I’m sure you have been sitting on the edge of your seats to find out how I managed with my overnight stay at the Ice Hotel in Suite 11. Well, surprisingly enough, I slept quite soundly – in fact, it was a rather restful night’s sleep! I think this can be attributed to a couple of things: 1. I didn’t get much sleep 2 days before my trip – and 2. The cold air in the Ice Hotel is pure and rich in oxygen.
Since clocks aren’t standard equipment in the Ice Hotel’s guest and suites, I relied on my cell phone to provide my 6:30am wake-up call. Why so early? Well, I wanted to get a jump on the day – plus, the Ice Hotel has a policy that all rooms must be vacated before 9:00am (after this time, the Ice Hotel turns into a museum until the evening). Even though I used my cell phone to provide my wake-up call, the hotel’s staff will provide a couple of in-person wake-up calls. Anyway, upon waking up, I immediately realized how raw my throat was (this is from breathing extremely cold air during the night). But, within the hour that I arrived in the warmed chalet, my throat was just fine (…I guess I had to unthaw…). As I stated in my last post, BRING THROAT LOZENGES for the overnight stay. After getting ready for the day, the hotel provides a hearty buffet breakfast in the chalet which consists of: A selection of cereals, scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes, pastries, juice, coffee, etc. Trust me, in cold weather conditions, a “lite California diet” is not apropos. Dining heartily is encouraged and much needed. Paula Deen fans UNITE!
Each suite at the Ice Hotel are truly unique detailed works of art and they change from year to year! See for yourself…..
And take a look at the intricate artistry at this entryway!
Before heading to Quebec’s Old City this morning, The Travelocity Roaming Gnome and I took a detailed tour of the Ice Hotel. Upon entering the hotel’s lobby, we immediately marveled at the crystalline surroundings (everything and I do mean EVERYTHING is made of ice!). From the front desk, to the bar (replete with ice “shot glasses”), to the “Ice Slide” – that will help you channel your inner child – you will be amazed at every square inch of the Ice Hotel that is truly a work of art and an engineering marvel. This was further underscored when Mr. Jacques Desbois (President of Hotel de Glace) informed me that the Ice Hotel is not made from snow or Ice that is indigenous to Quebec City. The crystal-like ice (which make up the clear bricks along the hotel’s exterior walls as well as the pillars within the hotel) come from a special water processor in Montreal – and – the walls of the Ice Hotel are over 4 feet thick and consists of Snice (a combination of snow and ice) that is created from the hotel’s snow machine.
Look at all of this crystal-like beauty! Sheer magnificence!
To keep their growing roster of guests as repeat guests, Mr. Desbois plans to add Cross Country Skiing as one of the hotel’s outdoor activities, as well as a permanent ice art gallery. Both of which will be unique to North America’s extension of the original Ice Hotel in Sweden. Based on the totality of my conversation with the very forward-thinking and innovative Mr. Desbois, I’m sure that the within the next 10 years, the Ice Hotel Quebec may end up being called the Ice Resort Quebec. I am truly looking forward to seeing Hotel de Glace evolve in the coming years and I am happy to be in a very unique club of folks to have enjoyed a stay there.
The Travelocity Roaming Gnome is about to take a break and enjoy a sophisticated libation at the Ice Hotel’s Ice Bar.
Since the Ice Hotel is new and different every year, everything which is featured in the Winter 2011-2012 Ice Hotel will be totally different from what will be seen in the Winter 2012-2013 Ice Hotel (some things may appear similar, but there’s no guarantee that this will be the case). That said, I strongly recommend that you bring a camera that is designed to withstand cold temperatures because you’ll want to chronicle all of the creativity and engineering of the Ice Hotel as it is truly eye candy!
The Roaming Gnome’s brief moment as an Eskimo.
After checking out of the Ice Hotel, The Roaming Gnome and I headed to Old Quebec for a tour. Being one of the oldest cities in North America, Old Quebec is rich in history and a MUST visit for anyone traveling to Eastern Canada. Donna gives a really nice overview of Old Quebec in our Quebec City episode, take a look:
While visiting here, there many things that you must experience – so plan to visit here for 5 days minimum (6-7 days if you plan to visit in the Winter). Everywhere you look, there’s something new to experience. You see, this town has been around since the 1600’s and the setting of Old Quebec will give you a sense that you’ve been transported back in time…..and in many regards, to a different continent altogether.
Old Quebec City as seen from the top of the Observatoire de la Capitale (Capital Observatory). From here you can also see the winding and ice-filled St. Lawrence River. This is also here where the origin of the name “Quebec City” and the province of “Quebec” comes from. “Quebec” is an Algonguin word which means: “Where the river narrows.”
All around Old Quebec, you’ll find so many great works of art including this popular mural
While touring the quaint public areas of Old Quebec, I happened upon a very unassuming boutique named La Fudgerie…..and I am certainly glad that I entered the place! The fragrance of the boutique was pleasantly overwhelming, but that is just the beginning. All I will say is this: La Fudgerie is famous for its fudge but, in my opinion, they also make has THE BEST hot chocolate in North America! Now if you can recall, a certain large coffee chain (which I will leave nameless) had a gourmet chocolate beverage called “Chantico” from a few years ago, you may remember that it was served in a large “shot cup” and it was extremely thick, extremely rich, and very fatty. Chantico was pretty much a commercialized, albeit luxurious, hot dipping chocolate sauce that was best designed for Spanish Churros. La Fudgerie’s hot chocolate has some similarities to Chantico, but their hot chocolate is truly “drinkable” (you don’t need a spoon to enjoy it) and you don’t feel sluggish and tired after drinking it. What’s more, La Fudgerie takes this already perfect hot chocolate a step further by adding a whisper of Jamaican spice to the top of the drink. C’est si bon! If you are a foodie like me – or a chocoholic – you’ll have to visit La Fudgerie as many times as possible many times while you are visiting Quebec City. One visit would really just be a tease. Like the Ice Hotel, La Fudgerie is indeed a one-of-a-kind experience!
Carole Coulombe reigns supreme as manager of the Champlain branch of La Fudgerie
Since I’m talking about food now, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about a unique Quebecois dish that originated just a few blocks from La Fudgerie……
Practically everyone has enjoyed French Fries at some point. Personally, I am partial to the thick cut “steak” fries that can be found at Fatburger (in L.A.) or Red Robin (…sorry for mentioning a chain restaurant in this post folks – I only do so as a point of reference…). Having these fries with some chili or some type of dipping sauce (other than plain ketchup) is an OCCASIONAL indulgence that I enjoy. But, there’s no way that the French Fry dish that I’m about to mention can be duplicated to perfection outside of Quebec City. This dish is called Poutine and it originated at Chez Ashton. This dish consists of French Fries, brown gravy and FRESH cheese curds that “squeak” as you chew (I must emphasize the FRESH part since there are some places that use cheese that melts….and that’s foul!). I have had Poutine before, but Chez Ashton makes one that is perfect! Like the song goes: “Ain’t nothing like the real thing baby!”.
A perfect midday snack in cold weather, Chez Ashton’s Poutine!
After touring Quebec City from the ground, I thought it would be great for The Roaming Gnome and I to see this dynamo of a city from the air. So we headed to the airport for a wonderful 30-minute flight above Quebec City with Capitale Hélicoptère. While on vacation in Hawaii years ago, I took a helicopter tour which was quite nice. I initially thought that the Capitale Hélicoptère experience would be very similar to what I experienced in Hawaii – but upon entering their facility I was completely amazed by the vastness of their operations, maintenance facility and especially all of the cutting edge helicopters that they own. Let me clarify that: They don’t own ANY broke-down Bell Jet-Ranger helicopters! (if you are an aviation buff like I am, you can fully appreciate my statement). Capitale Hélicoptère owns 12 advanced Eurocopter helicopters including: 5 AS350 B2’s, 4 EC130 B4’s, 2 AS350 B3’s and 1 EC120 B and they are currently constructing a brand new (and massive) VIP Hangar to house all of their “hardware” and to addressing all of the maintenance required to keep the their equipment operating far above manufacturer specifications. The newest helicopters in their fleet are the EC130 B4’s and believe me when I tell you, that is one line of sexy choppers! Just see the picture below. The EC130 B4 is a light 7-8 seat single engine helicopter which offers exceptional qualities of silence, comfort and space. It carries the most passengers of any helicopter in its class and it flies higher and faster than any passenger helicopter flying today. Like I said, it’s sexy……and you can equate it to being a Lamborghini for the sky!
