Thursday, July 5, 2007

Welcome to the A-list, San Diego: The city, long popular with Californians for its fresh, funky flavor, has managed to revitalize its downtown without losing touch with its soul. And people are definitely noticing. read more

• Face-Lift: San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

Soon you'll need a passport to re-enter the U.S. after traveling to any other country—even if you're going on a quickie getaway to the Caribbean or Canada. The Department of Homeland Security is seeking comments from citizens about this proposed rule. Here's the skinny on passports and a guide to submitting your comments to the government.
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• Caught Mapping…in Montreal
  Local foodies have created online city maps with hotspots you can't find in…
• Travel News Roundup
  A new website called Here or There rates vacations by how amazing they are…

Voting has reached a frenzied pace in the international campaign—and massive publicity stunt—to name the New Seven Wonders of the World. (Of the ancient wonders, only the pyramids are still standing.) You have until tomorrow to vote for your favorites among 21 finalists, including the Statue of Liberty, Sydney Opera House, and Easter Island. The following evening, yes, that would be 7/7/07, the winners will be announced at a flashy ceremony broadcast live from the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. read more

We've featured many of the finalists in our Dream Trips series:

Angkor Wat Easter Island Great Wall of China The Hermitage

Leaning Tower of Pisa Machu Picchu Stonehenge Taj Mahal

Round-trip airfare, eight nights' accommodations in Kenya and Zanzibar, six guided safari game-drives, sightseeing excursions, and 18 meals, from $3,440.
why it's a deal

• Get the Most Out of Your African Safari
• Best Places You've Never Heard Of: Africa

Members of loyalty programs get better service, fewer hassles, less paperwork, and great freebies and perks. So before you reserve anything (hotel, airline, car rental, etc.), join the loyalty club, even if you're only planning on doing business with the company a single time. read more

• Which Programs Deserve Your Loyalty?
• Hotel Reward Clubs Get Personal

Budget Travel reader Michael Stanton didn't know exactly how he was going to propose—all he knew was that he wanted to surprise his girlfriend, Lisa Yelin, during the trip to Europe that they had been planning for months. When the folks at Vienna's Liechtenstein Museum—an 18th-century baroque mansion that houses the spectacular art collection of the Liechtenstein family—learned of Michael's intentions, they crafted a plan so Michael could propose in style. read more

More Lucky Upgradees:

• Lifelong Orioles Fans Attend Spring Training
• Hawaiian Natives Go Bobsledding in Canada
• Plus: Are you traveling somewhere soon? Do you deserve an upgrade? Tell us now!

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