Longboat Key Club

AAA says Four Diamonds for the Longboat Key Club just outside of Sarasota, FL.  It's truly a nice property.  I wouldn't question AAA's grading in this case.  The rooms are a little aged but still nice and a good value.  The Gulf beach leaves little to be desired.  The golf course is pristine.  I would never discourage anyone from seeking a quiet beach vacation from giving it a try. 

I have to say though, that I just didn't feel at home there.  That may be the point of vacations, to not be at home, but I mean more in the sense that it simply didn't resonate with me.  I think it hearkens back to this story: I decided for the first time in my life to try a massage while I was on Longboat Key.  The timing was not spectacular.  I had a deep thigh bruise at the time.  I let the misuse know, and she was very good (this is no reflection upon her).  At one point though she grazed that bruise, and it shot a pain that went straight up my spine.  I literally jumped from the table in one fluid motion and let out a yelp, scaring that poor woman to death. 

It's a nice place for a quiet beach vacation.  I think, unfortunately, I've given myself a mental block on Sarasota.

The Economist

My undergraduate degree is in Financial Economics.  That is not why I read The Economist.  In fact the economics in The Economist is relegated to a fairly short section near the back of US edition.  I read the magazine for context while travelling.

I've found it has the best scope and quality of international reporting among mainstream print media sources.  Day to day, I'm regularly bombarded with American media biases.  I find it enriching to digest some British media biases instead. 

On the whole, my guidance is simply provide yourself some context before you travel.  Understand what is happening in a place before you arrive.  Not to avoid riots or coups, though that can be a pleasant by product, but to better enjoy your destination.  I certainly enjoy my trips a lot more when I have some basis in local affairs and politics before arriving.  You should give it a try.

Holy Taco

I a major disciple of weekend brunch.  In my own humble opinion, brunch on Sunday is easily the most important meal of any week.  It's highly versatile.  It can be used as the capstone of an amazing weekend or a chance to set the stage for the week ahead.  Lucky me, Atlanta is teeming with a number of good brunch spots.

Easily one of my favorites in Holy Taco in the East Atlanta Village on Glenwood.  They have a chorizo torta on the menu.  If I was forced by a higher power to pick a brunch meal that I would consume forevermore, it would probably be this torta.  Chorizo, fried egg, tomato, lettuce, radishes, this delicious bread...it is an awesome thing to behold.

I will note here that they are a slow.  I don't know if it is the time it takes to make my torta or something else, but they are slow.  It doesn't matter.  Have another Bloody Mary and relax.  This torta is well worth the wait.  Go try it.  I dare you not to enjoy it.

The Westin Palace Madrid

I was unsure what to expect of the Westin Palace Madrid.  It isn't that I lack respect for the Westin brand, but I wasn't sure it would stand up to the hype I had heard.  I reviewed a few pictures and decided to take the dive.  Neither the hype nor the pictures stood up.  They both grossly underestimated the property.  It truly deserves the name Palace. 

The rooms had an especial old world regal air about them, without sacrificing any modern comfort.  The staff were of course very attentive.  The location within Madrid is pretty central.  I will tell you what put me over the top though.  This hotel has the single best breakfast spread I have ever experienced.  My breakfast at home is usually pretty quick, if existent, Greek yogurt, raspberries, and a measure of cereal mixed together.  That notwithstanding, breakfast foods are some of my favorites.  There was absolutely nothing missing from this offering at the Palace.  I would return just for the breakfast, it was that good.

That being said, there is little to complain about at this property.  In fact, nothing comes to mind.  Cash in your Starwood Preferred Guest points, it's probably the best destination to do so, or just go and pay.  Either way, the Westin Palace Madrid is almost certain to be my temporary home on any future trips to Madrid.  I suggest you give it a try as well.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

I don't watch that much television.  Brief aside, somehow when I'm overseas and packing my bag to return home, I will inevitably flip on the TV, find the National Geographic Channel, and there it is...Seconds From Disaster.  It is always a show about a commercial airplane disaster.  It's freakishly reliable.  I'm not superstitious; it's just tradition now.

Of course when I am home and turn on my TV, I'm naturally pulled toward shows about travel.  I must admit some jealously of Anthony Bourdain.  I'm sure the No Reservations show comes with its own drawbacks to produce, but travelling and eating...come on. 

I have to assume that restaurants featured on the show almost instantly becomes overrun with tourists.  But I'm not ashamed to say that I will likely join their ranks.  I do some restaurant scouting by watching the show and will definitely take in some of his places.  And he makes me laugh.  It worth a watch for any travel enthusiast, either for the ideas, the laughs or both.

Dear Delta, Retire the MD-88 Family

While boarding an MD-88 recently, I noticed the workman at McDonald Douglas had riveted a plate into the door frame that identified when the plane came off the line...1991. That is to say, that I have been flying on this fleet of planes for the material preponderance of my lifetime. They've served me well, carrying me for what must be hundreds of thousands of miles back and forth from Atlanta to domestic and Caribbean destinations. A true work horse. But, as with any great tool, eventually its utility will apex and for this family of planes that time has come.

I honestly enjoy the 3 x 2 seating arrangement in coach. It almost assured that I would never have to fly in a middle seat. Now, however, approximately 1 in 3 flights I am on with MD-88 equipment spend an extra 30 minutes or more at the gate while they either: fix the thrust reversers, replace a landing gear tire, correct an instrumentation problem, or whisper sweet nothings in her ear to get the engines to turnover. Not to mention, on the other end of the flight, about half the time upon landing when the pilot hits the brakes they scream as if being tortured by the cruelest dungeon master.

It has reached a point where I now check equipment while booking flights and if workable with my schedule, avoid flights serviced by MD-88s. It's not a safety thing. I don't believe if you knew they were mechanically unsafe you would fly them, I just don't have the patience for the near certain scheduling disruptions.

I believe I recently read a WSJ article that said you were planing substantial fleet purchases. I can only hope those purchases are meant to replace the MD-88 family, Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer...I don't care, anything that doesn't require a few extra hours of ground maintenance between flights will improve things markedly.
Just some unsolicited feedback from a regular Delta customer.

Can you book luxury hotels on discount travel sites?

The short answer is yes.  The long answer depends on how you define luxury.  If your quest is for a few nights at a Banyan Tree resort in Asia, the popular travel websites are probably not your best bet.  In fact, you should probably prepare yourself to pay list price.  If you're happy at one of the more mainstream luxury brands, then there is hope for the discount travel sites.

Unfortunately, it usually means shopping around.  I am personally leery of priceline.com's bidding system, only because I like to know with some certainty where I am staying (and my definition of 5-star and theirs doesn't always align).  Beyond that, I would say the best results I've seen come when booking a plane flight and hotel stay together.  The only time I've succeed with any of the sites is at cheaptickets.com. 

Whatever you find on the mainstream sites, I would encourage you to check out the website of the hotel brand before buying.  That tends to be where I find the best deals.  I'm not sure if the big brands are trying to maintain their luxury cache by avoiding the discount sites, or they just don't want to pay a commission to the sites.  Either way, I tend to have better success with high-end hotels, purchasing direct from the hotels.

The Ibearian Pig

As the name would suggest, this is no destination for vegans.  If you enjoy tapas and pork, however, there is no place in Atlanta better than the Iberian Pig in Decatur.  It's downtown on the square, and the IP is a mecca for Spanish food done correctly in Atlanta.

They have a renowned bar and I always opt for their brand of margarita.  Honestly, I rarely venture so far as the entrees though anytime I have, I've never been disappointed.  There isn't a tapas plate on the menu that I haven't tried and enjoyed.  I must say, if you leave without enjoying the pork cheek tacos you are committing a crime against humanity.  Always inquire about the specials, because they are almost certainly special.  The cured meats and cheeses on offer are also divine. 

Whether you're going on a date or taking your best client hopeful out to close a deal, if you're in Atlanta you should definitely put the Iberian Pig on the list of choices. 

Donatello's Tampa

Business has been taking me to Tampa semi-regularly.  I met some colleagues for a business dinner at an Italian restaurant, Donatello's (Italian is always a safe business dinner choice...do you know anyone who can't find something on an Italian menu?). 

The building is pretty unassuming.  It isn't hard to imagine that Donatello's has been around for almost 30 years in Tampa, in the same spot.  Do not let the building fool you.  Inside is everything you would imagine for a classic Italian restaurant.  The wine list is deep and impressive.  The food leaves nothing to be desired.  Being that it was Tampa, I had to go with the sea bass special and I was not disappointed.  The Caesar salad was classically done and over the top.  My only regret was that I had no room left for dessert.  If you need an upscale dinner destination in Tampa, Donatello's is definitely worth consideration.

Miller Union

I haven't fallen all over myself to participate in the farm to table thing.  I think ingredients are incredibly important, but they needn't necessarily be sourced next door for me to be satisfied.  That being said, I'm always open to good food.

