If you’re looking for a holiday destination but still can’t make up your mind, visit the Venere.com fan page on Facebook, take our quick test and find out where you should go for your next getaway trip.

Step out your daily routine and live like hamsters

Check out The Guardian Travel Blog and watch a funny video shot at the Hamster Hotel in Brittany, France.  Featuring rooms with giant heel, haystack and seed dispenser, this hotel in Nantes offers guests the chance to live like a hamster for one night.

Weird Airport Stories

Check out Telegraph.co.uk and see pictures of the strangest things confiscated by airport security, such as snakes hidden in a Swedish girl’s bra in Stockholm, a bag of hashish stuffed into the battery compartment of a woman’s sex toy at Gatwick Airport, and, still in London, ten human eye balls swimming in a jam jar at Stansted Airport.

Essential Travel Gear

According to a survey by TripAvisor, 62% of travelers shop for travel books, maps and guides before taking a trip, while 58% buy personal care and 14% go for electronic devices. The survey also reveals that convertible pants, pashmina wrap and teddy bear are amongst TripAdvisor community members’s must-have travel accessories.

Are you a globetrotting genius?

Take Hotel.com’s “Landscapes without Landmarks” quiz and test your geography knowledge.  Will you be able to recognize Barcelona without the Sagrada Familia, Rome without St Peter Cathedral, Paris without the Eiffel Tower and London without Big Ben?

Photo of guide books by Malias

This is quite an old airport, originally built in 1928, but it has undergone huge modifications with the building of Terminal 4, which is now one of the largest terminals in the world.

It was designed by Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers, and opened in February 2006 to international acclaim. Incorporating careful illumination and large glass panes and domes, it is certainly one of the best-designed airport terminals around, and if you get the chance to travel through it you should take a moment to admire the architecture. That is if you are not hot, stressed and tired after your flight.

Transport Links

The airport is situated about nine miles away from the city of Madrid. To reach it, you should take the Madrid Line on the Metro to the Nuevos Ministerios station in the city, a journey which only takes about12 minutes and leaves you in the financial district. Alternatively, you could also take the Barajas Line to central Madrid from both Terminal 2 and Terminal 4.

If you would prefer to take a bus, EMT runs regular services to the city, taking you to the Avenida de América station. From Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, take the 200 from outside the baggage reclaim area, or from Terminal 4 take the 204 from the Arrivals area. If you decide to take a taxi from the Arrivals area of any of the terminals, then it should take about 30 minutes to arrive in the city.

Airport Facilities

There are two banks in the airport, including a 24-hour bank in Terminal 1. Added to this there are plenty of restaurants and cafés, and over 100 shops. Pharmacies, nurseries, first aid and a chapel are also on offer, making it pretty much cater for all requirements.

Transfers

There is a free shuttle bus available to transfer passengers between terminals. Also, you may have to take the train to reach your boarding gate, but this is very clearly signed and will not take more than a few minutes. In fact, the whole airport is very efficiently designed, with large coloured signs dotted around clearly directing passengers to their gate areas, and stating how long the journey will take from any particular point.

Top 5 Madrid Airport Hotels:

• Hotel Melia Barajas – 4-Star Hotel – Double from €98
• Suites Kris Aeropuerto – Services Apartemnts – From €55
• Compostela Suites – Services Apartemnts – From €52
• Hotel Tryp Alameda Aeropuerto – 4-Star Hotel – Double from €95
• Hotel High Tech Madrid Aeropuerto – 4-Star Hotel – Double from €72

Photo of Madrid Airport’s Terminal 4 by marcp dmoz

• BeAtRome recommends La Ruta de la Paz exhibition at Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy.

• USA Today share a link to an interesting article on airport food prices.

• VisitOslo recommends shopping at the Farmers’ market in Majorstua, Oslo, Norway.

• WhyGoGreece shares Tripso’s Top 5 Naked Events and Nude Beaches in Mykonos, Greece.

Photo of beach in Cancun, Mexico, by mdanys

The airport already handles an enormous number of passengers, 18.7 million in 2007, and this is set to grow even further. As with all airports though, arriving passengers still have to negotiate their way into the city centre of Vienna. This is a brief guide.

There are three main options for getting from the airport to Vienna city centre if you are not being met by hotel services: the bus, the train or a taxi.

