If your idea of how to celebrate a winter festival has less to do with astronomical phenomena, religious observance or gift-giving, and more with the “airing of grievances” and “feats of strength,” well then a merry Festivus to you.

Globe-trotting chef Anthony Bourdain arrived in Beirut yesterday to film an episode of his Travel Channel show “No Reservations�? just in time to be stuck behind the Israeli blockade.

The name of the Travel Channel’s recently launched broadband venture is so future-forward: “Travel Channel Beyond.�? Unfortunately, there’s currently not a whole lot available “beyond�? the clips that were alreadyon the station website.

Dreaming of being a reality-TV “star,�? or just looking for a way to get someone else to foot the bill for your fantasy vacation? Travel + Leisure is currently holding a contest that will give 10 lucky winners a crack at the trip-of-a-lifetime.

Jacques Cousteau progeny Jean-Michel has a new, glossy, HD series of his own underwater adventures, that debuted on PBS this week.