Frisbee action can now cost up to $1,000 if done on a Los Angeles County beach. (Photo: Daniel Pink, via Flickr CC.2.0)

On Feb. 7, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed an amended ordinance that expands several beach rules, including a section on ball-playing restrictions. Specifically, “it is unlawful for any person to cast, toss, throw, kick, or roll any ball, tube, or any light object other than a beach ball or beach volleyball upon or over any beach” from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

That’s right—tossing a football or Frisbee on any L.A. County beach is now illegal, and getting caught doing so is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000.

The purpose behind this ruling is to control activities that could disrupt or injure the beach-going public.

OK, I get it. It’s L.A. Nose jobs need protection.

Seriously, though, I understand the reasoning behind the new rule, even though I don’t like it. I’m generally not a fan of legislation which restricts activities that are mostly harmless—ask me one day about New York City’s ridiculous cabaret law. Plus, accidents happen. Sometimes life is fraught with little dangers.

Still, some parents might welcome the rule, especially if they have young children who could be injured if hit by an errant hard ball. And we all know how expensive any type of medical emergency can be these days.

So, family travelers, beach sports enthusiasts and basically anyone who enjoys a fun day at the beach needs to be extra cautious when playing in L.A. County. The ruling impacts beaches from Nicholas Canyon down to White Point/Royal Palms and includes the popular Zuma, Malibu/Surfrider, Venice, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo beaches.

There are, however, a few exceptions to the new restrictions:

The rule will be relaxed the rest of the year, between the holidays from September through May. Also, objects other than beach balls and beach volleyballs will be allowed when in areas designated for their use, when a person first obtains a permit or when a person obtains previous authorization from the fire chief or lifeguard. And water-polo balls are OK when used in or over the Pacific Ocean.

One more thing: The ordinance now also prohibits digging holes in the sand deeper than 18 inches, except for film and TV production services with a permit.

What’s next? Time limits on sun exposure?

For more details, read this CBS Los Angeles article, which provides a link to a PDF of the new ruling.

I sometimes get depressed whenever a place that I fell in love with years ago, when it would barely register on travelers’ (and travel-editors’) minds, is now “in”—meaning that it likely has become too touristy and has lost its off-the-beaten-path charm. But then I slap myself and remember that I live in one of the most-visited places on the planet (New York City) and regularly visit another place travelers often complain is too touristy (Thailand), yet continue to find new ways to enjoy both of these “over-discovered” destinations.

So, without further ado, following is my list of 10 places that I’m either definitely visiting or hoping to get to in 2012, depending upon timing and ever-challenging budgetary restrictions.  (To see a round-up of the various official “where to go in 2012” travel lists, check out my Review of Lists post on the Travel Industry News Blog at Uptake.com.)

1. Culebra, Puerto Rico

Buzz about this laid-back island off the coast of Puerto Rico in the Spanish Virgin Islands has been building for the past couple years, but it still seems chill and cheap enough to plan a spontaneous getaway there for this winter. I’m in desperate need of a week on an island in the sun, enjoying fresh fish and sleeping in a hammock while reading books whose titles I won’t care to remember within a few days of returning.

Art of the Song adobe house for rent in Taos, N.M.

2. Taos, New Mexico

A friend has an adobe house in Taos that she rents out to travelers and for retreats. It’s high time I gave it a firsthand look. I fell in love with this northern New Mexico town years ago moving said friend from New York City. Even though I’ve visited since, I’m long overdue for a return, especially to experience those brilliant Southwest color-field sunsets, the peaceful Sangre de Cristo Mountains and long drives into the middle of nowhere where you never know when you’re going to run into alternative-lifestyle folks living off-the-grid.

Chicago's Oak Street Beach

3. Chicago, Illinois

Even though I left it for New York, Chicago will always be the city with which I had my first urban love affair: world-class architecture and museums; excellent theater, music and dance scenes; funky shops; and cheap bars and increasingly innovative restaurants. Let’s not forget beaches, right in the middle of the city! Even though it continues to evolve, Chicago also seems to remain the same: Plenty of old favorite neighborhood haunts haven’t changed in decades. I return in late March for a wedding, so no beach plans this time around. And Charlie Trotter announced this week that he’s closing his eponymous restaurant, 25 years after he helped put the Chicago culinary scene on the map. I guess some things can’t stay the same forever.

