cycling Archives - Traveling Archive

Dear Dutch-American by Deb Roskamp

Deb Roskamp — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:39:54 +0000

Dear Dutch-American –

I am planning a trip to Amsterdam. My plan is to purchase Dutch products for gifts. I have an hour or two at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for a layover. I noticed in the past there were tulip bulbs for sale, which I thought would make a perfect gift for friends and families. But I’d heard that they are not of the highest quality and sometimes don’t even grow. What is the best place in Holland to purchase the bulbs?
— Linda of Vancouver, Washington

Keukenhof Gardens features more than seven million flower bulbs, which are planted in the garden each year. Photograph courtesy of Ed Boitano.

Dear Linda –

Schiphol generally tops the list for the world’s best airport shopping, in particular for chocolates, Stroopwafle, Dutch Genever Gin, Gouda and Edam cheeses, Delft Pottery – but definitely not tulip bulbs, often old and difficult to grow.

The most well-known flower bulb ‘sanctuaries’ in the Netherlands can be found in the region south of Amsterdam, in the uppermost part of the province of North Holland, and in a section of the province of Frevoland.

Linda, will you be visiting Holland in spring? If so, make sure to put Keukenhof Gardens on your list; you’ll be surrounded by a kaleidescape of blooming Dutch tulips at the most famous and largest flower park in the world. Keukenhof’s spectacle of 320,0000 square meters of flowers is a short and easy drive from Amsterdam, and it is essential to plan your visit in advance. AND YES, this is the place to purchase tulip bulbs.

Tulips grow best in maritime areas, preferably not further away than 30-50 miles from the coast. In the Netherlands the area most like this is near the North Sea. The best types of soil are the sandy-clay grounds in the provinces of South and North Holland, Flevoland and the Noordoostpolder. In particular, the maritime climate and the vicinity of water are optimum conditions for growing tulips. I noticed that you live in Vancouver, Western Washington State, which is close to the Skagit Valley. Once a year there is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which should prove to be an easy location to access the bulbs when not visiting the Nethlerlands.

Dear Dutch-American –

Why are there so many bicyclists in the Netherlands when the nation has public transit, automobiles, trucks and buses?
— Barry of Omaha, Nebraska

Two cyclists navigate through the gentle terrain of Oostzaan, a town in the Zaanstreek, Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Photograph courtesy of Netherland’s Board of Tourism.

The Netherlands boasts over 32,000 km. of safe cycling paths, most of which are separated from traffic. Photograph courtesy of Netherland’s Board of Tourism.

Dear Barry –

The Dutch can afford automobiles, but the price of petrol is over $9/gallon. City fathers have made parking cars in town centers highly expensive, making it much more affordable to simply pedal into the cities. Plus, over 26% of the Netherlands is under sea level, and for centuries the Dutch have battled against the ocean water with a system of polders, dykes and weirs. This has created a stunning and unique flat as a pannekoeken (pancake) landscape of reclaimed land across the country, ideal for bicycling. As one of the world’s most forward thinking democracies, Dutch citizens are highly educated, aware that unregulated fossil fuel could not only damage their health, but also the life of our own planet. I’ve noticed that many Dutch people find it perplexing that ignorant far-right Americans consider monetary profiteering more important than the health of their own children. Please note: When strolling through a popular tourist destination, it is the bicyclist who have the right aways on the pathways — so keep your wits about you and be quick on your feet.

Dear Dutch-American –

My time in Amsterdam is far too limited to see all that needs to be seen. What is your pick for the city’s best museum?
— Wendy of Portland, Maine

The Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of artworks by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) in the world.
Photograph courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum.

Dear Wendy –

This is a win-win situation. You really can’t go wrong.

MUSEUM SQUARE is a brief tram ride from Amsterdam’s city center, home to the RIJKSMUSEUM, which includes the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer.

The VAN GOGH MUSEUM is short walk away, and contains the world’s largest collection of paintings and drawings by the artist.

JOODS HISTORIC MUSEUM consists of four adjoining synagogues, linked by internal walkways to form one large museum. The synagogues were central to Jewish life until WWII, and were restored in the 1980s. Most Dutch tourist who visit the museum today are not Jewish, and consider the museum a part of their own history, as well.

ZUIDERZEE MUSEUM in Enkhuizen, an hour away from Amsterdam by train, recreates local Dutch village life throughout history.

The last known photograph of Anne Frank, circa May 1942, taken from her passport. (Photo collection
Anne Frank House, Amsterdam. Public Domain Work).

“You can always give something, even if it is only kindness.” – Anne Frank.

ANNE FRANK HOUSE & ADJOINING MUSEUM: During World War II, over 103,000 Europeans of Jewish ancestry were deported from the Netherlands to Nazi concentration camps. The most famous was a 13-year-old German girl named Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank. In 1942, the Frank and van Pels families went into hiding in the secret upstair’s annex of a canal building in Amsterdam. For two years, Anne worked on her diary, giving an account of growing up during one of the most inhumane periods of modern history. She made her last entry three days before being arrested. Anne and her older sister Margot died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen in March 1945, only a few weeks before the concentration camp was liberated. The heroic Amsterdamer, Miep Gies, who had helped to hide and feed the Frank and van Pels families at the risk of her own life, found Anne’s manuscripts and gave them to Otto Frank, Anne’s father, the only family member who had survived the concentration camps. With the utmost respect for the privacy of the Frank family, Ms. Gies never once opened the manuscript. In 1947 the first Dutch edition of the diary, “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” appeared. Since then the diary has been published in more than 55 languages. Anne’s hiding place is the most visited site in the Netherlands. Today you can retrace her steps where she entered the secret annex hidden behind the bookcase.

During Medieval times, Canal Houses in Amsterdam were designed to be narrow, yet tall and functional, because owners were required to pay for the meter of the façade facing the canals. Photograph courtesy of Netherland’s Board of Tourism.

Prior to the Covid Pandemic, over 8.84 million tourists visited Amersterdam in 2019. Photograph courtesy of Netherland’s Board of Tourism.

Meet our Dutch-American: Deb Roskamp

Photographer Deb Roskamp.

This installment of our advice column comes to you from T-Boy photographer Deb Roskamp, a first generation Dutch-American, whose ancestral home hails from Andijk in the province of North Holland, the place of her mother’s birth

Readers, feel free to ask our staff any questions regarding their ancestral homeland of your choice at ed****@tr**********.com . T-Boy has an illustrious team of writers ranging from British-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Nigerian-Americans, Norwegian-Americans, and more, who have an acute understanding of their ancestral homeland.

The post Dear Dutch-American by Deb Roskamp appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Planning a Bike Tour of London

Pearl Welch — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 14:45:18 +0000

When traveling to a new place, one of your main concerns may be, What is the best way to see the city or town? London, with its cosmopolitan flair and its iconic sights of the River Thames and Buckingham Palace, is a dream destination for many that can still be enjoyable on a budget. It is also filled with lush parks and tiny winding streets, which is why a bike tour is a fantastic way to make your way around the city.

Since you’ve got a lot of ground to cover, here’s how to plan a bike tour of London:

Fueling Up

A bike tour is a great scenic mode of transport as you don’t travel too fast and it counts as a form of exercise while traveling. This also means that prior to your ride, you need to fuel up to help sustain you throughout the route. If you’ve had a big English breakfast – which is a generous amount of fuel to get you going – perhaps allow yourself some time to digest before you hop on the bike. Even a quick energy boost or caffeine kick can get you pumped. And if you have had too much morning coffee you will easily be able to find a healthy alternative. Pretty Me’s review of Lean N Green coffee highlights how it has less caffeine than regular coffee beans but is packed with powerful antioxidants. These can give you an unexpected dose of nutrition alongside protecting your heart health while biking. If you foresee yourself getting hungry, Cyclist recommends good old Clif Bars to tie you over and keep you stimulated until you can finally dig into some fish and chips at a local pub.

