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Our journey started off in Charleston-CHS on a small United Airlines commuter flight to Washington-IAD. We couldn’t have been more thrilled that the seat-back magazine, Hemispheres, featured article that was titled, “Three Perfect Days in Istanbul”–off to a good start!
…it must be a sign
We made it to Dulles from our connecting flight with about 3 hrs to kill before takeoff. I had a few United Club passes that I wanted to use before they expired, but we wanted to stay in Terminal B. Unfortunately, you’re out of luck when it comes to United Clubs in Terminal B.
76 Queen Lunch, Dinner $$$ How to save some cash: Try to go during Restaurant Week (if they’ll keep participating?), you’ll pay $30-$40 for 3-courses vs appx $50-$60 for 3-courses during normal times
Voted “Best New Restaurant in America” by Bon Appetit in 2011, Husk is one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city–it has been for a few years now and continues to be immensely popular.
After hearing mixed reviews from our friends (“You better like pork before you go in there…” and “I know everyone loves it, but I didn’t…”), I was admittedly skeptical that my high expectations may not be met.
Located next door [...]
Monticello, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the perfect escape for a morning or afternoon. You can’t beat the Virginia countryside and the tour of the home itself is a can’t-miss. The house is located at the top of the mountain, so you’ll park at the base and buy your tickets, then a shuttle will drive you the final few minutes. That being said, be sure to get there in time to park, purchase your tickets and then make your shuttle for the 10-15 minute drive … so, don’t arrive just 10 minutes before the last tour of the day at 4:10pm.
If you’re just interested in the basics, the Monticello Day Pass and House Tour is the one for you [...]
BWI — Baltimore-Washington International Airport Terminal D (Note: Also accessible to other concourses by presenting a same-day BWI boarding pass to Concourse D security) Between D10 and D12, the Delta/United terminal 4:30am – 8:00pm
As I’ve said before (The Club at ATL – Atlanta’s Newest (and best?) Lounge and JFK Terminal 4 Lounges/The Oasis Lounge), which lounge I go to is often a function of which one will let me in. However, at BWI, the Airspace Lounge is the only (domestic) lounge, so that adage is a little less relevant. Here are your entry options:
Complimentary Access for American Express Platinum Card–up to 2 guests Pay to enter — [...]1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. American $$$
Jeffrey and I were in DC recently and happened to stay just around the corner from Lincoln. After doing some quick research on Urban Spoon, we decided on the Lincoln because of its close proximity to our hotel and its good reviews (92%!).
When we walked in, true to its name, there were penny’s inside the floor. Pretty cool touch for a restaurant that takes its name from the President whose face is on the penny. The restaurant had a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of people, but it didn’t seem crowded at all. And, it’s not too nice — it wasn’t quiet and you don’t have to [...]
Charleston Harbor Ferry leaves from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square (340 Concord St., downtown Charleston) AND Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum (40 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant, SC) Adults $18, Adult Seniors (62 years & up) $16, Children ages 4-11 yrs $11, Children 3 yrs & under FREE Click here for ferry times.
For the history buffs out there (like me!), you’ll probably recognize Fort Sumter as where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. You won’t learn until you visit, though, the first shots were sent TO Fort Sumter, not from it. Let me back up…
First, you have to take a ferry to the [...]
1631 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, QC Bistro, American $$
Having heard about those restaurants that deliver entire meals in the dark, we decided to check out Montreal’s local venue, O’Noir. It added a lot of extra excitement to the night’s dinner, and we both looked forward to the experience all day, discussing what we thought it’d be like.
Reviews stated that the food was, at best, average, but what you’re really going for is the experience. Although going to a restaurant for something other than food is…well, strange, we remained excited about the “activity.”
You don’t just stumble upon [...]
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our honeymoon in the Maldives!!!
I took my first train trip on Amtrak’s Acela a few weeks ago from Washington, DC Union Station (WAS) to New York Penn Station (NYP). Because I had a First class ticket (Acela only has either Business Class & First Class), I was able to check out the ClubAcela lounge in Washington while I was waiting for my train.
You’ll need to present some credentials to make it past the doors to the luxury that lies beyond. Here are the ways to get into the Lounge:
Access included with First Class tickets on the “high-speed” Acela train or those traveling in sleeper cars Those with Select Plus/Executive status (top level Amtrak Guest Rewards [...]Both Starwood and Hyatt promise “guaranteed room availability” for their top tier elites. I was forced to put this to the test on a recent business trip to Charlotte where I already had a few nights booked but needed to add an extra night on the front end of the stay. As a result of the conference and a Monday Night Football game downtown (thanks for nothing, Carolina Panthers), ALL Starwood and Hyatt properties in ALL of the Charlotte area (yes, including those 20+ miles from Downtown) were sold out.
StarwoodThe official policy at Starwood is “guaranteed room availability when your room is booked by 3 p.m., 72+ hours prior to arrival” with the [...]
