I’ve had a busy week of traveling, with a trip to Maui followed by a press trip to Bellingham.  Maui was gorgeous, and it’s warm, sunny weather provided a much needed lift of my spirits.  The Seattle rain can become a little depressing.  The trip to Bellingham was one of discovery – discovering how much the city has changed (beautiful new hotels and dining options) as well as re-discovery (those places I had visited as a youngster).

The reading list this week may be short (due to limited free time), but there’s lots of good stuff here:

• Travels with Two, a blog that I only recently discovered, honors the women winemakers of Napa with a discovery trail that takes you to their wineries.  What a great idea to learn about the women doing such great work in the business.
• Suite 101 Luxury points out something that I’m already painfully aware of – airfares to Europe are much more expensive this summer than last.  If you’re planning to go, there are some cost saving tips.
• My Marrakesh always has stunning photos from an exotic part of the world.  These posts are of a wonderful little dinner party at Peacock Pavilion.  Wouldn’t you love to stay there?  I know I would!
• Over at Nerd’s Eye View there’s proof that a love of travel, and travel writing, may run in the family, along with.  Head on over and marvel at early day Egyptian engineering.
• The Planet D lists things they hate about traveling.  Lists are always so much fun as everyone can weigh in on whether they agree or not.  See if what you hate makes their list.
• Monkey Brewster gives us a glimpse at the historic district of Savannah.  This is a city that I’ve never visited, but I’m going to have to get there soon.
• The Vacation Gals point out that SPAM isn’t  bad – at least not when it’s in a museum.  I hadn’t heard of this place, but it appeals to my love of quirky places.  The SPAM Museum is in Minnesota.
• Andrew Harper lists his packing tips, Some are practical, some more upscale, but there’s some practical advice here too.
• Finally,, over at Almost Fearless there’s a challenge going on.  A $9,830 challenge.  Christine will be making a documentary about life as a digital nomad family.  It’s am ambitious project, so go take a look to see how you can get involved.

Please take some time and read these great travel posts.  I think you’ll enjoy them as much as I did!  Have a great week, and I’ll have another list of travel reads next Sunday.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Following some imposed downtime, as a result of a previous rotator cuff and shoulder injury, I’ve been for the better part of three weeks.  It is with great excitement today, then, that I’m able to take to the skies once again.  Today I’ll be winging my was to Maui, hoping for a little sunshine and relaxation.  Life truly is good.

Here’s are my discoveries for this past week.  Things that I found interesting, informational, helpful, or just plain quirky.  I hope that you will enjoy these posts as much as I did.

• Italyville teases the palate with recommendations about top foods in Calabria.  Since this year’s trip to Italy will likely take me to this part of the country, I filed this info away for future tasting.
• Taking Off has practical advice about the weather – don’t let it ruin your vacation.  Wise words indeed, and I’d add don’t let anything ruin your vacation.  Your attitude will determine the outcome of your time away.
• Rick Steves Blog Gone Europe outlines a one-week itinerary for London.  It’s a pretty hectic pace, but I like the way it’s laid out.  You can drop and add based on your own personal preferences.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Washington DC reviews a musical about writing a musical.  Sounds like a production that writers would love.
• Travel Write Live lists the top 10 countries that he needs to visit, prompting me to think about my own list of the same.  Look for it later this week.
• Eyeflare discovers romantic Lake Como.  Simply charming!
• Sharing Travel Experiences offers a cultural and culinary look at Sicily.  This was another one that caught my eye, and since Sicily is in this summer’s plans I’ve bookmarked this post for future reference.
• Journeywoman listed 10 books she’s give to a girlfriend.  They’re all travel related, and I noted a couple titles that I’ve put on my reading list.  Check them out!  I’m sure you’ll find a title that captures your fancy.
• American Express Open Forum list 10 key hotel features in a business hotel.   It will come as no surprise that free wi-fi tops the list, but take a look and see if you agree with the rest.  Anything missing?
• PlanetEye Traveler – Niagara explains that Niagara is one of the most haunted cities in Canada.  With the current interest in the paranormal and the popularity of all the paranormal-themed television shows, this should pique the interest of many fans.
• Urban Daddy tells us about a gadget that might come in handy for your next road trip.  It allows you to take those old college mix tapes and turn them into files for you iPod.  What could be better than a road trip listening to songs from your youth?
• AAA Travel Views has some quirky sites in the Dakotas.  I love this kind of spots!
• Inside the Travel Lab has a review of The Reluctant Tuscan.  You had to know I’d love this one, huh?  Yep, I’ll be reading this one before the trip.
• Almost Fearless has a guest post detailing mistakes that are frequently made when planning long term travel.  It’s always easier to learn from someone else’s mistakes and then make new ones of your own.
• Intelligent Travel introduces to a offbeat museum in New York City focuses on gangsters.  I’d like to stop off and see if I can learn what’s true and what’s just urban legend.
• Airline Reporter chimes in with his take on some of the issues of airline travel today – pricing, fees, and baggage.  There’s some good food for thought there, and maybe we are getting exactly what we asked for.
• Miss Expatria tells us why that last day of vacation, the one where you’re leaving for home, is always the toughest.  It so very true!  That’s why it’s good to start planning another trip on your return home.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Seattle has a guest post that reviews the Fairmont Olympic.  This grand old hotel occupies a soft spot in my heart as it was the spot of many memorable events growing up (including my Senior Prom).  I’m glad to know that someone else enjoys its history and elegance as much as I do.
• From Buenos Aires to Paris is a new blog that I have totally fallen in love with.  This is some of the finest food porn around.  After drooling over her photos, I jotted down several recipes that even I could master.  First up will be the blue cheese and pear crostini.  I think I’ve found heaven!

