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Tagged With "Best airports"

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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !

Paul Heymont ·
Thanks for pointing this out! By the way, it is also possible to take a free stopover on the international end. For example, a couple of years ago, we flew from NYC to Copenhagen (the routing) but with a week stopover in Stockholm along the way. We've used that kind of routing a number of times. Adding to your point about Britain: Many of AA's European cities are actually served by their closely-tied partners, British Air and Iberia. With a little persistence, you can find flights that don't...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !

WorkerBee ·
Originally Posted by PHeymont: I envy your trip! We'll overlap in time, but not in place. If you do add France to the itinerary, you might want to look into the new TGV service from Barcelona to Paris that starts this month. I'm not sure of its route as it leaves Spain, but it might go where you want to! For some time the AVE has run from Madrid to Figueres which is north of Barcelona and Girona. The TGV has been running from Figueres to Paris for some time as well. I'm told that it takes...
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Re: The Hottest New Restaurant in Paris is...

Travel Rob ·
The funny thing was this summer I spent the night at the Marseilles airport and saw people buying food like crazy at the airport Burger King.I had no clue Burger King had even exited France and the return was the reason for the buying.
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Re: Paris Authentic

rbciao ·
This was really a neat travel experience made neater with the old car. We did like Paris and enjoyed our time there. Our 2014 Italian pilgrimage will have us returning through Detroit, which has a nice airport with comfortable amenities. We used Delta skymiles to pay for a portion of the tickets and the returning Paris option was not available. Anything is better than JFK Terminal 2.
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Re: Spain or Portugal?

Paul Heymont ·
Portugal's rail system feels a bit worn in places, and some trains look terrible from outside...but the interiors are clean and the system seems to work. Not a terribly large country, so that time between the two largest cities (Lisbon and Porto) is about 3.5 hours. If you add in getting to the airport early and getting in from the airport at the other end, it's probably faster than flying. Other significant points in Portugal also have reasonable rail service, including Coimbra, the...
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Re: Tokyo on the Cheap

GarryRF ·
I've heard that- when visiting Japan - its best to have photo's on your phone to show people when asking directions. The Bus - Train - Airport - Beach - Drugstore - Market. Interesting read Rob. What are the rules for socialising in the evening ? Bars - Disco - Restaurants - Dress up and stay away from the Karaoke ? Is this part expensive ?
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Re: Tokyo on the Cheap

Travel Rob ·
Originally Posted by GarryRF: I've heard that- when visiting Japan - its best to have photo's on your phone to show people when asking directions. The Bus - Train - Airport - Beach - Drugstore - Market. Interesting read Rob. What are the rules for socialising in the evening ? Bars - Disco - Restaurants - Dress up and stay away from the Karaoke ? Is this part expensive ? Garry, I forgot to mention that bento.com also has reviews for bars ,clubs etc and gives prices. I've heard horror stories...
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Re: Would You Walk to Mexico to Save 100s on Airfare?

Paul Heymont ·
The plan is to charge about $13 for use of the bridge (about the cost of a taxi from the other crossings to the airport...didn't say what the parking was, although I assume you could also be dropped off at the lot without a car. The article cited a family of 4 that was saving $250 each on the cost of tickets, which makes the savings sizable. If they end up setting the rate too high, of course, they'll end up with what they have now: an empty lot.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #70

Paul Heymont ·
Could it be the roof of the Denver airport?
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #70

PortMoresby ·
That was my first thought too, but the scale seems wrong. The airport roof looks much bigger in the pictures. I suppose this could be a part not in the pictures, but what appears to be bonsai in the planters seems all wrong for Denver.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #70

DrFumblefinger ·
Lots of interesting comments. It does indeed remind me of the Denver Airport, and it is specifically designed to make you think of a ship. It is actually part of the roof of Canada Place in beautiful Vancouver Harbor. I'll do a full discussion on it in a post tomorrow. Jonathan L was the first to correctly recognize the structure, and PortMoresby and Still Country Photo also figured out where it was. Excellent work, team! Another puzzle will be posted on Sunday morning.
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Re: Iceland's Keflavik airport aims to become major global stopover

Paul Heymont ·
I hope they succeed...Reykjavik is great...but I'm doubtful they can do this. Certainly it will make the airport a nicer place to be, but how will they get planes to stop there, when most people just want to one-hop it across the ocean? I can't see European or U.S. airlines stopping there routinely, although many of them have flights to and from Iceland.
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Re: Iceland's Keflavik airport aims to become major global stopover

DrFumblefinger ·
Traffic at the airport has about doubled in the past 10 years. Who would have guessed that the UAE airports would be so successful. After all, very few people actually get out there, We'll see what happens. Iceland is beautiful and unique. I'm fond of Icelandair's deal where you can stop at the Island for up to a week without extra cost enroute between Europe and North America. If they keep expanding their routes, that alone will cause significant increase in traffic.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

