Can you really trust online traveler reviews?

Recently, TripAdvisor.com started placing warning labels next to reviews they thought were "suspicious." Several months ago, there was a flap at TripAdvisor's sister site CruiseCritic -- both of which are owned by Expedia -- when readers learned that a number of "unbiased reviewers" were actually receiving free cruises from Royal Caribbean.

The benefits of a good ranking on these sites are tremendous -- especially when occupancy rates are at record lows. And with consumers paying less attention to conventional advertising and more attention to blogs, user forums, and other social media, marketers are doing everything they can to exploit it.

Oceanfront dining at the end of Malibu Pier.

With balmy sea breezes, creeky timbers covered in creosote, and great views looking back at the beach, an ocean pier is hard to resist.   And where else can you stroll over the sea without even getting your feet wet.

The Malibu Pier, which was closed in 1995 for safety concerns, recently reopened and brought with it several new restaurants.  The Beachcomber Café and Malibu Pier Club on the beach end of the pier have indoor and outdoor dining and cocktails.  To read our post about them visit where to dine surfside in Malibu.

Arts and Crafts in Upstate New York.

Fans of the American Arts and Crafts movement are probably familiar with the Roycrofters -- a community of artists and craftsmen who lived and worked together in upstate New York, around the turn of the century.

Inspired by William Morris, founder Elbert Hubbard started the Roycroft Press when he was unable to find anyone who would publish his journals. Eventually, printers, bookbinders, furniture makers, metal smiths, weavers, and leather workers came to tiny East Aurora to work with Hubbard. And by 1910, more than 500 people were living on the Roycrofters campus.

Image Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpape/