2009 December | Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel

Monthly Archives: December 2009

Superbreak Hotel Booking App for iPhone is European Answer to HotelPal

Published December 30, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

A while back I wrote about HotelPal, the great iPhone app that lets you find last minute accommodations based on your current location and budget. Now a similar iPhone app, Superbreak, is available for Europe.

The application allows users to search for a hotel by date, location, or specific hotel name, and searches can also be conducted using geo-code technology, allowing customers to find hotels near their current location. All 7,000 of Superbreak’s UK and European hotels can be booked through the app and it can handle the whole booking process from start to finish.

Search settings on the iPhone app

Property Information

Although I have not personally tested the app (I haven’t been in Europe recently), the screen shots of the app are so similar to those in HotelPal that I have little doubt it functions in quite the same manner, Continue reading →

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Credit Card Security Breach

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Posted in Travel tips |

Tagged app, application, bookings, Europe, european, hotels, iPhone, Superbreak, Travel |

18 Comments

Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge, Willemstad, Curacao

Published December 30, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

Can’t see the above YouTube video of Curacao’s Queen Emma Floating Bridge? Click here.

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Posted in Videos |

Tagged attractions, Caribbean, cultural travel, culture, Curacao, historic, Netherlands Antilles, Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge, Travel, videos, Willemstad |

Travel Insights 100 Make Travel Predictions for 2010, Choose Dumbest Travel Moments of 2009

Published December 28, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

A few months ago I was honored to be invited to become a member of Travel Insights 100, a panel of 100 travel experts that included activists, traditional media, independent travelers, and airline and hotel experts who have banded together to monitor travel insights and trends and share that information across the travel industry. Participants, who were hand selected by the folks at UpTake.com (the travel search engine that helps travelers decide where to go, where to stay, or what to do) were recently surveyed about their predictions for travel during the upcoming year.

Responses covered a wide range of issues, but several trends were evident. The following were the most oft repeated predictions; it will be interesting to track the insights to see if they come to pass in 2010:

Travel Insights

Travel will begin to recover in 2010, driven in part by a pent-up demand from those who have put off traveling due to economic concerns, but travelers will continue to focus on discounts and promotional pricing. Most believe that discount airlines, hostels, and budget hotel chains will be the big beneficiary of this trend.
Several panel members believe that travelers will drive rather than fly whenever possible, as the airlines increase security measures and add-on fees. Many predict that airlines will continue to introduce new add-on fees in an attempt to squeeze the last penny out of the traveler, and one respondent predicts this will result in the government stepping in to regulate the practice.
Social media (Twitter in particular) will continue to reshape how destinations are promoted and companies will increase their participation in and creative use of social media.
With the world becoming an ever smaller place, there are no longer any “undiscovered” destinations, yet travelers increasingly desire authentic travel experiences. Most panel members believe this will result in an increase in cultural based tourism, home stays, eco tourism, and volunteer travel.

An in a more humorous vein, participants gave us their dumbest moments in travel during the past year: Continue reading →

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Posted in Travel industry news |

Tagged dumbest travel moments, predictions, Travel, travel insights 100 |

33 Comments

A Gift and a Wish on Christmas Eve

Published December 24, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

This song, by award-winning inspirational artists Wayne Burton and Jenny Jordan Frogley, so beautifully expresses what I wish for everyone in the coming year and beyond. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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Posted in Inspirational |

Tagged Christmas, holidays, Inspirational, video |

9 Comments

Peacocks Take Center Stage in Coconut Grove, Miami

Published December 23, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

It all began with “CowParade,” a public art display of giant fiberglass cows hosted by the City of Zurich, Switzerland in 1998. Decorated by local artists and then displayed all over the city, the sculptures were ultimately auctioned off to benefit charity. The event was so successful and well-received that it became the impetus for iconic public art displays all over the world.

Lone remainder of Chicago's CowParade, this bronze casting sits outside the Chicago Cultural Center

Sarasota clown sculpture

Chicago was the first to mimic the concept; in a nod to its history as a meat packing center, fiberglass cows were scattered throughout the Loop in 1999. Since then, scores of copy-cat events around the world have featured sculptures of whatever animal or item best represents the sponsoring city.

Sarasota, Florida, also known as Circus Capital of the World, chose clowns. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, during the centennial celebration of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first motorized flight, attached metal wings to mustangs, merging “First Flight” with its reputation as home to one of the largest herds of Spanish mustangs still remaining in the wild. And in Miami’s South Beach, five-foot tall flamingos still peek from gardens and line the broad boulevards. The list goes on: Los Angeles sponsored angels; Hendersonville, North Carolina exhibited giant apples; and Norfolk, Virginia had mermaids. Continue reading →

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Posted in Florida travel |

Tagged blogsherpa, Coconut Grove, culture, escapism, Florida, Miami, peacocks, Sculpture, south florida, Travel, USA |

23 Comments

Blogging Boomers Carnival #143 at So Baby Boomer

Published December 21, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

With the festive season upon us, our Blogging Boomers Carnival this week focuses on all things holiday. Learn the history of the Winter Solstice and how its traditions still influence our yuletide, read about the new trends in Christmas cocktail dresses, hear what our boomers have to say about new movies released for the holiday season, and compare your New Year’s resolutions to Blogging Boomers Carnival members. Check out this list of holiday cheer at So Baby Boomer, our host for this week’s carnival.