tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22680345023688037782024-03-13T23:13:22.887-07:00Nonstop TravelWelcome to our Nonstop Travel Blog!
Nonstop Travel, established in 1984, is your specialist for travel from the USA to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We are well known for our wholesale ticket prices to Europe, our guaranteed lowest car rental rates and THE destination specialist for Germany.Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-78906893880165938462014-09-23T15:14:00.000-07:002014-09-23T15:14:31.835-07:00NEW Lufthansa Premium Economy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93MvqlmS16J0FDK4cRZmCF53hHv1bhb6rFH_WnWOBacTFsz4nBCfnlZPklMPL166oHEy-uRCcfsvidI2wls4UeBV4cMQbPFovFwL5Jw7V8VfdLE_mIlwiSLHbm2-Nifw-A3KJqYjHgfQ/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93MvqlmS16J0FDK4cRZmCF53hHv1bhb6rFH_WnWOBacTFsz4nBCfnlZPklMPL166oHEy-uRCcfsvidI2wls4UeBV4cMQbPFovFwL5Jw7V8VfdLE_mIlwiSLHbm2-Nifw-A3KJqYjHgfQ/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">We gathered some detailed information about the differences between Economy, Economy Plus and Premium Economy, so you can make an informed decision when buying your next airline tickets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Nonstop Travel Team was invited to an exclusive pre-launch event here in Los Angeles to experience the new class of service personally and hands on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We believe that for the extra money you spend to fly Premium Economy, you are getting a lot in return. Especially when traveling with an extra suitcase, the upgrade almost pays for itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Here are the main advantages:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>More personal space: New Seat with up to 50% more space</b></li>
<li><b>More baggage: Two bags, each weighing up to 23kg</b></li>
<li><b>More delight: Meals served on china tableware</b></li>
<li><b>More to look forward to: On board welcome drink</b></li>
<li><b>More entertainment: Larger 11 - 12 inch screen</b></li>
<li><b>More relaxation: Amenity bag with useful travel accessories</b></li>
<li><b>More refreshment: Individual water bottle at your seat</b></li>
<li><b>More exclusivity: Access to selected Lufthansa lounges for a fee</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please visit our website: <a href="http://www.nonstoptravel.net/"><span style="color: orange;"><b>www.nonstoptravel.net</b></span></a> or call our office at <b>(800) 949-6362</b> for discounted consolidator airfare on Lufthansa's Premium Economy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are our FAQ - Frequently asked questions answered for you:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">General</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is the difference between ‘Economy Plus’ and
‘Premium Economy’?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Economy Plus' offers passengers more legroom, but has
the same seat as in Economy Class. It is often not considered to be a separate
travel class and distinct product but rather as a special zone within Economy
Class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Premium Economy Class, in contrast, offers passengers an
improved, larger seat – both in terms of a greater seat pitch and a wider seat.
In addition, passengers are offered extra service elements, such as a higher
free baggage allowance and an enhanced in-flight service. Premium Economy Class
is regarded as a separate travel class on Lufthansa flights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Check-in and baggage </i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is the position with excess baggage charges in
Premium Economy Class?</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The free baggage allowance in Premium Economy Class is
two bags each up to 23 kg. The charges for excess baggage correspond to those
for Economy Class.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuVxOQvqrTKLsNzVu-hN7KDjjC9Er8ccimQo-kTumxX87Z0iu64YYoq7J7OejCxHIhJb_JPvLvlI46DM9pqiktoneczNSqzzqHV-adB6TKHxA8EVjbF9EQPnSBRL3_-yU9vMmTdwZYpg/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuVxOQvqrTKLsNzVu-hN7KDjjC9Er8ccimQo-kTumxX87Z0iu64YYoq7J7OejCxHIhJb_JPvLvlI46DM9pqiktoneczNSqzzqHV-adB6TKHxA8EVjbF9EQPnSBRL3_-yU9vMmTdwZYpg/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Are Premium Economy Class passengers allowed to check in
at the Business Class counters or are there special Premium Economy Class
check-in counters?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No, there are no special check-in counters. Premium
Economy Class passengers can use the check-in options for Economy Class
passengers or those corresponding to their Miles & More status.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Lounge access</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Are Premium Economy Class passengers allowed to use the
Lufthansa Lounges?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yes, Premium Economy Class customers can use almost all
Lufthansa Business Lounges for a fee of 25 euros or 35 US dollars. Access to
the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt is also possible for a fee of 50
euros or 70 US dollars. For HON Circle Members, Senators and Frequent
Travelers lounge access is free of charge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Can lounge access be purchased in advance?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
No. Access to the lounge must be purchased directly at
the airport – depending on the location either at the Lufthansa ticket counter
or in the lounge itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Do passengers have to pay for every individual lounge
access or is the lounge voucher they purchase valid for their entire journey?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Customers must pay separately to use the Lufthansa
Business Lounges and the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge at each airport.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0q7mbkf5pY_REhd_1vSyDgl3ZjCcV40lVeEtvyololx9OSPMEwYFUIYn8iVH4Vgkk7qENB12ZRCQMRl2_LcVRU03VpbdfTAZO5qnaOU7KoYmiwXjxKEgbL5bDZTdywM5LuPJ1VxhZW4/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0q7mbkf5pY_REhd_1vSyDgl3ZjCcV40lVeEtvyololx9OSPMEwYFUIYn8iVH4Vgkk7qENB12ZRCQMRl2_LcVRU03VpbdfTAZO5qnaOU7KoYmiwXjxKEgbL5bDZTdywM5LuPJ1VxhZW4/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Product and service details</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Are there leg-rests at the seats?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The first row of seats in Premium Economy Class will be
equipped with leg-rests. All seats will have footrests.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Will a USB port and a power outlet be available at each
seat in Premium Economy Class?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yes, each seat in Premium Economy Class will be equipped
with both a USB port and a power outlet.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>How great is the angle of the backrest recline?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The angle of backrest recline for the Premium Economy
Class seat is 130° in full recline and 112° in the upright position (in
comparison with Economy Class: 121° in full recline, 106° upright).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Can the central console be folded up?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
No, the central console in Premium Economy Class cannot
be folded up, it is a fixed part of the seat.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The Premium Economy Class seat in detail</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Do the meals in Premium Economy Class differ from the
ones in Economy Class?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yes, compared to Economy Class, the meals will be upgraded
and served on china tableware.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Is the in-flight entertainment program in Premium Economy
Class the same as in Economy Class?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The content of the entertainment program on board is
identical in all travel classes. The Premium Economy Class monitor, however, is
significantly larger than an Economy Class monitor although slightly smaller
than that in Business Class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AMrQXk0y2196RrkYUsdUq7VwtKzxZ8-SbUI6TOF9IVo0EcPos2NxONecr2WybqvqRrwih48dSHVwvD2fzFT1p9G-ndELX1IwTn1rPTpW7boZTMbGGGUMeZu1QLSetyK0510poiLtJEU/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AMrQXk0y2196RrkYUsdUq7VwtKzxZ8-SbUI6TOF9IVo0EcPos2NxONecr2WybqvqRrwih48dSHVwvD2fzFT1p9G-ndELX1IwTn1rPTpW7boZTMbGGGUMeZu1QLSetyK0510poiLtJEU/s1600/Untitled.png" height="360" width="400" /></a><b>(1)</b> Seating area up to 3 cm wider<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(2)</b> Adjustable backrest which reclines far back (130°)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(3)</b> Generous seat pitch (97 cm / + 17 cm)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(4)</b> Footrests from the second row or leg-rests with
integrated footrests in the front row<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(5)</b> Always a separate armrest<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(6)</b> Adjustable headrest and wings for comfortable support
during sleep<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(7)</b> Ergonomic seat and back cushions for optimal comfort<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(8)</b> Foldout table in the armrest<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(9)</b> Plenty of storage space for personal items<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(10)</b> Each passenger sits no more than one seat away from
the aisle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>(11)</b> Separate power outlet at the seat</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4xvBQj4f4DA25znKiWwh7rdNh-dtE7NHBc-FeUwGQz7lBreNFxvpjYcY88_SjbnNfGyv8RzsRx1UmQvMYg8vhCiMKne0ac_xPuYLbsMkvYP9r-OxqGvqe9CO_7P50JV7bMBkVSaXWso/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4xvBQj4f4DA25znKiWwh7rdNh-dtE7NHBc-FeUwGQz7lBreNFxvpjYcY88_SjbnNfGyv8RzsRx1UmQvMYg8vhCiMKne0ac_xPuYLbsMkvYP9r-OxqGvqe9CO_7P50JV7bMBkVSaXWso/s1600/1LH+Premium+Economy+5.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Availability </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Is there a summary with the Premium Economy Class start
dates for individual destinations?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Boeing 747-8s will be the first part of the fleet to
be equipped with the new seats and will be available from this December. From
the end of January 2015 we expect the first retrofitted A340-600s to take off
from Munich; from the end of April the A380s will already be flying from
Frankfurt with Premium Economy Class. The retrofitting of Lufthansa’s more than
100 long- haul aircraft should be completed by late summer 2015. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>The destination summary in detail</b>: </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>From 10 December 2014 on the Boeing 747-8 from Frankfurt
to:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Chicago</li>
<li>Los Angeles</li>
<li>Washington, D.C.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>From 22 April 2015 on the Airbus A380 from Frankfurt to: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Houston</li>
<li>Miami</li>
<li>New York</li>
<li>San Francisco</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>From 12 May 2015 on the Airbus A340 from Munich to:</b></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Los Angeles</li>
<li>San Francisco</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
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</div>
Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-58848971459765016662014-01-24T16:22:00.000-08:002014-01-24T16:22:00.652-08:00Travel Packing Tip - Packing Guide<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Packing
can be a challenge for many people so we surveyed our travel experts here in
the office and compiled our very own list of unique packing tips. We hope these
suggestions help you and your clients travel lighter on future trips.</span></h2>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGurZB_CxUgrzS3a-YXk3FfkrAqs6rsys1wYsHxvcluhs8g2aQJ1K5U7M4ww7iU4t6eB0T8FJQCq6JsNc_feYHDyPuQ13ay0h0YNjQBN9MuX8GXmJ_OEfsr8ibnHiyyH7KLm8nPwWyrc/s1600/johnny-cupcakes-suitcase-full-of-tshirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGurZB_CxUgrzS3a-YXk3FfkrAqs6rsys1wYsHxvcluhs8g2aQJ1K5U7M4ww7iU4t6eB0T8FJQCq6JsNc_feYHDyPuQ13ay0h0YNjQBN9MuX8GXmJ_OEfsr8ibnHiyyH7KLm8nPwWyrc/s1600/johnny-cupcakes-suitcase-full-of-tshirts.jpg" height="200" width="186" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. <b>Make a list and lay out your suitcase</b> - This
is a sure fire way to not forget anything. If you start your list the week
before travel, you have time to add things as they come to mind. Laying out
your suitcase several days before you start packing allows you to drop items
into the suitcase as you see them around the house. Doing an audit before you
begin packing is crucial to ensure that you don't end up bringing non-essential
items.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Plan your outfits</b> - If you're not hiking a mountain, you don't need
hiking boots. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you will
often have an idea of what activities you need to prepare for. Go through each
day and plan your ensemble based on your schedule; clothes can always be
shuffled around or supplemented if plans change. This is an easy way to make
sure that you don't return home with clothes that you never wore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">3. <b>Prepare with layers</b>
- Traveling to several destinations, or during times when weather patterns are
fluctuating, can be tricky. By planning multiple layers you can adapt your
clothing throughout the day or as weather changes.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Limit your shoes, and don't bring new ones</b> - Shoes take up a lot of
space. Try to pick just a couple pairs of shoes that can take you through
multiple outfits, and stay away from anything too flashy. It is less likely
that someone will notice that you are repeating footwear if you're not wearing
ruby slippers. Also, don't bring new shoes on vacation. Most likely you will
only get to wear them once before they start hurting your feet and then they
are only taking up valuable real estate in your suitcase. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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5. <b>Use carry on size toiletries</b> - Packing only the essential cosmetics
and toiletries can significantly cut down on luggage. Full size shampoos and
conditioners can be bulky or messy, and you don't need a six month supply of
moisturizer or shaving cream. Try bringing sample sizes or invest in bottles
that fit the carry on requirements. These can be found at most drug stores and
are inexpensive and reusable. <br />
<br />
6. <b>When in doubt, leave it at home</b> - If there is only a chance you will
need it, don't bring it. This sounds basic, but it's a mistake many make.
Remember, the worst case scenario is you end up needing an item you didn't
bring - don't forget that there are stores in almost any destination you will
be traveling to. This is also a fantastic way to shed those last few items that
won't fit in your suitcase. More often than not, you won't miss them!<br />
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Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-2355854297444236722014-01-16T10:21:00.004-08:002014-01-16T10:55:35.261-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><b><i>Hotel Regent, Berlin</i></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Property Review by Yvonne Malka (yvonne@nonstoptravel.net)<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just stayed at the REGENT Berlin and it left me speechless. Everything, really everything was great to a T. The location is superb. Its right by the Gendarmenmarkt and in my opinion the best location in Berlin. </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Regent is right around the corner from an U Bahn station and within walking distance to many of the amazing sights. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">When you enter the hotel, everyone greets you with a smile. Everyone is ueber nice and it doesn't feel fake. The lobby is a dream and you feel the history and richness in every step through the hotel. They serve breakfast, lunch, offer a tea time and a very exclusive dinner at their restaurant Fischer'</span>s Fritz. This was the first 2 star restaurant in Berlin and they kept that for 7 straight years. A great tip is their lunch, even for non hotel guests, because the evening dinner is somewhat formal. They have one of the only 5 Lobster Press in the world at Fischers Fritz. The other one is in a museum in France and 2 in Belgium (forgot where the 5th one is). They press only the female lobster table side and the juice is supposed to be to die for. The restaurant also caters to food allergies, just let them know 24 hrs before arrival and the kitchen will be well aware of it. (This was probably the best gluten free breakfast I had in ages).</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rooms are very nice and the superior and deluxe rooms come in either a creme color or light orange color. The bathrooms are amazing, marble floors, beautiful mirror doors and nice amenities from l'occitane. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Regent also caters nicely to kids/families. My son enjoyed his kids size bathrobe, toothbrush/toothpaste for kids, along with Weleda kids products, sponges, organic soaps for the kids. They also put a teddy bear in the room to take home. The rooms have everything a business traveler needs as well, including free WiFi. Our clients can also rent free DVDs at the front desk. Some of the rooms do have a step out balcony, some don't. Just request them if you know your client would appreciate that. </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their executive suites are a nice size and sometimes with our Signature upgrades from the deluxe rooms, well worth looking into. </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their presidential suites have AMAZING views and are just beautiful. I left ueber happy and can recommend this beautiful hotel without a doubt in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Hotel Regent Berlin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charlottenstraße 49, 10117 Berlin, Germany <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rates from Euro 340/night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Special Amenities through Nonstop Travel:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US">Full Breakfast for 2 daily<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US">One Food & Beverage Credit of Euro 50 per room/stay<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US">Welcome Gift<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following amenities are subject to availability at time of reservation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US"><a href="http://goo.gl/vQghU9" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More Info about this Property</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-47832633231224070542013-04-12T14:14:00.000-07:002013-04-12T14:14:13.905-07:0010 most affordable cities in Europe for 2013For the intrepid budget traveler, few frontiers offer as many challenges—and potential victories—as Europe. It may seem like sky-high prices, particularly in summer, are a nonnegotiable in Europe, but travelers willing to expand their frontiers will encounter dazzling affordability along with dozens of new reasons to love the continent.<br />
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To find cities offering exceptional value right now, we looked at five value indexes that measure everything from flight prices to average hotel costs to the amount you can expect to pay for a pint of beer in a particular city. Often, the cities featured on lists like these come with more expensive flights, so we also factored in average airfares by season. For the places where flights are pricier, we offer some suggestions for keeping airfare costs down.<br />
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What we found is that while there are deals to be found in Western Europe, for a truly affordable European experience, your best bet is to look east.<br />
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Bon voyage! Or, should we say (in Latvian), drosu braucienu!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfguX3uo8kfekhc0qEMV49BRp5ycmLWBBXJTwcsELB-sS8o-w_RTgpWrKsJ4bnlq8N1en0Mi_Zc1tQvdTywYxGyJ7FapS691gOF4klkIzk9IrrToLOUazR1qfkBSNOFmboCQyTTiOukg/s1600/Sofia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfguX3uo8kfekhc0qEMV49BRp5ycmLWBBXJTwcsELB-sS8o-w_RTgpWrKsJ4bnlq8N1en0Mi_Zc1tQvdTywYxGyJ7FapS691gOF4klkIzk9IrrToLOUazR1qfkBSNOFmboCQyTTiOukg/s200/Sofia.jpg" width="148" /></a><b>1. SOFIA, BULGARIA</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: Topping Price of Travel's European 3-Star Traveler Index —which compares the cost of a centrally located, well-reviewed three-star hotel, plus the c<br />
ost of transportation, some activities, food and drink—Sofia, Bulgaria, earns the title of Europe's cheapest tourist city for 2013, coming in at under $50 a day (all prices mentioned are accurate as of press time).<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> Airfare to Sofia is somewhat expensive, and there aren't a ton of good alternative options, though Sofia does have connecting service from other European cities on low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Wizz Air. If you're thinking of relying on train or bus service from another, more affordable European entry point, know that it will likely be a long, long journey.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-838489" target="_blank">Hotels in Sofia</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy0Eq-KnKNuJ5LjSjpyWPQnb2j50dDXzYCjaFgWUWqAglvYnaBJxNYg2Rs73d8zErQfCK8r00pX64sCyMiOwAbU6AqLHmesf-7g7iDW4HhwXhyphenhyphenUKFMj3j65H4CSoNsDR4R2_ZvBQbhY8/s1600/Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy0Eq-KnKNuJ5LjSjpyWPQnb2j50dDXzYCjaFgWUWqAglvYnaBJxNYg2Rs73d8zErQfCK8r00pX64sCyMiOwAbU6AqLHmesf-7g7iDW4HhwXhyphenhyphenUKFMj3j65H4CSoNsDR4R2_ZvBQbhY8/s200/Berlin.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>2. BERLIN</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: While they're not among the absolute cheapest spring and summer airfares, flights to Berlin from the U.S. are definitely on the cheaper end of the spectrum, in some cases beating out flights to gateways such as Paris and London. But it's not until you take a look at accommodations costs that Berlin's affordability really starts to shine. Healthy competition among hostels and cheaper hotels keeps budget accommodations inexpensive. According to CNN, Berlin is also home to some of the world's most affordable five-star hotels, a definite perk for budget travelers seeking something more upscale. Even when you factor in food and activities, Berlin remains a bargain; in fact, the city made this year's European 3-Star Traveler Index, with an average daily cost of $108 per traveler.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> Right now, the euro is the primary challenge for budget travelers visiting Berlin. The Economist's Big Mac Index suggests that the euro is overvalued by about 12 percent, meaning the exchange rate isn't maximizing value for travelers converting U.S. dollars. But it's not all bad news: Due in part to recent eurozone struggles, we're seeing exchange rates that are at least decent, compared to the high rates of the last five years.<br />
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<a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-1746443" target="_blank"><b>Hotels in Berlin</b></a><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Berlin/d488-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Berlin</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtTtfcUw6nniFiRDRjgzprCUHjY_9bfxIdoDGYBLS5tQ6ehy3xoJQVccXnABr0v8C2HWOje68NA7iKLRa3G8EaAPPq4GRuMgqCVNji2oWJOGxUoYC33ntvmjP-pNJ59f5WzutVIORStg/s1600/Riga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtTtfcUw6nniFiRDRjgzprCUHjY_9bfxIdoDGYBLS5tQ6ehy3xoJQVccXnABr0v8C2HWOje68NA7iKLRa3G8EaAPPq4GRuMgqCVNji2oWJOGxUoYC33ntvmjP-pNJ59f5WzutVIORStg/s200/Riga.jpg" width="148" /></a><b>3. RIGA, LATVIA</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: In a country whose currency offers Americans an excellent exchange rate, Riga stands out as a city with plenty to offer even those on a tight budget. Hotels.com's Hotel Price Index rates Riga the second most affordable city in Europe for accommodations, with an average price of about $82 per night. The city also scored top spots on Price of Travel's European Backpacker Index for 2013 and European 3-Star Traveler Index.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges: </b>Airfare to Riga tends to be more expensive than flights to other major European cities. If you're looking to save, you might consider booking a less expensive ticket to a city with connections to Riga via low-fare carriers such as Ryanair or easyJet. When you're pricing this out, however, be sure to factor in all the added fees (including steep baggage and check-in fees) you'll incur by flying these low-cost carriers. And note that you may have to change airports, since low-cost carriers tend to favor smaller airports, sometimes in inconvenient locations.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-3212216" target="_blank">Hotels in Riga</a></b><br />
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<b><br />4. LISBON, PORTUGAL</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkZGt-oqUsytNlF7lpWn3QNwGniWq42-etwHefe44v14mmOUdmpS1ZViYk6jpiYmaPy2zahp6tD3vJj-V1cWFzGUbgl3QSqqypcxZkHWh__WCjBTRwTfj_qOJnw7Ux45VrZr9tHpgzX4/s1600/Lisbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkZGt-oqUsytNlF7lpWn3QNwGniWq42-etwHefe44v14mmOUdmpS1ZViYk6jpiYmaPy2zahp6tD3vJj-V1cWFzGUbgl3QSqqypcxZkHWh__WCjBTRwTfj_qOJnw7Ux45VrZr9tHpgzX4/s200/Lisbon.jpg" width="148" /></a>Affordability lowdown: Lisbon stands out among European destinations for its comparatively low spring and summer airfare prices. In fact, from San Francisco, average summer airfares were about half as much to Lisbon as they were to London. And according to Hotels.com's Hotel Price Index, year-over-year accommodations costs dropped by seven percent in 2012, bringing the average nightly price of a hotel down to $115.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> As with Berlin, the biggest challenge in Lisbon is the euro itself, which doesn't offer as much value as some of the other currencies on this list. However, eurozone troubles have driven the euro down enough that travelers exchanging U.S. dollars will still find decently good value.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-2167973" target="_blank">Hotels in Lisbon</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Lisbon/d538-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Lisbon</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kLUcDHbbADXsQ1Hh_7C-56nHDpHth5k-VsVawNNNgPXtK_a_QJ2FGDQG8p8gHRt7oD9-Och8lDvEMGLGctUWXJe9aFTkrQY1eUxJ9pIhGbnkuilMjG050V-PutW0e0HW731xAH2S68E/s1600/Kiev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kLUcDHbbADXsQ1Hh_7C-56nHDpHth5k-VsVawNNNgPXtK_a_QJ2FGDQG8p8gHRt7oD9-Och8lDvEMGLGctUWXJe9aFTkrQY1eUxJ9pIhGbnkuilMjG050V-PutW0e0HW731xAH2S68E/s200/Kiev.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>5. KIEV, UKRAINE</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: Kiev is the affordable capital of a country we recently named one of our 10 Places You Should Go While They're Still Cheap. The European Backpacker Index for 2013 puts the daily cost of accommodations, food and drink, and some activities and transportation at a mere $26. And according to The Economist's Big Mac Index, the Ukranian hryvnia is undervalued by nearly 50 percent against the dollar, giving travelers even more spending power.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges: </b>Its off-the-beaten-path location offers a lot of benefits, but it also equates to higher airfare prices. A lack of service from low-cost carriers means that savings options are limited, so if you're looking to save, keep an eye out for airfare sales from larger carriers serving the country.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-1044367" target="_blank">Hotels in Kiev</a></b><br />
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<b>6. ISTANBUL</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PSnNc6nu4bJBSRlHmbwn2zphKIl2SELCU6mKHOb38xmOvvdtC452mvBj_qpJPCBn7GCE-x0ayddDhUBZXrtK0SVENpA7XCpcg9o4vNFQiFEMlpZ2g2zgkDHlSZUtZidExwgqgKTAvzs/s1600/Istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PSnNc6nu4bJBSRlHmbwn2zphKIl2SELCU6mKHOb38xmOvvdtC452mvBj_qpJPCBn7GCE-x0ayddDhUBZXrtK0SVENpA7XCpcg9o4vNFQiFEMlpZ2g2zgkDHlSZUtZidExwgqgKTAvzs/s200/Istanbul.jpg" width="200" /></a>Affordability lowdown: Spring and summer airfare prices from the U.S. to Istanbul are consistently among the lowest to Europe. While this might seem surprising, given that a flight from the U.S. to Turkey is much longer than a flight to, say, Madrid, it actually makes a fair amount of sense: Istanbul has become a worldwide air hub (and earned itself a top spot on our Destinations to Watch in 2013 because of it), with plenty of competition to keep costs low. And attesting to its wealth of budget accommodations, Istanbul secured a place on the European Backpacker Index for 2013.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges: </b>Unless you're willing to fly between cities, Istanbul is pretty far off Europe's beaten path, so combining a trip there with stops in other European cities isn't a simple matter of a Eurail Pass or a bus ride. And while Istanbul is wallet-friendly for those who are cost conscious, it's a trendy destination full of restaurants, bars, and cafes, so it can get expensive quickly if you decide to live it up.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-755070" target="_blank">Hotels in Istanbul</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Istanbul/d585-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Istanbul</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT808Qf33lSyOEZdcPiat1iP6LPjQV2mBU1C9svURkGpsGpou_J4VpMJd4Vb-v7oH_SuoOYQzTOqw_xMwTas67RP84wLNivwtDvRnuAw0aGZz6DbZNRtqhXumtrMIytETTXXfs29JQSvI/s1600/Prague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT808Qf33lSyOEZdcPiat1iP6LPjQV2mBU1C9svURkGpsGpou_J4VpMJd4Vb-v7oH_SuoOYQzTOqw_xMwTas67RP84wLNivwtDvRnuAw0aGZz6DbZNRtqhXumtrMIytETTXXfs29JQSvI/s200/Prague.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>7. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: Its popularity over the last decade has caused prices to rise somewhat, but Prague can still be an impressively affordable city, particularly for backpackers willing to settle for modest accommodations. The European Backpacker Index for 2013 puts the daily cost of on-the-cheap lodging, food, drinks, and activities at just $41 per day. Even those not willing to scrimp to save should be able to find good deals: Hotels.com's Hotel Price Index puts the average price of a hotel in Prague at $107 per night. And everyone can still toast the appealingly low cost of celebration—PintPrice.com reports that the price of a pint of beer in Prague averages $1.06.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> If the last time you visited Prague was more than a decade ago, you might find prices much higher than on your last visit. The key is to keep it in perspective: The city may no longer be a total steal, but it's still a great deal. And with so much to offer, it's still more than worth the uptick in cost.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-553173" target="_blank">Hotels in Prague</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Prague/d462-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Prague</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U73x5CW4wVq61OxOSFAmRaNwIUgEWVRvR_W9zgqp36eAAdq7zxwdIFEAdqx94V2gRe5eYOewW9dk0JriIaMIu1Y-PXpbmNuhVgmx8TfY7vRaTh-waOYlCgNK7GbA3TN0SutzRqmZdoc/s1600/Budapest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U73x5CW4wVq61OxOSFAmRaNwIUgEWVRvR_W9zgqp36eAAdq7zxwdIFEAdqx94V2gRe5eYOewW9dk0JriIaMIu1Y-PXpbmNuhVgmx8TfY7vRaTh-waOYlCgNK7GbA3TN0SutzRqmZdoc/s200/Budapest.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>8. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: There's a lot that stands out to make Budapest an affordable European destination. Its currency, the forint, offers solid value to Americans abroad. It's easy to eat, drink, and sightsee on a budget. And at the end of the day, you won't have to spend much for a decent place to stay: Budapest receives high affordability marks for backpackers and budget travelers, and even when you factor in more expensive hotels, the average cost of a night's stay in Budapest still comes in under $100. Plus, many of the thermal spas that make the city famous are affordable enough to work into any trip. For instance, at Dandar Bath, discounts on Wednesdays drive the admission price down to about $4.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> Airfare to Budapest is often (though not always) on the expensive end of the U.S.-to-Europe airfare spectrum. However, Budapest is about three hours by train from Vienna, which in a spot check had slightly lower fares for spring and summer flights than Budapest. And the city is well connected to other European cities by low-cost carriers, including airberlin, easyJet, and Ryanair.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-850553" target="_blank">Hotels in Budapest</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Budapest/d499-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Budapest</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbmpf-cP8O9eaa59rI_2bO-xOQS3vDSyyBRnKRBY-YBKRXg_nSM9lmxAe-1SFqFYyCF6vnnkty00IYmac54iAqrKniYUNMuaanyZ8xcVAsyU2CiOf0E5Jh9IEMTm89pqXECGXx93SX1w/s1600/Krakow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbmpf-cP8O9eaa59rI_2bO-xOQS3vDSyyBRnKRBY-YBKRXg_nSM9lmxAe-1SFqFYyCF6vnnkty00IYmac54iAqrKniYUNMuaanyZ8xcVAsyU2CiOf0E5Jh9IEMTm89pqXECGXx93SX1w/s200/Krakow.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>9. KRAKOW, POLAND</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: Krakow has affordability all sewn up. Its currency offers U.S. travelers good value right now. It ranks high on accommodations-affordability rankings. In fact, it's the third-cheapest city on the European Backpacker Index for 2013 and the fourth-cheapest on the European 3-Star Traveler Index, with daily average lodging and travel costs of $25 for backpackers and $58 for budget travelers. And here's another thing Krakow has going for it: The Polish airline LOT has been running periodic fare sales for flights from New York or Chicago to Krakow. These sales tend to run for a short time only, but they offer some really impressive deals on airfare (for instance, $712 round-trip, including taxes and fees, for a May flight).<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> If you want a really great airfare to Krakow, you'll likely have to work for it by keeping tabs on sales and even thinking creatively about connecting cities. If you've traveled around Poland before, you might consider Krakow a bit pricey in comparison to the rest of the country. But the city offers such a rich density of historic buildings (it was spared much physical damage in World War II) and attractions that it seems only fair.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-510625" target="_blank">Hotels in Krakow</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Krakow/d529-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Krakow</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjXYRuncanJJTFATvr9r15sH6z0mcgN2f9A-JeCRXgEK8Wat6ZYZ0Rgf8inZMSGZ49RewLsCrsNkSfGAmJYBqY5gaa9lLv5aKwqKyQbwbNHhoxQm1P-caKM2z-xmBzxQIz5BqOIBUpkA/s1600/Vilnius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjXYRuncanJJTFATvr9r15sH6z0mcgN2f9A-JeCRXgEK8Wat6ZYZ0Rgf8inZMSGZ49RewLsCrsNkSfGAmJYBqY5gaa9lLv5aKwqKyQbwbNHhoxQm1P-caKM2z-xmBzxQIz5BqOIBUpkA/s200/Vilnius.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
<b>10. VILNIUS, LITHUANIA</b><br />
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Affordability lowdown: It's a city Lonely Planet colorfully calls "eccentric and soulful," and one that offers the best overall hotel prices in all of Europe. According to Hotels.com's Hotel Price Index, Vilnius in Lithuania has an average per-night hotel price of $80, putting accommodations costs within reach of budget travelers. Sweeten the pot with a favorable exchange rate, quirky attractions, and Europe's largest baroque old town, and you've got an intriguing and affordable destination.<br />
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<b>Budget-travel challenges:</b> We found a few exceptions, but in general, airfare from the U.S. to Vilnius tends to be a bit more expensive than to bigger European airports. However, since low-cost carriers, including Ryanair and Wizz Air, serve area airports, it's worth doing some comparison shopping before resigning yourself to a higher fare.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=316986;city=-2620663" target="_blank">Hotels in Vilnius</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Lithuania/d58-ttd" target="_blank">Sightseeing in Vilnius</a></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-75911542599409506202013-03-02T09:30:00.000-08:002013-03-02T09:30:01.390-08:0010 Coolest Small Towns in Europe<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.890625px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Paris, London, Rome…the big cities require no introductions. But have you heard of the foodie haven of Tremolat, France or the pristine Alpine hamlet of Binn, Switzerland? In our travels, we've discovered that some of Europe's most divine towns are also some of its smallest.</span></span></h2>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CESKY KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6M7hhZoPEykHvDvAkhG-ArDVYoyQfgs_P3iVuNucuHBMOr4hTJY3kvAp99q2fZyCPgkUJTSmkRgZfqWlbmn10ePpeP2owRSS31f2QoFJr0gY8YQJObdwssa-RNFFb0SU_o2DjBY4wXE/s1600/Europe+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6M7hhZoPEykHvDvAkhG-ArDVYoyQfgs_P3iVuNucuHBMOr4hTJY3kvAp99q2fZyCPgkUJTSmkRgZfqWlbmn10ePpeP2owRSS31f2QoFJr0gY8YQJObdwssa-RNFFb0SU_o2DjBY4wXE/s200/Europe+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">One of the oldest villages in the Czech Republic, </span><strong style="border: 0px; color: black; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/kaktualita.xml" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Cesky Krumlov</a></strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> is set in a valley in Bohemia south of the Blansko Forest and circled by the Vltava River. The village grew up around the 13th-century Gothic castle of the Lords of Krumlov, which has 40 buildings and palaces, gardens, and turrets and today is a major performing arts location. The cobblestone streets of Cesky Krumlov's Old Town are lined with Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance buildings housing art galleries, cafes, and quaint B&Bs. One of the best ways to experience the town is to take a ride down the Vltava on a wooden raft ($24, </span><a href="http://en.ceskykrumlov-info.cz/Wooden_Raft/Cenik/eur/" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">en.ceskykrumlov-info.cz</a><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">).</span><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PALMANOVA, ITALY</strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo3l9ZSImxTzkKDtrbFX3iJykeuC-xLeuiXlUDDL3MrrwzUQ5ODGzuazSRR6kBCKN4P5vQnbnAnk6_dW0WpaRSA9gq9VQof0yaoqJQsLN32jdtetmMlrah0tALh-zeD56ViZDL2541Kg/s1600/Europe+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo3l9ZSImxTzkKDtrbFX3iJykeuC-xLeuiXlUDDL3MrrwzUQ5ODGzuazSRR6kBCKN4P5vQnbnAnk6_dW0WpaRSA9gq9VQof0yaoqJQsLN32jdtetmMlrah0tALh-zeD56ViZDL2541Kg/s200/Europe+3.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">Founded in 1593 as a stronghold of the Venetian Republic, this UNESCO World Heritage town was built in a unique, 18-sided octadecagon shape. When viewed from above, the fortress community looks like a delicately made paper snowflake, with streets radiating out of the structure like sunbeams. Tucked into a valley with a lagoon running into the Adriatic Sea, the land surrounding Palmanova yields high-quality Chardonnay, while the local waters are stocked with mullet, sea bass, and other delicious fish. In town, look out for the symbol of a leafy bough, or a </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">frasca</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">, hanging outside of restaurants to pinpoint ones serving regionally sourced food, such as the classic Venetian dish </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">baccalà</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">, made with dry-salted cod. At night, the city's earth-and-stone defensive works are lit up like a movie set.</span><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER, GERMANY</strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEd2UTHAdkcFDqGWftxrJ1NlrRU61Sn8dXtUq3l4JKECX2aYGudDBhBdFDkHdD7S9S8c8IZT4aPI7bMYieJmxwS1fN0LpNGmTYoXakysla9Ex7l4fvYglPbZSvtVKSSt2bs9IaQ_RTHQ/s1600/Europe+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEd2UTHAdkcFDqGWftxrJ1NlrRU61Sn8dXtUq3l4JKECX2aYGudDBhBdFDkHdD7S9S8c8IZT4aPI7bMYieJmxwS1fN0LpNGmTYoXakysla9Ex7l4fvYglPbZSvtVKSSt2bs9IaQ_RTHQ/s200/Europe+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">Germany's so-called Romantic Road—which slices north to south through the southern German state of Bavaria—earned its name for its string of stunning castles. But most of the region's bastions are stand-alone tourist attractions, not thriving municipalities. A charming exception is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a red-walled town set up on a hill above the Tauber River. It has all the pastoral views and scenery of the Romantic Road's other castle stops yet has a strong civic pulse, too. Walt Disney was so taken by the town, in fact, that he used it as inspiration for the village in the movie </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinocchio</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">. An earthquake destroyed the castle's main tower in 1356, but the town's red-roofed medieval and Renaissance houses have endured for centuries and were fully restored after World War II. Visitors can tour the castle's stone towers—protected beneath covered walkways—and stop by its base, where crafts shops sell everything from antique clocks to handmade garden gnomes. Cuisine is celebrated here in a way it isn't in larger German cities like Frankfurt or Berlin, let alone in castle canteens elsewhere. You may come here for the shining armor—but you'll return for the delicious renditions of Bavarian comfort foods (more spätzle, anyone?).</span><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BIBURY, ENGLAND</strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7dCedaXgCOBmhN1UIx-IfRqfaYFiCVq0NWOB1mmSmycJvxofQVPgVP7Yjtbfi6bHwaXaqnY4Gp2C-RGjyHmmeXvPt1LSANBwUgetPNjFOT2XlYCCAZMCCtiG-RaTd7bcyNG33taHSGE/s1600/Europe+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7dCedaXgCOBmhN1UIx-IfRqfaYFiCVq0NWOB1mmSmycJvxofQVPgVP7Yjtbfi6bHwaXaqnY4Gp2C-RGjyHmmeXvPt1LSANBwUgetPNjFOT2XlYCCAZMCCtiG-RaTd7bcyNG33taHSGE/s200/Europe+1.jpeg" width="200" /></a><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">Located on the River Coln in hilly west-central England, </span><strong style="border: 0px; color: black; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.bibury.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bibury</a></strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> was described by 19th-century artist-writer William Morris as "the most beautiful village in England"—which is saying something in a country known for its watercolor views. Honey-colored 17th-century stone cottages, the Saxon Church of St. Mary, and a still-working 1902 trout farm are some of the ancient village's must-sees. The most photographed spot is Arlington Row, a collection of 14th-century stone buildings that were converted into weavers' cottages in the 1600s.