London As Londoner's Do (INFOGRAPHIC)

December 2, 2013, 8:52 am

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We love London (but you knew that already).

As it were, a lot of other people do, too, including the folks behind the blog London Is The Reason. They compiled a list of lesser known facts about The Big Smoke into one handy infographic.

Consider it a primer next time you want to wow your friends while checking out the sights.

Londoner’s guide to London [Infographic] by the team at londonisthereason.

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Rare Grand Canyon Fog Makes An Incredible Once-In-A-Lifetime View

December 2, 2013, 8:59 am

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This would be epic to see in real life.

On Friday, and again on Sunday, the Grand Canyon treated visitors to a rare sight: its gorges and valleys overflowing with a thick, puffy fog.









The cause? A rare temperature inversion, where hot air from above presses down to trap cold air -- along with pollution and fog -- inside the canyon.

Inversions like this happen once or twice a year in various corners of the canyon, but it's extremely rare for them to fill the entire thing. A total inversion like this weekend's occurs about once per decade.





"Rangers wait for years to see it," wrote Ranger Erin Whittaker on the Grand Canyon's Facebook page.

Once word got out, both local and visiting Instagrammers rushed to the scene, making for a beautiful, foggy social media frenzy.

Travel With Kids: Top 5 Hotel Tips

December 2, 2013, 9:04 am

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Photo Courtesy of caitlinbwdn/myBudgetTravel. Article by Kerry Lyons, contributor to Budget Travel.

Before we had kids, my husband and I confidently agreed our motto would be "have kids, will travel." When our son was born, we hit the open road and flew the friendly skies with confidence. When our daughter was born, we carried on -- and carried a lot more to accommodate our two tiny tykes. Then we had triplets and our travel moxie was put to the test. Could we really still travel with five kids under the age of five? Sure we could and indeed we did. Whether your family is big or small, here is some advice to ensure that your next check-in doesn't leave you wanting to check out!

Click here to see photos of some of our favorite family-friendly hotels!

SAFETY FIRST
Remember that many hotels are built for business travelers, not baby travelers so, if you're bringing a little one along, consider bringing some of the baby-proofing "comforts" of home with you. Little things like outlet covers won't take up much space in your bag and will give you peace of mind as your crawler explores his new surroundings. For bigger kids, remind them that home rules apply for hotels too -- don't open the door to strangers; don't leave the door open or unlocked; and as a reminder to you, don't leave the kids "home alone." As tempting as it may be to let the monitor be the babysitter, in the event of an emergency, it may be hard to return to your room and you never know when housekeeping (or anyone else) could come a'knockin'. When it comes to "kids clubs," remember your ABCs: Ask about Allergies, Background checks and "Checkpoint Charlie" -- you should know what the visitation policy is for parents; the ratio of caretakers to children and who's watching the door, pool, etc., to ensure that your little one won't wander off for some sight-seeing of his own.

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
From high-end resorts like the Montage to the more affordable Residence Inn by Marriott, many goodies are there for the taking as long as you're not afraid to ask. Eager to please even the smallest of travelers, many hotels offer stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, rubber ducks for tub time, and more. Some also have game rooms or libraries stocked with board games, video games, puzzles and books you can borrow during your stay. Forgot to pack pool toys? Ask for those too. If the hotel doesn't offer them as a giveaway or for complimentary use at the pool, there's a good chance someone else has left them behind and you can reap the rewards. If you're traveling with a baby on board, the Westin even offers Diaper Genies, bottle warmers, and booster seats. But remember, you don't get what you don't ask for!

BE SPECIFIC WHEN MAKING YOUR RESERVATION
If you need a crib, ask for it before you arrive, not when you're checking in. If you need a mini-fridge to keep the morning milk cold, confirm it ahead of time. You should also ask about the maximum occupancy of the room you reserved; most hotels have a limit and it's best to know what it is ahead of time -- especially if, like me, you hope to squeeze your entire brood into one room. While you're at it, consider requesting a room with a kid-friendly layout -- an alcove, walk-in closet, or even a large bathroom can accommodate a crib or Pack & Play so you don't find yourself reading or eating in the dark after putting the little ones to bed.

JOIN -- AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF -- LOYALTY PROGRAMS
From Hyatt to Starwood, there are numerous perks programs just waiting for you to join. Membership is free, points are earned over time, discounts are often available, and, as they say, membership has its rewards. According to a Hilton Worldwide spokesperson, "With Hilton HHonors, the more often members stay, the higher the status they'll achieve and the more perks they'll have access to whether traveling for business or leisure -- including but not limited to space-available upgrades to a preferred room or suite; the option to choose from a host of MyWay benefits like one in-room movie per stay to entertain the kids, or a selection of free beverages, sweet treats, and salty snacks. We even offer late or express checkout to make packing up the family simpler." Sign up is quick and easy and with apps like CardStar or AwardWallet to help track your membership numbers, status and passwords, there's no reason not to just do it!

ALL YOU CAN EAT
Well, it may not be all you can eat and frankly, it would be a shame not to get out of the hotel to enjoy the local fare, but you can and should take advantage of any freebies that are offered. Breakfast is included at most family-friendly hotels, including Country Inn & Suites, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Spring Hill Suites. The Doubletree is famous for warm chocolate-chip cookies at check-in and a spokesperson confirmed that if you ask nicely, they will even give you two. Many hotels let kids eat free (something they regret when they see our clan of five approaching!) and some even include weeknight dinners in your daily rate. We lucked out on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., when it was Taco Night at the Residence Inn; free tacos make for happy travelers, both tall and small! The Holiday Inn lets up to four kids 12 and under eat free at their on-site restaurants with a paying adult and if you book the Experiences by Marriot package, breakfast, lunch and dinner is included; in their words "we'll take care of feeding them and you can worry about what you want to eat." Be sure to read the fine print though; "kids eat free" has its limitations and poolside dining and room service typically top the list.

Click here for five more great tips for traveling with little ones!

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5 Active Workouts in Saint Lucia

December 2, 2013, 12:15 pm

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Sand, sun and a dash of adventure makes the perfect recipe for an adrenaline-filled vacation in Saint Lucia. Visitors looking for activities that are a little out of the ordinary can find endless opportunities both above and below the sea from zip-lining through the rainforest, snorkeling among the coral or bouncing around forest roads on an ATV. The island's rugged natural landscape, diverse eco-systems and crystal-blue waters offer a huge list of options for the adventurous travelers. Here a 5 of my favorites:

1. Hiking Climbing Gros Piton is strenuous and should only be undertaken by very fit and experienced hikers. You'll climb over large rocks during the first half of the trail as it starts gradually in a gentle slope, The second half involved a steep ascent to the summit which is approximately 3 to 4 hours round trip and 2,619 feet above sea level. The Petit Piton is even more difficult but more exciting in terms of view form the top.

2. Scuba Diving Views of Saint Lucia are just as amazing below sea level. Divers can indulge in colorful coral reefs and abundant marine life at popular spots like the Key Hole Pinnacles. Or get carried away by the currents at Superman's Flight, the drift dive named after the movie, located at the base of the Petit Piton. A total of 23 diving locations can be found just off the shoreline island wide. For a less extreme alternative, SNUBA excursions ease divers into the water and descend no more than 20 feet.

3. Zip-lining serves up a healthy dose of adrenaline, especially in Saint Lucia. Utilizing zip cables extended as high as 150 feet above ground, visitors are transported through lush foliage for panoramic views of the rainforest, the city of Soufriere, or the Pitons at one of three zip-line locations on-island.

4. Jungle Biking is not for the faint of heart. Visitors interested in kicking cardio into high-gear can head to Bike Saint Lucia at the Anse Mamin Plantation on the Anse Chasanet Resort. Custom trails accommodate both rookie and seasoned riders using specially designed Cannondale suspension bikes. A skill course training area is available for those new on the scene or seeking a quick refresher. Be sure to stop in at the luxurious Jade Mountain while you are there for the most incredible views of the Pitons.

5. Rainforest Crossing This is a strenuous hike but possibly the most rewarding as well. Begin at Edmond Forest reserve and proceed across the Forest Reserve on the Old French Road trail where you'll encounter Mahogany and Blue Mahout tress with eventually meld into the lush, natural rain forest and banana plantations.

Photo by Alison Lewis

9 Things Not to Miss in The Sacred Valley of the Incas

December 2, 2013, 12:17 pm

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Anyone making their way to Machu Picchu must first traverse The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Valle Sagrado de los Incas), and we were no exception. But this was no tedious trek, it was a fascinating adventure in its own right.

Take the Scary (and insanely beautiful) Flight into Cusco, Peru

Flying into Cusco, you don't have to descend very far from your cruising altitude. Just make an insane hairpin turn between mountains and land at one of the world's highest commercial airports, over 11,000 feet up in the Peruvian Andes.

Find out what to do in Cusco once you've landed...

Visit a Weaving Cooperative

In the small town of Chincheros, get a first hand look at every step in the weaving process of the people of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Learn about what goes into the dyes that create the brilliant colors (absolutely amazing and a "wee" bit off-putting!), the ingenious way the yarn is spun, and how the patterns are crafted. More on this weaving cooperative...

Learn How to (and how NOT to) to Deal with the Altitude

The locals swear by the leaves of the coca plant, the plant that produces cocaine, as an antidote to the thin air. Tea is made from the leaves and is easy to find. Other ways to get your fix is through candy or simply chewing the leaves themselves. For those hesitant to try the coca, we have more suggestions on how to cope (and NOT to cope) with the altitude.

Be on the Lookout for Shrines







On the roofs of most of the houses in the Sacred Valley are small shrines that include a cross indicating the family is Christian, ceramic bulls for strength and fertility, a cask of corn beer to tie them to their ancestors, and a vial of holy water to sanctify the house. (This shrine was in the town of Chincheros)

Explore Mysteries of the Enormous Ollantaytambo Ruins

One of the many mysteries of Ollantaytambo is how the massive rocks were hauled up the mountain without the use of wheels. It is also unknown how the stones were cut, because no metal hard enough to cut granite was available at that time. Since the Quechua language was not written, and the Spanish destroyed most evidence of methods used in construction, we may never know the answers. More Ollanyaytambo...

Drink Inca Cola

This popular, overly sweet, yellow beverage turned out not to be our cup of tea. BUT it's a must for any adventurous visitor!

Ride the Train to Machu Picchu

PeruRail operates several trains a day to the town of Aguas Calientes, below Machu Picchu, along track originally laid in 1928. It's the second highest railroad in the world, after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The narrow gauge ride down the Urubamba River showcases spectacular Andes mountain scenery and, with several events onboard, PeruRail turns the journey into an adventure on its own! More on the train to Machu Picchu...

Discover The Lost City of The Inca, Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is not really the name for the city - that name is lost forever. When Hiram Bingham arrived in 1911, the locals told him of the ruins between Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain). When Bingham told the world of his "discovery," (how does one discover something that lots of people already knew about?) the name stuck. More on Machu Picchu...

Get Photobombed by a Llama!

These cousins of the camel pretty much have the run of Machu Picchu. The nimble buggers are everywhere, hiking side-by-side with visitors, stubbornly blocking paths and standing around looking pensive. More on the pensive llamas of Machu Picchu...

