Gadling

The Future Looks Hopeful For New York's Proposed Underground Park

Jessica Festa — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Biking, Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Stories, North America, United States, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, News, Theme Parks

Back in September, we told you about New York's proposed Delancey Underground, or "Low Line." While we were unsure of its future at that time, it now looks as if the city's first underground park will become a reality.

The park, which was inspired by New York's "High Line," an abandoned elevated railway, also makes use of the concept of disregarded spaces. In fact, the project's founders, Dan Barasch and James Ramsey, are planning to build the park in an abandoned subway station. People obviously love outlandish ideas, as the pair was able to surpass their Kickstarter goal by $50,000, raising $155,000 of crowd-sourced funding. For the Low Line to work, special technology will need to be used, and the pair will now be able to show people exactly how this will work.

For a better idea of what helped the proposed park's success, check out the Kickstarter video above.

What are your thoughts on an underground park?

The Future Looks Hopeful For New York's Proposed Underground Park originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 24 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

What Does Disney's Space Mountain Look Like With The Lights On?

Kraig Becker — Sat, 05 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Video, Theme Parks

Ever wondered what Disney's famous Space Mountain roller coaster looks like when the lights are on? If so, you're in luck because the video below was posted to The Disney Blog a few days back and it gives us all a behind-the-curtain look at one of the most iconic rides in all of the Disney parks.

The first Space Mountain opened at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, in 1975 and became an instant hit with visitors. The indoor coaster sends riders hurling through a series of sharp twists, turns and drops while remaining almost completely in the dark. That combination of speed and the tension of not knowing what would happen next has made it one of the top attractions in Disney parks ever since.

Rarely do guests in the park ever get to see what Space Mountain looks like when the lights are on, but in the video below riders on one of the park's "Peoplemovers" passed by while the interior was completely illuminated. The result is a great look at the inner-workings of the ride, which still look impressive.

What Does Disney's Space Mountain Look Like With The Lights On? originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Popular Destinations, Beyond Guidebooks

Chris Owen — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Budget Travel, Caribbean, Theme Parks

Taking another look at popular destinations from an expert's point of view, "Park Secrets" premieres tonight on the Travel Channel. The new series shows secret adventures that we might not see in the guidebooks, along with great places to stay, eat and play.

In the premiere episode, "Bright Lights, Big City," viewers explore parks hiding in plain sight in some of America's favorite big cities. Featured in the fast-paced show are Greek temples and spicy BBQ in Nashville; pancakes, bears and a secret farm in Boston; and popsicles and voyeurism on an elevated rail line in New York.

Another episode, "Private Islands," explores more of the best, unknown and secluded getaways that everyone can take. Not only for the rich and famous, "Park Secrets" points out that with the right tricks we can turn an island based-retreat into our own private getaway.

Continue reading Popular Destinations, Beyond Guidebooks

Popular Destinations, Beyond Guidebooks originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Buenos Aires' invisible amusement park

Laurel Miller — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, South America, Argentina, Video, Transportation, Theme Parks

Perhaps director Fernando Livschitz and the gang at Black Sheep Films were hitting the mate a bit too hard when they conceptualized this trippy video, but the result is a whimsical thrill ride through Buenos Aires' historic sites, including the Presidential Palace (La Casa Rosada).

Buckle up and enjoy the show!

Buenos Aires - Inception Park from Black Sheep Films on Vimeo.

Video: Buenos Aires' invisible amusement park originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video of the Day: Sheer terror on the Slingshot

Mike Barish — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Photo of the Day, Video, Video of the Week, Theme Parks

I hate scary amusement park rides. I understand that some people love roller coasters and loops and sudden plunges into dark caverns, but it's just not for me. You can save your trips to Cedar Point and roller coaster road trips for someone else. Because, quite frankly, the looks on the faces of the two men in this video, combined with their deafening screams, basically sum up how I react to amusement park rides. Theme parks can be fun but mostly because so many of them serve turkey legs.

And seriously, that was not a countdown!

Video of the Day: Sheer terror on the Slingshot originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the Day: Singapore's unusual theme park

Meg Nesterov — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Singapore, Photo of the Day, Theme Parks

This fellow is from one of Singapore's more unusual attractions - the Haw Par Villa theme park, also called Tiger Balm Gardens. Originally built in the 1930s by the creators of Tiger Balm to showcase Chinese folklore and mythology, the park is known for its bizarre and gruesome Ten Courts of Hell with such creepy statues and dioramas as a human-faced crab and bloody dismembered torsos (apparently it all makes sense if you know your Chinese mythology). It's been relatively deserted in recent years, making it all the more bizarre. You can see more photos of the park in Flickr user SingaPaulie's photostream. The MRT metro line was extended this fall and you can now ride the Circle Line train to the park.

Capture any odd attractions on your travels? Add your shots to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Singapore's unusual theme park originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Welcome to Hell's Gate in Rotorua, New Zealand

Jessica Festa — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Oceania, New Zealand, Video, Theme Parks

While you probably won't run into Satan, a visit to Hell's Gate in Rotorua, New Zealand, will immerse you in a world of boiling natural ponds, smoking sulfur pits, active volcanoes, and the Inferno, two violently erupting geothermal pools. The area, which was originally called Tikitere, looks so much like a trip to the underworld that when Irish Playwright George Bernard Shaw set his gaze on the area he immediately dubbed it "Hellsgate", as that's where he believed he was. In fact, it is said that Shaw, who was an atheist before visiting the site, converted his religion after spending a week there.

While New Zealand is located on the chaotic "Ring of Fire", Rotorua itself sits on the country's volcanic plateau, causing erupting geysers, mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and boiling hot natural pools. Hell's Gate itself formed over 10,000 years ago when an ancient lake emptied into the sea.

Along with being unique in landscape and natural features, Hell's Gate also has a rich history. The local Maori people have lived on the site for over 700 years. During those early years a young Maori princess named Hurutini, whose abusive husband was the Chief of the tribe, threw herself into one of the boiling pools to "remove the shame of her people". Sadly, Hurutini died in the pool, which now bears her name.

Despite the area's resemblance to the nether world, the natural properties found in the geothermal features of Hell's Gate actually make for a holistic and healthy experience. The sulfurous hot waters are good for healing wounds while black geothermal mud can help to cure arthritis and rheumatism. There is also an ice cold white mud that changes back and forth from liquid to solid that is used to relieve burns, and a grey mud that exfoliates and nourishes the skin. Luckily, there is an on-site spa where you can try all of these mud-healing treatments for yourself.

For a better idea of what Hell's Gate looks like, check out the video above. And keep in mind, none of this is man-made.

Welcome to Hell's Gate in Rotorua, New Zealand originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Visit the world's largest indoor rainforest resort

Jessica Festa — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Food and Drink, Europe, Germany, Hotels and Accommodations, Camping, Ecotourism, Women's Travel, Theme Parks

While Europe isn't typically known for it's tropical rainforests, a visit to the Tropical Islands in Germany can show you that they do indeed exist on the continent. In fact, the world's largest indoor rainforest is located right outside of Berlin in the town of Krausnick.

Located inside of a giant, 22,000 square foot dome, the indoor tropical resort is about the size of eight football fields and wins the title of the world's largest indoor rainforest, as well as the biggest tropical sauna and spa complex in Europe. The complex is also home to more than 29,000 plants while cocktatiels, parrots, and budgerigars provide animal life for the space.

There are many other features to this tropical paradise, as well. Visitors can relax on a man-made beach, swim in the "ocean", go mini-golfing, or partake in some overnight camping. For those who want a short break from the natural side of things, restaurants, bars, and shops are also located in the rainforest resort.

Green travelers will be happy to know that Tropical Islands is also eco-friendly, recycling swimming pool water to feed the plants as well as using natural UV light that seeps through the dome's massive panels. Rain showers also occur naturally inside the dome, forming from the humidity found inside the structure.

For more information, visit the Tropical Islands website.

Visit the world's largest indoor rainforest resort originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

10 best destinations to take a hot air balloon ride

Jessica Festa — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Transportation, Central America, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel, Theme Parks

When traveling, it's always fun to explore a city from a new perspective. And, what better point of view than from the sky? These ten air balloon destinations will not only immerse you in beautiful scenery, but will also give you access to hidden treasures you may not have seen from the ground.

The Pyrenees, Spain

The Pyrenees is a mountain range that forms a divider between Spain and France. Crossing the Pyrenees in general is an unforgettable experience, and making this journey by hot air balloon will make it that more memorable. Watch as Catalonian buildings begin to resemble a Monopoloy game board. Lush greenery fills your view as you get the chance to see Santa Margarita, an enormous, well-preserved volcano crater, from an aerial point of view. In the winter, the snow capped mountains give the relaxing ride a magical ambiance.

One great tour group to go through for this ride is Vol de Coloms, especially since they serve Cava, a Spanish sparkling-wine, and sweet bread during the flight.

