The rest of Q&A

Q – We had friends in town visiting who have been to Italy a number of times. They were quite surprised that we were visiting Italy on a tour that has us  going to Venice in late September. They said that visiting Venice at that time is the worst in terms of water levels? And they said the weather wasn’t the best.

We are sure that our agent and the tour company checks on all of this but was wondering if you  have any thoughts on that?

A  – Although  weather patterns in Europe are going through some serious changes, May and September are generally regarded as the very best months to visit. Personally, we like the first two weeks in October. Venice is best enjoyed when most of the tourists have gone and the temps. have cooled off.

Several years ago, the Italian police set up roadblocks at the train station and the airport to prevent tourists from coming into the city in July and August because of severe overcrowding.

Last year, Italy had its hottest summer since records were kept.

Rains can produce flooding in portions of Venice at any time so it is not easy to predict although we try to stay away from bookings guests there from November through February when flooding is most serious.

Many great writers have commented on the fact that Venice is best appreciated in the rain. That is when we like it best because the streets are less crowded in the off season.

The truth is that if we were just going to Venice instead of a comprehensive Italy tour, we would almost  want to push it back a few weeks. The incredible crowds, now including huge numbers of Russian, Chinese, and Indian visitors, makes navigating difficult in the so-called “prime season months” of June, July, and August.

You have not made a mistake. The summer heat is brutal when combined with the crowds.

We have always hoped to be in Venice during a period of major flooding but we’ve not yet achieved that. If we did, we would send the same postcard to all of our friends that the humorist Robert Benchley sent many years ago:

“In Venice. City Sinking. Please Advise.”

“The quality of Venice that accomplishes what religion so often cannot is that Venice has made peace with the waters. It is not merely pleasant that the sea flows through, grasping the city like tendrils of vine, and, depending upon the light, making alleys and avenues of emerald and sapphire, Citi s a brave acceptance of dissolution and an unflinching settlement with death. Though in Venice you may sit in courtyards of stone, and your heels may click up marble stairs, you cannot move without riding upon or crossing the waters that someday will carry you in dissolution to the sea.”
― Mark Helprin, The Pacific and Other Stories

Q –  My daughter travels to northern Thailand in January, then back to the states in May. The bulk of her flights are on Turkish Airlines; you report them to be improved. She has two stops along the way: Istanbul and Bangkok. I see a wide variety of experiences online including the past couple months, that reflect highly negative experiences, the worst of which indicate a pattern of not communicating a change in flight–at the airport or late in the game, so I’m looking for a good gift for her, so I went online for a list of his and hers travel gifts to find something good for her. Flyers find out the change too late, when attempting to board where they checked in, then have to buy another ticket to actually get a flight out. This would be a disaster for a young woman by herself in a strange airport–and you say communication isn’t good (while online reviewers say English is weak among Turkish Airlines employees). While you’re at it, Thai Airlines looks a touch better–are they? That’s her second airline to northern Thailand.

A –  We would like to help you but without knowing the age of your daughter and a bit about her, specific advice is difficult. We are going to assume she is a well-traveled adult given her itinerary.

Here are the things you can do to assist her – here is what we would do to assist her:

01 – Upgrade her to Business Class. She will then receive transfer preferences and assistance. It will make a nice gift.

02 – Have your travel agent sign you up for comprehensive flight monitoring. They will watch all of your daughter’s flights, communicating with her directly by cell phone. Make certain, by the way, that she has a phone that will definitely work in both Thailand and Turkey. It is important that she is familiar with the details of working the phone. If there is a cancellation, the flight monitoring service will handle the situation, making alternative reservations such as the popular san diego whale watching experience. She will not have to stand in lines or panic.

3 – Have your agent schedule a meet and greet VIP service at all transfer points.