Schwechat Airport – Vienna by taxi

For those with large suitcases and deep pockets there is no doubt that the simplest way into town is by taxi. Visitors are warned, however, to ensure that they hire an official taxi and that the driver uses the meter. There have been instances of unlicensed drivers quoting very low prices to unsuspecting tourists and then adding extortionate extras on at the destination. There are booking desks in the arrival halls and the contact information of licensed companies is available as well.

Schwechat Airport – Vienna by train

After the taxi the next most useful way into town is the train. The City Airport Train (CAT) runs into Wien Mitte every half an hour during the day. This takes just 16 minutes, a quick journey time, and visitors can then link up to the metro system to finish their journey to disparate parts of the city. The S-bahn also links the airport to Wien Nord which can be useful. These trains run much more slowly that the CAT but are also much cheaper.

Schwechat Airport – Vienna by bus

The bus links from the airport to Vienna are the best value option but also take the longest. Depending on the level of traffic it usually takes about forty five minutes to the Sudbanhof and an hour to the Westbanhof. Vienna Airport Lines, one of the bus companies running services from the airport, also has services straight from the airport to Bratislava which run throughout the day. Services to Budapest and Hungarian destinations are less frequent.

The costs of taking the bus or trains are not that different so I would advise you to make the decision of how you make the journey from the airport into the city based on where in Vienna you want to go. The bus link to the Westbanhof will get you into the west of the city quicker than taking the train and then switching to the metro but the 16 minutes to Wien Mitte is a very good time to the south east of the city.

Visitors to Vienna are unlikely to encounter any problems getting from the airport to the city or, indeed, vice versa. The most important point to remember is if getting a taxi, make sure it is official and the driver used the meter.

Vienna Airport Hotels

• Eurohotel Vienna Airport, Fischamend
• Hotel NH Vienna Airport,  Schwechat
• Hotel Raststation, Schwechat

Photo of Vienna Airport Train by Gregorius Mundus

Ms. Adventures in Italy takes you to a trip to Bellagio and Villa Melzi Gardens.  Take a look at her beautiful pictures of the lovely town on the shore of Lake Como that inspired  the luxurious Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Hotels.com TV Commercial

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Watch the brand new TV spot of Hotels.com! Featuring a friendly character named Smart, this cool TV ad shows travelers why it’s so smart to book a hotel room with Hotels.com.

Hip Paris Hotel

The trendy Apostrophe Hotel presents the surprising “Light & Shadow” room. This cozy hotel room features beautiful effects of lights and mirrors, as well as a superb bedhead with a drawing of Paris roofs at twilight that reflects on the table.

Great Airport Food

Tripso publishes a list of airport restaurants that are really worth a trip. The list includes La Salsa at San Diego Airport, Billy Goat at Chicago O’Hare, Fung Lum at San Francisco Airport and more places in US airport’s food courts.

Family Holiday in Atlanta

The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog reviews 5 outdoor activities for the family in Atlanta, GA including Amicalola Fall, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Sawnee Mountain Preserve, Unicoi State Park & Anna Ruby Falls and Water Adventures on Chattahoochee River.

Photo of Villa Balbaniello in Bellagio, Italy, by ezioman

Have you ever considered what it must be like to as a flight attendant aboard an airline? They bring us food, pour us drinks, and offer us hot flannels which seem to have a volcanic temperature one second and permafrost chill the next – (I will never comprehend how a hot flannel can change temperature at such a rapid rate) but that’s irrelevant really.

Working as an Air Steward or Stewardess can be one of the most exciting, engaging professions in the world for which surprisingly few qualifications are needed to enjoy a respected and often very enjoyable lifestyle.

For a start, most airlines require you to be at least 18-21 years of age at the time of application, have some consumer experience, and be of a reasonable height and weight. There aren’t really any boundaries as to how attractive you are, but needless to say, if you have a face like a cave-dwelling lizard you aren’t likely to get very far. Generally a low level of qualifications will be required, such as High School grades.

Emirates Airlines, for example, are one of the most competitive employers – out of around 50 candidates interviewed they’ll only select around 7 to go on for further tests. Of course they’re one of the best employers to work for – while the salary (like most people in the profession) is rather small, benefits such as the routes being flown and accommodation and so on are said to make it well worthwhile.

