All of us who travel must do the layover, whether we like it or not. Some stops are better than others. My personal favorites are Denver, Chicago, and Phoenix. My least favorites are Dulles, JFK, Hotlanta, and Dallas.
Thrillist has a few thoughts on the subject:
These are the top five airports for layovers, based on the methodology:
1. San Diego International Airport
2. Logan International Airport
3. Philadelphia International Airport
4. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
5. Miami International Airport
San Diego International Airport came out as the top airport, with 36 restaurants, 41 shopping options, and 13 charging stations per mile. California is also represented by the second spot, with Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. The airport has fast Wi-Fi, easy navigation, and a stress-free layover, according to the study.
Meanwhile, some of the worst airports to spend time at based on the study include Orlando International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
San Diego has made great strides in improving their layover status. It will only get better as they open the new terminals.
But I judge the layovers on the quality of their airline lounges. The new United Polaris Lounges are great since they serve Lanson champagne. The American lounge in Chicago served Piper Heidsieck.
The reason I like Denver is the cute little French bistro, Pour la France in Terminal B. I usually have a glass of champagne and some French fries, but other options look good too. They have French onion soup, Les Fromage plate, and steak frites.
Chicago has my all-time favorite, Garrett’s Popcorn. But they also have the Berghoff Cafe, Billy Goat Tavern, Big Bowl, and Tortas Frontera.
Lounge access is the key, unless your layover airport has a branch of one of your favorite restaurants.
A recent trip to Paris Baguette, a newish French bakery in downtown Pleasant Hill, yielded a plethora of pastries and French delicacies. Among my favorites are the mochi donuts and the Pastel de Nata.
From Eater Seattle:
Pasteis (Pastel) de nata, also known as Portuguese egg tarts, were invented by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon hundreds of years ago. At the time, monks and nuns used egg whites to starch their clothes (the past was a strange place), so they had a bunch of yolks lying around. Someone came up with the idea of putting egg custard in a pastry shell, sort of like a miniature pie, which is browned on top and sometimes sweetened with flavors like cinnamon.
Because of Portugal’s status as a colonial superpower, its culinary influence spread to Asia. particularly Macau (which was under Portuguese rule until 1999). Macanese-style egg tarts are known as po tat, which is eggier and less sweet than the pasteis de nata you’d get in Portugal. There is also a Hong Kong variant called dan tat, which isn’t browned on top and often has a shortcrust-style shell; this is more of a savory pastry you could have at breakfast, and it is often served at dim sum places.
It is impossible to walk down any street in Lisbon and not find pastel de nata for sale. Large shops, small shops, convenience stores, junk stores, tourist traps, and push carts all feature the national dessert. It is a great way to start the day with coffee, or to end the day with coffee. Caution: they are very addictive!
Japanese spirits have come a long way over the last few years. Whether it’s craft gin or a coveted bottle of whisky, there are more options and variety available now more than ever. While the skyrocketing demand for Japanese whisky has led to a short supply of several aged single malt varieties and steep price hikes, it seems like alcohol in general will see another price increase in spring next year.
Suntory Spirits has recently announced that it will be revising the prices of its domestic premium whisky products starting with shipments going out on April 1 2024. Suntory stated that the reason for the price increase is to help improve the product quality and upgrade its production facilities. Although we do think that inflation has a huge role to play in this as well.
A total of 117 alcoholic beverages will be affected by this price hike, with some labels going up by more than two times their current prices. To give you an idea of the new prices, three of Suntory’s top-shelf whiskies – Hibiki 30 Years, Yamazaki 25 Years and Hakushu 25 Years – will go from ¥160,000 to an eye-watering ¥360,000.
I have tried a few of the Japanese whiskeys. They are more than comparable to their Scottish counterparts.
Maybe it’s time to grab a bottle now as a Christmas present for yourself.
Unfortunately, I have had more than my share of bad Russian vodka. Here is my experience:
According to Pictures in History:
It’s a fact that seems too wild to be true, but it’s actually real: Russia ran out of vodka celebrating the end of World War II. On May 9th 1945, after Nazi Germany had surrendered, Russians celebrated with such enthusiasm and vigor that they drank all of their vodka reserves dry! It was an incredible display of jubilation from a country that had endured so much suffering during the war years, and one that will never be forgotten. The celebration also marked the beginning of a new era for the Soviet Union, as they emerged victorious in the conflict and began rebuilding their nation. So next time you raise your glass to toast a special occasion, take a moment to remember this remarkable historical event – when Russia ran out of vodka celebrating the end of WWII!