4.  Kenya

Aside from the obvious reasons for wanting to visit Kenya—safaris, wildlife preserves, Lake Victoria, and its interesting mix of African, Middle Eastern, Indian and European Colonial cultures—a good friend of mine is currently living in Nairobi. It’s always better to visit places when you know a “local.” Plus, it’s a country in transition, with a new constitution taking effect and a presidential election (already pushed back from August 2012 to December). There have been concerns voiced about post-election violence, so better to visit beforehand.

Costa de la Luz south of Cadiz

5.  Cádiz, Spain

My husband and I nearly visited Cádiz during our honeymoon in 2010, but we ended up down the Andalucían Costa de la Luz beachside in Tarifa (which we loved). Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, dating back to the ancient Phoenician era, yet 2012 marks its modern-day bicentenary year, so the city has numerous special events planned, including a pumped-up Carnival in March, historical re-enactments and a tall-ships race beginning July 26.

6. London, England

I’ve been to London nearly a dozen times, most recently in 2008, and there are plenty of other places I’ve never been to yet that I’d like to see in 2012. But after attending the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and getting caught up in its atmosphere and energy, I have to admit that I’m considering splurging to do the same with the 2012 Summer Games. It’ll be a visit to London unlike any other.

Titanic Belfast under construction.

7. Belfast, Ireland

April 14, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, and Belfast is closely related to the doomed ship, which was built in the city’s then-famous Harland and Wolff shipyards. In honor of the event, the new Titanic Belfast museum and experience opens on March 31. I went on a hard-hat construction tour of the facilities in September, and it looks like it’s going to be an awesome attraction, even for visitors who might not be that into the whole Titantic phenomenon. Plus, even though I was just there a few months ago, I had such a fantastic time rediscovery this newly revitalized city—especially compared to my first visit in 1994 before the Northern Ireland peace agreement—that I can’t wait to bring my husband there to explore some more.

8. Myanmar/Burma

This country of Buddhist temples, jungles, and romanticized culture and history was first on my must-visit list when I was traveling through Southeast Asia more than a decade ago. But I was nearing the end of my sabbatical and chose to spend a month in Vietnam instead as I figured that country would change far more rapidly than Myanmar/Burma would. I was right. But with new leaders elected in November 2010, travel restrictions have eased, Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer under house arrest, there are Western state visits again, and the world is considering lifting its “banned nation” status on the country—which means the tourism industry is going to go gaga for this place. Must get there soon.

Killing Fields skulls, Cambodia

9. Cambodia

I’m returning to Cambodia in November for the first time since 2000, and I can’t wait. I’ll be bringing a friend from Chicago to celebrate her milestone birthday, and the country is tops on her wish list as she’s been wanting to visit ever since her family took in Cambodian refugees back in the late 1970s. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat ruins, and the Sihanoukville beaches so far are on our list, as is exploring inland. But while last time I enjoyed traveling via pick-up truck and jeep through what was then still Khmer Rouge country—even after being held up by AK-47-toting locals—my friend is going to prefer a less-rustic experience.

Ek Balam carvings.

10. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Get away from overcrowded and overpriced Cancun and the Riviera Maya, explore more than just the most famous Mayan temples of Chichen Itza and Tulum, and get to know the real Yucatán. I’ve spent time alone in the region during the past few Decembers (alas, not in 2011 however), and I’m always enchanted by each new village, historic church and ruin that I visit. I definitely want to be there for the entire month of December 2012. If the Mayans are correct and the world as we know it ends—or, more accurately, transitions on December 21—then I want to be in a Mayan destination when it happens. Regardless, all the myriad festivals that take place in the region during the second half of the month will be even more kick-ass than usual.

Actually, they raised $89,699—more than 12 percent OVER their 2011 goal. Woo hoo! A big thanks to everyone who participated the bidding. I know a number of my friends made some last-minute donations before the auction closed on December 16—thank you, thank you, thank you—and hopefully you were all winners.

I’m happy to share that the winner of the $100 Apple Gift Card from Prepare for CrossCheck was John Zook of Seattle. Congratulations, and thanks again so much for your contribution and support!

Not sure yet what the goal will be for 2012, nor who the partner organization will be, but it will sure to be an epic challenge, especially given that this will mark the fifth year for Passports with Purpose.  Looking forward to (hopefully) being able to donate an even better prize.

Here’s to fabulous travels for everyone in 2012!

But this time of year, the few weeks following the Thanksgiving holiday, is when I’m most psyched about and proud of my profession, thanks to Passports with Purpose.

This annual online fundraiser is where travel bloggers from all over the world come together to help give back to individuals in need around this great planet that we’re so honored to explore. In the past, the group has supported Heifer International and raised enough funds to build a school in Cambodia—one of the most amazing and heartbreaking places I’ve ever traveled—and a village in India.

