World's first Barbie restaurant opens

(CNN) -- Taiwan. Home to the first Hello Kitty-themed caf, Hello Kitty-themed airplanes and now -- taking cute perhaps one step too far -- the world's first Barbie-themed restaurant.

Licensed by U.S. toymaker Mattel, Taiwan restaurant company Sinlaku on Wednesday opened the Barbie Caf on Zhongxiao road, one of the busiest shopping districts in the capital, Taipei.

The caf's decoration, costing TW$50 million (US$1.7 million), is mostly in suitably Barbie-style magenta and pink.

The furniture couldn't be more princess-y -- bar tables look like the heel of a stiletto, chair backs resemble bustiers (some with a tutu) and chandeliers are shaped like elegant teapots and teacups with saucers. Barbie dolls and logos adorn walls and tabletops.

The restaurant also has a gigantic Barbie box allowing customers to step in and feel like a packaged up, life-size Barbie.

Waitresses wear tutus and tiaras while their male counterparts try, mostly in vain, to look like Ken, Barbie's on-off squeeze.

Barbie's abnormally, and anatomically-challenging, slim figure may diminish some appetites. With that in mind, the restaurant menu has been designed by professional nutritionists, local media reported (Chinese). There's a calorie chart on the first page of the menu, with calorie data listed alongside each item.

The menu itself is a hodgepodge of offerings, including Chicken toast box, Hazelnut tiramisu, Macaroons in martini glasses, Philadelphia steak salad, Salmon beauty salad and Barbie 128 (a pink drink named after the caf's address). You can find photos of some menu items on this Chinese-language blog post.

Sinlaku is planning a second Barbie Caf in the central Taiwan city of Taichung and aims to introduce one in Shanghai, Wu ke-jing, the general manager of Sinlaku, said in a local media report on Chinatimes (Trad. Chinese only).

Sinlaku also operates a Hello Kitty-themed caf in Taipei, which opened five years ago. The Hello Kitty restaurant is slightly more expensive than Barbie Caf with mains from TW$400 (US$14) compared to Barbie Caf's mains from TW$250 (US$8). You can read our review of the Hello Kitty restaurant below.

Please, if you have visited the Barbie Caf let us know your experience.

Hello Kitty restaurant is terribly cute and its food is just terrible

Barbie Caf, 2F, 128, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road

Via: World's first Barbie restaurant opens

Touring Jane Austen's England

Have you visited any of these spots, or do you have any suggestions for must-see Austen locations? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below.

London (CNN) -- Jane Austen is one of the English language's best-known and most-loved writers. Celebrate the 200th anniversary of her most popular book, "Pride and Prejudice," with a tour of some of the key locations in her life and works -- and in the big-screen adaptations they inspired.

Film and TV locations

The location every "Pride and Prejudice" fan wants to visit is, of course, Pemberley -- "a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills," as Austen describes it.

Just where to look for the house and grounds (and whether you're also looking for that all important lake, of course) depends which adaptation you favor: The 1995 TV version was filmed at Lyme Park in Cheshire (exterior scenes), and Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire (interior scenes).

For many readers and viewers, the house which best corresponds to the Pemberley of their imagination is Chatsworth, in Derbyshire.

Pride and Prejudice turns 200

In the 2005 film, it is Chatsworth Keira Knightley that is referring to when she jokes that her love for Darcy dates from her "first seeing his grounds at Pemberley," but Austen expert Janet Todd, of Cambridge University's Lucy Cavendish College, says this is a mistake.

"The great houses we see in the TV and film versions of 'Pride and Prejudice' are too great," she insists, arguing that by imagining the action of Jane Austen's novels taking place in such grand houses, we change their tone.

"Darcy is not the Duke of Devonshire [the owner of Chatsworth]; the owner of Chatsworth would not be seen at the Meryton Ball. Austen's stories are those of the middle class, the gentry, and not the upper class, the aristocracy."

Other locations to feature in the 2005 film include Burgley, and the village of Stamford in Lincolnshire; Haddon Hall in Derbyshire (which also features in three versions of "Jane Eyre," "The Princess Bride" and "The Other Boleyn Girl"); and Groombridge Place in Kent (which also has links to Arthur Conan Doyle, and Sherlock Holmes) which doubles for the Bennets' home, Longbourn.

In the 1995 adaptation, the village of Lacock in Wiltshire stands in for Meryton, while nearby Luckington Court, in the Cotswolds, plays the part of Longbourn; scenes at Rosings, the imposing stately home of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, were shot at Belton House in Lincolnshire.

Bath

Bath is the city perhaps most closely associated with Jane Austen; it features prominently in two of her novels ('Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion'), and she lived here with her family from 1801 to 1806.

In the Georgian era, it was a fashionable spa town, where the well-to-do came to 'take the waters' -- and to see and be seen, at the Assembly Rooms, the Pump Room, and the theater.

Today, much of the city's Georgian architecture remains, making it almost as popular with film and TV crews making costume dramas as it is with tourists.

Austen fans can visit the Jane Austen Centre, take the waters -- and then take their taste away with tea at the Pump Room -- and wander the streets that the novelist herself walked down: Royal Crescent, The Circus, Gay Street, Queen Square and Sydney Place, where Austen lived at Number 4.

"Parts of the city look the same as they did in Jane Austen's day," explains David Lassman, of the Jane Austen Centre, "So visitors can see the same buildings she saw, get a sense of what it was like in her day, and walk in her footsteps."

VisitBath, the local tourism office, offers a free audio tour, "In the footsteps of Jane Austen" and there is also a Jane Austen Tour of Bath iPhone app, guiding visitors around the city using photos, paintings, Regency music and quotes from her work and letters.

Hampshire

Jane Austen was born and brought up in the Hampshire village of Steventon, where her father was the local vicar. Her birthplace, the rectory, no longer exists, but there are several memorials to Austen in St Nicholas' Church, including a weathervane in the shape of a pen.

Austen spent the last eight years of her life at Chawton, and it was here, in the red brick cottage where she lived with her mother and sister that she revised her earlier works for publication, and wrote "Mansfield Park," "Emma" and "Persuasion."

The cottage is now a museum of Austen's life and work, home to family portraits, manuscripts, and the table at which she wrote some of her most famous work.

In 1817, Austen became ill, and was persuaded to travel to Winchester to be close to her doctor; she stayed in a house in College Street (now marked with a plaque), and died there on July 18, 1817, aged 41.

She was buried in the north aisle of Winchester Cathedral; her gravestone makes no mention of her career as a writer, instead reading: "The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temper and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her and the warmest love of her intimate connections."

A brass tablet recognizing her literary talents was added in 1872, and her final resting place was celebrated in a poem by Rudyard Kipling: "Jane lies in Winchester, blessed be her shade! Praise the Lord for making her, and her for all she made."

Have you visited any of these spots, or do you have any suggestions for must-see Austen locations? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below.

Via: Touring Jane Austen's England

Best new mountain resorts

(CNN) -- About three-thousand feet above sea level, fleece-clad guests sit fireside sipping glasses of Burgundy from the chalet owner's private vineyard. But this isn't St. Moritz. Down the hall is a stone-and-oak onsen for aprs-ski muscle soaking. Welcome to the Kimamaya Boutique Hotel on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, an increasingly chic ski destination.

Kimamaya is one example of how the latest ski resorts are trending toward high design and popping up in some unexpected places. Such new resorts in Norway, Japan and Austria's Tyrol region have begun to attract an off-the-beaten-trail set. They have enough varied amenities to appeal to all, especially non-skiers who were previously dragged into the cold by their ski-enthusiast friends and family.

Travelers can expect mountain retreats with designer furniture, original art on the walls and top chefs brought in from cities to give the cheese-and-potato ski cuisine a makeover. And, naturally, some ski-specific perks: better ski-in, ski-out access, ultra-groomed and longer trails and state-of-the-art lifts.

Whether you ski or not, there's never been a better time to change your altitude with a stay at one of these chic mountain resorts.

Travel + Leisure: America's Most-Visited Ski Resorts

Myrkdalen Hotel Voss, Norway

Skiing was invented in Norway, so it's fitting that this resort (opened in November 2012) is adorned with vintage black-and-white photos that recall the sport's glamorous early days. The property's 122 rooms vary from designer suites with faux-fur pillows and earthy tones to family-friendly ones with bunk beds and pull-out sofas.

The location in Voss Mountain Village provides quick access to 15 slopes, a network of cross-country trails and a ski school. UNESCO-inscribed Sognefjord and Nryfjord fjords are nearby for the days you need a break from the slopes. Rooms from $160.

Kimamaya Boutique Hotel, Hokkaido, Japan

This luminous barnlike hotel designed by Andrew Bell in the ski region of Niseko-Hirafu on the northernmost island of Hokkaido opened in 2011 and is also a new member of Design Hotels.

The lobby fireplace crackles, jazz sets the mood and elm floors and black granite make a dramatic design statement. The nine rooms are customizable with three types of pillows, timber floors and granite bathrooms, while a stone-and-oak onsen (thermal baths) hits the spot after a day on the slopes. Rooms from $157.

Travel + Leisure: America's Best Ski Towns

The Sutton Place Hotel/Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

Under the gaze of Mount Mackenzie, Revelstoke Mountain Resort debuted in 2007. It counts five lifts and 59 runs (with more of both in the works) and is now the only resort in the world to offer lift, cat-, heli-, and backcountry skiing from the same village. Cool kids stay at the luxurious Sutton Place Hotel for the condo-style rooms with gas fireplaces, the outdoor, year-round pool and hot tubs, and the fitness studio offering yoga sessions. Rooms from $149.

