Gadling

Photo Of The Day: Science Center Dragon Boats

Chris Owen — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Canada, Photo of the Day

James Wheeler/Flickr

This Photo of the Day, titled "Science Center Dragon Boats," comes from Gadling Flickr pool member James Wheeler and was captured using a Nikon D600.

In the caption for this image, James tells us, "Dragon boating has become a popular activity on False creek in Vancouver." Dragon boats once exclusive to the Pearl River Delta region of China's southern Guangdong Province are made of teak wood in various designs and sizes.

Want to be featured? Upload your best shots to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. Several times a week we choose our favorite images from the pool as a Photo of the Day.

Tips for being featured: well, first of all, don't tag your photos as "all rights reserved," which will make them basically untouchable for our Photo of the Day. Also, add a caption describing the image and (better yet) your personal experience when capturing it, details of the photography gear used and any tips you might have for others wanting to emulate your work. I pick the Photo of the Day every Saturday and often tap James Wheeler for some inspiring photography for these very reasons.

Now, you can also submit photos through Instagram; just mention @GadlingTravel and use the hashtag #gadling when posting your images.

Photo Of The Day: Science Center Dragon Boats originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planetary Resources To Change How We Explore The Cosmos

Chris Owen — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business, North America, United States, Transportation, News

JD Hancock/Flickr

Planetary Resources is a group of world leaders that are building the ground floor opportunities for a space travel industry. Not long ago, in "One Good Reason Why Space Travel Will Happen In Your Lifetime," we told of their idea to mine near-Earth asteroids for raw materials, basically making space travel profitable. Now, the forward-thinking team at Planetary Resources has tapped a diverse group of supporters to make access to space widely available for exploration and research.

Planetary Resources already includes Google's CEO Larry Page, filmmaker James Cameron and others who are known for turning exploration into profit.

Recently added to the roster are Virgin's Sir Richard Branson, actor Seth Green, Star Trek's Brent Spiner (Data) and Rob Picardo (The Doctor), Bill Nye the Science Guy, futurist Jason Silva and MIT astrophysicist Dr. Sara Seager.

Coming up on Wednesday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m. PDT in Seattle at the Great Gallery at The Museum of Flight (also streaming live), Planetary Resources' Peter Diamandis, Eric Anderson and Chris Lewicki, along with vlogger Hank Green, will announce an unprecedented project that proposes to change the way humans explore the cosmos.

Continue reading Planetary Resources To Change How We Explore The Cosmos

Planetary Resources To Change How We Explore The Cosmos originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hotel News We Noted: May 25, 2013

McLean Robbins — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations

Courtesy of Resorts Casino Hotel

Welcome to the long weekend, "Hotel News We Noted" readers. It's time for three days of sun, fun and relaxation - or, in our case, a wedding.

But before you jet off (or drive away, as the case may be), we wanted you to have your weekly dose of the best news from in and around the hotel world.

As always, send comments, questions and feedback to our inbox, or leave a note below.

Luxury Hotel Amenity: Gold-Plated iPads for Everyone
Dubai's Burj Al Arab has just upped the ante on the in-room iPad trend, The Telegraph reports. The hotel, which already is one of the world's tallest, might also offer the most expensive guest device, a 24-carat gold-plated iPad worth £6,715, upon check-in. The iPads have a special app that acts like a virtual butler. Of course, guests only have use of the technology while they are staying in the hotel.

Money Saver Alert: Room Service Gets Cheaper
According to a new article in Bloomberg Business Week, room service is one hotel amenity that's actually decreasing in price. Room service is becoming simpler - both in delivery and in the scope of offerings. Hotels like Public in Chicago actually deliver items in a brown paper bag, a streamlined concept that fits with their chic, yet price conscious model.

Continue reading Hotel News We Noted: May 25, 2013

Hotel News We Noted: May 25, 2013 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Follies And Fixes In Long-Haul Travel

Pam Mandel — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, Airlines, Airline Reviews

TheeErin via Flickr (Creative Commons)

It was not yet 6 a.m., but I had a bad feeling about how the day was going to go. The stone faced desk clerk had no interest in checking me in here in Vienna, not to mention through to my final destination, Seattle.

