The Curious Travel Blog

A FREE NIGHT ON THE TOWN: Marianne Moro goes behind the scenes of: Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2008-08-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'd never been in the studio audience for a TV show since I was a 7 year in the bleachers for a local kiddie show back in Chicago. A few weeks ago, I ventured back into showbiz as a member of the studio audience for the Jimmy Kimmel Live. The show was broadcast from the picturesque El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, and the tickets were free. Late of The Man Show and Win Ben Steins Money. Kimmel's dry, intelligent sometime perverse humor is remarkably free of pretense, at least the night I was there. Apparently, I missed the show were he was allegedly drunk, and no, Adam Carolla was not a guest. As retired 1980s L.A. rocker girl, I deliberately chose to go the week Slash was co-hosting.

For awhile, I did hook up with one of Slash's more vocal fans who was in attendance. She had a bagful of gifts for him and his Mrs. I never quite figured out why one would buy gifts for the famous -a homemade macramé vest from a doting fan is one thing, but anything else seems extraneous. The audience was primed for the show and seated in an irreverent version of a military drill. Boy, wouldn't you like to be the warm up guy before the show trying to get the audience riled up. Especially when Pepsi is the hardest drink served at the pre-show bar! God forbid that guy should ever get depressed or grouchy, he'd be out of a job. A cute aside - the applause sign says "Clap, you bastards" while the all quiet sign says "Shut the fuck up." A nice, post-modern touch.

For all the glamour and equipment the seats are nothing more than folding chairs, giving the whole scenario a high school auditorium kind of feel. There are screens to either side of the stage for audience members to view taped skits. Jimmy interviewed Thora Birch and Doug Benson, a comedian who gave a hilarious review of The Core.

After the sit down talk segment, the studio audience shuffled to the upstairs bar/concert area in an orderly fashion. An all-star "jam" band called Camp Freddy, consisting of Dave Navarro, Donovan Leitch , Matt Sorum, and Billy Morrison ended the telecast with covers of Ballroom Blitz and Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Slash and a performer named Johnny Fayva joined them for a few numbers. Fayva's flashy outfit and cheesy Vegas rat pack persona added rock 'n' roll comic relief to the evening's festivities.The band stayed and played a few songs after filming ended. All in all, an entertaining and cheap evening in a town where money can disappear as quickly as you can earn it.

RENO by J.P.

2008-08-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

"Early morning in downtown Reno. A sight few party animals get to see."

    I discovered that Tim Conway and Harvey Korman
    are touring together. These guys were part of
    the reason the "Carol Burnett Show" lasted for
    so long. These guys are funny! So, I order
    tickets for the Silver Legacy in Reno.

    The Silver Legacy has no vacancy for the show
    dates. But, it is downtown and a quick check
    on the internet (using the yellow pages at
    Infospace) shows 177 hotels in Reno. Being
    lazy, I check some of the many sites that can
    compare room rates. Woops! One of those sites
    charges a $100 fee to book a $79 room. I got a
    room at the El Dorado because it is across the
    street from the Silver Legacy. I use the hotel
    web site to book a room.

    How to get there? If I fly I have to spend
    two hours to get through security at San
    Jose to take a one hour jet ride. And, I
    discover the flight leaves at 6am. That
    does it, I will drive the 300 miles. Should
    take about five hours.

    First surprise on the road. Interstate 80
    between Sacramento and Reno has a lot of fast
    traffic. I am in the slow lane, doing the
    maximum speed (65mph) and even the California
    Highway Patrol is passing me. I speed up to
    match the traffic. Later I need to get into
    the fast lane. Some parts of the road in the
    Sierra Nevada mountains is rough due to tire
    chains. Naturally, the slow lane is rougher
    than the fast lane. This is April and the
    weather is good for driving. No snowfall on
    the road. But plenty in the mountains.

    It takes three-quarters of a tank of gas to
    get to Reno and half of a tank of gas to get
    home. Reno is about 4,400 to 5,000 feet above
    sea level. Home is about 100 feet above sea
    level.

    In Reno, downtown is Virginia Street. I find
    all sorts of motels I could have chosen. But
    I prefer to have reservations. Good thing.
    Several hotels are full this weekend.

    In Nevada they call gambling, "gaming." The
    games have changed little since my last visit
    in 1981. There are still a lot more machines
    than card tables or dice tables, and more dice
    tables than roulette. The machines are more
    electric now. Many have themes. You can gamble
    on the "Popeye", "I Dream of Jennie", "Adams Family",
    "Munsters", or "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" machines.
    But these machines have five wheels instead of three.
    Instead of matching three of a kind (oranges as one
    example) you need five of a kind (such as hamburgers
    on the Popeye machine). However three of a kind does
    get you a small prize on the five wheel machines.

    Everyone has some notion on how to win. There
    are some facts and lots of myths.

    IF THE COINS ARE WARM IT IS GOING TO WIN BIG SOON.
    A myth. It means the coinbox is next to a light bulb.
    PLAY BEFORE THURSDAY EVENING. THAT IS WHEN THE
    CASINO CHANGES THE ODDS FOR THE WEEKEND CROWD.
    A Myth. The machine's odds are set at the factory.
    The casino does not change the odds on the machines.
    But, they do specify what the odds will be. Some
    have only a 90% payback and some have up to a 100%
    payback. (The 100% payback is used to make change.
    You put in a dollar, you get four quarters.)
    KEEP PLAYING ON ONE MACHINE UNTIL IT HITS. THEN
    MOVE ON TO ANOTHER.
    This doesn't change your odds. Each play is
    independent. People do win twice in a row. (But
    the odds still favor the house.)

    The food is great everywhere in Reno. The casinos
    want you to stay nearby. Even while eating in the
    restaurants in the casinos, you can play keno. The
    prices are reasonable. The big discount meal deals
    are in Las Vegas. In Reno, the buffet is about
    $11 and in the restaurant you pay $5 for a banana
    split and maybe $7.50 for a burger and fries.

    The show I go to see is funny. I'd forgotten that
    the comedies on stage use a different type of humor
    than on TV. (More adult themes.) But still
    enjoyable.

    The casinos/hotels are finding more ways to get their paws
    on your hard-earned cash. They have an "energy fee"
    added to your bill. They have a fridge full of goodies
    and no room for your stuff. If you use the Pepsi from the fridge
    your room is billed $1.55 for the 12 ounce can.
    Sodas are only fifty cents across the street in the
    souvenir shop. There are pay-per-view movies also.

    There are plenty of shows, bars, and lounges. You
    only need to pick up a local weekly tabloid to find
    a listing. Another myth about Reno is that
    prostitution is legal. In Nevada, prostitution is
    legal in all counties except Washoe County and Clark
    County. Reno is in Washoe County. Las Vegas is in
    Clark County. I have no information on those houses of
    Nevada. (That's another game of chance I do not play.)

    Reno is constantly changing. The Flamingo Hotel is
    being remodeled and will open as the Golden Phoenix.
    There is a railroad through the town. There is a bond
    measure on the ballot this year to build a trench with
    several overcrossings.

    There is a site called WeLoveThisPlace
    (http://www.welovethisplace.org/home/ ) that has links to
     many places in the Reno area. There is skiing, camping,
     airplane races, balloon races, and even opera.

SHOP, EAT & DO LONDON

2008-08-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

SHOP
The one-stop shopping destination in London is of course Harrods. From high-end clothes to lingerie and an astounding collection of cosmetics - this famous shop has everything to offer. But perhaps the most unique are the "great food halls" where you can pick up anything from a bottle of wine to unique confections, chocolates, pastries, coffees, cheeses, and meats. Anything that is likely to make your palate drool is likely there. Don't miss the gelato bar where instead of sipping martinis, you can enjoy a delicious treat from days-gone-by, complete with a cherry-on-top and yummy whipped cream. Go ahead, indulge. Then burn off those calories by doing some additional shopping on Bond street - you can find pretty much anything there, at any price range. www.harrods.com

EAT
This two Michelin star restaurant is named after one of the most expensive wines - Petrus. So you know it's not going to come cheap. But if you book in advance for lunch, you're in for a treat at a relative bargain by London standards - 35 pounds for a three course meal. Impeccable service, design, ingredients and Gordon Ramsay's standards is what you're bound to get. The kitchen even throws in 2-3 pre-appetizers and a pre-dessert (!). Now, THAT, you don't want to miss. www.gordonramsay.com/petrus

DO
There is no shortage of what to do in London, but there are a few highlights not to miss. Be sure to take a day to visit the British Museum (www.britishmuseum.org)and the Tate Modern (www.tate.org.uk). Finish off your day with some sweeping views from the London Eye (www.londoneye.com).