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

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7 Things Not to Miss in Buenos Aires

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WestJet's Magic Plane: Disney-Themed Boeing 737 Makes Debut In Calgary

December 2, 2013, 12:18 pm

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It's a bird. It's a plane... no, it's Sorcerer Mickey?

Because little kids didn't find airplanes enthralling enough before, a new Disney-themed WestJet Boeing 737 just made it impossible for young children to look away.

In an unveiling that saw hundreds of WestJetters cram into one of the company's hangars in Calgary's northeast, and complete with electric Mickey Mouse ears, Disney's orchestral theme, and the big mouse himself, the curtain was pulled on the first every Disney-themed plane in Canada.

The company's 737-800 airliner, which is painted blue, rather than the standard WestJet white, sports stars all along the sides and a four-storey tall, wand-slinging, sorcerer Mickey Mouse on the tail.

Inside, passengers entering the cabin will be greeted by the Disney logo, stars on the headrest and more stars in the restrooms, said WestJet president and CEO president Gregg Saretsky.

"This plane will fly everywhere in our network. It'll be in 18 countries, 35 cities and you'll see it all over, all over Canada and all over the U.S.," he said.

"Kids will be pressing their noses against the glass at the airport as this airplane taxis by."

Story continues below slideshow

Click through the gallery below for some tantillizing facts about the Magic Plane.



The custom paint job covers very inch of the plane's surface and, apart from serving as a flying billboard for Disney, the airplane helps cement the long-standing relationship between WestJet, WestJet Vacations and The Walt Disney Company, said Saretsky.

The idea for the Magic Plane, as WestJet and Disney call the airliner, is a perfect fit for the two companies, said Marlie Morrison, Managing Director, Marketing and Sales, The Walt Disney Company (Canada).

"WestJetters are the first point of contact for many of our Walt Disney World guests embarking on their memorable family vacations," she said, adding that bringing the concept to life was a year-and-a-half long process that required the efforts of large number of people to execute.

And keeping the whole thing under wraps was a very difficult thing to do, said Saretsky, adding the plane was painted in Washington State.

The veil of secrecy over the entire project from beginning to end was such that he himself didn't see the plane until Monday morning.

"We didn't want any airline gawkers to take pictures of it leaving Seattle, so we had to wait for darkness," Saretsky said.

"And, of course, it rolled in here late last night in darkness as well."

There are other Disney planes flying in the U.S. and Asia, said Saretsky, "but I think this is the most beautiful."

Was 'Bachelor' Producer Elan Gale's Feud With Airline Passenger Diane 'Casually Sexist'?

December 2, 2013, 1:16 pm

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Over Thanksgiving weekend, "Bachelor" producer Elan Gale found himself heralded as a "hero" after he live-tweeted a feud he got into with a disgruntled woman on his flight to Los Angeles. But some say Gale's comments crossed a line into "casually sexist" territory.

Gale allegedly overheard the woman, only identified in his tweets as "Diane," telling the flight attendant that she needed to get home to see her family once she found out the flight was delayed. When the flight attendant told her that he understood and was also looking forward to seeing his family, Diane said, "This isn't about you." Upon hearing Diane's response, Gale sent her a note saying:

Dear lady in 7A -- It has come to my attention that today is your "Thanksgiving." It must be hard to not be with your family! Please accept this glass of wine. It is a gift from me to you. Hopefully if you drink it, you won't be able to use your mouth to talk. -- Love, Elan.

When she responded in kind, it escalated into a rather bitter altercation throughout the remainder of the flight. During the dispute, Gale attacked Diane's appearance and told her to "eat his dick" not once, but twice. Blogger Liz Dwyer and University of Miami School of Law professor Mary Anne Franks joined host Ricky Camilleri to discuss the exchange on HuffPost Live.

As Franks noted: "I think it's really revealing that the way [Gale] chose to respond to [Diane] was not just to say 'You're exhibiting some bad behavior' or 'You're being disrespectful,' but in fact to say what he did and to say that it was his job to shut her up. He chose to attack her appearance; he used a very gendered insult as a way to intimidate her."





Do you think that Gale's comments crossed the line? And would the feud have been perceived any differently had Gale not been a white man? Let us know in the comments and head over to HuffPost Live to watch the full segment.

Mas Provencal, French Restaurant In Eze Village, Is A Flower Lover's Dream

December 2, 2013, 1:19 pm

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It looks like an overgrown shed on the outside but that may be the look Mas Provencal is going for.

The French restaurant is located in the city of Èze, roughly a 20-minute drive northeast of the city of Nice. And while the food is your typical French cuisine, the decor is anything but French.





The restaurant's call to fame is in green-thumb approach to decorations. When it's not serving lunch or dinner, the restaurant's a pseudo greenhouse, home to hundreds of flowers and intricate floral arrangements. But when the restaurant is serving hungry customers, it transforms into something straight out of "Alice in Wonderland". Flowers replace centrepieces, arrangements hang from the walls and even blend into the buildings fixtures.





There's even edible grape and cherry tomatoes guests can pluck straight from the ceiling when they're not staring at the glass-enclosed waterfall. According to Design Taxi, larger plants are watered once all the furniture is covered up and wilted plants are replaced on a daily basis.





If you're looking to pay the restaurant a visit, you'll have to wait a few months since it's closed until March of 2014 due to construction. But you may need to those months to save up the extra green -- meals are fixed-priced and start at $120 (88 euros) per person.

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The Top 20 Streets In Canada: Vive Quebec!

December 2, 2013, 2:27 pm

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The streets of Canada's neighbourhoods are the arteries of our communities. The shops, people and experiences that occur on them define our societies. When Vacay.ca set out to find the best streets in the country we did it with a sense of exploration and authentic experience in mind.

