Flying this holiday season?
Take a deep breath and be prepared for a lot of company!
There are a few things you can do to make sure your flying plans stay on track, and if something does happen to be prepared.
1. Always watch your reservation at the airlines website for schedule changes, delays and cancelations. If something does happen call the airline right away to confirm the changes or ask to re-booked on another flight.
2. Check-in with the airline at the earliest possible time, usually 24 hours before your first flight. Checking in online will usually get you a seat assignment,m and allow you to make changes to your seat if you aren't happy with the one you already have. If you are not able to confirm a seat while checking in get to the airport early to have a seat assigned. With no seat you risk being the first one bumped off a flight if it is oversold.
3. Make sure the airline has your contact information and your frequent flyer numbers. Airlines are doing a good job of being more proactive during irregular operations (irrops), calling customers to let them know of changes.
4. I always have a back-up plan, I know which other flights the airline operates that will get me to the same destination, and the flights of other airlines if I need to ask to be moved to another carrier.
5. If something does go wrong and you are at the airport don't wait for the airline staff to tell you what to do. Get in a customer service line immediately AND call the airlines 1-800 number, use which ever one you get to first. If you are at a big airport and an airline hub they should have customer service desks located throughout the airport. Sometimes a desk a couple gates away will have shorter lines.
6. If it looks like you are going to be stuck at an airport overnight call a hotel and make a reservation right away, before the rest of the crowd catches on and beats you to the last available room.
7. Remain calm, remember that there will be a lot of other people in the same situation, you will do yourself no favor by getting angry at the airline staff, they control the seats, and being nice might just get you that last seat to grandma's house.
Happy Holidays
12.21.2009
12.15.2009
12.10.2009
Lake Tahoe Skiing gets even better!
The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe Opens
Lake Tahoe’s First Five-Star Caliber Ski Resort Opens under Blankets of Snow
The snow is flying across the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the highly anticipated Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe opened today to much fanfare, during a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this morning at 10:30 am. Northstar-at-Tahoe has received over thirty inches of snowfall at the summit in the last 48 hours, setting the stage with near perfect winter conditions for the launch of this world class destination ski resort, the first resort of a luxury hotelier in the Lake Tahoe area. The forecast predicts that even more snow will fall.
Following five years of design, construction and development phases, The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe opens mid-mountain in Northstar-at-Tahoe resort, offering the finest ski-in, ski-out experience in California if not all the world. “This is truly a first of its kind experience for North Lake Tahoe” said Allen Highfield, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton resort. “It has been incredibly exciting to see the final details fall into place, the training of the Ladies and Gentlemen and their enthusiasm to welcome our first guests.” The Ritz-Carlton has created over 350 jobs this year in Northern California, providing highly respected hospitality jobs and excellent training.
The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe is the first new-build resort development in the Lake Tahoe area in decades. Anticipated to be the premier Northern California contemporary mountain retreat, the $300 million project, situated mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area will feature ski-in, ski-out access with mountain concierge services. Manzanita, the resort’s signature restaurant has been created by San Francisco’s James Beard Award Winning chef Traci Des Jardins. The Highlands Spa is a 17,000 square foot spa and fitness center with treatments and therapies themed around water and the woods. The new Highlands Gondola also opens today and will connect guests between the nearby Village-at-Northstar and The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe resort. Perched slope-side within a 15 minute drive of both Lake Tahoe and the historic town of Truckee, the year-round destination includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences and 25 Ritz-Carlton Destination Club residences.
The hotel is the contemporary legacy of the great mountain lodges built at the turn of the 20th century, inspired by the iconic Ahwahnee in Yosemite and the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. The hotel was designed as a series of linked pavilions tucked into the contour of the hillside with a grand octagonal lobby at the center. The rusticity of the building has been tempered and modernized through the use of contemporary materials such floor-to-ceiling windows in the Living Room that provide dramatic views and natural light. Great care was taken to protect the natural form of the landscape and to integrate the building seamlessly into its forest setting. Landmark trees were selected and tagged important so that construction crews could work around the forest as opposed to clear cutting the site.
