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A worldwide search has been launched in a bid to offer a VIP ticket to the boy who inspired Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson’s commercial spaceflight company. Speaking at the launch, Sir Richard claimed it was a conversation in 1988 with a young boy named Shihan Musafer on the BBC children’s show ‘Going Live!’ that inspired him to register the Virgin Galactic name.
A trip to space with Virgin Galactic currently costs US$250,000 (£149,000) but the company says that so far more than 700 aspiring astronauts have booked a seat to the stars. Can you help Virgin Galactic with their mission to find Shihan? Tweet@richardbranson and @virgingalactic using the #shihanmusafer hashtag.
This week, TripAdvisor announced the top destinations for 2014, based on millions of user reviews. The list makes for fascinating reading and will almost certainly have you pining for your next holiday. The compilation spans all four corners of the globe – so the question may not be which to visit, but which to visit first. It’s good news for the UK – our fine capital takes a respectable bronze medal, with Rome and Istanbul taking silver and gold respectively.
Ever fancied a job in travel photography? Well perhaps Instagram is the place to start. Globe trotter Lauren Bath has funded her world travels by uploading her snaps onto Instagram. From Manta Rays in Fiji to baby turtles in Queensland, Lauren has an extensive collection of destination photographs. With over 350,000 Instagram followers it was only a matter of time before she gained a global reputation for producing perfect snaps. She is now able to travel the world, thanks to travel brands who want the super star photographer to capture their destination. Next stop New Zealand…
A journalism student at the University of Missouri has found a direct link between Twitter usage and levels of divorce and separation. Spending too long micro blogging could lead to a rise in arguments with your partner or even cheating. Richard Clayton who conducted the study of 581 people aged between 18 to 67 advises couples to only use the social networking site moderately. The study was based on previous research conducted on the links between Facebook and jealousy.
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Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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