Kayak.com pulled the plug on Kayak Forums today at 7:59 a.m. The product died of malnutrition as a result of neglect.

The death was confirmed by Kayak.com CEO and Co-Founder Steve Hafner who said, “Although we will miss Forum’s sage advice, willingness to listen and ease-of-use, he was wasting away, starved for attention. Kayak.com is committed to excellence and Forums were unable to compete with over-achieving siblings Kayak Buzz and Flexible Search. Although Forums may never be replaced in our hearts, he will be replaced on the website with new industry-leading innovations.”

Kayak Forums encouraged users to share travel tips, but too few heeded the call. He listened while consumers requested advice, although few answered their cry for help. He laughed alongside travelers as they reminisced about recent trips, but only Kayak engineers cared. He even sent members personal notes when their favorite topics were being discussed but where were the thank you notes? He knew the end was near.

To honor the memory of a fallen comrade, Kayak.com will continue to enhance the Buzz product and is working on designs for Kayak 2.0—an unprecedented site redesign—scheduled to be released in May.

Kayak Forums are survived by fraternal twin, Kayak Blog and other high-flying siblings: Kayak Buzz, Best Fare History, Best Fare Trend Graph, Flexible Search, Fare Alerts and the Trip Ideas newsletter.

In lieu of flowers, Kayak.com asks that you “Tell a Friend” http://www.kayak.com/h/friends about Kayak.com.

A racing vacation is just what you might need to get rid of the winter blahs. So grab a cooler of beer, bucket of fried chicken, your favorite trucker hat, and make a pit stop at one of these racetracks:

Charlotte flights | hotels | cars
North Carolina seems to breed race car drivers, maybe it’s something in the BBQ sauce or maybe the number of racetracks that dot the state. Lowe’s Motor Speedway, aka “The Beast of the Southeast”, is considered to be one of the most exciting tracks in the country–just ask general manager “Humpy” Wheeler (not making that name up). Plan your trip around the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on May 19 or the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27.
Don’t miss: North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame in nearby Mooresville.

Indianapolis flights | hotels | cars
You can’t leave Indianapolis off your racing vacation list. The Indianapolis 500 has been called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” (not by NASCAR fans) so book your trip now for the 91st race on May 27. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, IN (not making that up either) is the only racing facility in the world, past or present, to host an Indy Car, Formula One and NASCAR race all in the same calendar year.
Don’t miss: The Hall of Fame Museum and track tour.

Atlanta flights | hotels | cars
If you’ve always wanted to take a few laps around the race track, we recommend a trip to the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Georgia 500 isn’t until October, but you can still earn your chops at the Richard Petty Driving Experience located at the Atlanta Motor Speedway where classes range from $399 to $2,499. You can also ride shotgun with a pro for only $99.
Don’t miss: If you can’t afford the school, the NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, in the Mall of Georgia, offers a simulated racing experience.

Nurburg flights | hotels | cars
Travel abroad to get a taste of Bavarian racing culture on Germany’s Nurburgring track. Go July 22 for the Grand Prix or if you’re itching to put pedal to metal, purchase tickets to drive around the track in your own car, or spend a little more to be chauffeured by a pro. The latter ride comes equipped with a puke bag which you can take home as a souvenir. Once you’ve mastered the art of racing, venture out to the Autobahn where the roads are straighter but the drivers are crazier.
Don’t miss: Historic Nurburg Castle built in the 12th century.

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Shake and bake,

Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders

Kayak’s Instant Win Giveaway
Enter now and win a luxurious 6 night trip for two to the destination resort of your choice from the KSL Resorts collection including airfare from Kayak.com. You could be an instant winner for today’s daily prize. View hilarious original videos behind the scenes with New York City’s hottest chefs and receive access to a FREE travel tip download from Gourmet Magazine.

Ah, high school. The dreaded contest of who’s popular and who’s not. Nerds and jocks. Cheerleaders and the Math Team. We’ve moved beyond all that. What matters is what’s inside, that you are a decent, honest, caring, self-actualized member of society.

BZZZZT!

Who are we kidding? We want to be popular! We lie awake at night, tossing and turning, our mind racing, because we’re not sure if you really like us. You do really like us, don’t you? Even though we talk about ourselves in the first person plural?

Please, vote for us in the Webby awards, services, travel category. Yes, we know you have to register to vote, but we’ll be your best friends forever!

