Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Travel Smarter 2012: How cloud services are changing the way we travel]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/17/travel-smarter-2012-how-cloud-services-are-changing-the-way-we/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/17/travel-smarter-2012-how-cloud-services-are-changing-the-way-we/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/17/travel-smarter-2012-how-cloud-services-are-changing-the-way-we/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

cloud services

One of the most often hyped facets of the upcoming tech industry is the concept of the Cloud. The term is often used to describe a set of services or functions that exist online and independent of a user's devices, allowing one synchronous access to information and other content across multiple web-based clients. While that sounds simple in theory, the concept has remained a bit nebulous for many consumers, who still haven't connected with how cloud services and computing work or how it can benefit them in the long run.

As a bit of an earlier adopter and a self confessed gadget geek, I've been excited about the potential for the Cloud for some time. And over the past few months I've jumped into the technology with both feet, seeing now the of what it can bring to the table, as well as how it can benefit us as we travel.

One of the simplest and most productive cloud services in existence is Dropbox, which has been around since 2008, but really seems to have taken off in the past year or two. Dropbox is quite simply a cloud storage solution that gives you the ability to quickly and easily share files with friends, family, and coworkers. It can be accessed through the web or by installing a small program on your computer, which then automatically syncs your designated Dropbox folder and files to the cloud. There are also apps available for Android, iOS, and Blackberry which grant access to those same files on your mobile device.

Dropbox is a handy tool for travelers who may have a need to access their files while on the road or might want to share something with those back home. It is particularly handy for grabbing important work documents while away from the office or getting the most updated version of a file that is still being worked on by co-workers. The service is great for working collaboratively with others while not in the same location, and it allows for the sharing of documents that are too large to attach to an email. Dropbox photo albums make it a snap to share images from your travels while still on the road, and it is a great place to save a back-up of the manuscript you've been writing about your big travel adventures.

Continue reading Travel Smarter 2012: How cloud services are changing the way we travel

Travel Smarter 2012: How cloud services are changing the way we travel originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud computingcloud servicecloud servicesCloudComputingCloudServiceCloudServicesDropBoxicloudskydrivetechtechnologyTravelSmarter2012Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Taking Travel: interview with Bert the Conqueror at Alaska's Fur Rondy (video)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/27/taking-travel-interview-with-bert-the-conqueror-at-alaskas-fur/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/27/taking-travel-interview-with-bert-the-conqueror-at-alaskas-fur/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/27/taking-travel-interview-with-bert-the-conqueror-at-alaskas-fur/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In the spirit of journeying during periods less traveled, I've embarked to Alaska this winter. Follow the adventures here, and prepare to have your preconceived notions destroyed along the way.

Talking travel and having a laugh with Bert the Conqueror

So it ain't so! During our time here at Alaska's 76th running of Fur Rondy, we happened upon a true travel legend: Bert Kreischer. You may know him better as the comedic genius and star of The Travel Channel's 'Bert the Conqueror,' and this weekend, he ventured up to Anchorage for his coldest, most extreme adventure yet. He participated in the Outhouse Races as well as a sophisticated snowball fight dubbed Yukigassen, and when I asked him if he'd become Alaskan enough to consider entering the Iditarod... well, you'll just have to watch and find out. We cover everything from what kind of food he's been eating here in The Last Frontier to his strategy (or lack thereof) for toppling his opponents when it comes time to fire off a round of snowballs.

My trip was sponsored by Alaska Travel Industry Association, but I was free to report as I saw fit. The opinions expressed in this article are 100% my own.

Taking Travel: interview with Bert the Conqueror at Alaska's Fur Rondy (video) originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelalaskaalaska 2011Alaska2011Bert KreischerBert the ConquerorBertKreischerBertTheConquerorFur RendezvousFur Rendezvous 2011fur rondyfur rondy 2011FurRendezvousFurRendezvous2011FurRondyFurRondy2011interviewouthouse racesOuthouseRacesvideowinterwinter in alaskaWinterInAlaskayukigassenSun, 27 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blogger Chris Owen]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/06/blogger-chris-owen/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/06/blogger-chris-owen/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/06/blogger-chris-owen/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo:Chris OwenWhere was your photo taken?
At Misty Fjords, Alaska on the wing of a seaplane that I had used to tour for the day. In this photo we had landed on a pristine lake where the only sound we heard was a bear or beavers fishing. Or so said the guide -- it might have been Uncle Zeb splashing around in the bushes for all we know.

Where do you live now?
Orlando, Florida aka Paradise to this guy who spent a few too many cold, angry winters farther North.

Scariest airline flown?
Spirit Airlines from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale and just last July. It was like being on a prison plane. "We leave in 5 minutes, seated or not!" and I think they meant it. Gilda, the Nazi cabin attendant was overheard saying "I can't wait until we get the stand-up seatinig" with glee.

