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Shoulder Season Travel Deals Have Arrived

2015-09-12T08:20:00.001-07:00

Shoulder Season Travel Deals Have Arrived

Christine DiGangi

Here's how much you save by waiting until after Labor Day to head to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.

When it comes to traveling, most people are familiar with the ideas of peak seasons and off-seasons — that taking a vacation is generally more popular (and more expensive) in July than in January. Between those extremes is shoulder season, the not-quite-best (or worst) time to go to specific destinations, which means there may be deals to score by booking fall travel.

The passing of Labor Day signifies the unofficial end of summer for many Americans, but you might be able to cling to warm weather and beach days by looking into a later-than-usual vacation. Travel analysts at Expedia say you can get an oceanside vacation for up to 38% off peak-travel prices by traveling in September or October, while the weather is still suitable for spending the day on the beach.

The analysts looked at flights from the top 10 departure cities in the U.S. (among them Chicago, Houston, New York and Los Angeles) and compared the prices of travel and lodging during peak months (June 1 through Aug. 31) and the shoulder season. Here’s what some of the average savings look like, according to Expedia’s analysts.

Flights

Hawaii
Average ticket price: 17% less than during peak months
Mexico (Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun)
Average ticket price: 8% less than during peak months
Caribbean
Average ticket price: 7% less than during peak months

Hotels

Mexico
Average daily rate: 16% less than during peak months
Caribbean
Average daily rate: 16% less than during peak months
Hawaii
Average daily rate: 9% less than during peak months

Savings could be even greater (or less) depending on your specific destination and hotel choice, which is why it helps to do some research before committing to an itinerary. If you’re a credit card user, you might be able to further boost your savings by redeeming travel rewards. No matter how you pay for your vacation or how big of a deal you can get when booking it, it’s always crucial to make sure you’re not blowing your budget, because a relaxing getaway and happy memories tend to not be worth dealing with debt later on.

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.

Cuba: Palos Verdes Art Center program to include museum visits

2013-08-02T14:40:00.001-07:00

Cuba: Palos Verdes Art Center program to include museum visits

By Jane Engle

Get to know the art and people of Cuba on a tour sponsored by the Palos Verdes Art Center. The eight-day trip is a licensed cultural exchange program that includes visits to museums, art centers and homes of residents.

In addition to visiting Havana, the group will travel to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Trinidad and Cienfuegos, where participants will meet with Cubans and learn about their lives and the centuries-old sugar industry. The exchanges will be led by Mary Drobny, a Cuba specialist and art historian, along with a bilingual Cuban guide.

Date: Oct. 25-Nov. 1.

Price: $3,250 a person, double occupancy; $400 single supplement. The price includes seven nights’ lodging, round-trip airfare between Miami and Havana, Miami airport tax, visa, medical insurance, transportation within Cuba, entrance fees, most meals and a night of entertainment with Cuban music and dance. It does not include a Palos Verdes Art Center membership ($60 for a family; $50 for an individual), a $200 donation to the art center, tips to the guide and driver or Havana airport tax.

Info:Gail Phinney, Palos Verdes Art Center, (310) 541-2479 Ext. 305; gphinney@pvartcenter.org.

2013: Top new trips to emerging places

2013-07-30T19:06:00.003-07:00

2013: Top new trips to emerging places

Every year new destinations open up to adventurous travelers, whether through the efforts of enterprising tour companies, better access to backcountry, or increased political stability.

Be warned: these picks aren't for kicking back on the beach with a margarita—unless you're rewarding yourself after a 100-mile trek from the Colombian Andes. Now, you can cycle the once forbidden island of Cuba, explore unseen corners of Patagonia, and track gorillas in the deepest rainforest.

Check out our picks below before the rest of the world catches on:

Tsavo, Kenya: Africa's Appalachian Trail

Tropical Ice Ltd. is setting new standards for the continent's hiking options by guiding a seriously epic, long-haul trekking trip across central Africa. The 100-mile-plus walk traverses the massive Tsavo West and East national parks, following the courses of the Tsavo and Galana rivers.

The walking safari takes 11 days, utilizing 8 of the company's camps. As co-owner Iain Allan says: "The wonderful thing about this walk is that it follows no roads, only trails created by hippo and elephant, so we're able to explore some really remote areas—the Africa of my youth."

Also, Artisans of Leisure is offering new trip options in Kenya, on a broader basis.

Raja Ampat Archipelago, Indonesia

With more than 1,300 species of fish, six of the world's seven species of sea turtles, and at least 450 species of reef-building coral, biologists have good reason to dub the Raja Ampat (or Four Kings) Archipelago the "Amazon of the Seas."

In 2013, Asia Transpacific Journeys is pioneering a snorkeling expedition to this isolated corner of ocean, led by marine biologist guides, and Seattle-based outfitter SeaTrek Sailing Adventures provides trips in the region aboard its traditional ironwood Phinisi schooners.

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos has been a leading model of eco-tourism for years, but even the best-laid plans can feel stale if you're looking for a true off-the-grid adventure.

A new Ecuador-based eco-outfitter, Opuntia, is starting to offer a new alternative to the islands' classic sailing trips with well constructed tours of the Galapagos' rugged interiors. They offer multisport adventure tours based out of boutique hotels on three different islands in the Galapagos. Think hiking active volcanoes, mountain biking coastal wetlands, kayaking with sea turtles and sharks, and snorkeling with sea lions.

ROW Adventures offers land-based Galapagos itineraries, as well.

Nicaragua: Volcano Surfing

This small, once off-limits Central American nation has long been attracting adventurous surfers and hikers, and in 2013, with a slew of new ecolodges opening, it's poised to draw even more travelers looking for thrills with a bit more comfort in mind. Sea kayakers are discovering its miles of pristine coastline and massive inland lake, and trekkers can explore the volcanoes and wildlife-viewing opportunities inland.

Austin-Lehman is introducing a new trip here this year that features mountain-climbing and black-sand "surfing" down Cerro Negro, and Adventure Life and Access Trips are introducing new Nicaragua tours, too.

Albania: A Trip Back in Time

As Albania's economy grows, more of its roads are being paved and long-haul cycling trips are becoming a more appealing option. You can pedal between friendly villages, through mountain passes, to undeveloped coastline— imagine exploring Croatia by bike 20 years ago.

Freewheeling Adventures is one outfitter starting to lead tours here this year, including a nine-day trip with days spent swimming at Dhermi, the country's most famous white-sand beach, and overnights in historic Gjirokastër, a UNESCO-protected town built around a 12th-century citadel.

If you prefer crafting your own itinerary, a number of new rental companies are cropping up in Albania's capital city, Tirana. The Tirana Backpacker Hostel, for one, has high-quality sets of wheels for €5 a day and provides suggested routes and points of interest.

Colombia: Peaks, Paddles and Pedals

Ringed by some of the best beaches and surf breaks on the continent, with jungle-clad Andes peaks at its core, Colombia is starting to make good on its geography after years of unrest, by opening up its countryside to active travelers.

A number of outfitters are starting to offer trips here. Adventure Life, for instance, is introducing not one, not two, but three new itineraries to Colombia in 2013 that include mountain-biking through the lowland tropics, old colonial towns, and coffee plantations, rafting the white water of the Chicamocha Gorge, and hiking.

Isla Navarino, Chile

Argentina's Ushuaia may be famous as the southernmost city on Earth, but it's tiny, tiny Puerto Williams, Chile, on Isla Navarino, that can lay claim to being the southernmost settled community on the planet. An overnight in the wind-whipped fishing community is a highlight, but the rugged surroundings are the real draw.

From Puerto Williams, hearty hikers with navigation experience can head out on the Dientes Circuit, an unmarked track that circumnavigates the island. (A good map and working compass are musts.) There are no established campsites—this is roughing it—but the views across the water of the other mountainous islands of Tierra del Fuego are incredible. The Dientes track was developed in the late '90's, but only in recent years has it started to gain real traction, as the number of trekkers in other Patagonian regions continue to grow and those seeking solitude are driven elsewhere.

Now, travelers more comfortable with support can enlist one of a half-dozen or so outfits offering trips of the Dientes. Erratic Rock is one of the best guiding companies in the region.

MORE: 10 amazing new travel adventures for 2013

The Kamchatka Peninsula, Siberia

For years, the rugged Kamchatka Peninsula was off limits to tourism since it was the home base for Russia's nuclear submarine fleet. But after the end of the Cold War, many visa restrictions were lifted, and Russia is starting to give U.S. outfitters permits to operate here.

"Very lately tourism (in particular fly fishers in the summer) have started to return to this untouched wilderness, and the Russian government is allowing summer flights directly from Alaska to Kamchatka in order to foster the area's tourism development," says Ted Martens, of Natural Habitat Adventures.

Nat Hab will be offering an intensive new expedition to the region: 100 miles of hiking and kayaking from the foot of the active Karimsky Volcano, across the Siberian taiga to the headwaters of the Zhupanova River, through valleys with steaming geysers and roaming brown bears, ultimately reaching the Bering Sea.

Also, Frontier Travel is introducing a salmon fly-fishing trip to the Ponoi River on the Kola Peninsula.

The Patagonian Corridor: Land's End

For years, some of Patagonia's most famous sanctuaries—Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park and Chile's Torres del Paine National Park—happened to be surrounded by some of the least developed land in an already staggeringly remote region. Now that's starting to change.

New roads and boat access are being introduced in the so-called Patagonia Corridor, the region that connects these two iconic parks with the Austral Way (the very end of the Pan-American Highway) and the base camps of Villa O'Higgins, in Chile, and El Chalten, in Argentina. That means it'll soon be much easier for mountaineers and climbers to explore the two parks and all the glaciers, peaks, and valleys in between.

Robinson Crusoe leads exploratory itineraries across the region.

Georgia: The New Alps?

A unique convergence of East-meets-West, Georgia combines the cultural appeal of medieval villages and old-world charm with massive snow-capped peaks and vast valleys. Georgia's 750-mile-long string of Southern Caucasus mountains, many of which top out above 16,000 feet, were long considered off limits due to political instability with neighboring Russia.

But after the first democratic election in the Republic of Georgia's history, in 2011, the Caucasus are starting to show up on more and more mountaineers' radars, andGeographic Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures are just two of the many outfitters taking notice and offering new trips here this year. Natural Habitat Adventures' Ted Martens sums up the country's appeal as a mix of untapped natural beauty and navigational ease.

"There's visa-free entry and many new and modern hotels, roads, and other infrastructure have been built to facilitate tourism," he says. "Our trips take place just south of the Russian border, an area that's peaceful as well as stunningly beautiful for trekkers and horseback riders."

The Azores: Hawai'i of The Atlantic

New direct flights from the States (just five hours from Boston) are making this remote volcanic archipelago newly accessible to U.S. travelers. The nine Azores Islands lie in the North Atlantic, about 930 miles west of the Portuguese coast, but their lush landscape seems more akin to something you'd find in the South Pacific. Visitors can trek between bright green peaks and geysers, bathe in open-air natural thermal pools, and spot 24 species of whales and dolphins that migrate past the Azores year-round.

Futurismo Azores Adventures offers trips from its base on São Miguel island, including diving excursions with local marine biologist guides. Hikers, meanwhile, can tackle the Azores' signature peak, Mount Pico—at 7,713 feet above sea level, the tallest point in the islands—in a two- to four-hour round-trip trek on Pico island.

Sweden's Arctic: Northern Lights on Skis

Seeing the Northern Lights is a bucket-list dream for many, but it's typically a pretty elusive goal. The pale green and pink celestial spectacle comes courtesy of a complicated scientific process—when highly charged electrons from the solar wind haphazardly collide with gaseous particles in the earth's atmosphere. In other words: Sightings are never guaranteed.

But prognosticators say that this winter may be the best in fifty-plus years for viewing the Lights, thanks to unique conditions during the 2012-2013 season. The pristine fjords of northern Sweden are one of the best places to experience the glowing show, and KE Adventure Travel is one of a few operators taking advantage. KE has a newNordic ski tour, with husky-dog sled support and overnights in cozy mountain huts.

If you'd prefer a DIY trip, be sure to include a visit to the Aurora Sky Station, in Swedish Lapland's Abisko National Park for your best chances at a light show.

Wales: Hiking the Wales Coast Path

All 1,000-plus miles of Wales' dramatic coastline are now accessible to hikers and equestrians thanks to a newly completed path that rings the entire country. The new Wales Coast Path links together existing trails, taking in some of the most undeveloped stretches of cliffs and beaches, along with old-fashioned, family-owned inns.

Trekkers can hike and haul their own packs or enlist companies like Celtic Trails orContours Walking Holidays to transfer their belongings between B&Bs. Horseback-riding trips are set to be introduced along the route this year, too.

Madagascar: Indian Ocean Outpost

The consistently high winds whipping along Madagascar's northern coast have put it on the map in a big way with wind- and kite-surfers. Aficionados say the conditions are world-class, but it's still a new enough sport here that there aren't crowds—though you may attract curious groups of friendly locals looking on from the beach.

Madagascar shines away from its shores, too, with a fantastical mix of plants and animals. More than 90% of the island-nation's wildlife is endemic, including playful lemurs, a long roster of bird species, and the cat-like fossa. Huge stands of native Baobabs—or monkey-bread trees—are also unique to the country.

Kensington Tours is starting to offer safaris to Madagascar this year.

Bhutan: A Pristine Kingdom

This year, access to this formerly closed-off kingdom will be easier than ever, as the only airline that services Bhutan, Drukair, will start offering daily flights from Bangkok, New Delhi, and Singapore. Internal flights are set to begin soon, too.

The country is already the host to a famed one-day, 166-mile mountain-bike race,Tour of the Dragon, and this year, Bio Bio Expeditions, Asia Transpacific Journeys, and OARS will begin leading new multi-sport itineraries here, including whitewater rafting, jungle trekking, and, of course, mountain biking.

"These are perhaps some of the finest sections of Class IV to V whitewater in the world, with beautiful scenic views and untouched forests carving through terrain that few have seen," says OARS Trip Designer Barbara Neary. "Along the route, when travelers are not on the river, they will have a number of opportunities to interact with Bhutanese monks—who are always welcoming and engaging—at their monasteries and dzongs."

Mongolia: Land of Genghis Khan

The real appeal of Mongolia will always be in its seemingly endless green steppe, and horseback trips will forever be the best way to experience it, but to get there, you have to first navigate the country's capital, Ulaan Battor. And for years, a lack of infrastructure (or much of anything) limited access there.

Now, as the government introduces plans to double the country's foreign visitors to two million in coming years, that's changing. Foreign hotel chains are breaking ground in Ulaan B, and a new domestic airline, Mongolian Airlines, started flights last year and has plans for adding additional destinations within Asia this year.

A number of outfitters, including MIR Corp. and Nomadic Journeys are starting to lead horse-pack trips here, overnighting in traditional gers and visiting with reindeer herding families near Mongolia's alpine Lake Hovsgol.

Uganda: Gorillas In Your Midst

Uganda's mix of unique wildlife (mountain gorillas and chimpanzees) and natural wonders (the Nile, Murchison Falls, and the Rwenzori Mountains) is making it a big draw for 2013.