Continue reading 10 best destinations to take a hot air balloon ride

10 best destinations to take a hot air balloon ride originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Australia plans world's largest marine park

Grant Martin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Oceania, Australia, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Theme Parks

An area the size of Germany and France combined is about to become the world's largest marine park off of the north-east coast of Australia. Including a broad swath of the Coral Sea (where the Great Barrier Reef currently resides), the massive area is home to some of the most exotic sea creatures in the world as well as several important shipwrecks from World War II.

The protection afforded from the creation of this park will guarantee that the floral, fauna and archaeological species will continue to thrive unhindered by manmade causes, and will almost definitely pave the road for further tourism in the region.

Announced late last week, the Guardian indicates neither name nor official boundaries for the park as of yet. The government of Australia will release further deals within ninety days.

Continue reading Australia plans world's largest marine park

Australia plans world's largest marine park originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Want to walk up a giant, looping roller coaster?

Jessica Festa — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, Stories, Europe, Germany, Budget Travel, News, Women's Travel, Theme Parks

On November 13, 2011, the "Tiger & Turtle - Magic Mountain" sculpture in Duisburg, Germany, opened to the public. This isn't your average piece of public art, however, as it is designed like a giant roller coaster with stairs and slopes that people can actually walk on.

Traversing over the sculpture, visitors will be put 148 feet above the surrounding countryside, gaining access to great views of the famous Rhine. While trekkers will reach great heights, they unfortunately will not get to go upside down, as the intimidating-looking loop actually contains stairs that keep you standing straight up.

The piece, which took one year to build, was created by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, who describe the sculpture like this:

"The curved flight of stairs inscribes like a signature on the landscape and recruits the nimbus of the classical roller coaster. Having a closer look, the public is disappointed in a disarming way. The visitor climbs on foot via differently steep steps the roller-coaster-sculpture. So the sculpture subtly and ironically plays with the dialectic of promise and disappointment, mobility and standstill. Visitors happen to briefly meet with oncoming visitors on the steep and about 1m | 1yd wide corridors. Led-lights are integrated in the handrails and highlight the flight of stairs so the sculpture is accessible at night, too."

Make sure to visit during the day, as well as at night, when the LED lights are on.

Want to walk up a giant, looping roller coaster? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photos of Mangyongdae Funfair

Elizabeth Seward — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Photos, Asia, North Korea, Theme Parks

The Mangyongdae Funfair is a North Korean amusement park known for its rusting rides and harnesses that don't quite lock. For North Koreans, it's an amusement park the same as Disney World is an amusement park for Americans. Being that there are only roughly 1,500 Western tourists that travel to North Korea each year (compounded by the fact that each traveler must have a guide with him or her at all times), few Western travelers ever experience the Mangyongdae Funfair, and so there are few photos of the rickety, but still-working amusement park surfacing online--at least within the online destinations I frequent. A recent post on Kuriositas.com, however, displayed some great photos of the park. After viewing the photos, I was moved to share that link, as well as a couple other good ones, with you.

And so, here they are, amuse yourselves with photos of this famed destination park.

http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/10/mangyongdae-last-funfair-in-north-korea.html

http://www.lindsayfincher.com/north-korea-cheating-death-at-the-mangyongdae-fun-fair-the-disneyland-of-pyongyang.html

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=77015846@N00&q=fun%20fair

Continue reading Photos of Mangyongdae Funfair

Photos of Mangyongdae Funfair originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New smartphone app shows users how to have an authentic Australian experience

Jessica Festa — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Surfing, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Photos, Oceania, Australia, Hotels and Accommodations, Camping, Transportation, Airports, Budget Travel, Internet Tools, Nightlife, News, Travel Health, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel, Theme Parks

AUSTRALIA: Where To Go is a new smartphone app that gives insider advice on how to navigate through Australia and see the major sites as well as get off the beaten path. The app is opinionated and does not include all there is to see in Australia, but only what is worth seeing. If a destination makes it into the app, then you will get all there is to know on that particular place.

While users will get bullet-pointed guides on what to do and where to dine and stay, they will also get in-depth profiles of specific venues. To give you a better idea of what you should expect before you go to a destination, the app features photo slideshows. Not only that, but entries are filtered by categories such as water, outback, wildlife, family, etc.., so travelers can plan their trip according to their lifestyle and tastes.

And don't worry if you don't have Wi-Fi where you travel to, as this app works offline, too.

Available on iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. $4.99. Click here to download.