Neither Toronto's Yonge Street or Montreal's Rue Saint-Catherine -- arguably the two most famous streets in the nation -- placed on the list of the top 20 streets in Canada. Both of those thoroughfares have long ago lost out to corporate commerce. A walk along their main stretches isn't distinct.

The streets on the Vacay.ca list are the best places for you to spend your time and dollars when touring the country's urban centres. While some choices were difficult, top spot turned out to be an easy decision. Rue du Petit-Champlain, lined with shops that belong to an artists' cooperative, was a clear choice for No.1 among the Top 20 Streets to Visit in Canada.

1. Rue du Petit Champlain, Quebec City, Quebec

Why This Street Rocks: One of the most historic streets in Canada is quite likely the nation's prettiest. A home to artisans, a centuries-old church, the famed breakneck staircase, and boutique shops, rue de Petit Champlain offers a touch of the past and all the present charm of contemporary Quebec City.
Top Attraction: The mural that depicts landmark moment's in the street's history (102 rue du Petit-Champlain). The mural is outside the building that is home to the Petit Champlain Quarter's many artists.
Where to Eat and Drink: Bistro Sous le Fort (48 Rue Sous le Fort) is just off of the street on Rue Sous le Fort. Grab a drink at Theatre Petit-Champlain (68 Du Petit Champlain) and sit on its patio.
Where to Shop: There are a handful of boutiques and galleries on the tiny street. Drop in on Boutique Ibiza (57 Du Petit Champlain) for clothes and jewelry.
Hidden Gem: Sculptor Alain Flamand has had his lower-level shop (49 Du Petit Champlain) on the street since 1985, soon after the Quartier Petit-Champlain's artists' cooperative was founded.
Historic Event: An 1841 landslide killed 20 people and a memorial to the disaster still occupies the street.
Vacay.ca Columnist Adrian Brijbassi writes: "The street has boutique shops, artisan galleries, and restaurants, as well as a 200-seat theatre within centuries-old stone walls, a mural that depicts different stages of the city's history, and a touching memorial to the 20 victims of an 1841 landslide that saw shale from the hill above tumble down 300 feet."

Read more about Canada's No. 1 Street

2. Saint Laurent Boulevard between Rue Sherbrooke and Rue Saint Viateur, Montreal, Quebec

Why This Street Rocks: The epicentre of Montreal's famed music scene is here, at clubs like Casa del Popolo (4873 Saint Laurent Boulevard) and Green Room (5386 Saint Laurent Boulevard) that run along The Plateau and Mile End neighbourhoods. It's also home to trendy shops and is in the vicinity of Montreal's two famous bagel shops -- St. Viateur (263 Saint Viateur West) and Fairmount (74 Fairmount Avenue West) -- and Dieu du Ciel's brewpub (29 Laurier Avenue West), the No. 3 brewpub in Canada, according to Vacay.ca. Saint Laurent Boulevard is often called "The Main" because it is recognized as the divider between Montreal's east and west sides.
Top Attraction: Mount Royal Park is a short walk west of Saint-Laurent Boulevard. On the street, Schwartz's Deli (3895 Saint Laurent Boulevard) sees lineups that stretch out the door on most days.
Where to Eat: Pastaga (6389 Saint-Laurent Boulevard) ranked No. 13 and Lawrence (5201 Saint-Laurent Boulevard) ranked No. 27 on the 2013 Vacay.ca Top 50 Restaurants in Canada Guide. Pastaga is headed by Gold Medal Awards-winning chef Martin Juneau and serves superb Quebec dishes. Lawrence serves contemporary British cuisine and is best known for its brunch.
Hidden Gem: La Sala Rossa (4848 Saint Laurent Boulevard), next door to Casa del Popolo and partnered with that venue, is another excellent music hall that features numerous emerging acts.
Historic Event: Jewish settlement of The Plateau and Mile End in the early 1900s led to greater multiculturalism in this section of Montreal that's been designated a National Historic Site.
Chef Martin Juneau of Pastaga says: "Saint-Laurent Boulevard is where the real Montreal happens. It is called Main Street. It divides east from west, French from English. You say Saint-Laurent and everyone in Montreal knows it is the important part of town, it is what helps to define the city."

Star chefs align at West in Vancouver

3. Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Why This Street Rocks: History, ghosts, and some of the best party atmosphere in the country.
Top Attraction: St. Paul's Anglican Church (1749 Argyle Street) opened in 1750 and was the first Anglican cathedral outside of Britain. Of note is a wooden window frame that was launched into the church by the 1917 Halifax Explosion.
Where to Eat and Drink: Economy Shoe Shop (1665 Argyle Street) packs in the student crowd, but Pipa (1685 Argyle Street) is the choice for fine dining, with a menu that features Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. Venture just off the street to Chives (1537 Barrington Street), the No.1-ranked Halifax restaurant on the Vacay.ca Top 50 Restaurants in Canada list.
Hidden Gem: The Nova Centre. It's hidden only because it hasn't been built yet. The project, which includes a luxury hotel and massive convention centre, will rapidly transform Argyle Street and the vicinity in the city's financial core.
Historic Event: Bodies recovered from the Titanic disaster in 1912 were taken to the funeral home on Argyle Street in a building that is now home to the Five Fishermen Restaurant (1740 Argyle Street). Ghost sightings aplenty occur inside the eatery, considered by many paranormal experts to be the most haunted property in Canada.
Vacay.ca Writer Katie Marti writes: For a microcosmic look at Halifax, head straight to Argyle Street, where the city's entertainment and financial districts intersect. The nachos at the Economy Shoe Shop should be enough to draw a crowd, but two convention centres, a luxury hotel, pubs, clubs and a top-notch seafood restaurant make Argyle the go-to street for all things Halifax.

Read more about the Five Fishermen's ghost stories and about Chives' outstanding cuisine.

To see the entire Top 20 Streets In Canada list, click here.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:

Here's How Climate Change Will Ruin Your Winter Vacation

December 2, 2013, 2:42 pm

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Snow sports enthusiasts may need to transition into water or rock sports in the near future because the era of long, cold winters with heavy snowfall may be a thing of the past.

The effects of climate change can be easy to miss for some, but for ski resorts that depend on natural snowfall for their businesses -- which are increasingly having to invest in snowmaking technology due to a lack of natural snow -- the changing global climate is impossible to ignore.

A new report from geosciences journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences may bolster some resort's fears of a shrinking ski season suggesting that by 2050, mountains in the Upper Colorado River Basin -- which stretches across Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona -- could cause the spring thaw to occur as many as 6 weeks earlier than usual because of global warming and the occurrence of extreme dust events in the region.

"The early disappearance of snow could further add to water supply problems in the already over-allocated river, especially in the Upper Colorado River Basin, which lacks the big reservoirs of the Lower Colorado," reads Climate.gov's analysis of the report. "Earlier arrival of snow-all-gone dates also means a longer dry season, which would increase fire risk and stress aquatic ecosystems."

Snowfall elevation is moving up the mountains and lower elevation ski resorts are getting hit by the effects of climate change, said Anne Nolin, professor of geosciences and hydroclimatology at Oregon State University said at a recent environmental conference. Nolin added that over the last several decades in North America there has been a 1.5 to 2 percent decline in snow during the spring per decade. Meaning the snow season is getting shorter.

CEOs from some of North America's most popular ski resorts -- Aspen/Snowmass in Colorado, Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada -- spoke about the realities the industry is now facing at the conference.

"Jackson Hole was always known as being too far [away], too cold and too steep. Some of that is being mitigated, but not in the proper way," Jackson Hole's CEO Jerry Blann said at the conference, according to Outside magazine. "We have some routes on the mountain that are only manufactured snow."

But the problem doesn't just exist in the American West -- more than half of the 103 ski resorts in the Northeast are expected to not be able to maintain a 100-day ski season by 2039, The New York Times reported last year.

Experts warn that by 2100, only four out of 14 major ski resorts in the Northeast U.S. will remain profitable if climate change continues at its current rate.

As the mountains heat up, in general, resorts have been able to respond by making more snow on their own, but man-made snow still melts and if warming continues, snow manufacturing may just not be effective.

“With nighttime minimum temperatures warming at a faster rate than daytime maximum temperatures,” a 2012 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Protect Our Winters said, “it is uncertain as to what extent snow-making will last as an adaptation strategy.”

"This spells economic devastation for a winter sports industry dependent upon predictable, heavy snowfall," the report stated.

Ski areas in the U.S. employ roughly 211,000 people and generate around $12.2 billion in annual revenue, according to a 2012 report from the NRDC.

"Without intervention, winter temperatures are projected to warm an additional 4 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, with subsequent decreases in snow cover area, snowfall, and shorter snow season," the NRDC reported. "Snow depths could decline in the west by 25 to 100 percent. The length of the snow season in the northeast will be cut in half...All of this translates into less snow and fewer people on the slopes."

Air New Zealand Smaug Plane Takes To The Skies For 'Hobbit" Premiere

December 2, 2013, 2:44 pm

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(Relaxnews) - Air New Zealand continues to ride on the coattails of the cinematic success of "The Hobbit" with the unveiling of a Boeing aircraft emblazoned nose to tail with the image of the villainous dragon Smaug.

Unveiled December 2 in Auckland, the Boeing 777-300 features a replica of the fearsome dragon as it appears in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the second installation of Kiwi filmmaker Peter Jackson’s trilogy.

The aircraft left for Los Angeles Monday and was scheduled to land in in time for the Tinseltown film premiere.

According to Tourism New Zealand, 82 percent of international survey respondents stated that the campaign around "The Hobbit" increased their interest in New Zealand as a travel destination.

Air New Zealand has been capitalizing heavily on the film in its marketing strategy, creating in-flight safety demonstrations and ads featuring hobbits, dwarves, elves and orcs.

This summer, American Airlines struck a partnership with Disney in a tie-up that saw the carrier score a cameo role in the film "Planes."

Taiwanese carrier Eva Air has likewise emblazoned a few of its aircraft with the most famous cat in the world, Hello Kitty, while Australian airline Qantas painted a moustache on the nose of one their aircrafts last month for Movember.

Kayaker Dies After Shark Attack In Maui

December 2, 2013, 3:20 pm

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A kayaker died on Monday morning after a shark attacked him in the waters off of Maui.

The man, possibly a tourist, was fishing with a friend when the shark attack happened. His friend managed to get him to a nearby snorkeling boat, but the man died before reaching shore.

It is suspected that the man had been dangling his legs in the water when the shark bit off one, or possibly both, of his feet.

Hawaii experienced strong rains over the weekend, and murky waters are known to both attract and confuse sharks who often can't tell the difference between prey and humans.

"Although the incident took place some distance from shore," a Department of Land and Natural Resources statement said, "county lifeguards and officials from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) have closed beaches from Makena Landing to the surf area known as 'dumps' until noon tomorrow (Tuesday)."

Maui, which is experiencing an unprecedented uptick in shark attacks, saw another attack just three days ago. On Friday, the beach from the Kihei Boat Ramp to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was closed after a snorkeler was bit in the leg by a shark.

The woman had been following a sea turtle about 60 feet off shore when she felt the shark come up behind her and bite her calf. While the bite was deep, the attack was not fatal.

