Baklava dessert at Moustache Cafe

Yum!

Moustache Turkish restaurant upper East Side Manhattan

Great space, friendly crew. Food pics soon.

Every restaurant in Manhattan is Zagat rated

What's up with that?

My favorite cookies in Manhattan!

La Maison du Macaron

132 W 23rd St

www.madeleinepatisserie.com

Awesome French Macaroon's with a lot of interesting flavors.  I have been back twice on this trip!

Why you should use a Travel Professional....

Kona Coffee

I was back in Kona mid-October and had an opportunity to taste a great Kona Coffee from a small grower, Hula Daddy.  If you are on the Big Island I would recommend stopping by their small shop off the Mamalahoa Hwy in Holualoa.  You can take a small tour, taste some great coffee, see some spectacular views of Kona, and of course buy some awesome coffee to bring home.

From the Honolulu Magazine:


We all know Kona coffee is the best, but choosing a bag from the hundreds of farms on the Big Island can be challenging. So we asked the experts at Web site Coffee Review, which rates coffees on a 100-point scale-similar to the one used for wine-which is tastiest. The editors recommended Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, giving 97 points to the Kona Sweet roast and 92 points to the Mele roast.

Hula Daddy started in 2002 on an 11-acre cow pasture and has since grown to more than 30 acres in Holualoa. Owner Lee Patterson also offers tours of the farm and the coffee-tasting room, even baking cookies for guests. “I grew up on a farm and I like creating something that makes people happy.”

Great Travel Deals

Here are a few current specials, time for some fun in the sun!  Contact me for details.

Photos from our last trip have been uploaded!

Scroll down and view the Flickr Photostream on the right side of the Blog.

Europe Trip 2010

I'm just back from a great trip to Europe, with stops in Barcelona, Rome, Tuscany and Venice.  Over the next week or so I'll be publishing a trip report with the highlights of the trip.

Trip Itinerary:

Sep 5 - Sunday	Day 1	Salem - Eugene - San Francisco - Frankfurt - Barcelona
Sep 6 - Monday	Day 2	Arrive in Barcelona
Sep 7 - Tuesday	Day 3	Barcelona
Sep 8 - Wednesday	Day 4	Barcelona
Sep 9 - Thursday	Day 5	Barcelona
Sep 10 - Friday	Day 6	Barcelona - Rome
Sep 11 - Saturday	Day 7	Rome
Sep 12 - Sunday	Day 8	Rome
Sep 13 - Monday	Day 9	Rome
Sep 14 - Tuesday	Day 10	Rome - Tuscany
Sep 15 - Wednesday	Day 11	Tuscany
Sep 16 - Thursday	Day 12	Tuscany
Sep 17 - Friday	Day 13	Tuscany
Sep 18 - Saturday	Day 14	Tuscany
Sep 19 - Sunday	Day 15	Tuscany - Venice
Sep 20 - Monday	Day 16	Venice - Frankfurt - San Francisco - Eugene - Salem

Europe Trip 2010 - Off to Spain

This is day one of our trip to Europe. Barcelona Spain, Rome Italy, Tuscany, and finally Venice. I'm excited to be back in Barcelona, it's one of my favorite cities. This will be our first trip to Rome and Venice, even if we only have a few hours to spend in Venice.

We are flying over on United, this is the first time we have flown a US carrier to Europe. I'm doing this so we can check out United's new lay flat business seats. They have been getting good reviews and I love a seat that reclines to a flat bed!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My ad for the upcoming Basic Rights Oregon annual dinner.

Basic Rights Oregon Dinner website

International Driving Permits

International Driving Permits

“Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP).  IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States.  (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries).  An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver’s license into ten foreign languages.  These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid U.S. license.  IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence.

Before departure, you can obtain an IDP from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.  Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to empower certain organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver’s licenses.  The Department designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club) as the only authorized distributors of IDPs.”        

(http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html)

In many countries it is now the law that you must have an International Driving Permit to drive and pick-up a rental car, fine for non-compliance can be quite steep.  Stop by your local AAA office and you can pick one up in about 30 minutes.

