Travel & Tweet

Hotel Bela Figueira

2009-11-25T08:52:46Z

Hotel Bela Figueira in Figueira da Foz, Portugal delights travelers with its close proximity to the beach, the town center, the casino, the tourist information center and great eats in the area. The hotel is run by its owners Anil and Rozy, one of the warmest and friendliest couples you will ever meet.

Hotel Bela Figueira

Bela Figueira is a bed and breakfast or as the Portuguese say, a Pensao, located steps from the sandy beaches of Figueira da Foz in central Portugal. Figueira is a must-see destination on your way from Lisbon to Porto and is an hour from other famous places like Coimbra, Batalha and Fatima. With Porto just two hours north, and Lisbon approximately two hours south, Figueira is a great place to spend an afternoon. And for a good night’s sleep, there is Bela Figueira.

Bela Figueira has fourteen large, clean rooms, including two suites. The decor is simplistic, yet tasteful. When you are in Figueira, you will not spend too much time indoors, but if you decide to relax indoors, perhaps work on your blog or read a book, the large windows throw lots of light in the rooms to give you the beachy, sunny feeling that makes your stay special.

Taj Figueira Restaurant

There is an on-site restaurant at the hotel, called Taj Figueira. The food here is a delicious blend of Portuguese and Indian, so definitely try it out. Be warned though that the restaurant is seasonal.

Prices are quite cheap considering the location and other comparable bed and breakfasts in the area and are based on seasonality. So for your next trip to Portugal and Figueira da Foz, I recommend Bela Figueira. Click here to book your stay.

Top Ten Places to Visit in Portugal

2009-11-25T08:56:28Z

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Portugal was one of the five super powers of the colonial era, along with Great Britain, Spain, Netherlands and France. It embodies the heart and soul of ancient Europe, with castles, forts, bridges and historic city centers. Cobble-stone streets, red-tile roofs and great seafood exemplifies the ancient and modern fusion that is Portugal.

Map of Portugal

A visit to Portugal deserves at least 10-12 days and renting a car is highly recommended. Not that public transportation is absent or unreliable. On the contrary, Portugal does have a very reliable and consistent public transportation system, but to save time on getting around the country, a small automobile is your best bet.

Following are the best places to visit on your trip to Portugal.

Lisbon – The capital of Portugal will most likely be your first stop on your visit to Portugal. It has the perfect blend of history, culture and nightlife. Your points of interest for Lisbon should include:

Belem – this historic center of Lisbon includes the Discovery Monument, Torre de Belem and Jeronimos Monastery. Also check out Pastelaria de Belem, home of the original Portuguese pastry (Pasteis de Belem).
Castelo Sao Jorge – In the heart of Alfama, the Castle of St. George is a remnant of the Moorish reign in Portugal. From the towers of the castle, you can see the entire city with its red-tile roofed buildings.
Rossio/Baixa – A few minutes from Alfama lies the commercial district of Portugal. Like its French, Italian and Spanish counterparts, this commercial district is nothing like the downtowns of the major cities in the US. With piazza-style squares and its cobble-stone streets, Rossio is the gateway to Lisbon.
Cristo Rei – The statue of Christ is only two of a kind with its sister statue in Rio de Janeiro.
Fado – this traditional music, made famous by Amalia Rodriguez, is specific to Portugal. No trip to Portugal is complete without a night at a local Fado club where you can enjoy a fancy dinner complemented by some live Fado music.
Cabo da Roca – a few minutes drive to the west of Lisbon lies the western most point of mainland Europe . This point is called Cabo da Roca and it boasts fabulous views of the coast of Portugal.
Cascais – Cascais is an upscale beach area of Portugal. Think of it as the Malibu of Lisbon, but with casinos and amazing night life. Restaurants overlooking the ocean, clubs boasting today’s top charts and a gambler’s paradise, make it the ideal place both for high rollers and for people simply looking for a good time .

Sintra – a UNESCO world heritage site for its Romantic architecture, Sintra is some 20 miles from Lisbon and home to some of the most historic buildings in the area. Castelo dos Mouros (the Moorish Castle) and Palacio da Pena, both nestled in the mountains of Sintra are popular tourist attractions in Sintra. Additionally, consider visiting the Sintra-Cascais National Park and Palacio Nacional de Sintra. Travesseiros de Sintra is a dessert local to Sintra and a must-have treat before you leave. Piriquita is one of the oldest and most famous pastelarias in Sintra.

