Mobissimo

The earth is not getting any bigger and the places that are 'unexplored' are fewer and fewer.  Parts of the former Soviet Union are figuring out ways to make money and yes, they are reshaping themselves into tourist destinations.  Enter Kyrgyzstan, mountains, lakes, cheap.  Read more here via Travelbite.

Kyrgyzstan is the perfect off-the-beaten-track adventure holiday destination with stunning scenery and hospitable people. Here are the top five adventure activities recommended by travelbite.co.uk for a great holiday in Kyrgyzstan...

Virgin Airlines seems to like dwelling on the sexy theme.  From the youngish models in their ads, to the omnipresent 'fun and irreverent' attitude the airline wants to convey, Virgin espouses the swashbuckling persona of its leader Sir Richard Branson.  As part of its message to hook up and fly, Virgin is offering inflight texting capability.  More here via Budget Travel.

If its ad campaigns are any indication, Virgin America has big plans for its in-flight instant messaging service. The airline is apparently convinced that passengers will while away the hours gossiping, discussing breaking news, sharing musical recommendations—and, of course, finding true love only a few (previously inaccessible) aisles away.

Croatia has been a new destination for those seeking pristine beaches and good value.  So much of the Balkans is beautiful, but unfortunately inaccessible because of strife.  Bosnia-Herzegovina has experienced the growing pains of an emerging Balkan nation and is moving well into becoming a worthwhile travel destination.  Read more here via CNN.

 (Tribune Media Services) -- These days Croatia's Dalmatian Coast is inundated with tourists -- and understandably so. But after a visit to Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," I'm in the mood for a good Balkan adventure and decide to drive directly inland ... to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

While most of Europe is doing away with border formalities, just the opposite seems to be the case in this part of Europe -- a new set of borders pop up each year. The border station between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina feels like the bleak frontier post between two nations that less than two decades ago were at war. It also feels like the gateway to the perfect antidote to Dubrovnik's tourist crowds.

Flying first class is expensive, no doubt. I've flown Lufthansa and Thai and can attest to their special service. On a connection from Geneva to the states via Frankfurt, a Benz was waiting for me on the tarmac to take me to my LH flight back to the states in Frankfurt. Small touch, but so, as Ron Burgundy would say, 'classy.' Regardless of the service, airline food, at least to me remains horrible. It's not really cooked, it's just reheated, and those cookies you smell are just heated as well. I would rather see Inga back the in the galley making them from scratch, but whatever, I always bring my own food anyway. Food is also getting an upgrade as top flight chefs and sommeliers are making the airlines the new battle ground. More here via CNN.

(AP) -- First-class airline passengers can say goodbye to mystery meat.

Prepared airplane meals are on display at the Delta Air Lines Gate Gourmet facility in Erlanger, Kentucky.

While complimentary meals have all but disappeared for most coach flights, there's a whole new culinary landscape for first class. In the latest effort to lure customers and create buzz, airlines are serving up gourmet menus cooked up by celebrity chefs.

Travelers flying to South America or Japan on United Airlines can feast on award-winning chef Charlie Trotter's appetizer of sauteed prawns and crispy short rib wontons with organic Thai barbecue sauce and chilled sweet-and-sour cucumber relish. Going to Europe on American Airlines? Try the rosemary-scented shrimp drizzled with garlic sauce and served with lemon rice and artichokes.

I like this idea, good thing actually.  Wikis are getting much press for their ability to offer 'unbiased' information about a subject because of the moderation.  Travel wikis can be a huge asset, travelers can chime in on what they like and don't like.  While on paper this sounds great, let's wait a bit, one person's Shangri-La could be another's Detroit.  Read more here via a travel wiki Travellerspoint.

We first discussed the idea for Travellerspoint in a MSN Messenger session in the middle of 2002, while Samuel was living in the Netherlands and Peter was living in Australia. What started as a mere discussion turned into serious planning: just three months later we launched Travellerspoint. Amazed, we found our humble little website turning into a rapidly growing travel community, getting great reviews and attracting thousands of new members.

Don't know if it is really possible.  After all, sitting in a metal tube at 35k feet and eating food that's been cooked 2 weeks ago is not natural.  Sitting in a chair, any chair for over 2 hours is not natural either.  But alas, designers are looking out for your lumbar, more here via Wired.

Some refer to it as economy class syndrome. To others it's know as a coach class clot. But whatever you call it, sitting squeezed into an airplane seat until you develop deep vein thrombosis is no way to die. And that's why this strange new seat is worth checking out.

The Cozy Suite (sort of a cheesy name, we know) is a staggered seat configuration designed to give passengers a better shot at getting some shut-eye during their flight. Delta just put in a big order for the seats, and surprisingly, plans to install them in the often overlooked coach class cabin.

Oceanfront hotels are a dime a dozen, from that modified shack I stayed in Sihanoukville in Cambodia to my villa in Cap D'Ail on the Cote d'Azur, they can be anything and everything.  Here's a great list of 20 top hotels that may pique your interest, more here via the Guardian UK.

Villa Val Des Roses, Cap D'antibes, France

You could drive here, park the car and not touch it until you leave: a sandy beach with a view to old Antibes is a minute away, the old town and market 10 minutes. Brothers Frederik and Filip are Flemish, in their twenties and found the Val des Roses after searching for the 'perfect place'. They put on an excellent breakfast, which you can have in your room, on the terrace or by the pool. The gracious white house is enclosed in its garden by high walls in a quiet little road. Fabrics and walls are mostly white, cool and tranquil.

