Luxury hotels reshape Okinawa tourism

Travelers looking for a luxury destination in Asia have a new option to add to their itineraries -- Okinawa. 

At first glance, Okinawa appears to have all the makings of a remarkable, subtropical travel experience -- clear waters, top-notch scuba diving, endless beach, UNESCO World Heritage sites and delicious local cuisine.

But while more than 6 million travelers -- the vast majority Japanese -- jet to this island getaway annually, the wealthiest among them have been hard-pressed to find what they’re looking for (if they go at all), starting with a suitable place to sleep.

“Top level accommodation has been sorely lacking,” says Duff Trimble, whose Toronto-based agency Wabi-Sabi Japan customizes vacations for the Louis Vuitton set.

“Tourism on the main island is more geared toward the domestic traveler on a package tour.”

According to Trimble, before 2012, Okinawa had no five-star resorts nor any that could measure up to what’s available in Bali, Thailand or Vietnam.

He says the same problem exists on the smaller of the archipelago’s 160 islands, such as Ishigaki and Iriomote in the Yaeyama chain.

“There are some nice places for backpackers and a few of the same resort-style properties as on the main island, but no high-end, intimate properties that might compare to places our clients have stayed in other countries.”

More on CNN: Okinawa: Which island is for you? 

Red carpet treatment

All that is in the process of changing.

Two hotel groups are now offering travelers with deep pockets luxury Okinawa experiences.

Hoshinoya Okinawa -- brought to you by the same folks who created Hoshinoya Karuizawa and Hoshinoya Kyoto -- is shaking up the traditional ryokan experience by promising “authentic Japan with modern comfort.”

“Okinawa is an area in Japan with a unique culture,” says Yoshiharu Hoshino, president ofHoshino Resort.

“Taketomi is the only island that is successfully preserving the authentic Okinawan culture and housing designs.”

Hoshino first visited the tiny island (it's less than six square kilometers) in 2005 to scout out a location. Once he settled on a 6.5-hectare piece of property, he returned again and again to supervise the building of the 48-villa resort.

“Of course, seeing from the outsider’s eyes, the aesthetic of the island scenery is superb,” says Hoshino. “But talking with residents, I began to realize the people not only take pride in its beautiful scenery, but also in their traditional way of life.”

Respecting tradition

Hoshinoya Okinawa’s architects and designers attempted to reflect this tradition by creating single-level, wooden villas, surrounded by stone walls, topped with red tiles and watched over by lion-dog shiisa guardian statues.

The 46-meter pool is made in the elliptical image of a traditional Taketomi well.

Restaurants put the spotlight on the same high-vegetable, low-fat local cuisine that’s helped Okinawans achieve the world’s longest natural lifespan, one that averages well more than 80 years old.

The library lounge is filled with books about the archipelago and outfitted with a shop selling local arts and crafts.

That Okinawa sunset costs more than it used to.

The hope is that guests, who will pay ¥72,000 (US$815) to ¥78,000 (US$880) a night (meals not included), will immerse themselves in Okinawan culture, and that locals will benefit too.

“Currently, the island population has diminished to 320 people, and with scarce job opportunities people are obliged to move,” says Hoshino.

“This situation made me think of ways to preserve the island’s culture and scenery while maintaining the population, securing job opportunities and nurturing the tourism industry to be profitable with us.”

Ritz-Carlton opens doors

Not to be outdone, Ritz-Carlton opened its own Okinawa property in 2012 on the archipelago's main island.

The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa blends the group's luxury style with local culture.

The property has 97 guest rooms with a view (they'd better, given the ¥45,000/US$510 to ¥450,000/US$5,100 nightly rates), a pool and spa, and it sits next to the Kise Country Club, a championship 18-hole golf course.

More on CNN: Golf in Okinawa

“The Japanese have a long-standing and very strong relationship with the Ritz-Carlton brand through our two world-class hotels in Tokyo and Osaka,” says general manager Jun Yoshie.