Evora – This historic city, with its fortress like walls is ninety minutes from Lisbon. Evora is a university town, and catching a student studying in the gardens or reflecting on a bench is not a rare sight. For tourists, there are a few must-see sites. The most popular and historic is the Temple of Diana, which is remnant of the Greek influence on the city. The pillars are a miniature version of the Temple of Zeus in Athens. The Castle of Bones, located in the Church of Sao Fernando, is the only one of its kind. The walls of this temple are made of real human bones. Apparently, even the ground would not accept the bones of these mortals. The entrance reads “We bones that are here, We are waiting for yours”. Not for the faint of heart, this place is a must see if your stomach can handle it. Evora is a great place for a day long trip from Lisbon. It embodies a part of historic Portugal that is often forgotten.

Figueira da Foz – Undiscovered beaches, soft sand and surf mark the coastline of Portugal in Figueira da Foz. A sharp contrast from the beaches of the Algarve, Figueira is quieter but be aware the the water is a little cooler as well. Hotel Bela Figueira is a quaint B&B a block up from the beach and is an ideal place to make your stay in Figueira special. While there, make it a point to indulge in some gelato at the famous Emanha.

Porto – The land of the Port wine, Porto is Portugal’s riviera. The Douro river snakes through Porto with houses and wineries on either side of the river. Without a doubt, this is Portugal’s most romantic city and a great honeymoon destination. The Clerics Tower provides a great view of the city of Porto. In addition, Porto also has Palacio da Bolsa and the historic Porto Cathedral. Of course, no trip to Porto is complete without wine tasting and there are plenty of wineries that offer tours and wine tasting along the banks of Douro.

Algarve – Portimao, Lago and Frangos da Guia. That makes the ideal visit to the Algarve. Some of the best coastline in Europe can be found here, with beach-goers flocking to the sandy, clean beaches of Algarve. Frangos da Guia, is a Portuguese-style barbecued chicken, and the original place that came up with the recipe is right here in Algarve – Teodosio. Oh and there is a famous gelataria also local to Algarve called Nuovo Italiano.

Coimbra – The cultural center of Portugal, this former capital of Portugal is home to the famous University of Coimbra. Visconde da Luz Street in the Baixa of Coimbra is similar to the Rossio area of Lisbon, with plenty of good shopping and restaurants. The Monastery of Santa Cruz and the Old Catheral (with its Roman architecture) are the two major buildings I recommend seeing while in Coimbra.

Batalha – Located less than two hours by car from Lisbon, Batalha is one of Europe’s greatest Gothic masterpieces. It was built in the 14th century to commemorate King João’s victory over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota. A statue of Nuno Alvares Pereira, the king’s commander at the battle, stands at one end of the monastery. The magnificent stained glass inside complements the Gothic decor and the tomb of King João lies inside the Founder’s chapel.

Fatima – 30 minutes from Batalha, lies Fatima, a place of great religious and spiritual significance. The name Fatima, derives from a local Arabian princess named Fatima, who was captured and converted to Catholicism, and baptized before marrying the Count of Ourém in 1158. The Marian shrine in Fatima attracts a large number of Catholics, and every year pilgrims fill the country road that leads to the shrine. Fatima is one of the largest catholic churches in the world and a sight to see with its large sprawling grounds and its white stone walls.

Portvgalia – Portvgalia (pronounced Portugalia) is a chain of restaurants in Portugal that serve some of the best, and most traditional food in Portugal. While not cheap, Portvgalia is definitely not expensive and the food is nothing short of amazing. Bitoque (steak with eggs), Prego (steak sandwiches) and Acorda de Camarao are just some of the delicious recipes cooking at Portvgalia. Oh and if you like seafood, they have tiger shrimps the likes of which you have never seen.

So you see, Portugal, in all its beauty and diversity, offers a vast array of activities and opportunities to make your vacation there memorable. Don’t skimp on your days in Portugal. It offers more than some of its better known counterpart countries in Europe, yet offers it for a lot less.