Please contact me for more details. doug@davaulttravel.com
12.06.2009
Hawaii Air Credit with Classic Vacations
Thinking of a trip to Hawaii this winter? Classic Vacations is offering a $500.00 air credit for selected hotels and resorts through out the Hawaiian Islands. Book now through December 20, 2009, travel through March 2010. Contact me for the details as there are some blackout dates and a few rules.
11.25.2009
Dublin Ireland
As many of you know I just finished a trip to Ireland, I thought I would write a story on just Dublin, I hope you enjoy.
Dublin is a great city to start your tour of Ireland. The city is small enough that you will not feel overwhelmed as can happen in larger European cities like Paris and London, but it is large enough to offer great museums, restaurants, shopping and plenty of sight seeing.
Dublin is easily reached from most East Coast US gateway cities and the Irish national carrier Aer Lingus flies to Dublin from Chicago, Boston, New York and Orlando.
Ireland is an island comprised of two countries, the independent Republic of Ireland and British controlled Northern Ireland. Dublin is located in the Republic of Ireland, a member of the European Union, the Euro is the official form of currency and the metric system is used. The citizens of the Republic of Ireland are very proud of their independence from England. A visitor should never mistake the Irish Republic for their northern neighbors.
Dublin is located on the east coast and straddles Dublin Bay, a busy commercial port and passenger ferry hub with connections to France, and England. The city is split in two by the River Liffey, you find most of the hotels, shopping, dining and nightlife located on the south side of the river.
Where to stay
There are plenty of hotels and inns in the city to choose from, a couple of my favorites are:
The Four Seasons Dublin – located several miles outside of the downtown core in a quiet neighborhood. The hotel is a great place to return to after a day of exploring. There are several fine restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, one of my favorites is Rolys Bistro, about 5 minutes from the hotel.
The Merrion Hotel – located downtown opposite the government buildings this hotel was created by the combination of 4 Georgian Townhouses. The hotel has an impressive collection of art on display, I highly recommend touring the collection even if you are not staying at the hotel. Downstairs you will find a pool, something rare in Dublin, and a great cellar bar and restaurant. The hotel built a new wing in addition to the townhouses, be sure to specify where you want your room located when making a reservation.
The Dylan – just a quick walk from downtown on a quiet street the Dylan is a contemporary hotel in a Victorian building. Sleek and modern combines nicely with the Victorian architecture, and at night the hotel has a very popular indoor and outdoor lounge.
What to do
Old Library at Trinity College & Book of Kells – The Book of Kells is celebrated for its lavish decoration. The manuscript contains the four Gospels written in Latin and is believed to have been written around 800 AD in a monastery off the coast of Scottland. It has been on display in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin from the mid 19th century, and attracts over 500,000 visitors a year. Since 1953 it has been bound in four volumes. Two volumes are on public view, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script. The volumes are changed at regular intervals.
St Patrick’s Cathedral - Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well where tradition has it Saint Patrick baptized converts on his visit to Dublin. A church was built on this site in 1191 and in 1991 we celebrated 800 years of worship. The present building dates from 1220. The Cathedral is today the National Cathedral for the Church of Ireland (Anglican).
Jonathan Swift of "Gulliver" fame was dean of and is buried in the cathedral.
Dublin Castle – The castle was originally built in the 13th century, although nearly all of the medieval portions have been lost except for one tower. Until 1922 the castle was the seat of British rule in Ireland. The castle now serves as a tourist attraction and while not as grand as some old ruins you will see in the countryside it is worth a stop.
Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane – The Hugh Lane is a small museum with a nice collection of modern contemporary Irish artists. The most interesting thing to see in the museum isn't really a piece of art, it's Francis Bacon's art studio preserved just as it was when he died in 1992. The room was moved intact from London to the museum in Dublin. The room is a disaster; paint cans and brushes, newspapers, boxes and junk line the walls and cover the floor. There is just a small space for the artist to stand and paint; it's a wonder how he was able to create anything out of this space. Admission is free.
The National Gallery of Ireland – Home to a collection of Irish and European art, the gallery is located in the center of Dublin just of Merrion Square. Founded in 1854 and containing 14,000 works of art, the gallery is known for its collection of Italian Baroque and Dutch Masters paintings.
