http://www.viewpoints.com/Travel--3302 Fri, 16 May 2008 01:30:53 GMT Reviews about Travel at Viewpoints.com http://www.viewpoints.com/Howard-Johnson-Plaza-Hotel-Anaheim-Resort-Anaheim-CA-review-90311 We have stayed at all the offical Disney Hotel and this is better. Within walking distance, in fact it is closer to the parks than two of the disney hotels. A themed pool with squirting play area. This July they are opening a pirate ship pool designed by the people who designed Legoland Pirate Shores. A lot of rooms have skylights and views of the fireworks. A super friendly staff, fridges and microwaves in the room all this for under $100.00 a... Fri, 16 May 2008 01:30:53 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Howard-Johnson-Plaza-Hotel-Anaheim-Resort-Anaheim-CA-review-90311 Disleigh http://www.viewpoints.com/Howard-Johnson-Inn-Athens-Athens-GA-review-75342   I arrived with a one night reservation and asked the desk clerk what the cost would be for a 16 day stay. Being offered a suitable reduction from the daily rate I said I would stay 16 days, and the clerk's explanation of when I would be charged made it clear that she understood my intention. Seven days later the manager told me the hotel was booked, that I had no reservation, that I must leave immediately, and that I would be charged at the rate for a single night's stay for each of the seven days. He was extremely rude and refused to wait the one hour until the clerk who checked me in would arrive, perhaps confirming that I should, at least, be charged a lower rate, and possibly even offered an apology. —... Thu, 15 May 2008 23:39:54 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Howard-Johnson-Inn-Athens-Athens-GA-review-75342 David553 http://www.viewpoints.com/Vatican-Musuem-review-f8f74 How enormous is this museum?  If you spent 3 seconds admiring each individual piece in their collection, you would be there for 12 years.  That's a lot of stuff!  How impressive is the museum?  It makes the Lour've in Paris look like a Costco, and that's not easy to do.  In addition to the Sistine Chapel, the Basilica, Michelangelo's works, DaVinci's works, Bernini"s works, Caravaggio's works, Raphael's works, you name it, they're there's works, just the palatial corridors and display rooms are enough to knock your socks off.  It's one of the few places you cannot enter and be not absolutely "God smacked", as my British buddies are so fond of saying.  The jaw dropping wow factor is about a 12 on a 1 to 10 scale.  — The museum does have it's downsides though, (being minimal in the event of the chance of getting to view a world class museum with one of a kind art and treasures).  The lines, they are huge even in off season... Thu, 15 May 2008 20:03:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Vatican-Musuem-review-f8f74 steve9631 http://www.viewpoints.com/Alaska-Airlines-review-9b766 We were flying a different airline our light became delayed by weather. We were booked to Alaska Airlines. The fst airline lost our bags. Alaska saved the day provide cash allowance. Provided us with a personnel package. They did the trace to find  our badges and called when found and had them borough to our hotel. They provide a great service . Wish they flew to more... Thu, 15 May 2008 19:20:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Alaska-Airlines-review-9b766 cawme http://www.viewpoints.com/Royal-Caribbean-Navigator-of-the-Seas-review-b9a54 I love this line and class of ship. My husband and I have been on Navigator, Explorer, Mariner of the Seas. In 2006 we cruised on Navigator in February and again in November. Both times, when I came back, I got a terrible flu (stomach and fever) and was out of work for another week. My boss wasn't happy at all! Go... Thu, 15 May 2008 16:59:02 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Royal-Caribbean-Navigator-of-the-Seas-review-b9a54 Roo http://www.viewpoints.com/Solar-Tours-South-America-review-0fad2 I would not recommend this agency to. They screwed up our vacation in South America with shoddy follow-up practices with the airlines and have refused to issue full refund. I will probably have to take them to court to get my money back. — —... Thu, 15 May 2008 15:16:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Solar-Tours-South-America-review-0fad2 wordwiz http://www.viewpoints.com/Granada-Nicaragua-review-6ef46 My advice to anybody who really wants to experience the "best of Nicaragua" is simple: focus on Granada. — — Granada is a wonderful town with a mellow vibe. It is one of the oldest cities in Latin America and rich in colonial heritage and color, and the cultural depth of the city belies its fairly small size. It also has a wealth of natural wonders within minutes of the downtown area: there's mountains, volcanoes, tropical rain forests, rivers, and it's on the shores of Lake Nicaragua --- an enormous lake, that's roughly the size of Lake Erie. It's friendly and affordable. — — — Seeing the City Itself... — Granada is famous for its well-preserved colonial center, and that's the place to start any exploration of the place. Hang out in the main plaza. See the churches and cathedral. Ride one of the horse-drawn coches through the colonial downtown. Visit the market and get some great deals on wonderful local ceramics or hammocks. Check out Fort... Wed, 14 May 2008 