8.29.2007

Great Bites in Rome

We have some friends who are heading to Rome in the next few months and they'd asked for various recommendations, including where to eat while in Rome. Here are three restaurants that I recommended (and one that just came to mind):

Da Giggetto - This is a Roman institution, located in the old Jewish ghetto in the shadow of the portico D'Ottavia. Great Roman food with some emphasis on Jewish specialities like artichokes. The cacio e pepe is delicious.

La Taverna Degli Amici - I've eaten here over the years... on business trips and during our honeymoon. It's a terribly romantic location - tucked into a small little piazza on the edge of the Jewish ghetto, right next to an old medieval tower. If you can, try to score an outside table. - it may have changed names but it's the same location. A romantic spot.

La Cicala e la Formica - A cute little restaurant located in the Monti area of Rome. Seating is somewhat limited but the food is excellent. Check the menu - if they have dishes with truffles, give them a shot. It's an acquired taste but, once you like truffles, you'll love them. Another place we visited on our honeymoon.

Frontoni - A great tavola calda where you can get delicious pizza (really delicious) made your way "al modo mio", suppli', olive ascolane and other easy-to-eat favorites. We usually meet up my uncle here for the pizza. It's located in Trastevere at Viale Trastevere 52. Next door is a little gelato shop. From there, you can walk deeper into Trastevere.

8.28.2007

Scottsdale's Valley Ho

Yet another hip 1950s hotel has received a great makeover and restored to it's mid-century glory. The Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ reopened in December of 2005 after a massive restoration. Rooms, a new spa and all the common areas include classic modern touches. An old-school Trader Vic's is also on-site for those who need their tiki fix. Rates vary from room-to-room. A quick check of a sample itinerary for a three-night weekend in October showed rates starting at $299.00/night. A little pricey but perhaps perfect for a long weekend getaway.

Fires in Greece

Wow. what's been happening in Greece is terrible...

8.26.2007

New Hotel Addition

My wife found an old itinerary from one of my business trips to Europe. Listed in the itinerary was a hotel that I really enjoyed but couldn't seem to remember its name. Well, I found it so I added a link to the right... Hotel Pierre in Milano. I'll never forget how my Italian colleague said that the hotel was so nice, that Simple Minds would stay there. That cracked me up.

8.25.2007

Wildfires Rage in Greece

While we were looking forward to our postponed trip to Greece, it looks like we dodged a bullet by not being in Greece this week.

Upgrades a-plenty!


No complaints with the trip to Orlando. Not only did I get upgraded to first class both ways (that probably hasn't happened since I was Platinum Elite), the trip was a big success... I predict a big contract as a result.

A few observations...

  • I'm impressed by Orlando's airport. Despite the poorly-designed security lines, the common areas before security are well laid out. Good selection of stores and a conveniently located Hyatt overlooking the entrance to terminal A.
  • School may be getting ready to start but there was no shortage of kids along International Boulevard
  • Most of the rental car companies at the airport are located on-site. One glaring omission is Thrifty. You've seen me complain about Thrifty before and you're about to see it again. First, it took 30 minutes for the Thrifty bus to pick us up. Once the bus finally showed up, we drove way off the property to a Thrifty daily parking lot before finally making it out to the rental lot. It must have taken an hour before we finally got in the car. Weak.
No trips scheduled for now... then again, given the last one was booked with a week's notice, you never know.

8.23.2007

Off to Orlando

Well, I'm off to the land of Mickey and Goofy for a quick business trip... yes, really, I'm not planning to visit Epcot or Shamu. I'll be there in Orlando on business. It will be my favorite kind of trip... lighting fast! More to come...