Photo Credit: afagen

Love your iPhone? Then you'll love new mobile boarding pass options from both American Airlines and United Airlines. American has already had the electronic system in place, but announced that 19 additional airports will now have the feature as an option.

United not only went paperless this week with the addition of the digital barcode system, but also added a wireless check-in option with their services. Once at the airport, you simply point the web browser on your mobile device to mobile.united.com and check in for your flight at the website. You can also check flight status and availability, as well as information about your United account. United plans to expand these new services to additional airports as soon as possible.

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Prepare your palate for an overload of aromas, tastes, and exotic flavors at the Taste of Vail. Each year, local restaurants and the nations top vineyards get together to showcase the best of the best in both food and drink in the Vail Valley.

This year is the 20th Annual Taste of Vail, and the festivities begin on Wednesday, April 7th at 9 AM. Later that afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 PM, is the Lamb Cook-Off, featuring a sampling of some of the best lamb dishes the valley's chefs can dish out. In addition, there will be a heap of wineries offering the perfect complimentary wines to go along with each dish.

Thursday, April 8th, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM will be a series of various seminars open to guests. From 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, is the Apres Ski Tasting Party, featuring wine tasting from all points of the world, including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Reisling, and Zinfandel.

On Friday, April 9th, a seminar opens the early morning, followed by the Mountain Top Picnic from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Some of Vail's finest restaurants will prepare an assortment of lunch menus served picnic style on top of the scenic 10,350 foot Eagles Nest gondola. Everything is served outdoors, so dress warm. There will also be a variety of wines on hand to wash down the meal and warm the belly.

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A new Panama City Beach airport will open on May 23 in Florida's panhandle coast. The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is the first international airport to open in over a decade. Panama City Beach condos aren't just for the spring break crowd anymore, so tourism officials in the area want to make the region accessible to a variety of travelers. As much a real estate project as it is a transportation development, the building of the new airport required a great deal of land. By converting the land into a functional travel hub, new possibilities are on the horizon for Panama City Beach.

The St. Joe Company donated the land for the airport and owns thousands of acres of land in northwest Florida. The company used to be in the timber and paper business but is now focused on development and real estate. They liken Panama City Beach to the Silicon Valley; once a difficult to reach destination, making travel to the Silicon Valley easier allowed it to be become the booming business area that it is today.

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This traditional German Sausage Festival takes place in the spring and is a great excuse to load up on beer, delicious meats, and incredible baked goods! Make it an all day event with arts, crafts, games and activities for everyone in your party. The founding fathers of Elberta AL make each year’s German Sausage Festival phenomenal, and people come from around the region and across the nation just to taste what it has to offer.

They still use the original mouth watering recipe that had been developed by the founding fathers of Elberta many years ago. Now with their slow cooked secret recipe the fathers are passing down the tradition to eager (and hungry) participants of this German event. The German Sausage Festival in Elberta Town right in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama is one of the only traditional German annual festivals that keep the recipe true to its roots. This even will even have a fully stocked Bier Garten where you can choose from a wide variety of imported beers. Don’t miss out on your chance to taste some rare brews that only come around but once per year! You must be 21 or over to get into the Bier Garten and must be able to show proof of ID.

The German Sausage Festival is set to take place at the Elberta Town Park and is always free to the public. Preview tons of great foods from multiple vendors that will be offering both traditional German dishes and even some American favorites. There will even be a spectacular carnival section complete with rides, games, prizes, and plenty of things to do for the younger crowd. Walk the streets of the German Sausage Festival while listening to great live performances from traditional German bands and artists as well as local modern rock and country entertainers.

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Branson Airport was the nation's first privately built commercial airport when it opened in 2009; now it plans to start its own airline service. Beginning May 17, Branson AirExpress will host a three month trial featuring flights to and from Des Moines; Terre Haute, Ind.; Shreveport, La; Houston; and Austin.

Branson AirExpress wants to broaden the country's exposure to Branson by attracting new types of travelers. The airline, like the airport, is a start-up public charter service that plans to run without taxpayer dollars. Before private investors opened the $155 million airport last year, visitors looking to explore the "Live Music Capital of The World," either had to drive or take a bus to Branson.

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On March 9, Hard Rock Las Vegas President and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew (Randy) Kwasniewski, was found dead in his Summerlin neighborhood home. TMZ broke the story and found out from law enforcement officials that the death was caused by an apparent self-inflicted gun wound to the head. He was 56.

Kwasniewski's wife discovered his body in their Las Vegas home yesterday morning. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department quickly began an investigation into the death and today the Clark County coroner, Mike Murphy, ruled the death a suicide. A single self-inflicted gunshot to the head caused the death.

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There are endless things to do and see on your Kissimmee vacations, but which of these are actually worthwhile? Everyone knows the area to be close to all of the activities in and around the Orlando area, but Kissimmee has a buzzing tourist area as well that is chock full of wonderful family adventures. Less expensive than Orlando, but just as much fun, Kissimmee vacations offer a wonderful alternative for your Florida vacation needs. Visit all of the world famous Orlando spots, but make your vacation last with incredible sights and sounds from the Kissimmee area. Below are some of the highest rated Kissimmee activities that will keep you and you group entertained for the whole stay:

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Carter Beach Properties, Inc., a Destin vacation rental company, was recently involved in a scam where fraudulent Internet posters claimed to be representatives of the company and posted fake Carter listings on other websites. These fake posts included photos taken from the legitimate Carter website, as well as fake contact information.

These scams can be equally harmful to the entity that owns the vacation rentals, as well as the vacationer. The main reason for the scam, as you may guess, is to get money from someone looking to pay money for a vacation rental. A victim of the fake company would then show up at a property with no reservations. Luckily, the Carter Beach Properties case was rare for Destin.

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Photo Credit: Bob Therina

Panama City Beach condos aren't just for the spring break crowd. With the opening of a new airport on May 23, travel officials in the coastal Florida town want to welcome all types of travelers to the picturesque beaches. Even though the town is currently preparing for scantily-clad twenty-somethings to grace the area as colleges and universities around the country go on spring vacation in March and April, Panama City Beach can be a hot spot year-round.

Locals say that over the past 15 years they've seen a change in Panama City Beach vacationers and in the Gulf Coast area's facilities. Run-down hotels filled with college students have been replaced with vacationing adults and condos. One of the most appealing aspects about this vacation destination, though, is the affordability of the condos. You don't have to stay in a cheap motel to have a cheap getaway.

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No trip to Branson would be complete without a trip to a nearby Branson lake. With three picturesque lakes in the area, there is plenty to enjoy in the great outdoors, whether you enjoy fishing or watersports or just hiking around the lake regions. Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Rock, and Bull Shoals Lake all have unique features that attract millions of visitors to the area year round. With plenty of nearby lodgings to choose from, your time near the water is sure to be memorable.

Branson Lakeside Condo Rentals

Located right on the waterfront, Branson Lakeside Condo Rentals provide stunning views and easy access to all the activities on Table Rock Lake. Fish during the day, then take a cruise around the lake on the Showboat Branson Belle, then come home to one of the lodgings well-appointed units. Each condo features 2 bedrooms and 2 baths in 1,200 square feet as well amenities including open living and dining areas, gourmet kitchens and electric fireplaces.

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