Gear of the Week: CR Johnson Memorial Package

This week, our gear of the week is based on merit AND message. As a memorial to CR Johnson, and a way to raise money for the non-profit High Fives Foundation, Smith and 4FRNT have put together a limited edition set-up.Matt Sterbenz, of 4FRNT, said the CR?s sponsors, as well as his family, wanted a way to memorialize his love of the spot, and give skiers a way to hold on to a piece of his spirit. The package includes 4FRNT CRJ memorial skis, based on his 09/10 pro model, and a Smith CRJ memorial Maze helmet and I/O goggle. It?s only for sale through Porters Tahoe. All of the proceeds from the package go to the CRJ Memorial Fund, a part of the Tahoe-based High Fives Foundation, which will set up a scholarship in CR?s name.Get it here.

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Gonzo guide to Aspen

Writer Hunter S Thompson, the king of gonzo journalism, was not a skier, so why did he choose to live in Aspen?Hunter S Thompson went skiing only once, even though he spent almost four decades living up the road from some of the most highly rated ski terrain on the planet. Tim Mooney, his old friend, grins as he recounts the day. "Most of his friends skied, so they decided to take him to the top of Aspen mountain and push him off. He made three 40mph crashes and never went back. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way ? none of this 'go to Buttermilk [a beginners' resort nearby] and learn' nonsense."This was, after all, the man who once said: "At the top of the mountain, we are all snow leopards."It's almost six years since the king of gonzo journalism took his own life at Owl Farm, his ranch at Woody Creek, seven miles from Aspen, Colorado. I'm here to get some stories about Thompson and see how much of the countercultural spirit he so embodied lives on among the fur-clad A-listers. Mooney used to work behind the J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome in the early 1970s. Aspen's oldest hotel, it was one of Thompson's haunts, and its Victorian-style marble floors and tin roof remain."Every day Hunter would go to the post office and be at the J-Bar at noon," says Mooney. "He divided his mail into three piles ? bills, fan mail and periodicals. Then he'd order his food and drinks for the whole day and line it up next to the piles. So for the first pile he'd have eggs, bacon, coffee, toast and a Bloody Mary, then a cheeseburger, fries and bottle of beer, and then pasta and a bottle of red wine."Mooney acted as a gatekeeper between Thompson and his fans. "All kinds of people, like Jack Nicholson, and Jimmy Buffett the singer, would come in and want to meet Hunter, and I'd go ask if he wanted to meet them."The hotel pool often figured in their partying, and one night Bill Murray nearly drowned after Thompson threw him in, having first duct-taped him to a sun-lounger, of course. In 1970 when Thompson ran for town sheriff, the J-Bar was his campaign HQ. He almost won with a manifesto that included legalising drugs (though he promised not to take mescaline on duty), promoting environmental issues and renaming Aspen "Fat City" to prevent "Greedheads, land-rapers and other human jackals from capitalising on the name Aspen". He wanted to replace the pavements with dirt, and one wonders what he would have made of the modern-day heated sidewalks.The Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Jerome was the setting for the first of Thompson's two funerals. The second saw his ashes blasted from a cannon, paid for by Johnny Depp, into the canyon behind his ranch. His wife Anita still lives there and is to start hosting lectures in the "war room", where Thompson wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. She doesn't welcome uninvited guests, although, unlike Thompson, she is unlikely to warn them off with a shotgun.Bob Braudis has been Aspen's sheriff since 1986, and he was a foot soldier on Thompson's 1970 campaign. In his office, he has the iconic Tom Benton "Thompson for sheriff" poster. I ask him what attracted Thompson to Aspen. "In the late 1960s, Aspen was where intellectuals came to drop out. Hunter liked that there was a high number of highly educated people here ? people who could have been bankers and lawyers, but dropped out and came here to be ski bums, as I did."When I'd asked Mooney the same question, he'd said: "He knew the Aspen Institute was here, and the physicist George Stranahan, the Hotel Jerome and the Wheeler Opera House, all the things left over from the silver mining era that gave a certain dignity to this Colorado town. In Leadville or Breckenridge you could see the heritage but once you got to Aspen you could smell the funkiness. He smelled the greatness of this valley and saw that it was a garden spot with beautiful weather and a rock'n'roll mentality."How different Aspen is today ? it's one of the world's glitziest, most expensive ski resorts. Last winter the average house price in Aspen was $4.3m (�2.6m) and the place oozes so much wealth that it's hard to find the idea of a lingering countercultural spirit plausible, let alone visible. But if you look hard enough it's there: just follow the locals.You can find it at the Grateful Deli, where you can order a "magic mushroom burger". And at the Poppies Bistro Cafe, where Thompson and Anita often dined, and at the Explore bookshop and (excellent) veggie restaurant, where she's still a regular. It's also at the Isis Theatre, the Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Art Museum and the Aspen Writers' Foundation.And it's at the many well-tended shrines hidden in the woods around the ski slopes. Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Jerry Garcia, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix are all honoured at Aspen mountain. Thompson's shrine at Snowmass was created on 20 February 2006, exactly a year after his death. It features a US flag, Tibetan prayer flags, Rolling Stone magazine covers adorned with his face, a basket of his writings, and a bottle of Chivas Regal, his favourite whisky.I also found that spirit at Highlands mountain. It was the only mountain in the area not originally under the umbrella of the Aspen Ski Company, and so became the cheaper place for locals to ski. It hasn't been independent since 1993 but it still has a different vibe ? music pumps out from lift stations. The terrain suits intermediates and experts, and the Highland Bowl is a firm favourite. Getting there involves a 40-minute hike along a ridge before you drop into a steep bowl.Finally, the best place to soak up some counterculture and pay homage to Thompson is his former drinking den, the Woody Creek Tavern. A short drive from Aspen down the windy roads where he used to race motorbikes, it's next to a trailer park and couldn't be further removed from the glamour of Aspen. The walls are like a scrapbook, with thousands of photos and press clippings about local residents, in particular Thompson. Our drinks order was ignored and we were served the strongest margaritas we'd ever tasted. The locals were happy to relate their Thompson stories, and the rounds came thick and fast. The night ended, appropriately, in a blur.? Ski Independence (0131-243 8097, ski-i.com) offers seven nights' B&B at the Limelight Lodge, including flights to Denver and transfers, from �1,075, based on an early December departure, with 10% discount on bookings before 1 December. Fly with BA (0844 493 0787, ba.com) from Heathrow to Denver International Airport. Colorado Mountain Express (+1 970 926 9800, ridecme.com) has a shuttle service between Denver International Airport and Aspen/SnowmassSam Haddad is the editor of Cooler (coolermag.com), a board sports and style magazine for women? This article was amended on 26 October 2010. The original said that one night John Belushi nearly drowned after Thompson threw him in the Jerome Hotel pool. This has been corrected.SkiingColoradoHunter S ThompsonUnited StatesNorth and Central AmericaWinter sportsJack Nicholsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Free Montreal travel in three simple steps

Filed under: North America, Canada, Internet ToolsDo you like Montreal? I have to admit, I've been there three times in the past two years, and I just can't get enough of it. The minute I hit the streets of Old Montreal, I find myself craving a hotdog at the St-Denis Pool Hall before dashing over to the art galleries on St-Paul Ouest. Even with winter approaching rapidly, I'm feeling the pull up north.

So, I was pretty excited by a cool contest that just hit the web from CheapOair, and the social media junkie in me was drawn in. The upside is pretty exciting: two roundtrip tickets to Montreal from Air Canada, two luxurious nights at the Montreal Marriott Chateau and tickets to a variety of local attractions around the city from Tourism Montreal.

If you win, I strongly suggest you go hang out with local foodie Katerine Rollet for a while. Ask her about the local hotdogs, and she'll probably know I put you up to it.

So, how do score this getaway? Well, you have to click around to three sites ... and maybe do a little typing. There are three simple steps:

Gallery: New York and Montreal hotdog taste test

Continue reading Free Montreal travel in three simple stepsFree Montreal travel in three simple steps originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Maldives resort makes mockery of marriage vow renewals

Filed under: MaldivesWhen an unidentified couple headed to the Vilu Reef resort in the Maldives, they thought they were participating in a traditional renewal of their wedding vows. And to be honest, watching the video above seems to confirm that. It wasn't until the video clip was uploaded to YouTube that the translation painted a different picture.

Instead of romantic reminders of their love and affection for each other, the two were told they were swines and infidels. The vulgarities didn't end there:


"Your marriage is not a valid one. You are not the kind of people who can have a valid marriage. One of you is an infidel. The other, too, is an infidel - and we have reason to believe - an atheist, who does not even believe in an infidel religion

You fornicate and make a lot of children. You drink and you eat pork. Most of the children that you have are marked with spots and blemishes. These children that you have are bastards.

Before buggering a chicken, check if the hole is clean. That is because the people of the countries that you are from are familiar with the taste of the ****holes of chicken," he chants, still with hands held over the couples".

After the ceremony, the couple was taken to a coconut tree, where the person operating the video camera makes remarks about the bride's breasts. The Maldives Tourism Minister told BBC news that the government was "very concerned" by the incident.



(Warning: profanities included in the video subtitles)

The ceremony at the Vilu Reef Hotel costs $1,300, and is described as a way to "mark a milestone in your amazing journey together". The staff members behind the incident have been suspended and are under investigation by the owner of the resort.

For a comprehensive translation of the "vows", check out this article from the Independent News For The Maldives.

Bottom line; next time you have your vows renewed in a language you don't understand - bring a translator.

[Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]Maldives resort makes mockery of marriage vow renewals originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Photo of the day (10.28.10)

Filed under: Europe, Turkey, Photo of the Day
Six months ago today, I arrived in Turkey, jetlagged and excited to begin my current adventure as an expat. Since then, I've gotten to know the many hills, museums, and cafes in this city nearly as well as New York. In honor of this anniversary, I chose this photo by Flick user Luke Robinson that says "Istanbul" to me with nary a kebap, bazaar, or minaret in sight. It's on the Galata Bridge spanning the Golden Horn, where dozens of fishermen stand every day in hopes of catching a fish from the Bosphorus. Some men fish for a living, others fish for pleasure, and you can spot more than a few men wearing suits and leather shoes. Hungry for fish? The bridge's lower level is packed with fish restaurants serving the catch of the day.

Do you have a great travel photo that captures the essence of a place? Upload it to our Flickr Pool and it could be a future Gadling Photo of the Day.Photo of the day (10.28.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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South America: Perfect posadas

From the shores of Lake Titicaca to the historic city streets of Buenos Aires, these affordable inns are the perfect way to enjoy South AmericaSouth America is not as cheap as it once was for those of us travelling with sterling. In some parts of the continent, rates in high-end hotels are now almost on a par with those in Europe or the US. Even hostel prices are going up. So where does this leave British travellers? In a surprisingly exciting middle ground. Somewhere between the overpriced boutique hotels and the bargain hostels lie the special places with great service, "buena onda" (a good vibe) and rates that make you assume there has been a misprint. Posadas (which is Spanish for "inns") are not around every corner, however, so you have to know where to look. Here's our pick of the best.1. Peru: Apu Lodge, OllantaytamboMany people rush through it on their way to nearby Machu Picchu, but the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo is well worth exploring for a few days, to get stuck into some alternative treks through the Sacred Valley or simply to hang out among the 15th-century ruins that dot the hillsides. The newly built Apu Lodge is run by Louise Norton, the Scottish founder of leaplocal.org (which puts travellers in touch with local guides), and her Peruvian husband. Seemingly designed with weary trekkers in mind, rooms come with orthopaedic beds, snug duvets and piping-hot power showers.Price Doubles �34Book it 00 51 84 797162; apulodge.com2. Bolivia: Las Olas, CopacabanaSouth America's other Copacabana is perched on the Bolivian shores of Lake Titicaca ? but without the bikini thongs. With spectacular panoramic views across the expanse of royal-blue water, Las Olas is a quirky complex of four suites, owned and designed by a German architect. No detail has been overlooked: stairs are made from eucalyptus wood, windows are patterned with stained glass and floors feature cross-sections of pine trunks. For the most memorable experience, opt for the suite that resembles a terracotta-coloured beehive and comes with a circular bed. Book well ahead.Price Doubles from �25Book it 00 591 2862 2112; hostallasolas.com3. Uruguay: La Posada del Faro, Cabo PolonioSavvy travellers bypass Uruguay's most famous resort ? the over-hyped, over-concreted Punta del Este ? and head further up the coast to Cabo Polonio, an isolated village situated on its own peninsula. With no paved roads, no electricity and no internet, it's ideal for those wanting a complete getaway. La Posada del Faro is new on the scene. Request one of their two bright-and-white front rooms, which lead straight on to an open porch with views across the village, the sprawling beach and the iconic lighthouse. It's currently the low season, so the posada is closed, but it is open for bookings from December onwards. (Note: not to be confused with La Posada Del Faro in Jos� Ignacio which, costing up to �350, is not such a bargain.)Price Doubles �90Book it 00 598 98 482252; laposadadelfaro.com4. Ecuador: Madre Tierra, VilacabambaThe best time to approach Madre Tierra is just as the sun begins to set. That's when the candles start twinkling in the canopy of ferns and you'll be met by a night-time soundtrack of trilling crickets, cascading waterfalls and the low hum of voices from the open-fronted restaurant. Found just outside the town of Vilcabamba, in the so-called "Valley of the Immortals", Madre Tierra has a new-age feel, with rooms resembling gingerbread cottages from a Brothers Grimm storybook. Relax in a hammock overlooking the sacred Madango mountain or with a treatment in the on-site spa.Price Rooms from �24; doubles �34Book it 00 593 7264 0269; vilcabambamadretierra.com5. Argentina: Capricho, SaltaIf you're heading to northwest Argentina, do your best to get a suite here. There are only two of them (one with a small lounge, the other with a spiral staircase to its own mezzanine). The service and styling are way beyond what you'd expect for the price, with nice touches that include lighting the central courtyard with tealights every night and welcoming every guest with a glass of local wine or a cup of speciality tea. The hearty breakfast is homemade, from the caramelised apple cake to the yogurt. And it's also fantastically located, just a few minutes' walk from the main plaza.Price Suites �70Book it 00 54 3874217288; elcaprichosalta.com.ar6. Colombia: La Casa, Santa MartaBehind La Casa's modest frontage lie three colourful guest rooms, a characteristic internal patio and an outdoor plunge pool that becomes a huge asset when the sun hits its peak. Having been extensively remodelled, the property is an ideal starting point for Tayrona National Park, one of the country's biggest attractions. Guests are invited to stock up on products from the local markets ? including seafood, freshly plucked from the Caribbean ? and cook it themselves in the huge, open kitchen. Ask owner Angela about her yoga retreats.Price Doubles from �83Book it 00 57 311 390 4091; lacasasantamarta.com7. Brazil: Eliconial, ParatyWhen you are told a monkey could swing by for breakfast, you know you're in a special place. Eliconial is a 20-minute walk from the historic centre of Paraty, with its cobbled streets and colonial houses, and it's an even shorter walk to the beach. Set in a garden of tropical heliconias, the complex of wood-panelled bungalows includes a fair-sized outdoor pool. Book ahead if you want your visit to coincide with Paraty's growing literary festival (flip.org.br), which takes place every August.Price Rooms from �90Book it 00 55 24 3371 2486; eliconial.com8. Argentina: Querido, Buenos AiresOpening just two months ago, Querido is the labour of love of Anglo-Brazilian owners, who have spent more than two years transforming the site of a run-down 1920s townhouse. Although now thoroughly modernised, it retains many original features ? such as the heavy-wood frames of the windows. The lounge is furnished with well-selected finds from local vintage shops, while the four subtly styled upstairs rooms all have shiny, polished parquet floors. The hotel is located on a peaceful residential street in the increasingly up-and-coming Villa Crespo barrio, yet it's still less than 10 minutes' walk to Palermo Soho, where you'll find the city's largest concentration of bars, restaurants and designer boutiques.Price Doubles from �55Book it 00 54 11 4854 6297; queridobuenosaires.com9. Venezuela: Posada Movida, Los RoquesThis place would be just like a home from home ? if your home was a Mediterranean-style villa in the middle of the Caribbean. Posada Movida sits on one of the 350 islands that make up the coral archipelago of Los Roques, 80 miles off the Venezuelan mainland. Book one of its six air-conditioned ensuites and owner Mario can help organise day trips of scuba diving, kite surfing or sea fishing. The posada's rates typically include breakfast, a boat-trip to nearby islands, a picnic on the beach and a fresh-fish dinner.Price All-inclusive one-day, one-night rates are �77 per personBook it 00 58 237 2211016; posadamovida.com10. Chile: Harrington B&B, Valpara�soWith its sunny yellow frontage, Victorian features and corrugated-iron panelling, this 1920s house is typically "Valpo". Owned by a Franco-Chilean couple, it is on Cerro Concepci�n, where the city is at its most bohemian, with an abundance of arty cafes and vibrant street murals. Rooms have bright, clean, minimalist decor, with hot showers powered by the Pacific sun. The generous breakfast spread includes freshly baked bread and cakes.Price Rooms from �36, doubles �56Book it 00 56 32 212 13 38; harrington.clHotelsCaribbeanSouth AmericaPeruMachu Picchu, PeruBoliviaUruguayEcuadorArgentinaColombiaBrazilBuenos AiresVenezuelaChileVicky Bakerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Halloween events this weekend

