1. Win a trip for 4 to Tuscany! Celebrate Francesco Rinaldi’s 30th anniversary by visiting the lovely Tuscany.

ENTER BY: December 31, 2010

PRIZE: 6 night accommodations in Tuscany in a 2 bedroom apartment at 4 star La Fattoria, 6 day manual shift car rental with unlimited mileage, and a wine tasting tour at a 14th century sastle and $1,000 in spending money.

ENTER HERE

2. Win a trip to Ireland with Frommer’s!

ENTER BY: July 31, 2010

PRIZE: Roundtrip transportation to Ireland on Aer Lingus, two nights at Adare Manor in Limerick, two nights in Ashford Castle in Mayo, two nights in Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt in Wicklow, Mercedes 200E rental for the week with unlimited mileage, full Irish breakfast daily.

ENTER HERE.

3. Win a trip for 2 to Rome with Frommer’s!

ENTER BY: July 31, 2010

PRIZE: Round trip economy-class airfare for two from a major airport near winner’s home to Rome, Italy and four nights’ hotel accommodations for two at a participating Delta Vacations hotel in Rome.

ENTER HERE.

4. Win a student trip with S Trip!

ENTER BY: continuous.

PRIZE: Various trips in the Caribbean or Mexico.

ENTER HERE.

5. Win a trip to Sweden with Stieg Larsson!

ENTER BY: July 31, 2010

PRIZE: Roundtrip air transportation for two from an airport near winner’s home to the closest SAS gateway, roundtrip coach airfare for winner and one travel companion to Stockholm on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) from one of SAS’s gateways, hotel stay in the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel for 3 nights, hotel stay at Seglarhotellet in Sandhamn for 1 night, Stockholm cards for both travels allowing free admission to many Stockholm attractions.

ENTER HERE.

• as much as you like to share you experiences, you just don’t have that much time to actually cover in detail your trip through posts (which means writing a lot);
• even if you do have time to write, you may forget to cover the things others need to make a decision of visiting a place or not.

So in order to make TrippyDoo more useful for you we’ve changed the perspective – from just covering your travel experiences, to recommending a destination you’ve visited to your friends and other travelers like you.

This change of perspective had significant implications in the way we’ve built TrippyDoo as far as structure and possibilities we’ve given you to participate in the community we want to get together. To be more clear, we have updated TrippyDoo with the following:

• Create/edit a trip – you can now edit every field inline, in the same page, without having to open that editor we had for the posts;
• Second – there are no more posts (yay!:D), but a simple inline trip format with the following components: name of the trip, location, recommendations (i.e. adventure, beach, sightseeing), things you liked/things you didn’t like, budget (how much you spent there), photo & video gallery (import from Facebook/Picasa), Places to eat and Places to stay (just add the name of the rest/hotel, we’ll find you a relevant photo, and you simply type a short review), and Notes – free field where you can add the trip’s story we so much want to read about.
• We’ve also removed the Groups for now because we felt the need to rethink them and make them better and more useful for you.

All in all, this is how a new trip is looking right now: Naples, Italy trip. Please go log in and check out your trips and your friends’ trips as well, as we had to restructure them in their new format.

Again, these changes are meant to make TrippyDoo more useful for you when you plan a trip to say Naples, and not just to add your travel stories. Please send us you thoughts, complaints, bugs and the like directly to hello [at] trippydoo.com to solve them asap.

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Veliko Tarnovo is a breath of fresh air. Is easy to get there from Bucharest or even from Sofia. From Bucharest it’s something like a 3 hour drive with at least a short break included. And From Sofia.. I think it’s like a 4 hour drive. And from Sofia you can also take the bus from “Centralna avtogara”.

Veliko Tarnovo

For Romanians is like a second Sighisoara closer to home. Veliko Tarnovo or the city of the tsars as it’s sometimes called is a medieval city, dating back since the first Bulgarian Empire. But I won’t go all historical on you, there are books for that.

Let’s start with a few recommendations.

Where to Stay

This has never been a problem in V.T. It’s easy to find a nice deal in a small hotel or in a B&B, or even an apartment (most of the times they are the best deal, especially if your booking for a 4+ group). I can recommend with all my heart the hotel Stambolov.

Where to Eat:

Best place in town is Shtastlivetsa. It’s the classiest restaurant with an awesome view of the city and of Gurko Street. They serve the best pizza ever! But be careful! The big pizza is really quite big, for at least 2 people.

