Maybe The Craziest Regulation We've Ever Heard Of!
After being in operation for more than a dozen years, The Ice Hotel in Sweden has been forced to install a fire alarm system this year. I guess the fact that the entire structure is made out of FROZEN WATER fell on deaf ears and regulators insisted that perhaps a sleeping bag or raindeer hide might catch fire. And then what..... the sprinkler system sprays water into the 18 degree F frozen cave structure? Sounds pretty silly to us!
Grab a Cab & Pay With Amex Reward Points in NYC American Express has teamed with VeriFone to enable riders to pay for their cab ride with American Express Rewards Points. When American Express Card Members swipe an eligible Card they will receive an on-screen prompt giving them the option to use points for their ride fare, including tip and tolls.
Mega Cruise Ships Banned From Entering Venice Lagoon
If you're hoping to one day dock near St. Mark's Square in Venice while sipping a prosceco from your cruise ship balcony, you'd better plan to sail before November 2014 when all ships over 96,000 tones will be banned from entering the Vencie Lagoon. The number of ships allowed to enter has already been cut by 20%.
Blast Into Space Using Bitcoins To Pay Your Way
This is a futuristic blockbuster on two counts! First, Sir Richard Branson has announced that the first flights to outer space with Virgin Galactic should be ready to launch from New Mexico in 2015. Tickets sell for a robust $250,00 and there is no shortage of demand. Recently one passenger paid for thier ticket with bitcoins, a digital decentralized currency (virtual money) popular with tech minded and forward thinking investors. The digital currency was first introduced in 2009 and currently one Bitcoin is valued at more than $700 usd. Branson who is no stranger to risk taking believes Bitcoins will increase in value and is happy to accept them as payment.
Probably more relevant to average travelers, CheapOAir has also announced that they will accept Bitcoins in payment for airline reservations made on their website.