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Monte Carlo's Circus Festival

January 9, 2006 at 7:54 AM | 0 Comments

If you're fascinated by circuses (we have to admit, sometimes we are in a wierd way) hit up the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo that runs from Jan 19-27th this year in the capital of glitz. This is the best of the best in the, er, circus world: "Each year, acts from around the world - trapeze artists, acrobats, trained animal acts and comedians - perform and compete for the Gold and Silver Clown Awards." Of course, this kind of glam isn't free, but tickets run from $30-$72. Shows take place in a permanent tent, and you can attend the Golden Gala evening if you hit it big in one of the casinos on your way from Nice.

Related Stories:
·   Datebook: Monte Carlo [NY Times]

Spa at Skibo Castle

December 13, 2005 at 3:35 PM | 0 Comments

Skibo Castle, the legendary Scottish castle where Madonna tied the knot, has opened a new spa. Set on the shore of Loch Ospisdale, it's housed in the former converted Edwardian garage where Andrew Carnegie used to park his Bentleys, Rolls and Daimlers. Facial, body and specialized treatments are all on the menu and basins in the spa are even built from hand blown glass so you can dip your pedicured toes in posh style.

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·   New spa at Skibo castle [itravelishop.com]

The Merits of Roughing It

December 12, 2005 at 8:27 AM | 0 Comments

There's another gem from SF Chron writer John Flinn this week. We'd like to take this man out to dinner. He writes about how roughing it while traveling seems to always lead to better adventures. Think about that next time you're at the mega-resort waiting for something to happen...

These days I can afford a bit of comfort -- and have grown to rather like it -- but in my experience the most memorable travel moments often come when I'm dirty, hungry and sleep-deprived. Bunking with pigs on the floor of the village headman's house in northern Thailand, eating dust in the back of a truck jouncing through the Great Rift Valley, slogging through rain and mud in the Yorkshire Dales -- these experiences stay with me long after I've forgotten the taste of a poolside mai tai or the feel of 300-thread-count sheets.

So, so true. The concierge at that five-star isn't going to invite you to tag along to his daughter's wedding or on that truffle hunt like the small innkeeper is. Hey, it's Monday. We aim to inspire. Be sure to check this essay out.

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·   Travel misers love company more than just travel misery [SF Gate]

Best Resort Towns for Non-Skiiers

December 6, 2005 at 8:14 AM | 0 Comments

We've definitely been there-everyone's hitting the slopes over and over and over again and we're ready to hit the lodge. Once or twice down the mountain in freezing temps will do us just fine.

But what to do around the resort while the rest of the gang skis? Tripso names the 6 Best Resort towns for non-skiiers. Check out Aspen's Wheeler Opera House perhaps, or one of Heavenly/South Lake Tahoe's dozen casinos. Before you know it, you'll be living it up all without the chapped skin and frostbite.

Related Stories:
·   6 best resorts for non-skiiers [Tripso]

Argyle's New Salon and Spa

November 18, 2005 at 10:57 AM | 0 Comments

The celeb-friendly Hollywood hotel, The Argyle, has just opened its own salon and spa. The 6,600 square-foot facility has it all--including Botox, Restalyne, teeth whitening and all sorts of laser treatments (this is Hollywood, after all.) You can also get treatments in private cabanas and suites.

And the treatments, you ask? Try the Royal Romanian Mud Mask that uses Lake Amara's mud to polish up your skin. Afterwards slip into the authentic Hammam (that's the Turkish steam room, ehem.)

And if you're a spa-phobic male don't think they don't have something for you: there's a full barber shop with hot towel/straight razor shaves and a shoe shine.

Related Stories:
·   Argyle Hotel Opens a Spa [Luxist]

Hit the Pipeline Masters

November 14, 2005 at 10:14 AM | 0 Comments

If the onset of winter is starting to freak you out a little bit, don't fret. Head to the north shore of Oahu and re-live your "Blue Crush" fantasies. From Dec. 8-20th the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters , the final competition in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and of the Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour is taking place.

The Banzai pipeline is one of the most impressive wave centers on earth, and the kings of surf will compete against each other on the last four days to determine who gets the crown. The contests start each day at 8 am--just show up at the beach and snag a piece of sand. The winner of the event rakes in $270,000 and sponsorships galore.

The pipeline is about a 35-mile drive from Honolulu.

