travel

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Tasting a $777 Burger

Most of us wouldn't order a meal that costs more than, say, $555. But for those who scoff at that price tag, the Paris Casino in Las Vegas has you covered—with a hamburger that costs more than the average American's paycheck. How can a burger be so pricey? By combining Kobe beef, lobster, caramelized onions, brie, pancetta and 100-year-old balsamic vinegar...oh, and by being served alongside a bottle of Rose Dom Perignon Champagne. A few bloggers from NPR were invited to test the burger. While their... READ ON

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Does Your Airport Actually Use Its Scanners?

If you're among the 48% of travelers planning to avoid air travel until you can be assured you won't be subjected to the full-body scanners, you should know that just because an airport has purchased a scanner doesn't mean they use it. If you're planning to take a trip any time soon, check out this TSA Status page. It lets you know whether your airport and the one you are traveling to have scanners -- and if they actually use any scanners that have been installed. [Image courtesy of... READ ON

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People Movers Beyond the Airport

Just because the people of your city are supportive of bicycle use doesn't mean the terrain itself is. When it comes to massive hills, all but the most dedicated cyclists will often find themselves discouraged. Fortunately, the people of Trondheim, Norway, have found a way to work around this problem. Trondheim installed an experimental Trampe System, designed by Jarle Wanvik. The basic concept allows the bike rider to place one foot on the lift and be tugged to the top of the summit. The hill chosen... READ ON

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Prisons Turned Into Hotels

There's nothing quite so relaxing as getting out of town and chilling out in a nice, comfortable prison...at least, as long as that prison is one of these 11 prisons that have been refurbished into hotels. While some of the hotels have modified their interiors significantly, they all seem to maintain a certain institutional charm that seems both chilling and thrilling at the same time. I've actually stayed at one of the hotels on the list, Långholmen Prison in Stockholm, Sweden. It was fascinating to... READ ON

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Surprising Facts About China

Did you know that China sells 54% of all bootlegged intellectual property items like DVDs and CDs? Or that the country executes three times as many people as the rest of the world's countries combined? Oddee has a great article detailing shocking facts that you likely don't know about the world's most populous country. One fact shows just how important the 2008 Olympic games were to the country: The Beijing Olympics was such an important part of the national consciousness that over 4,000 children have... READ ON

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Amazing Uninhabited Islands

If you've ever wanted to visit an abandoned tropical isle, then you'd better check out this WebEcoist article featuring ten stunning and completely uninhabited islands. While some are prone to flooding or have no fresh water, others seem like they could sustain humans despite the inability to create lasting settlements on the land. Take, for example, the island seen... READ ON

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Jetpacks: The Future Is Now

If you're one of those people that's been complaining about the fact that we don't have jetpacks yet, it's time you find a new rallying cry. Jetpacks will finally be commercially released to the public next year. The devices can travel 30 miles in 30 minutes on five gallons of gas. Our future is decidedly capitalist though, so if you're ready to invest in a jetpack, you'd better have $100,000 ready. Personally, I'm going to hold my breath for a hybrid before I fork out a hundred grand for a personal... READ ON

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Mexico City Tourism Video is Actually Terrific

Here's a visual treat for your Friday afternoon: a video designed to promote tourism in Mexico City, that's actually beautifully shot, and a joy to watch. It's heavily influenced by Koyaanisqatsi and/or the work of cinematographer Ron Fricke -- virtually every shot is in slow- or fast-motion. There's not a whole lot going on here, aside from beautiful cinematography -- but that's the point. Here's how the producers describe it: Una producción del Fondo Mixto de promoción turística de la Ciudad... READ ON

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The 15 Best Miniature Golf Courses

I have always been terrible at miniature golf because I have a bad habit of hitting way too hard. When I was really young, I even smacked my dad in the forehead with a club as he bent over behind me to tell me to swing softer. Despite my absolute lack of putting skill, I love the game. And I’m not the only one; the sport is so popular that it has even earned its own holiday, today, September 21. In celebration of National Miniature Golf Day, let’s take a look at the best mini golf courses in... READ ON

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The World's Scariest Airports

When taking off from the thin strip of runway, pilots must make a sharp turn as they go airborne in order to avoid striking into a massive mountain range located just past the asphalt. When they return to the airport, they are largely safe, but the hundreds of sunbathers on the beach just under the jet engines run the risk of being injured by jet blasts if they get too close to the fence. If you have ever had the displeasure of flying to or from the Princess Juliana International Airport, then you know... READ ON