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Group Messaging: SXSW’s Hot Topic, And Good News For Travel

It’s not easy  to wrap your mind (or your body) around this year’s South by South West (SXSW)  music festival and industry conference just completed in Austin, Texas.

There seemed to be, as Allison Fenterstock writes in NOLA, more official showcases, more films, more book signings, smart phone apps, fashion expos and lots and lots of stuff than ever before.

And big time traffic jams.

The Los Angeles Times made a big stink about keynote spe

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, a city with history, that has been changing throughout the years, whether for good or for bad. Leaving aside the reasons why the city is considered unpleasant and unsafe, this place has several points in its favor, and its never late to stand them out.

As any capital in the world, it concentrates all the services and principal offices. If it is about food, you will be able to find any kind of restaurant, small ¨sodas¨ serving ¨casados¨, in the central marke

On January 9, 2011 whilst the rest of us were busy doing our own stuff, a new country was created. The people of Southern Sudan voted for an independent country. The new state will be officially created in July of 2011. The news came and has been forgotten by many however, it is important to become aware of the trend and where we are going.

The creation of Southern Sudan is not an isolated incident. In fact since 1990, some 33 new countries have been born. This is more than one new country a yea

1. Look Good (=Nice & Simple)

Creative web design is all about making a website visually appealing. A visually appealing website is a site that is easy to read and easy to navigate. To create a site that visitors will not click away from immediately, follow some basic design standards, and think about the usability and accessibility of the design.

2. Content is Key

The content on your site is your vehicle to present your message and portray your brand. And if you offer the ability to book online o

NAGALAND is India’s Land of Festivals, the Switzerland of the East, the land of the mighty Naga warrior tribes. Unparalleled in its natural heritage, steeped in ancient legends of tribal royals and warriors, of chivalry, courage and integrity, this tiny tribal state is one of the most beautiful, eclectic and fascinating hill-states in India’s remote North East India Region (NER).

The state and her people, the Nagas, were relatively unknown to the world before the advent of Globalization. Equally,

Newfoundland: Sea, Solitude And Song


There’s something about Newfoundland, Canada, that gets under your skin.

I think it comes from the disarmingly warm and open people.

And it comes from the aching loneliness of the surrounding sea where Lilliputian villages snuggle against the craggy faces of mighty cliffs.

“Give us a song,” the dark-haired beauty called out from the doorway of one of the many Celtic pubs and taverns in St. John’s, Newfoundland’s energetic capital.

The young men sitting around th

Three Great Non-Travel, Travel Books

Often a non-travel novel creates the vividness and depth of a town or village or city better than  travel book might.

But recommending a book is always tricky, so here are three recent reads and likes:

In Travels with a Tangerine, Tim Mackintosh-Smith  sets out to follow the footsteps of the great Arab/Muslim traveler, Ibn Battuta  who left his native Tangier in 1325, covered three times the distance of Marco Polo, and returned 30 years later…after some 75,000

Rivers of wine streamed down craggy roads lined with grape vines and surrounded by mountains. At Casa Lapostolle, 350,000 bottles shattered as scores of oak barrels rolled off their rackings. It was February 27, 2010, in the Colchagua Valley (right) Chile’s main wine region. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake had just rippled in from the coast where a tsunami had caused considerable havoc. With tremors lasting 90 seconds, the earthquake turned out to be among the country’s most destructive—third only t

Now, twenty years on, that same garden again provides vegetables and herbs, the house foundations have been reborn with a new house above them, knarled olive trees have been brought back into fruit, yet more fruit trees have been planted and an expansive garden of Mediterranean flora occupies the hillside.

Levendis Estate is a constantly evolving haven for family holidays and romantic honeymoons on Ithaca, Greece.