The fourth annual Passports with Purpose kicked off today, and this year’s goal is to raise $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia through the nonprofit Room to Read, which builds libraries and is focused on literacy and gender equality in education.

It’s an amazing organization that I first supported more than five years ago when I first read about it and learned that it had been founded by a fellow traveler, John Wood, a former Microsoft manager, after he had trekked through Nepal (about the same time that I was on my epic three-week Annapurna jaunt) and decided to use his tech-earned money to build libraries and supply books to the children in those remote villages.

I’m supporting Room to Read again today, through Passports with Purpose, with a $100 Apple Gift Card, which joins the dozens of other great prizes available in this year’s fundraiser, and I encourage you help support this mission as well. I’m also giving at least another $100, as I do each year, and you can help too, with as little as a $10 donation.

Here’s how it works:

For each $10 tax-deductible donation on the Passports with Purpose site, a person can enter to win a prize of their choice. Donations for multiple prizes and multiple $10 increments are acceptable, or you choose to donate directly without entering for a prize. Bidding ends on Dec. 16, 2011, with a winner for each prize randomly selected on Dec. 23. All proceeds go directly to Room to Read.

You can put a bid in on the Apple Gift Card and help defray the cost of that new computer or iPhone or iPad you’ve been hankering to purchase. I’ll mail the card within seven days after the winner is announced, and even though I will send it anywhere in the world, please note that the card can be redeemed only at an Apple Retail Store, the Apple Online Store or Apple Telesales (800-MY-APPLE) in the United States. The card cannot be used at the iTunes Store.

Prefer another gift? More than 100 travel bloggers from around the world are participating with donated prizes such as hotel stays, tours, travel gear, services, electronics and gift cards, each valued between $100 and $5,000. You could be the winner of that $100 Apple Gift Card, or you could win a three-night stay at the Marquis Los Cabos, a 15-day first-class adult Eurail pass, a Kindle Fire or more.

All you have to do is give. And it is the giving season, after all.

Before I sign off, I just want to extend a BIG thank-you to the Passports with Purpose founders Debbie Dubrow, Michelle Duffy, Pam Mandel, and Beth Whitman, the bloggers behind Delicious Baby, WanderMom, Nerd’s Eye View, and Wanderlust and Lipstick, respectively. What started as a simple quest to do a little good has turned into a growing and great holiday tradition.

Shout-outs too go to this year’s sponsors: Round the World with Us (platinum level), a family of travelers committed to raising awareness of global issues and helping people better understand other cultures; Travellerspoint (silver level), a large travel community that claims to have members representing every country in the world; and HomeAway (bronze level), the large online marketplace for vacation rentals.

So what are you waiting for? Get over to www.passportswithpurpose.org and help build those libraries!

That season usually signals hibernation time, especially for folks like me who absolutely detest the cold and reach for the blankets whenever temperatures dip below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. (It’s true, just ask my husband, and he’ll tell you that I use a down comforter pretty much year round.) But instead I’m coming out of a self-imposed break. A good thing, too, considering that I haven’t added a post to this blog since June.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve been doing nothing.

Iguazu Falls

Provincetown, Cape Cod

I managed to get in some excellent trips the past few months: Cape Cod, Ireland (both North and the Republic), Iguazu Falls (both the Argentine and Brazilian sides), Sao Paulo and New Orleans. I’ll be writing about them all in the next few weeks. The photos here give you an idea of some of the beauty seen in each place.

Dromoland, Ireland

Pralines, Pralines, Pralines (New Orleans)

I’ve also kept busy with a few assignments, namely:

Starwood Studies Abroad – a feature about the hotel company’s executive team relocating to China for five weeks, for CFO magazine

Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit Debuts in Times Square – a write-up on the new show, now on display at the Discovery Center in New York, for DNAinfo.com

Shining a Light on Medical Meetings – a feature about new regulations for medical and pharmaceutical meeting planners, for Successful Meetings magazine

What’s in Your Wallet? – a look at the life of a gift card, from inception to production to use, for Incentive magazine

OK, so only the first two really deal with travel. I’ve kept my foot in the travel world though, through the Uptake Travel Industry News blog. If you haven’t checked out Uptake lately, there have been plenty of changes at the site, with more to come in the near future. A highlight is its new social search feature, Travel Q&A, making it easier than ever to source travel recommendations from Facebook friends.

