New York City ... May 2005

The Bull & The Bear Restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

We did not make reservations but were able to get seated at a table in the bar area of the restaurant. They cleaned up the table, put down a table cloth and dressed the table up to almost match those in the dining room which we could see through the glass divider.
I had water, the other 2 had beer.
Two of us ordered the New York steaks. Comes with nothing. We ordered mashed & baked potatoes, spinach and portobello mushrooms. The other person ordered the filet mignon and caesar salad. Two of us ordered onion soup.

It was Black Angus beef, which the waiter explained was the best! My husband's family raised Black Angus cattle on their farm, so we knew all about it, but we listened politely and smiled.
It lived up to our expectations and was an outstanding meal. $220.00 for 3 people.

I would recommend this restaurant.

New York City...May 2005

We went to NYC for a long weekend. Here's a short review of the hotel and a restaurant.

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/information.jhtml;jsessionid=3MB5VQWEPVIKMCSGBIVM22QKIYFC3UUC?ctyhocn=NYCWTHH&key=ACCOMMODATIONS

This was our second time staying at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. We booked a mini suite for 3 adults last fall when we arranged to fly to Newark using our airmiles. So no cost for flights.
This hotel is managed by Hilton.
The first time we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria was in November 2003. We arrived early...before noon and were able to check in and go right to our room. We knew that check in time was 3pm but wanted to leave our bags so we could go off to explore NYC.

This trip we arrived before noon, went to check in which was fine, and told to leave our bags and come back for the keys at 3pm. Understandable, no problem with this at all.

We returned at 3pm, ended up in a long lineup, where one man in front of me proclaimed he was lined up to check out at 3pm. Check out time is 12:00 noon.

Anyway, the line up was taking a long time.

When I did get to the reception counter ( 20 minutes in the line up ) I was told that my room wasn't ready and I'd have to wait for the key or I could leave my bags again and come back later. I am offered a free drink in the bar or continental breakfast for compensation.
I chose to stay and wait. The receptionist said she'd come to get us in the lobby as soon as the room was ready...1/2 hour was the estimated time.
We waited, in the beautiful lobby until 4:00pm and then went up to the receptionist again. No room for us yet.
What was going on with this room? Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Did someone not vacate it at 12:00? Am I paying for the room while someone else is using it? Did something awful happen in the room? What's going on? I'm only in NYC for a long weekend...this waiting is eating up our enjoyment time.

So eventually the receptionist comes back and because of our patience and understanding the manager has decided to upgrade us to the 25th floor to a suite, and it's a corner suite with nice view of New York.
We take the offer. Suite 25M. Lovely. As you enter the door straight from the elevators, there is a marble floor foyer. To the right is a large walk-in closet with a safe, hamper, iron and ironing board.
Straight ahead from the foyer are french doors which open into the living room with 2 couches that make into a bed, a coffee table, armoire with tv, a desk, lamps, mantle with fireplace...pictures, mirrors etc. Very much like home.
Off to the right of the living room, through another door is the bedroom. It is quite large with 2 double beds, a large armoire with tv, drawers and mini bar. There are two winged backed chairs, a desk with mirror, lamps and also three large windows. ( It looked like they could be opened ).
The draperies and bedspreads were lovely. Off to the right of the bedroom was a very small bathroom with tub/shower, sink and toilet. ( Brass fixtures). Plenty of towels and small amenities. There was a hairdryer, telephone and tv in the bathroom.

The receptionist said she'd send a card up to our room so we could use express check in for future trips. It never happened. Was I surprised. No.

We used the continental breakfast coupon in Oscars for a buffet breakfast the one morning. So we upgraded it by paying $4.00 each.

This hotel is absolutely beautiful and rich with history. I was told that they hang the flag of a dignitarie's country outside when they are staying in the hotel. I saw the Swiss & also the Italian flags hanging alongside the U.S. flag during my stay.

I would stay at the Waldorf Astoria again, but not because of service, because of the property, location and history of the hotel.

New York City In May 2005

New York City at the Waldorf Astoria in a mini suite:

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/information.jhtml?ctyhocn=NYCWTHH&key=HOME

A full report to come in the next week.

I Know It's Not Slow Travel...

You ask, why the hotels and not an apartment in one place for 2 weeks?

I searched for hours over many days and did not come up with apartments I was satisfied with.
The hotels I have booked gave me a very favourable rate...I get a discounted rate at several chain hotels...so this was more economical than the apartments were for us.

I also had the option of changing some of these reservations without pre-paying or without penalty. Infact, the price came down for the Paris hotel twice and I was able to get in on this.

So, there it is...not too far off and not much more to plan.
Must remember to pack very lightly, one small suitcase each, a small carryon each and a baggie of TIDE.