"No. Different booking."

"But it's with the same airlines..."

"Different booking. No."

"So I'll have to..."

"You'll need to collect your bag in Amsterdam, and then check in again when you get there. Take your bag to the departures desk."

"I don't understand. These flights are on the same airlines. Can you check me in, at least, so I can drop my bag..."

"No. Different booking."

I gave up. Priority club, my ass.

Continue reading Follies And Fixes In Long-Haul Travel

Follies And Fixes In Long-Haul Travel originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mesilla, New Mexico: Discovering A Different Side Of The Southwest

Laurel Miller — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, United States, Airports, Budget Travel

Alex Briseño, Flickr

A couple of weeks ago, I traveled to El Paso on short notice for a magazine assignment. I found it enjoyable, but on my final day, I was itching to get out of the city limits and explore before my evening flight. Every local I talked to gave me the same response: go for a scenic drive out to Mesilla.

Located just 44 miles northwest of El Paso on the fringes of Las Cruces, Mesilla is a historic village established in 1848. Perhaps best known as the location for Billy the Kid's trial, Mesilla has also played an integral role in the development of the Southwest, in part because it was along the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. I'm obsessed with all things New Mexico, but despite numerous visits to the northern part of the state, I'd never been south of Albuquerque. I was an easy sell.

The drive to Mesilla presents a dramatic contrast in topography. About 30 miles past the arid plains and stark Franklin Mountain range of El Paso, the Rio Grande grows from a trickle to substantial enough to support lush vegetation. I'd never seen a pecan tree before, and suddenly I was passing thousands of acres of them, in all their towering, leafy glory (after Texas, this region - Dona Ana County - is the nation's largest producer). There were fields of onions and chiles (Mesilla is just 42 miles away from Hatch), and vast dairy farms. As a former ranch kid, I instantly felt at home.

Continue reading Mesilla, New Mexico: Discovering A Different Side Of The Southwest

Mesilla, New Mexico: Discovering A Different Side Of The Southwest originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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#OnTheRoad On Instagram: Isles Of Scilly

Alex Robertson Textor — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Hiking, Europe, United Kingdom

rodtuk

For the next few days on Instagram, Gadling is off to the Isles of Scilly.

The Isles of Scilly sit about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, which occupies the far southwest of England. The islands, just five of which are inhabited, are known for their mild Gulf Stream-enabled climate, white sand beaches, palm trees, turquoise waters and historic gardens. Tourism is the local economy's chief motor; the islands are also known for their flower industry.

The smallest of England's 326 districts with around 2200 inhabitants, the Isles of Scilly are an understated place popular with families and a smattering of British celebrities. Both seem to like the islands for their carefree, relaxed atmosphere. But while the islands are dotted with a few high-end properties and restaurants, they are largely devoid of the glitz and flash associated with many celebrity haunts.

I'm not headed down Scilly way for celebrities, by the way. I'll be there for quiet walks, bicycle rides, fresh seafood and, weather willing, some spring warmth.

Do you have any photos you'd like to share with a larger audience? Mention @GadlingTravel in your own photo AND use the hashtag #gadling and your photo will be considered for a future Photo Of The Day.

[Image: Flickr | rodtuk]

#OnTheRoad On Instagram: Isles Of Scilly originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adventures By Disney Announces New Options For Europe And Beyond

Kraig Becker — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Europe, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy

Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney has announced that it is expanding its catalog of travel itineraries for 2014 with new options to Europe and several tours specifically created for the teen traveler. These new additions to the line-up will expand on the company's already diverse group of tours that are designed to provide adventure travel options for families while delivering a distinctly Disney experience.

