Chiaro di luna's Travel Photos & Trip Planning Blog 2009

Time to Pay for Flights

2009-07-05T18:07:00.000-07:00

We're flying on Air Transat, a Canadian Charter airline, to London - Heathrow this summer. We've booked their Club Class-business seats which are quite comfortable. Much more roomier than WT+ on BA that we've used twice recently.
With this airline you get to choose your seats when you book the flights and only pay a deposit at the time of booking.

Also, reconfirming car rental and other plans at this time.

Baltic cruise friends coming to Toronto

2009-06-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to meeting up with our friends who live in Sedona, AZ when they come to Toronto in the fall.
I've booked The Grand Hotel in Toronto and made reservations for dinner at the 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower for the evening when Toronto will be all lit up.
Can't wait.

Stonehenge

2009-06-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090621/Stonehenge_solstice_090621/20090621?hub=TopStories

Link takes you to a new's story about Stonehenge.

We will be stopping by there on our way from Southampton to Bath, when Clive picks us up after the 12 night cruise.

Royal Princess - fire onboard

2009-06-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

I just read about the Royal Princess canceling this week's cruise because of a fire in the engine room.
Passenger's are being compensated and flights home are being arranged from Egypt.
This is one of the scary things about cruising. Fortunately, no one was injured and the ship was close enough to port to deal with the matter safely.
My thoughts go out to the passengers and crew onboard.

Update: I have heard that there was a crew member who was affected. I do not have details.

All passengers were accounted for and taken to Cairo while flight arrangements are made. They are being compensated and taken care of by Princess. The next cruise is also canceled while the ship gets repaired.

Also heard that a smoker set fire to her wastebasket on the Crown Princess (the ship we are sailing on next) and she was put off the ship. There are only certain places on a ship that smoking is allowed, and I stay away from those areas.

Price Drop

2009-06-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

We've booked a 14 night Princess cruise from Southampton return called the Med. Adventurer for 2010.
The price is more than double what we are paying for this year's 12 night Br. Isles cruise, so we'll have to see if the price drops enough for us.
This means we have our TA call Princess and ask for the new price, keeping our cabin/booking the same.
Today we just saved $375 each on the price drop. Don't know why, but this agent said our booking had to be canceled and she'd rebook us. Same cabin, but a lot of paperwork for her.
All set.

Final Payment Made...Br. Isles Here We Come

2009-06-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

We made our final payment for the cruise on Tuesday and printed out our Boarding Passes for the ship on Wednesday.

Plans have been confirmed for the Meet & Greet I am arranging for 125 of my cruise message board friends. I will contribute 2 door prizes (probably wine) and also invite the crew---possibly the cruise director/staff and the captain may wish to attend. It is a rather large group this time around.

I have another month to go before I have to pay for our flights.

Trying to decide on Heathrow to London hotel transfer: dot2dot, black cab, hotel arranged private vehicle. We just can't see ourselves lugging the suitcases/carry ons on the tube, train or bus this time around.

British Isles Cruise 2009

2009-06-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our British Isles trip is all planned but final payments are coming due next week.

Princess cruises will want our final full payment and at this time we will have to purchase trip cancellation as a precaution. Up until this point we could cancel without any penalty or loss of deposit. This is one of the best options for booking so far in advance. We do this to get the cabin we like on the Grand class of ships. And we put our deposit down with a FCC (future cruise credit) which we bought on board the last ship we sailed. This is a reduced deposit of $115 Can. vs $600-$900 deposit per person.

Off to check our plans and excursions.

California Here We Come....2010

2009-06-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at hotel possibilites in the San Diego area. Looks like we might be there 4 or 5 nights and spend the other 2 or 3 nights in Los Angeles for our spring 2010 trip.
One of the hotels I've considered wants full pre payment now, and I don't want to do that. If I booked the hotel 2 months earlier, no pre payment is required. So, I'll wait and also look at other possibilites.

I am looking forward to visiting family and friends in the area and maybe even taking in a baseball game.

California Here We Come....2010

2009-06-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Used our ff miles to book flights to California for spring of 2010. Would you believe the business seats were gone, so we're going economy again. 4 &1/2 hour flight isn't too bad. This trip will be after Easter & Canadian tax season.
We are considering a rental car for the week to take us to visit family & friends in San Diego. It's been a long time coming.

Free Resources From Great Britain

2009-05-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

For information on Great Britain I sent away for a few brochures and received these in the mail.
I have also used the www.sloweurope.com website run by Pauline Kenny.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2009-05-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society...a novel by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Mary Ann Shaffer writes, " If nothing else, I hope these characters and their story shed some light on the sufferings and strength of the people of the Channel Islands during the German Occupation.
It was a perfect book to read just prior to my visit to St. Peter Port, Guernsey this summer.

