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Please change your bookmarks from blogspot to LostGirlsWorld.com. In the meantime, we won't be posting anything new to prepare for the migration. We promise it will be worth the wait because the new LostGirlsWorld.com will have cool departments, an LG store, and a whole new staff of Lost Girls' contributors to keep you up-to-date on what's happening in this big, beautiful world of ours. See you soon!
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The LG Weekly News Roundup: 1.28.10

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

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Wheels up for Ryan Air pee fee

It’s official! Ryan Air will charge you to pee. For those unfamiliar, the famously low-budget Dublin-based airline already lures its customers in with stupid-low airfare (say, one-Euro continental flights) before smacking ill prepared travelers with countless fees and long bus rides. Now, they’re going to install coin-operated toilets on select flights. Maybe they’ll start selling adult diapers on board!
Source: Jaunted

Quiet time with Michelangelo
Wrestle with this hypothetical for a while: Would you pay $400 to see the Sistine Chapel (practically) alone on a night tour of the Vatican? A few small tour groups offer these visits — which cap out at 15 people plus a guide — to haggard tourists who want to skip the frenetic daytime Vatican scene. At the price of an east coast ticket to Rome, this would be a giant splurge for almost anyone, but it could be worth it. The Sistine Chapel is stunning, but it loses some impact if you’re too busy pushing other gawkers out of the way.
Source: The New York Times

201 years later, another Edgar Allen Poe mystery
For the first time in more than 60 years, the mysterious visitor who placed three roses and a half bottle of cognac on Edgar Allen Poe’s Baltimore grave missed the author’s birthday. The tradition began in 1949 and continued until this year, which would mark the 201st anniversary of the poet’s death. No one knows why the grave was skipped, but some visitors plan to keep watch for the next few years.
Source: USAToday

Double-book, or skip your trip
Is this fair? A new Air France regulation requires obese passengers who can’t fit into one airline seat to pay for two tickets; if the flight is undersold, Air France will refund the second seat. Typically, the airline has offered passengers the option to double book at a reduced price. The refund offer comes three years after Air France lost a suit against a 353-pound passenger who was forced to buy an extra plane ticket to New Dehli. Still, couple this with insane luggage fees, and we should all be glad that they’re not pricing tickets based on BMIs (yet).

Source: The Chicago Tribune

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Travel bits

Another one bites the dust

American Airlines pushes its luggage fee to $25, to match United, Delta, Continental and US Airways.
Source: Budget Travel

Lost in Spain: Favorite Spots in Madrid

By Molly Gallagher
LG Travel Correspondent

Malasaña and Bilbao are about 15 minutes away from Sol (the center of the city). For me they had the perfect combination of liveliness as well as relaxation. At any time of the day you can find local Madrilenos shopping, sitting in cafes or eating at restaurants in these two neighborhoods. There are several small boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafes. Here are some of my favorites:

La Musa
I found this restaurant online and when I tried it I was very pleased. They have a great weekday lunch special (€11), which means you chose an appetizer, main dish and dessert off of the menu of the day. If you don’t like the menu of the day—the regular menu also has great food at reasonable prices. It gets crowded at 2:00 for lunch and around 8:00 for dinner (surprisingly). Calle de Manuela Malasaña 18

Café Comercial
This was my favorite café to do work in. It is always bustling with couples, families or local customers. It is one of the oldest cafes in Madrid. Coffee with milk (café con leche) is about €2. Glorieta de Bilbao 7

Molly Malone’s
This bar has a great atmosphere and even though it is an Irish bar in Madrid—locals do like this spot. When there is a soccer game going on they always have it playing. Calle de Manuela Malasaña 11

Patatus
This is my favorite bar in Madrid. It is always packed at night and they have great dink specials. They are also known for their potatoes or French fries—you can order them in many varieties, but make sure to try the bravas sauce (very similar to hot sauce). Calle Fuencarral, 98

Plaza Dos de Mayo
This is the heart of Malasaña. There are outdoor cafes that surround a main square. Although it may look like an unsafe area because of the graffiti that lines the walls of the square—it’s not. Tourists do not usually visit the area, so it’s very unlikely to get pick pocketed here. On Saturday’s there is a small flea market in the square. My favorite stand was a jewelry designer who makes everything by hand: Pilar Lozano. Walk down Calle de Manuela Malasaña to reach the plaza.

