I think the ratings inflation trend began with the Xanadu-like building frenzy in Dubai, especially with the luxury hotel, Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arabs), built on an artificial island and bill
Traveling is not all about sightseeing, great restaurants and experiencing new cities. While these things are great and can make for really enjoyable travel, they are not always in the plans for weekly business travelers. We travel more often because we have to, not because we want to.
For those of us who travel routinely, it can sometimes be mundane things that happen to us along our journey that get us excited. Or we create our own fun with little games we play with ourselves to get through th
When Trip Advisor Gets it Wrong
Unarguably, Trip Advisor has changed travel dramatically. It’s changed the way we look at… and book destinations and properties, from all-inclusiveresorts to family-run boutique inns.
But the review site can get it wrong, and when it does, given Trip Advisor’s enormous clout, it can cause damage to businesses.
Take the Salem Inn in Salem, Massachusetts.
Like most properties, the inn could benefit from an objective critique. But it doesn’t have “body fluids on the bed
It is set to be a year of massive sporting events, 2010 kicked off with the Winter Olympics in Whistler, and the whole world is anticipating the FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer. There are many economic and social benefits to hosting international events. Whistler attracted 250,000 visitors to the area and $10 billion in revenues. Along with the financial injection, a host city will see development to infrastructure, increased jobs, and a continued development model of growth even afte
21st Amendment Brewery's Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer...Genuine Refreshment!
First, an explanation about where 21st Amendment Brewery gets its name. The turn of the 20th century witnessed thousands of small breweries operating across America. Just in San Francisco alone there were about 40 breweries within the city limits. By comparison, today there are eight with a population more than double what it was in 1900. These breweries not only served great tasting beers but also captured the ess
Located along the ancient Roman Stane Street, in the heart of rural Essex, the picturesque, award winning village Coggeshall is a true treasure trove for all those who love chocolate box cottages, centuries-old listed buildings and a peaceful setting away from the hustle and buzz of the modern world.
If you travel to Coggeshall today you probably wouldn't guess that the little market town was once one of the most important industrial centres in this part of the East of England.
W
Internarse en la barranca de los Jilgueros, en la Sierra nte de Puebla, no es fácil. Salimos del Campamento Tlatempa cerca de las 7 am. Las espinas y los saltos en las rocas para no caer al fondo logran que el llegar al río sea complejo y lleno de aventura. Pero más complejo se torna el mundo interior del explorador que llega hasta allá y descubre un poco de esa tierra que al mismo tiempo nos muestra nuestra pequeñez. Hay numerosas paredes por escalar. Los senderos te invitan a un viaje por el p
Volunteering your time to an organization and dedicating some of your time to a cause is one of the most noble and meaningful things a person can do. Whether assisting the poor, taking care of abandoned children or helping communities grow, the simple and generous act of participation is a rewarding experience to both the volunteer and the people they help.
Being that our own volunteer program is only months away we thought it a good idea to highlight why volunteering in Peru is such a special an
I have just spent a couple of days in the fascinating colonial town of Diamantina which is on the diamond circuit of the gold route that runs from Diamantina to Ouro Preto and then on to Paraty and Rio de Janeiro. Set amongst rolling hills with lush vegetation and tropical flowers and plants, Diamantina is a fascinating city with plenty to do for a two or three day stay. Visiting the waterfalls and seeing the cave paintings en route to the hamlet of Biribiri which was one of the main producers o
Antarctica is one of those places where history fuels a desire to step on those grounds where early explorers left their footprints and perhaps even their souls. Thus, most of the guests on board of the Plancius, owned by Oceanwide Expeditions, had perhaps not in equal measure, exploration and adventure in mind by joining an expedition to South Georgia and Antarctica. The two days spend at sea from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia, already prepared us for a journey that would be more of a p
When German archaeologist Leo Frobenius first discovered beautiful terracotta sculptures and copper cast head pieces in Nigeria in 1910, he proclaimed that he had discovered Plato’s lost city of Atlantis. European attitudes were so negative to African abilities that he reasoned that the artworks must be the work of foreign settlers, inconceivable to be created by African hands.
Eventually as more works surfaced through further discoveries, explorers began to change their attitudes. The Western wo
Growing up in Hawaii you develop an appreciation for cross cultural mingling, especially in cuisine. Kurt Winner, my husband a native New York to Hawaii transplant
and an avid chef, developed this favorite family recipe years ago. You
can use it to create kabobs along with fat quarters of red,green and
yellow bell peppers and onions or as a simple marinade for grilled
chicken. He favors it served Buffalo New York style with an Oregon
twist; alongside some Oregon Rogue bleu cheese dip and crudites.
Fou
