Blogs

Hey kids, believe it or not, there was spam long before the Internet! And now these leaner times have, shall we say, enhanced the appreciation of many for the canned processed pig known as capital-s Spam, churned out by the Hormel company in Austin, Minnesota since 1937 (though in many places the enthusiasm never really went away -- especially in the Asia/Pacific part of the world, where since the 1940's it's even earned an enduring place in local cuisines of places like South Korea, the Philipp

The movie Anaconda was a box office hit when it was released in 1997. Starring Jennifer Lopez and telling the story of a group of documentary makers who make enemies with a giant anaconda in the Amazon rainforest, it brought the drama of the jungle to cinema screens and TVs all over the world. Much of the movie was shot in the spectacular landscapes around the  Brazilian city of Manaus.

Anacondas: How deadly?

It doesn’t take long to realize why they chose the anaconda to play the leading role in

THE MCKIM, MEAD & WHITE BURIAL GROUND FOR NEW YORK'S RICH AND FAMOUS

Durante el pasado mes de noviembre, la Alianza Francesa en Managua fue la sede de la VIII Bienal de Artes Visuales Nicaragüenses (BAVNIC 8). Contó con los proyectos de cinco protagonistas, un colectivo de 4 creadores y una artista invitada. Asimismo, como jurado se involucró un panel de expertos internacionales provenientes de Colombia, Costa Rica y Guatemala. El gran recibimiento que obtuvo la actividad fue motivo de júbilo para la Fundación Ortiz-Gurdián, organizadora del evento.

Según Juanita

Thoughts of Switzerland don’t normally evoke images of verdant olive groves. But Lugano, Switzerland’s southern-most city  is situated on the Italian border with mild Mediterranean-like temperatures. You can sense Italy’s cultural influence not only in the obvious primary language spoken but in the village bustle clustered around top end boutique shops and historic food markets like Gabbani's Gourmet Store (great olive selection) lining Via Nassa and Via Cattedrale. The landscape is studded with

BA Sohotel

By Roy Heale

Palermo with its cobbled streets, historic architecture, parks, the Zoo and the Botanical gardens, the largest exhibition center in the country, its racetrack, the polo field, and the Galileo planetarium, is one of the city's most historic neighborhoods and well represents the Buenos Aires of yesterday and today.

Considered to be a funky, bohemian neighbourhood, Palermo is popular with residents and tourists alike due its festive atmosphere. It is the largest barrio, or nei

In February 2009, Martinique and its sister island Guadeloupe took an unaccustomed turn in the world's headlines with heated general strikes over inequality and the cost of living, resulting in the first ever cancellation of Martinique's Carnival. The poobahs in Paris responded by raising salaries and other concessions, President Nicholas Sarkozy paid a conciliatory visit last summer, and things pretty much returned to normal.

So when I headed down to check things out a couple of weeks ago, I f

I don’t know about you, but I’m doing a happy dance this week along with the rest of nature in Costa Rica. The rains have returned! The land here welcomes the beginning of “Green Season” like a parched traveler finally reaching a watering hole after a long dry desert-crossing.

My gardens are thrilled … if I can get a little anthropomorphic. The flowers seem to stand straighter, as if to drink in the rain even better. After just 3 afternoons of rain this week, already millions of tiny fluorescent

(part 2 of 2, for more pictures see here)

First you have to realize that Puerto Lobos is not your typical Mexican coastal beach town, with palapas and cabanas, mar y sol, margaritas, mojitos and chicas in bikinis.  Oh sure, there’s a beach… miles of it, in fact.  And there are plenty of structures there, too.  Some people actually live there; others visit on holidays from the big city.  And there are even a few chicas playing there, also, most of them under six years old.  After that age they hav

(TTBS) With the slower economy, everyone is looking to save some money on their Disney World packages. Here are our top 10 ways to save money on a Disney World vacation.

#10 - Be Flexible - If you have a flexible work and school schedule, tell your Disney Specialists. You may be thinking about a summer vacation, but if you can visit in later summer than early summer, your Disney Specialists may be able to offer a discount package to Disney World. If you are flexible with your dates, you have a

El pasado domingo 24 de marzo, la comunidad costera de Nosara creó el evento «Sabores de Nosara». En él se ofrecieron distintos platillos que variaron desde los más típicos de la cocina criolla como los gustos más exóticos de la gastronomía internacional.

Según Agnes Pinheiro, organizadora y tesorera de la Asociación de Seguridad de Nosara, hubo presencia de varios chefs de la zona. Así, se contó con personal de los locales: Café de París, Casa Romántica, Casa Tucán, Gilded Iguana, Giardino Trop

In spite of the reports suggesting social media is the way to connect with and service customers, it just may not be true.

Hotelmarketing.com reports that 62% of customers are looking for more support through social media.

But brand reputation and promotions still top the list of how companies use social media.

Econsultancy reported  a while back that the retail industry has the highest percent (45%) of customers using social media as  their "voice,"  and contacting (and getting) support throu

Puglia, Italy's southern most province, is rich in ancient heritage and bathed in warm Mediterranean sunshine. In the "heel of the boot", just south of Brindisi and an overnight ferry away from Greece, warm aquamarine waters grace dinner tables with just caught seafood. Olive trees outnumber people and country estates are the preferred lodging option. It is here that the Salento way of life springs forth. “Slow food and sustainable lifestyle choices really have their roots in our Sunday passegg

Upon turning from apartment building to hotel back in 1971, the Athenaeum
instantly became the latest and greatest in upmarket if buttoned-down hostelry swank in Britain's capital, attracting top celebs of the day. Inevitably, plenty of other properties have since laid claim to that crown of cool. But even as it reaches middle age, a recent £7 million (US$10.8 million) refurb put this luxe 123-roomer in Mayfair, down the street from Picadilly Circus and right across from bucolic Green Park, smac

I’m probably unique in that I visited Jordan twice before I saw Petra. My only excuse is that, on the two previous occasions, I was there on business. But, this time, I was on holiday, and determined to see this ancient city, which features high on everybody’s ‘must see’ list. The year was 2003, and things weren’t too stable in the Middle East. Things were quiet in Jordan, though; King Abdullah had just stated ‘Just because there is a riot in Boston doesn’t mean I shouldn’t go to Cincinnati’. Be

They bring life to rainforests, both with their brilliant colors and with the magnificent flowers they help to pollinate. Everyone loves butterflies – these delicate creatures flit and fly gracefully, brightening our gardens and wild spaces. Their beauty and allure has given butterflies a special place in both ancient and modern cultures. Many societies, including the ancient Greeks, believed that butterflies represented the human soul; and in China and Japan, butterflies represent the presence

Although many visitors come to Buenos Aires for an urban vacation experience, often times they want to escape the hustle and bustle of the mega city and enjoy a more relaxed break at an estancia in the country. Argentina's estancias are very much a part of the country's history and the essence of the local culture. Surrounded with tradition, they shelter the past and present of both criollos and immigrants. At the very gay-friendly Puesto Viejo estancia and Polo Club near Buenos Aires, guests ca

You have to love a wine tasting adventure that is nestled between a national forest and the sparkly Pacific Ocean. A destination that doesn’t get the proper respect it deserves yet continues to strive to showcase its fine wineries, classic beach culture, and amazing culinary scene. When you can just hop in the car for a short drive from the LA, Inland Empire, or San Diego area, experience year round temps in the 70’s, and take an easy, breezy 2 -day break… what could possibly be keeping you back