4 – You might want to stop reading online airline reviews. They are only indicative of one single flight experience on one route with one crew. Any single flight is a statistical anomaly. We are not fans of Turkish Airlines economy service/food etc. But their Business Class does win industry awards from time to time. Their long-haul service to and from the U.S. is significantly better than their services within Asia and Europe on shorter flight segments. To put things in perspective, the world’s best regarded airline ratings service gives Turkish a four-star rating. Delta, American, and United are three-star airlines.

Thai Airways is considered one of the world’s top-tier airlines. They do rank above Turkish.

The situations you describe as happening, as reported by self-appointed online critics, sounds to us as though several of the instances have to do with non-transferable internet tickets or a lack of authentic airline ticket stock representing universally accepted tickets. Tickets purchased from the airline directly or an agency representative, rarely have the kinds of difficulties you seem to have uncovered. But that is just our guess. Always remember that there are tickets and there are Online tickets. They are often quite different as are their terms and transfer/change stipulations.

Finally a personal note. If your daughter is as helpless as you are making her seem, why is she alone for several months in a third world country?

Q – Like most of the folks on this site, we’re extremely well -traveled and we tend to stay in one of the three best hotels in every city we visit. I love the treatment we receive and the benefits we get from our agent’s consortium group. But one thing just drives me crazy  and it just happened again. We like to take an afternoon nap and we keep getting awakened by calls and knocks on the door (the last time they ignored the “Do Not Disturb Light”) by some knucklehead who wants to “check the mini-bar.” 

When I am spending over $1,000 a night for room, taxes, and incidentals, I hate being ripped off by a refrigerator stocked with overpriced stuff I would never buy on principle. My partner and I both work very long hours and we like to just relax at a really nice hotel. The last two stays, we had to argue with the front desk about the damn mini-bar charges. We never, ever use the mini-bar but we were told “the sensor said you opened the door and took something” For $1,000 + a night shouldn’t we get some privacy and trust that we are not stealing their precious little bottles of booze? 

A – Yes. And it doesn’t really surprise us that five-star hotels are treating you this way. They seem to have a blind-eye when it comes to mini-bar annoyances and we receive numerous complaints about this topic.

The first thing to do is insist that your travel agent require that the mini-bar be emptied at every hotel in the future. This will give you the use of a refrigerator which in many situations, comes in extremely handy. You are entitled to the choice: Their rip-off “we have you captive” pricing for sundries or a nice cold, clean refrigerator to keep whatever you like in your room. Savvy travelers in growing numbers are now demanding that the mini-bar be emptied before arrival. Your agent can handle this for you.

If you are ever interrupted when you have a “Do Not Disturb” sign or light on, immediately ask to speak to the manager on duty. This is a serious breach of hotel manners and etiquette and some adjustment should be made to your bill.

Finally, if the mini-bar doesn’t bother you but the expensive booze it contains does, have your profile updated to say you are recovering from alcohol-related issues and no liquor or beer can be present in your room.

Thanks very much for helping us bring this to everyone’s attention. No one should accept a stocked mini-bar unless they really want one.

Q – We have heard that the Four Seasons in central Istanbul is small and quite nice and we’re ready to book. Thought we should run this past you first. We’re from New York, fashionionable and style-minded, we like to explore the latest hotels and restaurants when we travel and we blog for friends only. A sense of authenticity is important and we always like to be centrally located. Should we pull the trigger on the Four Seasons? I will say that my incredible girlfriend is worried about bad dreams at the FS given that the rooms were once prison cells. Looooove the site! 

A – We’re wondering what you were wearing when you sent this e-mail? Trust you are color-coordinated. We are not in the Four Seasons bashing business as they are a brand that always seems to exceed expectations. For this trip, however, we’d suggest you head, instead, to the new Solo House Hotel, sitting handsomely in the Beyoglu section of the city. Instead of a “prison cell” you will be sleeping in the former American Embassy. This small masterpiece feels very much like a private club – we think you will looooooove it! By the way, you are not actually sleeping in a prison cell at the Four Seasons. They did some renovation before they opened.

