Travel
Travel Trends in 2012
With the new year comes several believers in the “crystal ball”. By this I mean the numerous stories about what the trends in travel will be for 2012.
It’s a bunch of baloney!
As if these writers can look into the future and tell us how things will be. If they had this very special talent, I would suggest they start using it for predicting natural disasters (tsunami, floods, earthquakes, etc) as they impact travel just as much as anything else and it would be much more helpful to the rest of the world.
There are stories on “luxury” travel trends, disconnected “de-tech” travel trends, family travel trends, and amazing destinations, etc… As if these topics have just arrived on the scene and are totally innovative and new. People have been traveling for as long as man could walk and nothing will change.
If an event such as the Olympics occurs, of course people will travel to see them, it isn’t a trend, it is just an event.
Business travelers will continue to leverage their volume purchasing options while focusing on efficiency and perks for their employees. While leisure travelers will continue to search for the ultimate deals and look for best value vacation options.
With all that said, beware of any so called travel trend as it my simply be a thinly veiled advertisement.
Los Angeles bound, again and again
It never fails, if I get a trip toward the west coast I pass through Los Angeles. For those that don’t know, I was born and raised just east of LA in a town called Fontana. The locals call it Fontucky, because so many mid-westerners moved there during the 2 world wars for work. You should read about the history, very interesting.
LA has so much to offer and the weather is usually great. I enjoy going to many places starting with Olvera Street in downtown LA or getting an Umami Burger on La Brea Ave. I also like to head out toward Malibu and have breakfast at the Rock Store or keeping it simple and getting some BBQ in Sherman Oaks at Cecil’s.
But my all time favorite place in LA must be The Bridge at Hotel Roosevelt!
My latest trip will begin on Jan 14th and last for a week, through the 21st. This time there will be some new adventures for the hungry traveler.
First I’m flying into Burbank for the first time and I’m excited to check out the airport of the stars! Why Burbank? Two reasons, 1 it is close to my friend Steven Pershing and 2, I have to make a side trip to Las Vega and flying from Burbank is the best option. I’m equally excited about this trip because my niece Tesla will be turning 21 and I’ll get to visit her on that special day!
On this trip I’ll make the normal stops to the shops on Robertson Blvd and with sadness, will miss stopping by Lisa Kline, where I loved getting my infamous shirts. I’ll hit the Comedy Store for a set or two of up and coming comics and I’ll be on the search for the latest trendy food options that LA has to offer.
While in Las Vegas I plan to see the Pawn Stars pawn shop, which was featured Saturday morning on the Today Show and that should be fun.
Drop me a note on my contact page if you have suggestions, I’m always interested in word-of-mouth recommendations.
Reflections during a New Year
New Year’s has the standard resolutions and goal settings but often overlooked is remembering the past and all the good and bad times that have brought you to where you are TODAY! I’d like to share some photos from 2007, which by all accounts was a great year for me.
Enjoy the picture down memory lane and all the best in 2012~
Preparing to hit the road this holiday season?
Travel can be hectic, but combining travel with one of the biggest holidays can be more than hectic, it’s can be hellish.
To avoid a hellish experience the hungry traveler recommends using a project list to keep things in check. About three to four days from departure I jot down, by day, all the major things I need to accomplish before hitting the roads or airports. Here is a sample:
Tuesday
1. Call alarm company
2. Pick up cash from bank
3. Print directions or itinerary
4. Get haircut
5. Wrap gifts
Wednesday
1. Clean car and get fuel
2. Set coffee maker to auto brew
3. Setup auto light switch for house lights to turn on in evenings
4. Make snacks, dry foods for plane in small zip lock baggies
5. Get miniature Vodka bottles for flights
6. Set alarm clock
7. Set out of office and voicemail messages
Thursday
1. Wake up on time (this is important, see 6 above)
2. Pack clothes, don’t forget socks and belt, I always forget my belt
3. Pack empty water bottle (gets thru security easy)
4. Take out trash (who wants a stinky house when they get home)
These are just some of the items that make it onto my project/program list when traveling during the holidays.
