No travel info today…just a reminder of a fantastic dessert in Venice. Yum!
Enjoy
Month: November 2015
Don’t Toss Your Boarding Pass
You’ve arrived at your destination. What do you do with the boarding pass? After all, you don’t need it any more…right?
Don’t toss it in the hotel or any other wastebasket. Why?
As with most documents, your boarding pass has information about you on it. And, that information can be accessed by a site reading the barcode on your boarding pass. You don’t want your phone number, frequent flyer number, your account PIN, or any other personal information to be accessed by someone who shouldn’t have that info.
Save it and shred it when you get home…
Globes and Atlases
Looking for a unique gift for some kids this year? How about a globe or an atlas?
Our world seems to be getting smaller all the time. Let the kids see the world from the perspective of a globe. You can also check out National Geographic’s Kids World Atlas to have them start learning where other countries are in comparison to the US.
What is STEP?
Do you know what STEP is and why you should know about it? The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow US citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
Why do this? You will receive emails about your destination, including issues, danger zones, or safety conditions. This will also help the US Embassy contact you in an emergency, natural disaster, or family emergency. If you are at home and a family member is traveling abroad, the US Embassy will assist you in contacting them in case of an emergency here at home.
It’s a great program and one I use all the time. The link: https://step.state.gov/step/.
How Much Do You Weigh?
When you purchase a new piece of luggage, there are so many things to think about. How much does it weigh? How are you going to use it? Will it be for checked luggage only or do you want it to do double duty?
Let’s think about how much it weighs. First, do you know the weight limit for checked luggage? Airlines will tell you what their weight limit is, so check their website if you don’t already know. For domestic, it’s often 50 pounds. But, check to make sure. Does the weight of your bag make a huge difference to you? Shop around to get the right weight, if it does.
But, you may find discrepancies in weight when shopping online for luggage. The manufacturer’s site will give you a weight of the bag. So will any other sites selling that same bag. The problem is, sometimes those sites differ from each other in what the bag weighs. That could be a problem if weight of your bag is the only concern you have.
What do you do? Check more than one site. If the difference is great enough to matter to you…you might want to check it out in person. Weigh it for yourself.
Jessup Cellars Event
Jessup Cellars’ Third Annual “Art House Short Film Series” Opens
Saturday, December 12 at its Napa Valley Yountville Tasting Gallery
New for 2015/16: Jessup Cellars Offers $75 Local’s Season Pass
(Yountville, CA, November 12th2015) — Jessup Cellars 3rd Annual Art House Short Film Series opens Saturday, December 12th at Jessup Cellars Tasting Gallery in Yountville, California. The winery and art gallery pairs award-winning short films from the San Joseand Walnut Creek Short Film Festivals and the Napa Valley Film Festival. Each screening night features a guest filmmaker and Q&A, with all films paired with a Jessup Cellars wine and a Chef MikeCwok-popped, flavored-infused popcorn, e.g., Fried Chicken & Mash Potatoes Popcorn paired with Chardonnay.
Over the past two years, the series has become a sell-out hit with both locals and visitors to the Napa Valley. New for the 2015/16 series, Jessup Cellars is offering a $75 Local’s Season Pass for all four screenings, which will take place on the second Saturdays of December 12, January 9, February 13 and March 12 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Tickets are $35 each and available online at series ticketing partner CellarPass.com.
“As a film buff, I look forward to our winter short films series with great anticipation and expectation. The format is so dynamic and immediately rewarding,” explains Tracy McArdle, General Manager for the Good Life Wine Collective, which includes Jessup Cellars, Handwritten Wines and Humanitas Wines. “Within a short series of frames, these award-winning stories unfold and close…and then it’s on to the next film, wine and popcorn pairing. It makes for a perfect date night!”
From animation to comedy to drama, Jessup Cellars Art House Short Film Series has built a loyal following by taking its guests on an emotional and inspirational ride through the cinematic and culinary arts. The screenings are be followed by meet-and-greets with filmmakers and the opportunity to purchase Jessup Cellars wines in support of indie short film projects. To learn more visit JessupCellars.com.
About Jessup Cellars
Jessup Cellars Tasting Gallery is located at 6740 Washington St., Yountville, California and open 10am to 6pm daily. Celebrating the art of the blend, its wines are sourced from the finest vineyards throughout Napa Valley. Guests at Jessup Cellars may choose to taste at its wine bar or relax with sit-down, hosted wine and artisan cheese tastings in it’s spacious gallery amongst curated art by regional and national artists. The winery also specializes in hosting interactive cultural experiences with a focus on supporting the arts. To learn more about Jessup Cellars, visit JessupCellars.com or call 888.537.7879.
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Passport Pages
More passport facts you may not know…
Many countries will not allow you to enter if your passport is set to expire within the next six months. Always check the expiration date before you book your next trip.
Traveling to South Africa? You need at least two blank pages in your passport or you won’t be admitted to the country.
New Posts…Old Posts
Recently I discovered my Travels and Escapes blogs were not being forwarded to Facebook and Twitter. Apparently something happened. So, unless you subscribed to this blog…you missed all my great travel tips, my exciting travel recommendations, and my travel photos.
Since I couldn’t have that…I enlisted the help of my web guy. I’m now back on track.
Why do I tell you this?
I’m going to re-post some of the posts from the last couple of months. If you’ve already seen them, lucky you. You get to read them again. If you missed them, here’s your chance to read them for the first time.
Enjoy and Have Fun Traveling…wherever you escape.
Pier 2620 Hotel Completes $17 Million Remodel
Check out this San Francisco hotel…Pier 2620 Hotel
Full renovation of 233 rooms creates contemporary hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, NOVEMBER 10, 2015 – Pier 2620 Hotel announced the completion of a $17 million renovation to its 233 updated guest rooms, with the exterior revitalization planned for 2016. The hotel is located in the heart of San Francisco, at the crossroads of Historic North Beach and renowned Fisherman’s Wharf.
Now operated and managed by Fillmore Hospitality, LLC, the former San Francisco Hilton Fisherman’s Wharf has been renovated to embody the vibrant qualities and diverse experiences that people associate with the city.
“We’re thrilled to have undergone such an expansive remodel,” said David Eisenbraun, General Manager. “Our goal is to live and breathe all that San Francisco has to offer, and our newly revitalized rooms are directly representative of San Francisco’s seafaring history.”
Chicago-based Laurie Miller of Anderson/Miller, Ltd. designed Pier 2620 Hotel’s new look, with custom touches throughout the rooms – from furniture to artwork to décor – all inspired by the city’s industrial waterfront.
“We looked at every element, every item in the room with a strategic eye to the hotel’s place on the wharf,” said Miller. “Our goal was to create an authentic, San Francisco feel with industrial details that we believe will resonate with the hotel’s visitors.”
Pier 2620 Hotel is a tech-friendly, welcoming environment that blurs the lines between the stereotypical “hotel” experience and the quintessential San Francisco home. “We want to share the best our great city has to offer,” added Eisenbraun. “It starts with giving guests a highly personalized and truly memorable experience. But we also provide local insights tailored to their needs to help them enjoy an authentic taste of San Francisco culture. Our staff does so much more than simply manage hotel room inventory.”
Pier 2620 Hotel is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Connect Collection, an international portfolio of hotels that connect people to friends and family, business associates, and interesting neighborhoods. Inspired by local culture, the smart, well-appointed, eclectic, and welcoming hotels within this collection seamlessly combine value with comfort and convenience to relax the guest’s busy, on-the-road life.
About Pier 2620 Hotel
Located in the heart of San Francisco, at the crossroads of Historic North Beach and renowned Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 2620 Hotel prides itself on speaking the language of the locals, and sharing the best that San Francisco has to offer. Newly revitalized in 2015 by a $17 million renovation, Pier 2620 Hotel is designed to make every aspect of the guest experience warm, colorful, and memorable through the intuitive use of technology throughout the guests’ stay to personalize their experience, combined with seamless integration into the San Francisco culture.
Previously the San Francisco Hilton Fisherman’s Wharf, the hotel’s operations and management were acquired by Fillmore Hospitality, LLC and reopened in late 2013. Pier 2620 Hotel offers 233 stylish and contemporary guest rooms with free Wi-Fi, a well-equipped, glass-enclosed fitness center overlooking the courtyard, and multiple meeting and event spaces. The hotel also boasts a wide selection of world-class wines available at its EvenKeel Lounge.
Visit Pier 2620 Hotel at 2620 Jones St., San Francisco, CA.
Pier2620Hotel.com
About Fillmore Hospitality, LLC
Fillmore Hospitality provides a full spectrum of investment management and property management services to owners of hotels and resorts throughout North America. The company brings an extensive background of 25+ years in the hospitality industry, and a valuable perspective that provides a comprehensive understanding of assets needed to make a venture successful. Fillmore Hospitality entirely embodies the elements of hospitality, and maintains that providing high quality customer experiences is of the highest priority.
FillmoreHospitality.com
About Preferred Hotels & Resorts Connect Collection
Pier 2620 Hotel is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Connect Collection. All guests of Pier 2620 Hotel are eligible to enroll in the iPrefer guest loyalty program, which extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, and special benefits such as complimentary Internet to members upon every stay at more than 550 participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts locations worldwide.
Arrondissements
Paris is a collection of arrondissements or numbered neighborhoods. The first is in the center of Paris and the rest of the neighborhoods spiral outward from that one. One and Two are the most central.
In the 1st you will find the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, and part of the Ile de la Cite.
In the 7th is the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, home to Napoleon’s tomb.
The 8th is where you’ll find the Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, and awesome shopping.
The 9th is home to the Opera.
The 18th you will find a hilly neighborhood and also home to Sacre-Coeur, the Moulin Rouge, and Place de Tertre.
Check them out…