Just as first impressions are important in business and personal relationships, so are they important in setting the tone for a hotel stay. That impression starts the minute you walk into the lobby, if not before, and just like with your interpersonal relationships, first impressions are usually spot on. Throughout a stay, however, a hotel has numerous opportunities to impress or fail and often this is what separates the so-so hotels from the really great ones. Here are a few things that I think are hotel fails – do you agree? Lines. Lines are a fact of life. But when there’s a line all the time, or the line moves so slowly that people start to get restless (in a not so happy way), it’s a sign of a larger problem. If the lobby is always full of lines, it’s […]
Read MorePostcard from Seattle: It Doesn’t Always Rain Here
On a warm Seattle day, I’m happy at home just walking around the neighborhood. See – it doesn’t rain here all the time.
Read MoreJP Patches & Gertrude Statue
Many cities have statues honoring their founders, heroes, and statesmen. In Seattle, we have a statue of JP Patches and Gertrude. JP (Julius Pierpont) Patches was played by Chris Wedes. I hesitate to say “played” because in many respects the real person was lost in the larger-than-life persona of his television character. His was the first live show to air on then fledgling station KIRO (a CBS affiliate) and was as unscripted as they come. That was a rarity back in 1958 when the show first aired. The JP Patches showed aired twice daily and I remember watching it before school every morning at then again after school. JP lived in the City Dump, and had crazy friends like his best pal Gertrude, Ketchikan the Animal Man, Sheriff Shot Badly, and Boris S. Wort (the world’s second-meanest man) all played […]
Read MorePostcard from Maui: Beach View
If you think a beach view isn’t important, just think about how relaxing it is to enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee and look at this view from your hotel balcony.
Read MoreThe Top 5 Family Attractions in Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is a popular place year-round for travelers of all kinds, but especially families. From the very atmospheric city streets to the many tours and festivals that the kids will love, Scotland will leave the parents charmed and your children ready for their return trip. With so many attractions and venues, it’s really hard to decide where to spend your time. So fuel up with a big Scotland breakfast, and then head out for a busy day – these suggestions are sure to keep everyone smiling Edinburgh Castle Of course, the famed icon that brings travelers here from afar has to top the list. But why? Because the castle can be a fun way to learn about Scotland’s troubled history. There is so much to see here, from the city’s oldest building (a small chapel) to […]
Read MoreHollywood Bowl Concerts: Amphitheater Beneath the Stars
An evening of music under the stars doesn’t get much better than when you’re sitting in one of the most legendary natural amphitheaters — the Hollywood Bowl. And if your California holidays permit, scheduling in a concert or visit to this venue is a wonderful summer treat. The Hollywood Bowl was originally built in 1922 and it first consisted of simple wooden benches set against the natural hillside of Bolton Canyon. That same year the first Hollywood Bowl concerts were scheduled when the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra began its first season of “music under the stars,” a tradition that continues today as the Bowl serves as the summer home of the orchestra. Fast forward to today: With seating of about 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States. It is still the summer home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and […]
Read MorePostcard from Seattle: Lake Union Floating Homes
Some of the hundreds of floating homes (don’t call them houseboats) on Seattle’s Lake Union. Permits are limited, space is at a premium, and these homes go for hundreds (and hundreds) of thousands of dollars.
Read MoreFive Major Moments in the History of Flight
If you’re a fan of the history of air travel, I think you’ll enjoy today’s guest post reminding us of some of the outstanding moments in the history of flight. The next time you step on a plane, think about just how far we’ve come. —– Humanity has long been fascinated with the idea of flying. Early humans created cave paintings depicting flight and told myths such as the tale of Prometheus. Kites were invented thousands of years before that fateful day at Kitty Hawk. It was not until the beginning of the Industrial Age, however, that the dream of flight started inching closer to reality. Of all the major moments in the history of flight, five stand out. Hang Gliders Most people consider the Wright brothers’ flight to be the beginning of aviation history but it started decades previously, […]
Read MoreDisney Terms to Know Before You Go
Anytime is a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Trips in the fall offer foodies not only fabulous weather, but a feeding frenzy at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. Winter visits provide even more excitement with the park beautifully decorated for the holidays and a chance to maneuver the theme parks with reduced crowds. Would-be gardeners and spring vacationers can view the magnificent floral displays of the annual Flower & Garden Festival. But with children out of school, summer visits are by far the busiest time of year at Disney World. As the crowds increase, so does the need for a little extra planning. So if you’re a first time guests, or perhaps haven’t visited recently, all those oft used Disney terms can be a bit overwhelming. With a bit of a review, however, words […]
Read MoreI’m Going to Tokyo #ANASEA
Yes, I’m going to Tokyo and I’m very excited about it. But I jumped to the end of the story before telling you about how this came to be, why it’s important to me, and how you can help make sure my trip is everything I want it to be. So let’s rewind just a little bit. . . . All Nippon Airways (ANA) is launching a new service between Seattle and Tokyo on July 25th, 2012. The daily flight departs Seattle at 1:15 pm and ten and a half hours later arrive at Narita at 3:45 pm (the next day). For visitors interested in traveling on to other cities within Japan, or making connections to other destinations in Asia, this arrival neatly coincides with outbound flights. The outbound flight leaves Tokyo at 5:25 pm and arrives in Seattle at […]
Read More