A Very Rare Visit with Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso Exhibit at VMFA
The Pablo Picasso exhibit came within driving distance to home this month and indeed was a rare event as it is the only east coast opportunity to see such a large composition of Pablo Picasso works. The show hit only 3 cities in the United States, Seattle, Richmond, and San Francisco. Previously the show was in Finland and Russia. You have till May 15th to catch a glimpse of the workings of this great artist. But don’t just go to Richmond for the Picasso exhibit, go for the rich culture and good eats. The Picasso exhibit is being shown at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (VMFA). I recommend getting to the museum early, tickets for the Picasso exhibit are timed so plan to get there with enough time to stand in a long line, again this is a rare event but certainly worth it. There is a covered parking garage that costs $3.00 and you pay as you go in, so plan to leave the vehicle and take a stroll after visiting the museum.
The VMFA is only a few minutes walk from Cary Town, a trendy little section of Richmond surrounded by mansion like homes from an era long ago. Restaurants and shops line Cary Street and it is a town where people don’t hesitate to say Hi and hold doors open for strangers. It is a very friendly town and worth a visit. A good friend suggested Weezies Kitchen, a great little one of a kind restaurant with southern style food. The Mac-N-Cheese is a town favorite and the side salads are not small. The meatloaf po-boy was a moist treat and will certainly make you wish for more.
A little Paris in Richmond, Virginia
I first visited Paris in the summer of 2001 where I took advantage of seeing one of my favorite artist, Pablo Picasso. Now decades later his museum is under renovation and the works of art will be just a few miles south of where I live at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. So a trip to Richmond it is. I’m excited to see the art but also for the fact that Richmond has a thriving culinary scene. I’m most interested in trying Lehja and visiting Tobacco Row.
Other notable recommendations I may visit are Kuba Kuba, Blacksheep, or Weezie’s Kitchen.
If you plan to visit or have been to Richmond, I’d be interested in hearing from you.
UPDATE – The beginning of the end for Travel Sites?
UPDATE–
With the recent news that Google has entered the travel reservation site race with the purchase of ITA, the power behind AA reservations and Kayak.com, it is a race to lock in long term contracts by various sites with airlines and Sabre. With Google’s portfolio of technology you can be sure travel reservations will be tightly integrated into their sites/systems. There are a lot of benefits for having a company like Google in this space but some in the industry will fight it. Read more about the Google Air Scare on The Post.
—-
Sites that offer multiple fare comparisons are seeing a shift in strategy from their “airline” and other travel partners. A good example of this recently is American Airlines flights being removed from sites such as Orbitz and Expedia. Sites such as South West Air have never been part of the travel site crave and has done well with their “no change fee” and “bags fly free” campaigns. While major airlines such as Continental, Delta, and American have relied heavily in the past on multi-channel distribution sites like Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia (the top three) this is starting to change as consumers continue to become more aware of their choices, limited flights to and from their destinations, and the ever shrinking airline industry. Plus it is so easy to jump from one site to another and compare prices individually.
Today when I search for flights I typically will start with a site such as Expedia or Orbitz (sorry Travelocity outsourced their call center to India a few years back and took jobs away from American’s in West Virginia and I’ve yet to use their service ever since) and do my basic search and get a baseline price, then I’ll jump over to the South West Airlines site and check to see if they service the cities I’m traveling to and then I’ll jump over to other airlines and do searches directly on their site versus what shows up in Expedia or Orbitz. With the move of removing AA from these sites, it isn’t that much of a stretch for me to also jump to the AA website and do my search there as well.
Travel sites recognized long ago they needed to diversify their offerings by including rental cars and hotel stays, however if the primary offering of air travel goes away, it is only a matter of time before these sites cease to exist as we know it.
DC to Niagara Falls and then some
My travels recently took me on a road trip through the middle of Pennsylvania up through Buffalo NY and into Ontario Canada. When mapping out my trip I was excited at the opportunity to see some iconic places such as the Niagara Falls and the Zippo factory in Bradford PA.
This was going to be a road trip with limited stops so I needed to think through my options. First I needed to consider fuel consumption, traffic and biological pit stops. Rachel was also in on this trip and most certainly would have some input into when and where we would be stopping!