One of Capitale Hélicoptère’s brand new EC130 B4′s
Alas, I won’t be flying in one of EC130 B4′s today’s flight (hopefully I will during my next visit to Quebec City – it is such an amazing looking chopper!). Today I will be flying in the AS350 B2 (which is a far, far newer version of the helicopter that I flew in Hawaii and it is the helicopter of choice for most local news stations and law enforcement agencies in major U.S. cities). Once I boarded this immaculate helicopter, Captain Guy Lajoie went through all of the necessary procedures to ensure our safety. Not long after that, Captain Lajoie started the engine and within a few minutes we were airborne. It always fascinates me how modern helicopters are able to perform – and it’s always a beautiful thing when you have a finely tuned aircraft and a knowledgeable pilot to fly it. After take-off from Jean Lesage Quebec City International Airport, we headed southeast and flew over the airports’ main terminal and then we turned left to head north towards Old Quebec. After a few moments of flying over snowy Quebec City, we headed toward the St. Lawrence River to get a riverside vantage point of Old Quebec. In a matter of minutes, we were hovering around the historic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Parliament House and the Plains of Abraham……..where the annual Carnavale de Quebec takes place every year. So that you can get a clear idea about my overall flight experience, have a look at the video below – I’ll let the images do the talking….
Captain Lajoie is the most skilled helicopter pilot I have ever come across. From takeoff to landing, I had no concerns for my safety since he didn’t perform any risky maneuvers and the helicopter was in perfect condition. When in Quebec City, a helicopter tour with Capitale Hélicoptère is a must.
Before I go further, I need to quickly tell you about a local family-owned restaurant that you must visit either on your way to or from the airport: Pizzeria 67. The pizza here is great. Particularly, the crust is a work of art! Take a look at this photo (……and yes, those are fries with the pizza! It’s Quebec, in the Wintertime……and you need to keep up your strength – that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it!).
Tastiness from Pizzeria 67!
One of the main purposes of my visit to Quebec City was to experience the Quebec Winter Carnival. We highlighted the Carnival within the Quebec City episode of “andiamo!” (above) – but as I indicated in my last blog post, when you’re in production, you don’t have a lot of time to “stop and smell the roses.” However, during this visit to the Carnival, I was able to really enjoy the event in greater detail.
Carnival visitors getting ready to start their day
The Quebec Winter Carnival takes place every late-January / early-February on Old Quebec’s Plains of Abraham (Quick history lesson: In 1759, The Plains of Abraham was the location of a 30-minute battle which was a deciding conflict that influenced the creation of Canada). For over 57 years, the Quebec Winter Carnival has been the largest Winter festival in the world that continues to be a major economic engine for the Quebec City region. The Carnival’s iconic ambassador is the jolly bon vivant snowman, Bonhomme Carnaval, and The Roaming Gnome had the pleasure to enjoy a photo and a quick chat with him. Factoid: Bonhomme Carnaval is the only non-Disney character to be allowed on the property of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and interact with Mickey Mouse (additionally, Mickey and Co. visited the Quebec Winter Carnival in 1995 as guests of Bonhomme Carnaval).
The Roaming Gnome meets the great Canadian icon, Bonhomme Carnaval
The Roaming Gnome enjoying lunch with the lovely Ms. Bergeron!
Backstage at the Winter Carnival: The Roaming Gnome enjoys an interview with effervescent Rose and Guy-Mauve
“Snow Angel” by, The Roaming Gnome
(Hmmmmm….this moment seems a little too familiar….almost like one of my recent commercials….would someone please toss me a snow shovel?)
As I journeyed throughout the Carnival, I many of you would be surprised to know that I DID NOT wear any socks while wearing my McMurdo II snow boots by The North Face. Why? Well, these boots are quite comfortable and I wanted to see if they could withstand extremely cold weather (they are rated to perform to -30 degress Fahrenheit temperatures). Plus – my feet were getting VERY hot in the thermal socks that I brought when wearing them with the snowboots. So, let me the first to tell you, I wore these snow boots the entire trip without socks and I was just fine. This is a testament to the quality of the materials that The North Face uses in their products. One thing I should also point out about The North Face’s Freedon snow pants and their Khumbu jacket: You don’t need to layer too much. During my last trip to Quebec City, I wore no less than 2 sweaters and I was still cold. This time, I didn’t wear as much and I was nice and warm the entire trip. Bottom line, make the investment by purchasing sound Winter gear from The North Face. I promise, you will be happy that you did and you’ll thank me for the suggestion.
The Roaming Gnome amongst all of The North Face’s Winter Gear at The Ice Hotel (The North Face is a participating sponsor of the Ice Hotel)
The Quebec Winter Carnival is truly a family affair! When visiting the Carnival, you’ll see families are out and about enjoying the attractions and culinary treats – and some people even some bring their dogs with them to enjoy the Carnival! You’ll even see parents pulling their little ones around on snowsleds – and to me, it is one of the funniest things in the world to see these kids bundled up so tightly (that they can barely move- HA!) while enjoying the scenery.
The kid on the sled is thinking: “Why walk? I’ve got it made!”
And this kid is thinking: “What? We’re having a coffee klatch here? I wanna see Bonhomme! So somebody better drag me to him with the quickness!”
Fido here is thinking: “Don’t you have anything else better to do than to take a picture of a dog with socks on? Geez! What you should do is buy me some of that nifty gear from The North Face!”
One of the most impressive things to enjoy at the Carnival is The International Snow Sculpture Contest! This is where artists from around the world converge on Old Quebec to create figurative or abstract works of art from individual themes. Have a look:
Amazing!
Yes, that IS a lot of snow!
This is the best way to see bears up close….
And the snowtubing….. glorious! Take a look:
After enjoying such a grand time at the Quebec Winter Carnival, you’ll want to enjoy a wonderful stay at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac! This hotel is Quebec City’s landmark and is the most rarefied hotel experiences that one could enjoy. Take a look at The Roaming Gnome’s self-explanatory visit:
The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac’s is known the world over for it’s wonderful local cuisine and even the honey produced by the bees in their rooftop herb garden. This is THE place to stay for a well-rounded Quebecois experience! Be sure to watch the Quebec City episode of “andiamo!” as Donna highlights this property with one of the hotel’s managers:
As our trip to Quebec City comes to an end, Bonhomme Carnival bids The Roaming Gnome a found farewell and thanks him for visiting Quebec City.
In my last post, I espoused the virtues of flying Air Canada and promised that I was going to get to root of they are able to land aircraft so smoothly. Well, the promise is fulfilled! I had the privilege to interview Captain Claude Saint-Martin who is a Captain for Air Canada’s Boeing 767′s and he is also the airline’s Director of Corporate Fuel Efficiency:
Air Canada is known the world over for having pilots who take extra special care to land aircraft with a great deal of care (avoiding hard landings which are common with U.S. carriers). Please briefly discuss the pilot training and processes necessary so that passengers on every AC flight experience such smooth landings.
It is part of our culture to fly the aircraft in the best possible way, we have an excellent training program and our pilots take pride in giving our customers the best possible experience. As for technique, there are no secrets except for taking it seriously and always being open to tips provided by pilots with greater experience. A smooth landing is always an objective but safety will always come first. Our procedures dictate that the aircraft should land within the first 1500 feet of the runway to respect the landing distance calculations. If the aircraft, for whatever reason, is approaching that limit, the pilot will perform perhaps a harder landing and not compromise safety for comfort. It takes skill to make a smooth landing within the required distance; fortunately, most of our pilots have that talent.
On a recent flight between Vancouver and Montreal, there was no turbulence whatsoever. How does AC know to avoid rough air where some airlines seem to do whatever they can to fly through turbulence?
We do our best to avoid turbulence, and again it is a question of culture. Our flight planning system is sophisticated and provides predictions of turbulence as well as reports from other aircraft. Our dispatchers will gather all that information and plan a route which will minimize the periods of turbulence. But sometimes it is not possible to avoid all areas of turbulence, so we just try harder to keep it to a minimum.
So there you have it. Now it’s off to the airport for our Air Canada flight home….
Clearly The Travelocity Roaming Gnome was the “star” on the flight home and I was able chronicle his experience. He truly was the model passenger and gives Air Canada very high marks for it’s great in-flight service
The Roaming Gnome is honored to sit in the Captain’s seat before the flight…..however, he’s missing something…..
That’s better!
Hot towel? But of course!
A lovely Chilean red and some mixed nuts
A Mesclun salad with tomato, asparagus, semi-dried tomato and Parmesan with a balsamic vinaigrette and a baguette with butter….
…simply wonderful!
Ah! The main course……
Mezanni pasta in a rose cream sauce with mixed vegetables and mozzarella!
….palate cleansing time…..
And now I’m getting my just desserts!!! 
Freshly baked oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies with a vanilla ice cream……I’m in Heaven!
That cup of tea Producer Jason is getting looks most inviting…..may I have a cup please?
Now, time for a movie and then a nap
The Roaming Gnome greets his fellow passengers as they leave the aircraft.
Special thanks to the wonderful Air Canada in-flight team who made The Roaming Gnome and Producer Jason feel so welcome during the flight!