“This is a great opportunity for us to further strengthen our position in the country with the introduction of a luxury resort hotel in Okinawa.”

Deep pockets required

And so the race begins in southern Japan to court high-end clients from so-called "accessible luxury" to absolute luxury travelers.

According to the International Luxury Travel Market, tourists with such deep pockets generate 20 percent of the annual global travel revenue, even though they represent only 3 percent of the traveling public.

But hotels need to do more than just offer excellent meals, luxurious linens and opulence. A 2011 report [PDF] by the Horwath HTL group said the rich are more inclined to spend on intimate, personalized and authentic vacations.

“It’s now much more about providing them with insider access to great experiences, and also about how you coordinate and put together those experiences,” says Duff Trimble. “It’s how you connect the dots that really makes the difference between a high-quality trip or not.”

More on CNN: Mesmerized by Okinawa's dramatic underground caves

Trimble said he’s certain The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa will do well in Okinawa. He also has high praise for the Hoshinoya group.

“They’re one of the few Japanese companies making a concerted effort to promote to the outside world, and to the luxury market,” he said “They get it. They totally know what they’re doing.”

Getting there: All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines fly daily from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Okinawa's capitaal of Naha, with connecting flights to other islands in the archipelago. 

http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/visit/luxury-lands-okinawa-last-501296

Which U.S. city has the best airport?

 In the battle over which are the best and worst U.S. airports, Atlanta has come out on top.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the best U.S. airport for travelers with a connecting flight, according to a recent Travel Leaders Group survey of its agents. Atlanta also came out on top for dining, amenities and business traveler services.

"Major airports have transformed considerably in the last decade to accommodate the shift in the amount of time travelers spend there," said Barry Liben, CEO of Travel Leaders Group, in a press statement. "More amenities have been added to appeal to travelers -- and in many cases, to occupy their time -- while they wait for their flights."

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was rated as the worst domestic airport for travelers with connecting flights. At least business travelers can keep busy between transfers: O'Hare came in second in services for business travelers.

Traveling with a child? Given its role transporting families to Disney World and other theme parks, it's no surprise that Orlando International Airport ranked as the best domestic airport for people traveling with kids.

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport didn't do too badly, either. The biggest airport in the friendly state of Minnesota came in second place for dining, amenities and keeping kids busy. And the Charlotte (North Carolina) Douglas International Airport came in second for ease in connecting flights.

The survey of 930 Travel Leaders Group owners, managers and other travel experts in the United States was conducted in November and December.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/29/travel/best-and-worst-us-airports/index.html

Teen who performed at Obama inaugural events shot dead in Chicago

A teen who performed at events around President Barack Obama's inauguration was shot to death in Chicago this week, and now her story has become part of the debate in Washington over gun violence nationwide.

The shooting death of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton came up in a U.S. Senate hearing and a White House press briefing Wednesday.

"She was an honor student and a majorette," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois. Performing at inaugural events last week "was the highlight of her young, 15-year-old life," he said.

Speaking at Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence, Durbin mentioned Pendleton's death as he argued that more must be done to stop gun crimes.

Giffords: 'Too many children dying'

"Yesterday, in a rainstorm after school, she raced to a shelter. A gunman came in and shot her dead," he said. "Just a matter of days after the happiest day of her life, she's gone."

The park shelter where she was shot is just a mile from Obama's home in Chicago.

White House spokesman Jay Carney described her death as a "terrible tragedy."

"The president has more than once, when he talks about gun violence in America, referred not just to the horror of Newtown or Aurora or Virginia Tech or Oak Creek but to shootings on the corner in Chicago or other parts of the country," Carney told reporters. "And this is just another example of the problem we need to deal with."

2013 has gotten off to a deadly start in Chicago -- Pendleton was the year's 42nd murder victim. No arrests have been made in the case, police said Wednesday.

In 2012, 506 people were slain in the city.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel described Pendleton Wednesday as "what's best in our city, a child going to school who takes a final exam, who had just been to the inaugural."