For the first time this year, Abercrombie & Kent is engineering its new itinerary to include days dedicated to tracking chimpanzees with university scientists. Guests explore Uganda's Kibale Forest, home to thirteen species of primates, including chimpanzees and mangabeys, as well as 300 species of birds. Later in the trip, there are days devoted to viewing other impressive game, on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

"Because the region occupies the main migration corridor between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there is prolific plains game here, primarily topi and Uganda kob, buffalo, hippos, and some of the largest herds of elephants anywhere in Uganda," says Abercrombie & Kent's Jean Fawcett. "Spotted hyenas are common and leopards are occasionally glimpsed, but the prime attraction is the large lion population."

Deeper Africa also introduced a new primate-tracking trip to Uganda in 2012.

The Congo: Rainforest Ecolodges

Long overshadowed by the violence of its larger neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the smaller Republic of the Congo is just starting to show up on tourists' radars.

That's thanks in large part to two new luxury safari camps opening this year in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, which at long last will give travelers the chance to appreciate the pristine rainforest and wildlife-spotting opportunities in the RoC's rugged Congo Basin. Visitors can track western lowland gorillas and elephants with local guides (members of indigenous Pygmy tribes) and then overnight in luxury at high-end base camps.

Boundless Journeys is offering trips here, as well as the Africa Adventure Company.

Sri Lanka: Tropical Island Hopping

An untouched trio of mountains, jungles, and white-sand beaches has put Sri Lanka on travelers' maps for years, and now the country's recent stability has made it a more appealing option in South Asia than ever before.

In the interior, there's whitewater rafting, climbing, temple treks, and elephant spotting, while the coasts offer great surf breaks and kite-surfing havens. In 2013, there will be new outfitted trips here from Kensington Tours, Asia Transpacific Journeys, with another to follow in 2014 from Civilized Adventures.

Jordan: Trek the Middle East

When EasyJet added flights from the U.S. to Jordan last year, it paved the way for easier travel to this mountainous country. Now, a newly developed rural hiking route in the north of the country, The Abraham's Path, allows hikers to meet and interact with local people in a genuine way.

Two new ecolodges, one set in a remote part of the Dana Biosphere Reserve and the other at a hot spring near the Dead Sea, are offering new-found comforts, and KE Adventure Travel is pioneering long-haul cycling itineraries across the country this year. Boundless Journeys' new-for-2013 trip, meanwhile, will focus on hiking.

Botswana: Safari By Paddle

The spectacle of Victoria Falls and the lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, and giraffes of the Okavango Delta have long made Botswana a top safari destination. Now, companies like Explore Africa are starting to showcase the country's paddling options, as well, with new trips along the Selinda Canoe Trail, a four-day, three-night paddling trip through the Selinda Wildlife Reserve.

Explore Africa is also introducing a way for equestrians to experience Botswana, with a new three-day horseback-riding trip out of Camp Kalahari, a traditional tented camp on a palm-fringed island known for its vast herds of zebra. Zu/'hoasi Bushman guides live nearby. There's also a new wildlife safari from Austin-Lehman Adventures and another from Uncharted Africa.

Cape York Peninsula, Australia

For all its fame and sea life, it's no secret that the Great Barrier Reef is losing its luster to bleaching and tourism. Still, the further north you go from the hotspots of the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns, the two main GBR jumping-off points along Australia's eastern coast, the more locals like to boast about the improved conditions of the GBR, and for good reason.

But none of the off-the-beaten-path beach towns along the mainland can compete with the undeveloped tracts of Cape York Peninsula, at the very northeastern tip of the continent. Even the heartiest Aussie will admit that this land is truly out there. It's accessible only via puddle-jumper planes and dirt roads suitable only for 4x4s, but for those divers and fishermen looking to taste the waters of the GBR as they were a century ago, this is truly the best bet.

However, the clock's ticking, as Australia's big-money mining companies eye the remote region for possible development for bauxite mines.

Koh Phangan, Thailand: Wild Beyond The Parties

This Gulf of Thailand island has long been famous with the backpacker set for its raucous full-moon party, but this year, its first airport opens, direct flights from Bangkok begin, and a number of new eco-minded lodges open up. Koh Phangan is poised to draw a more active, less hedonistic crowd.

Just like its more famous sister island, Koh Samui, Phangan has countless palm-fringed white-sand beaches, some of them reachable only by boat; but unlike Samui, Phangan also boasts a mountainous jungle at its core, most of which is protected as national parkland by Thailand. Visitors can trek across rolling green hills to seek out secluded waterfalls and snorkel in the pure waters offshore.

Namibia: Ancient Sands

There are only a few places in the world where you can discover pristine landscapes on foot, without a marked trail, where you can sleep out under the stars, and Namibia's NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of them.

The 200,000-hectare sanctuary hosts a number of guided walking safaris across sand dunes and lunar desert landscapes—or you can take a hot-air balloon tour above them. Sand skiing is starting to be developed here, along with sand boarding, hiking (the rim of the second biggest canyon on Earth is a popular trail), kayaking, and visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site at Twyfelfontein, which is said to hold the highest concentration of Bushmen paintings found in a single area in southern Africa.

ROW Adventures is beginning trips here, as well, including hiking in the Namib desert, tracking the elusive black rhino, and viewing desert-adapted elephants.

Ruaha, Tanzania: Safari on Foot

Since a recent boundary extension, Ruaha is now the largest park in Tanzania and, along with several adjoining game reserves, part of a massive mega-wilderness. The park has only a handful of tented campsites, all of which are concentrated in one condensed area, leaving a vast system of woodlands and rivers to explore.

This year, Ruaha wardens are making that easier than ever by opening up the major roadless sections of the park to a limited number of walking excursions. You can spot the Big Four (no rhinos) and experience true seclusion in the park. Mark Thornton Safaris seems to be leading the pack, with a few new Ruaha itineraries this year, along with Immersion Journeys.

"Often we focus on the river systems with hippos, crocs, and elephants," says Mark Thornton, of his namesake company's trips. "We also venture deep into the miombo woodlands for what we feel may be the deepest remote bush immersion there is."

Guyana: The Other Amazon

Truly one of the last untouched pockets of one of the last frontiers, Guyana's tract of Amazon rainforest is starting to open up to eco-tourism. A trio of lodges in Guyana (Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge, and Rock View Lodge) opened in recent years with the participation of the local Amerindian peoples, and in 2012International Expeditions piloted a tour here, including hikes through the jungle to massive waterfalls and excursions to spot 800-plus bird species at the Asa Wright Nature Center in nearby Trinidad.

International Expeditions Emily Harley says Guyana has been the company's radar for years. "It was actually the first place that our Director of Program Development visited outside of the U.S. when he was studying biology in college," she explains.

"He's watched the area closely since then, but recognized that it needed some improvements to the overall infrastructure before it could support visitors. Now Guyana as a country is trying to develop its tourism base in a green and sustainable fashion, and we found a combination of activities, lodges, and guides that made this the absolute right time to offer Guyana to our travelers—there are gorgeous hikes, paddling, canopy walkways and so much more."

Myanmar: Cycling The Land of Temples

As Myanmar (Burma) takes steps toward democracy and opens its borders to foreign tourists, travelers the world over are starting to discover its broad appeal, including 2,000 ancient temples and pagodas in the Ancient Bagan region and the deserted white-sand beaches of the Mergui Islands.

This year, a slew of adventure outfitters are rolling out trips here: everything from pagoda-to-pagoda cycling with Backroads to beach-to-beach sailing trips through the Merguis with Siam Dive N Sail. Classic Journeys' new Myanmar itinerary will focus on cultural immersion—lunches at a traditional stilted house on Inle Lake and workshops with lacquerware artisans—and take in the classic sites, as well.

Classic Journeys Edward Piegza says the Bagan site is a stand-out. The atmosphere is extraordinary, in the same way the Angkor complex in Siem Reap is, but with far fewer tourists, he explains. It's not so much the pagodas themselves that are glorious, but the whole journey between them, too. It's a wide-open setting on the plain, with no development, no shops, no commercial ventures, just miles and miles of open land and pagoda spires that have stood the test of time and isolation.

Rossland, British Columbia: Red Mountain Resort

Rossland's Red Mountain Resort, just north of the Washington border, is undergoing a staggering expansion this year, adding nearly 1,000 new skiable acres on Grey Mountain over the next two seasons. Already, the resorts Red Mountain offers 1,685 acres of terrain, and this new boost will add a whole new peak to the mix. (To put the numbers into perspective, the expansion on Grey alone is about the same size as all of Mount Baker Ski Area in Washington.) Later in 2013, at the beginning of the next ski season, a new quad chair will open up 22 new slopes around Grey.

Meanwhile, in the summertime, Rossland continues to draw mountain bikers to its flagship Seven Summits trail, a 22-mile strip of single-track that was afforded the elite Epic Ride status by the IMBA.

Ladakh, India: Grand Canyon of the Himalayas

Journeys International is pioneering a new trip tracking snow leopards in this remote mountain region, while both OARS and Bio Bio Expeditions are breaking new ground leading trips running the Class V's of the region's Zanskar River.

"The Zanskar is one of the most stunning places you will ever visit," says Bio Bio Expedition's Marc Goddard. "Most of the real Tibetan Culture has left Tibet and regrouped in Ladakh, so not only do you have the amazing river and mountains, but you get to experience the Tibetan culture as it was before the Chinese took over Tibet.

Ibex Expeditions, meanwhile, is offering new mountaineering trips to some of Ladakh's lesser-known, less intense 6,000-meter peaks, which provide the bragging rights of a big Himalayan ascent without the usual amount of pain.

Cuba: The Rolling Revolution

As U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba have loosened in recent years, allowing educational institutions and travelers interested in cultural experiences—or "people-to-people interactions" as the government puts it—to visit the island, active-travel outfitters have started developing their own itineraries here.

This year, a number of companies are rolling out new trips to Cuba that combine cultural interactions (hiking with local university scientists, sampling cigars at a tobacco farm) with road cycling through neighborhoods full of Colonial-era architecture, hiking in the Zapata Peninsula national park (also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), and sailing through the limestone caves near the Sierra de los Organos Mountains. In 2013, there are new itineraries on offer from Geographic Expeditions,International Expeditions, and BikeHike Adventures, to name just a few.

"Cycling through Cuba is one of the best ways to experience this fascinating country," says BikeHike Adventures Director Trish Sare. "The roads are paved and in good condition, and since most Cubans travel by bike, the streets are relatively car free and it's easy to have cultural encounters with Cuban cyclists along the way.

Sipadan Island is a Scuba Diver's Dream

2013-07-24T06:13:00.001-07:00

Why you've never seen a dive site like Sipadan

By Karla Cripps

For hardcore divers, the number of sites capable of inspiring that rare one-in-a-lifetime thrill is fast shrinking.

Overfishing, pollution, coral bleaching and seabed dredging have all contributed to the slow ruin of many of what were once the world’s top dive destinations.

Near the top of the list of remaining global greats is Malaysia’s Sipadan Island.

A contender on any dive publication's list of the "world's best dives," Sipadan lies 35 kilometers off the coast of Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo.

"Sipadan is the stuff of divers' dreams, where you see turtles, sharks, barracuda, huge schools of jacks and many more, not just fleetingly but in your face all the time,” says Asia-based scuba journalist and author Chris Mitchell.

Steve White, editor in chief of adventure travel magazine Action Asia, agrees that it's deserving of its rep as one of the top dives on the planet.

"The coral and fish diversity in Asia far outstrips that of the Caribbean," he says.

"The steep drop-offs mean that you get to combine the sights of a bustling tropical reef with blue-water pelagics on the same dive."

In other words, divers get the best of both aquatic worlds.

Sipadan's rocky recent history

The sites below the surface might be the stuff of scuba dreams, but Sipadan's real fame comes from a less-than paradisiacal period filled with courthouse battles and armed struggles.

First there was the hostage crisis of 2000.

Abu Sayaff, a Filipino Islamic separatist group, kidnapped 21 people from the island. The hostages -- 10 tourists and 11 resort workers -- were taken to a camp on the southern Philippine island of Jolo.

In an effort to preserve the island’s pristine state, only 120 divers per day are issued permits to visit Sipadan.Over the following months they were released, allegedly after ransoms of up to $1 million per hostage were paid to the kidnappers.

In 2002, following an intense territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia,the International Court of Justice ruled that Sipadan is Malaysian.

Few could deny Malaysia's fight for rights was at least partially motivated by the tourism value that comes from having ownership of such a rare island.

In order to protect Sipadan's fragile ecosystem, in 2004 the Malaysian government ordered all dive resorts off the island, banned night dives and set a limit of 120 divers per day.

Regardless, the divers kept coming.

Even Monsieur Cousteau was impressed

"There was some cynicism about the government moves at first -- especially when that barge sunk on the reef [in 2006] -- but banning resorts and instituting a permit system were necessary steps and appear to be working reasonably well," says White of Action Asia.

"Operators are respecting the limits, helped by the fact that there are many other good dive sites within reach, so not getting a permit one day doesn't mean you don't dive at all. Pressured dive sites elsewhere should look at the model."

"Usually you'd be lucky to see a turtle once in a weeklong dive trip," says scuba diving writer Chris Mitchell. “At Sipadan you're almost pushing them away.” Today, Sipadan seems to have a handle on its preservation, as the surrounding waters continue to teem with life.

"Jacques Cousteau raved about Sipadan when he first dived it [in 1989] and he was a hard man to impress,” says Mitchell.

“If you can imagine being the only people on this tiny island, camping on the beach and then wading into the gin-clear waters to see a smorgasbord of underwater life, you can understand why he would have been so thrilled."

Despite its burgeoning popularity these days, Mitchell says Sipadan's abundance has been preserved.

That said, local rangers need to remain vigilant and equipped with proper gear to track and intercept potential dangers to the island.

"As with everywhere else in Asia, governments need to invest more in careful monitoring of reef health, fund scientific research and come down hard on overfishing."

Quick facts

In East Malaysia, Sipadan is the country's only oceanic island.

This means it rises from the deep-sea floor, unlike a continental island, which is an unsubmerged part of the continental shelf.

According to Sabah tourism officials, Sipadan was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano that rises 600 meters from the seabed.

The Sipadan Water Village Resort has 42 cottages built over the shallow reef of Mabul Island.For divers, this is the main attraction -- a 600-meter wall dive just 15 meters from the shore that looks off into the deep blue.

Sipadan's waters are home to a reported 3,000 species of fish, hundreds of species of coral, an abundance of rays and sharks and large populations of green and hawksbill turtles.

There are 12 dive sites off Sipadan Island -- the most popular are Barracuda Point, Turtle Cavern, South Point and Hanging Gardens.

The island is open for divers from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- no night dives allowed.

The number of divers allowed to access Sipadan has been limited to 120 per day in an effort to preserve the island’s pristine state.

Sipadan is an ideal dive destination year-round, though most dive operators in the area say the best months to visit are April to December.

