Monastery Atop a Rock Spire in Meteora, Greece

from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/12/07/monastery-atop-rock-spire-meteora-greece/

Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant in Zwentendorf , Austria

For a brief moment in the 1970s it looked like the future of Austria's power production was going to be in a handful of massive nuclear plants, before the entire vision was put down by massive public outcry. However before the people could vote down their nuclear future one plant was completely finished, they just never turned it on.

Completed in mid-to-late 1970s, the plant in Zwentendorf cost around a billion euros to complete. The tall, monolithic building was outfitted with a modern-at-the-time boiling water reactor complete with a huge chimney tower scraping the sky next to the central building. The facility was even outfitted with the dangerous radioactive nuclear rods, all it needed was the go ahead to turn the lights on. Then the public had their say.

The Zwentendorf facility was just the first of a number of planned nuclear plants in the country, but anti-nuclear sentiment exploded during its construction. In a referendum passed in 1978, the Austrian people voted by a margin just over 50% to ban all nuclear power plants. And with that, the new plant was dead in the water.

Since the law was past the Zwentendorf plant was partially dismantled and the facility was used as a sort of spare parts warehouse for other compatible plants in Germany. In addition the space has been used for film shooting and security training as well. However more than anything, the massive empty complex stands as a reminder of a pivotal moment in the country's history.

from Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com.feedsportal.com/c/35387/f/665719/s/4136eb6c/sc/7/l/0L0Satlasobscura0N0Cplaces0Czwentendorf0Enuclear0Epower0Eplant/story01.htm

Little Streets in by the Li River in China

Street Shooting Tip It’s very hard to shoot on the street when things are moving at f/1.4 if you are doing manual focus. So, one thing I try to do is stay up at f/2 or f/2.8 because you have a bit more margin for error on the focus. But, if you are a fixed […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/08/little-streets-in-by-the-li-river-in-china/

Caught between United, Expedia and a useless ticket to Fort Lauderdale

from Elliott http://elliott.org/can-this-trip-be-saved-2/caught-united-expedia-useless-ticket-fort-lauderdale/

Improving Ground Life for Travelers at 3 Airports

Over the next 10 years, billions of dollars from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and from the airlines themselves, will be spent to improve the functionality and the images of New York’s three major airports.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41361d80/sc/2/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A80Cnyregion0Cimproving0Eground0Elife0Efor0Etravelers0Eat0Elaguardia0Ejfk0Eand0Enewark0Eairports0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

The 12 Frequent Flyer Days of Christmas are Filled With Big Miles and Points Giveaways!

The Milepoint frequent flyer community celebrates the holidays with 100 prizes to give away beginning on December 13. In the 12 Milepoint Days of Christmas, there’s 100,000 hotel points to give out, airport lounge basses, airline miles, elite status, inflight internet passes, and even a Sterling Silver Starbucks card. You can receive a daily entry […]

The post The 12 Frequent Flyer Days of Christmas are Filled With Big Miles and Points Giveaways! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/12-frequent-flyer-days-christmas-filled-big-miles-points-giveaways/

Here’s What Really Got That Turkish Flight Attendant Fired…

On Sunday I noted the story of a Turkish Airlines flight attendant fired over racy photos in a magazine. An Australian travel site shares a video of the flight attendant’s off-duty work (whether or not it’s safe for work depends on the workplace.. it wasn’t safe for Turkish Airlines!). Sort of seems just like what […]

The post Here’s What Really Got That Turkish Flight Attendant Fired… appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/heres-really-got-turkish-flight-attendant-fired/

Why I Just Signed Up for Another Platinum Card, and Why It Makes Financial Sense

I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, […]

The post Why I Just Signed Up for Another Platinum Card, and Why It Makes Financial Sense appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/just-signed-another-platinum-card-makes-financial-sense/

How Much Are Miles Really Worth? Valuations for Each Program

What is the value of miles and points by airline, hotel and credit card program? Miles used to be thought to be worth 2 cents. I think that conventional wisdom developed out of the idea that a cross country flight cost about $500… or 25,000 miles. 20 years ago that was generally true, and award […]

The post How Much Are Miles Really Worth? Valuations for Each Program appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/value-of-miles-and-points-by-airline/

15,000 Bonus United Or Aeroplan Miles For Transatlantic Flights

United and Air Canada have just announced a winter promotion whereby you can earn 7,500 bonus miles for each transatlantic round-trip, with a maximum of 15,000 bonus miles.