If your office is anything like Kayak, Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth has dominated water cooler conversation in recent days. Stop watching and start experiencing these animals with a trip to one of these animal-friendly destinations.

Orlando flights | hotels | cars
If your life’s dream is an African safari and your life’s savings isn’t close to paying for it, compromise with a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Climb aboard your open-sided safari vehicle for a wild ride through hundreds of acres that mirror the savannah, rivers and rocky hills of Africa. More than 1,000 animals including giraffes, hippos, elephants, rhinos, and lions roam freely throughout the park. Since the animals have a mind of their own, you’ll never know what you’ll see. Best viewing times are early when the animals are most active, so set an alarm.

Ely flights | hotels | cars
If you’re ready for a HOWLing good time, then visit the world renowned International Wolf Center located in the heart of the Superior National Forest in Ely, Minnesota. Spend time walking through the exhibits and learn how wolves communicate, eat, and hunt. Reserve a table and eat dinner with the Center’s resident wolf pack. Take your skills into the wild for a guided tour. We recommend trekking into the forest to howl at wild wolves or the dog-sledding adventure. Once you’re a wolf expert, enjoy the natural splendor of this area by canoeing, hiking and camping along the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Freeport flights | hotels | cars
If you thought JAWS was a comedy and Open Water a nice romance, then head to Grand Bahama for shark diving. An experienced dive team will put you in a shark cage where you’ll get up close and personal with tiger sharks. Before you scoff at the cage, tiger sharks are second only to great whites for human fatalities, so be sure to ask for extra chain mail. Should you survive, have a drink (or 10) while checking out the nightlife of the West End. Explore the shops and restaurants and tell your tales of close encounters of the toothy kind.

Halifax flights | hotels | cars
Go on a whale of an adventure this summer in Nova Scotia, Canada. Choose a tour that guarantees a whale sighting or it’s free. There are a number of whales in this area including beluga, blue whale, humpback and minke. Rest your weary sea legs by driving the scenic Cabot Trail, considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives. Along the way, do a little bird watching, camping, and fishing to keep you one with nature. Still have a voracious appetite for nature? Try some for dinner. You can’t visit this part of the world without enjoying a big juicy lobster–even McDonald’s serves lobster.

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• California
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Did You Know?
Kayak has been nominated for a Webby People’s Voice Award. It’s kinda like People’s Choice for the Internet except Justin Timberlake doesn’t perform at our awards show. If you think Kayak is the best travel site on the Web (and you’d be right), let your voice be heard. You do have to register, but it’s for a good cause! If you vote, we’ll give you a percentage of our TV advertising budget (note: currently $0). Thanks for your support.

Wild at heart,

Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders

Anyone can go to a baseball game in their hometown. Only the true fan has the dedication, curiosity, and a forgiving family to make baseball pilgrimages. Whether you want to see every major league stadium or find even more trivia to memorize, these baseball vacations hit a home run.

Boston flights | hotels | cars
The rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees may be the longest-standing rivalry in sports and Fenway Park remains much like it did the day it opened on April 20, 1912, except for the prices of course. Left field’s famed green monster seats are $140 per game, but good bargains can be had in the upper bleachers for only $12. The fans are a lot of fun (unless you’re wearing a Yankees jersey), so make friends and don’t dare leave without trying a famous Fenway Frank. Wanna touch the Monster but can’t afford the ticket price? Take a tour for $12 and $10 for children. Tours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Prices are $12 for adults and $10 for children.

New York flights | hotels | cars
Visit Yankee Stadium, the country’s third oldest stadium, before the NEW Yankee Stadium (creative title, Steinbrenner) opens in 2009. In addition to a few world championships, Yankee Stadium has also hosted professional football, boxing and a mass by Pope Paul VI. Tickets are not easy to come by and range from $12 for the bleachers to $400 for the Wall Street Broker Box (also known as Field Champion seating). The Yankees Classic Tour is held every day at 12 noon, except when the Yankees play at home on weekends or prior to any day game. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids.

St. Louis flights | hotels | cars
We’d be remiss not to encourage a trip to the home of the 2006 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals (have you ever noticed that baseball mascots aren’t as scary as other sports? Really, who’s afraid of sox or birds?). Unlike the historic stadiums mentioned above, Busch Stadium opened April 2006. So, while you aren’t visiting for the history, you will at least see a quality game from a stadium that probably won’t run out of beer. Bleacher seats are $16 and the most expensive ticket is a bargain $110. Tours are offered daily at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm, except when the Cardinals are playing at home. Prices are $10 for adults and $6 for children.

