Samuel Johnson said it almost 300 years ago, and I still believe it today …
“If you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.”
I enjoy many locations around the world, but none so much as London. It’s the center of civilization, as far as I’m concerned. If something is ‘happening’ there, then it’s worth taking note.
That’s why I was quite impressed to see the IceBar had set up shop on Heddon Street.
You don’t need to have a taste for vodka in all its forms, but it helps. That’s not only because Absolut is the financial power behind this motif, but because there is a historically-established reason why cultures from cold climates got this creative with a potato. Not only does it ‘warm’ a soul from the inside, but in the realm of Absolut, it comes in more guises than you’ve got time to try in a 30-minute session. That happens to be a customer’s time limit in the IceBar, which also limits the number of icebarfights on record.
This is a spinoff of the famous IceHotel in the Swedish arctic zone. If you like to travel, then this is a required destination. It’s only a 90-minute flight from Stockholm to Kiruna, where you’ve got a choice of snowmobile or dogsled (hint: take the sled) to complete your journey to the icy climes of Jukkasjaervi in Sweden’s portion of Lappland. It’s situated along the banks of the Torne River, widely acclaimed as being the source of the purest water in Europe, if not the world.
I think this is one of the most spectacular scenes in existence. Everything is constructed of pure ice, from the chambers to the furniture to the decor (world-class sculptures from global artists are commissioned to create them each season) to the glassware. The all-ice wedding chapel is booked far in advance and the theater stages world-class productions.
The beds do make the concession of thermal sleeping bags, which are amazingly comfortable, but even if you do get a bit chilled here, I guarantee you’ll be convinced it was worth it. I cannot think of a more majestic locale to view the Northern Lights flashing across the cold, crisp sky, bathing the ice in a blue-green glow that melds Nature’s wonder with that of man’s. The IceHotel is breathtaking in every sense of the word. It’s an experience which will be etched into your memory forever.
Thus, it wasn’t a surprise to me when, during a trip to Stockholm a couple of years ago, I checked into the Nordic Sea hotel and noticed a scaled-down replica of the IceBar adjacent to the lobby. I loathe queues, so fortunately, I was there on a quiet night and there was no 30-minute limit in effect. I donned the thermal cloak and gloves they provide, ordered an Absolut citron and proceeded to mingle in search of someone to share a toast of ‘Skol!’. Trust me, it wasn’t hard to do!
Its presence was such a ‘natural’ in Stockholm that I’ve thought more than once since then that the IceBar meets the criteria for being a fixture in that center of chic that is London. And now it’s happened.
The 12 cover is reasonable, the drinks are Absolut, the sculptures and decor are changed periodically — the cumulative body heat does cause melting over time, so re-building is a necessity — and the atmosphere is the only thing that is always warm. After all, who’s going to pay for a 30-minute stay, garbed in silver thermals, and not be in a festive mood? It’s a perfect addition to any festive itinerary.
In chatting with the lovely blonde svensk flicka tending bar that evening, I discovered that Absolut is so pleased with the IceBar concept that they’re deploying them elsewhere. Besides Stockholm, they opened a franchice (I couldn’t resist the pun) in Milan before venturing into London. That makes sense. Stockholm’s ambience is quiet-stylish and Milan’s is lively-stylish. If the IceBar succeeds in those cities, then it’s ready to move up to a London setting.
It succeeds spectacularly. After one visit, and 30 minutes of Absolut, you may just reach for the cellphone and book reservations for the IceHotel, then and there.
If so, you’ll join a growing list of those who have found that drinks in your ice can be more fun than ice in your drinks.
Archive for the ‘Go Travel’ Category
Unless you have the dubious pleasure of living right next door to an airport one of the biggest downsides of going on holiday is catching a flight at an ungodly hour of the day. While driving half asleep at 4.00 am, with a nagging doubt you have forgot something may be some holidaymaker’s idea of fun - for most it sounds like a bad way to start your holiday. However, help is at hand in the form of Airport Hotels, where you can spend a relaxed evening - and even afford an extra hour or two in bed before leaving.
