Specials now offered by Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions is a unique company with niche itineraries that are perfect for those who want to explore nature up close. They use small vessels and employ knowledgeable individuals concerned about protecting the enviornment while interacting and learning about our world and its creatures. Check out select specials/itineraries for the upcoming season.

Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard/ 11 days

Limited time offers of up to 15% may be available on select 2010 departures. We specialize in small ship expeditions, so our cabin inventory is limited.

A remote archipelago situated just over 350 miles north of Norway’s North Cape, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, mountains and massive sheets of ice. During summer, when the sun never sets, the tundra experiences a warm awakening. It is carpeted with wildflowers. Ice-peppered fjords ring with the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. Walrus raise their sleepy heads to observe us. And everyone holds their breath as a polar bear is spotted and cameras click wildly. Experience nature in its purest form in the High Arctic.

This is as far north as it is possible to travel without an icebreaker, and you’ll experience the legendary midnight sun. With our fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, we are able to probe the ice in search of wildlife. This voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery. Nature is full of wonderful surprises and we are guided by her. Our pace is unhurried and our options are many, so the day-by-day itinerary below is a thoughtfully considered framework based on our long experience in this region.

Day 1 U.S./Fly Overnight to Oslo
Day 2 Oslo, Norway/Continental Hotel
Day 3 Oslo/Longyearbyen/Embark Ship
Day 4-9 Exploring Svalbard
Day 10 Longyearbyen/Disembark/Oslo
Day 11 Oslo/U.S.

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Galapagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour/10 days

Limited time offers of up to 25% may be available on select 2009/2010 departures. We specialize in small ship expeditions, so our cabin inventory is limited.

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands provide a natural habitat for some of the world’s most interesting and unusual animals. Only in Galápagos will you come face to face with wildlife that has never developed a fear of people.

With an expedition to the Land of Darwin, you have the opportunity to study blue-footed boobies performing a courtship “dance”, snorkel with playful sea lions, watch a male frigatebird ballooning his crimson chest pouch to attract a female, kneel beside marine iguanas, and marvel at Galápagos penguins.

Our Galápagos vacation features nimble Zodiacs and kayaks that take us to the volcanic shores and pristine beaches of Galápagos, and an undersea program utilizes underwater video, glass-bottom boat and hydrophone that bring seldom seen or heard worlds to life. Every expedition in Galápagos is led by a team of five Naturalists, (including an Underwater Specialist), a videographer, and Expedition Leader, providing a multitude of resources for a rich and unmatched understanding of all that you’ll see.

Day 1 U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 2 Guayaquil/Galápagos/Baltra/Embark Ship
Day 3 Floreana
Day 4 Isabela and Fernandina
Day 5-6 Santa Cruz
Day 6-7 Bartolome and Santiago
Day 8 Espanola
Day 9 Baltra/Disembark Ship/Guayaquil
Day 10 Guayaquil/Home

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$500 air credit + take $250 off select dates and itineraries call for details restrictions apply.

The Pacific coasts of Panama and Costa Rica are surely among the world’s most beautiful and diverse. Here, you find mountains, tropical rain forest and dozens of idyllic, offshore islands. The wildlife is as diverse as the landscape. Join us to explore the coastal regions of neighboring countries for an intriguing blend of nature — plus a transit of the legendary Panama Canal — aboard National Geographic Sea Lion. Walk rain forest trails, home to capuchin and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, iguanas and hummingbirds. Snorkel at Panama’s famed Isla Coiba. Kayak along wildlife-rich coastlines.

Day 1 Miami/Panama City, Panama/Colon/ Embark Ship
Day 2 Gatun Lake/Panama Canal Transit
Day 3 Gulf of Panama Islets
Day 4 Isla Coiba National Park
Day 5 Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Day 6 Osa Peninsula
Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 8 Herradura/Disembark/San Jose/Miami

Lindblad Expeditions–tells us why

— you should travel with us

Venturing to the ends of the earth takes experience – and Lindblad Expeditions has more than 50 years’ experience turning vacationers into active and engaged explorers. Come aboard and discover a world of adventure travel you never knew existed.