Travel Trends 2009

2009-05-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/travel-trends-2009/article1134818/

Link to some travel trends for 2009 & 2010.

The photo is of the full body scanner, like the one we went through in Las Vegas recently.
Had no idea it was looking under our clothes. Ummmm.

Went through something similar about 5 years ago in San Juan, P.R., but it went puff.

I hear they are getting rid of the puff ones, as they are too expensive and too many problems maintaining them.

In Las Vegas, they did not ask us, but there was a sign that said you could opt out of the scanner for a full pat down.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009 - Our hotel: The Bellagio

2009-05-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009 - Flights/Airports

2009-05-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Since this is a travel blog I should mention our airport and flight experiences.
We decided to spend the night before our flight to Las Vegas at the Sheridan Gateway Hotel adjoining T3 at Pearson airport, booking the park & fly package. It was $219 for the one night with up to 8 days parking.
We sadly ate dinner at the restaurant in the Sheridan. Never again. Food was gross.
The monorail is under maintenance until July '09, so we went down the escalator to T3 and took the shuttle bus (free) to T1 to get our Air Canada flight to L.V. We had checked in online at home and printed out our boarding passes. Since we booked the flights with aeroplan we were assigned seats at time of booking. At check in we were able to change seats.
At U.S. customs in the Toronto airport, we handed our customs card in and asked if we had food. We did. And were told that we had to mark the Food: meat, nuts etc. column on the customs card even if we intended on eating the food in the airport or be fined $500.
The flight was on time, seats were window & middle and another person sat in aisle seat.
Reasonable amount of space for 4hour 20 min. flight (which was actually 5 hours in the air).
Arrived in Las Vegas, picked up 1 checked suitcase, hopped on car rental shuttle and went to get the car we rented for our 5 days in Las Vegas. We flew into T2.
Car rentals are now in a big separate building about a 7 min. ride from T2.
It took atleast 45 min. to get the car and head out for some breakfast.

Our return trip was a bit different.
We decided to return the car and get dinner in a restaurant in T2, thinking it was the same place we were on our last trip to Las Vegas about 5 years ago. I did see a Burger King, bar, shops, as we left the terminal on our trip down.
When the car rental shuttle let us off at T2 departures, it was eerie. No one was around. We went in and only 2 flights were listed for departures/arrivals.
The check in was suppose to start 4 hours prior to flights but they had some maintenance problems and it was 3 hours prior before they started to check us in. Then off to security. I noticed some vending machines just before security but not after it.
They had us take off shoes, belts, walk through a glass enclosure and stand on feet on a mat afterwards. No problems there.
Well, we as well as the other passengers got a surprise - Burger King was closed at 8pm, the bar was closed too, there was a small Pizza Hut selling personal size pizza, bread, a couple of meat sandwiches, an old looking salad and $3.00 pop and water.
There was a newstand with junk food, magazines and souvenirs and a small duty free shop with liquor & perfumes. That was it. No where to sit down and have dinner. We hadn't eaten since breakfast beside the hotel pool at 8 am.
Plane arrived and we were off about 20 mins. late. Had checked in at business centre at Bellagio hotel (no charge) and printed off boarding passes there. Got window & aisle seats with no one in middle. Great. Couldn't do this on flight down, as plane was full.
Arrived back in Toronto in just over 4 hours. Picked up suitcase and duffle bag and found shuttle to T3 and the Sheridan. Had parking tickets stamped at hotel desk and headed home.
Red eye flight was exhausting. Coffee, juice & breakfast sandwiches at Tim Horton's and spent day recovering from travel.

Did notice one person in the Toronto airport wearing a mask re: swine flu.
Also, when we arrived home and opened the suitcase there was a note from U.S. customs saying they searched the suitcase. Nothing missing.

Las Vegas-Sweet Classics Gone Contemporary

2009-05-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

I just unpacked and found the names of the chefs:

Sarah Kosikowski on the right is pastry chef at Michael Mina and Robin Swenson on the left is the pastry chef at Olives.

Both restaurants are in the Bellagio Hotel.

The session was called: Culinary Revelations: Sweet Classics Gone Contemporary presented by Bon Appetit.

Las Vegas - Bellagio Hotel

2009-05-14T03:54:00.001-07:00

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009

2009-05-14T03:33:00.000-07:00

Final thoughts:

Bellagio Hotel - would stay again. Loved it. Employees very kind & friendly.
Prime Steak House - the perfect meal and dining experience. Would go back.
Todd English's Olives - unpleasant maitre'd & hostess had too much to deal with for a 7pm reservation time. Food good but way too much spice/seasoning that did not appeal to either of us. Should take reservation for patio. Disappointment overall.
Pool Cafe - friendly staff, excellent dining experiences for breakfasts and lunch.
Gelato Cafe - wonderful selections of Italian ice creams, gelato & smoothies. Yum.
Palio Cafe - sandwiches, breakfast popover, coffee, juice. Nice selection and good.
Pastry Shop/Chocolate Fountain - excellent smoothies, coconut maccaroons. Yum.
All of the above in expensive range. $$$-$$$$

Room - large, great bath products, large comfortable beds, a/c, windows did not open though, no balconies, safe, everything we wanted or needed was provided.

