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Daily Radar: 11.20.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 20, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Have you always wanted to see the famous Christmastime Macy's window displays? A new exhibit at the National Museum of American History features the art and business of commercial holiday displays, according to USA Today. The exhibit also details the history of the creation of Macy's Day Parade floats. [USA Today]
This November and December, Saguaro National Park (just outside Tuscon, Arizona) is offering a variety of guided sunset and moonlight hikes. Due to popularity, reservations are recommended. [National Parks Traveler]

Photo: wallyg via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.19.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 19, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Yahoo! and the Times Square Alliance have teamed up to offer free Wi-Fi in New York's now pedestrian-only area. For the next year (and hopefully after that), just log on to m.yahoo.com to access the free internet. [Gadling]
American Airlines is testing a retail service that would sell items like tickets to a Broadway show or theme park tickets to passengers while they're 30,000 feet in the air. Currently the airline is selling items like Heathrow Express train tickets and items from SkyMall. Brett Proud, executive vice president of GuestLogix (the company providing the technology to do this), described airplanes as "a retail space that is probably the biggest retail opportunity ever uncovered." [NY Times]

Photo: mbshane via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.18.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 18, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Legos and World Heritage Sites are probably two of my favorite things, so when I found that someone has combined the two, it made my day. Eco-site Environmental Graffiti has an awesome photo gallery of these great Lego creations, like the Red Square, above. Click here for the full gallery. [Gadling]
Plan to be in Scotland next week? St. Andrew's Day is November 30, and the town is celebrating by hosing St. Andrew's Free Weekend on November 28 and 29. Sites like Edinburgh Castle, St. Andrew's Castle, and other popular attractions will waive admission through the weekend. For more on St. Andrew's Day, click here. [Wandering Educators]

Photo: via Environmental Graffiti

Daily Radar: 11.17.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 17, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

'Tis the season of giving, and Google is giving away free Wi-Fi to travelers during the holidays. Through January 15, airport Wi-Fi will be available for free in 47 airports, like Seattle-Tacoma, Milwaukee, Baltimore-Washington, and Houston. Check out www.freeholidaywifi.com for the full list of participating airports. [Gadling]
In a few days, Colonial Williamsburg is getting an 18th-century-style coffeehouse. The R. Charlton's Coffeehouse, which will open on Duke of Gloucester Street, will serve free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, and will include re-enactors who will discuss the drinks "related to colonial society, hospitality and political issues of the day, including trade and taxes," according to USA Today. [USA Today]

Photo: @Saigon via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.16.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 16, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Virgin Atlantic just launched Taxi2 in an effort to help customers pay their "fare share." The site (which is still in beta) allows passengers to plug in their flight information, and it will "match" passengers up with others (on any airline) who have similar travel itineraries so that they can share a cab ride to their final destination. [Virgin Atlantic]
Going somewhere this Thanksgiving? Orbitz just released its list of the Top/Least Busy Airports in the U.S. for the upcoming holiday. The list is no surprise, with the busiest airports being Chicago O'Hare International (ORD), Los Angeles International (LAX), Denver International (DEN), and San Francisco International (SFO). Passengers traveling through San Jose International (SJC), Nashville International (BNA), Richmond International (RIC), Sacramento International (SMF), or Jacksonville International (JAX) can breathe easy. These are expected to be the least busy during the Thanksgiving holiday. For the complete list, check out blog.orbitz.com. [Orbitz]

Photo: 2_dogs via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.13.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 13, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Some 30 people have died in Italy due to swine flu so far, and the Catholic church has gone hi-tech to calm people's fears about catching the disease. Introducing: automatic holy water dispensers. Made to look like traditional water fonts, this holy invention has an infra-red detector that dispenses water when church-goers place their hand under the dispenser. This prevents visitors from having to dip their hand in holy water, thus potentially sharing germs from other people. Inventor Luciano Marabese says he has received hundreds of e-mails around the world requesting information about the "hands-free holy water." [BBC]
Japan is getting its newest capsule hotel this December. The luxury 9h hotel will have 125 capsules, locker rooms, showers, and a lounge. Each of the capsules in the nine-story hotel has a panel that controls the lights and sound system--and guests can wake each morning to the lights slowly turning on, 9h's version of an alarm clock. [FastCompany]

