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Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the best resort in the Western Hemisphere (and Pacific) and tied for second best resort in the world. |
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Switzerland September 2025 September 2025 trip including:Hotel Ameron: The best-value and modern hotel in Davos, and the best value in Switzerland. Use Luigi Taxi for best service around town and from the train station.Davos Ameron Suite 121Hyatt Regency The Circle Zurich Airport: ZRH Airport Hyatt Regency The Circle 708Riffelalp Resort Zermatt: Closing weekend and got upgraded to the overflow suites with small bathrooms and no view. Best travel time is June and early September.Zermatt Riffelalp Resort 2222 Suite 313Radisson Blu Zurich Airport: Great location, long checkin lines, smelly hallways, horrible views, and overall a waste of money for $450. Better choice is Hyatt Regency The Circle. Don't stay at the Radisson, you'll regret it.Zurich Airport Radisson Blu 277 Overpriced and Avoid
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Switzerland August 2025 August 2025 trip including:Burgenstock Resort Overlooking Lake Lucerne: Burgenstock Resort Lucerne Suite 320Hotel Ameron: The best-value and modern hotel in Davos, and the best value in Switzerland. Use Luigi Taxi for best service around town and from the train station.Davos Ameron Suite 302Hyatt Regency The Circle Zurich Airport: Hyatt Regency ZRH Zurich Airport 405 and Lake Lucerne Paddlewheel Luzern Boat TourZurich Airport Hyatt Regency Suite 711Hotel Royal: Geneva near the train station.Geneva Hotel Royal 814 Near Train Station Loud at Night and Geneva TourRiffelalp Dynamic Pricing: Did not stay at the Riffelalp due to dynamic pricing which increased the basic price by one hundred percent. How Hotels Use Dynamic Pricing and AI to Raise Room Rates
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United Airlines Upgrades and United Fare Codes Updated 14 February 2026 United Fare Codes and BucketsWhy United Airlines Flight Prices Surge Closer to Departure and How Dynamic Pricing and AI Reshape Airfare Strategy Over the past two years, the cost of using points for Business Class to Europe has surged, with what once required 150,000 miles now needing 250,000 miles. While deals are available through certain hubs, long layovers are common. PlusPoints have become nearly useless for upgrades, as cash or miles-and-cash options push you down the upgrade list, even for 1K members. To secure better fares, start looking at least two months in advance, as United's pricing algorithm may reduce upfront costs if seats are still available. For Miles and Cash upgrades to Europe, expect to pay 20,000 miles plus $500 each way, with changes or refunds requiring a call to customer service. Additionally, expect frequent bumps down the upgrade list as 1K or cash upgrades have priority. Also expect available seats as standby seats to be occupied by United employees, especially mid-week. So book any days from Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.Please view the links below for my articles on United upgrades and demonitizing changed flight fares. United Fare Codes |
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Matterhorn in Zermatt Switzerland. The Riffelalp is my second favorite resort in the world. A must-see in Europe. |
The Best Kept Secret in Europe Welcome to the Riffelalp Resort. With the Best View in the World The Riffelalp Resort at 2222 meters above Zermatt, Switzerland.The most amazing view in Europe, of the iconic Matterhorn. Resort is above Zermatt. Located half way up the Gornergrat, it has the best view of the western sky and sunset than anywhere in the region. The Matterhorn is in the foreground. Please follow the link below to read about this epic resort.Updated in September 2023. Still the best. Amazing staff, location, and suites. Most recent visit during September 2023 (Suite 403). |
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Mexico February 2024 Cancun Mexico trip including: Conrad Tulum resort review: Wonderful stay at this resort which is only one year old. Conrad has a very consistent quality of product and service. Read more...Banyan Tree MayaKoba Resort Review: The Banyan Tree is a world-class resort with an amazing setting. Read more...
