Affordable Europe: In Paris, free museum nights

Here's one of my favorite True Stories from our new book, A Stingray Bit My Nipple! (It makes a great Father's Day gift—seriously, I'm giving my dad a copy!) The story is from Sheree Hobson of Portland, Ore. Requesting information for our visit, my husband was e-mailing the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce when the spell-checker questioned the word "accommodations." Not noticing his mouse slip, he chose "abominations" to replace it. The reply made us laugh: “Thank you for inquiring about the best kept vacation secret in Florida.... I guess the only abomination we have is a crusty old man who continues to fish off the bridge downtown in his long johns. But we are working with him. Do come and enjoy!

For our 10th-anniversary issue, we enlisted readers to write and photograph our June issue. I hesitate to make fun of any of our readers, but...a few of the pitches we got were kind of funny. Here are the top six stories we didn't assign: "China. Most challenging restroom facilities. Especially for women. Title: Bathrooms I have Known." "I would like a get away from it all--especially automobiles. I have been hit three times within a five year period. After recovering from injuries, I would like to go celebrate and truly feel like I can relax away from our auto based society." "My dream trip to Tahiti turned out to be a disaster. I vomited on the French man beside me." "I always thought it would be really cool to make a coffee table book about toilets around the world. Everyone needs them, uses them and they are such a cultural thing... I've heard of the places that are just a hole you stand over. And, since this could be a monumental project... but you would pay the tab... I say we choose a venue that would over a lot of toilets, yet not be a round the world trip. Toilets of the Orient Express. I think it has a nice ring to it..." "My friends always ask for my travelogues after my trips. They say reading them is almost like being with me. They even request my work trip stories from pig farm tours." "Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, and Belgium: The best destinations for your final days. A story about death tourism, or the practice of some persons choosing to die in a country other than their own, would certainly grab the attention of readers."

Silverjet airlines stopped flying today. The airline offered business-class, transatlantic flights out of Newark, connecting the U.S. with London and the Middle East. The explanation--high fuel costs, shrinking business travel--is the same as it was for Eos, a rival airline that closed recently, too. About 10,000 ticket-holders are stuck, says the London Times. Virgin Atlantic will offer reduced fares for customers who can show Silverjet tickets they've already purchased and can no longer use. Call Virgin Atlantic at 866/258-0951 for details. (Hat tip to LA Times Travel Deals Blog] In other news, Alitalia continues to struggle. Potential bidder Aeroflot has backed away from its offer. And the European Union is expected to fine the Italian government for violating international agreements by giving Alitalia a surprise 300 million euro loan. It seems like the Italian government will swallow the fine, but eventually, that loan will be used up by the poorly managed Alitalia, and a bidder must be found. Agence France-Presse hints that the government may become more open to re-starting negotiations with Air France and other foreign carriers. Italian competitor Air One may benefit from Alitalia's turmoil.