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10 new Hong Kong hotels for every type of traveler Posted: 27 Jun 2013 11:00 PM PDT There are so many Hong Kong hotel choices you're bound to make the wrong one. Here's help It's tempting when traveling to Hong Kong to book the same hotel you stayed in on your last trip to the city -- and maybe even the visit before that. After all, when it comes to hotels, most of us do what we can to minimize surprises. But before you give "old reliable" another night, you might do well to consider 10 newly opened Hong Kong hotels -- or ones that are coming soon. One of them might convince you to try something new.  For design aficionados: Mira Moon  Rooms in Mira Moon fall into three design categories: Half-moon, Full-moon and New Moon.If a Chinese moon goddess teamed up with Lady Gaga to build a hotel, the result might look like the Miramar Group's second Hong Kong property, Mira Moon. Marcel Wanders (dubbed the Lady Gaga of the design world by the New York Times) and international property design firm yoo are the masterminds behind the hotel's whimsical design. Brimming with Chinese culture and tradition, Mira Moon was inspired by the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival's fairy tale about the immortal Moon Goddess. Guests are surrounded by antique Chinese fabrics and prints, peony flower wall details and staff wearing "Moon's fashion collection" -- the hotel's version of a uniform. Mira Moon, which plans to open in August 2013, will have 91 rooms ranging from 221 square feet to a 1,247-square-feet penthouse suite on the 36th floor. Mira Moon is expected to open in August; 388 Jaffe Road, Wanchai; from HK$2,600 ($335)/night For families: Auberge Discovery Bay  Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong: an island resort with 24-hour access to the real world.It's not exactly El Nido, but Auberge claims fame for being Hong Kong's very first resort. Sitting in Discovery Bay, Lantau Island -- where there's plenty of green space and no cars (just shuttle buses) -- it's great for families and nature lovers. The resort has 325 rooms and all things fancy: an al fresco dining area with an oceanfront terrace, a European tall ship, a glass chapel and a horse carriage to get you there. All oceanfront rooms and suites feature sunken baths and floor-to-ceiling windows. Auberge is a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong's top nightlife strip, Lan Kwai Fong. Ferries run round the clock so there's no fear of missing the last boat. Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong, 88 Siena Ave., Discovery Bay Lantau Island; +852 2295 8288; from HK$1,090 ($141)/night For thrill-seekers: Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Hotel Indigo: the trendiest way to take in views of Hong Kong -- in a bikini. Hotel Indigo's glass-bottom infinity pool on the 29th floor has attracted a lot of attention since opening in May. Next time you're in Wanchai, look up and you might see a person seemingly swimming in mid-air. Hotel Indigo was awarded the Best Hotel Architecture Hong Kong prize at the 2013 Asia Pacific Hotel Awards. The facade of this newbie -- located next to the Star Street Precinct, one of Hong Kong's hippest districts -- resembles a dragon wrapping itself around the building, with a glowing pearl (the pool) in its mouth. Interiors and furniture were inspired by the neighborhood. Hotel Indigo Hong Kong, 242 To 246 Queen's Road East, Wanchai; +852 3926 3888; from HK$2,300 ($297)/night  For those who appreciate the little details: V Wanchai2 The chic V Wanchai2 was designed by the man who fit 24 "rooms" in his tiny flat.You might not be familiar with Edge Design Institute Ltd, the group that created V Wanchai2's interior spaces. But you may be familiar with the home of one of its chief designers, Gary Chang. Or at least the viral video of his cramped little flat that has 24 rooms.  There aren't any moving walls to play around with in this hotel, but guests get a fusion of chic European and Chinese designs. For instance, the lattice in the lobby is made from 250 abacuses. Its garden terrace offers complimentary happy hour cocktails. Other features included in the room price include drinks, WiFi, a fitness room (near the hotel) and access to the hotel's DVD library. V Wanchai2 Hotel, 180 Jaffe Road, Wanchai; +852 3602 2388; from HK$1,380 ($178)/night  For flashpackers: Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon Pentalounge, the signature common space found in all Pentahotels.Following the openings of properties in Shanghai and Beijing, this Europe-based hotel brand will expand its footprint to East Kowloon in Hong Kong this summer. The 695-room hotel is targeted at high-end backpackers. Designed by Shanghai-based Neri & Hu, the hotel is contemporary and rustic, resembling a New York loft. The hotel's first floor features the hip pentalounge, a signature common space for guests found in every Pentahotel. There's also an outdoor pool and gym. Apart from WiFi, Wii, billards and board games included in the price of the room, the pentalounge houses an upscale version of Hong Kong's wet markets that serves local street foods. Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon is expected to open in August;19 Luk Hop St., Kowloon; rates TBA For business travelers: Courtyard Hong Kong Shatin Courtyard by Marriott: the businessperson's second home.Sitting in an atypical location in the New Territories, this hotel makes up for its locational disadvantage with abundant light, tranquility, an open river view and spacious interiors. With 539 rooms, it's the second largest Courtyard in the brand's portfolio.  The business hotel also has a restaurant, MoMo Café, serving international cuisine and buffets. There's WiFi throughout all public areas, a 24-hour gym, outdoor swimming pool and business center. As with many other Marriott hotels, Courtyard by Marriot also has the newest Goboard, a virtual concierge on a 55-inch touch screen offering up-to-date local information. Guests can sync information on local events, transportation tips and maps with their mobile. Courtyard Hong Kong Sha Tin, 1 On Ping St., Sha Tin New Territories; +852 3940 8888; from HK$1,480 ($190)/night  For urban explorers: Ovolo   Ovolo is planting two new hotels in the south of Hong Kong Island this year."Been there. Done that."   If that's your least favorite travel catch phrase, one of Ovolo's two new Hong Kong hotels might be worth a look. Prior to the extension of the subway line to the south of Hong Kong Island, this community of fishermen was untouched by Hong Kong's urban vibe (with the exception of Ocean Park). Due to open this summer, Ovolo in Aberdeen sits by the sea in an area full of fresh seafood and with a traditional floating village. Ovolo Southside in Wong Chuk Hang, on the other hand, is Hong Kong's first hotel to have been fully converted from a warehouse. It's set to open near the end of the year. Ovolo in Aberdeen is expected to open in August; 100 Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen; +852 2165 1000; from HK$2,500 ($322) Ovolo Southside is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2013; 66 Wong Chuk Hang Road; rates TBA For action lovers: Hotel Pennington by Rhombus If you want to be in the middle of it all, Rhombus is the one to hit. The down-to-earth version of its Rhombus sister hotels, some might be disappointed that Hotel Pennington doesn't have a hot nightclub like the Azure in Hotel LKF by Rhombus. But with its location in the middle of Causeway Bay, it doesn't need one. A short walk from the Happy Valley racecourse, shopping and trendy hipster districts, this hotel is perfect for those who love being in the middle of the action. Hotel Pennington by Rhombus is expected to open in the third quarter in 2013; 13 Pennington St., Causeway Bay; +852 3970 0688; rates TBA For the budget-conscious: OZO Wesley Hong Kong OZO, the minimalist.If your only hotel wishes are to get a good night's sleep and have connectivity included in your room rate, OZO Wesley Hong Kong is a solid bet.  From the company behind the luxury Saffron hotels and resorts and upscale Amari hotels, ONYX Hospitality Group has made the move into no-frills accommodation. By keeping facilities simple and practical, Ozo aims to offer value for budget travelers.  With 251 guest rooms, the hotel features WiFi included in room rates, a contemporary Chinese restaurant, meeting space and fitness center. OZO Wesley Hong Kong, 22 Hennessy Road, Wanchai; +852 2292 3000; from HK$1,100 ($142)/night For backpackers: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel The lone survivor of Hong Kong's first public housing estate is now a youth hostel. YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel offers a look at an increasingly rare side of Hong Kong. Being the last remaining building in the first public housing estate in Hong Kong, Mei Ho House is set to be the city's most buzzed about hostel when renovated later this year.  Original designs from the 1950s include the "Mei Ho House" lettering on the facade and an H-shaped architectural layout.  The hostel will have 129 rooms, an exhibition highlighting the Heritage of Mei Ho House, a cafe, convenience store, self-catering kitchen and laundry. YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2013; Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po; +852 2788 1638; rates TBA Tags:  Hong Kong travel Hong Kong hotels Hong Kong new hotels Asia travel Hong Kong resorts

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Cameron Highlands: Malaysia's enduring 'Little England' Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:00 PM PDT For nearly a century, the former hill station has been a retreat from blast-furnace summer temps. Here's why it's still cool Wherever they went, the British built hill stations. Lofty retreats from the tropical heat, these slices of "little England" popped up throughout Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Myanmar and Malaysia. In the latter, the occupying colonials founded several small settlements -- including Penang, Maxwell Hill, Bukit Tingii and the Genting Highlands -- leaving a colonial mark that stands today. The granddaddy of them all is the Cameron Highlands, which sits 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level. More on CNN: Malaysia's top 40 foods  Highland history highlights The Convent Primary School, a landmark of the Cameron Highlands since 1935."Discovered" by British surveyor William Cameron in 1885, the verdant, green plateau now known as the Cameron Highlands lay undeveloped for the next 40 years. That is until Chief Secretary of Federated Malay States Sir William Maxwell -- who already had a hill station named after him outside of Kuala Lumpur -- decreed that the area should be developed.  Within a decade, a nine-hole golf course, cottages, inns, a police station, boarding schools, dairy, nurseries, vegetable farms and tea estates had replaced impenetrable jungle.   Today, with temperatures rarely rising above 25 C (77 F), the Cameron Highlands is still one of Malaysia's top tourist destinations -- particularly among those looking for an escape from Kuala Lumpur's crushing heat.  Tea with 'ummph' In 2007, Boh opened a new visitor center in this ultra-modern building.Displacing the Orang Asli aboriginals as residents, the British who flocked to the area soon realized the cool climate and fertile soil was perfect for growing vegetables and tea. One company still around is Boh -- you might know them by their memorable slogan, "BOH has Ummph!." (We don't know what that means either.)   Founded in 1929 by Malayan-British entrepreneur J.A. Russell, these plantations are still important to the local economy, though now as tourist attractions. Before settling down for a pot of comforting "teh" -- the Malaysian word for tea -- visitors can join one of the regular free tours of the factory, where the intricate manufacturing process is explained with passion.   Boh, 39200 Ringlet, Cameron Highlands; +60 (0)5 493 1324; open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. More on CNN: 10 best islands for a Malaysia holiday Tracking Jim Thompson The famed Moonlight Bungalow at the Jim Thompson Cottage. Over the border in Thailand, the name Jim Thompson is synonymous with silk –- he founded an empire in the fabric there. But in the Cameron Highlands, it's the 1967 disappearance of the American millionaire that will live on in unsolved infamy.  