Came across a series of travel comedy clips on YouTube that thought would be fun to share.. the best ones do have a shred of truth and insight in them.<div><br /></div><div>Here are 3 clips that I assume must come from some South African comedy show about 2 air hostesses on an airline called "Airfrikaans". Very funny</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Clip one "Glass of water":</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV20B6bU8Pc">click here to watch on YouTube</a></div><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IV20B6bU8Pc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IV20B6bU8Pc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><div><b>Clip two "Meal service": </b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4N9X1QGOn0"><b>click here to watch on YouTube</b></a></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4N9X1QGOn0"></a><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q4N9X1QGOn0&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q4N9X1QGOn0&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Clip three "Hijacker":</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lAPbo-Ul28&amp;feature=related">click here to watch on YouTube</a></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lAPbo-Ul28&amp;feature=related"></a><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7lAPbo-Ul28&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7lAPbo-Ul28&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-7796897832861053240?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/y8CRjr5OrA8' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/y8CRjr5OrA8'/></object></p><p>This is a video we made of us on the QM2 crossing in April. More about what we did than the ship..</p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4846539335563431197?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2429181024_7737819e8d.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2429181024_7737819e8d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>I have stayed at the Hilton Arc De Triomphe twice in the last few year, and really like the hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is an art deco style and inspired building with some nice touches and overall good decor. The lobby is quite impressive and striking, and the doormen and reception are friendly and helpful so from arrival you feel welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div>The location of the hotel is fairly good as walking distance to the Champs Elysee, but not slap bang in the busy area so I think is a good balance of being handy but quiet and out of the madhouse.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rooms are fairly large with big comfortable bed, good working space and then an unusual bathroom thing where the basin (an art deco inspired green basin) is in a small passageway which also has the cupboard. So it can be a bit clumsy. Then into the bathroom and toilet area. The water pressure is not great and the shower is okay buy not very strong.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a very large TV with a good selection of channels, especially for English speakers - though there are actually more english channels if you flick through the channels than rely on those listed via the menu as english language (there are BBC1, BBC2, CBBC for example also available but not listed).</div><div><br /></div><div>The breakfast is a really good spread but costs 22 Euros if you not got it in your rate. But the service is fast and very friendly. In the evening the restaurant, which is very large, serves a good range of food with many very good fish dishes and nice wines. The staff again is attentive and helpful.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a fairly well equipped fitness centre that seems quite busy, along with a spa.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hotel is very popular for meetings and during the day is full of business types. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like the hotel a great deal, though the rack rates can be quite high. But worth checking out as an option for business or pleasure.</div><div><br /></div>Watch the video of the room on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpPTggUggG4">YouTube click here</a>, or watch on the blog posting:<div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zpPTggUggG4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zpPTggUggG4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-5199382313705264910?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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The view of the Eiffel Tower from a 28th Floor room (Room 2807)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/4022366800_34c2287453.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/4022366800_34c2287453.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><div class="flickr-frame" align="center"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/1409347490/"><img class="flickr-photo" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/1409347490_acba32a281.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/1409347490/">View from Concorde Lafayette Paris Room 2823</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p class="flickr-yourcomment">This hotel stands tall on the Paris skyline as, at 33 or so floors, it is of unusual height for the city better known for buildings a few stories high. It also does not match the usual beauty of Parisian buildings, looking more like an ugly 70s style concrete office block.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">The hotel is fairly well located as it is next to the huge Paris Conference Center (Palais de la Congress). It is convenient for the Metro which can be accessed via a shopping mall of great clothes shops which runs underneath the conference centre. It is a few short stops on the Metro or a doable, but fairly long walk, to the main stretch of the popular section of the Champs Elysées running south of the Arc d'Triompe to the gardens and the Louvre.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">The hotel has been spruced up a bit but very much caters and is targeted at the conference and package tour markets seeking good location, suitable facilities and value. It is neither luxurious nor downmarket, and in almost everyway it is average. Not in a negative way but more in an unremarkable and very functional way.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">You need to ensure that you get a room as high up as the one consolation for the averageness of the hotel is that the view across Paris from the rooms is beautiful. If you do not get a high room then make sure that you visit the Panoramic Bar on the top floor.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">The bedrooms rooms are small with a large bed taking up most of it. On first inspection the room will look good, with a small sofa, big white duvet and functional bathroom. As you settle in you will find the room and facilities again average. The bed is not very comfortable and feels cheap. The sheets and towels are also not that high quality, but perfectly fine.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">The breakfast is a strange set-up as it is on the First Floor across in what seems to be the hotel conference area and rotates through meeting rooms - I assume ones that are not booked for meetings. It is probably a cost effective way of running a buffet breakfast and is a good spread and selection, but there are usually queues to get your details and room checked before getting into breakfast.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">The fitness room is small and hard to find on the first floor, but perfectly adequate. However, it can be frustrating as based on the huge size of the hotel is far too small as only about 5 or 6 people could be in there at one time. There is a massive Club Med Gym connected to the hotel that Club Room Guests can use but costs 25 Euros per visit otherwise.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">One small touch that amused me is that they change the carpets in the lifts each day as the carpet says what day of the week it is in French and English.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment"></p><div class="flickr-frame"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/1409365968/"><img class="flickr-photo" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1350/1409365968_c789e10f26.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/1409365968/">Concorde Lafayette Paris Room 2823</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p class="flickr-yourcomment"></p><p><br />Take a look at a video of Room 2823:</p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAq01uEk368">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAq01uEk368</a><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YAq01uEk368" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></p><p><br /></p><p>ADDENDUM</p><p>It is a year since I last stayed at the hotel. This time I was in a Deluxe Room on the 30th Floor and had access to the Club Lounge.</p><p>The room was better although the overall hotel can never be that special. The Deluxe room was less shabby, and having the breakfast in the club lounge was good (and you also get free access to the gym) - and if you do both this works out better than getting a standard room and paying for all of this).</p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Video of the deluxe room 3004 (watch on youtube: </span></span><a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mwSu5SJfv4Q"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">click here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">)</span></span></p><p><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mwSu5SJfv4Q&amp;hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" fs="1"></embed></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">FURTHER ADDENDUM: APRIL 2009 - MORE ABOUT THE REVAMP OF ROOMS!</span></strong></p><p><br /></p><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3486222191/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/3486222191_717bbd609b.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3486222191/">Concorde Lafayette Hotel Paris Room 425</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><br /><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3486224241/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3486224241_57d3df1078.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3486224241/">Concorde Lafayette Hotel Paris Room 425 (5)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><br /><br />About a year or so I reviewed this hotel and was not very complimentary as the hotel rooms were shabby and old fashioned. That review and some pictures are one of the most viewed blog postings I have ever written, probably as this is a massive hotel that attracts many conferences (as next to the Congress Centre) and package tours, especially American.<br /><br />I was, therefore, very impressed on staying here again. The hotel is going through a major revamp and refurbishment and while not all rooms done yet as time of writing, the rooms that have been done have the "wow factor". They have done a great job.<br /><br />The new room look is contemporary, feels quality and is well done. The rooms are actually not very large but space has been used well.<br /><br />The bathroom is very modern, with black slate wall tiles and light tiles on the floor. The bathroom fixtures are Villeroy and so quality. The whole look is stunning and good to use.<br /><br />In the bedroom there is a decent sized desk to work at, trendy leather chair and large bed. They use 2 single duvets though that works less well to sleep under, and the linen is not as good as some chains - but that is me being picky than anything important...<br /><br />There is a flat screen TV with a good range of channels, though for English speakers only news channels.<br /><br />The building is I guess from the 70s or so, and there are some noises and such I think from the dated plumbing, but nothing too disturbing.<br /><br />You can buy access to the gym under the hotel. It is a good gym but quite expensive and always very full, but at about 25 Euros a visit is quite costly, so if you want to use the gym check rates for room that give you gym access.<br /><br />Breakfast is a bit of an ordeal as zillions of conference and tour groups and in what seems to be meeting rooms. But a good selection of food, though a bit stressful event for the morning!<br /><br />In terms of service, it is pretty good. On checking in they made a fuss and someone from the corporate sales team came to greet me, saying how pleased they were to work with the company. Probably a bit over the top, but made you feel welcome in this massive and busy hotel where one could easily feel anonymous. So nice touch, though she did not upgrade me to a club room which would have been even nicer. But as above, I liked the room a lot. <p></p><p></p><div>Watch a video of one of the renovated rooms (room 425) on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSZCBR01Qn4">YouTube: click here</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eSZCBR01Qn4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eSZCBR01Qn4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><div>Here is a Junior Suite (Room 2807) which I stayed in October 2009, it is still one of the non refurbished rooms. C<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuXOoZnr61Y">lick here to see on YouTube</a> or on the blog posting:</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WuXOoZnr61Y&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WuXOoZnr61Y&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-6360905625332912214?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4001004214_bc5a07556c.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4001004214_bc5a07556c.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/4000234831_f48a87f69d.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/4000234831_f48a87f69d.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I really liked the Grand Hyatt Berlin. It is a modern, high tech, stylish and well located hotel.<br /><br />Opposite the large Potsdamer theatre and right in the heart of shops, cafes and restaurants the hotel is new and trendy.<br /><br />From the ouitside it is not that remarkable, but inside they have found some interesting and quirky design and art features that add interest and style.<br /><br />The rooms are great. I was upgraded to a club room on the 7th floor. The rooms were large and very bright. There is a long hall with full length mirror and then the bathroom which can be accessed from the hall and bedroom. The bathroom is stylish and has a "wow" factor. The bath is in a glass panel wall which also has a wet room style shower, a separate toilet and unusually the cupboard is in the bathroom too. You can also listen to and watch tv in the bathroom with a small screen and volume controls in the room.<br /><br />The bedroom has a very comfortable bed, desk to work at, tea and coffee making facilities and a great flat screen tv (with incredible sound as I discovered when I watched a Harry Potter movie from the on-demand service one evening!).<br /><br />There are a number of restaurants in the hotel, I went to one called Mesa that was a kind of international tapas sort of place which was great.<br /><br />Service was very good, efficient and friendly throughout the hotel.<br /><br />The gym on the 8th floor was a decent size with decent equipment.<br /><br />Overall a great hotel in a great location both for tourists and business people alike. Liked it!</div><div> </div><div>Watcha video of my room 715 on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MrbQDwOfM0">YouTube by clicking here</a>, or on the blog post:</div><div> </div><div> </div></div><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0MrbQDwOfM0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0MrbQDwOfM0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-7403895941393170268?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3931244632_1b73f289cf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3931244632_1b73f289cf.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3931248032_2e4278e7bd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3931248032_2e4278e7bd.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This small village on the coast of Devon is in many ways a better example of what an English seaside venue should be.<br /><br />Unlike its bigger neighbours like Sidmouth, it is not tacky, not full of big cheap looking hotels full of decrepit guests and over priced shops and tourist eating places.<br /><br />Beer retains it charm as it seems to be a largely residential village, with some small guest houses and I assume houses that are rented out.<br /><br />It does attract a lot of weekend visitors who amble down the steep road from the village down to the beach and fill the stoney beach relaxing on deckchairs, eating from the few on the beach "greasy spoon" cafes or sailing. It is also a popular point to head off on walks up and along the top of the steep cliffs.<br /><br />Beer village has a fairly long street that has small and increasingly more quirky boutique type shops selling arts and crafts, fudge and the like.<br /><br />It has a buzz and friendly atmosphere especially on the weekends in summer as people chat and wander about.<br /><br />Worth popping by if in the area.<br /><br />Watch a video I took of the beach by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EaPzKpkw7I">clicking here to watch on YouTube</a>, or on the blog posting.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2EaPzKpkw7I&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2EaPzKpkw7I&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-698246367955298219?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3976407607_05e7702850.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3976407607_05e7702850.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3977182922_bdf8d340c1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3977182922_bdf8d340c1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have stayed the Hotel Pentelikon in Athens a few times over the last few years, and usually been very happy with staying there. Though it is not ideal if you are a tourist as it quite far from the centre and where you may want to go sightseeing.<br /><br />The staff at the hotel are always friendly, chatty and very welcoming. The people who work there are charming, and always trying to please.However, I did discover a part of the hotel that they seem to be excited and proud of - but I was not sure it was so great. Even though they told me I had been upgraded. They have built in the loft of the old building a long line of rooms. They have a number of drawbacks:<br /><br />(1) You get to them after getting out the lift on the 3rd floor up these very narrow and winding stairs. They are quite hard to navigate and I was pleased that I had only a small hand baggage and had let the bellman help me to my room. It would be quite a logistic exercise getting bags up the spiral.<br />(2) You feel like you are staying with someone in their spare room they have built into their loft, rather than at an up-market hotel<br />(3) The rooms are small, and while quite innovative use of space, cramped. The desk pulls out the wall and so is wobbly when you sue it and the bathroom is very tight and to get out the bath you bump your head and then have to navigate around the toilet.<br /><br />On the plus side, you do a get a very pleasant view of the hills and greenery and in these rooms internet access is free (though you need to use a cable to access it).<br /><br />The other elements of the Pentelikon hotel are good. The grounds are pleasant with a large pool, the food in the restaurant is excellent (if a bit pricey). The “fitness room” remains a real disappointment and is very half-hearted with a running machine and a cross-trainer and a few tiny light weights. Very hard to have a decent work-out there.<br /><br />Overall this hotel is friendly and charming, but make sure you ask for one of the rooms in the new wing. They are larger and better. As an earlier review and video below shows.<br /><br /><br /><br />Watch a video of my room (1415) on youtube (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43h7wBtMaM4">click here</a>) or on the blog posting:<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/43h7wBtMaM4" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>An older review of the hotel from 2007:</b><br /><br /><br />I have been to Athens 3 times (so far this year): at the end of January for a meeting, in June for a conference and then again for a short meeting. In January and now in August, I stayed in the Hotel Pentelikon. Below is a video of the room which was very nice indeed and a review. I did not make another video for this trip as the room was identical (just faced the pool this time).