In an effort to understand Maui's increase in shark attacks, the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System and the University of Hawaii are tagging sharks off the coasts of Maui and tracking their movements. The sharks' locations are then transmitted and marked on a website so a cautious and curious public can follow their locations.

"This information," according to PacIOOS, "will help determine whether sharks around Maui are more resident (more 'site-attached') than they are around the other Hawaiian Islands and whether they exhibit greater use of inshore habitats [aka, bays] than in other locations."

While the site currently only has seven sharks tagged, the team is working to get as many as possible in their system.

Remember The Elan Gale And 'Diane' Twitter Fight? Turns Out It Was Fake

December 2, 2013, 9:34 pm

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Elan Gale's epic Twitter fight with a fellow U.S. Airways passenger has been revealed as a hoax.

The producer with ABC's "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" was flying to Los Angeles on American Thanksgiving when his flight suffered a delay, according to his tweets. He then began live tweeting, under the user name @theyearofelan, what he described as a distraught passenger arguing with airline staff over missing Thanksgiving with her family.

Gale's tweets eventually made headlines around the world after he engaged the distraught passenger, whom he identified as "Diane," in rounds of passive-aggressive note passing.

The exchange provided Twitter users with plenty of entertainment but Gale's latest tweets reveal he may have made the whole thing up. On Monday night, Gale tweeted a photo of "Diane," only to show an empty chair.

So many questions unanswered about Diane. In 15 minutes I will post the photo and hopefully we can resolve all this

— elan gale (@theyearofelan) December 3, 2013

Here is Diana sitting in a chair pic.twitter.com/OE5q7j8dhr

— elan gale (@theyearofelan) December 3, 2013

Whoops. Meant Diane. Great time for a typo

— elan gale (@theyearofelan) December 3, 2013

In less than a day, Gale's exploits went viral and critics were quick to shame him as "sexist" and heartless towards someone -- fictional or otherwise -- who was in distress.

Salon questioned the legitimacy of the whole thing from the get-go and described the incident as sexual harassment. Mary Anne Franks, a professor with University of Miami School of Law described his actions as a "narcissistic and casually sexist reaction" on HuffPost Live.

For his part, Gale shrugged off the remarks on Twitter, saying he was just providing entertainment on a slow news day.

I conclude by saying hopefully a few people got a few laughs over a slow Thanksgiving weekend

— elan gale (@theyearofelan) December 3, 2013

The Huffington Post Canada has reached out to both U.S. Airways and Gale to clarify the matter. Neither have responded to an interview request at the time of publication.

Have Gale's recent admissions changed the way you felt during the fight? Let us know in the comments below.

Like this article? Follow us on Twitter
Follow @HPCaTravel

10 Destinations On The Rise, According To TripAdvisor

December 3, 2013, 4:20 am

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We never really can get sick of people telling us where to go next.

The advice is always varied and gives the inner traveler in you ideas of where you want to schlep off to next.

Enter TripAdvisor, who has released their annual list of places "on the rise." Many of the spots have been around for, um, awhile (hello, Jerusalem!), but consider this a primer of places you should add to your 2014 bucket list nonetheless.

Christmas Markets That Renew Your Love For The Holidays

December 3, 2013, 4:20 am

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It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it's time to turn our full attention to the things we hold dearest, like Christmas markets. Thankfully, Europe (and Singapore) haven't been distracted by all that turkey and are already on it.

Check out some of our favorite Christmas markets that are already in full swing.

The Champs-Élysées, Paris


Cologne, Germany


Manchester, England


Berlin


Strasbourg, France


Leipzig, Germany


Madrid


Lille, France


Prague, Czech Republic


Bath, England


Nuremberg, Germany


Singapore


Erfurt, Germany


Frankfurt, Germany

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15 Festivals To Attend Before You Die

December 3, 2013, 4:24 am

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Throwing tomatoes and watching balloon races aren't your standard, everyday activities. But every year, visitors gather in different locations around the world to participate in festivals ranging from spiritual to lighthearted. From samba dancing to bathing in a sacred river, each festival offers visitors a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are our picks for 15 festivals to attend before you die.

By Emily Wasserman

Carnival
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

More than 2 million people flood the streets of Rio for Carnival. The four-day celebration is traditionally held before Lent and includes street parties, masquerades, and samba parades. Follow Carnival bands across the beaches and streets, grab a drink at one of the city's lively bars, and watch as samba schools compete for the best float.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Rio de Janeiro Guide

Photo Credit: Migel/Shutterstock

Oktoberfest
Where: Munich, Germany

Grab a beer and pull up a seat at Oktoberfest, one of the world's most spirited parties. A keg tap marks the beginning of this boozy weeklong festival, and millions of visitors flock to one of the city's themed tents to enjoy a pint. In addition to beer, visitors can sample traditional food like sausages, pretzels, and potato dumplings.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Munich Guide

Photo Credit: Intrepix/Shutterstock

Dia de los Muertos
Where: Oaxaca, Mexico

In early November, friends and family in Mexico gather to pay their respects to the dead. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, commemorates lost loved ones with ancient traditions. Families of the deceased build private altars using sugar skulls, leave flowers and food on graves, and put out offerings to welcome spirits. Celebrants eat foods shaped like bones, including chocolate skulls and pan de muerto, or bread of the dead.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Oaxaca Guide

Photo Credit: Jose Gil/Shutterstock

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Over 600 colorful balloons fill the southwest sky at the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. Spectators gather at sunrise to watch the balloons take off and visit landing sites to track incoming balloons. The fiesta is also a competition, as balloonists drop markers on targets and participate in speed and distance races.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Albuquerque Guide