The result of our first dreamings was t

by Tripatini staff

As always, our thoughts, condolences, and fervent prayers are with Japan and the Japanese people as they try to recover from this catastrophe and deal with the still unrpedictable extent of fallout from damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In the meantime, please do your part by donating any amount you can to one or more of the following relief organizations (FYI, PayPal will be donating its transaction fees to registered U.S. and Canadian charities to Japan relief e

Rajasthan, the largest state of India, be synonymous with the world, such as hiking, travel, tourism, vacation and Rajasthan holidays, etc. In fact, it is now one of the most fascinating tourist destinations of India known travelers and tourists from all the world. It is the land of kings, brave, forts and palaces, sand dunes and rich culture and tradition. The state offers an opportunity for tourist visitors. Sand dunes, Desert Safari, Fort and monuments, rural towns, natural park, fairs and fe

Mauritius, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, ranks among the most visited exotic islands almost every year. The island relies a lot on this industry and a lot of money is spend advertising its beauty to tourists from all over the world. Since the island is so popular, the number of tourist accommodations available is truly staggering. The 5 star hotels in Mauritius are particularly acclaimed, and have often been featured among the best luxury hotels in Mauritius.

Due to t

What  Can A Grocery Store Teach Travel?

So why isn’t the travel industry using Foursquare to increase business and build a loyal travel base the way Vons is?

Contrary to what the puerile think, Foursquare is not about badges and mayors.



The location based service giant is all about making deals with commercial partners, and creating new ways of rewarding customer loyalty.



Tristan Walker, Foursquare's director of business development , admits it. 

He likens it to those foodie movies where the

Kerala is one of the most popular tourist destinations popular and ideal for a unique holiday in India. Also known as "God, AOS own country" is a beautiful Indian state situated on the southern tip of India beautiful curve along the majestic Arabian Sea. It attracts tourists and visitors with its unique culture and geography. In As a holiday destination in the country, has a series of picturesque holiday destinations. Some of the main Kerala Vacation Packages destination for holidaymakers are id

THIS WESTERN RESORT TOWN IS A BARGAIN NOW

I've been skiing, dining, watching wildlife, and visiting spas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and I'm here to say that if you're able to get there before April 3, the last day of winter season, go for it. This area has gotten a ton of snow, so the Tetons look beautiful, the sled dogs feel good, thousands of big-antlered elk are still lounging on the lowlands (the National Elk Refuge) right outside town, and hotels in Jackson Hole and Teton Mountain Village,

The best travel advice I ever received? “Pick your hotel carefully. More than any other factor, it will color your impression of the destination.”

 
Nowhere is this more true than in Dubai. Travelers who report “it’s just another big city” obviously didn’t make a good choice on lodging.

The problem is that it’s hard to get the inside scoop – advice from someone who’s actually been there. What follows are my recommendations based on having stayed in each of these properties

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

My hus

San Diego’s favorite coastal community has a reputation for being expensive, but shoppers can find some great deals if they know where to look.

For example, the “Bargain Bash” at Torrey Pines Christian Church on Friday (9am-2pm) and Saturday (9am – noon), March 11 and 12, is an annual extravaganza beloved by bargain hunters.   The church is located at 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North (tel. 858-453-3550).

This has always been a good place to look for low prices on quality clothing, jewelry, fur

The Pacuare river is one of the most important rivers in Costa Rica, with approximately 108 km long, it is originated in “Cordillera de Talamanca”. Surrounded by a rainforest that housed a variety of exotic animals such as jaguars, monkeys and a very large number of birds.

This river is divided in different sections, each one of them with their own characteristics, the first one is “The upper upper”, with 16 miles long, containing class II and III rapids. This section can be rafted and kayaked. T

Many tourists traveling to Seychelles now choose to rent a car instead of relying on taxis and guided tours as they can be incredibly expensive. Due to this, the number of car rent Seychelles companies has been steadily increasing and even international agencies are now opening small branches in the main Seychelles islands which include Mahe and Praslin.

Here are the things you will need to be able to rent a car for your holiday or business trip in the Seychelles islands:

• your passport
• your drivin