National Geographic partnership. This collaboration in exploration between two like-minded organizations provides research, technology and conservation for extraordinary travel experiences you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Engaging Experts. Our Naturalists and Historians are true experts in their fields. And they, along with our National Geographic guest experts, are always available for questions and casual conversation.

Everything is included. Unless it is an item of a personal nature or special arrangements (e.g. flightseeing over glaciers), everything you need to have a perfectly complete experience is included with your expedition.

Innovation and tools for exploration. Our ships are equipped with kayaks and Zodiacs to take you into wild places safely, and utilize underwater video and audio technology that will bring the seldom seen or hear to vivid life.

Expeditions, not tours. Whether it’s on or off the beaten track, we bring adventure to travel by taking small groups to special places for distinctive and exclusive encounters with nature.

Flexibility, spontaneity and freedom. Our thoughtfully crafted itineraries are built to include those often magical opportunities to experience nature’s unplanned events.

Fine food and accommodations. Skillfully prepared and presented regional cuisine, comfortable quarters and our wellness program make pleasure a significant part of the expedition experience.

Insider access. Thanks to our long history of exploration we are able to provide insider and many times exclusive access to some of the world’s most interesting places and people.

Relaxed and informal atmosphere. Casual clothes and a matching attitude are our hallmarks: no need to dress up, and many opportunities for fun, adventure and laughter.

Respect for our world. We travel in an environmentally responsible manner. And, we donate funds, time and resources, often in partnership with local organizations and our guests, to protect or restore the world’s wild places.

Iberostar Grand Bavaro

Recently I participated in a weekend whirl of resort visits. We stayed at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro. This resort is located in the Iberostar complex in Punta Cana. The location of the resort is very near the airport. This makes for an easy transfer after the flight over. You can be at the pool in less than 2 hrs after landing, clearing customs and gathering luggage.

The resort has been built on a truly grand scale. The interior has a modern 50’s-70’s feel with a European classic theme thrown in. It definitely makes a statement when you walk in. There is sleek furniture in the lobby, lounge area and reception. Lots of cool chairs to sit back and have an evening cocktail. The lobby bar is conveniently located to all the seating and they have excellent bar service. You will walk out onto a series of wooden walk ways that lead you to the pool area and lagoons surround the entire entrance of the buildings. Iberostar always makes use of water in their designs and never fail to make a statement with the use of waterfalls and lagoons. Very pretty.

Surrounding the pool area are the a le carte restaurants, international buffet and a few sundry shops. Next to the dining strip is a huge sailing vessel that sits in the lagoon and has been designed to serve as a disco and bar for evening entertainment. Very unique.

The pool is a freeform structure with wonderful chaise lounges and what was really nice, were the cabanas complete with plush cushions and drapery for those that want shade or privacy. Pool bar service extends to out to the seating area and servers are available to take cocktail orders during the day. There is also a wonderful swim up bar if you want to be near the action!

There are no words to describe the beach here. Punta Cana has gorgeous beaches and the water is crystal blue and clear with gently rolling waves. What else can be said? Read this in January when we are frozen!

The food was tasty, although in all honesty, the buffet portion was not what I have seen at other resorts. It was small and not very many options. This could be due to low occupancy at this time of the year. Let’s face it, the economy has hit all of us hard and the resorts are trying to compensate by not wasting and making determinations according to the amount of guests they have. Perfectly logical since you wouldn’t cook for 40 if only 10 are coming. The employees were willing to assist in a pleasant and cordial manner.

The rooms are impeccable! There have a beautiful chaise lounge and desk area for additional seating other than the bed. The bed is king size with lush European styled bedding. They have a pillow menu available. 24hour room service with a personal butler for each room! The minibar has a very nice display of glassware and is refilled every day with snacks and bar items, as well as bottled water. All you have to do is ask. There is a very nice sized closet with iron and board, as well as robes and slippers. Electronics include a plasma TV as well as an IPod dock station. Colors are welcoming and soothing in creams and light greens.