And there are also the Ego restaurants. They also have very good food and I am happy to say that also fast service. You will surely not regret entering there. There are 3-4 restaurants around town.

And also don’t forget to try the Ice cream from Raffy. You will mostly find them on the street. But they are the best you can find in Bulgaria. I know that normally you can find this near the Post Office, near to Square “Maika Balgaria”.

Veliko Tarnovo

What to Eat:

Bulgarian cuisine has a lot of similar dishes with other neighbouring countries like Romania and Greece. It’s hard to tell in the Balkans what belongs to who. So here are a few dishes that will surely delight you during your trip to Veliko Tarnovo:

1. Tarator is a cold soup (popular in the summertime in Albania, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Turkey). It is made of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, walnuts, dill, vegetable oil, and water, and is served chilled or even with ice.
2. Lukanka is a Bulgarian spicy salami unique to Bulgarian cuisine.
3. Lyutenitsa is a national relish of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. It is known under different names but it basically has the same ingredients and it’s used as an appetizer. The ingredients include tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, black pepper, vegetable oil, sugar and salt.
4. Shkembe chorba is kind of tripe soup. It contains cattle stomach and it is a traditional for the Balkans. Tripe is the thick lining of the stomach of cattle, well cleaned for human consumption. Shkembe chorba is made with milk; garlic, vinegar, and chili peppers are often added as seasoning.
5. Shopska Salad is a traditional Bulgarian cold salad popular throughout the Balkans. It is made from tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, raw or roasted peppers (preferably roasted), and sirene (white brine cheese).
6. Moussaka. All versions are based primarily on sautéed eggplant (aubergine) and tomato, usually with minced meat. The Greek version, which is the best-known outside the region, includes layers of meat and aubergine topped with a white sauce and baked. There are also variants with zucchini, carrots and potatoes. The Bulgarian version uses potatoes instead of aubergines.
7. Kebapche is a Bulgarian dish of grilled minced meat with spices. The meat is shaped into an elongated cylindrical form, similar to a hot dog‘s. Typically, a mix of pork and beef is used, although some recipes involve only pork. The preferred spices are black pepper, cumin and salt.
8. Banitsa is a traditional Bulgarian pastry prepared by layering a mixture of whisked eggs and pieces of sirene between filo pastry and then baking it in an oven. Banitsa is served for breakfast with plain yogurt. Some varieties include banitsa with spinach or the sweet version, banitsa with milk or pumpkin.
9. Sweets : Baklava, Kadaif and Halva.

And I would recommend you the best wine in Bulgaria, MAVRUD.  Unfortunately you can find it only dry and maybe semi-dry.  But for ladies a good option is a white Targovishte or No man’s Land.

Veliko Tarnovo

What to See:

1.Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold located on the hill bearing the same name in the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire‘s primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and is a popular tourist attraction. It’s all very well kept, and you have a lot of ground to cover once you are inside. Entrance is 2 or 4 leva. And it’s open daily.

2. “St. Fourty Martyrs” Church” It is located in Assenova mahala, just next to Tsarevets. It was built and its walls were painted during the reign of Bulgarian king Ivan Assen II.

3. The light and sound show is usually held on weekends but during summer it can be every night if there are large groups in town. This is usually organized for 30+ people. It’s a wonderful show that lasts around 20 minutes, when all the lights on that part of town are darkened.

4. The Archeological Museum, which keeps numerous founds and remains of the ancient history of these lands

5. Samovodska Charshia, the old trade street which sheltered skilful craftsmen through the Revival Period and even today many of the houses and the workshops are fully restored.

6. The Museum of the Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent Assembly, located in the old Ottoman municipal building built by Nikola Fichev

7. The House with the Monkey

8. Gurko Street, an illustration of Bulgarian Revival architectural style where it is possible to visit the Sarafkina House. It’s a beautiful street from where you can see a different view of the city.

9. Church of St. Constantine and Helena, with panoramic view over the Yantra River and the Asens’ Monument

10. Stambolov’s Bridge, which is the way to the Asens’ Monument and the City Art Gallery

11. Preobrazhenski Monastery is the biggest of the monasteries around Veliko Turnovo and the fourth largest in the country. It lies at a distance of 6 km from Veliko Turnovo, below the caves in the cliffs which surround the Belyakovo Plateau.