</span><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">DÜRNSTEIN, AUSTRIA</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QCaBa4CN_nLTKmHx-xyZg42fN-MdxI95VKik1vBU08mWNVNKMKfPEDZb8Rcn-NebO_sZ_cs9Kt6vu0AghgPKSMeaSvEvc0WihwZfO_6RjHDEFHrNCD3fiXyxd7suD0cIWs3HG3Lk2os/s1600/Europe+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QCaBa4CN_nLTKmHx-xyZg42fN-MdxI95VKik1vBU08mWNVNKMKfPEDZb8Rcn-NebO_sZ_cs9Kt6vu0AghgPKSMeaSvEvc0WihwZfO_6RjHDEFHrNCD3fiXyxd7suD0cIWs3HG3Lk2os/s200/Europe+5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">On the banks of the Danube, in the shadow of a castle from the Middle Ages, Dürnstein is one of those impossibly quaint towns where everything, from the red-tiled roofs to the baroque clock tower to the winding cobblestoned alleys, seems lifted straight from the Brothers Grimm. Just an hour downriver from Vienna, Dürnstein is an under-explored retreat and a gateway to the surrounding Wachau valley, a grape region prized for crisp, dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners. To experience the area like a local, take a seat inside a </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heuriger</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">, a cozy tavern that sells only indigenous wines, namely those from the most recent harvest. Authentic establishments hang fir branches above their doorways to welcome the thirsty, while </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Schrammelmusik</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> (traditional fiddle-and-accordion folk music) plays from within. Although the Wachau is known for its grapes, it is the </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Marille</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> (apricot) that sets the region apart. In early April, the valley erupts in pale-pink blossoms, and the fruit begins showing up in strudels, pork dishes, and </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Marillenknödel</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> (apricot dumplings rolled in butter-toasted bread crumbs). Wieser Wachau Shop & Café, with locations throughout the valley, sells apricot soap, schnapps, and marmalade (</span><a href="http://www.wieser-wachau.at/" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">wieser-wachau.at</a><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">).</span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"><br /></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BINN, SWITZERLAND</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73aIkmbRERZ-LY-mgGp_I2gj56WjYfAv2awcsGeL8LEyzdep_LCOs1T1Z2RKLxW3xH0iBuOg5Y-kd-hFSqJsUf0cYVQE8XaziSKSsrsu_4qVJpt5F1xx2XjYtZ4hoEQZcd6PfNu-0q6Q/s1600/Europe+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73aIkmbRERZ-LY-mgGp_I2gj56WjYfAv2awcsGeL8LEyzdep_LCOs1T1Z2RKLxW3xH0iBuOg5Y-kd-hFSqJsUf0cYVQE8XaziSKSsrsu_4qVJpt5F1xx2XjYtZ4hoEQZcd6PfNu-0q6Q/s200/Europe+6.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">Life moves slowly in the village of Binn—and that's by design. Years ago, the residents of this tiny Alpine town (pop. 150, two and a half hours from Bern) decided to stave off development by preserving the surrounding valley as a park. Today, instead of the posh ski resorts and multilane highways in much of southwestern Switzerland, Binn remains a time capsule of village life. Gravel lanes wind between neat pine chalets. Flower boxes filled with geraniums hang from every window. The town's 16th-century bridge is traversed by hikers and goats instead of cars. Up the Binna River, visitors will find even smaller hamlets and picture-perfect meadows, where they can spread out a picnic of local wine and raclette cheese and listen to the cowbells ring down from the high pastures. About a mile from Binn along mountain trails, the riverside Restaurant Imfeld is a timber chalet at 4,983 feet with a terrace overlooking the Alps. Hikers can stop in for fresh trout and Valais air-dried beef—prepared by rubbing salt, herbs, and spices into raw beef and leaving it to dry in a wooden barn for at least six weeks (011-41/27-971-4596, entrées from $9).</span><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TRÉMOLAT, FRANCE</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4hdCYI92VZQHs1ZWwPn5I5YHS599-X-sDLcjln45dILos0d3wfN2VjjQg67pxtSSGEokLCwlW_hhWpuzNJWXbCPR_qo7KtwTVUpRsUupZF2BylGMqpz306EcpcVi5Ug94dzY7Zfc1QI/s1600/Europe+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4hdCYI92VZQHs1ZWwPn5I5YHS599-X-sDLcjln45dILos0d3wfN2VjjQg67pxtSSGEokLCwlW_hhWpuzNJWXbCPR_qo7KtwTVUpRsUupZF2BylGMqpz306EcpcVi5Ug94dzY7Zfc1QI/s200/Europe+7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">While Provence is justifiably famous for its rosé and rustic </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gîtes</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> (holiday rental homes), that celebrity comes at a high price. Nearly a straight shot across the country, close to Bordeaux, the cluster of market towns known as Périgord Noir offers weekly cottage rentals at nearly half the cost—and the small-town experience is no less picturesque. One of the quaintest towns in the area, Trémolat sits on a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Dordogne River and is dominated by a fortresslike Romanesque church that dates back to the 11th century. But the highlight of the town is farm-to-table restaurant Les Truffières. Yanick Le Goff oversees a classic </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ferme auberge</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">—a working farm that serves the food it grows (011-33/5-53-27-30-44, six-course family-style meal with wine $34, reservations required). Plates like barbecued duck, garlic-and-goose-fat soup, and house made foie gras are paired with local wines like a lavender-tinged aperitif or a rosé. The surrounding area is best known for its dark oak forests, hillside vineyards, medieval châteaux, Stonehenge-like megaliths, and, of course, the prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux with haunting images of bison, horses, and traced human hands estimated to be an astounding 17,000 years old.</span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"><br /></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TENBY, WALES</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmJXnpKpF9ZRYCuKk-GdjXSidjXzG_GFT2b9CznkX5yZq6gMyikzhk9vNErwmZI3TZSO1U1E-x5Kj_RQwhPXueYkeyY722OcQDZvRRD6Fh1BFkPU4c_tsMSRvzWYBTlTIIUsoI0uC_jo/s1600/Europe+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmJXnpKpF9ZRYCuKk-GdjXSidjXzG_GFT2b9CznkX5yZq6gMyikzhk9vNErwmZI3TZSO1U1E-x5Kj_RQwhPXueYkeyY722OcQDZvRRD6Fh1BFkPU4c_tsMSRvzWYBTlTIIUsoI0uC_jo/s200/Europe+8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">The city walls of the seaside resort town of </span><strong style="border: 0px; color: black; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/content.asp?id=2323" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Tenby</a></strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"> might have kept attackers out during the Middle Ages, but today they can't quite contain the pastel Georgian buildings spilling right out onto the sand. The view from the harbor is rightfully renowned, but you can get an even better taste of Tenby's medieval past by taking a ramble down one of its narrow, winding alleys—like the quirkily named Lower Frog Street, a canyon of color. (No amphibian greens, though—Tenby's hues skew lighter.) The town is always popular with holidaymakers, but it's getting an extra boost this year with the recent opening of the </span><strong style="border: 0px; color: black; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.ccgc.gov.uk/enjoying-the-country/wales-coast-path.aspx" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Wales Coast Path</a></strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">, an 870-mile meander along the country's edge that includes Tenby on its route. Trekkers can enjoy shades as sweet as the seaside treats sold by candymaker </span><strong style="border: 0px; color: black; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.lollies-sweets.co.uk/default.aspxhttp:/www.lollies-sweets.co.uk/default.aspx" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lollies</a></strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">.</span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;"><br /></span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ERICEIRA, PORTUGAL</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7RyH-4QbgC5xVYrEDFht4ya4QybDnkKcHfkQidPjaaiFtH6kbiPYMUQB5UnZg-oyV80QWBqoNW_M1ri70UkQcEL_leU2qu50d8cr-q5SMRA4VKbi6m3O6f94QRSdmKkToQAVqPV1hqQ/s1600/Europe+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7RyH-4QbgC5xVYrEDFht4ya4QybDnkKcHfkQidPjaaiFtH6kbiPYMUQB5UnZg-oyV80QWBqoNW_M1ri70UkQcEL_leU2qu50d8cr-q5SMRA4VKbi6m3O6f94QRSdmKkToQAVqPV1hqQ/s200/Europe+9.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">With its cobblestoned streets and tiled buildings, Ericeira looks like a quintessential Portuguese fishing village. But north and south of the village center, scalloped cliffs give way to white-sand beaches and—much to surfers' delight—consistent right-hand reef breaks. Thanks to its seaside location, Ericeira is also well-known for its seafood. Though the town's name is said to come from the Portuguese word for sea urchins, the regional specialty here is lobster, which are bred in nurseries along the rocky coast.</span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> </div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">VESTMANNAEYJAR, ICELAND</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgoTRmw8Q7E0Jw_RDa1HwrWRGUOhMt0EyitO9Qncnu7EZeIt7Zk-E_uuq0cnAhLOHeK75hdaa53gQaHAVjIq_Mo3ZVSIBkcmtPmyL16YHgcDocHhevdYt3tBSAFQbResuyuqa7czcBNo/s1600/Europe+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgoTRmw8Q7E0Jw_RDa1HwrWRGUOhMt0EyitO9Qncnu7EZeIt7Zk-E_uuq0cnAhLOHeK75hdaa53gQaHAVjIq_Mo3ZVSIBkcmtPmyL16YHgcDocHhevdYt3tBSAFQbResuyuqa7czcBNo/s200/Europe+10.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">From their base in the capital city of Reykjavik, most visitors to Iceland will follow the usual tourist circuit of the Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, and thermodynamic geysers. The Westman Islands, a wild volcanic archipelago off Iceland's southern coast, feel a world away. The 15 islands are named not for the Norse settlers that conquered these parts but for the Irish they enslaved; the Norse referred to the Irish as </span><em style="border: 0px; color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vestmenn</em><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">, or Westmen. The inhabitants on Heimaey—the only inhabited island in the bunch—and the main port town of Vestmannaeyjar are still mostly a mix of Norse and Celtic descendants. The principal industry is commercial fishing, and the wharf is lined with unassuming seafood restaurants. The just-caught fish—cold-water species like cod and halibut—are usually prepared in a traditional European style, sautéed in brown butter. Adventurous travelers can explore the islands by hitching rides with local fishermen. If a professional operation is more your speed, go with Viking Tours (</span><a href="http://boattours.is/" style="border: 0px; color: #13378a; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">boattours.is</a><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.890625px;">, 90-minute island circle tour $40). The 90-minute ride circles Heimaey, yielding picture-perfect vistas of rugged sheer cliffs, with killer whales splashing offshore, plus a healthy population of puffins. Venture inside Klettshellur, a sea cave formed by crashing waves; a crew member will likely play a tune or two on a saxophone to demonstrate the dramatic acoustics.</span></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-7125422805877927092013-02-23T12:15:00.000-08:002013-02-23T12:15:00.265-08:006 Smart Ways to Save on a Cruise<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The high cost of a dream cruise vacation can leave you feeling a little queasy before you even set sail. (And let's not mention the add-ons!) Here, our Trip Coach's sage advice about how to save big before boarding.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">BOOK EARLY</span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.nonstoptravel.net/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9P1uErH4LIViJKYH5otnup_nI-qGFdX_ozdz2MVrivzaSMADrm_2bQtHSAp7txKU9N9V1BUWk0VrqmVK4hPwusr2KMzyLqYcybX42M7HsHx66zomaKDdGS1IL5NXapGFpO87CUzsG98/s200/celebrity_reflection.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By reserving six to 12 months ahead of your cruise, you can lock in an early-bird rate that's 25 to 50 percent lower than the published "brochure" rate most lines advertise. You'll also have a wider selection of itineraries, dates, and cabins, and possibly get better deals on airfare and hotels. If prices go down after you book, a good travel agent—or the cruise line itself—should help you get the new lower rate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">OR BOOK LATE</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, it runs completely counter to what we just said about booking early, but if you wait 60 to 90 days before you want to sail, cruise lines often drop prices significantly to fill any remaining spaces on their ships. If you're willing and able to white-knuckle it, this is when you can nab a weeklong Caribbean cruise for under $500. But of course, you won't have as much choice of itinerary or cabin, it may be tricky to find a low airfare to your port, and last-minute fares are typically nonrefundable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">REQUEST A DISCOUNT</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Asking the right questions can work magic. If you're a return customer, mention it when booking and politely inquire whether you're eligible for a discount—it can shave 5 to 15 percent off your fare. Since cruise prices are based on double occupancy, a third or fourth person in your cabin should get a 30 to 60 percent discount. If you're 55 or older, don't be shy about asking for a 5 percent discount; likewise, active and retired servicemen and women should always ask if the line offers them savings.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/cruise_lines/cruise_line.cfm?sup_id=26&agency_id=89&utp=consumer&userid=1829" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBCPBAdxKP0buOnNWYhaS404xmG2hzcbwKC77FcWhipCFWqwd9EPWvVEE9srk-yFKxvv4zSHpgpGHe5KozoRPErW4fhRg9q-9PWTngEc4btbPVSuOB8P9AQ0r9Rf92ZK2Bby1WLEqvPs/s320/Celebrity.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">USE A TRAVEL AGENT (like <a href="http://cruises.advaia.com/?CID=55" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Nonstop Travel</span></a>!)</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sites like Kayak and Expedia have put you in the driver's seat—sometimes literally—but don't underestimate the role a good agent can play in finding you the right deal. Many have reserved spaces they can sell you at a discount, and they can explain whether an advertised "free" upgrade or all-inclusive package is for real or just a ploy. They can also advocate for you if rates drop after you've booked your cruise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">GO BIG</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Large groups—like family reunions at sea—can be complicated to pull together, but they can also knock big bucks off the price of cabins. A group of 16 people in eight cabins, for instance, can sometimes get a steep discount on the 16th fare, or in some cases a free berth. For large groups, booking a year in advance is advised to ensure you get the block of cabins you want.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/cruise_lines/cruise_line.cfm?sup_id=1021&agency_id=89&utp=consumer&userid=1829" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMgc29TnoDVW-sta74TOTkIdAorWZt1jDX5HGwSvSKOwqY5U5VrHoo75QiPfvMFszGCePsrDVOn-6U_xFcAtOOrKTrWPDbSgKQYoiONDy3G8Blw7NUW3M3bXLKQFRv7HQDPk6oLIxC0c/s320/Oceania_banner.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">TRY SHOULDER SEASON</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You won't save a ton, but sailing when most folks stay home can nab you a modest bargain—maybe 10 percent off typical high-season rates. Here are the best times to find deals in four highly popular cruise regions:</span><br />
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<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Caribbean.</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">September and October, the non-holiday weeks in December, and early January to Presidents' Day.</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Europe.</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mid-March and April, September to December</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Alaska.</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">May and September</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Bermuda.</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">April and October </span></li>
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<a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/cruise_lines/cruise_line.cfm?sup_id=33&agency_id=89&utp=consumer&userid=1829" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyZ51RJwMLBKHSLkugmGUv28CgXbKO3uDUr_q5_7Iow8Fp0l9uty6a30-165LaBiP0SJ-070KMUpBUGnbCQZdamIFANEYeWsea5GrqExnNioHIdRadrms2ZDQhZQk3Hgv2_K_bA70RCU/s320/Princess_2.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">UNDERSTAND THE EXTRAS</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The end of a beautiful cruise can be stunning in all the wrong ways—if the bill tacks on a bunch of extras you weren't prepared for. Ask in advance what activities, food, drinks, and sundries are included in your fare and which will cost more. In general, be ready to pay the following:</span></div>
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<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">$2+</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for a can of soda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>$</b></span><strong style="font-family: inherit;">3+</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for a latte</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">$5+</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for a mixed drink</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">$10+</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for a photo shot by cruise staff</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">$20+</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for a bottle of wine</span></li>
<li><strong style="font-family: inherit;">$10 to $75</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">per person for alternative dining</span></li>
<li><b>$10 to $15 </b>per person per day gratuities</li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-54790224154512908132013-02-09T11:59:00.000-08:002013-02-09T11:59:00.212-08:00Jet lag: What the tired traveler needs to know<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcayVbX6MOsE7ZhS287R4Uxuh87cUXuFtrPBeVfbVeDGjlR9g2aN4gRH1eswjNEU1L34Dw_Nf5r4kPns7canesDIH6yj8ZThUT034fBd9UnGBt32HPEdP8cIVx3zE98m7zqjIDniKMj7o/s1600/la-tr-spot-20130203-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcayVbX6MOsE7ZhS287R4Uxuh87cUXuFtrPBeVfbVeDGjlR9g2aN4gRH1eswjNEU1L34Dw_Nf5r4kPns7canesDIH6yj8ZThUT034fBd9UnGBt32HPEdP8cIVx3zE98m7zqjIDniKMj7o/s200/la-tr-spot-20130203-001.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>Question:</strong> My wife and I travel to <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/intl/israel-PLGEO0000010.topic" id="PLGEO0000010" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="Israel">Israel</a> at least twice a year to visit children and grandchildren. There is a 10-hour time difference between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. Because of time constraints, we can stay only about seven days. Even though we take <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/drugs-medicines/ambien-%28drug%29-HEDAR0000016.topic" id="HEDAR0000016" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="Ambien (drug)">Ambien</a> on the plane, we are hit with heavy jet lag for the entire time we are in Israel, which affects the enjoyment of our trip. Is there anything we can do to reduce the jet lag?</div>
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Zach Samuels</div>
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Los Angeles</div>
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<strong>Answer:</strong> Short of not going, there is so far no magic potion that will cure jet lag, which is a disruption of circadian rhythms that regulate our body clocks. When we are jet-lagged, we want to sleep and eat at the times that are inappropriate to where we have landed.</div>
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And, alas, for the Samuelses, flying east is more difficult, said Dr. Herbert L. DuPont, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. "Expect jet lag when you are going east across time zones," DuPont said. "As a general rule you are going to take a day for every [time zone] you cross to become acclimated."</div>
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The bad news about jet lag just keeps on coming: "As you get older, it may get worse — like everything else," DuPont said.</div>
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Neither DuPont nor Dr. Tanvir Hussain, a Los Angeles cardiologist, thinks Ambien is the magic potion either. A recent <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/food-drug-administration-ORGOV0000136161.topic" id="ORGOV0000136161" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="Food and Drug Administration">Food and Drug Administration</a> statement noted that the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/physical-conditions/insomnia-HEBEC000078.topic" id="HEBEC000078" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="Insomnia">insomnia</a> drug probably should be taken at lower doses than that at which it has traditionally been prescribed.</div>
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"It's long been known that older patients metabolize drugs more slowly, and in the case of Ambien, there is a greater than 30% reduction of metabolism for people over the age of 65 or 70," Hussain said in an email. "Thus, the sedation and disorientation effects can be more pronounced and prolonged."</div>
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DuPont said Ambien and similar drugs might "put you to sleep, but it may not be high-quality sleep."</div>
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If you're going to take medication to sleep, it's important that you are sleeping at the time that you would be sleeping at your destination. "If you're traveling east and the local time will be evening upon arrival, it may be counterproductive to sleep on the plane and then lie awake all night" at your destination, Hussain said. It may work better to take a sleeping medication at bedtime after you arrive.</div>