There is a full marble bath with Jacuzzi tub surrounded by glass that looks out into the gardens. For privacy they have installed electric shades! The balcony has a beautiful sofa and chairs if you wish to eat out. Very nice size and comfortable.

They sure have put alot of money and thought into this resort. As adult only guests of this property you can share with the sister resorts next door, the Bavaro, Dominicana and Punta Cana. Golf carts are always available to drive you over. There is a nice size Caribbean street with shopping and another disco if you want to have a change of scenery. You may also eat at any of the restaurants located at the other resorts at any time. Evening entertainment is also available in the complex.

So, there is alot to do here. Perfect for destination weddings for those that have families, they can stay at the Iberostar complex and you can stay at the Grand adults only and have your wedding on the beautiful beach and everyone is accommodated and happy!

Iberostars have a wonderful product and always deliver.

You can view all the pictures of this resort on our Facebook page.

Flavors of Piedmont

Most of my clients know that I’m from Torino, so when my tour operator sent me this missive on what offers are available in the area I felt compelled to post it. Ask about these and other food and wine tours that can be arranged on any trip to Italy.

Yes, it is true that Torino has the best chocolate anywhere, no small wonder that hazelnut has always been my fave!
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Piemonte comes alive in autumn. The region that we in the U.S. call “Piedmont” thrives under cooler temperatures that produce Nebbiolo grapes, used in wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Forests hide their coveted treasures: White Truffles. With winter weather approaching, Piemonte prepares with the production of cheeses and chocolates. Warning: Decadence Ahead! Be Prepared!

Native Italians know that the culinary style of Piemonte is the best of the best, in truth the king of Italian cuisine. So what is Piemontese cooking? Chef Federico Crova, instructor of our Gourmet Piedmont cooking class says the repertoire of the classic Piemonte chef has been sculpted by the region’s rich history. He would define Piemontese cooking as “a really rich tradition made of simple recipes made popular by their audience of noble men, and elaborate recipes that were created by chefs for the incredible dinner parties of the kings.” Piemontese cuisine is richer than most other Italian cooking styles. For example, unlike other pasta, Piemontese pasta is an egg pasta, made only of eggs and flour which, according to Federico, gives the pasta a “unique texture, color and taste.” Try a few of Piemonte’s best known and loved dishes. Chef Federico recommends trying fresh egg pasta such as tajarin (a long pasta) and agnolotti (a type of ravioli), as well as desserts like Bunet (a creme-caramel dish) and the well-known Panna Cotta.

The location of this region, in the foothills of the Alps and so close to France, may be partly responsible for the high quality of Piemontese cooking. It certainly has inspired many melty, mouth-watering meals, such as Fonduta, an Italian version of cheese fondue made with Fontina cheese and often topped with truffles during fall months.

Some of the best wines in the world come from this region. While many people know that Italian wine is good, few can name a type of wine other than Chianti. But true connoisseurs will know two names: Barolo and Barbaresco. These two strong, bodied red wines are traditionally made, well aged and well worth a trip to Northern Italy. Barolo wine was the wine of choice for many of the monarchs of Europe throughout the late renaissance, including Louis XIV of France, who chose an Italian wine over that of his own country. Barolo regal history and superb taste have earned it the appellation ” King of Wines and the Wine of Kings,” and Barbaresco often serves as Queen. enjoy a taste of Asti Spumante (Italy’s version of champagne) or Moscato d’Asti (a sweet dessert wine known throughout the world).

