Blogs

by Andy Jarozs

There may have been some controversy about who should've hosted the future football (aka soccer) World Cup (there usually seems to be). Few people, however, were surprised when Brazil was awarded the honor of staging what is arguably the ultimate global sporting event. For the 2014 World Cup Brazil will host 32 of the world’s leading soccer nations in an event that will be watched by millions of people in the stadiums and billions more on TVs around the world. For many of the na

At some point in the future, you may be able to continue skimming your Kindle or playing Words with Friends when jetting off the runway, The New York Times reports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may be reconsidering its policy on use of electronic devices during take-off and landing.

Laura J. Brown, deputy assistant administrator for public affairs for the FAA, told the Times, "With the advent of new and evolving electronic technology, and because the airlines have not conducted the t

The visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Cuba, and the worldwide headlines that accompany a Papal visit, may encourage more of us to add Cuba to our "bucket list" of must visit destinations, if it's not already there.

Cuba has been forbidden fruit for most Americans since the 1960s.  But it's easier to visit Cuba with a US Passport than you think, and part of the reason the New York Times named Cuba, especially Havana, one of the 45 places to visit in 2012. 

I was in Cuba last year, flying legally on a c

You will most likely be frolicking in the public spas of Leukerbad or skiing the pristine snow fields of the Torrent before discovering the ancient Valais village of Albinen only about 10 miles away. This is due to the fact that it’s tucked away behind vertical cliffs through a tunnel remarkably constructed as late as 1980. In the centuries before this important milestone, reaching the village involved climbing an extensive network of ladders anchored into various crevices in the steely granite

The Royal Flora show in Chiang Mai is an amazing array of flower that covers acres with beautiful displays.  Luckily there is a hop-on hop-off tram for touring the site.  Take the tram and decide what is of most interest to you as there is too much to see in one day.   Many countries are included in the Friendship of Many Cultures including Japan, Canada, India, Bhutan, and many others.  The Thai Royal Pavilion is outstanding and the largest of the cultural displays.

Visit the Garden of Happine

You can’t blame travel suppliers and companies for their myopia.  For all too many years they’ve had a Pavlovian response to their brands: promote them, and get around to  taking care of customers later.

Or maybe never.

In spite of all the brouhaha that suggested social media was the way of connecting with and servicing customers, the facts seem to speak differently, according to Hotelmarketing.com.

They report that 62% of customers are looking for more support through social media. But, bran

On March 3, the Holiday Inn Ch-am, located three hours south of Bangkok, held a housewarming party to introduce their recently completed upgrades. Upgrades included sprucing up the Regent pool, changing all beds and bedding to Holiday Inn international standards, and other amenities that complement their seamless hospitality. 

The 40-acre resort located on the Gulf of Siam has lush tropical gardens, a wide beach and two large pools.  All the modern, spacious accommodations have a balcony and a

When I was young, I remember commenting aloud that in the future cars should be something people ride in, not drive. A person would just hop in, say where you want to go, then sit back and read a newspaper. People laughed at me.

Today, I experienced that world, except that now a person just reads their Iphone. The future has arrived, at least in Masdar City.

In it's "gate" is a Personal Rapid Transit vehicle, or better known as a PRT. This cute little unit will take you where you need to go in Mas

I found that getting fully acquainted with Zermatt goes beyond taking your picture in front of the Matterhorn and doing some skiing or hiking. It’s about immersing yourself in local mountain heritage at the Matterhorn Museum and taking a stroll through the narrow streets of historic Old Zermatt. Getting to know some residents and dining at some of their favorite restaurants also helps you realize that rough mountain living dependent on sheep herding, local vegetable crops, and herbs has shaped

Sons were born of the Queen of Sheba and her servant: Menelik from the Queen and Zagwe from the servant of the Queen. Now the children had just passed their teenage and journeyed to see their father – the wise Solomon. He received them with great honour and when they were on their way back home they had the Ark of the Covenant with the crowd that had accompanied them.

•       Menelik had no objection and he had the most important object in the world. However, some people say he had stolen it.

