The Smart Traveler

The Best Weekend Cruise From Miami

2011-06-14T20:29:00.000-04:00

I live in Miami and sometimes you want to escape Paradise and go to... the Bahamas!

During my morning commute to the gym I drive by the port of Miami. If you do that every day, you get familiarized with the ships and as a cruise lover, I enjoy seeing them coming and going everyday.

If you are coming to Miami and don't want to spend a whole week on a cruise ship, all cruise lines offer weekend cruises: 3 nights - Friday afternoon through Monday morning - visiting Nassau and a private island.

The downside is that the oldest and outdated ships are used for these cruises.

Royal Caribbean uses Majesty of the Seas for this route. A ten year old ship very worn out and at the end of its run. I did it once and that was enough.

Carnival uses Carnival Imagination. Well, let me just say that after more than 25 cruises, Carnival is not my favorite cruise line and I would never cruise on Carnival again. There is a specific target for their product and I'm not included... thank God!

And then NCL uses Norwegian Sky, the nicest ship for a weekend getaway from Miami. It's a small but decent ship with everything you need for three nights. Great restaurants - two included, three for a fee (so worth it), comfortable staterooms... I didn't go on a cruise to mingle. The crowd is not high class, but you can enjoy yourself with friends, or have a romantic getaway with a loved one.

In any case, I've been there and I have done all of them sol if you have to choose one cruise for a weekend, go with Norwegian Sky... you won't regret it!

Safe travels everyone!

Vegas: No Brainer - The Best Deal this Summer!

2011-05-28T06:37:00.001-04:00

UPDATE 6/14/2011: This offer expired.
As all deals in travel, get it when you see it, otherwise it can be gone tomorrow!

Let's just say that I love Celine Dion. I saw her first show at the Coliseum years ago and just loved it!
So when she decided to go back to Vegas for a brand new show at the same venue, that was no brainer... I had to go! The show opened on March 15, 2011 and I've been waiting for the right opportunity, or excuse, to go!

This week I decided to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday in Vegas! And by coincidence, Celine has a show scheduled for that day... July 23! So, while researching online for the best deals in Vegas, I found an unbelievable deal that had to share here.

I was researching flights from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to Vegas and the average price is US$430 per person (I remember paying US$250 a few years ago...). Then I found something else at Southwest.

Let me say that Southwest is not my airline of choice, but I've flown with them twice and it was a very pleasant experience... nice aircraft, friendly crew, on time flights... much more than you get from American Airlines these days.

Anyway, they have right now a deal to Vegas that includes air and hotel. Using this deal I got my airline ticket, three days at Planet Hollywood and a bunch of discounts (two for one kind of thing) for US$435 per person! Yes, it's like paying airfare and getting the hotel for free!
You have to book by 6/9/11 and travel by 9/30/11

Click here to see this deal on the web!

While you are in Vegas, a visit to the Grand Canyon is always an amazing experience.
There is also an all day tour to the South Rim for just US$92 per person. (Regular price is twice as much)

Now, if you want to see Celine, you won't find any promotions or coupons for the show and you will have to pay from US$170, bring your binoculars seats, to US$1,350, I can smell Celine seats! Whatever you choose, this is a great excuse to go to Vegas this Summer!

Safe travels, everyone!

Click here to see this deal!

The Best Travel Apps For Android

2011-04-22T16:14:00.000-04:00

Having an Android with you on a trip can make everything a little easier. Track your flights, find things in strange cities, and even translate that cool-looking restaurant sign with the powers granted by these great travel apps.

TripIt

On its own, TripIt’s app doesn’t do anything. But if you sign up for a TripIt account, forward your flight, hotel and rental car confirmations to plans@tripit.com, or let Trip it automatically scrape your Gmail, your whole travel life is tracked, tidied up and organised, as if by one of those old-fashioned, you know, travel agents. Check into your flights, check their status, see the weather where you’re going and the distance to your hotel, and get much more. Premium TripIt users get a few more benefits, but the basic TripIt plan, and app, is way better than carrying around 20 print-outs.

FlightView

The gold standard for flight tracking, if you’re willing to pay, is FlightTrack, which runs $5.14, but has its detractors. FlightView, which offers a free (ad-supported) version, along with one or two upgrade levels, provides a similar service: if a flight gets delayed or cancelled, you hear about it. It seems to be as accurate as the other flight-tracking tools, and the free version lets you decide if it fits your needs.

Google Goggles

When you’re travelling overseas, Google Goggles comes in handy — really, really handy. Beyond identifying brands and works of art, Google’s app can translate foreign text inside a picture. So if you’re unsure whether a sign is pointing you toward a restroom or a fire department, ask Google, and you’ll be relieved (one way or another).

Places

Places is actually a built-in feature of Maps on most up-to-date Android phones, and it has its own icon in your app list. It’s basically like locating yourself on Maps, then running a search for something nearby, but much faster and convenient. Places’ default categories are helpful in most situations, but adding your own categories to search for is really helpful, especially if you’re reliant on one certain bank or other brand name while you’re wandering about.

Skype

Skype internet calling is the glue that holds together any international communications scheme. It allows you to make international calls to other Skype users for free, and to mobile phones and land lines back home for much cheaper than the rate you’ll get by buying another SIM card or prepaid calling card.

What travel apps for Android have gotten you through your trips? What’s the best way to prep for a trip using Android? Tell us your favourite travel apps in the comments.

Safe travels, everyone!

The World Most Dangerous Airports

2011-04-11T21:57:00.000-04:00

When I was invited to a wedding in Tegucigalpa, Honduras I had no idea that the second most dangerous airport in the world, according to History Channel program Most Extreme Airports, was Tancontín International Airport. The airport has received much criticism due to its proximity to mountainous terrain, its short runway, and historically difficult approach to runway 02.

Luckily we landed at San Pedro Sula, a horrific six hours drive to Tegucigalpa, but a safer place to land. When we have to take off from Tancontín I was as apprehensive as all my fellow passenger on that Taca flight. Since the runway is so short the airplane has to accelerate and take of in a few seconds (I would say it took maybe 25 seconds) and then climb as quick as possible not to crash on the mountains that surround the airport. Does it sound like fun? It's not! First and last time I visited Honduras until the corrupt government stops to gamble with peoples' lives for a profit and build Soto Cano airport in Comayagua.

Surviving the experience in Honduras, I decided to research the world's most dangerous airports before planning my next trip, and this is what I found:

10- San Diego, Lindbergh Field
This airport is the busiest one-runway airport in the country, with an average of 550 flights per day.
In September 1978, PSA flight 182 was making its approach into Lindbergh Field when a Cessna crossed into its flight path. The crash claimed the lives of 144 people. At the time, the incident over San Diego was the most deadly commercial aviation accident in U.S. history.

9- Madeira Funchal Airport, Portugal

The runway is abutted by water on one side and hills on the other, and in 2000 the runway was extended over the Atlantic Ocean about half a mile in order to accommodate jet liners. The overwater landing strip addition is supported by giant pillars, which you can actually boat around once your stay on Madeira begins.

Want more? Even though British Airways (direct from London-Gatwick), Air France, and other major airlines land here daily, pilots and passengers have to put up with mega-turbulence during landing, so much so that, at times, high winds and storms still close this airport to jet liners during winter months.

The airport itself is extremely modern and well kept, which any entering visitor deserves after putting up with what can be a arm rest clenching landing.

8- Eagle Vail, Colorado
Located in a valley to maximize wind challenges, Eagle County Airport is a danger due to surrounding mountains, snow, and most curiously the altitude. Airplanes lose power in higher altitudes, which is fine when they have reached cruising speed at 30,000 feet but it's bad when they need sudden bursts of power to maneuver a safe landing. Takeoff is the most challenging for pilots as there is an extremely precise takeoff pattern which navigates them precariously through the mountains.

7- Courcheval Airport, France

This airport made our top 10 most dangerous airport list because it is basically a giant ski slope. Only small planes land here so it doesn't make the news every time there's an accident, but there are plenty. There are some incredible video captures of takeoffs and ;andings from Courcheval Airport.

6- Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong

Prior to 1998 when Hong Kong opened their new airport, Kai Tak was a traditionally dangerous airport. Famous for it's flybys of downtown Hong Kong at 100 feet or less, the buildings around the airport made it impossible for planes to level their wings to land until they got under 300 feet. There are several incredible photos of giant planes weaving in and out of buildings in downtown Hong Kong while attempting to land at Kai Tak. While this was a very highly

publicized event, there were fortunately no fatalities.

5. Gibralter International Airport
Gibralter makes the list mainly because there is a four lane highway that passes right through the middle of the runway! There is a stoplight, similar to one you would see at a railroad crossing that shuts down the highway whenever a plane takes off or lands. This can stop traffic for up to 30 minutes. The next challenge is the landing. The rock of Gibralter creates an extremely complex wind circle that can throw the planes around quite a bit when they reach about 300 feet. The swirling winds are very unpredictable and cause pilots to be on their "A" game every landing at Gibralter.