My Travelpro Platinum 7 luggage has traveled over 30,000 miles and has experienced the extreme heat and monsoon-like rains of Thailand, to the mild and temperate climate of the South of France, to the extremely cold temperatures of Quebec City…..and still, this luggage looks and performs as the day that I took delivery of the luggage. Even a weird situation during a trip on the Paris Metro (where the doors practically closed on my luggage), my luggage has never caved in performance in any way. About 10 years ago, some luggage (from another company that I will leave nameless), became unusable from a trip to the UK, Belgium and France…..and this was after its 3rd use! For that trip, the baggage issues were from the airline that mishandled it (…not Air Canada…). My point is this: Luggage should last far beyond a few uses. So, let me go out on a limb and get blunt for a moment: If you want to get the full value from purchasing luggage, then don’t buy it from a “big box” store. Most of the luggage that those retailers sell have inferior fabrics and the stitching and zippers tend to be weak. I speak from experience. That said, you can see my luggage below, at the airport, right after I picked them up from baggage claim and while I’m waiting for my car ride home. This is Travelpro Platinum 7′s luggage in a real world environment: No staging, no special lights or Photoshopping.
As you can see, it looks great! The handles work, the wheels perform like new, the fabric is un-snagged and the zippers function perfectly. You’re probably wondering what the inside looks like. Let me assure you, it looks perfect as well. In fact, for my next journey, I will give you insight as to how I am able to pack for a 7-day trip and you will see the inside of the luggage in all of its wonderful glory!
Living in Southern California has its advantages – but as a resident, one thing that we aren’t able to experience fully is a real changing season. Don’t get me wrong, we do see leaves fall – in Fall – and there’s colder weather and occasional rain – in Winter. Beyond that we have what many consider to be an enviable climate. But I still enjoy experiencing a “real Winter”…..and since a “real Winter” is unlikely ever to happen in SoCal, it makes perfect sense for me to travel TO the weather I’m looking for rather than waiting for it to show up. So you’ll understand my rationale to travel to Eastern Canada between the months of December and March……because “real Winters” exist there – particularly in Quebec City.
We produced an episode of “andiamo!” in Quebec City a few years ago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO4d6-hOY2M) and I was very happy with the “real Winter” that Quebecers experience. What I enjoyed even more was how they managed to have fun in cold weather and that experience stayed with me. So recently, I invited the Travelocity Roaming Gnome to join me on a wonderful trip to Quebec City, sans video camera crew and accoutrements (which we normally have for every production of “andiamo!”. And this time, I decided to stay at the Hotel de Glace (Quebec’s Ice Hotel; read on to see what my experience was like). I’ve got to tell you, this trip to Quebec City was most immersive and I was able to experience a great deal, with great enjoyment (A side note: Television production is a very focused and schedule driven process – oftentimes, you aren’t able to take a lot of time to “stop and smell the roses”).
The Travelocity Roaming Gnome is ready for departure on Air Canada!
From a preparation perspective, I made sure that I had the right type of Winter gear. The mistake I made during my last visit to Quebec City was “staying warm” the way we normally do during SoCal Winters: Jeans, sweaters, etc. However, when you travel to Eastern Canada in the Wintertime, you NEED the right type of gear to counter the extremely cold air, winds and wet snow. Cotton may be the “fabric of our lives,” but trust me; you’ll freeze your derriere completely off if you wear cotton in moist sub-zero temperatures (the coldness will be felt all the way to your bones…..and that’s not a good thing). For this trip, I decided to use The North Face brand for my winter gear needs and I am very glad that I did! More on that in a moment.
When I travel to Canada, I always fly Air Canada since (in my honest opinion) they are simply the best major airline in North America. However, on this trip, I wanted to try and experience Air Canada from a regional perspective – so I booked my flights to Quebec City as follows: Los Angeles to Vancouver, Vancouver to Montreal and Montreal to Quebec City. Flying Air Canada internationally has always been a joyful experience, but I wanted to see how they perform domestically (within Canada) by witnessing how they treat their Canadian passengers……and the Roaming Gnome.
The Roaming Gnome enjoying an article from Air Canada’s “En Route” magazine with Air Canada Concierge, Virna Bertolo
Since I checked-in for my flight on Air Canada’s iPhone app 24 hours prior to departure (and received boarding passes on my iPhone), I cleared TSA security and headed to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge where I basked in a civil and unhurried environment prior to my flight. Air Canada has effortlessly mastered the ability to translate the civil and unrushed pace on the ground to what is experienced while in flight. Gracious and attentive service, wonderful cuisine, one of the best in-flight entertainment systems in the sky, etc. – these are things that one that make traveling throughout North America pure joy.
Upon approach in Vancouver I placed close attention to see if I would experience a trademark smooth Air Canada landing. Suffice it to say, I was quite happy with the pilot’s skills as the landing was perfect (this is the norm for Air Canada). Once I deplaned, I was met by the very friendly Julie Howard who is one of Air Canada’s brilliant Concierges. While she escorted me from the gate area through the vast and well lit terminal to the customs and immigration area, she took a genuine interest in my travel plans to Quebec City while also gaving me some excellent tips to navigate the airport arrivals area for my upcoming trip to Vancouver in the next few weeks. After clearing customs I took a quick trip the Air Canada’s Vancouver Maple Leaf Lounge which is somewhat similar to others that I’ve experienced, but this one had a distinct country club feel to it. The use of darker wood paneling which adorned the lounge’s walls gave the lounge a different and more intimate feel which actually drew my eyes to the beauty and serenity of the scenery outdoors. Smart move indeed on Air Canada’s part! After a spending a few moments in the lounge, Julia escorted me to the gate and then off I headed on my flight to Montreal! Flying Air Canada domestically (like a Canadian…..and in Economy Class) is SHOCKINGLY WONDERFUL!!! It constantly astounds me how Air Canada has mastered the art of great customer service regardless of the class of service that has been purchased. Even on this domestic flight in Economy, the seats were clean, the in-flight service was quite “international” in presentation (that is a good thing) and the food for purchase was great. Now this wasn’t a short domestic flight (however, the flight between Montreal and Quebec City was around 45 minutes) – and honestly, I expected some air turbulence, but there wasn’t any. Additionally, the landings in Montreal and Quebec City were things of beauty: Smooth (…seriously…..what is it with Air Canada’s ability to avoid rough air and maintain smooth landings all the time? I am determined to get answers about these 2 mysteries on this trip and I will report it to you in my next post…..).
A snowy arrival in Montreal
Upon my nighttime arrival at Quebec City’s very modern airport, I claimed my very stylish and sturdyTravelpro Platinum 7 Luggage and headed to the Ice Hotel (which was a 20 minute drive from the airport). During my drive to the Ice Hotel, the anticipation of what my overnight stay would be like was palpable. Regardless of the fact that I would be staying in a structure made of frozen water, I knew the novelty of around the idea of staying there would wear off quickly – plus, I needed to get a good night’s sleep (I mean, that’s the primary reason why you stay in hotels when you travel, right?). Upon arriving at the Ice Hotel’s chalet “lobby” (read: An actual building where you register before heading to the actual Ice Hotel), I received my “suite” number and initial information, while my luggage was whisked away to the premises of the Ice Hotel. After this, I then proceeded outdoors to the actual area where the Ice Hotel is located – and what a grand site it was!
This is very moment I saw the Ice Hotel for the first time on this trip
As I continued my walk to the main check-in area, I couldn’t help thinking to myself that the Ice Hotel is truly like a rose: Its beauty only lasts for a period and then it’s gone. By June of this year, all of the artfully crafted snow and ice that I and thousands more enjoyed, would be part of an aquifer. It’s kind of bizarre when you think about this actually – so it’s truly a privilege to be a part of a group of folks who are actually on the register for this hotel. Upon checking in at the actual Ice Hotel, I was advised that I would need to attend a 20-25 minute briefing, and the tips from the briefing would help me sleep comfortably in the Ice Hotel. In addition, this is where I received the key to my luggage locker (which was huge) since there’s nowhere to store your luggage in the rooms or suites at The Ice Hotel.
The ingenuity of The Ice Hotel and Travelpro’s Platinum 7 luggage collection exemplifies engineering perfection!
I was also advised where the shower and spa areas were located as well as well as information regarding breakfast the next morning. Once the briefing began, I listened intently (since one gaffe could render your rest at the Ice Hotel most uncomfortable). The process is simple:
1. Raise your body temperature: Take a dip in the whirlpool spa, spend time in the dry sauna and – if you so choose – take a hot shower
2. DRY YOURSELF OFF TOTALLY!!!
3. Immediately put on no more than 2 layers of clothes (no cotton), thermal socks and toque (beanie-type hat) – in addition to your snow pants, snow shoes and parka
4. Once you arrive in your room or “suite,” remove The North Face sleeping bag from its bag and shake it out fully to let as much air flow through the bag and to puff up the bag.
5. Place The North Face sleeping bag onto your ice bed (with foam mattress foundation)
6. Put your parka and snow pants into the sleeping bag’s bag
7. Take off your snowshoes and slip into the sleeping bag liner
8. Get into the sleeping bag, turn off the lights (the light switch is nested on the side of the ice bed foundation) and zip-up the sleeping bag.
