Showing posts in category Travel
By Don Nadeau, on November 28, 2009, in Travel
In the rugged horse country of central San Diego County, where apple orchards thrive in a true four-season climate not found along the coast, you’ll find apple pie shops.
One, the Julian Pie Company, some say, bakes the best commercial pies in America. I certainly found its pies to be quite remarkable and well-worth the drive from San Diego.
Not just apple
Famed for its apple pies, of course, including a popular version with no added sugar, Julian makes a pie for nearly everyone. (See the list below.)
These are sold by the whole pie or by the slice, which you can enjoy inside or at tables outside in season. Many customers opt for both, a slice to eat in the bakery and whole pies—sometimes tall stacks of whole ones–to take away. In addition, most pies are sold online.
At the store, you’ll also find a few other baked items.
With your pie, have Julian’s delicious apple cider. In addition, you can order a large helping of vanilla or a tasty cinnamon ice cream with your pie for just $1.50.
Credit cards are accepted.
Natural ingredients
Julian prepares its pies by hand from fresh fruit. No canned pie fillings or other shortcuts tamper with their delicious flavor.
These pies are a world away from the usual frozen ones found at your supermarket and in many restaurants.
The pecan pie
Good apple pies are relatively easy to make if you use good ingredients and a good recipe. Therefore, I wanted to test this bakery’s mettle, how far it would go to make a great pie.
In my experience, chefs, especially those not from the South, most frequently lose their way when making pecan pies.
So, how did Julian do?
Outstandingly! Julian’s pecan pie is so rich, without being wickedly oversweet, and so very delicious. Again, a world away from most pies found in restaurants and supermarkets.
Out-of-the-way?
You’ll find directions to Julian via Ramona below.
The Julian Pie Company makes a great stop on the way from San Diego to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which along with Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks and the Mojave National Reserve is one of California’s great desert parks. This route takes you the scenic way to Palm Desert and Palm Springs via the Salton Sea.
From Palm Desert, Google Maps leads you through Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Reserve to Las Vegas, a scenic route that actually takes less time than using the Interstates (not counting photo stops and hikes).
Therefore, if you’re traveling to Anza-Borrego, Palm Desert, or Las Vegas from San Diego, you’ll certainly want to route yourself via Julian Pie Company.
Directions from San Diego
Julian Pie Company uses an address in San Ysabel that does not work with Google Maps. Instead, follow these directions:
From San Diego, take the I-8 freeway east to State Highway 67 in El Cajon.
Then go north on Highway 67 into some rugged hill country.
When highway 67 ends at the State Highway 78 intersection in Ramona, continue straight (east) on 78. Do not turn left.
When you reach the small village of Santa Ysabel, Julian Pie does not show up well at the intersection of Highway 79.
Therefore at this intersection, turn left (north) onto 79.
Then turn left immediately into Julian Pie’s parking lot.
This drive is so worth it. You will love Julian pies!
Julian also has a branch in the quaint town of Julian, CA (naturally), east of Santa Ysabel along Highway 79, which I have not tried.
Pies usually available
Expect the following pies to be available in store plus others that come and go:
Regular apple made with Granny Smith apples
Apple with sweet Dutch crumb topping
Natural apple with no added sugar
Natural raspberry apple
Natural blueberry apple
Natural strawberry apple
Cherry
Blackberry
Blueberry
Boysenberry apple
Strawberry rhubarb
Pecan
Pumpkin
Blueberry apple crumb
Links:
Food Network video
Roadfood.com review
Yelp user reviews
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This post gives the pros and cons of Allegiant Airlines to help you decide whether or not to use it. You will also find helpful tips for traveling on Allegiant Air.
Allegiant’s robust finances
At least in the short term, one thing you probably do not have to worry about is Allegiant going out of business before your trip.
Allegiant Airlines, actually Allegiant Travel Company, attracts considerable attention by making big bucks in this down economy, while providing low fares on nonstop routes nearly never served by other airlines.
Allegiant profits in spite of its rock bottom fares (as low as $9 each way LAX to Monterey last summer) by aggressively pushing hotel and car rental packages on its website and by charging fees above its fares that must make other airlines salivate.
How Allegiant operates
Allegiant considers itself a package vacation company, not an airline in the way we usually think of them.