DrFumblefinger ·
About time. I routinely fly in and out of Calgary International and have never had to wait more than 15 mins for customs/immigration (both US and Canadian customs located at this airport). That should be the standard they strive for everywhere.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

GarryRF ·
You're both right of course. No one has the moral high ground on delays. When you transit an airport with several terminals you do need to enter the country first. But hub airports like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bahrain have all been so polite and helpful it makes you realise that there is a better way. I use Philadelphia airport now to enter the US. It rates alongside Orlando as a pleasant experience. Last year I went through passport control in Philly. When asked, I told the officer that...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 3, 2014: British Telepone Box, Malta

DrFumblefinger ·
I enjoy these British phone booths! I'm not sure the last time I saw a phone booth in North America. Maybe at an airport somewhere, but they've all but completely disappeared (thanks to near universal ownership of cell phones).
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Re: If you're happy and you know it...press here, please!

Paul Heymont ·
It certainly has seemed to me that Heathrow doesn't care (it's probably true for JFK, too, but I'm not a stranger there). In fact, I go out of my way to avoid Heathrow. Between the airport experience itself (especially with a T3-T5 transfer) and BA's high surcharges, I've taken to trying to make all my transfers through Madrid or Barcelona. In fact, on my trip this month, I save a good bit by taking American on award tickets to Barcelona and paying my way on Vueling to Marseille. I could...
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Re: What can't you live without on a plane flight?

Paul Heymont ·
My kindle, and the knowledge that I have a bag of dried fruit and nuts in my bag for emergencies. The emergencies happen so seldom that the current bag has made 3 transatlaantic trips since I gave away the previous one to a friend who was headed for the airport...
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Re: What can't you live without on a plane flight?

Paul Heymont ·
Haven't had a problem with it. These are the kind of bags you buy at airport newstands at extraordinary prices, or in supermarkets for a lot less. It's possible that someone may have a rule, but since no one has ever asked or warned (except the U.S.)....
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Re: What can't you live without on a plane flight?

Travel Rob ·
Originally Posted by PHeymont: My kindle, and the knowledge that I have a bag of dried fruit and nuts in my bag for emergencies. The emergencies happen so seldom that the current bag has made 3 transatlaantic trips since I gave away the previous one to a friend who was headed for the airport... Having been the recipient of one of PHeymont's emergency bags of dried fruits and nuts,I can assure everyone I ate it on my trip! Running out of stuff happens a little more frequently to me on trips!
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Re: As if you didn't know: NY Gov calls NYC airports terrible

PortMoresby ·
I'm going to have to agree with the Governor. One must acknowledge a problem before it can be fixed. I believe La Guardia is just about the worst airport I've had the misfortune to use in recent years. I include any number of developing nations in the assessment. Most countries try to encourage tourism by giving a good impression on arrival. Even in places where infrastructure as a whole is lacking, the airports are often clean and new. I sincerely hope the Governor succeeds in this.
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Re: Eat 'Healthy' at DFW ?

DrFumblefinger ·
No question that the quality and variety of airport foods has increased tremendously these past 10-15 years. The more choice, the better.
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Re: United Campaign: Enforce carry-on limits, reduce complaints and crowding

PortMoresby ·
I hope this effort is a real and continuing one and that other companies follow. Carrying everything onto the plane, to my way of thinking, is like any trend where if enough people say it's a good idea, even when it's not, hoards fall right into step, like lemmings. If I was offered valet service for a nominal fee to have someone carry my suitcase for me and I wouldn't have to touch it from the time I arrived at the airport until the time I was leaving at my destination, I'd jump at the...
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Re: Walking in England

Travel Rob ·
Thanks for bringing walking in England to my attention. I have been walking more when I travel (beteen cities,from the airport. etc and have found out its very hard or impossible walking in and out of some places. I gave up trying to get out of CDG airport on foot one trip. Walking does give you a totally different perspective,thats for sure.
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Re: Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto. Where Gumbo was #77

Roderick Simpson ·
Thank you very much for the informative post. I have only been to Toronto once. I went up the CN Tower and took this picture of the Billy Bishop Airport.
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Re: Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto. Where Gumbo was #77

DrFumblefinger ·
In case you were curious, the pedestrian tunnel between Toronto and the island airport has been completed and is now open. It eliminates the waits for the ferry services for passengers who want to get to their departure gates. More on that story from Frequent Business Traveler at this link .
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AirAsia offers 1-month 10-city pass

Paul Heymont ·
AirAsia, one of the major budget arilines in Southeast Asia, is offerning a one-month pass for about $148 that allows travelers to fly free among 10 Southeast Asian cities. Airport taxes, etc. are extra.   The pass is designed to increase tourism...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Drayton Hall

PortMoresby ·
  On a recent visit to  Charleston, South Carolina,  I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Joseph Manigault House

PortMoresby ·
  On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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A Remote Canadian Village offers Indescribable Natural Discoveries

Marilyn Jones ·
  As I left the hotel in Winnipeg I was outfitted in all my brand new cold-weather gear headed for the airport and a two hour flight to the remote village of Churchill.  I prayed my preparation for facing the sub-zero temperatures and brutal...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Middleton Place