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What's a tired traveler to do? If it's daytime when you arrive, "the very best thing to do is to get out in sunlight as soon as you arrive, not go into a dark room and go to bed," DuPont said. "You need to reprogram that circadian rhythm so you can get closer to the schedule locally."</div>
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You may try to get on the local schedule before you leave, said Daryal Mark, author of "Jet Lag Relief: It's About Time." You can change your bedtime and meal times to the destination's, he said. That's just one method, and it may not work for everyone, he said. It also can prove disruptive to your regular schedule. Just make sure your timing is on the money.</div>
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In his more than 100 trips abroad, he has found that working to reset the body's clock to the local time is most effective for him (sunlight, sleeping and eating on the local schedule) and, most important, being gentler with himself because he knows he might feel a little out of sorts.</div>
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Mark made this point: We think jet lag is abnormal. It's not. It's a body's natural reaction. Even presidents and policymakers have to deal with its effects. Sometimes you just have to let go, he said, and let Mother Nature take over. Once again, Mom really does know best — at least, better than her jet-setting children.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-59089189335483163172013-01-04T11:38:00.000-08:002013-01-04T11:38:02.913-08:00Airport security checks might change<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Travelers are as diverse as the destinations they're headed to, but on this much many can agree: Getting through airport security is, at best, annoying. I'm tired of taking my shoes off, sick of removing my laptop and my liquids, fed up with feeling like a suspect in some sinister plot of which I am completely unaware. But after a sit-down with the head of the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/crime-law-justice/laws/law-enforcement/transportation-security-administration-ORGOV000000157.topic" id="ORGOV000000157" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="Transportation Security Administration">Transportation Security Administration</a>, I have some hope that things will change for the better in 2013, thanks to a risk-based assessment approach to security.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlO-FxmF2VSL4OUm68j0RSM9z-EWd7ZVP06iOx_XHgW6s9wdWrpvtZoLm3W0LVsFeKQyGRkbyFTUOpa-BVQJt1Ah4325g50feANvRyAhBg0njji8gpWTjMQnKsQb6eFIjSQs3oG2-HPg/s1600/1228-britian-airport-security_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSVbj1L1JMHUbKkY9ufpQKNfwOO-dIzupGn9Z6C60t4TzDFuGNFrlKc2GBrh0q6th3TBI6Z5ocs57-e6_HvvVTNTJp-b69VEWBWtdyaW8dO3DLcls0jtz1N_un0YujnVdR-VrP2P3Jeg/s1600/airport-security1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's what irritates me most: I'm a leisure traveler. I fly whatever airline is going to get me where I need to go at the most reasonable rate. Therefore, I don't have a big fat wad of frequent-flier miles that gives me any kind of elite status. And that means I'm never going to be invited to join TSA's PreCheck, the "trusted traveler" program that allows you (if you're a heavy-duty flier) to skip merrily through security, your light jacket, shoes and belt on, your laptop in its case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">OK, I admit it. I have PreCheck envy, even though PreCheckers don't always get to use their PreCheck-ness. They still can be chosen at random to go through regular security, and there are only five airlines that are part of the program (Alaska, American, Delta, United and <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/transportation-industry/air-transportation-industry/u.s.-airways-ORCRP015749.topic" id="ORCRP015749" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="U.S. Airways">US Airways</a>) so if you have a trip on two or more carriers and one carrier is part of PreCheck and the next one isn't, it's back off with the belt, the shoes, the jacket and so on.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlO-FxmF2VSL4OUm68j0RSM9z-EWd7ZVP06iOx_XHgW6s9wdWrpvtZoLm3W0LVsFeKQyGRkbyFTUOpa-BVQJt1Ah4325g50feANvRyAhBg0njji8gpWTjMQnKsQb6eFIjSQs3oG2-HPg/s1600/1228-britian-airport-security_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlO-FxmF2VSL4OUm68j0RSM9z-EWd7ZVP06iOx_XHgW6s9wdWrpvtZoLm3W0LVsFeKQyGRkbyFTUOpa-BVQJt1Ah4325g50feANvRyAhBg0njji8gpWTjMQnKsQb6eFIjSQs3oG2-HPg/s200/1228-britian-airport-security_full_600.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, John Pistole, the TSA administrator, reminded me that anyone can try to sign up for the Global Entry program, through Customs and Border Protection, although acceptance isn't guaranteed. (See<a href="http://www.globalentry.gov/" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.globalentry.gov</a>.) You complete an application form, pay $100 and then, if you're accepted, you schedule an in-person interview. If you aren't accepted, you don't get your money back. If you are and the interview goes well, you not only get to play with the big kids in PreCheck, but you also get to whisk through Customs when you return to the U.S.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Global Entry is not in every airport (nor is PreCheck, which was just instituted at Santa Ana's <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/entertainment/john-wayne-PECLB003941.topic" id="PECLB003941" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="John Wayne">John Wayne</a>, the 35th airport to be accepted into the program this year), but I'd rather have it than not. New Year's resolution: I will finish my Global Online Enrollment Systems, or GOES, application, which has so stymied me on half a dozen occasions that I've never completed it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best news, though, for me is that PreCheck and Global Entry (and maybe more) are part of a movement away from treating all travelers like the lowest common denominator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"We are looking at a whole range of options to significantly expand the known and trusted population simply with a recognition that the vast majority of the people traveling … just want to get from Point A to Point B safely," Pistole said. "They are not terrorists. And also it allows us, I believe, to provide a better security approach because we are not focused the same on everybody, so the one-size-fits-all construct that was necessary after <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/unrest-conflicts-war/terrorism/september-11-2001-attacks-EVHST000001.topic" id="EVHST000001" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="September 11, 2001 Attacks">9/11</a>, I think we can move away from that."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSVbj1L1JMHUbKkY9ufpQKNfwOO-dIzupGn9Z6C60t4TzDFuGNFrlKc2GBrh0q6th3TBI6Z5ocs57-e6_HvvVTNTJp-b69VEWBWtdyaW8dO3DLcls0jtz1N_un0YujnVdR-VrP2P3Jeg/s1600/airport-security1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSVbj1L1JMHUbKkY9ufpQKNfwOO-dIzupGn9Z6C60t4TzDFuGNFrlKc2GBrh0q6th3TBI6Z5ocs57-e6_HvvVTNTJp-b69VEWBWtdyaW8dO3DLcls0jtz1N_un0YujnVdR-VrP2P3Jeg/s200/airport-security1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">For instance, in Indianapolis and <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/us/florida/hillsborough-county/tampa-PLGEO100100404010000.topic" id="PLGEO100100404010000" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: initial;" title="Tampa">Tampa</a>, Fla., during the Thanksgiving travel crush, the TSA allowed some non-PreCheck passengers to go through the PreCheck lanes after the fliers had been sniffed by bomb-detecting dogs and assessed by a behavior detection officer. This trial program could be expanded in the next year. Glory be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The TSA may even use a third party to do the vetting for the trusted-traveler programs, whatever form they take. (Pistole hinted there may be more programs.) Pistole called this new era a "win win" all the way around. Beats the "whine whine" from me and a chorus of unhappy travelers who really want to do the right thing without having to constantly pay the psychic price</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;">.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-81722835108767797912012-09-21T09:30:00.000-07:002012-09-21T09:30:01.564-07:00The World's Best Cities for Beer (Part 2)<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">continued from part 1...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">We've willingly drunk our way around the globe to uncover the best cities for drinking beer. Here are the top 14 places to indulge in ale, lager, stout, draught, pilsner, and more.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvyfdmtojTi-M-eDNuGGh0TgjQh8HU8w3hf-aXtrBnBNdE_3_Wb54HfqegHj011knGXGoi_x5VJGPl1iOCwyrTQoHpWuMMyy73XyYGKivrg2l3QWoClIBGb8bprRrt5hNfCl9pB-fII/s1600/HAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvyfdmtojTi-M-eDNuGGh0TgjQh8HU8w3hf-aXtrBnBNdE_3_Wb54HfqegHj011knGXGoi_x5VJGPl1iOCwyrTQoHpWuMMyy73XyYGKivrg2l3QWoClIBGb8bprRrt5hNfCl9pB-fII/s200/HAN.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hanoi, Vietnam</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The country's relationship with beer started in earnest during the Vietnam War when U.S. soldiers created an increased demand. Today, </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=1382#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=268&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=1382&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Hanoi</a><span style="background-color: white;"> has some of the cheapest and best varieties of beer in Asia. The most popular brands are San Miguel, Tiger 333, Bia Saigon, and Bière Larue. Make sure you also try Bia Hoi, or "fresh beer," a light-bodied pilsner without preservatives that is brewed and delivered daily to drinking establishments throughout Hanoi.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">How to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> In general, beer is served over ice, and you always pour your friend's beer before your own. Toast by saying "</span><em>tram phan tram</em><span style="background-color: white;">" -- which translates to "100%" although it's likely that your local brew will only contain about 3% alcohol.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a glass of Bia Hoi:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> 2,500 Vietnamese dong (about 13¢)</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Melbourne, Australia</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Home to Carlton and United Breweries, Australia actively exports Foster's Lager, but locals prefer Victoria Bitter (VB), Crown, or Carlton Draught. With a pub seemingly on every major street corner in </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=1881#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=84&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=1881&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Melbourne</a><span style="background-color: white;">, prices are relatively low (especially on tap), and tipping isn't required. Learn the terminology: "a shout" means you're buying the round, and "lite" actually means low-alcohol, not low-calorie.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzX3DZJBBLHnE1-0QiFtdq982JeK_rQqM8WrSf3E-gfIVAmGl8gb1xS6Eozu20jcSwXP3hC_iMebZA30y0zOiXcsEIaLbhSgNKwMsaGWtXhYgcPBh0yobCM2BU2Y8gqg54WjBWQBjprs/s1600/MLB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzX3DZJBBLHnE1-0QiFtdq982JeK_rQqM8WrSf3E-gfIVAmGl8gb1xS6Eozu20jcSwXP3hC_iMebZA30y0zOiXcsEIaLbhSgNKwMsaGWtXhYgcPBh0yobCM2BU2Y8gqg54WjBWQBjprs/s200/MLB.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> You can pick up a "slab" of 24 cans for around a A$1 per can at massive alcohol supermarkets like Dan Murphy (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.danmurphy.com.au/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.danmurphy.com.au</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">). Or drink it on tap at Beer DeLuxe (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.beerdeluxe.com.au/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.beerdeluxe.com.au</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), James Squire Brewhouse (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.jamessquirebrewhouse.net/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.jamessquirebrewhouse.net</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), and the Local Taphouse (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.thelocal.com.au/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.thelocal.com.au</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">).</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a pint:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> A$5</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Edinburgh, Scotland</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Locals often boast that </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=875#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=4&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=875&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Edinburgh</a><span style="background-color: white;"> has the highest concentration of pubs in Europe. Who are we to argue? The Scots have been brewing hops for thousands of years, and the tradition of drinking continues in the pubs of Edinburgh.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGQhz_wE5z0nbDaQb9lo7y6EeLAOuzcepaqC4LlPxs8y2tLY7FulbUcjCq4_P_xzuR5fWr-umYWrjIv_243gVH9xhfXrYnomakA1Zq1RDNajrjCMS6qGPm3vka0_eHQcNcKMIUAF3ozA/s1600/EDI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGQhz_wE5z0nbDaQb9lo7y6EeLAOuzcepaqC4LlPxs8y2tLY7FulbUcjCq4_P_xzuR5fWr-umYWrjIv_243gVH9xhfXrYnomakA1Zq1RDNajrjCMS6qGPm3vka0_eHQcNcKMIUAF3ozA/s200/EDI.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Visit the Halfway House (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.halfwayhouse-edinburgh.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.halfwayhouse-edinburgh.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for a revolving range of local cask beers; the historic Oxford Bar (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.oxfordbar.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.oxfordbar.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">); the Bow Bar on West Bow Street and the Canny Man's on Morningside Road for a selection of locally-brewed ales; and the Cumberland Bar (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.cumberlandbar.co.uk/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.cumberlandbar.co.uk</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), known for its huge range of cask-conditioned ales and beer.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a pint:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> £3</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzc-s9i3lAYnRNnc53rNW7JgoT6bGFBhkt7DyfVP2erDKD1-B2gAhdoO7HXxHvzy-1aanEGWRZyLcVyDIakpzIRlu4rHoQugxGAo8rliLVGIok82oJyxg65yBk6DxhJI2kQVSrKqLfnfg/s1600/MEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzc-s9i3lAYnRNnc53rNW7JgoT6bGFBhkt7DyfVP2erDKD1-B2gAhdoO7HXxHvzy-1aanEGWRZyLcVyDIakpzIRlu4rHoQugxGAo8rliLVGIok82oJyxg65yBk6DxhJI2kQVSrKqLfnfg/s200/MEX.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mexico City, Mexico</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Mexico produces dozens of beers but only exports a handful of brands that have become household names in the U.S. A trip to </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=2287#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=95&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=2287&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mexico City</a><span style="background-color: white;"> will open your eyes (and your mouth) to other tasty varieties, many brewed from century-old recipes. Regional pilsners, including Indio, Victoria, and Superior, are crisp and perfect to enjoy under the Mexican sun. The classic Germanic-style Noche Buena is only available seasonally from September to December.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Try boutique beers by local brewers like Cervecería San Angel and the Santa Fe Beer Company. Cantinas and bars -- including Salon Corona II on Filomeno Mata, La Opera Bar on Av Cinco de Mayo, and La Terraza del Conquistador overlooking the Zócalo -- also carry a wide selection.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a pint:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> $2; you can find even cheaper options in smaller cantinas.</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Milwaukee, Wisconsin</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Once the nation's top beer-producing city and the base for four of the world's largest breweries (Schlitz, Pabst, Miller, and Blatz), Miller is now the only one that still calls </span>Milwaukee<span style="background-color: white;"> home. Fortunately, the beer legacy survives in the form of the smaller breweries that have taken up residence -- and the aptly named baseball team: the Brewers.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ2ogBwx3dOBFU0GHWzJ7JLj5xdd0udTWjxtUb1urm6kXrEEHzUCdeOLmMdxSlFFJRHPgx9m_YpkBeRxtE7ZLcFTTzjKSSG_wUeBVu6ttP6AnzBhxKNpXAMO6iCbvhP2nq6dUKrdh8H8/s1600/MKE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ2ogBwx3dOBFU0GHWzJ7JLj5xdd0udTWjxtUb1urm6kXrEEHzUCdeOLmMdxSlFFJRHPgx9m_YpkBeRxtE7ZLcFTTzjKSSG_wUeBVu6ttP6AnzBhxKNpXAMO6iCbvhP2nq6dUKrdh8H8/s200/MKE.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> You'll never go thirsty at the Milwaukee Alehouse (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.ale-house.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.ale-house.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), Roman's Pub (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.romanspub.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.romanspub.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), and the Sugar Maple (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.mysugarmaple.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.mysugarmaple.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), known to serve a selection of 60-plus U.S. craft beers. Sample more than 150 beers from over 50 breweries at Milwaukee's annual Beer Barons' World of Beer Festival (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.worldofbeerfestival.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.worldofbeerfestival.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">).</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for tap beer:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> $3</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brussels, Belgium</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=147#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=13&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=147&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Brussels</a><span style="background-color: white;"> is the center of Belgium's huge beer industry, where the alcohol content is high and the varieties are plentiful.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj9j6vC5OpKdFKehXSzistl37U-0c-DrhEsvvjhNiE6IpZTE5DV-lY12XZR32lYNf6VcFwRNXVBQHglTeW8CcSVayY0zVJq5aldy3X5ARAU4gQMQcpYyE8v_3ptHLDhN-MLjrq17WMiA/s1600/BRU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj9j6vC5OpKdFKehXSzistl37U-0c-DrhEsvvjhNiE6IpZTE5DV-lY12XZR32lYNf6VcFwRNXVBQHglTeW8CcSVayY0zVJq5aldy3X5ARAU4gQMQcpYyE8v_3ptHLDhN-MLjrq17WMiA/s200/BRU.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Head to local watering holes, such as the Puppet Cellar at Poechenellekelder, the historic Mort Subite (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.alamortsubite.be/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.alamortsubite.be</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) and Delirium (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.deliriumcafe.be/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.deliriumcafe.be</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), which serves more than 2,000 types of beer: Le Bier Circus (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.bier-circus.be/en/welcome" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.bier-circus.be</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), Le Falstaff (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.lefalstaff.be/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.lefalstaff.be</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), and Le Cirio are also popular haunts offering Belgian blondes, browns, reds and everything in between (beers, not women). Experience 225 beers at the annual Belgium Beer Weekend (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.weekenddelabiere.be/en/pages/home.htm" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.weekenddelabiere.be</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) each September. This year falls over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3-5).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a beer:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> €3.50</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=235#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=51&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=235&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Philadelphia</a><span style="background-color: white;"> -- the City of Brotherly Love -- knows that the best bonding can happen over a pint or two.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW59yiolfZrY732oz8ilmpKbc49SvlAlgr6b03KIFdIRTpMsJPDrl-xTqbh3b8phXzoCJI0BlWorEz7deTiBLwYUdk2f3Ys8U0bDiJVOcZ7OT49mhCVUhZ24CbOqvKamp4fRcYCGQ9xpQ/s1600/PHL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW59yiolfZrY732oz8ilmpKbc49SvlAlgr6b03KIFdIRTpMsJPDrl-xTqbh3b8phXzoCJI0BlWorEz7deTiBLwYUdk2f3Ys8U0bDiJVOcZ7OT49mhCVUhZ24CbOqvKamp4fRcYCGQ9xpQ/s200/PHL.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Go to Johnny Brendas (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.johnnybrendas.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.johnnybrendas.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for local Pennsylvania beers; Standard Tap (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.standardtap.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.standardtap.