Nicholas Kontis's Blog (153)

Five Can't-Miss Adventures of a Lifetime



Starting to think about warm-weather travel yet? Check these out:

During the summer months biking in Alaska is a fun way to see America's largest state. Get up close with Alaska’s nature and wildlife, meet the…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on January 30, 2014 at 10:02am — 1 Comment

Mexico's Riviera Nayarit Named Top Destination – “Where to Travel in 2014” by Arthur Frommer

By Nicholas Kontis

I first met Arthur Frommer when he invited me to New York to be a guest on his television show. As a young travel entrepreneur, Mr. Frommer immediately made a lasting impression on me. Arthur Frommer treated me as an equal, as a colleague, asking me my opinions and even asked me what destinations I liked and…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on January 22, 2014 at 10:00am — No Comments

New Year's Eve Around The World

 

Fireworks in Madrid, Spain ring in the New Year

 

 

 

New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro on the Copacabana

 

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on December 31, 2013 at 11:07am — No Comments

Sina Sinsational – Venice’s Centurion Palace Hotel

“Viva Venezia” – The Grand Canal with Dorsoduro and the Santa Maria Della Cathedral

Can a hotel inspire one to travel? In most cases, no. But the Sina Centurion Palace is that unique hotel experience that we all long for… a hotel stay that can change your entire perspective on a city or an…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on December 26, 2013 at 12:34pm — No Comments

Five Places To Spend Christmas On Five Continents

Christmas is upon us once again. What is it about Christmas that brings out the inner child in all of us? For billions of people around the world Christmas is the biggest holiday or time-off of the year. The annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is also one of most popular and busiest times of the year to travel. The holiday is most likened to Santa Claus and the North Pole, but while many will spend Christmas in the snow, not all Christmas destinations are filled with white…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on December 23, 2013 at 1:41pm — No Comments

Seven Lake Getaways Not to Miss

Who doesn't love a beautiful lake?  Here are some of my favorites.

 

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A footbridge hangs over the blue-green waters of Plitvice Lakes in Croatia

 

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Wizard Island sits in Oregon’s Crater Lake, which was formed by the collapse of a volcano. Not only is this the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet, but it’s also famous for its deep blue color and…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on December 17, 2013 at 10:07am — 1 Comment

J.K. Place, The Renaissance Hotel of Florence, Italy

 

J K - jk sign from inside...

In the heart of Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Rarely does a hotel inspire one to visit any urban mecca. However, I have to admit that the reason for my stopover in this Renaissance city was for the rare opportunity to experience Florence’s Renaissance hotel, J.K. Place.

J.K. Place…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on December 11, 2013 at 10:42am — No Comments

Castel Monastero, The Ultimate 'Under The Tuscan Sun' Experience

Tuscany in the fall. You just can’t beat it. Long gone are the hordes of summer tourists from around the world, who travel in the height of season. It does get dark early and the weather is not balmy, however, in the fall you can live life as it was meant to be, meeting locals when the pace is slower.

Castel - Cyrpus and Lawn Sunrise

 

I came to view the burnt orange…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on December 4, 2013 at 8:30am — No Comments

If It’s November, It Must Be World Travel Market – WTM London 2013 In Photos

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Greece was one of many European nations relying heavily on robust tourist sector who came to WTM ready to conduct business.

 

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Thai Airways reminded us all that they are "smooth as silk to the world."

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on November 14, 2013 at 10:00am — No Comments

Ca’ Momi Enoteca, Neapolitan Heaven in California's Napa Wine Country

Perhaps, nothing says “comfort food” more than pizza. If you’re traveling to the Napa Valley and crave paper thin, scrumptious pizza napoletana, pay a visit to Napa’s Oxbow Market, where you will find Ca’ Momi Pizzeria and Restaurant.