Many Airline companies have quite creative ways of separating “the wheat from the chaff”, such as Virgin Atlantic who have a preliminary group interview, where they can observe how each attendant works as part of a team and how much attention to detail each candidate has naturally and so on. After which they’ll put you through a series of (presumably) challenging tests which must be passed and you’ll have to pass an interview with two assessors. If you pass, you’ll then undergo a rigorous medical examination before commencing training.

And it’s not one of those sorts of professions that fizzle out after you reach a certain getting older either. Senior Flight Attendants can often “rise up the ranks” and go on to become a Cabin Service Director (CSD) who often commands quite a considerable salary.

But there’s one thing I forgot to mention: the physical strain of the job. Any Flight Attendant you ever talk to (and I assure you: they’re interesting people) will tell you the demands, long hours, and jet lag which are something of a norm with this kind of job. However, look on the bright side – it’s everything that working at that normal office or day job isn’t – paid-for travel is a constant part of the equation, while spare time and holidays that even allow for the pursuit of a degree. A great majority of people who work in the industry have also seen pretty much every country you’d ever want to travel to, and all as part of their job!

Photo of air hostesses in Seoul Airport, South Korea, by Lookat Lao

Easter Peeps Photo Contest

Visit Intelligent Travel and enter the “Peeps in Places” Photo Challenge by sending a picture of one or more Easter peeps in your own neighborhood or your favorite travel destination. You have until Monday, April 13th to submit your sweetest, funniest photo of Easter peep.

Top 10 Candy Shops for Easter Enthusiasts

USA Today reviews 10 great candy shops where you can buy Easter sweets, chocolate bunnies and sugar eggs. The list includes M&M’s World in Las Vegas, Sugar Heaven in Boston, E.A.T. Gifts in New York, Big Top in Austin and more places where to fill your Easter basket.

Barcelona Chocolate Museum

Planning a family holiday in Barcelona, Spain? Travel Savvy Mom recommends a visit to the children-friendly “Museu de la Xocolata” Chocolate Museum.

Easter Holidaymakers Interview

On Travel Weekly, watch a video of Easter holidaymakers at Gatwick London Airport answering questions about their travel plans and holiday budget.

Top 5 Toulouse Hotels

Planning a trip to southwest France? About.com reviews five great hotels in Toulouse, including  the centrally located Hotel Athénée and the luxury Hotel Palladia situated close to the city airport.

Photo of Easter bunnies by Lin Pernille

But what do you do when you land at an airport ?

Here is a formula, a sort of « shock therapy » that acclimates your mind to a the new land: If you are arriving and meeting a friend, don’t have the friend meet you at the airport. Make it your goal to find the way to your friend. If you are arriving and going straight to the hotel, try to use public transportation to get there. Right away you will need to use many skills to navigate the airport, people and language to arrive at your destination. And in the end you may feel quite satisfied or become incredibly lost. But, either way, it will be your first international adventure.

Some tips to ease your mind :

1. Maps and signs

Maps and signs will guide your way to exits, baggage claims and ticket booths. All of the transportation information you will need will be in the baggage claim area.

2. Follow the flow of the other passengers

If you find yourself alone in a hallway, you probably went the wrong way.

3. « Where is the bus/train for… ? » If you have to take the bus or the train make sure you know how to ask « Where is the bus/train for… ? » in the native language. Attempt to ask a question in the native language before asking if the person speaks your language.

4. Get cash in the country’s currency as soon as you arrive (if you dont have it before you land).

Most U.S.A debit cards are accepted at foreign ATMs (check your bank’s website before you travel). The ATM fee may be high but about equal to the commission that a currency exchange company will charge you.

5. Be observent and listen to people talk

You might hear someone speaking English. You can ask them for help and even make a friend- that’s the joy of traveling.

Photo of Madrid Airport by Eole

1. Café staff who won’t acknowledge your order until you’ve said it right

Why can’t I just order a small coffee? Why does it have to be called Tall, Regular, Medio or Royale?

The guy at the counter often simply refuses your request if you can’t be bothered to squint at the tiny prices and words on the menu board and say it just right. Mispronunciation will be met with disdain and a pained correction. I know that this particular establishment is trying very hard to jump on the bandwagon of the business whose name will not be mentioned but rhymes with “car-sucks”, but does it have to make a caffeine dose so difficult?