4. Princess Julianna Airport at St. Maartin

The airport at St. Maartin is almost like a tourist attraction. Planes coming in for a landing fly directly over the heads of beach-goers who frequent a local bar known for it's airplane flyovers. The local beach bar actually puts up a chalkboard sign listing all of the landings so that the customers can get in good position for the planes to fly directly over their heads! There is also a local custom called "riding the fence" where people grab onto a fence behind the area where the jets take off, wait for the jets to kick into high and then HOLD ON! as the jets propel winds of up to 70 miles per hour. Pilots of jets have reported seeing people being thrown as far as fifty feet from the fence. So far no one has been hurt, and it remains a great tourist attraction.

3. Gustaf III Airport - St. Barts

For starters, pilots have to have a special license to even land at this airport! A short, 12 minute flight from St. Maartin, this 1200 foot runway only hosts planes holding 30 people or less. There is a pretty cool video of a plane missing the runway and going into the ocean (no one was hurt) but it shows why this is one of the most dangerous in the world.

2. Toncontín International Airport

We already discussed this one.

1. Lukla Airport - Nepal
Topping our list of most dangerous airports is Lukla Airport in Nepal. There have been too many crashes at this airport to list. Lukla has all of the danger factors; mountains, fog, extreme weather conditions, low visability, and if that isn't enough - you only have one chance to land. Due to the short runway and the mountains immediately at the end of the runway, pilots do not have the option of overshooting the runway and making a second attempt at landing. Once the initial descent is made to land, you're landing whether you like it or not. Takeoff is also a challenge due to the ominous mountains at the end of the runway. Pilots must gain immediate altitude to shoot over the mountains before crashing into the side of them. The airport is a source to a local village that is extremely primative and relys on the supplies delivered by plane. When a plane is going to attempt a landing, a siren is sounded warning the locals to clear the runway.

So when you are planning your next trip, keep in mind these airports and the chances you want to take to visit a new destination... and come back alive!

Safe travels everyone!

How to find a hotel deal without bidding in the dark?

2011-03-20T20:28:00.000-04:00

A Five Star hotel in Lisbon for 50 Euros? A Four Star hotel in Downtown Orlando for US$53? You may ask: What is the catch? No catch, just internet skills and I'm about to share it with you!

You always can bit, and take your chances, on Priceline.com or Hotwire.com without knowing the hotel's name, just the location area and star rate. But if you want to know the hotel's name, exact address, read the reviews on Tripadvisor.com before you book your vacation, your first stop should be: www.kayak.com

Why Kayak? I was going to Orlando a few weeks ago and I wanted to stay in downtown. So I put the information on Kayak and run th search. Then I selected 4 or 5 Star hotels sorted by price - low to high. The Four Star Sonesta Downtown, offered by US$156 a night on most websites had a special on Getaroom.com for US$53 a night. Kayak will connect you directly to the website and you will book yourself.

The same happened when I was searching for an airline ticket for my upcoming trip to Portugal. Kayak showed me that TAP will start flying direct flights to Lisbon from Miami in June 10, and they have the best fare, 30% cheaper that Continental and American without having to go through New York.
Thank you Kayak!

Another great internet travel tool is: www.travelzoo.com

Travelzoo lists the best deals available through them or not, on hotels, cars, airlines, entertainment...
How else could I find out that the Five star Corinthis Hotel Lisbon had a winter sale for 2 weeks in February and was offering $200 Euros rooms for $50 Euros?
thanks to Travelzoo I was able to grab this deal and make my upcoming trip much more enjoyable!

One thing I can say for sure: NEVER pay full price on anything travel related, because if you know how to use the right tools, you will find a deal online!

Safe travels everyone!

Destination Florida 2: Cassadaga

2011-03-08T20:14:00.000-05:00

If you think that Orlando is all about theme parks, think again! There is a lot to see around that area, but the most peculiar and maybe bizarre destination in Central Florida is a little town called Cassadaga.

Located 40 minutes northwest of Orlando, Cassadaga is known as the The Psychic Center of the World.

The town of Cassadaga started from the founding of the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association. The Camp was founded by a medium George P. Colby from Pike, New York.

The location was chosen for its unique energy level. The word Cassadaga is a term used by the Seneca Indians meaning, “Rocks beneath the water.”

The Camp was chartered on December 18, 1894, and as they say, the rest is history!!

Once you enter Cassadaga you feel the energy that surrounds this place. The spiritualistic camp consists of approximately 57 acres with 55 residences. Although residents may own their homes within the Camp grounds, the church retains ownership of the land. Designated a Historic District on the National Register Of Historic Places in 1991, the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association is the oldest active religious community in the Southeastern United States.

If you are looking for a reading, a contact with a deceased relative, Cassadaga is the destination for you. You can stay at the Cassadaga hotel, one of the best kept secrets of haunted Florida. The magnificent hotel that currently stands in Cassadaga Florida was constructed in the year of 1928. Containing an amazing forty rooms, this hotel sits on Cassadaga Road at the intersection of Stevens Street. If you are interested in exploring haunted Florida, you will likely enjoy your stay at this spectacular hotel in Cassadaga. The residents of the community welcome everyone from those that are interested in Spiritualism to those that are skeptical about their way of life.

This is an interesting place to visit and get a taste of old Florida. So next time you visit Orlando, think outside the box and drive to Cassadaga, you might like it so much that you will decide to stay.

Safe travels everyone!

Cassadaga's Website

Hotel Reservation Alert _ Hilton Dishonor

2011-02-20T22:20:00.000-05:00

Summer will be here soon and if you are already planning your vacation, you might be interested on hearing about how to avoid hotels reservations traps.

A month before my recent trip to New York, I booked my stay at the Doubletree Metropolitan at the Hilton Honors website. At that point the best rate available was $150 a nigh plus taxes but to lock this rate in I had to give my credit card information and in case I cancelled this reservation would be a non refundable.
Well, Hilton has the slogan "Best rate guarantee" so I though I had a deal and signed up for that.
A week before my trip I found an offer at Travelzoo for the same hotel and dates for $119 plus taxes a nigh. I called Hilton customer service and after being place on hold a few times, I was told that I had to talk to the hotel's manager. Needless to say, my quest took me nowhere and I was forced to pay $150 or I would loose my prepaid amount. Is that what they call "Best rate guarantee" or am I missing the point?

At the same week, Travelzoo had another offer at the Roosevelt hotel for $119 a night including internet and breakfast.

So if you are planning your Summer vacation, don't lock into a rate, WAIT! Why be penalized by booking in advance? Wait until a few weeks before your trip, and look for last minute promotional rates and promotions at hotels on your destination and you will, for sure, find a better deal than the ones offered to the early birds.

Read my review on Trip Advisor clicking here!

Spider-Man - Turn off the Critics

2011-02-13T21:01:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: 6/14/2011 - AFTER MONTHS OF CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS, SPIDER-MAN IS FINALLY OPENING ON BROADWAY TONIGHT. I WILL SEE THE SHOW AGAIN ON JULY 2 AND MAKE A NEW REVIEW...

"Dead on Arrival." "A shrill, insipid mess." "Sheer ineptitude." "Underbaked, terrifying, confusing."

That’s what the critics are saying about “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark”, the controversial most expansive musical ever produced.

The Smart Traveler bought discounted tickets on http://www.broadwaybox.com/ (US$97 – 40% off regular price), and saw the show on Saturday, February 12, at the 2PM matinée, and that's what he has to say:

A stand up ovation, yes, this plagued musical got stand up ovation from the audience and I have to tell you it was well deserved!

Based on all the reviews, the mishaps and delays, I knew I was going to see the worse and more expansive musical ever made and that’s why I went to see it. And I’m glad I did and I’m surprised I was utterly wrong. This is the most original, entertaining and daring musical to open on Broadway for the last 30 years.

It’s not easy to bring Spider Man to the stage, but the great director Julie Taymor (Lion King) transferred the comics experience to the stage with genial creativity, amazing sets and breathtaking special effects.

Reeve Carney plays Peter Parker with perfection and when he sings his solos ballads (Rise Above, The Boy Falls From the Sky) you understand that he is a star in the making.

Jennifer Damiano got a Tony nomination when she played the daughter on Next to Normal and now she plays Mary Jane with the same dramatic depth and I bet she will get her second nomination for this role. She sings the best song on Spider Man – If the World Should End – proving her undeniable talent.

There is the legend of Arachne (kind of a Spider Woman) that brings a new dimension to the whole plot, and T.V. Carpio who plays the part is another great addition to the cast and her songs (Behold and Wonder and Turn Off the Dark) are touching and beautiful.

So apparently Bono and The Edge did a great job after all, with innovative lyrics and wonderful music.

This show will be a great hit. Once again, the critics will just help to promote this amazing show with their bitter reviews.

When I was leaving the theater, I talked to several people and everybody agree that this is a great show that doesn't deserve the bad press that is getting.

I’m sure that word of mouth will take care of it and the next Wicked will shine on Broadway soon!

It's Wanderfly!

2011-02-07T20:59:00.004-05:00

You choose the destination, dates, your budget for the trip, what you are looking for on this trip and voilà... this wonderful new web app give you ALL the information you need to make that happen.

Try it: http://www.wanderfly.com/

Wanderfly basically invites you to dream a little bit as far as your vacation goes. How much money do you want to spend? What are the activities that you would like to spend the most time doing? Take those esoteric factors and put them together with the bread and butter of travel search engines (flights and hotels) and you get something that looks like this:

Before getting into what’s displayed in the tour plan, let me just say awesome. Awesome. With all the inputs, I was expecting an endless page with links to some clubs, hotels and airline tickets. Instead, you have a page with a short description of the destination and a few images of places worth visiting.

Tucked neatly into their respective tabs is the ability to see ou’re ready to take the leap. Wanderfly has a brilliant design that doesn’t overwhelm the user. While using Wanderfly, I was more and more inclined in taking the trip, while I was not there in the first place to plan a trip. The simplicity with which you can fine tune all the details of your travel, to suit the budget and schedule is just mind blowing. Wanderfly is a breath of fresh air and I suggest all travelers give this wonderful web app a try.

Safe travels, everyone!

Destination Florida: St. Augustine

2011-02-01T20:22:00.002-05:00

There are so many unknown attractions in Florida that most tourists hardly hear about. My series "Destination Florida" will give you all the information you need to explore the "other" Florida.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'm blogging about St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United States, or simply, the oldest city in the US, and maybe the most romantic one!

Located at the northeast section of Florida, at St. Johns county, a five hours drive North of Miami, the city was founded in 1565. When you explore this place you sense an European flair all over the Colonial Spanish Quarter, the old city, that is an open air, living history museum which is located on over one and a half acre and which depicts the complete history of St. Augustine through archeological artifacts excavated in St. Augustine and from shipwrecks off the coast of Florida. There are nine historic buildings on site, including the Government House Museum and the Spanish Military Hospital, and you will meet the residents and craftspeople of mid-18th century St. Augustine while visiting this unique attraction.

The Spanish fort Castillo de San Marcos is a "must not miss" St. Augustine attraction. The National Park Service maintains the Fort on 20.5 acres and keeps it open every day except Christmas. Built of native coquina rock, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry and only extant 17th-century fort in North America.

The fort is an excellent example of the "bastion system" of fortification. It was never taken by force, only by treaty. Six different flags have flown over Castillo de San Marcos, including the Spanish flag and the U.S. flag twice.

After Pirates ransacked St. Augustine, construction began on the Castillo in 1672. The Castillo de San Marcos' rich history thus embodies the struggle and contest of the entire colonial era as well as the foundations of early America. Historic weapons demonstrations including canon firings occur most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Another attraction is the St. Augustine Light, an active lighthouse on the north end of Anastasia Island, within the current city limits of St. Augustine. The tower, built in 1874, is owned by the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, not-for-profit maritime museum and private aid-to-navigation. Open to the public, admissions support continued preservation of the Lighthouse and fund programs in maritime archaeology and education.

So, where should you stay while visiting St. Augustine? The best hotel (an more expensive) is Casa Monica, a 120 years old construction, located in the heart of the city. Visit the hotel's website clicking here.

Another option (more affordable) is a romantic Bed & Breakfast. There are lots of options, so do your homework when planning. This website will give an overview of all the B&Bs in town: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/saint-augustine-florida.html

I visited St. Augustine years ago and had a surprising enjoyable trip. I'm sure you will enjoy this little piece of history in North Florida.

Safe travels, everyone!

Farewell American Airlines

2011-01-24T22:13:00.002-05:00

They say: Doing What We Do Best.

I say: I really don't want to see what you do worse!

They say: We know why you fly.

And I say: And I don't know how you fly... well, when you fly!

Out of my last five flights on American Airlines, three were cancelled. But before they were cancelled, in all of them, I boarded the plane, went through all the departure process, and a few minutes before leaving the gate the pilot announced that there was a technical problem with the aircraft and the mechanics were coming to try to fix it. Two hours after that, when we weren't allowed to leave the aircraft, we were informed that the flight was cancelled and they would try to accommodate everyone in other flights. So a trip from Miami to New York that should last 3 hours, ended taking eight or nine hours. Thank you, American, there is really something special in the air!

Every time that this happened, I was on an old 757. I had a lot of time to look around the aircraft and even take some pictures. See for yourself:

So if they are using duck tape to hold panels inside the aircraft, should I be surprised if I see this one day?

Based on the amount of technical problems that happened when I was on board of an American Airlines airplane, I wonder how often does it really happen. Do you have an idea of how old are these planes? How many hours they already flow?

So, let me tell you a few facts based on information gather on the site: http://www.airlinemonitor.com/aircraftdata.html

It has been a while since most Americans have experienced that new plane smell.

The average age of the fleet of the seven large U.S. passenger airlines -- including American, Alaska, Continental, the merged Delta and Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways,is about 14 years old.

American and Delta/Northwest have the oldest fleets, at about 16 years on average. American flies 102 757's aircrafts.

I just don't want to become a statistic because a greedy airline decided to use their airplanes until they... well, let's say, until they couldn't fly anymore. Based on my recent experience, it seems that this is happening with American right now.

So you may say that all airlines in the US have an old fleet, actually the US have the oldest airplane fleet in the world, but American add to that the rudest flight attendants in the world. Guinness Book of Records, where are you?

I always talk to people about travel and their experiences during a trip and I always hear the same complain about how rude and discourteous American Airlines flight attendants are.

Among hundreds of horror stories you can find about this online,

I love this paragraph that describes what all of us had seem many times on an american Airlines flight:

"So here’s how American Airlines Flight #144 went:
It starts from boarding the aircraft, there’s no greetings or pleasantries. The front female flight attendant is pissed about something and is talking back to the person stocking the front galley ignoring everyone. Osama Bin Laden could have boarded with an AK-47 and RPG, and she wouldn’t have noticed or given a rat’s ass. As you walk back to the passenger cabin, the next overweight or pregnant flight attendant (it was hard to tell, honestly) has her knee up on a seat, chewing gum in full glory of her open mouth (saying nothing, it’s too full of gum). As you head back towards rear of the cabin, the flight attendant in the back, is reading her magazine as the passengers are boarding completely ignoring everything around her. There is one elderly passenger who is having trouble putting her bag up into the overhead bin, does she help…. Hell No! So I get up from my seat and put her bag away for her. It’s not heavy or big, the passenger is just elderly and short. O’le ”Gum Chewer Prego” looks at me, doesn’t even come toward us, and of course, not even a thank you for doing “her job”. Meanwhile, the flight attendant in the back, decides to get coffee for herself, she’s just in her own “LA LA LAND”. I just want to go back there and slap the old witch and tell he to do her job!"

And the sad part is that whoever wrote this is not making this up.

Also the American Airlines workers at the airport must be trained on the same school, since they have the same discourteous behavior and you end up feeling by their attitude that you are bothering them.

So, after many episodes with American I decided to explore alternatives to improve my flying experience and I was happily surprised with what I found.

First I tried Jet Blue and I almost cried when the flight attendant received me and the other passengers with a smile, and even helped people to get settled. Every seat had a monitor with DirecTV in HD, not an old monitor hanging precariously from the ceiling with an image like something out of an old TV in the 70's.

After that I even tried Southwest and in comparison with my old dearest American, I felt like a VIP on a private jet. Just kidding, but the flight attendant brought a basket with goodies during the flight and I said that I liked two different nuts that she had. She smiled at me and said: "Take as many as you want!" Really?

But I found my new airline when I went to India with Continental Airlines. I had to fly from Miami to Newark to get the 777 to Mumbai. But flying on a brand new 757 out of Miami, on that short flight, I understood that there are better options and we shouldn't patronize a business that takes us for granted.

Continental also has a monitor with lots of channels in every seat, pleasant flight attendants and like I said: brand new planes!

I hear that Virgin America is also an excellent airline with all the perks that we, passengers, deserve!

So, my friend, don't settle for less. There is light at the end of this tunnel and we don't need to feel like cattle every time we fly. Shop around and you will find something special in the air... for real!

Read reviews from passengers on American by clicking here!

Allure of the Seas: Bigger is not always Better! 2/2

2011-01-15T13:08:00.000-05:00

They will build the biggest ship on Earth to take people to... Costa Maya! Why?

I chose the Western Caribbean cruise with the Allure, since it really doesn't matter where you go because on this case, the destination is the ship, but to take passengers to this forgotten place with nothing, and I mean, NOTHING to do, is puzzling. Costa Maya is a tourist area created by the Mexico's government. The city's name is actually Mahahual, and to call that fishing village a city is, by all means, a stretch.

As always I didn't buy the tours on board to avoid packed buses and high prices, so I contacted a travel agency called The Native Choice, located in Costa Maya (http://www.thenativechoice.com/) and booked online the tour "Mayan Experience" (US$70 per person) and we were happily surprised with their service and the tour.

We visited Chacchoben Mayan Ruins (see picture) located one hour from the pier - notice I didn't say port - and then we visited a modern Mayan community where we had a traditional Mayan meal. A delightful experience.

During our drive inland we were greeted by the Mexican army on a road check. The tour agency told us that the area was safe, but will all the news about violence in Mexico, it was always a concern for me, even though nothing happened during our tour.

Other than that, there is not much to do in Costa Maya. If you have no plans, just relax in the ship and forget about this port.