Recently I met a friend who was visiting Atlanta from DC.  We had dinner at Miller Union.  We enjoyed a menagerie of locally sourced meat and produce.  The food was actually pretty delicious.  I believe my favorite was a watermelon salad. 

The place was absolutely packed, and given that fact the service was acceptable.  My only complaint: they were out of Bloody Mary mix.  Otherwise, a great meal on the patio.  I normally don't wander over to the Westside with regularity, but I will definitely be heading back to Miller Union sometime soon.

The Living Room Theater

I enjoy a good Bloody Mary.  I enjoy going to the movies.  Both things help me relax.  What could possibly be better than the union of those two things?  I salute the Living Room Theater in Portland, OR (there's also one in Boca Raton, FL) for not only combining two of my favorites but doing so very well. 

I recently stopped in to see The Trip.  It was a great movie, truly hilarious and worth a see in any theater.  Seeing it at the Living Room only enhanced the experience.  I had a Bloody Mary at the bar before the movie started, and then settled in to a very comfortable chair in an intimate theater and had another delivered to me by a cheerful staff.  The popcorn is served a size substantially more manageable than the usual 55-gallon drum that I never finish.  Concessions also run to the much more substantial, though I stopped at a Toblerone.  If you enjoy the movies and find yourself in Portland or Boca, I highly recommend you stop by and take in a show.  I can't imagine you'll be disappointed.

Trying Some New Airport Shoes

Closing in on accruing 200,000 Delta Medallion Qualification Miles over the last 12 months, I've slowly been honing my travelling to a very specific science.  One of the all together necessary but challenging aspects of modern air travel is airport security: take off your shoes, take off your belt, take your laptop and liquids out of your bag.  However necessary, it isn't the smoothest process in the world.

One of the things I've been honing is my passage through security.  One of the elements of that passage is shoe choice.  Here I face a conundrum.  Almost all of my travel either originates or terminates at Hartsfield in Atlanta.  My preference is to walk to my gate rather than take the train (like to fit in the exercise whenever I can while travelling).  Depending on the concourse that could mean a hike of a mile or more, so I would like comfortable shoes, but I also need them to slide on and off easily at security. 

I'm giving SeaVees sneakers a try and so far I'm a very satisfied consumer.  I went with the 5/65's pictured above (also available in a few other colors).  With a bar lacing, they easily slip on and off but are comfortable enough to make the Hartsfield march.  My style coach also gave the stamp of approval.  Who am I kidding, she actually originated the idea.

Even if you aren't subject to Hartsfield's distances, most air travel results in some walking.  Give your feet a break.

JW Marriott Shanghai at Tomorrow Square

Shanghai is a pretty impressive city, and it is filled with impressive hotels.  My own stay was at the JW Marriott Shanghai at Tomorrow Square.  I had the occasion to visit the Grand Hyatt and the Ritz Carlton (both in Pudong) as well.  All were impressive and you couldn't go wrong.

The JW Marriott occupies the upper third of the tallest building in the area (the lower portion is condos).  That in itself has value as it is hard to get overly lost, just look skyward.  The rooms were very well apportioned and generously sized.  I actually found the bed to be one of the more comfortable I've slept in.  The bathroom was notably luxurious.  The staff were unbelievably friendly and accommodating.  The on site restaurants were the best that I ate at while in Shanghai, but they also weren't to complained about.  I actually very much enjoyed the daily breakfast.  The executive lounge on the topmost floor afforded a great view of Shanghai (air quality allowing).  If I had one complaint it would be the elevators.  First you have to travel up to the hotel, and then from the lobby up to your room.  On top of that, the whole process runs a little slowly.  It isn't overly convenient, but it is mild encumbrance. 

On the whole, I have to say Shanghai is well worth a visit, and the JW Marriott at Tomorrow Square is a great value.  It definitely put the JW Marriott brand on the map for me.

US Citizens, You Can Register Travel Abroad, Should You

So, I've gotten way behind in posting, but I'm about to do some catch-up.

It certainly feels like the world is becoming increasingly less predictable: Arab Spring, British riots, major natural disasters.  My own world view holds that unpredictability is everywhere, and thus that I'm generally no safer at home than abroad.  So, I will continue to travel with reckless abandon.  That being said, I may leverage a service provided by the US Department of State more often.

One of the positive by products of being an American citizen is that if a country you're visiting falls apart, the US government will generally make a concerted effort to remove you from harm's way.  One step you can take to improve the Marines' chances for a successful extraction is to register your presence with the US Department of State.  You can do so here.  The program is called STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).  It is a little tedious.  Hopefully you'll never need it, but depending on your destination...might be worth the trouble.