2013-06-16

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There’s nothing like stretching out on a Sunday with a stack of reading material. The local paper, or perhaps the joy of the home delivered Sunday New York Times, a good mystery, or an electronic reading device full of articles from the week.

I’ve chosen some of my favorites travel reads from around the web and hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Happy Sunday reading!

Do we really need to travel?

The act of travel is generally seen as overwhelmingly positive. Travel broadens the mind. It exposes us to different cultures. It teaches tolerance. To quote one of the most over-used travel clichés, “the world is an open book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

But are we too quick to accept the supposed virtues of travel? And what constitutes travel in any case? Are the valuable lessons we attribute to the act of  travel accessible only to those who go to another corner of the world and have to get by in a place where the language is foreign, the food is alien and the culture is wildly unfamiliar?

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Would you care to hold that plane?

Holding a plane for a passenger is an iconic customer service gesture.

In a different era of commercial aviation, before on-time arrivals became so important that aircraft doors closed 15 minutes before departure, planes were almost routinely kept at the gate for passengers who were trying to make a connection or who were just late.

Click here to view full article Would you care to hold that plane?

Strawberries + Homemade Limoncello = Summer Bliss

Fresh picked strawberries from the garden with homemade limoncello – a simple dessert that is sheer summer bliss!  This delicious dessert, perfect for a hot night, may have only two ingredients but if you want to make it from scratch you are going to need about 2 weeks.  You can always cheat and buy a fancy bottle of limoncello or limoncino but if you have a little patience you will be great rewarded!

Click here to view full article Strawberries + Homemade Limoncello = Summer Bliss

In Uganda, The Lion Sleeps Tonight

I’d always felt that the wildlife of Africa got far more attention in travel publications than the people of Africa. For this reason, I eschewed going to Africa. But I’d never been on a safari and felt like it was time I see what it’s all about, to do some wild animal gawking that wasn’t in a zoo. For the most part, I was enjoying myself. I saw mountain gorillas and chimps and everything else such a safari has to offer – everything except a lion.

Click here to view full article In Uganda, The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Vegas Restaurant Will Suspend Diners 180 Feet In Air

In a city like Las Vegas, dreaming up new gimmicks to attract visitors is no easy task. Adrenaline-seekers can already bungee jump off the Stratosphere or drive a racecar around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but soon a new thrill will come to town: the ability to eat dinner at a table suspended in the air.

Click here to view full article Vegas Restaurant Will Suspend Diners 180 Feet In Air

Family Friendly Things to Do in Pittsburgh

Did you know…Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice, Italy? Spend some time in the City of Bridges and you will see how this city earned its nickname…bridges here, bridges there, bridges everywhere. In the evening the downtown bridges are lit-up, stealing the attention of the high-rise buildings. But, parents, once you realize the bridges will only hold the children’s attention for so long you will be relieved to find that there are plenty of family friendly things to do in Pittsburgh.

Click here to view full article Family Friendly Things to Do in Pittsburgh

Summer travel advice? Try being nice

Are you still forgetting to pack your manners when you travel? If you are, then please meet Grace, a flight attendant who recently turned to me for some career advice.

She’s had it up to here with her job, and she wants to know what to do next.

“I’m very aware that I’m in a service position,” she told me. “I am polite, not surly or rude.” But passengers rarely return the favor.

Click here to view full article Summer travel advice? Try being nice

Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, 150 Years of Passion

In Emilia Romagna, it’s all about the people. The food that they make and eat and taste all history to it. Every place we visited had a story and every person we met had large personalities. The people of this region are people you’ll never forget. And that is what it was like when we met the folks at family owned and operated Acetaia Pedroni in Rubbiara near the ancient town of Modena. This Balsamic producer  is one of the oldest in the province, dating back to 1862. It has been operating for 150 years of uninterrupted service by the same family passed down through generations. And they are very proud of that distinction.

Click here to view full article Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, 150 Years of Passion

Postagram — Send a Postcard Direct from your Smartphone

It’s easy to forget in our hyper-connected world that some people we care about just aren’t online. They don’t see our Facebook statuses, Twitter messages or read our blogs. A physical postcard can mean the world to then.

Click here to view full article Postagram — Send a Postcard Direct from your Smartphone

10 companies in the tourism industry doing great things on Instagram

Many tourism companies have already jumped on the Instagram bandwagon and have been busy building communities and sharing visual experiences with their audience. Here’s our roundup of 10 companies who are doing greats things and can serve as examples.

Click here to view full article 10 companies in the tourism industry doing great things on Instagram

 

If you like this article, you'll find more to enjoy at Traveling with MJ - Practical travel information for practical travelers.


       
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