Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, has written a new book called Don’t Go There!: The Travel Detective’s Essential Guide to the Must-Miss Places of the World which highlights where NOT to go on vacation. You can probably imagine the controversy and outrage this has caused with people whose favorite location made Greenberg’s list.

Peter Talks Don’t Go There

Well, with the title like Don’t Go There, you know I’m going to be naming names. Don’t Go There is my essential guide to the must-miss places of the world.

That’s right, it’s about the places you want to avoid.

There are about 34 communities that are now marching against me. And we’re just getting started, simply because we’re telling the truth.

Swiss Suicide Tourism

And as long as we are talking about controversial travel news the following story is one of the most controversial, and to my mind one of the saddest, travel stories I have ever read. We may not be talking about the best trip you would take but we are certainly talking about the last one you would take.

As you may have heard, an American traveled to Switzerland two years ago and enjoyed the Swiss’ openness to assisted suicide. After paying a nonprofit the 10,000 Swiss francs (about $8,300), Craig Ewert drank a glass of water laced with sodium pentobarbital and died within 30 minutes. He had a motor neuron disease and under Swiss law had a right to kill himself.

I heard he was all like “not with me” and she was all like “whatever”.

Qantas-BA merger off

Qantas said today that “after detailed discussions about a potential merger of the companies, talks have ended”. The terse Qantas statement went on, “Despite the potential longer term benefits for Qantas and BA, the airlines have not been able to come to an agreement over the key terms of the merger, at this time.

If you get drunk and beat your wife maybe the airline who served you alcohol is to blame… or maybe you are just an idiot.

Couple sues United, blames alcohol service for domestic abuse

“Can you get drunk on a flight, then sue the airline for giving you the booze?” That’s from the Chicago Tribune, which says the answer apparently is “yes.” The paper reports a married couple is suing United Airlines for “negligently” over-serving the husband alcohol during an Osaka-to-San Francisco flight. That, the couple alleges, caused the husband to beat his wife soon after their flight landed in California.

And finally a good idea for a place to go on New Year’s Eve to avoid drunken people beating their wives: Monterey California.

The Insider’s Guide to First Night Monterey

First Night is a celebration of the arts in Monterey. This city-wide festival is, according to First Night International, the fifth largest First Night celebration of the 139 celebrated around the globe. Events at the more than 30 performance venues start at 3pm and don’t end until midnight, providing a plethora of opportunities for families to ring in the new year with plenty to do. First Night is a meaningful, alcohol-free, kid-friendly alternative to the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration.

One of the things you would like to know BEFORE you get on the plane is whether the pilot is qualified to land the plane.

Pilot tells passengers “I am not qualified to land the plane”

A Flybe Airlines flight from Cardiff to Paris had to turn around because of fog at Charles De Gaulle Airport. The fog did not force the airport to close. Rather, the pilot, a man with 30 years of experience, had never completed low-visibility training for the particular aircraft that he was flying.

And finally a cool story, no seriously a really cool story.

Chill out, you beautiful people, the Versace beach is refrigerated

Versace, the renowned fashion house, is to create the world’s first refrigerated beach so that hotel guests can walk comfortably across the sand on scorching days.

The beach will be next to the the new Palazzo Versace hotel which is being built in Dubai where summer temperatures average 40C and can reach 50C.

Other interesting posts:

• Emirates Airlines’ flying to San Francisco raises issues
• Gargantuan gondola breaks three world records
• Beyond Green Travel with Costas Christ Top Ten Worst Green Travel Destinations

Even in this economic downturn families will take their kids in droves to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in this coming year. I am a fan of Mickey Mouse (Amateur Traveler Episode 25 - Disneyland - why I learned to love the mouse) but I want to propose that there are reasons also to take the kids to Europe when they are still young. To make the point I want to point out 7 ways that Paris France is better than Disneyland.

1. Shopping - Downtown Disney vs Galeries Lafayette Paris

   I am always surprised the amount of time some families spend shopping on their Disney trip, but if you really want incredible shopping Paris offers the well known Champs Elysees, but for my money I think that the Galeries Lafayette is an incomparable shopping experience. The building itself is like a cathedral to commercialism and the shopping is also good.