The countries shown in dark blue recognize the international driving permit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

Foreign Travel Etiquette - Mexico

Most tourists in Mexico come from the U.S. and Canada, and many parts of Mexico are very used to tourism. However, out of respect for Mexico and its people, read up a bit on their culture and etiquette. Below is a list of Mexican etiquette to help you out on your trip!

1. Dress Attire

1. DON'T wear shorts if you wish to blend in. Aside from beaches and northern areas, shorts are seldom worn by Mexicans.
2. DO dress nicely for business situations. A suit and tie is fine, and women may also wear conservative dresses. In very hot regions, it's acceptable to wear lighter clothing, but don't wear overly casual clothing, such as t-shirts or flip-flops.
3. DO dress casually for social occasions.
4. DO take off sunglasses and hats if entering a church.

2. Table Manners

1. DO rest your wrists on the edge of the table while dining.
2. DON'T sit until told where to sit.
3. DON'T begin eating until the host does.
4. DO understand that only men give toasts in Mexican culture.
5. DO indicate that you are finished eating by putting your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs going downwards and the handles facing right.
6. DO leave a little bit of food on your plate when you are done.

3. Tipping

1. DO tip in the same fashion that you are used to in the U.S. or Canada.

4. Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts

1. DON'T give red flowers or marigolds. However, white flowers make a nice gift.
2. DO open a gift upon receipt.

5. Greetings

1. DO shake hands upon meeting someone.
2. DO follow the lead of who you are greeting. Hugs are often shared among friends, as well as a light kiss on the cheek for women.

6. Visitors Etiquette

1. DO be fashionably late! Thirty minutes late is appropriate. Arriving early or even on time is considered rude.
2. DO bring flowers or sweets for your host.

7. Business Meeting

1. DO make an appointment at least two weeks in advance and confirm a week before. Confirm the meeting one last time upon arriving in Mexico.
2. DON'T be late! However, your Mexican business associates may be late. Mexicans have a very relaxed view of time, but as a foreigner, you should make the effort to be on time.
3. DO be patient. Negotiations may proceed slowly.
4. DO have written material translated to Spanish.
5. DO hire an interpreter.
6. DO pick your negotiating team carefully. Have someone on your negotiating team who is an executive but do not include a lawyer.
7. DO expect haggling and prepare accordingly.

8. Socializing and Conversation

1. DO understand that "estúpido" is considered a bad word in Mexico, and it means much worse than "stupid."
2. DO say "salud!" when someone sneezes. To not do so is considered rude.

The above list might seem a little intimidating, but don't let it make you nervous! Go with the flow, but be conservative in your behavior and you'll blend in just fine. Happy travels to Mexico!

Foreign Travel Etiquette - Japan

In spite of the fact that Japan is becoming more Westernized, especially with younger people, it is still important to abide by their customs whenever possible. Remember to be polite and respect Japanese traditions.

1. Dress Attire

1. DO dress appropriately for business occasions. Casual attire in the workplace is not the norm in Japan. For a man, a suit and tie is appropriate and for a woman, a dress and pantyhose is fine.
2. DO dress conservatively if visiting a temple or shrine.

2. Table Manners

1. DO eat "family style." Many times at people's homes and at certain restaurants, you will share several dishes at the table instead of having your own individual dish.
2. DON'T take food from the serving plate with the ends of your chopsticks that you've eaten from. Instead, turn your chopsticks upside down and then pick the food up.
3. DON'T pour an alcoholic beverage into your own glass. Instead, serve your dining partners their drinks.
4. DON'T get noticeably drunk at a nice restaurant.
5. DON'T start drinking until everyone at the table is served and the glasses are raised to toast. The Japanese drinking salute is usually "Kampai!"
6. DON'T pour soy sauce over white, steamed rice.
7. DO drink miso soup out of the bowl and use your chopsticks to eat the solid pieces.
8. DO slurp noodles and soup.
9. DO keep the bowl close to your mouth when eating noodle soup. This will avoid a mess.
10. DON'T stick chopsticks into your food or spear your food with the chopsticks.
11. DO drink alcohol if you can. It is socially important in Japanese culture and you will probably be pressured to participate. If you cannot partake, be ready with an excuse and an explanation.
12. DO pay at a restaurant if you are initiated the invitation. Splitting the bill is not traditionally done in Japan.
13. DO make an attempt to pay at a restaurant, even if someone else invited you. They won't let you pay, but your effort, as insincere as it may have been, will make a good impression upon those you are dining with.
14. DO try to reciprocate by offering to pay for drinks or coffee after the meal. It's pretty common to extend the evening by going out for some drinks or to a coffee shop after dinner. But if you are paying for drinks, be aware that they can get very pricey!

