Why you should visit Mall of America

Pull some time off from your daily routine and visit Mall of America. This is something you will really enjoy.

If you think this something you can associate with a Joke then why don’t you explore it.

Kids made their parents go online

They are the digital natives – kids aged 8-14 are sitting down at the computer to help their parents share photos, plan travel, and even file taxes. Kids who are computer competent are becoming pivotal sources of information and planning for the family.

According to “Surfin’ on Mom’s Turf: Cyber Chillin’ With 8-14 Year-Olds,” a report released by Stars for Kidz, 14 percent of kids have helped parents prepare their income tax return online.

“In this 8 to 14 age group, these kids are the first strong generation where they have had all these sophisticated levels of technology from childhood, and they function intuitively,” said Adele Schwartz, research director at Stars for Kidz.

“What we see is the kids who are computer competent are becoming pivotal sources of information and planning for the family,” said Schwartz. “Kids think moms [parents] are clueless, while that may or may not be true, kids are quicker and they find [information online] easier.”

About 77 percent of kids shop on the Internet. Almost 10 percent in the survey report said they have a credit card, though the number is self-reported. Another method of payment is gift cards. “Their greatest delight is that they love going online to spend, they love using gift cards online,” said Schwartz.

The “Surfin’ on Mom’s Turf” study was conducted in two parts. Quantitative interviews with small groups of nine- and 10-year-olds and moms of children of the same age were conducted from January through March. The focus groups helped with attitude and behavior and aided in the formation of a 10-question online survey, the second component of the study. The online survey was taken by 6,064 children aged 8 to14.

Few undiscovered Parks in California

Are you tired with all over crowded places? Are you in search for a crowd-free Parks? Then, I think you must look at these National Parks in California which are rated among the crowd-free parks here….

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon

Less busy than Yellowstone, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon are two separate National Parks managed as one, which means you only have to pay one entrance fee for the both of them. Sequoia National Park truly is an undiscovered California treasure. In the park you’ll find the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world; Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States; the second-largest road-free wilderness area in the United States, and Crescent Meadow, a Sequoia-rimmed meadow called the “gem of the Sierra” by John Muir.

Channel Islands National Park

Each island has its own endemic plants and animals, leading the Channel Islands to often be called California’s Galapagos. Over 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the park, which consists of five of the eight Channel Islands along the southern California coast from Point Conception near Santa Barbara to just north of Los Angeles. The park is lightly visited, never crowded and beautiful year-round. Fall is the best time to visit this California National Park though, because blue and humpback whales can be seen migrating.

Death Valley National Park

Home to one of the starkest landscapes in California, Death Valley is a geological wonder filled with exposed rock and sparse vegetation. With 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the largest National Park in the contiguous U.S. The 18-mile drive from Furnace Creek to Badwater is a must, along the drive you’ll see fantastic salt formations, colorful views and the lowest place in the western hemisphere.

Mount Shasta

According to John Muir the beauty of Mount Shasta turned his blood to wine. Located in Northern California, Mount Shasta is the largest volcanic peak in the contiguous U.S., a towering mountain with one of the highest base-to-summit rises in the world. Snowcapped Mt. Shasta has pristine mountain lakes and rivers, majestic forests, and miles of backcountry to explore plus plenty of skiing, snowboarding, fishing, golfing, mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking.

Joshua Tree National Park

Located in south eastern California, Joshua Tree National Park includes two deserts, each with an ecosystem whose characteristics are determined primarily by elevation. This California National Park gets its name from the unique looking Joshua tree which can be found in the higher, slightly cooler Mojave Desert. The geologically unique landscape of the area features hills of bare rock, broken up into loose bolder, making the area huge for rock climbing and scrambling enthusiasts. Barker Dam, Keys View, which offers views of the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea, bird watching, and Hidden Valley (not the salad dressing) are all must-sees of the Joshua Tree National Park.

What causes the most trouble when you travel?

Asked to cite their “most problematic” trip experiences, 40 percent of those surveyed by the Orbitz travel survey cited flight delays and 21 percent said airport security. Only 15 percent said hotel amenities and cleanliness.

What causes the most trouble when you travel? Flying, according to the Orbitz Travel Survey.

Asked to cite their “most problematic” trip experiences, 40 percent of those surveyed cited flight delays and 21 percent said airport security. Only 15 percent said hotel amenities and cleanliness, while 9 percent cited rental cars.

The survey was conducted for Orbitz by the Ipsos Public Affairs Project.

Only 21 percent of those who fly said their travel time has not increased as a result of new security measures such as removing shoes and restrictions on liquids and gels.

