more. And during the summer months, the night market comes alive with a party atmosphere, with visitors from all walks of life strolling the market late into the evening.

Checkout the other six markets on the list as well, and if you're traveling to any of these cities in the near future, be sure to drop by one of these markets and explore it for yourself. It is likely to be one of the most unique travel experiences of your life.

Eight Great Food Markets from Around the World originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 01 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily travel deal - A romantic week in Paris and Barcelona for $749

Scott Carmichael — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, France, Spain, Gadling's Daily Deal

Got someone in your life that you really want to WOW? How about a 6 night trip from the US to Paris and Barcelona?

Today's travel deal includes airfare from the US to Paris, then on to Barcelona, then back home. You also get 3 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Barcelona, plus all hotel taxes and breakfast (when available).

Priced out of New York, this deal comes in at just $749. Departures from other airports add a little to the price (For example, Chicago brings the total price to $849).

When you assemble the package, you can add or subtract days in either city, plus you can pick the hotel you want.

This means you can pick a hotel in the city center, or one in suburbs. The Parisian hotel list even lets you stay in Marne La Vallee, which just so happens to be the village where you'll find Euro Disney.

In addition to booking the package, you can also add ground transportation, tours and other activities.

Don't forget to check out our other top selling travel deals!

Daily travel deal - A romantic week in Paris and Barcelona for $749 originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galley Gossip: Swine flu on the airplane (a few things you can do)

Heather Poole — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: North America, South America, Japan, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Galley Gossip

Today I'm flying from Los Angeles to New York to start my reserve rotation for May. I'm bringing my son along with me. He's two. Because my husband travels on business often and I'll be on-call, my son will be spending eight days with grandma and grandpa. Oh sure I'll take the train out to see him in-between trips. That's not the problem. The problem is with all this talk about swine flu, I can't help but be a little nervous, not for me, but for him!

We'll be traveling by plane and in New York where 75 people in Queens were recently diagnosed with the disease. Did I happen to mention my crashpad is in Queens? I'll have zero control over where I'm going and how long I'll be there. When I voiced my concerns, here's what a few of my friends had to say...

"Heather, I think there's a Mexico City layover with your name all over it! Hee, hee!"
"Don't think you have to go to Mexico, Mexico will come to you. Start a new trend, nothing is hotter than a flight attendant with a Michael Jackson mask on! If you rock the body condom from the movie Naked Gun, I want to be there!"
"Every time I wake up in the MEX layover hotel I breathe a sigh of relief that I wasn't crushed in an earthquake overnight. Now if I can just not breathe while down there . . .
"The only other thing you need besides a diagnosis is a company that's not completely irrational and predatory about sick leave use. The company has denied me sick time, garnished pay for the days missed, and said to the union, "grieve it," which is a years-long process."

So what am I, the flight attendant, required to do if I see a passenger who may be exhibiting swine flu like symptoms?

Continue reading Galley Gossip: Swine flu on the airplane (a few things you can do)

Galley Gossip: Swine flu on the airplane (a few things you can do) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Millions of Brits are camping, world confused

Tom Johansmeyer — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Spain, United Kingdom

When I saw the headline in The Sun - the tabbiest of the British tabloids - I half dismissed it as nonsense and half looked out my window for four horsemen with a hell of a lot of attitude. Brits are flocking to the forests, it seems, thanks to a brutal drop in the British pound relative to the Euro. Camping is what they can afford.

This does seem like a just punishment for a nation that thought putting money in Icelandic savings accounts was a good idea.

According to a survey by travelsupermarket.com, more than 4.5 million Brits are going to be cracking out their tents this year. Apparently, however, camping has changed. Bob Atkinson from travelsupermarket.com says, "The humble holiday camp has come a long way since its invention in the 1950s. The entertainment has been updated to reflect today's needs." He cites examples such as indoor water parks and spa activities.

For a change, youth is not wasted on the young. Several travelers from this demographic are skipping the campsites and heading out for Spain. For younger British travelers, trips to this country are up - despite being down 23.4 percent for Brits as a whole.

Millions of Brits are camping, world confused originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 10 wine spots, none in U.S.

Tom Johansmeyer — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Europe, North America, South America, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile

I realize that, on the world stage, our homeland isn't exactly the most popular place right now. Part of it stems from eight years of political buffoonery, and a healthy dose comes from traditional "old world" bias against the United States. Like most of us, I've learned to adjust for a touch of this when I read international news coverage. To a certain extent, I understand it ... we're more like France than we realize. But, it's tough when our country doesn't get the credit it deserves.

This is especially the case for wine.

In an article detailing the top 10 wine spots in the world, Forbes deemed none in the United States worthy of the list.

1. Castello Banfi, Tuscany, Italy: not an adventurous pick for the top spot
2. Montes, Colchagua Valley, Chile: trying to seem enlightened, succeeds
3. Ken Forrester, Stellenbosch, South Africa: see #2, with the same results
4. Fournier, Mendoza, Argentina: doubling up on South America in the top five? Trying too hard ...
5. Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, Australia: could call for the middle of the pack
6. Felton Road, Central Otago, New Zealand: again with the doubling up ...
7. Bodegas Ysios, Rioja, Spain: classic location, should probably be higher
8. Quinta do Portal, Douro Valley, Portugal: this would have been more exciting at #3 or #4
9. Chateau Lynch-Bages, Bordeaux, France: obligatory, but at #9?
10. Peter Jakob Kuhn Oestrich, Rhein/Mosel, Germany: obviously added to the list out of a sense of obligation

And, where are we? No Sonoma? No Napa? Or, a break from the norm with Oregon?

The collection of wine destinations seems to a certain extent like a Little League awards banquet. No country is on the list twice, giving the impression that the reporter sought to dish out as many trophies as possible. The wide reach, of course, makes those absent even more evident.

As you can see, the list is more likely the result of a careful analysis of balancing out different regions and meeting reader expectations than it is a genuine reflection on the most interesting wine destinations in the world.

This is why I hate "listicles": they have less to do with the content than they do with managing perception. Blech.

Top 10 wine spots, none in U.S. originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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