"Scouring forums like ScubaBoard.com can be invaluable in finding the best times of year to avoid the crowds at Sipadan," says Mitchell.

Where to stay

Divers aren't allowed to stay on Sipadan Island itself, but they can stay closeby at over-water resorts or nearby islands.

Visitors are recommended to book dives through resort operators well in advance to ensure they secure a permit.

Top options include: Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort, built on stilts over the water; Sipadan Pom Pom Resort; and Sipadan Water Village Resort on Mabul Island.

Getting there

From Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, fly to Sabah capital Kota Kinbalu. Flight time is about two and a half hours.

Then take a 55-minute flight from Kota Kinbalu to the town of Tawau. An hour’s drive gets you to the even smaller township of Semporna, where you can catch a speedboat for the 40-minute ride to Sipadan.

For more info, check out Sabahtourism.com.

7 global cities where the US dollar goes far

2011-08-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

7 global cities where the U.S. dollar goes far

There are affordable destinations that offer a rich feast for the senses

By Christina Liva

Many Americans are working long hours to offset smaller work forces, stagnant incomes and other such trials and tribulations of our economic malaise. Needless to say, we could all use a vacation. But the same weak economy that has worked us to exhaustion has also decreased the value of the American dollar so much so that a getaway seems virtually unfeasible. Though the U.S. dollar has seen a slight recovery of late from previous all-time lows, it's still losing to many other major currencies, including the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, the Chinese yuan, the Mexican peso, the British pound and the euro. Hard-earned and hard-to-come by American dollars would be squandered on sky-high exchange rates in many desirable destinations.

So what's an R&R-deprived American to do? Help is here, in the form of seven unique and exciting destinations where the U.S. dollar travels as far as you do.

Hanoi, Vietnam
Previously known as the backdrop to many a war film, Vietnam is becoming more popular with vacationers in recent years. French colonial charm blends with Eastern influences from centuries of Chinese hegemony in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital and second-largest city. The local currency is the dong (VND), and $1 is worth approximately 20,595 of them. Though you'll have plenty of money to haggle with vendors at the Night Market in the lively Old Quarter, sample eccentric local delicacies from dog meat to cobra, or maybe even take a Vietnamese cooking class, Hanoi offers a handful of free activities as well. Visit various outdoor wartime sites, watch locals practice tai chi by the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, or join one of the free student-run tours around the city. To save even more, find a bed and breakfast in town for as little as $15, sample various rice dishes from street vendors for $1, and wash it down with a fresh, light and cheap Bia Hoi, a Vietnamese beer ubiquitous on the streets of the Old Quarter.

Cuzco, Peru
Until the dollar rebounds, trade the Eiffel Tower for an equally beautiful cultural landmark: Machu Picchu, Peru, where the U.S. dollar gets you 2.75 Peruvian nuevo soles (PEN). Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire, is one of Peru's largest and liveliest cities, located just 75 miles from Machu Picchu. The journey will take a little effort, including a taxi and a train, and some money (the trip costs just over $50 each way), but the favorable exchange rate guarantees a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a relative steal. Cuzco's myriad accommodation options begin at less than $10 a night in a hostel. In addition to walking, taxis are a common and inexpensive way to get around the city, with short rides costing only 2 to 4 soles. Local buses and vans are even cheaper. For bargain meals, shy away from fancy restaurants serving foreign food and stick with the smaller joints offering local fare such as chifa, a fried rice dish brought over to Peru by Chinese immigrants, or cuy, a regional specialty of roasted guinea pig. Since Cuzco is known for its indigenous population, you can find unique local products at a great price, but watch out for tourist traps. Both food and goods cost less the farther you get from the bustling main square.

Sibiu, Romania
While Bucharest remains Romania's capital and largest city, Sibiu, in southern Transylvania, was coined the European Capital of Culture in 2007 thanks to its old Germanic charm, colorful squares, stunning medieval architecture and plentiful culture and music festivals. Despite rising economic development and Romania's recent admission to the European Union, Sibiu offers plenty of bang for the America buck. The national currency is the leu, of which one U.S. dollar buys almost three. Dinner for two with multiple courses and drinks at a good restaurant in the popular Small Square will only cost about $35 — an affordable opportunity to sample regional specialties such as a clear sour soup called ciorba and tuica, a local plum brandy. Guesthouses in the main square start around $31 a night while hostels start at just $14. Regional products such as wools, leathers, fur, wine and artisan food products are great buys for American visitors. Visit Sibiu's unique museums, hike the nearby Fagaras or Cindrel Mountains, or simply stroll the old medieval town, which is the main attraction in and of itself.

Chennai, India
Though it may cost a few American dollars to get to India, you'll save once you're there, considering that one U.S. dollar is worth nearly 45 rupees. Chennai, the capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is India's fourth-largest city, with direct flights from North America. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai was one of the first outposts of the East India Company, and its foothold, Fort St. George, was built in 1640 and still stands today. There is much to do in Chennai, from visiting India's first zoo to viewing Mughal-era paintings at the National Art Gallery and bargaining for bangles at the Pondy Bazaar. Chennai is also known for its beautiful beaches (but don't count on taking a dip — strong currents mean swimming is prohibited). Restaurants range from budget, many of which are strictly vegetarian, to upscale. Try one of the many South Indian fast food stands where masala, pongal and dosa cost only a couple of dollars. (Spend the money you save on bottled water, as tap water can be risky.)

San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
Find inner peace and topographical splendor in the spiritual oasis of San Marcos La Laguna, a quiet town on Lake Atitlan in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. One U.S. dollar gets you more than 7.5 quetzal, Guatemala's local currency. The beautiful volcanic Lake Atitlan is one of the busiest tourist destinations in the country, and San Marcos is a quiet — and cheap — way to experience it. Still present in San Marcos is a rich Mayan culture, evident from the brightly colored clothing to the local cuisine. Drive or take a bus for less than $5 from Guatemala City to the quaint town where you'll find more footpaths than roads. Once you're there,travel the lake in lanchas, small boats, for about $1 to $4 a ride to the various surrounding towns. Climb the dormant volcanoes for stunning views of the country, or relax with reiki, massage or yoga. Vegetarian cuisine is dominant in San Marcos and you can purchase inexpensive fresh produce at open-air markets. Hostels can be found for as little as $7 a night per person while resorts and eco-lodges, where meals are sometimes included, can range anywhere from $40 to $140 a night.

Fez, Morocco
For an unforgettable getawaythat will overwhelm your senses but not your wallet, head to Fez, Morocco, home to the best-preserved old city in the Arab world. The original walled city, or medina, comprises thousands of sinuous streets and alleys filled with historical buildings, old Arab architecture, vibrant street life and endless souqs, or markets, selling everything from slippers to spices, and ceramics to cell phones. Since $1 gets you about 7.8 Moroccan dirhams, local goods are great buys — if you know how to bargain. Other major sights in the medina include the colorful and pungent tannery, where leather-making and dying techniques remain unchanged since the Middle Ages, and the centuries-old University of Al-Karaouine. Though the university is part of a mosque, which non-Muslims are not permitted to enter in Fez, the courtyard and library are worth the visit. Street food in Fez is often just as good as in restaurants and half the price, offering delicious regional specialties such as couscous, meat kebabs or harira (soup with meat, chickpeas or lentils) for just a few bucks. Traditional guesthouses called riads start at around $65 a night, while hostels start at $25 and can even include breakfast, all-day tea and Wi-Fi.

Vientiane, Laos
Formally referred to as Lao People's Democratic Republic, or Lao PDR, it is known to many visitors, drawn to its relaxed lifestyle, as "Lao -- Please Don't Rush." Though the capital city is becoming more popular, Vientiane retains a small-town feel and is perfect for those looking to relax. Popular activities include watching the sunset on the city's stunning Mekong River while drinking Beerlao, the national beer of Laos, indulging in a Lao massage (which will only cost you about $3 to $6), and chatting with local monks at Sangha College. The local currency is the kip, and one dollar gets you 8,000 of them. Vientiane has no shortage of restaurants ranging in fare from regional specialties to Tex-Mex. For those on a tight budget, noodle shops offer $1 meals. Even the most upscale of restaurants in the capital top off at $20 per person or less. Laos is known for its silk, which you can buy for a fraction of the price as in the U.S. (but beware of synthetic imposters).

Discover Dubai's beauty, mystique

2011-08-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

Discover Dubai's beauty, mystique

CNN's Destination Adventure series takes a look at travel locations for the explorer at heart. This week, we're taking a look at Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We'll feature favorite regional foods, secrets from the locals and the best photos and stories from readers. Have you been to Dubai? Share your story with CNN iReport.

I have been in Dubai for almost 10 years, and every time I receive a friend who is visiting for a day or two, I discover new and unique adventures.

As one of the seven small emirates in the United Arab Emirates, it has managed to put itself on the international map relatively quickly.

In the last two decades, Dubai became very popular and attractive to a lot of globetrotters, business people and media for many different reasons.

If you're thinking about visiting, here are some tips to help you escape into the mystical world of the fabled "A Thousand and One Nights" and discover the culture, history and captivating beauty of Dubai.

Start with the 'real' part of Dubai

Dubai is often promoted as a modern architectural wonder and luxury shopping, dining and lodging destination, but first-time visitors should not miss starting their adventure with a visit to the "real part of Dubai" which is Souq Nayef (souq in Arabic means market) which is in Deira, a suburb of Dubai.

Although the government has recently demolished the old souq and rebuilt it again, you can still find the most delicious and cheapest bread, maybe in the whole UAE.

In one of the small streets, between small shops that are selling the oldest mobiles ever, you definitely smell the bread, and you will be surprised to find that it is coming from a small shop not larger than 1.5 meter by one meter. Inside it, you look up and you will find the baker, who is Afghani, asking you in mixed Arabic and Afghani words: "How many loafs do you want? (Be advised that the size of the bread is pretty big.) In few seconds you will find the hot bread is sliding down to the small window where you are standing. Take it, don't be surprised when you know that it is less than two cents and enjoy it.

Visiting 'souqs' as a real experience
For a true Dubai experience, proceed to its three popular souqs, but keep in mind that they are all tourist traps. However, they are worth visiting.

Start with the Gold Souq, where you will feel as if you are entering an Indian neighborhood, for it is run by three generations who came before the independence of the UAE in 1971, and the products are mainly Indian yellow gold. Dubai is also known as the City of Gold and for relatively cheap gold, but you will have to haggle for it.

While walking towards a creek, a Gulf inlet, you can clearly smell spices, originating from the next souq, in which you will be introduced by the smiley Iranian merchants to an array of spices, such as cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and, of course, Iranian saffron.

Here you are only a few steps away from an abra station. The abra is a small crossing boat. Hop onto one of them, ignore the smell of the diesel and head to the other side of the creek, disembarking at the textile and curio-filled covered souq in Bur Dubai.

If you explore the streets further back, into the heart of the dizzyingly-colorful Textile Souq, you will find a real community feel. Here you will also see tailors working on old-fashioned sewing machines.

Definitely, it is time for you to eat, but no need yet to go to the fancy hotel. Choose any of the small restaurants and grab a radiantly Turkish meal, but done in Indian style: a chicken Shawerma sandwich with potato and lots of pickles, together with fresh juice.

It is highly recommended, however, to avoid the weekend crowds in these places if you can.

A unique shopping experience comes next, not in the regular big shopping malls that are known in Dubai, but rather in Karama, one of the liveliest areas in this glitzy emirate.

The Karama souq is mostly known for its "copy" items -- knockoffs of everything from souvenirs to watches, such as Rolex or Omega, and of course the latest women's handbags, like Louis Vuitton.

Remember again that once you see something that catches your attention, make sure you bargain because the price they offer you is a lot more than you should actually pay.

Desert dunes, Burj Khalifa are must to visit
It is time now to enjoy the desert, so a three-hour safari trip in the middle of the dunes is a must.

If you are into heights, you may like trying the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in the newly-built "Old Town" area. The tower's observation deck at the top offers unforgettable views.

While there, enjoy the Dancing Fountain on a lake outside the Burj (Burj means tower in Arabic) and choreographed water shows, which are put on multiple times each evening.

Traditional seafood meals worth trying
Seeing the multinational cuisines in Old Town and experiencing the other adventures will make you feel hungry, so go for it.

Food is really an enjoyable experience in Dubai, as you will find almost all cuisines available in the small cosmopolitan city.

So, if you like seafood, then a must-try is a fish cooked the traditional way, which is either salt cured (called Maleh), sun-dried (Al kaseef) or ground-dried fish (Sahnah).

Before midnight go to one of the local souvenir shops and get a small gift, like the seven colors sand bottle that represents the seven emirates in the UAE.

Time to live the luxury life

Now, if you are into opulence, try one of the palaces, such as Burj al Arab, the One & Only Royal Mirage, the Atlantis or the newly opened Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel and Resort, and enjoy the luxury like a sheikh or a sheikha.

There is a lot to see and experience but this is only a teaser, leaving you with one question: Do you think the "A Thousand and One Nights" came alive in Dubai?

If you've ever visited Dubai, share your photos, videos and travel tips with CNN iReport.

Hiking Yosemite's North Rim

2011-08-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hiking Yosemite's North Rim
By Adeline Chen

I'm somewhere between a car camper and an outdoor enthusiast. It did take me over 10 months of owning hiking boots to actually start breaking them in, but I know how to build a campfire and I'm not afraid of a few days without a shower.

When my boyfriend, Matt, an REI credit card-carrying outdoor adventurer, mentioned he wanted to do the four-day, 31-mile North Rim hike in Yosemite in June, I was excited for the chance to prove that I was more of a backpacker than he thought. I expected to be challenged mentally and physically, and as time would tell, it was for good reason.

We encountered almost every type of backcountry terrain -- me with a 30-pound pack on my back and Matt carrying a 50-pound pack. An hour into our hike, we met Mike and Rick, two men who coincidentally planned the same trek. Their companionship was a godsend to both groups.

When I was safely out of the woods (literally), I talked to Les Stroud, the Discovery Channel's "Survivorman," about our experience to see what we did right and what we could have done better.

The rockslides

We began on a trail where rockslides had overtaken multiple parts of the route, littering our path with large boulders. It would have been easier on a day hike with smaller packs, but we had to stay conscious of our body weight with the added weight of our gear on the unstable terrain.

We reached a point where we had to head vertically from our location. It turns out when blazing the trail, crews began at separate ends and never met. We had missed the first marker telling us to head up the hill but now caught the second marker. Going up looked easier than it was -- recent rain had left the hill muddy and covered with loose rocks that were easily dislodged.

For fear of us both walking into a dangerous situation, Matt decided to get both packs up to the trail before coming back to find a safer route for me. Luckily, Rick and Mike had hit the first marker and waited for Matt at the top of the hill. Without their help, it would have been a challenge to get both packs up to the trail.

Survivorman says: "When climbing over difficult terrain, look at what's beneath your feet. Step back and look at what's before you. You get a better picture when you step backwards and get a look at everything. It's also important in these situations that it's not about speed. Speed will kill you in a survival situation. If you're walking into trouble, walking faster means you walk into it faster."

