Thursday, September 20, 2007

You don't have to spend a fortune to sleep in Paris or these other big cities; you just have to know where to look. Here's an offering of boutique properties that offer a reasonably priced place to lay your head.

Five Hotels in Paris Five Hotels in London Five Hotels in New York City

Five Hotels in Bangkok Five Hotels in Vienna

Presenting our new book, a collection of 60 welcoming, affordable hotels in the world's most stunning destinations—including Costa Rica, Tahiti, Tuscany, and the French Riviera. Take a look at our slide show, then get packing. read more

Secret Hotels of Provence Secret Hotels of Sicily Secret Hotels of Donegal County, Ireland

Secret Hotels of the Greek Isles Secret Hotels of California Wine Country

Beijing has never welcomed travelers as eagerly as it is welcoming them now. The Chinese capital is determined to make a fantastic impression during its moment in the global spotlight. We've put together a series of features offering a fresh look at Beijing—plus practical travel tips. read more

View photographs of the Chinese capital as it builds ambitious new stadiums, subways, and high-rises in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. read more

• Book Excerpt: Reflections on Beijing, Past and Present
  

Our unedited footage shows what it's really like to stroll down city streets in the historic lakeside Houhai area. read more

Here's the skinny on getting tickets, booking a place to stay, and making your way around Beijing. read more

• They Give Medals for What?!
• Five Hot New Beijing Attractions

Father and daughter writing team Winberg and May-Lee Chai share advice on how to bargain, when to smile, who to serve first at a banquet, and other ways to fit in with locals. read more

An early-bird discount on an eight-night package tour of Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, including sightseeing tours of venues for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. why it's a deal

• Trip Coach: Four Days in Beijing
• Hug a Panda at Wulong Nature Reserve
• My Shanghai Is Better Than Yours
• Hong Kong Gets Green

Discount airline Eurofly is launching vacation packages, including a four-night, air/hotel package that allows you to enjoy Rome at a discount. why it's a deal

• Author Anthony Doerr's Rome
• Europe, Day 4: Rome to Ostia
• Best Places You've Never Heard Of: Erice, Italy
• Renting in Pantelleria

Discounted packages from United and Southwest for autumn in Sin City.
why it's a deal

• How to Maximize Your Time in America's Playpen
• Podcast: Las Vegas
• Road Trip: Nevada

TripIt.com is a free online travel organizer worth trying. This website compiles all of the many pieces of e-mail and online information that go along with your vacations, such as your flight itineraries, hotel reservations, restaurant reviews, and driving directions. The website extracts only the relevant information, so you can print out all the info you need for your trip on just a few sheets of paper. read post

• Ski Deals!
  Editor Erik Torkells passes along tips on how to save money when you hit the slopes…
• Surfing the Web at 35,000 Feet
  Starting next year, all Virgin America planes offer wireless Internet access for laptops…

Regent Seven Seas is banning smoking in all cabins (including on cabin balconies). Royal Caribbean is prohibiting smoking in cabins (but not on balconies), and is testing the concept of open seating in its dining rooms. Holland America is introducing open seating at certain restaurants. Norwegian Cruise Line is now allowing passengers to wear jeans to dinner in all but one restaurant per ship, and is banning smoking inside all enclosed public spaces (except for casinos and cigar bars). read more

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