This is a company that thinks deeply about what it does. From selecting viable routes and airports ignored by other airlines to flying only on days of high customer demand, Allegiant maximizes its revenue. In fact, the airline virtually shuts down on Tuesdays, as it sees so little demand for flights that day.
Frankly, Allegiant serves communities that should have been served by Southwest Airlines long ago, but Southwest stubbornly sticks to a rigid formula of adding only new airports that have potential for flights all day, all week long.
On the other hand, Allegiant seems perfectly willing to hire part-time people, in order to serve an airport for as little as once a day several times a week. Based on the money it makes, this has proven to be viable business model.
LAX service
Allegiant looks for opportunities, even when they don’t fit its usual operating patterns.
When told that a lot of its customers in Las Vegas were racking up rental car mileages way beyond normal, Allegiant found that many of these people were using its cheap airfares to Vegas to access Southern California. Research showed what airports these people were coming from and what airport in California would best serve them.
Not known for flying into incredibly busy airports like LAX, Allegiant does now!
The pros – reasons to use Allegiant
The fares!
Remarkably low priced tickets come especially easily if you are flexible about dates and can avoid the high fees for checking bags ($35 each if pay at the airport) and for advance seat selection and priority boarding.
However, even with its fees, Allegiant’s total cost can be a remarkable value.
Allegiant’s policy says fill every plane. To do this, it lowers fares as necessary to often astonishing levels knowing it will make money via its aggressive fees and car rental and hotel sales. Besides, after a certain point, Allegiant has already broken even on a trip and these additional sales are nearly pure profit.
One-way tickets. Like JetBlue and Southwest, you are not penalized for buying one-way tickets on Allegiant. This gives the added flexibility that many people wish.
The service. In my experience so far, Allegiant employees have been unfailingly excellent, cheerful, and professional. I’ve flown with Allegiant into and out of six airports with no problems.
I’ve also talked with many Allegiant Air customers, who’ve reported no unusual concerns other than the online booking fee described below.
The comfortable leather seats. These do not recline, which gives extra legroom and makes using a laptop easier. Because Allegiant offers no “redeye” flights, lack of recline should present no problem.
Nonstop flights. You don’t connect through “hubs” on Allegiant Air. See its route map. Allegiant serves cities that haven’t seen nonstop service to Arizona, California, and Florida for years, if ever, and customers love this.
Note: If you book a connection, you’re on your own. You must reserve and pay for each sector separately. Allegiant will not be responsible if you miss your connection. It’s best to overnight in Las Vegas or another connecting city if you want to connect.
Cons – things you should know
Think of Allegiant as a charter airline. Its flights are scheduled, but it acts as a charter.
That means, for example, that you have to allow extra check in time if you have not printed a boarding pass online or have bags to check. Check in takes time, as Allegiant seems to allot fewer counter agents than some other airlines and fewer passengers show up with boarding passes already printed elsewhere.
Flight delays
As with most charter flights and airlines like Southwest, if there is a mechanical problem, you will NOT be put on another airline. You will wait for the problem to be fixed or for Allegiant to send another plane—even if you are in Grand Rapids and that plane is in Las Vegas.
As a result, Allegiant may not be the airline to take when you have tightly scheduled vital business meetings or a cruise ship to catch.
The fees.
These are really in your face. Allegiant builds its profitability on high fees.
Free water? Ha! Free coffee? You must be joking. Instead, you’ll be offered bottled water for $2.00 or a coffee-like drink for around $4.00 (I believe).
On some flights, Allegiant even has a fun fee that passengers enjoy. You can pay an optional $5 (or more) fee to enter a raffle.
The winner gets half the proceeds ($135 on my last flight), a few runners up receive prizes like beach towels and bags, and—guess whom?—Allegiant gets the rest. As those bags don’t come from Gucci, that residual money adds up.
Checked bag fee
Checked bags set you back $35 each (less if purchased online).
Advanced seat selection fee
Choosing a specific seat usually costs $11.00 to 14.00.
Note: Only passengers who have paid the pre-selected seat fee may use online check-in and print a boarding pass before arriving at the airport.