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for a large selection of draught-only craft beers from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey; Nodding Head Brewery (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.noddinghead.com/brewery" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.noddinghead.com/brewery</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for its own brew on tap; and Kraftwork (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.kraftworkbar.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.kraftworkbar.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for 25 local brews on tap and another 25 craft beers by the bottle. Philly Beer Week (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.phillybeerweek.org/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.phillybeerweek.org</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), a 10-day series of beer-related events held each June, is a must-do for serious beer lovers.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a local craft beer on tap:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> $2.75 for an eight-ounce glass.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-34522827320011236002012-09-14T09:30:00.000-07:002012-09-14T09:30:03.196-07:00The 14 Best Places to Drink Beer (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've willingly drunk our way around the globe to uncover the best cities for drinking beer. Here are the top 14 places to indulge in ale, lager, stout, </span>drought<span style="font-family: inherit;">, pilsner, and more.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dublin, Ireland</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVQ0z1_pEM4cJSsrGTowMQ6wx5ZLFmaYWuHTdgEvttkcMJ8d_UE-YXHBAUEt6_I5qCg1mbMQX73z9lw7OmbPAoBYw2nWgq0RSqthZp0Yu2mtP773VrI3rjHZ8ochg5CneplmpKo5iuvw/s1600/Dublin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVQ0z1_pEM4cJSsrGTowMQ6wx5ZLFmaYWuHTdgEvttkcMJ8d_UE-YXHBAUEt6_I5qCg1mbMQX73z9lw7OmbPAoBYw2nWgq0RSqthZp0Yu2mtP773VrI3rjHZ8ochg5CneplmpKo5iuvw/s200/Dublin.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Renowned for producing Ireland's most famous export (Guinness), drinking beer is a way of life in </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=164#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=5&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=164&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dublin</a><span style="background-color: white;">. Despite the high prices, you'll find pubs and traditional alehouses full of happy patrons.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> No beer pilgrimage would be complete without the </span><a href="http://www.frommers.com/destinations/dublin/A19777.html" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Guinness Storehouse tour</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.guinness-storehouse.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), which ends with the requisite free pint in the Gravity Bar. Perhaps the most celebrated beer institution is the Porterhouse (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.porterhousebrewco.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.porterhousebrewco.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) and its nine exclusive beers. Throughout Dublin, local brews are served at hundreds of authentic pubs, including Dawson's Lounge, the traditional Stag's Head (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.thestagshead.ie/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.thestagshead.ie</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), and the cool Solas (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.solasbars.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.solasbars.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), which has a summer beer garden.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average pint of lager:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> €4.50. Check out </span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.dublinpubscene.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.dublinpubscene.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;"> for more drinking venues.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Munich, Germany</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxc0gT_aDSgq_zvg9hHxAYmCsO38ZiHu8hJTrShZLWDyG-om-chJbQizU5oEZ7O6m4umyLJrVbnevsZCqgVCOIN9g7G4fM7nAAI4zZKq1HnO3lvLSxiigpCTMTcC2vY9PRiPA5FxmOWE/s1600/MUC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxc0gT_aDSgq_zvg9hHxAYmCsO38ZiHu8hJTrShZLWDyG-om-chJbQizU5oEZ7O6m4umyLJrVbnevsZCqgVCOIN9g7G4fM7nAAI4zZKq1HnO3lvLSxiigpCTMTcC2vY9PRiPA5FxmOWE/s200/MUC.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">More than 125 million gallons of beer are consumed annually in <a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=977#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=16&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=977&cid=0" target="_blank">Munich</a>, home of Oktoberfest and the </span><a href="http://www.frommers.com/destinations/munich/N9234.html" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Hofbräuhaus beer hall</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (</span><strong style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/index_en.html" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.hofbraeuhaus.de</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Indulge in a classic Munich Helles pale lager from one of the city's six main breweries. Save time for the 11th-century Weihenstephan (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.weihenstephaner.de/index2.html?lang=eng" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.weihenstephaner.de</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), the world's oldest brewery. Munich also has several traditional beer gardens that are ideal drinking spots in the summer -- try Seehaus (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.kuffler-gastronomie.de/en/muenchen/seehaus/index.php" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.kuffler-gastronomie.de</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for its view of the lake and the white swans in the English Garden. The Chinese Tower Beer Garden, also in the English Garden, features live bands playing traditional Bavarian music.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a half liter:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> €3</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amsterdam, the Netherlands</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HezlNAORKSmYxCjwjF8nUMi_osTZ06dePZkFKlgz5UxTB7c0E1lSTZphqCcs-7AC5kQxASmF7RHOYUpNfpHW8IVFS7bKjaFjVy9somqqHUpfl_zrBWvUTjcWqApODh104vyEFbfAhGc/s1600/AMS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HezlNAORKSmYxCjwjF8nUMi_osTZ06dePZkFKlgz5UxTB7c0E1lSTZphqCcs-7AC5kQxASmF7RHOYUpNfpHW8IVFS7bKjaFjVy9somqqHUpfl_zrBWvUTjcWqApODh104vyEFbfAhGc/s200/AMS.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The ancestral home of globally-recognized beers like Amstel, Heineken, and Grolsh, </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=120#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=12&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=120&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amsterdam</a><span style="background-color: white;"> serves up dozens of styles, flavors, and labels.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> The Cracked Kettle (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.crackedkettle.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.crackedkettle.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) is the place to buy your beer -- the shop stocks more than 500 types of beer and can ship internationally. If you want a place to sit down, try Café Gollem (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.cafegollem.nl/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.cafegollem.nl</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) just across the road, serving nearly 200 beers; Cafe t'Arendsnest (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.arendsnest.nl/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.arendsnest.nl</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), which has 100 varieties of purely Dutch beers from 50 breweries (of the 100 types, 30 are on tap); and IJ Brewery (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.brouwerijhetij.nl</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), which has its very own windmill and a tour that lets you sample 10 organic beer varieties made on-site.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a pint:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> €3</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prague, Czech Republic</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">They certainly love their beer in </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=986#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=243&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=986&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Prague</a><span style="background-color: white;">. Arguably the largest consumers of beers in world (more than 41 gallons per person per year), the Czechs are believed to have invented pilsner. The city also happens to be among the cheapest places in Europe for drinking amber ale.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Choose from dozens of historic beer halls or swanky bars. Try the 15th-century U Fleku (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://en.ufleku.cz/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.en.ufleku.cz</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), Bredovsky Dvur (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.bredovskydvur.unas.cz/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.bredovskydvur.unas.cz</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) and U Vejvodu (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.restauraceuvejvodu.cz/?page=home&lang=EN" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.restauraceuvejvodu.cz</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a half liter:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> 26 Czech koruna (about $1.25)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vienna, Austria</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvh2K0K2hePCa0WuxZcZEVG2R9WnTw26DSP8fvaGTpQt20JePzFCpptmaHtBiNF42CO8DuR0lb-hFTBEpVdhcmyt5HNjCgVAuuI_wnJGnzesSRUJwR7HJALethEAUals6YeaSnmS0Ne0/s1600/VIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvh2K0K2hePCa0WuxZcZEVG2R9WnTw26DSP8fvaGTpQt20JePzFCpptmaHtBiNF42CO8DuR0lb-hFTBEpVdhcmyt5HNjCgVAuuI_wnJGnzesSRUJwR7HJALethEAUals6YeaSnmS0Ne0/s200/VIE.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Can't think of an Austrian beer? Well, that's probably because the best beers in </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=975#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=94&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=975&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Vienna</a><span style="background-color: white;"> come from boutique microbreweries, so you won't find them outside Europe. Microbreweries are especially popular, but conglomerate brewer groups like Bräu-Union (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.brauunion.at/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.brauunion.at</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) also dominate the local market with brands like Gösser, Zipfer, Schwechate, Wieselburger, and Puntigamer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> In Vienna, visit 1516 (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.1516brewingcompany.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.1516brewingcompany.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for homebrewed beers; 7 Sterne Bräu (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.7stern.at/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.7stern.at</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for seasonal Viennese non-filtered varieties; the 17th-century Gösser Bierklinik (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.goesser-bierklinik.at/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.goesser-bierklinik.at</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for Bräu Union beers and Bermuda Bräu (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.bermuda-braeu.at/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.bermuda-braeu.at</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for a range of traditional local draughts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a pint:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> €4</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tokyo, Japan</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPyBO5DlZhvUF1bEyfcqd94MwhOOTf7TK1jBRzKOyYj30IcYkwFBgTugrsHSg5oevbtBycA3PAx51ZZbPLPT70MAqpcSfwr-vovbLMYPtLm9KiJWAFKyiNRzLpggN3KolWafRRY-_JBM/s1600/NRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPyBO5DlZhvUF1bEyfcqd94MwhOOTf7TK1jBRzKOyYj30IcYkwFBgTugrsHSg5oevbtBycA3PAx51ZZbPLPT70MAqpcSfwr-vovbLMYPtLm9KiJWAFKyiNRzLpggN3KolWafRRY-_JBM/s200/NRT.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=284#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=80&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=284&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Tokyo</a><span style="background-color: white;"> may not be cheap, but the beer is certainly easy to find: you can even buy cans from vending machines on the street (no ID is required). Although many pubs here try to cater to Western tastes and offer imported beers, most serve local varieties on tap. There is also a relatively new and vibrant Japanese craft beer scene (ji-biiru).</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Try Popeye (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.40beersontap.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.40beersontap.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for its selection of 70 beers on tap that includes many hard-to-find local craft brews; Craftheads (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.craftheads.jp/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.craftheads.jp</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) for its draft and bottled beer; Ushi-Tora in Shimo-Kitazawa, which specializes in draft microbrews, Japanese beers, and a few international brews; and the Kura-Kura Bar (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.gnavi.co.jp/e607800" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.gnavi.co.jp</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) in Kanda, which offers 12 craft brews on tap.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a pint of craft beer:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> ¥1,200; pick up Asahi, Kirin, or Sapporo at vending machines for around ¥250.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Portland, Oregon</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The West Coast beer haven of </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/content/wcities/wcitiesV2.cfm?agency_id=89&utp=consumer&type=consumer&destinationID=567#/cityGuide?action=ajax_get_container&city_id=159&section_id=0&g=gen_intro&cpe_id=0&dest_id=567&cid=0" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Portland</a><span style="background-color: white;"> has more breweries per person than any other city in the U.S.: more than 30 at last count. Hops and barley are grown locally, so you know that your microbrew will be fresh and natural.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Where to Drink:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> Try drinking at home-grown breweries and taverns like Widmer Gasthaus (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.widmer.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.widmer.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), the New Old Lompoc (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.newoldlompoc.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.newoldlompoc.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), and Bridgeport (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.bridgeportbrew.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">). If you want to drink more, arrange a ride through Portland's Brew Bus Tour (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.brewbus.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.brewbus.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">), which visits 20 city establishments. The Oregon Brewers Festival (</span><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="http://www.oregonbrewfest.com/" style="color: #78589c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.oregonbrewfest.com</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;">) is held each July and features more than 80 craft beers.</span><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; padding-bottom: 5px;">Average price for a beer:</strong><span style="background-color: white;"> $3.30</span></span><br />
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...to be continued with PART 2!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-31820558997125535232012-09-04T10:00:00.000-07:002012-09-04T10:00:01.383-07:00The best ticket prices when traveling with kids<h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The best ticket prices when traveling with kids</span></h1>
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Many airlines offer discounts for young fliers. Also consider package rates. Taking the train instead? Amtrak has deals too. Another option: a cruise.</h2>
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If you are flying with kids, you may be able to get a discount, depending on the children's ages and your destination. You can often find discounts on international routes of 10% to 25% off for kids ages 2 to 11.</div>
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Note that the discount is on the base fare and generally not on such fees as the fuel surcharge, which can be hundreds of dollars on international flights.</div>
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Note too that the airlines do not offer discounts on government taxes and fees. Airlines don't have control over those charges, unlike the fuel surcharge.</div>
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For domestic flights, kids younger than 2 usually can fly free as lap babies. On most international routes, there is a charge of 10% of the base fare, plus some taxes and fees, but in most cases you will not be required to pay the fuel surcharge. If you want to buy a seat for your infant younger than 2, the fare for kids ages 2 to 11 would apply on those airlines that offer a children's discount.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">When flying with a lap infant abroad, contact </span><a href="http://www.nonstoptravel.net/"><span style="color: orange;">Nonstop Travel</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> to purchase tickets well before you depart, earlier, in fact, than you would if you were flying solo. If you are flying with a lap baby who will turn 2 before you return, most airlines require you to purchase a seat for BOTH legs - outbound and inbound.</span></div>
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There are kids' discounts on international flights to much of the world. If you plan to fly in business or first class, discounts for kids average 25%. Some airlines, by the way, don't allow kids younger than 12 in first class, so make sure you read all the fine print.</div>
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You often can find savings on family travel with package rates. Some packages, for instance, may contain kids-fly-free offers, although this is not as common as it used to be, thanks to reductions in airline capacity.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;">As you study prices (and you make a list or a spreadsheet of which airline is charging what for each person), look at the total cost to make sure you are getting the best fare. (Be sure to enter the number of passengers ages 2 to 11 to ensure the discounted rate.) Just because a child's discount is offered, don't take it for granted that it's the cheapest option. Be sure to comparison-shop just as you would when buying an adult ticket. And know that if you find a fare that's really great, you need to snag it because what you see today may not be there tomorrow. Keep in mind, sometimes airlines do NOT give discounts on the lowest fares, but on more expensive ones. Nonstop Travel can book mixed classes, so the adult is flying on the lowest fare possible and the children on a higher fare with a discount, so the bottom line will still be less.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholtK6difawhbfo4O6cTEeCsoC0_T10w8d_p7XRV915HxXDffG77Mbqqsst1-XUU4C-YXo4HtvtptxLjPfw1JdEDKQYtQb8SxAmJBNd_DWz1BPCMgUcvBErYelrpFvX8yW_1Q0-wLgheU/s1600/Disney.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholtK6difawhbfo4O6cTEeCsoC0_T10w8d_p7XRV915HxXDffG77Mbqqsst1-XUU4C-YXo4HtvtptxLjPfw1JdEDKQYtQb8SxAmJBNd_DWz1BPCMgUcvBErYelrpFvX8yW_1Q0-wLgheU/s200/Disney.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">If you are traveling by train, Amtrak offers 50% off fares for kids ages 2 to 15 on most routes when accompanied by a paying adult. (Up to two kids can get the discount for each adult.) Kids younger than 2 may travel for free if they sit on your lap. Visit </span><a href="http://www.amtrak.com/children-discounts"><span style="color: orange;">http://www.amtrak.com/children-discounts</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
Many hotels allow kids up to 17 to stay and eat free when sharing a room with Mom and Dad. You also may see offers for 50% off a second room for families, which is helpful if you have teenagers whose schedule and entertainment preferences may not quite match your own.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Cruises may be another avenue to explore, especially given all the amenities for kids on some ships. (Make sure you check with a travel agent or do plenty of research to find out whether kids are a focal point or the options for kids are just an afterthought.) Keep an eye out for kids-cruise-free offers from lines such as Disney and </span><a href="http://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com/cruise_lines/cruise_line.cfm?sup_id=586&agency_id=89&utp=consumer&userid=1829"><span style="color: orange;">NCL</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">, and watch for offers of discounts for the third or fourth passenger in a cabin. The passenger could be your child, and even if that makes the cabin a little close, remember the family vacation is all about togetherness.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09072679240097563386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-65357335820710956872012-08-27T12:28:00.000-07:002012-08-27T12:36:34.222-07:00<br />