Ghost walks, murder mystery, haunted houses and pumpkins galore, at events for all the family across the UKSpend Halloween in a haunted forest, YorkshireAn evening of ghosts and ghouls and all things that go bump in the night awaits anyone brave enough to step into Guisborough Forest. Look out for who - or what - is lurking behind the trees, swooping down from the sky, or creeping up behind you!? Guisborough Forest Visitor Centre, TS14 8HD. +44 (0)1287 631132, visitteesvalley.co.uk. Adults �3, children �2Ghosts in the cellar at Treasurer's House, YorkHome to some 140 ghosts, Treasurer's House is one of the National Trust's most haunted houses, in one of Britain's most haunted cities. Tour the cellar where the ghostly souls of a Roman legion have been seen marching the route where a 2,000-year-old Roman road once ran. Kids can take part in free Halloween trails around the house.? Until 31 October, 11am-4.30pm. Adult �2.40 (cellar), �6 (house); child �1.90 (cellar), �3 (house); family �15 (house). nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-treasurershouseyorkSomething wicked this way comes ? at Shakespeare's HousesHear Shakespeare's characters of murder and magic brought to life in the house of his birth in a candle-lit performance by Shakespeare Aloud; there's a Tudor-style burial wake and plague face-painting at Mary Arden's house and look out for Macbeth's Witches in the enchanted gardens at Anne Hathaway's Cottage.? Friday 29 October?Sunday 31 October, various locations. +44 (0) 1789 204016, shakespeare.org.ukVisit the world's largest Museum of Witchcraft in CornwallDabble in the dark arts at The Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, that houses the world's largest collection of witchcraft related artefacts, from cursed dolls to witches' mirrors and tools for making spells and charms.? Museum of Witchcraft: Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-6pm, Sun 11.30am-6pm (last admission 5.30). Adults, �4, child, �3. museumofwitchcraft.comSnagglefang's Spooky Spectacular, Bewilderwood, NorfolkDon fancy dress, make masks and lanterns and join the lantern parade for Snagglefang's Spooky Spectacular, at Bewilderwood in Norfolk - a huge forest adventure park with treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips and marsh walks.? Until 31 October. Adults, �11.50; child, �7. bewilderwood.co.ukFrights on the farm at Spooktacular, StaffordshireThree days' of Halloween fun - including a pumpkin carving competition, bobbing apples, splat the rat and a haunted wood - will end with a Sunday evening event when there will be a torch-lit tour of the Maize Maze, spooky trailer rides, face painting, fair rides, and a fireworks display.? Lower Drayton Farm, 28-31 October. Adult �8, child, �5, under 3s ? free. Advance family tickets (two adults, two children), �20.00. �1 will be donated to the air ambulance for each person who turns up in full Halloween fancy dress and this will be matched by Barclays Bank. lowerdraytonfarm.co.ukJoin the Witches at The Roald Dahl Museum, BuckinghamshireConjure up witches' ice-cream and eye-ball truffles at a spooky cooking workshop, try Halloween chocolate-making or settle in for storytime with the Grand High Witch.? General ticket: adults �6, children �4, Family ticket  �19. Workshops may cost more. +44 (0)1494 892192; roalddahlmuseum.orgTest your nerves on the London EyeFor those who don't already suffer vertigo, the London Eye will scaring customers on Saturday, 30 October with a one-off Twilight Flight; as dusk descends on the capital Bloody Mary cocktails will be served, while a costumed host relates tales of London and its spooky landmarks below. For "little vampires" visiting until Sunday, 31 October their London Eye ticket will give them entry to the Southbank's nearby Vampire Academy, where they make vampire masks, puppets or flying bats under the supervision of "Dr Acula".? Vampire Academy: 12-4pm daily until 31 October and Dr.Acula will be present from 3-7pm each day. Twilight Flight: Saturday 30 October, 6.30pm, �26 (over 18s only). 0871 222 4002, londoneye.comPhobophobia at The London Bridge Experience and The London TombsVoted the UK's scariest attraction for two years running, Phobophobia invites you to "face your fears" on an interactive tour through London Bridge's gruesome history from Roman times to the present. Then descend into the the echoey depths of London's tombs, that were once a plague pit. Brave the Hellevator, London's deadliest lift, meet the Bloody Butcher and watch out for crawling spiders, slithering snakes and screams in the dark.? Phobophobia shows take place throughout the evening from 6pm-1am on 29, 30, 31 October, �15 (Rated 12. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult). More family-friendly daytime shows run throughout the day from until 1 November. Adult, �16.95, child, �12.95, family, �49.96. Book online through ticketmaster. thelondonbridgeexperience.com/phobophobia-halloween-2010.aspHalloween hootings, Erddig Country House, WalesThis Halloween workshop includes live owls, a scary bat hunt and stories with Hagrid from Harry Potter at one of Britain's finest historic houses. You can also meet the Wise Woman, spot spooky witches, enjoy face painting, and see live scorpions, spiders and snakes. Free admission to children in fancy dress.? Erddig, Wrexham, LL13 0YT. 30-31 October, 11am-4pm. Normal admission charges plus an additional event charge of �10.30 per adult, �5.15 per child, family �25.75. Children get in free in fancy dress. +44 (0)1978 355314. nationaltrust.org.ukRide a real ghost train, Carmarthen, WalesFor a real ghost train ride, join the Gwili Railway for a Halloween journey aboard Wales's 150-year-old vintage steam train in the Carmarthenshire Hills - watch out for highwaymen, and ghostly train drivers haunting the line.? 30 October. Bronwydd Arms Station, Carmarthen, SA33 6HT. Return fares: adults, �6; child (two-15), �3; family (two adults and two children), �15.  First-class upgrade, �1pp. +44 (0)1267 238213, gwili-railway.co.ukGhost busting in hidden Edinburgh, ScotlandDelve into the paranormal in highly haunted The Real Mary King's Close ? the historic network of underground walkways and ancient dwellings hidden under Edinburgh's Royal Mile. You'll hear myths and legends, from the documented Satan's Invisible World written in 1685 through to more recent sightings since its opening in 2003. Then join a walk on the darker side of the Old Town's history where you will meet characters from the city's colourful and mysterious past. Finally you'll have the chance to hear the evidence and decide for yourself if ghosts really exist - if you haven't met one already.? Tours run daily until Sunday 31 October, from 6-9pm (lasts one hour and runs every 20 minutes). Adult, �12.50; child, �6. 0845 070 6244, realmarykingsclose.comUnited KingdomHalloweenScotlandWalesDay tripsFamily holidaysguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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UNWTO Executive Council advances action on tourist protection

The closure of European airspace due to the volcanic ash cloud last April demonstrated the need for a global legal framework for the protection of tourists. As a result, the 89th Session of UNWTO Executive Council (Kish Island, I.R. of Iran, 25-26 October 2010) has decided to initiate a study on a possible legal instrument for protecting tourists.
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The impact of the April ?ash cloud? on tourism activity in Europe and beyond has brought to light the serious drawbacks resulting from the lack of global regulation governing the tourism sector, in particular the absence of international guidelines on the rights and obligations of tourists
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The study for a new international legal instrument approved by the 89th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council will focus on the harmonization of issues directly linked with the rights and obligations of tourists and stakeholders and will be modelled upon existing regulations.
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The 89th Session of the Council also confirmed its commitment to strengthen UNWTO?s advocacy activities aimed at positioning tourism higher in national and global agendas as a key driver of economic growth and development. Opening the Executive Council, the Acting Chair of the Council, the Minister of Tourism of Kenya, Najib Balala, stressed that ?for tourism to gain the utmost recognition, decisions of Heads of State and Governments should be favourable to the sector and committed nations should include tourism in their national economic agendas?.
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In his report to the Executive Council, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, confirmed that recovery in international tourism is underway, although many challenges remain regarding issues such as unemployment, austerity measures aimed at budget balancing and increased taxation on the tourism sector. Mr. Rifai further outlined the ongoing steps to achieve the common objective of mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda, particularly the meetings held over the current year with several Heads of State and Government to promote the message of tourism?s value.
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The reform process of UNWTO was also discussed at length. The Council fully supported the steps undertaken by the Secretariat and UNWTO Members and which are expected to culminate with the approval of the UNWTO White Paper at the Nineteenth Session of the UNWTO General Assembly to be held at the end of 2011 in the Republic of Korea.
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The Executive Council elected Italy as its Chair for the coming period and further decided to host its 90th Session in Kenya - the first to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa - in the first semester of 2011. Furthermore, the decision was taken to hold the 93rd Session in Spain in the first semester of 2012 (the 91st and the 92nd sessions will take place in the Republic of Korea, immediately prior and following the 19th UNWTO General Assembly).
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Get the ski party started in Austria

Rave on Snow mixes great skiing with all-night partying to world-class DJs. Phew!It was 4am when I finally cracked. David Hasselhoff was walking towards me, wearing his red Baywatch shorts and chatting with a giant rabbit. This was too much. Scrambling backwards through the heaving Karma club, I leapt out into the freezing Austrian morning, babbling incoherently.But where should I go next? We did have options. This was Rave on Snow ? a 48-hour dance event which had mischievously turned the quaint resort of Saalbach into an electronic music mecca. Seventy DJs had taken over the cobbled town square, a lift station and even the local school. There were nine venues in total, the intimate and offbeat nature of each one contributing to the feeling of it being an illicit party rather than a commercial venture.In every direction, German, Austrian and Swiss partygoers were bounding around like gleeful gremlins, racing between venues gripping cans of Red Bull, oblivious to the snow settling gently on their shoulders. By 10am that snow would be transformed into the kind of powder a person gets up early for. Ah, the irony."There's no time for snowboarding," yelled one confused punter, blonde in the way only Dutch teenagers can be. "We're here for the music."More fool her, I thought six hours later as I clipped into my skis and shot off from the top of the Schattberg X-Press on red run five, my tired eyes struggling to see a route obliterated by cloud. It was early December but Saalbach was enjoying its third year in a row of superb start-of-season snow.This resort, and neighbouring base Hinterglemm, is nicknamed the "Skicircus" because the towns sit in a ring of mountains, 124 miles of pistes offering powder runs, sweeping corduroy, freestyle parks and technical blacks. This particular circus clown could have been on a World Cup descent for all it mattered, with lack of sleep and far too much caffeine mixing darkly with calf-deep powder.The lifty working the absolutely deserted Schattberg Sprinter, which takes skiers over to pistes leading into Hinterglemm, kindly suggested I try one of the 40 mountain restaurants before proceeding any further. This I obediently did, clinging wildly to my skis as the Westgipfelhutte loomed out of the gloom."I demand a Radler and schnitzel," I heard a booming voice say. Curses, it was mine. Retreating into a corner, I polished off the amazingly good food and began to feel more confident of my legs, of my ability to hold my poles in hands that didn't shake. But then I heard it. A faint but persistent beat was seeping through the clouds.DJ Paul Kalkbrenner was beginning his set at 2,020m, controlling the decks at the top of the Schattberg gondola. It was noon and the game was on again. The scene was like something from a twisted fairytale. People dressed as tigers and bears were lolloping around, penguins bopped, a giant lizard made its way through the crowd and day-glo beanies graced the heads of impossibly beautiful girls wearing aviator sunglasses despite the heavy snow. Everybody was dancing, hopping from foot to foot as steaming cups of gl�hwein spilled left and right in time with the beat. And, sweet Jesus, what was this? David Hasselhoff again, dancing on the roof of the lift station ? only this time I could see it wasn't actually the Baywatch star, but a brave soul wearing swimming shorts in -10C.Some people were tempted by the deep powder on routes 2a and 4a, and they were chased down the runs by empty beer bottles. Getting off the returning chairlift was carnage. Bodies piled on bodies, coordination lost in fits of giggles and yelps. When Pascal Feds took over the decks, I decided it was time I made my way back down. I opted to ski (hey, it's a black run and I've not slept ? what could possibly go wrong?) only to be greeted at the third corner by the sight of three naked men sliding down the steep slope on their bellies.Rave on Snow started 17 years ago when German Thomas Kleutgen wanted a crazy weekend in the snow with his friends. "We wanted a bit of boarding and partying ? we honestly never thought it would grow to be this big," he said. "It's basically the ultimate pre-Christmas party. It kicks off the season."You know your office Christmas party? Rave on Snow is better. The event may be big in Germany and Austria but its reputation has yet to spread very far beyond those borders so although it boasts world-class music acts, at its core it remains a giddy and exuberant party among mates.After more schnitzel at the gloriously Austrian Kohlmais Stub'n restaurant (where I watched a man try to lift a glass the size of his torso filled with beer ? was nothing in this town normal?) I made my way to the Dorfplatz ? the outdoor arena that was Rave on Snow central ? at 9pm in time to catch Andr� Galluzzi's set, a bonanza of lights, crazy inflatables and a lot of ice, which made dancing very tricky. The crowd were going nuts: people were careering across the frozen dance floor like spilt marbles.This was not a time to hold back I told myself as I leapt into the fray, the heavy beat picking me up and sweeping me into the early hours of the morning via Dan Drastic's funky tunes in the Taverne and the superb Johnny D at Saalbach's converted school (sorry kids). When it dawned on me that I was sporting three beanies and none of them was mine, I concluded it was time to take my leave and lurched out into the snow.At 8am, as I left for the airport, the party was still going strong. People were dancing outside the Castello club as Domenico D'Agnelli wrapped up proceedings. One of the rascals was wearing my beanie.? Rave on Snow (raveonsnow.partysan.net) is on 10-11 December this year. Two nights' B&B accommodation plus festival pass costs ?149. Seven nights' accommodation, ski pass and festival pass is ?435. Booked separately, a two-day pass costs ?60; the four-star Hotel Kohlmais (kohlmais.at) has doubles from ?90 a night. Train travel from London to Salzburg costs �231 return with Rail Europe (raileurope.co.uk)SkiingAustriaFestivalsEuropeSnowboardingWinter sportsSusan Greenwoodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Get the ski party started in Austria