3. Tipping

1. DON'T tip. It is not customary in Japan.

4. Gift giving and Accepting Gifts

1. DO give and receive gifts with both hands.
2. DO give a gift to thank somebody. Good gifts include cake, sweets, and sake.
3. DON'T open a wrapped gift until later.
4. DO avoid giving gifts that have to do with the number four. It is bad luck.

5. Body Gestures

1. DON'T use your chopsticks to point to something.

6. Greetings

1. DO bow when greeting someone. A bow can range from a small nod to a ninety degree full-body bow. If you are greeting someone with a higher social status, the bow should be more pronounced. For the most part, however, as a foreigner in Japan, you won't be expected to know the specific bowing etiquette.
2. DON'T say something to the effect of "I hope to see you again" when parting.

7. Bath Etiquette

1. DO be aware of the communal bathing culture in Japan. Japan has a long history of communal bathing and it can be traced back to the eighth century. There are public bathhouses called sento and hot springs called onsen. There are usually separate baths for men and women.
2. DO wash yourself outside the bath before getting in.
3. DO bring your own toiletries, such as towels, pumice stones, toothpaste, shaving supplies, etc.

8. Visitors Etiquette

1. DO take your shoes off when entering a Japanese person's home. Your host will likely provide you with a pair of slippers.
2. DO take slippers off when entering a room with a tatami floor. Tatami mats are associated with religious rites and tea ceremonies. Slippers can damage the mats, but you may walk on them either barefoot or in socks.
3. DO take your slippers off when entering a bathroom. There will be special toilet slippers there for you to put on.
4. DO bring a gift. It's rude to go to a Japanese person's home without one.
5. DON'T drain the water after taking a bath at someone's house. Everyone in the household uses the same bathwater. As a guest, you'll probably be able to use the bath first.

9. Business Meeting

1. DON'T sit until told where to sit. Usually there is a seating arrangement based on professional status.
2. DON'T stand once the meeting is finished until the person with the highest professional status stands.
3. DO bring a gift, such as a little souvenir from your native city.
4. DO show a lot of gratitude if given a gift by a business associate. Ask questions about the gift to show how interested you are.
5. DO take notes during a meeting and use a black or blue pen.

Even though Japan, especially in the major cities, is adapting more to Western influences, they are still maintaining many important Japanese traditions. Throughout your travels, keep some basic Japanese etiquette in mind to make a great impression!

Wedding in Paradise - Greece

Thinking of getting married in Europe?  Greece offers spectacular settings and a great infrastructure for your European wedding.  Here is one example offered by one of my preferred suppliers in Greece.

Foreign Travel Etiquette - France

1. Dress Attire
DO wear what you normally wear, but keep in mind that attire such as baseball caps, flip-flops, and white sneakers are not traditionally worn by French people.  It is fine to wear it, but you will probably be labeled as a tourist.
DO feel welcome to wear your country's ethnic attire if necessary, such as kilts, saris, etc.  People may stare at you in the more rural areas of France, but people will not be offended.

2. Table Manners
DON'T eat with your fingers!  You should always use your eating utensils, even at a fast food restaurant.
DON'T   eat on the street.  It can be seen as unsophisticated.
DON'T start eating immediately after being served.  Wait for your host to put their napkin on their lap, and then follow suit. After drinks have been served, join in on the toast.  You may start dining after the host invites you to begin eating.
DON'T take a bite from a whole piece of bread. Instead, tear your bread into a bite-sized piece and then eat it.
DO expect a glass of wine with dinner.  Wine glasses are filled only three-quarters of the way.
DON'T put your arms on your lap during dinner.  Put them above the table.