Basic Rules Apply

Basic cycling rules apply in London, so if you are booking a tour with a company, be sure to inquire if helmets come with the bikes. Opt for reflective clothing so that you are easily spotted. Stay alert throughout the ride – and try not to get too distracted by all the beautiful sights!

Choosing a Path

Alas, you know what to do prior to your bike ride – but do you know which tour you will be taking? There are numerous bike tour options in London, depending on what angle of the city you wish to see. You will usually have to allocate three to five hours of your day to do a tour as well. First timers may benefit from guided tours that take you around all the postcard-worthy sights such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Tower Bridge, among others. Guided tours also ensure you get your dose of history while riding, and if you want to go off the beaten path, there are also tours that take you through some of the artsier and more cultural spots that are bustling with action and noise. Evening tours can give you a taste of the vibrancy of London’s nightlife in all its lit up glory.

Adventurous travelers may want to take a self-directed tour, and a guide to cycling in London by Vogue advises asking locals or friends what their preferred routes are. Chances are, you will discover lesser known parks, waterways, and back streets that can give you a shortcut around the city while still remaining in the bike lane. This way, you might even feel more like a Londoner on a commute, than a traveler on a mission.

Exclusively for travelingboy.com by Pearl Welch.

The post Planning a Bike Tour of London appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Three Things About The Netherlands

Ed Boitano — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 12:52:17 +0000

This installment of Three Things is courtesy of Simone Sagi, Press & PR Manager UK & Ireland for Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions.

1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that the Dutch do for fun?

Answer:

A real cycling nation, the Netherlands boasts over 32,000 km. of safe cycling paths, most of which are separated from traffic.

2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about the Netherlands?

Answer:

Over 26% of the Netherlands is under sea level. For centuries the Dutch have battled against the water and with a system of polders, dykes and weirs have a well-managed way of keeping the water at bay. This creates a beautiful and unique landscape across the country.

3. Question: Share some aspect of the Netherlands as regards to what it has contributed to the world.

Answer:

The stroopwafel is a combination of two flat biscuits with a caramel centre. It is a traditional and popular treat that originated in the Dutch city of Gouda, also famed for its cheese.

Go here for further information about the Netherlands.

The post Three Things About The Netherlands appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News

Ed Boitano — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 16:21:03 +0000

Happy Valentines from the Staff at TravelingBoy

We have designated 2018 to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Flights To These Cities Are About To Get Cheap In February

Courtesy Thrillist

Every year, February feels like the dumps. Maybe it’s the realization that our New Year’s resolutions didn’t even make it to Wild Card Weekend.

Winter Olympics 2018: Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

Courtesy Ed Hewitt, SmarterTravel

Photo courtesy of Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service, via Wikimedia Commonns / CC BY-SA 2.0

Considering a trip to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea? I recommend you go for it. Not only will you be watching the best athletes in the world at their absolute peaks, but you will also find yourself in the middle of a global event with people from all over the world, and with the eyes of the world watching. These factors come together to make the Olympics a very special experience.

Those concerned with security should be heartened by recent news that North Korea has agreed to send athletes to the Winter Olympics this year. The Olympic Winter Games open on February 9 and close on February 25, while the Paralympic Games open March 8 and close on March 18.

Ways to Save in 2018

Eight tips to help keep your travel expenses nominal and your wallet fat this year.

Courtesy Lucas Peterson, New York Times

Last year may have been a disappointing Dumpster fire in countless ways, but it was a great year for travel deals — saving money has never been easier or more accessible to more people. Looking forward to 2018, there’s no reason to think it should be any different. Here are eight tips to help keep your travel expenses nominal and your wallet fat.

Flight Deal: $69 on Wow Air to Iceland

Head out of Reykjavik to see what else the country has to offer

It’s been noted in the past that not every $69 flight is worth it. Sometimes, they actually end up more expensive than if you had booked with a more traditional airline. But today, one of the few opportunities to get a real deal is back: Wow Air is offering $69 one-way flights to Iceland. That means round-trip fares as low as $200—nearly 50 percent off the usual cost.

Make 2018 the year you resolve to travel with the World Nomads New Year Travelutions (sorry, we know it’s lame)

Courtesy Phil Sylvester, World Nomads

Travel will make your 2018 one to remember if you follow these New Year travel resolutions.

I Resolve to Get In Shape

There’s nothing like a big challenge on the horizon – say, a Patagonia trek, or a cycling trip through Vietnam, or even two weeks of wearing mostly a bathing suit – to inspire you to hit the gym or go on some training hikes or rides. As part of your trip preparation, make sure to purchase travel insurance for your journey, because injuries and accidents can happen to even the fittest individual.

TSA says old driver’s licenses OK for air travel until 2020

Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mike England announced that driver’s licenses from all states will be acceptable identification for domestic US air travel until Oct. 1, 2020. Airport signs had previously warned that licenses from some states would no longer be acceptable as of Jan. 22, 2018.

The World’s Top 6 Snowiest Cities

Photo courtesy: Hôtel de Glace Québec-Canada inc.

Can You Name The 10 Busiest Airports in the USA

Courtesy Melanie Renzulli

The United States has some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so it stands to reason that the country’s airports are some of the globe’s busiest. In this quick guide, we rank the USA’s busiest airports. For quieter and crowd-free travel alternatives, we’ve also listed nearby airports when available.

That’s up from just over half of all traffic now.

JetBlue’s ‘All You Can Jet’ Pass Is Back

Courtesy Cynthia Drescher

Courtesy JetBlue

How many free flights can you fit into one year?

Buy one flight, get a full year of flights for free. It sounds crazy, but it’s true for the next two weeks, as JetBlue awards travelers who book even one ticket on their website with a chance to win one of three ‘All You Can Jet’ passes for 2018. Dubbed “AYCJ” for short, the pass allows for unlimited travel from February 1, 2018 through January 31, 2019. Hopefully winners are bursting with wanderlust, as these AYCJ passes will be valid for flights to the more than 100 cities on JetBlue’s route map, including international destinations like Mexico City, Grand Cayman, Bermuda, St. Lucia, and Cartagena, Colombia.

Cycling Through Cinema Sites in Europe On Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

The late actress Anita Eckberg showcsed Rome’s allure while splashing in the Trevi Fountain in the 1960 film La Dolce Vita. Scores of movies today have cemented plots in locales that, like the fountain, intersect with planned vacation itineraries offered by leading tour operators.

One trend-setting company, Freewheel Holidays, specializing in self-guided bicycle vacations throughout Europe, offers the chance to visit cinema locations on several of its 2018 itineraries. Included in program rates are lodging with breakfasts, detailed route notes, point-to-point luggage transfers and complimentary bike rentals.

Movie buffs or anyone with a love of history and adventure will enjoy these bike tours:

Dublin Makes National Geographic Travel “Best Of The World” List

Ireland’s capital city Dublin has been named as one of the 21 best cities in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. The list is an annual selection of “must-see” destination for the year ahead, and Dublin has made a claim for one of the finest cities in the world.

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

How to Fight Jet Lag

Being outside during daylight, exercising early and avoiding caffeine, alcohol or nicotine before bedtime can help lessen the effects of jet lag after returning home across time zones. Complete recovery can take multiple days.

Top 25 Most Interesting Webcams

Selected from hundreds of nominees by a panel of EarthCam producers, EarthCam announces the most unique and compelling webcams of the year.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

France and Germany Top New Sustainable Tourism Index by The Economist Intelligence Unit

Volunteer Vacations with Projects Abroad

Choosing a volunteer vacation abroad is an increasingly popular option among people looking to do meaningful work during their vacation or career break. You can spend as little as 1 week volunteering in over 30 different countries around the world with Projects Abroad. By spending your vacation as a volunteer with Projects Abroad, you are joining a community of fellow volunteers and local people in developing countries – working hard, traveling, and having a good time while contributing to long-term impact.

Active Gourmet Holidays: Exceptional Travel Experiences

Unique French Cooking Vacation at Marouatte Castle in Southwest France

Active Gourmet Holidays brings its clients a culinary vacation that is set in a 14^th century fortified castle in Périgord Vert, France. Chateau Marouatte is a stunning castle steeped in history and now fully restored as an amazing family home.

Perched on a hill in the Green Périgord, Marouatte enjoys spectacular panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. This majestic environment is the perfect setting for creativity, inspiration and relaxation and has been a songwriting retreat for invited musicians and songwriters for over 20 years. Creating a culinary retreat was a natural next step.

Canada Forever: The Ultimate Canada Holiday for Every Month

Courtesy Heather Greenwood Davis, SmarterTravel

Canada offers travelers endless inspiration, and experiences you’ll find nowhere else on earth. Every month, there’s a best place to choose for a Canada holiday—and dozens of reasons to book a Canada trip.

2018’s Best Frequent Flyer Programs

Delta SkyMiles is the best frequent flyer program for the third straight year

With U.S. airlines expected to carry more than 600 million passengers on domestic flights this year and credit card debt levels exploding, we can expect airfare savings to be increasingly important in the months ahead.

10 of the World’s Craziest Landings

Courtesy Ashley Rossi

These 10 airports have some of the craziest landings in the world. Fretful flyers, you’ve been warned.

Flying can be a nerve-racking experience for fretful travelers; however, landings at these 10 airports are sure to frighten even the most frequent flyers. From an airport at the edge of a cliff to sandy beach landings, here are the world’s craziest runways — consider yourself warned.

Amazing New Year Deals: Kenya w/ Air, Alaska, and Cruise Cuba from $549!

Travel Weekly Honors Winners of 2017 Awards

Travel Weekly just unveiled the winners of the 15th annual Readers Choice Awards during a black-tie gala dinner at the Conrad New York. The winners, in 77 categories ranging from hotels to tours to airlines to GDSs to cruise lines, represent the best of the best in travel.

See the entire list of Readers Choice Awards finalists

Caribbean Hot Spots and Travel Trends for 2018

Courtesy Gay Nagle Myers

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Who is going where this winter? And which destinations are trending? Steve Lassman, vice president of villa product and agency relations for Villas of Distinction, ticked off 2018’s five most sought after villa-vacation destinations, two of which — Turks and Caicos and Jamaica — are in the Caribbean.

12 Ways to Have a Luxury Vacation for Less

Luxury travel usually means expensive travel. But you can take upscale vacations without breaking the bank. Here are some outside-the-box ways to get almost as much…for a lot less.

By Karen Tina Harrison

Choose Emerging over Established Destinations

Mukul resort in Nicaragua. Five stars cost less in Nicaragua. ©Mukul Beach Golf & Spa

It’s very hard to economize in a super-expensive destination. So my advice is: to save money, don’t go there.

Think different. Go to a place that delivers a lot of what you love about your fantasy destination, but at real-life tabs.

Here are some ideas

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

Photo courtesy: pittaya/Flickr

If you’ve ever wondered whether airport agents perform a necessary function, take a look at the TSA Instagram account. You’ll find a stupefying collection of objects confiscated from passengers, including axes, crossbows, and handguns (and that’s just in the last few days). Acting foolishly, though, can get you delayed from a flight or even detained. To help explain what you shouldn’t do in an airport security line, we tapped Lewis Sage-Passant, a former British infantry officer who is trained in intelligence and has worked in security and crisis management for several corporations, including Goldman-Sachs. These days, he runs How Safe Is My Trip, a company that creates advisory reports for people going to risky destinations.

8 Weird Things You’re Allowed to Bring on Planes

Courtesy Stefanie Waldek

Many travelers know the drill when it comes to packing your carry-on bag for a flight. Make sure your bag fits the size and weight requirements. Check to see if you’re allowed to bring a personal item in addition to a full-sized carry-on. No liquids greater than 3.4 ounces, no firearms, no large sharp objects. There are seemingly endless banned items, but if you read the fine print, there’s actually a whole range of odd things that you’re actually allowed to fly with. Here, we name eight such items.

Falcons
Antlers
Christmas Trees
Pies and Cakes
Cremated Remains
Camp Stoves
Parachutes
Bowling Balls

8 Neck Pillows That Won’t Embarrass You on the Plane

Courtesy Shannon McMahon

Photo courtesy of Trtl

Some of the best neck pillows are also the most packable. Skip clunky, over-engineered travel pillows with these simple-yet-effective options.

Unimpressed by some of the newest travel pillows to hit the market? Many are virtually unpackable or outright embarrassing, with armrest-mounted stands or bulky padding that makes them quite the spectacle. Luckily, over-engineered travel pillows aren’t the only way to sleep on the plane; some of the best neck pillows are also the most packable. Here are eight simple-yet-effective options that won’t embarrass you or take up unnecessary space, making them some of the best neck pillows out there.

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The Best Place to Find Cheap Flights

The post Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News

Ed Boitano — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 05:32:04 +0000

Season’s Greetings from the Staff at TravelingBoy

We have designated this Holiday Season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

Holiday Travel Hacks

Holiday season is also peak travel season. Millions of people are getting away on vacation or getting together with family, and you want it to go as smoothly and effortlessly as possible.

So here are the World Nomads Holiday Season Travel Hacks.

That’s up from just over half of all traffic now.

JetBlue’s ‘All You Can Jet’ Pass Is Back

Courtesy Cynthia Drescher

Courtesy JetBlue

How many free flights can you fit into one year?

Four Affordable, Luxurious Christmas Getaways in Ireland

Courtesy Shivani Voranov

Christmas and the days leading up to the holiday are a magical time to visit Ireland, according to Siobhan Byrne Learat, founder of Adams & Butler, a Dublin-based company selling trips to Ireland. “The Irish go all out for Christmas with décor and celebrations, and the mood is cheerful and generous,” she said. “And over the years, it has become more of a cultural holiday for us than a religious one.” Ms. Learat said that while pubs and restaurants throughout the country are full of revelers, hotels have a lull in business, which means that enticing, amenity-inclusive deals abound for a Christmas-themed Ireland getaway.

Three Holiday Travel Myths You Can Debunk Now

Courtesy Joe Cortez

Year after year, holiday travelers often believe numerous holiday travel safety myths that are passed down through anecdotes. Although these tales may have at one time held some truth, the actual holiday travel hazards can create even more problems – or potentially be fatal.

When making holiday travel plans, it is critical to separate fact from fiction. Here are three holiday travel myths you can debunk right now, allowing you to focus on more important tasks as you plan gatherings with friends and family.

American Pilot Shortage Could Cause Flight Cancellations During the Holidays

Courtesy Tim Winship

Travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period was robust, and predictions are for similarly strong demand for air travel during the period between Christmas and New Year’s. For most airlines, that’s good news. For American, however, it’s a potential nightmare.

Cycling Through Cinema Sites in Europe On Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

Movie buffs or anyone with a love of history and adventure will enjoy these bike tours:

Dublin Makes National Geographic Travel “Best Of The World” List

How to Fight Jet Lag

Tipping Etiquette Around the Globe

As North Americans, tipping is a reality, and we are sensitive that the wait staff receives their due. We generally like to tip at the amount of 15% to 20%. After all, the wait staff in North America depends on it.

But if you are confused about tipping in other destinations, we determined what’s best to tip outside of North America.

Africa: 10% to 15%
Australia/New Zealand: None (the wait staff is well compensated in their hourly salary
Caribbean & Central America: 10%
China: None. (Tipping is against the law)
England: 10%
Germany: 10%
Ireland: 12%
Italy: None (except for great service, where you round out bill)
Japan: None. (tipping is considered rude, but you always offer your chef a beer)
Middle East: 15%
South America: 15

Top 25 Most Interesting Webcams

Selected from hundreds of nominees by a panel of EarthCam producers, EarthCam announces the most unique and compelling webcams of the year.

Most Popular Instagram Photos of 2017

Photo credit: REUTERS/Jody Martin

Residents view the first iceberg of the season as it passes the South Shore, also known as “Iceberg Alley”, near Ferryland, Newfoundland, Canada April 16, 2017.

View the slideshow

Calls for Greater Fossil Fuel Divestment at Anniversary of Paris Climate Deal

Campaigners call for an end to fossil fuel finance and subsidies to avoid dangerous global warming at a meeting to mark two years since the signing of the landmark agreement.

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

Photo courtesy: pittaya/Flickr

Christmas Trees

By Robert Frost

The city had withdrawn into itself
And left at last the country to the country;
When between whirls of snow not come to lie
And whirls of foliage not yet laid, there drove
A stranger to our yard, who looked the city,
Yet did in country fashion in that there
He sat and waited till he drew us out
A-buttoning coats to ask him who he was.
He proved to be the city come again
To look for something it had left behind
And could not do without and keep its Christmas.
He asked if I would sell my Christmas trees;
My woods—the young fir balsams like a place
Where houses all are churches and have spires.
I hadn’t thought of them as Christmas Trees.
I doubt if I was tempted for a moment
To sell them off their feet to go in cars
And leave the slope behind the house all bare,
Where the sun shines now no warmer than the moon.
I’d hate to have them know it if I was.
Yet more I’d hate to hold my trees except
As others hold theirs or refuse for them,
Beyond the time of profitable growth,
The trial by market everything must come to.
I dallied so much with the thought of selling.
Then whether from mistaken courtesy
And fear of seeming short of speech, or whether
From hope of hearing good of what was mine,
I said, “There aren’t enough to be worth while.”
“I could soon tell how many they would cut,
You let me look them over.”

“You could look.
But don’t expect I’m going to let you have them.”
Pasture they spring in, some in clumps too close
That lop each other of boughs, but not a few
Quite solitary and having equal boughs
All round and round. The latter he nodded “Yes” to,
Or paused to say beneath some lovelier one,
With a buyer’s moderation, “That would do.”
I thought so too, but wasn’t there to say so.
We climbed the pasture on the south, crossed over,
And came down on the north.
He said, “A thousand.”

“A thousand Christmas trees! —at what apiece? ”

He felt some need of softening that to me:
“A thousand trees would come to thirty dollars.”

Then I was certain I had never meant
To let him have them. Never show surprise!
But thirty dollars seemed so small beside
The extent of pasture I should strip, three cents
(For that was all they figured out apiece) ,
Three cents so small beside the dollar friends
I should be writing to within the hour
Would pay in cities for good trees like those,
Regular vestry-trees whole Sunday Schools
Could hang enough on to pick off enough.
A thousand Christmas trees I didn’t know I had!
Worth three cents more to give away than sell,
As may be shown by a simple calculation.
Too bad I couldn’t lay one in a letter.
I can’t help wishing I could send you one,
In wishing you herewith a Merry Christmas.

Send Deb your favorite travel poems.

8 Weird Things You’re Allowed to Bring on Planes

Courtesy Stefanie Waldek

Falcons
Antlers
Christmas Trees
Pies and Cakes
Cremated Remains
Camp Stoves
Parachutes
Bowling Balls

8 Neck Pillows That Won’t Embarrass You on the Plane

Courtesy Shannon McMahon

Photo courtesy of Trtl

Some of the best neck pillows are also the most packable. Skip clunky, over-engineered travel pillows with these simple-yet-effective options.

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The NAACP Warns that “travelers — especially African Americans … could [be] subject [to] disrespectful, discriminatory, or unsafe conditions.”

Courtesy Tim Winship

When Muslim Advocates and the NAACP issue a joint letter accusing the U.S. airline industry of racism, it’s big news. And when the NAACP, the “nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization,” follows that up with an advisory specifically questioning the racial policies of the nation’s largest airline, American, it’s nothing less than a media firestorm. Indeed, all the major news media covered the story exhaustively. And “American Airlines” has been a trending Twitter topic for several days.

The Best Place to Find Cheap Flights

10 Strange Laws from Around the World

Courtesy SmarterTraveler

From a stiletto ban in Greece to the pinball crackdown in South Carolina – give travel a unique flavor.

The post Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Irish Christmas Getaways, Holiday Travel Myths and Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

Ed Boitano — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 02:16:39 +0000

Four Affordable, Luxurious Christmas Getaways in Ireland

Courtesy Shivani Voranov

Lynott Tours, for example, has a seven-night “Ireland Bed and Breakfast Christmas” package that includes accommodations in your choice of more than 400 bed-and-breakfasts throughout Ireland, breakfast, a rental car, and round-trip airfare on Aer Lingus from a dozen cities in the United States including New York City, Los Angeles and Boston to Dublin International Airport. Valid from Dec. 21 to 29. From $1,568 a person. Book by calling 800-221-2474 or emailing

ir*****@ly*********.com

.

Authentic Ireland offers a four-night Christmas in Ireland package, which includes accommodations in two upscale castle hotels in the countryside, Abbeyglen Castle and Contarf Castle. Breakfast and a rental car are also included. Both properties are renowned during the holidays for their roaring log fires and abundance of fairy lights. Valid from Dec. 24 to 28. From $1,648 a person. Book by calling 888-443-5259.

For travelers seeking luxury, the upscale Adare Manor, in County Limerick, offers a two-night, family-friendly getaway called “A Christmas Beyond Everything.” The package includes accommodations, breakfast, a Champagne afternoon tea, parties with Champagne on both Christmas Eve and Day, Christmas Day lunch with live music, multicourse dinners on both Christmas Eve and Day, a private car to a nearby church for holiday services on both Christmas Eve and Day, and even a visit with Santa and a treasure hunt on Christmas Day. You also get brunch with Champagne and live jazz on Dec. 26, and the choice of either a spa treatment or an activity such as archery, falconry or clay pigeon shooting. Valid from Dec. 24 to 27. From 1,475 euros (about $1,768) per adult; each child is an additional 250 euros. Book by emailing

re**********@ad********.com

.

Adams & Butler has the five-night “Holiday in Dublin” offer which includes accommodations at the upscale Dylan Hotel Dublin, located in the city center. The package also includes breakfast, airport transfers, a holiday lights tour on a vintage bus, a mulled wine reception, cookie decorating, ice-skating and tickets to a holiday show of Rapunzel at the Gaiety Theater, in Dublin, on Christmas Eve. You also get a car and driver for a day to explore County Wicklow, followed by lunch at a farm in the countryside and a four-course Christmas Day dinner at the hotel. Also part of the package is admission to Leopardstown Racecourse near Dublin for the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, where watching the horse races is a beloved holiday tradition among locals. From 5,000 euros for a family of four. Book by emailing

sa***@ad************.com

or calling 800-894-5712.

Three Holiday Travel Myths You Can Debunk Now

Dangerous roads and wrapped gifts top the travel misunderstandings

Courtesy Joe Cortez

Myth: New Year’s Eve is the deadliest day on the roads

Fact: For years, travelers incorrectly believed that New Year’s Eve was the most dangerous day to drive. In addition, media reports every year put special scrutiny on drunk driving at the end of the year.

While drunk driving is still a problem, increased focus on DUI checkpoints over New Year’s Eve and the rise of “Tipsy Tow” programs for revelers has reduced the number of overall fatalities on December 31 every year.

Studies completed by AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the most dangerous day for road travelers is December 23 – the day before Christmas. From a historical standpoint, December 23 sees record numbers of drivers, ultimately leading to more serious and fatal accidents on highways. For those planning to travel on the highways during the Christmas holiday season, experts recommend making plans before and after the holidays, and exercising extreme caution on the busiest travel days of the year.

What is the deadliest overall travel holiday? According to a report in Forbes, Thanksgiving Day is the deadliest for travelers, averaging over 500 fatalities per year between 1982 and 2008.

Myth: Holiday travelers are subject to more security screening

Fact: While the holidays provide a unique challenge to the Transportation Security Administration, travelers are not necessarily subject to any new screening.

Rather, because the number of travelers that will be swarming TSA checkpoints during the holiday season will increase, additional time and traveler errors create more problems, leading to additional screening for novice flyers.

For those planning to travel by air, the TSA recommends arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Those who bring along a special holiday meals should be sure to understand how carry-on regulations may affect your travel plans. As a general rule, the TSA considers any food item that can be spread, spilled, sprayed, pumped, or poured, as a liquid or gel. These particular items will be subject to 3-1-1 liquid regulations.

Myth: You can’t travel with wrapped presents

Fact: There is nothing quite like watching the surprise and excitement of delivering a present to its recipient this holiday season. As a result, many travelers may elect to pre-wrap their gifts prior to departure, with the innocent intention of bringing a surprise. While the TSA does not strictly forbid wrapped presents, they do caution that anything that looks suspicious is subject to additional screening.

Travelers are welcome to pre-wrap their gifts and pack them in either checked or carry-on luggage.

Gift that include excessive amount of liquids (like snow globes) should always go in checked luggage, while other gifts may be appropriate for carry-on luggage. However, if TSA agents are unable to determine what they are, those same gifts may be unwrapped and further investigated, creating a delay in travels and an additional inconvenience. If in doubt, wrap your gift at your destination, or have it shipped ahead of your travels.

By understanding where the real problems lie during your travel experience, you can make sure you make the most of your next adventure. Through preparation, travelers of all types can make sure they travel safe and secure this holiday season.

Cycling Through Cinema Sites in Europe On Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

The late actress Anita Eckberg showcsed Rome’s allure while splashing in the Trevi Fountain in the 1960 film La Dolce Vita. Scores of movies today have cemented plots in locales that, like the fountain, intersect with planned vacation itineraries offered by leading tour operators.

Movie buffs or anyone with a love of history and adventure will enjoy these bike tours:

Austria’s Lake Constance welcomed the crew filming Quantum of Solace. Cyclists can visit the strikingly modern opera house (Festspielhaus Bregenz) where the nefarious Quantum organization meet up during a performance of Tosca. Lake Constance Family Special is a 7-day journey that wanders through vineyards and Baroque villages, and by castles and Roman ruins, with suggested stops at the Zeppelin Museum to view a model of the famous Hindenburg airship. The per person double rate is from £569. For details see http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/tour/lake-constance-family-cycling-tour.

Italy’s Venice was the site for The Talented Mr. Ripley. On any of Freewheel Holidays’ itineraries of Venice, guests can stop for an espresso at the old café in Piazza San Marco, a meeting place for Ripley (Matt Damon), Marg (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Mr. Greenleaf (James Rebhorn). Tours range from five to eight days. Venice Round Tour is one example. Days 1, 2 and 7 focus on Venice. Other days are spent exploring the foothills of the Italian Alps near Vicenza to Bassano del Grappa to Treviso, enroute sampling trademark grappas and proseccos and Italian village life beyond La Serenissima. The per person double rate is £619 and includes bike rentals. For details see http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/tour/venice-round-tour-7-nights.

Belgium’s Bruges is a treasure trove for cyclists who watched In Bruges. They can visit where the hitmen hole up, Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce Hotel, and brave, like Ken (Brendan Gleeson), the 366 narrow steps of the Belfry. They can meet for a beer as the main characters did at 1 Zwart Huis (the Black House) and gaze, as did guilt-stricken Ray (Colin Farrell), at the Hieronymus Bosch painting of The Last Judgment at the Groeninge Museum and dine at Cafedraal where Ray enjoys his first date with the cheerfully drug-dealing Chloe (Clémence Poésy), before punching out the lights of a Canadian couple. They might even linger, as Ray and Chloe did, on the Meestraat Bridge, between Vismarkt (Fishmarket) and the Groenerel. Bruges and Belgian Coast is a 7-day itinerary that targets families with easy cycling routes and child-friendly attractions. Rates are from £469 per person double. For details see http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/tour/bruges-and-belgian-coast-6-nights.

Czech Republic’s Prague can be visited through the lens of Mission Impossible. As the mission falls apart, controller Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) falls into the Vltava River from the famous Charles Bridge; the art deco headquarters of villain Max (Vanessa Redgrave) is the Hotel Europa on Wenceslas Square. Prague to Vienna is a 9-day holiday linking these cultural capitals with lakes, forests, vineyards, the old Iron Curtain and historic towns of south Bohemia and Moravia, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The per person double rate is from £949. For details see http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/tour/prague-to-vienna-self-guided-cycling-holiday.

Another itinerary in this region utilizes the Elbe (River) cycling path between Prague and Dresden. Enroute to Dresden’s Zwinger Palace, Semperoper (Opera House) and Frauenkirche is Theresienstadt, a World War II concentration camp. For details see http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/tour/prague-to-dresden-cycling-holiday.

UK’s Oxfordshire made an indelible impression in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) learns to waltz at Divinity School, Bodleian Library, Oxford. He recovers here after being poisoned in Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince. In Duke Humfrey’s Library in the Bodleian Library, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Hermione (Emma Watson) mull over who to take to Slughorn’s Christmas party. Oxford & The Cotswolds is a 7-day program offering glimpses of England’s finest stately home, Blenheim Palace, and quiet villages that seem removed from the 21st century. The per person double rate is £599. For details see http://www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/tour/oxford-amp-the-cotswolds.

JetBlue’s ‘All You Can Jet’ Pass Is Back

Courtesy Cynthia Drescher

Courtesy JetBlue

How many free flights can you fit into one year?

Consistently ranked by our Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the best airlines in the United States, JetBlue launched the original AYCJ pass in 2009. It cost $599 per person and granted one month of unlimited travel. The airline then revived the pass in 2010 and, in 2012, altered it for four-legged travelers, with a $299 ‘All Your Pet Can Jet’ pass. JetBlue has once before offered AYCJ passes as a contest prizes when, back in 2014, they gave away 10 passes, valid for two months each, in celebration of 10 years winning the J.D. Power award for highest customer satisfaction among North American low-cost carriers.

Need some inspiration on where to go first if you win? Speaking to Condé Nast Traveler, JetBlue corporate communications manager Morgan Johnston shared where he would go with an AYCJ Pass: “While I love life in the Northeast, I know when the travel period starts on February 1, it’s going to be prime ‘why do I live where the air hurts my face?’ season. I’d immediately start mapping out a tour of warm destinations, and maybe check off a few of those cities that I haven’t made it to yet. Then when summer rolls around, I’d move my trips to the northern destinations (or far south — Lima [Peru] is an overlooked gem!).”

Unlimited flight passes are nothing new. AirAsia offers the ‘ASEAN’ pass for flights to countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, like Indonesia and Thailand. A Brazil-specific pass for flights around the South American country on AZUL launched in 2015. Even business-class travelers can get in on the deal, with unlimited transatlantic travel on business-class-only airline La Compagnie (that one to the tune of $35,000 for a year). JetBlue’s AYCJ predates all of these, however, and continues to have lasting, positive effects.

For further information, log on to JetBlue

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

Photo courtesy: pittaya/Flickr

1. Don’t joke about bombs or anything illegal.

You’d be amazed at how many people think it’s no big deal to joke about having explosives on an airport security line. After being told that he couldn’t bring two cans of soda on board, a Phoenix passenger said each can contained a 30-second detonator. A customer in San Juan told the ticket agent her bag had a bomb and she was going to blow up the plane, causing the terminal to be shut down for almost an hour. A Miami traveler said he had a bag full of dynamite, and thus caused five flights and over 1,000 people to be delayed for almost five hours. (You can read a long list of people trying to drop the same gag.) “People are getting frustrated with airport security and the frustration is leading to people making jokes,” says Sage-Passant. “It’s a pretty thankless task from the point of view of the TSA. They’re screening about two million people every day just in the U.S.”

2. Don’t try to hide something that shouldn’t be on the plane.

In addition to numerous confiscated items, the TSA Instagram account also shows pictures of the many ways people try to hide objects that shouldn’t be on a plane. For example, one traveler hid a knife inside of an umbrella, assuming that no TSA officer would open it (since it’s bad luck). Another taped a pocketknife into the hollowed-out plastic handle of an electric toothbrush. Such craftiness can lead to fines and even arrest. If you’re wondering whether or not you can pack a particular item, tweet a picture of it to @AskTSA and the account managers will let you know. One vacationer recently sent a picture of a replica battle axe. (That needs to be placed in checked baggage, FYI.)

A common question is whether or not food can be brought through security. “You can bring through solid food, but they may ask to inspect it,” says Sage-Passant. “They’ll even open up people’s sandwiches. People who are trying to smuggle things into the airport are quite creative and will use things like that. But typically, food items are okay to carry through.”

3. Don’t smuggle too much liquid through the security line.

Anyone who has flown on a plane in the past 20 years should know that only 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters) of any liquid are allowed on a plane. So don’t slide that $5 liter of Diet Coke you just bought into your windbreaker pocket. The officers will make you throw it out.

4. Don’t bring a gun.

If you’re wondering whether or not you can bring a weapon on a plane, the answer is probably no. If the weapon is a gun, the answer is definitely no. In July 2017, a record 89 firearms were confiscated in the TSA line in one week. Sure, a few may have been found on gun holders who absentmindedly forgot they were carrying it, but that leaves more than 80 people who were actively breaking the rules.

5. Don’t re-pack.

While there’s nothing illegal or even technically wrong about reorganizing your carry-on while in the security line, you can’t pull this off without annoying everyone around you. As the line trudges forward, your clothes, laptop, and shoes will probably get mixed in with someone else’s and the sighs will start rolling. There’s plenty of time after getting through security to apply all of the Marie Kondo advice you’ve been itching to unleash.

6. Don’t get nervous if officers pull you out of line for questioning.

Sometimes the officers are trying to confirm a question they have or are doing a required random screening. “They’re not flying you off to Guantanamo Bay,” notes Sage-Passant. “Usually there’s something that has shown up funny on the X-ray and they just want another look at it.” If you’re in a hurry or feeling frustrated, cool your jets and remain polite.

Sage-Passant has gotten pulled out of the security line several times. When he was carrying his army-issued rucksack, TSA officers would find gunpowder residue on the cloth. But it didn’t take much of a discussion to clarify the situation. “As long as there’s an acceptable reason, the officers aren’t really looking to dive in,” explains Sage-Passant.

7. Don’t worry if you realize you have something you shouldn’t.

People often forget they’re carrying something that they shouldn’t, such as nail clippers, says Sage-Passant. “If it’s a genuine innocent mistake, they will let you go,” he says. “It’s when people get shifty or defensive that there’s a problem.”

8. Don’t wait to take off your metal.

No one wants to be the person who holds up a long line of annoyed people. You can avoid people staring at you with their arms folded by removing your watch, belt, jewelry, and other metal items long before you’re facing the TSA officer. Oh, and empty your pockets.

9. Don’t get grabby with other people’s stuff.

Wanting the line to move along quickly is understandable. Pushing another person’s iPad around is unnecessary. You never know what’s going to spark an argument when you’ve got a long line of grumpy travelers. If another traveler leaves something behind, you may even cause a security breach by picking it up (as surprising as that may seem).

10. Don’t unpack necessarily.

Many travelers assume they need to place all electronics into a bin, even though TSA rules specify that only electronic items larger than a cell phone must be X-rayed individually. So, yes, you need to separate out your Nintendo and iPad, but no, you don’t need to take out your iPhone.

11. Don’t hassle the TSA officers.

The security officers have to guide a lot of people through the lines each day, and they want to move you along as quickly as possible. If you get it in your head that they’re out to hassle you, the situation will likely get worse and tensions will escalate. Keep calm and move on.

12. Don’t forget to sign up for TSA Pre-Check.

If you’re a frequent traveler and groaning about waiting in yet another security line, you might want to seriously consider investing in TSA PreCheck, so your trip doesn’t feel even longer.

Holiday Travel Hacks

Holiday season is also peak travel season. Millions of people are getting away on vacation or getting together with family, and you want it to go as smoothly and effortlessly as possible.

So here are the World Nomads Holiday Season Travel Hacks.

Book a direct flight to lessen the chances you’ll be delayed or miss a connection. If you are delayed your World Nomads travel insurance policy will come in handy because you might be able to claim for out of pocket expenses such as extra meals you had to buy or a hotel room you had to book*.
Splurge on lounge access. Go on spoil yourself, and avoid sharing an overcrowded departure lounge with the rest of humanity.
Join the frequent flier/miles program. Sometimes club members get a little extra bag allowance, so you can cram in all those last minute gifts.
All the charging points are occupied in the departure lounge? No problem, find a TV, most have a USB port on the back that can be used for charging your cell phone.
Fly as close to, or on, Christmas day for a cheap flight. You might also get extra special service from cabin crew who are spreading festive cheer.
Don’t buy the cheapest fare. If flights get overbooked those who’ve paid full fare are usually the last to be bumped.
If you’re on a full fare this is probably your best chance of getting an upgrade. If coach is full they’ll assign empty business class seats. This only works if you’re a solo traveler. So dress well, speak nicely to the check-in clerk and don’t be the first in line.
Get a sticker that marks your luggage as “fragile”. It’ll be loaded last, but it’ll be first off the plane. Scoop it up from the carousel and start your vacation.

Calls for Greater Fossil Fuel Divestment at Anniversary of Paris Climate Deal

Campaigners call for an end to fossil fuel finance and subsidies to avoid dangerous global warming at a meeting to mark two years since the signing of the landmark agreement.

Local governments signed the One Planet charter, which requires cities and their mayors to use their public procurement and policy decisions to promote green technology, including renewable energy and zero-emissions buildings, as well as better arrangements for waste and recycling.

Nearly 200 civil society organisations, from nearly 60 countries, called on governments at the meeting to end subsidies and public finance for fossil fuels, and for the World Bank to end fossil fuel finance. The signatories included Greenpeace, the Climate Action Network, WWF, Christian Aid and Oil Change International.

A group of economists including Jeffrey Sachs and Yanis Varoufakis also called for no more to be spent on fossil fuels, while more than 50 companies including Adidas, Alliance, H&M and Philips signed another declaration calling for the polluting fuels to be phased out.

But green campaigners were concerned that the measures announced at the conference were insufficient to drive forward the Paris agreement goals.

Rachel Kennerley, of Friends of the Earth, said: “[The conference] should resolutely move cold hard cash away from dirty, polluting energy, and instead invest in clean energy, if we are to avoid the earth’s temperature rising by 3C [which scientists say is likely on current trends]. The [One Planet conference] will fail if it just delivers a rehash of previous commitments, because the scale of the challenge faced clearly cries out for a radical and immediate response.”

Alex Doukas, of Oil Change International, said companies were still investing in, and receiving government funding for, “exploration for more oil and gas that can never be burned if we have any hope of limiting the damage from climate change.”

Lord Stern, former chief economist of the World Bank, and author of the 2006 review of the economist of climate change that found tackling emissions would be much less costly than the effects of global warming, also called on Europe to take a lead. He said the current price on carbon under the European emissions trading scheme was too low, and called for a price of $40 to $80 a tonne of carbon dioxide by 2020 in order to reach the Paris agreement goals.

He said: “Fossil fuels must be confronted with their real costs, and polluters must pay, if markets are to work and emissions are to fall at the rate necessary. However, a carbon price by itself cannot deliver the required design of cities and networks that will be crucial to reducing emissions on the scale necessary. Carbon pricing must be supported by other policies to drive the low-carbon transition [including] regulation to drive out coal from our power systems quickly, and stopping the sale of new cars powered by fossil fuels over the next couple of decades.”

Video Will Make Up 75 Percent of Mobile Traffic in Five Years

That’s up from just over half of all traffic now

Three quarters of all mobile traffic will be used for video in 2023, according to a new report by telecommunications equipment company Ericsson. That’s up from just over half of all traffic today.

Not only will that be a bigger share but also a bigger pie, as more people watch more video on their smartphones. Overall, worldwide mobile data traffic will increase to 110 exabytes per month in 2023, according to Ericsson, or the equivalent of 5.5 million years of streaming HD video. It’s eight times the 14 exabytes per month we used in 2017.

What does this mean for consumers? Well, obviously, we’ll need a bigger data plan.

Currently, smartphone owners around the globe use on average 2.9 gigabytes of data per mo

More mobile video traffic also means there will be an increased emphasis on mobile video for advertisers.

Social media consumption on mobile is also rising, but not as fast as video. Therefore, social media will represent a smaller share of mobile traffic in 2023 — eight percent — than its current 12 percent of mobile traffic.

The post Irish Christmas Getaways, Holiday Travel Myths and Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News

Ed Boitano — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 16:00:53 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving from the Staff at TravelingBoy

We have designated this Thanksgiving to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Scott Pruitt Is ‘Hell-Bent’ on Dismantling EPA Rules

By Robert Redford

Photo: Jim from Stevens Point, WI, USA, via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

How to Fight Jet Lag

New Security Measures Implemented for US-Bound Travelers

Photo by EoRdE6, via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

US-bound air travelers from Europe and Asia reported that new security measures weren’t very different from those already in place, although more passengers were selected for secondary airport security screenings. Procedures vary by country, leading to confusion for some travelers.

ViaHero: How to Have a Local Plan Your Personalized Trip

Judy Koutsky

When Kevin Maloney started to plan his trip to Iceland, a friend mentioned a new service called ViaHero. “I knew there was a lot to see in Iceland and I had a short period of time. I didn’t want to spend a lot of personal time doing the research,” Maloney says. “My goal was to have an expert map it out for me.”

He was looking for someone with expert knowledge of the area, but tailored to exactly what Maloney wanted to do on vacation. “It wouldn’t have been difficult identifying some of the big landmarks, like Blue Lagoon,” he says. “But it would have been hard for me to identify great local food spots, or natural springs that aren’t in the guide books.”

So he signed up for the service and received a local “Hero” in Iceland.

“Uncommon Flavors of Europe” Campaign Will Promote Three Delicously Italian Ingredients for Three Years

Under the “Enjoy, it’s from Europe” program adopted by the European Union, a new campaign titled “Uncommon Flavors of Europe” will bring the attention of consumers to three products from Italy for the next three years through grocery store promotions in the U.S. and Canada: Asiago PDO cheese, Speck Alto Adige PGI ham and Pecorino Romano PDO cheese.

The Top 10 Most Visited Cities in the World: Mastercard Index

According the latest edition of the annual Mastercard Destination Cities Index, Bangkok, Thailand received 19.41 million international overnight visitors in 2016 — a figure that’s expected to grow another 4 percent this year to 20.19 million.

Photo by Deb Roskamp

Rounding out the top three spots is London, which is forecast to receive 20.01 million international overnight visitors by the end of 2017, and Paris, which trails at an estimated 16.13 million.

Sports Tours International Invites Amateur Cyclists to L’Étape du Tour 2018

Sports Tours International, the UK-based provider of vacations built around nail-biting, world-class cycling and running competitions, is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L’Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.

L’Étape du Tour 2018 is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Annecy, France. The finish is at Le Grand-Bornand, a resort in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This finish was used in the 2009 Tour de France on Stage 17 when Alberto Contador famously went against team orders and left Lance Armstrong on both the Col du Romme and the Col de la Colombière.

Riders experience highs and lows while traversing a distance of 169km and climbing to heights of up to 4,000km, just like the pros when the 2018 Tour de France begins on July 7 and runs through July 29. For example, the Col de la Colombière will be the final climb for Stage 10 (Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, 159km) on July 17.

Non-Traditional Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Roast turkey feasts, food comas, and football marathons are all perfectly fine Thanksgiving traditions. But if you’re looking to shake things up this year, check out these alternative ideas for T-Day.

All-Inclusive Pricing or Hotel

We’ve all been bushwhacked by hidden hotel fees. The one that always gets me is paying a ‘resort feel’ to use an oceanfront properties’ swimming pool, towels, beach chair, etc – the very reason that I selected that property.

Here’s an intriguing blog by Mark Kahler, which addresses that issue.

United Details How New Overbooking Compensation System Works

Courtesy Lewis Lazare

United Airlines launched a new voluntary overbooking compensation system Tuesday that will notify passengers upon checking in if they may be on a flight with potential overbooking problems. The notification will give passengers several compensation options, and if the gate agent chooses to rebook one or more passengers, travel vouchers will be issued.

How to Rack Up Airline Miles (Without Actually Flying)

You don’t have to book a flight or hotel reservation to earn points with these programs.

Courtesy Danielle Brown

When it comes to loyalty, we all know the typical ways to earn rewards – book a flight, open a rewards credit card, make a hotel reservation, enroll in a dining plan, rent a car. And chances are you’re earning points and miles this way already! While these methods tend to be top of mind, not many people know that there are actually a variety of ways to accrue valuable loyalty points.

Ready For A Nap?

Weary travelers can rent sleeping pods and shower time in the Nine Hours hotel at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport
Courtesy Chris Weller – Business Insider

There aren’t many frills at the Nine Hours hotel, but when you’re only staying for a nap or a layover between flights, soft sheets and a dark space are pretty much all you need. Nine Hours is a Japanese chain of pod hotels started in 2009, with each chain designed to accommodate people for between one and nine hours depending on their needs. For $44, guests gain access to a private pod, sleepwear, and access to the bathrooms and lounge. Or for $7 you can just take a shower.

Never Collect Inanimate Objects, Because They Collect You

I was forty years old when I read this statement many years ago, and it struck me like a thunderbolt. I got it! Over the next couple of weeks, I had begun going through the things I had been accumulating since I was married.

Canada Will Have the World’s Longest Trail Network in 2017

The Great Trail, also referred to as the Trans Canada Trail, is a 14,864-mile network of paths set to be completely connected by 2017, to coincide with the country’s 150th birthday.

The trail passes through Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Photo by Laval Poulin/Trans Canada Trail

Operation Homefront

A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.

Worldwide Vacation Rankings

U.S. News Travel’s Best Vacations rankings identify the top destinations by region and vacation type.

7 Frequent-Flyer Tricks Worth Learning

Master the art of earning miles, attaining elite status, and working the system to earn free flights and other perks.

Top 25 Most Interesting Webcams

Selected from hundreds of nominees by a panel of EarthCam producers, EarthCam announces the most unique and compelling webcams of the year.

Milan Tour: Highlights and Hidden Gems with Francesca

I just returned from a spectacular vacation to vibrant Milan. Thanks to With Locals’ guide, Francesca Giorgetti, I was introduced to a Milan that I never even knew existed. Francesca personalized my family’s walking tour to our interests, which covered historical sites, unique architecture, daily life in Milan and secret insights in which we would have never known on our own. Francesca is a walking encyclopedia on all things Milan. If you have an obscure question not generally asked, she would jump on her iPhone and have your answer in a matter of seconds. A true high point, was Francesca organizing a tour of the La Scala Museum, which included her edifying oral history of La Scala, seeing intricate outfits, musical instruments, various stage props and an actual viewing of a rehearsal at La Scala from a balcony setting. We later learned that she was actually at the museum the day before, in preparation of our tour. Milan was great, but it became a multi-dimensional city experience thanks to Francesca’s expertise.

More information about tours With Locals

Hands down, this Canadian gem is our pick for the most hilarious, madcap travel show on the cybersphere.

In this zany episode, the Travel Guys take on Las Vegas.

WATCH Travel Guys Take on Las Vegas

The NAACP Warns that “travelers — especially African Americans … could [be] subject [to] disrespectful, discriminatory, or unsafe conditions.”

Courtesy Tim Winship

One Day is There of the Series

By Emily Dickinson

One Day is there of the Series
Termed Thanksgiving Day.
Celebrated part at Table
Part in Memory.

Neither Patriarch nor Pussy
I dissect the Play
Seems it to my Hooded thinking
Reflex Holiday.

Had there been no sharp Subtraction
From the early Sum —
Not an Acre or a Caption
Where was once a Room —

Not a Mention, whose small Pebble
Wrinkled any Sea,
Unto Such, were such Assembly
‘Twere Thanksgiving Day.

Send Deb your favorite travel poems.

Courtesy Shannon McMahon

Photo courtesy of Trtl

Some of the best neck pillows are also the most packable. Skip clunky, over-engineered travel pillows with these simple-yet-effective options.

Courtesy Shannon McMahon

This Is the New ‘Best Airline’ According to Savvy Travelers

Every year, Conde Nast Traveler gets a lot of mileage out of its Readers’ Choice Awards, with feedback from over 300,000 travelers.

According to the travel-savvy group that comprises Conde Nast’s survey base, the world’s 20 best are as follows:

1. Air New Zealand
2. Qatar Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Emirates
5. Swiss
6. Virgin Australia
7. Virgin Atlantic
8. Asiana
9. Aegean
10. Cathay Pacific
11. Korean Air
12. Qantas
13. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
14. Finnair
15. Turkish Airlines
16. Etihad
17. Japan Airlines
18. EVA Air
19. Lufthansa
20. KLM

And in the Best U.S. Airline category, readers voted as follows:

1. Virgin America
2. JetBlue
3. Alaska Airlines
4. Hawaiian Airlines
5. Sun Country

The 10 Best Airports in the World

Skytrax has released its latest World Airport Awards based on what it calls the largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. Nearly 14 million airport survey questionnaires were completed by 105 different nationalities of airline customers between July 2016 and February 2017. It covering 550 airports worldwide and evaluated travelers’ experiences via performance indicators including check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration. The awards were handed out by Skytrax at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

See the top 10 airport winners

“Shoot for the Stars” Winners Announced by Global Connections

Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) has selected exceptional photos from nearly 1000 entries in its 12^th Annual “Shoot for the Stars” Contest.

First, second and third prizes were awarded in each of the three categories: Wild and Fun, Family & Friends, and Landscape. In total, prizes were valued at more than $3,000 overall.

“Another year, another amazing collection of photos from GDV members,” said Melanie Gring, GCI’s VP/Strategic Alliances. “Our members shared their memories from worldwide travels and it was a tough decision to limit our winners to only nine images.”

“It really is exciting to see all the places and activities our members experienced on their vacation,” she continued. “We’re particularly fortunate these photos are so great because we use them in member collateral materials, on the website, and in testimonials.”

See the winners in each category

Random Acts of Canine Kindness

Cedric the Dog takes a well-earned break after organizing a protest at an alt–right Neo-Nazi rally in North Florida.

Dog Quotations

10 Free Scenic Drives for Budget Travel

Courtesy Mark Kahler, TravelSavvy

Free scenic drives provide some of the best budget travel values available. A breathtaking variety of vistas and views can highlight your stay in a new destination.

100 Trips Everyone Should Take in Their Lifetime

Business Insider UK asked 20 top travel bloggers and writers/editors from the likes of Lonely Planet, Suitcase, and Airbnb for the top five destinations they’ve ever visited – or the ones that are at the top of their bucket list.

Based on their advice, here’s a list of must-see places across the globe that everyone should visit in their lifetime.

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

Tipping Etiquette Around the Globe

But if you are confused about tipping in other destinations, we determined what’s best to tip outside of North America.

Africa: 10% to 15%
Australia/New Zealand: None (the wait staff is well compensated in their hourly salary
Caribbean & Central America: 10%
China: None. (Tipping is against the law)
England: 10%
Germany: 10%
Ireland: 12%
Italy: None (except for great service, where you round out bill)
Japan: None. (tipping is considered rude, but you always offer your chef a beer)
Middle East: 15%
South America: 15

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

10 Strange Laws from Around the World

Courtesy SmarterTraveler

From a stiletto ban in Greece to the pinball crackdown in South Carolina – give travel a unique flavor.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

The Best Place to Find Cheap Flights

The post Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News appeared first on Traveling Archive.

cycling Archives - Traveling Archive

Dear Dutch-American by Deb Roskamp

Dear Dutch-American –

Dear Linda –

Dear Dutch-American –

Why are there so many bicyclists in the Netherlands when the nation has public transit, automobiles, trucks and buses?— Barry of Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Barry –

Dear Dutch-American –

My time in Amsterdam is far too limited to see all that needs to be seen. What is your pick for the city’s best museum? — Wendy of Portland, Maine

Dear Wendy –

Meet our Dutch-American: Deb Roskamp

Planning a Bike Tour of London

Fueling Up

Basic Rules Apply

Choosing a Path

Three Things About The Netherlands

Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News

Happy Valentines from the Staff at TravelingBoy

Flights To These Cities Are About To Get Cheap In February

Winter Olympics 2018: Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

Ways to Save in 2018

Flight Deal: $69 on Wow Air to Iceland

Make Your New Year Resolutions – Travel-utions

Make 2018 the year you resolve to travel with the World Nomads New Year Travelutions (sorry, we know it’s lame)

TSA says old driver’s licenses OK for air travel until 2020

The World’s Top 6 Snowiest Cities

Can You Name The 10 Busiest Airports in the USA

Video Will Make Up 75 Percent of Mobile Traffic in Five Years

That’s up from just over half of all traffic now.

JetBlue’s ‘All You Can Jet’ Pass Is Back

How many free flights can you fit into one year?

Cycling Through Cinema Sites in Europe On Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

Dublin Makes National Geographic Travel “Best Of The World” List

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

How to Fight Jet Lag

Top 25 Most Interesting Webcams

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

France and Germany Top New Sustainable Tourism Index by The Economist Intelligence Unit

Volunteer Vacations with Projects Abroad

Active Gourmet Holidays: Exceptional Travel Experiences

Canada Forever: The Ultimate Canada Holiday for Every Month

2018’s Best Frequent Flyer Programs

10 of the World’s Craziest Landings

Amazing New Year Deals: Kenya w/ Air, Alaska, and Cruise Cuba from $549!

Travel Weekly Honors Winners of 2017 Awards

Caribbean Hot Spots and Travel Trends for 2018

12 Ways to Have a Luxury Vacation for Less

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

8 Weird Things You’re Allowed to Bring on Planes

8 Neck Pillows That Won’t Embarrass You on the Plane

The Best Place to Find Cheap Flights

Catch Up With the Latest Traveling Boy News

Season’s Greetings from the Staff at TravelingBoy

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

Holiday Travel Hacks

Video Will Make Up 75 Percent of Mobile Traffic in Five Years

That’s up from just over half of all traffic now.

JetBlue’s ‘All You Can Jet’ Pass Is Back

How many free flights can you fit into one year?

Four Affordable, Luxurious Christmas Getaways in Ireland

Three Holiday Travel Myths You Can Debunk Now

American Pilot Shortage Could Cause Flight Cancellations During the Holidays

Cycling Through Cinema Sites in Europe On Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

Dublin Makes National Geographic Travel “Best Of The World” List

How to Fight Jet Lag

Tipping Etiquette Around the Globe

Top 25 Most Interesting Webcams

Most Popular Instagram Photos of 2017

Calls for Greater Fossil Fuel Divestment at Anniversary of Paris Climate Deal

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Christmas Trees

8 Weird Things You’re Allowed to Bring on Planes

8 Neck Pillows That Won’t Embarrass You on the Plane

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

The NAACP Warns that “travelers — especially African Americans … could [be] subject [to] disrespectful, discriminatory, or unsafe conditions.”

The Best Place to Find Cheap Flights

10 Strange Laws from Around the World

Irish Christmas Getaways, Holiday Travel Myths and Freewheel Holidays’ Bike Vacations

Four Affordable, Luxurious Christmas Getaways in Ireland

Three Holiday Travel Myths You Can Debunk Now

Why are there so many bicyclists in the Netherlands when the nation has public transit, automobiles, trucks and buses?
— Barry of Omaha, Nebraska

My time in Amsterdam is far too limited to see all that needs to be seen. What is your pick for the city’s best museum?
— Wendy of Portland, Maine