It’s time for another week of trying to figure out American pro football. Two weeks into our charity underdog pool, we have 11 players with points — more than half the participants. And they’ll be poring over this list of underdogs (in caps) to see which one can win its game outright, without the benefit of the point spread. The spread is relevant only in that it determines how many points the pool players get if they’re right:
14 CAROLINA at New Orleans
10.5 MIAMI at New England
10.5 TAMPA BAY vs. Green Bay
10 DETROIT at Seattle
10 WASHINGTON at Atlanta
9 HOUSTON at Indianapolis
6.5 KANSAS CITY at Jacksonville
5.5 TENNESSEE at San Francisco
3.5 SAN DIEGO at NY Giants
3 ARIZONA at Chicago
3 CINCINNATI vs. Baltimore
3 DALLAS at Philadelphia
3 DENVER vs. Pittsburgh
On the administrative side, the charitable contribution that we’ll be making when the playoffs are over now totals $420, which will be divvied up $300 for first, $75 for second, and $45 for third. And bragging rights among our players? Priceless.
Even if you’re not formally playing, you may have an opinion about which of the ‘dogs is this week’s best bet. Don’t be shy, now.
Written by Travel News on November 5th, 2009 with no comments.
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Ah – the glory days of travel: excitement, romance and luxury. The first time I stepped onto a plane, the experience was alluring. Seating felt roomy (I was young), there was food on little trays, and the cabin crew visibly loved their jobs – or put on a good show of doing so. Not any more. Here are three (plus one) things that take the shine off air travel.
Mealtime Woes
On most flights these days, you don’t get a meal unless you are flying long haul. Perhaps that’s good for our waistlines in a more health conscious era, but there are some flights where you could do with a bit of sustenance. I’ve spent a lot of time on AA flights this year. Sure there are food choices available, but the range of sandwiches, cheese and crackers, chips and cookies available is not exactly inspiring. As a semi-vegetarian, I’d love to have more choice on board. Since it’s not there, I have to prowl the airport looking for something decent or starve. Let’s not talk about the prices – this is a money spinner, pure and simple, and it increases the feeling that you’ve been had.
Paying For Booking Seats
So far, for me at least, AA has been in the clear on this one, but others are not so great. On many of the budget European airlines you can’t pre-book seats at all. Those that do allow it want to charge you for the ‘inconvenience’. Last I heard, you needed a seat to fly, so why should you have to pay extra? It’s not as though you are getting any extra comfort – it’s still what the British call cattle class – economy to us. Economy?! It’s the airlines who are raking it in from this move.
Paying For Carrying Bags – Or Not
How are you to travel without a suitcase? While there are times when it’s best to travel light (a good packing list will help with this), if you’re traveling for more than a few days, you need a suitcase. This year I’ve noticed many airlines changing their rules on bags. On some domestic flights you pay for an extra bag, while on some European budget airlines, they charge you both for checking a bag and for not checking one – having their cake and eating it too. That is soooo unfair, as my six year old would say.
Bonus – Too Much Reality
I’ve been lucky enough to get seats with extra legroom on the last couple of flights. That means I’m near the jump seats the crew members use for takeoff and landing. I can tell by the way they talk that these seats are their living room, and they behave as if no one can hear them. There’s lots of bitching and moaning about other crew members, some passengers and the tours they are assigned. It’s a bit too much like being a part of a reality show for me.
With these trends and others, travel just isn’t what it used to be. I still love the excitement of seeing a new place, but flying has lost its allure for me. I feel like part of a herd – and that’s not a good way to start a trip. What are your pet peeves about travel?
Written by Travel News on November 5th, 2009 with no comments.
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No matter where you go in the world, you can see people tapping away on a Blackberry. It’s fair to say it’s taken the business world by storm (yes, the pun IS intended). In the past we have looked at iPhone applications for travelers. Now it’s the turn of the Blackberry. Here are the best free Blackberry apps for travelers.
10. Flight and Hotel Travel Search by Kayak
Search Kayak.com for deals on hotels and flights. You can also check flight status, useful if you’re on the move.
9. Tube Buddy
Traveling in London? Tube Buddy gives live departure boards for tube lines and Underground and DLR service updates.
8. SimulTravel GPS
This is a quick way to find a hotel while you’re traveling. You can even find out if the hotel down the street is a better deal than the one you are staying in.
7. OpenTable
Make free restaurant reservations at over 10,000 restaurants in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, and earn reward points while you do it.
6. HRS Hotel Organizer
This is a great way to find out about available hotels, their location and facilities. Book anyone of 250,000 hotels around the world from your Blackberry, even if it’s a last minute reservation.
5. The FastPages
This may be one of the quickest ways to get information, with thousands of mobile websites and touch-to-dial phone numbers instantly available.
4. Interlecta Translator
Translate the text you enter on screen and send it as an email or text message. Translate email as it comes in. Interlecta integrates machine translation by adding a ‘translate’ option to menus.
3. WorldMate Live
WorldMate Live integrates a range of travel options, including creating an itinerary, navigation, calendar sync, local search, hotel bookings, currency conversion and world clocks. Paid membership has additional features.
2. Navita Translator
This translation app supports 52 languages and is compatible with all BlackBerry smartphones. Translation is available for words and phrases in emails, SMS or when you type.
1. Trapster
Find out where the speed traps, red light cameras, and speed cameras are without having to communicate with CB radios and flashing headlights.
Find more useful BlackBerry apps on BlackBerry World.
Written by Travel News on November 5th, 2009 with no comments.
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Start packing your swimsuits and sunglasses, and head to the Caribbean this
winter! BA has launched several new flights to the Caribbean this season, bringing their total number of flights to the region up to 45 flights every week. The new flights will be between
London Gatwick and Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (both known for their sun-drenched beaches). These new routes mean that
British Airways currently
offer more flights to the Caribbean than any other UK carrier.
So if your summer tan is fast fading away and you’re languishing under layers of knitted jumpers, maybe it’s time to ask the boss nicely for a week or two off. After all, lounging about on the golden sands of a beach in St. Kitts, rum-based cocktail in hand, will surely help recharge your batteries in no time. Just tell your boss you’re trying to boost your productivity. If St Kitts or Montego Bay isn’t your scene, BA also offers flights to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and St. Lucia. Just open up a map of the Caribbean, close your eyes point, and BA will take you there.
And don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!
(Photo: travelmodule.csiadmin.co.uk)
Written by Travel News on November 5th, 2009 with no comments.
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A wee bit of Scotland can be found in central Texas each year in Salado, and whether you are searching for your ancestors in a genealogy workshop or simply savoring the event’s sights and sounds, the three-day gathering is one Highland fling that will never be forgotten.
Events
The rhythm of Scottish drums and blare of pipes are sounds that stir the blood during a competition of musical mastery, while performers prancing to the steps of the Seann Triubhas, the Sword dance and the Pas de Basques tap out the heartbeat of the Highlands during the dance competition.
In a battle of brawn, find out who will be the king of the clans in a tug-o-war, and cheer on the kilt-clad contestants aiming to win first prize in the athletic games, which include the weight toss and weight throw, tossing the sheaf the hammer throw, the stone toss and tossing the caber.
Passersby intrigued by the intoxicating aroma of Scottish shortbread can head to the Clan Tent area for the start of a culinary contest, then stay for the day’s quirkiest competition, the bonniest knees contest.
In the evening, a Texas Tattoo says farewell to the setting sun on College Hill, then head to the Longhorn Room for a Texas-style Scottish soiree– a ceilidh.
Shopping
Find a Scottish souvenir of your stay in Salado among the vendor booths in the clan tents and at the Wee Scots Shop next to the Central Texas Area museum.
When: November 13 – 15, 2009 (the grounds for the games are not officially opened until November 14th.)
Where: Salado Civic Center in Salado.
For more information:
Written by Travel News on November 5th, 2009 with no comments.
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I was 10 and living in suburban America when the Berlin wall fell. I remember learning about it in school and not quite understanding what it was all about. The Wall made another brief appearance during an undergraduate European history course (I understood it better that time around) and I began to appreciate the symbolism of this massive barrier. However, until I stood at the foot of one of the last remaining stretches of wall in Berlin, I had never fully pondered the impact of this structure on the people who lived in the city.
As I looked up at the relatively low wall (9 feet, 11 feet with the 2 feet of barbed wire that ran along the top of the wall – I had always imagined it to be higher), I wondered what it would be like to wake up one morning and not be able to see those I cared most about, to know that the landscape of my city had drastically changed, and that my home city may never be the same again.
The border was sealed off along Bernauer Strasse on August 13, 1961, causing a drastic shift in the daily lives of those living on this street. Residents of Prenzlauer Berg could no longer travel freely through their own neighborhood. Even worse, neighbors, friends, and relatives were separated from one another. The house across the street was suddenly part of a different political paradigm.
Due to the geographical placement of their homes, the people of Bernauer Strasse became directly implicated in this important period in post-war German history. Out of desperation and panic, people jumped out of the windows of apartments along Bernauer Strasse. Though some were successful in making it to West Berlin, many lost their lives.
The section of the former border strip running from Behmstrasse to Bernauer Strasse is now known as Mauer (“wall”) Park. In addition, you can see various fragments of the wall from Behmstrasse along Norwegerstrasse in the direction of Bornholmer Strasse or from Eberswalder Strasse along Bernauer Strasse. Along Bernauer Strasse, there is an informational wall 
(called a “street gallery”) with photos, testimonials and descriptions of experiences associated with the wall.
Another part of the memorial is the The Berlin Wall Documentation Center, located on Bernauer Strasse. It is home to a wide variety of exhibits, archival information, and opportunities to explore the history of the Berlin Wall. The center also hosts seminars on politics and other events throughout the year. It is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (March to November: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
S-Bahn station Nordbahnhof (S1, S2), U-Bahn station Bernauer Strasse (U8), Bus 245
Related posts:
- Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall …
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- Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall …
Written by Travel News on November 4th, 2009 with no comments.
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It’s time to set sail and enoy incredible savings. Book one of the cruises below aboard The Yachts of Seabourn and receive FREE airfare from 27 North American gateways as well as transfers to and from the airport.
Travel aboard an intimate yacht and enjoy all-suite accommodations, personalized service and an atmosphere of sophisticated ease. With special fares from just $3,799, don’t miss this exceptional value. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the winner of the World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line.**
This sale lasts until November 30th.*
Riviera & Bella Italia • Seabourn Legend
MAY 2 or JUN 5, 2010 • 7 days
Monte Carlo, Monaco to Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Inclusive Fares from $3,799
Rome, Florence & Riviera • Seabourn Legend
MAY 9 or JUN 12, 2010 • 7 days
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to Monte Carlo, Monaco
Inclusive Fares from $3,799
Yachtsman’s Riviera • Seabourn Legend
MAY 29, 2010 • 7 days
Barcelona, Spain to Monte Carlo, Monaco
Inclusive Fares from $4,299
Cote D’Azur • Seabourn Legend
JUN 19, 2010 • 7 days
Monte Carlo, Monaco to Barcelona, Spain
Inclusive Fares from $4,299
Italian Mosaic • Seabourn Spirit
MAY 1 or 29, 2010 • 7 days
Round-trip Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Inclusive Fares from $3,999
Olympian East • Seabourn Spirit
MAY 8, 2010 • 7 days
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Inclusive Fares from $3,999
Olympian West • Seabourn Spirit
MAY 22, 2010 • 7 days
Istanbul, Turkey to Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Inclusive Fares from $4,199
Adriatic Enchantment • Seabourn Spirit
JUN 5, 2010 • 7 days
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to Venice, Italy
Inclusive Fares from $4,499
Dalmation Gems • Seabourn Spirit
JUN 12, 2010 • 7 days
Round-trip Venice, Italy
Inclusive Fares from $4,499
Italian Idyll • Seabourn Spirit
JUN 19, 2010 • 7 days
Venice, Italy to Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Inclusive Fares from $4,499
Greek Isles & Turkey • Seabourn Odyssey
MAY 8 or JUN 5, 2010 • 7 days
Athens (Piraeus), Greece to Istanbul, Turkey
Inclusive Fares from $4,499
Aegean Odyssey • Seabourn Odyssey
MAY 15 or JUN 12, 2010 • 7 days
Istanbul, Turkey to Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Inclusive Fares from $4,499
Adriatic & Greek Isles • Seabourn Odyssey
MAY 29 or JUN 26, 2010 • 7 days
Venice, Italy to Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Inclusive Fares from $4,799
Greece & Dalmatian Isles • Seabourn Odyssey
JUN 19, 2010 • 7 days
Athens (Piraeus), Greece to Venice, Italy
Inclusive Fares from $4,799
For more information, or to book, call your travel agent or visit The Yachts of Seabourn
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- Book Now and Save on Europe Tour Specials …
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Written by Travel News on November 4th, 2009 with no comments.
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Coastal paradise on the azure Aegean, or great crossroads of the ancient world? Or both? Modern day Izmir on Turkey’s west coast is one of the most popular destinations for northern European vacationers and is also the birthplace of Homer, one of the greatest poets and storytellers of all time. The city was founded by the almost mythical Trojans thousands of years ago and was fought over by ancient Greeks, Alexander the Great, Romans, Arabs and eventually the Ottoman Turks who wrested control of the city from the victors of WWI, who at the time helped to carve up Turkey the way they carved up the Middle East.
Unfortunately for history buffs, approximately 70% of the city burned during the battle between Mustafa Kemal Attaturk (Father of the Turks) and the Greek Occupation Force following WW I. Even so, there are still ruins and castles and bazaars and crumbling white neighborhoods facing the sea that can satisfy any admirer of old civilizations.
Probably one the most significant sights in Turkey is the Kadifekale Fortress, originally built by Alexander the Great’s generals per his instructions. The fortress stands guard over the city from a height of 250 feet and is an ideal 
place to watch the sunset over the Aegean. Ruins from Izmir’s Roman and Greek past can be seen in dramatic fashion at the Agora, where recent finds include the remains of a temple of Zeus built almost 2000 years ago. At Bayrakli, the ruins of the original site of Smyrna (ancient Izmir) are still open to the public. This site was moved by Alexander to the hilltop above the city for defensive purposes.
Izmir is a great place to shop (as are most middle eastern cities): there are bazaars and kervansarays (marketplaces where caravans stopped, and merchants slept and did business) throughout the city, selling all manner of carpets, trinkets, jewelry and pottery. The most famous bazaar in Izmir is the Kemeralti, which sprawls around the old Kizlargasi Hani kervansara. And after exploring the markets for a full day, consider a dip in one of Turkey’s most famous thermal spas at Balcova, either immediatly before or after sunset.
Most people go to Izmir for the white sand beaches of the Aegean. The beaches around Izmir are full during the high seasons of summer and winter. There are kebabs and shisha, tanned Swedish women and slick Turkish men and some of the most beautiful and peaceful bays you will find anywhere. The beach areas leading up into the city turn into thumping club districts and elegant sipping lounges at night. If you are young and looking for some action, you can find it and if you would rather relax and have a few cocktails that works fine too.
Turkish food is excellent and Izmir cuisine is particularly delicious. Here you can have fresh fruit all year long, fresh fish (fried, grilled or steamed) served in various kebab styles and local specialties like Izmir cheese and Izmir kebabs (Tulum Peyniri and Kumru respectively). A two week sojourn through the 
bazaars, along the beaches and through the cafes eating and drinking non-stop — this is what a standard vacation to Izmir can be. One of the best areas to experience the easy living of Izmir is the Alsancak district, a favorite for visitors looking for baklava, tea, shisha and other tasty dishes.
Izmir is a great third stop in any tour of Turkey — after jaw-dropping Istanbul and the ruins of Cappadocia, Izmir and its beaches, cafes and lazy walks around the bazaars is a welcome — no, perfect — next destination.
Related posts:
- Ireland’s Wonderful West Coast …
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Written by Travel News on November 4th, 2009 with no comments.
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We arrived at sunset. The Temple of Apollo, now just a remnant of the original, ancient edifice, clung to a rocky outcrop just north of the port. We walked out along the quay to see the stone pillars, backlit against the 
pomegranate-red sunset. Others stood in small groups viewing the ruins. The only sound was of the waves cutting against the rocks.
This peaceful introduction to Naxos set the tone for our visit. Naxos, Greece has only recently discovered tourism and it still retains a sleepy atmosphere in keeping with its agricultural roots. The largest island in the Cyclades chain, Naxos has a hilly, green interior that is ringed by sandy beaches and small towns. We based ourselves in Chora Naxos and settled in for a wonderful week of leisurely exploration.
Lining the waterfront promenade of this busy town, are several open-air restaurants. And despite their touristy appeal, quite a few offer delicious, fresh seafood at a reasonable cost. Alleys lead back from the waterfront into the winding streets of the town’s Venetian quarter, the Kastro. In a full week of exploring this area, we could never quite map-out the intricate maze of narrow pedestrian streets. And it was this feature that contributed to the charm of stumbling upon hidden shops and plazas. We often found breakfast by discovering a bakery as it opened, and paying a mere euro for a delicious, hot spankopita off the tray.
One morning, we wandered into an inviting café that was tucked away somewhere up a hill. Its dark wood interior framed charming windows that opened to a cobblestone alley below. It was a neighborhood place, lovingly tended by the owners who invited us back that night for ouzo, appetizers, and traditional Greek music. This type of small-town friendliness is common on Naxos, many of whose residents are still farmers or fishermen.
The towns people take great pride in the Naxos Castle and the adjacent Tower of Glezos. The castle, surounded by a pentagonal wall, long served as a fortification, and most recently was transformed into the Venetian Museum. Entrance to the museum, which sponsors classical music concerts in the summer months, is just inside the gates of the castle.
Chora’s main square is a bustling mix of tourist restaurants and bars. It’s the best place on the island to catch a soccer game, and is a lively mixture of visitors and locals. Chora Naxos also boasts some of the best Mexican food in Greece at the Picasso Mexican Bistro, an expat-owned restaurant that will satisfy any homesickness with a heaping plate of beans, sizzling peppers, and homemade tortillas.
To the south, the town gives way to Agios Georgios, a crowded but pretty stretch of beach, popular for swimming. We, however, preferred the narrow beaches of Plaka and Agia Anna, a few minutes further down the road, that were full of bars, snack shops, live music, and more youthful crowds.
Having heard about Naxos’ lovely interior, we planed to rent motorcycles and explore. Unfortunately, we were provided with a less glamorous option: a 4-Wheeler. These squat, hardy machines top out at around 40 mph. We rented a bright purple creature and took off into the mountains. Despite the indignity of sleek Ducatis passing our silly little 4-Wheeler, we learned that independent transport is really the best way to see Naxos. We wound through gray olive groves, quaint farms, and tiny villages comprised of a few white, sun-baked homes. We refueled in the mountain village of Filoti, a cluster of buildings perched above a wide agricultural valley, and were delighted by the sight of Mt. Zeus, the island’s highest point, which cast its shadow over the valley.
In the town of Halki, the Vallindras Distillery makes citron, a liquor distilled from the local fruit of the same name. We toured the distillery, which has been in operation since the late 19th century and still uses its original methods and equipment. At the end of our complimentary tour, the guide poured a taste of the sweet, citrusy, emerald-green liquor. The traditional processes used to make citron, its homegrown ingredients, and the distillery’s new focus on tourism, perfectly embodied the changing character of this quiet island.
Related posts:
- The Greek Isles: Naxos and Mykonos …
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Written by Travel News on November 4th, 2009 with no comments.
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Travel to Europe – The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal – this Fall and Winter at great fares!
Depart from 10/30/2009 – 3/28-2010 and return by 6/28/2010. A Saturday night stay is required, and the maximum stay is limited to 3 months.
You must book by November 5, 2009.
Examples of your options from New York are:
Amsterdam from $310*
Lisbon from $ 280*
Rome from $321*
Barcelona from $321*
Examples of your options from San Francisco are:
Frankfort from $366*
Madrid from $377*
Paris from $410*
Marseille from $410*
Other departure cities are available.
*One-way based on round trip purchase. Additional fees and conditions may apply.
For more information, contact your travel agent or Lufthansa
Related posts:
- Air France – Fall and Winter Deals …
- Seabourn Offers Europe Cruise Deals for Spring 2010 …
- Lufthansa Air Deals to Europe …
Related posts:
- Air France – Fall and Winter Deals …
- Seabourn Offers Europe Cruise Deals for Spring 2010 …
- Lufthansa Air Deals to Europe …
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