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Ca’ Moni Winery was founded in 2006, created  to pair old world winemaking talents from Italy with the finest Napa Valley…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on October 30, 2013 at 12:29pm — No Comments

The Betsy Hotel – A “Home Away From Home” In South Beach

Miami’s South Beach is the quintessential “party capital of America.” But what if your goals run more toward sun-drenched beaches and culture? On a recent sojourn to SoBe, I had the opportunity to stay in the elegant and refined “colonial grand dame” of Ocean Drive, the Betsy Hotel. In the crowded South Beach hotel space, the Betsy stands out like no other. Sure the Delano, National, Shore Club and more attract a vast amount of attention, but it is the boutique Betsy, that…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on October 8, 2013 at 5:59pm — No Comments

America’s Cup - 'The Miracle on San Francisco Bay,' in Photos

Being a native San Franciscan, I have been fortunate to view many amazing sporting events up close. The San Francisco Giants, just last October provided a miracle finish, culminating in a World Series victory and parade, on of all days, Halloween, practically San Francisco’s city holiday. The San Francisco 49ers football team narrowly missed winning their 6th Super Bowl last year. During the month of September, “The City by the Bay” played host to the world’s most prestigious sailing…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on September 30, 2013 at 11:37am — No Comments

San Francisco's Louis Vuitton Cup: The Race To The America’s Cup Finals

Being a native of America’s favorite city of San Francisco, we are blessed with world class restaurants, museums, theatre, winning sports teams, a tolerant city, in a mild climate where outdoor activities are possible year long.

In the summer of 2013, I was able to witness the grand dame of yacht racing, the America’s Cup. San Francisco played host to some of the most skilled sailors and yachtsmen in the world. A sailing regatta like no other in a world class city, like no other. From…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on September 7, 2013 at 7:30am — No Comments

Stanley Kubrick Exhibit At LA’s Largest Art Museum – LACMA

Any fan of motion pictures has a favorite film director. Recently, I was able to view an exhibit of one of the true masters of cinematography at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA. A tribute to the works of one of the cinematic geniuses of all time, the perfectionist, Stanley Kubrick. More than 1,000 objects on display in “Stanley Kubrick” — a massive exhibition devoted to the legendary filmmaker.

Anyone who has seen a Kubrick flick must admire the filmmakers attention to…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on August 8, 2013 at 8:04am — No Comments

If It’s Summertime in Greece – It’s Time For Island Hopping

Greece is for lovers, and everyone loves a Greek island. Having spent childhood summers in Greece, I find this to be true. Depending on what your definition of an island is, there are between 2,000 and as many as 6,000 Greek Islands - "over 3,000" is a number one hears quite a bit around Greece. However, only a little over 200 are inhabited. Ferry services connect most of the islands, making it easy to hop from one to another. Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands,…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on July 31, 2013 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Redondo Beach’s Rock and Brews Does Not Miss a Beat

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Cold Beers are flowing at Rock & Brews

What do you get when you take a legendary rock star, a successful restaurateur, and a rock promoter and put them together?  You get a micro-pub restaurant like no other.

If you’re like me and grew up as a teenager in the 70s, you most likely attended a Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or Stones show back in…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on July 24, 2013 at 2:17pm — No Comments

Visit the World's Largest Sand Island - Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia

Think all islands in the world are the same or similar? Think again. Ever dreamed of a protected island, complete with its unique biosphere, where you bring your rented 4-wheel drive from the mainland and pitch your own tent? Welcome to amazing Fraser Island, where part of the experience is getting there. Located 200 north of the hustle and bustle of busy Brisbane, approximately a three-hour drive, and a short ferry ride and you reached what any beach wanderer would call…
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Added by Nicholas Kontis on July 18, 2013 at 3:30pm — No Comments

A Tropical Oasis at Mexico's Be Tulum Hotel

Be Tulum Pool

Welcome to your paradise in Tulum



Travelers to Tulum seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy partying in Cancun or Playa Del Carmen can find solace and immerse themselves into a tropical forest and ocean setting. Located 150 kilometers (around 100 miles) down the coast from Cancun, the Be Tulum Hotel is etched into a natural…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on July 12, 2013 at 11:16am — No Comments

Get Your Curry On – Delicious Indian Cuisine in the Heart of Old Bristol

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Old India Restaurant – Avant Garde Indian Cuisine

 

If you are ever in Bristol, England and crave scrumptious Indian cuisine, then a visit to the old Bristol Stock Exchange is in order. Located in an old 100 year plus old structure, the old home of the Bristol Stock Exchange, is now the home to Bristol’s premier Indian Restaurant, ‘Old India.’

Old India Restaurant is…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on July 1, 2013 at 11:34am — 5 Comments

Joie de Vivre in Burgundy

            Medieval towns and vineyards surround burgundy
 

It doesn’t get much better for wine lovers than a visit the Burgundy region of France. The self proclaimed “land of fine art and living” is much more than a wine region in central France. In the minds of many…

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Added by Nicholas Kontis on June 20, 2013 at 7:30am — No Comments

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