On Easter Sunday, March 26, Thompson was visiting friends in the Highlands. After attending morning services at the nearby All Souls' Church, they retired to their "Moonlight" cottage.  At 1:30 p.m., Thompson left for a walk on his own -– never to return -- launching the largest manhunt Malaysia has ever known. For more than a month, some 400 police, soldiers, aboriginal trackers, helicopters and even a psychic investigator tried to find him. To this day wild theories abound: Thompson was kidnapped by Chinese communist guerillas, eaten by a tiger, assassinated by the CIA, faked his own death in order to start a new life or simply just got lost in the jungle.   There are a few options for travelers looking to feel some of that Thompson mystery vibe.  Visitors can stay in a room in the actual "Moonlight" cottage at the Jim Thompson Cottage.   Close by, the Cameron Highlands Resort has its own Jim Thompson Mystery Trail and hosts regular "Murder Mystery in the Misty Mountains" whodunnit events, in which guests are encouraged to dress up in 1960s clothing as they try to figure out who killed Jim Thompson. Meanwhile, the Cameron Highlands' Strawberry Park Resort has its very own Jim Thompson Terrace. On the menu? The Jim Thompson Burger, naturally. Tudor mockery The Smoke House was built in 1937 to cater to homesick Britons. The Smokehouse Hotel wouldn't look out of place in an English village –- exactly the intention of its first owner, Englishman Douglas Warin, who built the then six-room property in 1937 to cater to homesick Britons. Three decades later, the mock-Tudor building was sold to retired Colonel Stanley Foster before being acquired by Malaysia's Lee family in 1977. Foster, an eccentric former military man, built another mock-Tudor property for himself in 1972.  Known as the Lakehouse, it was his private residence until his death in 1984. It too has been turned into a charming hotel. Unlike his properties, Foster wasn't charming. Legend has it he used to chase Asian visitors away from the house with a whip or cane and put up a sign on his lawn that read: "No Dogs, No Children, No Asians Allowed!"  Both properties are worth a visit -- even if it's just for a spot of tea. The Lakehouse, 30th Mile Ringlet, 39200, Cameron Highlands; +60 (0)5 495 6152 The Smokehouse Hotel, 39000 Tanah Ratah, Cameron Highlands;+60 (0)5 491 1215   More on CNN: Insider guide: Best of Langkawi Living luxe Deluxe room in the Cameron Highlands Resort.Heading north from Tanah Rata, the administrative center of the Cameron Highlands, the main road winds through mist-shrouded hills before emerging onto the tricky 18-hole Cameron Highlands Golf Course, one of Malaysia's best places to tee off.  The Cameron Highlands Resort, the grandest place to stay in the hill station, overlooks the course. This 56-room property plays up the area's colonial past with plantation-style window shutters, an elegant Tea Room and fireplaces for cool evenings. Cameron Highlands Resort, 39000 Tanah Ratah, Cameron Highlands; +60 (0)5 491 1100 Strawberry fields and time travel Leaving behind the golf course, the main Cameron Highlands road heads through the area's second biggest town, Brinchang, and past butterfly gardens and strawberry farms. Thanks to the area's elevation, it's one of the few places the fruit can be grown in Malaysia. The biggest of the batch is the Kok Lim Strawberry Farm, which lets visitors head to the fields and pick their own.  One man's junk is Time Tunnel owner See Kok Shan's treasure. Not far away is the Time Tunnel, filled with curios and collectables assembled by owner and history buff See Kok Shan. The split-level museum is often full of nostalgic Malaysians and Singaporeans who come to check out objects that remind them of their childhood. For visitors, the sepia photos show just how much the area has changed through the years.  Time Tunnel, 39100 Jalan Sungei Burung, Brinchang; open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.  Best time to visit During peak times in the Cameron Highlands –- school holidays, weekends, national holidays such as Chinese New Year –- most hotels are full and roads become extremely crowded. The temperate climate remains constant year-round, but the coolest part of the year is December through February, when temperatures can drop as low as 10 C (50 F). More on CNN: Insider Guide: Best of Kuala Lumpur How to get there The Cameron Highlands is 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Kuala Lumpur. The best way to get there is to rent a car. Malaysia has great infrastructure and driving is easy.  Follow signs heading out of the capital city to Ipoh, and then head north on the E1 highway for roughly three hours. Take Exit 132 and then take the road up to the Highlands. From here it's 47 kilometers to Ringlet, and a further 12 kilometers to Tanah Rata, the administrative center of the Cameron Highlands.  Comfortable buses make the trip from Kuala Lumpur daily. To book online, visit www.busonlineticket.com.  The nearest airport to the Cameron Highlands is Ipoh, 122 kilometers away. It services flights from Singapore via low-cost airline Firefly.   With additional reporting by CNN Travel staff. CNN Travel's series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile. However CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy.   Tags:  Experience Malaysia Malaysia Malaysia travel Jim Thompson Cameron Highlands Genting Highlands