This is a tough one, first MaxJet, now EOS.  The remaining business class only airlines out there have a chance, but it looks grim.  With the economic turn, fuel prices at an all-time high, and severe inherent competition from the majors, the business class only model really can only be sustained in a bull market.  More here Reuters.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eos Airlines, which offers business class flights between New York and London, said it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, becoming the latest carrier to fail in the face of record fuel prices and a softening economy.

Eos said it would stop operations entirely on April 27, cutting most of its work force.

Eos joins a number of other carriers to shut down in recent weeks, including Aloha Airlines, Champion Air, ATA Airlines, Skybus Airlines.

So, New York is full of really, really good looking people.  Fashion capital of the world?  Well, dunno if I'd go that far, but the banners around town seem to be trying to push this.  But then again, that would mean - from the banners - that New York is the finance capital, the culture capital, the culinary capital ...  Here's something via NY Magazine about a certain marketing campaign aimed squarely at vanity.

Have you met 9-a yet? Tousle-haired, drives a black BMW, does Vinyasa on the roof every morning? Never got his name—Stefan, maybe? Works in hedge funds. He has this killer apartment in District, that new building on Ann Street. Thursdays, he has his buddies over for single malts in the billiards room. Shops at Prada, spends Saturdays gallery-hopping in Chelsea. Dinners at the Spotted Pig, nightcaps at the Bowery Hotel. He’d be a catch if he were ready to settle down.

Well, travel can be time consuming and often you can spend a good afternoon researching fares.  Mobissimo helps you cut through this, but we don't mind you spending time on the site, in fact, we encourage it.  Travel sites are now being blocked by employers because they do take up time and decrease productivity.  I mean, you should be focusing on growing your business, doing some competitor research, and figuring out your own market instead of planning your vacation travel, true?  More here via VNUnet.com.

Companies that limit employee use of the internet are more likely to block travel and social networking sites than porn sites, according to a report released today at Infosec Europe 2008.

A survey of 300 UK companies found that travel and social networking topped the league of blocked sites, with personal webmail not far behind.

Prominent blogger Sramana Mitra has featured Mobissimo in a recent post.  Yes, Mobissimo.  Discussed were diverse topics like astonomy (stars!), Mobissimo's competitors being acquired, market growth, and a potential exit?  Read more here via the blog.

SM: What are your thoughts in terms of a potential exit?

BT: I am not too focused on the exit. We are building a strong company and brand in a growing market, so the vision and execution is what we focus on the most. I spend my time working to improve Mobissimo, whether through its technology, new partnership opportunities, or new ways to reach travelers and prospective users.

The market condition in the travel industry gives us many opportunities. Mobissimo is not a “feature”, but a standalone company, thus we could go public if revenues and financial climate where permitting. We are also one of the best types of partners to have for companies that want to grow and that need international expertise in content, contacts and marketing.

The things to do for Earth Day are varied, 22 April, I think that the primary day for PA, so obviously an important day politically.  There are a myriad of things to do on the 22nd of April, find something in your neighbourhood and make a difference.  More here via Planet Love.

Earth Day 2008 is just around the corner. Join the global celebration for a healthy planet!

On April 22, 1970, 20 million people celebrated the first Earth Day, the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson, one of the most environmentally aware men to ever grace the United States Senate floor.

Senator Nelson observed “teach-ins” on college campuses against the Vietnam War, and believed the same approach could work to bring environmental concerns to the forefront of American politics. He announced his idea during a speech in Seattle, Washington in 1969.

I've been to San Sebastian probably around 10-12 times now.  A usual stop for me in the summer, San Sebastian is always a welcome respite from the heat of Spain, the crowds of Italy, and the food of the UK.  A convenient stop from Paris to Madrid, San Sebastian is a worthwhile stop, one visit and you'll 1) never leave 2) plan your next trip back 3) find every excuse to visit again.  I'm not the only one who believes such, here's more via New York Magazine.

Unlike other beautiful, dramatic coastal regions in Spain and France, Basque country has always maintained a certain mystery. There’s the incomprehensible language, full of p’s, x’s and k’s, of course, and the four-decade menace of the violent separatist group ETA. But against that there’s a strong, sophisticated culture that’s retained its own identity, even in the face of increased EU-ization. Now ETA has declared a cease-fire, Basque chefs are setting world standards for adventurous food, days are balmy but breezy, and the European hordes haven’t yet overtaken the beaches—so it’s the perfect time to spend four or five days in the region’s cultural epicenter, San Sebastián.

Ahh, spring in NY.  That means, the wind, the taking down of those hideous weather guards around restos, and of course, the Tribeca Film Festival.  A good time to visit between a rather mild winter this year (usually way rougher) and the fairly oppressive summers.  Nine films to watch, although there will be many more, more here via NY Magazine.

The Tribeca Film Festival is back—and slowly learning from its many mistakes. After raising ticket prices to $18 last year, the fest will settle for a slightly better $15 (and less). After spreading itself too thin, it will cluster most of its screenings in Tribeca and around Union Square. Most important, the bloated festival has once again trimmed its often-spotty lineup, from its peak of almost 200 features to a mere 120. But are they any good? Well, we’ve seen more than half of the festival’s films and found at least nine sure bets. Tickets go on sale April 19.