Favorite city/country/place?
St Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands where I will live some day. I have friends who already made the jump and they just love it there.

Most remote corner of the globe visited?
Mt McKinley in Alaska, the highest peak in North America. I did not climb the peak but did wave at the ants below as we flew around them in a plane much like my dad had when I was a little kid.

Favorite Guidebook series?
Frommers, but I have to tell you, I used guidebooks once and that was about it -- and that was a long long time ago. I like going places recommended by friends or travel writers as best bets, out-of-the way places and hardly ever touristy attractions except for the "I did that" factor.

Worst hotel experience ever?
The Colby Hotel in Colby, Kansas. Winter of some year when I was a little kid. We drove through a bizzard from Kansas City to way Western Kansas at about 12 miles an hour the whole way. Got to the hotel and we were the only ones in it and everything was shut down. We burned furniture in garbage cans outside to cook with and melted snow to have drinking water.

Dream travel destination?
Egypt including a cruise on the Nile. I'm pretty sure I was of royal ancestry in a previous life but won't know for sure until I arrive there some day. Yes, I really mean that. In 8th grade a Social Studies teacher made us do exacting hand drawings of pyramids and other structures. I was hooked then and probably always will be until I get there... or get back, depending on how it all plays out.

Favorite means of transportation?
Cruise ship/liner of course! No matter what happens on land, I always have a nice cozy cruise ship to come back home to at night. The last Non-US hotel I stayed at was in London and I didn't like it one bit. I was quite a hit in the hotel lobby though asking where I get "more of these pieces of money" referring to the odd bills with strange faces and coins of strange sizes.

Have you ever had an unexpected layover? What did you do?
At Chicago, Midway. I had flown in for a job interview and was scheduled to fly out the same day. When I got there I had the fastest interview in history and that guy was gone. I found out later after lake-effect snow shut everything down why he wanted out so fast. I was stuck there for two days. I pretended I was a traveling talent agent looking for new acts. You'd be surprised the things people will do/sing/play if they think they have a chance to be famous.

Blogger Chris Owen originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlaskaChris OwenChrisOwenGuessingMon, 06 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten great Washington D.C. restaurants]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/27/ten-great-washington-d-c-restaurants/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/27/ten-great-washington-d-c-restaurants/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/27/ten-great-washington-d-c-restaurants/#commentsFiled under: ,

All that political activism (or running, as the case may be) is making you hungry. But since traditional "best" lists focus almost exclusively on the expensive, we thought we'd provide a more rounded-out list of a few of our favorite Washington D.C. restaurants, striving for variety in both location, type and price point. If we've left off your favorite, leave it in the comments, below - and stay tuned for tomorrow's list of bars and nightlife destinations.
New Favorite:
Carmine's
Looking for a place to carb-load pre marathon? Search no further. D.C.'s largest restaurant stormed into town earlier this fall to much fanfare - the New York-based chain offers generous (and delicious) family-sized portions of classic Italian favorites like spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parmesan and tiramisu. Be sure to come with a group - each entrée serves three to four hungry adults!
Old Standbys:
Matchbox
With two locations (Chinatown and Capitol Hill), this local go-to dishes out wood-fired pizzas, to-die-for mini burgers and a selection of classic American faves for lunch and dinner daily (plus a great weekend brunch). They don't take reservations, but try your luck and you'll find an affordable and delicious dining experience.
Clyde's
Opt for the Georgetown or Chinatown outpost of this DC staple, which serves up classic American fare that's filling, delicious, and affordable. Sample chicken n' waffles for brunch, or fuel up for a night on the town with a burger and fries.

Continue reading Ten great Washington D.C. restaurants

Ten great Washington D.C. restaurants originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dcdc diningDcDiningmarch against fearMarchAgainstFearrally to restore sanityRallyToRestoreSanityWashington D.C. restaurantswashington dcWashingtonD.c.RestaurantsWashingtonDcWed, 27 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Five things to know when planning a Washington, D.C. vacation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/five-things-to-know-on-a-washington-dc-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/five-things-to-know-on-a-washington-dc-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/five-things-to-know-on-a-washington-dc-vacation/#commentsFiled under: ,


Chances are that a lot of the visitors to the Nation's Capital this week are visiting town for the Rally for Sanity, March Against Fear or the Marine Corps Marathon. Combine this with Halloween, which already draws record crowds to places like Georgetown's M Street for annual parties, and you can assume that D.C. will be experiencing significantly higher-than-average traffic this weekend.
Here are five things you need to know to blend in - or at least assimilate - during your stay:

1. Learn how to ride the Metro. Properly.
Nothing annoys locals more than tourists who don't know how to ride the metro. Make everyone's lives easier by putting enough money on your fare card (or investing in a plastic SmarTrip card if you're planning on using Metro parking) and by familiarizing yourself with a Metro map before visiting. When using the escalators, follow the cardinal rule: walk on the LEFT and stand on the RIGHT.