Rave on Snow mixes great skiing with all-night partying to world-class DJs. Phew!It was 4am when I finally cracked. David Hasselhoff was walking towards me, wearing his red Baywatch shorts and chatting with a giant rabbit. This was too much. Scrambling backwards through the heaving Karma club, I leapt out into the freezing Austrian morning, babbling incoherently.But where should I go next? We did have options. This was Rave on Snow ? a 48-hour dance event which had mischievously turned the quaint resort of Saalbach into an electronic music mecca. Seventy DJs had taken over the cobbled town square, a lift station and even the local school. There were nine venues in total, the intimate and offbeat nature of each one contributing to the feeling of it being an illicit party rather than a commercial venture.In every direction, German, Austrian and Swiss partygoers were bounding around like gleeful gremlins, racing between venues gripping cans of Red Bull, oblivious to the snow settling gently on their shoulders. By 10am that snow would be transformed into the kind of powder a person gets up early for. Ah, the irony."There's no time for snowboarding," yelled one confused punter, blonde in the way only Dutch teenagers can be. "We're here for the music."More fool her, I thought six hours later as I clipped into my skis and shot off from the top of the Schattberg X-Press on red run five, my tired eyes struggling to see a route obliterated by cloud. It was early December but Saalbach was enjoying its third year in a row of superb start-of-season snow.This resort, and neighbouring base Hinterglemm, is nicknamed the "Skicircus" because the towns sit in a ring of mountains, 124 miles of pistes offering powder runs, sweeping corduroy, freestyle parks and technical blacks. This particular circus clown could have been on a World Cup descent for all it mattered, with lack of sleep and far too much caffeine mixing darkly with calf-deep powder.The lifty working the absolutely deserted Schattberg Sprinter, which takes skiers over to pistes leading into Hinterglemm, kindly suggested I try one of the 40 mountain restaurants before proceeding any further. This I obediently did, clinging wildly to my skis as the Westgipfelhutte loomed out of the gloom."I demand a Radler and schnitzel," I heard a booming voice say. Curses, it was mine. Retreating into a corner, I polished off the amazingly good food and began to feel more confident of my legs, of my ability to hold my poles in hands that didn't shake. But then I heard it. A faint but persistent beat was seeping through the clouds.DJ Paul Kalkbrenner was beginning his set at 2,020m, controlling the decks at the top of the Schattberg gondola. It was noon and the game was on again. The scene was like something from a twisted fairytale. People dressed as tigers and bears were lolloping around, penguins bopped, a giant lizard made its way through the crowd and day-glo beanies graced the heads of impossibly beautiful girls wearing aviator sunglasses despite the heavy snow. Everybody was dancing, hopping from foot to foot as steaming cups of gl�hwein spilled left and right in time with the beat. And, sweet Jesus, what was this? David Hasselhoff again, dancing on the roof of the lift station ? only this time I could see it wasn't actually the Baywatch star, but a brave soul wearing swimming shorts in -10C.Some people were tempted by the deep powder on routes 2a and 4a, and they were chased down the runs by empty beer bottles. Getting off the returning chairlift was carnage. Bodies piled on bodies, coordination lost in fits of giggles and yelps. When Pascal Feds took over the decks, I decided it was time I made my way back down. I opted to ski (hey, it's a black run and I've not slept ? what could possibly go wrong?) only to be greeted at the third corner by the sight of three naked men sliding down the steep slope on their bellies.Rave on Snow started 17 years ago when German Thomas Kleutgen wanted a crazy weekend in the snow with his friends. "We wanted a bit of boarding and partying ? we honestly never thought it would grow to be this big," he said. "It's basically the ultimate pre-Christmas party. It kicks off the season."You know your office Christmas party? Rave on Snow is better. The event may be big in Germany and Austria but its reputation has yet to spread very far beyond those borders so although it boasts world-class music acts, at its core it remains a giddy and exuberant party among mates.After more schnitzel at the gloriously Austrian Kohlmais Stub'n restaurant (where I watched a man try to lift a glass the size of his torso filled with beer ? was nothing in this town normal?) I made my way to the Dorfplatz ? the outdoor arena that was Rave on Snow central ? at 9pm in time to catch Andr� Galluzzi's set, a bonanza of lights, crazy inflatables and a lot of ice, which made dancing very tricky. The crowd were going nuts: people were careering across the frozen dance floor like spilt marbles.This was not a time to hold back I told myself as I leapt into the fray, the heavy beat picking me up and sweeping me into the early hours of the morning via Dan Drastic's funky tunes in the Taverne and the superb Johnny D at Saalbach's converted school (sorry kids). When it dawned on me that I was sporting three beanies and none of them was mine, I concluded it was time to take my leave and lurched out into the snow.At 8am, as I left for the airport, the party was still going strong. People were dancing outside the Castello club as Domenico D'Agnelli wrapped up proceedings. One of the rascals was wearing my beanie.? Rave on Snow (raveonsnow.partysan.net) is on 10-11 December this year. Two nights' B&B accommodation plus festival pass costs ?149. Seven nights' accommodation, ski pass and festival pass is ?435. Booked separately, a two-day pass costs ?60; the four-star Hotel Kohlmais (kohlmais.at) has doubles from ?90 a night. Train travel from London to Salzburg costs �231 return with Rail Europe (raileurope.co.uk)SkiingAustriaFestivalsEuropeSnowboardingWinter sportsSusan Greenwoodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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The Authentic Ski Tour: Bridger Bowl, Day 5