The Dom, Saas Fee, Switzerland

The oldest hotel in Saas-Fee was given a radical 2012 makeover that went from dowdy to sophisticated and romantic, with a price tag that's hard to find in Switzerland. In-room iPads control windows, TVs and temperature, while stone and weathered wood beams give the rooms a cozy alpine feel. Best of all: Big fluffy-down-topped beds offer unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Rooms from $350.

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Altapura, Val Thorens, France

Altapura emanates aprs-ski opulence with a warm indoor/outdoor pool and Scandinavian-style interiors of light-colored wood draped in white faux fur and accented by giant snowflake cutouts. It's also the highest five-star hotel in Europe at 7,545 feet, replete with tepidarium and views of Les Trois Valles's six glaciers, toothsome peaks and 372 miles of ski-in, ski-out trails. Rooms from $300.

Basecamp Hotel, South Lake Tahoe, California

Arc'teryx meets Anthropologie at Lake Tahoe's newest place to stay. Just minutes from both the water and the Heavenly Mountain ski resort, Basecamp Hotel was designed with high-style adventurers in mind. Its 50 chic, sleepaway-camp-inspired rooms (some with bunk beds) substitute lanterns for lamps and survival guides for Gideon Bibles. Nightly group meals encourage hostel-like minglingas do the outdoor fire pits, where you'll find guests sharing s'mores and trading stories about the moguls on Heavenly's famous Gunbarrel run. Rooms from $104.

Hotel Jerome, Aspen, Colorado

Auberge Resorts swooped in to give the historic Hotel Jerome a 2012 restoration and generate some buzz. While the grand fireplace and historic ballroom remain, a new lobby living room, a spa and a yoga studio have been added. The upgraded restaurant, bar and rooms take inspiration from old-time Hollywood glamour; John Wayne, Lana Turner and Hunter S. Thompson are all former hotel guests. Rooms from $640.

See the rest of the best new mountain resorts.

Matt Villano contributed to this story.

Planning a getaway? Don't miss Travel + Leisure's guide to the World's Best Hotels

Copyright 2012 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.

Via: Best new mountain resorts

10 calming wellness retreats

(CNN) -- Ah, the 21st century. Too bad no one's figured out an antidote. Wait a minute, some places have.

At these wellness retreats and spas, you don't just detox your body, your mind and emotions get a vacation, as well.

1. Simply Healing, England

Ever been tempted to try a juice fast, but not the type who suffers privation easily?

Simply Healing specializes in personalized juice detox programs at Alliblaster House, a retreat located in a 19th-century Georgian mansion, less than two hours from London.

The ambiance is smart but far from formal. Therapeutic treatments are among the best you'll find in the UK, the juices are delicious and filling and staff are kind.

Founder Vivien Kay is a keen traveler, and rooms are scattered with art and curios from her adventures. Walks in the surrounding countryside are glorious, too.

Five-day Essential Juice Detox plan from US$1,950; +44 (0)1403 822117; www.simplyhealingcentre.com

2. Ananda, India

High above the Ganges in the Himalayan foothills, this retreat is renowned for its Ayurvedic healing programs, yoga and meditation, daily vedanta (philosophy) classes, wellness packages and spa.

In Sanskrit, "ananda" means "bliss," and spa addicts worldwide rave about the magical qualities of the place -- the tranquil setting, crisp mountain air, lush scenery and view of the holy Ganges.

Clients are well catered for with excursions, safaris and whitewater rafting.

Five-night Wellness Experience package from US$600, per night; +91 1378 227500; www.anandaspa.com

3. Longevity Wellness Resort, Portugal

A combo resort and medical spa, Longevity Wellness Resort is located inside a nature reserve about 20 minutes and a world away from the touristy beach hub of the Algarve.

Nutrition, relaxation, beauty and anti-aging experts iron out the creases and you can take off for hikes in the hills, birdwatching trips and even excursions to swim with dolphins.

Themed retreats -- with titles like "Total Balance and Awareness" and "Personal Power" -- are also available.

Two-night Longevity Welcome Ritual from US$325; +351 282 240 110; www.longevitywellnessresort.com

4. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

How many spas can you paraglide into? Zighy Bay's Bond-ish arrival option ranks as one of the coolest on the planet.

But it's not all adrenaline-charged. The resort is geared toward relaxation and repose, with a dedicated spa.

Located in the Musandam Peninsula, with mountains to one side and beach on the other, one could hardly ask for a grander setting. Equally tantalizing are the three-, five- and seven-day detox, fitness, de-stressing and adventure programs (with customizable options).

Five-night Sense of De-stress retreat from US$4,573; +968 26735 555; www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesZighyBay

5. Fordoun, South Africa

Dr. Elliot Ndlovu is a Zulu spiritual healer and director of Fordoun, one of South Africa's top-rated spas. The family owned place is located on a former dairy farm in the hills of Kwazulu Natal province's Midlands and surrounded by a working cattle farm.

Its motto is "Ubuntu," a Zulu phrase that roughly translates as "treat others as you would like to be treated."

The indigenous-themed treatments, walks, birdwatching, trout fishing and ballooning are all restful activities, but the star attraction is a session with Ndlovu, who a few years back traveled to the Oscars in L.A. to give readings to a bevy of A-list stars.

Two-night stress relief package from US$289 per night, based on single occupancy; +27 (0) 33 266 6217; www.fordoun.com

6. Kamalaya, Thailand

Kamalaya consistently garners rapturous reviews. It's on the island of Koh Samui and built around a cave once inhabited by a Buddhist monk.

That pretty much sets the tone. There's an impressive roster of therapists and visiting experts, as well as three different 14-day wellness programs, including ones devoted to stress and burnout and sleep enhancement.

Yoga, pilates, meditation, a library, swimming pool and landscaped gardens provide more ways to find peace and quiet.

Five-night Sleep Enhancement program from US$1,876; +66 (0) 77 429 800; www.kamalaya.com

7. Spa Eastman, Canada

In Quebec's Eastern Townships, an hour from Montreal, Spa Eastman is one of Canada's top spas and also one of its more affordable.

It's in a beautiful location, with unobstructed views of Mount Orford and some good hiking options. Aside from a selection of therapies, fitness offerings and guided walks, the spa specializes in "thermotherapy" with a Turkish bath and outdoor pools.

This is also one of the few spas to offer Watsu, a sort of warm water, balletic massage that is positively stupor-inducing.

Guests can attend lectures and workshops on the art of healthy living.

Two-night health and wellness immersion package from US$711; +1 (450) 297 3009; www.spa-eastman.com

8. Transformational Retreats, Costa Rica

These 10-day retreats in the hills above the Pacific coast, or at an eco-center deep in the jungle, are the only in the world that specialize in "neurofeedback."

The non-invasive therapy has been used with great effect to reduce anxiety and improve concentration, confidence and well being by monitoring brain activity in real time.

Those who've tried it believe it to be a hotline to the deep state of relaxed alertness one seeks through meditation and yoga. Perceptual shifts are a benefit, too.

The retreat also offers mentoring, yoga and meditation, hikes, fantastic fresh food, therapies, massage and the pristine silence of the rainforest.

Ten-day Be Brilliant retreat from US$7,200; +506 2787 4191; www.transformational-retreats.com

9. Gaia Retreat and Spa, Australia

Subtropical Byron Bay is home to this award-winning retreat and spa. Olivia Newton-John is one of its founders.

With just 19 bedrooms and views of the Pacific Ocean, it's a magnificent healing space.

The retreat attracts some of Australia's finest healers, therapists and fitness experts, and there's everything from hypnotherapy to sound healing, acupuncture and even tennis coaching alongside spa indulgence.

Stays are tailored for guests looking for a "personal, purpose driven retreat."

Two-night spa retreat special from US$1,186; +61 2 6687 1216; www.gaiaretreat.com.au

10. Amangiri, United States

Rising from the desert like a movie hideaway, remote Amangiri has welcomed some starry guests, including, reportedly, the Jolie-Pitts.

Located in the dramatic Canyon Point area of southern Utah, the spa was designed to blend into its sand and rock-strewn surroundings. Local Navajo culture and healing therapies have influenced the spa menu, there's a flotation room, fitness center, yoga pavilion (for private and group classes) and some good trails on the vast property.

Iconic Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks are easily accessible.

From US$1,109 per night; www.amanresorts.com

Via: 10 calming wellness retreats

World's most romantic islands

(CNN) -- When you want to get away from it all, set your course for these romantic islands, as chosen by Travel + Leisure readers.

Bora-Bora seduces couples with visions of overwater bungalows above a turquoise lagoon. But that's not all: The island offers coral reefs and, should you need backup, the St. Regis romance concierge (duties have included spelling "Marry Me" in coconut husks on the beach).

The Tahitian island has certainly captured the hearts of Travel + Leisure readers, who voted Bora-Bora the No. 1 island for romance, a new category in this year's World's Best Awards survey. Spin the globe, and you're bound to land by one of the top romantic islands.

From the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, they share the powerful ingredient of fantasy. There's nothing like escaping to an island with your loved one to bring out starry eyes in the most jaded traveler. Discover the getaway escape that's right for you two castaways among these top islands for romance.

1. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

What could be more seductive than an overwater bungalow above a turquoise lagoon? That's the essence of Bora-Bora, a geographically blessed sliver of French Polynesia. At its heart lies the jagged peak of Mount Otemanu; on its fringes, tiny motus (islets) and a coral reef with a swirl of colorful marine life.

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Room to Book: Villas 103 to 110 at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort have private decks with whirlpools and outdoor showers.

Table for Two: Order the poisson cru (a local take on ceviche) at the sand-floored Bora Kaina Hut.

