June 1, 2015: You’ll never guess what the Italians have come up with. The worlds first Pringles chips vending machine—in the cans just like last you remember!
Blog
A Secret Find on Lake Como?
May 29, 2015: Don’t tell – but if you want a real “undiscovered” experience find your way to Argegno on the west side of Lake Como and the Hotel Villa Belvedere—midway between the city of Como on the south and Menaggio on the north. This charming (somewhat hidden) 20 room boutique hotel sits right on Lake Como and close to an oasis of outdoor activities that range from golfing to hiking or just plain relaxing in the hotels outdoor dining room. Toss in great food served with inexpensive local wines and wonderful service—why would you ever leave? But “don’t tell anyone”!
May 28, 2015: Guess where? Rated one of the Travel Curmudgeon’s most kid-friendly zoos.
May 27, 2015: Wait a minute — standards are getting too darn relaxed around here!
May 26, 2015: Travel Curmudgeon’s coffee claim confirmed from 30,000 feet and the last row of coach class seating: Still not great, but at least it’s hot … and free.
May 25, 2015: It’s hard to be a curmudgeon with this view (but coach class seating helps).
May 23, 2015: For Business Class travelers on US airlines—both domestic and international services—look forward to big interior cabin changes with Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Movie streaming, better internet, enhanced food and beverage selections, bigger better more comfortable seats, maybe even improved inflight service attitude? Sorry coach travelers, but look for smaller seats and more of them.
Frequent Flyer Mile Tickets:
May 22, 2015: Frequent Flyer Mile Tickets: look to your award airlines partners for easier use of mileage awards when booking tickets. Might be some fees involved – with American Airlines much easier to book on their OneWorld Partner, British Airways – usually much better service as well as more direct flights to your destinations.
May 21, 2015: Beware when you book a flight on Frontier Airlines – although they’re adding more routes, especially from the west coast, this Denver based airline has embraced the low cost super budget model followed by Spirit Airlines in the U.S. and Europe’s easyJet and Ryanair—super low price for a ticket then a rash of up charges for booking a seat, checking a bag, bag carry on, printing a boarding pass if you show up without one, early boarding and charges for any food or beverages you want on board—as much as $3.00 for a bottle of water! Still no charge for bringing your own food and beverages onboard – but give them time on that opportunity!
May 20, 2015: Alaska Airlines and their child, Horizon Air, receive the Travel Curmudgeon’s “Atta Way To Go” award this month! Not only is their service good and their planes clean, they’re also bringing back complimentary food and snacks—and a selection of inflight entertainment and Internet. When you travel on Horizon you still receive free wine or a craft beer—and can ship a case of wine for free—FREE!—now that’s a word you don’t usually associate with an airline. And Alaska has just announced new service to two cities in Costa Rica—wow they must know something about what a neat undiscovered travel destination that is.
