Only you...in Italy.

Robert Downey Jr. & Marisa Tomei in Only You

I'm a sap. I'll get lost in a good chic movie and I'll watch it a hundred times.  Only You is one of those movies - not because Robert Downey Jr. is especially handsome or Marisa Tomei is the greatest actress ever - my real love in this movie is...the scenery.

A lot of movies have been a boon to Italian tourism; Under the Tuscan Sun and Roman Holiday for example.  But this movie in particular introduces us to the dreaminess that is Positano and makes the romantic sap in all of us want to call a travel agent right NOW.

Positano was a poor little fishing village located about 200 miles south of Rome on the Almafi coast.  Now, tourism is now Positano's major industry along with.... Limoncello. Lemons are big and plentiful in this region and the people of Positano have mastered the art of making the perfect blend of lemons, sugar and booze. 

View from Le Sirenuse Hotel, Positano

In the movie, Marisa Tomei's character runs all over Italy chasing a man who's name she got from an ouija board when she was young.  She thinks he's her destiny.  When she reaches Positano, she meets Billy Zane's character here at the pool at Le Sirenuse Hotel.

 Frankly, I would have been a lot more excited about the pool.

 and the room....

and the restaurant...

Romantic, no? But if you still need a little help in that area, most rooms at Le Sirenuse have a balcony overlooking the sea, La Sonda restaurant (pictured above) has hundreds of twinkling candles and a mandolin and guitar player, and the hotel has an Aveda Concept Spa and an oyster and champagne bar.  Aahhh..that's the ticket.  We won't talk room rates because that will just ruin it for everyone.

In the end, Marisa finds her Mr. Right and all is well (yeah, like you didn't see that comin'). For more views of beautiful Positano see the movie below....

Diane Lane and some hottie in "Under The Tuscan Sun"

Here's a great insider's guide to Positano.
For more movies with great scenery, enter these titles in TripScout's search box: Roman Holiday, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday and The Truman Show.

Expedia + Groupon = Yay!

I'm VERY excited about this news:  "On Tuesday, daily deal giant Groupon.com and online travel agency Expedia.com officially launched Groupon Getaways, promising limited-time offers of up to 50 percent off regular rates on select hotels and resorts."

Read more:  Groupon and Expedia team up for travel deals 

Can someone just tell me if the beach is nice?!

Friendly Marriott Staff

Like millions of people, TripAdvisor.com is the first place I go when looking for a hotel -even though sometimes I get so annoyed I vow never to do it again. It's hard to weed through the long, bitter rants followed up by someone who writes as though she's just been to Nirvana. Eventually, I do stumble on a good reviewer: one who gives the pros and cons in a fairly level-headed manner and recognizes the things the hotel actually has control over (umm..the fact that it rained the first 3 days of your vacation has nothing to do with the hotel so you can just leave that part out, ok?)  But, just how accurate are these people anyway?

Turns out that studies show TripAdvisor and other hotel review sites (whose content is user-generated) are mostly right on the mark.  You just have to remember to "be like an Olympic judge" and toss out the lowest and the highest scores and go with the meat in the middle. 

When all else fails, if it's in the top 10 it can't be that bad, right?


To read more about the study click below:
Need a good hotel room? Follow the herd.

Eeeewwww......part 2

Anti-microbial remote control from DirectTV

Ok.  I'll own this: I'm a bit of a germ-a-phobe.  Especially in hotel rooms.  Ironically, being a maid at my local Best Western was my first job...perhaps this is where my phobia began (ya think?) The day I had to clean chip dip off a wall and toenail clippings out of a bathtub (shudder) was my last.  

Did you know the most germy thing in your hotel room is not the nasty bedspread that NEVER gets washed, but the TV remote?  Think about it. (but not for too long - ick). My neighbor happens to be a pilot and when he checks into a hotel room he takes the plastic bag off the plastic cups and slips it over the remote.  Genius. But what if you're at..say, the Waldorf and there are no plastic bags available? 

Well, DirectTV has invented something that will make my pilot friend and other grossed-out hotel guests very happy.  The anti-microbial remote control. It's coated with a lovely germ-resistant finish. "The company says the new coating will not change the feel of remote, but will offer up to 99.99 percent protection from harmful organisms such as bacteria, mold and fungi.”   Although still in the testing stage, it shows promise.

Now, if they could just guarantee me a brand new bedspread or duvet cover every time I stay somewhere I could stop bringing my own....(I'm kidding).



To read more: Germ free hotel TV remote

Get bumped? Get clever...

A friend of mine was on a business trip yesterday and trying to get home.  His flight was bumped countless times and then canceled altogether.  Arghhh.. In his case, it was weather related, understandable but frustrating just the same.

