Get there, Stay there, Eat there, Shop there

Category: Get There

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Air France Award Ticket bargains for July & August

    Every two months, Air France announces their “Promo Awards,” super good deals — 25 to 50% off — for redeeming rewards miles*.  There are usually specials for each of their “regions**,” but during May and June we (North America) had no deals.  For July and August, we scored! About a week before the official announcement,  Air…

  • $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…

  • 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…

  • Buying what could be free — US Airways off-peak award to Europe

    Update (November 21, 2012):  Off-peak availability for 60k mile roundtrips in Business Class is gone.  If you didn’t get on the plane with me this year, I look forward to seeing you in 2013! Background:   I recently read (on http://milevalue.com) that the US Airways Airbus 330 is the flagship of their Business Class. US…

  • 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…

  • 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.…