That’s it for this week.  I hope you’ll take a few minutes and check out some of these great posts.  And if you do, please leave a comment and tell them that MJ sent you.  See you next week!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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My travels this past week took me to Dallas and then San Diego, including one flight delay that reslult in a very, very short night.  Such is the life of a traveler!

I invite you to spend some time reading about all the news that these travelers are writing about.  Get away from your March Madness brackets and discover the world:

• Gadling tackles the question that I, too, have been working on – bargain summer fares to Europe.  I’ve seen a little bit of downward movement in the last couple days, but I’m still hoping there’s something better around the corner.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Atlanta explains bottle trees, and how this traditional method of catching haints has become an art form.  I’m trying to recall if I’ve seen one!
• Consumer Traveler tackles the question of what to do when your luggage breaks down mid-trip.  I’ve had to manage broken zippers, wonky wheels, and a sticky handle.
• And speaking of luggage, Andy at Sharing Travel Experiences shares his tips for packing tips for seven weeks on the road.  While most of us won’t tackle that long of a trip, this advice is good no matter the duration of your trip.
• Euro Cheapo points out that renting a villa may be a more affordable choice than your might first think.  Add up the costs, divided by the number of people, and you may find that a beautiful villa in Tuscany is well within your budget.
• Travel Wonders of the World reviews the book 100 Sporting Events you Must see Live.  This would be a great gift for Father’s Day, graduation, or for any sports fan.
• Go Hawaii lists great suggestions for a first time visit to the Big Island.  There are still a few things on the list that I haven’t seen yet.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Dublin says that Guiness really does taste better when you drink it local.
• Intelligent Travel has a great photo essay called Peeps in Places.  If you don’t know what a Peep is, it’s a marshmallow, gooey, sugary confection, generally seen at holiday times.  Not a lot of redeeming nutritional value, but they’re a wonderful guilty pleasure.  Take a pic of your Peep and submit it.
• Vagabondish reports on a travel trend that seems like something right out of a movie – kidnap travel.  The victim, I mean traveler, is kidnapped and then a wild adventure follows.  The French company invites participants to be creative.
• The Vacation Gals put the Mexico travel alert into perspective.  A little common sense goes a long way to ensuring your Mexico vacation is a great one.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Hawaii tempts me with information about Zip Line tours.  I’ve always wanted to try a zip line, and since I’ll be on Maui several times next month, it might be a case of the right place and the right time.
• Europe Up Close extols the virtues of grappa.  While I’m not a big fan, when I’m in Italy one of the first purchases my traveling group makes is grappa.
• LA Times Travel explains how Skype will be offering wi-fi by the minute as an alternative to expensive per day charges that you can get stuck with at many locations.  It’s not dirt cheap, but it still beats most of the paid options out there.  See if it works for you.

Photo credit:  SXC

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With five days of travel this past week, including a couple nights in Chicago and a trip to Denver, my spare time for reading was taken up with all that travel time.  And, as much as I love my iPhone, I’m not much for following my feed reader on it.  (Although it there’s a good app that will make it easier and more reader-friendly, I’d love to know about it!)

Las Vegas is full of iconic tourist attractions

Check out these great posts:

• New York Times – On the Road discusses the new trend of selling exit row seating as a premium when you buy your ticket.  He laments the extra fee, and wonders about having Flight Attendants making the decision about who is (or isn’t qualified) for exit row seating.  Never fear!  Federal regulations have already defined those qualifications and Flight Attendants have been following the regulation for years.  Even paying a premium won’t get you around those regs.
• WIBlog says those touristy destinations are cliche, they’re really just guilty pleasures.  While I may not want to visit these spots every time I’m in the neighborhood, there’s no denying that I’ve given many of them a go.  And enjoyed them!  Now quit being so stuff and admit that you did, too!
• PlanetEye Traveler – New York City has a great round up of the top outdoor activities in the city.  With all the shopping, theater, and great restaurants, it’s easy to forget that you can still kayak, rock climb, bike, sport fish, and surf in the Big Apple.

Short and sweet for this week, but it’s for a lack of time rather than a lack of good reading.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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It’s been a big news week!  Between the huge earthquake and its aftershocks in Chile, to the tsunami warnings in Hawaii and Japan, there’s plenty of news to capture the attention of travelers.  The devastation and disruption of life has been tremendous, and there is no diminishing the impact it has on travel plans.

In the midst of all this news, however, there are lots of good things in travel going on.  Here are some of them:

• Up, Up and a Gay introduced me to a new organization, and website, the Flight Attendant Appreciation Club.  What a concept!  It’s always nice to be appreciated!
• PlanetEye Traveler – Niagara is a new destination for the magazine, and starts off with a bang with information about Maid of the Mist, the boat that gets you up close to the falls.
• Chris Around the World has photos of Manhattan under a blanket of snow.  These guys just haven’t been able to catch a break lately, and I wonder if the end is in sight.
• Gadling list the 24 greatest cities for drinking beer.  Seattle, with all our local brew pubs, made the list.
• Ottawa Citizen has the scoop on the launch of a new travel magazine focusing on wine travel.  At a time when so many magazines are closing up shop, here’s hoping this one makes it.
• Consumer Traveler reminds us that new credit card laws are on the horizon and they’re going to affect travelers.  It’s not just earthquakes and tsunami that are dangerous!
• World Hum has a great story on getting a driver’s license in China.  The testing part seems easy, it’s the resulting driving that has me a little nervous.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Atlanta had a close up experience with falconry.  Amazing!
• BlogHer Travel has some travel advice for parents traveling with kids who worry about getting seats assigned apart from one another.  And why yes, that is yours truly who was interviewed.
• Italy Mondo has a review of a yummy sounding cookbook, Venerdì Sera, Friday Evening: Creating La Dolce Vita. It’s a great concept, too, the bringing together of people and food to create wonderful memories.
• BNET wraps up the month with the 5 weirdest travel industry stories.  Funny and true.

And finally, my trip to Skamania Lodge, and a beautiful drive along the Columbia River Gorge separating Washington and Oregon.

Have a great week, and please take a few minutes to check out the travel posts that I’ve highlighted here.  I think you’ll enjoy them as much as I did.  And please tell them that MJ sent you!

Photo credit: personal collection

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It’s been a week of airline drama, with stories ranging from being “too fat to fly” to airlines having unfriendly family seating policies.  There aren’t easy answers to these thorny issues, despite wishing it were so, and the balance of profitability and customer service keeps shifting. and lots of bloggers chimed in on the topic this week.

Here’s some highlights from this past week in travel:

• The Art of Non-Conformity offers tips for stress free travel.  Some practical, some more cerebral, but all good things to keep in mind when you’re on the road.
• Chris Around the World offers some tips for finding 4-star hotels on hotel discount site Hotwire.  I’m a fan of the site as well, and use it frequently here in Seattle for great room deals.
• PlanetEye Traveler – On the Road tempts me to visit Prague with the highlights of the must-do and must-see sights.  There’s good practical info for anyone considering a visit.
• LA Times Travel recommends some useful iPhone travel apps, ranging from very practical to fun.  You’ll want to try them out to see what will make your travel life easier.
• Wanderlust and Lipstick offers a wonderful story about a monk’s approach to easing the stress of air travel.  It’s a good life lesson, not just a travel lesson.
• Euro Cheapo lists ideas for Paris on a budget.  In such a very expensive city, these options can help stretch your travel budget.
• Jaunted explains how social media site Foursquare is being used by travelers.  As a recent fan of the site, I’ve gotten some great suggestions and recommendations by using it.
• Cockpit Chronicles (at Gadling) tells the story of a Captain’s final trip.  I’ve had the honor of working on a final trip, and it was just as memorable of an experience as described.
• Location Independent Professionals offers some personal finance tips sure to help those seeking permanent life on the road.
• The Word Wire lists some romantic places worth a visit even when it’s not Valentine’s Day.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Atlanta writes about a local high school with a performing arts department that trains and performs in Cirque style.  Fabulous!
• Sharing Travel Experiences sweetens us up with a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, the self-proclaimed Sweetest Place on Earth.
• BlogHer Travel has a balanced piece on the issue of families traveling and getting seated together on the plane.  It includes an interview with yours truly!

I hope you’ll take some time to go read these stories, perhaps meeting a new travel blogger in the process.  And hey – tell them MJ sent you!

Photo credit: SXC

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Before you get too engrossed with today’s 2010 Olympic Winter Games coverage, I invite you to spend some time with some great travel posts discovered this past week:  Whether you’re an active traveler, a vicarious traveler, or an armchair traveler, you’ll find something to capture your imagination.

A neighborhood in Paris

• Euro Cheapo suggests that sometimes the best choice in Paris is to splurge.  I couldn’t agree more.  My daily splurge was a cafe au lait, a croissant,, a book, and an hour or so to some people watching.

• Planet D offers solid advice for how to take care of your relationship when engaged in long term travel.  Heck,this advice is good even when you’re getting away for a weekend.
• My Bella Vita has tips for finding a job in Italy, essential information for anyone who may be planning to stay for awhile.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Amsterdam tells the history of a palace with no royals.  It’s an official building, to be sure, but perhaps calling it a palace is a bit of a misnomer.
• Consumer Travel takes us inside Inn Boonsboro, an inn owned by successful romance writer Nora Roberts.  Perfect for a Valentine’s Day getaway, or any romantic occasion at all.
• Gadling offers solid advice on how to pack for back-to-back trips.  Since I often do this myself, I’d offer my key tip – have separate supplies of things that stay in your bag and never have to be unpacked.  It’ll save on forgetting toothpaste or deodorant, and give you less to worry about at home.
• Sosauce wows us with some interesting facts from around the world.  Did you know that Australia consumes the most ice cream?
• Brilliant Tips invites us to get up close and personal with the giraffes at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.  It looks like the tall guys get the right of way here.
• Intelligent Travel, still trying to burrow out of the snow, demonstrates the culture exists — even in the middle of a snowstorm.  I loved the snowman depicting the Terra Cotta Warriors (the real ones are on display there).
• LUXUO is excited about the return of the shipboard bon voyage party.  A staple of the cruising set in days gone by, this return is likely related to money making efforts.
• And finally, Ruth, at PlanetEye Traveler – Vancouver, talks about how her heart swells with pride as the Olympic torch runs through her neighborhood, and why she’s proud to be a Canadian.  After watching the opening ceremonies last night, I’d agree – she has plenty of reasons to be proud of what her country is doing.

That’s it for this week.  Enjoy the Olympic Games, enjoy your Valentine’s Day, and enjoy your travels!

Photo credit: personal collection

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It’s been a busy week for travelers, with increases in checked baggage charges, crazy passenger antics, and reports that travel will probably not be rebounding much in 2010.    Those dedicated to travel still keep traveling, and writing about it, giving us lots to read this week:

• Intelligent Travel says farewell to Butterstick.  Four and a half years ago this baby panda captured our hearts, and now it’s time for her to head off to her permanent home in China.
• Travellious reminds us that we don’t have to stay in a hotel when we travel.  I’m a hotel gal, but there are lots of other options to consider.
• PlanetEye Traveler – LA takes us to the beautiful Huntington gardens and library.  This is one of my favorite places – a great respite in the middle of a huge city.
• HotelClub Travel Blog gives us some quirky attractions worth a visit.
• Where I’ve Been directs our attention to five overlooked European cities that are worth a visit in 2010.  Bologna is on my radar scope for this summer.
• Wandering Off, new to my feed reader, has suggestions to help parents overcome the dreaded air sickness incident.  These are good tips!  And I would add, don’t get angry with your child.  Yelling at a child for getting sick is just silly, and only makes the child feel worse.
• Chicago Tribune Travel reports on a way to get around those pesky baggage fees – visit a clothing optional destination.  Before you think this is for the young and wild, take a look at the gray-haired folks in that photo.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Amsterdam tells us where the wealthy live.  Good info to file away for your next visit.
• My Marrakesh is shopping in Kabul again, and takes us along with her beautiful photos.  I want to go shopping with her!
• Sharing Travel Experiences explains why everyone should carry a travel journal.  For travel writers and bloggers, it’s an obvious suggestion, but I love the comment that the journal itself becomes a souvenir.  I love journals, and am always picking up one for my next trip.
• My Bella Vita suggest reasons to visit Calabria, and since it’s on my plans for my Italy trip, I read with interest.
• Consumer Traveler offers some defensive packing tips.  Packing is one of those things that I’m good at, rarely taking too much, and I can personally attest that these are some good suggestions.  Oh, and if you can’t lift or carry around your bag – check it!
• PlanetEye Traveler – St. Petersburg tells us about an exhibit of French posters at the Hermitage.  The museum is one of many great reasons to visit this city.
• AAA Travel Views has a good primer on getting a passport for your child.  I’ve been helping someone with this task recently, and it pays to have all your ducks in a row.
• Sosauce has an interview with one of my favorite bloggers, Andy Hayes.   I have the privilege to work with Andy as PlanetEye’s expert on Edinburgh.  He’s a consummate professional, and I’m looking forward to meeting him when he visits Seattle in a few months.
• Camels & Chocolates has photos from Safari West, a game reserve in California.  I’ve been wondering if it’s a suitable trip to take a young child.
• Off to Europe, another blog that I’ve discovered, has a list of Europe’s greatest public parks.  It’s a great list of places to grab a little beauty along with your solitude.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Washington DC gives us a glimpse at an upcoming Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit at the Phillips.  This fascinating artist is one of the prominent women artists of our times.
• Luxury Resort Travel at Suite 101 details some fabulous (and exclusive) wine trips.  I love wine travel, so these definitely caught my eye.
• Luxuo details the largest book in the world, now on display at the British Library.  It’s a 1660 atlas made for Charles II of England.
• Germ-phobes take note.  Tripbase has a list of the 10 cleanest streets in the world.

That’s it for this week.  It was fun discovering a few new blogs and adding them to my reading list.  If you know of a travel blog that I’ve yet to discover, please leave the name and link in the comments.  And, as always, I invite you to check out what these travel bloggers had to say – and please tell them that MJ sent you!

Photo credit: SXC

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I’ve been traveling most of this past week, with some time in Washington DC the first part and then some time in Spokane toward the end.  Keeping up with my favorite travel bloggers is made easy with my feed reader, but nothing can compensate for a busy schedule with little time to read.

This week’s list is short, but don’t take that to mean there isn’t great stuff to read here!  Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for some Sunday reads.

Consumer Traveler discusses whether or not cruise ships should continue to make Haiti a port of call.  Whether is taxes already strained resources of a poor country, or helps stimulate the economy, will not be something everyone agrees on, but this article lays out arguments for each side.

PlanetEye Traveler – Phoenix appeals to my girly side, and my need for the occasional pampering, with a review of spa treatments at the Golden Door in Phoenix.

Gadling has some tips and tricks to help you economize on luggage fees by carrying everything on.  Honestly, I’m a fan of checking my bags, and it’s worth the $25 to not have to schlep my bags everywhere, but if you want to avoid that option, these tips can help.

Another Consumer Traveler article discusses the problem with retrieving checked bags at the carousel.  In this case it sounds like it’s more lack of customer service than missing bag.

I would love to learn to cook Thai food, and this Gadling post tell how the author did.

Travel Views offers advice for those attending the Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans.  There is family fun to be had.

The Carey Adventures has a photo of Seattle’s famed Virginia V.  Seattle residents of the boomer generation will probably remember an event or two held upon this ship.  If you’re a fan of Peter’s work, you may want to check out his People, Places & Patterns Project.

PlanetEye Traveler – Edinburgh introduced me to the Burns Supper.  I love the odd and quirky traditions, and this is certainly one of them.  I’m not too sure about the haggis, though!

Intelligent Travel introduces us to the Map Machine, an iPhone app that is the digital version of National Geographic’s atlas.  This would be a very handy little gem for your next road trip.

