For today I have some unique articles. It seems that I am more and more attracted to the “wow” stuff.

1. Imagine that you can actually have an underground tour! Read this article and you will understand what I am talking about.

There’s more to most cities than what scrapes the sky—as long as you’re willing to peer beneath the surface.  A Nazi hideout
An ordinary door in Berlin’s Gesundbrunnen train station leads to an abandoned air raid shelter that reveals Berlin’s dark underbelly: an array of secret bunkers, escape tunnels—even an aircraft factory—built by the Nazi regime during WWII and expanded during the Cold War. Berlin Underworlds’ Association, 011-49/30-4991-0517, berliner-unterwelten.de, 90-minute tour $13.

2. By mistake I came across this Photo Essay: The Stunning Colors of Glacier National Park .  All that I can say is that it is absolutely stunning! Just read one of the readers comments:

Man, can I please just be teleported to some tiny tent in the middle of all this massive wilderness? Please pretty please? This makes me want to get lost. With some coffee, a book, and my hiking boots.

3. And last but not least I enjoyed this article too.

That’s really a funny game! I’ve been ‘tagged’ by my virtual friend Donna Hull, who has a fabulous blog with a fantastic name: My Itchy Travel Feet, to write my 3 best kept travel secrets. I have to admit, at the beginning I did not really understand what this all was about. Then, I found out this is a superb game launched by creative blogger Katie of Tripbase.com (at least, so I thought from earlier posts…), imitating a game that I believe we almost all played when we were children. Slapping someone on the back and yelling, “Tag, you’re it!” as Barbara Weibel recalls in her blog Hole in the Donut.

Hello everybody!

For today I have some questions for you:

1. Do you like my articles?

2. Are they useful or interesting to you?

3. What other articles would you like to read?

Ok, now I can do my  job and recommend you some interesting link.

1. If you like to swim you will be amazed by this article: 12 most amazing pools in the world! I was reading it and biting my nails: why I am not there? )

It used to be that all you had to attract people to your hotel was build a pool.  As tourists evolved, the pool was considered a must.  Thus the indoor pool became a standard of luxury.

Today, both of those types of pools are anything but impressive.  It is this reason that many hotels are spending thousands, if not millions, on their pools in hopes of attracting customers.  In recent years the stakes have gone up dramatically, so now designers are getting even more creative than before to combine architectural elements that couldn’t have been dreamed of just a decade or two ago.

Infinity pools, where the water doesn’t appear to be held together by anything but a razor thin edge, are the new standard in decadence and design, but something new is always coming around the corner next.

2. And since we are in the amazing/bizarre area check out this article about 20 most bizarre hotels in the world.

Tired of staying at the Main Street Hilton everywhere you go? Maybe just one time you’ll forget about racking up your Marriott points and entertain the idea that the hotel you choose can be just as much an experience as your trip itself. Rainy day? No problem – Some of these hotels are so far out there; guests may be compelled to complain about their room just so they can take a look at another. These unusual hotels are certainly not listed on the common hotel guide. The hotels listed fall in the realm of adventure, geared to the global traveler looking for that memorable and fascinating holiday.

3. And since we recomended the pools and the hotels I should give you a link to the best train journeys in the world, the best 9!

In a modern world where traveling between destinations is viewed as a waste of time and resources, it is hard to actually comprehend the beauty of some of the most spectacular rides on the planet. Far less comfortable, yet far more beautiful and interesting, the time spent between two destinations is equally captivating and offers many sights and sounds.

While we are very much in a century where we have ‘no time to stand and stare’, there are still some awesome train rides across the globe where the trip itself turns into a destination. So how about hopping on these 10 grand train journeys?

Hello! Happy NEW YEAR!!! How is 2010 treating you untill now?

I had some really nice trips and the way this year seems to started I will be traveling untill 2011.

Where have you been? How did you travel and where are you going to travel next?

As you are used to, I have some links for you

1. If you are dreaming about France here are some nice pictures of a hotel. Enjoy and dream about this incredible place.

Château Eza is a small hotel with traditional decor that clings to the edge of a cliff in the town of Èze. The views of the Côte d’Azur are breathtaking. Tour the hotel and learn more about Côte d’Azur travel.

2. If you wish to visit worlds greatest cities you have to start with Singapore. Here you have 50 reasons why.

11. Natural disaster-free … for the most part

Owing to our geographic location, Singapore is sheltered from most of the natural disasters that afflict neighboring countries and the rest of the world. Still, people get a kick each time a strong wind blows down from the north or our houses rumble from the aftershocks of Indonesian earthquakes.

3. And an article about South Africa.

Do 2010 has arrived. Some are calling it the beginning of a new decade but I am battling to understand the math on that one. Others are calling it the end of an era – which I tend to agree with. But one thing that many people all agree on is that is going to be one hell of a year for South Africa.

I hope you had a great holiday and the best start for 2010!

Hello. How was your Christmas? Are you back from your trips?

1. For today I want to share with you an article about social media. Is it changing the way we travel? It  seems so.

Isahrai Azaria is heading to Austin, Texas, in February, and thanks to Facebook, she already has 40 acquaintances, an invitation to go water tubing, and a line on the best vegetarian lunch place in town.

“It’s been unbelievable,” said Azaria, a singer who lives in San Francisco. “It was just a quick post on Facebook, but one of my Facebook friends is friends with some people in Austin,” and those friends sent her tips on everything from yoga studios to local bus service.

Social media is changing the way people travel. It’s replacing recommendations from experts and strangers with a targeted selection of information from acquaintances and their networks.

2. If you want some Social media travel tools you can find some recomandations here.

Travel budgets are under serious pressure right now. Trips that were once approved via rubber stamp now must pass through the Politburo Standing Committee to get a green light.

Thankfully, a host of social media tools can help you get the most out of every business trip you take and more clearly show ROI. They’ve certainly helped me get the most out of every hour I’m on the road. I run my own shop so getting approval isn’t an issue for me, but using these tools to fill my travel time wisely means that I can travel less, spend more time with my family, and reduce the total carbon footprint of my flying. Best of all, packing a lot into each trip means that I return home with fresh knowledge, relationships and inspiration.

Here are 10 ways social media can help you travel less but do more.\

3. And last but not least “How to use social media for travel research”.

Whether you’re traveling to another city, state, or continent, putting in a few hours to do your homework can mean the difference between a great vacation and a week full of headaches. Finding great local restaurants, comfortable sleeping accomodations, and hidden gems should be on the top of your travel list, no matter if it’s a one day business trip or a permanent move to Thailand. In the past, this type of information was exclusive to travel agents and generic travel books. However, with the rise of social media and stronger interconnectivity, you can get the real story, avoid the tourist traps, and meet real locals. This guide provides an overview of tips and tools for using social media as a travel research tool.

Happy Holidays to all! For today I have a special Christmas collection  of blogs (Yes, I know that everybody keeps writing about holidays and Christmas).

If you are curious what is the worlds biggest Christmas tree

Alright, it’s not a “tree” per se, but there is a pseudo tree on top of Seattle’s famed Space Needle made by lights – and the thought of having to hang them makes me a bit queasy, yet oddly festive.

2. Interested in some Christmas travel destinations? Or mabye just some Christmas travel facts? This site here might be useful.

Christmas Travel Tips

* When flying, never gift wrap the presents until you arrive at your destination. If you do, you will be required to un-wrap them at the airport to be inspected.

* If wanting to use your cell phone abroad, check with your cell phone provider to add international long distance to your plan instead of being surprised by charges as high as $2.49 a minute.

* Always pack your cell phone charger in your carry on baggage.

* To avoid being bumped due to overbooking, fly on Tuesdays or on the actual holiday itself.

3. For a complete tour of the best Christmas destination you can just follow this link!

Whether your winter holiday trip enhances your yuletide nostalgia with sparkly lights and nippy air or makes a radical break from it—by, say, taking you to warmer climes or a quiet, far-flung hideaway—breaking the habit of staying home will always reward you with a Christmas you’ll never forget. With that goal in mind, we’ve rounded up 10 diverse, exceptional places to get you in the spirit of taking off.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !

Today it is going to be about the mountains and skiing .

1. Here you can find 5 good reasons to choose a ski resort in the Dolomites. These two arguments sounded the most convincing to me.

