Disclaimer: In exchange for lunch at Shang Palace, Shangri-La Dubai, I am writing this review. After a packed four days of networking, and moderating a panel on culinary tourism at the Arabian Travel Market event, Friday was the day to relax. As my flight was leaving in the evening, I had a few hours to […]
Hotel Review: Marriott Marquis Dubai
Disclaimer: In exchange for a stay, I am writing this review of the Marriott Marquis Dubai. Located in the brand-new Jewel of the Creek district close to downtown Deira and City Centre Deira shopping plaza, the 434-room Marriott Marquis Dubai just opened in late March 2024. Check-in I had a short walk to the hotel […]
Restaurant Review: Pin Yue Xuan @ The Venetian Sands, Macao
While traveling between Zhuhai, China’s border city with Macao, and Hong Kong International Airport, I was able to arrange to lunch at Pin Yue Xuan, a locally renowned Cantonese establishment at The Venetian Sands Macao. For those unfamiliar with Macao, a number of larger properties such as Sands Resorts offer free shuttles from its border […]
JR Tokyo Wide Pass
Are you a big fan of Tokyo, but want to get away from the unabashedly urban side of things? Then the JR Tokyo Wide Pass might have your name on it. Might.* Who Can Buy the Pass? Just like the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido, and the JR East (Tohoku Area), rail passes, this one can only […]
JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
Ever since my first trip to Tohoku last year, I’ve been yearning to visit more of that northern Japanese region. For a quick refresher on what constitutes the Tohoku region, here’s a map: In addition to including Tohoku, there’s a clear bonus for this rail pass: parts of Hokkaido are included! That’s right, Japan’s big […]
Flight Review: Southern Airways Express from Chicago ORD to Quincy UIN
Roughly once a year, I visit the St. Louis, Missouri area. Lacking any real airport competition, I haven’t found prices to be particularly competitive. On the plus side, that also means I get to be creative with checking off new airlines and airports. Enter, Southern Airways Express. Southern Airways Express is one of the larger […]
New York LaGuardia Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club (LGA)
Just a few years ago, I never would have uttered the phrase “I deliberately chose to fly out of LaGuardia (LGA).” Yet, owing in part to the newish Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club LGA, you could say that I flipped that quote on its head. Having only opened on 16 January of this year, […]
Air Canada Testing Out a Seasonal Osaka Flight to Toronto
Because Kyoto and Nara lack an airport, the next best thing is a seasonal Osaka flight. But Osaka has its fans, too. That’s right, in late spring, Air Canada will be starting seasonal flights from Toronto YYZ to Osaka KIX. On second thought, make that restarting, since Air Canada last flew this route from 1997-2000. The […]