2. The Mall is not a shopping destination.
The National Mall, where, if you're visiting for the Rally or March, is where you'll spend most of your time, is not a shopping plaza. Do not expect a visit to Nordstrom or the Gap to be on your itinerary. Bounded by the Capitol on one side and the Washington Monument at the other, this grassy stretch features many Smithsonian museums, but very few shops (unless you really like gift shops, in which case we'd suggest the one at the National Gallery of Art -- it's quite good).

3. Pay attention to traffic rules.
One way streets, traffic circles, and strange parking restrictions? We have lots of those. Pay attention when driving, and by all means stay off your cell phone. Not only is talking whilst driving illegal, but attempting to snap a photo on your iPhone while navigating Dupont Circle is likely to get you or that innocent bicyclist into an accident.

4. Dress ... appropriately.
Yes, D.C. gets a lot of flack for its lack of fashion sense. But that doesn't give you an excuse, dear tourist, to trudge along in your "I heart DC" hoodie and Obama-emblazoned fanny pack. Nor should you sport six-inch hooker heels. We are not New York - runway models will not be discovered on the street. We are not Seattle - grunge is not cool. Think classic with a touch of prep and you'll blend right in.

5. Leave the politics at home.
This one may seem strange, particularly with midterm elections fast approaching and a Rally or March to attend. But please, don't engage the locals with your opinion of how Obama is amazing, or how you wish Sarah Palin would be our next President. We live and breathe this stuff daily, and chances are ... we know more than you. Unless you'd like to listen to a 15-minute diatribe of statistics, quotes, and overtly partisan speeches ... keep your opinions to yourself. Or at least among your fellow tourist bretheren.

Five things to know when planning a Washington, D.C. vacation originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Gadling: Your name/nationality/religion/race makes the locals hostile]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/11/your-nationality-makes-the-local-hostile/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/11/your-nationality-makes-the-local-hostile/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/11/your-nationality-makes-the-local-hostile/#commentsFiled under: ,



In a perfect world, every place would be friendly and welcoming to foreigners, no matter their background or lifestyle. However, history, politics, religion, and just plain ignorance means some countries can be hostile to certain travelers based on race, faith, nationality, sexual orientation, or gender. While careful consideration should be given before traveling to potentially hostile countries, you may be limiting yourself if you choose not to visit a place for fear of being unwelcome.

Travel is a key part of increasing tolerance and understanding and can make the world a smaller place. Don't let stereotypes, rumors, or the past color your opinions without getting every side of the story and researching the reality of a place. Laws may be loosely enforced, popular sentiment may only reflect a vocal minority, and individual people can always surprise you with kindness.
View more Ask Gadling: Travel Advice from an Expert or send your question to ask [at] gadling [dot] com.

Just because a country doesn't roll out the red carpet to greet you, doesn't mean you won't be welcome and comfortable. My husband is an American citizen born in Russia, and his passport lists place of birth (his old passport read Leningrad, USSR). While he hasn't set foot in his homeland in over 30 years, just the name on his passport can cause issues with countries with complicated relationships with Russia. On a recent trip to Bosnia, we were detained for several nerve-wracking minutes at Passport Control while they scrutinized his documents and asked questions about our purpose in Sarajevo. The same thing happened in Bulgaria, where they spoke to him only in Russian while he answered in English. Both times, we were eventually let into the country with some semblance of a smile, but any apprehension was soon overcome by the hospitality of the locals proud to show off their cities.

If you plan on visiting a potentially hostile country, there are a few precautions you should take to ensure you are safe and at ease.

Continue reading Ask Gadling: Your name/nationality/religion/race makes the locals hostile

Ask Gadling: Your name/nationality/religion/race makes the locals hostile originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askgadlinghostileInternationalTraveltravelMon, 11 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Q & A with Daniel Edward Craig, author and hotel consultant]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/28/gadling-q-and-a-with-daniel-edward-craig-author-and-hotel-consult/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/28/gadling-q-and-a-with-daniel-edward-craig-author-and-hotel-consult/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/28/gadling-q-and-a-with-daniel-edward-craig-author-and-hotel-consult/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Daniel Edward Craig shares a name with the current James Bond, and like 007, he's a world traveler and a man of many hats. He's taken a career in hotel management and a keen ear for storytelling and parlayed it into a murder mystery book series, an engaging industry blog, and a hotel and social media consultancy. Here he tells Gadling about his history in the travel world, who's providing the best social media content for travelers, and what's next in hotel trends.

Tell me about your history in the hotel and travel business.

I've worked in hotels off and on for about twenty years. I started on the front desk at the Delta Chelsea Inn in Toronto and went on to work for a range of hotels, from big-box to boutique, in positions ranging from duty manager to vice president. Most recently, I was vice president and general manager of Opus Hotels in Vancouver and Montreal.

What title do you think best captures your profession these days?

These days I work as an author and hotel consultant. I left Opus at the end of 2007, shortly after my first novel was published, to complete the second and third novels in the Five-Star Mystery series. Now I am working on a fourth book as well as various consulting projects for the hotel industry, ranging from social media strategy to executive coaching. I also continue to write my blog and articles about the hotel industry. It's been a rough few years for hotels, and I think we could all use some levity, so in my writing I try to take a lighthearted look at issues.

Continue reading Gadling Q & A with Daniel Edward Craig, author and hotel consultant

Gadling Q & A with Daniel Edward Craig, author and hotel consultant originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>authorBest WesternBestWesternblogbostonchicagocliftconciergeconsultantcontestsdaniel craigdaniel edward craigDanielCraigDanielEdwardCraigElysian HotelElysianHotelfacebookfour seasonsFour Seasons George VFourSeasonsFourSeasonsGeorgeVGramercy ParkGramercyParkhkhotelshotel industryHotelIndustryhotelsintercontinentalinterviewiron horse hotelIronHorseHoteljames bondjames bond 007JamesBondJamesBond007joieJoieDeVivrelondonlos angelesLosAngelesmilwaukeemobilemondrianmontrealmysterynew yorkNewYorkOpus HotelOpusHotelpan pacificPanPacificqared carnationRedCarnationsan franciscoSanFranciscoservicesocial mediaSocialMediastorytellingtorontotrendstwittervancouvervideoxv beaconXvBeaconTue, 28 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A conversation with Joe Diaz, co-founder of AFAR]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/14/a-conversation-with-joe-diaz-co-founder-of-afar/http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/14/a-conversation-with-joe-diaz-co-founder-of-afar/http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/14/a-conversation-with-joe-diaz-co-founder-of-afar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last year you've heard of AFAR media and their new magazine that's currently making waves around the travel industry. As one of the few companies to risk starting a print publication in a transitioning media landscape, there's plenty at risk in this endeavor, but the strategy runs deep at AFAR and the innovation is plenty.

Earlier this month, Gadling's Editor in Chief sat down with AFAR co-founder Joe Diaz to catch up on new developments at the startup.

Grant Martin: Congratulations on the success of Afar to date -- how are things settling in for you as the co-founder of a major publication?

Joe Diaz: Things are going well. We have the opportunity to work in media in such an exciting and evolutionary time. AFAR has entered the game at an opportune time. Others call this the "bottom" or "worst time ever" to start a media company. Obviously, we see it another way and believe that the demands of today's consumers were not being met in the travel space. Judging from the success of our launch it looks as though AFAR is fulfilling the desires of today's experiential travelers. Our magazine launched with much success and I'm really excited about the upcoming launch of AFAR.com

GM: Right, your magazine is only a small part of the Afar portfolio with a large portion of Afar Media set to unfurl on the web in 2010. How is that progressing?

JD: The entire team is really excited about the launch of AFAR.com, a social network meets social search site that gets people like you to answer questions you have about travel. We are headquartered in San Francisco for a reason and that reason is AFAR.com. We plan on entering our beta in late June of 2010. We are now beginning to invite well-heeled travelers and members of the tech community to join us in shaping and improving the site. I encourage you to "try out" for our beta at http://private.afar.com.

Although we see our site as a revolutionary progression in the online travel space, our platforms always drive back to our company's core values. In this case, it's all about connecting travelers to other travelers, locals and businesses in ways that fit their individual way of traveling.

Continue reading A conversation with Joe Diaz, co-founder of AFAR

A conversation with Joe Diaz, co-founder of AFAR originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 14 May 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afarafar mediaAfarMediainterviewjoe diazJoeDiazFri, 14 May 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Travel: Andrew Zimmern discusses bizarre foods]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/08/talking-travel-andrew-zimmern-discusses-bizarre-foods/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/08/talking-travel-andrew-zimmern-discusses-bizarre-foods/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/08/talking-travel-andrew-zimmern-discusses-bizarre-foods/#commentsFiled under:

Andrew Zimmern is best known as the host of Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. But before he was traveling the globe eating glands, connective tissue and anuses, he was an acclaimed chef, writer and expert in Chinese cuisine. The new season of his Travel Channel program premieres later this month and, in anticipation of that, he chatted with us about a wide range of topics.

When we started our conversation, Andrew was in an editing room helping his producers identify meats from an episode filmed in Argentina. He pointed out thymus glands and sweet breads as easily as you or I would point out our friends in a photograph. During the rest of our discussion, we touched on subjects ranging from his iron constitution to the American culinary psychology to just how educational his television program actually is.

So what are Andrew Zimmern's favorite foods? What is the one thing that he absolutely cannot stand eating? And what other Travel Channel host does he have a not-so-secret crush on? Andrew Zimmern shared it all with us.

Continue reading Talking Travel: Andrew Zimmern discusses bizarre foods

Talking Travel: Andrew Zimmern discusses bizarre foods originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andrew ZimmernAndrewZimmernanthony bourdainAnthonyBourdainbear gryllsBearGryllsbizarre foods with andrew zimmernBizarreFoodsWithAndrewZimmernfoodinterviewSamantha BrownSamanthaBrownstrange foodStrangeFoodTravel ChannelTravelChannelThu, 08 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Travel with Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/talking-travel-with-avalon-travel-writer-joshua-berman/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/talking-travel-with-avalon-travel-writer-joshua-berman/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/talking-travel-with-avalon-travel-writer-joshua-berman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman, whose Moon Belize guidebook (8th edition) hit book stands in October, took time from his busy book tour to answer a few questions about travel, writing, and living and breathing idyllic Central America.

Don't forget to enter the Gadling Giveaway of the latest edition HERE (you only have until tomorrow to enter!), or read my glowing review of Moon Belize HERE.

Enjoy the interview!

GAD: Not that I'm criticizing your choice here, but how did you end up in Belize? In your mind, what makes it such a special travel destination?
JB: It was a natural northerly progression, beginning in Nicaragua in 1998, where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer; followed by Honduras as both a trip leader and guidebook researcher. Then one day my publisher asked if I would take over Moon Belize from Chicki Mallan, the book's original author, who was retiring. I said yes.

GAD: Based on your experiences living and traveling in Nicaragua and other parts of Central America, how does Belize contrast with its neighbors?
JB: Belize is less crowded, more diverse, more expensive, and just as tranquilo as Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America and its heritage as a British colony also makes it stand out from the rest of Central America (including Belizeans' unique affinity for dark beer and stout).

Continue reading Talking Travel with Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman

Talking Travel with Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalonbelizegiveawayjoshua bermanmoonmoon belizetalking travelTalkingTraveltravel readTue, 17 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Travel with Step Back from the Baggage Claim, Jason Barger]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/talking-travel-with-step-back-from-the-baggage-claim-jason-barg/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/talking-travel-with-step-back-from-the-baggage-claim-jason-barg/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/talking-travel-with-step-back-from-the-baggage-claim-jason-barg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jason Barger already knew a fair amount about people before he headed off his 7-day, 7-airport travel spree to do nothing but watch them interact. He'd spent many a spring break leading adolescents and adults on house-building ventures in Mexico, a trip that took him through various airports with a band of travelers of all ages, for example.

Wanting more fodder to further develop his ideas about airport behavior and what it says about humanity, he decided to airport hop logging thousands of miles and observations as he zig zagged across the U.S. While he watched people either shine with behavior that would make Mom proud --or in such a way that if they were a piece of luggage no one would claim them, Barger honed his ideas about how the airport is a perfect metaphor for modern day life.

The result was Step Back from the Baggage Claim, a book that Barger hopes people will leave on a bench somewhere for someone else to pick up once they're done reading it. The result of passing the book along will be that people will think about how they interact as they move through their day.

Ever since I read Barger's book, I've made my own observations about airport interactions. It does seem he's onto something. Over the past months since his book came out, gaining steam through venues like the Washington Post and ABC News, I've kept up with Barger's efforts. Yesterday, there was a post on his new video.

Today is a Talking Travel interview with questions Barger answered through e-mail in between a trip to the Dominican Republic to help with a house-building effort there. If you are looking for a tasty bite to eat that's not expensive while passing through an airport, Barger has a suggestion.

With Thanksgiving travel rapidly approaching, listening to Barger's advice to step back from the baggage claim is not a bad idea.


Continue reading Talking Travel with Step Back from the Baggage Claim, Jason Barger

Talking Travel with Step Back from the Baggage Claim, Jason Barger originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Detroithuman behaviorHumanBehaviorhumanityinspirationJason BargerJasonBargerMiami International AirportMiamiInternationalAirportpsychologySeattleStep Back from the Baggage ClaimStepBackFromTheBaggageClaimTalking TravelTalkingTraveltravel booksTravelBooksWashington PostWashingtonPostWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Travel: David Farley, Author of An Irreverent Curiosity]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/13/talking-travel-david-farley-author-of-an-irreverent-curiosity/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/13/talking-travel-david-farley-author-of-an-irreverent-curiosity/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/13/talking-travel-david-farley-author-of-an-irreverent-curiosity/#commentsFiled under: ,

Striking a balance between being informative and being entertaining is one of the most difficult aspects of non-fiction writing. And when it comes to travel writing, it becomes even more challenging. The author needs to educate readers about people and places while also keeping them engaged in his own personal story. Thankfully, travel writer David Farley has done just that and managed to go the extra mile of writing a truly enjoyable, educational and funny chronicle of his time in Calcata, Italy searching for Jesus' foreskin. Yes, you read that correctly. He was searching for the lost foreskin of Jesus and details it in his new book, An Irreverent Curiosity

Along the way, he met a wide array of locals, each quirkier than the last. He deceived priests at the Vatican, befriended a woman who talks to birds and managed to put a tiny village back on the map. I recently sat down with Farley at a bar in New York City to discuss his adventure, how he ended up being called Gary Coleman and what it's like to be known as "the foreskin guy."