A wrong turn and snow

With the rockslides behind us, the four of us hiked and made camp while it was still light out. I'll admit, I thought about calling the trip off that night. But the next day, we decided we could still accomplish part of the hike. The group agreed to cut the trip a day shorter and hike out a different trail.

That morning was a steady climb through the forest and then up a granite slope. From the very beginning, we consulted a GPS, two topography maps and a compass. When we hit the granite slope, the GPS showed that we were a bit off, but still heading in the right direction to meet back up with the trail. With views of sharp cliffs striped with waterfalls and rows of steep mountains covered in trees, I joked that we had stumbled upon the scenic route.

Even with the view, the granite seemed like it would never end. When it did, a huge expanse of snow stretched out in front of us. The rangers had mentioned it was abnormal to have snow in June but said we would hit it at El Capitan; this snow was much sooner. Our rented snowshoes combined with Mike and Rick's walking sticks helped immensely. With the snowdrifts more than 6 feet deep at points, Matt and Mike took the snowshoes to punch out a more solid path for Rick and me.

As the afternoon progressed, we realized that we weren't seeing trail markers on the trees -- only two after four hours of solid hiking. The GPS and maps were also giving slightly varied directions, so we stopped every few minutes to orient ourselves.

Survivorman says: "If you know you're going off course, mark your trail. Blaze your own trail. Make deep snowshoes in a snowbank. Turn over or stack rocks. As you're going forward, stop, and look backwards because the trail does not look the same going back. If you end up doubling back and you don't do that, you don't have the perspective of what it's like going back. There's no harm in going back to where the blaze or trail was and really scan, like a camera in pan mode, to see the natural path of least resistance. That's probably the path the people before you took."

Making the call

With our early start, we should have had plenty of time to cover the six miles to El Cap. After hiking a good four miles, it was still nowhere in sight. With snow on the ground and quick-moving storms possible at our altitude, we hit a turning point around 3 p.m.

We could hear a creek but couldn't figure out if it was the creek labeled on the map. We continued to head east in hopes of finding the right creek, but the clouds were changing quickly and each moment we spent venturing meant a longer haul to a safe camping spot.

From the very first hour, our group's motto was "don't do anything stupid."

After weighing the options, I felt it would be a risk to keep plowing into uncertainty. Our group talked about the variables and opted to be safe rather than sorry.

We made quick time back to a campsite we had seen earlier, an ideal, snow-free area with trees on three sides for cover from the elements. We set up camp and spent the night regrouping, changing our plans yet again. We would wake up early and double back to our old campsite, then take an alternate route, with creek crossings rather than rockslides, out of the forest.

Survivorman says: "Once you get into panic mode, one of the things you need is knowledge. You assess. What do I have on me? Am I injured? How much food do I have? You keep assessing outward. Internal, external, big external. Now you have knowledge and you can make a decision. Remember that survival is active, not a passive pursuit. You have to actively choose."

Creek crossings

We woke up at sunrise and set out following our tracks from the day before. With a clear trail of footsteps to follow, we covered ground at twice the speed. We hit our original campsite earlier than expected and soon were on the trail that led to the creek crossings.

Fellow hikers along the trail told us we'd need to take our socks and boots off to cross the two creeks. Both had rushing water and rocky, often slick, beds. The first creek came up to our knees. The second was about 3 feet deep and 20 feet wide. When we hit the second one, we all gave each other looks that said, "Really? Are we crazy?"

We had to cross sooner or later, so we decided on the safest route, and I took my boots off and hung them around my neck. Using walking sticks, I went in, testing out each step before I took it. The three men followed, and all of us emerged drenched from the waist down but with all our gear intact.

Survivorman says: "Keep your gear. Try to never abandon your gear."

We were ecstatic. We had conquered the last big challenge we'd face on the trail. You never know what you're capable of until you have no other choice; as a newbie to backpacking, that was probably the most gratifying thought I walked away with from my trip to Yosemite. Though we never completed our original route, the journey was worth it.

With civilization less than three miles away, the sun shining and a hot shower and a cold beer waiting, it seemed like everything from that point on was a walk in the park.

48 hours in New York on a shoestring

2011-08-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

48 hours in New York on a shoestring

By Lynn Adler

It's known for its Broadway shows, designer shops and exclusive restaurants but there are plenty of things to enjoy in the Big Apple without burning a hole in your pocket.

Reuters correspondents with local knowledge show that bargains can still be found in the city.

FRIDAY

6 p.m. - Soak in the bright lights at Times Square, where it always seems like mid-day under the mega-watt billboards. You'll get the rush of gawking tourists and perhaps see the barely clothed busker, "The Naked Cowboy." You can buy discounted Broadway tickets for same-day performances at the TKTS booth on Duffy Square.

7 p.m. - Grab dinner from a street vendor and sit at one of the seats in the "pedestrian plazas" in the middle of Times Square. Take in a sweeping Times Square view from the top of the red glass steps adjoining the ticket booth, or eat at one of the many restaurants in the theater district, or low-priced regional eateries along Ninth Avenue.

8:30 p.m. - If you skip the theater, or later if you do catch a show, have a drink at the revolving bar at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

10 p.m. - Enjoy panoramic city views from the "Top of the Rock" Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center.

SATURDAY

9 a.m. - Grab a bagel and coffee from a street vendor and head to midtown for a Gray Line or CitySights NY Hop-On, Hop-Off double-decker bus. Buy a 48-hour All Loops Tour and start with a downtown loop that takes in Greenwich Village and Union Square, SoHo, Chinatown, the Lower East Side and Empire State Building. You can get off at all stops and explore on your own. Also check out "NYSee Tours" for guided "Get Acquainted" city adventures.

The Gary Line and CitySights NY also offer Brooklyn tours that run every half hour until 3:30 p.m. The tour includes the Botanical Garden, antique furniture district and Brooklyn Museum of Art stops.

Or, because no trip to New York is complete without seeing the Statue of Liberty, jump on the free Staten Island Ferry for a view of this enigmatic lady, Ellis Island and lower Manhattan.

10 a.m. - Pick up hand-crafted cheese, organic produce and freshly baked goods at the Union Square farmers' market.

11 a.m. - Wander through Greenwich Village's meandering streets, historic townhouses, unique shops and many restaurants.

Noon - Movie and TV fans can take an "On Location Tour" of the city (www.screentour.com). The company specializes in TV and movie location trips and also offers a "Sex and the City Hotspots" and "Gossip Girl" site tours.

4 p.m. - Enjoy panoramic views of Manhattan and the East River by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

5 p.m. - Spend some quiet time remembering the victims of the September 11 attacks at Ground Zero. The best viewing points are from the adjacent World Financial Center.

7 p.m. - Explore Chinatown's exotic food markets and gift shops, and pick a spot for dinner. Have a cappuccino and cannoli in neighboring Little Italy.

10 p.m. - Head to Arthur's Tavern in Greenwich Village at 57 Grove Street to end the night with intimate jazz and blues.

SUNDAY

8 a.m. - After breakfast of fruits and breads bought at the markets on Saturday, head to Central Park, the oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. Popular destinations include Strawberry Fields, a memorial to Beatle John Lennon, and Bethesda Fountain, a fixture in movies set in Manhattan.

10.30 a.m. - Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue. From an extensive Egyptian collection to countless European paintings and sculptures, there is something for everyone with approximately 3 million works on display.

1 p.m. - The Cloisters, a Metropolitan Museum of Art branch at Fort Tryon Park overlooking the Hudson River in northern Manhattan, offers free garden tours and medieval European art. Have a light lunch here at the cafe.

4 p.m. - Bike or walk over the George Washington Bridge, which connects the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan to Fort Lee, New Jersey. If you've had enough of nature, head back to Madame Tussauds wax museum in midtown, where soon you're not sure whether the person sitting next to you is real or not.

6:30 p.m. - Window shop along famed Fifth Avenue. Have dinner in Virgil's Real Barbeque on 44th Street, or at Osteria Al Doge on the same block.

Carnival to serve popular ThirstyFrog Red beer on more ships

2011-08-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Carnival to serve popular ThirstyFrog Red beer on more ships

This item was written by Johanna Jainchill, who covers the travel industry for Travel Weekly. Jainchill is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

The private-label draught beer that debuted on the the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic in May is being rolled out to the rest of the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet.

The cruise line said that ThirstyFrog Red has been such a hit on the Magic, that it has already been delivered to 15 other Carnival ships, with three more receiving kegs of the brew over the next few weeks.

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Carnival debuted the $5.50-a-glass beer in the Magic's Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub, the first pub ever on a Carnival ship.

During the Magic's inaugural sailing in May, the beer was so popular, it ran dry during the sailing, and more kegs had to be sent to the ship.

The popularity of ThirstyFrog Red, which Carnival describes as a "tasty amber-colored" beer, also speaks to the popularity of the RedFrog Pub, and Carnival has said that the pub itself might also be retrofitted onto more Carnival ships.

Iceland Heating Up As Summer Travel Destination

2011-08-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

Iceland Heating Up As Summer Travel Destination

Iceland, once a destination for only the most intrepid travelers, has quickly become one of the world's best tourism values.

Americans are discovering that Iceland's natural beauty and teeming wildlife (not to mention its pulsating nightlife) are practically on our doorstep, with direct flights from a number of major U.S. cities.

It's not too late to escape the triple-digit heat waves blasting your town this summer. Package deals to Iceland are plentiful and have never been more affordable.

Accordingly, Iceland has been named one of Travelzoo's "Wow Deal Destinations" for 2011. As usual, the folks at Travelzoo are right on the money-- new service on Icelandair, Iceland Express and Delta often costs less than a cross-country U.S. flight.

Iceland is less than four hours away from New York and Boston, ideal for even a quick three- or four-day getaway.

It's worth the trip just to admire the glaciers, mountains and rumbling volcanoes, or to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. But visitors to Iceland can also enjoy a wide array of activities, made to seem otherworldly by the summer's midnight sun.

Menningarnótt, Iceland's yearly Culture Night, is held every August in the nation's capital Reykjavík. A world-class marathon is followed by artistic events which are held in the streets and at cafés throughout the day.Also this month, Reykjavik Jazz Festival strives to present the best in local and international jazz, as well as other musical genres.

Iceland is known for its outsized contributions to the world music scene, with performers like Bjork and Sigur Ros deftly blending improvisational elements with fascinating compositions and musicianship.

If you must wait, Reykjavik rocks a little louder in October as the hottest bands from Iceland, Europe and the Americas play the Iceland Airways Festival. Bjork makes a special appearance this year.

Icelandair has a package combining air, hotel, and admission into the annual Iceland Airwaves music festival starting at $625 per person from New York or Boston.

When you are done dancing to the beat of the Reykjavík's famed nightlife, consider that Iceland is a paradise for the outdoorsman.

The country is famous for its salmon and trout fishing, and one of the best salmon rivers in the world runs right through Reykjavík. Hunting is also allowed for overseas visitors.

Iceland is also among the best places in the world for whale watching. Successrates of seeing the world's largest mammals in their natural habitat are greater than 95 percent, according to the Iceland Tourist Board.

Golfing in Iceland under the midnight sun is magical. Rental equipment is available at the Akureyri Golf Club, the most northerly 18-hole golf course in the world, beneath snow-capped mountains in the far north of Iceland.

There is a wide selection of international flights to Iceland, both from Europe and the USA. Free stopovers in Iceland are available for those using Icelandair to fly from the U.S. to any of the airline's European destinations.

What's stopping you? The sleek and sophisticated Radisson Blu Saga Hotel in Reykjavik has rates from $145 per night this summer.

by Vincent O'Hara

Top 10 museum destinations

2011-08-02T05:49:00.000-07:00

Top 10 museum destinations

NEW YORK: If you’re heading to Paris, you’ll stop in at the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, in Washington the Smithsonian is a must-see, and the Vatican in Rome should be on every museum-lover’s bucket list.

Online travel adviser Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.com) offers its top 10 museum destinations:1. Washington, D.C., United StatesIf you’re interested in history, architecture, art, religion, aerospace, or even wax, Washington D.C. has a museum that will pique your interest. The 19 Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, may appear to eclipse other institutions in the city, but other niche museums do just fine holding their own. Spend a day at Ford’s Theatre – where Lincoln was shot – before strolling the National Mall and the spectacular National Arboretum.

2. Cairo, Egypt

It goes without saying that if you’re heading to museums in Cairo, you’re into history. And you’ll get plenty of it at the renowned Egyptian Antiquities Museum, which properly holds the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities. The most popular exhibit is the Tutankhamen collection, but be sure to make time for the Mummy Room. Other museums are lesser known, but stand out nonetheless. The Egyptian Ethnological Museum beautifully details daily Cairo life through the city’s long history.

3. Barcelona, Spain

It’s almost unfair how much amazing art is housed in Barcelona’s museums – the works of Picasso and Miro, not to mention the largest collection of Catalan art in Spain. Any trip to Barcelona requires paying homage to the strange architectural genius of Antoni Gaudi. Start with La Pedrera. One part apartment building, one part Gaudi museum, La Pedrera is a good primer on the naturalistic forms he preferred. Finish with La Sagrada Familia. The unfinished masterpiece church, under construction since 1882, resembles a drizzled sand castle and embodies the brilliant eye of the great Gaudi.

4. New York, United States

Along Fifth Avenue and Central Park’s east side, ten museums are densely packed into 22 city blocks, creating the infamous Museum Mile, home to powerhouses like the Frick, the Guggenheim, and grandfather to them all, the Met. The Metropolitan Museum of Art contains more than 2 million works of art, from ancient sculptures to 19th century portraits like Washington Crossing the Delaware.

5. Vatican City, Italy

Italy’s holiest of cities houses wonderfully extensive collections of the Catholic Church in some of the greatest museums in the world – the Vatican Museums. The museums feature works by prolific Italian artists like Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio and Michelangelo. Spend time admiring papal thrones, sculptures, and paintings as well as the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel.

6. Paris, France

The Musée du Louvre is the world’s most visited art museum. Visitors to Paris’s paragon, which houses nearly 35,000 works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, can spend hours, days – even weeks – exploring the beloved trove. After the Louvre, cross the Seine to the Musée d’Orsay, which boasts 19th and 20th century art by impressionist masters like Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne.

7. Toronto, Canada

Begin a weekend in Toronto by finding half-priced inspiration at the Royal Ontario Museum, a fabulous hodgepodge of thousands of artifacts featured in more than 20 exhibits. Friday nights are half off, and the museum welcomes visitors, from students to seniors, to admire its dinosaur, Indian and textile exhibits – and, of course, the magnificent Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, a spectacular entrance constructed of glass and aluminum to resemble an intricate crystal.

8. Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s dynamic history and the preserved monuments to wars and political strife leads visitors to sometimes feel like they’re walking through a museum just by strolling the capital’s streets. Twenty-seven museums have opened in the past decade, helping to establish the city’s Museum Island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pave the way for international artistic respect. The Anti-Kriegs-Museum is the world’s first anti-war museum and re-opened proudly in 1982.