Jaunted gives us a retro-moment, taking us back to a time when “stewardesses” had age, height, and weight restrictions.

That’s it for this week.  I hope you’ll stop by to read these articles, and please let them know that MJ sent you.

Photo credit: SXC

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The beginning of a new year seems to be the time for predicting trends, reflecting on the year past, and starting discussions on the “best” of the year gone by.  Lately, there seems to be a lot of discussion centered around which are the “best” travel blogs, and when someone asks me that question, I always answer “it depends.”

What’s best for anyone depends on what they’re looking for, their personal travel styles and preferences, and why they want to read about travel.

A dedicated backpacker, hiker, hostel-staying budget traveler is probably not going to be interested in reading a blog about luxury cruising, someone planning a close-to-home family trip may not be interested in reading about an around-the-world trek, and the sports traveler will probably not want to know about shopping.  Although there are surely those people, like me, who enjoy reading about all types of travel, I’d hazard a guess that outside of the travel and travel blogging industry, we’re a minority.

For most people, the “best” travel blog is the one that meet their needs (whatever it may be) when they need it (whenever that may be).   It may be a need for information (specific or general), it may be for entertainment or inspiration, and it may be for practical tips.  It’s a pretty tall order for anyone to deliver.

That’s part of the reason why I started doing a weekly round up of MY favorite posts for the week.  It’s a little look at what I found to be the best of what I’ve read during the week. It’s as diverse and eclectic and my personal interests, and I hope that even readers who do not have the broad interests that I do will find a nugget or two of interest here.

Here’s why caught my eye this week:

• Intelligent Travel gives us a glimpse at how Epiphany (Twelfth Night) is celebrated around the world.  In many places, it’s also the start of Carnival, leading up to Lent.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Vancouver has information and suggestions for those needing accommodations during the Olympics.  It may take some creativity, but there are still options.
• Traveling Greener has a post topic near and dear to my heart, iPhone apps.  Take a look and see if you can discover a new one.
• My Mélange offers several peaceful respites while visiting Paris, proving what many city-lovers have always known, there is peace to be found in the most unexpected locations.  I missed her recommended spot in Marais and will have to look for it on a return trip.
• Sharing Travel Experiences tries to explain why we either love or hate London.  What is it about that city that evokes such extremes?
• The Vacation Gals tackle a thorny travel issue, and what I call the “my travel choices are better than your travel choices” arrogance.  Kara takes on one of the heavy hitters in the travel business, and I couldn’t agree more.  Let’s not get hung up on splitting hairs over definitions of travel, tourism, and vacation.  Instead, let’s see and experience the the world the way it works best for us.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Adventure has a beautiful photo taken from near Everest base camp in Nepal.  Mt. Everest looks gorgeous, and I’m in awe of those who can make it to base camp, let alone those who attempt to scale the mountain.
• Why Go Italy has some tips for avoiding lines.  I can personally vouch for two of the tips, at the Colosseum and the Accademia (and I was able to get same day tickets at the latter), and anything you can do to cut down wait time will enhance your time there.
• Practical Travel Gear reviews two power strips that are perfect for the traveler with gadgets.  A power strip is also helpful when attending a conference or convention when meeting room plug ins are at a premium.  Take one along, and be the hero by sharing the plug in with others.
• Travel Savvy Mom profiles a rather quirky museum, Munich’s Hunting and Fishing Museum.  I love quirky museums, but I’m not so sure about this one.
• Luxuo offers its predictions on travel trends for 2010.  See if you agree.  Flashpacking, huh?  Hmmmm!
• PlanetEye Traveler – Amsterdam suggests going back to school – at Cannabis College.  Yes, it really exists, so take a look at what it takes to “graduate.”
• Consumer Traveler has a list of resolutions for hotels, doing away with some very bad hotel strategies.  There are a few more that I’d add to this list (inspiration for a post, perhaps), but the five list are enough to get your teeth gnashing.
• Gadling reminds us that air travel can be a gamble, and cites odds from Irish bookie Paddy Power as to which airline will be the next to go bankrupt.  Make your guess before clicking through to see the odds.

I hope you’ll take some time to click through and read a few of the posts that captured your attention.  It’s a big world out there, and we all have different ideas about travel.  There’s room for all of us.

I’ll be in Las Vegas for most of the coming week.  Where you are, I wish you a great week of travels – near or far!

Photo credit: SXC

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