Already having a boarding pass cuts the check-in time needed, if you have no luggage to check, as you can go directly to security and the gate. (You’ll need to ask someone what gate, though, before proceeding through security.)
Because Allegiant seats are configured two by three, with no more than a one in five chance that you’ll get a middle seat, you may wish to take your chances by not paying for advance seat selection.
Priority boarding fee
Although you can pay the optional priority-boarding fee only if you’ve paid for seat selection, priority boarding may be well worth it.
Priority boarding gives you first crack at the overhead bins.
This cuts the chance that there’ll be no room for a somewhat larger than normal carry on, resulting in a $35 checked bag fee.
Online booking fee
Paying extra to reserve online is Allegiant’s most controversial fee. After all, you are paying to use a procedure that saves the airline money!
Frankly, I believe that the online booking fee is an ill-advised policy—in contrast to so much at Allegiant that is so well thought out. Why have something that attracts so much negative attention and so many unfavorable customer comments?
How many customers will Allegiant lose if it nixes the fee and adds $7.00 to 10.00 to its usually already low fares?
At a conference, I listened to Ponder Harrison, Allegiant’s good-humored Managing Director – Sales and Marketing at the time, defending the fee by saying that you can always make your reservations at an airport to avoid it, but that dog doesn’t hunt.
Allegiant car rentals
Note that several of Allegiant’s busiest airports like Mesa Gateway near Phoenix lack the car rental competition you’ll find at the main airports used by other airlines in these cities. That can make prices higher. Also, the hours some companies are open may be limited.
If you book through Allegiant, normally cancellable car rental reservations become non refundable.
Allegiant hotels
Again, hotels booked through Allegiant become nonrefundable. Make sure the savings are worth it when compared to Hotels.com and to other sites that usually have more liberal cancellation policies.
Customer service
Allegiant does not provide a toll-free number for either reservations or customer service. You can call 1-702-505-8888.
Or, you can present customer service issues to Allegiant’s Twitter account at @allegiantair. Recently, an answer came within moments.
@allegiantair is a good place to keep up-to-date on new routes and specials. Loyal customers are always suggesting new routes.
In conclusion
Overall, passengers love Allegiant Air. Other than its online booking fee, I certainly like this airline. Of course, I don’t travel with several checked bags that can add up to as much as $140.00 extra in fees each trip.
Just be aware that you are not dealing with a traditional airline and keep in mind the cautions and tips above.
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By Don Nadeau, on November 2, 2009, in Hotwire, Travel
As you probably know, for hotel room only reservations, Hotwire like Priceline’s “Name your own price” option does not reveal the name of the hotel where you’ll stay until you pay. You will know its neighborhood, star quality rating, and price, but not its name before you book.
However, you can easily find out typical hotels Hotwire uses in each star quality.
- If you’re traveling to a city where Hotwire offers packages (hotel + airfare and/or car), Hotwire names hotels and resorts. See:
Hotwire.com
Choose one of the “build a package” options, such “Hotel+car.”
There’s no guarantee that you receive one of these hotels or resorts if you book a room only, but you’ll know typical hotels for each neighborhood and star quality that Hotwire is using for your dates of travel.
- I also list many hotels that Hotwire uses and explain exactly what Hotwire’s star quality ratings mean in
“Hotwire Hotel Names and Ratings”
Check these out.
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By Don Nadeau, on October 31, 2009, in Travel
Lately, the subsidies Amtrak receives for long-distance trains have entered the national conversation again. Outrageous, some say.
However, when thinking of rail transportation in the U.S., it is important to remember that more people use New York Penn Station each day than all the airports serving New York City combined. This doesn’t include commuter trains serving Grand Central Station.
Also, somehow the thinking is that all passengers get on at the first station of a long-distance train and get off at the last—”Who’d want to take a train all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles?”—but most passengers travel just portions of these lines.
Favoritism
In spite of being significantly more environmentally friendly, Amtrak must compete with transportation modes that are far more heavily subsidized than it is.
For example, Amtrak must battle airlines whose fees and taxes passengers pay do not begin to cover the costs of airport infrastructure, air traffic control, and security. It must compete unequally with a mode that contributes far more per passenger to energy trade deficits perhaps to the detriment of national security.
