The Polite Traveler

Politeness Matters When Traveling Dear Polite Traveler, One important thing to remember, no matter where we are, is to be conspicuous of how our actions affect others.  Consequently, we should also remember the number one rule of cellphone use: Do not irritate those around you when using your cellphone .  This rule leads to the more specific rule of not talking loudly on your cellphones when with others.  Loud, Chatty, Irritating Contractor Noting that this irritating person is a contractor isn’t important.  Nevertheless, since he mentioned it multiple times during his assault on my calm, I thought it worth noting.   On to the details of this moment of grating clatter. Picture this, I had a five-hour layover in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.  For those of you who have passed through this badly-in-need-of-a-makeover dot on the map, you know how small and limited it is.  There’s no way to pass the time by strolling or shopping—any type of divers

How to be a Good Ambassador of Your Country When Traveling Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, When any of us travels outside our home country, we are ambassadors of ours.  Consequently, it is no wonder why the Chinese government was outraged over the behavior of some of their vacationing citizens.  Reports of defacing relics, spitting, and yelling in public, is definitely cringe-worthy.  All these impolite behaviors have even led to new tourism laws in China.  Given that the Chinese are not the only ill-mannered tourist, let us explore proper vacation etiquette.   Note : Follow country guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Study the culture; know before you go! To capture the nuances, blend in and avoid insulting the locals, it is essential to do your homework by studying the country's culture.  Point in fact; each country has its

Elegant, Approachable and Staffed by Personable, Efficient People Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Three words come to mind as I reflect upon my recent visit to the Hilton Universal: Wow!  Just wow!  For me, all hotels will be unfairly measured by this one.  It’s that good.   The hotel is huge with 24 floors and fantastic city, mountain, and park views.  Our room was on the 21st floor – more on that later.  Each large, airy room on the main floor is breathtaking and takes advantage of many glass ceilings.  Multiple seating areas await those who wish to sit with a book or simply meditate.   Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Somewhat in the middle of the main floor are a large bar—the “Atrium Lounge” with various seating options available—and the Café Sierra restaurant.  The bar provides a genero

The Good & The Meh Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Since I’ve never been to our beautiful San Luis Obispo, I’d hoped to walk around town during our short stay in Embassy Suites, but no.  On the map, it appears to be within walking distance to town.  Nope.  The heart of town is quite a distance away.  It is, however, directly next door to a large shopping center.  This wasn’t exactly the walking experience I expected, but I did find some yummy crackers to enjoy in my suite from World Market.  Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Since I’ve never been to our beautiful San Luis Obispo, I’d hoped to walk around town during our short stay in Embassy Suites, but no.  On the map, it appears to be within walking distance to town.  Nope.  The heart of town is quite a distance away.  It is, however, dir

Fun, Fun, Fun in SoCal Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Since I’ve visited Universal Studios Orlando several times, it was difficult not to compare the two sites.  Both have a few similar rides and activities.  Both have a Hogsmeade with a Hogwarts Castle.  And, both have a vibrant City Walk.  Nevertheless, these similarities just make the comparison unfair to USH , since this is a much smaller park that houses an active studio (movies and television).    Note : Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. How about the rides? I rode just about all the rides in  Orlando  and enjoyed most very much.   Here, it seemed that rides were limited and lackluster in comparison.   Both parks have the Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, The Transformers, The Mummy, Despicable Me, and Jurassic World. 

This Coastal Town is More Than a Big Rock   Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Road trip!!  For our visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, we decided to make it a road trip, traveling south from Davis, CA to stay in San Luis Obispo before landing in Hollywood and then Morro Bay on our homeward bound jaunt.  Since our stay in San Luis Obispo was only one night, I don’t have anything to report.  This isn’t the case for the lovely and approachable Morro Bay . Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary.    Before staying here, I only knew the town as one overshadowed by a very large rock.   Within a few hours of visiting, I found it is much, much more.    It’s a place dedicated to memorializing the fisherman who have lost their lives to the sea and others who spent their lives serving this fine town.    It’s

Old, Needs Update, but Perfectly Located Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, I’ve always wanted to visit our central coast, an ocean town known for its big rock.  Staying in a hotel one block from the coast...dreamy.  The Comfort Inn Downtown is central to just about everything and overlooks a majestic bay with, yes, a huge rock.  This hotel is adequate, and the staff is accommodating .  Most importantly, it is inexpensive for this area, especially considering the view.  Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. The Positives Proximity to the shore, the wharf, and Morro Rock Fitness center/gym equipped with up-to-date machine Guest laundry Free hot breakfast: limited Free WIFI Free on-site parking Interior corridors—excellent for cold weather Comfortable and clean rooms Negatives Bre

Stay, Relax & Rejuvenate Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, To celebrate a special occasion, we chose to stay in  Gaige House  + Ryokan , a boutique hotel in Glen Ellen, Sonoma, CA.  Focusing on all things “Zen”, there are 23 lovely room spread out on their fertile, lush grounds along the Calabazas Creek.  Ours was so comfortable, I didn’t want to leave.  However, the property and town are too lovely to stay inside this well-appointed room. Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Inside the main building were several inviting common rooms decked out in comfortable furniture and intricate details begging guests to settle in, read a book or play a board game.    A variety of tea and coffee were available all day in the dining room and was the perfect accompaniment to the freshly baked cookies found in t

Davis’ New Hilton is a Treasure Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, So, why would a person want to spend her birthday in a local hotel room?  When that room is in  Hilton  Garden Inn Davis Downtown.  I love it there!!  In fact, I became acquainted with the staff of this lovely hotel — previously under a different name— years ago when the manager, Marisa Schaffer assisted with an article I was writing for Yahoo concerning local businesses and holidays.  Her graciousness necessitated a meeting, which became a friendship, which eventually extended to the entire hotel staff.  It is my belief that the people make a hotel successful.  A hotel is just a building.  With the best team members in place, it then becomes a sanctuary—a place guests wish to stay often.  And this Hilton is one of those places.  Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please rememb