@ Awesome views and landscapes: this might seem obvious, but I know lots of resorts where you can have great skiing and snowboarding and that’s it. To this respect Cortina d’Ampezzo, Corvara, Selva di Val Gardena and many other resorts are never disappointing

@ Great variety of possible activities: Dolomites are not only a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Non-skiers can fully enjoy their vacations, choosing among the many activities that can be practiced. Ice skating, hiking with or without snow rackets, wanderings by horse-drawn carriage, swimming, horse-riding, toours by mountain-bike

2. Do you still need a Christmas present for a skier?  10 Ski Movies to Entertain You

Couple of days ago I wrote about Christmas presents for skiers and collected seven inspiring climbing movies to watch. Today I continue the same topic by providing you 10+3 awesome ski movies I personally enjoy a lot. So, if you are still looking for last minute Christmas present ideas for skiers, check these ski movies. I bet these are Christmas presents many skiers would like.

First ten ski movies are all mainly for entertainment, while the last three ones are instructional.

3. A blogger and a skier talks about his experiences. Enjoy!

We enjoyed nice corduroy conditions during our first runs. Not many people were around so we did GS turns all the way down Rumrunner. We also ventured onto Upper Pipeline, Harvey’s and Upper Treasure Run. All had natural snow so we just had to watch for rocks. There were some moguls and some soft snow here and there, making these my favorite runs of the morning.

Today I am going to bring you travalers closer to the ice fishing. Ok, i admit I am into some “weardish” stuff .

1. On “the ultimate fishing blog” I discovered something nice. It is old but it is interesting, a video with and about ice fishing.

Now ice fishing is something I have always wanted to try, but I have always seen it as a boring event where you get very cold and catch very few fish. However this video made me stop worrying about a frozen butt and I wanted to get onto a plane and head to Canada or the Northern United States immediately!

In this video the fisherman catches a giant musky (muskie) while fishing for lake trout and this is an awesome fish , especially on light tackle. It does show one major problem with ice fishing though – what happens if the hole you dug isn’t big enough for the fish! Enjoy!

2. If you don’t know much about this stuff, I am sure that the info here may come in hand.

Ice fishing is great fun for the whole family. If you haven’t tried it yet you should and by observing a few common sense tips ice fishing is a safe and very safe activity.

1. Before you leave, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Survival experts suggest that if you are not back by that time, the person should call for help.

2. Leave your car on shore. According to statistic, 68 percent of ice fatalities in involve a vehicle. Ice must be much thicker and more stable to support the weight of a car or truck, or even a snowmobile.

3. Make sure there are at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice, with no open water or melting ice near shore. Open water and melting indicate unsafe ice. Carry an ice spud or chisel to check the thickness of the ice as you proceed.

Read the rest of the article for all the advices.

3. And something that can make you feel a little cold. I underline the authors note: PLEASE, DO NOT TRY THIS!

Hello again,

For today I want to find some funny articles about traveling and travelers. By the way, have you done the Christmas shopping? All the presents are well hidden at home or you are just starting to search for them?

What is the perfect gift for a traveler?

Ok. Going back on the subject: funny stuff.

1. Things that backpackers do but don’t speak about:

1 – Wear Dirty Underwear

Sometimes, backpackers forget to do laundry. Sometimes, it’s more of a question of money. Sometimes, they lose their clean underwear in a freak gasoline fight accident. Or whatever. It’s just not always possible to maintain a fresh supply of clean underwear on the road. The only thing worse than putting on dirty underwear, is telling other people that you’ve put on dirty underwear.

2. At world Hum I found 8 great funny travel stories

All too often, travel offers a near-perfect set of comic circumstances: drop a few foreigners in a strange place, add some unfamiliar customs and a language barrier, and the potential for confusion, misunderstanding and unintended consequences is high. The trick is to see the humor when events take an unexpected turn, and when travel feels more like travail.

3.  And last but NOT least funny true stories from travel agencies and flight attendants.

I got a call from a woman who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information when she interrupted me with “I’m not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts. “Without trying to make her look like the stupid one, I calmly explained, “Capecod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa.” Her response … click.

