I have been a Priority Pass member for a number of years, owing to a couple of credit cards. In that time, I have visited countless airport lounges — and a few restaurants — around the world, mostly through Priority Pass membership. Click here to skip down to the main topic It’s fair to say […]
Tourism
Retro Milk Stand at Akihabara Train Station (Tokyo)
There’s more to Akihabara train station than bags of electronics on their way to be resold abroad. But to enjoy this post, you will first need to get a train ticket.* *Well, I should clarify that requirement. In Japan, there’s something called a platform ticket (入場券 にゅうじょうけん nyuujouken) that you can buy, allowing you to […]
Flight Review: HiSky New York JFK – Bucharest OTP
Disclaimer: In exchange for a one-way HiSky New York to Bucharest ticket, I am writing this review. In January, I wrote about a flight from the United States to Eastern Europe. More accurately, it was the resumption of a nonstop route last flown by a U.S. carrier nearly 15 years ago. Recently, I was able […]
Chinese Visa-Free Access for Three More Countries
Since reopening to international tourism in March 2023, international arrivals numbers to China have been lower than anticipated by that country’s government. To encourage more foreign tourists to visit, Beijing has temporarily eliminated tourism visas for a number of countries, mostly in the EU. Starting 1 July of this year, there will now be Chinese […]
Forgotten about Overnight Rail in Europe?
It’s almost the summer … have you forgotten about one of Europe’s overnight rail services? The European Sleeper, chugs its way from Germany’s capital to Belgium’s capital, stopping at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp, as well as a few other cities along the route. It has three different classes: Sleepers – Deluxe, with three beds and […]
Japan Rail Pass Trip Report: Hokuriku Arch Pass
After a pair of trips north to Tohoku, it was time to revisit Kanazawa, the place that first piqued my interest in Japan 24 years ago. With Kanazawa being the center of the Hokuriku region, it was the best choice as a base for using the JR (Japan Rail) Hokuriku Arch Pass. First, let’s briefly […]
Plaza Premium to Debut Lounge in Downtown Osaka
Tourism to Japan is booming, so why not get creative? That’s where the Plaza Premium lounge downtown Osaka comes into play. Having only entered the Japanese market last year, at Nagoya’s Chubu International Airport (NGO), the Hong Kong-based airport lounge operator will be presenting its new urban lounge concept at some point this summer. The […]
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 […]