The Word Travels Blog

Travel Movie: Amelie

2012-02-29T01:13:00.004-08:00

Amelie is a quirky romantic comedy by French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and in his distinctive style he paints an intimate picture of Paris and its eccentric residents.

The fanciful world of Amelie may appear to be anything but reality, but the locations featured in the sweet film are all real places in Paris.

Visitors to Paris can't help but travel on the Metro, and you can visit Abbesses Station (where she first sees Nino) and Lamarck-Caulaincourt (where she leaves the blind man).

Amelie works in the Cafe des Deux Moulins (Two Windmills), located at 15 rue Lepic, and the infamous fruit stand she lives above is Le Marche de la Butte, at 56 rue de Trois Freres.

A pivotal scene in the movie, when Amelie leads Nino on a wild goose chase through a park, is set in the park below Sacre Coeur, and visitors can take a look through the coin-operated binoculars or have a ride on the carousel.

Verdict: Rent it

Electronic Music Cruises

2012-01-05T01:50:00.001-08:00

It may be the next big thing in cruising... party cruises are taking over the market for the new generation of cruise-goers.

The Holy Ship! cruise launches from Fort Lauderdale on Friday, promising top acts like Fatboy Slim, Skrillex, Laidback Luke, Diplo, Rusko, A-Trak, and DJ Aero with Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. The cruise will also feature activities like DJ-led poker and yoga classes.

But Holy Ship! isn't the first of its kind. The annual Rock the Boat cruise is a popular event on the South African calendar, sailing between Durban and Mozambique each December and featuring more than a dozen electronic and rock acts along with comedians, movie theatres, a casino and other activities.

Paul Oakenfold hosted another electronic music cruise in 2010 called Perfecto at Sea. While electronic music cruises are still a minor part of the cruise market, they represent the rapid expansion for mainstream dance music, which has largely been restricted to nightclubs and electronic music festivals.

Is this the future of cruises? Less shuffleboard and more 'Everyday I'm Shuffling'? What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

Image from NME.com

5 Most Disappointing Attractions in Europe

2011-10-20T03:11:00.001-07:00

There are world-famous attractions that people dream of seeing their whole lives, but many of them don't (or can't) live up to that amount of hype. In fact, there's a whole phenomenon (Paris Syndrome) that occurs in extreme cases when the reality just doesn't match up with the fantasy.

Here are our top five most disappointing attractions in Europe:

Manneken Pis (Belgium) - Can you spot the world-famous attraction in the picture above? A little difficult, isn't it? Unfortunately the Manneken Pis, a cheeky fountain of a naked little boy peeing from atop a pedestal, is a quirky attraction that has been completely overwhelmed by the hordes that come to photograph it. To top it off, the city of Brussels often insists on dressing the poor lad in outlandish seasonal costumes that completely obscure it.

Photo by Henry Sivonen

Eiffel Tower (Paris) - Now before you get upset with me, I'm not saying you shouldn't see the Eiffel Tower... you most definitely should. What I'm suggesting is that the rather nice view from the top is not worth spending three hours of your Paris holiday in a queue. There are other lovely places to get panoramic views of Paris from, like La Tour Montparnasse or La Sacre Coeur in Montmarte.

Photo by Andrew Crump

Loch Ness (Scotland) - See that pretty, tranquil, and rather mundane lake pictured above? That's Loch Ness. Yup, that's it. Looks like most lakes you've seen right? Now you can stop kidding yourself that you'll be the person to finally spot the fabled Loch Ness Monster and admit that the only thing waiting for you there is overpriced plush seamonsters. Granted, there are some nice castles nearby, but whether that's worth taking the trip out is another matter.

Photo by Dave Conner

Mona Lisa (Paris) - Of all the thousands of priceless works of art in the Louvre Museum, the Mona Lisa is the one everyone makes a beeline for. One of the most well-known paintings in the world, the subtle beauty and timeless mystery of the masterpiece are best enjoyed at home with a detailed picture, as this is likely to be the best view you get (unless you're exceptionally pushy).

Photo by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo

Gondola Rides (Venice) - It's a romantic image: two people sitting cosily in a gondola while their gondolier serenades them with Verdi operettas as he glides them through the Grand Canals of Venice . Unfortunately the smooth ride resembles Friday afternoon gridlock, with boatloads of tourists snapping pictures of each other as they squeeze past each other. The rides are also prohibitively expensive, starting at €80 for 40 minutes and getting even pricier after dark.

Photo by NH53

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #36

2011-10-03T01:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Monday at the WT Blog! You may have noticed we look a little different this week. We're trying out a new design with a fresh feel to give you a better idea of what's been happening in the world of travel. Let us know in the comments what you think!

In the meantime, we're keeping it consistent with the usual Monday forum round-up. Here are a few of the hottest topics on our forum boards:

Honeymoon in Cuba

Safe to swim in Cape Town?

Schengen visa expiry

Port El Kantaoui

If you've got a question, you can ask it yourself by signing up for the Word Travels forum! It's free to join, and you'll get access to our local experts and tour operators who are waiting to assist you in planning your dream holiday!

Image from here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #35

2011-09-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

Time for another Word Travels forum round-up! These are the hot travel topics on our forum, with some great insights for anyone about to set off on their dream vacation!

Avoiding dysentary in India

Do cruise passengers need transit visas?

Safety in Brazil

Using Couchsurfing website

If you have some questions you're itching to ask, sign up at the travel forum today and get stared! It's free, and our well-travelled and knowledgeable experts are waiting to help you!

Image from here.

Top 6 Cruise Ports in Alaska

2011-09-19T01:39:00.000-07:00

While most people immediately imagine sandy beaches and swaying palm trees when they think of cruises, cruises in North America and Europe are increasingly popular. And of the numerous cold-water destinations in the Northern Hemisphere, no region is seeing more growth than the hugely popular Alaska cruise industry.

Travelling up the west coast of North America, more than a million people take Alaskan cruises each year. The most popular route is along the Inside Passage, winding through the dozens of islands in the archipelago stretching east from Alaska's mainland.

Cruise ports in Alaska range from small, bustling towns in rural Alaska to big cities like Victoria (I know it's technically in Canada!), but the variety means there's something to please everyone. Here are the top six cruise ports in Alaska:

Kodiak - The stunning landscape of Alaska's 'Emerald Isle' are filled with abundant wildlife, including the famous Kodiak Bear. Sport fishing and hunting are popular activities (though carefully regulated), or visitors can just enjoy the beauty of For Abercrombie State Historical Park.

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Sitka - A bit of an Alaskan melting pot, Sitka's history as both a Russian outpost and Tlingit settlement gives it fascinating cultural history, evident in various museums and cultural events in town. There are plenty of outdoor activities as well, like birdwatching in the St Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge.

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Ketchikan - Ketchikan is known for an abundance of two things: salmon and totem poles. Admire one at the Totem Heritage Center, or try your hand at catching the other from a charter boat. Visitors can also spot black bears in Neets Bay (part of Tongass National Forest), or hike on Deer Mountain.

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Skagway - One of the biggest centres of the Alaskan Gold Rush in the early 20th century, Skagway still has an old-timey feeling that gives it a lively vibe with restaurants, pubs and shops lining the streets. Visitors can try their hand at panning for gold at the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp.

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Juneau - Alaska's capital is one of the biggest cities along the Inside Passage, and makes a good city break for cruise passengers with restaurants and shops to explore. There's plenty of outdoor fun as well, with everything from glacier-trekking to river rafting to zip-lining on offer in the area around the city.

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Icy Strait - A tiny town and relatively new cruise port in Alaska, Icy Strait benefits from its proximity to Glacier Bay National Park. The opportunity to spot whales and sea lions while watching massive glaciers calving makes for an unforgettable experience on an Alaskan cruise.

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Word Travels Forum Round-Up #34

2011-09-05T01:16:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest conversations on our buzzing travel forum message boards:

Best time to visit Bali

Is Israel safe for tourists?

Business trip to Lagos, Nigeria

Greece in February

You can post your own questions and get help planning your next holiday on the Word Travels forum... so sign up today!

Image by Virtual EyeSee.

Cape Town and New York City iPhone Travel Apps

2011-08-30T01:10:00.000-07:00

The Word Travels monkeys have been hard at work and now we've got some exciting news:

We've just launched new iPhone travel apps with detailed interactive guides for two of our favourite cities: Cape Town and New York City!

The apps take all the best information from our travel guides and put it in a handy format so you can access it quickly and easily while you're on the go; including visa information, airport guides, attractions, excursions, restaurants and nightlife, and shopping and transportation info.

Interactive maps allow you to navigate the city easily, and pull up information on all the great things to see and do in Cape Town and New York.

The apps are available for download here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #33

2011-08-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest conversations from our travel forum:

Gifts for locals in Cuba

Tunisia during Ramadan

Women travelling in Costa Rica

Deported from Korea

Don't forget to look for other questions, or ask your own, on the Word Travels forum!

Image by Brandon Giesbrecht.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #32

2011-08-22T00:27:00.000-07:00

Another week goes by, meaning the forum boards are lit up with travel questions from would-be explorers! Here are some of the most interesting discussions from this week:

Hawaii weather in December

How safe is Cape Town?

Visas for Ethiopia

Travel safety in Egypt

New Zealand travel questions

Don't forget that you can ask your own questions and get answers from local experts at the Word Travels travel forum!

Image by David Goehring.

Win a Trip to Disneyland!

2011-08-19T01:18:00.000-07:00

Who wants to win a trip to Disneyland? Everyone, of course!

Here's a free competition from Southwest Airlines for a free trip to Disneyland in California, open to residents of the US, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Closes January 30th, 2012.

Image by Taylor McBride.

Top 5 Free Android Travel Apps

2011-08-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

I just got a tablet that runs Android, and I'm a little obsessed with finding just the right apps to make my life (and computer) run smoothly. There are games, ebook readers, music and video players, chat programs, fart sound generators, and other must-have gadgets to make your phone or tablet pop and sizzle.

But I got this tablet to travel with, and it's the travel-friendly Android apps I'm interested in. And I'm a little cheap, so they have to be free. Here are the top five free Android travel apps I've found so far:

Kindle - I chose not to buy a Kindle because I didn't want to pay so much for a device that only does one thing. Now I have an Android tablet that reads Kindle books, but also plays movies and checks email and everything else I need. One of the advantages of having a tablet is not having to lug around heavy books, so the Kindle app and a few choice best-sellers are a must on any flight or layover.

Poynt - Travel guides are great; very informative and helpful in the planning stages of your trip, but when you get to your destination there are often unexpected needs, like you spill red wine on your best dress and need to know where the nearest dry cleaners is, or your kids are driving you batty and you want to find out how soon the next showing of Kung Fu Panda 2 is. Poynt is great for this, as it figures out where you are and leads you to useful information like phone numbers, showtimes, and evern dinner reservations.

Weatherbug - There are lots of weather apps, but Weatherbug is great for travelling because it not only provides 7-day forecasts and interactive maps, but sends you severe weather alerts and even has a live webcam link to to more than 2,000 weathercams across the US. The only drawback is it's a pretty big app at 12mbs.

TripIt - I've recommended this app for both iPhone and Blackberry, and I'll keep recommending it. The app is invaluable for creating an itinerary from different bits of information like flights, hotel reservations and tours, which you can then share with your family and friends (assuming you want them to know where you are of course!) All you have to do is sign up, then forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com. An enhanced paid app also updates things like gate changes and frequent flier points.