“You must try the truffles!” In the US truffles are rare and expensive, but in Piemonte truffles are in season during the fall months, particularly white truffles. You’ll find them headline menus at restaurants throughout the region. You’ll find them in market. And you may even find them with the help of a trifulau and his guide dog. If you are looking for festivals, catch the mother of all food festivals: the Alba White Truffle Festival, held between October 3 and November 8 of this year. Visit Alba on a weekend to catch the fair’s activities and they will need a car to get there as the small town is not easily accessible by train.

Some of the world’s most loved foods come from Piemonte, including possibly the most loved food: chocolate. Don’t misunderstand, we all know that technically “chocolate” did not come from Italy. But many of its modern day forms started right here with the Royal family Savoy leading the way. Mochas were first served here, under the name of bavaresia, a beverage served exclusively to royalty. And of course, it was here in Torino that the idea to make chocolate in a solid form was born. Leave it to the Piemontese to improve upon their own invention — they mixed that chocolate with their local hazelnuts to form gianduia, or what we now know by the brand name Nutella. Every spring, Torino holds a Chocolate Festival to celebrate their history in chocolate as well as promoting continued chocolate innovation. Even if your clients will miss the festival, there’s no need to miss the chocolate. Delectibles are found in every cafe, and everywhere you look. Clue them in to some of the traditional offerings and innovations with a Chocopass, sure to be appreciated by any Torino visitor.

You may not be familiar with Piemonte — after all it certainly doesn’t have the fame of Rome, Florence and Venice. But this region is not exactly off the beaten path. Torino, or Turin, is far from quaint. This modern city is considered one of the main contemporary Italian cultural centers — home of modern literary movements, cinematography and of course the 2006 Winter Olympics. Surrounding this capital city is a region of palaces and plenty. Piemonte was royal domain from the 16th century, homeland of the House of Savoy and the first capital of Italy, later moved to Rome. Traveling the countryside, you’ll find palatial estates such as the Venaria Reale, referred to as the Italian Versailles. In short, there’s plenty to see. Most commonly, people stay in Torino and may take excursions into the countryside, though there is also plenty to do in the city itself (try the Torino Card to visit the city’s wealth of museums.) If you would rather explore the countryside by car, stay near the ideally located town of Sinio in the Le Langhe district of Piemonte.

Torino is not such a long trip from any of the major hubs (2 hours from Milan, 4 hours from Venice and 5 hours from Florence).

Punta Cana

Hello everyone:

I want to start a short series of comments on hotels in Punta Cana.

I just spent a short weekend touring properties. I gathered very useful information so the time spent away was worth it. Remember when we do these site inspections we don’t sit by the pool sipping frothy drinks..we run around with cameras, notebooks, in 98* heat and see about 6 resorts in one day..we observe with a discriminating eye and see what is positive and what are negatives. Meanwhile, I try to assess if the resort will fit my clients’ needs.

My plan is to write about one resort at a time and perhaps include a few pictures. The resort area of Punta Cana is growing. I saw a difference from the last time I was there. It seems like they are building more shops and homes in the area. One thing I’m afraid of is that they will become too commercial. I personally like to have the true local experience when I travel, rather than it looking like the strip mall in town.

The first time I visited Riviera Maya the road was two lanes, trees were slapping against the bus as we rode along. Now there are 6 lanes of intense traffic along a road sporting Walmart and Home Depot! Ugh. Like anyone else I do like convenience, but not to sacrifice the purity of the destination. All this ‘devolopement’ occurred in just 7 short years.

The crowning glory in this area is the beach. Wide sandy shore with soft lapping waves. Sounds great doesn’t it? Especially here in Chardon in February!! We are tough aren’t we? This area is growing in quality and style of resorts. They have so much to offer. It really is carefree travel. They have beautiful pools, many activities, great restaurants and children’s programs. They are working hard to make this an all around destination. The staff at the properties couldn’t have been more accommodating and so hard working
to make the guests comfortable.

Many excursions are also available for those that want some activity outside of the resorts. Snorkling, diving, city tours, jungle tours, shark viewing and others are available.

Stay tuned for the first in a series. I will start with Dreams Palm Beach. Soon come!

Tarmac delays what to do?

Surviving the dreaded tarmac delay
Writer Harry R. Weber, Ap Airlines Writer –
Wed Aug 26, 2:06 pm as published in Yahoo News

ATLANTA – You’re tired, hungry, have a cranky baby on your lap and all you want to do is get off the plane, but you can’t because it’s been on the tarmac for hours waiting to take off.

While such delays are rare, they can be more common during the hot summer due to thunderstorms and, this year, because of fewer flights to get you to your destination if your flight is canceled.

A six-hour delay with 47 people aboard a small Continental Express plane at a Minnesota airport this month is the extreme. In June, the most recent month for which data is available, there were 278 tarmac delays of 3 hours or more. That was the most this year but still only .05 percent of the total number of scheduled flights that month.

Information is the best ammunition in such situations. Experts advise that passengers be prepared. Here are answers to some questions travelers may ask.

Q. Can’t I just get off the plane?

A. No. The captain has ultimate control of the plane and generally will determine if and when to return to the gate and allow passengers to get off.

“It’s not a democracy,” says Robert Mann, an airline industry consultant in Port Washington, N.Y.

Passengers can request that the aircraft return to the gate, or if they have a cell phone they can call airline customer service or their carrier’s frequent flier hotline and exert pressure that way. If you have a medical condition or are ill, notify the crew immediately. But taking matters into your own hands is ill-advised. An FAA spokeswoman says unruly passengers who make a run for the aircraft door could be arrested for interfering with the crew.

Q. Why would the airline choose to keep the passengers onboard rather than let them get off?

A. It takes a lot of time to get passengers off a plane and then back on again. If the weather clears up at the airport where you are heading, the crew may have a limited opportunity to take off. Tarmac delays often occur because of bad weather, congestion and air traffic control issues. Further delays could be caused by allowing passengers to get off, which also could mean passengers with connecting flights might miss those connections.

Airline operations also are a factor. Because of weak demand for air travel due to the ailing economy, airlines have taken large chunks of seats out of the air and are offering fewer flights and frequencies to some destinations.

“It may add to the reason there are the tarmac delays and not the cancellations,” says Terry Trippler, an airline and travel expert based in Minneapolis. “The airlines realize that there aren’t a lot of flights to get them onto alternate flights, and that’s why they rather just wait and get them out.”

Q. How long can the crew keep me on the plane before heading back to the gate?

A. There’s no law or rule mandating that the crew allow you to get off after a certain period. Legislation introduced in the Senate in July would require planes delayed more than three hours to return to a gate. A rule proposed by the Department of Transportation would require airlines to have contingency plans for dealing with lengthy tarmac delays. Some airlines have implemented customer commitments in recent years to try to appease passengers. JetBlue Airways vows to deplane passengers if an aircraft is delayed on the ground for five hours. That was instituted in 2007 after passengers on a JetBlue flight waited 11 hours on the tarmac at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Q. Will I get something to eat and drink while I wait?

A. Airlines generally only stock enough food and drinks for the length of the flight. Passengers on the Continental Express flight later complained about not being offered food and drink during their lengthy tarmac delay. Several airlines have procedures for dealing with onboard delays that include making sure the cabin temperature is appropriate and passengers have access to restrooms, and food and water.

After a recent AirTran Airways flight from Pittsburgh to Atlanta was diverted to Chattanooga, Tenn., flight attendants offered bottled water and pretzels to passengers during the 90-minute tarmac delay.

Delta Air Lines says on its Web site that in the event of onboard ground delays under certain circumstances, it promises to make timely announcements regarding the flight status, allow customers to use cell phones and laptop computers and provide snacks and beverages to customers when “reasonable and safe to do so.” Experts advise that passengers should carry food and drink with them on flights in case of a delay while onboard.

“Instead of that extra pair of shoes in your carryon, you put an extra sandwich or an extra bottle of water,” Trippler says.