La Rama (tapas)
This restaurant is off of the Plaza Dos de Mayo. I tried it on an offshoot when one of my favorite restaurants was full. They have an interesting selection of tapas and the service is great. Calle de San Andrés, 26

LG Food News 1.26.10

By Danielle E. Alvarez
LG Food Editor

A roundup of the most delicious news in the world.
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Icelandic Yo-Yo
Haven’t heard of skyr yet? Siggi’s, the only brand of Icelandic-style yogurt in the US, have recently increased in distribution to delight health-conscious, environmentally friendly foodies everywhere. Skyr is made with hormone-free milk from grass-fed cows, sweetened with agave nectar and, similar to its’ cousin, Greek yogurt, it is thick, creamy, and mildly tangy—and very high in protein. It's also high in heart-healthy omega-3s. Go ahead, dabble in new cultures.
Source: Chow.com




Jell-$
How much do you value jelly desserts? Recently, an antique jelly mold at Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers sold for $5,628.75. It was just one among many18th century molds that have become a top selling auction item in European furniture and decorative arts. Going once, going twice… and (I don’t know about you) but I’m not sold.
Source: Epicurious.com

Don’t Blame the Buffalo
One of Italy’s most prized culinary delicacies is no longer up to par. Authorities have announced that traces of cows' milk were found in their Italian buffalo mozzarella. In response, Agriculture Minister Luca Zala, has suspended the head of the consortium of buffalo mozzarella makers in Campania and plans to crack down on any irregularities in production. "Buffalo mozzarella is a typical quality product, one that is exported around the world and needs to be safeguarded," said Adoc consumer group said in a statement.
Source: NPR.org

Cash for Chocolate
The British candy maker, Cadbury, can now consider itself an American citizen. Kraft Foods just sealed the friendly deal, bringing Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate, Trident gum, Milka, Tobblerone, and Terry’s chocolate under one roof. Kraft, known for America’s favorite cookie, Oreos, and Philadelphia cream cheese, hopes to strengthen their holds in emerging markets like India and Latin America with the sweet deal.
Source: Yahoo! Finance

Like Buttah
Two blocks of century-old butter were found in an Antarctic hut. It is reported to have been the shelter of the British explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, before his doomed 1910-12 expedition. The extreme cold of the polar region have preserved the hut, butter, and expedition equipment inside until recently, prompting the Antarctic Heritage Trust to launch a preservation project. "It's quite amazing how strong the smell is after nearly 100 years," said the trust’s Lizzie Meek, "I'm not sure I'd want it on my toast."
Source: Yahoo!

Weekends Away: Mystic, CT (forget the pizza)

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

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“Well, oh my!” My tour guide sheepishly exclaimed. “This is impolite, but, I do believe you’ve forgotten your skirt.”

I looked down at my outfit: A coat, boots jeans. I guess it would have been rather scandalous…for 1876.

I was on a Holiday Lantern Tour at Mystic Seaport, a historic museum in Connecticut similar to Colonial Williamsburg. The tour guide was completely in-character as she led me and about 10 other 21st century visitors around the seaport, a museum with tall ships and a recreated 19th century seaside village.

I didn’t bring any skirts with me at all, of course. My roommate and I left the city for just a night to visit Mystic, a town probably most famous for Julia Roberts’ 1988 film Mystic Pizza. Sadly, we didn’t make it in time for a slice, but I did leave with a new appreciation for New England.

Before visiting Mystic, my perceptions of the region were pretty basic: Clams. Lobster. Those funny lobster bibs. Ocean. Chowder. Quaint things. All of Nights in Rodanthe.

That is, entirely clichéd and based only on what I dreamt a seafaring town might look like. So, imagine my thrill when I found out that Mystic was…exactly like all of those in-my-head clichés.

