NOAA has updated its 72 hour forecast of where the oil spill is headed. The government agency forecasts that the oil will be heading north-eastward, away from Florida beaches. In fact, the 72 hour forecast states "winds are forecast to be persistently from the SE throughout the week".  This means that the massive oil slick is headed to the NE.  This is terrible news for the fisherman and residents of Louisianna where it looks like more oil will come onshore.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.  The good news for businesses, residents and tourists to NorthWest Florida is that the oil is moving away from us and the beaches are open and clear. To date, no tarballs have washed ashore and there is no odor or oil on the Florida beaches.  Please consider supporting our local businesses by coming to visit.  You can find great deals for this coming weekend in Destin, Ft. Walton, or Panama City. Make your reservation today.

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.

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The on-going Cancun Underwater Museum project is an attempt to preserve the area's natural coral reefs. Construction of the world's largest underwater sculpture park began last November when the first three sculptures were meticulous sunk in place. Cancun attracts over 700,00 visitors annually, and the first three sculptures have already sparked the interest of tourists. The area is now blooming with beautiful and colorful corals.

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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.

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Finding awesome theme park deals can turn a boring weekend into a special adventure where you spend quality time with your family. Cedar Fair Entertainment is making it easy for you to do just that. The company owns a number of North American theme parks and their 2010 Platinum Pass is an affordable way to bring your inner-circle to all the fun. Year-long passes are $160 for adults and $90 for children and seniors.

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The third annual cactus naming contest is underway at The Boulder Resort and Golden Door Spa. From March 29 – June 1, the "Name the Cactus" contest is open to the public. Do you have a name for your car? Your computer? Your iPod? Why not name a cactus and possibly win some awesome vacation prizes! It's easy to enter and winners are chosen based on creativity and originality.

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A test flight of a solar plane took place for the first time on Wednesday. Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard debuted the prototype for the invention. Four propellers lifted the plane off of the ground and it was in the air for just under one and a half hours.  The purpose of the test was to see if the massive craft could keep a straight trajectory. Piccard and his team plan to fly the plan around the world in 2012.

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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.

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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.

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Sarah Palin is adding a new title to her resume: reality television show host. The former vice-presidential candidate has a deal with the Discovery Channel to host a new series called Sarah Palin's Alaska. Focusing on culture, locals, and attractions, the 49th state's former governor will spotlight Alaska's hot spots (even though the state is widely-known for its cold weather).

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