AIRPORT DINING - Letting you know what's on your menu

AIRPORT DINING

If you ever wondered what kind of food you can get at an airport you are going to maybe for the first time, a new site has launched.  Ready to keep you informed and well fed with your favorite foods.  Many of us have dietary requirments either dictated by medical reasons or by lifestyle choices.  Also, airlines are reducing their offerings onboard and security is constantly changing what you can or can't bring through the check point.

Many choices - arm yourself

We’re spending more time than ever at airports. With long security lines, flight delays and lengthy check-in times most likely you're bound to be hungry at the airport.

The good news is that airport food has gotten better with plenty of fine dining options. In addition to the usual suspects, fast-food airport outlets, airports started to offer lots of quality restaurant choices as airport eateries are becoming branches of favorite local restaurants, bars and cafés.

Based on that Airport Dining is determined to collect airport restaurant information and share it with frequent flyers as well as concerned airport restaurants who desire useful feedback as to the quality of their airport food. Their goal is to find the truth from real flyers and bring you the most up-to-date information about airport dining. Your reviews not only aid others in their choice of airport restaurants and their menu selection, but also provide valuable feedback to any airport restaurant that cares for the quality of their customer airport dining experience.

They only have a few reviews so far, but it's a great idea that may catch on.

Going to LA but no time to hit Pink's for a Hot Dog? Check this out

Los Angeles has some of the best and trendiest restaurants in the country, but the city also has some of the finest in cheap and unhealthy eats as well. If you missed waiting in the long line during your trip to Southern California, there’s the option to load up on chili dogs before your long flight home. Pink’s Hot Dogs is set to open soon at Los Angeles International Airport.




Pink's Hot Dogs Los Angeles


See the other regional foods available around the country at Jaunted.

Southwest Airlines Announces Onboard WiFi Pricing

REVISED

While there are offerings of WiFi, Southwest needs to do a better job at getting power ports on their planes.

Today, at Southwest Airlines' Media Day 2010, pricing for Southwest Airlines WiFi HOTSPOT was announced. Southwest will offer WiFi onboard its fleet at a special introductory flat rate of $5 per flight for any device or flight length. Southwest is able to offer this price point and tailor the Customer Experience with the satellite-based technology provided by Row 44.

Southwest partnered with Row 44 and began testing WiFi on four aircraft in 2009. Today, Southwest has 32 WiFi-enabled planes.

"Southwest tested a number of different pricing points throughout this process and is pleased that we will offer one low fee for this service, making it easy for Customers to know what to expect," said Dave Ridley, Southwest's Vice President Marketing and Revenue Management. "We are excited to have WiFi on our flights. This technology will make our Customers' experience even better."

Customers on a WiFi-enabled aircraft will be greeted with the newly designed WiFi HOTSPOT placard onboard the aircraft. When opening the Southwest Airlines WiFi HOTSPOT browser, Customers will be taken to a home page that houses content free of charge.

Free content includes a flight tracker, games, shopping on Skymall and Home Shopping Network, and access to http://www.southwest.com/. To read a blog post about WiFi, visit: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/

Customers will receive an e-mail prior to their flight informing them they will be on a WiFi-enabled aircraft. Southwest plans to have 60 WiFi-enabled aircraft by year end and the entire fleet of 737-700s (346 aircraft) enabled by the end of 2012. To learn more about Southwest Airlines WiFi HOTSPOT, visit www.southwest.com/wifi.

After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service in Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

http://www.southwest.com/

CHICAGO - The Signature Tour - DOUBLE DECKER & TROLLEY TOURS

CHICAGO:

September 2010.  We took the Blue Line from O'Hare to our Hotel.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites Lakefront and we were in the middle of all things fun.



Double Decker Tour Bus



We checked in and enjoyed the manager's cocktail reception.  Pearl had some soft drinks and I had some beers.  We went over to eat at DAO a Thai restaurant, great food.  

In the morning we took the Signature Tour.  Double Decker & Trolley Tours was a great way to see the city.  We walked up a half block across from the NBC Tower and caught a double decker bus.  Next stop was Navy Pier where we bought tickets for $29 plus a discounted Skydeck admission.   



Navy Pier: 



This is the number one attraction in Chicago.  Here are restaurants, Harry Caray's bar, food court and ice cream.  Also from Navy Pier you can rent a boat or relax in a beer garden.  The ferris wheel is another great attraction.  For $7 you can get a view from up high.  On our first night, we stopped by the pier and the ferris wheel was closed.  There was a party of doofus hipsters that were so upset the wheel was closed, they jumped the gate and climbed on the closed yet still moving wheel.  The wheel operator stopped the wheel before the ride completed and called the police.  The police were not well humored and told the gathering crowd to leave. 