..... Bozeman, Montana (Ski Press)-We linger over coffee and bacon in the Summit Hotel at the base of Big Sky, hoping that the sun will soften the snow. But there is a cloud growing like a purple crown over Lone Peak, like ink into the early blue, and I imagine the high steeps like vertical white lanes custom frozen for human bowling balls. ?It?s slide for life conditions,? said the patroller at the top of Lone Peak when we walked in to see about signing out for the Snowfields. When Dax Schieffer and Doug Wales and I were the only three skiers on the tram that should have been a clue. For me, it?s just as well.� But Dax is devastated. He isn?t going to get to show off some of Big Sky?s most sensational skiing treasures, especially its adventurous alpine bridge to the expansive terrain of Moonlight Basin, and all morning he keeps glancing back up the hill. ?Sorry we didn?t hit it,? I told Dax. And with Lone Peak separating the sky with its cascading terrain like the flanks of a volcano behind him he said, ?How?d you know that?s what I was thinking about right now?? So that then it was just me and Doug driving to Bozeman, eating vinegar chips and drinking Gatorade, and losing count of all the white crosses by the side of the road. It is gorgeous country, expansive and glacial. With hot Augusts and frozen Januarys and sunsets that are among the most beautiful in the world. ?I?m glad to have lived in the East,? was the refrain that I heard. ?But I knew I would live in the West since I first saw the Rockies as a child.? That light going gold and red through the peaks as we drove into Bozeman at the end stop of my Authentic Ski Tour of Yellowstone Country, from Red Lodge to Chico Hot Springs to Yellowstone to Big Sky and now to Bridger Bowl, as I had the sense that I was finally going to ski the most authentic mountain of them all. I asked Doug, ?Who was it that wrote the story for Rolling Stone?? He said, ?Tim Cahill.? Published in 1985, before he became an outdoor writing legend first at Outside Magazine then with books like ?Jaguars Ripped My Flesh? and ?A Wolverine is Eating My Leg,? Cahill enshrined Bridger?s ?Ridge Hippies? in the article ?Going to Extremes ? Adventures in the Endo Zone.? With Bridger Bowl as the setting, the article introduced extreme skiing to much of America, explaining the passion for hiking past the chairs to ski the same chutes and gullies that in the summer you climbed with harnesses and ropes. And it focused on some of North America?s most soon-to-be famous ski astronauts like Tom Jungst, Scot Schmidt and Doug Coombs. That kind of skiing is the industry standard now, with open gates and steep skiing stars from Vermont to Vail. But in 1985, it was revolutionary. And at Bridger, the hike-to access for the Ridge had already been open for 12 years. Add the fact that Bridger Bowl operates as a non-profit, funded by lift tickets and association membership dues (membership being open to any Montana resident 18 years or older) instead of condo sales, and you?ve got a mountain with 100 percent focus on the ski experience, and nothing else. Or as Wales said, ?All of the net profit goes right back into the hill.? In the past few years that net profit has enabled Bridger to continue to lead the way in opening technical terrain, including the rugged Schlasman?s Lift (which you can?t board without a transceiver). It will also result in a new triple chair ? replacing the Deer Park and Bridger lifts next year. On the day we ski, though, the snow that had been baking in the sun for nearly a week is frozen as hard as a coral reef under a cold bank of clouds. On the steeps I feel as if I am at the top of a great frozen wave, trying not to skitter too quickly to the frozen ocean below. ?I?m pretty sure this is the worst day of the year,? Wales said, pointing to the top of the Bridger Lift where the crew has hoisted the Jolly Roger. ?Maybe the last two years.? ?It?s all a matter of degrees,? he said later, still thinking about it on the chair. ?Whether it?s temperatures or steeps, a couple degrees can make all the difference in the world.? Halfway through the afternoon Wales returned to his office to take another phone call about the history of skiing at Bridger. The same way he?s taken my calls for more than a decade, answering questions about open boundaries, avalanche control and now alpine hydration. And I kept skiing because there were still decent slopes, and the lifts haven?t closed. There were still people speeding down the steeps, even hiking the Ridge, and calling out to each other from the chair as if even a day like that there were still nothing better in the world to do. I laughed at the bumper stickers behind the bar at Jimmy B?s Bar and Grill that say, ?Did you move here to be in a hurry?? and, ?Custer was an out-of-stater, too.? At the Montana Ale Works we had bison patty melts and I heard a favorite song by Son Volt that I had never heard sung live before. In the morning it was snowing and I thought, ?what if I stayed for a few days more?? Links Bridger Bowl: www.bridgerbowl.com Montana Ale Works: www.montanaaleworks.com Good Lodging: www.cmoninn.com/midwest-hotel-locations/bozeman/ Special thanks to: Doug, Jeff, Robin, Dax and Colin.

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Gear of the Week: CR Johnson Memorial Package

This week, our gear of the week is based on merit AND message. As a memorial to CR Johnson, and a way to raise money for the non-profit High Fives Foundation, Smith and 4FRNT have put together a limited edition set-up.Matt Sterbenz, of 4FRNT, said the CR?s sponsors, as well as his family, wanted a way to memorialize his love of the spot, and give skiers a way to hold on to a piece of his spirit. The package includes 4FRNT CRJ memorial skis, based on his 09/10 pro model, and a Smith CRJ memorial Maze helmet and I/O goggle. It?s only for sale through Porters Tahoe. All of the proceeds from the package go to the CRJ Memorial Fund, a part of the Tahoe-based High Fives Foundation, which will set up a scholarship in CR?s name.Get it here.

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20 top ski deals

Save money on your ski holiday with our pick of this week's offers to the slopesRead more in tomorrow's Guardian Travel ski specialSeven nights in Lapland, from �574pp - save �300This holiday in Levi includes seven nights' half-board accommodation at the four-star Levitunturi hotel, departing 12 December and includes return flights from Gatwick to Kittila and resort transfers. Levi has snow-sure skiing from November to May. Activities include husky, reindeer or snowmobile safari, ice karting and watching the Northern Lights, if you're lucky. ? Inghams.co.uk, +44 (0)208 780 4447. For more on Finland: visitfinland.com/ukSeven nights in �re, Sweden from �173pp - save �172Save 50% on this holiday at one of Swedens' top ski areas, staying at the three-star �re Apartments departing 23 January. Price includes return flights from Heathrow, resort transfers and seven nights' accommodation on a self-catering basis (based on three sharing). Must be booked by 26 October. ? Neilson.co.uk, 0845 070 3460.Christmas skiing in Bulgaria, seven nights from �339ppBansko, Bulgaria's top ski resort in the Pirin mountain region is good for beginners. This offer includes half-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Banderitsa (500m from the Gondola) and flights departing 19 December from Gatwick (based on two adults sharing). ? Directline-skiing.co.uk, +44 (0)20 8239 3399.Seven nights in Slovakia with ski pass, from �699pp This is the price for a week's skiing in Poprad in the High Tatras and includes return flights from Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool or Edinburgh to Krakow, seven nights' half-board accommodation at Pension 2004 or Pension Fortuna, return transfers, six-day ski pass and ski equipment. (Valid for travel outside of Christmas, New Year and half term). ? Mountainparadise.co.uk, +44 (0)161 408 8988.Seven nights in Slovakia with ski pass and lessons, from �995ppThis offer includes four-star half-board accommodation at ski in-ski out Grand Hotel, Jasna, three days' three-hour ski lessons, six-day lift pass, flights from a number of UK airports and transfers, plus ski and boot hire. Based on two sharing (�895 for groups of eight and more). ? Balticholidays.com, 0845 0705710.Seven nights in Hafjell, Norway, from �473pp ? save up to �210ppStay in the new ski in-ski out Alpin Solsiden apartments at Norway's third largest alpine centre which was built for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. Price is valid for departures on 9 January and includes self-catering accommodation (based on six sharing), flights, transfers, all local taxes and charges and Atol protection. New Year week costs �751 (departs 26 December) or Easter week costs �482 (departs 3 April).Ski-norway.co.uk, +44 (0)20 7917 6044.Seven-night luxury ski break in Ch�tel, Portes du Soleil, Switzerland: ?750ppThis luxury ski break at Chalet Blanc in Ch�tel from 9-16 January includes: easyJet flights from UK to Geneva, transfers, champagne reception, seven nights' accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea, canap�s, aperitifs and four-course dinner on six nights, wines and all other drinks, ski guiding on two days, chauffeured minibus around resort, pre-ordering of lift passes, ski hire and lessons, and ski and boot hire delivered and fitted at the chalet. Based on two sharing.? Chalet-blanc.co.uk, or contact Jo on +33 624 231 480.A week in Pila/Aosta, Italy with lift pass and lessons, from �799ppThis learn-to-ski week includes flights (local airports often at no supplement), accommodation at three-star Hotel Turin, all meals, lift pass, insurance, equipment hire, 10 hours' lessons and ski suit hire.  Available for departures on 13 February, 13 March and 13 April. Coach departures also available from �655pp. Based on two or more sharing. ? Interski.co.uk, +44 (0)1623 456333.A week in Cervinia, Italy, from �309pp - save �120ppThis holiday includes B&B accommodation at three-star Hotel Des Guides, flights departing 12 December from Gatwick (or Manchester) to Turin and airport transfers; plus save �188 with a buy-one-get-one-free lift pass offer (connecting to nearby Zermatt).? Thomsonski.co.uk, 0871 971 0578.Chamonix Christmas week ski deal, from �225ppThis price is for a week's stay at one of the Residence La Riviere apartments, situated near the centre of town, starting 19 December and includes seven nights' self-catering accommodation and Eurotunnel crossing (based on four sharing).? Zenithholidays.co.uk, +44 (0)1737 852 242.Seven nights in Chamonix, France with ski pass from �1,850pp - save �865ppIncludes accommodation in a luxury two-bedroom chalet at Les Granges d'en Haut with breakfast daily, a six-day ski pass, complimentary chauffeur service to the slopes and village centre, apr�s-ski tea and cakes, one dinner, British Airways flights and return transfers. Valid for stays 8 January-12 March and 12 March-10 April, based on four sharing.? Seasons.co.uk, +44 (0)1244 202 000.A week's family ski break in Val d'Is�re, France, from �299ppChalet Hotel Ducs de Savoie has its own in-house nursery and child care base. This offer is �1,197 for a family of four (two adults and two children) and includes return Stansted to Geneva flights departing 12 December, transfers, and seven nights' catered chalet hotel accommodation. There are also deals for free lift passes for children and free children's equipment hire.? Espritski.com, +44 (0)1252 618 300.Six nights in Avoriaz, France, from �380ppEnjoy one of France's largest ski areas on this six-night holiday staying in the four-star Les Balcons du Soleil. Price includes self-catering accommodation, flights departing from London Gatwick on 9 January and taxes (based on two sharing).? Ski.ebookers.com.Week in Valmorel, France with ski pass, from �425ppThis offer is valid from 8-15 January and includes self-catering, ski in-ski out accommodation in an apartment/studio, flights, transfers, six-day ski pass covering Valmorel/St Francois Longchamp/Doucy Combelouviere, taxes and tour manager. Price based on full apartment occupancy (two/four/five person options).? Skisupreme.co.uk, 0845 194 7541.Seven nights in La Plagne, France with ski pass, from �349ppThis family Christmas break includes seven nights in a studio self-catering apartment in Residence Plagne Lauze, return Eurotunnel crossings including free upgrade to Flexiplus, a six-day Paradiski lift pass and ski/snowboard hire. Departs 19 December, based on based on two adults and two children (11 and under) sharing.? Ernalow.co.uk, 0845 863 0525.Seven nights in Morzine, France, from �609pp - save �100ppChalet Berger is a no-frills chalet in the heart of Morzine, minutes from the piste, with log-burning stove and en suite bedrooms. Price, based on 10 sharing, includes catered accommodation (breakfast, afternoon tea and a three-course evening meal), Gatwick flights departing 16 January and coach transfer. (Book before 31 October).? Vip-chalets.com, 0844 557 3119.Eleven-night ski holiday in Banff, Canada from �499pp - save �300ppThis offer is via Iglu Ski and includes flights from Gatwick or Manchester, transfers and 11 nights' room-only accommodation at the Banff Inn Hotel. The price is based on four sharing for departures on 8, 15, 22, and 29 January. Must be booked by 31 October. Banff offers 200km of piste and three snowboard parks and is suitable for beginners to advanced skiers.? Travelzoo.com, +44 (0)20 8544 6602 and quote promo code TZOO.Seven nights in Whistler, Canada, from �679ppThis includes return economy class flights from Gatwick to Vancouver with free ski carriage of one ski/board bag up to 10kgs in weight, accommodation at the three-star Crystal Lodge (room-only, four sharing) and return airport resort transfers. Lift passes from �42pp per day, equipment rental from �18 per day. Free lift passes and equipment rental for kids under 12 when skiing with adult.  Based on travel on selected dates in January. Subject to availability. ? Canadianaffair.com, +44 (0)20 7616 9933.Nine nights, five-star Telluride, Colorado, from �1,325pp ? save �600ppSpend nine nights at the newly refurbished five-star Peaks Hotel in Telluride. Price is based on two sharing and includes B&B accommodation and free room upgrade, scheduled flights and transfers. For travel between 5 January ? 16 February. Ski Safari.? Skisafari.com, +44 (0)1273 224060.Seven nights in Mammoth, California, from �725ppThis offer includes scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow direct to LA, accommodation at the Alpenhof Lodge on a room-only basis and with car hire. Price is per person based on two sharing a standard room and includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Valid for departures on 1-9 December.? Virginholidays.co.uk, 0844 557 3859.SkiingWinter sportsLate offersBudget travelguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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T-Mobile announces the Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet for $399.99