Cooperstown flights | hotels | cars
Baseball games often seem secondary to baseball history. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY is one of the few places grown men are rendered to tears as they explain to their children what baseball meant to a generation without TV and videogames while clutching their 30 year-old card collection. Peruse the second floor to learn about the game’s history, the Plaque Gallery where baseball’s greats are enshrined and the Sandlot Kids Clubhouse for interactive displays for your budding Babe.

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Did you know?Kayak’s custom locations make it easy to stay near where you work or play. Click “add custom place” and type the address or name of a place (ex. Fenway Park) or choose the type of place such as bar or museum. Hotel results will be sorted by distance from you specified location.

Play ball,

Steve (Go Astros) and Paul (Go Red Sox), Kayak co-founders

While women have been planning girls’ getaways for years, “man-cations” are a new travel trend. Though the concept is still developing, a few themes have become clear. Days should be action packed with activities Hemingway might have enjoyed: gambling, fishing, hunting, racing, golfing and of course drinking. While watching TV does not a mancation make, relaxing on a beach does count. Here are a few ideas:

Milwaukee flights | hotels | cars

Ready to trade in your sensible car for a Formula One? If so, plan your next college reunion at Skip Barber Racing School. Sessions range from a few hours to a few days but we recommend the three-day school at the Road America course, located an hour north of Milwaukee. For $3,995, you’ll spend hours in your Formula Racecar learning and practicing the same techniques taught to Jeff Gordon, Michael Andretti and other professionals. Stay an extra day in Beer City USA (Milwaukee for you wine drinkers) and take a free tour of the Miller Brewing Company, which of course includes a sample of frosty beer.

West Yellowstone flights | hotels | cars

When planning a multi-generational trip, speed may not be the best option for grandpa’s aging ticker so head out to God’s country this summer for a fly fishing trip. With 3,000 fish per mile, you don’t have to be an expert to snag a big one in West Yellowstone, Montana. Spend your days swapping stories as you enjoy fresh air, inspirational views and those funny wading pants. Should you tire of fishing, West Yellowstone offers unlimited diversions including camping, hiking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. Channel your inner Grizzly Man by visiting the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, located near the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Fullerton flights | hotels | cars

Whether you’re more Goose or Maverick, every guy has a need for speed. Treat Dad this Father’s Day with a day at Air Combat USA where he’ll jump into a state-of-the-art military trainer aircraft and engage in aerial dog fighting. For $1,895 per person, the Fighter Lead-In Program combines basic and intermediate tactical fighter maneuvers in a one day course. Also included in the price is a video of your flight and a commission to Major in the Air Combat USA Fighter Squadron which will look nice next to your Presidential Physical Fitness award. Choose from several dates at the Fullerton, CA location.

Cancun flights | hotels

Of course, if your favorite memory of “Top Gun” was watching Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer go head to head in beach volleyball, consider a trip to Cancun, Mexico. Mexico is fast becoming a popular gay destination and Cancun is the place to be May 10-14 for the Cancun International Gay Festival. This five-day party offers a full slate of activities, including a Caribbean cruise, bar hopping and a beach barbecue. Laze on the beach with a margarita or two or grab snorkels and cool off in the clear blue waters. End the night at the infamous Disco Karamba, a large warehouse-type disco which attracts a festive mixed crowd - male, female, young, old, gay, straight and other. Stay an extra day and explore the archaeological ruins within easy driving distance.

Win a Trip to The Bahamas: The Perfect Tax Break

We are sending one lucky Kayaker and a friend on a four night, five day vacation at the British Colonial Hilton in The Bahamas. Situated on downtown Nassau’s only private beach, the hotel offers Bahamian-inspired accommodations, four dining venues, and a full service spa.

Enter to win.

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Did you know?

Kayak.com offers more historical airfare data than any other travel site with three industry-leading tools. Best Fare Trend Graph charts pricing for city/date pairs found by Kayak.com users over the past 90 days. To use the graph, click on the “details” link above the chart. Use the date drop down menu to change the departure date and instantly review a new Trend Graph or users with flexibility can find the lowest fare over a month’s time by choosing “any day” which charts “average low fare found” and the “absolute best fare found”.

Never coming home,

Steve and Paul, Kayak.com Co-Founders