"We have a responsibility to see a stop to this," he said. "And all of us are responsible."

Pendleton was shot just blocks away from her high school on the south side of Chicago, CNN affiliate WGN reported.

LaPierre, the NRA's heavyweight

Police told CNN affiliates that the teenager had no gang affiliation and likely was not the intended target.

"There has to be an end to it. It's just too much. The children cannot go to school. They're in fear," Bonita O'Bannion, who lives in the area where the shooting occurred, told CNN affiliate WBBM.

Carney said the president and first lady's thoughts and prayers are with Pendleton's family.

"And as the president said, we will never be able to eradicate every act of evil in this country," Carney said, "but if we can save even one child's life, we have an obligation to try when it comes to the scourge of gun violence."

How the violent mentally ill can buy guns

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/30/justice/illinois-teen-shot/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Canadian Found Dead, Tied to Tree in Mexico

A man from British Columbia who went missing in Mexico last month has been found dead. According to Mexican media reports, his body was found tied to a tree in the beach town of Barra de Navidad, located north of Manzanillo. His neck was reportedly tied to the tree with a belt and his hands were bound with tape.

The victim, Ron Lloyd MacKintosh, was a 64-year-old retiree from Nanaimo, B.C. He had moved to Mexico two years ago, and had been a long-time visitor to the country prior to making the move.

The hunt for MacKintosh began on Oct. 22, when his common-law wife reported him missing. He was last seen in Melaque, a town near Barra de Navidad, where he had driven a friend home; his car hasn’t been found.

This is the third Canadian death in Mexico this year. Another British Columbia native, 67-year-old Robin Wood, was also killed in Melaque this year, during a home invasion in January. The second death was Duane Joseph Lang of Regina, who was murdered in an apartment in Puerto Vallarta back in August.

It’s been a horrific past few years for Canadians in Mexico. In addition to the three deaths this year, a woman had to have facial reconstruction after she was attacked in a resort in Mazatlan earlier this year.

In 2010, another B.C. man who had moved to Mexico was killed in Puerto Vallarta, and a Quebec man was found in the trunk of a burned rental car in the state of Guerrero.

In February of this year, 22 Carnival Cruise tourists were robbed at gunpoint while on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta. No one was injured.

http://www.travelandescape.ca/2012/11/canadian-found-dead-tied-to-tree-in-mexico/

11 of Europe's most bizarre buildings

Bizarre is in the eye of the beholder.

With modern architecture, that can mean just about anything.

Some of the extraordinary edifices above were designed to entice a reaction -- contemporary museums and exhibition centers come to mind -- while others astound by their mere existence.

The most controversial are the buildings inspired by whimsy; designed by architects with free rein to exercise their creative impulses on ordinary spaces.

Whether you consider the buildings above awe-inspiring in their architectural complexity or hideous monstrosities, there's no question they capture your attention.

Inspirational, intriguing or visually grating? What do you make of our selection of buildings above? Let us know your favorite bizarre buildings.

Europe's hottest destinations for 2013

Where to see the buildings

1. Atomium: Atomiumsquare B1020, Brussels; +32 (0) 2 475 47 77; open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; www.atomium.be

2. The Banknote Building: Taikos str. 88a, Kaunas, Lithuania (office building); www.1000lt.com

3. Casa Mila: Provença, 261-265. 08008, Barcelona; +34 934 84 59 00 ; open November 5-February 28: daily, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., March 1-November 4, daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; www.lapedrera.com

4. Castel Meur: Brittany, auto route D25, 29260 Kernouës, France. (Private residence not open to public)

5. Dali Theatre-Museum: Plaza Gala-Salvador Dalí, 5 17600, Figueres, Spain; +34 972 67 75 00; open November 1-February 28, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., March 1-June 30, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., July 1-September 30, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Mondays; www.salvador-dali.org

6. Nationale-Nederlanden Building: Rašínovo Nábřeží 80, 120 00 Prague 2. (It's an office building and not open to the public, but there's a restaurant/bar on the top two floors, details here.)