However, the new security measures have left 42 percent feeling satisfied or more secure than before the Sept. 11 attacks, while another 46 percent said they feel somewhat safer but still think security could be improved.

Price was cited as the most important factor in booking a flight by 48 percent of those surveyed. But by a margin of more than 2:1, travelers said that if they could pick a flight amenity, they’d rather have more legroom than a free meal.

Only 24 percent of those surveyed do not use online travel sites. Among those who do go to the Internet, 31 percent characterized online customer service as good or outstanding and another 29 percent said it was satisfactory. Fifty-nine percent said “lowest prices” was the most important factor in choosing an online travel site.

The poll was conducted before the Federal Communications Commission decided to maintain the ban on cell phones in flight, but survey findings on the issue suggest that more people would agree with the FCC decision than not. The travel survey found that only 29 percent favored permitting cell phones; 49 percent did not.

The survey also found that younger Americans travel more than older Americans. A third of those ages 18-34 have traveled three or more times in the past year, while 35 percent of those ages 55 or older have not traveled at all. And those who are married appear to travel more often than those who are single – 61 percent versus 46 percent reported traveling twice or more in the past year.

The survey was conducted March 20-22 among 1,006 adults, 738 of whom had traveled in the past year. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

French train hits 574 km/h in record-breaking run

Roaring like a jet plane, spitting sparks and trailing dust, a French train with a souped-up engine and special wheels broke the world speed record Tuesday for conventional rail trains, reaching 574.8 kph (357.2 mph).

The black and chrome train with three double-decker cars, named the V150, bettered the previous record of 515.3 (320.2 mph), set in 1990 by another French train. However, it fell short of the ultimate record set by Japan’s non-conventional magnetically levitated train, which sped to 581 kph (361 mph) in 2003.

The train sped along far faster than a passenger jet taking off or a Formula One race car. On board, the sensation was comparable to that of an airplane at liftoff. The train kept up with planes flying overhead taking photos.

Top 10 Secret Coast Escapes

Spectacular outings to celebrate the greenest, breeziest month

1. TOFINO, B.C.
A hidden hot springs cove
It’s rare to find hot springs near the coast. But the rarest experience of all is to soak in a natural stone pool so close to the water’s edge that the ocean swells gently flow in and out, bathing you alternately in hot and cold water. Where to seek out this singular experience? At the protected hot springs in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park at Hot Springs Cove, on the west side of Vancouver Island. Take a guided daylong boat tour out of Tofino and hike a mile through stunning old-growth rain forest before surrendering yourself to a half-dozen rock pools, each slightly cooler than the next.

2. PACIFIC CITY, OR
Fish from a dory boat
Time was, fishermen on the Oregon coast put to sea in dories that they launched right from the beach, negotiating the waves to reach the open ocean. At Pacific City they still do, and you can join them. Dory captain Joe Hay takes as many as six passengers, conditions permitting, for a day’s fishing for tuna or halibut, or a few hours of angling for lingcod, cabezon, and other bottomfish. Once you’re back on solid ground, he’ll gladly snap your picture and fillet your catch.

3. LITTLE RIVER, CA
Lighthouses from the air
You haven’t seen Mendocino at its best till you’ve seen it from above. Craggy cliffs become puzzle pieces, jutting into the ocean; the water grows calm and multi-hued, in brilliant shades of blue; and its four historic lighthouses appear pencil-thin, presiding proudly over their respective points. It’s just you and Coast Flyers’ extremely capable pilot, cruising through the crystal-clear sky in a four-seater Cessna at a cool 130 knots — lifting as high as 2,000 feet and, swooping like a seagull, as low as 100. Circle above Point Arena over to Point Cabrillo, following the edge of the earth up to Cape Mendocino and Punta Gorda. All along, keep your eyes peeled for gray whales making their spring migration to Alaska.

Top 20 Festivals Of The World

Hey, This time I have really some exciting news for you..If you really like hanging out then this is surely from you. I got the list of top 20 festivals from Exploring Earth!

As, per votes collected by the users of Rough Guides Website – here is the list of top 20 festivals around the world.

