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The Helmsley Park Lane, NYC
After you read this post, you could find my conclusion surprising , so I’m putting it right up front: I recommend you book the Helmsley Park Lane hotel for a stay in New York City. My November plan to visit NYC for a long weekend combining business, museum visits, and food, was destroyed by Hurricane…
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$399 Non-stop Roundtrip Istanbul from Washington, D.C. — Once in a lifetime??
Update (March 14, 2013): $399 is gone, but there’s a pretty good fare on Air France “Super Spring Sale.” Purchase before March 26 — as low as $667 New York >< Istanbul round-trip. Departures through April 30. I found March 30 >< April 10 @ $691. Most fares are just under $710. Update (February 20, 2013): We’ve…
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Melia Hotels MAS Rewards points — why I exchanged mine for Skymiles
Update: February 21, 2013. mas Rewards is now MeliáRewards. Additions include a new level, free Internet in many brands, and contests and prizes during the re-branding. More emphasis on (recently added) discounts for members booking directly. First reaction — only a few downgrades: lower breakfast discounts and expiration dates on points. Even the basic…
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Carpentras Flea Market — a nice Sunday Marché aux Puces. Here’s how to find it!
Sunday midday there’s a nice flea market on the outskirts of Carpentras in a lovely tree-lined parking lot. Since it starts at 10 am, you can visit the market in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue early in the morning and then take the short drive up to Carpentras for its combination of art, antiques, and bric-a-brac. Websites that mention…
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Redemption — in the secular sense — Chase ultimate rewards points
Don’t waste your hard-earned rewards points learning how to use them. Follow me as I crawl through a ticketing experience. The background: I wanted two round-trip Business Class tickets from Cincinnati to Barcelona in September. Beginning in January, I hounded Delta.com looking for rewards tickets at the low end of their redemption scale (which runs…
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Thanksgiving in Turkey. Deal Alert! Chicago >< Istanbul $532 r/t.
*March 14, 2013 UPDATE* Even though the deal is over, this post still contains useful information on KLM “Economy Comfort” seating and prices. *FEBRUARY 12, 2013 UPDATE* Istanbul is still an under $500 bargain. Delta from Newark fare must be purchased by February 17 and started by February 24. Other origins possible under $760.…
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O Deux La [O2 LA] Bar Restaurant, Nimes, France
A Treat for Lunch. Worth Finding. My wife and I discovered O2 LA while heading back to our car after a morning walk around Nimes. We were first attracted to the tables outside under a canopy and trees on the Place Des Esclafidous. As we looked at the posted menu and the plaza, we were…
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le 5eme Peche, Collioure, France
While more casual than the area’s Michelin-starred restaurants, the chef’s dedication to his art shows star potential. At dinners, we have experienced top-notch ingredients prepared with care and challenging taste combinations, all beautifully plated. At lunch we were treated as a guest in the home of a great cook, even given recommendations of other delightful…
The Hatchery: a blog about my adventures in bird watching
Get there, Stay there, Eat there, Shop there 