Blog

Finally, Marriott has been caught — it’s called “drip pricing” — when a guest makes a reservation, the total price quoted does not include “mandatory” resort fees (another easy way to make money on guests) and can add a $100 or more to each nights stay! Doesn’t matter if you use anything included in the mandatory fee or not, YOU PAY. The fee can include an amenity of some type (bathroom soap) or even a destination service fee. Don’t finalize the booking until you are made aware of the real daily and total costs.  About time Marriott stopped this don’t you think???

Well not really — you do have to wear a bathing suit — but officials are going to let a limited number of visitors swim in the iconic Hearst Castle’s outdoor Neptune Pool or elaborate indoor Roman Pool.  There are only a few dates available and a swim will set you back around $1500 — sign up quickly as only a few dates are available for the remainder of 2019.  Dip your toes — and other body parts — where celebrity guests (most recently Lady Gaga) have for years!!!

Italian authorities are on the look out for fake Parmesan cheese — they say they are defending Italy’s important “national interests” as fake Parmesan has come into Italy from as far away as the Ukraine. Italians do take their cheese seriously — including the dimensions of the final product.  Parmesan lovers beware!!!

It’s the latest “sport” for teens — to ride, display, show and compete (not sure how that works).  No room for grown-ups in this fad jumping around the country!!!

Couples getting married at airports is increasing — with Delta’s Atlanta hub being the most popular.  One Southwest couple actually got married in the airlines baggage claim area — doesn’t sound very romantic???

The Trump Administration recently pulled the plug on popular cruise ship visits to Cuba — effective immediately — by making it illegal.  Over 800,000 bookings will be cancelled!!!

McDonalds is partnering with Uber to test drone delivery for some of their more popular dining menu — with limited testing first in San Diego. McDonalds workers load the meal into a drone, it takes off, and stops at an Uber Eats driver who hand delivers the meal to the final destination. McDonalds says the new service will greatly decrease food delivery times ….not sure how this will fly?

In an effort to offset declining wine sales in the US, retailers and wineries are introducing “mobile wine tasting” stops at high traffic airports and outdoor locations — including fleets of trendy Airstream trailers that can move quickly — in doors or out — to where ever a short term use permit can be in place. Look for California to lead the way as wine from the the Golden State grabs over 60% of the US market! Wine “to go or on the go” …. the way to go?

Maybe first ever — a passenger’s carry-on bag ignited into flames as it was passing through a TSA security check point at a West Virginia Airport. TSA and airport folks think it was due to 2 lithium batteries inside the bag that “imploded” ….. in-flight disaster averted!!!

… Maybe. According to the environmental activist group, Extinction Rebellion, who plan to launch numerous drones in the flight paths of planes landing and taking off from Heathrow — they do plan to give travelers advance warning so they can make other plans. If it happens it will most likely be during these heavy summer travel months …. hopefully British authorities can bring this effort down before it starts????