Guinness Storehouse – The Guinness Storehouse is located in the heart of the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, and is, according to the Guinness Storehouse Website "Ireland’s No. 1 international visitor attraction." Guests spend time exploring seven floors dedicated to the Guinness Beer story, from the ingredients of the beer, to its founder and finally the advertising and marketing of Guinness Beer over the years. On the seventh you can visit the Gravity Bar, have a pint of Guinness and admire the great views.
For fun
The Temple Bar – This area of Dublin is named after a sand bar, not a drinking bar, although today it is more known for its pubs and restaurants than it is for sand. The area covers several city blocks and is a great place to go if you want a pint of your favorite Irish Beer and some great Fish and Chips. The area can get quite crowded with both locals and tourists, especially on weekend nights, so be prepared for a loud and boisterous evening.
For shopping head to Grafton Street between St. Stephen's Green and Trinity College, recently declared an Architectural Conservation Zone, this area is full of great shopping.
If you are lucky the local band known around the world U2 will be performing at the O2 stadium where they recently sold out three stadium performances.
Things to know
Do not rent a car for your stay in Dublin, use public transportation or taxis while you are in the city. If your trip will take you outside of Dublin wait until you are ready to leave the city before picking up your car. Most rental agencies have locations on the outer rim of the city. It is much easier to pick your car up outside of the downtown core, where old narrow streets can be a nightmare to navigate. The Irish drive on the left hand side of the road and the driver sits in the right hand side of the car, opposite the way we are used to driving. It takes a few minutes to get used to this driving position. I recommend renting an automatic transmission, no need to learn how to shift with your left hand, and a GPS system is a must. Be prepared for very narrow roads when you are not driving on the main motorways. Be sure to bring an international translation of your drivers license, you can pick one up at your local AAA office.
Dublin averages around 2 inches of rain each month of the year. The temperatures are very mild, both in the winter and the summer. The best month’s to visit are May to September, where the average highs will be somewhere in the 60’s. If cooler temperatures and fewer tourists are more to your liking a visit in the shoulder month’s of March and April and October and November can be quite nice, with daytime temperatures averaging in the mid to upper 40’s and low 50’s.
Voltage is 220v AC 50hz, most all American appliances will require a transformer, adapter, or converter to operate properly. Check with the manufacturer of your appliance to see which one you will need.
Be sure to notify your credit card companies and your cell phone carrier before you travel outside of the US.
A passport with an expiration date at least 6 month’s ahead of your scheduled return date is required for entry into the Republic of Ireland. US citizens do not need a tourist visa for entry.
Dublin is a great city to start your tour of Ireland. The city is small enough that you will not feel overwhelmed as can happen in larger European cities like Paris and London, but it is large enough to offer great museums, restaurants, shopping and plenty of sight seeing.
Dublin is easily reached from most East Coast US gateway cities and the Irish national carrier Aer Lingus flies to Dublin from Chicago, Boston, New York and Orlando.
Ireland is an island comprised of two countries, the independent Republic of Ireland and British controlled Northern Ireland. Dublin is located in the Republic of Ireland, a member of the European Union, the Euro is the official form of currency and the metric system is used. The citizens of the Republic of Ireland are very proud of their independence from England. A visitor should never mistake the Irish Republic for their northern neighbors.
Dublin is located on the east coast and straddles Dublin Bay, a busy commercial port and passenger ferry hub with connections to France, and England. The city is split in two by the River Liffey, you find most of the hotels, shopping, dining and nightlife located on the south side of the river.
Where to stay
There are plenty of hotels and inns in the city to choose from, a couple of my favorites are:
The Four Seasons Dublin – located several miles outside of the downtown core in a quiet neighborhood. The hotel is a great place to return to after a day of exploring. There are several fine restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, one of my favorites is Rolys Bistro, about 5 minutes from the hotel.
The Merrion Hotel – located downtown opposite the government buildings this hotel was created by the combination of 4 Georgian Townhouses. The hotel has an impressive collection of art on display, I highly recommend touring the collection even if you are not staying at the hotel. Downstairs you will find a pool, something rare in Dublin, and a great cellar bar and restaurant. The hotel built a new wing in addition to the townhouses, be sure to specify where you want your room located when making a reservation.
The Dylan – just a quick walk from downtown on a quiet street the Dylan is a contemporary hotel in a Victorian building. Sleek and modern combines nicely with the Victorian architecture, and at night the hotel has a very popular indoor and outdoor lounge.
