Video: Chaos breaks out in Dublin, Ireland, as severe flooding brings the city to a standstill

by Jessica Festa on

On October 24, 2011, major flooding to Dublin, Ireland, caused the Dublin City Council to put into action its major emergency plan. Homes, cars, major roads, and even shopping centers were submerged underwater as rainfall failed to cease. In some areas of the city, inflatable boats had to be used to rescue stranded motorists, while roads leading out of the city experienced 3-hour delays. A number of rivers broke their banks and overflowed, and an off-duty police officer who lives close to one of these rivers is currently missing.

See the natural disaster for yourself in this video compilation of live footage:


ProjectExplorer’s Thailand Launch Party raises $8,500 for global education

by Jessica Festa on

ProjectExplorer held their Thailand Launch Party on October 17, 2011, at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York. The event featured an auction, cocktail hour and after party, hors d’oeuvres, and the premier of the company’s new Thailand video series, “Sawasdee, Thailand!”.

The Thailand series has 50 videos total which are all free for students, as the mission of the organization is to “foster the next generation of global citizens by encouraging awareness of the world beyond a student’s own community through the creation and distribution of engaging and free multimedia educational materials”.

Andrew McCarthy, actor, director, and travel writer, spoke at the VIP screening of the event, which was followed by mingling, drinking, and eating. Tote bags filled with magazines (which included many destination travel articles) and a baked good were given to attendees.

With 200 in attendance at the event, ProjectExplorer was able to raise $8,500 toward their next educational series.

Check out the launch video for yourself:


Introduction to ProjectExplorer.org’s Sawasdee, Thailand! series from Jenny M. Buccos on Vimeo.

Affinia Hotels launches Tender Loving Comfort movement

by Jessica Festa on

This week, Affinia Hotels launched their new Tender Loving Comfort movement in New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago. The program is based on deep-customer service as well as the body language of guests. In fact, earlier this year the company partnered with body language expert Patti Wood to train hotel staff to know how to respond to body language cues.

Tender Loving Comfort staff and hotel managers will be interacting with guests during their new Comfort Hour, where guests will get the opportunity to sample snacks, test out new items like tech gear and pillows, and give feedback on what makes them most comfortable when staying at a hotel.

Some interesting findings of the studies so far include:

  • For 68.5% of travelers, little extras at check-in make a big impact
  • 75% of travelers have lied to get a better room or free amenity
  • 43% of travelers say that a warm and friendly hotel staff that anticipates everyday needs is important

Click here to learn more about the Tender Loving Comfort program or to book a hotel room with Affinia.

Host and experience budget-friendly local tours all over the United States

by Jessica Festa on

HipHost, a new “peer-to-peer marketplace for socially-hosted local tours“, not only gives travelers a way to experience new cities from a local’s point of view, but also gives people an opportunity to make extra cash.

Anyone who wants to share their local knowledge can be a HipHost and design a tour based on anything they find interesting. Some tour topics include art, culture, fitness, architecture, history, hiking, markets, music, and more. It’s free to sign-up and guests pay for tours in advance, so hosts don’t have to worry about losing money to no-shows.

Moreover, anyone interested in learning about a topic can search for affordable tours and see a region from a local perspective without paying big tour company prices. Afraid you won’t enjoy your tour? HipHost guarantees a full refund if customers are not satisfied.

Some of the many tours being featured right now include:

And many, many more. Click here to sign-up for and/or host a tour.

Pavilion of Art and Design comes to New York in November

by Jessica Festa on

High-end fairs are flocking to New York lately. First, the Frieze Art Fair announced that it would be coming to New York in May, 2012, and now the Pavilion of Art and Design (PAD), which originally began in Paris in 1997, will be making its debut in New York from November 10-14, 2011, at the Park Avenue Armory.

The focus of PAD is modern art, as well as 19th-21st century art and design. Visitors can expect 52 galleries from the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Britain, with pieces ranging from historical paintings to Victorian jewelry to modern furniture.

Prizes will go to winning artists, including a selected piece being donated to the Museum of Art and Design’s permanent collection. Other prizes include the “Best Stand” and “Best Exhibition” awards.

General admission to the event is $20, with students (must have a valid ID) being $10. Children under 15 are free.