Trip Planning...France, Italy, England

For my peace of mind....what I have booked:

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=LYNHITW

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/torit

http://www.lemeridien.com/france/nice/hotel_fr1606.shtml

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=PARHITW

http://69.59.140.208/thelanghamlondon.com/

https://www.lemeridien.com/england/london/information_gb1096.shtml


Also booked:

http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/index.asp


And booked through the travel agent: Flight to Lyon and return from Gatwick

as well as, Eurostar from Paris to London.

Booked through Auto Europe: Car for 9 days...pick up Lyon airport and return Nice airport.


Still to work out:

1) limo to/from airport here
2) shuttle from Orly to Paris hotel
3) taxi from Victoria Station to London hotel
4) shuttle or Gatwick Express to Gatwick hotel


Anything else?

My Order Has Arrived...

My Cafe Press order has arrived. I picked it up at the postal depot today.
Cost for 1 totebag, 4 luggage stickers, delivery, exchange, customs....came to $57.00Canadian!

The ST merchandise is nice & of course you can't buy www.slowtrav.com stuff anywhere else.

Canada Customs opened the package...this is probably why it took 21 days to get to me. The customs portion was $10.38 Can.

Canada Customs Needs Their Share...

When I came home from work today a note was on my door...a package has arrived and I must go to the post office to pay $10.80 in custom fees to pick it up tomorrow.

The only thing I am expecting is my order of ST ( tote bag and stickers ) from Cafe Press.

Emmmm, I was charged $8.00 for shipping, plus the exchange for the difference in Canadian-US dollars and now the government wants their share to let me shop in the country where I was born.

No more "international" shopping on the net for me. The government already takes enough $!!!

Mother's Day Brunch

I was spoiled this weekend! My family took me out for Sunday...Mother's Day Brunch...at the Ancaster Old Mill. It is one of our favourite spots near here.
I'll just list the things I remember seeing...we did not try everything...what we did have was top notch!

crepes with mixed berries or peach-caramel, whip cream
omelets...cooked to order
juice bar...5 varities of freshly squeezed and smoothies
muffins, breads, crossiants
seafood...a variety
salads...a variety
waffle bar with chocolate sauce, berries and whip cream
strawberries and chocolate fountain

roast potatoes
mash potatoes
broccoli, carrots, cauliflower
bacon
peameal bacon
ham
honey ham
turkey
roast beef
BBQ chicken
ravioli
pasta
roast pork right off the pig
2 kinds of fish
mussels
eggs benedict
perogies

unbelievable desserts
coffee, tea

It was wonderful and I highly recommend this place. Thanks kids!

http://www.ancasteroldmill.com/

BGE is on her way home

I heard from BGE and she is on her way home right now. Hope to hear about her trip in the next few days.

Hotel Plans Revised for France

For some reason, I wasn't really excited about the hotel accommodations I had booked for the south of France for this August. Someone told me the place was a party hang out for teens and young twenty year olds. Later, I read the same thing in my Eyewitness Travel Guide. Maybe this was the reason for discontent?

So I cancelled, without penalty. No problem as I did not have to prepay. I just couldn't justify staying there when I was having to pay a high cost, and not know what the place was like.

Anyway, 24 years ago we stayed at Le Meridien in Nice. We are now booked into there again and are happy with our decision. We will be staying there for 5 nights and then we'll return the car and fly into Paris from Nice.

http://www.lemeridien.com/france/nice/photographs1_fr1606.shtml

They're Here!

My 4 www.slowtrav.com luggage tags and 2 business cards arrived today!
Just in time for my trip to NYC.
More when I get back...

The Amazing Race...London, England

The Amazing Race had Rob & Amber ( Survivor stars ) coming in first place tonight in London, England where I will be going this summer.
The underground looks interesting...I wasn't so sure about using the trains and underground but now I'm looking forward to it. Sure is alot quicker than the taxis. Although I don't want to be lugging more than one suitcase on and off these trains. Think I'll forget the carryon thing this trip.

Budget Rentals Booked

Booked car rental for Orlando airport Budget...to Cape Canaveral day before cruise in winter.

Also booked car rental from Cape Canaveral to Orlando airport ( 2 days ) with Budget for return from cruise to Disney to airport.

Looking for my luggage tags, stickers and canvas bag

Where, oh where can my www.slowtrav.com luggage tags and cafepress ST stickers and canvas bag be?

Tied up at customs...being searched...so the government can charge me PST & GST and duty?

Probably...don't you think they get enough from the taxes I pay?

Today is the deadline for filing income tax.

Off to New York City...

We're off to NYC for a few days later this week.

Link to neighbourhoods:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2591874-new_york_city_introduction-i;_ylt=AtWqEBvVYrcMay952NVl1Q2cFmoL

Staying at the Waldorf Astoria. We stayed there on our last trip and really liked it...very convienent location for walking around.

Booked Hilton Disney World Resort

Booked the Hilton Disney World Resort...for after cruising on the Glory and before flight home.

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORLDWHH