Does an underwater hotel room seem impossible? Not if an undersea restaurant exists first! The world's first underwater restaurant is converting its dining facilities into a bedroom suite to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The 270-degree panoramic views of the Indian Ocean are a special feature of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in The Maldives.
Dining | International | News
Travelers have begun to get back on schedule as the Iceland volcano ash disperses to levels that authorities deem safe. Since last week's Iceland volcano eruption spewed massive amounts of ash into the sky and made it unsafe for planes to fly over most of Northern Europe, airlines have suffered debilitating losses and stranded millions. Britain opened most of its air space late Tuesday evening, and air space over the majority of Europe opened Wednesday.
Ash from another Iceland volcano eruption has caused massive airplane flight cancellations across northern Europe. The enormous ash cloud is capable of knocking out jet engines, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded on six continents. While Iceland tourism quickly benefitted from the spectacular site, it is now causing the largest disruption in standard travel operations since the 2001 terrorist attacks.
International | News | OMG
Let's take a closer look at the world's largest model train in honor of National Train Day that is coming up on May 8. Miniatur Wunderland is a permanent exhibit in Northern Germany that has been growing since 2001. After inspiration from a visit to Zurich, Frederik Braun enlisted the help of his twin brother Gerrit to realize his childhood dream: to build the largest model railway in the world. After technical and economic consideration, the two began to construct what is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany.
Events | International | OMG
Bangkok protests have turned violent and deadly after nearly a month of peaceful opposition. An anti-government group called the "Red Shirts" has been camping outside the capital; they are calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down, with a new election as the ultimate goal. On Saturday, the protestors rebelled against a military attempt to disperse them. Over 20 people have been reported dead and nearly 900 wounded.
Nothing boosts Iceland tourism like a volcanic eruption! Two weeks ago, a volcano that has been dormant for 200 years erupted in southern Iceland. Officials on a travel and tourism board couldn't have come up with a better advertising campaign to draw visitors to the area. Despite the fact that a second fissure has occurred since the initial eruption, tourists and hikers are flocking to the area.
International | News | OMG
Different kinds of travelers are drawn to Costa Rica. While some prefer to be pampered with luxurious accommodations, others want to experience the rugged surfer culture prevalent in this Central American country. Luckily, it's easy to find just what you're looking for to ensure an unforgettable vacation full of new experiences, lively entertainment, and an alternative to city life.
What's your ultimate dream job? Runaway Bride and Groom, an Irish travel agency, is billing a new contest as just that--the Ultimate Job in Ireland. In honor of the launch of its new wedding and honeymoon website, the company is teaming up with The Irish Times to find a couple to sample the best wedding and honeymoon destinations around the world.
Contests | International | OMG
The U.S. State Department has assigned "Passport Day in the USA" to Saturday, March 27. Although it may not be as exciting as "Talk like a Pirate Day," the day creates an open invitation for U.S. citizens to start the process of getting a passport. Twenty-three passport agencies around the country will be open from 10 AM to 3 PM to accept passport applications without a previous appointment.
Events | International | News
Photo Credit: J. Stephen Conn
A Mexico travel advisory has been issued due to increased drug violence in the country. Three recent murders on the Texas-Mexico border of those with ties to the U.S. Consulate have prompted the warning. U.S. Consulate employee, Lesley Enriquez, and her husband Arthur Redelfs were both shot to death in their car while driving from Ciudad Juarez to their home in El Paso. The couple's six-month-old baby survived the shooting.
While it is not certain if the couple was caught in cartel cross-fire or if they were targeted because of Enriquez's political status, 50 other drug-gang violence deaths occurred in Mexico over the weekend. Although this is one of the biggest seasons for travel to Mexico, U.S. residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to border towns.
