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Archive: July 2009
jul 31

Paris: Which bistros are open and worthwhile in August?

The French get more vacation than you do. Even chefs and restaurant owners. So where can you eat during August? Our expat blogger in Paris serves up a list of the best spots.
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0 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris
jul 30

A blow to Turkey's new smoking ban

The Turks are notorious smokers. How will they adjust to a nationwide ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, and coffeehouses?
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59 by Kate Appleton Turkey, Health and Hygiene, Questions and Opinions
jul 30

Volunteer travel trend: Wwoofing

An organization called WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) helps people (usually just out of college) to find work (primarily on organic farms).
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5 by Budget Travel Volunteer Travel, Solo
jul 30

Where hotels are hiding their lowest rates now

The best deals in travel are for hotels (instead of airfares or rental cars). We review the best places to find those hotel deals online.
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10 by Sean O'Neill Hotels
jul 30

Innovation: Mexico City offering free health insurance to visitors

Mexico City is covering tourists in case of swine flu or other health problems. It's a world first.
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8 by Sean O'Neill Mexico and Central America, Mexico City, Health and Hygiene, Innovations
jul 30

N.Y.C. for a "cheap bastard"

Three picks for free things to do in New York City, from the author of The Cheap Bastard's Guide to New York.
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1 by Budget Travel New York City
jul 30

NYC: Tim Burton artwork will take over MoMA in November

A retrospective of Tim Burton, the director of Batman, The Nightmare on Elm Street and other works, will happen in November at New York City's MOMA. Here's a sneak preview.
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3 by Budget Travel Museums, Pop Culture and Travel, New York City
jul 29

Where to eat and sleep in Paris?

We're adding brand-new pages on Paris and need your help to build them.
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49 by Budget Travel Europe, France, Paris
jul 29

Readers' best France photos

Among the selections, you'll see a frozen-in-time village in the Loire Valley, lavender fields in Provence, and scenes of Paris.
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26 by Kate Appleton Europe, France, Paris
jul 29

Wi-Fi on planes: Love it or hate it? Vote now

You can now pass the time on board by surfing the web with a laptop or personal device. Is this a good idea, or the most annoying thing since the restrictions on liquids at TSA checkpoints?
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24 by Brad Tuttle Airlines, Questions and Opinions
jul 28

Ask Trip Coach: Holiday travel

Trip Coach is here to help. While certain hassles are unavoidable, a little planning and smart strategizing can go a long way toward making traveling during the holidays more pleasant.
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27 by Brad Tuttle Trip Coach, Questions and Opinions
jul 28

This weekend: Gettin' snappy at the Maine Lobster Festival

The 62nd annual festival features food, music, a lobster crate race, and tons of activities for kids.
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1 by JD Rinne Maine, Rockland
jul 28

What's a guy gotta do to get a seat assignment around here?

I recently booked a flight on Northwest Airlines, and let me tell you, the carrier has really cut back on perks—even seat assignments, apparently.
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41 by Brad Tuttle Airlines, Airport Check-in
jul 28

Kudos to United for dropping booking fees for trips earned through frequent flying

United drops its fees of $75 to $100 for booking award miles at the last minute. Assistant editor Amy Chen explains how that personally would have saved her a lot of money had the policy been effect on American earlier this year.
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1 by Amy Chen Airlines, Frequent Flier Miles
jul 27

Worth reading: Even presidents need a vacation

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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0 by JD Rinne
jul 24

Great Paris 'hoods: The Canal Saint-Martin

Winding gracefully through the 10th arrondissement, Canal Saint-Martin is a haven for foodies and cosmopolitan-types. Our expat blogger in Paris gives a brief walking tour of the neighborhood.
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10 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
jul 23

Paris bakery buzz: Du Pain et des Idees

Our ex-pat blogger in Paris samples the bread at a bakery named "the best" in the city by many chefs and gourmands.
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2 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
jul 23

Should you take a staycation?

NO.
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9 by Sean O'Neill Questions and Opinions
jul 22

Russia's Hermitage opens a "wing" in Amsterdam

A new museum debuts in Amsterdam! It's an outpost of Russia's famous Hermitage.
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1 by Budget Travel Museums, Noord-Holland, Amsterdam
jul 22

Lights out: A total solar eclipse captivates millions in Asia

Reports are streaming in from the century's longest total solar eclipse, which unfolded over more than six minutes on Wednesday. When will the next one strike?
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1 by Kate Appleton Pop Culture and Travel, China, India
jul 22

This weekend: A stitch in time in Lincoln, Nebr.

The International Quilt Study Center & Museum is debuting an exhibit entitled "A Fairyland of Fabrics: The Victorian Crazy Quilt."
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0 by JD Rinne Lincoln, Nashville
jul 21

Paris's best outdoor film festival: A guide

Through mid-August, Paris is having one of its many free summer festivals. I'm such a fan that I want to nudge twice and tell you how to make the most of this fun occasion.
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2 by Meg Zimbeck Pop Culture and Travel, Europe, France, Paris
jul 20

Worth reading: The building formerly known as Sears Tower

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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2 by JD Rinne Illinois, Chicago
jul 20

JetAmerica, R.I.P.

JetAmerica, an upstart airline modeled after Europe's Ryanair, has shut down.
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5 by Sean O'Neill Airlines
jul 20

Paris pizza buzz: Pink Flamingo

This quirky outfit lies dormant during the cold months, then gushes anew when the weather is warm enough to eat outside. The real draw is their delivery along the banks of the Canal Saint Martin.
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5 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
jul 17

Photos of Rome's street artists

We sent photoblogger Jessica Stewart out to capture Rome's growing street scene: stencils, chalk drawings, graffiti, even break-dancing.
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12 by Kate Appleton Pop Culture and Travel, Italy, Rome
jul 17

Go bananas at Curious George's new home

Starting on July 25, kids can read Curious George books, watch Curious George cartoons, and try to draw (yep) Curious George in a new visitor center for the Curious George Cottage, where the beloved monkey's creators, Margret and H.A. Rey, once lived.
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1 by Brad Tuttle New Hampshire, Family Travel
jul 17

Video: How to order coffee like a Roman

Stopping at the local bar for an espresso comes naturally to Romans. But this quick ritual can be intimidating for visitors. Watch our video for tips on caffeinating properly.
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12 by Kate Appleton Food + Drink, Italy, Rome, Travel Video
jul 17

The Parisians are on vacation! Rent their apartments

Advice on where to find sublets for the summer in Paris.
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14 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris, Hotels
jul 16

Will Paris shops soon be open on Sunday?

The opening of retail stores without special permission has been illegal under a 1906 law that established Sunday as a mandatory day of rest. But that law may soon be changing.
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1 by Meg Zimbeck Shopping, Europe, France, Paris
jul 16

Helpful website for Central American bus trips

TheBusSchedule.com is a website covering when intercity buses will depart in the main cities of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua.
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0 by Budget Travel Mexico and Central America, Helpful Websites
jul 16

Moon landing celebrations take flight

Moon pies, Tang, astronauts made of cheese…it must be the anniversary of the moon landing!
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1 by Danielle Lipp Landmarks and Monuments, Pop Culture and Travel, Ohio
jul 15

NYC: A museum launches an outdoor speakeasy

It's no secret that Prohibition-style cocktail lounges have been spreading across the U.S. Even the Museum of the City of New York has caught on to the trend.
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2 by Kate Appleton Food + Drink, New York City
jul 15

What happens when your hotel is in foreclosure?

The recession in wreaking havoc in the hotel industry, especially in California, where no fewer than 32 hotels are in foreclosure, and 174 more are in default of loans. But what does it mean for guests?
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0 by Brad Tuttle California, Hotels
jul 15

This weekend: Sandcastles in Canada

The beach buckets and sand shovels will be out in full force in Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada this Saturday.
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1 by JD Rinne Canada, Alberta
jul 14

It's summer, and that means big sales at all-inclusive resorts

As temperatures in the U.S. rise, demand for steamy tropical getaways goes down. That's why summer is the season for deals at all-inclusives in the Caribbean and Mexico.
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1 by Brad Tuttle Islands, Mexico and Central America
jul 14

10 top Paris food blogs

For those who are planning a Paris binge or simply want to digest the food scene vicariously, these blogs are totally delicious.
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43 by Meg Zimbeck Food + Drink, Europe, France, Paris
jul 14

Orlando: Beyond the theme parks

From a spiritualist camp to an underground jazz club scene, there's more to Orlando than jolly theme songs and hour-long park lines.
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3 by Budget Travel Florida, Orlando
jul 13

Worth reading: Darn good free museums in Amsterdam

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net right now.
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0 by JD Rinne Amsterdam
jul 10

Your photography questions for our Trip Coach

Thank you to everyone who sent us photography questions for Ask Trip Coach. Thanks especially to the folks who chimed in with solutions and advice. Good stuff!
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1 by Brad Tuttle Trip Coach, Questions and Opinions
jul 10

Paris: 10 top free events in July and August

From outdoor concerts to movie screenings, it's going to be a fun summer in Paris. Our ex-pat blogger dishes up the best offerings.
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1 by Meg Zimbeck Europe, France, Paris
jul 09

River Cruises: Watch out for bankruptcies

Bottom line: Be careful with whom you book a river cruise. Given the struggling economy, river cruise lines—and the travel agencies that sell them—may sink in red ink. Book with a credit card for protection.
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8 by Sean O'Neill Cruises
jul 09

Talking about "An Irreverent Curiosity"

A chat with the author of one of the season's most buzzed about travel books.
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1 by Sean O'Neill Literary Travel, Pop Culture and Travel
jul 09

Bastille Day in Paris: Have a ball

The annual Bastille Day party will kick off early at 9:00 a.m. with a parade of tanks and soldiers downtown. Get the details…
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4 by Meg Zimbeck Landmarks and Monuments, Europe, France, Paris
jul 09

Flier's revenge: United customer gets even with hit music video

Songwriter Dave Carroll made a YouTube video recounting how some United ground crew workers seriously damaged his guitar. Since then, it's drawn more than 450,000 views. United called to apologize.
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42 by Sean O'Neill Pop Culture and Travel, Airlines
jul 09

This Weekend: Running with the bulls, sort of

This Saturday, July 11, will see the third annual San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, a faux running of the bulls inspired by the real one in Pamplona, Spain.
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0 by Thomas Berger Pop Culture and Travel, New Orleans
jul 08

Better than Giant's Causeway in Ireland?

The prehistoric cliffside forts of Inis Mór are recommended alternatives to the rock formations known as the Giant's Causeway, according to our guest expert.
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3 by Sean O'Neill Landmarks and Monuments, Ireland
jul 07

This weekend: Storm the Bastille... in Philly?!

France's Bastille Day, held July 14 of each year, means weekend partying for America.
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0 by JD Rinne Massachusetts, Boston, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
jul 07

Do miles make you the least valuable flier?

It's increasingly tough to redeem miles, but I didn't appreciate how far they've been devalued until the July 4th weekend—when I lost my seat and was nearly bumped from my Delta flight.
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65 by Kate Appleton Airlines, Frequent Flier Miles, Questions and Opinions
jul 06

Statue of Liberty: Crown tickets sold out until September

After a closure of almost eight years, Lady Liberty's crown is back.
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19 by JD Rinne Landmarks and Monuments, New York City
jul 06

Readers' best Italy photos

We pored over hundreds of your Italy submissions to pick these 20 outstanding shots.
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26 by Kate Appleton Italy
jul 06

Worth reading: Dillinger's Chicago tourist trail

A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week.
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0 by JD Rinne Chicago
jul 02

Disney unveils faux Obama on the Fourth of July

The new Disney statue moves and talks, with words that President Obama himself recorded at the White House earlier this year.
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2 by Brad Tuttle Amusement and Theme Parks, Disney, Pop Culture and Travel, Florida
jul 02

"Barstool-style" seating on a Chinese airline?

On Spring Airlines, standing-room-only cabins could accommodate up to 40 per cent more passengers.
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7 by Sean O'Neill Airlines
jul 01

Readers' best national park photos

We asked, and you came through with spectacular photos from U.S. national parks.
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15 by Kate Appleton National Parks
jul 01

NYC: The MAve Hotel opens July 2, with a discount

It's not so easy to open a sleek hotel now that room occupancy's down. The MAve hopes to lure guests with $169 rooms, including Wi-Fi and breakfast.
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0 by Kate Appleton New York City, Hotels
jul 01

196 airlines you should avoid

The European Union regularly publishes lists of airlines that it has banned from its airspace because of concerns about passenger safety. You should heed the warnings.
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6 by Sean O'Neill Europe, Airlines
jul 01

This Weekend: Norfolk celebrates the Fourth with Harborfest

This year, nearly 500,000 people will show up in the port town of Norfolk, Va., to celebrate our nation's birth.
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0 by Thomas Berger Virginia, Norfolk