It’s been a week of big travel news, although some of centered around flying hoaxes.  That’s why you need to read these blogs posts that will give you real scoop!
SoSauce (travel geek blog) an Indian cooking lesson, including Naan.  Yummmmmmm!
LA Times Travel compares and contrasts Halloween activities at Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios.
PlanetEye Traveler – Philippine Culture (formerly Filipina Soul) shares a delicious and easy  lumpia recipe.  I’m going to give it a try.
Intelligent Travel asks us if we’d take the Titanic cruise.
Consumer Traveler debates the issue of whether airport lounges are worth the price of admission.  For …read more

Hello fellow travelers!
I’ve gathered up some great weekend reads, so grab a cup of coffee, and settle in.  These posts are sure to make for great Sunday (or any day) reading:
Filipina Soul introduces us to the Ayala Museum which houses world-class collections based on the history of the Philippines.  Beautiful!

Travel Writers News lists the best online travel resources.  I was aware of most of these, but picked up a few that I’ve now added to my list.  You’ll find this very helpful.
The Los Angeles Guide introduces to the mobile food vendors are the latest, hippest, dining experience to hit LA, …read more

Another iPhone app that I’ve discovered!  And you know how I love my apps.  This one is handy for use at home and while traveling, and appeals to the foodie and wine lover in me.
The new Drinks Matcher, from Nat Decants, is a combination wine sommelier and bartender, all in the convenience of your smart phone.  You can quickly choose a wine whether you’re sitting at a restaurant, lounging poolside, or shopping at the supermarket or liquor store.  Since the app doesn’t require an internet connection, you can even use it when you’re dining on the patio and some …read more

I’m hunkered down in my hotel room right now after a wonderful day of exploring.  I enjoy wandering down one street and up the other, poking my head into shops that look interesting.
Many times today I stopped to ask people on the street if they were local, as I attempt to wend my way back to the hotel.  I like to ask for restaurant and/or bar recommendations, trusting locals to point me in the right direction.
However, I’m not sure that I could trust the locals as much as Andrew Zimmern does!
As he serves up the second season of Bizarre Foods …read more

Today’s matchbook is a contribution from Shane who writes The Tokyo Traveler.
I wish that I could offer up a little more insight as to the location and cuisine of the restaurant, but you’ll have to follow her blogs posts to learn about the food of Tokyo.
Thanks for the contribution, Shane!
If you have a matchbook you’d like to have featured on Matchbook Monday, along with a little accompanying link love, you can email me your photos (along with any anecdotes that you care to share). 
 
 
Photo credit:  Shane Sakata, with permission
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I have an upcoming trip planned to Philadelphia, and was going through my resources trying to get ideas about where to stay, what to do and see, and, of course, what and where to eat.
I noticed that Sound About Philly has added a new walking and podcast tour, this one called Philly Noir.  It’s a walking tour that covers African American culture, history, and experiences (past and present), and includes food, the arts, history and sports.  There are 11 tour segments, and you can download, and then mix and match them based on your interests and time. 
Here’s a sampling of …read more

In my job, as with most who travel for business, there are times when people surround you, and times when you just want to be alone.  One difficult dilemma for many travelers is the issue of dining alone.
When I mention dining alone, I’m not talking about ordering room service and eating in your room, or ordering up some take out, and working through your meal.  I’m talking about going to a restaurant, and perhaps a nice one at that, and sitting down for a glass of wine and a decent meal.  All that, and good service, too.  Even the most intrepid …read more

Happy Monday!
Here are this week’s money saving travel tips:

Travel seems to be one of the few remaining areas where it’s okay to discriminate based on age.  And this time, that’s a good thing.  Look for “senior” discounts at restaurants, attractions, and various events where admission prices may be lower if you are senior.  The age that you become a senior varies from place to place, but if you think you might be in the general age range, be sure to inquire.
On the other end of the age spectrum, there are frequently discounts for young children and infants.  Most attractions allow …read more

It’s about 5:30 am, Saturday morning, as I sit and write this here in Seattle, Washington.
Thanks to a handy little Google search, I know that:

It is 2:30 pm in Paris;
It is also 2:30 pm in Malta;
It is 1:30 pm in Iceland;
And it is 3:30 am in Tahiti.

What do those locations have in common?  They are all places that I’d love to visit in 2007.  While I probably won’t make it to all of them, I’m hoping to cross at least a couple off the list.
You can find out what time it is by searching in Google using these parameters:  time …read more

Today’s post comes from Lynn Rodriguez.  Lynn previously wrote Paris in the Fall so be sure to go back and read it if you missed it the first time around.
Lynn makes me feel like I’m sitting in a little cafe, having espresso, and planning what I’m going to do with the rest of the day. 
Thanks again, Lynn.  I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of your writing!
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FUSAC has been around for years. It means France USA Contacts. If you’re thinking of going to Paris or have just arrived, it’s a must have, and best of all, it’s free!
You can find an abundance of information …read more