Travel Tonic

Bringing you what’s new in travel for December 15th 2009 through December 16th 2009:

• Holiday scenes in NYC – Kate Appleton recently posted this on This Just In… Newsweek's Travel Blog:
  

  Click the image to launch the slide show. (Joshua Paul)
• Paris Treat Dec. 16: Chestnuts roasting in an open market – Meg Zimbeck recently posted this on This Just In… Newsweek's Travel Blog:

  It's especially difficult now to find treats in Paris because of the weakened buying power of the dollar in France.

• Best Reader Comments of 2009 – Smarter Travel has posted some info about frequent flyer programs: We've rounded up the best reader comments of the year, with tips and suggestions on everything from packing to saving money to frequent flyer programs.

  Head over to www.smartertravel.com to read the whole article.

• How To Rebook If You’re Flying During British Airways’ Two-Week Strike –
• Book a CityPass now for extended validity – Amy Chen recently posted this on This Just In… Newsweek's Travel Blog:

  CityPass booklets can save you big bucks at aquariums, museums, and other attractions—if you manage to use up all the coupons before they expire. This holiday season in particular, the passes make excellent stocking stuffers because the typical nine-day validity period has been extended for up to 76 days in the following areas: New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, and Hollywood.

• San Francisco: A list of gifts for foodies – JD Rinne recently posted this on This Just In… Newsweek's Travel Blog:
  

  San Francisco's Ferry Building (Courtesy Linda Nelson/myBudgetTravel)
• Are you swapping loyalty points for holiday gift items? – Brad Tuttle recently posted this on This Just In… Newsweek's Travel Blog:

  Several hotel companies have recently reported a significant rise in the number of loyalty members redeeming points for things like iPods, pearl earrings, binoculars, and Wii videogame consoles.