Google Earth seems to get more useful by the day, and now you can plan more than just your next pool party using the free software.

South African Tourism worked with Google to develop a special batch of layers to hype the country. You can fly in over cultural sites and historic landmarks or click over to the nature and safari info to plan a wildlife-focused trip.

And of course all the locations for the 2010 World Cup are highlighted as well. Speaking of, tickets for the competition go on sale in February 2009, about the time, we'd expect, you'll start seeing a huge amount of press about visiting South Africa.

Related Stories:
· Sightseeing in South Africa [Google LatLong]
· Tourism Board Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Google Earth coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-07-02T12:05:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/18/15192/6810

How did we not already think of this? New York magazine once crashed hotel pools in Gotham, but now British lads--and you know it's the lads--are using Google Earth to find neighborhood pools worth infiltrating.

Says the Daily Mail:

The craze involves using the Google Earth programme, which provides high-quality aerial photos of Britain and other countries.

Once a target is chosen, the organisers use social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo to arrange to meet, say police.

Authorities worry that the trend is about to really catch on thanks to a combo of warmer weather and vacant houses, as Brits go on summer holidays. Time for us to get a Bebo account!

Related Stories:
· The Google Earth Gatecrashers [Daily Mail, via]
· Summer Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a prime target: Google Maps]]]> pbb 2008-06-18T16:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/28/161358/074

One of the great things about Google's pantheon of services is that you can access them from any computer, anytime, anywhere. But Google Earth has always been an exception to the rule--until now.

The search company has just announced that 3D, pan-planet maps will be coming to a browser near you via a Java plug-in. (For now, it's only available for Windows machines.)

You probably already know why we're so excited about it: Now we can virtually fly around our Kid Rock Fight Venues Map!

Related Stories:
· Google Earth, Meet the Browser [Google Lat Long Blog]
· Google Earth Software [Official Site]
· Google Earth coverage [Jaunted]
· Google Maps coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-05-28T17:15:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/8/22/112037/174

Google world domination is officially complete, it is time for Google to take on the last frontier. Google Sky, the newest addition to Google Earth, enables users to check out the entire universe using a web browser.

Galaxies, planets, constellations, and whatever else is up in space are all just a click away. You need to download the newest version of Google Earth, if you want to discover pixelated supernovas and sun spots.

The data was built, in part, using Google's NASA partnership and Hubble Space Telescope Observations. Branson better get a move on in getting space travel up and running so he can include "Google Sky" on board Virgin Galactic. Space travel, it is the future and you know it. ]]> markj 2007-08-22T11:22:59-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/6/24/194942/904

A few weeks ago, Strange Maps made a great post aligning Tolkien's maps of Middle Earth with actual European geography. And thus we present the Shire, home to the hobbits. Or what we think is the Shire. Tolkien himself said that he based the Shire on rural England, and between Strange Maps' approximation and that, this is our best guess. We also think that the thing in the picture is a hobbit house. Maybe.

So what do you do in the shire, since there aren't any Hobbits around to drink ale and eat second breakfast with? We suggest staying at the Four Pillars in Tortworth. We know, we know: a four-star hotel in a Victorian mansion is entirely un-hobbit like. But Tortworth is also home to an arboretum with over 300 acres of parkland, where you can wander around and commune with nature just like the little people.

Related Stories:
Google Earth Stories [Jaunted] ]]> dasubermeg 2007-06-25T11:59:59-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/11/153140/474

Earlier this week Google quietly launched a new Google Earth & Maps blog, Lat Long to showcase the latest and greatest in geowebbing.

What exactly is Google doing to push the geoweb forward? Well, for starters, after Tuesday's devastating F5 tornado in Greensburg, Kansas that destroyed most of the town, Google send their satellite birds up and gathered imagery of the region for search-and-rescue teams to use.

No only are we left with shocking before and after aerial shots of Greensburg (above), but by doing this Google has created a powerful real-time tool for rescuers, journalists, and travelers who may be going to the area not knowing what to expect.

Related Stories:
· Greensburg Kansas Tornado Imagery [Google Lat Long]
· Google Earth Stories [Jaunted]]]> markj 2007-05-11T15:34:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/1/15334/32152
Probably, but if you're familiar with Nova Scotia, now's your time to weigh in. You never know with the current state of tourism advertising. Nova Scotia is forging ahead on promotional trail, just in time for that warm(er) summer weather. The campaign's a bit sleepy, but their Google Earth integration is quite neat. Unfortunately, tourism board folks left out two very important selling points: the proximity to Prince Edward Island mussels, and the fact that Denny Doherty was from Halifax!

[Photo: eMediaWire]

Related Stories:
· Nova Scotia tourism [Official Site]]]> djk 2007-05-01T15:10:59-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/