Local Sensitivity: Priceless

Holiday Inn, Waterbury, CT

I left a review of the Holiday Inn Waterbury on TripAdvisor, as I do with any hotel at which I stay. Well, some local was upset that I began my review with what I think of the town (which is not much). I viewed it as a public service, so fuck him. Anyway, he left me a hilarious message through TripAdvisor, which I am inclined to share with you:

Good afternoon,
Before sending my RSVP for a charity event being held at the new Holiday Inn, I decided to go online to view any information or reviews on the hotel and water park. I was very disappointed to read your review of the hotel, as it began not as a hotel review, but as an opinionated rant of a town that is quite beautiful with tremendous history.

Let’s take this from the top. If he knows so much about Waterbury, why the fuck is he looking up the hotel? Why doesn’t he just drive by the goddamned place? But, maybe I’m the retard. Also, Waterbury may have a tremendous history (as does every town in New England), but it is far from beautiful, particularly the neighborhood in which you’ll find this particular hotel.

The beautiful and historic Palace Theater hosts many wonderful theater and musical performances. Diorio’s, Carmen Anthony’s, Brass City Bistro and Quench Cafe are among the finest dining establishments in CT.

I rather suspect that there are several restaurants in Hartford that rival those listed above. Just a guess, but I also think there are a number around Stamford, Greenwich and other “rich people” places that have a leg up on Waterbury as well. Oh, and I just spoke with my wife. She grew up in Waterbury, just like the dumbass who wrote this message. She is only familiar with one of the restaurants above and says that, while it’s good, it’s probably not among the best in the state. So, take that!

I, for one, am extremely proud of the City where I was born and raised, and hope you might take the time to experience some of the pleasantries that Waterbury has to offer if you should “have to” return again.
Cheers!

Well, happy fucking day! He’s proud of where he grew up! And, he still lives there, so he probably hasn’t seen much of the rest of the world. A look at his profile suggests that he joined TripAdvisor specifically to send me this “invitation” to “experience some of the pleasantries that Waterbury has to offer.”

If I had ever bothered to form an opinion of the type of nutjob who would be proud to call Waterbury home, this would have been it.

What the moron failed to indicate is whether my review of the hotel was helpful. Unlike most users, I put a considerable amount of time and effort into my TripAdvisor hotel reviews, and I do include photos when I can. So far, I have written 13 reviews and posted 22 photos. I do this not for compensation but because I use TripAdvisor and realize that other people do, too. The only way it works is if we are all as thorough as possible. This piece of shit has missed the point entirely, instead opting to defend his hometown to someone he likely will never see there.

So, he pays the price on the Wandering Blogger.

TraderDaily: Three-Dog Night in Norway

My latest travel article has been posted to TraderDaily.com. If you have the cash (this one’s from Alexander & Kent, too), you can go dogsledding in northern Scandinavia for more than a week.

This is not a luxury experience, despite the exclusive pricing. The trek involves lots of camping and plenty of cold nights, but you’ll get the chance to experience something that others will only hear about … probably from you.

Read about the trip >>

Book the trip >>

Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport’s New Private Resort, Celebrates Fall Foliage

Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport’s new private resort, is celebrating the changing of the leaves with the Colors of Autumn package.  When booking two nights guests will receive a third evening complimentary.  The getaway highlights luxe accommodations in a private cottage, bakery baskets delivered to the cottage each morning, wine and cheese in-cottage upon arrival, and a $50 certificate towards dinner at one of three top Kennebunkport restaurants, including Pier 77, Bandaloop and Big Fish.  Rates per cottage for the three-night package are $790 mid-week (Sun. through Thurs. nights) and $990 weekends (Fri. through Sun. nights).  The package is valid from September 21 through November 1, 2008.

The first property of its kind to open in Kennebunkport, Hidden Pond opened its doors this past July and has been met with rave reviews.  Each of the 14 one- and two-bedroom designer cottages features Frette linens, fireplaces, flat screen TVs and Bose sound systems with Ipod docks, heated outdoor showers and a screened in porch with swinging daybeds, cozy blankets and spectacular views of the fall palette outside.  Additionally, each cottage is outfitted with a gourmet kitchen where private chefs will prepare in-cottage “Forest Clambakes.”

For a bit of pampering, Hidden Pond guests will delight in the resort’s tented spa featuring an array of massage and body treatments.  The property’s communal garden, though nearing the end of its growing season, will feature pumpkins, squash and other fall produce available for guests to pick, enjoy and take home.  The bicycle barn houses complimentary bikes to use for jaunts to Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport’s most scenic coastal area, located just a mile from Hidden Pond.  On cool fall evenings, guests can cozy up to the poolside fire pit, where bonfires are a nightly ritual, or snuggle by the fire inside the Clubhouse.

The guests-only resort was the creation of Tim Harrington and Juan Urtubey, residents of Kennebunkport and Miami, whose goal was to create a private retreat for those seeking high-end accommodations and personalized services in a relaxed and natural coastal setting.  Hidden Pond’s cottages were designed by 14 Maine-based interior designers. Their creations range from traditional to colorfully over-the-top from Lazy Days, featuring a bohemian-meets- nature-flair to Lucky’s retro, mod vibe to Sweet Fern’s East Indian touches.

Additional services and amenities available at Hidden Pond are a bright and airy work-out cottage featuring cardio equipment and weights, horse shoe and croquet lawns and water color classes taught by the resident artist.  The onsite concierge can arrange endless guest activities, including sailing and schooner outings, clamming excursions, dining reservations at Kennebunkport’s sought after spots and theater tickets, among others.

In May 2009, phase two of Hidden Pond will unveil an additional 27 cottages, a second swimming pool, full-service spa cottage and fine-dining restaurant.