A recent news item shows that peacocks are being hunted. It’s the first news that comes from the Kaladhungi region of Uttarakhand. Some weeks ago, when a young boy was attempting to wring the neck of a peacock, the forest officials caught him.

It said that there are lots of people who are crazy about the meat of peacock, and they have been hunting our national bird for quite a long time. It is said that the meat of peacocks is very tasty. It is the biggest reason why the peacock is being hunted.

L

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand.  It is a busy place perfect for shopping but it can be hot and hectic. The best place to stay while visiting Chiang Mai is just outside the city at Baan Nam Ping Riverside Village.  It is less than 20 minutes from the airport and city in a tranquil rural setting.

The small, intimate resort on the Ping River has spacious accommodations most of which have a large porch perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee while the morning mist rises off the rive

How One Family Learned to Give Up Electronics and  Love Aruba w/Video

Kim Orlando loves to travel. She should, she's the CEO of travelingmom.com and she especially loves to travel with her family.

When the idea of a family trip to Aruba came up, Orlando knew she wanted to go and, better still, take her family. But, she also knew that she wanted them to experience the  island's beauty, and detach from their electronics: phones, computers and tablets.

Challenging? You bet. Orlando's brood consi

A former gas station with picnic tables out front and neatly stacked locally harvested Oak firewood alongside is the site of Southern Soul, one of Georgia's best BBQ joints. Situated right in the middle of St. Simons Island's village center, whole rib racks and other freshly butchered cuts are seasoned to perfection before being cooked outside in their monstrous smokers. Additional real deal soul food offerings on the menu include a heavenly moist smoked turkey, Hoppin' John (black peas & rice)

Malindi is one of the oldest ancient Swahili Towns in East Africa, it is rich in history and was once a vibrant center of trade

Attractions

Vasco Da Gama Pillar

The first thing that comes to mind when travelling to Malindi is this historical pillar that was erected by Portuguese Explorer Vasco Da Gama as a navigational aid in 1498

Museum at the house of columns

This place would certainly appeal to children rather than adults. On display is the preserved coelacanth; a pre historic fish pre dating the

The beautiful Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort just outside of Kota Kinabalu has an incredible spa. CHI, the Spa at Shangri-La draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of personal peace, enchantment and well-being. CHI offers a unique spa design concept. It is a stand-alone "spa village" connected to the hotel via a private causeway.  Each of the eight villas has its own herbal steam room, spacious relaxation area and private changing room.  A private yoga pavilion with

Photo by Nick Kontis

We San Franciscans are blessed breed. On any given winter day one can ski and surf on the same day, which I have actually done before. We are blessed with many wonderful activities with amazing scenery, from the beaches of the California coast to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and Death Valley.  One place locals and visitors alike flock to is our famed Napa Valley. Here is one of my must visit wineries,  Chateua Montelena.. It's more like a winery in a castle. Located 75 miles nort

You must have heard of the obelisk of Axum which has come back to Ethiopia in 2002 after decades of stay in Italy. It was taken by Italians during the Ethio-Italy war in 1927. Its height is 26 meters. The other 23m obelisk is still standing in there witnessing our greatness in the past and foretelling our greatness in the future. There are many of its type in Axum but most of them has fallen down and broken. You must be very sad if you have never been to Axum and visit these incredible obelisks

For an industry in which everything seems to be getting smaller, at least one thing is bucking the trend: the overhead bin. The AP reports that major U.S. airlines are making overhead bins larger in order to accommodate bulkier luggage and an influx of carry-on bags.

United, American, US, and Delta are all jumping on the bigger-bin bandwagon. Some carriers are outfitting bins with tougher latches; others are replacing overhead-bin doors with ones that curve out, allowing for more space for passen

In many countries, especially those in Asia, breakfast is mainly soup.  While Americans are slurping cereal at breakfast time many others are breakfasting on a hearty and nourishing soup. The Vietnamese enjoy a delicious bowl of pho, while the Japanese start their day with miso soup, a broth made from fermented soybean paste, and the Chinese favor congee, a rice soup-like porridge perked up with fish, vegetables and herbs. And, in Myanmar, “The Golden Land,” the people enjoy mohinga, which is