THE LEVIN HOTEL - LONDON, UK (review)

2008-08-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

You can be sure to get a good night's sleep on the ultra comfortable bed at The Levin (worth some 20,000 pounds). Everything in this boutique hotel is well thought out and luxurious, including a champagne bar (with cocktail recipe books), flat screen TV, iPod docking station, Bose sound system, a marble bathroom and a choice between Molton Brown or Miller Harris toiletries. There's even a collection of classic novels to enjoy. The design is contemporary, chic and welcoming - same goes for the staff. A stunning, unique 18 metre chandelier plunges from the ceiling. This little gem of a hotel is situated in Knightsbridge and just around the corner from Harrods. Only 2 minutes away from the tube.

Breakfast (or a meal at any time of the day) can be enjoyed at The Levin's quaint brasserie, Le Metro.

Rates start from £225 for a double room (with continental breakfast) and a special guaranteed USD rate package for two nights is $949, including breakfast, luxury chauffeur driven car pick-up, and a 2 course dinner for two.

For more information, visit: www.thelevinhotel.co.uk/

HOTEL LONDRA PALACE - VENICE, ITALY (review)

2008-08-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

Arguably, much of the hotel's charm is owed to its location, a few steps off Saint Mark's Square, right next to the lagoon. If you're lucky enough to be in one of the suites with terraces that overlook it, you're in for pure magic. There's no feeling guilty about staying in and missing Venice's finest offerings here. You can enjoy a leisurely (and perhaps, romantic) breakfast on the terrace taking in the stunning views and following the hustle & bustle of the city as it unfolds beneath you. With such inspiring surroundings, it's no wonder that Tchaikovsky composed much of his Fourth Symphony here (in room #108, if you want to be specific).

The rooms themselves are luxurious and elegant, decorated in the gorgeous Neo-lombary/Biedermeier style, filled with 19th century antiques, original paintings and cushy furnishings that feel particularly Venetian. They are immaculately clean and exceptionally comfortable. The size is modest, but comfortable. A definite highlight, the pink marble bathroom, is a place to be pampered. True to form, there are generous bottles of a rather foamy bubble bath gel stocked, along with the usual amenities. You're bound to feel like Venetian royalty here!

The reception staff are a bit reserved, but very helpful.

For a great dinner or lunch experience, try the hotel's "Do Leoni" restaurant. With its outdoor terrace it is a great place to enjoy a meal - and soak in the jaw-dropping views, of course.

The water vaporetto from the airport stops right next to the hotel.

For more information, visit: www.hotelondra.it/

THE DYLAN HOTEL - DUBLIN, IRELAND (review)

2008-08-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

The Dylan is a rather eccentric property with a design that echoes somewhat of an old-fashioned charm, while fusing it with a decidedly modern approach. With its youthful, friendly and helpful staff, The Dylan feels more like a luxurious private mansion than a hotel. The five-star boutique hotel manages to feel very discreet, yet welcoming and personable.

The hotel is all about personality and subtle little touches such as the incredibly delicious brownies that await you on arrival, and the special goodies that you can find after the nightly turn-down. In addition to the traditional minty chocolate left on your pillow, you can expect to find complimentary bottles of VOSS water and a unique aromatherapy "sleep well" spray.

The rooms are not exceedingly large, but comfortable, made to feel even larger due to the placement of mirrors across one wall. Some rooms come with terraces, which is a nice thing to have, although there is no real view to enjoy. The amenities in the room are very well thought out though, including a flat screen TV, very large bottles of fine shampoos, conditioners and bath salts, heated towel rack, vanity kits, slippers, wi-fi, an overpriced mini-bar (sadly, a staple in nearly all hotels), and an ipod with Bose speakers. The ipod, thoughtfully, comes loaded with some music and Dublin city audio guides, so you can take it with you on walks around the city. Unfortunately though, with all these great amenities, one very important thing was overlooked: the bed. The bed & pillows are on the harder side, and not as cozy as expected - although some people swear that sleeping on a hard bed is the better choice for your back.

