RSSOct|12|2008
Dance Up A Storm In Amsterdam
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Backpacking & Budget, Festivals
Late in October is a very good time to be in Amsterdam, especially if you love dancing. From the 22nd of October to the 25th of the same month, the Amsterdam Dance Event (or ADE as enthusiasts fondly call it) is going to be held all over the city. ADE is going to be celebrated in 40 of the most popular clubs in Amsterdam, with more than 700 DJs participating. The expected number of people? Only about 72,000!
Backpackers has this write up about the event:
Heading for Amsterdam later this month? If so, and if you’re a party animal, you’re going to want to check out what is the biggest club festival in the world: the Amsterdam Dance Event.
So what makes it the biggest? Well, the four-day event features over 700 DJ’s and acts performing …
Oct|10|2008
For The Mob-Obsessed
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Destinations, News
Have you watched the Godfather many times over? Do you believe that you can learn everything you need to know about life from that series? Do you have a penchant for all things mob? If you answered yes to at least one of those questions, then you might be interested in the newest museum in Las Vegas.
Dubbed The Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, it will showcase the activities of organized crime in the city. Oskar Garcia of AP reports:
The City Council unveiled the name Tuesday, along with logos resembling court documents with material blacked out. The first redaction obscures the word “mob.”
“I don’t think anybody is able to do tongue-in-cheek the way Las Vegas can do it,” said Mayor Oscar Goodman, a former criminal defense lawyer who represented organized crime figures …
Sep|04|2008
New Destination For Foodies: Tokyo
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Asia, Destinations, Food and Drink
It used to be that when one wanted to go to the premier destination for food, it was Paris that came to mind first. These days, it seems that there is a new culinary capital – at least according to the experts. The attention of Michelin, arguably the foodie’s guide to the best, was placed on Tokyo and they came up with a Michelin guide. What did it contain? Nothing but praise for this foodie’s haven, where even the ones on a budget could satisfy their palates with tons of great food.
MSN reports:
Here’s a Michelin morsel:
“Tokyo is a shining star in the world of cuisine,” Michelin Guides Director Jean-Luc Naret said shortly after its Tokyo edition came out last November. “We found the city’s restaurants to be excellent, featuring the best ingredients, culinary …
Jun|04|2008
Airline Luggage No Longer A Free Thing
Posted by Noemi as Air Travel, Announcements, Transport
You’ve probably heard all about it by now. American Airlines is the first major American carrier that is charging their clients for the first piece of checked luggage. It does not come as a surprise for some people. They have actually seen this coming. Why haven’t I?
It is understandable that airline carriers would charge for the second, third, even fourth, piece of luggage. But a charge for the first one? This is utterly ridiculous! Every traveler feels – and knows – that it is his right to have one piece of luggage free when he flies. It has always been this way and I believe that it should be.
Then again, I am not part of the airline industry. They must have their reasons, no? According to Charles Leocha of MSNBC:
The airlines have long …
Feb|11|2008
Amazing Thailand Campaign
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Asia, Family, News
This year, tourists are in for a treat if they ever visit the Land of Smiles, officially known as Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently launched “E-marketing for Amazing Thailand 2008” wherein there will be a flurry of online activities to promote travel products for the country.
I have always been a fan of Thailand, most especially after that week-long trip that we had there last year. When I got an e-mail from the TAT, promoting their new campaign, I headed directly to their Amazing Thailand web site. What I saw there made me long for the streets of Bangkok and the surrounding countryside once again. Since I have not been to their famed beaches, I felt this strange desire to just hop on a plane and go for a visit – I wish!
So …
Jan|08|2008
Doing Good While On Vacation
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Arts & Culture, Eco-Friendly, Family
Why do we go on vacation? If you are anything like me, the primary reason is to enjoy myself and to have a change from my daily life. I suppose that this is the main reason for most people to go on trips, yet have you heard of family volunteer vacations?
This is an alternative type of vacation for families who want to do more on their break than merely enjoy themselves. What happens is that the trip is meant as a get away from the mundane daily life of the family and aims to help other people who are less fortunate at the same time. The way I see it, volunteer vacations targets a lot of things:
-the family gets to experience something new
-the children learn about other ways of living
-the children experience how it is to …
Dec|12|2007
Christmas Markets – Shop Your Heart Out
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Destinations, Family, Food and Drink, Shopping, United States
Is your family a shopping family? Do you and your kids love going out on the weekends to hunt for great buys or to simply look around? If so, then Christmas Markets just might make the holiday season for the whole family.
Christmas Markets have long been a tradition in Europe. From Germany to France to the UK, Christmas Markets have always been a focal point of Christmas celebrations. Even as we speak, there are countless Christmas Markets going on in these places.
For those who are in the “New World,” Christmas Markets are not a thing to miss, as well. In fact, there are now quite a lot of Christmas Markets scattered throughout the United States. Many of them are concepts carried on from their European counterparts.
What is so different about Christmas Markets? For …
Dec|03|2007
See Santa this Christmas
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Destinations, Family, Festivals, United States
For many children, Santa is a permanent fixture associated with Christmas. What better way to surprise and delight your family than a visit to see Santa at the North Pole? I am not talking about the “real” North Pole here – the trip may be beyond many families’ resources. However, there is a North Pole which is more accessible – North Pole, NY.
Around 12 miles from Lake Placid in the Adirondacks, you can find North Pole. Here, people take Santa seriously. For the most part of November and December, you can take your family to visit and enjoy everything about Santa. Usually, at this time of the year, you can find weekend packages that will suit your budget.
The activities offered in North Pole are …
Nov|28|2007
Have a Chocolatey Christmas!
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Destinations, Events, Family, Festivals, Food and Drink, Shopping, United States
Do you love chocolate? I sure do and I bet your children do too! If you are looking for something to do this Christmas with the whole family and you all love chocolate, why not head on over to the Hershey Park in Pennsylvania?
Believe me, they take Christmas seriously over there. During this time of the year, Hershey Park has a host of activities and events that are dedicated solely to the celebration of the Christmas season. At the center of all the hustle and bustle is the Hershey Park Christmas Candylane. You and your children will surely have a blast as you enjoy all the brilliant lights and decorations, interact with Santa and his reindeer, and shop at the various shops. There are also various rides that suit children of different ages. …
Oct|09|2007
Super Saver Trip Tips: Wander, Write and Win
Posted by Hannah Grace as Announcements, Reading Room, Tips, Website
Tip #3 – Wander, Write and Win
Tip number three won’t really save you any money during your trip but it can MAKE you MONEY AFTER you go on your trip. As the title suggests one way you can “reimburse” some of that money you spent on your grand (or not-so-grand) vacation would be to write about your travel experience, submit your story and get paid for it.
The problem with this set up is that most travel magazines and travel blogs already have full time writers and do not accept stories from “ordinary travelers”. Then there are those that do accept feedbacks and comments but do not offer payment, leaving you with a brain full of memories and a pocketful of lint.
Enter the internet. The great thing about the internet is that it is not only a great place to surf for bargain vacation packages …
