LandLopers

New Adventure: Follow As I Discover Costa Brava, Spain

Matt Long — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:55:03 +0000

I’m writing this as I zoom around South West France by train, partway through my great French escape. While I have sincerely loved exploring new areas in France this week, I also can’t help but think about the grand adventure on the horizon for me next week. On Monday I will take the short flight from Marseilles to Barcelona where I will for the first time discover the region of Spain known as the Costa Brava.

The Costa Brava of Spain is a coastal region in northeastern Catalonia. European travelers have long known the area as a nice seaside escape, although for Americans it’s not as well known as other areas of the country. Costa Brava enjoys a great combination of a warm comfortable summer climate, natural beauty and a unique cultural and culinary history.

The trip was coordinated by the Costa Brava Tourism Board, which has an impressive history of working with travel bloggers and other new media artists. I will be joined by a few other travel writers and bloggers; some of whom I know and others who will soon be friends. The agenda calls for a week exploring the best the region has to offer.

This particular trip has a culinary focus, but I am sure we will also explore the region’s impressive culture and history as well. I can’t say for sure because this is a bit of a mystery trip. Few details have been given to the participants on purpose. I for one am excited by the notion of not knowing what we will be doing or when – it truly will be a trip of adventure and surprise.

So please, starting on Monday, May 28^th follow me as well as the hashtag #InCostaBrava on Twitter to join all of the participants as we discover what makes Costa Brava so great.

Have you been to Costa Brava? Do you have and recommendations or do you have any questions about the region you would like answered?

The Perfect Nightfall in Arles, France

Matt Long — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:50:20 +0000

Arles, France

LandLopers Picks of the Week

Matt Long — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:55:11 +0000

1. Adventures with Ben

Fantastic, practical information for everyone who ever leaves their homes. Shut ins should avoid.

The Most Important Tip for a Traveling Home Owner, Seriously Read This

2. No Checked Bags

A very personal take on a major event many may have missed this week.

Thoughts and Prayers for Those in Emilia Romagna after Today’s 6.0 Earthquake

3. My View From the Middle Seat

It’s impossible not to love this post. It has Maine, water and kayaks. Go, read and enjoy.

Maine: Kayaking in Bar Harbor

4. The Vacation Gals

Very interesting and divisive travel question. Go read the article AND the comments and be sure to chime in.

Pets in Airplanes – Open Question About the Airline Industry

Incredible Beauty in the Countryside of France’s Tarn Region

Matt Long — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:50:15 +0000

News and Deals: May 25, 2012 – TRAVEL TREND Why don’t Americans take vacation?, Airline Fares for Summer Travel Rise, What The Future Of Space Travel Means For Consumers and Good News for Frequent Flier Program Members

Matt Long — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:40:10 +0000

TRAVEL TREND: Why don’t Americans take vacation?
‎Delmarva Daily Times

Gasoline prices are in retreat. Many hotels are offering a free night’s stay. And as Memorial Day nears — kicking off the summer travel season — more Americans say they plan to take a vacation this year than last, but millions of us will simply stay at our desks.

It’s not just higher airfares and escalating hotel fees that will cause some Americans to forgo a summer getaway. The nation’s nose-to-the-grindstone culture — which only intensified during the Great Recession— has resulted in many Americans leaving vacation days on the table.

Airlines: Fares for Summer Travel Rise
‎BusinessWeek

The recovering economy has more Americans gearing up for vacations, allowing carriers such as Delta Air Lines (DAL) and US Airways (LCC) to raise fares on summer travel. The number of bookings for trips in June through August is up 4.3 percent from a year ago, while prices advanced 3.1 percent. Airlines have cut capacity over the past several years to trim costs, so now they can fill planes to near-record levels and raise fares during high travel periods. The carriers may continue to limit the number of available seats for some time. Southwest Airlines (LUV) curbed its expansion plans recently by delaying the delivery of 30 Boeing (BA) 737-800 jets for four years.

What The Future Of Space Travel Means For Consumers
‎San Francisco Chronicle

NASA may have stopped its Space Shuttle program, but space exploration is far from over. Private companies such as SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Orbital Sciences and XCOR are on the cusp of a new era.

Private space exploration and space tourism may be an unproven industry, but it’s not stopping these companies from investing big money to get it off the ground.

Good News for Frequent Flier Program Members
Fox Business

Good news for business travelers – a recent study found that airline frequent flier reward programs are getting better and that reward seat availability is on the rise.