Daily Radar: 11.12.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 12, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Tired of peeling off the stickers of the fruit you just bought? The FDA is in the final stages of approving technology that uses a low-energy carbon dioxide laser beam to label fruit. The laser, which is currently being used in New Zealand and Australia, is being advertised as a non-intrusive, tamper-proof method of labeling fruit, and will also reduce waste (and save you from accidentally biting into the annoying stickers). [Inhabitat]
Delta Airlines is offering free Wi-Fi to passengers for a week beginning November 24. The catch? The free internet is sponsored by eBay, which means that when passengers log on, they will immediately be taken to the eBay homepage. A tad annoying? Perhaps not, if you intend to get some holiday shopping done while in the air anyway. Worth the free mile-high Wi-Fi? Definitely. [Jaunted]

Photo: szb78 via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.11.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 11, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

In celebration of Veteran's Day, the National Park Service will offer free entry for all to any of its parks. Said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, "The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee free day to thank our nation's service men and women." [Gadling]
Taipei 101 is on schedule to becoming the world's tallest green building. The skyscraper is undergoing $1.8 million in green renovations, with the hope that these energy-efficient upgrades will save the building $20 million annually. Said Harace Lin, Chairman of the Taipei Financial Center Corporation, "As the world's tallest [completed] building, Taipei 101 aims to raise people's awareness about our environment and be a pioneer of international green building certification for existing buildings." [Inhabitat]

Photo: ehpien via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.10.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 10, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Advocates in L.A. is lobbying to change some city streets to "ciclovias," or bike-only streets, on Sundays. cicLAvia member and director Green L.A. Institute Jonathan Parfrey told the L.A. Times, "This city is so park poor, and so car dependent.... Air pollution is awful and childhood obesity is epidemic. But building new parks for people to get out of their cars and exercise can be prohibitively expensive. We want to create public space using the infrastructure we already have - our roads." [L.A. Times]
The Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations was held last week, and 144 countries were giving a Global Peace Index (GPI) rating. The most peaceful country in the world? That designation goes to New Zealand, followed by Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Sweden, Japan, Canada, and Finland. Our expert analysis? The colder the country, the more peaceful they are. For the full list (and a more accurate analysis), click here. [Vision of Humanity]

Photo: bananatron via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.09.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 9, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

We've all done it--used our luggage as a seat while waiting in endless lines at the airport. But Dutch designer Erik De Nijs took that action to a whole new level when he created Suited Case, a collection of suitcases that can be fitted together to create a couch. Says the artist, "When a familiar object from home is taken with you on a trip you feel much more at ease. And which object is more familiar then your own comfortable couch." [Neatorama]
Living like a modern-day Jack Kerouac is the newest trend. Take the Dudley family. Dad Dave lost his job and, figuring it would cost his family $3,000 per month to continue to live in their house or $300 per month to live in an RV, he and his wife decided to pack up the kids and live on the road, or "Anywhere, U.S.A." Find out how they do it on this Today show special, or learn about how other families are living on the road at FamiliesOnTheRoad.com. [TODAY]

Photo: via Neatorama

Daily Radar: 11.06.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 6, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

The hills are alive, with the sound of... Google? Google recently opened its offices in Zurich, Switzerland, and certainly knew how to integrate Swiss culture into the office, as evident by these meeting rooms--in the form of ski gondolas--above. [FastCompany]
In other European news, the Munich Airport was recently rated Number 5 in the world, according to a recent Skytrax survey. One of the main reasons it fared so well? Its abilities to reduce stress. The airport has a visitors' park where travelers can take walks, mini golf, and in summer, sit on a beach. The airport also has a brewery with local beer, a Fit & Fly Health & Spa Club with message chairs in multiple terminals and, at Christmastime, the airport has a traditional Bavarian market, making me almost wonder why anyone would ever want to leave the airport in the first place.

