Girlfriend Getaways: Where are you headed?

A survey of American travelers by AAA and GlobalInsight has some interesting findings. China and India may see larger jumps in American visitors this summer than any other country. China may see a 13 percent increase, to 573,000 American visitors. And India may see a gain of 13 percent, too, for a total of 227,000 American visitors. Travel to Canada and Mexico will be about the same this summer as last. Travel to Italy should be up nearly 5 percent, to 1.6 million American travelers. Travel to France should jump by nearly 7 percent to about 1.1 million American travelers. And travel to Germany ought to increase by slightly more than 4 percent, to 724,000 American travelers. Travel to Ireland should rise by about 6.6 percent, to about 337,000 American travelers. [via AAA] MORE 70 readers share their 2008 trip plans... Which European country was the hottest for U.S. travelers in 2007? China: Here's advice on how to tour it from our editor who lived there

Italian national airline Alitalia received fresh hope for survival over the weekend. The European Union has announced that it will allow airlines to put on the auction block takeoff and landing slots that they don't use or that they can't turn a profit on. The new rules could help out Alitalia by allowing it to sell its airport slots—and perhaps even receive money for slots it has been forced to sell off in recent weeks. The Italian government attempted to save the airline with a 300 million euro "loan." But officials from the European Union say that the loan is unfair and in violation of international agreements. Meanwhile, there are reports that German airline Lufthansa might make an offer to buy about 49 percent of the airline. It might do so in partnership with at least one other airline, such as private Italian airline Air One. But, as of this weekend, officials from Lufthansa were saying "no comment." While this news is promising for Alitalia, I would remain nervous about booking with them until they actually receive cash. However, officials from the airline have a different view: Alitalia not only continues to operate normally, but, as of June 1st June, we will reintroduce a new non stop flight Los Angeles to Rome. In the meantime, the privatization process continues at Alitalia. [The airline] employs more than 17,000 people and involves many other businesses and workers in Italy. It's a strategic asset for Italy with a strong social relevance. And Italy itself remains one of the top destinations, worldwide. That explains all the talks surrounding us. Anyway, all parties involved (Unions, Board Members and Politicians) are fully committed to the success of the privatization process. Alitalia now is still controlled by the Minister of Economy of the Italian Government. It's realistic that the privatization process will be completed as soon the new Government is in place, meanwhile please continue to book and buy Alitalia. You'll find what some of our readers had to say about Alitalia in the comments on our recent blog post about the airline.

Bank of America is offering cardholders free admission to museums year-round. The "Museums on Us" promotion (which we blogged about last year) used to be offered only in May. But now Bank of America customers can enjoy the perk on the first weekend of every month. Present your check, ATM, or credit card at your museum's ticket window, and you'll receive free admission to more than 70 museums nationwide. It all kicks off this Saturday. You can see Monet at the Metropolitan in New York City, MJ's Bulls uniform at the Chicago History Museum, or peruse the 1,100 American paintings at the deYoung in San Francisco, among many other experiences. [The "Museums on Us" promotion]

Is your toothpaste less likely to be detected by TSA screeners if it's Crest? The always entertaining (well, maybe not when he's trying to sell a cruise) David Rowell of The Travel Insider had this to say in his e-newsletter: I included an email from a reader last week who wrote about never having toothpaste detected in his carry on bag. This caused a flood of other readers to write in and say 'me too' and to list other liquids that they've also repeatedly carried in their carry on bags without declaring, and never getting caught. It also brought an interesting response from someone-who-shall-be-nameless in the industry, who writes: "Most x-ray systems can NOT pick up toothpaste. Why?…. Because the newer packaging is made of light weight and flexible plastic. The new machines can’t see it. In days of old, most toothpaste tubes were made with plastic coatings and aluminum. In fact some are still made this way. Colgate is a mixed bag, depending on the product; Crest is best because the smaller tubes are the new packaging. In short, your reader is lucky based on product design changes and most likely the product he selects. To be honest I hate the Crest products, but I carry it on all my business trips. Ahem, with the same result as your readers. Also the ingredients in the toothpaste make a difference as well. Some products are more dense and will always get nailed. There are other tricks as well with other liquid and gel products…" [and this is David writing again] Which makes one think there's a different reason why the TSA not only limits the liquids you carry, but demands you take them out of your carry-on and show them separately. Could it be they require you to take them out because, if you don't, they can't see them on the X-ray machine? [and now it's me again] All I know is that it drives me nuts that toothpaste makers seem to sell toothpaste in everything but a three-ounce container. The so-called travel size barely gets me through a day.