Category: Blog

August 21, 2017: Many cities in Japan now promote “the all in one destination funeral” — guest hotel rooms and viewing rooms across the hall for the featured deceased guest. Some of the viewing rooms even have climate controlled coffins for the newly departed — sometimes resting for days before their appointment for cremation — Tokyo, a city with 26,000,000, has only 26 crematories so waiting times can be lengthy. The average cost for a normal funeral in Japan can be nearly US$20,000 — hotel and viewing room costs less than US$2,000. Some family even chose to spend one night sleeping in the room with the corpse — now that’s togetherness!!!

August 18, 2017: What better way to cool of in Rome’s stifling heat than a dip in world famous Trevi Fountain! It seems both tourists and locals — both referred to as “the new barbarians of Rome” have taken to cooling off in the fountain. Fines start at US $500 but are more for skinny-dippers. Police stand guard but difficult to monitor and catch with as many as 50,000 people in and around the Trevi Fountain area daily!

August 16, 2017: Can’t be without your 7-Eleven fix when you travel — or even at home? Well, the 7-Eleven Group — with 60,000 stores in 18 countries worldwide — is testing drone delivery for their most popular products. The selection offered favors 7-Eleven “select private label” items like coffee, pizza, donuts, flu-relief meds and their ever popular Slurpees — which of course are drone delivered in their own insulated box. Now when you travel you not only have to watch out overhead for pigeons but 7-Eleven Slurpee packed drones as well!

August 11, 2017: Nap bars— offering travelers a place and bed at the airport for a quick nap break — are the newest trend to reduce airport hassle. Operated by “SIESTA & GO”, the group now has Nap Bars — simple single or double space mini bedrooms — in airports in London, Spain, Japan and Dubai — with plans to expand into the US. The cost is around $20 an hour and includes a “gentle wake up” from one of the staff. Looks like the Nap Bar idea will soon be moving into major city downtown business areas where overworked staff can run off for a quick sleepy break!

US Air Travel Close to Capacity

August 7, 2017: With 24,000 daily commercial flights in the US, air travel traffic is very close to capacity. In 2016 over 719 million people traveled by air in the US. And a recent air traveler survey showed that most people are happy travelers these days — REALLY?

August 4, 2017: Parking space is extremely tight in Hong Kong — but if you’re thinking long term, than you should think about buying your own space. Be prepared to pay more than $650,000 for a single space — you might get a deal buying two spaces at $995,000! And, if you require a special license plate — like with a lucky number — expect to pay out more than $2,000,000 at an auction. Maybe Uber and Lift are better deals?

July 28, 2017: Some hotels and resorts are now offering guests a new way to relax and “improve ones mental health” with day use of a pet mascot – that might include dogs, birds, cats, tortoises and even a donkey. A few pet mascot friendly hotels/resorts even place colorful talking macaws poolside where they can learn a guests name – in Spanish or English – as well as greet staff members by name. The Playa del Carmen Mexico offers guests pet interactions with endangered and rescued animals as well feeding and bathing donkeys and white-tailed deer. Not sure how one interacts with a tortoise or bee?

July 26, 2017: Looking for a new day trip option — how about fine tuning your immune system in the forest? A fitness outing — some refer to this as, “forest bathing” or “forest immersion” — offers an opportunity to absorb nature and revitalize key senses. Guides join you in a trek through a redwood forest and help participants touch, feel, sense, listen and relax anxiety — all directed at improving individual well being. Some nature immersion programs even encourage guests to “hug a redwood tree.” No running or cell phones please!

July 24, 2017: With Virgin America now part of the Alaska Air Group, Richard Branson is moving on to a new “floating” travel venture with the introduction of Virgin Voyages. Set to sail in 2020, Virgin Voyages has placed an order for 3 new 2,700 passenger cruise ships. No ship names or sailing destinations announced yet — with Branson’s track record for travel industry innovation and vision, look for something unique and special.

July 19, 2017: Americans, looking to get away to a new home when they retire, are looking at moving out of the country. Topping the list is Mexico with ease of integrating into a foreign culture and US dollar value the top factors. Other countries on the list include: Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Columbia, Thailand and of course Canada. This move away to a new country is termed “successful aging.”