Don't Miss: A private snorkeling trip with Diveasy Bora Bora, whose divemasters get you up close and personal with moray eels and giant manta rays.

2. Capri, Italy

Known for its limestone cliffs and waterfront villas, this 4-square-mile speck in the Tyrrhenian Sea fully embraces the concept of la dolce vita. (For proof, look to the afternoon crowds stretched out on the rocks and sipping Prosecco at the glamorous La Fontelina beach club.)

A funicular railway whisks visitors from the main port to the boutique-lined streets of Capri town; privacy-seekers keep heading upward by foot or bus to the quieter village of Anacapri. There, stroll through the gardens of the 19th-century Villa San Michele with only ivy-covered statues for company.

Room to Book: No. 2 at J. K. Place Capri for a roomy terrace and dreamlike water views.

Table for Two: Sign up for a cooking lesson at the agriturismo TerraMMare, where you'll make, and then dine on, traditional island recipes.

Don't Miss: The nightly passeggiata, when well-heeled Italians glide through the streets at sunset before settling in at a bar on the piazza to watch the action unfold.

3. Santorini, Greece

If there were ever a place that could get by on its looks, it would be Santorini. Whitewashed cave houses framed by bougainvillea and backed by blue-domed churches spill down the rim of an ancient volcanic crater; at sunset, the Sea of Crete is bathed in a rosy glow.

Yet as compelling as the scenery may be, Santorini's true appeal lies in its wealth of diversions: extraordinary wines, black (or red or white) beaches and archaeological sites from the prehistoric era.

Travel + Leisure: Best Secret Beaches on Earth

Room to Book: The Perivolas Suite at Perivolas hotel, whose cliffside terrace seems to hover at the crater's edge.

Table for Two: Order the flaky pastry-wrapped saganaki (traditional fried cheese) with fig jam at Assyrtico Wine Restaurant, a buzzy newcomer.

Don't Miss: The richly preserved Bronze Age settlement of Akrotri, sometimes referred to as the "Minoan Pompeii," which reopened last spring.

4. Kauai, Hawaii

It's the oldest of Hawaii's eight main islands -- and arguably the most dramatic, with scenery that ranges from wind-eroded mountains and red-walled canyons to primeval rainforest and photo-ready waterfalls.

Room to Book: No. 808 at the St. Regis Princeville Resort for unobstructed views of Hanalei Bay.

Table for Two: Share a succession of small plates (slow-braised short ribs; honeycomb with goat cheese) at the laid-back, open-air Bar Acuda in Hanalei.

Don't Miss: A six-hour hike with Chuck Blay of Kauai Nature Tours; you'll learn the myths of every fruit and flower along the way.

5. Boracay, Philippines

Once a backpacking haven with only the most basic accommodations, this 5-mile-long island now rivals better-known Asian destinations such as Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand. A 45-minute flight from Manila brings you to either Kalibo or Caticlan, where boats connect directly to White Beach, whose powdery sand may just be the softest in the world.

Room to Book: A short tuk-tuk ride from the southern end of White Beach, Mandala Spa & Villas feels like a true retreat, with daily yoga classes and massages included in room rates, along with all the mangoes you can eat. The cliffside Pool Villa has the best vantage point over the Sulu Sea.

Table for Two: Feast on Mediterranean mezes at Kasbah (Station One, White Beach), where pillow-strewn sofas evoke North Africa on the sand.

Don't Miss: Mandala Spa & Villas' Hilot Trilogy, which incorporates an ancient Filipino form of massage.

6. Maldives

This remote Indian Ocean archipelago greets travelers with white-sand beaches, atolls and secluded high-end resorts that lure honeymooners and celebrities. The world's lowest-lying nation has a close union with the sea: Where else would you find a hotel with a coral nursery and an underwater nightclub? That would be Niyama Maldives, a Per Aquum Resort. It has a restaurant reachable by boat only.

7. Maui

Peel back the tropical-paradise faade of this Hawaiian island to reveal a rich variety of landscapes: the otherworldly summit of the volcanic crater Haleakala, the sugarcane fields and farms like O'o Farm, and the 1900s cowboy town of Makawao, with horses trotting down the back roads.

For the ultimate tucked-away-ness, the eastern town of Hana at the edge of a rainforest is like falling back in time -- and after a day out exploring, you two can retreat to luxe Travaasa Hana Maui, a special place that emphasizes the culture and tradition of Hawaii, from the indigenous patterns used in textiles to ukulele and hula lessons.

8. Moorea,Tahiti

The less-visited sister island of Bora-Bora offers an intoxicating blend of rugged jungle interior, blue lagoons and scents of tiare, pamplemousse and vanilla that swirl in the air. It's believed that author James Michener's Bali Hai in Tales of the South Pacific was inspired by the island.

To get the lay of the land, drive up Magic Mountain, and you'll see Opunohu and Cook's bays sparkle below. The Tahitians are typically friendly and open -- and can point you to the wild, coconut-strewn beach where Mutiny on the Bounty was filmed.

9. Vieques, Puerto Rico

The secret is definitely out about Vieques, which promises the key ingredients for romance, among them, a slew of pristine coves and beaches and a languid pace. Portions of the island are designated a National Wildlife refuge -- protecting sea turtles, lagoons and mangroves -- and the island's famous bioluminescent bay is filled with microscopic organisms that flash bright blue and illuminate the water.

The eco mindset here carries through at the intimate Hix Island House, which opened its solar-powered six-room Casa Solaris in the past year, built by Canadian-born architect John Hix.

10. Bali

Bali's been at the apex of the romance circuit for decades, if not centuries, with couples drawn to the mist-shrouded temples, mountainous landscapes, Balinese art and world-famous friendliness of the locals.

The island got a recent boost (as if it needed it) from the success of "Eat, Pray, Love," whose film crew chose the white-sand Padang-Padang beach as backdrop. Just a short drive away from here is the new Le Mridien Bali Jimbaran, with a saltwater lagoon pool.

See the rest of the world's most romantic islands.

Ron Gluckman, Frances Hibbard, Shivani Vora, Laurel Delp and Eleni N. Gage contributed to this story.

Planning a getaway? Don't miss Travel + Leisure's guide to the World's Best Hotels

Copyright 2012 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.

Via: World's most romantic islands

In Nanjing, old is the new new

Nanjing, China (CNN) -- Nanjing, a city of 8 million in eastern China, is the capital of the coastal Jiangsu Province.

But some 80 years ago it was the capital of China.

The revolutionary Sun Yat-sen founded the Republic of China (ROC) here in 1912 after playing an instrumental role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty, the last of the Imperial eras in China.

Sun's successor, Chiang Kai-shek, headquartered his nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) government here from 1927 until the Communist Party pushed them from the mainland in 1949 and moved the capital north to Beijing.

Read: Consuming China's Cultural Revolution in Beijing

This gave Nanjing, whose name literally means the "southern capital," something of an identity crisis.

But 64 years after the end of the KMT's rule, the city seems to have found its place again as a legacy of Minguo, or the Republic of China. From tourism to dining to real estate, many Nanjing businesses are selling themselves with a nod to the former capital's nationalist past.

The city's main center of nightlife, known simply as 1912, is named and themed after the founding year of the Republic.

Located a stone's throw from the KMT's Presidential Palace, century-old villas are revamped and dolled-up to house bars and restaurants. The complex boasts of its "classic Minguo cultural significance" on its website.

Walking around the city's commercial center, Xinjiekou, it's common to see billboards and video screens advertising new real estate known for its "Minguo flavor."

Yihe Road was the city's Legation Quarter in the early 20th century and is lined up with distinctive Minguo-style architecture -- exquisite and painstakingly intricate Chinese carvings decorate the otherwise European faade.

The quiet 500-meter strip has in recent years been renovated by authorities to resemble its former Republican glory.

While culture-lovers swarm here to trace Nanjing's olden-day charms, university graduates are often seen taking graduation photos in retro Republican-style outfits. Instead of run-of-the-mill black robes, male students don Chinese tunic suits, known as Sun Yat-sen suits, while females wear ocean-blue, wrap-up tops and black cotton skirts.

Enthusiasm for this era has also provided the most unlikely of job opportunities in China.

Xu Jinshui, 46, is a professional impersonator of Chiang -- a controversial figure for many mainlanders. During the day he stands like a wax figure outside the Presidential Palace. Fully Chiang-costumed, Xu charges tourists for taking photos with him.

By night, the quiet Zhejiang native ushers in guests at Ming Du Hui, a Minguo-themed restaurant, still dressed as Chiang.

"If we want to introduce the Minguo Cuisine to the public, we need to throw in a related experience," explains general manager Lv Xinhe. "Chiang Kai-shek is a famous character and people know about him."

The 150-seat restaurant, whose per-head bill averages RMB 300 (US$48), serves food that was popular with nationalist officials. The menu includes yellow croaker soup, which was said to be Chiang's favorite, and May-ling Soong's Steak, a meat dish designed by Chiang's wife.

The local communist government seems to encourage the cultural comeback.

According to Shen Jiahua, the president of Nanjing Dining Chamber of Commerce, the authorities have endeavored to popularize Republican food since 2011. A dozen restaurants in the city have been certified to carry the "Minguo Big Cuisine."

"[What we do is] to pass on the dining culture of Nanjing and create a unique culinary signature of the city," says Shen.

The well-groomed 56-year-old former soldier owns Yushang Xunfu, a 4,000-square-meter Nanjing restaurant devoted to researching, developing and cooking the cuisine, which comprise the prevailing governmental dishes of the time.

Each of the establishment's 27 dishes is coupled with an interesting historical anecdote, often linked with influential KMT leaders, such as Sun and Bai Chongxi, a noted Hui-Muslim nationalist General.