Q. What can I do to pass the time during a tarmac delay?

A. On a long delay you might be hoping that you’re not stuck next to someone who wants to share his life story. In that case on-flight TV or radio may be your salvation. What’s more, it’s always smart to carry something to read to get you through a delay no matter how long.

If you have a connecting flight that you might miss, use your cell phone to call airline customer service and rebook your next flight. The one thing experts agree on is that it is important to stay calm in those situations.

Q. What kind of compensation am I entitled to if I experience a tarmac delay?

A. Typically, circumstances beyond the control of an airline are not covered in terms of passengers being provided compensation, says aviation consultant Mark Kiefer of CRA International in Boston. However, airlines have discretion to help passengers out, and some even have policies for allowing for compensation when there are tarmac delays.

For instance, JetBlue customers who experience an onboard ground delay on arrival for two hours or more after scheduled arrival time are entitled to a voucher. The voucher is good for future travel on JetBlue in the amount paid by the customer for their roundtrip ticket.

Q. Where can I get more information about airline policies regarding tarmac delays?

A. Airline Web sites are a good place to start. Check the airline’s contract of carriage, which outlines its responsibilities to customers and the action it will take in various situations

Airline flight bumping

If airline bumps you, know your rights
Sunday, August 09, 2009 as published in Plain Dealer travel section
David Koenig
Associated Press
Airlines are operating fewer flights this summer, meaning that planes are packed even with the slump in travel.
To keep flights from departing with empty seats, airlines often sell more tickets than there are seats on the plane. Last year, more than 63,000 passengers were bumped, according to government figures, and this year is shaping up similarly.
So what should you do if you get bumped?
Before bargaining with the gate agent over travel vouchers and upgrades, it pays to know your rights and the airline’s responsibilities.
The federal government sets rules on bumping and occasionally fines airlines for breaking them. Last month, the Transportation Department fined Delta Air Lines $375,000, although it may waive about half if Delta improves its procedures for handling oversold flights.
Airlines must ask for volunteers first, and pay passengers who are bumped involuntarily.
If you are bumped involuntarily from a domestic flight, the airline must pay you the price of a one-way ticket, up to $400, if you are rescheduled to reach your destination between one and two hours of the original arrival time. The maximum doubles if it your scheduled arrival is more than two hours later.
Gate agents may put out a sign or simply tell passengers that they are looking for volunteers to give up their seats. Chris McGinnis, a travel consultant in San Francisco, says it’s often best to ignore their first offer and wait until departure time nears.
“The bidding gets stronger,” he says. “That’s when it goes from $100 off your next flight to maybe $300 and a business-class seat on the next flight out.”
The best flights to bargain for better compensation are late afternoon or evening trips. They’re popular with business travelers who have to get to a morning meeting or are eager to get home.
Experts warn about accepting travel vouchers. They might be hard to redeem, especially during peak travel periods. Make sure you understand any limitations. Also be sure you get confirmed space on a later flight that will get you to your destination at an acceptable time.
Airlines oversell flights because some passengers buy costly, fully refundable tickets on more than one flight and then use only one. Other flights are overbooked because of anticipated no-shows and still others because the airline had to substitute a smaller plane with fewer seats.
While there are federal rules on bumping, there is no sweeping requirement for airlines to provide hotel rooms and meals for passengers who are stranded overnight, even if it’s the carrier’s fault, according to the Transportation Department. But you can haggle
“It’s up to the discretion of the carrier and the [gate] agent,” says George Hobica, who operates airfarewatch dog.com. “Some airlines will do their best if you ask nicely.”
What should you do if you’re not bumped but have to face a long delay?
Hobica says that when a long delay appears obvious, you should ask to be rebooked on another airline, especially if it is the carrier’s fault, such as a mechanical problem or lack of crew.
Veteran travelers say if a long delay will cause you to miss the reason for your trip, such as a wedding or business meeting, ask for a refund. However, there is no law requiring the airline to give you a refund.
Airlines and passenger-rights groups are fighting over how carriers handle long delays, and Congress may settle the issue. Last month, a Senate committee passed a bill that would require airlines to let passengers off planes that are stuck on the tarmac for at least three hours.
Airlines say such a law would make things worse by forcing planes that might be near the front of the takeoff line to taxi back to the gate, then go to the back of the pack. More flights would be canceled, says David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, a Washington trade group for the largest U.S. carriers. Consumer groups aren’t buying it.
“No one believes that the airlines will fix the problem themselves,” says Kate Hanni, a California real estate agent who created a passenger-rights group after being stranded on a grounded American Airlines jet for more than eight hours in December 2006. “They haven’t yet.”
Since airline travel is often stressful, and summer always brings many delays, experts advise you have a Plan B. Know what flights are available if yours is canceled. If your flight is pushed back or scrubbed, hop on your laptop or phone to see if you can rebook.