Filed under: Gear, Internet ToolsWell that was fast - a few hours after we discussed the upcoming wave of mobile broadband enabled tablets, T-Mobile sent out a press release announcing that they'll be the first network in the country to offer the new Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The Tab is an Android powered 7" tablet. On T-Mobile, it will support their expanding HSDPA+ network, which offers speeds much faster than current generation devices - and in my tests, they really do keep their promise when they claim it is fast.

On the Tab, T-Mobile and Samsung installed Slacker Radio, the Amazon Kindle reader and Qik video chat. These apps mean this compact tablet really is perfect for travelers. It is quite a bit smaller than the Apple iPad - which is either a blessing or a curse, depending on your needs.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab launches on November 10 at T-Mobile.com and T-Mobile retail stores. The tablet is priced at $399.99 after a $50 mail in rebate. Of course, this price only applies when you activate on a new two year agreement.

We hope to bring you a full review of this impressive device as soon as we can get our hands on our pre-order.

If you want to learn more about the Tab on T-Mobile, head on over to their product page and sign up for more information.T-Mobile announces the Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet for $399.99 originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Ask Tom: live Q&A

Post your questions to Lonely Planet's travel expert Tom Hall, who will be offering expert advice live onlineNeed advice on a specific holiday destination? Or do you have a general travel question? Tom Hall will be live on Guardian Travel from 1-2pm offering expert advice. Post questions below in advance or on the day. Tom will get to as many as he can in an hour.Due to the volume of questions, Tom may not be able to answer any emailed questions in the live blog, but these will be considered for future Ask Tom blog posts.Tom Hallguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Seychelles

NEW: ISLANDS Pictures app. Free wallpaper, camera contest, quizzes, photo feed and more. Get it free!









"Huge gray boulders emerge like pachyderms in startling contrast to the Lapis Sea," comments ISLANDS magazine, contributing editor Jeff Greenwald alongside this photo by Zhan Tian of a rocky beach scene in the Seychelles. It's the November photo in the 2010 ISLANDS Calendar, and now it's yours as a free desktop wallpaper.

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London to Paris in just 2 hours!

Paris in just 2 hours, amsterdam in under four and Geneva in less than 5 hours courtesy of Eurostar.These shorter journey times will become a reality when Eurostar launches its e320 trains.These new trains, able to travel at 200 miles an hour, are part of a �700 million investment which will see 20% increase in capacity.�?Over the last 16 years Eurostar has revolutionised travel between the London, Paris and Brussels but our sights are now set on expanding our business across Europe,? said Eurostar?s Chief Executive Nicolas Petrovic. ?The transformation of Eurostar into a standalone business and the major capital investment announced today is a mark of our growth ambitions for the future.? The train operator was established between SNCF, SNCB and LCR in 1994, but became a single corporate entity on 1 September 2010. SNCF, SNCB and LCR are shareholders.
8 October 2010




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Enter to Win a Week in Belize

Situated on some of the finest white sand beach that Ambergris Caye has to offer, Exotic Caye Beach Resort's 23 rustic, beachfront condos come complete with ocean facing balconies, air conditioned bedrooms, fully equipped kitchenettes, living and dining areas, daily housekeeping service, cable TV and WIFI internet service.
On our beachfront property we have a fresh water swimming pool and shaded deck, a full service, beachfront restaurant, a private dock with an adventure and tour centre, a beach bar offering live music three times per week, a cafe and a fitness centre that includes tennis courts, an air conditioned gym and a large swimming pool with lap lanes as well as a kiddie pool for our guests to enjoy during their stay. Only a half mile beachwalk into town guests can enjoy island night life and the various shops of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Enter below for a chance to win a one week stay at this exotic resort.

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Airlines and hotels: the travails of accommodating a recovery

Filed under: Business, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, AirlinesMarket conditions are turning for the travel and hospitality industry. More people are leaving home behind for a while, and they are again willing to open their wallets to do so. Especially in the highly coveted business travel sector, seats are filling and rooms are being occupied. So, it would stand to reason that airlines and hotels would move to address the increase in demand. Unfortunately, accommodating growth can be risky in these industries. Every step must be made carefully and deliberately, with a plan for taking existing demand to a higher level.

Think about your local grocery store. If cans of corn start to sell aggressively, the store can examine the trend and order more for the following week. It may have to allocate a bit of extra shelf space, perhaps at the expense of canned peas The risk isn't that high, though, because demand can be handled in smaller increments.

The core product isn't as flexible in the travel and hospitality business. As people look to book more rooms or flights, a hotel or airline can't simply add a bed or a seat. Airlines can add routes (or restore those that have been cut), but that creates a new problem.
Continue reading Airlines and hotels: the travails of accommodating a recoveryAirlines and hotels: the travails of accommodating a recovery originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Nya (Trusting in Life) by Abou Lagraa - review

Th��tre Les G�meaux, Sceaux, ParisOn one side, Europe; on the other, Algeria. The right hand plays the music of Ravel's Bolero, the left prefers the songs of Houria A�chi, a magnificent vector for traditional music south of the Mediterranean. A bridge is formed by the choreographer Abou Lagraa, the author of Nya (Trusting in Life, in Arabic), a work in two parts danced by 10 Algerian hip-hop artists. At the end of the show, first performed at the Lyon Dance Biennale, the two halves seemed to close like a book, containing two different, yet very similar pictures portraying a generation. Having launched their French tour, the troupe moved on to Paris.The stage is empty. Squares of pearl-grey light projected onto the backdrop and track suits for Bolero; a deep blue carpet hung up like a tapestry and sleeveless black lounge suits with blue lapels for the traditional section. The overall sobriety keeps us focused on essentials in a work connecting two worlds. The means deployed have all been carefully chosen: for instance, the dancers (all men) are bare-armed, adding a discreetly oriental touch to the western dress.For Bolero, Lagraa has invented a rhythmical, highly visual routine, rich in exciting counterpoint. Parallel lines and diagonals surge forward from the wings, turning into little circles at the front of the stage. The bodies punctuate the music, hip-hop commas inserted into the orchestral mass of Ravel's composition. The second part is simpler, A�chi's superb voice adding volume to the dancers' movements, which plot a subtle form of gymnastic calligraphy.In both cases Lagraa's contemporary choreography lifts the gesture of hip-hop to an unaccustomed intensity. Another language emerges, in which pirouettes and whirls possess the whole body.The densely packed mixture of tenderness and vitality also reflects the change of fortune for the dancers themselves. All self-taught, most of them were street performers until recently. Selected from among 400 applicants in January 2009 they now belong to the Contemporary Group at the Algiers National Ballet. The group established by Lagraa has given them a formal training and a living wage. Between Bolero and traditional Algerian music an identity is taking shape, with Nya as its envoy. This article originally appeared in Le MondeDanceParisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Siamang Swing

The Houston Zoo is continually trying to improve the lives of the animals in its care, and is completing construction on a six-acre multimillion-dollar African forest to house some of its star inhabitants. Zoo Confidential: Urban Jungle premieres on Nat Geo Wild Tuesday October 26 at 9P et/pt. Video Preview: Zookeepers install bamboo-like poles in the siamang enlosure -- will the siamang family interact with their new toys?