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Is Glastonbury still worth it? Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:00 AM PDT The once anti-establishment festival is now as mainstream as it gets, but that's not enough to put off 140,000 revelers Around 140,000 people will begin piling into Worthy Farm, Pilton, today for Glastonbury 2013. Back after a London Olympics-induced hiatus in 2012, this year's music festival sold out in just one hour and 40 minutes, punters paying over $300 for the privilege. Clearly, Glasto is as popular as ever. But with mortgage-rock bores Mumford and Sons headlining, it's hard to shake the feeling that a festival once renowned for its anti-establishment credentials and as a hangout for shower-shy hippies has become a lame, mainstream attraction. Mobile network EE is now a sponsor but, last time out, Orange's cringeworthy "chill'n'charge" tent carried a mural about the hippie dream. Hardly what Ken Kesey had in mind when driving across the United States with his Merry Pranksters, bombed on acid. Corporate sponsors and exclusive camping areas make it feel less like a summer of love free for all and more like a modern city in microcosm -- complete with social inequality. Micro industries Is Glastonbury as "rubbish" as some say? Poet and performer Yanny Mac, who started going to Glastonbury in 1989, says he'll never go again and isn't retiring when asked why. "It's an internment camp for lost braying sheep and businessmen who profit from overpriced cigarette papers and bottled tap-water," he says. "Like most things it has been over-commercialized, but Glastonbury's security and prison-like walls also lend it a disgusting 'captive market' ethos. "If it's hot and dry near the Dance Tent, bottled water prices soar to £5 (US$7.70) an item," he adds. "If it rains, the same unscrupulous dealers will sell you poorly made gum-boots for over £30." Those "prison-like" walls were thrown up in the wake of the 2000 event, when the crowd swelled to 250,000 people. Whether hiding in hay bales on the back of tractors or posing as staff, thousands managed to sneak in and catch David Bowie's classic set, causing chaos in the process. Since then, security has become crucial for the festival. Highly policed Beyonce headlined at the 2011 festival. Tickets come with photo ID embossed on them and a registration scheme stops scalpers flooding eBay with unwanted passes. That's led to a huge rise in prices, making Glastonbury unaffordable for many. It's also led to an increasingly vocal brigade of Glastonbury-goers bemoaning the passing of the good old days. There's always one wild-eyed trooper, wrapped in a blanket, rocking back and forth and incanting "Glastonbury ain't what it used to be," much to the amusement of tipsy revelers at the festival's stunning Stonehenge-like Stone Circle. Because while Glastonbury has changed, it still has an aura attached to it that other UK festivals simply can't match. A lot of that comes down to its diversity. While the world's most average bands might ply their trade on the Pyramid Stage, The Park still serves up must-see alt rock, while the Healing Fields remain a home away from home for folk still living the Haight Ashbury dream. "My feeling is that people moan about how it's changed, how it costs more money and there's not the kind of social mix there once was," says Joe Dunthorne, author and Glastonbury-goer since 2002. "But in fairness to Glastonbury, they have made an amazing effort to create interesting and innovative new areas. All the late night zones are astoundingly good. "I'll never forget when the Shangri La area had a Blade Runner theme and it was like being part of some futuristic noir film. It had a great end of the world vibe." Dunthorne says it's the wild variety of what's on offer that makes Glastonbury so good. The huge size of the site means you can easily escape the bits you don't want to see, he goes on. Don't like? Move on Sleep deprivation and sensory overload -- in some countries that counts as torture. "I can see why people gripe, but I would say they're just going to the wrong bits of the festival. If you're having a rubbish time, go somewhere else, there's always somewhere more suited to you." It's these smaller areas that stand-up poet Luke Wright, who's performed at the festival every year for the past decade, says make Glastonbury what it is. "I ignore the festival that gets written about in the music mags. For me it's about The Green Fields, the cabaret tent, the stone circle. I love going up to the highest point of Worthy Farm and looking down on the weird, colorful town. "And there's always at least one music act that is unmissable. It's still magic, and it will be as long as the hippies are still there." There's no escaping the fact that Glastonbury is now one expensive proposition. The whole five-day bender can easily hit you for in excess of $1,000. And its sponsorships and demand economy can at times make it feel far less egalitarian than it was even 10 years ago. But thanks to its scope and huge spread of acts, it's easy to escape the so-called boring bits, the bits every other festival serves up, and experience something different. Just remember to pack your wellies and make for the hills when Marcus Mumford's banjo starts ringing in your ears. Glastonbury Festival 2013 goes from June 26-30; tickets are now sold out Tags:  music festivals Glastonbury

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Appy Traveler: Best new apps for travelers Posted: 24 Jun 2013 07:40 PM PDT Six great new travel apps, including a social restaurant reviewer, 3D camera app and multi-language translator Bookmark this article and check back in occasionally to see what new great apps we love, and think you should try. Also see: 50 best apps for travelers ... so far --- Updated June 25, 2013 --- Pingspot A virtual pin board for all your favorite outlets. iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Imagine a virtual pin board that flags you and your friends' favorite restaurants and shops.  That's Pingspot in a nutshell. The app allows you to ping places you visit, leave a photo and a recommendation for your friends, so that together, you can discover the best eats and hippest outlets around you.  Flying Facebook, but for airports. iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free)  Flying is a fun and quirky way to keep track of your flights and share your trips with your friends.  Not only does Flying provide the basics of your trips, including departure time, terminal and gate number, it does so in a fun and slick way to make "the act of flying feel special again." You can also interact with your friends and earn stamps for each flying achievement you've unlocked. Flying also keeps track of the total distance you've flown throughout your trips and shows your journeys on maps. Flying is currently in public beta. iStone Language barriers busted with iStone. iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free)  Worried about asking for directions to the bathroom when you're stranded in the middle of a shopping mall in Paris? iStone may be your savior. iStone is a translation app that is designed for travelers without any great linguistic skills. It records and translates into 12 languages and comes equipped with more than 300 useful phrases. iStone also features native pronunciation and requires no Wi-Fi.  iStone basic version is free.  