In a week that was full of travel news, tweets and debates about cruising (and travel bloggers role in writing about cruising), I managed to find plenty of other travel posts to read as well:

• The Silent I, a blog that I only recently discovered, had a great and photos about Chile.  I’ve always been fascinated by South America, and this country that’s practically at the end of the earth has always had a lure.
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  The coast of Bosnia-Herzegovina

  PlanetEye Traveler – Disney explains the what drives chalk artists.  I, too, wondered how they could pour heart and soul into their work, only to have it washed away.  Read the post to find the answer.

• Traveling Greener, written by my blogging pal Sonya, has tips on how to drive greener during the upcoming holidays.  Good advice for anytime of the year.
• My Bella Vita lists 5 things that you don’t need to pack for a vacation in Italy.  I agree with everything except the computer.  Of course, wouldn’t you expect a travel blogger to take exception to that one?!
• A Single View has a great shot of what it feels like to lie beneath the palm trees.  I could use a little of that sun and relaxation about now.
• The Vacation Gals take us zip-lining.  I’ve always had a curiosity about doing this, but must confess to a bit of a fear of heights.  It’s not a paralyzing fear, by any means, and Kara makes is sound very appealing.
• Times Online details how passengers from the UK are getting fed up with tipping policies of various cruise lines.
• Austin Statesman takes aim at the airline’s carry on baggage problem.  If airlines were as tough as Helen would like them to be, there wouldn’t be as many problems.
• Sharing Travel Experiences suggests 8 great places to drink champagne.  A good list, but let’s not forget in a wonderful bubble bath.
• Whale of a Purpose documents the recent baby Orcas sightings along the Pacific Northwest coastline.  Yay – we have a new baby – J-46.
• Consumer Traveler jumps on the bandwagon for free wi-fi at hotels.  It’s long past time for this to be done.
• Brilliant Tips talks about the falling of the Berlin Wall, along with some great graffiti photos from it.
• Roaming Tales suggests a great Thai place in Berkeley – the Buddhist Temple.  I’m filing this away for a future trip.
• The Gypsy’s Guide gives us the recipe for a perfect Bellini, a classic Italian cocktail, full of great history, that’s often forgotten about.
• Intelligent Travel almost. . . almost. . . makes me want to go camping with this great destination piece about a Civil War camping Weekend.
• Tourism Keys rounds out the list this week, with, for anyone who missed it, a summation of the bloggers on cruises issue.  There are many, many reasons for traveling, and one person’s paradise is another’s hell.  It’s an interesting discussion of how travel bloggers and social media fit into the equation.

Photo credit: Mary Jo Manzanares