Airport hotels may not enjoy the best of reputations. In many peoples mind they are ranked alongside train station pubs - filled with chain smoking business men in cheap suits. However, while there is certainly a convincing argument to avoid train station pubs (you have to pay to get in the toilet for starters), airport hotels are a long way from their cheap and not-so-cheerful roots. These days the savvy traveller can pick up a great value deal at some excellent hotel accommodation situated close to their airport of departure.
One hotel that certainly fits this bill is the 4-star Arora International Hotel near Gatwick (www.gatwickairport.com). Situated a mere 8 minutes from the airport, the hotel boasts a health club, with state of the art facilities including a gym, jacuzzi, steam room and solarium. The quality of service and dining is also high with two bars, a deli and brassiere restaurant for those wishing to sample the culinary delights of this award winning hotel. For those using the hotel before they catch a flight there is every convenience with an Avis car rental desk within the hotel and an adjoining train station going directly to Gatwick.
Another big advantage of staying at airport hotels is many let you use their car park facilities - at often very reasonable rates. The Cottons Hotel and Spa situated near Manchester International Airport offers some excellent deals on up to 15 days parking for guests of their hotel. The hotel itself is also 4-star and comes equipped with pool, colour therapy sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts and spa. While you may also be confused over what a colour therapy sauna is, you have to agree it sounds enticing and certainly beats crawling through Manchester traffic to catch an early morning flight.
If you really want to banish your negative image of airport hotels once and for all then you needn’t look much further than the completely re-vitalised Sheraton Skyline near Heathrow (www.heathrowairport.com). Visually stunning the Al Dente Ristorante is the ultimate experience of fine dining cuisine where Marco Di Tullio’s menus combine tradition, creativity and flavours based on perfect cooking techniques and obsessive research of the best market and imported products available in the UK. In the past airport hotels may have meant chicken in a basket - at the Skyline this type of dish is very much confined to memory.
As the world of airport hotels is such a competitive area there are always great deals to be had for those looking for accommodation pre or post flight. Websites such as airport hotel specialists http://www.superbreak.com or http://www.hotelnet.co.uk have an excellent selection of deals and are worth looking at before planning a stay near an airport.
Overall, airport hotels have changed significantly over the past ten years and are no longer the realm of the odourly challenged. However, it is still recommended that the world of train station pubs is avoided unless on the look out for recreational drugs - or at the very least have a 50p coin to get into the toilet.
The 48th state and the last one on the mainland to become part of the Union, Arizona is a place full of history and culture and the perfect destination for warm weather sporting pursuits.
The towns and cities here are diverse. From the big-city feel of Phoenix to the tranquility of Sedona, you’ll find a variety of unique places to visit and interesting things to do.
Golfing in Arizona
During the cold, winter months in the Northern and Eastern United States, thousands of “snowbirds” flock to Arizona for the fine golf opportunities here. Just about every town boasts a course or two, with the largest concentration of courses being in Scottsdale, Tucson, and Phoenix.
There are so many golf courses in the state that you’re sure to find several that fit your level of skill and expertise. Lessons are offered at most locations and pro shops carry top-of-the-line clubs and accessories for your use.
If you enjoy watching golf, more than fifty national tournaments are scheduled somewhere in the state each year, so your Arizona vacation can certainly include a little spectator time spent watching the best names in golf.
Sightseeing
One of the most visited attractions in Arizona is, of course, the Grand Canyon. This majestic site is a must-see for every American, regardless of age. A visit to the canyon might include a hike or mule ride into the heart of the canyon, a helicopter ride over it, a whitewater raft excursion down the Colorado River, or just some leisure time to enjoy the sights of the Grand Canyon from the rim.
Throughout the state, you can find amazing American Indian artifacts and tourist sites. Learn about the history of the early Apache tribes that settled here, buy some colorful Native American artifacts, or visit any number of museums that are home to interpretive and interactive displays about America’s earliest residents.
If you’re into New Age spirituality, you’ll find a number of spiritual retreats located in the town of Sedona, as well as psychics, channelers, and others who delve into the realm of metaphysics.
Dude Ranches
Want to experience the best of the Wild West? Many Arizona vacations include a stay at a dude ranch, a real working ranch where you can join in everyday activities, ride horseback across the open plains, or join an evening campfire, singing songs and roasting marshmallows.
Some dude ranches are designed especially for families on vacation in Arizona while others are meant for grownups only. Regardless of age, however, you’ll have a grand time driving cattle, feeding the horses, or relaxing on your hammock outside your Wild West-style cabin.
Water Activities
Though Arizona isn’t on the coast, there are more than enough lakes to keep you busy on the water. Many choose houseboating on Lake Powell as their water activity of choice. A fun alternative to a conventional hotel or condo stay, thousands visit the lake each year for this unique Arizona vacation opportunity.
Lake Havasu is another favorite destination for those that enjoy active watersports like jet and water skiing, fishing, and kayaking.
The wild rivers of Arizona offer many opportunities to participate in whitewater rafting and kayaking, with Class IV and V rapids guaranteed to excite even the most experienced whitewater fanatic.
Where to Go
Arizona boasts many exciting destinations so you may have to choose one or two to enjoy on your Arizona vacation. Investigate each town and find the activities and sights that most interest you. If you have two weeks or more for your vacation in Arizona, rent a car and explore the entire state!
A few months ago, I wrote about ingenious styles of customer service that every business should know about, mostly because their employees were inflicting them on their customers.
For instance, I warned about “in your face customer service” and “run for cover customer service”, two equally effective opposites…like pouring too much sugar on your Cheerios one day, and pouring too much cayenne pepper on them the next.
I also warned about “do-it-yourself-extortion”, “consistent filibuster customer service”, “Invisible Man customer service”, “present-at-attendance customer service”, “customer service on steroids”, and “satirical customer service”.
You will have to read about these clever anti-sales pitches at:
http://www.thehappyguy.com/customer-service.html , because today I want to tell you about a 100% revolutionary approach to customer service that my wife and I discovered in a village high up in the mountains.
We were on our annual honeymoon, a three-day escape from parenthood to lick our wounds and give our tattered spirits a chance to recuperate.
To tell the truth, the weekend was more like a marriage encounter. It gave me a chance to find out just who is that strange woman passing me in the hallway at full throttle, pinching her nose and radiating the sweet smell of mushy diaper as she whooshes past. And it gave her the chance to discover the even stranger man who blows a muffled “Oof!” every time Little Lady invents a new “Hop On Pop” dance move.
Check-in at the fairly expensive Resort-on-the-Edge-of-Nowhere was 4:00 p.m., and it was made very clear that we would not be welcome until then. It’s always an ominous sign when a resort begins by warning you when you will not be welcome, so we arrived at 4:00 p.m..
At 6:30 we stopped by the front desk on the way to dinner to request an additional pillow. Being in a sleep-related establishment in, we figured there would an off-chance that this request might be reasonable.
Wrong. The desk clerk could not provide a pillow because the laundry department closed at 4:00, and he had no way of accessing anything that was not right at the desk, he told us with a deadpan face.
“But we were not allowed to check in until 4:00 p.m.,” I protested.
At this point, Deadpan Clerk pulled from under the desk a box big enough to hold almost half a pillow, and started rummaging helpfully through it to see if he could find a pillow. He could not, he announced.
In the hospitality business, folks should know how to treat people hospitably, or so I thought. If that were the case, I suppose I would never have written about Hotel Stella and the Wicked Witch of Lido ( http://www.thehappyguy.com/Hotel-Stella.html ) or about the paper-thin walls in many hotels these days ( http://www.thehappyguy.com/hotel-jokes.html ). OK, so the latter was largely fiction, a desperate search for a column topic, but the Hotel Stella torture story was 100% true.