Next stop is Cozumel, and if you don't know it yet, this island out of the coast of the Yucatan peninsula is the biggest tourist trap in the Caribbean. Take your chances or again, stay on the ship!

I forgot to mention the first stop: Labadee, or should I say Royal Caribbean City? It's just a money making machine for RCL with zip lines, roller coasters and some locals selling they crafts. Nice place to relax on the beach and enjoy a barbecue.

Other than that, you will have three more days at sea to enjoy Allure of the Seas and all the activities and entertainment on board. Let's take a look into that!

Allure has stolen the title Entertainment Ship from NCL's Epic. Fair or not? Well, there are a lot of shows available on Allure of the Seas but fasten your seat belts because it's going to be a bumpy ride!

First night we saw Comedy Live, a stand up comedy show with two very good comedians: Robbie Printz & Basile. The show lasts for one hour and I guarantee that you will have a great time, especially with the Greek comedian Basile and his very unique style.

Then we saw Chicago and that was the best show I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Great singers, actors and director. Dance was good, but it's not Broadway. They created a shorter version with 90 minutes that flows really well. Don't miss it!

That was a good start, but then it all went downhill from there.

The Aqua Theater is an open air space at the very back of the ship. RCL produced "Oceanaria" that is nothing more than a shameless collage of various Cirque du Soleil numbers from O to La Nouba and everything they could grab in between. As a Cirque du Soleil's big fan I was appalled by this ridiculous attempt to copycat something amazing and in the process create a laughable disaster.

Next we saw "Ice Games" at Studio B. Let me just say that I've seen at least three other ice skating productions on RCL and I enjoyed them enormously. So I had high hopes for Ice Games since we were at the Entertainment ship, and, oh boy, I was wrong. Ice Games is the equivalent of a high school play on a bad night. Tasteless, boring and dated. If you are a five year old, you might enjoy it, six and above, just skip it all together!

There is another 25 minutes ice skating show based on the cartoon: How To Train Your Dragon. If you have small kids, take them to see it. If you don't, I'm sure you will regret wasting these 25 minutes inside, when you could be enjoying the Caribbean sun!

And finally Allure brings you "Blue Planet"... let's say that this show is a decent cruise ship production.
The same cast that early in the week plays Chicago sings and dance on this Cirque du Soleil like musical. The kind of show that you will forget five minutes after you leave the theater.

The DreamWorks characters are around the ship, like Mickey is on the Disney cruises. They have two parades on the Promenade, breakfast with the characters (you have to book in advance) and many photos op during the cruise. One good thing about being on a huge ship like the Allure is that you don't have to take part of anything if you don't want to, so I never saw Fiona or Shrek, but I'm sure that the 600 kids on board during that week had a ball!

Allure has a huge casino, 50% smoke free. Very nice indeed.

So NCL's Epic might be an architectural disaster but I think that their Entertainment is far better that what you will see on the Allure, but let's discuss that on a future blog!

With so many days at sea and boring ports, what can you do on board?

Other than the rock climbing walls that you find on every RCL ships, the Flow Riders introduced on the Freedom class ships is a fun activity. You can book a class and learn com to surf with a private teacher. The Zip Line is a four seconds activity introduced on the Oasis class ships and honestly nothing special here. See video here!

Now, they will build a ship that can accommodate up to 6,500 guests and I will have a gym with 25 treadmills, 20 elliptical, four steppers, a free weight area where three or four people can work out at the same time... and this is not a joke, this is Allure's gym. So at any given time during sea days you will have to wait for a cardio machine. But don't worry, the spinning class is right in the middle on the gym, so you will be able to hear the loud music and the instructor's screams from anywhere on this cramped and dark gym. See the video here.

But you can enjoy the beautiful spa if you are willing to pay an average of US$200 per treatment - that includes 18% tip but not the products they will try to sell you!

In conclusion, Allure is, by all means, a beautiful ship with pros and cons. For me it was overwhelming in many ways and if you ask me: Would you go back for another Oasis class ship cruise? I will say: No!

As much as I love cruses and cruise ships, I believe that there is a limit in size to make it an enjoyable experience and a ship with 2000, 2500 passenger is big enough for me. Traveling on "Wall Mart on black Friday" was fun once... but in the future I will always remember... Bigger is not always better!

Safe travels everyone!

Allure of the Seas: Bigger is not always Better! 1/2

2011-01-09T11:28:00.005-05:00

I have to start by saying that we had a great time. This is an amazing ship, everything you heard about it is true. It is strikingly beautiful and to say that it is innovative is an understatement about how edgy and modern Allure is. So the facts are in. It’s time to make waves and rock the boat, and The Smart Traveler has the scoop about the biggest cruise ship ever built.

“She is a man made wonder of the sea” that’s the impression I had when I was driving to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and I saw the Allure of the Seas waiting for me that sunny Sunday morning. Ten ships were at the port that day and the traffic to get through the control gate took longer than the time that took us to unload the car, park, check-in and get to our cabin – 15 minutes! Impressive when you think that 6,360 people had to checked in on that day. Yes, there was 6,360 passengers on board plus 2,100 crew members bringing the total to the staggering total of 8,460 people on board of the Allure.

When we first entered the ship, everywhere we looked we had the WOW factor. And we kept saying WOW until the day we left… sometimes for all the wrong reasons.

After the safety drill, thousands of passengers headed to the Promenade and I heard a fellow passenger saying once he saw the mob roaming around that area: “This is like traveling on Wall Mart on a Black Friday! ” And he was right. Several times during the cruise that comment came back to mind. Allure is great in every aspect, except that you can’t hide 6,360 people confined in the same space with you for a week, even if that is a really big space!

Beautiful neighborhoods, Promenade, Central Park, Boardwalk, everything is impressive.

Don’t worry about getting seasick – you will hardly notice that you are on a ship. You have almost two dozen places to eat, from pizza to sushi, from steak to caviar, and everything in between. If you want a special meal, you have to pay extra, but the average cruise ship food is included… nothing to write home about, just really average RCL food.

From the array of specialty restaurants we tried the steakhouse Chops, best food and desserts, Italian food at Giovanni’s, mediocre, and the fancy Central Park 150, pretentious overrated dinning experience

And you will leave the place after almost three hours, hungry!

See the video about Rita's Cantina, the new Mexican restaurant at Allure.
Click here to watch!

If you have been in other cruises, you can’t avoid noticing that they are cutting corners with the restaurant schedule. Remember the good old times when the buffet was open until 11:30PM and then they had the midnight buffet? Forget about that. The buffet closes at 9PM and the only thing you can eat at midnight is a piece of pizza at Sorrento’s or a snack at the Promenade Café. Everything else will be closed until morning. To travel on the Oasis class ships you will have to pay premium price, so why Royal Caribbean is cutting back on dinning hours and options?

My time dinning is a complete disaster. After a presentation of Chicago we went for dinner on the main dining room at 8:45PM, along with 1,500 people that left the theater with us. There was long lines, it took us half an hour to get into the restaurant (and we had a reservation) and another hour after that to get the food. The manager apologized saying that everyone was eating late that night and he sent us desserts from Chops. Nice, but the problem is still there and it happened to other guests in different nights. We are being used as guinea pigs by RCL to introduce something that NCL has being using successfully for years, my time dining, and after my experience I can say that RCL have a long way to go before they can make it work, especially on the Oasis class ships. The problem again is that they are charging premium rates but they are not providing premium service!

There is something really innovative on Allure, the healthy food option. There is the solarium buffet that serves breakfast and lunch and everything is healthy… for those into healthy living like me, this is a great addition to the cruise ship industry. There is also the Spa Cafe where you can buy protein shakes, natural juices and smoothies.

The cabins are comfortable, well appointed, tastefully decorated and with all the technologies you need – interactive TV, i-pod dock – really nice, just lacking storage. But nothing that you don’t find on NCL, Princess or Celebrity. If your cabin faces Central Park or Boardwalk, sometimes you will believe that you are on a building complex. These pictures are from my cabin (9207) facing Central Park.
Watch the video clicking here!

You will never have to wait more than 5 minutes for an elevator. The glass elevators are beautiful and you can appreciate the amazing neighborhoods when riding in one of them.

The Promenade – one of Allure’s neighborhoods – it’s wider and with a lot more stores and food venues than Royal Caribbean’s Freedom and Navigator class ships. The area attracts a lot of people night and day. So if you don’t like crowds and loud music, avoid this neighborhood and go to Central Park where you will find peace, on an open sky oasis in this very busy ship.

The Boardwalk is a real treat with a carrousel and all the atmosphere of Atlantic City’s boardwalk. The amazing Aqua Theatre is at the end of the Boardwalk where you will have the WOW factor looking the ocean from the open back side of the ship.

Watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbnMlRgTChc

Next week The Smart Traveler will talk about the Entertainment and activities on the Allure and the ports of call.

Stay tuned and safe travels!

Related videos:

Allure's gym and spa: click here!
Allure's Finder: Click here!

Destination: Allure of the Seas

2011-01-02T08:49:00.000-05:00

This time I don't care where the cruise ship is taking me. All I want is to get on board and enjoy... the cruise ship.

It sounds weird even for me, but now Royal Caribbean raised the bar for the cruise industry.

This week The Smart Traveler will sail on the world's largest and newest ship - Allure of the Seas - visiting the Western Caribbean.

I will bring all the inside information from the ship - videos, pictures and reviews. I want to know if all they are saying is true and I will let you know!

3D movie theater, Chicago: The Musical, seven neighborhoods, 23 dining options, four pools, Acqua Theater, biggest gym and casino at sea, 5,400 passengers... can it work or is it a big mess? Tacky or classy?

This will be my 23rd cruise and I'm hoping for the best one ever. Sorry Eugenio C!

Check my blog starting Sunday, January 9

with the Allure of the Seas Special Editions!

Safe travels everyone and Bon Voyage!

The Best Place to Ski in America!

2010-12-20T10:59:00.000-05:00

There is a joke that says that someone asked God why He blessed Brazil with no earthquakes, no hurricanes, no tornados, no natural disasters of any kind, and His answer was "Wait until you see the people I'm going to put there!"

Growing up, there was one "blessing" that got in the way of my athletic development: NO SNOW! It'true, there is not one place in this huge country that has a ski resort. So in 1979 I learned to ski in Switzerland, more precise the little ski resort town called Valbella, close to the Italian border. My friend Paulo Rossi's family had a house there and I was invited to spend 40 days with them. Then ski became a passion and after that I skied in Bariloche, Argentina, Las Lenas, Chile (icy snow, not the best), then Stowe, Vermont (beautiful place - Trapp Family Lodge is a must - but icy snow as well), then Aspen, Snowmass, Keystone in Colorado, and I thought for many years that Colorado had the best snow and the best trails I've ever been. WRONG!

In early 2009 we decided to go to Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Let me tell you, Park City is ski heaven!

First it's a charming little town with a story beginning 135 years ago when Army soldiers discovered rich silver veins in the mountain above what would become Park City. Since that time, Park City has been home to a colorful cast of characters, set among silver mines, saloons and eventually ski lifts. In 2002 the city hosted the Olympics Winter Games and every year, in the middle of January, it hosts the famous independent film festival called Sundance, created by Robert Redford in 1978.

It's very easy to get to Park City. You fly to Salt Lake City, rent a car and in 25 minutes you are in your chalet or hotel close to one of the mountains.

There are plenty of hotels in Park City, but to have the full experience of the mountain life, I always like to rent a house close to the mountain. The site www.vrbo.com has a lot of properties listed by the owners, and that means cheaper and convenient.

The ski mountains in the Park City are are The Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City.

The trails are long, well kept, the views are breathtaking... you can ski for hours in the Canyons without going back to the same trail.

At night, if you want to leave your cozy chalet in the mountains, downtown Park City offers great dinning options - my favorite is 350 Main - bars, movie theaters...

So, keep in mind when planning your next ski trip - Park City, Utah is the place to be! You wont regret it!

PS: On the way to Park City, make a stop at Bear Country Cookies (Former Ben's Cookies) at 158 South Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City. I heard that they kept the recipes from the British cookie maker (the best cookie in the world!!) and if it's true, it's very well worth to try their delicious chocolate cookie!

The Smart Traveler is signing off until January 2nd, when I will be back to start 2011 with a BANG!!!

Safe travels everyone and Happy Holidays!

Chasing Monet

2010-12-13T11:39:00.001-05:00

If Claude Monet was alive today, I would be stalking him around Giverny trying to learn everything I could from my Master and inspiration.

Unlike today's idols, idiots like the Kardashians or "The Situation", that have absolutely nothing to offer, except self-promotion and merchandising, the Old Masters have the testimony of a life of struggle and determination to become the utmost example of the best of what humanity has to offer and their work will outlive all of us.

I remember vividly the fist time a saw a Monet. I was roaming around the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and unaware of what was waiting for me, I entered a gallery and saw "Le Grenouillère" that he painted in 1869, when he still was a struggling and hungry artist. I was taken by the strokes that didn't add much when seen up close, but that gained unbelievable depth and life as you gazed the painting from the distance.

At that split moment, I fell in love with Impressionism and his creator.

I have been to New York several times after that and I always pay a visit to my idol's paintings at the Metropolitan, since they have an amazing collection of his work.

So, where could I find more Monet's paintings in the US? During a visit to the beautiful Getty Museum in Los Angeles, I was happily surprised to find four Monet in their collection, including "Still Life", a rare painting from the Master.

After researching online, I found out that the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC had the best collection of Monet in the country.

So, I had to check that out... and it is correct. The National Gallery has the most beautiful, imprssive and personal works of Monet. There you can see "The Walk, Woman with a Parasol" that is a painting of Camille, Monet's wife, and their son Jean. For me this is one of Monet's most impressive works - the colors and the strength of the strokes are breathtaking.

You can see a thousand pictures of Monet's work but you will only understand why he is a Master of his trade when you see his work in front of you!

How do you follow the National Gallery if you are chasing Monet? I had to fly across the Pond to go to his home country, France. And I'm glad I did!

First stop: Musée d'Orsay, Paris. The museum itself is an attraction, and old train station turned into a museum... spectacular! The Impressionism wing has all the great Masters and an impressive colletion of Monet. Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of June 30, 1878, is my favorite. This painting inspired an American impressionist: Childe Hassam. Well, he almost copied Monet's painting on his "Red Cross Drive, May 1918".
Maybe not as original, but still another great impressionistic artist.

While in Paris, I heard about a exhibit at Musée Marmottan Monet, that would be a rare opportunity to see a private collection of Monets from someone called Dr. De Belio. And there was sketches half painted from the Master while he was working on his famous water-lilies paintings, and also several paintings from Giverny, where he spent his final years.

Then, Musée of l'Orangerie. A cycle of Monet's water lily paintings, known as the "Nympheas", was arranged on the ground floor of the Orangerie in 1927, a few month's after Monet's death. The museum was closed to the public from the end of August 1999 until May 2006. For several months before it was closed there was a special exhibit of Monet's Nympheas that were gathered from museums throughout the world. More than 60 of the 250 paintings he made of the water lilies in his garden were included. The Orangerie was renovated in order to move the paintings to the upper floor of the gallery. They are now available under direct diffused light as was originally intended by Monet. The eight paintings are displayed in two rooms.

All I can say is, if you have to see one work from Monet, go to the Musée of l'Orangerie. There you will find the final work of the Master, eight water lily murals that he painted while suffering from cataracts.

Well, there is one more painting from Monet that I encountered when I wasn't looking for it.

During a cruise on the ship Norwegian Gem, behind a thick glass, there was "Netheuil de Soleil" that Monet painted in 1880. I checked with NCL and its indeed an original. That made NCL my favorite cruise line!

So, this summons up my encounters with Monet's work.

I know that the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, has several Monet's paintings. Maybe that will be my next stop. I still have to go to Giverny to check the house and gardens that brought so much inspiration for my idol... by all means, my chase is not over!

Is there a Monet in your neck of the world? Do you have a Monet story? I would love to hear!

Monet's fans, unite! ;)
Safe travels, everyone!

Two Best Spots to Visit in Brazil

2010-12-05T20:21:00.000-05:00

If you are planning a visit to Brazil, don't you want to know from a native what should you visit?
So you are reading the right blog... I was raised in Brazil and I will share with you some tips about my favorite destinations from the country where I was born. Not everything is Samba and Caipirinha under the Equator!

First - forget Rio, dangerous, overrated... a pretty tourist trap. As a Brazilian, the moment I heard about the Olympics being held in Rio in 2016 I thought: This won't work! Just read the news coming from Rio for the last few weeks and imagine what can happen in 2016 or when you are visiting this city surrounded by favelas and poverty!

São Paulo is a big cosmopolitan city with 20 million people. Crazy, chaotic, with great restaurants and cultural life. If you are going for business, great spot, for leisure... keep reading.

First option Comandatuba in Bahia. Why? Take a look at Transamerica Hotel in the island:

The Hotel Transamérica Ilha de Comandatuba is the best option for deluxe leisure in Brazil. Located in southern Bahia, a short distance off the coast, the Hotel is the perfect combination of refinement, ecology, comfort, relaxing privacy, and entertainment.

In an exhilarating and exuberant area with 13 miles of beach and surrounded by centenary palm trees and tropical gardens.

These are comments from people that stayed in the resort:

The Transamerica is undoubtedly one of the best hotels I've ever stayed at. It is set in a wonderful island full of palm trees, and it is just a couple of hours by plane from São Paulo.

The hotel has its own airport where its crew welcome you and they make responsible for your luggage. In fact, they'll take it right to your room, and then back to your plane when it's time to return.

The main building is not really outstanding but inside it is really charming and amazingly clean. Lots of really efficient maids make this possible. Service is really excellent and the hotel staff is helpfull and almost unnoticeable.

There are two stunning pools, seven tennis courts, a great golf course, a prestigious spa and many other facilities, all very well appointed.

Rooms are spacious and well arranged, and beds are great. Bathrooms are confortable, in spite of their lack of bath.

There is a very long list of activities to be done and a bunch of bars and restaurans open all day.

It's one of those places that you never feel alone, there are so many things to do, from classes in the pool, entertainment, gym, golf, walks on the beach, 4x4, Motorbikes, bicycles, football, tennis and then an incredible entertainment team for the Children.

