Tea at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
Just then, my sand ran out. It was time for tea! I had chosen the chocolate tea, which turned out to be a lightly colored liquid when poured, accompanied by a single fairy blossom floating on top.
Trip Reports
Hotel Review: St Regis Abu Dhabi
The scorching desert heat was no match for the strong air conditioning of the Bentley hotel car, and it was already comfortably cool when we got in. There were individual digital temperature controls for each seat, as well as window shades to use if it had been daytime. Chilled bottles of Aqua Panna were waiting in the drink holders, and I gladly took a long drink from one.
Room Service Review: Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet
I knew that we had $100 credit because our stay at the Four Seasons Istanbul at…
Magic on NCL Jade: Embarkation
I had printed our completed online check-in documents at the Hilton Rome Airport Hotel, and boarding time started at 11am. Arriving around 11:30am, the Hertz rental car drop off point was close enough to Civitavecchia port that we didn’t need a taxi.
Magic in the Middle East: Etihad’s First Class Apartments
I was thrilled when my husband found award space in the Etihad Airways First Class Apartments from London to Abu Dhabi.
Hotel Review: Four Seasons Istanbul At Sultanahmet
The cab dropped us off right at the entrance to the Four Seasons Istanbul hotel, where the doorman stood at the ready. We were shown in to the reception area through the high-arched lobby which was very grand. You may be surprised to learn that the luxury Four Seasons Istanbul started out not as a hotel, but a Turkish prison.
Magic on NCL Jade: Taking the Long Way to the Port in Rome
There were several ways to get from Rome Airport to the Port of Civitavecchia. A train ran from the airport to the central station, and then a second train went on to the port. I knew the trains would be packed with people heading to the cruise port though, and didn’t relish the idea.
Magic in the Middle East: Quick Trip Via Etihad First Apartments
What could be cooler than traveling like a Sheikh in Etihad’s newest First Class Apartments, riding…
Magic on a NCL Jade Cruise – Hotel Review: Hilton Rome Airport
The Hilton Rome Airport is connected to the Rome Fiumicino Airport Terminals 1 & 2 by way of a series of people movers and hallways. It took what seemed like 20 minutes to walk from the Terminal to the hotel on the way there since I was exhausted, but when leaving I realized it only took about 5 and that it was actually quite convenient.
Hotel Review: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
The white-gloved driver pulled the taxi right up to the porte-cochere where three well-dressed Ritz employees were standing attentively. As soon as the vehicle stopped, two of them sprung into action and pulled the suitcases out of the trunk. The third led us along a path that meandered over the top of a shallow stream, where the cool water tumbled over smooth stones.
Room Service Review: Ritz-Carlton Bali
The Ritz-Carlton Bali has a Club Lounge with really good food offerings, but one day I…
Magic in Japan: Taking the Shinkansen “Bullet” Train
Tokyo is connected to many of Japan’s largest cities by way of a high speed train often called the bullet train or Shinkansen. Standing beneath the board with the day’s timetable, a quick glance at the screen filled with triangles and circles and I decided not to use the automated kiosk.
Magic on a NCL Jade Cruise: Getting There
Sometimes the flight is just as exciting if not more than, the actual destination or rest of the trip. This was not one of those times.
Hotel Review: Element Miami International Airport
Driving to the Element Miami I followed the navigation tips from my phone, and as the…
Magic on a Cruise: Norwegian Jade Eastern European 10-Day
After taking a family cruse, my husband and I wanted to go on another with just the two of us. Being relatively new to cruising unlike our highly-esteemed salty pirate friend MJ on Travel, we scoured website after website for just the right deal. We knew we wanted a balcony, and that we wanted something fairly inexpensive. But there were so many choices, how to decide?
Magic in Japan: Day in Tokyo
On my list of things to do in Tokyo was to walk across Shibuya station’s crazy crossing, known as the scramble. After waiting a while at the intersection, it seemed that suddenly all the traffic lights were red at the same time and everyone started rushing in all different directions at once.
Hotel Review: Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Pompano Beach
The cheery sound of live steel drum music livened up the pool area, and the smell of the grill fit right in with the warm sandy beach. There were hot dogs, ribs, hamburgers, plantain bananas, potato salad, coleslaw and a slew of condiments all laid out in buffet style. I casually took a plate and filled it up, swaying in time with the tunes.
Room Service Review: Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Placing an order with room service at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo was a pleasant experience. The phone was picked up on the first ring, and on the other end was someone who was cheerful and helpful. As I placed the order I wondered out loud if something could be made a certain way. She said, “hold please” and then there was an imperceptible pause before she came back on the line to tell me of course, it could be done by the chef.
Magic in Japan: Guide To Tsukiji Fish Market
I was wide awake in the pre-dawn hours while many of the other passengers on the subway were not. In fact, despite the bright interior lights and the occasional high-pitched chipper subway announcement most of the compartment appeared to have mastered the art of sleeping until it was their stop.
Hotel Review: Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo holds the honor of being located on the top nine floors of the Midtown Tower in Roppongi, which is Tokyo’s 2nd tallest building and Japan’s 6th tallest. This means the hotel guest rooms have stunning views of the sights and lights below.