7. Futuroscope: Avenue du Téléport (avenue René Monory), 86360, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France; +33 (0) 549 493 080; opening times vary, check website for dates and times;futuroscope.com

8. Guggenheim Bilbao: Avenida Abandoibarra, 2 48001, Bilbao, Spain; +34 (0) 944 35 90 80; Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.;www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

9. Krzywy Domek: ul. Haffnera 6, 81-717 Sopot, Poland; +48 (0) 58 55 55 125; krzywydomek.info

10. Kunsthaus Graz Museum: Lendkai 1, 8020 Graz, Austria; +43 316/8017-9200; open Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;www.museum-joanneum.at

11. Eden Project: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall, UK; +44 (0) 1726 811911; opening times vary, check website for dates and times;www.edenproject.com

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/18/travel/europe-bizarre-buildings/index.html?iref=obinsite

Finding God on your travels

World-class museums and historic monuments get top priority from many travelers. But for some of us, there's something equally fascinating -- and sometimes much more so -- about visiting houses of worship, even when they represent beliefs that aren't our own.

"But I'm not into organized religion," you might say. You don't have to be religious to appreciate a visit to a place others consider sacred. Even if you're not specifically seeking the religious aspect of worship, there's something special about thoughtfully witnessing and observing someone else's faith in action. So why not get a spiritual boost by checking out houses of worship when you're on the road?

"A lot of the richness in life comes from getting outside your own skin and experiencing the world beyond what you know and understand. If you open yourself up, you can have such experiences," says Stuart M. Matlins, co-editor with Arthur J. Magida of "How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook." The book shares easy-to-understand background on faith traditions ranging from Baptist to Buddhist, Jewish to Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists to Sikhs.

"Typically, the way you are received depends on the way you behave," says Matlins, who also is the founder of Jewish Lights Publishing and SkyLight Paths Publishing. He and wife, Antoinette, co-founded a Reform synagogue in Woodstock, Vermont, where Matlins served as lay spiritual leader for 19 years.

"I've never found a place where I was not welcome. The larger the place, the more likely they are to be welcoming of strangers, whether it's a mosque, a synagogue or a church. That's why I did this book -- if you know the basics of what's going to happen during the worship or the ritual, you're less fearful of embarrassing yourself and intruding in the space of others."

When I'm traveling abroad -- but also when I'm visiting American cities -- I often get up on Sunday mornings and attend some Christian service. I enjoy the religious aspect of worship, but it's also about savoring local culture in one of its most authentic forms. And when you're on the road alone, as I often am, these communal experiences offer the solo traveler a sense of belonging for an hour or two.

When previous reporting jobs took me to Manhattan, I'd go uptown to Harlem to visit Abyssinian Baptist Church, one of the nation's oldest African-American Baptist congregations. And I was hardly alone. Every week, groups of tourists from around the world do the same -- but in such huge numbers that the church specifically addresses first-time visitors by making clear its worship "is not a gospel performance or entertainment of any kind."

Abyssinian now has a tourist entry point where folks must queue for first-come, first-served seats at its 11 a.m. service only. And tourist or not, tank tops, flip-flops and shorts are not allowed.

What's most important to remember, says Matlins, is that even though you're a tourist, visiting a functioning house of worship is notjust like walking through a museum.

Regardless of the place's faith tradition, he says, "You're sharing a very special moment with people, and be aware of that. The key thing is to open yourself to the experience so you are not just an observer, even though you are not a participant. You enter a space where you're not participant or tourist, but as one might say, you're in the moment."

But how do you know if worshippers at, say, a Muslim mosque or a Buddhist or Hindu temple will welcome you?

Francis X. Clooney, the director of the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard, has found Hindu temples to be fluid places where "smaller and larger rites" take place during the day, not always according to a fixed schedule. But if one is welcomed in, usually one is welcomed for the worship that is in progress."

When in doubt, he suggests "checking in advance, or at least at the door before entering."

Adds Matlins: "If you know people who live in that place, ask them if they can take you to their house of worship, or where they know you would be welcome. I did that in Lahore, Pakistan. I had the same concerns, but we were meeting with someone who was a very religiously involved Muslim.

"I told him of my interest in attending service at a mosque. He said he would be happy to take me." But Matlins has also wandered alone into a Hindu temple in Singapore and Buddhist temples in Japan, which many tourists do.

Of course, it never hurts to do some research before you go, checking out books and websites that offer insight into the cultures and faith traditions you hope to see up close.

For folks seeking out Christian experiences close to home or on the other side of the world, the Mystery Worshipper website offers about 2,000 candid, sometimes tongue-in-cheek reviews of church services around the globe. Its volunteer mystery worshippers drop in and serve up details on everything from sermon length to the comfort of the pews to the warmth of members' welcome.

And it's the friendliness-factor details that give travelers a measure of comfort and behind-the-scenes intel when visiting these places, from massive St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Fiji.

Curious, open-minded travelers also shouldn't let their lack of a personal faith stop them from dropping into houses of worship.

"They don't have to be a gourmet to appreciate a good meal," Matlins reasons. "And you don't have to be a person of faith to appreciate the beauty and passion of a religious experience. It is in a way like theater -- part of the experience is to suspend disbelief, literally."

Thinking about stopping into a living, breathing house of worship on your next trip? Matlins and Clooney suggest keeping these things in mind, regardless of the place's faith tradition:

Be respectful. "You are in a place that is special and holy to other people," Matlins says. "Dress and behave appropriately so you do not disturb their sense of the specialness and holiness of the place."

Pay attention. You want to "be sensitive to what is expected of the visitor -- either to hold back, or to participate more fully," says Clooney. "Being too forward or too passive may both be offensive." Also, "be careful to note where and how far into the space one is welcome. Some areas are more sacred than others."

Follow along. Observe "the customs of the community -- removing shoes, covering heads, the segregation of men and women, talking or not, taking photos or not, in accord with custom," says Clooney.

Listen with your "third ear." "You may not understand the language," says Matlins, "but you can hear the feelings if you open yourself up to them."

Sit in the back. Not only does it keep you from appearing intrusive, but it can minimize any innocent missteps. Suggests Matlins: "Do what you see other people do, unless it violates the tenets of your own faith."

Who knows, perhaps through these spiritual experiences you'll discover what so many travelers find: Despite people's very real differences across nationalities, cultures and faiths, it's what they share in common that matters.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/22/travel/faith-visits-travel/index.html?iref=obinsite

2022: Cheap flights, more rail and hands-free cars

Fliers, drivers and rail riders, heads up: the next 10 years will dramatically transform America's traveling landscape.

Get ready to share the road with driverless, computer-controlled cars. Prepare to join millions of travelers who will start riding trains to nearby cities. Expect to be nickel-and-dimed (even more) by the airlines. Don't be surprised to see sleek new airline designs that run cleaner and burn less fuel, thanks to new materials and innovative technology.

In the air, the trend toward low-cost airlines and so-called "a la carte" pricing will likely become the accepted norm, as fliers finally accept a business model that reminds us: nothing is free and everything costs. By 2022, say experts, the consumer war over having to pay for every airline perk and option from pillows to snacks to window seats to legroom will be over.

Number crunchers will win. Grumblers will lose.

"It's the unbundling of services," said airline analyst Mike Miller. "Passengers are choosing the airlines that have the most fees, most often. These carriers are the most profitable and the most full."

More flight time for co-pilots?

787 Dreamliner airplane takes off

Southwest Airlines looks toward future

Driverless car now legal in California

Opponents fear the new hyper-itemized normal will create a group of "super elite" passengers who are treated very differently than the rest of us. More on that later.

On the ground, we'll see amazing technological strides in the development of self-driving cars during the next decade. But America's roads and bridges will continue to suffer from much needed repairs, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. But hey, at least we'll be able to multitask while our cars are dodging potholes.

