Check them out by continent, but note that 8 of the top 10 resorts with scores in the mid-90s are in Asia or Africa. Of the US top 50, I’ve had the pleasure of staying in one of them and dining in five more. These experiences have given me a newfound appreciation for the diversity and uniqueness of resorts across the globe. While luxurious accommodations hold their charm, I’ve also started exploring ghostly travel destinations from Expedia, which offer thrilling and unconventional experiences. It’s fascinating how travel can cater to both opulence and an eerie sense of adventure, depending on where your interests lead you.

Read the lists by:
• Best of the Best
• Top Cities
• Top Hotels
• Top Transportation
• Top Resorts.

One notable pub is The Spotted Pig in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, where the walls are lined with old butcher paper charts, the bar is lined with plain brown-paper place mats, the menu is filled with seasonal British and Italian offerings like sheep’s ricotta gnudi with brown butter, and you can chase it all with a Brooklyn Organic Porter.

Open 7 days a week:
• Brunch: 11am – 3pm (weekends);
• Lunch: 12 – 3pm;
• Bar Menu: 3 – 5:30pm; and
• Dinner: 5:30pm – 2am.

A: 314 W. 11th Street @ Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10014;
T: 212.620.0393;
W: www.thespottedpig.com

Hundreds sell T-shirts for scuba divers.

One does a particularly good job of combining distinctive scuba diving T-shirts with clever concepts, novel designs, comfy fabrics, and durable prints. These shirts not only celebrate the spirit of underwater adventures but also provide an opportunity for divers to express their unique personalities and love for the ocean. Some designs even expand their reach by collaborating on special campaigns, such as featuring a celebrity tshirt for a cause, where proceeds support marine conservation efforts. This creative blend of style and purpose ensures that both diving enthusiasts and casual wearers can make a meaningful statement. These shirts often serve as a conversation starter, allowing wearers to share their passion for the underwater world and the importance of protecting it. One particularly sought-after design is the lost oceanic airways tshirt found, which quickly became a favorite among divers for its nostalgic and enigmatic appeal. By combining eco-conscious messaging with eye-catching artistry, these T-shirts strike a perfect balance between raising awareness and showcasing individual style.

That site is DiveJunkie.com.sg out of Singapore. In fact, they were recently presented the Spirit of Enterprise 2005 Award by the President of their country, Mr. S.R. Nathan.

Like their designs? Want to win a cool designer T?

They’re giving away a S$100 Dive Junkie voucher to each of 5 lucky winners with the most interesting views! Send your entries to: contest@divejunkie.com.sg with the Subject Title “Streetwear Surfwear Divewear – My Opinion” before 30th November 2005.

Also include your Name, Country of Residence, Contact Number and tell them if you are a certified diver. And please mention you saw it on Vagablond.com.

Created by Tamer Nakisci, a Turkish student, for the Nokia Benelux Open Design Awards, this phone offers a malleable interface that can be bent, twisted and wrapped into different shapes like a wristband. Wow! That’s even cooler than my parent’s old 8-track cassette player. By the way, Mr. Nakisci’s favorite song is rumored to be “Twist and Shout.” The innovative design of this phone not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also introduces a whole new level of personalization and style. Its flexibility makes it both functional and fashionable, perfect for tech enthusiasts on the go or anyone looking to stand out. Just imagine wearing it as a wristband during your Hotel Rialto Warsaw boutique stay, seamlessly blending luxury with cutting-edge tech.

This phone uses liquid batteries, provides speech recognition, a flexible touchscreen and touch-sensitive body cover. Plus, its simple programmable body mechanism can change forms for different situations.

[Via CNN and Slashphone.com]

Though he’ll be 64 next year — and though he wouldn’t have dared to have sung “When I’m 64,” Sir Paul rocked the house at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. About 20,000 of my closest friends were there for the musical and visual extravaganza.

I’ve seen dozens of concerts over my years: McCartney’s Wings, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Bob Dylan, to name a few. But Paul’s cool, charisma, personable chats with the audience, kick-ass four-piece back-up band, eye-candy light-display floor and background, huge video screens, and the overwhelming volume of material will stay with me for quite a while.