Packing Pro Packing Pro takes the stress out of packing. iPhone, iPad: App Store ($2.99) We've all gone through it -- half way to the airport you remember you've forgotten to pack something essential. Or even worse, arriving at the airport to realize your passport has expired. Clumsy travel "accidents" are common, and hard to avoid. Packing Pro tries to help.  With Packing Pro's customizable lists, users can plan what to bring for every type of trip, from a luxurious family holiday to a budget backpacking adventure. The newly upgraded Packing Pro can be synced over iCloud and lists can be shared via email.  Postagram  Virtual postcards that materialize in your recipient's real mailbox. iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Android: Google Play (Free) Sick of sending cliched touristy postcards? Travelers can surprise their special someone with a one-of-a-kind, personalized postcard of a photo from their phone, Facebook or Instagram.  Postagram allows you to design your own postcard by choosing a picture and adding a message. Within days, the postcard will be mailed to the recipient's (real) mailbox. Postagrams also come personalized with the profile picture of the sender.  For a limited time, new Postagram users will be able to mail their first five postcards free of charge. Afterwards, each postcard will cost $0.99 for U.S. addresses and $1.99 for international ones.  Photosynth Photosynth can shoot 3D images, something even most DSLR cameras can't do. iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Windows Phone: Windows Store (Free) Thousands of photo apps out there, but how many allow you to take 3D and 360-degree pictures? For travelers who want to remember everything around them, Photosynth offers an upgrade from the average photo app.  It captures images not only from left to right, but also up and down, stitching them together to create a 360-degree view of your surroundings. Once you've created a Photosynth, you can share it on social media. --- Updated March 6, 2013 --- Fly Delta for iPad No need for weeks of planning. You can fly by the seat of your pants with this handy app. iPad: App Store (Free) Fly Delta, like any decent airline app, is equipped with check-in tools, e-boarding passes and gate info. But this app's most download-worthy feature is its "Glass Bottom Jet." It provides a bird's eye view of locations you're flying over, allowing users to explore the area with photos, landmarks and Wikipedia pages. It will also tell you which Facebook friends you're flying over. You can spin the globe to explore worldwide destinations. They come complete with shopping and dining guides. Your iPad will also be an entertainment system when flying Delta, accessing in-flight movies and the downloadable Sky magazine, as well as highlighting destination related music and movies. 101 Things to do before you go abroad There's more to England than London and fog. iPhone, iPad: Facebook App (Free) Android: Facebook App (Free)   VisitEngland's Facebook app is building a list of 101 best English experiences. The national tourist board wants locals to consider looking around their homeland before vacationing abroad. International travelers can also use this colorful interactive map to find activities all over England. Everyone is invited to vote and offer suggestions. There are six themes, but for fun times too cool to categorize, they are pinned "because it's awesome." Ideas are collected until March 10; nominees are announced mid-March. The complete list of 101 Things to do will be official April 23. Some top experiences include stargazing in Exmoor's International Dark Sky Reserve and watching the Gatehead Millennium Bridge tilt. Splid Splid will back you up if you get into emergencies during travel.iPhone, iPad: App Store ($0.99)   This app is like insurance against difficult situations during your travels. Splid is essentially a photo and audio app, that does not allow files to be edited or changed in any way. Sounds like a step backward? The idea is that the "Photoshopped" argument, where one party accuses another of falsifying or changing a picture or file, cannot be used. Splid allows users to record their awful hotel rooms, inedible food and obnoxious travel reps and then save those file to the cloud. If it comes down to their word against yours, Splid will have solid evidence. --- Updated January 11, 2013 --- Minube Not a fan of ours? Create your own guide. iPhone: App Store (Free) Android: Google Play (Free) Windows Phone: Windows Store (Free) Minube is a e-library that stocks thousands of user-generated mini-guides. The Madrid-based start-up social app covers 24,000 destinations in about 200 countries (and counting). There are more than 100,000 mini-guides from travelers for free or at a small cost. The app tracks nearby spots recommended by travelers and allows users to search for locations worldwide -- from restaurant reviews at your current location to insider tips to Park Güell in Barcelona -- "How to get there without dying because of the hills" -- by browsing through an image library. Users can also plan and interact with friends using Minube. Springpad Organizing can be fun, finally. iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Android: Google Play (Free) The latest smart notebook by Springpad is a hybrid of social networking and organizing with a good-looking layout. Springpad takes the notebook to the next level by adding further details to your entries automatically. It's handy to create a checklist for a trip -- when you add entries like hotels, restaurants or landmarks, the app will save contact information, reviews, maps and pictures. The data can be shared with your friends on Springpad and the saved data can also be accessed offline. Airports by TravelNerd You can find out if there's a toilet on your way to the connecting gate before landing. iPhone: App Store (Free)  Not just another real-time flight tracking app. In addition to flight information, Airports by TravelNerd allows users to access information on the airport, including gate information, detailed floor maps, Wi-Fi availability and opening hours for shops and restaurants. By using the app, users can pool other travelers who can share a taxi or just find different ways to travel to and from the airport. --- Updated November 23, 2012 --- Air France Music "Hidden tracks," literally.iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Maybe the most entertaining airlines' app -- the latest Air France app combines music player and game. Air France's music is no longer only available onboard. App users can now "catch" the tracks hidden in the clouds (virtually) by raising their iPhones towards the sky and aiming at the music icons in the sky. The tracks captured can then be added to the playlist. Music available will vary in different destinations -- from Barcelona to Tokyo to Buenos Aires. Even better, some unreleased tracks, free concert tickets can also be expected several times a year through the app.   Fotopedia Wild Friends What is this cute animal and where to spot it? iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Fotopedia Wild Friends is another gorgeous photo library created by Fotonauts Inc. after Fotopedia National Parks, Heritage, North Korea, etc. The app is packed with great shots of wild animals, educational information, as well as the stories behind the photos. It also locates the animals' pictures on a map accordingly — it includes locations and wildlife in Europe only at the moment.   Xe Currency Make shopping abroad easier.iPhone, iPad: App Store (Free) Android: Google Play (Free) Xe Currency app is the app to go for if you are not a fan of clumsy currency conversion. Apart from just an accurate currency conversion app, it provides the historic rates for the currency. You can monitor different currencies simultaneously and rate the highs and lows of the currency before even planning the trip. It can be used offline.   --- Updated October 11, 2012 --- SeatGuru Ultimate seat planner.Apple: App Store (free) Android: Google Play (free) Many flight booking apps may find you the cheapest tickets but not many provide enough crucial information -- from seat pitch to the proximity to the toilet to the likeliness to be bumped -- especially for long-haul fliers. The new SeatGuru app developed by TripAdvisor has those details covered. It not only allows flight search but also features the website's signature color-coded seating plan -- green is a good seat and red is bad. When clicked, a pop-up box provides seating advice and amenity information. Waze Now you can know if you should drive to the next gas station to save money.Apple: App Store (free) Android: Google Play (free) Before hitting the road the next time, download Waze, a user-generated traffic information app. The social GPS app gets drivers together to provide live traffic updates on jams, police traps, accidents and other hazards. It also saves cost by comparing the oil prices of the gas stations along your routes or around you. Waze has partnered with a few gas stations to provide discounts through digital coupons on the app. Its service covers more than 100 countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Ecuador, Israel, etc. But some of them still require more users before the information available is strong. SnapCast Videos made easy by SnapCast. When travel photos are not enough to show (off) what you are seeing, SnapCast may be helpful. It's targeted at citizen reporters but is also useful for enthusiastic travel bloggers, by allowing users to produce a 30-second, narrated video package without post-production editing. Then, you can swiftly upload and share it on social media platforms. For now, it is still in its beta stage. Sign up on their website. --- Updated August 21, 2012 --- TripIt Free Leave your piles of confirmation letters and contact details at home.iPad: App Store (Free) Android: Google Play (Free) Travel is great apart from the headache you get dealing with all the itineraries, reservations, numbers and schedules. Travel organizer TripIt helps to make your life easier in this respect. By forwarding your travel-related emails to TripIt's account, the app will create a calendar for you, especially handy for business and frequent travelers. In addition to organizing, the app provides maps, weather forecasts as well as suggested restaurants and attractions. SceneSpotter If taking a picture in front of the Brandenburg gate no longer satisfies you, try SceneSpotter.iPad: Facebook page Android: Facebook page Who is more qualified than local tour guide? Several local guides from Lufthansa's SceneSpotter app. The airline's new Facebook app highlights local insights and personal travel tips from Facebook users as well as specialized SceneSpotter editors. "Users can get unique travel tips on 20 of Lufthansa's European destinations from locals and insiders," says Dr. Torsten Wingenter, Lufthansa's head of global co-ordination social media marketing. "Therefore, experiences and tips that are not mainsteam." "But what makes this app really valuable and sets it apart from traditional city guides is the fact that users are able to have real-time information and advice on places to see and visit, they can share these tips with their friends and also see what their friends' plans and their recommendations." CityJet Book and manage your flight with just a few clicks.iPad: CityJet's mobile site Android: CityJet's mobile site If CityJet's 15-minute check-in promise isn't good enough for you, you may want to try the Irish regional airline's latest app. "The majority of our customers are smartphone users who want the convenience of accessing our services on the go," Christine Ourmières, the CEO of CityJet said in a press release. The CityJet app allows customers do what they normally do on website: view flight schedules, book flights, manage reservations, check-in and view flight status. It also keeps you updated with