2. Getting Around - Monorail vs Metro

   The monorail is a very cool looking method of transportation. The problem is that it does not really go anywhere. The metro may be less futuristic but it is a great way to get around the city in comfort. Just look for the art deco Metro signs.

3. Food

   This is one category where there is no competition. Even for kids the hot dog in tomorrow land is no competition for le “hot dog” which is made with a baguette, two hot dogs end to end and grilled cheese. Better yet while your kids are eating that you can be trying the escargot. (You can try the escargot but I will be having the mutton stew or whatever is the prix fixe menu).

4. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle vs the Eiffel Tower

   Both Paris and Disneyland have a center that people are drawn to and are photographed in front of. Disneyland recently reopened Sleeping Beauty’s castle to tours but frankly most people who visit the park won’t tour it. By contrast 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel tower. It was the tallest tower for 41 years after its construction and still captivates the imagination with its design.

5. 
   
   
   Saint Chapelle in Paris
   
   Originally uploaded by CoboFoto
   

   Spectacle - Fantasmic vs Saint Chapelle

   Disneyland offers the loud crash of fireworks, the colorful spectacle and the magic of storytelling at Fantasmic. Families camp out on the River of America for hours to try and find a spot where they can rest they weary kids and see the show. Paris offers a quieter spectacle that still tells a story, but without all the noise, in the stain glass of its cathedrals. In my opinion the lesser known Saint Chapelle offers even more beauty than the better known Notre Dame.

6. Thrill Ride - Roller coasters vs Driving in Paris

   I love Space Mountain, Indiana Jones and Big Thunder Mountain, but nothing is quite as scary as driving in Paris. The first time we drove into the city it caught us by surprise when all the lines in the road went away. How many lanes should we form? A friend from Paris said the answer is “however many you need”.

7. Adventure - Pirates vs Pickpockets

   At Disneyland you will be menaced by pirates on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride but no matter how many times you ride the ride you will still come out with all your valuables. These pirates are all talk and no plunder. Paris offers real adventure because you actually need to keep a watch on your valuables. OK… maybe there are 6 reasons why Paris is better than Disneyland.

Good thing that Heathrow’s airport security was paying attention.

‘Drunk’ United Airlines pilot arrested at London airport

LONDON � A United Airlines pilot was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit, police confirmed on Monday.
The airline said the pilot, 44, was removed from service, adding that it would co-operate with police inquiries and was conducting its own investigation of the incident.

Here is a great opportunity to see Paris though the eyes of locals.

Smiling Parisians show you their city, for free

The city of light has an unfortunate blight: the locals’ reputation for rudeness. That’s why a group of friendly Parisians have banded together to show complete strangers around their Paris, the one not found in travel books � for free. And forget stereotypes of the francais-only French. The Paris Greeters are happy to speak English, or nine other languages of your choosing. These local volunteers are not certified tour guides, but regular folks eager to show off delicacies at their favorite boulangerie, or point out a tranquil park perfect for watching autumn shades fill in the famous skyline.

Here is a good opportunity to save money if you travel by train in the US.

Amtrak offers discount pass to U.S. residents

Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is now available for purchase in the U.S. Until recently, the pass could only be bought by travelers who lived outside the country. The passes are available for 15, 30 and 45 days of travel. The 15-day pass offers eight segments of travel for $389. The 30-day pass offers 12 segments of travel for $579. The 45-day pass offers 18 segments of travel for $749.

Since this week’s Amateur Traveler will be on Zimbabwe, I found this story interesting. We will be talking about what happened in Zimbabwe.

Iceland for sale on eBay

LONDON (Reuters) - Great scenery and wildlife but financial situation in need of repair - collect in person. Iceland, which is going cap in hand to Russia for a 4 billion euro loan to bail out its failed banks, was offered for sale as a wholesale lot on eBay on Friday. Bidding started at 99 pence but had reached 10 million pounds by mid-morning on Friday.

Zimbabwe tourism fair ends in a “not-so-little” way

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (eTN) � Hundreds of Zimbabweans joined international travel buyers, sellers and journalists to commemorate the end of this year�s edition of the Sanganai World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair, Zimbabwe�s travel and tourism world exhibition.
Billed as �Africa Tourism Night,� the event was held at the main arena of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds and showcased both local and international talents.