Back at the fairly expensive Resort-on-the-Edge-of-Nowhere, Deadpan Clerk proceeded to assure us that we were not the only ones he mistreated. Phew, what a relief! In fact, just a few minutes earlier a man had come looking for an iron for his wife (probably for his wife’s dress, as men rarely iron their wives, but Deadpan Clerk never clarified that).
He proudly related how he had explained to the man that irons were not available after 4:00 p.m., unless he had one in his magic little box.
“But we were not allowed to check in until 4:00 p.m.,” the man protested.
He sent the man back to inform his wife that she will have to attend the dinner theatre in a dress looking like a prune (the dress, not the wife…at least, not that we were aware of).
NOTE: Although no missing persons report has been filed, we did not see the man again.
Deadpan Clerk was proudly informed us that he had sent the man away without an iron. Apparently we did not rank high enough to deserve even their very worst customer service.
I should end this story on a happy note. But how? I escaped alive, along with the strange woman I pass every day in the hallway. It turns out she is my wife, go figure. And a most compassionate wife, too…she even helped Deadpan Clerk escape alive, too, at least until I return to the fairly expensive Resort-on-the-Edge-of-Nowhere.
Maybe you don’t need to learn about survival clothing. Maybe you always hike with a spare jacket. Perhaps you never go out into the wilderness overnight, but just for day hikes. Or you bring lots of warm clothing when you do go backpacking.
Nonetheless, hundreds of people die or come close to dying every year from exposure. They thought they were prepared. They didn’t expect their clothes to get wet from falling in a stream, they didn’t think they’d be out there for the night, or they get lost for days.
Coming down from Mount Whitney I met several young men in t-shirts on their way up, determined to get to the top. They had no gear, and not enough time, but they probably made it there by sunset anyhow. They also certainly didn’t make it the eleven miles back to their car before dark. It was below freezing that night, so I imagine they were uncomfortable at best.
Quick Survival Clothing
What survival clothing could they have made in that situation? One of them did have a light jacket. He could have used his t-shirt as a hat (a lot of heat is lost through the head) and filled his jacket with the fluff from the cattail seedheads for insulation. (Cattail down was once used to fill those old orange life preservers.)
Insulation is the important principle here. You can stuff a jacket, shirt, sweater or pants with dry leaves, milkweed down, bracken ferns or almost anything that creates a lot of “dead air space.” It’s better if you have two layers to sandwich it between, but being itchy is better than being frozen in any case.
In a jam, you can also use the flat leaves of cattail plants to weave a vest that will block the wind and some rain. Two bread bags full of milkweed down or other silky plant fibers make warm mittens (tie them at the wrists). A plastic bag full of the same could be tied onto your head as a hat.
Usually, you’ll do better to look first at what you have, before looking to kill animals for their skins, or weave grass skirts. If you have a sleeping bag, it can double as a coat - just wrap it around you. Socks can be mittens, and garbage bags can be made into snow pants.
A garbage bag can also be a raincoat. Otherwise, tie bunches of grass tightly together along a string or strip of cloth, and then wrap it around your shoulders. This will repel a light rain. You can fashion a rain hood of birchbark as well.
In the desert you can make a sun-hat of large leaves, like those from a fan palm. String some together to wrap around your shoulders to prevent sunburn.
You’ll probably never have to use animal skins for survival clothing. You might never lose your shoes and need to glue tree bark to your feet with pine sap, for hiking. Still, knowing how to improvise a few basic pieces of survival clothing can make you more comfortable, and possibly save your life.
Cool USA Websites
With a significant increase in the number of individuals who
spend ample time on the Internet, the popularity of various
websites has increased manifolds. There are numerous
websites in United States that are cool and fun oriented
generating a good quality time for the users.
Not too long ago, easy accessibility and subscription have
reduced making a website the sole representative of the
business houses as well as entertainment companies. No body
imagined in the past century that there would be a time when
people would be able to play casino on their computer
systems, hear and download music from their systems, solve
puzzles and play games, mention funny quotes on the net and
simply get entertained by the World Wide Web. But today
there are ample numbers of cool web sites that even offer
prizes to their online users as a promotional strategy.
If you are a fun loving person who wants to check out some
really cool sites, there is an ocean of great sites you can
surf and enjoy for hours without getting. There has been an
increase in the number of gags and jokes that are submitted
by various websites and these entertain the masses a great
deal.
Different kinds of websites include blogs, wallpapers
downloadable sites, games and information sites, online
shopping sites, community sites and the most popular of them
all the pornographic sites. Critics have argued that with a
random access to any number of sites and no restriction on
the age group of users who access them, website
entertainment cannot be trusted.
According to these arguments, irrespective of the fact that
a particular site is cool and appreciated by the masses, it
may hamper the nature and personality of young children. As
has been noted in various situations, a typical introvert
person would remain glued with his monitor living a good
number of hours in isolation with the society without even
realizing that. It is therefore required that all of us
enjoy the world of cool sites but devote only a reasonable
time to these sites.
A special award was created for cool USA sites. All that you
need to check on these fun filled cool websites can be done
by using the search engines like Google and Yahoo that
assist you in your quest.
Remember that excess of everything is bad, even if it is the
question of surfing some really cool websites that lure and
entice you.
Our Tips and Tricks for Finding a Discount Hotel Rate!!
How would you like to stay in a 4 or 5-star Florida hotel and receive a discount hotel rate? Of course you would.
When picking a hotel for your vacation, there is always something to remember…
You get what you pay for! There is a huge difference between a luxury hotel and a cheap motel. Although you may not plan to be in your room often, you still want to take finding a hotel very seriously.
This article is set up to provide you with tips on finding a discount hotel rate in luxury -type spots. You will learn that with a little extra effort, you can have a fine hotel for a fraction of the cost!!
Let’s not waste time dilly-dallying around and get to the meat of finding a discount hotel rate in a high class hotel…
Top tips for living in luxury on your vacation!!
- Select a few hotel companies, build a relationship, and cash in on your loyalty. Quality and service varies among hotel chains. They will reward you for being a good customer if you make that aware to them. Remember, they are in business and want you to stay at their hotel! The hotel business is very competitive, so use that to your advantage. Please be friendly though- especially if they do upgrade you. Take care of them.
- Take advantage of the flexibility in rates. Finding a discount hotel rate is easy with a little persistence. Ask, Ask, Ask. Research pays off also. Just do your homework and do it at the right time and you’ll be in good shape for finding a discount hotel rate.
- You’re the one in control- so use that advantageously! Contact them after you book your discount hotel rate. Time your travel and check-ins appropriately- right time of year and time of day. Also, weigh out the various options- book yourself or using a travel agent and package deals versus separate rates.
- Make friends at each travel spot! In the real world, it is not what you know, but who you know that counts a lot. I have seen people get anything they want by building relationships. The hotel staff gets yelled at, treated like crap, and probably doesn’t make enough money to deal with that kind of abuse. If you come in and brighten their day, they will be more than happy to help.
- Try to get into concierge or club levels of your hotel. These spots will not only save you money, but will provide an array of amenities you will want to take advantage of.
- Finally, if you aren’t happy, go somewhere else. They don’t want you to leave, so if you nicely show your dissatisfaction, many times you’ll receive what you wanted in the first place- a discount hotel rate in a luxurious hotel.
It is to your advantage to use the competitiveness of the hotel industry against them.
Our best advice is to research as best you can. Once you pick a spot, secure a discount hotel rate, then follow the steps above of building relationships and asking for travel deals.
Remember, you never know unless you ask. Many people think they are being rude by asking, but it isn’t what you say that matters - it’s how you say it that counts!!
All in all this is a basic overview of how to obtain a discount hotel rate in 5-star hotels. Don’t count them out. It could make the difference between an excellent vacation and a frustrating one.
The Whitsunday islands lie in the coral sea midway along the Queensland coast. A group of over seventy islands make up the archipelago of treed islands and soft sandy beaches.
The protected waters around the islands provide a haven for boaties. Be the captain of your own ship as you explore the endless passages with plenty of harbours and secluded sheltered bays to hide away in. Drop your anchor and spend a night in the crystal clear waters of your own personal paradise.
Airlie Beach is the closest mainland town to the Whitsundays and provides a great starting point for your vacation. Plenty of first class accommodation can be found there as well as shopping and restaurants. You can book all your tours from here which leave from Shute Harbour twenty minutes down the road.
Within easy reach of Airlie Beach is the Great Barrier Reef, a must do activity on your vacation. Explore the vast coral reefs with there stunning colors by diving, snorkelling or even sitting in a semi submersible for a once in a lifetime experience.
For a vacation you will talk about for years Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays will keep you entertained and enthralled for as long as you stay in the region.
The coastal road from Newquay snaked its way eastwards atop the high, craggy cliffs sculpted by the relentless Atlantic Ocean. Suddenly the road dipped and wound steeply towards sea level. Cars were parked everywhere; almost all had surfboards strapped to their roofs. This was Watergate Bay.
I turned into a car park and waited at the entrance. Just to my right a small, open camper van laid dormant. It had certainly seen better days and judging from the bodywork wouldn’t travel very far. Well, that and the fact it had no wheels and appeared to have taken root. The bed and kitchen utensils suggested someone might actually be living in it.
Suddenly, your stereotypical surf-dude emerged: medium length bleached blond hair, Bermuda shorts, and a cannabis induced lazy grin that made you feel as if you were missing out on something. (Actually I’m rather jealous of their carefree lifestyle and would like to be a surf-dude in another life). I left my car under his watchful eye and headed for the beach.
Clouds scattered sparsely around a clear summer sky; a gentle sea breeze took the edge from the sun’s blaze. The short path to the beach led past the surf hire shop. A middle-aged assistant with obligatory blond highlights adorned the latest in surf fashion. He stared at me inquisitively, anticipating a sale. His tree trunk thighs filled the wet suit well; unfortunately my skinny legs wouldn’t look as flattering (not to mention other areas) and I quickly shuffled out before he pounced.
The beachside bar and restaurant provide the patron with outstanding views of the bay, especially the upstairs seating area. However, book first as it can get very busy during the tourist season. With no available table I stepped outside and trod the golden sands of Watergate Bay.
The lingering early morning sea mist obscured the horizon; the smell of seaweed was evident throughout. You could almost taste the salty sea spray; waves and surf were building up to a crescendo.
Suddenly, a group of eager surf school students of all shapes and sizes appeared from the building behind. As they filed past I couldn’t help but wonder how some of them intended to float. They clenched their surfboards as tightly as their buttocks upon first sight of the shore’s violent waves they were expected to tame. Even the seagulls overhead laughed, before flying back to their nests among the high, craggy cliffs to watch the entertainment.
Alaska cruises can offer some of the most pristine, natural beauty you’ll ever see on your vacations. Beautiful crystal clear inlets of water found no where else in the world. Icebergs and sheer cliff walls rising thousands of feet into the air. Choosing from among the many Alaska cruises will be easy and fun; making your vacations an exciting and rewarding experience.
Deciding which of many Alaska cruises is right for your vacations.
One thing to decide is when you want to go. Many people favor the month of August because the weather and temperature are favorable to being outdoors. Another consideration to keep in mind for Alaska cruises and vacations is which direction on the ship you’d like your cabin to face. Inside cabins are less expensive while outside facing cabins offer the convenience of stepping onto your balcony and seeing the many splendid sights. Dressing warmly and comfortably is another consideration, especially if you’re susceptible to being cold at night. Also, be sure and bring along a good pair of binoculars to see the sights. Many times your cruise ship will pass by a stunningly close to an immense block of ice; you’ll want to see every detail that up close.