Photo: via FastCompany

Daily Radar: 11.05.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 5, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

A South Korea court has ruled that cab drivers can continue to have televisions on their dashboards, despite the obvious risk of getting into an accident. The BBC reports, "The ruling comes after a taxi driver challenged a $507 (£311) fine imposed by the local authorities in the capital, Seoul. The city's tortuous congestion led taxi drivers to install new mobile TV systems in an attempt to beat boredom." [BBC]
Scotland's family-friendly Crieff Hydro Hotel has asked that its guests leave video games at home this holiday season in an attempt to "restore traditional family values." The hotel, said to be the oldest family-run hotel in Scotland, is hosting family quizzes, Highland games and archery, sporting activities and outdoor laser quest over the holidays. We're realistic, acknowledging that teenagers may want some time away from their parents, and vice-versa, and there are plenty activities to break free and be independent with family friends or others in their peer group," says the hotel's managing editor. "We're not just offering a fun family Christmas but opportunities for our younger guests to be active, learn new skills and make new friends." [Scotland Herald]

Photo: Paul in Uijeongbu via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.04.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 4, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

For the past month, 10 slabs of the Berlin Wall have been installed outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). According to thelocal.de, "The 2.6-tonne slabs have been made available to artists, who have been given free rein to make their own statements on each block of concrete." The wall will be on display until November 8, "being symbolically toppled." [thelocal.de]
Through November 5, Omni Hotels is offering 40 percent off select stays in Austin, Chicago, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Diego, New Orleans, San Antonio, Houston, and Tucson. Reservations must be made for travel between Dec. 2, 2009 and Feb. 10, 2010 (and excluding December 31). Fore more information, click here. [Omni Hotels]

Photo: currentevents via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.03.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 3, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

For the first time, tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be awarded by online lottery system. Fill out the application between November 4 at 12:01 a.m. EST and November 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST for a chance to win one of 10,000 tickets (7,000 are standing-room-only) to the annual tree lighting on December 3. [Jaunted]
Ever wonder what the colors on top of the Empire State Building actually mean? Check out website WhatColorIsTheEmpireStateBuilding.com for a guide to what the colors stand for each day. Brilliant! [Gadling]

Photo: BenjaminB99 via Flickr

Daily Radar: 11.02.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on November 2, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Looking for a Thanksgiving getaway? Aspen, Colorado's Hotel Jerome is offering a "120th Anniversary Celebration" package between November 25-29. For $1,889 (half the usual price--and the year the hotel opened), guests get: four-night's accommodation for two in a junior suite, lift tickets for two days, and a full Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday evening. [Gadling]
Want to celebrate the holidays with George and Martha Washington? Tickets to Mount Vernon's annual Candlelight tours went on sale yesterday. Every year, the estate opens its doors at night, and leads tours of Mount Vernon, complete with hot apple cider, cookies, caroling, dancing, and even a special appearance of Mrs. Washington. Tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 27 through December 13. Click here for more information and to make reservations.

Photo: Hotel Jerome

Daily Radar: 10.30.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on October 30, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

If you find yourself around D.C. this Halloween weekend, look out for some sweet-looking traffic cones. Street artist diabetik has been installing Candy Cones all around the city. Has anyone in your hometown done anything eye-catching for Halloween? [Laughing Squid]
New York Times best seller Pat Conroy (author of South of Broad) now has a walking tour to accompany his book. Old Charleston Walking Tours has put together a two-hour tour that highlights the sites featured in the best-selling novel, including the Gibbes Museum of Art, St. Michael's Episcopal Church (the oldest in Charleston), and the Dock Street Theatre. Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and begin at the Mills House Hotel. For more information, click here. [Old Charleston Walking Tours]