Q – My work will be taking me to Germany at least six or seven times in the next year. I missed my connecting flight last time because my nothing on Expedia seems to tell you that the lines for security can be long and that even passengers in transit may have to clear security in Frankfurt or Munich. Any advice would be appreciated as I know there are many business travelers who share my concerns. I had booked a “legal” connection.

A –  This is a bit of a scam that affects thousands of travelers to Europe. When you book off a computer screen, as corporate agents and Online Travel Agencies do, as well as the airlines when you call them directly, they are looking at a computer screen that tells them what they can book for you as a “legal” connection. That means that, assuming your original flight is on time, you should, under normal conditions, be able to make your connecting flight. They want to sell you a connecting flight because you will be happy that you did not have to waste hour in an airport terminal. Many passengers demand the earliest connecting flight.

The problem is that no human is actually involved in this conversation. The headset making your booking is likely not at all well-traveled and is probably unaware of the current levels of security as German airports including  Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Munich. The current security level often requires in-transit passengers to go through additional security lines that may include passport scans.

Cruise passengers frequently miss their assigned “legal” connections because the cruise line’s air department was unaware that their guests are subject to long security lines even when they are in transit.

Here is what we advise you do:

01 – Never book an airline ticket with an online agency. Book with airline directly as you will have direct contact with them should there be a problem. Many online air tickets are non-transferable to other airlines.

02 – Never simply accept a “legal connection”. Discuss it was a knowledgeable travel consultant or research it yourself. Always try to allow at least two-hours between connecting flights at major airports with in-transit security and passport lines.

03 – Think about your luggage. Yes, you will make a tight connection if you do an OJ through the airport (he’s slower now that he has to wear manacles) but your luggage won’t run as fast. Plan your connection time to ensure that your luggage wil join you on the second leg of your trip.

04 – Finally, specific to Germany, get an Easypass, which allows you to skip immigration booths at all major German airports in the future. You apply at  the office of the German Federal Police located in both the Frankfurt and Munich terminals.

Oh, one more thing: German Federal Police Officers and Army Personnel on security duty at Germany’s major airports do not generally possess a well-developed comedic style. Act seriously when interacting with them. 

Q – I am looking forward to a lengthy trip planned by our agent that will take us to Paris, Bordeaux, and Monte Carlo. I have a real problem sleeping in dry rooms and I wonder what I should expect from the top tier hotels we are using to help get some moisture in the room at night? Who should I be contacting at the hotel?

A – It is perfectly reasonable to ask a hotel to provide one or two humidifiers in your room. We do this all the time when open windows are not an option. The better hotels will have high-powered, quiet machinery specifically designed for the hotel industry. Your travel agent should make certain this information appears on your guest profile. We think that in-room humidifiers are a good idea even for those who do not feel they suffer from a lack of moisture in a room.

One way to combat dryness is to fill up the bathtub in your hotel room or cruise ship cabin in the early evening. As the water evaporates it will help to moisturize  the room and your skin.

If you are staying at any of the top-level chains such as Peninsula, Aman, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Aman, Miontage, Mandarin Oriental and others, your humidifier profile, once added to your profile, will always be available when you check in. If it isn’t, call the front desk or housekeeping. Sleep well and please tell Paris we love her – and always will.

Q –  We will be in Venice for three nights before taking a cruise for a week. We have only been to Europe twice, once on business but we know enough to know what we don’t like – large hotels that cater to tourist groups on the main drag, which in Venice, I imagine, means near Rialto Square. Can you suggest a boutique neighborhood hotel of high quality that offers charm and a less touristic feel?  A place with character is more important than price as we understand prices in Venice are otherworldly in high season.

A –  There are two small hotels we really like. Our first choice is Ca’ Pisani, a 29-room gem in the artsy Dorsoduro neighborhood. The little-known Palazzinag sits in a 16th century building on the Grand Hotel and only has 22 rooms. You will find “tourists” in any hotel as local residents don’t like to pay for accommodations just a pizza toss from their home.

