Gadling reads the Sunday travel sections

by Jeffrey White on

Well, the pickings are very slim out there among this week’s newspaper travel sections in the US, especially for readers who like a good yarn about an unknown destination. But to be fair, I had never heard of Puyallup, Washington, which the Seattle Times says has the country’s largest sewing expo and it’s on this weekend.

I told you: slim.

So, let’s look outside the US. You wouldn’t necessarily think of the Financial Times as a place to check every weekend in search of travel stories, but it excels at getting a number of well-known travel writers to pen regular dispatches. This week is no exception, with Pico Iyer writing about the southern coast of Sri Lanka and Taprobane Island.

One of my biggest regrets is that I never ditched life for a spell when I was in my early 20s to become a ski bum. Simon Mills writes about how to be a grown up ski bum, in Engelberg, Switzerland, in the UK’s Guardian newspaper.

In the Times of London, Ian Belcher (and unfortunate name, let’s be honest) doesn’t exactly break new ground with this dispatch about Lithuania’s Communist era legacy. I mean, writers are always talking about this when they’re in the former Soviet Eastern bloc. Here, Belcher points out that touring Cold War monuments and leftovers outside Vilnius will cost you a hell of a lot less than doing so in Moscow.

One of the hardest things to write about is home. John Allemang makes a gallant effort at this in Toronto’s Globe and Mail, taking a long winter walk to celebrate the founding of Canada’s largest city.

Back in the US, the New York Times‘ Frugal Traveler, Matt Gross, pens a long piece about visiting off-season Venice with a six-week-old newborn. It’s part deals, part how to travel with a baby. Also in the Times, Michelle Higgins writes about hotels welcoming back groups of college kids for spring break.

Travel writers seem to love “walking in the footsteps of…” stories. In the LA Times, Susan Spano shows she’s not afraid of this hackneyed convention as she walks in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots.

The Washington Post publishes its annual Islands Issue this week, with dispatches from the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The Baltimore Sun has this feature on the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Lastly, funny piece of the week goes to Phil Marty in the Philadelphia Inquirer, who lists some stupid questions asked by tourists that English Heritage has culled from various tourist attractions around the UK.

Budget Travel: Ft. Lauderdale

by Jamie Rhein on

When we flew into Ft. Lauderdale, our original plan was to stay only long enough to drop our daughter and my dad off at their cruise ship before heading out of town for a couple of days. Instead, on a whim, we found ourselves checking into San Souci Resort Hotel for three nights and looking forward to coming back after a jaunt to Orlando once the cruise ship returned.

For an affordable vacation complete with beaches, places to stroll and shop, excellent food, and easy access to the Big Cyprus Seminole Reservation and the Everglades, consider Ft. Lauderdale as a non-fussy destination option. I didn’t expect to be so pleased. As a note, we were there a few days before Christmas and two days after. This was not the college Spring Break version.

Getting In: With AirTran Airways flights as a choice, Ft. Lauderdale can be a very inexpensive flight. Depending upon when you book, Delta and Continental may also offer deals. We flew on Continental for a song. Greyhound is also an option with a bus terminal that’s open 24 hours a day. You can also get here by train. Amtrak has a station.

Where to Stay: We found San Souci by turning left off of the Intercoastal Waterway to check out the retro style motels and hotels just two blocks away from the high-rise beach front versions. We opted for the kitchenette room which added to our budget since we shopped for breakfast and lunch food at a grocery store.

There are several hotels like this one in addition to more swanky options. According to the owner of San Souci, because so many people come to Ft. Lauderdale as a jumping off place for cruises and don’t stay in town, competition for business is fierce. That’s good news for bargain hunters.

Where to Eat: We found places to eat by asking for recommendations and being on the lookout while driving around in our rental car. Ft. Lauderdale is filled with places to eat, and in general, I’d say the competition keeps prices down.

  • Sukhothai Restaurant on E. Sunrise Blvd. We headed to this Thai restaurant twice. Once for dinner and the other time for lunch. Both meals were superb and I’ve been to Thailand four times, so I know good Thai food.
  • Mi Casa Su Casa on Griffin Rd. We went here based on a recommendation. On Tuesdays the margaritas are $.99 with a dinner entree. On Mondays, kids eat free. One adult meal= one free kid’s meal. Happy hour is 4-8 in the bar.
  • Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill on West Davie Blvd. Ask about special deals. We ordered a pitcher of beer and ended up with a free order of chicken wings. This was a fun place to eat and terrific for kids.
  • Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine on E. Oakland Park. With a hankering for Cuban food, we had to head here.