Top Ten Ski Destinations in North America

2009-12-19T01:47:28Z

Winter is upon us, and ski operators and resorts are gearing up for some busy months ahead when ski and snowboard enthusiasts frequent the slopes in search for fresh, soft powder. The ski destinations below, are my top picks for North America (in no particular order):

Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, featured in the Jim Carey comedy classic “Dumb and Dumber”, is the place to be if you want to ski with the rich and famous. Aspen is an ideal upscale ski vacation destination for all types of skill levels.

Banff National Park, Alberta
Banff is one of the most spectacular looking mountain resorts in the world. With Sunshine Village and Ski Norquay in close proximity, Banff is the tallest place in Canada. With plenty of nature and slopes, Banff has a lot more than winter sports. In fact, it has one of the best golf courses in North America as well.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Vail, Colorado
With a slogan of “Like nothing on earth”, Vail surprisingly lives up to its name, and then some. It is one of the largest ski terrains in North America with 5,289 acres of ski terrain. In fact, only Whistler/Blackcomb eclipse Vail’s ski area in size. In the heart of Colorado, a couple of hours from Denver, Vail is one popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia
Consistently voted “Best North American Ski Resort”, Whistler is a winter destination for anyone and everyone. Skiing, shopping, golfing, pampering and culinary experiences, Whistler offers all that and a great social scene with plenty of night life. And of course, it is the largest ski terrain in all of North America.

Whistler Mountain, British Columbia

Park City, Utah
Utah is a surprising consideration for conferences and gatherings. But one look at Park City and you will know why. Park City consists of three main resorts – Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and The Canyons Resort. The Park City and Deer Valley ski resorts were the major locations for ski and snowboarding events at the 2002 Winter Olympics even though they receive less snow and have a shorter ski season than do other destinations in this list. The biggest draw of Park City is that it is the primary location of the Sundance Film Festival. Among its other accolades – it is also the home of the United States Ski Team. Just one thing I should warn you about. Utah has strict laws regarding alcohol consumption. As such, all drinks served are typically diluted and have a much lower percentage of alcohol.

Taos, New Mexico
In north New Mexico, near the Colorado border, lies Taos Ski Valley, with one of the best Ski schools in the country. Until recently, snowboarding was prohibited here but in 2008, that restriction was listed. Family owned and smaller than most of the other ski destinations on this list, Taos has an equal ratio of expert and beginner terrains, but don’t let that fool you. The terrain seldom straightens out and remains steep for the most part.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Part of the Teton Range that stands 7000 feet above the valley, Jackson Hole lies in and around the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Frequented by the likes of Harrison Ford and Dick Cheney, Jackson Hole is home to many of the world’s best freeskiers as the terrain is considered to be some of the most challenging in North America. The ski area partially covers two mountains. The runs are 50% expert, 40% intermediate, and 10% beginner. Apres Vous Mountain is deemed intermediate difficulty while Rendezvous Mountain has Jackson Hole’s famous advanced terrain.

Mammoth, California
Mammoth Mountain is home to the tallest ski resort in California. It is notable in that it gets an unusually large amount of snow, about 400″ annually. At 3,500 acres, it’s more than three times the size of the so-called “Beast of the East”, (Killington), and certainly lives up to its name. Mammoth lies in close proximity to the Oregon stateline to the north and Nevada to the east. So it is accessible by road from major cities like Sacramento, Portland and Reno.

Killington, Vermont
Killington is considered the largest ski area in the east. It offers the largest variety of terrain with seven interconnected mountains which makes it a haven for snowboarders and cross-country skiers.

Beaver Creek, Colorado
The third Colorado favorite is Beaver Creek, which has won the Best Overall Customer Service Award from the National Ski Association four years in a row. This is a quaint area which, while not as vast as Vail nor as celebrated as Aspen, remains a fast fave for those looking for peace, seclusion and skiing with their families. At the base of the slopes lies a large skating rink, the Family Ice Arena, where kids and adults can warm up before heading to the slopes.

So, now that winter is here and you have this list of top ski resorts, where will you be going? Book now to get great deals on ski vacations.

Play Suitcase Skittles to Win Free Nights

2009-11-10T20:29:04Z

Priority Club, the loyalty points program from IHG Hotels (Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza etc.) has released this simple, yet fun and slightly addictive game called Suitcase Skittles. The object of the game is to knock down baggage handlers at the airport using suitcases. It is an easy way to kill some time and have a go at the chance to win free nights at IHG Hotels worldwide.

