Central Europe Destination Trip Reports Europe

June 2025: Warsaw, Poland Trip Report

Day 1: We arrived in Warsaw Central Station late morning by train from Krakow. We were staying at Novotel Warszawa Centrum hotel which is just a 10 minute walk from there. After checking in at the hotel we walked back towards Zlote Tarasy Mall that is located next to the Warsaw Central Station. Karen ordered a Pad Thai while I went with a falafel plate. After lunch we walked to the busy Nowy Swiat street. We came upon the Warsaw University building as well as Holy Cross Church. While walking the street we came upon a Chopin bench. There are …

Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain Reviews

Hotel Review: Hotel Wielopole, Krakow

Hotel Wielopole Wielopole 3, 31-072 Kraków, Poland Hotel Wielopole is located in central Krakow, only 7 minutes walk from Rynek Glowny (main market square of Krakow) and 8 minute cab ride from Krakow Glowny (Central train station of Krakow). One of the other big location advantage of this hotel is that is it is 1 minute walk from the bus station which serves as the designated pickup point for a large number of Auschwitz or Wieliczka Salt Mine tours. Check-in was quick but our room was not ready as we had arrived early in the morning. We went on our …

Central Europe Destination Trip Reports Europe

June 2025: 2 Days in Krakow, Poland Trip Report

Day 1: We took an Uber from the airport hotel to our city hotel where we were staying the next 2 nights. We were visiting Wieliczka Salt Mine on our first day by ourselves and had booked an Auschwitz – Birkenau tour through Hello Crakow on next day. We took an Uber from our hotel to Wieliczka Salt Mine which was a 20 minute ride. We pretty much used Uber for our entire stay in Poland (both in Krakow and Warsaw) and did not use public transportation on this entire trip. Whether you are visiting Wieliczka Salt Mine as part …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review – Hampton by Hilton Krakow Airport

Hampton by Hilton Krakow Airport Kapitana Mieczysława Medweckiego 22, 32-083 Balice, Poland Hampton by Hilton Krakow Airport is located very close (1.5 km) to the Krakow John Paul II International Airport. Its still a 5 min cab ride or 20 minutes walk from the terminal. We used an Uber to ride from the arrivals to the hotel. We paid cash instead of booking with points for the 1 night we stayed there. Check-in was quick (it was midnight). As a Gold member, they gave us a voucher to pick up a snack from the check-in kiosk among a selection of …

Airline Reviews LOT Reviews

Airline Review: LOT Polish Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-900 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Warsaw (LO 24)

Flight:  LOT Polish LO 24 from Los Angeles to Warsaw Duration: 10 hours 20 mins Equipment: B789(Boeing 787-900) Class: Business Seat:  2 E – 2F (Window/Aisle) Seat Specification: Flat bed seats with seat width: 22″, seat pitch: 78″ This was our first time flying LOT Polish Airlines. The business class has 4 rows of 2 – 2 – 2 seats with only the middle rows getting direct aisle access for all seats. Since it was just me and my wife flying, we didn’t mind having the window/aisle seats but if flying with a stranger definitely would opt for the middle row. …

Central Europe Destination Trip Reports Europe Reviews

June 2025: Croatia-Poland Trip – Introduction

We are going back to Europe in June for a 1.5 week trip to Croatia & Poland.  We plan to visit Krakow and Warsaw in Poland and Split, Plitivice lakes park, island of Vis and Dubrovnik in Croatia. There will be quite a few reviews on this trip. Airline Review: LOT Business Class from Los Angeles to Warsaw Hotel Review: Hampton by Hilton Krakow Airport Hotel Review: Hotel Wielopole, Krakow Trip Report: Krakow, Poland Hotel Review: Novotel Warszawa Centrum Hotel Review: Pansion Breza, Plitivice Park Trip Report: Plitvice Lakes National Park Hotel Review: AC Hotel Split Hotel Review: Vila Rosa, …

Airline Reviews Cathay Pacific Reviews

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 ER with Lie Flat Seats) : Hong Kong – Los Angeles (CX 880)

