Tagged With "pedestrian access"
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Re: Marriott buys Starwood for $12.2 billion...what's in it for loyalists?
Received this e-mail this morning. Today we're excited to share the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts will join together with Marriott International to create the world's largest hotel company. For our Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG® members, this will mean even more choices in even more places, giving you access to 1.1 million rooms across 5,500 hotels and resorts in more than 100 countries. We will work to bring you the very best of SPG and Marriott Rewards®, two of the most...
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Re: Starwood Hotels Testing an App Key
My first thought is that this may be yet another opportunity for hacker thieves, to quote from the article, "to unlock the potential benefits" of access our belongings.
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Re: Crashing the geocache
Hello TatToo, I live in Europe especially Germany. I do know Geocaching and of course the game is known here. If you don't have a GPS device with a European card in it you can use your mobile phone as long you have the geocaching app. Before your son goes to Europe just with that mobile phone, make sure he looks for geocaches in areas he will be first and download the map and the cache itself. Even if you don't have an Internet connection they can use it via GPS. I did it in USA and it has...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #11
The design details of this structure indicate to me that it is Roman. Unfortunately, remains of at least 230 amphitheaters built by the Romans have been found. Of these, dozens are sufficiently intact to provide the type of access shown in the pic. A few are in better condition throughout than this one. A very few are still in use!
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Re: Everglades raccoon
Those are all good resources, TravelandNature, and I certainly believe in responsible pet ownership. Lord knows we own enough pets and my wife just rushed the dog to the vet because he tore off his toenail (and was bleeding badly, poor boy ) Make sure you have a deep wallet or access to a lot of meat if you adopt a python. The python consumes 25 lbs of meat per year for each of its 225 lb adult size. Steaks and live catch preferred.
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
I am amazed at how internet access to tourists vary by city.Not only WiFi but libraries.Some cities libraries either sell a one hour guest pass or won't even let a visitor on the computer.While other cities are generous
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Good discussion! WiFi has for me become an indispensable part of traveling. It allows me to stay in touch with family easily and cheaply (remember how hard it was even 25 years ago -- a phone call could run you $5 a minute? And there was no email). It lets me spend evening hours clearing out a hefty email que, and doing research on what I am going to see tomorrow and the next day. And with "Gumbo on the Go", it lets me share my travels as they happen with fellow Gumboites! I echo PHeymont's...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Actually, privatized toll roads are the coming thing these days! Some states have sold off roads; others have allowed private companies to build from scratch. The road to Dulles Airport near Washington is a prime example. But the comparisons to WiFi here don't really work. No one charged extra for electric light in hotels when it was new; it simply replaced the gas lighting. It took 70 years of broadcasting to create a pay system. As for WiFi, or internet access in hotels generally, it's not...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Maybe it's the old capitalist coming out in me, but I think "should" is a strong word. Free access to wi-fi certainly helps me determine where I'll stay, just like free breakfast is...but if a hotel has enough other amenities so that people are willing to pay for it's wi-fi then so be it...although it is easy enough to get free somewhere, I don't value it enough to pay for it.
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Originally Posted by JohnT: Maybe it's the old capitalist coming out in me, but I think "should" is a strong word. Free access to wi-fi certainly helps me determine where I'll stay, just like free breakfast is...but if a hotel has enough other amenities so that people are willing to pay for it's wi-fi then so be it...although it is easy enough to get free somewhere, I don't value it enough to pay for it. I agree with you John, that market forces will drive this. But the demand for "free"...
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Re: Please Don't Squeeze the Passengers: Airbus
It seems as if the terminals that they use have many more access ramps (fingers) to spread the loading and unloading, plus, of course, the terminal also needs to have sufficient immigration desks and baggage facilities. So far our experiences have been good but I can imagine just how it could foul up!
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Hi guys, hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. It was good to be with my family again. Visiting and catching up with everyone took longer than I'd thought, but did do a little research into the trip and came out with this plan. Basically, with GarryRF's advice, I think I'll focus my time in the north to save money cause my budget is limited. After that I'll finish my vacation in London and Paris. I need to find places to stay but more important now just to frame the trip. The details I...
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Re: The Tulou of Fujian Province
Thanks, Dgems. When I wrote this piece, last year, I didn't have access to my own photos. In the next month or so I plan to post a gallery of my own pictures of the tulou so you'll have a better idea of the variety of structures and ambiance of the area.
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Re: SFO gets OK for emergency cellphone blast
I would prefer improved access and egress to public gatherings. But "Emergency Doors" would be expensive - and life isn't.
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Re: Nepalese Sherpas building Norway trails
Good news; I certainly struggled with paths in Lofoten in summertime, mainly because most local access is in winter by skidoo. Even waterside trails are non existent as everyone uses boats for fishing ! Norway has a spike in hillwalking accidents in springtime among hikers desperate to get out in the hills; surely this will help them too.