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Marrakech Morocco May trip to Marrakech including: Marrakech Morocco Maison Brummell Hotel Room 203: Amazing boutique hotel in the heart of Marrakech next to botanical garden. Read more... Markets: Within the walled section of Marrakech are the colorful markets. Read more... Movenpick Mansour Eddahbi Resort: A few blocks from the train station and a 10 minute ride to the airport is this large Marrakech hotel complex with amazing pools and buffets. Read more... How to Prepare for Your Travel Experience: While travel can be stressful it can also be hard on your body so take simple preparations to make the experience more beneficial than painful. Read more... How to Prepare Your Hotel, Cruise, or Resort Accommodation for Use: While most hotel and cruise and resort accommodations are similar, some have unique differences which need preparation for most enjoyable experience. Read more...
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Switzerland August 2024 August 2024 trip including: Zurich and Lake Lucerne ZRH Hyatt Regency Hotel Room 613: Swiss Pass based at Zurich airport for the day, with day trip to Lucerne and lake boat from Lucerne to Flüelen. Read more... Geneva and Nyon: Hilton Geneva Airport Room 917 and Nyon Lac Leman paddlewheel boat ride Read more... Crans Montana: Swiss Pass train to Sierre, then funicular to the mountain ski village. Hotel Helvetica Intergolf Room 59. Read more... Zermatt: Swiss Half Card train from ZRH airport to Zermatt. 18th time at Riffelalp Resort at 2222 Gornergrat with beautiful view of the Matterhorn mountain. Suite 24. Read more... Davos: Swiss Half Card train from Zermatt to Zurich, and then Davos via Lanquart. One of the best Swiss hotel values at the Ameron Hotel Room 115. Read more... Zurich Airport Hyatt Regency Room 638: Best hotel at the airport. Read more...
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September Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland looking up towards Jungfrau |
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Christmas in Davos Switzerland 2024 December 2024 trip including: Snowstorm Departure: Madison - ORD - Frankfurt - Amsterdam Read more... Amsterdam Airport: Hilton Schipol Airport 903 Read more... Zurich Airport Hyatt Regency Room 513: Best hotel at the airport. Read more...Davos: One of the best Swiss hotel values at the Ameron Hotel Room 424. Read more...Winter Wonderland: 23 December. Read more...24 December. Read more...25 December. Read more...Davos: Hilton Garden Inn Room 310. Read more...Davos: Hilton Garden Inn Room 305. Read more... Zurich Airport Hyatt Regency Room 826: Best hotel at the airport. Read more...
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Burgenstock Resort above Lucerne Switzerland is my Favorite Resort in the World |
Top Pick for World's Best: The Burgenstock Resort This is my all-time favorite resort, located above Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. After undergoing a multi-hundred-million dollar facelift and renovation, the result is nothing short of spectacular. The staff is the best in the world. The views, food, atmosphere and wonderful feeling will leave you spellbound. The hiking and views from around the resort are world class and provide stunning vistas of the alps and nature.Updated after late spring visit at the WaldHotel 2022.Burgenstock WaldHotel Suite 4512 and 4801 May 2022 Burgenstock Palace Hotel Suite 2402 Easter Spring 2022 Burgenstock Palace Hotel Suite 2202 Burgenstock Palace Hotel Suite 2222 Burgenstock Palace Hotel Suite 2309 Private Helicopter Charter from Zermatt Matterhorn to the Burgenstock Resort via Air Zermatt |
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Bavaria Germany and Davos Switzerland 2024 October 2024 trip including: Bavaria Berchtesgaden Germany: Kempinksi Resort Suite 335 Read more...Kempinksi Resort Suite 259 Read more...Davos: Railjet from Saltzberg into Landquart, then Swiss Half Card train to Davos Dorf. One of the best Swiss hotel values at the Ameron Hotel Room 308. Read more... Zurich Airport Hyatt Regency Room 729: Best hotel at the airport. Read more...
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MSC Splendida Cruise from Barcelona Genoa and Marseille April Med trip from Barcelona, sea day, Genoa, Marseille and back to Barcelona including: Eurostar Hotel Room 535: Pre cruise stay at the port. Read more... MSC Splendida Cruise: MSC Splendida Suite 16027 Yacht Club Barcelona Embarkation. Read more...MSC Splendida Cruise Sea Day: MSC Splendida Suite 16027 Yacht Club day at sea. First day of water supply issues. Read more...MSC Splendida Cruise Genoa: MSC Splendida Suite 16027 Yacht Club Italy. Second day of water supply issues. Read more...MSC Splendida Cruise France: MSC Splendida Suite 16027 Yacht Club Marseille France. Third day of water issues. Water stopped working in Yacht Club cabin (for the sink, toilet, and shower. Staff sent technician to unclog the drain. MSC efficiency at work. Read more...MSC Splendida Cruise Barcelona: MSC Splendida Suite 16027 Yacht Club Disembarkation Day. Read more... Eurostar Hotel Room 524: Post cruise stay at the port. Read more...