Time to go to Quebec

Hotel Clarendon, Quebec, Canada

It’s getting to be the perfect time of year to go up to Quebec. I went up just shy of a year ago, and it was amazing. There was a pleasant chill in the air. This year should be even more exciting, as Quebec is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

The place to stay is the Frontenac Hotel, which is a Fairmont property. But, it is priced like a Fairmont, so be ready to invest in your taste of luxury. If you’re on something of a budget (as I was), check out l’Hotel Clarendon. It’s inside the city walls and has large guestrooms that are clean and comfortable.

Something to keep in mind: L’Hotel Clarendon does offer a limited spa service. You can get in-room massages from an absolute professional. But, do note that this is arranged through a partnership with an independent masseuse, so you may have to schedule in advance. Plan ahead; it’s worth the effort.

A city of choice

Outside the University Club in Washington, DC– which way will Laura go?

This is where she says she’s headed.

This is where I think she’ll wind up.

Props to the Hotel Helix

While it wasn’t my best experience in Washington, DC, I do have to give the Hotel Helix’s management credit. They read every review posted to TripAdvisor about their property, and they seem to reply to all of them, as well. In fact, the responses are clearly based on the specific information in the reviews. I was excited to see that the management is investing considerable time and effort in communicating with guests. From me, this always gets two thumbs up.

New Hotel Review on TripAdvisor

Obligatory photo of me by me

Check out TripAdvisor for my latest hotel review. Last weekend, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Waterbury (in Waterbury, CT); I was in town for a wedding. The hotel wasn’t that bad, aside from the fact that it’s in Waterbury. Well, it’s an interesting hotel for a dumpy town in suburbia and even has a waterpark (I never got around to trying it.

Check out the Holiday Inn Waterbury >>

What travelers hope to find on the Wandering Blogger

I’ve picked up the habit of posting the most popular search terms used to find my other blog, Migrant Blogger, and I think I’ll do it here. Wandering Blogger is finally picking up some momentum! Well, since launching, the most popular search term appears to consist of variations on “Cafe Mozart closed,” often including “Manhattan” or “New York” in the query. Yes, the restaurant did close, much to my chagrin (but not my father’s). The place lost its lease, which is why it shut down (to answer one search engine-based question).

For those of you looking for absinthe in Naples, FL, your SOL– at least if you’re looking for real absinthe. You can’t get it anywhere in the United States. But, if Naples, FL is on your mind, you might want to check out the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. I spent a weekend there and loved it. Learn more at TraderDaily.com or TripAdvisor. Gare du Nord, a train station in Paris, Albert Maes, and foreign street signs are popular as well.

Also, someone was looking for “Blue Lagoon Spa fucking.” I get it. The Blue Lagoon Spa is a great destination not far from Reykjavik, Iceland. I assume they frown upon sex in the lagoon, but I guess it’s worth a shot.

Asia Travel Company Announces Travel to China’s New UNESCO Site

Specialists Provide Access to Remote Area

It’s not on everyone’s must see list, but it will be. Asia Transpacific Journeys is once again on the forefront of travel to Asia, this time trailblazing the way to spectacular, remote Sanqingshan National Park in China, recently designated a natural heritage site of exceptional significance by UNESCO on July 8, 2008.

“This area hosts dozens of peaks and 90 fantastically shaped granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes,” says Marilyn Downing-Staff, CEO of Asia Transpacific Journeys, which has specialized in Asia and Pacific Rim destinations for 21 years. “There is also a 1,600-year-old Taoist temple complex, containing hundreds of priceless cultural relics.”

• Sanqingshan National Park is located in China’s Jiangxi Province, within driving distance of Nanchang city.
• Domestic air routing is through Shanghai, with daily flights to Nanchang.
• Accommodations range from local style, very basic hostels to 3 and 4 star properties in Jindezhen and Nancheng,

“We can customize a private journey for a family or group of friends to this new area. Go now, it won’t be a secret for long,” she adds.

Asia Transpacific Journeys can arrange a visit to Sanqingshan National Park for clients on a custom, private basis to include both the famous, classic sites and those hidden jewels known to the few that seem destined for fame. Custom Journeys feature expert guides, and typically beautiful boutique hotels in authentic style. Land cost per person/per day starts at $350 per person per day for Custom China Travel.

A 19-day sample itinerary could highlight the following:

Day 1-2
En route/Shanghai
Day 3-5
Shanghai/Zhujiajiao
Day 6-8
Sanqingshan National Park
Day 9-11
Chongqing/Yangtze River Cruise
Day 12-13
Ping An
Day 14-15
Guilin/Yangshuo
Day 16
Xian
Day 17-18
Beijing/Great Wall

About Asia Transpacific Journeys
Asia Transpacific Journeys is a Boulder, Colorado based Asia travel company and Asia tour operator specializing in Custom Journeys and Small Group Trips to Asia and the Pacific region since 1987. Outstanding service, long-standing connections in Asia and deeply insightful cultural interpretation make them the Asia travel company of choice for the American Museum of Natural History, The Harvard and Yale alumni associations, the World Wildlife Fund, as well as discerning individuals, their families and friends.

http://www.AsiaTranspacific.com

News in from Pyongyang!

The Arirang Mass Games will be extended this year until October 10^th. As a result, Koryo Tours’s early October excursion guests will have the chance to attend the event. October 10^th is the Party Foundation Day in North Korea, this year will be the 63rd anniversary of the event that created the party that continues to reign in the DPRK to this day. Applications must be filed by September 26^th, only nine days from now.

Click here to learn more about early October tours of North Korea >>

If you are an American and want to check out the Mass Games >>