Well that was fast. Spirit Airlines is pulling their ridiculously tone deaf travel ads that make light of the BP oil spill. You should check our full story on this for context and images, but it suffices to say that the airline never intended to keep the ad running. The entire stunt was part of their Ryanair-style "there's no such thing as bad press" advertising strategy, where they simultaneously get their name into the news cycle and solidify their low-rent (read: affordable) branding.

That said, this is the second time in a week where a travel ad playing off the catastrophe has been pulled. Many people still aren't sure what they're supposed to think about the consequences of the spill. And that confusion comes in no small part because they're getting two opposite messages from government officials and from the press.]]> Omri 2010-06-25T15:40:57-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/5/13/124825/413

As happened during the Big Ash disaster a few weeks ago, we were of two minds when we heard Florida's Gov. Crist describe how the BP oil spill had utterly devastated tourism in the Panhandle.

Tourists, laboring under the mistaken assumption that the spill had reached the state's beaches when it was actually far away, were canceling their vacations. Panhandle occupancy rates, according to Florida officials, were down to "less than 20 percent." The very existence of Florida tourism would "live and die by the next 90 days." All of this came as Crist was demanding a cool $35 million from BP, which would allow the state's tourism board to run ads explaining that their beaches are pristine. It's a great deal if you can get it, basically saying "you need to pay us $35 million because your spill has not reached our shores." ]]> Omri 2010-05-13T13:40:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/13/131411/336

Have you checked the pressure on your bike tires yet this spring? When it comes to backing your bicycle out of the cobwebs, it's important to give it a check-up and make sure you're not running on flats. This is exactly what the League of American Bicyclists is doing, except that they're looking over cities to check out the facilities and attitudes towards cyclists in preparation for the season.

In fact, they've just released their list of the country's most bicycle-friendly states, topped by Washington and Wisconsin. Both of these states do have some pretty sweet seasons aside from winter, and so we're not surprised that they look most favorably on those who choose to take to the streets on nicer days.

As far as biggest movers on the list, Mississippi rose 23 spots to claim 24th most bicycle-friendly state, while Florida dropped 12 spots to number 32. We're confused about New York's 41st position however, as 2008 brought the arrival of many controversial bicycle lanes in Manhattan and this summer welcomes free bike rental at the South Street Seaport. Of course, the body checking incident during last summer's Critical Mass ride through Times Square probably didn't help New York on this one.

Related Stories:
· Washington, Wisconsin on a roll as most bike-friendly states [USA Today]
· Bike Around Downtown NY [Downtown Alliance]
· Bicycle Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ItzaFineDay]]]> JetSetCD 2009-05-13T14:36:54-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/1/21350/0104

This eastern Florida city of Port St. Lucie produced a Fox: Actress Megan Fox, whose newest film "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" (in which she plays a party-girl actress) opens Friday.

The "Transformers" eye candy got the full tabloid treatment in the News of the World this week when a former boyfriend told the world how Fox liked to "be one of the guys," had an eye for the ladies (particularly Angelina Jolie) and rebelled against her super-strict folks. Since she already admitted to this, and many more, in this month's super-TMI GQ profile, it looks like that lonely boy is just a little too late.

Port St. Lucie is best known for hosting Mets spring training and for being one of the fastest growing cities in the Sunshine State: In 1970, only 300 people lived there.

Related Stories:
· Megan Fox's First Boyfriend Tells All [Cele|bitchy]
· Megan Fox Was A Teenage Lesbian [GQ]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: GQ]]]> egw 2008-10-02T08:45:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/7/134458/5566

We've always been fascinated with Florida's Gulf Coast, which has all of the sun and surf of the Atlantic side, minus the crowds, expense, and attitude. Today's Washington Post travel section has a nifty item on the town of Apalachicola that makes us want to zip on over for an extended weekend of oysters and air conditioning.

The story's author, an Apalachicola resident herself, introduces us to John Gorrie, the city's most famous resident who invented air conditioning and refrigeration in the 1840's. While Gorrie died before his scientific breakthrough was fully appreciated, today the town - heck, the entire state of Florida - remains deeply indebted to him. Can you imagine Florida without air conditioning?

With a population of fewer than 3,000 people, you'd be surprised at the number of entertainment options in Apalachicola. Hepcats probably won't find the martini bar of their dreams, but the walkable city has 100 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 85 miles of designated hiking trails through the sprawling Apalachicola National Forest (do not feed the alligators, they will bite you), and more sublime seafood restaurants than you can shake a stick at.

It's all about the oysters in Apalachicola, which are some of the world's best, and the Owl Cafe is called out as the place to go for everybody's favorite bivalve, both raw and cooked. Try them both ways, sip the wine or beer of your choice, and savor the climate-controlled beauty of the "Redneck Riviera."

[Photo: Washington Post]

Related Stories:
· Old Florida on the Half Shell [Washington Post]
· Oyster Coverage [Jaunted]]]> Victor Ozols 2008-09-07T13:44:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/4/13953/97043

Visit Florida has unleashed a revamped website, gunning for the same kind of smashing success Philadelphia has racked up with its Web 2.0 initiative, uwishunu. After asking for a bigger budget last year, tourism officials are actually spending the loot on tourism initiatives that should boost visitor arrivals. Go figure!

The new Florida site offers all the usual suspects, including a trip planner tool that lets you save useful tidbits to your online profile, videos and an extensive events calendar. The site also offers blogs on 10 different subjects; arts and culture, shopping, golf, fishing and beaches are just some of the choices. On the beach and surf blog, for example, you'll find up-to-date beach reviews, a Google map mashup and a video about snorkeling.

Of course, this shouldn't be the only place you look for Florida info. Why's that? Because it's produced by the tourism board, who's editorial judgement we have to question:

Businesses listed on VISITFLORIDA.com are participants in the VISIT FLORIDA Partners program or are members of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Florida Attractions Association or the Florida Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. Partners must be at a Silver level or above to be listed on the site.

That gripe aside, it looks like Fark will finally have some good news to publish about Florida: The state has finally embraced the Internet!

Related Stories:
· Visit Florida [Official Site]
· Fark vs. Florida [Jaunted]
· Florida Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-01-04T13:19:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/5/12/1234/97198
As if Florida wasn't the crucible for tacky chain restaurants already, you can plan on adding one more to the mix: Dagwood's Sandwich Shopppes. Yup, they're based on the long-running comic strip--in fact, the creator's son, Dean Young, who currently pens Blondie, is in on the whole thing. The first DSS is opening in Clearwater Florida, but Young hopes to have 1,000 of them franchised within three years.

And what, praytell, will be the signature sandwich at Dagwood's? Why, the Dagwood, of course: "The 1-1/2-pound (0.68-kg) Dagwood includes ham, salami, pepperoni, mortadella, cappicola, cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, red pepper and a secret Italian spread on three slices of bread topped with an olive skewer." Yum. Remember: Dagwood doesn't get fat because he's a cartoon character.

Oh, and the inside of the restaurant will be plastered with images from the strip--you didn't think they would leave room for anything tasteful, did you? Start buying stock in Boar's Head now.

Related Stories:
·   Cartoonist to Open Sandwich Chain   ]]> AVB 2006-05-12T12:03:04-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/