Christmas layover cheer

Perchance you find yourself travelling over the holidays, with a layover on Christmas, we are sending along this little bit of cheer. Make the most of whatever you have, wherever you are.

Merry Christmas!

creative commons image, click for source info

#TRAVEX #layover chat on Twitter

The many participants in the #TRAVEX layovers Twitter chat!

We were thrilled to be invited to join in on a Twitter chat yesterday with the #TRAVEX community of travel enthusiasts. The topic was... layovers!

These are the questions the #TRAVEX chat covered:

• Q1: How do you keep yourself entertained during a layover?
• Q2: Airports can be a nightmare. What’s your worst layover story?
• Q3: Tell us about a fun layover.
• Q4: If you could get stuck in any city in the world which one would you choose? Why?
• Q5: Have you ever planned for a layover? What did you do?
• Q6: Have you ever made friends with a fellow traveler during a Layover?

As we had only 30 minutes, it was a very lively discussion, and lots of tips, tricks and resources were shared.

To read the transcripts and read through the responses, stories and ideas, check out the #TRAVEX 2015-02-25 Recap transcript.

Related resources:
Looking for Love on a Layover
Go for a Run? Go Sightseeing? Why Not Do Both?
Get Cooking on Your Layover: Europe
Carpe Diem: Day Trips from Rome
Layover Ideas for the World's Worst Airports

Looking for Love on a Layover

Heart sculpture at an airport in Buenos Aires

It seems that travellers are avoiding boredom by doing more than eating, drinking, exercising and checking their email on their airport layovers.... Some are having more fun. A LOT more fun...

Did you catch this post on the Sleeping In Airports blog?

• Europeans Admit to a New Sexy LAYover Activity

Oh my!

MeetAtTheAirport.com helps you find love on a layover

Consider this story on Travel+Leisure:

Woman Embarks on Quest for Love—Without Leaving the Airport

Here's the story from when Meet at the Airport first launched:

Finding Love On A Layover Right At Your Fingertips

It's an interesting proposition, so to speak.

What do you think? Would you? Have you? Would you admit it?

Don't worry, it's ok, you don't have to tell us. But have fun reading about what others are doing. And if you see a couple sneak into a broom closet at the airport, yes, it probably is what you think it is!

Related resources:
Love at first flight: tales of travel romance
10 tactics to meet the man or woman of your dreams at the airport
Best airports to make a connection
Lasting connections: love at the airport
Layover, the Film - movie about finding love on a LAX airport layover

Rock Your Layover: Manila

The modern Manila skyline

Have a layover coming up in Manila? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here.

In a nutshell:	Manila sits at the edge of the Asian continent, straddling the Pacific Rim of Fire. The sprawling city is bustling, with a culturally complicated heritage, and a backdrop of Spanish colonial architecture.
Free:	10 Cool and Free Things You Can Do in Manila Manila on a Budget: Free (or Nearly Free) Things to Do in the Metro
Unique:	Pagsanjan Falls Adventure from Manila
Picks:	Customizable Private Manila Layover Tour Manila Layover Tour: Overnight City sightseeing with Round-Trip Airport Transfer Manila Super Saver: Manila Sightseeing plus Tagaytay Tour with Taal Volcano Art and Culture Tour from Manila: Angono Caves, Nemiranda Arthouse and Blanco Museum
Shop:	Manila Spa and Shopping Tour 7 Tips When Shopping During a Sale in Manila
See:	No city pass is available
Hop:	No 'hop on hop off' bus tour is available
Do:	Manila Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Manila
Eat:	Binondo Chinatown Culinary Walking Tour Pampanga Culinary and Heritage Tour Manila Food Frenzy: 29 Filipino DishesYou Need to Try Frugal Foodie's Guide to Dining in Manila The Ultimate Guide to Late Dining & 24 Hour Restaurants in Manila No Reservations: Manila - Anthony Bourdain
Tips:	How to Have a Cracking Manila Stopover 10 Fun Walks and Tours to Help You Rediscover Metro Manila Manila: 10 Things to Do Getting Around Manila Like a Pope - jeepney tips
Watch:	YouTube: Manila videos
Look:	Pinterest: Manila photographs
Read:	Manila on Amazon.com
To/from the airport:	Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) Manila Clark International Airport (CRK) Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport <--> Manila Clark Airport Transfer Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport Inter-Terminal Transfer Manila Airport Transfers
Good to know:	Use caution visiting Manila. Aside of dirty streets, open manholes and dangerous traffic, there are scams. Do not go with anyone, even if they say they work at your hotel. Scammers will drug you, then force you to an ATM to empty your accounts. Watch out for pickpockets, and tuck your smartphone and camera away. Best take a tour here.
Tourist info:	Manila Tourist Information