What to do
Old Library at Trinity College & Book of Kells – The Book of Kells is celebrated for its lavish decoration. The manuscript contains the four Gospels written in Latin and is believed to have been written around 800 AD in a monastery off the coast of Scottland. It has been on display in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin from the mid 19th century, and attracts over 500,000 visitors a year. Since 1953 it has been bound in four volumes. Two volumes are on public view, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script. The volumes are changed at regular intervals.
St Patrick’s Cathedral - Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well where tradition has it Saint Patrick baptized converts on his visit to Dublin. A church was built on this site in 1191 and in 1991 we celebrated 800 years of worship. The present building dates from 1220. The Cathedral is today the National Cathedral for the Church of Ireland (Anglican).
Jonathan Swift of "Gulliver" fame was dean of and is buried in the cathedral.
Dublin Castle – The castle was originally built in the 13th century, although nearly all of the medieval portions have been lost except for one tower. Until 1922 the castle was the seat of British rule in Ireland. The castle now serves as a tourist attraction and while not as grand as some old ruins you will see in the countryside it is worth a stop.
Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane – The Hugh Lane is a small museum with a nice collection of modern contemporary Irish artists. The most interesting thing to see in the museum isn't really a piece of art, it's Francis Bacon's art studio preserved just as it was when he died in 1992. The room was moved intact from London to the museum in Dublin. The room is a disaster; paint cans and brushes, newspapers, boxes and junk line the walls and cover the floor. There is just a small space for the artist to stand and paint; it's a wonder how he was able to create anything out of this space. Admission is free.
The National Gallery of Ireland – Home to a collection of Irish and European art, the gallery is located in the center of Dublin just of Merrion Square. Founded in 1854 and containing 14,000 works of art, the gallery is known for its collection of Italian Baroque and Dutch Masters paintings.
Guinness Storehouse – The Guinness Storehouse is located in the heart of the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, and is, according to the Guinness Storehouse Website "Ireland’s No. 1 international visitor attraction." Guests spend time exploring seven floors dedicated to the Guinness Beer story, from the ingredients of the beer, to its founder and finally the advertising and marketing of Guinness Beer over the years. On the seventh you can visit the Gravity Bar, have a pint of Guinness and admire the great views.
For fun
The Temple Bar – This area of Dublin is named after a sand bar, not a drinking bar, although today it is more known for its pubs and restaurants than it is for sand. The area covers several city blocks and is a great place to go if you want a pint of your favorite Irish Beer and some great Fish and Chips. The area can get quite crowded with both locals and tourists, especially on weekend nights, so be prepared for a loud and boisterous evening.
For shopping head to Grafton Street between St. Stephen's Green and Trinity College, recently declared an Architectural Conservation Zone, this area is full of great shopping.
If you are lucky the local band known around the world U2 will be performing at the O2 stadium where they recently sold out three stadium performances.
Things to know
Do not rent a car for your stay in Dublin, use public transportation or taxis while you are in the city. If your trip will take you outside of Dublin wait until you are ready to leave the city before picking up your car. Most rental agencies have locations on the outer rim of the city. It is much easier to pick your car up outside of the downtown core, where old narrow streets can be a nightmare to navigate. The Irish drive on the left hand side of the road and the driver sits in the right hand side of the car, opposite the way we are used to driving. It takes a few minutes to get used to this driving position. I recommend renting an automatic transmission, no need to learn how to shift with your left hand, and a GPS system is a must. Be prepared for very narrow roads when you are not driving on the main motorways. Be sure to bring an international translation of your drivers license, you can pick one up at your local AAA office.
Dublin averages around 2 inches of rain each month of the year. The temperatures are very mild, both in the winter and the summer. The best month’s to visit are May to September, where the average highs will be somewhere in the 60’s. If cooler temperatures and fewer tourists are more to your liking a visit in the shoulder month’s of March and April and October and November can be quite nice, with daytime temperatures averaging in the mid to upper 40’s and low 50’s.
Voltage is 220v AC 50hz, most all American appliances will require a transformer, adapter, or converter to operate properly. Check with the manufacturer of your appliance to see which one you will need.
Be sure to notify your credit card companies and your cell phone carrier before you travel outside of the US.