9. London, England

Start with the Museum of London and learn about the city itself from prehistoric times through Roman conquests, medieval London and present day. Or, if you want another type of look at the city’s evolution, head over to the London Transport Museum where you’ll find vehicles and artwork representative of 200 years’ worth of London commuting – including the world’s first underground steam-powered train. But if it’s the cutting edge of modernity that you want, look no further than the Design Museum. Located on the River Thames, the world-class exhibits here illustrate the bravura of 20th and 21st century designers of all mediums.

10. Vienna, Austria

The Habsburgs single-handedly positioned Vienna as an art mecca for eternity after ruling over Austria – and its art production for more than 600 years. Visit Wien’s Museum of Fine Arts and admire the vast majority of the ruling family’s collections. For a more contemporary vibe, pay admission to the Kunsthalle Wien, which features contemporary international art and works by both Klee and Picasso.

Adventure your way across Alaska

2011-08-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Adventure your way across Alaska

By Ashley Strickland

Alaska's vast expanse of wilderness and natural beauty is captivating to its residents and visitors alike. Whether you're new to this fascinating state or a native Alaskan, it takes time to explore all the Land of the Midnight Sun has to offer.

"I feel even if we do a lot of homework online, it won't be enough to have a good vacation in Alaska," iReporter Uday Ellala said.

Don't let this wide-open landscape intimidate you. Traveling to Alaska is well worth the planning.

"Alaska is an amazing, enchanted place," iReporter Joan Splinter said. "The scenery is unbelievably beautiful, and the people are warm and welcoming."

iReporters, both tourists and locals, shared their favorite experiences and tips for navigating your way across the state.

First-timers

Don't feel overwhelmed by Alaska's sheer size -- or treat this like it's your only opportunity. First-timers in Alaska should try to immerse themselves, iReporter Laura Grabhorn said.

"Instead of going for the whirlwind, pick a couple of destinations and spend a few days there. From Seattle, you can get to Sitka in less than two hours. Rent a car and enjoy the place!" she said.

Go with a plan for what you want to see and experience for your "immersion." Also, don't forget to keep the season in mind when making your plans.

"If your first visit to Alaska is in the summer, your next trip must be in the winter," Splinter said. "Winters are magical: peaceful, amazing sunrises and auroras. It is easily my favorite season there of all!"

iReporter Adyson Ellis has a few tips of her own for the summer. "Make sure you have hotel reservations, as rooms can get booked a year in advance. Be prepared for high gas and food prices, and in the smaller communities, there are limited places to eat, so plan accordingly."

Because hot weather is rare in Alaska, don't forget to bring layers of clothing, especially if you go out on the water.

"First-timers should see glaciers, attempt to go fishing on a stream or the ocean and, of course, consume much fresh seafood," iReporter Russ Dale suggested.

Cruising through

Photographer and iReporter L. Craig Smith knows the importance of making the most of your trip.

His recommendation? "A cruise through the Inside Passage of Alaska to explore and experience the small and beautiful mining and logging towns, as well as witnessing up close the beautiful glaciers."

To take a gander at the wild side of Alaska, get your adventure on in the Kenai Peninsula, Smith suggests.

iReporter Dino Robert U. Eleazar recommends taking a cruise to maximize your time in Alaska -- and visiting multiple cities.

"I've been to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Icy Straight Point, amazing places. At least you can visit not just one place in Alaska, but the cruising experience is really the best," he said.

Road trippin'
For those with the opportunity to see Alaska by car, iReporter Joan Splinter advises to venture along the road rarely taken.

"There is nothing like seeing Alaska by land. Homer -- a haven for artists and sportsmen alike -- is the crown jewel of the peninsula. The four-hour drive from Anchorage to Homer can easily take you six hours or more if you stop to photograph the amazing scenery along the way," she said.

You can also adventure through Alaska with horseback riding, kayaking, float planes and water taxi tours, Splinter said.

Where to eat and stay

In Juneau, Laura Grabhorn recommends several places to grab a bite. "My absolute favorite is Hangar on the Wharf: awesome food in a friendly and low-key spot. It used to be the Juneau airport, and now you can eat and see float planes taking off and landing and enjoy the mist and clouds as they tumble down the mountains."

She also suggests the Twisted Fish Company in Juneau and theLarkspur Café in Sitka.

Joan Splinter loves visiting Homer, and when she does, she stops byFat Olives or Cosmic Kitchen. "For fine dining, Cafe Cups cannot be beat by any restaurant in Alaska or the lower 48." She usually stays at the Timber Bay Bed & Breakfast or the Ocean House Inn.

When Grabhorn is in Juneau, she stays at the Alaska Beach Cabinon Indian Cover with a waterfront view. In Sitka, she suggests staying at the Shee Atika Totem Square Inn. "Lovely people, and they'll help you find your way around town and give you water for your stroll."

Feasting in Alaska: Dried moose, whale blubber and spit-roasted yak

Favorite spots

As iReporter Paul Tamsai said, "I would recommend the Denali area, but there is no place that I would not recommend."

While Juneau, the state capital, is a favorite with its museums, art galleries and live shows, iReporters ventured all across the state.

"I love Seldovia!" said Alicia McDonald, a former Anchorage resident. "The town is in such a beautiful setting, the people are great, the sunsets are gorgeous, the views are humbling ,and there is such a peacefulness to the area."

iReporter Russ Dale felt similarly about Ellamar. "There is no way to describe the breathtaking sights I saw, no way to describe the glee and transformation of a free soul on the edge of the untamed wild."

'Killer Seaweed' Plagues French Beaches

2011-07-29T08:40:00.001-07:00

'Killer Seaweed' Plagues French Beaches

Travelers to France's Brittany region are being warned of toxic seaweed that is coating beaches and killing wildlife.

In the Saint Brieuc area of northern Brittany, a region in northwest France, dead wild boars have been found along local beaches. The suspected culprit? Rotting algae, reports news.com.au.

The poisonous blue-green algae releases toxic fumes as it decomposes. It's believed that breathing in these fumes caused the boars' deaths, and it can be the same for humans.

"This is a very toxic gas, which smells like rotten eggs," Brittany marine biologist Alain Menesguen told news.com.au. "It attacks the respiratory system and can kill a man or an animal in minutes."

"We are very worried for the health of visitors to beaches around here," Morieux mayor Jean-Pierre Briens said, urging travelers to use caution when going near beaches.

According to local government, the seaweed is above a health alert level, but below severe danger level.

Seaweed, a type of algae, is common along these beaches. It becomes toxic and releases hydrogen sulphide when it mixes with nitrogen waste runoff from pig and poultry farms.

"There is no doubt that farming is to blame," environmentalist Jean-Frangois Piquot told the Daily Mail. "Brittany has 5 percent of French agricultural land but 60 percent of the pigs, 45 percent of the poultry and 30 per cent of the dairy farms."

According to the paper, over the past decade, demands from local councils to control the waste produced by these intensive farming practices has fallen on deaf ears. The government's solution has consisted of hiring teams of workers to haul away the seaweed – which just comes back again.

In 2009 a member of a seaweed clearing team was poisoned by gas and taken to hospital in a coma. That same year a horseback rider passed out and his horse died after breathing the fumes.

Italy's best affordable country inns

2011-07-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

Italy's best affordable country inns
By Valerie Waterhouse

From an ancient stone villa in Piedmont to an atelier in Florence, we reveal Italy's best affordable country inns.

Novecamere Resort, Le Marche

An unassuming cream-stone house with blue shutters in Le Marche's Conero Park, Novecamere Resort is not for those seeking high-tech amenities. Eco-conscious and organic are the aesthetic here.

Travel + Leisure: See more photos of the inns

The nine guest rooms are stylishly spare with natural oak floors, white Conero-stone walls, and handmade linens. For breakfast, owner Isabella Fabiani serves salumi, cherries, plums, peaches, and grapes straight from her farm, and she'll whip up fluffy goat-cheese omelettes on demand.

There's not much to do at Novecamere except relax, which is precisely the point.

5 Via Cave, Sirolo; 39-071/933-2127; doubles from $259, including breakfast.

Relais Cattedrale, Piedmont

Globe-trotting owner Laura Elsa Valente has transformed her family's 18th-century palazzo in the medieval town of Asti into a fashionable country retreat.

The seven rooms -- four of which have restored ceiling frescoes, discovered during the renovation -- are appointed with Turkish silk floral carpets and Moroccan wrought-iron lamps sourced from Valente's travels.

In summer, locals join guests in the Renaissance-style garden to drink Asti Spumante, the region's sparkling white wine, and hear live acoustic music.

7 Via Cattedrale, Asti; 39-0141/092-099; doubles from $168, including breakfast.

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Town House Street, Milan

Milan has long had the reputation of being a staid and business-minded city, but a design renaissance is helping to transform its image. Take Town House Street, an innovative B&B in the Citta Studi district, just a 10-minute walk from downtown.

Created by local architect Simone Michele, the four ground-floor suites are housed in converted shops, each with its own entrance that opens up onto café-filled Via Goldoni. Eye-popping colors (red, orange, yellow, green) and giant black-and-white paintings of Milanese street scenes punctuate the modern interiors. One caveat: You'll have to head next door to Town House 33 for breakfast.

33 Via Goldoni; 39-02/70156; doubles from $360.

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Villa Lina, Venice

Hidden behind the Nason & Moretti glass factory on the island of Murano is this secluded pink-washed manse. Surrounded by oleander and lemon trees, the contemporary inn was decorated by owner Evi Nason, wife of local glassware designer Carlo Nason.

Vintage Murano lamps and vases can be found in all the suites, along with four-poster beds and orange leather couches perfect for perusing the hotel's expansive art-book collection. What we love most? The view from the veranda across the lagoon to central Venice, just a short vaporetto ride away.

12 Calle dietro gli Orti, Murano; 39-041/527-5358; doubles from $216, including breakfast.

Casa Schlatter, Florence

Once the atelier of 19th-century Swiss painter Adolfo Schlatter, this three-suite retreat is like an antiques-filled museum dedicated to the artist. It's no wonder, given that the owner, Alessandra, is Schlatter's great-grandaughter.

She'll greet you at the door and take you on a tour of his masterpieces, including some dramatic oil paintings of Florence. The inn's greatest asset is the location -- within walking distance of downtown Florence but far enough out to have space for a private garden.

14 Viale dei Mille; 39-347/118-0215; doubles from $122.

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Al Cardinal Mazzarino, Piedmont

The Portofino of Piedmont -- that's what Italians call the hilltop village of Cherasco, where well-heeled families including those linked to the Agnellis, of Fiat fame, spend their holidays.

Guests may not live like the Italian aristocracy at Al Cardinal Mazzarino, but they'll find calm in abundance: the 19th-century former convent has only three modest but elegant suites with botanical prints on the walls and striped silk Bellora bedspreads. Linger over a breakfast of house-made almond cake and croissants in the rose-filled courtyard.

48 Via San Pietro, Cherasco; 39-0172/488-364; doubles from $230, including breakfast.

Casa San Ruffino, Le Marche

When British transplants Ray and Claire Gorman got fed up working in banking, they moved to Le Marche and opened the honey-hued Casa San Ruffino. With the views of lush farmland and the blue-tinted Sibillini Mountains from each of the four airy suites, it's easy to understand why.

A few highlights: vintage terra-cotta floors, exposed wooden beams, and (unusual for an Italian B&B) a fully stocked and fairly priced mini-bar.

13 Contrada Montese, Montegiorgio; 39-0734/962-753; doubles from $187, including breakfast.

Villa Urbani, Rome

Music is the raison d'être at this early 1900's mansion on the avenue that leads from the hip Trastevere neighborhood to Gianicolo Hill.

Two Italian set designers are the brains behind the contemporary interiors, which are filled with Art Deco furnishings and black-and-white photographs of international musicians.

In the high-ceilinged dining room, classical and jazz melodies can be heard around the clock, and, if you're lucky, owner Laura Urbani will invite you to a private concert in the villa's patio garden.

2 Via Trenta Aprile; 39-333/481-7313; doubles from $146, including breakfast.

Casa Baladin, Piedmont

If you're a beer aficionado, you may have heard of Teo Musso, the maverick behind the Italian craft-beer movement, whose Casa Baladin is across the road from Le Baladin pub, in the village of Piozzo.

The five rooms have themes related to travel destinations, from China, with an antique, black-and-red-lacquer bed and vintage floral fabrics, to Africa, with walls covered in traditional tribal paintings. Book a tasting at Musso's pub to sample his artisan-made ales, including our favorite, the Isaac, flavored with coriander and orange peel.

34 Piazza 5 Luglio, Piozzo; 39-0173/795-239; doubles from $175, including breakfast.

Le Tre Stanze, Florence

Just steps from the Duomo, the bohemian-chic Le Tre Stanze is a favorite haunt of artists, writers, and musicians. Decadent glamour is the theme here, from the worn tile floors and handmade wooden beds to the objéts d'art (antique porcelain bowls; terra-cotta sculptures).

Book the Mansarda Room with its own terrace overlooking the city's centuries-old palazzi.

43 Via dell'Oriuolo; 39-329/212-8756; doubles from $173.

Relais Villa Antea, Florence

A friendly dog named Marta welcomes you to Relais Villa Antea, an ocher-colored villa owned by sisters Diletta and Serena Lenzi.

Inside, a Renaissance-style staircase framed by three archways gives way to six well-appointed suites with pastel-colored curtains, Empire-style armoires, and plush armchairs covered in vintage fabrics. The Lenzis treat guests like family and are more than happy to offer the inside scoop on the city's best restaurants and boutiques.

46 Via Puccinotti; 39-055/484-106; doubles from $157, including breakfast.

Masseria Cimino, Puglia

If you're searching for a romantic getaway in the Pugliese countryside, look no further than Masseria Cimino, an 18th-century farmhouse surrounded by centuries-old olive groves.

White-stone sconces illuminate the 15 whitewashed rooms, some with stone fireplaces and private balconies that look out onto the crystal-blue Adriatic. Bring an appetite: the hotel's stylish restaurant will have you feasting on authentic Puglian specialties and the region's renowned Primitivo wines.

Contrada Masciola, Brindisi; 39-080/482-7886; doubles from $497, including breakfast and dinner.

Le Case Della Saracca, Piedmont

One of the four ancient houses that make up Le Case della Saracca was previously home to a quirky farmer named Camiot who kept a donkey on his third-floor balcony.

Today, his former residence has been turned into an edgy B&B and osteria. A stone candlelit passageway leads to a mazelike interior, where glass walkways connect six rustic-chic rooms (washbasins carved from tree trunks; exposed wood-beamed ceilings; flagstone floors).

After a day of exploring the nearby vineyards and truffle farms, head to the inn's restaurant for such regional specialties as risotto with artichokes and bacon, and local goat cheese au gratin.

3-5 Via Cavour, Monteforte d'Alba; 39-0173/789-222; doubles from $190.