Here's a suggestion to not only give you something to do while you're waiting (because, c'mon - I know you're just playing around on your smart phone anyway) and actually help yourself get a leg up in the competition for a seat on the next available flight. Sign up for the airline's e-mail or text alerts. Passengers who get those alerts sometimes find out about cancellations even before they're announced at the airport, allowing them to get in line faster to talk to an agent. When you find out your flight is canceled, get in line and call the airline's reservations number at the same time. Someone may pick up the phone faster than it takes for you get to the front of the line.

Glamour Girl Camping

do I see a waiter in there?

For those who hate camping...there's "Glamping"!  Short for glamorous camping. It's camping with a little something extra - or alot in some cases.  It's perfect for people who are in a "mixed marriage": one loves to camp, the other?  not so much.

I think I've camped only a couple of times in my life (I don't remember it very well - perhaps I've blocked it out).  My father was an Eagle/Falcon Owl/Big Bird Scout Leader whatever - I don't know...he was a big time scout-guy.  He could make a fire out of a couple of rocks and a cool breeze.  We ALWAYS had a big, yellow canoe strapped to the hood of our car (THAT'S not embarrassing when you're in high school).  I have to admit I did enjoy the canoeing part, but I was greatly relieved when my brothers finally got a little older and they could go on trips with my dad and I was politely "excused".

aahhh....sheets.

I don't like to get dirty (I even hate to garden).  Bugs are irritating and for some reason they think I'm delicious.  I have a strange affinity for my blow dryer and it's quite impossible for me to get by without it.  Some gals can look ever so cute in the ponytail/baseball cap combo. Me?  uummm no.  I require a hot shower and plenty of hair products.

It seems I'm not alone because more and more resorts are offering upscale alternatives to traditional camping. Although not exactly defined, "the "glamping" term generally applies to commercial camping options that involve accommodations with wood floors, premium bedding and “en-suite” amenities, such as rugs, wood stoves and propane lighting." Hmmm...didn't see anything there about providing an outlet for my Conair Ionic Turbo Styler.  I did see something about a butler and a camp chef - that I like.

no moldy sleeping bag here...

To read more: 

Glamping - The Cure For the Common Camping Trip

Glamping - Camping, But Not Quite 

A shiny new website...

TripScout has just acquired a new home:    www.TripScoutTV.com.  Although we haven't packed or called the movers just yet, we're on our way! For now, you can still find us right here. 


If you have any great travel info you want to share about a destination or a fabulous hotel, send me an email here: Naomi@TripScoutTV.com.
Later,
N

Wanted: a little inspiration...and a beach!

Cancun.  Photo courtesy of....me!

TripScout has been awfully quiet for awhile due to a serious lack of travel inspiration.  Now that summer is upon us, it's got me thinking about....next winter!!!  I need to plan a ladies getaway and here's the catch - Mexico is my fave, but we're looking for somewhere new this year.  Here's our checklist:

1.  BEACH!
2.  Has to be warm (75 degrees or so) in February
3.  Has to be less than a 4 hour plane ride away
4.  Somewhat affordable

I'm looking for fresh new ideas....got one?  send it!

Um..Your Highness? That'll be $720,000, please.

North Island, Seychelles

Beaches and butlers don't come cheap...but holy cow!  That's quite a tab.

The Royal Honeymoon Pricetag

Rumor has it....

Not bad...

...the new "Dude" William and Duchess Kate are honeymooning in the Seychelles, a string of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles off the eastern coast of Kenya.

I guess it'll do...

If you've got a pot of gold and would like to visit there yourself here are some links to more info:
Washington Post Lifestyle Travel
Trip Advisor Reviews-North Island, Seychelles
Seychelles Travel Info.
Eyes on Africa - Seychelles Tourism

See the link below to the resort where His and Her Royal-ness are staying - give yourself a little mental vacation and flip through the photos of the villas...seriously, wow...
North Island Resort, Seychelles

And for your listening pleasure, here's "Rumor Has It" by Adele:
Rumor Has It

SATC Hotels - which one are you?

I love to pass along good info when I find it and if you've been reading this blog for a while you know I've mentioned Oyster.com before - it's one of my favorite hotel sites.  The peeps at Oyster thoroughly investigate hotels (so you don't have to) in major cities in the U.S. and some great beach destinations as well.  I loved this little article they sent me today (how did they know I love the SATC girls?) They suggest hotels to fit each of the girls' personalities....The first hotel they recommend is one of my favorites...The Bowery Hotel.  At least Carrie and I have one thing in common...but why can't it be her shoes?

Here's the link:   SATC hotels - are you a "Carrie" or a "Charlotte"?
See TripScout's review of The Bowery.

Bill at The Bowery

Me at Carrie's door (I'm such a dork)