What to See and Do:

In Ft. Lauderdale:

We spent much time at Ft. Lauderdale’s main beach by the Intercoastal Highway and at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Besides the beach–there are eight in the Ft. Lauderdale area, head into Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The park, located across the Intercoastal Highway from the beach, was a tucked in gem that I happened upon. The property used to be owned by Birch, but now offers canoeing, hiking, and places to bicycle and skate for a nominal entrance fee. We rented a canoe for an hour. Birch’s house has been turned into a museum that highlights the nature of the area.

If we had had more time, I would have gone to the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. Hugh Taylor Birch first gave the property to his daughter as a wedding gift. Her husband, an artist, finished the house after her death from breast cancer. Now it’s on the register of National Historic Places.

Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to take a boat ride along the canals that go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Everglades either. Next time.

Here’s another detail to keep in mind. During March you can catch the spring training games of the Baltimore Orioles at Ft. Lauderdale Stadium.

Near by:

The Big Cyprus Seminole Reservation Along with the Billie Swamp Safari, the reservation boasts the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum with exhibits about the history and culture of the Seminole Indians. Give yourself enough time to walk along the nature trail to the living history Seminole village.

About the Billie Swamp Safari. What a blast! We sprung for the package deal that included the airboat ride through the Everglades, the swamp buggy eco tour and the animal show. The swamp buggy tour goes through wetlands and cyprus where bison, deer, water buffalo, wild hogs, hawks, eagles, alligators and more roam free. Some are native. Others are rescue animals.

Here’s a link of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Web site that lists other inexpensive or free things to do. One item that caught my attention is the Old Dillard Museum, a historic building with exhibits that center on the African American heritage of Ft. Lauderdale.

As a note, if you book a hotel through the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Web site, you’ll receive a free Beach Starter kit that includes a beach towel, beach ball and flip flops.

Galley Gossip: Flight attendant of the month – Author Barbara Goodwin

by Heather Poole on

Name? Barbara Goodwin

Hometown? Orange County, California

Base? LAX

How many years have you been a flight attendant? 32

Tell me about your book, Hiding in Plain Sight? It’s a romantic suspense novel about a flight attendant who foils a drug running operation at her airline and has to go undercover with the DEA to find who is the head of the ring. It’s a book for the baby boomers as I think they, too, deserve romance in their lives.

I’ve read the book and it’s good! You’re a very good writer. Hours flown this month? It would be 84, but I have jury duty so I’m not flying 2 trips.

Last flight? JFK-LAX

Galley or Aisle? Galley (as much as possible!)

Thank goodness for people like you! I’m an aisle girl, myself. You’ve got to be organized to work in the galley. First class, business class, or coach? First Class (also as much as possible!)

Widebody or Narrowbody? Widebody

Of course. Favorite airplane? 767

Regular Route? LAX-JFK-LAX

I met you on a flight from LA to NY, only I was commuting and you were working the business class galley. Dream Trip? I’m flying my dream trip. I love the Transcons and have done them for 12 years. I meet the most fascinating people as well as many celebrities and no leg of the trip is the same.

Nightmare Trip? ORD-SFO-ORD. A passenger went berserk, stabbed a pregnant passenger in her arm, the nearest men climbed over seats to go to her rescue and 3 were injured, all stabbed. An older man on the flight had a heart attack watching that unfold inflight.

Oh my, that is the worst “worst trip ever” story I’ve ever heard. And you’re still flying… Just goes to show how much we love our jobs. Moving on, what exactly is in your rollaboard? Lol! Okay, let’s see. Pajamas, undies, 2 blouses, jeans, tennis shoes, socks, sweater. Travel pillow, alarm clock, earplugs, slippers, charging cord for my cell phone, shoe polish.

Shoe polish? I’ve never heard that before. What about your tote bag? Makeup bag, uniform sweater for the always cold First Class galley, galley gloves, passenger restraint tape (actually, duct tape. Hey! I didn’t name it that…), masking tape, water bottle, 3 books, 2 of mine to show or sell, one I’m reading and assorted papers.Any packing tips/tricks? None. I’m still trying to figure out how to pack after all these years. My twin sister even gave me a book on packing for Christmas one year. It didn’t seem to work for me.