Sardinia Italy

From Sardinia tourist Board

Culinary Sardinia
In Sardinia more people live to be 100 or older than anywhere else in the world. And as a scientific study has shown, this longevity is attributable not to the Sardinian gene pool but rather to the island’s relaxed and healthy lifestyle. But by no means do Sardinians live like monks. Indeed, Sardinia is an earthly paradise for people who love fine food, including fragrant bread fresh out of the oven, delectable skewered meats roasted over an open pit, spectacularly fresh seafood, countless varieties of Sardinian Pecorino cheese, not to mention fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the grower and of course full-bodied wines. Sardinian cuisine is famed for its use of fresh, in-season ingredients from the Mediterranean region. And what could be better than enjoying a glass of Sardinian red wine while you wait for your pasta, porchetto or arragosta and pick out words you understand from the undercurrent of neighboring conversations. Memorable too are visits to Sardinia’s cantina sociale where local wines, including Grappa, are produced and sold.

Among Sardinia’s many outstanding culinary specialties is sa buttariga (popularly known as bottarga) which is smoked mullet caviar. This delicacy is usually served as an appetizer, thinly sliced and marinated in olive oil. Many Sardinians also eat their spaghetti with the delectable bottarga.

Sardinia’s best known bread is aptly named carta di musica (music paper), a dry, light, hearty and extremely thinly sliced shepherd’s bread composed of rounds of superimposed crispy layers of dough. When shepherds combine this delicacy with tomato sauce and egg, it becomes pane frattau.

To make carne a carraxiu (buried meat), a suckling pig, lamb or calf is laid in a hole dug in the ground and covered with aromatic myrtle leaves. At the end of the process, firewood is laid on top, which gradually cures the meat. A truly succulent delicacy for meat enthusiasts!

Sardinia’s delicately flavoured sheep’s cheese Pecorino is now exported all over the world. Authentic Pecorino is made without any anomalous ingredients such as cow’s milk (instead of sheep’s milk). The most famed Sardinian cheese is smoked, spicy and sharp Fiore Sardo, which is aged over a long period.

America’s Best and Worst Airports-published by Travel and Leisure

America’s Best and Worst Airports 2009
What are the odds your next flight will be delayed? Depends on what airport you’re flying from.

By Travel + Leisure StaffLAX

We all know the drill: you show up at the airport with plenty of time to spare, only to discover that your flight’s been delayed and now you have hours to kill. Or worse yet, you’ve already boarded your flight and now you’re stuck on the tarmac.

Where is this most likely to happen? You can’t eliminate delays, of course, but you can play the odds—some airports have better track records than others (as do some airlines, which is why we rank the best and worst airlines for on-time performance). So, as we do every year, Travel + Leisure gathered statistics from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on flights that departed more than 15 minutes behind schedule (in this instance from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009) and found out the best—and worst—airports for on-time performance.

There is some good news overall: the worst airport (there’s a new winner this year) improved on its delays by 3 percentage points. It was also the only airport to have 30 percent or more of its flights delayed; last year, four airports broke the 30 percent barrier.

