Author: hoanth01

Hotel Review: Millennium Bailey’s Hotel (London)

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I am a huge fan of BBC shows that showcase 18th century London scenery. There is something ultra romantic about the ornate mansions and row houses around the city. I can imagine the Victorian ladies with their lace parasols taking a stroll around the block. For my trip to London, I decided to stay in a converted mansion instead of the usual hotel chains.  Millennium Bailey’s Hotel came up during my search and  I fell in love with the impressive 19th century London mansion that is situated in the affluent Kensington area.  Let’s find out if the interior and hospitality are just as impressive. Address: 140 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4QH, United Kingdom PROS: The hotel is perfected located for sightseeing. You can walk to the Natural History Museum, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and of course, the Palace. It is conveniently located across the London tube Gloucester Road station. The rooms are recently renovated and has a highly stylized decor. It conveys a the hip boutique hotel vibe. There are plenty of mirrors and good lighting for girls to …

Air France (AF):  How does the AF’s premium economy stack up to other airlines?

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Over the past few years, airlines have created the premium economy class to meet the demands of its customers for a class between  cramped economy and expensive business. This premium class is offered on international flights due to generally long distances traveled and customers’ desire for little bit more leg room. Air France is one carrier that recently revamped its premium economy class and we tested the offer on our recent trip from New York to Portugal. Flight: Premium Economy from NY JFK connecting at Paris-CDG airport with the final destination arriving in Lisbon on Boeing 777-300ER. Lounge Access: None. Non-business passengers do not have lounge access. Priority Line: Premium class customers have Sky Priority access which really is the only perk to the economy premium class. Sky Priority is reserved for Premium, Business and First class customers. You will enter through the expedited passport, customs and boarding line. Sky Priority is worth it if you have a connecting flight in Paris. The passport and security line is very short for Sky Priority which is necessary for going …

Meal Kit Company Review: Purple Carrot

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Being professionals in today’s busy world, it is hard to have a home cook meal which includes figuring out what you want to eat and then buying all the ingredients. The current offerings from various companies address this issue by curating recipes and sending all the ingredients in the appropriate portion straight to your home each week. In this series, we tested out a few of the companies to give you our take on each offering. First up is Purple Carrot which is a vegan meal kit company curated by former New York Times columnist and cookbook author Mark Bittman. Company: The Purple Carrot Website: https://thepurplecarrot.com Theme:  Plant based recipes (Vegan) delivered to your home weekly.  From the company’s website: “Our meal kits are delivered right to your door, on the day of your choice.  Our state-of-the-art packaging guarantees freshness and our ingredients are of the highest possible quality, often organic, always non-GMO, and ethically sourced.” Price: This is a weekly subscription for meal kit. You can preview the 3 recipes available for the following week and …

What it is like to travel on Spirit Airlines for the first time.

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For a “well-worn” traveler, I have always looked for the best value in airfare and not simply focusing on the lowest possible price. For that reason, I have not taken a budget airline in the past few years.  I finally had the opportunity when I needed to book a direct flight to Las Vegas for my birthday trip.  I was eyeing Jet Blue but, alas, they did not have a flight that would accommodate my travel schedule so I bit the bullet and booked with Spirit Airlines.  Here is what I discovered when taking Spirit Airlines. Read the fine print before you book your tickets. This is one airline where it’s worth your time to read the fine prints!  If you don’t, you will have sticker shock on what they will charge you.  The “add on fees” will end up costing you more than taking a normal airline flight. Make sure to book, check-in and pay for everything in advance.   Spirit Airlines will charge a premium fee for printing out your boarding pass, paying for your …

Hotel Review: Fusion Maia Resort (Danang, Vietnam)

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Fusion Maia Resort (Danang, Vietnam) Address: Truong Sa, Vietnam (+84 511 3967 999) http://maiadanang.fusion-resorts.com We stumbled onto Fusion Maia accidentally when a friend of mine decided to stay at the resort for a short holiday and invited me to join her. The resort is so well hidden that even the entrance from the main road can easily be missed. Driving through the bamboo lined driveway to the front lobby, you can’t help but feel like you are being transported to a secluded oasis.  Fusion Maia is completely different from other top luxury resorts dotting the beach. It’s a luxury boutique resort that specializes in spa and holistic living. La Vie Partagee would describes the resort as a cross between a five star spa and being on a private island getaway in Vietnam with a dash of Bali thrown in.  The resort is a “villas only” establishment with each villa having its own private pool.  Your one night stay includes 2 days of spa service per person.  There are 2 hours of spa service per day per …