United MileagePlus members must register using promotion code TB9M80 prior to travel. Air Canada Aeroplan members can register on this page.

Only tickets issued after December 4, 2014 and before March 10th, 2015 will qualify, so if you have previously purchased tickets they won't count towards this promotion.

The post 15,000 Bonus United Or Aeroplan Miles For Transatlantic Flights appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/15000-bonus-united-aeroplan-miles-transatlantic-flights/

Reader Success Story: Roommate Reunion No-Sleep Party Fun!

Over the years, we’ve had many readers share their success stories with us. Folks for whom traveling domestically once a year was a luxury are now traveling the world with just a few credit card sign-up bonuses. And the best part? They are sharing their stories with us and others who benefit from knowing that […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/reader-success-story-roommate-reunion-no-sleep-party-fun.html

Lifetime Elite Status Matches?

Reader Jered asks, “Will any airline do million miler status matches?” In other words, if you’ve flown enough or otherwise earned lifetime status with an airline, will another carrier give you that same lifetime status? In general the answer is no. However, it’s a little bit more complicated than that, so I can’t make the […]

The post Lifetime Elite Status Matches? appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/lifetime-elite-status-matches/

9 of the best Airbnbs in Barcelona

We looked high and low for the best Airbnbs in Barcelona. Check these out!



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/9-best-airbnbs-barcelona/

Can I Use the Amex Platinum Airline Credit for Gift Cards?

TPG reader Stan tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “What is the current 2014 success rate of getting an Amex Platinum reimbursement for purchasing airline gift cards?” One of my favorite perks of the American Express Platinum card is the annual $200 airline fee credit. Every year you get to select a different airline of your […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/can-i-get-the-amex-platinum-airline-credit-for-gift-cards/

Should I Credit To American If I’m Already Executive Platinum?

TPG reader Brendan tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “I’ve already re-qualified for American Executive Platinum for 2015, but still have a few trips this year, should I credit elsewhere?” December is crunch time for those of us who value airline elite status. You’ve got until December 31, 2014 to embark on a flight that will […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/where-should-i-bank-miles-if-i-already-have-top-tier-status/

Ecuador's amazing flora and fauna

Wow, you gotta check out these giant land snails! Anyone experienced these wonders of Ecuador's cloud forest first hand?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/amazing-flora-fauna-ecuadors-cloud-forest-pics/

Why Are British Airways Fuel Surcharges Still So High?

TPG reader Donald emailed me to ask: “Has anyone asked British Airways why they continue to charge those outrageous fuel surcharges when fuel costs have dropped more than 20% in the last few months? How do they continue to justify this?” There are a lot of things that don’t make sense when it comes to […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/why-are-british-airways-fuel-surcharges-still-so-high/

Here’s How You Know You Think About Miles WAY Too Much!

This just never gets old for me. You know you think about miles too much when: You hear the words “mile a minute” and find yourself pondering the concept of earning bonus miles as a function of time. You answer the question, “How many miles per gallon do you get?” with “It depends on what […]

The post Here’s How You Know You Think About Miles WAY Too Much! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/heres-know-think-miles-way-much/

What’s the Best Way to Get Free Hotel Club Lounge Access?

TPG reader Adam tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “What are some of the best ways to get club lounge access at hotels without paying for it?” We always talk about airline lounge access, but to be honest, hotel lounges can be even better, including much nicer spreads and open bars. Some of my personal favorite […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/whats-the-best-way-to-get-free-hotel-club-lounge-access/

18 scenic places to teach ESL

ESL teachers are in demand all over the world. If you decide to go for it, read Michelle Schusterman's ideas of locations with epic scenery.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/18-scenic-places-to-teach-esl-abroad/

10 things you'll overhear in Dublin

Overheard these 10 things while walking the streets of Dublin? Writer Niall Colbert bets you have.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-things-youll-overhear-dublin/