In March 2012, IdeaWorks Company queried the top 10 short- and long-haul routes on 23 airlines’ frequent flier program websites for travel between June and October 2012 to gauge availability of award seats. Requirements were a minimum of two tickets booked together and no overly circuitous routes or layovers topping 4 hours.

Surprisingly (or not), discount airlines offered the best availability – Southwest and AirBerlin tied for first place with 100% reward seat availability.

Looking for Luxury in Laos

Matt Long — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:55:08 +0000

Laos is a lot of things. It’s one of the few remaining single party Communist countries in the world. It’s completely landlocked. It’s one of the 50 poorest countries in the world where the average person makes about $2 per day. It’s also one of the most underrated countries I’ve ever visited and is overflowing with hospitality and amazing natural beauty. The one thing I didn’t expect Laos to be though was luxurious.

I knew I wanted to include Luang Prabang on the agenda of our trip to Asia, but I also knew I didn’t want to stay in a hostel or guest house. It’s just not my style. My initial research was a little disappointing; none of my usual luxury hotel brands had a presence in the city. As I quickly discovered no one really has a presence in the city except for one forward looking hotel collection – Orient Express.

Everyone knows the name, Orient Express, thanks in large part to the best-selling novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. Fewer people know that it was indeed a real rail line and even fewer realize that some of the most exciting trips in the world have an Orient Express logo attached to them. But they also have an extensive collection of hotels that rank amongst the best and most unique in the world.

We stayed with them last year, albeit unknowingly, when we visited the Inn at Perry Cabin on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. That’s the thing you see, rather than emblazon cookie cutter hotels around the world with their logos, they instead acquire unique, unusual and always luxurious properties. This was definitely the case when we stayed with them at La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang.

I reached out to the company in advance and we agreed to split the cost of a week at the hotel. In addition we paid out of pocket for the boat tour described below as well as a fantastic afternoon spa treatment. Regardless of who paid, them, or me my words are always the same – the truth.

There are only two or three hotels in Luang Prabang that I personally would classify as being ‘above average,’ and La Residence Phou Vao is without question the best in the city. The hotel itself sits on a hill overlooking the city; close but removed. I knew we were in good hand when the complimentary shuttle van picked us up at the airport with a plate of macarons for us to enjoy on the five-minute drive to the hotel. That’s a trend I fully support by the way, in case other hotels are reading this.

So what is it like to have a true luxury experience in Luang Prabang? Well, it is perhaps the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation you can imagine.

Atmospherics

Walking into the completely open air hotel is like walking into a private, if not tropical, garden. The colonial era of Laos’ history is alive and well at La Residence through its décor and sensibilities, yet without being stuffy. It’s the little things like tables for afternoon tea set up on the lawn and hundreds of tea lights that illuminate the property at night that make it truly special.

The rooms are Southeast Asian bungalow style. The feeling is light and airy, with traditional shutters and doors separating the bedroom/living quarters from the bathroom and veranda. We had something like it when we stayed in Koh Samui and while the mosquito netting can be a chore at first, it just fades into the background by the second day.

The rooms were elegant, but missed a few steps. The Orient Express hasn’t owned the property very long, just a few years, so they’re still in the process of retrofitting everything but the one major issue was the shower. For the cost of the room and the reputation of the brand, I expected better than the shower/bath combo we found in Laos. Stepping in and out of the tub every morning to take a shower isn’t really up to the Orient-Express’s standards. It’s ultimately a small detail, but it’s one that adds to the total enjoyment of the stay. Luckily, everything else more than met our expectations.

Walking around La Residence Phou Vao is like meandering around a long lost colonial estate. Everything is immaculate and the staff are always on call to help in whatever way they can. My favorite place to spend some quiet time was at the pool; it is of the infinity variety and overlooks Luang Prabang and the surrounding countryside. Even though it was one of the hottest weeks of the year, lounging poolside was the most pampering I’ve received at any hotel. Every chair of course had towels, but also fans and a bell to ring for the attendant. Sure, I felt a little out of place at times with the bell, but it was also a very nice luxury to enjoy.

Excursions

This is something I haven’t seen a lot of and I loved it. Not only does the hotel offer day trips, but they’re staffed with La Residence Phou Vao employees and aren’t just booked with a local tour company. As soon as I realized that I felt relief that I wouldn’t be taken advantage of and comfort that I was in good hands. The trip we chose was a day trip out to the Pak Ou caves, cruising along the Mekong and stopping at a couple of villages along the way. The price was very reasonable for what was a completely private tour, including lunch. And what a lunch! I expected a box meal and a soda, but what we got was white glove service on a private island with a view in the middle of the Mekong River. For once I was speechless and merely sat there admiring the soaring mountains and listening to the sound of life on the river. I loved this tour concept and really have to compliment the hotel for a fun and innovative adventure.