The one thing that I’ve enjoyed most is that it's by far the friendliest staff I've found in all my trips, always ready to help, but without bugging you, it's almost like in the Orient they are there but you only feel them until you need them.

Besides the fact that you have so many different places where to be, you can either be in the middle of he entertainment, in a more isolated swimming pool, playing in a wonderful golf course or just bathing on an isolated beach.... I think what better describes Comandatuba is Quality with alternative.
For me Comandatuba is almost the Perfect resort, and the food is great too!

So, if you want to relax and enjoy a five stars resort with the best Brazil has to offer, don't look an further and book the best vacation in Brazil.

Second option (and my favorite): Iguazu Falls. Let's face it, Niagara Falls is not that impressive and the Canadian side is a huge tacky tourist trap. Once you experience Iguazu Falls in Brazil you will never go back to Niagara.

These falls are the most amazing attraction in Brazil. I've been visiting Igauzu since I was a kid and last time, when I took my daughters, was like rediscovering the magic of this place all over again. The city and hotels around the national park are ok, but the attraction are the falls. The most dramatic one is called Devil's Throat
and you can take the pathway to see it up close. Back in the 70's there was a helicopter ride that would take you inside the fall (the helicopter would be surrounded by water) but since a helicopter went down, they stopped this ride. Thank God, it was really scary!

Private and park concessioneers offer several different options for enjoying the views of the falls from the river. You can get sprayed as you approach the bottom of the falls or you can get drenched going under the falls. You can also take a boat up the rather mild rapids below the falls and float back down through them.

Brazil is a huge country, but you can't go wrong visiting the spots on this blog.
Safe travels, everyone!

A Bitter Sweet Birthday in Mumbai

2010-11-28T18:17:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, November 20, 2010, I received the following e-mail:

Hi Vicente,
Just wanted to let you know that my aunt passed away very peacefully at 11.30 this morning. Thank you for helping make her last birthday so special.
Love
Parvana

Life is full of surprises!
As you may know, I was in India late August this year.

There I met a group of locals and one afternoon we went to Parvanas Noorani's apartment for her aunt Mumsoo 90th birthday. Parvana is a famous writer and cook in India. Her book "Catwalk Cuision" is a bestseller. For us it was an opportunity to witness a authentic Indian birthday celebration. With my camera I recorded the ceremony, when the tow nieces paid homage to the woman that made a great difference in their lives. You can see it on this link: Birthday in Mumbai

It was a very touching moment for all of us. And so it was one of the most beautiful memories I brought back from this trip.

A few weeks ago, on November 14, Parvana e-mailed me:

Hi Vicente, I'm back in Bombay after a relaxing time in Australia. May I request you to please send me the photos you took at my aunt's birthday? I would love to see them especially since I didn't take any myself. Hope you are doing well. Love. Parvana.

And I sent her the pictures I took that day:

Sooner after the pictures, I sent my distant friend the video I shot during the celebration,
and soon she responded:

Thank you Vicente...these are lovely!
The whole family thoroughly enjoyed the video!
Cheers!
Parvana

And then a week later, I got the e-mail saying that her aunt had passed away.
Without knowing at the time, we were part of her aunt's last birthday and I had the privilege to record that moment with my camera. I responded to Parvana after learning about her aunt's passing:

Parvana, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The love you all share with her made that moment so special and it will remain forever in our thoughts.

Vicente Russo

10 Tips for Holiday Travel

2010-11-19T09:46:00.000-05:00

Planning to visit Grandma's for Thanksgiving or spend Christmas in Paris? Traveling over the holidays can be notoriously busy, expensive and stressful, but the news isn't all bad. There are still deals to be found, provided you shop carefully and plan ahead. Check out 10 tips for holiday travel and find some joy this holiday season.

AVOID PEAK TRAVEL DAYS

At Thanksgiving, Wednesday is the critical outbound "avoid" day as a rule. Traveling on Thanksgiving day proper is often a breeze and more affordable; there are often cut-rate airfare deals on Thanksgiving day.

On the return, Friday morning isn't bad at all, with each successive day getting a little busier, more difficult and more expensive through Sunday evening. The bottom line: If you are looking for a deal, you won't find one on the peak travel days. Travel off-peak whenever possible.

Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Saturdays this year, which means that the same advice for Thanksgiving will apply to both of these holidays -- fly on the holiday itself if possible, and avoid Sunday evening at the end of the long weekend.

Book early.
Haven't booked your holiday travel yet? It's time to stop waiting and start booking. Fares are only rising as Thanksgiving approaches, so those who hold out in hopes of a late-breaking sale are likely to get left out in the cold or pay a very steep price for their procrastination. The same goes for the Christmas holiday; book sooner rather than later, particularly if you require very specific travel dates or times. With the current state of the airline industry, it is never too early to book your holiday travel flights.

While many of the best deals are probably already gone, keep an eye on TRAVELZOO last-minute bargains. Be prepared to be flexible with dates and flight times.

Shop around
Whether you're using booking sites like Travelocity, bid or auction sites such as Priceline, aggregator sites, comparison shopping has never been easier than it is right now. During peak travel season, casting the net as wide as possible will help you understand all of your options.

For many travelers, price isn't the only or even the most important factor, especially during the holidays. Thoughtful, deliberate use of the "search adjacent days or airports" features found on many Web sites may also surrender greatly improved fares and travel times.

Know your airports.
Checking alternate airports is a pretty standard tactic, but at this time of year it can really make a difference. At no time can the alternate airport gambit pay off better than during the holiday crush. You can score on almost every front -- parking, rental cars, traffic to and from, nearby hotels -- and save both time and money.

For example, a recent flight to Hanscom airport outside Boston dropped me right into Thoreau and Minuteman country near the peak foliage season, offering a very different experience than flying into Logan. Upon my return, the car rental agent informed me that my flight might be running late and let me hold onto the car keys until we were sure that the flight would take off, with no additional fee. Only at a small airport can you get that kind of treatment.

Also, keep in mind that smaller airports see fewer flights and, typically, fewer delays -- not a small consideration during the busy holiday travel season.

Plot connections carefully.
When booking flights, check your search results carefully for sufficient time during layovers, and build in some time for flight delays and weather woes. Particularly during the winter months, peak travel times often bring peak travel delays, and your connection is more likely to be jeopardized. Avoiding really tight connections may save you a sprint through the terminal or a missed flight. Also, it is best if you can muscle your flight path into position so that connections are in places less likely to experience delays -- specifically, airports in warmer climates.

Leave early.
During peak travel times, much of the trouble you'll face lies on this side of the security check-in, from traffic jams and full parking lots to absent shuttles and long lines. Rather than striving to "arrive at the airport early," you may want to try to "leave for the airport early" to anticipate all the peripheral delays you may encounter.

Pack wisely.
In the past, you may have been able to fit everything into your carry-on without having to check any baggage -- a strategy we still recommend. However, the TSA rules about liquids and gels make this a trickier proposition. For the record, you may bring liquids and gels in three-ounce or smaller containers, packed within a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. You're also allowed to bring any liquids (such as coffee or water) or gels purchased after you go through a security checkpoint onto your plane with you. If you want to bring more than the three-ounce amounts, you'll have to pack the items in your checked luggage.

When packing, keep in mind that most airlines are now charging travelers a fee for checking any bags on domestic flights. Read more about the surcharges in Airline Baggage Fees, and trim your luggage load with our tips for What Not to Pack.

Use the Web for more than just booking.
The latest self-service developments in online travel can be tremendous time-savers during peak travel times. Whenever possible, print your boarding passes at home or use check-in kiosks. These services are no longer restricted to the airport, and can be found in hotels and other places in increasing numbers.

Think about doing your holiday shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination. This will cut down on luggage and the risk of them getting lost.

Travel early or late in the day.As a rule, airports are least congested at times when normal human beings would rather be at home or even asleep. Delays are far less likely for morning flights, and airports usually unclog as the afternoon and evening peak passes.A couple of caveats: Staffing can be spotty for really early flights, so although your flight is highly likely to be ready to leave on time, check-in may take a while, along with other personnel-dependent steps like riding shuttle buses.

Consider package deals.
Peak travel periods can be the best time to buy package deals, even for folks who would never buy one, as the bundled pricing offered by packages can be very competitive, even (or especially) at times of high demand. I'm traveling on a package over Thanksgiving, and am almost stunned at the offer; you can barely afford to stay home at these prices.

The Two Best Cruise Destinations 3/3

2010-11-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

When we left Auckland for the 12 nights cruise on the Grand Princess, I had no idea what to expect from the trip... and what I got was much more than I asked for.

At the first port of call: Tauranga, we encountered the New Zealand's natives, Maoris, for the first time at the Paparoe Marae, a park that displays the culture and history of the Maori people.

This is a very peaceful indigenous Polynesian people that was decimated by diseases brought by the British or in battle with them, during New Zealand's "colonization" in the 19th century.

If you want to read about the Maori culture click on this link.

New Zealand's countryside is breathtaking and at that point I began to fall in love with this beautiful country.
Next stop was Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area. We visited a vineyard in the countryside and it was a wonderful experience. Afterwards we walked around the main plaze in Christchurch, visited the cathedral... and we found out that this was the base for the crew involved with the shooting of Lord of the Rings. now I understand why.

