Equinox Resort, Manchester Village Vermont

I couldn’t resist the allure of staying in an old hotel nestled in the mountains of Vermont so I headed to one of my favorites, the Equinox in Manchester Village. If it was good enough for 4 past presidents it works fine for me. Since 1769 the place has held history in its walls. It was down in the Marsh tavern that Ethan Allen’s brother Ira proposed confiscating the land of the Tories to equip the Green Mountain Boys. No doubt after multiple ales. I am making a some what easier visit by heading to the spa for a soak, ales after. Across from the hotel is the Village Green and the old Bennington County Court House. Abe Lincoln’s wife visited here and loved it so much she planned to bring Honest Abe back the next summer, due to his assassination he never made it. I wasn’t taking any chances so I headed up and took advantage of the mid week $99 rate special. You can never tell what just might get in the way if you put off a visit, the Equinox shouldn’t be missed. My last visit was with Max and Cindy a few years back.

Horse Farm Vermont

Vermont Shell

Discover America Partnership, Thank You

It irks me badly after I have been to the European Travel Commission’s events and see the tremendous efforts they put into drawing visitors and the US doesn't. Why do we in the US not, it boggles my mind. We here could use some powerful Euros mixed into the economy. For that matter the Canadian Loon is looking better or equal to the US Buck! Still no US Tourism Board is ever even mentioned and you have fifty states on their own.

Once again I praise the efforts of the Discover America Partnership and their efforts to open up America to visitors from abroad. The one basic fact that they have concluded is that overseas visitors that have come to the US leave with a far better attitude about this country than those that haven’t visited. I salute these people and their efforts!

Here is a bit from their website:

A study conducted in 2005 by GMI showed that first-hand experience plays a positive role in forming people’s opinions about a new country. People from other countries have far more favorable views about America and its citizens if they have visited this country than those who have never visited the United States.

The reason for these findings is clear: “people-to-people” communication builds understanding in a way that no other form of communication can match. Without doubt, Americans are our country’s most powerful diplomats.

As a result, we believe that finding ways to attract more international visitors to America must be a critical element of the nation’s public diplomacy process.

GoNOMAD, Amex and The Travel Channel, NY Times Travel Show

The Iguana isn't smiling but we are at GoNOMAD , especially after reading about the NY Times Travel Show coming up in a German paper. To think that we are media partners with American Express, Travel Channel and other prestigious companies is a rush! Below is info from the piece, see you at booth 1127.

Presented by American Express, is one of the largest trade and consumer travel shows in the country with over 30,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors.

American Express is the presenting sponsor of the 2008 Travel Show. The supporting sponsors are Greek National Tourism Organization, South African Tourism and Travel Alberta. NBC-4, GoNomad.com, MVP/NY, PlanetOut, Telemundo 47 and The Travel Channel are the media partners and national talk show host Stephanie Abrams is the radio partner. The industry sponsors are Africa Travel Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Pacific Asia Travel Association, Society of American Travel Writers and The Travel Institute. SpaFinder is the pavilion sponsor.

Going SLR Digital, Kent Canon Rebel

It has been a weekend of heavy duty picture clean up, I bought a exterior hard drive and moved thousands of photos to it. God knows how Shoul handles all his shots. It sparked me into making a move to buying a Canon SLR camera, No more point and shoot. I cannot wait to start fishing for some new shots!

Big Band Time in Lyon

European Travel Commission's 2008 Kick Off

It was a great day aboard the Queen Mary 2 for the European Travel Commission’s 2008 press kick-off luncheon today. The skies were sunny and the mood upbeat! The program was named the Giants of Culture and part of the program was movable art work, all member countries had art work to wear designed by Dan Mestanza, a French artist of Spanish origin. The costumes will be on display in Terminal 4 at JFK throughout the spring.

Speaking of spring I managed to run into Nora Brossard and listen to Chris Spring of Spring O’Brien say a few words. Also ran into my good friends from Germany, Spain and Holland. As I said a great day!

Over the Brooklyn Bridge to Times Square

NYPD on Times Square

Here is the local cop shop on Times Square.

Tourism Australia and Conde Nast Traveler Fete

It has been 3 weeks since my skin cancer surgery and I feel like it is time to head out, things are looking better.

It will be a spot on time in NYC this week, Tourism Australia in partnership with Conde Nast Traveler is hosting a fete this Thursday in the Conde Nast building on 4 Times Square. I am looking forward to some delights prepared by Australian chefs Ian Parmenter and Peter Howard.

