If you haven’t heard of Stardew Valley, then you must not have logged into your Steam account lately. Released in late February, the game is a love letter to the Harvest Moon series and has already sold over half a million copies. Stardew Valley has become so popular, in fact, that fans of the game have bought users who pirated it legal copies.

Stardew Valley is a passion project of developer ConcernedApe—real name Eric Barone—who worked on it for over a period of four years. Barone created everything: the charming pixel graphics, the catchy music and the engaging characters. Still not convinced? Here are ten reasons you need to check out Stardew Valley.


Read more at Paste.

Text messaging is having a big moment in the travel industry. New text-based travel applications have been springing up seemingly overnight, such as the upcoming Hyper Travel app, which will provide both text- and email-based booking services.

Established companies are also joining in by offering text-based travel services to augment their websites. Kayak’s co-founder Paul English, for example, is working on Lola Travel, which will have clients and travel agents interacting via app to reserve flights and hotels, in addition to arranging rentals.

However, texting doesn’t stop at trip planning. When clients finally land in their destination, they’re going to want to stay in touch with friends and family back home. Springing for an international plan can be costly. Verizon, for instance, charges $40 a month per device, while AT&T charges $30 a month and still charges if you choose to talk instead of text. No wonder that these free text-messaging apps are the travel accessory du jour among the jet set. (But be careful: Using these apps will take up cellular data unless you’re connected to Wi-Fi — which can be costly. Additionally, be sure to turn data roaming off.) 

Before your next trip, consider downloading one of these apps.

Read more at TravelAge West.

With the January announcement that UberX would begin passenger pickups from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LAX has become the largest U.S. airport to allow for UberX transfers.

"Uber has changed the way Angelenos and visitors to Los Angeles move around our city,” said Bob Blumenfield, council member and the chair of the Los Angeles City Council’s Innovation, Grants, Technology, Commerce and Trade Committee, which oversees the airport. “Over the last year, we have worked to bring Uber to LAX in a way that is regulated, monitored and, above all, safe.  As we continue to break records at LAX, I’m proud to finally welcome Uber and its users to Los Angeles International Airport.” 

According to Mayor Eric Garcetti, passengers have been asking for better access to reliable, convenient transportation from the airport.

Read more at TravelAge West.

It can be hard to tear yourself away from the slot machines, yard-long margaritas and constant chaos of the Las Vegas Strip, but travelers who dare to venture into the rest of the city will be duly rewarded with amazing sights and even more noteworthy food. While the casinos house restaurants created by world-renowned chefs, the rest of Vegas is no slouch either.

Below are six restaurants that won’t make you sorry to leave the Strip.

Read more at TravelAge West.

In mid-February, Mexican airlines Interjet inaugurated its first direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport in Guadalajara, Mexico. In a ceremony on Feb. 18 at LAX, Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, and Carlos M. Sada Solana, consul general of Mexico in Los Angeles, spoke about the importance of connecting one of the U.S.’ main economic centers with one of Mexico’s biggest tourism draws.

“Mexican history and culture are at the heart of our city's identity and link generations of Angelenos — myself included — to a rich heritage,” Garcetti said. “That's why I met with Mexican leaders to explore ways to create more opportunities for commercial and cultural exchange. This Interjet flight from LAX to Guadalajara is a direct result of those discussions, and I couldn't be more proud to see the first plane take off."

Read more at TravelAge West.