The LG Weekly News Roundup: 8.5.10

Extras, Weekly Travel News — By Molly F on August 5, 2010 at 6:00 am

By Natalie Buster

LG Intern, Travel News

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We’ve got your roundup right here….

Vatican Cracks Down on Shorts and Miniskirts

We’re all aware of the stereotype of the ungainly American abroad. This week, the Swiss Guard at the Vatican have decided to stop allowing the flood of tourists wearing tank tops, shorts, miniskirts and other untoward articles of clothing to grace the grounds of St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the square directly surrounding the famous landmark. Fanny packs seem to have been left off the forbidden list, but we suggest that when in Rome, dress as the Romans do. Locals say that there has been a surge in the sale of shawls and long pants since the order went into effect.

Source: AOL Travel

Laura Dekker Sets Sail on a Circumnavigation of Globe

There seems to be a new Lost Girl on the horizon, or rather, sailing towards the horizon. Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker plans to sail with her father from the Netherlands to Portugal, and then take off on her own around-the-world cruise after winning a court battle with Dutch child protection authorities. Unlike Australian Jessica Watson, who set a new world record for sailing around the world without stopping, Dekker plans on making a few stops at various ports along the way so she can visit with family and rest. She has even brought her school books along for those long sea days.

Source: Huffington Post

Hong Kong Offers a New Look at Dining

There are some mysteries in life that need not be examined closely. The contents of a toilet immediately spring to mind. A new restaurant in Hong Kong, however, is putting that fear at bay with a new toilet-inspired restaurant, titled appropriately enough, Modern Toilet Restaurant. Diners at this restaurant are treated to bathroom-inspired decor at each booth, complete with toilet seats and plumbing fixtures. But the coup de grace is eating entrees such as curries, soups and other unfortunate selections from your own miniature toilet bowl. Asian stomachs may be stronger than their American counterparts, as there are already 14 franchises of this gimmicky restaurant in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Source: National Geographic

Spirit Airlines Charges $45 for Carry-On Bags

There’s a new menace lurking the friendly skies by the name of Spirit Airlines. As of August 1, travelers were required to shell out 45 bucks to carry on a bag to fit in the overhead compartment. The space underneath the seat in front of you is still considered free space, and items such as umbrellas, cameras, baby-related items, coats and reading material are untouchable by the airline. Luckily, those who wish to avoid the charge still have the freedom to book a flight with other airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, who just reported record high customer satisfaction and a quarterly profit of $112 million. We think it’s because they prefer to treat their customers with respect.

Source: Gadling

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Travel News Bits

NYC Subways get the Hook Up: New Yorkers will be able to tweet and text to their heart’s content when Wi-Fi and cell service becomes available on New York City subways within the next two years.

Source: Gadling

Sharks Found Off Cape Cod: Just in time for Shark Week, great white sharks have been spotted in the waters of Cape Cod.

Source: AOL Travel

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