Photo Credit: Gary L. Brewer/Shutterstock

Kumbh Mela
Where: Nashik, India

Every three years, millions of visitors gather to bathe in one of India's sacred rivers for Kumbh Mela. The pilgrimage is considered to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world, and is held in different locations around India according to Hindu tradition. Visitors can participate in religious discussions, singing, and assemblies, or complete altruistic acts alongside holy men and women.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's India Guide

Photo Credit: Radiokafka/Shutterstock

Mardi Gras
Where: New Orleans, United States

Every year before Lent, visitors flock to New Orleans's French quarter to celebrate Mardi Gras, the final day of Carnival. Locals step out in full holiday attire--costumes, masks, and face paint--and parade floats throw strings of plastic beads to onlookers. Drinking starts early with breakfast Bloody Marys and continues into the wee hours of the night.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's New Orleans Guide

Photo Credit: spirit of america/Shutterstock

Il Palio
Where: Siena, Italy

Historic Siena is home to Il Palio, one of the world's most renowned horse races. Every July and August, 10 jockeys and their horses gather in the town's Piazza del Campo to compete in a race and pageant. Horse and rider teams each dress in appropriate colors to represent a contrade (city ward) of Siena. Visitors watch as the horses and their riders rapidly circle the square. While turning the treacherously tight corners it's not uncommon for jockeys to be thrown from their horses and horses often finish the race riderless. The whole exhilarating spectacle usually lasts only 90 seconds.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Siena Guide

Photo Credit: M. Rohana/Shutterstock

La Tomatina
Where: Bunol, Spain

Goggles are recommended at La Tomatina, one of the world's biggest food fights. A firing of water cannons signals the beginning of the fight, as thousands of visitors throw squashed tomatoes at one another. Due to the popularity of the event, the town instated ticketing--but the experience is well worth the 10 euro fee.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Spain Guide

Photo Credit: Iakov Filimonov/Dreamstime.com

Diwali
Where: India

Also known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali celebrates the end of harvest season. Over five days, celebrants string colorful lanterns, light firecrackers, share sweets and snacks, and participate in traditional ceremonies. Festival-goers also light small clay lamps filled with oil to honor the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, and invoke her blessings for the year ahead.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's India Guide

Photo Credit: anshu18/Shutterstock


San Fermin Festival
Where: Pamplona, Spain

The "running of the bulls" has gained worldwide recognition, and visitors can witness the spectacle for themselves at the San Fermin Festival. Before the event, the town erects a set of barricades to direct the bulls along the route and protect onlookers. A rocket signals the beginning of the run, and herds are set loose on the streets of Pamplona. Anxious crowds await the end of the race in a bullring.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Pamplona Guide

Photo Credit: Migel/Shutterstock

Pingxi Lantern Festival
Where: Pingxi, Taiwan

Every year during the Chinese New Year, visitors gather in the small town of Pingxi to watch the Pingxi Lantern Festival. More than 100,000 lanterns are launched during the celebration, and visitors can buy their own lanterns from street stalls. The festival also includes food, colorful fireworks, and sparklers.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Taiwan Guide

Photo Credit: Nicholashan/Dreamstime.com

Carnival of Venice
Where: Venice, Italy

Masks and costumes are standard attire at Italy's Carnival of Venice. Every mask has its own story, and symbolizes a different Italian theater character. Visitors parade their finery at parties and masquerade dinners, or end the night at one of the city's lavish costume balls.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Venice Guide

Photo Credit: Halie Cousineau/ Fodor's Travel

Saint Patrick's Day Festival
Where: Dublin, Ireland

You might not find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow at Dublin's Saint Patrick's Day Festival, but you will find plenty of festivities. For three days in March, the city turns entirely green. Visitors can enjoy street performances and music, take a walking tour of the city, or visit the Irish Craft Beer Village for a taste of local brews.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Dublin Guide

Photo Credit: Abdone/Dreamstime.com

White Nights Festival/Scarlet Sails
Where: St. Petersburg, Russia

During the summer months, the sun never sets in St. Petersburg. The city's White Nights and Scarlet Sails Festival celebrates this stunning phenomenon. The festival features performances by Russian musicians, singers and dancers, and culminates with the Scarlet Sails celebration. Rose-hued skies are the backdrop for tall ships with scarlet sails, and crowds enjoy spectacular fireworks and a water show.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's St. Petersburg Guide

Photo Credit: De Visu/Shutterstock

More from Fodor's:
10 Best U.S. Ski Resorts For Families
America's 15 Best Indie Coffee Shops
15 Places to Drink Hot Chocolate in America

How To Get A Visa: A Beginner's Guide To Travel Documents

December 3, 2013, 4:37 am

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They're complicated, and they change by the nation. Here are the basics of how to get a visa.

What exactly is a visa?
Essentially, a travel visa is a document that shows you’re allowed to enter a specific country, for a specific length of time, to do a specific thing such as tour or study or work. Unless they submit a waiver, our government requires visitors from other countries to get a visa before visiting the U.S.

With regards to American tourists, some countries require visas, some do not, and some base the need for a visa on your length of stay.

Do I need one?
First, visit the “Americans Traveling Abroad” page of the U.S. State Department website to see if the country you’re visiting requires a visa. There, you’ll view the specific “entry requirements” for that nation.

Almost without question, countries in the Schengen Area -- a coalition of 26 mostly European countries as far north as Norway and as far south as Greece -- allow tourists to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Check the websites of these nations' consulates, but it’s fairly certain you won’t need a visa to enter them.

Lots of non-European destinations (China, Brazil, and Vietnam, for example) require a visa no matter how long you’re staying.

What's my first move?
When hunting for visa applications online, you’ll want to start at the embassy or consulate website for the nation you’re visiting. Typically, you’ll fill out visa application forms online, print and mail them in, or hand deliver them to the nation’s local consulate.

