I just encountered some information even I did not know—when US citizens return home from overseas, TSA is entitled to seize our laptops and KEEP THEM FOR MONTHS if we present suspicious aspects. Please see:http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/08/new-dhs-laptop-search-policy-crap-sandwich-fancier-bread.ars
If you think this is not something to worry about, may I remind you that TSA recently detained a former president of India?
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Extended through October 15, celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s 200th birthday with the Tell-Tale Tour, a passport journey through commemorative Poe exhibits at museums and attractions throughout the city. September 25-27, the annual Baltimore Book Festival pays tribute to Poe.
Visit www.nevermore2009.com for details.
Source: Visit Baltimore (www.Baltimore.org)
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Elevate Your Vacation Experience
I’m just back from a day of checking out the spa options on tap in Los Cabos. Wow. There’s a bounty of extraordinary spas, coupled with the some incredible packages currently available at many of the first-class hotels and resorts throughout the destination.
Whether you choose the latest day treatments or treat yourself to the celebrity menu, here is a line up of some of the top Los Cabos spa hotel packages available.
photo courtesy Las Ventanas
Experience the bliss of the Esperanza Resort with the “Aroma and Essence” package. After arriving to the resort by private transfer, guests are greeted at their spacious Oceanview Casita with a special welcome amenity. Guests are invited to enjoy the beautiful, world-renowned Cabo Spa with a 90-minute spa treatment and two 60-minute massages per person. Additionally, guests receive daily breakfast for two at El Restaurante. Package price for a minimum 4-night stay starts at $3,796 through October 14, 2009 and $4,820 from October 15, 2009 - December 18, 2009. Tax included. For more information or to book this package, call 866-311-2226 or visit www.esperanzaresort.com.
Spoil yourself with Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort’s “Luxury Wine Spa” package. Guests will take pleasure in a VIP Concierge Deluxe Oceanview room where a welcome signature drink awaits their arrival along with access to the VIP Concierge Lounge. Over the course of their stay, guests are introduced to the new SOMMA WineSp, where they are invited to unwind with a 50-minute Chardonnay or Merlot wine therapy massage per stay at the resort and have unlimited access to the spa’s gym, sauna and steam rooms. The marriage of wine and spa continues with a special after-treatment amenity consisting of a wine tasting sampler from the resort’s Baja Vineyard, a variety of flavored hot teas and refreshing aromatherapy towels. Also included is exclusive access to the pool and beach club with VIP services and personal concierge as well as a private deluxe beachfront dinner for two. Package price starts at $370 per night with a three-night minimum from now through December 17, 2009. Taxes and service charges included. For more information or to book this package, please visit www.fiestamericanagrand.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
There’s still time to enter for your chance to win $1 million.
Through Sept. 10, 2009, enter the “Clarion Make Your Stay a Chance at a Million Dollars Giveaway.” In addition to the million-dollar grand prize, Choice Hotels and its Clarion brand make the going easy with a panoply of prizes. Eight first-place winners will get a Clarion Prize Pack with such travel goodies as:
— GPS system
— iPod nano
— Luggage
— Choice Hotels gift card
— 8,000 Choice Privileges rewards points.
Plus for each day of the giveaway, two instant winners will receive one of many prizes designed to make your travels fun. These instant winners cash in on great prizes: Apple MacBook laptops, digital camera, laptop bag, USB memory stick, iPod nanos, iPod shuffles, portable iPod speakers, $25 iTunes gift card, $50 and $100 Choice Hotels gift cards and thousands of Choice Privileges rewards points.
To enter the “Clarion Make Your Stay a Chance at a Million Dollars Giveaway,” visit http://www.clarionhotels.com and sign up for free for the Choice Privileges rewards program. You only have to register once. Then, you can play once daily for your chance to win.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
In the new Disney/Pixar film “Up,” a balloon salesman ties 1,000 helium-filled balloons to his house in search of adventure.
You, too, can experience the adventure of a lifetime witnessing more than 600 hot air balloons at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® by entering Albuquerque’s High Flying adventure Sweepstakes
Experience the excitement of Albuquerque, the ballooning capital of the world, October 5-7, 2009 with a getaway for two to the world’s largest hot air ballooning event – the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®. The getaway is valued at more than $1,500:
- Two nights at Nativo Lodge, a Heritage Hotels & Resorts property
- Two days admission to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® including VIP access to the Gondola Club Hospitality Suite
- A balloon ride for two with Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Company
- A $200 Visa card to be used for airfare, gas or shopping
- Admission to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
- A Flip camera for the winner to video their trip and submit the footage for future promotions.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts’ “Fall Frenzy” contest is giving away a free vacation.
Book any existing package online at www.sonesta.com/stmaarten for travel September 1 - October 31, 2009 and you are automatically entered to win a free three-night return stay at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino. Return stays are valid April 4 - December 18, 2010.
Travelers to Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts can select from any current package, including:
- Share the Love: Two-for-one All-Inclusive special! Guests stay all-inclusive and bring a friend all-inclusive for free. Valid for bookings made by August 31 for stays through December 15, 2009.
- St. Maarten Seduction: Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino welcomes couples with its romance package. Valid for travel through December 19, 2009 with ocean view rooms, fine dining and more for $199 per night.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".