<h2>
Questions about Hurricanes & Travel Insurance?</h2>
<h3>
5 top questions answered:</h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h4>
Q. How can travel insurance cover my vacation investment
in the event of a hurricane or other unforeseen severe weather?</h4>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A. In the event of a covered hurricane or other
unforeseen severe weather, travel insurance provides coverage under the Trip
Cancellation and Interruption benefit. If your trip is cancelled for a covered
reason, we will refund the pre-paid, forfeited, non-refundable trip costs trip
up to the limit of coverage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h4>
Q. If a hurricane watch or warning is issued that may
impact my travel plans, up to what point can I still purchase travel insurance?</h4>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibirK4DAmYP7Mzt5MagKPyc0XhzHp5VgxXMPmKou9GnsdbbGwaySpj8w9rqF8l9dVZvWu-evzBSLDB9vVqRsmPbnv7tUgxmEr1ytVQcVUZvjk3ir_dU5-cVo1gspAScWpWyfUEnxwkR3E/s1600/Isaak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibirK4DAmYP7Mzt5MagKPyc0XhzHp5VgxXMPmKou9GnsdbbGwaySpj8w9rqF8l9dVZvWu-evzBSLDB9vVqRsmPbnv7tUgxmEr1ytVQcVUZvjk3ir_dU5-cVo1gspAScWpWyfUEnxwkR3E/s200/Isaak.jpg" width="200" /></a>A. Insurance must be purchased 24 hours prior to when the
hurricane has been named. Once the hurricane has been named, Trip Cancellation
and Interruption losses resulting from the hurricane are excluded from the
coverage of the policy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h4>
Q. If the resort that I will be staying at next week is
damaged in a storm before my scheduled departure, can I cancel my trip and be
reimbursed for my non-refundable costs?</h4>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A. If the resort is damaged and cannot accommodate you
(or provide comparable accommodations), your nonrefundable costs will be
reimbursed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h4>
Q. I'm worried that a predicted storm's path will be too
near to the location of my upcoming insured vacation; can I cancel for a
refund?</h4>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A. If the storm directly affects your travel arrangements
or accommodations, you are entitled to Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption
benefits. For example: an airport is closed due to the high winds; you are
forced to evacuate your hotel/resort; the road you are traveling is impassable
due to high water. On the other hand, if you choose to cancel a trip based on what
you think might happen — and not because the inclement weather has directly
affected your travel arrangements — that would be considered a matter of choice
— not a direct loss to your arrangements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h4>
Q. If my airport is closed due to a hurricane or other weather
event, and my vacation is delayed, will I be reimbursed?</h4>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A. Yes, travel insurance will cover the expenses incurred
if your trip is delayed and will cover reasonable, additional accommodations
and travel expenses until travel becomes possible.<br />
<br />
<b>If you are living in a hurricane affected area, please make sure to read the following <a href="http://www.chiff.com/a/hurricane-tips.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">TOP TEN Hurricane Tips.</span></a></b></div>
Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-71674531941909597942012-07-28T09:30:00.000-07:002012-07-28T09:30:00.747-07:0010 interesting food museums from around the world<br />
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">While many people visit museums in order to learn about culture, art, or history, how many out there can say they've gone to a museum to see an exhibit on SPAM? Or to learn the processing history of salami? While somewhat out of the norm, these 10 interesting food museums from around the world will give you insight and fun facts into some of your favorite cuisine.</span></span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia </strong></span></span></span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: Burlingame, California</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From vintage Pez dispensers to new Pez-related items, come to </span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/taylar/3454091707/" style="outline: none; text-decoration: none;">Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia</a> to learn the history of Pez as well as buy Pez products. The highlight of the museum is seeing the world's largest Pez dispenser, which is in the form of a 7 ft' 10'' tall snowman and can hold 6,480 Pez candies. And if you get sick of looking at Pez dispensers all day, the museum also has a Classic Toy Museum and a Banned Toy Museum on site.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="font-style: italic;">Located at 214 California Dr. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-6PM.</em></span></span></span><br />
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<div id="continued" style="margin-top: 1em;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">The SPAM Museum</strong></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: Austin, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Minnesota/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Minnesota</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.spam.com/games/Museum/default.aspx" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">The SPAM Museum</a> is a tribute to this pre-cooked, canned meat that includes vintage advertising, memorabilia, SPAM trivia, and interactive exhibits. Visitors can even test their SPAM-canning skills as well as learn about the large role SPAM played in the diet of WWII soldiers. See walls made entirely of SPAM cans and ceilings holding massive burger buns as you walk through this retro-style museum.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnemom/2939636663/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota " height="200" id="vimage_4489025" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1spam-minnemom-1317331116.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fun Fact: An actor from New York named Kenneth Daigneau won a contest in 1936 put on by the creator of SPAM, Jay Hormel, that allowed him to choose the name for the canned meat. Mr. Daigneau chose SPAM, which is where the name comes from. He also won $100, which today could have bought him $1,500 in SPAM products.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<em style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Located at 1101 North Main St. Museum hours are Monday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM, and Sunday, 12PM-5PM. </span></em><br />
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<h3>
<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum </span></strong></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: Szeged, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Hungary/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Hungary</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kvitlauk/3111158275/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Pick salami and paprika museum in hungary " height="133" id="vimage_4489103" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1salami-kvitlauk.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://pickmuzeum.hu/pages/index_e8.html" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum</a>gives visitors a chance to learn everything there is to know about Pick salami and paprika through a showcase of photographs, history lessons on founder Mark Pick, production displays, and butchering guides. The best part of the museum is the life-size wooden dolls wearing authentic costumes that are setup in ways that depict scenes in the salami and paprika making process with production equipment out on display. Luckily, the Picks are still in business so after learning about these delicious treats you can purchase some for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<em style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Located at Felso Tisza-Part 10 . Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 3PM-6PM.</span></em><strong style="font-weight: bold;"> </strong><br />
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<h3>
<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The National Mustard Museum</span></strong></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: Middleton, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Wisconsin/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Wisconsin</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnemom/3832957926/sizes/l/in/photostream/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Musard museum in Minnesota " height="150" id="vimage_4489139" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1mustard-minnemom.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">How much could there possibly be to learn about mustard? Apparently, a lot. The <a href="http://mustardmuseum.com/the-mustard-museum/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">National Mustard Museum</a> is home to more than 5,600 different types of mustard, including kinds from all 50 states as well as over 60 different countries. Visitors can sample the different varieties, some of which include tequila, chocolate, and cranberry mustard, for free at the Tasting Bar, where you will be guided on a sensual (and sometimes spicy) experience by a Confidential Condiments Counselor. A visit to the National Mustard Museum is not only a tour for the taste buds, however, but also for the eyes, as you admire antique mustard pots, reminisce over vintage mustard ads, view a film at the Mustardpiece Theatre (The Sound of Mustard, anyone?), take a mustard cooking class, and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<em style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Located at 7477 Hubbard Ave. Museum hours are 10AM-5PM, daily.</span> </em><br />
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<br />
<h3>
<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Chocolate Museum Cologne </span></strong></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Cologne/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Cologne</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Germany/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Germany</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfarrell07/5751321657/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Chocolate museum in cologne, germany" height="133" id="vimage_4489171" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1chocolate-dfarrell07.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, what food-related list would be complete without chocolate. What makes the <a href="http://www.chocolatemuseum-cologne.com/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Chocolate Museum Cologne</a> unique is that it's more than just displays of chocolate. At this museum you will travel through three levels of chocolate history, spanning over 3,000 years. Level one will introduce you to the cocoa tree, as you literally visit a tropical house to admire one up close. Next, see a glass chocolate factory to learn about the production of this sweet staple. On the next level visitors are introduced to chocolate as a luxury item, beginning in Mesoamerica. The final level allows you to peruse chocolate advertising and signs, watch films in the chocolate cinema, and see chocolate items that developed a cult following. There are lots of interesting tidbits of chocolate knowledge to learn here. For instance, did you know that 80 years ago the high calorie content in chocolate was seen as a good thing? I definitely would have liked to be around back then.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="font-style: italic;">Located at Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678.</em> </span><em style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10AM-6PM, Saturday-Sunday, 11AM to 7PM.</span> </em><br />
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<h3>
<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The International Banana Club Museum</span></strong></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: Hesperia, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/California/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">California</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.bananaclub.com/InsideMuseum.htm" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="international banana club museum in california " height="150" id="vimage_4489193" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1internationalbananaclubwebsite-1317336654.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have never seen anyone as bananas for anything as Ken Bannister, the founder of the <a href="http://www.bananaclub.com/InsideMuseum.htm" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">International Banana Club Museum</a>, is for, well, bananas. This museum, decorated with banana art, clocks, photographs, and more, holds the largest collection dedicated to one fruit in the world and is the perfect place to come if you're looking for something a little more on the wacky side. Begin in the "Hard" section and browse through pipes, trees, pins, knives, golf putters, belts, rings, cups, and more, all with a banana theme. There is even a rock-hard petrified banana that has been in the museum since 1975. Next, check out the "Food, Drink, and Notions" section, including banana-related foods, drinks, soaps, oils...even banana tobacco. The final sections are the "Clothing Section" (banana nose, anyone?) and the "Soft" section, which is the perfect place to end your day at the museum, as there is an eight-foot long banana couch and tons of comfortable banana pillows<strong style="font-weight: bold;">. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<em style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Located at 16367 Main St. Museum hours are Tues-Thurs, 9AM-1PM, and the first Saturday of each month, 9AM-1PM.</span> </em><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum</strong></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Tokyo/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Tokyo</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Japan/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Japan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlisbona/145377582/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Raumen museum in tokyo, japan " height="150" id="vimage_4489215" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1ramen-dlisbona.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who would have guessed that your favorite meal in college (or the only one you knew how to cook) had an entire museum dedicated to it? The <a href="http://www.raumen.co.jp/home/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum</a> includes a huge recreation of Tokyo as it looked in 1958, the year Raumen (or Ramen) was created. Visitors also get the chance to dine in some of the most well-known Raumen noodle restaurants in existence. Walk near walls covered in Raumen packages, browse Raumen and houseware displays, watch Raumen commercials on replay, and enjoy interactive Raumen video games.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="font-style: italic;">Located within walking distance of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin-Yokohama_Station" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Shin-Yokohama Train Station</a>. Museums hours are 11AM-10PM, daily. </em></span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Deutsches Currywurst Museum</strong></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Berlin/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Berlin</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Germany/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Germany</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30360780@N02/4147975775/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="currywurst museum in berlin germany " height="200" id="vimage_4489227" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1currywurst-sushi3ina.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="151" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">One may wonder why a city would decide to dedicate an entire museum to curried sausage. The truth is, there is no German dish that "inspires as many stories, preferences, and celebrity connoisseurs" as currywurst. While this may sound a bit dramatic, a visit to the <a href="http://www.currywurstmuseum.de/en/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Deutsches Currywurst Museum</a> may make you a believer, as well. Get your picture taken at the old-fashioned snack bar, explore the spice chamber to solve the mystery search for the perfect ingredients, and take in the unique decor including a sausage sofa, over-sized ketchup drops hanging from the ceiling, and humongous fry displays. Visiting Deutsches Currywurst Museum is also a learning experience, as you hear about currywurst history and legends, take part in the experimental kitchen, and watch some famous currywurst scenes on film.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1em;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="font-style: italic;">Located at SchÜtzenstrausse<strong style="font-weight: bold;"> </strong>70. Museum hours are 10AM-10PM, daily. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">The Idaho Potato Museum</strong></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: Blackfoot, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Idaho/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Idaho</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvermooncreperie/1061312084/" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="idaho poato museum " height="150" id="vimage_4489237" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/1potato-silvermooncreperie.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being that the potato is Idaho's most famous product, it is no wonder that there would be an<a href="http://www.go-idaho.com/Idaho-Potato-Museum/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Idaho Potato Museum</a> dedicated to the starchy vegetable. This museum holds a lot of information about the history of the potato, including a film about the development of the potato industry, old farming equipment, as well as educational exhibits of the harvesting process and nutrition. The real attraction at this museum, however, is the world's largest potato chip, which, according to<a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2084" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Roadside America</a>, is a 25x14-inch Pringle created in 1991 by engineers at Proctor and Gamble. The gift shop here is also worth mentioning, as it sells all kinds of potato-related gifts including potato ice cream and potato fudge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="font-style: italic;">Location is 130 NW Main St. Museum hours are April-September, Monday-Saturday, 9:30AM-5PM and October-March, Monday-Friday, 9:30AM-3:30PM. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Frietmuseum</strong></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Brugge/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Brugge,</a> <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Belgium/" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Belgium</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.visitflanders.us/what-to-do/attractions/museums/frietmuseum-605094.jsp?bc=54819" style="clear: right; color: #006b98; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Frietmuseum in brugge, belgium" height="133" id="vimage_4489255" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/09/fry.jpg" style="background-color: white; border-width: 1px; float: right; margin: 4px; padding: 4px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">After discussing a museum dedicated to the potato, it is only fair to talk about a museum dedicated to the world's favorite potato product, the French fry. <a href="http://www.frietmuseum.be/en/museumeng.htm" style="color: #006b98; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Frietmuseum</a> is the first museum in the world dedicated to the fry. While fried potatos are an international treat, what many people may not know is that they actually originated in Belgium. While you will learn the history of French fries and condiments at Frietmuseum, what really attracts tourists is the Saaihalle, the 14th century building that it is housed in. When sampling some of the museum's fried cuisine, you will be taken downstairs to the medieval cellars of this building, which is the oldest in Brugge.</span></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-70950435872307228232012-07-25T11:00:00.000-07:002012-07-25T11:00:05.049-07:00LAX Construction on Tom Bradley International Terminal to Cause 'Severe' Traffic Delays<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Construction on the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starts today, and officials are warning travelers of major traffic delays near the terminal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Part of the first phase of the $23.5 million project, the construction will give the TBIT's facade a facelift, including replacing the glass canopies in front of the terminal to match those detailed in the modern architectural design for the new international terminal currently under construction. Slated for completion in spring 2013, the project will also update the terminal with new outside escalators, signage and energy-efficient lighting, according to City News Service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's what you need to know regarding maneuvering the TBIT during construction. The departure level curbside lane between the international terminal and Terminal 4 will be closed, and the first entrance to the terminal is closed to passenger drop-off. Cars will, however, be permitted to drop off passengers at the second and third entrances. The pedestrian sidewalk along the terminal will remain fully open.