Tag: New Year's Travel

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McDonald's Contribution to Chinese New Year: The 'Prosperity Burger'

Where: Singapore
January 26, 2012 at 11:58 AM | by | Comments (2)

Singapore may be like 22 hours of travel away from the US, but that doesn't mean they haven't got 24-hour McDonalds here and there. One we passed today—just off the Esplanade near the Fullerton Bay Hotel—was sporting some flashy banners for limited-time-only eats. Curious, we got closer. Holy shnickeys, they're trying to make a buck off of Chinese New Year with the introduction of four special items: Beef Prosperity Burger, Chicken Prosperity Burger, Twister fries and a Prosperity McFizz.

According to the banners, these babies are only around until January 31. According to the internet, this isn't the first McDs has been cooking "Prosperity Burgers." And just exactly how prosperous are these sammies? Well, the patties are dipped in black pepper sauce, topped with onions and finished with a sesame seed bun. Sounds okay, but none of those ingredients were in the traditional Prosperity Salad. The only thing we can tell is that the twister fries can resemble 8, an auspicious number.

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Beginning the Year of the Dragon with a Healthy Dose of Fireworks

January 23, 2012 at 9:48 AM | by | Comments (0)

恭禧發財!

Just a quickie video to start the week off right—or rather, year off. Today marks the first day of the Year of the Dragon; it's Chinese New Year and yep, we're still chilling in Singapore, where we managed to take in the holiday fireworks with a view from the top of the RItz-Carlton, Millennia.

Whether or not you're passing out red envelopes or dining on Yusheng "prosperity salad," we bet you appreciate a good fireworks display now and then. And it was good! The pyrotechnics in Singapore burst above the Marina, surrounded on all sides by tall buildings from which to view the spectacle. There's the Central Business District (CBD) to the north and west, a gaggle of high-rise hotels to the east (where we are) and—we briefly pan over to it—the triple towers of the Marina Bay Sands to the south.

Pardon the fact that there's no sound; it was all people talking and our camera clicking, so you aren't missing any of the big booms.

Disclosure: Flights and some accommodation in Singapore are as a guest of Singapore Airlines. Regardless, all photos/videos and opinions presented are utterly and completely our very own.

[Video: Jaunted]

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Transatlantic Time Hop: Skipping the New Year on British Airways

January 2, 2012 at 5:03 PM | by | Comments (0)


Comedy hats and smiles. Two things you don't normally expect to see British Airways staff wearing

When we told people last week we were flying British Airways from Las Vegas to London overnight on New Year’s Eve, they were aghast. Why weren’t we partying? Why were we flying alone? Why were we leaving Vegas on the best night to be in Vegas?

We told them they were wrong on several counts. First, NYE in Vegas is horrendo, period. Second, after the Christmas Eve mini party we experienced on our flight out, we suspected the return journey could actually be fun. Thirdly—since there are few things we enjoy less than forced festivity—the idea of spending NYE at 40,000ft watching crappy movies was highly appealing.

And fourth, we coolly assumed we’d fly past loads of fireworks and cross so many timezones that we’d witness the year turning about six times before we reached London.

So how was it?

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Celebs Stuck Together for New Year's Weekend Travel

January 2, 2012 at 1:40 PM | by | Comments (0)

This year, New Year's Eve was about banding together for celebrities.

Maybe the most unlikely celeb pairing of the weekend was Gwyneth Paltrow and Courtney Love, who partied together in Abu Dhabi on NYE. Over the weekend Courtney tweeted, “getting the best [advice] for the new years from a true friend, love you @GwynethPaltrow @Goop xoxo.” Later Gwyneth added, “Happy New Year everyone from Abu Dhabi! Hoping 2012 is your best year ever.”

On the other side of the world, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, and their L.A. neighbor Jimmy Kimmel—who was with his girlfriend Molly McNearney—spent New Year's Eve in Kauai, Hawaii. The couples were spotted hitting the surf together in wetsuits on Saturday.

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17 Travel Resolutions We're Making for 2012

December 28, 2011 at 1:15 PM | by | Comments (0)

After thousands of stories and countless countries in 2011, we're more than ready to begin a fresh year. Before we hit 2012, however, we're making a few resolutions. Travel resolutions. It goes beyond losing weight or promising to do our laundry more frequently; these tackle how we interact with the world.

What are you resolving to do with your travels in 2012? Share in the comments!