2. Zombie children

Ungrateful, whiny little terrors who beg for overpriced chocolate at the airport shops, run around unsettling passengers trying to sleep.

OK, it could be said that whiny, screaming, crying kids are annoying everywhere in the world, but particularly at airports when one’s mood ebbs at its lowest and you’re so frazzled you absorb irritation like a slug absorbs salt, eventually unleashing it all in a loud scream.

3. The perfumed beauty right in front of you in the X-Ray queue

Despite just-adequate air conditioning struggling to cut through the sweat of millions of unwashed bodies in stasis, some decide to separate themselves from the masses by drowning themselves in their own perfume. Unfortunately it has the effect of overpowering people behind them in queues. Their distinctive smell often has a tendency to irritate your nostrils, but only yours, meaning you suddenly have a sneezing fit when it’s your turn to walk through the scanner, arousing suspicions from airport security staff. It’s best to let the person behind go ahead in these cases.

4. People who stand right at the “mouth” of the luggage carousel

Yes, we know that they’re eager to collect their stuff and get out of here, but aren’t we all?

Travellers of this type usually push past everyone else to be off the plane first and then rush so that they can reserve this spot where they can view each new bag passing through and grab theirs 10 seconds before everyone else. You have to especially look out for this type, as if there’s a good chance they might take your bag by accident and you’ll be powerless to stop them, not having got a chance to see it for very long. People like this do quite often make you lose faith in humanity.

5. The taxi driver who refuses to take your bags out of the back

So you finally get to the airport only to found he isn’t co-operating. With a dark shrug he gestures that that’s not what he’s being paid to do. So you get out and do it yourself, after which you hastily give him a wad of cash only to find him driving off the same second it leaves your hand.

The golden rule of choosing an honest driver is one that doesn’t have a moustache. Strange but true.

Photo of travelers waiting for their flight at Hamburg Airport by Jasmic

Want to know where to eat great food while waiting for your flight in Athens Airport, Greece,  Rome Fiumicino Airport, Italy, Munich Strauss Airport, Germany or other international airports in the world? Read PlanetEye travel experts’ recommendations on best airport restaurants.

How to get around in Rome?

Context Travel gives very useful tips on Rome public transport system to all travelers planning a holiday in the capital city of Italy.

Where to find traditional Nativity scenes in Italy?

On About.com, see pictures of Via San Gregorio Armeno. Located in Naples Old Town,  the street of Nativity workshops is really worth a visit at Christmas time.

Where to find the best sushi in London?

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine and are traveling to London, read Mr & Mrs Smith Travel Blog and find the best new sushi spots in the British capital.

How to find vegetarian food in Japan?

If you’re a vegetarian and are planning to visit Tokyo,  read Gadling and find 5 tips for eating veggie in Japan.

There are a number of options for making the transfer from the airports to the centre of Paris and which suits each traveller will depend on what they are willing to pay, how long they have to spend making the journey and how much luggage they have to carry with them.

• From Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport is directly connected to the RER network, the system of suburban railways that provide services into central Paris every 15 to 20 minutes. De Gaulle is on the RER’s line B which offers both non-stop services into the Gare Du Nord and slower services stopping at intermediate stations. The faster trains take 30 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the slower trains 40. To or from terminals 1 and 3 passengers should use Paris Aéroport Charles De Gaulle 1 (CDG1) while passengers for Terminal 2 use Paris Aéroport Charles De Gaulle 2 (CDG2). CDG2 is also next to the TGV station operated by SNCF, the French high speed rail company. The TGV trains run onward to a multitude of destinations in France and also Brussels. Within the airport, terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the car parks PX and PR are all connected by the free CDGVAL automatic shuttle which has replaced the now defunct shuttle buses. There is also a bus station in terminal 2, adjacent to the RER station. Buses departing from here include RATP lines 350 and 351 heading into the centre of Paris. Meanwhile, Roissybus, also operated by RATP, departs from terminals 1 and 2 and goes non-stop into Paris. This service operates from a bus station near the Opéra Garnier.