While traversing Russia, mostly Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway in 2014, there was no shortage of vodka. However, there was a significant shortage of good vodka and cold beer on the train. The Railway is 9288 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok. The average winter temperature is -25 degrees Celsius. We crossed EIGHT times zones, and 497 bridges and sixteen major rivers. We pass or stop at 876 stations, 87 major cities, and two continents.
You would never know booze is banned on the train. Yet every person except for me carried their own supply onboard. I bought my cold beer from the providnitsa in my car. She is the woman who runs each train car with an iron hand (to put it lightly). Somehow, she either took a liking to me, or maybe felt sorry for me. But she always sold me a cold beer from her private stash whenever I wanted one. When my Swiss roomie asked her for beer, he always got one at room temp.
Vodka must be purchased at various train stops, either from tiny little convenience stores or on the platform from the old Russian ladies selling food, like smoked fish and boiled potatoes. The quality ranges from poor (at best) to petrol fuel grade (the worst). I can tell you that I never bought a bottle of vodka while on the train!
But, even in the first-class car, passengers gather at cocktail time to have a few shots of vodka and share their food. It is considered rude to avoid these little parties. I would come prepared with my cold beer and my snacks from back home. I brought rice crackers, beef sticks, jerky, salted nuts, and cookies from home.
Inevitably, the party involved taking too many shots of bad vodka. The home country of the partiers did not maker. The Germans loved the cheap stuff, as did the host country Russians. The Aussies were a bit more discerning, trying to buy “name brand” vodka. The younger passengers, like the Ph.D. students from Omsk stuck to beer. The rest of us just followed along.
This German couple (from Hamburg), now on their THIRD trip (don’t ask me why) across Siberia, seemed to be the ring leaders of the vodka parties. They came around to each first class compartment and invited (I used the term quite loosely), then insisted that we join their party. I swear to you that first shot of vodka nearly knocked me over!
I got smarter on subsequent parties. I bought my own glass, filled with water! They thought I was a real partier! And I always had my beer chaser.
The key to survival on the train is smoked fish and boiled potatoes. Even in first class, the dining car is a questionable place to eat, since they do not have refrigeration. I did not realize this until a local Russian businessman explained the details. “Never eat any food on the train unless you can see it being loaded onto the train at a long rest stop!” The only meal we would eat was breakfast. Somehow, he conned the young waitress in the dining car to bring our food to our compartment, along with fresh coffee and bread!
From Munchies: “There is very little else to do for the majority of the time, so we drank quite often. We met a guy who proceeded to order conical flask after conical flask of vodka to our table. He didn’t speak a lick of English and we didn’t speak any Russian, so we drew pictures on the napkins in a Pictionary-esque way of communicating.”
Somehow, we overcame the language barrier. Vodka does that. I was hoping beer would do the same. I was wrong. In Russia, it must be vodka, even bad vodka.
So, please do not worry, Russia will never run out of vodka again. The quality is so bad, you will opt for beer or water!
For those of you who have never visited the famous Buena Vista Cafe in North Beach/Fisherman’s Wharf, this story ought to entertain you.
Maybe San Francisco didn’t invent Irish coffee, per se, but the city by the Bay sure popularized this cozy, whipped-creamy, whiskey-spiked coffee drink. The story goes: one November evening in 1952, Pulitzer-Prize-winning travel writer Stanton Delaplane was sitting at the bar of the Buena Vista Café on Hyde Street when the café’s owner, Jack Koeppler, challenged Delaplane to help duplicate the original, which the writer had tasted at Ireland’s Shannon Airport. They tried one concoction after the next, not quite getting it right. Finally, Koeppler returned to Shannon to ask the original inventor, Chef Joe Sheridan, for advice. Eventually, the recipe was perfected. Turns out there are two secrets: The cream needs to be aged for 48 hours before frothing to perfection; and the glass needs to be a clear, six-ounce, heat-treated goblet. It’s still served at Buena Vista Café, to the tune of some 2,000 servings a day. (From Fodor’s)
In years past, our out-of-town visitors all wanted to visit the BV. It was a great reason to board the cable car, and head out to the Wharf area. We would down a few Irish coffees, and jump back on the cable car back into the downtown area.
Back in the Seventies, I would go bar hopping a few times a year. I met up with some skiing friends for dinner and some drinks. I do not remember where we had dinner, probably somewhere in North Beach, or Tommy’s Joynt would be my guess. After hitting a few bars, we ended up at the Buena Vista.
We thought a few Irish coffees would “sober” us up for the drive back down the Peninsula where we were staying for the night. Several things happened. First, we had too many Irish coffees. Second, we cashed a check for a pretty young woman, who then proceeded to buy us drinks with my money!!! I think you see where this is headed??
The bartender actually ends up taking her home. We stumbled out of the bar, found the car somewhere, and drove down to Burlingame (near SFO). I can tell you that being drunk and wide awake is not a good combination!!! I learned my lesson. I swore I would never do that again! I kept my promise. My skiing buddy and I were late for work that next morning.
A writer on Insider mentioned that of her 40 trips, 20 have been solo. That got me thinking about how many countries I have visited solo. This includes many that I have done with others. Or multiple times. Also, please note that some travelers do not consider traveling solo and traveling alone to be the same.
I do not regard it as a big deal. Most were intentional, a few were not.
But rarely do I feel alone. In Athens, I was adopted by my Greek brothers, Stavros, Giorgos, and Vasili. In Santorini, it was Kostas. In Crete, it was Alex. In Croatia, it was Goran.
I did feel some isolation when I volunteered at a refugee camp in Poland outside of Warsaw. I had to give up my phone for the day as well.
And I have visited many friends that we have made over the years: Angela in KL, Jason and Chun in Penang, Roath and family in Cambodia, Itsuyo in Tokyo, Katy, wherever in the world I can find her, same for Dirty Pat, Cesar in Amazonia, Barry the V in Cape Town, my adopted Greek brothers in Athens and Crete, Tom and Pansy in London or wherever I can find them, Kenbob and Nelly from Atlanta.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for solo travelers is where to eat. I think the options are great. I can usually find a seat at a bar, drink and eat, and mix with everyone. I rarely do takeout, since my hotel room is too quiet. Even seated at a table, conversations are easily started. But I do realize it is more challenging for women, both to sit alone, and speak to strangers.
Occasionally, there are activities that require two people, such as a wine tour, bike ride, or walking tour. Again, easily solved. Place a sign on the hotel bulletin board for a “companion” for the day. You never know who you might find.
On one of my trips to Athens, I was followed back to my hotel by a man from China. He was eager to make a friend, perhaps too eager. He asked if I was there on business. When I said no, he gradually disappeared.
One of my best experiences occurred in Munich. I have told the story before. I had an early flight the next morning, so I chose to have an early dinner. I ended up at a restaurant nearby, the Munchner Stubn. The waitress seated me with two gentlemen. Through the evening, after some food and several beers, we determined that we were all Americans. When one of the guys left, two women sat down, and proceeded to buy us drinks and shots of something. We had a great time. I stayed until closing and ended up staying awake until my 4am wakeup call!! Crazy.
May I repeat the Crete story here as well? After my all-day food and wine cycling tour, the shop owner kept pouring the wine from his farm up in the mountains. Around 10pm, we decided to have dinner, joined by another local, and another tourist like me. I remember stumbling back to my hotel for an early cab ride to the airport. But I really got a big dose of life on Crete, with great food and wine. And fun people!
Just so you don’t get the impression that everything revolves around drinking, I can re-tell the story about the fish market in Athens. A stranger offered to grill my fish for me! Not only that, he hosted me and a stranger I met on the plane, at his apartment. His sister fried potatoes, plantains, and made the biggest green salad I have ever seen! We brought a few bottles of wine and had a feast! It was on my first full day in Athens.
Nothing compares to isolation like riding the Trans-Siberian Railway across Siberia. But with so many people on the train, it was easy to make friends. My roomie was a young Swiss fellow. I met other Americans, many Germans, many Russians, including some cute Ph.D. students. Lots of people from places like Australia, Germany, and Austria, but very few (none) Asians. I even met a KGB agent, who sang Russian lullabies at night. And another Russian who hacked into the “secret” national wifi network since we did not have wifi on the train! Just stay away from the rot gut Russian vodka (which serves double duty as auto fuel).
I guess if you choose to be alone, that is your decision. I have never felt alone while traveling.
I hate long layovers on my flights to Europe, Asia, or South America. But these are some of my favorites, from Simple Flying.
From the world’s largest indoor waterfall to the world’s tallest slides inside an airport, Singapore Changi offers much more than just air travel. The airport currently has more than 80 restaurants, cafes, and bars, providing ample choices for food enthusiasts. The airport also includes a movie theater, along with a sound and light show, complemented by additional offerings such as a spa and canopy bridge where you can take a stroll and stretch your legs while enjoying a scenic view. This is probably the gold standard.
Haneda Airport, conveniently located less than an hour away from popular Tokyo destinations like Asakusa, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, stands out as the city’s most accessible airport. Abundant shops and restaurants offer ample diversions while waiting for your flight, and free shuttle buses facilitate easy movement between the three terminals.
During your next visit to Haneda Airport, consider heading to Terminal 3 to explore the newly inaugurated Haneda Airport Garden, unveiled in January 2023. This modern complex hosts 80 new restaurants, cafes, and shops. Also, it features two hotels and a spa with an outdoor hot spring, adding to the airport’s array of offerings.
According to Skytrax awards, Tokyo Haneda is the world’s third-best airport after Singapore Changi and Hamad International Airport. My personal favorite since it has an Edo style village in the airport! Lots of charm and authentic food. No fast food!
The new Istanbul Airport serves as a major hub for numerous airlines, facilitating the daily connection of tens of thousands of passengers to their next flights. Having a long layover can be a pleasant experience as there are various activities and amenities to explore.
Istanbul Airport boasts numerous elegant lounges and offers a diverse range of shopping options, including duty-free stores, souvenir shops, and international brands, making it an enjoyable airport for a lengthy layover. Beyond shopping and dining, the airport features a museum showcasing both modern and traditional works of art. There is also a possibility to take a 30-minute helicopter tour from the Istanbul Airport helipad.
For now, Istanbul Airport has only one terminal, making it convenient for passengers during layovers as there is no need for a shuttle service between terminals. Turkish Airlines lounge is probably the best lounge for food I have ever visited. But it is the glitziest airport I have ever seen! And expensive!
Hong Kong International Airport stands as a major hub in Asia. With its numerous amenities and services, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy during transit at the airport. The airport is particularly renowned for its vibrant food scene, featuring many Michelin-starred restaurants, including the well-known Ho Hung Kee.
Beyond shopping and dining, the airport features a dedicated children’s play area and several captivating art installations and exhibitions. Additionally, there is a selection of duty-free electronics stores where you can explore the latest gadgets. The airport has two terminals, making it fairly easy for passengers to transfer. Being in the HK airport means that I have been in HK for at least a week and enjoyed every minute of it! The Singapore Airlines lounge has great food, showers, great staff!
I am sure each of you have a favorite, These are mine.
According to the report, the most aggravating in-flight behavior is the invasion of personal space — be it encroaching on an armrest, leg room area or crossing the invisible boundary that separates passenger seats. Some 77% of people in the survey said they were “bothered” by it, with 51% saying they were “very bothered.” (I hate the seat hog)
In second place are unhygienic behaviors, such as clipping fingernails or taking off shoes, according to the survey of more than 2,200 Americans. However, not everyone objects to removing shoes on flights, with less than half of people in Asia (49%) and just over a third of those in the United Arab Emirates (38%) deeming the practice unacceptable in a YouGov survey published in April. (A guy clipped his toenails on the plane and the flight attendant would not stop him!!)
Passengers who are visibly sick rank third on the list, as Covid-19 and other contagious illnesses can affect passengers long after a flight ends. (It happens often, even on busses and trains)
Rounding out the top five irritating behaviors is listening to devices without headphones, followed by visible intoxication. (With ear buds, some people play the music so loud, I can hear it!)