Spa

The spa is one of the hotel’s best features and is like finding your own secret garden. The facilities are separated from the rest of the hotel in a series of huts circling a small plunge pool. I was happy enough with the look and feel of the spa experience, but the actual treatment itself was one of the best I’ve ever enjoyed. It was a wonderful afternoon of just relaxing and not worrying about anything.

And ultimately, that’s what the hotel does best, enable the guest to do as little or as much as they like, but to always make sure they relax. Granted, this isn’t hard in a town as sleepy as Luang Prabang, but La Residence Phou Vao offers a respite from the chaos that can sometimes fill the ancient royal capital.

I realize that luxury accommodations in Laos may not be for everyone, but for many of us La Residence Phou Vao provides an opportunity to visit and explore a country we might never have seen otherwise.

Waterfalls Around the World – Photo Series

Matt Long — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:50:34 +0000

Today the theme of #FriFotos, the weekly photo sharing event is WATERFALLS. I haven’t seen many waterfalls on my adventures, but the ones I have seen were pretty spectacular. Do you have any favorite waterfalls?

Sacred and Mysterious Jacobin Church in Toulouse, France

Matt Long — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:40:36 +0000

News and Deals: May 24, 2012 – Summer family travel More turbulence ahead, Flights cut as tourists abandon Australian Outback, British tourist dies in Kenyan police custody after being arrested for cannabis and Southwest advances plan for international Houston flights‎

Matt Long — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:16:34 +0000

Summer family travel: More turbulence ahead
‎Washington Post

The weather has turned warm, a long weekend awaits and I can’t help but fantasize about exotic summer travel.

Those fantasies do not include airports.

The logistics and cost of air travel can be the worst part of a family trip. And, this summer, traveling with children is looking to be even more expensive and hassle-filled.

The Associated Press is reporting that base fares are expected to average $431 this summer or 3 percent higher than last year. That doesn’t count the likelihood of extra fees, including new ones that may be essential for families to pay.

Flights cut as tourists abandon Australian Outback
‎Sydney Morning Herald

QANTAS and its budget offshoot, Jetstar, will slash flights to destinations in the Northern Territory, blaming weak demand on the high Australian dollar deterring overseas tourists.

In the latest sign of the challenges facing tourism, Qantas will halve return flights between Uluru and Cairns to seven a week from September, and reduce services between the red centre and Perth from four a week to two. It will suspend the latter service from October 28.

Jetstar will also cut return flights between Sydney and Darwin from up to 11 a week to seven from August 16. The carrier will reduce services between Darwin and Denpasar in Bali from 11 to eight from the same date.

British tourist dies in Kenyan police custody after being arrested for cannabis
‎Daily Mail

A British tourist has died in police custody in Kenya after he was arrested for allegedly smoking cannabis, a spokesman said yesterday.

The man, who has been named by police as Alexander Monsow, 24, died at hospital on Saturday following his arrest in the coastal town of Diani.

Police spokesman Richard Mugwai said the holidaymaker, from London, had been in custody for just a few hours when he was rushed to hospital after he started feeling sick.

Southwest advances plan for international Houston flights‎
USA TODAY

Southwest Airlines promises to pay for $100 million in airport improvements so that it can launch international flights from Houston’s Hobby Airport.

With the Southwest pledge, Houston Mayor Annise Parker endorsed the expansion of Hobby, which is smaller but closer to downtown than Bush Intercontinental Airport. The city council could decide whether to approve the deal as soon as next week.

Parker said at a news conference Wednesday that customs and other facilities could be built at Hobby with no city debt or special taxes on airport passengers.

How to Buy a Suit in Bangkok

Matt Long — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:55:21 +0000

Our return trip to Bangkok was an anniversary present to ourselves. To celebrate ten years together as a couple we wanted to return to the site of a great past trip and a city we loved; Bangkok fit the bill. Since this was Scott’s third time playing tourist in the city and my second, we were able to forgo some of the standard sights and instead really do and see only what we wanted to without feeling compelled to run the tourist circuit. High on our list of must-dos was buying new shirts and suits in Bangkok.

There are several cities in Asia known for their large community of tailors and for offering tailor-made clothes at a fraction of the cost in the U.S. or Europe. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds to find a truly reputable tailor. In fact, as I learned, it’s pretty difficult.

Since many people travel to Bangkok just to buy clothes, a variety of scams have of course crept up. The best advice I can give is that which I received by residents, never go with a deal that sounds too good to be true. If they’re offering a suit made in 24 hours for $100, walk away. It’s just not possible to get a well-made product at that price in that amount of time. So how do you know where to go?