<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F38pmkxr8uw" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></div><br /><br />The Hotel Pentelikon is situated in Kifissia which is a suburb of Athens. Apparently many years ago the wealthy residents of Athens would retreat to Kifissia on the weekends and stay at hotels like this to escape the pollution and heat of Athens to take some "clean country air".Today Kifissia is just part of the huge sprawl that is modern Athens, and it seems unbelievable that this area was an escape as it is now chock full of houses and has a very large and developed shopping area.However, the hotel itself is an oasis in this suburb.<br /><br />The original hotel build in the 1920s is right on the street with a grand looking entrance and lobby area with huge sweeping staircase. It looks lush, rich and luxurious on entering.Just off the lobby are 2 restaurants which are pretty pricey, with one having a Michelin star. They do have fabulous food which is presented so well and stylishly that it almost seems criminal to eat. An even simple dish like a Greek Salad was a masterpiece of sculpture of tomatoes, onions and feta cheese. The restaurants are very popular and my Greek colleagues told me that they are especially popular with politicians and other dignitaries, and it is not unusual to have policemen hanging around as a result.There are 3 buildings of accommodation: the original building plus 2 new ones that were built just before the 2004 Olympics.I stayed in what they call "Building 2" which is where they have their "executive" rooms.<br /><br />The room was really good and I liked it a lot. It is small but very stylish with a large bed of a sort of 4 poster design but without the canopy on the top, large comfy chair, and chair and desk to work at. The bathroom was as beautiful with a wall of frosted glass doors with a large shower behind one door and a toilet behind the other.Even the meeting rooms, which are in another new building, were good. The provision of free internet access in the bedrooms was also a nice touch.<br /><br />The fitness center was a real disappointment. 3 cardio machines and very light weights with no bench. It is a real missed opportunity. There is a large pool in the gardens which looks great.<br /><br />If you stay ask for building "2" and "3" as the rooms in the new buildings are supposed to be much better than the old rooms. One side of these is on the road and the other side looks over the pool. The soundproofing is fantastic and the road quiet so it does not really matter which side you are on.<br /><br />I would stay here again, as the hotel, food and service by everyone is excellent. Although location wise for tourists it is probably a bit far from the main tourist sights.<br /><br />To find out more about Athens check out the article with tips for travellers (<a href="http://mytravelreviews.blogspot.com/2007/02/athens-greece-part2-observations.html">click here</a>) or listen to the podcast by looking for it on the PODCAST listings on the left of the page.<br /><br /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/yqealu"><img src="http://tinyurl.com/yv785g" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4766753871172353215?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/3919224136_efe515ef76.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/3919224136_efe515ef76.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The railway system in the UK is quite an odd one. The privatisation from the much maligned British Rail, has at best been a mixed success. The main issue, from what I can understand, is the companies that bid for the rights to run various routes bid too much, and so are scrambling to cut costs. This means mixed service based on which route you are on.<br /><br />As the picture shows, the first class seats on Great Western, that runs the long service from London down to Plymouth are large, comfy and in good condition. The broader service is hit and miss.<br /><br />I do not use the route a lot, maybe 3 times a year to and from Exeter, every trip has seen apologies for completely nonexistent buffet service to only limited for a few stops out of London. How can this be? The trip from London to Plymouth is about 5 hours and having no drinks, food as a norm seems just sloppy and incredibly incompetent. Not to mention lost revenue.<br /><br />On our trip today we also had doors that did and then did not and then did work. Air con that played up in some carriages. No water at all in the toilets (and of course no drinks or food)<br /><br />Pity as train is better overall and faster than cars.<br /><br />I did not even get into the complex and bizarre pricing of train tickets...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4978150463879848822?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3886772390_71f23fd4e3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3886772390_71f23fd4e3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3885975449_49380f194f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3885975449_49380f194f.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />What can I say really... The Novotel Hotel at Warsaw Airport is a hotel near the airport by Novotel. So you know exactly what you are getting. At least from that perspective they are consistent - not exciting, not special but reliably consistent.<br /><br />Overall I am not crazy about Novotel hotels. They are in unremarkable to ugly 1970s inspired buildings that look and with a finish that says budget was not high. They are always clean but decor is well meaning but feels budget and not strong. The bed is large, but not overly comfortable. The staff is fine enough but not memorable.<br /><br />The Novotel Warsaw airport is all of this. It is a good location for the airport and near a growing complex of offices. It is only ideal if you are in and out and not able or planning to be very touristy. It seems popular for meetings and that seemed to be the main trade.<br /><br />The room was large and had free Internet access which is great. They have a pool and fitness centre, but did not get to see that.<br /><br />The restaurant has a fairly good buffet breakfast.<br /><br />Overall it was fine, but was only staying one night.<div><br /></div><div>See the video of my room 782 on the blog posting, or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E-1ThrKXJs"><b>click here to watch on YouTube</b></a></div><div><br /></div><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4E-1ThrKXJs"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4E-1ThrKXJs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-1610111460686301458?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3885957759_4bb98b6761.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3885957759_4bb98b6761.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3885960293_3b8256904a.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3885960293_3b8256904a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3885958609_403bed93dc.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3885958609_403bed93dc.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3885956537_2599b25cd2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3885956537_2599b25cd2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The London Sea Life Aquarium is in the old County Hall building across Westminster Bridge from the Houses Of Parliament in London, and near to the London Eye (the massive and very popular Ferris Wheel originally set up for the Millennium that has become a permanent feature).<br /><br />The area along the Thames in front of County Hall is, unfortunately, becoming a bit of a busy and somewhat tacky tourist area. This is unfortunate, but possibly inevitable, and is rapidly evolving into the more depressing cheap and shabby areas like South Street Seaport in New York and Fisherman’s Wharf (Pier 39) in San Francisco. Gone is the Dali permanent exhibition and Saatchi art exhibitions and now there is Movie themed and horror house type attractions. Along with low price fast food, and a very busy McDonald.<br /><br />In here too is the Aquarium. It has been open some years and recently been more active in promoting itself. I had heard mixed things and so was interested to go.<br /><br />Overall it is a fairly entertaining few hours visit, and certainly the young children (aged 6 and 9) we went with found it fun, engaging, interesting and not too long. In fact a few hours went by and I did not realise until we left quite how long we had spent in there. So that must mean something positive.<br /><br />I think it is a fairly good but not exceptional or world leading aquarium. But that is probably me just having been spoilt from getting to see some more ocean based and mega funded aquariums over the years on my travels where they have more “trophy” catches for the marginally sea life interested patron like me. There is a wide range of fish and tanks which are structured and show the type of fish life through the various oceans and areas of the world. For me, the most impressive was the tank with the sharks in (but that is maybe the adult in me). The children were as happy, if not even happier, to spend time looking at the Sea Horses and multi coloured fish of all sizes from around the world where they could get up close and view them in their smaller tanks.<br /><br />The place is very dark, as they have a good selection of deep sea fish and well laid out. There are clearly a lot of people in there at any one time, but although felt busy did not get too crowded. They have people giving talks and explaining hr fish and how they were acquired, and these are worth joining (I found out some interesting facts, and finding out one fairly large but what seemed unremarked fish was worth at least £250000 and is very rare and came to them from being confiscated at Heathrow when someone was trying o smuggle it in , added to the interest and story of the place).<br /><br />There is a “fact finding” scratch card they give to children with 9 questions and that also got us and them engaged, and they got a nice medal at the end if completed and correct.<br /><br />Overall a good day out. But nice visited not sure would go back, but I would recommend it to anyone visiting.