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Europe Spring 2023 Hilton Airport Amsterdam 2023: First time in a while not on Diamond Status - so applied for AMEX with Diamond card benefits to get upgrades. Charged me 45 Euro for early checkin under Gold Status. Short visit touring Amsterdam prior to Lisbon cruise. Review Aurea Lisbon 2023: Beautiful hotel near cruise ship docks. Review Venice Hilton Molino Stucky 2023: Diamond Status with free upgrades, access to lounge and free breakfast. Toured Venice. Review Beau Rivage Weggis Switzerland Suite 304 2023: Finally a good break in the weather for this wonderful hotel in the heart of Switzerland. Fantastic breakfast and great service. Perfect location for lake boats, Mt. Rigi and Lake Lucerne. One of my favorite hotels in Switzerland. Review Burgenstock Palace Suite 2321 2023: My 14th stay since 2017 at what I consider the best high-end resort in Europe. Review Hyatt Place Suite 857 Zurich Airport 2023: More expensive and less quality than Hyatt Regency at same location. Review Hyatt Regency Suite 929 Zurich Airport 2023: Best value for modern airport hotel experience. Clean, organized, and one of my favorites. Review Swiss Travel Pass Weggis and Rutli Switzerland: Touring local Lake Lucerne destinations. Review Swiss Travel Pass ZRH to Brunnen to Andermatt Switzerland: One of my favorite day excursions from Zurich airport. Review Lake Lucerne Switzerland Steam Powered Uri Paddlewheel Boat: Vintage steamer from Lucerne to Fluelen. Review MSC Fantasia Suite 131126 Embarkation: Boarding the cruise in Lisbon. Review MSC Fantasia Suite 131126 Le Havre Day 04: Visit to Le Havre France on cold windy rainy day. Review MSC Fantasia Suite 131126 Antwerp ZeeBrugge Day 05: Visit to the port city. Review MSC Fantasia Suite 131126 Copenhagen Denmark Day 07: Sunny spring day in Copenhagen. Review MSC Fantasia Suite 131126 Kiel Germany Disembarkation: Leaving the ship after a week cruise. Review
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Beautiful Halloween Sunrise UFO Clouds from the Palace Hotel at the Burgenstock Resort above Lucerne Switzerland |
Switzerland October 2022 Annual fall trip to Switzerland in October using 4-day Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass App to show huge savings. Typically in the fall, the SBB offers a Swiss Pass Autumn discount. Standard price for 4-day Swiss Travel Pass for 1st Class is 447 CHF. Discounted price is 317 CHF. For my 4 day journey throughout Switzerland, I was able to accumulate 666 CHF of value.Burgenstock Palace Hotel near Lucerne Switzerland Fall Colors Lake Lucerne cruise and Vitznauerhof in Vitznau Switzerland Hyatt Regency The Circle in ZRH and quick visit to Bern Switzerland Using the Swiss Travel Pass over Four Day SBB Autumn Promotion showing savings using App |
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Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the best resort in the Western Hemisphere (and Pacific) and tied for second best resort in the world. |
Conrad Bora Bora Resort February 2021 February 2021: Just returned from a wonderful trip to French Polynesia and the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. The Conrad has now reopened as of May 2021 (mostly to Americans who are more free to travel due to the huge drop in Covid cases due to the vaccines). Bora Bora Travel Review |
MSC Bellissima Persian Gulf Cruise |
Cruise News This section will be for current travels, upcoming flights and cruises.The big news of the day is moving the website from WordPress to our own proprietary web site generation program we developed using FileMaker database, which allows us to use all of our past cruise ship reviews from 2001 onwards. Trip Advisor |
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