Well what do you know:  This spring, Americans are going places 

Hooray! Americans are leaving their recession mentality behind and getting ready to travel agan. According to a new AOL survey, 72 percent of respondents said that, compared with last year, they have more (31percent) or the same amount (41 percent) of money to spend on spring travel. What's more:
 
* More than  60 percent of travelers are spending between $500 and $2,000 on their spring outings.
 *  Sixty-one percent of women are planning to spend less than $1,000, while just 42 percent of men are.
 *  With less than two months until spring break season, 75% of travelers had yet to book their flights, though 57 percent had chosen their destination.
 *  75 percent of travelers plan to stay within the United States, with sunny Florida being the top destination. (Pictured: Miami Beach.)
 *  Eighty percent of those surveyed will travel more than 250 miles and 58 percent will travel more than 500 miles.

Trivial question

What city is nicknamed The City of Saints? (Answer somewhere below.) 

Haven't had enough snow? Where to find more

Snowlink.com, the website of SnowSports Industries America, has plenty of tips on where to go and how to get started,  along safety tips, gear and  fashion information, resorts info, and a photo gallery of the hottest trends. Myself, I'll take warm places without a speck of snow.

Fascinating fact

The greatest snowfall in North America within 24 hours occurred in Silver Lake Colo. A grand total of 76 inches  fell on April 14-15, 1921.

Golf card means savings in the Poconos

Several of the more than 35 golf courses in the area will participate in Pocono Mountains Golf-Around Card, which will provide discounted greens fees throughout the 2011 season. Cards can be purchased later this spring for $40 at participating courses, with  rounds based on availability. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau plans to unveil the card in March. Visit www.poconosgolf.com.

Worth quoting

“The major advantage of domestic travel is that, with a few exceptions such as Miami, most domestic locations are conveniently situated right here in the United States.” -- Dave Barry

There's nothing rough about six new Rough Guides

Not everyone relies on their smartphones when deciding what to see and where to go. The popular Pocket Rough Guides has released six new volumes for London, Paris, Barcelona, New York, Prague and Rome. The books, a little bigger than pocket size actually, tell what's hot and what's not, detail the sites and give advice on where to eat, drink and stay. And inside the back covers, you'll find pullout maps. If, on the other hand, you are into smartphone apps, Rough Guides has them, too. Visit www.roughguides.com.

Trivial answer

Salt Lake City is nicknamed The City of Saints. (And you thought it was New Orleans.)