Category: Blog

July 17, 2017: Only in Los Angeles would one find a new “paparazzi proof” vip private air terminal. The recently opened LAX “backdoor” remote terminal includes private suites and dozens of amenities and services VIPs, celebs and anyone else paying $1500-$4000 would require. AND, this new luxury service comes with a $7500 annual membership fee — it’s all very exclusive and pricey!

Transporting races horses to their next venue or back to the farm is big business. A one way trip could cost as much as $30,000 (That’s if you don’t have your own plane like some owners). These are not cargo planes without air conditioning — and many times only a single horse is onboard and can include humans like vets, trainers and various attendants. Trainers say, “a lot goes into understanding the temperament of the horse,” when race horses travel. Hmmm, guess that doesn’t apply to passenger air travel these days?

July 7, 2017: Yup — over 300 “classic” drive-in movie theaters can still be found around the US — with some developers now bringing the tradition to large unused spaces inside shopping malls. The newest, AugustMoon Drive-In, is set to open later this summer in Nashville, in a 40,000 square foot indoor shopping mall location — with a gigantic screen and simulated starry sky to add to the atmosphere. Include some bugs and dirt on the floor to really add too the experience!

 

June 26, 2017: Last week we had a chance to see Lonely Planet’s top countries to Travel in 2017 — Now here’s the TC’s Top Cities to Visit: 

• BORDEAUX, FRANCE (new high speed rail connections with Europe — wine and food lovers paradise abounds)
• LOS ANGELES (more than a beach town — 50 new hotels, mingle with movie celebs, sashimi and kale)
• PISTOIA, ITALY (a little Florence without the crowds — small town personality)
• MERIDA, MEXICO (culture, beaches and live music — one of the safest places in Mexico)
• OHRID, MACEDONIA (sits on a beautiful blue water lake — small resort setting — see it before it’s discovered)
• LISBON, PORTUGAL (Europe’s forgotten city — full of sights, museums and good food — weak Euro makes a visit a real bargain)
• PORTLAND, OREGON ( city of gardens and outdoor fun — and some good spots around the city to see the eclipse in August)

June 21, 2017: Yup — from the aging main terminal roofs — when it rains — not the kind of aloha welcome or departure you might expect! Airport officials are “cobbling together” a disorganized upgrade project but tough to make much progress on the aging structures. Maybe they should add some sand and a beach bar?

• San Juan, P.R. (book an all inclusive mega resort)
• Austin, Texas (fun music city with good hotel rates — don’t miss the bluebonnets and ride a sheep in the mutton bustin competition)
• Palm Springs (good weather and a fun retro social scene)
• San Diego (lots of family fun options including starfish tide pools)
• Whistler, British Columbia (largest ski resort in North America with over 8,000 acres of ski fun for all)
• Europe (airfares down and even some good packages in Rome and Venice). Have fun!

April 7. 2017: Some folks have given up “land life” for more permanent residency on a cruise ship. Annual room and service fees can run $70,000 to $200,000 a year — depending on room choice and services. One Florida “part time” resident noted in the New York Times feature had been on nearly 1,000 cruises the past 20 years — and logged more than 7,000 cruise days! I guess you could call this “assisted living with class”!

March 8, 2017: All the travel “hype” for Cuba has faded — as are airline schedules from the US. All the US carriers that initiated service are cutting back — Alaska, American, Jet Blue and others are also cutting out service from most travel cities beyond Florida. With Cuba’s lodging and hospitality choices still very limited, maybe the best way to visit is via cruise ship?

March 6, 2016: Over 100,000 new hotel rooms — nearly 700 locations — are in various stages of planning and construction for the Golden State. Southern California leads the way with more than 80,000 new rooms in development — including the 73-story, 900 room InterContinental in downtown LA. Over night rates are at all-time highs so business is good — lets see if that holds once all these new rooms open?

August 27, 2015: Hats off to our friends at Delta this week for running full page ads “boasting” their record breaking summer and moving more than 600,000 passengers in one day!

If you read the copy closely, the boast was for their domestic service where they claim that 97.7% of their flights took off — but they don’t connect that with them taking off on time?

The add continues “Our employees hard work is evidence of the strength of Delta’s culture etc. etc etc” Basically patting themselves on the backside for doing what they are supposed to be doing
for the high prices we pay these days for cramped, over crowded and unfriendly air travel. Why don’t they put some of that boastful advertising money into improving their service — both on the ground and in the air — and getting back to some of the basics that made air travel enjoyable?

Maybe I should shake hands today the bag person at my local supermarket and thank him too!!!