Hallelujah, break out the chianti! On Friday, EU transportation officials met to announce the impending end of the ban on carry-on liquids and gels. Just like our often confusing TSA 3-1-1 plan for carry-on liquids in the States, Europe has only allowed air travelers to carry 100ml or smaller bottles in a clear zip-top bag not exceeding 20cm x 20cm in size. It's been almost three years since they implemented these rules, and it's about time they re-evaluated the law.

Wait a second, hold off on that chianti; there has been no date announced for the end of the liquid restrictions, but the EU officials did vaguely hint at April 2012, or whenever new security procedures are in place. Nonetheless, we imagine there will be a collective sigh of relief when European travelers try to sneak through that just-over-100ml bottle of Cotes du Rhone and aren't stopped.

But what about Britain?... ]]> JetSetCD 2009-10-12T08:53:36-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/28/12629/1067

If you're not already in Tibet today, it's going to be a little while before you're allowed to enter the region. The Chinese government has stopped issuing the special permits that foreigners require to enter Tibet and won't let any tourists in again until October 8.

This kind of behavior is, of course, nothing new. China spent decades banning tourists from Tibet until it was opened up a bit in the 1980s, and banned foreigners again in March 2008 in response to rioting.]]> amandak 2009-09-29T14:53:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/29/14374/5791

Everyone is suffering during this recession, even and perhaps especially the honest, hard working ladies of the Vegas stripper community. Our hearts go out.

The tragedy extends far beyond Nevada however. In many German brothels the only things that have been going down lately are the profits. Brothel owners are trying to cope by introducing creative new marketing and pricing arrangements, such as the Pussy Club's "flat rate" special.

For a single payment of 60 pounds gentlemen can avail themselves of the establishment's wares, which involve women and beer and women, for the entire day. ]]> Omri 2009-07-29T16:16:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/13/3347/35918

One of Australia's biggest tourist attractions, Uluru (AKA the rock formerly known as Ayers Rock), is at the center of a political controversy right now, and it's all about the age-old question: to climb or not to climb?

The Aboriginal people who are the traditional owners of big, red Uluru have never liked people climbing on it as it's a sacred place to them. It especially pains them when tourists die on the rock, which has happened more than 30 times over the years. Midnight Oil frontman-turned-politician Peter Garrett, now the Minister for Environment in Australia, agrees with them, and suggested closing the climb to tourists permanently.

But it looks like tourism dollars are stronger than respect for sacred sites, because the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, thinks the 100,000 visitors who climb the rock every year should be allowed to keep doing it. So it looks like you don't need to hurry Down Under too fast, although for tourists who agree with Garrett there's already a roaring trade in tourist paraphernalia saying "I chose not to climb Uluru".

Related Stories:
· Uluru Ban Merely a Proposal: Garrett [The Australian]
· Rudd Opposes Ban on Climbing Uluru [The Age]
· UFO Travel: The Real Origins of Uluru [Jaunted]

[Photo: melalouise] ]]> amandak 2009-07-15T13:44:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/22/7477/98206

If you've decided that this is the summer you're going to party in Greece, you'd better check your packing list and take out your high heels.

Officials in Greece are trying to get stiletto heels banned at important archaeological sites because these evil heels are damaging the ancient stuff. To quote Eleni Korka, a director taking care of such ancient sites:

Female visitors must wear shoes that do not wound the monuments. These monuments have a skin that suffers and people must realise that.

Too many tourists is a bit of a problem at many of the ancient sites in Greece - a few years ago they did a big clean-up of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater in Athens and removed 59 pounds of chewing gum stuck under the seats in the process. For some reason they haven't thought of banning chewing gum a la Singapore, but the anti-stiletto movement is growing strong.

Related Stories:
· Women Banned From Wearing Stilettos at Ancient Greek Sites [Daily Mail]
· Will This Be The Summer You Party in Greece? [Jaunted]
· Greece Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: **Mary**] ]]> amandak 2009-05-22T11:51:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/27/125833/277

Heading to Minneapolis anytime soon? Leave your Axe body spray at home; it's not like the flight attendants have fallen into your lap yet, anyways. You see, Minnesota isn't too happy that Axe's hyper-sexual advertising campaigns have been working so well, causing kids to drench themselves in the potent scents and offend sensitive nostrils.

Apparently the overuse of Axe is so widespread in the City of Minneapolis School District, that they've called for a ban on the stuff.

You'd think that with all this hubbub, flying into Minneapolis airspace would involve descending through a fog layer of aerosol Axe spray, but instead it's simply a case of teachers trying to encourage teenage boys to shower more often. Says StyleList: "One concern prompting suburbia to sound the alarms is the idea that Axe Body Spray is somehow enabling teens to adopt poor hygiene habits."]]> JetSetCD 2009-03-27T13:53:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/2/141325/2428

Starting this month, tourists in Rome will have to get their pizza-and-pasta fixes in before hitting the bar scene, as late-night snacking will be officially outlawed.

Authorities in the Eternal City are looking for ways to quiet the town's rowdy tourist-fueled bar scene. They already go against the European norm by closing most bars by 1 a.m., but apparently that isn't doing enough to stem the party tide, as revelers tend to just move the fun out into the streets, soaking up the alcohol at the city's omnipresent roving ice cream and snack trucks.

But not anymore—a new city ordinance that goes into effect this month orders all food vendors in the city—mobile stores and more traditional ones—to shut it down by 1 a.m. as well.

Hmm…no WiFi and no late-night eats. We're not feeling too happy with you, Rome!

Related Stories:
· No ice cream in Rome after 1 a.m. [WGY]
· Fleeting Internet Coverage In The Eternal City [Jaunted]
· Rome travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hoteldephil] ]]> BS 2009-03-03T08:46:14-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/