God save our aging, semi-retired celebs! After four homemade "gasoline bombs" disguised as holiday gifts were found in Aspen, police there say they found the body of the would-be bomber, a convicted con man who apparently shot himself before his New Year's plot could unfold.

The explosives were found at two banks and in a nearby alley along with notes demanding $60,000, leading police to seal off a 16-block section of downtown, shuttering restaurants and bars gearing up for a huge night. Celebrations in the celeb-stuffed ski village ground to a halt, and the professionally planned fireworks show was also canceled.

Locals say the suspect, James Blanning Jr., was upset that he hadn't cashed in on the town's transformation from mining outpost to celebrity ski haven, though we'd classify his apparent expertise in grandstanding and dramatic plots as straight out of Aspen resident Don Johnson's playbook.

Related Stories:
· Bomb Plot Interrupts New Year’s in Aspen [NYT]
· You, Me And Some Skis [Jaunted]
· All She Wants For Christmas... [Jaunted]

[Photo: non no yes]]]> pbb 2009-01-02T09:45:41-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/2/0503/38259

When reached for comment outside London's Movida nightclub about being named a top celebrity traveler for 2008, Rihanna said in response, "What's Jaunted?"

Our favorite globetrotting celebs spread out and went all out to ring in 2009. Beyonce and Jay-Z joined Eddie Murphy, Daniel Craig and Donatella Versace (not all at the same party, we think!) in St. Bart's for the holidays, while the Hilton family enjoyed the slopes of Aspen, Colorado.

Britney Spears hit her older brother's wedding in New Orleans with her sons and sister Jamie Lynn, but Matt Dillon's New Year's Eve began with a little paperwork--he was arrested for speeding in Vermont.

But some stars didn't go anywhere: Reese Witherspoon took boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal to the Santa Monica farmer's market, snooze, while Shia LaBeouf was caught by paparazzi--at a convenience store.

Related Stories:
· 2008's Celebrity Traveler of the Year Is... [Jaunted]
· 2008's Best Airport Photo Shoot Is... [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: JustJared] ]]> egw 2009-01-02T08:30:41-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/29/121344/82

If you're looking for Hollywood's most boozetastic New Year's Eve event, you don't want to miss Zane Year's Eve at The Knitting Factory, hosted by Zane Lamprey. Who, you ask, is this Zane guy? Besides being the luckiest guy in the world, he's the affable and hilarious host of Three Sheets, the best travel-slash-drinking show, ever.

Zane travels the world learning all about local booze and drinking customs. The show ran for three seasons on the now-defunct MOJO HD and is currently being shopped around to several other networks. Earlier this month, fans staged "Save Three Sheets" rallies in both LA and NYC in support of the show by trying to draw the attention of industry decision makers. Check out the video here.]]> Todd 2008-12-29T14:05:39-05:00 34.1021230 -118.34276 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/28/17713/210

New Year's Eve has come to rival the Fourth of July for public fireworks displays in cities around the country. But don't just crowd the sidewalks to get a glimpse--get on the grown-up version of your after-prom party, a nightlong booze cruise.

We're usually not much for cruises, but we'll make an exception for a night. If you don't mind the cold, try Spirit Cruises' Spirit of Chicago (8:30 pm-1 am, $147) for a view of the public show over Lake Michigan from Navy Pier. It's roughly the same price as the party on the pier, but includes a four-course meal and open bar.

If you'd rather open-air dancing and skimpy outfits, try Island Queen Cruises' Biscayne Lady in Miami (9:30 pm-12:30 am, $30). Food and drinks aren't included, but you can't beat the ocean-side view of the fireworks. Happy new year, boozers!

Related Stories:
· Spirit of Chicago [Official Site]
· Biscayne Lady [Official Site]

[Photo: michaelpecirno]]]> egw 2008-12-29T12:00:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/26/114913/80

In the Northern Hemisphere, wine tasting this time of year might consist of samples nabbed from Mom and Dad's basement store. But in New Zealand, there's still a chance to taste some first fruits and show off what you learned from "Sideways." All the better at Rhythm and Vines, a music festival held at a winery starting December 29.

Held in the town of Gisborne, one of the closest in the world to the International Date Line, Rhythm and Vines on the grounds of the vineyard Waiohika Estate features big acts like Santogold, Public Enemy and Franz Ferdinand--people you wouldn't necessarily associate with a fest for which people camp out. For those without New Year's Eve plans, bring your bestie with the just unveiled Double Trouble ticket pack including on-site camping and bus tickets back to Gisborne ($320) or take five friends for $858. Not a camper? Day passes to the fest are just $37.

Related Stories:
· Rhythm and Vines' Mega NYE Promo [Official Site]
· Sunrise Over The Turquoise Mountains [HC]
· Paris Hilton Makes New Year's Eve Plans [Jaunted]

[Photo from the 2005-2006 event: jesstherese]]]> egw 2008-12-26T14:00:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/17/134735/28

Everyone should spend at least one New Year's Eve mingling on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Despite the massive crowds and the often underwhelming concerts, the cheers at midnight are joyous and the sights are fantastic. But if you're in town earlier in the evening, take a walk on the beach to catch the offerings to Iemanjá, a folk tradition honored at the end of every year on the beach.

In the Afro-Brazilian Umbanda religion, Iemanjá is the goddess of the sea and the protectress of women and fertility. Umbanda practicants dress in white to bring flowers, build altars and set out floating candles for Iemanjá, a rite practiced on New Year's Eve in Rio but a few weeks earlier in Salvador de Bahia and in February in Rio Vermelho, where the local Catholic church has rededicated her as Our Lady of the Seafarers. The cachaça will wait, we promise.

Related Stories:
· Rolling Stones Hit The Great Wall [Jaunted]
· Copacabana Palace Still Rules Rio [Jaunted]
· Rio's Saucy Postcards Over [Jaunted]

[Photo: zeiger]]]> egw 2008-12-23T12:00:36-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/21/235144/13

It's finally here, and we're pretty sure it's not worth the wait. We're talking about the Southern Star Ferris wheel in Melbourne, an attraction that was originally planned to open for the 2006 Commonwealth Games (yes, 2006!), and then had various false starts before finally starting to spin on Saturday, with a fireworks-led grand opening.

So far, there's been a mixed reaction to the Southern Star and a lot of people think the A$29 ($20) price is a bit hefty. That, and Melbourne's not really a city that gets more attractive from the air. From a guy who won a competition and got his ride for free:

It's a bit dull. There's nothing really that interesting to look down on and I certainly wouldn't pay 30 bucks to do it again.

Our only tip for the Southern Star is that it could be a cool place to hang on New Year's Eve. It's usually open 10 am-10 pm every day but for New Year's it'll stay open until 1 am. Since the fact that it's open at all is a surprise, there are probably still tickets available. But be warned: The online booking system isn't working yet, so for now you have to physically buy the tickets down at the wheel itself--that's another reason we figure they're not sold out yet.

Related Stories:
· Southern Star [Official Site]
· Wheel Life Takes to the Air [The Age]
· Will Someone Please Hit the Switch on Melbourne's New Ferris Wheel? [Jaunted]

[Photo: Vermin Inc]]]> amandak 2008-12-22T09:30:35-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/