Flight:  Cathay Pacific CX 880 from Hong Kong to Los Angeles Duration: 13 hours 15 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 16K (Window seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: Safran Cirrus II seats, True Flat Bed, length: 79 “. Seat width: 20 “ Cathay Pacific Business Class on the Boeing 777-300ER is my highest number of flown business class legs of any airline. 10 years ago, it probably was my top 5  favorite business class carrier but post-covid the catering standards have fallen quite a bit and it is no longer in my top 5. However, the seat is still …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review – The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok 259 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok is located about 25 km from the Suvarnabhumi Airport in the popular touristy Sukhumvit area. Its located within 1 minute walkking distance to the BTS Asoke Train station (as well as MRT Sukhumvit station). I stayed there for 1 night using the free Marriott night certificate (35,000 Marriott rewards points). The hotel has 2 lobbies – on the ground floor where you enter the street to the building but the main lobby is on the first floor where the …

Airline Reviews EVA Air Reviews

Airline Review: EVA Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 ER with Lie Flat Seats) : Taipei – Los Angeles (BR 16)

Flight:  EVA Air BR 16 from Taipei to Los Angeles Duration: 12 hours 15 mins Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 8 D (Aisle) Seat Specification: Flat bed seats with seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  EVA Air is the one airline that I have flown the most of any carriers on long-haul routes. The 1 – 2 – 1 configuration with all seats having direct aisle access is the widely accepted standard (before we move on to privacy doors some day :)). The business class cabin …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Boeing 787-8 with lie flat Seats) : Kolkata – Bangkok – Taipei (TG 314/TG 634)

Flight:  Thai Airways flight TG 314 from Kolkata to Bangkok and flight  TG 634 from Bangkok to Taipei Duration: TG314 (2 hours 30 mins), TG 634 (3 hrs 45 mins) Equipment: B787(Boeing 787-9) Class: Business Seat: 11B (Aisle), 12 F (Aisle) Seat Specification: Flat bed seats with seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly these 2 segments.  I have flown the Thai Airways on these same 2 sectors (CCU – BKK, BKK – TPE) before and during those times the seats were mainly recliner seats in 2 x 2 x …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review – Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa

Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa Wolmar, Coastal Road MU, Flic en Flac 90503, Mauritius Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa is located in the Flic en Flac neighborhood, on the western part of the island, about 50 km from  Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. This is a beachfront resort that we booked 5 nights for 80,000 Hilton Points per night (5th night free). Check-in was quick and we all got a tasty welcome drink. During check-in both me and Karen got a voucher booklet for both the rooms we booked. We only ended up using the free drink coupons from the …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

December 2024: 5 Days in Mauritius Trip Report

Day 1: We arrived at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius on our flight from Mumbai fairly early in the morning. The airport is located in the south-east part of the island and located 50 km (about 1 hour drive) from the Hilton Mauritius resort. The resort is in the western part of the island in Flic-en-Flac neighbourhood. We had rented a car through Budget which allowed us to have the flexibility and convenience to drive around the island at our leisure. After checking in and having breakfast we hit the beach. For dinner we ate at the Ginger Thai …

Air Mauritius Airline Reviews Reviews

Airline Review: Air Mauritius – Business Class (Airbus A350-900 with Lie Flat Seats) : Mumbai – Mauritius (MK 749)

Flight:  Air Mauritius flight 749 from Mumbai to Mauritius Duration: 5 hours 40 mins Equipment: A359(Airbus 350-900) Class: Business Seat:  5J (Window), 1F (Middle Aisle), 5 E-F (2 Middle Aisle) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 76″, Seat width: 20″ This was our first time flying Air Mauritius so we were excited trying out a new airline. Air Mauritius A350-900 Business Class has 28 seats (7 rows of 1 – 2 -1 seating). The window seats alternate between having side table facing window (odd rows) and facing aisle (even rows). The even rows provide a bit more privacy than the odd ones. I had …

Air India Airline Reviews Reviews

Airline Review: Air India – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 ER with Lie Flat Seats) : London – Mumbai (AI 130)