Across the nation's sprawling rail lines, experts anticipate several states from coast to coast will continue investing in trains that connect regional cities. And the future looks bright, analysts say, for the nation's urban light rail and tramway systems. We'll get to that in a minute.

First, let's use four quick stats to remind ourselves what a big deal the transportation industry is:

Planes: By 2022, the FAA predicts more than a billion U.S. airline passengers.

Cars and trucks: Washington says registered passenger vehicles number above 250 million (for perspective, the entire U.S. population numbers more than 312 million).

Trains: Amtrak ridership set an all-time record this year: more than 31 million passengers.

The 'race to the bottom'

Prospects for the airline industry look good, but still, some experts are worried.

Airline consumer expert Brett Snyder of crankyflier.com fears continued success of low-cost carriers could hurt consumers in the long run. Low-cost airlines are growing fast and raking in big profits by charging ultra-cheap fares while nickel-and-diming passengers to pay for even the most basic extras.

Europe's RyanAir offers an extreme example. The airline's CEO has talked about charging his passengers to use on-board toilets and creating standing-room-only sections on some flights.

Apparently this matters: Airplane seat belts

Go inside Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner

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How efficient is Japanese rail?

California high-speed rail to nowhere?

The danger, said Miller, is creating two types of fliers: the "haves" -- "super-elite frequent fliers who get everything" -- and the "have-nots" -- passengers in economy "who get nothing."

That business model sounds familiar, said Miller, of the American Aviation Institute. "CEOs are earning more money than ever and the average wage is not going up. Now we're seeing that mirrored by airline service. That's a little troubling because the coach passenger seems to be always getting less."

By 2022, fliers will likely have accepted the idea that they must pay fees for every perk and service which, a generation earlier, was included in passenger fares.

Snyder is a fan of extreme low-cost carriers like RyanAir, but in general, he doesn't want to see the entire industry using that model. He believes passengers want choices and, to some degree, a la carte provides that. It's a system that allows passengers to choose the services they want. Some fliers may not be able to get their heads around it because they're stuck in the past.

"A lot of people who don't like this trend have in their minds the way it used to be," said Snyder. "They think that's how it should be."

If the low-cost model becomes the standard for success, Snyder warns, other airlines seeking profits will follow, triggering a "race to the bottom," as every airline tries to "slash and burn costs and do everything they can to make more money by cutting back. I think that would be really unfortunate."

Denver-based Frontier Airlines "is the hope for the future," said Snyder. "They're trying to become a low-cost carrier, but they have more amenities on board, although you do have to pay for them, such as live TV and extra legroom. They're trying to offer a bit more to people."

Expect more air passengers to demand Wi-Fi and personalized entertainment choices in the coming years. Airlines may provide access to movies stored on a digital media server aboard the aircraft, or, a third-party website where passengers can watch video now or later after they de-plane. Power outlets for personal devices ought to become standard on all passenger seats, say experts, not just in first class.

But some choices, such as seating, shouldn't be limited to all or nothing. Regular carriers, say analysts, should offer more "in-between choices," like Delta's Economy Comfort or United's Economy Plus, with more legroom and other amenities for a few dollars extra.

The coming 10 years will also affect airports. Some larger markets are developing additional airports which will ease traffic congestion. But smaller cities may be at risk. Many regional airlines may abandon some small towns, as tiny airports get squeezed by rising fuel prices and shrinking profits.

What can pilots expect? Changes in federal rules will require additional and more expensive training for new pilots, many of whom will earn a starting salary of about $20,000 a year, said Miller. Experts fear the result will be a temporary shortage of airline pilots, which might force airlines to take on the cost of pilot training. That expense likely would be passed on to consumers.

Related: U.S. pilots find higher pay overseas

New equipment

On the bright side, the coming decade will bring more fuel efficient aircraft. Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner started U.S. routes this month.

Boeing Dreamliner makes domestic debut

Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier's much anticipated CSeriesboasts a variable speed, multi-gear engine that aims to save 20% more fuel than its competitors. The first CSeries plane is expected to begin service in 2014.

But what about a little further down the road? At NASA, experts asked a handful of top aircraft designers for their ideas on green airplanes of the future.

Firms like Lockheed Martin offered cool box-shaped wing designs while Boeing and Northrop Grumman played with fascinating "flying wings." Although the NASA program was really just an idea-sharing brainstorming project, some of these futuristic design ideas could very well make the jump to reality by 2025 NASA said, if economic conditions allow.

Whether fuel savings from efficient airliners will be passed on to consumers in the next 10 years depends on a lot of factors. It's possible, said experts, as long as passenger traffic is high and fuel prices are stable.

Letting go of the wheel

California and Nevada have passed laws authorizing driverless or self-driving vehicles, signaling the beginning of a new era.

These computer-controlled cars and trucks are coming, whether or not we feel comfortable about it. The idea is to allow computers to coordinate the safest and most efficient speed and route for each car, thereby reducing wrecks and traffic jams. Nevada and California require the cars to have a human behind the wheel who can take control of the vehicle at any time.

In five years or less, non-experimental self-driving cars are expected to hit California's public roads, says driverless car developer Google. Computer-coordinated vehicles could help cut the estimated 4.2 billion hours Americans spend each year stuck in traffic, according to the society of engineers. All that time costs $710 per driver.

Volvo is working with the European Union on what it calls Road Trains, several self-driving cars connected and coordinated by a wireless signal from a lead vehicle, which is driven by a human. The idea aims to cut highway congestion and save fuel. Bottom line: fewer traffic jams, less pollution, cheaper travel. Road Trains could hit Europe's highways as soon as 2022, according to the European Union.

Related: California legalizes self-driving cars

For Volvo scientist Jonas Ekmark, the driverless era began when he was testing the Road Train. He remembers what it felt like the first time he took his hands off the wheel, effectively putting a computer in the driver's seat.

That was really a strange experience.Jonas Ekmark, technical expert active safety, Volvo

"That was really a strange experience," Ekmark recalled with a chuckle. "I let go and then after 30 seconds I was like, 'and now what?'"

Eventually he felt comfortable enough to take his eyes off the road to read and answer e-mail on his smartphone. "After a while you adapt to it and you feel like you're on an aircraft or a bus or something."

Reading e-mail while sitting in the driver's seat may be safe enough, said Ekmark, but sleeping is probably not a good option.

If something goes wonky during a Road Train trip, the system triggers a very loud alarm along with a "quite strong vibration" in the driver's seat. The driver then has about 10 seconds to take control of the vehicle and leave the Road Train.

Road Trains could be a safe stepping stone toward the day when all cars are autonomously self-driven and not reliant on a lead vehicle, Ekmark said.

Rail riders

Americans are increasingly embracing train travel. Need proof? More passengers rode Amtrak this year than ever before in its 41-year history, the train company said. And there's no reason to believe the trend won't continue, say experts.

Better rail service and increased funding offers America its best chance in generations to get off the highways and get on the rails, according to analysts.

Regional inter-city rail systems in California, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia and elsewhere have been invigorated by 2009's federal stimulus legislation, said transportation expert Yonah Freemark, who runs TransportPolitic.com.

"Those investments are going to be built out and people are going to see better service on inter-city rail lines across the country," he said." And you'll see increasing ridership." That's good news for the nation's energy situation. Rail travel uses 20% less energy than traveling by car, according to the ASCE.

Still, U.S. train ridership ranks very low compared with other nations. The number of passengers on Amtrak and commuter rail total about 500 million a year, Freemark said. Compare that to the United Kingdom, a country five times smaller than the United States, which counted 1.35 billion rail riders last year. Other nations where railroads carry more than a billion passengers a year include Germany, India, China, France, Russia and South Korea, according to the International Union of Railways.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/travel/future-travel/index.html?iid=article_sidebar