Do you remember when rock was young? Do you remember when airline travel was fun? Neither do I. As I write this blog I am crunched up in the coach section of a B767-300ER plane on a 10-hour flight from Istanbul to New York, trying to make the best of a bad situation.  Since I’m returning home from a fabulous luxury vacation I really can’t complain. So I’ll just share a few random thoughts about airline travel in the 21^st century.

If you’re a baby boomer you remember the good old days when air travel was a much different experience. Airplanes were spacious and comfortable and they even cleaned them between flights. Imagine that! These days,  passengers are packed in like sardines and there is so little time between flights that when you sit down, the seat is still warm from the previous passenger. I shouldn’t give the airlines any ideas or they will start charging a fee for “pre-warmed seats”. Nowadays there are additional fees for practically everything. The Department of Transportation reported that in 2010 one airline made $952 million in baggage fee revenue; almost twice its 2009 take of $481 million. So now, in attempt to avoid paying those fees, everyone tries to cram as much as possible into their carry-on luggage. I was almost hit on the head by a lady who was attempting to hoist her carry-on bag into the overhead bin. Although it was the allowable size, it clearly weighed as much as a Volkswagen Beetle.

The flight attendants of yesteryear were quite glamorous; impeccably coifed and dressed to the nines in their tailored uniforms. Some of them still are – others not so much. But I can’t really blame them. Those ladies and gents perform nearly impossible feats in very confined spaces. Their job requires them to have the flexibility of gymnasts and the strength of sumo wrestlers. Today’s flight attendant uniform should probably include a hardhat, weight belt and steel-toed boots.

The crew on this flight has passed down the aisles several times, offering what they refer to as “food”.  I’m not sure what it was, but it was reminiscent of what high school students who to eat in the cafeteria call “mystery meat”.  Today’s offerings included “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Chicken” and “Pseudo Pasta”. The snack was “Something Like Pizza”…. I did not partake. At least the beverages were plentiful – lukewarm, but plentiful. I wont’ even elaborate on what I’ve read about the questionable quality of the ice cubes and drinking water. Besides, the more you drink, the more you need to frequent the restrooms, which are tiny and usually “occupado”.

Experts issue warnings about the dangers of what sitting too long does to leg circulation. They advise us to get up and move around every hour or so. Move around, are they kidding? Obviously those experts have not been on a plane lately. There is no room for line dancing or the electric slide. And for those of us who are on the “hippy” side, sashaying down the aisle is not an option either.

I don’t mean to sound so cynical, but it’s hour 9 of this 10-hour sojourn and I’m getting a little stir crazy. I’m actually very thankful for the aviation experts and all that they do to keep us safe while we’re flying the friendly skies. There is a safety information brochure in the seat pocket of each seat that provides detailed instructions on what to do in the event of an emergency. I sincerely hope that I’ll never be faced with an emergency situation, because knowing that my seat cushion can be used for a flotation device is not very reassuring. The fact that the light on the life vest will come on automatically when I hit the water doesn’t provide much comfort either.

The captain has begun the descent so I guess I should wrap this up. I am about to be amazed by another phenomena that occurs at the end of every flight. As soon as the plane touches down everyone in coach will stand up immediately – even though the doors are not open yet. Now here’s the deal; we will exit the plane from front to back. So for those seated in rows 25-35 I’d like to say, “Sit down! It’s going to be a while.” Besides, standing in the aisles only increases your risk of suffering a concussion from one of those 2 ton pieces of carry-on luggage.

Even though I may sound cynical I’ll still continue to fly. For traveling long distances it’s the fastest way to go. So as I prepare to deplane I ask myself, “Was it flight or fright”?” The truth is, it was a little bit of both.

On a brisk December afternoon while cruising Las Vegas Boulevard we were drawn to a new establishment in the City Center.  Although we are very familiar with most of the Strip hotels, this one was unlike any other that we had visited.We were immediately surrounded by sights that amazed and astounded us. There were bright colors….LED screens that projected bubbles and moving geometric patterns…futuristic furniture. We felt like we’d stepped through the looking glass with Alice.  Suddenly I was surrounded by a pack of giant stone dogs. In my effort to escape, I ran smack into an 8-foot patent leather shoe! Things just kept getting “curiouser and curiouser”.We wandered down a hall and came upon a standstone oasis with mystifying sand sculptures and an enchanting moonlight canopy of stars overhead.

