So the Tour de France ended yesterday and our favorite celeb Twitterer Lance Armstrong was not able to capture his former glory, finishing only in third place. Naturally, we had to check up on his Twitter page to see how he felt about that and while we were there, we learned that he used a vacation rentals agency to secure housing for his family in France.
Thanks to @homeaway for hosting me and my family in Paris
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Celebs have invaded Twitter! Celebrities Twittering is a social media perfect storm. This elite sect of Twitterati is extremely thumbnail photogenic, well-trained in innovative ways of seeking attention/letting it all hang out, and most importantly for us travel geeks, constantly traveling the world. This week we're looking at who's Tweeting what from where. Any Celeb Twitterers we should follow? Let us know.
Lance Armstrong. We've rode alongside you (vicariously) on the ride of fame through the seven Tour de France competitions, through the yellow LiveStrong bracelets, through the awkward appearance on Oprah with then-fiancee and personal serenader Sheryl Crow, through your various bro-mances with McConaughey and Gyllenhaal and through that weird moment in time when you canoodled with Ashely Olsen in NYC.
Yet nothing has prepared us for your Twitter prowess. Take last week for example, during the Amgen Bike Tour in California. You managed to keep us informed not only about your post-ride massages, your iPod playlists, or your stolen bike (which you let us know was recovered, via Twitter, natch) but you also have mastered TwitPic--the photo-sharing tool. And you've done it all from TwitterBerry. We instantly heart you.
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It's no secret that we love Twitter because we love connecting with travelers as they board planes, ride on trains, haggle with the TSA, find good travel deals and share random, mundane, silly and sometimes waaaay too personal news.
But today, we're loving Twitter because we just discovered that Lance Armstrong is one of the many celebs that now Twitter. We could care less about Demi Moore (aka Mrs. Kutcher) and we're already digging Shaquille O'Neal and Mc Hammer but we actually think Lance would make a great travel blogger. Think about it: He's always on the go and he's always doing events or races in different cities. His status today (from TwitterBerry no less) has him on the Amgen Bike Tour in California:
Driving to the start in SJ. Just passed Zig Zag Bail Bonds. "Smok'n the competition" is their motto the sign said. Classic.
He understands irony! Or at least clever double entendres. Now we want to know has he ever rolled a zig zag before?
Close to 1,000 people are already following us, and checking out our real-time tweets on Hong Kong, Sir Richard Branson and travel pillows. Check out some of the other stuff we tweet about, and if you dig it, follow away!
Related Stories:
· Jaunted on Twitter [Official Site]]]>
The sometimes-forgotten Aussie state of South Australia is getting excited. It's not really because the Tour Down Under cycling event is due to begin on January 18 but more because mega-cyclist Lance Armstrong is flying in to take part.
So far the publicity machine is keeping Armstrong's arrival time in Adelaide a secret to prevent any dramatic scenes. But it's no secret that he's staying at the Adelaide Hilton with all the other competitors, so hanging out there might be the common choice for fans.
The Tour Down Under will start out in Adelaide and continue by visiting a bunch of cute South Australian towns, like the German-influenced Hahndorf out in the vineyard region. Since we can't make it down to South Oz next week we're hoping their YouTube channel will serve up a few snippets of Lance-time for us.
Related Stories:
· Tour Down Under 2009 [Official Site]
· Lance Armstrong Pumps Up For Tour Down Under [Herald Sun]
· Lance Armstrong coverage [Jaunted]]]>
This story is so fantastical, we're tempted to couch it in a variety of "Law & Order"-esque disclaimers, but the New York Post reports that seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was "unable to be seated" at an exclusive New York restaurant this weekend.
Armstrong and current flame Kate Hudson reportedly showed up at Rao's, tried to get one of Rao's 10 tables and were turned away.
Rao's is so exclusive that you've gotta reserve months--or even years--in advance, even if you're super-famous. We're not much for biking, but you'd think a guy that can pull Ashley Olsen could get a two-top for dinner. Guess not!
Related Stories:
· Spinning Wheels [NYP]
· Rao's Restaurant [Official Site]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Celebitchy]]]>
While Americans braved $4-plus-per-gallon prices at the pump--or watched people spend tons of gas money at the Indy 500--celebs flocked to the tiny principality of Monaco for a weekend away. Whether they were attending the Formula 1 race, like Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, or otherwise occupied, stars alone or in pairs made the best of the holiday.
Kate Hudson relaxed in Monte Carlo with her new fling, racer Lance Armstrong, while newlyweds Jay-Z and Beyonce looked like they weren't having such a good time outside of their hotel. (Maybe they couldn't get tickets to Indiana Jones 4!)
Monaco is shaping up to be a very popular destination for celebs in 2008. In May, Bono celebrated his 48th birthday there, and Brangelina took the kids for a family vacation. Another advantage to this tiny principality? It's close enough to Cannes that stars can run over (in private helicopters, natch!) and catch a film or two.
Related Stories:
· Monaco Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Just Jared]]]>
When visiting a new place, a lot of people will check out museums, historic landmarks or even the local shopping. Usually not on the list? Local schools, unless you're running for president. But Ashley Olsen apparently made a special stop in an Austin, Texas school this week as a guest of her new boyfriend Lance Armstrong's daughter. Guess show and tell has gotten a lot flashier since we wore short pants.
Lance and Ashley have been keeping their relationship rather private in New York City, making out at private parties but eschewing the long brunches and matinees popular among other couples. Apparently they thought the word would never get out if they appeared together in Texas... oops. If only Ashley could have brought her twin Mary-Kate down there, maybe the little Armstrong would have gotten extra credit.
Related Stories:
· Ashley Olsen Brought In For Show And Tell [The Superficial]
· Lance Armstrong Hits LA With Paris Hilton [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: The Superficial]]]>