I have yet to meet a flight attendant who knows how to pack. Favorite brand of pantyhose? Nordstrom’s.

Best brand/type of in-flight shoes? Monroe

What brand/type of work shoes do you wear through the terminal? Ugly, boring flats. If my feet hurt, I’m not a happy flight attendant, so I compromise and go for comfort.

I hear ya! Any airport routines? Sign in, check my mail box, get a decaf Starbucks and yak with my friends

Nicest Airport? I don’t really have one.

Worst Airport ? Miami

It seems people either love it or hate it. Favorite Airport restaurant? Oops, sorry, none. I’ve only been at 2 airports, LAX and JFK for the past decade.

What kinds of snacks do you carry with you on the airplane? Weight Watchers bars, Trader Joe’s Cliff bars, string cheese, apples, and a thing I make called baked oatmeal. They’re oatmeal squares, easy to pack and don’t get too smashed.

Hotel away from home? The Roosevelt in Manhattan .

Best layover city? New York! When I’m in New York I love to eat at Carmines in Times Square with a bunch of friends from the crew

I’m a big fan of Carmines, too. Their salad is amazing. Favorite in-flight announcement? Flight attendants prepare for landing.

Book / Magazine last read on the jumpseat? Everlasting by Kathleen Woodiwiss

Most annoying passenger question? Are you sure my bag won’t fit in the overhead bin?

If there’s one thing we know, besides uncomfortable seats and bad food, it’s baggage. Ever hook up with a pilot? Yes, many moons ago.

How about a passenger? Never.

Favorite vacation spot? Maui because of the wonderful sunsets. I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t go away on vacation, I love to write my books then.

Finish the following sentences:

I can’t fly without my… iPhone

On my last flight… I closed the galley curtain and didn’t realize I cut off the heat vent so
I froze in the galley.

Once a passenger…. On his way to the bathroom heard me asking another flight attendant if she would date someone much younger. He told me he would have turned off his computer if he’d known we were having such a fun discussion.

Once a pilot... told me that reading a few paragraphs of my book Hiding in Plain Sight was turning him on. That was fun!

Once a flight attendant... decided to read one of my love scenes out loud to some other flight attendants working the trip and turned beet red. I told her the scenes were not to be read out loud!

Why do passengers... tell flight attendants to smile?

When it comes to traveling, I wish... People would have patience with those around them.

If I could be anywhere in the world, I’d … be right where I am, at home.

Any advice for travelers? Check your bag. If they can’t do that…pack light.

Next flight? What else? LAX-JFK!

To read more about Barbara and her books visit her website – barbaragoodwin.com

Undiscovered New York: Flea market mania

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Here at Undiscovered New York, we often find ourselves wondering why our city is so expensive. It’s usually the first question from friends and family who come to visit us here in New York, and truthfully, they’re kind of right. Want a beer? That’ll be $7 (plus tip). Headed to a Broadway show? $60 for the cheap seats. Hotel room? Unless you’re staying at the Hotel Carter, expect to pay at least $100-$200 per night.

But as New Yorkers will tell you, there’s plenty of places to get a bargain if you know where to look. That is especially true when it comes to weekend flea market hunting, the city’s unofficial hobby. Whether it’s vintage clothing or costume jewelry, antique furniture or formica countertops, rare vinyl or a delicious vanilla pastry, New York’s flea markets offer a little something for everyone. And the best part is, New York’s vibrant community of artists and independent craftmakers ensure there’s just as much new merchandise for sale at flea markets as there is old gems.

So forget about blowing your vacation savings at Saks Fifth Avenue or down in SoHo. This week, Undiscovered New York is taking you inside some of New York City’s best flea markets and telling you where to find them. Click below for our picks of the best.
Annex / Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
For the past 15 years, one of New York’s best flea markets was along 24th and 25th street in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. That all ended in 2008, when rising rents forced the market to close and move shop. Thankfully, the change has been for the best, combining the fantastic variety of Chelsea’s once thriving vendor scene with the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market on West 39th Street.

The market now combines an enormous range of items, everything from African tribal artifacts to Mid-Century Modern furniture to fine silver. It’s one of the first stops for the city’s bargain hunters and those on the lookout for a truly unique item to decorate their apartment, in New York or beyond.