22:15:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Granada-Nicaragua-review-6ef46 mrkstvns http://www.viewpoints.com/Budget-Rental-Car-review-20ca3 On April 29, 2008 we returned to Canada from a wonderful three week holiday in Israel. Our holiday was only marred by Budget s surreal response when our rental car broke down 25 minutes outside Jerusalem. What follows is a story of inconceivably bad customer service which left us stranded on the road for 6 hours, ruined our plans for our last day of our trip and left us frustrated and angry. — — My wife, my youngest son and I had stopped at the Almog Junction for a cup of coffee shortly after 2pm on our way back from the Dead Sea. When we got back in the car it would not start. There had been no prior indication that anything was wrong with the car. — — Sometime before 3 pm we placed a call to the Ben Gurion Airport Budget office where we had picked up the car and asked for assistance. We were transferred to the Jerusalem Office where Yael, who claimed to be the supervisor told us that we would have to follow procedure and wait (quote) - up to two hours-... Wed, 14 May 2008 21:34:35 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Budget-Rental-Car-review-20ca3 felixf http://www.viewpoints.com/Venice--25485-review-9dab6 Italy is a beautiful, amazing country and Venice is no exception.  Granted, it rained the whole day I was there.  But the museums were amazing and it was beautiful.  My only complaint was how difficult it was to get there.  The Italian's can't organize... Wed, 14 May 2008 20:40:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Venice--25485-review-9dab6 Ducki925 http://www.viewpoints.com/Disneyland-review-73b84 I loved, loved, loved Disneyland!  I wasn't expecting to ever like Disneyland, but I had a blast.  I went with a friend who got us in for free, so that was a plus.  But really, I would have paid the 100 bucks to feel like a small child for the day.  The rides were great, the christmas parade was wonderful, I had the best time of my life and I wasn't expecting it at... Wed, 14 May 2008 20:36:31 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Disneyland-review-73b84 Ducki925 http://www.viewpoints.com/Air-Canada-review-6c135 Air Canada couldn't make a flight pull back from the gate on time, if someone offered them all of the sugar farms in Cuba, but........with that being said, they're still quite a good airline if you just don't care about being all that prompt arriving at your destination.  — While needing to fly transcontinentaly last year, I picked up on one of Air Canada's tango fares offered online, and traveled for a very reasonable price from coast to coast.  It was half the price of a US airline to travel between Vancouver BC and Washington DC round trip, but price isn't the only reason I like them.  Their customer service is very good.  The flight attendants I found to be knowledgeable about travel, their schedule, their airports served, friendly, and offered good service.  Almost unusual for flight these days.  The food is better than OK, and it's an all around kind of a classy operation.  — As I usually book travel online, (unless some... Wed, 14 May 2008 16:47:57 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Air-Canada-review-6c135 steve9631 http://www.viewpoints.com/St-Peters-Basilica-review-ee623 Being a Lutheran, I felt like a Red Sox fan in Yankee Stadium.  You may think it's great stadium, but the last thing you wanna do is wear your ball cap.  I walked inside along with all the faithful making their pilgrimages to the Vatican, with all the mixed emotions the other ball club would envelope.  Stepping through the grand gilded entry, any misgivings I had dissolved into sheer awe as I passed over the entry threshold.  Utterly, completely, magnificent.  — The enormity, the scope, the opulence, it was just too much to digest all at once.  I have never seen so incredible a structure in all my life.  The enormous facility was awash in design patterned marble flooring, with columns abound.  Frescoes were everywhere.  Separate chapels peeled off from the main cathedral and were as ornate in their own way as the main structure.  Marble sculptures were everywhere, and in certain areas took the place of door entry... Wed, 14 May 2008 08:15:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/St-Peters-Basilica-review-ee623 steve9631 http://www.viewpoints.com/Florence-Italy-review-8f424 What a surprising and special place. Florence, or Firenze as say the Italians, I found to be the easiest city to navigate in Italy.  It's the only city I traveled to that's laid out on a grid system, so there are thoroughfares and through streets so you can actually find what your looking for. Quite unique in Italy.  What's also surprising amongst all this world renowned art and magnificence, is the inner city hustle that's evident through the streets of Florence.  It kinda reminds me of New York City, and it's definitely a city where things are happening.  Kinda gritty, kinda cool, kinda crowded, kinda urban, kinda bohemian.  It has a preponderance of art, culture, and history, and is also a major fashion destination with all "the designers" having establishments therein, and I'm not talkin' da Gap.  The people of Firenze dress to the teeth.  