9. Sleep.
Once I put all of the aforementioned to memory, I changed into my swim trunks and flip flops and headed outdoors to the spa area of the Ice Hotel. You have NO idea what it’s like to go outdoors in 10 degree (Fahrenheit) weather wearing nothing more than swim wear! “Cold” is an understatement! Suffice it to say, I rushed to the 101 degree whirlpool spa…….and not long after I stepped into the spa, it started snowing. LOL! Even though you may think the Ice Hotel experience sounds like total insanity so far, let me assure you – it was very exhilarating and I highly recommend it.
The Ice Hotel Spa
The Roaming Gnome inspecting Suite #11….he approves
Now, I would have been quite livid if I didn’t have the right clothing for a stay at the Ice Hotel. Fortunately for me, I had some great gear from The North Face (which is also a sponsor of the Ice Hotel). Before I disrobed and went outdoors to warm-up in the spa, I was nice and toasty in my wonderful snow wear. To be clear, I didn’t need a lot of winter gear for this trip – and this is what I wore the majority of the trip:
The North Face Windstopper High Point Hat
The North Face Men’s Khumbu Jacket
The North Face Freedom Insulated Pant
The North Face McMurdo II snow boots
Everything that I wore from The North Face didn’t break stride – no matter how cold it was in the Ice Hotel, I was protected, very comfortable and most importantly, warm. Because of this, I will never invest in winter wear from any other company but The North Face. There’s was a lot that I experienced with my gear from The North Face during my visit to Quebec City and I will give you additional experiences and thoughts about my snow gear, as well as my stay at the Ice Hotel, in part 2 of my blog post (which will post next week). For now, I will tell you that I rested quite comfortably. However, I STRONGLY recommend that you have numerous throat lozenges of some kind with you for your overnight stay……..stay tuned for my next blog post for the explanation of this recommendation.
The Roaming Gnome settling in for a short Winter’s nap 
Learn more about this and other great vacations with Travelocity
As I travel this great big planet that we call Earth, I am constantly astounded by the vast volume of travelers (primarily U.S. citizens) that travel to non-English speaking countries and expect the residents of those countries to fully know English in every encounter with employees in service industries. And if those workers don’t have full command of the English language, they are made to appear as if they are “less than” (read: The English speaking customer shouts their request to the worker in English in a slow and condescending manner). Pardon my bluntness, but – how rude! What arrogance! What unmitigated hubris!
In this day and age, there are many ways that EVERY traveler can harness the power of technologies overcome language barriers – but I have found that Rosetta Stone truly has the best language-learning products on the market (hence the reason why clandestine units of the U.S. Government swear by Rosetta Stone). So there’s no excuse for anyone to expect every person around the world to understand and speak English fully when they travel. That mindset is truly unrealistic and defies logic (besides, has it ever harmed you to learn something new?).
Recently we traveled to Thailand for a 3 episode production of “andiamo!”. Even though I have some working knowledge of both French and Spanish (in addition to my native language, English) , I don’t speak Thai – and I didn’t want to be “that” traveler who expects every Thai person I encountered to understand English. So I decided to use Rosetta Stone’s language-learning software in advance of our 17-day production in Thailand. Yes, it’s true – in Bangkok, many of the residents speak English, but as you travel outside of Thailand’s capital city, it’s not always the case. Fortunately for me, I’ve traveled to Thailand many times in years prior to our production – so I knew what to expect from language barrier perspective.
Roughly 6 weeks prior to our production in Thailand, I began learning how to speak basic Thai using Rosetta Stone’s easy to use, yet powerful, language-learning software. Since Rosetta Stone doesn’t go though the often tedious and mind-numbing minutiae that one encounters in a traditional classroom setting, you begin to learn Thai in the same elementary way that you learned your native language. At the very introductory level, Rosetta Stone’s robust interface teaches you the Thai language by corresponding pictures of various things (such as: airplanes, cars, animals etc.) with the native words which are read back to you via a headset. The interactivity of the learning process is quite fun as you proceed to use your computer mouse and click the corresponding image that is read to you in Thai on various screens (there’s a point system, so it becomes a bit of a game as you are learning the new language). Additionally, you’ll also have the opportunity to repeat the words and phrases you are learning into your headset as Rosetta Stone’s speech recognition technologies will correct you if your pronunciation happens to be “off” in any way. All in all, I found that spending an hour a day over the course of a 6-week period made a great deal of difference in my ability to clearly communicate (in a basic way) with the various docents and our local Thai-based production crew.
Rosetta Stone has learning software in practically every language, so there is no excuse for anyone to travel ignorantly any longer. That said, if you come across one (or more) of “those” travelers that happen to be boorish and narrow-minded , kindly direct them to this blog post. I’m sure that it will make all the difference.
As Nelson Mandela stated many years ago: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” I have found this statement to be very true. Greater understanding and respect are the fruits that one receives when one makes the effort to learn another person’s language. Remember, responsibility comes with travel: As citizens of the world, we should be make an effort to properly represent the countries which we hail from and be a positive representation of that country (….and this should not be the sole burden of individuals who compete in the Olympic Games either).
This has been a busy Fall/Winter for the “andiamo!” production team. We recently returned from a 3 episode production in Thailand (15 days) and it was very fulfilling and packed with a LOT of work – if you haven’t seen the episodes, please visit our YouTube Channel @andiamotv.
The work we do here is intense – but I enjoy it and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Doing the work that you are passionate about is always the best kind of work – otherwise, what’s the point? Although it has its moments, trust me, it beats some of the jobs that I was doing in the early-to-mid 1990’s……but that’s a story (…rather, a book…) for another time. Suffice it to say, I am indeed blessed and grateful.
As I am planning my series of multiple personal visits to the “holiday adorned” Disneyland in the next few days (hence the picture from a recent visit), I can’t help but to reflect on the numerous accomplishments we achieved this year – which brings me to the reality that there will be 12 times more travel in store for our production team (and even more for myself) in 2012. As this reality is becoming even clearer for me, I can’t help thinking about things that can make our travel process even more efficient than what we’re accustomed to (FYI – Having Travelpro luggage has proven to be a major plus and a big help). Since the holiday travel season is upon us and many of you will be flying, I have put together some tips that will help make your experience easier – although, some of the tips may not be the most economic-minded, but the overall value and ease will far outweigh the initial expense (so please keep an open mind).
Be very mindful of what you pack in your carry-on baggage
Clearly, we are all aware of the obvious things that cannot be packed in carry-on baggage. But did you know that the TSA will not allow you to travel with certain food items? If you like having your favorite jar of peanut butter at the ready for your long international flight (especially when traveling with a young child), TSA considers a jar of peanut butter a “verboten” item….that’s German for “forbidden” (…..it’s the Rosetta Stone in me people – learn it, use it, love it….). Yes, you read that correctly – a jar of peanut butter (regardless of size) is one of the many items banned by the TSA. One of my colleagues ran into this a few months ago and I was quite surprised by the fact that they confiscated it – but I understand why the ban is in place (…I think…). The fact that they haven’t publicized this is bewildering to me. Whatever. While peanut butter may be banned, crackers aren’t…..so I will let you do the math on that one. Although, it may be best to keep the peanut butter at home anyway since peanut allergies among the public at large has reached near epidemic levels.
If you are very eco-responsible and prefer using a reusable aluminum travel bottle for your water, please make sure that your bottle is empty before you approach the security checkpoint. Another one of my colleagues ran into this at the airport a few months ago and he had to go through the security screening process about 3 times. This is one of those inconvenient annoyances that’s just not worth the headache that you (and the folks waiting behind you) should go through. To be perfectly blunt, if you’re that eco-minded, you really shouldn’t fly. Think about it, your personal carbon footprint from flying one-way is already monumental. End of.
Avoid baggage fees
Personally, I loathe baggage fees. I totally understand business the mindset behind creating revenue streams, but at some point, some executive has got to say “enough is enough!”. Like many of you, I remember traveling during a time where there wasn’t so much nickel and diming……but times have changed. I will say that the baggage fees has motivated me to adjust how I pack for trips as well as forcing me to consciously select airlines that have free baggage allowances (i.e.: Southwest and JetBlue…but there’s a trade-off: JetBlue allows 1 bag and gives you free satellite TV in-flight whereas Southwest allows 2 free bags and no entertainment….) or choose an upgraded class of service that includes baggage (specifically, Virgin America’s Main Cabin Select – which is a great value with endless free food and drinks included in-flight!). Fortunately, most international airlines still have the “2 bags for free” policy (with an average of 50 lb per bag weight limit). However, if you are flying domestic and want to just get to your plane without all of the rigmarole that goes with checking bags at the airport – and then waiting for them after your flight at baggage claim, you may want to consider using a door-to-door baggage service. In addition to Virtual Bellhop and other companies, FedEx, UPS and even United Airlines offer this service – but it ain’t cheap. I appreciate such a service being available and I’ll certainly try it out in 2012. Admit it, there are times when you just want to get to the purpose of your trip without having to stare with expectation into a shiny mechanical ditch that we all know as the baggage carousel. One good benefit to this service is that it forces you to be organized (since your bags will need to travel in advance to your destination one day before your trip) and it minimizes risks for you running late to your flight by avoiding lines at the ticket counter. Security lines can’t be helped though, so plan to arrive at the airport early regardless of your baggage situation.
Take advantage of available technologies to help make your pre-flight experience a breeze
Most major airlines have mobile phone apps that allow you to check-in for your flight, purchase same-day upgrades, change seats as well as store boarding passes on your phone. It was just a few years ago that airlines allowed you to check-in and print boarding passes from your home or office – and THAT was a big deal when airlines debuted that feature! But the phone app has made life even easier because you can check-in and get your boarding pass while you are en-route to the airport (there’s no more need to print – and you can even email the boarding pass to yourself for proof-of-travel purposes). On a recent business trip to NYC, I used phone apps extensively and very happy that was in total control of many aspects of my trip – even being able to change aspects of my trip at my own pace without having to dial a 1-800 number and waiting in a queue. One of my favorite travel apps happens to be the SuperShuttle app. I was able to schedule and pay for a pickup to the airport while having a conversation with a colleague as well as schedule and pay for a pickup from the airport to my home all from my mobile phone! My only gripe with the SuperShuttle app is that it doesn’t follow the local time of your booking – it follows the time on your phone – meaning: If you are in Singapore and schedule a pickup in Los Angeles after your flight arrives at 11am, when you arrive in L.A., app will reflect the pickup time as if you were in Singapore – even though the shuttle/car will pick you up at the correct time. This can be a bit distressing if you look at your phone upon arrival and it appears that your pickup arrived many hours earlier. If you can navigate this technical meshigas and not go through a meltdown, you will be OK.
And when you’re traveling (especially internationally), keeping phone call costs to a minimum is VERY key – no matter how wealthy you may be. That said, you should use Vonage’s Time To Call app. Purchase call time very cheaply with credits added to an iTunes account and you can speak with loved ones and business colleagues cheaply anywhere in the world at 15 minute increments. I used this app during our production in Thailand and it worked fantastically (the faster the wi-fi connection you have, the better). Currently, the app can only be used with the iPhone……so if you have a Blackberry, you don’t have a snowball’s chance in….well nevermind. Just upgrade to an iPhone – it’s the best mobile phone for travel purposes anyway (my opinion).
Leave the books at home:
I know that a lot of you may be purists and will grimace at my rationale, but truth be told, most books tend to be bulky and in some cases, they can weigh a lot. If you are an active novel reader, get a Kindle (by Amazon.com), Nook (by Barnes & Noble) or an iPad and make your life easier. You can load a plethora of books (and in the case of the iPad, movies and other entertaining offerings). Additionally, if you need to have your Bible with you, you can even download numerous popular versions of Holy writ to your Smartphone (and/or iPad) via the free YouVersion app. If you do this, you’ll immediately realize just how much less your carrying and will enjoy how nice traveling light can be. Yes, being tactile with a traditional book is goody-goody and your 4th grade certainly teacher appreciates it. But, “times, they are a-changin’” and using these marvelous devices are designed to make your life easier, so take advantage of them.
Lastly, if you are heading to Disneyland this holiday season, DO download the free Mousewait phone app. This app will give you accurate wait times for every attraction and some dining offerings. Not downloading this app is just asking for punishment since you won’t be able to get the most out of your day at the “Mouse House.”
Be safe out there and enjoy the holidays to the hilt! If any of these tips pique your interest or have been any help to you, please leave a comment and spread the word!
Just the mere mention of “French Riviera” conjures up so many impressions – for most, it’s primarily a very fashionable region of France that’s dedicated to the lifestyles of rich and famous jetsetters. While part of this is true, there are many other aspects that so many aren’t aware of – including: Culture, history, great cuisine, amazing lifestyle and gracious people. That said, if you haven’t visit the French Riviera, you haven’t genuinely visited France.
While I realize that there are many people that equate Paris as the “be all end all” for everything French, I categorically disagree with them as the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera) is unlike any other place on Earth. In fact, Paris and the Cote d’Azur are worlds apart in many ways….beyond being a 6+ hour high speed train ride to/from Paris. Every major country has its big iconic cities with a great deal of history – and Paris is just that. But in order to fully grasp the realness of France, one needs to explore beyond the obviousness its capital city. Moving on……
Like most, my visit to the Cote d’Azur officially started in Nice. Located along the Southeastern coastline of France, Nice enjoys an exceptional “microclimate” with some of the freshest air in all of Europe. It is a Mediterranean city that opens to the sea and is naturally protected from high winds from the region’s mountain ranges. With this being my first visit to Nice, I must admit, the experience far exceeded my expectations. Nice is far from being an ordinary seaside town – and this was immediately clear as my Paris-Nice TGV train approached the Gare de Nice Ville station. As the train hugged the azure blue coastline while slowly journeying between Cannes and Nice, I noticed a people enjoying an unpretentious lifestyle at a pace that was so relaxed I immediately became befuddled! Why? Here I was on a train watching people enjoy all of this peace and serenity as a norm and just a few days before this, I was amidst all of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles – and thinking that L.A.’s pace is my norm……something just doesn’t add up with that.
Nice is a city that brimming with charm, history and culture. It is the epitome of “cool” with all of the stylish jet-setting character one expects from any in the French Riviera. Typically when adventurous travelers hear the terms “culture” and “history,” they wince and immediately think of a place that exudes boredom. Quite the contrary. Abundant with activities, Nice has a great deal of adventure-oriented opportunities to be enjoyed, including: Windsurfing, kayaking, rock-climbing, paragliding and scuba diving. And if that’s not enough, you can even go enjoy skiing and other snow-focused opportunities in one of Nice’s adjacent alps…..in the middle of summer no less! Think about it: Skiing at 9am and scuba diving at 4pm. Where else can you do this? However, if your pace is a bit more sedate, then Nice is also perfect vacation spot for you! You can shop to your heart’s content on Avenue de Suède, Avenue de Verdun and the Promenade des Anglais, discover the history and lore of the old city, visit the city’s cathedrals, enjoy chocolaty treats from Maison Auer – the list goes on and on and on. Plus, if you have young children, Nice has a very nice family-friendly parks – in fact, there’s one along the waterfront (along La Promenade des Anglais) which includes a wonderful two story carousel ride at the L’Esplanade du Paillon ou Espace Massena. Of course, you can always sunbathe and do absolutely nothing (On that note: Yes it’s true, topless sunbathing is allowed on the beaches in Nice).
I am an individual who is very fastidious about fruits and vegetables – they have to look, smell and taste right, otherwise it doesn’t get consumed. But after walking through Nice’s Flower Market which also sells fruits and vegetables, I found myself overwhelmed by the freshness of the bounty of produce that were for sell. The perfume of from the grapefruits, the bold red color from the vine ripened tomatoes, and of course, even the flowers were far superior than anything I have seen in any farmers market elsewhere. The produce is so good that even restaurants in Nice select their produce from this market – and the tastes…..Dios Mio!
It goes without saying that France is home to some of the world’s greatest modern artists and their masterpieces. Nice has been the hub for some of these artists – including Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse. Some of their most notable works are housed in museums in Nice which are aptly named after these two artists – and a regional museum pass is the best and most economical way to visit these 2 museums as well as others in Nice. In addition to visiting the Matisse museum, one can visit the home (or at least see the exterior) of Matisse’s home and studio which is centrally located in the Old City of Nice near the Promenade des Anglais.
Once I arrived in Paris, I immediately headed to Charles De Gaulle Airport’s TGV station and then took a First Class, 6-hour scenic train ride from Paris to Nice (going at speeds up to 186 mph!). While I found this ride to be restful and serene (especially as the train was nearing Nice), one thing you need to know about traveling on the TGV: Should you plan to eat on-board, make sure you either have cash (Euros) or American Express – otherwise, you’ll be stranded. Once I arrived in Nice, the first impression I got was “new experience…..seaside town….”.