Also on hand will be the Late Steve Irwin’s widow Terri. Some times I really like going to such events in NYC, I get to network and see some old friends as well as spending some time in the Big Apple.

NY Beats Wisconsin, in Cheese Anyway

It is cold here in Cottekill and we are getting ready to watch the Giants against Packers game with some buds. In case of a loss for the NY Giants I have some words that might just help. New York beat Wisconsin at the 2007 US Championship Cheese Contest. It was an upstate cheese made by McCadam, a cooperative of dairy farms founded in 1876 that won. I gathered that info from the NY Post this morning, best to be prepared.

Faces in Jordan

Transitions Abroad, Remembered

It was sad to learn that Transitions Abroad will no longer have a print edition; TA has a place in my heart forever. The first travel article I wrote was published in Transitions Abroad, self- cruising the Shannon River. I was so green and only knew that I loved to travel and wanted to write, TA gave me the chance. I will never forget the excitement when Clay Hubbs contacted me a bit later to see if I was interested in being the contributing editor for independent travel. I was for a few years and remember when TA went into stores like Barnes & Nobles, god was I jazzed! I also met a guy named Max Hartshorne when he pulled a stint as a managing editor there, Max and I have been connected for years after with GoNOMAD.com. I have also met several TA writers over the years such as Tim Leffel. For those reasons alone I am grateful for my experience with Transitions Abroad.
I just purchased the new TA yesterday at B&A not knowing it was the last, not till I read World Hum tonight did I know. The founder Clay Hubbs passed on awhile back and I just hope he realized what Transitions Abroad meant to those he touched it certainly touched me. Fortunately the online version remains, as it should, I hope it keeps a worthy tradition for the future. I am sure it will.
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/
http://www.worldhum.com/

Mark Twain, Travel Writer

I purchased the PBS DVD of Mark Twain directed by Ken Burns yesterday to supplement some lousy offerings on the tube. I watched years ago when it came out but it is even better than I remembered. Mark Twain’s first assignment abroad (not then a US State) was to Hawaii for a Sacramento paper. Here are two quotes from his time there,

This is the most magnificent, balmy atmosphere in the world--ought to take dead men out of grave.
- quoted in Mark Twain in Hawaii, Walter Francis Frear

The missionaries braved a thousand privations to come and make them permanently miserable by telling them how beautiful and how blissful a place heaven is, and how nearly impossible it is to get there.
- Roughing It

My favorite quote of all though is one that begins with, "The gentle reader will never know what a consummate ass he can be come till he goes abroad", So true Mr. Twain.

http://www.twainquotes.com/Hawaii.html

Johnny Jet and South Africa

I got to admit I am a Johnny Jet video fan, love the parade of pictures mixed with great tunes. His latest is from his trip to South Africa and memories of one of one my best trips flooded back as I watched it. I had a ball in South Africa and want to return again some day soon. I have had the pleasure of traveling with Johnny in Morocco and Southern France, we usually are the last up but glued to our computers, me with a wine and Johnny with water. When flight problems occurred coming home from Morocco and I almost couldn't board the plane, the guy was willing to hang until problems were solved, rare in this occupation of ours. I have had trouble posting the links so copy and paste the Jetster’s latest and go way down south. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz66-a6HaIE

Flags in Winter, Cottekill NY

A winter walk in Cottekill on a snowy morning is as close to heaven as it gets.

Budget or Luxury Travel, You Choose

Perhaps I am peevish because of a forced home recoup period or maybe it is because of all the BS that I am watching in the presidential debates. I thought today about labels and how they can stifle growth. The label thoughts were brought about because I was finishing my piece on a recent trip to Puerto Rico. The trip was what I like to call a, James Bond and Indiana Jones tour. That means rough adventure by day followed by nights in a classy resort, it really doesn’t fit many of the labels or niches that are imposed on the travel media or travel outlets. I find it a shame that some live with those labels that discourage any kind of traveling outside narrow perimeters.

If you go to many outlets you will find that they all claim to be either the best, most authentic or the only way to travel. Strangely I find sites devoted to budget travel just as snobbish as those touting luxury, almost as if spending money cheapens exploration. There is no right or wrong way to travel, it is and should be up to the individual. I remember reading a lot about Tony Wheeler being a sell out because he sold Lonely Planet and said he wanted to do some luxury travel. God bless him for what he has done for budget travel and I doubt if many have traveled harder trails then he has. The point is how and why he travels is his choice. I personally enjoy the shear act of seeing new places and in different modes, label me as just plain traveler. I will not force myself into any one style, there is just too much to see out there! Let the debates begin.