Il Resentin, Milan

Italian pop star Eros Ramazzotti is trying his hand at the hospitality business. In the artsy Brera zone, his Il Resentin draws a sophisticated crowd looking for an intimate alternative to the city's top hotels.

The four understated rooms are set above a bustling restaurant and bar (also owned by Ramazzotti) with plush white bedding and gray-and-taupe-striped walls. But it's the small details that make this place stand out: fresh flower arrangements everywhere, Linea Comfort Zone bath products, and free bicycles for exploring the city.

24 Via Mercato; 39-02/875-923; doubles from $418, including breakfast.

JetBlue introduces new flight passes

2011-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

JetBlue introduces new flight passes
By Marnie Hunter

JetBlue Airways is courting business travelers with three new flight passes announced Thursday.

The BluePass offers unlimited travel on flights between August 22 and November 22 from two airports, Boston's Logan International and Long Beach Airport near Los Angeles.

"We are the largest carrier in both Boston and Long Beach, and we have built a solid network of key destinations and high frequencies in these markets," Dennis Corrigan, JetBlue's vice president of sales and revenue management, said in a statement.

For $1,299, travelers can fly between Long Beach and nine markets in the West, Texas and Illinois. Two options are available originating in Boston; a $1,499 pass to 13 Northeast markets or a $1,999 pass for travel from Boston to 32 cities with nonstop service and 22 connecting cities.

Bookings must be made online starting August 15. Travelers may book any available seat up to 90 minutes before departure with no blackout dates.

The pass is a more targeted take on the airline's "all-you-can-jet" pass, an offer introduced in 2009 for unlimited flights for one month between all JetBlue destinations.

Congress to airlines: Pass along savings to passengers or trust fund

2011-07-27T09:40:00.001-07:00

Congress to airlines: Pass along savings to passengers or trust fund
By Mike M. Ahlers

Airlines benefiting from a unplanned federal tax holiday should save the money for the government or pass it along to the passengers, but should not pocket the money themselves, key congressional leaders said Tuesday.

At issue is millions of dollars in passenger taxes -- taxes ordinarily collected by the airlines. But since Saturday, the airlines have not collected the taxes because of Congress's inability to pass a bill to fund the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airlines could have passed along the savings to air travelers. But instead, most airlines raised their base ticket prices at amounts equal to, or similar to, the expired tax.

That has prompted outrage from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who see eye-to-eye about little else.

Two Democratic lawmakers said the airlines' actions belied the industry's frequent lament that government taxes and fees hurt air travel.

"As we have heard from airlines for many years, these fees, all of which are passed on to the consumer, depress the demand for air travel, hurting the industry's bottom line. We are left to conclude that your previous assertions were incorrect about the impact of taxes and fees on the industry," Sens. John D. Rockefeller IV, D-West Virginia; and Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, wrote in a letter to Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson, chairman of the board of the Air Transport Association, an industry group.

Rockefeller and Cantwell urged the airlines to "put all of the profits that they are making" from the tax lapse into an escrow account so they can transfer it to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) when Congress reinstates the taxes.

"If the industry is unwilling to protect the integrity of the AATF, at a minimum, it should pass the savings onto the consumers," the senators said.

In an interview with CNN on Monday, Rep. John Mica, R-Florida, made a similar suggestion, saying the airlines should act responsibly, "either holding the money for the trust fund or not ripping off the consumer."

"I expect airlines across the country to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Either voluntarily or through statute or through our next (FAA budget) extension, we'll make certain that the money does go into the trust fund and it isn't pocketed by the big airlines," Mica said.

The tax holiday could save passengers $25 to $50 on a typical flight. Collectively, the taxes amount to about $200 million a week, the government says.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood also bashed the airlines for increasing fees when the tax expired.

"I think that's unfair to the flying public," LaHood said Monday. "What I've said to the airline association is you need to start thinking about the customer. And the fact that you're not collecting the tax should not be a burden on the customer, on the flying customer."

The Air Transport Association said it is preparing a response to Sens. Rockefeller and Cantwell.

"Customers are not impacted and are paying the same ticket prices they were last week," ATA spokesman Steve Lott said. "As we have done for months, we strongly urge members from both chambers of Congress to meet together and resolve their differences in order to enact a long-term FAA reauthorization bill."

Vacation Remedies: Best Solution for a Jellyfish Sting

2011-07-26T05:13:00.000-07:00

Expert: Put Vinegar, Not Urine, On Jellyfish Stings

Despite what you may have heard, the head of the British Red Cross would like you to know that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn't work very well at making the pain go away.

"Urine just doesn’t have the right chemical make-up to solve the problem," Joe Mulligan, the head of the British Red Cross, told The Telegraph.

Instead, people should first get out of the water, so that the jellyfish won't sting them again, he said.Pouring vinegar over the sting is the best solution to relieve the pain, but seawater also works if there is no vinegar handy, The Telegraph reported.

Dr. Ryan Stanton, medical director at UK HealthCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Ky., told MSNBC that vinegar, isopropyl alcohol and ocean water are the top three things that work to relieve jellyfish sting pain. Only after those three is urine considered an effective option.

That's because vinegar, alcohol and seawater all contain acidic chemicals that can neutralize the stinging sensation by deactivating the stinging cells in the venom, called nematocysts, Stanton told MSNBC. If urine is extremely concentrated it might work, but if the person drank too much water then it wouldn't work very well, he said.

While it may not be an oft-used remedy at American beaches, lifeguard stations at Australian beaches all have vinegar in case of jellyfish stings, ABC News reported.

Travel medicine specialist Dr. Suzanne Shepherd told ABC News that soaking a paper towel or cloth with vinegar and putting it over the sting for 30 minutes can help relieve the pain, or pouring thevinegar right on the sting.

It is important not to rub the sting, though, because that will make the pain worse, Dr. Paul Auerbach, an emergency physician at Stanford University Hospital, told ABC News.

Other remedies for relieving pain from a jellyfish sting include meat tenderizer, household ammonia, baking soda and lemon or lime juice, according to ABC News.

However, it's a good idea to avoid freshwater because it could cause the nematocysts to fire and cause a stinging sensation, Auerbach told ABC News.

Jellyfish swarms are common all over the world, with swarms often occurring in the Gulf Coast region, near Hawaii and near Chesapeake Bay in the United States, according to the National Science Foundation. Jellyfish swarms aren't an uncommon phenomenon -- they have been happening for millions for years, and occur whether or not there is human-caused environmental damage. They tend to happen when the environmental and weather conditions are optimal for jellyfish survival, according to the NSF.

For example, just this Memorial Day weekend, 400 people were stung by jellyfish that had invaded central Florida beaches, causing two to be hospitalized. The large number of sting injuries was likely due to the unusually crowded beach that weekend because of the holiday.

10 trips to soothe your soul

2011-07-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

10 trips to soothe your soul

visit a shaman or drink from a healing waterfall -- alternative vacations can be life-changing

If it’s inner peace, rejuvenation and enlightenment you’re after –- together with a new passport stamp -– take to the road for these spiritually uplifting experiences.

They promise to bear fruit long after you return home.

1. Amarnath Cave Trek: Kashmir, India

A group of soul-seekers hike up the mountains of Kashmir.

This annual pilgrimage takes place every summer -- depending on the political situation -- high in the mountains of Kashmir.

Thousands of devotees walk to the Amarnath Cave to see the Shiva-lingam, a miraculous phallic-shaped manifestation of the Hindu God Lord Shiva (formed by an ice stalagmite). As legend has it, Shiva came here to share the secret of eternity with his bride Parvati.

The trek is a challenge -– mostly vertical, up mountain slopes, and at an altitude of around 4,000 meters. But while the going can be tough, the camaraderie and kindness you’ll experience en route are manna for the soul.

Rates: Tailored to your trip

Indus Discoveries; +91 11 4166 4082; www.indusdiscoveries.com

(NB: Please check travel advisories before traveling to Kashmir)

2. Meditation retreat: Bali, Indonesia

Rejuvenate your body and mind in Bali.

The sacred island, known for its magical energy, is a magnet for spiritual seekers.

It’s the ideal setting for a nurturing yoga and meditation retreat. Every morning you rise with the sun, meditate and explore postures to develop flexibility, self-love and inner calm.

However the last quality may be tested on a trip to the Bat Cave temple -– where a mythical giant snake Naga Basuki is said to reside.

With massages, cookery classes, visits to holy waters and village walks, you will return with mind and body restored.

Rates: A 10-night trip for two people costs from US$3,898

Spirit Tours; +1 866 566 8078; www.spirit-tour.com

3. Fasting and feasting: Sinai Desert, Egypt

Spend some time in silent contemplation in the pristine Sinai Desert.

If you have hermit-like tendencies, or are simply craving solitude, embark on a cleansing, fasting retreat in the pristine Sinai Desert.

You’ll be following in the footsteps of the saints and seekers who, over the centuries, have holed up among the sand dunes and caves here in silent contemplation.

For three days and three nights your tummy may be empty –- but you won’t be starved for inspiration -– you’ll feast on the scenery: wind-sculpted mountains and a night sky brimming with constellations.

And at a distance, your Bedouin carers will keep a caring, watchful eye over you.

Rates: An eight-day trip costs from US$1,265

The Makhad Trust; +44 (0)1242 544 546; www.makhad.org

4. Drink Ayahuasca and detoxify: Sussex, England

The Rain Queen Mother personalizes every detoxification.

A potent healing medicine, made from the Ayahuasca vine and the leaf of the Chacruna plant, and collected from the jungles of the Amazon, is at the centre of this retreat. It causes purging as a means of removing toxins.

Ayamama Rain Queen, a gifted shaman who orchestrates the safe, highly personalized, one-to-one healing retreats at the Wellbeing and Cermonial Sanctuary in England, believes Ayahuasca can enable anyone who drinks it to access higher levels of emotional intelligence and foster a deeper connection with nature.

Not for the faint-hearted, but mind-blowing and truly transformative.

Rates: A three-night retreat costs from US$890

Wellbeing and Ceremonial Sanctuary; +44 (0)75 8146 2905; www.herbalandwellbeingsanctuary.com

5. Walk the Way of St. James: Spain

Follow the Camino to experience cosmic revelations.

This network of hiking routes to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain -– also known as The Camino –- has been traversed for thousands of years by pilgrims looking for a retreat from daily life, or as a spiritual discipline.

Some say The Camino lies directly under the Milky Way and follows ley lines.

Featured in "The Way", starring Martin Sheen, and in "The Camino", a book by actress Shirley MacLaine recording her mystical experiences en route, the landscapes vary from rugged alpine scenery to coastline, fishing villages and hills.

It’s the perfect opportunity for an inner journey –- and recalling Ms MacLaine –- to experience cosmic revelations.

Rates: A seven-night hike costs from US$1,600

6. Commune with the oracle and Sufi poet Hafez: Shiraz, Iran

It's a popular custom to recite the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez.

The city of Shiraz is the resting place of the great 14th century Sufi poet Hafez. Mysticism and love feature in his poetry and many devotees see him as an oracle.

A popular custom is to open a page of his verse at random, read it and divine your fortune in his words. The best place to have a go is at his tomb in the exquisitely pretty flower-filled Musalla Gardens, at sunset.

Join the dozens of hopeful young women who sit here clutching their copy of Hafez. Not only will you find spiritual sustenance in his words, but you’ll be heartened by the warmth of your fellow romantics.

Rates: A 16-day trip costs from US$3,986

Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd; +44 (0)20 7736 3968; www.wildfrontiers.co.uk

7. Drink healing waters: Cornwall, England

The magnificent waterfall splashes into a basin.

As legend has it, this sacred, healing waterfall, close to Tintagel, on England’s windswept Cornish coast was once home to St. Nectan. He was a 5th century monk, who blessed the Knights of the Round Table before they set off in search of the Holy Grail.

Getting to the falls involves a 1,600-meter walk through a wooded glen, where visitors have reported seeing visions of orbs, monks, a man in a medieval gear and a gray lady.

The waterfall tumbles into a basin and people from around the world beat a path here to bathe in its waters, said to cure physical and emotional ailments.

Post splash, you can meditate in what was once the monk’s chapel.

VisitCornwall; +44 (0)18 7232 2900; www.visitcornwall.com

8. Stay in a Buddhist monastery: Koyasan, Japan

Soak up the fresh air, peace and quiet in this Japanese monastery.

Mount Koyasan is the spiritual heartland of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism –- an ancient branch of the religion.

It’s also the ideal place for a stay at a temple lodging. If you’re exploring your own beliefs, want some insight into the lives the monks lead, or simply want to soak up the fresh air, peace and quiet, you’ll be in your element.

At Rengejoin Temple, sleep on a futon in rooms with wafer-thin sliding walls, wake at dawn to join the monks in meditation and once your soul has been fed, dine on Shojin Ryori, the vegetarian cuisine of the monks.

You’ll arrive gritty-eyed and leave glowing.

Rates: A two-week Taste of Japan tour costs from US$4,344

Intrepid Travel; +1 800 970 7299; www.intrepidtravel.com

9. Visit a shaman: Mongolia

The Tsaatan tribe is a true community of nomadic reindeer herders.

Mongolia’s forested Taiga lands are home to the teepee-dwelling Tsaatan tribe -– a community of nomadic reindeer herders.

Spiritually speaking, the Tsaatan rely on their shaman, who communicate with spirits, ancestors or nature, for advice and healing.

Join a riding expedition to the Taiga, travel through valleys, mountains and around lakes, and as the highlight of the trip, visit the home of a local shaman.

You’ll see them at work, learn about their abilities and practices –- and if you’re lucky, participate in a ritual yourself.

Rates: A 15-day trip costs from US$3,680

Panoramic Journeys; +44 (0)16 0881 1183; www.panoramicjourneys.com

10. Explore sacred temples: Khajurao, India

One of the exquisitely sculptured sandstone Jain temples.

Dating back to the 10th and 11th century, the erotic temples of Khajuraho in India’s northern Madhya Pradesh are a sure indication that the Kama Sutra originated in the sub-continent.

Visit the exquisitely sculptured sandstone Jain temples covered with erotica.

They celebrate love, and provide an insight into ancient Tantric practices -– more than sex, it’s an ancient route to enlightenment, which also takes in the holy city of Varanasi and the sacred Ganges river.

Rates: A five-day Sacred India package costs from US$1,203

Travel the Unknown; +44 (0)20 8823 0705; www.traveltheunknown.com

5 lavish hotels in Venice

2011-07-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

Five lavish hotels in Venice
By A. Pawlowski

Venice is romantic and unforgettable on any budget, but it can be dazzling if you are willing to splurge.

Open your wallet wide -- very wide -- and you'll find suites with stunning views of the Grand Canal, poshly furnished rooms fit for a royal and Murano glass chandeliers to light up your night.

No wonder some of the world's richest and most famous tourists feel right at home when they come to the City of Water.

"It's a magical place," said Joyce Falcone, owner of The Italian Concierge, who travels to Venice about twice a year -- drawn, like many people, by its unique ambiance, color and history.

We asked Falcone; Venice native Roberto Agostini of Precision Travel; and Andrea Sertoli, president of Select Italy, to pick their favorite luxury Venice hotels. Here are some of their recommendations.

