But what has everyone talking is the fact that both Airline Ratings and the respected Sky Trax World

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the standard hotel los angeles There is a new low-cost airline that has everyone in the industry talking. the standard hotel los angeles Norwegian Air is now the second largest airline in Scandinavia and the third largest low-cost carrier in Europe, carrying over 20 million passengers last year.
But what has everyone talking is the fact that both Airline Ratings and the respected Sky Trax World Airline the standard hotel los angeles Awards have named Norwegian Europe s Best low-cost carrier. The current fleet of 85 aircraft has an average age of only 4.8 years. It is, however, Norwegian s future growth plans that have attracted attention on both sides of the Atlantic. The company now has 275 undelivered the standard hotel los angeles new aircraft on firm order, an amazing check of new business, all of it going to Boeing.
Norwegian the standard hotel los angeles will be entering the US market and is now staffing offices in both New York and Ft. Lauderdale. In the next twelve months, Norwegian s CEO Bjorn Kjos, will be operating 14 routes between the United States and Europe.
Industry reviewers have lauded the quality of Norwegian s crew, the youth of its aircraft, better seating than its low-cost competitors (are you listening Ryan Air?) and a certain Scandinavian style. The airline wants to bring innovative service at the lowest possible cost to the US market using new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Will it all work. Up to this point the answer has been yes. But let s see how the Norwegians fare with US labor laws, union pressures, slot availability, and strong competitors who may be willing to match fares until they fly away. Keep an eye on Norwegian and you may have a glimpse into the future of long-haul airline com[petition for the next decade.
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Q Call us crazy, but we re bringing the twins, our eleven year-olds girls, on a Crystal Cruise to the Baltic that will include several days in St. Petersburg, Russia. We want to put together a special day that might include a really nice lunch the entire family can enjoy. Is there anywhere you could recommend where you would trust the food and the atmosphere as child-friendly. Crystal was not very helpful when we called. Thanks so much and best wishes for the long life of this wonderfully helpful web site .
A Try Lujaika on Aptekarsky Prospekt. The actual theme of this really good Asian restaurant is a child s imaginary wonderland. the standard hotel los angeles The children can fish in a pond next to outdoor dining areas and the restaurant s pet rabbits roam the grounds. Remember that the ship s blanket Visa will not cover you for any independent time off the ship.
We might suggest that it is unrealistic to seek out advice from cruise line commissioned sales phone agents. the standard hotel los angeles Not only is it highly unlikely they have never been to St. Petersburg; many of them have never actually sailed on a cruise. On the other hand, both Crystal ships have uniquely well-qualified on-board Concierge staff who we would certainly trust with this  kind of request. Most cruise lines on-board will only sell you tours, programs, and reservations that are profitable. Five-star lines like Crystal, Seabourn , Sea Dream, Silverseas , and Regent, have some superb people on their respective the standard hotel los angeles concierge desks.
Q As we plan a river boat journey, our first, from Basel to Amsterdam next September, we are wondering when it might make the most sense to book. We are looking at Viking River and we know that the boats book up early.
A Two schools of thought. You may want to book this afternoon. The entire the standard hotel los angeles bed count on all of the Viking the standard hotel los angeles River fleet (the world s largest), would fit into Royal Caribbean s Allure of the Seas, with many beds left over, Book as soon as you are committed. Another the standard hotel los angeles strategy is to wait until eleven months prior to your scheduled return date. This will allow you to lock in your air arrangements as soon as the flights are available for sale.
Q We are going to be staying at the Grand Hotel des lles Borromees along the water in Stresa for a week. Flying from LA to Milano, renting an Alfa, and ready for some day trips. Are there any restaurants in the area worth a drive of am hour or so that you could recommend? We hear there are islands near Stresa. Is there a way to get there? We thought this could be a great drive vacation using Stresa as a base. Good idea?
A Actually, it s an excellent the standard hotel los angeles idea, although your hotel is old world Europe and you may imagine the standard hotel los angeles it smells musty . The three islands are each lovely, different, and easily accessible from the main pier in Stresa with frequent local boat service. We would suggest that you make reservations on Isola dei Pescatori (Fisherman s Island) at Ristoranti CasaBella.