Continue reading Talking Travel: David Farley, Author of An Irreverent Curiosity

Talking Travel: David Farley, Author of An Irreverent Curiosity originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>An Irreverent CuriosityAnIrreverentCuriosityCalcataCatholicCatholicismChristChristianityDavid FarleyDavidFarleyforeskinGary ColemanGaryColemaninterviewItalyJesusJesus ChristJesusChristrelicRomeVaticanMon, 13 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bing Travel: "We save the average couple $50 per trip"]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/12/bing-travel-we-save-the-average-couple-50-per-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/12/bing-travel-we-save-the-average-couple-50-per-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/12/bing-travel-we-save-the-average-couple-50-per-trip/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hugh Crean is the general manager of Bing Travel, Microsoft's new travel search engine. Microsoft is trying to chip away at Google's search engine dominance, and Bing Travel is part of a multi-pronged effort that also includes shopping and health-related microsites. Crean's company, Farecast, was acquired by Microsoft last year and folded into MSN Travel. I asked Crean about what Bing means to travelers.

Q: Farecast. MSN Travel. Now Bing Travel. My head is spinning! Couldn't you just leave well enough alone?

Crean: It's true that we're giving the guy who changes our name on the front door some good business this year, but we're excited that as part of the overall Bing search strategy, Bing Travel is a solution that a lot of travelers will discover and learn about in the coming weeks, months and years. Frankly, we're simplifying things. With Bing Travel, Microsoft now has a single online destination for travelers.

Q: How is Bing Travel different from MSN Travel?

Crean: For starters, we incorporated all the great Farecast features - price predictor, hotel rate indicator, deals, planning tools, fare alerts, and more. Plus, we added the travel editorial travelers have used and read for years at MSN Travel. Beyond those core features, we have a really deep integration with Bing.com that makes Bing a great search site for travelers. Try a general Web search on Bing.com for 'flights from LAX to SFO.' Right at the top of the results you'll see our prediction on whether to buy now or wait, deals out of LAX, a link to our flexible travel tools and more.

Continue reading Bing Travel: "We save the average couple $50 per trip"

Bing Travel: "We save the average couple $50 per trip" originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingchris elliottChrisElliottchristopher elliottChristopherElliottmicrosoftsearch enginSearchEngintraveltravel toolsTravelToolsFri, 12 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Costello: "The traveling public cannot be ignored any longer"]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/05/costello-the-traveling-public-cannot-be-ignored-any-longer/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/05/costello-the-traveling-public-cannot-be-ignored-any-longer/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/05/costello-the-traveling-public-cannot-be-ignored-any-longer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Jerry Costello is the co-sponsor of the FAA Reauthorization Bill of 2009, which contains several important new rules designed to help air travelers. I asked the Illinois congressman, who is also the chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, about passenger rights and the prospects that new rules would be adopted by the Senate and signed into law.

Q: The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index gives the domestic airline industry an average score of 64 our of 100 -- essentially, a failing grade. What do you think needs to be done to fix the industry?

Costello: Ultimately, service will be as good as an individual airline wants it to be. The economic pressures of running an airline - which hit rock bottom after 9/11, through the boom period of the middle of the decade, to another lull currently - will always be there. It is a cyclical business. The key is to be able to focus on the customer experience at all times, and Congress can help emphasize these issues.

Q: The FAA Reauthorization Act contains a number of provisions that could potentially help passengers. If they become law, which of the new rules do you think will improve air travel the most?

Costello: Short-term, I believe the emergency contingency plans for airlines and airports to better prepare for long tarmac delays can have an impact on the worst of these situations. We won't eliminate all of these situations, but I am hopeful the horror stories will be dramatically reduced. Long-term, empowering the Joint Planning and Development Office to really drive the NextGen process, and providing the funding to do it, will improve the system for everyone.

Q: In a statement following the passage of the Act, you called the new law "long overdue." Can you elaborate on that? When it comes to passenger rights, how long overdue are these new laws? Why do you think it's taken so long to get here?


Continue reading Costello: "The traveling public cannot be ignored any longer"

Costello: "The traveling public cannot be ignored any longer" originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlinesairportchris elliottChrisElliottchristoper elliottChristoperElliottFri, 05 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crop circles are back!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/05/crop-circles-are-back/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/05/crop-circles-are-back/http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/05/crop-circles-are-back/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Remember crop circles, those strange shapes that started appearing in the Nineties in fields all across England? We haven't heard much about them lately, but according to an article in the Guardian's G2 magazine, this year hikers in England's beautiful countryside should see a bumper crop. May was a banner month, and new circles are already showing up in June. The article has an interesting gallery of some of this year's best and gives a step-by-step guide to making your own, although there are more detailed instructions at How Stuff Works.