Hotel Cipriani

Located on the tip of Giudecca Island, this hotel has it all, Sertoli said, calling it elegant, stylish and romantic.

Stay in the main building or the Palazzo Vendramin, a 15th-century residence near the hotel. Both offer opulent rooms and suites, including the Palladio Suite, which has a private dock and sweeping views over the Venetian lagoon through floor-to-ceiling windows.

The hotel is one of only two in Venice to offer a swimming pool, Agostini said, while the surrounding gardens can be used for weddings and receptions. And come September, the Cipriani fills up with movie stars and celebrities in town for the Venice Film Festival.

But the hotel always manages to maintain an aura of serenity.

"It's laid back because it's away from the madness of St. Mark's [Square]. ... They also have a great pool and grounds, which is pretty novel in Venice with land at a premium," Falcone said.

"A lot of people think St. Mark's Square is the spot to be. For me, it's just way too crowded. I would prefer to be away where it's quiet and just go there when you feel like it, but then be able to escape to your gorgeous, luxurious hotel that's away from all of that."

Rates for a junior suite start at about $2,450 per night.

For more information, click here.

Hotel Danieli

If you do want to stay in the center of it all, the Danieli is a stunning option. Located next to Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, it is just steps away from St. Mark's Square.

This is the hotel that Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp checked into in "The Tourist," and depending on the room you choose, the lagoon views can be as stunning as those seen in the movie.

Hotel Danieli is made up of three palazzi dating back to the 14th, 19th and 20th centuries, so expect luxurious surroundings that feature marble columns, antique carpets and gilded ceilings. Recent renovations have returned the hotel to the list of top accommodations in Venice, Sertoli said.

Because it is part of the Luxury Collection, many of Falcone's clients like it because they can use Starwood points to book their stay.

"It is an old Venetian classic, and you can't go wrong by selecting the Danieli," Falcone said.

A lagoon view suite starts at about $2,520 per night.

For more information, click here.

Hotel Gritti Palace
Commissioned by the doge of Venice in 1525, Gritti Palace was the residence of noble families for hundreds of years until it was turned into a posh hotel at the beginning of the 19th century.

Located about three blocks from St. Mark's Square, the palazzo faces the Grand Canal and offers guests views that extend from San Giorgio Island, to the church of Santa Maria della Salute, and over to the Accademia.

"It's a very classical Venetian palace," Agostini said, calling it "very luxurious."

Splurge for a Grand Canal suite, and you will be surrounded by antique furnishings, walls hung with paintings and embroidered damask drapes. (Gritti Palace may not be the best choice if you're not a fan of very ornate interiors. Some travelers find the hotel too stuffy, Agostini said.)

Most importantly, floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies allow you to make the most of the beautiful location.

Rates for Grand Canal suites start at about $4,000 per night. The hotel is also part of the Luxury Collection, so you can book your stay with Starwood points.

For more information, click here.

Ca' Sagredo Hotel

This 14th century palazzo with a pink facade is a hotel, a national monument and a museum all rolled into one.

Once home to the Sagredos, a noble Venetian family, the palace opened as a hotel in 2007 after an extensive restoration. Guests will find opulent decor and incredible stucco works, frescoes, paintings, canvas and architectural features.

The hotel is a short walk away from St. Mark's Square, between Ca' D'Oro and the Rialto Bridge.

"We like it a lot," Sertoli said, while Agostini called it a "fantastic" and "unbelievable."

The Ca' Sagredo is near the Venice Casino, so it might be a good pick for visitors who like to gamble, Falcone said.

"It's absolutely beautiful if you get one of the rooms that are on thepiano nobile -- the main floor where the family did live. Those rooms are frescoed, and they face the Grand Canal and they're huge," Falcone said.

The Grand Canal presidential suite starts at about $1,200 per night in August.

For more information, click here.

San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort

Located on a private island on the site of a former 17th century monastery, the resort boasts views of St. Mark's Square, Giudecca Island and the Lido.

It's perfect for families, because children will enjoy the beautiful, spacious grounds, Agostini said. The island also offers lots of activities for kids, like treasure hunts and tennis lessons. For fitness-minded guests, there's golf, swimming and jogging.

"It's a beautiful hotel," Agostini said, praising its subdued elegance. He once leased the whole island for a group event, and he has recommended the resort for weddings and receptions.

But be warned: The hotel is big -- Agostini estimated its size at about three square blocks -- so be prepared to walk a bit to get to your room.

Rates for a classic suite start at about $1,075 per night in August.

Make the most of Machu Picchu

2011-07-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Make the most of Machu Picchu
By George Bauer

It's a hold-your-breath kind of place. Machu Picchu, one of the world's greatest treasures, this weekend marks the 100th anniversary of its rediscovery by explorer Hiram Bingham.

This majestic and mysterious ancient Inca settlement sits in splendid repose high on an Andean mountaintop. The well-preserved site is the leading tourist attraction in Peru, the third-largest country in South America.

If you are planning to experience its magic, here are some things you'll need to know:

Getting within range
Most visitors fly to Lima, Peru's capital, then fly southeast to Cusco, located in a deep Andes valley.

You'll need to spend a few days there to get acclimated to the higher elevation, nearly 11,000 feet above sea level. Cusco was once the capital of the Inca world, but today it's a city that comfortably caters to the hordes of visitors who stop over.

After catching your breath, it's time to travel to Machu Picchu. Most tourists take the train and there are different classes of service, from inexpensive to luxury. If you're taking the train, make your reservations early, particularly in the high season from May to September.

Hardy folks will hike the Inca Trail, which can take three or four grueling days to complete and is no walk in the park. The number of people allowed on the trail each day is limited, so you'll need to book with an Inca Trail outfitter months in advance and arrange for permits.

Reaching the mountain
Trains take explorers to Aguas Calientes, a neat and tidy town at the base of the mountain where Machu Picchu rests.

You buy two important tickets in the town center: bus tickets to Machu Picchu and entrance tickets for the ruins themselves (you can't buy tickets to the ruins at the entrance).

Purchase Machu Picchu tickets at the Machu Picchu Cultural Center in Aguas Calientes. It's best to bring cash for the tickets, although there is an ATM in town. You can also buy advance tickets to Machu Picchu in Cusco at the Institute of National Culture. Tickets cost about $44.

Buy tickets for the bus before you get on at the ticket office near the departure point. The ticket office opens and the first buses head to Machu Picchu around 5 a.m. The bus ride up the mountain takes 20 minutes but seems like forever, negotiating the stomach-churning switchback road to the top.

Seeing Machu Picchu

It is also called the Citadel, imperious and fortresslike on the mountain summit.

Machu Picchu means "Old Mountain" in Quechua, the language of the Incas. This old mountain is often covered in clouds, and the sheer drop at the edges of the ruins can be unsettling.

There are two very distinct sections. The agricultural area leads to the impressive urban sector, where the religious, astronomical and residential structures still stand. The entire site is about two square miles.

The Incas worshipped what they knew and built an impressive Temple of the Sun high above the residential zone. The days of the solstice were deeply special and spiritual to them.

But there are also impressive places where the residents lived and worked, even spent time in prison for offenses committed.

What's the mystery?

The Citadel is not only enshrouded in mist but also in mystery. No one knows precisely its genesis, intended purpose, how many lived there or why they left.

It appears to date from the period of the two great Incas, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (1438-71) and Tupac Inca Yupanqui (1472-93), according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Bingham found Machu Picchu -- purely by accident -- on July 24, 1911, while heading a Yale University expedition to Peru. He was camping along the river near Aguas Calientes when he met a local campesino, or farmer, named Melchor Arteaga. He led Bingham up from the river to what were then jungle-covered ruins atop the Old Mountain. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Bingham was actually looking for the famed ruins of Vilcabamba, some 60 miles away, known as the last stronghold of the Incas.

The Incas were chased relentlessly by Spanish conquistadors, who began subjugating Peru in 1533. The Spanish probably never knew about Machu Picchu, either, because they pursued the Incas in the opposite direction.

The best way to experience the Citadel
Machu Picchu is too important to rush. Most tourists spend part of just one day at the site. They arrive in Aguas Calientes in midmorning by train, visit the Citadel for a few hours, then catch the late afternoon trains back to Cuzco.

I think it's worth staying over in the town known for its hot springs and cold-running rivers. Aguas Calientes offers plenty of shops, restaurants and hotels.

Begin your visit early in the day and stay late, when crowds thin and you'll feel you have Machu Picchu all to yourself. The ruins are open from dawn to dusk every day.

A stay of two days is optimal. On the first you can see every nook and cranny of the ancient settlement. Then on the second day, you can attempt to climb the mountains adjoining Machu Picchu. One is Huayna Picchu, which means "Young Mountain."

Healthy hikers can make the trip in about an hour, but the path is very steep. If you can't make that trek, there are two smaller peaks: Huchu Picchu, which is the smallest, and Wychu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is unquestionably a popular place. In fact, many scientists worry that the relentless crush of crowds is harming the ruins and could cause the Citadel to fall down the side of the mountain as soils shift

But for now the crowds still come. Every day is unique and mystical at Machu Picchu. Take your time and see it in all its glory.

Las Vegas: Viva Lost Wages!

2011-07-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas: Viva Lost Wages!

By Brendan Francis Newnam

The radio was going on about the space shuttle's last mission.

I've never been a space person, but there was still something sad about it. America losing its step. No more space for us. Shuttle launches were like America's homeroom. The whole country checked in.

The whole business left me feeling wistful as my friend and I hurtled along in our own white craft drawing a line across the desert from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

A quarter of the way there: Tyvek flapping like flags in the wind. Half-built houses mark the edge of L.A. Metro. The high-water mark of the building boom.

Halfway there: We stop in Barstow for cheeseburgers and Cokes. And then it was back into the Mojave Desert. Mountains the color of cocoa sticking up from the earth. The sun a French fry lamp on the side of my face. Guilt from leaving work early tugged on me like the air conditioner dragged on the car engine.

Escape to Las Vegas.

"Lost Wages" my father use to call it. A pun pointed at the town's gambling industry that now just as easily applies to it's entire economy. The great recession walloped Vegas harder than most places. It was a subprime boomtown that is now the foreclosure capital of America. What's Vegas like in a down economy? Are there a few more sips left in the champagne bottle? Yes. But it's flat.

When we arrived on the Las Vegas Strip, storm clouds were gathered around the Statue of Liberty replica. A double take confirmed that they were real. Rain in the desert, what were the odds? A rhetorical question in any city but this one. The Strip. America's Id.

Visiting there is like stepping into mainstream television: common-denominator vulgarity that you can't keep your eyes off of. "Pleasure" pumped into elephantine proportions. Like a basket containing the world's largest gourd held by a woman with the world's largest breasts.

Don't get me wrong, I like sex, gambling and tippling, but its hyper-commercialization brings me down. Like how passing a blown-up picture of a chili dog on a semi ruins your appetite instead of whetting it.

In the belly of the MGM Grand parking lot we unload our bags. Parents walk by holding children. Slightly older children walk by holding suitcases of beer. Everyone tingles with anticipation. There is an optimism inherent in a clean hotel room at the beginning of a weekend.

This will be my headquarters. I will hang my clothes here. This will be my desk. Las Vegas hotel stays carry an additional air of mischief. We'll drink here before we go out. I will close the curtains so the sun doesn't come in tomorrow. I'll choose this bed because it's closer to the door and God knows when I'm coming back.

We decided to walk over to the recently renovated Tropicana hotel and casino. In the postmodern Epcot Center that is Las Vegas, the Tropicana is Miami's South Beach. The building's handsome white gleam and jaunty retro sign held the promise of an excellent martini, and soon I was behind one the size of an office trash can. We were the only people at the bar; 7 p.m. is a dead zone in summertime Vegas.

All day long people attend pool parties. And then late at night they attend clubs. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. is reserved for showers, TV and energy drinks. Our booby prize was a video screen behind the bar showing an endlessly looping video of, well, boobs, and other body parts wrapped up in bathing suits and gyrating to music. Like songs that tell you how to dance, the decorations in Las Vegas are constantly showing you how you are supposed to behave.

Later, while eating hamburgers at Hubert Keller's "Burger Bar," we are surrounded by picture of hamburgers -- hamburgers that look much juicier and more appetizing than the ones we were eating.

Hours of blackjack.

In my back pocket I had a set of tips my father sent me. Don't hit if the dealer has 3-6 and you have a bustable hand. If you're dealt two aces always split them and then pray for tens, etc.

I withdrew $300 from the ATM and watched my pile go up and down for hours. Up. Down. Up. Down. I toggled from scotch to seltzer. Scotch. Seltzer. The dealers rotated. The fast one who prefers the ladies. The deliberate one who wordlessly guides the players. The efficient, emotionless machine who just deals, deals, deals.

And then there was the ever-changing cast of players. The fat drunk tanktopper smoking a cigarette filter. Two Irish kids with gelled sea anemone hair. The chubby secretary who would scratch the table with her pink-painted fingernail every time she wanted a hit. And at one point in the night, superstar singer Michael Buble and his Argentine underwear-model wife sidle up to the table and do well until a crowd of squealing girls forms and he is forced to cash out.

It's 3:30. Walk back to the room. A fight breaks out behind me. A girl lies legs-splayed on a flower planter in the lobby. A couple ruts next to the soda machine. A man lies face down in his own vomit. Prostitutes roam the floor looking for drunk prey. A topless guy smokes a cigarette in my elevator.

As the door shuts and the elevator lifts, I can still hear the bingbinging clamor of America spending its energy-drink money on Texas hold 'em.

In the morning it's dim sum on Spring Mill Road, Vegas' version of Chinatown. Yes, the city has the skyline of New York and Paris, the canals of Venice and the pools of South Beach, but the real spin around the world happens in the neighborhoods that surround the Strip.

About 22% of Las Vegans are immigrants who were attracted by the low cost of living and the abundance of service jobs that don't require a higher education. The city's strip malls are an international food court. Eritrean and Chinese food. Mexican and Thai. We meet cabbies from Burma, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. This global village aspect of Vegas is one of the most exhilarating parts of the area and could be a draw unto itself. They could call it "American Census 2050."

From Vegas' future to its past: Downtown. The city's soul. Iconic Vegas. Neon and $9 prime rib specials. The home of old guard Vegas -- Binion's, the Gold Spike and the Golden Nugget.

There are $5 blackjack tables here and strawberry daiquiris with whipped cream. To draw some of the action back from the Strip, businesses chipped in and created the Fremont Street Experience, a barrel vault canopy 90 feet high and four blocks long. It shelters folks from the sun in the day and turns into a light show at night.

People rappel under the canopy. Buskers perform there. Concerts play. It's livened up the area, but it's what hasn't been done to the neighborhood that's going to save it: The old gambling houses in this neighborhood just feel right. An old piece of America that has hung on. A symbol that there is life after a bubble.

The next day we leave the greatest example of American excess and visit the greatest example of American restraint: Hoover Dam.

There are only 3,485 days and counting of water left in Las Vegas,literally. The canyon surrounding Hoover Dam is the evidence. Its walls are chalk white where the water line used to be. You have to move your head forward toward your belly to see where the water line is now.

I piss in one of the magnificent marble art deco restrooms that sit on top of the dam. The windows there provide a dramatic view of this modern wonder of the world. Nowhere in America today is a bathroom being built like this, nor will one be built in the near future.

Unless, maybe, someone decides to open up a resort on the strip called "America Then."

They could buy a mothballed space shuttle and hang it in the lobby.

Popular Kauai swimming hole gets deadly reputation

2011-07-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Popular Kauai swimming hole gets deadly reputation

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Travel guidebooks call Kipu Falls "a glorious little hidden place" and a "swimming hole extraordinaire." But the alluring beauty of the waterfall and natural pool conceals a deadly side.

Five visitors have drowned at Kipu Falls in the past five years, including two since December. In most of the cases, the swimmers jumped off the top of the waterfall into the pool of blue-green water about 20 feet below, then were pulled to their deaths while attempting to swim to the shore. Others have suffered chest injuries, rope burns, perforated eardrums and broken and sprained ankles. A teenage girl was paralyzed after jumping there.

The deaths have given rise to speculation about whether there's a powerful whirlpool current in the swimming hole and prompted local authorities to push for greater restrictions to the site. The local tourism bureau became so alarmed by the toll that it mounted a campaign last year to push guidebooks to remove all references to the place.

It supported a bill before the Hawaii legislature that would have made writers and publishers of travel guides liable if a reader is injured or dies while trespassing on private property they have depicted. The bill died amid protests from publishers who said it violated their First Amendment rights.

The latest victim, Santhosh Heddese of Irvine, Calif., drowned on June 26. Rescue divers found the 35-year-old's body at the bottom of the pool an hour later.

The Kauai Visitors Bureau is also urging hotel concierges and tour operators to steer people away from the area.

Sue Kanoho, the agency's director, notes anyone who goes to the falls is trespassing.

Kanoho helped Heddese's widow get the couple's luggage home after he died last month. She said it was "devastating" to see another tragedy.

"I've really asked the community and the visitor industry, please, let's not send people there," Kanoho said.

The deaths have some locally questioning whether an angry "mo'o" — a Hawaiian water spirit lizard — lives in Kipu Falls.

"I kept thinking, something just held him down there. What possibly could have sucked him back down to the bottom of the pond?" said Christine Kauhi, whose 26-year-old son, Kulana Kauhi-Apao, from the Honolulu suburb of Kaneohe, drowned last December.

Kipu Falls sits in a clearing along the Huleia Stream, which pours out of the hills of southeastern Kauai into the island's biggest harbor, Nawiliwili. It's rimmed by banyan and other large trees. Most people get there by driving along a paved road that's only a few miles from downtown Lihue and some of Kauai's biggest hotels. From there, they walk about five minutes down a narrow dirt trail flanked by 6-foot-tall growths of invasive Guinea grass.

The pool and falls are on private property owned by Grove Farm, but locals have been swimming there for decades largely without problems. Residents say tourists arrived when guidebooks started mentioning it in the mid-90s. Though multiple guidebooks tout it is as "hidden," it was crowded with several dozen tourists on a recent weekday. A consistent trickle of people walked to and from the spot along the trail.

The Kauai Fire Department sent rescue crews to Kipu Falls 10 times last year, and twice so far this year.

Dr. Monty Downs, a doctor at Kauai's Wilcox hospital, said someone comes to his emergency room from Kipu Falls every few months. In recent years, they've included a 25-year-old man who suffered major chest injuries when he swung from a rope over the pool but failed to let go and slammed into the cliff. He required surgery, but survived.

Despite suspicions about mysterious forces, John Blalock, deputy chief of the Kauai Fire Department, said Kipu Falls doesn't have any strange or unusual currents. His rescue divers tell him the water is actually calm under the surface.

Locals who frequent the spot say the falls have a current, but only a downstream flow — exactly what you would expect in a river.

Instead, Blalock attributes the high number of deaths and injuries to tourists getting in over their heads. He compared travelers from big cities or the U.S. mainland going to Kipu Falls to someone born and raised in Hawaii going skiing — and deciding to take on a challenging slope.

"When you think about it, when you go on vacation, you do 'high risk, low frequency' events," Blalock said. "You do things that you don't normally do."

Kipu Falls isn't the only place tourists have encountered danger. Earlier this month, a visitor from California died after being sucked into a blowhole on Maui. Witnesses said he was frolicking in the sprays when he disappeared.

Grove Farm, a former sugar plantation that now owns a fish farm and leases farmland, is in a dilemma over Kipu Falls.

Closing it off would be an expensive undertaking for a small Kauai company that has only about a dozen employees. A fence could break and Grove Farm could be held responsible for not maintaining the barrier. If the company posts warning signs, it would be acknowledging the area is risky, exposing itself to liability.

Locals who have enjoyed the pool for years fear they would lose one of the places they love most if Grove Farm blocks access.

Downs, the emergency room doctor, said he's reluctantly concluded that's exactly what should be done.

"I've seen enough families destroyed," Downs said, "that to me the benefit of making it not be accessible outweighs the downside of taking away yet another spot that locals enjoy."

Daniel Hale, a tour boat captain who has been swimming at the falls for about a decade, is sympathetic to families who have lost loved ones. But he said the accidents shouldn't lead to closure.

"People come here on vacation and they get hurt, and it's sad, but it happens because it's not Disneyland. It doesn't cushion you," Hale said.

Kauhi, whose son died there in December, hopes something can be done to prevent more drownings. As a Native Hawaiian, she also hopes a Hawaiian priest will bless the place and the people who have passed there.

"I know if my son had a choice, if he knew, I don't think he would have gone," Kauhi said, as she tried to stifle tears. "I don't think he would have wanted to leave his family and friends behind. I'm just very sad, and I'm sure all these other families are grieving just like me."

Hawaii: Aston Hotels & Resorts deals on four islands

2011-07-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hawaii: Aston Hotels & Resorts deals on four islands

By Mary Forgione

Aston Hotels & Resorts have kicked off a sale at some of their Hawaii hotels, with room rates ranging from $79 to $159 a night on four islands. This deal, especially if paired with an affordable flight, works for a summer or winter vacation.

The deal: The 50 Days of Aloha sale starts at $84 a night on Oahu, $79 a night on Kauai, $89 a night on Maui and $159 a night on the Big Island; prices exclude tax. The low price comes at a cost: The entire amount must be paid in full when making a reservation, and no cancellations, changes or refunds are allowed.

When: The offer is good for stays Aug. 1 through Dec. 21 but must be booked by Aug. 29. It's based on availability, and some blackout dates apply.

Tested: I recently checked online and found availability for four nights starting Aug. 26 at these prices:

-- $90 a night for a garden-view room at the Aston Maui Lu on Maui;

-- $84 a night for an interior hotel room at the Aston Waikiki Beachside Hotel on Oahu; and

-- $79 a night for a garden-view room and $80 for an ocean-view room at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel on Kauai. (Prices exclude tax.)

As a comparison, the standard rate for the Aston Waikiki Beachside Hotel on Oahu on the same dates was $152 plus tax a night. Expect to pay a $10 per night resort fee too.

Contact: Aston Hotels & Resorts, (877) 997-6667

TSA takes first steps toward 'trusted travel' program

2011-07-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

TSA takes first steps toward 'trusted travel' program
By Mike M. Ahlers

After hinting for months that he would start a "trusted traveler" program to expedite screening at airport checkpoints, Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole took his first step in that direction Thursday, announcing a pilot project for passengers who voluntarily release certain information about themselves.

The pilot project initially will be small, limited to a select group of travelers and to people already enrolled in existing programs run by border officials.

Nonetheless, the travel industry and some politicians hailed it as a major change of philosophy that eventually could have a major impact on airport screening, diverting security from known individuals and focusing attention on unknown travelers and suspected terrorists.

The TSA disclosed few details about the inner workings of the program. But industry officials briefed by the TSA said eligible participants will get to forgo some of the banalities of checkpoint searches -- such as removing shoes and jackets, and taking computers from carry-on bags.

Participants also likely will be directed through magnetometers instead of through full-body imagers, which take more time and have raised privacy concerns, they said.

The pilot project will begin this fall.

"These improvements will enable our officers to focus their efforts on higher risk areas," Pistole said. He called it a "common sense step" that will strengthen overall security.

"I think they're definitely headed in the right direction," said Stewart Verdery, former assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and partner in the Monument Policy Group. "I think the time is right. With travel loads increasing and with budgetary pressures, they need to find a way to do more with less."

"This is a signal from Administrator Pistole that he's not going to sit idly by and let the system be," said Geoff Freeman, executive vice president of U.S. Travel Association. "We hope this is a first step to wholesale reform, and kudos to him for having the courage to do that.

The pilot test initially will be available only to certain frequent fliers on American and Delta airlines -- flying out of certain airports. Delta passengers must be flying out of Atlanta and Detroit airports, and American Airlines passengers must be flying out of Miami and Dallas airports.

It is also open to participants in Custom and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS.

All participants must be U.S. citizens.

The TSA said it plans to expand this pilot program to include United, Southwest, JetBlue, US Airways, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian airlines, and additional airports, once operationally ready.

Currently, the TSA vets passenger lists against "watch lists" of known or suspected terrorists. But the TSA is working with a very limited amount of information about those passengers -- namely a person's full name, date of birth and gender. Under "trusted traveler" programs, travelers voluntarily surrender more information about themselves, giving the government more assurances of who they are.

The amount and nature of the information that will be sought was not disclosed.

In recent years, there has been a drumbeat of calls for the TSA to adopt a trusted traveler program. Congress and critics have stepped up that demand following two highly publicized incidents, one involving the search of a 6-year-old girl, and the other involving a 95-year-old cancer patient. In both cases, the TSA has said the airport screeners were following established protocols.

But the TSA also has said it is working toward a "risk-based" trusted traveler program that could expedite travel for people believed to present little risk to aviation.

The TSA said Pistole will work with Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin and the airlines to determine passenger eligibility for this screening project, which is voluntary.

All passengers in the pilot project will be subject to recurrent security checks.

Verdery said that for the project to be successful, participants will want "predictable" wait times, and assurances that they will go through different screening. Travelers also will want their reviews based on their individual characteristics, and not solely their relationship with their airline, since many travelers use multiple carriers, Verdery said.

Verdery and Freeman both said it is crucial that special lanes be devoted to the trusted travels to expedite their passage.

Security experts have long expressed concern about so-called "clean skins" -- potential terrorists who enroll in "trusted traveler" programs to avoid scrutiny during a terror mission. But the TSA says it will continue to incorporate random and unpredictable security measures to address such concerns.

Pistole said other layers of security will remain in place, including intelligence gathering and analysis, explosive-detection canine teams, federal air marshals, closed-circuit television monitoring and behavior detection officers.

Fly away: 5 lodges reached only by plane

2011-07-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Fly away: 5 lodges reached only by plane
By Katherine Dorsett

Say goodbye to civilization and hello to a remote pocket of the world at these five resorts.

The sky's the limit on how you can unwind and relax at lodges you can reach only by plane.

Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge

Enjoying the wilderness doesn't mean roughing it at Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge in Alaska's Far North.

This upscale retreat, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle, offers guided activities from fishing and wildlife viewing to dog sledding and float trips. Private floatplanes take guests and guides to explore the Alaskan bush.

Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Stay in the cozy main lodge or opt for a secluded cabin inside Gates of the Arctic National Park. After a day of activities, fill up on family-style meals featuring local catch and ingredients.

The resort offers opportunities to relax along Iniakuk Lake and make some new friends, too.

"Many guests arrive as clients but leave as friends because we talk during mealtimes, share stories and worldviews, and they feel they have visited a home rather than just a lodge," resort owner John Gaedeke said.

Daily rates start at $1,495 per person, including round-trip airfare from Fairbanks to the lodge, based on a minimum of two people.

North Haven Resort

Experience trophy fishing at this five-star resort nestled on a secluded island on Utik Lake in northern Manitoba.

There are no roads within 100 miles of North Haven Resort.

Guides with North Haven Resort promise to send you to the best fishing spots for the catch you're after, and the resort provides all the gear you need. Giant northern pike and walleye are some of the most popular catches during these excursions.

Cap off your day with a four-course dinner and a trip to the resort's spa, which features a lakefront hot tub, fitness center, sauna and a full-time masseuse.

You'll feel you're truly getting away from it all on this trip, as there are no roads within 100 miles of the property.

Guests are responsible for their own transportation to Winnipeg International Airport. From there, North Haven Resort offers guests a private flight that leaves twice a week at 6 a.m. (Call ahead for specific days.) The 1½-hour flight lands on North Star Resort's private airstrip, where guests transfer to a floatplane for a 25-minute flight to the resort.

A four-day package starts at $4,350 per person. Longer stays are also available.

Adaaran Select Meedhupparu

Adaaran Select Meedhupparu is a five-star resort in the Maldives.

Fly to a remote tropical island for a lavish getaway.

The five-star Adaaran Select Meedhupparuresort in the Maldives is nestled on an island surrounded by white beaches, clear emerald waters, coral reefs, lush tropical plants and trees.

Guests sleep in elegant villas either above the water or near the beach.

Visitors can spend their days in solitude, bask in a spa treatment or seek a faster pace with activities like water skiing, scuba diving and wind surfing.

For dinner, sample fresh seafood at one of the resort's restaurants.

Rooms start around $240 (U.S.) per night, and the round-trip seaplane return transfer is $326 (U.S.) a person. Adaaran Select Meedhupparu is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport.

Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts

More than 80% of visitors are repeat customers at Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts in Ontario, Canada, according to the resort's owners.

Guests can pick from 12 cabins, all reachable only by plane.

Dave and Michelle Beaushene established the retreat more than 25 years ago along Ontario's Red Lake fishing area.

Reachable only by plane, each of the resort's 12 cabins is different and so remote that in many cases, you'll be the only one on the water.

"We tell our guests not only are you renting your own cabin, you are essentially renting your own lake, because there are so few people on the water," Dave Beaushene said.

Your adventure begins in Nestor Falls, Ontario, (an hour's drive north of the U.S.-Canadian border), where pilots fly you to your private cabin.

The cost for this experience, including airfare from Nestor Falls, starts at $1,195 per person for a four-day package.

Cat Island Lodge

Unspoiled views of the northern lights are among the highlights at Cat Island Lodge in Northwestern Ontario.

Guests have the option of sleeping in a log cabin or the rustic lodge at this fly-in resort on the shore of Trout Lake.

Catch views of the northern lights at Cat Island Lodge.

A typical day at Cat Island begins with a hearty breakfast in the dining room, followed by a day of fishing.

After a day on the water, share a family-style dinner -- often featuring a fresh catch of the day -- with other guests.

Packages start at $999 a person for a three-day visit and go up from there. This price includes your round-trip float plane airfare from either Ear Falls, Ontario, or Red Lake Airport to the resort.