After processing your documents, the consulate will mail you a visa that attaches into your passport. On average, the process takes anywhere from two weeks to two months.

What will it cost?
You'll usually have to send a money order or check along with your visa application. Typical visas range in cost from $50 to $200. For example, a Brazilian visa costs $160, and an Indian visa costs $76, barring additional fees.

Can I make the process faster?
If you’re in a pinch, there are agencies that will fill out paperwork and secure a visa for you at lightening speed-- sometimes even overnight. Service fees are about $100 to $300 per visa, but if you’re in a hustle or overwhelmed with documents, they may be worth it.

Happy travels!

Delta Flies University Of Florida Basketball Team, Bumps Regular Passengers

December 3, 2013, 6:52 am

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Having your flight canceled is always a bummer. But what about when that cancellation can't be blamed on stormy weather or a faulty plane... does that make it worse?

Fliers at Gainesville Regional Airport saw their travel plans go awry when they were told Sunday afternoon that Delta Air Lines was canceling their flight. Instead, the plane was used to fly the University of Florida men's basketball team, The Gainesville Sun reports.

The plane originally slated to carry the Florida Gators was grounded due to maintenance issues. The team was heading to Storrs, Conn., for a Monday evening game.

Rather than chartering a different plane, Delta opted to cancel passenger flight 5059 en route to Atlanta. Delta spokesman Michael Thomas told The Sun that all passengers were accommodated on other flights and given vouchers for future trips.

"Delta apologizes to those customers on Delta Connection flight 5059, operated by ExpressJet, who were impacted by the resulting cancellation of their flight," he stated in an apology.

Unfortunately for the Gators, while they made it to Connecticut in one piece, they did not win the game.

h/t Gawker

Orcas Hunt Seals By Listening: Study

December 3, 2013, 8:02 am

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VANCOUVER - In the killer whale world, a noisy seal makes a fine meal, says new research into the hunting practices of transient orcas off the Pacific coast.

A study by the Vancouver Aquarium a few years ago revealed that transient orcas do not, as once believed, hunt using echolocation to target prey, measuring the bounce of their own calls back to them in order to hone in on dinner. That left biologists wondering just how they do hunt.

"Because transient don't echolocate we did not know what senses they use to find prey," said Volker Deecke, a researcher at the Centre for Wildlife Conservation at the University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom and a former research associate at the Vancouver Aquarium.

The waters off British Columbia and Alaska are home to two types of killer whales — the resident whales that feed solely on fish, and the transient whales that travel the waters more freely and feed on other mammals like porpoise and harbour seals.

Using acoustic recording tags stuck to 13 transient killer whales with suction cups, the team led out of Cumbria recorded the mammals in the ocean off the coast of Alaska for up to 16 hours at a time.

They wanted to know if the whales were hunting with their sight, picking prey silhouetted against the surface, or listening for their soon-to-be lunch to make some noise.

"Our study found that transient killer whales frequently caught prey in near-complete darkness," Deecke said in an email to The Canadian Press.

It told the team that the whales were not relying on vision, he said.

The group suspected the whales were using their keen hearing to target their next meal and a juvenile orca provided some compelling evidence as he hunted all night in a glacial fiord off southeast Alaska.

Soon after tagging, the tag's hydrophones picked up the distant roars of a male harbour seal trying to attracted a mate.

"Over the next 30 minutes the roars got louder until at some point the tag recorded three loud roars where the whale must have been within a few hundred metres of the seal at the most," Deecke said.

"Exactly 27 seconds later, the tag recorded all the signs of a predation event — the sounds of whales ramming the prey, bones snapping and flesh ripping. No more roars after that."

While not direct evidence that the transient whales eavesdrop to find food, it's an important clue in the puzzle, suggested Lance Barrett-Lennard, the marine mammal scientist at the Vancouver Aquarium who conducted the earlier research on echolocation.

"We, as humans, are putting a lot of noise in the water. Sound carries so well in water, it carries great distances," he said.

"A critter like a transient killer whale, that makes a living by listening for very quiet sounds, is at a real disadvantage when we humans introduce a lot of noise."

Noise from boats and other human activity also affects resident orcas, but they're generally more chatty and ramp up their own vocalizations to compensate for noise, he said.

"But transients don't do that," Barrett-Lennard said. "They're just passively listening for the sounds of prey, so we think the boat noise is a much more serious problem for transients."

Deecke will present the findings Tuesday to the Acoustical Society of America at a meeting in San Francisco.

Ditch Your Responsibilities And Go Hike The Mendenhall Ice Caves Before They Melt

December 3, 2013, 8:31 am

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These, dear friends, are the Mendenhall ice caves in Alaska. They exist only because a glacier is melting-- and as you can guess, glaciers don't keep on melting forever.

Over the past year, researchers have noticed strange ancient trees standing upright in the ice caves. Turns out that as it recedes, the glacier is unearthing forests which have been frozen for the last 1,000 years or so.

Explore these stellar havens for yourself on a trip to Alaska, or take a virtual journey with us on this icy Travel Tuesday.







On a real-life tour, hikers who enter the caves must understand the risk of falling ice, which can break off in chunks as big as refrigerators.

Because of the glacier's melting and movement, the size and color of the caves changes rapidly-- caverns have shrunk to as little as a third of their original size in a single year and changed color from deep turquoise to a lighter, dirtier blue.











Don't be shy! Come on in for a video tour!



Though it's alarming to think such a natural wonder is melting away, the process does have some rather cool side effects.

In the 1930s, for example, the glacial runoff started pooling together. The beautiful body of water now known as Mendenhall Lake has been growing more majestic ever since.







You can even get married there, if you're feelin' the vibes.







Till your melty death do us part, Mendenhall glacier.