While visiting Nice, there are many hotels to choose from that you can call your “home away from home.” Some of the more notable luxury hotels include: Le Palais de la Mediterranee and Hotel Negresco – but interestingly enough, there are MANY other hotels in Nice that are just as modern and service oriented, such as: The Boscolo Hotels (there are several in Nice; The Boscolo Exedra Nice is the most exclusive) and the newly renovated Holiday Inn on Av. Victor Hugo (…yes, I did say Holiday Inn! I was pleasantly shocked by the “luxe-ness” of this hotel given its brand name!). However, a stay at the 4-star boutique Hotel La Pérouse provides an experience that is unparalleled in Nice. As one of the few boutique hotels in Nice, the seaside Hotel La Pérouse is very guest-centric and has an unusually high staff to guest ratio for a hotel of its size (there are 60 rooms and suites in this completely renovated and redecorated hotel). Resplendent in luxury, the Hotel La Pérouse also offers spectacular views over the Baie des Anges which provides the freshest air and calmest breezes that will soothes any tensions or stress you may be dealing with. In addition, as a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Hotel La Pérouse is more than just about modern and luxurious accommodations, it also home to some of the best meals in Nice that uses local farm-raised ingredients. While I was visiting the hotel’s La Patio Restaurant (…where dining alfresco is truly a glorious experience…) I can recall a lunch that was Heaven-sent…..a meal like this can only be inspired by Divinity! Let me share with you the highlights of this lunch so that you can experience it for yourself when you visit Hotel La Pérouse:
- Tulipe Croustillante de Saumon (this is a Salmon salad that trumps anything I’ve every dined on ANYWHERE)
- Dos de Loup de Mediterranee Cuit sur Peau (locally caught fish that’s grilled and served with risotto and cherry tomatoes on the vine)
- Tarte Fine Aux Pommes (Apple tart that is very rich and served with ice cream)
Now while some may think that what I experienced is a “simple meal,” let me be perfectly clear: Simple ingredients – Yes!…..but the chef’s execution of the flavors provides for a melodious harmony for the palate that is extremely rare for any restaurant in a hotel. Truly, the Hotel La Perouse is everything and sooooooooo much more. When visiting Nice, I HIGHLY recommends that you stay at this hotel and be sure to enjoy some of your meals here – you won’t be disappointed.
Another thing you won’t be disappointed with is Travelpro’s new Platinum 7 luggage. I traveled to Nice and the luggage has parity with Nice: Great style and elegance.
Nice is abundant with amazing restaurants that aren’t based within hotels. In particular, Keisuke Matsushima restaurant in Nice is an experience that can be best described as rarefied. This 1-Michelin Star restaurant is highly acclaimed for its avant-garde approach to French cuisine. I had the opportunity to enjoy a multi-course dinner at Chef Matsushima’s restaurant (located at 22 Ter Rue de France) and was bowled over by his multi-sensory approach to cuisine. However, I must disagree with Michelin for giving this restaurant 1 star – it should have received 3 stars! My opinion though. But considering that Michelin isn’t haphazard in awarding stars, having only 1-star is a REALLY big deal. Truly, a visit to Nice isn’t complete without a visit to Keisuke Matsushima!
My trip to Nice was excellent and I look forward to visiting again very soon……like, in a few months! SERIOUSLY! The way I got to Nice was on-point and Air Canada didn’t disappoint. There are many airlines to fly to France – some that are more obvious than others – but, when it comes to quality and customer care, Air Canada has set the standard for air travel from North America to France! As I stated in my last blog post, Air Canada’s Executive First Class service is the best – and like Nice, Air Canada’s ground & in-flight service, food and atmosphere are all conducive for relaxation. Not many people can say this about an airline. If you haven’t flown Air Canada to France, you certainly need to. The experience is most impressive!
My next blog will focus on a wonderfully historic town that’s just a few hours from Nice…… Stay tuned.
Traveling to France always has always been a wonderful experience for me – but the bar will be raised during this visit to France as it will be one of my most extensive…which is why I will be posting 4 separate France-focused blogs highlighting my travels throughout this great nation.
Since my trip to France will start with a visit to Paris, it made only perfect sense for me to fly an airline that is totally committed to quality – which is why I selected Air Canada and their Executive First Class. The lie-flat seats, on-demand in-flight entertainment, flawless service and amazing cuisine made the 7-hour flight pass by extremely quickly and comfortably! Air Canada has mastered the art of in-flight service – so if you are a traveler from North America, flying anything but Air Canada to Paris would be unwise. As I intimated in my last blog, Air Canada’s Executive First Class service is simply the best!
This is not my first time to the Île-de-France,which is the home of France’s capital city of Paris. I have enjoyed traveling extensively throughout this region and visiting its iconic destinations. Additionally, I have visited Disneyland Paris (which is a VERY unique Disney experience) and Parc Asterix (which is a TOTAL French theme park experience – historical through and through & perfect for the kids!). However, on this very short stay in Paris, I wanted a totally different experience: Less touristy and more comfort & luxury – and I found this at a wonderful & highly rated boutique hotel in the 16th Arrondissement of France: The Les Jardins de la Villa Hotel.
Located within a short walking distance from the Arc de Triomphe and the fashionable Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Les Jardins de la Villa is nestled on a quiet and unassuming street and it is truly a hidden gem! This Hertrich/Adnet Studio designed boutique hotel includes 33 rooms and 5 Junior Suites is an esteemed SLH member that exudes the finest of accoutrements that stays true to its garden theming. Upon entering “Les Jardins,” I was greeted by a professional, yet unpretentious, staff whose jobs are to make each guest feel like a member of their family. As I continued down the lobby, I noticed various Art & Couture touches that artfully amalgamate the scenery of the hotel’s secret gardens with the sensibilities and elegance of Parisian style. In addition, Once I arrived at my Junior Suite, I was instantly impressed by the vastness of the room and its stylish elegance. It was immediately clear to me that the centerpiece of the room was the bed which is adorned with an flower embroidered leather headboard, luxurious linens and accented by tasteful suede appointments. The bathroom is equally impressive: A massive bathtub which can fit 2 people side-by-side and is long enough to more than comfortably fit someone who happens to be over 7 feet tall, a “mirrored” television, separate rain shower stall, dual designer sinks, towel warmer, luxury toiletries by Paris-based Anne Sémonin and – the Pièce de résistance – 4-ply bathroom tissue! For me, attention to details like these are what set real luxury hotels apart from the rest – and no detail has been overlooked at “Les Jardins.” It should be noted that complementary wifi is available throughout the entire hotel and complementary tea and coffee with Nespresso machines is available in all type of rooms.
Rates are from 250 euros per night up to 600 euros per night, based upon single or double room, depending period of the year and the type of room. For more information please see the following websites: www.jardinsdelavilla.com or www.slh.com.
Since the temperatures in Paris reached 98 degrees during my short visit, I elected to stay at the hotel and rest – and the Les Jardins de la Villa didn’t disappoint! I had one of the most restful days in Paris doing absolutely nothing. I plan to visit Paris again later this year and will certainly discover some new and wonderful experiences, but it’s nice to take things slow once in a while and the Les Jardins de la Villa is by far the best place in Paris to relax, unwind and luxuriate! You can take advantage of their wonderful sauna, Hammam and the Technogym machines or simply do nothing and watch an on-demand movie from your interactive high-definition television.
My next set of blogs will be focused on the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera) and 2 cities within the South of France. Some great things are in store I assure you. Stay tuned…..
Jardins de la Villa Hotel – Paris
I’m sure you’re wondering about the title of this blog posting. Well, it’s safe to say that since New York City is known the world over as “The Big Apple,” I think it’s only fitting that Toronto be known as “The Big Maple.” Corny I know……but ideas like these are what build brands. Ontario and Toronto governments: Please feel free to use the name: “The Big Maple” in all of your marketing……..and send the check to me s’il vous plait! (….joking….but I’ll gladly accept the check if you send it…..I’m not crazy!).
Toronto IS Canada’s answer to New York City. Even though both cities are metropolitan financial and business centers, Toronto has a most unique spirit and character that are unlike anything I have experienced in all of my travels. That’s not to say that other major cities are awful – not at all. But there’s one thing that makes Toronto such a standout where other cities cannot genuinely compete presently, and that’s friendliness. Even in a metropolis as big and grand as Toronto, there’s a small town feeling that is very innate. Greenery abounds, diversity is overflowing and everywhere you go, Torontonians are very helpful and gracious.
Knowing that I would be visiting Toronto for business travel, I wanted this trip to reflect that of a local high-end experience. Firstly, I wanted to ensure that I flew a Canadian airline, and of course, Air Canada is the way to go! As always, Air Canada doesn’t disappoint. From the time I booked my flight online at AirCanada.com, to the moment I checked-in online and arrived at Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge on the day of departure, the experience was OUTSTANDING!!! Let me be clear: I have flown Air Canada in Economy Class and their service is still impressive. Air Canada’s Economy Class can be best compared to Singapore Airlines or THAI Airways’ Economy Classes. So for whatever reason you choose to fly Economy on Air Canada, rest assured you won’t be shortchanged. The main reason why I recommend their Executive First Class is for the simple fact that there’s a higher degree of service and especially SPACE….and when you’re someone like me who is 6’4”, space is a big deal on a long flight….but that’s a blog for another day. Believe me, I can tell you some horror stories about 4 different airlines with awful legroom (2 are based in the U.S., 1 is based in Asia and 1 is based in Europe….enough of that nightmarish reminiscing – let me get back to my day of travel Executive First Class experience on Air Canada….). Once I boarded, an amazingly friendly flight crew greeted me and then I made my way to my “suite.” Yes people, that’s not a typo – Air Canada actually has suites in their Executive First Class (on their 767 and 777 jets) – with seats that TOTALLY lie-flat to create a bed! Images speak much louder than words, so please view the video at the following link.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PDACi_0xFQ. Everything was on-point and I had a most restful sleep on my flight from Los Angeles to Toronto, I’m certainly looking forward to my next Executive First Class journey on Air Canada as I am flying today from Toronto to Paris!