Flight:  Air India flight 130 from London to Mumbai Duration: 9 hours Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300 ER) Class: Business Seat: 11K (Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 73″, Seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  This was my first time flying Air India and I was excited when I found out it would be the aircraft from the Etihad fleet that joined Air India service as the airline waits to take delivery of new orders. The business class consists of 10 rows of 1 – 2 – 1 seats with first …

Airline Reviews Reviews United

Airline Review: United Airlines – Polaris Business Class (Boeing 787-9 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – London (UA 923)

Flight:  United Airlines flight 923 from Los Angeles to London Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes Equipment: B789(Boeing 787-900) Class: Business Seat: Window Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 78″, Seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  This was my first time flying United Polaris class although my hubby has done it twice (SFO – FRA and LHR – DEN). I had selected a true window seat with arm-rest facing the aisle. This seat provided a lot of privacy. The duck was quite tasty and had good smoky flavor. I forgot …

Airline Reviews Cathay Pacific Reviews

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 ER with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Hong Kong (CX 883)

Flight:  Cathay Pacific CX 883 from Los Angeles to Hong Kong Duration: 14 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 16K (Bulkhead Window seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 21 ” I have flown Cathay Pacific Business class on Boeing 777-300ER plenty of times before (and on this exact route nonetheless) so I knew what to expect as far as seating goes. I always opt for the bulkhead window seat if available and this time was no exception. Cathay Pacific allows you to pre-order from an expanded online menu but unfortunately …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

December 2024: Mauritius Trip

For my yearly December trip to India this time I had planned a side trip to Mauritius with Karen and my parents. Mauritius does not require any visas for Indian or US citizens and so travel is a breeze. There will be quite a few reviews on this trip. Airline Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class from Los Angeles to Hong Kong Airline Review: United Airlines Business Class from Los Angeles to London Airline Review: Air India Business Class from London to Mumbai Airline Review: Air Mauritius Business Class from Mumbai to Mauritius Trip Report: 5 days in Mauritius Hotel Review: …

Airline Reviews Ethiopian Airlines Reviews

Airline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-9 with Lie Flat Seats) : Addis Ababa – Rome – Chicago (ET 574)

Flight:  Ethiopian Airlines ET 574 from Addis Ababa to Chicago via Rome Duration: 15 hours 45 mins (6 hrs 10 mins + 9 hrs 35 mins) Aircraft: B789(Boeing 787-900) Class: Business Seat: 2D-2H (Middle row aisle) Seat Specification: Collins Super Diamond seats, Flat Bed All our previous Ethiopian Airlines flights were operated at best at 2 x 2 x 2 flat bed configuration and this was the first time we experienced a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration. Ethiopian is notorious in swapping aircrafts at the last minute and even a few days before the flight it showed a 2 …

Airline Reviews Ethiopian Airlines Reviews

Airline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-9 with Lie Flat Seats) : Victoria Falls – Gaborone – Addis Ababa (ET 823)

Flight:  Ethiopian Airlines ET 823 from Victoria Falls to Addis Ababa via Gaborone Duration: 6 hours (1 hr 10 mins + 4 hr 50 mins) Aircraft: B789(Boeing 787-900) Class: Business Seat: 1D-H (Middle rows) Seat Specification: Collins Diamond Parallel Seat, Flat beds Ethiopian operates a variety of configuration on same aircraft. We have experienced good flat beds in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration as well as angled flat 2 x 2 x 2 both in Boeing 787 aircraft before. This one was the better one with flat beds. The flight is short enough that it wouldn’t have mattered that …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

June 2024: Day Trip to Chobe National Park, Botswana

One of the most popular excursions available from Victoria Falls is a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana. Plenty of tour companies offer this all-inclusive service of round-trip pickup/dropoff  in Victoria Falls,  drive to Botswana border where they hand it over to their contracted Botswana tour company that transport you round-trip to Chobe National Park. The game drives occur in 2 parts, one in a vehicle on land and then on boat. Between the 2 we stopped at a resort for lunch. We paid 170$ USD per person for the entire package (which included Park entrance fees). The …