• From Orly Airport

Paris Orly Airport is not directly connected to the RER, unlike CDG. However, the Orlyval automatic shuttle runs to Antony station on the RER line B. The Orlyval is free to use between the two Orly terminals (west and south) but costs to go any further. The journey from the RER to the airport takes about 8 minutes and from Antony into the centre is 25 minutes. There is also a shuttle bus connecting Orly Airport to RER line C at Pont De Rungis-Aeroport D’Orly. This is probably not an option for those with heavy luggage. A different option is to catch one of the several bus services into Paris. These include ones run by Air France (Cars Air France) and the RATP Orlybus.

• From Beauvais Airport

Beauvais Aiport is not as well connected to ground transport as the other Paris airports, as fact budget airlines are happy to exploit for their own gain. The coaches laid on by the airlines can be convenient and tickets bought in advance relatively good value. The train is also an option, but since only eight trains run each day it can be a long wait. An independent bus operates a route from the airport in to the Palais des Congres. This bus route works out cheaper for those who have not bought their tickets in advance since the airline buses hike their prices for those buying on board.

Photo of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport originally posted by borva

Jean-Philippe Perol, chairman of the European Travel Commission says that the euro exchange rate against the dollar is down this year and is likely to continue to go down. This happy news would make Europe less expensive for Americans. Until then, read our tips on how to travel Europe on a weak dollar.

The Independent lists the top 5 destinations that have improved most in terms of gay-friendliness. Newly gay-friendly destinations include Delhi and Tel Aviv.

Rotterdam opened the first eco self-sustaining dance club. Clubbers at WATT light up the dancefloor with their moves, reports The Guardian.

The New York Times features an article about the hardships of being a flight attendant in today’s unfriendly skies.

The Gadling blog has a fun article with YouTube videos of vintage airline commercials.

Many travellers end up settling for the well known names because the price seems low and it then saves them the hassle of searching the market for other options. The first problem with this is that you may end up paying more than you have to, although in the cut-throat market conditions of today any price differences are likely to be slight. The real problem is that by narrowing the choice of airlines passengers are also limiting the options of airport they can fly to and from. This often means people travelling many miles out of their way on the ground to get to an airport from which their chosen airline flies when they could have travelled from an airport closer to home.

This guide is divided into three, the first section deals with the large, well known names that serve all of Europe. The second section is western and southern Europe and the third is Eastern Europe.

• Airlines serving all of Europe

For better or worse, Ryanair’s reputation precedes it. Few European travellers can be unaware that the advantages of its low prices and extensive route network are mitigated by the disadvantages of troublesome business practises and near total disregard for its passengers. If you do not mind being treated like cattle by a company you are paying for its services then this is the airline for you. Easyjet runs a similar operation with a very wide network coupled with very low prices. With many of the same routes, similar prices and the same business model there is little to tell the two apart but I have found that the main difference is in the level of service. Whereas Ryanair treats passengers as a hindrance to their movement of planes about the skies, Easyjet shows a commitment to the ideals of customer service that is all the more welcoming. Both of these airlines run across vast networks, often using very small provincial airports that other companies would be hard pressed to find on the map, let alone use themselves.

• South-western Europe airlines

The south-western European routes are cash cows for budget airlines. The hordes of tourists flowing to Italy, France and Spain are packed in like sinners and shuttled to their beaches like a conveyor belt of shame. These holiday runs are busy throughout the year but in the height of summer and school breaks will be fully booked well in advance and more expensive. Excited children and inebriated revellers on budget airlines can make for a thrilling liveliness missing on regular flights or absolute hell, depending on your disposition. In addition to the big names covered above there are airlines specific to, or who specialise in serving the region. Clickair is a Spanish airline based in Barcelona and links much of Europe to Catalonia. Currently one of the rare budget operators to fly into London Heathrow Clickair is also in negotiations to merge with Vueling and if this goes ahead passengers should expect prices to fall even further as the enlarged company takes advantage of economies of scale. Flybe is a British airline that specialises in flying to Spain from regional airports in Britain. For those wishing to avoid a long trek to the airport before and after any holiday this is the airline to watch out for. In the South-East corner of Europe Turkey is just emerging as a big destination for budget airlines and is the home of such up and comers as Atlas Jet and SunExpress. SunExpress particularly focuses on joining German and Austrian cities with Turkey and is therefore a good option for Teutonic tourists seeking to escape to the sun.