Play Suitcase Skittles here.

Win a Rough Guide of Your Choice

2009-11-23T11:59:22Z

Darn Good Digs launched its 2nd Nominate-a-thon this weekend, and are giving away either a Rough Guide of your choice or the Rough Guide’s new Earth Bound photography book to two lucky winners. The entire concept behind the site is that budget-minded travelers nominate their all-time favorite places to stay, and their editors select the best of the best to post on darngoodidgs.com. Nominate your favorite digs or simply sign up for the quarterly newsletter and you have a chance to win the Rough Guide of your choice. Which Rough Guide would you choose?

Zuzabed and Breakfast in Lisbon

Started in the summer of 2008, the idea behind Darn Good Digs is to create a guide for budget-minded travelers to the best small hotels, guest houses, and bed & breakfasts around the world. After over a year online, Darn Good Digs has put together an eclectic collection of independently owned hotels across the globe, all with rooms under US$150, even in the high season. Highlights include a family-run eco-safari in South Africa’s Madikwe National Park, an exotic fruit farm in northeastern Australia, and a hip, theme-roomed motel in the Catskill Mountains just a few hours from New York City. Savvy travelers know about these hard-to-find places, and the site taps into this knowledge through their nomination process.

The Roxbury Motel in the Catskills, NY

The first Nominate-a-thon earlier this year was a huge success, and they encourage even more in-the-know travelers to check out their site and paticipate by sharing their favorite places. Signing up for the contest is free and does not have to take more than a few seconds. So be sure to nominate your favorite digs and have a chance to win a Rough Guide of your choice! The current Nominate-a-thon is running until December 17, 2009.

The Venezian Daze

2009-11-23T12:00:11Z

Venice (also known as Venezzia) is one of those cities that seem out of this world. The city is built on and around water and the only real means of transport is via water ways and canals. I bet more people here own boats than cars. In fact, apart from taxis, cars are a rare sight in Venice. The public bus is called the Vaporetto and takes people heading to work or tourists to major stops all over this island city. Then there are water taxi’s, a la limo service on water. These are private, more expensive mode of transport.

Some may argue that Venice is the most romantic city, even more so than Paris. I have to say, I agree. The people are friendly and life in Venice just seems to be in a daze.

The Rialto bridge marks the center of the city. It is also one of the historical landmarks of Vencie. If you are staying in Venice, it is a good idea to find something close to the Rialto Bridge. Local restaurants, the meat and produce market and shopping – all happens within a few minutes of each other, on and around Rialto.

Gondola rides may be cliche now, but worth every bit. In harsh times like today when tourism is declining due to the falling dollar and economic recession, gondoleers are willing to bargain down their prices from 100 euros to 60 euros to get patrons. If you’ve taken a gondola ride at the Venetian in Las Vegas, make no mistake; the real thing is completely different and out of this world. Gondoleers are friendly, smiling guys. looking to please. I still remember vividly, the melodic “Oye Oye” they call out before rounding a corner, to warn oncoming fellow gondoleers.

Old buildings, water ways, bridges, small streets and the smell of pizza and cheese add to Venice’s unique ambience. Dining by the water, while expensive, and compromising of food, is still a wonderful experience.

San Marcos square or Piazza San Marcos is a huge square which is famous for the San Marcos Basilica, Doges Palace, and pigeons. The basilica, with its golden dome interiors, frescos and the four bronze horse statues and view of the Piazza from the terrace is a rare one of its kind. Doge’s Palace, with its sprawling grounds, hundreds of large rooms with art for every taste, is typically Italian and memorable. While there, make sure you see the underground prisons and the Bridge of Sigh’s, named after the sighs that prisoners would let out as they saw their last view of the city before being marched to year’s of underground captivity.

Shopping in Venice is expensive and should be avoided. If that is your cup of tea, consider a day in Naples, where shopping is amazingly cheap. However, two things that you should definitely buy here are a mask, and something made from Murano glass. Venice is the authentic place to buy both these things.

For me, two days in Venice is the right amount of time, and the best way to enjoy Venice is to discover it by foot. The city is the most unique I have ever experienced and gives Paris a run for its money in terms of romance.