A passport with an expiration date at least 6 month’s ahead of your scheduled return date is required for entry into the Republic of Ireland. US citizens do not need a tourist visa for entry.
11.20.2009
City Escape - Seattle
Sometimes you want a little more excitement for your quick escape and Seattle can be the perfect choice. Just 225 miles north of Salem, Seattle is a quick drive up the interstate, or better yet, a leisurely couple of hours on the train. Seattle offers the visitor many options for culture, dining, shopping and nightlife. My suggestion is to check in to a centrally located hotel, park your car, and spend your time walking and exploring the downtown area. Here are a few of my favorites.
The new Four Seasons Hotel located on Union Ave offers breathtaking views of Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound. This hotel has become a new favorite for travelers wanting luxury and service. Be sure to request a room with water views and stop by Art Restaurant and sample a few of the regional wines on display at the wine wall.
Seattle Four Seasons
Seattle Art Museum
Olympic Sculpture Park
If shopping is on your agenda, just head down the street to Pike Place Market.
Seattle's waterfront Pike Place Market is one of the most colorful and energetic shopping districts in the Pacific Northwest. The highlight is Pike Place Market's "flying fish," when fish merchants throw cuts of fish to each other across their stand to the delight of awestruck onlookers. A cobblestone street, lined with vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, a dazzling array of multicolored fresh flowers and photographs of scenic Seattle landscapes, winds through the Pike Place Market.
Pike Place Market
For dining try Tom Douglas’ Dahlia Lounge or Lola. Douglas is Seattle’s own celebrity chef and dining at one of his restaurants is always a great experience. Want a great steak? Then head to El Gaucho for true luxury steakhouse experience. Be prepared to spend a little time and a lot of money at El Gaucho, but it will be a great evening.
11.17.2009
Quick Escapes - Oregon Wine Country
Like most of you I considered an excursion to the Oregon Wine country more of a day trip rather than an overnight stay, mainly because of the lack of any destination hotel or resort. Luckily, this has recently changed with the opening of The Allison Inn and Spa in Newberg. Just a short one-hour drive from Salem, The Allison Inn and Spa is easy to get to and sure to become very popular with tourists and locals alike. At the Inn you will find luxury accommodations, Jory, the Inn’s signature restaurant specializing in locally inspired cuisine, and a 15,000 square foot Spa to help you unwind after a day of winery tours and tastings.
You will find no shortage of great wineries to tour close to The Allison, my favorites include Lange Winery, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Domaine Serene, and Bergstrom. Each of these wineries is located just minutes from Newberg and make for an excellent day of wine tasting. Lange Winery has been producing great wines since 1987, including a great mix of Pinot Noirs and white wines. The winery tasting room is small and casual and the staff is always friendly and willing to educate and entertain. Domaine Drouhin of Oregon is an outpost of the French wine maker Drouhin and is known for its award winning Pinot Noirs produced in a spectacular hillside setting. Plan ahead and you can schedule a winery tour lasting around 60 minutes and giving you a great overview of the wine making process and ending with a guided tasting of several of their current releases.
There are several great restaurants to choose from in the area, including the Yamhill Grill, Dundee Bistro, and for fans of mushrooms and truffles, the Joel Palmer House is a short drive away in Dayton.
Next up, Seattle City Escape...
The Allison Inn
You will find no shortage of great wineries to tour close to The Allison, my favorites include Lange Winery, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Domaine Serene, and Bergstrom. Each of these wineries is located just minutes from Newberg and make for an excellent day of wine tasting. Lange Winery has been producing great wines since 1987, including a great mix of Pinot Noirs and white wines. The winery tasting room is small and casual and the staff is always friendly and willing to educate and entertain. Domaine Drouhin of Oregon is an outpost of the French wine maker Drouhin and is known for its award winning Pinot Noirs produced in a spectacular hillside setting. Plan ahead and you can schedule a winery tour lasting around 60 minutes and giving you a great overview of the wine making process and ending with a guided tasting of several of their current releases.
Domaine Drouhin
There are several great restaurants to choose from in the area, including the Yamhill Grill, Dundee Bistro, and for fans of mushrooms and truffles, the Joel Palmer House is a short drive away in Dayton.
Next up, Seattle City Escape...
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