Spring 2012
Hot Off the Press
Photo: Piyatat Hemmatat

  A few weeks ago, a clutch of avid film-goers experienced their own cinematic moment: Amidst the rocky shoreline of Yao Noi, Thailand, the group was delivered by boat to a auditorium floating in the middle of a quiet lagoon. The event was organized by  Film on the Rocks Yao Noi, a nascent film festival. The Archipelago Cinema, a large raft built out of recycled materials by architect Ole Scheeren, was one of the festival's three unusual cinema locations. Attendees this year were limited to an exclusive guest list, but we're hoping it will be open to avid travelers in the years to come. Info via Fast Co.

Ireland from $999

  

Book one of TourCrafters' small-group, exclusive tours now and save $200 or more on the discounted departures. Think fast: the 7-day/6-night Small-Group Escorted Ireland Tour normally starting at $1,099 is $999 if booked before April 15. Get the specifics at tourcrafters.it.

$400 Savings on Tour of China
Beijing
Image c/o http://chinaspree.com

China Spree, the tour operator known for "first-class travel at bargain prices," is offering a discount of $400 on its 10-night China Highlights tour.  Among the highlights are Beijing; historic Xian and its terracotta warriors; Guilin; Shanghai; Suzhou; and Tongli. The tour, with the  discount, costs $2,599 from San Francisco ($300 more from New York) during April and May. For more details, visit chinaspree.com

Six Nights in Italy from $1,399 
Image c/o sceptretours.com

Sceptre Tours is heading to Italy this fall. The tour includes highlights in Rome, Venice, and Florence; $1399 includes air for one and a week-long car rental. Other Italy tours include a twelve-night Italy adventure by motorcoach. More info at sceptretours.com.

About Let's Travel!
Let's Travel! Radio  

Let's Travel! is a radio show and website that gives visitors and listeners the insider's take on travel. Come explore the world of travel and culture with us at www.letstravelradio.com.  

The Tattler, radio show and website are produced by Susi Raphael and Michael Zufolo.

Cool Refuge

Image c/o Maxim Popov

If ice caves aren't enough of a reason to visit Iceland's Vatnajoekull National Park, a series of 250-year-old Lakag�gar ('Laki craters') should be. Camping, hiking, and guided tours are also available. More info at vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is.

Skaftafell National Park was established in 1967, but it merged with Vatnaj�ekull National Park in 2008. Complete with glaciers, ice caves (pictured below), and Iceland's highest peak, this section of the park is sure to keep visitors intrigued. For guided tours of Iceland, including a Nothern Lights tour, visit sagatravel.is.

Image c/o thecoolhunter.net

Wacky Waterpark

Image c/o waterpark.water-cube.com
The last time we saw the Beijing National Swimming pool, it was 2008, and the pool was filled with Olympic swimmers. Nowadays, the pool is filled with swimmers of a different sort: it's since been transformed into an indoor, futuristic water park. Like most parks, it features slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. But its Olympic history, as well as its whimsical design and year-round temperature regulation, make the Happy Magic Water Park unique, to say the least. More info at waterpark.water-cube.com/.

The Library

Image c/o tablethotels.com

This Tablet hotel is all about minimalism. Located on the Thai island of Koh Samui, The Library boasts a stark white interior with modern furniture and a private beach to make visitors feel exclusive. Yet, this getaway's got more than sand and waves: its beach-front reading room stocked with books and videos allows guests to soothe (and expand) their minds while they relax. Tablet.com has details.

Soft Side

Credit: Dan Jung / The Chronicle

"I would never have guessed how sensitive elephants can be," confessed Tiffany Adams of New York in a New York Times' spotlight. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand gives visitors a chance to feed, bathe, and learn about over a dozen resident elephants who have been rescued (and, by the way, are endangered). Not your idea of a vacation? The park is more than just a beastly venture; it's committed to the cultural preservation of the local community as well as replanting rain forest trees. Find more info at elephantnaturepark.org.