New smartphone app shows users how to have an authentic Australian experience originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Host and experience budget-friendly local tours all over the United States

Jessica Festa — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Biking, Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Surfing, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Stories, North America, United States, Camping, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Nightlife, Women's Travel, Theme Parks

HipHost, a new "peer-to-peer marketplace for socially-hosted local tours", not only gives travelers a way to experience new cities from a local's point of view, but also gives people an opportunity to make extra cash.

Anyone who wants to share their local knowledge can be a HipHost and design a tour based on anything they find interesting. Some tour topics include art, culture, fitness, architecture, history, hiking, markets, music, and more. It's free to sign-up and guests pay for tours in advance, so hosts don't have to worry about losing money to no-shows.

Moreover, anyone interested in learning about a topic can search for affordable tours and see a region from a local perspective without paying big tour company prices. Afraid you won't enjoy your tour? HipHost guarantees a full refund if customers are not satisfied.

Some of the many tours being featured right now include:

a 2 hour tour of the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market in San Francisco, California, including maps and insider knowledge on the products and prices ($30/per person)
a 3 hour photography tour that will allow guide customers through various New York neighborhoods to see and photograph the "real streets of New York" ($45/per person)
a 2 hour cycling tour of Chicago, Illinois ($20/per person)

And many, many more. Click here to sign-up for and/or host a tour.

Host and experience budget-friendly local tours all over the United States originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

A profile of travel writing school Matador U

Jessica Festa — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Learning, Business, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Gear, Blogs, Photos, Stories, Hotels and Accommodations, Books, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Internet Tools, Nightlife, News, Consumer Activism, Cruises, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel, Theme Parks

As someone who has been traveling around the globe since before I can remember, I have always dreamed of being a travel writer. While I would often blog about my trips to my friends and family, write about my trips for school papers, and create websites and content for (unpaid) internships, I never realized that travel writing was something that normal people could actually make a living out of.

Matador has always been one of my favorite travel websites, so when I saw that they were offering a MatadorU travel writing course, I became interested. I did a bit of research, read reviews and feedback from other students, contacted the instructors, and, after deciding it sounded worthwhile, signed up. Plus, I liked the fact that they allow you to try the course for a week for $10 to see if you like it, risk free.

Continue reading A profile of travel writing school Matador U

A profile of travel writing school Matador U originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rama: a smartphone app for history lovers

Jessica Festa — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Business, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Photos, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Transportation, Budget Travel, Internet Tools, Nightlife, News, Middle East, Women's Travel, Theme Parks

Rama is a smartphone app that not only guides you through your favorite cities while giving you historical details, it also makes the past come alive through archival photographs that show users exactly what a particular destination or site once looked like. See the rocky swamp that is now Central Park, walk through Chicago right after the Great Fire, experience the wild atmosphere of Mardi Gras during the Depression, or visit the few lonely buildings in San Francisco after the Earth quake hit in 1906.

Some of the available tours include:

Wildest of the West (Leadville, Colorado)
New Orleans in 1937 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Before Times Square (New York)
Lower East Side Jews (New York)
Lee's Retreat (begins in Richmond, Virginia)
Dublin's 1906 Rising (Dublin, Ireland)
Discovering Pompeii (Pompeii, Italy)
Jack the Ripper (London, United Kingdom)
Battle of Jerusalem (Jerusalem, Israel)

And, many more. Click here to view a complete list of guided tours. Tours cover Africa, South America, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America.

Available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Price ranges from free-$2.99 depending which tour you choose. To download the app from iTunes store, click here.

Rama: a smartphone app for history lovers originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

5 best smartphone apps for travelers who can't get online

Jessica Festa — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Biking, Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Surfing, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Photos, Hotels and Accommodations, Airlines, Camping, Transportation, Airports, Budget Travel, Internet Tools, Nightlife, Travel Health, Cruises, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel, Theme Parks

While you can basically download an app for anything you could possibly need to do on your smartphone, there are many times when traveling where you may find yourself unable to get Wi-Fi. When offline, many of these helpful apps become useful. To help you during those times when you find yourself traveling and unable to get online, here are five excellent travel apps for your smartphone that will work no matter what your connection situation is.

Jibbigo

For those times when you want to communicate with locals but can't speak the language, this voice translator allows you to speak in English into the device and have your words spoken back to you in the language of your choice. Downloads are currently available in English to German, French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Tagalong (Filipino).

Available for iPhone, iPad, and Android. $4.99 per download.

GlobeMaster: Offline Travel Guide & Utilities

This app is a global travel guide for over 1,400 cities and more than 260 countries. Users will have access to practical information from WikiTravel content about the food, culture, festivals, holidays, traditions, and transportation of a place. Other features of the app include over 1,400 photos, travel reccommendations, a tip calculator, currency converters, advice on how to stay healthy, and more.