Shen spent approximately RMB 40 million (US$6.4 million) decorating the restaurant, which features colossal crystal chandeliers. The clientele are mostly businessmen, government employees and military officials.

"Commercial gimmicks are perhaps the most obvious part of [this Republican cultural comeback], and it is best and most easily manifested through cuisine," says media producer and culture consultant Frank Hossack.

Hossack, 43, came to China in 1993. The Scot has lived in Nanjing for the past decade and now edits, among other things, English-language magazine The Nanjinger.

This specific period attracts the locals because, according to him, it was when "the government really made the biggest bounds, greatest developments and smartest innovations in what was called the Nanking Decade from 1927 to 1937."

Hossack also regards the nostalgic trend as a reflection of Nanjing's desire to find a new identity, when the provincial capital is often eclipsed by nearby Shanghai, which is a 90-minute train ride to the southeast.

Chinese magazine Fan Yue Ri Li defined the Republican culture, or the "Republican feeling," as an "aristocratic spirit." In one article, the publication argued that modern China needed this lost essence because, for one reason, "the general social customs, taste and language are becoming coarse and vulgar."

The lengthy essay was later re-posted on the web edition of the state-run People's Daily.

"To some extent, it shows people partly recognize that era's values," says ROC culture specialist Chen Weixin.

Although Chen declines to point out the specific values, a general consensus among the Chinese public and media is that Republican times often embody openness, diversity, freedom and democracy,

As an architect focusing on Republican times, 42-year-old Chen has been involved in the restoration of many Minguo buildings, including part of the Presidential Palace.

"On the other hand, it shows that people are connecting with their culture and history," he adds.

"Here on the mainland, [a certain incident in] history caused a disruption to the passing of the traditional culture, but the Republican culture was in line with it," he continues. "That's why people resonate with that era's culture."

According to Chen, the Republican culture never went extinct in Nanjing after 1949, even though it did diminish. The city's layout till today is based on the "Capital Plan," a blueprint drafted by the nationalist government from 1930-1937.

As Chiang's wife, May-ling Soong, once said: "We live in the present, we dream of the future and we learn eternal truths from the past."

This may well explain Nanjing's obsession with its Republican past.

Via: In Nanjing, old is the new new

Where's Waldorf's silverware?

(CNN) -- The Waldorf Astoria in New York City has long been a byword for exquisite luxury, style and success.

From Franklin D. Roosevelt and Frank Sinatra to Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor, the hotel's guestbook reads like an A-list of twentieth century historical figures -- not to mention tens of thousands of well-to-do tourists and travelers.

Over the years however some sticky-fingered guests have tried to claim a little bit of the Waldorf magic for themselves, checking out with hotel items as a souvenir of their stay.

See also: The best business hotels in 2012

Since last summer, the Waldorf has been running an amnesty program designed to reclaim these long lost goods.

The result has seen the return of precious items pilfered as long ago as the 1920's, many of which provide a fascinating perspective on the history of the hotel and those who stayed there.

Although the amnesty officially ended in September, goods are still pouring in from ex-guests and their family descendents.

The best items are currently displayed on the Waldorf Astoria's archive website while a small selection are being exhibited at the hotel itself.

Check out the gallery above to see some of the of the items reclaimed and the charming history they have accumulated in their absence.

Via: Where's Waldorf's silverware?

Airline charges extra to board first

(CNN) -- Want to be the first to board a Southwest Airlines flight?

It'll cost you.

Starting 45 minutes before a flight's departure, any remaining spots in the airline's "A" boarding group can now be purchased for a $40 fee payable by credit card.

"Offering customers the option to improve their boarding position on day of travel is one more way we can offer the travel experience that best fits their needs," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines vice president of marketing, sales and distribution, in a press release.

The airline doesn't assign seats but it does give certain fliers the right to board before other fliers. They include people who buy Business Select Fares, Rapid Rewards Members with A-List and A-List Preferred status, and EarlyBird Check-In customers. Those early boarders have first crack at the best seats and overhead bin space.

Got that? Southwest's boarding practices are unusual enough compared to other airlines that they've got an online tutorial.

"This is yet another of several recent attempts by Southwest to add peripheral fees so that it can raise revenues without tarnishing its image," wrote Brett Snyder, president of The Cranky Flier, in an e-mail. "Southwest's elite travelers won't like that people can buy their way to the front of the line, but it will be welcomed by those at the back. This is the first effort Southwest has made to allow people to better their position once they know their boarding number."

The airline does offer two free pieces of checked baggage, so there's no need to fight over overhead space unless you need it.

AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, is not charging this fee. However, Southwest continues its program of repainting AirTran planes in Southwest colors, putting them back into service as Southwest flights and charging Southwest fares and fees, a Southwest spokeswoman confirmed.

Via: Airline charges extra to board first

Europe's best budget ski resorts

(CNN) -- For the budget conscious, the mere mention of skiing in Europe has been known to cause whiplash from people reaching around too quickly for their wallets.

Those who keep a close watch on their cash tend to avoid resorts that charge the equivalent of a mortgage payment for the privilege of taking a few runs down a mountain and then forking out US$20 for a hot cider afterward.

Europe's famed alpine destinations are the worst culprits. Look beyond the pistes of Switzerland, Austria and France, however, and there are bargains to be found across the continent.

7 underrated ski resorts

Soldeu, Andorra

High in the Pyrenees and sandwiched between France and Spain, Andorra is an ideal alternative to the more pricey Alps. Soldeu is the tiny nation's biggest and best resort, with an incredibly cheap weekly pass (US$259), and one-day access costing just US$57.

Best of all, the pass covers the wider Grandvalira area, with access to other resorts and an impressive 204 kilometers (126 miles) of runs.

The focus is largely on family at this beginner-to-intermediate hill, though there are plenty of lively bars in Soldeu village.

The resort is accessible from budget airports at Perpignan in the south of France, and Girona, north of Barcelona.

Lift pass: US$259 for five days out of seven; www.soldeu-andorra.com

7 stunning European ski lodges

Nosal, Zakopane, Poland

In Europe, east means cheap, especially if you're after a European ski holiday.

Zakopane best exemplifies Poland's underground reputation as a go-to spot for winter sports. This vast area has a number of different resorts, each offering lift passes for which you need to buy separate tickets.

But considering you can take 15 trips on the Nosal resort's lift for just $16, with nearby Gubalowka offering 10 rides from the same amount, it's cheap to hop around and try different slopes.

Packages are recommended for this type of trip, as transportation between areas can be tricky without an organized tour.

If you want to stick with one place, Nosal is the pick. It has four good beginner runs and a vicious, steep black area for veteran skiers and snowboarders.

Best of all, the runs are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with floodlights fired up after sunset.

Lift pass: US$16; www.zakopane-life.com

Cerna Hora, Czech Republic

Cerna Hora is home to the country's longest single run, a two-kilometer monster (1.2 mile) that'll test the hardiest alpine skier.

As with most eastern European resorts, the lift pass is an insanely good value. The US$89 three-day pass makes Cerna Hora ideal for weekend trips. Its 14 slopes are reached by the Czech Republic's only eight-person gondola. The area also has 70 kilometers (43 miles) of cross-country routes.

What sets Cerna Hora apart is proximity to the spa town of Jansk Lzn. With thermal pools and a picturesque town center, it's the ideal place to unwind after a day strapped into your ski boots.

Seven-day lift pass: US$162; three-day lift pass for US$89; www.cerna-hora.cz

10 top ski resorts in Asia

Bansko, Bulgaria

Bulgaria is gaining a reputation as the top destination for skiers desperate for good snow and heaving local bars, but who lack funds to hit the likes of Switzerland and Italy.

About 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of the capital of Sofia, and located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, Bansko is the country's biggest and best resort.

It's something of a mission to reach, but worth the effort. The area has been modernized in recent years, with decent hotels and stacks of traditional "mehana" for excellent local food, including rich salads, soups, meats and, of course, wine and Bulgarian rakia.

The season runs until mid-April, depending on snowfall.

Five-day lift pass: US$186; www.banskoski.com

4 ultra-cool winter activities in the U.S.

CairnGorm, Scotland

You may not know it, but the wilds of Scotland have become popular as a skiing destination in recent years. Bitterly cold winters and heavy snowfall mean CairnGorm mountain is buried in snow from December to March.

Skiers and boarders hit the slopes between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., light depending, with 30 kilometers (18 miles) of runs, dedicated snowboard park and lots of cross-country trails.

Not necessarily great for a weeklong trip, CairnGorm is worth a visit if you're on a city break in Edinburgh and don't mind the two-and-a-half-hour drive north.

Geared toward beginners and intermediates, CairnGorm is good if you want to try skiing for the first time or don't fancy the rigmarole of arranging an entire trip based around the slopes and aprs ski excess.

Lift pass: US$52; www.cairngormmountain.org

Have you got a favorite budget ski resort? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Via: Europe's best budget ski resorts

Time for gambling on airplanes?

Business Traveller is a monthly show about making the most of doing business on the road.

(CNN) -- Two French aviation design studios are betting on gambling in the air.

Jean-Pierre Alfano of AirJet Designs and Frdrique Houssard, the founder of Designescence, have teamed up to create the Casino Jet Lounge, a luxe bar-cum-casino they hope will one day become standard on long-haul commercial flights. The Casino Jet Lounge features trendy seating, a drinks area and a blackjack table.

"We're trying to bring back the glamor of the '50s and '60s a little bit; the kind you see in the James Bond movies," says Houssard.

The concept is relatively new (launched last October), so as of now, Houssard and Alfano are still in talks with various airlines.

The idea of in-flight gambling may seem like a new one, principally because no airline is currently doing it. But in reality, the concept has been around for decades.