Thinking beyond Amtrak
Now, I’m not married to Amtrak. Far from it.
Perhaps those who have operated under a basic survival mentality for years do not possess the creativity and initiative to lead us into a new age of transportation.
It is certainly true that some of the most successful Amtrak operations have been initiated by states, e.g., in California, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington. And, I have experienced excellent service with independent operators like Sir Richard’s Virgin Trains in the UK.
This is not to say that we should necessarily give up control totally to the states or to independent private operators. For example, some states such as Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire have proven unable to coordinate fairly cross border services among themselves. And, the days that private rail companies can easily lay tracks across vast sections of the U.S. are long gone. Some sort of national coordination of services seems necessary, as was done in the UK with private companies.
Leveling the playing field
Passenger rail, even in its existing form, would be more economically viable if the subsidies provided to different modes were made more equal or eliminated altogether. I wonder how many people would fly between Washington and New York, instead of taking the train, if flights were not so heavily subsidized?
From the beginning, Amtrak has been sorely undercapitalized and at the mercy of the railroads it operates on for on-time performance, etc., a situation that severely impacts its public image.
Lack of funding creating inefficiences
With just equipment for one trip or less per day on most Amtrak long-distance routes, people at most stations along these routes cannot make day return trips. In other words, someone in Pasco cannot go to Spokane and come back the same day. This considerably limits the potential of most long-distance rail routes in the U.S.
And, although it tries to serve as many patrons as possible at convenient times, Amtrak does not have the funds for the necessary equipment to make this universally possible.
For example, the sole eastbound trains from these cities leave at
Cleveland 1:54 a.m., 5:20 a.m.
Houston 5:10 a.m.
Little Rock 11:39 p.m. (better than 3:10 a.m. westbound)
Salt Lake City 4:10 a.m.
Spokane 1:15 a.m.
Tucson 1:55 a.m.
These times cannot be helping the financials of trains on these routes.
Moreover, Amtrak not only faces the cost of providing and staffing stations to serve trains at such inconvenient times, it faces the cost of providing and staffing stations on long-distance routes that usually serve just one train each way per day. That is not efficient.
The Sunset Limited
Critics never fail to point out to the most egregious example of Amtrak “waste,” the Sunset Limited from New Orleans to Los Angeles.
Its loss per passenger is truly horrific, but not in this extreme form typical of Amtrak and not immune to improvement. In fact, as nearly unbelievable operational problems on Union Pacific, whose tracks Amtrak uses for this train, improve (and these are improving), we should see the financial performance of the Sunset Limited improve.
Thinking about the future
In closing, I would like to ask that you think about a world with $400 oil. In case that happens, do we really want to reduce our transportation options in the U.S. by shutting down long-distance rail service?
And, although the U.S. Constitution does not call for airline or rail passenger service—of course, none existed at the time–I would ask you to reflect on what the framers of the Constitution were thinking when they felt it important for the Federal government facilitate communication in this country by creating national roads (Article I, Section 8). Did they merely want to move mail about or did they believe it important for Americans to interact and experience each other?
Do we want a country where it is no longer readily possible for anyone besides the most well-to-do to move about?
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New York City hotel prices have gone crazy.
Some 25 years ago, The Plaza in New York broke the $100 for a standard (regular) room barrier for the first time I believe in the U.S. Now, per Hotels.com, these rooms cost $725. One can only imagine what this rate would be if we were not in a recession.
During the last 25 years, few Americans have seen purchasing power increase seven times in conjunction with that New York hotel price. For many, it has decreased.
So, what can you do about NYC hotel rates?
If already using Hotwire.com and Priceline.com, you have a great start. However, there are additional ways to reduce hotel costs.
On this page you find a way that can work on weekends and holidays. I have already posted a technique for weeknight stays.
Think Lower Manhattan – Downtown
The severe price crunch comes in Midtown Manhattan. That’s where most people want to stay, especially on weekends. Nevertheless, as I’ve as asked before, how many Broadway shows will you attend each day?
Once Friday comes, 3- and 4-star business-oriented hotels in Lower Manhattan (“downtown,” as New Yorkers say) clear out, in contrast to Midtown hotels, which fill up. That means bargains downtown.
You may already plan to spend time in Lower Manhattan. After all, this area includes Chinatown, Little Italy, Wall Street, ferries to Staten Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, awesome views of New York Harbor from Battery Park, and the trendy shops and restaurants of SoHo and Tribeca.
And, of course, Lower Manhattan has Ground Zero, including the not-to-be-missed Tribute WTC Visitor Center, with its temporary museum. Various walking tours lead you through this area.
Convenient transportation
You will not be isolated in Lower Manhattan.
Numerous subway lines connect downtown to Midtown, with frequent service. And, because a number of these start and end downtown, you can often sit instead of stand, especially on weekends.
Depending on the line and station, it takes around 13 to 20 minutes to reach 42nd Street. Not bad.
New York’s main subway lines run 24/7 and, outside of weekday rush hours, are generally not overcrowded to or from Lower Manhattan, especially if you use trains such as the “E” ones that do not also serve Brooklyn.
Trains and stations are well patrolled and at least in Manhattan are generally considered safe. (However, do get in cars with–and on station stairs walk with–as many other passengers as possible. Avoid situations where you are nearly the only person around, as you should in any urban situation.)
From your hotel downtown, Chinatown and Little Italy are only one to three subway stops away and Greenwich Village just two stops beyond that.
Both the “A” and “E” lines bring you to the JFK Airport AirTrain that connects to all terminals. And for $14, Super Shuttle vans take you from your hotel to LaGuardia. Taxis generally charge $25 – 40.00 depending on traffic.
For your convenience, consider buying an unlimited ride MTA pass (1-Day Fun Pass or MetroCard) valid for both subways and NYC buses. These are sold for 1, 7, 14, or 30 day periods.
Quality hotels
There are fewer hotels in Lower Manhattan than in Midtown, but some very good ones.
As an example, Priceline uses the 4-star Millenium Hilton. (That’s its spelling.)
Depending on its location, your room looks out either toward the East River and Brooklyn Bridge or toward the Hudson. Some rooms look down upon Ground Zero. You are just steps from the “E” line and within easy walking distance of many sights, including the church next door that George Washington attended on his first inauguration day.
Other hotels include the New York Marriott Downtown, Club Quarters, and Embassy Suites.
Bidding tips
Always start by checking current retail prices. Sometimes you’ll stumble upon a great special:
New York City Hotels from $75!
Then, check the average winning bids Priceline posts for New York City:
See Winning Hotel bids in Top Cities from $28 per night!
I always bid under these prices. If rejected, submit a higher bid for the same neighborhood, dates, and star quality 24 hours later.
However, it’s easy to re-bid immediately if start bidding with the highest star level.
That means you can bid rightaway by going down a star. (You can’t re-bid immediately by going up a star. If you bid for 2-star hotels, Priceline counts that bid toward everything 2-stars and above.)
You can also re-bid immediately by adding a neighborhood, such as adding “Times Square” to “Lower Manhattan.” This new bid counts toward both neighborhoods.
Always make sure your Priceline bid is lower than the Hotwire price for the same neighborhood and star quality:
4-star hotels. 2-star prices. Save up to 55% with low Hotwire Hot-Rates!
These techniques increase your chances to save. Enjoy New York!
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By Don Nadeau, on October 25, 2009, in Hotel Tips, Travel
Although prices have fallen, the popularity of New York City and other factors keep its hotel prices higher than elsewhere in the U.S.
However, finding a value-priced, but very good hotel for your NYC visit is not as hopeless as it may seem. Sometimes you get lucky with this:
New York City Hotels from $75!
Sometimes not.
The crunch comes in Midtown Manhattan. Apparently nearly everyone wants to be in or near the Theatre District, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center. One question, of course, is how much time you’ll actually spend at these? After all, most of us are not attending Broadway plays all day long.
Using Priceline.com, two reasonably convenient alternatives have worked well for me. Here’s one of them, with the second to follow in day or so.
Jersey City – Weeknights
No, I’m not nuts—well, at least not in this case. Just across the Hudson, Jersey City sits one subway stop away from Manhattan. Its waterfront has been revitalized with new commercial, condo, and apartment complexes—and new hotels.
The Hyatt Regency
Can you guess what I paid for the fine 4-star Hyatt Regency Jersey City during the week prior to Labor Day weekend this year?