• Eastern Europe airlines

While budget airline operations in south and Western Europe and have been driven primarily by tourism, in Eastern Europe they have been driven by the economic migrations that occurred following the accession of Eastern European countries to the EU in 2004. Once the transport links were in place they then led to a boom in tourism in Eastern Europe as cities that had been locked behind the Iron Curtain for fifty years finally opened up. Extending ever eastwards, Russia is now emerging as a player in the budget airline market, although because of strict visa regulation this caters almost exclusively to the newly rich Russian elites heading west to shop in London or Paris or sunbathe on the beaches further south. Wizz and Jet Air are Eastern European airlines primarily linking the cities of Hungary and Poland with the regions of the UK. These can offer great prices for tourists wanting to explore Budapest, Warsaw or Krakow and can be great as the opening or closing legs of overland journeys exploring outside the traditional tourist hotspots in the cities. Similarly, Air Baltic serves the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from its hub in Riga. Although it offers a useful network to travellers in the area, my main problem with Air Baltic is that it offers a budget airline service but charges legacy service prices. For those heading even further east again both KD Avia and S7 airlines operate to destinations in Russia from Western Europe. S7 is in fact a Siberian airline and so flies to Novosibirsk and onward to China for the budget travellers with large ambitions.

The airline market is particularly prone to sudden changes, be they price hikes because of world oil market fluctuations or prices falling because of competition on popular routes. The best advice to passengers is to use the internet to find as many options as possible, price comparison sites are useful in judging what airlines fly on particular routes but less useful for prices because of the commission they automatically add on. With the wealth of possibilities available the power should reside with the passenger, not the airline.

Picture taken at Paris CDG Airport originally posted by kygp

There is a shuttle service between Heathrow airport and Hotels in Central London. The service is named national express dot2dot, and runs between Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf, in London city center, close to the Tower of London. The price is £22 per person, one way, from the airport, and two or more people may have a discount on tickets. You may get info at the national express dod2dot website, which is simply named dot2.com. If you want save a few pounds you may choose the Heathrow Express, a train that runs from 5 am to 12 pm, and the ticket price is £15.50 if you buy the ticket at the airport, or £17.50 if you buy the ticket on the train. There are two train stations serving the airport, one is Heathrow Central that serves terminals 1 to 4, and the other that serves terminal 4.

Just visit heathrowexpress.com for further info.

There are also coaches between Heathrow’s central bus station and Victoria Coach Station in Central London, not far from The Victoria trains station. The journey lasts from 40 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic condition and on one of the routes the bus runs. Single tickets start at £4, and the service is available between 5.30 in the morning to 9.30 in the late evening. Moreover you may find useful info at nationalexpress.com, that I suggest to you to browse. I’d recommend you to book your seat in advance, especially during weekends or at rush time, when there is a lot of people traveling from the airport to London city center as well as traveling around Central London itself. Considering allow plenty of time to reach the airport two hours before you do the check in, and this in case of road delays that may occurs due the traffic in London city center, and in the immediate surroundings.

You may also to catch the Tube to reach London city center from the airport, by traveling on the Piccadilly line (blue line). Traveling on the Tube is less comfortable than traveling by coach and takes a lot longer, but it is quite cheaper, and it is recommended for adults traveling alone, that could save a lot of money respect to a black cab or a mini-cab. If you are going to catch this public transport I advice you that there are three Tube station serving London’s Heathrow airport: one is serving terminal 1 to 3, another one serving terminal 4 and the last one serving terminal 5. The standard price is £4 at any time, but consider taking a Oyster card online. This peculiar fee is cheaper than the standard fee, in fact the price is £3.50 Monday to Friday from 07.00 to 19.00, and it is just £2.00 at all other time, including public holidays.

So, consider to get an Oyster card by visiting  the  London transports website (https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk), where you may open an online account and pay as you go, or elsewhere renew your travel card.

The ones traveling with small children, for example a couple and two o three babies may be advantaged by using a taxi or a mini-cab, instead of a public transport. I suggest you to use a black cab, or a reputable mini-cab service, and never use unauthorized drivers. The price for a black cab from Heathrow to Central London is about £40

There are special feature to give opportunities of easy traveling to passengers using wheelchairs, and exiting at Paddington has been made easier. If traveling with a disabled person, you should plan your journey in advance, because only the newer buses are equipped for wheelchairs.