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"It's going from the mid-'80s-type of architecture to this new, sleek, curved, metal-type of architecture in a lot of new buildings," Albert Rodriguez, a spokesman for LAX, told <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/07/lax-airport-construction-causes-closures-in-tom-bradley-terminal.html" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">L.A. Times</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">CNS says the project "is expected to cause severe traffic backups near the terminal," and existing lane closures related to the $438 million Central Utility Plant Replacement Project won't help with congestion. Curbside lanes between Terminal 3 and the Tom Bradley terminal will remain closed on the departure and arrival levels as the airport replaces the 50-year-old power plant with a modern facility. Additionally, roadwork that will prompt lane closures has been planned in order to add 8.7 miles of piping between the new central utility plant and terminals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Airport officials hope passengers, motorists, airport employees and vendors heed their warnings to allow more time traveling to and from the airport.</span></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-75267549168777449862012-07-22T10:30:00.000-07:002012-07-22T10:30:00.107-07:00TSA to introduce passenger prescreening at United's LAX terminals<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://www.tsa.gov/" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="TSA">Transportation Security Administration</a> program that allows prescreened passengers to move more quickly through security is scheduled to expand next week to <span class="runtimeTopic">United Airlines</span> in Terminal 7 at <a href="http://www.lawa.org/welcomelax.aspx/" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="LAX">LAX</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZNgKGI2Y0jzZJWHCHaldHExOQtOG0eM4dHiBzSEgpyO2D8DJMFhBKR9U1b38gXEtngu7ArQITB5miYiQIVKL6NywWaJqiswOHi8M8NOcd308hyphenhyphen5FO_KAe8g2QZRyU5pLnqBd_6N8eT0/s1600/Pre+Check+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZNgKGI2Y0jzZJWHCHaldHExOQtOG0eM4dHiBzSEgpyO2D8DJMFhBKR9U1b38gXEtngu7ArQITB5miYiQIVKL6NywWaJqiswOHi8M8NOcd308hyphenhyphen5FO_KAe8g2QZRyU5pLnqBd_6N8eT0/s200/Pre+Check+in.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The program, known as PreCheck, is already in place at LAX for select Delta and American passengers. Under the program, such passengers may not have to remove their shoes or lightweight outerwear or remove their laptop or liquids from their carry-on during screening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“All of our customers absolutely love it,” said Alexandria Marren, senior vice president of network operations for United and United Express, under which security falls. United, which implements the LAX plan Tuesday, hopes to have 24 airports using the program by the end of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To become one of the chosen, passengers need to be frequent fliers. What exactly that means — whether you need to have achieved “elite” frequent flier program status or you fly six times a year — isn’t clear and neither the TSA nor United said they could discuss that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Passengers who are members of the Customers and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler programs, which include Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS, also may be eligible for expedited screening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Information indicating that the passenger has the prescreening stamp of approval is embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass. TSA would not say how that process works. The process did require some additional barcode-reading equipment at some checkpoints, TSA said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marren said the expedited process moves passengers through the security 2 1/2 times faster than regular screening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The program, which was rolled out in October, has so far screened more than 1.7 million passengers, the TSA estimates.</span></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-10281688349533667722012-07-20T10:51:00.000-07:002012-07-20T10:51:00.235-07:0036 Hours in Cologne<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">36 Hours in Cologne, Germany</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoT2gtnuc69OL66Pv6lqMOYUh48_dM86858i7hc2pKRnyNOW7uM3CDzXHGcfBXxuhaiTk8dSXICS6LPulu3x1hQXwQTXZ9Z6_zQXjJwatGcDP6CJjmfzWY9rk7key0nRa4_-_XCun59s/s1600/Koelln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoT2gtnuc69OL66Pv6lqMOYUh48_dM86858i7hc2pKRnyNOW7uM3CDzXHGcfBXxuhaiTk8dSXICS6LPulu3x1hQXwQTXZ9Z6_zQXjJwatGcDP6CJjmfzWY9rk7key0nRa4_-_XCun59s/s200/Koelln.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ONE of the oldest cities in Germany, Cologne has been drawing visitors since at least the year 50 A.D., when it was officially founded as the Roman outpost of Colonia. Today the big attractions are the city’s ancient (and gargantuan) cathedral, vibrant night life, a great native beer called Kölsch, and eau de cologne, invented here in 1709, not to mention the ever-present Rhine River. But the city the Germans know as Köln is hardly resting on its former achievements. New surprises just keep showing up. After crossing off bucket-list items like exploring the cathedral and crawling through legendary Kölsch pubs, you can easily spend an entire weekend focusing on the shops, restaurants and hotels that have opened (or reopened) within the past few years.</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Day 1: Medieval Churches</b></span></h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycuJE7aV3Epl4O27l0GMlY1LRAI5aoVUway36Esmt9giitKGWVWzw8yX2uYE4O0PdWUFf35WUDppiutJ5DsxZiiW16NocIDJDMjKg-3SiIdmtkAft3WluwLaWXBQ7yE2ztnteDnfLHBA/s1600/Cologne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycuJE7aV3Epl4O27l0GMlY1LRAI5aoVUway36Esmt9giitKGWVWzw8yX2uYE4O0PdWUFf35WUDppiutJ5DsxZiiW16NocIDJDMjKg-3SiIdmtkAft3WluwLaWXBQ7yE2ztnteDnfLHBA/s200/Cologne.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Where else to begin your journey through Cologne than the glorious Kölner Dom, the city’s twin-spired cathedral that miraculously escaped unscathed from the bombing raids of World War II. Packed with art treasures, work first began on the building in 1248 and wasn’t complete until 1880. Inside, the building is a symphony of light and space thanks to the flying buttresses, stained-glass windows and richly carved choir stalls. Many other medieval churches fill the old city, including turreted Gross St. Martin above Fischmarkt and the lovely church of St. Ursula. For a view of Cologne’s towers from the Rhine, take an atmospheric afternoon or evening dinner cruise.</span><br style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><b style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Day 2: Cologne Museums</b></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Cologne is a cultural gem, and not only because of its churches. See sculptures, tombs, mosaics, ruins and entire bits of wall from Roman times at the Roman-German Museum. Trace the history of art by admiring the Wallraf-Richartz Museum’s collection of Dutch masters, medieval treasures at the Museum Schnütgen, and 20th century and postmodern art at the Museum Ludwig. Cologne’s history is unraveled at the Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, the city’s Third Reich experience at EL-DE Haus, and gorgeous textiles and designs are displayed at the Museum of Applied Arts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Day 3: Cologne Cuisine</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYazDnrOJJaI-mJlnBkefe0dCMca4jyXFGXt1tTE7yIYNCoexVlkzqKjB0QDaO-A3DGLSOq4ockDcXopGu8zAYWiG2Nzj0_k0FB8AnBqiAKS1DYliRK85czu5TZ_OjZ7rFQyRl6ccYrc4/s1600/Beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYazDnrOJJaI-mJlnBkefe0dCMca4jyXFGXt1tTE7yIYNCoexVlkzqKjB0QDaO-A3DGLSOq4ockDcXopGu8zAYWiG2Nzj0_k0FB8AnBqiAKS1DYliRK85czu5TZ_OjZ7rFQyRl6ccYrc4/s200/Beer.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">There’s much more to Cologne’s dining and wining scene than raucous beer halls with oompah-pah bands and sauerkraut – though there’s a lot to be said for spending a night drinking arm-in-arm with your neighbors at a tavern. The local beer is called Kölsch, and the food you’ll encounter in beer halls and regional restaurants includes hearty blood sausage, potato pancakes with apple sauce, and open sandwiches on pumpernickel bread. Step outside the beer taverns and the world is your oyster, from Japanese sushi and Middle Eastern falafel to crepes, pizza and pasta.</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?aid=316986;dcid=1;city=-1810561" target="_blank"><b>Hotels in Cologne</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694/Cologne/d923-ttd?activities=all" target="_blank"><b>Sightseeing in Cologne</b></a></span></span></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-73559756887503482672012-07-17T10:30:00.000-07:002012-07-17T10:30:00.762-07:00<br />
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Web Buzz: Plan your trip at tripomatic.com</h2>
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">What it does:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Helps you plan a day-by-day trip itinerary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Cost:</strong> Free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>What's hot:</strong> I love the idea of making a day-by-day itinerary and then downloading it as a PDF when I'm done, as well as being able to access it from my smartphone or iPad. But after testing the app on my iPad, and also checking out the website, the latter is the way to start. Go to the home page on the website and look for a suggested trip plan such as "3 Day Trip to San Francisco or "Paris in One Day" and click on the Modify Trip Now button to make it your own. Once you're done modifying an itinerary, use the Add Your Own button to place specific restaurants, shops or addresses on your map and itinerary. The end result, as a PDF, is beautiful and book-like.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIKEfQE9ndS5YEZ9xnBv3MJhnzG_mFnwRfhLaapLuV8Q0b0ZUqoAF7m-lLUryC5NtZeh7F48mlSd8GIkRSevJDJuZJGTEMisYNTvZpda9DAhMTVixx-G9fghcL5crwMRDBr6U297pvR0/s1600/tripmatic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIKEfQE9ndS5YEZ9xnBv3MJhnzG_mFnwRfhLaapLuV8Q0b0ZUqoAF7m-lLUryC5NtZeh7F48mlSd8GIkRSevJDJuZJGTEMisYNTvZpda9DAhMTVixx-G9fghcL5crwMRDBr6U297pvR0/s200/tripmatic.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>What's not</strong>: Where are the restaurants? When I tried to plan a trip to San Francisco, most of the pins marked places of interest. The few times I did find something food-related, it was usually a place to party or grab a beer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Worth it:</strong> Yes, but there are stumbling blocks, and it requires patience. For example, when I went to the website and it told me to choose a destination, I typed in "Las Vegas, NV," and got the reply, "Tripomatic has yet to cover Las Vegas, NV." But there on the home page was a list of popular destinations, and Las Vegas was included, with maps, a free guide, suggestions for what to do and tours to buy. Go figure.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.tripomatic.com/">http://www.tripomatic.com/</a>
</div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-78367544598696388522012-07-13T10:30:00.000-07:002012-07-13T10:30:00.400-07:00<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">New Safety Measures for Cruises</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the European Cruise Council (ECC) adopted two new safety policies</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the European Cruise Council (ECC) adopted two new safety policies. These policies, which address issues related to the recording of passenger nationality and the common elements of musters and emergency instructions, result from the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review launched in January.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim36V69luax056bZnYW3n0MQnxi1Phaqp9WgziJSxxDMifR08SoGWAgc4OIeFYcasuWa4d-rAv1hbvuHPTRVSAOV1tKMDR4K_7aWMfSIS-LRs5c9f79XTUsb0LVP_Nem55339RG7T0UtI/s1600/Lifering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim36V69luax056bZnYW3n0MQnxi1Phaqp9WgziJSxxDMifR08SoGWAgc4OIeFYcasuWa4d-rAv1hbvuHPTRVSAOV1tKMDR4K_7aWMfSIS-LRs5c9f79XTUsb0LVP_Nem55339RG7T0UtI/s200/Lifering.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Nationality of Passengers policy was developed in response to the request of governments at the May meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee meeting. This policy prescribes that the nationality of each passenger onboard is to be recorded and made readily available to search and rescue personnel as appropriate. Under the Common Elements of Musters and Emergency Instructions policy, member cruise lines have specified 12 common elements that will be communicated to passengers in musters and emergency instructions. Among these common elements are a description of key safety systems and features as well as an explanation of emergency routing systems and emergency exit locations. Both policies exceed current international regulatory requirements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Our industry continues to actively identify a range of measures that will improve the safety of passengers and crew, which is the top priority of the cruise industry,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. <a href="http://www.cruising.org/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="www.cruising.org">www.cruising.org</a></span></div>
</div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-85673938469213375562012-06-22T14:38:00.000-07:002012-06-22T14:38:33.844-07:00Preparing for a European Trip<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191815; font-family: proxima-nova-1, proxima-nova-2, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Going to Europe is exciting, but it can be stressful, too. By arranging a few things while you’re still at home, you’ll greatly increase your chances of having a smooth, enjoyable European vacation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMGCMC7vmI0avTJaLXmMMLNrxUCr8BZzJHfJyQInW3oJiCsNEtWxirA6-KePnS2gA9Rhd0MfQqb-SidpCBMvcva4rKtl4lIxypeO5cTEamCxg4Fislq81U5h5X-6BXYklJib1gHvabOI/s1600/packing-a-suitcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMGCMC7vmI0avTJaLXmMMLNrxUCr8BZzJHfJyQInW3oJiCsNEtWxirA6-KePnS2gA9Rhd0MfQqb-SidpCBMvcva4rKtl4lIxypeO5cTEamCxg4Fislq81U5h5X-6BXYklJib1gHvabOI/s200/packing-a-suitcase.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Check your passport.</strong> Is it due to expire soon? You may be denied entry into certain countries if your passport will expire within three to six months of your ticketed date of return. Get it renewed if you’ll be cutting it close.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stash photocopies of important travel documents.</strong> Whether you’re at home or abroad, anybody can experience unexpected problems from loss or theft. If you have a copy of a valuable document, it’s easier to replace the original.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnXolYIPPJCxT82RxGAzFTMdq3oC1rmKhebzinpjK7umIuOmEQyMDvXGyvFOom20_r8KUCf_ZKQu9ox-Ghi8FQ83-3oSa1JkAWUUcA5mNKd_dU6B3t8OZuzzJai55whvh8VxqKXl_NjA/s1600/Checklist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnXolYIPPJCxT82RxGAzFTMdq3oC1rmKhebzinpjK7umIuOmEQyMDvXGyvFOom20_r8KUCf_ZKQu9ox-Ghi8FQ83-3oSa1JkAWUUcA5mNKd_dU6B3t8OZuzzJai55whvh8VxqKXl_NjA/s200/Checklist.jpg" width="200" /></a>In fact, make two sets of photocopies of your passport and railpass or car-rental voucher. (For debit and credit cards, just record the numbers, rather than photocopy them.)</div>
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Pack one copy and leave the other with a buddy at home, to be faxed or e-mailed to you in case of an emergency. I hide my copy in a second money belt clipped into the bottom of my luggage (don’t tell anyone).</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Contact your debit- and credit-card companies.</strong> Prior to your trip, call your bank and credit-card company to let them know which countries you’ll be visiting. This will ensure that they don’t decline foreign transactions.</div>
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While you have them on the line, confirm your debit card’s daily withdrawal limit, request an increase, if you want, and ask about fees for international transactions.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Arrange your transportation. </strong>Call us for your flight arrangements you might need to take within Europe as early as possible, since the cheapest seats sell out fast.</div>
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Train travelers should decide whether it makes sense to buy a railpass (these cover trips in one or more countries for a set number of days); if so, you’ll need to buy it before you leave the United States. If you plan to take the Eurostar between London and Paris, book tickets far ahead for the best fares. <a href="http://www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/german-rail-pass/index.html?WT.mc_id=CJ.german_railpass.affiliates">Get train tickets & passes here.</a></div>
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If you’re renting a car, your driver’s license is all you need in most places, but some countries, including Austria, Greece, Italy and Spain, also require an International Driving Permit. While that’s the letter of the law, I’ve rented cars in dozens of countries without an IDP — and have never been asked to show one. You can get an IDP at your local AAA office. <a href="http://www.autoeurope.com/booking/car.cfm?aff=nonstoptravelde&pucode=DE">Get the lowest car rental rates for Europe here.</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Take care of medical business.</strong> Visit your doctor to get a checkup, and deal with any dental work that needs to be done.</div>
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If you use prescription drugs, take a sufficient supply to cover your trip, along with a copy of your prescription so you can refill it at a European pharmacy, if necessary.</div>
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Call your health insurance provider to see if they cover you internationally or whether you might need to buy special medical insurance.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Look into travel insurance. </strong>This can minimize the financial risks of a vacation. Your potential loss varies, depending on factors such as your health, how much of your trip is prepaid, the refundability of your air ticket, and what coverage you already have (through your medical, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance and/or credit card).</div>
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<a href="https://buy.travelguard.com/tgi2/pct/default.aspx?header=off&footer=off&br=agentlink&sk=agentlink&st=&arc=05636050&pc=PCTUSASLG&s2q=&agencyemail=info@nonstoptravel.net&ta_initials=">Check here for affordable travel insurance, also for last minute decisions.</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Prepare gadgets for takeoff.</strong> If you plan to use your US mobile phone in Europe, consider signing up for an international calling, text and/or data plan, and confirm voice- and data-roaming fees.</div>
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If you’re taking a mobile device, download any tools that might come in handy on the road, such as translators, maps, transit schedules, eBooks, Internet calling apps and free audio tours (including mine, covering some of Europe’s top sights and neighborhoods).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmBYJNEDA3Nd8ahNGJdTotrH_DgNr7EgkR1_F_jnn_QSemnvJLOQAUyzW30Nq6kOqVwx6vr-WfH1ey_1bQQBaIpSDTIkocfzq2IyeuDHP2VakuFEIAP2CCmP4pWe6mzVS7Ow_Ca1dAns/s1600/Screen-shot-2012-02-20-at-2.33.06-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmBYJNEDA3Nd8ahNGJdTotrH_DgNr7EgkR1_F_jnn_QSemnvJLOQAUyzW30Nq6kOqVwx6vr-WfH1ey_1bQQBaIpSDTIkocfzq2IyeuDHP2VakuFEIAP2CCmP4pWe6mzVS7Ow_Ca1dAns/s200/Screen-shot-2012-02-20-at-2.33.06-PM.png" width="200" /></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sleeping, eating and sightseeing plans.</strong> For those who want maximum choice and peace of mind, book accommodations well before your trip, especially if you’ll be traveling during peak season, a major holiday or a popular festival. <a href="http://www.booking.com/country/de.html?aid=316986">Hotel Reservations.</a></div>
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To avoid long lines at major sights, such as the Eiffel Tower and Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, make advance reservations online. <a href="http://www.partner.viator.com/en/5694?EMAIL=CHRIS@NONSTOPTRAVEL.NET&SUBPUID=NONSTOP">Here you can book plenty of tours and activities for all major European cities.</a></div>
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<b>The best travelers are those who plan ahead and have a travel agent on their side. With a little advance legwork, you’ll return home with rich stories of spontaneous European adventures.</b></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-47469512936797300412012-04-27T14:57:00.004-07:002012-04-27T14:57:57.679-07:00Lufthansa’s first Boeing 747-8 to Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Delhi and Bangalore<br />
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<img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqBlP2c5UbUUKLhztDZa6koHWp-BPydZJh62xzsBQ2iBfD0bzRCWjeBr7ermGQDICvP07PUZfTASCgyon2T8GZrRUgFRgaZiV8CarLmOo7vkovMxXzVuk-UICqtT5gpC0m6sNYTG5F84/s200/LH+747-8.png" width="200" /></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Starting
today, passengers can now book flights on Lufthansa’s first Boeing 747-8
aircraft, which has just been delivered in Seattle. Beginning June 1, Lufthansa
will operate six flights per week with the “Queen of the Skies” on the
Frankfurt-Washington route. Over the next few months, as four more new Jumbo
jets join the fleet, the number of destinations served by the aircraft will
gradually increase. By late summer, 747-8 flights will be offered to </span><st1:city style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;" w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">, Los Angeles Delhi and </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="file:///C:\Users\CHRISW~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" /></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Once the
