Flying… We all do it and to be honest I normally sleep the entirety of all my flights… On my last flight from LA to Minnesota I fell asleep before we took off and woke up as we were touching down… Yep I’m that guy I can sleep anywhere and anytime and for some reason as long as I have a window I find planes really comfortable!
Not the case this time as I am catching up on writing for the blog and reading. I just want to say that I feel that I would be ok paying around 50$ more for food to be back on flights and some onboard entertainment! Also I can’t believe that all airlines don’t have free wi-fi I mean come on even my local pub has free wi-fi. I miss the old days when you got a movie, something to eat, and the people were nice. I also miss the captain giving a greeting, saying who was flying the plane and introducing his co-pilot, I would also like to know when I should look out the window to see something great!
So this makes me think about a YouTube channel that I started watching lately called in transit. This guy Peter (aka pdrop on YouTube) says that it is not just about the destination but the journey on how you get there, and I could not agree more! If that is the case this journey from LAX to MSP sucks and I think the way I travel needs to change!
I have flown all over the world, driven thousands of miles of road trips including Minnesota to Alaska and back via Washington state, yet I have never taken the Amtrak train system and think that is going to be my next trip! There is something romantic about taking a train like in the old days when people were not in such a rush to get places. Life these days just moves so fast and I feel sometimes we don’t enjoy the journey enough!
I’m not sure where my destination will be, but at the same time I don’t really care… No matter where I seem to travel there is always something to see, do, and great people to meet! I think that when I do take this trip I’ll vlog it as well so you can see what the journey is like!
Has anyone out there taken the train and loved it, hated it? Let me know your thoughts and if there is any Amtrak line that you really recommend! Hope everyone is doing great and I’ll be sure to keep you all up to date!
Cheers,
Phil
Oh and the guy sitting next to me just pulled out a deck of cards… Remember when you could ask and they would give you a deck with the airline logo on them…
It also made me think when I have kids will they know what a deck of cards is? I mean when he pulled them out I even did a double take thinking wow a deck of cards, who uses those… Ok enough random thoughts
Let me introduce you to Pete or known on YouTube as Pdrop and @peterbragiel on Twitter.
If you are at all into travel this is a channel that you should subscribe to! Pete believes that it is about the journey and not so much the destination. His first trip was on a scooter from L.A. to the east coast, next he went from L.A. to the panama canal only using public transportation, and now one that really hits home he is planing to canoe from the start of the Mississippi River to the end, a trip I would love to be a part of as I used to live right by lock and dam #1 in Minneapolis, MN! I am so jealous of this trip and if he needs a wingman count me in! I love to camp and have canoed the St. Croix before!
Anyway this is a great channel and is worth a watch. It really is amazing to see the public transportation episodes. The thought of that is crazy to me but at the same time looks amazingly fun! So go subscribe to his channel today and if any of my friends see a canoe on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in the next couple of weeks head to the Stone Arch bridge and toss him a beer or two… Best of luck on the journey!!!
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Sing for a room upgrade at Joie de Vivre hotels — and get on YouTube too
Los Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal blogger
June 16, 2011, 6:00 a.m.
It’s not exactly like getting a room for a song, but it’s close. Several Joie de Vivre hotels offer a free room upgrade to guests who can carry a tune — or try to. One upgrade is awarded each day to the first guest to belt out “Hotel California” or “California Dreamin’ ” or other songs while checking into one of the chain’s Southern California hotels.
The deal: Singing for an Upgrade offers a quirky way to score a perk at the Hotel Erwin inVenice, theShorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach, Hotel Angeleno in Los Angeles and Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach. Clearly, this deal is subject to availability; no amount of serenading will get you an upgrade if the hotel is full.
Here’s how it works: Each hotel has a song list for guests to choose from. Be the first of the day to sing a song, and you receive a more posh room on the spot.
Don’t for a minute think no one’s going to hear. The hotel makes a video of each singer and posts it on its Facebook page and YouTube. (Check out videos of guest-singers so far.) Note too that posted videos are automatically entered into a “Singing for an Upgrade” contest, in which online voters determine who is the best (or worst?); check the website for rules and prizes, which include free hotel stays.
When: The offer is good until Sept. 30.
Tested: I didn’t sing at any of the hotels, but I did look for availability to see how this deal might play out.
