Places in America: Travelistic

by Erik Olsen on

I’m a bit of a video snob, but I love wine, so I was a bit conflicted watching this new video from the good folks at Travelistic. The video, part of a series called Places in America takes us on a tour of the Fess Parker winery in Northern California. We even get to meet Fess Parker himself, a one-time movie star (remember the black and white Daniel Boone?), though that aspect of who he is is not fleshed out in the vid (I had to google him).

Anyway, as I say, since I produce video stories for a living and am both a traditionalist and someone who enjoys a certain rawness, I both loved and hated this video.

Jerky camera movements are one thing, but when it seems like the cameraman is drinking wine while he’s filming, well, that’s too raw. And the rather weak acting scene here was kinda silly and distracting. That said, it’s a nice little piece of travel journalism that takes you to the winery and teaches you a little bit about running one. I give it a hesitant thumbs up.

Overall, though, the folks at Travelistic are dong some killer work, and urge you to go over there and browse their ever-growing selection of online travel vids.

Which Country Drinks the Most?

by Justin Glow on

The Economist released a study on which countries drink the most, and guess which came in first? Luxembourg, the tiny, landlocked country nestled between France, Belgium and Germany. But why Luxembourg? “One explanation is that the duty on alcohol is relatively cheap in the tiny nation, encouraging booze tourism from its more heavily taxed neighbours.” There’s no explanation for Ireland being second, however. I guess they just drink a lot.

  1. Luxembourg
  2. Ireland
  3. Hungary
  4. Moldova
  5. Czech Republic

To see the rest of the list, visit The Economist. Related: Which country smokes the most?

Pricey, Gourmet In-Flight Meals

by Neil Woodburn on

While the rest of us poor mopes are forking out $10 for an in-flight boxed lunch with soggy sandwich and a few carrot sticks, the wealthy are now enjoying entrées from some of the world’s most famous restaurants while jetting around Europe.

NetJets, a company which specializes in “fractional ownership” of jets for individuals and companies, has inked a handful of deals with some of the best restaurants on this planet to provide catered food on their flights.

Thinking of jetting from London to Barcelona? Just peruse the online menu featuring items from Ubon, the Four Seasons Hotel, Yayatcha, Vama, or other culinary heavy hitters and your boxed meal will not only be waiting for you when you board, but heated up and tasting just like it does in the exclusive restaurant from whence it came–or so I’m told.

But, it doesn’t come cheap. Lunch from Ubon, for example, runs up to 140 euros. And, of course, it’s only available on NetJets where, if you have to ask how much, you can’t afford it.

There are ways to land yourself a tasty gourmet meal on a commercial airline as well. If you happen to be staying at the Bulgari Hotel in Milan, for example, their acclaimed chef will whip up a scrumptious lobster salad with caviar, prawns, and lemongrass to go for just 80 euros. I’m sorry, but if you sit next to me and my bag of peanuts on United Airlines with such a meal, I just might have to beat you with the seatback tray and steal your food.

Hanoi Hustle Ha Ha

by Willy Volk on

Kai, Alan, and Nate are Huge In Asia. Literally, their website is called Huge In Asia. Down on their luck, loveless, mono-linguistic, vaccine-free, and broke, the trio of Americans hatched a plan: move to Asia and become celebrities. Simple!

To document their celebrity-transformation, they created a website that chronicles their efforts (“A travel vlog about life, liberty, and the pursuit of international fame“) while highlighting different cultures and people they encounter. To get a look at their take on life in Hanoi, check out their hilarious version of Hanoi Hustle:

Music parodies don’t appeal to you? Then be sure to check out the excellent video called “What Am I Eating?”

Guys, in my book, you’re already celebrities.

Carrots Grow on Trees

by Erik Olsen on

Pretty much everywhere I’ve ever traveled, I’ve met people who have strong opinions about the United States. Many of them LOVE the US, and for good reason, I attest. Though I am, of course, biased. But very often, people tell me that America is a stupid country, that we know not geography, history or science. Well, maybe. But at least most kids here know that carrots don’t grow on trees. But such is NOT the case, apparently, in England, where it seems kids are said to be so distanced from farms and, well, vegetable patches, that they are confused about what grows where and how. Of course, this is anecdotal. I found the link on Fark, and thought it was so silly I had to post about it, if just because it helps my case: Americans aren’t dumb. People are dumb. Most people are dumb. Not me, of course. Uh uh. I know that carrots don’t grow on trees. Carrot fairies make them.