Home
Samsonite
 

Newsflash

Animal-Loving Traveling Seniors Can Stay For Free!


As hotel rates continue to jump from grossly overpriced to outright robbery,  many savvy seniors look for other options when they roam. There’s airbnb.com, where you can find private city and beachside homes that rent out to traveling families for $100 a night. They include several bedrooms, kitchens, pools and other comforts that would cost a family of four $600 nightly and more.

Along with Airbnb’s growing success, a similar service is now available, named TrustedHousesitters, It requires guest travelers to take care of the homeowner’s pets during their stay. There’s no charge by the homeowner, but it involves an annual, one-time membership fee. It’s $119 each for the homeowner and the visitor.  For $148, you can sign up as both homeowner and visitor.

Airline food: Does jet noise make it taste yukky? PDF Print E-mail

air passenger meal

Do loud sounds while you dine bother you? According to a Unilever study, noises produced by aircraft engines take away the appetite of passengers when meals are served in the air. They also state that knowing the food is pre-frozen and microwaved doesn’t help, either.

In the experiments, blindfolded diners ate while simulated aircraft noises were broadcast at low frequency and then up to very loud. The results were that the noises were distracting, and the food didn’t seem as tasty. Researchers said the meals were more appreciated when soft music was played.

So, next time you fly, and the meal in the air isn’t so great, don’t blame the airline chef. Put on your earphones and listen to music instead of the engines. Maybe that’s why they have strolling violinists at the fanciest restaurants on the ground.

 
 
Stay in-the-know about the latest Sports, Life, Money, Tech, and Travel stories. You'll get your first 2 months of USA TODAY for $25 (charged monthly). All print subscribers receive the e-Newspaper included with their subscription.