Santorini – Straight from a Post Card

2009-11-23T12:01:36Z

If you have never been to Santorini, you don’t know what you are missing. This Greek Island of the Cyclades, also known as Thira, is a picture perfect setting for its awe-inspiring beauty, white stone-wall buildings and shiny blue domes. The fishhook shaped Santorini, consists of the main area of Fira in the center, with the popular Oia on the north-western tip of the island.

The only way to get to Santorini is by sea. From the dock, you can either ride the cable cars up to the top of the island, or either ride a donkey or carpool with them. In any case, the views as you ascend to the top are nothing short of breath-taking. The Aegean Sea shimmers a thousand shades of green and blue in the bright sun and the backdrop of the Therasia make every glance toward the sea a memorable one.

Fira, the main part of Santorini, has cafes, restaurants and boutique shops lining the narrow stone streets. Tourists flock to Fira in droves in summer so it is crowded. However, walking along the stone deco streets is a fun way to explore the narrow pathways and to admire the white archways of small buildings. Yes Café, in the heart of Fira, serves great gelato and bottled drinks at reasonable prices.

From Fira, a bus runs north to Oia. The drive is a 20-min episode of oohs and aahs as the bus goes around narrow bends, each bend exposing a new post card image. If you thought your walk up to Fira was beautiful, there are no words to describe the sites in Oia.

Oia is a small town, with chalk white stone wall buildings, blue domes and white stone steps that blend perfectly with the buildings. The architectural focus is on arches, curves and minarettes.

Traditional dining establishments serve excellent baked feta, yogurt with cucumber (Tzaziki), and excellent lamb. For dessert, while Baklava is the more famous of Greek desserts, I recommend yogurt with honey and nuts. Try an establishment called Scala in Oia, which I enjoyed tremendously.

Santorini is also known for its wines, particularly Nykteri and Boutari wines. If you like wine, you may want to consider visiting the wineries in Santorini.

Finally, there is a lot more to do in Santorini than what I have listed here. For instance, Santorini boasts some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. There is the famous black sand beach called Kamari beach. There is also Akrotiri, which is an excavation site associated with the ancient Minoan civilization.

Without a doubt, Santorini is one of my favorite places in the world. If you ever get a chance to go there, grab it with both hands!

Find your own Favorites

2009-11-22T22:46:42Z

In the world of travel names like Rick Steves and the good people at the Travel Channel have great influence on travelers. And while I appreciate Rick Steve’s work and the information diseminated by Samantha Brown, I have come to realize that they are not your average travelers and as such the information they provide needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

First, even though they give you budget travel tips, their food and dining choices are anything but for the budget minded. Second, they are not local to the regions they travel to. As such, most places they recommend are very commercial. Third, these folks have a whole crew that either travels with them or helps organizes the travels, including accomodation, reservations and transportation. So, if you find yourself struggling to cram everything they do in the short time, or find room at the hotels they recommend, don’t beat yourself over it. Finally, networks like the Travel Channel, and authors like Rick Steves often need to obtain permits from the local governments. I wonder if some of these permits come with pre-conditions about visiting or writing about specific establishments. Is it a coincidence that both Rick Steves and Samantha Brown recommend Cafe A Brasiliera in Lisbon, where there are literally a thousand plus cafes. What’s more, this particular cafe is the most expensive one that I have ever been to in the city and I know this because I confirmed with family members who have lived in Lisbon now for over three decades.

I purchased Rick Steves’ Portugal guide to see things that my family might not be aware of. It turns out that very important things like Frangush de Guia (Grilled Chicken from Guia) and Palaccio de Mafra, which is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal are completely missing from his book. In fact, there is no mention of what locals consider the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Cafe Suica and Confeiteria Nacionale, both recommeded by Rick Steves are extremely over-priced and are far from my favorites. While it is possible that these places, were truly independently reviewed by Rick, and he really liked them, having people there actually tell you their favorites is an entirely different thing. In the same area as Cafe A Brasiliero, Confeiteria Nacionale and Cafe Suica, there is a place called Cafe Gelo, which has better Pastais de Natas, a better Belinhos de Bacalau and a much better Galao (Portuguese version of Cafe Latte).

Similarly, I have seen guidebooks often rate some museums very high. But to a generalist traveler who is not biased towards museums, a museum may not be worth exploring once you have seen the Louvre in Paris or the Vatican museum.

