There’s a lot to be stressed out over lately. The media, including us, can’t stop mentioning that the world’s economy is in the toilet. Pilots are smoking wacky tobaccy while you’re stuck in coach, and the long cold winter can’t end soon enough. If you’re like us, you'll need to relieve all that pent up frustration one way or another, and to do that, there's nothing better than pretending that you're six years old. So forget the adult worries and grab your favorite pillow—ninja turtle pajamas are optional.

On April 4 people from all over the globe will convene in town squares to celebrate International Pillow Fight Day. From Sydney to Stockholm everyone will get a chance to relieve their stress and anxiety by attacking friends and complete strangers. ]]> kjb 2009-03-16T10:13:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/10/111233/832

Robust offerings from the travel section of The New York Times this weekend, who sagely went with the Brazilian bikini babe photo to lead its 44 Places to Go in 2009 coverage. We're in a major recession here, and it's below freezing outside, so you might as well bring on the flesh. The suntanned, tattooed dancing lady holding a ... what is that, ginger ale? Anyway, she's in Florianópolis, Brazil, and in the uncropped photo that accompanies the article she's surrounded by three equally fit dudes wearing snug shorts and smoking cigarettes. Isn't it great how travel stories can always get some extra oomph from using sexy photos, because they can simply argue that they're capturing the essence of the destination?

In any case, Florianópolis does seem like a pretty great place to party the North American winter away, with more than forty beaches and scores of stylish restaurants and bars, but we're a bit more interested in destinations like Zambia. As the paper of record points out, Zambia is emerging as a safari capital to rival the big three of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, and the new Toka Leya Camp - well positioned just seven miles from Victoria Falls - is leading the charge. I've seen the falls, and they are indeed spectacular, so to combine that experience with some safari action (and a comfortable bed) would indeed be transcendent. As far as über-luxury escapes that we can't quite afford right now go, there's Phuket, Thailand. With "some of the most luxe accommodations on the planet," we'll have to settle for looking at the pretty pictures.

[Photo: The New York Times]

Related Stories:
· The 44 Places to Go in 2009 [The New York Times]
· International Party Time Coverage [Jaunted]]]> Victor Ozols 2009-01-10T11:12:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/7/143336/2952

London's throwing a party for Shanghai, and you're the guest of honor! The original host of the World's Fair, then called the Great Exhibition, is saluting the Chinese city that takes over hosting duties next with Shanghai Week, from January 29-February 12.

Like so many British innovations, the Great Exhibition held in 1851 was originally intended to one-up a similar French exhibit of technological advances. Shanghai won't be having everyone over until 2010, but you can brush up on your World Expo history at the Victoria and Albert Museum with artifacts from 150-plus years of, shall we say, competitive nationalism.

Meanwhile, the British Museum is taking its jade and bronze pieces out of storage for the "Treasures from Shanghai" exhibit, while City Hall will have a gallery of photos of modern Shanghai on display to whet your appetite.

Related Stories:
· Bike Sharing Travel: Rentals Coming to Shanghai [Jaunted]
· Shanghai Packs 'Em in: Waldorf Astoria to Come in 2011 [HC]
· Shanghai Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: frank schacht]]]> egw 2009-01-07T16:00:44-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/