Seventy-eight dollars. Yes, $78 per night plus taxes and fees with Priceline, and I might have seized it for a little less if I’d had more time for re-bids.
What did I get for that—a mop storage room?
My Hyatt-perfect standard (that means I wasn’t upgraded) second floor room offered clear views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Hudson River, and the skyline of Lower Manhattan. As if these were not enough, Hyatt provided a reasonable sized flat screen television. The bed and furnishings were as comfortable and the staff as friendly and professional as could be.
What about other rooms in this hotel?
Hyatt built its hotel on a pier that sticks out into the river. Rooms on the other side look north along the Hudson toward the Empire State Building and the Midtown skyline. However, I am not sure how far out on the pier you have to be to have a full water view from that direction.
Ground floor guest rooms could also be a problem, as these directly adjoin the walkway that follows the Jersey City waterfront. On the other hand, my room was immediately above these with no noise problems.
Other hotels
ALL the 3- and 4-star hotels that Priceline uses in Jersey City are on or across the street from the waterfront. Although the equivalent of a block away, the 3-star Doubletree hotel room I stayed in on a previous visit also looked out at the Hudson.
Of course, not all hotels are nearly as spectacular as the Hyatt, but all 3- and 4-star hotels in Jersey City have been built in recent years and are well located.
Excellent Manhattan access
ALL of these hotels have convenient PATH subway access to Manhattan, either to the Wall Street area or to New York Penn Station via Greenwich Village and Chelsea. PATH also runs to Newark Penn Station for connections to Newark Airport and to Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains.
On weekdays, NY Waterway ferries sail from docks near the hotels to either Midtown Manhattan, with free bus transfers along major streets in Midtown, or to one of two docks in the Financial District. These fast boats offer a scenic and uplifting way to access Manhattan for $6.00. This is the company whose crews saved the lives of many on US Airways flight 1549 that crashed in the Hudson River.
How to bid
HINT: Bid on 4-star hotels first.
If fail, you can immediately bid on 3-star ones. Avoid lower star hotels in Jersey City, as you may not be near a convenient Manhattan transfer.
You can try bidding for weekends, but word as gotten out. You’ll also miss the NY Waterway transfers on weekends.
There’s no guarantee of cheap rates. There are not a lot of 3- and 4-star hotels in Jersey City.
Why so low?
Why so inexpensive compared to New York City just across the river?
As Wall Street boomed in the 1980’s and 90’s, companies looked to the Jersey City waterfront to expand. Real estate cost less and taxes were cheaper. As an example of new construction, the Goldman Sachs tower a block from the Hyatt Regency became the tallest building in New Jersey.
First-class and deluxe hotels followed these companies, but with the extreme cutbacks in the financial sector since 9/11, Jersey City hotels beg for business on many weeknights.
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By Don Nadeau, on October 13, 2009, in Hotel Tips, Travel
If you like challenges, try to find a good value, less expensive decent hotel in New York City.
You’d think with the recession prices would be more moderate, but no. Here are the main reasons why and more. I know these won’t really ease the pain!
1.
Even after 9/11, British and European travelers flocked to New York due to exceptionally favorable exchange rates. Besides, New York City was “in” with American travelers and still is. These factors helped keep hotel prices considerably higher than elsewhere, as seen by examples from Hotels.com below.
Las Vegas Hilton $45.95
Hilton Washington, $171.74
Hilton Chicago, $138.60 – $242.10
Hilton New York $399.00
2.
New York City has long been constrained by geography. It can no longer simply expand out onto large tracks of thinly populated and very inexpensive land as can a Phoenix.
3.
Nevertheless, even when there are opportunities, the city has failed to appreciate and act upon the economic harm—meals, entertainment, tours, and retail items not purchased–caused by prospective visitors either reducing the number of nights they stay or not coming at all because of lack of affordable hotel choices. Tourism generates huge auxiliary revenue, and New York is not getting its share.
Adding New York City’s hotel tax of 5.875% to a combined city and state sales and use tax of 8.875% does not help a bad situation.