You’ll also find my 10 Tips for Holiday Air Travel article there. And if you need help finding the ideal hotel room, Room 77 has added new features to its hotel search site, including the ability to book directly and get free concierge services in helping to secure the room you want.

One of the main reasons though that I’m writing here again is because of Passports With Purpose, the annual fundraiser organized by travel bloggers. This season’s charity auction begins tomorrow, and the goal this year is to raise $80,000 to help build libraries in Zambia. In its first three years, Passports With Purpose donated nearly $7,500 to Heifer International and raised enough money to build a school in Cambodia and build a village in India.

Each year the ante gets upped. I’ll save the rest of the details for my post going up tomorrow, but here’s an old post about the 2009 program to give you an idea of the event.

Travelers helping others around the world. I can’t think of a better reason to come out of my proverbial cave and re-launch Prepare for CrossCheck, even if that means I’ll have to brave the coming cold.

“I want my money back, now!”

A new-age retreat gone horribly wrong? Nope, those were just some of the heated statements made, loudly, during my American Airlines flight from Newark to Dallas earlier this week.

Just prior to take-off, two men and a woman dressed in robes and headscarves were quickly ushered onto the plane and told to take whatever available seats there were so we could depart. Clearly these passengers had been held up by security.

Two took open seats in the front row. Before they could even buckle their seatbelts, the man sitting in front of me, in the second row, started yelling that he wanted a refund.

“I want a refund! If those seats are free, then I want my money back. It isn’t fair that they get to sit there,” he complained. Loudly. “I paid extra to sit here.”

A flight attendant scurried over to address the problem. “Sir, what’s the matter? Are you in the wrong seat? Is that your seat [pointing to the front row]?”

“No, this is my seat, but I paid extra to sit up here. And if those seats are free, then I want my money back.”

“Sir, I don’t understand.” (And neither did the rest of us.)

“I paid $39 extra to sit in the first two rows. And if they get to sit there without paying extra, then I want my money back.”

Oy!

Finally understanding the situation, the attendant explained that she couldn’t give him a refund, but that he could take the matter up with a gate agent upon arrival in Dallas.

He persisted. She departed.

A few minutes later she returned to say that rules are once everyone is seated, if there are open seats, passengers can move to them. But she understood his issue and, again, there was nothing she could do about giving his money back. “Just talk to the gate agent when we land.”

A few minutes later, a man sitting behind me suddenly blurted out, “Ma’am, you need to mind your own business. You are way beyond your purview. That is not your job.”

Apparently, the woman sitting across the aisle from this man had told him he needed to turn his cell phone off as we were supposed to have already put all electronic devices away.

Things heated up even more when another passenger sitting behind the woman came to her defense and said that the offending passenger should indeed turn his phone off.

That did it.

The man started yelling, “You are way beyond your boundaries! You need to stop. Now. … You really need to mind your own business. I don’t have to listen to you. … Go ahead, call them over! I beeeeg you to. Please, call them!”

WTF was going on that day? Or the two days a couple weeks ago when three separate incidents of air rage made the news, one over a reclined seat?

I get that air travel is now a stressful endeavor for most people. I too get annoyed when the person in front of me reclines into my “space,” or lack thereof. I’m sick of the ancillary fees that airlines keep throwing at us. And, I admit, I’m one of those folks who get annoyed when other passengers blatantly ignore the directive to shut down electronic devices—not that I think having them on interferes with pilot signals or any other potential “danger.” It’s just I want to get off the ground as quickly as possible, and the longer someone sits there texting their mistress or playing Angry Birds, the longer we’re stuck at the gate.

But I, and most other travelers, accept that flying just isn’t comfortable these days, unless of course you’re lucky enough to be upgraded to first or business class. We just simply deal with the irritations and try to keep the discomfort to ourselves.

Finally, as we backed away and headed toward the runway, everyone quieted down. Once in the air, the staff quickly served beverages, and the cabin seemed to have returned to its expected state of polite, yet reserved, respect. The man in front of me brought up his seat-charge refund one more time with another attendant, who basically told him the same thing as the first attendant, and then all was peaceful again.

I’ve seen road rage in action, but hadn’t witnessed air rage before. (It’s very different from TSA rage, which I’ve both witnessed and, much to my chagrin, participated in, shortly after 9/11.)

Here’s hoping my return to New York on Monday is also a return to friendlier skies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABJqgNJnKjk

Just standing across the street, no concern for the growing flames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P3BWRjs3Yc

The second video is short and shaky. The ashes and flaming debris being blown toward me and few other spectators coupled with items starting to “pop” prompted a hasty retreat.