Once I arrived and claimed my bags at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (by the way, Air Canada has the most spectacular terminal there), I then headed to the Toronto Airport Express. I travel a lot and I have not found an airport transportation service that comes close to what’s offered by this company! Free wi-fi, power outlets at the seats and seat belts (the latter is something that I HAVE NEVER SEEN on a bus before!) It’s clear to me that The Toronto Airport Express cares for their customers……just like Air Canada, they are focused on safety and service!
After a very quick trip from the airport, I arrived at the Cambridge Suites Hotel. WHAT A GREAT AND INNOVATIVE PLACE THIS HOTEL IS!!! While being very central to everything in the Greater Toronto Area, the Cambridge Suites Hotel is very modern, very clean and most importantly, business traveler friendly! After I experienced a very efficient check-in, I proceeded to my Deluxe King Suite and I was amazed by the generous amount of space! Additionally, the Internet connection (wired and wi-fi) is EXTREMELY fast! Given that my flight arrived a little after 7:40pm, I didn’t get out that evening to explore the town….but I did enjoy my suite to the fullest! Now, there are 4 things I discovered about the Cambridge Suites Hotel that make it a total standout for me: 1. The super fast and very quiet elevators, 2. The hot water that immediately poured out of the faucets in less than 2 seconds from the time I turned them on (I have NO idea how they pulled that one off……), 3. The wonderful bed and its linens – comfy, comfy!!! – and – 4. Two actual High Definition TVs in the suite! The latter is a big deal to me since all too often when I stay in hotels, they claim “HD TVs in the room”….while they aren’t lying, the hitch is that the signal the hotels tend to use are Standard Definition…….to me, that’s a waste. It’s like buying a BMW with NO POWER WINDOWS!!! Moving on…. Access to the Toronto’s PATH (…the city’s underground walkway..) and the subway is easy as both are within a very, very short walk from the hotel. Additionally, the Cambridge Suites’ Portico Restaurant serves up some of the best cuisine in Toronto!
Whether you intend to visit Toronto for business or pleasure, a visit to this great city is not complete without a visit to the CN Tower! As Toronto’s most iconic landmark, the CN Tower is so much more than just a place to view the vast expanse of Toronto from above. With a 4D motion theatre, a revolving restaurant that serves wonderful local cuisine and so much more, the CN Tower is really an entertainment district in the sky! And coming this August, the CN Tower will open its new EdgeWalk attraction!
Toronto’s fashionable and trendy area of Yorkville is not only home to the yearly Toronto Film Festival, it’s home to the boutique MoRoCo Chocolat restaurant. I have visited MoRoCo only once before and I was thoroughly impressed by the mouthwatering treats which are offered. It’s clear to me that I’m not the only fan of MoRoCo as it was keeping a very brisk business during my recent visit. As Pedro Flynn (MoRoCo’s General Manager) mentioned to me, even though MoRoCo is more commonly known for its truffles, chocolates and Macarons (which are competitive with Paris’ Laduree….more on that in an upcoming blog), MoRoCo is a very unique and high-end boutique restaurant that can only be found in Toronto. Since MoRoCo will be featured in an upcoming episode of “andiamo!”, I don’t want to give away the entire key points about the dining experience just yet. This much I will tell you: When you visit Toronto, it is compulsory for you to visit MoRoCo Chocolat (…well, “compulsory” is a bit strong of a phrase, but once you pay them a visit, you’ll understand why I am so passionate about MoRoCo).
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I am in possession of Travelpro’s new Platinum 7 luggage line and I used 2 pieces from the set for this trip to Toronto. I think Travelpro has indeed outdone themselves – the luggage has withstood the rigors of the automated baggage processes at the airports in L.A. and Toronto….without a scratch or tear! In addition, the compliments and looks of approval I received on the luggage spoke volumes! Travelpro’s Platinum 7 luggage line is very stylish and sturdier than any luggage I have ever used before. If you care about protecting your clothing as much as I do, I highly recommend that you make the investment and upgrade your luggage to Travelpro’s Platinum 7!
Toronto has been great and I look forward to visiting again very soon! For now, I’m now off to France via Air Canada! Please keep an eye on my upcoming posts as there are some exciting things that I will experience during my trip there.
Cambridge Suites Hotel Toronto
CN Tower video w/ new EdgeWalk
Even as a seasoned traveler, I have been known to have occasions where I would COMPLETELY forget to pack one or more personal items. I have had instances where I have been on an airplane as it begins to speed down the runway and at that very moment, I realize that I forgot to pack a particular item. Of course, one may think I would be justified by putting both hands on my face and scream in a manner reminiscent of Macaulay Culkin’s character in the Home Alone movies, but I didn’t yield to that temptation. It truly is one of the most aggravating things to forget something that’s needed on a trip – especially if it’s a trip over 7 days!
During my last incident (2 years ago) where I left behind a hair brush, I got fed up and decided that I would need to stop the madness during that trip. Fortunately, I was flying to New York City on business, so my solution to this annoying problem only required a quick trip to Duane Reade (if you’re not from NYC and are wondering what Duane Reade is, think of Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc.). My solution: Redundancies. I have mirrored all of my everyday items at home by doubling them just for travel. This way, what I use for travel is never used at home and vice versa.
I’m sure that there are some that may say: “I’ve been doing this for years!” And to them I say: “Good for you. Wanna cookie? (joking) Travel is truly experiential …… and you make adjustments as you go along. And not to be cliché – but, necessity is indeed the mother of invention. As a result of being proactive to counter future aggravation, I am pleased to inform you that I haven’t forgotten any personal items for my travels – and life has been quite good.
So that you can have an easier travel experience, follow these redundancy tips:
- Regardless if you are traveling within the next 2 days or in the next 2 months, make time to have a “mock” packing session: Gather all of the personal items that you will use on your trips and then create an inventory list of these items (be sure to include all medications). At this point, purchase those items and store them in a toiletry bag that’s specifically for travel……and don’t use these items at home as it will defeat the purpose of being organized for travel.
- From the aforementioned list, make notations to indicate the items which need to be minimized to a workable size, as this will save on baggage weight. Items like mouthwash, lotion, body wash, contact lens cleaner, etc. not only weigh a great deal in their normal “at home” consumer size, but those items also take up valuable luggage space. It makes perfect sense to purchase travel sized items (not to mention it greatly lessens the likelihood of product leakage in your luggage – but regardless of size, I always recommend packing fluid based items in airtight bags just in case).
- Be particularly mindful of items with an expiration date (including toothpaste) so that you can replace stale dated items in advance of your travels.
- When you return home from your trip, you should replenish or replace the items that were used during your travels ASAP.
Now that you have redundancies in place, make sure that you use quality luggage for your travels. There’s nothing worse than purchasing luggage that tears up within 3 uses and the manufacturer’s warranty has more red tape than benefits! Personally, I use Travelpro luggage and I’ve had ZERO issues with their products. Not only does Travelpro’s luggage look great, hold up exceptionally well in all conditions and provides a bulletproof warranty, the contents I pack within my Travelpro luggage always remain protected.
Click here to learn more about Travelpro and how you can save 20% on your luggage purchase!
Having traveled throughout the world, I have witnessed firsthand the beauty and majesty of some of the most remote and nondescript places that you can imagine. But there’s one place, to this day, that still impresses me in ways that leaves me nearly speechless: Jasper National Park.
Heading out from Los Angeles on my Air Canada flight to Edmonton, I had no idea what to fully expect from Jasper. During the flight, I recalled my visit to Yosemite National Park many years earlier which was an overall pleasant experience (…minus one unfortunate encounter with a very aggressive raccoon…). But the main thing I was trying to wrap my head around was the fact that once I landed in Edmonton, I had a 5-hour van ride to Jasper National Park! How was I going to pass the time? Would I get bored? These unanswered questions annoyed me. Being a travel lover at heart, I do my very best to make the best when encountering some of the most tedious of the travel experiences, such as: Being held up in a 3-hour traffic jam in Ocho Rios, Jamaica or being stranded at the airport in Seville, Spain after a flight was canceled. Like I stated earlier, I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that I had 5-hour drive ahead of me.
As is the case with most Air Canada flights that I have been on, the flight was very nice and non-eventful. In addition to the flight being very smooth, the service was fantastic and the landing – well, let me put it this way – I had no idea that the plane touched down until I felt the front wheel make contact with the tarmac (yes my friends, it was THAT smooth of a landing)! Once I cleared immigration & customs, I hopped into the van which would take me on my 5-hour journey to Jasper.