New to the Adventures by Disney portfolio is a nine-day escape to Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic that includes visits to the vibrant and cosmopolitan cities of Salzburg, Prague and Vienna. While on the tour, travelers will experience ice caves in the Alps, visit wondrous castles, tour a marionette workshop and get a private after-hours tour of the famed Vienna Zoo - the oldest in Europe.

If Italy holds more appeal over Central Europe, then the new Enhanced Italy tour may be more to your liking. This classic family escape will take travelers to the streets of Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Florence, offering VIP treatment along the way. Highlights include an after-hours visit to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, a private pasta-making class and of course a special gondola ride through the canals of Venice.

Finally, ABD has announced three new adventures designed specifically with teenagers in mind. These options include escapes to Peru, Costa Rica and Arizona and Utah, and feature activities intended for teenagers at each of those destinations. In Peru, for instance, they can go stargazing around a campfire in the foothills of the Andes. In Costa Rica, they'll take in the exotic and diverse wildlife of the rainforest and in Arizona and Utah, they'll have the opportunity to go on a bike ride through Boynton Canyon in Sedona. Each of these itineraries was specifically crafted to engage teenagers and allow families with teens to travel together.

Since its inception eight years ago, Adventures by Disney has been providing high quality adventure travel opportunities for the entire family. These new offerings will only expand on the company's award-winning service while offering more choices for customers. If you're looking to introduce a little adventure into your next family escape, they can definitely help you accomplish that in a unique and well-crafted manner.

Adventures By Disney Announces New Options For Europe And Beyond originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo Of The Day: A Gorgeous Moscow Metro Station

Jonathan Kramer — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Europe, Russian Federation, Photo of the Day

Mariusz Kluzniak, Flickr

One of the most beautiful subway systems in the world is the Moscow Metro. The system was originally built under direct orders from Stalin to create gorgeous stations that the people of Moscow would admire for its depictions of a "radiant future." Mariusz Kluzniak took this fantastic panorama of the absolutely beautiful Novoslobodskaya Station. The station's architect, Alexey Dushkin, spent well over a decade on the design, eventually commissioning designs for 32 stained glass panels from famed Russian artist Pavel Korin. The result is fantastic and unlike any other public transportation station in the world.

If you have a great photo, submit it to our Gadling Flickr Group and it could be chosen as one of our future Photos of the Day.

Photo Of The Day: A Gorgeous Moscow Metro Station originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can't Afford Trip To Antarctica? Maybe A Simulated Experience Will Do

Chris Owen — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Theme Parks

Sam Howzit/ Flickr

The idea of a trip to Antarctica is a bucket list item that few travelers have checked off. Tourism numbers are rising as Antarctica welcomes more visitors, but the cost to get there can be prohibitive. Now, Cruise ships head south to visit Antarctica more than ever before. But a luxury cruise ship is surely not a cheap ride. Still, a new theme park attraction might just have the fix needed or at least count as research for the eventual expedition.

SeaWorld Orlando's largest-ever project, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin takes guests on a simulated voyage to Antarctica, complete with a colony of over 200 penguins in their natural habitat. Getting an authentic feel for Antarctica, guests will experience life on the ice through the eyes of a penguin. Via new state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies, visitors get a unique, personal adventure that is said to be different for everyone.

"When our little hero penguin learns to waddle and slide, we'll feel what it's like as the car moves and reacts to the storyline," said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment's creative director, in a TravelPulse article.

Continue reading Can't Afford Trip To Antarctica? Maybe A Simulated Experience Will Do

Can't Afford Trip To Antarctica? Maybe A Simulated Experience Will Do originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazing Time-Lapse Video Of Vivid Sydney Light Show

McLean Robbins — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Australia

"TIMELAPSE - Vivid Sydney 2013 Launch" from Vivid Sydney on Vimeo.

The video above captures an incredible light show happening at the Sydney Opera House as part of the fifth annual Vivid Sydney festival.

The largest light, music and ideas festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid Sydney features lighting installations around the harbour foreshore, live music performances at Sydney Opera House and over 120 creative industry events.