More importantly, even though Manhattan may lack land and building stock inexpensive enough for budget hotel development, there are underutilized neighborhoods such as immediately across the East River in the Long Island City that could be made attractive with better streets, landscaping, and transit options for tourists, along with powerful tax incentives for developers of budget hotel accommodation.
4.
New York’s real estate boom of the 1980’s and 1990’s decimated the stock of small and moderate cost hotels. These “cashed out” to convert to expensive condos and high-level commercial uses, a trend that also impacted 4-star hotels. In addition, huge prospective rent increases forced out many restaurants favored by travelers, such as the Second Avenue Deli (now happily reopened elsewhere) and the former Zen Palette on Union Square.
As a result, there is not one inexpensive (by NYC standards) hotel left in Manhattan that I feel fully comfortable recommending. You pay significantly more than in other American cities for a so-called 1-, 2-, and sometimes even a 3-star hotel and still often end up with an uncomfortably-sized inferior room with serious maintenance issues that may even smell.
You are considerably safer with 3.5- and higher hotels, especially 4-star ones, but even Hotwire and Priceline can have problems helping with the high rates for these.
Not hopeless
There is hope, however.
Soon, I’ll give special NYC booking and bidding tips to help you save.
Also, with real estate prices declining, we may be seeing the beginning of “spend thrifty” hotel upgrades, such as the new fantastic seeming Pod Hotel conversion in Midtown that I have not yet visited.
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By Don Nadeau, on September 13, 2009, in Travel
I’ve posted a walking tour of the World Trade Center Ground Zero site and Wall Street Financial area.
This itinerary differs from standard walks in several ways. For example, you legally enter the actual Ground Zero site (in a way unknown to most tourists) and also observe the area from the Hudson River and from across river.
I’ve tried to balance the sadness and possibly anger generated by experiencing the aftermath of 9/11 with the exhilaration of being in a great city.
Most importantly, I’ve tried to create an itinerary that respects the nearly 3,000 people murdered in the 9/11 attacks and the thousands more loved ones and others so deeply impacted by that day.
Your comments are welcome.
http://www.bidontravel.com/travel/wtcwalktour.html
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You’ve booked a Priceline “Name your own price” hotel room and car rental. Hopefully, you’ve paid a lot less than others for these. But, does that leave you vulnerable to whatever comes?
Well, yes and no.
At the rental car counter
If you’ve reserved a car or better hotel, I urge you to present its frequent traveler card or at least its number.
With the rental car, you probably won’t get points or the ability to bypass the counter, but you may receive special service with the card.
For example for a recent “Name your own price” Priceline Hertz reservation, the agent appreciated being able to use my Hertz #1 Club Gold number to pull up easily my credit card and other personal information. He then assigned me a vehicle in the #1 Club lot that was nearly new.
At hotel check in
You may find the same with hotels. You may not be upgraded from the standard room you normally receive with a “Name your own price” or Hotwire reservation, but you are unlikely to receive an inferior room last on the list to be renovated.
In addition, the guest clerk will probably try to do more to fulfill any special requests you may have. (See “Hints to help your hotel stay go smoothly” below.)
Dressing for success
I also believe that you should dress appropriately for these interactions. Like it or not, the people who monitor the gateways to the best establishments judge us by our appearance.
That does not mean that you need to dress in a business suit to check into the New York Hilton, but you shouldn’t arrive looking as if you just hiked the Appalachian Trail—for 10 days.
Even Ewan McGregor, the actor who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in three Star Wars films, insists he was turned away from a Holiday Inn Express in Oklahoma because it didn’t recognize him in dirty motorcycle garb. If he can be treated like that, what about the rest of us hoping for a little more comfort as we travel?
Presenting a “power” credit card
The credit card you present represents you. An American Express card, the Citibank AAdvantage® MasterCard, or similar card indicates, rightly or wrongly, that you are a frequent traveler who will likely return if satisfied.
See additional tips, such as how to get a free upgrade, at “Hints to help your hotel stay go smoothly.”
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By Don Nadeau, on August 4, 2009, in Travel
That you need to have a car to experience the scenic wonders of Canada and the U.S. is a given in many people’s minds, but it’s simply not true. Although you won’t be able to access some places, you certainly won’t miss enjoying many of the most famous national parks and other beautiful sights if you don’t wish to use a car.