PortMoresby ·
  On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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For those who hate Heathrow, Gatwick plans new allure

Paul Heymont ·
London's Gatwick Airport, second only to Heathrow in British air traffic, is in a hot competition with Heathrow for the right to build an additional runway to accommodate growing air traffic in Southeast Britain. Part of its strategy is to line up a...
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Berlin's Brandenburg International Airport Delayed Again

Travel Rob ·
Berlin's new airport, Brandenburg International Airport (BER), was supposed to open in 2011. It's opening has been delayed several times and officials are now saying flights won't happen until the second half of 2017. It's become an embarrassment and...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Aiken-Rhett House

PortMoresby ·
  On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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Europe's busiest runway gets busier...

Paul Heymont ·
Gatwick Airport, London, has installed new software for Airport Collaborative Decision Making, a concept that means all vendors, airlines and the airport itself sharing information for safety and efficiency. The result is an increase in the airport's...
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Throwback: Eastern Airlines Returns to Miami

Travel Rob ·
Friday, Eastern welcomed its first aircraft to Miami International Airport. It's the first of 20 new Boeing 737s Eastern has for its return. The Airline is hoping to start charter flights in the second quarter, but no dates or routes are set....
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Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport Adds Another International Route

Travel Rob ·
Eva Air is the latest to announce new service to Houston's Airport. The new route will go to Evas's base go in Taipei. ANA,Korean Air,SAS, United, & Spirit all have added or announced new routes to Houston in 2014. Read More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/...ontinental/20514757/
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Changing Trains in La Serenissima

PortMoresby ·
  My English friend and I left the beautiful apartment on the Anfiteatro in Lucca , she home to Bromsgrove in the West Midlands, and I toward Budapest and my old friends with a guesthouse near the famous synagogue.  I was treating myself to...
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A Day in Lisbon

NonstopFromJFK ·
Lisbon was our first stop in Portugal. Getting around Lisbon was easy, we were able to take the Metro from the airport to where we were staying without any problems. We got the LisboaCard at the airport, which seemed like a great deal, but when we...
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The Valley Island of Maui: 3) Central, Upcountry and South Maui

DrFumblefinger ·
 The largest stretch of (relatively) flat land on Maui is the valley between the two volcanoes, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains.  This area is commonly called “Central Maui” and it’s here most locals live....
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Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile

Travel Luver ·
A number of you have helped me plan a trip to Portugal and Barcelona.  I've decided to go on this trip next May when I'll have a few more days of vacation. Checking out different airline websites, I came across Icelandair, which flies...
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Mediation for AA/US Airways Merger

Paul Heymont ·
The planned merger of American and USAir, which has been challenged by the Justice Department will go to mediation, in hopes of finding a solution that will be acceptable to the airlines and the Federal government. A mediator has been selected; if an...
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The World's Best Airlines

DrFumblefinger ·
Conde Naste has published this year's Reader's Choice Awards, a broad range of awards but the one people most notice are the ranking of airlines.  This year's top international airline, yet again, is Singapore Airlines.  This year's top...
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Capital of Culture Series: Marseilles

Travel Rob ·
 Marseille Cathedral, near the Vieux Port I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Marseilles this past June and was very impressed. It really is an excellent example of what the Capital of Culture designation can do for a city. Have a walk...
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Chicago — City of Skyscrapers & Cloud Gate

DrFumblefinger ·
Like the monolith in Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke’s monumental film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, “Cloud Gate” looks like an alien object dropped onto a terrestrial landscape (not the African Savannah, but rather into...
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Spirit's New Plan: Higher 'Rush Hour' Bag Fees!

Paul Heymont ·
Spirit Airlines--the one that sometimes makes Grinch seem like a good guy--is planning a new revenue-squeezer. It's planning to raise checked bag fees at high-travel times such as Christmas and other holidays. Spirit already has some of the...
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The "Noah's Ark" airport

DrFumblefinger ·
We normally think of airports as people places, but Frankfurt's airport handles twice as many animals as people each year, and it's a very busy people airport!  Everything from horses to fish to rare exotic creatures.  An interesting piece...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 8, 2015: Toledo and Madrid

Non Stop Destination ·
  My first solo trip was to Madrid and Toledo in Spain.  I had been travelling for years, but always in a group.  This time I was on my own, and a little petrified.  I shouldn't have been as Madrid is easy to get around and the...
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An Hour from Rome

PortMoresby ·
  I’d never been to Rome.  I can’t tell you why, but for some reason I’d just never gotten around to it.  I guess the best explanation would be to point out there are lots of places in the world.  After a friend...
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Selling Toronto Island terminal to fund more flights

Paul Heymont ·
Porter Aviation, which built and owns the Toronto Island Billy Bishop terminal featured in Gumbo's Where in the World Puzzle #71 , is selling the terminal to an investment group. But no fears for the convenient downtown airport—Porter is getting...
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