Guess what time it is, Internet! That’s right, it’s time to travel around you! Stand still.

Travel Around the Internet is a weekly UpTake feature where we showcase the numerous emails we receive from you, the reader. Also, tweets, deals and stuff we stumble upon (and Digg, and reddit). Basically, it’s internet travel news all in one nice place.

Seriously, we’re a lot of fun to be around.

There’s no crying in flying — at least not on Southwest. (AOL Travel)

Snorkel for luminescence at CasaSandra on Holbox Island, Mexico. (CasaSandra)

Looking for Scottsdale luxury at an affordable price? (Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale)

Win a Disney family trip to Hollywood! (Family.com)

Looking for good surf in Los Angeles? (CBS: Best of L.A.)

Tour the rainforest by zip line and moonlight in St. Lucia! (AdrenaLUNA)

DreamWorks and Gaylord Opryland have an experience that you might like! (Gaylord Opryland)

The world’s most endangered travel destinations — see them while you can! (lonely planet)

Live your own Shark Week! (Gadling)

Jackasses on airplanes. (CNN)

Universal Orlando Resort has some Harry Potter travel deals that are just like magic! (Universal Orlando)

More travel drama re: Cuba. (MSNBC)

In need of a mancation? Here are the best places! (AskMen)

If you would like to see your link on UpTake please use the email link in sidebar. Happy travels!

Southwest Plane Landing

Although you won’t see a Southwest Airline plane flying out of South Carolina until next year, the state is all abuzz about Southwest’s announcement to expand service to Charleston and Greenville Airports. This comes on the heels of more big travel news for South Carolina, where Carnival Cruise Lines kicks off expanded service out of Charleston, with year-round cruising starting on May 18th. In years past, Carnival has cruised seasonally during the winter, but this marks the first time they’ve sailed year-round.

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Southwest Airplanes

For the last couple years, as many airlines have gone under, there have been that select group of airlines that have continued to grow and rise in popularity. Although considered a smaller airline compared to some of its competitors, Southwest Airlines has quickly risen as one of the most liked and most flown airlines, predominantly because of its customer service and low fees. Now, for only a couple days, you can fly for Southwest Air for even cheaper rates, as they’re offering steeply discounted fares for as low as $25.

Southwest has become quite popular and talked about among the major airlines over the last year because of its strong social media and customer service presence. Southwest is especially popular on Twitter, as it ranks high in popularity along with JetBlue with almost one million followers. Southwest is also preferred because of the perks it offers that other airlines do not. To this point, Southwest continues to offer complimentary snacks and drinks, while many airlines have started to charge for many food and drink options. Another major pain for travelers is fees for checking in baggage. This is a fee that Southwest waives, compared to many other airlines which are now charging for checked bags. Read More »

My husband and I are constantly on the lookout for weekend day trip ideas. Our weekends are spent filled with the awareness of all the useful things that we’re supposed to be doing around the house, yet we are severely lacking the willpower to do those things. One Saturday afternoon not too long ago, our desperate escape from the horror of chores took us in the direction of Scottsdale, and the Arts District.

The Old Town area of Scottsdale is a treat for window shopping enthusiasts, and a mecca for Southwestern oriented artwork and decor. Parking can sometimes be a challenge, though it’s easier during the day than at night, when Those Who Wish To See and Be Seen come out to play.

Art galleries mingle seamlessly with souvenir stores and restaurants. Every Thursday the art galleries host an evening Art Walk from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., displaying their artwork and crafts along the walkways and sidewalks. Come for the art, stay for the free wine!

It’s easy to spend hours looking through the hundreds of shops in the area. My husband and I broke up the day with regular stops for refreshment, first at the Rusty Spur Saloon:

Then at the Sugar Bowl:

There is absolutely no way to forget that you are in the heart of the Southwest.

Nothing says Arizona like a good old fashioned cow skull:

Scottsdale is family and pet friendly – though they discourage pets coming into the stores and restaurants themselves. To get there from Loop 101, exit on Indian School Road and travel west to Scottsdale Road. If you’re taking the 202, exit on Scottsdale Road and travel north to arrive in the Old Town area. The heart of the Arts district is on Scottsdale Road and Fifth Avenue.

The Old Town area of Scottsdale – just like the rest of the city – is an excellent place to spend very little money and enjoy the sites; alternately, you can spend a WHOLE LOT of money and indulge in some truly unique arts and crafts.