eBags, an online retailer that offers all types of luggage, handbags, laptop bags, backpacks, travel accessories and more, is having an early - 20 percent off  site-wide  - holiday sale. The sale clock stops at 11:59 MST, this Thursday, Nov. 12.

eBags has its own brand, and offers a wide range of designer handbags (think Kate Spade and Michael Kors). eBags also sells carry-on bags to bigger luggage pieces from Samsonite, Vitorinox and the special Britto collection. (Britto is pop artist whose colorful paintings sell for big bucks.) Travel accessories range from camera bags and jewelry bags to packing cubes and hand-held totes and coolers. (Certain brand exclusions apply to the sale.)

To learn more about eBags (and the 10 percent of all 'pick pink' retail sales it donates to breast cancer research), visit eBags.

The Aussies are still seeking three teams of two each, from anywhere in the world, for the last three legs of a Van-Tastic Adventure, all-expenses-paid journey through Oz.  Two Florida women won the right to take on the Tasmania leg of the journey by turning in a winning video.

Adventurers chosen for the next legs will spend six weeks in a van driving across the country and video recording their experiences,which might include anything from swimming with sharks to hiking around Kangaroo Island and trading tales with locals in bars at the end of the day.

If you're interested, turn in an online two-minute video, which shows why you should be selected as a Van-tastic Adventurer.  The videos are being viewed by sponsor judges from WorldNomands who will assess for desire and creativity.   To see some of the videos and read the blogs from adventurers on the current legs of the trip, or to enter, visit Vantastic.worldnomands.com

I found an excellent source for hikers and mountain bikers who are looking for free descriptions of hiking, walking and mountain biking trails throughout North America. The site, run by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, has detailed information on more than 30,000 miles of bike trails, walking trails, equestrian trails, and hiking and running trails.

This info is free and easy to locate, once you're on the site. If you register, you can also get info on parking lots near certain trails, customize directions to points along a trail, and share photos, reviews and GPS data.   For the details visit TrailLink.com.

Photo by L Friedland

Lonely Planet guidebooks is having a sale: Buy two books and the the second for 50 percent off.  In addition, domestic shipping is free.  Did you know that you can buy just the chapters you want from many guide books and print the chapters out or put them on your PDA at  Lonely Planet online?