Photo: diabetik via Flickr

Daily Radar: 10.29.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on October 29, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts just opened "From Botticelli to Titian: Masterpieces of Two Centuries of Italian Painting," on display through February 14, 2010. The large-scale exhibit, which will feature some 130 Renaissance paintings borrowed from 50 museums (like the Met, the Louvre, and the Prado), includes pieces like Cossa's "Portrait of a Man," Botticelli's "Story of Virginia," and Palma Vecchio's "La Bella." For more information, visit www.szepmuveszeti.hu.
Travelers heading to Philadelphia this year should book their hotel through gophila.com/withlove. Visitors who book their stay through December 30 will receive a pass to 26 restaurants (like The Prime Rib and Table 31) that will offer prix-fixe, multi-course menus at $20, $30 and $35 per person. Visit gophila.com for more information.

Photo: www.szepmuveszeti.hu

Daily Radar: 10.28.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on October 28, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

JetBlue has partnered with car-rental company Hertz to offer a great contest. Here's the deal: enter your information on the Jet & Drive Giveaway homepage everyday through January 31, 2010. Each day, JetBlue will give away a $100 Hertz gift card, or a $2500 Hertz certificate and a $500 JetBlue gift card if the number of entries is over 2,500 or 5,000, respectively. Better yet, if the number of entries is over 50,000, a winner will get a four-night trip for two, including airfare, hotel, and, of course, a rental car. Click here for full contest details. [Jaunted]
McDonald's, no more. The fast-food giant--which had three location in Iceland--is leaving the country. Due to the failing krona, McDonald's would have had to charge $6.36 for a Big Mac to make a profit, making it the most expensive Big Mac in the world. [Gadling]

Daily Radar: 10.27.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on October 27, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (1)

Never seen snow before? Check out Colorado's "Snow at First Sight" competition, which offers the winner--a "snow virgin"--a three-month, all-expenses-paid trip to Colorado, complete with skiiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowmobiling, and any other snow-related sport you can imagine. To enter, submit a short video explaining why you should win, and post your video on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. All entries must be received by November 22. For complete rules and to enter, check out SnowAtFirstSight.com. [USA Today]
In honor of legendary climber Sir Edmund Hillary, a new four-day walking trail will open in New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges near Auckland. Hillary had discussed plans to create the trail before he passed away in 2008. The 70-kilometer trail will pass along the Karekare, Piha, Anawhata, Te Henga, and Muriwai beaches, an area explored by five generations of the Hillary family since the 1920s. The trail is expected to officially open early next year. [NewZealand.com]

Photo: Sanjoyg via Flickr

Daily Radar: 10.26.09

Jeannette Kimmel

on October 26, 2009 8:00 AM | Comments (0)

Rotterdam's new city hall will be the greenest building in the Netherlands, thanks to designer Rem Koolhaas. The building's modular design will require fewer resources to build, and is easy to add to if the structure ever needs to expand. [FastCompany]
Round of golf, anyone? The world's longest golf course--a grand 848 miles long--has opened in the Australian Outback. The scenic course--the fourth hole having the largest population of southern hairy-nosed wombats in the world--takes a week to play, and players must drive to each hole. A five-day tour of the course, which includes meals, lodging, and transportation, starts at $2250 AUD. [Gadling]

Photo: via FastCompany

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Janelle Nanos on I Heart My City: Alexandra's Copenhagen: Hotdogs wrapped in bacon! Seriously, I'm buying my ticket now! ;)
Hannah on I Heart My City: Alexandra's Copenhagen: Don't forget the hotdogs wrapped in bacon from street carts in Nyhaven and thereabouts... inexpensiv
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Arielcortez99 on Editor's Letter: 50 Places of a Lifetime: Berlin deserves to be on this list because it is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in
Ruth@Exodus on Following Monarchs to Mexico: Really interesting article and stunning photo. I too love Mexico and, as Exodus travel there, I can