Police, parks beef up for rowdy campers
5/21/2008 8:21:14 PM
The snow's almost gone, the temperature is threatening to set record highs and it's the first May long weekend since rowdy campers wreaked devastation at a provincial campground south of the city a year ago.
Provincial park authorities and the RCMP are bracing for a massive influx of campers and off-road enthusiasts heading for the outdoors and hope to avert the destruction and bad behaviour that mired the 2007 Victoria Day weekend.
"We are hoping things are a lot better than last year," said Eilish Lemieux, spokeswoman for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. "We cleaned up 3,200 garbage bags of trash and had 14 abandoned vehicles (last May long weekend)."
The destruction led to tougher rules that banned vehicles and limited camping in the area known as Indian Graves and Willow Creek, a 4,800-hectare area about 120 kilometres southwest of Calgary.
Riding all the rides in one day at Ohio's Cedar Point
5/21/2008 8:19:13 PM
Most people enter the park and follow a certain path: front to back then back to the front. When the parks open, most people enter the park hit Raptor or Top Thrill Dragster first. When the gates first open most people make a mad dash back to Top Thrill Dragster. This dash is known as the “Running of the Bulls.” Other will hit Raptor first since it is in the front of the park.
Conde Nast names hottest new spas, hotels, restaurants and clubs
5/21/2008 8:17:23 PM
If you're the type of traveler who prefers cutting-edge to tried-and-true, Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot List" can help you find the best new hotels, restaurants, spas and nightclubs around the world.
The list, which appears in the magazine's May issue and online at www.concierge.com, includes 130 hotels in 54 countries.
Take advantage of hot summer deals in Vegas
5/21/2008 8:14:22 PM
Las Vegas in the summer? Yikes. Better be ready for mercury popping temperatures. But as summer sizzles, Sin City deals start to heat up. And we have tips for finding the best bargains in Vegas.
After years of record crowds, tourism to Las Vegas is flat. Room occupancy rates have fallen slightly, forcing resorts to up the ante with special deals.
Alan Feldman represents the MGM-Mirage Corporation, which owns and operates 11 mega resorts in Las Vegas. Feldman says Las Vegas is responding to the nation's tough economic turn and subsequent decrease in tourism.
"When times get a little bit tight, Las Vegas is one of the great travel values of just about anywhere in the world," he said.
So while we can't guarantee a win at the craps table or relief from oppressive triple-digit temperatures, the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers can give you a little luck saving cash on a Vegas vacation this summer.
Making the Daily Commute Easier
5/21/2008 8:10:21 PM
Commuting to and from work on a daily basis is one of the epic struggles of modern life.
Road construction, accidents, and bad weather are all the obstructions hurled our way on the road to where we are going.
There are a few things that we as drivers can do to make this harangue easier and less stressful on us all.
First of all, plan ahead.
Now, this can be almost impossible in our desperately jam-packed day, but getting out of the house a few minutes earlier than usual in the morning can offset your timing so that you hit fewer red lights, beat the traffic, or just have some spare time just in case you need it.
Travel Tips: 15 Places to Avoid
5/21/2008 8:04:41 PM
Every city seems to have a section where chain burger joints and tacky T-shirt shops rule the streets like neighborhood thugs loitering on the corner. And every town has one or two attractions that get all the hype but offer none of the payoff. After months of watching your spending and saving up your vacation time, you deserve more. Take our advice and be a better traveler: Stay away from these tourist traps that aren't worth your money—or your time.