747-8 enters scheduled service, passengers will also have the opportunity to
enjoy Lufthansa’s revamped Business Class. The new Business Class seat provides
exceptional comfort, whether in an upright or reclined position or as a
lie-flat bed, plus intuitive adjustments, additional storage space and an
enhanced in-flight entertainment system. At the press of a button, the seat
converts into a comfortable bed with a horizontal sleeping surface measuring </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Lufthansa Light"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">6.6</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> feet</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Lufthansa Light"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">in length. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">The 747-8 Intercontinental will bring double-digit
improvements in fuel efficiency and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions per passenger over
its predecessor, the 747-400. It is also much quieter, and generates a 30
percent smaller noise footprint. A wealth of information about the “Queen of
the Skies” is available at <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://747-8.lufthansa.com/">www.lufthansa.com/747-8</a></span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[endif]--></span>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-82714667502201818562012-02-14T15:21:00.000-08:002012-02-14T15:21:40.566-08:00Construction of the New Tom Bradly Terminal at LAX approaches halftime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yoHEpiboQ5dR37GivHGIrqK2pmi97E6JqhyphenhyphentWlfiq7Cz_D5AstOEAw0uA8WgNN3TyKDtca4vAQRaJWIhyphenhyphenZ7ntfKaczin1Txgo_SOywhedaJJLCYYWZB_rPZc1aJQ23GufNeCv4eBYDg/s1600/TBIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yoHEpiboQ5dR37GivHGIrqK2pmi97E6JqhyphenhyphentWlfiq7Cz_D5AstOEAw0uA8WgNN3TyKDtca4vAQRaJWIhyphenhyphenZ7ntfKaczin1Txgo_SOywhedaJJLCYYWZB_rPZc1aJQ23GufNeCv4eBYDg/s1600/TBIT.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During a recent hard-hat tour for media representatives, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa escorted attendees through the construction of the approximately $1.5 billion New Tom Bradley International Terminal (New TBIT) and revealed details about the terminal’s Great Hall, which will house a 140,000-square-foot shopping area — approximately the size of L.A.’s The Grove shopping area. The shopping facility, which is located after security, will feature local retailers and food outlets and be managed by Westfield. In total, the New TBIT will span almost 2,400 feet and be equipped with 18 new gates, nine of which are able to accommodate next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A380.</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the New TBIT is considered to be the “crown jewel” of construction efforts going on at LAX, there are more than $4 billion in improvements currently taking place at the airport.</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“All of the new construction ensures Los Angeles International Airport will put Angelenos back to work for years to come, remain competitive in the global market and bring even more visitors to our great city,” said Villaraigosa.</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to familiarizing journalists with New TBIT’s progress, the mayor also announced a new public education effort to inform residents and travelers about the improvements. Called LANext, the project includes an interactive website as well as outreach to residents through newspapers and mailings. Local residents will receive information about what is happening at LAX, when to expect improvements and how they can personally benefit in the form of jobs and business opportunities. <a href="http://www.la-next.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="www.la-next.com"><span style="color: #990000;">www.la-next.com</span></a></span></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-11366124531849231272012-01-13T16:16:00.000-08:002012-01-13T16:16:50.031-08:00Free WiFi at Munich International Airport<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.munich-airport.de/data/images/cssbg/muc_logo_en.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.munich-airport.de/data/images/cssbg/muc_logo_en.png" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">FMG, the Munich Airport operating company, has launched a new service: Effective immediately, passengers and airport visitors can surf the internet using the airport's WLAN for up to 30 minutes with no fees. Users of notebook computers and WLAN-enabled handheld devices, from tablets to mobile phones, are now just a few clicks away from reading e-mails and checking their favorite websites in the waiting areas of both terminals as well as the Munich Airport Center. </span><br style="line-height: 16px;" /><br style="line-height: 16px;" /><span style="line-height: 16px;">The new free service is based on the existing Deutsche Telekom HotSpot service at the airport. Here's how it works: Users who wants to go online with their own devices simply launch a browser. A start-up page will then open with a link to the registration page, where the user can enter the access code. This code is then sent as a text message to the user's mobile telephone. As soon as the code is entered in the HotSpot portal, the user will have full internet access. </span><br style="line-height: 16px;" /><br style="line-height: 16px;" /><span style="line-height: 16px;">The free service can be accessed by a given user once a day and terminates after 30 minutes. When the free 30-minute period ends, a single click opens the regular HotSpot portal, where additional time can be purchased by credit card. The price for each additional hour of online time is €4.95.</span></span>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-10586776938460588712011-10-12T18:31:00.000-07:002011-10-12T18:31:48.623-07:00How smartphones are changing air travel<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_ID9QiNUW5mGI2Fc77X-rFAO6ZCfH3uiDh6FTVTyXeaFlvfMEd7yi_DUvFfV1AGi_cUSgQib982souuYRy8J1V1o8APDMSrqtyPQRyFT_vs2DhXFSwdzMa3ZIzo50SEj0ZepFuD9GOw/s1600/TSA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_ID9QiNUW5mGI2Fc77X-rFAO6ZCfH3uiDh6FTVTyXeaFlvfMEd7yi_DUvFfV1AGi_cUSgQib982souuYRy8J1V1o8APDMSrqtyPQRyFT_vs2DhXFSwdzMa3ZIzo50SEj0ZepFuD9GOw/s200/TSA.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">According to SITA/Air Transport World's 2011 Passenger Self-Service Survey, airline passenger use of smartphones has doubled in the past year, making it now 54%. Not only that, but 74% of business and first class passengers had a smartphone on them at the time of data collection. The survey questioned 2,457 air passengers from 70 countries and 73 airlines.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">In an article from The Press, they state that the CEO of SITA, Francesco Violante, is calling this type of smartphone enthusiastic traveler the "mobile-centric passenger". These fliers expect "personal and timely communication from airlines, airports and other providers of travel-related services."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The data collected by the survey shows that passengers aren't just using their smartphone for work and personal reasons, but also for travel. For example, 31% of passengers have used a smartphone to check-in for their flight and 17% had used mobile boarding passes. While this percentage may not seem huge, it is most likely because not all airports and airlines are using technology to its fullest capability yet. In fact, 73% of survey respondents said they would like to use mobile boarding passes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Airports aren't ignoring this data, as plans for 2014 show, including 97% of airports planning to offer web check-in, 89% planning to offer mobile check-in, 87% planning to offer bar-coded boarding passes for mobiles, and 63% planning to allow fliers to print luggage tags at kiosks.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">While technology isn't going to change air travel overnight, it is certainly on its way to altering the way people travel and fly. Only time will tell what else technology has in store for the future of travel.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy of Gadling.com</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div></span></span>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-76454806686729821662011-08-11T16:39:00.000-07:002011-08-11T16:39:08.317-07:00Musical Leipzig<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefj7mrO7CXl1zuwqsdq6ZKXtAYUiu9sxBI_tXUtlrq4M0X-d11facypcjt_BQlBiUyBbze06A93bfRKkPKvM8MBbQhJw9IcWLdUlFU5xO6I2_iV2YlQhSxxGK3PLj5IzRt_3_5W5bbTw/s1600/Leipzig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefj7mrO7CXl1zuwqsdq6ZKXtAYUiu9sxBI_tXUtlrq4M0X-d11facypcjt_BQlBiUyBbze06A93bfRKkPKvM8MBbQhJw9IcWLdUlFU5xO6I2_iV2YlQhSxxGK3PLj5IzRt_3_5W5bbTw/s200/Leipzig.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">From <strong>Johann Sebastian Bach </strong>to <strong>Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy</strong>, and a veritable orchestra of maestros who have been born, or have lived or died in <a href="http://www.leipzig.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Leipzig</strong></a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">through the centuries, this small but stately city in Germany’s north-west Saxony is rightfully anchored at the epicenter of Europe’s rich cultural history.</span></span><br />
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<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Leipzig commemorates and celebrates its musical heritage with passion. The city will mark the 800th anniversary of the world-famous <a href="http://www.forum-thomanum.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>St. Thomas Boys Choir, Church and School</strong></a> in 2012 and the 200th birthday of Richard Wagner in 2013, making the next two years a fascinating time to visit.</span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In 2012, the city will also unveil the new <a href="http://www.notenspur-leipzig.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Leipzig Music Trail</strong></a>, a three-mile walking route connecting the city’s most significant historical sites with distinctive stainless steel ground markers identifying each attraction.</span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo2rVkqSWPOTrgeKLTR42kWAb9EgpTISX7jdce0kbt4RLybSZGJoxddKZg2XHvC3DOluWavcvcgzH70rDJjTG5svCEQWXwhO1rSZ0EFrd7wvhpedR6MSdsy5gf1kdhqemvuqjXX58q7Y/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo2rVkqSWPOTrgeKLTR42kWAb9EgpTISX7jdce0kbt4RLybSZGJoxddKZg2XHvC3DOluWavcvcgzH70rDJjTG5svCEQWXwhO1rSZ0EFrd7wvhpedR6MSdsy5gf1kdhqemvuqjXX58q7Y/s200/IMG_0197.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The recently opened <a href="http://www.bach-leipzig.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Bach-Museum</strong></a> on St. Thomas Square is a highlight of the new trail, exhibiting a treasure trove of hand-penned scores, original manuscripts, precious instruments and priceless memorabilia from the life and works of Bach. Tip: The touch screen interactive display in the Research Laboratory adds a contemporary edge to the classical music artifacts.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bach was cantor of the neighboring <a href="http://www.thomaskirche.org/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>St. Thomas Church</strong></a> for 27 years and is buried under the main altar. Note: The <a href="http://www.thomaskirche.org/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>St. Thomas Boys Choir</strong></a> performs occasional concerts in the church, but you can also hear them sing on Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and at Sunday services.</span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Another must-see in the city is <a href="http://www.mendelssohn-stiftung.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Mendelssohn House</strong></a>, the only remaining private home of the great composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, which has been painstakingly restored to what it looked like when he lived there in 1845.</span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFCNSC7HXUuGl6q63jn4g85aW1gimBEFVgq150C80qsao5RdRl7K45-5q0jqp7bA8ZLLQ_fjDJh_RkhXFachR8L2Mb9ZKzKaWjn0_OUyuxOiVMIWqlXoVRLM5GOsxRVmtVV81-SJwM9I/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFCNSC7HXUuGl6q63jn4g85aW1gimBEFVgq150C80qsao5RdRl7K45-5q0jqp7bA8ZLLQ_fjDJh_RkhXFachR8L2Mb9ZKzKaWjn0_OUyuxOiVMIWqlXoVRLM5GOsxRVmtVV81-SJwM9I/s200/IMG_0227.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The acclaimed Gewandhaus <a href="http://www.gewand%20haus.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Concert Hall</strong></a> and Leipzig Opera vie for attention on either side of central Augustusplatz, while the Schumann House on Inselstrasse is one of the city’s architectural gems.</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">If you start confusing Beethoven with Bach and Mozart with Mendelssohn, take a break from the music scene with a visit to the <a href="http://www.mdbk.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Museum of Fine Arts</strong></a> on Katherinenstrasse. Children will love Leipzig Zoo (<a href="http://www.zoo-leipzig.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" title="www.zoo-leipzig.de">www.zoo-leipzig.de</a>) which recently opened Gondwanaland, Europe’s largest tropical hall.</span><br />
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<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;">The most stylish shopping arcade in Leipzig is <a href="http://www.maedlerpassage.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Maedler-Passage</strong></a> where you’ll find upscale designer stores such as Aigner, Mont Blanc and Wempe.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyE0TL0Sc061MsYPAzaf6oDbBMF_TD3S0L_ZWUvUX8TgF3mHna45EH0Y-rbaCzA98vxoB15P_6omShwMdH3caOrgKKclJavlolu1snjwTdJ15cgl-aI7ufHd02cAMhN3JE6wUSgnP_YY/s1600/Bach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyE0TL0Sc061MsYPAzaf6oDbBMF_TD3S0L_ZWUvUX8TgF3mHna45EH0Y-rbaCzA98vxoB15P_6omShwMdH3caOrgKKclJavlolu1snjwTdJ15cgl-aI7ufHd02cAMhN3JE6wUSgnP_YY/s200/Bach.jpg" width="178" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;"></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;">The historical <a href="http://www.auerbachs-keller-leipzig.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Auerbachs Keller</strong></a> in the same arcade is worth dining at just to see the dramatic cellar decorated with scenes of Faust by Goethe, who was a regular at the tavern when he was a student in Leipzig from 1765 to 1768. End your evening with a drink in one of the city’s lively pub alleys, Kleine Fleischergasse or Barfussgasse, which are short walks away.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;">For a more sophisticated evening, <strong>Falco Bar</strong>, Lounge and Restaurant at <a href="http://www.westinleipzig.com/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>The Westin Leipzig Hotel</strong></a> on Gerberstrasse is positioned on the 27th floor, hundreds of feet above the city, with panoramic views of the skyline. The bar serves an array of aged whiskeys, digestifs and cocktails, and the sleek restaurant has two Michelin stars to its name.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;">Tip: <a href="http://www.stadtpfeiffer.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Stadtpfeiffer</strong></a> in the Gewandhaus is another highly recommended restaurant with one Michelin star and a great place to dine before a concert. For a slice of history with fine food, reserve a table at <a href="http://www.niemannstresor.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Niemanns Tresor</strong></a>, set in a former private bank near St. Thomas Church.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;">One of the best late-night bars in Leipzig is <a href="http://www.chocolate-leipzig.de/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Chocolate</strong></a>, on Gottschedstrasse. It’s also a popular restaurant but really comes alive after 10 p.m. when the city’s party crowd hits the bar and disco. Note: The bar specializes in coffee, cocoa and chocolate drinks, hence the name, but be warned, it’s also a smoker’s bar.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>Hotel Fuerstenhof</strong></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Built in 1770 as a private residence for <strong>Karl Eberhard Lohr</strong>, a respectable banker and city councilor, this elegant mansion is now one of the best luxury hotels in Leipzig.</div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">On Troendlinring, a five-minute walk from the city’s historical center, <strong><a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/de/furstenhof.en.html?aid=316986;srfid=dc8e49d84ca96548f11ecbbc375c73c7X2#topanchor">Hotel Fuerstenhof</a></strong> bears all the hallmarks of its patrician heritage while delivering a contemporary and stylish guest experience.</div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;"><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The entrance lobby has a country-house feel with sink-into sofas and armchairs, fresh flowers and a whisper-quiet ambiance, along with a polite and efficient check-in staff to whisk you through the formalities and up to your room.</span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Note: There are no irons/boards in the rooms and the TVs are outdated, but General Manager <strong>Jorg Muller</strong> (joerg.mueller@luxurycollection.com; 011-49-341-140-4608) says new flat-screen TVs are being installed in all 92 guest rooms this summer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 9px;"><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Fuerstenhof’s six larger and more luxurious Executive Suites (Nos. 102-104 and 202-204) are the most requested premium accommodations, and all the suites (on floors 1-4 with room numbers ending 02-04) overlook the hotel square and have the best views of the historical center.</span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Wintergarden bar, with its Tiffany-inspired glass ceiling, makes for a cozy pre-dinner cocktail before dinner in Restaurant Villers where up-and-coming Head Chef <strong>Till Weiss</strong> is a contender for his first Michelin star with interesting dishes like sturgeon rillette with fennel honey and lobster confit with champagne risotto. </span></div><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For a more casual bistro-style meal, opt for Vinothek 1770 with its 140 wine selections.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Check out more pictures from my visit to Leipzig below!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Chris Weike</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fnonstoptravel%2Falbumid%2F5639740893760745729%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="192" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="288"></embed></div>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2268034502368803778.post-50755785865415460522011-07-14T16:49:00.000-07:002011-07-14T16:49:25.828-07:00FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011™<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-table-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 2.25pt; mso-table-rspace: 2.25pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
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<tr style="height: 7.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="height: 7.5pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 2.25pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;"><img border="0" height="10" id="_x0000_i1027" src="http://news.germany.travel/ff/img/s.gif" width="1" /></div></td> <td style="height: 7.5pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 2.25pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;"><img border="0" height="10" id="_x0000_i1028" src="http://news.germany.travel/ff/img/s.gif" width="1" /></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;">As of today, </span>the U.S. Woman's Soccer Team have qualified for the finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™ against Japan! While we keep our fingers crossed for Abby Wambach and her team to win the cup on July 17th in Frankfurt, it is time to take a look at some of the cities they've played in throughout this tournament.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Berlin, Wolfsburg, Dresden - Welcome Visitors After the Games </b></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: black;">Berlin</span></b><span style="color: black;"> is the city where the opening game was held on June 26th, and Germany’s capital. It boasts trendy hangouts, non-stop entertainment, world-class shopping and is a must visit when it comes to history, cultural sites and architecture. The famous Kurfuerstendamm shopping mile invites visitors to join the celebrations of its 125th anniversary through October 2011.<br />
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The young town of <b>Wolfsburg</b>, set between the Harz mountains and the Lueneburg Heath region, has been shaped by the automotive industry as it is the home of Volkswagen. Each year two million visitors are attracted to the world’s biggest automotive factory, exhibition center, and theme park "Autostadt". The U.S. Women's Soccer Team beat Sweden here in the game on July 6th.<br />
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<b>Dresden</b> is a gemstone among the host cities and famous for its Church of Our Lady, the Green Vault, and the Zwinger palace with the Old Masters Picture Gallery and the world’s largest porcelain collection. But, Dresden is a hot tip for party animals, too, with more than 150 bars, clubs, trendy venues and a dynamic party scene. The U.S. team played here against Korea DPR and Brazil.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For more information on the <b>FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011™</b>, please see our friends at the <a href="http://www.germany.travel/en/specials/fifa_frauen_wm_2011/fifa_frauen_wm_2011.html">German National Tourist Board</a>.</span>Nonstop Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475902761933218481noreply@blogger.com1