Weekend Unexplored: Lake Garda Area (Lazise, Italy)

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I was lucky enough discover this beautiful lake resort during my trip to Verona earlier this year.  Lake Garda is a pristine, beautiful lake overlooking the majestic snowcapped mountains in the back.  The view is breathtaking and the best part is that Lake Garda is a local tourist destination and is still relatively unknown.  It’s best to go in April to May time when tourist season has not officially kicked off. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. Located in northern Italy, the lake is about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan.  The drive from the airport to Lake Garda provides a picturesque view of orchids and wineries along the way. Notable Hotel Hotel Corte Valier Hotel Corte Valier (Via della Pergolana 9, 37017 Lazise (VR) Italy, Tel: +39 045.6471210, www.cortevalier.com) I was lucky enough to stay at Hotel Corte Valier for several nights.  This four star luxury spa hotel is conveniently located right on the lakefront. The hotel has 84 lake view rooms equipped with luxury amenities.  The Dome restaurant offers a …

Must Do’s: Mostar and Kravice Falls (Bosnia & Hercegovina)

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Mostar is my favorite place to visit in Bosnia, partly because of the astonishing scenery. The city is stunning in its own beauty and can easily be compared to a fairy tale setting. I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 things to do and see in Old Town, Mostar. I have been to all of these places and have enjoyed them immensely. Another thing about this charming city is that there is always something new and exciting to see and amazing people to meet. Mostar: To See 1. The Old Bridge (Stari Most) The Old Bridge (Stari Most) is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks and a fantastic piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkan region. Sadly many memories of this Ottoman bridge stem from November 1993 when the Croatian forces bombarded the bridge. The bridge collapsed into the river. Thanks to the UN, the World Bank, UNESCO and several European countries including Croatia and Turkey, the bridge was rebuilt to its former glory. The original Stari Most was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent …

Weekend Unexplored: Verona, Italy

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My first encounter with Verona is through reading Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  When I read the famous play, I often imagined what Verona would look like during that time.  I had my answer when Hollywood decided to film the 2013 version in actual Verona, Italy and the surrounding areas. Earlier this year, I traveled to Verona for a few days and finally understood the charm and the seduction of this city in northern Italy. Verona is a small renaissance city and will take only the weekend to see it all.  The city is best to explore on foot as there are many old alleyways, town squares and bridges to see.  There are numerous  historical sites to visit, places to shops and restaurants to try. Here is La Vie Partagee’s list of must do’s. SIGHTSEEING 1) Walk around the perimeter of the city along the river and explore the castle and monuments lining the walk path. 2) Take the elevator all the way up to the tower at Torre Dei Lamberti (Via della Costa, 1, 37121 Verona) to …

Airline Lounge Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Lounge at Narita Airport (Terminal 2)

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I often take Japan Airlines to my destinations in Asia and I always look forward to freshening up and relaxing at their Business Class Lounge in Narita Airport.  The Japan Airlines Business Class lounge is called the “Sakura Lounge”.  The lounge has a great mixture of western and eastern amenities.  Both Business Class and Premium Economy members have access to the lounge which can prove to be crowded at certain times. Location The Sakura Lounge is located at the T2 Main Building on the second floor after passing through security for connecting flights. For Japan Airlines Premium Economy customers, make sure to go to customer service located right after security to get lounge access pass if it was not given during the initial flight check in. Layout The lounge is split into two floors.  The first floor (same floor as the entrance) is busier and has the main food area of the lounge.  The bottom floor is accessible by descending down the grand staircase.  On the bottom of the staircase are storage lockers for small …

Weekend Unexplored: Boston’s Freedom Trail Through the Eyes of Bostonians

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The Freedom Trail is a unique experience in Boston that is a must do!  The trail was created 60 years ago and marks the 16 sites that are fundamental to our understanding of the revolutionary war and creation of the Republic.  The trail is identified with a red brick path along the road and is easy to follow. I have done this trail several times in my life.  This time around, I took my dog and invited my college friend and his dog to re-explore the trail.  We hope to provide insights on which sites to visit and which detours to consider along the trail. The trail is best done early in the morning before the throngs of visitors descend upon the sites. TIP! There is a free downloadable brochure that you can save on your phone.  There is an explanation for each site so no need to actually pay for a “tour”. 1) START at Boston Common (139 Tremont Street) The Freedom Trail starts at the Guest Information Center in Boston Common.  Boston Common is America’s oldest …