Well the best advice is to try to find a place in advance. Use Twitter, Facebook or Trippy to ask friends and strangers about their experiences and if they can provide a recommendation. Baring that, your ability to find a tailor comes down to luck and common sense. I asked several people for advice in advance of our trip and one of the recommended stories was conveniently located in a mall across from our hotel, the InterContinental. Still we weren’t sure and frankly I was nervous about walking into a place and starting a conversation and then finding out that the prices were too high or that it looked shady. Finally though we worked up our nerve and walked over.

Unfortunately, the recommended shop wasn’t there. But there were several other tailors in the mall so we started looking around. Finally, for no reason other than ‘it looked fine’ we walked into the shop of Mr. Singh, the En Elle. One reason why we chose it was because of the wide variety of fabrics on display around the shop. I was shopping for suits, but Scott needed work shirts more than anything else. His daily dress code for work is business casual and he desperately needed new shirts.

Still a little apprehensive we started talking with Mr. Singh and described what we wanted. Luckily there wasn’t a language barrier, although he was born in Thailand and is of Indian descent his English was flawless, which helped a lot. Immediately he grasped what we wanted, from style to how we prefer clothes to fit and I knew we were in the right place.

Then started the arduous process of picking fabrics. It took a while, but it was actually fun looking through bolts of fabric that would soon be our new clothes. Finally Scott had assembled his picks for shirts and I had chosen two suit fabrics I particularly liked. Then came what I hate the most, the haggling. Even though Mr. Singh’s shop was in a posh mall and not Khaosan Road, Thailand is still a haggling culture and it is frankly expected.

At the end of the day Scott’s tailor-made shirts cost $43 each, less than what he pays for ill fitting off the rack shirts at home. I bought two new suits and two shirts and paid $700; again this would have been a good deal at home but this was for perfectly fitting, custom-made clothes. We agreed to the deal and started the fitting process.

Mr. Singh made meticulous notes of everything we wanted, from placement of pockets to lining to collar size and then took precise measurements of just about every part of our bodies. Even better, he – not us – insisted on multiple fittings. This is key, for a suit 2-3 fittings is appropriate and for a shirt 1 fitting is usually enough. We were in town for several days, so this wasn’t a problem. Keep this in mind though if you’re traveling and want to buy tailor-made clothes; you should visit the tailor the day you arrive.

We returned a couple more times and started to really like Mr. Singh and his assistant Krishna. They were great guys with amazing stories to tell. Mr. Singh was born in Bangkok and learned how to make suits outfitting soldiers during the Vietnam War. Ever since he’s been plying his trade at various locations around town, but this will probably be his last shop front. Sadly Mr. Singh will retire in a few years, but undoubtedly one of his family members will carry on the business.

Krishna has owned businesses in the past, but events beyond his control forced him to close and join Mr. Singh in his work. Krish is saving and learning so he can open his own shop in a few years.

We arranged to have the suits delivered to our hotel the night before leaving town. Krish himself brought them over and made sure everything was to our liking. I’m so happy to say that everything was perfect. Scott has never looked better, since the shirts were made to his exact measurements they fit perfectly. I don’t think I ever appreciated the importance of having truly well fitting clothes. We’re tall, so it’s difficult for us to find clothes that fit our height but which aren’t too big. Mr. Singh though nailed it. And me? I’m just as happy with my suits and grateful at having been lucky enough to find a tailor of Mr. Singh’s ability just by chance.

So, what to do if you want to buy some custom made clothes in Bangkok?

Know what you’re looking for and then ask around for tailors that fit your needs.
Research the potential tailors online
Make sure the tailor has a diverse selection of fabrics
Know what to pay. The prices we were quoted are the norm in Bangkok for quality shirts. Of course you can always spend less or more, but you sacrifice either experience of the tailor or quality of the fabric.
Make sure the tailor insists on fittings. A suit is impossible to make without 2-3 fittings and even with a shirt at least 1 fitting is appropriate.

Of course I have to recommend Mr. Singh, whose contact information I’ve listed below. I’m sure there are many quality tailors in Bangkok, but I just can’t recommend anyone with whom I haven’t worked. No matter what though, if it’s in your budget be sure to indulge in this well-priced luxury. I guarantee you’ll never look better – I know I don’t.

En Elle

Ladies and Gents Custom Tailor

2^nd Floor, Room 39

Amarin Plaza (SOGO)

500 Ploenchit Road

Bangkok 10330 Thailand