<br /></div><div>See all my photos of the attarction on Flickr: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157622111910447/">click here<br /></a><br />Watch the video I took of the area around the Aquarium and throughout the attraction on the blog posting, or by clicking here and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS9EU-RtWHE">watching on YouTube</a></div><div> </div></div></div></div><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GS9EU-RtWHE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GS9EU-RtWHE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4348620851663869713?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3805962999_91db38e869.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3805962999_91db38e869.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3806570482_7de9e2e230.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3806570482_7de9e2e230.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3805960961_6840f5211f.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3805960961_6840f5211f.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3805659779_ae1dde5c57.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3805659779_ae1dde5c57.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3805756541_a82467c60b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3805756541_a82467c60b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>One of the more famous Tourist destinations in san Francisco is Pier 39. It is well known and listed in many guides. It is also a total nightmare, and makes the South Street Seaport in New York seem positively up-market and glamorous. It is a real attraction to avoid.<br /><br />Luckily just down the road is something that is worth visiting and offers a more honest and real reflection of what San Francisco is. And that is the Ferry Building.<br /><br />Pier 39 is just awful. It is a tacky, over-priced and appalling tourist trap. It has terrible shops, terrible food and overall is just nasty.<br /><br />While down a few piers is the stunningly beautiful and very chic Ferry Building.<br /><br />The ferry to and from San Francisco to Sausalito leaves from the Ferry Building. This is worth a visit even if you don't go on the ferry.A very beautiful and imposing building that has been restored and is full of interesting and varied shop stalls. They mostly sell food and range from cheese shops, bread shops through to ice cream and coffee shops. The ferry building is buzzing and vibrant.You can get to and from the ferry building around town on the very old Muni cable cars. These are from the 1940s and restored. They are rattling and creaking but fun, frequent and popular. They cost $2 a ride.<br /><br />Instead of repeating how bad Pier 39 is, I below cover what other blogs and sites say about the place:<br /><br />Pier 39 sucks site/posting: <a href="http://www.sftravel.com/fish.html">http://www.sftravel.com/fish.html</a><br /><br />Their 5 reasons Pier 39 sucks:</div><div><br />5) Crowds, crowds, crowds. Pushy, rude tourists overflow the wharf streets. If you want an intimate or unique experience -- this is not the place to go.</div><div><br />4.) Parking: The Fisherman's Wharf parking charges $7 per hour up to a maximum of $35. There are few or no discount places for parking and street parking is a joke.</div><div><br />3.) Activities: The basic Wharf scam is that people come for the boat tours, and end up with huge waits (up to all day) - and get stuck shopping and "dining". Here's our best tip - you want the boat ride - the shopping is a waste of time and the restaurants...........(see below!)</div><div><br />2.) Awful Food: If I wanted to set up a restaurant to charge the highest prices -- for the worst food -- with a captive audience -- Fisherman's Wharf would be at the top of my list. If you think you are dealing with a family fisherman's restaurant taking fish out of the Bay and onto your plate -- you're in for a rude -- and expensive awakening.</div><div><br />1.) Scams: From street "performers" who are just a hair from homeless panhandlers to a variety of questionable charitable organizations; <a href="http://www.sftravel.com/timeshare-san-francisco.html">timeshare</a> marketers; etc.; etc. -- this is the place to get talked out of your money. Be wary at the Wharf and hold onto your wallet.</div><br /><div></div><div>what do you think?</div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-6388386440355468283?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3833280131_7e0a04e4cb.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3833280131_7e0a04e4cb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/3833285533_034355f37d.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/3833285533_034355f37d.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/3834027348_c684d431a5.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/3834027348_c684d431a5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3833982872_312805e3a2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 334px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3833982872_312805e3a2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas? That was my initial reaction as I had never seen the hotel. That is because it is an hotel within a hotel!<br /><br />The Four Seasons takes up the top floors of the Mandalay Bay hotel block. The only sign for the hotel is an entrance sign on Las Vegas Boulevard South near the Mandalay Bay Conference Center.<br /><br />The lobby is on the ground floor and unlike other strip hotels it does not have a casino nor a parking garage. There is easy access direct into the Mandalay Bay casino, and if you don't want to use the valet parking ($19/ night) you can park in Mandalay Bay.<br /><br />The Four Seasons is a great place to stay if you want to be in Vegas but avoid the full on Blitz of casino noise and bustle every time you leave your room to go anywhere. You can easily come and go without seeing a casino area. But there is easy access via a room key controlled door directly into the Mandalay bay casino.<br /><br />The pool at the hotel is great. The pool is on the ground floor and fenced off and although it gets busy it does not feel as packed as other pools in Vegas. Service at the pool is outstanding, they set up your beds, you can order food, they bring round jugs of ice water all the time, bring round small smoothies, popsicles and iced fruit. If you want it is a short walk to the Mandalay Wave pool and pools. The pool at the hotel tend to be mostly adults.<br /><br />The service overall is what makes the hotel so good. There is a lot of attention to detail everywhere. The room cleaning is meticulous and they take time to sort and tidy your toiletries even! In the excellent (and quiet) fitness room they check if you want a drink as you work out. Overall the four seasons make you feel like a guest, not just a number.<br /><br />As the hotel is at the end of the strip you also feel a bit out of the madness. But as there is a tram that runs every 5 minutes to Excalibur you can get to the strip fast. But is a long walk to places like Caesar’s palace, so cabs or a car is a good idea.<br /><br />The rooms are a good size and comfortable. We chose a strip view which I highly recommend as you get a stunning view both in the day and especially at night. As the hotel takes the top 4 floors all are great. We were on the top floor (39th) which was amazing.<br /><br />It is worth watching the four seasons site for promotions, we got 3 nights for the price of 2 which is a great deal. It is also best to try and stay in Vegas and the hotel in the week if you can, as it is clearly quieter and even the casino at Mandalay bay, restaurants are quieter - and less drunk and loud weekend partying crowds!<br /><br />I highly recommend the Four Seasons Las Vegas. </div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4819128959005761876?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3821626396_2232c5424e.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3821626396_2232c5424e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3821648074_eb735a9f93.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3821648074_eb735a9f93.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3820831285_8a90b2b4af.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3820831285_8a90b2b4af.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3819470392_e49d36a7b7.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3819470392_e49d36a7b7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3820825533_f04c35bc23.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3820825533_f04c35bc23.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>White House Inn &amp; Spa</div><div> </div><div>This relatively new inn in Napa is excellent. It is a great place to stay in Napa.<br /></div><div>The inn is in a large old mansion in a relatively unimpressive neighbourhood. The large white house was built around 100 years ago and has recently been restored / renovated by the new owners. They have done a magnificent job with the place.<br /></div><div>The White House is not surprisingly white. It stands in beautifully lush grounds and looks impressive from the road. There is a large parking area which offers plenty of shade to keep cars cool.<br /></div><div>You enter the house up some large stairs through large and impressive front door. As you enter the property there is a wow factor. The decor is stylish and not overdone. There are 2 large staircases. The staff are all friendly, not pushy but helpful when it comes to asking about tours, restaurant bookings and the like.<br /></div><div>We were in Room 10 upstairs. This was a small suite with sitting room with desk and fireplace decorated in rich browns. There was a good sized white bathroom with 2 person Jacuzzi style bath and cosy bedroom with comfortable king bed and massive flat screen TV with large choice of channels.<br /></div><div>The only downsides was the lounge was hot as no air con, water pressure in shower was ok but not great, there was very limited storage (small cupboard and 2 drawers). But as you can see these are really minor issues.<br /></div><div>The hotel pool area is much better than the photos on the site. It is a decent size with loungers. The pool is not used much as people seem to be in Napa for short trips and so out all day. So we had it more or less to ourselves most days.