 

Pearl pointing out the late night riders





Also at Navy Pier is a Garrett Popcorn shop for which the Double Decker & Trolley Tours provides a free coupon, wow that is some great popcorn.  I had the Chicago Mix, it was awesome, sweet and cheesey.  The food court had something for every palate.  Pearl had sweet and sour chicken and I had a Starbucks Coffee, some pizza and the popcorn (part of this nutritious breakfast).

Pearl and a Pirate

Pearl on the Ferris Wheel

We walked to the end of the pier and had a great view of lake Michigan.  The pier has enough to do to spend all day. 

Swings from the Big Wheel

Navy Pier - Main Gate

The Double Decker & Trolley Tour continued on to the Magnificent Mile.  I really loved the hop on hop off feature.  It was interesting to hear the different take on the city from the tour guides.  All were funny and enjoyable.  Being in the open air was a great way to see the architecture like the Wrigley, the Intercontinental and the New Trump.

The New Trump behind Pearl

Other stops included the Water Tower, it did not burn down during the Great Chicago Fire, a vertical mall, Water Tower Place and the Museum of Contemporary Art.  We had limited time and were excited to see the Willis Tower, so we skipped the John Hancock Observatory. 

Charles Rolling by Hard Rock

We rolled past the Hard Rock Cafe, but it was too early to eat when we went by, but there are many great pizza and hot dog places at this stop.  I made a note to come back to this stop at night for some live music, but was way too tired to get up and go after a long day of touring.

Next Stop:  Skydeck - Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) - My review of that stop is here.

There was a nice lawn with comfortable chairs as we waited for the next bus.

Pearl relaxing on lawn across from Willis Tower

Chicago Theatre:  On the this next leg we went through the theatre district and saw some great city views.  The tour guide was great as he ducked under the "L" .  On a side note, Louis CK is funny as hell.  I wished I was able to see him perform at the Chicago Theatre.

Tour goes past Chicago Theatre



Millenium Park:

This was a cool stop with lots to see and do.  The park is very relaxing with strategic benches and greenery.  The Cloudgate was very cool to look at and we had lots of fun taking pictures in and around it.  The Cloudgate has an odd bean shape and is knicknamed, "the Bean".



Pearl's turn to hold up the Bean



Chicago from Millenium Park

Cloudgate "the Bean"





CANARY ISLANDS - BEACHES & FISHING VILLAGES

 Grand Canary West Coast:

View of Agaete from the Mountain

A lovely surprise:  Agaete, a fushing village on Grand Canary's northwestern coast.  It has a harbor flanked by whitewashed houses, pebbled beaches, natural swimming pools amid volcanic rocks and delicious local produce.  Recently, an Italian hotel company opened a sleek new hotel; Hotel Roca Negra on a rocky cove where each room has a view of the Atlantic Ocean.



Hotel Roca Negra:
Agaete, Gran Canary
34/92-889-8009
Doubles = $130 and up (includes breakfast)


Canary Islands



Canary Islands, Spain: Las Teresitas, Tenerife

Why go?  Turquoise water, palm trees, a curving bay of golden sand sheltered by mountains… sounds perfect, and indeed it is – even though the sand was transported from the Sahara.
Who goes?
The citizens of Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, treat Las Teresitas as their local beach, as it is only five miles north of the city. It’s not near any of the resorts, so there’s much more of a local feel to it.
What is there to do?
An artificial reef not only helps keep the sea calm, but also attracts shoals of tropical fish, so there is a lot to see if you’re keen on diving or snorkelling. The shallow water makes it a safe choice for families with young children.

LAS TERESITAS

Bars and bites
There are some great bars and restaurants in the village of San Andrés, at the southern end of Las Teresitas. Try the fish fritters or the octopus at Los Churritos (Dique 1), or any of the fabulous fresh fish on offer at the Cofradía de Pescadores (00 34 922 540924), right by the beach.
Getting there
From Santa Cruz, take the TF-11 north to San Andrés. There is a large car park right by the beach. There are also regular buses from Santa Cruz.

DETROIT - ROCK CITY

Detroit

DETROIT:

Getting there:  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the primary Detroit airport, and recently it has undergone a dramatic transformation with a new terminal, a sixth runway, and a south entrance road. It has also added a new parking garage; and the luxury class Westin Hotel. The Detroit airport is currently working on adding another new terminal in 2008. Detroit Metro Airport's concessions program is award winning, so eating here upon arrival, or prior to your departure, is a pleasure. Also, among its national chain of stores, you'll find locally inspired shops, such as the GM, Henry Ford, and Motown Music stores. Take the Inter-terminal Shuttle Van to get from one terminal to another. From the Detroit airport, you can access all the top car rental agencies, or hitch a ride through two different luxury sedan and taxi services. The Smart bus will take you to downtown Detroit for $1.50 (exact change), and the trip takes about 90 minutes. Enjoy your trip to the sparkling city of Detroit Michigan.

Things to do:

Henry Ford Museum:

Henry Ford Museum

The collection of over 100 historic buildings, and the museum grounds overall, together house some of America's most notable relics, automobiles, machinery, locomotives, aircraft and, well...the list goes on. It is a testament to Ford's dedication, and his resulting legacy, to preserve the country's history. In his words, "I am collecting the history of our people as written into things their hands made and used...." Included among the many rare exhibits are the John F. Kennedy limousine, Abraham Lincoln's rocking chair from the Ford's Theater, the Rosa Park's Bus, the Wright Brothers' Bicycle Shop, and Thomas Edison's New Jersey Menlo Park laboratory, where he developed the incandescent light bulb. Tickets for adults are $14, Seniors pay $13, Youth ages 5-12 are $10, and under 5 get in free. The Henry Ford Museum Michigan is open every day from 9:30-5:00. Parking is easy, and there seems to be no long lines to wait in.

ATHENS, GREECE - 2500th ANNIVERSARY OF MARATHON

Every time someone runs a marathon, they metaphorically retrace steps taken during one of the most momentous events in world history, the Battle of Marathon in 490BCE.

Marathon Logo for 2010

A few thousand Athenian and Parthian soldiers, led by the warrior Miltiades destroyed a huge force of invading Persians on the plain of Marathon, a victory widely acknowledged to have ensured the democratic legacy of Western culture.

2010 is the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. And the organizers of the Athens Classic Marathon, on October 31, 2010 are preparing for another invasion, but a friendly one this time.

That marathon was first run as an athletic race when the Olympics were revived as modern games in 1896 in Athens is a well-known fact, but only a few would know about its origin. The origin lies very close to the ancient Greek city, Marathon. The race derived its name from the city where Battle of Marathon was fought between Athens and Persia in 490 BC, an event that was a turning point in the history of Greece.

Ready for Battle at Marathon

Legends have it that a Greek runner ran non-stop from Marathon to Athens to announce the defeat of Persians, who had invaded Greece, in the battle. The idea of marathon race in 1896 Olympics then proliferated, recalling the ancient glory of Greek’s victory.

This year happens to be the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon and a record 12,500 athletes are set to run in the Athens Classic Marathon on October 31 to mark the occasion, Reuters reported.

Athens Classic Marathon has been a major tourism event as well for Greece and with the highest number of participants ever this year, travel and tourism industry officials foresee the event a boost for tourism. In addition, 90 per cent of the participants are foreigners, meaning the Marathon is an opportunity for them to tour Greece, said an official.

To make the big day more happening for tourists and spectators, organizers have planned live concerts in the center of Athens to commemorate the origin of marathon races. Also during the event, veteran marathon athletes and winners will be honored. These include Italian Stephano Baldini, who won the 2004 Olympic Games Marathon in Athens and Constantina Dita from Romania who won the 2008 Olympic Games Marathon in Beijing, just to name a few among many.

Getting there:  New York to Athens is approximately $740.  Shanghai to Athens is $1,170.  London to Athens is $210.

Staying There:  The St. George Lycabettus Hotel is an individual and chic property, designed for the discerning traveler and is rated 5 stars. Situated in Kolonaki, the most exclusive quarter of Athens.  for just $139 a night.

See:   the 2,500 Anniversary of the Battle of Marathon festivities.  The 2,500-year anniversary of the Battle of Marathon is a great opportunity to highlight the country's comparative strengths, the values that we represent across time, the great potential that we have. It is a great opportunity to help Athens become an international destination due to this athletic event of global impact that this year also acquires and cultural and tourism side. 

Another event is 'The Marathon Marathon Project' that will take place in Athens at the Acropolis Museum on October 31, 2010 under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Athens Marathon Course

The project takes as its point of departure the impressive international array of marathon-format events which are rooted in the concept of superhuman endeavor, in the seemingly impossible but historically real feat of the Battle of Marathon. A particular point of reference was the international event entitled "The Marathon Project," which has been held annually since 2005 as part of the Serpentine Gallery art program in London.