For example, I found a deluxe room for two nights starting Aug. 5 at the Hotel Erwin for an advanced booking rate of $329 plus tax a night. If I were the first singer of the day, and if upgrades were available, I could be sleeping in a room with a partial ocean view that typically starts at $389 plus tax a night. So my singing would save me $60.
Living the nomadic lifestyle for about the last year there are many times where I wondered where I could stay when I did not want to pay for a hotel when all I needed was a couch or floor. With the new site called Airbnb.com and they have everything from big homes to couch space. It is free to sign up and worth a look…
Click here to see the site… http://tinyurl.com/6xnqgh9
“About Airbnb.com: They connect people who have space to spare with those who are looking for a place to stay. Guests can build real connections with their hosts, gain access to distinctive spaces, and immerse themselves in the culture of their destinations. Whether it’s an urban apartment or countryside castle, Airbnb makes it effortless to showcase your space to an audience of millions, and to find the right space at any price point, anywhere.”
I have yet to use this but have been hearing a lot about the site… I love the idea to save money and especially when it comes to travel! The only time I have gotten money back from a company was a trip to Vegas and the hotel got cheaper and gave the difference back so this site is very refreshing to see!
Travel Thursdays have begun!
Yapta.com will track a flight’s price for you after you buy your ticket. If the costs drop below what you paid, most airlines and online travel agencies will refund the difference, usually in the form of travel credits or vouchers. Yapta will alert you to falling fares via e-mail or tweet. And if the change in price dips below the cost of any “re-booking fees” some airlines charge in these situations, the site will explain how to collect your refund. Note: Yapta does not currently track Southwest flights.
I have often thought that a vacation on a private island would be the best… However it makes one ask what would you do, who would you take, and what if you hurt yourself and need a hospital?
I’m just asking these questions because those are some things one might ask but for me I am to easy going to really let all that bother me! To me this looks amazing and so much fun! Also if this were my home you could grow your own vegetables, catch your own fish, and keep fit by swimming…
Well it’s a nice thought and I know one day I might get to try it out… I mean you have to set goals right?
(Source: whereisthecoool)
So I decided to get away for a bit with a last minute travel deal from Travelocity. It is funny how much travel has changed from when I was a little kid. From security lines to on flight service it is all different and I am not talking about for the good. Look I understand that there has to be things done to make sure that we are all safe and get to where we are going but really you can be nice about it.
Speaking of people and being not happy that brings me to the flight attendants. I remember when I was little and they would do the safety demonstration with a smile and laugh because they thought it was funny but no more! Now they play the recorded message and frown well they show non enthusiastic hand gestures. The best part is when the lady comes on after the message has played out telling me that the plane has 3 sets of bathrooms one is in first class and the other ones are in coach. Then she proceeds to tell us for our safety we have to use the bathroom in our class and that this is beneficial for everybody… OK…
Into the flight now is time for drinks and snacks… We are notified from the overhead speaker that credit cards are the only form of payment and that cash is no way taken due to again safety. Funny because these days like I really want to buy a cheese and fruit tray for 8 dollars. Oh well I will have to wait for lunch.
Now I don’t want you to think that I hate traveling and am just hating all the way around but I am saying to the people that work in this field that I think they really need to step up your customer service game and if you can’t or are unhappy at your job then quit and go after what you love doing… It is never to early to start! Also for the mover and shakers that read this blog I want my own airlines back! I believe that people would pay a bit more to get free checked bags, food that doesn’t cost extra and on a three hour flight some sort of in-flight entertainment. Free WI-FI as well would be awesome and should just be included in the fees considering that almost all the people on my flight today have a smart phone or laptop. I think they would be ok paying the fee when they buy the ticket.
If anyone wants to start an airline that charges a bit more but gives all the services for free and treats the customer how they would like to be treated let me know. All I would like is a mention and you are welcome to use the idea! I hope that any one reading this has a great weekend and that you enjoy life!
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Green, luxurious, and peaceful.
A Napa Valley Experience unlike any other.
Embodying contemporary luxury and the simplified elegance of wine country living, Bardessono establishes a new paradigm in what it means to truly experience Napa Valley:
62 luxurious guest rooms in downtown Yountville, each designed for private in-room spa services. A restaurant based on local, farm-fresh ingredients. A rooftop pool for lounging and dining. Carbon fiber bicycles, on-site producing gardens, and the inspired taste of artisan-crafted coffee. Bardessono is all this as well as a significant national model of green building and operating practices. This is the hotel to stay at in Napa Valley!