Photo of Heathrow Express Station originally posted by JL2003

Airline Gossip: On Gadling, read the story of a drunk flight attendant arrested by the police on a plane set to fly to Faro, Portugal.

Free wireless Internet access in Bangkok: Travelhappy announces that free wifi access will be available in Bangkok until June 2009.

Celebrity Hotel: According to Luxist, ‘Baywatch’ star Pamela Anderson is planning to open a hotel in Dubai.

Rock Star News: The NME reports that priceless music instruments were stolen from Iggy and The Stooges’ truck just outside their hotel in Montreal, Canada.

Rome has banned snacking near its famous monuments in the historical center, reports CNN.

The Canary Island of Lanzarote is ready to welcome flocks of tourists thanks to the new Almodóvar movie, starring Penelope Cruz, due to be released in early 2009. We can’t wait!

Tips on ideal travel insurance coverage can be found this week at news.com.au.

International news coverage of Venere’s acquisition by Expedia:

• Expedia finds its European Holy Grail, Forbes.com
• Advent sells travel web site to Expedia, Private Equity News
• Expedia buying European Hotels Site Venere, Washington Post
• Expedia acquires Venere but what does it mean?, Hotel Blogs
• Expedia promises independence for bed brands, Travolution

1. The Traveling Chess Team

Probably the nerdiest group of kids you’ve ever seen. They’re nearly all male, have prominent jutting teeth, wear horn rimmed glasses, and have their overcoats tied round their waists, exposing their school team t-shirts. What makes them annoying is the fact that they’ll play chess anywhere, either sitting cross legged on the carpet pensively plotting their next move, while you have to sidestep past with difficulty, or wasting a usually precious seat just to accommodate the chessboard.

2. The Campers

These are a very frightening bunch of people, who sport 6 o clock shadows and greasy hair, and appear to be starting a ghetto in the airport, with their blankets, sleeping bags, and sometimes even small tents. Often they sport thermos flasks, refilled from the toilet taps. Often they smell of rotting airline food that they hoarded and smuggled off their last flight. What makes them particularly annoying is that they put their bags on the seats and then lie down on the floor directly under them, making the act of furtively removing their bag and sitting down impossible. Please guys; this is an airport, not a refugee camp.

3. Metrosexuals

Young, professional city workers who incessantly slurp on a steaming oversize Venti Latte. Characteristics of the breed are: Bluetooth headset attached to right ear, equipped with the latest branded leather carry-on bags, may or may not tote a laptop. Male versions have slick gelled hair and executive suits. Either an iPhone or Blackberry is crucial to the survival of this specie. It’s just the occupied look that they have which gets you, they always seem to have something to do while you sit and stare dumbly. They’re annoying because they’re probably much wealthier than you, as well as better dressed.

4. The Pretentious Artsy Type

Most likely a lone university student, or a recent graduate. He or she probably majored in philosophy or social sciences, whatever they are. They’ll usually sit there, engrossed in some awful new-age thinking “insightful” novel, the sort of what which guarantees spiritual enlightenment or forever lasting satisfaction in a relationship, all to give an illusion of depth about their character. They’re annoying because of their concealed air of smugness and attempt of no-conformism, all the while fitting into the “non-conformist” stereotype. They’re probably anti-car, anti-corporation, and recycle all their old books too.

5. Stag Night Lads

They’re noisy, opinionated, and seem to have difficulty pronouncing the country they’ve either came from or are going to. You’ll try to move away from where they’re sitting, but then you discover that you are not the only one to think of this, and that there is not seat out of their immediate proximity. And it gets even worse, as you board the plane and discover that you’ll be having the pleasure of their company the entire flight. As always, business class is the best solution.

Photo of Las Vegas Airport, Nevada originally posted by Omar Omar

If you are flying from/to this New York airport, check out these five ways to beat the baggage lugging heartache.

1. Book a massage

Both Oasis Day Spa, in Jet Blue’s Terminal 6, and XpresSpa, in Terminals 1, 7, and 4 offer facials, manicures, pedicures, and full body massages in a relaxed setting. Slots fill up fast, so if you know in advance that you’re going to have a seven hour layover, book early! There’s really no better way to transport yourself out of air traffic chaos and into blissful serenity.