3. Tipping
DO round up when paying a bill at a bar or restaurant, unless the service was really bad.  Bars and restaurants are legally required to include a service fee in their bill, but customarily people will either round up or pay a small 5% tip.
DO tip taxi drivers and hairdressers 10%.
DO tip chambermaids about Euro 1.50 if you stay more than two or three nights at a hotel, or more if they do any pressing or laundry for you.  If the concierge was helpful, it is customary to leave a tip of Euro 8 - Euro 16, depending on the level of service and the hotel itself.
DO tip train and airport porters on a per bag basis.  They usually receive a fixed sum of Euro 0.90 - Euro 1.50 per bag. After a guided tour, museum guides should get Euro 1.50 - Euro 3. It is also a standard practice to tip bus drivers  Euro 1.50 after an trip.

4. Gift giving and Accepting Gifts
DO give a gift that shows that you are intellectual, such a gift of books or music.
DO bring a gift for the hostess if invited to a French person's house.  Good host gift ideas include flowers and wine.  Bear in mind that France is known for its wine, so do your research and bring a nice bottle of wine!  If you are invited to dinner, a dessert or cheese previously decided on also makes a nice gift.
DON'T give an even number of flowers as a gift.  Flowers should always be given in odd numbers, except for thirteen, as that is an unlucky number.
DO be very careful when picking out flowers as a gift.  There are a few taboos when it comes to giving a French person flowers.  White flowers are typically only used during weddings, white lilies and chrysanthemums are flowers for funerals, and red carnations stand for bad will.

5. Body Gestures
DO maintain eye contact because it shows you are interested in the conversation.

6. Greetings
DO shake hands upon meeting someone, as well as when you are leaving.  French handshakes are not as firm as American handshakes.
DO greet people with "bonjour" (good day) or "bonsoir" (good evening), and when leaving say "au revoir", which means good-bye.
DO address people with the titles "Monsieur"  (Mister) and "Madame" (Mrs.) when meeting someone for the first time, or in a business meeting.  Use "Mademoiselle" when greeting a young, unmarried woman or girl.  Older, unmarried women can still be referred to as "Madame."

7. Language Etiquette
DO address people with the titles "Monsieur"  (Mister) and "Madame" (Mrs.) when meeting someone for the first time, or in a business meeting.  Use "Mademoiselle" when greeting a young, unmarried woman or girl.  Older, unmarried women can still be referred to as "Madame."
DO apologize for your lack of knowledge if you do not speak French.

8. Visitors Etiquette
DO give your host a gift.  As a tourist from another country, a gift from your native country is appreciated.

9. Business Meeting
DO maintain eye contact when talking with clients.  This shows them that your full attention is with them.
DON'T expect the people you are meeting with to be on time.  Punctuality is treated very casually in France.
DON'T show any impatience or a confrontational attitude, as it can be seen as a sign of being unprofessional.
DO wear business outfits such as tailored suits, pants, and skirts.

10. Beach Etiquette
DON'T take your top off at a swimming pool or beaches that are part of a hotel unless you don't mind people staring.  It won't necessarily cause a scene, but some people may ogle.
DO put a shirt on once leaving the beach.
DON'T worry about small children running around the beach without clothes on.  People won't be offended.

Foreign Travel Etiquette

I am constantly asked questions about how to act when traveling to a foreign country, what the local customs are, how to interact with locals, and how not to look like the ugly American tourist.  Americans tend to be more casual with their interactions, which can be frowned upon in other countries.  Things like tipping, socializing, drinking, eating, driving and even shopping can be very different from country to country.  Over the next couple weeks I am going to post some very good tips from the Vayama.com and Travel Etiquette websites along with a few personal observations for the countries I have visited.  I hope you enjoy the postings.