<br /></div><div>There is an excellent breakfast with a hot choice of the day, and nibbles and wine in the evening.We really liked this place. It was a haven of peace and quiet. Highly recommend it.</div><div> </div><div>See my photos of the White House and Napa: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157622028663604/">click here</a></div><div>Video to follow</div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-2127479801139556427?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3804235902_71639452ed.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3804235902_71639452ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3809837108_d60f731b36.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3809837108_d60f731b36.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3809025519_05c389530d.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3809025519_05c389530d.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3803415119_e4d2e27e23.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3803415119_e4d2e27e23.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3804232204_ba5841a498.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3804232204_ba5841a498.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There is one main issue with Cavallo Point Hotel at Sausilito San Francisco, and that is the lack of attention to detail and the enthusiastic but not very slick service across all aspects of the hotel. Overall the hotel ends up providing a stay that is "fine" but not special. This is such a pity as the location is special and historic (an old army base at the base of the Golden gate bridge in a national park) and has stunning views of both the bridge and across the bay to the city of San Francisco.<br /><br />The place is slightly surreal and odd, as it is a concerted army base and the old buildings and barracks have been converted into rooms. They are set in a large horseshoe shape around some open ground, with newer (what they call contemporary) buildings built up on the hill. The new buildings look nothing like the old and do not follow the same colours and so looks like a hotel in 2 parts.<br /><br />The bar (Farleys) and the michelin star restaurant are attractive and busy. The food is good. And this seems to be the most successful part of the venture.<br /><br />There is a good spa, but very expensive and so most people seemed to use it to hang out and use the small heated pool. There is a few buildings down a good sized fitness room with good range of cardio equipment and small weights section.<br /><br />Our room (we had a king) in the contemporary buildings with good view of the bridge. The decor was quite Swedish like and fine, but not spectacular. It was large though and the bed was comfortable. There was a huge flat screen TV with good range of channels. The bathroom was large.<br /><br />But overall service was mixed and for example:<br />- although the hotel was very empty we were put in a room (knowing we had travelled from london) that was next to a suite lounge where a party was booked.<br />- there were 5 empty beer bottles on our veranda that never were cleaned away, and a dead bird after the 1st day that also did not get cleaned<br />- no service at all one day<br />- our key had only been programmed for part of our stay<br />- they would bring all courses ordered at once And so on.<br /><br />So just lack of detail. People were entusiatic and nice, but not so efficient.<br /><br />I would not recommend this place to friends, as although nice to be just outside the city and quick to get in, it was not special enough for the money.</div><div> </div><div>To see my photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157621863824237/">click here</a></div><div>Video of room and property to follow!</div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-1143856146795876842?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3809808550_f326aef561.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3809808550_f326aef561.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3807557737/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3807557737_0f15a53bed.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3807557737/">castro street san francisco (1)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><br /><p>Castro. This is the gay centre of San Francisco, and possibly was the gay centre for the world before the AIDs epidemic and the embracing of wider gay rights across the world.<br /><br />San Francisco was one of the early places to be open to gay rights and people being more openly gay. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office, and although his time in office was short as he was assassinated, his impact was huge. Still today his name and image is used on the Castro.<br /><br />Over the years that I have visited Castro Street, I have had very different views. For a time it felt like a depressing time warp where you felt a bit like the gay community was slightly stuck in a ghetto with all shops and services for the gay community, when life had moved on and the community was more integrated and part of everyday life.<br /><br />Other times, like on the visit today, helped by the bright sunshine, the what felt like brightened up more sophisticated shops and restaurants and summer atmosphere in the streets, it felt like a relaxed and vibrant centre with a confident feel.<br /><br />It does, however, feel like a cast back. The age of people feels older and more of a generation of gay men and women who grew up in the 70s and 80s when they needed support and community to feel they fitted in. I think younger men and women have less need these days. I may be wrong but the Castro feels like it serves a need but without reinventing for a younger generation may slowly fade away.<br /><br />I hope not as it has energy and buzz today. It has a more upbeat, positive and vibrant feel about it than I have felt before.<br /><br />Though still not for everyone. I am not sure I would feel comfortable taking my mum for a stroll when some shops are advertising a new porn film with naked chap and the title 24 cocks in 24 hours.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4123145353538170535?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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A review of the Virgin America seats and service.<br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3816433640_4221fb7be6.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3816433640_4221fb7be6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3816431450_1aea153788.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3816431450_1aea153788.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The launch of Virgin America was heralded as the start of something big and new in USA domestic air travel. The domestic flight scene in the US is known for being about shoddy and off hand experiences, with old fleets and bad service. Bogged down by the effects of over capacity and tottering in and out of chapter 11 bankruptcy.<br /><br />In some ways almost strange to launch an airline into an overcrowded unprofitable category! So I was interested to see how the Virgin brand was bringing itself to the market.<br /><br />There is no doubt that the experience is a different from the stuffy traditional US carriers.<br /><br />We flew from San Francisco to Las Vegas on Virgin America First Class. They have 12 seats (the 1st 3 rows) and then their main cabin. as they charge to check in bags ($15 a bag) in the main cabin the price difference is not massive. The pre-flight experience is pretty standard as at any airport. There is no lounge unless you pay $35 for the Virgin Atlantic lounge that opens at noon.<br /><br />Once you step on board things are different. The staff is casual and informal, calling passengers "guests". You also notice instead of a solid wall there is a see through pink/ red see through panel. You also note that all seats are leather. White in first and black in main cabin.<br /><br />The first seats are large and comfy. They recline and have foot rests, like the pre-flat bed type. Lots of leg room.<br /><br />Throughout the plane is a great in-flight system. You pay for headphones in main cabin. On the system you can watch live TV with about 10 channels, on demand TV and movies, watch your flight. There is also wireless internet access at just under $6 for and hour and half flight.<br /><br />We got drinks and snacks (crisps, chocolates).<br /><br />The flight crew are also chatty with their announcements.<br /><br />Overall I was impressed as they are service orientated and you felt less like a burden that other domestic carriers can make you feel!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-7613240015509708688?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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This is a review of the Napa Wine Train that runs a 3 hour service at lunch and dinner in the wine country in California<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3815987752_60080fdc9e.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3815987752_60080fdc9e.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of the reasons for adding Napa onto our California trip was not to delve into the wineries of the area, but to explore some of the "geek" within me when it comes to travel and transportation.<br /><br />For Napa is home of the Napa Wine Train Company.This train company was set up by a millionaire train buff inspired by his experiences on the Orient Express in Europe. He bought 21 mile of track from the Pacific Railroad who were more than happy to offload a track along which now only an occasional freight train may run.<br /><br />He then acquired old Pullman coaches mostly from the 1940s, restored them and (to much opposition from locals along the route) got his service going. It seems locals really did not like the idea of the service and in the end he had to limit his trips to a lunchtime one, a dinner one most evenings and the odd special event. It was, however, a big hit with tourists.Unlike the stunning (and costly) Rovos Train that runs from Pretoria to Cape Town over 2 nights, this just does meals.The train runs from Napa to St Helena. Once there the engine is moved to the back of the train and pulls it back. It takes 3 hours.