Our favorite drive restaurant is Piccolo Lago in Verbania Fondotoce. You won t believe the small lake views that surround this tiny hamlet. No one has discovered this restaurant with the exception of several well-disposed Michelin inspectors. Their signature dish of the moment the standard hotel los angeles is a beef topped with a goose liver sauce you will never forget.
Q In the mid-eighties, I spent a semester the standard hotel los angeles in Barcelona, studying Spanish and a bit of Architecture. Now, my wife and I, she has never been to Spain, are heading for Barcelona to begin a 12-Day Cruise on Oceania. the standard hotel los angeles Because of work, there is just the one day in Barcelona and I am intent to sit with her at  one of those wonderful cafes where she can experience the warm churros and Chocolate a la taza .  This is just something we need to do. Is there a place you can recommend not far off the tourist route?
A You might try Granja M. Viader which is on a small street, Carrer d en Xucia next to the famed La Boqueria market. The Ramblas is right there. This is the perfect place to sample an authentic the standard hotel los angeles Spanish mid-morning snack, a habit not yet exported.
Q Do you think it is practical, to plan a trip to Mexico City that would allow us to take in some of the best local food spots and markets in about a week? My  husband just lives for authentic the standard hotel los angeles Mexican food but we live just outside of Birmingham and we re not about to get too adventurous. I wonder how you set something like this up using really good, safe hotels, flights, and tours. I am looking for a foodie tour in depth. My husband made me fly with him to Chicago just to eat at Rick Bayles   Frontera Grill. We loved it!
A Our inclination would be to set up the air, hotels, transfers (important the standard hotel los angeles in Mexico City) through a local travel agent you trust. Then work on the food tours yourselves contacting companies such as Mexico Soul and Essence Tours or Eat Mexico Culinary the standard hotel los angeles Tours. Urban Adventures is another reputable company. Some of these are companies do walking tours, other use public transportation the standard hotel los angeles (really fun), while others do in-home cooking lessons combined with visits to local markets. the standard hotel los angeles With these three contacts, you and your husband should be able to construct your own itinerary.
If, on the other hand, you want to have a truly upscale, fully escorted, culinary adventure planned out over a week by experts, have someone put you in touch with Zachary Rabinor the standard hotel los angeles at Mexican Journeys.
Q I think it is fair to say that you have no bigger fans of this site but, sadly, the standard hotel los angeles we find little help from you in planning our upcoming cruise with our 8 and 11 year-old boys. I know, for example, that Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are supposed to have the best kids programs at sea but couldn t find any information about them on your site. Why is this? Just curious and is there anything you can offer that would be helpful about the new Norwegian Getaway? Understand that you write for the upscale traveler but when this family cruise is all over, I think we will have spent close to $10,000 on a one week vacation. This is not a typical the standard hotel los angeles blog attack, just an honest question as to why these lines are not covered?
A And we take it as such. No harm no foul. We neither sell or recommend ships that carry more than 1,000 passengers. the standard hotel los angeles We believe that megaships, the standard hotel los angeles with their  institutional food, long lines, and constant haranguing of guests to spend more money, are not consistent the standard hotel los angeles with a sophisticated, carefully crafted vacation experience. Almost any travel agent is familiar with and can sell the megaships. You are correct, our niche is the upscale traveler. One reason for that is that there are numerous cruise blogs and so-called the standard hotel los angeles information sites that plug special deals and discounts on the megaships (almost all of those offers are phony since agents must adhere to price guidelines set by the cruise line) We felt that no one was really the standard hotel los angeles providing truthful travel information the standard hotel los angeles to more upscale travelers in an online setting coupled with one-on-one professional counseling by award-winning luxury consultants. Hope this makes sense. We don t include the megaships in our Top Ten Ratings because they are nowhere near the Top Ten when it comes to overall quality and delivery of services.
We like the Getaway the standard hotel los angeles for you. Younger kids particularly are drawn to Norwegians partnership with Nickelodeon, the ship has a terrific Aqua Park, kids can learn circus skills from Cirque du Jour and then perform in a show of their own design. They will love it. The same can be true of Royal Caribbean and its incredible menu of kids activities. But the bottom line on kids programs at sea is that no one does it quite as well as Disney. They are totally dedicated to families, where the other mega-ship the standard hotel los angeles lines have family components to their programs. When it comes to traveling with kids under the age of sixteen, we recommend you look at Disney first. Really hope this is helpful and thanks so much for your comments.
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