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is strategically placed in the middle of the country. From here there are a lot of other nice places to visit depending on your time and desire. So even if you don’t have a car, you can easily do the 1 day trips, because VT has a lot of minibuses leaving in all directions several times per day!

1 day trips:

1. Dryanovo Monastery

2. Small city of Tryavna

3. Village Museum Etara, near the city of Gabrovo

4. Elena

5. Bojentsi

2-3 days trips:

1. Shoumen and around (Pliska, Veliki Preslav)

2. A sort of a tour through the cities Kazanlak – Kalofer – Karlovo – Sopot  – Troyan – Lovech

Veliko Tarnovo

1. Amberley Castle, England

http://www.amberleycastle.co.uk/

The lovely 900-year-old medieval castle in England is perfect for a slow vacation. The castle has a legendary history, including ownership by Queen Elizabeth I from 1588 to 1603; visits from Charles II; and a bout in the civil war, when Cromwell attacked its walls. Nowadays the 19 rooms are luxurious and enchanting, boasting elegant four-poster beds, rich wall hangings and carpets, antique frills, and a few modern additions like en-suite jacuzzi, TVs and VCRs. A standard B&B double room can be your for about 440 EUR.

2. La Bourdasiere Castle – Val de Loire

http://www.labourdaisiere.com/

Constructed in the 15th century for the royal mistress of King François I, the castle today is a popular honeymoon destination (for officially married couples). Located less than an hour from Paris, and surrounded by 140 acres of enchanted woodlands, Château de la Bourdaisière lets guests live like royalty, with 11 luxurious rooms (and three apartments), outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and more.  Price of a standard room: 142 EUR.

3. Balfour Castle, Scotland

http://www.balfourcastle.co.uk

Right in the misty Orkney island of Shapinsay in Scotland, Balfour Castle is the world’s most northerly castle, lying at the very edge of Europe, and only reached via 25-minute ferry ride from Kirkwall. Set amid 10 miles of quiet hills and forested grounds, this 1848 baronial fortress is positively Victorian, complete with turrets, a magnificent old library, oil paintings, and even stuffed owls. The isolated manor also offers lush grounds, including an original walled garden, as well as two boats for guest to sail off to see the island’s spooky sea caves and dramatic cliffs.

4. Château de Castel Novel, France

http://www.castelnovel.com/

Located in the Limousin region of the country, this 14th-century property was originally designed as a fortified hilltop castle – still evident in its round towers and keep – but remodeling in the 19th centuries brought a soft Renaissance flair. Local legend tells of a star-crossed romance between a troubadour and the lady of the house, while, more recently, the famed French writer Colette found inspiration in its rooms and even penned several novels here (guests can opt to stay in the Louis XVI apartment that served as her chambers). A double standard room is 200 EUR.

5. Saddell Castle, Kintyre

They were a cautious lot back in 1508. The builders of Saddell Castle included a trap door in the floor of the main entrance passage: when it was opened, unwelcome visitors would tumble straight into a deep pit prison with no other exit. Well, things are a lot more peaceful now: walk the battlements and you see only wooded hills, and seals rippling the still surface of the water just a few steps from your gate. Inside, the rooms are huge, it’s comfortable without being flash, and there’s a fireplace (with supply of logs) to tell stories by in the evening. Sleeps 8; four nights from 450 EUR; Landmark Trust ( landmarktrust.org.uk).

6. Langley Castle, Northumberland

LANGLEY CASTLE, Northumberland

http://www.langleycastle.com

Built in 1350, during the reign of Edward III, the castle has retained its architectural integrity and is regarded as one of the few medieval fortified Castle Hotels in England. Set in its own ten acre woodland estate, the Castle’s 7 feet thick walls provide a peaceful and tranquil refuge in which to escape from today’s hustle and bustle to a bygone age, making it perfect for weddings or for a special break, they say. Castle doubles room from EUR 260, B&B.

7. Chateau de Mercues, France

http://www.chateaudemercues.com

High on a bluff overlooking the River Lot, Mercuès was built to defend Cahors in the 13th century, and it has seen plenty of boiling oil poured since then — it was knocked about a fair bit in the Hundred Years’ war, but was properly restored in 1627. Now, it’s a seriously posh Relais & Châteaux hotel, where the 30 splendid rooms reek of antiquity and the view from the ancient stone battlements still stirs the blood. Standard double room: 272 EUR.

