Travel observer

If you want your sheets changed daily, your breakfast delivered to your room or even the reassurance of knowing the toilet has been sanitized, you may be a candidate for an overnight stay in one of the 48,000 properties that populate the U.S. lodgings landscape
But hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts aren't for everyone, especially in these economic times when a seven-day stay can cost four figures.
That factor coupled with the growth of the Read the rest of this entry »

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," by Duncan O'Brien (2008, hardcover, 284 pages, $65 through the publisher): When it comes to ocean liners and San Francisco, the name Matson still evokes the romance and wonder from the golden age of pre-airline Pacific voyages. To experience Hawaii on a Matson cruise was the height of luxury travel - and in some cases the only travel - to the (then) truly exotic and foreign world of Waikiki.
In what obviously is a very personal labor of love, Read the rest of this entry »

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MANILA, Philippines -
Remittances barely budged in September compared to the previous month but year-to-date figures remained high despite the global economic slowdown, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.
Central bank data showed that remittances through banks rose 16.9 percent to $1.333 billion in September compared to the same month last year. It was almost flat compared to the $1.332 billion sent in August.
This brings the total inflow Read the rest of this entry »

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Five hotels earned five stars and three spas earned five stars. They are the Peninsula Hong Kong, the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, The Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, the Wynn Macau, The Mandarin Spa, The Peninsula Spa by ESPA and the Spa at Wynn Macau.
The guide offers descriptions of all properties that earned star ratings from Mobil in the Asian island nations, as well as information on cultural attractions, suggested Read the rest of this entry »

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By Eric Talmadge, Associated Press
TOKYO — Paris might still be good if you've got a big wad of cash and want the best of the best. But this is really where it's at food-wise, at least according to the French people who keep track of these things.
When the venerable Michelin guide came out with its first Tokyo edition, it was so full of praise that it almost read like a press release for the Japan Restaurant Association. Its conclusion: Read the rest of this entry »

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If Mats Sundin decides to resume his NHL career this season, he won't limit his options to Stanley Cup contenders.
A source close to Sundin said yesterday the 37-year-old free-agent centre still has strong interest in returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 14th season.
Sundin has been intrigued by the Leafs' youth movement and new head coach Ron Wilson's system, and will keep a watchful eye on how the team develops over the next few weeks.
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While Horizon is not immune to the problems facing the airline industry and continues to tinker with its schedule, Santa Rosa has become a bright spot for the regional carrier.
In August, its Sonoma County flights were 80 percent full, compared with 78 percent for the airline’s entire network.
“We’re very happy with our Sonoma County expansion,” said Dan Russo, marketing director for the Seattle-based carrier.
In June, more than 22,000 passengers Read the rest of this entry »

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Fares listed are each way. Purchase is required by Sept. 16, 2008 for
travel through Nov. 19, 2008.*

To/from Denver:
Akron $119
Albuquerque $59
Aspen $79
Atlanta $124
Austin Read the rest of this entry »

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