Related Stories:
·   Datebook: Hawaii [NY Times]

The Ultimate Whisky Experience

November 11, 2005 at 9:49 AM | 0 Comments

Sister site HotelChatter alerts us to a pretty cool "fantasy camp for the whisky lover." The Bruichladdich Academy in Scotland offers a four-night stay at the brand's distillery, where, during the day you get to follow around the craftsmen, and learn all the essential steps of the process. And sneak in a few tastes of course...ya know, just to make sure it's not poison or anything.

The experience is limited to 6 guests at a time, so its intimate and personal. It'll set you back at $1,410, but as we know the unique things in life are often the most worth it.

Related Stories:
·   The Bruichladdich Academy Whisky Experience [Luxist]
·   Make Your Own Whisky. Drink it. Pass Out.. [HotelChatter]

Grand Canyon Skywalk Update

November 4, 2005 at 3:11 PM | 0 Comments


A while back we gave you a preview of the new Grand Canyon Skywalk:

A new glass-bottomed skywalk jutting 70 feet from the South Rim is being constructed that will give awe-seekers a view 4,000 feet down.

Scheduled to open in early 2006, it's been going through the requisite strength and structural tests and can already "withstand the weight of 71 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes (more that 71 million pounds)." Not too shabby. It can also handle winds in excess of 100 mph in eight directions. Pretty impressive. Check out the new image of the skywalk (right) too--

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·   Grand Canyon Skywalk [Jaunted]
·   Grand Canyon Skywalk glass bridge [OhGizmo!]

Amsterdam's Allard Pierson

November 4, 2005 at 10:33 AM | 0 Comments


If you've been to Amsterdam and have hit up the Rijksmuseum and the van Gogh museum, don't think you've seen it all. Keep going to the Allard Pierson Museum, a part of the University if Amsterdam, that houses a wonderful collection of Roman, Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian art.

The museum was built around the private collection of a Dutch banker and has been added to over the years by collectors and private donors. The museum is open every day but Monday and admission is about $6.

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·   Amsterdam secret: A den of antiquity [IHT]

Brits Lap up L.A. & OC

November 2, 2005 at 3:50 PM | 0 Comments

We suspect that this funny article by Clare Mann about her family's recent trip to Los Angeles and Orange County will help reassure lots of potential travelers that SoCal's a great place to visit (the Manns made the trip, a stopover on the way to New Zealand, a mini-vacation in itself).


We loved their shopping stop: "Rodeo Drive was, pleasingly, just like a film set. In Ralph Lauren some Mean Girls types were trying on clothes. 'This is so OC,' whispered Georgia, my 14-year-old daughter, as we listened in."

And even when things go awry, their British reserve doesn't leave them: "Still star-struck, we chose The Dome on Sunset Strip for dinner. This was our only mistake. I could have wept -- where was everyone? Were we too early or too late? The place was like a morgue. We couldn't do a runner as our car had been spirited away. Besides, we'd eaten the bread and made a mess of the butter."

Related Stories:
·   Child's play in LA [Telegraph]

Offbeat Travel Ideas

October 31, 2005 at 9:21 AM | 0 Comments

The folks at Daily Candy have done a little summary of some of the more unique trips out there. If you're in a daredevil mood, or just tired of the same old thing, check out their suggestions.

One of these includes a trip to Caliente, a "Vegas-style compound in Tampa" that's "totally natural" (read: nudist). It's a sort of high-class nudist resort from what we can tell.

Another trip for living on the edge involves Great White Adventures, a world-class shark diving outfit in the Farallon Islands off San Francisco. Apparently this is the real thing, they have spotted some of the largest sharks in the world by getting right in their migratory pathways when they're feeding--and have a perfect safety record.

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·   Travel: Never Say Never [Daily Candy]

Travel Coach Gets You Airborne

October 27, 2005 at 5:26 PM | 0 Comments


Here's a niche we hadn't thought of -- the poster at the below Craigslist ad will help San Francisco-area people get off their duff and go somewhere outside of the U.S.: "If you want to travel overseas on your first long or independent trip (no matter what age you are!), and could use some tips and general travel advice, ta-da here I am." As a travel coach, she'll give you advice, "emotional support," and suggest links, books, and other resources to help plan your trip.


We're not sure we understand the request for "no vacationers" -- isn't it a vacation she's going to help you with? Must be a tourist vs. traveler thing.

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·   10/18-11/1: FREE individual travel coach session [Craigslist, via TravelPost]