Brooklyn Flea
True to the quirky and eclectic tastes of its neighborhood’s residents, the Brooklyn Flea is among the newest additions to New York’s wide array of weekend shopping markets. First opened in 2008, this smallish market is held each Saturday in the courtyard of Fort Greene’s Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School and during colder months at two smaller “pop-up” markets in DUMBO. Don’t let the size fool you though – what this market lacks in size it more than makes up in a very well curated selection of items and great food.

In addition to a great selection of vintage records, the market stocks a nice mix of interesting vendors selling home furnishings, jewelry handcrafted by local artisans and some of the best food this side of the East River. Even if you’re not the shopping type, it’s a fun place to spend a weekend afternoon chowing down on a delicious taco and checking out the crowd. If you want a unique New York souvenir, check out the vendor who sells vintage tin ceiling tiles!

The Market (Nolita)
Each weekend, a crowd of visiting trend hunters descends on Nolita, a hip neighborhood “North of Little Italy” that is home to a large number of boutiques and unique businesses. But before they browse Nolita’s sometimes pricey shops, New York City bargain-hunters head straight for The Market, a weekend market for young designers on Manhattan’s Mulberry Street. Unlike the Annex / Hell’s Kitchen market, Nolita’s The Market is all about brand new stuff. It’s also a great place to find unique one-of-a-kind items like clothing and bags you can’t find anywhere else.

Budget Travel: Boston

by Brenda Yun on

Though it seems a world away from the paradise I live in now, Boston was my home for three great, memorable years, and continues to hold a special place in my heart. Often regarded as America’s true college city, “Beantown” (named because of the city’s influx of baked beans during the “triangular trade” when molasses was plentiful) is alive and kicking. Where else in the States is finance, literature, sports, and education so vibrant? No where. Kick it in Boston in the dead of winter or the height of summer – any time, freezing sleet or blazing sun, this city is packed with awesome history, sights, and sounds.
Getting in:
By bus/train – Boston is essentially the hub of New England, so that means nearly every bus or train line will at least make a pit stop in South Station. There are now cheap $20 one-way bus fares to and from New York City where the motor coach is complete with movies and wi-fi. Expect trains to take the same amount of time (if not more), but twice the price. (I found my last train journey to Boston six months ago to be quite miserable, so would advise taking the bus instead)

By plane – Hooray for Virgin America (my new favorite continental airline)! There are plenty of flights to Boston through this awesomely comfortable, low-cost carrier, or there are tons of flights to Boston on United.

Where to stay:
A most comfortable and surprisingly affordable option in the North End (or Little Italy), one of Boston’s gastronomy centers, is La Capella Suites. There are three nicely decorated suites available on the 4th and 5th floors of this 70 year-old chapel (thus, its name). Rooms start at just $100 in the winter or $140 in the summer. The city’s best Italian restaurants and nightclubs are just steps away.

The cool 19th century townhouse Encore is the other great option in Boston’s gay-friendly South End. There are four guest rooms that are comparably priced with La Capella.

Both of these accommodations are on T-lines, and close to the center of town.

What to see:
Faneuil Hall – Clam chowder, lobster bisque, Urban Outfitter, the Freedom Trail, Duck and historical tours… Also known as Quincy Market, Faneuil has it all. It’s just as popular among Bostonians as it is tourists.

The Freedom Trail & the Boston Common – There is no other place in the United States where you can learn about America’s Revolution. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites, every one an authentic American treasure. Take a stroll along the Trail on your own using a handy online map, or have a native Bostonian guide you and tell you the dramatic story of America’s freedom from Britain.

Newbury Street – If you didn’t get your fill of shopping at Quincy Market, browse the hip boutiques along Newbury Street in the Back Bay, the quintessential Bostonian neighborhood. You can protect your pocket by sidling up to one of its many sidewalk cafés and people-watch your day way.

A BoSox game at Fenway Park – Don’t be daunted by the ridiculously steep ticket prices. If there’s one thing you must experience in Boston, it’s a Red Sox game. There is something totally electric about being in Fenway Park. Where else in the world is there so much baseball history in a single team and a single ballpark? Babe’s curse has been reversed, but the Green Monster and Pesky Pole live on. Even if you’re not a sports fan, you will be a Red Sox fan once you set foot on Yawkey Way.