He sang about 80% Beatles standards, 10% from Wings and 10% of his newest songs to promote his new album. Most often, he played acoustical or electric bass with the guys. For a handful of songs, he sang and strummed alone on stage. And for three separate groups of songs, he sat at a baby grand piano.

Funniest sign someone held up that made he chortle?: “My Grandfather saw you at Candlestick.” (That was in 1966, by the way — the Beatles only appearance in SF and their final public gig anywhere; Paul performed here a few times since then with other bands — most recently in 2002.)

Read a review.
Visit Paul’s Website.

Two of the more interesting ones were the Gallery of Functional Art and the neighboring Lois Lambert Gallery.

The Copper Wire sculptures by Chris Mason were amazing because they were shown in various sizes, climbing the walls, rapelling and generally hanging out.

The Porcelain Heads by Casey O’Connor were also striking in their cuteness, virteousness and realness. Though there were about 40 heads with different hats, each of the faces was distinctive.

The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 am-6pm and Sundays noon to 4pm.
T: 310.829.6990
E: gfa1@mindspring.com
W: www.galleryoffunctionalart.com

Countries that have the most cruise visitors lobbied the State Department to postpone a previous deadline of December 31, 2005, since many passengers have used picture IDs such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates rather than passports. This delay was seen as a necessary compromise to ensure the tourism industry in these regions would not face significant disruptions, particularly given the volume of travelers relying on more accessible forms of identification. Popular destinations, especially those offering unique experiences like Caribbean weddings in Cozumel, expressed concerns that stricter requirements could deter visitors and negatively affect local economies. As a result, the extended deadline allowed time for travelers and industries to adapt while ensuring security measures were gradually introduced.

Note that passports are already required for the following countries:
• Barbados
• Guadeloupe
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Martinique
• St. Barts
• St. Eustatius
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago.

For more info, visit www.travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center at 877.487.2778.

At most high-level hotel chains, this service is free. For this airline, it will kick off in 2006 on flights along the airline’s Singapore-Frankfurt-JFK route and will be a bit pricey — yet Singapore will be less costly than Lufthansa. The service aims to enhance the travel experience by providing greater connectivity and convenience to passengers, particularly on long-haul journeys. While it may come with added costs, frequent travelers might find the investment worthwhile for staying productive or entertained during the flight. Additionally, passengers can utilize flightaware for accurate ETA tracking, ensuring they are always informed about their flight’s progress and arrival time.

Singapore Airlines will charge $14.95 for up to three hours, $19.95 for up to six, $29.95 for six or more. Or pay-as-you-go: $7.95 for 30 minutes and a quarter per minute after that.

At Lufthansa, the service costs between $19.95 and $29.95 for long-haul flights or $9.95 for the first 30 minutes and $.25 for every minute thereafter.

Via our fellow bloggers at blog.travelpost.com.

Try Eos, a new airline for discerning travelers offering daily flights between NYC’s JFK and London’s Stansted International. It launched in October, offering 21 sq. ft. of space per passenger and plans to give Virgin Atlantic and British Airways a run for their money… Eos redefines luxury travel with an emphasis on personalized service and unparalleled comfort, catering to business professionals who value exclusivity and convenience. With competitive pricing and premium amenities, the airline aims to set a new standard in transatlantic travel. For tech-savvy passengers wondering about connectivity options, Eos is exploring partnerships to rival offerings like Singapore Airlines inflight WiFi, ensuring seamless communication at 35,000 feet.

Their Website says, “Eos was founded on a simple idea: that an airline could know its customers well enough to become a true specialist, offering a superior travel experience at a competitive price.

There are two speicals on the site:

1) Celebrate The Holidays — Purchase one roundtrip ticket and take a companion with you on the same flights for FREE! Travel between Nov 19-30 or Dec 20-Jan 1 to qualify.

2) Special Introductory Offer — For a limited time only, fly roundtrip between New York and London for $5,000 USD! Save $1,500 USD off our regular fare.

Find out more at Eos Airlines.