Barcelona is a great place to visit with its great weather, architecture, parks and football team! There are also plenty of restaurants to choose from but it’s hard to know which are the best, so I’ve put together a small guide on my top paella in Barcelona.

Just like with any City, Paris isn’t booming with nightlife across the map. Where you end up partying can mean the difference between a disappointing bus ride home right after sundown, a headache and sleep debt the day after, and anything in between. Where you go depends on who you’re, with and what you plan on achieving, you can also check in http://barenights.com.au/male-strippers-melbourne-private-strip-shows-home/ or else visit MaleStrippers.com.au for more ideas.

For the most part, Paris’ best places to frequent, after the sun goes down, situate in its northern districts. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it there. Being a large city, the northern portion of Paris is broken up into several districts, each of which tends to have its own “theme,” per say. If you are finding for Topless waiters in Melbourne then do visit us.Else you can have more fun with telefonsex mit cam.

If your idea of fun is partying all night in Toronto on Canada Day, New York on the fourth of July or any major city throughout Germany during Oktoberfest, you may want to check out Pigalle. Pigalle is filled with great bars and even greater crowds. It’s also filled with sex and those who like to party a bit more than the next guy. It may not be the place to go for a quiet date, though it may appeal to the younger crowd looking to hop from bar to bar, drinking all the while. No doubt then, that Pigalle is a cornerstone that makes Paris’ nightlife pretty charming.

THE LATEST UPDATE 2.15.16

The Zika virus is spreading rapidly across South America, the Caribbean, and portions of the southern United States. Zika is a mosquito-borne viral infection which is transmitted by the same type of mosquito linked to dengue and chikungunya.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a state of emergency this week and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel alert for those traveling to affected regions. The water softener market seems to be deluged right now with various products all claiming theirs is the best shower water softener on the market. How do you know which one is really the best? The answer to this question will vary from person to person. What might be best for you is going to be the total opposite of what best fits someone else’s needs. Various elements from the price of the pelican water filter to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit all play a critical role in determining which water softener is best for you and your family.

When it comes to water softener for the whole house, the most popular choice is the Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener from nuvoH2O. A model like this unit softens water at its point of entry, which means water is softened before it makes its way into your home system. This is an effective model for two reasons: it makes sure all the water that comes out of all your home’s water lines and faucets are softened, and it also makes sure all your pipes are completely protected from the effects of hard water. If you have a bigger home, however, such as one with up to three bathrooms that supply water to the household, you can’t just use any water softener. You have to choose one that can meet the demands of three bathrooms. One such option is the Pelican NaturSoft Salt Free Water Softener for 1-3 bathrooms, although this comes with a price.

However, please be sure to advise your clients of the following facts, to help them make their travel decisions:

• Symptoms can include mild fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle or joint pain and general feeling of illness that begins 2-7 days after infection.
• Four out of five people who are infected have no symptoms at all.
• Recent studies show there is a correlation between the disease and increased number of cases of  microcephaly (reduced brain size) in unborn babies.
• If you are not a woman of childbearing age who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, the Zika virus is unlikely to cause you any serious trouble.
• Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not affect a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood.
• Zika cannot be transmitted through the air, food or water.
• There have been no deaths so far attributed to the Zika virus.

Infected persons are advised to  drink water and rest. Hospitalization as a result of Zika is extremely uncommon. In Brazil the current spread of Zika virus is mostly concentrated in the Northeastern states, especially Pernambuco state.

Areas to the south such as Rio and Sao Paulo are currently much less affected. Very few cases have been reported in the Amazon and Foz do Iguaçu.

Nevertheless the precautions for travelling to a region with mosquitoes are important:

• Use plenty of mosquito repellant.
• Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net.

As of February 10, 2016 – this is the best summary we’ve found of information travelers need to know: (Source: Edward Hospital, Naperville, Illinois)

UPDATE: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has advised that, while the primary mode of transmission for Zika virus is from the bite of an infected mosquito, there are at least three cases of possible sexual transmission of Zika virus.