Singapore Airlines took gambling up in the air in 1981, when they installed lightweight slot machines in the aisles on a flight that operated between Singapore and San Francisco. It was an experiment that lasted a mere two months. The company admits the machines posed "an operational challenge", and had them removed.

See also: In-flight internet taking off

In the 1990s, Swissair installed gambling software that allowed passengers to bet up to $350 on a variety of casino classics, including poker, keno and blackjack. It seemed other carriers were going to follow suit, that is, until a Swissair plane crashed in 1998. Air crash investigators implicated a failure of the jet's in-flight entertainment system as a reason for the disaster.

However, the idea of in-flight gambling re-emerged a few years ago. Virgin Atlantic Airways tycoon Richard Branson announced in 2005 that a handful of recently purchased A380 planes would include double beds and in-flight casinos.

"You'll have two ways to get lucky on a Virgin flight," he joked with The New York Times.

The company seems to have backtracked since then.

"Casinos were just an idea, along with many other ideas we talked about a few years ago," a Virgin spokesman told CNN. "Truthfully, we did not really get any further with it."

They declined to comment as to why they didn't ultimately implement casinos on their A380s.

Ryanair announced in 2004 that it would introduce gambling through an in-flight entertainment system, though this too has yet to come to fruition. Ryanair's head of communications, Stephen McNamara, said the company still hopes to do so in the future.

"We don't have the technology in place at the moment, but hopefully we will in the next two or three years," he says. "Really, the reason we don't currently is based on the expense of the Wi-Fi technology that would be required for it. We're waiting for the price to come down."

See also: Ryanair considers serving in-flight porn

Aside from the initial investment, there are several other barriers to introducing casinos on airplanes. For starters, as more carriers are unrolling Wi-Fi on their flights, passengers could feasibly just gamble online from their mobile devices. One wonders if this wouldn't defeat the purpose of airlines investing in their own gaming systems.

McNamara says that Ryanair plans to combat the issue by ultimately offering "closed loop" Wi-Fi, so that passengers will have to go through the airline's own system to gamble.

Houssard and Alfano also don't see online gambling as competition to their own concept.

"When you're gambling on your screen, or on your phone, you're still cramped with other people. If you get out of your seat and enter another space with your friends and colleagues, it gives you a completely different experience," notes Alfano.

"When you're on a 14-hour flight, even when you're in business class, all you can really do is eat, drink, watch movies and sleep. The Casino Jet Lounge isn't just a bar or entertainment idea. We see it as a social space."

It's difficult to imagine that airlines would be willing to give over potential passenger space (and the fares that come with it) to a social arena, but Alfano says if designed properly, there shouldn't be a conflict.

See also: In-flight phone calls to become standard, experts say

"Most big aircrafts have crew rest areas and lavatories in the cargo area down below. The space could be easily rearranged to include a social space, without representing a loss of revenue," he says.

The biggest obstacle to in-flight gambling, however, is a legal one. Since 1994, gambling has been prohibited in U.S. airspace. Still, Houssard believes that this might change in the future.

"A few years ago, it was forbidden to play games for money on the internet. It was not open then, but now you can play online. A lot of things are changing."

Via: Time for gambling on airplanes?

11 of Europe's most bizarre buildings

(CNN) -- Bizarre is in the eye of the beholder.

With modern architecture, that can mean just about anything.

Some of the extraordinary edifices above were designed to entice a reaction -- contemporary museums and exhibition centers come to mind -- while others astound by their mere existence.

The most controversial are the buildings inspired by whimsy; designed by architects with free reign to exercise their creative impulses on ordinary spaces.

Whether you consider the buildings above awe inspiring in their architectural complexity or hideous monstrosities, there's no question they capture your attention.

Inspirational, intriguing or visually grating? What do you make of our selection of buildings above? Let us know your favorite bizarre buildings.

Europe's hottest destinations for 2013

Where to see the buildings

1. Atomium: Atomiumsquare B1020, Brussels; +32 (0) 2 475 47 77; open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; www.atomium.be

2. The Banknote Building: Taikos str. 88a, Kaunas, Lithuania (office building)

3. Casa Mila: Provena, 261-265. 08008, Barcelona; +32 (0) 2 475 47 77; open November 5-February 28: daily, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., March 1-November 4, daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; www.lapedrera.com

4. Castel Meur: Brittany, auto route D25, 29260 Kernous, France. (Private residence not open to public)

5. Dali Theatre-Museum: Plaza Gala-Salvador Dal, 5 17600, Figueres, Spain; +34 972 67 75 00; open November 1-February 28, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., March 1-June 30, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., July 1-September 30, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Mondays; www.salvador-dali.org

6. Nationale-Nederlanden Building: Ranovo Nbe 80, 120 00 Prague 2. (It's an office building and not open to the public, but there's a restaurant/bar on the top two floors, details here.)

7. Futuroscope: Avenue du Tlport (avenue Ren Monory), 86360, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France; +33 (0) 549 493 080; opening times vary, check website for dates and times; futuroscope.com

8. Guggenheim Bilbao: Avenida Abandoibarra, 2 48001, Bilbao, Spain; +34 (0) 944 35 90 80; Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

9. Krzywy Domek: ul. Haffnera 6, 81-717 Sopot, Poland; +48 (0) 58 55 55 125; krzywydomek.info

10. Kunsthaus Graz Museum: Lendkai 1, 8020 Graz, Austria; +43 316/8017-9200; open Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; www.museum-joanneum.at

11. Eden Project: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall, UK; +44 (0) 1726 811911; opening times vary, check website for dates and times; www.edenproject.com

Via: 11 of Europe's most bizarre buildings

Living large in Costa Rica

(CNN) -- Not so long ago, Costa Rica was a backpacker's game.

Other than a few business-class hotels in the capital of San Jos and a handful of isolated luxury properties scattered about the scenic hinterlands, travelers could expect little in the way of genuine comfort while exploring one of the most beautiful and eco-conscious countries on the planet.

Over the past decade, however, Costa Rica's fastest-growing crop has been a collection of opulent hotels and resort communities, complemented by marinas, golf courses, gourmet restaurants, hot springs and other world-class facilities.

The tag attached to most deluxe properties is usually something like "ecolodge" or "ecoresort," which may conjure visions of dreadlocks, granola and recycled hemp-fiber sheets.

Don't be fooled.

Yes, most of the country's destinations are green; Costa Rica's Sustainable Tourism Program rewards environmentally friendly properties with one to five "leaves" and copious free publicity.

But Costa Rica's new upscale properties are as elegant and comfortable as any in Latin America.

Here are the best regions and stays for putting a little service and Chardonnay into your sand and scenery.

Gulf of Papagayo

Costa Rica's posh spot is Papagayo, a sparkling strand of beaches in the northwestern Guanacaste Province.

Once better known for sabaneros (cowboys) and fine horses, Papagayo Peninsula has been developed into Central America's premier luxury destination.

It even has its own international airport (LIR) just minutes away in the regional capital of Liberia.

Lavish rental properties, excellent restaurants and bellowing howler monkeys might convince you to stay put for your entire vacation. But it's worth leaving the luxury (and wildlife) to see some of the region's outstanding national parks and festive beach communities.

Accommodations are led by the exquisite Four Seasons Papagayo, the top pick in a scenic region that boasts Costa Rica's best resorts, golf courses, spas and white-sand beaches.

5 reasons to visit Easter Island

Manuel Antonio

Rolling jungle hills surround tiny Manuel Antonio National Park, considered Costa Rica's most beautiful, as well as its original upscale destination.

It's also one of the most wildlife-rich regions in the world, which means you're certain to spot several species of monkeys, sloths and tropical birds, among other animals.

Excellent restaurants, sparkling nightlife, art galleries and an array of adventure tour operators make it a honeymooner's choice.

When traveling in high season (December through February), make reservations well in advance, and be prepared for crowds.

Among numerous upscale hotel choices, the prestigious Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort has received the Costa Rica Tourist Ministry's Five Sustainability Leaf Award along with its top Five Star Award for luxury and comfort. Within walking distance of the national park, the gorgeously landscaped property is an attraction in its own right.

Arenal

Until 2011, Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica's most active volcano.

Alas, for area entrepreneurs, the lava flows that graced so many tourism brochures have mellowed to mere puffs of smoke.

On the upside, you can now get excellent deals on the region's dozen or so five-star properties, the best of which are known for their spectacular hot springs.

The gold standard is Tabacn Grand Spa and Thermal Resort, with world-class rooms and restaurants, as well as a river of steaming natural water, which feeds extravagant gardens and spas.

A close runner-up is the Springs. It features a dozen cascading pools and whimsically decorated rooms.

No matter where you stay, virtually all area hotels will arrange day trips to the many hot springs pouring from Arenal's slopes, a must while you're in Costa Rica.

Santa Teresa

On the tip of Nicoya Peninsula, the wide white-sand beaches of Santa Teresa have become a playground for celebrities, jet-setters and vanguard surfers.

You'll need to take a ferry or small plane to the isolated spot (often voted Central America's most beautiful beach), where an array of luxury boutique hotels and condo rentals await.

The fabulous oceanfront Florblanca and Latitude 10 are full-service resorts that won't disappoint.

Tamarindo

Costa Rica's most famous beach town is growing up, its scruffy surf shacks and beach bars now complemented with excellent restaurants and attractive accommodations.

Despite complaints that paving the roads and erecting high rises have compromised Tamarindo's authentic local flavor, the surfing is still awesome, and the neighboring beaches of Las Baulas National Marine Park, known for nesting sea turtles, have remained pristine.

Tamarindo's top-end options are well-established, such as the sprawling Paradisus and plush rental properties at Reserva Conchal.

But there are other interesting options, including the romantic Los Altos de Eros, which gets high marks for its attentive staff, and the golf resort at nearby Hacienda Pinilla resort, which sits astride three miles of superb shoreline.

The cloud forests

An escape from lowland heat and humidity, Costa Rica's mountains and volcanoes are topped with misty cloud forests, where temperatures hover between 12 and 20 C (53 to 68 F) year-round and visitors will find a number of outstanding mountain lodges.

Some travelers may want to skip Monteverde, Costa Rica's most famous cloud forest (aka "crowd forest").

Lodges such as Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and El Silencio Lodge and Spa offer access to quieter, private wildlife reserves.

Others such as Finca Rosa Blanca and Xandari Alajuela are located on coffee plantations and have beautiful trails good for wildlife viewing.

The imaginative Peace Lodge, La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a unique spot with lots of wildlife to watch from gorgeous jungle positions.

Los Sueos

An hour from San Jos and the country's international airport, Los Sueos Resort and Marina is Costa Rica's best value for luxury digs.

Anchored by the graceful Los Sueos Marriott, surrounded by scores of extravagant rental properties, an adorable marina area and one of the country's best golf courses, Los Sueos offers almost everything you'd want from a tropical vacation, albeit without the hassle of actually seeing Costa Rica.

By "almost everything," it's worth mentioning that there's no real beach, hence the spectacular collection of swimming pools.

7 luxury vacations in Mexico

Via: Living large in Costa Rica

Q&A: Dreamliner woes explained

Hong Kong (CNN) -- Two fleets of Boeing 787s have been grounded in Japan after alarms and a burning smell in the cabin forced a Dreamliner to make an emergency landing Wednesday.

The incident is the most serious in a spate of problems that have bedeviled the new aircraft, and comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which is responsible for air safety, launched a comprehensive examination on Friday of the Dreamliner's design as well as its manufacture and assembly.

"The Boeing 787 incidents have taken on a new seriousness with the grounding" by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), said Richard Quest, CNN's aviation correspondent.

"The potential of fire on board an aircraft is among the most serious issues in aviation," he said. "The plane is still safe to fly. However, Boeing must ensure the reliability of the aircraft for the airlines and the confidence of the traveling public to fly on the planes.

"That is the fundamental problem that Boeing is now facing," Quest said.

What happened?

As CNNMoney reports, a Boeing 787 operated by All Nippon Airways was forced to make an emergency landing Wednesday in Japan. The domestic aircraft was traveling to Tokyo when irregular battery activity and smoke in the forward electrical compartment were detected. The aircraft then made an emergency landing at Takamatsu airport after a burning smell was detected in the plane's cabin.

Following the incident, both All Nippon and Japan Airlines said they were immediately grounding their Dreamliner fleets -- which effectively grounds about half of the Dreamliners now in operation worldwide. The Japanese airlines were among the first to take delivery of the Boeing 797. ANA has 17 aircraft, while JAL has seven Dreamliners.

Worldwide, Boeing has delivered 50 Dreamliners -- but hundreds more are on order. More than 150 Dreamliner flights occur daily, according to Boeing.

What problems has the Dreamliner had?

In recent weeks, many. The most recent Dreamliner setbacks occurred Friday. Oil was discovered leaking from a generator on an engine at a Japanese airport, and a crack appeared in a cockpit window of a plane en route from Tokyo to western Japan, a spokeswoman for All Nippon Airways said.

On January 8, a Japan Airlines flight bound for Tokyo aborted takeoff from Boston's Logan International Airport after a pilot on another airplane spotted the 787 leaking fuel. On January 7, a maintenance worker discovered the electrical fire aboard an empty plane being prepared at a gate at Logan for a return trip to Japan. Another Japanese flight was cancelled last week after censors detected problems with the plane's braking system.

In December, a United Airlines 787 traveling from Houston to Newark, New Jersey, was diverted to New Orleans because of mechanical problems. A general inspection of all 787s in September turned up cracked engines on two planes.

The woes come after the debut of the plane in 2011 -- nearly three years behind its production schedule.

Related: More trouble for Boeing as Dreamliner forced to make emergency landing

Do Dreamliners fly in the U.S.?

United Airlines -- which has six 787s -- debuted the nation's first domestic Dreamliner routes last November. "We continue to have complete confidence in the 787 and the ability of Boeing," United said Friday in a statement. The airline described the problems as "early operational issues."

United's Dreamliner fleet travels primarily on routes connecting Houston and Chicago and between Newark and Los Angeles. Last week, the airline kicked off its first international 787 service between Los Angeles and Tokyo. Other U.S. carriers are in line to buy Dreamliners, including Delta. American Airlines has announced an order, but it's not yet "firm."

What does the troubles mean for Boeing?

The company's stock has taken a hit as the troubles mount. Several hundred are under order, making its success crucial for Boeing, which had not designed a new commercial jetliner in years before unveiling the Dreamliner.

"The 787, being a new airplane, does have teething problems," John Goglia, a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, told CNN last week. It's common for new planes to have "these kinds of problems," he added.

Airlines have been excited by the Boeing 787 as the first mid-size, long-range airplane, which would allow airlines to open up routes where they don't have enough demand from passengers to justify a larger plane like a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A380.

Related: How the 787 will change the way we fly

Boeing has more than 800 unfilled orders from airlines around the globe that will take years to fill. In addition to the Dreamliner assembly line at its Seattle-area factory, it built a new 1,000-worker factory in South Carolina to handle the demand. It hopes to double production of the plane this year to about 10 a month.

CNNMoney's Charles Riley and CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki and CNN Wires staff contributed to this report

Via: Q&A: Dreamliner woes explained

Survivors mark Concordia anniversary

Giglio, Italy (CNN) -- The Costa Concordia, a half-submerged carcass of a cruise liner, still sits in the harbor where it ran aground.

It looks out of place amid the calm blue waters, which belie the chaos of a year ago.

One year ago Sunday, the luxury liner struck rocks and turned on its side off the Italian island of Giglio, killing 32 people.

Several hundred survivors of that wreck and residents plan to commemorate the disaster by holding a memorial Mass and observing a minute of silence.

Also, at 9:45 p.m. local time, the moment of impact, they will light and release 32 lanterns -- one for each of the victims.

About 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members were on board the ship that night. Many were attending a magic show and some thought, when the lights first went out, that the sudden darkness was part of the performance.

According to passengers' accounts, chaos erupted as guests rushed to fill the lifeboats and escape the ship. Some crew members helped passengers and then jumped overboard; remaining members seemed helpless to handle the melee.

The Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, could face charges that include manslaughter and abandoning ship. Other Concordia executives and crew members also could face trial.

Schettino has said that managers of the cruise line instructed him to sail close to the island and has denied allegations that he was sailing too fast. He said the rock the ship struck was not indicated on his charts of the area.

Meanwhile, the liner is still sitting in the water.

More than 420 people are working 24-7 to secure it, but salvage efforts are taking longer than expected. Officials now hope to have the ship upright by late June or early July and to tow it to some port by September.

That represents a delay by a few months.

"We are working round the clock to get the job done as fast as we can," said Nick Sloane, head of salvage operations.

"There is a lot of calculating, recalculating and validating the calculations in an operation like this," he told CNN. "There is no room for mistakes."

The workers, of whom 110 are divers, live on a floating barge. There is the constant buzz of generators and drills in Giglio's harbor.

The search for two people who remain missing will continue alongside salvage operations, said Franco Gabrielli, head of the Italian Civil Protection agency.

The Costa Concordia cannot stay in its current position, as it represents a danger for the environment, said Gabrielli. A portion of Giglio's coastal waters is designated as a protected marine habitat.

Via: Survivors mark Concordia anniversary

When pet travel ends in tragedy

(MNN.com) -- Horror stories about pets flying in the cargo hold tend to travel quickly.

Jack the cat made news last year when he escaped his crate and spent 61 days lost in JFK airport, and model Maggie Rizer's September blog post about her golden retriever's death during a United Airlines flight still has pet owners buzzing.

Jack escaped when an American Airlines clerk stacked his kennel on another kennel and it fell, opening on impact. The cat had to be euthanized because of malnourishment and dehydration, which made him prone to severe infection and organ dysfunction. On her "Bea Makes Three" blog, Rizer says she followed detailed instructions outlined in United's PetSafe program. Her dogs, Bea and Albert, traveled in carefully labeled crates that included water bowls filled with ice for their cross-country flight to San Francisco. But, according to Rizer, a necropsy report revealed that Bea died of heatstroke.

"Please, don't trust that an airline will truly care and provide safety to your beloved pet," Rizer wrote. "At some point in the two hours that Bea was in the care of United Airlines before she died, someone made a mistake and because of that, our loving, happy sweet Bea is no longer in our lives."

Both incidents serve as sobering reminders that flying pets in the cargo hold can be a risky proposition even when owners take proper precautions. Fortunately, the Department of Transportation is considering a rule change that would give pet owners more detailed information about an airlines' track record.

MNN: Moving across the country with your pet? Here's a checklist

Currently, about 15 major carriers provide monthly incident reports to the DOT, which posts that information online. Under a proposed rule change, any airline with a plane that holds more than 60 seats would have to report pet-related incidents. While current reporting rules focus on pets traveling with their owners, the new rule would include incidents involving cats and dogs shipped by breeders. The DOT also may require airlines to list the total number of animals that were lost, injured or died during flights as well as the number of pets transported each year.

"The number of pets they handle is surprising," says Susan Smith of PetTravel.com. "One incident makes social media and it's just not a good thing and it's very sad but you have to sign liabilities when you put your pet in the cargo hold and it's a chance that you take."