Next stop: Dunedin, the second largest city in the South Island. The Dunedin urban area lies on the central-eastern coast of Otago, surrounding the head of Otago Harbour. The harbour and hills around Dunedin are the remnants of an extinct volcano. That is the reason for the beautiful and dramatic scenery surrounding this city. We drove to a cliff in one extremity of this extinct volcano and I had time to take a picture and take in this nature's gift. When I came back home I decided to capture what I saw and experienced in Dunedin on a canvas. I never had done any kind of painting in my life... but I decided to give it a try. Bought a large blank canvas and painted the image I captured in Dunedin.

Well, you can judge the result, but the truth is that my trip to New Zealand gave me the inspiration to start painting and now it's my passion and my favorite hobby!

Well, after Dunedin we were supposed to go into the Fijord Land National Park at the extreme south of New Zealand. It would be a whole day event traveling around these huge mountains on this remote region.

We woke up expecting the moment we would enter the Fijord. All of sudden, the ocean became rough and started to rain. In less than half hour we were in the middle of a storm, and I mean A STORM! The captain asked all the passengers to return to their cabins and wait for further instructions. We were on the tenth floor of this massive ship and the waves were hitting the glass doors of our varanda!
Did anyone say... scary?

Afterwards we were informed that a system with hurricane speed winds came unexpectedly from Antarctica and hit us directly. The sign with the ship's name, the water from the pool and lots of outside lounge chairs were gone when we got to Hobart. The captain had to change the route to avoid more damages and we ended up not visiting the Fijord Land National Park. Next time, I thought.

Australia is another beautiful and huge country. Hobart was charming and picturesque. I visited a canguru park, where they roam free, and interacted with this exotic animal. Scary paws and sweet eyes! I kept a safe distance!

Melbourne was a charming cosmopolitan city and Sydney is a place that I want to go back ASAP!

From all my trips, I have great memories from this cruise and I'm planning on going back soon to see more of these two countries.

So, I hope this will help you decide where to go on your next cruise. Safe travels!

The Two Best Cruise Destinations 2/3

2010-11-02T11:50:00.003-04:00

After leaving Civitavecchia we had another relaxing evening at sea - and we needed it. The following morning we arrived at Livorno's port and once again a car with a driver was waiting for us and we left to Tuscany to visit Florence and Pisa. It sounds wonderful and it really was. We got i Florence before 10AM, we were able to see Michelangelo's masterpiece David at the Accademia Gallery. And then we walked around town for a few hours visiting Ponte Vecchio and other major attractions from the Renaissance.
Driving through Tuscany in the summer is a beautiful experience. You can see the sunflower fields and the old farms in the distance... just beautiful.

After lunch we left to visit Pisa and the leaning tower. That was pretty but we soon headed back to the ship.

Next stop: Villefranche-sur-Mer, a small jewel in the French Riviera close to Nice and Monaco.

So we left the ship early and headed uphill to the bus station. It was a beautiful summer morning in this quiet village. The turquoise ocean and the bay was a beautiful sight when we got to the top of the hill that surrounds the area.

We spent the day visiting Monaco, Monte Carlo and Nice. It was an amazing contrast from the day before in Tuscany but breathtaking as well. This is a place I want to go back and spend a week.

The next morning we arrived back in Barcelona and took our flight back home.
It was an amazing cruise that I highly recommend. As I said before, it's a sampler. You see A LOT in seven days and then, in the future you always can go back to your favorite places.

Now, for me, the best cruise destination in the world is Australia and New Zealand.

Why? New Zealand is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. The nature is so dramatic and beautiful (remember the Lord of The Rings movies? They were filmed there) and on a cruise you will have the opportunity to see places that you can't go driving in one trip and flying would be a waste of time.

I flew into Auckland, in the North Island. A very cosmopolitan city, beautiful, clean and I stayed at the Hilton by the port. Actually the morning I left on the cruise, I woke up with the Grand Princess docking right by my room.

Princess is a more upscale cruise line that caters to older people, I mean, 30's and up. More classy ships, with four different restaurants, a lot of dark wood... Once on board you can say: I'm not on Carnival anymore! And for a 12 days cruise in March, it was a bliss not to have a single kid on board. A lot of Brits, Australians and Americans, but not your average American cruiser, what was refreshing.

Next week, I will talk about all the ports - Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fijord Land National Park (a hurricane at sea), Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney - and how this trip changed my life forever... yeah, I think that traveling can have this effect in people's lives!

The Two Best Cruise Destinations 1/3

2010-10-25T20:40:00.000-04:00

If you cruise in the past, I'm sure you have done the Caribbean - Eastern, Western, Southern, let's face it, it's more about the ship than the destination. With the mega-ships (Oasis, Allure, Epic) or the floating resorts (NCL's Gem and Pearl, Celebrity Solstice and Equinox), a lot of people stay on board to enjoy the floating city and don't even care where the ship is going.

But there are cruises where the destination is the reason to go on board and enjoy the ship... as well.
I selected two of the best destinations in the world and since I've been there and done that, I will explain why I chose them!

A cruise in Europe makes many people turn their eyes... That's not a way to visit Europe, they say. And I will disagree. I call it a sample cruise. You fly to Barcelona and spend two nights before the cruise enjoying this amazing Spanish city with countless attractions and a rich cultural past... Find a nice hotel around Las Ramblas, go see a Flamenco show, visit the Picaso museum and enjoy Gaudi's architectural masterpieces all over town... including La Sagrada Familia, that you see in the picture above. Before you go watch Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona to get an idea of this magical city and it's people by the director's point of view, it will enrich your experience.

Well, then you get on the ship and start your cruise on the Mediterranean. I was on NCL's Gem and I felt like traveling on a resort. 12 restaurants, gym, pool, casino, great staterooms, room service... like a trendy hotel in South Beach.

First day at sea, resting and enjoying the Mediterranean sun. Great meals and perfect staff.

First stop: Valletta, Malta. A small archipelago strategic located South of Sicily and with a rich history.
The movie Troy with Brad Pitt was shot there. You get out of the ship and hoop on the island bus that goes around visiting the countryside of this little jewel. Now, I would never take a plane to go to Malta, but I'm glad I visited the island and I was able to see Caravaggio's masterpiece "The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist" at the Saint John Co-Cathedral in Valletta. And I also visited the Mosta Dome. The dome is said to be the third largest unsupported church dome in Europe.

Another interesting attraction at the Mosta dome is the World War II bombing incident. On the 9th of June, 1942 during WWII, three bombs struck the dome. About 300 people were waiting to hear Mass. Two of the bombs bounced off the dome and ended up on the square. A third bomb pierced through the dome and rolled across the floor of the church. Miraculously, the bomb did not explode. The other two bombs did not explode either! And so, no one was hurt.

A replica of the bomb that pierced through the dome, can be seen in the sacristy.

At the end of the day, you go back to the ship, have a nice dinner (French or Japanese tonight?) and go to bed early, because we will be arriving in Naples, Italy, the next morning!

We woke up with a beautiful view of the bay and the Vesuvio... Getting out of the ship is a breeze and soon we are on a cab driving around the crazy Naple's traffic. We even had a chance to try a slice of pizza at Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba. Naples is widely regarded as the city's first pizzeria. It started producing pizzas for peddlers in 1738.

After that we went back to the port to get the ferry that would take us to the beautiful island of Capri where we spent the rest of the day. Visiting the upscale Anacapri and the Grutta Azzurra is a must while visiting the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean".

After this long day, a quick dinner at the buffet and then time for bed to get ready for Civittavechia, the port close to Rome.

At 8AM sharp, a driver picked us up at the pier for a day tour in Rome. I hired their services through the internet and paid $400 Euros for the Mercedes and driver for the whole day and it was great choice, since the ship sells a city tour on a bus for US$200 per person and you waste a lot of time going to tourist's traps. We saw most of Rome's monuments in one day. I had tickets for the Colosseum, so that was our first stop, and we didn't stay on the long lines. After that, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona, Piazza de Spagna, the Pantheon... we even had time to try the best Italian gelato in Rome (Via degli Uffici del Vicario).

After that we went to the Vatican and the Vatican Museum where we visited the Sistine Chapel. Yes, we were able to see all this in one day. Of course, we want to go back and spend five days in Rome, but this was a fun and cultural day.

Next stop: Livorno - port for Florence and Pisa. But that will be on the second part of this three part blog.

Before you start booking your next trip, wait until you read about the BEST CRUISE DESTINATION IN THE WORLD!

Lisbon and the Fado

2010-10-17T22:18:00.001-04:00

My grandfather was born in Portugal, Trás dos Montes, to be precise. His family immigrated to Brazil when he was a few months old but he brought the passion for the Fado with him. Growing up I witnessed many times when he would bring the lady with the black shawl to sing Fados for his guests on Saturdays nights... and somehow that music stayed with me.

Today I'm a Fado lover and I have a hard time explaining to people what Fado is. So here is the definition I found in the dictionary that really summarize this wonderful music:

Fado (Portuguese:destiny, fate) is a music genre which can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. However, in reality fado is simply a form of song which can be about anything, but must follow a certain structure.