Part of a tourism push, the festival has grown year over year and is expected to attract 550,000 visitors this year alone.

The artists making up the show come not only from Australia but from the USA, Germany, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, Korea, Poland, Brazil and New Zealand.

For the first time this year, the area's famous Harbour Bridge will also be lit up on its western face, and, with a creative touch, the light show will be controlled by the public from an interactive touch screen, through a collaboration with Intel and with Sydney's 32 Hundred Lighting.

The Darling Harbour is also part of the show, featuring water fountains, water projection screens and light shows.

We love the above video and only wish it was set to music so that we could feel more like we were really there! If you're in the area, please send us your comments below - we'd love to hear how it looks, sounds and feels to be there live!

Amazing Time-Lapse Video Of Vivid Sydney Light Show originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 'Ghetto Tours' Canceled After Neighborhood Backlash

Libby Zay — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, News

John Fekner, Wikimedia

After protests from neighborhood residents and representatives, a New York company offering "ghetto tours" of New York has ceased all sightseeing offerings. According to news.com.au, Real Bronx Tours allowed outsiders to gawk at life in the South Bronx "from a safe distance," taking them past housing projects and food pantry lines on three weekly tours.

The news outlet reports that Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito sent an open letter to the company owner saying they were "sickened by the despicable way" the borough was being portrayed and urging the company to stop profiting off of a tour itinerary that "misrepresents the Bronx as a haven for poverty and crime."

The company has since ceased operations, and has even taken down their website. However, those looking to make a pilgrimage to the South Bronx still have tour options - including one offered by resident and anthropologist Elena Martinez, who proudly shows off the neighborhood that was once a microcosm for hip-hop music, fashion and art, through City Lore.

New York 'Ghetto Tours' Canceled After Neighborhood Backlash originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Delta Opens Terminal 4 At New York's JFK (VIDEO)

Libby Zay — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Airports, News

Courtesy Delta Air Lines.

Things are looking up for those traveling through New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Delta Air Lines. After years of planning, and as part of a $1.4 billion investment, the carrier and partners opened a shiny new terminal today.

Under the 360,000-square-foot expansion, Delta says that the company not only renovated check-in areas and other facilities, but also added nine new gates, new retail and dining offerings, a 24,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club with a rooftop terrace and an improved baggage handling system. In addition to the expansion opening today, a second phase of redevelopment will bring 11 more gates, upping the total number to 27 upon completion in summer 2015.

The renovated terminal primes Delta to take (even more) advantage of the largest hub of aviation activity in the United States, New York. Delta says the company provides service to more destinations from New York than any other airline, and is also investing more than $160 million to expand and update their terminals at LaGuardia Airport.

To get a better look at JFK's Terminal 4, check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading Delta Opens Terminal 4 At New York's JFK (VIDEO)

Delta Opens Terminal 4 At New York's JFK (VIDEO) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apply Online For A Turkish Visa

Meg Nesterov — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, Turkey, Internet Tools, News

Meg Nesterov

If you've visited Istanbul or any of the country of Turkey in the past, you had to stand in line to buy a tourist visa sticker (in cash only, payable in USD or Euro) before getting in a longer line to get through border control and out of the airport. If you forgot to buy the Turkish visa first, you'd have to get out of line and hope that a nice person would let you cut back in once you got the sticker. Now, you can apply online and sail right through to the Immigration line, eliminating one step.

The new e-Visa program is available to citizens of most countries, including the United States, Canada, and European Union. Like the sticker system, it costs $20 and your visa is valid for multiple entries for 90 days (the visa is valid for 180 days but you can only stay up to 90 without applying for residency). You can apply up to 24 hours before departure, though they advise one week. If you forget to apply online, don't worry, the old visa desk will still be available at the airport.

Apply for your Turkish visa at www.evisa.gov.tr

Apply Online For A Turkish Visa originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Surfing In Russia

Adam Hodge — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Surfing, Asia, Russian Federation, Video

Russia might be the last place you'd ever think to go surfing but surfers are nothing if not adventurous. In pursuit of the perfect wave, they are liable to go just about anywhere on the planet - from the frigid Arctic waters of Scandinavia to Pakistan's perilous Makran Coast. So when they show up on the remote volcanic coasts of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, is anyone really that surprised?

