Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Travel Movie: Rio

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

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Justin Bieber Schooled by Qantas!


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.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #22


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





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.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Win a Trip to Graceland!

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.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

5 Signs You Need a Vacation

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.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Snow Monsters of Japan

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.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #21

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:





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