2. Chomp on a few power-pellets

Let’s face it, one of the most fun ways to spend a few hours is poised in front of a pinball machine, feet planted firmly on the ground, and fingers ready against the buttons on either side. JFK Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 (opposite the food court) are home to an array of classic arcade games including Ms. Pac-Man! It’s been a while, but you never forget how to chomp your way through that irresistible maze.

3. Chow down on a sirloin

Celebrity chef Todd English opened a JFK branch of his restaurant last June. Located in Delta’s Terminal 2, Todd English’s Bonfire Steakhouse offers everything from rib eye to filet mignon, but there’s a lot more than beef. Chile relleno, paella, and tacos add a Latin twist to the locale. Wash it down with a good vintage at Vino Volo, a new wine bar in American Airlines Terminal 8, sure it’s six terminals away, but thanks to the terrific Air Train, they’re all just a short ride away.

4. Power up the laptop

How many times have you circled an airport pillar searching in vain for an outlet? With the fifty, 8.5-foot power poles known as Samsung charging stations sprinkled throughout JFK airport, firing up that long dead battery is a cinch. Installed in January of 2007, each station includes four sockets so you can have a real laptop pow-wow.

5. Charge up the Amex

It’s bling galore at “The Shops At Terminal 4.” Ultra Diamonds adds a whole lot of sparkle to the place with its new 300-square-foot space. Spend some time drooling over the glimmering stones for a while. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings and the like are priced between $70, and $10,000. If crystal’s more your thing head over to the Swarovski store and pick up a sparkly little bear holding a sunflower. So precious.

Photo of New York JFK airport terminal originally posted by ricoeurian

Now knock on wood. Because we all know that my recent experiences have been the exception, definitely not the rule. Airports breed stress. With so many things to worry about while traveling by air, like tickets, luggage, passports, check-in, security, gates, liquids, it’s easy to get into a frenzied state.

The best way to deal with the anxiety is to take a deep breath and go trough the motions calmly, step by step. But if you happen to have some time before boarding, there’s no better way to relax, and get into fine form for your trip, than by booking yourself into one of the fabulous spas found in airports around the globe.

Here are five airport spa lounges to check out :

1. New York JFK Airport

The aptly named Oasis Day Spa at New York John F. Kennedy Airport is a welcome respite in this over-crowded, difficult to navigate maze of terminals. Find your way to Jet Blue’s Terminal 6. (New Terminal 5 is slated to open this fall). And get yourself into the massage chair pronto. Try a ten-minute chair massage, followed by the 15-minute, hydrating, Jet Set facial.

2. Rome Airport Fiumicino

Relaxation is the theme at Rome Fiumicino Airport’s Be Relax Spa. With two locations, Pier B, and Satellite C, the spa offers a series of treatments within its calming blue walls. If you forgot to check your bikini line before packing last night, now’s the chance to get that much needed wax before your seaside getaway.

3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Tiptoeing through the tulips this spring and forgot to paint your toenails? No problem. Amsterdam’s Airport Schiphol is home to an XpresSpa on level two, and their “Pedi-Xpress” will have you painted up in a jiffy. The hardest part is deciding which hue would best compliment the bright blooms.

4. Singapore Airport Changi

With comfy chairs, an assortment of hot teas, and even showers, the Plaza Premium Lounge at Singapore’s gorgeous Changi Airport is a dream come true. But the best part is the foot reflexology. Twenty minutes of sole-kneeding and your whole body will thank you.

5. Orlando International Airport

Before making your way to the happy chaos of Walt Disney World, stop into D-parture Spa at Orlando International Airport. The 25-minute “Scalp and Eye Massage” will put you in the perfect, cheerful mood to meet Mickey.

“Relax Now” picture originally posted by tinou bao

Go to the French L’Internaute Magazine to see the pictures of the most interesting places to visit in France for Oustsider Art (or Art Brut). The eleven sites mentioned include the grotesque granite gargoyles in Rothéneuf seaside resort, Britanny, as well as ‘Gorodka’, an artistic village in Sarlat, Périgord, and the Musée de la Création Franche of Bègles, Bordeaux.

On Gadling, art lovers visiting Paris on a budget will find the list of museums with free admission until June 30, 2008.

Check out the sexiest in-flight safety videos ever on Elliott.org.

Read Travelhappy to know how American tourists are treated in Vietnam.