Google Maps says the trip would take just over 9 hours and we left on a heavy traffic day from Alexandria VA that caused serious delay. What should have taken 1 hour took 3 due to traffic and caused an unnecessary stop in Altoona, PA. I say unnecessary because Altoona, PA is just that. Skip it and push on to Bradford PA where you’ll be welcomed as a local, you’ll see the Zippo factories, and have some great grub at the Kennedy Street Cafe.
Image courtesy of The Great Signs Pool
Seriously, make a stop in Bradford, it is certainly “Iconic America” through and through. The Kennedy Street Cafe is a shotgun style row house that opens early and serves up some great homemade eats along with engaging conversation giving you recommendations on what else to see and do in the area. If you listen closely you can pick up the hint of a Fargo Accent to you know.
While in this part of the world it is mandatory to make a stop in Buffalo, NY – home of the buffalo wing. Stop and get some original wings at the Anchor Bar and check that box on your bucket list. Personally I like other various styles of wings but hey, it’s the original!
The Falls
Just north of Buffalo before crossing into Canada take the exit to Niagara Falls. Yes, it is true, the Canadian side is much better so bring your passport. Avoid parking in the Niagara Falls official park as they will charge you $15.00 or more to park, ouch! Street parking is not hard to find in the off season. Take a stroll and see the falls, they are really amazing.
After spending time in Niagara continue north where you’ll be in Canadian Ice Wine country and this is certainly worth stopping for if you have the time. Since it was after harvest we pushed on to our destination but I’m told the best time to visit is late summer and early fall when Ice Wine Making is in progress.
Our last stop for the road trip was a small college town called Guelph in Ontario Canada. While not on any “must see” lists it is home to some very unique and diverse cultures. It is also home to my fabulous sister-in-law, who is on our “must see” list. Cuisine will range from standard Canadian fare to Ethiopian, Indian, and Mexican. My favorite was the Woolwich Arrow Pub where local micro-brew beer is always on tap and the best Poutine you can find with a Bison Chili on top. They also have a Salt and Pepper Wing that is just exceptional. One of my favorite pictures taken on this trip was at the Woolwich and if you ever get there check out the Periodic Table poster on the wall. Another great spot in Guelph is the Penny Whistle Pub, which is a British Pub with fare that blends pub grub and Indian so yes, Curry Sweet Potato fries.
The entire trip north was done in 2 days but actual drive time was around 10 hours, not a bad road trip and I’m looking to map out other routes for future visits.
Los Angeles Part 2
The Hungry Traveler
The second part of my west coast adventure started at SEA-TAC where I was upgraded to 1st class on my flight to LAX. Let me give a huge shout-out to Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines must put their employees through the Trader Joe’s training program because they are so pleasant and enthusiastic. I travel a lot and when possible, I like to fly on Alaska Airlines because of 2 things. (1) If you check in early and it’s available, you can normally upgrade to 1st class for a small fee; and (2) even if you are not in 1st class you are treated very well by polite and helpful employees. Alaska Airlines did not pay for this endorsement, but hey, if they want to sponsor some of my trips, contact me!
The flight down from Seattle was perfect, it started with a Vodka Tonic (one of my favorites) and I had a grilled portabella mushroom, tomato, basil sandwich on a perfect bun that was warm and chewy inside with just a bit of crunch on the outside. A side of rice with mixed vegetables and the little extra dark chocolate dessert was sweet and delicate. A perfect meal for a 2 hour flight.
Landing at LAX was quick and getting to the curb for a pickup by my normal PershMan transport was seamless. I immediately headed out to the 405 where I was met with a parking lot full of cars and it took about 2 hours to make a trip that would normally be 30 minutes. If you drive in LA, you just get used to the traffic. For dinner that evening I settled on a trendy little place called Townhouse, which is located at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Decent food but bad service. Go for a drink and some appetizers and leave it at that.
Hungry Traveler Grilled Chicken
The next day we opted to have a BBQ and several friends came over to enjoy the pool and some Jimmy Stewart BBQ! I love to cook and I’ve been working the grill since I was about 10. Sides of fresh vegetables and several margaritas made the evening fun, however, Rick Kunkler was there most of the evening and he made the conversations just flat out funny. A big shout out to Rick for laughing at my almost funny jokes!
