Do Paris right for Valentine’s Day at the Concorde Hotel

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you’re looking to make a splash this Valentine’s Day, there’s simply no alternative to Paris. So, from February 5 through the end of the month, Concorde Hotels & Resorts is looking to make your Valentine’s Day as romantic as possible. Head out to Paris, and you’ll be able to pick up a room for as little as $276 a night — nothing short of a bargain at a Concorde Hotel, and you’ll pick up a few perks along the way. The package includes a daily buffet breakfast for two and a special surprise gift. Gift examples include champagne receptions, exclusive access to the Baccarat Museum, spa treatments and gourmet chocolate, so you know you’ll be greeted perfectly.

If Paris doesn’t turn you on, Concorde is offering similar Valentine’s Day packages in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere in France.

Photo of the Day (1.12.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on

Today’s Photo of the Day comes from photographer bennyjewell, who took this photo in a forest just north of Stockholm, Sweden. The photo is titled “Imagine living here” – and that’s exactly what I like about this photo – it begs the imagination to create a story about this lone hut tucked away in the Swedish woods.

Do you have a story to share with your travel photos? Drop them in the Gadling Flickr Pool and we might select it as our Photo of the Day!

National Geographic Student Expeditions expand for 2010

by Kraig Becker on

The popular and successful National Geographic Student Expeditions program is gearing up for another outstanding year, adding new options for high school students looking for an adventurous and educational escape this summer. The lucky travelers have their journeys enhanced further by the inclusion of National Geographic experts and trip leaders designed to deliver travel experiences unlike any other.

Of course, many students spend their summer traveling, but the Student Expeditions program offers some unique options that aren’t available elsewhere. While on their journey, each student will select an “On Assignment” project in the area of interest that includes photography, travel writing, filmmaking, exploration, archaeology and ancient culture, climate and geology, marine biology and conservation, Earth science, and wildlife and conservation. Those projects can take such forms as a photo portfolio, a travel film, or a short story, with a focus on capturing the culture and natural wonders of the locations visited.

The students are guided in their assignments by handpicked experts, such as National Geographic photographers, writers, or researchers who join their expeditions for anywhere from three to seven days. These experts are generally well known in their field and offer years of experience and expertise to the next generation of explorers on the trip. For example, when traveling through Tanzania, the students will be joined by Anna Estes, a wildlife ecologist who has conducted research in the Ngorongoro Crater, while those selecting Australia as their destination of choice, will see the country with photojournalist and filmmaker Ulla Lohmann.As if that wasn’t enough all of National Geographic’s trip leaders are college graduates who are working in journalism, photography, science, and similar fields. Each has insightful and extensive knowledge of the destination the students will be visiting, and in order to ensure the best experience possible, the ratio of trip leaders to students is roughly six or eight to one.

The 2010 schedule offers 15 exciting trips, lasting three weeks in length, to such destinations as Costa Rica, Iceland, Peru, China, India, and more. New to the schedule this year are expeditions to Alaska, Hawaii, and Tuscany. You can check out the entire list by clicking here, and high school students interested in joining one of these trips can fill out an online application here.

For a great look at what one of these trips is like, check out this wonderful video from a student expedition to Peru. Why couldn’t this have been an option when I was in high school?!?

Hilton expands Doubletree brand in Greece

by Melanie Nayer on

Going to Greece just got a little more affordable. Hilton Worldwide has announced plans to open a Doubletree on the island of Kos in May 2010.

The Doubletree by Hilton Resort, Kos – Helona will be Hilton’s second property in Greece (Hilton currently has one hotel in Athens) and the country’s first Doubletree by Hilton. The Hilton Kos will offer 238 rooms including 15 suites and three villas, two restaurants and bars, a spa and fitness area, a private beach and a meeting room big enough for your own Greek wedding of up to 700 people.

Of course, all the same amenities you’re used to with the Doubletree brand will remain the same including the chocolate chip cookies at check-in. Doubletree by Hilton currently operates 10 properties throughout Europe in the UK, Italy and Slovakia, with development projects confirmed in Russia and Romania.

Intrepid Travel sympathizes with World Cup Widows

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Every soccer football soccer fan in the world knows what’s going to happen in June. The World Cup is coming to South Africa. The die-hards will find their way to the festivities, with many leaving the ladies behind. If you’re among the world’s World Cup Widows, should you be stuck at home? Hell no! Get your own trip off the ground, and put yourself as far away from anything World Cup-related as possible!

For travel in June and early July to certain destinations in Asia, Australia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, Intrepid Travel is offering discounts of up to 15 percent for those “left behind” by World Cup fever, as long as you book by the end of April.

“At Intrepid Travel we understand that for some people there is more to life than sports. So, while your partner sits glued to the television, living every high and low of the World Cup, get your friends together and head off on an Intrepid Travel small group adventure,” said Intrepid Travel U.S. President, Tiffany Richards.

The discounts start at 5 percent and increase with the number of fellow widows you recruit. Two traveling together can save at this level, with three securing 10 percent and four or more cutting 15 percent off the price. And, the prices are definitely accessible, starting at $720 a person for a nine-day excursion in Bali … before the World Cup Widows discount is factored in.

Guys, don’t worry: there’s a World Cup Widowers variation on the deal, too.