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Thanksgiving: Milan to the Mediterranean. It could be Nice in Nice!
The weather could be lovely later this month in Nice, France. It will definitely be better than here in Cincinnati — and Nice has a beach and a market and a Michelin-starred restaurant in town (with several more nearby) and a very close Matisse-designed chapel; BUT I can’t take time away to get there this…
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Is Llama in Lima this year’s Turkey in Turkey?
Once upon a time at Thanksgiving — not too long ago — we flew to St. Thomas to catch the shoulder season, rum, fun, seafood, sand, sun and surf on St. John, USVI. Though quickly being weaned from stateside food, on our day of national feasting we searched for and found adequate sliced turkey with…
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Five Day Sale — up to 50% off at Accor Hotels — June 17 thru June 21.
M Gallery, Pullman, Mercure, Novotel, and Ibis — Up to 40% Off Up to 50% OFF Using Your (FREE!) Le Club AccorHotels Membership. Why You Should Consider Accor Hotels: Accor Hotels is actively promoting and growing its selection of European properties. It’s a good time to stay at one of their hotels. M Gallery is their…
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Hotel de Brienne, Toulouse, France
Away from noise and crowds, but you can easily walk to either Hotel de Brienne is clean, friendly, modern, and located on a quiet street. Mere blocks away are throngs of students in bars along the river or, in another direction, crowds of tourists (and locals) at the Place du Capitole. Go see both, but…
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Bilbao, Spain — Meliá Bilbao
Great location, view, and service I am biased because I really love the Melia chain. This location does not disappoint. I love things like the Nespresso coffee maker in the room because, coming from the U.S., I am used to seeing Mr. Coffee. Even with George Clooney on their billboards, Nespresso seems so foreign, so…
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Free Easter Weekend Night at Conde Nast Traveler Gold List Hotel in Houston
I like this hotel, and I love the fine print on the offer. Stay two nights, get 1 free. Here’s the fine print and the cool thing — the free night can be applied to that stay or used for a future reservation. You get a gift certificate at check-out. Rates from $169 per room,…
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Back Forty West, 70 Prince Street (at Crosby), NYC 10012 (SoHo)
There’s a back story for this place: about the original Back Forty over in the East Village, about the previous restaurant at this Prince Street location — the Savoy, and about who prefers which or why. I haven’t lived in NYC since the 70s; I’m just visiting the city; so for me, no worries. For me, it’s…
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Metropolitan Museum $0 Guilt-Free Admission
Sure the Met can always be free, but can you go free, guilt-free? “Two members of the Metropolitan Museum of Art have sued the museum, contending that it misleads the public into thinking that its admission fees – $25 for adults, and less for seniors and students – are mandatory and not simply suggested. (The…
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MAS Rewards is now MeliáRewards — a Review
Introduction to Meliá Hotels Meliá runs 350+ hotels, with many choices in Spain (181) and Portugal (14); coverage of major cities in Europe; a good selection of countries in South America; and 9 hotels in Mexico. In the U.S., you can sample the brand in Atlanta, New York City or Orlando. In Spain and Portugal, you can…
The Hatchery: a blog about my adventures in bird watching
Get there, Stay there, Eat there, Shop there 