1. Rio Carnival, Brazil
2. Fantasy Fest, Florida
3. Fiesta de San Fermin, Spain
4. Glastonbury Festival, England
5. Oktoberfest, Munich
6. Love Parade, Berlin
7. Mardi Gras, New Orleans
8. Trinidad Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago
9. Queen’s Day, The Netherlands
10. Burning Man, Nevada
11. Notting Hill Carnival, England
12. Crop Over, Barbados
13. Ati-Atihan, The Philippines
14. Westmann Islands Festival, Iceland
15. Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica
16. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Australia
17. Las Fallas, Spain
18. St Patrick’s Day, Ireland
19. Rustler’s Valley Festivals, South Africa
20. Il Palio, Italy

10 great places to mend your broken heart

You’ve been dumped, and you’re still wallowing in memories of a Valentine’s Day spent with cheap bubbly and a batch of black-frosted, broken-heart cookies. Time to snap out of it and plan the perfect escape with Marybeth Bond, author of the new book 50 Best Girlfriend Getaways in North America (National Geographic Books, $15.95). Bond shares with USA TODAY’s Laura Bly soothing spots to heal from a broken romance, whether you’re man or woman.

Quebec City, Canada

“Quebecers like to say their capital city is like France without the jet lag or the attitude. What you’ll love the most is aimlessly wandering the narrow (and safe) streets, passing boulangeries, old churches, and slate-roof granite houses whose balconies drip with flowers. Over a long weekend in August, the New France Festival takes you back to when the French occupied the colony. More than 1,500 artists and performers don authentic costumes; you can rent one of your own and join in on the fun.” 418-641-6654; quebecregion.com

Monterey Peninsula, Calif.

A trip along Highway 1 between Monterey and San Simeon is “a therapeutic and liberating journey on one of the world’s most scenic roads,” Bond says. Hike at Point Lobos State Reserve or Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, pamper yourself at Esalen Institute in hot tubs sitting right over the ocean, or book a massage at Ventana Inn and Spa. And “don’t miss the Ambrosia burger at Nepenthe, a redwood and glass building suspended over the coast at Big Sur.” 888-221-1010; montereyinfo.org

Tragic, Toxic and Terrifying Vacations

Hey, I really got an interesting post today for all. Though its not tailored by me. I got in one of the blog. It was interesting enough for me to review the same post in my blog as well.

More and more places are coming up with travel experiences that, well, don’t have anything to do with fun or relaxation. We’ve blogged about volunteer vacations, but what about vacations, tours and overnight experiences that allow you do something altogether unpalatable? Like scare yourself silly in a prison. Or attempt a border-crossing between the U.S. and Mexico. Or get up close and personal with toxic waste. I’ve decided to list some of the ones I’ve found:

1. Caminata Nocturna: This 4-hour nighttime hike takes interested travelers along the same route illegal immigrants might use to enter the U.S. from Mexico. You even get chased by fake border control police in the pitch black darkness.

2. Toxic Tour: California-based Communities for a Better Environment takes tour participants to refineries, chemical sites, “brownfields” and other areas to educate them about the environmental and social impacts of pollution.

3. Liepaja Prison: How about an overnight in a Latvian prison once run by the KGB? They even give you a faux medical exam when you arrive for your stay.

4. Street Retreats: A San Francisco organization offers day-long experiences living on the streets like the city’s many homeless. You can stand in soup kitchen lines, panhandle and try to get into drop-in centers.

5. Reality Tours: The tours offered by San Francisco’s Global Exchange can involve anything from visiting a landmine field in Afghanistan to meeting with coffee farmers in the Andes. The offerings are educationally-driven, but do include cultural excursions to prominent museums and historical sites.

6. Slum Tours: Tourists can visit the small alleys of Mumbai’s famous Dharavi slum. An extended tour option includes visits to the Red Light district, open air laundry and a home for boys.

Women or Men – Who are ‘More Stressed by Air Travel’

According to the report conducted by technology company Amadeus and research firm Leflein Associates, women who are associated with air travel are more prone to stress and frustration. 58percent of the women has filed complains against the flight delays compare to 52 percent of men, who are apparently more easygoing in the departure lounges of the world’s airports.

Women are also ahead when we talk about lost luggages. 42 percent of the female has filled complains compared to 32 percent of men..

The research has concluded that men are also less likely to panic when trying to catch a connecting flight. Only 47 per cent of men worry about running to arrive in time, which compares to 63 per cent of women. It seems probable, on the other hand, that men consequently miss more flights than women as a result of their lackadaisical approach.

Indeed, 13 per cent of men have actually gone to a wrong airport or terminal to catch a flight, which compares to just 11 per cent of women. Men are also more likely to take out their frustrations on a gate or ticket officer, perhaps having arrived too late or at the wrong hub altogether.

It’s not about getting agitated on these issues – air travel undoubtedly has its share of hassles and time-draining situations.

For most, however, stress in the workplace is by far the biggest concern. Research from Zurich has found that many small business owners are working 72-hour weeks and are missing out on holiday opportunities completely.