<br /><br />For around $100 per person you get the ride and a 5 course meal, with drinks extra. To make the most of the carriages and space there are 2 sittings the 1st eats until main then moves to a lounge car for pudding and coffee while the 2nd sitting goes to the dining carriage.Food is good but rushed and you have pretty much finished main by time you leave the station!<br /><br />The station has no platform and is a large warehouse style building with wine shop and some gift shops. You board and get allocated a table. The carriages are very well restored and in good shape. As mentioned the food is plentiful and pretty good, but not really gourmet but fine. We had a mixed plate of olives, cheese etc to start, then a salad then sorbet and a choice of beef, fish or chicken. Pudding was either chocolate brownie or crème brulee. They are not pushy in selling wine though there is a lot of choice at all prices and a tasting bar offering 4 wines to taste for $10.<br />As the focus is on making money the train needs volume and so it is not as special and up-market in food, service and small touches. You get efficient but not personal style service and rushed through the courses as they churn out the kitchen in what feels very production line.<br /><br />The scenery is fine, though not that spectacular as quite a bit of it is getting out of Napa and the running along the motorway.It was a different and fun experience. It was great to experience the old carriages but not as special as Rovos. But worth doing.<br /><br />To see all my photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157621898497351/">click here<br /></a><br />A video of the train to follow.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3815234053_54c372a9bd.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3815234053_54c372a9bd.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3815246285_7f1f4db9f0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3815246285_7f1f4db9f0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/3815992700_bf986dca76.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/3815992700_bf986dca76.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-358207868283002764?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802137541/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3802137541_2059e09faf.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802137541/">Alcatraz Prison towards San Francisco (17)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p>It has been a lot of years, about 7, since I had last been in San Francisco. And other than a week or so holiday here about 10 years ago, all previous trips had been "in and out" work trips. Then in the space of 5 months came here twice, once for work and once for holiday.<br /><br />I had a number of observations, which differed based on where I was staying.<br /><br /><strong>First: when I was staying in town in the financial district, this is what I wrote back in March<br /></strong><br />This time I was in the city for 5 nights for various meetings and to visit the American Academy of Dermatologists conference to see what it was all about.<br /><br />This posting is less about tips for travellers, as I will do that later in the year when I go back to the city for a holiday, and more about general observations and thoughts:<br /><br /><strong>(1) The relative quietness</strong><br />My previous trips were during the internet boom days. The city now seems much more quiet and less vibrant than I remember it. Even considering there were supposed to be 19000 delegates in town for the conference, the streets, bars and restaurants seemed easy to get into and less throbbing.<br />I guess the whole silicon valley turn down has made a huge impact.<br />You did see closing down sales and empty shops but not on a massive scale. The most noticeable was the huge Virgin Megastore closing down.<br /><br /><strong>(2) Hobos and homeless<br /></strong>I do recall this image from before, but there seems to be a lot of hobo and homeless people on the streets in the centre. Not that you feel threatened or scared, but you see a lot of them all over. More so than I feel you see elsewhere. Is this a heritage of San Francisco's hippy days and Mecca to attract bohemians and the such?<br /><br /><strong>(3) Coffee Shops<br /></strong>I don' t know what the stats show, and it may have been a function of being in the financial district and centre, but I don't think I have ever seen so many coffee shops ever.<br /><br />There are not only Starbucks after Starbucks it feels like every time you turn round, but also other chains like Peets and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, some of which I think come from the city originally.<br /><br /><strong>(4) Not American<br /></strong>Maybe it is because most of my trips to the USA are to the East Coast (New York/ New Jersey), but it always strikes me that San Francisco is American but does not feel as American. This is party the architecture and style of the city, but probably the more laid back and less frantic approach<br /><br /><strong>These are observations that add to the above when here as a tourist:</strong><br /><br /><strong>(5) Weather and micro system<br /></strong>San Francisco is its own city. With an almost bizarre weather system that bears little to what is going on even 10 minutes drive down the motorway.<br /><br />The bay sucks in fog that in summer often completely obscures the Golden Gate Bridge and can hang about for days. It is always cooler on the city than nearby. Even crossing the bridge into Sausalito will see temperatures move upwards.<br /><br />This strange weather and the fog is something locals talk about all the time. They also talk a lot about moving to warmer place.<br /><br /><strong>(6) People</strong><br />Maybe it is a California thing, or maybe a hangover from the hippy heritage and glory days, but people from San Francisco really do seem to be "of a type"! They are chatty, effusive and enthusiastic - but overall service and detail seems lacking. They seem to confuse friendliness with service!<br /><br /><strong>(7) Beautiful from other side<br /></strong>Most visits to San Francisco seem to entail staying and being in the city and the most people venture to is perhaps walking across the long Golden Gate Bridge to the viewing area. Some may venture to Napa. But staying or visiting Sausalito on the other side of the bridge is a must. You get stunning views across the bay to the city, great views of the Golden gate - and also a quirky laid back town. It is really easy to go on the ferry for example. I have a whole posting on Sausalito: click here<br /><br /><strong>(8) Things to do:</strong><br />- visit Alcatraz<br />- cycle or walk over the Golden Gate Bridge. Best to cycle as then can free wheel down into Sausalito<br />- get the ferry to or from Sausalito and explore the shops at the ferry building<br />- visit the huge and impressive Golden Gate park with Japanese Gardens<br />- go to the Castro<br />- get a tram<br />- do an open air bus tour<br /><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3809831756/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3809831756_acec972ed0.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3809831756/">Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-8527668773758366445?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3804629734/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3804629734_f0f079602b.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3804629734/">Sausalito San Francisco (5)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p>Having been to San Francisco a few times in the last few years, and again just 5 months ago, for work I was concerned that coming here for holiday would end up feeling like another work trip. So decided to stay at Sausalito, which is just the other side of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.<br /><br />I am very pleased we did, as not only are the views spectacular but Sausalito is a small and buzzy town with great places to eat and diverse galleries and art shops.<br /><br /><strong>Getting there<br /></strong>Sausalito is across the bay from the city and looks back across the stretch of water, across the famous Alcatraz prison island to the city. It is a stunning view, especially in the morning when the fog clings to the bridge and over the city.<br /><br />It is very easy to get to by ferry from either Fisherman Wharf or Ferry Station. It is a popular commuter ferry as Sausalito is a beautiful alternative to living in the city. The ferry in the daytime, especially in summer, is full of tourists with bikes as the bike hire shops encourage you to cycle over the bridge, free wheel down into the town and get the ferry back.<br /><br />The ferry to and from San Francisco to Sausalito leaves from the Ferry Building. This is worth a visit even if you don't go on the ferry.A very beautiful and imposing building that has been restored and is full of interesting and varied shop stalls. They mostly sell food and range from cheese shops, bread shops through to ice cream and coffee shops. The ferry building is buzzing and vibrant.You can get to and from the ferry building around town on the very old Muni cable cars. These are from the 1940s and restored. They are rattling and creaking but fun, frequent and popular. They cost $2 a ride.<br /><br />There is also a bus service, that takes about 40 minutes to the very centre of the city.<br /><br />Then of course you can drive over the bridge. There is no toll heading out of the city, but a $6 one per car heading in.<br /><br /><strong>Where to stay<br /></strong>While there are a number of hotels in Sausalito in the town near the water, we are staying literally at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge itself. The hotel is called Cavallo Point and used to be an army base with a long history. The hotel has not been open that long. A fuller review of the hotel will follow in another posting.<br /><br />The hotels in town look great and are close to the marina and all the shops.<br /><br /><strong>The Town</strong><br />There is a long main road that is full of coffee shops, restaurants, tourist souvenir shops and then art galleries. There are also some quirky sea related shops selling model ships and the like.<br /><br />The marina has many small sailing boats and then the odd large "wow" yachts costing huge wads of cash. Houses and apartments cling all the way up the steel hill behind the main street with twisting roads. The houses are pretty and varied giving the place a sense of style.