My weekly round up of travel posts is now at its new home, here at Traveling with MJ.  You may be used to reading it at Flyaway Cafe, but bookmark it here now, and come back often.

Here’s some great travel reads to start out or conclude you week (however you like to think about it):

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  A beach is a beautiful thing

  Gadling has a review of the Power Mat recharging system.  I’d been hearing ads all over the place for this baby, so nice to have a review.  Still not sure about it, though.

• LA Times Travel reminds up to tip the hotel maid.  In a perfect world, service workers would be paid a living wage, but till then, TIP.
• My Bella Vita offers suggestions on how to beat back the Italy vacation blues.  She left off my personal remedy – start planning a return trip.
• My Melange talks about the considerations for buying a carry on bag.  As someone who’s been through more than a few sets of luggage wheels, I agree with how important those are!
• SoSauce helps us celebrate fall foliage, and has some great photography.
• WIBlog shares some bizarre concept restaurants.  I sort of like Felony Franks.  But hey, here’s a concept, how about great food that is reasonably priced!
• Nerds Eye View battles the Las Vegas transit system, and wins.  We agree, though, that as much as we’d like to use the monorail, it’s just insanely priced.
• LUXUO tempts me with the ultimate shopping experience, buying gold at Harrods.  I’m not talking jewelry here, but real gold bars.  Hmmm, something to think about when I’m in London next month.
• AAA Travel Views tempts me to visit Philadelphia with a review of Monk’s Belgian Cafe & Beer Emporium.  I confess to being a bit of a beer snob, so this place could be right up my alley.
• Eyeflare has a nice piece on Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.  Can’t go wrong with a zoo on your vacation.
• A Travelers Library gives us a list of spooky reading.  Always a fun read this time of year.
• Intelligent Traveler reminds me of an exhibit that I seem to be missing as it travels across the country, the Terra Cotta Warriors from China.
• Frill Seeker Diary, a blog just recently coming onto my radar scope, talks about the next new hot travel spots.  Apparently Brussels is the next Seattle.
• Consumer Travel reminds us how important it is to be nice, and adds several other suggestions for how to negotiate the result that we want and need.
• Travel Wonders of the World is another blog that I’ve recently started reading, and I loved the post about rocks and rhinos in Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe.
• Budget Travel gives an expert’s opinion on the best iPhone apps for travel.  And you know how I love my iPhone apps!
• The Carey Adventures has a great photo from night diving with the manta rays off the Kona coast.  Peter and I had a chance for coffee and conversation before he headed off to the islands.  Enjoy the sun, my friend!

There’s a lot of good traveling reading there, and I hope you enjoy it.  Please take a minute to leave a comment on these great posts, and be sure to let them know that MJ sent you!

Till next week, safe travels!

Photo credit:  personal collection