I got a call from a man who asked, “Is it possible to see England from Canada?” I said, “No.” He said “But they look so close on the map.”

A nice lady just called. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20am and got into Chicago at 8:33am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of llinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that!

You can read more funny stories on the site. They are absolutely hilarious!

1. On CNN there is a cool article about holiday cookies around the world . Uhmm Yummy, bring the holidays already!

2. If you are going to Prague here you can find some nice tips on how to avoid the crowds on the castle. P.s. – Prague is such a nice city! You must visit it at least once.

Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits beautifully above River Vlata in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world!

To purchase tickets by the front entrance, go to the Prague Castle Information Center located in the second or third courtyard (two separate ticketing locations) or go to the gift shop/ticket center located in the second courtyard. There are also several locations to purchase tickets once you head further into the castle grounds.

3. If you are thinking on taking your pet with you here you can find some nice advices.

The good news: Those responsibilities no longer have to mean staying at home or entrusting your pup to others. Pet travel is booming among boomers, as more and more destinations put out the welcome mat for furry visitors (who, granted, are more likely to chew than wipe their paws on it).
What’s the best way to travel to the many pet friendly destinations? Consider the options:

Read the rest of the article if you are interested on the subject.

4. Glendyn made a nice article about “7 Most epic road trips ever”. It is very nice and I warmly recomend you to read it

I’ve had some great road trips in my life, and making the film sent me on a few more. The idea that that Last Ride was a ‘road movie’ never really kicked in until I began the long search for locations throughout the deserts of South Australia. During pre-production I clocked up over 20,000 kms just sitting in the passenger seat watching the most inspiring landscape pass before me. And then of course we approached the making of our ‘road movie’ as a road trip ourselves, taking the cast and crew on an epic 5000 km journey through that same inspiring landscape.

The holidays are near and so the days that are off from work. Where are you planning to spend them? With the family, alone, on a trip? We are waiting for your opinion.

Meantime I can help you out with some “Holiday gift ideas for girl travelers “

Starting at $29.95, these books will be the perfect surprise for your travel girl in mind. You can create and design a personalized book using her favorite travel photos and watch as the tears roll down her face on Christmas morning. It’s the perfect way to commemorate her past travels and celebrate those to come!

Maxine Nelson shares with us her best travel experience. She is talking about Bangkok and the things that she saw and felt there.

The following morning I woke to an incredible breakfast buffet they had for the guests downstairs. It was a buffet style that was Western-style food for the Westerners and Chinese cuisine for the Chinese guests as I later found out. Later on in the morning I decided to talk a walk exploring Bangkok. I came upon the Hualumpong Central Railway station nearby. Once I went inside it was like a world onto its own. There were homeless people everywhere it seemed. I noticed there was a travel office that offered tours throughout Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.

And if you are planning a road trip (like I do) for the holiday you certainly need to read this article.

Road trips are like childbirth.  Done right, they can be the adventure of a lifetime.  Done wrong, and you’re screaming for someone’s head on a platter and demanding to know WHOSE BRILLIANT IDEA WAS THIS?!?!

I am a cheap traveler with a quest to see the world while hanging on to as much of my cash as possible.  Needless to say, I’ve taken my share of vacations by car in an attempt to save money.  Here’s a few road trip planning tips I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Get the oil changed and your fluids checked before you leave.
2.  Go with someone you love.  Or like.  A lot.
3.  Take turns driving.
4.  Bring your own music.
5. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
6.  Avoid stupid traffic tickets.
7.  Bring your own food and drinks.
8. Bring garbage bags.
9.  Get gas before you’re on E.
10. Use the bathroom every time you stop.
11.  For Pete’s sake, just pull over and let the woman pee.
12. Plan time for unexpected stops.
13. Sleep.
14. Avoid rush hour traffic.
15. Bring a map.  A real, actual, paper map that does not talk to you.
16. Pack games for the kids.
17. Wear flip flops.
18.  Have fun!

Ok, I admit that I don’t need sunscreen in the winter, the flip flops might come in hand because I don’t like to shower with my empty feet in the hotels bathrooms, but still, you have to read all the article! It is full of good ideas for a road trip.

I can’t wait for my road trip that should be fun (9 people and a minibus).