The quaint tour definitely fit into my definition of New England. For an hour, we toured the best of the Seaport’s buildings, including the printer’s office, the tavern, a mansion and one ship. Throughout the visit, the actors recreated a Christmas tale about Captain Gardner, a Mystic sailor who had been lost at sea. (Spoiler alert: They found him!)

The living, breathing town was just as fetching. Seafood restaurants, pubs and boutiques line Mystic’s main drag. Graceful houses fill the residential blocks. And yes, the bon-a-fide Mystic Pizza draws a huge crowd.

Even though we didn’t get to pay homage to Julia Roberts, a Connecticut stay was the perfect antidote to our frenzied city lives. My only regret: I never wore one of those crazy lobster bibs.

3 Places to Get Beautiful on New York’s UES

Manhattan’s Upper East Side is known for its Museum Mile, the luxury shops lining Fifth Avenue, and historic hotels offering white-glove service like the Carlyle. You don’t have to be part of the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City to know where to go in the neighborhood to get pampered. Here are three of the best-kept secret places to visit to look your very best.

For a perfect haircut, visit Lovella. Sleek yet inviting, this salon is known for sculpting styles to compliment your face shape, and for mixing up the perfect color for your individual skin tone. The Israeli-born owner Oded has been cutting hair for more than 20 years, and his passion is making customers look beautiful. Oded skillfully snips strands as if he were creating a work of art, and you’ll probably feel like one once he’s finished blowing out your style. You’ll be offered tea or coffee when you arrive, and can relax during a head massage while you’re shampooed. Oded is especially talented at taming curls and making thick hair sleek and more manageable.

For baby soft feet, visit Jin Soon Hand and Foot Spa. The spa’s owner of the same name is Korean, and her architect husband used her Asian heritage as inspiration for the perfectly balanced wood and flower elements that transform the long, narrow space into an oasis of calm. The skilled manicurists won’t rush you out the door like other nail salons in the area. Instead, you can unwind in peace while they pamper your hands and feet with a menu of treatments ranging from the “Flower Petal Float” to the “Clay Slipper Magic.” The most popular is the “Breath of Milk and Honey,” where your feet are soaked in a hot bath filled with both of the above, exfoliated with a delicious sugar scrub, massaged with essential oils, and wrapped in a hot steam towel.

To revive a tired complexion, visit the Metamorphosis Day Spa. With more than 20 different facial options offered, you’re sure to find a customized solution for your particular complexion woes. The Metamorphosis Signature Facial takes 90 minutes and uses wildflowers and herbs to breathe life back into dull skin.

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 1.21.10

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

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Carnival Cruise Lines tames cougars
Is this age discrimination or just a smart business decision? Carnival Cruise Lines denied a request to book a cougar-themed trip. The cougar stereotype, of course, is of tanned, tightened, Botoxed and dyed older women who date sexy 20-something men. About 300 women attended a similarly themed cruise in December, but Carnival says it’s not a savvy business decision to fund another. Maybe cougars should just cruise during spring break.
Source: Chicago Tribune

A thrilling new reason to visit Gary, Ind.
If you were looking for an excuse to tour Gary, Ind., an industrial suburb just across Lake Michigan from Chicago, here it is: Michael Jackson theme park. Developers are creating a park in the uber-star’s hometown that mirrors — and includes rides from — his infamous Neverland Ranch. The “Thriller” roller coaster looks fun, but don’t book any tickets yet. Developers estimate another ten years before the park is up and dancing.
Source: Jaunted.com

Baggage hikes, one more time
It’s déjà vu all over again. Airlines keep boosting luggage fees, to the tune of a $25 for the first bag on both Continental and Delta. Southwest remains the only two-suitcases-free stronghold in the biz. At this rate, it’s more economical to just buy all of your liquids after the flight and shove your wheelie into the jam-packed overhead compartment.
Source: Budget Travel

Safety zone fumbles on Caribbean runways

Booking that beach getaway soon? Take note. In September, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued a list of 29 Caribbean and Latin American airports that lack sufficient safety zones at the end of runways. Notable hot-spots on the list: St. Maarten, Cancun and Guatemala City. Meanwhile, there’s nothing us economy travelers can do besides wear our seatbelts and pack some sunscreen.

Source: USA Today