posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 15
Wanderlite Packable Daypack - Not a bad idea.
Any savy traveler knows that a daypack is worth its weight in gold. The problem is, most of them are bulky and take up precious luggage real estate. True, you could check your luggage at the gate and carry on a daypack. But who wants to carry around backpack in the airport if they dont have to? Thanks to the clever minds at Barefoot Enterprise, now you can pack a daypack in your suitcase, briefcase, or even your pocket.
The Wanderliet Packable Daypack is just what it sounds like. This suckers packs up into a 3 x 3 x5 area. Thats roughly that size of a soda can. That leaves you hands free in the airport, plenty of extra space in your luggage, and still lets you bring your daypack.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 12
This weekend my friend Pam from college days - shown here with a baguette during a visit in April - is getting married to a wonderful man. It’s a very romantic story of how two people found love again, after previous marriages had ended.
Between Pam and Paul - her husband-to-be - they have four young adult children, who will join in the wedding festivities. Pam is an English professor and Paul a lawyer. They seem so well-suited for each other, it renews one’s faith that love can conquer all.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 10
Editor & Publisher reports that San Francisco Bay Area journalists have banded together to pursue investigations by Chauncey Bailey. The Oakland Post editor was murdered August 2 while investigating activities of the Your Black Muslim Bakery and the Bey family members who operated the bakery for the past 20 years.
The collaboration is reminiscent of the 1976 “Arizona Project,” formed in 1976 following the murder of Arizona Republic investigative reporter Don Bolles. Bolles, killed by a bomb placed under his car, had been investigating links between organized criminals and Phoenix businessmen. Some 38 journalists from 28 newspapers and television stations participated in the Arizona Project. More than two dozen San Francisco Bay Area journalists are participating in the Chaucey Bailey Project.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 8
Travel to Hawaii is ramping up after recent rains have slowed bookings. The weather has cleared and sunshine has returned to the Islands!
Recently John Monahan, President and CEO of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) stated “We’re enjoying blue skies and the warm sunny climate that everyone expects when coming to Hawai’i.”[1]
Repeat travelers to Hawaii are on the rise, with more than 62% of visitors enjoying the sun and sand more than once. Today’s travelers are also more likely to be independent, and rely less on group and package tours. In 2000 just over 49% of travelers were independent explorers, while in 2005 that number rose to nearly 54%.[2]
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 4
Miami Beach is fast becoming one of the top vacation destinations for families andtravelersalike. Miami Beach offers sun, fun and a variety of activities to choose from. Now that you have decided to vacation in Miami Beach, it is time to choose the hotel that you will reside in for your vacation. With a plethora of hotel options how does one pick the perfect Miami Beach hotel? A good way to choose a hotel is by the amenities t
hat the hotel has to offer. One of the biggest disappointments that I have encountered is getting to a hotel and expecting a service that the hotel does not offer. With all the travel tools that are available on the web, you can do a little research before you go to make sure you get what you want. Listed below are what I feel are the top 5 amenities that a hotel can offer to you and your family to make your accommodation choice perfect for you.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 3
Lowepro Rezo 40 Camera Bag – A sleek and stylish digital camera bag.
If you are looking for a digital camera bag for the sheer fact that you don’t want to carry your camera in your pocket, the Lowepro Rezo 40 Camera Bag is perfect. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, just a nice looking, simple, camera bag. The Lowepro Rezo 40 Camera Bag is perfect for female travelers who don’t wear pants. And by that I mean those who wear skirts. Get your mind out of the gutter.
The Lowepro Rezo 40 Camera Bag wont fit all digital cameras. It has a long and skinny shape. It is ideal for thin, rectangular digital cameras. Be sure to test this out with your camera before buying.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 29
Photo of beaded and sequinned tapestry at Centre Pompidou, Paris by Jordana Shalhoub. Click photo to view detail.
Despite a whirlwind of guests and brocantes, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the news from Burma. I’ve been dismayed by the Burmese government’s deliberate and targeted violence against peaceful protesters. The Washington-based group US Campaign for Burma said around 200 protesters have been killed, including Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai. Shari Villarosa, the most senior US diplomat in Burma told reporters, “It’s tragic. These were peaceful demonstrators, very well behaved.”
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 26
Tom Ford, Gucci designer-turned-independant fashion tycoon, lashed out on the Paris fashion world during London
posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 25
Arched windows offer keyhole views at the Paris Mosque. In both the Bible and the Koran, a keyhole recalls the tradition of locked and hinged manuscripts in securing, protecting and holding the “key” to the Word of God. Photo by Jordana Shalhoub.
For the Writers Island prompt, “The Key:”
Recently I read a rather naive blog piece in which the writer said she didn’t want to know about or deal with the world’s troubles; she just wanted to remain at home in her “safe haven.” But there are no safe havens anymore, anywhere in this vast global village we call home. We are all connected; everything that happens, ultimately affects us all. Each day when I read or hear one bit of bad news after another, I am more and more convinced that the positive changes necessary must begin with us.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 23
Last week we were delighted to have been asked by TheTimes to share our travel tips on where to eat, stay and shop inLiverpool, which is one of the greatest WAG cities, and by default has some of the greatest bling bling shopping. Check out our travel tips here. And in otherLiverpoolnews,Liverpool StreetinLondonis now home to the groovy new Andaz hotel, which is a new, luxury green boutique brand from Hyatt. The Andaz is on the location of the former Great Eastern Hotel and eco features include low water toilets, sustainable food and a computer controlled heating system. Guests will also be able to download iPod playlists from locals groovy people (policemen, artists, architects and hairdressers). Hyatt is also looking to roll out more Andaz???s inChicagoandNew York. AndazLiverpool Street,40Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7QNPhone: 020 7961 1234.
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