Cezanne centenary

Now is the time to visit Aix-en-Provence: it’s the centenary of Cézanne’s death, and the town has woken up to the fact that people are interested in the dauber they once despised. Not so long ago, they were embarassed to know him.

When the artist died in 1906, his son Paul offered Aix’s Musée Granet some of his father’s paintings, but the director rejected the offer and they didn’t acquire any of his pictures until the ’80s. The museum is making amends now, by staging a splendid retrospective. Read more

World's weirdest hotels

When the Smith family decided to build an exclusive resort in the northwestern Connecticut hills, they wanted to create something different. Really different.

They wound up with Stonehenge in the bathroom, a beaver lodge in the bedroom and a 17,000-pound helicopter in the living room.

Sleeping in such oddball lodgings doesn't come cheap. When the new hotel, Winvian, opens in late fall, room rates will start at $1,450 per night.

Winvian is about to join the ranks of the world's out-of-the-ordinary luxury hotels, a travel category that ranges from unusual and ultra-luxe boutique inns to touristy spectacles drawing more day traffic than overnight guests. They cater to travelers who want something special -- not just a nice view from the bathtub or super-posh toiletries, but the privilege of staying in a tree house, ice room or teepee.

Read more on World's Weirdest Hotels.

View the slideshow.

The best restroom in the world

Branson, Missouri, features a bathroom Valhalla, otherwise known as the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre. No high tech gizmos, no sleek Feng Sui, only good old-fashioned hedonism.

The women’s room has a fountain, wainscoting, stained glass appointments and an Empire tin ceiling. Live orchids lay nestled at every granite and onyx pedestal sink. The fixtures are carved from black Italian marble and gold. Voluminous chandeliers soar overhead. The air is fragrant with 80,000 fresh violets (used per month).

But in this glut of material luxury, simple needs are remembered--a rocking chair is placed at the changing nook. The gents facility is equally gorgeous yet manly with black lion head sinks, black leather chairs and a marble fireplace. The burled walnut mirror was built in 1868. Men can bond over the hand-carved mahogany billiard table.
Read more about The Golden Plunger Award for Finest Restrooms in the World.

Travel games for the road

Whether you're planning a long car trip or a ride on an airplane, these printables will alleviate boredom and keep the peace between family members.

Word games like Hangman and social studies activities like a License Plate Scavenger Hunt can even make travel time educational.

Packing tips for business trips

If you’re just starting to travel extensively for business, you will find that packing light and staying professional can be a challenge.

The lighter you pack, the faster you can move through the airport to your taxi, hotel and meeting.

Here are just a few steps that you can take in order to pack light and travel fast. Read more.

How to get a free guide in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was not chosen as a target of air raids during World War II Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.

Unfortunately, licensed guides' fees are generally too expensive for most tourists . As a result, budget-conscious travelers often miss out on what Kansai has to offer, and can face problems because they don't know the local language.

The answer? Visitkansai.com, a website that provides a free volunteer guide and answer service.

Tourists can choose and reserve a companion from a volunteer database. Each volunteer has a profile (including languages known, availability, past records, etc.) so you can choose accordingly.

What's more, website users can submit their questions on travel in the Kansai region and get an answer for free.

Today's quote: Mark Twain

"Twenty years from now
you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do
than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."

~Mark Twain

Photo feature: Goa to Kerala on a motorcycle

Got a motorcycle licence and two weeks to spare? Get to India and take part in a colourful ride from Goa to Kerala on a Royal Enfield (via Lonely Planet) .

View a photo feature of the trip here

Video: Lost Horizon's North India

A beautiful musical tour through North India by Lost Horizon.

First female space tourist enjoying her stay

The first female space tourist is enjoying her stay on the international space station (ISS) and is passing her time by taking photos of the view, a German astronaut told a news conference in a live link-up on Friday.

Germany's Thomas Reiter, who began a six-month stint on the space station in July, said Anousheh Ansari, a 40-year-old Iranian-American telecoms entrepreneur, was making the most of her 11 days in orbit. Read more.

U.S eases ban on liquids on airliners

The government is partially lifting its ban against carrying liquids and gels onto airliners, instituted after a plot to bomb jets flying into the United States was foiled, officials said Monday. Most liquids and gels that air travelers purchase in secure areas of airports will now be allowed on planes. Passengers also will be able to bring small amounts of toiletries, hand lotion and lip gloss. Read the full story.