This upward trend meant that even though some airports improved their on-time performance, their ranking may not have changed much. Dallas decreased its flight delays by a lot—6 percentage points—but it remained at the No. 4 spot in the top 10 worst airports. And JFK—despite decreasing its delays 11 percentage points over the past 2 years—tied with Dallas for that No. 4 spot.

Some of these airports will come as no surprise: the skies around New York City continue to be congested, backing up traffic at all three area airports. And other hubs like Atlanta and Chicago remain on the list of offenders.

But both the best and worst lists have some newcomers this year. Philadelphia—on neither list in 2007 or 2008—showed up in the top 10 worst airports (22 percent of flights were delayed). Orlando had sunnier news, breaking into the 10 best list with just 18 percent of its flights delayed (good news, of course, for visitors to Disney World). Detroit, too, joins the ranks of the elite, with 17 percent of its flights delayed.

And of course some airports have disappeared from the lists. That’s unfortunate for Seattle, which was one of the 10 best in 2008. It’s better news for Chicago Midway (MDW), which at 25 percent was one of the 10 worst in 2008.

So consult this list before you book your next ticket: if you can fly out of an alternate airport like Midway, the odds are better that you’ll arrive at your destination on time. And these days, on-time arrivals are just about the only thing airlines aren’t charging extra for.

America’s Top Five Best Airports 2009
1. Salt Lake City (SLC)
2. Portland (PDX)
3. (Tie) Washington, D.C. (DCA)
3. (Tie) Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP)
5. (Tie) Los Angeles (LAX)
5. (Tie) San Diego (SAN)
5. (Tie) Tampa (TPA)

America’s Top Five Worst Airports 2009
1. Newark (EWR)
2. Chicago (ORD)
3. Miami (MIA)
4. (Tie) Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW)
4. (Tie) New York (LGA)
4. (Tie) New York (JFK)

New York City

New York City, NY Information by Rough Guides
The most beguiling city in the world, New York is an adrenaline-charged, history-laden place that holds immense romantic appeal for visitors. Wandering the streets here, you’ll cut between buildings that are icons to the modern age – and whether gazing at the flickering lights of the midtown skyscrapers as you speed across the Queensboro bridge, experiencing the 4am half-life downtown, or just wasting the morning on the Staten Island ferry, you really would have to be made of stone not to be moved by it all. There’s no place quite like it.

While the events of September 11, 2001, which demolished the World Trade Center, shook New York to its core, the populace responded resiliently under the composed aegis of then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Until the attacks, many New Yorkers loved to hate Giuliani, partly because they saw him as committed to making their city too much like everyone else’s. To some extent he succeeded, and during the late Nineties New York seemed cleaner, safer, and more liveable, as the city took on a truly international allure and shook off the more notorious aspects to its reputation. However, the maverick quality of New York and its people still shines as brightly as it ever did. Even in the aftermath of the World Trade Center’s collapse, New York remains a unique and fascinating city – and one you’ll want to return to again and again.

You could spend weeks in New York and still barely scratch the surface, but there are some key attractions – and some pleasures – that you won’t want to miss. There are the different ethnic neighborhoods, like lower Manhattan’s Chinatown and the traditionally Jewish Lower East Side (not so much anymore); and the more artsy concentrations of SoHo, TriBeCa, and the East and West Villages. Of course, there is the celebrated architecture of corporate Manhattan, with the skyscrapers in downtown and midtown forming the most indelible images. There are the museums, not just the Metropolitan and MoMA, but countless other smaller collections that afford weeks of happy wandering. In between sights, you can eat just about anything, at any time, cooked in any style; you can drink in any kind of company; and sit through any number of obscure movies. The more established arts – dance, theater, music – are superbly catered for; and New York’s clubs are as varied and exciting as you might expect. And for the avid consumer, the choice of shops is vast, almost numbingly exhaustive in this heartland of the great capitalist dream.