The baristas at my favorite coffee bar near the Uffizi gallery wore suits, and the ladies wore designer... Wed, 14 May 2008 07:34:57 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Florence-Italy-review-8f424 steve9631 http://www.viewpoints.com/San-Jose-Costa-Rica-review-7faf0 Givn that I am half Costa Rican, I spent my summer vacations traveling to the country. As a child I was miserable there and did not learn to admire it's beauty until I grew older. San Jose is the best of both worlds... it offers the surrounding of nature and the busy city life all in one.... Wed, 14 May 2008 04:55:02 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/San-Jose-Costa-Rica-review-7faf0 battleduckling http://www.viewpoints.com/Disney-World-Caribbean-Beach-Resort-Orlando-FL-review-63cf3 I just came back from a family vacation at Disney and absolutely loved this hotel. The rooms are big and clean! The grounds are immaculate and so beautiful. It is a little spread out, but my family enjoyed the walk to the food court. The food court had a great selection! We spent the next week at the Yacht Club and were not as happy there. The bathroom was not clean. The maid service was horrible there. And the walk for the refillable mugs was much longer at the Yacht Club. I would definitely recommend The Carribbean Beach for families. I would definiitely stay there again! —... Wed, 14 May 2008 03:59:04 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Disney-World-Caribbean-Beach-Resort-Orlando-FL-review-63cf3 denene914 http://www.viewpoints.com/Howard-Johnson-waterloo-Ontario-review-de803 BED BUGS!!!! — really my experience can be summed up in those two words. — my stay was not made better when at 6am there was no managr at the front desk to help me. — and it was made worse when they tried to get me to pay for the room. — This all starte around 5am, and ended close to 9am. — TERRIBLE!!!! —... Wed, 14 May 2008 03:55:23 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Howard-Johnson-waterloo-Ontario-review-de803 madrawk http://www.viewpoints.com/Belle-Oaks-Inn-B-B-Gonzales-TX-review-7ade4 I discovered Belle Oaks Inn about 5 years ago when I traveled to Gonzales, TX for a "girls trip" with my mom and sister.  I recently went back there with my boyfriend and still loved it.  The owners, Richard & Clint, couldn't be nicer.  You are so welcomed to this truly magnificiant plantation-style home. Their hospitality far exceeds anything I've ever experienced.  We immediately felt like family.  Unlike many B&B's that I've stayed in, you will never experience pressure or feel uncomfortable being in someone else's dwelling. — I actually had a deposit left on a room there from 3 years ago when I had to cancel my reservation, because I couldn't find a babysitter, and they still had the deposit on file and I was able to use it.  — Belle Oaks Inn was built in 1912 and it's been transformed into a modern tribute to the Southern charm and grace of a bygone era.  All of the guest rooms are very comfortable and exquisitely decorated with a... Tue, 13 May 2008 23:12:15 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Belle-Oaks-Inn-B-B-Gonzales-TX-review-7ade4 BubleFan1 http://www.viewpoints.com/Drury-Inn-Overland-Park-KS-review-bbed1 The staff was pleasant.  The rooms were not ready in a timely manner; we had to wait until after 5:00 to get into our rooms.  There was trash left in the hallways after the rooms were cleaned.  Bathtubs in several of our rooms were not clean.  I had high expectations from a Drury Inn... Tue, 13 May 2008 04:04:55 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Drury-Inn-Overland-Park-KS-review-bbed1 kakee http://www.viewpoints.com/Hawaiian-Airlines-review-8eaf8 My family and I were going to Kauai. We arrived at the airport to discover that our flight was delayed, so we had to wait for a while. We were supposed to leave at 8:00 am, but we left at 10:30 am, but once we started to board, it passed by pretty fast. Once we got on, they had some music playing, and it was a little too loud. However, once we got into the air, it was very enjoyable. They served very good food. Thanks to the delay, our hopper plane from Oahu to Kauai left without us. But thanks to Hawaiian Airlines, we booked another hopper quickly and easily. Plus it left very quickly. The hopper flight was VERY fast and everyone was freindly. They served us some good juice. The 2 flights back were better. The only 2 things that stunk were — 1. We arrived in Sacremento VERY late — 2. It was hard getting back on California time — Hawaiian Airlines was very good! If you are travelling to Hawaii, chose this airline. (It may be a liitle expensive) —... Tue, 13 May 2008 01:45:43 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Hawaiian-Airlines-review-8eaf8 Jesh http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Penn-Stater-Conference-Center-and-Hotel-State-College-PA-review-7eba5 The Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel is lovely. It is a great place to stay and they treat their employees very well. After working there for a semester, the Penn Stater pays for their student employees' books in addition to their pay. A great place for business events, it might be a little pricey for families on a budget. —... Mon, 12 May 2008 23:53:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Penn-Stater-Conference-Center-and-Hotel-State-College-PA-review-7eba5 bballgirl86