Nobody is sure when the crop circle phenomenon actually began, but simple designs caught the attention of UFO researchers in the Seventies. Soon simple circles weren't enough and designs became more and more elaborate. Paranormal investigators argued whether they were made by aliens, earth spirits, or dozens of other possible sources. They tried to ignore the TV interviews with artists who showed how you could flatten wheat into designs with simple tools such as a board and rope. The craze eventually spread to mainland Europe, Japan, and North America.

Some artists have even created an organization called Circlemakers and boast of their work on their website. Not only have these guys done the typical circles and designs, they've also done ads for Shredded Wheat, Nike, and Hello Kitty.

Continue reading Crop circles are back!

Crop circles are back! originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienscrop circlecrop circlesCropCircleCropCirclesmysteryparanormalparanormal activityParanormalActivityufoufosFri, 05 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[American Airlines' Mitchell: We want to give passengers "what they value most" ]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/29/american-airlines-mitchell-we-want-to-give-passengers-what-th/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/29/american-airlines-mitchell-we-want-to-give-passengers-what-th/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/29/american-airlines-mitchell-we-want-to-give-passengers-what-th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mark Mitchell, American Airlines' managing director of customer experience, is the point man for customer service at the airline. With the summer travel season now underway, I asked him how air travelers could have the best possible experience, and what airlines like American are doing to make it better.

Q: What can air travelers do to get the best possible customer experience from an airline like American?

Mitchell: Our goal is to provide travelers the best possible experience, and it begins long before someone steps inside an American Airlines plane. We strive to ensure that our tools, processes and interactions make it easy for someone to choose American -- whether it's booking online at aa.com or redeeming AAdvantage miles with our new flexible awards booking tool or making a call into our reservations system. And once in our care, the American Airlines team is committed to doing everything within its power to offer travelers the best customer service.

We take this very seriously. More than 200 employee-led teams across our network over the past two years have been working to identify issues and develop solutions within six key issues customers care about: delays and delay management, gate interactions and the boarding experience, on-board interaction, cabin interior condition, baggage handling and baggage resolution.

Q: Is it possible to run a profitable airline and have happy customers? Or does an airline have to choose one over the other?

Continue reading American Airlines' Mitchell: We want to give passengers "what they value most"

American Airlines' Mitchell: We want to give passengers "what they value most" originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 29 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americanamerican airlinesAmericanAirlineschris elliottChrisElliottchristoper elliottChristoperElliottFri, 29 May 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Travel with with Karen Schaler, author of "Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/22/talking-travel-with-with-karen-schaler-author-of-travel-therap/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/22/talking-travel-with-with-karen-schaler-author-of-travel-therap/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/22/talking-travel-with-with-karen-schaler-author-of-travel-therap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Karen Schaler is the author of Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go? A former embedded war correspondent in Afghanistan, she's experienced the highs and lows of travel. I asked her how to get the most out of your next vacation.

Schaler: It's all about changing your attitude by changing your environment. By using travel therapy, visiting different destinations can help you deal with what you're going through in life. Whether you're going through a breakup, lost your job, stressed out, looking for a way to add some sizzle to your relationship or re-invent yourself you can use travel therapy to make sure you're picking the trip that's best for you based on what you need and want.

Q: Where did the idea come from?

I personally have been using travel as my therapy for years to not only help me get through the tough times but to also celebrate special occasions. I got the idea after I returned from working as an embedded war television correspondent in Afghanistan. I was going to the gym when I was grumbling about something insignificant and said out loud, "I need to get on a plane, I need some travel therapy." It was like -- bam.

I had been using the concept for years but had never put it into words. I knew I had to write about it so I could share the idea and hopefully help others pick vacations and special trips matching their emotions. So I finished the documentary I was working on about Afghanistan and quit my television career of more than 15 years. I knew there was more I could do and contribute so I cashed in my 401K and starting traveling and doing the research for the book.

Q: At a time like this, when travel -- especially air travel in the United States -- is awful, shouldn't people be staying home when they want any kind of therapy?

Schaler: It all depends on your personality and where your head and heart is.

Continue reading Talking Travel with with Karen Schaler, author of "Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go?

Talking Travel with with Karen Schaler, author of "Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris elliottChrisElliottchristopher elliottChristopherElliottkaren schalerKarenSchalerFri, 22 May 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[US Airways customer service director: À la carte fees are the only way forward]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/08/us-airways-customer-service-director-a-la-carte-fees-are-the-on/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/08/us-airways-customer-service-director-a-la-carte-fees-are-the-on/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/08/us-airways-customer-service-director-a-la-carte-fees-are-the-on/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

John Romantic is the director of customer relations and central baggage resolution at US Airways. But he'd prefer that you simply think of him as your advocate at the airline. For the last nine months, he's had the unenviable job of improving the carrier's checkered reputation for customer service. I asked him how he's doing it.