Travel Radio, Trucking to Oz

It was good to be back in action today with a call to Around the World Travel Radio with host Arthur von Wiesenberger and the very English Richard Mineards today. (Happened to catch Richard on the E Channel this weekend) Unfortunately wires got crossed so I did some about Stockholm which Max did last week but it all worked out. There is also a version of Around the World Travel Radio in Australia hosted by good bud Ren Zwiers who also has a blog filled with info from an Oz point of view. He included my segment of Sailing St Vincents recently that aired on multiple stations Down Under, “good on ya Ren”! I have always enjoyed Ren’s segments here in the US so it is great to be able to keep up with my favorite Aussie, check him out. We also have Max’s and my segments available on GoNOMAD, love when Max cracks the whip.

http://www.aroundtheworldradio.com/
http://travelwithren.blogspot.com/
http://aroundtheworldradio.podbean.com/

France at War

Viva la France and long live the Bouche; I am backing the French in this war. It is the war against the proliferation of fast food such as Mc Donald’s and Pizza Hut. One of the biggest Franco warriors in the battle is Chef Philippe Gauvreau from La Rotonde in Lyon. I had the good fortune to visit Lyon twice last year and my food choices have changed forever. Gauvreau in an article by Jenny Barchfield explained his reasons for opening his restaurant once a month for kids aged 5 to 13, to highlight France’s expanding girth and un- healthy eating choices. He gives the kids decked in toques an in depth cooking session that lasts 3 hours and is followed with a degustation or tasting. Besides the attack on corporation eateries is the assault on Turkish fast food joints serving shawarmas. I am tempted to lie about my age on my next visit to Lyon and take the $59 course.

So Many Thanks

I am truly amazed at the kindness of people that have responded to my recent entries about dealing with my skin cancer. I never realized how many fellow writers, editors and PR people check in to Be Our Guest from time to time. The amount of emails I have gotten has been so gratifying, it makes me feel like one of the luckiest people on the planet. Travel writing is a very competitive field yet I have met some of the nicest and compassionate folks on the planet doing it. I have always been amazed at how quickly small groups bond while exploring destinations. Just like family there are sometimes issues but all in all I really feel lucky to meet so many interesting folks. The emails have made me realize just how fortunate I am and it is something that I will forever remember. I have let enough self pity occupy my time over the last few days, it is time to move on and concentrate on what is really important, family, friends and a good dose of work. Gearing up for our first time participation in the NY Times Travel Show February 29th is just the ticket. A radio segment on Around the World Travel is set for Thursday and for now I truly have a face for radio. By February I should have a new improved look!

I Know the Eyes Not the Face

Dealing with skin cancer II.I recognize the eyes but I cannot quite place the face. I wonder if I ever will again. Stupid questions pop into my head such as will I need a new passport picture? I know my mind is playing games with me but still the stupid thoughts continue. I change the bandages the first time late at night when the house is still and dark like a thief. I go back up to the bedroom almost feeling like I had cheated on my wife, she deserved to see the changes to a face she had married years ago. I ponder what the mirror revealed for hours.

Things look better the next morning and I think about what the surgeon said, “Healing takes time”. I will go back to see the plastic surgeon this week, something I never thought I would ever do. I could never understand face or nose jobs before; I believed that you lived with what you were given.I was never one to fear lines seen while shaving every morning, I have earned everyone over the years.Perhaps there are silver linings waiting to unfold I think as a picture of a handsome face covers a page in a magazine. That is how I want to look, until I come across a better profile a few pages latter. Thank god I still remember the eyes.

Leave a Light On

Sun Block, My New Traveling Companion

It has been a rough two days and now the road to recovery begins. I went through two surgeries in two days including my first hospital procedure since I was born in one. I will now permanently pack sun block in every suitcase I own. From a young age I have loved catching rays and getting some color and did so daily when I lived in Scottsdale. I had that invincible feeling that comes with teen years, bullet proof I believe it is called. While a complete recovery and healing will happen I consider this to be a wake up call and some changes in lifestyle are now going into place. If seeing my picture will convince just one person to slather on sun block then it was all worth it. Pass the Bull Frog please!

Plane Crashes Down in 2007

It was a good year for flying unless you were one of the 965 people that bit the dust in plane related accidents in 2007. The deaths are 25% down from 2006 and the lowest rate since 2004. ARCO says it was,”one of the safest years since the last half century”. I came upon this incident on Union Island this November, all walked from this SVG Airline mishap. I rarely think about air accidents and I am damn sure that the pilot wants to arrive alive as much as I do.

Finding Trouble in Becqui