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Mancuso Rocks Whiteface GS for 11th Career Title

.....Lake Placid, NY (Ski Press)-Three-time Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso captured the 11th U.S. title of her career with a victory in the women's giant slalom to close the 2010 Visa U.S. Alpine Championships at Whiteface Mountain Tuesday."I actually haven't skied giant slalom since the Olympics, so it was nice to get back on my GS skis," Mancuso said.Mancuso was also the giant slalom champion in '09, '05, and '03. With 11 titles, she now moves past U.S. great Andrea Mead Lawrence for the most titles of any American male or female, breaking a record that has stood for 55 years.The weekend brought some closure to a season�in�which�Mancuso had long worked hard ."Coming back from a back injury I always had the goal of getting ready for the Olympics. Even going into last season it hurt. I wanted to keep trying. Just being able to see the reward of the plan paying off was really amazing," Mancuso said.Second place for the day went to Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR) who produced the fastest second run. Ross was also third in the super G and second in the combined at Whiteface.Malin Hemmingson of Sweden was third followed by U.S. downhill champion Leanne Smith (Conway, NH).The top U.S. junior was Julia Ford (Plymouth, NH) out of U.S. Development Team, though the fastest junior was Erin Mielzynski of Canada. J-2 Foreste Peterson (Berkeley, CA) of the Squaw Valley Ski Team was the next fastest U.S. junior followed by Abby Ghent (Edwards, CO) of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail.The USSA Western Region took the 2010Tom Garner Regions Cup with 2,903 points, followed by the East with1,869 and Rocky/Central with 986.Tuesday also marked the final race for Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN), a two-time Olympian and seven-year member of the U.S. Ski Team. She ran both runs of giant slalom in a puffy red one piece ski suit circa 1980, with her parents making the trip from Minnesota just to see their daughter's last event.Numerous athletes, including Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) now move directly to Cochran's Ski Area in Richmond, VT for the annual charity slalom hosted by two-time Olympian Jimmy Cochran tomorrow.OFFICIAL RESULTS2010 Visa U.S. Alpine ChampionshipsLake Placid, NY - March 22, 2010Women?s Giant Slalom1. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 2:07.522. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 2:08.113. Malin Hemmingsson, Sweden, 2:08.254. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 2:08.985. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 2:09.17

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Ski Gear: DPS Wailer 112RP Launch

..... Salt Lake City (Ski Press)-DPS Skis (dpsskis.com) announced the launch of The Wailer 112RP which ?bridges the gap with a shape that combines the loose and early planing feel of a fully rockered ski with aggressive sidecut and slight camber underfoot.??Once in awhile a ski comes along that breaks boundaries and becomes the new standard in terms of shape, flex, and construction. The Wailer 112RP is truly the centerpiece of any skier?s quiver. It?s equally at home pulling loaded g?s on packed snow as it is slashing a wave feature or surfing powder. It?s as close to a one ski quiver as possible and will become the new standard in versatility ? it?s fun everywhere,? says Stephan Drake, DPS Founder and President. DPS has built and shaped skis geared for the freeride community since 2005. According to Drake, The Wailer, is ?A 16m radius underfoot and great torsional stiffness allow for maximum versatility, while the rockered and tapered tips and tail allow the Wailer 112RP to get loose and be driven from the ball of the foot in deeper snow. It's a game changer.? For information visit: http://dpsskis.com/

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Canadian Alpine Ski Racer Larisa Yurkiw Inspiring Others While Rehabbing Knee

Toronto, Canada - Canadian alpine ski racer Larisa Yurkiw is hoping that she can inspire young skiers with more than just her performance on the World Cup slopes.












Yurkiw, a FIS World Junior Championships medalist and two-time GMC Canadian champion from Owen Sound, Ontario, is working to return to snow after a crash during a World Cup race in Val dIsere, France, last December required surgery on her left knee. Along with the hard work underway to get back to World Cup ski racing, Yurkiw said she spent time in the last few months speaking to young skiers about the sport.

I have been speaking a lot. Its getting easier and something I am getting more comfortable with, said the 22-year-old Yurkiw of her recent public speaking engagements.

I was talking to Toronto Ski Club kids at their fitness testing day a few weeks ago. Its a lot of fun. They are really energetic about the sport and about ski racing, explained the Canadian national downhill and super G champion. I am just taking to them about the sport and answering any questions that they have. I also go into a little bit about dealing with adversity. Its been good for me in ways that I did not anticipate, as they motivate and inspire me to work out hard and get my knee back in shape to return to snow.

Yurkiw also spoke this month at the Alpine Ontario Coaches Conference and signed autographs with Senator Nancy Greene Raine, an Olympic ski racing champion and Canadian female athlete of the 20th century, at the GMC Booth during the Toronto Ski Snowboard and Travel Show. Yurkiw said her objective remains as it has always been, to return to snow early in the new year.

My recovery is going as smoothly as it can and the plan to be patient with it is paying off, she said. I am going to be in Calgary in the next few weeks to train with (ACA Conditioning Coach) Matt Jordan. And I am focused on returning to snow in January but I know that it is okay if that doesnt happen. We will just continue to be patient with it.Powered by WizardRSS | Full Text RSS Feeds

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Discoe, Kearney Take Moguls Gold

.....Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-It was icing on the cake for one, and a new frontier for the other as 2010 gold medalist Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe took moguls titles at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Squaw Valley.Joining Kearney on the podium were two women who picked up the first World Cup wins of their careers this season. Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO), just off a win at World Cup finals in Spain, was second and Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) was third.Kearney was happy to share the podium with such distinguished talent."The podium was three individuals who have won a World Cup so you're really skiing against the best in the world, which makes it that much more difficult," Kearney said.The Olympic champ broke out some new moves Friday, throwing a mute grab off the bottom air to freshen up her run and set herself apart from the stiff competition."That was the first time I've ever thrown a mute in competition or qualifying and a new trick, it's always satisfying when that goes well," Kearney said. "I like to try to push myself because I've been stuck in a rut for a few years as far as my tricks go."For Outtrim the day marked another career landmark, which she said she was hoping for after her time in Spain."I've never been on a U.S. Championship podium before, so that's incredible," Outtrim said. "I really wanted to come off the win from last week, ski well here and follow up on that win."As far as her run went, Outtrim was pleased and plans to keep it up."I feel like I messed up my top air a little, but I was really happy with the rest of my run," Outtrim said. "I feel like I'm skiing faster and I've been trying to do that - to push the limits a little bit."Outtrim wasn't the only one making first impressions Friday, as Discoe took down his first Champs podium appearance as well."I'm really excited. It's an amazing feeling and I'm super stoked," Discoe said. "My skiing has been coming together for the last three events with a couple World Cups making the finals. I got a top 10 there and just kept the skiing going into here." Joining Discoe on the podium were Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) who was second and Michael Morse (Duxburry, MA) who was third.Now with the champs win in Hand, Discoe has a plan for how he can keep his momentum rolling into 2011."Lots of training. I'm going to go home for the summer and take a little bit more of a break to clear my mind and then just get right back into it," Discoe said.Young Cota was also a happy camper on the sunny ski day as he also marked his first appearance on a U.S. Champs podium."It feels great. I skied really well and was happy with the way I skied. I did my harder tricks and landed them, so I was stoked on that. I'm just happy to be on the podium," Cota said.Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships continue Saturday with men's and women's skier halfpipe and aerials competitions.OFFICIAL RESULTS2010 Sprint U.S. Freestyle ChampionshipsSquaw Valley, CA - March 26, 2010MogulsMen1. Joey Discoe, Telluride, CO, 25.512. Jeremy Cota, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 25.304. Reed Snyderman, Winchester, MA, 25.295. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME, 25.17Women1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 26.372. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT. 25.024. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV, 24.815. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 24.31

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Top ten hostels in Europe

Filed under: Europe, Turkey, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Staying in a hostel in Europe is a rite of passage for budget-conscious travelers making their way around the continent. This is particularly the case for budget-conscious younger travelers. Here are ten hostels across Europe that either receive particularly high user-review grades or are notorious enough in one or another way to be noteworthy.

St. Christopher's at the Winston, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Winston presents itself as "an interactive museum of modern art." However it refers to itself, it is without question one of the most dynamic budget hotels in Europe, with a few hostel-style dormitory rooms on offer. It's got a restaurant on the premises and a nearby nightclub, and is aesthetically far more exciting that your average hostel.

Långholmen, Stockholm, Sweden. Ever wanted to spend the night in a prison? OK, a former prison? Långholmen is a rehabbed prison located just a stone's throw from Stockholm's supercool Södermalm nabe. Fantastic, and not as austere as you might expect.

Good Bye Lenin, Krakow, Poland. Tucked away in a corner of Krakow's history-rich Kazimierz neighborhood, Good Bye Lenin replays the aesthetics of Polish socialism in a cheery, friendly space. Very atmospheric and fun.

Balmers, Interlaken, Switzerland. In operation for over a century now, family-run Balmers is Switzerland's oldest hostel. Balmers offers dormitory rooms, private rooms, and tent accommodations. And lots of fresh air, obviously.

Meininger, London, United Kingdom. The Meininger chain of hostels can be found mostly in big cities across Germany and Austria. The London outpost, though not particularly British in spirit, is a welcome, well-scrubbed addition to London's dreary hostel scene.Continue reading Top ten hostels in EuropeTop ten hostels in Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Is Scotland the next big adventure travel destination?

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Paddling, Europe, United Kingdom, Camping, Budget TravelIt's no secret that the adventure travel market is booming. It is estimated that that segment of the travel industry generated $89 billion in revenue in 2009 alone, and 2010 is expected to be another banner year. One destination that is helping to contribute to that massive revenue is Scotland, a country that already garners more than $1.4 billion in adventure travel per year, and yet analysts are forecasting an increase in the number of visitors to the country of more than 70% over the next three years.