the airline's latest deals and promotions. You will be directed to the app at m.cityjet.com in both Apple and Android devices. --- Updated June 12, 2012 --- Milestones in Innovation by Boeing History of flight, on your phone.iPad: Boeing Milestones (free Android: N/A For anyone who's interested in the history of aviation, Boeing launched its first official app for iPad -- Milestones in Innovation. Users can learn about the nine decades of aviation innovation and the airplane company's history and highlights through high quality photos, an interactive timeline and four videos. "This is the history of Boeing as a digital coffee table book," said Fritz Johnston, Boeing's vice president of brand and advertising. Some highlights are 1916 when Boeing was founded by Bill Boeing, and the delivery of the 787 Dreamliner. Condition One Virtual reality meets vacation videos.iPad 2: Condition One (free) Android: N/A If looking at regular photos and videos of your vacation is not enough to bring back the memories, you might need something more impressive. Condition One is an application that can gives you a sense of "being there." See a video demo here. Combining still images, narrative video and engagement with tactile controls, the app has series of first-person, 180-degree immersive videos that can be controlled by the user. As well as the usual stop, play, pause, fast-forward options, the viewer can pan through the virtual world as if scanning it in real time. Once this provides the option of shooting your own videos, the world of vacation filming will change forever. Image it Pictures speak thousands of words, in many languages.iPhone and iPad: Image it (US$0.99) Android: N/A Injured in a foreign country and don't know the word for bandage? "Image it" instead. This application helps to solve the language barrier problem. It has more than 450 pictograms in a number of set categories such as food, emergencies, accommodation and transport. Users can pick up at most three pictograms to convey a message, much like a puzzle. The app also lets users to create their own pictograms by inserting pictures from their phones or drawing or writing on existing pictograms. No internet required.  Kuoni brochure-browsing app Brochures, guides, articles and more.iPad: Kuoni brochure-browsing (free) Kuoni, a long-haul travel specialist, has launched a new application for iPad users that gives access to the company's brochures, videos, travel articles and website. Once downloaded, the brochures can be read anytime without the Internet. And the app checks for new brochures automatically and will flag for users to notice. "We want to make Kuoni as accessible as possible," Kuoni ebusiness and publishing vice president Matt Rooke said. "The app self-updates so customers are getting the best quality of information on a daily basis, in a format that suits them." --- Updated: May 7, 2012 --- Ritz-Carlton's Presidential Tips VIP treatment, even before you walk into the lobby. iPhone: Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts (free) Android: Ritz-Carlton Hotels (free) Guests, and even non-guests, of the Ritz-Carlton hotels can tune into the some of the best-kept secrets, VIP treatments and best deals through its new mobile app. One of the most anticipated features is "Presidential Tips," authored by president and COO Herve Humler who shares his tips and experiences on each Ritz-Carlton hotel dotted around the world. "I want to enrich a Ritz-Carlton experience for our guests further with details about the things I have found to be quite memorable and marvelous in my travels. With the Ritz-Carlton App I can now do that very easily and in real-time," Humler said in a press release. The app also provides QR codes which include tours of the hotels. For example, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua QR code will guide guests to the hotel's art collection while the Ritz-Carlton Berlin features an exclusive digital scavenger hunt led by various mobile codes and clues. New destination and landmark tips will also be uploaded every week by Ritz-Carlton Concierge experts all over the world. The Ritz-Carlton App is free and available on iPhone and Android. Zuji Packman Your very own packing buddy.iPhone: Zuji Packman (free) Android: N/A Love traveling, but hate the chore of packing? You need a "Packman." Packman, launched by online travel agency Zuji, helps travelers organize their itinerary, coordinate their packing and share travel schedules. "Holiday packing is an integral step of the journey and the Zuji Packman is designed to help organize this process while making travel planning fun and more efficient," said Zuji managing director Asia Pacific James Gaskell. Using the app, travelers can create multiple packing lists, set up personal reminders and even see what others are packing. "It's fast, simple and easy to put together a list, share it with your friends and get out the door, safe with the knowledge that nothing has been left to chance," Gaskell said. ZUJI Packman is available free of charge in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, with an Android version to launch soon. FlyRights High tech way to complain, or praise. iPhone: FlyRights (free) Android: FlyRights (free) Mistreated at TSA (Transportation Security Administration) checkpoints in the United States? Violated? Discriminated? Previously, there wasn't really much travelers could do when they went through uncomfortable inspections at airports. But via a new app called FlyRights developed by Sikh advocacy group, Sikh Coalition, travelers can now file their complaints right on the spot. Your complaint is not only is listed on the app, but can also be sent directly to the TSA's official website. "The TSA asserts it doesn't profile -- this application will allow us to better assess whether that's true," said Amardeep Singh, director of programs at the Sikh Coalition. The founders of the app explained that although the TSA tells its screeners not to profile, they have not adopted effective measures to guard against it. The app will hopefully push the TSA to implement better safeguard against profiling, they added. "All travelers now have an easy way of speaking to their government on the issue of airport profiling," said Singh. Available on iPhone and Android. More apps reviews We've run various articles about apps in the past. 50 ultimate travel apps ... so far 10 best travel apps for your new iPad 10 best U.S. city travel apps Tags:  travel apps