These guys from SURFER Magazine are particularly dedicated to their favorite sport, crashing through isolated Siberian forest in a military-grade off-road truck to find unexplored shores. On the way they find enough hot springs, friendly locals, pristine rivers and wild forest to satisfy anybody's adventure travel cravings, even if sweet shallow barrels don't get you stoked.

Video: Surfing In Russia originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could It Actually Be Tulsa Time?

Robert Reid — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States

Robert Reid

You know the drill. Mid-sized city revives a long-dormant warehouse district with art galleries, a baseball park, hipster bars, food trucks, even a Spaghetti Warehouse. Locals love it, then brace for a tourism boom that doesn't really come.

But Tulsa's reviving Brady District is different. It has Woody Guthrie.

In truth, this city in the Oklahoma hills where I grew up hasn't offered much outside appeal since the oil wells dried up or Route 66 became a toll road. And for decades, the Brady, across the tracks from downtown, was the quietest, darkest place in a town better known for its TV evangelist Oral Roberts. In fact, the Brady might have been left for good if not for a couple classic music venues, including Cain's Ballroom, where Bob Wills put swing into country music in the '30s.

Now the once-abandoned red-brick townhouses are home to glass-blowing schools, violin shops, falafel stands, cafes, outdoor films and yoga classes, and even the Hanson brothers' studio 3CG. Nora Guthrie, the frizzy haired daughter of the legendary folk hero, calls this area the perfect place for the new Woody Guthrie Center. "It's like SoHo in 1969 to 1971," she says of her former New York neighborhood. "There's this budding creativity, not caring about a specific idea, just a notion to do something."

In other words, Woody would approve.

Continue reading Could It Actually Be Tulsa Time?

Could It Actually Be Tulsa Time? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barcelona Disses Plans For A Space Hotel

Reena Ganga — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spain, Hotels and Accommodations, News

jurvetson, Flickr

Do you find yourself bored by the typical hotel's amenities? Butler services, organic mini bars and other bells and whistles just don't do it for you anymore? Well how about staying in a hotel with a vertical wind tunnel? And maybe after that you can unwind in the world's first zero-gravity spa? It sounds pretty out there, but those features are actually part of the plans for a Space Hotel in Barcelona, Spain.

The company behind the project, Mobilona, recently announced their vision for the complex, which includes a hotel, private apartments, a 24-hour shopping mall and a marina. All of this would be built on a Dubai-style, man-made island giving guests sea views no matter which way their room faces. A stay in the 2,000-suite hotel - which looks like something out of a sci-fi movie - would cost between 300 and 1500 euros per night.

Continue reading Barcelona Disses Plans For A Space Hotel

Barcelona Disses Plans For A Space Hotel originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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80-Year-Old Climber Summits Everest

Kraig Becker — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Asia, Nepal, News

AP Photo

Yesterday, 80-year-old mountaineer Yiuchiro Miura successfully reached the summit of Mt. Everest, setting a new age record in the process. Miura, who has climbed the mountain on two previous occasions, is now the oldest person to ever stand on top of the tallest mountain on the planet. But just how long he'll hold that distinction remains to be seen.

There were some concerns about the weather conditions heading to the summit, as the forecasts had called for high winds. Bad weather could have scrubbed Miura's summit attempt, but fortunately the predicted shift didn't come. As a result, it was a good day for climbing and although it was cold on the summit, the Japanese alpinist and his son Gota managed to reach the top in a safe and timely fashion. They spent roughly a half-hour on the summit celebrating their accomplishment and calling home to their support team via satellite phone before heading back down.