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Related resources:

• Welcome to the Philippines: a Tour of Manila
• Cebu City Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Cebu City
• Kuala Lumpur Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Kuala Lumpur
• Penang Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Penang
• Taipei Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Taipei
• Beijing Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Beijing
• Hong Kong Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Hong Kong 

Rock Your Layover: Nice

Nice harbour, on the French Riviera

Have a layover coming up in Nice? Wondering what you could do with your time?
Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here...

In a nutshell:	Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is an ethnically diverse port city with a rich history (there are Greek and Roman ruins nearby). Nice (pronounced "niece") is particularly well known for the Promenade des Anglais, its famous waterfront walk with beautiful views. The old town is called Vieux Nice by the locals. Photo: This clever building shaped like a head is the library.
Free:	Nice Free Walking Tour FreeThings to Do in Nice, France
Unique:	Ferrari Sports Car Experience - Ride or Drive
Picks:	Molinard Perfume Workshop in Nice Monaco Under the Lights Tour From Nice Luxury Professional Photo Shoot in Nice
Shop:	Italian Market Menton and Monaco Shopping Tour Italian Open Air Market Tour of Vivtimille or San Remo
See:	French Riviera Pass (or you can see several museums on this Nice Art Tour)
Hop:	Nice Hop On Hop Off Bus
Do:	Nice Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Nice
Eat:	Nice Food Market Tour and Cooking Class French Patisserie Cooking Class in Nice Good, Cheap Eats in Nice Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Nice - includes food glossary
Tips:	Essential Nice: Exploring the Capital of the French Riviera 10 Great Things to Do in Nice 6 Art Museums In and Around Nice The French Riviera on a Tight Budget Free WiFi in Nice, France
Watch:	YouTube: Top Things to Do in Nice, France YouTube: Nice, France Old Town Stroll
Look:	Nice Photo Gallery - Provence and Beyond
Read:	Nice on Amazon.com
To/from the airport:	Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) Transportation Guide
Good to know:	Be smart. To stay safe: Wear a money-belt and watch out for pickpockets. Be vigilant at the Gare Thiers tram station. Don't go out at night alone (even men). Stay away from the seafront after 22:00. Best get a central hotel you like!
Tourist info:	Nice Tourist Information

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Related resources:

• Monaco Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Monaco
• Cannes Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Cannes
• Marseille Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Marseille
• Aix-en-Provence Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Aix-en-Provence
• Avignon Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Avignon
• Lyon Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Lyon
• Paris Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Paris

Rock Your Layover: Frankfurt

Old Frankfurt
creativecommons image by fran001 on Flickr

Have a layover coming up in Frankfurt? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here.