In an effort to find some normalcy, we headed back toward the center of the hotel. But even there we encountered an unexpected sight. We craned our necks, along with other visitors to see what turned out to be a 3 story Swarovski crystal chandelier. Wow!

Where were we? We were at the Cosmopolitan, the newest addition to the City Center complex. Unlike any of the other major resort casinos on the Strip it does not boast a central theme. It is a completely unique experience. The artwork and design elements reflect their commitment to whimsy and creativity.  The hotel has a modern, urban vibe with multi-story windows that allow lots of natural light, which is not commonplace in most of the Strip properties.

We were treated to a guided tour where we were able  view each of the room and suite types that include a Terrace Studio, Terrace Suites and even a Lanai Suite. Each was well appointed, beautifully furnished and many offered panoramic views. Our favorite was the Wraparound Terrace Suite that featured a 480 square foot private terrace, a modern kitchenette with microwave and refrigerator and even a washer/dryer. Talk about a home away from home.

That sandstone oasis was actually the Sahra Spa & Hammam, a full-service spa with a reimagined steam room, heated hammam, personal rejuvenation suite and holistic body treatments.

In recent years Las Vegas has been touted as a “foodie’s paradise”. The Cosmopolitan excels in this area as well,  with a restaurant collection like no other on the Strip. China Poblano showcases Chef Jose Andres’ personal take on Chinese and Mexican cuisines. Noodles and tacos come together in a festive, stylish setting. Scarpetta offers modern Italian fare. Holstein’s is an exciting new burger concept with an emphasis on fresh, natural and organic ingredients. The signature burger is the Gold Standard Burger, a dry aged beef burger, smoked bacon, aged goat cheddar cheese, tomato confit, arugula and garlic-chive aioli. I thoroughly enjoyed a turkey burger complete with dressing and cranberry sauce. There are creative appetizers like street tacos made with shredded duck confit, foie gras and truffle crema with cranberry relish. If we’d had room for dessert we would definitely have tried the Lollipops in lemon meringue, red velvet cake, brownie, blondie or strawberry cheesecake.

True to Las Vegas style, the Cosmopolitan has a buffet. But true to the Cosmopolitan style, the “Wicked Spoon Buffet” is a unique culinary experience. It blends familiar staples with imaginative dishes. The entrees are presented in single-serving portions. Of course diners can take as many as they like, but the small servings make it easier to sample many dishes without wading through mountains of food. The food was so unique that we had to eat there twice during our stay to make sure that it was as good as we thought – it was.

We gorged ourselves on dishes like ricotta cream spinach with whipped ricotta and a parmesan panko crust and mac and cheese with smoked ham hock and fontina cheese.  The meat carving stations were a carnivore’s delight.

An indescribable selection of desserts included fresh seasonal berries, house-made gelatos and sorbets, specialty candies made in-house and of course staples like crème brulee, tiramisu, and other petit fours.

The nightclub scene is unique The spectacular Marquee Nightclub opened to rave reviews on New Year’s Eve 2010 with a performance by Jay-Z. The venue is more than 62,000 square feet with 50-foot-tall ceilings and an unparalleled multi-million-dollar sound stage that has to be seen to be believed. It draws a non-stop celebrity clientele. In the warmer months, the Marquee Dayclub is a daytime entertainment choice complete with three-story Bungalow Lofts, a cabana, living quarters and a party deck on top, with lots of eye candy to enjoy.

That 3-story crystal chandelier that we saw in the hotel centrum has been described as a ‘living, breathing architectural wonder created by luminous beaded curtains of light.”  There are lounges on each of the three levels that allow patrons to enjoy a libation along with the artistry of the Chandelier.

Of course there is shopping. The Cosmopolitan has the most eclectic collection of shops on the Strip with stores like Stitched, Jason of Beverly Hills and even the CRSVR Sneaker Boutique that specializes in limited edition sneakers and men’s and women’s casually dressed up fashion.

As we took in all that the Cosmopolitan has to offer, we realized that this was not a dream. This is just the latest example of how Las Vegas continues to evolve. We were once told by a savvy cab driver that one needs to visit the Vegas at least once every 4 months just to keep up with the evolution of the city. So it wasn’t Alice in Wonderland, it was Adrienne in Wonderland and I’m sure I’ll find the Mad Hatter the next time I step through that looking glass.

Recently our insatiable thirst for travel led us to Los Angeles, California, commonly referred to as L.A. As our plane approached LAX, we were greeted by one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Hollywood sign. After landing we proceeded to find ground transportation that would take us to our hotel. Unbeknownst to us it would take an additional 30 minutes to get out of the airport because our shuttle driver was determined to get maximum capacity in the van . Needless to say, it was a cozy ride. It was a beautiful spring day and the skies were surprisingly smog-free. So we enjoyed a mini-tour of the city while en route to our downtown hotel. Upon our arrival at the Westin Bonaventure we were warmly greeted by the hotel staff, who were very professional and provided excellent customer service. Our room was located on the 36^th floor of the Green Tower and featured a view of the aforementioned Hollywood sign.  

After checking in, we dropped our bags and took a taxi down to L.A. Live, one of the city’s most exciting attractions. It has been described as a one of a kind entertainment campus and a world-class sports and entertainment destination. It is comprised of apartments, ballrooms, concert theaters, movie theaters and wonderful restaurants.

Although it is always an exciting place to be, the excitement was heightened by the fact that it was March 17^th, so St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were happening throughout the complex. It was a festive atmosphere filled with live music, dancing and lots of beer. This area’s color scheme is normally dominated by purple and gold, the colors of the world champion Los Angeles Lakers. But due to St. Patrick’s Day, green seemed to be the dominant color. It didn’t take us long to find out that green is always a dominant color in L.A., because it takes a lot of “green” to take advantage of all that the area has to offer. Los Angeles can be an expensive vacation destination.

Like many other cities, L.A. offers a plethora of dining choices, from street food to fine dining. One restaurant that we really enjoyed was Yang Chow, and judging by the celebrity photos on the walls and the long line out the door, it is an area favorite for many. The portions were quite large and we highly recommend the slippery shrimp. We look forward to dining there again.

Although we were only in town for three days, we managed to see a lot of the area. We spent a great afternoon on Venice Beach enjoying its eclectic vibe. There were street performers, artists, musicians, dancers and of course the beautiful coastline. From there, one of our good friends took us on a whirlwind tour where we cruised Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard, and the Melrose District.

Later that night we returned to L.A. Live where we attended a party at the Grammy Museum. It was sponsored by the L.A. Times Travel and Adventure show and guests included Samantha Brown, Rick Steeves and other travel celebrities. We’ve all heard the much-used phrase, “Party like a rock star”, but that night, we really did. The party was catered by Wolfgang Puck and it was open bar. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

On our last day in town, we took time to enjoy a leisurely brunch at the hotel. As we dined, we began to notice some unusual sights. We saw a number of people entering the lobby and they all had several things in common. They each were dressed in athletic attire, they were moving slowly with great difficulty and appeared to be in a great deal of pain.  After about 10 of these individuals crossed our path, it donned on us that they had been participants in the L.A. Marathon. Earlier that morning we had watched the beginning of the race on television and we’d even seen the male and female winners at the end. So we had seen the thrill of victory. Now, 6 hours later, we were witnessing the agony of defeat. What a sight….

Would we go to Los Angeles again? You’d better believe it. L.A. is LIVE!

On Saturday afternoon we ventured to Berkeley, CA to attend a Meetup with some fellow travelers. The group consisted of people who had traveled widely throughout the world. The conversation was lively, filled with travel tales that only a true traveler could appreciate.

After the meeting we decided to take advantage of the rich culture that Berkeley has to offer. Berkeley is strongly associated with the rapid social changes, civic unrest and political upheaval that took place in the late 1960’s. Berkeley was a focal point for the hippie movement that started across the Bay in San Francisco. Remnants of that era are still very evident. We witnessed it firsthand yesterday. Some people are still living the 60’s lifestyle and even wearing the same fashions. That element mixed with the present social climate makes Berkeley an enticing cocktail. Since it is a college town, the energy and open-mindedness is evident everywhere. The streets are filled with a kaleidoscope of humanity; intellectuals, humanitarians, vegans, political activists, environmentalists and so on. There is an air of freedom and acceptance to be who you are without being judged.

Another aspect that makes Berkeley unique is its dining scene. It is the home of Chez Panisse a restaurant known for using local, organic foods and credited as the inspiration for the style of cooking known as California cuisine.  There are too many restaurants to name, but some of our favorites are Bake Sale Betty’s and Café Gratitude. It was refreshing to notice the absence of chain restaurants and fast food establishments.

It was obvious that the Berkeley mindset is one of authenticity and commitment to the preservation of the planet. To experience this, add Berkeley to your list of places to visit. Once again, you’ve got to GO there to KNOW there.

Will Berkeley be added to our list of frequent getaways? Most definitely. As we used to say in the 60’s, “power to the people!”.

Saturday afternoon found us driving into San Francisco, one of our favorite cities. No matter how many times we cross the Bay Bridge, the city skyline never ceases to energize us. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As we entered the city we were once again spellbound by the magic that is San Francisco. It offers beautiful architecture, shopping, dining, cultural activities and the seemingly endless number of sights to be found around every corner. 

We had ventured into the city to attend two major events, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition at Fort Mason Center and the Chinese New Year’s Parade at Union Square. For a short itinerary, we had no time to waste. Our hotel of choice for this weekend was the Handlery on Union Square, which allowed us to be only steps away from the parade route. We could see that Union Square had already been transformed into a VIP viewing section complete with bleachers and television reporting locations. The very atmosphere was electric in anticipation of the evening’s events. After all, this parade has a 150-year history and is the largest Chinese New Year’s parade outside of China.

After checking into our hotel and grabbing a quick lunch of minestrone soup and an organic hand-ground chicken sandwich we hopped into a cab and headed to our first event at Fort Mason. The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition features more than 300 wineries, all medal winners who bring their offerings to the Festival Pavilion to pour for more than 5,000 people. Very few events deliver this much wine in a single setting. In spite of the cold rainy weather, the event was well attended by a very jovial crowd who was quite hesitant to depart at the end of the afternoon. Finding a cab to take us back to Union Square proved to be challenging. After waiting 35 minutes for a cab, we decided to start negotiating with a limo driver. A deal was struck and we were off – on the ride of our life. Our driver handled the limo like he had the pole position in the Indy 500. We knew that he was in a hurry to deliver us and come back for more passengers. His concern was profit – ours was survival. After a wild ride across the city (and I do mean wild), we paid the driver, kissed the ground and counted our blessings.

Back at the hotel we noticed that the crowds were already gathering to enjoy the Chinese New Year’s parade. So we donned warmer clothing and went out to join the reportedly 800,000 spectators who had come to celebrate the Year of the Hare. The parade was a pageant, a sensory feast of beautiful colors, exquisite costumes, live music, martial arts demonstrations and larger-than-life floats.

Sunday morning found us at one of our favorite people watching spots, the window seat near the entrance of the Starbucks at the corner of  Powell and O’Farrell.  While sipping our tea, we were entertained by a kaleidoscope of humanity in every possible shape and size (and hair color). In a matter of a few minutes we saw people representing all walks of life and we were reminded of the joy of being alive and part of life in a vibrant city.

There is absolutely no place like San Francisco, the city by the bay.  Once again we were spellbound by it’s magic and can’t wait to visit again.  

Spending the holidays in Las Vegas has been our tradition for several years. On Christmas morning we boarded the flight for our annual holiday getaway.  The airport was electric with the excitement of holiday travelers. The other passengers on the flight were also energized with the anticipation of what Las Vegas had to offer during this special time of the year.  The flight seemed to only take minutes and in no time we were whizzing up the Strip, passing fabulous resorts like Mandalay Bay, MGM, Paris and the Bellagio.

Our first stop was the newly opened Cosmopolitan, the latest addition to the City Center complex and Las Vegas’ newest property. It is a 2995 –room casino resort that features dining venues, retailers, 3 unique pools nightclubs, a departure from nightclubs into “day club” experiences, the Sahara Spa and Hammam, and a 3-story Swarovski chandelier that defies description.

We were anxious to see how it measured up to other luxury Strip properties. The valet and bell staff warmly welcomed us where we received “red carpet” treatment. We found the décor modern and eclectic with an urban vibe.  We had arranged a private tour so that we could compare the room types.  All of the rooms were spacious and well appointed with spectacular views from the balconies; many overlooking the dancing fountains of the Bellagio Hotel.  We were eager to see what the dining choices were and found that there were 13 restaurants to choose from, including China Poblano, and the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill.  At the recommendation of the concierge, we decided to try the Wicked Spoon Buffet. Las Vegas has a long history of lavish buffets, dating back to the El Rancho Vegas that opened in 1941. Since we have dined at all of the major Vegas buffets, we wanted to see how the Wicked Spoon Buffet would set itself apart. It did not disappoint. We would definitely give it 4 stars. The food was delicious, well prepared and beautifully presented. It was an excellent value for the price.  Although the property is quite new, it was obvious to us that this great resort will quickly establish a client base. We would highly recommend it.