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Re: Ryanair on Alitalia: 'we want it and want it whole'
This man O'Leary is a Saint - not a sinner. When he gets access to the cross Atlantic routes he'll have the Big Boys quaking in their boots ! I can fly anywhere in Europe and have change from $30 bucks !!
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Re: April 4, 2018: Mother sheep and lamb, Wales
Whether landowners are in favor or not, public access to footpaths and other rights-of-way are protected by law in the UK in perpetuity. Any landowner who tries to fence them off or otherwise deny access will soon find an angry mob of activists helping them correct their "mistake". http://www.environmentlaw.org.uk/rte.asp?id=207 Lovely photo!
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Re: April 4, 2018: Mother sheep and lamb, Wales
It's been a long struggle to get open access to the countryside - so we wont let it go easily !!
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#77)
Certainly hangers but with quite low doors... A large fuel(?) bowser? Looks like a jet blast shield at the end of the runway and sea all around(?). Must have public access or just 'not secret' due to the ferry and Dr. F taking photos, so not military. Why does Dr F ask what the hanger shapes remind me of? It looks as if cars are in front of the hanger doors.. Is that logical? Are we talking seaplanes I wonder... but no slipway and why a runway? Head aches...
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
It makes me wonder who they think is their target upgrader. In this age of data plans, most people who want or need fast access already have it. It seems to me not a very well thought out marketing plan. Having it free for everyone would make them more in goodwill than a few paying for it. For those, like me, who are more annoyed by the ploy than I need the service, it's definitely a losing proposition.
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Re: New trend: airport lounges for non-members
It is a pleasure, as well, when making early morning connections in Europe. I've had lounge access through various credit cards for the past few years and truly enjoyed breakfast in a lounge while waiting for the next flight, and even the ability to doze a little, knowing that a) the seat is comfortable, b) my bag is safe and c) the agent at the desk will remind me it's time to walk to the gate! Even at $35 a pop...likely worth it.
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Re: Air Canada Launches Free Layover Program in Toronto
I'm not sure why they're limiting it to people from the USA. Vancouver to Toronto is a 5 hour flight. A layover might be enjoyed by people traveling overseas. A few months ago a dedicated train service from Pearson airport to downtown Toronto began and this has greatly improved access to the city. And also reduced the cost of reaching downtown dramatically. http://www.metrolinx.com/en/pr...press/upexpress.aspx
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Re: Observatory of New York's One World Trade Center to Open May 29th
At those prices, they can certainly claim to be "sky-high!" That's $116 for a family of four for an elevator ride. And even at that, it's only a couple of dollars more than the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, and the same as the Empire State Building charges for its 86th floor deck, with an additional charge for the top deck. It seems a shame that families on a budget have no access to the iconic "NY from the air" view that their children may be clamoring for.
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Re: How do you use the internet while traveling?
I have not been to Japan, but generally my travel experience with internet access has been much more positive than yours. I've generally had good luck with getting on line in Europe, South America and even Southern Africa. Once in a while the internet might be down at a place I'm staying at, but usually it's quickly repaired. Exceptions to this are very rural areas, like in Patagonia and where I'm heading next week, Yellowstone National Park. There is really not internet available at most...
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Re: How do you buy your travel?
I never trusted travel agents before the freedom of the internet gave us access to cost information, and I would need a great excuse to trust them now. Online travel purchasing gives us the freedom to have price information come directly to us, rather than to a middle man who may or may not have our best interests in mind. So flights I'll buy either through Expedia or from the airline directly (esp if they are having a "sale"). Rooms I almost get through booking.com, my favorite site because...
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Re: The Forbidden City - Beijing China
Interesting your comparison to Versailles, on size (which omits the gardens, of course). The comparison that came to my mind was Topkapi, in Istanbul, where a series of courtyards encloses a huge space, with increasingly restricted access to each. In the first courtyard there were troops, palace services and more; the second was restricted to government officials and prominent visitors, in the third only the highest officials of the Sultan and in the last, only the family and its servants.
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Re: Feb. 11, 2016: Flatiron Building, New York City
Love to meet you there (or anywhere, since I don't think there's public access to the roof!)...and I'll be glad to buy the Guinness, since it turns out I was wrong about the triangle...the corner of 22nd St. and 5th Avenue is the right angle. You might find this article about it interesting: The Museum of Math did what might be called a performance piece, with 500 mathematicians measuring it in lightsticks and applying the Pythagorean theorem...
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Re: American to drop seatback entertainment
Most people were interested in having the wifi entertainment, especially if there were some levels that came at no extra cost. BTW this did not include wifi connections that extended off of the train. only to give passengers access to entertainment
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Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Originally Posted by voyager: Hot springs are to die for. You always see pictures of the Blue Lagoon. Are there other places to go for a warm swim in Iceland ? There are lots of places to go for geothermal swims in Iceland, Voyager. Almost every small city and town has a public geothermal pool. The most famous is the Blue Lagoon, but it's also quite pricy, especially if you go for a family. This website gives you some idea of all the pools you can access in Iceland. Here's that link.
