One day, too long ago to remember (I believe it was late March), I received an email from one Ken Levine. He had just published a book on his travels and asked if I, in my role as the UpTake Vacations Editor, would be interested in reviewing his book. I said yes, because I’m a sucker that can’t say no. True story.

Actually, I’m a sucker that doesn’t have a single moment of time to take on any additional responsibilities, so my promise to Ken Levine went unfulfilled. Until now.

Yes, Ken Levine, today is the day. I am going to review your book. Try to contain your enthusiasm.

And to you, the internet reader, here is why I’m featuring the review of Mr. Levine’s book on UpTake:

A) I said I would.
B) I live in Seattle (Mr. Levine calls some of the Mariners’ games).
C) I’m moving to L.A. this summer to pursue my passion of screenwriting. Mr. Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/producer of such TV hits as M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier and Wings, to name a few. This is an opportunity for kissing ass that cannot be overlooked.
D) I get paid per post.
E) The book is about travel, and this is a travel site.

So you, the reader, may be asking yourself, “Self, what has two thumbs and doesn’t give a flying crap about Whit Honea’s take on travel books?”

If I were allowed to answer I would say “most primates,” but I’m not allowed to answer because I work here.

Rules are stupid.

The thing is, you should care about my review of a travel book because, as I mentioned before, I am the editor of a travel site. This means that I am smarter than everyone that reads this blog, present company excluded. Also, I have a soft spot for Ken Levine. Nobody should have to sit through that many innings of Mariner baseball.

Let’s talk about the book:  Read More »

It’s time for our weekly monthly occasional look at the tweets, links and travel news packing our inbox (also, suitcase).

Here’s what’s going on in the world of travel:

USA Today has an interesting look at 10 popular travel stories.

The Tourist Trap looks interesting.

Welcome to the internet, Avid Blog! You look marvelous.

Take the Beatles tour of Britain, it’s fab!

Have you had life-changing experiences in the great outdoors? Outside magazine wants to hear about it.

Have you visited the Travelocafe?

Chicago’s Pierrot Gourmet celebrates Oktoberfest from September 24 through October 9, 2010.  Be there!

Bausch & Lomb want to give you a trip for two!

Win a trip to Australia!

And there you go, travel around the internets! Send us your links!

Hey, kids! Where do you want to go? Around the world(wide web)! You’re on. This is the time on the UpTake show where we link to a bunch of doings in the online travel biz and then you click on them and say nice things about us. Sometimes you send us flowers.

Buckle up, it’s go time:

Enter the Great Kiwi Adventure to win a trip for 4 to New Zealand!

The classic Italian coffee house (and its impressive guests).

Thinking about checking out the National Parks of France? Here’s a list of the top ten.

Taste Napa Valley at Rubicon Estate.

Mexico is looking for Arizona tourists… to have a good time.

TripAdvisor announces an iPhone app.

Enjoy Cancun in a boutique hotel.

Snorkel and explore off Maui’s coast.

The Top 5 places to eat ice cream at Walt Disney World (you know you want to know this).

KLM offers a new à la carte menu.

BP keeps Florida beaches off the best lists.

The untouched(ish) Society Island of Hauhine.

Cancun’s underwater museum rocks!

Check out the New England Aquarium package in Boston.

ABC presents Summer Travel Planning 101 (video opens automatically).

USA Today offers some tips on pet travel safety.

The Millennium Hotel in NYC is celebrating 20 years with a giveaway per day.

Hike Israel’s National Trail, it’s the destination and the journey.

The first Toy Story meet-up at Disneyland is FULL.

Looking to keep the romance alive while on the road? It can happen.

Are smartphones the new room key?

Win a trip to San Luis Obispo — sign up for the newsletter and you’re entered!

The 10 Best Amusement Parks (this list could use a good shuffle).

National Geographic on U.S. National Parks and travel.

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That just happened. Another rousing round of online travel tidbits for your consumption.

You’re welcome. Contact us via email or Twitter to get your link included next week!

Cliffs of Moher

The latest plan to revive travel to the Emerald Isle involves offering discounts to some of the country’s top tourist attractions (like the Cliffs of Moher, pictured above) to visitors who can prove Irish ancestry.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin, firms are being invited to come up with ideas on how to operate the project.  Current thoughts are that successful applicants would receive a credit-card type “pass” to use for their discounts.  The Certificate of Irish Heritage would not entitle the holder to any legal rights. Read More »