Upon leaving the Cosmopolitan we checked into our favorite hotel, The Palazzo. The lobby was resplendent with elaborate holiday decorations and the excitement of our fellow-guests was palpable. The hotel was filled with guests of all ages from numerous countries. Our suite on the 42^nd floor had a sweeping view of the Strip. Once we settled in we began to make dinner plans. The Palazzo offers a plethora of dining experiences including Mario Batali’s Carnevino, Wolfgang Puck’s CUT and Dal Toro Ristorante. Our choice for the evening was Zine Noodles Dim Sum, which was voted one of the top 10 Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. The delicious food and beautiful décor combined to provide a feast for the senses.

The next day we spent several lingering hours at the Qua Roman Baths and Spa at Caesar’s Palace.  What a luxurious experience and a perfect way to rejuvenate.  Our restaurant of choice for the evening was Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, located on St. Mark’s Square in the Venetian. As always the food was delicious and the service was exceptional. We highly recommend the Chicken Picatta. St. Mark’s Square is a very pleasant place to stroll, shop, listen to music or just enjoy some gelato. The Venetian features gondola rides, complete with singing gondoliers much like what we have experienced in Venice. 

Once again our holiday getaway to Las Vegas was a winner. If you are looking a unique way to spend the holidays, consider Las Vegas.

Lots has been said about Jamaica and all that it has to offer: beautiful landscapes, rushing waterfalls, fresh seafood, spectacular beaches, breathtaking sunsets, delicious cuisine, warm hospitable people, Blue Mountain coffee, and of course Appleton Rum.

On our recent visit to the island we found all of these things and more. We stayed at the Riu, an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay.  Upon arrival in the lobby we were greeted by hotel staff offering an assortment of rum punches and other refreshments. Along with the refreshments we enjoyed a colorful performance by the resort entertainers. After check-in we proceeded to our suite, which blew us away.  It was expansive and beautifully decorated with a huge Jacuzzi tub and an awesome beach view. We were so impressed that we immediately made a video to capture its beauty.  Then it was time for lunch.

The resort has 4 restaurants, each with a different theme, all exquisite. Our first meal was at the Steakhouse, an open-air buffet, right on the beach. The food choices were plentiful and delicious.  The team of master chefs put together a plethora of foods including Jamaican dishes.

Later the view from our balcony, facing the ocean was a perfect place to experience one of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable. After watching the sun melt into Montego Bay, we decided to attend the evening beach party. Approximately 200 people were in attendance at this food and beverage extravaganza.  The atmosphere was festive and everyone was in a party mood. Even the sand fleas and mosquitoes came to dine – little did we know that we were their cuisine of choice.  The entertainment was outstanding.  The dancers arrived by boat carrying flaming torches and proceeded to perform a dance that paid tribute to Jamaica’s Taino and African history.  Our video of the dance can be viewed at http://bit.ly/aXGXhP.

The Riu is a perfect family vacation destination that offers activities for all ages including snorkeling, water sports, and great excursions to other parts of the island.  One of the excursions we really enjoyed was the Chukka Cove Zipline Adventure where we saw some of the most beautiful vegetation on the island. The adventure began with a rugged 30- minute bus ride up into the mountains. At the top of the mountain a team of expert guides outfitted us with helmets, pulleys and harnesses.  After a safety briefing we were led down a trail through the rainforest that consisted of 376 steps. We knew then that this adventure was not for the faint of heart, but it was too late to “tap out”.  Eventually we arrived at the first of 10 launch platforms – and the adventure began. One by one we descended from launch pad to launch pad, along zip lines that ranged in length from 300-600 feet.; but seemed more like a mile.  We whizzed past trees and seemed to be only inches away from a major collision.  There were times when we felt like Tarzan and Jane. What a great way to be reminded that you are alive!

Although we had enjoyed Jamaica before, this experience was entirely new and even more enjoyable; perhaps because we were seeing it with “second time” eyes.  Other than the sand fleas that insisted on feasting on us, it was a perfect trip. Even those little hungry critters can’t keep us from returning to this Jamaican paradise.