World's Most Luxe Pools

Get advice from locals, exchange currency, and more

(NEWSER) - The summer is winding down, but there’s still time for a last-minute vacation. The Times of London lists 10 new websites to check out:

• Tripbod: Answer questions about your interests and hobbies, and a local expert will plan an itinerary for you.
• Vimeo: The travel group on this video site features good information on countries, cities, festivals, and more.

Or you could just buy a microfiber one for $10...

(NEWSER) - No suitcase is completely packed without TravelTeq 's Travel Towel, an apparent wonder that promises to absorb more and dry faster … all for the low, low price of $123. That's more than your actual plane ticket might cost, Wired points out. The Travel Towel is also highly compact and weighs less than a normal towel, made as it is out of Irish linen, and it includes two pockets to hold your wallet, iPad, book, or swimwear. If you don't absolutely require the pockets, Wired recommends you just pick up a microfiber towel for under $10 at your local sports store. More»

Guests offered discounts for surrendering gadgets

(NEWSER) - Travelers who have trouble reaching for the "off" switch on their devices when they go on vacation are getting a helping hand from a growing number of resorts offering "digital detox" packages. Guests who surrender their smartphones and other devices upon checking in are rewarded with discounts and offered low-tech alternatives like books and board games, or gadget-free activities like hiking or meditation, reports the Wall Street Journal . More»

Champagne, butlers, and Maybachs, oh my!

(NEWSER) - To stay at the top of NYC's Four Seasons Hotel, you have to fork over $35,000 a night (no matter who you are—no discounts given). The four-room 4,300 square-foot Ty Warner Penthouse (named for the hotel's owner/Beanie Baby mogul) took 7 years to design and $50 million to construct. So what do your mega bucks get you? The Wall Street Journal takes a look:

• a personal butler on-call 24 hours a day
• unlimited room service (unless you want thousands of dollars of caviar; that's extra)
• living room carpet made of white silk, handmade Venetian silk bedspread, bathroom sinks made of rock crystal

Inventive company unveils design for a 21st-century airship

(NEWSER) - Cruise passengers of the near future could be floating above the Earth in colossal kite-shaped craft if design firm Seymourpowell's plans take off from the drawing board. The firm, whose work was sponsored by Samsung, says its Aircruise concept could someday be a leisurely, environmentally friendly alternative to flying for the luxury traveler, CNN reports. More»