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Report: Marriott-Starwood Marriage Means Higher Rates

A carefully orchestrated spin campaign (including some paid partnerships with major travel bloggers) has meant that much of the news coverage surrounding the new Marriott-Starwood…

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Cell Phone Coverage to Invade National Parks

"It's a real drag at Artists Point," one Yellowstone National Park tour operator told the Associated Press. "While people are trying to enjoy themselves, somebody's on their phone…

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SeaWorld Enters an Alternate Reality

SeaWorld Orlando is breathing new life into its oldest roller coaster by adding virtual reality.The Orlando Sentinel reports that starting next year on its steel Kraken…

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Scientists: Disney World Helps Pass Kidney Stones

A patient suffering from kidney stones passed a stone after each of three consecutive rides on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.Word of…

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Air Rage Takes Off

The International Air Transport Association, a trade group representing 83 percent of world air traffic, says incidents of air rage have shot skyward.There were 10,854 cases…

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What Kinds of Therapy Animals Should Be Allowed on Airplanes?

At the moment, there are very few regulations limiting the kinds of animals that can be carried onto commercial airplanes, as long as the given dog, pig, hamster, rooster, capuchin…

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West Elm to Open Boutique Hotels

Furniture seller West Elm is getting into the boutique hotel business.Partnering with hospitality management and development company DDK, the retailer (which is part of…

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The World's Biggest Bouncy House

A company called V-Formation has created what's being billed as the world's largest bouncy house.Dubbed The Beast, the inflatable behemoth stretches across a length of 893…

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Marriott Finalizes Purchase of Starwood, Creating World's Biggest Hotel Chain

On Friday, Marriott International's $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide was finalized, having been delayed for months pending approval from U.S.,…

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Weather Forecast for Fall: Warm Everywhere

Remember when September was autumn? It sure doesn't feel like that this year in the United States—you'll search in vain for a nip in the air pretty much anywhere you travel in the…

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Passenger Suing Airline Over "Spillover" from Overweight Seatmate

A passenger is suing Emirates because he says a nine-hour flight operated by the airline was ruined by the "spillover" of an overweight person seated next to him.The guy doing…

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Theme Park Geared Toward Adults Planned for Las Vegas

A plan for a theme park geared toward adults was released in Las Vegas last week.Dubbed Xpark Vegas, the site would include such grownups-only activities as speedboat racing,…

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Disney World's Strict Rules for Wearing Halloween Costumes

Ever wondered why you don't see more adult guests at Disney World in Orlando wearing costumes? Simple. They're not allowed on anybody over 14—except, of course, for the people…

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Great Wall Repairs Spark Outrage

(Photo: CNN/Twitter)An effort to restore a 700-year-old portion of the Great Wall of China has sparked outrage on social media after photos of the project were posted…

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The World's Most Visited City

Bangkok is the world's most popular travel destination this year, according to an annual ranking of 132 cities by financial-services company MasterCard.Estimated to receive a…

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Tourist in Kenya Killed by Elephant He Was Trying to Photograph

An Italian tourist in the coastal region of Kenya was killed by an elephant this week after the man got too close while trying to take a photograph.The 66-year-old tourist and his…

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On Saturday: National Public Lands Day and Smithsonian's African American Museum Opening

Tomorrow is the last Saturday of September, which means it's National Public Lands Day in the United States. Admission to all federally controlled parks, forests, and monuments—and…

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Only 12% of Visitors in Colorado Use Marijuana, Says State Tourism Office

As our own Arthur Frommer pointed out recently, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado has increased the number of visits to the state—but not by as much as you…

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Part of Prague's Dancing House Now a Hotel

(Photo: Pedro Szekely/Wikimedia Commons)Prague's iconic Dancing House—which features two towers of glass and concrete that appear to be cutting a rug on the banks of the Vltava…

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If You Want to See the Northern Lights, This Is the Winter to Do It

(Photo: FreeImages/Dave Dyet)If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list (and why wouldn't it be?), this winter could be the best chance you'll get until the middle of…

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Government Softens Miami Zika Warning

Crediting the effectiveness of aerial pesticide spraying, U.S. health officials are no longer advising pregnant women to stay out of Miami's Wynwood arts district due to an outbreak…

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Pieces of Concorde Jet Going Up for Auction

Seats from the Concorde (photo: Marc Labarbe/Twitter)You might not have gotten to fly aboard the supersonic Concorde jet before it was grounded in 2003, but you'll soon have a…

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Video: Passenger on Emirates Gets Free Upgrade to $21,000 Seat in First Class

When YouTube vlogger Casey Neistat was recently upgraded for free to first class on an Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai to New York City, he did what YouTube vloggers do and…

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Obama Designates Underwater Monument Off the Coast of New England

Last week President Barack Obama designated 4,913 square miles off the coast of New England as a new marine national monument, creating the first fully protected area in the U.S.…

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New Communication System for Pilots and Air-Traffic Controllers Will Make Flights Faster and Safer, FAA Says

Federal Aviation Administration officials say that a new communication system used by pilots and air-traffic controllers is helping flights move with more speed and safety.The…