Smith says that airlines have been making changes to meet pet owners' needs and get a bigger slice of the $50 billion consumers spend on pets each year. But accommodating pets requires a lot more than simply carving out space in the cargo hold for furry travelers. More eyes and employees are involved in the process of transporting four-legged passengers. As part of United's PetSafe program, employees must complete training on handling animals, the airline provides tracking information for customers, and transport vans are climate-controlled. But increasingly, airlines are severely restricting or eliminating the service altogether. PetTravel.com notes that KLM recently banned four breeds of snub-nosed dogs in the cargo hold, and Delta Air Lines is restricting all pets from the cargo hold of its B767s.

"I'm not sure if airlines imagined five years ago that [pet travel] would become the business that it has," says Smith. "We are a mobile world. They are moving and want to bring pets. I hope airlines can continue to carry these pets and continue to focus on these safety standards."

MNN: Cat boarding facilities are a new breed

If you are planning a trip that involves your pet traveling in the cargo hold, Smith offers a few insider tips to make the experience a bit less stressful.

Avoid summertime flights: Avoid traveling during summer months when pets run a greater risk of sitting on the hot tarmac as the plane is unloaded. Some airlines even restrict pet travel during summer months. American Airlines' pet rules say the airline does not accept checked pets when the forecasted temperature rises above 85 degrees Fahrenheit or goes below 45 degrees. If you must travel with pets during summer months, Smith recommends flying at night. The opposite rule applies to flying with pets in extremely cold weather.

Opt for direct flights: Traveling by plane can be stressful for pets. In the DOT's July animal incident report, Alaska Airlines employees noticed that a pit bull had injured itself while chewing through the kennel during a flight from Anchorage to Kotzebue, Alaska. Airline employees noticed that the chewing continued on the dog's connecting flight from Kotzebue to Nome, Alaska. Look for the shortest possible flight time and opt for direct routes whenever possible

"Most airlines don't like holding a pet for more than a couple hours," Smith says. "You don't want to pick up and recheck it, especially if you have a big pet.

MNN: How can I help my dog fly in the cargo hold?

Make sure your pet is fit to fly: Some breeds make better travelers than others. Smith notes that Italian greyhounds are great dogs but they tend to be scared or skittish, which can make for difficult flights. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are prone to heart conditions and may not handle the rigors of traveling in cargo. The same applies to snub-nosed or brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs, shih tzus and pugs, which are prone to breathing difficulties. Major carriers such as Delta Air Lines no longer allows snub-nosed dogs or cats to fly in the cargo hold.

"If you have a pug, put it on a diet," Smith says. "Get it down to thin, thin, thin and then put it in the cabin.

Keep very young puppies and kittens at home: Consider the puppy or kitten's age and whether it can handle a long flight in the cargo hold. Most major carriers require pets to be at least 8 weeks old, making this a popular option for breeders. But PetTravel.com suggests waiting until puppies and kittens have completed their first round of vaccinations at 10 to 12 weeks.

"Nine times out of 10, puppies that are shipped commercially are very young puppies," Smith says. "Their respiratory system is not fully grown."

MNN: What kind of dog is this? The mysterious world of DNA testing

Traveling too early can lead to health issues that worsen when pets arrive at their destination, which is often a pet store or an unsuspecting consumer. When the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.org) analyzed 2,479 complaints from people who purchased puppies, about 40 percent involved illnesses such as parasites, respiratory illnesses, and infectious diseases such as parvovirus and canine distemper, which can be prevented through proper vaccination.

Kirsten Theisen, director of pet care issues for HSUS, told ABC News that the organization supports expanding reporting rules for airlines. But HSUS also contends that pets should avoid flying altogether. "Air travel is a risk to your pet's health and well-being," Theisen said in an ABC News article. "Our goal is to promote the health and well-being of animals and these two things are not compatible."

But Theisen notes that some pet owners have few options. "There are situations where families have no choice but to transport their pet by air (for example, when military families are stationed overseas or on remote U.S. posts like Hawaii)," she said via email. "In such cases, we caution that placing brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats in cargo hold areas should be avoided at all costs; they should instead travel in the passenger cabin or via a special pet transport service. This is one of the reasons we support more thorough reporting rules for the airlines, so that families can make informed decisions when air travel simply cannot be avoided."

MNN: Mark Buehrle can't bring his pit bull to Toronto

Notify airline employees that your pet is on board: While most airlines offer online registration, Smith stresses that pet owners call the airline and notify personnel of a pet's travel plans. To avoid long waits or busy signals, she recommends calling at midnight or 1 a.m.

On the day of your flight, watch airport personnel place your pet on board. Also, don't assume that the captain is aware of a pet in cargo. Instead, notify the captain, steward or flight attendant that there is a live animal in the cargo hold and you want the oxygen levels monitored. "I'm going to let everybody on that plane know," Smith says.

Share your tips for safe and stress-free travel with pets and join the conversation with Morieka on Twitter @soulpup.

Copyright 2011 Mother Nature Network

Via: When pet travel ends in tragedy

Man gagged, taped to airplane seat

New York (CNN) -- Get too far out of line aboard an international flight and you could be restrained in your seat with zip ties and duct tape.

That appears to be what happened to a disruptive male passenger aboard a flight from Iceland to New York on Thursday after a photo surfaced on social media showing a man bound to his seat.

Iceland Air said it could not confirm the validity of the photo, but said there was "an incident with a passenger on the flight from Reykjavik to New York" in which the passenger was restrained.

The man was "hitting, screaming and spitting at other passengers, while yelling profanities," according to airline spokesman Michael Raucheisen, who said the passenger's "behavior was considered to be unruly and threatening."

"To ensure the safety of those on board, he was restrained by passengers and crew and was monitored for his own safety for the duration of the flight," he added.

The man was arrested after the flight arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, the airline said. The Port Authority said the man was not charged and was taken to a local hospital.

Raucheisen said duct tape and plastic zip ties are considered standard protocol when restraining a passenger.

"This equipment is on board all our flights in case an incident like this arises," he said.

A photo posted on Facebook by a fellow passenger showed a man tied to the back of his seat with his legs tied together, and tape on his ankles and over his mouth.

Air rage: Passengers 'quicker to snap'

Plane passenger tries to open door during flight

Via: Man gagged, taped to airplane seat

5 reasons to visit Easter Island

(CNN) -- There are, of course, those massive stone statues of ancient legend lining its coast.

Then there's the epic isolation -- more than 2,000 miles from the nearest population centers (Chile, Tahiti), it's one of the most remote inhabited places on the planet.

But those aren't the only reasons to rank Easter Island ("Rapa Nui" to locals) high on your list of exotic travel wishes.

Polynesian in culture, Chilean in nationality, this volcanic archipelago in the southeastern Pacific Ocean remains a vibrant center of unique Polynesian culture and otherworldly scenery.

What's more, it's not hard to get to, with Chile's LAN Airlines making the five-hour flight from Santiago to Easter Island several times a week.

Measuring 15 by eight miles, it's easy to cover all of Easter Island in a single, unforgettable stay.

Here are five reasons to start planning now.

1. Moai

Numbering almost a thousand, the moai (monolithic human statues carved from a single piece of stone) are scattered all over the island. They're the principal reason people come to Easter Island and truly make any trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Carved in the image of the island's Rapa Nui ancestors, the statues date to the twelfth century and measure up to a staggering 32 feet (10 meters) in height.

Excavated in the 1970s, they stand in long lines. Some are solitary and all face inland.

Each moai is different. Like caricatures, they're fat, thin, big, small, tattooed -- you name it, the Rapa Nui carved them as an expression of an intricate culture that also included petroglyphs, tattooing and ancient Oceania's only written language.

2. Tapati Festival

One of many Easter Island mysteries is how this remote piece of land came to be inhabited. Most historians agree that Polynesian seafarers arrived around 400 AD, but no one knows for sure -- some have posited an extraterrestrial connection.

What is known is that it wasn't until 1722, when a Dutch expedition arrived, that the Rapa Nui had any contact with outsiders. At the time, the moai were still standing andthe local population numbered around 20,000.

Today, the islanders number 5,000 in total. That's just four times the number of moai and less than the island's horse population.

But the island's one-of-a-kind culture is kept alive with activities and festivals that highlight ancient arts such as spear throwing, tobogganing, dancing and body painting.

The island's top celebration is the Tapati Festival (February 1 through 15, 2013), which revolves around a series of competitions based on ancient sports.

The highlight is the Haka Pei, in which male islanders (wearing only small loin cloths) toboggan down the Maunga Pui volcano on banana tree trunks. It's a bumpy, crazy ride. The last competitor remaining atop his log is declared the winner.

There are also dance competitions, carnival-style parades, food exhibitions and the crowning of the Tapati queen.

3. Volcanoes

Easter Island is primarily made up of three extinct volcanoes: Terevaka, Poike and Rano Kau.

The youngest of the three, Terevaka forms the vast part of the island. Its slopes served as the Rano Raraku quarry, providing the volcanic tuff from which the moai were carved.

Today, 400 eerie, petrified heads poke out of Terevaka's grassy hillside, looking as though they were captured and frozen while trying to climb out of the mountainside.

Poike makes up the island's east "wing" and Rano Kau forms the south.

Rano Kau has a huge, impressive crater. It sits astride the ceremonial village of Orongo, which has breathtaking 360-degree views of the island and Pacific Ocean.

4. Food

Easter Island isn't a gourmet destination -- years of deforestation have led to a scarcity of local resources.

But being surrounded by ocean means that seafood isn't just a staple, it's outstanding. Fresh beans and yams tend to round out most plates.

In Kaloa, the Hangaroa Eco Village's Poerava restaurant might be the best place to eat on the island. It serves a delicious seared tuna and other local specialties according to the availability of ingredients. It also has sweeping ocean views. The resort also includes a bistro that serves pasta and cocktails.

In Hanga Roa village, Ariki o Te Pana Cafe has excellent empanadas for those seeking simple, local food at reasonable prices. (Note: local restaurants aren't 'budget' cheap -- for example, you can expect to pay more than US$20 for a dish of spaghetti at many places).

5. Eco-lodges

A highlight for many visitors is a stay in one of the Easter Island's eco-lodges.

On the southeast side of the island, Posada de Mike Rapu is made entirely of local wood and gets high ratings for privacy.

Opened in 2007, the lodge says it was the first in South America to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council. The lodge has 30 bedrooms and undisturbed views over fields, red coral trees and the Pacific Ocean.

Situated on a chunk of craggy coastline, Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa has 79 bedrooms and is within easy walking distance of the main village of Hanga Roa. It's built in true eco-style, with adobe buildings topped with grass roofs. Inside, cypress tree trunks form pillars and en suite bedrooms have handmade clay baths. It's like staying in a very luxurious cave.

Posada de Mike Rapu; +1 866 750 6699 (from U.S.) or +56 2 2395 2800; from US$2,385 for three nights (double occupancy); website

Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa in Hanga Roa; +56 2 957 0300; from US$275 per night (double occupancy); website

Been to Easter Island? Share your experiences and tips below.

Via: 5 reasons to visit Easter Island

Top travel destinations for 2013

(CNN) -- What makes a travel destination "hot"?

What makes people around the world all at once start booking tickets to cities they know little about or salivate for restaurants they've only just heard of?

What accounts for places with perfectly respectable histories (Estonia, Laos) suddenly finding their ways "onto the map" of the traveling masses?

A lot of what attracts tourism is economics, sometimes positive (China) sometimes less so (Greece).

Major world events contribute to international buzz -- the Summer Olympics placed London atop many "hottest 2012 destinations" lists.

Savvy marketing makes a difference. The current "It's more fun in the Philippines" campaign has helped attract visitors to that vastly underrated country.

The chance whims of pop culture can unexpectedly thrust a heretofore obscure place into the spotlight. By now you've probably heard of the Seoul district of Gangnam. You couldn't have said that this time last year.

When compiling our list of 2013 hot spots, we took into account all of the above and more while canvassing travel sites, experts and organizations to identify up and coming destinations based on bargains, significant events and important new services, such as added airline routes and major hotel openings.

Our hot seven aren't the only "new" places ready to be discovered in the coming year, but they're a solid start.

Where will you be traveling in 2013? Let us know your "hot destinations" in the comments section below.

1. Scotland, United Kingdom

Scotland has seen fit to dub 2013 the "Year of Natural Scotland," and what better time to do it?

Anyone who saw the 2012 James Bond thriller "Skyfall" walked away wishing they too could race through Scotland's dramatic countryside and hide out in its misty highlands (granted, while not being pursued by a homicidal Javier Bardem).

Of many outdoor events and special deals planned around the Year of Natural Scotland, highlights include: the Dumfries & Galloway Wildlife Festival 2013 (March 29-April 14); Heb Celt 2013 music festival (July 17-20); Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight (September 7-22); and, of course, The Open Championship golf tournament (July 14-21).

More independent-minded trekkers will find 2013 a good year to tackle part of Scotland's Great Trails, a network of long-distance routes across the country.

The entire length of the country -- all 750 kilometers of it -- can be walked via the recently announced Gore-Tex Scottish National Trail. The trail, which runs from the English border to Cape Wrath, travels past pristine lochs and haunting glens as it follows mainly existing routes, such as the West Highland Way and Rob Roy Way.

Should Scotland give the UK the highland fling?

2. Rabat, Morocco

What a difference a little recognition makes.

Travelers have long overlooked Morocco's low-key capital, instead being seduced by the heady sights and sounds of Marrakech or beachside charm of Essaouira.

That'll change in 2013 with the elegant city in the northwest of the country having been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2012.

This means word is just starting to get out about what the UNESCO folks call Rabat's "fertile exchange between the Arabo-Muslim past and Western modernism."

Exhibit A: the historic old town featuring the magnificent twelfth-century Hassan Mosque and a picturesque medina overlooking the Atlantic with largely hassle-free shopping.

Exhibit B: Rabat's charming French-built new town with wide boulevards and lovely cafes.

A shiny new tramway links the capital to its sister city Sal, while a new airport terminal means the city has become much more accessible. Rabat (area population 1.7 million) is hitting the proverbial travel radar, but it's far from overrun -- that makes 2013 the year to be there now. Link: www.visitmorocco.com

3. Koice, Slovakia

Thanks in part to its medieval old town and vibrant mix of Renaissance, Baroque, and art nouveau architecture, the compact yet captivating eastern Slovakian city of Koice (population 250,000) has been chosen 2013's European Capital of Culture (along with Marseille in France).

To say that city officials are excited is an understatement -- they've planned at least 300 cultural events for 2013.

The ECOC opening ceremony will be held January 19 and 20 and is, according to officials, "conceived as a unique, two-day inspirational event which will enliven the whole city."

Events will be spread across town, from the State Theater to a stage on major Hlavna Street to numerous clubs and restaurants. Throughout the year, activities will draw on the city's Slovakian and Hungarian heritage and include music festivals, theater, art and street performance.

Just as enjoyable is people watching along a pedestrian-only main drag while taking in the Gothic St. Elisabeth cathedral and sipping a Koice Gold, the city's official cocktail (with a super-secret recipe). Link: www.kosice2013.sk

4. Sub-Saharan Africa

Multi-country African trips usual mean long, bumpy journeys on bad roads or budget-busting charter flights between destinations.

The November 2012 launch of Fastjet, Africa's new Europeanstyle, low-cost airline, promises to revolutionize travel in the region.

Fastjet currently operates a small fleet of Airbus 319s from its Tanzanian base in Dar es Salaam, connecting the capital to the trekking mecca of Kilimanjaro.

It also flies to Mwanza on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, handy for the western Serengeti.

According to flightglobal.com, the airline will establish a second base of operations in Nairobi in early 2013, and add operation centers later in the year in the African capitals of Accra, Ghana and Luanda, Angola.

Other destinations slated for 2013 include Entebbe in Uganda (allowing cheaper access to the country's mountain gorillas) and beach resorts of Zanzibar in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya.

With one-way fares as low as US$20 (excluding taxes and surcharges), remote parts of Africa will be a lot easier to get to in 2013.

52 weeks, 52 things to do in 2013

5. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

With Daniel Day-Lewis likely getting an Oscar Best Actor nomination for his spooky good portrayal of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (the 85th Academy Awards show will be held February 24) and the 150th anniversary of the real president's famed 272-word Gettysburg Address (given in the wake of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, it's perhaps the most famous speech in American political history), U.S. Civil War history will take center stage in 2013.

A year of events and commemorations are scheduled in and around Gettysburg, including a 10-day program of tours, performances and a massive battle re-enactment on July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) at the Gettysburg National Military Park from June 28 through July 7.

6. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Like birthday celebrations? Amsterdam does, and it's set to host a bunch of them to mark major anniversaries in 2013.

The 160th anniversary of Vincent Van Gogh's birthday will take place on March 30 with special exhibitions and opening hours of the city's Van Gogh Museum.

One of the world's greatest orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra turns 125 years old in 2013. A special "125 Years of the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra" concert will be held on April 10, 2013. "Bach, Mozart, Haydn with Giovanni Antonini" is the highlight of the late February-early March schedule.

More Amsterdam birthdays: the city's canal ring will celebrate its 400th anniversary, the Artis Royal Zoo turns 175 and the Rijksmuseum national museum of Netherlands art and history returns after a 10-year renovation, with a grand opening scheduled for April 13.

"Once the new Rijksmuseum has become a tasteful, daring, imaginative and optimistic museum, it will have fulfilled its mission," says to the museum's website.

That's a lot of ways to celebrate 2013 in a city already known for fun.

What were the most popular travel destinations in 2012?

7. Colombia

Magical Andes mountain scenery, bustling cities quickly getting up to international speed in the wake of a troubling past, high-end hotel openings (Hilton, InterContinental, Marriott) and new direct routes from major air carriers are quickly moving Colombia onto a lot of traveler wish lists -- including ours.

The deal folks Travelzoo agree, naming Colombia a "Wow Deal Destination for 2013" and reporting on a "tourism boom breeding competition and deals in a country where the U.S. dollar already goes far."

Adding a grace note is Bogot's designation as a 2013 UNESCO City of Music. The organization recognized the city "foremost for its fast growing musical sector and dynamic music scene as a major center of musical creation and activity in Latin America."

To mark the honor, a series of concerts and music festivals will take place in the city throughout the year, from casual performances in public parks to lively club shows and the first Bogot International Music Festival (March 27-30, link in Spanish only), a four-day, 55-performance concert event that this year will be dedicated entirely to Beethoven.

As we already mentioned, our hot seven aren't the only "new" places to hit in 2013.

Other trending spots include:

Montenegro -- great beaches, rich history, underappreciated cuisine, stunning sites.
New Zealand -- more film-inspired sightseeing mixed with top-rate food and wine.
Miami -- reinventing itself as a hip hangout for arty types.
Japan -- offering better than ever value as the country seeks to reinvigorate travel in wake of 2011 tsunami.
Vietnam -- a wave of new resort openings planned for 2013.

Agree, disagree? What are your 2013 travel plans or wishes?

Via: Top travel destinations for 2013