空思想

One never to give up, the former record holder for the oldest Everest summit, Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura, is now targeting another summit at age 80 - in 2013.

Starting February 2010, you can no longer simply show up to get a permit to hike overnight in the backcountry of the Grand Canyon . You're going to have to send your request via snail mail or fax within four months of your planned visit.

Researchers have found that a high intake of Vitamin C and E is linked to muscle strength preservation as you age, Reuters reports. Muscle strength naturally begins to wane when you're in your 40s, and it drops significantly after 60.

The giant, new Oasis of the Seas has just completed the first of two consecutive two-day sailings for an invited audience of journalists and travel agents. One of them, travel writer and Frommer's guidebook author Jason Cochran, has just twittered that slightly less than 3,000-passengers were aboard the first two-night sailing, despite the claim by Oasis ' public relations reps that 4,000 had sailed

This winter, experience Paris under a fresh coat of snow with Air France Holidays. Once you've seen the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and warmed up to a cup of coffee at the cafes, head to the vineyards and taste the fine wines in the Loire Valley.

In response to news that Delta will switch to credit-card-only purchases onboard, several readers wrote in with questions about how the new system will work.

Hilton makes it affordable to stay on international soil this fall with various deals at hotels around Europe and Egypt.

Get up to 50 percent off last-minute weekend stays with All Seasons Hotels.

Through December 31, when you pay with any American Express card for your Ritz-Carlton hotel stay, you can receive up to three free nights.

The UCI has ordered Astana to produce a formal bank guarantee in 24 hours before the team can be approved for ProTour status for the next year, VeloNews reports. Astana has already missed the October 20 deadline that required it to hand over financial and management records to the commission. The Kazakh government has pledged $22 million to the team, which went to secure Alberto Contador 's contract, but the UCI wants more evidence of sound financial footing from Astana.

Include breakfast with your stay at Radisson for either two or four people through December 30.

Join Country Hearth Inns and Suites' frequent stay program for free and receive special benefits, including a free night after 10 stays.

Ramada offers 20 percent off stays of three nights or longer.

Country Inns & Suites offers a tempting promotion this fall. Receive a free night on a future two-night or longer stay when you stay two nights or longer through November 30

Plan a guys' or girls' getaway in advance and receive up to 15 percent off the lowest available rates. Instead of leaving the trip planning until the last minute, book ahead and reap the rewards.

Marriott is offering discounted packages in Mexico, $50 coupons, up to $100 in resort credits, and more. No matter what Marriott brand you're interested in, you're sure to find some perks.

With Red Roof Inn's Park, Sleep, and Fly locations you can wake up early for your flight, receive free transportation to and from the airport, and park for free at many locations.

Yesterday I wrote about how Pleasant Holidays, the largest tour operator to Hawaii, has not yet designed its website to enable users to easily find its best-priced deals (it is working on the problem). A leading Hawaiian travel website has suggested that only a phone call to Pleasant Holidays reservations personnel will turn up their winter bargains in a reasonable amount of time.   This morning I spoke by phone with Jacques Abitan, president of Vacation Travel Mart (www.vacmart.com) and learned that the same tactic is advocated by him for finding well-priced packages to the Dominican Republic, Cancun, and Jamaica (his stock in trade).  According to Mr.

Midwest features travel between its key airports in Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Omaha with various destinations including New York, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. Competition comes from AirTran, American, Delta, and several other carriers.

Photo: the_justified_sinner The icon of several religions, the Green Man’s history spans from medieval churches to hippies in the 60s. As a born-again pagan hoping to keep the UK green, the Green Man seemed a perfect place to start.