Which country is best for food allergy sufferers? Posted: 24 Jun 2013 03:00 PM PDT For some travelers an errant peanut or hidden shrimp can be potentially lethal -- here's advice for those with concerns Forget slurping on the deadly tentacles of a Sannakji octopus or munching a fried scorpion: the deadliest morsel that's ever passed between my lips was an innocuous steamed dumpling coated in powdered peanut. As a travel writer who suffers from a severe peanut and tree nut allergy, my urge for cultural immersion often pushes the boundaries of my comfort zone. Experience has taught me how to minimize the risks, but I find traveling in some countries easier than others. Japan, where nuts are rarely used, is a safe haven where I can be let loose on the sushi bar with abandon. Meals in Thailand, where crushed peanuts sneak their way into everything from pad Thai to soup garnish, are like a nerve-racking game of edible Russian roulette. Ordering an otherwise safe pasta dish in Turkey and having it served with an inexplicable topping of ground pistachio is just plain annoying. For many travelers who suffer allergic reactions, the best travel destination is simply the safest destination -- a country where allergens are sparse, food hygiene is excellent, public allergy awareness is high and restaurant staff are happy to cater to special needs. Of course, nowhere is risk-free but, like myself, many allergic travelers find certain destinations easier to manage than others. Also on CNN: Tips for traveling with allergies Lost in translation Thailand's spicy prawn soup, tom yam kung -- delicious, and for allergy sufferers, dangerous. The biggest challenge for allergy sufferers heading overseas is communication, so it's no surprise that English-speaking countries top the list of safe destinations. Food allergy blogger Jenny Kales of Nut-FreeMom.com singles out Canada as a preferred destination for her multiple-allergic family, remarking that "their laws and practices with regard to awareness, food allergy labeling and restaurant preparedness are better than in the U.S." The Canadian government's recent decision to order nut-free buffer zones on Air Canada flights (the first government in the world to make such a stand) is another plus for allergy sufferers. Sarah Beresford, communications manager for The Anaphylaxis Campaign, also considers Canada (along with the United States, Australia and Europe) the lowest risk destination for allergy sufferers, thanks to strict food preparation and labeling regulations, as well as a high level of allergy awareness. She advises caution when traveling to "places like Thailand, China and Vietnam, where nuts and fish are frequently used in recipes and street food is more prevalent, so you are less likely to know what it contains." Traveling in developing countries can pose more risks due to the lack of labeling and the difficulty of tracing food ingredients, although the limited food products available might make it easier to avoid a single allergen. While carrying translation cards -- available from Allergy UK -- can help bridge the language barrier, explaining your needs in the local language sometimes isn't enough. In countries where it's culturally unacceptable to refuse a guest's requests or where severe allergies are rare, requests can be misunderstood. "When I'm in Peru, Jordan or even in Spain, I'll explain that I cannot eat peanuts and [locals] think it's by choice," says travel blogger and peanut allergy sufferer Elizabeth Carlson. "Often they don't understand the difference between peanuts and other nuts, or that I can't even eat something that has been cooked in the same pan as a peanut dish. Or they think if they pick the peanuts out, then I can still eat the dish. "It's hard for some to comprehend the severity of my illness simply because they have either never heard of it or it's very uncommon for people [in their country] to have food allergies, let alone allergies that could kill you." Also on CNN: Worst U.S. cities for allergy sufferers The perils of exotic cuisine If in doubt, it's probably best to skip the street food. Selecting safe foods in your home country is easy, but navigating a foreign menu can be a minefield of unexpected ingredients. "Some cheeses in France have pistachio nuts in them and Lupin flour is more commonly used in bakery items in European countries like France and The Netherlands," Beresford warns. That doesn't mean you have to write off any destination. Despite fretting about the pasta-heavy cuisine, allergy blogger and Coeliac Disease sufferer Sian Drew found Italy a paradise for those avoiding gluten. "There are whole shops dedicated to gluten-free products and many restaurants offer gluten-free classics such as gluten-free pizza, tiramisu and even a gluten- and nut-free ice cream cone to have my gelato in!" she reports. Even countries where street food is abundant aren't necessarily verboten. Carlson notes the advantages of more casual eating. "I eat a lot of street food when I travel, which is great because you get to see the food being cooked right in front of you, and it's easier to talk one on one with the cook," she says. A worthwhile risk Some even find their allergy inspires them to explore, such as Drew, who finds the time spent researching restaurants and local cuisine adds a unique element to her trips. "We often visit specific gluten-free restaurants and shops that are usually not located in the center of town, making our city tours slightly more local than the usual tourist trail," she says. Ultimately, most sufferers agree that traveling with food allergies is a worthwhile risk and that even higher risk destinations can be managed as long as they plan ahead and prepare for all eventualities. "Allergies should not hold anyone back, because you can make a destination work for you," says Kale. Tags:  food allergy Asian food food allergies allergic reaction

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