The Biker Breakfast
Before heading to the airport one last stop was in order, Rock Store, for a healthy breakfast. This is a way, way, out of the way biker hang out that is probably one of the world’s most famous. Granted it was a bit cheesy showing up in a black car, but hey, the Hungry Traveler needs to eat! There is nothing more authentic than Rock Store for home style cooking like your grandmother makes. Located on Mulholland highway between Malibu and Calabasas, go there and grab a bite to eat and watch out for bike riding celebs all day long. Take it from me, it is better to show up on a bike otherwise drive down a bit and walk up. For breakfast, order the “biker special”.
Los Angeles Part 1
The Skyline View at the Roosevelt Hotel
Most people I know who have never been to LA don’t want to go. That is like saying you hate the taste of Coffee but have never had a cup. LA has so much to offer I encourage everyone to make the trek to LA LA Land and check it out. Get a hotel somewhere on a Metro Line and get out and about and see the stars or the palm trees.
On my most recent trip (Aug 20-25) I revisited places I had great culinary experiences in the past and one new one that I’d avoid in the future.
My first stop was at Cecil’s California Ribs, which is a BBQ joint on Ventura Blvd in the Sherman Oaks section of LA. For those of a certain age, Sherman Oaks is where the Brady Bunch lived and you still see houses like theirs. Cecil’s offers a more healthy version of BBQ without the sloppy fat or saturated fried foods here (fries being the only necessary exception). For example, I had the Beef Tip Tacos, which were medium slices of beef tenderloin with a smoky flavor paired with a chutney of tomatoes, onions, peppers, spices with lettuce and a few small tortillas. It is one of those meals that if you are hungry you want more but after you finish, you are satisfied.
Another stop on my trip took me to LA Live in downtown. LA Live consists of several restaurants/clubs and is a great place to hang out if you are attending a conference at the LA Convention Center. I went to the Conga Room one evening and unfortunately could not recommend this place. Although I had a good time and got taught the Samba by a professional dancer from Miami as my guide, the food was difficult to eat, not much flavor, and just bad. I love latin cuisine and had high hopes for this place, but Miami it is not so go to the ESPN Zone or Lucky Strike because you will have a consistently good meal that is editable.
Warm Olive Plate at The Bridge
My last stop took me to the famed Roosevelt Hotel where I’ve been on a few times and would recommend to anyone visiting Hollywood. This hotel is a bit of a maze inside but joe public can walk right in, ask for directions to the pool, and head out to the typical Hollywood scene. You may see models, rock stars, and actors (I saw Adam Goldberg on this visit) and the prices are reasonable. Have a drink at the Tropicana Bar near the pool. I recommend the Ginger Smash, 10 Cane Rum, Lime, Ginger, and a splash of Giner Ale. It’s not a Dark and Stormy but it is good!
Head up stairs to The Bridge for dinner. The food and service will always exceed your expectations and is a wonderful place to see and be seen, which can be a lot of fun. The warm plate of olives is a great value at $4.00 and is enough for 4-6 people, the toast topped with wild mushrooms will be unforgettable (3 pieces), and I enjoyed the prime rib, cooked perfectly with a bone marrow butter sauce. For wine I had a glass of the 1975 2007 Cabernet. This is not an expensive place to eat at just under $100.00 for three people and that included a few drinks however, the view is priceless! Enjoy.
View from The Bridge at Hotel Roosevelt
Sushi Maki in the Miami Airport
Kansas City – Guest Blog by Julia Brault
- LETTER: Obama should curb his travel - Aiken Standard
- PM to travel to DC, may meet with Obama - Jerusalem Post
- Snow and ice cause travel disruption - BBC News
- Andrew Brunette will travel with Blackhawks - Chicago Sun-Times (blog)
- Raptors travel to South Beach for matinee date with Heat - TSN
- The Travel Detective's Guide To Valentine's Day Deals - Huffington Post
- Travel Matters: A barrel of Valentine's Day packages - Austin American-Statesman
- Travel Troubleshooter: Let agent handle ticketing mix-ups - Sacramento Bee
- A travel writer acknowledges Graham Greene and his own father - Philadelphia Inquirer
- OKC Thunder Travel to San Antonio Spurs: Fan Preview - Yahoo! Sports