Q: I've been hearing a lot of buzz about some of the changes within US Airways, when it comes to handling customer service questions. And I've seen a marked decrease in reader complaints. What are you doing?

Romantic: We are doing a lot, and we're glad there is a buzz starting.

My goal when taking my position nine months ago was to transform customer relations from a complaint resolution center into a customer advocacy center. Better said, while we handle customer inquiries, we also need to globally understand customer sentiment and use all of that data to look at our product, policies, and processes. Our focus is to find ways to be easier to do business with.

Q: How?

Romantic: We code 100 percent of the customer responses we receive, and have created better reporting from this data. We have established an executive steering committee which meets regularly with the primary focus of understanding our customers' feedback, and finding ways to improve our customers' experience resulting in reduced complaints. The work of this team has lead to several recent changes - with some still in progress.

We realize we have a little more ground to make up on customer complaint rankings, but our actions are starting to close the gap with our competitors.

Continue reading US Airways customer service director: À la carte fees are the only way forward

US Airways customer service director: À la carte fees are the only way forward originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christopher elliottChristopherElliottcustomer serviceCustomerServiceelliottinterviewtalking travelTalkingTravelus airwaysUsAirwaysFri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Travel with Equitrekking's Darley Newman and Chip Ward]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/04/talking-travel-with-equitrekking/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/04/talking-travel-with-equitrekking/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/04/talking-travel-with-equitrekking/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have you ever dreamed of seeing the world on the back of a horse? I've had my fair share of horseback adventures, so it's definitely something I'd love to do. It's certainly an eco-friendly and challenging mode of travel.

Equitrekking, the first travel television series to explore the world on horseback, takes viewers horseback riding around the world to experience history, adventure and culture with local people. Darley Newman, the show's hostess, and her husband Chip Ward, its producer, searched the world for the best places to horseback ride. Everywhere they go they ride on local breeds of horses.



Gadling had the privilege of sitting down with Darley and Chip to learn more about Equitrekking and to talk travel. Enjoy!

GADLING: Thanks for taking time to correspond with Gadling! Where are you now, and what are you travel plans in the foreseeable future?

Darley: We've just gotten back from riding with the gauchos in Uruguay, our 27th episode, and we're traveling to Montana, Jordan, Peru and Alberta next.

GADLING: What is the ultimate aim of your Equitrekking series?

Chip: Our initial goal was just to get ONE episode on PBS. Now we have 26 episodes broadcasting in over 93% of the country and Equitrekking broadcasts internationally in over 25 countries. We also have a coffee table book, Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback, and our website has become a great resource. We couldn't have dreamed it better. That said. It's been a lot of hard work. We just hope to continue traveling and producing Equitrekking, because we love doing it and it's a special series. There's really nothing else like it on television.


Continue reading Talking Travel with Equitrekking's Darley Newman and Chip Ward

Talking Travel with Equitrekking's Darley Newman and Chip Ward originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chip WardDarley NewmanDarleyNewmanequitrekequitrekkinghorseback ridingHorsebackRidinghorsestalking travelTalkingTraveltravel showTravelShowMon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rosetta Stone's Adams: World travelers should learn Spanish, Chinese]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/01/rosetta-stone-s-adams-world-travelers-should-learn-spanish-chi/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/01/rosetta-stone-s-adams-world-travelers-should-learn-spanish-chi/http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/01/rosetta-stone-s-adams-world-travelers-should-learn-spanish-chi/#commentsFiled under: ,

International travelers know what a formidable barrier a foreign language can be. From time to time, language spills over into the headlines - as it did last week when Fidel Castro insisted his brother's comments about political reform in Cuba were "misunderstood." Tom Adams knows about language barriers and how to overcome them. He's the chief executive of Rosetta Stone. Yeah, the company with the ads featuring a hardworking farm boy and an Italian supermodel. I spoke with him recently.

Q: Can you get along with just English when you travel internationally?

Adams: You can if you're traveling to major cities and don't plan to really engage. However if you're trying to go into the field and really discover a culture and a country, then yes, you do need another language. I think that anyone who has successfully learned another language knows that the benefits are tremendous. Those that experience success communicating in a new language often describe it as life-changing.

Q: Let me confess, I'm one of the people who makes fun the tourists who try to learn a language before they visit another country, or worse, they tote around a phrase book and read from it. Convince me of the error of my ways.

Continue reading Rosetta Stone's Adams: World travelers should learn Spanish, Chinese

Rosetta Stone's Adams: World travelers should learn Spanish, Chinese originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 01 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christopher elliottChristopherElliottelliottrosetta stoneRosettaStoneFri, 01 May 2009 14:00:00 EST