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Re: A Visit to the “Spine Garden:”Cactus in Arizona’s Sonora Desert
I love to travel in the winter to hot countries - who doesn't ? But apart from the obvious reasons you get access to rare and strange fruit that just doesn't travel well. Star fruit, Custard apples, Salak and Prickly pears ! PRICKLY PEARS Delicious !!
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Re: Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, Redux
A reminder of the destructive power of nature. I'd be worried about the soles of my shoes melting and welding themselves to rock ! Is the access a tourist has only to dormant areas ? Fascinating blog from what must be the most "lively" location on Earth. Once again DrF , educational and interesting !
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Re: Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, Redux
Hi Garry, and thanks for your comment. The active areas within the National Park are off limits because of toxic fume levels, not so much because of lava. The roads to the Pahoe area (outside the park) of actively flowing lava are closed and access is theoretically restricted. For a fee, one of the locals will guide you to the flowing lava. Remember this is thick fairly slowly flowing lava, not unlike moving pancake batter. But it is hot and you have to be careful. Shoes can melt and worse...
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Re: Madrid's Banco de Espana Building: Where Gumbo Was (#45)
Oh, for sure! Definite DNA match. (p.s. I couldn't access your article from the Verona hyperlink.)
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Re: Airlines investing big in airport lounges
Worth noting also that some of the high-bonus (and high annual fee for some) credit cards include varying forms of lounge access for cardholders, even when traveling in cattle class. I've got one now that provides Lounge Club, whose members are only occasionally airline-operated, and another that provides AA Admiral's Club. I'm looking forward to trying that one out!
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Re: Sudeley Castle, witness to England's turbulent past
PM - there was a significant upgrade in their 'viewable' house contents and access to more rooms that was only opened as of March 2014 - so, yes, you should return as it is very much better than I recall from my previous visit many years ago.
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Re: Delta: Cheap inflight WiFi for Smartphones
I do think currently there are some band-width limitations to the wi-fi on planes. For example, there's not enough capability to support 200 people being on their mobile devices at any given time (remember this requires two way connectivity). So the cost may be just a barrier to limit access to the technology. But I like the idea. Costs will come down, technology will improve bandwidth, and offering it free will be a perk that may help people favor one airline over another.
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Re: Stockholm's Skansen Museum Park: Where Gumbo Was #27
I'd never heard of this museum, PHeymont, and find it all fascinating. Another reason to visit Stockholm! But I did guess the building was a cache (name used in Canada for structures like these people use to store meat in the winter without any access except a ladder). Not claiming victory as I had no idea where it was, but you want a building without windows, large doors (although you need a way in, be it from the bottom or side) or an ability to chew threw on ground level to protect your...
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Visiting historic Skagway, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska owes its existence to the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800s. There were three main routes to the Klondike. One route was across Alaska. A second was the all-Canadian route starting at Edmonton and...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Iceland is a land of dramatic rugged scenery, especially along its south shore. There are lots of great sites here, one of my favorites being Skógafoss . Located in the pretty little town of Skogar, this...
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For those who hate Heathrow, Gatwick plans new allure
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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Airbus A380. No new customers in 2014
Apparently the massive two level Airbus A380, capable of passenger loads in excess of 600 passengers, failed to generate a single new customer in 2014, according to this story by Bloomberg Businessweek. The only buyer so far this year was a...
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The Medieval Fortress and Town of Chinon
There are few places in France of greater historic importance than Chinon. You wouldn’t know that by what you see when you drive thru it today as it seems a small sleepy rural town. You’ll see little evidence of...
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Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians. Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...
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Newgrange; Ireland’s ancient Passage Tomb
Newgrange is the oldest structure I've ever visited. It was built over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.) during the Neolithic era, before even Stonehenge or the Great Pyramid of Giza. It’s obvious that Newgrange was...
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Quebec — A Walled European Fortress In America
Quebec, like New York, is both a city and a state (or rather, a province). It’s an island of French heritage and culture within our Anglo-North American continent. We combined this visit with stops in Montreal and...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 18, 2013: Strokkur Geysir, Iceland
Geysers got their name in Iceland sometime in the 12th century. Iceland has abundant geothermally heated water, many homes not even having a hot water heater, just naturally hot water pumped in. While it's no longer very...
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Washington State’s Long Beach Peninsula
For most travelers, the southwestern corner of Washington state is easy to bypass. It lies well over an hour’s drive from the busy I-5 Interstate Freeway. The broad mouth of the Columbia River limits access from the Oregon...
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Capital of Culture Series: Marseilles
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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Steamboat Rock, Washington — Wildflowers and Vistas galore!
The large basalt mass of Steamboat Rock is a distinct landmark in Central Washington state. Steamboat Rock State Park is a dozen miles southwest of the massive Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. The Park is on a peninsula...
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Washington state's Wild Horses Monument & Gingko Petrified Forest
The Columbia River is one of the most interesting and beautiful geographic features of the Inland Northwest, from its headwaters in British Columbia to the dramatic Gorge just east of Portland, Oregon. When...