Google Goggles - One of these fancy 'augmented reality' apps, Google Goggles is one of the most powerful out there because it taps into the near-infinite knowledge available from the search engine itself. All you have to do is take a photo of an object, and the app will pull up all kinds of relevant information on it. One of the best features is an automatic translation of text when you take a photo of a sign in a foreign language.

Have a Blackberry or iPhone? Click on the links to find our best travel apps for those platforms!

Image from here.

Bereavement Airfares: The Discount Ticket You Don't Want

2011-08-11T05:26:00.001-07:00

Everybody wants discounts on airfare. We look obsessively for cheap plane tickets before committing to one fare, and then fret that we've paid too much and a better deal will come along. It's a sport best-suited to those who love the thrill of the hunt.

But there are some occasions you don't have the time or inclination to scour the internet for the cheapest airfare. Most of us have been forced to travel long-distance at some point for a friend or relative's funeral, or in that terrifying scenario when a loved one may not make it. When you're struggling to simultaneously pack a suitcase and grieve, it's not the time to comparison shop.

Luckily, some airlines have a heart. They know this is travel you haven't planned or budgeted for, and they're willing to help. They offer discounts of up to 50% on last-minute airfares if you're flying for a funeral, or in some cases to see a gravely ill relative (though that one's less common). It's called a bereavement airfare.

There are some finer points to note, though. To get a bereavement airfare, you need to call or go to the airport directly and book through the airline (not through a website or travel agent). Some airlines will charge you full fare and then let you apply for the rebate after (and some require a death certificate).

Also, even though the tickets are discounted, that doesn't mean they are necessarily the cheapest seats. There may still be sale seats available, so it doesn't hurt to ask. If you can, have a friend do some quick fare-checking before you call to see if there are discounted seats available.

Bereavement airfares are harder to get on international and trans-Atlantic flights, and not all airlines offer them. Within the US, Delta, United, US Airways and American Airlines have been known to offer bereavement fares.

In an industry that gets a lot of negative press for ripping people off, it's nice to know that there's still a bit of compassion for people in need.

Image by Luis Argerich.

Top 5 Best Business Travel Tips

2011-08-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

Business travellers are a special breed. Practically living in the sky, these road warriors blaze the trail for the rest of us weekenders. Business travellers know where the best restaurants are, the best VIP lounges, and which airports have free wi-fi.

So we've rounded up the best tips from business travellers here:

Pack light - Be ruthless when you pack. If you're smart, you can go on a six-week trip with nothing bigger than carry-on (even you, ladies). If you stick to one colour scheme and add a few accessories, you'd be surprised how far a few outfits can go. Heels are almost never necessary, really. Flat shoes can be just as formal and take up much less space in your suitcase. Not checking a bag can be the difference in catching or missing your flight, and mean you sail right to the door while the rest of the plane crowds around baggage claim.

Spend smart - Budgeting when you travel is all about knowing how to save money, but also about knowing when it pays to spend. Coach is fine on a one-hour hop from Chicago to Minneapolis, but a 20-hour haul to Australia might call for that $150 upgrade for extra leg room. That said, look for discounts. If you don't find them, then ask... what's the worst that can happen? Look for deals with freebies like breakfast or wi-fi to save money. Paying with your credit card helps maximise exchange rates as well.

Use your gadgets - Nearly every traveller has a smartphone now, so get the most from it. Use the camera to take pictures of your hotel or where your car is parked so you don't need to remember. Use Google maps and GPS to find your way around unfamiliar cities. Download iPhone travel apps (or Blackberry travel apps) to help you predict the weather, calculate currency exchange, keep track of your flight, and even translate signs for you. Load your iPod or iPad with movies and books, or look for that wi-fi connection to kill time on layovers.

Be loyal - It pays to join loyalty programmes. Accumulating miles can not only gain you free flights in the future, but come with perks like priority seating, discounts on hotels and rental cars, free wi-fi, and you'll be the first in line to get upgraded. Many travellers report that they simply get treated better as part of the hotel or airline's loyalty programme.

Smile - It should go without saying, but alas it doesn't nowadays. Be nice to people. Yes you're tired, but probably so are they. I've said it before, but being polite to check-in agents and TSA screeners will get you much further than snapping or shouting will. It goes further than that though: offering a sympathetic smile to a struggling parent will do more than glaring at them when they're trying to calm their child. Being chatty with taxi drivers will help them get to know you and share their insider knowledge of the city (or just not screw you over). Being friendly opens you up to a world of new and unique experiences when travelling.

Travel Movie: Sideways

2011-08-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

Sideways is a 2004 movie showing two bachelors having one last weekend of fun before one gets married. Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes Jack (Thomas Hayden Church) for a couple days of wine tasting in the Santa Barbara wine region, but Jack is more interested in having a final fling before the wedding.

The two men explore the wineries in the area with the help of Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh).

While Napa Valley gets most of the attention as the top wine region in California, the Santa Barbara area has some great vineyards as well within 90 minutes' drive of Los Angeles. Sideways showcases locations in Beullton, Solvang, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez.

Aside from the civilised settings and romantic lighting of the beautiful area, Sideways explores two very different men reacting to crossroads in their lives as they reach middle age (hint: neither is handling it especially well).

Verdict: Rent it (with a bottle of Pino Noir)

Bonus! The Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau has self-guided tour brochures of the restaurants and wineries used in the film if you want to trace their steps.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #31

2011-08-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest from the Word Travels forum, with some great stuff this week, especially if you're looking to travel to Cuba or Ireland!

Dublin travel advice

Can Americans travel to Cuba?

Trains from China to Vietnam and Thailand

African puppy scam

If that doesn't answer your question, sign up for the travel forum today to ask for yourself! It's quick, easy and free!

Image from here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #30

2011-07-25T01:13:00.000-07:00

This is our 30th forum round-up, which makes it a sort of birthday I suppose. In honour of the occasion, I've dug up some of my favourite forum posts that need help! If you know anything about these topics, weigh in and help us out!

Route 66 road trip

Hiring a car and driver in Dubai

Food in Ho Chi Minh City

Booking cheap Thailand accommodation

You can also ask your own questions on the travel forum... jump right in!

Top 5 Ways to Avoid Jetlag

2011-07-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Jet lag is the bane of every holiday. You spend a lot of money on your vacation, get very excited about it... and then spend the first three days in Thailand in a tired haze. There are ways to avoid jet lag though, and they aren't as expensive or complicated as you think. Here are our top 5 ways to avoid jet lag:

Sleep smart - Is your flight getting in first thing in the morning? Then get all the sleep you can on the plane. Arriving in time for dinner? Force yourself to stay awake to get a good first night's rest in your destination. Think about your arrival time and plan accordingly... it's worth it. Don't give in to the temptation to nap when you get there as well; stay up until 11pm to force your body into its new rhythm or you'll be fighting it your whole vacation.

Stay hydrated - Dehydration messes with your internal clock in a big way, and airplanes are like extra-cold deserts; the altitude quickly sucks moisture out of food and skin, so you need to work extra-hard to stay hydrated. Drink at least two glasses of water per hour, and consider bringing your own fresh fruit along (but eat it before you disembark). Keep a plane-friendly tube of moisturiser as well. Another big no-no? Alcohol and soft drinks.

Stay active - Whether its on the plane or the three-hour layover, keep your blood pumping by getting a little activity in. Get up and walk around a few times on long flights, and explore the airport instead of just camping out at your gate. If you're at an airport with the facilities, a quick shower will also help rejuvinate a tired body. Light exercise really helps to combat fatigue (and its accompanying grumpiness), but try not to exercise close to bedtime.

Set your watch - Once you're on the plane, you don't need to know what time it is back home. Immediately set your watch to your destination's time zone so that your body adjusts quicker. If you're taking medication, adjust the schedule as soon as possible as well.

Avoid pills - While sleeping pills are a tempting aid to getting some shut-eye on the flight, they can actually make jet lag worse by pulling your internal clock in yet another direction. The ensuing grogginess that comes when you take sleeping pills isn't a great state to arrive in a foreign country in, anyway. Melatonin is also touted as a miracle cure for jet lag, but be wary as it can make things worse if you time the dosage incorrectly.

Travel Movie: Monte Carlo

2011-07-20T01:47:00.001-07:00

The latest vacation movie for this summer is teen-oriented Monte Carlo, starring Selena Gomez, Leighton Meister, and Katie Cassidy. The movie tells the story of three Texas teenagers who ditch a disappointing package tour of Paris in order to live the high life in Monte Carlo when one is mistaken for an heiress.

The movie was originally set to chronicle three Midwestern schoolteachers who pretend to be wealthy in order to find rich husbands in Monte Carlo, but the plot was changed to be more youth-oriented.

Don't expect anything life-changing or even particularly memorable, but the film capitalises on a classic American teen girl fantasy: going to Europe and falling in love. Glamorous dresses, mischievous hijinks, and learning to being true to yourself are present in abundance.

And of course there are sunny montages of the spectacular Monaco scenery, although Paris gets the short end of this stick.

Verdict: Skip it (unless you're a teenage girl)

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #29

2011-07-18T01:10:00.000-07:00

It's Monday and we've got the hottest travel questions on the internet for you, courtesy of the Word Travels Forum. It's also Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday, so we'd like to wish a very happy day to Madiba!

Best time to travel to Thailand

Is Jordan friendly to Americans?

Getting a Cuba Tourist Card

Deported from Korea

You can ask your own travel-related questions on the forum, and our local experts will be right there with the answer!

Photo by Banjo Brown.

Top 5 Amusement Parks in Europe

2011-07-14T00:48:00.001-07:00

While many people think that California has a lock on great theme parks, there are plenty of amazing family amusement parks in all corners of Europe too. Whether you're looking for thrilling rides, childhood nostalgia, or famous cartoon characters, these parks have it all. Here's our top 5 amusement parks in Europe:

Disneyland Paris (France) - The mother of all European theme parks, Disneyland Paris has all the magic and your favourite characters from the American parks, within easy distance of Paris. Comprising two amusement parks and seven resort hotels, the park is a perfect reward for kids who've been dragged to every museum in Paris.

Legoland (Denmark) - Most of us have a set of Legos at home (and have stepped on them at some point), but few could dream of the sorts of creations you'll find at this theme park nearCopenhagen. There are replicas of the city, pirate ships and waterfalls, and even a medieval kingdom to explore.

Siam Park (Spain) - This Thailand-themed waterpark opened in 2008 with more than ten water rides, an amphitheatre and sea lion pool. Located on Tenerife, the lush grounds hold several records, including the largest statue of a dragon and the largest man-made wave in the world. It's also the world's first 'green' waterpark.

Parc Asterix (France) - Forget Mickey Mouse, many children in Europe grew up reading books about the irrepressible Gaul Asterix and his massive friend Obelix. This amusement park, just outside of Paris, brings that world to life with a number of rollercoasters, water rides and other attractions.

Europa Park (Germany) - Located in the southwestern city of Rust, Europa Park is a huge amusement park with 13 different sections themed to different European countries, including Greece, Italy, Spain and Russia. With more than 50 rides, the park is a fun tour of Europe for any family on holiday in Germany.

Travel Movie: The Terminal

2011-07-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

I've been writing a lot about airports lately, so much so that I'm dreaming about them. Is it possible to get jet lag or travel fatigue without going anywhere?

This is a movie I can definitely relate to. Most frequent travellers have had that nightmare hours-long layover, or found themselves stranded in an airport overnight due to bad weather or a missed connection. Can you imagine being stuck there for months on end though?

It happened to one Viktor Navorski, played with gusto by Tom Hanks in the 2004 movie The Terminal. Navorski's fictional home country of Krakozhia was embroiled in a civil war while he was in the air, and by the time he arrived in New York his visa and passport were useless. The film was loosely inspired by the experience of Mehran Karimi Nasser, who lived in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from 1988 until 2006.

The airport depicted in the film sadly does not exist, but nonetheless it's fun to get a peek into the inner workings of these massive buildings. The film is full of just enough warm-fuzzies and gentle laughs to leave you with a benevolent attitude toward airport staff.

Verdict: Rent it

Top 5 Free Things to do in London

2011-07-07T00:31:00.001-07:00

Millions upon millions of people visit London every year, but no one can deny that it's an expensive city to spend time in. The pound is up and deals are few and far between for the average tourist, whether you're taking in a West End Show, touring the Tower of London, or going for a spin on the London Eye.

As with any large city though, there are plenty of things to do that don't cost a shilling. Here's our list of the top 5 free things to do in London:

Tate Modern - One of the most renowned modern art galleries in the world offers free admission... how great is that? The Tate Modern is housed in a former power station along the Thames, and doesn't charge admission to its permanent collection, which includes works by great 20th-century artists like Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, and Warhol.

Speakers' Corner - On peaceful Sundays in London, it's great to wander the leafy paths of Hyde Park, and enjoy activities like swimming, boating, tennis and horseback riding. One of the most interesting things to do in the park though, happens every Sunday from mid-morning to late afternoon. Speakers' Corner is a long-standing tradition where anyone can say their piece about anything as long as they're on a box. You never know what you're going to get, whether it's crackpots or undiscovered geniuses.

Changing of the Guard - It's one of the best-known traditions in London, one that most tourists see at one point or another. Sure there are hordes of tourists everywhere, but really, no visit to London is complete without seeing the Queen's Guard go through their paces, and it's free! Just get their a little early to get a good viewing spot. The Changing of the Guard happens every day at 11:30am in summer, and every other day in winter.

Camden Market - London has many street markets, but the most popular is Camden Market, a sprawling collection of antiques, t-shirts and food. With 100,000 visitors every weekend the people-watching here is especially good as well, and it's the best place to spot the remnants of the London punk scene. If that's too crowded for you, the Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is also good.

Evensong at Westminster Abbey - One of London's most popular attractions, Westminster Abbery charges £10 admission during the day. Most people don't know that you can get in for free though, if you visit later in the day when Evensong takes place. Not only do you get to see the magnificent interior of the Abbey for free, but you're treated to a beautiful preformance by the Abbey Choir. Evensong takes place at 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays; and 3pm on weekends.

Image by Gabriel Villena.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #28

2011-07-04T02:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Fourth of July to anyone planning to blow something up tonight! Here are the most popular topics on the Word Travels Forum this week:

Travel safety in Mexico

Nepal trekking companies

Choosing the best Greek Island

Money-saving travel tips

Remember you can ask your own question, and our local experts will hunt down the answer for you!

5 Airport Etiquette Tips

2011-07-01T01:13:00.000-07:00

First-time travellers or veteran frequent flyer, we're all guilty at one point or another of being rude and contributing the the hell that is airport travel. Here are our top 5 tips for airport etiquette, in the hopes that everyone will just behave themselves and make it a bit more pleasant for everyone!

Be nice to the staff - Yes, you're tired. Yes, your flight has been delayed. Yes, you've been standing in a queue for an hour too long. But that's no excuse to yell at someone who is genuinely trying to help you. Airport staff, especially people at ticketing counters and security, see the very worst in people every day. Why not show a little compassion and smile at them, or thank them for their help? You never know, it may even get you an upgrade.

Be prepared for security - Chances are, you've been through security. You know what's about to happen. You know that your laptop, coat and shoes need to go through the x-ray, along anything metal you might be carrying. So why would you wear huge lace-up boots and stuff your laptop deep into your bag so you have to rummage around for it while everyone rolls their eyes at you? With a little foresight and consideration, you can zip through in under a minute. And don't whine about your water bottle. No one wants to hear that.

Control your kids - It can be tough wrangling passports, boarding passes, diaper bags, and hyperactive two-year-olds. Nobody is denying that. But if you're flying with kids it's your job to make sure they're entertained enough not to run screaming down the concourse throwing wads of gum at people (true story!). Have games, snacks and other diversions ready to go, or take turns walking around. Many airports have play areas or family rooms, so take advantage of them.

Don't make inapropriate jokes - Let's get one thing straight: you're not funny. Jokes about bombs in your carry-on, hijacking the plane, or anything else that even hints at threatening the safety of the people around you are totally inappropriate and will be taken seriously by staff. One smart remark about anthrax or cocaine will get you bounced off your flight and explaining yourself to the local police faster than you can say 'cavity search'!

Don't hog the baggage carousel - Your flight has landed, you're off the plane, and all you want to do is be on your way. Problem is, that's what everyone else wants too. So what do we all do? We jam up to the baggage carousel with our trolleys and 20 family members squeezed as close to that little door as we possibly can. The secret is, if you move around to the other side, you'll have plenty of room and not be delayed by more than 30 seconds. While you're at it, please wait behind the yellow line so people around you can see and grab their bags. And seriously, keep your kids off the conveyor belt. It's not that kind of carousel.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #27

2011-06-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, we're all still yawning and trying to shake the weekend out in order to get back to work. If you're looking for answers to travel questions, then you can hit the ground running with these great forum posts from Word Travels:

Criteria for Tibet entry permit

Croatia holiday flats

Passport requirements for Greece and Cyprus

The truth about visiting Egypt

You can ask your own travel-related questions on the forum and get expert advice... for free! Just visit the Word Travels Forum to find out more!

Image by Ryan Milani.

Travel Movie: Midnight in Paris

2011-06-22T01:19:00.001-07:00

No matter how many other cities try to claim the crown, Paris holds a special place in the imaginations of all aspiring travellers for sheer romance.

No other city experiences this level of idolatry. When people think the ultimate in romance, somehow it always includes marriage proposals at the top of the Eiffel Tower, dinner at a candlelit French bistro, and a stroll along the Champs-Elysees.

With this starry-eyed monopoly, things are bound to be a little different than expected, but the Woody Allen comedy Midnight in Paris takes it to a new level. Aspiring novelist Gil (Owen Wilson), finding himself uncomfortable with his fiancée's (Rachel McAdams) pretentious friends while on holiday, soon discovers himself living it up with the city's most famous residents of the past.

The film premiered at Cannes in 2011, winning rave reviews even from jaded French critics who've seen one too many American romances set in their capital. If you're as in love with Paris as the main character, see it on the big screen just for the scenery. If not, however, save your money and rent it for a cosy night in with a bottle of French wine.

Verdict: Rent it (date night!)

PS - Click here for a perspective on a first-timer's day in Paris!

Strange People You Meet at Airports

2011-06-21T04:10:00.000-07:00

It's a well-documented phenomenon that we're not at our best at airports. We're tired, hungry, irritated and disoriented. When I'm on marathon flights I have trouble remembering what country I'm in!

With all this in mind, it's no wonder most of us don't look our best. It's easy to spot someone on a long-haul trip like the poor woman above, but it still looks strange. I once sat for an hour in Paris CDG with my head nodding like a crazy person because I was travelling alone and desperate trying to stay awake.

And really, who takes the time to dress their best? Yes I'm out in public, but I'm not ashamed to wear my yoga pants and a hooded sweatshirt if it means I'm warm and comfortable.

Nothing but sympathy.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #26

2011-06-13T02:35:00.000-07:00

Got travel questions? We've got answers! The travel forum at Word Travels is constantly busy with travellers getting expert information on their next destination. Here are some highlights from the last week:

Safety in Colombia

What currency for Sri Lanka

Schengen visa questions

Travelling with kids in Vietnam

Visas for cruise stopovers

If these topics don't answer your question, why not ask for yourself? Our local experts are waiting to help you, so visit the forum today!

Image from here.

Win a Trip to Outer Space!

2011-06-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

7 Eleven and Foursquare are teaming up to offer one lucky person a trip into suborbital space! Worth $102,000, the prize includes spaceflight training, medical consultations and screening, hotel accommodations for two nights, ground transportation and nearly $40,000 to help cover taxes.

More info on how to enter here.

5 Controversial Kinds of Travel

2011-06-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

Most of us travel for the same reasons: to see a new place, relax and unwind, or do something that we enjoy. But in the 21st century, with any worldwide destination no more than a day's journey away, people are travelling for entirely new reasons. Some of these are quite controversial, and come under fire from various groups.

We've compiled a list of five controversial kinds of travel that for the most part didn't exist last century. Here they are:

Medical Tourism - Sure, buses of pensioners head from the US to Canada to get cheaper medicine, but would you go abroad for a major procedure? One of the most popular kinds of medical tourism is plastic surgery: those with the cash can hop on a plane, spend a month relaxing in a resort, and come home with a tan and a new nose!

Controversy: It's hard to gauge the quality of facilities in other countries, and there are horror stories floating around of scam artists in back-alley clinics using unsafe equipment and techniques.

Medical tourism destinations: Belgium, South Africa, Mexico

Dark Tourism - Also called 'black' tourism or grief tourism, Dark Tourism involves travel to places that are associated with death and suffering. Well-known examples include former Nazi concentration camps, Chernobyl, and gruesome attractions like the London Dungeons.

Controversy: While most people agree that it is important to remember atrocities and genocides in order to ensure they never happen again, some argue that promoting them as tourism destinations glamorises violence.

Dark tourism destinations: Germany, Ukraine, Cambodia, Rwanda

Voluntourism - While many of us choose to use our vacation time to relax or visit family, some are opting to donate their time to charity and volunteer with charities or non-profits as they holiday in exotic destinations. Volunteers pay their own way, but spend part or all of their holiday working with conservation groups or aid organisations.

Controversy: While there is a definite 'feel good' aspect to voluntourism, many argue that a steady stream of unskilled volunteer labour denies jobs to locals and benefits poor communities less than funding skilled, long-term workers.

Voluntourism destinations: Brazil, Tanzania, Malaysia

Suicide Tourism - In most countries euthanasia is illegal, so some people with terminal illnesses opt to travel to countries that allow the practise to end their lives legally and painlessly. While there are infamous places that attract high numbers of suicides (the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Aokigahara Forest in Japan, for example), suicide tourism is focused on assisted suicide.

Controversy: The controversy over the practise of assisted suicide is hotly debated in many countries.

Suicide tourism destinations: Switzerland, Belgium, Cambodia, Oregon

Antitourism - Some people just don't like to be told where they can't go. In fact, a small number of travellers find a thrill in going to places that they shouldn't, that no one else will visit. The State Department's Travel Warning list reads like a bucket list to these adventurers. Also known as 'macho' tourism, antitourists purposefully seek out dangerous destinations for unique experiences and bragging rights.

Controversy: There's an obvious danger factor, and many consider antitourism unnecessarily reckless. Adventurous travellers who get into trouble cost government money and resources to assist.

Antitourism destinations: North Korea, Bahrain, Iran

Travel Gadget: Shelves to Go Suitcase Organiser

2011-06-08T02:01:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those people who likes to unpack when I stay at a hotel, which is always a bit of a hassle. That's why a product like this suitcase organiser is perfect for people who travel often, especially for business. The nylon sides collapse into your suitcase with your clothes neatly folded, and when you get to your destination you just lift it out and hang it in the closet!

They come in two sizes, 12x18" (31x46cm) and 12x20" (31x51cm), which retail for $34.95 and $36.95 from the website.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #25

2011-06-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

It's time for the Word Travels Forum Round-up! There's been a lot of activity on our forums this week, and here are the most interesting topics under discussion:

Online Travel and Love Scams

Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand Itinerary

Is Cape Town Safe?

Travelling with Kids in Madrid

Remember you can ask your own travel question on the forum, and get answers from local experts in your destination!

Abandoned Six Flags Theme Park

2011-05-31T03:12:00.000-07:00

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and now six years later there is still evidence of some of that destruction. One of the casualties was the New Orleans Six Flags theme park, which has since been abandoned by Six Flags and has since seen interest by various developers wax and wane.

The abandoned amusement park has taken on a thoroughly creepy vibe with graffiti artists and rust taking over most of the park. LoveThesePics has put together a gallery of photos of Six Flags New Orleans, which presents a fascinating look at the process of decay.

Image by Christopher Dame.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #24

2011-05-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, and here's hoping everyone in the US and UK are enjoying fine weather on their day off! Here are the most popular travel topics on our forum this week:

Best time to go to Singapore

Best islands near Bali

Climate in South Korea

Tour operators in Poland

Don't forget to visit the forum to find answers to your travel questions!

Win a Trip to the Arctic!

2011-05-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

You can win a trip to the Arctic to see polar bears, walrus, whales, seals and more! Arctic Expeditions is giving away a $20,000 European Arctic Adventure to one lucky Australian!

Sound good? You can enter through June 17th on their website.

Image from here.

Top 5 Free Things to do in New York City

2011-05-26T01:53:00.000-07:00

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US... and the world. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive. A day spent visiting the Statue of Liberty, seeing a Broadway show, or admiring works at the Guggenheim will take a chunk out of any tourist's pocket.

Sure, there are always the sights to take pictures of, like Times Square, Wall Street, and Ground Zero, but there are fun things to do in New York City besides taking pictures. And they're free.

So here's our list of the top 5 free things to do in New York City:

Staten Island Ferry - The ferry goes from Battery Park to Staten Island and back, and is totally free. On the way you'll get fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline. It leaves every 30 minutes, so you can hop off and explore a bit of Staten Island before heading back.

Manhattan Adirondacks Tour - The North Woods of Central Park were designed to look like the stunning forests of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York State. If you don't have the time to get out of the city, you can take a free one-hour tour of the North Woods from the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. The guides are knowledgeable and the crowds are few.

Bronx Zoo - Although the Central Park Zoo is more famous, you can escape 90% of the other tourists and save a bit of money by visiting the Bronx Zoo on Wednesdays when admission is free.

Shakespeare in the Park - New York City is known for its world-class theatre, and one of the most hotly-anticipated events on the calendar is the annual Shakespeare in the Park, another of the free things to do in Central Park. Celebrities like Robert de Niro, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway often star. Tickets are free, but highly sought-after, and distributed at the Park.

Big Apple Greeter - What better way to get an insider's view of New York City than to take a tour from a local? The Big Apple Greeters are volunteers who are passionate about their city, and give interesting and informative private tours of their neighbourhoods for up to six people at a time. Tours need to be booked 3-4 weeks in advance.

Image from here.

Travel Movie: The Hangover 2

2011-05-25T02:51:00.000-07:00

What do Las Vegas and Bangkok have in common? They're both commonly thought of as wild party destinations, and they've both gotten the Hangover treatment.

Last time four guys went to Vegas for a bachelor's party, and one nearly didn't make it back. In The Hangover 2, the ultra-responsible quartet of Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug are heading to Thailand for Stu's wedding. He wants a quiet pre-wedding brunch, but what are the odds of that happening?

Slim to none. Now they've lost Stu's fiancee's 16-year-old brother.

The plot is pretty much the same as the first film, with no one remembering the previous night and one man missing, so if you enjoyed the first you'll probably enjoy this one too.

Don't expect to see much of glamorous Thailand though. The focus is on the seedy hotels, backstreet drug dealers and generally less savoury parts of Bangkok.

Verdict: See it (if you liked The Hangover)

Best and Worst Hotels for Wi-Fi

2011-05-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that we always have to worry about when travelling, it's internet connectivity. While hotels seem to have standardised most amenities (you can pretty much assume you'll have a bed, tv, phone and bathroom), 21st-century needs are tacked on with enormous charges, or sometimes not catered to at all.

A friend who travelled often for work would keep a running tally of how much he paid for in-room internet, and the results were all over the map. At some hotels he basked in the glory of free wi-fi, others charged him up to $20 a day for ADSL connections, and still others simply sent him to hotel hell: the business centre.

With travellers adding gadgets like smart phones, laptops and tablets to their electronic arsenal, free wi-fi has become a near-universal demand in travel. Hopefully hotels will get the message soon.

HotelChatter.com has put together a guide to the best and worst hotel chains for wi-fi.

The best? Hotel Indigo for InterContinental Hotels (free) and Kimpton Hotels (free when you join their free loyalty club).

The worst? Marriott Flagship Hotels (the only Marriott hotels where you have to pay) and W Hotels ($14.95 per day).

Read the rest of the report, which includes city wi-fi reports and international hotels, on HotelChatter.com.

Image from here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #23

2011-05-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

There hasn't been a forum round-up in the last several weeks since South Africa has a crazy number of public holidays in April and May. There have been some very interesting discussions happening though, so here's a little of what you've been missing:

Costa Rica for Women

Holidays in Riga - good or bad?

Restaurants in Bodrum

Honeymoon in Africa

Got your own question? Ask our local experts today!

Image from here.

Top 5 Tips for Travelling with Kids

2011-05-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Travelling with kids comes with its own special challenges... lots of them. Creating fun and special family memories means hours of work planning and preparing, and endless patience one you set off. Here are our top 5 tips for travelling with children:

Be flexible - you can schedule to your heart's content, but children have their own (often inconvenient) internal clocks. So leave enough wiggle room in your itinerary to stop for a snack, or play in a park, or go back to the hotel and nap if need be. Sure, you may miss the changing of the guard, but you'll keep your sanity.

Arm yourself - A well-armed mom or dad comes equipped with a bag nearly as bottomless as Mary Poppins'. Favourite snacks, emergency toys, a change of clothes and several extra diapers are things you shouldn't leave home without. Having them portioned out in individual bags means you can whip them out instantly when there's a problem. Camping stores stock single-serving travel goods that can be extremely handy.

Get them involved - Let the kids help plan the trip as much as possible. Older ones can research your destination and suggest things they'd like to do or see, and younger ones can help choose what looks the most fun. Getting involved in the planning will mean they know they'll enjoy what's coming and get more excited about things on your itinerary.

Do your research - Know exactly how kid-friendly your flights, hotels, and activities are before you book. While many hotels do what they can to cater for families, it's ultimately your responsibility to find out if you need to book that rollaway cot ahead of time, or if you need a child-safe balcony. If you have specific needs, make sure everyone knows ahead of time to avoid nasty surprises - never assume!

Take some time off - Does your hotel offer childcare? Take advantage of it! A little bit of homework in finding someone to watch the kids for an afternoon or evening, or even just a few hours, can yield a huge reward in the form of some much-needed grown-up time. Get dressed up and have a nice dinner or see a show, and you'll be recharged enough to tackle Disneyland the next morning.

Image from here.

Walking Tours with the Homeless

2011-05-17T00:31:00.000-07:00

Tour operators often go out of the way to show you the best of the city you're visiting. They want you to fall in love with it, so they leave out the seedy bits.

And let's face it, that's exactly what most tourists want. They're on holiday, and they don't want to have to think too much about crime, poverty, and other social issues.

But a company in London is turning that on its head. Unseen Tours is offering walking tours of London conducted by the homeless. The guides are fully trained, and the tours offer an opportunity to get a unique perspective on London, as they weave in their own experiences.

The tours are conducted at 7pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Find more info on their website.

Would you go on a walking tour conducted by a homeless person? Have you? Let us know!

Image from here.

Top 5 Biggest Shopping Malls

2011-05-12T00:31:00.000-07:00

No matter how many economic downturns and recessions the world faces, there will always be people ready to shop. There are dozens of mega-malls scattered across the globe, with newer, bigger ones being built each year.

These may not be the biggest in terms of of square footage, but they are up among the top and definitely worth visiting if you're in the country. Here's a list of our top 5 biggest shopping malls around the world:

United States: Mall of America

The most famous mall in the US, the Mall of America in Minnesota augments more than 400 shops with an indoor amusement park, walk-through aquarium, bowling alley, movie theatres, bars and nightclubs, countless restaurants, and many other family attractions.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai Mall

Shopping in Dubai is a major activity, and the place to go is the Dubai Mall, which boasts a skating rink, water park, and more. Part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, which includes a whopping 1,200 shops. A great way to beat the heat in sunny Dubai.

Canada: West Edmonton Mall

The largest mall in Canada (and North America), the West Edmonton Mall is located in Edmonton, Alberta. With an amusement park, water park, skating rink, recreation centre, adventure golf, movie theatres, restaurants, bars, and many other attractions in addition to its 800+ shops, it's the biggest attraction in Edmonton.

China: Golden Resources Shopping Mall

China has been building mega-malls left and right, but the biggest is the Golden Resources Shopping Mall in Beijing. Nicknamed the 'Great Mall of China', the shopping centre draws millions of visitors each year with attractions like a skating rink, restaurants, and more than 1,000 shops.

South Africa: Gateway Theatre of Shopping

Few visitors to South Africa would think of Durban as a shopping destination, but Gateway and its more than 400 shops would disagree. In addition to shops, restaurants and bars, the mall offers a live theatre, IMAX cinema, skate park, indoor climbing wall, go-karts, arcade, bowling alley, small indoor amusement park, the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, and the Flo-Rider man-made surfing wave.

Photo from here.

Travel Movie: Rio

2011-05-11T00:35:00.000-07:00

Blu is a domesticated Macaw that never learned to fly. Now his owners are taking him from his home in Minnesota to the exotic city of Rio de Janeiro to mate him with the last female of his species.

You can bet that they'll bicker and fight for most of the movie while getting into trouble and learning about themselves through a series of wacky adventures. They'll also meet a colourful bunch of animal friends. I'd hate to spoil the ending so I won't tell you if they end up falling in love or not (what do you think).

More in the vein of Madagascar and Ice Age than Toy Story and The Incredibles, Rio is a fairly predictable children's film with a bunch of adult jokes and pop culture references thrown in to entertain parents.

Verdict: Rent it

Justin Bieber Schooled by Qantas!

2011-05-10T03:24:00.000-07:00

It's silly, it's stupid, it's barely travel-related, but nonetheless it is making news that Justin Bieber has joined the ranks of celebrities who behave like jerks on airplanes.

The normally squeaky-clean teen heartthrob was told by a Qantas flight attendant that she was treating him like a child because he was acting like one.

Read the full story here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #22

2011-05-09T00:45:00.000-07:00

There are some really interesting discussions happening on the Word Travels forum at the moment, here are some highlights:

Women travelling in Ghana

Holiday in Hawaii

Travel safety in Egypt

Ballroom dancing in Hong Kong

Do you know anything about these destinations? Why not share your expertise with your fellow explorers? You're also welcome to ask your own questions and our worldwide community will find the answer for you!

Image from here.

Win a Trip to Graceland!

2011-05-06T00:55:00.000-07:00

Want to get all shook up? Then strap on your blue suede shoes because you could win a free trip to Graceland! Elvis.com is running a Twitter competition through May 13th.

Located just outside of Memphis, Tennessee, Graceland was the home of Elvis Presley and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Contest details here.

Image from here.

5 Signs You Need a Vacation

2011-05-05T01:01:00.000-07:00

When you're stuck in the rat race, it's not always possible to spend as much time travelling as you'd like. It's important to get out there every once in a while, though. Here are a few signs you really need a vacation:

You're not doing your best work - You get paid to do a job, but when you're so burned out that you can't do it properly, that's a sign that you need to take some time off. Far from being self-indulgent, it's better for you and your company if you take a break and come back enthusiastic and excited about what you're doing.

You have trouble sleeping - When you're stressed out to the point where you can't stop thinking about work, bills, and other responsibilities, you need a break. Especially if it's interfering with your sleep. Even just a few days can reset your habits and help you sleep better, and it's far preferable to taking medication.

You can't remember your last break - When was your last vacation of at least a week? A year ago? Two years ago? If you still have 'the Rachel' hairdo in your latest vacation photo albums on Facebook, or your kids have gone from elementary to high school, that's a red flag that it's time to hop on a plane!

All your vacations are at family events - Those of us with big families are often guilty of this: all your vacation time is taken up with weddings, family reunions, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. Your family will understand that you need to get away from EVERYTHING for a few days.

You find yourself in a rut - Do you go home every night and just watch tv? Are your weekends spent doing the same thing over and over? If that bothers you, then an exotic vacation can be just what you need to jump start your enthusiasm for life! When you're on holiday, why not learn to ride a horse, cook Thai curry, scuba dive, or speak French? You may find something you love that you can continue when you get home.

Image from here.

Snow Monsters of Japan

2011-05-03T01:48:00.001-07:00

A truly curious phenomenon, the 'snow monsters of Japan' are trees covered in snow and rime ice that can be found on the forested mountains of Japan. A unique and whimsical photo opportunity, the snow monsters are popular with tourists.

More fantastic photos here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #21

2011-05-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

Happy May Day! As spring makes its way through the northern hemisphere, here are the travel topics people are discussing on our forum this week:

A week in Norway

Theme parks in California

Best time to travel to Thailand

Religious brainwashing on Intercape buses

If these aren't the answers you need, search our travel forum for posts related to your next destination!

Win a trip to Rio de Janeiro!

2011-04-29T00:04:00.000-07:00

You could be jetting off to a free holiday in Brazil with roundtrip airfare to Rio de Janeiro courtesy of Ipanema Canada!

Open to Canadian residents. Contest details here.

Top 5 Little-Known Travel Don'ts

2011-04-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

Guyana: Don't stop hooting/honking.

Guyanese drivers seem to be leading the worldwide revolution in car hooter functionality. Not content with it as a vaguely obnoxious, sometimes-necessary warning tool, they have used it to develop a complex, quasi-SONAR system of urban navigation – where you hoot to let others know when you're taking off, when you're turning, when you're overtaking, and when you're approaching an intersection (really blast the thing, if you're not planning on stopping). If you ever find yourself behind the wheel on a Guyanese road, unless you want to be invisible, don't let up on your hooter.

Singapore: Don't chew.

Although somewhat of a cliché by now, Singapore's famous ban on chewing gun merits inclusion in this list, if only because of the (quite adorable) steadfastness of their position on the issue. Eighteen years of international incredulity (not to mention, significant teasing) led to a referendum on the matter in June 2010 – when government officials decided to 'stick' to their proscription of the corrupting chew, prompting wild celebrations on the part of train seats around the city.

Mauritania: Don't... do anything, really.

A veritable land of 'Thou Shalt Nots', it'd probably be shorter to make a list of the things you CAN do in Mauritania... Nevertheless, topping the list must be its draconian stance against public displays of affection between men and women. Not even married couples are permitted to hold hands in public in Mauritania – which might go some way toward explaining it's relative unpopularity as a global honeymoon destination. Another oddity: in public, women can't lie on their backs, and men shouldn't lie on their stomachs.

Micronesia: Don't you rub your belly like that, I know what that means....

Hungry? Full? Feeling queasy? Need to tuck your shirt in a little more? All these good reasons to rub your belly, but in Micronesia, they're the equivalent of putting on your best fishnets and hanging out on a street corner by the docks after nightfall. That's right – in Micronesia, if you want to let someone know that you're, um, interested, the quickest way would be to give your gut a little rub in their presence. Gastronomy-themed pick-up lines are optional.

North Korea: Don't mention that gigantic skyscraper over there.

Taking the idea of an 'elephant in the room' to its absurd conclusion, North Korea's abandoned Ryugyong Hotel in downtown Pyongyang – a 105-storey, pyramid-shaped concrete affair, once called “the worst building in the history of mankind” by Esquire magazine – is curiously absent from all official photographs of the capital city. And while 'disappearing' things from photographs wasn't invented by North Korea, the public's herculean act of 'double-think' has ensured that even while in Pyongyang, it's hard (in fact, potentially hazardous) to get anyone to admit that the building actually exists.

Construction started on the Ryugyong Hotel in 1987, with builders giving themselves the optimistic target of completing it in 1989 (at which time, it would have been the tallest hotel in the world...and definitely still the ugliest). However, in 1992, pesky construction problems, such as crumbling concrete, and sagging girders, significantly stalled the project – before it was totally abandoned in 1996 due to a lack of funds, electricity shortages, and widespread famine. A national embarrassment, and a monument to the bizarre workings of the North Korean government, if you ever find yourself in Pyongyang, fight your urge to compliment the skyline.

Image of Ryugyong Hotel from here.

Cheap Flights Song

2011-04-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

This hilarious song chronicles the attempts of three women to find cheap flights to their friend's wedding.

It's a great round-up of the woes of unbundled fees... a little dig at Ryanair perhaps?

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #20

2011-04-25T00:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! For those of you not currently enjoying a holiday, here are the travel topics burning up our forum boards this week:

Tour operators in Poland

Getting a Cuba tourist card

Travelling in Kuwait

Nepal trekking and accommodation

If the answer you need isn't there, why not ask your question on the forum today?

Win a Trip to Belgium!

2011-04-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

Want to win the ultimate chocolate holiday? You could win a trip for two to Brussels that includes accommodation, flight vouchers, Museum of Chocolate admission, a city tour, and unlimited Skype calls!

The contest is open to UK residents. More info is available here.

And for other cities to enjoy chocolate in, read this.

Image from here.

5 Reasons I Hate to Fly

2011-04-21T00:15:00.000-07:00

I travel often, and when I do it tends to be long-distance. We're talking 54-hour odysseys from Cape Town to San Francisco, or Minneapolis to Oslo. I used to get a thrill out of it like any newbie, but the sheen has long since faded, and while I still love to travel, I look at the journey less as part of the fun and more as some sort of penance to pay before I can enjoy myself. Here's a few of the reasons I hate to fly:

1. Lack of sleep - There are two kinds of people: those who can sleep on planes and those who can't. I can't. Ever. There was one blissful haul from Senegal to Atlanta where an industrial-strength muscle relaxer put me into a drooly coma, But generally my brain refuses to cooperate. There are always factors that contribute to this. On a recent flight from Joburg to Paris, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a three-year-old who cried non-stop for seven hours, even when he was asleep.

2. Long layovers - On long trips, sometimes you can't avoid a layover of more than three hours. Maybe it was cheaper, or maybe the only other flight was too quick of a turn-around and you didn't want to chance missing your connection. While some airports have entertainment to keep you busy on long layovers, usually you're too tired to do anything but eat and try to find somewhere to sleep. I once sat at Charles de Gaulle airport for two hours, a twitchy zombie.

3. Airport security - You stand in queue after queue. You're tired and disoriented. You have to fill out paperwork with the threat of deportation should you forget something. People make you take off your shoes and put humiliating paper booties on. They rummage through your intimates and confiscate your snacks, then give you suspicious stares and quiz you about your travel plans. Oh, and now we all get naked pictures taken, or a good old-fashioned feel-up. Yay.

4. Airplane climate - The conditions on planes are terrible. They cool them to nearly the point of freezing, and now charge you for flimsy blankets. The recirculated air is bone-dry, leaving your skin crying for the moisteriser you weren't allowed to carry on. You're parched, but the sugar in the orange juice is just dehydrating you further and the flight attendant is giving you the evil eye for asking for a fifth glass of water.

5. Class wars - One of the worst parts of flying is knowing that you could be so much more comfortable if you had more money. If you'd paid for an upgrade you could be snoozing in a flat bed, or drinking champagne and having your steak done how you like it; instead of craning your neck to see the (either blue or red-tinted) tv screen twenty feet away and trying to choke down the breakfast sausage. It's the same in airports, when you didn't quite shell out enough to pay for the fancy lounge with the comfortable seats and showers.

Travel Movie: Before Sunrise

2011-04-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Unlike Brokedown Palace, the 1995 film Before Sunrise is a best-case-scenario for teenagers travelling abroad. Boy meets girl in a romantic foreign city, they share one night of passionate conversation and fall madly in love.

American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and French Celine (Julie Delpy) meet on a train, and spend one night in Vienna simply walking around and discussing everything from existentialism to sex. It's an oddly intimate view of the city minus the tourist trappings, and many hidden corners are explored between dusk and dawn.

I'd hate to give away the ending, but it definitely stays true to the romantic notions of idealistic and philosophical 19-year-olds.

Verdict: Rent it

Time-Lapse Flight Photography

2011-04-19T01:21:00.000-07:00

A man flying from San Francisco to Paris found he had an entire row to himself, and took advantage of this by setting up his camera to take photos out the window every two minutes. The result can be found here in a beautiful time-lapse video of the flight.

Be sure to watch around 1:00 when the Northern Lights appear somewhere above the Atlantic Ocean!

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #19

2011-04-18T00:32:00.000-07:00

It's Monday and we're back in the office, so here are the latest travel questions and answers from our forum to inspire thoughts of travel!

Chinese visas

Russian girlfriend travel scam

Europe winter holiday ideas

Surfing spots in the Maldives

The forum is free to use for anyone, so if you have a question about your next holiday destination, ask today and let our local experts find an answer for you!

Win a Trip to Disneyland!

2011-04-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

After all that talk about California theme parks yesterday, how could I not find you an appropriate competition?

Lifetime Moms is giving away a free trip for four to Disneyland in California!

All you have to do is answer the question here.

(This competition has closed, but click here to see the latest travel competitions, including new Disneyland giveaways!)

Top 5 Theme Parks in California

2011-04-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that Southern California has in abundance, it's theme parks. Taking advantage of year-round sunshine, the top-notch parks are playgrounds for both young and old, catering to every taste. Here's our list of the top 5 theme parks in California, to add to your to-do list:

Universal Studios Hollywood - If you love movies, this is a great place to spend a day. Rides and attractions dedicated to blockbusters like Terminator, Indiana Jones and Shrek are a lot of fun, and you can't miss the famous ride that takes you through King Kong and Jaws! When you're done, stroll through Universal CityWalk for dinner and (of course!) a movie.

SeaWorld - One of the most famous waterparks in the world, SeaWorld has waterslides but is better known for its fantastic animal shows. Home to veteran performer Shamu, the park is dedicated to marine conservation and has great walk-through marine environments. Go on a hot day, because you're bound to get wet!

Six Flags Magic Mountain - This park has arguably the greatest collection of rollercoasters in the world. They have 18 rollercoasters in all with varied levels of thrill and g-force. The park is themed to Looney Tunes and DC superheroes, so where else can you meet both Bugs Bunny and Batman?

Disneyland - The mother ship. No one goes to Southern California and skips Disneyland. The 'Happiest Place on Earth' has all the famous rides and attractions you've heard of, from Pirates of the Caribbean to the Spinning Teacups to Space Mountain. Attached is California Adventure, a park with fewer cartoons and a pleasant lakeside midway.

Knott's Berry Farm - While it doesn't have the supercoasters of Magic Mountain or the beloved cartoon characters of Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm is the best place in Southern California to be for one month of the year. Each October the park gets a total makeover to become the Halloween-themed Knott's Scary Farm. Open late each night, it's a great place to get spooked!

Travel Movie: Brokedown Palace

2011-04-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

Some travel movies are hard to imagine as the kind that entice you to visit the country, and Brokedown Palace is one of those.

The film tells the story of Alice (Claire Danes) and Darlene (Kate Beckinsale), two American teenagers who take a spur-of-the-moment trip to Thailand, only to become unwitting drug mules for a handsome con man. They are arrested and lost within the harsh Thai legal system, which has no tolerance for drug smuggling.

While the movie may not give you the travel itch, it serves as a stern warning to tourists who think they can get away with misbehaviour in foreign countries. The idea that 'it doesn't count on vacation' is not only disrespectful, but dangerous, and could potentially have disastrous consequences like those shown in the movie.

Verdict: Download it (and show it to any teenagers about to take a solo trip!)

What Cruise Ship Employees Want You to Know

2011-04-12T04:54:00.000-07:00

Many 20-somethings head off to cruise ships in search of adventure, romance, and a little cash. What they get is not often what they expect, though. Life working on a cruise ship is far from glamorous, and there is much that gets hidden from passengers' view.

Here's a taste of the truth from someone who worked as a musician on cruise ships for 11 years, letting you know what cruise ship employees want you to know:

What are your living conditions like?

Living conditions are... bearable. You are on a ship, so space is at a premium. Most of the crew live below decks, sometimes four to a small cabin, and occasionally with a shared bathroom. The officer and guest entertainer cabins are fairly spacious—usually featuring a porthole and a double bed. Generally, for staff (musicians, casino workers, cruise staff, boutique workers, etc.) it's two to an inside (i.e. no porthole) cabin. The cabin is functional—bunk beds, desk, and a bathroom. On some cruise lines, the staff have "deck privileges" (i.e., they're free to be in passenger areas when off-duty), which means they're not obliged to return to their cabin or crew areas after work. On other lines, not.

What’s staff members’ biggest gripe about passengers?

I suppose the biggest gripe of any crew member would be the occasional passenger's attitude. By and large, passengers are very sweet, and are polite and considerate.

Unfortunately, you also get the ones with the attitude "I paid for this cruise, and this is now my ship!" These passengers can be very abrasive, arrogant, and rude, but they are more the exception than the rule.

I wouldn't say we 'make fun' of passengers, but it's hard not to laugh at a lot of passenger "bon mots." Such as:

"What time does the midnight buffet start?"

"Does this elevator go to the front of the ship?"

"Do these stairs go up or down?"

In Greece: "Why did they build so many ruins?"

Also in Greece: "Nobody here spoke English!"

In Turkey: "They don't take American money here!"

"I love France. That's in Spain, isn't it?"

What piece of advice would you give someone taking a cruise for the first time?

Make sure you choose a cruise line appropriate to your demographic. Sometimes young passengers are uncomfortable with the activities and entertainment of a line that caters to an older crowd, and vice versa. And do say "please" and "thank you" to the crew. They work very hard for you!

Read the rest at Travelpost.com.

Image, and more about working on cruise ships, from CorinneWyatt123.com.

Win a Trip to Anywhere!

2011-04-11T02:23:00.001-07:00

It's not Friday, but here's a quick competition to get your week started right: by winning two tickets to the destination of your choice from Qatar Airways! They're giving away 100 pairs on April 18th!

To enter, just sign up for their newsletter here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #18

2011-04-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

Step right up folks! We've got questions, and we've got answers! Do you have the answers to our questions, or do your questions match our answers? Only one way to find out! Here's what's burning up our forum message boards this week:

Travel safety in Egypt

Destination weddings in Turkey

Entering Canada with a DUI

If there's no match this week, why not visit the forum and post your question or answer today?

Image from here.

Win a Trip to the Cannes Film Festival!

2011-04-08T00:10:00.000-07:00

Want to rub shoulders with movie stars and see the latest releases before anyone else? Want to sip champagne on the French Riviera and live the high life?

You can win a trip the the Cannes Film Festival from Chivas Regal!

Enter on their Facebook page.

Top 5 Strangest Food Festivals

2011-04-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of food festivals around the world, but some focus less on enjoying a good meal and more on playing with their food! Here are our top 5 strangest food festivals around the world:

Night of the Radishes (Noche de Rábanos) - There's a large radish found in Mexico that can grow up to 6.6 pounds (3kg) and 20 inches (50cm) long. The people of Oaxaca do something interesting with these radishes each December, carving them into people, animals, and anything else they can think of. The carvings are judged, and the winner gets their picture in the paper.

Sea Worm Festival (Bau Nyale) - Each year the people of Indonesia rush into the ocean to collect as many sea worms as possible, and then they cook them and eat them. Although there's nothing pretty about sea worms, there's a romantic legend associated with this festival. Long ago, a beautiful princess had so many determined suitors that she threw herself into the ocean to prevent their going to war over her. When she died, her hair turned into sea worms, now the symbol of the Sasak people.

La Tomatina - One of the world's biggest food fights, La Tomatina takes place in Spain each August. The festival starts with participants trying to knock a ham off the top of a greased pole. Once that happens, people throw tomatoes at each other until the streets of Valencia run red. No one knows quite how it got started, but people like it so it continues to happen each year.

Gloucester Cheese Roll and Wake - A tradition in Gloucester for hundreds of years, this popular event in the Cotswolds involves competitors rolling a large, round Double Gloucester Cheese down a steep hill and attempting to catch it. The first person over the finish line wins the cheese. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled in 2010 and it is uncertain if it will return.

Lopburi Monkey Buffet - This annual feast in Thailand is unusual, simply because no one who attends gets to eat anything. Well, no people get to eat anything. The guests of honour are the local Macaque monkeys, who chow down on fruits and vegetables, and even get to enjoy a soft drink or two. The monkeys live in the ruins of local temples, and are huge tourist attractions. The Buffet is the village's way of thanking them!

Travel Movie: Lost in Translation

2011-04-06T01:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes your trip just isn't as great as you expect. When visiting a country with a big language and cultural difference to your own, there is an opportunity to feel isolated - especially if you're alone.

The 2003 movie Lost in Translation captures this feeling perfectly. Neglected honeymooner Charlotte (Scarlett Johanneson) and bored movie star Bob (Bill Murray) have trouble connecting in an unfamiliar place as they meet in a Japanese hotel. The muted backdrop of Tokyo is both exotic and unwelcoming as they struggle to break through the loneliness.

Verdict: Rent it

Richard Simmons' Viral Air New Zealand Video

2011-04-05T00:38:00.001-07:00

Everyone has seen the pre-flight safety video a hundred times, so no one really pays attention unless they're a first-time flyer. In an effort to make it more interesting for veteran passengers, Air New Zealand got mad fitness guru Richard Simmons to star in theirs. The video has now gone viral, with nearly two million hits in three days.

You can watch it here. Don't miss the cameos by Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan at 1:20 and New Zealand tv presenter Paul Henry at 2:30!

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #18

2011-04-04T00:42:00.001-07:00

It's the first Monday of April, and here are the busiest travel questions on our forum this week:

Floods in Thailand

Gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

Nigerian scams

Travel in Morocco

Our travel forum is always busy with people planning holidays, and is a great resource for anyone with questions about their next destination. Visit the forum to find answers to your own travel questions!

Image from here.

Win a Trip to Las Vegas!

2011-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

Want to win a trip to Las Vegas? Who's ready for a weekend in Sin City?

MTV is giving away a trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare, two nights in the Real World Las Vegas Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel, dinner at Nobu, and a$500 poker chip!

Click here for more info.

Image by cnango.

5 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms (besides Japan)

2011-03-31T00:47:00.001-07:00

With the recent tragic events in Japan, there aren't many tourists making the journey to Sakura and Kyoto for the cherry blossom festivals there. Many people don't know, however, that there are other cities that have spectacular displays of pink blossoms each spring, and events and festivals to go with them. Here are a few of the other best places to see cherry blossoms:

San Francisco – California’s best city for pink flowers, San Francisco hosts a cherry blossom festival every April. The best places to go are Golden Gate Park, and the San Jose Heritage Garden, which is a little out of town but has an entire field of cherry blossom trees.

Vancouver – Vancouver is Canada’s cherry blossom capital. Their events run from mid-March through the end of April. The best streets to see the flowers is 7th Avenue in Mount Pleasant, but the city offers a cherry blossom viewing map that you can download here.

Honolulu – Hawaii has its own tradition of cherry blossoms, which bloom in Honolulu, and Waimea on the Big Island. The best place to see them is in Church Row Park, where the cherry blossom festival is held. Hawaii’s cherry blossoms bloom early though, so this event is usually held in February.

Seoul – If your heart is set on going east, South Korea has spectacular displays each April. The best place to go is Seoul, which has beautiful pink and white vistas at Mount Namsan and Seoul Forest. For a real treat, visit Children’s Grand Park, which lights up its more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees each night.

Washington DC – Outside of Japan, Washington DC is the place to go to see cherry blossom trees. The landscape positively explodes pink everywhere you look, and it becomes nearly impossible to take a bad picture. It all stems from 3,000 cherry trees given to the US by Japan as a sign of goodwill, and each spring the city hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The best place to see the cherry blossoms is in Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.

Image by katmere.

Travel Movie: Seven Years in Tibet

2011-03-30T01:14:00.000-07:00

Seven Years in Tibet depicts the relationship between a German mountain climber Heinrich Harrer and the young Dalai Lama, over the period when the Chinese occupation of Tibet began. The 1997 film helped to launch Brad Pitt as a movie star, and the did much to raise awareness of the occupation and what it meant for the Tibetan people.

The Chinese government predictably protested the film, which is very respectful of Tibetan culture and depicts Chinese authorities as arrogant. Pitt was banned from ever travelling to China.

The movie was widely criticised for slow pacing, and glossing over Harrer's past as a Nazi SS officer. Brad Pitt's accent was also listed as the third worst in movie history by Empire.

As a travel movie though, we can only complain that most of the footage was actually shot in Argentina. Only 20 minutes of the film is actually showing Tibet. Granted, they had to do that bit secretly.

Verdict: Skip it. (and rent Kundun instead)

Does Your Hotel Have Bedbugs?

2011-03-29T00:17:00.000-07:00

The last thing anyone wants is a great night's sleep in a beautiful hotel, only to wake up covered in itchy red blotches. Yuck! The recent bedbug crisis in New York City has many travellers worried that they'll be unknowingly sharing their pricey hotel room with unwanted bedmates.

So before you book a hotel in the US or Canada, check it against the

Bed Bug Registry, where previous guests can report incidents of bed bugs.

If you do end up with being bitten, the best thing you can do is apply an antiseptic cream. There are natural remedies for bedbug bites using herbs like lavender, mint, and black walnut; and applying ice can help to calm the itchiness.

Remember to wrap your luggage and clothing in plastic bags and leave them in the sun for a couple of days to prevent hitch hikers, as bed bugs can't endure extreme heat.

Image from here.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #17

2011-03-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, so here are the travel questions people have been talking about on the Word Travels Forum this week:

Trains in Switzerland

ID to get into Canada from the US

Driving to Chile from Canada

Japan earthquake and tsunami updates

Got any questions of your own? You can ask them on the forum and our local experts will find an answer for you!

Image from Erik Charlton.

Win a Trip to Zanzibar!

2011-03-25T01:27:00.000-07:00

Okay South Africans, this one's for you! You can win a trip for two to Zanzibar from Travelstart!

More info here.

Image from here.

Top 5 Travel Songs

2011-03-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

It seems like most songs these days are written to inspire people to fall in love (or lust!), have a good time, or feel better about a break-up. There are some songs that just make you want to hit the road, however, whether they're about a certain place, or just driving nowhere in particular. Here's our list of the top 5 songs about travelling:

Cruisin' - Originally by Smokey Robinson, I first heard this song in the little-known karaoke movie Duets, where Gwyneth Paltrow accompanies Huey Lewis. Now both versions hold a certain nostalgia for me, and it makes me itch to take a road trip.

Route 66 - This classic from Nat King Cole name-drops towns like rappers name kinds of booze. It gets your foot tapping so much you'll be planning the drive from Chicago to LA in no time flat.

Sail Away - The sultry sounds of this song tempts even the hardest heart to jump on a boat and sail into the sunset, especially with that special someone. Far more inviting than that Enya thing.

Leaving on a Jet Plane - Who hasn't hummed this song to themselves while being dropped at the airport? Ironically, John Denver died in a plane crash, but this song remains one of his greatest hits.

Roam - This has got to be the most cheerful ode to getting your travel on that I've ever heard! It's inspired women around the world to get up and go, whether they have a travel partner or not. And as it reminds us, many trips begin and end 'with a kiss'.

Image from Laura Evans Music.

Travel Movie: Once Upon a Time in Mexico

2011-03-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

The top news in Mexico these days is all about drug lords battling the authorities in the streets. The 2003 film Once Upon a Time in Mexico, like its prequels (Desperado and El Mariachi) depicts this perfectly (almost prophetically).

The other thing it gets right however, is the brilliancy of the dust-covered colours and the underlying beauty of the country beyond the smog of Mexico City. Each scene is composed like a postcard, and at the end of the movie you're rather wanting to hop on a plane, despite the violence. Filmed in Guanajuato, Querétaro, and San Miguel de Allende, it leaves behind the seediness of Tijuana and plastic resorts of Acapulco and shows you a taste of the real Mexico, with a soundtrack to match. A little over the top? Sure. But fun.

Verdict: Rent it

Image from here.

Impact of the Japan Earthquake on Travel

2011-03-22T00:17:00.000-07:00

The devastating earthquake in Japan has sparked a chain reaction that shows no sign of stopping: first a tsunami, then a nuclear crisis, contaminated food exports, etc. The impact the Japan earthquake has had on the travel industry is huge as well, with shockwaves spreading throughout Asia and the Pacific Ocean. Here's the lowdown on how the earthquake has affected travel:

First there's the obvious. Travel to Japan is just not happening right now. Most governments have evacuated their citizens, and all are advising against non-essential travel to Japan at this point. It's not just about traveller safety, though; there is a scarcity of resources as more then 200,000 people have lost there homes and basic services like water and electricity are scarce. Business and leisure travel has ground to a halt, and even those who want to help are discouraged from going unless they speak Japanese and are associated with an aid organisation. Most cruise lines, including Oceania and Royal Caribbean, have cancelled port calls in Japan, and many airlines have reduced the number of flights, especially to Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

Then there are the ripples: Japanese tourists are a huge market for destinations like China, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Guam and Hawaii. Many Japanese tourists aren't going anywhere at the moment, and are cancelling planned holidays. Thailand, as an example, has seen a huge number of cancellations over April and May, when they usually rely on large numbers of Japanese tourists. Hawaii is expecting losses of tens of millions of dollars from missing tourists from Japan.

Image from News.com.au.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #16

2011-03-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday was Human Rights Day in South Africa, so I was out contemplating human rights... in bed. To make up for it, here's the hot topics on the Word Travels Forum for this week:

Travel Safety in Egypt

Australia Passport Questions

Is it Safe to Travel to Tunisia?

Are Americans Welcome in Jordan?

Remember you can ask your own questions on the forum, and our local experts in hundreds of worldwide destinations will find the answer for you!

Photo by JD Hancock.

Win a Trip to the Royal Wedding!

2011-03-18T01:05:00.000-07:00

Didn't score an invite to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding? No fear! You can win a trip to the Royal Wedding in London from CNN! All you have to do is send a short video convincing them that you would be the perfect correspondent!

More info here.

Image from Reuters.

5 Things You Didn't Know About St Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T01:10:00.000-07:00

Happy St Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green? Here are five things you didn't know about St Patrick's Day:

The first St Patrick's Day parade wasn't in Ireland. It was held in Boston in 1737, but that was more of an impromptu we're drunk and Irish let's march down the street sort of thing. New York City had the first planned one in 1762. The first parade wasn't held in Dublin until 1931.

The Irish government once banned drinking on St Patricks Day. They passed a law forcing pubs to close in 1927, and until 1961 the only legal place to drink on March 17th was the RDS Dog Show! They even banned advertising on the holiday, in an attempt to focus on traditional Irish music and religious services. Luckily, the drinking ban was repealed in the 1970s.

St Patrick was originally associated with the colour blue. Light blue was the traditional national colour of Ireland, and 'St Patrick's blue' ribbons were used for the Order of St Patrick medals. No one is quite sure how it switched to green. Some feel it had to do with the saint's use of the three-leaf clover as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, while others attribute it to the independence movement of the 18th century. Green ribbons were reported at St Patrick's Day parties as early as 1681, however.

St Patrick's Day is a public holiday in Montserrat. The tiny island is known as the 'Emerald Isle of the Caribbean' because it was founded by Irish refugees from St Kitts and Nevis. The holiday commemorates a failed slave uprising that took place on March 17th, 1768. St Patrick's Day is also a public holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

St Patrick was not Irish, and not named Patrick. The Catholic Church says he was born in Scotland in 385 AD. He was captured and sold into slavery, but escaped. He was ordained as Patrick (or Palladius) in France. According to some sources, his original name was Maewyn Succat.

Photo from here.

What Pilots Want You to Know

2011-03-16T02:11:00.000-07:00

There's a lot we take for granted when flying, so here are a few things that pilots really want you to remember on your next trip:

“If you’re going to recline your seat, for God’s sake, please check behind you first. You have no idea how many laptops are broken every year by boorish passengers who slam their seat back with total disregard to what’s going on behind them.”

John Nance

“The smoothest place to sit is often over or near the wing. The bumpiest place to sit is in the back. A plane is like a seesaw. If you’re in the middle, you don’t move as much.”

Patrick Smith

“Why can’t you use your cell phones? What can happen is 12 people will call someone just before landing, and I can get a false reading on my instruments saying that we are higher than we really are.”

Jim Tilmon, retired American Airlines pilot

“We ask you to put up the window shade so the flight attendants can see outside in an emergency, to assess if one side is better for an evacuation. It also lets light into the cabin if it goes dark and helps passengers get oriented if the plane flips or rolls over.”

Patrick Smith

“The glory days of aviation are long gone. Airline companies are cutting wages and conditions wherever they can, and the crew are expected to do more than they once did. As aircraft get more fuel efficient, we fly longer distances than in the past, often with minimum rest, working at hours when most people are asleep.”

Airline pilot based in Sydney

“How tired we are a lot of the time! We can go away on a five-day trip and start work at 5am daily, waking around 3.30am, and then fly four or five sectors over a ten- or 11-hour day, dealing with inclement weather, passenger delays, mechanical problems, tight schedules and no proper meal.”

Qantas pilot

Read the rest at iafrica.com

Photo by jurvetson.

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Updates

2011-03-15T01:33:00.000-07:00

As the devastation from the Japan earthquake and tsunami unfolds, we'll keep you updated with what's happening in Tokyo, Sendai, Fukushimi and other areas of Japan at the moment.

Tokyo: there has been major infrastructure damage, and train and subway schedules have been reduced to save power. Service to Narita airport has been suspended. There is a shortage of electricity, food and water. There are continued aftershocks that could reach as high as 7 on the richter scale. Tokyo is at the moment... (read more)

UPDATE: Here's an updated article about the effect of the Japan earthquake on travel.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #15

2011-03-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

It's Monday! Here are the busiest questions on the Word Travels forum for this week:

Thailand itinerary ideas

Weather in India

Nightlife in Kos

Halong Bay tours in Vietnam

Remember you can find many travel-related answers on our busy forums, and ask your own questions as well!

Photo by mlinksva.

Win a Trip to San Francisco!

2011-03-11T00:29:00.000-08:00

Attention chocoholics! Ghirardelli is giving away a free trip for 4 to San Francisco with all the sugar-laden trimmings imaginable!

Open to US residents over 21. Enter here.

Photo by hiimniko.

PS - San Francisco was named one of our Top 5 Chocolate Cities!

4 Things You Didn't Know about Mardi Gras

2011-03-10T01:45:00.000-08:00

Mardi Gras is well underway in New Orleans, so for those of us that didn't make it to Louisiana, here are 4 things you didn't know about Mardi Gras:

What are krewes? Krewes are the groups that organise parties and parades around Mardi Gras. They meet in secret throughout the year, then appear in masks on their floats. Rex and Zulu are the most famous, but each has its own style and traditions.

Why is everything green, gold and purple? The traditional Mardi Gras colours were inspired by Russian royalty. Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans in 1872, and the Rex (the original Mardi Gras krewe) liked the combination so much they incorporated them. The colours symbolise justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold).

What's the deal with kingcakes? Kingcakes have been a symbol of New Orleans since the 18th century, when French and Spanish colonists. The dough is braided before it is baked, and then filled with Bavarian Cream, apple or strawberry jam, and a trinket that one lucky person will find. Whoever finds it is responsible for hosting the next party!

Why do they throw beaded necklaces? One of the krewes dressed up as Santa and threw beaded necklaces at the crowd in the 1880s, and it was so popular other krewes started copying them. Back then the beads were made of glass. It was in the 1970s that they were replaced with the cheap plastic necklaces thrown today, which is about the same time women started flashing to earn them.

Inspired by Iceland

2011-03-09T05:19:00.000-08:00

Now this is how you promote a country. Check out this great video from Inspired by Iceland.

Travel Movie: Roman Holiday

2011-03-09T01:43:00.000-08:00

This classic 1953 travel film practically invented a genre. Since then Gidget, Lizzie McGuire, and even Sabrina the Teenage Witch have all had their own Roman Holidays. In fact, there are over 60 films set in Rome, not even counting ancient sword-and-sandals epics.

But this is the original Rome-antic comedy. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck fall in love while whizzing around the city on a Vespa and taking in sites like the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trastevere, and other iconic Roman attractions.

The movie introduced Audrey Hepburn to American audiences, and won her an Oscar to boot.

Verdict: Buy it

Congo Safari Blog

2011-03-08T00:14:00.000-08:00

You can write a blog about your day in Paris, or your week in China, but if you're doing a hard slog straight through the heart of the Congo it takes a few more words.

Belgian travellers Josephine and Frederik (pictured above) did just that when they drive their Landcruiser from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa. They chronicled the journey on this forum thread, and it makes a fascinating read with tales of breakdowns, endless bribe attempts, paperwork and permits, and locals they encountered, all with a tireless enthusiasm and a much-needed sense of humour!

It's 79 pages long, but worth a read!

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #14

2011-03-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

The forum at Word Travels has been buzzing this week! Here are a few of the most popular topics:

New Zealand travel updates

Best time of year for an African safari

Is it okay to travel in Tunisia?

Do I need a passport valid for six months?

There are hundreds more threads with topics of all sorts, so the answer to your travel question may be waiting... visit the forum now and see!

Photo by orphanjones

Win a Trip to Peru!

2011-03-04T00:13:00.000-08:00

Want to trek Machu Picchu? See flamingos? Bushwhack the Amazon jungle? Take a dip in the most inappropriately-named lake of all time? Pet a llama?

Then click here and enter to win a 10-day trip to Peru!

Picture by Alex E. Proimos

Top 5 Places to Travel in March

2011-03-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

You've got some vacation days saved up, and it's time to use it. What are the best places to travel in March? We've found them for you:

Colorado - One of the best times to go skiing in Colorado is March when most of the tourists have left for the season. The prices are significantly reduced, not only in hotels and lodges, but also ski lifts, food and even shopping. With heavy snowfall, blue skies and moderate temperatures, carving through the silky powder down soft white slopes is enough to make any traveller weak at the knees. From Telluride and Steamboat to Aspen and Vail, there are plenty of resorts to enjoy some spring time snow.

Rio de Janeiro - Always a party destination, Rio de Janeiro kicks things into high gear in March with the famous (or infamous) Rio Carnival. Dazzling bright colours, hot samba music, elaborate costume balls and thousands of people having a great time are the order of the day. You can also enjoy Rio's other attractions, like Ipanema beach, the iconic Christ the Redeemerstatue, and a trip to Iguaçu Falls.

Cambodia - Cambodia’s dry season is by far the best time to visit this land off the beaten track. From majestic ruins in Angkor to temples in Phnom Penh and beautiful beaches and islands, Cambodia is a treasure trove of delights just waiting to be discovered. Spend a few days cruising the Mekong River from Phnom Penh taking in the Cambodian landscape along the way. Pass through Kompong Chhnang to visit the market and pottery village, marvel at Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Tonle Sap, and shop at the largest floating village at Kompong Luong before descending on Siem Reap and the World Heritage Site of the Temples of Angkor.

Thailand - While Thailand is a popular travel destination at any time of the year, March hits the sweet spot of low season and you'll benefit from the smaller crowds and lower prices. March can be warm, but not as warm as April and May. Take advantage of the ideal weather by sunning on a beach in Phuket, exploring the nightlife of Bangkok, and soaking up the culture of Chiang Mai.

Ireland - When one thinks of Ireland, there’s only one month that springs to mind: March 17th is St Patrick’s Day, which has become synonymous the world over with all things Irish. Although the weather may not be the best, the atmosphere and energy is electric with much revelry, Guinness and craic surrounding the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Dublin is always heaving in March when the biggest and best St Patrick’s Day Festival sees thousands of visitors flocking to the Irish capital. For a 100% authentic Irish experience, head to Galway or Cork to enjoy some traditional dancing, a single malt whiskey and a hearty meal.

Travel Movie: Leap Year

2011-03-02T01:56:00.000-08:00

Sending the favourite redhead of the moment on a wacky rom-com odyssey across Ireland to succumb to the charms of a local lad and his irresistible accent sounds like a great movie, but unfortunately Leap Year fails as both a rom-com and a travel movie.

Boston native Anna (Amy Adams) is every obsessive and prim leading lady every written, but with red hair. She desperately wants her doctor boyfriend to propose, but he flies to Dublin for a conference instead. Conveniently, it's nearly February 29th and Anna's drunken father reminds her that it's apparently 'permissible' for women to propose on that date.

So Anna jets off to Ireland, but doesn't quite make it to Dublin and washes up on shore in Dingle, where she meets pretty but surly bar owner Declan (Matthew Goode). She hires him to take her to Dublin and hilarity ensues. Guess who she marries?

Aside from the predictable plot, Leap Year plays fast and loose with Irish geography. Many of the views depicted as Dingle were actually shot in Inishmore, Dublin doubles for Boston, and the geographical logic of taking a boat from Wales to Dingle boggles the mind a bit.

Oh, and the beautiful castle ruins pictured above? With the romantic story? Mostly CGI. It's actually the Rock of Dunamase and look like this:

Verdict: Skip it

5 Surprising things that are illegal in other countries

2011-03-01T00:20:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, a rather dim Canadian tourist was arrested in Berlin. His crime? Giving the Nazi salute while posing for a photo in front of the Reichstag. While he had to know that his pose was in poor taste, it's true that most tourists don't know that it is illegal to do the salute in Germany.

It pays to do a little research before you visit another country, or you may find yourself in a lot of trouble for something you didn't know was banned. The website DumbLaws.com has some rather funny examples, but there are a few that you might want to know about. Here's our list of 5 surprising things that are illegal in other countries:

Driving a car shirtless in Thailand. If you rent a car on your holiday in Thailand, better remember to throw a top on after you leave the beach or you may find yourself in a prison uniform.

Kissing on railways in France. So much for the city of love! While I'm sure this silly law gets broken all the time, it's probably best to restrain yourself on the Paris metro. Funnily enough, it is legal to touch a woman's breasts on a train (with her consent, of course)!

Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia. If you want to be romantic around February 14th in Riyadh, best find a non-traditional way to do it, as red roses, wrapping paper, teddy bears and hearts are removed from the shelves by authorities. Oh, and remember not to kiss or hold hands in public either.

Publicly removing bandages in Canada. We know Canadians are polite, but apparently they're also squeamish. Although maybe they do have a point... who wants to see that? Do it in private.

Flushing the toilet after 10pm in Switzerland. The Swiss just love regulating things. They have rules about when you can hang your laundry, mow the lawn, wash your car, and also flush the toilet. This law applies to anyone staying in an apartment or flat. Oh, and guys? You can't urinate while standing after 10pm either. Love to know how they enforce that one...

Photo by Stewart

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #13

2011-02-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, we're all back at work, and here are the topics people are talking about in the travel world:

Tour operators in Poland

What currency to use in Turkey

Gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

Do I need a visa for Scotland?

Remember you can find the answers to any travel-related question on the Word Travels forum. So ask away!

Win a Trip to Italy!

2011-02-25T01:33:00.000-08:00

Milano's Italian Grille is giving away a free trip to Italy (or $5,000 cash, but where's the fun in that?)

Just fill out the quick survey here and you're entered!

Open to US residents.

Photo by urban capture.

Top 5 Best Airports for Long Layovers

2011-02-24T00:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it happens to the best of itineraries: you're on a marathon haul from one continent to another and the cheapest flight involves a 5-hour layover in a random city. Maybe you don't have a visa, maybe you don't have time, maybe you're on an organised tour and you're just not allowed... but you're stuck in the airport.

It's happened to me several times: I've been stranded in airports for up to 11 hours at a stretch. I can tell you that Paris, Chicago, and Durban are terrible airports to be stuck in, but what are the best? Here's our list of the 5 best airports for layovers:

Hong Kong - If you're stuck in an airport with kids, Hong Kong is where you want to be. Aside from the numerous bars, restaurants and shops, the airport has a movie theatre, arcades, and free Playstation set-ups sprinkled around. It also offers free wi-fi throughout.

Las Vegas - In the gambling capital of the US, you will not be surprised to see a number of slot machines dotting the concourse in the Las Vegas airport. There are other things to do though, including kid's play areas, an art gallery, free wi-fi, plenty of restaurants, bars and duty-free shops, and a huge fitness centre with sauna, jacuzzi, working equipment and showers.

Amsterdam - This airport really knows how to entertain. I've been stuck here for hours without getting bored, because there's a casino, an art museum, dozens of shops and restaurants, and a brand-new library to browse through with both physical and electronic books! There are also a lot of out-of-the-way corners if you really need to catch a nap.

Nashville - You have to pay in Nashville for wi-fi, but if you don't feel like shelling out to check Facebook you can always browse the duty-free shops, have a big helping of barbecue in one of the restaurants, play video games, get a massage, browse the art exhibitions, and catch a live concert at Tootsie's orchid Lounge, an extension of the Grand Ole Opry!

Singapore - Singapore Changi sets the standard that all other airport entertainment tries to live up to. The basics are all there: free wi-fi, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping, and luggage lockers. There's plenty more though, with lovely gardens, koi ponds, butterfly rooms, play areas, a movie theatre, LAN gaming facilities, spa, and multiple shower facilities. Attached airport hotels up the game as well, offering a swimming pool and jacuzzi (for a fee).

Travel Movie: Invictus

2011-02-23T00:26:00.001-08:00

You could argue that it's more of a sports movie than a travel movie, but Clint Eastwood's 2009 feel-good epic Invictus manages to capture just a little of the beauty of South Africa in its swooping shots of Cape Town and Table Mountain.

In Cape Town it's hard to avoid spectacular views, whether on or off the sports field!

One of the most poignant scenes involves a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were imprisoned for so many years. Nearly 4,000 people per day take this same tour, and it is currently one of South Africa's top attractions.

If you want to recreate the Invictus experience, take a township tour and see children playing football and rugby, climb Table Mountain and enjoy the view, take in a rugby game at Newlands Stadium, and don't forget to have a beer at Ferryman's Tavern at the V&A Waterfront afterwards to celebrate!

Composite Photos of Tourist Attractions

2011-02-22T00:47:00.000-08:00

Switzerland-based artist Corinne Vionnet has created some very interesting images of instantly-recognisable tourist attractions by overlaying hundreds of tourist's photos, taken from the same spot. The results are haunting: busy locations like the St Basil's Cathedral, the Taj Mahal and Tiananmen Square (above) are filled with ghostly crowds of people, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco appears to by trying to fly.

You can see the whole collection here.