Monday, December 31, 2007

It's that time of year for taking stock of where we've been and where we're headed, not just in our daily lives, but in our travels. When we recently asked readers how the weak dollar is affecting their plans, we received a flood of more than 200 comments. Many discussed seeking out alternatives to Europe—such as Argentina, Thailand, India, Croatia, and China—and staying closer to home. We have our own list of places that have recently piqued our interest, and we'd like to hear from you: Where are you headed in 2008?
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Before the credits for Memoirs of a Geisha started rolling, writer Cathy Gonzalez was planning her next trip: It had to be Japan, and it had to include a geisha makeover. Studios in Kyoto offer geisha and samurai photo ops, but there's only one in Tokyo—Studio Katsura. read more

More once-in-a-lifetime experiences:

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Spectacular New Year's Eve Parties shares photos and details on blowout celebrations in 10 top cities, from Sydney to Las Vegas…. How to Find Your Inner Seductress has flirting tips from veteran New York bartenders…. Slide Show: High-Flying Fashion showcases vintage photos of stewardesses during the glory days of air travel….

This five-night airfare/safari package lets you see wild animals in their natural habitat as you drive from Lake Manyara National Park across Serengeti Plain to the Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa's Eden, and the great Tarangire National Park, from $2,695. why it's a deal

• Dream Trips: Mount Kilimanjaro
• Slide Show: What $100 Buys in Uganda
• How to Get the Most Out of Your African Safari

Check our Real Deals page each weekday for updates on the best sales, special promotions, and last-minute travel offers on the market—tested and approved by BT editors.

• Greece Apt/Car, 14 Nights, From $570
• Caribbean Winter Cruises, From $299
• Dominican Republic Air/Resort, From $729
• Israel Air/Hotel, From $999
• Off-season National Park Stays, From $69

My family and I used to struggle with our pictures being too bright or out of focus—especially when we were using our cheap camera—but now we edit them with Google's free Picasa software. When we transfer our pictures to a folder on the computer, Picasa automatically detects and displays them, and we use simple buttons to crop, sharpen, or adjust the lighting in the photos. The editing process is so simple that our kids often have it done before we unpack from the trip. —Vic Singhal, Fords, N.J.
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