Travel News at In Transit

If you're looking for the latest news on airlines, hotels, special events and other travel-related topics, check out http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/ This blog offers detailed information that may be of use if you enjoy being on the leading edge of travel, among the first to try a new hotel, restaurant, or event.

The blog used to have a budget section, but that appears to have ended in 2010. The current edition of the blog includes information on the introduction of recking chairs to help passengers relax at several Finnish airports, not including Helsinki. I have tried the rocking chairs at the Charlotte NC airport, and enjoyed them.

You can also learn about the Berlin Jazz Festival later this fall, and about Best Western's new hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. According to the Times, Saudi is one country that is currently enjoying a tourist boom, particularly for religious pilgrimages. Unfortunately, Mecca is not on the list of cities in Saudi Arabia where non-Muslims can go.

Earlier posts on this blog referred to a free museum day held across the United States under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution in late September. I could not determine whether the day will be held again this year, but check the Smithsonian's Website at www.si.edu. later this month.