Available for iPhone and iPad. $0.99.

Tourist Eye

Not only does this app include travel information for over 60,000 destinations, but you get personalized recommendations for your trips based on your preferences. The app also allows you to share details of your travels on Facebook and Twitter for friends and family to see.

Available for iPhone and Android. Free.

JiWire

If you really can't go any longer without Wi-Fi, this free app will show you exactly where the nearest location is to get connected. There are over 145,000 free locations around the globe, and you can even filter by what type of location you prefer (cafe, library, etc...).

Available for iPhone, iPad, and Android. Free.

XE Currency Converter

Calculate prices and convert currency with this free app that contains over 30,000 currencies. If you go offline, the program will simply use the most recent rate update to perform calculations.

Available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Phone 7. Free.

5 best smartphone apps for travelers who can't get online originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ajungo, the new social network platform just for travelers

Jessica Festa — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Business, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Gear, Blogs, Photos, Stories, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Antarctica, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Airlines, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Internet Tools, Nightlife, Airline Reviews, Cruises, Central America, Caribbean, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel, Theme Parks

Sick of searching through advice sites and hearing reviews from who only knows? Wish you could connect with other travelers about past or upcoming trips and events? Love social networking but wish you could interact with others in your travel niche? Then there is a brand new social media website just for travelers that brings together all of these platforms into one site.

Ajungo, created by Ben Barton and Steve Shea, is a brand new networking site that allows travelers to connect before, during, and after a trip. Here is how it works:

1) Create a profile and link all of your social networking sites. What this does is allows the site to funnel through your social networking platforms to pull information and funnel it around specific
destinations.

2) Find others who have been to your destination of choice and look through their posted trip or ask them for advice. Or, you can find others who will be in your destination of choice and plan to meet up or travel together.

3) Create your trip canvas, which consists of enabling the sites real-time travel guide feature so that the site can pull your photos and updates while you're on your trip. This allows other travelers to learn from your experience as well as acts like a blog or trip journal by keeping your trip memories organized and sharing them with friends.

The goal of the site is to make travel more social as well as more comfortable for people going to new destinations. And, if there is any information that you do not want shared, the site will not post it without your permission.

Make connections with travelers, view their trips, find travel buddies, or just interact with others in the travel community. It is all possible on Ajungo.

Ajungo, the new social network platform just for travelers originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Longest zip-line in the world at Palau's new eco theme park

Jessica Festa — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Oceania, Palau, Ecotourism, News, Theme Parks

Palau is no longer just a destination for underwater adventure. This destination in Micronesia, which is ranked as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world, has recently opened the Palau Eco Theme Park, home to one of the longest zip line courses on Earth.

The three-course zip-line that allows participants to get really high about the trees, flying over the Taki Waterfall Park in the State of Ngardmau. Because story-telling is also a major focus of the theme park, these waterfalls were selected to provide the backdrop (or underdrop) for the experience not only because of their beauty, but also because of the legend that is associated with them. Apparently, an eel with magic powers once changed into the river itself, with its head being the waterfall.

With the length of each section running between 300 and 340 meters (about 985 to 1,115 feet), this course is no joke, and is said to be one of the longest zip line courses in the world.

For more information on Palau Eco Theme Park you can call (680) 747-1004.

Longest zip-line in the world at Palau's new eco theme park originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Six Flags Magic Mountain to add insane Drop of Doom ride in 2012

Joel Bullock — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Theme Parks

Six Flags Magic Mountain recently announced an unexpected and exciting addition for 2012. The park was already able to boast the most roller coasters of any theme park in the World this year and now it looks to claim another record next year. Magic Mountain has unveiled plans for LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom. At over 400 feet (40 stories) tall it will be the World's tallest drop ride.

The park's Superman: Escape from Krypton roller coaster features two twin 415-foot tall towers. Roller coaster cars are launched from zero to 100 mph down the twin tracks and then up these two spires. Those two skyscraping towers are going to be used as the structure for the LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom where riders will drop 400 feet at an unreal 85 mph. After falling for five seconds, which will probably feel like an eterntity, the riders will come to a halt just a few feet from the ground.

To put this insane drop in context, the tallest drop rides in the United States are around 300 feet tall. The view from 400-feet up should be beyond breath-taking. I have to imagine that the wait will be ridiculously long with only two eight-person wide gondolas, but I'm betting that many will gladly wait hours for such an experience. Read more about this new ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain's LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom page and watch the preview video below.

Six Flags Magic Mountain to add insane Drop of Doom ride in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments