Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:11:09 GMT

The Real Housewives Head Into Space

Earlier this month, NASA commenced the final servicing for the Hubble Telescope, and while the photos of the mission are fascinating, I felt they could use some added pizzazz. What better way to spice up some boring space shots than by adding some nouveau riche women into the mix?

After the jump, I present you The Real Housewives in outer space! Posted by: B-Side      Read more     Source

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:44:22 GMT

Summer Golf Deals

Golf in Niagara Falls

Summer is just about upon us in the northern hemisphere - hard to believe.

But there you have it, so it might be time to start thinking about a golf holiday - you know, take a break from the stress and worry of the Great Recession, etc.

If you live close to the greatest undefended border in the world - the Canada/U.S. border - there might be something here for you.

I'm talking specifically of the border between Ontario and New York State, down in the wine country of the Niagara Peninsula.

The economic demise continues to make itself felt in the golf business and that means prices are dropping faster than eagle putts.

In the Niagara region on the Ontario side of the border are no less than 8 courses, ranging from very good to outstanding. And the stay-and-play deals associated with them are begging to be snapped up.

My personal favorites in that part of the world include Whirlpool and the two fine courses at the Legends on the Niagara.

Right now, American golfers won't get much break on the Canadian dollar which has surged ridiculously in the month of May.

But fear not. The greenback is in for another run higher against all major currencies. So the Canadian loonie should begin retreating fairly soon.

For more info on those great golf deals, here's the website link. Posted by: Jack      Read more     Source

May 21, 2009, 8:27 PM CT

Idaho Vacation Rentals

Idaho vacation rentals are an ideal getaway if you want to explore the ‘gem state’s’ natural wonders. With their fully furnished interiors, these vacation rentals are like home away from home. The breathtaking scenery and an array of outdoor sports options make Idaho a vacationer’s paradise. Ranging from the wildlife tours, scenic flights, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides and fishing to hiking, skiing, hunting and biking, Idaho offers it all. The comfortable Idaho vacation rentals are the perfect place to relax, once you have enjoyed these activities to the hilt.

Popular Idaho Vacation Rentals Available at Various Hot Spots

Idaho’s favorite tourist destinations also offer some very lucrative vacation rentals:

The Silver Mountain in Kellogg boasts the world’s longest single stage person gondola. The vacation rentals here provide a wide range of amenities, which include private bedrooms, fully-stocked kitchen, spacious dining area, game rooms, private hot tubs and Jacuzzi, where you can relax after a tiring mountaineering expedition. Gathering rooms ideal for family reunions and functions are also available here.

Idaho’s Sun Valley boasts the Dollar Mountain, a favorite amongst amateur skiers. Idaho vacation rentals are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and are an embodiment of luxury and class. For instance, the modern fireplace can be used to keep you warm, once you are back from the cold mountains. In addition to opportunities for outdoor recreation, the region also offers places of great scenic beauty. ........ Posted by: JoAnn      Read more         Source

April 22, 2009, 5:05 AM CT

The first national park in Afghanistan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) applauded Afghanistan's National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), which announced recently the establishment of the country's first internationally recognized national park.

USAID provided key funding that led to the park's creation, including support of WCS to conduct preliminary wildlife surveys, identify and delineate the park's boundaries, and work with local communities and the provincial government. WCS also developed the park's management plan, helped the government hire and train local rangers, and provided assistance to the Afghan Government to design the laws enabling the park to be created.

The park, known as Band-e-Amir, will protect one of Afghanistan's best-known natural areas: the spectacular series of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine, a mineral deposit. Travertine systems are found in only a few places throughout the world, virtually all of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list and are major international tourist attractions.

Band-e-Amir had been a destination for travelers since the 1950s, with a peak visitation in the 1970s. Tourism was almost entirely absent during the war years between 1979-2001. Today, Band-e-Amir is visited every year by thousands of Afghan tourists and religious pilgrims as well as a number of foreigners currently living and working in-country. The park is near the Bamyan Valley, where the 1,500-year-old giant Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban once stood......... Posted by: JoAnn      Read more         Source

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:54:39 GMT

Traveling Light and Sleeping Rough

Rolf Potts at Vagabonding took a look early this month at the ultralight backpacking craze. And the truth is that you can get by these days with very little weight.Ultralighters have refined their gear until a tent can weight 2 pounds, a backpack 4lbs, and a stove only 12 ounces. The true gearheads quibble over remaining ounces and keep their outfit as streamlined as possible.At 48 (and a little out of shape), sleeping on the ground doesn't appeal to me the way it used to. But if I had my time in Thailand and Malaysia to live over again, I'd be grateful for lighter backpacks....


© Tierecke


Posted by: Greg Cruey      Read more     Source

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:20:59 GMT

Atlanta, GA: Little Azio Pizza & Pasta

As you drive around the metro Atlanta area, you may see several Little Azio Pizzeria restaurants scattered about.  It was some time before I actually stopped into one of their stores, first experiencing their food in the Smyrna/Vinings location with a couple of girlfriends.

An Italian-style restaurant with a casual feel, the menu offers various types of thin-crust pizza, pastas, salads, and panini sandwiches. Made fresh to order, the staff was pleasant and it wasn"t crowded at the time we went which made the atmosphere conducive for a quick, yet chatty, evening dinner with the girls. I found the menu reasonably priced, liked the self-service seating, and found it convenient to order at the counter.  The food was promptly delivered to the table by an employee using an issued number is plate at the check out for an identifier. Posted by: Editor      Read more     Source

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:25:31 GMT

Habitats: Grange Park

"Catherine Runchey, rooming house operator extraordinaire," says Trish fondly, looking at the plaque on her house. "We don"t know much about her, except that she lived here." Along with other of the Robert Brown row houses near the revamped AGO, the house is on its way to being listed as a Heritage building.

The house dates from the transitional period between the Grange"s aristocratic heyday in the mid-1800s and its population shift in the 1890s, when the area became home to new Canadians making the transition to a new life in Toronto. Mrs. Runchey"s house reminds me of English author Jerome K. Jerome, who once wrote: "I want a house that has got over all its troubles. I don"t want to spend the rest of my life bringing up a young and inexperienced house." Posted by: Lisa      Read more     Source

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:45:01 GMT

Air Fare Sales

The Perrin Post pointed out earlier this month that that the summer air fare sale is on!

Now is the time to get cheap tickets for that summer trip to Europe.....yesterday US Airways launched a fab unadvertised summer sale to London, Paris, Frankfurt, and other European cities: Fares are in the $500s and $600s, including all taxes, for peak summertime travel.These fares are in some cases less than half what other carriers are charging.

You can also get great deals at the moment to South America.LAN Airlines now has roundtrip fares from New York City to six different cities in Argentina for $599, six different cities in Chile for $699, Easter Island for $999, and Uruguay for $599. (These fares don't include taxes, which add up to $90 to your bill.) There are similar fares from Toronto, as well as deals from other U.S. cities.The South America fares are from travel between February 1 and June 15.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 816433 Posted by: Greg Cruey      Read more     Source

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:48:02 GMT

The Fantastic Floating Islands Of Titicaca

The Uros people of Lake Titicaca have a unique way of life - they build their own islands, float them on the lake and then proceed to live on them.

Here is a glimpse of their world, where their home made "islands" are truly "in the stream."

(via Robert-John) Posted by: Gerard      Read more     Source

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:11:31 GMT

Princess Cruises Cuts Prices to Alaska for this Summer

Alaska's tourism industry is taking a hit during the recession. And to try and keep arrivals flowing in the summer, the Princess Cruises has slashed prices according to the Associated Press.Cruise ships bring roughly 1 million visitors to Alaska each year. To get them here this summer, cruise ship lines are discounting tickets by as much as 40 percent.

John Binkley, executive director of the Alaska Cruise Association, said the discounting is because of some of the worst sales cruise lines have encountered.Summer cruises to Alaska offer some of North America's most startlingly beautify scenery.

Last year, the cheapest Alaska cruise offered by the major lines was $799 plus fees, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association. This winter, Princess Cruises is offering summer cruises for as low as $475 plus fees.

Posted by: Greg Cruey      Read more     Source