Couch Surfing--Seeing The World One Sofa At A Time

Have wanderlust, but a travelbust budget? Try couch-surfing, the best way to bring your hotel costs down to $0. Coachsurfing is an honest to goodness international nonprofit network that connects hosts willing to share their couches with world travelers. Not only does it save big bucks in hotel costs, but it helps develop one-on-one friendships around the world.

Sounds risky, you think? Well, members are verified and can vouch for each other. And references are left on the site. If you trash someone's couch, well then everyone is going to know about it. You can sign up as either a host or a surfer or both. According to the sites TOS, you are not allowed to make money from the process, but a surfer may want to buy the host a gift or a meal, or do something nice like help clean the house.

The top 10 couch surfing countries are United States, Germany, France, Canada, England, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and China. The topc 10 couch surfing cities are Paris, London, Berlin, Istanbul, Montreal, Vienna, Buenos Aires, Melbourne, New York, and Barcelona. Couch surfers range in age from 18 to 89.
Check it out here.

500 days and counting: London 2012 Olympic tickets on sale today

The Olympics are never a budget travel proposition, but many people including me have a fascination with the games and hope to go someday. For those wanting to attend the London 2012 Games, tickets went on sale today. Order here. Ticket prices range from $44 to more than $3000, but never fear, supposedly there are some free viewing areas for the marathons and the cyling part of the triathlon.

Tickets are on sale until April 26 and are not processed until that time, so are not first-come, first-served. Events that are over-subscribed will be handled by random ballot. And if you go, don't forget to take your Visa card!

Cruises: thumbs up or thumbs down?

Despite many people saying they don't like cruises, the number of people sailing keeps multiplying. For those who haven't cruised in a long time, you might want to try one again. Even the cheap rooms are nice now, and not the prison cells of yesteryear. It is an easy way to travel and see multiple ports. It is just one way to travel that you might want to put in your repetoire.

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-28/travel/cruise.ship.divide_1_wave-season-cruise-travel-agent?_s=PM:TRAVEL

Why Americans Don't Travel Abroad

Only about 30 percent of U.S. citizens have passports, a number way too low for such a rich country.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/04/americans.travel.domestically/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Love Letter To The Gulf

The oil spill is so sad for many reasons--environmental, economic, and just plain emotional.

Many of us have never lived along the gulf, but have vacationed over the years at the beaches with the world's whitest sand and feel it to be ours.

Waiting is hard--no one knows yet how bad the oil is going to be if and when it does reach Destin and surrounding beaches. It could happen at any minute. It has already reached Pensacola. TV reports show tarballs on the beach there, but people enjoying themselves anyway. I guess that could change tomorrow.

Also hard is knowing that those who live there are going to be negatively impacted economically, amounting to a double whammy in this already tenuous economic time.

Dear Gulf, I wish I were there now. I miss your white sand, your clear, sparkling water, invigorating sea air, your seashells, your seagulls, and yes even your occasional seaweed and, gulp, jellyfish. The dolphins in the morning and late afternoon. Your calm demeanor, but also your very strong waves when storms kick up. Hoping things stay this way. Sending good thoughts your direction; we'll keep a vigil. And we won't buy BP gas.

Follow this link to read a wonderful CNN iReport titled "Dear Gulf, I'll Miss You," written a few weeks ago. The author, a local, fears the region will never be the same.

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-439533?hpt=C2

Vacationers Sued Over Negative Online Hotel Review

If you have a negative experience at a vacation spot, you might want to think twice before posting a negative review online. The link below talks about a Murfreesboro, TN man who posted a negative vacation condo review online and may be sued for $15,000. He says he had a crappy hotel experience; the owner denies his allegations and says it cost her a lot of business.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation, but the internet is still considered the wild wild west when it comes to these kind of issues. First amendment advocates are afraid this will chill speech of those with valid complaints. There is sure to be litigation from both sides on these issues.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100516/NEWS01/5160350/Online+review+of+condo+triggers+libel+suit+against+Murfreesboro+man

Gaylord Opryland Hotel Flooded

Nashville's largest hotel, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, closed its doors temporarily because of the recent flood in Nashville. Guests were safely evacuated to a local high school before water from the nearby Cumberland River inundated the hotel, rising as high as 10 feet inside. Company executives expect the hotel to reopen in about six months.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfL5j9ckcyo