Parking - free, just tip valet what you want. Must walk over to valet stand 100m to get car, not at front door.

Concierge - must book reservations for restaurants through them. Good service.

Casino - smokey, likes your money and wants to keep it. Didn't use much. Not really busy the last 4 days we were there.

Pool area - beautiful, but did not like the way the chair hogs snagged the chairs and umbrellas at 8am and reservated for 3-4 hours without sitting in them. Sometimes pool guy would come and remove towels, but not often enough.
You did not have to return towels, so people left them on chairs, hard to tell if they were returning. Better system needed.

Pool 3 &1/2 feet deep, good railing and steps in, also for hot tubs. 30min. limit for hot tubs and water hot, jets strong. What a way to relax.

Shops - many of them. I did not buy anything, but suntan lotion and got a Bellagio towel for $10 with purchase.
DH bought a pen for his collection in Tiffany's. Nice.

Cher Show at Caesar's - great voice, love Cher. Did not like anything about Ticket Master/ Box Office/Camera taken away while others took them in show and used them there, open bottle of water, and pricey tickets for not being able to see Cher's face, except up on screen.
Would not order tickets again in advance. Purchase when I get there.

Bon Appetite Cooking Demonstration in Tuscany Kitchen. Okay. Videographers in the way.
Liked lemon curd, oat base for chocolate/marshmellow bars, pineapple strudel. Did not like the basil in the whip cream or the marshmellow after it was put in freezer and thawed. Thought there was too much butter used. Liked magazine, booklet and treats in goody bag.

What a wonderful way to spend 5 days after tax season.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009 Bellagio Queen

2009-05-14T03:28:00.001-07:00

This was our room with 2 Queen beds, a city view, a very large bathroom with big tub and also a glass inclosed shower. Marble everywhere. Lovely olive oil bath products and plenty of them. Room had hairdryer, iron/board, 3 telephones, desk, table 2 comfortable chairs, internet hookup...didn't use at $14.95 per day. Free use of business centre to check in and print boarding pass.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009-Pool at Bellagio

2009-05-14T03:20:00.001-07:00

Around the Bellagio hotel pool area. It was beauifully landscaped with fragrant roses and citrus trees. Photos from our last afternoon there on May 12th.

Will Edit Posts

2009-05-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

Later, when I get some sleep. Don't like spelling errors etc. Back when I'm awake.
Red eye flight did me in.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009-Olives at Bellagio

2009-05-13T13:06:00.001-07:00

The pictures above are from our dinner on Monday night at Olives Restaurant in the Bellagio. They do not take reservations for the patio, so we had to sit inside. Nothing good to say about the matre'd or hostess.
Waiter was very good.
My pasta had large shrimp, which was the part I ate. I did not like the spices. Too much and too strong. DH felt the same about his meal. The Tuscan bean soup was excellent. I tried to flatbread with procuitto/gon.cheese/sweet and sour fig and did not like it. DH thought it was okay.
Desert was for DH...a raspberry/strawberry crumble. It was excellent.
Olives is a very popular restaurant and was packed.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009-Lobby at Bellagio

2009-05-13T13:03:00.001-07:00

The Bellagio's lobby is well known for this gorgeous display of glass ceiling. Isn't it amazing. They also have a shop with glass pieces by the same artist.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009-Conservatory at Bellagio

2009-05-13T12:59:00.001-07:00

We walked through the Conservatory in the Bellagio and noticed this ladybug and tulip displays. Just beautiful. And when I got home this morning the tulips were in full bloom here.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009-Treats at Chocolate Shop Bellagio Hotel

2009-05-13T12:54:00.001-07:00

There's this wonderful candy/pastry shop in the Bellagio, over by the Conservatory. This is the chocolate fountain in the front right corner.
We had fruit smoothies there. The best I've ever had. Mine was Tropical and DH's was Berries. Yum.

Las Vegas Trip - May 8-13, 2009

2009-05-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the day, before the Cher show, we drove the rental car over to the big mall and visited Saks Fifth Ave. & Macy's. We do not have these stores in Canada. In Macy's we bought our little grandbaby a summer outfit and then decided to head over to the Carter outlet we noticed on our arrival day.
Grandbaby will be dressed nicely for the summer. Great deals for kid's clothes.

Went to the Outback for dinner. No comment.

Back to the Bellagio to get ready for the Cher show.