For the American traveling abroad, being confronted with unfavorable exchange rates can feel like death by a thousand paper cuts. Every ticket purchased is a chance to do still more unsavory math. So any way to save a little of your vacation bankroll without packing PB&Js or panhandling on a foreign subway looks like an attractive option.

If your trip to the UK this summer includes country houses or landscaped gardens, consider joining the Royal Oak Foundation, a National Trust-affiliated nonprofit supporting hundreds of properties in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Your $55 membership doesn't cover major tourist traps like the Tower of London or the Eye, but it can get you in free to Roman baths, wacky museums (like the Museum of Childhood) and manors like Cliveden (pictured). If you're just passing through Britain, it might not be worth it, but for extended trips it'll make you feel like an aristocrat visiting "your" private garden.

Related Stories:
· In and Around London [Royal Oak Foundation]
· The UK's Scariest Roller Coaster [Jaunted]
· Natioinal Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: sheldonash]]]> egw 2008-07-14T09:32:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/2/232952/6216

Whenever we're watching action blockbusters and the hero's tearing up highways and crashing through buildings, we often wonder, um... who's cleaning up the mess?

"Hancock" is sort of a version of that story. Will Smith plays a down and out drunken superhero in LA who spends lots of time saving lives but causing millions of dollars of damage in the process. Obviously, he has a very love-hate relationship with the public.

One day he saves the life of a PR guru (Jason Bateman) who decides Hancock could use a better image. When he sets out to help as a favor, Hancock gets involved with the man's hottie wife (Charlize Theron) and all sorts of self-examination ensues.

We hear it's entertaining--and, hey, it's really the only decent opening this holiday weekend. Just don't go into this one thinking Hancock's a Marvel comic.

The feature was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, so we're giving you some things to explore there with your superhero self.]]> sedona 2008-07-03T08:50:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/6/153631/5363

The Democratic National Convention won't happen till the last weekend in August, but campaign staffers were finally able to take a brief travel break with the media anointing of the Democratic nominee for president.

While political road warriors take a break, we're thinking ahead to the convention--and the delightful Dems coming to the Mile High City. Drinking liberally? Try dating liberally:

Hambrger Mary's :: Tasty burgers and stalk-y patrons tantalize at this LGBT-friendly restaurant with a full bar. 700 E. 17th Ave.]]> egw 2008-06-06T16:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/6/03512/22249

Stuffy London lets its hair down today with the start of Open Garden Squares Weekend, in which the snooty green spaces of the city become public domain.

More than a hundred walled gardens are taking part in an event whose very existence would be unheard of in an American city. After all, we call these things lawns; parks are always open to everyone!

All twitting the British aside, Londonist has some great picks for the oases not to be missed, like Kensington Roof Gardens and the rooftop Japanese-style garden at University College.

Related Stories:
· Open Garden Squares Weekend [Official Site]
· Preview: Open Garden Squares Weekend [Londonist]
· London Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: thisparticulargreg]]]> egw 2008-06-06T13:30:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/