We told you about Miura's quest to climb Everest a few weeks back, noting at the time that he was vying for the title of the oldest to achieve that feat with 81-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan of Nepal. Sherchan has yet to begin his climb as a stomach ailment has kept him in Base Camp in recent days. He says that he is feeling stronger now and hopes to make a summit bid next week. If he is successful, he'll wrest the title of oldest Everest climber away from his Japanese rival. In 2008, at the age of 76, Sherchan topped out one day ahead of Miura, nabbing the record that has stood for the past five years.

Sherchan will have to have a little luck go his way, however, as the weather forecasts indicate the current summit window will close in the next few days. It is unclear whether or not another window will open before the end of the month, which traditionally sees a shifting of the jet stream that signals the arrival of the seasonal monsoons. When that happens, no one will be able to climb Everest until the fall at the earliest.

80-Year-Old Climber Summits Everest originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo Of The Day: Yemen Beach

Meg Nesterov — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Yemen, Photo of the Day, Middle East

Slyhoo, Flickr

Looking at the gorgeous beach landscape above, you might think you were looking at Hawaii or New Zealand. Today's Photo of the Day was actually taken in Yemen, a Middle Eastern country, which just celebrated its Unity Day after being consolidated in 1990, and the first Arab country to give women the right to vote. With borders on the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, there's no shortage of beaches, but while the US State Department still has a warning against travel to Yemen, you might just have to enjoy them virtually.

Want to see your travel photos as a Photo of the Day? Share your Creative Commons shots with us on Flickr in the Gadling photo pool.

Photo Of The Day: Yemen Beach originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cruise Traveler Rights Detailed In New Bill

Chris Owen — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, North America, United States, Transportation, News, Cruises, Luxury Travel

Clearly Ambiguous/Flickr

Travelers' rights are often difficult to define. We know about the so-called Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, designed to give air travelers some relief in a deregulated airline industry when things go wrong. When held on the tarmac for too long, passengers now have the right to get off the aircraft. Bumped against your will? You might be entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash. But what about cruise travelers? What rights do they have when things go wrong? The new Cruise Industry Passenger Bill Of Rights has answers.

Released this week by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry organization that includes cruise lines, industry suppliers and travel agencies, the Cruise Industry Passenger Bill Of Rights details what should happen when things go wrong on a cruise ship. Unlike the airline version though, the cruise passenger bill of rights is more of an explanation of what cruise lines normally and customarily have been doing, as opposed to a set of laws for which fines can be levied against a cruise line that breaks them.

Still, there is value to cruise travelers in what the bill holds, if for no other reason than to educate buyers about what to expect. Experts agree.

"CLIA's Passenger Bill of Rights is a very good policy for passengers and the cruise industry as it crystallizes rights and responsibilities in a consistent manner across all member cruise lines," cruise expert Stewart Chiron, CEO of CruiseGuy told Gadling.

Continue reading Cruise Traveler Rights Detailed In New Bill

Cruise Traveler Rights Detailed In New Bill originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prague Will Introduce 'Singles Only' Dating Cars On Subway

Libby Zay — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Czech Republic, Transportation, News

Premshree Pillai, Flickr

Riding the rails through Europe is an often-romanticized journey - unless, of course, you're referring to a subway system. In that case, the only time people bump into each other tends to cause annoyance, with most choosing to sit alone and stare at a book or advertisement in a desperate attempt to avoid eye contact with fellow travelers (not to mention buskers).

But an initiative by the Prague public transport system intends to change the way people feel about getting from here to there by introducing singles-only "love trains," Spiegel Online is reporting. A spokesman for Ropid, the city's public transport authority, told the news outlet the initiative is part of a long-term campaign that aims to bring to light activities you can do while riding public transport that you cannot do inside your car (like reading or playing games on your cellphone ... or in this case, getting to know a complete stranger). Ropid plans to work with dating agencies to help facilitate the program, which will only operate on nights and weekends - cause as GOOD points out, you don't want to risk running into Mr. Right before you've had your morning coffee.

[via GOOD]

Prague Will Introduce 'Singles Only' Dating Cars On Subway originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 May 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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