According to the CDC:

• Sexual transmission of Zika virus from infected women to sex partners has not been reported.
• We do not know how long Zika virus remains in semen.
• Men who live in, or have traveled to, an area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing and who have a pregnant partner should not participate in sexual activity or should consistently and correctly use condoms during sex throughout the pregnancy.
• At this time, the CDC does not recommend testing men to determine the risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus.
• The IDPH recommends doctors offer to test pregnant women who are not showing any symptoms of Zika virus infection within 2-12 weeks after they have returned from travel to affected countries.

When a virus with the potential to cause serious complications starts to spread, especially one that’s not familiar, it can be unnerving.

Zika virus is one of those. Most of the time, people contract the virus through mosquito bites. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). People with this illness are not usually very sick, and symptoms disappear after several days to a week.

Q – Love the site but really wish you would include more unbiased recommendations for restaurants. I am not sure that some of the “critics” are willing to pay for fine dining on vacation.

We will be in Venice in July. We’re working with a fine agent but she does not seem to have any interest in recommending an excellent restaurant in the city. Can you point us in the right direction for a non-tourist restaurant that might result in a truly memorable meal? Also wondering best way to book it. Do we just go online?

A –  Venice is a tough food city because it is so easy for the owners/chefs to simply cater to tourists and fill their seats each night. But there are several excellent restaurants, some of them new, that cater to locals as well as the sizeable number of Italians from “the provinces.”

The current best restaurant in Venice is Osteria Alle Testiere on Calle Del Mondo Novo.  There are only nice tables and two seatings each night. Chef Bruno Gavagnin’s fresh local fare has impressed food critics worldwide – at least those that can score a table.

The best way to get a reservation at a top-level restaurant is to have your agent use her On-Site Italy office, the same ones doing your trip operations, to secure the reservation. Local offices in Italy that work with the major consortiums have local contacts that can get you otherwise impossible reservations. Do note that, as a rule, most gourmet restaurants in Europe have little interest in increasing their number of American diners.

Let us recommended several other top tables in Venice. We swear by each of these:

La Zucca

Da Ivo

Da Fiore

All Arco

Q –  We’re planning a getaway to India and want to stay for a few days in the area of the Golden Triangle so we can take day trips to both Agra and Jaipur. From there, we really want to do one, or possibly two, of the best luxury trains within the country. Can you please recommend a hotel for us in the Triangle and one or two of your personal favorite train experiences in-country?  Thank you in advance. This is rapidly becoming our favorite travel site and so nice that we are not bombarded with phony deals and come-ons.

A – Have your agent book you into the ITC Grand Bharat, a 100-room masterpiece located in Gurgaon, just between both Agra and Jaipur. THis is an elegant resort with fine services and our general philosophy when it comes to India hotels is “always book the most expensive property.” The rates are high only when they can be justified and demand is great. Don’t do four-star in India. Given all that, you can still book a room here for under $400 per night.

In terms of trains, there are several excellent options. Make certain that your consultants works with one of the two or three top Indian train specialists on earth, hopefully someone based in London or India.

The Palace on Wheels has 14 salons named after the provinces of Rajasthan and is considered one of the world’s top five luxury trains. It features two restaurants, a spa,internet, live music, and good security. It travels cross-country so you may not find matching dates and a trip length and suits your needs. It also travel in a metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik for which best sites can guide for best tour or hotel selection.

The Maharajas Express is the most expensive, most costly, and, some would say, the most luxurious of India’s top trains. It offers several itineraries including a hugely popular trip between Delhi and Mumbai. Think direct dial TV, all things wi-fi, individual temperature controls that actually work, and in-suite bathrooms.

You might also consider the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels a luxury train that visits important destinations in Rajasthan and Agra.

These luxury trains offer one week programs to India’s southern provinces round-trip out of Bangalore. We do want to caution you about trying to do this kind of trip without having a travel advocate to coordinate.