Mobissimo Blog

College Towns to Visit Without Homework? College Towns Offer More than Classwork

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:52:24 -0800

There are many colleges and universities around the country, many in big cities, but many also in charming, rural towns. Either way, there is something for everyone, perhaps a visit to a college town should be on your list.

Burlington, Vermont (Travel + Leisure) -- On a recent afternoon along Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, young aspiring actors recited passages from Shakespeare's Henry V as jugglers, break-dancers, and blowers of didgeridoos displayed their skills nearby, creating a visual and aural cacophony. Just another day in a thriving college town -- this one happening to be home to the University of Vermont.

Ski Season May be Grim this Year - Economy Still Weighing on Skiers

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:59:44 -0800

This year may be another cold ski season, and not just the snow. It has been a tough year for the economy around the world, but recovery is on the way, will it be so for the ski industry?

The outlook for skiing in 2009/10 remains uncertain for skiers and the ski business alike. Despite last seasons excellent snow conditions, the feelgood factor has yet to transfer to the forthcoming season, and operators are bracing themselves for a tough season.

Panic over the health of the global economy gave skiers more immediate things to worry about than booking holidays to the Alps. In the peak period for booking ski holidays, from September to November, consumers held back on discretionary purchases.

Sleep in a GeoThermal Plant - Germans Converts Former Plant into Hotel

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:40:56 -0800

A new hotel concept is not easy, but really any large building can be converted into one. So in Bonn, the builders converted a geothermal plant into a luxury hotel.

Kameha Grand Bonn is an ecological lifestyle and design hotel located on the banks of the Rhine near the city center with a picturesque view of the Siebengebirge mountain range. This newly built property redefines service, and offers color, warmth and atmosphere while serving as a contemporary, forward-looking take on the classic grand hotel. Interiors were designed by Marcel Wanders, with guest rooms that feel open and generous, and are appointed with luxurious furnishings and cutting-edge technology.

United Airlines Loses Guitar Singer's Bags, Again - Not the Best Person to Upset

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:27:51 -0800

United Airlines broke a passenger's guitar a while back and he took matters into his own hands, singing about it YouTube, causing a PR fiasco for United. He was en route to talk about customer service when United lost his luggage.

After famously breaking his guitar, United Airlines has managed to cause further trouble for David Carroll by losing his luggage just as the Canadian singer-songwriter was en route to deliver a speech about customer service.

RightNow Technologies, a company that creates customer service software, had hired Carroll to deliver a keynote speech this week at its conference in Colorado Springs, about 100 kilometres southeast of Denver.

Graveyard Tourism - See History, Culture, Architecture in Cemeteries Around the World

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:49:08 -0800

Cemeteries can morbid, but also strangely beautiful. Many have visited Pere Lachaise to see the resting place of Jim Morrison, but there are many more to visit and experience around the world.

He's chipped his way through more than a foot of snow and ice to get to Ernest Hemingway. He's walked right up to Al Capone and Karl Marx. He's dragged his mom to visit the infamous cannibal Alferd Packer and just came back from seeing Farrah Fawcett.

He is Jim Tipton, founder of Find a Grave, a free online database of burial sites for the famous and otherwise around the globe.

Mexico Pounded by Economic Downturn - Deals Abound South of the Border

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:47:03 -0700

Yes, travel often gets hit hard during any economic downturn. But if you want a quick, cheap trip, Mexico deals abound. Read more here.

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico During a visit to San Diego in April, Pratik and Priti Chavda thought they'd slip over the border into Tijuana just to do a little shopping, have a quick meal and say they had made it to Mexico. But upon hearing the plan, staffers at their hotel sounded the alarm.

Last United 737 Retired - The End of a Long Era of Boeing 737s

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:17:38 -0700

Airplanes really haven't changed much in the past 50 years. The Boeing 737 is one of the first of the modern passenger jets, now, on its last legs as a viable commercial jet.

United was an early customer of the 737, taking delivery of its first one in 1968. The plane that flew on Wednesday was delivered in 1988.

United began phasing out the decades-old planes last year as fuel prices spiked. Fuel prices have come back down somewhat since then, but United is still shrinking its fleet because demand is lower.

Massive AirTran Fare Sale - All Destinations on Sale, Check Out Best Prices to Your Destination

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:15:13 -0700

Our friends at AirTran are having another airfare sale, check out more here.