As audible in the second video, New York’s Bravest finally arrived on the scene.

I love how nonchalantly people—including a dad and his kid—just walk on by and barely give the swirling flames a passing glance.

Only in Brooklyn.

(N.B. I’ve input all three videos in this post exactly the same way. At the time of publishing, only the third one appeared correctly; the first two you have to use the link to Youtube. Am about to get on a 20-hour flight to Taipei though, so who knows whether the third one will still work by the time I land…)

The magazine is published by the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) and written by its members, but the content is geared toward the general traveling public.

I much prefer the flash version, which is laid out in a traditional print-magazine format. This is the place to go for all the great photography that accompanies each piece.

The main website, unfortunately, is still an HTML site, so it’s lacking in visual appeal, but an upgrade has been in the works for a while now, and I’m hopeful that the new site will be available soon.

In one of my first personal travel pieces in a long time, I write about my adventures trekking Tiger Leaping Gorge in China (page 20 in the flash version).

My former TravelMuse cohort Jill Robinson wrote about her second home, the Honduran island of Guanaja.

There also are great articles on taking an African safari, rafting in West Virginia, and slow hiking across Europe’s Via Alpina, among others. In addition, the magazine features regular columns on a variety of topics.

So check it out and tell me what you think!

Next seat is empty
Prepare for cross-check in two
Excitement growing

Thanks, Leo! I’ll be thinking of this as I take off for Taiwan in a few weeks.

Last week that bit of luck (coupled with my being in the travel industry) landed me at the luxurious and historic Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, CT, for an overnight stay that included meals, access to the spa facilities, a spa treatment and unlimited group classes in the fitness center.

Mayflower Cottage and Stone Path

Room 435

I had wanted to visit this New England resort ever since it added the award-winning spa to its property, which is nestled amid a 58-acre estate in Connecticut’s “wilderness” and has just 30 rooms and suites in the main building or in nearby cottages. Each room is individually decorated and features fluffy beds so high some require a footstool to mount.

It was worth the wait.

The meals are amazing, the rooms completely comfortable, there are snow shoes available for hike-minded guests, the service is impeccable, and the classes offered in the gym aren’t your typical light-weight fare—they nearly knocked me out … in a good way.

The main highlight, however, is the spa.

The Mayflower Inn’s 20,000-square-foot spa is located at the far end of the property, down a slate path past the pool and a garden maze (visible after the snow melts), and is one of the most relaxing spa facilities I’ve experienced—and I’ve been to dozens of top spas around the world. Large, clean-lined open spaces, sensuous fabrics, pool, Jacuzzi and steam rooms, relaxing music, appealing art and art books, large windows, and the light and white colors that somehow seem to bring the outside environment inside.

The Pool at Night

Mayflower Spa Relaxation Room (Credit: Mayflower Inn)

I opted for a basic massage, and Christopher obliged with what turned out to be a healing treatment for me: deep pressure throughout, but particularly along the meridians and key points where I was in the most pain (neck, lower back and thighs—the symptoms of sitting at a computer too many hours each day).

After an hour not only were all my knots dissipated, but also for the first time in two months I could walk without pain in my legs and the stress usually pressing down through my shoulders and chest was gone. I was rejuvenated!

I sauntered to the relaxation room and melted into what could arguably be the most comfortable chairs ever, covered in silky soft towels and blankets with big fluffy pillow and facing floor to ceiling windows that look out over the Connecticut forest and hillside outside. Sunset came and went, as did deer. I never wanted to move again.

Water, tea and nuts packaged in pocket-sized zip-lock bags are available. The organic Red Flower product line is available in both the spa and guest rooms.

Most treatments are priced from $165 to $265 and include body work, water therapies, scrubs, wraps, facials—the usual. Only they’re better than usual, as noted by the multiple awards the spa has won its last five years, including claiming the No. 2 ranking for favorite hotel spa as voted by more than 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers.

But don’t just trust me or others, go experience the serenity for yourself. The Mayflower is just two hours from New York City by car, and my friend Fernando at Crimson Concierge has a limited number of rooms available for the weekend of March 4, 2011 for just $299 per night. Rooms usually start at $550 per night. Leave a comment or e-mail me for more details on how to snag this great deal—unless I give in to temptation and book them for myself!

The Library

Smoked Salmon at Breakfast

N.B. I was a guest of the Mayflower Inn and Spa for my overnight stay, but the opinions in this post are my own.