Mini City Guide: Toubacouta, Fatick Region, Senegal, West Africa

I love big cities, and always enjoy returning to Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney—among many others. But what about those unknown gems that are off the beaten tourist path… those obscure places just waiting to be explored by real travelers? Our “Mini City Guides” are here to uncover those gems, and we’re looking to…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/mini-city-guide-toubacouta-senegal/

Weekly Review: September 20, 2014

In the past week I've been to Hong Kong and back, and am presently in Las Vegas, after a quick hop up to Seattle. That brings the mileage count to over 45,000 flown miles since August 28th.

I am exhausted, and really looking forward to a somewhat quieter week to catch up on trip reports before heading to Chicago for FTU Advanced.

The post Weekly Review: September 20, 2014 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/09/20/weekly-review-september-20-2014/

The world's deepest pool

The Y40 hyrdro facility offers a unique aquatic experience using finely filtered spa water.



from Matador NetworkMatador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/131-feet-heres-worlds-deepest-swimming-pool-looks-like/

Chinese Tourists Find a Movable Feast Best Left Behind

The French capital is the No. 1 destination in Europe for Chinese tourists, but many have unrealistic expectations of the city.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3ea974ea/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C0A90C210Cworld0Ceurope0Cchinese0Etourists0Eare0Edisillusioned0Eafter0Evisiting0Eparis0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Travel Loyalty Programs are All About Conflicts of Interest

I was recently engaged as an expert witness for a federal criminal trial. It’s a fascinating story that I plan to tell. But in order to explain how a program member got embroiled in what was seen as a conflict of interest, how this person came to be at odds with her employer, and how […]

The post Travel Loyalty Programs are All About Conflicts of Interest appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/09/20/travel-loyalty-programs-conflicts-interest/

3 days in Fort Collins, CO

Start your morning with sugarcoated beignets and Southern flavor at Lucile’s, a crowded creole cafe. Then hop on the bus for an informational farm-to-table tour.



from Matador NetworkMatador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/3-days-fort-collins-co/

To Express Gratitude, Put the Do-Not-Disturb Sign Back Where It Belongs

When I check into a hotel room (something I do 100+ times a year), I immediately put the do-not-disturb sign on the door. I don’t want to be bothered while working or napping, and unless it’s a really nice hotel, I don’t care about turndown service. Over the years I’ve tried to follow a routine…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/to-express-gratitude-put-the-do-not-disturb-sign-back-where-it-belongs/

Never Accept a Room That’s Unacceptable

I checked into Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas yesterday. Quickly up to my room and there was a strong smell of chlorine. Back down to the check-in desk. Now, it was noon (so not yet check-in time). The hotel was full. They had no rooms to offer. I could have waited for a room, something […]

The post Never Accept a Room That’s Unacceptable appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/09/20/never-accept-room-thats-unacceptable/

The Lines of the Sahara

Using Humans in Landscape Photos Whenever I put a human or capture a human in a photo, I am reminded of how much it adds to the sense of scale. I’m a bit hard on myself, I suppose, because I lament that I don’t think of it more often. But then I recall that I […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/09/20/the-lines-of-the-sahara/

Maybe your travel standards are too low

from Elliott http://elliott.org/blog/maybe-travel-standards-low/

Lufthansa’s First Class Construction Duck!

Since I live in hotels full time I try to keep my material possessions to a minimum, since they weigh down my carry on, and that doesn't help anyone.

There are two things I can't help but collect (and then send to my parents' home), though -- Lufthansa first class ducks and Rimowa amenity kits.

The fun thing about Lufthansa's first class ducks is that they often have "festive" ones -- they had World Cup ducks, Oktoberfest ducks, Christmas ducks, etc. They have most of the ducks on display in a glass case at the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.

The post Lufthansa’s First Class Construction Duck! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/09/19/lufthansas-first-class-construction-duck/

A New Signup Bonus for the Fidelity Investment Rewards 2% Rebate Amex

I’m liking the new Citi Double Cash product as the best cash rebate card but the Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express currently has a $50 signup bonus. I favor points over cash back. But I also recognized that if I’m doing any un-bonused spend, I’m effectively buying points at 2 cents apiece, since I could […]

The post A New Signup Bonus for the Fidelity Investment Rewards 2% Rebate Amex appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/09/19/new-signup-bonus-fidelity-investment-rewards-2-rebate-amex/

Starwood American Express US Open Cardmember Event

When we think of major travel credit cards, we're usually pretty focused on the concrete benefits of the card -- how many points you earn per dollar spent, how you can redeem those points, etc. And using those metrics the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is awesome. It's the first "major" credit card I ever applied for, and I've held onto it since.

What makes the card so great is how flexible the points are. You can redeem them for any Starwood property worldwide with no blackout dates, with some great redemption opportunities. The card offers a fifth night free when redeeming points, and also offers Cash & Points, whereby you can redeem part cash and part points for a hotel stay, which is generally a very good deal.

The post Starwood American Express US Open Cardmember Event appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/09/19/starwood-american-express-us-open-cardmember-event/

San Diego is Cracking Down on Cab Drivers Who Smell

The San Diego airport is requiring cab drivers not to smell bad. And the cab drivers are livid. For years, inspectors with the San Diego Regional Airport Authority have run down their checklist for each cabbie — proof of insurance, functioning windshield wipers, adequate tire treads, good brakes. Drivers are graded pass, fail or needs […]

The post San Diego is Cracking Down on Cab Drivers Who Smell appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/09/19/san-diego-cracking-cab-drivers-smell/

Frugal Guide to Lake Tahoe

Mark Twain once described Lake Tahoe as “The fairest picture the whole earth affords.” Anyone who has taken Highway 89 and caught a glimpse of Emerald Bay would agree. The Lake itself is on the border of Nevada and California, with most tourist activity centered around the city of South Lake Tahoe (California) and the […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/09/frugal-guide-to-lake-tahoe.html