Exiting has several other unspoken rules, including refraining from edging your way into the aisle too early and retrieving your bag prematurely (“yanking your bag out of the overhead bin while people are still waiting in the aisle is a surefire way to make yourself a menace”), according to CheapAir.com.
Passengers wearing backpacks can wear them on frontward when getting on and off the plane to prevent accidentally hitting seated people in the face — an occurrence so common that some flyers say it’s reason enough to book a window seat.A few other things I have seen: breast feeding a child about 7 or 8 years old, clipping toenails, applying nail polish, eating smelly food, laying in the aisle to do yoga, standing on the seat, noisy video games, and wearing huge hats.
People speaking loudly to each other is irritating. It is even more irritating when I am trying to sleep. Talking loudly on the phone is equally irritating. I also hate people grabbing my seat back.
Despite recent news about bad behavior on planes, I have not seen much lately. My experience is that travelers in Europe are more difficult than American travelers. Foreigners always get up before the plane reaches the gate. One Croatian woman shoved her way to the front of the plane. It was hilarious when we saw her in our lines at both Immigration AND at baggage claim.
Certainly, sitting in the front of the plane is a totally different experience. Business and First Class seem to attract a different clientele.
So, you are probably an old timer like me if you recognize his songs. We are in Napa with dear friends to enjoy the concert this evening.
As I have said many times before, please get out to see the older performers before they retire. I was so fortunate to see some of the best, Elton, Frank, Elvis, Aretha, Jimi, Paul Simon, Sting, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Dave Brubeck, Seiji Ozawa, Arthur Fiedler, Dan Fogelberg, James Brown, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, B. B. King, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Roger McGuinn and the Byrds, Peter, Paul, and Mary, the Everly Brothers, Michael McDonald, CSN & Y, Steve Perry, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Smokey Robinson. Wow, I did not realize I saw and heard that many! I am sure I missed a few.
But Napa and our dear friends are the destination. Though I never considered living here, it seems quite appealing now. It is only an hour to the City, two hours to the Sierras, and an hour from the ocean. Staying with Paul and Chris is truly a vacation from reality!
Have you ever noticed that most other wine regions compare themselves to the Napa Valley? For good reason, Napa Valley wines are still the gold standard. And while these other areas have excellent, even award-winning wines, Napa is the glamor name through the years. Having tasted wine in Europe, South America, Africa, and Australia, I always hear Napa as the “grand” comparison.
I much prefer Napa Valley as well, just because of familiarity, and comfort. I know where to go, and what to eat. I have cycled through the Valley since the 70s. I love the vibe, despite the ridiculous prices of both wine and tasting options. Go online, and it is not unusual to find wine tasting options at some Napa wineries over $100!!!!! But best travel buddy, Mike and I were just talking this morning about this. Why are they doing the money grab? Because they can. They get visitors from around the world, never been here before, never coming back. Make them feel special by handing over $100 for “exclusive” tastings. This is simply not the Napa Valley I once knew. And the others are following suit, including the Central Coast wineries.
What can you do about this? One option is joining your favorite winery’s tasting club. In my case, I have been a member of Domaine Carneros Chateau Society. It obligates me to buy two bottles of sparkling wine every other month. But when I visit, my tasting is complimentary, and my food and other tastings are discounted. And on weekends, we get to taste in their Member’s Club Room and terrace. The other option is to just patronize the smaller guys. Why should I pay for someone’s outrageous cost structure?
Areas like Lodi and the Central Coast are also more affordable, less crowded. But much of the world is copying Napa Valley, charging for wine tasting, requiring reservations, and not applying the tasting fee to purchases.
Another big issue is having a designated driver. Sheri is my designated driver, I am fortunate she does not drink! The highways are crawling with the local law enforcement people. So, just be smart!
Dining here is another big plus, as there are no shortages of great places to eat. Since I prefer casual, I usually end up at Mustard’s Grill in Yountville. Good menu, decent prices, noisy, but always good food, and a nice wine list. And parking on site, another plus. Downtown Napa has also stepped up their game, both for dining and wine tasting.
See you there, despite everything I just said. Good, bad, outrageous, it is still the one and only, Napa Valley!!