<br /><br />Overall the town has a slightly hippy feel but with a monied and sophisticated spin - if that makes sense.<br /><br />There is a feeling of restfulness and is a great alternative to staying in the city as it has charm and is easy to relax. And it is really easy and fast into the city.<br /><br /><strong>Things to do</strong><br />Eat. Stroll. Relax. Look at the view!<br />You could also go out sailing or skiing on the bay.<br />And cycling is popular. Though you need strong legs with all the hills.<br /><br /><strong>See all my photos of Sausalito, Ferry Building &amp; Golden Gate Bridge: </strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157621863824237/"><strong>click here</strong><br /></a></p><p><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3804633888/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3804633888_8fd8213e8a.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3804633888/">Sausalito San Francisco (6)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></p><p></p><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3804622646/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/3804622646_1858a1bb25.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3804622646/">Sausalito San Francisco (3)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-4569416792668387873?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3801856283/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3801856283_d28aa6b327.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3801856283/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (8)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><p>I had been to San Francisco a few times and never got organised to go to the famous Alcatraz island in the bay, home of the infamous high security jail and the subject of films and books.<br /><br />Finally, I got there. It was a fascinating and incredibly well organised and thought provoking experience. It is hugely popular and you need to plan a trip in advance, especially if you are only in the city for a short while.<br /><br />But definitely worth planning to go.<br /><br />Alcatrtaz celebrated its 75th Anniversary of becoming a civil prison in August 2009. It dates back before that when used as a military prison. The facility closed as an operating prison in 1963 as it became too costly to maintain as the buildings were dated and lacked modern plumbing and the like.<br /><br />The prison was renowned for being a harsh and tough place, and although after visiting it and seeing the tiny cells and gloominess of the place, some of the image was driven by the fact that almost no visitors were allowed to the island to see prisoners and if they were they peered through tiny windows of thick glass.<br /><br />Alcatraz is also famous for the stories of some of its inmates, like the famous gangster Al Capone ( who was actually sent to the island on a prison train from miles away that was then put on a barge and sailed to the island!) and the dangerous criminal known as "bird man of Alcatraz" (although in reality his studies of and keeping of birds was at his previous prison).<br /><br />The prison is also infamous for the stories of escapes/ escape attempts. Only 3 people escaped from the prison and have never been found, though it is expected they drowned. They had over time burrowed into a service passage behind each of their cells and managed to make plaster fake heads complete with hair to fool the guards into thinking they were sleeping. There was also a vicious battle where guards were shot and one killed after being locked in a cell. That attempt led to a 2 day battle where marines were called in and the leader shot and later 2 others sentenced to death.<br /><br />After the prison closed in 1963 it lay empty and crumbling, it was occupied by Native American tribes on and off as protests, the longest lasting 19 months. Then it became a national park and open to tourists.<br /><br /><strong>Getting there</strong><br />There is one main way to get to the island, and this is through the Alcatraz Cruises company that runs a ferry around every 30 minutes from Pier 33.<br /><br />It is almost essential to book in advance, easiest to do online, and it is often sold out in advance. The site is <a href="http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/">alcatrazcruises.com </a><br /><br />They offer some tours but the most popular is to get the ferry, and look around by yourself<br /><br />On docking after a short 15 minute or so ride the around 1.5 miles there, you are given a short briefing reminding you that this is a National Park run by the Federal Government and so those laws apply. Then it is up to you.<br /><br />It is a lot of walking and up a very steep hill, the equivalent of 13 stories, so you need to be prepared. There is a limited golf cart pulled passenger transport for disabled/ limited mobility people. But it is very limited availability.<br /><br /><strong>What to see<br /></strong>There are leaflets for a donation of just $1 that explains the layout of the island.<br /><br />There are 3 main things to see:<br />(1) An audio visual presentation about the history of the island.<br />(2) Stroll around the island. Most of it is open.<br />(3) Audio tour (which is free) around the main cell block. This is excellent and narrated by former guards, prisoners and some people who lived as children of guards on the island. This tour is fascinating and walks you around the cell blocks, dining room, library, old guard rooms and some of the outside. It tells of the routine, how isolation areas worked, dining room, escape attempts and so on. It is quite chilling looking at the 3 high stories of cells and imaging hundreds of men locked in these tiny cells, some 24 hours a day.<br /><br />It is a very grim and at the same time imposing place. I wish I had gone there sooner. </p><p><strong>See all the photos of the ferry to the island and of the prison: </strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157621859358361/"><strong>click here</strong></a><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802639182/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3802639182_ebeb8c2c14.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802639182/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (36)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802826580/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3802826580_cb6e47b15b.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802826580/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (32)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span><br /></p><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3801824323/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3801824323_aa89bd0da2.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3801824323/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (28)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802123061/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/3802123061_8f6516662f.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802123061/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (21)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802967512/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/3802967512_588968c0a4.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802967512/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (dock area)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span><br /></div><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802930888/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/3802930888_c9a7d59642.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3802930888/">Alcatraz Prison San Francisco (d block: isolation)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-3054727043148109492?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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So we are off on our holiday. Two weeks of rest in California and the in Las Vegas.<br /><br />This is likely to be a pampered but value holiday thanks to 3 things that means taking advantage of the current economic situation:<br /><br /><strong>Discounts and offers on airlines</strong><br />Thanks to the overall downturn in demand for flights and so all of the discounting, we got 2 First Class seats on British Airways for one set of miles. So that was a good start.<br /><br />I was reading last weekend in The Times about the extent airlines are discounting. As they are trying to avoid a price war as things are so tough as it is with the slump in business travel, they are now trying to be smarter. So deals with miles to then encourage people to upgrade or sell other travel products and bundling upgrades and low fares on packages. So there is a lot around to get to places at best value now.<br /><br /><strong>Hotel deals</strong><br />Also as travel overall is down, everywhere we stay we managed to book as "three nights for two" in great rooms. This is true for the Cavallo Point at Sausalito (San Francisco), White House Inn (Napa) and the Four Seasons in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Looking on both hotel sites and booking sites like expedia are rafts of offers and deals. The extra nights seem popular at present as again assume they then will try and sell other services and food.<br /><br /><strong>Strengthening pound</strong><br />With all the offers from hotels through their sites, we only paid deposits of one night. The discounting by hotels meant less need to book deals that meant paying up front, which is presumably how some hotels part fund discounts. As the pound has now significantly strengthened in last few months versus the dollar making the hotels even cheaper.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-5109771001721752046?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3715375207/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3715375207_66b28b718e.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3715375207/">Harewood House Leeds (2)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p>Once you visit one stately home you seem to have a drive to go and see more and more. They do seem addictive. Having recently been to Osborne house and Hardwich House, I lept at the suggestion to visit Harewood House when up staying near Leeds. And I was very pleased to have done so. Harewood House has won a number of tourist awards, including the "visitor attraction of the year" based on the volume of visitors it gets. <div><br /></div><div>The property is massive and in addition to the house and some other regular attractions, Harewood House runs many events and features across the season that attracts crowds. These range from car enthusiasts like Rolls Royce that get 500 cars there. They also have concerts, theatre and open air cinema shows.