On sleepless nights, the hotel also has a library for guests to borrow books and a plush bar. In the morning, they can awake to some delicious treats served in the hotel's breakfast room - buffet or a la carte, the breakfast there is well worth having.

Located in an affluent suburb, The Dylan's surroundings are without a shortage of nice pubs and restaurants, but it is definitely a bit removed from the more "happening" parts of the city and the major tourist attractions. However, they are all within a short bus or taxi ride and a 15 minute walk to Grafton St and St. Stephens Green.

Chic, charming, elegant and bursting with personality, The Dylan is sure to host a memorable stay. Definitely one of the more unique hotels - a special place.

Visit online at: www.dylan.ie

Pacific Palisades Hotel in Vancouver - REVIEW

2008-04-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

There is something very comforting and home-like about the Pacific Palisades, even though it doesn’t resemble home at all. Instead, it’s filled with lively colors splashed across the walls, with South Beach inspired decor. And there are even balconies, which are very nice to sit on at night when the city begins to sparkle.

Rooms are specious and there are many affordable suites to be found. These also feature a kitchenette and a mini-bar that for the first time doesn’t make you feel like someone’s reaching into your pockets and stealing all your cash. A bag of morning cereal, is only $1. If more hotels offered reasonably priced mini-bar, not only would they sell more product, but they would also make their guests very happy.

And this is what the Pacific Palisades seems to care about – guest satisfaction. This is not a luxury hotel, but a very hip, cozy hotel where the staff are very welcoming and will go out of their way, whether you’re a guest or just a visitor.

It’s no wonder that many film productions host their out of town crew and talent for extended stays at the Pacific Palisades.

Should you get thirsty for a drink at the bar or a craving for a snack, the hotel’s Zin Lounge is happy to oblige. It’s not particularly full on most nights, but that’s not entirely a bad thing. It’s worth stopping by for a drink or a snack, though for meals there are much better options nearby. Nonetheless, it’s actually a very neat spot and it’s surprising that it’s not more popular than it is. For breakfast, try the authentic French crepes across the street.

Situated on Robson Street, the Pacific Palisades Hotel is convenient to shopping, dining and for exploring the Downtown core. On top of that, the hotel is dog friendly – so you don’t have to leave your pooch at home. And at prices starting at just $140 (deals can be found for even less), it’s a great value.

Definitely one of the best hotels in Vancouver.

For more information, visit:
www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com

12 cities in a month...

2008-04-10T00:44:00.001-07:00

12 cities, 16 hotel rooms...in just a wee bit over a month. Is that
crazy? Because that's just the sort of adventure that I'll be embarking
on soon!

I'm both excited and terrified. And now that it's getting closer to my
departure date, both emotions are getting rather powerful, almost
shouting at each other.

I worry so much...

What if no one speaks English where I am? How will I figure out the
transit system? Will someone snatch my purse? And what about the food,
how will a semi-vegeterian with a gazzilion dietary restrictions and a
picky taste to boot be able to navigate foreign menus in countries where
the main attraction is meat - and the more the better. I have enough of
a hard time here, in North America, where everything is politically
correct, including the menus.

But on the other hand, I'm excited. Things to see and discover. People
to meet. Adventures to be had. And I get to "taste" everything... From a
traditional B&B in the place where it all started, to Victorian homes,
fancy shamncy hotels and even palaces with lagoon views. From museums,
to shows, to private theatre guides, recommended pubs where ghosts hang
out, cafes, spas, and worlds I've yet to discover.

If I had a chance to back out? I'd dismiss it in a heartbeat!

Ipods are for more than just tunes...

2008-04-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

Seems like the ipod is being used more and more for things other than music or videos. It is THE one piece of technology that you need on your travels. After all, you can have maps, wifi, addresses, widgets, and much more on this one tiny device.

A company called Tourcaster.com is taking advantage too, offering downloadable "guided" tours for travelers who want to see the sights on their own, creating multi-point guided tours that are separated by chapters and come complete with a full color map that is marked with numbers that correspond to the programs on your tour. They currently offer 250 tours in 75 cities on 6 continents...ranging from $10-25, saving you the costs of actual guides and allowing you to take your independent spirit and enrich its experience. Apple would be proud.

My favourite hotel in New York...

2008-04-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

I'm no stranger to New York, having lived there. But at one point, I too, was one of those pesky "tourists", staying only for a few weeks at a time - if I was lucky. So, of course, I'm no stranger to New York hotels, with the astronomical prices and tiny quarters.

When one embarks on an adventure to the Big Apple, no doubt their place of residence plays an important role in the overall experience. After all, New York is the city that many have come to expect so much from based on its immortal images in movies and other popular culture venues. And what does one look for in that elusive New York hotel? One that fits like a glove in terms of the old mantra ‘location, location, location’, service, quality, uniqueness – and of course, your wallet too…

Even though everyone knows that New York is the city that never sleeps, it is a well-kept secret that sometimes its residents do take naps. Shocking, isn’t?

It’s unlikely that I will ever find a hotel in New York that will replace the landmark Beekman Tower as my all-time favorite. After all, it’s a perfect haven in every way.

THE BEEKMAN TOWER HOTEL
3 Mitchell Place | At 1st Avenue and East 49th Street, New York City

The Beekman is nestled in a very nice, quiet neighborhood that is only a few blocks away from the United Nations. Not surprisingly, many ambassadors and other dignitaries stay here. The added convenience is that each suite has a mini-kitchenette (with a stove-top, microwave, sink & fridge), a spacious living room to receive guests and a separate bedroom. Just in case for some reason you are suffering from a rare condition and don’t have anything to do in New York, there are television sets in each room. Although the lobby is fairly small (standard for New York), the suite is particularly large.

The décor is gorgeous Art Deco, which provides plenty of old-fashioned charm to this hotel. Lately it has become increasingly difficult to find a hotel that doesn’t look like every other hotel—and this one certainly doesn’t.

The staff are extremely helpful, going above and beyond duty. There are no attitudes. Just a very laid-back and helpful vibe. Needless to say, during my stay, there were no disturbances, no noise, everything was in perfect working condition and clean. And when luggage needed to be stored away, there were no problems there either.

Coming back to the Beekman each night was like coming back home, but cozier. It felt like a luxurious private apartment more than a hotel. If I could, I’d move in permanently. (Who knows, maybe one day they'll put out an ad for a writer-in-residence)

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT:

The Top of the Tower restaurant was named in a book as one of the most romantic places in New York. It’s easy to see why. Although I cannot say that the food is at all above average, the Cosmopolitans I had were divine (though not inexpensive—but worth it!). But it’s really not so much about the drinks or the food as it is about the experience. Having drinks at that restaurant around 2am was probably one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Naturally the company had quite a bit to do with it, but the atmosphere was pure magic. It felt like a scene from a movie. The view of the harbor was mesmerizing, like it was shot and presented by some legendary cinematographer, the flickering candles and the classy-yet-so-down-to-earth service provided the ideal setting and the real treat, the pianist, was not merely the score, but also the soul of this picture. He played both old and new favorites (though I much prefer the old) with his own unique touch without ever destroying the appeal of the song. I've been back, and although the pianist has changed, the experience is just as magical.

CONS:
-Although it’s a very pleasant location, it does require a bit of a walk or short taxi ride to most attractions.
-It’s not the least expensive hotel around (ranging from $290 to as much as $1,300), though deals do come around and its price vs. value ratio is ideal

VERDICT: 4.5 out of 5

Hotels as destinations?

2008-04-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

Sure, for many people a hotel is just meant to be a base where they unpack and rest after a full day out exploring their surroundings. However, some types of lodging can be just as much a part of the adventure as an afternoon at the museum or a walking tour. At least that's the case when the place you call “home” for the time being happens to be a room in a Victorian or gothic castle, a cell in a prison, a quarter in a monastery or even on a giant pirate ship. When your lodgings are THAT interesting, you don’t need to feel particularly guilty about hitting the hay early and resting your tired feet. Or sleeping in.

What is the most interesting or unusual place you've stayed in?

Paris at night...

2008-03-31T01:16:00.000-07:00

Can you feel the vibrant nature of the city? And just to think, I almost didn’t go there...

Welcome to London...

2008-03-31T01:12:00.000-07:00