All stories about "Travel"

Soon you’ll never have to remove your laptop from your carry-on bag at airport security again. No, seriously. The ubiquitous airport annoyance will be a thing of the past thanks to newly designed carry-on bags that should be available by late September or early October. [NYT]

In recent months there have been numerous instances of federal officials searching US citizen’s laptops after they’ve returned from traveling abroad, prompting outcries from civil rights groups. Advocacy groups and legal experts were at a Senate hearing yesterday to debate the issue; though the federal government maintains “the searches are necessary for national security.” [NYT]

A small UK company, Live Luggage, has introduced a new suitcase that does all of the work. While it won’t pack for you, the power-assisted suitcases “use ‘force sensors’ to detect a pulling motion…another innovation is an adjustable anti-gravity handle that diverts as much as 85 percent of the weight away from your arm and onto the wheels.” Now if only they could invent a way to avoid the checked bag fee... [LI]

An entirely new highway system is being charted across Sau Paulo… one 2,400 feet above ground. Sau Paulo is overrun with helicopters, leading some to call it “the capital of helicopter invasion.” [Guardian]

Tis’ the season of the staycation. So, why not make it an especially fashionable one? For those staying stateside, Style.com has pooled together hometown recommendations from the likes of model Karin Elson, designer Alex Carlton and muse Victoria Traina (who reside in Nashville, Portland, Maine and San Francisco, respectively). [Style]

More good news on the air travel front... not! Thinking of flying anywhere this year? You might want to book now. Come Labor Day, “carriers will be parking airplanes and reducing flights in hopes that fewer seats in the marketplace will bring higher fares – high enough to cover their skyrocketing fuel bills.” Yikes. [DN]

It’s common sense that European retailers don’t accept American currency, but it seems now they may not accept US credit cards either. Don't worry, it's not a case of anti-American sentiment; instead it’s Americans’ “lack of chip’n’pin technology.” Or, in layman’s terms, older credit cards just don’t translate. [PSFK]

Thanks to Globebusters, a company that leads motorcycle expeditions, you can now channel Che and cross Chile’s High Andes by bike. For those seeking even more of an adventure, the Globebusters’ itinerary also includes a 135-day Alaska to Patagonia trip. [Guardian]

Estée Lauder is getting into the travel biz by launching its first line of products specifically geared towards frequent fliers (along with a website that includes travel tips). The range of skin care products will include Super Flight Crème Continuous Hydration for Face and for Eyes (20 ml each) and will combat dryness and “travel-stressed skin.” [WWD]

In need of a new passport? Apply now and beat the rush, officials say. “The turnaround time for on passport applications is averaging less than four weeks.” Hallelujah! [LAT]

Europeans aren’t the only ones benefiting from a floundering US economy. It turns out Canadians are hitting New Hampshire in hopes of scoring some sweet deals too. [AP]

Refinery 29 does Dallas. The Texan city isn’t just denim and diamonds anymore. It’s home to great local labels like House of Dang, an entire Lifestyle Fashion Terminal, and plenty of places (like Luna de Noche and the W Hote’s Ghost Bar) to kick back and relax once the shopping day is done. [Refinery 29]

With airlines charging additional fees for checked bags, there’s never been a better time to embrace the carry-on. Whether you’re more Margiela than Jeremy Scott, or prefer to keep things simple with Le Sportsac, there are plenty of options for fashionable carryalls this summer. [JC Report]

Looking to escape Tokyo’s crowds and chaos? 3 great weekend getaways include lakeside hikes and country-style inns at Mt. Fuji, shrines, temples and the Great Buddha in Kamakura, not to mention Hakone’s famous hot springs. Take your pick. [Gadling]

If you’re in NYC right now, a snow-filled ski vacation has probably never sounded so enticing. Good news: powderhounds and those seeking respite from the heat can simply head south to the slopes of Argentina and Chile. Summer skiing here we come! [AP]

Saudi government officials are making a big push to attract more tourists to the country. Specifically, they’re “aiming for 1.5 million a year” and have established “three new training colleges [that] will teach the locals to work as tour guides, airport officials and travel agents.” No word yet on the mandates the predominantly Muslim country will enforce with regard to tourists' dress, etc. [Jaunted]

Dave Sifry, one of the founders of Technorati, has launched a custom guidebook series. Offbeat Guides “takes open source data from all over the web…and puts it into a form factor (in either PDF or bound, sent to your door).” The only hitch – Offbeat Guides is currently invite-only (but you can request access on their site). [Gadling]

“The Balkans, a region once known as a hotbed of crime and violence, has become one of the safest zones in Europe.” Could Macedonia, Moldova and the like become the latest off-the-beaten path destination? We’ll be sure to ask Cindy Adams the next time we see her. [CNN]

Accessing the beautiful, clean, crime-free oasis known as Atlantic City will soon get a lot easier. Come early 2009, trains referred to as ACES, owned by a consortium of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Atlantic City and Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City,” will take passengers directly from NYC to Atlantic City. [AP]

In an attempt to ease airport security induced anxieties, the Transportation Security Administration is letting fliers pick their own screening lanes based on traveling experience. Passengers can choose from “Expert Travelers” and “Casual Travelers.” While critics of the system are speculating people will just opt for whatever line is shorter, TSA says the new setup is working well. [WSJ]

Gadling suggests one way Sydney Pollack fans can pay homage to the director who passed away yesterday is by visiting the places in which his classic films were shot. There’s The Hurley Mountain Inn's namesake restaurant from Tootsie, Saratoga Spring's Ballston Spa in The Way We Were and The Electric Horseman’s Zion National Park in Utah. [via Gadling]

There are a lot of ways to hit the erase button a adult, workaday concerns on a quick trip to New Orleans. The NY Times' preferred method of rapid relaxation: stalking redfish in Louisiana's bayou and then kicking back at the Cajun Chalet. [via NYT]

Fantasy camps are all the rage these days, with everything from recording at the Beatles' former stomping ground, Abbey Road Studios, to playing ball with Michael Jordan up for grabs. In fact, it's estimated that the industry rakes in $11 billion annually. Looking for something even more fantastical? Start saving for Richard Branson's not-yet-launched Virgin Galactic commercial spaceflights (which will cost $200,000 a pop). [Forbes]

Good news for your bikini bod: according to U.S. researchers, fasting before a long flight can work wonders preventing jet lag. "It takes the average person about a week to adjust to a new time zone," but by not eating you can actually reset your body's natural circadian clock. [IHT]

T Magazine’s blog, The Moment, talks travel with restaurateur/designer du jour Taavo Somer. "T: Which living person that you don’t know would you most like to travel with, and where would you go? Somer: Don Rickles. I think it would be a blast to go meet him in Vegas, ride Segways around town, hit buffets, go see some shows, maybe the Smothers Brothers, we’d then jump in his car, and we’d pick up Wayne Newton and Steve Wynn and head over to have lunch at Siegfried and Roy’s house." [The Moment]