Cheap Airfare to Sundance

A big thanks to the Mobissimo blog. (Flights from SF are $435, from NYC $389, and LaLaland $325.)

Travelers Beware! Health Risks on the Road

IHT's got the skinny on a newly released study on the health dangers for those traveling to developing countries. Fun stuff like mosquito-born dengue fever (aka bone-crushing disease) and parasite infections. Two thirds of travelers to the developing world get sick, and the study-- which contains the most comprehensive records of those travelers treated at travel clinics-- provides a real blueprint for doctors. For more gory deets (parasites, bugs, worms, mosquitos...), check out the related CNN.com article.

All About Turin, Italy

The sights, the eats, the Turin Olympic transformation... CNN.com Travel's got it covered. (But the best time for experiencing the city's marvelous renaissance may be after the Feb 10-26 Olympic Games, when visitors can enjoy a year full of festivals sponsored by UNESCO, sin the crowds.)

Fit Hotels Directory

With the new year upon us, fitness is on the mind. And if you're prone to travel, the idea of dismal hotel fitness facilities may scare the bejesus out of you! But never fear-- the Fit Hotel Directory is here to help. In their words:

Find a quality hotel gym instantly! Gone are the days of searching for your hotel's tiny fitness room or gym, full of out-dated, bulky equipment simply to get a good workout. Guests have long been demanding quality, in-hotel fitness equipment and FitHotelDirectory.com is answering back resoundingly with our directory of the finest hotels with top-notch gyms and fitness rooms.

Forbes.com World’s Most Romantic Hotels

Tah-dah. Here it is, though booking now for Valentine's Day may prove an impossible feat.

Earn Double Hilton HHonors Points This Winter at Conrad Hotels

From now until the end of March, stay at participating Conrad hotels and you'll receive double points. Valid at all 19 of Conrad's award-winning hotels—spread around the globe from Chicago to Bali to Tokyo to Istanbul. Heading to Chitown on business? The latest addition to the Conrad family-- the Conrad Chicago-- awaits on the Magnificent Mile. Desperate for a beach-break? The Conrad Bali is a stunning sanctuary among lagoons, cascading waterfalls, and gorgeous gardens. Or discover the modern luxury of the Conrad Tokyo. The choice is yours.

Top Ten Events Worldwide for 2006

Thank God for the Washington Post, which put together this sweet list of global happenings for the new year, including the Turin Olympic Winter Games and the centennial of the San Francisco Earthquake.

France Tacks On a New Airline Tax

Starting in July, flights leaving France will be taxed an additional EUR 40. Chirac's measure will raise an estimated EUR 200 million a year for developing countries, to fight AIDS and support health programs, mostly in Africa. Via IHT

Holiday Gifts for Frequent Fliers

The Washington Post has some great recs, including inflatable pillows and frequent flier kits, laptop cases on wheels, personal space ionizers, and the- um- seat-belt extension (how's that for subtle?)

What’s Up with the Smart Card E-Passport?

I've heard the talk. Next year we'll be using new e-Passports, which include an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic info, a digital photo, and other biometric info. Bye, bye familiar, friendly little passports. I guess the hard copy pages of stamps and visas (and the bragging rights associated with accumulating them) are becoming obsolete. Though we'll be able to use our current passports until they expire, I hope. But I'm a little scared about these Smart Cards. This opens a whole new can of worms about privacy concerns, and the security of the stored information. Know anything more? Fill me in!