More than 3.2 million adventure trips were booked to Scotland in 2008 and with the predicted increase for the years ahead, travel companies are already ramping up to help meet the demand. New options for hiking, cycling, and paddling in Scotland are in the works, offering plenty of active adventures for travelers looking to explore the country's varied landscapes.

The most popular draw for adventure travelers is undoubtedly a multi-day hike through the famed Scottish Highlands. Those treks can consist of a few days of short day hikes while staying in luxurious accommodations or up to ten full days of walking during which travelers stay in simple inns each night. The trails pass through low lying mountains covered in mist and heather that are surprisingly rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Many of those same mountain trails are also accessible by mountain bike, which make them a lure for an entirely different crowd. Road cyclists will find plenty to enjoy as well, albeit on the quaint roads that wind through the Scottish countryside. Kayaking and canoeing are also popular ways to explore the Highlands and the country's famous Lochs, while the beautiful rocky coastlines offer some of the best sea kayaking found anywhere on the planet. Mix in a rich history and culture, and you have all the best ingredients for your next adventure trip.

With so much to see and

[Photo credit: Warwick Bradly via WikiMedia]Is Scotland the next big adventure travel destination? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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MatadorU offers weekly Q&A, orientation calls

Sometimes, you just wanna talk to a living person.

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Flights, camera, action

Film-inspired holidays: Our writers tell you how to give your trip a genre

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Now on Newsstands: Our November/December Issue

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Daily gear deals - $69 Panasonic camera, $10 power inverter and more

Filed under: Gadling's Daily Deal

Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Monday October 25, 2010. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone.

Today's first deal is for the highly rated Panasonic DMC-F2 digital camera. This camera shoots in 10.1MP and features a 4x optical zoom. At just $69, it is probably one of the best brand name camera deals available at the moment. Click here for this deal.

Picked up a cheap camera, and now in need of cheap memory for it? How about this $4.99 Class 6 4GB memory card from Woot? Speedy transfers, and a reliable name (Kingston). Click here for this deal.

Trade up from the headphones that came with your MP3 player to a pair of noise isolating headphones. At just $6.99, these Elago headphones are very highly rated - one person even comments that they sound better than his previous $300 headphones. Click here for this deal.

And finally in today's lineup is a Targus 100 Watt slim DC inverter. Feed this thing DC power from your car or plane socket, and it'll deliver 110V. Its 100 watt capacity is enough to charge most laptops and gadgets. On sale for $9.99. Click ere for this deal.
Daily gear deals - $69 Panasonic camera, $10 power inverter and more originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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South America: Perfect posadas

From the shores of Lake Titicaca to the historic city streets of Buenos Aires, these affordable inns are the perfect way to enjoy South AmericaSouth America is not as cheap as it once was for those of us travelling with sterling. In some parts of the continent, rates in high-end hotels are now almost on a par with those in Europe or the US. Even hostel prices are going up. So where does this leave British travellers? In a surprisingly exciting middle ground. Somewhere between the overpriced boutique hotels and the bargain hostels lie the special places with great service, "buena onda" (a good vibe) and rates that make you assume there has been a misprint. Posadas (which is Spanish for "inns") are not around every corner, however, so you have to know where to look. Here's our pick of the best.1. Peru: Apu Lodge, OllantaytamboMany people rush through it on their way to nearby Machu Picchu, but the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo is well worth exploring for a few days, to get stuck into some alternative treks through the Sacred Valley or simply to hang out among the 15th-century ruins that dot the hillsides. The newly built Apu Lodge is run by Louise Norton, the Scottish founder of leaplocal.org (which puts travellers in touch with local guides), and her Peruvian husband. Seemingly designed with weary trekkers in mind, rooms come with orthopaedic beds, snug duvets and piping-hot power showers.Price Doubles �34Book it 00 51 84 797162; apulodge.com2. Bolivia: Las Olas, CopacabanaSouth America's other Copacabana is perched on the Bolivian shores of Lake Titicaca ? but without the bikini thongs. With spectacular panoramic views across the expanse of royal-blue water, Las Olas is a quirky complex of four suites, owned and designed by a German architect. No detail has been overlooked: stairs are made from eucalyptus wood, windows are patterned with stained glass and floors feature cross-sections of pine trunks. For the most memorable experience, opt for the suite that resembles a terracotta-coloured beehive and comes with a circular bed. Book well ahead.Price Doubles from �25Book it 00 591 2862 2112; hostallasolas.com3. Uruguay: La Posada del Faro, Cabo PolonioSavvy travellers bypass Uruguay's most famous resort ? the over-hyped, over-concreted Punta del Este ? and head further up the coast to Cabo Polonio, an isolated village situated on its own peninsula. With no paved roads, no electricity and no internet, it's ideal for those wanting a complete getaway. La Posada del Faro is new on the scene. Request one of their two bright-and-white front rooms, which lead straight on to an open porch with views across the village, the sprawling beach and the iconic lighthouse. It's currently the low season, so the posada is closed, but it is open for bookings from December onwards. (Note: not to be confused with La Posada Del Faro in Jos� Ignacio which, costing up to �350, is not such a bargain.)Price Doubles �90Book it 00 598 98 482252; laposadadelfaro.com4. Ecuador: Madre Tierra, VilacabambaThe best time to approach Madre Tierra is just as the sun begins to set. That's when the candles start twinkling in the canopy of ferns and you'll be met by a night-time soundtrack of trilling crickets, cascading waterfalls and the low hum of voices from the open-fronted restaurant. Found just outside the town of Vilcabamba, in the so-called "Valley of the Immortals", Madre Tierra has a new-age feel, with rooms resembling gingerbread cottages from a Brothers Grimm storybook. Relax in a hammock overlooking the sacred Madango mountain or with a treatment in the on-site spa.Price Rooms from �24; doubles �34Book it 00 593 7264 0269; vilcabambamadretierra.com5. Argentina: Capricho, SaltaIf you're heading to northwest Argentina, do your best to get a suite here. There are only two of them (one with a small lounge, the other with a spiral staircase to its own mezzanine). The service and styling are way beyond what you'd expect for the price, with nice touches that include lighting the central courtyard with tealights every night and welcoming every guest with a glass of local wine or a cup of speciality tea. The hearty breakfast is homemade, from the caramelised apple cake to the yogurt. And it's also fantastically located, just a few minutes' walk from the main plaza.Price Suites �70Book it 00 54 3874217288; elcaprichosalta.com.ar6. Colombia: La Casa, Santa MartaBehind La Casa's modest frontage lie three colourful guest rooms, a characteristic internal patio and an outdoor plunge pool that becomes a huge asset when the sun hits its peak. Having been extensively remodelled, the property is an ideal starting point for Tayrona National Park, one of the country's biggest attractions. Guests are invited to stock up on products from the local markets ? including seafood, freshly plucked from the Caribbean ? and cook it themselves in the huge, open kitchen. Ask owner Angela about her yoga retreats.Price Doubles from �83Book it 00 57 311 390 4091; lacasasantamarta.com7. Brazil: Eliconial, ParatyWhen you are told a monkey could swing by for breakfast, you know you're in a special place. Eliconial is a 20-minute walk from the historic centre of Paraty, with its cobbled streets and colonial houses, and it's an even shorter walk to the beach. Set in a garden of tropical heliconias, the complex of wood-panelled bungalows includes a fair-sized outdoor pool. Book ahead if you want your visit to coincide with Paraty's growing literary festival (flip.org.br), which takes place every August.Price Rooms from �90Book it 00 55 24 3371 2486; eliconial.com8. Argentina: Querido, Buenos AiresOpening just two months ago, Querido is the labour of love of Anglo-Brazilian owners, who have spent more than two years transforming the site of a run-down 1920s townhouse. Although now thoroughly modernised, it retains many original features ? such as the heavy-wood frames of the windows. The lounge is furnished with well-selected finds from local vintage shops, while the four subtly styled upstairs rooms all have shiny, polished parquet floors. The hotel is located on a peaceful residential street in the increasingly up-and-coming Villa Crespo barrio, yet it's still less than 10 minutes' walk to Palermo Soho, where you'll find the city's largest concentration of bars, restaurants and designer boutiques.Price Doubles from �55Book it 00 54 11 4854 6297; queridobuenosaires.com9. Venezuela: Posada Movida, Los RoquesThis place would be just like a home from home ? if your home was a Mediterranean-style villa in the middle of the Caribbean. Posada Movida sits on one of the 350 islands that make up the coral archipelago of Los Roques, 80 miles off the Venezuelan mainland. Book one of its six air-conditioned ensuites and owner Mario can help organise day trips of scuba diving, kite surfing or sea fishing. The posada's rates typically include breakfast, a boat-trip to nearby islands, a picnic on the beach and a fresh-fish dinner.Price All-inclusive one-day, one-night rates are �77 per personBook it 00 58 237 2211016; posadamovida.com10. Chile: Harrington B&B, Valpara�soWith its sunny yellow frontage, Victorian features and corrugated-iron panelling, this 1920s house is typically "Valpo". Owned by a Franco-Chilean couple, it is on Cerro Concepci�n, where the city is at its most bohemian, with an abundance of arty cafes and vibrant street murals. Rooms have bright, clean, minimalist decor, with hot showers powered by the Pacific sun. The generous breakfast spread includes freshly baked bread and cakes.Price Rooms from �36, doubles �56Book it 00 56 32 212 13 38; harrington.clHotelsCaribbeanSouth AmericaPeruMachu Picchu, PeruBoliviaUruguayEcuadorArgentinaColombiaBrazilBuenos AiresVenezuelaChileVicky Bakerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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