Here's a list that no hotel wants to be in: 2010 Dirtiest Hotels (USA).

The said list is based on TripAdvisor's traveler reviews.

From The NY Times:

The "dirtiest hotels" lists, which TripAdvisor has heavily promoted for several years, always generate robust publicity. This year's lists singled out the 10 "dirtiest" hotels in each of six regions - the United States, Asia, Canada, France, Italy and Britain.

Here goes the 2010 Dirtiest Hotels in the United States:

• 1. Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco, California


• 2. Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Missouri


• 3. Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia


• 4. Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia


• 5. Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania


• 6. New York Inn, New York City, New York


• 7. Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach, Florida


• 8. Capistrano Seaside Inn, Capistrano Beach, California


• 9. Desert Lodge, Palm Springs, California


• 10. Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

Have you been in any of these hotels?

© Jingles the Pirate


George Hobica at Frommer's pointed out recently that there are ways to get your baggage to your travel destination without giving it to your airline. And if the airline is going to charge you a fee, you should shop around...

Now that the airlines have raised their fees for checked bags yet again, it's time to take another look at the alternative: shipping your bags, or better yet (if you're staying in one place once you arrive) just the contents of your bag ahead of your arrival using economical ground shipping services.

Hobica says that both FedEx and UPS provide better security and tracking. They may cost a little more to use - but not much more...

Aren't beaches great? From Sydney to Denmark, I've seen some great beaches in my life. Kuantan, Malaysia was memorable. Watching the sun set over the India Ocean in Langkawi on the other side of Malaysia was better.

Unfortunately, I don't live near a beach. My wife and I drive seven or eight hours each summer to spend a week on South Carolina's Grand Strand - 40 miles of beach there, with Myrtle Beach being the main city. The weather here at the moment makes me think about changing that. I came across a piece by World Hum on what makes a good beach, and I can hear the weatherman talking about ice and snow this weekend. I had snow on the ground in my yard for 30 days (December 18th to January 17th). Since then we gotten a dusting of snow, but we're about to be dumped on again this weekend.

So now I find myself looking at pages like this one on beach hotel deals and fantasizing about spending time on a beach towel - maybe in Puerto Rico...

© Photos8.com


Get Rich Slowly has a hefty piece online at the moment crammed with lots of advice on how to plan (and take) a vacation without getting into debt up to your eyeballs.

Most people agree that a vacation is supposed to be relaxing, but planning for one can be just the opposite. Still, poor planning can cost money and time, causing headaches and frustration when you're supposed to be getting away from it all.

Besides some good advice, the piece provides a collection of links to resources that will help you save on your trip.

Thailand tourism, after the Tsunami The Flyaway Weblog

Phuket, the crown jewel of Thailand's beach resorts, is back on track, nearly four months after the Tsunami hit the island paradise. According to this local tourism website, "you'll be benefiting from lower hotel rates, serenely quiet beaches and local bargains on everything from souvenirs to superb meals." photo courtesy of Andy Stelle - stock.xchngIt's as if I can see a big finger beckoning me to take advantage of the [...] Read More


Thailand holidays teaser The Flyaway Weblog

Event organizers have submitted several proposals for a government project "to revive the tourism industry in the tsunami-hit areas of the South". One organizer has pitched for a Thai Tsunami film with Nicole Kidman stating that the actress would draw attention to the beautiful beaches Thailand has to offer. Am I the only one not convinced that this is not a good idea? I am all for promoting the beauty [...] Read More


Thailand: Goodbye Elephant: Hello Gibbons! The Flyaway Weblog

On our last day in Phuket, I said goodbye to my new friend, the baby elephant Sawasdee. (which means "hello" in Thai) His trainer gave him the command to "kiss," and I was treated to an elephant smooch on my cheek! If you've ever wondered what an elephant kiss feels like, it's kind of like your cheek is being sucked in by the hose of a vacuum cleaner. But Sawasdee is [...] Read More


Southern Thailand Getaways on the Rise Hidden Travel Gems

Three years after the great 2004 tsunami devastated the beaches of Phuket, tourists are visiting in record numbers. According to TTG Asia, the push to reconstruct after the disaster has led to renewed success all along Southern Thailand's Andaman coast. Why did Phuket, and neighboring Khao Lak and Krabi, regain their former success so quickly? As the bread-and-butter of Thailand's tourist industry, they almost had to. And, despite rumors amongst [...] Read More


Central Krabi Bay Resort in Thailand Wandalust

Less than an hour away by boat from Phuket, Krabi is the perfect getaway for beach lovers who prefer to relax in a much quieter and more scenic island. This coastal province located southwest of Thailand is also a popular tourist destination (albeit, quieter than the more famous Phuket) with it's beautiful scenery, azure waters and good tourist infrastructure. Tempted? If so, you might want to sample one of the [...] Read More