Ghost Hunting as a Pastime - Read More Here for Expert Advice on Ghost Hunting Destinations

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:34:09 -0700

In light of Halloween coming up, here's a little bit about ghost hunting and where to go.

"Nighttime is good for ghost-hunting because the absence of noise, people, and other distractions of the day helps your sixth sense stay in tune with your environment. That said, any time can be good, depending on who's doing the haunting. The elderly lady who haunts my home, for example, knocks on the walls throughout the day but stays quiet at night, unless we've done something to upset her, such as running the vacuum too late. In that case, she knocks loudly and often, as if to keep us awake as payback." -- Garret Moffett, who leads Springfield Walks' ghost tours and wrote "Lincoln's Ghost: Legends & Lore"

Sail the South Seas Like a Pirate - Komodo to Bali Aboard Your Own Private Yacht

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:55:02 -0700

Luxury travel has always been the holy grail. Hotels, private jets, sumptuous dinners, it is all part of the plan. Bespoke travel plans are now the new thing and now you can sail in the south Pacific like the pirates.

Fly from Bali to Flores island, then cruise back leisurely over 7-9 days on your private yacht via Komodo National Park, Sumbawa, Moyo, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Charter a serious diving vessel (and earn your PADI license!) that doubles as a serious dining yacht, with a well-stocked wine cellar and a talented personal chef who can prepare excellent Indonesian and western cuisine. Climb stunning volcanos, hike through emerald rice paddies, enjoy some of the world's finest snorkeling and diving amongst colorful coral and tropical fish.

High Speed Trains from Barcelona to Madrid - Around 3 hours from City Center to City Center

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:52:28 -0700

No doubt low cost airlines are great, but for intra-country travel especially in Europe, trains are still the best way. Going from city center to city center saves time and these ultra fast and luxury trains do the job.

Minutes after leaving Barcelona Sants Station at 9:30 a.m., where platforms 1 to 6 have been converted from Spanish-gauge to European-gauge, you feel your Siemens Valero E AVE S-103 train begin a smooth transit from 92 mph to 186 mph, according to the speedometer inside the carriage.
An entrance to Barcelonas Sagrada Familia is dwarfed by the four towers of the Nativity Façade. Photos: Brunhouse

The shiny new rails of the eagerly awaited high-speed line connecting Madrid and Barcelona opened on Feb. 20, 2008.

Toronto Canada Getaways - Visit the Pearl of the North for an Incredible Vacation

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:03:21 -0700

Weekend getaways to Toronto start from only $99 per night*. Fine dining, world famous culture, museums, galleries, night life, theatre, and much more await you in Toronto, click here to learn more and this amazing destination.

*For more information please click here.

London Heathrow the Worst Airport on the World? Frequent Travelers Vote

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:46:00 -0700

Upon deplaning in London Heathrow, you are subject to the endless line at customs. Upon leaving Heathrow, you are subject to massive lines in security. Are there any good things about Heathrow? Apparently not, as it was voted the worst airport in the world.

BAA owned London Heathrow Airport has been voted the worst in the world by a poll of 14,500 frequent travellers.

The survey - which was carried out among members of Priority Pass airport lounge programme - included responses from travellers in 160 countries.

Its a repeat of last years result in the same survey, when Heathrow was still reeling from the "debacle" of the T5 opening, and it appears that the airport has failed to shrug off its global reputation as the one to avoid.

Halogen Guides - Your Guides to Fine Living Around the World

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:04:07 -0700

When you reach a certain level, the Lonely Planet doesn't cut it anymore and the youth hostel isn't your best best, enter Halogen Guides for the next step in your life.

Destination clubs grant you access to a portfolio of luxury homes in coveted vacation spots around the world. Destination clubs are like a network of five-star hotel suites, but with more bedrooms. Or a collection of luxury second homes, without the mortgages.

Iceland - Land of Fire and Ice - Experience Iceland and Glacier Trekking on a Budget

blog@mobissimo.com (Mobissimo) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:16:16 -0700

Iceland has always been a far off destination, but now it is very inexpensive to visit. And to recreate. Glacier trekking is the latest activity to get you outdoors.

Vatnajökull glacier and Skaftafell are jewels of the mountainous crown of Iceland. Amazing glacier hikes, incredible mountains and inspiring, unforgettable glacier lagoons. If you are on the hunt for memories and pictures that last a lifetime then Skaftafell is the place for you!