In a nutshell:	In Frankfurt, students rub shoulders with bankers. Set upon the River Main, with some of the tallest highrises in Europe tucked into a fairly small city centre, Frankfurt's skyline has earned it the nickname Mainhattan. Historic Frankfurt boasts wonderful old buildings and numerous museums. creativecommons image by xingxiyang on Flickr
Free:	Frankfurt free alternative walking tour Frankfurt for Free Free things to do in Frankfurt
Unique:	Geocaching in Frankfurt: A Modern Treasure Hunt
Picks:	Frankfurt Layover Private Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport Tatort in Frankfurt with 2-Hour Guided Crime Tour Frankfurt: 1.5-Hour Nostalgia Tour in a Vintage Bus
Group:	Have a large group, like a corporate group or sports-team, on a Frankfurt layover? Book the Germany Gourmet Liner for a for a private tour or a transfer with an onboard kitchen.
Shop:	What is cheap in Frankfurt? Frankfurt Shopping Centres and Malls Frankfurt Shopping Guide: Where to go and what to buy Luxury Shopping Trip to Wertheim Village from Frankfurt Frankfurt Full Day Trip to Wurzburg and Wertheim Village Outlet
See:	Frankfurt Card
Hop:	Frankfurt Hop On Hop Off Bus: 1 Hour or Full-Day
Do:	Frankfurt Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Frankfurt
Eat:	Spotted by Locals: Frankfurt Restaurants Eating Out in Frankfurt: Top 10 Restaurants Eating Out in Frankfurt - by Hostelworld Loreley Dinner Tour Exquisite Frankfurt and Rhine River Valley tour with wine tasting & lunch Frankfurt City Limousine Tour with Dinner
Tips:	Exploring Frankfurt, Germany's Hub - Rick Steves
Watch:	YouTube: 5 Things You Will Love & Hate About Visiting Frankfurt YouTube: Backpacker's Survival Guide: Frankfurt
Look:	A View on Cities: Frankfurt Pictures City Panoramas: Frankfurt Panoramas
Read:	Frankfurt on Amazon.com
To/from the airport:	Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) transportation guide Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN) transportation guide (don't let the name fool you, it isn't even near Frankfurt!)
Good to know:	Frankfurt is a pretty safe city, but expect to be approached by panhandlers. The area around the train station can be a bit daunting at first glance. Just keep your wits about you, especially if you are suffering from jetlag after a long flight. Be careful in selecting your airport: Frankfurt Hahn, used by low-cost carriers, is a l-o-n-g way from Frankfurt. creativecommons image by poly-image on Flickr
Tourist info:	Frankfurt Tourist Information

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Related resources:

• How to make the most out of your layover - a Frankfurt Airport guide (PDF)
• How to Run from Frankfurt Airport to Downtown Frankfurt and Back During a FRA Layover in 7 Easy Steps
• What To Do on Your 24 Hour Layover in Frankfurt
• Tips for exploring Frankfurt Airport on a layover
• Layover City: Munich
• Cologne Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Cologne
• Dusseldorf Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Dusseldorf
• Hamburg Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Hamburg
• Koblenz Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Koblenz
• Nuremberg Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Nuremberg

Rock Your Layover: Edinburgh

Edinburgh at nightfall
image: creativecommons, Dimitri B on Flickr

Have a layover coming up in Edinburgh? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here.



In a nutshell:	Edinburgh blends ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere. Watched over by the imposing Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's capital plays host to great shops, restaurants and a throbbing nightlife. Check what's on, just in case you find yourself in town during one of the many city festivals throughout the year.
Free:	Free Edinburgh tour Edinburgh free things to do
Unique:	Hadrian's Wall, Roman Britain and the Scottish Borders
Picks:	Full-Day Trip to Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Da Vinci Code Small Group Day Trip Highland Whiskey Experience (tour to Glenturret, home of Famous Grouse)
Shop:	Best of Edinburgh shopping 10 of the best independent shops in Edinburgh
See:	Historic Scotland Historic Pass National Trust for Scotland Discover Sightseeing Pass
Hop:	Hop On Hop Off Bus
Do:	Edinburgh Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Edinburgh
Eat:	Where to Eat and Drink in Edinburgh - Wendy Perrin No Reservations: London and Edinburgh - Anthony Bourdain Cheap eats in Edinburgh - WOW 24 7 Edinburgh's Chocolate Walking Tour Cupcake and Macaron Walking Tour of Edinburgh Whiskey Tasting and Dinner in Edinburgh Eat Walk Edinburgh
Tips:	Edinburgh budget tips - Nomadic Matt 5 pics and tips for Edinburgh Plan your Edinburgh and the Lothians vacation - Fodors
Watch:	Edinburgh Video Guide Rick Steves' Europe: Edinburgh episode
Look:	Pinterest: Edinburgh
Read:	Edinburgh on Amazon.com
To/from the airport:	Edinburgh International Airport (EDI)
Good to know:	You can look up your ancestors at the National Archives of Scotland, 2 Princes St (at Waverley Station). Get connected at the large, independent Mossco Internet Cafe, 18 West Maitland St (near Haymarket Station). Watch out for a few rough areas (e.c. some local pubs).
Tourist info:	Edinburgh Tourist Information

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Related resources:

• My first time eating Haggis - TravelerInside
• A layover in Edinburgh - Eat. Fly. Drive.
• Edinburgh Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Edinburgh
• Glasgow Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Glasgow
• Dublin Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Dublin
• Belfast Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Belfast
• London Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in London
• 
  

9 Ways to Pass Time in an Airport (Stuck at DFW)

If you don't see a video above, visit here instead: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JkVTKsLqKIs

Say hello to Ben Borrello (@borrelloben) and Zach Searcy (@zsearce), the Alabama residents who found themselves stuck at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), decided to shoot a little video. It's pretty good, and definitely fun.

We are liking this new trend... wonder what the next culprits will think up?

Related resources

• Two Stranded Travelers Go Viral With "9 Ways to Pass Time in an Airport"
• Richard Dunn: all by himself on a layover
• Céline Dion Meets Richard Dunn, The Man Behind ''All By Myself'' Airport Viral Video
• Layover Ideas & Things to Do in Dallas

A Little Privacy During Your Airport Sleepover

Layover Innovation: RESMO

You can write on your iPad in relative privacy at the airport with RESMO

(Image copyright Red Dot)

Before you say, "I'd never use one of those!" or "Who would lug one of those around, even if it does fold up small?", listen to the concept behind the RESMO design.

Picture a large airport, a hub for many airlines, filling up with people during a weather delay: departing flights don't, arriving flights are grounded, and passengers keep arriving on the faint hope that maybe their flight will take off. It doesn't take long for every seat to fill, then every carpeted spot, then just anywhere with a wall to lean against, then finally the middle of the floor. And people are miserable.

If you've been there, you know what we're talking about.

Many large airports (thankfully) have folding cots that they bring out in these situations, but they are limited in their functionality (aka flat). Great for lying down, but not so great for sitting, lounging, writing, reading or just hanging out, killing time until things get moving again.

What if those cots were more flexible (allowing different configurations), offered just a bit of privacy (no, you can't read over my shoulder!), absorbed some sound (special cushions) and provided a bit of cheer (I want an orange one!).

RESMO adds a little comfort and privacy to the discomfort of the airport layover

(Image copyright Red Dot)

Airports could benefit from just how flat the RESMO folds, making for easy storage. And distribution would be easy: the RESMO is lightweight enough for each passenger to tuck one under their arm, find a comfortable spot and configure their airport camp to their liking.

The semi-private airport camp cot concept was dreamed up by designer Ko Chien-Hui when she was a student at Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weisensee. The result, RESMO, won her international acclaim when she was recognized with the Red Dot Award Design Concept 2014.

We love it, and thought you would too. Now all we have to do is convince airport executives around the world to make the investment. Hey, we're looking at you [insert name of your most dreaded layover airport here].

You can write love letters on your iPad in relative peace with RESMO

(Image copyright Red Dot)

It could all lead to a new kind of people-watching: observing how different people set up their RESMO and what they are doing. Oh, no, wait, you just might not be able to see... Which is the whole point!


Sources worth following: @airportsleeper, @designtaxi, @leahgonz, @PSFK, @reddot, @smowblog, @yankodesign

Related resources:

• A Folding, Private Bed for Travelers Stuck at the Airport
• Collapsible, Transforming Seat Gives A Little Privacy For Napping At The Airport
• A Frequent Flyer’s Best Friend - lots more pictures
• Resmo by Chien-Hui Ko - the models in miniature!
• Weather Channel's Top 10 Airports for Flight Delays
• An interactive map of the world’s best and worst airports for flight delays
• Airports with cots

Layover ideas:

• Berlin: drop by the Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weisensee
• Berlin: layover ideas and stuff to do