Now I am certainly not suggesting not reading, watching or following these folks, because some of the ones mentioned here truly deserve to be followed and respected, but take their suggested eateries and accomodation with a grain of salt. Focus on discovering what locals like and have your own favorites rather than trying out their’s. For those who don’t have access to local experts in the area, consider using forums on sites like Lonely Planet, Rick Steves or Boots Travels to post questions in advance. Or simply pick up a map and go it alone.

Safe travels!

US Air Carriers Way Behind their International Peers

2009-11-22T22:46:05Z

My current trip to Europe started off vasty different than my previous trip. You see this time, I am flying to Lisbon first, then I will travel through the rest of my itinerary in Europe. As you may or may not know, getting a direct flight from Los Angeles to Lisbon is not possible. In fact, most European destinations are not accessible via a direct flight from Los Angeles. In any case, last year, I flew direct to London and started my trip there. But even more importantly, I flew Air New Zealand versus this time when I flew US Airways.

Let me just say, the difference between the two carriers is night and day. Now. Don’t know how Air NZ’s local flights within Kiwiland are, but I am comparing my international Los Angeles to Europe experience.

Basic differences:

1) Air NZ was a Boeing 777 compared to US Airways smaller Boeing 757.

2) NZ had a personal TV for each passenger. US had no TV on the first leg from LA to Philly and a cental TV or the second leg to Lisbon. The entertainment? Try the worst movie I have seen this year; Duplicity!

3) Meals – sigh. NZ had gourmet meals served free of charge. US charged for meals during the first leg, and the complimentary meal on the second was worse than stale fast food. I mean surely they try this food before signing on the contract chef? It would be cheaper for them to serve McDonalds. And I promise you, that would have tasted better even if you are not a fan of McDobalds. So why the faccad with a lame excuse for gourmet food. Spare me the tray and the butter.

4) Every international airline I have traveled in the past has provided at least free wine with and after dinner. Not this US carrier. $7 for a small cheap bottle of local wine. And I am not even a wine snob.

5) NZ had much more leg room. These guys did not.

Now why did I take this flight? Well it not like they were cheaper than the BA flight I almost booked a couple of days before, but it had the dates of travel I preferred. Knowing what I know now, I can promise you one thing. My future international trips will not involve an American carrier. And I dont think this is just a US Airways problem. I think it’s more of a culture thing that all US carriers have gone through and while the stingy attitude is acceptable on kcal flights, they need to do a much better job on international flights if they want to compete with any of their international peers.

Avoid all US carriers for international routes. Lesson learnt!

Consider Air New Zealand for non-stop Los Angeles to London

2009-10-19T07:32:25Z

Airlines are an unpopular foe of the flying public and are constantly the object of frequent flyer criticism. The list of complaints against airlines often include flight delays, cramped seating and charging the customer for food and now even luggage. But while most of these frustrations apply to domestic travel, international travel is still somewhat better, at least for now. This is where the international airlines, specially those from Europe and Asia pull away from the American pack. Indeed names like US Airways, United and Delta cannot hold a candle to the likes of Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways or even the once shunned Korean Airlines.

But one name that I flew last year, made me a fan for life. Air New Zealand flies directly from Los Angeles to London in around 10 hours, with three key features in their economy class (called Pacific Economy) which puts its American counterparts to shame:

Extra leg room – the flight I was on, had much more leg room than any other economy class I have been on in recent memory.
Comfortable head rests – adjustable head rests ensure you don’t end up drooling over your neighbor’s shoulder during that post dinner food coma.
Personal TV – each seat has a personal TV that allows you to select your own entertainment, whenever you want. This includes games, movies, TV shows or even music.

Now if you are wondering what this flight cost me, it was back in summer of 2008 and it cost me $650 round-trip including taxes and fees. So a pretty sweet deal. I should mention that I don’t remember whether this was a 767 or a 777 (I think the latter) and it is possible that not all flights will have the above mentioned economy class features. How was the food you ask? Well the food on the flight I took was average, and the wine selection mediocre. But if you want to travel in that kind of luxury, a better option is a middle-eastern carrier like Gulf Air or the Emirates.

Meanwhile, I cannot think of a more comfortable, yet economical way of flying from Los Angeles to London (or back) than Air New Zealand.

Travel & Tweet

Hotel Bela Figueira

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