This tells how it’s done using Amtrak, Greyhound, and other public transportation.
Some parks accessible for overnight stays without a car
Grand Canyon National Park
You can easily reach the Grand Canyon via public transportation. On Amtrak, you can even often include Grand Canyon National Park in your itinerary at no extra cost.
Amtrak connects to Grand Canyon Railway trains at Williams, AZ (Williams Junction) and to Open Road shuttles at Flagstaff. You may have to stay overnight in Flagstaff.
Greyhound also connects to Open Road at Flagstaff. In addition, Open Road can transfer you to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix airport.
Both the Grand Canyon Railway and Open Road Tours arrive at the South Rim within easy walking distance of the lodges and Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village. It’s essential to book accommodation ahead.
On the other hand, you may wish to base at least part of your stay in Flagstaff, which has many motels and hostels near the stations.
From Flagstaff, Open Road offers day tours to the canyon stopping at various viewing points along the South Rim, to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, to Monument Valley and the Navajo reservation, as well as others.
Yosemite National Park
Both Amtrak and Greyhound make it very easy to reach Yosemite National Park, with connections to YARTS buses at Merced, CA. YARTS connections are shown on Amtrak.com.
YARTS stops at or very near all your accommodation choices in Yosemite Valley. Once there, trams, day tours, and short walks take you to all the major sights, including Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove not in the valley.
You can take a day tour to Yosemite via Amtrak from San Francisco, but it’s a shame to spend so little time in the park. That gives you the highlights, however.
Banff National Park
It’s simple to access incredibly scenic Banff National Park via Greyhound Canada and Rocky Mountaineer trains, which are considerably more expensive than Greyhound, from both Calgary and Vancouver.
Once in the park, you’ll find a nice selection of Brewster Canada day tours of Banff park sights such as Lake Louise and nearby national parks.
Jasper National Park
It’s also very easy to reach Jasper National Park via Greyhound Canada and by Via Rail, Canada’s national rail network.
Greyhound operates daily and Via Rail three times per week through the park from Edmonton and Vancouver. Via Rail also serves the park from Prince Rupert on the coast, where you connect from BC Ferries or Alaska Marine Highway, the state ferry service.
Brewster offers day tours of Jasper and bus service to Banff.
Redwood national and state parks
These are more difficult to visit, as your accommodation choices are limited in this isolated area of California without a car, but possible.
Both Amtrak (via buses) and Greyhound serve Arcata, CA, from San Francisco. From their shared terminal, Del Norte County Public Transit route 20 serves Redwood Hostel just off Highway 101 (not shown in timetable). Book the hostel, which has a simply stunning view of the redwood coast, in advance. Also, call Del Norte Transit prior to your return trip, because the hostel is not an automatic stop.
Bicyclists may wish to look into using Del Monte Transit to Crescent City and then renting bikes there for close by Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, which offers camping. In my opinion, this is as beautiful as any state park in California. You’ll also be in easy range of the northern section of Redwood National Park.
Bikes may also be available in Arcata to access the southern redwood parks, including the southern portion of Redwood National Park or all the parks in the area if you’re a Ragbrai-type power rider.
Unfortunately, the only way to exit this area by public transport is to return toward San Francisco. Through service up the Oregon coast has been discontinued.
Accessible by day tours in season
Mount Rainier National Park
Gray Line of Seattle offers a 10-hour tour to scenic Mount Rainier National Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park and Pikes Peak
Gray Line of Denver has a fine 10-hour tour to Rocky Mountain National Park. This takes you along the awesomely scenic Trail Ridge Road, which gives views of many Rocky Mountain peaks—from above!
You’ll also visit Grand Lake, Winter Park, and other sights before returning to Denver via a different route.
Because it takes so long to remove the heavy snows that close it during the winter season, Trail Ridge Road may not open until sometime in June. Note too that travelers with heart conditions may wish to consult their doctors before booking this tour, as it travels to over 12,000 feet.
Another worthwhile Gray Line of Denver tour takes you from Denver to Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods (a park with beautiful rock formations in the foothills of the Rockies), and the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs. In this case, you’ll climb to over 14,000 feet at the top of Pikes Peak. Very highly recommended.
These are just some examples. Enjoy!
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