8. Castello Di Pavone, Piedmont

CASTELLO DI PAVONE, Piedmont

http://www.castellodipavone.com

This extraordinary pre-renaissance castle was built between 9th to the 14th century, with the purpose to guard the route from Italy to France. It’s a masterclass in combining grand aesthetics with military utility. Nowadays is a 4-5 stars hotel with a friendly service and a fantastic architecture. Doubles from 160 EUR.

9.  Waterford Castle, Ireland

Waterford Castle

http://www.waterfordcastle.com

Offering an extraordinary escape from the mundane, the secluded and majestic Waterford Castle Hotel is situated on a sprawling 310-acre island, encircled by the flowing waters of the River Suir, in southern Ireland. Reachable only by the castle’s private ferry, your activities here are an 18-hole championship golf course, horseback rides in the surrounding woodlands, or watersports and fishing. the interior houses 19 luxury bedrooms and opulent main rooms decorated with colorful tapestries, antiques, and period decor. Owned by the illustrious Fitzgerald family from the 15th through mid-20th centuries, the castle was converted to a luxury hotel in 1988. Double room price: 279 EUR.

10.  Palazzo Gritti, Venice

http://www.hotelgrittipalacevenice.com/

Commissioned in 1525 as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the Gritti Palace has hosted a long list of VIPs since, providing luxurious lodging for numerous heads of state, international royalty, literary bigwigs, and film and rock stars, including the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo, and Winston Churchill. While some claim the place has seen better days, others argue there is no more celebrated and history-rich hotel in Venice. Whichever side you take, there’s no disputing the Gritti’s prime location: Overlooking the Grand Canal, this palazzo provides unrivaled views of animated, aquatic Venice – vistas best enjoyed from the restaurant terrace. The classy interior is also loaded with antique-filled lounges and over 82 guest rooms and suites adorned with ornate Venetian-style furnishings. Standard double room from 460 EUR.

- Be sure to pack all his things he’d normally use when at home -- food, water, bowls, snacks, leash, collar, medicine, toys, bedding;

- Besides the essentials, you should have with you the dog’s ID & health certificate, paper towels, stain remover and some anti-diarrhea and car sick pills;

- Plan longer breaks while driving, and keep the dog in the back seat; consider some sedatives if he is very active, but be sure to check it with the vet first;

- Book a pet-friendly hotel if you need to spend a night somewhere. You should be able to find an online booking option for ‘pets allowed’, or just use a dedicated place like http://www.doginmysuitcase.com;

- Don’t leave your dog alone in the hotel room though -- he’s not familiar with the place, and he might harm himself or the personnel of the hotel;

- Don’t leave your dog in the car while you grab some lunch either, especially in a hot sunny day. Check the whether before you go, and plan to eat in shady sites, even if that means no fancy restaurant for you this time.

- That being said -- enjoy your time together! Though more difficult to manage, a trip with your dog is a great opportunity to spent time together and do some exercise. Besides, you will be sure that he’s ok all the time. And he might even like to get his picture take or get filmed all over the country. Like the little guy in this short film:

Here’s the card below. Thanks Nick & promise to visit your town sometime soon.

More photos from the festival on Flick here. My take on this is that the organizers really made this year’s festival viral – and I bet the bill is not that big. After all, they do have plenty of lemons & oranges

1. You can now add a small description to each of your photos. If you have ~50 photos from your latest trip in Paris, you can tell us what you did & how you felt the city by adding a Post, then simply add a small text to the photos you want to give more explanations, like “this is me with my friend having the best coffee ever”

2. We’ve added some titles & links to help you navigate when viewing the photo gallery of a trip. Nothing fancy, just “back to trip/back to post/back to profile”.

Go login & tell us what you think!

Visionary concept, the world’s frst flying hotel introduced by design company Seymourpowell and called “Aircruse“. The hotel will have low passenger numbers and huge internal spaces offering room for living, dining and relaxing, as well as scope for dramatic and inspirational public spaces, as the company states in the press release.

Furthermore, the giant kite-shaped hotel is eco-friendly:  the Aircruise combines solar power with a primary hydrogen drive for a cruising speed of around 90mph, while transporting 100 people from London to New York.

Samsung Construction and Trading already showed interest in building this machine, and they estimated 2015 as the year when it will fly for the first time. Well, if this is the future of luxury traveling, we might witness a strong competition for the sea cruises operators.