<br /><br />The Harewood family still own and live there. It seems they made their money through activities like the slave trade and commerce, and in more recent years were associated with royalty when one of Queen Victoria's relatives (Princess Royal Mary) married into the family. In the house is an exhibition of some of her effects including her wedding dress<br /><br />There is so much that is amazing about the Harewood House. The house itself is huge and very impressive. It is even more impressive as both the outside and inside are in amazing condition and as the owners are still resident (though mostly on upper floors not accessed by the public) the place is full of personal touches and feels very much alive. One of the reasons the whole place is in good condition is through a combination of well thought out facilities and events to attract a lot of visitors, and Lottery Fund and other grants to help restore historically significant fixtures, furniture and buildings.<br /><br />The grounds are sprawling and well landscaped. You drive up a long 1 mile driveway to the house and parking area. The house is grand and imposing with a huge lawn that people play games on. The other side of the house is even more grand, with a large veranda and then incredible sculpted gardens. You can have light meals and tea looking over the gardens across open space and to the hills beyond. Also in the grounds is a large lake full of birds, that people walk and picnic around. There is also a large bird sanctuary with large collection of birds from around the world including an ostrich and then a penguin house and pool (where you can watch them being fed at 2pm). You can also visit a Planetarium, play in a large children's adventure ground (if you are a child!) And of course visit the house.<br /><br />The house tour is in 2 parts. The "under stairs" where you can visit the kitchens, and some other exhibitions is included in the ticket to the grounds. The main house visit means paying slightly more than a grounds only ticket. It is well worth it. There is an audio tour or a guide book (for about 5 pounds). You can visit all the ground floor rooms which are breathtakingly intricate and full of furniture, artwork and stunning furniture. Even if you do not buy the guidebook in each room there is usually someone to explain or there are laminated cards telling you about the room and contents. The rooms are quite something, especially the libraries, state bedroom and the grand hall. The old stables have been turned into a restaurant and gift shop, with fudge as their big thing. A great day out. Highly recommended.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3715353273/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/3715353273_0aac8341d3.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3715353273/">Harewood House Leeds</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3716144874/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3716144874_ffa1881d99.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3716144874/">Harewood House Leeds (7)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3715282379/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3715282379_eae8230017.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3715282379/">Harewood House Leeds (18)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3716208292/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3716208292_27f29d708b.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3716208292/">Penguins at Harewood House Leeds (2)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/">garybembridge</a>.</span></div><p></p>SEE ALL MY PHOTOS OF HAREWOOD HOUSE <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/sets/72157621370452526/"><b>ON FLICKR: click here</b></a><div><br /></div><div>Watch a video compliation I made of the house and the grounds on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkqwFvOS0g4">YouTube by clicking here</a>, or watch on the blog posting:</div><div><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rkqwFvOS0g4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rkqwFvOS0g4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-7469957493089066193?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3734837629/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3734837629_e035d7bee0.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3734837629/">New York Palace Hotel Room 1607 (2)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">garybembridge</span></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3734842613/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3734842613_4fd1dd6ce6.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3734842613/">New York Palace Hotel Room 1607 (3)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">garybembridge</span></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; ">I was expecting a lot when I heard I was going to be staying at the New York Palace hotel and found out it was part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Dorchester</span> Collection, which includes the famous hotel on Park Lane in London.<br /><br />So I guess I was always going to be disappointed. The best I can say is that the hotel overall is fine. Nothing special but not too bad for New York hotels. The hotel is busy and like so many New York hotels the reception staff seem off hand and disinterested, reeling off their patter with little real honesty or believability.<br /><br />The rooms are large for New York and quiet. The bed is large and very comfortable, and there is a gigantic flat screen TV with large range of channels. A good sized desk and fast <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">internet</span> access.<br /><br />The overall decor of the rooms, and the hotel for that matter, is beige, bland and unmemorable. The bathroom is a big disappointment as is a cookie cutter New York hotel look. They do have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Molton</span> Brown toiletries which is a plus.<br /><br />Room service is cheerful and efficient, but the food is very average. The location on Madison and 50<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> is good for Fifth Avenue shops. The fitness centre on the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> floor is large and well equipped and a plus.<br /><br />There is a lack of attention to detail overall, so things like the battery in the scales was run down, the toilet needed some manual help to shut off after flushing and the limo I booked was booked for 615pm and not 615am as asked for.<br /><br />The hotel rides on the brand name of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dorchester</span>, but is not giving the service, attention and the overall experience it should.<br /><br />It is one of those bland but fine places you end up staying for when away for work. Not bad enough to complain, but not good enough to really look forward to going back to.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;">Watch a video of my Room 1607 on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j26WSSUK1pg"><b>YouTube by clicking here</b></a> or on the blog posting:</div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j26WSSUK1pg&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j26WSSUK1pg&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-3017496320280100281?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3734816971/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3734816971_78bf5d31ec.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3734816971/">British Airways BA First Class Seat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Beoing</span> 747 (3)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">garybembridge</span></a>.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3735619056/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/3735619056_a46abee7ba.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/3735619056/">British Airways BA First Class Seat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Beoing</span> 747</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tipsfortravellers/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">garybembridge</span></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;">I have written recently about the BA Club seats and how much I like them. Of course, there is still nothing quite like flying First Class on British Airways.</div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;">First Class is becoming a declining feature on airlines these days, and the advent of flat bed style seats in Business that go 180 degrees like on BA and Virgin made the decline come even faster. Then there was the shift in company travel policies that followed both for economic and for that reason. I remember not so long ago when we were able as part of the travel policy to be able to fly First Class is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">flight</span> time was 12 hours or more. No longer.</div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;">One upside of the current decline of business travel is that airlines are trying to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">incentivize</span> travellers. We seem to be getting a deal with BA where one way you fly Club and then they put you in in First on the way back. This month on a trip to Beijing and then one to New York I have flown First on one leg. Both them the daytime return.</div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;">I do love First. You do fee very pampered and special. The cabin and seats are very dated now and I think they are going to be upgraded, but it is still great. The seats feel very private and the beds are comfy with big duvet and a great amenity bag. The service is outstanding.</div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;">I suspect though it is a dying class of travel. So making the most of it while it is there!</div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16182933-7628410737557780496?l=www.tipsfortravellers.com'/></div>
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