The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word saudade which means to miss or to long for someone or something. Some enthusiasts claim that fado's origins are a mixture of African slave rhythms with the traditional music of Portuguese sailors and Arabic influence.

Yes, Fado is sad but at the same time is magical and it's a mirror into the Portuguese people soul. Amalia Rodrigues will always be the greatest icon of the Fado (she was called the Queen of Fado and she died in 1999), but many others sing the Fado with great talent.

A great example is a clip that I posted on Youtube from Carlos Saura's movie called (surprise!): Fados!
The Fado singer Argentina Santos shows the traditional Fado that is sang in Lisbon She is singing in Porrtuguese but there are English subtitles...

Click here to watch this Fado clip

So, why am I talking about Portuguese fold music on a travel blog? Well, a few years ago I traveled to my grandfather's country searching for my roots... no really, but I wanted to hear the Fado on a traditional house of Fado in Lisbon.

That was the first time in Lisbon and I was taken by the kindness of the Portuguese people and the beautiful old fashion city. Once in Lisbon you have to go to one of the Fado Houses in the Alfama District to get a taste of the real Fado. I recommend the Parrerinha de Alfama, one of the oldest and most famous fado houses in Lisbon.

If you want to see a clip from a Fado House in Alfama, click here!

Today, a new generation of Fadistas, like Mariza, keep the tradition of the Fado alive for the new generations in Portugal. WatchMariza singing Meu Fado Meu and you will understand the perennial appeal of the Fado.

If you ever visit Lisbon, the Fado House is a must... an unforgettable experience!

5 Best and the Worse Place for New Year's Celebration!

2010-10-10T15:41:00.001-04:00

New Years Eve is celebrated world-wide by all people, regardless of their nationality and religion. We are all waiting for this special night and carefully preparing for it. Many people even believe that a fulfillment of an upcoming year depends on how you spend your New Years Eve. If it is full of joy and happiness, then a new year will be full of joy and happiness and vice versa. Many people like to stay at home with their families and friends. Others like to travel - some to ski resorts, some to exotic islands, some to a new city. And if you finally want to visit a city you always wanted to visit, New Years Eve is a perfect time to do so. That is a magical time when all of the cities around the world are more gloriously alive than they usually are. Here you are FIVE BEST PLACES to be for New Years Eve in order to have unforgettable New Years celebration.

Sydney
To be one of the first in the world to ring in the New Year, go to Sydney. Here, you can witness absolutely stunning fireworks accompanied by music exploding over the Sidney Harbour Bridge, the magnificent center piece of beautiful Sydney Harbour. More than a million people gather around Sydney Harbour for Midnight Fireworks, countdown and party. There are plenty of vantage points around the harbour, but probably best views of fireworks and all the New Years action are from one of the boats in the harbour. What can be better than to party on a boat at New Years Eve wearing shorts and flip flops? Don't forget to book your place on board in advance!

Barcelona

Ring in the New Year Spanish style by participating in Noche Vieja in Barcelona. From ballroom dance to salsa to flamenco to rock band performances - music, dance and parties are all over the city and festivities last for as long as a week. At midnight, when a great clock strikes twelve, experience old Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes, one grape following each bell sound. This custom goes back to the Roman Empire and symbolizes passing the sweet flavor of grapes towards the New Year so it began sweetly. If you stay in Barcelona till January 5, then you have a chance to participate in Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Parade). The Three Kings arrive by boat at the waterfront of Barcelona and proceed slowly through the city throwing barley sugar sweets to the children lining the route.

Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas

Enjoy New Years dinner in Paris, ring in the New Year in New York and have a great New Years party in Venice - you can do all of it during one New Years Eve in Vegas! Sin City gets just a little bit more debauched (if that were possible) as the strip is pedestrianized for a massive party, complete with fireworks, sound and light shows, and more clubs than you could visit in a dozen trips. Hundreds of thousands of revelers turn up in the evening, and you can be sure the party is going to get a little crazy -- it isn’t called Sin City for nothing. At midnight, a massive fireworks display will grab your attention. And for once, it’s cool to drink on the streets; everyone else will be doing it.

Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro

As something memorable, a New Year's Eve beach party in Brazil is hard to beat. Beautiful women, fireworks, a carnival atmosphere, an incredible setting on the most famous beach in the world, and you have all the ingredients you need to have the most incredible New Year’s experience of your life. Known locally as "Reveillon," the entire beach turns into an all-day party, with several musical stages, dancing, and everyone dressed in white (it’s tradition). Over two million people turn up along the four kilometers of sand, making this the ultimate New Year’s party, which you simply mustn’t miss. Don't forget the flowers for Iemanjá and jump seven waves to bring luck on the New Year!

Miami Beach, Florida

Beautiful weather, relaxed atmosphere, gastronomic heaven and party, party, party! Welcome to New Year's Eve in Miami Beach. You can have a fantastic dinner on one of the restaurants on Ocean Drive and then walk to the beach and watch the fireworks at midnight before heading for a New Year's party on a night clubs on Washington Avenue. Miami Beach has a unique vibe and became a destination for the winter months!

NOW THE WORSE PLACE TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE!

This is just my opinion, I've been there and done that. If you like screaming kids and teenagers, crowds, an exhausting experience, bitter cold... so you may not agree with me.

Times Square, New York City

What to expect and how to prepare for this event:

• Go early. Crowds start forming in Times Square by late afternoon. If you’re not there by 8:00 p.m., don’t expect to get too close.

• You’ll be herded like cattle. For safety reasons and easy access in and out in case of emergencies, police keep people in groups behind barriers. And once you’re in there, it’s not so easy to get out.

Midnight in Times Square
• If you do get out, you won’t get back in. There’s no showing your stub at this event. If you leave your place, don’t expect the police to let you back. And yes, this means that you can’t leave to go to the bathroom.
• You probably won’t be able to see the ball. Think about it. The ball is at the top of a twenty-five story building (the second tallest in the world when it opened)—the perspective from below it on the ground isn’t so great. If the crowd is spilling into side streets, some people won’t even be able to see the building.
• It will be a long wait. If you’re lucky, the people around you might be entertaining. Even the cops might be entertaining. Just don’t ask them to sing McNamara’s Band. You might, however, be able to start a sing-a-long of American Pie which should waste ten minutes.
• Alcohol isn’t allowed. But given that you can’t get to a bathroom, is that such a bad thing?
• It will be loud. You should be glad of that though, because if it weren’t for the crowd yelling you probably wouldn’t even know when the ball is about to drop.
• It will take a while to get out. Seriously. You don’t just walk away when it’s over. It can take up to an hour for over a million people to clear out of there.
If this sounds like fun for you, go for it!

Fall Foliage

2010-10-03T13:16:00.006-04:00

Every autumn, nature puts on a brilliant show of color in many parts of the United States. From bright yellows to vibrant reds, the leaves transform, showing their rich and vibrant hues. From the Northeast United States, to the Southeast and Midwest United States, the foliage season begins in early September in the northern regions and ends in southern locations in late October or early November. Every year, people flock to these areas to take in the fall foliage, to catch a glimpse of natures splendor.

So, the question is where to go and when to go to be able to see all the colors of the Fall.

The peak color time changes every year based on rain, temperatures, etc, so it's important to follow the foliage reports online. The Foliage Network is the best site for that. There you will find foliage reports by region (Northeast, Southeast and Midwest) starting early September until the middle of November. Every 4 or 5 days they post an update on the foliage colors. http://www.foliagenetwork.com/

Then, if you are traveling in early October (before that there will be very little colors to see) you will have to go to the Northeast, more specifically Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire.

Two years ago I went on a Foliage Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas (a great ship!) out of Boston and the first stop was the charming city of Portland, Maine. From there we drove to Acadia National Park where we took a three hours bike ride. It was an amazing experience. The fall splendor exploded right in front of me! I just took my camera and emerge in that fantastic place.

If you go after the middle of October, a nice destination is Shenandoah National Park, located in the Blue Ridge section of the Appalachian Mountains in Northern Virginia.
A two hours drive from Washington DC, the 105 miles scenic drive in Shenandoah, called Skyline Drive has beautiful views of peaks, valleys and gaps. A lot of colors to be seen on this day trip.

At the end of October, early November, North Carolina's Asheville is the best place to be for the Fall colors.

Asheville is a two hours drive from Charlotte or a three hours drive from Atlanta, and is a beautiful little town with a great cultural life (they even have their own film festival in early November) and where you also can visit George Vanderbilt's Biltmore, the 250-room French château (I would call it a castle, but that just me). I have never seen anything like this in the US. A must see!

But back to Fall and its colors... Asheville has romantics B&Bs that will give you cozy accommodations and a wonderful breakfast. With your rented car you can just drive around Asheville beautiful surroundings and be mesmerized by all the colors that appear during this time of the year.

Fall is a magic time for me. Not only the colors, but the smells, the pumpkin bread and pie, apple cider... every year I try to go somewhere where I can fully appreciate this season and I always return to Florida inspired to one day live in a place where I will be able to see this season in my backyard!

You can check more fall pics at my art website: http://vicente-russo.artistwebsites.com/art/all/fall/all