Jaunted - Tag: Thanksgiving

New York: Macy's Parade Was Best Ever, Say Our Internet Overlords

egw — 2008-12-01T15:30:22-05:00

There are no words for our delight. While Macy's played it mostly safe with its new balloons for the 2008 Thanksgiving Day parade, adding a Smurf, Horton the Who and Buzz Lightyear, the Cartoon Network float appealed to those of us who live in the series of tubes by having the set of "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" interrupted by... Rick Astley. That's right, Macy's Rickrolled the world.

Whether the reference was caught by a majority of the over three million people lining the parade route in New York was not recorded. But if they didn't enjoy that, there was always Miley Cyrus on the "Bolt!" float, numbers from last summer's park production of "Hair" and "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta. The Energizer Bunny led the parade but peeled away at the end, that wascally wabbit.

Philadelphia's parade was led by TV foodie Rachel Ray but concluded with a visit from Santa Claus, who was cheered on by crowds bearing noisemakers IKEA passed out before the show. And Detroiters saw a resurgence in their parade tradition of papier-mache costumes known as Big Heads, with over 120 marchers decked out in historical or celebrity noggins to walk the parade route.

Related Stories:
· Thanksgiving Parade Offers a Fun Distraction [Detroit Free Press]
· Santa Brings End in Oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade [WFMZ]
· Boosters Push Love for City, Parade [Metro Mode]

Düsseldorf: Britney's Working Holiday

egw — 2008-12-01T08:45:23-05:00

For Britney Spears, this weekend brought all work and no play. While her documentary "For The Record" was showing in the US, Spears performed on Britain's popular TV show "X Factor" (creators of Leona Lewis) and at the Bambi Awards where she was given the Best International Pop Star award.

So what were our other favorite stars up to this weekend? The Cruises and Beckhams took New York together even though Katie Holmes had to work all weekend--er, perform in "All My Sons." Miley Cyrus hit the Big Apple as well, although we hope she's not moving here! Divorced stars Ryan Phillipe and Reese Witherspoon broke bread together with their kids for the holiday, while Alex Rodriguez left his kids in New York while he took in a Madonna concert in Miami. Demi, Ashton and Bruce also celebrated together, and we know they're all friends, but that's kind of creepy.

Will Smith took his crew to Hawaii and Michael Phelps took his new girlfriend, a waitress in Vegas, home to Maryland to meet Mom. And Eva Longoria set tongues wagging when she attended a wedding by herself. Have we all had enough vacation yet?

[Photo: The Superficial]

Thanksgiving Break

pbb — 2008-11-26T16:47:43-05:00

Our short list is all about pop culture travel trends in real-time.

This week, it's the special T-give edition: We'll see you all back here, well fed, on Monday morning.

	We Want to Know: How's Your Travel Day So Far?
	Haven't Left Yet? Pack Our Airport Cheat Sheet
	Here's How to Survive Delays
	Return Trip? Pack a Pie
	And Give Thanks You're Not in an Emirati Prison ...While We Give Thanks for the Praise

TSA Approves Pies In The Sky

pbb — 2008-11-26T12:48:00-05:00

Don't fear, dessert fans: The TSA wants you to know that you can indeed take holiday pies through security checkpoints, even if they weigh more than three ounces. Apparently cherry filling isn't a liquid or a gel!

Agency spokesman "Blogger Bob" had the official update today:

Just send it through the X-ray and you’ll be one step closer to enjoying your delicious pie. We do suggest you take it as a carry on so it doesn’t get squashed in your checked luggage.

Last year, airport screeners said your dessert "might be subject to additional screening," but we've seen no such warning so far this season. Hurray for pie!

Related Stories:
· Easy as Pie [TSA Blog]
· TSA Unintentionally Hilarious Yet Again [Jaunted]

[Photo: cardamom]

Airport Survival

pbb — 2008-11-25T17:11:44-05:00

And so it begins: An all-out assault on airports in the United States starts in earnest tonight, as holiday travelers try desperately to fly home to green bean casserole and whatever other strange foods their families are cooking up for Thanksgiving.

Before your trip to the airport, gear up with this collection of essential tools and information. Because being stranded at the airport is ~~actually fun~~ bearable when you're prepared.

Related Stories:
· Arm Yourself with Info at the Inimitable FlightStats [Official Site]
· Get Official Airport Statuses from the FAA [Official Site]
· Keep Praying for Good, Airport-Friendly Weather This Week [WSJ]
· Memorize Wendy Perrin's Airport Advice [Perrin Post]
· And Print Our Airport Cheat Sheet Before Leaving [Jaunted]

[Photo: lookoutbelow]

Deltalina Shares Her One-Bag Packing Tips

pbb — 2008-11-23T12:00:18-05:00

To us, there's nothing more snoozy than reading detailed tips on how to squeeze the most junk into a small roll-aboard or how to cram enough gear for two months into a tiny pack. But Delta is hoping to spice up your packing with some tips from YouTube-famous Deltalina--pointers that are all the more important now that the airline is charging $15 for your first checked bag.

In talking with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Deltalina "reveals" that rolling clothes is the best way to neatly pack your stuff while also reducing wrinkles. Once everything's tucked away, she says, dropping a luggage tag with your contact info inside the bag before closing it up is a good idea. That way, if the ID you've attached to the outside disappears, ruthless luggage handlers can still determine which wheelie is yours.

The tips aren't exactly Earth-shattering, but as was the case with those recent TSA videos, they can't hurt with a bustling holiday travel week coming up. And having Deltalina doing the packing is sure to garner some extra attention, too. To wit: This post!

Related Stories:
· Pack Smart: Deltalina Shows You How [AJC]
· Pack Smart: Tips from Deltalina [Delta Blog]
· Deltalina: True Love [Jaunted]
· Deltalina Returns! [Jaunted]

[Photo: Delta Blog]

Key West: Thursdays Are Always Thanksgiving In Key West

kjb — 2008-11-21T13:03:36-05:00

If you’re going to skip town on your family for Thanksgiving, you might as well go somewhere warm. Heading down to the Florida Keys is a good bet for nice weather and beach time, and the relaxed atmosphere doesn't allow for Black Friday insanity.

For dinner, head to Pepe's on Caroline Street. This is one of the oldest restaurants in Key West, and the place serves up a Thanksgiving-style meal every Thursday.

Then, instead of watching the parade on TV, head out to the water where kiteboarders are planning to congregate during the holiday weekend to put on a show for anyone watching. If the winds are blowing the right way on Saturday, a group plans to ride about 80 miles through the water from Islamarada to Key West.

Related Stories:
· Pepe's Cafe [Yelp]
· Thanksgiving in the Florida Keys? [Kiteboarding Magazine]
· Thanksgiving coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Stig Nygaard]