Entries by Erin De Santiago (poohstanggt)

Since I am in Bologna, Italy this week for the BlogVille project, I thought I'd look at what recommendations our well-traveled TravBuddy community have on the best things to see and do in the region.

I've only been here for less than two full days and I can already understand why many people refer to Bologna as Italy's best kept secret. The city has all the magic you see and read about with regards to Italian culture and history, but its less frenzied pace makes it so much more welcoming. I am already sad at the thought of leaving next week.

Not surprisingly, it's not one of the most well-traveled regions in Italy as far as TravBuddies are concerned, but a number of our members have been and written about the wealth of things there are to do in the region.

Here's a quick look at a few of the recommended activities in Bologna as reviewed by TravBuddies to date.

Today, I am headed off on a pretty exciting adventure I hope to share with our TravBuddy community over the coming weeks – I am taking part in a special blogging project called BlogVille, sponsored by the Emilia Romagna Tourism Board in Italy.

Instead of hosting a traditional press trip for travel writers/bloggers that sees a pre-determined number of people placed in a hotel, the tourism board has rented a “bloggers apartment” where we will cycle in and out. And rather than have everyone attend the same day trips no matter what their blogging specialty or niche is, we are free to experience slow travel and see parts of Italy that many tourists might otherwise skip.

The advantage of being located in a residential area means we will try coffee shops, restaurants, and experience life in the same manner someone living in the region does. It is a bit scary for me as my Italian is pretty non-existent and it’s been nearly five years since I have been to Italy. I am thankful to have my blogging partner and a group of writers I can get advice from – one benefit of not being the first blogger arriving!

While it's exciting to explore big cities filled with more things to do than you can fit in over a year, sometimes it is nice to just escape and do nothing...absolutely nothing. Laying on a beach reading a book, or, in my case, working on the laptop, is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy a little tropical relaxation, Belize offers some of the best hideaways and beachfront resorts. One of these is the Victoria House Resort located on the island of Ambergris Caye.

The Victoria House is a luxury resort located about two miles south of the island's main town of San Pedro. The resort has received numerous awards and accolades over the years from prestigious sources like Conde Nast Traveler, Conde Nast Johansens, and Travel + Leisure. And for reality TV fans, you may even recognize it from the most recent season of ABC's The Bachelor with Ben and Courtney, or the ultimate in romance reality -- Gene Simmons proposing to Shannon Tweed on the Victoria House dock in A&E's Family Jewels.

Spring is in full-swing and it's time for many to come out of hibernation and start their warm weather travel routines. April has already been an interesting news month filled with earthquakes, tornadoes, storms, and some other natural disasters plaguing different parts of the world.

Moving away from those sorts of news alerts and topics, last week was an interesting week in travel news -- some stories that might make you smile, while others just make you shake your head.

Here's a roundup of a couple headlines from last week's travel news.

Japan to Start Random Body Searches

If you've traveled within Japan, you know that immigration and customs can be lengthy processes, especially in Tokyo. Starting in June, you might want to allow a little extra time to your check in as Japan airports are going to start random body searches and luggage checks. They will be selecting about 10% of passengers at all airports with international flights for a body search and baggage check.

The Kyodo news agency cited transport ministry sources who say the reinforced procedures are expected to deter explosives and weapons that metal detectors do not pick up. There are weapons and explosives making it through security now?

Good news for budget travelers hoping to get to Japan -- in addition to Jetstar Japan and AirAsia Japan Co starting flights to and from Tokyo in 2012, there is news that the busiest hub in Japan will get a dedicated low cost terminal.

By 2015, Tokyo Narita International Airport will be home to a dedicated facility to house all the incoming and outgoing low cost traffic. Currently, Terminal 2 will accept low-cost carrier flights originating from an international destination while domestic flights will be routed to a temporary facility near Terminal 2.

One of the biggest issues flying in and out of Tokyo's Narita Airport is the insanely expensive airport fees. Bloomberg reports that Narita charges $5,632 in landing fees and other costs for handing an Airbus SAS A320 with a three-hour turnaround. In contrast, Seoul Incheon costs $2,983, Beijing $2,149, and Hong Kong is only $1,807.