Now I have traveled numerous times to Canada and I have been amazed by the scenery and majesty of this great country. However, I must tell you that if there was ever a definition of “God’s country,” the Rocky Mountain region of Canada would definitely be it. Within the first hour of the drive to Jasper, I was enthralled by what I was seeing around me, and cruising on Alberta’s Highway 16 provides some of the most scenic eye candy that one could ever imagine: The seemingly never-ending mountain ranges, the lush forests and the abundant wildlife just puts things in perspective – and this is long before arriving at the gates of Jasper National Park! There is greatness in the beauty in this region of Alberta, Canada and it provides a wonderful opportunity for one to commune with nature (even at 60 MPH!). The drive between Edmonton and Jasper is a testament to Canada’s respect of nature and their commitment to conservation.
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada with a vast size of 4200 square miles. It is the world’s largest “Dark Sky” preserve and it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses a wide variety of free-range indigenous wildlife, including: Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Mountain Lion, Wolverine, Grizzly and Black Bears, Caribou, Grey Wolf, etc. Since Jasper National Park is a territory that operates under directives established by The Crown (read: HRH Queen Elizabeth II), one needs to be prepared to adhere to binding covenants that govern a visit to the park:
• It is unlawful to collect or remove any natural objects or historical artifacts (this includes berries, wildflowers, mushrooms, antlers, wood, interesting rocks along the river, etc.).
• It is unlawful to feed, entice or harass wildlife (this includes feeding them ‘natural’ food, it also includes what may look like tame wildlife such as birds or squirrels).
• Pets must be leashed at all times. For their protection, never leave your pet unattended. Bears, coyotes, and even elk and deer may present a danger to your pet.
• All food (even food in coolers) must be stored inside vehicle trunks or in tear-proof containers.
• You may camp only in designated areas.
At the 2-1/2 hour mark of our drive, we stopped off at Tim Horton’s (which is Canada’s answer to Dunkin’ Donuts) and I’ve got to tell you, if Tim Horton’s ever sets up shop in the U.S., Dunkin Donuts will have QUITE the competitor! Timmy Ho’s (as the locals call it) has the BEST coffee and pastries in my honest opinion. We then continued the scenic journey and before too long, we arrived at Jasper National Park. Upon arrival at the main gate, I was amazed by the vastness of the park. Additionally, it is well organized with a very professional team of Rangers who, on the surface may be friendly, they are very serious about their duty as the stewards of the park and all that it contains. As we drove past the main gate, it wasn’t long before we encountered a bit of a traffic jam – there was a family of Bighorn Sheep taking a leisurely stroll across the road. We waited for a few moments and then continued our journey once the road cleared. As the rules go, you have to leave ALL wildlife alone – so don’t even think about blowing your horn one or both of the following may happen: 1. These animals don’t intimidate easily and they may charge your vehicle – remember, you are in their territory – and 2. If one of the many park rangers witnesses this, or if it’s reported by a visitor, you may be cited and/or have your visitation privileges revoked.
Within 30 minutes of my arrival at Jasper National Park, my van arrived at the stately Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and we were greeted by White Tail Deer frolicking near the lodge’s Porte Cochere. Upon entry into the lodge, I was greeted by a very warm staff that did everything to ensure a smooth check-in. I was then driven to my Deluxe Room with Sitting Area that’s housed in a wonderful lakeside wood cabin overlooking the pristine Lac Beauvert. After I settled in, I noticed something very unusual……..total silence. Living in a big city like Los Angeles doesn’t provide many opportunities for me to experience complete silence, so it’s safe to say that it took me a few minutes to adjust my hearing as the silence seemed deafening! Of course, this is a good thing. Since the time was nearing the dinner hour and I wanted total R&R, I opted for room service. For me, one of the main signs of a serious great hotel/resort in North America is how they prepare a burger & fries (I know, I know…..you may wince at the notion, but there’s a method to “the madness”). I noticed on the room service menu that this 5-start lodge didn’t just have a run-of-the-mill hamburger – oh no. They use PRIME RIB as the cut of beef for their hamburgers! As you have concluded, I ordered the burger along with some fries and a pot of hot chocolate (hey, it was winter time and I was on a mission…..one should enjoy themselves, right?).
While I waited for my “Bon Vivant” dinner to arrive, I proceeded to step outside and “take-in” Lac Beauvert and bask in all of the silence, fresh air and pristine natural beauty around me. It was at that moment where I truly understood what “Peace on Earth” was all about. Even thought I was looking forward to the days of adventure and fun ahead of me, moments like what was experiencing are rare. In fact, the last time I had a moment of similar to this one happened several years earlier in Hawaii at the JW Ihilani Resort & Spa. The only difference was that I didn’t have total silence; I heard nothing more than waves crashing on the shore 7 stories below my Deluxe Oceanfront Room. It’s safe to say that regardless to where you are, when moments like these are presented, appreciate and embrace them to the hilt. It’s truly therapy for the mind and the soul.
In an upcoming blog post, I will continue to share my Jasper experience with you. There’s so much to say about Jasper that won’t do the destination justice via one posting. For the time being, have a look at the following links so that you can have the same Jasper experience that I had (and yes, the burger that ordered was by far THE BEST I’ve ever had, so if you are a burger lover, you must make a trip to Jasper!):
– Dark Sky Preserve designation
Until 2 years ago, when I arrived at JFK Airport, I would use a car service (read: private chauffeured Town Car) to transport me to Manhattan. While on the surface this seems to be normal, keep in mind, I would pay $71 (plus tip) for this ride – and depending on traffic, I could be in this car for up to 90 minutes. Heading back to the airport days later, in rush hour traffic, would be a longer trip – and the price would normally be $71 (plus tip) for this ride. You may ask: “Why didn’t you just take a cab and save money?!” Well, it’s an issue of comfort (as a very tall person, leg room is essential when it comes to travel), so for me, spending over $160 roundtrip just for a private sedan service is a justifiable expense…plus, I can only take being in cabs no more than 10 minutes at any given time. However, the one thing that was by far the more cumbersome aspect of this expense was the fact that I would need to factor in 2 hours of journey time when I would leave the airport or return to it.
I’m sure you will agree: Time is money….and it bugged me that 2 of the total 4 hours that I was allocating for airport transportation on these trips could be used for important meetings. Thankfully, a friend of mine heard me lament about this issue that I would have to endure once again on an upcoming trip and he said: “Why don’t you use the AirTrain” My immediate response, “What’s that?” After he explained that the AirTrain was part of New York’s MTA subway service, I initially winced because of negative things I heard about NYC’s subway system (keep in mind, these are negative things I heard about back in the 90’s). Anyway, my friend went on to state that he had used the AirTrain service on a recent trip and then connected to the “E” Train which took him to the heart of Manhattan in about an hour. At this point, he could tell I was intrigued. I then asked him about the cost, he looked at me and stated: “Under $20…..roundtrip.” Upon hearing this, I was gobsmacked! (…about an hour of travel, no traffic, and under $20 roundtrip? Why didn’t I know about this before?!) That evening, I changed my JFK airport transportation plans to align to my friend’s advice.
A few days later, upon my arrival at New York’s JFK Airport, I claimed my bag and headed to the AirTrain station within the airport. Once the train arrived (departures occur every 15 minutes) and I boarded, I was surprised to see how clean the train was. Within 10 minutes, I arrived at the Jamaica station, where I paid for my ride on the AirTrain at an e-ticket kiosk as well as purchased my pass for my journey on the “E” Train. I then headed out of the station, took a short walk to the Sutphin Blvd. Station and then boarded the train (which departs every 10 minutes). 45 minutes later, I was walking out of the 50th Street station and off to meetings. Days later, as I left a meeting (with garment bag in tow) to take a short walk to Penn Station, I noticed that road traffic was utter madness at 5:40pm. I on the other hand was quite happy that I was going to avoid all of that because within 10 minutes, I would be on “E” Train and would be at the airport within an hour. However, an interesting thing happened when I arrived at Penn Station, I found out that I could have save even more time (for $5 more) if I would just take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to the Jamaica Station and then take the AirTrain from there to JFK Airport. How much time would I save? 30-minutes!!! How is this possible? Well, unlike the “E” Train, the LIRR makes less stops and it travels at faster speeds. I opted for the LIRR to the AirTrain and I was at the airport even earlier. All told, I spent $19 roundtrip for airport transportation and I didn’t have to deal with traffic issues!
Even though I found New York’s MTA system to be a very economical and efficient way to get to and from JFK Airport, I don’t recommend it for those traveling with a lot of luggage as you’ll have to stick to the roadways via a cab, private car or a shared van service (like Super Shuttle – which would be the least expensive of the three), However, if you are a traveler who can get by with a carry-on and one rolling suitcase, you will do just fine.
– MTA New York City AirTrain information
– AirTrain video
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