And now, without further ado, 17 travel resolutions for 2012 from Jaunted's regular, frequent-traveling contributors:

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Three Unusual and Unique Alternatives to the New Year's Eve Ball Drop

December 28, 2011 at 9:15 AM | by | Comments (0)

Everyone knows about that crystal ball drop in Times Square to celebrate the New Year, but there’s even better stuff falling from the sky around the country. If New York City is out of range this year, there might just be something a little more unique to welcome in 2012 close to home. Here’s three options and celebrations that might just be a little more interesting:

· Oversized Orange in Miami, Florida:
Sunny Florida may be a great place to welcome 2012, especially if you’re looking for some balmy temperatures. In the city’s downtown—away from the South Beach scene—a big neon orange rises to the top of the Intercontinental Hotel as the clock approaches midnight. The party goes down at Bayfront Park on Biscayne Bay beginning at 8pm, and there’s even a Disco Dance Party—their terminology not ours—to keep you going. Admission and entertainment is free for all, but we’d bring along some cash for a snack or a drink.

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Australia on New Year's Eve: How Aussies Will Boogie Down, Down Under

Where: Australia
December 27, 2011 at 11:39 AM | by | Comments (0)

New Years Eve plans don't have to include ways to stay warm while singing Auld Lang Syne, or fighting for a cab in a snowstorm. it's summer down under in Australia! And some time spent with friends and family on a beach or dining alfresco while watching a fireworks display of Olympic proportions can surely be on your December 31st agenda.

Australia is one of the first countries to ring in the new year. Each city center hosts a myriad of events showcasing the individuality of each region, while drawing domestic and international visitors alike.

Please make sure you leave the fireworks to the professionals, however, as they are illegal throughout the country. Here's what's going on, plus our own tips for what to go if you find yourself in Australia this weekend:

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Celebrities Choose To Ring In 2011 in Las Vegas, Cabo, and St. Barts

January 3, 2011 at 12:51 PM | by | Comments (0)

As we predicted, the Las Vegas strip's new $3.9 billion hotel, The Cosmopolitan, was the hot spot for celebs on New Year's Eve.

The hotel's NYE party was headlined by Jay-Z and Coldplay as scheduled, but the crowd, which included 50 Cent, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Ellen Pompeo and Blake Lively, went crazy when Beyoncé, Kanye West and John Mayer all made surprise appearances during Jay-Z's set.

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These Cities Had the Most Impressive New Year's 2011 Parties

January 3, 2011 at 8:38 AM | by | Comments (0)


Dubai's Burj Khalifa--current tallest building in the world--covered in fireworks

Although we'd love to know an estimate of how many people actually turned out to stand for 7+ hours without bathroom breaks in New York's Times Square for New Year's 2011, apparently the city doesn't give estimates on that crowd. So instead, we turn to the AP's brilliant recap of all the major New Year's celebrations around the world, from salsa with Fidel Castro in Cuba to eating grapes at midnight in Spain.

Some cities obviously went fare more above and beyond than others, so in order to help you get a truly huge jumpstart on planning for the New Year 2012, here's our favorites of the New Year's festivities that happened over the weekend:

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The Top Five New Year's Eve Parties Hosted by Celebrities

December 29, 2010 at 4:38 PM | by | Comments (0)

New Year's Eve is a hugely favorite holiday for celebrities, but not because of the glitz, glamor and alcohol. New Year's means a chance to make a whole pile of money just for hosting a party in a glitzy venue with thousands of adoring fans. But hey—who can blame them? Here's a look at the Top Five Celebrity-Hosted New Year's Eve Parties for turning 2010 into 2011:

· 2011's biggest party will no doubt be at the new Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, featuring live performances by Coldplay and Jay-Z. Not only will party-goers have the chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime concert, but they'll also be rubbing elbows with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, expected to be in attendance. For ticket and price information, contact Kelly Andelean at 702-423-2640 but be warned, they're catering to VIPs only (or those who act and spend like VIPs).

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01-01-11 Travel Deals: Get Lucky in Las Vegas

December 29, 2010 at 12:21 PM | by | Comments (0)

If you want to start off 2011 with a bang, there's no better place to do it than Vegas. But even more important, if you're the superstitious type, 1-1-11 will be a lucky day to hit the casinos. So be sure to bring your gambling game.

Just in time for a new year getaway, Vegas.com is slashing loads of hotel rooms by 30 percent.

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Five Rules for Going to the New Year's Ball Drop in Times Square

December 29, 2010 at 11:09 AM | by | Comment (1)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but New Year's celebrations can be so delightful! And since you've got a place to go—Times Square—let's go, let's go, let's go! Okay now ignore that attempt at rewriting the song "Let It Snow" and pay attention, because we're about to give you the lowdown on crossing New Year's in Times Square off your bucket list.

Many people, as we've come to discover, just flock to Times Square all willy-nilly for the ball drop, mistakenly thinking they'll have things like tons of port-a-potties or food vendors. Not true. It's a rugged experience, and you've got to prepare for it and know the rules. Aside from no alcohol allowed, there are five major guidelines to having a great time at the ball drop and still getting a view of the action.

The Five Rules for Going to The New Year's Ball Drop in Times Square...

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